Shia statisticians stop lying about your teeth!

Shia institutions, two-faced shia Persian governments and the ignorant media claim that the number of visitors to Karbala is about 17 million. Unfortunately many of us happily accept this number without ever thinking of it. 

If you look a this claim logically it makes absolutely no sense and is simply a ridiculous claim that cannot be verified in any way. Let's take a look at the facts and then explain each of them.

1. Shia Muslims are only 10% of of the world-wide Muslim population. 

The annual hajj gathering is of about 2 million Muslims, including the minority shias and the majority Sunnis. That is out of 1 billion Muslims worldwide. Either the shia Muslims give Karbala more importance than Hajj and hence the so claimed 20 million shias don't show up for Hajj but show up for Karbala or the claimed 20 million Karbala pilgrims is a white lie! If indeed they are 20 million then the shias need to check their aqeedah and get their priorities right. Hajj is  pillar of Islam, Karbala or Arbaeen is not even a sunnah! If the 20 million do actually go to Karbala then it's just sad how more people go to commit shirk at Karbala and ignore the fard of Hajj!

2. The Iraqi population

The Iraqi population is about 29 million at the moment (taking into consideration the 1 million that have died in the war since 2003) About 3 million are refugees living outside Iraq and the number decreases to 26 million. Take away the non-muslims yazidis and others you are left with 25 million. 

60% of Iraqis are shia so the number of shias in Iraq is 15 million. Now there are 3 categories of shias who cannot visit Karbala, young kids, elderly and sick people. From statistics 38% of Iraqis are under 14 years of age while 3% are above 64 years. So 41% of Iraqis cannot visit Karbala. Split them equally between Shias and Sunnis for arguments sake 20% of the 15 million cannot visit Karbala. That is another 3 million slashed and you are left with 12 million. There are about 1 million others in the army, police, institutions and different security sectors. You are now left with 11 million. Now ignore the number of sick people, the pregnant and menstruating women, the mothers of the young kids who cannot visit because they have to take care of them this number of 11 million is further reduced. 

You still cannot account for the extra 6 million. Well before I forget there are about 300,000 foreign Shias who also visit Karbala. This is according to official Iraqi departments.

3. Hotels in the area

Official sources assure that the number of hotels able to receive clients is about 400. If each hotel has an average capacity of 100 guests that's 40,000 visitors accommodated. About 50 schools were opened to receive visitors and if each school takes 500 visitors that's another 25,000 visitors accommodated. Let's assume 1000 families take in 10 visitors each that is 10,000 more people accommodated. So in total that's 75,000 visitors ok let's make it 100,000. So where do the other millions reside?

Taking a few drone photos of a gathering does not make it 20 million. Any one can take photos of a bag of potatoes and claim they are 20 million potatoes.

 4. Sanitary, drainage and waste management systems.

we all know that Karbala was sunk in water the last time it rained, which means that the sewage infrastructure has not been rehabilitated since the toppling of the previous regime. Let’s assume that 17 million people have to urinate three times per day, and that every individual urinates around one liter of fluids. That would mean that there is fifty million liters of fluids that pass by Karbala’s sewage every day. This number is five times more than the amount of water that passed by the sewage during rainy days. Shall we continue and discuss the eight million kilograms of other bodily excrements as well?

Below is some photos of the rubbish & waste “management system” in Karbala. If the city can’t even provide acceptable standard of service for their own residents which is less than 2 millions people, then how on earth can they provide better service to tens of millions more people? This photos are taken from “The Abandoned: The Forgotten Orphans of Karbala” (mins 43:25)

 5. Ceremonies of Arbaeen

 

Speaking of the ceremonies of the Arbaeen, visitors have to reside in Karbala in a specific day next to al-Husayn grave may Allah be pleased with him. The engineer Ibrahim al-Zoubaydi provided us with an illustrated map in which he explains, in an intellectual manner, the capacity of the area that surrounds al-Husayn’s grave. We can see, based on this map, that the total area filled by visitors does not exceed 500 thousand m²; let’s presume that each person needs a space of 0.5m to stand, let alone lay down, this mean that this area cannot be filled with more than one million people if we placed people in rows one after the other. Anyway, we already know that Karbala is not a plain land, but that it is settled. This means that this city cannot, in its best conditions, have capacity for more than 500,000 people from the visitors who came from outside Karbala to perform the ceremonies of the Arbaeen visit. Since we haven’t seen any long queues or a large number of crowds in the city’s entry sides because there is no place to stand on near to the grave, nor have we seen a state of confusion and disturbance due to the over-crowdedness, then we can say that the real number of visitors did not reach more than half a million people.    

Let’s be more rational please. The entire area of settled Mecca is 88 km², while the central area that surrounds the Mosque is of 6km². This area is ten times more the area of Karbala. We all know the crowdedness in Mecca when it welcomes around two million pilgrims in this area though it is equipped with a huge number of hotels and apartment buildings. Now the question is: How can we put 17 million people in an area that constitutes 1/6th the area of Mecca? And here, we are not trying to compare Mecca, this holy city, with any other place on the earth. According to retired and sick minds only, you can put 100 million people per 1 m²…

700m x 700m Area of Karbala

6. Further research

The research team  has looked into the booking.com website in order to verify some of the criticisms mentioned by the author of the article and we suggest that readers do the same. We have found that Karbala only has twelve listed properties, while Makkah has 127 listed properties. Furthermore, hotels in Makkah like the Pullman Zamzam have a total of 1315 rooms for guests, while the Hotel Karbala Rayhaan, while seems to be the most popular hotel in Karbala on the website only includes 185 rooms.

Somebody either needs to be telling the hotel tycoons that they are under-investing in Karbala, or someone should tell the Shia statisticians to stop lying through their teeth.

If it’s still unclear to some of our more stubborn visitors, let’s show them some visual evidence of the gigantic difference between the two locations, hopefully their intellect will be able to process these comparative images.

Two images taken on the same eye-level altitude of 1.5 km.

Makkah hosts a big number of pilgrims annually, it reaches its maximum capacity estimated at about 2 to 5 million visitors both Sunni & Shia, (remember that Makkah has several floors/layers that are all filled). On the other hand, Karbala is supposed to have contained 10 million to 17 million Shia visitors (in Arbaeen) according to Shiite authorities just in one day! How does that make sense when it’s a significantly smaller area!? You judge!

Next, we use advanced software to figure out an accurate number for the areas in question. Below data are taken from area calculator at http://www.mapdevelopers.com/area_finder.php

• Masjid al-Haram complex (2015) = 456,519 m2 (see original data)
• Karbala 2 shrines complex (2015) = 80,381 m2 (see original data)

Thus we find that al-Haram in Makkah which is completely full at Hajj, is about five times bigger than both Shia shrines and whatever is between them. Therefore, if Makkah can reach its full capacity of 2.5 to 3 million during Hajj, how can we believe that the Karbala’ shrines held 20-22 million in the Arbaeen of 2014, 15-18 million in 2013 or 10 million in 2015. They even claimed 12 million visitors to Kadhimiyyah (Musa al-Kadhim’s shrine) in 2015 which is half the area of the 2 shrines in Karbala’!

 

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Why I make Dua for ISIS and Why Every Muslim Needs to.

Condemning something without knowing the actions that let up to that is just useless lip service, otherwise known as politics. Every time a terrorist attack occurs in a western country, like today's Paris Attacks, all my muslim friends start to clarify their position on social media. If I don’t condemn then I’m labeled a terrorist sympathizer that must be watched (at least) and taught a lesson at worst.  If a Muslim asks me then, depending on what he believes, it either authenticates my true “Islamic blood” or it shows them that I’m some kind of fake/fanatic Muslim at best or at worst I am a sell out or agent who deserves to have some body parts removed that I might be needing to keep intact.

Muslims should not feel guilty

We all are victims of terrorism of extremists and the terrorism of racists in governments.. only defenseless poor people die either in the Middle East or in the West! It is very sad that we think about this only when attack happens in the West, as if only Western life matters.

Muslims need not to feel sad, angry or disappointed when a Muslim commits a crime or kills innocents? Resolving to do something to prevent it from happening? Resolving to educate the wider public about these issues?
Sure.

But unless you're currently in a position of responsibility, guilt isn't what to feel. There are 1.7 billion of us, and by and large we are victims of colonialism, geopolitics, poverty, modern history and the failings of those before us.

 

Why I make dua for ISIS

Many Muslims seem to forget no matter what you say about ISIS and other terrorist groups this guys have actually uttered the shahadah and are MUSLIMS. You cannot deny that. Yes they may be misguided have wrong beliefs and may act very unjustly but they are your Muslims brothers. Many of them are actually westerners who may have been brainwashed at some point so still they are your Muslims brothers and sisters!

Muhammad s.a.w came to unite us, He made us one Ummah, He taught us how to fight oppression, He taught us how to stand up for our rights, He created and Ideal society where there was equality, peace and happiness. He did not make a bad dua for anyone or curse even a munafik at any time. One particular incident comes to mind, when Abdullah bin Ubai (The biggest munafik) died despite everyone knowing this he  s.a.w still lead his Janazah. Our prophet prayed even for the munafiq and we can't even pray for our brothers and sisters who are Muslim!

When I look at the state of the Muslims today, my heart cries. It's all about so and so is a Wahabbi, So and So is sunni, oh you know that brother, that one right there he doesn't even have a beard! That same brother whom you call a wahabbi or a sunni or a shia, might be the first to Fajr everyday and you only see him at Jummah!

 

The Dua I make

Before accepting Islam, Umar R.A was an arch-enemy of the Prophet (SAW) Muhammad and Islam in its early days, until the Prophet (SAW) prayed:

"O Allah, strengthen Islam with either ‘Umar ibn al- Khattab (R A) or ‘Amr ibn
Hisham (Abu Jahal) whomsoever Thou pleaseth."

The very next day Hazrat ‘Umar was guided to accept Islam! And we all know how big of an asset Umar r.a was.

And Hence I ask my Rabb, Ya Allah guide all my muslim brothers and sisters all over the world. Ya Allah guide the muslims who may have gone astray including ISIS, Al Qaedah, Al Shabaab, Boko Haram, Taliban and any one else who has strayed, Ya Allah give hidaya to each and every one of them, Ya Allah bring them back to sirat-ul-mustaqeem. Ya Allah unite our hearts and make as one ummah. Ya Allah the Ummah of your Habib Muhammad s.a.w has lost it's honour, has lost it's dignity, has lost it's respect, Ya Allah guide us all and unite us all, restore the honour and the respect of this Ummah!

Ameen, suma Ameen.

Why can't every muslim make dua for ISIS to be guided? You never know whose dua gets accepted and this very people fighting in groups like ISIS end up becoming assets for our ummah! Imagine all the wealth ISIS has, the number of fighters, their courage to fight even if it may be on the wrong it still takes alot of courage. Imagine all that channeled in the right direction!

Praying for your brother/sister without them knowing:

“The supplication of a Muslim for his brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Every time he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says:‘Ameen! May it be for you too’.” [Muslim].

Please also remember to pray for the thousands of innocent muslims in Europe who will start apologizing for the ‪#‎parisattacks they did not commit or know about.

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Share Trading In Islam

Q: I would like to know whether it is permissible to invest in the stock exchange. Obviously, I will endeavour to ensure that the companies in which I invest in does not involve itself in the selling of haraam products.

If it is permissible, please also advise me on what other precaution/s needs to be taken eg. Do I need to remove an interest portion when selling the shares etc. A:

Haamidaw wa Musalliyaa

Your query below refers;
 
In The Name Of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful
 

Conditions For Share Trading

All Praise is for Allah and May peace and salutations be upon the most beloved Messenger, Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam.

A very common and lucrative form of business and investment in modern times is Share Trading. Joint-stock companies and Share Trading have become one of the most important financial instruments of modern-business. Many Muslims around the World have delved into this form of business and their numbers are increasing on a daily basis. Hence, it is incumbent upon Muslims dealing in Share-trading to understand the Sharia Rulings with regard to Share-Trading. The present article aims at highlighting the conditions and regulations governing share trading, from a Sharia perspective. It is the writers request to all Muslims to strive in adhering to the rules of Sharia in all aspects of their life, and in particular to strive towards ensuring that their income is from Halaal sources by carefully scrutinising the Sharia Compliance of their income streams. Indeed Haraam income is NO income!

 

Let us now discuss whether Share Trading is permissible and if so the conditions and regulations that govern such trading. Sharia Scholars have discussed and studied the issues related to Share Trading and have allowed such buying and selling of Shares provided the following conditions are strictly adhered to.

The main business of the company whose shares are to be traded in should be halaal. If the main business of the company violates the laws of Sharia, then trading in such a company’s shares would not be permissible. Hence, trading in the shares of conventional banks, conventional insurance companies, companies manufacturing or selling alcohol, night clubs, pornographic magazines etc. are totally prohibited in the Sharia. Any income derived from trading in such shares whether such trading is for capital gain, or to share in the dividends of the company would be regarded as impermissible. This is the very first condition that should be adhered to whilst trading in shares. Muslims should make sure that the business of company whose shares they are buying and selling is Sharia Compliant.
The company whose shares’ are sought to be traded in should have some non-liquid assets as well. E.g. building, machinery, raw material etc. If the business does not have any non-liquid assets, it would only be permissible to trade in the shares of such a company at the par-value of the shares. This is because, in this case the shares represent money only and money cannot be traded in except at par. Trading above or below the par-value would not be allowed in such a situation and would amount to Riba.

The ratio of non-liquid to liquid assets is an aspect in which there is a difference of opinion amongst the jurists. Some Sharia Scholars have given a ruling that the non-liquid assets of the company should be at least 51% of the company’s total portfolio. This is the view of the contemporary scholars from the Shafi and Hambali school of thought. Other scholars have opined that even if the non-liquid assets of the company are 33%, their shares may be negotiable. The third view is based on Hanafi jurisprudence. The principle of the Hanafi school is that whenever an asset is a combination of liquid and non-liquid assets it can be negotiable irrespective of the proportion of its liquid part. However, this principle is subject to two conditions:

a) The non-liquid part of the combination should not be in ignorable quantity. As such, it should be in a considerable proportion.

b) The price of the combination should be more than the liquid amount contained therein. For example, if a share of USD 100.00 represents USD 75.00 in cash and USD 25.00 in fixed assets, the share could be sold or bought at any price above USD 75.00 as USD 75.00 would be in exchange of the liquid USD 75.00 component of the share and the remainder amount would be in exchange of the illiquid assets. Selling such a share at USD 75.00 or below is not permitted. If the share is sold below USD 75.00 it would amount to selling USD 75.00 for less than USD 75.00 which would be analogous to riba. Similarly selling, the share at USD 75.00 would also not be permitted, because if we presume that USD 75.00 of the price is against the liquid component of USD 75.00 owned by the share, no part of the price can be attributed to the fixed assets. Hence the share, in this instance, must be sold at a price higher that USD 75.00.

Based on this, the Sharia Supervisory boards of some Islamic Financial Institutions have ruled that only if the non-liquid assets of a company are not less than 10% (i.e. they are at least 10 %), their shares may be negotiable. Further, the total debt of the company should not exceed 45% of the total asset.

If the main business of the company is halaal, but the company has a certain stream of income that accrues from non-permissible sources, e.g. the company deposits their surplus funds in interest bearing accounts, or the company engages in other non-permissible activities as a side-line to the core business, the share holder must express his disapproval against such dealings, preferably by raising his voice against such activities in the annual general meeting of the company. Contemporary Sharia Scholars have ruled that total income from haraam sources should not exceed 5% of the total income. Further the total investments of the company in non-Sharia compliant activities should not be more than 33% of the total assets of the company.

The forth condition is that if some of the income of the company is from interest bearing accounts, or other impermissible sources, the proportion of such income in the dividend paid to the shareholder must be given in charity and should not be retained by the shareholder.


Share trading is thus permissible subject to these conditions.

The aspect of possession in share trading

The aspect of possession in share trading is an important aspect from a Sharia perspective as the seller of shares may only sell the shares once he has taken possession thereof. The detail of the possession of shares and the Sharia ruling of the same is mentioned hereunder.

Day Trading

Day trading in spot transactions that are carried out at the stock exchanges generally follows the following pattern. As soon as a transaction takes place, its details are recorded on a data base at the stock exchange. However, the buyer in the transaction is only required to pay for the shares he has bought three o five days after the transaction depending on which exchange one is trading. Similarly, the seller is only required to deliver the shares three day after the transaction. The delivery takes place by the transfer of the share into the name of the buyer. Once the name is transferred in this manner the possession of the share has taken place by the buyer according to the definitions and practices of the stock exchanges. Hence the transfer generally takes place after this period.



The ruling with regards to the buyer of the shares selling these shares is that the buyer is not allowed to sell these shares until the shares are transferred to his name which generally takes three to five days (according to the present practices). Selling the shares before the transfer to his name is not allowed in the Sharia even though the risks and rewards related to the shares may have transferred to buyer of the shares once the transaction was recorded in the data base of the stock exchange at the initial point of the sale (as claimed by the authorities who work at the stock exchanges). This is because the sale of a share is actually the sale of an undivided share of the company it represents. Actual possession of this undivided share is also not possible. Hence from a Sharia perspective it is imperative for possession of the share to take place by the buyer, to ensure that takhliya is found. The term takhliya refers to a method of taking possession whereby the buyer of a commodity is not given the commodity physically but he is able to take the commodity whenever he feels. This takhliya generally does not take place before the transfer of the share in the name of the buyer. Hence, Muslim share traders are urged to ensure that this condition is adhered to when buying and selling shares.


And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Shafiq Jakhura
Iftaa Department, Darul Ihsan Islamic Services Centre

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Why I won’t Condemn the Charlie Hebdo Killings

Posted by: Bilal Abdul Kareem

Condemning an event without condemning the actions that led up to that event is just just useless lip service, otherwise known as politics.  Since the shootings at the offices of Charlie Hebdo I have been asked to “clarify my position”.  Non Muslim westerners ask because, in their eyes, if I condemn the killings then I can still stay in the club of “relatively decent Muslims”.  If I don’t condemn then I’m labeled a terrorist sympathizer that must be watched (at least) and taught a lesson at worst.  If a Muslim asks me then, depending on what he believes, it either authenticates my true “Islamic blood” or it shows them that I’m some kind of fake/fanatic Muslim at best or at worst I am a sell out or agent who deserves to have some body parts removed that I might be needing to keep intact.
So I have a message for each group who would ask me this question.  I have to separate the two groups and send two messages because they think differently and if I spoke the same to both groups there might be some confusion.

If a non Muslim asks: “Do you condemn the Charlie Hebdo Killings?”

Answer: To condemn this act and forget the actions that led up to it is about the most asinine thing I could imagine!  Do you think this is simply about a cartoon image of the Prophet Muhammad?  There have been countless images of the Prophet drawn over the years, and while Muslims don’t agree with depicting his image, why has it not evoked such a fierce response in the past?  More on that in a minute.
France has a long history of aggression against Muslims.  If we only want to talk about recent history let’s start with the hundreds of thousands dead in Afghanistan and Iraq due to the active participation of the French government in American led wars.  Let’s talk now about the “assistance” the French army has been giving the death squads in the Central African Republic by disarming the Muslims and leaving their adversaries armed.  Creating an atmosphere of defenseless Muslims against armed gangs.  Should we stop here?  Let’s go further, to French support of the Algerian government in the 1990′s when they decided to cancel elections that Islamic political forces were set to win.  Thus paving the way for more than 150,000 to be killed in an ugly and brutal civil war that didn’t have to happen.  For the sake of brevity we will stop there even though we could continue to discuss France’s history when it comes to Muslim affairs.
France talks about freedom of expression yet it bans Muslim women from covering their faces in public.  Is that not their right to express their religion?  Women can walk freely in France scantily clad because it is their “right” to dress how they want no matter who it offends, but Muslim women are not afforded this right.  Freedom of expression doesn’t include her.    Muslims are ridiculed in the media, yet they are not allowed to express themselves if their opinion goes against the “French norm” or they will be arrested like French comedian Dieudonne “Je suis Charlie Coulibaly” (I am Charlie Coulibaly) on his Facebook page.  Where was his freedom of speech allowance?
Maurice Sinet was fired from Charlie Hebdo in 2009 because he drew a cartoon that was considered anti Semitic.  Where was the freedom of expression then?  Thus freedom of speech in France only means freedom to offend those whose opinions I don’t like.
Then we have the two attackers Said and Cherif Kouachi.  In this backdrop of French double standards and aggression, a cartoonist draws a pornographic image of the Prophet Muhammad.  As I mentioned earlier, the image of the Prophet Muhammad has been done in the past, but not in this fashion.  How would Christians feel if the image was replaced by a caricature of Jesus naked and in a pornographic pose?  Said and Cherif Kouachi, interestingly are of Algerian decent, took matters into their own hands and decided they had had enough of being subjugated, marginalized, and ridiculed. Thus happened what happened.  Most westerners want to pretend that there was no pretext to this event and it just happened in a vacuum. This type of thinking is not in touch with reality.
So if you ask me if I condemn the killings I will ask you if you condemn the events that led up to those killings first.  Then and only then can we seriously talk about Charlie Hebdo.

If a Muslim asks me: “Do you condemn the Charlie Hebdo killings?”

Answer:  Muslims have been blaming the west for all their woes for too long.  Are western governments committing war crimes and atrocities against Muslims?  Yes.  However that has more to do with us and our weakness than it has to do with them and their strength.  The Islamic resistance in Syria had Bashar Assad on the ropes in early 2013.  The regime was about to fall then ISIS emerged, ran rampant and the revolution has been backtracking ever since.  All the while they’ve been dragging the name of Islam through mud with their senseless killing and treachery.  Where was the overwhelming Muslim response of god-fearing warriors to confront them and peacefully force them to stand down?  Muslims have sat in the comforts of their homes hoping someone else will stop them.  Please spare me another “Not in my name” campaign.  What about Boko Haram?  When non Muslims see these false images of Islam, they are understandably uncomfortable.
If you don’t clean up your house, then someone else will do it for you.  The west has volunteered for the job but they are also trying to ruin more than just ISIS in the process in spite of what they may be saying publicly.  It was through our apathy, laziness, and fear that we didn’t stop ISIS ourselves.  Now we want to blame the others who got involved, I suspect for their own sinister reasons, while we were content to be spectators.
Where are the Islamic TV channels that communicate authentic news to the masses of both Muslims and non Muslims instead of relying on CNN, Fox, etc?  Notice I did not say “Muslim owned” TV channels but I said “Islamic”.  Any Muslim can own a TV network and broadcast the same immorality and propaganda that other channels broadcast.  I’m talking about channels or internet based news outlets that are dedicated to spreading authentic news and authentic Muslim values.  Why hasn’t it been established on a proper scale?  Most Islamic media companies are in financial ruin and never have any type of respectable operating budget.  It’s hard work trying to cover a story in a foreign country when your correspondents don’t have plane fare.  Why is that?  It is because we always believe someone else will do it.  If we can’t communicate proper messages to the masses then don’t blame western media for doing what they do.  Some western channels don’t necessarily, although some do, demonize Muslims on purpose because they inherently hate them, some do it out of ignorance of the truths because Muslims haven’t articulated those truths properly and widely enough.

Conclusion

If both sides don’t start talking to each other an apocalypse is waiting for us all.  Does the West think the 1.5 billion Muslims will simply roll over and play dead forever as they transgress the bounds?  Do Muslims think that by perpetrating some acts of killing innocent people it will cause the west to buckle and run away?  Western media is playing a huge role in galvanizing the people to accept only a military solutions to its issues with Muslims.  This is a monstrous mistake.  I often hear in western media “many Muslims are peaceful”.  Yes, it is true but how long will that remain?  How long SHOULD it remain if no serious dialogue options are on the table?  If I condemn or don’t condemn the Charlie Hebdo killings then the dialogue will be still borne.  Westerners and Muslims have to look at the entire picture that surrounds Charlie Hebdo.

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How Masaajid survived the Indian Ocean Tsunami

When a powerful tsunami smashed into this Indonesian city ten years ago, the only structures left standing in many neighbourhoods were mosques.
For the hundreds who found refuge within their walls, the buildings’ lifesaving role has not been forgotten – and for many, that experience strengthened their faith.
Architectural experts say the mosques in Banda Aceh survived because they were sturdily built and had stronger foundations than surrounding structures, many of which were likely constructed of shoddier materials.
But many survivors believe the mosques were spared by divine intervention.

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AVOID SAYING JUMAH MUBARAK!!!

Regarding the Saying: “Jummah Mubarak”

Shaykh Fawzaan was asked the following question:

Every Friday one of my colleagues sends me a text saying “Jummah Mubarak” and he continues saying that he hopes that I will add that to my cell phone greeting or to my greeting on the internet forums; what is your view of this?

Answer:
This is an innovation, Allah has not sent down any authority for this action. This is an action that is not known or narrated in the Sunnah; it has not been narrated that the Muslims should congratulate each other on Friday; rather it has only been reported that they would congratulate each other on Eid Al Adha and Eid Al Fitr not on Friday. Therefore putting this is a text and encouraging others to do it is an innovation and from spreading innovation.

Shaykh Abdul Musin Al-Abaad was asked the following question:
Based on the premise that Friday is a (Eid) holiday, is it permissible to greet each other saying, Jummah Mubarak or Jummah Accepted?
Answer:
By Allah, we do not know of anything that proves the validity of this. As for the two Eids then it has been narrated that the companions when they would meet each other they would say, “May Allah accept it from us and you” or “May Allah accept your obedience”.

The Mufti Shaykh Abdul Aziz was asked the following question:
What is the ruling on the statement Jummah Mubarak?
Answer:
There is no origin for sending out the greeting Jummah Mubarak on the cell phones. It is a bless day, no doubt. Allah the Exalted has singled us out with this day, and the Jews and Christians have been lead astray away from this day, but as for giving a greeting every Friday then we do not know of any origin for this.
Source

Shaykh Saalih ibn Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him) was asked:
What is the ruling on sending text messages every Friday and ending with the phrase “Jummah Mubarak”?
He replied:
The early generation did not congratulate one another on Fridays, so we should not introduce anything that they did not do.
End quote from Ajwabat As’ilah Majallat al-Da‘wah al-Islamiyyah.

A similar fatwa was issued by Shaykh Sulaymaan al-Maajid (may Allah preserve him), when he said:
We do not think it is prescribed to exchange congratulations on Fridays, such as saying to one another, “Jummah Mubarak” and so on, because it comes under the heading of du‘aa’s and dhikrs, which must be based on a text (of the Qur’an or Sunnah) because this is purely the matter of worship and if it were good, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would have done it before us. If anyone suggests that this is permissible, then that may imply that it is prescribed to say du‘aa’s and congratulate one another after having done the five daily prayers and other acts of worship, and du‘aa’ at these times was not done by the early generations.
End quote from the Shaykh’s website (may Allah preserve him)

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YOU'RE A MUSLIM AND YOU PARTY ALL NIGHT AND DRINK ALCOHOL!!!?

______

Oh Salaam, I think I just got your attention there.

Well, I know we can't deny the fact that this really happens nowadays, and sadly, some of our youth suffer from this problem. I will not talk about the root of this evil but what I will share today is a story that happened during the time of the Sahabah Radiyallahu Anhum.

And from there, we can reflect, I know some people who do this, you may know too, or maybe you who reads it fights this too, so let this be a reminder for you, me and everyone else. in sha Allah.

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5 Tips to Help you Wake up for Fajr.

How to Wake up for Fajr

In the fast paced world that we live in one of the challenges facing many Muslims is waking up for Fajr. Let's get to the root of the problem. Brother Nouman Ali Khan says"We live in a world where we wake our kids up for school but not for Fajr." This is essentially a big problem in many of our Muslim homes today. Our children grow up thinking Dunia is more Important than Akhira. When we wake them up for school but not for Fajr that is the impression we give them. To deal with this problem we must always put Islam in our homes before anything else. So many people grow up not praying Fajr and later on when they grow up they find it difficult to wake up. If this habit was instilled in us when we were young it may have been much easier. Habits are hard to let go off.

Another Fitna that has come in to the lives of many Muslims is the Internet. You see the internet is not bad, its the way you use it that is bad. Take for example a knife, if you use it in the kitchen well and good, but that same knife if you harm some one with it not so good. So the knife is not the problem its the way we use it. Same goes for the internet. If you are up all night on Facebook and other social media and then you sleep at 2am, you are a normal human being, how do you expect to wake up? 

The third problem when waking up for Fajr is Shaitaan. You see each night you sleep the shaitan ties three knots over your head.We will look at how to u untie these knots.

Now here are some practical tips to help you wake up for Fajr. I personally use most of them and I hope and pray to Allah (swt)  he makes it easy for you to wake up.

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Mecca: outrage at plan to replace the Prophet’s (pbuh) brithplace with mall

By: Andrew Johnson

Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/

The site in Mecca where the Prophet Mohamed P.B.U.H is said to have been born is about to be “buried under marble” and replaced by a huge royal palace. The work is part of a multibillion-pound construction project in the holy city which has already resulted in the destruction of hundreds of historic monuments.

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Don't Loose Hope

 

Things aren’t always as they seem. Umm Musa was told to throw her son in the river, Yusuf was left in a well, Maryam delivered a child alone, Yunus was swallowed by a whale, Ibrahim was thrown in the fire and Umm Salamah thought no one could be better than Abu Salamah. Yet look at how it turned out for them in the end. So don’t worry, If you haven't yet met your future spouse.Don't lose hope. Allah has a plan for you.

Marriage is Sunnah and also half our deen. It's a new door that leads to happiness as it unites two people and creates new familial bonds. When I think of marriage, I think of the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). I think of love, mercy, compassion, friendship, and happiness.


Today we are living in a time where it is very difficult to get married. Culture seems to play a bigger role in marriage than the religion itself which causes much distress among families especially youngsters who suffer the most. If I ask a young Muslim brother why he hasn't married? He would say, "I do not have the means to support a wife, I am looking for a job." Another would say, "I haven't found the right person." Then, the excuses build up. When I ask the Muslim sisters, They say "education" and some say, "I will when the times comes InshaAllah."

While all these great excuses and cultural barriers between parents build up, the people remain unmarried for a very long time.

This is when I have found many people getting depressed. Some have lost hope and think that they will never get married.

This is very sad. I feel guilty writing this but this is a very important issue and is an advice to myself first, then others InshaAllah.

The other day someone told me a story about a beautiful girl who was so proud of herself she would reject every good proposal that would come to her thinking they are not good enough. Finally, there came to a point where she was getting older and the proposals stopped coming to her. While in desperation, there finally came a proposal which was was distinct from the others and she finally accepted it but got rejected at the end. The reason being that she got a lot older than she used to be. This made the girl commit suicide. Note: this is not a true story. Moral: Look into the proposals you receive because they are a blessing from Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala and do not reject them unless you have a good reason (Advice to my self first and to everyone InshaAllah)

The reason for mentioning all this is to remind my dear brothers and sisters in Islam not to despair if you feel you cannot get married at the moment. Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala will have someone for you. Do not lose hope thinking that you will never get married.

Here are a few steps that may facilitate the process of marriage:

1. Maintain a good relationship with Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala. The other day I reflected upon this thinking to myself, if I do not have a good relationship with Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala, then how will I expect myself to have a good relationship with others? Work on your relationship with Allah Subhana Wa ta'ala. Leave your sins and take yourself to account. Check your attitude towards others daily including your anger level, character, patience and if its faltering, work on it. Also when it comes to Salah, rush for it. Pray with Khushoo. Remember, the happiest person is the one who submits himself to Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala.

2. Tell your parents. If you are closer to your mom or dad, tell them. In other cases, if you have a big brother or a sister who is closer to you, ask them to talk to your parents on your behalf. Try to convince them with a kind attitude. If you are good to your parents, they will definitely listen to you.

3. Make lots of duas. I have known a few sisters who have made lots of duas for righteous husbands. I have seen them very happy in life Masha'Allah. Furthermore, make sure to wake up in the night for Tahajjud and ask Allah for a good spouse. Once you have done that, keep making dua until a good proposal comes to you. Do not stop no matter what. This is where Shaytan will get to you! Do not Stop!

4. Put your complete trust in Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala.

'The emaan of a person cannot be true until he has more trust in that which is in Allah's Hands than that which is in his own hands.' [Ali Ibn Abi Talib RadiAllahu 'Anhu]

Be like a child, who would say, "I asked my mother to bring me my lunch to school." The lunch time almost comes to an end and all his friends would say, "I don't think your mom is gonna come. The lunch time is almost over." The child would not stop and will say over again, "Say anything you want, I know my mom will come and give me the best lunch ever!". No sooner than he turns around, he finds his mother holding his favorite lunch. The child would then tell his friend, "I told you, she would! My mother is amazing. She loves me so much."

The reason I have mentioned the story of a mother and a child is to show the pure innocence of the child. How he trusted his mother and waited patiently on her that she will bring him his favorite food he asked her to get. Also the relationship between a mother and her child is amazingly remarkable. A mother loves her child so much and never asks for anything in return. In your life you will always find people who love you but no other love in the world compares to that of a mother.

Now, imagine your relationship with Allah Subhana Wa ta'ala. Allah loves us more than our mothers. So if you ask Him for something, don't lose hope, know He will give you the best! Always Expect the best from Allah Subhana Wa ta'ala.

5. Always remember after hardship comes ease. So be patient.

"Life is like a coin. Pleasure and pain are the two sides. Only one side is visible at a time. But remember other side is waiting for its turn."

6. When things go wrong always say:

حسبنا آالله ونعم آلوكيل

"Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)."[Surah Al 'Imran 173]

It doesn't matter if you get rejected by someone. You never know what's the good behind it.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"It may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know." (2: 216)

Leave your affairs to Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala. What is meant to happen will happen InshaAllah and you will get rewarded for your patience. I can almost imagine myself in Jannah enjoying the fruits and drinks flowing like a waterfall. The more I am waiting here, the more I am enjoying there and don't forget Jannah is eternal.


7. Increase in worship. Start fasting every Mondays and Thursdays. It is sunnah! Fasting helps you and you can make lots of duas while you are fasting.

8. Read Qur'an daily and reflect upon it. It doesn't matter if you do not get what you want here in this world, you still have the Hereafter. You have not lost anything. The affairs of a believer are good both in this world and the hereafter.

9. Keep doing good deeds and give more charity.

"Surely, Allah's Mercy is [ever] near unto the good-doers." (Qur'an 7:56]

Know that Paradise is not far away. So work hard for it and compete with other believers in righteousness.

Narrated 'Abdullah (Radi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sall Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said, "Paradise is nearer to anyone of you than the Shirak (leather strap) of his shoe, and so is the (Hell) Fire. [8:495-O.B] Sahih Al Bukhari

Al-Mutanabbi said:

"Time has showered me with trouble until
The arrows on my heart have formed a cover,
That now when I am struck with an arrow,
The blade of it strikes into the shaft of another,
Now I live without a care for troubles
Since I have nor profited by caring."

Lastly, according to the book "Don't be Sad", "Tribulation is similar to sickness: it must run its course before it goes away, and the one who is hasty in attempting to remove it often causes it to augment and increase. It is imperative that the one who is afflicted be patient; he must wait with hope for relief, and he must be persistent in his prayers."

May Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala make it easy on the people who are seeking marriage Ameen

There is a beautiful dua you can recite:

"O Allah! Please grant me the one
Who will be the garment for my soul,
Who will satisfy half of my deen
And in doing so make me whole.
Make him righteous and on your path
In all he'll do and say,
And sprinkle water on me at Fajr
Reminding me to pray.
May he earn from halal sources
And spend within his means,
May he seek Allah's guidance always
To fulfill all his dreams.
May he always refer to Qur'an
and the Sunnah as his moral guide,
May he thank and appreciate Allah
For the woman at his side.
May he be conscious of his anger
And often fast and pray,
Be charitable and sensitive
In every possible way.
May he honor and protect me
And guide me in this life,
And please Allah! Make me worthy
to be his loving wife.
And finally, O Allah!
Make him abundant in love and laughter,
In taqwa and sincerity
In striving for the hereafter.
AMEEN! " -Anonymous

I will now end with a quote:

"Good things come to those who wait.
Better things come to those who try.
Best things come to those who believe.
Desired things come to those who pray." (Unknown)

Article submitted by Anonymous

 

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Namaz and Successful Marriages

Over the years, counsellors and therapists have developed a range of techniques to diagnose problematic marriages.

“Are you to the point that your spouse just can’t do anything right, does everything they do get under your skin? Does everything lead to an argument? Would you rather be anywhere than with your spouse? Are thoughts of divorce running through your mind on a regular basis?”

These are just some from a series of questions professionals would typically ask troubled spouses to get the ball rolling towards marital healing, reconciliation or justice.

For Muslims in such compromising marital situations however, as important as these questions undoubtedly are, one matter of diagnosis would still be deemed weightier.

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Islam in Japan: past and present

by Samee Siddiqui
Source: aljazeera.com

Imam Abdullah Takazawa, Tokyo

By: Samee Siddiqui

Source: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Tokyo Camii, or the Tokyo Mosque, is a curious sight, both stunning and subtle. Despite the grand Turkish design, the mosque hides between apartment blocks in the quiet residential neighbourhood of Yoyogi Uehara.

Construction of the current incarnation of the mosque was completed in 2000, but the mosque has a much longer history. It was in the 1930s when Japan first saw a significant resident Muslim population and the first mosques were established. The Nagoya Mosque was built in 1931 and the Kobe Mosque in 1935 by Indian-Muslim migrants.

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Forex Trading

Forex trading involves the buying and selling of various currencies. The Forex market is the most liquid financial market in the world and has a daily turnover of $3 Trillion dollars. The online forex trading market is growing everyday.

For a while now many people have been profiting from Online Forex Trading. This is a very nice business and can be done by any one from anywhere with just a computer and an internet connection. You will need to open an account with a broker, deposit some money in it and you can start trading.

With the introduction of Islamic accounts from many forex trading brokers, this business has eliminated the Riba element in this business. I encourage everyone to learn forex trading and take advantage of this opportunity. Learning forex trading is important to protect yourself against losses. Forex education will help you to navigate the market with a better understanding of whats going on.

There are various types of traders and forex trading strategies that you can learn. Some people are day traders who trade the market for  a short term usually trades last one day. Other people are swing traders, some people are price action traders and others use various indicators to help them trade.

Price action trading is the most popular form of trading, it involves the use of clean simple price charts usually with no or very few indicators like moving averages.

This article has been sponsored by www.sz-ventures.com who provide services related to forex trading in kenya

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