SOMALILAND: IN THE MEMORY OF MY DEAR BROTHER MOHAMED AHMED H ARWO

 IN THE MEMORY OF MY DEAR BROTHER MOHAMED AHMED H ARWO

BY NAJAT AHMED H ARWO  

"Who, when afflicted with calamity say: "Truly To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return."" [The Qur'an; Chapter 2 (Al Baqarah - The Cow) : Verse 156]

I cannot go to reflect on our loss without addressing the pain and the sorrow of my beloved father, after all it is that which triggered me to write this memoir.To him Mohammed was everything, not only a son but a friend, a colleague and above all a manager of his affairs. 

My dear father,

As you may know, I am not the writer nor the talker, I am more of the reflector, and therefore I require time to allow myself to respond to my own emotions. It has just been over two weeks since our beloved Mahammed has left this world and I can only manage to gather my thoughts together.
I have read every single word that you have written regarding the death of our beloved Mahammed , and I was overcome with emotions. Your ability to report the exact facts at the most traumatic time is impeccable.

The death of my only brother and your only son has left a whole in my heart, and on most days I feel as if someone has cut off my limp. As he was my everything, my shoulder to lean on, my adviser, my best friend, my guardian, my protector, my role model, my councillor, and my motivator. In all the roles he played as a son, brother, husband, father, nephew, friend, cousin and grandchild he played them ever so perfectly. He filled all our lives with love, kindness and generosity. I was always in awe of his ability to handle life's predicaments with grace, humility and most importantly with enthusiasm, always putting a positive spin on things. Mahammed always ensured to give everyone the time and attention they needed, was never too busy for anyone. In my entire life, I can not think of one memory that sees him in a negative light. Always the peace maker, the joker, the humanitarian, never the fighter.

I feel that there are hardly any words in any language that can truly describe my beloved brothers character. Word used would just seem like an exaggeration or even false!! But the truth is he was simply a rare gift, a blessing that was bestowed upon us by Allah. Mahammed's time on this earth might have been short but was very propitious. He was only 36 yet his accomplishments in life can be comparable to a retired 70 year old man. In his evanescent life he has achieved more than most adults can attain in their lifetime.

My dear brother always joked that it was not only you and mum who raised me, that he was also a big part of my upbringing. It is ever so surreal that I am the teacher in the family yet I always saw him as the original eccentric educator. Mahammed taught me valid lessons everyday in The School of Life. I still can hear his voice saying "Najat when was the last time you spoke to aunt or uncle so and so, go and make that call now". Constantly reminding me that life gets us all busy "But sis, you must always make the effort and give time to those you love the most, especially family, young and old. It only requires you to spend a few extra minutes each day to reconnect and make someone's day, month, year or lifetime. What a little sacrifice for such a pleasurable reward ". Who would have thought such wisdom would come from such a young man!! But he was always wiser than his years, born with such a traditional and loving soul.

Even in his death he is still teaching us lessons on good citizenship, humbleness, sincerity and mostly humanity. The amount of people that turned up to his funeral was so overwhelming. What a sight it was, to see people travel from all corners of the UK and rest of world just to pay him and us respect. The mosque was so full, that people were praying outside, Masha Allah what a beautiful sight it was. He had made an impact to every one that he met, all saying how amazing he was, and all agreeing that he was the ideal son. It was so touching to see how family members stated that "Mahammed was one in a million, unique, loving, giving and generous. No other can replace him nor can he be compared to". He was everyone's best friend, but those friends that he loved, cried as if they lost a brother too. They felt our pain and turned to my dear mother in her darkest hour and uttered weepingly "Mahammed was our brother and therefore you are our mother, whatever you need, call us just like you called for Mahammed. We are all your sons". That alone was a testimony to his character.

Mahammed was so loved, and nobody loved him more than you and mum. To lose a child is painful enough, but to lose such a rare and extraordinary treasure is unbearable. As parents we constantly feel that we could always do more for our children, guilt ridden, never satisfied with our efforts. However my dear father, you should not feel guilty over anything. Your son knew that you truly loved him and that is all that matters. He did not become the honourable gentlemen that he was without your help. If you feel proud of us , then you and mum should feel proud of yourselves first. We are not products of magic, we became the adults we are because of all the good qualities that you both instilled in us. Mohammed had your entrepreneurial skills, your wisdom and knowledge. He had mum's heart, kindness and faith, and both of your senses of humour and strength. Can't you see my dear father?? that without the combination of both yours and mum's character and love, we would have amounted to nothing, living a life with no sense of direction. Mahammed and I always felt blessed to have two amazing parents, and thank Allah everyday for choosing us to be part of your lives. We deeply love you both. Rest at ease my dear father as you have nothing to apologise for.
I know that there is a slight emptiness and loneliness that has take over our hearts, especially for my dear mother. She has lost her soul mate and best friend. It was such a joy to witness their relationship, two peas in a pod, we constantly used to tease them, wherever mum was Mahammed would be there too. He always used to put your needs before his own.

What an inspiration my brother was. Let us keep his dreams alive and remember his positive view of the world, his laughter and smile, his advice and wisdom. Let us all aim to be better human beings, better communicators and make our presence in this world actually count. Allah has only blessed me with one brother, but he simply was the best. I am so proud to be your sister my dear Mahammed, I truly wished that you knew how many people loved you, and how you impacted their lives. Some people even admitted that they loved you more than their own children lol. I promise I will look after your heart, your life, your wife Fathiya Noor, and your beloved son Ahmed-Ameer. I will do my utmost to raise my children, especially my son Maahir to have your exceptional and commendable qualities. If he turns out to be just 10% of the man that you became then I will be satisfied.

May Allah the almighty grant you paradise, the highest level of all, Janatal Fardoos. Ameen.


Najat Ahmed Hassan Arwo.

http://samotalis.blogspot.com/


http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

A TRIBUTE TO MY SON MOHAMED AHMED HASSAN ARWO

A TRIBUTE TO MY SON MOHAMED AHMED HASSAN ARWO

A TRIBUTE TO MY SON MOHAMMED AHMED H ARWO AND  PARENT'S TESTIMONY 

"Who, when afflicted with calamity say: "Truly To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return."" [The Qur'an; Chapter 2 (Al Baqarah - The Cow) : Verse 156]

 Our destiny is prearranged. I would like to share with you my poignant experience of an episode of our life that waits us all. For five days I learned more about life journey than my entire life, the death of my son Mohammed and the process I went through till we put him in his last room on the world and first hereafter. It is a tribute to dear son and a lesson to us all. 

Death respects no age, no gender, and no strength. We saw daily young dying, old surviving, strong dying and weak surviving. We witness fragile patients that survive on comma for decades. All these testimony and yet deep in our mind we think it is the old that dies. Every one of us will taste death at preset time by no one else but by our creator. That time can be sooner or later by the will of Allah.

I buried my beloved son MOHAMED yesterday, a young man at the best epoch of human life, man with entrepreneurial talent always thinking of building empires without neglecting his duty towards Allah and to us. He needed my input which I grossly failed. I regret utmost and it will remain a painful reminder in my life .It was just before Ramadan when finally we agreed to put the foundation of that empire in Hargeysa, a business empire under his leadership and my guidance. We were so happy so optimistic so looking forward that I was counting days. Alas just after Hajj he hinted he has light health problem. He was so strong physically and spiritually. He hid all his pain without whispering to the ears of those close to him. None of us knew the seriousness of his case. He endured all that pain all alone to save us from worry. I knew him for he never let us know anything that can worry us. Allah will be kind to my son as he was kind to us. That is what Allah promised and his promise is done before it is said.

On Sunday afternoon, I spent an hour with his body in mortuary reading Quran and offering Du’a. Each time I touched his body and see his face it was as though he was telling me " father don't worry I am in better hands, hands of Angels of heaven." Alhamdulilaa”

Our destiny is in Allah’s hands. I was not busy, not sick, not occupied, and no financial problem, yet I couldn’t move towards my beloved son, my only son. I regret very much and ask myself why and why yet I know I cannot take a step without Allah’s willing. It is hard to excuse myself from this gross irresponsibility. Astaqfurulla, Allah forgive me, I know my destiny is in your hands.

 I was so unlucky that I arrived a day late to see him alive but Allah gave me a way to communicate with him. I sensed he was listening and I promised to him to uphold his dreams Insha Allah. I promised to him more, that I will not share with you but ask you to help me by offering prayer so Allah help me  make it a reality.

Monday Duhur prayer I went with group of elders to pray in a Pakistani mosque in Grangetown where my home is located. After prayer I was surprised to hear the imam calling us to pray for the deceased. “Let us offer Du’as to the deceased young man Mohamed Ahmed Hassan Arwo" tears come to my eyes. He offered the best of Du’as and no one moved" then after Sunna prayer all came towards me giving me a hug and offering condolences. I was touched with their kindness and solidarity.

Tuesday morning and the washing ritual. The washing cermony was done in Aljalalia Mosque, in Grangetown, Cardiff. I washed him with my hands with the help of my close family and under the direction of Sheekh Omar, and Salama Funeral Services. I was delighted to be there to see his youthful body never changed glowing with freshness. Thank Allah he was so clean, so neat, so stunning, no trace of anything but shining body with nice smell. It was as though he was bathed before us. Deep in my heart I thanked Allah for this is a sign of Ehlu Jannah. The body of the deceased shows signs of hell or heaven. My son’s body was that of whom Allah promised for better life in Heaven.

After washing session finished I looked at him, not scaring but rather with exhilarating gesture I realized how his body is gleaming and how he grew a full dark beautiful beard. It looked trimmed and recently combed. A beard he never had but last days of his life.  The nice smell of his body was sensational. I hold his right hand and every part  was as  alive, bending, not stiff but nearly moving. . I entangled my fingers with him and offered a special Du’a.

Mohamed with me and my daughter in Jubail,Saudi Arabia

 Immediately family females members, led by his mother and sister came in. It was really a testing time. Thank Allah our worry never materialized. I never saw and never heard a pack of women under this circumstances as strong as they were, withholding all their feelings and clearly stating Du’a one after another, no cry at all, no chest beating, no hair tearing, just offering Du’as. His mother Amal a strong Muslim with mountains of Iman and courage of lion, told him what he has to say at the grave, when Angels question him about his beliefs  and asked Allah to forgive him for all that he has done for her and for me. She recited Quran and Du’as. It was the Du’as of his Aunt Hayat Omar Arteh, that touched my heart " Alhamdulilaa you are beautiful you are clean you are so sweet, you are Ehlu Janno, all signs are here Thank Allah” she continuously said without hesitation.

Then came the real test, the most touching. My daughter Najat kissed him and whispered into his ears “My brother you were all to me. You were my brother, my protector my guardian, you always advise me. I ask Allah to forgive you and to reward you Jannatul Fardaws for all the good deeds you have done and your love to us. You died young but accomplished great, Allah loves you” The courage of my daughter is beyond belief. I was shaking not with fear but with admiration. Thank Allah who gave me such strong family, thank Allah for giving me Amal as wife and Najat as a daughter.      

Then they kissed him and concluded with Du'as that we men couldn't offer. We were standing motionlessly, holding open hands towards heaven repeating Amen after them and in whispering voice.

Mohamed with his son Ahmed

We moved towards Al-Nur mosque for prayer. In front of the mosque I was met by my people of Cardiff. They are my people for they all love us as family. They are not just family but really good family, sharing with us the hard and the soft .My fellow Somalis and good number of other Muslims lined up to hug me and to offer condolences one by one. Masjidu-Nur of Butetown was crammed downstairs and upstairs. Women were given a special area where they were literally compressed like sardines in a box. After Duhur prayer Sh. Mohammed led Jinaza prayer. Tears filled my eyes but my heart was so cool and my mind told me my son is in the hands of his creator and he will be in better life than his short life here. I offered the Du’a wih parental tone and in my special words, as the rest of the congregation did. Then again I was attacked with love and solidarity, they offered condolences tears in their eyes and some cannot hold their sorry and openly cried.

We took the last episode of Mohamed's life, a trip to the Ely Cemetery. The ground was covered with my fellow Somalis and my fellow Muslims. Thank Allah for the number of attendants. Cars filled all open spaces and people covered all the grass area. They came from all over the world . From Holland, from Canada , from Saudi Arabia, from all UK of course large number came from our next door cities, Bristol and Newport. Many of them cried openly. I learned nothing is better than true friendship when I saw my son’s friends crying openly. I learned men cry not of fear but of love and sorry.

Mohammed with his grandfather Omer Arteh and his late grandmother Shukri Jirde. 

The grave itself is located at a corner and under a tree. A location anyone with choice would have chosen. Allah has chosen for my son MOHAMMED.  

May Allah bless his soul and make his grave a room from heaven. May Allah bestow his mercy and reward him Jannatul Fardaws for his loyalty to Allah and to his parents. I pray Allah to forgive me for all I haven't done for him. He gave me all his love while I did gave him a little of mine. Making his parents happy and satisfied was his utmost priority. It is painful to see ones child die before him but I am happy for all good deeds he have done in his short life. He never used his hand and tongue to harm any creature . To him they were tools to support, help and praise everyone. His heart was so huge he never found difficulty to entertain entire humanity with love and joy. I am proud to have Mohamed as my son. He departed us physically but he rests in my heart and mind for ever. He gave his entire life to serve us, never feel tired to execute our endless demands. He was a tower of help, mountain of support and river of love. Allah took my son for better life Insha Allah. His loyalty to Allah and to us will be rewarded with Allah's love.

Ahmed Arwo with his grandsoin Ahmed

Mohamed left in this world a son, named after me, Ahmed and a lovely wife who changed his life during this short period they were together. She made him happy, forward looking for better life. I noticed all these changes from the day they get married. My daughter-in-law Fathiya Sh Ibrahim I pray Allah to compensate your loss with better future and happy life in this world and forgiveness and Jannatul Fardaws hereafter.  

  Please do offer Du'a for him and for us.

My tribute in Somali:

http://samotalis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/xus-iyo-xusuusta-inankeyga-maxamed.html

2- http://samotalis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/xus-iyo-xusuusta-inankeyga-maxamed_18.html

Please do offer Du'a for him and for us.

Father Tel:  07903744256 (UK)

Mother Amal Tel:  02920344085 (UK)

Ahmed Hassan Arwo

Mohamed Ahmed Arwo with Abdiwahab Ismail Raja, me and uncle Abdihakim,

Mohamed in white thob with uncles and first cousins

Mohamed behind in black suit with uncles and first cousins

http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

p://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

Hellfire is abode of the arrogant people

Hellfire is abode of the arrogant people




Do not walk proudly on the earth. You can neither tear the earth apart nor can you rival the mountains in height. (Qur’an 17: 37)


MOHAMED BAIANONIE

LATEST STORIES IN ISLAM IN PERSPECTIVE

The last sermon of Prophet Muhammad

The Swiss who wanted minarets banned embraced Truth
Vital rituals in stages during Haj
Saudis embroider Islamic calligraphy
The call of Ibrahim that is still reverberating
More


Arrogance is the most insidious disease of the heart and their effects are reflected in the behavior and conduct of the sick person preventing them from entering Paradise. In the authentic Hadith reported by Imams Muslim and At-Tirmidhi, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “One will not enter Paradise, if one has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his/her heart.”
According to this Hadith, arrogance is one of the major sins because it prevents a person from entering Paradise on the Day of Judgment. It is also clear that arrogance is from the diseases of the heart, as also the degree of arrogance varies. The heart can be filled with arrogance, or can have only an atom’s weight of arrogance.
Several verses and authentic Hadiths were revealed censuring arrogance and elucidating its danger.
First, what is arrogance? The Prophet (peace be upon him) defined it in an authentic Hadith reported by Imams Muslim and At-Tirmidhi, “One will not enter Paradise, if one has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his/her heart.” A man asked, “One may love his clothes to look good and his shoes to look good” The Prophet replied, “Allah is beautiful and loves beauty, arrogance is rejecting Truth and looking down on people.”
The different degrees and types of arrogance: The most evil kind of arrogance is rejection of Truth. In this context, many verses were revealed to censure arrogance and the arrogant people. On the Day of Judgment, it will be said to the arrogant people: “Enter the gates of Hell to abide therein, and (indeed) what an evil abode of the arrogant!” (Qur’an, 40:76)
Hellfire is abode of the arrogant people. This is emphasized in the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that is reported by Imam Muslim, “Paradise and Hellfire argued. Hellfire said: Inside me are the merciless and the arrogant people … and Allah has judged between them:… You (Hellfire) are my torture, with you I torture whom I will….”
Allah Almighty turns the arrogant people away from being guided with his signs. He, the Almighty, says “I shall turn away from My Ayah (verses of the Qur’an) those who behave arrogantly on the earth, in a wrongful manner.” (Qur’an, 7:146)
The most severe arrogance is being arrogant against Allah and rejecting submission and worshipping Him. Allah Almighty says, “Verily! Those who disdain My worship (because of arrogance), they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!” (Qur’an, 40:60)
From arrogance is being arrogant against the messengers and rejecting their message and not following them just because they are humans. This is the case of many non-believers about whom Allah Almighty says, “They said: ‘Shall we believe in two men like ourselves.” (Qur’an, 23:47) and “They said to their messengers: “You are no more than human beings like us.” (Qur’an, 14:10)
The tribe of Quraish also said, when it rejected and looked down on the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) because he was an orphan and poor, as Allah Almighty said, “And they say: ‘Why is not this Qur’an sent down to some great man of the two towns (Makkah and Taif)’.” (Qur’an, 43:31)
While describing the real situation of the disbelievers, Allah Almighty says: “And they belied them (those Ayat) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their ownselves were convinced thereof (i.e. those Ayahs are from Allah).” (Qur’an, 27:14)
From the examples of arrogance against the Prophet (peace be upon him) reported by Imam Muslim that a man who came and ate in the presence of the Prophet (peace be upon him) with his left hand, so the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to him, “Eat with your right hand.” The man said, “I cannot.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) then supplicated to Allah against this man, “May Allah, make you unable to use your right hand.” “Nothing prevented him from doing so (eating with his right hand) except his arrogance, so he forever could not lift his right hand to his mouth.”
Allah Almighty explicated for us that arrogance is an exclusive attribute of Himself. In a Qudsi Hadith reported by Imam Muslim that Allah Almighty says, “Dignity is my lower garment, and arrogance is my covering. If anyone competes with Me in either of these two, surely I torture him.” Allah Almighty says, “And do not turn your face away from men with arrogance, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah does not like each arrogant boaster.” (Qur’an, 31:18)
Allah does not like the one who is conceited and arrogant. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says what was reported by Imams Bukhari and Muslim, “While a man was showing off his garment, he looked proudly to himself, all of a sudden, Allah immediately crumbled the earth underneath him, and he is still dropping with struggle through it till the Day of Judgment.”
Allah Almighty will not look with mercy, on the Day of Judgment, at the one who lengthened his clothes out of arrogance. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says reported by Imams Bukhari, Muslim, and other, “Whosoever drags his clothes out of arrogance, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Judgment.” Abu Bakr said: “O Messenger of Allah, my garment slips (slightly off his waist) to the ground but I lift it!?” The Prophet replied, “You are not among those who do it out of arrogance.”
After we have heard all these verses and Hadiths about the dangers of arrogance and how bad the consequences are, we should be cautioned and get away from it and from its effects and its characteristics. So we teach ourselves to follow the truth when we know it, and humble ourselves in front of others. Imam Muslim reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “....And no one has humbled himself for the sake of Allah, but Allah has elevated him.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) is the best example of humility in his life. Imams Bukhari and Muslim reported that “The prophet used to pass by children and give Salaam to them (greet them).” Imam Bukhari reported that, “A female slave from Madinah use to take the Prophet’s sleeve and take him wherever she wants.” Imam Bukhari also reported, “That the Prophet used to be at the service of his family.”

- Courtesy of islam1.org




http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

The Swiss who wanted minarets banned embraced Truth

The Swiss who wanted minarets banned embraced Truth

LATEST STORIES IN ISLAM IN PERSPECTIVE


The last sermon of Prophet Muhammad

Vital rituals in stages during Haj
Saudis embroider Islamic calligraphy
The call of Ibrahim that is still reverberating
How the Prophet brought about positive change
More


The Swiss politician Daniel Streich, who rose to fame as a result of his opposition to mosques in his homeland, Switzerland, has now embraced the faith he reviled.
Daniel Streich was a member of the Swiss People's Party in Switzerland. A well-known politician, Streich led the calls for a ban on minarets across Switzerland. He was active in building anti-Muslim sentiments throughout Switzerland.
This sustained campaign led to him being given a high-ranking position in the Swiss Army.
Daniel Streich, born in Bulle, Canton of Fribourg, is a Swiss military instructor, community council member and a former member of Swiss People’s Party (SVP).
Streich left the SVP over the campaign for the national ban on the construction of new minarets.
Streich was founding member and president of the Gruyères section of the party from 2003 to 2007. A devout Catholic, he however found Truth when he studied Qur’an, and followed conversion to Islam in 2005. The man who once reviled Islam, and studied Qur’an with the aim to malign it explained the reason for his conversion saying that this newly discovered religion offered him "logical answers to important life questions."
He resigned from his presidency in June 2007 citing his discomfort with certain "extremist" positions of the party, especially the campaign to ban nationwide construction of new minarets.
While Streich in 2007 stated that he had "many Muslim friends" he did not make public his personal conversion to Islam until early November 2009, when he left the Swiss People's Party in protest against their campaign for the impending referendum of Nov, 29, 2009. He then participated in setting up the Conservative Democratic Party cantonal section.
Steich's case was reported by the most read daily newspaper in Switzerland, 20 Minuten on Nov. 23, during the week preceding the referendum and the story was picked up by the tabloid newspaper Blick on the following day.
Streich was an important member of the Swiss People's Party (SVP). His importance could be estimated from his influence on party's policy making, in which he always had a prominent role.
His movement against minarets was aimed at gaining political attention and interest. Streich won the slot of military instructor in the Swiss Army due to his popularity. He was also committed to his party (SVP) and stood as a local politician in the commune of Bulle.
Streich attempted to understand the Qur'an and Islamic teachings in order to argue against Muslims on tenets of their faith. In the course of his efforts, the ex-Christian began to agree with and acknowledge the proclamations of the Qur'an.
Born in a Christian family, Streich had a comprehensive study of Islam merely to malign and confront, but later his Islamic teachings had a deep impact on him.
Eventually he de-linked himself from political activities and he embraced Islam. Streich has termed the SVP activities against the Muslims as satanic.
He says that he used to read the Bible and often went to chapel, but now he recites the Holy Qur’an and offers his prayers five times a day.
He further says that he cancelled his party membership and made public his conversion. Streich says that he has found the truth of life in Islam, which he could not find in Christianity.
"Islam offers me logical answers to important life questions, which, in the end, I never found in Christianity," says Streich. He is now a committed Muslim, who attends the mosque, recites the Qur'an and prays five times a day.
According to figures from the Union of Islamic Organizations and Communities, some 3,000 to 5,000 Italians have recently converted to Islam from Catholicism. Recently the question of ban on minarets was put to voting in Switzerland, wherein the Swiss nationals gave the issue a legal status.
As per voting results 42.5 per cent people voted in favor of the minarets and 57.5 per cent supported the ban, while the Muslim population in Switzerland is only 6 per cent.
The most wondrous thing in this regard, therefore, is the support of 42.5 per cent of population for only six percent Muslims. The analysts claim that ban on minarets and Islamic rituals has attracted the people toward Islam. Streich has now focused his intentions on participating in the building of the new Conservative Democratic Party in the canton of Freiburg.
Freich's new movement is in contrast to his previous one and he aims to promote religious tolerance and peaceful cooperative living, in spite of the fact that ban on mosques minarets has gained a legal status.
He is vehemently opposed to the Minaret ban and is hoping to establish Switzerland's fifth mosque and the most beautiful in Europe.
Meanwhile the SVP have raised concerns over Streich’s position as military commander in the army following his conversion citing him as a security risk.
SVP National Council member Alfred Heer cited the Fort Hood shooting spree as an example.

n Courtesy of islamicbulletin.org
http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

الشعوذة و الطب-د.مصطفي محمود

http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

Important Announcement about celebrating Eid Al-Fitr 2013 / Aid El-Fitr 2013 / Shawwal 2013

Eid Al-Fitr 2013 [Eid Al-Fitr 1434]

MAKKAH CALENDAR
http://www.makkahcalendar.org/en/eid-al-fitr-2013.php

Important Announcement about celebrating Eid Al-Fitr 2013 / Aid El-Fitr 2013 / Shawwal 2013

We are very happy to announce that Eid Al-Fitr 2013 (1434) [Aid El-Fitr 2013 (1434)] should be celebrated on Thursday, 8th August 2013 almost all over the world with a few exceptions as mentioned below.

 This is because on 6th August 2013, crescent visibility is not expected anywhere in the world and the extension of the zone of observation on the next day, 7th August 2013, covers almost all the countries of the world. Thus, Ramadan fasting should be ended on Wednesday, 7th August 2013 and Shawwal 2013 should start on the next day, 8th August 2013. Please click here to get more details with the required calculations that explain why almost all countries in the world should celebrate Eid Al-Fitr 2013 (Aid El-Fitr 2013) on the same day of 8th August 2013. Please see the country list below arranged continent wise showing where Eid Al-Fitr should be celebrated on 8th August 2013.
Do remember Eid Al-Fitr 2013 is on Thursday, 8th August 2013 in almost the entire world.




Few Exceptions

In the case of Russia, the extension of the zone of observation includes the greatest part of this country. However, a small part of Russia, to the east of Okhotsk, is not covered by the extension of the zone of observation on the evening of 7th August 2013. Similarly, for the Kiribati Islands, the extension of the zone of observation covers up to Arorae Island. The eastern part of this island is not covered by the extension of the zone of observation on the evening of 7th August. In the case of Samoa and Tonga islands, this zone does not cover the totality of the islands. Thus, in Kiribati, Samoa and Tonga, Eid Al-Fitr 2013 should be celebrated on Friday, 9th August 2013. In Russia, the small part of the country to the east of Okhotsk should also celebrate Aid on 9th August 2013.


8th August 2013 - Following countries should celebrate Eid Al-Fitr 2013 on Thursday, 8th August 2013

AFRICA (54)


Algeria
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina
Burundi
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African
Republic
Chad
Comoros
Congo
Congo, Democratic
Republic of
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Ivory Coast
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Swaziland
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
ASIA (44)


Afghanistan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Burma (Myanmar)
Cambodia
China
East Timor
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Japan
Jordan
Kazakstan
Korea, North
Korea, South
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Malaysia
Maldives
Mongolia
Nepal
Oman
Palestine
Pakistan
Philippines
Qatar
Russian Federation *
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Syria
Tajikistan
Thailand
Turkey
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Yemen
EUROPE (48)


Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and
Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Kosovo
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malta
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Vatican City
NORTH AND
CENTRAL AMERICA (23)

Antigua and Barbuda
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Grenada
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
United States
Of America
S. AMERICA (12)


Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
OCEANIA (12)


Australia
Fiji
French Polynesia
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Nauru
New Zealand
Palau
Papua New
Guinea
Solomon Islands
Tuvalu
Vanuatu



* Note: Whole Russian Federation to the west of Okhotsk. Please read "Few Exceptions" section above for details.


9th August 2013 - Eastern Russia (The small part of the country to the east of Okhotsk), Kiribati, Samoa and Tonga Islands




http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

حلقه مواجهه مع مصطفى محمود

http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

لقاء نادر جدآ د. مصطفى محمود فى مشوار حياتى

http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

إدمان الكمبيوتر-د.مصطفي محمود

http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

Kolo: What Ramadan means to me

Kolo: What Ramadan means to me

Like millions of Muslims around the world, Liverpool's Kolo Toure is currently observing the Holy Month of Ramadan.


A period of self-control and discipline, Ramadan involves 30 days of fasting, from dawn until sunset - but how does the lack of food and drink affect the preparations of professional athletes like Toure?

Earlier this week, Liverpoolfc.com dropped by Melwood to speak to the Ivorian defender about Ramadan and what it means to him.




Kolo: What Ramadan means to me

For our fans who don't observe Ramadan, please can you explain what Ramadan is and what is involved?

Ramadan is part of the Muslim religion. You have to go for 30 days without eating or drinking at a certain time of the day. From three o'clock in the morning until nearly 10 o'clock at night. During this time, you can't eat or drink - but as soon as the sun goes down, you can start eating. The next day you start again.

Do you think footballers face an additional physical challenge during Ramadan?

Yes. I've been observing Ramadan during all the years I've been in football. It's been tough, but at the same time I feel like I am much stronger, because my mental condition takes over. It's definitely hard, but when you believe in God, nothing in impossible.

Do you create a meal plan during Ramadan to ensure your body is receiving the correct foods during pre-season training?

Yes. It's very important that you eat well. It's important that you eat the right food because you can gain weight or you can have less food in your body. That's why you need to drink very well. You also need to be aware of what you are doing, because your body is missing things. With the doctor and all the people at the club, we try to work on that. They give me things that I can take to help me feel better.



Do you find that the self-discipline involved in being a footballer helps you during Ramadan?

Yes. You definitely need discipline. For me, the first five days are difficult but after that, the body just starts to [adapt] and you feel really happy. You clean your body as well and you feel even stronger after Ramadan. I recently watched a programme on BBC about Demba Ba - and he scored a lot of goals after Ramadan because he was much fitter. I think it's amazing how Ramadan can make you really strong.

Do you have to train at different times during Ramadan?

For me, it doesn't matter because mentally I'm ready for it and I go for every challenge. I give 110 per cent in training - it will never be a case of me saying: "No, I don't want to train as hard." I want to train just as hard and I want to win every single game. For me, Ramadan is not an easy time because it's a time when I need to work much harder, because I need to help my teammates. That's the way I see things.

The festival of the Breaking of the Feast is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, how will you celebrate this festival?

I will celebrate like every Muslim - with my family, my wife and my kids. Maybe they will be here [in Liverpool]. The celebration is big - everybody is very happy because it has normally been a tough month. Ramadan is an important part of Islam, and when you are observing it, God is happy with you and you have to have a big celebration. We eat, we have a party and we give praise. We enjoy the day as much as we can.



As Ramadan is based on a lunar calendar, and therefore changes every year, will it be more difficult to observe during the football season?

I have done Ramadan during a season. And for me, it was alright. It depends on the age of players. I'm different; I do my own thing.

Is the club supportive of your decision to observe Ramadan?

Massively -[the club] have been unbelievable. Fantastic. Everybody around me has tried to help me; the physios, the doctor and the coaches. They have a room for us to pray here at Melwood. It's not only for Muslims, but for Christians as well, which is amazing. That shows the football club is supporting people like us, who want to pray. It's not easy because we have different lifestyles, but by being Muslim or a religious person, you have to do certain things. It's fantastic of the club to support people who trust in God.

Finally, do you have a message for all our Muslim fans around the world?

Assalamalykum to all the Muslims that are fasting - Ramdan Kareem and I pray that God eases all our suffering and helps those in need.

http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

WOMEN IN ISLAM

391.Reported from Anas b. Malik, the Prophet said: "Girls are models of affection and sympathy and a blessing to the family. If a person has one daughter, Allah will screen him from the fire of hell owing to his daughter; if he has two daughters, Allah will admit him to paradise; if he has three, Allah will exempt him from the obligation of charity and Jehad."
(Kanz al-Ummal:277).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

392.Abu Hurairah says, "The Prophet of Allah said that if a person has three daughters whom he provides for and brings up, Allah will surely reward him with paradise."
(Kanz al-Ummal).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

393.According to Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, the Prophet is reported to have said; "If a daughter is born to a person and he brings her up, gives her a good education and trains her in the arts of life, I shall myself stand between him and hell-fire.
(Kanz al-Ummal).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

394.Ibn Abbas reported that a virgin grown-up girl came to the Prophet of Allah and narrated that her father had given her in marriage to a person whom she disliked. The Prophet gave her option.
(Abu Dawud).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

395.Khansa' b. Khidham reported that her father gave her in marriage, after she had became a widow. She disliked it and came to the Prophet. He annulled the marriage.
(Bukhari).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

396.According to Ayeshah, the Prophet's wife, he said about women: "They are like pleasing roses."(NOTE 37)
(Kanz al-Ummal).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

397.Man is the ruler in his home. He will be held responsible for the conduct of his dependents, and woman is the ruler in her husband's home. She will also be held responsible for the conduct of her dependents.
(Bukhari).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

398.A person who has a female slave in charge and takes steps to give her a sound education and trains her in arts and culture, and then frees her and marries her, he will be doubly rewarded.
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Nikah).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

399.A report from Bahz b. Hakim states: I inquired the Prophet (peace be upon him) about hi teaching in respect of women. He replied: "Feed them as you feed yourselves, clothe them as you clothe yourselves, and do not beat or scold them."
(Kanz al-Ummal).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

400.According to a report from Abdullah b. 'Umar, the Prophet (peace be upon him) declared: "The whole world is a thing to be made use of and the best thing in the world is a virtuous wife."
(Muslim).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

401.Ayeshah praised the women of Ansar for their spirit of enquiry and learning, saying, 'How praiseworthy are the women of Ansar that their modesty does not prevent them from attempts at learning and the acquisition of knowledge.'
(Sahih Muslim Kitab al Tahrat).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

402.Umar, the Second Caliph, says, 'When a person marries a woman, and the woman stipulates that she would not be taken out of the town or city, of her residence, it is necessary for the husband to abide by the stipulation.'
(Tirmidhi p. 385).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

403.Ali, the Fourth Caliph, say: 'The conditions laid down by Allah take precedence over the conditions set by man.'
(Ahmad).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

404.A report from Ibn Abbas states that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'A previously married woman is more a guardian for herself than her guardian and a virgin should be asked permission about herself, and her permission is her silence.'
(Muslim).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

405.Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'A grown-up girl shall be asked permission about herself. If she is silent, it is her permission; and if she declines, there shall be no compulsion on her.'
(Muslim).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

406.Ibn Abas reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) declared: 'Those women are adulteresses who marry themselves without the presence of witnesses.'
(Tirmidhi).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

407.Ibn Umar says: 'Uthman b. Mazu'um left behind a young daughter. My uncle, Qudamah, married her to me, and did not even consult her. When the girl came to know this, she disliked this marriage and she wished to marry Mughirah b. Shu'bah. So she was married to Mughirah.
(Ibn Majah).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

408.Ayeshah, says, 'A girl came and stated that her father had given her in marriage to his nephew and she disliked him. I told her to wait till the Prophet arrived. When the Prophet came, I told him the full story of the girl. He at once sent for the father of the girl and enquired whether the facts stated were true, after which he told the girl the she was at liberty to choose or repudiate her husband. The girl replied that she chose to retain her marriage, and she wanted only to know whether women had the rights in the matter.'
(Nasai).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

409.Ayeshah said, the Prophet (peace be upon him) of Allah declared: 'Marriage of a woman is invalid without there being a guardian.'
(Tirmidhi Kitab al-Nikah).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

410.Ayeshah, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him), reports: The Prophet (peace be upon him) of Allah said: 'The best of you is he who is best to his wife.'
(Tirmidhi).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

411.A report from Abu Hurairah says: 'No believer should be angry towards his wife. If some of her qualities are displeasing, there will be many other qualities worth appreciation.'
(Nail al-Autar).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

412.The Angel of Allah advised me so many times about women that I became convinced that it is not lawful for a man to divorce his wife, except when she commits adultery.
(Irshad al-Muhtaj, Huquq al-Azwaj).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

413.According to a report from Anas b Malik, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Girls are models of affection and sympathy and a blessing to the family. If a person has one daughter, Allah will screen him from the fire of hell owing to his daughter; if he has two daughters, Allah will admit him to Paradise; if he has three, Allah will exempt him from the obligations of charity and Jihad.
(Kanz al-Ummal).
(Women in Islam by M. Mazheruddin Siddiqi).

من كرامات الشيخ الشعراوى 1

http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

كرامة عجيبة للشيخ الشعراوي يرويها الشيخ عمر عبد الكافي

http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

Muhammad and modesty before God

Muhammad and modesty before God


Asir Gov. Prince Faisal bin Khaled with officials of the Charitable Society for Qur'an Memorization in Abha recently. (SPA)

ARAB NEWS

THE Prophet (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him) said: "Every religion has its characteristic, and the characteristic of Islam is modesty." (Al-Muwatta)
Modesty, in the sense of shyly protecting oneself with propriety from the lustful or envious gaze, means one takes care about how to express oneself in word and deed. One does not want others to look at one strangely or as if one is blameworthy. It encourages one to be proper in behavior and thought with other people, and with one's relationship with God. The Prophet once said to his companions: "Be bashful before God according to His right to modesty before Him."
They said: "O Messenger of God, verily we are shy, praise be to God."
He said: "That is not it. Modesty before God according to His right to modesty is that you protect your mind in what it learns; your stomach in what it ingests. And remember death and the tribulations attached to it; and whoever wishes for the Hereafter, leaves the adornments of this life.
"So whoever does all that is truly bashful before God according to His Right to modesty."
Modesty and shame apply to every aspect of one's life, and awareness of God's presence helps one to be bashful and seemly in the way we comport ourselves in every activity we are engaged in. It crowns the moral ethics of behavior and practice, for it inspires him to do all that is beautiful and prevents him from doing all that is wicked. It is a shield of chastity for the body and of purity for the soul, as private shame concerning one's wickedness stems from being aware that God is watching. The Prophet said:
"Modesty is from the faith, and the faith is in Paradise." (Ahmed)
On the occasion of his marriage in Madinah with Zaynab, the daughter of Jahsh, the Prophet invited the people to his wedding feast. This was a late morning invitation, and most people simply rose and left after eating, as was the custom. The bridegroom, however, remained sitting and some people, perhaps thinking that this was a signal that they, too, should remain with him, stayed behind after the other guests had left. Out of propriety, the Messenger of God did not like to tell the people to go away, so he got up and left the room with his ward, ibn Abbas.
He went as far as the room of Ayesha, another of his wives, before returning back to Zaynab's room, expecting the guests to have taken the hint. However, they were still there, sitting in their places, so he turned away once again and went back to Ayesha's room, still accompanied by his ward.

The second time they returned the people had left, so the Messenger of God went in. Ibn Abbas was going to follow him, but Muhammad took the dividing curtain and drew it across the doorway, blocking the egress.
One of the story's lessons is that a person's home is private and one should be shy of abusing an invitation to it. Moreover, because Muhammad(peace be upon him) was too nice to ask people to leave, his actions provide an example of how to teach a lesson without being offensive. He used a non-verbal means to show the people they should leave and, once his private space was vacated, he used another non-verbal gesture to drive home the fact that the invitation was over.

Moses and Zaphorah
After waiting for a long time in the queue, being only two females among all the males, someone finally helped them, and they were able to take their flock of sheep and goats home. Their father was old, and they had no brother to do their outside chores. Being one of the most onerous of tasks, drawing water from the well in order to water one's livestock was one performed by men; a lucky day for them to come home early with the drove freshly watered. The father was surprised about their early return, and when he inquired into the occurrence, his daughters told him that a man who seemed a traveler had helped them. The father asked one of them to seek the man out and invite him home. Upon returning to the well, the lady approached him shyly. When she was in earshot, she gave him her father's invitation so that he might recompense him for his help. He kept his gaze low to the ground as he replied to her, saying that he had done it for the sake of God alone, and required no compensation. However, realizing that this was God-sent help, he accepted the invitation. As she was walking ahead of him, the wind blew her dress, which revealed part of her lower legs, so he asked her to walk behind him and point out the way he should follow when he reached a fork in the foot path.
Once they arrived at the house, the father presented him with a meal and asked where he was from. The man told him that he was a fugitive from Egypt. The daughter who had brought him home whispered to her father: "O Father, hire him, because the best of the workers is one who is strong and trustworthy."
He asked her: "How do you know he is strong?"

She said: "He lifted the stone lid of the well that cannot be removed except by many together." He asked her: "How do you know that he is trustworthy?"
She said: "He asked me to walk behind him so that he couldn't see me as I walked, and when I conversed with him, he kept his gaze low with shyness and respect."
This was Prophet Moses (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him) who had run away from Egypt after killing someone by mistake, and the father of the girls was a God-fearing man from the tribes of Midian; a man who was sonless, but had had these two daughters. The verse in the Qur'an that tells us this story stresses upon the manner of her approaching Moses: "So one of the two (daughters) came to him walking modestly..." (Qur'an 28:25)

Both the way Zaphorah approached Moses and his care about not seeing more of her than was needful at the time describe acute senses of propriety. Neither had a chaperone, nor could people see what they did, yet both conducted themselves with the utmost decorum. This was done out of fear of the One who sees everything. The outcome was that when her father proposed to Moses that he marry one of his daughters, Moses considered them a suitable marriage prospect. He and his daughters also saw in him all the virtues a man needs as a mate for a woman to consent to his guidance and nurture through life.

- Courtesy of www.islamreligion.com

Why We Love Muhammad ﷺ ᴴᴰ | INNOCENCE OF MUSLIMS RESPONSE | HD

http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

Saudi Arabia: Women to be fingerprinted

Saudi Arabia: Women to be fingerprinted



Saudi women employees of a hospital in Riyadh are seen at work in this file photo.

ARAB NEWS

Sunday 9 September 2012


JEDDAH: The National Information Center will collect fingerprint data of all women in Saudi Arabia, its director general Prince Bandar bin Abdullah Al-Mshari, announced yesterday.
He said the fingerprint data would enable courts and government departments to verify the identity of women easily.

“Once we obtain the fingerprints of women, verification of their identities will be easier for all bodies (government departments, courts and notaries) who would be equipped with scanners that can read them,” the prince told Al-Hayat daily. He said the center would cooperate with any government department that needs to benefit from the system.

He said the center is planning to carry out several projects including a face verification system, a central archiving system, a comprehensive cases system and a project for the integration of data between the center and government departments.

Other projects include expanding the use of e-gates at airports, developing the fingerprint backup system, the implementation of the ERP Resource Management system at the Ministry of Interior and implementation of electronic passports.

http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/

How the Qur’an impacted my life

How the Qur’an impacted my life

One evening I was feeling particularly exhausted and sleepless. Mother came into my room and said she was about to go to the Larchmont Public Library and asked me if there was any book that I wanted? I asked her to look and see if the library had a copy of an English translation of the Holy Qur’an. Just think, years of passionate interest in the Arabs and reading every book in the library about them I could lay my hands on but until now, I never thought to see what was in the Holy Qur’an! Mother returned with a copy for me. I was so eager, I literally grabbed it from her hands and read it the whole night. There I also found all the familiar Bible stories of my childhood.

In my eight years of primary school, four years of secondary school and one year of college, I learned about English grammar and composition, French, Spanish, Latin and Greek in current use, Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, European and American history, elementary science, Biology, music and art — but I had never learned anything about God! Can you imagine I was so ignorant of God that I wrote to my pen-friend, a Pakistani lawyer, and confessed to him the reason why I was an atheist was because I couldn't believe that God was really an old man with a long white beard who sat up on His throne in Heaven. When he asked me where I had learned this outrageous thing, I told him of the reproductions from the Sistine Chapel I had seen in "Life" Magazine of Michelangelo's "Creation" and "Original Sin." I described all the representations of God and the numerous crucifixions of Christ I had seen with Paula at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But in the Holy Qur’an, I read:

"God! There is no god but He, —the Living, The Self-subsisting, Supporter of all. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there who can intercede in His presence except as He permiteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory)." (Qur’an 2:255)
"But the Unbelievers, — their deeds are like a mirage in sandy deserts, which the man parched with thirst mistakes for water; until when he comes up to it, he finds God there, and God will pay him his account: and God is swift in taking account. Or (the unbelievers' state) is like the depths of darkness in a vast deep ocean, overwhelmed with billow topped by billow, topped by (dark) clouds: depth of darkness, one above another: if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! For any to whom God giveth not light, there is no light!" (Qur’an 24:39-40) My first thought when reading the Holy Qur’an — this is the only true religion — absolutely sincere, honest, not allowing cheap compromises or hypocrisy.
In 1959, I spent much of my leisure time reading books about Islam in the New York Public Library. It was there I discovered four bulky volumes of an English translation of Mishkat ul-Masabih. It was then that I learned that a proper and detailed understanding of the Holy Qur’an is not possible without some knowledge of the relevant Hadith. For how can the holy text correctly be interpreted except by the Prophet (peace be upon him) to whom it was revealed?

Once I had studied the Mishkat, I began to accept the Holy Qur’an as divine revelation. What persuaded me that the Qur’an must be from God and not composed by Muhammad (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him) was its satisfying and convincing answers to all the most important questions of life, which I could not find elsewhere.
As a child, I was so mortally afraid of death, particularly the thought of my own death, that after nightmares about it, sometimes I would awaken my parents crying in the middle of the night. When I asked them why I had to die, and what would happen to me after death, all they could say was that I had to accept the inevitable; but that was a long way off and because medical science was constantly advancing, perhaps I would live to be a hundred years old! My parents, family, and all our friends rejected as superstition any thought of the Hereafter, regarding Judgment Day, reward in Paradise or punishment in Hell as outmoded concepts of by-gone ages.

In vain, I searched all the chapters of the Old Testament for any clear and unambiguous concept of the Hereafter. The prophets, patriarchs and sages of the Bible all receive their rewards or punishments in this world. Typical is the story of Job (Hazrat Ayub). God destroyed all his loved-ones, his possessions, and afflicted him with a loathsome disease in order to test his faith. Job plaintively laments to God why He should make a righteous man suffer. At the end of the story, God restores all his earthly losses but nothing is even mentioned about any possible consequences in the Hereafter.

Margaret Marcus, an ex-Jew, describes how she felt after reading the Qur’an the first time. This is the third part of her story.

To be continued
n (Courtesy of www.islamreligion.com)http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/