Divine Revelation

A blog with an Islamic perspective


I attempt to take on this issue through the style I love most.......that is (i.e) FAQ style.....

Question) What is St Valentine's Day?
There is an excellent writeup about it on Wikipedia.

Question) Who likes it?
Mostly young people who like the western way of life (in which free inter-mingling of the opposite sexes is socially acceptable).

Question) Who hates it?
A few right wing nationalists oppose it bitterly. See news item.

Question) Can Muslims celebrate St V..Day?
NO

Question) Why not?
To understand this read this answer taken from islamonline.net

Question) Is St V..... Day big business?
Read this link to understand how Valentine's is now big bucks.

Other related links

Posted by Arshad on Wednesday, February 14, 2007.

There is going to be a shortage of girls in China. The reasons well known. The consequences - disastrous. Its time to ponder and start following Divine Revelation....

QURAN 17:31 Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a great sin

Read more...

Posted by Arshad on Monday, February 12, 2007.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Reply to the post God and the Broken Mirror
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This is a reply to the postGOD and the BROKEN MIRROR

"Each person formulates his own definitions of GOD, based on his religious inheritance at the time of birth" says yavesh This assumption & allegation has been the most common pitfall for many in failing to reach the truth. No true messenger of God could possibly concoct his own feelings and desires and pass them on as Divine Revelation. True religion is divinely inspired.The reality is that God has not left any of us unguided. Just as He has made sure of providing all that leads to a good life on earth materially similarly He has provided us with spiritual guidance through His messengers; the last of which was Prophet Muhammad(pbuh).
Comments

K.Venugopal Tuesday, December 12, 2006 6:47:13 PM
Messenger of God? Every single human being ever born and ever will be born, nay, all creation, are messengers of God. We individuals may not realise our own divinity and may choose to follow some particular individual - no harm in this. But only individuals who themselves have realised their divinity can guide others. Among innumerable self-realised souls, Mohammad too undoubtedly was one and hence he could guide many and his message continues to guide many. But oftimes messages are misunderstood and hence religious strife.

jj Tuesday, December 12, 2006 8:40:39 PM
i have read the koran for its spiritual content and it does give many practical insights on the relation between man and godbut when it comes to hitting the nail in the head and reaching the logical conclusion of spiritual knowledge ........ out of all the sacred scriptures in the world i find that it is only vedanta that says "tat tvam asi"this simple sentence sums up the accumulated spiritual treasure of india

yaveshrana Tuesday, December 12, 2006 8:56:18 PM
Sir, The only truth is: ALL OF US EVOLVE OUR PERCEPTIONS OF GOD BASED ON OUR HOME ENVIRONMENTS DURING THE PROCESS OF OUR GROWING UP FROM INFANCY TO ADULTHOOD. There r only 5-10 percent people who defy the BIRTH-TAG RELIGION.U were born MUSLIM so U have an ISLAMIC concept of GOD; I was born HINDU, so I have a HINDU concept of my GOD. So r others Mr ARSHAD.Denying this is to refute the truth.Me&U r not xceptions.

Arshad Wednesday, December 13, 2006 3:40:11 PM
Thank you all for your sharing your points of view. Let us continue this discussion in spirit of universal brotherhood .

Posted by Arshad on Saturday, February 03, 2007.

Monday, December 11, 2006

We the people
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This post is in response to the post we the people ---- barkha dutt ----- M f Hussain

I totally agree that Hussain should not be allowed to continue what he is doing in the name of freedom of expression. However I fail to also understand why God needs to be clothed and how can He submerge His Divinity into idols. This mixing of the Creator and the created defies all reason and logic. Also what is artistic and what is vulgar? It depends on perception and then there is no end to that debate. Islam offers a simple solution. It has defined an area called SATAR which has to be covered always. For men it is the body between the navel and knees and for women it is her entire body except face and hands.

As I was unable to add my comments to JJ (there seems to be some technical issue with NDTV Blog) I am editing the post to include my comments:

Dear JJ,You explain beautifully with examples how spark is potentially present in the match-stick and as each soul is potentially divine and divinity is present everywhere waiting to manifest itself at the correct time.

Please give me one example of that potential divinity (present in idols, sun, moon etc & all created....) manifesting itself and performing only 2 tasks:
A) Creating something out of nothing
B) giving guidance to the created(both physiological and spiritual)
This is a challenge that the created cannot meet and which is accomplished by the One True Creator of all.Thank you for your understanding and taking this interaction in a very healthy spirit of quest for the truth....
Comments

RISHTEY-NATEY Monday, December 11, 2006 9:58:22 PM
Whether it is Mf Hussain or you what is the provocation to start criticising 'HINDU WAY OF LIFE". when someone from HINDUS start criticising the prophet then all of you yell that whole world is after you. Why don't you just shut up and ask these stupid doubts from some a friend of yours, if you have any, though I doubt. I know, now, your whole community will start jumping and feel prosecuted. Some of you provoke and then sing false songs of SECULARISM. Learn to shut your mouth. Accept reality.

jj Tuesday, December 12, 2006 12:08:22 AM
dear irshad

jj Tuesday, December 12, 2006 12:11:40 AM
dear irshad nobody is mixing up the creator and the creator. when was the created separated from the creator in the first place.understand the true concept of god. god is not a person who sits somewhere and makes some rules to govern us. understand the concept of creation and created clearly.god is present in a potential form in every living thing. created is not separate from the creator.the whole world is nothing but a combination of matter and intelligence. above this is a divine will. the matter and the intelligence is a manifestation of this divine will

jj Tuesday, December 12, 2006 12:16:03 AM
vedanta shows the way. while the koran causes an eternal separation between man and god.to use an example .... fire is the same whether present in a spark or a candle light or in a furnace or in a kithcenthe fire is present in a potential form in a match stick. but once you have the right combination of materials and you scratch the match stick against a surface, the fire manifests itself.each soul is potentially divine. divinity is present in everyone. given the right situation and the right effort, this divinity within will manifest itselfyou speak of one mohammed (pbuh) who is a messenger of god. india has been a land where throughout the ages there have been thousands of such messengers of god. So pl try to understand

Arshad Tuesday, December 12, 2006 5:09:52 PM
Dear JJ,Muslims are told in the Quran to believe in all the Prophets that were sent down b4 Muhammad(pbuh)and so we do believe in the (possibly) thousands of messengers sent to India by God. However what we say is that their original teachings are no longer available in authentic and un-adulterated form and hence Muhammad(pbuh) was sent as the final Messenger of God to confirm the earlier teachings of other prophets as well as give us the final message the Quran

Rajneesh_1975 Tuesday, December 12, 2006 6:09:01 PM
Dear Arshad,You believe in Muhammad being the last Prophet- it is FINE with us.However, your "statement" that the "original teachings of other Prophets are no longer available in authentic and un-adulterated form" and only Quran is the truth does not cut ice with believers of other faiths.We do not doubt the beauty and teachings of Quran. You can and should believe in it if it gives you peace and comfort- but do not say that the teachings of other "Prophets" is adultered and Unauthentic.Since, you are neither Muhammad, nor you are any of the "other Prophets".

K.Venugopal Tuesday, December 12, 2006 8:10:06 PM
Dear Arshad Shaikh, Can you please answer me one simple question - who created God?

Arshad Wednesday, December 13, 2006 3:44:16 PM
Thank you all for sharing your views. To Venu I quote the Quran" Lam ya lid wa lam yu lad"He (God) begets not nor was He begotten.

K.Venugopal Wednesday, December 13, 2006 8:01:17 PM
Dear Arshad, Your quotation obviously means Allah sired not any children nor was He sired by any father. Does this also mean, "He (God) created not nor was He created." Since according to Quran He did create the world, does it mean that He was created too? Actually, quoting the Quran without pointing to the logic of the quotation is of no use except to the blind believer.

Arshad Thursday, December 14, 2006 9:30:37 PM
Venu thanks again. I will InshaAllah come up with more in future posts....

Posted by Arshad on .

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Unity of Being
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Its a shame if NDTV is preventing me from adding comments to my own posts......be as it may I am writing a new post as response to Venus comments on Tawheed post......

Hi Venu, thanks for your comments.
This mixing-up of the Creator and the created leads to Shirk (assigning partnership in the divinity of Allah) because if the creation is inseparable to the Creator then all is divine and all is worthy of worship.

When Allah talks about creation He says BE and IT IS....that is Allah can create something out of nothing...and this is only possible for God to do....Lets not confuse the creator with the created.

Moreover Venu we have been told in the Quran to ask the Mushrikeen (those who join the Creator and created in divinity) to produce their proof. Do you Venu have any religious scripture sanctioning or teaching explicitly to worship the created ?

This is just a frank exploration of ideas and viewpoints and no offence is meant to people with other worldviews....

Comments

ruzan_shah Tuesday, November 14, 2006 5:56:51 AM
Hi Arshad I feel sorry for you because you are arguing with VenuI know him very well.You can try but his tactics are first he accused on false basis & when you counter his lies he first tries to doge your question then try to twist it & when he failed all over then he just conviniently forget it or act like he never accused at the first place.Anyway go ahead you will learn his tricks.By the way Mushrikeen are those who claimed they are muslims but in reality they have no faith or commitment towards what they stated. In short muslim by the name but non-muslim by their actions.Like here Venu is Hindu mushreek because he says he is Hindu but if you go through Vedic orders what he is preaching & practising is Anti Vedic.

Arshad Tuesday, November 14, 2006 10:41:12 AM
Thanks Ruzan, correct me if I am wrong but the people u refer to are called MUNAFIQEEN (Hypocrites)

K.Venugopal Tuesday, November 14, 2006 8:15:36 PM
Dear Arshad Shaikh, It may be taboo for a Muslim to say that the creator and his creation is one, but the Hindu has no such restrictions. In fact, as he goes deeper into his religion, his religion says exactly that – advaita – that the creator and his creation is one. You ask if we have any scriptural sanction to worship the created. Actually, all Vedas are a eulogy to nature and its marvels, including the spirit within it all – God. About the precise techniques of worship, hasn’t Mohammad said that if done in the right spirit, even sex is worship? So simply contemplating the beauty of nature and coming up with an exquisite poem is also a form of worship.Incidentally, you titled your blog “Unity of Being”. May I say this is true Tawheed – not just the unity of God but the unity of everything that is?Ruzan says the Vedas talk about worship of one God. But the Vedas are not like the Quran, which eternally separates the Creator and his Creation. The Vedas say that the truth is one, and it means that the truth includes the creator and the created. Arshad, I appreciate the calm way you have communicated. Ruzan, my friend though he is, tends to get emotional at times.

MUNEERUDEEN Sunday, November 26, 2006 2:03:29 AM
OK YOU GUYS AND GALS OUT THERE ON BLOGOSPHERE !ATTENTION ALL ISLAM BASHERS !YOUR ANCESTORS DID THE SAME AND NOW YOU HAVE GOT THE INTERNET & BLOGS TO BLASPHEME ! BUT LET ME ASK YOU - DARWIN SAID MAN WAS AN APE- AETHISTS SAID THERE IS NO GOD - SCIENTISTS DECIDED TO CHANGE GENETICS AND START HUMAN CLONING - ASTRONOMERS SUDDENLY RELISED THAT PLUTO IS NOT A PLANET -JEWS AND NEOCONS SUDDENLY REALISED IRAQ HAS TO BE SPLIT UP TO ROB THE OIL AND SELL MILITARY HARDWARE. AND YOU LEARNED FOLKS HAVE NO COMMENTS TO THAT. USE YOUR BRAINS AND THINK !WHAT IS BEING DISCOVERED NOW IS ALREADY PUT THERE BY SOMONE- NOT YOU OR YOUR ANCESTORS OR MINE -COS THEY WERE MONKEYS -APES- REMEMBER ? OH HOW CAN YOU REMEMBER THAT FAR BACK !SO FORGET WHAT THE QURAN OR ISLAM HAS TO SAY TO SOCIETY AND MAN - YOU BRING THE EVIDENCE TO PROVE IT ! SCIENCE JUST CALCULATES LIFE MILLIONS OF YEARS BACK BUT CANNOT ANSWER A SIMPLE QUESTION TO A NURSERY KID ? MAY BE YOU CAN GIVE IT A TRY !QUESTION: WHICH CAME FIRST- THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG ???I AM WAITING FOR AN ANSWER FROM ANY OF YOU ON THIS OR ANY OTHER SITEkmktrust@gmail.comAttn Bro Arshad Shaikh. I faced a similar situation and I had to write the above on some Anti- Islam Blogs.Pls send me your links to sites.

Posted by Arshad on .

Monday, November 13, 2006
TAWHEED or One-ness of God
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Literally Tawheed means "unification" (making something one) or "asserting oneness", and it comes from the Arabic verb (wahhada) which itself means to unite, unify or consolidate.

However, when the term Tawheed is used in reference to Allaah it means the realizing and maintaining of Allaah's unity in all of man's actions which directly or indirectly relate to Him.

It is the belief that Allaah is One, without partner in His dominion and His actions (Ruboobeeyah), One without similitude in His essence and attributes (Asmaa wa Sifaat), and One without rival in His divinity and in worship (Ulooheeyah/'Ebaadah).

In simple words Allah is
1. Eternal without a beginning
2. Everlasting without an End
3. Not created (nor any of his attributes)
4. Not subject to change (nor any of his attributes)
5. Not similar to creation (nor any of his attributes, any type of creation)
Comments

K.Venugopal Monday, November 13, 2006 8:07:25 PM
You say Allah is eternal - present all the time. Is He also present everywhere all the time? He has to be, because otherwise you would have an Allah who is confined to a niche of his creation. If he is present all the time and everywhere, how can he be separate from creation? Understanding this has to be the real Tawheed
.

Posted by Arshad on .

Saturday, November 4, 2006
MINORITIES and the CONSTITUTION
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Here is an article that was forwarded to me by mail. Although I do not agree to all what Farah says, some points were a revelation.
The Indian State considers targeted development schemes for Muslims unconstitutional. INDIA’S WORST kept secret is out. We treat Muslims shabbily and have done so for years. While I disagree with the manner in which the Sachar Committee’s explosive findings are being serialised, the findingsthemselves warrant urgent engagement. But first, an aside — it is absurd for data of such national importance to be ‘leaked’. It should have firstbeen legitimately presented by the government as public acknowledgement of its intent to act. Is the leak prompted by fear that the government would not have done justice to the findings, or worse, tried to suppress them? One can only wonder.Now, unfortunately, other media houses are not chasing up on the story,demanding government responses, demanding the same access, debating the implications of the findings. Instead, everybody seems content to chase the Muslim veil. Disjuncture between what the Muslim community needs and what the world demands was never so criminally apparent.
Last week, I was invited to a TV discussion on the internal displacement of Muslims in Gujarat — an issue I am deeply committed to. To my dismay, it became a debate on The Muslim Dilemma: time to introspect or celebrate, peppered with questions about liberal Muslims versus mullahs, Imrana, Danish cartoons — all the usual exotic tropes. Another TV channel approached me just days later, with a generous invitation (which Ideclined) to debate the veil. The only intelligent thing I have heard inthe entire veil debate is an observation by the Chairperson of the NationalMinorities Commission: the most unfortunate thing about the current veildebate in India, he said, was that its starting point was Jack Straw!
Our approach to the Muslim problem is strategically skewed. To repeatedly ask Indian Muslims to proclaim liberal credentials from rooftops, attack mullahs and shed the veil is just so much bluff and bluster, leading tonothing but controversy and white noise. The constructive way forward is to demand that the Indian State reclaim the space it has so shamefullyabdicated on the development front. The orthodox clergy will automatically become less relevant. The clergy has been allowed to tighten its hold over a section of Muslims because the Indian development State chose to disappear from Muslim life. If Muslims count on only a network of conservative Muslim organisations to give them jobs, houses and a sense of security, then these organisations will naturally promote their vision of the way things ought to be. There is no such thing as a free lunch. The question is how the Indian State undertakes a course correction.
The Sachar Committee findings are public. The Prime Minister has issued a revamped 15-point programme for minorities. A Minority Affairs Ministry has been constituted. But along comes a constitutional conundrum. It is unconstitutional to treat Muslims as development subjects. I learned this during a meeting of one of the Eleventh Plan working groups constituted by the Planning Commission. The working group, faced with appalling data on Muslims, was logically proposing target ed development schemes for Muslims with separate line budgets that could be monitored.We were stopped in our tracks by a senior bureaucrat. “Ma’am, it is notconstitutional to have schemes just for Muslims. We cannot design schemes for Muslims, or have budgetary allocations for Muslims, or call Muslims, Muslims. It is simply not constitutional. The Constitution makes special mention of SCs and STs for affirmative intervention, not of Muslims.
We can only have intervention for all minorities. And even that might not be constitutionally kosher.” Members of the working group blustered at the absurdity of it. Christians, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists — they all have literacy rates above the national average. Muslims hover at 59 per cent. Muslim women have the lowest work participation rate in the country, of just 14 per cent. Sorry. Not constitutional.
I went scrambling for the Constitution. Article 46, Directive Principles ofState Policy: promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections — “The State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes…” There is no particular mention of Muslims.
This is apparently the official basis for 60 years of neglect, and the educational and economic devastation of Indian Muslims. A blatant abuse of the spirit of our Constitution, if ever there was one. Using the Indian Constitution to justify systemic institutional discrimination is indeed pretty low.
So how do we propose to solve a problem we cannot name? Clearly, either amend the Constitution or interpret it according to its spirit. Fundamental Rights, Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. Article 16: Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. Article 38 and 41 of the Directive Principles: State responsibility to promote social, economic and political justice; to act when citizens suffer from “undeserved want”.I could go on citing chapter and verse. The Constitution is a generous document, but its interlocutors have been less so. The Eleventh Five-YearPlan poses a historic challenge to this country’s planners to turn thingsaround. The only way forward is to stop this coyness. Call Muslims, Muslims. Shift lenses, change paradigms. For once, see them not as a‘religious community’ (of veils and fatwas), but as development subjects,suffering from ‘undeserved want’. Accordingly, design interventions,schemes and programmes with ‘Muslim’ targets, that will be monitored and met.As secular society puts its weight behind Muslim women’s right to shed the veil, let us build up equal enthusiasm for the Muslim girl’s right to get adecent education and a public sector job. By all means, have a liberalinterpretation of the Quran, but along with it, a just interpretation ofthe Constitution of India.
Farah Naqvi is a consultant and activist
Comments:
lalluu Saturday, November 4, 2006 2:24:27 PM
We have always reservations and special care for SCs and STs, and it is open. What is this activist trying to say? Just because the muslim brothers have no special plans, they are neglected? The entire vote bank politics is based on them and every party tries to woo them, and they are equally treated before law like Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and Buddhists
.
Please go through the following links which shows Muslim response to Sachar Report

Posted by Arshad on .

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

TAQWA or FEAR of ALLAH
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Taqwa is an internal compass on the path that leads towards Allah. The broader meaning and character of Taqwa is to develop one’s behaviour, so as to be cautiously aware in the worship of Allah and attain nearness to Him and in so doing, perfect oneself.

This consciousness and fear of Allah is understood as a protection and a shield against wrongdoing. The abstention of evil through this fear, consciousness and establishing a cautious awareness of Allah, ultimately develops one’s love of Him.

The path that inculcates and embraces a character of Taqwa is one that must be carefully and cautiously treaded. On this path one must be completely aware of oneself and one’s surroundings, to be disciplined with the correct action and behaviour which will achieve one’s closeness to Allah.

Taqwa is one of the most profound concepts in Islam. It is an avenue by which Muslims relate to one another in society and a means to channel actions for the pleasure of Allah. Possessors of Tawqa are called Al-Muttaqun or Muttaqeen.

The Glorious Qur’an illustrates this in Surah 49 Al Hujurat (the Inner Apartments), Verse 13
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you (Taqwa). And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

The ideal Islamic society is a Taqwa conscious society, conferring its highest respect on those considered to be high in Taqwa.

In a God conscious or God fearing society, evil forces will be on the run while the forces of virtue will be on the ascent. Penal laws to punish wrong-doers will play second fiddle as people will themselves keep away from sin and committing injustice through the fear of God. Spreading taqwa or fear of God is the only solution to the rising graph of crime and exploitation.

This consciousness and fear of Allah is understood as a protection and a shield against wrongdoing. The abstention of evil through this fear, consciousness and establishing a cautious awareness of Allah, ultimately develops one’s love of Him.

Posted by Arshad on .

Friday, October 6, 2006
Sanskruti (Culture) or Deen (way of life)
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This post is in response to Post of the Day dated 06 Oct 2006 titled Hindu Sanskruti by Chan Chan

Just as Hinduism is a Dharma or a way of life, Islam is a DEEN or a way of life.Deen is a combination of MAZHAB(way)and NIZAM(system).

Islam has both componentsMAZHAB and NIZAM

MAZHAB or way is made of the following
1) AQAAID or creed
2) IBADAAD or worship
3) MUASHARI RUSOOMAT social customs or traditions to be practiced during birth marriage and death.

NIZAM or system is made of the following
1) SIYASI NIZAM political system
2) MUASHI NIZAM economic system
3) MASHARATI NIZAM social system

Now let me classify your questions into the categories that I have defined aboveQuestions 1 to 10 fall under MUASHARI RUSOOMAT social customs or traditions

Questions 11 to 22 fall under IBADAAD or worship

That leaves us with not much being said regarding AQAID core belief and NIZAM systems.
Islam has bridged that gulf by offering comprehensive logical and convincing answers to all the basic philosophical questions as well as solutions to all the problems of mankind.

No way but Islam!
All are invited !

Comments

Observer Friday, October 6, 2006 8:15:22 AM
Mr.Shaikh why do u hv to end your blog with "No way but Islam" ?Why are you so insecure ?Let there be more healthy discussions instead of creating animosity likes yours.

K. Venugopal Friday, October 6, 2006 10:17:06 AM
Dear Arshad Shaikh,Observer's comments are apt. The Muslim’s problem of integration is Islam's teaching that it is the only true religion. It is the awakening of human intelligence and the higher faculties that enable man to add to the corpus of his legacy of understanding, which awakening is not unique to any particular period of man’s existence but an unceasing flow from generation to generation. The whole of Quran and Gita were put in languages which already existed. That is to say, expressions of each generation’s awakening to the higher truths find a ready-made medium of expression in extant languages. Each generation’s expression adds to the vibrancy of language and man’s capacity for expression. Whether you ascribe this ever onward flow of man’s ingenuity to man’s inherent capacity or to an external God, it is certain that wisdom cannot end at any point in history so long as man survives. Thus, Muslims' claim that the Quran is the last word in human understanding is rather childish. The Hindus are a matured lot. They don’t put a full stop to human inheritance.

Arshad Friday, October 6, 2006 11:12:39 AM
Thank you Observor for your comments.No way but Islam was a way of expressing confidence in the fact that the answers to all questions and solutions to all problems are with Islam.I am all for healthy discussion and cannot understand how inviting people towards an ideology and way of life peacefully creates animosity. Thank you once again

Arshad Friday, October 6, 2006 11:38:31 AM
Thank you Venu for religiously following my blog and blessing me with your notable comments.Let me tell you that we do believe in all the previous prophets like Moses and Jesus and also previous divine revelation, however what we say is that Islam Quran Prophet is a continuation of that divine series and its culmination.Believing in culmination of divine guidance does in no way sap us of our wisdom as that guidance has to be applied to contemporary issues and new new problems.The Quran is the not the last word in human understanding but it is the last word in Divine Guidance.If God created this lovely world for us with all facilities and amenities, then how could he leave us without guidance.

jj Friday, October 6, 2006 4:14:42 PM
islam is just one among many religionskoran is just one among thousands of holy booksmohammed is just one among thousands of prophetsnobody can claim exclusive right over truthHinduism has thousands of prophets and saintsthats why this is called the mother of all religions

K. Venugopal Friday, October 6, 2006 9:43:04 PM
Dear Arshad, First of all, I thank you for your kind words about me. But I wish to ask why you said “blessing me with your notable comments.” I know you said it very spontaneously and in a manner of speaking. Since the word blessing is something connected with divinity, can a Muslim feel blessed from any source other than Allah? Wouldn’t there be a theological problem in the concept that blessings can come from sources besides Allah? Maybe this is an unwarranted question, but I would like you to give your answer in the light of Islamic teachings. No offence meant by my question. I bless you anyway or may my words be a blessing to you.

nooronline Friday, October 20, 2006 5:46:39 PM
Dear Arshad and VenugopalI feel immensely pleased by your discussion however however I would like to ask Arshad that is it not possible that Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are also prophets as according to Islam Allah has sent his prophets in every corner of the worl
d
.

Posted by Arshad on .

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Benefits of ZAKAT
1 – Zakat (paying the poor due) is one of the 5 pillars of Islam.
2 – It indicates a person’s sincerity of faith, since it shows his commitment to sacrifice something which he covets (material wealth). Hence it is called sadaqah, because it is an indication of his sincerity (sidq) to please Allah, may He be exalted.
3 – It cleanses ones character of greed avarice selfishness and miserliness.
4 – It gladdens the heart. If a person gives something, especially wealth, he feels a sense of joy. This is something that is tried and tested, but it is subject to the condition that he gives gladly and willingly, not grudgingly.
6 – It is one of the means of entering Paradise, because Paradise is for the one who “speaks good words, spreads (the greeting of) salaam, feeds the hungry and prays at night when the people are asleep.” And all of us are striving to enter Paradise.
7 – It makes society like a single family, in which those who have the means, show compassion to those who do not and the rich show empathy to those who are in hardship. Thus a person feels that he has brothers to whom he must do good as Allah has been good to him. This is practised nowadays as “social security”, but zakat is better, because a person is paying it voluntarily as an obligatory duty and benefiting his brothers thereby.
8 – It prevents extreme financial disparity and associated social evils and crimes.
9 – It leads a man to learn about the laws of Allah, because he can never pay his zakat until he has learned the rulings on zakat, the kinds of wealth that are subject to zakat and those who are entitled to receive it, and other information that he needs.
10 – It purifies wealth, so that the wealth will grow literally and metaphorically. If a person gives charity from his wealth, that this will protect him from problems, and Allah may increase his provision because of his giving charity.
11 – It expiates for sins. The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Charity extinguishes sins as water extinguishes fire.”
Further reading link

Posted by Arshad on .

What Islam Really Says about Killing the Innocent

Taken from Introduction to The Book of Jihad and Expedition, by Abdul Hamid Siddiqui. Read the entire text.

Even in a declared war, certain rules must be followed:
The Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) has given clear instructions about the behaviour of the Muslim army. He observed:
"Set out for Jihad in the name of Allah and for the sake of Allah. Do not lay hands on the old verging on death, on women, children and babes. Do not steal anything from the booty and collect together all that falls to your lot in the battlefield and do good, for Allah loves the virtuous and the pious."
So great is the respect for humanly feelings in Islam that even the wanton destruction of enemy's crops or property is strictly forbidden. The righteous Caliphs followed closely the teachings of Allah and those of His Apostle in letter and spirit the celebrated address which the first Caliph Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) gave to his army while sending her on the expedition to the Syrian borders is permeated with the noble spirit with which the war in Islam is permitted.
He said: "Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman. nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy's flock. save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone"

It is said that once at the time of conquest, a singing girl was brought to al-Muhajir b. Abu Umayya who had been publicly singing satirical poems about Hadrat Abu Bakr. Muhajir got her hand amputated. When the Caliph heard this news, he was shocked and wrote a letter to Muhajir in the following words:

"I have learnt that you laid hands on a woman who had hurled abuses on me, and, therefore, got her hand amputated. God has not sought vengeance even in the case of polytheism, which is a great crime. He has not permitted mutilation even with regard to manifest infidelity. Try to be considerate and sympathetic in your attitude towards others in future. Never mutilate, because it is a grave offence. God purified Islam and the Muslims from rashness and excessive wrath. You are well aware of the fact that those enemies fell into the hands of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) who had been recklessly abusing him; who had turned him out of his home; and who fought against him, but he never permitted their mutilation."

Another letter written by hadrat 'Umar the Second Caliph, which is addressed to Sa'd b. Abu Waqqas, speaks eloquently of the noble spirit with which the Muslims have bear exhorted to take up arms:

"Always search your minds and hearts and stress upon your men the need of perfect integrity and sincerity in the cause of Allah. There should be no material end before them in laying down their lives. but they abould deem it a means whereby they can please their Lord and entitle them. selves to His favour: such a spirit of selflessness should be inculcated in the minds of those who unfortunately lack it. Be firm in the thick of the battle as Allah helps man according to the perseverance that he shows in the cause of His faith and he would be rewarded in accordance with the spirit of sacrifice which he displays for the sake of the Lord. Be careful that those who have been entrusted to your care receive no harm at your hands and are never deprived of any of their legitimate rights."

A Special Note:
PROHIBITION OF KILLING WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN WAR
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Book 019, Number 4319 Sahih Muslim:
It is narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah that a woman was found killed in one of the battles fought by the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). He disapproved of the killing of women and children.

Book 019, Number 4320:
It is narrated by Ibn 'Umar that a woman was found killed in one of these battles; so the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade the killing of women and children

Comments


sage Wednesday, September 27, 2006 2:30:18 AM
the world knows and sees what you people are upto. do not preach as we all know and see. iraq where you are killing your own people, dafur in sudan too the same story. all in gods name!!!!.

ruzan_shah Wednesday, September 27, 2006 2:40:22 AM
Jazakallah ArshadSplendidexcellantYou have done a great job brother.To sageMy friend you said the world knows this & that ButYou dont know that we are also part of the same world Infact we are the second largest majority of this world.We are more in numbers than u guysand we have all right to preach our religion and we dont need no advise from idiots like u so u better keep quiet.You guys crying for Iraq & Sudan but you never condemn killing of innocent muslims by your fellow Hindus.Infact you are supporting & praising criminals as heroes.Now tell me do you have any moral say to question muslims ?NoThan why dont you mind your own freakin business.

Shahul Wednesday, September 27, 2006 4:43:08 AM
Hi Ruzan_shah... Please donot talk about hindu killing muslim or Muslim killing hindu.. The person died is Human being. We have to stop Terrorism! not to blame others. Islam is not to attack on innocent people. And what Terrorists doing is not JIHAD where they kill innocent people who are hindus, christian, judaism INCLUDING MUSLIMS... If they are real Jihadis, they should fight to protect themself... AND NOT TO ATTACK ON OTHERS. The Al-qaeda and other terrorist groups misuse the name "Jihad" and use innocent/uneducated Muslim guys. They induce them in the name of Jihad. So, you want to talk about terrorist talk about 'Osama bin laden".. or talk about "Al-qaeda Organisation". STOP talking/complaining entire Muslims community in general. We need our Indian brothers to protect us... Hope anyone could understand what really we wanted to explain. Thanks

Shahul Wednesday, September 27, 2006 4:46:09 AM
And to Mr. Sage... I believe you don't read any news paper. Well, for an educated and intelluct person they need to analyse on any issue not to just be ignorant. Did you read the news on ''93 blasts case: Cops found guilty"???? the cops who involved in blast are Vijay Krishnaji Patil - Police Sub-inspector, Ashok Narayan Muneshwar - Constable, Pandharinath Mahadik - Constable, Ramesh Dattatrya Mali - Constable, Shrikrishna Yeshwant Pashlikar - Constable!!!! What you say now?? Are they Islamic Terrorists??? I am trying to explain that it doesn't matter he is Hindu/Muslim/christian... Anybody who do terrorism is Terrorist!!! Try to analyse and donot always intend to Argue. I am not here to teach you anything. I know you are not here to learn. You are here to Argue. Thanks for your time.

jj Wednesday, September 27, 2006 5:25:58 PM
The bottom line is that armed struggle does have a place in islam.which hindu killed a muslim. think for yourself. In all the cases it was jihadis who started the thingMr ruzan dont be so proud about being the second largest group on the planet. Even after so many centuries of invasion india never became a muslim country unlike iran, iraq, afghanistan etc.It is fervent prayer that hindus dont take the islamic path in their reaction to attacks on their religionThey already took that path in ayodhya and gujaratLet this stop once and for all

sage Thursday, September 28, 2006 2:03:15 AM
ruzan you are so proud of your population which of half is under poverty line. most of them are islamic fascists as president bush rightly said. almost everyday atleast 50 people are killed in iraq, another 50 in afganistan, half a dozen due to lack of personal hygene. hindus need be militants to kill, as you are killing your own people. and then the west is doing our job. we just wait and watch. afganistan ,iraq,lebonan have been sent to stone age. next is pakistan. be a part to take care of your selfs not us.

Posted by Arshad on .

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Muslims believe in Jesus (pbuh)
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Muslims respect and revere Jesus(peace be upon him). They consider him to be one of the mightiest messengers of Allah. The Quran confirms his virgin birth and an entire chapter is called Maryam (Mary).

Quran describes the birth of Jesus (pbuh) as follows

Behold! the angels said "O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus the son of Mary held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah. "He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity and he shall be (of the company) of the righteous." She said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" He said: "Even so: Allah createth what He willeth; when He hath decreed a plan He but saith to it `Be' and it is!

Jesus was born miraculously by the command of God, the same command that had brought Adam into being with neither a father nor a mother. God has said in the Quran
The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam: He created him from dust then said to him: "Be" and he was.

Muslims believe that Jesus (pbuh) performed many miracles with the permission of Allah. Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified. It was the plan of Jesus' enemies to crucify him, but God saved him and raised him upto Him.

Neither Prophet Jesus (pbuh) nor Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) came to change the doctrine of the belief in One God, brought by earlier prophets but they came to confirm and renew this belief in Tawheed or Unity of God.

Must read links for those serious seekers of truth.
Jesus and Muslims Bridging the Gap between Islam and Christianity
Comments

P.C. Mathew Thursday, September 21, 2006 7:30:18 PM
Anybody is welcome to believe in Jesus. He only preached love and brotherhood. He asked people to show the left chin if someone hits you at the right chin. Such message shows how he is concered about the mankind and taught people of forgiveness and never to report to violence

vanisuresh Friday, September 22, 2006 12:18:26 AM
I strongly recommend you to visit answering-islam.org for more answers. You seem to have an open mind, please pursue your search for the truth
.

Posted by Arshad on .

Tuesday, September 19, 2006
The 5 Pillars of Islam
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The 5 pillars of Islam are:

1) giving the Shahada (evidence) i.e. reciting the Kalima (words) "ash hadu al la ilaha il lal lah wa ash hadu anna Muhammadar rasoolullah" ( I testify that there is no God except Allah and I testify that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the messenger of Allah"

2) Salat (prayer or what in subcontinent is called Namaz). Every Muslim is obliged to pray to Allah 5 times a day. The timings being 1) Fajar (dawn before sunrise) 2) Zohar (afternoon) 3) Asar (late afternoon) 4) Maghrib(just after sunset) 5) Esha (night)

3) Saum (Fast or Roza) i.e fasting for the month in the month of Ramadhan from dawn to dusk and refrain from food water and other permissible things...

4)Zakat (poor due) every Muslim who has wealth beyond a certain defined limit is obliged to give part of that to the poor and needy

5) Hajj (pilgrimage) visit to Mecca. This is obligatory only if one can afford it.
Further reading on the same topic click the numbers below
(1) (2)

Comments

K.Venugopal Tuesday, September 19, 2006 9:06:19 AM
My questions:1. Why this evidence giving? Is this a proclamation of loyalty not just to God but to his messenger also? Kings require loyalty otherwise their throne is threatened. But God?2. Prayer is fine. But why at prescribed times and prescribed numbers? This smacks of regimentation. Religion ought to be an individual affair. But with Islam it is community based. Is this why Islam also has a political element in it, unlike other religions?3. Fasting is great. But on general observation, the non-Muslim could easily conclude that it is fasting day-time and feasting night-time. And then await the goats after it all.4. Zakat, giving to the poor and needy is fantastic. But let us hope at least in heaven there would be no poor and needy so that Zakat can be done away with.5. Hajj. As a Hindu I too wish I could take part in such a pilgrimage, for it is so much like an Hindu pilgrimage. Let us hope the doors of Mecca will one day be thrown open to all, unconditionally.

Shahul Tuesday, September 19, 2006 11:18:18 AM
Hi Mr. K.Venugopal this is for you.1. Check the meaning of 'Loyalty' which is 'devotion'. Any religion working Supreme power which talks about devotion.Well, what does Gayatri Mantra says??We meditate on the glory of the Creator(OM represents Brahma); Who has created the Universe;Who is worthy of Worship; Who is the embodiment of Knowledge and Light; Who is the remover of all Sin and Ignorance; May He enlighten our Intellect.And, what does Al-fatiha says in islam??1:1 In the name of GOD, the Most Merciful, the Ever Merciful:1:2 Praise be to God, the Lord of the Universe.1:3 The Most Merciful, the Ever Merciful.1:4 Master of the Day of Judgment.1:5 You alone we worship. You alone we ask for help.1:6 Guide us on the right path;1:7 the path of those whom You have blessed, not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers.Do you find any small difference in those verses????

K. Venugopal Wednesday, September 20, 2006 12:01:13 AM
Dear Shahul,I do not see any difference whatsoever in the two verses you have quoted. Why should there be any difference? Both are expressions of the deepest awe for the wonder that is creation and the mystique that is the creator. Would all your Muslim friends agree that there is no difference? Would they thereby conclude that there is no difference between different religious expressions? Would they thus, in a moment of enlightenment, cease to say that Islam is a unique religion and that great truths were expressed even before Mohammad trod the earth?Incidentally, can you please enlighten me as to whether the Day of Judgement is actually a single day or whether it denotes the day that each one faces upon death, thus there being as many days of Judgement as there are deaths?Meanwhile, I congratulate you for seeing unity in diversity.

Posted by Arshad on .

Sunday, September 17, 2006
Straight is Best
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Once again as I was commenting on NDTV post of the day, I realized that the comment had become large enough to qualify as my next post. So here goes:-

I do not agree that sex between 2 consulting adults is a private matter. It shall remain private as long as it is really hidden from the public, but if it is flaunted openly then society has every right to interfere as this kind of relationship is not in the interest of those individuals but also the society at large.

Promiscuous relationships whether hetro, homo or lesbian are the bane of a stable society and cause great harm to the institution of marriage.

As for AIDs resulting from homos being forced to go underground due to societal pressure is really a myth that is easily explained away by the rising rate of AIDs in those very countries that pride themselves to be havens for free sex.

Islam considers heterosexual behavior as normal and to be practiced under the solemn institution of marriage.

To find more details on how homosexuality is something like an unnatural choice, illness or addiction please visit this site.

All other kinds of sexual orientation are perversion and must be avoided. It is something like drugs to which one may get attracted to and even enjoy but is never accepted as normal by any just society.

For more details on Islamic perspective click
ISLAM ON HOMOSEXUALITY

Comments

GANGADHAR Sunday, September 17, 2006 12:20:52 PM
are you a GAY.


brian Monday, September 25, 2006 12:22:34 PM
you really serious? Who are you, and who are any religious grouping to tell others how they should live. Religions are myths, get over yourself.

Posted by Arshad on .

Saturday, September 16, 2006
Anwser those basic questions
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As I was commenting on one of the NDTV blogs, I realized that the comment had become large enough to qualify as my next post. So here goes:-

Please answer the fundamental questions that our self our inside demands from all of us.
Who am I?
Where have I come from?
Is death the end?
What is good and evil?
Is there a Creator or we are all mere creatures of chance?

Islam has a complete and non-contradictory answer to all such basic questions and more. Please study Islam from its sources and feel free to ask me for anything you like to know or feel confused about.

Happy reflecting
Warm regards
Arshad

Comments:

justreason7 Saturday, September 16, 2006 6:26:02 PM
1.I am Chandrashant.2.I come from my parents.3.yes.Death is the end.4.very clear.Helping for a just society is good. Disrupting with ulterior motives is wrong. Indifference is what most of us practice.5.Mere creatures of chance by all appearances.


jafri2006 Saturday, September 16, 2006 6:35:56 PM
I am Dilbar Hussain


K. Venugopal Sunday, September 17, 2006 10:22:43 PM
Who am I? I am not merely this finite "I". I am the infinite "I".Where have I come from? I have not come from anywhere. I always am. I am now in a dream that tells me that I am a limited person moving from place to place, from time to time. When I awake from the dream, I shall know that I neither have come from anywhere nor am going anywhere. I am.Is death the end? There is no end. Wake up.What is good and evil? Everything is valid. Our limited self has to say differently in the process of its awakening.Is there a creator? There is no creator separate from creation. We are not creatures of chance; we are creatures fulfilling our destiny.

MUNEERUDEEN Sunday, November 26, 2006 2:05:16 AM
OK YOU GUYS AND GALS OUT THERE ON BLOGOSPHERE !ATTENTION ALL ISLAM BASHERS !YOUR ANCESTORS DID THE SAME AND NOW YOU HAVE GOT THE INTERNET & BLOGS TO BLASPHEME ! BUT LET ME ASK YOU - DARWIN SAID MAN WAS AN APE- AETHISTS SAID THERE IS NO GOD - SCIENTISTS DECIDED TO CHANGE GENETICS AND START HUMAN CLONING - ASTRONOMERS SUDDENLY RELISED THAT PLUTO IS NOT A PLANET -JEWS AND NEOCONS SUDDENLY REALISED IRAQ HAS TO BE SPLIT UP TO ROB THE OIL AND SELL MILITARY HARDWARE. AND YOU LEARNED FOLKS HAVE NO COMMENTS TO THAT. USE YOUR BRAINS AND THINK !WHAT IS BEING DISCOVERED NOW IS ALREADY PUT THERE BY SOMONE- NOT YOU OR YOUR ANCESTORS OR MINE -COS THEY WERE MONKEYS -APES- REMEMBER ? OH HOW CAN YOU REMEMBER THAT FAR BACK !SO FORGET WHAT THE QURAN OR ISLAM HAS TO SAY TO SOCIETY AND MAN - YOU BRING THE EVIDENCE TO PROVE IT ! SCIENCE JUST CALCULATES LIFE MILLIONS OF YEARS BACK BUT CANNOT ANSWER A SIMPLE QUESTION TO A NURSERY KID ? MAY BE YOU CAN GIVE IT A TRY !QUESTION: WHICH CAME FIRST- THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG ???I AM WAITING FOR AN ANSWER FROM ANY OF YOU ON THIS OR ANY OTHER SITE

Posted by Arshad on .

Friday, September 15, 2006
Life After Death
----------------------
Belief in life after death constitutes one of the fundamental requirements of Islam.

This universe has been created by Allah and we have been sent by Him on this earth as his vicegerent (Khalifa).

This worldly-life is temporal and it is like an examination hall where each one has to discharge his responsibility in the limited time-span alloted to him.

Then after death / when the earth will come to an end, there will be a Day of Resurrection (Qayamat) in which the entire mankind will be brought back to life.

Allah will then dispense justice and people will be consigned to heaven or hell based on his deeds (Amal) in this world

Comments

kulumani Friday, September 15, 2006 8:30:00 AM
Sheer existence has become a question of life and death.Why talk about Allah and Qayamat.If 1+1=2 it has to be 2.Deeds or Amal can't change it.I have interviewed many patients in the hospital who were recuperating and victims of 93' blasts.No one took the name of God, but for help from samaritans.They never bothered aboutheaven and hell. Their sufferings was hell


Ragha Friday, September 15, 2006 8:47:30 AM
if one say that every thing is created by the God or not, the question will come in huge numbers. If it is true that God is doing all this then the question is why is he doing all this, what is the porpose behind all of this.

Posted by Arshad on .

Saturday, September 9, 2006
God is One
--------------
In Islam God is One.

This is called Tawheed, derived from the arabic word “wahada” meaning one.

Tawheed is the most important priciple of Islam.

If one observes the human body and the world around us, one is bound to come to the conclusion that there is ONLY ONE All Poweful, All Intelligent, Creator Master and Sustainer of this universe.

Since He is the ONLY GOD and no other then it is bounden duty to worship Him and Him alone and not join partners in His Divinity.

That would be an unpardonable sin.

Posted by Arshad on .

I am uploading some of my posts from my NDTV blog along with the comments I received. Basically I tried to do some Dawah work through this blog, which I named islam4all. This blogsite is now closed (I think) but the whole experience was a big learning curve for me...

Wednesday, September 6, 2006
You need an enemy to survive
------------------------------------
Many say that Islam is the new enemy of the free world after the demise of communism. Muslim bashing is the favorite pastime of many in the media. It attracts immediate viewership and whips up emotions on both sides of the camp. A divided society needs a common enemy to overcome its internal contradictions and ensure superficial unity.

However I dare say that the mainstream media is still to research Islam and present it to the audience for reasons best known to them. Islam is not a new religion meant only for Muslims but simply a continuation and culmination of all divine religion. Islam wants to remove the subjugation of men over others and take all towards the obedience and worship of the ONE true God who is the Master Creator Sustainer and Cherisher of the universe.

Posted by Arshad on .