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Killing of Husain: World Day of Repentance – 1436
Oct 30, 2014 | 1 month, 3 weeks ago.
Eid Greetings
Oct 06, 2014 | 2 months, 2 weeks ago.
World Day of God – 2014/1435
Sep 30, 2014 | 2 months, 3 weeks ago.
Among Fundamental Human Needs: Health and Education
Sep 30, 2014 | 2 months, 3 weeks ago.
Muslims: A People of Protest Par Excellence
Sep 09, 2014 | 3 months, 2 weeks ago.
We are Muslims – and This Is Our Jihad!
Sep 09, 2014 | 3 months, 2 weeks ago.
Islam Passing Through Tough Times?
Sep 04, 2014 | 3 months, 3 weeks ago.
- We are Muslims — and This Is Our Jihad! 6.00 views per day | posted on September 9, 2014 | under Articles
- Pasha Hour International – Live from America! 4.00 views per day | posted on November 19, 2013
- How Muhammad, Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, Changed the World 3.00 views per day | posted on January 18, 2012 | under Articles
- The Pope and the Prophet, Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam! 2.00 views per day | posted on November 4, 2006 | under Articles
- A New Year’s Resolution 2.00 views per day | posted on January 4, 2008 | under Featured articles
- Whither Indian Muslims – Part Two 2.00 views per day | posted on June 18, 2009 | under Articles
- How to Change the Muslim World – One Idea at a Time 1 view per day | posted on November 25, 2011 | under Articles
- Pasha Hour International – Live from America! 1 view per day | posted on April 9, 2009 | under Writings
- Quote-Unquote – Book VI (501-600) 1 view per day | posted on February 12, 2014 | under Quote-Unquote - Books
- Mutual Self-Help: A Social Obligation in Islam 1 view per day | posted on July 31, 2012 | under Articles
Latest Quotes
What a Beautiful Thought, Even When the Moment Is So Sad! [Quote 581]
Posted: Oct 06, 2014 | 2 months, 2 weeks ago.
A former neighbor passed away. A couple of years ago.
Got to learn about it only moments ago.
Wonderful people, both husband and wife. And great neighbors.
Good Christian people.
Mid-fifties. That is how old or young Doug was when he died. That was his name: Douglas.
Death comes to all: Muslim and non-Muslim. Good people and bad people.
Here is what his obituary said — then, two years ago:
“In lieu of flowers, please be kind to everyone you encounter,
forgive someone who has hurt you,
beg forgiveness from someone you have hurt,
or hug someone close and tell them you love them.”
What can Muslims learn from this?
Does it remind them of anything someone may have taught them 1400 years ago: Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam?
And they may be a bit rusty on right now?
May God bless the survivors, keep them and be with them.
END
Islam Does Not Change [Quote 580]
Sep 23, 2014 | 3 months ago.
What people need to understand is Islam and Islamic Work — Working for Allah that is — does not change. Or is it “do” not change?
Islam remains the same for ever and ever and ever.
How can it be otherwise, when it is a reflection and manifestation in the real world of the infinite and timeless attributes of Allah?
That is true of Islamic work — Working for Allah — as well, in some very important ways.
But here is the difference.
While Islam is directly from Allah (Good reason why it does not and cannot change, right?) Islamic Work (Working for Allah), on the other hand, is the application of Islam to human situations mediated by human beings and agencies in ever-changing space-time configurations.
This means those Working for Allah, or those engaged in Islamic Work as they say, must be constantly in touch with reality, and in tune with the changes taking place in the world, around them.
And they must continually monitor their work and its effectiveness, and its usefulness in relation to the goals they set out to achieve. And introduce the changes they must in their methods and approaches, based on the results of their evaluation of their work.
In a sense, this is the essence of Islam: setting goals; specifying methods; mobilizing resources; monitoring progress; ongoing evaluation.
Islam called it Ihtisaab. If Muslims by and large are oblivious of it or indifferent to it, who is to blame?
END
Work in Islam Is Worship — Again! [Quote 579]
Sep 10, 2014 | 3 months, 2 weeks ago.
I have said this before, and I am saying it again: Work in Islam is worship.
And it is Jihad.
That means those who are engaged in doing their daily duties — whatever work it is that they do — it is as if they are in Salaah.
They are face to face with Allah. And Allah is watching over them. And Allah is also watching their every move, and reading their every thought, and monitoring the minutest movements of their eyes.
And if they are waiting for work to arrive, it is as if they are in a mosque waiting for Salaah to begin.
And in Islam those who wait for Salaah to start, their position is the same, and their reward is the same, as those who are actually engaged in the performance of the Salaah.
So, if they are pure and honest in their motives and intentions, and diligent and thorough and conscientious in the work that they do, their reward is Paradise and not merely worldly success in the work that they do.
That is how amazing this system of Islam is: You do your own work and you get Paradise in return for it, in addition to your own usual reward in this world, provided your intentions are good and your effort is the very best you could, make it.
END
Islam Means Playing to Win [Quote 578]
Sep 10, 2014 | 3 months, 2 weeks ago.
If you are a Muslim, you must always Play to Win.
And win fair and square, following all the accepted rules and norms.
Not participating in the Game of Life is not an option for you, if you are a Muslim.
Nor can you, as a Muslim, cheat and deceive and cut corners.
Nor can you Play Life halfheartedly or haphazardly. You must always enter and Do Life with full gusto, vigor and interest.
And your object must always be to win.
Of course, in every game, including the Game of Life, winning and losing comes directly from Allah, no matter how perfectly predictable or unpredictable a situation may be. But giving every moment, and every single Play of Life, your best is your obligation as a Muslim.
So, always bear this mind:
As a Muslim, you cannot sit on the sidelines when the Game of Life is being played all around you.
Nor can you, as a Muslim, enter the Game of Life with an attitude of indifference and lethargy.
So, go Play Life with full vigor, and expect to win. What comes out at the end is not in your hands.
Nothing ever was. And nothing ever will be.
But don’t let that get to you. For, nothing is in anyone else’s hand either. And your opponents in the great big Game of Life are just as helpless as you are. For, nothing is in their hand, just as nothing is in your hand.
Everything is in God’s hands. And it will always be.
And it is always he who decides who will win and who will lose.
So, as a Muslim, you have absolutely nothing to lose.
So, go play hard and Play to Win.
END
Consistency and Persistence:
That Is What Islam Is All About [Quote 577]
Sep 04, 2014 | 3 months, 3 weeks ago.
Allah bless those who are doing the rounds of universities, schools and markets talking to people about Islam.
And handing them literature on Islam.
These good folks should bear one simple point in mind: Consistency and persistence are key requirements of Islam.
The key features of Islam are not so much innovation and creativity, even though they are, as endurance and predictability.
Islam is not a flash-in-the-pan operation. It is not a one-shot deal. Islam is a lifelong commitment and dedication to certain carefully considered values, beliefs, goals and practices.
So, the true test of the success of this new Operation Outreach is that people should say — after 50 years from today:
“Where is the man — or was it a woman? — who used to stand under that tree and give out pamphlets on Islam?
Haven’t seen them in a while.
Are they all right, do you think?”
END
Beginning Islam, Preaching Islam [Quote 576]
Sep 01, 2014 | 3 months, 3 weeks ago.
Blessed are those who go to street corners and university and school campuses, and public and market places, and preach Islam to people and distribute Islamic literature.
For, they are doing God’s Work on earth.
They are Working for Allah.
They must rejoice in the knowledge that, no matter how strange this may sound, this is the beginning of Islam. In their life; and where they are.
Yet another one.
This is yet another beginning of the endless chain of the Message to Humanity from God Almighty.
The only test — did I say “only” test? — of these wonderful individuals and groups, male and female, will be how long they keep this up: Going out and hustling on the streets for Allah and preaching Islam.
And, also, how pure and true their motives and intentions are — and will be.
And, oh yes, also of course, how sweet and wonderful their demeanor is going to be and how absolutely charming and alluring their approach will be throughout.
Allah says:
Wa Yadra-oona Bil-Hasanatis Sayyi-ah.
“They cope with Evil using Good.”
“They return Evil with Good.”
“They reward Evil with Good.”
I don’t to this day understand what that means — or how it works. But since Allah says it, I know it must be right.
So, these people, hustling in the streets — universities, schools, markets and all kinds of other places — have their work cut out for them:
” When people are bad to them, they must be good to people.”
That alone is an experience worth having in life.
Everyone: Come on; take a chance; go out on the streets and try your hand at preaching Islam to people; you may even come to like it.
And who knows what kind of reward God Almighty may have in store for you, right here in this world, as well as in the next world.
END
How Good People May Do Bad Things [Quote 575]
Aug 28, 2014 | 3 months, 4 weeks ago.
People — often Good People — do Bad Things in all kinds of Bad Ways.
Sometimes, good people do bad things just by doing them.
Sometimes, they do bad things by not doing the good things they must be doing.
Sometimes, they do bad things by saying or speaking — using all forms, tools and techniques of communication — bad things.
Sometimes, they do bad things by not speaking or saying the good things they must be saying.
Check this out:
Man Sakata An Haqqin Fa-Huwa Shaitaanun Akhras.
And check this out in the Qur’an:
Kaanoo Laa Yatanaahuuna An Munkarin Fa’aloohu.
Let me give here just one example that I never use.
The whole world condemned the most disproportionate use of force the most powerful state of Israel used recently to perpetrate some of the most terrible atrocities on the tiny Gaza Strip most densely populated with children and women and in the process killing countless children and women and civilians.
And now go and make a list of all those Muslim governments, rulers, countries, leaders, organizations and others who did anything to stop that.
And those who said anything to stop or condemn that.
And those from whom not a squeak or a peep was heard.
Then ask if they are some of the people in this world — Muslims — who are in Bed with the Devil.
So, that is how some people do bad things:
through action and inaction;
through speech and communication; and
through equally wicked, evil, culpable, criminal silence in the face of injustice, oppression and some of the most terrible wrongs and atrocities known to man.
END
Aug 28, 2014 | 3 months, 4 weeks ago.
There is no such thing as “Armchair Islam.”
So, as a result, there cannot be people who want to spend their life as “Armchair Muslims.”
Islam is “hustling.” Period.
Islam is “hustling” in the Streets.
Islam is camping out on Street Corners — looking for people to talk to; to invite to Allah; and to do good unto.
All kinds of people: Hindus; Muslims; Jews; Christians; Atheists; Believers; non-Believers; and all others.
Islam is not armchair reading of the Qur’an and Rolling of the Rosaries.
Even though there is no activity on this earth more glorious than the Reading of the Reading: the Noble Qur’an.
And the learning and teaching of the Qur’an.
Khayirukum Man Ta’allamal Qur’ana wa Allamahu!
And even though Dhikr of Allah — Chanting of Allah’s Most Glorious Name: Rolling the Rosary Beads – is bigger and better than anything else.
Wa La-Dhikrullahi Akbar!
Yet, when all is said and done as they say, Islam is “Hustling” in Streets — for Allah and for Allah’s creation.
Islam is “Hustling in the Streets” looking for all kinds of ways to serve Allah and his creation better.
To make the life of the people on earth better.
To make a difference in the life of the people — a positive and most wonderful difference — in the life of everyone everywhere.
And to better and improve the life of all other creation of God in this world.
That is Islam in a nutshell.
And that is what we call Working for Allah.
END
Hijrat and Ghurbat in a Believer’s Life [Quote 573]
Aug 28, 2014 | 3 months, 4 weeks ago.
A Believer’s life is one of perpetual Hijrat – constant movement and non-stop walking away and running to.
Leaving the world behind as it were.
A Believer is constantly walking away from bad things and moving toward good things.
And his life is one of non-stop running to Allah — and away from all else.
As the Qur’an says:
Fa-Firroo Ilallah!
Innee Dhaahibun Ilaa Rabbee.
And a Believer’s life is one of Ghurbat – loneliness; being and feeling alone; unrecognized; unappreciated; and being a stranger in his own land, and among his own friends and in the midst of the most robust and vibrant company.
Blessed be the one who blessed the Strangers, Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, and said:
Fa-Toobaa Lil-Ghurabaa!
And yet a Believer finds solace, comfort and joy in the company of Believers and of Good People and of what ancient Christians — even some Muslims — used to call the Righteous.
END
When Things Appear to Be Going Well [Quote 572]
Aug 28, 2014 | 3 months, 4 weeks ago.
Challenges in the life of those Working for Allah are normal and to be expected.
These things are just as they are supposed to be. Perfectly understandable — and natural.
Those Working for Allah must start worrying, not when they are facing challenges, but when things appear to be going just “too, too well” and perfectly.
And they have no challenges to deal with.
Read:
A-Hasibannaasu An-Yutrakoo An-Yaqooloo Aamanna wa Hum Laa Yuftanoon.
END
Doing Good — Randomly! [Quote 571]
Aug 27, 2014 | 3 months, 4 weeks ago.
Muslims are good people. They like to do good things.
And they also tell each other to do good things.
But that is where sometimes the catch is: “What are the good things that Muslims must do?”
And all of us must do?
We are talking outside all the compulsory duties of course — the Faraa-id.
And outside all that Muslims know to be strong Sunnah.
So, the question is, in matters which involve neither direct Fard, nor strong Sunnah, what kind of good things should Muslims do?
A rude fellow like me will say:
“Trust your judgment.”
“And your common sense.”
“And your past experience.”
“Do some cost-benefit analysis like smart people.”
“See which investment is likely to produce the best and highest returns on your time, money and effort.”
Better people than me, which is practically everyone else on this planet, will say:
“Hey, why don’t you check out this Hadith Sharif? The one which says:
Al-Mu’minu … Kayyisun, Fatin.
Meaning, roughly, a believer is a sharp, smart operative. He or she does not get bitten from the same hole over and over again.
Laa Yuldaghul Mu’minu Min Juhrin Waahidin Marratayin.
END
Aug 27, 2014 | 3 months, 4 weeks ago.
There is a most beautiful Hadith of Sayyidina Muhammad, Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam.
And all Hadith of Sayyidina Muhammad, Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, are beautiful.
That most beautiful Hadith goes like this, I think:
Al Mu’minu Mir-aatul Mu’min!
Meaning:
A believer to a believer is a mirror. Not “like” a mirror. But a mirror.
“The mirror,” in fact.
“A believer is a believer’s mirror.”
Believers reflect each other in this common mirror from God.
What one thinks, the other does too. What one says, the other echoes.
And some of us have just been shown that to be true. Right here, right in our own life.
Right at this moment.
To the point of spontaneously crying out:
Sadaqa Rasulullahi, Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallama.
“Muhammad, Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, did indeed speak the truth.“
What a blessing, Mashallah and alhamdulillah!
It is one thing to know a particular Hadith to have strong Sanad – chain of narration.
It is one thing to understand a given Hadith to have unimpeachable credentials.
But then to watch that Hadith suddenly spring to its feet, and come alive right in front of your eyes, who can ever put that experience in words?
END
A News Item to Remember from Egypt’s Pro-Democracy Movement
On the night of August 3rd 2013, 300,000 (three hundred thousand) Lovers of Democracy and Freedom at Raabi'a ‘Adawiyyah in Egypt, while facing military and police bullets unarmed and with their bare chests, did 10,000 (ten thousand) Khatm of the Qur’an – finished reading the Qur’an cover to cover 10,000 times.


