Madina Archives

Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board

Will there be dawah after this??
jannah
09/13/01 at 01:26:40
slm, someone asked me this today. i really cannot say. I feel like in 1 day we have traveled back in time to 22 years ago right after the irani revolution and 1979 hijackings when anti-islamic sentiment and ignorance was so high. Unbelievable how an event of a few seconds can wipe out the work of 20 years. the only advantage we have to 20 years ago is that we have a skeleton framework of where we want to go and we may have learned some things as we've come along...and perhaps made a handful of friends. so from this current event what lessons can we learn? 1. we need to have stronger ties to our communities.. inter-faith or otherwise 2. we need centralized community leadership...from muslim organizations down to the grass roots individual level 3. we need to learn the tricks of the trade of media relations, press releases, interviewing, all of it 4. we need our own experts on the "middle east" and "terrorism" 5. we need to realize that even though we live in America we do not have the same rights as others 6. we need to plan for things like this, emergencies, which are unfortunately the normality of being muslim ie what happens when a disaster happens to a Muslim country, what steps should we take when the US bombs a Muslim country, what do we need to do when the US jails someone innocent. what I feel I learned the most? I honestly thought that this would never happen to our generation.. that this huge conflict between islam and the rest of the world would not escalate until the generation after me. someone in a speech once said maybe 10 years ago that a day would come in the US there would be so much hatred of Islam, where people would pull of girl's hijabs at bus stops, that ppl would firebomb mosques regularly. Guess that day is here, and I guess we don't have time as I thought to help train the next generation to be strong and have the skills and tools to deal with it. Guess it's just us...

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
Saleema
09/13/01 at 02:45:26
[slm] Jannah--I had been holding back tears ever since this happened. :( Now i'm crying. It feels like my dreams have been shattered. [wlm] Saleema

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
BrKhalid
09/13/01 at 04:17:08
Asalaamu Alaikum As always Allah knows best but I've always held the view (and remember this is just a personal opinion) that we as Muslims would never unite until we visibly see and feel real oppression against us. Only then would we truly turn to the Lord of the Worlds instead of feeling comfortable in our houses. May be this growing anti Islamic sentiment will become a unifying factor for our Ummah??? Like I said Allah knows best

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
mujaahid
09/13/01 at 10:50:27
NOW is the time for us to step up the Dawah because these kaafirs are trying to preach, on TV, radio, Net, whatever means they have, that islaam is about terrorism, and we MUST counter this and dispell this myth, no matter what. If we dont challenge what thier saying then they will believe the lies they hear about islaam. Now is the most important time in the last 50 years that Dawah is needed, both against the Kaafirs AND the ignorant muslims. We cannot just sit back and allow years of work to go down the drain. Do we feel like this when we hear of the suffering of the Iraqi's or the Palestinians? 600'000 iraqi children have died becasue of the Sanctions, and Madeline Albrights response was " its a price worth paying". How do you think the Iraqi mothers of these children are feeling?

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
meraj
09/15/01 at 13:39:13
slm, yesterday there was a candlelight vigil held at an outdoor theater near where i live.. it was arranged by various organizations in our area and was attended by local mayors and religious leaders, as well as the governor. it was mostly prayers and short motivational talks by these people. the president of our islamic center (adam's dad) even went up and said a prayer. despite there only being about a dozen muslims in the whole crowd, believe me when i say our presence did not go unnoticed. after the event was over, about one or 2 dozen people came up to us and kept thanking us personally for coming and saying things like 'we are so glad to have join us, thank you so much for coming' and 'you and your community are in our thoughts and prayers'... subhanallah it was such a totally heart-warming experience.. there are so many non muslims out there who understand that the actions of a few dont speak for all muslims, and they even offered their sympathy... we set out to let them know that we are against these senseless acts of violence and we offer our deepest condolences to those whom have been affected by this tragedy and i think it has made a huge difference. so my advice is this: if you hear of any kind of vigils, lectures, prayer services or anythign relating to the tragedy happening in your area, by all means, ATTEND THEM... yourself and as many muslims as you can get.. try to involve your whole muslim community in these events.. show america that we are not violent, hateful, intolerant people, and thank those who offer you positive feedback... it is our duty to make peace and good relations with these people, and if it means giving up an hour or two of our precious time to be with them and show them that we care, then DO IT! im sure many of you saw Muzammil Siddiqi give a dua in the National Cathedral yesterday, and the impact it has had. now is the time for us to shatter these misconceptions about muslims and unite. i dont know exactly what is going on in other communities, but alhamdulillah i think our mefforts and the efforts of muslims all over the country to get through this situation have defenitely helped.. we have received more positive feedback from people than we have negative. so do your brothers and sisters a favor, and for the sake of Allah do what we have to to let the world knwo that we are with them in this fight, and we are not an intolerant people inshallah. may Allah give us strength and patience and protect us from adversity in this situation, and mave mercy on those who lost their lives, ameen.

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
Kashif
09/15/01 at 18:25:20
assalaamu alaikum jannah, of course there will be da'wah after this. Even though i don't experience the fitnah that you do in America, nonetheless, i feel it incumbent to encourage you all to carry on with da'wah, both reactive (as is the case now) and also pro-active - taking Islam to people. Let me tell you the good - even amazing - news that even in these days after the destruction of the WTC there are people taking shahadah in Texas, and others requesting more information about Islam. Truly, Allah guides whom He wills, and leaves to stray whom He wills. We should stick with our faith, build up our patience, and strengthen our relationship with Allah. These are the things that will take us successfully through these times. And if you face hardship, realise that attaining the best ranks with Allah doesn't come except through facing difficulties. Will you shave your beard or take off your hijaab for fear of harm from the kuffaar, and forget that sister Zainab al-Ghazali was thrown into a room full of hungry dogs because of her imaan in Allah? If an ignoramus kaafir punches you so that it splits your lip, will you forget the occasion when the Prophet was chased out of Taif being hurled by stones such that his sandals became sticky from the blood running down his noble body? Facing adversity on account of our religion is what has happened to the Prophets of Allah - think of Moses in the court of Pharaoh, think about the treatment of Jesus at the hands of the rabbis, think about Joseph being falsely imprisoned.... Even though we experience difficulty now, what makes you think that you can't rise to occupy higher ranks amongst Muslims in the Sight of Allah? In one hadith (whose reference i don't have right now) the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam proclaimed loudly "I wish i could see my brothers." And the Sahabah said "O Messenger of Allah, we are here?" So he replied, "No, you are my companions. My brothers are those who come after me and believe in me without having seen me." Believing in the Prophet meaning, following him, modelling your life to follow his, being patient, being wise, BEING MUSLIM! "... And Allah prevails in His purpose, but most of humanity know not." [12:21] Kashif Wa Salaam

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
BroHanif
09/15/01 at 18:32:16
Mashallah Brother Kashif such nice words. May Allah make it easy for all of us. Ameen. My only thoughts on prayers and vigils are why can't we have prayers and vigils for others. Why does a tragedy like this need to be  portrayed that the world seems its Qiyamat.? What happened to the 20,000 in India that perished under the earthquake, what about the 600 children that die each month in Iraq. What about the poverty in Africa that people over there can not afford to buy a parecetamol, what about those people in Gaza that have been refugess for 50+ years and have been living in plastic tents. Where are the prayer services, where are the vigils for these people...?? Is it because many of us in the West who have wall to wall carpets, have hot showers in the morning and have all the comforts and luxuries of life have been touched by the same tragedy that falls on so many others daily round the world. When will we remove the rose tinted glasses from our eyes and truly become servants of Allah.?

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
sis
09/15/01 at 20:48:50
Alsalamu Alaykum Wa Rhmat Allah Wa Barakatuhu May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala keep us on the right path and increase our iman and taqwa..ameen Masha'Allah those were some beautiful words. Just to echo what Br. Kashif said, i've noticed many more people are interested in Islam, they're curious to know what it's all about.  i remember going to a lecture by Bilal Phillips last year, and he said that 3000 soldiers became muslim during the gulf war, subhan Allah, wAllahu Akbar. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala turn the campaign of lies against those who make them, and may many many people become muslim as a result..ameen. Also, this past Friday, on Canada AM, a morning news show, 3 beautiful muslim students were interviewed in a discussion type setting. Masha'Allah it was amazing. They were shining examples of muslims masha'Allah and they addressed the muslim community's concerns. Alhamdulillah, at that point, i felt that insha'Allah, this is the time that Islam's light can truly shine, if we make the effort. Alhamdulillah, there are many good people still out there. A sister i know was walking to the national day of mourning ceremonies and an old woman began to shout at her. The sister said nothing, complete strangers walking in front and behind of the sister began to yell at the woman, in the sister's defence.  The sister told me she did not feel like she had to say anything after that. Alhamdulillah Last night as i was walking home from the bus stop, i saw a bunch of my neighbours gathered outside.  I waved to them and they waved me over to their direction. They wanted me to join them in a moment of silence.  It was a really beautiful experience.  I met some people i never knew of and it really touched me how we came together.  One man actually said 'alsalamu alaykum' to me and my parents. It turns out he knew a few words muslim's use, including, alhamdulillah and insha'Allah.  When this man said these words, tears came to my eyes. Alhamdulillah there are people that are aware of the beauty of Islam.  Its definately a great da'wah opportunity and a chance to make a tighter bond with your neighbors. Although i was hesitant about holding a candle, i took it anyways. It made them feel happy.  Now that i think of it, in the future, if any rally or 'vigil' takes place, i can ask them to join, or at least say a prayer for the less fortunate. My mom said to my neighbours that, 'we all lost something', regarding the plain crashes, and one neighbour replied saying, that's the best way to describe it. So please attend vigils and the like. It shows that we're part of the north american community, and insha'Allah everyone will feel the kindness and return the gesture. Although there have been unfortunately many bad reactions towards muslims all over the world, its important to also convey the good things that happen, its a real motivator insha'Allah.:-) Please make dua's always.  Remember that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala helps those who turn to Him ta'ala. May Allah 3azza wa jal protect and strengthen the hearts and lives of muslims everywhere. Please do not fall prey to any fear because of what happened.  Channel any fear your have, into TAQWA, fear of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, and turn to Him ta'ala always. Walsalamu Alaykum Wa Rhmat Allah Wa Barakatuhu

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
Barr
09/16/01 at 07:24:49
Assalamu'alaikum :-) My dearest brothers and sisters... especially those in the US, A verse came to mind... [color=blue][center]" You shall most certainly be tried in your possessions and in your persons; and indeed you shall hear many hurtful things from those to whom revelation was granted before your time, as well as from those who come to asribe divinity to other beings beside God. But if you remain patient (sabr) in adversity and conscious of Him (taqwa) - this, behold, is something to set one's heart upon." Surah Ali Imran:186 [/color] [/center] Take care.. and remember that we are here with you too... :-) Keep the faith, and keep strong :::Barr:::

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
ahmer
09/16/01 at 07:56:01
[slm] Insha'Allah there is no need to despair. Believe me we all here in NJ were like down and out. Our WhyIslam Dawah project person asked us if we will have a whyislam dawah booth at a mall on October 13th. We had no answer. But since then it is Allah who has given us the strength to carry on. There has been a renewed sense of activism among Muslims, As you might know that we in central Jersey are devastated by the loss of our brother Tariq Amanullah still missing! He is a great brother of ours. The lifeblood of ICNA-NJ and whatever ICNA NJ chapter has done here owes a lot to him. May Allah bless him. But we were so down, that a brother here came upto us and said [color=Red]"Look!! if he is not found, he is a shaheed, and if he is a shaheed then the blood of his shahadah will foster the tree of Islam in New Jersey and US, so work and work!"[/color] We all had tears for a while!! but since then though it's hard we decided to carry on! printed out flyers on clarifying about Muslims and Islam, distributed in NJ masjids and insha'Allah will be organizing major programs this week to educate people about it. Nothing is lost really. Think of it everyone! we have a responsibility on us to spread good and forbid evil. What have we encountered here, just a few ugly stares, yells and outrage of few deviant people? What else is lost, think of all the troubles that came to Prophet Mohammad [saw] when he was establishing Islam. This is not even peanuts when compared to that era. Why do we fetter so much? Syed Qutub said that there is no Islam without tribulation. and imagine the long tale of tribulation on him. He was hanged to death just because he had "ideas" and that he took lead from a similar person Maudoodi. In fact there is little example that dawah happenned without trials and tests. Just think of all the freedom we have in this country and we should use it for Islam as much as we can. Like a historian once said that "West is pregnant with Islam" (he said it in early 1900s). Insha'Allah we have to prove it. Like Shaykh Hamza Yusuf said a few weeks back quoting a historian ,"..Pan Islamism is dormant.. and in case of worsening race relations, it may be moved to play its historical role" This is the second part i am writing, I just came back from the weekly fajr local Quranic Study circle. and Muslims are pretty strong about all that happenned. Insha'Allah there is hope for a renewed sense of dawah in this part of the world.  There has been so much good happenning around all of us, MSA chapters participating in rallies, vigils, blood drives, local Sisters collecting money for victims and major media drives by Muslim organizations. The inclusion of ISNA president in the national cathederal service was a major indication of the things. We here at ICNA NJ are overwhelmed by the messages of support recieved from ordinary Americans(i have posted them on the this msgboard). You know what actually the hits to Islamic websites have increased after this incident and people are being educated about Islam in a big way. Just imagine the people who devastated Baghdad , the Mongols became Muslims the best of Muslims!!. You never know Allah's plans and we just have to paint the canvas already prepared insha'Allah. Insha'Allah we have to put up the light of Allah cuz Allah has promised that he will fulfill his light. We were studying Surah Ankaboot this morning and coincidentally this Surah talks about trials and tests that Allah does on Muslims to separate the true people from the liars. This is no trial really! just a grain of salt, Do real work and fear the real tests from Allah, even Prophets have sought refuge from such trials. May Allah protect us all! Ameen Please dont' fear, circulate emails about Islam, alternate news stories from websites, activate MSAs , other org in your area, send out emails, letters to the university people, local reps, media clarifying what Islam is?  This is a time to unite and forge an alliance. We have a duty to do in this country. Spread good and forbid evil. Take advantage of this freedom and spread islam! There are a lot of really good Christians and Jews in this country like Allah says in the Quran, 3:75 Among the People of the Book are some who, if entrusted with a hoard of gold, will (readily) pay it back; others, who, if entrusted with a single silver coin, will not repay it unless thou constantly stoodest demanding, because, they say, "there is no call on us (to keep faith) with these ignorant (Pagans)." but they tell a lie against Allah, and (well) they know it. So there are good and bad people as always. we have to get to them and give them Islam. Whatever the Afghans do insha'Allah Allah will help them as they have helped Allah in the past. But we have to answer to Allah about this land. It takes a few Muslims to turn a whole nation to Islam. We have to develop those few Muslims and turn this nation to Islam.! So just rise up, get connected as communities and do dawah which is a jihad itself. Remember there is no Bab-Al-Dawah(section of dawah) in the books of Fiqh. Dawah always comes in in the Bab-Al-Jihad(section of Jihad). Don't despair, cuz hopelesness is kufr according to Hadith. Read these two articles and see how truth comes from somewhere not expected! [url]http://www.guardian.co.uk/wtccrash/story/0,1300,552101,00.html[/url] [url]http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4255855,00.html [/url] Stay safe and fear none but Allah. We are all praying for each other. [wlm] ahmer

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
ahmer
09/16/01 at 20:18:16
[slm] As we all ponder upon the fate of our activism, this email came from our WhyIslam dawah project incharge, Br Musaddique. This lit up our day!. Insha'Allah there will be more dawah to come. The total shahdahs under WhyIslam must have crossed 50 by now alhumdolillah. This was very relevant to what's discussed here. [wlm] ahmer MESSAGE:  (#1025) Shahadah in New Jersey AUTHOR:   Musaddique DATE:     Sunday, 16 September 2001, at 8:59 p.m. Assalaamu alaikum, Our hearts are heavy due the recent events, and the fact that we still have no news about our dear brother Tariq Amanullah. For this reason, I hesitated to post the news of this Shahadah for the past two days. Today I finally decided, to all those wondering "what happens to our Dawah efforts", the news of this Shahadah should answer their question, Inshallah. As for our safety, the following Hadith should suffice Inshallah: "On the authority of Abdullah bin Abbas, who said: One day I was behind the Prophet, (SAW) and he said to me: O young man I shall teach you some words [of advice] : Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if the Nation were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you with anything except that Allah had already recorded for you. If they gather together to harm you by something, they would not be able to harm you by anything except what Allah has already recorded against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried." [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, who said it is a hasan sahih hadith] Alhamdulillah, Kinisha Chambers from Bayonne, NJ pronounced the Shahadah. May Allah increase her in knowledge, and make her a source of strength and inspiration to us, Ameen. Wassalaam, Musaddique

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
ahmer
09/17/01 at 15:58:33
[slm] Down but still not out!! You know what!! I have never been so distraught in my life. I came to campus today invigored by a sense of activism to aggresively defend islam on campus. I went up to the common room of Rutgers, finding the bro/sis all gathered, but there was no sense of fast tracked approach. I talked to them about number of things we can do on campus !! but they told me that they have decided not to have the conference on 20th October that was planned before. I told them that it's imperative to have it now, having channelled all the support from local ICNA chapter in the form of everything.!!! but no...arghh! hurts~~:( It's really hard to feel let down after all this hard work. There is nothing wrong in them i know. I asked them to have this day tomorrow as MSA national advised but they say they cant make it so early. Anyways i will insha'Allah go ahead with the dawah letters being mailed to all deans, chairs and professors insha'Allah. I talked to WhyIslam icna nj bro and we will go ahead with it. But really the need to be aggresive about Islam is the only way we are going to get away with this mess. Now noone is going to MSA Northeast conference from here as well. i wonder if that's on schedule? The loss of enthusiasm has affected the normal work at Rutgers, NB as one former ISRU bro remarked to me. I know this is not true of other MSAs but this really hurt me. how can you just call off a conference!!phew!! There is a beautiful Hadith that i always remember, "If you are planting a tree and Qiyamah comes, finish planting it (Fadrisu'hu)" and also , "the battle between them and us is one day for us one day for them" But i do hope that things will improve and insha'Allah it will. This is i guess the best inspiration for all of us in this time. Keep on doing it. May Allah help everyone understand! Ameen newayz, time to go to class!! pray for all of us. [wlm] ahmer

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
jannah
09/17/01 at 16:21:50
Brother ahmer, I know the feeling.... after everything we are going through to add insult to injury there are Muslims that now refuse to do anything with/for/help the Muslim community. There are people who refuse to come to Jumah, send their children to weekend classes or even be on the local email list!! And no I don't believe the threat of any type of violence etc is warranted for these people to stay away. We ourselves had 3 administrators, 2 guards and plainclothesman at our jumah protecting Muslims!! and we had half the usual crowd. Well all I can say is that these events have been a huge trial and test and we now know what kind of people we are. Among us are those who rise up to defend Islam and among us are those who would like to change their name to Mo and change their skin color if they could. Anyways...may Allah protect you and help you to continue your work. I will contact br nadeem @ mit and see what they are planning for the ne conf inshallah

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
ahmer
09/18/01 at 00:38:52
[slm] yep sis!! abs!! u just spelled out my heart..!! just to list some of the glaring acts i have confirmation of... I cant really belittle the fear out there!! but... A local Islamic Center, ISCJ adjacent to Princeton University remains shut down for Maghrib, Isha prayers. Despite the fact that they are pretty rich and can easily have guards. The weekend schools remained closed at our local center, Muslim Center of Middlesex county. I had to go teach at another sunday school but the principal told me that he wants to open but there will be no kids coming. my sis tells me that even if she opens her sunday schoool next weekend, there will be hardly any students out of 200!! but they will open anyway And interestingly i went to maghrib prayer in ISA office during the class break and at the end i was telling everyone that we should defend islam and this is the time and this bro said that he wud even excuse from using that word, "defend" ..!!! and i said to him that atleast you are being honest.!! such is a state, sister !! i also hear that the MSA EZ camp is off. I dont understand the logic of these cancellations, cuz these gatherings could have been the focal point of media coverage , being turned into fundraisers for victims and a source strength for muslim men and women. but perhaps not many people would have turned up. I really don't doubt the organizers!! just cant make anything out of this situation it's a time to have an introspection!! actually a shaykh told me once that most of the islamic activism that u see here is based on little depth!! so he told me to work out for your ihsan, knowledge and depth before you work! he was right!! there are still some good examples by many many MSA chapters and communities. my bro who was at Texas A&M until last year told me that the biggest group in the univ students rally after this incident was of Muslims and they were in huge numbers thou college station is a small univ town itself. and this had an impact! just to get and give you all strength i can tell you that people here in ICNA-NJ chapter are taking days off from work to write new brochures on 'terrorism' and have them printed to be distributed on a fast track, we are also writing letters to all the univ deans, chairs and professors informing them about islam. our ameer(he is the webmaster) isn't sleeping to get all the stuff up on the ICNA website, and you can just view the amazing coverage on the website. He just told me that the hits are close to a million a day and lots of non muslims as seen from their messages. it's a responsibility to get running this only outlet we have and i can assure you that people really read it. for me not as a bias!! ICNA website is the best on news resources, and it's just a few houses away to be controlled hehe. well btw despite the usual ideas about ICNA, the NJ chapter is different believe me and there is real good work going on here. Well about this for some other time. arghh..!! my mom tells me that i talk a lot..!!!!!! forgive me since it has been a long day for me today i should say salams to you all. pls all pray and insha'Allah all the best to all up in Albany from ppl in NJ:-) i guess you may not think about it , but i quote this msgboard stuff here and ppl r soo happy to hear all..so keep posting and we can have a great network from here to Albany.:-) [wlm] ahmer

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
Tayyaba
09/18/01 at 07:25:45
As-salam-ualakum all, Just a few days ago I had to drive to Chicago and crossing through three states I was shocked that in almost every one as I flipped through radio stations I heard anti-islamic comments.  One was a news show that repeatedly quoted a clergyman talking about the intolerance of Islam.  Another was a talk show where another priest was just going on and on about how the Quran preaches terrorism and violence while the Bible doesn't.  He even wrote off the crusades as a boo-boo committed by those who were slightly misguided.  Among other things.  Granted some of these were religious stations with their own agenda, but the blatant untruths they were saying were still hurtful but if these are the only things people hear about Islam, they're not going to have any reason not to believe them.   This brings me to a question.  Are there muslim radio stations out there?  Muslim TV channels?  Or even muslim shows on either? I really don't know so that's why I'm asking.  Mashahallah muslims have done a great job of becoming pervasive on the internet as well as with several newspapers but radio and television are huge mediums that can help to get a positive message out.  I don't mean we need televangalism but where people hear negative things about islam we should also be able to send them a positive message, dispelling rumors, inshahallah.  Also, www.cair-net.org, has some really good pointers on reacting to media and being proactive in the community. Lastly, I'll stop after this, during a khutba about the negative publicity muslims get, the imam recommended that rather than just getting mad and letting the media see "yet another angry muslim", keep inviting media back to a variety of events.  Invite them to Eid prayers as well as the Eid fair.  Show them the family-centric, social, fun side of islam.  Host a science fair for children and highlight muslim as well as non muslim scientific contributions.  Host a book fair. And maybe it won't be controversial and get the front page but inshahallah if we keep showing these sides of Islam we will also get positive coverage and inshahallah achieve dawah by also being ambassadors for islam.  Inshahallah.
NS

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
jannah
09/18/01 at 11:56:39
wlm, tayyaba every time you hear negative remarks document them, the channel, the time, what was said by whom, and why it's offensive. then write to the station manager. radio is not likely to respond as well as TV or newspaper because they absolutely love controversy but at least it will make them realize they can't just say anything and get away with it... as for muslim media outlets..there are few but then again we don't have alot of muslims going into journalism or the media.. hopefully this will change in the future. but still no matter how many we have they will be a tiny percentage compared to mainstream media.. and mainstream media is where we need to place our efforts.

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
Malika
09/18/01 at 12:38:37
slm, I was watching the destruction of the WTC from the window at my job less than a quarter of a mile away.  It was a most horrific sight.  Then I was listening to the news media of who did it. I am the only Muslim at my company.  So it was basically up to me to help set straight the misguided anger.  I had to admit I was a bit angry myself because I had to hear some of the degrading comments made about Islam.  When I started to talk about the "Real Islam" and not the one they hear about on TV, I could hear the "oh, for real,  I didn't know that etc...  You would think there were not any Muslims that worked in that building.  There weren't any missing.  No Muslims suffered.   My basic question was Have you ever picked up a Quran?  Try and find where it says such behavior is part of Islam.  We had a meeting at work to discuss our feelings in the wake of this tragedyand people had to catch themselves We have watched the same destruction on TV that happens to many of our Muslim countries and it was a 'that's not here' attitude.  For me it made me realize that this is what many of my brothers and sisters in these places see on a regular basis.  They don't have the same freedoms we have.  This is what I try to explain to people also. I hear alot of 'That's different'.  Call me slow but death is death no matter where it happens. They say destrouy them all and I say why?  Most importantly, who is all of them?? There will always be another terroist.  One of our sisters came from Albany to see me and she was traveling by bus.  Prior to entering the tunnel to NY the police cam on board to inspect the bus and its passengers.  She being the only covered one on the bus he immediately went to question her about her bag.  then he proceeded to bring the dog on board to sniff her bag.  Now I must point out that she is an african american so exactly Who are they looking for?? Sisters walking in my neighborhood was commonplace prior to last tuesday and now you can't see one.  Inshallah this will indeed strenghten our dawah efforts.  I know it does for me because I want to tell anyone who is willing to listen just how beautiful Islam is especially to me. OK  I had to get that off my chest.   Malika

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
Saleema
09/20/01 at 14:15:23
[slm] Just got an email from a girl who says that she wants to convert to Islam but that she still has some questions to ask and she would like to talk to someone and she got my email from the Student's Center since I started an MSA here last year which is now not active. Gives me hope for our Dawah efforts and I wanted to share it with all of you who work with various organizations that propagate Islam that Allah's words are indeed ture: that He guides whom He wills. :) [wlm]

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
sis
09/22/01 at 18:03:14
alsalamu alaykum wa rhmat Allah wa barakatuhu i understand why some people may be post-poning da'wa efforts..but at the same time non-muslims are practicly begging us to make da'wa to them.... subhan Allah....the demand for da'wa is big....due to the word ISLAM and MUSLIMS being plastered all over the media, not one person can say they haven't heard about it....and many are wondering what Islam is all about...alhamdulillah its great that people want to learn more..but we can't turn them down...a sister said to me yesterday, she's afraid that on the the day of judgement we are going to be responsible if people asked us about Islam and we turned them away.. its our responsability and duty to tell others about Islam, and what better an opportunity then when everyone's minds are curious about it?....this opportunity isn't going to be around forever...and we will be asked on qiyama if we made use of it... any little thing can help insha'Allah..i sent out that USA Today article about Islam to a bunch of bro's and sis's a couple of days ago..yesterday a sister told me she fwded it out to people she works with and she got enumerable replies thanking her....so many of her co-workers were wondering what Islam is... even carrying around informative pamphlets about Islam can do so much (not just at this time, but always)....if someone expresses their interest in Islam, be helpful and at least refer them to an Islamic info centre or a good website (like jannah.org) the following quote is from islam.org, a non-muslim urging us to make da'wa "Islam and American Muslims are generally a great mystery to most non-Muslim Americans ... I thought I could help [in some way to bridge the gap of misunderstanding]. But I cannot seem to find any mosque or community center that is serious about bridging the gap of ignorance between Muslims and the rest of American Society ... invite the American public ... you do have an obligation to show us something about yourselves - please get out there and invite us ... "Michael J. from Tampa, Florida - 9/19/01. alhamdulillah we have all that dawa framework that muslims have  built up over years....its something to push ahead with insha'Allah pls make dua' walsalamu alaykum wa rhmat Allah wa barakatuhu

Good news...
Nazia
09/22/01 at 18:07:10
slm, I just wanted to mention that I live in the "deep south"--Alabama.  A state that was considered the racist capital of the world during the civil rights movement in the 1960's.  Yesterday at Jumma, we had a blue-blooded white American Male in probably his 40's or 50's take the Shahada!  Subhan'Allah! People came to our masjid and dropped off flowers and cards showing their support for us.  We had an anonymous card mailed to us, as well as an anonymous message left on our machine.  My mom was hugged by a lady who works in Sears...They all said the same thing:  "We hope you are not being punished for this crime" I loove my state!! Alhamdulillah. Take Care, Wassalam, Nazia

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
ahmer
09/22/01 at 20:16:21
[slm] Here is an email sent to ICNA, NJ forum by one of our WhyIslam dawah project volunteers and an American revert alhumdolillah. Actually she's quoting some other person. Please read.. It's really something different i have heard, specially this.. [quote] If you hear hate talk on radio or tv, then go to their websites and write a letter asking them to speak responsibly on the issues surrounding the tragedy on September 11th. We did not target young white males after the Oklahoma City Bombing and we shouldn't do that to legal American citizens who love this Country as much as we do. [/quote] [wlm] ahmer MESSAGE:  (#1040) More from Kristen.....support for Muslims AUTHOR:   UmmAbdallah DATE:     Saturday, 22 September 2001, at 5:43 p.m. Salaams, All... This woman proceeded to forward letters to family and friends, and I wanted to share this with all of you....Please pray Allah Ta'Ala guides her, and all those like her...Amin. Hi Aminah, The following is the personal message I sent to my family and friends. I have already received messages back saying they would write letters of support to their local Muslim/Islamic Associations. I hope that it will work its way around the Internet. Peace, Kristen Dear Family/Friends: This past week has been a difficult for many people around the world, but especially for the families and friends of the people directly affected by Tuesday's horrific events. Many of us want to do something to help, but are not sure what. I have a few suggestions: Make a financial donation to the Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org), Salvation Army (http://www.redshield.org/crisis/), or another legal organization/charity that was set-up to help the families of those affected by this tragedy. I made an online donation to the Red Cross-Disaster Relief Fund and it only took 2 minutes. Volunteer to help out at your local community center, church, or charity. You might want to become a Disaster Relief Volunteer for the Red Cross (1 (800) HELP NOW), or help out at a clothing drive at your local community center. It is also important to think of how you can keep the community spirit going on a regular basis. You can continue to donate blood on a regular basis to benefit future victims of tragedies. For information on becoming a blood donor call 1 (800) GIVE LIFE. There has been a blood shortage for years and it would be wonderful if we could maintain the spirit of generosity for the rest of our lives. Write an e-mail/letter of support to the men and women who have tirelessly helped in the rescue and recovery efforts in New York City and Washington. NYC Fire/EMS Department Website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/home2.html (you can also find information on donating money on this site) NYC Police Department Website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/home.html Department of Defense/Pentagon Website: http://www.defenselink.mil/ If you have kids and they want to do something to help out. Have them sell lemonade or crafts, with the proceeds going to a charity that will help the families of the victims. If you need help answering your children's questions about the events of September 11th, please click on the following website: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/living/DailyNews/wtc_childrenQ&A010914_take1.html This information came out of a special two-hour broadcast of ABCNEWS' with Peter Jennings. Mr. Jennings talked with kids about their thoughts and fears and called on experts to help explain the current crisis. I found the special helpful for adults too. [color=red] Write an e-mail/letter of support for the Muslim/Islamic/Arabic community that has endured a rash of hate crimes this past week and let them know that the acts of a few "American fanatics" does not represent the feelings of the majority of Americans (sound familiar). You can see my letter of support on the Islamic Circle of North America website (http://www.icna.org). It is also a helpful website to educate oneself about the Islamic religion. If you hear hate talk on radio or tv, then go to their websites and write a letter asking them to speak responsibly on the issues surrounding the tragedy on September 11th. We did not target young white males after the Oklahoma City Bombing and we shouldn't do that to legal American citizens who love this Country as much as we do. One last thing. I have found the BBC news service/website to offer insightful news on what is happening here and abroad. Their website is http://www.bbc.co.uk/?ok. Sometimes it is helpful to look at a tragedy like this, through the eyes of another Country. Of course it helps if that Country speaks your language :). I find it extremely important to understand why we have been targeted by terrorists. This includes both homegrown terrorists like Timothy McVeigh, and international terrorists like Osama Bin Laden. It is scary to think that these terrorists spend the majority of their lives thinking up ways to kill Americans. The best way to combat the insanity of Tuesday's events is to learn as much as possible about what created the hatred behind them. [/color] I hope that the one positive thing to come out of last Tuesday's events is that we will all have a new sense of community and caring for each other and humanity as a whole. This is not the time to become isolationists, but to embrace the new warmth and caring we are receiving from Nations all over the world and reciprocate in kind. If you have any suggestions to help people get through this time, please respond to everyone on this list and start spreading the message of healing around. Being an eternal optimist, I truly feel that the good in humanity will prevail and we will all come away from September 11th's tragedy stronger and closer than before. Thanks for listening. Kristen

Re: Good news...
Kashif
09/22/01 at 20:24:43
[quote]Yesterday at Jumma, we had a blue-blooded white American Male in probably his 40's or 50's take the Shahada[/quote] Blue blooded?! Is he one of the Chiss? Perhaps related to Admiral Thrawn? Kashif Wa Salaam
NS

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
jannah
09/25/01 at 00:36:27
Muslims Mourn A Dream Deferred Attacks seen as setback in U.S. acceptance By Ron Howell STAFF WRITER September 23, 2001 http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/ny-nymus232380753sep23.story?coll=ny%2Dnews%2Dprint There was a long way to go, but Nidal Abuasi felt he and fellow Muslims at least were taking the first steps toward recognition and empowerment. As principal of the Al-Noor school in Brooklyn, he had hosted a reception for Muslims running for elective office. He was especially proud that some of his students had worked this summer at Maimonides Medical Center, where administrators and patients are largely Jewish. Muslims were even harboring hopes that someday they would capture the attention of national politicians, persuading them to moderate U.S. policy in the Middle East and pay more attention to the suffering of the Palestinians in their ongoing struggle with Israel. But on Sept. 11, as seventh-graders looked out their classroom windows and saw the attack on the World Trade Center, the hopes of a people seemed to fall along with the imposing towers. "Some of them panicked," Abuasi said of his students. "We had to lift them up by the arm or shoulder and take them downstairs. A few really exhibited emotional setbacks.... They thought maybe this is what we've been speaking about [in religion classes], that maybe the world is over." Abuasi said the first order of business for all New Yorkers is mourning the thousands - among them many Muslims - who died in that "unimaginable" and "incomprehensible" terrorist attack. But he and other Muslims also are silently lamenting a dream deferred: their struggle for social acceptance, political power and a change in America's Middle East policy. "Before this incident we thought we were very successful in establishing relations with all the institutions around us ... and we thought we were on the right track to achieve a lot," Abuasi said, his face tight with pain as he spoke in his school office last week. "This incident, by all means, will prove to be a huge setback." The number of Muslims in the United States has been growing hugely over the past 35 years. With approximately 7 million adherents - roughly 10 percent of them in New York City - they are the fastest growing religion in the nation, behind only Christians in total worshipers. The largest group are South Asians, from Pakistan and Bangladesh mostly. And while many Muslims are native-born African-Americans - tens of thousands in New York City alone - there has been significant immigration to the city of Muslims from Africa and the Middle East, including Lebanese, Yemenites, Syrians and Palestinians. Abuasi is a Palestinian-American. But despite their notable presence - in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Long Island - Muslims have not gained even a modicum of political power. There are no Muslims in the U.S. Congress, or on the City Council. And they say their lack of clout has been particularly notable on the issue of the Middle East, where the U.S.-backed government of Israel is engaged in a half-century-old struggle against the Palestinians. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have become refugees to make way for the state of Israel. Outgunned by the Israelis, they constitute the vast majority of those killed in the ongoing conflict. Last October, after the outbreak of the most recent round of hostilities in the region, 15,000 supporters of Israel held a rally near the United Nations. Gov. George Pataki, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, the candidates for U.S. Senate and a bevy of other politicians showed up to denounce Palestinian violence against Israel. But the following day, when an equal number of Muslims showed up at the same site - carrying pictures of the 12-year-old Palestinian fatally shot as he sought shelter in his father's arms - not a single politician appeared. "And of course we wonder, as patriotic Americans," said Abuasi, "why when the Muslims pull out 20,000 demonstrators to protest the killing of women and children in Palestine, no politicians dare or care to show up." The answer, Muslim leaders say, is that Jewish Americans have long been a powerful financial and political force in America. U.S.-based scholars assert that the Arab-Israeli conflict is the cause of anger that has been building steadily against the United States in recent months, among Muslims in the United States and around the world. In coffee shops and in mosques, Muslim New Yorkers have been watching satellite broadcasts of Israelis bulldozing Palestinian homes and carrying out retaliatory raids against Palestinians. Some say they could see that worldwide frustration was reaching a boiling point. "About two weeks before this thing [the Sept. 11 attack] happened, I was saying to a friend, I expect something to happen. I was thinking, 'Oh My God, this can't go on,'" said Yvonne Haddad, professor of Islamic history at Georgetown University and editor of the book "Muslims on the Americanization Path?" published last year by Oxford University Press. Reflecting the concept of ummah, or brotherhood of Muslims around the world, Muslims of all nationalities see the struggle of Palestinians as their own, said Haddad and others. And it is precisely this double identification - on the one hand with Palestinians, and on the other with the U.S. government, which has given them political freedom and material comfort - that is causing spiritual and psychological conflict for Muslims in the United States. While they share with their fellow New Yorkers the pain caused by the World Trade Center attack, many Muslims apparently see the carnage through a different set of eyes. Most who were interviewed said they did not believe that Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect of U.S. authorities, was responsible for the attack. On Friday, the spiritual leader of the Islamic Cultural Center on 96th Street in Manhattan - the Muslim equivalent of St. Patrick's Cathedral - appeared to suggest that Israel masterminded the attacks. "The wrongdoers, the evildoers, might use some Muslim to do this on their behalf, to make hatred and enmity in the hearts of Americans against Arabs and Muslims," Imam Mohammad Gemeaha said. "But Muslims never do this." But most Muslim leaders have been relatively guarded over the past week and a half in their criticism of U.S. foreign policy. They know that, right now, America's immediate interest is in protecting itself against further terrorist attacks, and that federal authorities are daily coming up with evidence that points to Muslim extremists. Aware of currently strong anti-Muslim sentiment across the country, Muslims recoil at the mere mention of people like Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, who once preached at mosques in Brooklyn, calling for a jihad, or holy war, against enemies of Islam. Abdel- Rahman was convicted in 1995 in a plot to blow up New York landmarks. Abuasi, the principal of Al-Noor school, was part of a group that a decade ago formed a new board of trustees at the Masjid Al Farouq on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, where Abdel-Rahman once gave sermons. The new group headed by Abuasi effectively forced Abdel-Rahman and his cohorts out of the mosque. "Eventually the wise and rational and reasonable people win, and the right thing is done," said Abuasi last week, commenting on the ouster of Abdel-Rahman. If Muslims are being wise and rational, many also are being cautious these days, especially when it comes to issues like Palestine and the ongoing U.S. allied bombing of Iraq, which normally they would vocally oppose. "Almost everybody you're going to talk to, they're very fearful of this anti-Arab and anti-Muslim backlash right now," said Abdeen Jabara, a former president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and a member of the legal team that represented Abdel-Rahman. "Any voice that we might have had has been drowned out."

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
solehah
09/25/01 at 05:45:51
Salaam ((((((((((((((((((Jannah)))))))))))))))))))) Since that fateful night of the 11th Sep until today, I have been hearing so many versions and so many analyses of the who what why when and how.  My first thought upon seeing the attack and hearing that Muslims are suspects behind the attack is "Oh God, this will set us back by 20 years". Amazing how you and I have the same thoughts even though I am far away in a country more interested in GDPs than EQs or whatnots. Then I started to feel the repercussions, all the way here. Taxi drivers give me dirty looks when I discuss this issue with colleagues, ignorant countrymen writing in to local newspapers to display their lack of knowledge about Islam, and worst of all, to have to speak to fellow Muslims and seeing how divided we are.... I started to wonder about my children and the future they would have. Before this like you, I thought that we are making progress, I was confident that people would value me for my worth as a person. I was wrong. They judge me as how they want to perceive me. All my qalifications, all my talents and all my thoughts are secondary to my guilt in being a Muslim, a member of the terrorist clan. My first reaction was resentment and anger. I wanted to react to each and every one of those false words. Then the resentment and anger turn to hurt and pain. One night, as I look at the faces of my children sleeping, calm and peaceful, unaware of the world's turmoil, unaware of the battle they have to fight someday, and I started to cry. I cried as a follower, hurt that all the sacrifices of the Prophet SAW is reduced to this. I cried as a woman, hurt that her sisters and brothers are thrown into so much confusion and fear and attacks. I cried as a mother for her children, knowing that they too will hurt someday. I cried because never before have I felt so very helpless. When the tears subside, I felt renewed. I felt as if I have been given extra strength to carry on, to face what must be faced. That was when I realised that I have all the time I cried, spoken to ALlah, telling ALlah of my feelings and thoughts. I have never been restricted by a certain definition of the term da'wah.  Da'wah to me is simply the effort of furthering the beautiful words of ALlah and Islam.  By virtue of that fact, nothing is too small and nothing is too great for us to do in order to spread the message of our beloved Prophet SAW. By just keeping on your hijab despite all the threats is da'wah because it sends the message of steadfastness.  By writing in to correct false reports is da'wah, by volunteering in community work to help victims of the tragedy is da'wah, by explaining to your children the truth is da'wah.......the list of possibilities is endless. Sis, I am not American but I am first and foremost a Muslim, Insya'ALlah. So any events that affect Muslims, I feel too. I share your concern about the future of da'wah but can I share with you something I learnt from my grandda ? " When you fall, no matter how sweet the earth smell, no matter how painful it is to get up, you must get up and continue moving on because only then can you reach somewhere". *Offers her hand to Jannah* Come sister, we must get up and we must move on. Insya'ALlah we will reach Jannah :) Spread the beauty and wonder of Islam, anyway, anywhere that you can. I too will do that. Even if only to smile at the next suspicious taxi driver. My dua for all Muslims in these trying times. Just remember that we can only try, but ALlah still hold the answers to Life's mysteries. And above all, regardless of Man's machinations, Divine Truth prevails. Wassalam.

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
jannah
09/25/01 at 12:12:26
wlm, Solehah, jazakiallah khair for ur kind words :-)

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
solehah
09/25/01 at 12:25:11
You are very much welcomed.   Islam is a religion of love not hate. Wish more people would realise that. Wassalam.

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
ahmer
09/25/01 at 13:37:15
just adding to your nice thoughts, Solehah! this beautiful Hadith "If you are planting a seed, and Qiyamah comes , finish planting it" Be positive, don't fetter and continue with Dawah!:)

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
BroHanif
09/25/01 at 17:23:05
Howz the dawah situation now...??? In the UK we are still fragmented as ever, brothers are more worried aboout  safety. One Islamic theme  we are really missing in the UK is strong leadership, we haven't got anyone who can really unite us and take us forward. Its always a power struggle between the groups, maan its such a shame all the talent is being wasted on just infighting amongst us.   I've also found is the hearts of the people are not sensitive enough. If we had the bombing in UK I think more people would have been shedding tears or in the case of Afghanistan making dua that Allah gives them the best solution. And lastly, some folk in the UK including me are so confused by current events that we don't know which way to turn some are preparing to do the hijrah and some are holding firm saying they will defend the mosques and Islamic Institutions in future attacks. As for me I don't know, yet. Brother ahmer [quote]"If you are planting a seed, and Qiyamah comes , finish planting it"[/quote] This hadith I'm interested to post it elsewhere but b4 I do that will you give me the source or URL to where you got it from ? [quote] Spread the beauty and wonder of Islam, anyway, anywhere that you can. I too will do that. Even if only to smile at the next suspicious taxi driver.[/quote] I don't know about smiling at Taxi drivers but if u did that where I live they'd think your a nutter ! Reason is that all these taxi drivers where I live r men, don't know about u'r place. Not an ideal dawah situation. But thanks for your post its thought provoking. Jazakallah.

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
ahmer
09/25/01 at 20:14:47
slm I can't exactly narrate you the source of this Hadith. But i have heard it time and again frm Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, and since he is an Alim himself. So i can't question him. You are absolutely right when you question the source cuz i normally myself ask the source if i hear a Hadith from my friend or anyone not an Alim. So Insha'Allah i will try to find out the source if i can. but for now i trust the Shaykh. about Dawah here in US, While there has been lot of fear among people, lots of Muslims just pounced upon this oppurtunity as a great Dawah tool. The media was awash with words Islam and Muslims. As a result the sale of Quran translation jumped manifold in the bookstores. I can only tell you of New Jersey,  and alhumdolillah there has been lot of activism in this state. The Masajids have opened up to Non Muslims, they are having interfaith conferences and all, but really the situation is far from satisfactory!! Lotsa say about it but i gotta run now at my workplace, some other time!!;) wlm ahmer

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
solehah
09/25/01 at 20:19:45
Salaam Ahmer Although I have never heard of the Hadith but I can understand the message and Masya'Allah, its a strong message. I think Istiqamah is a very powerful characteristic of a Muslim for the Prophet SAW said that its better to do a small ibadah and do it with istiqamah than do big ibadah's sporadically. Wallahualam bissawab.

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
solehah
09/25/01 at 20:28:58
Salaam [quote] And lastly( some folk in the UK including me are so confused by current events that we don't know which way to turn some are preparing to do the hijrah and some are holding firm saying they will defend the mosques and Islamic Institutions in future attacks. As for me I don't know, yet. [/quote] The Prophet SAW is a model for all our actions, in times of peace and in times of turmoil. He too had to retreat when things got so bad. But ask yourself brother, is the situation in UK so bad that it warrants retreat ? And even if it is, who will be left to right wrongs against Islam should everyone leave ? [quote]I don't know about smiling at Taxi drivers but if u did that where I live they'd think your a nutter ! Reason is that all these taxi drivers where I live r men, don't know about u'r place. Not an ideal dawah situation. But thanks for your post its thought provoking. Jazakallah.[/quote] Ummm..almost all the taxi drivers here are men too, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Its a sad day when smiling at strangers is equal to being a nut.  See, thats why there are so many problems in this world. People are too busy concerning themselves with minor considerations that larger issues are ignored. One secret I discovered is that when I smile at people, they tend to want to listen to what i have to say but when I approach anyone with a stony face then I get labelled "those unfriendly extremist Muslims". NOT an ideal da'wah setting, wouldn't you say ? Wallahualam bissawab.

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
bhaloo
09/25/01 at 20:55:21
slm [quote]I can't exactly narrate you the source of this Hadith. But i have heard it time and again frm Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, and since he is an Alim himself. So i can't question him. You are absolutely right when you question the source cuz i normally myself ask the source if i hear a Hadith from my friend or anyone not an Alim. So Insha'Allah i will try to find out the source if i can. but for now i trust the Shaykh. [/quote] Brother can I ask how you gave him the title of Alim?  One sister on this board lives in northern California and has attended his classes for some time, and she herself said that from the classes Hamza Yusuf said he is not qualified to be a shaykh (and I myself am ignorant of how people are labeled as shaykh, alim, etc, so perhaps by some people's standards he maybe a shaykh, but by his standards he says he is not).  I also do know that one brother was asking him some questions, and Hamza Yusuf replied that he is not qualified to preform ijtihaad, so he couldn't give the brother an answer.  I don't mean any disrespect to brother Hamza Yusuf.  In the past I have known him to be a good dawah speaker. As for the authenticity of the hadith cited,  I'll ask some scholars and insha'Allah get a response within a week and post it here.  We should always verify where the information is from, especially hadith, remember the Prophet (SAW) has said: Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.109      Narrated by Salama I heard the Prophet saying, "Whoever (intentionally) ascribes to me what I have not said then (surely) let him occupy his seat in Hell-fire." ;--------- I know no one here is intentionally ascribing something to the Prophet (SAW), but we still must becareful of what we say and where our information is coming from.
NS

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
jannah
09/25/01 at 21:59:05
slm, Ummm as far as I know HY is not a muhaddith either, but i don't think that should stop him from relating hadith. I trust scholars to report authentic hadiths and if not authentic or questionable they usually mention that clearly. There's no need to jump on a person if they can't come out with the complete riwayah, nass and grade of a hadith, especially if they've heard it from a scholar repeatedly. Anyway I've heard this hadith over the years from many sources. Here it is cited by Sh. Yusuf al Qaradawi. And again if someone doesn't trust qaradawi either they can contact a muhaddith inshaAllah. ------------------------------------- The Muslim is required to work for his living and to be productive and creative, until the very end of his life. He should not procrastinate in the working of the land, and this is what Allah's Messenger (PBUH) taught us when he said: "If the world is about to end and one of you has a palm tree plant in his hand, he should plant it before he dies, if he can." Why should he plant it if the world is about to end? Why should he plant it if he is not going to live till he can pick its fruit? There is not even anybody who is going to live after him so that he can say: "People before us planted so that we can eat, and we are planting to provide those after us with food," because when the world ends it ends for everybody. The idea here is to glorify work for the sake of work and to keep the Muslim productive and creative until the last moment of his life, and as long as he is able to work. If this is required for man's worldly matters how could it be possible that the same would not be asked of his religious activity? How can religion be lower in priority than worldly matters? The Muslim is required to observe the commands of his religion as much as he can. He should advise people to do good deeds and to be charitable and to avoid committing evil deeds. They should fight for the cause of Allah, and against evil and decadence. They should also collaborate with their brother Muslims in doing good and worshipping Allah. The texts which have come with all these commands have not been abolished, and are not specific to a particular time. They are permanent and will be there until Allah inherits the land and its inhabitants. [Taken from "Towards a Sound Awakening" by Dr. Yousuf Al-Qaradawi

hmm.
se7en
09/25/01 at 23:03:27
as salaamu alaykum wa rahmatAllah, The words 'alim' and 'shaykh' are often used to refer to a person with knowledge (kind of like the English word 'scholar') -- not necessarily one with ijaaza or one able to make ijtihaad.  Shaykh Hamza is indeed a scholar, one who has [url=http://quran.mumtazpost.com/KNOWLEDGE_OF_ISLAM/imamshaikhhamzayusuf.htm]studied a great deal[/url], so I have no issue calling him any of these things or with any one else calling him any of these things. I think also refraining from answering certain questions reflects a great deal of knowledge. wAllahu 'alam. wasalaamu alaykum ps -- I've heard this hadeeth myself from many different people, but do not know it's authenticity. With a quick search this is what I've found: [*]The Prophet once observed: "If you have a plant in your hand and you can see the Doomsday approaching, even then, without any further delay, you should sow/put the plant in the earth."   From [url=http://www.alrisala.org/Articles/social/vegetation.htm]Al-Risala[/url] [*](If the world is about to end and one of you has a palm tree plant in his hand, he should plant it before he dies, if he can). From [url=http://www.qaradawi.net/english/books/towards-asound-awakening/chap-1.htm]Qardawi.net[/url]

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
Arsalan
09/26/01 at 00:23:12
[slm] The terms "shaykh" and "aalim" have distinct meanings among the scholars.  There are different titles for various people of knowledge.   Taalibul ilm Shaykh Aalim Imaam Mujtahid Mufti etc These are all titles that require qualifications (not necessarily "degrees" from islamic universities, mind you). However, among the laymen, these titles have become daily jargon and the meanings have been all mixed up.  That's why you'll often find titles such as "imam" being used with people (such as Jamil al-Ameen or Siraj Wahhaj) that *technically* do not qualify for these titles.  I'm not saying we shouldn't call Imam Siraj Wahhaj *imam*.  I'm just saying that be aware, the jargon that the layman uses is different from the jargon that scholars use.   Wallahu a'lam.

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
Kathy
09/26/01 at 07:36:25
slm Could you please give a description of these names and what they mean/qualify as?

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
ahmer
09/26/01 at 08:09:36
A Muslim embrace By Tanya Weaver BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN - As long as I have been living and working in the Muslim nation of Kyrgyzstan, nestled in Central Asia, I have known it to be a peaceful country. But when the tragedy of Sept. 11 struck - and we heard reports of people in other Muslim countries celebrating in the streets - my husband and I, both Americans, decided to take precautions. We stopped speaking English on the street, we haven't lit candles in honor of the victims, we're not wearing red, white, and blue. When we go to and from our work site, building houses for Habitat for Humanity International, we go with locals. Then I had one of the most touching experiences of my life. I was invited to attend a memorial service for the brother of one of our homeowners. I looked frightful: My sweatpants and shirt were filthy, my hair covered with dust. I suggested I probably shouldn't attend. But the family insisted. Upon arriving, I realized I was the only foreigner in a crowd of Muslim Kyrgyz people. I sat in a corner and tried to disappear. Kubat, the brother of the man who had died, would have nothing of that, and invited me to sit at a table full of women in mourning. In spite of their pain, each of the women offered their sympathies for the attacks in America. They asked after my family and friends, and expressed sorrow that such barbarity could be carried out in the name of Islam. We chatted throughout the dinner - mainly horse entrails and large chunks of lamb. Suddenly, a chant rose up behind me. It was the mullah, and he was reading from the Koran in memory of Kubat's brother. Then a prayer was said. With the ceremony almost over, Kubat stood up, red-eyed, and asked the mullah to read from the Koran in memory of those who had died in America and to pray for peace. As I sat with my eyes closed, listening to the Arab words from the Koran chanted in a most haunting way, I had a hard time controlling tears. I couldn't believe I was sitting in a large group of Muslims praying for my countrymen. Then the mullah said a prayer as we held our hands out in a cupping motion in front of our faces. The prayer asked God for forgiveness for evil, for mercy over those who had lost loved ones, and for peace in our world. When the beautiful prayer was over, this Christian American and my old and new Muslim Kyrgyz friends said the "Omin" in unison. This is like the Christian "Amen," and as you say the word, you pass your hands over your face as if washing it. The ceremony was over. I stood up to offer my condolences to Kubat and leave. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. There was a woman I didn't know, conveying her sorrow over the loss of life in my country. Every person followed her in that room, each expressing horror and sadness for the events of Sept. 11. Tanya Weaver is a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity International. http://www.csmonitor.com/2001/0925/p9s2-coop.html

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
ahmer
09/27/01 at 00:18:52
http://the-tech.mit.edu/V121/N46/46teachin.46n.html Student-Led Teach-in Covers New Viewpoint By W.S. Wang STAFF REPORTER MIT students, faculty, and staff gathered in 26-100 for the second of six teach-ins in response to the tragedies in New York and the Pentagon. The only teach-in with a student-led panel, the focus of this event was “international student perspectives.” Aimee L. Smith G, clad in Muslim garb, said that she is “acting patriotically in fighting for freedom of religion for everyone.” She said she has found that some others were “not as friendly.” Soulaymane Kachani G said “there is an extreme lack of knowledge about Islam, Muslims, and Arabs,” who are now all being grouped with the terrorists. However, Presley H. Cannady ’02 said that “if they want to avoid discrimination, they better be 110 percent for America, or they will get what they deserve.” Flag waving intimidates some Several panelists voiced feelings of intimidation and fear towards the prominent displays of American flags. Toh N. Win ’02 believes that the flag represents “the government, the establishment -- and people can’t connect with it.” He added that the American flag has “brought about a lot of confrontation and many feel excluded.” For Ambreen Amjad ’02, what is frightening is when “people are waving the flag out of blind nationalism.” Jovonne J. Bickerstaff ’02, born and raised in the United States, said “I have never seen so many flags and I have never been so afraid.” Amjad said that America uses “lies to justify foreign policy.” Lucy A. Porter G said that a friend of hers who lives in England said that “America is very insular. The only view in America is the American view. The U.S. is seen as arrogant and always acting in its own interest.” Melissa A. Edoh ’02 said that “the American government needs to let people know about the motivation of attack and measures that will be taken.” Divisive attitudes prevalent Several panelists criticized the “us vs. them” sentiment prevalent in the American consciousness right now. Win likened the situation to a sports metaphor of with us or against us. “Why can’t you just be sorry for the dead and engage in humanitarian efforts?” he asked. Edoh said that America “seems to treat people as children divided into the civilized vs. uncivilized or the good vs. bad.” Bickerstaff asked questions such as, “Why shouldn’t they hate us? Why is America so quick to judge? Why are we so damn arrogant? Is this an action or reaction? When have we become so pure and pristine?” And one final question: “if I am not critical, then how can I ever make things better?”

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
Kashif
09/27/01 at 04:46:20
assalaamu alaikum There was a report in today's 'London Metro' that sales of the translation of the Qur'an are sky-rocketing. Kashif Wa Salaam
NS

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
Barr
09/27/01 at 07:43:21
Expressions of Support Surprising to Muslims *Public displays of compassion, kindness come as a shock to many Middle Easterners, who had been braced for a widespread backlash. By SOLOMON MOORE, Times Staff Writer http://www.latimes.com/la-092601kind.story It was a white-hot e-mail, still echoing with thunderous keystrokes: "Go back to your beautiful land of sand and pig dirt, and take your HATE with you!" Culver City-based IslamiCity.com, a popular Islamic Web site, was an easy target after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But Mohammed Abdul Aleem, the site's chief executive, thought the insults had more to do with ignorance than anger, so he replied with a short compilation of Islamic scripture. The next day, the writer's anger had turned to shame: "I want to apologize for the hate mail I sent you the other day. I was upset by all the things that happened. My brother, who works in the armed forces, lost several of his friends at the Pentagon. . . . I appreciate your calm and informative response . . . and as a result have since then come to my senses." Reports of ethnic profiling and sporadic attacks on perceived Middle Easterners persist, but Muslims in Southern California say they have been astounded by more numerous reports of restraint and kindness. They see it in the woman who brings roses to her Persian American colleague. They hear it in the reassurance of the auto mechanic who tells his Pakistani customer, "It's OK" to be named Mohammed. The explosive rage that initially seized many Americans seems to have become less focused on Islam and the Middle East in general and more focused on Osama bin Laden and terrorists in particular. Many Americans also are investigating, some for the first time, one of the world's great faiths and oldest civilizations. Bookstores are selling out of copies of the Koran. University classes and teach-ins on the Middle East and Islam are filled to capacity. Middle East scholars are being invited on television news shows repeatedly and being spotted on the street like celebrities. And many everyday Middle Easterners--Muslim or not--are fielding a daily barrage of questions about Islam from neighbors, co-workers and strangers. "They don't ask in a rude way," said Mitra Mikaili, a Persian American who is a member of the Baha'i faith, a persecuted minority in Iran. "They say, 'You are from that part of the world. What is your insight about this?' They ask about the Muslim religion and the way they do things." Other local Middle Easterners are reporting more visceral expressions of support. On a call-in show on Radio Iran, KIRN-AM (670), one caller said her Wilshire Boulevard doorman had even gotten into the act. "Since the attack, he hugs me every time I come home," she said. A Westwood psychologist, Nehzat Farnoody, said one of her colleagues gave her flowers and said, "Nothing has changed." Such displays of compassion come as a shock to many Muslims and Middle Easterners, who braced for a widespread backlash after Sept. 11 and are still keeping an eye out for scattered incidents of discrimination. Some Muslims in Southern California say that public shows of support from political leaders, such as President Bush reading peaceful passages from the Koran, set the tone for the rest of the country. "We are overwhelmed," said Mahmoud Abdel-Baset, religious director of the Islamic Center of Southern California. Since the attacks, the Los Angeles-based center has hosted a steady stream of dignitaries, including Gov. Gray Davis, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca and Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn. There also was the quiet Christian man with anger in his heart for Islam. Abdel-Baset was locking up the center's mosque when the man came in and wandered around for a moment. "He said he had lost a friend in the World Trade Center attacks," Abdel-Baset said. "He told me, 'I want to come face to face with a real Muslim person. I want to overcome my anger toward Muslims and separate it from the people who committed this.' "It was the first time he had been in a mosque, but I didn't lecture him on anything, nor did he ask questions. He just wanted to see a real-life Muslim and talk to him. He cried on my shoulder. I cried too." Sarah Eltantawi, a spokeswoman for the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Southern California, said her organization has been deluged with requests for speakers and literature. "I am a cynical person," she said. "But I am heartened by the earnestness and sincerity with which people are trying to learn about Islam." Eltantawi said the supportive response toward Muslims is especially surprising because of the treatment she received as an Egyptian American Muslim during the Persian Gulf War a decade ago. "People had these inflammatory T-shirts [against] Iraq," she said. "People were calling me a Jew-hater. It was terrible. It's different now. "I think people are desperate for an explanation of what happened, and getting to know Islam is part of that explanation." Katherine Koberg, the religion editor for online bookstore Amazon.com, said copies of the Koran are selling at unprecedented levels, with three editions on the religion bestseller list at one point. Doug Dutton, owner of Dutton's Brentwood Bookstore, said he is sold out of most copies of Islam's most holy book. "Having seen other situations from the Gulf War to Iran contra . . . I've seen books on current events and history go like this before," Dutton said. "This is different because these are people who are very interested in looking beyond the headlines and at the actual texts of 1,500 years ago." Richard Hrair Dekmejian, a USC professor on Middle Eastern politics, said this thirst for knowledge about Islam is a result of the powerful impact of the Sept. 11 attacks and the general lack of religious knowledge in America. "We don't offer our citizens a comprehensive view of the world," he said. "Now, all of a sudden everybody wants to know. I get stopped all the time because I talk about this on TV. . . . They stop and ask, 'Is Islam violent? Why are they doing this?' "

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
Anonymous
09/29/01 at 21:45:52
I think we all need to recognize that Allah (God) is a universal God. This means that all 6 billion people on this planet are under the rulership and control of Allah. What we need today is a win/win philosophy and program for all people (muslims, christians, jews, and others). Allah has stated that we all need to "seek the Kingdom" and then all things will be "added unto us". What we have today is polarization of religion and politics. A "us vs. them" mentality. I don't think this will help our situation. That's my view. tennis...

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
Anonymous
09/29/01 at 21:52:50
Isn't it nice to live in country where you are free to organize these ideas in protest to the Government????

Re: Will there be dawah after this??
jannah
09/29/01 at 22:28:50
i'm not sure what anonymous1 meant by 'seeking the Kingdom'? but i agree that we are all under the same one God, whatever you call Him. and there definitely should be no 'us' and 'them', we're all human and when there are crimes against humanity we ALL suffer. anonymous2, you're right, i attended a peace rally today in my city, we were all there in solidarity with all those who are grieving and lost families, including some Muslims in our own community, in solidarity with those Muslims and Arab Americans who are enduring hate-crimes and racial profiling, in solidarity with those against limiting our civil liberties, and most importantly in solidarity with people who want the perpetrators of this crime to be brought to justice but we do not justice without just means-- we want the cycle of violence to end and we do not want there to be any more innocent victims, we don't want the aftereffects of this tragedy to be greater than the tragedy itself...
Individual posts do not necessarily reflect the views of Jannah.org, Islam, or all Muslims. All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. Comments are owned by the poster and may not be used without consent of the author. The rest © Jannah.Org