Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
IS SUICIDE BOMBING AND TERRORISM ALLOWED IN ISLAM?
Fatwa: Suicide Bombing and Terrorism
Category : Peace and Integration, featured
COMPREHENSIVE FATWA AGAINST EXTREMISM AND TERRORISM BREAKS NEW GROUND
By : Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri
Read complete versions :
This new fatwa from the renowned authority of Islamic world, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, a spiritual leader of the overwhelming majority of Muslims deals a devastating blow to al-Qaeda and its affiliates by removing decisively any remnant of theological justifications for terrorism. No longer can the Taleban and similar organisations employ Muslim scripture with impunity to advance the onslaught of civilians, be they non-Muslim or Muslim.
TERRORIST ACTS EXPEL A MUSLIM FROM ISLAM
While most Muslim scholars denounce terrorism, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri goes that crucial step forward and announces categorically that suicide bombings and attacks against civilian targets are not only condemned by Islam, but render the perpetrators totally out of the fold of Islam, to become unbelievers in the divine, pristine message of Islam. This empowering, unprecedented fatwa strengthens troops and civil society bodies that are engaged in counter terrorism operations, and expels terrorists from within Islam.
HELL, NOT HEAVEN
Terrorists commit acts of self and mass murder with the firm conviction that they will be rewarded by God; that they are heaven bound. For the first time in contemporary Muslim discourse, this fatwa convincingly advances scriptural evidence to demonstrate that the perpetrators of suicide bombings are destined for hell, not heaven.This bold Islamic view, amplified properly, will inject doubt into the minds of aspiring suicide bombers and thereby prevent them from this heinous crime.
Modern terrorists justify their indiscriminate killings by claiming that Islamic scripture allows such campaigns in war. This fatwa opens new ground by citing Islamic sources which prohibit killing of women, children, elders, religious leaders, business people, non-combatants and even service personnel not engaged in aggression. Contrary to the mindset of the perpetrators of the 11th of September 2001 attacks in New York or the 7th July 2005 tube bombs in London, damaging enemy property or avenging a wrong done by another is strictly prohibited by sound Islamic scholarship.
The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) warned his followers about the dangers of extremism and terrorism. This fatwa collects evidence from early Islamic history about a group of violent renegades known as the Khawarij, the terrorist movement, emerged in the name of Islamic rule, universally accepted as being outside the fold of Islam by virtue of their extreme beliefs, violent acts, terrorism and constantly labeling other Muslims as disbelievers. Al-Qaeda and its affiliates not only share these character traits, but share a theological and political outlook that is almost identical. This fatwa enlists classical sources to illustrate that the vast majority of Muslim scholars, past and present, consider the Khawarij, the founders of terrorism, to be totally un-Islamic. The terrorists are the Khawarij of our time, based on direct evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah. The old evil of Khawarij based on Islamic history were the murderers of Khalifa Usman bin Affan and Khalifa Ali bin Abu Talib.
TERRORISTS DISTORT THE CONCEPT OF JIHAD
Terrorists justify their actions of human destruction and mass killings in the name of Jihad (holy struggle against evil) and thus distort, twist and confuse the entire Islamic concept of Jihad. There are people who invoke the name of Islam to justify the killing of people, children, and women everywhere. It is a pity that such barbaric people still refer to their activities as Jihad whereas Jihad aims at eradicating ignorance, corruption, violence, militancy and terrorism and it establishes peace, tranquility in the inner-self of human beings and in the society. Please be advised that the terrorists are not representing the majority of Muslims. The most accepted Muslims from al Sunnah Wal Jamaah were against those small followers of terrorists. These terrorists have parted away from Islam but have used Islam for its own wrongful acts.
HOW THE STATES SHOULD DEAL WITH TERRORISTS
A state cannot be allowed to give the Khawarij any concession in the name of dialogue or stop military action without their complete elimination according to the explicit instructions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). The only exception as to when they can be spared is that they lay down their arms, repent of their actions and vow to honor the state laws and the state. Perhaps what the Malaysian Government did to their laws and orders to prevent any acts of terrorisms in their country can be described as the most moderate law ever implemented in the region. Being a renowned Islamic Country, Malaysia are very serious in preventing any chance of its citizen to be involved in terrorism. They have the law called the Internal Security Act or ISA which has been a very hot subject being criticized by the opposition political Parties in the country. But then, the ISA is the best law to prevent the terrorism in Malaysia.
It can in no way be permissible to keep foreign delegates under unlawful custody and murder them or committing mass killings and destruction on the pretext of retaliation for the interference, unjust activities and aggressive advances of their countries. Today's tragedy is that terrorists, murderers, mischief-mongers and rioters try to prove their criminal, rebellious, tyrannous, brutal activities as a right and a justified reaction to foreign aggression under the garb of the defence of Islam and national interests.
FORBIDDEN ACTS CAN NEVER BE JUSTIFIED BY SO-CALLED ‘GOOD INTENTION’
An evil act remains evil in all its forms and content; whatever we may interpret as injustice, this principle remains the same. Therefore, no forbidden action can ever become a virtuous and lawful deed due to goodness of intention.
USING RHETORIC AND CLAIM GOOD INTENTION TO SPREAD DISORDER
Many people will make conversation, appearing pleasant in the arena of superficial arguments. They will swear on their good intentions, and declare Allah witness to their noble objectives and pious aims. Despite their assertions and testimonial claims, however, Allah has declared them miscreants and evil-mongers to face the torment of Hell. Terrorism, carnage and mass destruction can never be justified in the name of any intention of enforcing Islamic commands and its judicial system. Nor can these reprehensible activities be any exception to the rule, or be overlooked, or forgiven.
A NEW VISION
Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri does not shy away from the need for political and democratic renewal of Muslim-majority countries. This, however, must not result in violence, mayhem and rebellion. Opposing the Khawarij, today’s terrorists, is all Islamic duty and will earl divine recklessness from this limber wrist. The fatwa ends with a call for reflection and reformation of contemporary Muslim affairs. Perhaps it is the proper time to implement the law and order in such the way like Malaysia did to prevent the terrorisms.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Is the Year of 2012 is the Judgment Day - Part 2
IF IT IS NOT IN 2012, THEN WHEN?
1) View from Qur'an
Muslims believe that the Qur'an provides the framework for understanding the Day of Judgment. Ideas such as the return of Jesus to earth and the second kingdom before the occurrence are believed to be indirectly mentioned in the Qur'an.
There are a wide variety of views and interpretations of the verses in the Qur'an referring to the Day of Judgment, many of which use esoteric Arabic words whose meanings are not well known.
According to the Qur'an:
- The timing of the day of judgment is not known to people - only God knows when it will occur.[10]
- Muhammad, as the Messenger of Islam, does not know when the day will be.[11][12]
- Muhammad cannot bring it forward.[13]
- The people will believe that a short time has passed between their deaths and resurrection.[14]
- Nothing will remain except God.[15]
- God will resurrect people even if they turn to stone or iron.[16]
- God will pass judgment on the works of people, forgiving or condemning. Books/records of the people shall be given to them in right hands in (front) if they are judged by good or left hands(behind the back) if they are judged to be evil.[17]
- Belief in the Judgment day is a requirement for salvation. The Qur'an seems to declare that belief in God and the last day and doing good works is sufficient for salvation even if that person be Jewish, Christian or Sabaean.[18] This puts the belief in the last day as a central requirement. Many Muslim authorities claim that this applies to people pre-dating the Qur'an and does not apply to later people.
- The majority of Islamic scholars are of the view that the Trumpet will be blown twice: the first time all creatures will swoon and the second time the resurrection will come to pass. This is based on the verse of Qur'an in which God says (interpretation of the meaning):
And the trumpet is blown, and all who are in the heavens and all who are in the earth swoon away, save him whom Allah willeth. Then it is blown a second time, and behold them standing waiting!
- No injustice shall be done:
Surely Allah does not do injustice to the weight of an atom, and if it is a good deed He multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward.
- Jesus (Isa) will return. The Qur'an claims that all of the "People of the Book" will believe in him before his death. Many Islamic authors take this passage to mean that Jesus has not died, but instead was raised to Heaven and will return before the day of judgment to establish the Kingdom of God and as a result everyone of the People of the Book (such as the Jews, Christians, Sabaeans, etc.) will become Muslims (see Hadith below).[21
- Events on the day of judgment
- Creation of a new earth
- Resurrection of people
- Gathering of the people
- Judging of the people
- Separation of the people who are hell bound and heaven bound
When the sun (with its spacious light) is folded up;
When the stars fall, losing their lustre;
When the mountains vanish (like a mirage);
When the she-camels, ten months with young, are left untended;
When the wild beasts are herded together (in the human habitations);
When the oceans boil over with a swell;
When the souls are sorted out, (being joined, like with like);
When the female (infant), buried alive, is questioned -
For what crime she was killed;
When the scrolls are laid open;
When the world on High is unveiled;
When the Blazing Fire is kindled to fierce heat;
And when the Garden is brought near;-
(Then) shall each soul know what it has put forward.[23]
2) View from Hadith (written sayings)
The Hadith books give the view that the day of the judgment will be foreshadowed by events classified as the minor and major signs of the day. Many classical authors believe that some of these events (signs) have already occurred.
According to some aspects of Muslim belief, there are signs which will possibly indicate the coming of the day of judgment. Classical authors categorized them into major and minor signs, but this varies. Some are general signs mentioned in hadith relating to moral decay and some are more "miraculous".
The Qur'an mentions the ashraat which have already occurred, by the time Muhammad gave the message to his people:
The Hadith literature has a large number of these signs:Do they then wait for aught but the hour that it should come to them all of a sudden? Now indeed the tokens of it have (already) come, but how shall they have their reminder when it comes on them?
Minor Signs
Muslims believe that these are signs that appear years before the day of judgment.1-Diffusion of adultery.
2-Diffusion of usury.
3-Diffusion of alcohol
4-Digging tunnels in Makkah and its structures go mountain high
5-Diffusion of performance repertoire, songs, singers and dancers.
Major Signs
The major signs are the seven which are thought to occur closer to the supposed day of judgment.- The appearance of Masih ad-Dajjal, Antichrist (not mentioned in the Qur'an)
- The appearance of Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj Gog and Magog[25]
- The appearance of the Dabbat al-ard (the strange beast)[26]
- Three huge earthquakes
- The smoke[27]
- The rise (Sunni view) or the return from occlusion (Shiah view) of the Imam Mahdi to restore Islam
- The return of Isa (Jesus) from heaven to assist the Imam Mahdi in restoring Islam
Other signs mentioned in Hadith
- Three huge earthquakes:
- Fire from the west
- People fighting over gold revealed by the river Tigris
- Inanimate objects speaking
- There will be 50 women for every 1 man
- The son being the master of the mother
- The sun appears to be rising from the west: The final sign after which repentance is not accepted.
Barzakh
Main article: Barzakh
In Islamic eschatology, Barzakh (Arabic: برزخ) is the intermediate state in which the soul (Nafs) of the deceased is transferred across the boundaries of the mortal realm into a kind of "cold sleep" where the soul will rest until the Qiyamah (judgment day).
From the Qur'an itself, Barzakh (Arabic: برزخ) is the intermediate state, interface or barrier between two states. Saudi Arabia Ministry of religious affairs[28][29][29][30][31]
3) Views of Classical Authors
Sunni
Shiah
4) Views of Modern Authors
Sunni
Shiah
Judgment
During judgment, it is believed that a person's own book of deeds will be opened and will be apprised of every action they did and every word spoken.[32] Actions taken during childhood are not judged. The supposed account of deeds is believed to be so detailed that one would be in awe at how comprehensive the account is, such that even lesser and trivial deeds be included. Throughout the supposed judgment, however, the underlying principle is that of a complete and perfect justice administered by God. The accounts of judgment are also replete with the emphasis that God is merciful and forgiving, and that mercy and forgiveness will be granted on that day.
The Qur'an states that even the smallest acts of the believers will not be wasted.
Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it!
And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it.—Qur'an, surah 99 Az-Zalzala, ayat 7-8[33]
Lo! Those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans - whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right - surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.
Comparison with the Bible
While appearing similar to certain parts of the Bible (Ezekiel,[34] James,[35] 1 Peter,[36] Revelation[37]) this is dissimilar to some Protestant branches of Christianity, where salvation comes by faith in Yahweh alone. Catholics, however cite James 2:24[38] as evidence that judgment is not based on faith alone. Islam emphasizes that grace does not conflict with perfect justice.The age of the hereafter or rest of eternity is the final stage believed to commence after the day of judgment, when all of humanity is believed to have received their judgment from God, if they were righteous and did good deeds based on their own circumstances, then if God wills, by His mercy they go to Jannah (heaven), a state of bliss, and if they have attained little in life and were unrighteous in their actions—or were, despite all evidence shown to them, bent on denying the truth of life once it was presented to them—based on their own circumstances they shall go to Jahannam.
Having read and noted above, now it is the time for you to ask your Faith. The scholars set every nation of Islam must believe in six basic elements in Islam is known as the Five Pillars of Faith: -
- Believe in God/Allah
- Belief in the Prophets and Messengers
- Believe in Angels
- Believe in the Holy Books
- Believe in the Last Day
- Believe in Qada' and Qadar
- Uttering the two clauses of the testimony( to Allah and to Prophet Muhammad SAW ).
- Meet their prayers five time prayers.
- Fasting in Ramadan.
- Paying Zakat - Zakat nature , Zakat property.
- Perform Hajj in Makkah for those who are able to.
As the conclusion hereof, a Muslim must believe that the Judgment Day will definitely happen one day in the future. But only Allah knows the exact timing of the event. One must not think about the destruction day only, but also must think about the resurrection day and the day of Judgment where the heaven bound and the hell bound will be decided.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Is the year of 2012 the year of the Judgment Day? - Part 1
What is the Islamic Views?
50 Signs of the Day of Judgment From the Words of Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam)
The Signs are listed in roughly chronological order, although the order is not necessarily precise, especially for those in the future.
This is a brief summary of the signs; there are many books, articles, cassettes etc. which discuss these in greater detail. May Allah enable us to recognise and heed the Signs, and strengthen us in the times of tribulation.
"Are they waiting for anything except the Hour, to come to them suddenly? But its Signs have already come!" (Al-Qur’an, Surah Muhammad)
Past
1. Splitting of the Moon.2. Death of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
3. A form of death which will kill thousands of Muslims. (Understood to refer to the plague of Amwas during thecaliphate of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab.)
4. A major fighting in Madinah (understood to refer to the battle of al-Harrah during the caliphate of Yazid, 63 AH).
5. The Muslim conquest of Jerusalem.
6. The Muslim conquest of Constantinople.
7. Two large groups of Muslims will fight in war.
8. A war between the Muslims and a reddish people with small eyes, wearing sandals made of hair (understood to refer to the Mongol Tatar invasion of the Islamic lands.)
9. A peace agreement between the Muslims and non-Muslims from the yellow race (Chinese, Mongols, etc.)
10. Thirty impostors (dajjal) will appear, each thinking he is a prophet.
Present?
11. Naked, destitute, barefoot shepherds will compete in building tall buildings.
12. The slave-woman will give birth to her master or mistress.
13. A trial (fitnah) which will enter every Arab household.
14. Knowledge will be taken away (by the death of people of knowledge), and ignorance will prevail.
15. Wine (intoxicants, alcohol) will be drunk in great quantities.
16. Illegal sexual intercourse will become widespread.
17. Earthquakes will increase.
18. Time will pass more quickly.
19. Tribulations (fitan) will prevail.
20. Bloodshed will increase.
21. A man will pass by the grave of another and wish he was in the latter’s place.
22. Trustworthiness will be lost, i.e. when authority is given to those who do not deserve it.
23. People will gather for prayer, but will be unable to find an imam to lead them.
Future
24. The number of men will decrease, whilst the number of women will increase, until for every man there are 50 women.
25. The Euphrates will reveal a treasure of gold, and many will die fighting over it, each one hoping to be the one who gains the treasure.
26. The Romans (Europeans) will come to a place called A’maq or Wabiq, and an army of the best people will go forth from Madinah to face them.
27. The Muslim conquest of Rome.
28. The Mahdi (guided one) will appear, and be the Imam of the Muslims.
29. Jesus Christ will descend in Damascus, and pray behind the Mahdi.
30. Jesus will break the cross and kill the swine, i.e. destroy the false christianity.
31. The Antichrist (al-masih al-dajjal, the false christ) will appear, with all his tools of deception, and be an immense trial. He will be followed by 70,000 Jews from Isfahan (present-day Iran).
32. The appearance of Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog), and the associated tribulations.
33. The emergence of the Beast from the Earth, carrying the Staff of Moses and the Seal of Solomon, who will speak to the people, telling them they did not believe with certainty in the Divine Signs.
34. A major war between the Muslims (including Jews and Christians who truly believe in Jesus after his return) led by the Imam Mahdi, and the Jews plus other non-Muslims led by the Antichrist.
35. Jesus will kill the Antichrist at the gate of Ludd (Lod in present-day Israel, site of an airport and a major Israeli military base).
36. A time of great peace and serenity during and after the remaining lifetime of Jesus.
37. Wealth will come so abundant that it will become difficult to find someone to accept charity.
38. Arabia will become a land of gardens and rivers.
39. Society will then decay.
40. The buttocks of the women of the tribe of Daws will again sway in circumambulation (tawaf) around the idol Dhul-Khulsah.
41. A great fire in the Hijaz, seen by the inhabitants of Busra.
42. Three major armies will sink into the earth: one in the east, one in the west, one in Arabia.
43. An Abyssinian leader with thin shins will destroy the Ka’bah.
44. The huge cloud of smoke.
45. The sun will rise from the west (its place of setting).
46. A gentle wind which will take the souls of the believers.
47. There is no-one left on the earth saying, "Allah, Allah" or "There is no god except Allah."
48. Eventually the Day of Judgment is established upon the worst of the people, who copulate like donkeys in public.
49. The blowing in the Trumpet by the Angel Israfil, upon which everyone will faint except as Allah wills.
50. The second blowing in the Trumpet, upon which everyone will be resurrected.
Conclusion
Surely there are plenty of arguments on the issue of the year of 2012. I would rather say that the scary 2012 was intensified by the movie itself, not by the signs or indications given above. However, you may have your own conclusion and absolute right to decide as final result.
2012.....UNREALISTIC?
What NASA says about 2012's movie?
When it comes to the likes of Star Trek and Star Wars, we’ve always been willing to look the other way where bad science is concerned. However, some sci-fi creations aren’t able to mask their inaccuracies with pure entertainment value and should perhaps be lambasted accordingly.
Bearing that in mind, we here at The Tech Herald are delighted to inform you that NASA and the Science and Entertainment Exchange have slapped disaster epic 2012 with the highly dubious honor of being the most scientifically unrealistic film ever made.
“The agency is getting so many questions from people terrified that the world is going to end in 2012 that we have had to put up a special website to challenge the myths,” he told The Times. “We’ve never had to do this before.”
2012 pulled in more than $800 million USD in box office and sell-through sales. Its far-fetched story claimed that neutrino particles brought to Earth via solar flares would massively increase the planet’s core, leading to rapid global destruction via earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis.
Other major blockbusters criticised by NASA for stretching the boundaries of believability beyond breaking point include the likes of Volcano,
Other major blockbusters criticised by NASA for stretching the boundaries of believability beyond breaking point include the likes of Volcano,
Armageddon,
Chain Reaction
Focusing in on movies that do offer narrative built around strong science, NASA recommended the likes of Blade Runner,
So, having gone through NASA's explanation hereof, I think 2012 movie is just a matter of business which is far away from reality. After all, it was just a movie!
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