VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

Volume 110, December 20, 2009

Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin
St. Louis, Missouri

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficial and the Most Merciful

(1) ON THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE:

Christmas Wish
(Raymond Hunt)

"Dear Santa, this year please send clothes for
all those poor ladies in Daddy's computer"

(2) CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM UNITY:

Special thanks to Sister Jabeen Mobashshera from Los Angeles,California for forwarding below timely e-mail from CAIR regarding Christian-Muslim unity.

Love for Jesus Can Bring Christians, Muslims Together
By Ibrahim Hooper

(CAIR: Dec 19, 2009)

[Ibrahim Hooper is National Communications Director for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties organization. He may be contacted at: ihooper@cair.com]

“Behold! The angels said: ‘O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name will be Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and in (the company of) those nearest to God.”

Before searching for this quote in the New Testament, you might first ask your Muslim co-worker, friend or neighbor for a copy of the Quran, Islam’s revealed text. The quote is from verse 45 of chapter 3 in the Quran.

It is well known, particularly in this holiday season, that Christians follow the teachings of Jesus. What is less well understood is that Muslims also love and revere Jesus as one of God's greatest messengers to mankind.

Other verses in the Quran, regarded by Muslims as the direct word of God, state that Jesus was strengthened with the “Holy Spirit” (2:87) and is a "sign for the whole world.” (21:91) His virgin birth was confirmed when Mary is quoted as asking: “How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me?” (3:47)

The Quran shows Jesus speaking from the cradle and, with God’s permission, curing lepers and the blind. (5:110) God also states in the Quran: “We gave (Jesus) the Gospel (Injeel) and put compassion and mercy into the hearts of his followers.” (57:27)

As forces of hate in this country and worldwide try to pull Muslims and Christians apart, we are in desperate need of a unifying force that can bridge the widening gap of interfaith misunderstanding and mistrust. That force could be the message of love, peace and forgiveness taught by Jesus and accepted by followers of both faiths.

Christians and Muslims would do well to consider another verse in the Quran reaffirming God’s eternal message of spiritual unity: “Say ye: ‘We believe in God and the revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and it is unto Him that we surrender ourselves.’” (2:136)

The Prophet Muhammad himself sought to erase any distinctions between the message he taught and that taught by Jesus, who he called God’s “spirit and word.” Prophet Muhammad said: “Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.”

When Muslims mention the Prophet Muhammad, they always add the phrase “peace be upon him.” Christians may be surprised to learn that the same phrase always follows a Muslim’s mention of Jesus or that we believe Jesus will return to earth in the last days before the final judgment. Disrespect toward Jesus, as we have seen all too often in our society, is very offensive to Muslims.

Unfortunately, violent events and hate-filled rhetoric around the world provide ample opportunity for promoting religious hostility. And yes, Muslims and Christians do have some differing perspectives on Jesus’ life and teachings. But his spiritual legacy offers an alternative opportunity for people of faith to recognize their shared religious heritage.

America’s Muslim community stands ready to honor that legacy by building bridges of interfaith understanding and challenging those who would divide our nation along religious or ethnic lines.

We have more in common than we think.

Ibrahim Hooper
National Communications Director

Ibrahim Hooper is the National Communications Director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s of art in journalism and mass communication.

Hooper has been with CAIR since its founding in 1994. As CAIR’s spokesman he appears frequently on national and international television programs to offer an Islamic perspective on current events or debate controversial issues.

CONTACT: ihooper@cair.com
TEL: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726 (c)

(3) DRAWING A CLEAR LINE BETWEEN FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND OFFENDING MEMBERS OF A COMMUNITY/FAITH:

(Ed Note: WE ARE IN SOLIDARITY WITH CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS OF NEW ZEALAND AND UNEQUIVOCALLY CONDEMN THE PAINTING MENTIONED IN BELOW NOTE. WE DECIDED AGAINST PUBLISHING THE PHOTO BECAUSE WE FOUND IT TO BE RELIGIOUSLY OFFENSIVE AND FURTHER WE ARE NOT FOR SENSATIONALISM)

(PICTURE OF BELOW EXPLANATION NOT INSERTED IN THIS E-ZINE BY CHOICE)

A handout picture released by the St Matthew-in-the-City Anglican church in Auckland shows an apparently naked Virgin Mary and Joseph in bed together. The billboard has sparked the ire of conservative Christians in New Zealand.
(AFP/HO/St Matthew-In-The-City)

The crib representing Jesus Christ's nativity is pictured in the Vatican. A church billboard showing an apparently naked Virgin Mary and Joseph in bed together has sparked the ire of conservative Christians in New Zealand. (AFP/File/Vincenzo Pinto)

(4) A SNAPSHOT OF AMERICAN UMMAH:

DID YOU KNOW ?

(1) American Muslims are highly educated. More so than most of the American population. Muslims are only second to Jews in educational attainment.

(2) American Muslim women are actually more slightly educated than American Muslim men and more educated than U.S. women overall.

(3) The poll also showed that American Muslim women are more likely than American Muslim men to have college and post-graduate degrees. Muslims are spread across the political spectrum from liberal to conservative, with 4 in 10 reporting that they are moderates.

(4) Gallup poll has found that 41% of Muslims living in the United States see themselves as (economically) thriving, a higher percentage than found anywhere but in Saudi Arabia and Germany. While 56% of U.S. Muslims see themselves as struggling — and 3% as suffering — this is much better those in most predominately Muslim and European nations.

In Jordan, for example, only 30% of Muslims view themselves as thriving, with 47% struggling and 33% — a third of the Muslim population — suffering.

(5) American Muslims are an incredibly diverse group comprised of 35% African Americans, 28% whites, 18% Asians and 1% Latinos

(Gallup poll: March 5, 2009. Blog.gale.com):

(5) Saudi Sheik Dr. Ahmed Ibn Khasem Al-Ghamdy - A true reformer or a traitor and a threat to Islam ?

Last week Sheck Dr. Ahmed Ibn Khasem Al-Ghamdy the head of the religious police in Mecca (that used to punish people for mixing with the other gender) has announced that MIXING BETWEEN MALES AND FEMALES IS COMPLETELY ISLAMIC AND PERMISSIBLE IN THE RELIGION.

(ED NOTE:

Saudi Arabia is one of the most conservative countries in the world and is one of the few countries where the constitution is primarily based on the Holy Quran. In terms of the segregation between the sexes, Saudi Arabia stands # 1 in the world. In such a background we now have a Saudi Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Ibn Khasem Al-Ghamdy advocating and championing the cause of desegregation between the sexes in an effort to break the very core of the current Wahabi/Islamic/Cultural value system. Below note condensed from an article titled: Is Saudi Arabia leading a reformation of the Muslim World? by Tawfik Hamid, Dec18, 09. www.social.moldova.org)

"For years the religious police in Saudi Arabia ("Haiat Al-Amr Bil-Maaroof Wa Al-nahei An Al-Munkar") was advocating separation between men and women in education and daily life activity. Many other parts of the Muslim world and Islamic societies have gradually adopted the same gender separation approach.

Since the most unexpected things often happen, last week Sheck Dr. Ahmed Ibn Khasem Al-Ghamdy the head of the religious police in Mecca (that used to punish people for mixing with the other gender) has announced that mixing between males and females is completely Islamic and permissible in the religion.

The Sheck actually accused those who promote a complete separation between different genders in education and in normal life activities for lack of correct knowledge about the true Islam.

It is important in this context to mention that, in traditional Islam a relative or a husband can be called Mahram and a stranger man is called Non-Mahram. A man and a Muslim woman can only mix together if he was a Maharam for her. This was the main Islamic theological reason for separating men and women in Education and in other activities.

Sheck Al-Ghamdy provided the following theological evidence to support his view that Muslim women can mix with Non-Mahram men. Al-Ghamdi's view was based on the following points:

1- Women (not men!) used to care for cleaning the hair of Prophet Mohamed.

2- The Hadith(s) (Non Quranic words of Prophet Mohamed) that forbids women from shaking hands with men or prevent mixing between men and women are weak Hadith(s) (i.e. neither accurate nor binding to Muslims)

3- Prophet Mohamed's disciples used to allow women to ride and sit with them on the back of the same horse or donkey (Note: This can be extended today to riding with a different gender on the same motor bike or a bike).

4- According to accurate (Sahih) Hadith any slave girl used to hold hands with the Prophet Mohamed and take him to where she wished.

5- Accurate Hadith supports that it is permitted for Muslim women to look to men.

(Note: In the above given examples men were considered Non-Mahram to the women.)

To understand the significance and the difficulty of making such a change in the Saudi society it is important to remember that Saudi Arabia's religious police stopped school girls from leaving a blazing building in March 2002 because they were not wearing correct Islamic dress, according to Saudi newspapers .

This novel approach -to allow the mixing of Muslim females and males- by some of the leading Saudi scholars gives evidence that Saudi Arabia is currently leading a gradual and progressive form of reformation of the Muslim world via providing fresh theology.

The initiative of interfaith dialogue by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and his very courageous decision to start the first University in the country that does not segregate students based on sex are two other steps taken by Saudi Arabia that must be applauded and encouraged as they can ultimately lead to a desperately needed reform in the Muslim world. I hope we will see more progressive steps by Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries in the same direction of reform, freedom, and modernity".

(6) SPECIAL THANKS TO MRDF FOR ALL THE GOOD WORK THEY DO:

(MRDF) The Muslim Research & Development Foundation

United Kingdom
www.mrdf.co.uk

The Muslim Research and Development Foundation (MRDF) is a cooperative venture run by a number of leading Muslim scholars, Imams and professionals from a variety of backgrounds. With its two main fields identified as research and development, the foundation commenced its operation in 2002 and was awarded official charity status in 2007. The foundation strives to articulate Islam in a modern context and address the unique situation and challenges faced by Muslims in the West. An integral focus as a means to this end is the study, analysis & presentation of classical Islamic scholarship and its contemporary application.

With its endeavours firmly rooted in furthering the progress of Muslims in the West, the foundation has dedicated a great deal of its work to research and development. Aiming to impact public opinion about the role of Islam in society, MRDF has developed structured activities and research techniques that are paving the way for Muslim thinkers and professionals to gain the credibility which is worthy of them. This in turn will facilitate and administer a healthy incorporation into wider society allowing positive influence and authority at all levels.

"My Ummah will never unite against falsehood"

Ijma upcoming five Day Residential Retreat:
Principles Related to Ijma and Qiyas

Date: Thursday Decenber 24th (21:00) - Monday 28th December 09 (21:00)

Lecturers:
Sheikh Haitham al-Haddad, Fraz Farhat, Abu Rumaysah, Shaqur Rehman, Wasim Kempson, Farid Haibatan Topics: At this retreat there will be an indepth study of the non textual sources of the Shariah - Ijma and Qiyas

Sabeel Ijma and Qiyas Retreat Ever wondered about Ijma and its reality? Does the overwhelming majority count as Ijma? What is a valid difference of opinion? What are the components of Qiyas? What are Ilal?

Delivered by: Shaikh Haitham Al-Haddad, Ustadh Fraz Farhat, Ustadh Wasim Kempson and Ustadh Abu Rumaysah

(7) MUSLIMS IN U.S. MILITARY:

By Mark Thompson / Washington Monday, Nov. 09, 2009 U.S. Army specialist Zia Ulahaq, a Muslim, offers prayers during anti-Taliban operations in the Karky valley in Afghanistan's Zabul province. Sardar Ahmad / AFP / Getty
(www.time.com)

(8) IF MOST OF THE AMERICAN UMMAH SINCERELY DO THEIR BEST TO BE TRULY AN "AMBASSADOR OF ISLAM", IN THEIR DAY TO DAY LIFE, COULD THEY HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THE OUTCOME OF BELOW GALLUP POLL ?

(gallup.com)

(9) BLACK MAGIC

(ED NOTE:
One of the hundreds of reasons as to why the Glorious Holy Quran is good for Humanity: We already know the devastation that alcohol, gambling, drugs, promiscous sex and other vices that afflict the individual/family and society at large. What is really important in the 21st century is to focus the practical applications of the concepts of Islam in our day to day life. We must move beyond repeatedly recalling important historical information to anchoring the gems of Islam in its practical application to help resolve the current complexities of our contemporary stressful lives.

Even Holy Quran's prohibition against black magic is another example of the multiple benefits of following the word of Allah. Unfortunately despite above prohibition by Islam, black magic is still practiced in certain Muslim countries. The scandal of the female children killed for "witchcraft" in Nigeria, Children in Malawi falling prey to Witchcraft, Satanism among teenagers in Morroco, Teenage black magic cult in Malaysia to name a few as reminders.

The most recent tragedy of black magic is described in below picture. We ardently hope that the perpetrators of such henious and senseless crime (sticking forty two needles into a innocent two year old boy including two slivers piercing his heart) be apprehended and subject to the fullest extent of the law in their respective country. It would be heart breaking to fathom the severity of pain that the two year old would had undergone during above terrible torturous blackmagic ritual).

This TV grab taken on December 15, 2009 shows an X-ray of the stomach of a two-year-old Brazilian boy. Brazilian doctors organized an emergency airlift for the boy who had 42 needles inserted inside him during "black magic" rituals, after two of the slivers were discovered to be piercing his heart. (AFP/HO/File) yahoo.news.photos.

WHAT DOES ISLAM SAY ABOUT BLACK MAGIC
(islamawareness.net)

Magic is an old human practice. It is sometimes defined as deception by showing something to an audience, which is contrary to reality. In Islam this is part of magic, which is, however, defined as seeking the help of demons to perform something harmful against somebody.

In the light of the above definition, Islam considers magic to be an act of blasphemy. Thus, the Holy Quran say:

"Suleiman (Solomon) did not disbelieve, but the devils disbelieved teaching men magic" (2:102)

In an authentic saying, the Prophet of Islam p.b.u.h. said: "Whoever goes to a fortune teller (a soothe sayer) or a diviner and believes him, has, in fact, disbelieved in what has been revealed to Muhammad".

Thus Islam condemns magic- even what is called the horoscope or luck or reading one's palm to foretell the future is also prohibited in Islam. This is based on the belief that no one knows the future or the unseen except God almighty. That is why the Quran asserts that even Muhammad does not know the unseen. Concerning this, it says:

"If I had the knowledge of the unseen, I should have secured abundance for myself, and no evil would have touched me" (7:188).

Again, God is described in the Quran as the knower of the unseen and the manifest (6:73) and as the holder of the keys of the unseen (6:59).

In another tradition, Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h. says: "Avoid the seven deadly acts which are: ascribing partners to God, magic, killing the human self which Allah prohibited except with right, eating usury, devouring the orphan's wealth, defecting from the battle-field (without a justified reason) and slandering chaste, unwary believing women. Thus Islam has closed the door for practicing magic, simply because it is against its teachings, and it is deceptive and harmful.

Let us now review some of the verses of the Holy Quran that refer to magic: In Chapter two verse 101-102, the Quran says:

"And when there came to them a Messenger from Allah confirming what was with them, a party of those who were given the scripture threw away the book of Allah behind their backs as if they did not know. And they followed what the devils gave out falsely of magic of the reign of Solomon; for Solomon did not disbelieve but the devils disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels Harut and Marut, but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) until they had said: we are only for trial, so don't disbelieve. And from them (magicians) people learn that through which they would cause separation between a person and his spouse, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's leave; and they learn that which harms them rather than profits them. And indeed they knew that its practitioner would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves if they but knew" (2:101-2).

Although Solomon was the Prophet and Messenger of God, he was accused by some of his opponents to be practicing magic. Those who claimed this, could not distinguish between magic and miracles. Almost all messengers of God were granted miracles as a proof of their authenticity. To name only a few: Moses was granted the staff by which he could divide the sea and make water gush from rocks. Abraham was flung in the middle of a huge raging fire, which Allah made cool and peaceful to him. Jesus Christ could heal the blind and the leper and bring back the dead to life.

If we contemplate these acts we find that miracles are totally different from magic. While magic is always harmful, miracles are useful. Magic is from devils while miracles are from God. When these divine miracles are rejected other miracles are imposed to inflict severe punishments on rejecters. On the other hand, miracles are real while magic is sometimes deceptive.

It may be said that the Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h. was himself exposed to the effect of magic. How could you explain this? This is true; but God saved him from the spell of magic through the repeated remembrance of God and the recitation of some chapters and verses of the Holy Quran. This took place to confirm the humility of Muhammad p.b.u.h. who was a human like other humans. This made it easier for his followers to imitate him. Two questions are pertinent in context: How to protect one's self from magic? And how to treat a person under the spell of magic?

Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h. provided us with the recipe through which we can protect ourselves from magic. We shall be immune from magic if we recite - after the five daily prayers - the last three chapters of the Holy Quran which are number 112, 113 and 114 And here is their translation:

(112) Unity
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Say: He is Allah, the One! Allah, the eternally besought of all! He begets not nor was begotten. And there is none comparable unto Him.

(113) Daybreak
In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful
Say I seek refuge in the in the Lord of daybreak From the evil of that which he created; From the evil of the darkness when it is intense, and from the evil of malignant witchcraft, And from the evil of the envious when he envies.

(114) Mankind

In the name of Allah the beneficent, the Merciful
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, The King of mankind, The God of mankind, From the evil of the sneaking whisper, Who whispers in the hearts of mankind, Of the jinn and of mankind.

These chapters are also recommended to be recited three times after the dawn prayer and three times after the sunset prayer. Secondly Prophet Mohammed p.b.u.h. encouraged us to recite the greatest verse in the Quran called the verse of the Throne, translated as follows:

"Allah! There is no God save Him, the Alive, and the Eternal. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. Unto Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedes with Him save by His leave? He knows that which is in front of them and that which is behind them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. His chair encompasses the heavens and the earth, and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the sublime, the Tremendous" (2:225).

This verse should be recited after each and every one of the five daily prayers and before going to bed.

The Prophet p.b.u.h. also encouraged us Muslims to recite the last two verses of Chapter two at the beginning of every night whose translation is as follows:

"The Messenger believes in that which has been revealed unto him from his Lord and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah and His angles and His scriptures and His messengers and they say: We hear, and we obey. (Grant us) Your forgiveness, our Lord. Unto you is the journeying" (2:285).

"Allah tasks not a soul beyond its scope. For it (is only) that which it has earned, and against it (only) that which it has deserved. Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget, or miss the mark! Our Lord! Lay not on us such a burden as you did lay on those before us! Our Lord! Impose not on us that which we have not the strength to bear! Pardon us, absolve us and have mercy on us. You are our Patron; so grant us victory over the disbelieving folk" (2:286).

Prophet Mohammed p.b.u.h. said: (whoever recites the last two verses of the chapter called the Cow, they will suffice him). This means that they will protect him from every evil. Again seeking refuge in Allah and remembering his name is an effective protection against all evils including magic. Two main supplications are recommended in this respect. They are:

I seek refuge in the complete words of Allah from the evils of what He created; In the name of Allah through whose name nothing on earth or in heaven can cause any harm.

If these two prayers are recited three times in the beginning of the day and in the beginning of the night, then no harm or evil will approach the reciter by the grace of Allah (S.W.T).

It remains to mention how we can treat a person under the spell of magic. It is possible, on the one hand, to learn magic so that one can use the same tactics. All in all, the best cure is to recite the Quran and seek God's help. (Islamawareness.net)

(10) TAKING A PEEK OUTSIDE OUR BOX:

Jewish worshippers wrapped in prayer shawls participate in the special 'Blessing of the Sun' prayer at sunrise on the Eitam Hilltop near the West Bank Jewish settlement of Efrata, in this April 8, 2009 file photo. Devout Jews around the world on Wednesday observed a ritual performed only once every 28-years, saying their morning prayers under the open sky in the 'blessing of the sun', called the Birkat Hachamah in Hebrew. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer, File). Yahoo.news.photos.

(11) TOBY KEITH: Asian groups slam Toby Keith over 'racist hand gesture' Dec. 16, 2009. WENN (Music.msnbc.com)

© Evan Agostini/AP Toby Keith

Officials from Asian campaign groups have criticized Toby Keith after the country music singer allegedly made a "racist hand gesture" at a Nobel Peace Prize party in Norway. The singer was in Oslo, Norway on Thursday to see Barack Obama handed the prestigious honor, and after the ceremony he joined Hollywood star Will Smith and musician Wyclef Jean for an impromptu rap performance at an after party. But the trio's performance of "Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang has been seeped in controversy after footage from the event surfaced online, and appeared to show Keith pulling back one of his eyes when Smith rapped the word "yellow."

.."a spokesperson for the Asian American Justice Center has slammed the singer, saying: "Toby Keith embarrassed himself and his country, denigrated the Noble Peace Prize and offended Asians and Asian Americans by using a crude, racist hand gesture." While a rep for the Media Action Network for Asians adds, "By doing this, he is telling his Asian fans 'you don't matter, you're not on my radar.''

EDITORIAL TEAM WISHES:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ONE AND ALL
THE END