A churchly choir converted into a caller to Allah

 

A churchly choir converted into a caller to Allah

At the beginning of his speech about the story of his proselytizing to Islam, he talked about the omnipotence of the creator in the universe. He said:" every craft has its craftsman, and every matter has a wise director and this universe is unique in its making with the wisdom of Allah, Glory be to Him, who has created it by His omnipotence and every action in life has a reason so that matters can go on naturally. So, it has become a must for every one in this life to believe in Allah, Glory be to Him, and to know that Allah is the only creator Who has created the universe with all livings and inanimate beings with no help of any other creature. It is the true believer who believes that these creatures need care and protection from earthquake, collapsing, and vanishing and Allah is of infinite bounty, the owner of the world, the most Gracious and merciful, and Who never has a son or wife. He is the Ever-living, the Eternal and the Dominant of that world. And say: praise be to Allah, Who has no partner in sovereignty, nor has He any protecting friend through dependence. And magnify Him with all magnificence.   The guided was an acolyte in a church. Muhammad Somawy is from Philipine, he was a Christian and adherent to Christianity to the extent that he was punctual at the times of prayers and hymns hold in the church. He also was a religious choir like his parents who were adherent to their religion.  My story with proselytizing. Muhammad Somawy says:" my story with proselytizing began in 1990 during the Iraqi invasion against Kuwait and how these actions were a reason for my proselytizing. The base of my doctrine was to believe in Allah. When I was Christian, many questions came to me. I was punctual in attending the Christian religious occasions. In addition, I was a religious choir as a vocalist for the sake of Allah who is, as the Christians think, the Christ; the son of Allah (exalted be Allah above all that) This was the principle of my previous worship and religion, it was that the Christ, Jesus is a God and the son of Allah as I studied and learned from the cradle. But, many question came to me, I was not convinced of what we used to do. And all what I wished from doing this was just to live with them as a catholic Christian. My previous work. I was working as a welder in making the iron windows and doors; in addition to a driver to transport the passengers in return for a little money. It did not come to my mind in any day to go outside Philippine or to Kuwait to work there. I thought that my work would not enable me to work abroad. My sister's travel. For something Allah willed, my sister traveled to Kuwait to work there before the Iraqi invasion. The invasion occurred during her existence and it lasted for seven months. We did not know any thing about her and we became more worried about her, she is the only sister among us and she got a great deal of my parents' love. at that time sadness prevailed all family and my parents became more worried. As a result of the events, we lost the hope that she was alive. I am the oldest brother, so I shoulder the responsibility of searching for her. Was she dead or alive? The matter was not easy and requires asking every one about her. More than this, what could we do if she was dead? And where she was if she was alive? The whole matter belonged to Allah, Glory be to Him. I had to pave the way for my parents if any bad thing happened to my sister. What I did was to calm them and dry up their tears that made me very sad. The most important thing is that we lost the hope that she would come back. The surprise. Nine months after she had traveled - this period is equal to the period of pregnancy- and after the invasion of Iraq had ended, I received a letter, we considered it to be my sister's new birth and her new birth in Islam. On this letter, I found my sister's name before and after adopting Islam. She embraced Islam in that period, what is important is that we became so happy . It was a surprise, what a wonderful surprise! My sister was still alive. My mother wept out of happiness, she thanked Allah Who protected my sister. My sister told us that she was safe, embraced Islam and got married Kuwaiti. But, this matter was not as important as the matter of her being alive. My travel to Kuwait. Two months later, we received another letter from my sister in which she told us that she urgently needed me to travel to Kuwait and to be beside her. Somawy laughed saying that it seems that she desired me to embrace Islam by summoning me to go to her. finally what we got from the message was that she needed me to be beside her. I was ready to stand beside her, I missed her, she was; as I said, my only sister and I have to relieve my worry about her as long as it is available to me. Allah's decree was continuing and the matters were going on according to Allah's will, I prepared my papers and passport and I sent them to my sister. After that, the license to enter Kuwait reached me and I traveled to Kuwait on Novamber28 in 1992. A new life and calling to allah. When i had arrived at Kuwait many questions came to me because it was the first time I had ever seen the Arab who wear Deshdasha, Ghutra and oqal (covers for the head which the Arab wear), the matter is so different from Philippine. My sister waited me eagerly both of us was eager to see the other. She busted into tears and she said several times:" Am I dreaming" she could not believe that I was with her; she thanked Allah a lot and asked about my father, mother and my brothers, she took me to her home located in the district of Alqosor. I did not stayed with her for long, she and her husband started to call me to Islam after I had known how she embraced Islam they started to endeared this religion to me it seems that she summoned me from Philippine for that matter. I asked them if it is obligatory to embrace Islam. They replied frankly this is not in Islam. There is no compulsion in religion. There is no compulsion in religion, but it is up to you I said:" so leave my matter until Allah decides about it". I reveal no secret win I say that I started to think of Islam, why my sister adopted this religion and now she is calling to it?, this question started to be repeated. After that, I asked them to study Islam and give me the chance to understand it very well. They accepted this became very happy and respected my desire. I started to learn the principles and basis of Islam. Both of them started to give me the books and tapes. I remember that my sister gave me a book entitled" lawful and unlawful in Islam" to read it but, I did not pay attention to what is lawful and what is unlawful as I did to the Islamic doctrine, it is the base of the principle according which faith would be achieved. I did not get benefits from this book except some laws and pictures of the life of muslim. I did not hasten to examine the new religion. When I was with them, I used to hear Azan (call to prayer):"Allah Akbar" (Allah is the greatest). azan is asort of mass media. The first thing I have known was the meaning of Azan; it calls muslims to prayer in certain times of day and night. I began to think more and more about Islam. Here-In Islam- the Azan is Allah Akbar on every minaret: but, there-in Christianity- only bells and rings that are nothing but alarm. I realized the great difference between the Christians' rites which happen every Saturday and Sunday and muslims' Azan which calls them five times a day as a kind of obedience to Allah. Day by day Iused to watch my sister and her husband praying together, I felt that they were at the utmost calmness and peace of mind, and then loving Islam started to infiltrate to my heart. Television is a propagandist. One day, my sister and her husband went to visit some relatives and left me alone watching TV on Diwania channel to watch the news to know what is happening around the world. But surprisingly, I switched the TV on channel two that transmits its program                     in English.Allah decreed that I would watch a program for sheikh Salah el-Rashed. I watched sheikh Salahwho was the secretary- general of the committee of defining Islam at that time. That was in Ramadan, the month of guidance and criterion(of right and wrong). In that program, he talked about the relationship of Islam with other religions, Islam and Christian and Jesus and Muhammad(p.b.u.h) in the Bible. I used to wait that interested program every Wednesday in the evening and listen carefully to what he was saying. Muhammad (p.b.u.h) in the Torah and Bible. I knew from that program that the Prophethood of Muhammad(p.b.u.h) has been foretold in the Bible and pentateuch and that he would be the following messenger after Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them. At that very time, I was searching for any proof asserting that the prophet Muhammad has been mentioned in the Bible as did not find his name either in the Old testament or in the New testament of the holy scriptures. Consequently, I payed great attention to Islam for its calling to oneness as sheikh Salah made this clear for me. This was exactly what I heartily believed in when I was a Christian. But what aroused my astonishment so much that I could not resist or oppose was his explanation of the Prophethood of Muhammad (p.b.u.h) in the light of the Christians' holy scriptures before it were distorted and other trustworthy Evangelican sources. Sheikh Salah also quoted some evidences from the Bible. I found that what he explained and manifested about the seal prophet's mission who had been mentioned in the original Bible before it was distorted is true and I could not deny this matter. I started to recite what has been mentioned in the Deuterocanon about the Prophet(p.b.u.h) which is the following:" so, a prophet among their brothers was sent and he is like you, I will put my words in his mouth, so he will address what I enjoined to them. So, he who disobeys my words which he speaks in my name, I will punish him" The beginning of embracing Islam. I started to accept Islam as a new religion, my heart started to be opened to it and I love more and more. Who can bear the punishment of Allah, every one has to fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds, the Maker of the reasons, the Owner of the sky and earth. "(And it will be said unto him): Read thy book,Thy soul sufficeth as reckoner against thee this day". My way to Islam was opened as Allah wills, I desided to go to the comittee of definning Islam with my broyher in law to declare embracing Islam and to announce my witness of the Oneness of Allah, the Creator witnessing that Jesus, the son of Mary is the slave and messenge of Allah and Muhammad is the seal of the prophets and messengers, the prophet of mercy.   Jesus is a humankind and messenger. I declared that I had embraced Islam on the fifteenth of the blessed Ramadan. And I have adopted Islam because I am afraid of the punishment of Allah and I am convinced of the Oneness of Allah. My adherence to Islam started to increase and I started to have a good relationship with the new guided brothers.Embracing Islam does not mean that i do not believe in Jesus but it means that I believe in Allah as the only God, in Islam as a religion and in Muhammad as the messenger and prophet of Allah. Islam puts Jesus in his right position which is he is the slave and messenger of Allah like the prophet, Muhammad (p.b.u.h). The different between them is that the prophet, Muhammad is the seal of the prophet ,and the Quran was revealed to the later and the Bible was revealed to the former. Both of them call to the oneness of Allah. I learned Islam.  The prophet Muhammad was sent by Allah to the whole people until the day of judgment. Now as ten years passed after I had embraced Islam, I understood this religion very well, and my faith became strong, after I had studied the oneness in Islam which is about the absolute belief in the oneness of Allah. I also learned  how the muslim performes his rites and duties as Islam allowed things and prohibited other thing. So, the muslim has to take Allah into consideration at any time. My proselytising was by Allah who guides whom He wills, and it is He Who guided me to be a muslim and sent me from Philipine to Kuwait to fulfill an executed commandment. I do not forget the people who did my sister and her husband favors after Allah, Glory be to Him. This program that enlights the people's mind was the reason for me to convert from one religion into the one that guides to righteousness and follows Allah's satisfaction. The committee of defining Islam and calling to Allah. The committee of defining Islam was the reason for teaching me Islam, it was the beginning of guidance and light in my heart. It includes the men who devote themselves to serve the religion, I ask Allah to reward them and those who established this great foundation of calling to Allah. An assistant of propagadist. I have learned and studied Islam after i had declared that I embraced Islam in this committee, I have got over all courses and lectures and obtained many certificates. First, i graduated as an assistant of propagandist of the Philipini community, now I am working as a preacher of Islam at the branch of the committee of defining Islam in Al-Ahmady. Praise be to Allah, I was the reason for many people to adopt Islam , that is the bounty of Allah; which he giveth unto whom he wills. Allah is of infinite bounty. The performance of Al-Hajj (pilgrimage). I took part in many dialogues between muslims and Christians. I performed Hajj and Umrah many times. Allah granted me protection and guidance which I have never imagined it. Allah, Glory be to him guidance. Allah fated me to convert from a religious choir to an Islamic preacher. really it is Allah`s guidance who is of great bounty, the Lord of the worlds and the most Gracious and Merciful. The praise to Allah, who hath guided us to this. We could not truly have been led aright if Allah had not guided us.

 

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Muhammad ibn Maslamah

Muhammad ibn Maslamah

Courtesy of ISL Software.

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Black, tall and sturdy, Muhammad ibn Maslamah towered above his contemporaries. He was a giant among the companions of the Prophet, a giant in body and a giant in deeds.

Significantly he was called Muhammad even before he became a Muslim. It would seem that his name was itself a pointer to the fact that he was among the first of the Yathribites to become a Muslim and to follow the teachings of the great Prophet. (The name Muhammad was practically unknown at the time but since the Prophet encouraged Muslims to name themselves after him, it has become one of the most widely used names in the world.)

Muhammad ibn Maslamah was a halif or an ally of the Aws tribe in Madinah indicating that he himself was not an Arab. He became a Muslim at the hands of Musab ibn Umayr, the first missionary sent out by the Prophet from Makkah to Madinah. He accepted Islam even before men like Usayd ibn Hudayr and Sad ibn Muadh who were influential men in the city.

When the Prophet, peace be on him, came to Madinah, he adopted the unique method of strengthening the bonds of brotherhood between the Muhajirin and the Ansar. He paired off each Muhajir with one of the Ansar. This arrangement also helped to relieve the immediate needs of the Muhajirin for shelter and food and created an integrated community of believers.

The Prophet was a keen observer of character and temperament and was concerned to join in brotherhood persons of similar attitudes and tastes. He joined in brotherhood Muhammad ibn Maslamah and Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah. Like Abu Ubaydah, Muhammad ibn Maslamah was quiet and pensive and had a strong sense of trust and devotion. He was also brave and resolute in action. He was a distinguished horseman who performed feats of heroism and sacrifice in the service of Islam.

Muhammad ibn Maslamah took part in all the military engagements of the Prophet except the expedition to Tabuk. On that occasion, he and Ali were put in charge of an army which was left behind to protect Madinah. Later in life, he would often relate scenes of these battles to his ten children.

There are many instances in the life of Muhammad ibn Maslamah which showed what a dependable and trustworthy person he was. Before the start of hostilities at the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet and the Muslim force numbering some seven hundred persons spent a night in an open camp. He put fifty men under the command of Muhammad ibn Maslamah and entrusted him with the task of patrolling the camp the whole night. During the battle itself, after the disastrous rout of the Muslims by the Quraysh during which about seventy Muslims lost their lives and many fled in every possible direction, a small band of the faithful bravely defended the Prophet till the tide of battle turned. Muhammad ibn Maslamah was among them.

Muhammad ibn Maslamah was quick to respond to the call of action. He once stood listening to the Prophet as he spoke to the Muslims about the designs of some of the Jewish leaders in the region.

At the beginning of his stay in Madinah, the Prophet had concluded an agreement with the Jews of the city which said in part:

"The Jews who attach themselves to our commonwealth shall be protected from all insults and harassment. They shall have equal rights as our own people to our assistance...They shall join the Muslims in defending Madinah against all enemies...They shall not declare war nor enter in treaty or agreement against the Muslims."

Jewish leaders had violated this agreement by encouraging the Quraysh and tribes around Madinah in their designs against the state. They were also bent on creating discord among the people of Madinah in order to weaken the influence of Islam.

After the resounding victory of the Muslims over the Quraysh at the Battle of Badr, one of the three main Jewish groups in Madinah, the Banu Qaynuqa was especially furious and issued a petulant challenge to the Prophet. They said:

"O Muhammad! You really think that we are like your people (the Quraysh)? Don't be deceived. You confronted a people who have no knowledge of war and you took the chance to rout them. If you were to fight against us you would indeed know that we arc men."

They thus spurned their agreement with the Prophet and issued an open challenge to fight. The Qaynuqa however were goldsmiths who dominated the market in Madinah. They were depending on their allies, the Khazraj, to help them in their declared war. The Khazraj refused. The Prophet placed the Banu Qaynuqa's quarters under a siege which lasted for fifteen nights. The fainthearted Qaynuqa finally decided to surrender and ask the Prophet for a free passage out of Madinah.

The Prophet allowed them to leave and the tribe - men, women and children - left unharmed. They had to leave behind them their arms and their goldsmith's equipment. They settled down at Adhraat in Syria.

The departure of the Qaynuqa did not end Jewish feelings of animosity towards the Prophet although the nonaggression agreement was still in force. One of those who was consumed with hatred against the Prophet and the Muslims and who openly gave vent to his rage was Kab ibn al-Ashraf.

Kab's father was in fact an Arab who had fled to Madinah after committing a crime. He became an ally of the Banu Nadir, another important Jewish group, and married a Jewish lady name Aqilah bint Abu-l Haqiq. She was Kab's mother.

Kab was a tall and impressive looking person. He was a well-known poet and was one of the richest men among the Jews. He lived in a castle on the outskirts of Madinah where he had extensive palm groves. He was regarded as a Jewish leader of importance throughout the Hijaz. He provided means of support and sponsorship to many Jewish rabbis.

Kab was openly hostile to Islam. He lampooned the Prophet, besmirched in verse the reputation of Muslim women, and incited the tribes in and around Madinah against the Prophet and Islam. He was particularly distressed when he heard the news of the Muslim victory at Badr. When he saw the returning army with the Quraysh prisoners of war, he was bitter and furious. He took it upon himself then to make the long journey to Makkah to express his grief and to incite the Quraysh to take further revenge. He also went to other areas, from tribe to tribe, urging people to take up arms against the Prophet. News of his activities reached the Prophet, peace be on him, who prayed: "O Lord, rid me of the son of Ashfar, however You wish."

Kab had become a real danger to the state of peace and mutual trust which the Prophet was struggling to achieve in Madinah.

Kab returned to Madinah and continued his verbal attacks on the Prophet and his abuse of Muslim women. He refused, after warnings from the Prophet, to stop his dirty campaign and sinister intrigues. He was bent on fomenting a revolt against the Prophet and the Muslims in Madinah. By all these actions, Kab had openly declared war against the Prophet. He was dangerous and a public enemy to the nascent Muslim state. The Prophet was quite exasperated with him and said to the Muslims: "Who will deal with Kab ibn al-Ashraf? He has offended God and His Apostle."

"I shall deal with him for you, O Messenger of God," volunteered Muhammad ibn Maslamah.

This, however, was no easy undertaking. Muhammad ibn Maslamah, according to one report, went home and stayed for three days without either eating or drinking, just thinking about what he had to do. The Prophet heard of this, called him and asked him why he had not been eating or drinking. He replied: "O Messenger of God, I gave an undertaking to you but I do not know whether I can accomplish it or not." "Your duty is only to try your utmost," replied the Prophet.

Muhammad ibn Maslamah then went to some other companions of the Prophet and told them what he had undertaken to do. They included Abu Nailah, a foster brother of Kab ibn al-Ahsraf. They agreed to help him and he devised a plan to accomplish the mission. They went back to the Prophet to seek his approval since the plan involved enticing Kab from his fortress residence through some deception. The Prophet gave his consent on the principle that war involved deceit.

Both Muhammad ibn Maslamah who was in fact a nephew of Kab by fosterage and Abu Nailah then went to Kab's residence. Muhammad ibn Maslamah was the first to speak: "This man (meaning the Prophet, peace be on him) has asked us for sadaqah (charitable tax) and we cannot even find food to eat. He is oppressing us with his laws and prohibitions and I thought I could come to you to ask for a loan."

"By God, I am much more dissatisfied with him," confessed Kab. "We have followed him but we do not want to leave him until we see how this whole business will end. We would like you to lend us a wasaq or two of gold," continued Muhammad ibn Maslamah.

"Isn't it about time that you realize what falsehood you are tolerating from him? asked Kab as he promised to give them the loan. "However," he said, "you must provide security (for the loan)."

"What security do you want?" they asked. "Give me your wives as security," he suggested. "How can we give you our wives as security ," they protested, "when you are the most handsome of Arabs?"

"Then give me your children as security," Kab suggested. "How can we give you our children as security when any one of them would thereafter be ridiculed by being called a hostage for one or two wasaqs of gold. This would be a disgrace to us. But we could give you our (means of) protection (meaning weapons) since you know that we need them."

Kab agreed to this suggestion which they had made to disabuse his mind of any notion that they had come armed. They promised to come back to him again to bring the weapons.

Meanwhile, Abu Nailah also came up to Kab and said: "Woe to you, Ibn Ashraf. I have come to you intending to mention something to you and you do not encourage me." Kab asked him to go on and Abu Nailah said: "The coming of this man to us has been a source of affliction to our Arab customs. With one shot he has severed our ways and left families hungry and in difficulties. We and our families are struggling." Kab replied: "I, Ibn al-Ashraf, by God, I had told you, son of Salamah, that the matter would end up as I predicted." Abu Nailah replied: "I wish you could sell us some food and we would give you whatever form of security and trust required. Be good to us. I have friends who share my views on this and I want to bring them to you so that you could sell them some food and deal well towards them. We will come to you and pledge our shields and weapons to you as security." "There is loyalty and good faith in weapons," agreed Kab.

With this they left promising to return and bring the required security for the loan. They went back to the Prophet and reported to him what had happened. That night, Muhammad ibn Maslamah, Abu Nailah, Abbad ibn Bisnr, Al-Harith ibn Aws and Abu Abasah ibn Jabr all set off for Kabs house. The Prophet went with them for a short distance and parted with the words:

"Go forth in the name of God." And he prayed: "O Lord, help them." The Prophet returned home. It was a moonlit night in the month of Rabi al-Awwal in the third year of the hijrah.

Muhammad ibn Maslamah and the four with him reached Kab's house. They called out to him. As he got out of bed, his wife held him and warned: "You are a man at war. People at war do not go down at such an hour." "It is only my nephew Muhammad ibn Maslamah and my foster brother, Abu Nailah..." Kab came down with his sword drawn. He was heavily scented with the perfume of musk.

"I have not smelt such a pleasant scent as today," greeted Muhammad ibn Maslamah. "Let me smell your head." Kab agreed and as Muhammad bent over, he grasped Kab's head firmly and called on the others to strike down the enemy of God.

(Details of this incident vary somewhat. Some reports state that it was Abu Nailah who gave the command to strike down Kab and this was done after Kab had emerged from his house and walked with them for some time. )

The elimination of Kab ibn al-Ashraf struck terror into the hearts of those, and there were many of them in Madinah, who plotted and intrigued against the Prophet. Such open hostility as Kab's diminished for a time but certainly did not cease.

At the beginning of the fourth year of the hijrah, the Prophet went to the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir on the outskirts of Madinah to seek their help on a certain matter. While among them, he found out that they were planning to kill him then and there. He had to take decisive action. The Banu Nadir had gone too far. Straight away, the Prophet went back to the center of the city. He summoned Muhammad ibn Maslamah and sent him to inform the Banu Nadir that they had to leave Madinah within ten days because of their treacherous behavior and that any one of them seen after that in the city would forfeit his life.

One can just imagine Muhammad ibn Maslamah addressing the Banu Nadir. His towering stature and his loud and clear voice combined to let the Banu Nadir know that the Prophet meant every word he said and that they had to stand the consequences of their treacherous acts. The fact that the Prophet chose Muhammad ibn Maslamah for the task is a tribute to his loyalty, courage and firmness.

Further details of the expulsion of the Banu Nadir from Madinah do not concern us here: their plan to resist the Prophet with outside help; the Prophet's siege of their district and their eventual surrender and evacuation mainly to Khaybar in the north. Two of the Banu Nadir though became MusIims - Yamin ibn Umayr and Abu Sad ibn Wahb. Ali this happened exactly one year after the elimination of Kab ibn al-Ashraf.

Both during the time of the Prophet and after, Muhammad ibn Maslamah was known for carrying out any assignment he accepted exactly as he was ordered, neither doing more nor less than he was asked to do. It was these qualities which made Umar choose him as one of his ministers and as a trusted friend and guide.

When Amr ibn al-Aas requested reinforcements during his expedition to Egypt, Umar sent him four detachments of one thousand men each. Leading these detachments were Muhammad ibn Maslamah, az-Zubayr ibn aI-Awwam, Ubadah ibn as-Samit and al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad. To Amr, Umar sent a message saying, "Let me remind you that I am sending Muhammad ibn Maslamah to you to help you distribute your wealth. Accommodate him and forgive any harshness of his towards you."

Ibn Maslamah went to Amr in Fustat (near present-day Cairo).. He sat at his table but did not touch the food. Amr asked him: "Did Umar prevent you from tasting my food?" "No," replied ibn Maslamah, "he did not prevent me from having your food but neither did he command me to eat of it." He then placed a flat loaf of bread on the table and ate it with salt. Amr became upset and said: "May God bring to an end the time in which we work for Umar ibn al-Khattab! I have witnessed a time when al-Khattab and his son Umar were wandering around wearing clothes which could not even cover them properly while Al-Aas ibn Wail (Amr's father) sported brocade lined with gold..."

"As for your father and the father of Umar, they are in hell," retorted Muhammad ibn Maslamah, because they did not accept Islam. "As for you, if Umar did not give you an appointment, you would have been pleased with what you got from their udders," continued Ibn Maslamah obviously disabusing Amr's mind of any ideas he might have of appearing superior because he was the governor of Egypt.

"Assemblies must be conducted as a form of trust," said Amr in an attempt to diffuse the situation and Muhammad ibn Maslamah replied: "Oh yes, so long as Umar is alive." He wanted to impress upon people the justice of Umar and the egalitarian teachings of Islam. Muhammad ibn Maslamah was a veritable scourge against all arrogant and haughty behavior.

On another occasion and at another end of the Muslim state under his caliphate, Umar heard that the famous Sad ibn Abi Waqqas was building a palace at Kufa. Umar sent Muhammad ibn Maslamah to deal with the situation. On reaching Kufa, Muhammad promptly burnt the palace down. One does not know whether people were more surprised by the instructions of Umar or by the humiliation of Sad ibn Abi Waqqas, the famed fighter, conqueror at Qadisiyyah, and the one praised by the Prophet himself for his sacrifices at Uhud.

Sad did not say a word. This was all part of the great process of self-criticism and rectification which helped to make Islam spread and establish it on foundations of justice and piety.

Muhammad ibn Maslamah served Umar's successor, Uthman ibn Allan, faithfully. When, however, the latter was killed and civil war broke out among the Muslims, Muhammad ibn Maslamah did not participate. The sword which he always used and which was given to him by the Prophet himself he deliberately broke. During the time of the Prophet, he was known as the "Knight of the Prophet". By refusing to use the sword against Muslims he preserved this reputation undiminished.

Subsequently, he made a sword from wood and fashioned it well. He placed it in a scabbard and hung it inside his house. When he was asked about it he said: "I simply hang it there to terrify people." Muhammad ibn Maslamah died in Madinah in the month of Safar in the year 46 AH. He was seventy seven years old.

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MUHAMMAD (PBUH) IN BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES:

 

Subject: MUHAMMAD (PBUH) IN BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES:

 

MUHAMMAD (PBUH) IN BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES:

1. Buddha prophesised the advent of a Maitreya:   A) Almost all Buddhist books contain this prophecy. It is in Chakkavatti Sinhnad Suttanta D. III, 76: "There will arise in the world a Buddha named Maitreya (the benevolent one) a holy one, a supreme one, an enlightened one, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious, knowing the universe: "What he has realized by his own supernatural knowledge he will publish to this universe. He will preach his religion, glorious in its origin, glorious at its climax, glorious at the goal, in the spirit and the letter. He will proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and thoroughly pure; even as I now preach my religion and a like life do proclaim. He will keep up the society of monks numbering many thousands, even as now I keep up a society of monks numbering many hundreds". B) According to Sacred Books of the East volume 35 pg. 225:     "It is said that I am not an only Buddha upon whom the leadership and order is dependent. After me another Buddha maitreya of such and such virtues will come. I am now the leader of hundreds, he will be the leader of thousands." C) According to the Gospel of Buddha by Carus pg. 217 and 218 (From Ceylon sources): "Ananda said to the Blessed One, 'Who shall teach us when thou art gone?'

And the Blessed one replied, 'I am not the first Buddha who came upon the earth nor shall I be the last. In due time another Buddha will arise in the world, a holy one, a supremely enlightened one, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of angels and mortals. He will reveal to you the same eternal truths, which I have taught you. He will preach his religion, glorious in its origin, glorious at the climax and glorious at the goal. He will proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and pure such as I now proclaim. His disciples will number many thousands while mine number many hundreds.' Ananda said, 'How shall we know him?' The Blessed one replied, 'He will be known as Maitreya'." (i) The Sanskrit word 'Maitreya' or its equivalent in Pali 'Metteyya' means loving, compassionate, merciful and benevolent. It also means kindness and friendliness, sympathy, etc. One Arabic word which is equivalent to all these words is 'Rahmat'. In Surah Al-Anbiya: "We sent thee not, but as a mercy for all creatures." [Al-Qur'an 21:107] Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was called the merciful, which is 'Maitri'. (ii) The words Mercy and Merciful are mentioned in the Holy Qur'an no less than 409 times.     (iii) Every chapter of the Glorious Qur'an, except Chapter 9, i.e. Surah Taubah begins with the beautiful formula, 'Bismillah Hir-Rahman Nir-Rahim', which means 'In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful'.     (iv) The Word Muhammad is also spelt as 'Mahamet' or 'Mahomet' and in various other ways in different languages. The word 'Maho' or 'Maha' in Pali and Sanskrit mean Great and Illustrious and 'Metta' means mercy. Therefore 'Mahomet' means 'Great Mercy'. 2. Buddha's doctrine was Esoteric and Exoteric:   According to Sacred Books of the East, volume 11, pg. 36 Maha-Parinibbana Sutta chapter 2 verse 32: "I have preached the truth without making any distinction between exoteric and esoteric doctrine, for in respect of truths, Ananda, the Tathagata has no such thing as the closed fist of a teacher, who keeps something back". Muhammad (pbuh) on the commandment of Almighty God delivered the message and doctrine without making any distinction between esoteric and exoteric. The Qur'an was recited in public in the days of the Prophet and is being done so till date. The Prophet had strictly forbidden the Muslims from hiding the doctrine   3. Devoted Servitors of the Buddhas:   According to Sacred Books of the East volume 11 pg. 97 Maha-Parinibbana Sutta Chapter 5 verse 36: "Then the Blessed one addressed the brethren, and said, 'Whosoever, brethren have been Arahat-Buddhas through the long ages of the past, they were servitors just as devoted to those Blessed ones as Ananda has been to me. And whosoever brethren shall be the Arahat-Buddhas of the future, there shall be servitors as devoted to those Blessed ones as Ananda has been to me'." The Servitor of Buddha was Ananda. Muhammad (pbuh) also had a servitor by the name Anas (r.a.) who was the son of Malik. Anas (r.a...) was presented to the Prophet by his parents. Anas (r.a...) relates: "My mother said to him, 'Oh Messenger of God, here is your little servant'." Further Anas relates, "I served him from the time I was 8 years old and the Prophet called me his son and his little beloved". Anas (r.a...) stayed by the Prophet in peace and in war, in safety as well as in danger till the end of his life. i)  Anas (r.a.), even though he was only 11 years old stayed beside the Prophet during the battle of Uhud where the Prophet's life was in great danger.   ii) Even during the battle of Honain when the Prophet was surrounded by the enemies who were archers, Anas (r.a...) who was only 16 years old stood by the Prophet. Anas (R) can surely be compared with Ananda who stood by Gautam Buddha when the mad elephant approached him. 4. Six Criteria for Identifying Buddha:   According to the Gospel of Buddha by Carus pg. 214: "The Blessed one said, 'There are two occasions on which a Tathagata's appearance becomes clear and exceedingly bright. In the night Ananda, in which a Tathagata attains to the supreme and perfect insight, and in the night in which he passes finally away in that ultra passing which leaves nothing whatever of his earthly existence to remain.' " According to Gautam Buddha, following are the six criteria for identifying a Buddha.   i) A Buddha attains supreme and perfect insight at night-time.   ii) On the occasion of his complete enlightenment he looks exceedingly bright   iii) A Buddha dies a natural death.   iv) He dies at night-time.   v)  He looks exceedingly bright before his death.   vi) After his death a Buddha ceases to exist on earth.   i)  Muhammad (pbuh) attained supreme insight and Prophethood at night-time. According to Surah Dukhan: "By the books that makes thing clear – We sent it down during a blessed night." [Al-Qur'an 44:2-3] According to Surah Al-Qadar: "We have indeed revealed this (message) in the night of power." [Al-Qur'an 97:1]   ii) Muhammad (pbuh) instantly felt his understanding illumined with celestial light.   iii) Muhammad (pbuh) died a natural death. iv) According to Ayesha (r.a.), Muhammad (pbuh) expired at night-time. When he was dying there was no oil in the lamp and his wife Ayesha (r.a.) had to borrow oil for the lamp. v) According to Anas (r.a.), Muhammad (pbuh) looked exceedingly bright in the night of his death.   vi) After the burial of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) he was never seen again in his bodily form on this earth.   5. Buddhas are only Preachers:   According to Dhammapada, Sacred Books of East volume 10 pg., 67: "The Jathagatas (Buddhas) are only Preachers." The Qur'an says in Surah Ghashiya: "Therefore do thou give admonition, for thou art one to admonish. Thou art not one to manage (men's) affairs." [Al-Qur'an 88:21-22] 6. Identification of Maitreya by Buddha:   According to Dhammapada, Mattaya Sutta, 151: "The promised one will be: i) Compassionate for the whole creation ii) A messenger of peace, a peace-maker iii) The most successful in the world.   The Maitreya as a Preacher of morals will be: i) Truthful ii) Self-respecting iii) Gentle and noble iv) Not proud v) As a king to creatures vi) An example to others in deeds and in words". Source: http://www.irf.net

 

Palestine- The Test of Islamic Revival

 

 Palestine- The Test of Islamic Revival

The Palestinian cause is the most dangerous cause as far as the Muslim Ummah is concerned and is perhaps the most dangerous issue at all. Palestine is a blessed usurped Muslim land against which the East and the West conspired. Furthermore, Muslims themselves, aware or unaware, conspired against it. Nevertheless, Allah in the Qur'an reassured us that sovereignty over the Earth will be given, by Divine will, to pious Muslims. {Verily, the earth is Allah's. He gives it as a heritage to whom He will of His slaves, and the (blessed) end is for the Muttaqun (pious).} [Al-A'raf, 128]

Unique characteristics giving Palestine a distinctive nature

Palestine, as well as Egypt, Iraq, Chechnya and any country ruled by Islam even for one day, is a Muslim land. In this regard, it should be born in mind that a country that was ruled by Islam, by virtue of either a conquest or a treaty, will remain Islamic till the Day of Judgment regardless of how universal and man-made laws may change and how divergent opinions people may express. No doubt, this is the unchangeable Divine law. "No change can there be in the Words of Allah." Moreover, Palestine is not just a Muslim land; rather, it is endowed by Allah with unique characteristics so as to be distinctive from any other Muslim country.

First: It was the first Qiblah (direction for prayer) for Muslims.

Second: It was the destination of Isra' (the miraculous night journey of Prophet Muhammad)

Third: It contains Al-Aqsa Mosque, which Allah always connects to the Sacred Mosque in Makkah and glorifies as the second house for worshipping Allah after Ka'bah to be placed on earth.

Fourth: It contains the third of the three holiest Mosques to which Muslims are encouraged to undertake journeys solely for the purpose of worship (the other two being Al-Masjid Al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque) and the Prophet's Mosque).

Fifth: A prayer in this Mosque is worth 500 prayers more than in any other mosque.

Sixth: Allah called it in the Qur'an the blessed and the sacred land.

Seventh: It is the land of resurrection and gathering (for the Day of Judgment).

Eighth: Many decisive battles in the history of Islam, such as Ajnadin, Bisan, Hittin and Ein Jalut, took place on these lands. On the same lands, the last battle between Muslims and Jews marking the approach  of the Day of Judgment, in which Muslims will be victorious, will erupt.

Ninth: Blessing its people till the Day of Judgment, Allah stated that a group of Muslims living in Jerusalem and its hereabouts will remain fighting for the truth till the Day of Judgment.

Tenth: Allah made it the homeland of many prophets, who either were born therein, emigrated thereto, lived on whose land or were buried therein.

I have so far listed ten distinctive characteristics by virtue of which this land was given preference over any other country.

A question might arise: why this land is specifically endowed with such characteristics? The answer is that Allah predestined that all inhabitants of the Earth will think of invading this small land being so sacred and blessed and that it will remain the focus of conflict till the Day of Resurrection. In fact, it was ever coveted by Persians, Byzantines, Crusaders, Tatars, the English, Jews and many more others. Accordingly, Allah inculcated great zeal in the hearts of believers so that they may never leave it occupied. Of course, Muslims should never be tolerant regarding the occupation of any Muslim land.

Palestinian issue may never be compromised and its Islamic orientation may not be changed

However, this land specifically will remain a coveted object for occupiers. Therefore, Allah the Almighty held it in a high esteem so that Muslims may not forget it regardless of the passage of time. Accordingly, the Palestinian cause is of clearer Islamic orientation than any other Islamic issue. Hence, it is by no means credible or acceptable that this cause be compromised or that its Islamic orientation be given up. Moreover, Allah made the Palestinian cause a measure of the faith of the Muslim Ummah in general. To clarify, Palestine will be occupied by whatever force in case Muslims forsake their religion, neglect their identity and fail to abide by Allah's commandments and the Sunnah of their Prophet (peace be upon him). On the other hand, Muslims will retake Palestine in case they once again come to the fold of Islam holding fast to their religion and the Sunnah of their Prophet (peace be upon him). In other words, the case of rising resistance to occupation, struggle and jihad is an indicator of a high level of faith. However, the case of rising surrender and submission is an indicator that religion is absent from the life of Muslims.

A delicate measure of faith

Referring to coming back to the folds of Islam, I do not mean this is required only for liberating Palestine. Rather, liberating Palestinian is one of many other duties, such as performing prayers, fasting, paying Zakah (obligatory charity), dutifulness to one's parents and dealing kindly with one's neighbors. By the same token, it is also obligatory to practice jihad, liberate occupied lands and resist injustice. Such are duties Allah ordained us to do collectively, which we have to do as a whole and regarding which we are given no choice to do whatever we like and no to do whatever we do not like. {Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest?} [Al-Baqarah, 85] In fact, we repent to Alllah because He enjoined us to frequently repent to Him and ask His forgiveness. {And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islamic Monotheism) to your Lord and submit to Him, (in Islam), before the torment comes upon you, then you will not be helped.} [Al-Zumar, 54] Thus, if we turn in repentance to Him in the best sense of the word obeying all His commandments and abiding by His injunctions and limits, He will be pleased with us and will fulfill our hope of liberating Palestine or any other land. {And indeed We have written in Zabur (Psalms) [i.e. all the revealed Holy Books the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), the Qur'an] after (We have already written in) Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz (the Book, that is in the heaven with Allah), that My righteous slaves shall inherit the land (i.e. the land of Paradise).} [Al-Anbiya', 105]

Actually, we do not return in repentance to Allah only in crises and calamities or for a certain need or purpose; rather, we turn in repentance to Him because He is our Lord and God and in Whose Hands are the keys of all matters. Moreover, we are His servants who seek His mercy and fear His Hellfire. Furthermore, we turn in repentance to Him as we are His unstintingly devoted servants who worship Him wholeheartedly. To this effect, we are not like bad servants who obey if given and disobey if deprived. Rather, we abide by His commandments whether we are humiliated or given authority over others, whether glorious or otherwise and whether rich or poor.  {Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Verily, my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).} [Al-An'am, 162] Although humans in general by nature are at times grateful and ungrateful at other times, get closer to Allah at times and turn away from Him at other times, Allah being Merciful of His creatures places reminders in life in order to remind those who might forget Him and lead them back to Him.

One reminder is the Palestinian cause. This fact was deeply understood by great Muslim scholars and leaders. Feeling that Muslims turned away from Allah as Palestine is occupied, they would stir people's zeal through reminding them of the Palestinian issue. By doing so, they did not intend only to free Palestine but also to serve the great goal and supreme objective, i.e. Divine Satisfaction.

Liberation of Palestine contingent upon returning to Allah

Great martyr Nur Ad-Din Mahmud Zangi ordered a large pulpit to be made and decided not to end his worry or lay his fear to rest unless this pulpit has been placed in occupied Al-Aqsa Mosque or he has died. Having understood the Islamic orientation of the issue, he made use of it to lead people back to the way of their Lord. The same was applied by Saladin (Salahud-Din) bin Ayyub (may Allah show mercy to him), who could think of liberating Palestine only after feeling sure that Muslims turned in repentance to their Lord. Feeling that people are unstintingly devoted to their Lord, he could perceive that victory is near and he therefore fought the battle of Hattin and could liberate Jerusalem.

The same notion was also grasped by Sultan Saif Ad-Din Qutuz (may Allah show mercy to him). He moved his army to Palestine only after scholars, foremost among whom is Al-'Izz Ibn Abdul-Salam, had awakened people's desires for Paradise and their fear of Hellfire, and had raised the value of jihad and death in the cause of Allah. Having been certain that people turned in repentance to their Lord, he came to be sure that victory over Tatars is an inevitable result of such repentance. Thus, the battle of Ein Jalut was fought and subsequently Tatars were destroyed and Palestine and the Levant were liberated. {If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.} [Muhammad, 7]

Accordingly, Muslim Du'ah (callers to Allah) have to make use of the Palestinian cause in order to draw Muslims' attention to the necessity of turning in repentance to Allah the Almighty. To this effect, it should be highlighted that loss of Palestine is an indicator of a weak and decreased level of faith. It should also be propagated that the more Muslims show weakness toward the Palestinian issue, the more they are far from Allah, a terrifying situation and a great alarm bell.

Moreover, Du'ah have to make clear for people the Islamic orientation of the issue and how it is closely attached to the Divine evaluation of Muslims. Had a certain generation of Muslims been truthful, Allah would have given them authority. Had a certain generation of Muslims, on the other hand, been weak, cowardly and impure, Allah will exchange them for some other people. {And if you turn away (from Islam and the obedience of Allah), He will exchange you for some other people, and they will not be your likes.} [Muhammad, 38] Another duty of Du'ah is to explain to Muslims how their enthusiasm for Palestine can be turned into positive action having the effect of not only freeing Palestine but also of raising high the esteem of the Muslim Ummah as a whole and of giving it superiority over all nations of the world as predestined by Allah. {You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind…} [Al 'Imran, 110]

Thus, it is improper on the part of Muslims to pray Allah to free Palestine and relieve its calamity when they do no positive action, do not prepare themselves for jihad, do not adhere to Qur'anic teachings or Sunnah, are not even self-sufficient in food, medicine and armament production and do not enforce Shari'ah (Islamic law).

In fact, Islam is an integrated institution. Thus, a Muslim profound scholar is one who has a comprehensive perception of the entity of Islam. In this respect, such a scholar may not concern for a certain aspect while neglecting another and may not elect only such aspects of religion as may go in line with his desires and whims. Rather, one's slogan in this life should be: {We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all).} [Al-Baqarah, 285]

Finally, the Palestine cause is totally Islamic and Palestine will be returned one day to Islam and Muslims. However, the important question is: who is to return it? In better words, who will return in repentance to Allah so that Allah might return Palestine to him?

{O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the Cause of Allah (i.e. Jihad) you cling heavily to the earth? Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter. If you march not forth, He will punish you with a painful torment and will replace you by another people, and you cannot harm Him at all, and Allah is Able to do all things.} [Al-Tawbah, 38, 39]

 

Dr. Ragheb ElSergany

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Letter to a Muslim Student

Letter to a Muslim Student Sayyed Hassan Al Banna [Hassan al Banna was born in 1906 in Egypt into a family of scholars. In 1928, he formed Ikhwan al Muslimeen (the Muslim Brotherhood organization). This movement for the revival of Islam soon spread across Egypt and the region. In December 1948, the Muslim Brotherhood organization was suppressed and thousands of its members arrested. Hassan al Banna was spared arrest only to be assassinated in February 1949. Letter to a Muslim Student is the English translation of a letter that Hassan al Banna wrote to one of his students that was studying in the West. The sincere advice contained in this letter is drawn from the perennial values and ethos of Islam. It reminds the addressee and indeed all Muslims that the first and foremost goal in a Muslims life is to please God and live in accordance to His sacred law. Also, it brings home that studying ought not to be an end in itself or for seeking material gain. A Muslim ought to excel in his or her study in order to work for Islam and benefit humanity.]   My brother in Islam (who may Allah guard and protect). I praise Allah for there is no god but Him. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad, who was sent as a mercy to all of humanity, upon his family, companions and on all those who hold fast to the Shariah until the Day of Judgement. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you when you travel with a proper intention and a noble purpose, and when you return with a sound endeavor and to a dedicated cause. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you as you serve Islam with the finest fruits of science and the best of knowledge. Dearest brother, you will be amongst people you have not known before and characters you are not accustomed to. In you they will see the example of a Muslim. So make sure they see in you the best example and the finest image, in order for them to understand that the word 'Muslim' embodies virtue and nobility. With you is a precious trust, that is your righteous wife, appreciate this. Towards her be a trustworthy companion. Provide her with comfort and happiness. Share with her felicity, without being careless in acquiring your rights and negligent in performing your duties. Read these few words that are borne out of my love and sincerity for you, as an elder brother expressing for his brother and sister the best wishes and the happiest life. O my brother, excel in your observance of Allah (swt) in all your dealings. Understand that He (swt) keeps watch over you, sees you and encompasses all that is of concern to you - wherever you are. He knows the treachery of your eyes and all that your heart conceals. Strive not to let Allah (swt) see you, except that He is pleased with you. Do not be unmindful in your observance of the One (glorified and exalted is He), otherwise Satan will infiltrate you and you will be overcome by the whispers of your whims and desires. Believe, my dearest brother, that whenever a heart is conscious of Allah's observance, it will never be approached by Satan. However, once it departs from Allah's awareness, evil will be attracted to it and it will be inhabited by whims and desires. So, consolidate your heart with the observance of Allah and in vigil seek refuge from your surroundings and do not be among the unmindful. Perform the obligatory duties which Allah has enjoined upon you, at their appointed times. Do not neglect them by relying on performing them at a later time, because you are busy with work or resorting to other excuses for justification. This is a deception of your own self and of your own whims: And follow not desire that it beguile you from the way of Allah (Sad 38: 26). Understand also my dearest brother that no one draws nearer to Allah with anything more beloved to Him than performing the obligatory duties as stated in the hadith of al-Bukhari. So be aware not to neglect your obligatory duties or feel lazy in performing them; they are Allah's right over you. Be steadfast in prayer and perfect your fast. If you are in a state of complete inability to fast, then according to the saying of Allah (swt) you have a remission: ... For those who are capable of fasting (but still do not fast) there is a redemption: feeding a needy man for each day missed. Whoever, voluntarily, does more good than is required, will find it is better for him; and that you should fast is better for you, if you only know (al-Baqara 2: 184). But be aware not to take this verse as an excuse for falling short. Fasting with hardship in the homeland of the West will earn you a valuable reward and be an asset to your account; it is pleasing to your Lord and righteous to yourself. So do not attempt to break the fast, unless you are unable to complete it. I need not advise you, any further, towards your obligatory duties, after all they are your capital. Can you imagine one who has wasted his capital, what will his state be amongst tomorrow's profit makers? Spend whatever time you can in performing supererogatory works as duties of obedience. Perform the sunna prayers. Increase your appeal for forgiveness and the praising of your Glorified Lord. Remember, that ones supplication, during travel or in expatriation, will be answered; hence, increase your supplication in secret and in humility. Continue your remembrance of Allah (swt). The Prophet (saw) advised Ali (ra) to continuously dampen his tongue in the remembrance of Allah. Do not abandon that path which leads you to nothing but duties and obedience, they are like an investment that multiply rewards. The remembrance of Allah amongst the unmindful nations is like a shining light. So make use of this time, for it is a season to harvest the rewards of the Hereafter, only for those who wish to seize the opportunities and benefit from such seasons. Increase your recitation of the Glorious Quran with understanding and deliberation. It is a healing for the soul and a comfort to the heart. Designate from it a portion to read at the beginning of the day and a portion to read at the end of it, hence the best beginning and the best end. In the delights of life and pleasures of the world, you will see that which inclines the heart, impresses the mind, attracts the eye and bewilders those whose spirits are weak. Do not let these seduce you away from virtue and cause you to forget the Hereafter: Do not turn your eyes covetously towards the embellishments of worldly life that We have bestowed upon various kinds of people to test them. But the clean provision bestowed upon you by your Lord is better and more enduring. Enjoin Prayer on your household, and do keep observing it. We do not ask you for any worldly provision; rather, it is We Who provide you. The ultimate end is for piety (Ta Ha 20: 131-2). Be aware my dearest brother that in the sight of Allah (swt) all these pleasures weigh not even the wing of a gnat and lead neither to honor nor virtue. They are nothing but the manifestations of whims and pitfalls of seduction. So be careful not to let Satan deceive you, otherwise you will plunge into the abyss of sin and corruption. Always remember the words of Allah (swt): Men are naturally tempted by the lure of women, children, treasures of gold and silver, horses of mark, cattle and plantations. These are the enjoyments in the life of this world; but with Allah lies a goodly abode to return to (Al Imran 3:14). The Book of Allah recites these facts day and night. So do not be amongst those who favor the worldly life over the Hereafter, or amongst those deceived by the outward appearance of things without considering their essence. All pleasures brought by contemporary civilization will result in nothing other than pain. A pain that will overwhelm their enticement and remove their sweetness. So avoid the worldly aspects of these people; do not let it take over your command and deceive you, if you are to be among the successors. Dearest brother, what Allah has made Haram (unlawful) for us, those people consider it as Halal (lawful) for them. Hence, when they commit a Haram (unlawful) act, they will neither feel ashamed nor will they refrain from perpetrating it. You should neither agree with their whims nor mix with them in their sins. Otherwise, you will not be relieved from having to answer before Allah (swt) and it will not hold as an excuse on the Day of Judgment. Do not take their girls for company, and do not let there develop between you and them, any special friendship or any emotional relationship. If this kind of socializing is a sin for those other than you, then it is a sin twice as great for you and you know well the meaning of this. Although you are known to us to be one that is trustworthy and decent, I have mentioned this to you, to caution you against the downfalls of sins so that your feet may never slip. And in your chastity let there be content and in your dignity let there be adequacy. As for alcohol, do not approach it and do not use the climate as an excuse, because when Allah made it Haram (unlawful), He had full knowledge about all types of climate but did not exclude one country from another or one nation from another from this prohibition. Allah (swt) made it forbidden with neither doubt nor exception. So be aware not to let it occupy a part of your abdomen, otherwise it will remain as a black spot on its pure skin. Be determined as much as possible before the first drink. Because once your mind is concealed by it, you will follow it by the second and third drink, whereby you will have fallen into a pit, difficult to escape from and will have incriminated yourself and others. then, even if you expiated this sin with repentance, you would still not match your original purity and superb credibility. Do not taste anything in those restaurants which serve Haram (unlawful) food, like pork and dead meat. In that which is Halal (lawful) you have a substitute and enough for contentment. So do not taste the Haram (unlawful) and do not let your flesh grow on it, otherwise fire is what it deserves. Allah (swt) has prohibited that which is impure: . . . He enjoins upon them what is good and forbids them what is evil... (al-Araf 7: 157). So leave that which is bad for that which is good. As for casinos, night-clubs, and other such places of vanity, your time is far too precious to be wasted in them. I have looked into the saying, time is made of gold, and I do not approve of it. Time is far more precious than gold, for time is life. Is it not true that your life is nothing but a few hours and you never know when they will end? Dearest brother, be stringent with your time and do not spend it except in that which is significant, and acquire pleasure in that which is lawful. In the heavens there is calmness and on the earth there is beauty. In the gardens there is freshness and in you there is a sign. In the sea there is might and in the air there is nourishment. Take from all this comfort for your soul and recovery for your mind. And do not waste your time by being unmindful, this will shield you from good and lead you to evil. Be critical, with insight, and be just and well acquainted with people. Do not let your goodness draw you to forget their bad, and their bad hurt you to forget their goodness. Rather study them as would a researcher and an examiner. Encompass with knowledge all of their affairs, and then with an eye of insight, scrutinize it all. Present back the good that you find to your people and nation, and return with it victorious and supported. Other than that, throw it back on them and do not come back until you have dusted off your hands and emptied your mind of it all. You will find there a group of people dishonoring your Prophet (saw), faulting your Quran and disgracing your people. Do not sit with such people, until they turn to a different theme, even if it is necessary for you to enter into a dialogue with them. Argue with them in the best manner. Explain to them the good that you know and avoid controversies that lead to hatred and sedition (fitnah). Lo! You (O Mohammed) guide not whom you love, but Allah guides whom he will. And He is best aware of those who walk aright (al-Qasas 28: 56). Dearest brother, be aware that calling the people through practical example is far better than calling them through speech. It is far more fruitful and beneficial to use your commendable character, the perfection of yourself and your straight manner to defend and call them to your religion and nation. Whenever an opportunity arises for you to deliver a speech or a lecture at one of their meeting places or societies, prepare yourself for it. Choose that which will not stir disorder and that which will not offend integrity. Do not be apprehended by their stance, because Allah's aid is with those who are sincere. Be positive and do not insult other people's beliefs instead, elucidate to them their innate goodness and reveal to them our beliefs. By doing so, you will have adequately promoted awareness and incentive. Finally, and there is still so much for me to say and I would have loved to continue this advice with you, yet my concern is that if I prolong this discourse any more, you may forget most of what I have said; for over speaking does distract one from what is being said. For both of you then, may Allah raise you to be the best of the successors and may His safety accompany you. May He protect both of you and return you in goodness, as is wishes by those who are sincere. I entrust to Allah your religion, your obligations and the outcome of your actions. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you. Ameen