Thursday, January 22, 2009

Repentance

Anas bin Malik reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Allah is more pleased with the repentance of a servant as he turns towards Him for repentance than this that one amongst you is upon the camel in a waterless desert and there is upon (that camel) his provision of food and drink also and it is lost by him, and he having lost all hope (to get tbat) lies down in the shadow and is disappointed about his camel and there he finds that camel standing before him. He takes hold of his nosestring and then out of boundless joy says: 0 Lord, Thou art my servant and I am Thine Lord. He commits this mistake out of extreme delight. [Sahih Muslim - 6618]

Thursday, January 8, 2009

The Tragedy of Kerbala


Corresponding to 10th October 680 AD, Imam Husain with 72 family members and disciples were martyred in the scorching desert of central Iraq on Friday 10th Moharram, 61Hijri.

Historians rightfully state Imam Husain and his companions to have braved severe hunger and thirst for three consecutive days before facing inhuman atrocities by armies of Yazid bin Muaviya, emperor of the Islamic State at the time (680-683 AD). Thus the prevailing fact is, when conscience, consciousness and conviction preponderate over material being, physical discomfiture and needs, cease to affect human kind.

Imam Husain with an enlightened heart, sincerely refuse to acknowledge Yazid and his abettors’ conspicuous licentious and sinful activities. Later, amidst thousands of adversaries, he expostulated by initiating and appealing for re-adopting conventional ethical and religious norms people had deviated from.

Apparently, it is such victory of spiritual righteousness over material falsehood that Imam Husain procured in Kerbala, which has largely been an inspiration for mankind.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Day of 'Ashura'


'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported:the Quraish used to fast on the Day of 'Ashura' in the pre-Islamic days and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) also observed it. When he migrated to Medina, he himself observed this Fast (of 'Ashura') and commanded (others) to observe it. But when fasting during the month of Ramadan was made obligatory he said: He who wishes to observe this Fast may do so, and he who wishes to abandon it may do so. [Sahih Muslim 1897]

Ibn ‘Abbas, (RA), reported: “The Prophet, came to al-Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them about that”. They replied, “This is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued Bani Israel from their enemy. So Moosa observed fast on this day.” The Prophet said, “We have more claim over Moosa than you.” So the Prophet, observed fast on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to observe fast (on that day).” [Saheeh al-Bukhari, Muslim]

Ibn ‘Abbas also reported, “The Messenger of Allah fasted on the day of Ashura and ordered the people to fast on it. The people said, “O Messenger of Allah, it is a day that the Jews and Christians honour.” The Prophet, said, “When the following year comes - Allah willing - we shall fast on the ninth.” The death of the Prophet, came before the following year.” [Saheeh Muslim, Abu Dawood]

So it is recommended to fast on the 10th of Muharram and the 9th along with it as well.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Let's not be silenced, Palestine needs our voices and prayers


Hundreds dead, thousands injured and displaced
Report, Al Mezan, 2 January 2009 4:40pm Gaza Time (+2 GMT):

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) has continued its military operation -- code-named "Cast Lead" -- against the Gaza Strip for the seventh consecutive day. Air raids and attacks from ground forces and naval vessels have continued to target civilian objects. There has been an increase in the air raids targeting houses of resistance members. The number of people who have been killed in IOF's attacks has reached 353, including 59 children and 14 women. This figure reflects only the cases which Al Mezan Center has been able to verify, and is expected to rise as many casualties were buried by their families without being registered at hospitals and others remain under the rubble of destroyed buildings. Many attacks targeted open fields, though not far from urban areas. IOF also targeted another rescue team in Deir al-Balah.

At approximately 2:40pm yesterday, Thursday 1 January 2008, Israeli aircrafts fired heavy missiles at the house of Nizar Rayyan, a leader in the Hamas movement, in the Jabaliya refugee camp, causing massive destruction in the camp and killing 16 of its residents, 11 of whom were children.

At approximately 11:35pm on the same day, Israeli aircraft raided the al-Khulafa Mosque, which is located near Rayyan's house, destroying the mosque completely and damaging tens of houses in the area, some for the second time on the same day.

Al Mezan Center for Human Rights expresses its outrage over the continued inaction of the international community in the face of IOF's continued violations of the international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights in the Gaza Strip. The failure to take any action continues despite the enormous amount of information about the consequences of Israel's conduct towards human life and well being in the Strip, which have been heavily reported by the media and human rights organizations in the Strip. Reports also indicate that the health system is close to collapse as hospitals and clinics suffer a very high case load while there are shortages in medical supplies and personnel. The high numbers of casualties resulting from Israeli attacks has added enormous pressure on the health system.

Al Mezan Center asserts that according to its continuous monitoring of the situation in Gaza, Israel has been perpetrating grave breaches of IHL, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, by deliberately targeting civilian premises in highly dense areas without observing the principles of proportionality, distinction and military necessity. In doing so, Israel is showing despicable disregard to civilian life.