Religion & Society

 C H A P T E R 3 : 

A L E T T E R 

The beauty of modest dress is a gift of honor that Allah has only bestowed on human beings. No other living creature has been given this blessing, which is an expression of culture, elegance and beauty. In this respect Allah says in Holy Quran,

“O children of Adam! We have sent down upon you raiments to conceal your shame and serve as protection and decoration.” Chapter 7: Line 2

'Abd al-Rahman son of Abd Sa'id al-Khudri reported on the authority of his father that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Bathing on Friday for every adult, using of Miswak and applying some perfume, that is available-these are essential. So far as the perfume is concerned, it may be that used by a lady.

Turn on any television or open any newspaper and you can’t help but notice the escalating Islamophobia that exists in America and abroad. Cleverly disguised as campaigns against terrorism, the various media outlets broadcast this manufactured fear around the world.

The village of Owego, in upstate New York, nestled along the tranquil Susquehanna River was the serene backdrop for the United Muslim Christian Forum’s majestic 4th Annual Milad-un-Nabi Interfaith Program, commemorating the auspicious birth of The Seal of the Messengers, Muhammad Mustafa, peace be upon him. His coming was foretold by the Anointed One, Jesus, son of Mary, (peace be upon him) in the Gospel of Barnabas. The Holy Last Messenger, Muhammad, is historically known for formulating the first charter on human rights, dispelling the darkness of polytheism, and raising society from the grip of self-oppression and ignorance to a status of sobriety, honor and integrity. By his life example, peace be upon him, hearts are turned - making tyrant into merciful ruler, sinner into saint.

In the Special Edition, January 2011 issue, of the Islamic Post an ayah from the 60th chapter in the Holy Quran, Sura Mumtahana (60:3), was explained for it more appropriately displays an Islamic perspective as concerns the treatment of Non-Muslims. Currently Islamic sentiments in this regard are negatively portrayed by an often misrepresented ayah from another chapter; Surah Tauba (9:5) in which it is frequently translated as “kill all infidels”.  Also mentioned was the fact that in order to truly understand the Quran, a multifaceted approach is necessary and part of that entails an understanding of the “asbabul nazul” or reason for revelation of the individual parts.  The danger of taking an ayah and simply disseminating the words face value is that misunderstandings are created.  In truth this is done on purpose for these very misconstructions are tools used by the agencies of hate that exist worldwide.   These evildoers are not only attempting to extinguish the light of Islam, but to also destroy the pillars of all religions.  As all mankind is the family of God we must not sit idly by and allow these agents of hate to be successful.   In light of that, if the true meanings of this Islamic holy script, the Quran, are elucidated and disseminated, then appropriate insight into the inner meaning of Islam can be achieved and the animosity that has been created between religions—especially Christianity and Islam—can be eliminated.  That being said it would be helpful to expound on the reason for revelation of this repeatedly misread ayah.  Although this subject is very extensive, an attempt will be made to cover the breadth of it in a two part article starting with the historical aspect and a discussion to follow in part two.

The positive beginnings of the Obama administration spawned an overall decrease in anti-Islamic sentiments in America and abroad. However, threatened by this success, and the achievement of Muslim-Christian unity, the hatemongers have recently intensified their efforts to make certain Islamophobia prevails. Consequently, true Muslims must do their part to show the world the correct Islamic perspective regarding the treatment of non-Muslims by promoting the esteemed stature of Islamic principles in word and deed as a means to accomplish the eradication of the false notion propagated by advocates of hate that Muslims want to “kill all infidels”. This incomplete, commonly misquoted part of the Holy Quran displays how vitally important it is to not only read the individual lines, but also to read the accompanying commentary and additional resources, to avoid misinterpretation. Many ayaat [signs] of Holy Quran contain detailed aspects of history and commentary and may span several pages of explanation. This crucial research enables the reader to comprehend the reason each segment was revealed and the context in which Almighty God sent them down.

March 14 in Binghamton, New York, marked the third celebration of the annual United Muslim Christian Forum’s (UMCF) Eid Miladun Nabi Parade and Festival, a continental commemoration of the birth and life of the Holy Last Messenger, Muhammad, as well as the mission and majesty of Jesus, son of Mary (peace be upon them).

It was a beautiful Tuesday morning in the hospital room of Hazrat Hafizah Begum –Umm Layla (Allah’s mercy be upon her). Her hymn “One Surrounded by Angels” was sung for her. A short time later, her eyes opened -eyes that had not opened in two and a half days. Umm Layla (Allah’s mercy be upon her) lifted her arms, smiled and took one last breath. 

In this day and time of pseudo patriotism, partisan political drama, and theatrical religious pundits, it becomes necessary almost daily to step back from the corporate media machine and call for a personal time out. The sensory overload of bad news –real, imagined and manufactured– can and does create hyper stress over time for millions of people worldwide. 

.He who knoweth his own self, knoweth God.
· He will not enter hell who hath faith equal to a mustard seed in his heart, and he will not enter Paradise who hath a single grain of pride, equal to a mustard seed in his heart.