Movie inspired writing exercise
1 month ago
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Battle of Badr
B i s m i l l a a h i r R a h m a a n i r R a h e e m
The Battle of Badr
THE DECISIVE BATTLE OF BADR:
The Great Expedition of Badr took place in Ramadan, 2 A.H. Allah called this battle ‘The Day of Distinguishing.’ Allah says, ‘if you believe in Allah and what We sent down on Our servant on the Day of Distinguishing, the day the two hosts met.’ (8: 41)
The Messenger of Allah had heard that Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, who was extremely hostile to Islam, was coming from Syria with a large trading caravan belonging to the Quraysh. They were carrying a vast quantity of wealth and merchandise. War had been declared between the Muslims and the idol-worshippers and the Quraysh had been spending their wealth on fighting Islam. Their cavalry would occasionally reach the borders of Madinah and the grazing areas used by the Muslims’ animals.
When the Messenger of Allah heard about this caravan, he sent Muslims to attack it. He did not attach much importance to the confrontation and did not issue a compulsory order to wage war.
When Abu Sufyan heard that the Messenger of Allah was coming towards him he sent to Makkah for help from the Quraysh to protect him from the Muslims. When this plea reached the people of Makkah, they decided that it must be serious. They prepared themselves quickly and departed. All of their nobles, apart from Abu Lahab, went to help and he appointed a man to take his place.
ASSURANCE FROM THE ANSAR:
When the Messenger of Allah heard that the Quraysh had set out from Makkah to stop the Muslims, he consulted his Companions. He was concerned about the Ansar because their original homage included the condition that they only defend him in their home territory. Since he resolved to leave Madinah, he wanted to know where they stood The Muhajirun assured him of their support, but he consulted them a second time, and then a third time. The Ansar fully understood the reason why he was concerned about them. Sa’d ibn Mu’adh replied,
‘It seems that you are alluding to us. Perhaps you fear that the Ansar do not think that they have to help you outside their own territory. I speak for the Ansar and answer for them. Go where you wish, join whom you wish and cut off whom you wish. Take what you wish from our property and give us what you wish. What you take from us is dearer than what you leave. Whatever you command, we will follow it. By Allah, if you were to travel until you reached Bark Ghamdan, we would go with you. By Allah, if you were to cross this sea, we would plunge into it with you.’
Al-Miqdad said, ‘We do not say to you what the people of Musa said to Musa: “Go forth you and your Lord and do battle. We will be waiting here. “(5: 24) We will do battle on your right and on your left and in front of you and behind you.’
When the Messenger of Allah heard this, his face shone with happiness ‘Be Steadiest!’ he said to his Companions.
JIHAD AND MARTYRDOM:
When the Muslims went to Badr, a boy called Umayr ibn Abi Waqqas came out. He was sixteen and afraid that the Prophet would not accept him because he was too young to fight. He tried to avoid being seen but his elder brother, Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, asked him what he was up to.
‘I was afraid that the Messenger of Allah would send me back when I wanted to go out. It might be that Allah will grant me martyrdom,’ he answered.
That was indeed the case. The Messenger of Allah did want to send him back because he was so young. Umayr wept. His tears weakened the heart of the Messenger of Allah who allowed him to go after all. And Umayr was killed as a martyr during the expedition.
DISPARITY IN NUMBERS:
The Messenger of Allah set off for Badr swiftly with three hundred and thirteen men but only two horses and seventy camels. Two or three men rode on a camel in turns without any distinction being made between a soldier and a general. The Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr, Umar and the great Companions were among them.
The Prophet gave the banner to Mus’ab ibn Umayr, the flag of the Muhajirun to Ali ibn Abi Talib and the flag of the Ansar to Sa’d ibn Mu’adh.
When Abu Sufyan heard that the Muslims had set out to intercept him, he turned his caravan towards the coast. When he saw that they were safe, he sent word to the Quraysh telling them to return as there was now nothing for them to do. The Quraysh wanted to turn back, but Abu Jahl insisted on attacking. The Quraysh army numbered more than a thousand, including all the warriors, leaders and horsemen. Of the fighters the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Makkah has sent you its treasures, dear and beloved ones.’
The Messenger or Allah and his Companions reached the water of Badr first. They arrived at midnight and built cisterns which they filled with water. The Messenger of Allah allowed unbelievers to drink of this water, too.
Allah sent down heavy rain that night. It prevented the idol-worshippers from advancing. It was a mercy for the Muslims, however, as it made the ground smooth and the sand firm. This blessing strengthened their hearts. Allah describes the scene:
‘He sent down water on you from heaven, to purify you thereby and to put away from you the defilement of Satan, and to strengthen your hearts and to confirm your feet.’ (8: 11)
PREPERATION FOR BATTLE:
A shelter was built for the Messenger of Allah on a small hill overlooking the battlefield. He went down to the battlefield and began to point with his hand, saying, ‘So-and-so will die here. So-and-so will die here. So-and-so will die here if Allah wills.’ None of those people went any further than where he had pointed.
When the idol-worshippers appeared and the two groups confronted one another, the Messenger of Allah said, ‘O Allah, this is the Quraysh who have come with their vanity and their pride. They have come to fight You and deny Your Messenger.’
It was the night of Friday, 17 Ramadan. In the morning, the Quraysh advanced in their squadrons and the two groups took up positions ready for battle.
SUPPLICATION AND ENTREATY:
The Messenger of Allah organised the ranks and returned to his shelter. He and Abu Bakr went inside. The Messenger of Allah prayed. He asked for the help of Allah Whose judgement cannot be turned aside and Whose decree cannot be averted. There is no help but from Allah. He said, ‘O Allah, if You let this group of men die, no one after them will worship You on the earth.’
He called out to his Lord, ‘O Allah, give me the help which You promised me.’
He raised his hands to the sky until the cloak fell from his shoulders. Abu Bakr consoled and comforted him.
A CONFRONTATION:
Then the Messenger of Allah went out to encourage the Muslims to fight. Utbah ibn Rabi’ah and his brother Shaybah and his son al-Walid stepped forward from the Quraysh. When they came forward between the opposing forces, they asked for other people to come forward as was the custom. When three youths of the Ansar went out to them they asked, ‘Who are you?’
‘We are from the Ansar.’
‘We demand our equals. Send some of our own tribe out to us.’
The Prophet said, ‘Go forward, Ubaydah ibn al-Harith [ibn al-Muttalib ibn Abd Manaf], Hamzah and Ali.’
‘Yes, these are our equals in nobility,’ they said.
Ubaydah, the oldest man chosen, went out against Utbah, Hamzah against Shaybah and ‘Ail against al-Walid ibn Utbah. Hamzah and Ali quickly killed their opponents. Ubaydah and Utbah exchanged blows and each of them floored the other. Hamzah and Ali turned their swords against Utbah and finished him off and carried back Ubaydah, who was wounded. He died a martyr.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Prisioner #650
Prisoner #650 to us you are known as a flower - the World knows her as Dr. Aafia Siddiqui
A loving mother, wife, daughter sister, a doctor, a Haafizah above all else she's a Muslimah
There was once a flower named Aafia so beautiful yet so heartbroken
She was bright, colorful and intelligent known for a soft speech and demeanor
Emanating words that are true and fragrant
A sad soulless day this flower amongst flowers was cruelly snatched
By the enemies of Islam who came from the west
They were dispatched with such agility - Where no one knew what happened next
She was plucked out, from amongst the gardens of the innocent
While her diminutive seedlings disappeared within an instant
They crushed her beneath their unsightly boots
Destroying her beauty which shook her roots!
She withers away, the longer we ignore her plight day by day
In captivity she is left to lay - the brutality so severe no reality can confer
The enmity to lie covering up their actions
Nay I say - Our Allah is Merciful, Our Allah is Great
Surely He know her innocence she proclaims
The world may not believe - but we do Oh Sister Aafia - we do indeed
What has our sister done to deserve such tyranny?
We cry and plead to the Almighty - Lord of the Universe, free our sister - free our sister
To the captors How can you torture and disgrace innocent believers?
Do you not deny the Lord and His justice?
Remember by throwing away her Qura'an you are doing nothing but evil
You cannot take the Qura’an away from her - Nay
For it is buried deep within her heart, truth always defeats falsehood!
Allah will grant this flower the gardens of Jannah-ul-Firdowse, Aameen
For such is the reward for this role model of mine
Dear Aafia We Salute, you are in our Dua'as, our thoughts and in our hearts...your tears are ours and your pain is heartfelt.
We will not rest until you are amongst us....Oh Allah! We make Dua'a that our sister Aafia may be released. May Allah in His infinite mercy and wisdom see you through these trying times - We make Dua'a for Allah to save you from the hands of the wicked, Aameen – Thummah Aameen ~ Ya Rabb-ul-Aaleemen
CII "FREE DR. AAFIA" Banquet
17 FEB - CII "FREE DR AAFIA" DINNER
VENUE: Nirvana School Hall, Ivy Street, Lenasia Ext 3
Friday 20Th January 2012 marked the official launch of the Free Aafia Campaign on Channel Islam International (Cii). Cii will be flying down Dr Aafia’s Sister, Dr Fauzia Siddiqui, from Pakistan who will educate and inform the South African Masses about the plight of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
Cii presenter, Inayet Wadee, is spearheading the campaign, which will take place from the 17th to the 23rd of February 2012.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Wadee appealed to Listeners to keep in mind the Hadith of Nabi (saw): “The ummah is like one body, if one part of the body is in pain, the entire body pains.”
Dr Fauzia will arrive in South Africa on the 16th or 17th of February and will be educating as many individuals as possible throughout South Africa. “We have a tentative schedule drawn up for Dr Fauzia Siddiqui. There are two official Cii dinners earmarked in anticipation of Dr Fauzia’s arrival,” Wadee said.
The first dinner will take place in Lenasia on the evening of the 17th February 2012. Wadee added that another dinner will be held the next day at the NMJ Islamic Centre in Durban. “We have also arranged a program in PMB for our listeners in the midlands area,” he said. Dr Fauzia will be meeting with a group called Free Muslim Prisoners and other Muslim organizations on her return to Johannesburg.
“She will also meet prominent political figures like the ANC Women’s League and so on,” Wadee continued. Other engagements will be press conferences and meeting with members of the media. “Finalizations of all programs and events will be posted on the dedicatedpage for Aafia on the Cii website,” he explained.
Subsidiary initiatives
“There are two other initiatives that will be running concurrently with the Free Aafia Campaign,” Wadee said earnestly. The first is a poetry initiative in honour of the tortured prisoner #650, Dr Aafia Siddiqui. Learners are urged to write poetry in support and honour of Dr Aafia. “Two winners, from Durban and Johannesburg, of this poetry initiative will have the opportunity to render their poetry at the Cii dinners,” Wadee said.
He urged parents to encourage their children to write and commemorate the honour of this oppressed lady. The second initiative includes the distribution of four wheelchairs. “Brother Arshad Latiff was kind enough to sponsor four wheelchairs with the Free Aafia logo branded on it,” Wadee said. The wheelchairs will be distributed to four deserving individuals. “Members of the public who are in need of the wheel chair should email a motivation letter to the dedicated email address; aafia@ciibroadcasting.com.”
Listeners can also send their messages of support to the dedicated SMS line; 32414 prefixed with the word ‘aafia’ .
Wadee urged members of the community to come forward and assist in facilitating this great campaign towards securing the freedom of Dr Aafia.
B i s m i l l a a h i r R a h m a a n i r R a h e e m
In Madinah
MADINAH RECEIVES THE MESSENGER (SALLALLAHU ALAIYHI WASSALLAM) OF ALLAH:
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah and his party continued their journey to Quba’ which is on the outskirts of Madinah. It was Monday the 12 of Rabi’ al-Awwal and this date marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
When the Ansar heard that the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah had left Makkah they waited for him even more eagerly than people who are fasting wait for the new moon of the ‘Id. Every day after the Morning Prayer they went to the outskirts of Madinah to look for him. They stayed there until the heat of the summer sun forced them to seek shade. They would go back into their houses feeling very disappointed.
On the day that the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah arrived, the people had just gone back into their houses. The Jews had taken note of what was going on and the first person to see him was indeed a Jew. He shouted as loudly as he could to announce to the Ansar that the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah had arrived. Everyone went out to greet him. He and Abu Bakr, who was about the same age, were sheltering under a palm-tree. Only a few of them had seen the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah before so most of the people in the crowd were unable to distinguish between him and Abu Bakr. Realising their confusion, Abu Bakr stood up to shade him with his cloak from the sun, thus making it clear who was the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah.
The Muslims were overjoyed at the arrival of the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah. It was the best thing that had ever happened to them. The women and children chanted, ‘This is the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah who has come! This is the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah who has come!’ In their delight, the girls of the Ansar recited:
The full moon shines down upon us from Thaniyat al-Wada’.
We must all give our thanksgiving all the while praising Allah
You whom Allah sends among us,
what you bring, we will obey
You’ve ennobled Madinah.
Welcome now! Guide us to His way!
Anas ibn Malik al-Ans a boy at that time, said, ‘I saw the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah the day he entered Madinah. I have not seen a better or more radiant day than when he came to us in Madinah.’
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah spent four days at Quba’ where he established a Masjid. On Friday morning, he set off again. At noon he stopped among the Banu Salim ibn Awf where he prayed the Jumu’ah. This was the first Jumu’ah in Madinah.
THE HOUSE OF ABU AYYUB AL-ANSARI:
In Madinah the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah was greeted by people, all asking him to stay with them. They grabbed the halter of his camel but he said, ‘Let it go its own way. It is under orders.’ That happened several times. Eventually the camel stopped at the home of Banu Malik ibn an-Najjar. By herself she kneeled at a place which today marks the door of the Prophet’s mosque. At that time It was used for drying dates and belonged to two orphan boys of the Banu’n-Najjar who were the Prophet’s maternal uncles.
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah got off his camel. Abu Ayyub Khalid ibn Zayd quickly carried his luggage into his house and the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah stayed with him. Abu Ayyub showed him generous hospitality and great respect. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah insisted on staying on the lower floor of the house although Abu Ayyub disliked occupying the top floor above him, thinking it an insult. The Prophet, however reassured him, Saying, Abu Ayyub, it is more convenient for me and those who call on me that I stay on the lower floor.’
MESSENGER(SALLALLAHU ALAIYHI WASSALLAM) OF ALLAH’S MOSQUE:
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah called for the two orphans who owned the date store and asked them to name a price for it, so that a mosque could be built. They said, ‘We give It to you, Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah.’ He refused to accept it as a gift, however, and insisted on paying them.
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah helped In the building of the mosque, carrying bricks alongside the other Muslims As he worked he recited, ‘O Allah, the true reward is the reward of the Next World, so show mercy to the Ansar and Muhajirun!’
The Muslims were happy, reciting poetry and praising Allah. Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah stayed in the house of Abu Ayyub for seven months until his mosque and the rooms for his family were ready.
The Muhajirun joined the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah until none were left in Makkah except those in person or awaiting trial. Every house of the Ansar became muslim.
BROTHERHOOD:
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah established brotherhood between the Muhajirun and the Ansar, and they were put under an obligation to assist one another. The Ansar were so eager to form a brotherhood that they had to draw lots to allocate their shares. The Ansar gave the Muhajirun authority over their homes, their furniture, their land and their animals and preferred them over themselves in every way.
An Ansari would say to a Muhajir, ‘Have whichever half of my property you want to take,’ and the Muhajir would say, ‘May Allah bless you in your family and property! Show me the market.’ From the Ansar there was great benevolence as they demonstrated their generosity to their Muslim brothers while the Muhajirun retained their self-respect.
THE PROPHET’S COVENANT:
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah bound together the Muhajirun and the Ansar when he made a covenant with the Jews. They were confirmed in their freedom to practise religion and in their title to their wealth. Conditions were made for them and accepted from them.
ADHAN:
When the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah was secure in Madinah and Islam had been strengthened, the people would join him at prayer without a call. He disliked the way the Jews and Christians used horns and bells to announce their calls to prayer. Then Allah honoured the Muslims with the adhan. One of them saw the method in a dream. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah confirmed it and prescribed it for the Muslims. He chose Bilal ibn Rabah al-Habashi to call the adhan. He was the mu’adhdhin of the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah and thus became the Imam of all the mu’adhdhins until the end of time.
THE HYPOCRITES:
Islam spread throughout Madinah and some of the rabbis and Jewish scholars also became Muslims. They included a learned rabbi named Abdullah ibn Salam whose acceptance of Islam annoyed other Jews. At that time the Jews were feeling anxious. They envied Islam, but at the same time they were frightened of it. Hence a group of hypocrites emerged. Their leader was Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, whose power was not questioned before the arrival of Islam, but now his people were flocking to the new faith. He and others like him who were greedy for power became open enemies of Islam while others became secret hypocrites.
THE QIBLAH:
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah and the Muslims prayed towards Jerusalem for sixteen months after he came to Madinah but he wanted to turn to the Ka’bah. Muslims, as Arabs, had grown up with both love and esteem for the Ka’bah. They did not consider any other house equal to it nor any qiblah equal to the qiblah of Ibrahim and Isma’il. They all would have preferred to turn towards the Ka’bah. They found that the qiblah towards Jerusalem was an irritation, but they declared, ‘We hear and obey’ and ‘We believe it. All is from our Lord.’ They always obeyed the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah and submitted to the commands of Allah whether or not that was what they wanted.
First Allah tested their hearts for taqwa and their submission to the command of Allah. Then He turned His Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and the Muslims towards the Ka’bah.
Qur’an says:
‘Thus We appointed you a midmost nation that you might be witnesses to the people and that the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) might he! a witness to you; and We did not appoint the direction you were facing, except that We might know who followed the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) from him who turned on his heels it was a difficult thing except for those whom Allah has guided.’ (2: 143)
The Muslims turned to the Ka’bah out of obedience to Allah and His Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and it became the qiblah of the Muslims for all time to come. Wherever they are in the world, Muslims turn their faces towards it when they pray.
THE QURAYSH ARE STILL HOSTILE:
When Islam was firmly established in Madinah, and the Quraysh knew that it was flourishing and spreading, they became hostile towards the Muslims. Allah commanded the Muslims to be steadfast and patient, saying, ‘Restrain your hands and establish the prayer.’ (4: 77)
When the Muslims were strong and secure, they were given permission to fight but were not obliged to do so. Allah said, ‘Leave is given against those whom war is made (to fight) because they were wronged. Allah is able to help them.’ (22: 39)
THE FIRST EXPEDITIONS:
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah began to send delegations to visit other tribes and districts. Most of the time there was no war, only skirmishes. Even this much activity worried the idol-worshippers but their anxiety encouraged the Muslims to emerge triumphant.
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah went on the raid of Abwa, the first he himself undertook. It was followed by other raids and expeditions.
THE FAST:
In the second year of the hijrah, fasting was made obligatory. Allah revealed, ‘O you who believe, the fast is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you – perhaps you will be God-fearing.’ (2: 183)
He says, ‘The month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was sent down to be a guidance to the people and as clear signs of the Guidance and the Discrimination. Let those of you who are present at the month last it.’ (2: 185)
Issues of Faith Screening
As Salaamu Alaikum,
Please be informed that the ‘Issues of Faith’ documentary entitled ‘A Taste of Heaven’ will be screened this Sun, 12 Feb @ 9am on SABC 2.
The programme focuses on the various dietary laws and customs across most religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Veganism and the Rastafarian community.
The 2nd segment (10min) of the documentary includes an opening comment from Moulana Bham and the balance of the segment features SANHA on location at their Fordsburg offices, Karan Beef, Pensacola Spur and Taahir Foods.
The documentary is enlightening and educational in its entirety and it is hoped that viewers will benefit from the content, Insha Allah.
Please inform all who were involved in this Halaal segment to watch the programme. It’s also interesting to watch the rest of the doccie, even the operations of the Beth Din on Kosher certification.
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