Islam and Spain have a special relationship that cannot be comparable to any other nation in Europe.
Muslims ruled Spain, or al-Andalus, for more than 700 years, from 711 to 1492 – a period of time during which both the religion and the country thrived as a spiritual, economic and commercial haven.
The Reconquista campaign launched by Christian forces in northern Spain culminated in the end of Muslim rule in 1492 when Queen Isabel of Castile took Granada.
| Continue reading “Islam in Spain” |
Jews, Christians and Muslims believe that God made a covenant, or agreement, with Abraham. It was to keep faith in One God and to worship Him, and to teach the practice of worship to his children down the generations.
In return, God would preserve, protect, and multiply the children of Abraham. This covenant became the legacy, or trust, for the children of Abraham to continue.
Abraham had two sons, Ishmael (son of Hagar) and Isaac (son of Sarah). He settled them in different parts of the Arabian Peninsula: Isaac near Jerusalem and Ishmael near Makkah.
According to the scriptures, Abraham’s offspring would become the fathers of great nations. The people of these nations are now called Jews, Christians, and 
Muslims. They are all monotheists, which means people who believe in one God, or the Creator of all that is in the universe and on earth.
The common core of Abraham’s story is his faith and obedience to the call of God. Judaic and Christian traditions convey this theme in the book of Genesis. God calls to Abraham, and he replies “Here I am” (Genesis 1:22).
Likewise, the Qur’an states “When his Lord said to him: ‘Surrender!’, he said: ‘I have surrendered to the Lord of the Worlds'” (2:131).
In fact, when Muslim pilgrims say “Labaik! Allahuma labaik!” as they approach the sanctuary at Makkah — which they believe Abraham built — 
they are repeating, “Here I am, Lord, at Your Command!”
There is also another act belonging to the common core of Abraham’s story. In this story, God tells Abraham in a dream to sacrifice his son. Abraham and his son were prepared to obey this divine command. But, instead, God redeemed the sacrifice with a magnificent ram. This miracle meant that God does not require human sacrifice, but only the willingness to obey.
While the story is the same among the monotheistic traditions, it is interpreted slightly differently. The Biblical account says the son to be sacrificed is Abraham and Sarah’s son, Isaac, while the Qur’an states it is, Ishmael, whose mother was Hagar. The lesson of obedience and strength of faith, however, is the same.
Source : http://www.islamic…CommonStories.htm
SPEECH BY HJ MOHD ALAMI MUSA
PRESIDENT MUIS
AT THE MOSQUE COUNCIL MEETING
SAT, 16 MAY 2009
AT AL-MAWADDAH MOSQUE
The Singapore Muslim community is generally homogeneous. Nearly all of them are from the “Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah” (Sunni) school of thought. A majority of them embrace the Shafi’e School of Law. Therefore, they share many things in common from the theological and jurisprudential perspectives. This has in many ways contributed to the unity of our local Muslim community in leading their Islamic life. This spirit of unity is further reinforced as the majority of Muslims share a common language and culture, as they are Malays.
2 Singapore has positioned itself to be a talent magnet in the world. In other words, Singapore strives to make itself attractive to individuals with the knowledge, expertise and capital to come to our shores to work, operate businesses and eventually make Singapore their home. Besides these new resident Singaporeans, there is a sizeable force of transient foreign workers who are now contributing to Singapore in several ways, namely, in the construction industry or the domestic work sectors. There are now about one million of them in Singapore.
3 The local Muslim community is also seeing more foreign Muslims in their midst today. They attend prayers in our mosques and they participate in our religious events. We must make them feel welcomed.
4 I am pleased to say that our mosques have been very open to welcoming foreign Muslims who work and reside in Singapore. In fact, a number of mosques are providing useful services or forging collaborations with them. Mosques like Khadijah and Hj Mohd Salleh (Geylang) allow religious classes to be conducted in the Bangladeshi language for construction workers. The Mujahidin and Sultan mosques conduct skills-based training programmes for Indonesian domestic workers. These are some examples of how mosques in Singapore serve the needs of foreign Muslims in Singapore. Continue reading “SPEECH BY HJ MOHD ALAMI MUSA PRESIDENT MUIS AT THE MOSQUE COUNCIL MEETING”
SPEECH BY MR Zainul Abidin RASHEED, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AT THE COUNCIL Tilawah Al-Quran ORGANIZED BY MUIS HELD ON SUNDAY, 10 MAY 09 AT 830 PM AT THE SINGAPORE ISLAMIC HUB AUDITORIUM
I respect
Chairman Al-Quran recitation
Tuan Hj Md Ayob Bin Johari
Muis President
Tuan Hj Alami Musa
Mufti of Singapore
Sohibusamaha Syed Isa Bin Semait
The Qari and Qariah
Judge wise
Ladies and gentlemen
Assalamualaikum wr wb
Alhamdulillah, all praise to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. BLESSINGS Bless us and greetings, Muhammad who has been sent as a mercy to the universe.
I can be thankful that with the full Council that this blessed. Hopefully, with the ceremonies such as this, many among us will be more likely to read, understand the Quran and instructive example of taking lessons in the Quran.
I think that the council is as good an occasion to encourage our society to appreciate the beauty of the Qur’an and the growing interest in exploring religious learning. Apart from identifying the reader that the Qur’an can represent Singapore in international competitions, it is also a platform to eradicate illiteracy in the Qur’an. With the increasing interest for people to read the Qur’an, if Allah will increase the desire to cultivate religious life based on the welfare of all nations.
This is because, first sentence is revealed organizing us to read. Based on this call, the practice of reading the Qur’an is not only the extent RECITING THE QU’RAN or studying how the only good. In fact, the achievement of a more noble achievements which lead to the adoption of Islamic syumul as shown by Muslims in ancient times as the thief’s, who live according the Qur’an and Sunnah, as well as reading the Qur’an in measure, and a soft voice. Therefore, Muslims must learn Arabic, Tafsir Al-Quran and knowledge related to reduction context. Highlights from this process is to appreciate and practice his teachings. Hopefully, through such approaches, keep the local Muslim community showed a high compassion which can produce the Muslim community of excellence, dedicated, progressive, inclusive nature of religion with other people and contribute to the prosperity of the country. Continue reading “SPEECH BY MR Zainul Abidin RASHEED, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE”
by Ahxuan
The rise of Muslims to the zenith of civilization in a period of four decades was based on lslam’s emphasis on learning. This is obvious when one takes a look at the Qur’an and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad which are filled with references to learning, education, observation, and the use of reason. The very first verse of the Qur’an revealed to the Prophet of Islam on the night of 27th of Ramadan in 611 AD reads:
“Recite: In the name of thy Lord who created man from a clot. Recite: And thy Lord is the Most Generous Who taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not.” (Quran, 96:1-5)
“And they shall say had we but listened or used reason, we would not be among the inmates of the burning fire.” (Quran, 67:10)
“Are those who have knowledge and those who have no knowledge alike? Only the men of understanding are mindful. ” (Quran, 39:9)
The Qur’an encourages people towards scientific research:.
“And whoso brings the truth and believes therein such are the dutiful.” (Quran, 39:33)
Every Muslim man’s and every Muslim woman’s prayer should be:
“My Lord! Enrich me with knowledge..” (Quran, 20:114)
The pursuit of knowledge and the use of reason, based on sense and observation is made obligatory on all believers.
The following traditions of the Prophet supplement the foregoing teachings of the Qur’an in the following way:
Seek knowledge “even though it be in China.”
“The acquisition of knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim, whether male or female.”
“The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr.”
“Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.”
“God has revealed to me, ‘Whoever walks in the pursuit of knowledge I facilitate for him the way to heaven.’
“The best form of worship is the pursuit of knowledge.”
“Scholars should endeavor to spread knowledge and provide education to people who have been deprived of it. For, where knowledge is hidden it disappears.”
Some one asked the Prophet : “Who is the biggest scholar?” He replied: “He who is constantly trying to learn from others, for a scholar is ever hungry for more knowledge.”
“Seek knowledge and wisdom, or whatever the vessel from which it flows, you will never be the loser.”
“Contemplating deeply for one hour (with sincerity) is better than 70 years of (mechanical) worship.”
“To listen to the words of the learned and to instill unto others the lessons of science is better than religious exercises.”
“Acquire knowledge: it enables its possessor to distinguish right from the wrong, it lights the way to heaven; it is our friend in the desert, our society in solitude, our companion when friendless – it guides us to happiness; it sustains us in misery; it is an ornament among friends and an armor against enemies.” Continue reading “SEEKING KNOWLEDGE IS EVERY MUSLIM’S DUTY TO ALLAH (SWT)”
சுபஹானல்லாஹ்……இது நம்முடைய வாழ்வு முறையோடு எவ்வளவு பொருந்துகிறது.நம்மை திருத்திக் கொண்டு நஷ்டத்திலிருந்து தவிர்ந்து கொள்வோம்…….
2. ” அன்றியும்,அவர்கள் பொய் சாட்சி சொல்ல மாட்டார்கள்; மேலும்,அவர்கள் வீனான காரிய(ம் நடக்கும் இட)த்தின் பக்கம் செல்வார்களாயின் கண்ணியமானவராக (ஒதுங்கிச்) சென்றுவிடுவார்கள்.” ( 25:72 )
சின்ன சின்ன விஷயங்களில்கூட நாம் பொய்க்கு துணைப் போக கூடாது.வீணான காரியம் என்றால் வெட்டிப் பேச்சு, ஊர் வம்பு போன்ற காரியங்களும் தானே……….
3.” (பெருமையோடு) உன் முகத்தை மனிதர்களை விட்டும் திருப்பிக் கொள்ளாதே ! பூமியில் பெருமையாகவும் நடக்காதே ! அகப்பெருமைக்காரர்,ஆணவங் கொண்டோர் எவரையும் நிச்சயமாக அல்லாஹ் நேசிக்க மாட்டான்” ( 31 : 18 )
4. ” உங்களுக்கு ஷைத்தானிடத்திலிருந்து ஏதேனும் ஊசலாட்டம் ( தீயதைச் செய்ய ) உம்மைத் தூண்டுமாயின், உடனே அல்லாஹ்விடம் காவல் தேடிக் கொள்வீராக ! நிச்சயமாக அவன் ( யாவற்றையும்) செவியேற்பவன் ; நன்கறிபவன்” ( 41 : 36 )
இது நமக்கு அடிக்கடி நடப்பதுதான்.அதாவது கெட்ட எண்ணம் அல்லது தூண்டுதல்.அதற்கான solutionதான் மேற்கூறிய வசணம்…………
by Wael Nawara
Environmentalism Is Actually Humanism
One of my friends, Thomas Morrison, has made a very clever argument against, among other things, perpetuating “… the divide (or rather the illusion of separation) between humanity and Nature.” He argues that man’s creations, buildings and cities are all part of Nature. “Nobody looks at a termite mound, ant-hill or bird’s nest as “unnatural” – and until we, as a species, can look on New York, Los Angeles, London, Lisbon and Delhi as a product of Nature, we have not overcome the illusion of our separation from Nature. I believe humanity to be a part of Nature, and this means that city streets, cars, aeroplanes, subways full of jostling commuters and gridlocked motorways are all part of Nature, because they were made by human hands, and human hands are part of Nature.”
To be honest, until I read his note and thought about this whole divide, I used myself to make such distinction, even unconsciously, between the a state of natural beauty and another where man-made creations interfered in my eyes with such beauty. But once I thought about this whole thing, knowing that I had always thought of Man as being one with Nature, it then follows that whatever Man creates is also a product of Nature. Continue reading “Not for the Environment … but for Man”
At the end of this chapter, it may be appropriate to point out an important indication of the truth of Islam. It is well known that in the USA and the whole world, Islam is the fastest-growing religion. The following are some observations on this phenomenon:
n “Islam is the fastest-growing religion in America, a guide and pillar of stability for many of our people…” (Hillary Rodham Clinton, Los Angeles Times).1
n “Moslems are the world’s fastest-growing group…” (The Population Reference Bureau, USA Today).2
n “….Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the country.” (Geraldine Baum; Newsday Religion Writer, Newsday).3
n “Islam, the fastest-growing religion in the United States…” (Ari L. Goldman, New York Times).4
This phenomenon indicates that Islam is truly a religion from God. It is unreasonable to think that so many Americans and people from different countries have converted to Islam without careful consideration and deep contemplation before concluding that Islam is true. These converts have come from different countries, classes, races, and walks of life. They include scientists, professors, philosophers, journalists, politicians, actors, and athletes. (To read the stories of people who have converted to Islam, please visit the links at Stories of New Muslims.)
The points mentioned in this chapter constitute only some of the evidence supporting the belief that the Quran is the literal word of God, that Muhammad 
is truly a prophet sent by God, and that Islam is truly a religion from God.
by Mel Avila Alarilla
We are what we think we are. We are the sum product of the totality of all our thoughts. If we think positive and good thoughts, then we are living in a veritable paradise. But if we focus on all the faults of men including our own in this world, then we are living in a hellish world inhabited by negative people who keep on pulling themselves down to their own quagmire of defeats and frustrations. One way to make our world a wonderful one is to focus on what is right with us and others and not what is wrong. In other words, we should always count our blessings. If we focus on all the good things God has done for us since we were born including all our answered prayers, then we will realize that we have a perfect and loving Father who have provided us with all the beautiful and sensible things in life. Remember, God looks at things from a vastly superior point of view and will not mind making us suffer a little if we will be able to accomplish an improvement in character that is far more effective in carrying out His divine purpose in our lives. God knows exactly what He wants from us and will not stop until He accomplishes His purpose for our lives. So we suffer untold miseries and pains every time we move on the opposite direction of what He really wants from us. Until we finally learn that our very purpose for life is to please Him and give glory to His name. In spite of everything that is happening to this world, it is still a wonderful life that we are living.
Tags: Wonderful Life, Wonderful World, God, Man, Life, Joy, Beautiful, Pleasing, Focus, Positive, Dream, Character, Purpose, Glory, Name, Noble
Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Inspirational/Motivational
Source : http://worldub.blogspot.com
SEASONSNIDUR 