sister in islam

tis true indeed. And very sad....Honour killings is wrong end of. i've been doing assignments on it in university and majority cases are muslim families who use relgiion as an excuse but nowhere in the Quran does it justify honour killings. They might have erased the shame caused on their familiy through their daughters actions but in turn they themsleves are bringing shame to Islam. May Allah swt deal with these people justly. 5000 women/girls are killed each year due to 'honour' killings. majority cases as muslims, but also hindus, sikhs, christians and so on....

World news | Iraq 'My daughter deserved to die for falling in love' Two weeks ago, The Observer revealed how 17-year-old student Rand Abdel-Qader was beaten to death by her father after becoming infatuated with a British soldier in Basra. In this remarkable interview, Abdel-Qader Ali explains why he is unrepentant - and how police backed his actions. Afif Sarhan in Basra and Caroline Davies report Afif Sarhan in Basra and Caroline Davies · 11/05/2008 · guardian.co.uk For Abdel-Qader Ali there is only one regret: that he did not kill his daughter at birth. 'If I had realised then what she would become, I would have killed her the instant her mother delivered her,' he said with no trace of remorse. Two weeks after The Observer revealed the shocking story of Rand Abdel-Qader, 17, murdered because of her infatuation with a British soldier in Basra, southern Iraq, her father is defiant. Sitting in the front garden of his well-kept home in the city's Al-Fursi district, he remains a free man, despite having stamped on, suffocated and then stabbed his student daughter to death. Abdel-Qader, 46, a government employee, was initially arrested but released after two hours. Astonishingly, he said, police congratulated him on what he had done. 'They are men and know what honour is,' he said. Rand, who was studying English at Basra University, was deemed to have brought shame on her family after becoming infatuated with a British soldier, 22, known only as Paul. She died a virgin, according to her closest friend Zeinab. Indeed, her 'relationship' with Paul, which began when she worked as a volunteer helping displaced families and he was distributing water, appears to have consisted of snatched conversations over less than four months. But the young, impressionable Rand fell in love with him, confiding her feelings and daydreams to Zeinab, 19. It was her first youthful infatuation and it would be her last. She died on 16 March after her father discovered she had been seen in public talking to Paul, considered to be the enemy, the invader and a Christian. Though her horrified mother, Leila Hussein, called Rand's two brothers, Hassan, 23, and Haydar, 21, to restrain Abdel-Qader as he choked her with his foot on her throat, they joined in. Her shrouded corpse was then tossed into a makeshift grave without ceremony as her uncles spat on it in disgust. 'Death was the least she deserved,' said Abdel-Qader. 'I don't regret it. I had the support of all my friends who are fathers, like me, and know what she did was unacceptable to any Muslim that honours his religion,' he said. Sitting on a chair by his front door and surrounded by the gerberas and white daisies he had planted in the family garden, Abel-Qader attempted to justify his actions. 'I don't have a daughter now, and I prefer to say that I never had one. That girl humiliated me in front of my family and friends. Speaking with a foreign solider, she lost what is the most precious thing for any woman. 'People from western countries might be shocked, but our girls are not like their daughters that can sleep with any man they want and sometimes even get pregnant without marrying. Our girls should respect their religion, their family and their bodies. 'I have only two boys from now on. That girl was a mistake in my life. I know God is blessing me for what I did,' he said, his voice swelling with pride. 'My sons are by my side, and they were men enough to help me finish the life of someone who just brought shame to ours.' Abdel-Qader, a Shia, says he was released from the police station 'because everyone knows that honour killings sometimes are impossible not to commit'. Chillingly, he said: 'The officers were by my side during all the time I was there, congratulating me on what I had done.' It's a statement that, if true, provides an insight into how vast the gulf remains between cultures in Iraq and between the Basra police the British army that trains them. Sources have indicated that Abdel-Qader, who works in the health department, has been asked to leave because of the bad publicity, yet he will continue to draw a salary. And it has been alleged by one senior unnamed official in the Basra governorate that he has received financial support by a local politician to enable him to 'disappear' to Jordan for a few weeks, 'until the story has been forgotten' - the usual practice in the 30-plus cases of 'honour' killings that have been registered since January alone. Such treatment seems common in Basra, where militias have partial control, especially in the districts on the outskirts where Abdel-Qader lives. While government security forces and British troops have control over the centre, around the fringes militants can still be seen everywhere on the streets or at the checkpoints they have erected. And they have imposed strict laws of behaviour for all the local people, including what clothing should be worn and what religious practices should be observed. There are reports of men having their hands cut off for looting and women being killed for prostitution. Homosexuality is punishable by death, a sentence Abdel-Qader approves of with a passion. 'I have alerted my two sons. They will have the same end [as Rand] if they become contaminated with any gay relationship. These crimes deserve death - death in the name of God,' he said. He said his daughter's 'bad genes were passed on from her mother'. Rand's mother, 41, remains in hiding after divorcing her husband in the immediate aftermath of the killing, living in fear of retribution from his family. She also still bears the scars of the severe beating he inflicted on her, breaking her arm in the process, when she told him she was going. 'They cannot accept me leaving him. When I first left I went to a cousin's home, but every day they were delivering notes to my door saying I was a prostitute and deserved the same death as Rand,' she said. 'She was killed by animals. Every night when go to bed I remember the face of Rand calling for help while her father and brothers ended her life,' she said, tears streaming down her face. She was nervous, clearly terrified of being found, and her eyes constantly turned towards the window as she spoke. 'Rand told me about the soldier, but she swore it was just a friendship. 'She said she spoke with him because she was the only English speaker. I raised her in a religious manner and she never went out alone until she joined the university and then later when she was doing aid work. 'Even now, I cannot believe my ex-husband was able to kill our daughter. He wasn't a bad person. During our 24 years of marriage, he was never aggressive. But on that day, he was a different person.' The mother is now trying to raise enough money to escape abroad. 'I miss my two boys,' she said. 'But they have sent a message saying that I am wrong for defending Rand and that I should go back home and live like a blessed Muslim woman,' said Leila, who is now volunteering with a local organisation campaigning for better protection for women in Basra. One of those running the organisation, who did not want to be identified, said that Rand's case was similar to so many reported in Basra, with the only difference being she was in love with a foreigner, rather than an Iraqi. 'There isn't too much to say. Rand is dead. It is a tragedy and will be a tragedy for many other families in Iraq in the days to come. 'According to information we have been given, some from Rand's colleague, we have doubts that her love was reciprocated. We have the impression that Rand was in love, but the English soldier wasn't. But, for a girl to be paid nice compliments about her beauty and her intelligence, it was enough for her to think she was in love. 'She isn't here any more for her mother to ask any of the questions she would like to. Rand's case had repercussions because she fell in love with a foreigner. But what about the other girls murdered through "honour" killings because they fell in love with some of a different sect, or lost their virginity, or were forced to become prostitutes?' Rand's mother used to call her 'Rose'. 'That was my nickname for her because when she was born she was so beautiful,' she said. 'Now, my lovely Rose is in her grave. But, God will make her father pay, either in this world ... or in the world after.'

as-salam waialikum everyone :) .... So the other day i was having a talk with my cousin, who is a sufi, about faith etc. He said that and i quote, "the main objective of sufism is to cleanse and purify your heart. No matter what sect you belong to, sunni or shia, we are all sufis to a certain extent, because we all want to cleanse our hearts" how far do you guys agree with this statement? (sorry to sound like a coursework question lol) jazak Allah okhair- your opinions will be of benefit to me inshaAllah

salaam, you probably already have this one, but wont hurt if i post it anyway. I really like it, Masha'Allah walaikum as-salam

No freedom of dress? Allah loves us women, hence the laws of hijab that Allah has place upon us also help to protect us. Why would we want to dress like anything other than what Allah wants and loves? i didnt mean any offence, but i skim read everyones views, and the from the jist of things, everyone needs to calm down thats all.... p.s u shouldnt see the 'downs' to Allah's laws bro, seriously, focus on the benefits and why the laws were put in place. Allah never commands anything without a reason.

right lets all calm down....LOL....no need for arguments and 'paki' comments, gosh....tolerance is key brtohers and sisters. Brother El cid keep an open mind, u should accept everything islam requires of us, whether u disagree or not. Its Allah's laws, deal with it :D lol, meant tht in the nicest way possible P.s please dont degrade the hijab bro, i find it rather disrespectful.

El Cid, be a bit more respectful, the people taking time and effort to reply are only trying to help u answer the questions YOU asked, theyre not doing it for their own benefits...May Allah (swt) guide you and help u find the answers u need Insha'Allah :)

The other day brother El cid bought up the topic of music, he said: Music is haram, that's given. But what about music that changed the entire stature of a country? Like brought peace Wouldn't that be considered a service? i replied, to bring about peace you should encourage people towards islam, not music. El Cid also argued that singing is fine only if you sing in the praise of Allah(swt) Or nabis? as Israfeal (a.s) sings day and night? I have read that 'singing' means the turning and rotating of one's voice in the throat. Singing or a song is a sound that makes a man usually happy sad or joyful. Every sound that is produced for entertainment and is capable for exciting a person is known as singing. Consequently it is sinful even to recite the Quran, Nauha or Marsiya in the tune of songs. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s) said, 'singing is that Sin which has been promised the penalty of fire (Hell) by Allah" Every melodious song is not a song. If the Quran is recited in a pleasant voice without turning it in the thorat, it is not haram. Rather it is mustahab (recommended) my knowledge on this is very limited, so any suggestions and facts are welcome to Insha'Allah help out brother El Cid and also myself.... Jazak Allah o'khair

ok il start lol...as you (el cid) said to me that the commandment from Allah (swt) to observe hijab is not a sufficient enough answer to why women wear it (god knows why) i shall give you my reasons even though my opinions and reasons are so much less superior to that of Allah's laws and the teachings of the women of the holy Ahlulbayt, who also wore hijab. for me personally... 1) wearing a hijab defines who i am. A Muslimah! there is no greater title than this... 2) wearing a hijab gives one a level of respect from others, e.g) you are not appraoched by unneccesary men trying to talk to you, unless they are ofcourse 'wastemen' 3) i feel people judge you more on how you are as a person and not by the way you look and dress, as hijab is simple and modest. Women should want to be liked for their personalities and not based on their looks. 4) chastity and modesty 5) it elevates me spiritually and encourages me to respect the hijab and be a better muslim, so i think twice about what im doing 6) i also want to uphold values of holy individuals i.e. bibi Fatima (a.s) and bibi Zainab (a.s) 7) hijab is needed, how else does one distinguish themselves from other non-believing women? 8) you and other men who hold the same opinions as you, should be thankful that women observe the hijab because in the Quran it is commanded for men to lower their gaze therefore by women wearing the hijab it is consequently purifying men from sin i.e. staring at women Basically, if u consider yourself a muslim and u practice submission, which is what Islam is, submitting yourself to the commands of Allah, and you are not comvinced by the words of the quran where it clearly shows the importance of hijab and if you doubt Allah's words, then you are weak and i highly advise you to strenghten you imaan. As is says in surah Al-'Ahzab "it is not for a believing man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error" (33:36) A brother who looks for sister without a hijab or who wants their wife not to wear it, i believe are not deserving of that sister. Why should they drop their principles of please him? pleasing Allah is out main objective in life!!! A wife should also want to reserve her beauty for her husbands eyes only, does that not make u happy? If u want other men checking your wife out by all means go ahead...lol. Obviously, one shouldnt force the hijab upon someone, but they should want to wear it for the reasons i've quoted above...you can't sterotype muslim women and say they are all oppressed. Yea its true that some girl wear convertable hijabs cos they might be forced to wear it by parents etc... but don't disrespect and degrade the women who wear it with the right intention (out of love for Allah and the Ahlulbayt). There this story that i once read: A Non-Muslim man asked a Muslim man why Muslim women cover their hair and body. The Muslim man smiled and pulled out 2 sweets from his pocket. He opened the first one and kept the other one closed in its wrapper. He threw both sweets onto the dusty floor and asked the Christian man, "Which Sweet would you pick?" The man replied, "The Covered one!" The Muslim man replied, "That's how we treat our Muslim women." which one would you pick El Cid?

u just realised that now? lol... in my opinion, all u can do is pray that they change their ways....each to their own and noone is in a position to judge, calling them wastemans wont help lol. Inshallah Allah will guide them if He wills, even if u dont associate yourself with them you can give them an insight into religious life or good advice out of concern that way youll be helping him get rid of his bad traits. Imam sadiq (a.s) says, "If one is aware of a sinful act of a believer and instead of concealing it, he reveals it to the people and does not pray for the believers forgivness, he shall be in the view of Allah same as one who has himself committed that sin and is eligible for its punishment..." and i also agree peer pressure does play a big part in influencing people to do bad deeds, inshallah Allah guides us all...I hope Allah continues to guide u aswell.

In the West, they say that love is a madness that ends with marriage, But in Islam, we say that love is a madness that only begins with marriage...

jazak Allah kam @)

"Verily, with every hardship there is relief" (94:6) Insha'Allah, he is given the strengh to get through his problems.... Ameen

wsalam, jazak Allah sd, if anything i should take a leaf out of ur bro lol...Masha'Allah. Keep me in ur duas, pray my knowledge increases, if Allah wills....il keep u in my duas too :D

Since my new found love for the Ahlulbayt, i have been striving to gain more knowledge around different areas of Shism, and someone pointed out to me that the concept of imamate was a core belief and it hit me that i had little to no knowledge on this belief, so therfore i read books and articles which provided sufficent information, such as the book on Imamate and Leadship by Sayyid Mujtaba Musavi Lari, which tought me lessons about the islamic doctrine and also aided me in writing this post....these are the basic points which i found to be of importance, and i hope it helps other people who have questions about imamate :) What is Imamate? The imam is, with respect to the ummah, the leader and exampler, whose intellectual power and insight benefit those trying to achieve good. whose conduct and mode of life one should imitate and submit to their commands. Imamate has a broad and comprehensive sense that includes both intellectual authority and political leadership. After the death of the prophet the imam was entrusted with the guardianship of his accomplishments and the continuation of his leadership and to guide men in all aspects of his life. Imamate and leadership are sometimes understood in a restricted sense to refer to the person who is entrusted with exclusively social or political leadership. However, in the spiritual sense it is intimately connected with the mission of religion, and the true imam is that exalted person who combines in himself intellectual authority and political leadership, who stands at the head of Islamic society, being enabled to thereby both convey to men the divine laws that exist in every sphere and to implement them, and who protects the human dignity of the Muslims from decline and corruption. The imam is one whose personality, already in this world has a divine aspect, the way in which he deals with god and man provide a complete pattern and model for imitation for all humans. It is the imam who guides the movement of men towards perfection. It is therefore obligatory on all believers to follow him in all matters as it is considered that his mode of life is the best specimen of virtue for the Islamic community. Most sunni scholars hold the opinion that caliphate and imamate signify the responsibilities bestowed upon the caliph, who attains his position of guardianship through election. If this view is accepted, whether the leader has strayed beyond the boundaries of piety and polluted himself with sin, is not a major. Consequently, anyone can claim the title of khalifah to the prophet . If god had wished to entrust the destinies of all community to unworthy rulers, it would not have been necessary for him to bestow messengerhood upon the prophet or to reveal the rules needed for the stability of society. By contrast, the imamate in the view of shi’a is a form of divine governance, something god bestows on appointed and exalted persons, similar to prophethood. The difference being that the prophet is the founder of the religion and the school of thought that proceeds from it, whereas the imam has the function of guarding and protecting god’s religion. Succession after the prophets death After the death of the prophet the ummah was in need of a person who would be endowed with the knowledge derived from revelations, exempt from sin and impurity, and capable of preserving the path of the founder of the shariah. How is it possible to imagine that the most noble prophet should have neglected nothing in his proclamation of his message but paid no attention to the future course of Islam? Those who say that the prophet did not leave behind any form of successorship and left his ummah behind clueless of what to do -how can one attribute such inappropriate and irresponsible carelessness to one whom we know as the universal intelligence? It must also be borne in mind that his death did not come suddenly, he realised in advance that he was about to leave this world- therefore on many occasions he clearly appointed his successor. For example, at Ghaddir khumm: The Prophet was reported to have said “…pay heed to the manner in which you treat the two weighty and precious legacies I leave you as I depart for the hereafter…that which is greater of the two is the book of god. It is in your hands as well as his, so lay hold of it firmly lest you fall into misguidance. The lesser of the two legacies is my progeny and the people of my household. God has informed me that my two legacies shall never be separated from each other until the day of resurrection…O people, do not turn away from these two legacies. As long as you have recourse to them, you will never go astray – the book of god and my family” At this point, the prophet called Ali to his side and continued: “for whomsoever I was his master, Ali is now his master”. Promptly after this event at Ghaddir Khumm, this verse was revealed “today I have perfected for you religion, completed for you my bounty, and chose islam for you as religion” (5:3) – this declares that on this day Allah perfected his religion and completed his blessings- the religion of truth had obtained its perfection through the appointment if Ali. Both sunni and Shia agree that this verse was revealed on this day. Therefore we ask ourselves, can it be permissible to prefer a leader chosen by the people to the one selected by God and his messenger? For it is said…“none has free choice when confronted with the command of god and his messenger. Whoever disobeys the command of God and his messenger falls prey to misguidance” (33:34) When the first caliph appointed the second as his successor, what word or sentence did he use? There are numerous expressions and sentences from the prophet , clear and explicit in meaning concerning Ali; do they not suffice to prove his leadership and succession? The words of the prophet are far clearer and superior to that used by the first caliph. Leading figures of the sunni community have regarded it as necessary to follow the views and teachings of the founders of the 4 schools of sunni law, despite there being no hadith from the prophet to do so. So why not follow rules on which the prophet actually stated, i.e.) following his Ahlulbayt With regards to sunni’s, how can one follow the rulings of the whose only claim to legitimacy is popular election. Such election does not bestow on him immunity from error or sin, nor does it enhance his religious knowledge and awareness. Is it possible that god should send a messenger to guide men and to found a religion; that the messenger should endure all kinds of hardship and difficulty in order to convey gods commands to mankind, and that he should then quit this world without making any further provisions? Would this at all be a wise or logical course of action? Would any leader be content to entrust the fruit of his efforts and struggles to blind chance? If the prophet (pbuh)did not appoint a successor to himself, why did abu bakr do so? And if the prophet did do so, why was the one he selected pushed aside? Furthermore, if it is the right of the muslims that they should choose the successor of the prophet , how can this right be restricted by umar to a mere 6 people? Successorship of Ali clearly stated by prophet in various occasions, with this there is no need for consultation. Where there is divine legislation the quran does not permit individuals to entertain their own views “when God and his messenger determine a matter, no choice remains therein for any believeing man or women. Whoever turns away from the command of his and his messenger has openly chosen misguidance” (33:36) In the Holy Quran it is also stated that…“authority over you belongs to god and the prophet and those believers who establish regular prayer and pay their zakat whilst bowing down” (5:55). In history, there is only one man that gave Zakat in the state of rukooh, and that is Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib. Infallibility of the imams From the hadith at ghaddir khumm which I have quoted above in which the Prophet compares his ahlulbayt to the Quran, regarding them as two weighty things—it should be noted that only those who are utterly beyond the reach of impurity can be put side by side with the Quran (the infallible book and words of Allah) Muhammad b.Abi ‘Umayr says “I asked Hisham, the celebrated pupil of imam Ja’far Saddiq, whether the imam possessed qualities of inerrancy. He answered that he did. I asked him to explain inerrancy to me. “he said, ‘several things lie at the origin of rebellion and sin- greed, envy, lust, anger etc.- and not one of these can penetrate the being of the imam. How might he be greedy, considering that he has everything at his disposal, including even the treasury of the Muslims? How might he be envious, for only he who is aware of a station higher than his own can be envious and no station is higher than the imamate can be conceived? As for anger, it is impossible that the imam be angered by any worldly concern, for god has entrusted to him the implementation of His laws. But in connection with anything touching on the hereafter, anger is not at all desirable. The imam will never fall prey of lust, for he is well aware that the pleasures and desirable things of this world are transitory and valueless when compared to the reward that god shall bestow on his worshippers on the day of resurrection”. One of the scriptural proofs for the inerrancy of the people of the prophets house is the ‘purification verse’ (ayah al-tathir) a verse which depicts their utter purity and their unique character as follows “god wishes to remove all filth and impurity from you, o people of the house of the prophet, and to render you utterly free of all pollution” (33; 33) Imam al Rida: “the imam is utterly free of sin and pure of all fault. He is celebrated for his knowledge and his forbearance. His existence is a source of pride to the Muslims, of anger to the hypocrites, of perdition to the unbelievers. The imam is unique in his age, in the sense that no one can attain his rank. No scholar can come within range of his knowledge, and he is unequalled in all his qualities. He possesses all virtues and worthy attributes without any striving on his part, and he is adorned with all lotty characteristics. This is a great gift bestowed on him by god in His generosity”. The Quran and Imamate Quran specifies certain conditions for the office of imamate- “we have chosen from among them imams who at our command shall guide men to the right path, for they are patient and steadfast and have certain knowledge of our signs” (32:24) quipped with such virtues he obtains the rank of imamate. “a day in which we shall call forth each group with its imam” (17:71) When Ibrahim had completed all his tasks with which god had tested him, god addressed him as follows “I appoint you to the station of imamate and the leadership of men. Ibrahim the asked “will you grant this station to my progeny” god said “the covenant of my imamate will not be granted to wrong doers” (2:123) Ibrahim was addressed by god in this manner when he was approaching the final part of him life and at a time when he was fully established in the rank of prophet and already had responsibility for the guidance of his ummah in matter of belief and conduct. God nonetheless promised him an additional station, which proves that the office of imamate was a higher and more exalted office then his prophethood. Immunity from pollution of sin is one of the conditions of imamate, wrongdoers will be denied the rank of imamate, hence the infallibility of the imams. The progeny of Ibrahim who are not wrongdoers will be granted the station of imamate. No doubt that the most righteous of gods servants among the progeny was the prophet . So the prophet (pbuh)and his family must count as imams from Ibrahim’s line who were entrusted with imamate. Imam Ja’far Saddiq is reported in al-kafi to have said “before appointing Ibrahim as prophet, god appointed him his servant. Before ennobling him with his friendship, he bestowed on him the rank of messengerhood. Before granting him the rank of imamate, he made him his sincere and devoted friend. It was therefore after Ibrahim had attained a whole series of high ranks that he was given the station of imamate” The 12 imams “This religion will endure until the day of judgement, for as long as 12 persons from quraysh rule over you as my successors”- this hadith is agreed upon by both sunni and shia. God had established his proof before men; he had presented them with these righteous and exceptional men, chosen ones whose exisitence was a source of benefit not only for all muslims but for all of mankind. Philosophy and theology of Shia go back to Ali. Supreme teacher of all jurists. Abu Hanifa, founder of Hanifi school, was pupil of imam Jafir Sadiq, who imbibed learning from Ali through his father and ancestors. Malik b anas, founder of Maliki School had a master who was pupil of Ikrimah, who had been pupil of ibn Abbass, who derived his learning directly from Imam Ali. The need to follow the imams Prophet said to Imam Ali “your relation to me shall be like the relation of Harun and Musa, excepting only that there shall be no prophet after me”- he therefore designated Ali as his brother, assistant and general deputy as well as leader of the ummah. Abu dhar al- ghifari related the prophet saying: “The people of my household are for you like the ark of Nuh. Whoever embarks on it will be saved, and whoever turns away from it will be drowned” – this depicts rank of family and their fundamental role in guiding mankind. Imam al Baqir said “I swear by god that from the time god took Adams spirit and conveyed him to the realm of eternity, he has never left the earth empty of an imam. Hereafter, too, the world will never be without the existence of an imam, so that gods proof will always be present among his servants”. Therefore as Muslims we should all have and knowledge and belief in imam, for the Prophet himself once said… “Whoever leaves this world without knowing the imam of his age will have died as people died during the jahiliyyah”

awwww, how come your leaving? do you mean your not gna be on as much or ur gna delete ur account? either way il keep u in my duas bro and i hope college goes well insha'Allah :D thank you for all the answers u gave me for my question, i hope Allah showers his blessings on u :) wsalaams

i LOVE this post sd Masha'Allah.....made me all happy lol...cured my depression right away lol Alhamdulilah!