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Friday Talks |
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Friday Talks |
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60 |
A Cry at the Blockade. - (Blockade of the Palestinians)
Written by Sk. Younis Salih
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
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All thanks be to Allah the Lord of the worlds. Peace and prayers be upon the most honorable of all messengers.
Allah says in the Al-Imran’s Chapter: {Oh, you believers, be patient, and practice patience and endurance, and guard your territories, and fear Allah so you may be successful}3-200 that is a one big cry against boycott and blockades.
Dear Muslims; and those of you who are guards of Allah, you who consider them selves to be so, patience is one of the moral virtues of belief. It is the spiritual breeze a believer retains. It lightens off his/her agony or grief, and fills the heart with calmness and peace, and it acts as medicine to the wounds. If not for patience, then many humans would have nerves breakdowns due to the disasters and calamities they see and face. Without patience one can not continue through the voyage of life and can not continue to carry all the responsibilities. Because of that; the Koran gave special attention to the virtue of patience. In fact patience was mentioned more that a hundred times in the Koran. Indeed, Koran always complimented and commended those who are patient. Allah says in An-Nahl Chapter: {And We will certainly pay those who are patient; a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do}16-96
Dear Muslims, no other good or honorable virtue was mentioned as many times like the virtue of patience is. This just shows how important the topic of patience is. For patience is the foundation of many other honorable virtues. For bravery, is being patient and tolerant towards the atrocities that a war brings. And decency and abstinence are just being patient towards the enticements and luring of the different instincts. And being calm and wise is actually being patient towards what enrages us and makes us mad and loose temper. And being entrusted with secrets is being patient towards spreading the information. And so on.
Those who loose hope because the Israeli’s continuous military intrusions, and the tight siege and blockade; you are despairing from our honorable messenger (PPBU). He went through worse circumstance than those you are going through now. Quraish imposed collective punishment upon the messenger (PPBU) and his Muslim companions and even non-Muslim relatives of his. Why did they do that? It was because they refused to hand him over to the leaders of Quraish. For that Quraish issued the boycott document. It included: No dealing with Muslims in buying or selling, No marriage with Muslims. The document was displayed on the wall of the Kaaba. The boycott continued for three years. Muslims were patient in the face of all the pain, difficulties and absolute need. They were so desperate that they had to eat leaves of the trees and peaces of leather skin. But they refused to give up and give in. Until The most powerful, the most capable, the most elevated and most exulted, Allah organized the relief and the end of the calamity through some individuals from Quraish its self. Despite that they were not being Muslims. They called for the boycott to be abolished and the termination of the blockade against the messenger (PPBU) and his people.
The history books, said that the document itself was eventually found eaten away by worms and insects except for the name of Allah which remained untouched; just another miracle. We say to all Muslims round the world: where is he who will terminate the blockade against the people of Palestine?
Dear Muslims, the messenger (PPBU) went through another test when his wife Khadija; and his uncle Abi-Talib both died in the same year. This became to be known as the year of the gloom or year of sadness. Quraish stepped up even more the atrocities and acts of violence towards the messenger (PPBU) and his companions. The messenger (PPBU) put a plan to go to the town of Ta-if where he may find some a better treatment than he was facing in Mekkah. The disaster was that he was faced and badly treated by the town’s leaders and kids. He was stoned until his better deserving feet bled. He returned broken hearted, sad and gloomed. And he took refuge to Allah, where there is no refuge except to Him. He made a prayer with all of his heart and all his feelings and sensations. He said: {Dear God, to you I complain of my weakness, helplessness and lowliness before men. O most merciful, You are the God of the weak, and you are my God. To whom would you leave my fate? Is it to a stranger who insults me? Or is it to an enemy to whom you have given charge power over me? God, as long as you are not angry with me, I care not what happens to me. Your kindness alone is my objective. I seek refuge to the light of your face that lightens up the darkness, and upon which all matters in this life and the life next depend, lest you do not lay your anger upon me, and do not bring down your wrath upon me. All satisfaction or apologies are to you until you are pleased, and there is neither knowledge nor power to do anything except with you.}
It is at those difficult moments that Gabriel came down to say to the messenger (PPBU): Ask what you please, if you wish for Allah to knock down those two mountains on top of them He shall. The messenger (PPBU) with his big heart said: {My Lord, guide my people for they do not know, lest there may be one of their descendents who will believe in Allah as the one and only God}. And the following verse or aya came down: {Indeed, you have a great standard of ethics or virtue} 68-4.
Dear Muslims, there are just a few images of our messengers life. How he and his companions suffered mal treatment, blockage, boycott and aggressive force. And here are the Palestinians facing similar circumstances under the hands of the occupying forces to impose projects of surrendering. What is being done to them is inhumane. Innocent women and children are killed, families are made homeless, homes are destroyed, land is confiscated, settlements are being erected and prisoners are being tortured. We as Muslims ought to face up the aggressive actions. We ought to do all we can as our resources allow us. We must not give up and we must not give in.
First, we must support our people in Palestine. Ask them to have patience and have faith. For victory is just an hour of patience. And patience is half of the faith. And patience is half the life of man. Remember what the messenger (PPBU) said that know that victory is with patience, and relief comes with calamity, and after every tough time comes the ease.
Do not fear and do not give up but have glad tidings. The messenger (PPBU) said: {the state of a believer is really amazing. All his matters are good for him. And that is not the case except for a believer. If inflicted with something good and he becomes thankful, and then he is rewarded well. And if a calamity befalls upon him; and he stays patient then he is rewarded well.}
Second: we all need to make a true and pure repentance from all sins. For what afflicted our entire nation is because of what we committed. Allah says: {What ever a calamity befalls you; is because of what your hands have committed. And he forgives a lot} Ash-Shoora 42-30.
The third point: is to give all the possible support to those who are transgressed against in the line of Allah, near and far; Financial, political and moral support. Especially that we in this country, many of us have a very comfortable living. So, be generous to all your brothers every where, may Allah bless you. And remember that charity turn off the anger and wrath of the Rahaman, and protects against harm. And those who refuse help are only refusing help to themselves.
All thanks be to Allah
Notes:
The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.
Adhan - The call to prayer.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God. Aya (or Ayah):
is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day. Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)
Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.
talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help. Duaa: a prayer in the form of
Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh - Religious law.
Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.
Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman: belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.
Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."
Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.
Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".
Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.
Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.
Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.
Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.
Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam- Fasting
Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.
Surah - A chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.
Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor - The Psalms
Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
Faheem Bukhatwa, my email
address is : faheemfb@gmail.com
