Robert Fisk: CNN was wrong about Ayatollah Fadlallah

‎"Well, he wasn't Hizbollah's man, but no matter. He was definitely a giant. A man of immense learning and jurisprudence, a believer in women's rights, a hater of "honour crimes", a critic of the theocratic system of government in Iran ..... But it just goes to show that Fadlallah – who was also a poet – can get people's backs up, even in death ..... I do believe that Fadlallah was a very serious and very important man whose constant sermons on the need for spiritual regeneration and kindness did more good than most in a country constantly flooded in a rhetoric bath. Hundreds of thousands attended his funeral in Beirut on Tuesday. I am not surprised."

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-cnn-was-wrong-about-ayatollah-fadlallah-2023179.html

VOA:Britain Removes Ambassador's Blog Post Praising Late Lebanese Cleric

“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”  George Washington

The British government says it has removed a blog post by its ambassador to Beirut praising Lebanon's controversial top Shi'ite cleric, Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, who died earlier this week.

In a blog entry titled The Passing of a Decent Man, Ambassador Frances Guy wrote she was saddened by Grand Ayatollah Fadlallah's death last Sunday, and that the world "needs more men like him willing to reach out across faiths."

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/europe/Britain-Removes-Ambassadors-Blog-Post-Praising-Late-Lebanese-Cleric-98107499.html

Telegraph: Islamist preacher warns France against banning the burka

I think this is some sort of blackmailing! Burka is not an Islamic thing like the headscarf, it's rather a cultural thing, an obvious evidence that it's not Islamic is that women pilgrims have to take it off in the Holiest place for Muslims during the pilgrimage in Mecca. However, I'm personally against Burka but I'm also against restricting freedom of choice, I don't think the legal ban is a wise solution for the Burka but education is, by educating Muslim women that it's truly not an Islamic thing ...

""Look what happened in Belgium and in France," Omar Bakri said, referring to Belgium's ban on the burka, or full Islamic veil, and the start of debates by the French parliament on a similar law that is all but certain to be adopted.

"They believe that prohibiting Muslim women to use the burka is going to make them safer. But they are wrong. This is going to make Muslims living in France give more support to al-Qaeda", Bakri told Spain's Cadena Ser radio."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/7878011/Islamist-preacher-warns-France-against-banning-the-burka.html

Christiantoday: Somali Islamists execute Christian convert

I'm not a Muslim if this is Islam!

"ICC said that Sheik Adan Yare, the Al-Shabab governor of the Bakol region, spoke to the press on July 1 and said, "Our holy warriors have today, on July 1 at 11: 45 am, executed in front of angry Muslim witnesses a young man whose name was Muhammad Guul Hashim Idiris who insulted our beloved prophet."

The execution, which took place at a make-shift soccer stadium, was attended by hundreds of people, including school children who were forced to watch the grizzly scene."

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/somali.islamists.execute.christian.convert/26257.htm

AsiaNews:Kerala, hand severed of Christian Professor accused of blasphemy

I'm not a Muslim if this is Islam!

"The victim is a college professor who "insulted Muhammad" in an exam questionnaire. Islamic extremism is growing in Kerala: many schools face pressures on the use of the veil. The condemnation of national Muslim organizations. Sajan K. George: Sharia is not law in India."

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Kerala,-hand-severed-of-Christian-Professor-accused-of-blasphemy-18843.html

Great job from Jon Stewart! I wish there's an Islamic agency that's dedicated to expose the irony and hypocrisy of the American media in such a smart & sarcastic way!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Wish You Weren't Here
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

JTA - Jewish & Israel News: Muslim, Orthodox Jew to run N.J. township

Islam is not against Judaism and Muslims are not against Jews .. Islam against all sort of imperialism and oppression an example of that is Zionism/Israel!

(JTA) -- A practicing Muslim and an Orthodox Jew have been chosen to run a New Jersey township.

Mohammed Hameeduddin was picked last week by the Teaneck Township Council to serve as mayor and Adam Gussen was chosen as deputy mayor for two-year terms.

Hameeduddin, Teaneck's first Muslim mayor, is one of only a handful of Muslims to lead a U.S. municipality.

The leaders attended middle school together in Teaneck, which has a large Orthodox Jewish population, and both attended Rutgers University, according to ABC News.

"Nowhere else is this possible," Hameeduddin told ABC. "The opportunity to bring two communities together and break down stereotypes that have belittled our nation is both monumental and humbling."

http://www.jta.org/news/article/2010/07/07/2739938/muslim-orthodox-jew-to-run-teaneck

The Age: Shepparton shines as a haven with no room for racism

I think the biggest mistake immigrants do is alienating themselves and the best thing they can do is to keep their values and principles but engage warmly with the overall community.

"Shepparton Mayor Geoff Dobson said 11 per cent of the city's population were born overseas and 32 languages were spoken.

He said he was particularly impressed with how recent immigrants from Sudan and the Congo had made themselves at home and reached out to the community with their music and dancing groups.

''I think the Afghans and Iraqis are a bit different,'' he said.

''They tend to keep to themselves and don't become so engaged in the mainstream community.''"

http://www.theage.com.au/national/shepparton-shines-as-a-haven-with-no-room-for-racism-20100706-zz1u.html

Ynetnews: Israeli Soldiers' dance in Hebron may mean trouble

I don't know why the Israeli army is upset for having such a talent! You got to give it to them, they are not bad dancers at all! :^)

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3915671,00.html

Fadlallah is finally free from this frustrating Ummah!

Mohammed Hussein Fadallah, A spiritual guide, a knowledgeable cleric, a human rights defender, an anti-imperialism fighter, an Islamic and social reformer, a champion of Islamic unity, an interfaith promoter … I'm not aware of a contemporary cleric that can fill in the massive gap he left behind! He's been freed from this world today!
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/07/20107354240249363.html

"Your Freedom" Initiative, The UK government is keen in hearing the public out!

"We're working to create a more open and less intrusive society. We want to restore Britain’s traditions of freedom and fairness, and free our society of unnecessary laws and regulations – both for individuals and businesses.

This site gives you the chance to suggest how we can do this. Your ideas will inform government policy and some of your proposals could end up making it into bills we bring before Parliament to change the law.

So if there are any laws or regulations you'd like us to do away with, then first, check if there are any similar ideas here already and then add your comments to it and rate it to move it up the list. If it's not here, then add it!  And remember - we want you to suggest ideas for removing laws and regulations, rather than ideas for creating them."
I urge all Muslims of UK to speak out about their problems instead of moaning about the government among each other! This is a great chance to be heard out! Quit being pessimistic and skeptical and take it seriously, at the end of the day what will you lose?!

"Your Freedom" website: http://ping.fm/amRDT

In memoriam Israel Shahak (April 28, 1933 ? July 2, 2001) an Israeli Holocaust Survivor

"Regarding my country, I think that Zionism is a form of racism. For many years I have been claiming that it is a mirror image of anti-Semitism. While any anti-Semitism is based on denying the humanity and dignity of Jews, Zionism is grounded on discrimination and of fostering hatred and suspicion towards all non-Jews. This suspicion is not directed at Arabs for being Arabs but rather at non-Jews, Arab and non-Arab, and no one who reads the Hebrew media can, in my opoinion, escape from this conclusion."

An interesting interview: http://ping.fm/wFBQ7

Aqsa Parvez's father and her brother have been sentenced to life in prison after pleading to killing the 16-year-old in their Mississauga, Ont., home.

This is a "disgrace killing" not an "honour killing". That kind of Muslims worship their community instead of worshiping Allah.

"Later a statement by her father to her mother right after murdering her was publicized, supporting the honor killing theory: “My community will say you have not been able to control your daughter. This is my insult. She is making me naked.”"
http://ping.fm/E3gCC

Twin suicide blasts killed at least 42 people at a Sufi shrine in Lahore, Pakistan, late yesterday

Have those Islamist extremists who consider Muslims praying in such shrines as apostates ever read Qura'an?!

And do not pray [the funeral prayer, O Muhammad], over any of them who has died - ever - or stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were defiantly disobedient. Qura'an 9:84

وَلاَ تُصَلِّ عَلَى أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُم مَّاتَ أَبَدًا وَلاَ تَقُمْ عَلَىَ قَبْرِهِ إِنَّهُمْ كَفَرُواْ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَمَاتُواْ وَهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ
التوبة : 84

And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allah is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt. [That was] when they disputed among themselves about their affair and [then] said, "Construct over them a structure. Their Lord is most knowing about them." Said those who prevailed in the matter, "We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid." Qura'an 18:21

وَكَذَلِكَ أَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّ السَّاعَةَ لا رَيْبَ فِيهَا إِذْ يَتَنَازَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ فَقَالُوا ابْنُوا عَلَيْهِم بُنْيَانًا رَّبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ قَالَ الَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا عَلَى أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم مَّسْجِدًا
الكهف : ٢١

There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing. Qura'an 2:256

لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
 البقرة : ٢٥٦

Saudi Women Vow Let Us Drive or We Will Breastfeed Our Drivers (so they can be our sons)!

Those so called 'scholars' are depriving them from what's Halal (permissible) in Islam and forcing them to do what's overwhelmingly considered Haram (forbidden) by most Islamic scholars!

http://ping.fm/JaQ8O

The 1st anniversary of "The headscarf martyr" Marwa El-Sherbini brutal assassination

Today is the 1st anniversary of "The headscarf martyr" Marwa El-Sherbini brutal assassination, whom was assassinated by a German racist who stabbed her 18 times in front of her 3 years old son while shouting "islamist" "terrorist" .. To all Westerners, be honest women's rights supporters and respect the Muslim women right to wear her headscarf!

Imam Husain, Malcom X, Farag Foda ... something is in common?

They were all prominent Islamic critical thinkers, reformers, human rights defenders

They were all deemed foes by bigoted, dogmatic, fanatic Muslim leaders

They were all assassinated by ignorant, maniac Muslim followers

Imam Muda or "Young Leader", Malaysian Islamic reality show!

http://ping.fm/5DDeQ
Imam Muda or "Young Leader", Malaysian Islamic reality show, 10 young men have washed corpses according to Islamic rites, cried while counselling unmarried pregnant women and joined a police crackdown on teenage motorcycle racers - all before judges on national TV.

King of Saudia, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques? or Custodian of the Two Satanic States (Israel, US)?

http://ping.fm/2oRbs
Saudi Arabia has conducted tests to stand down its air defences to enable Israeli jets to make a bombing raid on Iran's nuclear facilities, The Times can reveal.

الباحث الإسلامي الشيخ عصام تليمة ردا على الشيخ يوسف القرضاوي : نعم، أفتى الإمام الراحل محمود شلتوت شيخ الأزهر بجواز التعبد على المذهب الجعفري

http://ping.fm/N0eOy
الباحث الإسلامي الشيخ عصام تليمة ردا على الشيخ يوسف
القرضاوي : نعم، أفتى الإمام الراحل محمود شلتوت شيخ الأزهر بجواز التعبد على المذهب الجعفري

An Australian Childcare Centre has converted to Halal beef to promote healthy eating

http://ping.fm/lZTeY
An Australian Childcare Centre has converted to Halal beef to promote healthy eating. 'There was previously a lot of leftover meat and now children are eating the majority of the meal' Centre Director Ms. Palmer said

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar: The Ja'fari/Shiite school of thought is religiously correct to follow in worship as are other Sunni schools of thought

http://ping.fm/fSyWo
Shaykh Mahmud Shaltut The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar from 1958 to 1963 declared: The Ja'fari school of thought, which is also known as "al-Shia al- Imamiyyah al-Ithna Ashariyyah" (i.e., The Twelver Imami Shi'ites) is a school of thought that is religiously correct to follow in worship as are other Sunni schools of thought.

Where are the +300k Australian Muslims?!

http://ping.fm/Br8KS
An Iranian cleric, Dr. Leghaei has been deported from AU after living there for 16 years! Where are the +300k Muslims?! UN said NO! Arabs probably said "Who cares he's Iranian" & Sunni Muslims may said "Good! He's Shiah"! I'm sure if he was a Jew cleric the Jewish community would have forced the government to back down!

Enslavery: Riba/Interest

"[2:275]
Those who consume interest cannot stand [on the Day of Resurrection] except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity. That is because they say, "Trade is [just] like interest." But Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest. So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allah . But whoever returns to [dealing in interest or usury] - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein.

[2:276]
Allah destroys interest and gives increase for charities. And Allah does not like every sinning disbeliever.

[2:277]
Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakah will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.

[2:278]
O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers.

[2:279]
And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal - [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged." Quraan 2:275-279

الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبَا لاَ يَقُومُونَ إِلاَّ كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُواْ إِنَّمَا الْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ الرِّبَا وَأَحَلَّ اللَّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا فَمَن جَاءَهُ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ فَانتَهَىَ فَلَهُ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

يَمْحَقُ اللَّهُ الرِّبَا وَيُرْبِي الصَّدَقَاتِ وَاللَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّالِحَاتِ وَأَقَامُواْ الصَّلاةَ وَآتَوُاْ الزَّكَاةَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ وَذَرُواْ مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُواْ فَأْذَنُواْ بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُؤُوسُ أَمْوَالِكُمْ لاَ تَظْلِمُونَ وَلاَ تُظْلَمُونَ

البقرة : ٢٧٥-٢٧٩

Isn't immensely frightening when the Almighty condemns an action forthrightly and declares a war against its doers? However, whom of us doesn't owe a mortgage or a credit card debt or a loan to a bank or a finance company?! Our lame excuse is "urgency"! 

What sort of urgency that justifies a mortgage? Certainly who can afford a mortgage can afford renting a decent property!

What sort of urgency that justifies a loan for a new car? Certainly who can afford getting a loan for a brand new car can afford buying a decent car to take him from A to B!

What sort of urgency that justifies a credit card debt for tourism travel or flashy garments or junk food, etc ...

It's not the "urgency", it's rather "the slavery" to our temptations and to the fulfillment of "our people" expectations as opposed to "our Creator" satisfaction, we are simply slaves to our temptations and people wishes! verse 2:278 truly sums it up!

Marriage in Islam: Is it Islamically acceptable for a woman to propose to a man?

In most marriages it's the man who propose to the woman, why it's not the opposite? or on a par with each other? Is it disgraceful for a Muslim woman to propose to a Muslim man?

It's widely known that the first marriage for the Prophet Mohammad was his first and most beloved wife Khadeejah who proposed to him indirectly. Khadeejah was impressed with the personality of the Prophet and she wanted to marry him. So she sent her friend Nafeesah bint Maniyyah to probe his stance regarding marriage.

Nafeesah: Mohammad, why you are not married yet?
The Prophet: I'm not ready yet (financially)
Nafeesah: What if you don't have to worry about that and found a girl that's wealthy, beautiful, noble, and dignified?
The Prophet: Who is she?
Nafeesah: Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid
The Prophet: How is that possible? I'm an orphan and not rich while she's very noble and wealthy
Nafeesah: Yes, it's possible, I'll take care of that.

ٍSo it was, Nafeesah liaised the marriage and the Prophet happily got married to Khadeejah.

نفيسة: يا محمد ما يمنعك أن تتزوج؟

الرسول (ص): ما بيدي ما أتزوج به..

نفيسة: فإن كفيت ذلك... ودعيت إلى المال... والجمال... والشرف... والكفاية.. ألا تجيب؟

الرسول (ص): فمن هي؟

نفيسة: خديجة بنت خويلد..

الرسول (ص): وكيف لي بذلك يا نفيسة؟ وأنا يتيم قريش، وهي أيم قريش ذات الجاه العظيم والثروة الواسعة.

فقالت نفيسة: قل بلى وأنا أفعل

Also Quraan narrates the story of Prophet Moses/Mosah's marriage to Jethro/Shuaib's daughter and how she indirectly proposed to him and got married.

And when he came to the well of Madyan, he found there a crowd of people watering [their flocks], and he found aside from them two women driving back [their flocks]. He said, "What is your circumstance?" They said, "We do not water until the shepherds dispatch [their flocks]; and our father is an old man."

So he watered [their flocks] for them; then he went back to the shade and said, "My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need."

Then one of the two women came to him walking with shyness. She said, "Indeed, my father invites you that he may reward you for having watered for us." So when he came to him and related to him the story, he said, "Fear not. You have escaped from the wrongdoing people."

One of the women said, "O my father, hire him. Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy."

He said, "Indeed, I wish to wed you one of these, my two daughters, on [the condition] that you serve me for eight years; but if you complete ten, it will be [as a favor] from you. And I do not wish to put you in difficulty. You will find me, if Allah wills, from among the righteous."

Quraan 28:23-27

وَلَمَّا وَرَدَ مَاء مَدْيَنَ وَجَدَ عَلَيْهِ أُمَّةً مِّنَ النَّاسِ يَسْقُونَ وَوَجَدَ مِن دُونِهِمُ امْرَأتَيْنِ تَذُودَانِ قَالَ مَا خَطْبُكُمَا قَالَتَا لا نَسْقِي حَتَّى يُصْدِرَ الرِّعَاء وَأَبُونَا شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ

فَسَقَى لَهُمَا ثُمَّ تَوَلَّى إِلَى الظِّلِّ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ

فَجَاءَتْهُ إِحْدَاهُمَا تَمْشِي عَلَى اسْتِحْيَاء قَالَتْ إِنَّ أَبِي يَدْعُوكَ لِيَجْزِيَكَ أَجْرَ مَا سَقَيْتَ لَنَا فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُ وَقَصَّ عَلَيْهِ الْقَصَصَ قَالَ لا تَخَفْ نَجَوْتَ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ

قَالَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا يَا أَبَتِ اسْتَأْجِرْهُ إِنَّ خَيْرَ مَنِ اسْتَأْجَرْتَ الْقَوِيُّ الأَمِينُ

قَالَ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُنكِحَكَ إِحْدَى ابْنَتَيَّ هَاتَيْنِ عَلَى أَن تَأْجُرَنِي ثَمَانِيَ حِجَجٍ فَإِنْ أَتْمَمْتَ عَشْرًا فَمِنْ عِندِكَ وَمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَيْكَ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاء اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

القصص : ٢٣-٢٧

Obviously it's Islamically acceptable for a Muslim woman to decently (preferably indirectly) approach a Muslim man for marriage, it's rather recommended especially if the man is a decent and suitable person, more particularly if that person doesn't know much about the woman and how she feels about him, he could be interested in her as well but he may not know enough about her, that's quite common in Muslim societies especially in the non-mix ones where women have private/closed personality because of shyness and timidity while men are usually more open, it's not easy for some men to approach a woman for marriage if he doesn't know her or doesn't know enough about her, basically a person can't be loved until he/she is well-known to the other person.

Does Tawasul/التوسل or intercession contradict with the fundamental theistic principle of Islam?

The most fundamental principle of Islam is theism, that there's no God but God/Allah and He's solely should be worshiped and all other things are His creatures and slaves including His Messenger Mohammad. All Muslims regardless of their sects (Sunnah, Shia, Sufis, etc ..) believe in that. However, some Muslims do 'Tawasul (توسل)' which is pleading and begging Allah to fulfill the prayers for the sake of certain things or people, other Muslims ask Allah indirectly through the Prophet or the Prophet's household or other sacred people. Is Tawsul/التوسل or asking Allah indirectly through someone else contradicts with the fundamental theistic principle of Islam? Is it like associating partners with Allah (Shurik/شرك)?

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
الفاتحة : ٥

You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.
Quraan 1:5

وَأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلا تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَدًا
الجن : ١٨

And [it has been revealed to me] that the places of prayer belong to God, so do not invoke anyone along with God.
Quraan 72:18

وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ مَا لاَ يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلاَ يَنفَعُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ هَؤُلاء شُفَعَاؤُنَا عِندَ اللَّهِ قُلْ أَتُنَبِّئُونَ اللَّهَ بِمَا لاَ يَعْلَمُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلاَ فِي الأَرْضِ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
يونس : ١٨

And they worship, besides God that which can neither hurt them, nor profit them; and they say, 'These are our intercessors with God'. Say: 'Would you tell God of what He does not know in the heavens or in the earth?' Glory be to Him!, and High be He exalted above what they associate!
Quraan 10:18

أَلا لِلَّهِ الدِّينُ الْخَالِصُ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلاَّ لِيُقَرِّبُونَا إِلَى اللَّهِ زُلْفَى إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي مَا هُمْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَهْدِي مَنْ هُوَ كَاذِبٌ كَفَّارٌ
الزمر : ٣

Surely to God belongs pure religion. And those who take besides Him patrons, [say]: ‘We only worship them so that they may bring us near to God’. God will indeed judge between them concerning that about which they differ. Truly God does not guide one who is a liar, a disbeliever.
Quraan 39:75

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُواْ لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُواْ بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
البقرة : ١٨٦

And when My servants question you concerning Me, I am near; I answer the call of the caller when he calls to Me; so let them respond to Me, and let them believe in Me that they might go aright.
Quraan 2:186

First glance at the Quranic verses above would lead us to think that asking Allah through someone else is anti-theistic and it's like associating partners with Him as the pagans and idolaters used to do. However, if we ponder the verses again we would notice that the verses were referring to 'worship' and associating partners to Allah but that's not the same as Tawsul/توسل or asking Allah indirectly through some people.

قَالُواْ يَا أَبَانَا اسْتَغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا خَاطِئِينَ
يوسف : ٩٧

[His sons] answered: "O our father! Ask God to forgive us our sins, for, verily, we were sinners."
Quraan 12:111

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ لِيُطَاعَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذ ظَّلَمُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ جَاؤُوكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُواْ اللَّهَ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ لَوَجَدُواْ اللَّهَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا
النساء : ٦٤

And We did not send any messenger except to be obeyed by permission of Allah . And if, when they wronged themselves, they had come to you, [O Muhammad], and asked forgiveness of Allah and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Accepting of repentance and Merciful.
Quraan 4:64

The Quranic verses above clearly indicate that it is permissible but rather recommended to seek forgiveness from Allah through sacred people like the Prophets.

Moreover, there are several Hadiths demonstrate that Tawsul/توسل is permissible and Muslims usually do it in crisis when their direct prayers don't seem to be fulfilled. Herein an incident:

حدثنا ‏ ‏الحسن بن محمد ‏ ‏قال حدثنا ‏ ‏محمد بن عبد الله الأنصاري ‏ ‏قال حدثني ‏ ‏أبي عبد الله بن المثنى ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏ثمامة بن عبد الله بن أنس ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏أنس بن مالك ‏ ‏أن ‏ ‏عمر بن الخطاب ‏ ‏رضي الله عنه ‏
‏كان إذا قحطوا استسقى ‏ ‏بالعباس بن عبد المطلب ‏ ‏فقال اللهم ‏ ‏إنا كنا نتوسل إليك بنبينا فتسقينا وإنا نتوسل إليك بعم نبينا فاسقنا قال فيسقون ‏

صحيح البخاري : الجمعة: سؤال الناس الإمام الاستسقاء إذا قحطوا

Anas ibn Malik narrated that whenever there was a drought, 'Umar ibn Khattab used to pray for rain through 'Abbas ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, saying: 'O Allah, we used to make Tawassul to you by our Prophet and you would send us rain. Here we are making Tawassul to you by the uncle of our Prophet, so send us rain.' He said and they would be given rain.

Sahih Al-Bukhari

Obviously according to the Hadith, Tawsul is not only permissible but is necessary especially in crisis. However, there's an argument of whether a Muslim can do Tawsul through a dead person. According to my research, the majority of scholars (Sunnah & Shia) decree that it's permissible to do Tawsul through the Prophet whether during his life or after his death.

Marriage in Islam: Is marriage really half the religion/Deen?

All Islamic sects (Sunnah & Shia) decree that marriage is not compulsory/Wajib, so if marriage is not compulsory then how it can be half of Islam/Deen/religion?! Certainly that can't be true. Yes, there are some Hadiths for the Prophet regarding that like he said:

” Any man whom Allah provides with a virtuous wife has been helped to half his Deen, so he should fear Allah regarding the other half.”

عن أنس رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم قال: من رزقه الله امرأة صالحة فقد أعانه على شطر دينه فليتق الله في الشطر الباقي. رواه الطبراني في الأوسط والحاكم ومن طريقه للبيهقي وقال الحاكم صحيح الإسناد، وفي رواية البيهقي قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله و سلم: إذا تزوج العبد فقد استكمل نصف الدين فليتق الله في النصف الباقي. حسنه الألباني في صحيح الترغيب والترهيب

.

If those Hadiths are true, then what did the Prophet mean by Deen in this context? Is it really religion/Islam? or something else? The word "Deen" as a term means "Religion" but linguistically it has different meanings. One of the Arabic meanings for the word Deen "دين" is "a lifestyle", but nowadays it commonly refers to "religion/doctrine" or "religious lifestyle":

لسان العرب:
الدَّيْدانُ والدَّيْدَنُ والدِّين: العادة، تقول: ما زال ذلك دَيدَنَه ودَيدَانه ودِينَه ودأْبَه وعادَتَه وسَدَمه وهِجِّيرَه وهِجِّيراه واهْجِيراه ودُرابَتَه


الصّحّاح في اللغة:
والدينُ بالكسر: العادةُ والشأن


مقاييس اللغة:
فإنّ الأصمعيّ قال: المَرَانة اسمُ ناقَتِه، وكانت تَعرِفُ ذلك الطريقَ، فلذلك قال: لا أكلِّفُها إلاّ المَرانة. حَتَّى تعرف الدِّين: أي الحالَ والأمر الذي تَعهده. فأراد لا أكلف بلوغَ هذه الدار إِلاّ ناقتي


القاموس المحيط:
والدِّيْنُ، بالكسر: الجَزاءُ، وقد دِنْتُه، بالكسر، دَيْناً، ويُكْسَرُ، والإِسْلامُ، وقد دِنْتُ به، بالكسر، والعادةُ، والعِبادةُ، والمُوَاظِبُ من الأَمْطَارِ، أو اللَّيِّنُ منها، والطاعة>

According to Islam this life is a test which is to live it according to religion (The Message of Islam/Islamic doctrine). Thus, the Hadith may was referring to the marriage as half of person's life because a married person spends almost half of his time with his wife (~8 hours = sleeping, ~4 hours = hanging out), thus if that time will be spent wisely (hence "virtuous wife" not "any wife") according to religion then he basically fulfilled half of his test. I think the Hadith can be applied to both men and women like in many Quranic verses even though it was talking about the husband. In other words, I think the Hadiths indicate that marriage is half one's life (or time) and if it's virtuous and righteous then it means the person managed to live half of his/her time righteously as Allah loves to.

Ashura & Gaza, we are sorry, we let you down!

Imam Hussain bin Ali bin Abi Talib said:

"Verily, people are the slaves of the (material) world and their religion is superficial, only on their tongues. They are attentive to it as long as their material benefits are provided, but when they are tested, the number of true devotees dwindles.

This world has changed, snubbed, and its good has turned tail. Nothing has remained from it except a thing that is as scanty as the leftover of a cup and a mean life that is like a noxious grazing. Have you not noticed that the right is ignored and the evil is not forbidden? This is sufficient for making the believers desire for meeting Allah rightfully. I consider death as happiness and life with the wrongdoers as boredom."

من خطبة الإمام الحسين بن علي بن أبي طالب (ع):

إن الناس عبيد الدنيا، والدين لعقٌ على ألسنتهم يحوطونه ما درّت معائشهم، فإذا مُحِّصوا بالبلاء قلَّ الديانون. إن هذه الدنيا قد تغيرت، وتنكرت، وأدبر معروفها، فلم يبق منها إلا صباية كصباية الإنا، وخســيس عيش كالمرعى الوبـيـل، ألا تــرون أن الحق لا يعمل به، وأن الباطل لا يتناهى عنه، ليرغب المؤمن في لقاء ربه محقاً، فإني لا أرى الموت إلا سعادة، والحياة مع الظالمين إلاّ بَرَمَا.

Few days ago was the beginning of new Hijri/Islamic year 1431H, Inshallah it will be a blessing and happy year for all Muslims around the world. Also, it was the sad anniversary of Ashura where Imam Hussain along with some of his household and companions revolutionized against the worst tyrant the Islamic world had ever known Yazid bin Muawiyah bin Abi-Sufyan and were brutally martyred at the Battle of Karbla on 10th Muharram 61H (10th October 680AD). In this legendary and tragic battle Imam Hussain and his companions represented the most beautiful forms of humanity and true principles of Islam, they challenged Yazid's fascism by refusing to bow down to his tyranny and sacrificed their precious souls for the revival of moral order, human rights, law and justice and civil liberty of the good at large.

Shia Muslims around the world always commemorate this event the first 10 days of every new Hijri/Islamic year. This year, I attended four different centers (called Hussainya) where Ashura rituals took place, as usual Islamic scholars preached about the merits and principles of Ashura, standing up against the tyrants, liberty, civil reforms, morals and ethics, etc .. concurrently during Ashura was the anniversary of Gaza War but ironically I never heard any of them mentioning the word 'Gaza'!

Our Palestinian people are still under siege dying and suffering every moment! Yet we are doing nothing to relieve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, actually we have almost forgotten them completely! The least we could do is to commemorate the anniversary and expose the monstrous ugliness of the Zionists! Isn't for that Imam Hussain sacrificed his divine life for?! To teach us as Human beings and Muslims we have to practically stand against tyranny and stand in solidarity with the oppressed?! To teach us that life without principles and dignity is worthless?!

Ashura is what inspired the Lebanese and managed to liberate their land from the Zionists, Ashura is what revolutionized the Iranian and could overthrow the King of Kings (Shah of Iran). Nonetheless, I believe for most Shia Muslims, Ashura is becoming merely rituals and customs that's isolated from real life, Imam Hussain reflected the bitter reality of religious people by his vivid words:

Verily, people are the slaves of the (material) world and their religion is superficial, only on their tongues. They are attentive to it as long as their material benefits are provided, but when they are tested, the number of true devotees dwindles.

In fact that's the case for most religious practices where religion is basically a set of rituals and customs are passed down from generation to generation rather than being true belief and principles to base our life on. Hence, usually the first followers of any religion are the most sincere and devotees to their religious belief but that devotion gradually decline in the succeeding generations because for them it became just rituals and customs they inherited from their ancestors rather than something they truly believe in.

However, I'm not criticizing Shia Muslims only but because they love Imam Hussain and embrace his revolution and principles and commemorate it every year they should be admonished more. Having said that, in the same anniversary day of Gaza War I called a Palestinian friend who is a Sunni Muslim originally from Gaza itself and is an activist in the community, I asked him if there's any program for commemorating the anniversary of Gaza War, he was a bit stunned and embarrassed a bit because there was nil.

"Ye were the best nation (people) that evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah." Quraan 3:110

كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللّهِ
آل عمران : ١١٠

Marriage in Islam: Is Temporary Marriage/Mutah Halal?

What's Temporary Marriage/Mutah?
It's basically the same as normal (permanent) marriage except as the name implies it's temporary, in other words the couple may remain married only for a definite period of time. There's dowry, consent of guardian, Idaa, sex, children responsibilities, etc .. However, there are other minor differences between the permanent marriage and the temporary one, for example the couple don't inherit each other and it's not compulsory for the husband to cover the basic living expenses as is the case with the permanent marriage. Nonetheless, it's a marriage contract where each party can lay down their own conditions.

Is Temporary Marriage/Mutah Halal/permissible?
All Islamic sects (Sunnah & Shia) agree that Temporary Marriage/Mutah was Halal/permissible during the Prophet lifetime but they disagree whether it remained Halal during the Prophet lifetime or he himself forbade it during his lifetime (i.e. revoked its permissibility) or someone else did so.

On one hand Shia Muslims believe it's still Halal as the Prophet didn't revoke its permissibility during his lifetime and they believe that nobody with no exception can reverse the Prophet verdicts. On the other hand, the majority of Sunni Muslims believe it's no longer Halal, some of them cite that the Prophet revoked its permissibility during his lifetime while others consider it Haram because the 2nd Caliph revoked it. Ironically, there are Hadiths that support each claim but according to my search it seems that there are more robust Hadiths that affirm it was actually the second Caliph who forbade Mutah. Herein a robust/Sahih Hadith from Sahih Muslim as an example:

Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported: We contracted temporary marriage giving a handful of (tales or flour as a dower during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and durnig the time of Abu Bakr until 'Umar forbade it in the case of 'Amr b. Huraith.

Sahih Muslim: The Book of Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah)

حدثني ‏ ‏محمد بن رافع ‏ ‏حدثنا ‏ ‏عبد الرزاق ‏ ‏أخبرنا ‏ ‏ابن جريج ‏ ‏أخبرني ‏ ‏أبو الزبير ‏ ‏قال سمعت ‏ ‏جابر بن عبد الله ‏ ‏يقولا ‏
‏كنا ‏ ‏نستمتع ‏ ‏بالقبضة ‏ ‏من التمر والدقيق الأيام على عهد رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏وأبي بكر ‏ ‏حتى نهى عنه ‏ ‏عمر ‏ ‏في شأن ‏ ‏عمرو بن حريث ‏

صحيح مسلم : كتاب النكاح

What's the difference between Temporary Marriage/Mutah and prostitution ?
The same difference between permanent/normal marriage and prostitution. Simply, marriage is Halal/permissible sex while prostitution is Haram/forbidden sex. It mainly come down to responsibilities, there are responsibilities and liabilities in marriage while in prostitution there's mess and money. In Islamic marriage the wife has to go on Idaa (not have sex or marry someone else for a certain period of time) in case of divorce (or end of term in case of Mutah) or if the husband passes away, the husband has to cover the basic living expenses (not compulsory in Mutah but he has to fulfill all conditions laid down by the wife) and most importantly he's the father of the children if he makes the wife pregnant, etc ..


What's all this agitation against Temporary Marriage/Mutah then?
Probably because of several factors like the misusage or the mispractice by some people who practiced it wrongly that made it look as ugly as prostitution (i.e. the girl doesn't go on Idaa after the end of term), also misunderstanding and lack of information which results in misconceptions, moreover the common propaganda Shia vs. Sunnah, etc ..


If Mutah is Halal then why bother getting married permanently?
True the two types of marriage provide a Halal mean of having sex but people don't get married just for having sex in a Halal way even though sex is a cornerstone of marriage/nikah. If the aim of getting married is just to fulfill the sexual desire in a Halal way then probably Mutah would be sufficient. However, if the aim of getting married is not only to fulfill the sexual desire in a Halal way but also to establish a life partnership and build a family then obviously the permanent/regular marriage would be the most suitable type of marriage to achieve that.

Enslavery: Submission or Stupidity?

"It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by God and His Apostle to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys God and His Apostle, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path." Quraan 33:36

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلالا مُّبِينًا
الأحزاب : ٣٦

As (hopefully) most of us know that Islam means submission, to submit your will to Allah, basically to unconditionally follow the instructions of Allah without arguing. For more details regarding this refer to the other posts "What does Islam mean?" and the series of "True Muslims/Submitters".

However, some Muslims can't differentiate between the instructions of Allah and the instructions of religious leaders/religion specialists (Imams, Sheikhs, etc .. ), they naively follow the latter as if it was the former! In other words, they follow those religious leaders/specialists blindly as they think it's what Islam is all about! Unconditional submission! That's wrong! Islam means unconditional submission to the instructions of Allah only which are the instructions delivered by the Prophet Mohammad and which we are certain of, all other things we are liable about if we follow and thus are subject to questioning.

"And do not follow a thing about which you have no knowledge. Surely, the ear, the eye and the heart - each one of them shall be interrogated about (on the Day of Reckoning)." Quraan 17:36

وَلاَ تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُوْلَئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْؤُولاً
الإسراء : ٣٦

For instance, the Hajj/Pilgrimage rituals many of it if not most of it doesn't seem to make sense, like circling around a cube (the Kaaba) or stoning the pillars. Yet we do perform happily because we are 100% certain that the Prophet asked us to do so which subsequently means Allah instructed us to do so. However, if a religious leader asked to vote or not to, or to support certain activity or abandon it, ... etc then we should think it over before we do it, we should question them if it's not clear enough for us that it's the right thing to do, just because the instruction came from a religious leader it doesn't render it right by default! No! Religious leaders are something and the Prophet is something else!

This is basically another form of implicit enslavery even though it may not being done systematically or intentionally, this lack of constructive criticism to our leaders and the absence of critical thinking towards things around us certainly are major factors of the Ummah backwardness.