Marriage in Islam

"And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect." (Qur'an 30:21)

In the Qur'an, the marriage relationship is described as one with "tranquility," "love" and "mercy." Elsewhere in the Qur'an, husband and wife are described as "garments" for each other (2:187). Garments offer protection, comfort, modesty, and warmth. Above all, the Qur'an describes that the best garment is the "garment of God-consciousness" (7:26).

Muslims view marriage as the foundation of society and family life. In a practical aspect, Islamic marriage is thus structured through legally-enforceable rights and duties of both parties. In an atmosphere of love and respect, these rights and duties provide a framework for the balance of family life and the fulfillment of both partners.

While these are the Islamic ideals, we all need help achieving them sometimes. See these online articles for further ideas and support for your marriage.
source : http://islam.about.com/blmarriedlife.htm

Greatness of God

Many people are terribly confused on many words of the holy Quran. For example, they are very unhappy for not being able to see God almighty directly or even can not see seven universes yet. But one should understand that the holy Quran is super-science(absolute truth) but we, human beings, are dealing with science so it is natural that we can not comprehend all the super-science, the Holy Koran. God says about the super-scientific nature of the Holy Koran very clearly,

"[The Noble Quran 3:7] He sent down to you this scripture, containing straightforward verses - which constitute the essence of the scripture - as well as multiple-meaning or allegorical verses. Those who harbor doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple-meaning verses to create confusion, and to extricate a certain meaning. None knows the true meaning thereof except GOD and those well founded in knowledge. They say, "We believe in this - all of it comes from our Lord." Only those who possess intelligence will take heed."

Therefore, first we should try to understand the greatness of God(Allah in Arabic) almighty. How great the almighty God is! If we look and ponder some samples of His creations we could at least reach toward a rough conclusion.

"[23:17] We created above you seven universes in layers, and we are never unaware of a single creature in them."

"[71:15] Do you not realize that GOD created seven universes in layers?"

In which galaxy we are residing, the Milky Way, consists of about 200 billion stars, with our own Sun being a fairly medium-sized but very special one. Milky Way is a fairly spiral galaxy. When we leave the planet Earth toward the sun, at the speed of light in vacuum, we could reach the sun after 93,000,000 miles traveling and it takes 8 minutes. It will take us more than 50,000 years at the speed of light to exit our galaxy.

From the outer limit of the Milky Way, our planet Earth is invisible. Not even the current most powerful telescope can detect our tiny "Earth." We have to spend more than 2,000,000 years at the speed of light(300000000 meter/sec) to reach our next-door galaxy. At least 10,000,000,000 years, at the speed of light, must be spent to reach the outer limit of our observable universe. From the outer limit of our universe, even the Milky Way is like a spot of dust in a large room.

The second universe surrounds our innermost and smallest observable universe. The third universe is larger than the second, and so on. Can you imagine the vastness of the first, outermost universe? This incomprehensible vastness is "within the fist of God's hand."

[39:67] They can never fathom the greatness of GOD. The whole earth is within His fist on the Day of Resurrection. In fact, the universes are folded within His right hand. Be He glorified; He is much too high above needing any partners. God's greatness is represented not only by the fact that He holds the seven universes in His hand, but also by the fact that He fully controls every atom, even subatomic components, everywhere in the great universe.

Like a great intellect Luqman advised to his son,

"[31:16] "O my son, know that even something as tiny as a mustard seed, deep inside a rock, be it in the heavens or the earth, GOD will bring it. GOD is Sublime, Cognizant."

God's recording system is so complicated, precise and sophisticated!

"[99:6-8] On the resurrection day, the people will issue from every direction, to be shown their works. Whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it. And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it." Finally we must remember once again how great God is! Let us ponder the following Noble verse.

[18:109] Say, "If the ocean were ink for the words of my Lord, the ocean would run out, before the words of my Lord run out, even if we double the ink supply."

Visit one of the best Islamic resources site www.progressive-muslim.org for learning the real Islam, free from all superstitions, hype and peaceful, real progressive which is absolutely essential for humanity.

Muhammad Al-Ghazali - II

A consistent line in Sheikh Muhammad Al-Ghazali's career was his unwavering stand in support of what he believed to be right. He considered social justice one of the principal aims of Islam. He, therefore, wrote extensively about every aspect of social injustice, advocating a return to Islamic values which were certain to ensure justice for all.

Early in his career, when Egypt was under the monarchy, Al-Ghazali felt that the capitalist system imported by the British colonialists and managed by foreign businessmen left the masses in dire poverty. He also felt that the concentration of large agricultural areas in the hands of the few meant that the majority of rural people in Egypt were enduring clear injustice. He wrote his first book Al-Islam wal-Awdaa' al-Iqtisadiyah, or Islam and Economic Conditions. This is not a book to evaluate different economic theories or systems, but a study of general Islamic principles outlined by Islam, and how they relate to the modern world, ensuring social justice for all. At the time of its publication, it attracted much interest, because it showed the Islamic approach to economic realities and how they affect people's lives.

His second book followed in the same line, but this time he discussed socialist systems as viewed by Islam. His third book sought to establish Islam as clearly distinct from all economic philosophies, particularly communism and capitalism. Sheikh Al-Ghazali was a prolific writer. In this period, he wrote several books, prominent among which was one devoted to explain the Islamic attitude to political dictatorship. He also wrote Ta'mmulat fil-Deen wal-Hayat, or Thoughts on Religion and Life. This was followed by Aqeedat Al-Muslim, or a Muslim's ideological beliefs, and Khuluq Al-Muslim, or a Muslim's moral values.

At one stage, Al-Ghazali found himself taking a very tough attitude against one of his friends, Khalid Muhammad Khalid, who was also a graduate of Al-Azhar, a great speaker and a writer of very powerful style. Khalid went through a period of doubt which culminated in his writing of a book, Min Huna Nabda', or Our Starting Point, in which he advocated a highly secularist line.

He went against many central Islamic values. Sheikh Al-Ghazali felt he had to reply to his old friend, publishing several articles showing Khalid's deviation and erroneous understanding of Islam. What is important to realize here is that this was a duel between two refined writers with highly powerful styles, who greatly valued their independence and freedom of thought. Sheikh Al-Ghazali's articles were subsequently published in a book under the title Min Huna Na'lam, or Where to Acquire Knowledge. The distinctive characteristic of Al-Ghazali's reply to Khalid was that it steered away from personal abuse and ridicule, to which he himself was subjected at various times in his career. He wrote about the subject in contention, but never against the man himself. In fact, when some people advocated that Khalid should be deprived of his Al-Azhar degree, Al-Ghazali wrote objecting to that.

It took Khalid several years to realize his mistake but, with God's grace, he was able to revise his standpoint and abandon all ideas that were incompatible with Islam.

Sheikh Al-Ghazali was a passionate man who was constantly preoccupied with the concerns of the Muslim community. He keenly felt that the Muslims have the right medicine that was certain to cure all the social ills of humanity and was aware that their backwardness meant that they were unable to help themselves, let alone provide solutions for others. But he also realized that different quarters wanted the Muslims to remain isolated from their faith and the Islamic way of life. Therefore, he devoted all his efforts to promote Islamic revival in every way he could. He felt that the most important element in such revival was a better understanding of Islam, and a correct understanding of the realities of our present world and the forces that influence world events. He was very happy whenever he heard of anything that improved the situation of any Muslim community or individual, and shared in the sorrow of any Muslim who met with misfortune or hardship. This is best reflected in his attitude toward the military government in Egypt.

When the monarchy was overthrown, Al-Ghazali felt that the officers who staged the revolution intended to bring real reforms.

He trusted Nasser and felt that he was a good man who wanted to serve his people. Nasser was keen at the time to give an impression that he truly wanted Islam to shape the life of the Egyptian people. But what he really wanted was to draw some religious elements to his side while he leveled a sever blow to the Muslim Brotherhood. There were many who trusted Nasser, and one of these was Sheikh Al-Ghazali, forming his views on the basis of certain indications he might have personally seen or heard, or were reliably confirmed to him. But this was most probably what Nasser himself wanted Al-Ghazali to understand as part of his attempts to divide the Muslim Brotherhood.

But Al-Ghazali was soon to realize that Nasser was no friend of Islam or Islamic revival. Indeed, he felt that Nasser was only trying to exploit Islam and turn it to his own advantage whenever he felt that this served his goals. Hence, true to form, Al-Ghazali felt that his own stand was in opposition to the military dictatorship. He heartily grieved to hear of the torture and killings of Muslim Brotherhood detainees in Egyptian prisons. He did not hesitate to make his stand clear in several of his books, including the one which he called Haqiqat Al-Qawmiyah Al-Arabiyah, or the True Nature of Arab Nationalism. He also expressed his opposition when Nasser utilized Al-Azhar to award an honorary degree to Sukarno, the Indonesian President. He then pointed out that Nasser consistently stood against Islamic interests in every conflict involving Muslims against non-Muslims, although Al-Ghazali himself was present when Nasser and his colleague, Kamal Al-Deen Hussain, gave their solemn pledges to make their revolution a tool to serve Islam and Muslims.

In 1962, Sheikh Al-Ghazali and Khalid Muhammad Khalid were among 250 Egyptian personalities appointed by Nasser to discuss the future orientation of Egyptian government and society. The two old friends were still taking opposite lines, but both spoke out in clear opposition to Nasser's dictatorship. While Khalid spoke out in defense of freedom, Al-Ghazali emphasized the need for Egypt to show its clear and true independence, which could only be demonstrated through legislative independence. It must also have its own distinctive traditions, to be reflected even in its fashion and clothes of both men and women.

It could not be truly independent if it continued to be merely a distorted version of Western society. This led to a direct confrontation between him and Nasser, who at the time wanted to appear to listen to all sections of society. However, government supporters and Communists launched a sustained attack against Al-Ghazali. A Communist cartoonist, Salah Gahin, continued to publish in the leading newspaper Al-Ahram a cartoon ridiculing Al-Ghazali every day over two weeks. This caused a great deal of anger among many Egyptians. On 1 June 1962, a huge demonstration moved out of Al-Azhar after Friday prayer and marched to Al-Ahram. They tried to carry Sheikh Al-Ghazali over their shoulders but he refused. The publishers felt that their position was precarious and they ended this ludicrous attack.

source : http://www.islamicity.com

Studying Islam

To challenge the simplistic notion that Islam is still in its medieval period, we must engage it academically for its own sake - not simply out of self-interest

Interest in Islamic studies has expanded in recent years, but not always for the best of reasons. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the powers of the day needed to understand the religious motivations of their colonized subjects. The rule, for decades, was the self-interested study of Islam; objective academic discipline was the exception.

How much further have we come today?

"Islamic studies" now seem equally driven by non-academic motives.

Western societies are grappling with three distinct Islam-related factors: a new, visible generation of Western Muslims, accelerating migratory flows and terrorism, seen as a threat to both the West and the Islamic world.

International politics- the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, war in Afghanistan and Iraq, threats against Iran, eventual Turkish membership in the European Union - also impinge on the field, as scholars attempt to understand, to prevent and even to mobilize against the perceived danger of violent Islamism. Key questions are often framed in binary terms, as a clash of civilizations. In each of these instances, Islamic studies are directly or indirectly involved in the attempt to understand and to prevent, to protect, to dominate or even to fight the adversary of violent Islamism.

It comes as no surprise that sociologists, political scientists and terrorism experts produce reams of research on Islam, Muslims, identity, immigration, Islamism, radicalization, violence and terrorism. Much of their work is funded or commissioned by government agencies or major corporations. Today, like yesterday, non-academic criteria propel and justify research.

But this carefully orchestrated infatuation with Islamic studies reduces several centuries of Islam's legal heritage, philosophy, mystical thought, and social and political vitality to a subsidiary position. Beyond the concern generated by the conflict in Iraq, the richness of the Sunni and Shia traditions and their millennia-long relationship earns only lip service. Rationalist philosophers such as Averroes are cited as examples of "reasonableness," while the thought of Islam's many eminent theologians and thinkers is ignored.

The time has come for universities in the West to reconcile themselves with an approach to other civilizations and cultures - particularly that of Islam - driven neither by ideological agendas nor collective fears.

The "global war" against "radicalization and terrorism," that would make contemporary Islamic studies a discipline besieged by dangerously utilitarian political considerations must give way to a holistic vision.

If we are serious about respecting the diversity of civilizations, about the need for dialogue, about promoting common values, we must urgently rethink the content of our curricula. The courses of study offered in our universities must embrace the study of religion, of theology and theological scholarship, of the teaching of Islamic law and jurisprudence.

It is generally accepted that practicing Jews, Christians, Hindus or Buddhists can perform their academic duties objectively. Muslim faculty members, however, face serious obstacles. Practicing Muslims may see their objectivity questioned and be expected to espouse "pro-Western" views.

The commonplaces of violence and terrorism and the insistence that "Islamic authorities" denounce these abuses conceal from us a world caught up in intellectual ferment. From Morocco to Indonesia, from the United States to Australia by way of Europe and Turkey, a body of fresh and audacious Islamic thought is emerging. It is not only the work of thinkers known to and recognized by the West.

Today, an evolutionary process is sweeping through every Islamic society. Any Islamic studies curriculum must turn serious attention to this intellectual effervescence, which in turn implies mastery of Arabic, Farsi, Urdu and other languages.

Only then can Islamic studies challenge the simplistic notion that Islam is still in its medieval period, that it must evolve and experience its own renaissance before it can catch up with the West and modernity. For when such academic preconditions become a prerequisite, the study of a religion or civilization ceases to be academic or objective. It feeds into ideology and justifies domination.

If contemporary Islamic studies are to evolve in a meaningful way, we must distinguish between Islam and Muslims on the one hand, and political Islam, Islamism and Islamists on the other. Even if this has been done, there remains room for serious critical reappraisal of the instruction on offer in many of our universities.

How else to explain why certain violent groups are lent an interpretative authority based on little more than either willful negligence ... or ignorance? Perhaps the outstanding example of this treatment is Ibn Taymiyya, the 13th-century scholar who some consider the quintessential extremist thinker. The speech and actions of today's violent Islamists become windows through which the Islamic heritage, and Islamic scholars themselves, are interpreted and judged.

Contemporary Islamic studies face another major challenge: that of reconciling students drawn to the field with this complex, multilayered and multidimensional world. Knowledge of languages, cultures, memories and histories, of social dynamics and evolution are the essential parameters if we are to study the other as he actually is, and not as a demographic, cultural or political threat.

As more and more Western Muslims enroll in Islamic studies programs, they bring with them their "insider's" knowledge and sensibilities.

Meanwhile, professors and instructors have begun to question the old paradigms more insistently, to objectify "Islam," to transform it into a more coherent, more complete and ultimately more academic discipline.

Islamic studies must be taken seriously. Politicians, university administrators, faculty and students must say so; they must make a firm commitment to re-evaluate critically and constructively what our academic institutions offer today.

source : http://www.islamicity.com

Islam Is A System

By: Ahmad Parvez
Deen is the name of a system. This system meant that human beings should live together in such a manner that every individual should have an equal opportunity for to develop its full potential or self-realisation. A system in which each individual should become a means for the development of potentials of others and in this way finds way of his/her Own development of potentials. In this system, the needs of the natural life are very elementary things. A system that is responsible for the development of all natural potentials, cannot forget the natural needs of human beings.Obviously, such a great system will have many elements of various kinds. Any tiny element of the system will be unique and vital and will have a role in producing the results of the system, while the whole system will be paralysed if that tiny element failed to function, just like a loose of a screw of railway track will stop all trains.Various injunctions in the Islamic system have equal importance. When that system was established, all actions those were in accordance with the system principles played role in bringing out the results. But when the system vanished, its elements remained like a railway junkyard, with out-of-order signals and broken railway tracks. We heard about the blessings of this (like railway) system, but did not see it in practice. Now we consider the old signals and broken railway track (the elements of Shariah) a means of blessings of the system.

Similarly within the system of Islam they (various injunctions and principles) were part of Deen. Outside the system became rituals. Madhab (opposite of islamic system) is the name of a group of rituals and the sacred wishes attached to it. Concrete results are the proof of the authenticity or truthfulness of a Deen, while truthfulness of madhab remains confined to the good faith of its believers (followers). Deen is like a living body working as an organic whole while in madhab, parts of the dead body are scattered at the sacred places and worshiped. Although, the system that Islam gave and described with a comprehensive term of "al-Deen", cannot be broken into pieces. But to understand we can divide it into two parts: its one part revolutionised individual life and another part was responsible for the development of human potential. (Again I will emphasise that these were not two parts. Internal revolutions i.e. the result of change is potential development and the result of human development is human personality development.

Hijab In Islam

By: Ahmad Parvez
In a society where purity is demanded of women only and men are exempted, it is useless to talk about women's rights and privileges or responsibilities which are the attributes of the equality demanded by the Quran. According to the Quran the purity of body and soul which is the hallmark of humans has equally demanded from both men and women. If keeping herself chaste is the responsibility of the woman then she has the right to demand this from the men as well. Just as it is incumbent on the woman to keep herself chaste (24:31), it has also been made obligatory for men to keep themselves chaste (24:30). In fact men have been addressed first and women afterwards.

Keeping women confined in houses and forbidding them to go out is a punishment according to the Quran. It is not Quranic modesty. Now the question arises as to the manner of her staying at home and her mode of moving about outside the house. The Quran gives instructions for both situations but before I state these Quranic guidelines I want to emphasize that purity of thought and deed is a must for both men and women. The cultivation of a sterling character is the most important pre-requisite for becoming a Momin. Carelessness to unsullied character not only spoils one's personal integrity but is also detrimental to national culture and civilization. Hence the Quran directs, do not display your adornments except those parts of the body that remain exposed inevitably. They should spread their head-gear on their chests (24:31). In another place it is said: O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and other Momineen women that when they go out they should wear their cloaks over their clothes so as not to display their adornment (24:31). This will help them to be recognized (as decent women) so that they may not be annoyed by any one with ill intent. This style will protect them and go a long way in their upbringing - Quran Chapter 33 Verse 59.

Hijab is different from Jalbab which is a cloth that is worn over one's clothes when going out. It is thus obvious that whether you cover your chest with your head-gear or whether you wear something over your clothes, there is no mention of hiding your face. If concealing the face had been necessary then why were men directed to keep the eyes downcast? The Quranic aim is to conceal your adornments when going out. For this purpose we can wear what we like. The cut and style of the dress is dictated by your social mode which keeps on changing with time. The main purpose is to adhere to the Quranic goal of hiding your adornment is a part of Hijab. By the way readers you must have noticed the great value chastity holds in the principles of life. So much so that preserving chastity "Hijab" has been called a permanent practice by Allah Almighty and these laws are never to be altered. These laws can never be changed, no matter what the circumstances of a particular era. In other words the sanctity of chastity is a permanent value that cannot be affected by the changes in time. It is just as a permanent value today as it was a thousand years ago.

So Help Me Allah

Should Barack Obama place his hand on the Christian Bible and say "So help me God," at the end of his oath? Yes, because he is a professed Christian and in the coming years he will need his faith as never before. If, however, Barack Obama was a Muslim, as a surprising amount of Americans still believe, should he place his hand on the Koran and say "So help me Allah," at the end of his oath? Yes, because in the coming years he would need his faith as never before.

The 2008 primaries and general election were evidence of America's increasing diversity and its slow trickle upwards to the higher echelons of power in this country. Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, Pentecostals and Mormons were all represented in the candidates. Blacks, Whites and Latinos- men and women, albeit disproportionately, were all there on the national stage. The country currently has two members of Congress who are practicing Muslims and by my last check of the 110th Congress, forty-three Jewish members. According to Secular.org, there is only one open atheist, California's Pete Stark, in Congress, but 21 others in hiding.

This year we will swear in the country's first Black President. The demographics of Congress suggest that someday, America will have a non-Christian President. Whenn that day comes, I hope that they feel free to celebrate as they see fit and to pledge their service to the country as they feel best honors the tradition of the Presidency. Nothing in our country's Constitution prohibits the free expression of a President's faith through public display or civil ceremony. What presents an infringement would be the restriction of a President to a necessary display of religious activity. No elected official should be forced or coerced into any kind of religious display that they do not wish to participate in. They should feel free to be sworn in on the Bible, the Torah, the Koran or even a library copy of a book by Richard Dawkins if they please.

The physical appearances and beliefs of those who command national attention will continue to change. This will make some people uncomfortable and cause considerable backlash from others. However, this should not stop them from freely expressing their identity in public or during a civil ceremony.

I encourage and support Barack Obama to have ministers pray, use a Bible to be sworn in upon, and publicly ask for God's help, not because any of these things are essential to him being President, but because that is who he is.

Jim Wallis is president of Sojourners and author of the newly released paperback version of "The Great Awakening: Seven Ways To Change The World."

source : http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=WP0901-3787

Well Said Mr. President

Peace and dignity was the theme of President Obama's inaugural speech.

He didn't mince his words when he said that principles and not expediency would determine and define his presidency. He talked of the rule of law and he assured the world that America is not their enemy but a friend. He also warned those who want to harm America, economically, politically and socially not to take America's resolve to live in peace lightly.

Although he did not mention the recent carnage inflicted on Gaza but the Palestinians can have hope in his words that the United States would stand for peace and dignity for every man, woman and child would apply to them also.
Everyone has a right to live in peace and dignity, he declared, obviously referring to millions of those who live under subjugation.

Old guard politicians, media pundits and lobbyists should take heed to his reference to "the time has come to set aside childish things". The time has come for America's law makers to work on issues that will reclaim the spirit of the founding principals of our country.

CNN's Wolf Blitzer tried to give his own spin when he said that the President Obama sent two messages to the Muslim world. According to Mr. Blitzer, one message was that we will not tolerate their violent behavior, and second was that we will work with the Muslim world with respect and peace.

Mr. Blitzer in putting his spin on President Obama's speech did not take note of the Presidents message "We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers." Unlike the politics of the past President Obama's words never made any veiled or unveiled threat to the Muslim world. President Obama talked about the enemies of the United States in general without any reference to any nation or religion. Obviously, enemies of the United States include those also who seek to bring harm to our country physically, economically, socially and spiritually.
President Obama's speech was a sharp departure from most of the mundane inaugural speeches of past presidents. He made it known to everyone that he is in control of the United States and he intends to make a difference.
He challenged the nation to achieve new heights of service and he reiterated his commitment to the supremacy of the constitution. That means that Guantanamo Bay prison facility will be closed down soon. That means that the US army will withdraw from Iraq. That means torture will not be repeated. That means that people who manipulated the law for their personal gain and agendas will not be able to do that in his administration.

President Obama's speech was unique as he reminded the people that a nation is built on sacrifices and taking care of its poor and the needy. He asked every American to stand for those who are unable to take care of themselves.

President Obama was echoing every thing that Islam stands for in terms of social justice, peace, fiscal responsibility and political stability. It would not be uncommon to find Mosques around the United States spreading a similar message of social justice, equality, peace, freedom and social justice on a weekly basis in their Friday sermons.

In his reference to the United States as a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and he invited each to participate in the rebuilding of a new nation. Obama is giving a new vision of America, an America that is humble and more tuned to the welfare of its own people rather than imposing its will upon others.

President Obama, your words remind this nation what it had forgotten during the most turbulent times of the last president who was playing with the lives of people on a whim and destroyed their hopes and future.

President Obama, you have restored our confidence in government once again and you have reminded us that if we are vigilant our democracy and constitution would not be exploited by those who act fanatically.
President Obama, we hope that your words would be taken seriously by law enforcement officials in their relations with Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Muslims and other minorities in this country and those who have been subject to all kinds of slurs and humiliations for centuries because of their color or religion would not be targeted.

We have reason to believe that we are in a new era. However, we must be clear that new era would have meaning for us only when we join others in building this nation for a prosperous world.

Dr. Aslam Abdullah is editor of the Detroit based English weekly, Muslim Observer, director of the Islamic Society of Nevada, Las Vegas and the recently elected General Secretary of the World Council of Muslims for Interfaith Relation.
Dr. Aslam Abdullah

source : http://www.islamicity.com/articles/

Hamassacre in Gaza: Terrorist Organization Says No To Peace Deal

by D. Culbert
Every night before I crawl into bed with what I hope is a head free of thoughts, the negative ones anyway, I try to catch up on the news depending on how late it comes on the television. It's not a good idea for somebody who is hoping to good to bed with a clear head to stay up long enough to catch the news for obvious reasons, but I do anyway, and I usually end up laying in bed for up to 45 minutes to an hour, sometimes even longer, struggling to clear my head of some of my thoughts about the news I had just heard.

It's dumb of me to think that I can go to bed at midnight with a clear head immediately after watching the news, but it's the only time when I can catch the final news wrap-up of the day because the kids and their mother own the TV between 4pm and 830pm, after which I watch "my shows" (usually a couple hours worth in the evening), and then I flick on the local news. It's a ritual for me around here.

The only other time I catch up on the news is first thing in the morning over my coffee. Other than that that's it.

Last night news stories were of the usual fare; terrorism, crime, dumb politicians, smart politicians, feel good stories, the not-so-feel good stories, lifestyle, sports, blah, blah, blah, and of course the conflict between Israel and Hamassholes in the Gaza Strip. It was the latter that caused me to toss and turn for about an hour after going to bed, but only because I couldn't believe the gall of the terrorist organization that is supposed to be the voice, and apparent savior of the Palestine people.

When I heard they said no to a deal to end the Israeli military offensive where more than 700 people have been killed, most of whom are innocent civilian, I couldn't believe it.

It's not the fact that Hamas leaders said no to the deal. It's why they said no to it that gets me.

According to the "so-called" protectors of Palestinian rights, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera, the deal is no good for the Palestine because it is not in their best interests.

In other words, opposed to innocent Palestinians being blown to bits, having their homes and livelihood destroyed by Israeli tanks, fighter planes, foot soldiers, mortars and rockets, Hamas thinks it's in the Palestinian people's best interest to be used as human shields so that they can attempt to fulfill their unrealistic destiny, the destruction of Israel and the extermination of it's people.

How effin' stupid is that, and to think there are people who actually think that is Israel that is inflicting pain and suffering on the Palestinian people. What is wrong with those people?

Are they that deaf, dumb and blind, or are they merely siding with Hamas and the people they are using as human shields, denying the right to a safe and decent life, they are the underdogs. How long has Hamas and Hezbollah been firing rockets without provocation into populated Israeli settlements now? It's been going on for years hasn't it, perhaps almost, if not more than a decade now right?

And how long has Hamas and Hezbollah been strapping bombs onto men, women and children and sending them across the border into central business districts so they can cause death and carnage by detonating themselves all in the name of Allah while the Israelis have all but turned the other cheek in the hope that a peaceful resolution can be reached to end the assault on them. Of course I understand that Israel has retaliated on occasion and before now, but not to this extent.

The Palestinian suffering is being perpetuated by people who think that Israel and its people don't have a right to exist, and those same people are willing to sacrifice the lives of the very people whose best interests they claim to be looking out for just for the sake of gaining international condemnation against Israel.

Hamas has committed and is committing some pretty serious crimes here and Israel in defence of its borders and people are trying to shut them down if only because the rest of the world hasn't had the balls to help find a solution, too afraid of the consequences of their interference.

Hamas saying no to a peace deal, one that would have undoubtedly given Palestinians some hope, and would have definitely reduced the number of innocent civilians being slaughtered in the conflict, is a clear indication that Hamas has no intentions of doing what is in the best interests of the Palestinian people.

Their rejection backs up my insistence that Hamas is only in [it] for themselves with Israel. A Hamas leader and his militants only goal in life is the total destruction of a country that has bigger guns, bigger tanks, bigger bombs, and more soldiers to defend itself.

I don't know about anybody else but I think Hamas is using what happened to the Philistines in 732 BC as justification for their actions against Jews today. I really do. What Hamas is doing today is merely avenging what happened to the Philistines back then. That's my theory anyway.

In 732 BC the Philistines, the modern day equivalent of the Palestinians, lost their independence to Assyria (what is now northern Iraq), and since that time subsequent revolts by them have all been crushed.

They're still fighting that battle today in my opinion, the conflict in Gaza evidence of that.

The biblical stories of Samson, Samuel, Saul and David all include accounts of Philistine-Israeli conflicts. Gee, talk about a perpetual war. Who do you think is doing the perpetuating by the way, the Israelis? If you think that give your head a shake.

Anyway all I'm saying is that if it wasn't for Hamas and other morons cut from the same violent clothe, and the fact that they can't seem to let go of the past, not to mention a grudge so to speak that dates back centuries before our time, the Palestinian people wouldn't be suffering to the extent that they are.

I am not by any stretch of the imagination an expert when it comes to the goings on between the Palestinians and the Israelis but it seems to me that it's the Palestinians who need to smarten up if they want peace in the region. If I were a Palestinian wanting a brighter future for my family, a better way of life, a peaceful existence; I'd be taking up arms to exterminate Hamas and their followers, wipe them off the face of the earth. My fight with the Israelis wouldn't begin until I was certain that Hamas war mongers were no longer relevant, and if that meant annihilating them to the brink of extinction, then so be it.

Life will only get better for the Palestinian people when they "snap out of it" and realize that no good can from people who are willing to sacrifices them merely for their own gain. There is not much for the Palestinian people to gain by backing Hamas, Hezbollah and other extremist factions who sole mission in life is to avenge something that happened to the Philistines 732 BC.

Red Cross halts Gaza operation

GAZA CITY: The international Red Cross halted its service of escorting Palestinian ambulances in the Gaza Strip yesterday after one of its ambulances came under fire on Saturday night. The Red Cross decision was announced by spokesman Iyad Nasr.

Israeli forces have targeted several ambulances during the fighting. The Red Cross escorts are meant to provide extra protection to Palestinian ambulances and guarantee that all occupants are civilians.

On Thursday, the United Nations halted aid distribution among Gaza’s 1.5 million impoverished residents after two of its workers were killed in Israeli firing. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) yesterday resumed its operations.

Palestinian fighters ambushed a column of Israeli troops yesterday in one of the heaviest fighting so far in the 16-day-old war. Palestinians said Israeli troops moved to within one kilometer of Gaza City’s southern neighborhoods, and within half a kilometer of the northern neighborhood of Sheikh Ajleen.

The fighting in Sheikh Ajleen erupted before dawn and continued into the morning as Israeli infantrymen and tanks advanced toward Gaza City and its approximately 400,000 residents.

“We are safe, but we don’t know for how long,” said Khamis Alawi, 44, who huddled with his wife and six children in their kitchen. He said bullets riddled his walls and several came in through the windows.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they ambushed the Israelis. Gunfire subsided in the early afternoon, with the Israelis in control of buildings on the neighborhood’s outskirts. Israeli tanks later withdrew from the area.

At least 29 Palestinians were killed yesterday, more than half of them civilians, medical workers said. The medics put the Palestinian casualty toll to at least 885 dead, including 275 children, and another 3,620 wounded. Ten Israeli soldiers and three civilians have been killed in combat or in rocket attacks.

Three Egyptian policemen and two children were wounded by shrapnel during Israeli airstrikes near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Two of the policemen, both officers, were seriously wounded and were in stable condition. The children, aged two and five, and another policeman suffered light wounds, an official said. The airstrikes appeared to be targeting smuggling tunnels about 400 meters from the Egyptian border, he added.

Witnesses said Israeli warplanes have been flying over Egyptian territory during their bombing runs. The witnesses, who did not want to be identified, said they had seen the Israeli planes fly over on several occasions, often at such low altitude that it was clear they were over Egyptian territory.

The Israeli Army claimed its troops on the Golan Heights came under small arms fire from Syria yesterday and that, although no one was hurt, it had complained to the United Nations force that monitors the frontier.

“Israel is getting close to achieving the goals it set for itself,” Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told his Cabinet in Jerusalem, giving no time frame for an end to the war on Palestinians.

But Israeli officials suggested the Jewish state was nearing the end of its offensive. “The decision of the (UN) Security Council doesn’t give us much leeway,” Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai told public radio. “Thus it would seem that we are close to ending the ground operation and ending the operation altogether.”

With no sign of a Palestinian surrender despite colossal losses, Israel expressed frustration over its inability to assassinate the Hamas leadership. It accused Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip of hiding in foreign diplomatic missions in an effort to elude Israeli forces.

“The leaders of Hamas and the armed wing are hiding in bunkers, hospitals and foreign missions,” Israeli Cabinet Secretary Oved Yehezkel told reporters.

He did not name the missions. Few countries have diplomatic missions in Gaza and even Egypt has withdrawn its staff.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said Qatar had asked for an urgent meeting of Arab foreign ministers to discuss ways to end the Israeli offensive.

He said he had started consultation with the league’s 22 member-states to set a date for the meeting and speculated it could be held in Kuwait, which is hosting an Arab economic summit next week.

But Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem Al-Thani scoffed at Moussa’s efforts as being too late. “This is a shame. The Palestinians will be beaten by then,” he told Al-Jazeera news network.

He also ruled out the closure of an Israeli trade office in Doha over the Gaza conflict, saying such a move needed joint Arab backing. “If Arab countries decide collectively to sever relations (with Israel), we will join the Arabs,” Sheikh Hamad said.

source : http://www.islamicity.com

THAT THE ONLY GOD IS ALLAH…

He is Allah. There is no god but Him. Praise be to Him in the world and the hereafter. Judgement belongs to Him. You will be returned to Him. (Surat al-Qasas:70)

Never Forget That...

- Our sole purpose in life is to serve Allah,

- Allah encompasses everything from East to West,

- Allah exercises absolute control over natural events and He directs their whole affairs,

- Allah holds all people under His control, including our mothers, fathers, classmates and colleagues,

- Allah is the true protector and defender of man,

- Allah will always win in the end,

- It is only Allah Who can relieve us of all the forms of difficulties we encounter,

- Allah knows the hidden truth of an event, the details pertaining to it, and any other unknown aspects about it,

- Allah knows the details of the deeds one has done throughout one's lifetime,

- Allah possesses the power to do anything He wishes,

- Allah knows all the subtle details pertaining to all matters, that He benefits His servants who fear Him,

- Allah protects those who take refuge in Him and gives them relief,

- Allah desires to make things easier for us,

- Everything that happens to us occurs under His control,

- It is Allah Who grants us all our blessings,

- Allah is the possessor of any property (yachts, houses, cars, furniture, clothes, jewelry etc…) and the actual owner of all money is Allah,

- Allah provides the provision of all living things,

- Allah will expand the blessings for whom He wills,

- We must engage in all deeds only to earn His good pleasure,

- Allah will reward most abundantly those deeds done to earn His good pleasure,

- Allah has taught us everything we know,

- Allah is the One Who has rightly guided us and willed for us to become believers,

- Allah is exalted above any sort of fallibility particular to human beings is in no means in need of anything,

- Every living being on earth is in need of Him,

- Allah is infinitely conscientious,

- Allah knows everything, whether we keep to ourselves or divulge it,

- Allah certainly helps those who help His religion,

- Allah sees us no matter where we are or what we are doing,

- Allah is infinitely just and does not wrong anyone by so much as the smallest speck,

- Allah does not harm mankind in any way,

- Allah is the Originator of the heavens and earth, and when He decides on something, He merely says "Be!" and it is,

- Allah knows everything beyond our knowledge,

- No one can change what Allah wills for him and no one can prevent something from happening, be it good or bad, if Allah wills for him,

- To look at and reflect upon the Signs Allah shows you within yourself and outside of you,

- Everything in the earth and in the heavens glorifies His praises,

- Only Allah deserves to be glorified,

- Allah never forgets anything,- Allah is always alive, that He never sleeps, nor is in need of sleep,

- Allah heals the hearts of those who believe in His support,

- Allah supports believers at every moment,

- Allah forgives and accepts repentance from His servants,

- Allah does not punish wrongdoers immediately, and that he grants time so that people can repent and ask for forgiveness,

- Allah is Ever-Gentle with His servants,

- Allah wishes His faithful servants to attain Paradise,

- Allah will reward those who show patience,

- Allah is the One Who gives us our soul and gives health,

- Allah heals us when we are sick,

- Allah warns us constantly to help us attain true faith and reminds us through various ways,

- Allah has given us love of faith and has made disbelief, deviance and disobedience hateful to us,

- Allah will bring forward a people whom He loves and who love Him to replace those who renounce the religion,

- Allah erases bad actions from true believers,

- Allah gives the power of discernment to judge between right and wrong to those who have fear of Allah,

-Allah is closer to us than anyone or anything,

-We need to pray to Allah that He keep us as His friend till eternity.

Source : http://us1.harunyahya.com/Detail/T/EDCRFV/productId/8449/THAT_THE_ONLY_GOD_IS_ALLAH%E2%80%A6

Thousands descend on White House to protest Gaza war

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Several thousand protesters descended on the White House Saturday in support of Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza, as other protests took place across Canada and in the Mexican capital.

As many as 10,000 people, according to organizers, gathered from about 1:00 pm (1800 GMT) in Washington's Lafayette Park, across from the White House, chanting "free Palestine" as protest leaders and activists spoke from a podium.

The protests came as Israel vowed to escalate its war in Gaza that has left at least 825 Palestinians dead as troops battled fighters from the Islamist movement Hamas into a third week, in defiance of a United Nations truce call.

"There are many young people. We feel it's one of the most important demonstrations for Palestine ever in the US," said Eugene Puryear, a coordinator of the Washington protest, which was organized by the ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) coalition.

Protesters waived Palestinian flags, wore keffiyeh -- a traditional Palestinian headdress -- and waived signs, some of which read "Stop the Gaza holocaust" and "Free Palestine, let Gaza live."

They then led a march passing in front of the headquarters of The Washington Post newspaper to protest "its hard pro-Israeli line," Puryear said, before heading to the offices of construction equipment giant Caterpillar and military contractor Lockheed Martin.

"I came because there are innocent children dying daily in Palestine. The American people need to know the truth," said 13-year-old Razan Ali, a Palestinian-American who bused in from New York.

A dozen buses filled with protesters came from New Jersey and another seven buses drove in from New York.

Yasmina Farej, a 54-year-old who came from Brooklyn dressed in conservative Muslim garb, said she was motivated to join the protest because of "the war in Gaza; they bomb the innocent children."

Thousands more protested across several Canadian cities, calling for an "immediate ceasefire" and especially targeting conservative Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for his support of Israel.

In Montreal, some 2,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators chanted "Israel the assassin" and called for a ceasefire in the impoverished Gaza Strip. Some brandished dolls spattered with red paint that they said represented children killed by the Israeli army.

Several hundred protesters also gathered in front of the US embassy in Mexico City in opposition to what they called the "criminal aggression" in Gaza. Some protesters set shoes ablaze and hurled them against the embassy gates.

Demonstrators against the Israeli offensive also rallied in major cities across Europe, with the largest protests in Paris and London, where largely peaceful demonstrations turned violent as the day wore on.

source : http://www.islamicity.com

Muslim states seek UN session on Gaza conflict

Muslim countries plan to seek a U.N. General Assembly special session to press for a halt to the escalating violence in Gaza, Malaysia's leader said Monday.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Malaysia's permanent representative to the U.N. will hold discussions with other officials in the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference, or OIC, on how best to push for such a session.

"I hope the United States and its allies will not impede efforts to convene the special general assembly," Abdullah was quoted as saying by the national news agency, Bernama.

Foreign ministers from OIC countries issued a statement following a meeting in Saudi Arabia over the weekend saying all Muslim nations should cooperate with other U.N. members to call for a special General Assembly session titled "Uniting for Peace."

The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said it had no immediate response to Abdullah's statement.

The United States late Saturday blocked approval of a U.N. Security Council statement calling for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and expressing serious concern at the escalation of violence, council diplomats said.

Israel sent troops and tanks into Gaza on Saturday after a weeklong aerial bombardment.

At least 512 Palestinians have been killed and more than 2,500 injured since the air attacks began. One Israeli soldier was killed in the ground assault. Israel says it launched the offensive to stop rocket attacks from Hamas-controlled Gaza that have killed several Israelis.

In a separate statement, Abdullah said Israel's ground offensive "is an act of total war which the international community should not tolerate."

Abdullah added that he has authorized $1 million of immediate humanitarian aid from the Malaysian government to be channeled through relief supplies for the Palestinians.

from : http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nationworld/story/386599.html

Palestinian military wings ordered to respond to Zionist attacks

Iran-Palestine-Gaza
Representative of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Iran Abu Sharif said that since Palestine faces a huge crime by the Zionist regime, the movement and other groups have ordered their military wings to respond to the attacks at the earliest.

Abu Sharif made the remarks following attacks by Israeli helicopters in Gaza Strip which killed 155 and wounded 200 Palestinians.

"We will deal a painful blow to them in retaliation for their attacks," he underlined.

Commenting on the role of Arab countries, especially Egypt, in the recent invasions on Gaza Strip, he added, "We believe that Arab countries, Egypt in particular, have given the go-ahead for such attacks.

"We all saw on news networks how the Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livny stood beside her Egyptian counterpart, Ahmed Abul Gheith and threatened the Palestinians during her recent two-day visit to the country."
Now after a lapse of less than 48 hours since the threats, the Zionist regime carried it out by launching a barbaric attack on Gaza.

Unfortunately, Abul Gheith did not react to the threats, Abu Sharif noted, contending that this indicates an endorsement of the invasions.

He called on Arab citizens to force their leaders to take a clear stance vis-a-vis the attacks and denounce them.

The Zionist regime has committed crimes over the past 60 years with the support of big powers and waged many wars, he said.

It has displaced the oppressed nation from their homes and even attacked their camps in Lebanon and other countries.

These crimes will never come to an end except by eliminating the regime, Abu Sharif concluded.

from : http://www2.irna.com/en/news/view/line-20/0812279193190129.htm