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Posted by admin in Islam: The Universal Message of Peace on January 28th, 2013
FRIDAY 26 OCTOBER 2012
Three of the world’s oldest mosques are about to be destroyed as Saudi Arabia embarks on a multi-billion-pound expansion of Islam’s second holiest site. Work on theMasjid an-Nabawi in Medina, where the Prophet Mohamed is buried, will start once the annual Hajj pilgrimage ends next month. When complete, the development will turn the mosque into the world’s largest building, with the capacity for 1.6 million worshippers.
But concerns have been raised that the development will see key historic sites bulldozed. Anger is already growing at the kingdom’s apparent disdain for preserving the historical and archaeological heritage of the country’s holiest city, Mecca. Most of the expansion of Masjid an-Nabawi will take place to the west of the existing mosque, which holds the tombs of Islam’s founder and two of his closest companions, Abu Bakr and Umar.
Just outside the western walls of the current compound are mosques dedicated to Abu Bakr and Umar, as well as the Masjid Ghamama, built to mark the spot where the Prophet is thought to have given his first prayers for the Eid festival. The Saudis have announced no plans to preserve or move the three mosques, which have existed since the seventh century and are covered by Ottoman-era structures, or to commission archaeological digs before they are pulled down, something that has caused considerable concern among the few academics who are willing to speak out in the deeply authoritarian kingdom.
“No one denies that Medina is in need of expansion, but it’s the way the authorities are going about it which is so worrying,” says Dr Irfan al-Alawi of the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation. “There are ways they could expand which would either avoid or preserve the ancient Islamic sites but instead they want to knock it all down.” Dr Alawi has spent much of the past 10 years trying to highlight the destruction of early Islamic sites.
With cheap air travel and booming middle classes in populous Muslim countries within the developing world, both Mecca and Medina are struggling to cope with the 12 million pilgrims who visit each year – a number expected to grow to 17 million by 2025. The Saudi monarchy views itself as the sole authority to decide what should happen to the cradle of Islam. Although it has earmarked billions for an enormous expansion of both Mecca and Medina, it also sees the holy cities as lucrative for a country almost entirely reliant on its finite oil wealth.
Heritage campaigners and many locals have looked on aghast as the historic sections of Mecca and Medina have been bulldozed to make way for gleaming shopping malls, luxury hotels and enormous skyscrapers. The Washington-based Gulf Institute estimates that 95 per cent of the 1,000-year-old buildings in the two cities have been destroyed in the past 20 years.
In Mecca, the Masjid al-Haram, the holiest site in Islam and a place where all Muslims are supposed to be equal, is now overshadowed by the Jabal Omar complex, a development of skyscraper apartments, hotels and an enormous clock tower. To build it, the Saudi authorities destroyed the Ottoman era Ajyad Fortress and the hill it stood on. Other historic sites lost include the Prophet’s birthplace – now a library – and the house of his first wife, Khadijah, which was replaced with a public toilet block.
Neither the Saudi Embassy in London nor the Ministry for Foreign Affairs responded to requests for comment when The Independent contacted them this week. But the government has previously defended its expansion plans for the two holy cities as necessary. It insists it has also built large numbers of budget hotels for poorer pilgrims, though critics point out these are routinely placed many miles away from the holy sites.
Until recently, redevelopment in Medina has pressed ahead at a slightly less frenetic pace than in Mecca, although a number of early Islamic sites have still been lost. Of the seven ancient mosques built to commemorate the Battle of the Trench – a key moment in the development of Islam – only two remain. Ten years ago, a mosque which belonged to the Prophet’s grandson was dynamited. Pictures of the demolition that were secretly taken and smuggled out of the kingdom showed the religious police celebrating as the building collapsed.
The disregard for Islam’s early history is partly explained by the regime’s adoption of Wahabism, an austere and uncompromising interpretation of Islam that is vehemently opposed to anything which might encourage Muslims towards idol worship.
In most of the Muslim world, shrines have been built. Visits to graves are also commonplace. But Wahabism views such practices with disdain. The religious police go to enormous lengths to discourage people from praying at or visiting places closely connected to the time of the Prophet while powerful clerics work behind the scenes to promote the destruction of historic sites.
Dr Alawi fears that the redevelopment of the Masjid an-Nabawi is part of a wider drive to shift focus away from the place where Mohamed is buried. The spot that marks the Prophet’s tomb is covered by a famous green dome and forms the centrepiece of the current mosque. But under the new plans, it will become the east wing of a building eight times its current size with a new pulpit. There are also plans to demolish the prayer niche at the centre of mosque. The area forms part of the Riyadh al-Jannah (Garden of Paradise), a section of the mosque that the Prophet decreed especially holy..
“Their excuse is they want to make more room and create 20 spaces in a mosque that will eventually hold 1.6 million,” says Dr Alawi. “It makes no sense. What they really want is to move the focus away from where the Prophet is buried.”
A pamphlet published in 2007 by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs – and endorsed by the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz al Sheikh – called for the dome to be demolished and the graves of Mohamed (PBUH), Abu Bakr(PBUH) and Umar(PBUH) to be flattened. Sheikh Ibn al-Uthaymeen, one of the 20th century’s most prolific Wahabi scholars, made similar demands.
“Muslim silence over the destruction of Mecca and Medina is both disastrous and hypocritical,” says Dr Alawi. “The recent movie about the Prophet Mohamed(PBUH) caused worldwide protests… and yet the destruction of the Prophet’s birthplace, where he prayed and founded Islam has been allowed to continue without any criticism.”
Mecca and Medina in numbers
12m The number of people who visit Mecca and Medina every year
3.4m The number of Muslims expected to perform Hajj (pilgrimage) this year
60,000 The current capacity of the Masjid an-Nabawi mosque
1.6m The projected capacity of the mosque after expansion
JEROME TAYLOR, The Independent: United Kingdoms
Posted by admin in Islam: The Universal Message of Peace on January 25th, 2013
Question: Please give me the evidence about Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi in the light of Qur’an & Ahadith?
Answer
Before writing the arguments of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), we want to clear the meaning of Milad according to literature and shariah.
The word Milad has been derived from “viladut” which means birth. Therefore, according to Arabic language, milad is a word which signifies the place and time of birth. In the light of shariah, we mean, Milad is to remember the events which took place at the birth time of the Nabi Akram (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) and we get the opportunity of narrating the seerat of the Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) on this occasion, we also presents the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) gifts of durood -o- salam. We mention before the people attributes and praises of the Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam). We do not believe that Milad is specified with same night but, we believe that the remembrance of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is incumbent in each minute and second of time and every Muslim should act it sunnahs in the whole life time. Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is a great source of preaching. It is incumbent for scholars to teach Muslims nations on this Holy occasion, moral behavior of the Holy Nabi, (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) his antiquates, His affairs, His serat, His dealings and His worships.
Now, we write the proofs of Milad from the Holy Qur’an , the hadith of the Nabi Pak (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) and consensus of Ulema.
The Qur’an ic ayats prove that to celebrate Milad is not only a proper deed but it is also praiseworthy.
1) Allah Ta’ala says in Qur’an :
“The Salaam is on Him the day when he was born and the day when he will die and the day when he will be raised alive.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al-Maryam, Ayat 15]
In the above ayat, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala has mentioned the complete Milad of Hazrat Sayyidina Yahya (‘Alayhis-Salaam). And before this Allah Almighty has mentioned the events which took place before the birth. It is the same way of celebrating birth day as Ahlus-Sunnah adopts for the Milad of the last Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) of Allah Almighty. In other words the Nabiy-Allah, Hazrat Sayyidina Isa bin Maryam (‘Alayhis-Salaam) celebrate his own milad.
2) As Allah Almighty says:
“And the same peace on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I would raised alive.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al Maryum , Ayat 33]
Before this ayat, Allah Almighty has stated the whole story of Maryum (Alayhas-Salaam) that who she got pregnant and gave birth her great son, the Nabi of Allah, Sayyidina Isa (‘Alayhis-Salaam). Allah Almighty also mentioned the words of Sayyidina Isa (Alaihis Salam) by which Sayyidina Isa (Alaihis Salam) praised himself. This style of narrating story is nothing but celebration of Milad of Hazrat Sayyidina Isa, Alaihis Salam. Ahle Sunnat also narrate the story of Holy Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) in the same style. We too narrate the events which took place before the birth and after it as Allah Almighty narrated about Sayyidina Yahya and Sayyidina Isa (Alaihimus Salam). Therefore, a person who has eyes of justice, will obviously accept that to celebrate Milad is an important deed which Allah Almighty has done. So it proves that the bases of Milad is found in the Holy Qur’an.
3) Allah Almighty says:
“And remind them of the days of the Allah.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Ibrahim, Ayat5]
In this ayat Allah Almighty orders his Nabi Musa ‘Alayhis-Salaam to remind his nation the days of Allah Almighty. “The days of Allah” are those days in which great events took place or Allah Almighty bestowed his great rewards to his creature. As the Holy Qur’an testifies this explanation of the days of Allah Almighty. In the Holy Qur’an, Sayyidina Musa Alaihis Salam says:
“And when Musa said it his people remember Allah’s favor upon you, when he delivered you from Firawn’s people who used to afflict you worsly, and slaughter your sons and let your daughters live and in it there was shown great mercy of your lord.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Ibrahim , Ayat 6 ]
According to Allah’s Ayat, emancipation of the nation of Sayyidina Musa Alaihis Salam from Firawn is a day of Allah, so the birth day of the Holy Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) is, with any doubt, also a day of Allah, because the Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) emancipated whole world from the darkness of ignorance and brought them to the light of guidance. Therefore, the birthday (Milad) of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) deserves to be celebrated then the celebration of any other event. In case we would not be grateful to Allah Almighty for his favor, that is Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). He will punish us severely . As Allah Almighty says :
“And remember when your lord proclaimed, if you will be great full then I shall give you more and if your thankless then my treatment is severe.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Ibrahim , Ayat 7
4) Allah Almighty says :
“Then remember the bounties of Allah and wander not in the earth spreading mischief.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Araf , Ayat 74]
In the above ayat Allah Almighty orders us to remember his bounties and rewards. The last Nabi of Allah Ta’ala, Sayyidina wa Mawlana Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is, undoubtedly, great blessing of Allah Almighty for whole mankind. Allah Almighty himself considers the Holy Last Messenger (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) his great favor for mankind as He says:
“Undoubtedly, Allah did a great favor to the Muslims that in them from among themselves sent a messenger who recites unto them His Ayats and purifies them and teaches them the Kitab and Hikmah and necessarily before that they were certainly apparent error.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Ale Imran , Ayat 164]
Therefor, according to Allah’s commandments in Holy Qur’an, we must remember the beloved Nabi of Allah, Sayyidina wa Mawlana Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) and Milad-un-Nabi is a best way of remembrance of the greatest Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). In other words, Allah Almighty says:
“And publicize well the favor of your Rabb (lord)” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al Duha , Ayat 11]
The Companion of the Holy Last Messenger (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) Hazrat Abdullah Ibne Abbas (Radhi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) explained the word favors. He says here, “In this ayat favor signifies the Nubuwwat and al-Islam.” [Tafseer Ibne Abbas, Sure Al Duha, Page 651].
So in the light of the given explanation by the cousin of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), we can say that Allah Almighty orders us to remember Sayyidina Rasul-e-Akram (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) in our gatherings between the people, in our mosque between the worshiper and in our houses between our families and Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), as I have written is a best way for this Qur’anic purpose.
4) Allah Almighty orders us :
“Say you oly Allah’s grace and his mercy, on it therefore let them rejoice. That is better then all their wealth.“
In this ayat, Allah Almighty orders us to enjoy on his grace and mercy. If we see around us we find that each favor of Allah Almighty is great mercy for us. Even our existence is also a mercy of Allah Almighty. But the greatest of Allah is the Holy Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him). As Allah Almighty says:
“And we sent not you but as Rahmah for all worlds.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al Ambiya, Ayat 107]
So according the Qur’anic teachings, it is necessary for us that we must be happy and pleased on the birthday of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). The one who pleases with the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is really a true follower of the Holy Qur’an. And it is obvious that, in whole world Muslims celebrates Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). Especially for enjoying the mercy of Allah Almighty that is the beloved Nabi of Allah Almighty (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). Therefore the Holy Qur’an itself confirms the Milad un Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him).
5) The gathering of Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) incite Muslims on saying Darood and Salaam upon Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) Allah Almighty says:
Oh you who I believe send upon Him blessing and salute Him fully well in abundance. [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al Ahzab , Ayat 56]
According to Shari’ah, a thing which is desired by Shari’ah, is exactly a like an aim of Shari’ah. And the benifit of durood-o-salam are so much in numbers that can not be counted. Durood-o-salam causes for the help of Allah Almighty in this world and here after. So milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is a source of fulfilling the commandments of Allah Almighty
6) Allah Almighty says:
And all that we narrate to you of the tidings of the messengers is for the purpose of strengthening your heart therewith. [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Hood, Ayat 121]
This Ayat ul-Karim reveals that the Hikmah of mentioning the stories and events of Nabiyyen (Alayhim Salaam ajma’in) was to stand fast the heart of the last Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). And it is obvious that we are, also today, in need of being stand fast. We must know that how, the Nabi of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) faced the problems of his time so that we may face the problems of our times according to the Sunnah. Therefore Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) provides us an opportunity to know about the affair of the Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam).
(Narrations of the Holy Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him)
There are many narrations, which proves the Milad sharif but I write a few.
1) The Nabi of Allah (Allahs Grace and Peace be upon him) himself stated his own birth from very beginning He says: “I had been transferred, continuously, from purified offspring to purified wombs. I had been given birth by a lawful marriage not by adultery. When Allah Almighty sent Adam Alaihis Salam on earth so He put me in his spine and then transferred in Nuh Alaihs salam in his boat, and then in Ibrahim Alaihis salam Allah Alighty transfered me continuesly from nobel offsprings to the purified wombs up to that He brought me in my parents who never committed adultery.” [Tafseer Ruhul biyan, Vol. 3, Page 54]
As we have written in the beginning that Milad means the time of birth or place of birth. So the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) himself celebrated his own Milad. In the same way Ahlus-Sunnah following the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) narrate the events of the birth of the Holy Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) .This hadith is the clear proof Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) and as well as tell us that to celebrate Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is not innovation (bid’at) but it is a sunnah (tradition) of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam).
There are many other narrations which narrate that the Nabi of Allah (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) celebrate his own Milad several times, some of those narrations have been written in Mishkat Sharif.
2) The one who rejoices on the birth day of the Holy Nabi would not be severely punished and it is hopped that a Muslim who celebrate the Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), will not be punished in hell. Imam Bukhari Rahmatullah Alaih narrates that Abu Lahab would be punished lightly in the Hell on Monday. Because he rejoiced and freed his handmaid indicating by his finger, when the Nabi of Allah Almighty (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) took birth. So as a reward of happiness on milad un Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) he would be given water by his finger. (Saheehul Bukhari Vol. 2, Page 764)
Imam shams ud din Naseer Al Damaishqi narrates this hadith in poetry. Here is its translation.
If such kafir was denounced (in the Qur’an )
And perished are his hands, and in the flame is his eternal abode.
It is narrated every Monday.
His torment is made easy for his joy at the birth of Ahmad. (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him)
What is the expectation then of a servant who spent all his life.
Happy with the arrival of Ahmad (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) and died on the one ness of Allah Almighty.(Haul-ul-Ahtifal Bil Maullid Al-Nabvi Al Sharif, Page 11)
2) The Holy Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) celebrated his own Milad by having fast. Imam Waliuddin write this narration with reference to the Sahee Muslim. When the Nabi of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) was asked about the fast of Monday. He (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) said:
“I took birth and the Qur’an was revealed upon me in this day.” [Mishkat Sharif, Page 179]
This narration proves that to celebrate Milad un Nabi is a tradition of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) on every Monday. Secondly, it is lawful to fix a particular day for Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). Thirdly, it is an act ofsunnah to worship in the pleasure of the Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam)
1) Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Suyuti in his famous book “Al-Hawii Lil-Fatawii” allocated a special chapter on that topic and named it “The Excellence of Objective in Celebrating the Mawlid” where he said: The question under consideration is what the verdict of the Shari’ah on celebrating the Holy Birthday of the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) during the month of Rabbi-ul-Awwal. From the point of view of Shari’ah is this a praiseworthy action or a blameworthy one? And do those who arrange such celebration Receive blessings or not? He said:
“The reply to this question is that in my view the Meelad Shareef (Celebration of the Birthday of the Noble Nabi Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallamon Him) is in fact such an occasion of happiness on which people assemble and recite the Holy Qu’ran to the extent that is easy. Then they relate the prophecies concerning the appearance of the Noble Nabi (Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him) that have been transmitted in Ahadith and Author, and the miraculous events and signs that took place on his birth. Then food is set before them and according to their desire they partake thereof to satisfaction. This festival of celebrating the birthday of the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) is a Bid’ah Hasanah (good Innovation) and those arranging it will get blessing, since in such a celebration is found the expression of joy and happiness at the greatness and eminence of the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) and his birth“.
Even Ibn Taymiyyah said in his book “Necessity of the Right Path“, p. 266, 5th line from the bottom of that page, published by Dar Al-Hadith, the following:
“As far as what people do during the Meelad, either as a rival celebration to that which the Christian do during the time of Christ’s birthday or as an expression of their love and admiration and a sign of praise for the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam), Allah Almighty will surely reward them for such Ij’tiha”.
He (Ibn Taymiyyah) then said:
“Although Meelad was not practiced by (Salaf), they should have done so since there was no objection against it from the Shari’ah point of view.”
And we certainly only celebrate Meelad out of love and admiration to the Nabi of all Mankind.
2. Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Qastalani, who gave commentary on Sahih Bukhari, said:
“May Allah Almighty shower his Mercy upon a person who takes the days of the month of Rabbi-ul-Awwal, in which the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) was born, as days of feast and celebration for doing so is the best cure for the heart of an ailing person.”
3. Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar was asked, same reference of Imam Suyuti, about Meelad Shareef. His reply was:
“Meelad Shareef is, in fact, and innovation, which was not transmitted from any pious predecessor in the first three centuries. Nevertheless, both acts of virtue as well as acts of abomination are found in it (i.e. Sometimes acts of virtue are found therein and sometimes acts of abomination). If in the Meelad Shareef only acts of virtue are done and acts of abomination are abstained from, then the Meelad Shareef is a Bid’ah Hasanah (good innovation), otherwise not.”
He then added:
“To do any virtuous act and to observe it annually as means of recollection for any special day on which Allah Almighty has bestowed any favor or removed any calamity is a form of showing gratitude to Allah Almighty. Gratitude to Allah Almighty is expressed through different kinds of Ibaadah (worship) -prostration and standing in prayer, charity and recitation of the Holy Qu’ran. And what is a greater favor from Allah Almighty can there be than the appearance of the Nabi of Mercy (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallamon Him) on this day (i.e. 12th of Rabbi-ul-Awwal)?”
Some people do not limit it and celebrate the Meelad Shareef on any day of Rabbi-ul-Awwal. Nay, some people have extended it even more and increased the period to the whole year. According to the latter, the Meelad Shareef can be celebrated on any day of the year. The objective here is the same, i.e. to rejoice at and celebrate the Holy Birth of the Nabi Akram (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam).
4. Imam Abu-Bakr Abdullah Al-Demashqi compiled a number of books on the subject and called them “Collection of Traditions on the Birth of the Chosen Nabi“, “The Pure Expression on the Birthday of the Best of Creations” and “The Spring for the Thirsty One on the Birth of the Rightly Guided“.
5. Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Iraqi wrote a book and called it “The Pure Spring on the Sublime Birth“.
6. Imam Ibn Dahyah wrote a book and called it “Enlightenment on the Birthday of the Bearer of Good News, The Warner“.
7. Imam Mulla Ali Qari wrote a book and called it “The Quenching Spring on the Birthday of the Nabi“.(Sallallahu alayhi waSallam)
8. Imam Shams Ul-Din bin Naser Al-Dumashqi, said in his book: “The Spring for the Thirsty One on the Birth of the Rightly Guided” about the story of Abu Lahab that he will receive a light punishment every Monday for expressing joy at the birth of the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallamon him) on that day. The Imam said the following verse of poetry, the translation is: If such Kafir was denounced in the ( Qur’an ) and perished are his hands, and in the Flames is his eternal abode It is narrated that every Monday.
His torment is made easy for his Joy at the Birth of Ahmad What is the expectation then of a servant who spent all his life Happy with the Arrival of Ahmad (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam)and died on the Oneness of Allah.
9. Imam Shams Ul-Din Ibn al-Jazri, the Imam of reciters, wrote a book and named it “The Scent of Notification on the Blessed Birthday“.
10. Imam Al-Hafiz Ibn Al-Jawzi, said in the description of Meelad: “Peace and Tranquillity takes over during that year and a good glad tiding to obtain your wish and inspiration.”
11. Imam Abu-Shamah, The Sheik of Al Hafiz Al Nawawi, said:
“The best of the innovations of our times is what is carried out on the day of corresponding to the birthday of our Beloved Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), where people give out donations, practice what is right, express their joy and happiness, in doing so is surely a sign of love and admiration for the Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam)”.
Courtesy: Abdul Wahid http://www.oocities.org/~abdulwahid/muslimarticles/rasul.html revised by Al-Hashemiyya Society (an Ahlus-Sunnah val-Jama’at society)
Posted by admin in Islam: The Universal Message of Peace, ISLAMOPHOBIA on January 22nd, 2013
| MLFA Applauds Dismissal of Case Against Florida Imam |
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Organization continues funding defense of father imam after two sons are set free
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DALLAS, January 22, 2013 – Representatives from the Muslim Legal Fund of America, a national civil liberties defense organization, are applauding a federal judge’s decision to dismiss the case against Florida imam Izhar Khan, 26, who was accused son of providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (USA v. Khan, Hafiz Muhammad Sher Ali).
 On Thursday, January 17, U.S. District Judge Robert Scola issued a judgment of acquittal due to lack of evidence in the prosecution’s case, which concluded on Wednesday. Scola stated that the government’s allegations were unfounded. According to a January 17 Miami Herald article, Scola said, “I do not believe in good conscience that I can allow the case to go forward against Izhar Khan.”
Izhar Khan spent 20 months in the Miami Federal Detention Center with his father, Hafiz Khan, while they waited for their trial. Most of this time was spent in solitary confinement. Imam Hafiz Khan is 77 years old.
“We are overjoyed that justice prevailed to end this dark chapter in Izhar’s life,” said Khalil Meek, Executive Director of MLFA. “This ruling is a strong testament to the weakness of the government’s case, and we pray that justice continues to prevail.”
Izhar is the second son of Hafiz Khan to have charges dismissed in this case. Prosecutors dropped all charges against Izhar’s brother, Irfan, 38, in June of last year due to lack of evidence. After Scola’s ruling, Izhar expressed his gratitude for the community’s support of his family.
“I’m extremely happy,” said Izhar Khan. “I don’t even have words to explain my joy.”
As an imam at the Jamaat Al-Mu’mineen Mosque in Margate, Florida, Izhar said he is looking forward to continuing his work with the youth, playing sports and getting married.
The Muslim Legal Fund of America (MFLA) is a national civil liberties legal fund that defends the U.S. Bill of Rights by supporting legal cases involving civil liberty encroachments. Established in 2001, MLFA has defended freedom of speech, freedom of religion, right to a fair trial, due process of law and many of our nation’s civil liberties. To learn more about MLFA, visit www.mlfa.org.
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MLFA is 100% donor funded. We rely on your generosity to continue the struggle for fairness in the American court system. With your help, we are meeting these challenges. Donations to MLFA are tax-deductible and zakat-eligible.
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Posted by admin in BOOT THE SCOUNDRELS OR SHOWDAZ, Corruption, EXPATRIATE PAKISTANIS SPEAK-UP, Islam: The Universal Message of Peace, ISLAMOPHOBIA, Looters and Scam Artists, Pakistan Fights Terrorism, Pakistan's Hall of Shame, Pakistan's Ruling Elite Feudals Industrialists, Politics, Religion on January 18th, 2013
January 18th, 2013
Much to the dismay of professional, corrupt and hereditary politicians and to the envious anguish of politico religious clerics, allama Qadri has had his way to a great extent in getting the Islamabad Long March Declaration signed by the government. Apart from his resolute and extremely good organizational capabilities he owes it all to the courage, determination, resilience, dedication and perseverance of the thousands of the Long March heroes – old and young, women – again old and young and the children including infants who braved the great ordeal under the most extreme climatic ravages of cold, rain and chilly winds for the five long days and nights under the open skies in the blue.
Not only that, it was probably the largest rally in the world which displayed unbelievable sense of discipline and dedication and was a most peaceful rally where under very trying and adverse conditions not a blade of grass was damaged, not a stone was hurled nor a drop of blood was shed. And yet they achieved their objective. The rally went a long way in demolishing the image of Pakistanis as the ranting extremists and instead portrayed the real face of Pakistan and the Pakistanis to the world. I salute one and all of them and to the nation that they belong to.
“Zara num ho to yeh mitti badi zarkhez hai saqi” – Allama Iqbal.
Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)
Rawalpindi
Pakistan
E.mail: [email protected]
Posted by admin in Afghan -Taliban-India Axis, India, India Hall of Shame, Islam: The Universal Message of Peace, Pakistan Fights Terrorism on January 14th, 2013
On 10 January, 2013 in Pakistan’s southwestern city of Quetta, 82 people lost their lives in back-to-back bombings that hit an area populated primarily by ethnic Hazara Shia Muslims.
Irfan Khudi Ali, a prominent human rights activist who tirelessly highlighted the persecution of Hazara Shia in Pakistan, passed away in the second attack.
On Twitter, Ali reported narrowly escaping the first bombing in Quetta:
@khudiali : #Quetta, was on the way to home nearly escaped from bomb blast 11 ppl dead.
Maria Memon tweeted:
Ali cldnt survive the 2nd blast tonite.RIP @khudiali RT @khudiali #Quetta,was on the way to home nearly escaped 4m bomb blast 11 ppl dead
His killing has sparked a tribute to his struggle and reignited protests on Shia killings in Pakistan. Ali’slast tweet was a report from the ground regrading the migration of Hazaras as a result of persecution:
@khudiali #Hazara families of #Machh,Khuzdir finally succumbed to the genocidal pressure&moving out. Sad day for diversity in #Balochistan.
Since 2001, Hazara Shia Muslims from Quetta — have routinely been targeted by militant groups. Being a minority within a minority, the killing of Hazara Shias is one of the most underreported cases of violence in Pakistan.
Hazara.net archives statistics of killings of Hazara Shiites in Pakistan, including number of attacks and the number of people killed in the attacks thus far. According to the statistics on the site a total of 1100 Hazara Shiites have been killed in Pakistan since 1999.
Media outlets often face the heat for not acknowledging the nature of the attacks and when they do they are criticized for using the term ‘sectarian’ when a particular sect is being targeted. In an effort to create more noise and build pressure on law enforcement agencies and the government, there’s been an active debate on social media regarding the targeted killings of Shiites using the #shiakillings and #shiagenocide on Twitter. Hazara activists have, in the past, used social media to get international media’s attention in order to get their stories reported.
Well respected journalist Mohammad Hanif writes:
@mohammedhanif: there seems to be a near consensus here that calling a sectarian attack, a sectarian attack, is the major cause of sectarian attacks
@zainabimam: Well done, Faisal Qureshi (actor) for a detailed morning show on the Shia view of belief. Daring of him. Thank you from a #Shia. #Pakistan
@adyadeel: #ShiaGenocide must end. govt must take concrete steps to show that they r serious to save innocent Shia lives
Blogger Omar Biden wrote a brief yet moving tribute to Irfan Khudi Ali on his blog:
Yesterday was one of many blood-soaked days for Balochistan’s capital, Quetta. Already in the morning the residents of city got to hear a blast pow, where explosives were planted in a Frontier Corp vehicle at Bacha Khan Chowk. The explosion resulted in 12 innocent lives being perished. Indeed, it created helter-skelter between the residents to bury the dead bodies.
Yet the more-then-enough rule doesn’t work in Pakistan, at least not in Quetta. After an interval of only few hours Alamdar Road, a majorly Shia Hazara people territory, witnessed another mass massacre, still the same tactic as in the morning -bomb blast. Nevertheless this time planned “Mardanawar”, boldly, a twin-blast to claim an unforgettable catastrophe (…)
he brutal incidents cost an enormous loss to humanity indeed. It also happened to be the death of an admired friend, a human rights activist –Irfan Ali Khudi.
Allegedly, Irfan Ali Khudi, 33, had come to Quetta so that he could “deliver peace training to young activist”.
Although I intended to write my feelings, yet am leaving this post incomplete…
The blood soaked day in Quetta, as Omar puts it, is not the first of its kind and may not be the last one. The indifference has angered many, especially since the banned militant organization, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, that claimed responsibility for the attacks are yet to be apprehended.
@sehartariq : Why do we feel more sympathy for Muslims in Gaza than we do for Muslims in #Pakistan with whom we share history & citizenship #shiagenocide
@zzzAsad : Shia pilgrims are frequently targeted on buses by sectarian militants #LeJ#ShiaGenocide
@FahidJaved : You bloody #LeJ butchers, kil me #WeAreAllHazara. Every Pakistani is Hazara, each one of us. How many wil u kill? How many bullets do u hv?
@Naseer_Kakar : Latest on #Quetta: all the victims r shifted to military hospital as doctors were threatened by #LeJ in Civil Hospital.#Balochistan #blasts
@AhmadShuja : RIP @khudiali. They took your life, but your courage and inspiration remains. #LeJ #Quetta
@ZakirChangezi : Quoting #KhudiAli “My people the Shia are dying. If I die, I want to die trying to help them”. #RIPKhudiAli
The families of the victims have refused to bury their dead and have announced that they will continue a sit-in unless the army takes action against the killing sprees. This image uploaded on Twitter shows thousands of Hazara sitting in the rain with the dead bodies of those massacred in the Quetta bombings.
@ammar_faheem : Shia protesters stage sit in on Quetta’s alamdaar road along with bodies of those martyred in yesterday’s blasts #ShiaGenocide
@AdnanSarparrah : Sit-in by the Shia community continues but handing over #Quetta to army won’t solve anything, Quetta is already under control of Army (FC)
Ali spoke at Tedx event in Rawalpindi city just a few weeks ago, watch his powerful speech here.
Ali dedicated most of his life to highlighting the plight of Hazara, for those who knew him and even those who did not, he has become a symbol of the struggle for justice for the Hazara Community in Pakistan. As the sit in continues, amid cold and rain, as families refuse to bury their loved ones, will the authorities finally take action to stop the bloodshed? Till then Ali’s story needs to be heard.
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