Religious and historical shows are known to be fixtures on television during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, however, viewers this year will be eagerly anticipating to break their fast watching a ground-breaking series which chronicles the life of the second Righteous Caliph (thani al-Khulafa’ al-Rashidin), Omar ibn al-Khattab, also known as the Great Farooq.

Mazen Hayek, MBC Group’s Official Spokesman, tells Al Arabiya that “Omar” is anticipated to be the biggest and most important TV drama series ever produced in recent Middle Eastern TV history.

The series, which is the result of a joint collaboration between MBC Group and Qatar Media Incorporated, follows the life of Omar and his accomplishments, most notably the foundation of an Islamic state.

It also portrays Omar’s noble character to the audience, and the values he embodied such as good governance, equity, heroism and justice.

Given the significance of the main character and story to Muslims around the globe, the series is expected to attract audiences worldwide. The show will be airing in the Middle East and North Africa via MBC1, while ATV, a leading private TV network in Turkey, will air the Turkish dubbed version simultaneously with MBC in Ramadan; and MNC TV network in Indonesia, will air the subtitled version first, then the dubbed later.

Audiences in South East Asia, Europe and French speaking countries should also brace themselves; as the series is heading their way soon.

“O3 Productions which is the production arm of the MBC group is now in the final, contractual phases of closing the deals with leading networks and countries. There could well be a French version to-be considered for French speaking audiences in Africa, and one in English considered for Europe,” Hayek said.

As with any historical program, the project went through extensive research and authentication. In addition, a committee of prominent scholars and religious figures was formed to validate the text and made sure of the accurate interpretation of historical events, facts, and figures.

The trailer and available previews of the show indicates a huge amount of work high production values, 3D animation, props, and makeup in this year-and-a-half production. “If you think of similar treatments, you can only think of Robin Hood, Braveheart, and such Hollywood epic movies. We don’t have the exact budget of these big movies, but we’re talking of the same treatment in visual representation, at least.”

With a few days left to go before Ramadan starts; the hype surrounding this new series is at its peak… including among the media and advertising experts.

Faysal Zok, managing director of Initiative Media in Saudi Arabia expects the show to be a hit, given the extensive process in creating it.

“Historical series have proven success when done right, examples of that are the success of Hareem Al Sultan on OSN and Dubai TV, and Al Hassan Wa Al Hussein last Ramadan on Rotana Khaleejiah,” he said.

One aspect of the show which people are eager to find out about is whether the face of Omar will be shown on screen, since some Muslims believe that such a highly revered religious icon should not be portrayed.

“The series is expected to feature the faces of the Caliphs (Sahaba) and Omar, which is expected to create a controversy as to whether this is right or wrong, though we understood that MBC Group has already taken an approval from the three religious sources in the region (KSA, Egypt, and Qatar),” said Zok.

For his part, Hayek said viewers will have to wait until the first night the show is expected to air on MBC1 to find out whether Omar’s face will be shown. “The question about the series is not about whether the face is finally shown or not but, the real question is whether this mega TV historical series gives justice to Omar’s history or not. As a matter of fact, it does!”

Watch the trailer for “Omar” (in Arabic)

 

Source: alarabiya.net

The functions of conventional banks rely on manmade principles, while the Islamic banks rely on the Islamic Shariah principles. The transactions, dealing, product features, business approach, responsibilities, investment focus and various other features are Shariah law leading to significant difference in regular operations in comparison to the conventional banking system.

The Islamic foundation is based on Islamic faith and is restricted within the Islamic law in its actions and deeds. ‘Shariah’ is an Arabic word and its actual meaning is ‘way to source of life’. This is now employed to legal system keeping the behavior code in respect to the Holly Quran.

The Islamic bank governing principles are the interest (riba) transactions absence. The economic activities (zulm) including cruelty are avoided, the economic activities (gharar) including speculation are avoided, the tax introduction (zakat) and goods and services contradicting Islamic value is discouraged (haram).

On the contrary, conventional banking is based on creditor-debtor relationship that comprises of depositors and bank and dealings go with borrowers and bank. Interest reflects the cost of money.

Islamic law offers loan free of charge to meet contingencies aiming that creditors do not take advantage from borrowers in lean times. In fact, money lent on interest is viewed as injustice.

Principles relating to financial transactions are that the capital is not rewarded unless it is exposed to risks in businesses. Financial intermediation is followed as per the Islamic framework.

The investor in conventional banking is given priority and is seen with great respect, besides is assured of rate of interest as per the predetermined reports. In contrast, the Islamic banking promotes risk between investor of the capital and its users.

Conventional banking focuses on maximizing profits and does that with full force to gain best profits without any sort of restrictions. Islamic banking aim only at maximizing profit, but restricts its activities to Shariah restrictions.

Islamic banking system is service oriented and has tax (Zakat) collection and pay out center, while the conventional banking refrain dealing with Zakat. The conventional banking system lend and get money with compounding interest and is the key function, while the Islamic banking participates in the business in the form of partnership.

The conventional banking system approves charging penalty and additional money from defaulters. The Islamic banks have maintained no such provisions to charge penalty from defaulters. They take small amounts as compensation and the same is given to charity. In fact, rebates are issued for early settlements.

Conventional banks are based on clients’ credit-worthiness, while Islamic banks emphasis on the projects viability. The relation of conventional banks with its clients is as debtors or creditors, while the Islamic bank client relations is as partners such as investors and trader, seller and buyer.

When we believe in the oneness of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah and lead our life according to the guidelines that Allah Subhana Wa Tallah has provided through Prophet Muhammad (P.B,U.H), we truly belong and gain position in the list of most favorite peoples of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah. The truthiness of beliefs comes from the inner satisfaction of a person.

A person’s fulfillment of inner contentment arrives from the peaceful actions, love and care for humanity. If you believe that you are surrounded by the protective shield of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah’s blessings, all the worries regarding the norms of living would vanish at once and the only thing that would remain is going to be the peaceful environment and calm state of mind.

When we start believing in the preaching of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and commence our lives on those enlightened rules first, we gain the infinite blessings of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah and secondly, in this world we find ourselves more peacefully stabled than others. To express our gratitude towards Allah Subhana Wa Tallah in our daily living, the only set of words and the act that can show Allah Subhana Wa Tallah’s true consideration is dhikr or prayers including the recitation and learning of Quran e Majeed and Sunnah

Whenever you perform your routine tasks always believe that there is Allah Subhana Wa Tallah constantly watching you. By having this faith, you are actually doing yourself a favor and with this set of mind would come the assuring feelings of love and affection towards Allah Subhana Wa Tallah, which would bring contentment.

Leave your every decision on Allah Subhana Wa Tallah’s will and see how your every problem would sort out quickly. You would have never imagined that so far. In order to live successfully here and here after, humans have to surpass numerous hindrances that are lying in the path of life at every stop. But with strong determination and faith on Allah Subhana Wa Tallah can ease down a person’s difficult time. It will help in choosing the best option and facing challenges of life.

Follow and go through the records or history of Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and follow Him (P.B.U.H.) in the same way, you will never fall on the ground and if you will then you will have strength to stand up again.  In Holy Quran, Allah Subhana Wa Tallah has mentioned clearly that “A person who wants to fetch my blessings must obey Muhammad (P.B.U.H) fully because he has done the duty that has been given him by me (Allah)”.

Allah Subhana Wa Tallah says that “Your feeling of love towards Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) will automatically show love toward me (Allah)”.  In short, strong implementation of Islamic values in true means can get you connected with Allah’s blessings. This is the only way to make the pathway of life here and hereafter easier. And, you can achieve all this by doing dhikr of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah or in remembrance of God.

Have you ever observed a parent child relationship, in which kid’s best friend is his father or mother? They are the ones to whom the child wishes to say each and everything he or she wants. In every trouble or problem he looks to them for help. Same is the case when a true believer turns to Allah Almighty to seek guidance, mercy, forgiveness, peace, tranquility, etc.

Observing someone praying to Allah Almighty, saying the heart out, which you cannot say or share with others is very unique and interesting. You can say anything or everything because you don’t have any secrets from Allah Almighty. You can do this in your heart so that nobody else should involved, or keep faith in your heart that none but Allah Almighty can understand what exactly you have in your heart. All you wish to do is to pass all your tensions, anxieties, worries, problems, doubts, fears and everything to none other than but your Lord, Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty is the Lord of all worlds and all that exists in between them. To whom you can submit all what you have in your heart and mind with a firm belief that He listens and grants wishes for or whatever is good for you. This can be done only with firm belief in Allah Almighty and through dua or supplication.

“Dua” a connection, a link, a bonding or in other words dua or supplication is the essence of Ibadah(worship). Dua is a gift blessed to the believers by Allah Almighty. If you call dua as the strongest weapon of believers, you will not be considered wrong at all.

Dua is so powerful and effective that it can change fate when nothing else could do. With dua you can never fail. It is actually the matter of your strong belief upon Allah Almighty. How you see Him? How strong your Imaan is? Submitting everything to Allah Almighty is so fulfilling that the person who does so feels so much satisfied and peaceful that nothing can harm him or her. Allah Almighty shall do what’s the best for them. All they need to do is to pray to Allah Almighty and have a strong faith that he shall do the best for them.

Dua itself is such an empowering and liberating act with an exceptional significance. Islam has emphasized so much on dua. Number of times Allah Almighty has mentioned in Holy Quran about supplication, prayer and dua. It affirms our faith and offers tranquility to our hearts. Our Holy Prophet S.A.W has also guided Muslims to turn to Allah Almighty in the times of troubles or happiness, indeed. We can see number of hadiths and Quranic verses stating with the importance of Dua. Islam has guided Muslims about each and every matter of life and has also guided different duas for the solution of problems and sufferings. Starting from getting up in the morning till going to bed, we have been guided for each and every matter of our lives. If you are starting anything you should start by reciting BISMILLAH, that is: Starting with the name of Allah Almighty, it incorporates Barakaat in everything you do and keeps devil away. Similarly, we are guided for each and every matter of our lives by Allah Almighty. Specific duas or supplications are being guided to us and reciting them adds barakaat and Allah Almighty’s will with everything we do. According to a Hadith:

“Whosoever desires that Allah answers his duas in unfavorable and difficult conditions, he should make plentiful dua in days of ease and comfort.”

So adding these Islamic duas in our daily matters can bring us peace and tranquility.