A little hope for everyone.. Enjoy it (video)

Today I was listening to a beautiful nasheed.. "Hope is possible" for every one. I thought it would be a good idea to share it here.

Enjoy it.. !!

Scroll down for the english translation.

كشـوق الليـــــــالي لضوء القمــــــــــــــر
Such as the night longs for the light of the moon..

كعشق اليبــــاب لقطر المطــــــــــر

Such as the barren land longs for the rain..

 

نجيء و في راحتينا الضيـــــــاء

نقـــــاءا وحبا لكل البشـــــــر

We come while the lights in our hands (spreads) purity and love for all human beings..

 

نســابق.. نرقى.. وللغير نســـعى

We race.. and rise.. seeking to help others..

 

ونرســـم للكون أحلى الصـــور

And we draw beautiful pictures of the universe..

 

فأنى تطيب لنا ذي الحيــاة وفينا ضعيف الجناح انكســـر؟؟

How can we live happily in this world.. when we have among us weak ones with broken wings??

 

وطفل فقيـــر طواه الأســــى

And a poor child scorn by grieve...

 

 

ينــــــام وفي مقلتيه الضجــــر

Who sleeps with his eyes in (constant) worry...

 

سنمسح عن كل جرح دمـــاء.. ونمضي بما ربنا قد أمـــر

(So), we will wipe the blood from all the wounds.. and we'll do as our Lord has commanded us (i,e to help those in need)

 

ونودع في الأرض بدر النمــــــا

And we put in the earth the seed of growth ( and prosperity)..

 

ليورق أجـــــرا بهي الثمــــر

For it give (a harvest of) beautiful fruits. 

 

إذا المرء يدرك سر العطا... لأنفق فيه المدى والعمر
If only one knew the secret of giving.. He would have continued to give for the rest of his life.

 



A Whisper of Reason Concerning The anti Islam video

As-Salaamu Aleikum ALL,


As you can see, it has been a while since I last wrote on my blog. Today I want to write about an important rather controversial issue which attracted great media coverage these days. The debate about freedom of expression and hate speech.


The chain of events we witnessed during the week were unprecedented in their magnitude and consequences. Amb. Chris Stevens, embassy staff and US marines were killed in Benghazi. More people lost their lives across the muslim world when angry demonstrators attacked american embassies in response to an obnoxious film made in the US which was promoted by anti-Muslim zealot Terry Jones.


The anti-Islam video that ignited the violent demonstration is 'disgusting and reprehensible' as Hillary Clinton put it and can never be excused in the name free speech, rather, the way these ignorants have cloaked their vile deeds in the name of free speech is deplorable.


I don't want to delve into whether the kind of reactions we have seen were appropriate or not although I have my own reservations about retaliating by killing innocent people. The fact is that the video which was made by a gang of fraudsters and extremists was apparently meant to incite muslims. I believe these reactions were simply the natural result of psychological violence caused by the actions of those who insult religious sanctities.


However, the undenialable reality is that every society including the west has limits on public speech and views they don’t like. The only difference is in who defines the limits of this speech and how restrictive these limits are. National security, racism, holocaust denial, glorification of terrorism, racial hatred and incitement among many others, are all limits imposed on freedom of speech by western countries.


The Danish newspaper could never have printed cartoons denying the holocaust in the name of free speech. Geert Wilders could never have produced a film likening Israeli’s treatment of the Palestinians to the Nazi treatment of the Jews, without charges of anti-Semitism being brought against him.


So, it’s contradictions like these, on the boundries of free speech where the clash of values between Islam and the west is taking place.


The simple fact that the west MUST recognise is; absolute freedom of speech is a myth. The publication of the sacrilegious film about Prophet of Islam (PBUH) stands in stark contrast to international rules and principle of freedom of speech. People who use the media to communicate something that disturbs social peace, mental health or public morals or that causes hatred and hostility toward other people must be stopped.

To those who made insulting prophet Mohammad (SAW) the mission of their lives, you have to know that the man you so easily smear his character is not one we need to defend, because he is beyond what you ignoramuses will ever reach. It didn’t harm him during his life and it won’t harm him today that he’s dead. Your ignorance behaviour will not change the facts that defines him as the greatest man to have ever  lived.

"Islam is a powerful religion with more than 1.5 billion followers, a faith that continues to grow despite the best efforts of its opponents to crush it (and despite the stupidity of Muslim extremists who dishonor Islam with their brutality). Islam will not be harmed by any film, book or work of art. Indeed, the foolishness of those who seek to denigrate Prophet Muhammad in this fashion is that their work simply inspires more people to learn about the man who founded humanity's second largest religion. A man whose life was so remarkable that, 1,380 years after his death, it continues to attract enthusiastic converts to his teaching of the oneness of God and the oneness of mankind" noted Film maker Kamran Pasha.

P. S; Read also
The Civil Arab

The badness and goodness in us

Hallo Everyone,

Last night, I was watching this movie, Blood Diamond. It's a fantastic movie, although it's scary to think about the reality the movie presents, but anyway, I'll talk about it some other day. (though I might or might not). This is perhaps my favourite scene from the movie.

Danny Archer (played fabulously by Leonardo DiCaprio) has taken refuge at a local chief, Benjamin Kapanay, who runs a shelter for war victims, especially children. There is blood and carnage all around this oasis of peace and Danny and his companions, Maddy and Solomon, had literally escaped death a few hours ago. Danny is actually a diamond smuggler who has got entry after lying that he is a journalist.

The short dialogue between these two opposite characters is fantastic as a critique of the human nature.

Danny Archer (talking about the rebel soldiers): So you think because your intentions are good, they'll spare you, huh?

Benjamin Kapanay: My heart always told me that people are inherently good. My experience suggests otherwise. But what about you, Mr. Archer? In your long career as a journalist, would you say that people are mostly good?

Danny Archer: No. I'd say they're just people.

Benjamin Kapanay: Exactly. It is what they do that makes them good or bad. A moment of love, even in a bad man, can give meaning to a life. None of us knows whose path will lead us to God.

Think about it. I thought about it, and I realized one thing about me. I've never been able to completely hate a person, even if s/he has done some real harm to me. I've always found some bit of good in them, not that I want to further test my patience! dear God, please don't test me anymore :)

And that is why, I want to ask you, do you, would you also believe that there are no good people or bad people, that there are only good deeds and bad deeds? Should we define/brand people as good or bad, or is it about being generally good and generally bad? Maybe nobody is completely good or bad, or maybe there are a few pure souls and a few who went beyond redemption, who knows... maybe we are just supposed to forgive and forget and move on or maybe we are supposed to fight and seek revenge... who knows?

Whatever be the answer(s), what I do agree with is this, "A moment of love, even in a bad man, can give meaning to a life." actually, it gives meaning to all of humanity. do you also think so?

I think it's human nature to want to define everything, name everything black or white. Aristotle named everything in the universe that he could find.

But the soul is more complex than that. Part of being human is the malleability of the soul. People, who are "human", are like un-set plaster, can be reshaped. Life happens and it changes the shape and form of the plaster.

My feeling (because I do believe in good and evil, or darkness and light) is this. What direction are we moving? Are we moving toward the light or away from it?

The good within us strives toward the good, but we do not always have the wisdom to understand...

Let me have your comments about these..

Interesting article on spreading peace by Dina Malki:

As a Muslim writer aiming at presenting the positive image of American Muslims in the media, I am grateful first to Allah Almighty for providing me with the opportunity and responsibility to represent my faith. I am also proud to be a member of the Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation.

We Muslims have long been misrepresented to the West and in the West. The events of 9/11 further damaged our image through guilt by association. In front of this avalanche of anti-Muslim sentiments and islamophobia, what are we contributing to our generation and to the coming generations to help correct misconceptions, spread peace and understanding, and practice our religious traditions that favor social harmony?

The Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation is a pioneer in building peace in the DFW metroplex. These women have early on recognized the need for an active Muslim role in a Western society that aspires to open-mindedness, tolerance, and pluralism. Not only has the foundation succeeded in changing the image of the Muslim woman in the American imagination, but it has set pivoting grounds in the social grass roots to include a Muslim organization as an invaluable member of this American civic community.

TMWF has fought misconceptions about Islam through walking their faith: with its social services and compassion for those seeking justice, dignity, and peace, TMWF has shown the American society at large how Islam is a religion of peace and justice that fosters human rights. Through its youth program, TMWF has foreseen the dangers that American Muslim youth face if they are socially alienated because of their faith. TMWF has helped raised a youth that is proud to be Muslim and that is committed to participating in society, thus representing a model of American Muslim citizens.

Having taken care of the family, Muslim community, neighborhood, and society TMWF has spread peace from the bottom layers among individuals and up to the top of society at large. Its interfaith and educational outreach program has proved successful in further strengthening the Muslim community by building bridges of friendship and partnership with non-Muslims. After years of friendly exchanges, the non-Muslim community can be a strong ally to us should we ever face challenges or problems as a minority. Additionally, TMWF has shown the non-Muslim community the human face of our faith. It has caused to shed misconceptions and hatred, and helped spread compassion, friendship and understanding.

I would like to encourage our Muslim community to support TMWF by joining its ranks and expanding the bridges of peace in Texas. The advantage that TMWF has is that it understands American culture and consequently knows how to communicate effectively beyond the barriers of our cultural differences. The contributions of TMWF in the arts, culture, media, interfaith, and society show the true face and heritage of Islam. Inside a Western community that cherishes democracy, freedom, and justice, TMWF is smoothly sailing its Islamic tradition while proudly exhibiting its colorful diversity and contributions to the American national thread. These contributions need to continue and increase inshAllah.

Dina Malki

Dallas Islam Examiner

TMWF Member



http://www.examiner.com/islam-in-dallas/dina-malki

The Greatest of All Love stories

She was one of the noblest women around, coming from a very prominent family. She was also quite beautiful and the holder of a considerable amount of wealth, being a prominent businesswoman. To marry her would have been a great feat for any man, and indeed, quite a few of the most prominent and wealthy men in society had asked for her hand. Yet, she rejected them all; already being a widow, she had lost the desire to marry again.

Until he came into her life. He was young man of 25, and although he was also of a very noble family, he was an orphan and was not a man of many means. He had made a meager living tending sheep in the hills surrounding the city. Yet, he had an impeccable moral character, and he was widely known as one of the most honest men around. That is what attracted her to him: she was looking for someone honest who could conduct business for her, as she – a woman in a fiercely patriarchal society – could not do it herself. So, he started working for her.

After he came back from his first business trip, she asked her servant, whom she sent with him, about him and his conduct. The servant amazed her by his report: this young man was the kindest, gentlest man he had ever met. Never did he treat the servant harshly, as many others do. Yet, there was more: as they traveled in the heat of the desert, the servant noticed that a cloud had followed them the entire time, shading them from the blazing sun. The businesswoman was quite impressed with her new employee.

Not only that, this new employee proved to be an astute businessman in his own right. He took his employer’s merchandise, sold it, and with the profits bought other merchandise that he sold again, thus profiting twice. All this was enough for her: the embers of love in her heart that were once extinguished re-kindled again, and she resolved to marry this young man, who was 15 years younger than she.

So, she sent her sister to this young man. She asked him, “Why are you not married, yet?”

“For lack of means,” he answered.

“What if I could offer you a wife of nobility, beauty, and wealth? Would you be interested?” she told him.

He replied in the affirmative, but when she mentioned her sister, the young employee chuckled in amazement.

“How could I marry her? She has turned down the most noble men in the city, much wealthier and prominent than me, a poor shepherd,” he said.

“Don’t you worry,” the sister replied, “I’ll take care of it.”

Not long after, the wealthy businesswoman married her young employee, and it was the beginning of one of the most loving, happiest, and sacred marriages in all of human history : that of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Khadijah (RA), the daughter of Khuwaylid. When they were married, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was 25 years old, and Khadijah was 40. Yet, that did not bother the Prophet (SAW) one bit. He loved her so deeply, and she loved him as deeply. They were married for 25 years, and she bore him seven children : 3 sons and 4 daughters. All of the sons died in young age. Khadijah (RA) was a source of immense love, strength, and comfort for the Prophet Muhammad, and he leaned heavily on this love and support on the most important night of his life.

While he was meditating in cave of Hira, the Angel Jibreel (AS) came to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and revealed to him the first verses of the Quran and declared to him that he was to be a Prophet. The experience terrified the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and he ran home, jumping into Khadijah’s (RA) arms crying, “Cover me! Cover me!” She was startled by his terror, and after soothing and comforting him for a while, the Prophet was able to calm down and relate to her his experience.

The Prophet (SAW) feared he was losing his mind or being possessed. Khadijah (RA) put all his fears to rest:

“Do not worry,” she said, “for by Him who has dominion over Khadijah’s soul, I hope that you are the Prophet of this nation. Allah would never humiliate you, for you are good to your relatives, you are true to your word, you help those who are in need, you support the weak, you feed the guest and you answer the call of those who are in distress.”

She then took him to her cousin, Waraqah ibn Nawfal – a scholar well-versed in the Judeo-Christian scripture – and he confirmed to the Prophet (SAW) that his experience was Divine and he was to be the Last Prophet.

After his ministry began, and the opposition of his people became harsh and brutal, Khadijah (RA) was always there to support the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), sacrificing all of her wealth to support the cause of Islam. When the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his family was banished to the hills outside of Makkah, she went there with him, and the three years of hardship and deprivation eventually led to her death. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) mourned her deeply, and even after her death, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) would send food and support to Khadijah’s friends and relatives, out of love for his first wife.

Once, years after Khadijah (RA) died, he came across a necklace that she once wore. When he saw it, he remembered her and began to cry and mourn. His love for her never died, so much so, that his later wife Ayesha once felt jealous of her. Once she asked the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) if Khadijah (RA) had been the only woman worthy of his love. The Prophet replied:

“She believed in me when no one else did; she accepted Islam when people rejected me; and she helped and comforted me when there was no one else to lend me a helping hand.”

Much has been made and said about Prophet Muhammad’s multiple marriages. There are many who smear the Prophet as a womanizing philanderer, citing his multiple marriages. This is absolute propaganda. As a response to those who malign the Prophet, If the Prophet were anything of the sort, he would have taken advantage of his youth to do such a thing. But he did not! At a time when it was a common custom to have multiple wives, the Prophet did not marry anyone else while he was with Khadijah (RA).

Only between the age of fifty and his death at sixty-two did Prophet Mohammed take other wives. Most of these wives were widows, whom the Prophet married to care after them, or they were they were the daughters of prominent Arab chieftains, so that the Prophet could form a cohesive Muslim society out of a fiercely tribalistic (and barbaric) Arab culture. The smears against the Prophet fall flat on their faces once the light of truth shines brightly upon them.

For his human and natural needs, the Prophet (SAW) married twice. His first marriage was with Hadhrat Khadija (RA). During this time, he did not marry another woman. After her death, he married Hadhrat Sawdah (RA). The purpose of this marriage was purely a human need, that is after the death of Hadhrat Khadija (RA) his two younger daughters were left alone and he needed somebody to look after them. Therefore, he married Hadhrat Sawdah (RA) who was 50 at the time of marriage and so was the Prophet (SAW).

In the capacity of a Prophet (Nabi), he married four women, namely Hadhrat Ayesha (RA), Hadhrat Hafsa (RA), Hadhrat Zaynab bint-i-Khazeema (RA) and Hadhrat Ume Salama (RA). The Prophet’s wives were also made associates in his prophetic mission. Especially for this purpose, he married Hadhrat Ayesha (RA) and it is a known fact that in fulfilling this responsibility she had no match. She became the mentor of the Ummah after the Prophet (SAW)’s death. The rest of the three marriages were the result of social requirements. This social requirement was, taking care of widows and orphans as the Quran directed to do in Surah Al-Nisaa. Taking care of widows and orphans was a very big responsibility. It became necessary that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) set an example for the Muslims in this regard to give them an incentive, as he was, in the capacity of a Nabi an example for the Muslims to follow.

The divorced women till today, are generally looked down upon in popular estimation, and this was a case in which a freed slave divorced a lady of high birth. By also taking such a divorced woman as his wife, the false notion that divorce degraded women was removed as well. Thus by this act, to which he was morally bound because the lady had been at first offered in marriage to him, he elevated the whole class of divorced women who would otherwise suffer life-long humiliation in society.

Having said this, I must, however, further add: We need not apologize for the Islamic teachings concerning human sexuality: Unlike some religions which hold a very negative views of sexuality, Islam celebrates sexuality within the framework of marriage, and looks at it in a fairly positive light, and the Prophet of Islam, peace be upon him, best represents this ideal.

The question of Prophet’s multiple marriage should never pose a problem for the faithful when they heed the statement of Allah in the Quran concerning his marriages:

“(Hence) no blame whatever attaches to the Prophet for (having done) what God has ordained for him. (Indeed, such was) God’s way with those that have passed away afore-time- and remember that God’s will is always destiny absolute!” (Quran 33:38).

In a song about the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Khadjiah (RA), Muslim rappers Native Deen sing:

“We look for stories of love in places dark and cold
When we have a guiding light for the whole world to behold.”

Many of what we call “love stories” today are nothing more than stories of lust and desire, physical attraction disguised as love. Yet, I can find no love story more powerful, more spiritually uplifting, more awe inspiring as that of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Khadijah (RA). It is a shining example of what an ideal marriage is, and if I ever claim that I love my wife, I must gauge my actions with that of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

One cannot help but reflect upon, that this is indeed, the greatest of all love stories : that of Muhammad (SAW) and Khadijah (RA).

A drive in the Rift Valley

Hello Everyone,

I believe it's a good idea to report on one's adventures and experience. It's easier and more fun to capture the most beautiful images of your life on daily basis, so that it will remain as historical records in the future which may enrich your memories.


Today, I travelled through some parts of The Great Rift Valley of Kenya for the first time. These places really attracted me so much and I liked both its natural habitat and climate. It's such a fascinating place to be with lots of things to see and learn. I took some pictures of the things I saw but not everything. The green land, the waterfalls, the lakes, the zigzag roads that were slithering like a snake and everything else that i find worth sharing. The photos may not be that much good because I took it with my Sumsung phone, apologies.

 A sign board advertising Coca Cola, I am not sure if people here had the appetite or the means to consume it. There is the zigzag road at the background, use high resolution lenses for better view..:)

 On the way to Kabarnet, we passed through these mountains using this scary roads as we moved to a lower altitude. Rift Valleys are the lowlands between highlands or mountain ranges. The Great Rift Valley, with its associated escarpments and mountains, is a major feature. It runs the length of the country from Lake Turkana in the north to Lake Natron on the southern border with Tanzania.

The  road was actually zigzag and sometimes dangerous, Near Kerio Valley National Park.

We drove through the scenic Tugen Hills for about 38 Kilometres before we get to Kabarnet. That was our destination. I think we did some pretty good job there.

 The place was covered with stones that probably fell from the mountains. The most scary part of the journey was when a man working for the government told us that there are actually big stones that fall from the mountains and risk the lives of the villagers living under it. I could imagine how dangerous that was.

Our driver

 I didn't notice it in the first time, but our driver was really scared driving through these mountainous and dangerous terrain. I think you can tell that from his posture, hahahahah..:)

                                        One of the few 'shops' we saw in the area. 


The most funny part of this trip was when i saw a small single room house that was destroyed, probably by fierce wind, it had no roof nor windows. I believe no human being lived there, but it, surprisingly, had a name written on it which read "FRED AND SONS COMPLEX". lol. I couldn't take a photo of it.

Part of their simple homes. a 'complex'..:)

Beautiful scene, hundreds probably thousands of meters below the water level.

The above two photos are taken below the mountains. you can see the waterfalls at the background.

 We saw two waterfalls, both originating from  the mountains. One of them had muddy water that are caused by the rains while the other was a permanent clean waterfall that continues throughout the year. They both provide drinking water  as well as irrigation for the locals.

A clear waterfall in the background

The Sun bidding goodbye until 2morow so that people can have a calm night..:) The beautiful colors are just a reflection.

Some of the locals wondering why we were there. They were hospitable, though.

The village's mosque, Iten.

 On our way back to Eldoret, we came across this mosque at Asr prayer time. There were people praying there. men, women and children. There was also a Quranic school in the upper part of the Mosque. It was really cold there.

The weather in fury.

The SUNSET

The Swamps. Electricity poles.

When we were leaving Eldoret, the weather was clear. Fantastiiik..!!

But it turned rough few minutes into the trip, you wont like it.

The mission was successful though it still remains classified, but the good news is that we came back safely. Tomorrow, I will be travelling to another part of this beautiful country. I expect the climate to be rainy and the weather will probably be cold.


Kabarnet's location is in close proximity to various attractive scenes, which include Lake Bogoria, Baringo and the Tugen hills.


See you again in another post..:)


Salaaams

We need an Educational Revolution

I believe fundamentally that we make very poor use of our talents. Very many people go through their whole lives having no real sense of what their talents may be, or if they have any to speak of. There are people who don't think they're really good at anything and others who don't enjoy what they do. They simply go through their lives getting on with it. They get no great pleasure from what they do. They endure it rather than enjoy it and wait for the weekend. But there are also people who love what they do and couldn't imagine doing anything else. In fact, on the contrary, I think it's still true of a minority of people.

I think there are many possible explanations for it. And high among them is education, because education, in a way, dislocates very many people from their natural talents. And human resources are like natural resources; they're often buried deep. You have to go looking for them, they're not just lying around on the surface. You have to create the circumstances where they show themselves.

 Every education system in the world is being reformed at the moment and it's not enough. Reform is no use anymore, because that's simply improving a broken model. What we need is not evolution, but a revolution in education. This has to be transformed into something else.

One of the real challenges is to innovate fundamentally in education. Innovation is hard because it means doing something that people don't find very easy, for the most part. It means challenging what we take for granted, things that we think are obvious. The great problem for reform or transformation is the tyranny of common sense; things that people think, "Well, it can't be done any other way because that's the way it's done."

I came across a great quote recently from Abraham Lincoln, in December 1862 to the second annual meeting of Congress, he said, "The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion, as our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country."

Many of our ideas have been formed, not to meet the circumstances of this century, but to cope with the circumstances of previous centuries. But our minds are still hypnotized by them, and we have to disenthrall ourselves of some of them. Now, doing this is easier said than done.

But there are things we're enthralled to in education. Let me give you a couple of examples. One of them is the idea of linearity: that it starts here and you go through a track and if you do everything right, you will end up set for the rest of your life. Life is not linear; it's organic. We create our lives symbiotically as we explore our talents in relation to the circumstances they help to create for us. But we have become obsessed with this linear narrative. And probably the pinnacle for education is getting you to college. I think we are obsessed with getting people to college. Certain sorts of college. I don't mean you shouldn't go to college, but not everybody needs to go and not everybody needs to go now. Maybe they go later, not right away.

To me, human communities depend upon a diversity of talent, not a singular conception of ability. And at the heart of our challenges is to reconstitute our sense of ability and of intelligence.

I think we have to recognize a couple of things here. One is that human talent is tremendously diverse. People have very different aptitudes. But it's not only about that. It's about passion, and what excites our spirit and our energy. The reason so many people are opting out of education is because it doesn't feed their spirit, it doesn't feed their energy or their passion.

I think we have to change metaphors. We have to go from what is essentially an industrial model of education, a manufacturing model, which is based on linearity and conformity and batching people. We have to move to a model that is based more on principles of agriculture. We have to recognize that human flourishing is not a mechanical process; it's an organic process. And you cannot predict the outcome of human development. All you can do, like a farmer, is create the conditions under which they will begin to flourish.

When we look at reforming education and transforming it, it isn't like cloning a system. It's about customizing to your circumstances and personalizing education to the people you're actually teaching. And doing that, I think, is the answer to the future because it's not about scaling a new solution; it's about creating a movement in education in which people develop their own solutions, but with external support based on a personalized curriculum.

I believe the extraordinary technological resources we have, combined with the extraordinary talents of teachers, provide an opportunity to revolutionize education. But we have to change from the industrial model to an agricultural model, where each school can be flourishing tomorrow. That's where children experience life, Real life.