Zaira Wasim: Indian Film Industry’s Work Environment ‘Consistently Interfered With My Iman (Faith)’

By Zaira Wasim

30 June, 2019

National Award-winning actor Zaira Wasim announced her decision to disassociate from Bollywood and a career in acting Sunday, saying that the lifestyle had taken her away from her faith and towards a ‘path of ignorance.’

In a detailed post on her Facebook page and other social media platforms, the 18-year-old Kashmiri-born star of Dangal fame said that the Indian film industry’s work environment “consistently interfered with my Iman (faith)” and threatened her relationship with her religion.

Five years ago I made a decision that changed my life forever. As I stepped my foot in Bollywood, it opened doors of massive popularity for me. I started to become the prime candidate of public attention; I was projected as the gospel of the idea of success and was often identified as a role model for the youth. However, that’s never something that I set out to do or become, especially with regards to my ideas of success and failure, which I had just started to explore and understand.

As I complete 5 years today, I want to confess that I am not truly happy with this identity i.e my line of work. For a very long time now it has felt like I have struggled to become someone else. As I had just started to explore and make sense of the things to which I dedicated my time, efforts and emotions and tried to grab hold of a new lifestyle, it was only for me to realise that though I may fit here perfectly, I do not belong here. This field indeed brought a lot of love, support, and applause my way, but what it also did was to lead me to a path of ignorance, as I silently and unconsciously transitioned out of Iman.

While I continued to work in an environment that consistently interfered with my Imaan, my relationship with my religion was threatened. As I continued to ignorantly pass through while I kept trying to convince myself that what I was doing is okay and isn’t really affecting me, I lost all the Barakah from my life. Barakat is word whose meaning isn’t just confined to happiness, quantity or blessing, it also focuses on the idea of stability, which is something I struggled with extensively.

I was constantly battling with my soul to reconcile my thoughts and instincts to fix a static picture of my Imaan and I failed miserably, not just once but a hundred times. No matter how hard I tried to wrestle to firm my decision, I ended up being the same person with a motive that one day I will change and I will change soon. I kept procrastinating by tricking and deluding my conscience into the idea that I know what I am doing doesn’t feel right but assumed that I will put an end to this whenever the time feels right and I continued to put myself in a vulnerable position where it was always so easy to succumb to the environment that damaged my peace, iman and my relationship with Allah. I continued to observe things and twist my perceptions as I wanted them to be, without really understanding that the key is to see them as they are. I kept trying to escape but somehow I always ended up hitting a dead end, in an endless loop with a missing element that kept torturing me with a longing I was neither able to make sense of nor satisfy. Until I decided to confront my weakness and began to strive and correct my lack of knowledge and understanding by attaching my heart with the words of Allah. In the great and divine wisdom of the Quran, I found sufficiency and peace. Indeed the hearts find peace when it acquires the knowledge of Its Creator, His Attributes, His Mercy and His commandments.

I began to heavily rely upon Allah’s mercy for my help and guidance instead of valuing my own believability. I discovered my lack of knowledge of the basic fundamentals of my religion and how my inability to reinforce a change earlier was a result of confusing my heart’s contentment and well being with strengthening and satisfying my own (shallow and worldly) desires. I discovered my disease of doubt & error that my heart was afflicted with- There are 2 types of diseases that attack the heart, one; DOUBT and Error and the second; LUST and Desire. Both are mentioned in the Quran.

Allah says,

 “In their hearts is a disease (of doubt & hypocrisy) and Allah increased their disease. [Quran 2:10].

And I realized the remedy to this could only be attained through the guidance of Allah and indeed Allah guided my path when I lost my way.

Quran and the guidance of Allah’s messenger (PBUH) became the weighing factor in my decision making and reasoning and it has changed my approach to life and it’s meaning.

Our desires are a reflection of our morals; our values are an externalization of our internal integrity. Similarly, our relationship with the Quran and Sunnah defines and sets the tone of our relationship with Allah and our religion, our ambitions, purpose and the meaning of life. I carefully questioned the deepest sources of my ideas of success, meaning and the purpose of my life. The source code that governed and impacted my perceptions evolved into a different dimension. Success isn’t correlated with our biased, delusional and conventional shallow measures of life. Success is the accomplishment of the purpose of our creation. We have forgotten the purpose we were created for as we ignorantly continue to pass through our lives; deceiving our conscience.

 “And That the hearts of those who don’t believe in the hereafter, may incline to it (the deception) and that they may be well pleased with it and that they may earn what they are going to earn, (and it’ll be evil). [Quran 6:113]

Our purpose, our righteousness or terribleness isn’t defined by our selfish consumption; it isn’t equated by the worldly measures. Allah says,

 “I swear (by Al-Asr) by time (that’s running out). Verily, man is drowning in great loss, with the exception of (a few) those who believe, do good deeds and call on another to the way of truth and counsel one another to patience and perseverance. [Quran 103]

This journey has been exhausting, to battle my soul for so long. Life is too short yet too long to be at war with oneself. Therefore, today I arrive at this well-grounded decision and I officially declare my disassociation with this field. The success of the journey is dependent on how you take the first step and the reason why I am openly doing so is not to paint a holier picture of myself but this is the least I can do to start afresh and this is just my first step as I have arrived at the clarity of realisation of the path I wish to be on and strive for and during this time I may have consciously or unconsciously planted a seed of temptation in the hearts of many but my sincere advice to everyone is that no amount of success, fame, authority or wealth is worth trading or losing your peace or the light of your Imaan for. Strive not to surrender to your desires for desires are infinite and always leap out ahead of whatever has just been achieved. Do not deceive yourself or become deluded and find believability in the self assured biased narratives of the principles of Deen-where one conceals the truth while knowing it or where one picks and chooses to accept only what suits his situation or desires the best. Sometimes we have deep flaw in our Imaan and we often cover it up with words and philosophies. What we say is not in our hearts and we seek every manner of excuse for clinging to it and indeed He is aware of the contradictions, He is aware of all the thoughts unspoken for He is All-Hearing (As-Sami), the All-Seeing (Al-Baseer), and the All-Knowing (Al-Aleem).

 “And Allah knows what you conceal and what you reveal”. [Quran 16:19].

Instead of valuing your own deceptive conviction, make genuine efforts to strive and discover and understand the truth yourself with a heart full of faith and sincerity.

“O you who have believed, if you are conscious of Allah, He will give you the ability to distinguish right from wrong”. (Quran 8:29).

Don’t look for role models or measures of success in the displeasure of Allah and the transgressions of His commandments. Do not allow such people to influence your choices in life or dictate your goals or ambitions. The Prophet said, “A person will be (raised on the day of Judgement) with whom he loves.” And do not become arrogant to seek advice from the better informed but position yourself away from your ego and arrogance and rely only on Allah’s guidance, indeed only He is the turner of the hearts and the ones He guides, none can lead astray. Not everyone has the conscience or the conscious to recognise what we need to know or change and hence, it is not for us to judge, abuse, belittle or mock such people. It is our responsibility to make a positive impact by reinforcing the correct understanding by reminding each other.

 “And remind, for indeed the reminder benefits the believers” (Quran 51:55).

And we must do so not by ramming facts down each other’s throats by abuse or hostile behaviour or through violent disapprovals but it can only be done through kindness and mercy that we can affect the people around us. [If you see that one of you has slipped, correct him, pray for him and do not help the Shaytan against him by insulting or mocking him- Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab].

But before we do that we must remember to exemplify Islam and it’s understanding ourselves in our knowledge and in our hearts, actions, intentions and behaviour and then use it to benefit the ones lack grasp on the fundamentals of the religion in terms of understanding, beliefs and manners. And remember that when you will start your journey or to find your ground in His Commandments- you are going face hardships, resistance, ridicule or discomfort from others and sometimes it can come from people who you love and are the closest to you. Sometimes it can be because of how you have been acting previously or have acted all your life, but do not let it discourage you or lead you to lose hope in Allah’s mercy and guidance- for He is Al-Hādīy (The Guide). Do not let your previous actions stop you from seeking repentance; know that He is Al-Ghaffaar (The repeatedly forgiving).

 Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves. [Quran, 2:222].

Do not let the judgement, ridicule, abuse, words or fear of people take you off from the path you wish to be on or stop you from expressing yourself to the fullest, remember He is Al-Walīy the helper. Do not let the worry of tomorrow get in your way to reassess your life, for he is Ar-Ražzaq (The Provider).

It can be a tough, complicated and sometimes an unimaginably lonely path, especially in today’s time but remember the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “There will come upon the people a time when holding onto the religion will be like holding onto hot coal.”

May Allah guide our boats to find its shore and help us to distinguish between truth and deception. May Allah makes us strengthen us in our Imaan and make us amongst the ones who engage in His remembrance and make our hearts firm and help us to remain steadfast. May Allah give us a better understanding of His wisdom and allow us to exhibit our efforts to alleviate doubt and error at individual levels and guide each other. May Allah cleanse our hearts from hypocrisy, arrogance and ignorance and rectify our intentions and grant us sincerity in speech and in our deeds. Ameen

Source: The Print

URL:  http://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/zaira-wasim/zaira-wasim--indian-film-industry’s-work-environment-‘consistently-interfered-with-my-iman-(faith)’/d/119053

What Does Taqwa Mean?

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam

18 June 2019

Strangely, I find Islamic scholars struggling to give the meaning of Taqwa although; the Quran gives the meaning directly as follows:

ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

(2:2) This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to the Muttaqin.

The above verses says that the Quran is a Book of certain guidance for the Muttaqin and the verse below says that whoever listens to the Word or command of Allah, and then follows the command in the best possible manner, are the ones whom Allah has guided, or in other words these people are the Muttaqin.

الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَاهُمُ اللَّـهُ ۖ وَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمْ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

(39:18) Those who listen to the Word, and follow the best thereof: those are the ones whom Allah has guided, and those are the ones endued with understanding.

Taqwa is therefore to follow the commands of Allah in the best possible manner. The Quran also makes clear how to obey the important commands of Allah in the best possible manner.

Taqwa in Salat

For example, if it is Salat, then, it is performed facing Kabaa (2:149 and 150), celebrating “Allah´s praises in the manner Allah has taught you, which ye knew not before” (2:239). The obligatory Salat must be performed in Jamaat or congregation “bow down with those who bow down in worship” (2:43, 3:43).  Obligatory prayers are to be performed at stated time (4:103). Wudhu or Tayammum need to be performed before Salat in the manner described in verse 5:6 or in 4:43 respectively.  Most importantly, one must stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind) while performing Salat (2:238) and never miss performing an obligatory Salat even when traveling or even while fighting in a war (4:101 to 103) and 2:239.

Taqwa in Zakat

Give zakat freely what is in excess of one’s needs to the needy (2:215), without miserliness or niggardliness (4:37), with a kind word and without injury or insult, and without making it a show to be seen of men, seeking nothing but the countenance of Allah (2:262 to 264).

Taqwa in the Treatment of One’s Parents

Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. (Quran 17:23) And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: "My Lord! bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood." (Quran 17:24)

The commandments for the Islamic way of life describe vividly the best way to follow the commands. The command describes the body language that is appropriate (lower the wings of humility) – once such a posture is assumed, can a person misbehave? The command says that even the expression of impatience such as saying uff (just a sound emitted which means the equivalent of “Oh No!”)is to be avoided at the mistakes the elderly often make. It says that only words of honour are to be used with parents such as “beloved father/mother”. And how beautiful is the prayer that is taught! "My Lord! bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood". The prayer reminds us of how our parents cherished us in our childhood which primes us or puts us in the frame of mind to behave towards them in the same kindly manner overlooking their infirmities, follies, forgetfulness, repetitiveness, sensitivity and many other afflictions of old age that require our constant attention, love, care and patience.

Following a command but without Taqwa

(2:27) Recite to them the truth of the story of the two sons of Adam. Behold! they each presented a sacrifice (to Allah): It was accepted from one, but not from the other. Said the latter: "Be sure I will slay thee." "Surely," said the former, "Allah doth accept of the sacrifice of those who are Muttaqin.

Here it means those who sacrifice willingly and in the best possible manner and not in the manner described below:

(2:67) And remember Moses said to his people: "Allah commands that ye sacrifice a heifer." They said: "Makest thou a laughing-stock of us?" He said: "Allah save me from being an ignorant (fool)!"

(68) They said: "Beseech on our behalf Thy Lord to make plain to us what (heifer) it is!" He said; "He says: The heifer should be neither too old nor too young, but of middling age. Now do what ye are commanded!"

(69) They said: "Beseech on our behalf Thy Lord to make plain to us Her colour." He said: "He says: A fawn-coloured heifer, pure and rich in tone, the admiration of beholders!"

(70) They said: "Beseech on our behalf Thy Lord to make plain to us what she is: To us are all heifers alike: We wish indeed for guidance, if Allah wills."

(71) He said: "He says: A heifer not trained to till the soil or water the fields; sound and without blemish." They said: "Now hast thou brought the truth." Then they offered her in sacrifice, but not with good-will.

The number of questions asked itself is an indicator of unwillingness to obey the command under the pretext of lack of clarity. Notice that with each question, their task becomes more difficult. If they had Taqwa, or desire to obey the command of Allah, they would have sacrificed willingly without asking any question, and could have sacrificed any heifer and not one answering to the exacting specifications.

The Meaning of Taqwa As the Quran Teaches Us

Let us go back to the verse:

(2:2) This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to the Muttaqin.

From the discussion above, we know that Muttaqin in this verse means that the Quran is a guidance without doubt, to those who read/listen to the Quran in the best possible manner. What is reading/listening in the best possible manner? It is reading/listening paying full attention to every word and its meaning. Even if an enemy of Islam does that, the Quran becomes a guidance to such a person. For example, Hazrat Umar was one such enemy of Islam for whom listening to a few Ayats of the Quran became guidance to accept Islam.

The Story of Umar’s Conversion
Hazrat Umar (RA) before his acceptance of Islam was a cruel and prominent persecutor of Muslims and a bitter enemy of Islam and Muhammad (pbuh). When the faith kept growing despite the persecution, the leaders among the persecutors decided to assassinate Muhammad. Umar volunteered to do the job.
The story of Umar’s conversion is recounted in Ibn Ishaq's Sīrah. On his way to murder Muhammad, Umar met his friend Nua'im bin Abdullah who had secretly converted to Islam. When Umar informed him that he had set out to kill Muhammad, Nua'im said, “why don't you return to your own house and at least set it straight?"
Nuaimal Hakim told him to inquire about his own house where his sister and her husband had converted to Islam without Umar’s knowledge. Upon arriving at her house, Umar found his sister and brother-in-law Saeed bin Zaid (Umar's cousin) reciting the verses of the Quran from sura Ta-Ha. He pounced on his brother-in-law and began beating him. When his sister came to rescue her husband, he also hit her. They kept on saying "you may kill us but we will not give up Islam". Upon hearing these words, Umar slapped his sister so hard that she fell to the ground bleeding from her mouth. When he saw what he did to his sister, he calmed down and asked his sister to give him what she was reciting. His sister refused saying "You are unclean, and no unclean person can touch the Scripture." He insisted, but his sister refused and asked him to first purify himself by bathing. Umar did so and then began to read the verses that were: Verily, I am Allah: there is no God but Me; so serve Me (only), and establish regular prayer for My remembrance (Quran 20:14). He wept and declared, "Surely this is the word of Allah.” He then went to Muhammad (pbuh) and accepted Islam.
 How did the reading of a few verses from the Quran become a source of guidance for the violent Umar who was till recently a bitter opponent of the Prophet and Islam? Did he read the verses with the fear of Allah in his heart? No, he simply read it out of bewildered curiosity and the need to know what had transformed his sister. He wanted to better understand so that he could better oppose it. He did not read with the intention of becoming a Muslim. He was however in a heedful state as he very much wanted to understand its appeal to the people who would not give it up even when persecuted. When he read the verses, he was not in a state of fear or awe. After the reading and the reading turning into guidance, he was filled with awe and subsequently fear of Allah when he reflected on his past and the dark deeds he had done in his ignorance of the Deen of Allah.
 The Quran is a guidance to every heedful reader/listener who pays careful attention to its meaning. Who can deny it? It is not a source of guidance for the heedless. Who can deny this? One may read the Quran a thousand times in a heedless state. It will not benefit the reader. A person may like a single verse so much, that he may spend all night reading the verse again and again in a heedful state filled with awe, wonder, humility and gratitude. Such a reading will transform the reader.
The Prophet (pbuh) spent all night reading:

 إِن تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ ۖ وَإِن تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ 

 (5:118) "If Thou dost punish them (the Christians who venerated Jesus as son of God and Mary as Mother of god), they are Thy servant: If Thou dost forgive them, Thou art the Exalted in power, the Wise."

The verse contains the intercession of Jesus (pbuh) for his Ummat. In the verses that follow, Allah does not reject the intercession. How subtly Allah informs us that even such Christians, who worshiped Jesus and Mary, can also hope for His forgiveness! The Prophet wept all night reading this verse again and again because this single verse reflects several of Allah's attributes such as Al Lateef, Al Rahim, Al Rehman, Al Rauf, Al Karim, Al Ghaffar, Al Qaabidh, Al Halim, Al Hakam, Al Ad'l, Al Ali, Al Kabir, Al Qadeer, Al Muqtadir, Al Hasib, Al Jalil, Al Mujib, Al Hakim, Al Wadud, Al Majeed, Ash Shaheed, Al Wakil, Al Wali, Al Muhsi and Al Hamidu. This is the most beautiful verse of the Quran. However, this verse is beyond the understanding of our Ulema, who consider the Christians as Kafir destined for Hell. They are heedless of the Quran and heedful of the secondary sources which clouds their minds preventing them from understanding.

To obey a command of Allah in the best possible manner, what is required is to pay heed/attention to every requirement and detail. For example, while offering Salat, paying attention to every detail and requirement described before.

The word heedfulness contains all the other meanings given to the word Taqwa and its derivatives besides also meaning ‘in the best possible manner’ or ‘most sincerely’. One can be heedful from:

1. Sheer curiosity to acquire correct knowledge as Hazrat Umar did when he first listened to a recitation of the Quran.

2. Fear of Allah

3. Reverence of Allah

4. The desire to please Allah

5. Love of Allah

6. The desire to see the countenance of Allah in the Hereafter

7.  The desire to excel

8. The urge to gain piety

9. The urge to gain righteousness

10 To gain nearness to Allah

11 To gain the Inam of Allah.

The methodology that I have followed to derive the meaning of Taqwa was to let the Quran teach me its meaning. This is the methodology that I follow for all my articles. To the best of my knowledge and belief, no other person has derived the same meaning of Taqwa, because no one else follows the same methodology with the same Taqwa or intensity. They follow it loosely, or without adequate Taqwa, which is why their meanings do not fit well the usage of the word in the Quran. For example, this is how Yusuf Ali and many others translate verse 2:2

(2:2) This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah;

To fear Allah, one must believe in Allah and know His attributes which means that one must already be on true guidance. The verse then becomes a tautology –The Quran is a guidance without doubt to those who are on true guidance! This is clearly nonsensical. The word and its derivatives have been used 239 times in the Quran and a mistranslation plays havoc with the correct understanding of the Quran. While piety or righteousness are not incorrect translations of Taqwa in other verses, these words are less meaningful and effective than heedfulness. We can understand the requirement to be painstakingly heedful of every detail, but what does it mean to be pious or righteous?

Naseer Ahmed is an Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur and is an independent IT consultant after having served in both the Public and Private sector in responsible positions for over three decades. He is a frequent contributor to NewAgeIslam.com

URL: http://newageislam.com/islamic-ideology/naseer-ahmed,-new-age-islam/what-does-taqwa-mean?/d/118916

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Now Direct Attack on Islam

 

By Shakil Hasan Shamsi (Translated from Urdu by New Age Islam Edit Desk)

22 May, 2015

For the last fourteen hundred years the world has been harping on the fact that Islam is a religion of peace and harmony. For the last fourteen hundred years the Quran has been reiterating that it has been revealed to establish peace and brotherhood in the world.  The scripture that says La tufsidu fil arz (do not spread bloodshed on earth) has been shouting that the murder of one innocent person is the murder of the entire humanity In the human history, it is the Quran that separated the oppressors from the general humanity and condemned them. Fourteen hundred years ago when a voice was raised from a nondescript house of Bani Hashim in Makkah that said, “Say that no one deserves worship except God and get salvation” the person who raised this voice did  not have a sword in hand but the courage to suffer wounds. Fourteen years ago when the holy prophet pbuh was forced to migrate from Makkah, he did not have a sword in his hand even then. The persons chasing the prophet pbuh were armed but the prophet pbuh and his companion were unarmed. God had arranged cobweb and a nest of a bird. No armed youth were appointed there to protect him.l

The people of Madinah had gathered in great numbers to greet the messenger of peace. The so called followers of the same prophet pbuh who spread the message of sacrifice, love and tolerance have emerged with their flag who are saying that Islam had never been a religion of peace. These groups say that Islam has always been a religion of war and bloodshed. The leader of this group Al Baghdadi whose death news had been circulated among the media has issued a video purportedly saying that Muslims from all over the world should join his so called khilafat or if that is not possible, should wage a war against their opponents in their places and countries. This statement of Al Baghdadi is being used against Islam by the Western nations.  On many news channels in the west, Islam is being made the target. Fingers are being pointed at the message of the holy prophet pbuh who came in the world as a blessing for the mankind. The same people who had drawn the cartoon of the holy prophet pbuh with a sword in one hand and the Quran in the other are using the statement of Al Baghdadi against Islam.

We are all aware of the fact that Al Baghdadi first killed Muslims on sectarian lines, then slaughtered the Christians of Iraq and then killed the Yazidis and Sunnis of Kurdistan. His actions had proved that he was an enemy of Muslims. Now he has also proved that he is also an enemy of Islam. By declaring Islam to be a religion of war and bloodshed, he is attacking the mission of the holy prophet pbuh and inviting Muslim youth towards Hell in the name of jihad. The brutality and ruthlessness his group has demonstrated in slaughtering human beings makes one feel that to him bloodshed and slaughtering of human beings is real Islam. Therefore, the time has come for all the Muslims irrespective of caste and sect to stand up against these marauders and thwart their propaganda of those attacking Islam otherwise we would not be able to show our face to our posterity. They will ask, “Why did you remain silent when the beautiful religion of the holy prophet pbuh was distorted by the terrorists?’

Source: Urdu daily Inquilab, May 20, 2015

URL: http://www.newageislam.com/the-war-within-islam/shakeel-shamsi,-tr-new-age-islam/now-direct-attack-on-islam/d/103095

Did the Qur'an 'Come Down' as a Complete Book?, Islamic Ideology, NewAgeIslam.com

Islamic Ideology

Did the Qur'an 'Come Down' as a Complete Book?

By Mohammad Asghar

5 November 2008

Muslim scholars do not know which night the ‘night’ of the verse refers to, as such, one of them says: “Usually taken to be a night in the month of Ramadhan, say the 23rd, 25th or 27th night of that month.”[11]

Maududi thinks this refers to the Night in which Allah had handed over the entire celestial Quran to the angels from which angel Gabriel “kept on revealing its verses and Ayats from time to time to Rasul Allah for 23 years in accordance with events and circumstances.”[12]

Tafsir al-Jalalayn agrees and accordingly, it translated the verse 97:1 in the following words:

“Lo! We revealed it, that is, the Qur'?n, in its entirety, [sending it down] from the Preserved Tablet to the heaven of this world, on the Night of Ordainment, that is, [the Night] of great eminence.”

But if Allah had revealed the entire Quran in the Night of Destiny or Glory, why has He not stated it clearly in the verse and also what He intended to say by using the word “errand” or “decree” in verse 97:4?

In our understanding, the “Night of Destiny,” or “The Blessed Night”[13] was a new expression, or rather, an old occasion newly employed by Allah to appease the Jews of Medina. From its generic descriptions, the Night of Destiny can be identified with a typical New Year’s day observance, an occasion, as on Rosh ha-Shana, on which Allah determines how the humans and all other creatures would fare in the following year;[14] i.e. their lot; this having been written down by Him in the Heavenly Book[15] before He created the Universe. As we have stated earlier, the Quran is a prototype of the Heavenly Book.

But was the Quran revealed in a single night? Here is Allah’s response to the question:

“(This is) the revelation of the Book in which there is no doubt, - from the Lord of the worlds.” [16]

It is clear from the verse that what the Quran contains are the revelations from the Heavenly Book – referred to in the Quran as the Book - and these came to Muhammad in piecemeal over a period of almost 23 three years. So, the question of the Quran coming to him in the form of a Book did not and could arise, for it took its present shape only after all the revelations were brought together following his death.

http://newageislam.com/did-the-qur-an--come-down--as-a-complete-book?/islamic-ideology/d/963

Indian Muslims endorse fatwa against terrorism: Media welcomes Jamiat Ulema ‘Seizing the initiative in these troubled times’

Radical Islamism and Jihad

Indian Muslims endorse fatwa against terrorism: Media welcomes Jamiat Ulema ‘Seizing the initiative in these troubled times’

Declaration of intent

Editorial in The Indian Express

Nov 11, 2008

Seizing the initiative in these troubled times, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind expressed a consensus condemning terrorism as un-Islamic. More than 6000 clerics signed the declaration, and reminded the nation that jihad and terrorism were “poles apart” and that “terrorism is the biggest crime as per the Quran”. What’s more, they displayed a grown-up refusal to play politics over revelations about Hindu militants arrested in connection with the recent bomb blasts, saying that terrorism should not be linked to any religion.

They also pressed for a separate law to deal with communal violence, and greater representation of Muslims in education and employment. Certainly, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s resolution carries great moral weight and legitimacy among Indian Muslim communities, and the resolution is a sensible move away from victimhood to agency. It is a welcome attempt at reaching out to the rest of the nation and carving a moderate space to respond to the particular exigencies of the situation facing those communities.

Unfortunately, the entire spectrum of commentators that conflate Islam and terrorist activity and suggest that the religion encourages a willed surrender of independent thinking fail to recognise how any religion shape-shifts in response to changing situations. Jihad itself is a normative concept in the Quran, an ethical mission and a warlike one — variously deployed depending on political circumstance — and the Hyderabad resolution clearly distinguished between the two.

http://newageislam.com/indian-muslims-endorse-fatwa-against-terrorism--media-welcomes-jamiat-ulema-%E2%80%98seizing-the-initiative-in-these-troubled-times%E2%80%99/radical-islamism-and-jihad/d/969

A Critique of the Terms Dar ul-Islam, Dar ul-Kufr and Dar ul-Harb, Islamic Ideology, NewAgeIslam.com

Islamic Ideology

A Critique of the Terms Dar ul-Islam, Dar ul-Kufr and Dar ul-Harb

By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

(Translation from Urdu by academic Yoginder Sikand)

Ijtihad is a principle of the shariah. The ulema generally agree that this principle is rooted in a Hadith report attributed to Maaz bin Jabal, a Companion of the Prophet, who, when he was sent to Yemen by the Prophet, was asked how he would solve any problem that he faced. He replied that he would do so in accordance with the Quran. The Prophet asked him if the matter was not mentioned in the Quran what he would do, to which he answered that he would abide in that regard with the Prophet’s practice (sunnat). The Prophet asked him that if the matter was not dealt with in his sunnat what he would do, and Maaz bin Jabal replied that he would exercise his judgment through ijtihad. The Prophet appreciated this reply.

The ulema regard this Hadith report as the basic source and foundation of the principle of ijtihad. This Hadith report indicates very clearly that ijtihad is legitimate only when no explicit guidance is available on a particular matter in the Quran and in the sunnat of the Prophet. If such guidance is available in either or both of these sources, then ijtihad is not permissible. For instance, from the Quran it is evident that the month of fasting is Ramadan, and so there is no possibility of ijtihad in deciding the month of fasting. Likewise, the Hadith indicates that the number of compulsory daily prayers is five, and so no one can seek to engage in ijtihad in this matter in order to reduce or increase this figure.

http://newageislam.com/a-critique-of-the-terms-dar-ul-islam,-dar-ul-kufr-and-dar-ul-harb/islamic-ideology/d/1000

A total disconnect between Muslims and the madrasa-based clergy Sending A Wrong Message

Radical Islamism and Jihad

A total disconnect between Muslims and the madrasa-based clergy

Sending A Wrong Message

By ARIF MOHAMMED KHAN

I shall point out the differences between what the Quran says on the subject of jihad and what the Deoband clergy teaches its students. Quran upholds the sanctity of life in most uncompromising terms and says: “If anyone slew a person unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.”

On the other hand, look at what the Deoband syllabus says: “The destruction of the sword is incurred by infidels, although they be not the first aggressors, as appears from various passages in the sacred writings which are generally received to this effect.”

On the subject of the duty of a Muslim to invite others to the fold of faith, the Quran says: “Invite (all) to the way of the Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for your Lord knows best who have strayed from His Path and who receive guidance.”

The Quran clearly places limitations on the responsibility of man in this matter. “Not upon you is their guidance but Allah guides whom He wills.” Further, the Quran totally rejects the use of any force and says: “If it had been the Lord’s will they would all have believed all who are on earth! Will you then compel mankind against their will to believe.”

http://newageislam.com/a-total-disconnect-between-muslims-and-the-madrasa-based-clergy/radical-islamism-and-jihad/d/859

Indian Ulema have no time to lose, must call warlike Quranic surahs obsolete,

Radical Islamism and Jihad

Indian Ulema have no time to lose, must call warlike Quranic surahs obsolete

By Sultan Shahin

An Islam-supremacist view of Muslims around the world and their treatment of all other religions as inferior is causing enormous ill-will towards them. If they were any better than others, they won’t treat others with contempt anyway. This in itself is proof that they are not better. It is a common belief that no matter how good a human being a person professing to any religion other than Islam maybe, he is not good enough in the eyes of God to go to heaven and no matter how roguish a Muslim is he is going to end up eventually in Heaven. This is absurd from an Islamic viewpoint. Allah in Quran recognises all religions and asks Muslims to treat all prophets of God – by one count, 124,000 - as deserving the same veneration as Prophet Mohammad and their followers as Ahl-e-Kitab (People of the Book), worthy of all sorts of social interaction including marital relations with Muslims.

http://newageislam.com/indian-ulema-have-no-time-to-lose,-must-call-warlike-quranic-surahs-obsolete---/radical-islamism-and-jihad/d/787

Massive disinformation campaign to brainwash Muslims for campaign of Terror - 1I, Radical Islamism and Jihad, NewAgeIslam.com

Radical Islamism and Jihad

Massive disinformation campaign to brainwash Muslims for campaign of Terror - 1I

MUSLIM ARMY OF JESUS & MAHDI & THEIR 6 SIGNS

The Continued Plan of the Massive Killing of the Forces of Imam Mahdi (i.e. The Muslim Bani-Israel /Bani Ishaq of Khorassan) since 1979 in Afghanistan (more than 4 Million killed & still continues)is now knocking the doors of The Muslim Bani-Isreal race in PAKISTAN using the name of so called Taliban and Al-aeda (The two evil fitnas sponsored by Jews to slaughter innocent Muslims) .(In fact it started but no one could presume when this was first written) Also Quran tells us that they know about the truth of the Message of Allah as told in ths verse

الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَعْرِفُونَهُ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِنْهُمْ لَيَكْتُمُونَ الْحَقَّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

002.146 The people of the Book know this as they know their own sons; but some of them conceal the truth which they themselves know.

The top Jewish leadership believes in the Promises of Allah subhanahu wa ta-ala to the Muslims and because of Prejudice they hopelessly do everything to prevent them and that’s why they make illusions to kill THE MAIN FORCES DESCRIBD IN THE AHADITH THAT WILL BRING AN END TO THE JEWS N CHRISTIAN RULE IN THIS WORLD.

http://newageislam.com/massive-disinformation-campaign-to-brainwash-muslims-for-campaign-of-terror---1i/radical-islamism-and-jihad/d/450

'Jihad is business for the Taliban', Islam,Terrorism and Jihad, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam,Terrorism and Jihad

'Jihad is business for the Taliban'

20 Aug 2008

It is true that many Muslim women are voluntarily opting to wear the various degrees of the veil — there are so many variants of them from the full 'burqa' to the scarf — in the western countries. They are doing so as an expression of their religious and cultural identity. I find the response of the governments in France and Turkey to Muslim women wearing a scarf to be harsh. The Quran mentions 'haya' (modesty), but there is nothing in it about what to wear and how much. It is more about decency. Secondly, 'haya' does not lie in the dress but in the mental attitude as well. This should be seen in a broader perspective. It is not a clash between a monolithic Islam and a monolithic West. That is a misinterpretation. There is a struggle within the community. This is a struggle for the identity of the community, for the soul of the community.

Are you arguing the point that jihad, as much else about the Muslim profile, is more a regional point in your new work?

http://newageislam.com/-jihad-is-business-for-the-taliban-/islam,terrorism-and-jihad/d/604

Kashmiriyat is a prototype for Hindustaniyat, Islam and Pluralism, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam and Pluralism

Kashmiriyat is a prototype for Hindustaniyat

Kashmiri Sufism, Islam and Hinduism

By Sultan Shahin, editor, NewAgeIslam.com

Born in the sandy dunes and hills of Arabian Desert 14 centuries ago, Islam has spread throughout the world. It now claims almost two billion followers. Wherever it has gone, it has acquired a local colour, while retaining its basic belief systems. Islam itself has encouraged this process. The Holy Quran exhorts its followers to believe in all the prophets of God, by whatever names they may now be known, who preceded Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).

In Islamic traditions the number of such seers, who brought messages from God, is put at 1,24,000, though only 25 names could be mentioned in the Quran. Thus while expressing belief in the oneness of God and the prophethood of Mohammad, a Muslim simultaneously expresses belief in all the previous messengers of God as well. It is natural that the Muslims have not felt obliged to distance themselves totally from their previous beliefs and practices even after conversion to Islam, at least to the extent these did not contravene their new Islamic beliefs. Indian Islam, therefore, naturally has its own indigenous flavour. And it finds its best expression in the Sufi way of life in the Kashmir valley.

http://newageislam.com/kashmiriyat-is-a-prototype-for-hindustaniyat/islam-and-pluralism/d/614

William S. Burroughs vs. The Quran By Michael Muhammad Knight, Interview , NewAgeIslam.com

Interview

William S. Burroughs vs. The Quran By Michael Muhammad Knight

by Richard Marcus

In William S Burroughs Vs The Qur'an Knight details how his search for his place in Islam inevitably led him to an earlier generation of white Western converts to Islam. In particular he tells of his attempt at writing the definitive biography of his Anarcho-Sufi hero and mentor Peter Lamborn Wilson, also known as Hakim Bey. The first part of the book is taken up with his recounting his times spent with Wilson and excerpts from the biography he's destined never to finish. We learn that Wilson's Islam has its sources in both the experiences of Burroughs and other Beats (Paul Bowles, Alan Ginsberg and the rest) in Tangiers during the years of the International Zone and the Moorish Science Temple of America founded by Noble Ali Drew of Chicago.

http://www.newageislam.com/interview/richard-marcus/william-s.-burroughs-vs.-the-quran-by-michael-muhammad-knight/d/7269

Harmony in creation

By Haider Zaman

The first thing that one can note while pondering over the setting and functioning of countless celestial bodies could be the exceptional degree of harmony in their existence. This is clearly indicated by Quran when it says “He raised the heavens high and set the balance” (55:7). The verse, among other things, implies that after their creation, all the stars, planets and other heavenly bodies were placed in proper order with a view to maintaining necessary equilibrium and balance. Explaining it further Quran says “the sun must not catch up the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. Each one is travelling in an orbit with its own motion.” (36:40).

Why is New Age Islam So Critical Of The Ulama?, Debate, NewAgeIslam.com

Debate

Why is New Age Islam So Critical Of The Ulama?

by Maulana Nadeem-ul-Wajidi, Tr. By New Age Islam

As far as Ulama are concerned their presence for the stability, campaign and strengthening of Deen is inevitable. These are the people who perform their duties of safeguarding human civilisation from evil and guiding it on the path of betterment. This class of Ulama has been there since the age of Sahaba-e-Keram (companions of the Prophet pbuh) and it will remain in the coming ages as well. This is the class for which Allah says in the Quran: “And let there be [arising] from you a group inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.” (Al-Imran 104) How big a misfortune is it then that we are engaged in blaming the very people who are taking God’s Deen to the masses? It is because of them that Quran and Sunnah are reaching people.

Quran: Protector of Multicultural Society, Urdu Section, NewAgeIslam.com

Urdu Section

14 Aug 2011, NewAgeIslam.Com

Quran: Protector of Multicultural Society

By Sohail Arshad, NewAgeIslam.com Quran prohibits disgracing other religions and their gods. The Quran advocates multicultural society where believers of all other religions live in peaceful co-existence. Today the Muslim community and especially where they are in majority have risen in to violent groups, in the name of religion and establishment of the rule of Allah on earth. They are involved in suicide bombing. URL for English Article: http://www.newageislam.com/islam-and-pluralism/holy-quran--the-basis-for-a-civilised,-pluralistic-society-/d/5208 URL: http://www.newageislam.com/urdu-section/quran--protector-of-multicultural-society/d/5258

Quran speaks to the pure, Spiritual Meditations, NewAgeIslam.com

Spiritual Meditations

17 Aug 2011, NewAgeIslam.Com

Quran speaks to the pure

By Sadia Dehlvi Ramzan is the month when God sent down the Quran, a month of blessings and intensive worship for Muslims. Like others devoted to the faith, I make the effort to read the entire Quran at least once during this sacred month. What I love about the Holy Book is that it constantly invites intelligent faith and reflection. http://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/quran-speaks-to-the-pure/d/5269

Islam does not Preach Terrorism, Urdu Section, NewAgeIslam.com

Urdu Section

11 Aug 2011, NewAgeIslam.Com

Islam does not Preach Terrorism

By Mufti Mohd. Zahid Qamarul Qasmi The most painful aspect of the age in which the Holy Quran was revealed was lawlessness, chaos and bloodshed. The extent of lawlessness can be gauged by the fact that no legal government existed in the Arab peninsula. The governments that existed around Arab believed in ethnic superiority and inferiority and it is impossible for the establishment of justice in a human society that is based on superiority and inferiority by birth. The revelation of the last book of God, the holy Quran began in such an atmosphere. (EnglishTranslation from Urdu by New Age Islam Edit Desk available at: http://www.newageislam.com/islam-and-tolerance/quran-does-not-preach-terrorism/d/5251 URL: http://www.newageislam.com/urdu-section/قرآن-دہشت-گردی-کی-تعلیم-نہیں-دیتا/d/5229