Where did the Universe Come From? Part II
Posted by: Admin on: October 9, 2009
The Big Bang theory was totally rejected at first.But those who supported it had predicted that the ignition
of the Big Bang would have left behind a sort of ’hot flash’ of radiation.
If a big black wood stove produces heat that you can feel, then in a similar manner, the Big Bang should
produce its own kind of heat that would echo throughout the universe.
In 1965, without looking for it, two physicists at Bell Labs in New Jersey found it. At first, Arno Penzias
and Robert Wilson were bothered because, while trying to refine the world’s most sensitive radio antenna,
they couldn’t eliminate a bothersome source of noise. They picked up this noise everywhere they pointed the
antenna.
At first they thought it was bird droppings. The antenna was so sensitive it could pick up the heat of bird droppings (which certainly are warm when they’re brand new) but even after cleaning it off, they still picked up this noise.
This noise had actually been predicted in detail by other astronomers, and after a year of checking and re-checking the data, they arrived at a conclusion: This crazy Big Bang theory really was correct.
In an interview, Penzias was asked why there was so much resistance to the Big Bang theory.
He said, “Most physicists would rather attempt to describe the universe in ways which require no explanation.
And since science can’t *explain* anything – it can only *describe* things – that’s perfectly sensible. If you
have a universe which has always been there, you don’t explain it, right?
“Somebody asks you, ‘How come all the secretaries in your company are women?’ You can say, ‘Well, it’s
always been that way.’ That’s a way of not having to explain it. So in the same way, theories which
don’t require explanation tend to be the ones accepted by science, which is perfectly acceptable and the best way to make science work.”
But on the older theory that the universe was eternal, he explains: “It turned out to be so ugly that people
dismissed it. What we find – the simplest theory – is a creation out of nothing, the appearance out of nothing
of the universe.”
Penzias and his partner, Robert Wilson, won the Nobel Prize for their discovery of this radiation. The Big
Bang theory is now one of the most thoroughly validated theories in all of science.
Robert Wilson was asked by journalist Fred Heeren if the Big Bang indicated a creator.
Wilson said, “Certainly there was something that set it all off. Certainly, if you are religious, I can’t think of a better theory of the origin of the universe to match with Genesis.”
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s installment: “Why the Big Bang was the most precisely planned event in all of history.”
Sincerely,
Perry Marshall
“A Day Without Yesterday” – Albert Einstein,
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Scientific Miracle of the Quran: Big Bang mentioned in the Quran?
Where did the Universe Come From?
Posted by: Admin on: October 8, 2009
100 years ago, Albert Einstein published three papers that rocked the world. These papers proved the existence of the atom, introduced the theory of relativity, and described quantum mechanics. Pretty good debut for a 26 year old scientist, huh?
His equations for relativity indicated that the universe was expanding. This bothered him, because if it was expanding, it must have had a beginning and a beginner. Since neither of these appealed to him, Einstein introduced
a ‘fudge factor’ that ensured a ’steady state’ universe, one that had no beginning or end.
But in 1929, Edwin Hubble showed that the furthest galaxies were fleeing away from each other, just as the Big Bang model predicted. So in 1931, Einstein embraced what would later be known as the Big Bang theory, saying,
“This is the most beautiful and satisfactory explanation of creation to which I have ever listened.” He referred to the ‘fudge factor’ to achieve a steady-state universe as the biggest blunder of his career.
As I’ll explain during the next couple of days, Einstein’s theories have been thoroughly proved and
verified by experiments and measurements. But there’s an even more important implication of Einstein’s discovery.
Not only does the universe have a beginning, but time itself, our own dimension of cause and effect, began
with the Big Bang.
That’s right — time itself does not exist before then. The very line of time begins with that creation event. Matter, energy, time and space were created in an instant by an intelligence outside of space and time.
About this intelligence, Albert Einstein wrote in his book “The World As I See It” that the harmony of natural law “Reveals an intelligence of such superiority that, compared with it, all the systematic thinking and acting
of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection.”*
He went on to write, “Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced
that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe–a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.”*
Pretty significant statement, wouldn’t you say?
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s installment: “Bird Droppings on my Telescope.”
Respectfully Submitted,
Perry Marshall
*Einstein quotes are from “Einstein and Religion: Physics and
Theology” by Max Jammer
www.cosmicfingerprints.com
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The Most Concise Definition of God (Allah in Arabic)“Say: He is Allah,
The One and Only.
“Allah, the Eternal, Absolute.
“He begets not, nor is He begotten.
And there is none like unto Him.”
[Al-Qur’an 112:1-4]
The word ‘Assamad’ is difficult to translate. It means ‘absolute existence’, which can be attributed only to Allah (swt), all other existence being temporal or conditional. It also means that Allah (swt) is not dependent on any person or thing, but all persons and things are dependent on Him.
Surah Ikhlas – the touchstone of theology:Surah Ikhlas (Chapter 112) of the Glorious Qur’an, is the touchstone of theology. ‘Theo’ in Greek means God and ‘logy’ means study. Thus Theology means study of God and to Muslims this four line definition of Almighty God serves as the touchstone of the study of God. Any candidate to divinity must be subjected to this ‘acid test’. Since the attributes of Allah given in this chapter are unique, false gods and pretenders to divinity can be easily dismissed using these verses.
Related Links:
Muslim Strategies For Halloween
Posted by: Admin on: October 7, 2009
Alhamdulillah, my children never went trick or treating on halloween ever,instead we always tried to educate ourselves and others about this event. We tried different strategies every year. Couple of times I gathered my children and invited their friends to share the reality of Halloween on that evening that helped them stay away from the influence of this event.
Alhamdulillah, children responded very well and they were shocked as well as disgusted when they found out the reality behind this tradition. They were so exited that they even wanted to tell all this information to the children that were coming to the door for candy.
About the candy giving issue we tried different strategies as well. One year we just went to the Masjid during that time and came home after it was over. One year my children made different signs and put them on the entrance door facing outside. They had different messages like “sorry! No candy, your dentist will be mad! Etc.
Last year we tried a different approach as we are always apprehensive and skeptical whether to give candy or not because generally it is not a good manner to let someone go empty handed when they come to your door for whatever reason. So along side the candy we gave books. The book was “An illustrated guide to understanding Islam”, which we have been distributing in our community for some time now, Alhamdulillah.
Tonight, Insha Allah we plan to give the book “One Message” along side the candy. lhamdulillah, I believe this is a blessing from Allah SWT because the people are already coming to our door so we can do dawah work instead of letting this opportunity slip by or just get mad at them.
We are fortunate in this way that we have a facility here which provides us with books for dawah in large quantity, Alhamdulillah. People can look for similar options in their areas, e.g. masaajid, Islamic libraries or dawah centers to provide them with materials or just print out something good and relevant to the occasion from the internet if possible.
I hope that we can all learn and practice our beautiful Deen the way we are supposed to and help others do the same. I hope and pray that this can be beneficial for others as well. Any ideas or comments to improve our ways further will be greatly appreciated.
I will insha Allah print out the pamphlet that Alhuda has sent us about Halloween and share it with other Muslims too.
JAK
Your student
(A Letter from a student of Dr.Farhat Hashmi)
14th August: Celebrating another year of ‘lipservice’
Posted by: Admin on: August 12, 2009
ON August 14th
Pakistani Musicians: [The people who "love" Pakistan the most] Hide your jeans and T Shirts.. n if a female singer – all your western dresses… adorn a White Shalwar Kameez and sing your Love for Pakistan and claim to be a Proud Pakistani.
Way of Celebration: Hold some concerts or TV Shows…. sing one or two patriotic songs…wave some flags, wear a patriotic badge
Pakistanis: [Wearing a patriotic badge...waving the national flag] Instead of working for the country, take a holiday on 14th August and claim your patriotism…I love Pakistan I’m Proud to be Pakistani I will do this for my country.. i will do that for my country…blah blah blah
Way of Celebration: Wave the flags on your bikes, cars, shops and houses. Get rid of the silencers of your motor bikes – head towards sea view. Break all hell loose by destroying everything that comes in your way.. gas stations..sign boards, footpaths, shops in the meanwhile creating traffic jams and creating unbearable noise pollution that make the life of fellow Pakistanis living along Khataban e Ittehad and Sea View miserable.
Pakistani Government: Celebrating 60 years of Independence, We have done this for our country.. that for our country.. itnee Tarraqi huee hai.. itna kaam hua hai.. blah blah..
Way of Celebration :Appear on some TV Show.. reiterate your (fake) love for Pakistan and (non) hardwork you have done. Listen to and shake hands with the respectable female Pakistani singers…
Rest of the Year :
Pakistani Musicians: Pakistan ? What Pakistan… Shalwar Kameez..??? Ewww backwards.. adorn your jeans and shirts, do your utmost to look like western singers or Movie Stars and sing songs of love for your beloved. Make vulgar videos copying western singers and Indians. Throw down in the gutter all social values of being a Muslim and a Pakistani. Go out of Pakistan at every possible opportunity… try to get Indian or American/British/Canadian Nationality so you dont have to live in this country…
Pakistanis: Try and make as much money as possible, by hook or by crook. Defraud, cheat and lie and steal. Steal electricity, take bribes, throw kachra everywhere, spit out paan, break traffic laws. Never get to your office on time.. leave office early, do chutti when ever you want. Celebrate everything and everyday by asking for a public holiday. [If people are given the choice.. they would work once a month- rest of the days should be a public holidy - great service to the nation.!!] If you want to protest.. go set some restaurant on fire or some other shop on fire.
Government of Pakistan: Go back to looting the country.
In the end.. everybody is the same. All our claims are nothing but a lipservice. because lip service is easy, all you need to do is move your tongue. Words like hard Work, punctuality, dedication, sincerity and loyalty do not belong in our dictionary of patriotism.
Evil Google VS YOUTUBEISLAM
Posted by: Admin on: August 10, 2009
GOOGLE.COM is the owner of YOUTUBE.COM and has an attorney firm on some type of financial arrangement trying to scare people into giving them their website domain names if they contain anything with the sound or appearance of the words like “tube”, “you”, “youtoo”, “youtube”, “tubeyou” or even words like “tub”, if connected in some way with anything like “U“.
Since 2006, we have had our website domains for Islam containing many combinations considered by these attorneys to be within these categories. When you own over 5,000 domains, it is not hard to fall into that range depending on the subject matter.
We have been operating this site (YOUTUBEISLAM.COM) for over three and half years, without using any of their Google Ads, Yahoo! ads, and without advertising on their website ad program.
And we also have strict rules about videos to be placed on the site. It is 100% child safe and no attacking any religions or beliefs.
Bottom line: NO JUNK
In spite of that, our little website became very popular with even non-Muslims. Everywhere we go people tell us how much they appreciate having something of this high moral value, excellent quality and professional approach to presenting Islam.
We have had wonderful and amazing success in helping people come to Islam, Al Hamdulillah. Our little website has managed to grow to the number one position in many search engines (including Google’s) and show videos of Islam being uploaded by the visitors themselves.
Can you imagine my shock when I opened up an email telling me our website domain name (YOUTUBE.COM) is being taken over byGOOGLE and their video site - YOUTUBE?
Here is more or less what we were told:
NOTICE: Effective August 5th, 2009 Google (owner of YouTube.com) will take over your domain name:YOUTUBEISLAM.COM.
Although we have purchased the name “YOUTUBEISLAM.COM” and have renewed for several years through GODADDY.COM it seems GOOGLE has enough influence to just simply take our domain name from us – and by the way, we have even paid for it all the way through to next year.
Since earlier this year, Google’s law firm has been trying to give us a hard time in hopes we would just hand over a million dollar website for free – to them so they can advertise on it and propagate nonsense against Islam.
First they said our logo and images were identical to theirs – a big lie. They don’t have anything even close to what we have. Our logo is animated with blue moving rectangle behind it, all on a dark background. Look at their site and compare for yourself.
Then they changed their direction and called us up on the phone saying we should give them the domain because they are owned by Google, the biggest and most powerful company on the Internet and they can make it difficult for anyone who gets in their way.
Then they came up with the idea that our domain name sounded too much like theirs and it was confusing people who use the Internet.
For that reason, went to the controllers of the Internet itself with their claim and requested what is called “arbitration”.
Come on now…
Does anyone really have trouble making a distinction between the word “youtube” and “youtubeislam“?
Fact is, Google got sued for exactly what they claimed we were doing – but in their case there really was no difference in the sound.
The name they bought (for 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS) is known as YOUTUBE.COM and the company who sued them had their own domain on the Internet for ten years before they did – as UTUBE.COM.
Go ahead, pronounce them one after the other and ask someone if they can tell the difference.
And Google’s own search engine could not avoid putting it on top of any search with the words “islam” and “you” or “tube”.
They hated that. Why? Because they didn’t get to make money or attack Islam out of the deal.
Without notification in advance, our server, Godaddy.com sent an email stating due to a decision made by arbitration on the Internet, they are saying they are going to give our domain name to GOOGLE.COM.
Ramadan is almost here – what will we do about this? Will they use our sites to make more money from advertising haram things and allowing videos attacking Islam and everything it stands for?
Our websites are dedicated to presenting Islam in simple English terms, without charge and without advertising.
Maybe - Maybe NOT…
We will let the courts decide what is legal and who is the rightful owner ofYoutubeISLAM.com
In the meantime, we encourage all the believers to remember only Allah gives victory and whoever believes in Allah and is working righteousness will never fail, inshallah.
Just pray for us and keep sharing the message and let people know – we will not give up.
Meanwhile we have other websites for videos – a lot of websites for videos.
Even if we no longer have the name YOUTUBEISLAM.COM > we do have other names (lots of them) to put in its place, like www.ISLAMYOUTUBE.COM
Why not copy this story and send it to everyone you know?
How about contacting your local news papers, radio and TV stations, tell everyone you know on the forums, blogs, websites, emails and text messages SMS.
Jazakallah kair was salam alaykum,
Yusuf Estes
Read the rest of this entry »
Shab-e-Mairaj: What did the Prophet(s) do?
Posted by: Admin on: June 30, 2009
By Asma bint Shameem
However, the big question to ask is…….
What did the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) do when the same day arrived the next year? Or the year after that? Or the year after that?
Did he EVER celebrate the night of al-Israa’ wal Mi’raaj, or fast the next day???
And what did he instruct the Sahaabah to do about his Night Journey?
Did he tell them to celebrate that night as a ’special night’ for worshipping Allaah?
Did he tell them to specifically fast the next day because it was ‘the day after the Journey’?
And what were the actions of the Sahaabah themselves?
Did THEY do any of the above??
Surely the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) did not omit or forget anything in the deen! Surely he did not hide anything from mankind!
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) said, “There is nothing that brings you closer to Jannah except that I have informed you about it and there is nothing that brings you closer to the fire of Hell except that I have warned you against it.” (at-Tabaraani–Saheeh)
Isn’t the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) the best example to be followed?
Sure, I know, you have seen your fathers and grandfathers doing so. But, let me remind you, O Muslim, that it is NOT our forefathers that we are supposed to follow. Rather, our worship should be based on proofs from the Quraan and authentic Sunnah, and NOT culture or tradition.
Is good intention enough??
I know beyond doubt, that in celebrating this night, your intention is good. But dear brother/sister, in order for our worship to be accepted, it also has to be prescribed in the Qur’aan and Sunnah. If it is not so, it will be rejected.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.” (Bukhaari, Muslim)
Exact date unknown???
Also, do you know that even though the incidence of al-Israa’ wal Mi’raaj is an undeniable fact in history, yet the exact date or even the exact month in which this took place is not certain?
Shaykh ‘Abd al-’Azeez ibn Baaz said:
“With regard to this night on which the Isra’ and Mi’raaj took place, there is nothing in the saheeh ahaadeeth to indicate that it is in Rajab or in any other month. Everything that has been narrated concerning a specific date for these events cannot be proven to have come from the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) according to the scholars of hadeeth….” (Islam-qa)
But, what’s the harm in it???
Now, some of you will say, “What’s the harm in it? I am just worshipping Allah!”
But, the answer to that, O noble reader, is…..
“And whosoever opposes the Messenger (Muhammad Sal Allaahu Alaihi Wassallam) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers’ way, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell – what an evil destination!” [Surah an-Nisaa:115]
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen says: “Fasting on the twenty-seventh of Rajab and spending that night in prayer is a bid’ah (innovation), and every bid’ah is a going astray.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa , 20/440)
So, remember, my dear brothers and sisters in Islaam, DO NOT single out the 27th for your worship because it was NOT the practice of the Prophet OR his Sahaabah.
If however, you pray every single night and it is part of your routine to stay up for worship, then there is no harm. Similarly, if you are in the habit of fasting Mondays and Thursdays, or during Ayyaam Beed (the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Islaamic month), and the 27th of Rajab falls on one of those days, then it is OK to do so.
The problem arises when one thinks that this night is special and singles out this night or day for worship, thinking they are getting extra reward for their worship. But this is contrary to the Sunnah.
Audio Lecture by Dr.Farhat Hashmi
Rajab or Shab e Mairaj Part-1 Part-2
Flash Presentation in English: Rajab And Mairaj
Heart Breaking Stories of IDPS from Sawat
Posted by: Admin on: June 15, 2009
- In: IDPS| Pakistan| Welfare
- 10 Comments
Source: www.farhathashmi.com
Rasool Allah salallahu Alayhe Wasallam said, “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor. Whoever fulfilled the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of a discomfort, Allah will bring him out of the discomforts on the Day of Resurrection, and whoever screened a Muslim, Allah will screen him on the Day of Resurrection.” (Bukhari)
The tragedy that has unfolded in front of us over the past few weeks tells of heartrending stories of irreparable loss. Each family has a story to tell. Some experiences are shared here:
* An old man who belonged to Swat asked his family to leave their home in 10-15 minutes when he came to know about the orders of the Army. In the mean time, he rushed to pick his new born child who had been wrapped in a blanket. After covering some distance, the most shocking fact of his life became evident to him—in the panic and rush he had picked up a pillow instead of his baby! He could not go back to look for him because of the strict curfew there. All his life he will have to live with the bitter truth that his child was left there all alone waiting for his death.
* Another old man who lived on top of one of the Swat hills had a disabled daughter who could not walk properly. The man was so old that it was not possible for him to lift her up and take her along. So, he left her with food and all the necessary items close by. He does not know whether she is alive or not, whether she is safe or became a victim of the bombings of the Talibaan or the Army.
* A pregnant lady who was leaving the area with her family started having labour pains during her journey in a truck. As there were a lot of males around, they were asked to get down in order to leave the pregnant lady alone with other females–this moment was also very embarrassing for the other females. The poor lady had no other choice–she delivered the baby in a truck wailing in pain.
* A woman at Yaar Hussain Camp was a proud mother back home of seven sons happily living together in the same house. After this operation started, she had to leave one of her sons with her disabled husband and crying miserably she told us that six of her sons were now missing and she was not aware whether they were alive or dead.
* An old lady at Pirpai Village had a swollen stomach. On interviewing her, we came to know that she had a wound and still had stitches in her stomach. She had only picked up her X-rays and medical reports while rushing out of her residence.
* An old woman at Jalozai Camp shared one of the most touching stories. She said that she was among those who had given charity to victims of previous disasters. She had donated almost eight trucks fully loaded with wheat and rice for the Bajaur affectees, and now she was sitting in a tent empty handed and all alone.
* A young girl at Jalozai Camp came from an affluent family with vast assets and wealth. She got married just a week before this shocking incident in her life. She shared that she lived such a luxurious life that her furniture amounted Rs one lakh. Yet, she came to the camps with nothing in her hands.
* The University Campus, Peshawar has accommodated 214 girls in different hostels. On asking the warden about their requirements, a pressing concern to which attention was drawn was the lack of adequate food for those girls. She also spoke about the absence of government support for them. After discussing this issue, the team thought of two options for solutions: they could coordinate with the government agencies through the Vice Chancellor to get help, or provide assistance independently from Al-Huda.
Al Huda International Welfare Team
Source: www.farhathashmi.com
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I thought I couldn’t live without ‘music’…and I was right!
Posted by: Admin on: May 27, 2009
- In: Allah| Islam| Life| Muslim Life| My writings| Quran
- 15 Comments
There was a time when I wouldn’t leave the house without my discman. My harddisk was filled with Mbs of music files…you name the song and i had it. My room was filled with cassettes and cds. MTV was one of my favourite channels and I even had my favourite videos recorded!
Then I heard a cassette ’From The Shadows’ by Halaqah media (Available here) and i got scared..really really scared. Amongst other issues, this documentary discussed how satanic subliminal messages were found in many pop songs and and the singers were actually worshipping and calling out to satan through their music. It gave examples of songs from Madonna and Eagles.
In Madonna’s song “Like a Prayer” it is not God that the prayer is directed at, but Satan. When played backwards, the words “0h hear us, Satan,” are clearly audible, one of my favourite songs by Eagles Hotel California also was an ode to satan and when played backwords you can hear a spooky voice say ‘yaaay satan’ and if you know about the rituals of ‘Free Masons’ you will realize that its a song about visiting a Free Masonic lodge.To be honest the song always sounded spooky to me!
I did a lot of research on the internet and found that satanic messages in songs were very common and these messages do actually have an impact on your subconciousness.For days I couldn’t sleep. The satanic voices kept going round and round in my head. then I stopped listening to music completely.
This went on for some time, I dont remember exactly how long….there was a void and then i started swaying towards music again. satan made me think up of a lot of justificationa and excuses like… oh i only listen to nice people they dont have such things in their songs.. oh its only heavy metal that has satanic messages, i listen to pop and ballads.. i dont listen to madonna and micheal jackson.. etc etc…. I couldn’t live without music… i said…and music was back in my life with a bang! My collection restarted and soon i had all my favourite songs loaded on my harddisk.. music was playing all the time on my pc even while i was studying and sometimes even sleeping…When i went to Uk for studies, my laptop had my entire music collection. My Australian flatmate was quite surprised to see my music collection! It had her favourite songs too!
Then i came back after completing my studies in 2006 and ramadan was about to start. During ramadan my mother dragged me to listen to the explanation of the Quran. Quran entered my life and i started studying it regularly by joining a course.
I started realizing why Music was haram. It took me away from the remembrance of Allah , it took me away from the Quran. If i listened to Music, even during my Salah (prayer) the song would be going on in my head. I would be physically praying but my heart and mind were not! early in the morning the first thing on my lips would be songs… not Allah’s name.I started seeing the shirk in songs and the open delcarations of disobedience to Allah in all the romantic songs, ballads and love songs .
‘Everything I do, i do it for you’ (Bryan Adams) – Everything for WHO?
‘Il do anything for you…anything you want me too.’-(BSB) I’ll do ANYTHING?
“Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): “Verily, my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are forAllah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin”
(Quran 6:162)
My Everything is supposed to be for Allah..not any human being! What am i saying.. what am i singing..open obscenity and declarations of love…If i dont mean them then why should i say these words and sing them or listen to them! every word I utter is being recorded by the angles …what explanation will i give for these songs!
I started avoiding music …
Then discussions started ,is music haram or halal? People would say…. Music is not haram. Its not in Quran… we pray we remeber Allah but we listen to songs as well and we can concentrate in our prayers… etc etc…Music does not interfere in our worship… we only listen when we are busy in work.. etc etc… there is no harm in listening to nice music… etc etc…
I came across a hadith in Sahih Al Bukhari in which our Prophet Muhammad (s) said : “From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful.(Sahih Al Bukhari)
This was the final blow!
So people who are justifying listening to music are the ones this hadith is talking about. From this saying of Prophet Muhammad (s) it is clear that Music is haram. Anybody who disagrees and brings in ifs and buts.. is fulfulling this prophecy of Prophet Muhammad (s) that his followers will one day make musical instruments halal for themselves!Just to make things clear – only one instrument -The Daff is allowed in Islam.
I stopped listening to Music. but for how long….?They say Music is the food for the soul.I realized my soul still needed some ‘music’ . I could’nt live without ‘music’…and i was right..but i was feeding my soul with the wrong kind of music.My soul wanted the ‘divine music’.The divine music of the Qur’an
I started listening to various different recitors and some surahs recited by some qaris was the most beautiful thing i had ever heard. It was far beyond what i had ever heard. The beauty of the words, the peace it gives and the divine rythm of Allah’s words was truly amazing and it is indescribeable.
I realized that the first time i stopped listening to music, there was a void so i went back on the path of shaytan.But the second time around the craving of my soul for music was satisfied in the halal way with halal divine music of the Quran. As one has rightly said,Moseqe khabees rooh ki ghiza hai - Music is the food of the wretched soul.The real tayyab food of the good soul is the Qur’an.
Before I used to make a list of my top ten favourite songs..but now i want to share with you all a list of my top ten favourite surahs by my favourite qaris. Please do listen to the beautiful recitations!! I have listed them 1-10 but to be honest all of them are just great, beautiful and amazing…
1. Surah Al-Insaan by Mishary Rashid Al Afasi-mp3
2. Surah Al-Bayyinah by Mishary Rashid Al Afasi-mp3
3. Surah Al Kahaf by Mishary Rashid Al Afasi-mp3
4. Surah Yasin by a young child Hasan Bin Abdullah(link to youtube video)
5. Ayatul Kursi by Saad Al Ghamdi ( link to youtube video)
6. Surah Mominoon by Abu Bakr Shatri (link to youtube video)
7. Al-Anam by Saad Al Ghamdi-mp3: This is a long surah.Listen to its first part which is beautifully recited.
9. Maryam by Saad Al Ghamdi-mp3
10. Al Haqqah by Hani Rafai-mp3
I usually don’t blog about my personal life, but now i think i should.. maybe somebody will learn something from my life and change their life for good and make Allah happy. I don’t mean to show off with this post, may Allah purify my intentions ..I realized that Music is such an emotional subject.. people just get into arguments and long debates because they just find it impossible to leave music, just like i did. I thought it was impossible…. but it is.
So all those of you who think and say that you can’t live without music. Think again. There is halal music and there is haram music. All you have to do is change your taste. Don’t satisfy your soul with haram when the most beautiful halal music is available….Listen to the Quran, listen to halal nasheeds with beautiful lyrics and no musical instruments.. change your taste,, there is a lot of good halal music out there and the best of it is the Qur’an!!
Some great websites to listen to Quran
Old Blogpost Revisited: Muslims of Today
Posted by: Admin on: May 6, 2009
Why are we Muslims in such a pathetic state all over the world?
Who is to be blamed for the pathetic conditions the Muslims are living in today? The way Muslims are being targeted, looked down upon, hated and assaulted? Is it because they are Muslims …..following the Truth? following the Quran and Sunnah? Are these difficult times a test from Allah to test their faith? or is it because they are far away from the truth.. far from the spirit and soul of Islam.. far from the teaching of Islam?
I saw a Video by Harun Yahya on “The Signs of the Last day”
http://www.harunyahya.com/signsofthelastday/
It chilled me to the bones to see that most of the saying of Prophet Muhammad (s) have come true which shows that the Last day is near.
As Harun Yahya states in his book :
“The following are the signs reveled by the Prophet (saas) 14 centuries ago, and which are coming true in the age in which we live:
According to the Qur’an, on the Last Day the Prophet (saas) will say that his own people will have abandoned the Qur’an: “My Lord, my people treat this Qur’an as something to be ignored…” (Surat al-Furqan: 30)
It is also revealed in the hadiths that, during the End Times, the Qur’an’s guidance will be disregarded and people will stray from it.
Near the establishment of the Hour there will be days during which (religious) knowledge will be taken away (vanish) and general ignorance will spread…(Bukhari)
There will come a time for my people when there will remain nothing of the Qur’an except its outward form and nothing of Islam except its name and they will call themselves by this name even though they are the people furthest from it.(Ibn Babuya, Thawab ul-A’mal) “
Thus the muslims are alone to be blamed for the problems we are facing and the conditions we are in.
We muslims of this time are ignorant and mis-informed. How can we expect to be saved and go to heaven..live a good peaceful life in this world.. when apart from Namaz(prayer) and Roza(fast) we dont have any clue about what Islam really is!!?? And even in that how many of us do actually pray 5 times a day and fast during ramazan with true spirit and understanding?
This was one of my earliest blog post written in August 2005.The original version is here
The Flogging Punishment In Islam for Fornication
Posted by: Admin on: April 10, 2009
- In: Islam| My writings| Quran| Religion| Women's Issues
- 1 Comment
Allah Almighty says in the Quran:
“The fornicatress and the fornicator, flog each of them with a hundred stripes. Let not pity withhold you in their case, in a punishment prescribed by Allaah, if you believe in Allaah and the Last Day. And let a party of the believers witness their punishment” [al-Noor 24:2]
“And those who accuse chaste women and then do not produce four witnesses – lash them with eighty lashes and do not accept from them testimony ever after. And those are the defiantly disobedient, ” [An-Noor 24:4]
- Hudd punishment – The fixed punishment – is prescribed by Allah for those acts which Allah has made haram and this punishment is by hitting or by killing.
- The fixed punishment for fornication (consensual sexual intercourse between two persons not married to each other ) is flogging a 100 strikes. As for adultery ( voluntary sexual intercourse between a married man and someone other than his wife or between a married woman and someone other than her husband) – the married person would be stoned to death as commanded by Prophet Muhammad (s)
- The punishment is applicable when the man has coitus with the woman. Any relationship not inclusive of coitus does not mandate the prescribed fixed punishment.
- The punishment is applicable when the act of coitus is witnessed by four male adults who are muslim, sensible, just and free and who testify in the court. Seeing two people together or nude or in some inappropriate position does not mandate the hudd punishment unless the act of coitus is eye witnessed.
- The punishment is also applicable if the fornicator or the fornicatress confesses to his or her crime four times.
- 100 flogs can be inflicted in one day or over a period of days depending on the health of the one being punished.
- No judge can increase or decrease the punishment
- Punishment has to be delivered publicly in front of a small group of Muslims – minimum three and maximum 1000 Muslims should witness this event.
- Flogging should be inflicted with a leather whip which is neither totally new nor very old. Flogging with a stick is not allowed
- Flogging should be on the fleshy part of the body only affecting the skin and avoiding the head and the sensitive areas. Flogging has to spread over – and should not be done in one place so as to make the flesh come out.
- A man is flogged in a standing position while a woman should be flogged in a sitting position.
- Ibn Mas’ood said: It is not prescribed in our religion to make the offender lie down or to tie him up or remove his clothing. The companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) flogged offenders but there is no report that any of them made the offender lie down or tied him up or removed his clothing. (Islam QA)
- No one should carry out the hadd punishments without the permission of the ruler. If there is no ruler who rules according to sharee’ah then it is not permissible for the ordinary people to carry out the hadd punishments. Whoever does that is sinning, because carrying out the hadd punishments requires examining the matter and requires shar’i knowledge in order to know the conditions of proof. (Islam QA)
- Accepting this punishment is conditional to Emaan – If you feel pity for the fornicator or fornicatress - that may lead to not approving the flogging punishment then you don’t believe in Allah and the Akhira ( You leave the fold of Islam)
PUNISHMENT OF FORNICATION AS IMPLEMENT BY RASOOL ALLAH (S) AND HIS COMPANIONS
Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 82 :: Hadith 818
Narrated Zaid bin Khalid Al-Jihani:
I heard the Prophet ordering that an unmarried person guilty of illegal sexual intercourse be flogged one-hundred stripes and be exiled for one year. Umar bin Al-Khattab also exiled such a person, and this tradition is still valid.
FLOGGING THE ONE WHO CONFESSES AND LETTING GO THE ONE WHO DENIES THE SIN
Dawud :: Book 38 : Hadith 4423
Narrated Sahl ibn Sa’d:
A man came to the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and confessed before him that he had committed fornication with a woman whom he named. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) sent for the woman and asked her about it. But she denied that she had committed fornication. So he inflicted the prescribed punishment of flogging on him, and let her go.
FLOGGING WHEN THE SINNER CONFESSES AND DOES NOT RETRACT IT
Malik :: Book 41 : Hadith 41.2.13
Malik related to me from Nafi that Safiyya bint Abi Ubayd informed him that a man who had had intercourse with a virgin slave-girl and made her pregnant was brought to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq. He confessed to fornication, and he was not muhsan. Abu Bakr gave the order and he was flogged with the hadd punishment. Then he was banished to Fadak, (thirty miles from Madina).
Malik spoke about a person who confessed to fornication and then retracted it and said, “I didn’t do it. I said that for such-and-such a reason,” and he mentioned the reason. Malik said, “That is accepted from him and the hadd is not imposed on him. That is because the hadd is what is for Allah, and it is only applied by one of two means, either by a clear proof which establishes guilt or by a confession which is persisted in so that the hadd is imposed. If someone persists in his confession, the hadd is imposed on him.”
NO FLOGGING PUNISHMENT FOR THE RAPE VICTIM
Malik :: Book 41 : Hadith 41.3.15
Malik related to me from Nafi that a slave was in charge of the slaves in the khumus and he forced a slave-girl among those slaves against her will and had intercourse with her. Umar ibn al-Khattab had him flogged and banished him, and he did not flog the slave-girl because the slave had forced her.
NO FLOGGING IF THE SINNER IS TOO WEAK AND COULD DIE WHILE BEING FLOGGED
Muslim :: Book 17 : Hadith 4224
Abd al-Rahman reported that ‘Ali, while delivering the address said: O people, impose the prescribed punishment upon your slaves, those who are married and those not married, for a slave-woman belonging to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) had committed adultery, and he committed me to flog her. But she had recently given birth to a child and I was afraid that if I flogged her I might kill her. So I mentioned that to Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) and he said: You have done well.
Sources:
Tafsir Ibn Kathir :Explanation of the prescribed punishment of zina : http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=24&tid=35488
Islam QA: How to flog? http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/13233/flogging
Who should carry out the hudd punishment for zina? http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/8980/zina
Crime and Punishment in Islam: http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/249/
Explanation of verse 1 and 2 of Surah Noor by Dr.Farhat Hashmi http://farhathashmi.com/dn/Portals/0/audio/explanation/Detailed/taleem-al-quran-05/mp3/Para-18/lesson-05/tqc18-05b.mp3
Prayer according to Sahih(Authentic) Hadiths
Posted by: Admin on: April 5, 2009
- In: Islam| Religion
- 11 Comments
Source: http://aldawah.wordpress.com
Raising of Hands – Rafulyadain
Sahih Bukhari
Volume 1, Book 12, Number 704:
Narrated Abu Qilaba:
I saw Malik bin Huwairith saying Takbir and raising both his hands (on starting the prayers and raising his hands on bowing and also on raising his head after bowing. Malik bin Huwairith said, “Allah’s Apostle did the same.”
Volume 1, Book 12, Number 705:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar:
I saw Allah’s Apostle opening the prayer with the Takbir and raising his hands to the level of his shoulders at the time of saying the Takbir, and on saying the Takbir for bowing he did the same; and when he said, “Sami a-l-lahu Liman hamida “, he did the same and then said, “Rabbana wa laka-l-hamd.” But he did not do the same on prostrating and on lifting the head from it.”
Volume 1, Book 12, Number 706:
Narrated Nafi’:
Whenever Ibn ‘Umar started the prayer with Takbir, he used to raise his hands: whenever he bowed, he used to raise his hands (before bowing) and also used to raise his hands on saying, “Sami a-l-lahu Liman hamida”, and he used to do the same on rising from the second Rak’a (for the 3rd Rak’a). Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Prophet used to do the same.”
Sahih Muslim
Book 004, Number 0759:
Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), when he stood up for prayer, used to raise his hands apposite the shoulders and then recited takbir (Allah-o-Akbar), and when he was about to bow he again did like it and when he raised himself from the ruku’ (bowing posture) he again did like it, but he did not do it at the time of raising his head from prostration.
Book 004, Number 0762:
Malik b. Huwairith reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) raised his hands apposite his ears at the time of reciting the takbir (i. e. at the time of beginning the prayer) and then again raised his hands apposite the ears at the time of bowing and when he lifted his head after bowing he said: Allah listened to him who praised Him, and did like it (raised his hands up to the ears).
Muwatta Imam Malik
Book 3, Number 3.5.21:
Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Salim ibn Abdullah that Abdullah ibn Umar used to say “Allah is greater” in the prayer whenever he lowered himself and raised himself.
Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi that Abdullah ibn Umar used to raise his hands to the level of his shoulders when he began the prayer and when he raised his head from the ruku he would raise them less than that.
Book 3, Number 3.5.17:
Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Salim ibn Abdullah from Abdullah ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to raise his hands to the level of his shoulders when he began the prayer and when he raised his head from the ruku he raised them in the same way, saying, “Allah hears whoever praises him, our Lord and praise belongs to You.” He did not raise them in the sujud.
Book 3, Number 3.5.18:
Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab that AIi ibn Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib said, “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say, ‘Allah is greater’ whenever he lowered himself and raised himself, and he continued to pray like that until he met Allah.”
Abu Dawood
Narrated Wa’il ibn Hujr:
I purposely looked at the prayer of the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him), how he offered it. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) stood up, faced the direction of the qiblah and uttered the takbir (Allah is most great) and then raised his hands in front of his ears, then placed his right hand on his left (catching each other).
When he was about to bow, he raised them in the same manner. He then placed his hands on his knees. When he raised his head after bowing, he raised them in the like manner. When he prostrated himself he placed his forehead between his hands.
He then sat down and spread his left foot and placed his left hand on his left thigh, and kept his right elbow aloof from his right thigh. He closed his two fingers and made a circle (with the fingers).
I (Asim ibn Kulayb) saw him (Bishr ibn al-Mufaddal) say in this manner. Bishr made the circle with the thumb and the middle finger and pointed with the forefinger.
Book 3, Number 0743:
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib:
When the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) stood for offering the obligatory prayer, he uttered the takbir (Allah is most great) and raised his hands opposite to his shoulders; and he did like that when he finished recitation (of the Qur’an) and was about to bow; and he did like that when he rose after bowing; and he did not raise his hands in his prayer while he was in his sitting position.
When he stood up from his prostrations (at the end of two rak’ahs), he raised his hands likewise and uttered the takbir (Allah is most great) and raised his hands so as to bring them up to his shoulders, as he uttered the takbir in the beginning of the prayer.
Placing of Hands
Sahih Bukhari
Volume 1, Book 12, Number 771:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Malik bin Buhaina:
Whenever the Prophet used to offer prayer he used to keep arms away (from the body) so that the whiteness of his armpits was visible.
Sahih Muslim
Book 004, Number 0792:
Wa’il b. Hujr reported: He saw the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) raising his hands at the time of beginning the prayer and reciting takbir, and according to Hammam (the narrator), the hands were lifted opposite to ears. He (the Holy Prophet) then wrapped his hands in his cloth and placed his right hand over his left hand. And when he was about to bow down, he brought out his hands from the cloth, and then lifted them, and then recited takbir and bowed down and when (he came back to the erect position) he recited:” Allah listened to him who praised Him.” And when prostrates. He prostrated between the two palms.
Abu Dawood
Book 3, Number 0756:
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib:
Jarir ad-Dabbi reported: I saw Ali (Allah be pleased with him) catching hold of his left hand) by his right hand on the wrist above the navel.
Book 3, Number 0758:
Narrated Tawus:
The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) used to place his right hand on his left hand, then he folded them strictly on his chest in prayer.
Saying Ameen Louder
Sahih Bukhari
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Apostle said, “When the Imam says: ‘Ghair-il-Maghdubi ‘Alaihim Walad-Dallin (i.e. not the path of those who earn Your Anger, nor the path of those who went astray (1.7)), then you must say, ‘Ameen’, for if one’s utterance of ‘Ameen’ coincides with that of the angels, then his past sins will be forgiven.”
Sayings of Our Imams
- “When a hadeeth is found to be saheeh, then that is my madhhab.”
- “When I say something contradicting the Book of Allaah the Exalted or what is narrated from the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), then ignore my saying.”
“Truly I am only a mortal: I make mistakes (sometimes) and I am correct (sometimes). Therefore, look into my opinions: all that agrees with the Book and the Sunnah accept it; and all that does not agree with the Book and the Sunnah, ignore it.”
“If you find in my writings something different to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), then speak on the basis of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), and leave what I have said.”
“The opinion of Awzaa’i, the opinion of Maalik, the opinion of Abu Haneefah: all of it is opinion, and it is all equal in my eyes. However, the proof is in the narrations (from the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and his Companions).”
OPINION
A lot has been said on this topic. We have to look at the last action of our prophet (S.A.W) and the companions around him during the last period with him (S.A.W). Imam Malik, Imam Shafai, Imam Ahmed are in favour of raising of hands during takbeer of bowing and rising from bowing. That mean 3/4 of the imams are of the same opinion and Imam Bukahri, Imam Muslim, Imam Tirmdhi, Imam Abu Dawood follow the same opinion as well. Shah Waliullah has given a fatwa in favour of raising the hands.
People, who says that, “it was allowed in the beginning but it was canceled because people use to bring idols in masjid and hide them under their armpits.” Their saying is totally baseless. It has no proof in Sahih Books. Idols were in Mecca not in Medina. In Medina, munafiqeen were creating problems not idols. And the Masjid was built in Medina. Also how is it possible to do other acts of the prayer while having an idol under the armpit? Doing sajdah and ruku would be impossible with an idol under the armpit. How can this not be applied in the first Takbir of entering salah.
If you listen to such a thing again, ask that person from where you are quoting? Can you tell me the source of your talk from Sahih Books? Ask him to quote even, any weak hadith which says that now it is munsukh?
Secondly the hadiths which are found in both Bukhari and Muslim are called Mutafiq Alhe. This means, “It is the highest level authority in terms of sanad and text of hadith, which can not be rejected.” Hadith of raising the hands are found both in Bukahri and Muslim, it means, it is Mutafiq Alhe. Bukhari, Muslim, Muwatta are considered first category of hadith books. Abu Dawood is considered among the second category in the book of hadith.
For further reading please check the following
- http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ref=13340&ln=eng
- http://www.qss.org/articles/salah/toc.html [This book (Salat-un-Nabi) was also prescribed by Dr. Zakir Nayak in one of his lecture on PEACE TV]
- http://english.islamway.com/prayer/AdvSound.htm
- http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/law/fiqhussunnah/fus1_10.html
Why is our new ruler worst than his predecessor?
Posted by: Admin on: March 15, 2009
- In: Karachi| Life| My writings| Pakistan| Politics
- 4 Comments
The situation of Pakistan has gone from bad to worst since our new president came into office. It seems he is no better than the previous one and is infact the worst thing that could have happened to Pakistan.
The question is why? Why are all our leaders, politicians,MNAs MPAs corrupt? Why do they cheat and lie and are only interested in filling their bank accounts? Are politicians the only such breed of Pakistanis with no morals or principles?
The answer is no!
Majority of the Pakistanis – I would say 95% of Pakistanis are corrupt, selfish, liars and cheaters and would not leave any opportunity to cheat and fool others so that they can fill their own pockets.. Yes I am a 100% Pakistani and I am not afraid to admit that we as nation have failed and we as a nation have no morals or principles.
Go to a shop, and if you are not on your guard, the shopkeeper will give you less change and it is usually the ladies who are the victims. Once a shop keeper tried to cheat me of 500 hundered rupees. I asked him three times to count and he kept insisting that this was the right amount. It was only when my brother came in that he admitted his mistake.
Go out shopping and you might be given less cloth than what you paid for or will sell you a cheaper quality cloth while swearing that they have the “pure” top quality cloth…
Buy some fruits and vegetables and if you don’t check, you’ll end up with rotten fruit and vegetables instead of the fresh ones displayed on the thaila. Oh and don’t expect you’ll get the right weight which you paid for…
Call a plumber or an electrician to your home to fix things and they will ask for exorbant amounts! Once a plumber was called and he asked for 500 rupees to change the leaking faucet. The other plumber was called and he charged only 20.
If you have ever had the experience of getting a house constructed, you would know what I am talking about. With a such a project you need to deal with masons, plumbers, electricians, laborers, carpenters, etc etc and it should be enough to make your blood boil.. When my mother and brother were getting the house constructed while my father was abroad, trust me every one who got the chance cheated… the wood would vanish from the house, the cement would always be running out, the electricians would not come on time, wrong bathroom fittings were sent and what not!
Go to get any official work done and you will be openly asked to pay bribes before your work/application can proceed. Individuals in their office would take advantage of and misuse office supplies, telephone, stationery etc
Bribery, theft, cell phone snatching, car snatching – all these crimes are increasing day by day.
What a sorry picture of our nation. Whether it be a poor thaila wala or a shop wala , a simple looking electrician, an office worker , a government official or a rich bureaucrat – everyone in their own capacity wants to take undue advantage or cheat others so they can fill their pockets or make some additional profit! Basic qualities like honesty, sincerity, selflessness, punctuality, loyalty are no where to be seen
Prophet Muhammad (s) said regarding the relation between the rulers and the ruled:
“As you are, so will be the rulers that will be set over you” (Mishkaat).
So corrupt leaders and politicians should not come as a surprise to us., they are just a reflection of the citizens. If we want change, if we want justice, if we want loyal sincere and honest leaders we will have to clean up our own act first.
Kids Land Islamic Edutainment for kids
Posted by: Admin on: March 12, 2009
Assalamu Alaykum,
Alhamdullilah,
We are happy to announce the launching of Kids Land – An Islamic Edutainment Website for Children. Children are a greatest blessing of Allah and the young blood has more potential of learning and implementing Islam to the fullest. They are our resource of the future. In this modern age children have a lot of distractions and entertainment which is not halal. Keeping this in mind, Kids Land has been developed which provides children with Islamic interactive stories as well as games and quizzes which will enhance their knowledge and information on Islam. There is also a section to tell the children about Islam, Quran and Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon him)in a simple and interesting way to make them love Islam and Seerah. Inshallah we will be adding more new stuff to Kids Land to provide Muslim children with quality edutainment.
Please do visit this website and let us know what you think.
Wasalam,
Admin,
www.farhathashmi.com
Leaders Lie, Civilians Die and Lessons of History Are Ignored
Posted by: Admin on: December 30, 2008
- In: American| Death| Islam| Israel| Middle East| News| Politics| Truths & Lies
- 1 Comment
By Robert Fisk
We’ve got so used to the carnage of the Middle East that we don’t care any more – providing we don’t offend the Israelis. It’s not clear how many of the Gaza dead are civilians, but the response of the Bush administration, not to mention the pusillanimous reaction of Gordon Brown, reaffirm for Arabs what they have known for decades: however they struggle against their antagonists, the West will take Israel’s side. As usual, the bloodbath was the fault of the Arabs – who, as we all know, only understand force.
Ever since 1948, we’ve been hearing this balderdash from the Israelis just as Arab nationalists and then Arab Islamists have been peddling their own lies: that the Zionist “death wagon” will be overthrown, that all Jerusalem will be “liberated”. And always Mr Bush Snr or Mr Clinton or Mr Bush Jnr or Mr Blair or Mr Brown have called upon both sides to exercise “restraint” – as if the Palestinians and the Israelis both have F-18s and Merkava tanks and field artillery. Hamas’s home-made rockets have killed just 20 Israelis in eight years, but a day-long blitz by Israeli aircraft that kills almost 300 Palestinians is just par for the course.
The blood-splattering has its own routine. Yes, Hamas provoked Israel’s anger, just as Israel provoked Hamas’s anger, which was provoked by Israel, which was provoked by Hamas, which … See what I mean? Hamas fires rockets at Israel, Israel bombs Hamas, Hamas fires more rockets and Israel bombs again and … Got it? And we demand security for Israel – rightly – but overlook this massive and utterly disproportionate slaughter by Israel. It was Madeleine Albright who once said that Israel was “under siege” – as if Palestinian tanks were in the streets of Tel Aviv.
By last night, the exchange rate stood at 296 Palestinians dead for one dead Israeli. Back in 2006, it was 10 Lebanese dead for one Israeli dead. This weekend was the most inflationary exchange rate in a single day since – the 1973 Middle East War? The 1967 Six Day War? The 1956 Suez War? The 1948 Independence/Nakba War? It’s obscene, a gruesome game – which Ehud Barak, the Israeli Defence Minister, unconsciously admitted when he spoke this weekend to Fox TV. “Our intention is to totally change the rules of the game,” Barak said.
Exactly. Only the “rules” of the game don’t change. This is a further slippage on the Arab-Israeli exchanges, a percentage slide more awesome than Wall Street’s crashing shares, though of not much interest in the US which – let us remember – made the F-18s and the Hellfire missiles which the Bush administration pleads with Israel to use sparingly.
Quite a lot of the dead this weekend appear to have been Hamas members, but what is it supposed to solve? Is Hamas going to say: “Wow, this blitz is awesome – we’d better recognise the state of Israel, fall in line with the Palestinian Authority, lay down our weapons and pray we are taken prisoner and locked up indefinitely and support a new American ‘peace process’ in the Middle East!” Is that what the Israelis and the Americans and Gordon Brown think Hamas is going to do?
Yes, let’s remember Hamas’s cynicism, the cynicism of all armed Islamist groups. Their need for Muslim martyrs is as crucial to them as Israel’s need to create them. The lesson Israel thinks it is teaching – come to heel or we will crush you – is not the lesson Hamas is learning. Hamas needs violence to emphasise the oppression of the Palestinians – and relies on Israel to provide it. A few rockets into Israel and Israel obliges.
Not a whimper from Tony Blair, the peace envoy to the Middle East who’s never been to Gaza in his current incarnation. Not a bloody word.
We hear the usual Israeli line. General Yaakov Amidror, the former head of the Israeli army’s “research and assessment division” announced that “no country in the world would allow its citizens to be made the target of rocket attacks without taking vigorous steps to defend them”. Quite so. But when the IRA were firing mortars over the border into Northern Ireland, when their guerrillas were crossing from the Republic to attack police stations and Protestants, did Britain unleash the RAF on the Irish Republic? Did the RAF bomb churches and tankers and police stations and zap 300 civilians to teach the Irish a lesson? No, it did not. Because the world would have seen it as criminal behaviour. We didn’t want to lower ourselves to the IRA’s level.
Yes, Israel deserves security. But these bloodbaths will not bring it. Not since 1948 have air raids protected Israel. Israel has bombed Lebanon thousands of times since 1975 and not one has eliminated “terrorism”. So what was the reaction last night? The Israelis threaten ground attacks. Hamas waits for another battle. Our Western politicians crouch in their funk holes. And somewhere to the east – in a cave? a basement? on a mountainside? – a well-known man in a turban smiles.—Dawn/The Independent News Service
Source: Dawn News
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