19 April 2015: Suleiman* and Bilqees, Fear on the Day of Judgment
Lives of the Prophets: Suleiman*
The Queen of Sheba Sends Gifts
The queen was very disturbed and hurriedly summoned her advisors. They reacted as to a challenge, for they felt that there was someone challenging them, hinting at war and defeat, and asking them to submit to his conditions. They told her that they could only offer advice, but it was her right to command action. She sensed that they wanted to meet Suleiman's invasion threat with a battle. However, she told them: "Peace and friendship are better and wiser; war only brings humiliation, enslaves people and destroys the good things. I have decided to send gifts to Suleiman, selected from our most precious treasure. The courtiers who will deliver the gifts will also have an opportunity to learn about Suleiman and his military mighty."
Reasons for War
The Queen made an observation based upon her experience and reading of history whereby when kings invade different lands they do it for resources, power and money. Afterwards, they destroy the previous government and often kill subjugate the previous ruling elite, and promote the lowly minority to help them maintain power.
This observation is still true today when most people/countries go to war they do so for material benefit, and lay waste to the country conquered and install their own puppets to maintain their control and interest.
This is evident from recent history when imperial countries like Britain or America invade countries it is never for peace, freedom, democracy or other slogans but rather to gain their resources. Neither should we accept the slogan that Western countries are peace loving because they are far from that as can be seen over the last few hundred years. In fact, since America came into existence it has constantly been at war with other countries apart from about 20 years of its existence! They cannot claim to be peace loving when they are in fact a warmongering nation.
War should in fact be a last resort once every other means for peace has been exhausted. However, in the military mindset of modern Western governments war is often the first option! In Islam however, war is always a last resort and there are only two main justifications for fighting war – either in self-defence or to remove obstacles that are preventing the spread of Islam through dawah.
Suleiman's Rejects the Queen's Gifts
Suleiman's reconnaissance team brought him the news of the arrival of Bilqees' messengers with a gift. The envoys of Bilqees, entering amidst the well-equipped army, realized that their wealth was nothing in comparison to that of the kingdom of Suleiman's. They eagerly presented their queen's precious gifts and told Suleiman that the queen wished that he would accept them as an act of friendship. They were shocked by his reaction: he did not even ask to open the covers of the containers! He told them: "Allah has given me plenty of wealth, a large kingdom, and prophethood. I am, therefore, beyond bribery. My only objective is to spread the belief in Tawheed, the Oneness of Allah." He also directed them to take back the gifts to the queen and to tell her that if she did not stop her kind of worship he would uproot her kingdom and drive its people out of the land.
The Queen Decides to Visit Suleiman
The queen's envoys returned with the gifts and delivered the message. They and told her of the wonderful things they had seen. Instead of taking offense, she decided to visit Suleiman. Accompanied by her royal officials and servants, she left Sheba. Suleiman asked the jinns who worked for him whether anyone among them could bring her throne to his palace before she arrived. One of them said; "I will bring it to you before this court session is over." Another offer also came: "I will fetch it for you in the twinkling of an eye!" No sooner had this one - who had the knowledge of the Book - finished his phrase than the throne stood before Suleiman. The mission had, indeed, been completed in the blinking of an eye. Suleiman's seat was in Palestine, and the throne of Bilqees had been in Yemen, two thousand miles away. This was a great event performed by one of those sitting with Suleiman. He asked them to make some minor modifications to test the queen, and he gave thanks to Allah for allowing this to happen.
The Queen's Visit with Suleiman
When Bilqees arrived at Suleiman's palace Suleiman asked her whether her throne looked like that one. She looked at it again and again. In her mind she was convinced that her throne could not possibly be the one she was looking at, as hers was in her palace; but, she detected a striking similarity and replied: "It is as if it were the very same."
Further information about how this throne was transported within a twinkling of an eye has not been documented and so we should not speculate about the nature of this occurrence or this book/knowledge since we have no further information other than what is mentioned in the Qur’an.
Suleiman judged that she was intelligent and diplomatic. He then invited her into the great hall, the floor of which was laid in glass and shimmering as if water flowed underneath. Thinking it was water, as she stepped on the floor, she lifted her skirt slightly above her heels, for fear of wetting it. Suleiman pointed out to her that it was made of solid glass. She was amazed. She had never seen such things before. Bilqees realized that she was in the company of a very knowledgeable person who was not only a ruler of a great kingdom but a messenger of Allah, as well. She repented, gave up sun worship, accepted the faith of Allah, and asked her people to do the same.
Further speculation about what happened after she became a Muslim is not warranted because it is not mentioned in the Koran and so we should not do a disservice to Prophet Suleiman by perpetuating myths and stories that have little foundation in Islam.
Suleiman is Informed About the Queen of Sheba
Almighty Allah told us this story in the Quran:
"He inspected the birds, and said: "What is the matter that I see not a hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason."
But the hoopoe stayed not long, he came up and said: "I have grasped (the knowledge of a thing) which you have not grasped and I have come to you from Sheba with true news. I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given all things that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, and she has a great throne. I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds fair seeming to them, and has barred them from Allah's Way, so they have no guidance."
Al-La (this word has two interpretations) [As Satan has barred them from Allah's Way} so that they do not worship (prostrate before) Allah, or so that they may worship (prostrate before) Allah, Who brings light to what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. Allah, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne! (Suleiman) said: "We shall see whether you speak the truth or you are one of the liars. Go with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them, then draw back from them, and see what answer they return."
She said: "O chiefs! Verily! Here is a delivered to me a noble letter. Verily! It is from Suleiman and verily! It (reads): 'In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful; Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to Allah with full submission)."
She said: "O chiefs! Advise me in this case of mine. I decide no case till you are present with me."
They said: "We have great strength, and great ability for war, but it is for you to command; so think over what you will command."
She said: "Verily! Kings, when they enter a town (country), they despoil it, and make the most honorable amongst its people low. And thus they do. But verily! I am going to send him a present, and see with what answer the messengers return."
So when (the messengers with the present) came to Suleiman, he said: "Will you help me in wealth? What Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice in your gift!" (Then Suleiman said to the chief of her messengers who brought the present): "Go back to them. We verily shall come to them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from there is disgrace, and they will be abased."
He said: "O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience?"
An Ifrit (strong) from the jinns said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work."
One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: "I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!" then when Suleiman saw it placed before him, he said: "This is by the Grace of my Lord, to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for the good of his ownself, and whoever is ungrateful, he is ungrateful only for the loss of his ownself. Certainly! My Lord is Rich (Free of all wants), Bountiful!"
He said: "Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will be guided (to recognize her throne), or she will be one of those not guided."
So when she came, it was said to her: "Is your throne like this?"
She said: "It is as though it was the very same."
And Suleiman said: "Knowledge was bestowed on us before her, and we were submitted to Allah (in Islam as Muslims before her)."
And that which she used to worship besides Allah has prevented her from Islam, for she was of a disbelieving people.
It was said to her: "Enter As-Sarh" (a glass surface with water underneath it) or a palace, but when she saw it, she thought it was a pool, and she tucked up her clothes, uncovering her legs. Suleiman said: "Verily, it is Sarh paved smooth with slab of glass."
She said: "My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, and I submit (in Islam), together with Suleiman, to Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinns, and all that exists)." (TMQ 27:20-44)
Main Topic:
Descriptions of the Day of Judgment
The Day of Resurrection will be a Day of tremendous import and immense horror, the like of which mankind will never have seen. Several things point to the enormity of its terrors:
A great, heavy and hard day
Allah described that Day as being great, as being heavy, and as being hard. His description of it as such is sufficient for us to know that it is more serious than we can ever imagine.
“Think they not that they will be resurrected [for reckoning], On a Great Day, the Day when [all] mankind will stand before the Lord of the 'Aalameen [mankind, jinn and all that exists]?) (TMQ 83: 4-6)
“Verily, these [disbelievers] love the present life of this world, and put behind them a heavy Day [that will be hard]. (TMQ 76: 2 7)
“Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day - Far from easy for the disbelievers) (TMQ 74: 9-10)
The Fear that Day
The fear and terror which will befall mankind on that Day will be so great that the mother who would readily sacrifice herself for her infant will, on that Day, be heedless of him. Pregnant women will miscarry, and people will be like drunkards who have lost their senses.
“O' mankind! Fear your Lord and be dutiful to Him! Verily, the earthquake of the Hour [of Judgement] is a terrible thing. The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling, and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see mankind as in a drunken state, yet they will not be drunken, but severe will be the Torment of Allah) (TMQ 22: 1-2)
Because of the intensity of the terror, on that Day eyes will be not blinking and not looking to the right or the left. Because of their great fear, their hearts will be empty, not comprehending anything at all.
“Consider not that Allah is unaware of that which the Zaalimoon [polytheists, wrongdoers] do, but He gives them respite up to a Day when the eyes will stare in horror. [They will be] hastening forward with necks outstretched, their heads raised up [towards the sky], their gaze returning not towards them and their hearts empty [from thinking because of extreme fear]. (TMQ 14: 42-43)
Because of their extreme terror, the hearts of the evildoers will rise to their throats, but they will not come out, neither will they settle back in their places:
“And warn them [O' Muhammad] of the Day that is drawing near [i.e. the Day of Resurrection], when the hearts will be choking the throats, and they can neither return them [hearts] to their chests nor can they throw them out..) (TMQ 40: 18)
Elsewhere, Allah describes what will happen to people's hearts and eyes on that Day:
“They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned [out of the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection]. (TMQ 24: 3 7)
“[Some] hearts that Day will shake with fear and anxiety. Their eyes will be downcast) (TMQ 79: 8-9)
It suffices to know that the hair of the child who has never committed sin will turn grey because of the intense horror of what he is seeing:
“Then how can you avoid the punishment, if you disbelieve, on a Day [i.e. the Day of Resurrection] that will make the children grey-headed? Whereon the heaven will be cleft asunder? His Promise is certainly to be accomplished) (TMQ 73: 1 7-18)
We ask Allah to give us peace and security on that day. Ameen.
Every Man for Himself
Blood ties (bonds of kinship) will be severed on the Day of Resurrection, as Allah says: “Then, when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no kinship among them that Day, nor will they ask of one another) (TMQ 23: 101)
On that Day, each person will care only about himself, and will not think of anyone else. Indeed, a man will run from those who are dearest to him, from his brother, his mother, his father, his wife and his sons:
“Then when there comes As-Saakhkhah [the second blowing of the Trumpet on the Day of Resurrection] - That Day shall a man flee from his brother, and from his mother and his father, and from his wife and his children. Every man that Day will have enough to make him careless of others) (TMQ 80: 33-3 7)
“O mankind! Be afraid of your Lord [by keeping your duty to Him and avoiding all evil], and fear a Day when no father can avail aught for his son, nor a son avail aught for his father. Verily, the Promise of Allah is true .. ) (TMQ 31: 33)
“And fear a Day [of Judgement] when a person shall not avail another, nor will intercession be accepted from him nor will compensation be taken from him nor will they be helped) (TMQ 2: 48)
The Willingness to Sacrifice Anything
On the Day of Resurrection, the disbelievers will be prepared to give up everything to save themselves from the punishment. If they possessed everything on earth, they would try to ransom themselves with it. Even if they had as many times as what is on earth, they would not be able to ransom themselves with it. He will be prepared to sacrifice what he has, even if it were an earthful of gold, if that were possible, but Allah will not accept it from him.
“And if every person who had wronged [by disbelieving in Allah and by worshipping others besides Allah] possessed all that is on the earth and sought to ransom himself therewith [it will not be accepted] .. ) (TMQ 1O: 54)
“But those who answered not His Call [disbelieved in the Oneness of Allah and followed not His Messenger Muhammad], if they had all that is in the earth together with its like, they would offer it in order to save themselves [from the torment, but it will be in vain]. For them there will be the terrible reckoning .. ) (TMQ 13: 18)
“Verily, those who disbelieved, and died while they were disbelievers, the [whole] earth full of gold will not be accepted from anyone of them even if they offered it as a ransom. For them is a painful torment and they will have no helpers) (TMQ 3: 91)
Bukhari it is narrated from Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet* used to say:
"The non-believer will be brought forth on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said to him, 'Do you think that if you had an earthful of gold that you would be able to ransom yourself with it?' He will say, 'Yes. ' It will be said to him, ' I used to ask you for less than that. "'
On that Day, things will be so bad for the non-believer that he will wish that he could send the most beloved of people to him to the Fire, in order to save himself from the torment: “ ... The Mujrim, [criminal, sinner, disbeliever] would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. And his wife and his brother, and his kindred who sheltered him, and all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. By no means! Verily, it will be the fire of Hell.) (TMQ 70: 11-15)
A non-believer will sacrifice anything for the sake of freeing himself. That non-believer who wasn’t willing to give Allah in this world will be willing to give the world and everything in it. Allah is not asking us for all of the gold in the world. They were asked for something easier than that (to join none in worship with Allah (i.e. to accept Islam, but they refused). Imagine your children. Imagine there is a burning building with blazing flames, and you throw your children and watch them burn in front of your eyes. I don’t think anyone can even imagine doing that, nevermind anything else. The horror of the Day of Judgment will be such that we will be willing to do even that – and more. We would be willing to give up our parents and everything that we have. By just seeing hellfire for one moment – it will change our state of mind.
If we will be willing to sacrifice our families that day, we need to give that day some effort while we are in this dunya. No matter what we give, it won’t be a lot. It’s going to be a little. That’s why The Prophet* says in an authentic hadith, “If one of you is being dragged on his face from the day that he is born until the day that he dies, and he is doing that for the sake of Allah, he would view that as insignificant and nothing on the day of judgment.” Not just sujood or dhikr – but being dragged on your face.
The Length of that Day
Allah tells us in the Qur’an of what happened in the past, and He also tells us of things that are set in the future. When we see the Day of Judgment, what will happen? Allah conveys to us some of the conversation in Jannah and in hell. Another indication of how terrible that Day will be is the fact that it will be so long. Allah says: “The angels and the Ruh, [Jibreel (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years. So be patient [O' Muhammad], with a good patience. Verily, they see it [the torment] afar off. But We see it [quite] near) (TMQ 70: 4-7)
The context of the ayaat (verses) clearly indicates that what is referred to here is the Day of Resurrection. Because that Day will be so long, on the Day of Resurrection, people will think that they only stayed in this world for a part of a day, as Allah says:
“And on the Day when He shall gather [resurrect] them together, [it will be] as if they had not stayed [in the life of this world and graves] but an hour of a day .. ) (TMQ 1O: 45)
“The Day they see it, [it will be] as if they had not tarried [in this world] except an afternoon or a morning) (TMQ 79: 46)
“We know very well what they will say, when the best among them in knowledge and wisdom will say: 'You stayed no longer than a day! ' (TMQ 20: 104)
“And on the Day that the Hour will be established, the Mujrimoon [criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners] will swear that they stayed not but an hour .. ) (TMQ 30: 55)
This indicates how short the life of this world is in comparison with the Hereafter, as Allah says: “He [Allah] will say: 'What number of years did you stay on earth?' They will say: 'We stayed a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep account. ' He [Allah] will say: 'You stayed not but a little, if you had only known! ' (TMQ 23: 112-114)
That’s why we ask Allah in the du’aa`: “Make the best day of our days, the day that we meet you.” That day is the most important of all days. Allah says, “When they see it.” We don’t see it now, so we underestimate it and don’t appreciate it.
Look at the advice that Luqman al-Hakim gives his son: “Serve the world according to the time you are going to spend in it and work for akhirah according to the time you’re going to spend in it.” We are not saying not to work in this world, just give it what it deserves and give the akhirah what it deserves. Even so, we will only enter Jannah by the Mercy of Allah – because whatever we do will not be enough the deserve eternity in Paradise.
Showing posts with label War. Show all posts
Showing posts with label War. Show all posts
Monday, 20 April 2015
Thursday, 8 January 2015
7 December 2014 - Guest Speaker on Syrian Refugee Camps
7 December 2014 - Guest Speaker on Syrian Refugee Camps From Islamic Relief UK
[Unable to Share slides due to copyright issues]
Talk focused on:
- The history of the conflict in Syria
- The Rise of ISIS
- The condition of Internally Displaced Refugees
- Refugee Camps in neighbouring countries (Turkey / Lebanon)
- Collaborative working between major UK Charities (Islamic Relief, Save the Children, Oxfam)
- Collaborative working of Islamic Relief with the UK Government's PREVENT and anti-terrorism agencies
- Discouraging individuals organising small convoys but rather using main charities
- Personal experiences of conditions in Refugee Camps
[Unable to Share slides due to copyright issues]
Talk focused on:
- The history of the conflict in Syria
- The Rise of ISIS
- The condition of Internally Displaced Refugees
- Refugee Camps in neighbouring countries (Turkey / Lebanon)
- Collaborative working between major UK Charities (Islamic Relief, Save the Children, Oxfam)
- Collaborative working of Islamic Relief with the UK Government's PREVENT and anti-terrorism agencies
- Discouraging individuals organising small convoys but rather using main charities
- Personal experiences of conditions in Refugee Camps
Monday, 29 September 2014
28 September 2014 Musa and Magicians 2
28 September 2014 Musa (part 11) and Magicians 2
Life of Musa*
(Recap last week)
Pharaoh scared of Musa* so he invited the best of the best magicians to humiliate Musa* publicly.
He did not want to kill/martyr Musa* (yet) as the message may become strong.
'Magic' does not exist in the real world (as opposed to 'illusions')
Even if magic exists it is not allowed to get involved in it
The Prophets were given permission to perform 'miracles' to show their authenticity as Prophets
Musa*'s stick became a real live snake and ate up all the sticks! Was this snake fat or thin??!
Muslims in Pharaoh’s Court
The confrontation between the Prophet Musa* and those opposing him resulted in a completely unexpected end for Pharaoh, the magicians and the spectators alike. The people in subject, who had been so self-assured and arrogant of their superiority, were defeated. Furthermore, this total defeat took place right before the eyes of the people of Egypt. The impact of the defeat was even greater for those opposing the Prophet Musa*. Their spectacle, which was merely an illusion, they knew very well not to have been real. They had devised tricks to deceive people into believing that their system—and consequently Pharaoh's system—was allegedly divinely powerful (Allah is beyond that). However, the Prophet Musa* appeared with an obvious miracle. The staff of the Prophet Musa* had actually devoured their trickery. These people, therefore, grasped that this was a real miracle, and a sign of the existence of Allah, and an evidence of Allah's support to the Prophet Musa*. Thereupon, they embraced faith:
Anyone who was important in Egyptian society was invited to the Palace for the battle. The outcome was unexpected and more people knew about the battle. The magicians, who were the best of the best, realised Musa* was the real deal and believed in his miracle and message. Had Musa* been a magician they would surely have known about him. Originally they wanted fame, money, power and privilege but were now happy to die for Allah purely for the afterlife.
The magicians threw themselves down in prostration. They said, "We have faith in the Lord of all the worlds, the Lord of Moses and Aaron." (Surat al-A'raf: 120-122)
Pharaoh said, "Have you believed in him before I authorised you to do so? This is just some plot you have concocted in the city to drive its people from it." (Surat al-A'raf: 123)
Pharaoh accuses
Pharaoh made up completely a story - fabricated plot in his paranoid mind to justify the defeat and protect his kingdom. Hence, people who are twisted, jealous and don't like you will always be against the true Muslims and will look for the negative side of things or even make up stories. We can also expect that today with people around us and we see in society.
Thought Police – shows his arrogance and complete astonishment / desperation !!
He offered himself false interpretations, fabricating scenarios which he himself knew were imaginary. Pharaoh, with this crooked logic, made very wicked slanders. Allah relates in the verse:
"…He is your chief, the one who taught you magic…" (Surah Ta-Ha: 71)
In one way or another, he would have to defuse the situation and re-establish his power. For this purpose, he resorted to violence, threatening the believing people with torture and death:
"…I will cut off your hands and feet alternately and have you crucified on palm trunks. Then you will know for certain which of us has the harsher and longer lasting punishment."
They said, "We will never prefer you to the Clear Signs which have come to us nor to Him Who brought us into being. Decide on any judgement you like. Your jurisdiction only covers the life of the earth." (Surah Ta-Ha: 71-73)
They said, "We are returning to our Lord. You are only avenging yourself on us because we had faith in our Lord's Signs when they came to us. Our Lord, pour down steadfastness upon us and take us back to You as Muslims." (Surat al-Araf: 125-126)
They said, "We do not care! We are returning to our Lord. We remain hopeful that our Lord will forgive us our mistakes for being the first of the believers." (Surat ash-Shu'ara: 50-51)
Disquiet in Bani Israel
There was utter humiliation for the Pharaoh as he had lost so publicly and so comprehensively. A PR (Public Relations) disaster with his esteemed Magicians not just losing but completely changing sides and becoming Muslims! Pharaoh had taken counsel after his humiliation at the hands of Musa* and Harun*. The vested interests of the ruling elite and cronies (Malla) could not bear to see the Pharaoh potentially lose his power and authority and so challenged him to stand up the Musa* and his people – because they would lose power, money and influence.
How many people control a society? In the UK today only a few thousand maximum (if you think putting a cross on a paper controls the laws you are sadly mistaken!). Likewise in Ancient Egypt only a few thousand maximum were the rulers and they controlled all of society.
So, Pharaoh became more oppressive with increased surveillance and laws directed at Bani Israel. Then, Pharaoh also proclaimed some of the children on Bani Israel be killed to show his power over them. And people complained to Musa* that his birth was a bad omen for them and now his challenge of Pharaoh was bad for them. Moses said to his people:
"Seek help in Allah and be steadfast. The Earth belongs to Allah. He bequeaths it to any of His servants He wills. The successful outcome is for those who have fear for Allah."
They said, "We suffered harm before you came to us and after you came to us."
He said, "It may well be that your Lord is going to destroy your enemy and make you the successors in the land so that He can see how you behave." (Surat al-Araf: 128-129)
Aasiya and other women who were the best
One of those to have put her faith in the Prophet Musa* was the wife of Pharaoh. This noble woman, who previously shared so many worldly favours with Pharaoh, not only dared to leave all such riches behind, but also to make herself the object of Pharaoh's violence. Her choice is clearly the sign of a very profound and sincere faith. Indeed, along with Maryam, the Qur'an refers to the wife of Pharaoh as a faithful woman whose conduct was exemplary:
Allah has made an example for those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh when she said, "My Lord, build a house in Paradise for me in Your Presence and rescue me from Pharaoh and his deeds and rescue me from this wrongdoing people." (Surat at-Tahrim: 11)
The sincere devotion of Pharaoh's spouse to Allah is a great example for all Muslims. This true believer abandoned the riches of this world, and acknowledged that the real life would be in the hereafter. She preferred the blessings of the hereafter over the benefits of this short, though deceptively dazzling life. She prayed to Allah only for a house in Paradise. Without a doubt, such a sincere prayer, filled with a spiritual devotion towards the hereafter, is a fine example for all those who believe.
The four best women mentioned by the Prophet*
Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari: Allah's Messanger* said, "Many amongst men attained perfection but amongst women none attained the perfection except Maryam (Mary), the daughter of 'Imran, and Aasiya, the wife of Fir'aun (Pharaoh)…." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
The Messenger of Allah* drew four lines on the ground, then he said, “Do you know what this is?” We said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Messenger of Allah* said: “The best of the women of Paradise are Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid, Faatimah bint Muhammad, Aasiyah bint Mazaahim the wife of Pharaoh, and Maryam bint ‘Imran. [Imaam Ahmad]
3 babies who spoke
There are many hadith about babies who spoke when they were babies. Generally accepted as:
- Prophet Isa
- The Pharaoh’s hairdresser
- The child in the Boy and the King story
Main Topic: 10 Days Dhul-Hijjah and Iraq War part 3
Importance of first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah
Encouraged all to increase their good deeds and fasting to benefit from these 10 days. Immense benefit from doing good.
Iraq War (Part 3)
Brief discussions on the Iraq War part 3 vote in Parliament where the UK has (yet again) voted to bomb Iraq and the Muslims - yet again.
Although not many people and Muslims support ISIS (as they do not represent Muslims and do many openly unislamic things) there is no real justification for more war and bombs on the innocent Muslims in the region – especially from countries continually engaged in war on the Muslims there (direct or indirect through their proxies and puppets)
This also demonstrates the power of our media which is far from a ‘free press’ as it always promotes the government agenda. This is manipulation of public opinion by the controlling elite (much like in the times of Musa / Pharaoh).
And then these war-hungry countries wonder why there follows ‘Blowback’ when the chickens finally come home to roost!!
We should not be fooled that this is a 'humanitarian' war because these same people did not care about the massacre in Gaza or Syria.
It is also shocking how quiet the Muslim community and scholars and imams are with the bombing of Muslims. It is okay and right to criticise ISIS for the wrong they do, but please be consistent! Where were the Saudis and Qataris a few months ago in Gaza, where were they when Assad was butchering the Syrian people etc.
There is rank hypocrisy in these wars and the Muslims should not be duped.
Life of Musa*
(Recap last week)
Pharaoh scared of Musa* so he invited the best of the best magicians to humiliate Musa* publicly.
He did not want to kill/martyr Musa* (yet) as the message may become strong.
'Magic' does not exist in the real world (as opposed to 'illusions')
Even if magic exists it is not allowed to get involved in it
The Prophets were given permission to perform 'miracles' to show their authenticity as Prophets
Musa*'s stick became a real live snake and ate up all the sticks! Was this snake fat or thin??!
Muslims in Pharaoh’s Court
The confrontation between the Prophet Musa* and those opposing him resulted in a completely unexpected end for Pharaoh, the magicians and the spectators alike. The people in subject, who had been so self-assured and arrogant of their superiority, were defeated. Furthermore, this total defeat took place right before the eyes of the people of Egypt. The impact of the defeat was even greater for those opposing the Prophet Musa*. Their spectacle, which was merely an illusion, they knew very well not to have been real. They had devised tricks to deceive people into believing that their system—and consequently Pharaoh's system—was allegedly divinely powerful (Allah is beyond that). However, the Prophet Musa* appeared with an obvious miracle. The staff of the Prophet Musa* had actually devoured their trickery. These people, therefore, grasped that this was a real miracle, and a sign of the existence of Allah, and an evidence of Allah's support to the Prophet Musa*. Thereupon, they embraced faith:
Anyone who was important in Egyptian society was invited to the Palace for the battle. The outcome was unexpected and more people knew about the battle. The magicians, who were the best of the best, realised Musa* was the real deal and believed in his miracle and message. Had Musa* been a magician they would surely have known about him. Originally they wanted fame, money, power and privilege but were now happy to die for Allah purely for the afterlife.
The magicians threw themselves down in prostration. They said, "We have faith in the Lord of all the worlds, the Lord of Moses and Aaron." (Surat al-A'raf: 120-122)
Pharaoh said, "Have you believed in him before I authorised you to do so? This is just some plot you have concocted in the city to drive its people from it." (Surat al-A'raf: 123)
Pharaoh accuses
Pharaoh made up completely a story - fabricated plot in his paranoid mind to justify the defeat and protect his kingdom. Hence, people who are twisted, jealous and don't like you will always be against the true Muslims and will look for the negative side of things or even make up stories. We can also expect that today with people around us and we see in society.
Thought Police – shows his arrogance and complete astonishment / desperation !!
He offered himself false interpretations, fabricating scenarios which he himself knew were imaginary. Pharaoh, with this crooked logic, made very wicked slanders. Allah relates in the verse:
"…He is your chief, the one who taught you magic…" (Surah Ta-Ha: 71)
In one way or another, he would have to defuse the situation and re-establish his power. For this purpose, he resorted to violence, threatening the believing people with torture and death:
"…I will cut off your hands and feet alternately and have you crucified on palm trunks. Then you will know for certain which of us has the harsher and longer lasting punishment."
They said, "We will never prefer you to the Clear Signs which have come to us nor to Him Who brought us into being. Decide on any judgement you like. Your jurisdiction only covers the life of the earth." (Surah Ta-Ha: 71-73)
They said, "We are returning to our Lord. You are only avenging yourself on us because we had faith in our Lord's Signs when they came to us. Our Lord, pour down steadfastness upon us and take us back to You as Muslims." (Surat al-Araf: 125-126)
They said, "We do not care! We are returning to our Lord. We remain hopeful that our Lord will forgive us our mistakes for being the first of the believers." (Surat ash-Shu'ara: 50-51)
Disquiet in Bani Israel
There was utter humiliation for the Pharaoh as he had lost so publicly and so comprehensively. A PR (Public Relations) disaster with his esteemed Magicians not just losing but completely changing sides and becoming Muslims! Pharaoh had taken counsel after his humiliation at the hands of Musa* and Harun*. The vested interests of the ruling elite and cronies (Malla) could not bear to see the Pharaoh potentially lose his power and authority and so challenged him to stand up the Musa* and his people – because they would lose power, money and influence.
How many people control a society? In the UK today only a few thousand maximum (if you think putting a cross on a paper controls the laws you are sadly mistaken!). Likewise in Ancient Egypt only a few thousand maximum were the rulers and they controlled all of society.
So, Pharaoh became more oppressive with increased surveillance and laws directed at Bani Israel. Then, Pharaoh also proclaimed some of the children on Bani Israel be killed to show his power over them. And people complained to Musa* that his birth was a bad omen for them and now his challenge of Pharaoh was bad for them. Moses said to his people:
"Seek help in Allah and be steadfast. The Earth belongs to Allah. He bequeaths it to any of His servants He wills. The successful outcome is for those who have fear for Allah."
They said, "We suffered harm before you came to us and after you came to us."
He said, "It may well be that your Lord is going to destroy your enemy and make you the successors in the land so that He can see how you behave." (Surat al-Araf: 128-129)
Aasiya and other women who were the best
One of those to have put her faith in the Prophet Musa* was the wife of Pharaoh. This noble woman, who previously shared so many worldly favours with Pharaoh, not only dared to leave all such riches behind, but also to make herself the object of Pharaoh's violence. Her choice is clearly the sign of a very profound and sincere faith. Indeed, along with Maryam, the Qur'an refers to the wife of Pharaoh as a faithful woman whose conduct was exemplary:
Allah has made an example for those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh when she said, "My Lord, build a house in Paradise for me in Your Presence and rescue me from Pharaoh and his deeds and rescue me from this wrongdoing people." (Surat at-Tahrim: 11)
The sincere devotion of Pharaoh's spouse to Allah is a great example for all Muslims. This true believer abandoned the riches of this world, and acknowledged that the real life would be in the hereafter. She preferred the blessings of the hereafter over the benefits of this short, though deceptively dazzling life. She prayed to Allah only for a house in Paradise. Without a doubt, such a sincere prayer, filled with a spiritual devotion towards the hereafter, is a fine example for all those who believe.
The four best women mentioned by the Prophet*
Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari: Allah's Messanger* said, "Many amongst men attained perfection but amongst women none attained the perfection except Maryam (Mary), the daughter of 'Imran, and Aasiya, the wife of Fir'aun (Pharaoh)…." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
The Messenger of Allah* drew four lines on the ground, then he said, “Do you know what this is?” We said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Messenger of Allah* said: “The best of the women of Paradise are Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid, Faatimah bint Muhammad, Aasiyah bint Mazaahim the wife of Pharaoh, and Maryam bint ‘Imran. [Imaam Ahmad]
3 babies who spoke
There are many hadith about babies who spoke when they were babies. Generally accepted as:
- Prophet Isa
- The Pharaoh’s hairdresser
- The child in the Boy and the King story
Main Topic: 10 Days Dhul-Hijjah and Iraq War part 3
Importance of first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah
Encouraged all to increase their good deeds and fasting to benefit from these 10 days. Immense benefit from doing good.
Iraq War (Part 3)
Brief discussions on the Iraq War part 3 vote in Parliament where the UK has (yet again) voted to bomb Iraq and the Muslims - yet again.
Although not many people and Muslims support ISIS (as they do not represent Muslims and do many openly unislamic things) there is no real justification for more war and bombs on the innocent Muslims in the region – especially from countries continually engaged in war on the Muslims there (direct or indirect through their proxies and puppets)
This also demonstrates the power of our media which is far from a ‘free press’ as it always promotes the government agenda. This is manipulation of public opinion by the controlling elite (much like in the times of Musa / Pharaoh).
And then these war-hungry countries wonder why there follows ‘Blowback’ when the chickens finally come home to roost!!
We should not be fooled that this is a 'humanitarian' war because these same people did not care about the massacre in Gaza or Syria.
It is also shocking how quiet the Muslim community and scholars and imams are with the bombing of Muslims. It is okay and right to criticise ISIS for the wrong they do, but please be consistent! Where were the Saudis and Qataris a few months ago in Gaza, where were they when Assad was butchering the Syrian people etc.
There is rank hypocrisy in these wars and the Muslims should not be duped.
Sunday, 14 September 2014
14 September 2014 Musa and Pharaoh, Current Politics & Islam
14 September 2014 Musa and Pharaoh, Current Politics and Islam
Musa* and Pharaoh
Musa* has 2 objectives from Allah:
- Talk to Pharaoh and convince him about Islam
- Ask Pharaoh to free Bani Israel as he has been oppressive
Musa converys the message
Musa* had easy access to see Pharaoh through their knowledge of the palace and local contacts. He came to challenge their way of life – their gods and beliefs. Pharaoh and Musa* have extensive conversations (with Musa* speaking mildly but being firm):
Pharaoh said, "Who then is your Lord, Moses?"
He said, "Our Lord is He Who gives each thing its created form and then guides it."
He (Pharaoh) said, "What about the previous generations?"
He said, "Knowledge of them is with my Lord in a Book. My Lord does not misplace nor does He forget."
It is He Who made the earth a cradle for you and threaded pathways for you through it and sent down water from the sky by which We have brought forth various different types of plants. Eat and pasture your cattle. Certainly there are Signs in that for men of understanding. From it We created you, to it We will return you, and from it We will bring you forth a second time. (TMQ 20: 49-55)
Pharaoh accuses Musa* of overthrow
Pharaoh accused Musa* of trying to overthrow his godhood, and trying to take over Egypt for himself. Why did Musa* hate their way of life? Despite being brought up in Pharaoh’s palace and with all the luxuries of modern civilisation why would Musa* now turn his back on Pharaoh and be so ungrateful?
They said, "Have you come to us to turn us from what we found our fathers doing, and to gain greatness in the land? We do not believe you." (TMQ 10: 78)
Moses said, "Pharaoh! I am truly a Messenger from the Lord of all the worlds, duty bound to say nothing about Allah except the truth. I have come to you with a Clear Sign from your Lord. So send the tribe of Israel away with me." (TMQ 7: 104-105)
He (Pharaoh) said, "Did we not bring you up among us as a child and did you not spend many years of your life among us? Yet you committed the deed you did and were ungrateful."
He (Moses) said, "At the time I did it I was one of the misguided and so I fled from you when I was in fear of you but my Lord gave me right judgement and made me one of the Messengers."
And anyway you can only reproach me with this favour because you made the tribe of Israel into slaves! (TMQ 26: 18-22)
The only reason Musa* was brought up in the palace was because Pharaoh was killing children, and that forced the mother of Musa* to throw him in the river and then he ended up there. No killing = Musa* would be brought up with his family! Pharaoh then changed tack and started attacking / insulting Musa*:
Pharaoh said, "What is the Lord of all the worlds?'
He (Moses) said, 'The Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything between them if you knew for sure."
He (Pharaoh) said to those around him, "Are you listening?"
He (Moses) said, "Your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers, the previous peoples."
He (Pharaoh) said, "This Messenger, who has been sent to you, is mad."
He (Moses) said, "The Lord of the East and the West and everything between them if you used your intellect."
He (Pharaoh) said, "If you take any god other than me, I will certainly throw you into prison." (TMQ 26: 23-29)
Musa* shows his miracle
This tactic of undermining Musa* and discrediting him was something that also happened to our Prophet Muhammed, and happens to sincere Muslims today too! Musa* was not distracted by these insults and he stuck to his message.
He (Moses) said, "Even if I were to bring you something undeniable?"
He (Pharaoh) said, "Produce it then if you are someone telling the truth."
So he threw down his staff and there it was, unmistakably a serpent. And he drew out his hand and there it was, pure white to those who looked. (TMQ 26: 30-33)
He (Pharaoh) said to the High Council round about him, "This certainly is a skilled magician who desires by his magic to expel you from your land, so what do you recommend?" (TMQ 26: 34-35)
But when Moses brought them Our Clear Signs they said, "This is nothing but trumped-up magic. We never heard anything like this among our earlier forefathers." (TMQ 28: 36)
Pharaoh and his inner circle (the elite also known as MALLA) clearly preferred taking the route of denial and evil rather than choosing to be rightly guided. Despite these miracles, they decided to defy the Prophet Musa*. Pharaoh grasped the challenge to his authority and consulted with his elite on how to defeat Musa*.
They said, "Detain him and his brother and send out marshals to the cities, to bring you all the skilled magicians." (TMQ 7: 111-112)
Main Topic: Brief Recent Political Stories
Pakistan
Quasi-revolution and some people calling for a change of leadership in Pakistan (‘Go Nawaz Go!) because of corruption, nepotism, failed leadership and election fraud. Can Imran Khan (or even Tahir al-Qadri) make any serious change to the political landscape as they are only calling for more of the same but done differently. It is unlikely that any change will be meaningful if it happens.
Gaza
The Israeli war (massacre) of the Muslims of Gaza. Although the pretext was the unfortunate death of the 3 Israeli teenagers (putting aside the fact that the Israeli government knew it wasn’t Hamas and that the kids had died straight way but kept the information secret to whip up hysteria) the real reasons predate this – especially with the Unity Agreement between HAMAS and FATAH (Palestinian Authority), and issues around gas, pipelines, water and land access.
Very unilateral / one-sided attack – disproportionate and essentially a massacre. Now, thankfully an open-ended ceasefire.
However, the medieval boycott / siege still exists!
How do we solve the problem?
- we can have HUMANITARIAN support (more charity work). This necessary work (more blankets and food) will not solve the problems for the people in Gaza
- POLITICAL discussion to address Israel, one-state or two-state, or UN discussions. Or try to dismantle Israel or make the government more fair.
- but we don’t often hear about the ISLAMIC solution. Islam is quite clear that this is Islamic land and belongs to the Muslims and we should increase our efforts to bring Islam back to this land and we should empower the Muslim armies to support the oppressed people in Gaza.
ISIS
A lot of controversy about the new off-shoot of al-Qaeda called ‘Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’.
We should be careful with the news that we know of until we are able to verify the news and not always be taken in by any propaganda from any side.
The action of beheading journalists and aid workers cannot be justified by Islam – this is against the Shariah and we should condemn this. However, there is a context to the instability in Iraq/Syria. Just as Musa* contextualised his upbringing in Pharaoh’s court as a problem caused by Pharaoh, so the issues we are seeing in Iraq/Syria are a direct result of Western policy and interference in Muslim lands. This goes back through 9/11, the Iraq sanctions, the First Gulf War, the rise of Ba’athism and the injustices of Saddam and the Assad family.
A quick discussion about the belief system of the Yazidis who venerate Iblis. Whatever their beliefs, there is no justification to persecute or kill them as we are told ISIS want to do.
ISIS are not a proper Islamic State and the ISIS militia do not fulfill the criteria for a functioning state or a Khilafah. An Islamic State should be a place of sanctuary and justice – not what we are seeing in Iraq/Syria. We should criticise them when they do wrong (like the beheadings) and we should criticise the bombing of Muslims by the West as a supposed reaction to this wrong action. As Muslims in the West we do not need to apologise for the bad actions of bad Muslims, any more than the West apologises for the bad actions of the bad Christians from Hitler through to Anders Breivik (who killed 69 people, mostly teenagers, in a mass shooting in Norway 2011).
Peace
Musa* and Pharaoh
Musa* has 2 objectives from Allah:
- Talk to Pharaoh and convince him about Islam
- Ask Pharaoh to free Bani Israel as he has been oppressive
Musa converys the message
Musa* had easy access to see Pharaoh through their knowledge of the palace and local contacts. He came to challenge their way of life – their gods and beliefs. Pharaoh and Musa* have extensive conversations (with Musa* speaking mildly but being firm):
Pharaoh said, "Who then is your Lord, Moses?"
He said, "Our Lord is He Who gives each thing its created form and then guides it."
He (Pharaoh) said, "What about the previous generations?"
He said, "Knowledge of them is with my Lord in a Book. My Lord does not misplace nor does He forget."
It is He Who made the earth a cradle for you and threaded pathways for you through it and sent down water from the sky by which We have brought forth various different types of plants. Eat and pasture your cattle. Certainly there are Signs in that for men of understanding. From it We created you, to it We will return you, and from it We will bring you forth a second time. (TMQ 20: 49-55)
Pharaoh accuses Musa* of overthrow
Pharaoh accused Musa* of trying to overthrow his godhood, and trying to take over Egypt for himself. Why did Musa* hate their way of life? Despite being brought up in Pharaoh’s palace and with all the luxuries of modern civilisation why would Musa* now turn his back on Pharaoh and be so ungrateful?
They said, "Have you come to us to turn us from what we found our fathers doing, and to gain greatness in the land? We do not believe you." (TMQ 10: 78)
Moses said, "Pharaoh! I am truly a Messenger from the Lord of all the worlds, duty bound to say nothing about Allah except the truth. I have come to you with a Clear Sign from your Lord. So send the tribe of Israel away with me." (TMQ 7: 104-105)
He (Pharaoh) said, "Did we not bring you up among us as a child and did you not spend many years of your life among us? Yet you committed the deed you did and were ungrateful."
He (Moses) said, "At the time I did it I was one of the misguided and so I fled from you when I was in fear of you but my Lord gave me right judgement and made me one of the Messengers."
And anyway you can only reproach me with this favour because you made the tribe of Israel into slaves! (TMQ 26: 18-22)
The only reason Musa* was brought up in the palace was because Pharaoh was killing children, and that forced the mother of Musa* to throw him in the river and then he ended up there. No killing = Musa* would be brought up with his family! Pharaoh then changed tack and started attacking / insulting Musa*:
Pharaoh said, "What is the Lord of all the worlds?'
He (Moses) said, 'The Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything between them if you knew for sure."
He (Pharaoh) said to those around him, "Are you listening?"
He (Moses) said, "Your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers, the previous peoples."
He (Pharaoh) said, "This Messenger, who has been sent to you, is mad."
He (Moses) said, "The Lord of the East and the West and everything between them if you used your intellect."
He (Pharaoh) said, "If you take any god other than me, I will certainly throw you into prison." (TMQ 26: 23-29)
Musa* shows his miracle
This tactic of undermining Musa* and discrediting him was something that also happened to our Prophet Muhammed, and happens to sincere Muslims today too! Musa* was not distracted by these insults and he stuck to his message.
He (Moses) said, "Even if I were to bring you something undeniable?"
He (Pharaoh) said, "Produce it then if you are someone telling the truth."
So he threw down his staff and there it was, unmistakably a serpent. And he drew out his hand and there it was, pure white to those who looked. (TMQ 26: 30-33)
He (Pharaoh) said to the High Council round about him, "This certainly is a skilled magician who desires by his magic to expel you from your land, so what do you recommend?" (TMQ 26: 34-35)
But when Moses brought them Our Clear Signs they said, "This is nothing but trumped-up magic. We never heard anything like this among our earlier forefathers." (TMQ 28: 36)
Pharaoh and his inner circle (the elite also known as MALLA) clearly preferred taking the route of denial and evil rather than choosing to be rightly guided. Despite these miracles, they decided to defy the Prophet Musa*. Pharaoh grasped the challenge to his authority and consulted with his elite on how to defeat Musa*.
They said, "Detain him and his brother and send out marshals to the cities, to bring you all the skilled magicians." (TMQ 7: 111-112)
Main Topic: Brief Recent Political Stories
Pakistan
Quasi-revolution and some people calling for a change of leadership in Pakistan (‘Go Nawaz Go!) because of corruption, nepotism, failed leadership and election fraud. Can Imran Khan (or even Tahir al-Qadri) make any serious change to the political landscape as they are only calling for more of the same but done differently. It is unlikely that any change will be meaningful if it happens.
Gaza
The Israeli war (massacre) of the Muslims of Gaza. Although the pretext was the unfortunate death of the 3 Israeli teenagers (putting aside the fact that the Israeli government knew it wasn’t Hamas and that the kids had died straight way but kept the information secret to whip up hysteria) the real reasons predate this – especially with the Unity Agreement between HAMAS and FATAH (Palestinian Authority), and issues around gas, pipelines, water and land access.
Very unilateral / one-sided attack – disproportionate and essentially a massacre. Now, thankfully an open-ended ceasefire.
However, the medieval boycott / siege still exists!
How do we solve the problem?
- we can have HUMANITARIAN support (more charity work). This necessary work (more blankets and food) will not solve the problems for the people in Gaza
- POLITICAL discussion to address Israel, one-state or two-state, or UN discussions. Or try to dismantle Israel or make the government more fair.
- but we don’t often hear about the ISLAMIC solution. Islam is quite clear that this is Islamic land and belongs to the Muslims and we should increase our efforts to bring Islam back to this land and we should empower the Muslim armies to support the oppressed people in Gaza.
ISIS
A lot of controversy about the new off-shoot of al-Qaeda called ‘Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’.
We should be careful with the news that we know of until we are able to verify the news and not always be taken in by any propaganda from any side.
The action of beheading journalists and aid workers cannot be justified by Islam – this is against the Shariah and we should condemn this. However, there is a context to the instability in Iraq/Syria. Just as Musa* contextualised his upbringing in Pharaoh’s court as a problem caused by Pharaoh, so the issues we are seeing in Iraq/Syria are a direct result of Western policy and interference in Muslim lands. This goes back through 9/11, the Iraq sanctions, the First Gulf War, the rise of Ba’athism and the injustices of Saddam and the Assad family.
A quick discussion about the belief system of the Yazidis who venerate Iblis. Whatever their beliefs, there is no justification to persecute or kill them as we are told ISIS want to do.
ISIS are not a proper Islamic State and the ISIS militia do not fulfill the criteria for a functioning state or a Khilafah. An Islamic State should be a place of sanctuary and justice – not what we are seeing in Iraq/Syria. We should criticise them when they do wrong (like the beheadings) and we should criticise the bombing of Muslims by the West as a supposed reaction to this wrong action. As Muslims in the West we do not need to apologise for the bad actions of bad Muslims, any more than the West apologises for the bad actions of the bad Christians from Hitler through to Anders Breivik (who killed 69 people, mostly teenagers, in a mass shooting in Norway 2011).
Peace
Monday, 7 July 2014
6 July 2014 Guest ~ Palestine, Jerusalem and Masjid al-Aqsa
6 July 2014
Guest speaker ~ Palestine, Jerusalem and Masjid al-Aqsa
Unfortunately, the Palestinian guest apologises for not being able to provide a summary of his talk from last week to share with you all.
Hence, here are Internet resources by Jews and Christians about Palestine.
Although we may not agree with everything these provide useful backgrounds.
Palestine:
Check out this animated YouTube video by a Jewish Peace Group:
Israel and Palestine, an animated introduction:
And below are some facts written by American Peace Activists - I'll upload the document as well as providing the link below.
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/download/synopsis.pdf
A Synopsis of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
For centuries there was no such conflict. In the 19th century the land of Palestine was inhabited by a multicultural population – approximately 86 percent Muslim, 10 percent Christian, and 4 percent Jewish – living in peace.
Zionism in the late 1800s a group in Europe decided to colonize this land. Known as Zionists, they represented an extremist minority of the Jewish population. Their goal was to create a Jewish homeland, and they considered locations in Africa and the Americas, before settling on Palestine.
At first, this immigration created no problems. However, as more and more Zionists immigrated to Palestine – many with the express wish of taking over the land for a Jewish state – the indigenous population became increasingly alarmed. Eventually, fighting broke out, with escalating waves of violence. Hitler's rise to power, combined with Zionist activities to sabotage efforts to place Jewish refugees in western countries, led to increased Jewish immigration to Palestine, and conflict grew.
UN Partition Plan
Finally, in 1947 the United Nations decided to intervene. However, rather than adhering to the principle of “self-determination of peoples,” in which the people themselves create their own state and system of government, the UN chose to revert to the medieval strategy whereby an outside power divides up other people’s land. Under considerable Zionist pressure, the UN recommended giving away 55% of Palestine to a Jewish state – despite the fact that this group represented only about 30% of the total population, and owned under 7% of the land.
1947-1949 War
While it is widely reported that the resulting war eventually included five Arab armies, less well known is the fact that throughout this war Zionist forces outnumbered all Arab and Palestinian combatants combined – often by a factor of two to three. Moreover, Arab armies did not invade Israel – virtually all battles were fought on land that was to have been the Palestinian state.
Finally, it is significant to note that Arab armies entered the conflict only after Zionist forces had committed 16 massacres, including the grisly massacre of over 100 men, women, and children at Deir Yassin. Future Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, head of one of the Jewish terrorist groups, described this as “splendid,” and stated: “As in Deir Yassin, so everywhere, we will attack and smite the enemy. God, God, Thou has chosen us for conquest.” Zionist forces committed 33 massacres altogether.
By the end of the war, Israel had conquered 78 percent of Palestine; three-quarters of a million Palestinians had been made refugees; over 500 towns and villages had been obliterated; and a new map was drawn up, in which every city, river and hillock received a new, Hebrew name, as all vestiges of the Palestinian culture were to be erased. For decades Israel denied the existence of this population, former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir once saying: “There is no such thing as a Palestinian.”
1967 War & USS Liberty
In 1967, Israel conquered still more land. Following the Six Day War, in which Israeli forces launched a highly successful surprise attack on Egypt, Israel occupied the final 22% of Palestine that had eluded it in 1948 – the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Since, according to international law it is inadmissible to acquire territory by war, these are occupied territories and do not belong to Israel. It also occupied parts of Egypt (since returned) and Syria (which remain under occupation).
Also during the Six Day War, Israel attacked a US Navy ship, the USS Liberty , killing and injuring over 200 American servicemen. President Lyndon Johnson recalled rescue flights, saying that he did not want to "embarrass an ally." (In 2004 a high-level commission chaired by Admiral Thomas Moorer, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, found this attack to be “an act of war against the United States,” a fact few news media have reported.)
Current Conflict
There are two primary issues at the core of this continuing conflict. First, there is the inevitably destabilizing effect of trying to maintain an ethnically preferential state, particularly when it is largely of foreign origin. The original population of what is now Israel was 96 percent Muslim and Christian, yet, these refugees are prohibited from returning to their homes in the self-described Jewish state (and those within Israel are subjected to systematic discrimination).
Second, Israel's continued military occupation and confiscation of privately owned land in the West Bank, and control over Gaza, are extremely oppressive, with Palestinians having minimal control over their lives. Over 10,000 Palestinian men, women, and children are held in Israeli prisons. Few of them have had a legitimate trial; Physical abuse and torture are frequent. Palestinian borders (even internal ones) are controlled by Israeli forces. Periodically men, women, and children are strip searched; people are beaten; women in labor are prevented from reaching hospitals (at times resulting in death); food and medicine are blocked from entering Gaza, producing an escalating humanitarian crisis. Israeli forces invade almost daily, injuring, kidnapping, and sometimes killing inhabitants.
According to the Oslo peace accords of 1993, these territories were supposed to finally become a Palestinian state. However, after years of Israel continuing to confiscate land and conditions steadily worsening, the Palestinian population rebelled. (The Barak offer, widely reputed to be generous, was anything but.) This uprising, called the "Intifada" (Arabic for "shaking off") began at the end of September 2000.
U.S. Involvement
Largely due to special-interest lobbying, U.S. taxpayers give Israel more than $8 million per day, and since its creation have given more U.S. funds to Israel than to any other nation. As Americans learn about how Israel is using their tax money, many from across the political spectrum are calling for an end to this expenditure.
To learn more and to read a highly detailed account with references: “The Origin of the Palestine Israel Conflict,” visit IFAMERICANSKNEW.ORG Palestinian loss of land, 1947-Present.
-----------------------------------------
Please continue to make du'a for your family, friends, the ill, all those that attend the Harborne Islamic Study Circle, the local community and the Muslims suffering across the globe.
InshaAllah, another beneficial Study Circle is planned for next Sunday:
- What did all Prophet's share?
- How should Muslims behave to each other? (Do we Reflect)
Jzk.
Naveed
Guest speaker ~ Palestine, Jerusalem and Masjid al-Aqsa
Unfortunately, the Palestinian guest apologises for not being able to provide a summary of his talk from last week to share with you all.
Hence, here are Internet resources by Jews and Christians about Palestine.
Although we may not agree with everything these provide useful backgrounds.
Palestine:
Check out this animated YouTube video by a Jewish Peace Group:
Israel and Palestine, an animated introduction:
And below are some facts written by American Peace Activists - I'll upload the document as well as providing the link below.
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/download/synopsis.pdf
A Synopsis of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
For centuries there was no such conflict. In the 19th century the land of Palestine was inhabited by a multicultural population – approximately 86 percent Muslim, 10 percent Christian, and 4 percent Jewish – living in peace.
Zionism in the late 1800s a group in Europe decided to colonize this land. Known as Zionists, they represented an extremist minority of the Jewish population. Their goal was to create a Jewish homeland, and they considered locations in Africa and the Americas, before settling on Palestine.
At first, this immigration created no problems. However, as more and more Zionists immigrated to Palestine – many with the express wish of taking over the land for a Jewish state – the indigenous population became increasingly alarmed. Eventually, fighting broke out, with escalating waves of violence. Hitler's rise to power, combined with Zionist activities to sabotage efforts to place Jewish refugees in western countries, led to increased Jewish immigration to Palestine, and conflict grew.
UN Partition Plan
Finally, in 1947 the United Nations decided to intervene. However, rather than adhering to the principle of “self-determination of peoples,” in which the people themselves create their own state and system of government, the UN chose to revert to the medieval strategy whereby an outside power divides up other people’s land. Under considerable Zionist pressure, the UN recommended giving away 55% of Palestine to a Jewish state – despite the fact that this group represented only about 30% of the total population, and owned under 7% of the land.
1947-1949 War
While it is widely reported that the resulting war eventually included five Arab armies, less well known is the fact that throughout this war Zionist forces outnumbered all Arab and Palestinian combatants combined – often by a factor of two to three. Moreover, Arab armies did not invade Israel – virtually all battles were fought on land that was to have been the Palestinian state.
Finally, it is significant to note that Arab armies entered the conflict only after Zionist forces had committed 16 massacres, including the grisly massacre of over 100 men, women, and children at Deir Yassin. Future Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, head of one of the Jewish terrorist groups, described this as “splendid,” and stated: “As in Deir Yassin, so everywhere, we will attack and smite the enemy. God, God, Thou has chosen us for conquest.” Zionist forces committed 33 massacres altogether.
By the end of the war, Israel had conquered 78 percent of Palestine; three-quarters of a million Palestinians had been made refugees; over 500 towns and villages had been obliterated; and a new map was drawn up, in which every city, river and hillock received a new, Hebrew name, as all vestiges of the Palestinian culture were to be erased. For decades Israel denied the existence of this population, former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir once saying: “There is no such thing as a Palestinian.”
1967 War & USS Liberty
In 1967, Israel conquered still more land. Following the Six Day War, in which Israeli forces launched a highly successful surprise attack on Egypt, Israel occupied the final 22% of Palestine that had eluded it in 1948 – the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Since, according to international law it is inadmissible to acquire territory by war, these are occupied territories and do not belong to Israel. It also occupied parts of Egypt (since returned) and Syria (which remain under occupation).
Also during the Six Day War, Israel attacked a US Navy ship, the USS Liberty , killing and injuring over 200 American servicemen. President Lyndon Johnson recalled rescue flights, saying that he did not want to "embarrass an ally." (In 2004 a high-level commission chaired by Admiral Thomas Moorer, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, found this attack to be “an act of war against the United States,” a fact few news media have reported.)
Current Conflict
There are two primary issues at the core of this continuing conflict. First, there is the inevitably destabilizing effect of trying to maintain an ethnically preferential state, particularly when it is largely of foreign origin. The original population of what is now Israel was 96 percent Muslim and Christian, yet, these refugees are prohibited from returning to their homes in the self-described Jewish state (and those within Israel are subjected to systematic discrimination).
Second, Israel's continued military occupation and confiscation of privately owned land in the West Bank, and control over Gaza, are extremely oppressive, with Palestinians having minimal control over their lives. Over 10,000 Palestinian men, women, and children are held in Israeli prisons. Few of them have had a legitimate trial; Physical abuse and torture are frequent. Palestinian borders (even internal ones) are controlled by Israeli forces. Periodically men, women, and children are strip searched; people are beaten; women in labor are prevented from reaching hospitals (at times resulting in death); food and medicine are blocked from entering Gaza, producing an escalating humanitarian crisis. Israeli forces invade almost daily, injuring, kidnapping, and sometimes killing inhabitants.
According to the Oslo peace accords of 1993, these territories were supposed to finally become a Palestinian state. However, after years of Israel continuing to confiscate land and conditions steadily worsening, the Palestinian population rebelled. (The Barak offer, widely reputed to be generous, was anything but.) This uprising, called the "Intifada" (Arabic for "shaking off") began at the end of September 2000.
U.S. Involvement
Largely due to special-interest lobbying, U.S. taxpayers give Israel more than $8 million per day, and since its creation have given more U.S. funds to Israel than to any other nation. As Americans learn about how Israel is using their tax money, many from across the political spectrum are calling for an end to this expenditure.
To learn more and to read a highly detailed account with references: “The Origin of the Palestine Israel Conflict,” visit IFAMERICANSKNEW.ORG Palestinian loss of land, 1947-Present.
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Please continue to make du'a for your family, friends, the ill, all those that attend the Harborne Islamic Study Circle, the local community and the Muslims suffering across the globe.
InshaAllah, another beneficial Study Circle is planned for next Sunday:
- What did all Prophet's share?
- How should Muslims behave to each other? (Do we Reflect)
Jzk.
Naveed
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