Eating Pork

Both the Bible and the Qur’an prohibit the eating of pork. Muslims are aware of this prohibition and observe it strictly.
However, most readers of the Bible say they do not know where they can find this in the Bible.

In the book of Leviticus, chapter 11, v. 7, it is recorded that God declares the pig to be unclean for believers. Then, in
verse 8, God says: “You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you”. This command is
repeated in Deuteronomy 14:7-8. Then, in Isaiah 65:2-4, and 66:17, God issues a stern warning against those who
eat pork.

Some people are aware of this prohibition from God, but they say that they can eat pork because St. Paul said that all
food is clean in his letter to the Romans 14:20. St. Paul said this because he believed (as he wrote in his letter to the
Ephesians 2:14-15) that Jesus had abolished the Law with all its commandments and regulations. He seems, however,
to have misunderstood what he heard about Jesus. In the Gospel According to Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus is reported to
have said quite the contrary, as follows: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law . . . ." Jesus then went on
in that passage (in verse 19) to denounce anyone who would break the smallest commandment and teach others
likewise. He also praised his true followers who will practice and teach even the smallest commandment. One of the
commandments, as we have seen, is to stay away from pork.

This is why the true followers of Jesus, holding on to his teachings, did not let unclean food such as pork enter their
mouths, so that Peter, the chief disciple, can say, “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean” (Acts of the
Apostles, ch. 10, v. 14)

Five chapters later in the Acts of the Apostles, 15:29, we find that the original disciples still differentiate between clean
and unclean foods, and this time Paul is in agreement with them. Six chapters later, in ch. 21, v. 25, their decision to
impose food regulations on believers is mentioned without regret, and this time Paul is challenged to prove that he is in
agreement with them; and he demonstrated his full agreement with them.

What remains, then, is that Jesus, on whom be peace, upheld the prohibition against pork. His disciples also upheld it,
and so must all his followers. Those who fail to uphold it need to be informed and reminded of this rule from God.
This is one reason why God sent His final messenger, on whom be peace. God says:

“O people of the Scripture ! Now has Our Messenger come unto you, expounding unto you much of that which you
used to hide in the Scripture, and forgiving much. Now has come unto you light from Allah and a plain Scripture.”
(The Meaning of the Glorious Qur’an 5:15).

Status of Women in Islam

"Why is it that so many women who have been born and brought in Europe and America are willing to reject their 'liberty' and 'independence' to embrace a religion that supposedly oppresses them and is widely assumed to be prejudicial to them?" This is a question that I found on one of the sites while surfing around, and I found it an interesting question and which I'd like to draw this article around.

Can Islam be prejudiced to women, and yet appeal to women? Can Islam lower the status of a woman and still have more women embracing it as their way of life than men? According to an article written by Lucy Berrington in the Times Magazine (London) dated 9th Nov. 1993: "It is even more ironic that most British converts should be women, given the widespread view in the west that Islam treats women poorly. In the United States, women converts outnumber men by four to one, and in Britain make up the bulk of the estimated 10, 000 to 20, 000 converts, forming part of a Muslim community of 1 to 1.5 million "

How can the case of those women be explained?! Well, I could say that there are only one of two choices that one can decide upon. Either all those women who choose Islam don't know what they are doing or that they discovered Islam is not prejudice to them as others have yet to discover. New convert to Islam since September 11, US Navy petty officer, Heather Ramaha. "Islam gives us Elevation; not Degradation"

In the Noble Quran Allah (Arabic word for God) says:
"Mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the Sight of Allah is the believer who has Taqwa (i.e. piety and righteousness)and loves Allah most. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware." The Holy Qur'an(49:13)

"I shall not lose sight of the labor of any of you who labors in My way, be it man or woman; each of you is equal to the other. The Holy Qur'an(3:195)"

On the light of those verses, Islam declares that it has not come to disadvantage women, but in fact has been revealed to elevate women ever since 1400 years ago, when women in many parts of the world and especially in the western societies were considered objects that are owned and with little to no rights in the society they live in.

Before any other religion or system in the world Islam gave a woman the right to inherit, the right to vote and voice her opinion, the right to trade invest and improve herself financially, the right to own - buy and sell, the right to seek knowledge and have a good education, the right to work and has even gone further to oblige the males in every stage of her life, whether it was a father, brother or husband ... It's their duty before God to take care of her, to spend on her, to provide her with the food , clothing and shelter that she needs, to provide her with a good education, to protect her from anything that can harm her and to never hesitate to put their lives in stake for her if the need calls them to do so. "As a modern westerner with a career, of course I had to look into Islam's attitude to women - I couldn't be oppressed all of a sudden. But I discovered that it is pro-women and pro-men; in Islam, women had the right to vote in the year 600. Men dress modestly, women dress modestly; neither should flirt with the eyes, but rather they should lower their gaze. I think it's unhealthy to flaunt your sexuality - it attracts the wrong energy back." (MTV Presenter Kristiane Backer after being a Muslim) "Since I called myself a feminist, my early reading centered around women in Islam. I thought Islam oppressed women. In my Women's Studies courses I had read about Muslim women who were not allowed to leave their homes and were forced to cover their heads. Of course I saw hijab as an oppressive tool imposed by men rather than as an expression of self-respect and dignity. What I discovered in my readings surprised me. Islam not only does not oppress women, but actually liberates them, having given them rights in the 6th century that we have only gained in this century in this country: the right to own property and wealth and to maintain that in her name after marriage; the right to vote; and the right to divorce." (Karima Slack, an American feminist from secular humanism to Islam)

Some Muslim societies today lack those values. Some people may rightly ask then, why do we see some Muslim societies lacking those values? There is a beautiful and very true example I heard from a lecture by an American Muslim called Khaled Yaseen, who said that every person can be a father; but if a father does not turn out to be a good father then it's not fatherhood that we would blame. Similarly, Islam is a rule and order. A Muslim who does not act according to that rule and order then by all means its not Islam that should carry the blame.

Karla, a young Blonde haired Blue eyed young American from Washington DC who is a recent convert to Islam said in an interview made with her: The main question people seem to ask, is "How could you, an educated American woman convert to Islam--a religion that oppresses women?" They are quick to try and equate the rights of women in Afghanistan with the rights of Muslim women everywhere. Basically, what I tell them, is that the Qur'an gives women more rights than the Bible does--in print. That was one of the things that first drew me to Islam. Unfortunately today, Islam is no longer the leader in women's rights. I had a choice--deny what I believe (i.e. that There is only one God, and that Muhammed is a Prophet of God)...or accept what I believe, but work to change the problems that exist within the Muslim community. I chose the latter.

In the world today, one could say that the Taliban government in Afghanistan have been considered as the top example of Women Oppression in Islam. But what's ironic is that even when a woman falls captive in the hands of those supposedly most hateful men in the world, Islam does not fail to win her heart.

Yvonne Ridley is an award-winning journalist of more than 25 years standing and author of two books, In The Hands of the Taliban and Ticket to Paradise. She has spent the last 10 years working for several prestigious Fleet Street newspapers including The Sunday Times, The Observer, The Independent on Sunday and The Sunday Express. She has also expanded into television and radio producing several documentaries from Iraq and Afghanistan. Yvonne hit the headlines in September 2001 when while working for the Daily Express she crossed illegally into Afghanistan and was subsequently held captive by the Taliban for 11 days. Following her release, she read the Qur'an as she had agreed to during her captivity, and converted to Islam in the summer of 2003.

Last but not least I would like to conclude by the blessed sayings of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him:
"It is the generous (in character) who is good to women, and it is the wicked who insults them."
"The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of you are those who are best to their wives."
"Treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers."

By Noor Al Haqq

How to Pray 10 Jumah on one Friday

How many Jumah salat can we pray on a single Friday? Answer, no more than one. However, here is a way that will get you reward of praying more than one Jumah on any given Friday.

Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w) said:
Whoever invites towards (the path of) guidance shall receive a reward equal to the rewards of those who follow him without this decreasing anything from their rewards. (Sahih Muslim)

Using this formula, if you invite 9 of your friends to offer Jumah with you and they respond to your call then you will get the reward for your own Jumah plus nine additional Jumah prayers. You can increase the number by as many as you want!

How great is Almighty Allah who has made earning for the hereafter very easy.

"And whoever guides others towards good is equal to the doer of good." (Tirmidhi)

DID SAYYIDA AYESHA (ra) MARRY MUHAMMAD (P.B.U.H), THE PROPHET OF ISLAM, AT AGE 6?

Rev. Jerry Vines while speaking to the Pastors’ Conference of the Southern Baptist Convention, St. Louis, Missouri on June 10, 2002, called the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) a paedophile and demon-possessed.  The Muslims all over the world were deeply offended by his remarks, as were many people of other faiths.  While certainly both of these allegations about the person of the Prophet of Islam can be effectively refuted, the author of this article proposes to present the Qur’anic concept of marriageable age as well as an in-depth analysis of the issue of Sayyida Ayesha’s age at the time of her marriage with the Messenger of Allah (pbuh).  This critique is based on many historical reports as have reached us through the history books of Islam.

It is to be pointed at the very outset that a vast majority of the Muslims professes two sources of the Divine Guidance--the Qur’an and the Sunnah.  The Qur’an is the actual Word of Allah (God) revealed by the archangel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) over a period of 23 years during the period 610-632 A.D in the Arabian Peninsula.  The Qur’an that was revealed as Guidance and Light (17:9) for all mankind was written and properly documented by some forty scribes during the lifetime of the Prophet.  There is historical, as well as internal evidence right from within the Qur’an to that effect (80:11-16 and 25:5).  Of prime importance is the fact that one does not fail to find God’s Personal guarantee against any possible corruption in the Scripture (15:9).  Furthermore, the Qur’an was not only written and documented but it was committed to memory in its entirety during the lifetime of the Prophet (pbuh).  This noble tradition of double preservation, namely, memorization and writing of the Qur’an, continues to this day.  For the last more than 1400 years, hundreds of thousands of individuals have always been around in the world who have known the entire Qur’an by heart.  It is noteworthy that although there are several sects in Islam, the Qur’an remains perfectly preserved to the letter in its pristine original Arabic language as it is recited, understood and referred to on a daily basis for explanations by all sects.  Thus, while the interpretations of some verses may vary, the original Arabic text has remained the same without sectarian bias.

The Author of the Qur’an, Allah, the Most High, enjoined Prophet Muhammad (and all believers) to strictly follow the Quran (6:106; 10:109; 33:2) and it stands witness to the fact that Muhammad (pbuh) and his followers did exactly that all their lives (7:203; 46:9; 6:50).  In fact, Muhammad (pbuh) himself was warned in rather stern terms not to go against the Qur’anic teachings (17:39, 10:94-95, 69:40-48).  Furthermore, the Qur’an declares the Prophet (pbuh) to be a man of highest moral standards (68:4; 33:21) and the best exemplar for humanity.  The Qur’an enjoins the believers in scores of verses to follow Prophet Muhammad’s teachings and accept him as a final authority in all their affairs.

The Second generally accepted source of Islamic faith is the Sunnah.  The Sunnah is the summation of Islamic teachings related to faith and code of conduct as personally practiced and perpetuated by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).  TheSunnah remains the second source of guidance in Islam for all believers in their personal as well as collective and communal lives.  It also provides a framework of proper Islamic governance.  Many Sunnah protocols are related to articles of Islamic faith and rituals that are continuous from the day of the Prophet but a great many others are largely derived from a huge body of compilations of oral narrations transmitting reports of the sayings and actions of the Prophet collectively referred to as Hadith. The corpus of Hadith, also known as traditions of the Prophet, consists of narrations extracted from many compilations of reported accounts of Prophet Muhammad’s sayings, actions, and tacit approvals.  There are six books of Hadith (Sihah Sitta) that are generally considered authentic by the main stream Sunni Muslims.  There is also an entirely different set of four Hadith books, devoutly followed by the Shia Muslim community, that were also recorded at about the same time or even later.  Nevertheless, even though these chest-to-chest reports of the Prophet’s sayings and actions that were said to have undergone intense scrutiny for authenticity, a large body of narrations prevalent at the time was rejected by some notable original compilers of the Hadith as many of them failed one or more of the tests of ascertaining authenticity. Thus, these compilers of Hadith, who lived some 200-300 years after the passing away of the Prophet (pbuh), were believed to be able to finally separate wheat from chaff with the result that they committed to writing only  those ahadith that fitted their criteria of authenticity.  Thus, in essence, the process of oral transmission (word of mouth) made the basis of all these collections.  This process commonly known as‘Isnaad’ or ‘chain of narration’ typically comprised a chain of 4-6 narrators (including, of course, many of them who had been long dead at the time of writing) going back 200-300 years in time to the companions and to Prophet Muhammad himself.  These accounts also seek to portray a fair amount of Muslim history and culture during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad. Nonetheless, it must be pointed out that the only true surviving book, call it Islamic history or Divine Guidance, that was memorized by thousands of Companions of the Prophet, and written in a completely and carefully documented form many times over, is none other than the Qur’an itself.  The most well-known earliest Islamic history books, ‘Seerat Rasool Allah’ (Seerah) by Ibn Ishaq (d. 767 A.D), and Tabaqaat by Ibn Sa’d (d 175 H) , was written more than 90 years after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).  The Seerat Rasoolallah that gives the account of Prophet’s life and his involvement in defensive battles was also based on oral transmissions.  Ibn Ishaq was severely criticized by some contemporary notable scholars of Islam such as Malik bin Anas, the originator of the Maliki School of thought in Islamic jurisprudence, now mainly practiced in Africa .

The majority of Muslims considers two of the six Hadith books, those authored by Al-Bukhari (d. 870 A.D) and Al-Muslim (d. 875 A.D), most authentic after the Qur’an despite the fact that they were written 200-300 years after the passing away of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).  As mentioned earlier, these scholars of Islam exercised great caution in selecting what they called correct traditions and proceeded with purest of intentions but one must not lose sight of the fact that they still collected ‘narrations’ from living people who were not the primary or even secondary or tertiary sources of the accounts of the life and sayings of Muhammad (pbuh) and his companions.  Some Islamic historians (and/or exegetes of the Qur’an) whose books about early Islamic history are considered of high importance and who derive their history from the earliest works of Ibn Ishaq’s Seerah, or Ibn S’ad’s Tabaqaat include Ibn Hisham (d. 827 A.D), Tabari (d. 923 ), Ibn Katheer, and Ibn Hajar Al-asqalani, to name a few.

This introduction of the generally accepted two sources of Islam (the Qur’an and the Sunnah/Hadith), I believe, is necessary for the reader to understand the issue at hand---the age of Ayesha, the third wife of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) at the time of her marriage with him.

ROTATION OF SUN AND MOON

Today we know that the Moon revolves around the earth in approximately 29.5 days. The sun also revolves in its own orbit. To understand the sun’s orbit, Dr. Bucaille says that the position of the sun in our galaxy must be considered, and we must therefore call on modern scientific ideas (The Bible, the Quran and Science, p. 162).

Our galaxy, the milky way galaxy, includes one hundred billion stars situated in such a formation that the galaxy is shaped like a disc. This disc turns around its center like a gramophone record. Now, it is obvious that when a gramophone record turns, any point on the disc would move around and come back to its original position. Similarly, every star in the galaxy moves as the galaxy rotates on its axis. Therefore the stars that are away from the center of the galaxy orbit around the axis. The sun is one of those stars.

Dr. Bucaille explains that modern science has worked out the details of the sun’s orbit as follows:

“To complete one revolution on its own axis, the galaxy and the sun take roughly 250 million years. The sun travels roughly 150 miles per second in the completion of this” (The Bible, the Quran and Science, p. 162).

After describing this, Dr. Bucaille comments:

“The above is the orbital movement of the sun that was already referred to in the Quran fourteen centuries ago.” (The Bible, the Quran and Science, p. 162)

And yet this is a new finding. As Dr. Bucaille says, the knowledge of the sun’s orbit is an acquisition of modern astronomy (The Bible, the Quran and Science, p. 162).

Two verses in the Quran refer to the orbits of the sun and moon. After mentioning the sun and the moon, Allah says:

“Each one is traveling in an orbit with its own motion” (Quran, 21:33; 36:40).

Even after the Quran was revealed, early commentators could not conceive of the orbits of the sun and moon. The tenth century commentator Tabari could not explain this so he said, “It is our duty to keep silent when we do not know” (XVII, 15 quoted in The Bible, the Quran and Science, p. 161).

Dr. Bucaille comments:

“This shows just how incapable men were of understanding this concept of the sun’s and moon’s orbit.” (The Bible, the Quran and Science, p. 161).

From this it is clear that if the Quran was here expressing an idea already known to the people, the commentators would have easily understood it. But this, as Dr. Bucaille explains was “a new concept that was not to be explained until centuries later” (The Bible, the Quran and Science, p. 161)

This confirms what Allah said to his prophet, on whom be peace:

“This is of the tidings of the Unseen which we inspire in you (Muhammad). Neither you nor your people knew it before this” (Quran 11:49).

The above information was extracted from Islamic Information and Dawah Centre Website (islaminfo.com)

WHO IS ALLAH?

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) described the greatness of Allah in the most beautiful way:

"He is controlling the affairs of all the kingdoms. He commands and prohibits, creates and gives provision, and gives death and gives life. He raises and lowers people’s status, alternates night and day, gives days (good and not so good) to men by turns, and causes nations to rise and fall, so that one nation vanishes and another emerges. His command and decree are carried out throughout the heavens and on earth, above it and below it, in the oceans and in the air. He has knowledge of all things and knows the number of all things. He hears all voices, and does not mistake one for another; He hears them all, in all the different languages and with all their varied requests and pleas. No voice distracts Him from hearing another, He does not confuse their requests, and He never tires of hearing the pleas of those in need. He sees all that is visible, even the walk of a black ant across a solid rock in the darkest night.

The unseen is visible to Him, and secrets are known to Him Whosoever is in the heavens and on earth begs of Him (its needs from Him). Every day He has a matter to bring forth (such as giving honour to some, disgrace to some, life to some, death to some, etc.)! [The Quran 55:29 interpretation of the meaning]. He forgives sins, eases worries, relieves distress, helps the defeated person back on his feet, makes the poor rich, guides the one who is astray and confused, fulfils the needs of the desperate, feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, conceals faults, and calms fears. He raises the status of some and lowers the status of others. Even if all the inhabitants of heaven and earth, the first and the last of them, mankind and jinn alike, were to be as pious as the most pious among them, this would not increase His sovereignty in the slightest; if they all, the first and the last of them, mankind and jinn alike, were to be as rebellious as the most rebellious among them, this would not decrease His sovereignty in the slightest. If everything in heaven and on earth, the first and the last of them, mankind and jinn, living and dead, animate and inanimate, were to stand in one place and ask of Him, and He were to give them everything that they asked for, this would not decrease what He has by even an atom’s weight.

He is the First, before Whom there is nothing, and the Last, after Whom there is nothing. He is the Most deserving of being remembered, the Most deserving of being worshipped, the Most deserving of being thanked. He is the Most Compassionate of kings, the Most Generous of those who are asked. He is the King Who has no partner or associate, the One who has no rival, the Self-Sufficient Master, Who has no son, the Most High, and there is none like unto Him. Everything will perish save His face [Quran 28:88 interpretation of the meaning], and everything will vanish except His sovereignty. He will not be obeyed except by His permission, and He will not be disobeyed except with His knowledge. He is obeyed, so He shows His appreciation, and He is disobeyed, so he forgives. Every punishment on His part is justice, and every blessing from Him is a favour. He is the closest of witnesses and the nearest of protectors. He seizes people by their forelocks, records their deeds and decrees the appointed time for all things. Hearts conceal nothing from Him, for secrets are known to Him. His gift is a word and His punishment is a word: Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, Be! and it is. [Quran, 36:82 interpretation of the meaning].

(Adapted from al-Waabil al-Sayib, p. 125)

This is Allah, who revealed the Glorious Quran for the guidance of mankind.

STATUS OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD

"Have We not opened your breast for you (O Muhammad)? And removed from you your burden. Which weighed down your back? And have We not raised high your fame?" (The Quran, 94:1-4)

These verses were revealed during the early part of the Prophet’s life in Makkah, when he was in such a weak and difficult position that he could not even move about in the city, preach or pray freely. The Holy Quran in this background states that his name has been exalted with great esteem. Let us see how Allah has raised the status of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Muhammad is the most popular name in the world. A very common practice amongst Muslims is to have Muhammad as the first, middle, or last part of their names. This is a unique honour that Allah gave only to Muhammad (peace be upon him). Millions of Muslims have always carried this name, making it the most widely known and repeated name throughout the world.

In addition, Allah has made Prophet Muhammad’s name an integral part of the basic Kalimah (article of faith) of Islam. Every practising Muslim recites this kalimah as a daily routine of his life. Countless persons thus recite Prophet Muhammad’s name countless times, every day in their lives.

Moreover, Allah has made Prophet Muhammad’s name an integral part of Adhan which is regularly called from each mosque throughout the world five times a day before prayers. Due to the oval shape of the earth, there is always a city where a certain prayer times begin. As a result, no hour passes by where Prophet Muhammad’s name is not called out in this world!

PRESERVATION OF PHARAOH’S BODY

Dr. Maurice Bucaille is an eminent French surgeon, scientist, scholar and author of "The Bible, The Quran and Science" which contains the result of his research into the Judeo-Christian Revelation and the Quran. It is a unique contribution in the field of religion and science.

Being an outstanding Scientist, he was selected to treat the mummy of Merneptah (Pharaoh), which he did. During his visit to Saudi Arabia he was shown the verses of the Holy Quran in which Allah says that the dead body of the Pharaoh will be preserved as a "Sign" for posterity.

"So this day We shall deliver your (dead) body (out from the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after you! And verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs , revelations, etc.)." (The Quran, 10:92)

An impartial scientist like Dr. Bucaille, who (being also a Christian) was conversant with the Biblical version of Pharaoh's story as being drowned in pursuit of Prophet Moses. He was pleasantly surprised to learn that unknown to the world till only of late 20th century, the Holy Quran made definite prediction about the preservation of the body of that same Pharaoh of Moses' time. This led Dr. Bucaille to study the Holy Quran thoroughly after learning the Arabic language and accepted Islam as the truth.

The body of Pharaoh is now lying in a Cairo museum as an open miracle of the Holy Quran, for those who pay heed to the signs of Allah.

Source: Partially taken from "The Origin of Man", by Dr. Maurice Bucaille.

The Creation of Hell Fire

"Fear the fire, which is prepared for the disbelievers."
[Ali'-Imran, 3: 131]

"Truly Hell is lying in wait- a destination for the transgressors." (One's rejection of faith is transgression against Allah and himself).
[an-Naba, 78: 21-22]

Abdullah bin Umar (radiAllahu anhu) narrated: "Allah Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, 'When someone dies, he is shown his destination morning and evening and if he belongs to the people of Paradise, (he will be shown his place) among the people of Paradise, and if he is from the people of Hell, (he will be shown his place) among the people of Hell.'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari]

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "There was a dispute between Hell and Paradise during which Hell said, 'The haughty and the proud will find abode in me.' And Paradise said, 'The meek and the humble will find their abode in me.' Thereupon, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, (addressing Hell) said, 'You are the means of My punishment by which I punish those of My servants whom I wish.' (and addressing Paradise), He said, 'You are My mercy by means of which I will show mercy to those whom I wish. And each one of you will be full.'"
[Muslim]

Story of Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great is known as the most powerful military leader and
conqueror of the ancient world. Before he turned 30 years old he
conquered an empire stretching over 3,000 miles from Greece to India.
He was born in 356 BC in Macedonia, known today as northern Greece.

On his sickbed and during his last hour alive, Alexander the Great
told his generals "After my death, when you put my body in the casket,
let my arms hang over the edges with my palms wide open, so the public
can see my empty hands while I am leaving the world." After he died,
many dignitaries came to view the royal funeral and were very
surprised to see his arms hanging over the edge of the casket with his
palms wide open. They asked questions about this unique scene. A wise
man told them "O People, Alexander the Great is telling us that when
he ruled the world, great treasures of gold, silver and wealth came to
be under his possession. Yet, indeed he is leaving the world empty
handed."

Source: Partially extracted from the writtings of JC Pinkerton.

Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Three things follow the bier
of a dead man, two of them come back and one is left with him: the
members of his family, wealth and his good deeds. The members of his
family and wealth come back while his deeds alone are left with him.
(Sahih Muslim)

What Does Islam Say about Terrorism?

Islam, a religion of mercy, does not permit terrorism. In the Quran,
God has said:

"God does not forbid you from showing kindness and dealing justly with
those who have not fought you about religion and have not driven you
out of your homes. God loves just dealers." (Quran 60:8)

The Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him,
used to prohibit soldiers from killing women and children,[1] and he
would advise them: "...Do not betray, do not be excessive, do not kill
a newborn child."[2] And he also said: "Whoever has killed a person
having a treaty with the Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of
Paradise, though its fragrance is found for a span of forty years."[3]

Also, the Prophet Muhammad has forbidden punishment with fire.[4]

He once listed murder as the second of the major sins,[5] and he even
warned that on the Day of Judgment, "The first cases to be adjudicated
between people on the Day of Judgment will be those of
bloodshed.[6]"[7]

Muslims are even encouraged to be kind to animals and are forbidden to
hurt them. Once the Prophet Muhammad said: "A woman was punished
because she imprisoned a cat until it died. On account of this, she
was doomed to Hell. While she imprisoned it, she did not give the cat
food or drink, nor did she free it to eat the insects of the
earth."[8]

He also said that a man gave a very thirsty dog a drink, so God
forgave his sins for this action. The Prophet, may the mercy and
blessings of God be upon him, was asked, "Messenger of God, are we
rewarded for kindness towards animals?" He said: "There is a reward
for kindness to every living animal or human."[9]

Additionally, while taking the life of an animal for food, Muslims are
commanded to do so in a manner that causes the least amount of fright
and suffering possible. The Prophet Muhammad said: "When you slaughter
an animal, do so in the best way. One should sharpen his knife to
reduce the suffering of the animal."[10]

In light of these and other Islamic texts, the act of inciting terror
in the hearts of defenseless civilians, the wholesale destruction of
buildings and properties, the bombing and maiming of innocent men,
women, and children are all forbidden and detestable acts according to
Islam and the Muslims. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and
forgiveness, and the vast majority have nothing to do with the violent
events some have associated with Muslims. If an individual Muslim were
to commit an act of terrorism, this person would be guilty of
violating the laws of Islam.

Footnotes:

[1] Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1744, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3015.

[2] Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1731, and Al-Tirmizi, #1408.

[3] Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3166, and Ibn Majah, #2686.

[4] Narrated in Abu-Dawood, #2675.

[5] Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6871, and Saheeh Muslim, #88.

[6] This means killing and injuring.

[7] Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1678, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6533.

[8] Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2422, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2365.

[9] Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2244, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2466.

[10] Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1955, and Al-Tirmizi, #1409.

Jihad and Islam

The word Jihad represents a concept which is much misunderstood in the
West. The concept is explained nicely by the Christian scholar Ira 6.
Zepp, Jr. in his book entitled A Muslim Primer on pages 133-135. We
adapt from his answer the following:

The essential meaning of Jihad is the spiritual, psychological, and
physical effort we exert to be close to God and thus achieve a just
and harmonious society. Jihad literally means "striving" or "struggle"
and is shorthand for Jihad fi Sabeel Allah (struggle for God's cause).
In a sense, every Muslim is a Mujahid, one who strives for God and
justice.

Al-Ghazali captured the essence of Jihad when he said: "The real Jihad
is the warfare against (one's own) passions. Dr. Ibrahim Abu-Rabi
calls Jihad "the execution of effort against evil in the self and
every manifestation of evil in society." In a way, Jihad is the
Muslim's purest sacrifice: a struggle to live a perfect life and
completely submit to God.

Another form of Jihad is the striving to translate the Word of God
into action. If one has experienced God and received guidance from the
Qur'an, one struggles to apply that guidance in daily life. So the
larger, more prevalent meaning of Jihad is the spiritual struggle of
the soul. In this case, Jihad is always present for the believer
whether there is an external enemy or not. We should never reduce
Jihad to violence.

A third level of Jihad is popularly known as "holy war." The classic
passage is found in the Qur'an:
Fight in the way of Allah those who fight against you, but transgress
not the limits. Truly Allah likes not the transgressors (Qur'an
2:190).

It is crucial to note here that what is condoned is defensive warfare;
Islam cannot justify aggressive war. Muhammad and the Tradition are
also against killing non-combatants, torturing of prisoners, the
destruction of crops, animals and homes. Adapted from Ira 6. Zepp,
Jr., A Muslim Primer (1992, Wakefield Editions, US) pp.133-135.

Robert Ellwood of the University of Southern California has the
following to say about the Muslim concept of Jihad:
Out of the community ideal of Islam comes the concept of jihad, or
holy war, which is designed to defend Islam and allow its social
practice, though not to force individual conversions, which is
forbidden. Since Islam in principle is a community as well as a
religion, presumably only an absolute pacifist would be able to reject
the theory of jihad out of hand, since other communities also fight to
defend or expand their ways of life. (Many Peoples, Many Faiths by
Robert S. Ellwood, 4th edition, Simon & Schuster, US, 1982, p.346)

The dwelling-places of the jinn

The jinn live on this earth where we do. They are mostly to be found
in ruins and unclean places like bathrooms, dunghills, garbage dumps
and graveyards. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) taught us to take precautions when entering such places, by
reciting the adhkaar (prayers) prescribed by Islam. One of these was
reported by Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him), who
said: "When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) entered the toilet, he would say, 'Allaahumma innee a'oodhu
bika min al-khubuthi wa'l-khabaa'ith (O Allaah, I seek refuge with You
from the evil ones, male and female).'" (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 142;
and Muslim, 375).

Al-Khattaabi explained that khubuth is the plural of khabeeth (evil or
dirty - masculine form), and khabaa'ith is the plural of khabeethah
(evil or dirty - feminine form), and that what is meant is male and
female shayaateen.

The food and drink of the Jinn

The jinn eat and drink. Ibn Mas'ood said: "The Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 'Someone from among
the jinn called me, and I went with him and recited Qur'aan for them.'
He took us and showed us the traces of where they had been and the
traces of their fires. They asked him for food and he said, 'You can
have every bone on which the name of Allaah has been mentioned that
comes into your possession, as meat, and all the droppings as food for
your animals.' The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said, 'So do not use [these things] for cleaning yourselves [after
relieving oneself], for they are the food and provision of your
brothers.'" (Reported by Muslim, 450).

According to another report: "A delegation of jinn from Naseebeen came
to me, and what good jinn they are! They asked me for food and I
prayed to Allaah for them, so that they would not pass by bones or
droppings, but they would find food on them." (Reported by
al-Bukhaari, 3571). The believing jinn may eat any bone on which the
name of Allaah has been mentioned, because the Messenger (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not permit them to have anything
on which Allaah's name has not been mentioned - those are for the
kuffaar among the jinn.

We all have a Jinn Companion

Every individual among the sons of Aadam has a jinn who has been
appointed to be his constant companion (qareen). Ibn Mas'ood said:
"The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said, 'There is not one of you who does not have a jinn appointed to
be his constant companion.' They said, 'And you too, O Messenger of
Allaah?' He said, 'Me too, but Allaah has helped me and he has
submitted, so that he only helps me to do good.'" (Reported by Muslim,
2814). Al-Nawawi said in his commentary on Muslim (17/175): "'He has
submitted' ... he became a believing Muslim. This is the apparent
meaning. Al-Qaadi said: Know that the ummah is agreed upon the fact
that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was
protected from Shaytaan, physically and mentally, and with regard to
his speech. This hadeeth contains a reference to the warning against
the fitnah (temptation, trial) and whispers of the qareen (constant
companion from among the jinn). We know that he is with us so we
should beware of him as much as possible."

Types of Jinns

Allaah has created different types of jinn. Among them are some who
can take on different forms, such as dogs and snakes; some who are
like flying winds with wings; and some who can travel and rest. Abu
Tha'labah al-Khushani said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 'The jinn are of three types: a
types that has wings, and they fly through the air; a type that looks
like snakes and dogs; and a type that stops for a rest then resumes
its journey."

(Reported by al-Tahhaawi in Mushkil al-Athaar, 4/95, and by
al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer, 22/214. Shaykh al-Albaani said in
al-Mishkaat (2/1206, no. 4148): al-Tahhaawi and Abu'l-Shaykh reported
it with a saheeh isnaad).

Do Jinns Exist?

The Qur'aan and Sunnah indicate that the jinn exist, and that there
is a purpose for their existence in this life, which is to worship
Allaah Alone, with no partner or associate. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meanings):

"And I (Allaah) created not the jinns and humans, except they should
worship Me (Alone)." [al-Dhaariyaat 51:56].

"O assembly of jinns and mankind! Did there not come to you Messengers
from amongst you, reciting unto you My Verses...?" [al-An'aam 6:130]

The world of the jinn is an independent and separate world, with its
own distinct nature and features that are hidden from the world of
humans. Jinns and humans have some things in common, such as the
possession of understanding and the choice between the way of good and
the way of evil. The word jinn comes from an Arabic root meaning
"hidden from sight". Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"...Verily he [Shaytaan] and his qabeeluhu [his soldiers from the jinn
or his tribe] see you from where you cannot see them..." [al-A'raaf
7:27]

Allaah has told us in His Book the essence from which the jinn were
created. He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless flame o fire."
[al-Hijr 15:27]

"And the jinns did He create from a smokeless flame of fire."
[al-Rahmaan 55:15].

According to a hadeeth narrated by 'Aa'ishah, the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The angels were created from
light, the jinn were created from fire, and Aadam was created from
that which has been described to you." (Reported by Muslim, 5314).

The Signs of QIYAMAH(Jugdement day)

The Minor Signs of the Last Day

by Mohammed Ali Ibn Zubair Ali

Qiyamah will come when...

Hadhrat Abu Musa Ash'ari (R.A.) narrates that Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alayhii Wassallam) said, "Qiyamah will come...

When it will be regarded as a shame to act on Quranic injunctions.

When untrustworthy people will be regarded as trustworthy and the trustworthy will be regarded as untrustworthy.

When it will be hot in winter.

When the length of days is stretched, i.e. a journey of a few days is covered in a matter of hours.

When orators and lecturers lie openly.

When people dispute over petty issues.

When women with children come displeased on account of them bearing offspring, and barren women remain happy on account of having no responsibility of offspring.

When oppression, jealousy, and greed become the order of the day.

When people blatantly follow their passions and whims.

When lies prevail over the truth.

When violence, bloodshed and anarchy become common.

When immorality overtakes shamelessness and is perpetrated publicly.

When legislation matters pertaining to Deen is handed over to the worst elements of the Ummat, and if people accept them and are satisfied with their findings, then such persons will not smell the fragrance of Jannat.

When the offspring become a cause of grief and anger (for their parents).


The following is part of a lengthy Hadith narrated by Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas'ood (R.A.) when he inquired from Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam) about the Signs of Qiyamah.

Music and musical instruments will be found in every home.

People will indulge in homosexuality.

There will be an abundance of illegitimate children.

There will be an abundance of critics, tale-carriers, back- biters and taunters in society.

People will establish ties with strangers and sever relations with their near and dear ones.

Hypocrites will be in control of the affairs of the community and evil, immoral people will be at the helm of business establishments.

The Masjid will be decorated, but the hearts of the people will be devoid of guidance.

The courtyards of Masjids will be built beautifully and high mimbars (pulpits) will be erected.

Gangsters and evil people will prevail.

Various wines will be consumed excessively.

Hadees

The Holy Prophet (SAW) Said:

1) Four things that make your body sick:

a) Excessive talking

b) Excessive sleeping

c) Excessive eating and

d) Excessive meeting other people

2) Four things that destroys the body:

a) Worrying

b) Sorrow (Sadness/Grief)

c) Hunger

d) Sleeping late in the night

3) Four things that dry the face & take away its happiness:

a) Lying

b) Being disrespectful / impudent (insisting on something wrong knowingly)

c) Arguing without adequate knowledge & Information.

d) Excessive immorality (doing something wrong without fear).

4) Four things that increases the wetness of face & its happiness:

a) Piety

b) Loyalty

c) Generosity (being kind)

d) To be helpful to others without he/she asking for that.

5) Four things that stop the Rizq (Sustenance) :

a) Sleeping in the morning (from Fajr to sunrise)

b) Not Performing Namaz or Ir-regular in Prayers

c) Laziness / Idleness

d) Treachery / Dishonesty

6) Four things that bring / increase the Rizq:

a) Staying up in the night for prayers.

b) Excessive Repentance

c) Regular Charity

d) Zikr (Remembrance of Allah / God).

The Holy Prophet (SAW), Also said to communicate to others even if you listen One Verse (Ayaah) & this one verse will stand on the Day of Judgment for intercession.

The Holy Prophet (SAW) said, Stop doing everything during the Azaan, even reading the Quran, the person who talks during the Azaan will not be able to say the Kalima E Shahada on his/her death bed....

Please pass this message to Muslims...

**READ THIS DUAA FOR BETTER LIFE**

Allahumma- inni- ala- Zikr-ika -wa Shuk-rika wa husni-Ibaadatik

Kabr ka AZAB

In this photo 18-year old young Arab boy who died in one of the hospitals of Oman . The boy died in hospital and was buried under the Islamic law on the same day after obligatory ablution of the body.. However after funeral the father doubted the diagnosis of doctors and wanted to identify the true reason of his death. The corpse of the boy had been dug out from the grave within 3 hours after his funeral as his father insisted to know the truth.

Relatives and his friends shocked when they saw the corpse.

He was completely different within 3 hours. He turned grey as if he was a very old man, with traces of obvious tortures and the most severe beating, with the broken bones of hands and legs, with the edges broken and pressed into a body.

All of his body and face were full of bruise. The open eyes-showed hopeless fear and pain. The blood obviously indicated that the boy has been subjected to the most severe torture.

Close relatives of the dead boy approached Muslim Scholars who have unequivocally declared that it is the result of torture in grave; which Allah (s.w.t) and Prophet Muhammad (s..a.w) have warned.

The shocked father of the boy has admitted that his son was spoilt child, did not obey his parent, did not do Salat (prayers / namaz) and had a carefree way of life, having involved in different sins..

Every person after death comes across tests in the tomb, except Shaheed who died in the way of Allah.. This is first test which the person comes across after death but before the Doomsday.

We find in Hadis of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w):

- After burial of dead person his soul will return to his body, then two Angels will come, Munkar and Nakir, and will ask: "Who is your Lord?" he will answer: "my Lord - Allah ".. Then they will ask: "What is your religion?" he will answer: "My religion - Islam". Then they will ask him: "Who that person who has been sent to you?" he will answer: "He is the Prophet of Allah ". Then they will ask him: "How do you know?" He will answer: "I read the Book of Allah and trusted Him.

And then from heavens the voice will come: " My Slave has told the truth, lay it to bed from Paradise and open the Gate of Paradise " - then it will be full of pleasure and he begins to feel pleasures of the paradise, and his grave becomes spacious, that eyes can reach.

The Prophet of Allah Muhammad (s.a.w) said about the sinners. After burial of dead person his soul will return to the body, then two Angels will come and ask, "Who is your Lord?" he will answer: "I do not know". Then they will ask: " Who that person who has been sent to you?" he again will answer: I "do not know" - and then from the sky the voice will come: "he told a lie, Put him into a box from fire and open before it the Gate of a hell!�- Than it will be captured with heat of the hell, and his grave becomes narrow and the edges will be compressed.

In Hadis it is also said, that Angels will severely beat the sinners during interrogation in the tomb and this torture will be awful. It is informed also, that our Messenger (s.a.w) supplicated to Allah to protect Him from tortures of the grave and asked other people to do so.

The Prophet (s.a.w) said: " The grave is the first stage of the hereafter. If a person is saved from its torment, then what comes after it is really easy. If one is not saved from it, what follows is really severer." (Ibn Maja)

The Prophet (s.a.w) said: " I have never seen a more horrible sight than that of the grave. " (Ibn Maja, Al Termizi)

This true story of 18-year old young Arab boy is an eye opener for Momins - true believers and for others nothing but a horror story as their hearts are sealed by Allah. They look but do not see, listen but do not hear?

A Plant Fashions itself to Display the Name of Allah

Quranic Verses Appear on Miracle Baby in Dagestan, Russia

Location: Dagestan, Russia. Videos and news articles are available below the pictures.

Allah's Name Appears on Clouds

Allah's Name Appears on Clouds in Lembu's Mountain Langkawi, Indonesia

Date: 7th, October 2005.

The Sacred Masjids of Islam Shining Like Stars

Images taken by IKONOS satellite on December, 1999

Source

Allah's Name Written by the Clouds

Amazing Marks on Your Hands

Source

Ice forms the Name of Allah on a Mountain

Many people have complained that this picture was fake. We have received a video footage that proves the authenticity of this picture. The video is located below this picture.


Source

A tree in the posture of Islamic prayer

Allah's Name Clearly visible on Africa

Source

Allah' name clearly on Africa

A World of Smile

About ten years ago when I was an undergraduate in college, I was working as an intern at my University's Museum of Natural History. One day while working at the cash register in the gift shop, I saw an elderly couple come in with a little girl in a wheelchair.

As I looked closer at this girl, I saw that she was kind of perched on her chair. I then realized she had no arms or legs, just a head, neck and torso. She was wearing a little white dress with red polka dots.

As the couple wheeled her up to me I was looking down at the register. I turned my head toward the girl and gave her a wink. As I took the money from her grandparents, I looked back at the girl, who was giving me the cutest, largest smile I have ever seen. All of a sudden her handicap was gone and all I saw was this beautiful girl, whose smile just melted me and almost instantly gave me a completely new sense of what life is all about. She took me from a poor, unhappy college student and brought me into her world; a world of smiles, love and warmth.

That was ten years ago. I'm a successful business person now and whenever I get down and think about the troubles of the world, I think about that little girl and the remarkable lesson about life that she taught me.

Source: Submitted by a Writer of AL-Islaah Publications.Source

The Carpenter

A highly skilled carpenter who had grown old was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire.

The employer was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter agreed to this proposal but made sure that this will be his last project. Being in a mood to retire, the carpenter was not paying much attention to building this house. His heart was not in his work. He resorted to poor workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When the job was done, the carpenter called his employer and showed him the house. The employer handed over some papers and the front door key to the carpenter and said "This is your house, my gift to you."

The carpenter was in a shock! What a shame! If he had only known that he was building his own house, he would have made it better than any other house that he ever built!

Our situation can be compared to this carpenter. Allah Ta'la has sent us to this world to build our homes in paradise by obeying His commands. Now, we have to decide how well we wish to build the homes where we will live forever.Source

Giant Ship Engine that Failed

The following is an incident about an engine failure in a giant ship. The ship's owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine. Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a youngster. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom.

Two of the ship's owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed! A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars.

"What?!" the owners exclaimed. "He hardly did anything!"

So they wrote the old man a note saying, "Please send us an itemized bill."

The man sent a bill that read:

Tapping with a hammer $ 2.00
Knowing where to tap $ 9998.00

Effort is important, but knowing where to make an effort in your life makes all the difference. Knowledge in Islam is highly valued. Knowledge will benefit us in this world and in the hereafter.Source

A Brother Like That

Shuaib received an automobile from his brother as an Eid present. On Eid day when Shuaib came out of his house, 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 it is, little brother, 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 ride. That Eid, Shuaib learned what the RasulAllah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) meant when he had said: "love for your brother what you love for yourself".Source

The Guard Who Found Islam

Army specialist Terry Holdbrooks had been a guard at Guantanamo for about six months the night he had his life-altering conversation with detainee 590, a Moroccan also known as "the General." This was early 2004, about halfway through Holdbrooks's stint at Guantanamo with the 463rd Military Police Company. Until then, he'd spent most of his day shifts just doing his duty. He'd escort prisoners to interrogations or walk up and down the cellblock making sure they weren't passing notes. But the midnight shifts were slow. "The only thing you really had to do was mop the center floor," he says. So Holdbrooks began spending part of the night sitting cross-legged on the ground, talking to detainees through the metal mesh of their cell doors.

He developed a strong relationship with the General, whose real name is Ahmed Errachidi. Their late-night conversations led Holdbrooks to be more skeptical about the prison, he says, and made him think harder about his own life. Soon, Holdbrooks was ordering books on Arabic and Islam. During an evening talk with Errachidi in early 2004, the conversation turned to the shahada, the one-line statement of faith that marks the single requirement for converting to Islam ("There is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet"). Holdbrooks pushed a pen and an index card through the mesh, and asked Errachidi to write out the shahada in English and transliterated Arabic. He then uttered the words aloud and, there on the floor of Guantanamo's Camp Delta, became a Muslim.Source

Junaid Baghdadi and Love for Allah

Once at the time of Hajj, there was a gathering in Mecca of some friends of Allah; the youngest among whom was Junaid Baghdadi (ra). In that gathering, there was a discussion on the subject of 'Love for Allah' and as to who is the lover of Allah. Many of them expressed their views on the subject, but Junaid (ra) kept quiet. He was pressed to say something.

With his head bowed down and tears in his eyes, he said, "The lover of Allah is he who forgets his own self, remains engaged in Allah's remembrance with due regard to all its requirements; sees Allah with the eyes of his heart, which is burnt by the heat of Allah's fear; Allah's remembrance affects him like a cup of wine, he speaks the word of Allah as if All-Mighty Allah speaks through his mouth; if he moves, he does so under the command of Allah; he gets peace of mind only through the obedience of Allah; and when such a stage is reached, his eating, drinking, sleeping, awakening and, in short, all his actions are for the pleasure of Allah; he neither pays heed to the worldly customs, nor does he attach any importance to unfriendly criticism by people."Source