Saudi authorities carry out new campaign undermining foundations of Islam

www.kavkazcenter.com

Publication time: 17 October 2010, 13:30
Saudi authorities, for the first time in history, gave permission for a so-called children's beauty pageant for girls in Mecca, the Alquds website reports.

One of the Saudi public organizations in the city of Mecca started for the first time to organize a beauty contest for children, where "a child beauty queen" would be selected, which in itself is a provocative innovation in a conservative Saudi society.

An electronic newspaper, Al-Marsad, reported that more than 1000 visitors watched the process of crowning of "a child beauty queen 2010" at the festival in Mecca, called Makkah Khair.

The contest was organized by different organizations, including the Association of Regional Centers of Mecca and the National Company for Exhibitions.

In the presence of many journalists and photographers, 4 girls out of more than 800 participants received awards in 4 nominations: "the 3rd-degree child beauty queen 2010", "the 2nd-degree child beauty queen 2010", "the 1st-degree child beauty queen 2010" and "the child beauty queen 2010".

It is to be noted that this contest was conducted the first time in the history of Saudi Arabia. This action is a part of plan to undermine the foundations of Islam and to corrupt Muslims against the background of the closure of courses on the memorization of the Koran, the banning of Islamic channels and websites, the introduction of a co-education of boys and girls by creating a special University under the patronage of the King, where men and women, who are half-naked in a Western-style, are mixed together, as well as a retraining of imams of the kingdom into a so-called tolerant Islam, acceptable for the West, the promotion of colonization and terror against Muslims around the world.



Department of Monitoring
Kavkaz Center



SubhanAllah...this is quite sad. This is really going out of ones way to create fitnah. Honestly what benefit can one get out of this. I'm not perfect in the least, no one is, but this right here is ridiculous to allow. Again, I rather live in a country where I cant expect the same morals to be practiced as mine than live in a country that is "supposedly" based on Islam but totally goes the other way and have tons of baggage that comes along with their culture. Sorry Saudi but you're not looking too good for Muslims looking to migrate to Islamic countries. This isn't the most absurd thing they can do, no, but it shows you how progressive they are becoming in leaving the deen as social order and replacing it with fitnah in order to please one's ego and nafs. So pretty soon they'll start allowing a lot of other stuff to go on in public. Until they revert back to Islamic law and start to become more moral and fair in their laws and practices I'm not interested in moving there, Only there for hajj and maybe some shopping but besides that umm forget it.

The Story of Sara, the Australian Model.

This a true story that happened with a caller to Islam from Egypt called Amr Khalid, he said three days ago I received an e mail from a young lady from Australia, and the e mail reads as follows: and I quote:

I am a young Lebanese lady that has a Muslim father and a Christian mother, for the first ten years of my life I lived in Lebanon then we migrated to Australia which brought an end to my relationship to my connection with the Middle East.

I am currently 22 years of age and after migrating to Australia, my association with my religion also ended completely. The only thing I know is that I am a muslimah, thats it.

I dont know what the Quran looks like, I dont know how to pray and the religion plays no significance in my life. My mother and father separated each one re-marrying another person. I entered university, my mother and father left Australia living me behind alone with no family, no brothers and sisters, I know nothing about my ancestry in Lebanon, I lived alone and I had to work to spend on myself, I attended university in the morning and worked at the bar in the evening, I have a boyfriend and have not left out any haram except having done it without any shame.

I am fully westernised, I know a little bit of Arabic and because I am extremely beautiful, I joined the beauty competition in New Zealand and won in this competition, I am planning to join a beer competition in New Zealand and I am currently modelling for magazines.

During this time I used to visit a Lebanese family residing in Australia and I saw a Ramadan episode on television talking about modesty, the episode had its web addressed displayed. I went through a nervous breakdown; it was as though this episode was addressing me directly. I am sending you this e mail to ask, is it possible for Allah to accept me, in other words forgive me?

And this is where Sarahs e mail ends. Subhanallah!

No matter how long a persons imaan is, the soul of a person longs for its creator just as the stomach hungers for food so too does the soul long for Allah, this caller to Islam wrote back advising her about the conditions of repentance and that Allah will of course forgive her if she repents.

Two days later she contacts Amr Khalid and she says:

I have repented to Allah and I have left my boyfriend and promised never to see him again, after another two days she contacts him and she says: I want to learn how to pray, then another two days passed and she says: I would like some Quranic audio tapes, so he sends her some tapes via DHL Korea.

A week goes by and he doesnt hear from her until she contacts him and informs him that she has retracted her beauty title of that particular city, then came the surprise, she contacted him saying,

I have put on the hijab, however the story doesnt end here, two days after putting on the hijab she experiences a sharp pain so she goes to the doctor who diagnosis her with brain cancer and that her days are limited, she enters the hospital to be operated on, the success rate of this operation as informed by the doctors in Australia is 20 percent, this is what the doctor said. As for Sarah, listen to what she had to say, she said:

I am pleased to meet Allah, I am happy that I repented prior to finding out about my illness, I dont know whether my mother and father will know about my situation, If I live, I will support your website, for this website is my window to Islam.

To Allah we belong, and to him is our return.

May Allah have mercy on Sarah who died at the age of 22.

They buried her with the Muslims in New Zealand, prior to her death, she sent a short letter to Amr Khalid saying:

I lived far away from my lord for 22 years but I repented and turned back to Allah 3 weeks ago, I dont know many Muslims besides you and this internet forum, I urge you to make dua for me that Allah has mercy on me and to forgive me, make dua to Allah to guide my mother for she does not know anything about me.

- Signed Sara.

Never Despair You can still make it to Jannah

Assalaamu' Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh,

While reading the Quran the other day (Quran published by Prince Al Waleed bin Talal bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud- KSA)I came across a hadith related Surah Al- Baqarah. The reason I mention the particular publisher of the Quran is because not all Qurans come equipped with hadiths that are related to the Surah or ayat at hand. So I wanted to shed light on this beautiful addition to reading the Quran. I read Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation and masha' Allah its good but it comes with more interpretation and personal views of what the ayat means as footnotes than having actual hadiths presented. Which I mean Alhamdulillah is good but having the hadith already there can clear up or give more information to what Allah azawajal is speaking of (hence specific stories or events). Anywho this hadith below is related to Riba (interest) but it had so much more than a lesson about Riba, I thought it was very thought provoking and gives hope to us that we can be one of the those granted Jannah.

Enjoy the Hadith :D.

Narrated Sumurah bin Jundub [radhi-yAllâhu 'anhu]: Allâh's Messenger [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam] very often used to ask his Companions, "Did anyone of you see a dream?" So, dreams would be narrated to him by those whom Allâh willed to relate. One morning the Prophet [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam] said, "Last night two persons (angels) came to me (in a dream) and woke me up and said to me, 'Proceed! Proceed!' I set out with them and we came across a man lying down, and behold, another man was standing over his head, holding a big rock. Behold, he was throwing the rock at the man's head, smashing it. The rock rolled away and the thrower followed it and took it back. By the time he reached the man, his head returned to its normal state. The thrower then did the same as he had done before. I said to my two companions, 'Subhân Allâh! Who are these two persons?' They said, 'Proceed! Proceed!'

So we proceeded and came to a man lying in a prone position, and another man standing over his head with an iron hook, and behold, he would put the hook in one side of the man's mouth and tear off that side of his face to the back (of the neck), and similarly tear his nose from front to back, and his eye from front to back. Then he turned to the other (second) side of the man's face and did just as he had done with the first side. He hardly completed that (second) side when the first side returned to its normal state. Then he returned to it to repeat what he had done before. I said to my two companions, 'Subhân Allâh! Who are these two persons?' They said to me, 'Proceed! Proceed!'

So we proceeded and came across something like a Tannur (a kind of baking oven, a pit usually clay-lined for baking bread)." I think the Prophet [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam] said, "In that oven there was much noise and voices." The Prophet [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam] added, "We looked into it and found naked men and women, and behold, a flame of fire was reaching to them from underneath, and when it reached them, they cried loudly. I asked them, 'Who are these?' They said to me, 'Proceed! Proceed!'

And so we proceeded and came across a river." I think he said, "-- red like blood." The Prophet [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam] added, "And behold, in the river there was a man swimming, and on the bank there was a man who had collected many stones. Behold, while the other man was swimming, he went near him. The former opened his mouth and the latter (on the bank) threw a stone into his mouth whereupon he went swimming again. Then again he (the former) returned to him (the latter), and every time the former returned, he opened his mouth, and the latter threw a stone into his mouth, (and so on) the performance was repeated. I asked my two companions, 'Who are these two persons?' They replied, 'Proceed! Proceed!'

And we proceeded till we came to a man with a repulsive appearance, the most repulsive appearance you ever saw a man having! Beside him there was a fire, and he was kindling it and running around it. I asked my companions, 'Who is this (man)?' They said to me, 'Proceed! Proceed!'

So we proceeded till we reached a garden of deep green dense vegetation, having all sorts of spring colours. In the midst of the garden there was a very tall man, and I could hardly see his head because of his great height, and around him there were children in such a large number as I have never seen. I said to my companions, 'Who is this?' They replied, 'Proceed! Proceed!'

So we proceeded till we came to a majestic huge garden, greater and better than I have ever seen! My two companions said to me, 'Ascend up' and I ascended up." The Prophet [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam] added, "So we ascended till we reached a city built of gold and silver bricks, and we went to its gate and asked (the gatekeeper) to open the gate, and it was opened and we entered the city and found in it men with one side of their bodies as handsome as the most handsome person you have ever seen, and the other side as ugly as the ugliest person you have ever seen. My two companions ordered those men to throw themselves into the river. Behold, there was a river flowing across (the city), and its water was like milk in whiteness. Those men went and threw themselves in it and then returned to us after the ugliness (of their bodies) had disappeared, and they became in the best shape."

The Prophet [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam] further added, "My two companions (angels) said to me, 'This place is the 'Adn Paradise, and that is your place.' I raised up my sight, and behold, there I saw a palace like a white cloud! My two companions said to me, 'That (palace) is your place.' I said to them, 'May Allâh bless you both! Let me enter it.' They replied, 'As for now, you will not enter it, but you shall enter it (one day).'

I said to them, 'I have seen many wonders tonight. What does all that mean which I have seen?' They replied, 'We will inform you: As for the first man you came upon whose head was being smashed with the rock, he is the symbol of the one who studies the Qur'ân, and then neither recites it nor acts on its orders, and sleeps neglecting the enjoined prayers. As for the man you came upon, whose sides of mouth, nostrils and eyes were torn off from front to back, he is the symbol of the man who goes out of his house in the morning and tells lies that are spread all over the world. And those naked men and women whom you saw in a construction resembling an oven, they are the adulterers-fornicators and the adulteresses-fornicatresses; and the man whom you saw swimming in the river, and was given a stone to swallow, is the eater of Ribâ; and the bad looking man whom you saw near the fire kindling it and going around it, is Mâlik, the gatekeeper of Hell; and the tall man whom you saw in the garden, is Ibrâhîm (Abraham), and the children around him are those who die on Al-Fitrah (the Islâmic Faith of Monotheism).' " The narrator added: Some Muslims asked the Prophet ,"O Allâh's Messenger! What about the children of Al-Mushrikûn?*" The Prophet [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam] replied, "And also the children of Al-Mushrikûn." The Prophet [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam] added, "My two companions added, 'The men you saw half handsome and half ugly were those persons who had mixed an act that was good with another that was evil, but Allâh forgave them.' " [Sahih Al-Bukhâri, 9/7047 (O.P.171)].

* Al-Mushrikun: polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh and in His Messenger Muhammad [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam] .

So therefore from the Hadith, you can see that Allah will forgive those Muslims who try their best to do good even though they may have their shortcomings. So if you messed up in the past or recently and you feel like there is no hope for you, THERE IS HOPE! Make a change in your life, ask Allah for His forgiveness and follow up with good deeds, for they may be what keeps you from touching the Fire of Jahanam. Remember we're human, and we are created with fallacies so please remember that Allah knows us best and if we try to our best to please him then our work will never be lost.

Ok insha' Allah that was some green tea for your Iman for today. Takecare everyone. Peace!

Are There Toxins in Your Cosmetics?

Assalaamu' Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh,

I received this email from Jillian Michael's website. *Side Note* If you are not familiar with Jillian Michaels, she is one of the top personal Trainers on the show The Biggest Loser. If you're looking for a challenging workout dvd I totally suggest purchasing one of hers. I'm use to Tae-Bo (Billy Blank's workout series) and yes he's tough but when I did Jillian's dvd I totally felt out of shape. So try her dvd if you're looking for a challenge beyond your norm.
So back to the email :).


From LOSING IT! With Jillian Michaels
Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Are There Toxins in Your Cosmetics?
Did you know that cosmetics and personal-care products are a huge source of endocrine-disrupting chemicals? "But wait," you're thinking. "If it's on the drugstore shelf, it must be proven to be 100 percent safe — right?"

Not necessarily. While the Food and Drug Administration regulates the safety of cosmetics, manufacturers don't have to seek approval before they bring a new product to market. Beyond an established list of prohibited or restricted substances, the FDA doesn't have the authority to regulate individual ingredients. As a result, all kinds of questionable chemicals are contained in the products that many of us rub into our skin every day. Here are some of the potentially harmful ones I want you to avoid:

Formaldehyde: This preservative may be found in moisturizers, facial cleansers, shampoos, conditioners, body washes, eye shadows, mascaras, and many other products. It's harmful to the immune system and is a known human carcinogen.

Parabens: Found in shampoos, conditioners, body washes, tooth whiteners, toothpastes, facial cleansers, sunscreens, moisturizers, and astringents, these preservatives have estrogenic effects on the body and have been linked to breast and prostate cancer.

Placenta: Used in some hair relaxers, moisturizers, and toners, placenta is also estrogenic and may increase the risk for breast cancer.

Triclosan: This antibacterial agent is found in a variety of products, including moisturizers, hand creams, shampoos, conditioners, antiperspirants, and toothpastes. It may interfere with the metabolism of thyroid hormone and contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Play it safe when you buy personal care products — first look them up in the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database, and buy from companies that have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics.

So I decided to look up some of my daily use products on Comesticsdatabase.com to see whether my cosmetics were harmful or not. I suggest using this website and researching your personal products to see whether they are a risk factor or not to your health. I personally try to purchase organic or all natural products, but this new finding I think I'll be more on the fence of buying strictly organic and all natural products from now on. The products tend to be a little more costly but I rather spend the money on the "good stuff" to prevent causing harm to my body. This actually is related to price of food and how its made but that topic is for another time.

For next time....Assalaamu' Alaykum :D

Lesson of the Day- Follow!

Assalaamu' Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh,

I wanted to help spread this sisters blog, who masha' Allah does a wonderful job of regularly posting "Lessons of the Day". Please follow her and insha' Allah we can benefit from her blog and may Allah reward her, Ameen.

Lesson of the Day1236
Ayahs of the Day:
When the sky bursts open and hearkens to its Lord and is given its due, and when the earth is distended and throws up what is in it and becomes empty and hearkens to its Lord and is given its due: O man, you are striving toward your Lord, and you will meet your Lord; then the one who is given his record in his right hand will be called to account for an easy reckoning and return to his people delighted. [84: 1 to 9]

Hadith of the Day:
Our Lord says: "Do not be misled by your egos, or you will be led away from the truth and into lies." [Hadith Qudsi]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Three things destroy a person: Persisting in sins with false hopes of repentance; delaying repentance with the delusion of long life; and despairing of His mercy. [Shaqeeq al Balkhi]

Guidance of the Day:
Buying or leasing a simpler car saves money and possibly trips to the mechanics. Having fewer things means less things to take care of, insure, think about, worry about, and keep clean. Each item you purchase on credit is more to pay for you, but is also one more bill to pay each month. I can go on, but I'm sure you get the picture. Voluntary Simplicity is not about giving up everything you own. To the contrary, there are obviously certain instances when obtaining (rather than getting rid of) something makes your life easier and simpler. For example, I can't imagine giving up my computer or fax machine. To do so would clearly make my life far more complicated and difficult.

Voluntary Simplicity is not about any single decision, nor is it about voluntary poverty. It's more of a direction, a series of conscious decisions that you make because you want to improve the quality of your life. The key is to take an honest look at what's truly important in your life. If you'd like a little more time, a little more energy, and a little more peace of mind, I encourage you to explore this topic a little more carefully. [Carlson, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff -- with your family]

Food for Thought:
Our minds can shape the way a thing will be because we act according to our expectations. All that a man does outwardly is but the expression and completion of his inward thought. To work effectively -- he must think clearly; to act nobly -- he must think nobly. The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts -- you cannot escape the results of your thoughts. You will become as small as your controlling desire, as great as your dominant aspiration.
Lesson of the Day

Coolness of Our Eyes

Assalaamu' Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh

Here's a lecture that I found very inspirational by Nouman Ali Khan, the leader of Bayyinah Institute. Have you ever wondered what the phrase "coolness of my eyes" meant? How does this phrase relate to our lives in general? Watch the video and learn the beauty of the phrase. Enjoy.
*Video courtsey of Halaltube.com

Makeup and the Hijab: A Study with Seven Muslim Women Explores Possible Contradictions

Makeup and the Hijab:

A Study with Seven Muslim Women Explores Possible Contradictions
Written by Ruhi A.

For the majority of women across the globe, makeup has almost become a necessity for them. Samina Akhter, a Muslim businesswoman has launched UK’s first “halal makeup” meaning that it is 100% free of alcohol and animal products. After reading this article on Muslim Debates I was left with questions.

I noticed that the women who were modeling the makeup were Muslimah hijabis which puzzled me. Doesn’t makeup defeat the purpose of the hijab or the traditional Islamic headscarf?

Makeup is used to emphasize the eyes, lips, cheek bones, and so on which ultimately cause more attention to be drawn towards the subject – in this case, it’s the hijabi. Frankly, makeup even when use to its lowest minimum can make a huge difference in a person’s appearance. I have witnessed women who are covered from head to toe with eyes darkened by kohl or eyeliner, lashes thickened and lengthened, lips darkened to a sweet rouge tint, a shy blush whisked across the cheeks and so on and the majority of Muslims agree with that not being the proper form of the hijab.

When stating the points above, I was told by Muslims that no-makeup or minimal makeup with hijab is “a too strict interpretation of the hijab.” I have been misunderstood as a female misogynist! A controlling, misogynistic dictator of a woman’s life. It surprised me to be called all of these names. I am a person who stands strong for human rights.

I recognize women rights and speak in favor of it every chance I get and when I explained that makeup can do the reverse action of the hijab, I became an evil tyrant. Furthermore, I’ve been told to “butt out” of this whole debate because I don’t believe in all of this.

I have once covered my hair and my body as I felt it was a commandment from Allah. I am not against a woman who chooses to wear the headscarf. It is her choice and if she strongly feels that it is for her and what she stands for, then I too will stand by her side as I want to be respected for not wearing the hijab any longer.


WHY THE HIJAB?

I interviewed seven Muslim females of different backgrounds on the hijab to see why Muslimahs felt compelled to wear it. Read more here!

Tips for Ramadan!

Assalaamu' Alaykum,

Insha' Allah I hope everyone's Ramadan is going well, if not do not despair insha' Allah we have time to make it better :D. I listened to a lecture called Fasting and the Furious by Muhammad Al-Shareef an Islamic motivational speaker and founder of Al-Maghrib Institute, and here are few tips for Ramadan that I was able to gather (insha' Allah I'll post more soon).

*NOTE* these tips were inspired by Br. Muhammad but I have added my own input and thoughts into these tips, so all of this does not reflect his ideas.

Tips for Ramadan
1) Stay away from the opposite of Ramadan. Look forward to Ramadan so that you can have a successful one. Remove the negativity from your life.

2)Do not waste time, time is precious. The Quran was revealed during this month so lets use the time we are given to give much attention to the Quran and strengthen our iman and deen.

3) Fasting is not just physical, its also spiritual (main point). Instead of us making "new years resolutions" this is our time to make resolutions to become better Muslims and to keep these new habits/ character that we are trying to make during Ramadan for the rest of our life time.

4) Make goals that are actually practical and make a plan to achieve them. Ex: Go to the masjid early so that I can make my sunnah, limit television viewing, remove negative speech, be nicer to my parents, read more Quran, give charity more, make all my salaahs, make more dikhr, and etc.

5) Make sure to eat suhur right before Fajr. Do not neglect suhur for its neglecting the Sunnah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhim wa salaam. Bring food and water to your bed side so as soon as you wake up you can start consuming food so that at least your able to get something in your stomach without having to head to the kitchen :P. Also eat properly, don't eat junk food which will not benefit your body and soon have you extremely hungry.

6) Have Taqwa- realize that Allah is always watching. By doing this insha' Allah you'll abstain from bad behavior and what you do is for yourself. Meaning that for all your actions there will be a consequence. Side note* Having Taqwa comes with being in tune with the Quran and surrounding yourself with which is halal. Your awareness can diminish when you keep company or surround yourself with things and people who are not following the straight path.

7)Pray right on time. Do not delay Maghrib because your still eating, bring food with you to where ever you are so that when its time to break fast you can do so and make your salaah on time. Insha' Allah you'll have time to eat more after maghrib and can actually take the time to chew and enjoy your food instead of scarfing it down your throat. Also do not over eat, during Ramadan we are not suppose to gain weight. We're suppose to actually loose some weight due to our fasting, just because we're fasting does not mean we can pack on the pounds at iftar, doesn't make sense.

8) Eat foods with fiber, foods high in fiber will keep your digestive system regulated and keep you fuller longer.

9) Realize that you'll be weak the first few days of Ramadan, your body is beginning to flush out all the junk and waste in your body the first few days. On the 4th or 5th day (if one is eating properly) your body will begin to become more energized, so be patient with your body.

10) Our hearts fluctuates quite often so we should check it often and see where we are with Allah. Go to and download your own 30 day heart tracker for free! Courtesy of Muhammad Alshareef.

Okay that's all for the moment, insha' Allah I'll post more soon. Ramadan Mubarak everyone!

Where do we go and who do we turn to?

Assalaamu Alaykum everyone,


I've had this on my mind for some time now. I think I thought about this more intensely when there was a possibility that I would move over seas to Kuwait or Saudi. At that time I thought more of how my rights and freedoms that I enjoy here in America would be drastically limited such as driving, being able to wear colors, having a career (that's not confined to one area of work) and other such. Now I'm not trying to bash those countries who have their laws and culture this way, this is what they are accustomed to and that it. Just like the US is accustomed to having nudity (look too much skin is called nudity even if you have bra and a thong on) be acceptable.

As I was thinking more I started to realize how corrupt the governments are that lead this predominate Muslim countries. How the majority of their laws are not following shariah but are following their cultural traditions and at times want to use shariah law to their benefit or convenience- hence pick and choose what part of Islam they like to enforce. Though that's not my major issue for we all have our short comings when it comes to following Islam all the way at all times, its our natural struggle whether we are fighting ourselves or fighting the atmosphere in which we live. My issue that we have these governments, leaders, armies and the whole shabang that are oppressing our own Muslims in their homeland. Here's an example:

Now maybe I'm not sure to this as many other Muslims who are raised in the west to see such behavior amongst Muslims. I always thought my brothers and sisters to be better in "Muslim" countries and not have this time of behavior amongst ourselves. Though maybe I'm just naive to think that since people live in a "Muslim" country that they would not have such evil take place. I spoke to one of my friends about this and I basically said to her "I rather be under oppression by Non-Muslims than my "own" people". Now I'm not sure if this is the right to say for Muslim (one who tries to implement Islam fully) though I think I would be more sadden if I were to be treated unfair and unjust by a government that is ran by Muslims than by others because we should not expect much from them (lets be real).

This type of behavior and condition is what keeps the ummah in shackles to shaytaan and his workers, whether it be an individual or a nation (*cough cough* US). We can never be a strong ummah unless we start following Islam and start selling our selves out to these nations and people who are only with us or using us to their benefit, not that they care about us sincerely. This is the same case with Iraq and Haiti, these "nations" will only help if they can get something out of it themselves, which is take power over the country and make them their new gloves in which they'll use to do their dirty work with and keep their hands clean. I'm not referring to all the people who sincerely want to help other countries during crisis but I'm taking about the people in charge who lead these movements, for they hardly are ever truthful in their agenda.

So if we can't look to our own Muslims for help or to be treated just who do we turn to? Where do me make hijrah too? Where can we honestly practice Islam without be subject to cultural laws that are burden for those who are not from those countries and are treated as second class citizens? This is question. All I can do at this time and others is just pray to Allah that our situation becomes better and that we can buckle down and rise against shaytaans whispers and stop selling ourselves out and become strong. But in the mean time where do we go?

Facebook Bye bye

Assalaamu' Alaykum everyone,

So here's an update. I left facebook for about two months with the sole purpose of strengthening my iman and having control over facebook instead of facebook controlling me. Well I did not get the results that I was looking for. Though I did become better with my time on facebook, but as for as the spiritual part that did not actually come till after getting back on facebook. Facebook made me realize how extremely overrated it is, and oddly enough it just strengthen my iman to want to leave it. It could be the Ramadan spirit, or just the annoyance of Facebook itself with his hypocrisy. Its way too popular for my liking with businesses asking you to become a fan on their FB page, its extremely a sellout scheme. Though I do see why some imams and students of knowledge would want to make a page in order to reach out to the ummah who use FB and insha' Allah be a good outlet for them instead of being bombarded with haram elements. I give credit to those brothers and sisters trying to educate the ummah through Facebook.

Plus it has become a Fitnah pool for many, who I believe have just become sucked into madness way deep and that the only way at this point in time for them to redeem themselves and trying to get their lives back on track is by leaving the Shaytaan (devil)ran Facebook, honestly there's more harm in it than good, yes the good is there at times but way more problems you occur than good.

So this Ramadan I encourage all or most of you to either delete/ deactivate or just limit your time on Facebook. Stay clear of looking at FB friend's pages that is not pleasing to Allah, and try focusing on the goal here. Which is gain as many blessings as possible, to be forgiven for our past sins (and not to repeat them), and to create a strong bond with Allah that shall last. Facebook is not worth loosing barakah over, unless your facebook is almost fully halal, in which maybe 1% of it may be iffy but the majority of it is halal substance. If so masha' Allah for the good work of keeping it clean and not letting dirt enter! :D. Anywho so bye bye Facebook, and hello again blogspot.

BILAAL: the Abyssinian who Yesterday was a Slave

**From Daily Reminders**

Whenever Umar lbn Al khattaab mentioned Abu Bakr he would say, “Abu Bakr is our master and the emancipator of our master.” That is to say, Bilaal.

Indeed, the man to whom `Umar would give the agnomen “Our Master” must be a great and fortunate man. However, this man – who was very dark in complexion, slender, very tall, thick- haired and with a sparse beard, as described by the narrators – would hardly hear words of praise and commendation directed at him and bestowed bountifully upon him without bending his head, lowering his eyelids and saying with tears flowing down his two cheeks, “Indeed, I am an Abyssinian. Yesterday, I was only a slave!”

So who is this Abyssinian who was yesterday only a slave? He is Bilaal Ibn Rabaah the announcer of the time of Muslim prayer and the troublemaker to the idols. He was one of the miracles of faith and truthfulness, one of Islam’s great miracles. For out of every ten Muslims, from the beginning of Islam until today and until Allah wills, we will meet seven, at least, who know Bilaal. That is, there are hundreds of millions of people throughout the centuries and generations who know Bilaal, remember his name, and know his role just as they know the two greatest Caliphs in Islam, Abu Bakr and `Umar!

Even if you ask a child who is still in his first years of primary school in Egypt, Pakistan, Malaysia, or China, in the two Americas, Europe, or Russia, in Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Iran, or Sudan, in Tunis, Algeria, or Morocco, in the depth of Africa and in the mountains of Asia, in every place on the earth where Muslims reside, you can ask any Muslim child, “Who is Bilaal, child?” He will answer you, “He was the muezzin of the Messenger (PBUH) and he was the slave whose master used to torture him with hot burning stones to make him apostatize. But instead he said, “One, One.”

Whenever you consider this enduring fame that Islam bestowed upon Bilaal, you should know that before Islam this Bilaal was no more than a slave who tended herds of camels for his master for a handful of dates. Had it not been for Islam, it would have been his fate to remain a slave, wandering among the crowd until death brought an end to his life and caused him to perish in the profoundest depths of forgetfulness.

However, his faith proved to be true, and the magnificence of the religion which he believed in gave him, during his lifetime and in history, an elevated place among the great and holy men of Islam. Indeed, many human beings of distinction, prestige, or wealth have not obtained even one-tenth of the immortality which Bilaal the Abyssinian slave gained. Indeed, many historical figures were not conferred even a portion of the fame which has been bestowed upon Bilaal.

Indeed, the black color of his complexion, his modest lineage, and his contemptible position among people as a slave did not deprive him, when he chose to embrace Islam, of occupying the high place which his truthfulness, certainty, purity, and self-sacrifice qualified him for. For him, all this would not have been on the scale of estimation and honor except as an astonishing occurrence when greatness is found where it could not possibly be.

People thought that a slave like Bilaal – who descended from strange roots, who had neither kinfolk nor power, who did not possess any control over his life but was himself a possession of his master who had bought him with his money, who came and went amid the sheep, camels, and other livestock of his master – they thought that such a human creature would neither have power over anything, nor become anything. But he went beyond all expectations and possessed great faith that no one like him could possess! He was the first muezzin of the Messenger and of Islam, a position which was aspired to by all the masters and nobles of the Quraish who embraced Islam and followed the Messenger. Yes, Bilaal lbn Rabaah.

Oh what valor and greatness are expressed by these three words Bilaal Ibn Rabaah!

* * *

He was an Abyssinian from the black race. His destiny made him a slave of some people of the tribe of Jumah in Makkah, where his mother was one of their slave girls. He led the life of a slave whose bleak days were alike and who had no right over his day and no hope for his tomorrow.

The news of Muhammad’s (PBUH) call began and reached his ears when people in Makkah began to talk about it and when he began listening to the discussions of his master and his guests, especially Umayah lbn khalaf, one of the elders of the Bani Jumah, of which Bilaal was one of the slaves. How often did he hear Urnayah talking to his friends for some time and to some persons of his tribe. Many times they talked about the Messenger with words that were overflowing with anxiety, rage, and malice!

Bilaal, on the other hand, was receiving between those words of insane fury and rage the attributes of this new religion. He began to feel that they were new qualities for the environment which he lived in. He was also able to receive during their threatening, thunderous talks their acknowledgement of Muhammad’s nobility, truthfulness, and loyalty. Yes indeed, he heard them wondering and amazed at what Muhammad came with. They said to one another, “Muhammad was never a liar, magician, or mad, but we have to describe him this way until we turn away from him those who rush to his religion.”

He heard them talking about his honesty and loyalty, about his manliness and nobility, and about his purity and composure of his intelligence. He heard them whispering about the reasons which caused them to challenge and antagonize him: First, their allegiance to the religion of their fathers; Second, their fear over the glory of the Quraish which was bestowed upon them because of their religious status as a center of idol worship and resort in the whole of the Arabian Peninsula; Third, the envy of the tribe of Bani Haashim that anyone from them should claim to be a prophet or messenger.

* * *

One day Bilaal Ibn Rabaah recognized the light of Allah and heard His resonance in the depths of his good soul. So he went to the Messenger of Allah and converted to Islam. It did not take long before the news of his embracing Islam was spread. It was a shock to the chiefs of the Bani Jumah, who were very proud and conceited. The devils of the earth sat couched over the breast of Umayah Ibn khalaf, who considered the acceptance of Islam by one of their slaves a blow that overwhelmed them with shame and disgrace.

Their Abyssinian slave converted to Islam and followed Muhammad. Umayah said to himself, “It does not matter. Indeed the sun this day shall not set but with the Islam of this stray slave.” However, the sun never did set with the Islam of Bilaal, but it set one day with all the idols of the Quraish and the patrons of paganism among them.

* * *

As for Bilaal, he adopted an attitude that would honor not only Islam, even though Islam was more worthy of it, but also all humanity.

He resisted the harshest kind of torture like all pious great men. Allah made him an example of the fact that blackness of skin and bondage would not decry the greatness of the soul if it found its faith, adhered to its Creator, and clung to its right.

Bilaal gave a profound lesson to those of his age and every age, for those of his religion and every religion, a lesson which embraced the idea that freedom and supremacy of conscience could not be bartered either for gold or punishment, even if it filled the earth. He was stripped naked and laid on hot coals to make him renounce his religion, but he refused.

The Messenger (PBUH) and Islam made this weak Abyssinian slave a teacher to all humanity in the art of respecting conscience and defending its freedom and supremacy. They used to take him out in the midday heat when the desert turned to a fatal hell. Then they would throw him naked on its scorching rocks and bring a burning hot rock, which took several men to lift from its place, and throw it onto his body and chest. This savage torture was repeated every day until the hearts of some of his executioners took pity on him. Finally, they agreed to set him free on condition that he would speak well of their gods, even with only one word that would allow them to keep their pride so that the Quraish would not say they had been defeated and humiliated by the resistence of their persevering slave.

But even this one word, which he could eject from outside his heart and with it buy his life and soul without losing his faith or abandoning his conviction, Bilaal refused to say. Yes, he refused to say it and began to repeat his lasting chant Instead: “One… One!” His torturers shouted at him, imploring him, “Mention the name of Al-Laat and Al-’Uzzaa.” But he answered, “One . . . One” They said to him, “Say as we say.” But he answered them with remarkable mockery and caustic irony, “Indeed my tongue is not good at that.”

So Bilaal remained in the melting heat and under the weight of the heavy rock, and by sunset they raised him up and put a rope around his neck. Then they ordered their boys to take him around the mountains and streets of Makkah. And Bilaal’s tongue did not mention anything other than his holy chant, “One… One.”

When the night overtook them, they began bargaining with him, “Tomorrow, speak well of our gods, say, `My lord is Al-Laat and Al `Uzzaa,’ and we’ll leave you alone. We are tired of torturing you as if we are the tortured ones.” But he shook his head and said, “One… One.” So, Umayah Ibn khalaf kicked him and exploded with exasperating fury, and shouted, “What bad luck has thrown you upon us, O slave of evil? By Al-Laat and Al-’Uzzaa, I’ll make you an example for slaves and masters.” But Bilaal answered with the holy greatness and certainty of a believer, “One… One.”

And he who was assigned to play the role of a sympathizer returned to talking and bargaining. He said “Take it easy, Umayah. By Al-Laat, he will not be tortured again. Indeed Bilaal is one of us, his mother is our slave girl He will not be pleased to talk about and ridicule us because of his Islam.” But Bilaal gazed at their lying cunning faces, and his mouth slackened like the light of dawn. He said with calmness that shook them violently, “One… One.”

It was the next day and midday approached. Bilaal was taken to the sun-baked ground. He was patient, brave, firm, and expecting the reward in the Hereafter.

Abu Bakr As-siddiiq went to them while they were torturing him and shouted at them, “Are you killing a man because he says, `Allah is my Lord?”‘ Then he shouted at Umayah lbn khalaf, “Take more than his price and set him free.” It was as if Umayah were drowning and had caught a lifeboat. It was to his liking and he was very much pleased when he heard Abu Bakr offering the price of his freedom, since they had despaired of subjugating Bilaal. And as they were merchants, they realized that selling him was more profitable to them than his death.

They sold him to Abu-Bakr, and then he emancipated him immediately, and Bilaal took his place among free men. When As- siddilq put his arm round Bilaal, rushing with him to freedom, Umayah said to him, “Take him, for by Al-Laat and Al-’ Uzzaa if you had refused to buy him except for one ounce of gold, I would have sold him to you.” Abu Bakr realized the bitterness of despair and disappointment hidden in these words. It was appropriate not to answer, but because they violated the dignity of this man who had become his brother and his equal, he answered Umayah saying, “By Allah, if you had refused to sell him except for a hundred ounces, I would have paid it.” He departed with his companion to the Messenger of Allah, giving him news of his liberation, and there was a great celebration.

After the Hijrah of the Messenger (PBUH) and the Muslims to Al-Madiinah and their settling there, the Messenger instituted the Adhaan. So who would become the muezzin five times a day? Who would call across distant lands, “Allah is the Greatest” and “There is no god but Allah”?

It was Bilaal, who had shouted thirteen years before while the torture was destroying him, “Allah is One… One.” He was chosen by the Messenger that day to be the first muezzin in Islam. With his melodious soul-stirring voice, he filled the hearts with faith and the ears with awe when he called:

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah

I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

Come to Prayer

Come to Prayer

Come to Success

Come to Success

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

There is no god but Allah

* * *

Bilaal lived with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), witnessing all the battles with him, calling to Prayer and observing the rites of this great religion that took him out of darkness to light and from servitude to freedom. The stature of Islam along with the stature of Muslims was elevated. Every day Bilaal was getting closer to the heart of the Messenger of Allah, who used to describe him as “one of the inhabitants of Paradise.”

But Bilaal remained just as he was, noble and humble, always considering himself “the Abyssinian who only yesterday was a slave.” One day he was proposing to two girls for himself and his brother, so be said to their father, ” I am Bilaal and this is my brother, two slaves from Abyssinia. We were astray and Allah guided us. We were two slaves and Allah emancipated us. If you agree on us marrying your daughters, all praise is to Allah; if you refuse, then Allah is the Greatest.”

* * *
His melodious, welcoming, awe-inspiring voice did not call the Adhaan any more, because whenever he uttered in his Adhaan, “I bear witness that Muhammad (PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah,” memories would stir him, and his voice would vanish under his sadness while the tears cried out the words.

His last Adhaan was during the days Umar, the Commander of the Faithful, when he visited Syria. The Muslims entreated him to persuade Bilaal to call one Adhaan for them. The Commander of the Faithful called Bilaal when it was time for Prayer and pleaded with him to make the Adhaan. Bilaal ascended and did so. The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) who were with the Commander of the Faithful while Bilaal was calling the Adhaan wept as they never did before, and Umar the most strongly.

Bilaal died in Syria, fighting in the cause of Allah just as he had wanted. Beneath the dust of Damascus, today therlies the body of one of the greatest men of humankind in standing up for the creed of Islam with conviction.
source: Book: “Men Around the Messenger” ; by: Khalid Muhammad Khalid
http://www.kalamullah.com/

Green Tea for Fitness

Assalaamu' Alaykum,

I know I've been MIA, but Alhamdulillah I'm back and insha' Allah I plan on posting at least once a week. So lets get this popping, shall we? :)

Today's post is going to be on fitness. This is something I'm currently trying to make progress in and I wanted to share some advice which I found helpful.



1) Pick a time to workout that won't be affected normally, hence a time where you are usually not busy. --I found that after Fajr I'm not busy (unless Im sleeping which I need to try to lessen). So by doing my jog after Fajr (soon after fajr or an hour afterwards) I can insha'Allah keep a routine in my jogging. Set a time like such so you will not have an excuse to miss it; hence excuses of being "tied up".

2) Try to find a work out buddy. Workout buddies usually make things more enjoyable and usually you tend to work harder when working with someone, either by them encouraging you to work harder or you competing, either way you'll get a good workout insha' Allah.

3) DRINK MORE WATER! Water is essential to loosing weight. Water helps regulate bowel movement and purifies the body of wastes which in turn gives you a little boost of energy. Water is also essential for good moisturized skin.

4) Take small steps and build yourself up. Do not over load on the first week or you'll burn yourself out and not keep a regular workout routine. If you never exercised or haven't exercised in a long time then you should talk to your physician about whats the best for you in your exercise plan, but generally you should start off with working out twice a week and build yourself up along the way. For people who have exercised some, then you should do three times a week and build up to doing 5 days a week.

5) 30 mins a day of moderate exercise will insha' Allah help maintain your weight and physical health; improve blood flow, lungs, and heart.

Insha' Allah I'll do a follow up on Fitness. Happy healthy living!

Real footage of Israeli Attack on Mavi Marma

Assalaamu' Alaykum,

This is just a snippet of what happened on May 31st. SubhanAllah....

Allahu Akbar!

Israeli Attack on the Mavi Marmara, May 31st 2010 // 15 min. from Cultures of Resistance on Vimeo.