...ISLAM - THE WORLD POWER OF THE FUTURE? Table of Contents In the 19th century Islam had virtually disappeared from view in Europe and America. Only a few Westerners in distant colonies had been exposed to Muslims. Some romantic tales about the Turkish wars survived. However, the rapid technological developments in the West had by-passed the Islamic peoples, making them appear insignificant. But not much time has passed since Europe was last in danger of being overrun by Islam. In the year 1453 Constantinople, the Eastern bulwark of Christianity, was captured by the Ottomans. Later in 1529 and again in 1683 the Turks stood at the gates of Vienna. The struggle to free Belgrade lasted almost 200 years; and it was only a short time before the First World War when the last Balkan countries were able to shake off the Islamic Turkish yoke. For 600 years Islam and Christianity have wrestled with each other in that area. Many Christians have forgotten that Syria and North Africa were once the heartland of the Christian world! But during the first Islamic invasions in the years AD 632 to 732 they were overrun and fell under Arab control. Muslim armies swept into Western Europe and stood no more than 200 kilometres south of Paris, and near Geneva, too. If Charles Martel had not stood firm we would likely all be Muslims today! Nietzsche, the atheist, ventured to say sarcastically, "The greatest mistake in world history was the defeat of the Arabs at Tours and Poitiers." The third great...
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...world identify their religion as Islam. Along with Judaism and Christianity it traces its roots through Prophet Abraham and back to the first humans Adam and Eve. 7. Islam is a complete way of life that governs all facets of life: moral, spiritual, physical,intellectual, social, economical, etc. 8. Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. 9. "Allah" is an Arabic word that means "God". 10. Muslims also believe that "Allah" is the personal name of God. 11. Allah is not the God of Muslims only. He is the God of all people and all creation. 12. The Islamic concept of God is that He is loving, merciful and compassionate. 13. . Islam also teaches that He is all-knowing and the perfect judge of affairs, and will punish (or forgive) accordingly. 14. Islam teaches a balance between fear and hope, protecting one from both complacency and despair. 15. Muslims believe that God has revealed 99 of His names, or attributes, in the Qur'an. 16. Muslims neither worship Muhammad nor pray through him. Muslims solely worship the Unseen and Omniscient Creator, Allah. 17. Muslims...
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...Monotheistic Religions Paper HUM/130 Dr. Donald Howard David Carradine June 10, 2012 Describe how Judaism understands God. “The term "God" which is used in reference to the Creator is considered sacred, thus according to Orthodox Jews at least, all care and respect should be undertaken towards any paper or scroll which has the term printed upon it. In obedience to Gods Commandment the Jewish faith does not allow any image or icon of God. Consequently the only way that is left to "see" God is through verbal imagery. The issue of conflict between God's Commandment and the use of images within the Torah, which is regarded as God's word, can be explained satisfactorily by Jewish teaching in my opinion. Also it is acceptable within reason to use imagery regarding God, so long as proper decorum, respect, reverence and strict guidelines and understanding are followed by believers. It must be understood however that although the Jewish understanding of God may permit the use of imagery, God must never be represented by any direct image. The roots of this belief, predominant in Jewish beliefs, stems from the book of Exodus, "You shall not make yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything in heaven above or on earth beneath or in the waters under the earth”. You shall not bow down to them or serve them" (Exodus 20: 3-5). This is an absolute vital Commandment in God's eyes. His law is not to be taken lightly for fear of the consequences; later in Exodus we are sufficiently...
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...Mosque A mosque is a place where Muslims meet to worship God (Allah). The word 'mosque' is linked to an Arabic word meaning 'prostrate oneself' and it is a place where Muslims bow before God (prostrate means bow down). Mosques are generally rectangular in shape and the walls define the sacred area inside the building however, whilst some mosques are purpose built others can be found in converted houses. A basic feature of all mosques is a tower called the minaret. In Islamic countries the muezzin (caller) enters the minaret and calls the people to prayer. In Britain this is not allowed so some Islamic communities broadcast the call to prayer on a radio frequency which Muslims can pick up in their homes and places of work using a small receiver. The call to prayer goes like this: 'God is great, God is most Great, (x3) I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, (x3) I bear witness that Mohammed is the messenger of Allah (x2) Come to prayer, (x2) Come to your good, (x2) God is most great, (x2) I bear Witness that there is no God but Allah [IMAGE]Muslims pray five times a day and prayer times are fixed by the sun and change daily. Because people lead busy lives it is the role of the muezzin to make sure people know when the correct time for prayer is. Each time for prayer has a special name and each time is separated by two hours. These times are Fajr (before dawn and sunrise), Zuhr (after midday)...
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...The Controversy and The Practice of Islam Hanane Saoui SOC 350 Cultural Diversity in Professions Professor Carolyn Sawtell February 23, 2014 Islam is practiced around the globe, not only in the Middle East or by Arabs “One in every five people worldwide is a Muslim, some 1.3 billion believers. Islam is the world's fastest growing religion and it has spread across the globe.”(Handwerk, 2003). So, the fact that a very large number of followers of Islam around the world are from different races, ethnicities, and cultural background makes this topic important to the study of cultural diversity. This research aims at understanding the importance of Islam in many cultures in which the Islam is shaped or it shapes the cultures in many Muslim countries. It also aim at discussing the teachings of Islam and also to analyze how these teachings are interpreted and practiced in many Muslim countries including the middle east, in the United States, in the Great Britain, and the Asian countries represented by Indonesia. It will also be discuss how Islam is understood in each of those countries’ culture, what similarities and differences are between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism and how the cultures are impacted from the Islamic teachings in different countries. And last but not least, it will discuss the importance of the topic of Islam in the cultural diversity. Islam (2001). Islam, one of the world’s great monotheistic religions, was founded (or restored) by the Prophet Muhammad...
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...century C.E. Islam, which literally means "surrender" or "submission," was founded on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as an expression of surrender to the will of Allah, the creator and sustainer of the world. The Quran, the sacred text of Islam, contains the teachings of the Prophet that were revealed to him from Allah. The second-largest religion in existence (behind Christianity) and the dominant religion in more than twenty countries, Islam is believed to be practiced by over one fifth of the world’s population. The Islamic teaching is that Islam as a religion has been practiced by the righteous since the creation of mankind and that all the prophets of God preached the same message. Many prophets were given scriptures to guide their nations and communities. Muslims believe in the scriptures that were revealed to the prophets before Prophet Mohammad, particularly, The Psalms of David, The Torah and The Bible. However Muslims believe that the last revealed scripture is The Holy Quran, and it is the only revealed scripture that has not been changed by human additions or deletions since its revelation 1400 years ago. The Absolute: Like Jews and Christians, Muslims also believe in one God. The belief in the existence of One God is the first article of Muslim’s faith. Muslims called god “ALLAH”. Allah (God) is the most High and Exalted, the Creator and the Sustainer of all that exists, and He is far above possessing any creaturely attributes. He is not bound by any of...
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...most beautiful monument built by the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. As many as 28 different varieties of semi-precious and precious stones were used to adorn the Taj with exquisite work. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond description, particularly at dawn and sunset.The Taj Mahal takes on different coloring at different times of the day, from a pinkish hue in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden at night when lit by the moon. They say the changing colour resembles the changing mood of females - in particular the Emperor's queen, Mumtaz Mahal. Passages from Quran have been used as decorative elements throughout the complex. On the sides of the actual tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, 99 names of Allah can be found as calligraphic inscriptions. This is important to them because they are Muslim. There was a popular myth that Shah Jahan was planning to construct a black Taj Mahal across the Yamuna, this is not true. There was also another popular myth that the Emperor,Shah Jahan, cut off the hands of the workers so that no one could recreate another palace like his, fortunately this is not true. Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan (died 1666 C.E.) in the memory of his dear wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India. Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to...
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...“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace within ourselves.” The sole focus of an individual is dynamic fulfillment that derives from ones inner sphere signifying outer peace. Peace within one’s self is gained through sacred meaning, and the diminishing of inner turmoil that restricts inner peace in which individuals require in order to achieve external peace within the world .Internal strife and peace will lead the restoration of peace in the outer world. In both Christianity and Islam, sacred texts are vital sources of information on all aspects of peace. They demonstrate principal teachings about peace, and teachings on inner peace as well as supporting the ultimate aim of world peace. Although man is unable to avoid conflict, they can teach themselves to respond in ways that avoid negative outcomes. The scriptural text, the New Testament is used as a sacred text among Christians as it is the key principal and foundational element of teaching. Peace is an underlying value that has been conveyed through the form of a message conveyed to Christian believers. Peace is at the heart of Jesus’ life and ministry. The New Testament expresses peace as virtue as it a key element of the reign of God. Jesus himself is known as the “prince of peace”. Peace being a common notion throughout Christian scriptural literature emphasize’ the importance of peace, combating conflict in which derives away from peace. The New Testament encounters inner peace as it an imperative...
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...Jorge Diaz December 16, 2011 Period 1 AP World History Mr. Liles Two Sides to One Story The lineage of Abraham, Isaac-and Ishmael, a story of life and death, in two different perspectives, but which one is correct? The Quran does not state the name of the son that Abraham was commanded to sacrifice by Allah (The Quran. New Delhi 37:99–113), in the Bible Abraham is commanded to sacrifice his son Isaac (Bible 22;5, 8). Islamic scholars believe that the son promised to Abraham was Isaac, but when Allah commands Abraham to kill his only son, knowing that Ishmael was born first, this is the son Allah wanted Abraham to sacrifice (islamreligion.com). Judeo-Christian scholars will argue that Ishmael is not a direct son to Abraham as he was born from a servant, commonly explained as from a concubine (islamreligion.com). One might bring themselves to believe automatically what religion they are more inclined towards, whether it be; Christianity or Islam, as there is no legitimate answer to the question-was Isaac the “chosen” son, or was it Ishmael? In reality no one will ever come to agree on this question, as this is a question which touches emotional and stable foundations in ones life. The story of Abraham and Isaac in both Christianity and Islam states that the promised son was Isaac, and that Ishmael was conceived from a servant, but they both differ in who was the chosen son. This eludes to a more prominent question...
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...donor agencies as a sign of their brinkmanship and claim that this is the only way to solve the nation’s economic problems. In this paper, Hizb ut-Tahrir, Bangladesh exposes the oppressive capitalist nature of the budget and shows how the entire economy of Bangladesh, through a complex package of measures, is being brought under the total grip of the imperialists. ! " # $ % & ' Every year when the budget is presented, one of the most common discussions is that revenue target has not been achieved. Tax is the main source of revenue in Bangladesh (around 95% of total Government of Bangladesh GOB revenue), especially import duties (around 66% of tax revenue). Contribution of VAT (including import) currently stands above 40%. In the name of reform of tax regimes and restructuring of the tax administration, the GOB reduces the duties on luxury items such as new cars, televisions or refrigerators while imposing VAT (Value Added Tax) on essential services. This year the GOB incorporated 11 new service sectors under the VAT net which includes doctors and educational institutes. VAT is such an unfair system where every individual, rich or poor, pays the same amount of tax for consuming a product or service. Through this...
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...Whenever we get into any trouble, especially when we face it alone, and feel helpless, we remember and want help from someone, someone very powerful. Again, when we commit any crime, we feel guilty from our conscious mind but we also get a little frightened that someone is watching and that we will have to pay the cost of our actions to that someone. This super power being is God who is called by different names in different tribes but the concept is somewhat similar. For example, one thing common in all the Major Religions of the world is that the God they worship, they believe He is the same God for them as well as for the others. Initially, we will discuss the concept of God in major religions. First we will try to see the concept from the angle of the general followers of those religions. Then we will try to get a general concept according to the authentic sources of those religions. Concept of God in Hinduism: Hinduism is not actually the name of the religion. It is a geographical name but the British put this name forward for the religion to make a division. The actual name for the religion is ‘Veda’ or ‘Brahmanism’. It is a Non-Semitic, Aryan, Vedic religion. If you ask the common Hindus that how many Gods do they believe in. Some may say 3, some may say 33, and some may say a 1000, while the others may say 330 million. So, the first concept about God we get from the common followers of Hinduism is somewhat like ‘Everything is God’. They find God in every creation to get...
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... Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Glorify Allah a hundred times by just saying ‘Subhanallah’ and a thousand good deeds will be written for you, or a thousand sins will be wiped away.” (Muslim 4:2073) 2. One Of The Rare Treasures Of Paradise Hazrat Abu Dharr (R. A.) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: “Should I not tell you of one treasure of the unlimited treasures of Paradise?” I replied spontaneously, “Oh RasulAllah (Peace be upon him) that would be an honour indeed.” Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: “That rare treasure is ‘La Hawla Wa La Quwwata Illa Billah’.” (Ibn Majah) 3. A Date Palm Planted In Paradise For The One Who Recites This Hazrat Jaa'bir (R. A.) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: “For the person who recites ‘Sub-Han'allah Hil Azeem Wa Bi-Ham'dihi’ a date palm will be planted for him in Paradise.” (Tirmidhi) 4. Forgiveness For Sins Even If They Are Like The Foam Of The Sea Narrated by Abu Huraira, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: “Whoever says ‘Subhan Allaahi Wa Bihamdihi’ one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea.” (Bukhari, Book #75, Hadith #414) 5. Earn Over A Billion Rewards In Just A Few Seconds! Narrated by Ubaadah that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: “Whoever seeks forgiveness for the believing men and believing women, Allah will write for him a good deed for each believing man and...
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...ARS 202 M E A N I N G F U L P R A Y E R V O C A B U L A R Y O F S A L A H PRESENTED BY A B D U L N A S I R J A N G D A 1 CRITICAL DISCLAIMER 1. This document has been prepared specifically for use during the single weekend seminar entitled ‘Meaningful Prayer’ being offered by Bayyinah institute. 2. This document has little to no value as a self study resource. It serves merely as an outline for discussions that will take place during the course of the seminar. Where deemed helpful, two kinds of English commentary have been offered: 3. a. Brief comments that will be elaborated in class b. Translations cited from the work of Yusuf Ali. 4. We at Bayyinah do not endorse any particular translation of the Qur’an. The very point of this seminar is to illustrate what is lost in translation. The above translation has only been cited for convenient reference and comparison. 5. Attendees should print this document and bring it with them no later than the 2nd day of the seminar (Saturday) in order to maximize their benefit from the seminar. 6. We advise attendees to bring along a notebook just in case they are interested in taking in‐ depth notes. Please be advised that the content of this seminar is geared more towards enrichment and general awareness than it is towards academic discourse...
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...The only book you will ever need to excel MUHAMMAD BILAL ASLAM 1 All rights reserved No portion of this book may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without written permission of the author. Book’s Name Author Printer : : : MASTERING O’LVEL ISLAMIAT MUHAMMAD B I LAL ASLAM MAKTABA-JADEED PRESS 14-Empress Road, Lahore. TARIQ NAJIB CORPORATION 16-Temple Road, Lahore. ANEES BOOK CORNER Main Market, Gulberg, Lahore Phone: 042-5751683, 042-5757971, 0300-4498313 1999 2001 2006 2008 Publisher : Stockist : First Edition Second Edition Third Edition Fourth Edition Price : : : : : Rs. 300/- 2 Preface This fourth edition of `Mastering O Level Islamiat’ has been updated in line with the requirements of 200ave tried to make this version as complete and well-rounded as possible by adding a number of new sections and chapters so that students have all the possible information they require under one cover. I have also included in this new version ten standard maps to enable the students to better comprehend a situation and to know where exactly the event took place at the given point of time. Judging by the feedback I have received since this book was first published in 1999, I have very high hopes that Insha Allah it will be as helpful to students as it was then. Amen! Muhammad Bilal Aslam 3 4 Table of Contents • Preface Passages from the Holy Quran History and Importance of the Holy Quran Arabia Before Islam Biographical...
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...ISLAMIC INQUIRY This inquiry came to the great Mujaddid Imam Ahmed Raza Al-Qadri (Radi Allah unho) from Ahmad Nabi Khan of Mohalla Shabazpura Saheswan of the 14th Shaban AlMoazzam 1311 Hijri. QUESTION What is the ruling of the Ulama of Deen regarding the Ayah اياك نستعينA person interprets this Ayah saying that it is Shirk (Polytheism) to seek assistance from any one other than Allah Almighty. He quotes the Following : دﯾﮐﮫ ﺣﺻﺮ ﻧﺳﺘﻌﯾں اے ﭘﺎک دﯾں اﺳﺘﻌﺎﻧت ﻏﯾﺮ ﺳﮯ ﻻﺋق ﻧﮩﯾں ذات ﺣق ﺑﯾﺷک ﻣﮯ ﻧﻌم اﻟﻣﺳﺘﻌﺎن ﺣﯾف ﻣﮯ ﮔﺮ ﻏﯾﺮ ﺣق ﮐﺎ ﮨو دھﯾﺎن Look at the Hasr (restrictions) of the pure Deen, that it is not permissible to seek assistance from other than Allah Almighty. He also quotes the beliefs of the illustrious Sufiya as follows: Sheikh Maslihuddin Sadi Shirazi (Radi Allah unho) held the same belif. Hence, he states: نداريم غير از تو فرياد رس توئی عاصياں را خطا بخش و بس There is none beside you that can assist me and it is You Who forgives the sins of the servants. Beacons of Hope 4 Hazrat Moulana Nizami Ganjawi (Radi Allah unho) also says the same in his Du’a: بزرگا بزرگی و ہابيکم توئی ياوری بخش وياوری رسم O Master! Oh Bestower of Excellence! It is only You Who can help me and save me. He also quotes an interesting and thought-provoking incident of Sheikh Sufyan Thouri (Radi Allah unho) recorded in Toh’fatul-Ashikeen. One day, while performing Salah, Sheikh Sufyan Thouri (Radi Allah unho) fell unconscious while reciting the Ayah اياك نستعينWhen he gained Consciousness...
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