Al-Madinah- Name and History .

Al-Madinah (Arabic for the city) was so called as it received Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) when he fled Makkah in 622 CE. It is also known by the name Taibah derived from the Arabic word meaning kindness. Another name it goes by is Dar Al-Hijra (Arabic for Land of Migration) because it is where the Prophet had migrated to. The tribes of Banu Matraweel and Banu Hauf  were the first settlers to inhabit and cultivate the oasis of Madinah. Both tribes descended from the lineage of Shem, the son of Prophet Noah. Many years later, the Yemeni tribes of Banu Aus and Banu Khazraj arrived at Madinah. In 622 CE, when Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) immigrated to Madinah he introduced the Madinah Charter, which is in fact the first ever written constitution in the history of humankind. The charter regulated relations between the Muslims and Jews who lived there. It gave both parties the rights of protection, security, and justice. Madinah was the center ... المزيد

Morocco after the Legislative Elections Policy Analysis Unit- ACRPS

Despite the distinctiveness among North African countries of Morocco’s electoral experience on November 25, the polls took place under unprecedented circumstances, namely the pressures engendered by the wave of Arab popular protests, some of which evolved into revolutions and led to the fall of regimes were considered allies of Morocco’s It should be noted that these legislative elections were held earlier than planned. Amid the atmosphere of instability reigning in several Arab countries, Morocco also witnessed massive demonstrations, beginning in February 2011, calling for radical democratic reforms. These protests seemed to have the same potential as the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, and Morocco’s King Mohammad VI reacted to these pressures on March 9 by issuing a quick proposition for constitutional amendments, a move widely seen as attempting to defuse the momentum of the popular movement. After the approval of the proposed amendments in a referendum on July ... المزيد

B) The Quran on Mountains:

B) The Quran on Mountains: A book entitled Earth is a basic reference textbook in many universities around the world.  One of its two authors is Professor Emeritus Frank Press.  He was the Science Advisor to former US President Jimmy Carter, and for 12 years was the President of the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC. His book says that mountains have underlying roots.1  These roots are deeply embedded in the ground, thus, mountains have a shape like a peg (see figures 7, 8, and 9).   Figure 7: Mountains have deep roots under the surface of the ground. (Earth, Press and Siever, p. 413.) Figure 8: Schematic section.  The mountains, like pegs, have deep roots embedded in the ground. (Anatomy of the Earth, Cailleux, p. 220.)  (Click on the image to enlarge it.) ... المزيد

The Quran on Mountains

A book entitled Earth is a basic reference textbook in many universities around the world.  One of its two authors is Professor Emeritus Frank Press.  He was the Science Advisor to former US President Jimmy Carter, and for 12 years was the President of the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC. His book says that mountains have underlying roots.1  These roots are deeply embedded in the ground, thus, mountains have a shape like a peg (see figures 7, 8, and 9).       Figure 7: Mountains have deep roots under the surface of the ground. (Earth, Press and Siever, p. 413.)     Figure 8: Schematic section.  The mountains, like pegs, have deep roots embedded in the ground. (Anatomy of the Earth, Cailleux, p. 220.)  (Click on the image to enlarge it.)     ... المزيد

The Quran on Human Embryonic Development

    In the Holy Quran, God speaks about the stages of man’s embryonic development:  We created man from an extract of clay.  Then We made him as a drop in a place of settlement, firmly fixed.  Then We made the drop into an alaqah (leech, suspended thing, and blood clot), then We made the alaqah into a mudghah (chewed substance)...  1 (Quran, 23:12-14) Literally, the Arabic word alaqah has three meanings: (1) leech, (2) suspended thing, and (3) blood clot. In comparing a leech to an embryo in the alaqah stage, we find similarity between the two2 as we can see in figure 1.  Also, the embryo at this stage obtains nourishment from the blood of the mother, similar to the leech, which feeds on the blood of others.3   Figure 1: Drawings illustrating the similarities in appearance between a leech and a human embryo at the alaqah stage. (Leech drawing from Human Development as Described in the Quran and Sunnah, Moore and others, ... المزيد

Islam in America ... en Español

America's ever-growing Latino-Muslim population has yet to be estimated statistically. However, it is indisputable that with exponential growth Latino-Muslims find increasing presence and voice in the American Muslim public square. Latino paths to Islam are as diverse as Hispanic countries of origin and roots: from the Caribbean, Central and South America or even Spain. The conduits to their new spiritual journeys derive from a variety of life experiences that range from the sublime appeal of accidentally listening to Quranic recitation or from a close encounter with a Muslim performing one of his five daily prayers. Many Latinos, men and women, embraced Islam vicariously through their fiancées' faith before marriage; and we find many who decided to adopt their spouse's faith after years of marriage. For others, the pathway to Islam was forged while trying to fill a spiritual void or satisfy some inquisitiveness after initiating formal academic research or an informal Google ... المزيد

Political Islam and the Course of the Arab Revolutions

  In the ongoing debates regarding the post-revolutionary periods in the Arab world, the role that will be played by what are known as "political Islam" movements figures prominently. The focus of this debate is not limited to those countries that have witnessed revolutions and uprisings, but also includes those experiencing what might be seen as a lower degree of reform. There are various parties to this discussion, both within and beyond the region. The sides of the debate range from those who raise concerns and fears about Islamist movements to the Islamists themselves who are - naturally - party to the debate. The arguments of the Islamists range from those that seek to reassure to those calling for further-reaching demands. At one level, the debate raises the key question that can be formulated as follows: How are movements of political Islam to deal with the political landscape of the region in the wake of the revolutions? The answer to this question is not a simple one, especially ... المزيد

The history of Arabic numerals

Gamal Khairy Muslims interested long time ago in many sciences, of which are: Arithmetic and mathematics.   So, they invented geometry and algebra and developed them. Then they created suitable Arabic numbers to help them do calculations and math easily.   Figures were used at that time, so they invented these new Arabic numerals in the Abbasid era instead, which were used by Muslims, then spread to the entire world. These figures were part of the cultural advancement which humanity lived under the banner of Islam.   I wanted to clarify in this section, in short, the role that Arabic numerals played in human renaissance and to reach the digitization at Arabs; I shall mention the digitization system and its types in old civilizations.   First: Egyptian Pharaonic digitization: The history of the Pharaonic civilization is ancient and traces back to fifty century BC[1] but they have started with writing since the 35 century BC by carving on stones then they found out how ... المزيد

Some effects of sins

  Imam Ibn Qayyim  Al-Jawaab al-Kaafee     1. The Prevention of Knowledge: Knowledge is a light which Allah throws into the heart and disobedience extinguishes this light.    Imam Shaafi'ee said: "I complained to Wakee' about the weakness of my memory, so he ordered me to abandon disobedience. And informed me that the knowledge is light. And that the light of Allah is not given to the disobedient "    2. The Prevention of Sustenance: Just as Taqwaa brings about sustenance, the abandonment of Taqwaa causes poverty. There is nothing which can bring about sustenance like the abandonment of disobedience.     3. The prevention of obedience (to Allah). If there was no other punishment for sin other than that it prevents one from obedience to Allah then this would be sufficient.    4. Disobedience weakens the heart and the body. Its weakening the heart is something which is clear. Disobedience does not stop weakening it until the life ... المزيد

The biography of Ja`far ibn Abu Talib

Dr. Amin ibn `Abdullah Ash-Shaqawy All praise be to Allah and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone who has no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger. These are parts from the biography of this celebrity and one of the nation's heroes. He is one of the venerable Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to extract from his biography lessons and examples. That Companion was among the first people who embraced Islam one of those who migrated twice: The first to Abyssinia and the second to Medina. He was one of the Muslim leaders in the Battle of Mu'tah and the cousin of the Prophet (peace be upon him).  The Prophet (peace be upon him) said about him in the Hadith that was reported by Al Bukhari in his Sahih: "You look like me in facial appearance and morals."[1] Adh-Dhahaby said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) was delighted when Ja`far came from Abyssinia and felt sorrow a lot when he was martyred.[2] He ... المزيد

Islam A World Civilization

  Thus We have appointed you a middle nation, that you may be witnesses upon mankind." (Qur'an 2:143) General Characteristics of Islamic Civilization. Islam was destined to become a world religion and to create a civilization which stretched from one end of the globe to the other. Already during the early Muslim caliphates, first the Arabs, then the Persians and later the Turks set about to create classical Islamic civilization. Later, in the 13th century, both Africa and India became great centers of Islamic civilization and soon thereafter Muslim kingdoms were established in the Malay-Indonesian world while Chinese Muslims flourished throughout China. Islam is a religion for all people from whatever race or background they might be. That is why Islamic civilization is based on a unity which stands completely against any racial or ethnic discrimination. Such major racial and ethnic groups as the Arabs, Persians, Turks, Africans, Indians, Chinese and Malays in addition to numerous ... المزيد

The Truthfulness of the message of Muhammad

  Muhammad `Abdul-`Aziz           We have mentioned in a previous article a part of intellectual proofs of the truthfulness of the message of Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the one who contemplates the biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him) will find the truth overlooking from all its incidents. For instance, the Battle of the Trench: The battle was a severe afflictions for Muslims, and because it was hard, it was a test for the hearts to prove the faith of the believers and reveal the hypocrisy of the hypocrites.   That Battle was a fruit of the cunning and malice of the Jews. After the expelling of Banu An-Nadir from Medina, and moving to Khybar, their leaders, headed by Huyay ibn Akhtab, got out to lead the blind malice against Muslims. He went to Quraysh to stir its people against the Prophet (peace be upon him), then allied with them to eradicate Islam and Muslims. His call encountered a warm welcome from Quraysh after he had reminded ... المزيد

The true fortune of Arabs

Jabir Shu`ayb Al Isma`il Ibn Khaldun denotes in his Book "Al Muqaddimah" that the fortune of a people lies in its inhabitants who love work, good at it, and creative in doing it. How beautiful is the Chinese proverb which says: Do not give a fish to the poor, but teach him fishing.   In fact, the true fortune in any society, basically, lies in its human fortune whether quantitive or qualitative which is conscious, purposive, qualified, specialized, devoted to its work, and organized as one single body. When these qualities are available in the human power, it is easy to change dust into gold. All of us can see how did the Japanese with an area, which mountains make up about 80 %, build up an economic system that ruled all systems in the world.   To me, we should give first priority to bringing up new generation as flowing human resources in the time of knowledge, science, and smart technology. Our generations need extra-care, smart education, self-confidence, faith, and the ability ... المزيد

The ruling on insulting the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him)

Dr. Sa`d ibn `Abdullah Al HumaydPraise be to Allah and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, his Companions, and those who followed them.   The issue of insulting the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) is one of the issues that need lengthy explanation because the one who insults them may do so because of a worldly rivalry between them, and that is obvious in their lifetime. A person may insult a number of the Companions because he believes that they have apostatized or have done major sins in his view. He may also insult them because they have provided victory to this religion which he claims to be attributed to, but in fact he is not a Muslim.   The best scholars who explained this issue quite well was Sheikh Al Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) in the last portion of his book, "Al Sarim Al Maslul `Ala Shatim Al Rasul" (3/1055-1113) where he said: "As for those who insult the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) ... المزيد

The Prophet's guidance concerning the cure of distress, worry, sorrow, and grief

  Dr. Ahmad ibn `Uthman Al Mazid28- The Prophet's guidance concerning the cure of distress, worry, sorrow, and grief[1]: 1- He used to say in distress: "There is no deity but Allah the Ever-Magnificent the Most-forbearing. There is no deity but Allah, the Lord of the Supreme Throne. There is no deity but Allah, the Lord of the seven Heavens, the Lord of the earth, and the Honorable Lord of the Thrown." [Reported by Al Bukhari and Muslim].   2- When something concerns him, he used to say: "O Ever-Living! O Self-Subsisting! By Your Mercy I seek Your Assistance." [Reported by At-Tirmidhy]. And said: "The supplications of distressed people are: O Allah, Your Mercy that I hope for, so do not entrust me to myself for a blink of an eye, and reform my affairs for me! No god but You." [Reported by Abu Dawud].   "When something grieved him, he resorted to Salah."   3- He said: "No person is afflicted by worry or concern and says: "Allaahumma Inny `Abduka, ibnu `Abdika, ibnu Amatika, ... المزيد

The Israelis' feelings of fear and isolation

  Hisham Munawwar If it was settled in our minds that the Zionist entity has one of the strongest armies in the region as well as in the world, and that the Zionist military machine is able to "crush" any potential resistance, the reality of military retreats that the Israeli army suffered have proved the falsity of these allegations. The settlers who live on the occupied land of Palestine are the first witnesses to the case of fear which they are experiencing regarding the future of the so-called "Israel" in light of its numerous structural crises, which lead to its isolation behind the Apartheid wall they have built. The alleged force, which the generals are boasting of, did not stop the Israeli citizens to admit insecurity, fear, and feelings of isolation. In a survey of "the war and peace indicator," that is prepared in the University of Tel Aviv, and funded by the "Program of Evans for the settlement of disputes" that was published on (Yediot Aharonot) Website, the survey showed ... المزيد

The features of distinction in changing the Qiblah

  Islam`Abdul-TawwabThe change of the qiblah remains a distinctive event in the history of the Islamic call and in the march of building the Muslim state as well. The Messenger (peace be upon him) was eager to change the Qiblah from Al Aqsa Mosque to the House of his father Abraham (peace be upon him) in Makkah.   Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Verily, We have seen the turning of your (Muhammad's peace be upon him) face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction) that shall please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid-Al-Harâm (the sanctuary at Makkah). And wheresoever you people are, turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction. Certainly, the people who were given the Scripture (i.e. Jews and the Christians) know well that, that (your turning towards the direction of the Ka'bah at Makkah in prayers) is the truth from their Lord. And Allâh is not unaware of what they do." [Surat Al Baqarah: 144].   Thus, after ... المزيد

Ramadan in the Pre-Islamic Period and in Islam

  Muhammad `Abdul-`AzizRamadan was not known with that name in the Pre-Islamic Period like all lunar months. In the old language, the language of the Pure Arabs: `Ad, Thamûd, and others, that month was called "Tatil" which means a person who draws out water from a well or a fountain. This indicates, as Mahmoud Al Falaky says, that month was a winter month as another name indicated "Zahir". It was said that its crescent used to show up in the time of flowers' bloom according to the Arabs who used to live in deserts in the early Pre-Islamic Period and plants would not have been bloomy unless there was rain.   Then the name of the lunar months were changed at Al `Arab Al Musta`ribah [the offspring of Ismael] two hundred years before Islam. The rule according which they set up the names of months was extracted from the social and climatic conditions according to the times in which these months began. This was the suggestion of the Qurishy "Kilab ibn Murrah" who is said ... المزيد

A cry of a people whose rights are violated in his own land

  Su`ud ibn `Abdullah Al Mi`aqlyCompulsion has reached its peak when the occupation introduced, almost two years ago, a compulsory law to force Muslim girls who reached 18 years of age to leave their countries and move to be as workers in its factories. Furthermore, it created a special committee to follow-up the execution of that unjust law until the number of girls who were affected by that decision reached 50.000. Many of those who were sent to work have subjected to rape and prostitution, whereas not a few number of them preferred suicide to preserve their chastity. As for the families which refused to send their girls, they were considered as violating the law and consequently were exposed to all kinds of torture and humiliation inside prisons of which animals complain.   This is happening in countries from which celebrities, who had a great effect on the Islamic civilization, emerged such as: Al Bukhari, Muslim, Al Bayhaqy, Muhammad ibn Musa Al Khawarizmy, Abu Ar-Rayhan ... المزيد

Why Study History?

By Peter N. Stearns People live in the present. They plan for and worry about the future. History, however, is the study of the past. Given all the demands that press in from living in the present and anticipating what is yet to come, why bother with what has been? Given all the desirable and available branches of knowledge, why insist—as most American educational programs do—on a good bit of history? And why urge many students to study even more history than they are required to? Any subject of study needs justification: its advocates must explain why it is worth attention. Most widely accepted subjects—and history is certainly one of them—attract some people who simply like the information and modes of thought involved. But audiences less spontaneously drawn to the subject and more doubtful about why to bother need to know what the purpose is. Historians do not perform heart transplants, improve highway design, or arrest criminals. In a society that quite correctly ... المزيد