The would-be groom was shocked by her unexpected demand, but came under strong pressure from relatives and friends who eventually persuaded him to accept to marry the three women, Saudi daily Al Youm reported.
100 Must Follow Twitter Accounts On Muslim Affairs
Following are the 100 Twitter Accounts on Muslim Affairs which are a Must Follow for those having interest in issues concerning Muslims. The list includes the Most Prominent Scholars, News & Current Affairs Twitter handles on Islam & other Religions and Sociopolitical Commentators who have an eye on Muslim affairs. The List is in alphabetic order.
1. ABC Religion & Ethics
@ABCReligion : Religion and ethics news, opinion and programs from the ABC. Check the website here.
2. Abdal-Hakim Murad
@Contentions : This is a twitter account that republishes Shaikh Abdal-Hakim Murad’s thousands of contentions. Timothy John Winter (born in 1960), also known as Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad, is a British Sunni Muslim shaykh, researcher, writer and academic. He is the Dean of the Cambridge Muslim College, Director of Studies (Theology and Religious Studies) at Wolfson College and the Shaykh Zayed Lecturer in Islamic Studies at Cambridge University. His work includes publications on Islamic theology and Muslim-Christian relations. He has consistently been included in the “500 Most Influential Muslims” list.
3. Abdullah Nana
@MuftiAbdullah : Abdullah Nana was born and raised in Mill Valley, California. He graduated with honors from UC Berkeley with a degree in Business and Economics. After accomplishing his academic goals, Abdullah Nana went on to pursue the higher Islamic Sciences in South Africa and attained a Masters-equivalent degree in Islamic Theology. Currently, Abdullah Nana is the founding member of the Halal Advocates of America- a national advocacy which seeks to establish closer ties with the Halal supply chain in America and create universal Halal integrity.
4. Abdul Nasir Jangda
@AbdulNasirJ : Abdul Nasir Jangda is the founder and director of Qalam Institute. He was born and raised in the Dallas area. He is a founding member and chairman of Mansfield Islamic Center. Abdul Nasir is an instructor with Bayyinah Institute, where his class “Meaningful Prayer” has traveled the country.
5. Afroz Ali
@alfroz : Imam Afroz studied in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Mauritania and at Al-Azhar University before he established the Al-Ghazzali Centre for Islamic Sciences & Human Development. A professional architect, he offers commercial corporate training on Team Building, Personal Leadership, Spiritual Development, and Motivation and Goal Setting. He is involved in various community developments and sustainable environment projects in Australia and the Pacific and is a recipient of the International Ambassador for Peace award. Lately, he has worked extensively with SeekersHub Global where he serves as the Managing Director.
Read more: 100 Must Follow Twitter Accounts On Muslim Affairs
The Scourge of Pornography in the Muslim Community
Salahuddin Ayubi Rahmatullahi Alaihi, the liberator of Masjudul Aqsa once said : “If you want to destroy any nation without war - make adultery or nudity common in the young generation.”
The issue of pornography is a sensitive one and therefore, there will always be a degree of awkwardness when we discuss it. With the advancement of photography and digital media, it has become a phenomenon that has impacted on human beings, young and old across the globe.
Statistics
Did you know pornography has been the most dominate use of the internet since its inception until very recently? After an analysis of 400 million web searches, researchers concluded that 1 in 8 of all searches online is for erotic content. That is, 12% of the Internet usage is for pornography. There are more than 24 million pornographic sites. R100 Million is spent every hour on pornography and the entire industry is worth 1 Trillion Rand industry.
Read more: The Scourge of Pornography in the Muslim Community
SYRIA: Pre-Departure Thoughts
I am currently sitting in the departure lounge at OR Tambo airport. My flight for Dubai departs in 2 hours time. Even thou this is the longest flight of the journey-8 hours- I am not too concerned , as Alhamdulillah, I have flown this route a couple of times in recent years. From Dubai onwards, that is where it may get a bit tiresome : a 5 hour transit in Dubai, a 4 hour flight to Istanbul, a 9 hour wait in Istanbul and then a 2 hour flight to Hatay, which is close to the Syrian border. I can imagine how exhausted I will be when I reach there.
At this moment I am having a flurry of emotions. Foremost, its never easy leaving home.
The second emotion is that of suspense and apprehension. Syria is a country immersed in civil strife. There have been mass killings for more than two years. we are now waiting to see whether or not Congress votes in favour of a US strike. It has never been easy to understand what exactly is going on in Syria. There are many countries that have vested interests in Syria & have been trying to influence events.
On the 3 level, at this moment I am also experiencing a degree of excitement about visiting Turkey and Syria. I had the opportunity of visiting Istanbul last year-without doubt it is one of the most beautiful cities of the world- but, I have always desired to visit Syria as it is one of the most intriguing countries of the world. It is home to the abdaals and has the oldest inhabited city in the world , Damascus. Someone once told me that ‘travelling is addictive’ and I fully agree. The more one travels the greater the desire to visit other places.
With all these emotions still running havoc in my mind, its almost time to leave.
Yusuf Moosagie
7th September 2013
A Smile is Priceless
As Muslim we are part of a community, a society and a brotherhood. Islam is such a complete religion that provides us with guidance as to how we should conduct ourselves when meeting, interacting and dealing with one another. We have been granted a complete manual to live our lives. The highest form of human conduct has been outline for us in the life of the Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him)
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun rises.” He was then asked: “How do we give charity every day?” The Prophet answered: “The doors of goodness are many…enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf, leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of one’s legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, supporting the feeble with the strength of one’s arms and your smile at your brother are acts of charity. {Tirmidhi}
The West tries to paint a picture of Islam as a hard, harsh rigid religion. They also try to raise all sorts of objections against the character and conduct of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). He was the most humane, compassionate and loving human being ever to set foot in this world.
The Prophet (pbuh) teaches Ali (ra) a Du’a for memory
Abdullah bin 'Abbas Radiyallahu Anhu narrated : “Once, when we were with the Prophet of Allah, (saws), 'Ali bin Abi Talib Radiyallahu Anhu came and said: "O prophet of Allah, to me you are like a father or mother. This Qur`an is slipping out of my chest so that it is becoming very hard to me to keep it in my memory." The Prophet (saws) responded: -Would you like me to teach you words (a supplication), which will, by the help of Allah, benefit you and those whom you teach? That way you will, by the help of Allah, make lasting in you chest (memory) what you memorized? Yes, teach me, o prophet of Allah – said 'Ali.
When the night of Friday starts (Lailatul- Jumu’ah), if you manage to get up in the last third of that night – get up, because that time is blessed and in it Allah accepts supplications. My brother Ya’qub told his sons: -“ I will surely supplicate to my Lord for you”; and he was intending to do that in the Jumu’ah night. If you can not get up in its last third, then try in its half. And if you do not manage even in that part, get up at the beginning of that night and offer 4 rak’ahs. During the first rak’ah read sura al-Fatihah and the sura Yasin, during the second read suras al-Fatihah and al-Dukhan, during the third rak’ah surahs al-Fatiha and al- Sajdah, and on qiyam of the fourth rak’ah read suras al-Fatihah and al-Mulk.
Upon completion of the fourth rak’ah, thank Allah and nicely express yourself about Him, then bring Salawat on me and do that nicely. Also, bring Salawat on other prophets of Allah and seek forgiveness for believing men and women and your brothers who surpassed you in religion. At the end, he said:
الَّلهُمَّ ارحمنِي بتركِ المعاصي أبداً ما أبقيتنِي، وارحمني أنْ أتكلَّفَ ما لا يعنيني،وارزُقني حُسنَ النَّظرِ فيما يُرضِيكَ عنِّي،الَّلهُمَّ بديعَ السَّماواتِ والأَرْضِ ذا الجلالِ والإكرامِ والعزَّةِ التي لا تُرامُ أسألُكَ يا اللَّهُ يا رحمنُ بجلالكَ ونورِ وجهكَ أنْ تُلزِمَ قلبي حِفظَ كِتابِكَ كما علَّمتني وارزُقني أنْ أتلوهُ على النَّحوِ الَّذي يُرضيكَ عنِّي الَّلهُمَّ بديعَ السَّماواتِ والأَرْضِ ذا الجَلالِ والإكرامِ والعِزَّةِ التي لا تُرامُ أسألكَ يا اللَّهُ يا رحمن بجلالكَ ونورِ وجهكَ أنْ تُنَوِّرَ بكتابِكَ بصري وأنْ تُطلِقَ بهِ لساني وأنْ تُفرِّجَ بهِ عَن قلبي وأنْ تشرحَ بهِ صدري وأنْ تغسلَ بهِ بدني فإنَّهُ لا يُعينُنِي على الحقِّ غيرُكَ ولا يُؤتيهِ إلاّ أنتَ ولا حولَ ولا قوَّةَ إلاّ باللَّهِ العليِّ العظيمِ.
“O Allah, have mercy on me so that I stay away from sinning for as long as I live! Have O Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the Glorious and Honorable and Almighty, I beg you, the most Merciful, calling upon Your Glory and the Light of Your Face, to oblige my heart to remember Your Book the way You taught me. Bless me to read it the way that will please You! My Lord, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, You Who are absolute in Your might, I implore You the most Merciful, calling upon Your Glory and Light of Your Face, to illuminate with you Qur`an my sight, to move with it my tongue and make it easy on my heart. With it make my chest wide and clean my body. Truly, on the path of Truth only You can help me and only You are able to give me the Truth. There is no might no power except with Allah, the most High, and the most Glorious!”
“O Abu al-Hasan, you will do that on three, five or seven Friday (Jumu’ah) nights, and it will be accepted from you with the permission of Allah. By the One Who sent me with the Truth this has not yet left unaffected any (true) Muslim!
Abdullah ibn 'Abbas narrates: “By Allah, not five or seven Fridays passed by and 'Ali again came to the prophet and said: -O Prophet of Allah, earlier I used to memorize four verses at once, and each time I wanted to repeat them they would disappear. Now I memorize more than forty verses, and when I repeat them I feel as if the Book of Allah is wide open in front of me. Also, when I now hear your sayings and pass them on later, I do not omit one letter from them.”
The prophet of Allah said on that occasion: “You are the believer, by the Lord of Ka’bah, o Abu al-Hasan! {Tirmidhi: Vol 2/Page 192}
Are South African Muslims Racist?
The University of Cape Town's student newspaper published a piece titled "Is Love Colour Blind?”. The article explored interracial perceptions among university students and created quite a stir across South Africa. The response was quite shocking and showed that South Africans still have a long way to overcome racism.
Using the article as a point of reference, a programme on racism was hosted on Radio Islam International on Wednesday the 10th of April 2013. A question was posed to the listeners: “Are South African Muslims racist?”
The response to the question was phenomenal. Here below are some of the comments that were received via Twitter and SMSs:
Most South African Muslims are racist especially in Lenasia. They actually make other Muslims feel embarrassed.
They seem to combine apartheid racism with the worst of the Indian caste system.
In is not just white and black, but also between Indians and Malay- there is traces of racism.
Racism is worst now then it was during apartheid.
Islam is multiracial, but still Muslims will look down upon other Muslim. Even among the Ulema-so sad.
South African Muslims are racist against other South African born ethnics. And they actually tell you to your face-that they superior.
On Muslim and racism...... Definitely prevalent-but most unfortunate
So sad, but true-Indian Muslims are racist, especially the women: When you make Salaam, they don't even reply.
South African Muslims are Snobbish.
I think the older generation are racist-due to apartheid and the younger generation -due to crime etc.
Sometimes racisms is found because-some are rich and others are poor.
Lots of South African Muslims would respond-yes. Are they just being honest about themselves OR, are they excluded.
Not all South Africans are racist.
When examining the overall responses it was observed that: 85% of those who responded felt that racism is very prevalent among South Africans Muslims and 15% said that not all are racist.
What was evident from the entire exercise is that there still remain strong racial divided in the Muslims community. This is as a result of the unique demographical make up we have within the Muslim community of South Africa.
Yusuf Moosagie
Protect Your Treasure Box
We can safely say that marriage is the greatest institution and covenant that one may enter into. It is such a unique thing that it affects every person: either you are married, going to get married or a product of a marriage. The Nikaah that took place has determined many things about you. If the correct partner was chosen, marriage was entered into for the correct reason, it was done in correct manner, a sound nurturing and up-bring was given, then all of this will have its fruit .i.e. a well balance, Allah fearing, and righteous human being. And if there were deficiencies in any of these things then, especially in the manner in which we go about getting married- it will have visible consequences.
Picture that you have a treasure box that is filled with a variety of gems and jewels. All of which are valuable and precious. The nature of the treasure box is such that: when you take something out of it, you cannot return it into the box. It gets used up. But if you leave it in the box, it will remain with you forever. It will be yours. It will not get finished. Marriage is that treasure box. Whatever you do before marriage - dating, chatting, etc. - you are taking out of that treasure box.
Saudi Arabia bride demands groom marry her friends
Dubai: A Saudi teacher has reportedly told the man who wanted to marry her that she had only one condition before accepting his proposal: He must marry her two friends at the school at the same time.
Under the deal, the bridegroom rented three apartments in the same building and lodged each of his brides in her own flat.
Polygamy is allowed in Saudi Arabia, and a man is entitled to take up to four wives, but must not differentiate between them and must treat them equally physically and emotionally and in regard to sustenance, expenditure, time and all obligations as a husband.
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-arabia-bride-demands-groom-marry-her-friends-1.1173120
Caliing Towards Goodness
Many people say : 'I do not invite others to good deeds because I do not practise myself '. This is like saying; 'I am not going to fast because I do not make Salaah' . Naturally we would say this is wrong-both are separate acts of worship. Similarly, ‘practising on Dien’ and’ inviting to Dien’ are two separate responsibilities. One should not be left out because one is not practising on the other.