Islamic Culture & Photo Blog – Muslim Blog

Monthly Archives: July 2012

The Status of Arabian Women before Islam

July 18th, 2012
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Articles, Islam, Women in Islam
by Sufia

Honor of a woman has been granted due to emergence of Islam. Before the arrival of Islam, women were treated as a demoralized piece; some sort of a thing not a human. Numerous high class Arabs were involved in trading business of women. They humiliated females as they had no worthy existence on earth. Status of Arabian women was same like a painting that had been available for auction. The person who bid the highest would possess the ownership of the offered item.

Arabian Women before Islam 480x394 The Status of Arabian Women before Islam

Women had no rights to show their acceptance in choosing appropriate marriage proposal and had no share in property by her parents. After the emergence, Islam gave a woman full right to agree or disagree on marriage proposals. She has now option to choose the best man for rest of her life. Even if a woman doesn’t want to live with her husband due to his humiliating behavior then she can submit termination of marriage agreement in courts.

A woman has been encouraged by Islam to attain a fair share in the legacy of her parents and she can also transfer her legacy to siblings further which was totally prohibited before. After the introduction of Islamic beliefs and values by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), women were granted with equal position of supremacy like men.

Islam has provided full authority to women to participate in every appropriate area as in old times; Hazrat Fatima (R.A) and Hazrat Ayesha (R.A) were used to provide their valuable services to warriors. Before the revelation of Islam, Arabian women had been brought in the wars not for the purpose of fight equally with men but if the consequences were turned into defeat then women were offered as a compensation to conquer.

Islam has introduced the concept of (Hijab), which was not known before the emergence. Allah has considered Hijab as a protecting shield for women against the evil minds of men. He has chosen Hijab for women due to the honorable position Allah Almighty wants to bestow them with.

Allah has guided in Quran clearly that woman is not an ordinary individual. She is highly valuable creation of Allah due to her prestigious rank. A woman is not a piece to be offered for auction. She has rewarded with the strong relationship of Husband thus her body and beauty is only visible and touchable by her better half; not for whole world. Her husband has been ordered to behave well for her true rights and duties specifically conducted by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).

Arabian women before the commencement of Islamic values were not rewarded with any kind of mercy and nice behavior therefore women were treated like servants. Islam is the only religion who introduced to the world that women need to be treated with love and care.

Where Is Islam Growing in the World?

July 18th, 2012
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Articles, Islam
by Sufia

To find out where Islam is growing has not been difficult to anticipate as answer is “everywhere”. Various reputed organizations have revealed astounding facts about the growth rate of Muslims in every corner of world. Latest study has shown that Islam has been the second fastest growing religion among various other prevailing communities.

Islam Fastest Growing Faith in San Diego Where Is Islam Growing in the World?

Astonishing results have been found out by the statistical survey of UN, which highlight 6.40% of growth in Islam against1.46% growth in Christianity. One of the eye-awakening realities about Muslims’ growing percentage in the world’s population is the ratio of 1:5. It indicates the presence of one Muslim in a set of 5 humans on earth.

Islam is not only growing in an Asian region but surprisingly its elevation rate has been heightened in every region of world. In North America, believers of Islam have raised up to 25% since 1989, along with Africa, Asia, and Europe, where growth rate is 2.15%, 12.57%, and 142.35% respectively. Therefore, in Australia and Pacific region, Islam has gained 257.01% raise in believers.

Numerous research institutions, who are deliberately observing the impacts and religious trends on human societies, have reported 35% increase in Muslims’ community by 2030. It has been expecting to grow twice the annual growth percentage of 2010; approximately 1.5% rise is inevitable against non-Muslim population and 0.7% is foreseen annually in next two decades.

In USA, Muslims populace will be expected to ascend twice from 2.6 million in 2010 up to 6.2 million by 2030. Statistically, Muslims were 0.8% of the American population in 2010 that will increase to 1.7% of the total population in 2030. In 2009, facts were reported that number of immigrants in America was mostly seen from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Similarly, by 2030, these countries will remain on the top for the growing rate of immigrants in United States.

In 2010, Muslims percentage in the total population of Canada had been 2.8 % that will increase by 6.6% in 2030; nearly 2.7 million of the total Canada’s population. After United States, Argentina has been on the second position comprising of 1 million Muslims population currently.

On the other hand, in Europe, figures will continuously be raised up to 58.2 million by 2030 as compared to 44.1 million in 2010. So in 2030, Muslims will be 8% of the total population in Europe. France, Belgium, Russia, Bulgaria, Georgia, and Albania will also have the highest percentage of Muslims population by 2030 and the percentage will be elevated up to 10%.

It is pretty obvious from the afore mentioned statistics that Islam will gain more strength and rise in number of believers in coming years that will highly boost the percentage of Muslims in total world’s population.

Al-Imam Al-A’zam, Abu Hanifah (r.a.)

July 18th, 2012
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Articles, Sahaba
by Sufia

Nuʿmān ibn Thābit, recognized in the Muslim Umma as Al-Imam-A’zam, Abu Hanifah (r.a.), was the first ahl-Sunnah Imam, born in Iraq in 699 A.D. In his childhood, he memorized Holy Qur’an and was counted among the brilliant intellects of that era. Being a sharia scholar, he laid down the foundations of Sunni Hanafi institution. His institute was established and specialized in Islamic jurisprudence under the Abassid dynasty that had provided brilliant legal minds like Seljuk and Kharzem Shah. This scholarly institute was first established in Iran; afterwards the laws that were developed under the umbrella of Hanafi School were started practiced entirely in Islamic World.

abu Hanifah 480x636 Al Imam Al Azam, Abu Hanifah (r.a.)

After strengthening the Hanafi law institute in Iran, the legal system established under this School gained recognition and acceptance in Iraq after which it spread to most parts of eastern region. The whole Islamic jurisprudence system gained immense popularity when inserted in the administration of Government and public legal structure of Damascus. Under the ruling of Muhammad Ali Pasha in Egypt, Hanafi institute and its legal concepts gained accredited certification. Under the enlightened supervision of Al-Imam Al-A’zam, Abu Hanifah (r.a.), the Islamic legal system fetched elevated credibility thus the success of Hanafi School happened to be possible due to the clear visions and passion for Islamic knowledge by him.

Al-Imam Al-A’zam, Abu Hanifah (r.a.) was started on his education in Islamic studies at an early age. His scholarly aptitude pushed him towards the infinite knowledge of spirituality thus his divine interests gained him the assistance of Imam Shabi and his intellectual deep knowledge about religious studies. Imam Shabi recommended Al-Imam Al-A’zam, Abu Hanifah (r.a.) to study the valuable cannons of Islamic foundation to seek exquisite pearls of deep knowledge hidden in the depths of the Islamic sea. Hammad Ibn Abi Sulaiman, known for his scholarly Islamic laws, was the next influential teacher that taught Al-Imam Al-A’zam, Abu Hanifah (r.a.) about Islamic legal structure.

Abu Hanifah (r.a.) was under the teachings of Hammad approximately for 28 years. During this whole tenure Abu Hanifah (r.a.) was attached to Hammad like a shadow, thus he polished his knowledge of Islamic laws under Hammad’s excellence and brilliance. Afterwards he approached Makah and then started to raise his levels of education in Islamic regulations even higher under many scholars of Makah.

Some popular Hadiths of Al-Imam Al-A’zam, Abu Hanifah (r.a.) that exist in Islamic History are:

  •  The accomplishment of a task depends upon the hidden objective of the inner soul of a person.
  • The completion of a Muslim faith is attached with the good deeds with his/her brother. A person who does not differentiate while making choice for him or her -self and his/her brother should congratulate him or her -self for being the truest Muslim from heart and soul.
  • If you love Allah, remove discrimination in the inner and outlook of your personality.

Ramadan a month of introspection for Muslims

July 14th, 2012
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Ramadan
by Sufia

The month of Ramadan begins on Friday, July 20. Ramadan is a month greatly anticipated by Muslims around the world.

For 30 days, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset. Ramadan is a unique month that affects every aspect of social and spiritual life of Muslims. It is a month of devotion, intense spiritual introspection, social engagement, great benevolence and overwhelming generosity. A typical day in Ramadan begins with a pre-dawn meal, followed by the dawn prayer and a full day of fasting. The day ends with families, friends and neighbours gathering for a fast-breaking meal.

holy ramadan moon wide 480x800 Ramadan a month of introspection for Muslims

Following the meal, a nightly gathering takes place at the mosques where a special congregational prayer takes place every night during Ramadan. During the day, many spend their days reciting the holy book of Islam, the Qur’an. Ramadan ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, one of the most important days of festivities in Islam.

Fasting in Ramadan isn’t just a ritual, but a means to a greater purpose. As stated in the Qur’an, the aim of fasting is to “attain righteousness.”

Fasting predates Islam and has a long history as a means of achieving spiritual efficacy. Fasting provides a unique opportunity to strengthen the willpower, to enhance endurance, to increase self-restraint and to control impulsive urges. Further, fasting opens the eyes to the struggles faced by the poor and invokes a sense of sympathy for their plight. Moreover, it creates a sense of appreciation for the good provisions of life, which many times are taken for granted and overlooked.

Al-Ghazzali (1058-1111 C.E.), the renowned theologian and mystic, in elaborating the spiritual dimensions of fasting, notes the simple abstention from food and drink is the simplest form of fasting. The real and substantive fasting is to go beyond the rituals and engage in self-restrain from evil thoughts, actions and impulses.

Ramadan brings out the best in humanity. During Ramadan, generosity peaks, people mend broken relationships, open their doors and reach out to others. Many find Ramadan an opportunity to rejuvenate themselves and to open a newer and more positive chapter in their life. Some find it an opportunity to free themselves from bad habits such as smoking, excessive consumption of coffee and other addictive behaviours.

The last 10 days of Ramadan are of great intensity. Some Muslims practise what is known as Itikaf for 10 days, during which they spend their time in the mosque engulfed in a full state of deep meditation, introspection and reflection that amounts to an all-encompassing spiritual journey.

Ramadan ends with an auspicious exercise of generosity. Every Muslim, including children, is required to give charity to the poor and the needy. The aim of this charity is to enable the poor to share in the celebrations and festivities that follow the end of Ramadan.

For those who truly experience Ramadan to its fullest extent, it is a transformative experience that enables people to rediscover the best within themselves. People come out of Ramadan physically shaped, spiritually nourished, socially engaged and mentally refreshed.

The challenge for Muslims isn’t the fasting itself, but the ability to fully absorb the deeper spiritual underpinnings of Ramadan and to carry its noble sentiments of generosity, forgiveness, mindfulness and devotion throughout the year.

Across Canada, neighbours of mosques notice a major surge in mosque attendance and greater activity, particularly at night. Some mosques and Muslim student bodies at universities open their doors to members of other faiths and invite them to experience the noble sentiments of Ramadan. Fast-a-Thon has been organized for a number of years across universities, including the University of Manitoba, where students from other faith groups fast for a full day. Many who have gone through this experience have found it challenging but very refreshing.

Source: winnipegfreepress.com

Does Islam Put Limits On A Person?

July 14th, 2012
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Articles, Islam
by Sufia

Among burning topics on the international social forums, one of the most highlighted debates to be discussed is whether Islam imposes limitations on the rights of a person or not. People linked with different religions are somewhat disagreed with the beliefs and values that Allah has guided us through Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). The reason behind this blazing attitude towards Muslim community may be because after Christianity, Islam has become the second fastest growing religion on Earth.

islam is not the enemy1 Does Islam Put Limits On A Person?However, wise scholars around the globe have come up with the logics related to what Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) had brought 1400 centuries ago for the betterment of human beings. World’s renowned authors list Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) on the top among greatest other men because he (P.B.U.H) had delivered clear ideas of how a person can lead his life to the road of success.

Allah had given the most valuable yet difficult duty to Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) to spread the message of unity, faith and peace so that a person would be able to sort out his own issues in accordance with the mentioned directions in Islam. Along with this, Allah has awarded humans with some rules to live in world so that a person can live a worthy life. If we analyze thoroughly the guided rules for life from the book of Quran, we will find out that Islam was the first religion that has proved and bound every human to be educated.

There was no other religion but Islam who had granted an opportunity to both men and women, to be educated, organized and cultured. For this purpose, if they have to leave their country then they are totally allowed to achieve their ultimate goals and objectives.

Nowadays, the most important issue that has become a bone of contention in many countries is Hijab. Numerous people believe that Hijab is the limitation that prohibits a woman to live liberally. In reality when you indulge for the ground reason, you will find that how much useful women’s Hijab is in front of men.

Hijab is a protective shield that guards a woman from the evil minds of society. Not only women should cover her body properly but also Allah has ordered in the Holy book of Quran to men that they should lower their gaze, when a woman passes by their way. So, man and woman are equally advised to protect themselves from the devil’s trap. You can observe that in other religions, rate of rape is extremely high because those people are fully exposed and exploitation of each other is a norm. They should keep the secrecy and adhere to the guidelines to keep the privacy. Exhibition of private masculine and feminine body parts is strictly forbidden in Islam.

Islam is the paramount religion that brings about the equality of rights between female and male. If a person is distressed from severe circumstances in his life then he just needs to peek into what Allah Almighty has told about those particular issues to live life in peace. He or she should know his or her rights and perform duties accordingly to please their Allah Subhana Wa Tallah.

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