Terrorism is not a Muslim monopoly

Islam is the most tolerant religion of the world and its teachings are based of peace and humanity and justice. Terrorism is not a Muslim monopoly as western media propaganda trying to show. In the word of Simon, the bishop of fars” The Arabs who have been given by God the kingdom (of the Earth) do not attack the Christian faith;on the contrary they help us in our religion; they respect our God and saints,and bestow gifts on our churches and monasteries.

Ref:SPIRIT OF ISLAM A HISTORY OF THE EVOLUTION AND IDEALS OF ISLAM WITH A LIFE OF THE PROPHET BY AMEER ALI, SYED, P.G., LL.D., D.L., CLE.

Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar in Times of India 23 July 2006 said “Why then is there such a widespread impression that most or all terrorist groups are Muslim? I see two reasons First, the Indian elite keenly follows the western media, and the West feels under attack from Islamic groups. Read This three page Article

Senior lawyer and former Union minister Ram Jethmalani’s said It was unfortunate that the entire Islam as a religion was being blamed for terrorism, Jethmalani said, adding that "there are also Hindu terrorists and Buddhist terrorists."

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The Media and Its Affect on the Conduct of the Youths

The Media and Its Affect on the Conduct of the Youths.

In our present world, the means of communication and conveying thoughts and information, has developed rapidly, seeming to travel at the speed of light and sound, and reaches every angle of the world within a few seconds.

There are a great number of institutions, equipment and special devices for mass enlightenment, establishing general opinions and individual resolutions.

In addition, the means of communication and information, like television, radio, internal waves, computers, newspapers, books, magazines...have become the dominant power upon the thoughts and a means of establishing a pattern for conduct.

Therefore, the media contributes in the establishment of political thoughts, as well as, individual positions and thoughts, and it contributes immensely, especially the pictorial type, like, television, cinema, Video, and pornographic magazines, in affecting the general thought and conduct of the people.

The youths - especially at the puberty stage - are active and ready, more than other people, to copy other personalities, and are influenced by the people who appear on the screen of television or cinema.

They are influenced by other people who play a vital role in the political, social and revolutionary arena, as well as, great historical heroes. This is because a youth - whether male or female - is in the stage of building his or her personality. Therefore, he or she needs someone to copy.

Since instinct and desires, especially the sexual instinct, are at their highest peak and putting pressure on the youths, so they are looking for a solution to it, therefore, the media have contributed, immensely, in stirring and arousing the sexual instinct by means of pornographic and seductive films, pictures, stories, as well as, cultures, like the use of guerilla warfare tactics and aggression in films which contribute, a lot, in deviating the youths and teaching them criminal acts. In view of this, some governments are prohibiting the showing of pornographic and guerilla warfare films, often prohibiting the youth from attending the theaters where these films are shown.

The result of the statistics on viewing videos conducted by Dr. Alexander Aldila in Lebanon shows that: "The viewing of social and emotional films wins the first position while detective films win the second position..."(The Role of Communication and Information in a Complete Personality, page 315.)

Another report states that: The studies conducted in the U.S on 110 people in a corrections institute show that 49% of them got the desire of carrying weapons from watching the cinema and 12-21 % of them found the audacity to steal and kill police from the same source.

While the studies conducted on 252 deviated young girls, between the ages of 14-18, shows that 25% of them had sexual relationships as a result of watching pornographic films in the cinema and 41 % of them were led to glamorous ceremonies, night theaters and 54% of them cut school in order to watch films, while 17% of them left their homes as a result of the conflict between them and their family on going to the cinema.

A W.H.O report and, also, a French Judge, about the factors of deviation, say: "I don't have any doubt that some films, especially detective films, play a great, harmful role in most of the cases."

A questionnaire and cross examination on 1344 personalities conducted in Britain on the relationship between the cinema and corruption of children under 16, found that 600 of them answered that there is a relationship between the cinema and children's deviation.

Other studies also show that most of the stealing and robbing, which happens in the West, has an effect from the cinema.(Ali Muhammad Ja'afar, Abdath al-Munharifun, page 81)

At last, it can be concluded that watching emotional films, pornographic and detective films is corrupting people, and furthermore, as scientific studies confirm, the youth at this stage, can be influenced by all this, because he is on the verge of his growth.

From all these statistics, we can deduce that the work of the mass media in the formation of emotions and conduct involving instinct, as well as, copying the role of the heroes, is important.

 

Youths and Friendship

Whoever thinks and ponders on Islamic ideology, rules, worships, morals, values and teachings, will surely find it complete without any shortcoming, and it works towards the building of a condusive social atmosphere and joining relationships between the human race. In view of this, it calls to choose friends and companions and form brotherhoods and love relations between the members of the Islamic society.

Islam, after thorough considerations, has, also, enacted laws and fundamentals for arranging and organizing the friendship relationship.

The Holy Qur’an, in different places, talks about friends and friendship.

In this regard, Allah, the Most High, says:”The friends shall on that Day be enemies one to another, except those who guard (against evil).“Holy Qur’an (Adornments 43:67)

“And the Day when the unjust one shall bite his hands, saying: O! would that I had taken a way with the Apostle. O woe is me! would that I had not taken such a one for a friend! Certainly he led me astray from the reminder after it had come to me; and Satan fails to aid man.“Holy Qur’an (The Criterion 25:27-29)

In these verses, the Holy Qur’an talks about two types of friends:

1. The good friends are those who benefit their friends and companions through their sincere friendship and call them towards goodness.

2. And the bad friends are those who direct their companions towards evil, corruption and crime, and will change to enemies and are a cause of harm and calamities.

The social facts confirm that bad friends and companions are secret enemies who carry evil and enmity towards their companions. And how many times does a thorough study of crime and experiences disclose aggressive crimes, such as, manslaughter, theft and assaults occurring from the bad friends toward their companions, whether both parties are evil doers or their victims who deceive their friendship.

Therefore, it is necessary for the youths to know the personality of that person and his social, and moral identity and the reasons for his friendship and his personal behavior. They should not choose anyone as a friend unless he is good and can help and lead him towards good, love and security.

The Holy Qur’an warns against such bad friends, as the Almighty’s saying:

“Then shall some of them advance to others, questioning each other. A speaker from among them shall say: Surely I had a comrade of mine, who said: What! Are you indeed of those who accept (the truth?) What! When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then be certainly brought to judgement? He shall say: Will you look on? Then He looked down and saw him in the midst of Hell. He shall say: By Allah! You had almost caused me to perish: And had it not been for the favour of my Lord, I would have certainly been among those brought up.“

Holy Qur’an (Those Ranged in Ranks 37:50-57)

The Holy Qur’an has outlined how a bad friend will transgress over his companion, and does bad things to him. He will neither protect him nor sacrifice for his friends in times of difficulties, nor will he be faithful for his friendship and brotherhood.

By this explanation, the Holy Qur’an shows that good friends are few in number, and that most of the bad friends oppress their companions. Allah, the Almighty, says:

“…and most surely most of the partners act wrongfully towards one another, save those who believe and do good and very few are they…“Holy Qur’an (Suad 38:24)

And surely we will understand Islamic concerns towards social friendship and brotherhood through the deeds of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), because he is the one who founded the system of brotherhood and friendship between the Muhajirin (emigrants) and the Ansar (helpers – People of Medina) and ordered them in his saying: “Make brotherhood for the sake of Allah: Two brothers two brothers; there upon he took the hand of Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) and said: `This is my brother’, then he made a brotherhood between the Muhajirin and Ansar: He made Hamzah a brother to Zaid bin Harith, Ja’afar al-Tayyar to Mu’az bin Jabal, Abu bakr to Kharijah bin Zuhair and…etc.’”(Sirat ibn Hisham, vol. 2, page. 150.)

And, thus, he established brotherhood among his companions. The religious scholars have outlined the social and ideological aims of this brotherhood. As-Sahili said:

“The Prophet (s.a.w.) had established brotherhood among his companions when they reached Medina, so as to wipe away the painfulness of being strangers and as a relief for them from the sorrow of separation from their families and relatives and to join the strength of each other…”(Footnote of sirat ibn Hisham, vol. 2 page 150)

In one of his sermons, Imam Ali (a.s) recommended the choosing of brothers, where he said:

“I am enjoining you (to choose) brothers, because they are the instruments of this world, as well as, the Hereafter; do you not hear the saying of the dwellers of hell: `We have no intercessor and, likewise, not a good companion.”(al-Tabari, Mishkat-ul Anwar, page 187. 1385 A.H. edition.)

Imam Ja’far bin Muhammad as-Sadiq (a.s.) also talks on the importance of brotherhood and friendship, when he says: “A servant will not be a brother for Allah’s sake except for that he has a place in Paradise.”(Ibid, page 188)

From these teachings and social guidelines, we can understand the value of friendship and brotherhood in its meaning and foundations.

Islam sees man as a social being in his nature, who has social instinct and harmony in his self, and hates isolation and loneliness.

Because the condition of isolation and introversion is harmful for the individual, his social and psychological conditions and human life in its nature, especially in our present era, witnesses continuous human activity.

Hence, man starts intermingling with others from the beginning of the stage of childhood. A child, in the beginning of his life, starts to intermingle with other small children in kindergarten and primary school and with the children in his neighborhood.

And in the youth and puberty stage, the social instinct grows and the social effects increase, and push a youth toward the formation of relationship and friendship with others, as well as, joining political and social groups and, likewise, sports and work clubs…etc. He also intermingles with others in schools, universities and districts, thereby he chooses friends and companions as an impulse of his social nature.

This friendship and companionship has its own psychological impulse and effect on the psychological condition and behavior, as well as, on the individual’s future and his thoughts in life. It may also possess negative effects which will direct the youth toward evil, deviation and calamity which has no solution, and it has its own positive results on the individual and his mode of life if such a social instinct and having relationship with friends, is directed in a good manner, like the intermingling of a young man with friends having good and right behavior or a young girl with other good and righteous girls.

A man gains from others, especially in this stage, and be influenced by them, as they also gain from him and are influenced by him even though the rate of the influence depends on the individual’s power and the capability of acceptance.

It can be said that the impulses of friendship, in the youth and puberty stage, can be seen in:

1. Occupying the psychological vacuum, and a cure for the feelings of loneliness and isolation. Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) outlined the role of friendship and companionship in solving this psychological problem, when he said: “If one lives in the state of distress, he should inform his brother, and should not depend on his self.”(Ibid, chapter for, part one – Choosing brothers, page 186, 1385 A.H. edition)

2. Exchanging the feelings of love and affection. Because a man, in this stage, has a great capability of sentiment, therefore, he is in need of such feelings of others’ love toward himself and his love toward others and disclosing what is in his mind and self. Disclosing secrets is a dangerous issue, and, although, it is necessary for him, whatever the stage of his confidence with others, he should hide his most important secrets. However, love in Islam depends on the basis of loyalty and allegiance, pure conduct and spritual relation.

In this regard, Imam As-Sadiq (a.s.) summarises the greatness of love in Islam, when he says:

“Is there anything in religion other than love that Allah, the Most High, says: `If you love Allah, then follow Me, Allah will love you.’”(al-Majlisi, Bhar-ul Anwar, vol. 69, page 237.)

Hence, Islam regards love and mutual harmony as an introduction to good and righteousness in mankind.

3. Feeling of the neccessity of mutual cooperation with others, and living together with them. Indeed, the feeling for the need of others and cooperating with them in life’s problems, is a major issue in man’s life, and which will occupy himself, whether he feels it or not.

However, choosing friends and companions, is among the sources of satisfying this psychological need, therefore, man needs the help of others, materially and spiritually. The existence of brothers and friends plays a great role in solving the material and spiritual problems, because so often, friends return to their friends and companions in order to rescue themselves from their own calamities, as well as, solving their problems.

Surely, Islam has urged (mankind) toward solving others’ needs, helping them and cooperating with them. Allah, the Most High says:

“…and help one another in goodness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and aggression;…“Holy Qur’an (The Table Spread 5:2)

This verse explains that bad friends are those who cooperate in the committing of crimes and wrongdoing and prohibits this, then, it calls for the cooperation in good things and righteousness. Indeed, satisfying others’ needs is among the greatest evidence and proof of good and righteousness. It is reported from Imam As-Sadiq (a.s.) that: “Whoever strives toward satisfying his brother’s need is like the one who performs circumbulation around Safa and Marwa.”(Ibid, vol. 78, page 281)

All Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

No Day is Like Yours Oh Husain Ibne Abi Talib (a.s)

No Day is Like Yours Oh Husain Ibne Abi Talib (a.s)

Charles Dickens – (1812-1870) English novelists of the Victorian period
“If Hussain fought to quench his worldly desires, then I do not understand why his sisters, wives and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore that he sacrificed purely for Islam.”
Thomas Carlyle – (1795-1881) Famous British historian
“The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Karbala is that Hussain and his companions were the rigid believers of God. They illustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to truth and falsehood. The victory of Hussain despite his minority marvels me!”

How can a thing the existence of which is dependent on you be taken as a proof for your existence? Is there anything more evident than your “self” disclose you? Are you hidden to need a guide to find you? Surely you are not. Are you far-away to need your footprints to find you? Surely you are not! Blind may the eyes be which do not see you watching and guarding your “self” (Arafa prayer; Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 98 , P. 226).

He who has you , has everything , and he who has deprived himself of you is the poorest in the world. Loser is the one who chooses and be content with anyone or anything other than.

Muslim cleric to take Kumbh dip to wash away religious differences

 

Kalbe Sadiq, a noted Shia cleric and senior vice-president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), will take the ‘holy dip’ in the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela to be held in Haridwar in 2010.
‘For the sake of cementing the bond between Hindus and Muslims, I have decided to perform the ritual (holy dip) in the Ganga river, which is considered sacred and revered, particularly by Hindus,’ Sadiq told.Read Full story