Our State Of Affairs.

Is It Lawful For A Muslim Woman To Wear Pants Or Short Garments In The Presence Of Women Alone?

2010-01-02T11:39:00.000-08:00

Question:

Is It Lawful For A Muslim Woman To Wear Pants Or Short Garments In The Presence Of Women Alone?

There is no doubt that pants and short garments do not cover muslim women properly.

As for the first one, pants:they fit tight and make body parts look apparent and this is one kind of revealing!...in this case the muslim woman is naked while being dressed.

As for the short garment, it also doesn't cover the woman properly, unless all what is being revealed, is that which is allowed in the presence of another woman.Because it is lawful for a muslim woman to see another woman's body, as long as between the naval and the knees is covered.

Translation of the answer of sheikh muhammad ibn saleh al uthaymeen

Important note:

This is merely a translation of the answer of the sheikh, if you would like to check the source of the original question and answer of the sheikh, click on the word question or the word answer.

Also if you feel you can improve the translation please email at ourstateofaffairs@gmail.com

Sydney Is Interested In Islamic Finance.

2009-06-08T08:32:00.000-07:00

Sydney is attempting to attract Islamic Finance to its nation in an effort to beat the global recession. The Sydney Morning Herald said, citing new Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law, Chris Bowen.

Australia has the fourth largest pool of superannuation under management.

Profiles Of Historical Giants: Aisha, The Wife Of Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him), Part 3.

2009-06-05T14:44:00.000-07:00

Such an atrocious statement against such a pure woman, against the very honor of the messenger of ALLAH (may peace and blessings be upon him), the one who is defending and protecting the honor of the whole Muslim Umma. It is indeed the hearts of hypocrites that start and spread such rumors to tarnish the pure message of Islam and to slander its followers, but ALLAH will complete his light even if the disbelievers hate it.

For the next month in Medina, this baseless and evil rumor has been spread by the hypocrites and the ill hearted without the knowledge of the mother of the believers (may ALLAH be pleased with her). Abu Bakr the companion of the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) and the father of Aisha (may ALLAH be pleased with her) was in deep pain and grief due to this evil slander against his daughter and against the honor of his beloved prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him). He said: By ALLAH we were not slandered with this in the jahylia (ignorant times), are we going to accept it while in Islam?

After returning to Medina, Aisha fell sick, stayed home for a whole month and didn't hear the rumor. She came out one day to attend to her affairs with one of the women, then she was told what the people in Medina were talking about.

Aisha was shocked at the news, and asked: "have the people said this??", "have the people said this??", i haven't heard any of these rumors or noticed any changes except that the messenger of ALLAH (may peace and blessings be upon him) would walk in the house and just ask me how i was. he was not gentle as he is usually when I'm feeling ill nor was he playful.

Aisha reports: When the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) walked in, she looked at him with tears saying: "Can i get permission to visit my parents" and the only reason i was going to see my parents was to make sure that the information was correct.

So i went to my parents home and asked : "O' mother, what are the people saying concerning me?". Aisha's mother tried to comfort her with words. Aisha reports that she was crying, her illness increased and her liver was almost shattered from her deep sorrow. Her parents came and sat by her, then a woman from the Ansar asked for permission to enter, she entered crying and sat by Aisha who was also doing the same.

Aisha reports: While we were in that state the prophet of ALLAH (may peace and blessings be upon him) entered upon us....

Sins That We Take Lightly, Part 3.

2009-06-03T08:11:00.000-07:00

There are many specific forbidden matters such as those that relate to food, ALLAH says in the QURA'N:

"Forbidden to you (for food) are: Al-Maytatah (the dead animals - cattle-beast not slaughtered), blood, the flesh of swine, and the meat of that which has been slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allâh, or has been slaughtered for idols, etc., or on which Allâh's Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering, and that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by the goring of horns - and that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal - unless you are able to slaughter it (before its death) and that which is sacrificed (slaughtered) on AnNusub (stone altars). (Al-Ma'idah 5:3)"

Concerning the forbidden matters in marriage, ALLAH says in the QURA'N:

"Forbidden to you (for marriage) are: your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your father's sisters, your mother's sisters, your brother's daughters, your sister's daughters, your foster mother who gave you suck, your foster milk suckling sisters, your wives' mothers, your step daughters under your guardianship, born of your wives to whom you have gone in - but there is no sin on you if you have not gone in them (to marry their daughters), - the wives of your sons who (spring) from your own loins, and two sisters in wedlock at the same time, except for what has already passed; verily, Allâh is OftForgiving, Most Merciful. (An-Nisa 4:23)"

Concerning the forbidden matters in business, ALLAH says in the QURA'N:

"whereas Allâh has permitted trading and forbidden Ribâ (usury)". (Al-Baqarah 2:275)

However ALLAH the almighty in his ultimate mercy and wisdom has not specified all the lawful matters because they are countless and unmeasurable:

"O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth, and follow not the footsteps of Shaitân (Satan). Verily, he is to you an open enemy". (Al-Baqarah 2:168).

From ALLAH'S mercy on his slaves, he has established that the basis for matters is that they are all lawful unless specified by the text as otherwise. And it is a wonder that some people find difficulty in their chest when they are told about forbidden matters even if it's coming directly from the text. Some of them probably would like to see the whole list of lawful things they can do in this world, before they get convinced that Islam is a religion of ease and balance. A list of course, that they might spend the rest of their life compiling and still will not be able to contain all that ALLAH has made lawful in this life.

This widely used statement: "This religion is a religion of ease" is indeed true but what is meant by it most of the time, is wrong and misleading. Islam is definitely a religion of ease but eases and difficulty is determined by the QURA'N and the SUNNA, not the opinions, desires, and whims of the people. Those who use this statement each time their weak faith and intellect is faced with that which they disagree it, or dislike.

All praise due to ALLAH that has left us on pure guidance from his book and the SUNNA of his beloved prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) and not to the ignorant masses who are lost in a sea of guesswork and confusion.

Sins That We Take Lightly, Part 2.

2009-06-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

ALLAH the almighty does what he wills out of ultimate wisdom, ultimate justice and all emcompassing knoweldge. ALLAH says in the QURA'N:

"And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can change His Words. And He is the All Hearer, the All Knower." (Al-An'am 6:115)

He makes that which is lawful and that which is unlawful according to his will and it is part of our belief to be pleased with what ALLAH has legislated and to submit to it fully. ALLAH says in the QURA'N:

"He allows them as lawful At-Taiyibât [(i.e. all good and lawful) as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.], and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khabâ'ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.)."

So what is lawful is good and what is unlawful is evil and to make things lawful and unlawful is the sole right of ALLAH the almighty, whoever claims that right for himself or claims it for someone else he has committed major kufr(disbelief).

"Or have they partners with Allâh (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allâh has not allowed. And had it not been for a decisive Word (gone forth already), the matter would have been judged between them. And verily, for the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers), there is a painful torment." (Ash-Shura 42:21)

It is not lawful for anyone to engage in telling the people what's lawful and what's not unless he's from the people of knowledge in the QURA'N and the SUNNA. ALLAH has warned against such wrongdoing saying:

"And say not concerning that which your tongues put forth falsely: "This is lawful and this is forbidden," so as to invent lies against Allâh. Verily, those who invent lies against Allâh will never prosper. (An-Nahl 16:116)."

ALLAH mentions the general forbidden matters:

"Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty - We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawâhish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, and kill not anyone whom Allâh has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islâmic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand." (Al-An'am 6:151)

The prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) says: "ALLAH forbade the selling of alcohol, dead animals, pigs and statues". Elsewhere the prophet (saw) said:

"When ALLAH make something unlawful, he makes selling it unlawful as well".

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING...

Profiles Of Historical Giants: Aisha, The Wife Of Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him), Part 2.

2009-05-31T21:07:00.000-07:00

The prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) told Aisha: i will present to you a matter in which you shouldn't rush to decide until you ask your parents permission (knowing that my parents will not command me to leave the messenger of ALLAH) then he recited:

O Prophet (Muhammad SAW)! Say to your wives: If you desire the life of this world, and its glitter, Then come! I will make a provision for you and set you free in a handsome manner (divorce). But if you desire Allâh and His Messenger, and the home of the Hereafter, then verily, Allâh has prepared for AlMuhsinât (gooddoers) amongst you an enormous reward. (Al-Ahzab 33:28, 33:29)

When Aisha heard these magnificent verses she replied: In which matter should i seek my parents permission, verily i desire ALLAH, his messenger and the hereafter. The rest of the prophet's wives all followed suit when they heard the verse.

Aisha reported that the messenger of ALLAH (may peace and blessings be upon him) used to make a drawing to decide who from amongst his wives would accompany him on his journey. he made the drawing and it was me who won, so i accompanied the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) on his journey which was after the verse of the Hijab came down. I used to get picked up in a covered suite and set on the camel and i also used to get carried down from the camel in it. When the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) was done from his invasion and was on his way back to Medina. Aisha stayed back to have privacy to attend to her matters. While she was away the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) instructed the people to move forward at night, Aisha's suite was picked up and set on the camel as usual, the carriers didn't know the suite was actually empty.

When Aisha came back, she found her camel and the people gone so she made tayamum and waited knowing that the people would come back for her in the place where they left her last, then she fell asleep.

Safouan ibn almuatal was commended by the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) to stay back and retrieve any items or belongings left on the way by the army. He noticed from far the shape of a human being, came to check and recognized that it was the wife of the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) because he saw her before the verse of the Hijab came down. Aisha woke up to the sound of safouan saying : "To ALLAH we belong and to ALLAH is our return" then she covered her face. Aisha said: by ALLAH he has not spoken a word to me except "to ALLAH we belong and to ALLAH is our return" then he offered me the camel and guided me all the way until we joined the rest of the group in the hot middle of the day.

When Abdullah Ibn Ubai Ibn saloul noticed them coming, he asked who is this woman?, they told him Aisha then he said: the wife of your prophet spends the night with a man until the morning and he's the one bringing her, by ALLAH she did not escape him neither did he escape her.....Such an atrocious statement against such a pure woman!

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING...

Sins That We Take Lightly, Part 1.

2009-05-31T08:38:00.000-07:00

All praise is due to ALLAH, we praise him, we seek his help, we seek his forgiveness, and we seek protection of ALLAH from the evil of ourselves and from our bad deeds.

Whomever ALLAH guides there is none to lead him astray, whomever he allows to go astray there is no guide for him.

I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship other than ALLAH and that MUHAMMAD is his servant and messenger.

O you who believe fear ALLAH as he should be feared and do not die unless you are in a state of submission.

O mankind fear your lord who created you from a single soul and from this soul created its mate and from them created many men and women, fear ALLAH through whom you demand your mutual rights and do not cut relations with the wombs that bore you, surely ALLAH is a watcher over you.

O you who believe fear ALLAH and speak the truth, he'll direct you to righteous deeds and forgive you of your sins and whoever obeys ALLAH and his messenger has achieved the greatest success.

Surely the best narrative is the book of ALLAH and the best guidance is that of our prophet MUHAMMAD (may peace and blessings be upon him) and the most evil of affairs are newly introduced matters in this Deen, for every newly introduced matter is an innovation and every innovation leads astray and every astray is in the hellfire.

ALLAH the almighty has commanded us with certain duties and set for us limits that are not to be transgressed. The prophet (may peace and blessings upon him) said:

"What ALLAH has made lawful in his book, indeed it is lawful and what he has made unlawful, indeed it is unlawful, and what he has been silent about, it's wellness for you so accept wellness from ALLAH, verily ALLAH was not forgetful" then he recited: '..and your lord was not forgetful'.

The forbidden things are the limits of ALLAH: "These are the limits (set) by Allâh, so approach them not". ALLAH has warned those who transgress the limits he has set by saying:

"And whosoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW), and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire, to abide therein; and he shall have a disgraceful torment. (An-Nisa 4:14).

To avoid what's forbidden is a compulsory act, prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Avoid what i have forbade you from, and do what you can from what i have commanded you".

We see today those who follow their desires due to a weak faith and poor knowledge. They grow weary and annoyed, when they are told that such and such is Haram, replying by statements such as: you people are making everything Haram, you're making life so difficult and complex, this religion is one of ease not difficulty and ALLAH is the most forgiving most merciful etc.....

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING...

Profiles Of Historical Giants: Aisha, The Wife Of Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him), Part 1.

2009-05-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

In this writing we'll explore glimpses from the life of an astonishing historical figure, one of the most imminent scholars of ISLAM, as well as one of the most distinguished women to ever live, Aisha (may ALLAH be pleased with her) the wife of prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him).

Aisha (may ALLAH be pleased with her) was the daughter of Abu Bakr, the beloved companion of the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him). An angel brought Aisha to prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him) in his dream informing him: "This is you wife..". The prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) told Aisha : "you were shown to me in my dream 2 or 3 times" and in another narration he reportedly said: "you were shown to me three nights in my dream, the angel brought you to me in a piece of silk and he told me 'this is your wife'. I uncovered your face, looked at you and said: "if this is from ALLAH !?!, let it come to pass."

The prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) married Aisha after he came to Medina. She developed a profound love for her husband and prophet, and so did he. The prophet (saw) was asked: "Who are the most beloved people to you?, he replied: Aisha, then he was asked who from amongst the men?, he replied: her father."

The companions (may ALLAH be pleased with all of them)knew what special place Aisha held in the prophet's heart. they used to wait for the day when prophet Muhammad (saw) would be at her house to bring him gifts. Aisha reported that the wives of the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) gathered at umm salama's to complain to her that the people wait until the prophet is at Aisha's house for them to bring him gifts and that they desire the good just like Aisha. They requested from umm salama to tell the prophet (saw) to instruct the people to bring him gifts regardless of what house he's in.

Umm salama addressed the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) about this matter, but he declined to respond. When he came to her a second time, she mentioned it to him, he again declined to respond. Then the third time he came to her, she mentioned it again, then he replied: "Umm salama do not harm me in what concerns Aisha. By ALLAH!! revelation has never come to me while I'm with any of you except Aisha."

In another narration it is reported that the wives of the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) sent to him his daughter Fatima (may ALLAH be pleased with her). Fatima said: your wives have sent me to ask you for justice concerning the daughter of abu suhafa, he replied: "O my daughter, don't you love who i love? she said: yes. "Then have love for Aisha!"

When times became very difficult and months would pass without any cooking fire being lit in the house of prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him), his wives began asking for an increase in maintenance, which made the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) angry and decide to separate himself from his wives for a whole month.

After that, revelation came instructing him to offer his wives a choice, ALLAH said to his beloved prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) :

"O Prophet (Muhammad SAW)! Say to your wives: If you desire the life of this world, and its glitter, Then come! I will make a provision for you and set you free in a handsome manner (divorce). But if you desire Allâh and His Messenger, and the home of the Hereafter, then verily, Allâh has prepared for AlMuhsinât (gooddoers) amongst you an enormous reward. (Al-Ahzab 33:28, 33:29)"

Aisha reported that when these verses came down and the prophet (saw) was going to give the two choices to his wives, he began with Aisha first....

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING...

The Fight Against Islam Throughout History.

2009-05-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

Throughout its history Islam has been ridiculed, opposed, and fought. Kings, emperors, pharaohs and their nations sought to destroy its message and eliminate its followers. Today the fight continues.

ALLAH says in the QURA'N:

"And they will never cease fighting you until they turn you back from your religion (Islamic Monotheism) if they can." (Al-Baqarah 2:217)

This is a description of the nature of the character of disbelievers, they will never cease to fight those who believe until they cause them to turn back from their religion if they can. However they were never successful at such endeavour and never will be because ALLAH says in the QURA'N:

"Verily, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to hinder (men) from the Path of Allâh, and so will they continue to spend it; but in the end it will become an anguish for them. Then they will be overcome. And those who disbelieve will be gathered unto Hell. (Al-Anfal 8:36)"
Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him) was faced with a tremendous amount of opposition and oppression in order to convey this message of ours, but with the help of ALLAH, he stayed patient, steadfast and relentless which made him the most successful man to ever live.

There are 5 steps that the disbelievers have used throughout history in their attempt to destroy Islam and Muslims.

1) Ignoring The Message.

They simply ignored the message of Islam hoping that one day the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) will just run out of words, ALLAH in the QURA'N has refuted this wishful thinking by saying:

"Say (O Muhammad SAW to mankind). "If the sea were ink for (writing) the Words of my Lord, surely, the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my Lord would be finished, even if we brought (another sea) like it for its aid." (Al-Kahf 18:109)

In ignoring the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) the disbelievers were hoping that one day he would just go away and his message will vanish.

2) Bribery.

Once the disbelievers noticed that the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) started to have followers and admirers around him. They attempted to bribe him with all sorts of worldly benefits. They offered him their leadership, their wealth, their treasures and the best of their women, all in exchange of giving up what he was preaching.

Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "If you were to put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left, i will not stop conveying this message until ALLAH makes it victorious over the land or i die before that takes place".

The enemies of Islam believed and still believe that everyone has a price, so they attempted to buy the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) just like they try in vain today, to buy those who believe in this message.

But they are unable to deliver the price, how could they deliver gardens under which rivers flow?, how could they deliver women who if they were to spit on the earth, the whole globe would smell like perfume?, how could they deliver that which an eye has never seen?, how could they deliver that which an ear has never heard?, how could they deliver that which never crossed a human heart?.

Neither can they deliver the price to the believers here on earth, nor will they be able to deliver the price to ALLAH in the hereafter to get out of the fire. Verily these are businessmen who lost both transactions and they are amongst the losers in this world and in the hereafter. We seek refuge in ALLAH from such a terrible decree.

3) The Slandering Of Character.

They slandered the name of the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) and attacked his character in an attempt to have people turn on him and abandon him. The disbelievers have slandered the messenger of ALLAH ( may peace and blessings be upon him) calling him a madman, a poet, a sorcerer, a soothsayer and a fortune teller. Just like today they call Muslims terrorists, they call them Fundamentalists, they call them Radicals, they call them Fanatics, they call them Extremists and the list goes on. Except that in this day and time, the means to sway public opinion are much more powerful, making the impact of slander and distortion a global phenomenon. Encompassing even nations that often know very little to nothing at all about Islam.

4) Sanctions And Embargo.

They put the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) and his followers under sanctions and embargo, so much so that the companions used to eat tree leaves and boil the leather from their shoes just to survive. Many people including Khadijah (may ALLAH be pleased with her) the wife of prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him) died while being under sanctions and embargo. Much like today, sanctions and embargo are responsible for the deaths of millions of Muslims including women and children. All in the name of what they refer to as democracy.

5) Physical Killing.

When the disbelievers decided to kill the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him), they brought forth 7 men. All from different tribes and formed a coalition against the messenger of ALLAH. They said if all of us participate in the killing of Muhammad then his blood will be spilled across 7 tribes and how can Muhammad and his little group fight all 7 tribes. They have formed a coalition to kill the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) and his message, just like today they have formed coalitions and global campaigns to repeat the same aggression.

With the permission of ALLAH, the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) was able to leave his house unharmed under the very eyes of the 7 men who were gathered at his doorstep to end his life, spraying dust on their heads as he was passing. Another historical example of reliance on ALLAH and on the triumph of this faith against its adversaries.

over 14 centuries of opposition, plotting, conspiring and planning against this message of ours, brothers and sisters!! but we are still standing 1.4 billion strong and ever increasing, lift you head up high and be proud, you are a MUSLIM.

ALLAH says in the QURA'N:

"Do not be weak, nor be saddened you are the superior ones if you are true believers"

Muslims Dying For The Sake Of Music.

2009-05-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

Eleven people have been killed and forty injured in stampede at a music festival in the city of Rabat in morocco. After spectators stormed out of the stadium where the concert was held.

The event was a week long music festival aimed at promoting an image of tolerance and modernity in morocco and it is backed by the king himself.Not a very good allocation of resources in a third world nation, that suffers from a range of issues that are far more important than gathering people to events that waste their time and money.

The event was attended by 70,000 people, 70,000 people!!! how can our condition change when we have 70,000 individuals engaged at one time in the disobedience of their creator. So much so that 11 of them lost their life in this quest. We seek refuge in ALLAH from such an end.

Mohamed Jadib

Reliance On ALLAH, (The Most Critical Of Disciplines), Part 2.

2009-05-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

Prophet Ibrahim's (may peace and blessings be upon him) other test came to him in a dream where he saw his son Ismael, whom ALLAH has blessed him with after the age of 86, he saw that he slaughtered him. Ibrahim decided to obey ALLAH and carry out his dream, so he informed his son about his intentions, Ismael replied: "Do what you have been commanded, you will find me Inshallah (if ALLAH wills) from the patient ones".

Ibrahim put his son's forehead facing down, so that Ismael won't see the knife that was going to put an end to his life, when Ibrahim proceeded to slaughter his own son, ALLAH caused a sheep to receive Ibrahim's knife and Ismael was standing live and well. Proving that carrying out ALLAH'S command has ultimate wisdom in it, even if it doesn't appear so to our feeble minds.

Also Ibrahim faced another test when he was brought in front of a powerful king that asked him who is your lord, Ibrahim replied: my lord is the one who gives life and takes it away. The king said i also give life and take it away, so he commanded his servants to bring him 2 prisoners, he executed one of them and let the other go. "I took this one's life and i allowed the other to live" declared the king arrogantly. Ibrahim then told the tyrant: "my lord raises the sun from the east, why don't you raise it from the west". The king was deeply shocked at such challenge and completely helpless.

This was the creed of the messengers and prophets, they had total reliance on ALLAH, they had no fear from the creation nor any need for it. Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"If you ask, ask ALLAH. If you rely, rely on ALLAH. And know that if the nations gather to benefit you with something, they won't be able to do so unless ALLAH has written it down for you, and if all the nations gather to harm you with something they won't be able to do so unless ALLAH has written down for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried".

Musa (moses) was born in Egypt , his mother was worried about him because the pharaoh at that time used to kill all the newborns from the children of Israel, and she knew that her son will be a prophet and a savior. Musa's mother fear grew bigger as time went on, then ALLAH's words came to her:

"And We inspired the mother of Mûsa (Moses), (saying): "Suckle him [Mûsa (Moses)], but when you fear for him, then cast him into the river and fear not, nor grieve. Verily! We shall bring him back to you, and shall make him one of (Our) Messengers." (Al-Qasas 28:7).

She did what ALLAH revealed to her and casted her newborn child into the river. This is probably one of the greatest if not the greatest example for total reliance on ALLAH. A woman throwing her newborn baby into a streaming river and having faith that ALLAH will one day reunite them,ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR!!!!.

The waves took the little coffin that Musa was placed in by his mother, to the shores near the castle of Pharaoh. The servants brought the newborn inside the tyrant's home and instantly ALLAH put the love of Musa in Pharaoh's wife, who immediately said "Do not kill him maybe he will be of a benefit to us or we'll take him as a son.

Musa refused all the women that were brought to suckle him, as well all the food that was presented to him, meanwhile his mother became overwhelmed by the feelings of her missing son, so she told his sister to go and look for him.

As she was walking in the marketplace she saw a gathering for the purpose of finding a woman to suckle her brother, so she came forward and told them: "I can take you to a people who will suckle and take care of him", "how would you know such people, do you know this child?" asked the workers of pharaoh."No, but i know that these people are eager to serve the king and they want to benefit from such services" said the Sister. So all of them went back to the home of Musa's mother, when he was given to her, he immediately responded and started suckling then surely the promise of ALLAH came to pass, All praises due to the all knowing, all wise.

Musa's mother was invited back to the castle of Musa where she was received by the Pharaoh's wife, who offered her to live in the castle, to suckle Musa in exchange for a salary. Musa's mother told the queen that she had kettle and family to take care of back home, but that she is willing to take the child back with her, to suckle and take care of him. Pharaoh's wife agreed and issued her a salary in exchange for suckling her own son in the comfort of her own home.

Subhanallah! how ALLAH the almighty, arranges the affairs of those who truly have faith in his wisdom and totally rely on him.

ALLAH says in the QURA'N:

Verily, therein is indeed a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while he is heedful. (Qaf 50:37)

Click Here In Case You Missed: Reliance On ALLAH, (The Most Critical Of Disciplines), Part 1.

Sleeping Through The Fajr Prayer.

2009-05-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

The Question:

May ALLAH reward you Sheikh, I'm a young man, i woke up from my sleep at the time of the Fajr Athan (call to prayer) and lazily i fell back asleep, and i didn't wake up again until the time of Fajr prayed has passed, what is the ruling on this?

The Answer:

You've made a mistake, because you woke up at the time of the Athan (call to prayer), if you slept through it and you didn't hear the Athan, you would have an excuse. But since you heard the call to prayer you should've got up and not submitted to sleep. You have to seek forgiveness from ALLAH for this sin and perform your due prayer.

Translation of the answer of sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan.

Click Here To Find Out About The Sheikh.

Click Here For The Sheikh's Original Answer.

Do Women Also Have Special Husbands In Paradise Like Men Have Wives?

2009-05-17T08:37:00.000-07:00

ALLAH says in the QURAN about the bounties of paradise (Jenna):

" Therein you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) for which you ask for, an entertainment from (Allâh), the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Fussilat 41:31, 41:32) and the most high also says:

"therein all that the one's inner-selves could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide therein forever." (Az-Zukhruf 43:71).

It is known that marriage is one of the inner self's highest desires and it is available to the people of paradise male and female. ALLAH the almighty will let the woman marry her husband that was with her in the worldly life:

"Our Lord! And make them enter the 'Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens) which you have promised them, and to the righteous among their fathers, their wives, and their offspring! Verily, You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. (Ghafir 40:8).

If she had more than one husband then she will be given the choice to pick which one she wants to be with. If she was never married then ALLAH lets her marry whatever is most pleasing to her from the men of paradise.

Bounties in paradise are not solely for men but for both men and women, and marriage is surely one of the best bounties. A person might ask: well ALLAH mentioned special wives for men in paradise, but he hasn't mentioned special husbands for women. Wives were mentioned for men because it's usually the men who seek out women and pursue them, and not because women will be without men in paradise.

Translation of the answer of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen.

Click Here To Find Out About The Sheikh.

Click Here For The Sheikh's original answer.

Eric Schmidt Speaking At The Princeton Colloquium.

2009-05-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

Kevin Kelly on The Next 5000 Days In Technology.

2009-05-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

Beneficial Q and A Session by the Google Team.

2009-05-12T12:36:00.000-07:00

The Pretty Eyes Behind The Veil.

2009-05-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

The Components Of Pharaoh's Oppressive Regime.

2009-05-10T17:17:00.000-07:00

Throughout Egyptian history Pharaohs have ruled with supreme and uncontested power, reducing their citizens to mere slaves whose sole purpose of existence is to be of service to the Pharaoh and his oppressive regime.

In ancient Egypt the Pharaoh was considered godly and his obedience was not negotiable unless you didn't mind the death penalty, any sign of rebellion or disagreement was met with ferocious response as to make an example for the public that this would be the result if such opposition is expressed.

Pharaoh possessed an unmatched sense of arrogance so much so that he viewed himself as ALLAH declaring "I'm your lord, the highest" and putting himself as a legislator next to ALLAH . The people submitted to the rule of Pharaoh, accepted his oppression as a part of their daily life, believed and obeyed what was being presented to them as if it's legislation from above 7 heavens.

To stay in power the pharaoh gathered to his aid, many components that were essential for any oppressive regime to thrive and for any tyrant to last. In this writing we'll attempt to cover some of those components.

The Closest People To Pharaoh.

One of the closest people to Pharaoh was the magician Hamman and his helpers, who would assure the Pharaoh that what he is upon is the ultimate truth and that they will assist him in any endeavour he desires to embark upon, even if it's as foolish as erecting a building that can reach the heavens.

The Elite Businessmen.

The elite businessmen are those who dedicate their wealth to serve the oppressive regime of pharaoh by humiliating the people with their financial power and making them dependent on the state for their livelihoods which would be destroyed if they showed any opposition to it.

The Religious Scholars.

The religious scholars are those who make the statements and actions of pharaoh sacred and not to be contested. They go out of their way to find religious evidences and justifications for what the pharaoh is doing and they pass rulings on the importance of obeying the pharaoh and the wrath of his disobedience.

The Law Enforcement Workers.

The law enforcement workers range from the military to the little tax collectors, these individuals are the ones who make sure that pharaoh's laws are being obeyed in the land and that his so called dues are collected from the citizens, and paid unto him.

The Press.

The press are the people who spread the culture of subservience to the pharaoh and the mentality of inferiority by increasing the admiration for his status in the public eye and constantly praising his statements and actions as beneficial and legitimate.

History has a fascinating way of reincarnating itself, wouldn't you agree?.

Since When Did We Have To Integrate?.

2009-05-09T13:26:00.000-07:00

There is this constant talk we're hearing all throughout the world about whether the Muslims are integrated in society, they ask us: Do you consider yourself fully integrated? Do you feel Muslims are integrated in society? Are you integrated fully in your community? And the list goes on...

Since when brothers and sisters did we have to integrate, since when were we not integrated in society, since when did we have to conform and compromise, since when did we have to beg just to be accepted, since when did we have to call ourselves "mo" and "mike" instead of Muhammad, since when did we have to be apologetic about our faith, since when did we have to strip ourselves from our identity just to please them, since when did we depart from being rulers to becoming followers of nations, whose so called development still hasn't taught them basic bathroom etiquette.

ALLAH says in the QURAN:

"you were the best nation to be raised for mankind...."

History stands as a witness that we built the most powerful and most intellectual empire under the sun, an empire that stretched from china in the east to the shores of the Atlantic in the west, we were the envy of the known world, people would flock to us from the four corners of the globe to learn math, medicine, astronomy, literature, architecture....If only the walls in Europe could speak they'll testify to the genius who designed and built them.

Today we are asked to integrate, Subhanallah!! have they forgotten that when London inhabitants were still living in wooden houses, Muslims already had luxurious palaces erected in cosmopolitan cities that had over 70 libraries. Have they forgotten that when their citizens in Europe were still defecating in the streets, Muslim cities had over 300 public baths, full blown sewage systems running in their homes, and roads that were illuminated by street lights. Have they forgotten that the Muslim hospitals in Spain were performing operations that were few hundred years more advanced than the rest of Europe. Have they forgotten that their so called elite who established oxford as a center of learning were the students of Muslim scholars in Toledo, Spain. Have they forgotten all this or is it too painful to remember..., i personally think it's the latter.

Today brothers and sisters we are asked to integrate, we are asked to make an effort to become a part of society as if we are alien to it and indeed we have believed the deception.We can not blame them for verily we have become followers to whatever they tell us is acceptable, we have become followers to what they deem as civilized, we have become imitators of the very nations to whom we taught civilization. Such a sad state we have reached, brothers and sisters, such a sad state!!
There are no wonders as to the causes of our tragedy. The messenger of ALLAH (may peace and blessings be upon him):

"If you deal in usury and grab the tails of the cows(busy yourself with worldly life) and are satisfied with what you have reaped(you were pleased with your wordly gains) and you have left Jihad in the path of ALLAH and his messenger, ALLAH will send upon you a humiliation that he will not remove until you go back to your religion"

In this Hadith the prophet of ALLAH makes clear the path of success in this life and the hereafter. I'll tell you here and now brothers and sisters, that you don't have to integrate it, because you have been for over 14 centuries, you don't have to conform to or compromise anything because you are the leaders of this world, you are the guidance that humanity desperately needs, you are superior to all mankind in the eyes of the one who has created the heavens and the earth.

ALLAH says in the QURAN:

"Dot not be weak nor be saddened , you are the superior ones if you are true believers"

ALLAH says in the QURAN:

ALLAH has promised those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that he will certainly grant them succession in the land, as he granted it to those before them, and that he will grant them the authority to practise their religion which he has chosen for them. And he will surely replace them with safety and security after their fear.

Brothers and sisters, It is not befitting of us to follow, it is not befitting of us to imitate, it is not befitting of us to apologize about our faith. We were sent to rule over mankind, Let's end this fatal psychological defeat, let's rise up and shake the dust off our bodies, let's rise up and reach for what is rightfully ours.

Click Here To Rewrite History.

"If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astounding
results are the three criteria of human genius, who could dare
to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad?

Lamartine
Histoire de la Turquie, Pans 1854, Vol. 11, pp. 276-77.

"He was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope without Pope's
pretensions, Caesar without the legions of Caesar: without a
standing army, without a bodyguard, without a palace, without
a fixed revenue. If ever any man had the right to say that he
ruled by the right divine, it was Mohammad, for he had all the
power without its instruments and without its supports."

Bosworth Smith
Mohammad and Mohammadanism, London 1874, p 92.

"My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most
influential persons may surprise some readers and may be
questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who
was supremely successful on both the religious and secular
level."

Michael H. Hart
The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History,
New York: Hart Publishing Company Inc. 1978, p 33.

The personality of Muhammad, it is most difficult to get into the whole truth of it. Only a glimpse of it I can catch. What a dramatic succession of picturesque scenes! There is Muhammad, the Prophet. There is Muhammad, the Warrior; Muhammad, the Businessman; Muhammad, the Statesman; Muhammad, the Orator; Muhammad, the Reformer; Muhammad, the Refuge of Orphans; Muhammad, the Protector of Slaves; Muhammad, the Emancipator of Women; Muhammad, the Judge; Muhammad, the Saint. All in all these magnificent roles, in all these departments of human activities, he is alike a hero."

Prof. Ramakrishna Rao.

"I wanted to know the best of one who holds today's undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind....I became more than convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to this friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle. When I closed the 2ND volume (of the Prophet's biography), I was sorry there was not more for me to read of the great life."

Mahatma Gandhi.

"If a man like Muhammad were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness."

George Bernard.

"if there is much misunderstanding in the West about the nature of Islam, there is also much ignorance about the debt our own culture and civilisation owe to the Islamic world. It is a failure which stems, I think, from the straitjacket of history which we have inherited. The medieval Islamic world, from Central Asia to the shores of the Atlantic, was a world where scholars and men of learning flourished. But because we have tended to see Islam as the enemy of the West, as an alien culture, society and system of belief, we have tended to ignore or erase its great relevance to our own history."

Prince Charles.

Reliance On ALLAH, (The Most Critical Discipline Of All), Part 1.

2009-05-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

Relying on ALLAH is a matter of critical importance in the life of a Muslim, through it a believer can gain tremendous strength by realizing that no creation on the face of this earth can be of a benefit to him or even to itself except with the permission of ALLAH. If a creation as weak as a fly takes anything from a human, he wouldn't be able to take it back, even if he gathers all other humans to his cause.

Relying on ALLAH instills in the Muslim the courage to stand up for the truth and voice it at all times, regardless of who disagrees or who is displeased, he knows that the pens have been lifted and the ink has dried on what is to happen. And that whatever befalls him was not meant to miss him, and whatever missed him was not meant to befall him, so he's never subdued by peer pressure, public opinion or what society deems as acceptable because his sustenance, his livelihood, his needs, his wants, his concerns...he leaves them all to the one in whose hand is the ownership of the heavens and the earth.

Fears and weaknesses we often experience come from our seeking of help and sustenance from the creation, who subjects us to compromises and humiliation, Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him) said: "whenever someone opens for himself a door of asking, ALLAH opens up for him a door of humiliation."

Much of the humiliation our Umma faces today, is from its lack of reliance on ALLAH along with its psychological defeat in front of its enemies. History has proven this to be a timely lesson, that whenever people rely on ALLAH alone, have full faith in him through their statements and actions, ALLAH surely grants them victory and authority over the land.

ALLAH says in the QURAN:

"ALLAH has promised those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that he will certainly grant them succession in the land, as he granted it to those before them, and that he will grant them the authority to practice their religion which he has chosen for them. And he will surely replace them with safety and security after their fear."

The prophet of ALLAH Ibrahim (may peace and blessings be upon him) was persecuted for his message from the closest people to him including his father, so much so that the women who were seeking a child or cure from a disease would vow to their idols, that they would increase the charcoal and wood used in fueling the fire that was being prepared for Ibrahim.

When the prophet of ALLAH Ibrahim was about to be thrown in the fire, angel Gabriel (may peace and blessings be upon him) came to him and asked if he is in need of anything, Ibrahim replied : "in need of you no, but in need of ALLAH yes". Ibrahim relied only on ALLAH and was not in need of any help or assistance even if it was from the angel of revelation himself (may peace and blessings be upon him).

This was the creed of the pious predecessors throughout history. And verily when Ibrahim was thrown in the flames, ALLAH commanded the fire to be cool and safe on his prophet. Ibrahim then tasted the sweetness of his reliance on the most high.

It wasn't the only time that Ibrahim was tested in his reliance on ALLAH who once commanded him to leave his son Ismael and his mother at a wild place that had no water and no vegetation, just beasts, scorpions and ...... Ismael's mother looked up to Ibrahim and asked him : "Did ALLAH command you to do this" Ibrahim nodded in approval then she said "then he won't leave us.." ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR. Quite a different concept of reliance on ALLAH in dealing with her husband's test. May ALLAH bless our Muslim brothers with wives that are only one tenth of what that woman was.

Click Here To continue Reading...

Stanford University Gives Free Programming Courses.

2009-05-06T09:17:00.000-07:00

Stanford university gives free courses on programing that are available on youtube.com, it's a step towards open model education and a great benefit to whoever is interested.

Monotheism, The Call Of All Prophets, Part 1.

2009-05-05T20:38:00.000-07:00

Monotheism has been throughout the ages the call of all the prophets, and it is the reason behind the creation of man, ALLAH says in the QURAN : "I have not created men and jinn except to worship me." And he says elsewhere: "Did you think we created you in play, and that to us you won't return."

There is absolute wisdom in that which ALLAH creates and in that which he leaves uncreated, and also in that which he allows and in that which he forbids, he is the all wise, all knowing.

ALLAH has sent all prophets from Noah to Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him) with the same message of monotheism to worship ALLAH alone and not associate any partners with him.

People who live their lives not worshipping ALLAH be it pride, ignorance or carelessness convey through their actions that the creator of the heavens and the earth has created man in vain and with no set purpose. These people believe that they are fully in charge of their life and destiny, yet they are submitted willingly or unwillingly to the will of ALLAH the almighty.

ALLAH has blessed humanity with a precise guidance and a clear path to its salvation, unlike what some confused ideologies claim that it's left up to each individual to find his way, all praises due to ALLAH who has not left us to ourselves and our guesswork.

It's Going To Take An Awakening And A New Mindset.

2009-05-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

For almost the past century, Muslims around the world have experienced a dramatic fall in all aspects of their society, they were militarily attacked as an initial phase, having their resources and wealth pillaged then came the fierce ideological attack which has completely shattered what was once the most powerful empire on the face of the earth.

Theses different and successive attacks on the Muslims have left severe damages that are much worse than the millions who have been killed, driven into poverty, chaos and social injustice.

The most severe damage that has been done to the Muslims was the birth of a new mentality of loss, weakness and humiliation. Muslims went from leaders to followers, from being proud of their identity to being ashamed of who they are, from being sure of their faith to being apologetic about its tenets, from the ruling class to the pitfalls of blind following.

Wherever you go now and talk to Muslims about projects and initiatives, you would find that they have little confidence in themselves and in their people in terms of achieving. The effect of media outlets pounding the so called superior civilizations and their unmatched accomplishments have created almost a cult like following and admiration for these systems, forgetting that the foundation of their key sciences and areas of expertise was taken from early Muslim scholars.

What is needed is a new awakening, and a new mindset, everyone knows the humiliating state the Muslims are living in economically and socially, only a handful are trying to create change.
The rest are going about their lives like it doesn't concern them and yet they are the biggest victims of their non-involvement.

Each one of us has to ask himself "how can i contribute today to the improvement of the Muslim umma", the playing field has changed: the means to communicate, the tools put in place by technology, and the infrastructures provide us with an unprecedented edge over any other time in history, if all of us follow a worldwide collaboration model in bringing change, we can rewrite history, let's pull together all resources and expertise in an open and collaborative manner for the benefit of each and every individual in our nation.

John Chambers at MIT Talking About The Next Generation Company.

2009-05-03T14:28:00.000-07:00

Bill Gates At MIT Talking About The Latest Developments In Software.

2009-05-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

The Inevitable Destiny.

2009-05-03T09:31:00.001-07:00

The First American Muslim Chamber Of Commerce Opens.

2009-05-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

In Washington, the first American Muslim chamber of commerce has opened up its doors, the aim of the organization is to represent American Muslim businesses in the public and private sector.

“One of our Chamber’s primary goals is to ensure a strong and vibrant future for the American Muslim community,” Khalid A. Ahmed, CEO and president of the American Muslim Chamber of Commerce (AMCC), told IslamOnline.net.

The amcc was established by a group of American business professionals as well as independent individuals.

Video Game Of Prophets Fighting Offends Many Faiths.

2009-04-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

Metro.co.uk is launching a new video game that has the characters of prophet Muhammad, prophet Jesus and budha in a death struggle, the game is called faith fight, A spokesman for the Organization of the Islamic Conference Observatory on Islamophobia said in a statement:

This game has provocative and offensive content for both Christians and Muslims (...) and would only encourage intolerance".

He urged the website managers to take measures to remove the game from the internet.

American Women In Alaska Converting To Islam, Part 1.

2009-04-26T10:56:00.000-07:00

American Women In Alaska Converting To Islam, Part 2.

2009-04-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

American Women In Alaska Converting To Islam, Part 3.

2009-04-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

Anti-Islamic Cartoons, Ahmed and Salim.

2009-04-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

Ahmed and Salim are a series of cartoons created by 2 Israelis tom Trager and Or Paz, the cartoon portrays 2 Muslim children that are sent by their father to carry out terrorist missions that always go awry, Ahmed and Salim go around town trying to blow up buses, incinerate crowded cafes, and shoot Jewish people.

"What they do is strengthen old stereotypes of the Arabs and Muslims as radical and stupid and terrorists," said Yizhar Be'er, the executive director of Keshev, an Israeli media-monitoring group. "These episodes are so full of hatred that if an Arab did this about Jews, immediately the Anti-Defamation League would make big noise about it."

"I despise all religion, but no other religion would do that over a cartoon. That's why we're passionately more aggressive towards the Muslim faith." said Trager, a self-described atheist.

It's very interesting that if the case was reversed and the cartoons were made by Muslims they would be called anti-Semitic, would these cartoons then be called anti-Islamic you think?

Becoming A Better Listener Is Key To A Healthy Relationship.

2009-04-25T20:03:00.000-07:00

Listening is a vital part of interpersonal communication; it allows us to share feelings, express concerns, communicate wants and needs, and let our thoughts and opinions be known.

Improving your speaking and listening skills, will enhance your relationships, improve your grasp of information, and allow you to interpret more effectively what others are saying.

We as humans listen best when:

1. We Believe the message is important and somehow relevant to us.

2. The speaker holds our attention through humor, dramatic effect, and use of media.

3. We are in the mood to listen and free of distractions and worries

When we make an effort to understand what people are thinking and feeling from their perspective, we are listening effectively. We not only hear the words, but also understand what is being meant by them. How many times have you been caught pretending to listen when you were not? After several moments of nodding and saying “huh”. Sometimes these distractions are due to lack of sleep, stress overload, being preoccupied.

Here are some of the tips that will make you a good listener:

MAKE EYE CONTACT:

Be sure to look at the speaker in the face most of the time, especially look at her/his eyes. If you forget to make eye contact, the speaker might think that you are bored, withdrawn, or simply not listening. Also be culturally sensitive: some individuals may be uncomfortable with too much direct eye contact.

1. TAKE A LISTENING POSITION:

Sit or stand in a comfortable position with your body aimed towards the general area where the speaker is. Try to be in a relaxed position. Face the speaker and make appropriate eye contact. Be aware of other non-verbals: placement of arms, leaning forward when necessary, head nodding, degree of personal space, smiling.

2. PARAPHRASE THE SPEAKER’S MESSAGE:

Paraphrasing means stating in your own words what someone has just said. Some common ways to lead into paraphrases include:

What I hear you saying is…

In other word...

So basically how you felt was…

What happened was…

Sounds like you’re feeling…

The speaker then has a chance to know you have understood what she/he has said. This also gives the speaker the opportunity to try to make the message more clear if she/he doesn’t think you really understood. Also be sure to reflect feeling words.

3. ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING:

If the speaker says something unclear to you, ask her/him a question to get more information. Such questions make you an active, interested listener; the speaker can tell that you’ve been listening enough to have a question and care enough to ask. Ask open ended questions when you need more information, “Could you give me an example of when you’ve had difficulty talking to your professor?” Avoid the overuse of closed questions; these are questions that just require a yes or no response and tend to halt communication.

4. MAKE COMMENTS, ANSWER QUESTIONS:

When the speaker stops or pauses, you can be a good listener by making comments about the same subject. If you change the topic suddenly, she/he may think you weren’t listening. If the speaker asks a question, your answer can show you were listening. Also, use silence to your benefit versus attempting to fill the conversation with constant talk.

5. PROVIDE APPROPRIATE FEEDBACK:

Your speaker is likely to be interested in your opinions and feedback. Feedback should always be given in an honest and supportive way.

6. EMPATHY:

Recognize that everyone is trying to survive, get through school or work successfully, build a support network and deal with the demands of outside life. Sometimes it can be difficult to be empathic if we have had different life experiences or tried unconventional solutions.

7. OPENNESS:

Listen with openness. Be a supportive, but neutral listener. This provides safety for self-disclosure and talk of emotional states. Be careful of judgments and stereotypes you have that block openness. Attempt to put yourself in the other person’s shoes without becoming consumed with their difficulties. Incorporate your own self-care so that you do not burn out.

8. AWARENESS:

Be aware of your own biases. We all have biases, this is part of human nature. The key is to not let them get in the way of what others have to say. Try to fully understand the person and their context versus relying on just your personal experience to guide them.

The Pretty Woman With The Veil.

2009-04-22T22:10:00.001-07:00

A man was walking through the marketplace one afternoon when, just as the muadhdhin began the call to 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.

As if struck by a bolt from heaven, the man was at once drawn, his heart a prisoner of that look, forever. In vain he struggled with his heart, offering it one sound reason after another to go his way - wasn't it time to pray? - but it was finished: there was nothing but to follow. He hastened after her, turning into the market of silks, breathing from the exertion of catching up with the woman, who had unexpectedly outpaced him and even now lingered for an instance at the far end of the market, many shops ahead. She turned toward him, and he thought he could see a flash of a mischievous smile from beneath the black muslin of her veil, as she - was it his imagination? - beckoned to him again.

The poor man was beside himself. Who was she? The daughter of a wealthy family? What did she want? He quickened his steps and turned into the lane where she had disappeared. And so she led him, always beyond reach, always tantalizingly ahead, now through the weapons market, now the oil merchants', now the leather sellers'; farther and farther from where they began. The feeling within him grew rather than decreased. Was she mad? On and on she led, to the very edge of town.

The sun declined and set, and there she was, before him as ever. Now they were come, of all places, to the City of Tombs. Had he been in his normal senses, he would have been afraid, but indeed, he now reflected, stranger places than this had seen a lovers' tryst.

There were scarcely twenty cubits between them when he saw her look back, and, giving a little start, she skipped down the steps and through the great bronze door of what seemed to be a very old sepulchre. A soberer moment might have seen the man pause, but in his present state, there was no turning back, and he went down the steps and slid in after her.

Inside, as his eyes saw after a moment, there were two flights of steps that led down to a second door, from whence a light shone, and which he equally passed through. He found himself in a large room, somehow unsuspected by the outside world, lit with candles upon its walls. There sat the woman, opposite the door on a pallet of rich stuff in her full black dress, still veiled, reclining on a pillow against the far wall. To the right of the pallet, the man noticed a well set in the floor.

"Lock the door behind you," she said in a low, husky voice that was almost a whisper, "and bring the key." He did as he was told. She gestured carelessly at the well. "Throw it in."

A ray of sense seemed to penetrate for a moment through the clouds over his understanding, and a bystander, had there been one, might have detected the slightest of pauses.

"Go on," she said laughingly, "You didn't hesitate to miss the prayer as you followed me here, did you?"

He said nothing.

"The time for sunset prayer has almost finished as well," she said with gentle mockery. "Why worry? Go on, throw it in. You want to please me, don't you?"

He extended his hand over the mouth of the well, and watched as he let the key drop. An uncanny feeling rose from the pit of his stomach as moments passed but no sound came. He felt wonder, then horror, then comprehension.

"It is time to see me," she said, and she lifted her veil to reveal not the face of a fresh young girl, but of a hideous old crone, all darkness and vice, not a particle of light anywhere in its eldritch lines.

"See me well," she said.. "My name is Dunya. I am your beloved. You spent your time running after me, and now you have caught up with me. In your grave. Welcome, welcome."

At this she laughed and laughed, until she shook herself into a small mound of fine dust, whose fitful shadows, as the candles went out,
returned to the darkness one by one.......

A Muslim Woman To Serve As Adviser To President Obama.

2009-04-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

Dalia Mogahed an Egyptian American who heads the Gallup American center for Muslim studies, a non governmental research center providing data-driven analysis on the views of Muslims worldwide, was appointed by the Obama administration to be a part of a new advisory in the white house comprised of 25 religious and secular representatives in an effort to realize the key role religion plays in solving problems and civil right issues.

Dalia Mogahed is the first Muslim woman to be appointed for a position in the white house, Dalia Mogahed said in an interview with AL Masry Al Youm that her loyalty goes to the united states first.

Riz khan Discusses Life As A Muslim In America With The Youth.

2009-04-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

Latinos Accepting Islam In America.

2009-04-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

20000 Convert To Islam Each Year In America.

2009-04-21T12:50:00.000-07:00

An Indigenous Muslim Community In Mexico.

2009-04-21T12:44:00.000-07:00

Islamic Finance Has topped $800 billion in Assets.

2009-04-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

The global financial collapse, as well as the erosion of the conventional financial markets have pushed investors worldwide into seeking refuge in more conservative arenas and the Islamic financial sector has proved to be a excellent candidate with Saudi Arabia having four Ipos in April 2009.

The middle east and north African markets have enormous cash reserves, governments in the region have also adopted many measures to encourage foreign capital such as substantial investments in education, consolidation of regulatory processes, and strengthening of accounting standards and market research that will in turn improve transparency and efficiency.

The recent study done by Arthur D Little looks at ten Islamic markets in the region: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Malaysia, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

The Sharia compliant assets market has topped over $800 billion and is expected to reach $4 trillion by 2015 growing at an annual rate of 10% to 20%. The study split the countries into three categories the big 4, the challengers, the newcomers.

The big 4.

Malaysia with a 92% capitalization over GDP ratio, Kuwait with a 76% capitalization over GDP ratio and a 21% concentration of Islamic finance assets, KSA has the largest concentration of Islamic finance assets 40% while the UAE has 20% concentration. Other competitive advantages of these markets are initiatives taken by the government and financial institutions to promote education and diversify products. Opportunities in these countries are mainly in sukuk which have seen an erosion in investor confidence lately, making investors gravitate toward alternatives such as syndicated lending and project financing.

The challengers.

Qatar with a market capitalization of $77 billion was the fastest growing economy in the middle east in 2008 but the concentration of Islamic finance assets is still at a low 5%.

Bahrain has 15% concentration of Islamic finance assets but a low diversification of its products, things might shift with the co-founding by bank bakara of the largest pure sharia conform bank with an initial $10 billion capital.

Oman with a relatively small market capitalization, however it enjoys great accessibility to foreign capital and benefits from a well regulated financial services industry.

The newcomers.

In 2007 morocco and Tunisia authorized Islamic finance products, while Egypt followed suit in 2008, while the Egyptian Islamic finance industry is the most developed out of the three and the Tunisian government is encouraging the flow of foreign capital, morocco remains the biggest in terms of market capitalization but the government is still conservative about the industry.

A Guantanamo Military Guard Converts To Islam.

2009-04-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

The Moving Story Of A Canadian Woman Accepting Islam.

2009-04-13T09:09:00.000-07:00

Tanya How I became Muslim?
Uploaded by mfanaji

2 Muslim Women And a Deceived Diamond Speak To Cbs.

2009-04-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

An American Woman Who Lost 8 Of Her Relatives In 9/11 Converts To Islam.

2009-04-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

AlJazeera Jewish And Catholic Women Became Muslim After 9/11

Ignorance Is The Enemy Of A Muslim Woman, part 1

2009-04-11T08:22:00.000-07:00

Ignorance in muslim women has proved to be one of the main factors of deterioration of the muslim society, the ignorance that is meant here is ignorance about the shariaa and the deen (religion) of ALLAH.

Ignorance has been the cause of innovations in worshiping ALLAH, Ignorance has been the cause of marital problems, Ignorance has been the cause of social problems, Ignorance has been the cause of living a miserable and confused life, Ignorance is the one that introduced false ideologies into our communities and made us lose the sweetness of performing acts of worship, Ignorance has made us transgress the rights of ALLAH, his messenger, and the people.

Ignorance is the most dangerous enemy to muslim women and muslim men as well, for this purpose learning is one of the essentials of islam and is something that ALLAH has made obligatory upon us. ALLAH has commanded the mothers of the believers in the QURAN saying: "and recall that which gets narrated in your homes from the signs of ALLAH (QURAN) and the wisdom (SUNNA of the prophet)".

It is compulsory on muslim women and muslim men to learn the deen of ALLAH and they are both equally responsible.

A woman came to the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) seeking knoweldge and said: O' messenger of ALLAH, the men have taken all of your narrations, make for us a day that we can come to you to teach us from what ALLAH has taught you. The messenger of ALLAH (may peace and blessings be upon him) said: gather on such and such day at such and such place, then the prophet (may peace and blessing be upon him) came and taught them what ALLAH has taught him.

The Life Of a Muslim Woman in Iraq.

2009-04-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

A Muslim Woman Gets $400,000 In A Death Threat Case.

2009-04-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

The Washoe County School District in nevada agreed to pay Jana Elhifny $400,000.

Jana Elhifny was a freshman student at North Valleys High School, where she received death threats from fellow students for wearing her religious headscarf.

Jana Elhifny informed teachers and administrators about the death threats but unfortunately they have taken no action to address the matter, jana dropped out of the school, filed a lawsuit and left the country.

Stephanie Hart also a former student at North Valleys High School was ostracized for being the friend of a muslim woman who wears a religious headscarf, she will also get $50,000 as a settlement for her civil case.

"The district did an incredibly thorough investigation," Cox told FOXNews.com in a phone interview. "They could never identify the person who perpetrated these acts. ... The district did everything it could do to try to help this young woman who is an Egyptian and of the Islam faith."

It's interesting to see that the school district sounded very confident in their investigation and findings, yet agreed to pay $400,000 to settle the case.

Is It Lawful For The Muslim Woman To Cut Her Hair ?

2009-04-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

Cutting the abundant hair for the muslim woman is lawful if it is intended to reduce it, as it was reported that the wives of the prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) have cut their hair to reduce it after his death, so it is lawful to do it for that particular intent not trying to resemble men or what the disbelievers do in fashion.

Translation of the answer of Sheikh Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd Allah ibn Baaz.

The Perimenopause Period And Its Implications On A Woman's Body.

2009-04-07T09:47:00.000-07:00

A Question About Shaking Hands.

2009-04-07T08:11:00.000-07:00

A sister asked: is it lawful to shake the hands of men that are not a Mahram knowing that traditionally there, men stand up for women out of respect and shake their hand ?

It is not lawful for a woman to shake the hand of a man that is not a Mahram to her and it is not lawful for a man to shake the hand of a woman who is not a Mahram to him because touching the skin of a woman that is not a Mahram is Haram, it is like gazing or worse in terms of Fitna, but if the woman is from his acquaintance and he shaked her hand through an object that blocks skin contact, there is no harm in that, but if they fear the Fitna, he should not do so even with a blocking object and to resume this: a man shaking the hand of women that are a Mahram to him is lawful and shaking the hand of women who are not a Mahram even if they are an acquaintance is Haram except through a blocking object with making sure that no Fitna could arise from that.

Translation of the answer of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen.

The Jurisprudence Of Marriage In The Light Of The Quran And The Sunna By Dr Salih Ibn Ghanim Asadlan, Introdution 2.

2009-04-06T10:58:00.000-07:00

All praises due to ALLAH and may peace and blessings be upon whom there is no prophet after, on his family, pious predecessors and on those who follow him until the day of judgement.

As to what follows:

There was an era of time when the woman had no stability nor tranquility, she was subdued, oppressed, with no rights or confident will.

The roman husband had the authority to sentence her to death, the Greek husband viewed her just a property of his, the Jew humiliated her considering her an impurity, while the christian was confused whether she is a human being or just a soul, and the ignorant Arab would bury her and be pessimistic about her aura.

After all these trials, tribulations and suffering the woman endured throughout the ages, Islam rises and shines its light on these dark oppressions, establishing the balance of justice and giving the woman her full rights, raising off of her the burden of humiliation, granting her equal status as a human being, giving her qualification to full social and civil rights, protecting her from the misuse of lusts and the trials of enjoying her body in an animalistic fashion, finally making her an effective member and participator in constructing and advancing societies.

From the main pillars of elevating the woman and giving her full rights in Islam, the rights she has upon her husband and the rights her husband has upon her. From these rights, the Mahr (dowry) which is her private possession and her right that is intended to honor, elevate and make her happy. And it doesn't mean that the woman is a merchandise with a price attached to it, on the contrary it is a way to elevate her status and deepen the love and mercy she feels, keeping also in mind the nature of the woman in wanting nice things to be offered to her especially from the person that is soon going to be her life partner.

For all these noble reasons the Mahr (dowry) was prescribed and from its traits, was ease and availability in the society regardless of time and place, but when Iman has grown weak and the practices of customs and traditions has become widely spread, people innovated and introduced matters that have no basis in Islam.

From these innovations, what happens in the stages before the marriage, such as sitting alone without a mahram with the fiancee, the high costs of the mahr (dowry) and wedding expenses that cause social problems and financial hardships that could result in canceling the marriage all together.

From these innovations also, the wasting and extravagance that go on during weddings, the unlawful practices such as music and dancing, and the unislamic customs such as the honeymoon.

The reader will find in this book with the help of ALLAH the almighty, all these matters dealt with from the light of the QURAN and the SUNNA, and the sayings of scholars from the past and present with proofs and clarifications of stronger positions and why they are so.

The book chapters will be as follows:

The mahr (dowry).

The announcement of the neekah (marriage).

The Walima (marriage banquet)

The congratulations for the marriage.

Warning and Treatment.

Etiquette of the night of the wedding.

CLICK HERE IN CASE YOU MISSED PART 1 OF THE INTRODUCTION.

New British Convert To Islam.

2009-04-04T10:31:00.000-07:00

Dutch Muslim Women.

2009-04-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

How Some People Feel About Muslim Women.

2009-04-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

African American Women Speaking About Their Experience As Muslim Women.

2009-04-04T08:56:00.000-07:00

A French Woman Speaks About Her Choice To Become A Muslim.

2009-04-04T08:23:00.000-07:00

A Muslim Woman From Spain Speaks About Her Rights In Islam.

2009-04-04T08:18:00.000-07:00

Profiles Of Diamonds: The Story Of Meriem (the virgin mary) Part 2.

2009-04-02T19:58:00.000-07:00

To hun'a great surprise the born child was a female, and she has already vowed what's in her womb to ALLAH to be of service to AL QODS (Jerusalem). Huna turned to ALLAH the almighty saying "O' ALLAH i have given birth to a female and i have named her meriem (the virgin Mary)", which meant a worshiping woman and she seeked refuge in ALLAH for her as well as her offspring from the shaytan (Satan). Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him) said that all children are touched by the shaytan at their birth except Meriem (the virgin Mary) and her son Issa (Jesus).

Fulfilling her vow to ALLAH, Huna took Meriem (the virgin Mary) to AL QODS to present her to the worshipers of the children of Israel who instantly welcomed her with great honor because she was the daughter of their imam IMRAN. They were all debating who will have the privilege to watch over and take care of her. Finally she was given to ZAKARIA the prophet of the children of Israel, due to him being the husband of her sister.

When ZAKARIA used to enter to check on Meriem (the virgin Mary), he would always find foods and fruits that are not from the current season, prepared and served in a fashion that is beyond a human being's ability and so he would ask O' Meriem (the virgin Mary) who sends you this food and prepares it in this fashion, she would respond: "it has all come from ALLAH the almighty, he sustains who he wishes with with no account". Meriem (the virgin Mary) has lived as a pure and righteous woman in the company of Prophethood. ALLAH has chosen Meriem (the virgin Mary) and favored her over all women in the world, ALLAH says in the QURAN: " And the angels said, verily ALLAH has chosen you, purified and favored you over all the women of the world"

Click here in case you missed part 1.

Profiles Of Diamonds: The Story Of Meriem (the virgin mary) Part 1.

2009-03-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

Over the past 2000 years, there was so much controversy over the personality of meriem (the virgin mary), her life and the birth of her son jesus.

In these series we'll explore her true story and the miraculous birth of her son Issa (may peace and blessings be upon him) from the light of the QURAN and the SUNNA.

ALLAH the almighty has elevated meriem and honored her in a manner that no other mother was ever honored or elevated throughout history, showing the world that when ALLAH wishes a thing he tells it be and it is, subhanallah.

The father of meriem was named Imran, he was a righteous imam from the children of Israel, Imran married Huna which also was a pious worshiper from the children of Israel and she was the daughter of Faqood.

when Huna was advanced in age, one day as she was performing her acts of worship, she noticed a bird feeding its baby, so she wished that she had a child to feed and take care of.

Huna started supplicating to ALLAH to give her a child, soon after that her menstrual cycle came. When she became pure, her husband Imran had marital relations with her and she became pregnant, ALLAH has answered her supplication, Huna was so overwhelmed that ALLAH has given her a child at such an old age, she vowed what's in her womb to ALLAH to be of service to al QODS (jerusalem).

At that time the chidren of Israel only vowed sons to the service of Jerusalem, Huna didn't know that the soon to be born child will be a female....

Click here for part 2 of this story.

An Oppressed Muslim Woman Speaks Out.

2009-03-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

The Internal War On Muslim Women.

2009-03-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

A Glimpse Into The Life Of Muslim Sisters In The United Kingdom.

2009-03-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

MUSLIM WOMEN AND UK LIFE - video powered by Metacafe

The most powerful Empire In History.

2009-03-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

Our State Of Affairs !!

Our umma today is a living proof of the prophecy of the messenger of allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) when he said " the nations of the world shall gather around to partake from you in the same manner in which people gather to partake from a plate of food" then the companions asked him " O' messenger of allah is it because we will be only few on that day?" he replied: " no, you will be many but you will be like the scum of the sea".

In the four corners of the world today, we see muslim nations in wars, their lands being occupied, their wealth pillaged, their human rights violated, their religion and way of life being humiliated to the lowest degrees.

What has gotten us to this shameful state of affairs?, what has transformed the most powerful empire in the history of mankind to the most humiliated nation on the face of the earth?

Homeschooling Is The Safest Route For Your Child.

2009-03-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Last year, i was really in a dilemma thinking about my son's education, i had a few options none of which was appealing, the american public school system was a lethal choice to his value system and islamic upbringing, and i'm absolutely not exaggerating, unfortunately there are many muslims who would strongly disagree with me due to their unfamiliarity with the hidden agendas of the school systems, and the mind conditioning that starts at an alarmingly young age in these institutions.

It's very sad to see all throughout our communities the muslims falling prey to these schools becoming confused individuals, doubtful of who they are, shattered between an islamic background and a deceptive freedom. This matter is indeed a very extensive one and we'll dedicate other posts to it but let's get back to homeschooling.

So the public system was out of the question especially when also academically it's becoming a disgrace and classrooms are too crowded.

The muslim schools are $300 to $400 a month per child, some are academically inadequate, and what's most shocking is the behavior of some of the muslim kids and what's being talked about amongst them, where can a muslim turn to these days ,this is a truly a time of fitna everywhere.

One day i was in front of my computer thinking about all this, it was almost the end of september and the school year already started, then it hit me "why don't i homeschool my son ??!!", i thought alhamdullilah i found the solution, all of a sudden i started feeling butterflies in my stomach and whispers in my head telling me " but you don't have any credentials, how are you going to teach your son ?!", " how will you find the time to teach him ?!", " who will watch him when you go to work ?!", " how is he going to socialize with other kids ?!", "what if this all goes bad?!".

To be honest with you i didn't have any answer to any of these questions but i knew only one thing and that is " i have to take personal responsibility of what my son's education is going to be", the how will take care of itself, i relied on ALLAH and started my journey and the rest is history. Subhanallah !!!

Homeschooling my son was the most fulfilling and rewarding experience of my whole entire life and i sincerely hope for every muslim parent the same.....

ALLAH says in the QURAN:

"WHOEVER RELIES ON ALLAH, HE SHALL SUFFICE HIM"

The Jurisprudence Of Marriage In The Light Of The Quran And The Sunna By Dr Salih Ibn Ghanim Asadlan, Introdution 1.

2009-03-28T19:54:00.000-07:00

The Jurisprudence Of Marriage In The Light Of The Quran And The Sunna is a book written by Doctor Salih bin Ghanim Asadlan, university professor at "Imam Muhammad Bin Saud University" in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The following will be a translation of the main chapters and areas of the book.

Introduction:

All praises due to ALLAH who created for us mates from ourselves and put love and mercy between us, verily this is one of the signs of the almighty.
And may peace and blessings be upon Muhammad who ALLAH has addressed saying: "and indeed we sent messengers before you, and made for them wives and offspring..."

As to what follows:

When it has become apparent that the affairs of marriage, Walima (marriage banquet), and the wedding became subjects that people needed much clarity on, i deemed it appropriate to write about this matter, its rules and implications.

I have narrowed the topics in this particular book to the matters of Mahr (dowry), the Walima (marriage banquet), Etiquettes of the wedding night, rights of the spouses, following this with a clarification of the mistakes and negative practices that some people do.

It is my hope that this book achieves its aim, ALLAH is the one able to benefit with it whomever reads it. And i ask ALLAH to put this work of mine in the scale of my good deeds on the day when no wealth or children would be of a benefit except who comes to ALLAH with a clean heart, and may peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family and his pious predecessors.

CLICK HERE TO READ PART 2 OF THE INTRODUCTION.

Islamic Finance in Singapore.

2008-12-01T09:40:00.000-08:00

Singapore's qualities are similar to London's. It has experience as an international financial hub, and therefore plenty of talent that other emerging centers lack.

The city-state is throwing its support behind Islamic finance, changing the tax structure to benefit Sharia-compliant financing. It also licensed its first Islamic bank last year, the Islamic Bank of Asia.

Its main rival in the region is Malaysia, which may not have the same talent pool, but which has much more experience nurturing and regulating Islamic finance.

FORBES.COM

Islamic Finance in London.

2008-12-01T09:39:00.000-08:00

London has a lot going for it: financial experience, good infrastructure, a wealth of human capital and an array of diverse markets.

Ratings agency Standard & Poor's last year called London the "sole non-Muslim competitor" of the traditional Islamic financial centers. The agency also said that Britain's sovereign sukuk bond--when it eventually arrives--would be only the second sovereign Sharia-compliant bond worldwide to get an "AAA" rating.

But the collapse and eventual nationalization of lender Northern Rock earlier this year exposed holes in the way the British government supervises the financial sector, while the wider crunch on credit has hurt banks and tightened lending conditions. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Alistair Darling may provoke a business backlash by raising capital gains tax and proposing a fee for non-domiciled foreigners.

FORBES.COM

Islamic Finance in Qatar.

2008-12-01T09:33:00.000-08:00

Oil and gas make up nearly 70% of Qatar's economy, and the recycling of petro-dollars is key to Qatar's ambitions in the region. Like Dubai, Qatar wants to be the leading financial player in the region, and Sharia-compliant investment will play a part in the $142 billion worth of upcoming development projects in the small constitutional monarchy.

But also like Dubai, Qatar is facing a burgeoning inflation problem. This is partly due to the dollar-pegged currency, but also to Qatar’s rapid population growth, which could put added pressure on its economy.

FORBES.COM

The King Of Morocco: A New Era?

2008-12-01T09:11:00.000-08:00

In the old Era if we can call it that, when Hassan II was in power criticizing the royal family of morocco was strictly taboo. Due to their claimed lineage to the prophet it is outright blasphemy to criticize their person or decisions. People who engaged in these activities or were proven to be related could face many consequences such as arrest, torture or outright execution or dissapearence.

The new king of morocco Mohamed IV portrays a much different persona from that of his late father being more open politically to Inputs as well as moderate Critisism, he is being called "The king of the poor" but king Mohamed IV doesn't spare any of his lavish transportation, personal or red carpets when he is out in the public.

According to a BBC article the royal court expenses are $250 million dollars which is an astronomical sum when looked in equivalent Moroccan currency.

Islamic Finance in Dubai.

2008-12-01T09:03:00.000-08:00

Dubai is seen by many industry watchers as the leading center of Islamic finance today. It has more sukuk listed than anywhere else, with $16 billion worth, and international investors are flocking to the emirate's latest sukuk issuances and initial public offerings.

But inflation is causing some businesses based in Dubai to grumble, with high costs and wage pressures serving as a reminder that booms come at a price. Inflation in the United Arab Emirates reportedly topped 10% last year, and the dollar-pegged dirham is not making things any easier.

FORBES.COM

Islamic Finance in malaysia.

2008-12-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

Malaysia's promotion of Islamic finance in the past five years has paid off: It now is second only to Dubai in terms of listed sukuk, or Sharia-compliant bonds, according to Standard & Poor's.

Malaysia issued the world's first global sovereign sukuk in 2002. Four years later, government-owned Khazanah issued the world's first exchangeable sukuk, and has issued two more since then. (Exchangeable sukuks allow investors to swap the investment for other securities, usually shares.) In tandem with these developments, Malaysia has opened up the sector to foreign companies, allowing for 49% foreign ownership of Islamic banks.

Industry insiders say, however, that Malaysian interpretation of sharia law can sometimes conflict with the more conservative tendencies of the Middle East. One fund manager said that a 15% level of leverage would be unthinkable for some Saudi investors, whereas in Malaysia it would not bat an eyelid.

FORBES.COM

FORBES says Islamic Finance is a 500 billion dollar...

2008-12-01T08:55:00.000-08:00

Islamic finance is booming.
At least $500 billion in assets around the world are managed in accordance with Sharia, or Islamic law, and the sector is growing at more than 10% per year. In spirit, Islamic finance seeks to promote social justice by banning exploitative practices. In reality, this boils down to a set of prohibitions--on paying interest, on gambling with derivatives and options, and on investing in firms that make pornography or pork. No one can say for sure how many of the world's 1.3 billion Muslims will demand Sharia-compliant financial products, but if even a fraction do, the world's largest banks will be happy to oblige.

FORBES.COM

What The economist Says About Islamic Finance.

2008-12-01T07:50:00.000-08:00

Shari'a-compliant banking is fast moving from niche to mainstream, says Christopher Watts. But while continuing growth seems certain, challenges remain.
In January this year when the UAE's Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) needed cash to construct a power generation and desalination plant in the town of Hamriyah, it was Islamic finance that provided the answer: The utility raised USD 350 m by issuing its first ever sukuk – asset-backed bonds that comply with Shari'a, the Islamic legal code that prohibits interest.

By no means is SEWA alone in venturing into the Islamic capital markets. Corporate sukuk issuance leapt from USD 0.4 billion in 2000 to USD 24.5 billion in 2006, according to International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM), an industry association. Growth topped 122% in 2006 alone. "Islamic finance is no longer a niche market," says David Pace, CFO of Bahrain-based Unicorn Investment Bank (UIB), a Shari'a-compliant house. "It is increasingly a mainstream component of the global banking system."

To be sure, while the world's first Islamic bank was founded back in 1975, it is only in the last five years or so that Islamic finance has surged. Sniffing opportunity, conventional banks are now scrambling to set up Shari'a-compliant operations; and there has been a flurry of all-Islamic start-ups, from full-service investment banks to specialist advisory firms. Products have moved beyond lending, insurance and investment funds to include sukuk, hedge funds, currency swaps, and more.

Despite this boom – largely concentrated in the Middle East and South-East Asia – it's plain the Islamic finance industry still lacks global scale. Professor Rodney Wilson of the Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic studies at Durham University in the UK estimates Islamic banking assets speak for less than 0.5% of the world's total. And worldwide sukuk debt outstanding amounts to perhaps USD 100 billion – just 0.1% of the global bond market.

Still, the signs point to a continuing surge in Islamic finance. Take economic growth: The Middle East and Asia are the two fastest-growing areas of the world. Kuwait Finance House expects 2007 GDP to rise 6.1% in the GCC and 6.2% in South-East Asia – in contrast to 2.4% in the EU and 2.2% in the US. Oil revenues lie behind the boom in the GCC; and in South-East Asia it is "the financial rigour adopted in the wake of the Asian currency crises," according to Douglas Clark Johnson, CEO of Calyx Financial, an alternative investment adviser based in New York.

Continuing growth in the GCC states and South-East Asia is fast creating a prosperous middle class among the regions' combined 410 m-strong Muslim population. As the ranks of the regions' newly well-off snap up credit to buy homes and cars, and invest in savings and retirement plans, demand for Shari'a-compliant retail financial services is set to accelerate. Behind such consumer products is a need for Islamic institutional finance too.

Consider, too, the vast cash-flows into the GCC region and South-East Asia: The IMF expects Indonesia and Malaysia alone to record a cumulative current account surplus of USD 132 billion for the five-year period to end-2008, in contrast to a deficit of USD 32 billion for the same period a decade earlier. And in the GCC, the surplus should reach USD 680 billion, versus a prior deficit of USD 8 billion.
Buoyed by this cash, regional governments are planning ambitious infrastructure programmes: Indonesia alone expects USD 110 billion of expenditure in the five years to end-2010; and consulting firm McKinsey estimates the GCC will invest USD 200 billion in the same period. Much of this spending is already being financed by sukuk – and the volume is set to balloon: Following its successful sukuk issue, SEWA hopes to raise another USD 2.7 billion. And in neighbouring Dubai, the electricity and water authority is eyeing a debut sukuk issue, with plans to raise USD 2.5 billion.
With ever-stronger foundations in the Middle East and Asia, Islamic finance is now starting to take hold in London, too. The UK's first standalone Shari'a-compliant bank opened its doors in 2004; two others have followed; another is on the way. (All are backed by Middle Eastern institutions.) And in April this year the London Stock Exchange listed its maiden sukuk, adding much-needed depth and liquidity to the market. Another milestone is in sight: the UK government is mulling its first sovereign sukuk issue, perhaps as soon as early-2008.

But challenges remain. If Islamic finance is to move deeper into mainstream global finance, the industry needs to improve transparency and foster credibility by harmonizing standards and practices. Not least, Shari'a interpretation varies between regions and even institutions. Regulatory oversight need to be sharpened as well. These measures – and others – could be critical in broadening the appeal of Islamic finance and bridging the gap between Islamic and conventional financial systems.

The Islamic finance industry needs to work on innovation, too. Shari's-compliant products can be more complex than conventional ones because every transaction is backed a non-financial trade. Many instruments are still lacking, including corporate treasury and derivatives products. As UIB's Pace points out: "We [in the industry] need to change our perception of R&D, and view it as a core ingredient of success." But at the same time, innovation is hampered by the limited number of Islamic scholars able to vet financial products for Shari'a compliance.
For certain, industry practitioners are making progress. Earlier this year the International Capital Market Association and the IIFM agreed to develop standard contracts and common best practice for secondary trading of sukuk and other Islamic instruments. And it may help, too, that global banking giants are putting their weight behind Islamic finance. (Deutsche Bank, Barclays Capital and BNP Paribas are already among the world's top five issuers of sukuk.)

The question whether Islamic finance has reached critical mass remains open, of course. But Johnson of Calyx Financial is optimistic: "The tipping point may already have arrived," he ventures. Even if Johnson is wrong in his optimism, it seems unlikely history will prove him to have been very far wide of the mark.