The Gardens of Paradise

Trials!

shadows15 — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:37:51 +0000

“He whom Allah has predestined to enter Paradise, the reasons which will cause his entrance shall spring from calamities; and he whom Allah has predestined to enter the Hellfire, the reasons which will cause his entrance shall spring from lusts.” – Ibn Al-Qayyim

This piece of wisdom from Imam ibn-al Qayyim just amazed me. When a person is tested, there are many things that stem from this trial although he may dislike it. One of them is his need for Allah as well as his supplications which will be sincere which will ultimately bring him closer to Allah.

As for the one who is not tested and is given the good things in this world, he continues to indulge in desires until he is left alone heedlessly following every whim till death approaches him and he wakes up from this sleep.

Prisoners of Fate

shadows15 — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:23:37 +0000

“Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds.”
– Franklin Roosevelt

Recently I received an email with the quote above and decided to write a small blurb on it. Many people, especially Muslims are extremely talented, but are confined to a life of inability and impotence simply because of their lack of confidence and self-esteem. These people are plagued by doubt and the whispering of Satan which cripple any project or activity they decide to embark on even before they begin any initiative. Some Muslims even try hiding under the slogan of “qadar of Allah” and embrace a life of laziness which they justify with religious texts! However the reality is that laziness is from the traits of the munafiqeen as Allah says:

وَمَا مَنَعَهُمْ أَن تُقْبَلَ مِنْهُمْ نَفَقَاتُهُمْ إِلاَّ أَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُواْ بِاللّهِ وَبِرَسُولِهِ وَلاَ يَأْتُونَ الصَّلاَةَ إِلاَّ وَهُمْ كُسَالَى وَلاَ يُنفِقُونَ إِلاَّ وَهُمْ كَارِهُونَ

54: And nothing prevents their contributions from being accepted from them except that they disbelieved in Allah and in His Messenger (Muhammad SAW); and that they came not to As-Salat (the prayer) except in a lazy state…

So we see that Allah rebukes them first for their disbelief and secondly for their approaching the salaah with laziness. As for the believers, Allah commands them to hasten and hurry to gardens as wide as the heavens and earth:

133:And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqun (the pious – see V.2:2).

And He says:

سابقوا إلى مغفرة من ربكم وجنة عرضها كعرض السماء والأرض أعدت للذين آمنوا بالله ورسله ذلك فضل الله يؤتيه من يشاء والله ذو الفضل العظيم

21:Race one with another in hastening towards Forgiveness from your Lord (Allah), and towards Paradise, the width whereof is as the width of heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messengers. That is the Grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He pleases. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty.

Surely You Will Know

shadows15 — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:30:25 +0000

The Story of the Pretty Woman

shadows15 — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:00:50 +0000

A man was walking through the marketplace one afternoon when, just as the
muathin began the prayer, his eye fell on…a woman’s back.

She was strangely attractive, though dressed in fulsome black, a veil over head and face…and she now turned to him as if somehow conscious of his over-lingering regard…
and gave him a slight but meaningful nod before she rounded the corner into the lane of silk sellers.

Muslim Singles – Practimate!

shadows15 — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:10:51 +0000

I received this interesting video via email this morning talking about Muslim singles living in the west. It’s a nice poem with catchy rhymes that will make you laugh. Here’s one:

Interculture, found somebody, Parents said: Over my dead body!!!

Cell phone vs Quran

shadows15 — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:30:44 +0000

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Quran like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several time a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts? What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go….hmm…where is my Quran? Oh, and one more thing.

Unlike our cell phone, we don’t have to worry about our Quran being disconnected.

Makes you stop and think ‘where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!

How similar is today with yesterday!

shadows15 — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:47:35 +0000

THE GRANDCHILDREN OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS

FROM WORLD WAR II ARE DOING TO THE

PALESTINIANS EXACTLY WHAT WAS DONE TO THEM

BY NAZI GERMANY …

…PLEASE FORWARD…

BUILDING WALLS & FENCES TO KEEP PEOPLE IN PRISONS

CHECK POINTS NOT TO ALLOW PEOPLE BASIC FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT

ARRESTS & HARASSMENTS

DESTROYING HOMES & LIVELIHOODS

GIFTS (WITH LOVE) FROM THE CHILDREN OF PEACE-LOVING & CIVILIZED COUNTRIES

THE CLASSIC PROPAGANDA MACHINE – YOU WILL FIND THE PICTURE IN BLACK & WHITE IN ALL AMERICAN AND SOME OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES HISTORY BOOKS, ENCYCLOPAEDIAS, LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS… THAT DEPICTS A YOUNG JEWISH BOY WITH HIS HANDS UP WHILE NAZI TROOPS POINT THEIR GUNS AT HIM AND HIS FAMILY IN ORDER TO EXPEL THEM FROM THEIR HOMES… (IT’S SUPPOSED TO MAKE YOU SYMPATHIZE WITH THE VICTIMS & TO SUPPORT THEIR CAUSE FOR JUSTICE & A HOMELAND)

THE ISRAELIS PRACTICE THE SAME TACTICS

shadows15 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:08:28 +0000

Massacre in Gaza

shadows15 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:06:13 +0000

Here are some of the pictures of the genocide currently taking place in Palestine. Please forward this to as many people as possible and ask Allah that He brings relief to the people of Gaza.

Tips on Waking up for Fajr

shadows15 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:57:50 +0000

Assalamu alaikum,

I received an email from a brother prescribing certain tips that will help one in waking up for the most difficult prayer in the day….salatul fajr.

1. Keep Away from Ma’aasi (acts of disobedience) .
2. Avoid eating too much food.
3. Drink one or two glasses of water before going to bed.
4. Perform Wudoo (ablution) before going to bed.
5. Go to bed early.
6. Make Intention In your Heart to get up for Fajr.
7. Set your alarm.
8. Establish Fajr wake up calling
System with family and friends e.g.
Friends/family members calling,
Texting etc each other to help one another wake up for fajr.
9. Say prescribed supplications (Dua) before sleeping
10. Once awake, do not linger lazily in bed.
11. Go to your local masjid to pray
Also… one thing that helps that I do when I study late and stuff is put my alarm clock
(which is very loud) in the bathroom… thus Forcing you to get up and go to the bathroom
to shut it off. While you’re there in the bathroom,
just splash yourself with water and Walaa! You are awake and ready for Fajr.
Okay… so you dont have to do the splashing part, but try it.. it work Inshallah.
And the 2 advices above about staying away from sins and sleeping early
is very important. It is from the Rizq (provision/bounty)
Of Allah that He allows you to get up for Fajr, and when you start sinning
And things, He may keep you away from Fajr because Of your sins.
Memorize Quran or Recite Quran after Fajr Prayer !!

I want her to be…

shadows15 — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:19:32 +0000

Khalid bin Safwan saw a group in the mosque of Basrah, and he said, “What is this gathering?”

He was told, “There is a woman who informs men about women who are available for marriage.”

He went to her and said,”I want to marry a woman.”

She said, “Describe her to me.”

He said, “I want her to be a virgin who is wise like a married woman, or a married woman who is innocent like a virgin; she should be sweet when she is near, splendid when she is at a distance, she should have lived a life of luxury and then became afflicted with poverty — so she has the manners of the rich and the humility of the poor. When we gather wealth we should be as the people of the world, and when we become poor, we should be as the people of the Hereafter.”

She said, “I know of such a woman for you.” He said, “And where is she?” She said, “In Paradise, so work to achieve her!”

Eid Mubarak

shadows15 — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:07:08 +0000

Assalamu alaikum,

My apologies for the late Eid greeting even though Eid is for three days. I ask Allah to protect the Muslims wherever they go and make them from amongst those who are grateful when given, patient when tried and repentant after sinning for indeed these three are the keys to happiness!

Court Hearing for Tariq Mehanna

shadows15 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:59:05 +0000

17/11/2008
Court Hearing for Tariq Mehanna

Show Your Support – Attend the Hearing

Monday, November 17, 2008
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Location:
John Joseph Moakley US Federal Courthouse
1 Courthouse Way
Boston
Massachusetts 02210
(617) 748 9152

Please show your support by attending Tarek’s next court appearance.
Who is Tariq Mehanna?

Tariq Mehanna is a 26 year old American citizen, of Egyptian extract, who lived with his parents in Sudbury, Boston. He earned a doctorate in pharmacy from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in May 2008.

Mehanna was arrested on Saturday 8th November 2008, at Logan International Airport, as he was about to board a flight to start a new job in a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Mehanna had been the subject of harassment from the FBI for some time, pressuring him to become an informant for the government or else charges would be laid against him. Mehanna has now been charged with knowingly make false statements concerning an FBI investigation involving international terrorism. He is not facing any charges of terrorism. His family questioned the decision to arrest him two years after the FBI had interviewed him and just as he was about to leave the country.

His lawyer, J.W. Carney Jr., commented, “Tarek is an American citizen with no prior criminal record whatsoever. He recently graduated from a Massachusetts college and was on his way abroad to begin a job working in a renowned medical facility. If this is the FBI’s idea of a terrorist, they are using a net that is designed to catch minnows instead of sharks.”

The FBI affidavit alleges that Tarek told agents in December 2006 that he had known detainee Daniel Maldonado for three or four years and when he last spoke to him two weeks earlier he had been living in Alexandria, Egypt. Maldanado was arrested in January 2007 and became the first US citizen charged with participating in terrorist activities in Somalia. The FBI claim that Maldanado actually contacted Mehanna from Somalia four days prior to the FBI interview. They rely upon statements made by Maldonado under interrogation whilst he was held without charge or access to a lawyer, in the Horn of Africa. Other detainees captured in the region at the same time have reported the use of torture and threats during interrogations. After Maldonado’s capture a month later, a cooperating witness secretly recorded conversations with Mehanna, in which he is alleged to have admitted lying to the FBI about Maldanado’s whereabouts.

On November 10th, Mehanna was ordered held without bail pending a hearing on whether he should be jailed without bail until the case is resolved.

One acquaintance of Mehanna’s left a comment on the Boston Globe’s website “I happen to know this young man. He’s got a great sense of humour and is well liked by many, many people in and around Boston. He cares deeply about others and I have seen first hand how he gives freely of his time and money to help others. After getting his Pharmacy degree, he was looking forward to his new job and eventually getting married. The Feds can hold him all they want, but they will have a very tough road in trying to convince people he’s the horrible person they want to make him out to be.”

CAN’T MAKE IT?

If you cannot attend the hearing then please show your support by sending a message for Tarek and/or his family to contact@cageprisoners.com

A Tireless Horse, Invincible Army, Impenetrable Castle

shadows15 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:12:33 +0000

A question was asked on Islam-QA :

Could you tell me some of the verses and ahaadeeth that speak of the virtue of patience?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah has made patience like a horse that never gets tired, an army that can never be defeated and a strong fortress that can never be breached. Patience and victory are twin brothers, for victory comes with patience, relief comes with distress and ease comes with hardship. Patience is of more help to the one who has it than men, as it helps without any need for equipment or numbers and its relationship to victory is like that of the head to the body.

In the Qur’aan, Allaah has guaranteed those who are patient that He will give them reward without measure.

He tells them that He is with them by guiding and supporting them and granting them a clear victory. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Surely, Allaah is with those who are As‑Saabiroon (the patient)”

[al-Anfaal 6:46]

Allaah has made leadership in terms of religion conditional upon patience and certain faith, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We made from among them (Children of Israel), leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)”

[al-Sajdah 32:34]

Allaah tells us that patience is better for those who are patient, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“But if you endure patiently, verily, it is better for As‑Saabiroon (the patient)”

[al-Nahl 16:126]

Allaah tells us if we are patient and pious, the plot of the enemy cannot do any harm, even if he is powerful, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“But if you remain patient and become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious), not the least harm will their cunning do to you. Surely, Allaah surrounds all that they do”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:120]

Allaah tells us that the patience and piety of his Prophet Yoosuf brought him to a position of power and strength, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, he who fears Allaah with obedience to Him (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds), and is patient, then surely, Allaah makes not the reward of the Muhsinoon (good‑doers) to be lost”

[Yoosuf 12:90]

Allaah has connected success to patience and piety, and the believers understand that. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Endure and be more patient (than your enemy), and guard your territory by stationing army units permanently at the places from where the enemy can attack you, and fear Allaah, so that you may be successful”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:200]

Allaah tells us that He loves those who are patient, and that is the greatest encouragement. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And Allaah loves As-Saabiroon (the patient)”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:146]

Allaah has given glad tidings of three things to those who are patient, each of which is better than that for which the people of this world envy one another. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“but give glad tidings to As‑ Saabiroon (the patient).

156. Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: ‘Truly, to Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.’

157. They are those on whom are the Salawaat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones”

[al-Baqarah 2:155-157]

Allaah exhorts His slaves to seek help with patience and prayer when facing calamities that may befall a person. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And seek help in patience and As-Salaah (the prayer) and truly, it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al-Khaashi‘oon [i.e. the true believers in Allaah — those who obey Allaah with full submission, fear much from His punishment, and believe in His Promise (Paradise) and in His Warnings (Hell)]”
[al-Baqarah 2:54]

Allaah states that the victory of attaining Paradise and being saved from Hell will be won only by those who are patient, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, I have rewarded them this Day for their patience; they are indeed the ones that are successful”

[al-Mu’minoon 23:111]

Allaah tells us that the desire to earn His reward and to turn away from this world and its adornments is attained only by those who are patient and are believers. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: “Woe to you! The reward of Allaah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and this none shall attain except those who are As‑Saabiroon (the patient in following the truth)”

[al-Qasas 28:80]

Allaah tells us that repelling evil with that which is better makes the evildoer become like a close friend. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e. Allaah orders the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly) then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend”

[Fussilat 41:34]

But this is something that “none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient — and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of happiness in the Hereafter, i.e., Paradise and of a high moral character) in this world” [Fussilat 41:35].

Allaah tells us, and reinforces it with an oath, (interpretation of the meaning):

“By Al‑‘Asr (the time).

2. Verily, man is in loss,

3. Except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth [i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al‑Ma‘roof) which Allaah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al‑Munkar) which Allaah has forbidden], and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allaah’s Cause during preaching His religion of Islamic Monotheism or Jihad)”

[al-‘Asr 103]

Allaah will divide His creation into two categories: those who are on the right hand and those who are on the left hand (cf. al-Waaqi’ah 56:8ff); those who are on the right hand are those who recommend one another to patience and mercy.

Allaah has chosen the people of patience and gratitude to benefit from His signs and be distinguished by this great good fortune. He says in four places in His Book (interpretation of the meaning):

“Truly, therein are Ayaat (evidences, proofs and signs) for every patient, thankful (person)”

[Ibraahem 14:5; Luqmaan 31:31; Saba 24:19; al-Shoora 42:33]

Allaah has made forgiveness and reward conditional upon doing righteous deeds and being patient, and that is easy for the one for whom He makes it easy. Allaah says:

“Except those who show patience and do righteous good deeds: those, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (Paradise)”

[Hood 11:11]

Allaah tells us that patience and forgiveness are among the things recommended by Allaah and those who pay heed to this will never lose, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allaah”

[al-Shoora 42:34]

Allaah commanded His Messenger to wait patiently for His Decision, and told him that his patience is not but from Him, and by virtue of patience all calamities become easy, as He said (interpretation of the meaning):

“So wait patiently (O Muhammad) for the Decision of your Lord, for verily, you are under Our Eyes”

[al-Toor 52:48]

And He said (interpretation of the meaning):

“And endure you patiently (O Muhammad), your patience is not but from Allaah. And grieve not over them (polytheists and pagans), and be not distressed because of what they plot.

128. Truly, Allaah is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him), and those who are Muhsinoon (good‑doers)”

[al-Nahl 16:127]

Patience is the foundation of the believer’s faith which has no other foundation. The one who has no patience has no faith, and if he has any, then it is only a little faith and it is very weak, and such a person worships Allaah as it were upon the edge (i.e. in doubt): if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him he turns back on his face (i.e. reverts to disbelief after embracing Islam). He loses both this world and the Hereafter (cf. al-Hajj 22:11). All he gets from them is a losing deal.

The best life is attained by the blessed through patience, and they rise to the highest degrees through their gratitude. So they fly on the wings of patience and gratitude to gardens of delight (i.e., Paradise). That is the bounty of Allaah that He bestows upon whomsoever He will, and Allaah is the Owner of Great Bounty. End quote from ‘Uddat al-Saabireen by Ibn al-Qayyim, p. 3-5.

With regard to the ahaadeeth which speak of the virtue of patience, they include the following:

Al-Bukhaari (1496) and Muslim (1053) narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “…whoever is patient Allaah will bestow patience upon him, and no one is ever given anything better and more generous than patience.” And Muslim (918) narrated that Umm Salamah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (S) say: “There is no Muslim who is stricken with a calamity and says what Allaah has enjoined – ‘Verily to Allaah we belong and unto Him is our return. O Allaah, reward me for my affliction and compensate me with something better’ – but Allaah will compensate him with something better.”

And Muslim (2999) narrated that Suhayb (may Allaah be pleased with him)said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is good for him.”

For more ahaadeeth about the virtue of patience and exhortation to be patient, please see al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb by al-Mundhiri (4/274-302).

‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: Allaah has not bestowed any blessing upon His slaves then taken it away and replaced it with patience, but what He has compensated them with is better than what He has taken away.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

O People!

shadows15 — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 12:15:42 +0000

‘Abdullah ibn Hakeem reported that Abu Bakr radiyallaahu `anhu delivered the following sermon:

“To proceed, I indeed advice both myself and you to fear Allah, to praise Him as he deserves to be praised, to combine hope and fear, and to unite persistency with supplication (and prayer). For indeed, Allah praised Zakariyyah and the members of his household by saying:

“Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us.” (Qur’an 21:90)

And know, O slaves of Allah….that Allaah has taken covenants from you, and that He has purchased (from you) that which is little and fleeting for that which is plentiful and everlasting. Here among you is the Book of Allah, whose wonders never run out, and whose light never extinguishes. Believe in Allah’s speech, be sincere to His Book, and seek light from it for the Day of Darkness. Indeed, you have been created only to worship (Allah). And Allah has entrusted you to noble scribes [the blessed angels who record our deeds] who know what you do. Also know, O slaves of Allah, you come and go (on this earth) for an appointed time, and when it is that your time will come you do not know. If your are able to coincide your appointed time with a deed that you are performing for the sake of Allah, then do so. But you will not be able to do so except with Allah’s help…There are people who spent their lives for others, all the while forgetting themselves (i.e. their duties towards their Lord); I forbid you from becoming like them. So hasten, hasten (to perform good deeds), and then there will be salvation, salvation! Verily, you are being pursued from behind by that which travels with greet speed (ie, the time of your life).”

According to another account, Abu Bakr radiyallaahu `anhu also said,

“Where are the brothers you once knew? Where are the companions you once knew? They have reached where they were meant to go, having been met by the deeds they performed in their days gone by. They reside there (in the Hereafter) either in misery or happiness. Where are the arrogant tyrants who built the townships and encircled them with walls? They are now underneath stones and wells. Where are those whos faces were beautiful and full of light, those who were impressed by their youth? Where are the kings? Where are those who were granted victory on the fields of war? Time has caused them to decay, and they are now in the darkness of their graves. There is no goodness in saying that which is not spoken for the countenance of Allah, There is no goodness in wealth that is not spent in the path of Allah. There is no goodness in a person whose ignorance has overcome his forbearance. And there is no goodness in a person who, when it comes to doing something for the sake of Allah, fears the blame of a blamer. Between Allah and any person there is no familial relation, and so none can hope to receive anything from Him through such a relationship ( i.e. since no one is related to Allah, none can hope for the kind of help they receive from relatives on this earth based on family loyalty and love), nor can one hope that Allah will save him from evil (based on the same reason.) He gives goodness and saves from evil only through obedience to Him and the following of His commands. there is no such thing as something that is good if it leads to the Hellfire, and there is no such thing as something that is evil if it leads to Paradise…Because you are needy and poor (to Allah), I advice you to fear Allah, to praise Him as He deserves to be praised – and to ask for His forgiveness; for indeed, He is oft-forgiving. I have said what I needed to say, and I ask Allah for forgiveness, for both myself and you.”[1]

*****

“There are five dark matters and five lamps (to illuminate them (or in some cases, to counteract them)). Love of this world is darkness, and At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, the fear of Allaah) is its lamp. Sin is darkness, and its lamp is repentance. The grave is darkness, and its lamp is (the phrase) ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.’ The Hereafter is darkness and its lamp is the good deed. The Siraat (the bridge over Hellfire that every person will have to cross in the Hereafter) is darkness, and its lamp is certainty of Faith.”[2]

*****

Ausat ibn Ismaa’eel (may Allah have mercy on him) reported that, one year after the Prophet’s Death, he heard Abu Bakr radiyallaahu `anhu deliver the following sermon:

“The messenger of Allah stood among us the previous year just as I am standing here before you today.”

Abu Bakr radiyallaahu `anhu then began to cry; according to one account, he cried so uncontrollably that he was not able to speak for a while. Finally, after a long pause, Abu Bakr radiyallaahu `anhu continued,

“O people, ask Allah for well-being (physical, but especially spiritual well-being; and also, well-being in the hereafter), for with the exception of certainty of Faith, there is nothing better that He gives to anyone than well-being. Always be truthful for truthfulness is the companion of piety – and both of them are in Paradise. And beware of lying, for it is indeed the companion of wickedness, and both of them are in the Hellfire. Do not break off ties of family relationships; do not plot against one another; do not despise one another; do not be jealous of one another – but instead be slaves of Allah, brothers unto one another.”[3]

*****

Az-Zubair ibn Al-’Awwaam radiyallaahu `anhu reported that Abu Bakr radiyallaahu `anhu said during one of his sermons,

“O group of Muslims, be shy of Allah (the Possessor of Might and Majesty), for by the one Who has my soul in His Hand, I seek cover when I go out to relieve myself in the wide-open desert by using my robe as a veil. I do so out of shyness to Allah, the Possessor of Might and Majesty.”[4]

—–
[1] The chain of narration receives a Hasan (good, acceptable) grading not because of its inherent strength, but because of other narrations that attest to and strengthen it. it is related in Musannaf ibn Abee Shaibah (7/144). Refer to Saheeh At-Tautheeq Fee Seerat Wa-Hayaat As-Siddeeq (pg.181)

[2] Faraaid Al-Kalaam Lil-Khulafaa Al-Kiraam, by Qaasim ‘Aashoor (pg.29).

[3] Saheeh At-Tawtheeq Fee Seerat Wa-Hayaat As-Siddeeq (pg.179)

[4] Saheeh At-Tawtheeq Fee Seerat Wa-Hayaat As-Siddeeq (pg.179)

…Two years have passed

shadows15 — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:36:45 +0000

“…Two years have passed since my arrest. When I was taken to Maplehurst I was held in the custody of the Institutional Crisis Intervention Team. Whenever I was moved from place to place, they would force me to run with my hands and legs shacked while my back was bent at 90 degrees forward.

When I was first brought to cell 1 unit 1K, I was slammed face first on the floor, a huge shield was then pressed against my back while a guard smeared my face with his boots because I dared lift my head..”

In the Name of Allah the Most Merciful the Most Compassionate

Bismillahir Rahman Nir raheem

Two years have passed since my arrest. When I was taken to Maplehurst I was held in the custody of the Institutional Crisis Intervention Team. Whenever I was moved from place to place, they would force me to run with my hands and legs shacked while my back was bent at 90 degrees forward.

Whenever I was moved out of my cell, I was required to slide my hands through the hatch of the door, before it was opened in order to be hand cuffed. To do this I had to kneel on both knees. Many times when I put my hands through the hatch, the guards would forcefully pull my wrists so that my forehead would slam against the metal door.

Whenever the guards came in to collect the garbage they would often apply wrestling manoeuvres on me for the purpose of entertaining themselves. They would sometimes apply pressure on sensitive areas such as my temple and fingers. One day when I came back from court, a guard twisted my hands above my head forcing me to skip on one foot back to my cell.

Since then I have languished in solitary confinement, where for the first year on a daily basis, I spent 23 hours and 40 minutes in a cell no bigger than an apartment’s washroom.

The 23 hours and 40 minutes became a complete 24 hours when I was transferred to the Don Jail. Since then, I have seen the sun less than 10 times and have gone to the exercise yard less than 30 times.

My health, psychologically and physically is deteriorating. I was planning to testify at my trial but now I am not even sure if I will be mentally capable of doing so by the time it comes around, if it ever does.

As for the state of this so called Judicial Process, then I must admit I was naïve. I came in two years ago with the expectation of transparency only to be confronted with section 38, complete denial of CSIS disclosure, censorship of vital information in the so-called RCMP disclosure, and the concealing of state agents identities which by law must be revealed as opposed to informants whose identities are protected.

To expect the accused to mount an adequate defence in the face of such barriers, in a case which is political and state entrapment is a live issue, is to expect a frail old man to defend himself with his hands tied behind and eyes blindfolded, against a professional boxer.

I am not being subjective. I realize that all government agencies have secrets that must be protected. However, authorities have in the past used ‘ National Security’ to cover up their dirty work, exculpatory evidence and embarrassing facts. The Maher Arar case is a classic example.

Last year, I was denied the freedom to mix with the other human beings due to the dreamed up danger that I could somehow pose or communicate from within a six-cell block, monitored physically by correctional officers as well as virtually by closed circuit cameras, within a maximum security prison.

During about the same time, I conceded committal to trial for the exchange of having the opportunity to cross-examine a list of witnesses agreed upon by the crown. Both parties signed this agreement yet somehow, we are to believe, there was some alleged ambiguity that allowed the crown to file a direct indictment and effectively breach its undertaking. Now I am in a difficult position of having to cross-examine the main witness in my case, for the first time, at trial.

The unfair manoeuvre has also effectively robbed me of the ability to discover my case, which is a fundamental necessity for developing my defence. This is not an alleged bank robbery or a drug bust. The stakes for the government and the authorities are high thus making the potential for corruption and malice equally high if not higher.

During the adult preliminary, Mr. Bond used to monitor our eye blinks in the prisoner box to ensure that we were not violating the communication ban. While he was busy doing that, his star witness Mubin Shiekh was slaughtering the publication ban on National and international airwaves.

The crown held and is still holding the accused on various charges based on the desire to exaggerate this case and in order to hamper their bail chances and not on the merits of evidence.

These are only some of the main issues that I have. They may very well be supported by law, but at the end of the day, they remain unfair to any mind endowed with the faculty of reason and understanding. As St. Augustine said “An unjust law is no law at all“.

I never asked anyone to believe that I was innocent. All I ever asked for was a chance to prove it. After two years, I have come to realize that even this simple request is too much to expect from this process.

In conclusion, to continue to respect such a process is an insult to my dignity, the very little intellect that I have and my faith.

I will God willing, continue to defend myself through my lawyers, and I will continue to obey orders made by the court with the exception of the order to show it respect since I can’t be expected to give what I no longer have. This, in effect, means that I will no longer stand up for any judge as he/she enters and leaves the courtroom.

Based of the rhythm of the past two years, I have extrapolated the tune of the coming two years, and I’m not willing to be the fool that dances to it.

God willing, the complete and undistorted truth about the ‘ Toronto18′ will one day surface.

Zakaria Amara

Accused in Toronto18 case

Don jail

Happiness?

shadows15 — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:32:36 +0000

“I have become tired of this life. There is not a place on earth that I have not travelled to! There is not a dish in the world except that I have tasted it. There is not a woman that I adored except that I did what I wanted to her!”

Listen to this captivating story of a billionaire who attempted to commit suicide 16 times and who was then guided to Islam.

Time

shadows15 — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:15:10 +0000

Have you ever thought of time? Have you ever thought of this concept that is continuously on the move without a glance in anyone’s direction. Time is something shared by all but yet held by none. Time is always with us but yet is always in constant movement. Time is such a valuable commodity that can be neither purchased, rented out or stored for later use. Sometimes we feel as if time has stopped while at other times the whole day flashes by in a flash. If you were to sum up your entire life and all that you did, your story will not be more than a couple of minutes.

Thus we should spend our lives working towards that which will be perpetual and not ephemeral. Why focus entirely on the life of this world when the life of the hereafter is racing towards us with each passing second? Can you imagine a person racing towards that which is leaving him- this world, while ignoring that which is hastening towards him-the hereafter?

If an entire day passes you by without accomplishing something
praiseworthy, then know that this will be a cause for regret on the Day you will be brought to account. Those minutes that don’t seem like a big deal add up to hours, days, weeks then years and finally a lifetime.

Indeed it is in the time frame of life that our deeds are registered,
our every action accounted for and ultimately our rewards dependent
upon. The hustle and bustle of our daily routines will continue to keep
us occupied until we are finally in our graves; only then will we
realize how fast and deceptive this life really was. And what is the
worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion? Have you not heard the
statement of Allah:

“Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and
adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of
wealth and children…” Surah Hadid (57:20)

Thus we should all try to start fresh today and make a resolution to
make the most out of our day. Live in the moment and do not look forth
to tomorrow for tomorrow never comes.

Abdullah Ibn Umar narrates: one day I was with the Messenger of
Allah (Sal Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam). He then turned to me, held my
shoulders with both of his blessed hands, and said:

“Be in this life like a stranger or a traveler.”

And whenever Ibn Umar narrated this to his disciples he would add:
If you reach the evening, do not await (to be alive) by dawn, And if
you reach dawn, do not await (to be alive) by evening. Take advantage
of your Health before you fall sick. And take advantage of your life,
before you die. Bukhari {Volume 8, Book 76, Number 425}

Do you not see your life is just a number of events that unfold one
after another. We start class and say ‘can’t wait till its over.’ We
start work and say ‘can’t wait till its over’ and our life runs its
course like this until we realize that years have passed and we have
nothing to show for. Live in the moment and make ready all you can for
the most important day of your entire existence!

“[And take a provision (with you) for the journey; verily the best provision is Taqwa (piety and righteousness).] “

Al Baqarah 2:197

Do not despair…

shadows15 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:12:06 +0000

Here is a poem written by Fahim Ahmad, one of the Toronto 18 to his parents. We ask Allah that He unites them together in this world and in the gardens of eternity! Allahuma Ameen