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			<title>Hezbollah of Lebanon - EXPOSED</title>
			<link>http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85993&amp;goto=newpost</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 06:26:32 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>*The Origins and Formation of Hizbollah* 
  
Image: http://jewishdailyreport.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/hezbollah-2.jpg  
  
Introduction  
 ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><font size="4"><font color="red"><b>The Origins and Formation of Hizbollah</b></font></font><br />
 <br />
<img src="http://jewishdailyreport.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/hezbollah-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
 <br />
<font color="black">Introduction </font><br />
 <br />
<font color="black">Hizbollah is a political Shia group backed by the Rafidi Shia of Iran and is a network that spans across many countries and whose aims are to serve the Shia cause, ideologically and politically. This political party was set up formally in Lebanon in 1985CE although it's initial activities started around 1982CE. This party was set up by the aspirations of the Iranian backed Lebanese Shia. Initially however this movement had the name &quot;<u>Harakah Amal al-Shi'iyyah</u>&quot; (Movement of *!*!*!*!e Hope), but then it broaded its horizons seeking to gain more popularity and changed the name to &quot;<u>Amal al-Islamiyyah</u>&quot; (Islamic Hope), this being an offshoot of the main movement. Under this guise of being spokesperson and defender (of Islam), it spread Shi'ism in Lebanon and to other parts of the world. However, there were many crimes and barbarities associated with the original group (Harakah Amal al-Shi'iyyah) which put the child-group into the position of having to defend itself, and as a tactical move, they simply created a new party and this is what is known today as <u>Hizbollah</u>.</font><br />
 <br />
<font color="black">In an era where people do not understand the religion, nor fathom the correct, authentic aqidah, and nor have an appreciation for the study of history, parties such as Hizbollah come along in this type of environment to play a dangerous role against the Islamic nation. Hence, it is upon Ahl al-Sunnah to know the dangers of this subversive group, &quot;<b>...so that the way of the criminals becomes evident</b>&quot; (6:55). </font><br />
 <br />
<font color="black">The Founder of Harakah Amal al-Shi'iyyah </font><blockquote><font color="black">The founder of the original parent group is <b>Musa al-Sadr</b>, an Iranian national, he was born in 1928 and reached Lebanon in 1958, he was given Lebanese nationality. And he is a student of al-Khomeini and also has close ties with al-Khomeini. The son of al-Khomeini, Ahmad is married to the neice of Musa al-Sadr, and the nephew of Musa al-Sadr, Murtaza al-Tabtaba'i is married to the granddaughter of al-Khomeini. Musa al-Sadr set up <i>Harakah Amal al-Shi'iyyah</i> as an armed group in the north of Lebanon and in Beirut and there was cooperation between it and the national forces. Al-Sadr also played the right-hand man for any Nusayri that entered Lebanon from Syria, and when the Nusayri Syrian army entered Lebanon, al-Sadr changed face from a Lebanese nationalist to a Nusayri Batini colonizer, and he took certain steps, from them a) ordering the officer Ibrahim Shahin to split from the Arab army and he set up a Lebanese army allied to Syria (the Nusayri Batinis), and in the south, the leader Ahmad al-Mu'aamiree also split and joined the Nusayri Batini army (that had come in from Syria, and b) he (al-Sadr) set up meetings with the Roman Orthodox and Roman Catholic bishops and other individuals and representatives. All of this was to help form a regional government that would be controlled by the Syrian Nusayris. These activities indicate the true loyalties of Musa al-Sadr, which is to the Shi'ites of Iran and the Syrian Nusayri Batinis (who themselves are an extreme sect of the Imaamiyyah Shi'ah - see here) against a general Sunni Arab population. </font><br />
 <br />
<font color="black">In 1985 the Harakah Amal al-Shi'iyyah's forces besieged the Palestinian refugee camps in South Lebanon (and were aided by some Christian factions). This was supported by the Nusayri Baatinee leader of Syria, al-Assad, who did not want the presence of Palestinians in the south to invite any major invasion from Israel and also because he wanted the area to be dominated by the Shia. The battles became known as &quot;the war of the camps&quot; and the Shia committed great atrocities against the Palestinians in the camps. They killed old men, women and children in refugee camps, they also killed some Palestinians in the hospitals of Beirut, slitting their throats (reported in the Sunday Telegraph 27/5/1985), and their militias gathered tens of wounded into the camps and killed them, and witnesses also reported that they saw the militias of Harakah Amal kill more than forty-five wounded in the Gaza Hospital and its surrounding areas. These militia, after taking over the refugee camp of Sabra, went into the streets of Western Beirut on 2/6/1985 chanting, &quot;<i>Laa ilaaha illallaah, al-'Arab a'daa Allaah</i>&quot; (...the Arabs are the enemies of Allaah...). And Kuwaiti News (4/6/1985) and al-Watan (3/6/1985) both reported that the Militia of Harakah Amal kidnapped twenty-five Palestinian girls from around the camps of Sabra. </font><br />
 <br />
<font color="black">All of the above indicates that the Harakah Amal al-Shi'iyyah major objective was to get rid of Palestinian Sunni presence in the region, and there was understanding and co-operation between the Jews and the Shia from years prior. Haydar al-Daayikh one of the leaders of Harakah al-Amal said, &quot;<i>We used to carry weapons in the face of Isael, but Israel open its arms to us and loved to aid us, Israel aided us in exterminating the Palestinian Wahhabi terrorist from the South (of Lebanon)</i>&quot; (Meeting with Haydar by Arab News Weekly, 24/3/1983). </font><br />
 <br />
<font color="black">And Subhee al-Tufaylee in his meeeting with al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper (25th September 2003 / 29th Rajab 1424H) said that when the Israeli army entered Lebanon and destroyed the Palestinian factions (in the South) with participation of the Shia, the Shia of South Lebanon stood to receive the Zionist Israeli troops, and this is confirmed by Hasan Nasr Allaah as documented in the book Sajal al-Noor (p. 227) issued by Hizbollah itself. </font><br />
</blockquote><font color="black">What Are the Names of the Founding Members of Hizbollah in Lebanon </font><blockquote><font color="black">The Rafidi state of Iran set up the new movement, Hizbollah, through the agency of the following *!*!*!*!es: Muhammad Husayn Fadl Allaah (labelled &quot;the Khomeini of Lebanon&quot;), Subhee al-Tufaylee, <u>Hasan Nasr Allah</u> (labelled as &quot;the Khomeini of the Arabs&quot;), Ibraaheem al-Ameen, Abbaas Mawsawi, Na'eem Qaasim, Zuhayr Kanj, Muhammad Yazbik and Raaghib Harb. Both the Harakah Amal Shi'iyyah and Hizbollah take directions from Iran and are essentially proxies for Iran in the region. </font><br />
 <br />
<img src="http://www.asianews.it/files/img/nasrallah.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
 <br />
 <br />
<font color="black">As for Hasan Abd al-Kareem Nasr Allaah, the &quot;Khomeini of the Arabs&quot;, he was born in 1960CE. He travelled to al-Najaf, Iraq to study religious knowledge (i.e. the Imaamiyyah Shi'ah knowledge) He was made an official for Harakah Amal al-Shi'iyyah in 1982 but he later separated it to join Hizbollah (a child organization), and he was an official for it in Beirut in 1985, and he worked his way up until he became the general leader in 1992 after the assassination of the previous leader al-Mawsawi. </font><br />
</blockquote><font color="black"><b>Openly-Declared and Hidden Goals </b></font><blockquote><font color="black">The <b>openly-declared goals</b> of the Hizbollah in Lebanon are that it is an organization opposed ot the Israeli occupation of Lebanon and that it wishes to liberate the sanctified place of Palestine (Bayt al-Maqdis), but this is simply a means of deceiving the Muslims, to blind them and divert them (the Muslims) away from their (the Shia's) real goals, and to make them (the Muslims) inclined towards them, and this they achieve through a policy of serving social and human needs in the society with support from Iran. </font><br />
 <br />
<font color="black"><b>As for the true and real hidden goals</b> they are to spread Shi'ism in Lebanon, to maintain a permanent Shia presence and to take control over all elements of strength in the country (political, social, military, economical). And this is part of an overall agenda to prepare the region for the advancement of Iran and its religous and political objectives. </font><br />
</blockquote><font color="black"><b>Source:</b> Adapted from <i>Hizbullah al-Raafidee, Tarikh Aswad wa Iftiraa'aat</i> (The Rafidi Hizbollah, a History of Darkness and Fabrications) of Sayyid Husayn al-Affaanee (Dar al-Affaanee, Cairo 1st edition, 1428H). </font></div>

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			<title>Carnal Desires and Wayward Bellies</title>
			<link>http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85988&amp;goto=newpost</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 04:48:48 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Carnal Desires and Wayward Bellies 
 
 
 
The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “I have fears about you from the waywardness of...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Carnal Desires and Wayward Bellies<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “I have fears about you from the waywardness of your bellies and sex and carnal desires.” [Ahmed]<br />
<br />
What Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) most feared for his Ummah was not poverty, war, or famine but our caving in to every bodily desire. This results in every corruption, most importantly the losing of our Deen. <br />
<br />
The buffets of five star hotels have ruined us. Our wayward bellies are so enticed by this display we try to mimic it in our homes, we go all out to earn just to satisfy more and more expensive cravings. We have forgotten that Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) put us on earth to guide and lead humankind to Jannah. We attempt instead to make our Jannahs here. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has prepared the most lavish displays of food and drink for us in Jannah, but we are in no hurry to reach it. Instead we are wasting our time in the third class offerings of this world. Billboards, advertisements, movies, T.V., all incite to incessant fulfillment of our carnal desires. But even though we spend a major portion of our time catering to our lusts they will never be satisfactorily fulfilled in this life.<br />
<br />
Indeed, Shaitaan attacks us through our bellies and private parts. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says in the Quran: “The Shaitaan threatens you with poverty and enjoins on you lewdness, whereas Allah promises you His forgiveness and bounty; and Allah is infinite in His care, and knows all things.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 268</div>

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			<title>A good reminder....Alhamdulilla!!</title>
			<link>http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85987&amp;goto=newpost</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 04:39:43 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[The Alternation of Days 
 
Know that time does not remain at a stand-still, for Allah subahnahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) says: 
 
 
 
 
&#1608;&#1614;&#1578;&#1616;&#1604;&#1618;&#1603;&#1614;...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>The Alternation of Days<br />
<br />
Know that time does not remain at a stand-still, for Allah subahnahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) says:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
&#1608;&#1614;&#1578;&#1616;&#1604;&#1618;&#1603;&#1614; &#1575;&#1604;&#1618;&#1571;&#1614;&#1610;&#1614;&#1617;&#1575;&#1605;&#1615; &#1606;&#1615;&#1583;&#1614;&#1575;&#1608;&#1616;&#1604;&#1615;&#1607;&#1614;&#1575; &#1576;&#1614;&#1610;&#1618;&#1606;&#1614; &#1575;&#1604;&#1606;&#1614;&#1617;&#1575;&#1587;&#1616;<br />
<br />
“[...] And these days [of varying conditions] We alternate among the people [...]” (Qur’an 3:140)<br />
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One time it is poverty, and another time it is wealth. Once it is honor, and another it is humiliation. So the happy one is the one who remains well-grounded in each situation, and he is the one who has taqwa(consciousness) of Allah (swt). For if he is wealthy, it beautifies him and if he becomes poor, the doors of patience open up for him. And if he is healthy, he recognizes the blessings upon him. If he is tested, he bears it all. The alternation of days does not hurt him—no matter if he is elevated, or if he is starving.<br />
<br />
This is because all of these situations change and do not remain constant, but taqwa (God-consciousness) is the foundation of peace. It is the guard that does not sleep, taking you by the hand when you slip. And the disgraced one is the one who is deceived by the sweetness of his present situation without having anytaqwa. Soon enough that situation will change and he will be a loser.<br />
<br />
So, hold tight to taqwa in every situation. You will only see vastness in every confinement and well-being in every sickness. This is the wealth of the present, and what the future holds is known.<br />
<br />
—Sayd al-Khatir<br />
<br />
Supplication of the One in Hardship<br />
<br />
When a calamity befalls the believer, he begins making du`a’ (supplication) constantly, but he may not see any sign of response for some time. When he is close to despair, Allah (swt) looks into his heart to see if he is pleased and content with the Decree, and not hopeless or discouraged. If this is his situation, then the response comes quickly. This contentment and pleasure in Allah (swt)’s Decree is what reforms and fixes the iman (faith) as well as destroys Shaytan (the devil). That moment when the believer is close to despair is when the real men are determined.<br />
<br />
This is seen in the statement of Allah (swt):<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
&#1581;&#1614;&#1578;&#1614;&#1617;&#1609;&#1648; &#1610;&#1614;&#1602;&#1615;&#1608;&#1604;&#1614; &#1575;&#1604;&#1585;&#1614;&#1617;&#1587;&#1615;&#1608;&#1604;&#1615; &#1608;&#1614;&#1575;&#1604;&#1614;&#1617;&#1584;&#1616;&#1610;&#1606;&#1614; &#1570;&#1605;&#1614;&#1606;&#1615;&#1608;&#1575; &#1605;&#1614;&#1593;&#1614;&#1607;&#1615; &#1605;&#1614;&#1578;&#1614;&#1609;&#1648; &#1606;&#1614;&#1589;&#1618;&#1585;&#1615; &#1575;&#1604;&#1604;&#1614;&#1617;&#1607;&#1616;<br />
<br />
“[...] until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said,’When is the help of Allah?’ [...]” (Qur’an 2:214)<br />
<br />
And this is what occurred with Jacob (Ya’qub, peace be upon him)—after he lost two children, he did not despair, rather he said:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
&#1593;&#1614;&#1587;&#1614;&#1609; &#1575;&#1604;&#1604;&#1614;&#1617;&#1607;&#1615; &#1571;&#1614;&#1606; &#1610;&#1614;&#1571;&#1618;&#1578;&#1616;&#1610;&#1614;&#1606;&#1616;&#1610; &#1576;&#1616;&#1607;&#1616;&#1605;&#1618; &#1580;&#1605;&#1610;&#1593;&#1575;<br />
<br />
“[...] Perhaps Allah (swt) will bring them to me all together [...]” (Qur’an 12:83)<br />
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And likewise with Zakariah (peace be upon him)—he did not despair even with old age from having children:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
&#1608;&#1614;&#1604;&#1614;&#1605;&#1618; &#1571;&#1614;&#1603;&#1615;&#1606; &#1576;&#1616;&#1583;&#1615;&#1593;&#1614;&#1575;&#1574;&#1616;&#1603;&#1614; &#1585;&#1614;&#1576;&#1616;&#1617; &#1588;&#1614;&#1602;&#1616;&#1610;&#1611;&#1617;&#1575;<br />
<br />
“[...] And never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy.” (Qur’an 19:4)<br />
<br />
So, be aware of why the response is delayed! Understand that He is The Master, and that He is The Most Wise in planning, and Most Knowing of what will lead to the reformation of His slaves. Know that He wants to put you through trials to test what you hide in your heart, and that He wants to see your humility, and that He wants to reward you for your patience. Know that He wants to test you with a delay in response so that you can fight the whispers of Shaytan.<br />
<br />
Indeed every one of these things strengthens the recognition of His Favors and leads to being thankful to Him. Thus when the trial begins, the supplications are lengthened, and the one in hardship shows his need and takes refuge in Allah (swt)—he will be content with everything.<br />
<br />
—Sayd al-Khatir<br />
<br />
Keep Guard<br />
<br />
Satan tricks people in whatever way he can, and his power over them increases and decreases according to their alertness or negligence, their ignorance or knowledge. Note that the heart is like a fortress, and the devils are always going around the fortress watching for the guards to become heedless. The guard should know all the gates of the fortress which he has been appointed to guard, and he should not let his attention slip for a moment, for the enemy never lets his attention slip.<br />
<br />
—Talbees Iblees (Dr. Bilal Philip’s translation)<br />
<br />
A Wake-Up Call<br />
<br />
O you who persists in mistakes and wrong doings; O you who has turned away from what the most Loving and Compassionate commands; O you who obeys the falsifier of the path and the creator of calamities—How long are you going to insist on your misbehavior? How long are you going to keep yourself distant from your Lord? How long will you seek from this world what you cannot have, and keep away from the other world by that which you cannot possess? Neither are you sure of what Allah (swt) prepared of sustenance for you, nor are you satisfied with that which He has commanded for you. O my brother, by Allah (swt), admonition does not seem to benefit you. Afflictions do not seem to threaten you. Time does not leave you, and the call of death does not reach your ears. As if, you poor man, would live forever and you weren’t meant to expire and be forgotten!<br />
<br />
—Bahr ad-Dumoo’ (Translated by Shazia Ahmad)<br />
<br />
Who is the real poor person?<br />
<br />
One should implement what he knows for it is the greatest foundation. And the poor person, the truly poor, is the one who wasted his life learning that which he does not practice. So, he loses the pleasures of this worldly life and the goodness of the hereafter, coming forth bankrupt (on the Day of Judgment) with strong evidences against himself.<br />
<br />
—Sayd al-Khatir</div>

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			<title><![CDATA['TheAuthenticbase' brother has been arrested !!]]></title>
			<link>http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85979&amp;goto=newpost</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 13:13:19 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA['TheAuthenticbase' brother has been arrested in relation to terrorism case. I don't think he could ever do anything related to terrorism, he was...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>'TheAuthenticbase' brother has been arrested in relation to terrorism case. I don't think he could ever do anything related to terrorism, he was really a cool guy always busy reading books subhanAllah! I don't know the allegations. I heard about it in his blog where a brother posted in comment section that his house had been searched by police for 2 days and 8 or 9 police cars were surrounding his house for those 2 days. Brother who posted the comment doesn't know where is he for last 2 weeks!!!<br />
<br />
'TheAuthenticbase' brother always participated in this forum. So, I thought I should let you know and ask you guyes not to forget him in your pious duas. SubhanAllah when we are having a normal life alhamdoulillah, don't know what these innocent brothers going through in their life! May Allah protect them from all the hardship of this world ! Ameen.<br />
<br />
Please update if anybody comes to know anything about him. Please do not contact me asking any questions relating this because I,myself don't know anything, I just came to learn about him from his 'TheAuthenticbase' blog. SubhanAllah! He has so many subscribers. Please do not forget him in your duas.</div>

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			<title>very intresting story!! subhanallah</title>
			<link>http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85977&amp;goto=newpost</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 09:22:56 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Benefit of Going to the Masjid 
 
Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Benefit of Going to the Masjid<br />
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Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who purifies himself (performs Wudhu) in his house and then walks to one of the houses of Allah (Masjid) for performing an obligatory Salat, one step of his will wipe out his sins and another step will elevate his rank (in Jannah).” [Sahih Muslim]<br />
<br />
This hadith tells us the merit of offering Salat in the Masjid. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) encourages us to go to the Masjid for Fardh prayers by offering us alternatively the wiping out of minor sins and the elevation of one’s rank in Jannah by one degree with each step that one takes towards the Masjid. <br />
<br />
This hadith also indicates the superiority of cleansing and readying oneself in one’s house rather than in the Masjid. One should try to go to the Masjid in one’s best condition. This is practical advice to help prevent unnecessary crowding and mess in the Masjid’s bathrooms and Wudhu areas. Since the Masjid is one of the houses of Allah we should try to keep our presence in it as pleasant as possible.<br />
<br />
There is a story of a man who would wake up every morning for Fajr, do Wudhu, then leave to pray with the Jamaat (congregation) in the Masjid. One day as he was on his way to the Masjid he tripped and fell. As his clothes had gotten dirty and wet he went back home to change. He got ready again and set out for the Masjid once more. As it was dark, on the way to the Masjid he tripped again in the same spot and his clothes got soiled yet again. So he went back home, cleaned himself up, changed, and set out for the Masjid a third time. <br />
<br />
On this trip to the Masjid he found a man waiting for him with a lantern in the place that he would keep tripping. This man led him with his lantern safely to the Masjid. As he was turning back to leave, the man who would keep tripping thanked him but asked him why he wouldn’t enter the Masjid and pray in Jamaat with them. <br />
<br />
The man with the lantern replied that he was actually Shaitaan. It was he who would keep tripping the man up on his way to the Masjid. The first time that the man returned home, changed and set out for the Masjid again Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) forgave the man all his sins. The second time that the man changed and set out for the Masjid, Allah forgave all the sins of each member of his household. Seeing this Shaitaan got afraid that should the man trip again Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) might forgive the sins of all the people in the village next, so instead of tripping him Shaitaan made sure that the man got to the Masjid safely!</div>

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			<title>A powerful reminder</title>
			<link>http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85973&amp;goto=newpost</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 05:26:43 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDlvrYMBq0k</description>
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			<title>Best times to make Dua</title>
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			<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 04:45:31 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Best times to make Dua  
 
 
There are certain times dua (supplication) is more likely to be accepted by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) as mentioned by...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Best times to make Dua <br />
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There are certain times dua (supplication) is more likely to be accepted by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) as mentioned by Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam). These times are as follows:<br />
 <br />
 <br />
 1. The Last Third Of The Night<br />
 Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; “Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?.”‘ [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]<br />
 Amr ibn Absah narrated that the Prophet said: ‘The closest any worshipper can be to His Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.’ [at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, al-Hakim - Sahih]<br />
  <br />
2. Late at night<br />
 When people are sleeping and busy with worldly pleasures Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer hour if they can fight sleep and invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) for whatever they need.<br />
 The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘There is at night an hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or the Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs) every night.’ [Muslim #757]<br />
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3. Between Adhan and Iqamah<br />
 Anas (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected.’ [Ahmad, abu Dawud #521, at-Tirmidhi #212, Sahih al-Jami #3408, an-Nasai and Ibn Hibban graded it sahih (sound)]<br />
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4. An Hour o*!n Friday<br />
 Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) talked about Friday and said: ‘There is an hour o*!n Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), then Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) will definitely meet his demand.’ And he (the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands. [Sahih al-Bukhari]<br />
 Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer’s leader) enters the mosque o*!n Friday’s prayer until the prayer is over (ie between the two khutbahs), whereas others have said that it is the last hour of the day (ie after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib prayer).<br />
 (Note: when we say an hour here we do not mean the hour everyone knows (60 minutes) but an unspecified period of time because the time counters which we use today came after the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) had died.<br />
  <br />
5. While Drinking Zamzam Water<br />
 Jaber (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for.’ [Ahmad 3: 357 and Ibn Majah #3062]<br />
 This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) for anything you like to gain or benefit from this water such as healing from illness…. etc.<br />
  <br />
6. While Prostrating<br />
 Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), said: ‘The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) much in it. [Muslim, abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i and others, Sahih al-Jami #1175]<br />
 When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and when he prostrates he is the nearest he can be to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) so it is best to invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) at this time. It is said that while in prostration, o*!ne should not ask for worldy needs (ie a nice car, a new job, etc), but for the Hereafter.<br />
  <br />
7. When Waking Up at Night<br />
 Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shrika lahu lahulmulku, wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli shai’in qadir. Alhamdu lillahi, wa subhanallahi wa la ilaha illallahu, wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata illa billah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) He is the o*!nly o*!ne who has no partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises are for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) All the glories are for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is the most Great and there is neither might nor power except with Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and then says, Allahumma ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me) or invokes Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), he will be responded to and if he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer), his Salat (prayer) will be accepted. [Sahih al-Bukhari]<br />
  <br />
8. At The End Of The Obligatory Salat:<br />
 Narrated Abu Omamah (radiAllahu anhu): that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was asked, O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is heard (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), he said the end of the night and at the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer) [at-Tirmidhi]<br />
  <br />
 This time is after saying ‘At-tahyat’ , and before making Tasleem (finishing prayer)<br />
  <br />
9. The Night Of ‘Qadr’ (Decree)<br />
 This night is the greatest night of the year. This is the night which the almighty Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) said about it, “The night of Al-Qadar (Decree) is better than a thousand months.” [Surah al-Qadr, 97: 3]<br />
 The Night of Decree is o*!ne of the odd nights of the last ten nights of the blessed month of Ramadan. The angels descend down to the earth, and the earth is overwhelmed with peace and serenity until the break of dawn and when he doors of Paradise are opened, the worshipper is encouraged to turn to Allah to ask for his needs for this world and the Hereafter.<br />
  <br />
10. During The Rain<br />
 Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa’ad (radiAllahu anhu): that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the rain’. [Al-Hakim 2: 114, and Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah]<br />
‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’ [reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]<br />
 The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) so, o*!ne should take advantage of this time when Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is having mercy o*!n His slaves.<br />
  <br />
11. At the Adhan<br />
‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’ [reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]<br />
 In another hadith; ‘When the prayer is called, the doors of the skies are opened, and the du’a is answered’ [al-Tayalisi in his Musnad #2106, al-Sahihah #1413]<br />
  <br />
12. The o*!ne Who Is Suffering Injustice and Opression<br />
 The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said to Mua’ad Ibn Jabal (radiAllahu anhu), ‘Beware of the supplication of the unjustly treated, because there is no shelter or veil between it (the supplication of the o*!ne who is suffering injustice) and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)’ [Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]<br />
 The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared, ‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the o*!ne who is oppressed.’<br />
[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]<br />
 In another hadith; The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared: ‘Three du’as are surely answered: The du’a of the oppressed, the du’a of the traveler, and the du’a of the father/mother (upon their child)’<br />
The o*!ne who is suffering injustice is heard by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) when he invokes Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) to retain his rights from the unjust o*!ne or oppressor. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) has sworn to help the o*!ne who is suffering from injustice sooner or later as the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said.<br />
  <br />
13. The Traveler<br />
 The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the o*!ne who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]<br />
 During travel supplication is heard by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) if the trip is for a good reason, but if the trip is for a bad intention or to perform illegal things (making sins) this will not apply to it.<br />
  <br />
14. The Parent’s Supplication for their Child<br />
 The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the o*!ne who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]<br />
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15. Dua after praising Allah and giving salat o*!n the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) in the tashahhud at the end of salat.<br />
 Narrated Faddalah ibn Ubayd (radiAllahu anhu): that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘When anyone of you makes du’a, let him start by glorifying his Lord and praising Him, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), then let him pray for whatever he wants’ [abu Dawud #1481, at-Tirmidhi #3477]<br />
 In another hadith; Baqiy ibn Mukhallid (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Every du’a is not responded to until o*!ne sends blessings upon the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)’ [al-Bayhaqi]<br />
 In another hadith; Umar (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Du’a is detained between the heavens and the earth and no part of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)’<br />
[at-Tirmidhi #486]<br />
 After a person has finished his tashahhud and before saying the ’salam’, supplication at this time is o*!ne likely to be responded to. Ibn Mas’ud narrates: I was o*!nce praying, and the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), Abu Bakr and Umar (were all present). When I sat down (in the final tashahhud), I praised Allah, then sent salams o*!n the Prophet, then started praying for myself. At this, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:‘Ask, and you shall be given it! Ask, and you shall be given it!’ [at-Tirmidhi #593 - hasan, Mishkat al-Misbah #931]<br />
  <br />
16. The dua of a Muslim for his absent brother or sister Muslim stemming from the heart.<br />
 The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:<br />
‘There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother in his absence where the angels do not say, ‘the same be for you” [Muslim]<br />
  <br />
17. Dua o*!n the Day of Arafat<br />
 The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘The best supplication is the supplication o*!n the day of Arafat’.[at-Tirmidhi and Malik]<br />
 The day of Arafat is the essence and pinnacle of Hajj. o*!n this great and momentous day, millions of worshippers gather together o*!n o*!ne plain, from every corner of the world, with o*!nly o*!ne purpose in mind – to respone to the call of their Creator. During this auspicious day, Allah does not refuse the requests of His worshippers.<br />
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18. Dua during the month of Ramadan<br />
 Ramadan is month full of many blessings, thus the du’a of Ramadan is a blessed o*!ne. This can be inferred from the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) saying: ‘When Ramadan comes, the Doors of Mercy (another narration says Paradise) are opened, and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Sahitans are locked up’ Thus, it is clear that du’a during Ramadan has a greater chance of being accepted, as the Gates of Paradise and Mercy are opened.<br />
 [Sahih al-Bukhari #1899, Muslim #1079 and others]<br />
  <br />
19. Dua when the Armies meet<br />
 When the Muslim is facing the enemy in battle, at this critical period, the du’a of a worshipper is accepted.<br />
 Sahl ibn Sa’d (radiAllahu anhu) narrtaed the the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:<br />
‘Two duas are never rejected, or rarely rejected: the du’a during the call for prayer, and the du’a during the clamity when the two armies attack each other’ [abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah, al-Hakim]<br />
 In another narration: ‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’[reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]<br />
  <br />
20. When Muslims gather for the purpose of invoking and remembering Allah (Dhikrullah) .<br />
 The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:<br />
 If a group of people sit together remembering Allah, the angels will circle them, mercy will shroud them, peace will descend o*!nto them and Allah will remember them among those with Him. [Muslim]<br />
  <br />
21. First Ten days of Dhul-Hijjah<br />
 The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:<br />
‘There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than during these ten days’ [Sahih al-Bukhai #969 and others]<br />
  <br />
22. Dua when the heart reaches out to Allah and is ready to be totally sincere<br />
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23. At Midnight<br />
 Abu Umamah (radiAllahu anhu) said, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was questioned; ‘Which du’a is heard (by Allah)?’ He answered, ‘At midnight and at the end of every obligatory prayer.’[at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]<br />
  <br />
25. Dua of people after the death of a person<br />
 In a long hadith, Umm Salamah (radiAllahu anha) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, when Abu Salamah had just passed away, and had closed his eyes,<br />
‘Do not ask for yourselves anything but good, for the angels will say ‘Ameen’ to all that you ask for. O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, and raise his ranks among those who are guided.’<br />
[Muslim, abu Dawud, Ahmad]<br />
  <br />
26. Dua of the o*!ne fasting until he breaks his fast.<br />
 The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the o*!ne who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]<br />
  <br />
27. Dua of the o*!ne fasting at the time of breaking fast<br />
 The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared,<br />
‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: when a fasting person breaks fast (in another narration, the fasting person until he breaks his fast), the just ruler and the o*!ne who is oppressed.’ [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]<br />
  <br />
29. Dua of a just Ruler<br />
 The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared,<br />
‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the o*!ne who is oppressed.’<br />
[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]<br />
  <br />
30. Dua of a son or daughter obedient to his or her parents<br />
 It is well known in the story narrated in hadith os three men who were trapped by a huge stone in a cave. o*!ne of them who was kind to kis parents asked Allah to remove the stone, and his du’a was answered. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3:36 #472]<br />
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31. Dua immediately after wudu<br />
 Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:<br />
‘There is not o*!ne of you that makes wudu, and does it perfectly, then says: I testify that there is no diety worthy of worship except Allah. he is Alone, having no partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger’, except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him, and he can enter into it through whichever o*!ne he pleases’<br />
[Muslim #234, abu Dawud #162, Ahmad, an-Nasa'i]<br />
<br />
 Saying what has been mentioned in the hadith that is directly related to it (ablution)<br />
  <br />
32. Dua after stoning the Jamarat at Hajj<br />
 The stoning of the small Shaitan (jamrat sugra), or the middle Shaitan (jamrat wusta) pillars during Hajj.<br />
<br />
 It is narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) would stone the small Jamarah (one of the three pillars that is stoned in the last days of Hajj), then face the qiblah, raise his hands, and make du’a for a long time. He would then stone the middle Jamarah and do the same. When he stoned the large Jamarah, he would depart without making any du’a. [Sahih al-Bukhari #1753 and others]<br />
  <br />
33. At the Crowing of a Rooster<br />
 Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:<br />
‘When you hear a rooster crowing, then ask Allah for His bounties, for it has seen an angel, and when you hear a donkey braying, then seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan, for it has seen a Shaitan’ [Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, Sahih al-Jami #611]<br />
  <br />
34. Du’a made inside the Ka’bah<br />
 The Ka’bah is a sanctuary that has no comparison in the entire world. The du’a of o*!ne who prays inside the hijr is considered as being made inside the ka’bah, as it is part of the house (Baitullah). [This is the semicircle to the right of the Ka'bah if you face the door, opposite to the Yemeni corner and the Black stone wall.]<br />
 Usamah ibn Zayd narrated, ‘When the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) entered the House (Ka’bah), he made du’a in all of its corners [Muslim 2: 968 and others]<br />
  <br />
35. Du’a o*!n the mount of Safa or Marwah during Umrah or Hajj<br />
 It is narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) would make long du’as at Safa and Marwah. [Muslim #1218 and others]<br />
  <br />
36. Dua at any of the holy sites.<br />
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37. While reciting Surah al-Fatihah<br />
 The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said that Allah the Exalted had said:<br />
‘ I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has lauded Me. When he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of Judgment, He remarks: My servant has glorified Me, and sometimes He will say: My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. When he (the worshipper) says: Thee do we worship and of Thee do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshipper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious — not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.<br />
 [Muslim 4: 395]<br />
  <br />
38. Saying ‘Ameen’ during prayer<br />
 After finishing the recitation of al-Fatihah, the saying of‘Ameen’ in congregation.<br />
 The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘When the Imam says ‘Ameen’, then recite it behind him (as well), because whoever’s Ameen coincides with the Ameen of the angels will have all of his sins forgiven.’ [Sahih al-Bukhari #780, Muslim #410 and others]<br />
  <br />
39. While visiting the sick, and dua made by the sick<br />
 Umm Salamah narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:<br />
‘When you visit the sick, or the dead then say good, because the angels say ‘Ameen’ to whatever you say [Muslim #2126]<br />
 Ali (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:<br />
‘When a Muslim visits his sick Muslim brother in the morning, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the evening. And when he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the morning, and he will be granted a garden for it in Jannah.’ [at-Tirmidhi, abu Dawud]</div>

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			<title>The Methodology of the Salaf Concerning Ijtihad and Taqlid</title>
			<link>http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85969&amp;goto=newpost</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 03:44:21 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>*Author: Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Uthaimeen* 
  
Source: Al-Usool min `Ilimil Usool 
  
Image: http://www.spubs.com/sps/images/bis1.gif  
  
  
Shaykh...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><font size="3"><b>Author: Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Uthaimeen</b></font><br />
 <br />
<font size="2">Source: Al-Usool min `Ilimil Usool</font><br />
 <br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://www.spubs.com/sps/images/bis1.gif" border="0" alt="" /></div> <br />
 <br />
Shaykh Saalih al-Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him, says in his ‘Al-Usool min ‘Ilimil Usool’ (pp97-104): <br />
 <br />
<b>Definition of Ijtihaad:</b> <br />
 <br />
linguistically ijtihaad means: to expend efforts in order to reach some difficult matter. Technically it means: expending efforts to arrive at a Sharee’ah ruling. And the Mujtahid is the one who expends efforts for this purpose. <br />
 <br />
<b>Conditions for Ijtihaad:</b> <br />
 <br />
Being a mujtahid has conditions, from them:- <br />
 <br />
1) That he knows the Sharee’ah proofs which he needs in his ijtihaad - such as the verses and ahaadeeth pertaining to rulings. <br />
 <br />
2) That he knows what relates to the authenticty or weakness of a hadeeth, such as having knowledge of the isnaad and it’s narrators and other than this. <br />
 <br />
3) That he knows the abrogated and the abrogating, and the places where there is ijmaa - such that he does not give a ruling according to something that has been abrogated, nor give a ruling that opposes the (authentically related) ijmaa. <br />
 <br />
4) That he knows from the proofs that which causes the rulings to vary, such as takhsees (particularisation), or taqyeed (restriction), or it’s like. So he does not give a judgement which is contrary to this. <br />
 <br />
5) That he knows the Arabic language and usul al-fiqh, and what relates to the meanings and indications of particular wordings - such as the general, the particular, the absolute and unrestricted, the restricted, the unclarified, and the clarified, and it’s like - in order that he gives rulings in accordance with what this demands. <br />
 <br />
6) That he has the ability to extract rulings from the evidences. <br />
And ijtihaad may be split up, such that it may be undertaken in one particular branch of knowledge, or in one particular issue. <br />
 <br />
<b>What is essential for the Mujtahid:</b> <br />
 <br />
It is essential that the Mujtahid strives in expending his efforts to arrive at knowledge of the truth, and to give rulings in accordance to what is apparent to him. If he is correct, then he has two rewards: one for his ijtihaad, and the other for arriving at the truth - since arriving at the truth means that it is manifested and acted upon. If, however, he is mistaken, then he has a single reward, and his error is forgiven him, as he (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) said, <i>&quot;when a judge judges and strives and is correct, then he has two rewards. If he judges and strives and errs, then he has a single reward.&quot;</i> If the ruling is not clear to him, then he must withold - and in such a case, taqleed is permissible for him, due to necessity. <br />
 <br />
<b>Taqleed - it’s definition:</b> <br />
 <br />
Linguistically, taqleed means: Placing something around the neck, which encircles the neck. Technically it means: Following he whose sayings is not a proof (hujjah). <br />
 <br />
Exlcuded from our saying, &quot;following he whose saying is not a proof&quot; is: following the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) , following the ijmaa and also following the saying of the sahaabee - for those who consider the saying of a single sahaabee to be a proof. So following any of these is not called taqleed, since there is a proof for doing so. However this type of following is sometimes referred to as taqleed in a very metaphorical and loose sense. <br />
 <br />
<b>The Place of Taqleed:</b> <br />
 <br />
Taqleed is done in two cases: <br />
 <br />
1) when the muqallid is an ‘aamee (a common person) who does not have the ability to aquire knowledge of the sharee’ah ruling by himself. So taqleed is obligatory upon him, due to the saying of Allaah - The Most High<b>, &quot;ask the people of knowledge if you do not know.&quot;</b> <br />
 <br />
So he does taqleed of one whom he considers to be a person of knowledge and piety. If there are two such people who are equal in his view, then he chooses any one of them. <br />
 <br />
2) The mujtahid when he encounters a new situation, for which an immediate solution is required, but it is not possible for him to research into this matter. So in this case he is permitted to perform taqleed. <br />
 <br />
Some stipulate as a condition for the permissibility of taqleed, that the matter is not from the fundamentals of the deen - those matters which must be held as aqueedah - since matters of aqueedah require certainty, whereas taqleed only amounts to dhann (knowledge which is not certain). <br />
 <br />
However the correct saying in this matter is that this is not a condition, due to the generality of his - the Most High’s - saying, <b>&quot;ask the people of knowledge if you do not know.&quot;</b> And this verse is in the context of affirming the Messengership - which is from the fundamentals of the deen. And also because the common person cannot aquire knowledge of the sharee’ah rulings with it’s proofs by himself. So if he is unable to arrive at the truth by himself, then nothing remains for him except taqleed, due to the saying of Allaah - the most High, <b>&quot;fear Allaah as much as you can&quot;</b> <br />
 <br />
<b>Types of </b><b>Taqleed:</b> <br />
 <br />
Taqleed is of two types: general and specific. <br />
 <br />
1) The general type: that a person sticks to a particular madhhab (school of thought), accepting it’s concessions and non-concessions, in all matters of the deen. <br />
 <br />
The scholars have differed about such a state. So some amongst the late-comers have reported that this is obligatory upon him, due to his inability to perform ijtihaad. Others report it as being forbidden for him, due to its being a case of necessitating unrestricted following of other than the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) . <br />
 <br />
Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said, <br />
&quot;The saying that it is obligatory, causes obedience to other than the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) in every matter of command and pohibition, and this is in opposition to the ijmaa’. And the allowance of it contains what it contains.&quot; <br />
 <br />
He (RH) also said, <br />
&quot;He who sticks to a particular madhhab, and then acts in opposition to it - without making taqleed of another scholar who has given him a ruling, nor does he use an evidence as a proof which necessitates acting in opposition to his madhhab, nor does he have an acceptable Sharee’ah excuse which allows him to do what he has done - then such a person is a follower of his desires, doing what is haraam - without a Sharee’ah excuse - and this is evil and sinful.&quot; <br />
 <br />
However, if there becomes clear to him, something which necessitates preference to one saying to another - either due to detailed proofs if he knows and understands them, or because he holds one of two people to be more knowledgeable about this matter and having more piety with regards to what he says - and so he leaves the saying of that one for the saying of the other one, then this is permissible, rather, it is obligatory. And there is a text from Imaam Ahmad about this.&quot; <br />
 <br />
2) The particular type of taqleed is that he accepts a saying about a particular matter. This is permissible if such a person is unable to arrive at knowledge of the by ijtihaad - whether he is unable to in reality, or he is able, but with great difficulty. <br />
 <br />
<b>Fatwaa of a Muqallid:</b> <br />
 <br />
Allaah - the Most High - said<b>, &quot;Ask the people of knowledge if you do not know.&quot;</b> And the Ahludh Dhikr are the Ahlul Ilm (the people of knowledge), whereas the muqallid is not a person of knowledge who is followed - rather he himself is a follower of someone else. <br />
 <br />
Ibn Abdul Barr (d.463) and others have said, <br />
&quot;the people are united in ijmaa that the muqallid is not counted as being from the Ahlul Ilm, and that knowledge is the realisation of guidance along with it’s proof.&quot; <br />
 <br />
Ibn al-Qayyim said, <br />
&quot; And it is as Abu Umar (Ibn Abdul Barr) said: Indeed, the people do not differ about the fact that knowledge is the realisation attained from proof, but without proof, it is only taqleed.&quot; <br />
 <br />
Ibn al-Qayyim then quotes, <br />
&quot;There are three sayings about the permissibility of giving fatwaa based upon taqleed: <br />
 <br />
1) It is not permissible to give fatwaa based upon taqleed, because it is not knowledge; since issuing a fatwaa without knowledge is forbidden. This is the saying of most of the Hanbalee scholars and the majority of the Shaafi’iyyah. <br />
 <br />
2) That it is permissible with regards to himself, but it is not permissible to give a fatwaa to others based upon taqleed. <br />
 <br />
3) That it is permissible when there is a need for it, and there is no mujtahid scholar. And this is the most correct of the sayings and is what is acted upon.&quot;’ <br />
 <br />
Shaykh al-Albaanee says in his, ‘The Hadeeth is a Proof in itself’ after mentioning the statements of the Imaams on Taqleed as found in the introduction to ‘The Prophets Prayer Described’ brings a chapter heading, &quot;Taqleed for whoever cannot search for proofs by himself&quot; (pp94+), ‘&quot;Some may ask: &quot;Not everyone has the ability to be a Person of Knowledge, as explained before?&quot; We say: yes indeed. No one disputes this fact. Allaah said<b>, &quot;So ask the People of Knowledge if you do not know.&quot;</b> (16:43) and<b>, &quot;ask the knowledgeable about it&quot;</b> (25:59). The Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) , for those who issued fatwa without knowledge<i>: &quot;Could not they have asked if they did know? The cure for the confused one is to ask.&quot;</i> However, we did not mention all of the above evidence to show who can and who cannot be a scholar. Our research is with regards to those few who are considered to be People of Knowledge....Taqleed is upon the common person and the ignorant one. The scholars, who can search for the evidence, are excluded from this group. They are the ones whose responsibility is not to do Taqleed. Rather, their responsibility is to perform Ijtihaad. <br />
 <br />
The following saying by Ibn Abdul Barr explains this matter further, &quot;All these rules are for the common folk, they are the ones who have to perform Taqleed of their scholars when needed. They are not capable of understanding or comprehending evidence or knowledge. Knowledge has grades, one cannot attain the topmost grade unless he goes via the base...Scholars do not differ with regards to the common folk having to follow their scholars...&quot; <br />
 <br />
<b><font color="darkred">However, I believe that to generalise about the common folk by saying that they all must perform taqleed is invalid.</font></b> <br />
 <br />
<font size="3"><font color="red"><b>Taqleed is to follow others without evidence.</b></font> </font><br />
 <br />
Many intelligent people can clearly understand evidence if it is presented to them. Who can deny that a common person can understand the evidence contained in the hadeeth<i>, &quot;Tayammum is one strike (of the hands on the dust) for the face and hands</i>&quot;? Even people lacking intelligence can understand this hadeeth. Therefore, the truth is that we must say that Taqleed is allowed for whosoever cannot search for or understand the evidence, Ibn al-Qayyim also was of this opinion. Even scholars are forced to do Taqleed sometimes, when a scholar cannot find a text from Allaah or His Messenger, but only sayings of more knowledgeable scholars.&quot;</div>

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			<title>Warning against ignorant storytellers.</title>
			<link>http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85961&amp;goto=newpost</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 09:59:26 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[:salam2: 
Many of us like to forward stories we pick up from internet, Although people don't frequently clam them to be true and are just forwarding...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>:salam2:<br />
Many of us like to forward stories we pick up from internet, Although people don't frequently clam them to be true and are just forwarding it for benefit of others, Many stories are in contradiction with Quran &amp; Sunnah and at times we don't realize that. Some of us (especially those on facebook) might have come across this story already:<br />
<br />
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				<font color="Red">I hope that you can tell me whether this report &#8211; which I heard from a preacher &#8211; is sound. He got up at 4.20 a.m. to get ready to pray Fajr. He went and did wudoo&#8217; and got dressed, and got ready to go out and go to the mosque. He was accustomed to doing that since he was a child. He was used to offering all his prayers in congregation in the mosque, even Fajr prayer. He left his house and made his way to the mosque. Whilst he was on his way, he stumbled and fell, and tore part of his garment. He went back home to change his garment and put on another one. He did not get angry or swear or curse, he just went back home and simply changed his clothes. Then he set out again for the mosque, and again he stumbled and fell, and part of this garment got ripped as well. He went back home and changed his garment. Both garments had got torn but that did not deter him from his keenness to offer the prayer in congregation in the mosque. He set out again for the mosque, and he stumbled for the third time, but suddenly he felt that he was not falling, and there was someone holding him and preventing him from falling to the ground. The man was surprised and looked around, but he did not see anyone. He stood confused for a moment, then he carried on towards the mosque. Then he heard a voice saying: &#8220;Do you know who I am?&#8221; The man said: &#8220;No.&#8221; The voice replied: &#8220;I am the one who prevented you from falling.&#8221; The man said: &#8220;Who are you?&#8221; He replied: &#8220;I am the shaytaan.&#8221; The man asked him: &#8220;If you are the Shaytaan, why did you prevent me from falling?&#8221; The Shaytaan answered: &#8220;The first time when you stumbled and went home to change your clothes, Allaah forgave you all your sins. The second time when you stumbled and went home to change your clothes. Allaah forgave your family. The third time when you stumbled, I was afraid that if you went back home and changed your clothes, Allaah would forgive all the people of your neighbourhood, so I supported you and prevented you from falling.&#8221;<br />
 What is confusing me about this story is: is it possible for the shaytaan to speak to a person and hold his hand and prevent him from falling as is described in this story?. </font><br />
<br />
Praise be to Allaah.<br />
<br />
Firstly: <br />
<br />
There is no basis for this story in the books of Sunnah, hadeeth and history. It is contrary to Islam for several reasons: <br />
<br />
1 &#8211; The conversation between the man and the shaytaan. It is possible for the shaytaan to whisper to a person (waswasah) when he is in his real form, but speaking to him is not possible, unless the shaytaan appears to him in human form. <br />
<br />
2 &#8211; The shaytaan says that he supported the man when he stumbled. This is something that is unbelievable, and the shaytaan is unable to do such a thing. Allaah has made the angels protectors and guardians of man, to protect them from the harm of the jinn, because they can see us but we cannot see them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): <br />
<br />
&#8220;For him (each person), there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the Command of Allaah&#8221;<br />
<br />
[al-Ra&#8217;d 13:11]<br />
<br />
In this made-up story it clearly states that the shaytaan is able to protect a person against that which may harm him, or that the shaytaan is able to prevent something that has been decreed by Allaah. <br />
<br />
3 &#8211; The most serious thing in this story is where the shaytaan says that the first time Allaah forgave the man all his sins, then the second time he says that Allaah has forgiven his family, and he says that if he had fallen a third time, Allaah would have forgiven the people of his neighbourhood! All of this is lies against Allaah and claiming to have knowledge of the unseen. Even if a mujaahid is wounded in battle against the kuffaar it does not bring such virtues, so how can it be ascribed to the one who is going to the mosque? It is not ascribed to one who stumbled when calling people to Allaah or going to uphold ties of kinship or other acts of worship, so how can these virtues be ascribed to one who falls when he is going to the mosque? <br />
<br />
There is nothing about falling or stumbling that brings such virtues. Many of the Sahaabah fell, stumbled or were injured at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), but there is nothing in the Sunnah which ascribes such virtues to them or even some of those virtues. Allaah does not forgive a family or the people of a neighbourhood or city because of the deeds or acts of worship of one of the righteous, let alone the fact that stumbling does not bring a person closer to Allaah and it is not an act of worship in itself. If anyone were to benefit from the actions of another, then the father of Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) would have benefited from the prophethood of his son, and the son of Nooh would have benefited from the prophethood of his father, and Abu Taalib would have benefited from the Prophethood of his nephew Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). <br />
<br />
Moreover, how did the shaytaan know of all that so that he could tell this man about it? Does the shaytaan have the power to prevent mercy reaching one of the slaves of Allaah upon whom He wishes to bestow it? <br />
<br />
No. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): <br />
<br />
&#8220;Whatever of mercy (i.e. of good), Allaah may grant to mankind, none can withhold it; and whatever He may withhold, none can grant it thereafter. And He is the All&#8209;Mighty, the All&#8209;Wise&#8221;<br />
<br />
[Faatir 35:2] <br />
<br />
Secondly: <br />
<br />
Undoubtedly these false stories are things that become widespread among those who do not understand their religion properly and who do not know the Oneness of their Lord (Tawheed). They are propagated by liars and storytellers who fabricate lies against the laws of Allaah. <br />
<br />
Allaah has issued a stern warning against these liars. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): <br />
<br />
&#8220;Say (O Muhammad): (But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al&#8209;Fawaahish (great evil sins and every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allaah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allaah of which you have no knowledge&#8221;<br />
<br />
[al-A&#8217;raaf 7:33] <br />
<br />
What khateebs and preachers must do is be above being mere storytellers who tell the common folk stories that go against sharee&#8217;ah. The salaf of this ummah issued a stern warning against these storytellers, because of the bad effects that their stories have on the common folk and because they contain things that go against the laws of Allaah. <br />
<br />
In a hadeeth that was classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah (1681) it was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: &#8220;When the Children of Israel were doomed they started to tell stories.&#8221; <br />
<br />
Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:  <br />
<br />
It says in al-Nihaayah: &#8220;when they were doomed they started to tell stories&#8221; which means they relied on words and forsook deeds, and that was the reason for their doom, or vice versa: when they were doomed it was because they stopped doing good deeds and turned to stories. <br />
<br />
Al-Albaani said, commenting on this: <br />
<br />
It may be said that the reason they were doomed was that they paid too much attention to stories at the expense of fiqh and beneficial knowledge which teach the people about their religion, and motivate them to do righteous deeds. Because they did that, they were doomed. Al-Silsilah al-Saheehah (4/246). <br />
<br />
This is the case with the storytellers; they pay too much attention to stories and myths, which they narrate to the common folk, without any understanding or knowledge, and the common man hears a lot but does not understand any ruling or gain any knowledge. <br />
<br />
Ibn al-Jawzi said in Talbees Iblees (p. 150): <br />
<br />
The storytellers are not condemned just for being storytellers, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): <br />
<br />
&#8220;We relate unto you (Muhammad) the best of stories&#8221;<br />
<br />
[Yoosuf 12:3] <br />
<br />
&#8220;So relate the stories&#8221;<br />
<br />
[al-A&#8217;raaf 7:176] <br />
<br />
Rather the storytellers are condemned because they tell many stories without mentioning any beneficial knowledge, and usually they mix sound and unsound material in what they narrate and rely on things that are mostly impossible. <br />
<br />
End quote. <br />
<br />
It was narrated that Abu Qilaabah &#8216;Abd-Allaah ibn Zayd said: Nothing kills knowledge but stories. A man may sit with another man for a year and not learn anything from him, and he may sit with a knowledgeable man and not get up until he has learned something. <br />
<br />
Hilyat al-Awliya&#8217; (2/287). <br />
<br />
How often do these storytellers narrate from bad reports to the masses, and tell them these fables, which reach such a status among the masses that they believe everything that they hear and even give them precedence over the scholars and seekers of knowledge.  <br />
<br />
Al-Haafiz al-Iraaqi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: <br />
<br />
One of the problems with them is that they speak to so many people and tell them things that they are unable to comprehend, and that leads them to confusion and makes them develop misconceptions. This applies if what they tell them is sound, so how about if it is false? <br />
<br />
Tahdheer al-Khawaas by al-Suyooti (p. 180), quoting from al-Baa&#8217;ith &#8216;ala al-Khalaas by al-&#8216;Iraaqi. <br />
<br />
Ibn al-Jawzi said: <br />
<br />
The storyteller narrates weird reports to the masses, and tells them that even if he had even the slightest whiff of knowledge he would not have told them. So the masses leave with a lot of false notions in their minds, which they discuss amongst themselves. If a scholar denounces them, they say: we heard this, he narrated it to us. How many storytellers have misled others by means of the fabricated reports they narrate to them; how many people have turned yellow with hunger (because of what they heard encouraging asceticism);  how many people left their families, homes and cities to wander like monks; how many have refrained from doing that which is permitted; how many have refrained from learning and teaching knowledge, believing that he is going against his own whims and desires; how many have made their children orphans because of their asceticism whilst still alive; how many have turned away from their wives and not given them their rights, so that she is neither single nor truly married. End quote. <br />
<br />
Al-Mawdoo&#8217;aat (1/32) <br />
<br />
This is why the storytellers are criticized by many of the salaf. <br />
<br />
Maymoon ibn Mahraan (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: <br />
<br />
The storyteller may expect punishment from Allaah, and the one who listens to him may expect mercy. <br />
<br />
Al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, following hadeeth no. 4070 in al-Silsilah al-Da&#8217;eefah: <br />
<br />
This was narrated by Ibn al-Mubaarak in his book al-Zuhd with a saheeh isnaad. <br />
<br />
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: <br />
<br />
The greatest liars among the people are the storytellers. The people need truthful storytellers who will remind them of death and the punishment of the grave. It was said to him: Didn&#8217;t you attend their gatherings? He said: No. <br />
<br />
Al-Adaab al-Shar&#8217;iyyah by Ibn Muflih al-Hanbali (2/82). <br />
<br />
We ask Allaah to set straight the affairs of the imams and khateebs, and to guide them to that which is best for them and others. <br />
<br />
And Allaah knows best.<br />
<font color="DarkRed"><div align="right">Islam Q&amp;A</div></font>
			
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A complete lecture on this issue:<br />
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			<title><![CDATA[A Muslim Inside an American Priest's House]]></title>
			<link>http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85958&amp;goto=newpost</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 07:36:25 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Image: http://www.onislam.net/english/oimedia/onislamen/images/mainimages/At%20a%20Priest's%20House%201.JPG   
  
Hanan with Priest John's Family  
 ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://www.onislam.net/english/oimedia/onislamen/images/mainimages/At%20a%20Priest's%20House%201.JPG" border="0" alt="" /> <br />
 <br />
Hanan with Priest John's Family <br />
 <br />
&quot;<b>Ahlan Wa Sahlan</b>&quot; was the first greeting I received from John's family at Minneapolis St. Paul international Airport in Minnesota, the US. Lynnell, a typical American wife (white blonde with blue eyes), and Jackson, the middle son who's learning Arabic and wants to be a language teacher, helped me carry my heavy luggage and stuff it into their car to drive me to the University of Saint Thomas's dormitory — where I'd begin a two-month press fellowship.<br />
 <br />
<b>Understanding the &quot;Other&quot;</b><br />
 <br />
 <br />
One evening, Lynnell, my host mother, invited me over to dinner, where I met the other three members of her family; Will, the oldest son who's 22 years old and studies politics and wants to be a history teacher, Carter, the youngest who wants to be an actor, and John. I also met the husband, father, and priest.<br />
 <br />
American families usually dine at 6 or 7, but that night, my host family was having a late dinner at around 8:30 in the evening. The reason? It was Ramadan, so I was fasting, and the sun doesn't go down until 8:30, so they waited for me.<br />
 <br />
We started setting the table around 8 pm, and I could feel how anxious the three sons were to have dinner; they went around eating some grapes and vegetables and sipping some drinks, asking me several times if it was okay for me seeing them eat, and I always answered with a smile: &quot;It makes me feel strong.&quot;<br />
 <br />
I have to say I went to dinner feeling troubled, since I was looking to have a good Iftar after almost 16 hours of fasting, but I didn't know what kind of food they'll have for me.<br />
 <br />
Yet, to my surprise, the lovely family brought me some halal meat, white rice, and even Hummus from a famous halal-food company, while John was busy wrapping grape leaves for me, and when it was time to eat, we all shared the halal food along with green salad.<br />
 <br />
We talked politics, about the US and the Muslim World; about Palestine and Israel; about Egypt, terrorism, hate speech against Islam, and the importance of Muslim-Christian dialogue. Throughout our discussions, the family expressed a very balanced, if not sympathetic, point of view regarding the Palestinians and Muslims who sometimes encounter bad experiences in America, blaming it on the biased media that to them also included the New York Times.<br />
 <br />
John's family appeared to be informed also about Muslim practices and traditions. After dinner, I asked Jackson, who would leave to Morocco later to study for a semester, if I can have a place to pray at, and Lynnell said to me, &quot;Don't you need to go to the bathroom and wash first?&quot; meaning perform Wudu'. I told her I was already on Wudu', and so I went to the guest room, and with my compass, I knew the Kiblah.<br />
 <br />
And when it was time to leave, they packed the leftovers for me to have some halal food in the coming days.<br />
 <br />
&quot;You've got a family interested in you, Assalamu Alaykum,&quot; John, the priest, told me before saying goodbye, which was an enough reason for me to accept their invitation to move in for almost a week after my fellowship ended, because I also was interested in them.<br />
 <br />
<b>Up &amp; Close</b><br />
 <br />
To the people, John was a priest who teaches world religions, biblical studies, ethics, and theology at Breck School, affiliated with the Episcopal Church. His online profile showed that he went to University of Detroit Jesuit High School, Haverford College, and Harvard Divinity School for education before being ordained in Breck's Chapel of the Holy Spirit (CHS) in 1990 to serve as head of the religion department, a post he still occupies, teaching 10th and 12th grades only (ages 16 &amp; 18), while the other four members of his department teach other grades.<br />
 <br />
But to me, John was a nice host father; funny and easygoing, especially on his recumbent bicycle. No wonder he's so loved by his students, who take crazy photos with him on campus. He never looked like a priest to me, maybe because I always saw him in jeans and not in the priest dress code that easily identifies clergymen. Nor did he seem the &quot;other,&quot; since he used to practice his Arabic with me, and I found him so knowledgeable about and respectful to my faith.<br />
 <br />
After all, the importance of faith was a common factor between us.<br />
John already speaks French and Spanish fluently, and he can read a bit of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin and understand and speak some German, Dutch, and Italian. But why Arabic? &quot;To understand the Qur'an and Hadith,&quot; John said, and also to order his favorite foods in Middle Eastern restaurants, he said smiling.<br />
 <br />
<b>The Secret of Marriage </b><br />
 <br />
John performs many weddings to Christian couples, but he always sits with them for many sessions beforehand, to make sure they fully understand their responsibilities under the marriage bond and to divide tasks or obligations and even expenses they're expected to fulfill toward each other to avoid as many disagreements as possible.<br />
 <br />
&quot;Although we allow divorce, it's not encouraged,&quot; John said. Why would a new couple let a priest know every personal detail in their new life? I wondered, but, John told me that while in Muslim countries, families of the new couple are engaged in this kind of talks — in the West, it's the priest who knows all these details, not the parents.<br />
 <br />
<img src="http://www.onislam.net/english/oimedia/onislamen/A_a_Priests_House_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
 <br />
<b>Common Prayer</b><br />
 <br />
Even when John does the eating prayer, he speaks in a way that I could relate to saying &quot;Dear God,&quot; thanking him for the food and asking for his blessings and help to people in need and even to reward Muslims who were fasting Ramadan sacrificing their meals. I realized later that this is the kind of prayer they also do at his school.<br />
 <br />
&quot;Generally, prayers at Breck are addressed to God, though on occasion, they are addressed to God through Jesus or to Jesus himself. This is within the usual variation among Christians in the US.&quot;<br />
 <br />
&quot;Many of our prayers are addressed to God, by which we mean God's triune nature as we understand it. We want all kids to feel that they can pray to God in their own hearts and try to make the form of prayers helpful for that goal,&quot; John said.<br />
 <br />
Yet, for Muslim kids who go to Breck, John explains, they may not feel it's a real prayer, as they're not bowing or prostrating or even facing the Kiblah, but they appreciate that from time to time the school have a prayer written by a Muslim, or even read Al-Fatihah, which is a universal sentiment of yearning to be put on the straight path back to the One God.<br />
 <br />
<b>Interfaith Dialogue</b><br />
 <br />
This understanding of faith engaged John in many interfaith dialogues. &quot;Breck's religion department has recently gone to the Masjid (i.e., mosque) where Keith Ellison (the US Muslim Congressman from Minnesota) prays, where we had a tour and talked with both imams, stayed for Friday sermon and prayers, and were warmly welcomed by many people there&quot;, John said. He was also awarded by the Islamic Resource Group (IRG) in Minnesota for his role in interfaith dialogue.<br />
 <br />
In the Twin Cities area (Minneapolis–Saint Paul), John admires many local Muslim leaders, including Imam Makral El-Amin, from Masjid An-Nur; Abdisalam Adam, a Somali teacher who is President of the Islamic Civic Association of America; a woman Sufi teacher from Morocco; an American-born engineer whose parents are from Pakistan named Adeel Ahmed; and Dr. Fatma Reda, who is a psychiatrist and educator in town.<br />
 <br />
Having travelled to Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Niger, John had many Muslim friends, and now he's thinking to visit Egypt, which he sees as &quot;an important country with an ancient civilization.&quot;<br />
 <br />
&quot;I would love to go to some Coptic churches and pray there,&quot; John noted.<br />
Yet, he never visited a mosque, believing it was somehow &quot;haram&quot; for him, as he was told that non-Muslims are not supposed to go into mosques, but certain mosques do not have this restriction.<br />
 <br />
When I asked him about the challenges he sees Muslims are facing today in America, he said that while Muslims must maintain their faith in God through the Qur'an and the traditions that support their spiritual lives, they also need to be Americans, which involves equality of sexes, tolerance of other religions, and participation in democracy. &quot;They also have to deal with prejudice among ignorant people, who are numerous in our country,&quot; John added, feeling bad about the rising opposition to the NY Islamic Center, fueled by hate groups.<br />
 <br />
Last Sep. 11th, the South Minneapolis St. John's Episcopal Church, which John goes to, held a gathering to commemorate 9/11 victims and Minnesota fallen soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. In that gathering, John read passages from the Qur'an as a sign of respect for Muslims, who have come under an increasing drumbeat of attacks across the country.<br />
 <br />
He also talks to Jewish clergy, whom he frequently has lunch with, and his three sons went to a Jewish school. &quot;A Rabbi has asked me recently to help advise a boy in his congregation who is thinking of giving up his religion because his parents just divorced, although he was raised Jewish,&quot; John noted.<br />
 <br />
Even among Christians themselves, John and Lynnell volunteered to give history classes in a simple, sometimes entertaining, debate between the couple at their Church on Sundays for almost four months, summing up the Christian history and different beliefs of Christian denominations. However, the classes angered some attending Catholics, who found the couple &quot;not serious enough.&quot;<br />
 <br />
Hearing this criticism, I talked with Lynnell that day about the importance of conveying the message to the people whatever the way was — remembering how Amr Khaled, the famous Muslim preacher, and other young Islamic preachers were attacked when they first appeared because they aren't graduated from Al-Azhar, look so Western, and are &quot;easygoing&quot; with the religion.<br />
 <br />
<b>A Muslim Born Again</b><br />
 <br />
Still, the most amazing story I heard was about an Iranian girl who took an elective class with John at Breck on &quot;Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad.&quot; &quot;She went back to Iran afterward and began attending prayers, to the amusement of her Iranian friends, who had all given up religion because it seemed to them that religion was a cynical mean of mind-control,&quot; John said.<br />
 <br />
However, the girl said that having been in America, and learning a lot about Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) and the Qur'an from John's class, she found that the free expression of religion, when you choose it for yourself, learn about it, and sincerely seek God, is very meaningful.<br />
 <br />
&quot;Her father thinks it's very funny that an American priest made his daughter a Muslim again. I am very happy she found God, which is the purpose of religion, and she found it in a way that keeps family and national traditions,&quot; John thought.<br />
 <br />
<b>Seeking Balance</b><br />
 <br />
When I got back to Egypt, John sent me an email asking if I can recommend a novel, film, or article for 8th-grade students (14 years old) on Islamic governance that would portray governance according to the principles of the Qur'an in a more positive, hopeful light.<br />
 <br />
The teacher of this class, given in a unit on Muslim countries and current issues on Muslim governance, religion, and Islamism, is looking for balance, and it's hard to find, John wrote.<br />
 <br />
At the house, I found a book at John's desk beside his reading chair that was about how extremist Muslims are allied with the religious right in America, working for the same cause but on opposite sides. Yet, hopefully, reasonable voices on both sides can counter this poisonous coalition.<br />
 <br />
<b>Salam John. May God guide us all to the right path.</b><br />
 <br />
<font color="darkred"><b>Say: &quot;O people of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not from among ourselves Lords and patrons other than Allah.&quot; If then they turn back say: &quot;Bear witness that we are Muslims (bowing to Allah's will).&quot;</b></font><br />
<font color="darkred"><b><font color="#cd9b00">Surah Ale-'Imran (The Family of 'Imran)</font><br />
<br />
<br />
</b></font></div>

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			<dc:creator>Azimax</dc:creator>
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			<title>A LETTER TO YOU FROM SATAN</title>
			<link>http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85953&amp;goto=newpost</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 05:07:10 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Asslamualikum wr wb....... 
 
this is just to remind ourselves about the real fact.....</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Asslamualikum wr wb.......<br />
<br />
this is just to remind ourselves about the real fact.....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
**This can really make you think.  <br />
It actually made me mad while I was reading it, but I had to send it because of the P.S. <br />
  <br />
This is deep, and I wasn't going to forward or share it, but that last line - you'll see. <br />
<br />
 <br />
 <br />
It really made me think- WOAH!! DAMN, is Satan around me????!!! <br />
  <br />
Ya Allah, Forgive me.<br />
<br />
<br />
A LETTER TO YOU FROM SATAN-<br />
I saw you yesterday as you began your daily chores. You awoke without kneeling to pray Fajr. As a matter of fact, you didn't even say “Bismillah” before your meals, or pray Isha before going to bed last night. <br />
<br />
 <br />
 <br />
You are so unthankful, I like that about you. I cannot tell you how glad I am that you have not changed your way of living. Fool, you are mine. Remember, you and I have been going steady for years, and I still don't love you yet. <br />
<br />
 <br />
 <br />
As a matter of fact, I hate you, because I hate Allah. I am only using you to get even with Allah. He kicked me out of heaven, and I'm going to use you as long as possible to pay him back. You see, Fool, ALLAH LOVES YOU and HE has great plans in store for you. But you have yielded your life to me, and I'm going to make your life a living hell. That way, we'll be together twice. <br />
<br />
<br />
This will really hurt Allah. Thanks to you, I'm really showing Him who's boss in your life with all of the good times we've had. We have been watching dirty movies, cursing people out, stealing, lying, being hypocritical, fornicating, overeating, telling dirty jokes, gossiping, being judgmental, back stabbing people, disrespecting adults, and those in leadership positions, no respect for the Mosque, bad attitudes. SURELY you don't want to give all this up. Come on, Fool, let's burn together forever. I've got some hot plans for us. This is just a letter of appreciation from me to you. <br />
<br />
I'd like to say 'THANKS' for letting me use you for most of your foolish life. You are so gullible, I laugh at you. When you are tempted to sin, you give in HA HA HA, You make me sick. Sin is beginning to take its toll on your life. You look 20 years older, and now, I need new blood. So go ahead and teach some children how to sin. All you have to do is smoke, get drunk or drink while under-aged, cheat, gamble, gossip, fornicate, and live being as selfish as possible. Do all of this in the presence of children and they will do it too. Kids are like that. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, Fool, I have to let you go for now. I'll be back in a couple of seconds to tempt you again. If you were smart, you would run somewhere, repent for your sins, and live for Allah with what little bit of life that you have left. It's not my nature to warn anyone, but to be your age and still sinning; it's becoming a bit ridiculous. <br />
Don't get me wrong, I still hate you. <br />
<br />
<br />
YOU'D MAKE A BETTER FOOL FOR ALLAH. <br />
<br />
PS If you really love me, you won't share this letter with anyone. <br />
<br />
With lots of hatred,<br />
 <br />
The Satan</div>

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			<dc:creator>afrarzk</dc:creator>
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			<title>Letz ponder over this hadiths.......subhanallah</title>
			<link>http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85951&amp;goto=newpost</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 04:41:54 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[A Dead Lamb Anyone&#8207; 
 
 
“Jabir b. Abdullah reported that Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) happened to walk through the bazaar coming from...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>A Dead Lamb Anyone&#8207;<br />
<br />
<br />
“Jabir b. Abdullah reported that Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) happened to walk through the bazaar coming from the side of 'Aliya and people were on both sides of him. There he found a dead lamb with very short ears. He took hold of its ear and said: ‘Who amongst you would like to have this for a dirham?’ They said: ‘We would not like to have it even for less than that as it is of no use to us.’ He said: ‘Do you wish to have it (free of any cost)?’ They said: ‘By Allah, even if it were alive (we would not have liked to possess it), for there is defect in it, as its ear is very short; on top of that it is dead now.’ Thereupon, Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘By Allah, this world is more insignificant in the eyes of Allah than (this dead lamb) is in your eyes.’” [Muslim]<br />
<br />
This hadith is a wonderful reminder of the insignificance of this world; yet how much we fret for it. Our worries for the things of this world should be more proportionate to their importance. We ask Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) to give us eternity, never ending life. On top of that we want it in a place better than we can possibly imagine. In it we expect to have youth for ever, no noise, nothing unpleasant, no worries. In this everlasting life, in Paradise, we also expect to get more beautiful and enjoy more luxuries with each passing day, although after the first day we cannot imagine that anything could be better. We expect never to be separated from our loved ones, or feel anything except positive emotions. In return for this, when Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) asks us to obey Him for just 70-80 years, maybe a little more or a little less, we think it too much? He is asking you for a drop, while you are asking Him for the ocean!<br />
<br />
This hadith also illustrates what an exceptional teacher Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) was. We know what impact visual aids have. The more theoretical the words, the less of an impact they have, the more the thoughts can be translated into visuals or experiential, the more lasting its impact. Now we have educationists teaching us to use the same techniques that were employed by Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) as a teacher.</div>

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			<title>bright coloured clothes!!</title>
			<link>http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85950&amp;goto=newpost</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 04:15:07 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Assalamulaikum warahmathullah...... 
 
Hoping everone are in the best state of imaan, taqwa and health....... 
 
This is a question regarding wearing...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Assalamulaikum warahmathullah......<br />
<br />
Hoping everone are in the best state of imaan, taqwa and health.......<br />
<br />
This is a question regarding wearing  bright coloured clothes...............watz the ruling on men wearing pink,red and orange coloured clothes according to islamic sheriah??<br />
<br />
it would be helpful if someone can get me evidences on this......<br />
jazzakallhu khairan.....</div>

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			<title>Dealing with secular Muslim parents ?</title>
			<link>http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85948&amp;goto=newpost</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 22:11:33 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Assalam alakum 
 
 
do anyone here has secular Muslim parents ? 
 
like they pray, fast, give zakah, read Quran, make zikr and so on but when it...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>Assalam alakum<br />
<br />
<br />
do anyone here has secular Muslim parents ?<br />
<br />
like they pray, fast, give zakah, read Quran, make zikr and so on but when it comes to Shariah laws, hijab, beard etc. they are ''modern'' ''secular''. do you know what i mean ?<br />
<br />
<br />
When it comes to marriage, they want you to delay it because you should have good job first etc.  They want you to have a ''modern'' Muslim wife. (probably they would love one without hijab)<br />
<br />
When it comes to going and mixing with non mahram other gender relatives, they insist you to go with them etc.<br />
<br />
Examples can be given more<br />
<br />
How should one deal with parents like that ?</div>

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			<title>WHAT IS ON YOUR HEAD!!!!</title>
			<link>http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85946&amp;goto=newpost</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 20:35:57 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[ASWK, 
I am now going to discuss what people can put on their head.Example nowadays there are a lot of muslims in this world that don't pray and wear...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>ASWK,<br />
I am now going to discuss what people can put on their head.Example nowadays there are a lot of muslims in this world that don't pray and wear an hijab.Like example my neighbor she is a muslim prays 5 times a day but goes out her house showing men her hair.So i have been watching people in my neighborhood and my own family members.Some of my family members like showing there hair to other people cause they say oh if i wear a hijab people will make fun of my head and i not wanna get laughed at.Others say that hiijab  is modesty.And half of modesty id your imaan. So when you wear your hijab you are getting more imaan .So hijab is an important role in a muslim girl so what you have to do is that from now on even if you get laughed at because e you are wearing an hijab so what be strong and brave to be a muslim.Cause on the day of judgement you will be asked why you didn't wear an hijab.</div>

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