ISLAMISM: 2009

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Back links

Sunday, October 4, 2009

The Prophet is the best ideal to follow in your life…

He is the only personality in history to be followed in everything…

-If you are rich so follow the Prophet when he was a merchant traveling with his products between Hijaz and Ash-Sham and when he earned Bahrain's stores

-If you are poor so take him as an example when he was under blockade in the col (mountain pass) of Abu Taleb and when he emigrated to Madinah leaving his country without having anything…

-If you are a king so follow him in his "Sunna" (All his doings and sayings) when he guided the Arabs and was obeyed by all, even great personalities.

-If you are a weak person so take the Prophet as an example when he was accused in Makkah within the atheist system.

-If you are a conqueror, you can share part of his life when he conquered his enemy in the Battle of Badr, Honayn and Makkah

-If you are defeated, take a moral lesson from the Battle of Uhod when he (PBUH)was among his dead and wounded friends…

-If you are a teacher take him an example when he taught his companions in the Masjed.

-If you are a student or seeking for more education, follow him (PBUH) when he was sitting between Gabriel's hands learning and understanding his Message…

-If you are an advisor, faithful consulter so listen to him when he advised the people in his Masjed of Madinah…

-If you are an Orphan, you have to know that the Muhammad's father died before his birth and his mother when he (PBUH) was still a child…

-And as for children he was that cute and polite child living his first years with his child-minder Halima Assa'diyah …

-If you are young so read the biography of the shepherd of Makkah…

-If you are a merchant traveling with some goods, so notice the behaviors of the caravan's leader who went to Busra…

-If you are a judge or evaluator, so look at the Prophet's judgment when he went to Ka'ba and saw the leaders of the tribes about to kill each other because they were struggling about who is the one to put the black stone in its place, and the Prophet –of course- resolved the problem. And also when he was in Madinah judging equally between people no matter if they are rich or poor…

-If you are a husband so read the Prophet's biography about the honest life of Khadijah's and Aisha's husband.

-And if you are a father, so learn how to treat your children as he (PBUH) did with his daughters and grandchildren…

No matter who you are … you have the Prophet's biography; your guide and candle lightning the darkness of your daily life helping you to go through it to gain the hereafter….

He is indeed the greatest personality all over the world.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

JANAZAH PRAYERS

Al Fiqh'Ala Al Madhahib Al Arab'a, Abdul Rahman Al Jazeeri, 1970, pp. 500-5345.Fiqhul Sunnah, Vol. 4, Sayed Sabiq, 1968, pp. 69-138.Sifat Salatul Nabi, 5th Edition, Mohammad Nasirul Deen, Al Albani, 1389 P. pp. 125.Riyadhul Saliheen, pp. 360-373, Cairo Edition.

There are five main points for the preparation of a Muslim's body for burial; we present briefly the procedure involved in each of them:

I. Body-Washing or "Ghusl"

Washing the deceased's body is obligatory on Muslims; it is a Fard Kifaya, i.e., if some members take the responsibility of doing it the need is fulfilled, but if no one fulfills it then all Muslims will be accountable.

Washing can be carried out in the following way:

A man's body should be washed by men and a women's by women, but a child's body may be washed by either sex. A husband can wash his wife's body and vice-versa if the need arises.
Only one person is needed for washing with someone to help and preferably those people who know the deceased.
Place the body on a high place, e.g., a table or something similar.
Remove the deceased's clothes (garments) leaving the private parts covered.
Press the stomach gently and clean whatever comes out.
For washing, use a piece of cloth or your hands.
Only clean water may be used; add some scented oils (nonalcoholic) in the final wash. It is preferable to use warm water.
Perform ablution (wudu) for the body, cleaning the teeth and nose from outside only.
Wash three times, but if the body needs more cleaning, continue washing five or seven times, but in it must be odd numbers.

Turn the body on its left side and begin washing the right side. Then turn it on its right side to wash the left side. This is done in each wash. The first and the second washes are done with water and soap, while the last one with water and scent.

Hair should be un-braided, washed and combed, For women it may again be braided in three braids.
Dry the body with a clean cloth or towel.
Add some perfume on the head, forehead, nose, hands, knees, eyes, armpits, and place perfumed cotton on the front and rear openings.

II. Wrapping (Kafan)

The cloth used for wrapping the body must be a clean (preferably white) and should cover the whole body.
Add some perfume to the kafan (non-alcoholic).
Do not use silk cloth for men.
Use three pieces of cloth for men and five for women, (each piece of cloth must cover the entire body.)
Tie the open cloth at the head and feet, with a piece of cloth (from the same kafan) in such a way that one can differentiate the head from the legs.

III. Prayers (Salat)

It is better that those praying divide themselves into three rows facing the qibla (Shortest distance to Makkah, Saudi Arabia) with the Imam in front.
Put the body (or bodies) in front of the Imam.
The Imam should stand by the middle of the body if the deceased is a man and by the shoulder if she is a woman.
If there is more than one body, then they should be put one in front of the other, those of the men nearest to the Imam and those of the women furthest from him.
Having the appropriate neeyat (intention to perform Burial Prayers) in your heart, raise your hands in the usual manner and say, Allahu Akbar.
Then fold and hold your hands on your breast in the usual manner, the right hand on the left.
Read al Fatiha quietly.
Say Allah Akbar without raising the hands.
Pray for the Prophet in the same way as you do in tashahud.
Say Allahu Akbar (do not raise your hands).
Make du'a for the deceased.
Say Allabu Akbar (do not raise your hands).
Make du'a for the Muslims.
Say Assalaamu 'Alaikum, thus finishing the prayer.

The entire burial prayer is done while one is standing, there are no raks or sujud in it.

Du'a for the deceased may be chosen from any of the prophetic du'as:

IV. Funeral

In the procession mourners should walk in front or beside the bier. Those who are riding or driving should follow it.
Silence is recommended.
It is absolutely forbidden to accompany the body with music or crying.

V. Burial

The grave should be deep, wide and well made. It is recommended that it consist of two excavations, one inside the other. It is recommended that the smaller one called lahd be dug on the side of the larger one facing the qibla
It is in this one that the body is put.
The deceased's body should be laid on the ground with the face toward the qibla, the direction of the Ka'aba.
While laying it say: Bismillah Wa A'la Milla Rasulallah
It is not recommended to use a casket unless there is a need for it, e.g., if the soil is very loose or wet. A stone, or bricks or some soil should be put under the deceased's head to raise it up.
Do not use a pillow or put anything with the deceased inside the grave.
Cover the lahd with bricks so that they become like a roof for it. Pour three handfuls of soil.
Fill the larger pit with soil. It is preferable that each one of those present share in this by pouring three handfuls of soil. Raise the level of the grave a little less than one foot in a sloping way.

References (all in Arabic):

Al Fiqh'Ala Al Madhahib Al Arab'a, Abdul Rahman Al Jazeeri, 1970, pp. 500-5345.Fiqhul Sunnah, Vol. 4, Sayed Sabiq, 1968, pp. 69-138.Sifat Salatul Nabi, 5th Edition, Mohammad Nasirul Deen, Al Albani, 1389 P. pp. 125.Riyadhul Saliheen, pp. 360-373, Cairo Edition.

This burial procedure has been edited from a hand out by The Muslim Student Association of the United States and Canada, titled "Preperation of the Deceased and Janazah Prayers".

Thanks islamicity.com

Islam A World Civilization

"Thus We have appointed you a middle nation, that you may be witnesses upon mankind." (Qur'an 2:143)

General Characteristics of Islamic Civilization. Islam was destined to become a world religion and to create a civilization which stretched from one end of the globe to the other. Already during the early Muslim caliphates, first the Arabs, then the Persians and later the Turks set about to create classical Islamic civilization. Later, in the 13th century, both Africa and India became great centers of Islamic civilization and soon thereafter Muslim kingdoms were established in the Malay-Indonesian world while Chinese Muslims flourished throughout China.

Islam is a religion for all people from whatever race or background they might be. That is why Islamic civilization is based on a unity which stands completely against any racial or ethnic discrimination. Such major racial and ethnic groups as the Arabs, Persians, Turks, Africans, Indians, Chinese and Malays in addition to numerous smaller units embraced Islam and contributed to the building of Islamic civilization. Moreover, Islam was not opposed to learning from the earlier civilizations and incorporating their science, learning, and culture into its own world view, as long as they did not oppose the principles of Islam. Each ethnic and racial group which embraced Islam made its contribution to the one Islamic civilization to which everyone belonged. The sense of brotherhood and sisterhood was so much emphasized that it overcame all local attachments to a particular tribe, race, or language--all of which became subservient to the universal Brotherhood and sisterhood of Islam.

The global civilization thus created by Islam permitted people of diverse ethnic backgrounds to work together in cultivating various arts and sciences. Although the civilization was profoundly Islamic, even non-Muslim "people of the book" participated in the intellectual activity whose fruits belonged to everyone. The scientific climate was reminiscent of the present situation in America where scientists and men and women of learning from all over the world are active in the advancement of knowledge which belongs to everyone.

The global civilization created by Islam also succeeded in activating the mind and thought of the people who entered its fold. As a result of Islam, the nomadic Arabs became torch-bearers of science and learning. The Persians who had created a great civilization before the rise of Islam nevertheless produced much more science and learning in the Islamic period than before. The same can be said of the Turks and other peoples who embraced Islam. The religion of Islam was itself responsible not only for the creation of a world civilization in which people of many different ethnic backgrounds participated, but it played a central role in developing intellectual and cultural life on a scale not seen before. For some eight hundred years Arabic remained the major intellectual and scientific language of the world. During the centuries following the rise of Islam, Muslim dynasties ruling in various parts of the Islamic world bore witness to the flowering of Islamic culture and thought. In fact this tradition of intellectual activity was eclipsed only at the beginning of modern times as a result of the weakening of faith among Muslims combined with external domination. And today this activity has begun a new in many parts of the Islamic world now that the Muslims have regained their political independence.

Left: A general view of the skyline of Istanbul, the old Ottoman capital, showing the Suleymaniye Mosque, one of the many grand Mosques which adorn the city.

Right: The mosque and mausleum of Ali al-Rida in Mashhad, Iran which, because of the presence of this site, became over the centuries one of the major center of religious learning and activity in the Islamic world.

A Brief History of Islam: The Rightly Guided Caliphs

Upon the death of the Prophet, Abu Bakr, the friend of the Prophet and the first adult male to embrace Islam, became caliph. Abu Bakr ruled for two years to be succeeded by 'Umar who was caliph for a decade and during whose rule Islam spread extensively east and west conquering the Persian empire, Syria and Egypt. It was 'Umar who marched on foot at the end of the Muslim army into Jerusalem and ordered the protection of Christian sites. 'Umar also established the first public treasury and a sophisticated financial administration. He established many of the basic practices of Islamic government.

'Umar was succeeded by ' Uthman who ruled for some twelve years during which time the Islamic expansion continued. He is also known as the caliph who had the definitive text of the Noble Quran copied and sent to the four corners of the Islamic world. He was in turn succeeded by 'All who is known to this day for his eloquent sermons and letters, and also for his bravery. With his death the rule of the "rightly guided" caliphs, who hold a special place of respect in the hearts of Muslims, came to an end.

The Caliphates

The Umayyad caliphate established in 661 was to last for about a century. During this time Damascus became the capital of an Islamic world which stretched from the western borders of China to southern France. Not only did the Islamic conquests continue during this period through North Africa to Spain and France in the West and to Sind, Central Asia and Transoxiana in the East, but the basic social and legal institutions of the newly founded Islamic world were established.

The Abbasids, who succeeded the Umayyads, shifted the capital to Baghdad which soon developed into an incomparable center of learning and culture as well as the administrative and political heart of a vast world.

They ruled for over 500 years but gradually their power waned and they remained only symbolic rulers bestowing legitimacy upon various sultans and princes who wielded actual military power. The Abbasid caliphate was finally abolished when Hulagu, the Mongol ruler, captured Baghdad in 1258, destroying much of the city including its incomparable libraries.

While the Abbasids ruled in Baghdad, a number of powerful dynasties such as the Fatimids, Ayyubids and Mamluks held power in Egypt, Syria and Palestine. The most important event in this area as far as the relation between Islam and the Western world was concerned was the series of Crusades declared by the Pope and espoused by various European kings. The purpose, although political, was outwardly to recapture the Holy Land and especially Jerusalem for Christianity. Although there was at the beginning some success, and local European rule was set up in parts of Syria and Palestine, Muslims finally prevailed and in 1187 Saladin,the great Muslim leader, recaptured Jerusalem and defeated the Crusaders.

SOME ENGLISH WORDS DERIVED FROM ARABIC
ADMIRAL-amiral-rahl	ATLAS-atlas	JASMINE-yasmin	SAFARI-safara
ADOBE-al-tub	AZIMUTH-al-suut	LEMON-limun	SAFFRON-za'faran
ALCHEMY-al-kimiya'	BANANA-banana	LUTE-al-'ud	SANDALWOOD-sandal
ALCOVE-alqubba	BAROQUE-burqa	MAGAZINE-makhazin	SOFA-suffa
ALEMBIC-al-anbiq	CABLE-habl	MASK-maskhara	SUGAR-sukhar
ALGEBRA-al-jabr	CAMEL-jamal	MONSOON-mawsim	SYRUP-sharab,shurb
AMBER-ambar	CHECKMATE-shah mat	MUSK-musk	TAMBOUR-taburak
AMULET-hama'il	COFFEE-qahwa	NADIR-nazir	TROUBADOUR-tarrab
ANTIMONY-ithmid	COTTON-quton	ORANGE-naranj	ZERO-sifr
ARTICHOKE-al-kharshuf	GIRAFFE-ZURAFA	RICE-ruzz	ZIRCON-azraq

North Africa and Spain

When the Abbasids captured Damascus, one of the Umayyad princes escaped and made the long journey from there to Spain to found Umayyad rule there, thus beginning the golden age of Islam in Spain. Cordoba was established as the capital and soon became Europe's greatest city not only in population but from the point of view of its cultural and intellectual life. The Umayyads ruled over two centuries until they weakened and were replaced by local rulers.

Meanwhile in North Africa, various local dynasties held sway until two powerful Berber dynasties succeeded in uniting much of North Africa and also Spain in the 12th and 13th centuries. After them this area was ruled once again by local dynasties such as the Sharifids of Morocco who still rule in that country. As for Spain itself, Muslim power continued to wane until the last Muslim dynasty was defeated in Granada in 1492 thus bringing nearly eight hundred years of Muslim rule in Spain to an end.

Islamic History after the Mongol Invasion

The Mongols devastated the eastern lands of Islam and ruled from the Sinai Desert to India for a century. But they soon converted to Islam and became known as the Il-Khanids. They were in turn succeeded by Timur and his descendants who made Samarqand their capital and ruled from 1369 to 1500. The sudden rise of Timur delayed the formation and expansion of the Ottoman empire but soon the Ottomans became the dominant power in the Islamic world.

From humble origins the Turks rose to dominate over the whole of Anatolia and even parts of Europe. In 1453 Mehmet the Conqueror captured Constantinople and put an end to the Byzantine empire. The Ottomans conquered much of eastern Europe and nearly the whole of the Arab world, only Morocco and Mauritania in the West and Yemen, Hadramaut and parts of the Arabian peninsula remaining beyond their control. They reached their zenith of power with Suleyman the Magnificent whose armies reached Hungary and Austria. From the 17th century onward with the rise of Western European powers and later Russia, the power of the Ottomans began to wane. But they nevertheless remained a force to be reckoned with until the First World War when they were defeated by the Western nations. Soon thereafter Kamal Ataturk gained power in Turkey and abolished the six centuries of rule of the Ottomans in 1924. While the Ottomans were concerned mostly with the western front of their empire, to the east in Persia a new dynasty called the Safavids came to power in 1502. The Safavids established a powerful state of their own which flourished for over two centuries and became known for the flowering of the arts. Their capital, Isfahan, became one of the most beautiful cities with its blue tiled mosques and exquisite houses. The Afghan invasion of 1736 put an end to Safavid rule and prepared the independence of Afghanistan which occurred formally in the 19th century. Persia itself fell into turmoil until Nader Shah, the last Oriental conqueror, reunited the country and even conquered India. But the rule of the dynasty established by him was short-lived. The Zand dynasty soon took over to be overthrown by the Qajars in 1779 who made Tehran their capital and ruled until 1921 when they were in turn replaced by the Pahlavis.

As for India, Islam entered into the land east of the Indus River peacefully. Gradually Muslims gained political power beginning in the early 13th century. But this period which marked the expansion of both Islam and Islamic culture came to an end with the conquest of much of India in 1526 by Babur, one of the Timurid princes. He established the powerful Mogul empire which produced such famous rulers as Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan and which lasted, despite the gradual rise of British power in India, until 1857 when it was officially abolished. Farther east in the Malay world, Islam began to spread in the 12th century in northern Sumatra and soon Muslim kingdoms were established in Java, Sumatra and mainland Malaysia. Despite the colonization of the Malay world, Islam spread in that area covering present day Indonesia, Malaysia, the southern Philippines and southern Thailand, and is still continuing in islands farther east.

As far as Africa is concerned, Islam entered into East Africa at the very beginning of the Islamic period but remained confined to the coast for some time, only the Sudan and Somali land becoming gradually both Arabized and Islamized. West Africa felt the presence of Islam through North African traders who traveled with their camel caravans south of the Sahara. By the 14th century there were already Muslim sultanates in such areas as Mali, and Timbuctu in West Africa and Harar in East Africa had become seats of Islamic learning. Gradually Islam penetrated both inland and southward. There also appeared major charismatic figures who inspired intense resistance against European domination. The process of the Islamization of Africa did not cease during the colonial period and continues even today with the result that most Africans are now Muslims caring on a tradition which has had practically as long a history in certain areas of sub-Saharan Africa as Islam itself.

Major Dates of Islamic History
Birth of the Prophet Muhammed 570 A.D.	The Seljuqs 137-1300
First verses of the Noble Quran revealed 609	Saladin's Conquest of Jeruslem 1187
Prophet's migration form Makkah to Madinah (hijrah), beginning of Islamic calender 622	The Mamluks 1252-1517
Death of the Prophet 632	The Mongol Conquest of Baghdad 1258
The "Rightly Guided" Caliphs 632-661	The Ottomans 1299-1924
The Umayyads 661-750	The Timurids 1369-1500
The Abbasids 750-1258	Conquest of Constantinople 1453
The Spanish Umayyads 756-1031	The Fall of Granada 1492
The Fatimids 909-1171	The Safavids 1502-1736

Credits
Incorporated from the Magazine "Islam: A Global Civilization", prepared by Islamic Affairs Department, The Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington, D.C.

Thanks islamicity.com