Lessons learned from Israa and Miraj

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Lessons learned from Israa and Miraj

There are many life lessons to be learned from the miraculous night journey of Israa and Miraj. During the Israa, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was carried on a white animal that was smaller than a horse yet larger than a donkey and it had wings and was called Al-Buraq. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) rode Al-Buraq to Jerusalem, where he met the Prophets and led them in prayer in Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Miraj is the ascension of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on Al-Buraq and with the company of Angel Jibreel to the Heavens.

If we look at when this night journey occurred, we will realize that this journey was a gift to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The Israa and Miraj took place shortly after the year of grief, the year that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) received two painful blows when he lost two of his closest supporters: his beloved wife, Khadija and his uncle, Abu Talib. It was also after the incident of Al-Taif when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) went to Taif to call people to the message of Islam but he was met with mockery and rejection, to the extent that the tribes released their children to throw stones at him (peace be upon him).

To lighten the Prophet’s burden and relieve his distress after these painful events, Allah invited the Prophet (peace be upon him) to the journey of Israa and Miraj, as if to show the Prophet (peace be upon him) and all believers that after pain comes relief and after suffering comes ease. And sometimes, it takes patience through difficult times before we can achieve inner peace and nearness to Allah.

As Muslims, we are also reminded of the importance of Al-Aqsa Mosque in our faith. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) visited Al-Aqsa during his night journey and he prayed there with all the prophets of Allah. Al-Aqsa Mosque was mentioned in the Holy Qur’an as a blessed place. Jerusalem is a holy land, in its vicinity many prophets have lived and died, and were buried there. In several sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he encouraged Muslims to visit the three sacred mosques in Islam: the Holy Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. We must make it a priority to pray for those people in Palestine, to call for justice, to donate for their cause, and to visit Al Aqsa Mosque.

In Al Alqsa Mosque, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) met all the prophets, from Adam to Jesus may Allah’s peace be upon them all. It is a pillar of faith to believe in all the prophets and to love them. The seal of all the prophets is Muhammad (peace be upon him), and he led the prophets in prayer, which was a great honor for him. And on the Day of Judgment, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) will be given precedence over the other prophets as he will be the first to intercede for mankind. On the Day of Judgment, the believers will be worried and they will go to the prophets to ask them to intercede on their behalf. None of the prophets will accept this task, except Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said of his people, “So they will come to me, and I will ask my Lord’s permission to enter His presence and then I will be permitted. When I see Him I will fall down in prostration before Him, and He will leave me (in prostration) as long as He wills, and then He will say, ‘O Muhammad, lift up your head and speak, for you will be listened to, and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted, and ask (for anything) for it will be granted.’” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
That is why we make this supplication between every adhan and iqama for prayer: “O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer to be offered, grant Muhammad the privilege (of intercession) and also the eminence, and resurrect him to the praised position that You have promised.”

Another vital lesson to be drawn from the night journey is the significance of the five daily prayers in a believer’s life. The obligatory prayers were ordained by Allah to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when he was in the Heavens and in close presence to Allah. This indicates that the prayer is in essence an elevation of the spirit. When we pray, we detach ourselves from this world and all of its troubles and pleasures. We focus on our Creator, draw near to Him, and pray to Him. It is imperative to get the message across to our youth that the prayer is no trivial matter and that when performed correctly and with concentration, it is an uplifting, comforting, spiritual experience.

Finally, when reading about Israa and Miraj, we learn yet again, what we probably already knew before, and that is the virtue of the Prophet’s best friend and confidant, Abu Bakr.

Some scholars said that the entire Israa and Miraj journey took about one third of the night. The following day, the Prophet (peace be upon him) told the people what had happened. The disbelievers ridiculed the Prophet (peace be upon him). They went to Abu Bakr and said to him, “Look at what your companion is saying. He says he went to Jerusalem and came back in one night.”

Abu Bakr confidently responded, “If he said that, then he is speaking the truth.”

From this incident, Abu Bakr was given the title of As-Siddiq, because of how strongly he believed in the Prophet (peace be upon him). Part of our faith is to love Abu Bakr, one of the most faithful of companions.

The Israa and Miraj journey is full of signs to make our faith stronger and lessons that we continue to learn from to this day.

Types of Packages

Prime travel agency of the UK, British Hajj Travel Ltd is famous for offering best Hajj and Umrah deals to British pilgrims.

VIP Umrah 7 Nights       Golden Umrah 7 Nights       Silver Umrah 7 Nights      Deluxe Umrah 7 Nights

source: saudigazette.com.sa

Umrah Flights - Umrah Flights from UK by British haj travel

Umrah Flights - Umrah Flights from UK by British haj travel

British haj travel is committed to offer the best flight deals to its customers. Your holy tour is wisely tailored to fit your need so that you can perform your holy tour with freedom, peace and complete travel itineraries. We undertake a booking if we can handle it and till now we have not failed. By offering the best flight deal we take away all your worries, right from your travel arrangement, to arrange your flights, getting visa and ensure you that you are greeted at the airport. Our travel representatives are always on their toes to take care of everything. You can also make your customised trip by booking your flights online. We recommend that, before you book your flight, talk to our Umrah specialist and you can avail the cheapest Umrah flights to Makkah and Madinah.

When you embark cheap Umrah flights, you land at the King Abdul Aziz International airport, which has three terminals:

one for foreign airlines
one for Saudi Airlines
and Madina-tul-hujjaj, which functions only during the Hajj season

During your Umrah tour, if you fly into Jeddah by some other airline than Saudi Airlines, you will land at the International Airport. If you have plans to fly to Medina, then you will have to hire a taxi to take you to the Saudi terminal, since all domestic flights depart from the Saudi Airlines terminal only.

You need not change terminals, if you head straight towards Makkah. A taxi to Makkah via Masjid al-Johfa, where you put on your Ihram or lodge in a hotel if its too late.

During these holy journeys if does not much matter which airline you fly. All Hujjaj (Hajj travellers) are transfered to Madina-tul-Hujjaj from where they fly to Medina, or even Makkah.

Cheapest Fares

With our specialist staff, be certain to avail the cheapest Umrah flight fares to Jeddah airport and carry on travelling to Makkah and Madinah. We have alliances with top airlines and consolidators due to our expanded business volumes in Hajj and Umrah sector, which allows us to offer the most economical fares to our Muslim pilgrims. Talk to one of our team experts to get the best fares to Jeddah.

We can offer you allocations with British Airways, Saudi Arabia Airlines, Middle East Airlines, EgyptAir, Etihad and Turkish. This usually means that we have all the top and best airlines for your holy trip. We have flights from every major airport in the UK.

The dream land for several religious pilgrims is waiting to be explored with direct and indirect Umrah flights from the UK.

Types of Packages

Prime travel agency of the UK, British Hajj Travel Ltd is famous for offering best Hajj and Umrah deals to British pilgrims.

VIP Umrah 7 Nights       Golden Umrah 7 Nights       Silver Umrah 7 Nights      Deluxe Umrah 7 Nights

Source: umrahpackage2017

Umrah Package - Cheap offers for uk by British haj travel

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Umrah Package - Cheap offers for uk by British haj travel

People, who travel for a Hajj or Umrah, are more likely to be worried about their travel planning, visa procedures, transportations and other support needs while going to Makkah and Madina. If you are worried about travel plan or tickets, visa procedures or accommodation, ziarats in Makkah and Madina; British haj travel is the best travel companion for you to get all inclusive Cheap Umrah package. From so many years, British haj travel is known for its reliability feature, providing ease and comfort for the pilgrims of Umrah and Hajj as well best price packages for 2017.

British haj travel being most reliable Hajj Umrah tour operator based in UK provides best Umrah services at lowest possible rates to the Muslims of UK. We assure our clients of best services including flights reservations along with complete Umrah deals. Our professional staff and agents will help you regarding best packages of your choice. Moreover, they will help you for all possible flights from London, Manchester, London, Glasgow and other cities of UK to Jeddah. Simultaneously, we provide best services including best airlines tickets, hotel accommodation in the closest vicinity of Holy Makkah and Madinah at the cheapest rate. Likewise, we offer transport facility from airport to your reserved destination.

It is very likely that pilgrims face problems if they going for Umrah for the first time. We are an experienced name in the aviation industry. We will guide you at each step about performing this sacred journey of Umrah. It is indeed our honour to serve our esteemed clients.

We have team of specialists and experts to provide enjoyable and fulfilling pilgrimages for Muslims, we have also made Umrah package 2017 that meet your needs and expectations.
We are working for more than a decade and we feel proud in honouring the respected guests of Allah Almighty. We claim to provide best Umrah services to our Muslim brothers and sisters in UK. We aim in providing the best Umrah package satisfying all the needs and requirements of our clients. Make your Holy journey of Umrah memorable by rendering Cheap Umrah Packages.

We are a registered company working under the profile of ATOL and AITA association. Those who are travelling for the first time, they need to be afraid because we follow the rules to make your Umrah journey as comfortable as per our commitment. We are pleased to offer a variety of departure points with roadmap for different locations with different dates.

Best Umrah Deals for Gruop or Family

Our group or family Umrah packages for December 2017 are crafted to cater every group with excellent care including smaller groups, larger ones, senior citizens, families travelling with small children. Likewise, we will provide accommodation in the closest proximity of Holy Makkah and Madinah along with best hotel facilities to make you feel home. Furthermore, we do not compromise over your comfort therefore we also provide transportation facilities in all 2017 Umrah packages in order to make travelling convenient and accessible for you. Many people desire to visit sacred places in Makkah and Madinah for Ziarat. We also cater their needs by providing the abovementioned transport facility. So, now you do no need to worry about logistical hurdles and travelling expenses. All you need to do is to pack your bags and we will take care of everything else.

To keep ahead of the travelling industry we are always lookout for the opportunities and we invest heavily in good, clean and standard hotels. This results in utterly guaranteed reservations and allows us to maintain a pricing policy.
In addition to this we are also ATOL protected and IATA accredited. We provide a secure and safe platform to invest your hard earn money for performing Umrah and Hajj. Umrah and Hajj are Ibadahs, investments that a person does for the life hereafter.

Our staff is a set of experts and professionals, available and approachable for you with our 24/7 customer service. We at British haj travel not only help our clients in the plan and arrangements for Umrah and Hajj but we also ensure your ease in Holy journey from home and throughout your stay in Makkah and Madina. Almost in all of our Umrah deals for 3, 4 and 5 package air conditioned transport is included.

Types of Packages

Prime travel agency of the UK, British Hajj Travel Ltd is famous for offering best Hajj and Umrah deals to British pilgrims.

VIP Umrah 7 Nights       Golden Umrah 7 Nights       Silver Umrah 7 Nights      Deluxe Umrah 7 Nights

Source: cheapumrahpackage.net/

Umrah Packages at Cheapest Price in UK by British haj travel

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Umrah Packages

In the past few years, British Hajj Travel Ltd has successfully established itself as one of the top Hajj and Umrah travelling service provider in the United Kingdom. The prestigious travelling company has achieved this status by offering best Hajj and Umrah packages at cheap price. It can be judged from the fact that the list of British Hajj Travel’s Umrah packages includes cheap Umrah packages, 5 star Umrah packages and monthly Golden Umrah packages.

The British Hajj Travel has created different Umrah packages so its customers can choose the deal which best suits them. For instance, if they prefer to perform Umrah in the last month of the year they can pick any of the December Umrah packages 2017 of British Hajj Travel. These packages are specifically devised for the Muslims, who like to go to Allah SubḥānahuWaTa’Ala’s home in Saudi Arabia during their winter holidays.

More importantly, British Hajj’s December Umrah packages offer top notch facilities and services to the pilgrims at extremely affordable price, so you can get the best within your budget. Above all, the pilgrims will have peace of mind because they have selected a travelling company for this holy journey that is authorized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry.

So trust one of the most experienced Hajj and Umrah tour operator in the UK and apply your Umrah visa through British Hajj Travel. That ensures till the very last moment that you will have a comfortable and stress free trip.This is the result of British Hajj Travel’s relentless effort that has given an ultimately pilgrimage experience to the people, who have availed its services to visit Saudi Arabia.

It is because of this reason the number of people acquiring the services of British Hajj to perform Umrah is increasing every year, so visit its Preston office today and pick a deal for yourself.

Types of Packages

Prime travel agency of the UK, British Hajj Travel Ltd is famous for offering best Hajj and Umrah deals to British pilgrims.

VIP Umrah 7 Nights       Golden Umrah 7 Nights       Silver Umrah 7 Nights      Deluxe Umrah 7 Nights

An Open Letter to My Muslim Peers

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An Open Letter to My Muslim Peers

My heart aches today.
And I try to find the poetry in the pain,
but the vowels never quite add up,
and I’m still left with bleeding fingers
and a heart, like a compass, pointing East,
always pointing East.

Dear so-and-so,
I’m sorry about that hurt.
I wish I could say there was a remedy for sadness
but science has only gone far enough to cause it,
and I fear that people will forget what the world
was like in its’ absence.

Dear so-and-so,
your heart is a fist inside of you,
and it belongs to your country–
you were born ready to survive,
don’t give up on us now.

Dear so-and-so,
when a man in the streets tells you to go back home,
don’t give him one finger;
give him two–
wave your peace sign in the crowded New York air,
until people forget what the city felt like without it.

Dear so-and-so,
remember that bad things come in threes,
but so do good things– that no matter
how much you think tomorrow will never come,
you will always wake up to sun-kissed good-mornings,
from all the people the sun met on its’ way back to you.

Dear so-and-so,
when a presidential candidate tells you
to wear a badge to identify yourself,
don’t fight it.
Grab your girl-scout sash, grab your boy-scout vest,
make it a scrapbook of your life, and
wear it like the North star.

Dear so-and-so,
no matter what they tell you; never forget Allah.
No matter what they tell you; never forget yourself.
Wear your Islam like a birthmark, or a dimple,
but never as a scar.
Remind the world that it is a part of you;
it has always been there, and it will never fade.

Dear so-and-so,
my heart aches, but so does yours,
and while all we have to show for it
are these bleeding fists, our home
in Jannah calls our name.

Source: saudigazette.com.sa/

All Houses of Worship are Sacred

source: saudigazette.com.sa

All Houses of Worship are Sacred

Killing innocent people and spilling blood in a house of worship is in no way Islamic, and it goes against Islamic teachings and principles. At least 27 people were killed in a blast inside a church in the northern city of Tanta in Egypt. And in Alexandria, 18 civilians and four police officers were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a Coptic church.

When ISIS claimed responsibility for these attacks, any clear thinker will draw the conclusion that ISIS does not represent Islam and Muslims. It causes one to question, what religion is ISIS really following? How does ISIS justify such heinous acts when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) granted protection to Christians living among Muslims? If ISIS was truly seeking to establish an Islamic state, religious minorities living among them would have been granted protection and religious freedom.

Our societies are in need of studying and reading more on the history of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him). In fact, both the Islamophobes and the extremists may be unaware of the covenant between Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Christians. Both the Islamophobes and the extremists falsely interject violence, hatred, and intolerance in the religion of Islam.

St. Catherine’s Monastery is located in the Sinai region in Egypt and it is believed to be the oldest working Christian monastery in the world. The monastery possesses a large collection of Christian manuscripts. One of the most precious documents of all is the copy of a letter given to Christian monks by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The original letter is found in Topkapi Museum in Istanbul.

In 628 AD, a delegation from St. Catherine’s Monastery came to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and requested his protection.

He granted them protection and provided them with a letter which is called the “Charter of Privileges.” The privileges of protection ad safety for the monks were upheld by Muslims for centuries.  The letter reads:
“This is a message from Muhammad, son of Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.

Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries.

No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.

No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray.

Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation of (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant until the Last Day.”

As for the notion by some people that Islam approves of or even encourages attacking Christian civilians, the scholarsMuhammad Abdullah Al-Khatib and Dr. Abdus-Sattar F. Saeed issued the following statement: “Islam does not only prohibit assaulting non-Muslims who do not wrong us, Islam urges us to treat non-Muslims well and be just when dealing with them. It is prohibited to attack non-Muslims’ places of worship. Freedom of religion and belief is a right which Islam guarantees, as Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an, {Let there be no compulsion in religion.} (Chapter 2, verse 256).
To those who claim that Islam supports the perpetration of violence against people of other religions, they are overlooking Prophet Muhammad’s instructions to not kill any child, woman, elder, or sick person. Mutilation is prohibited. To uproot, burn, or cut down trees is prohibited.  Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Do not destroy the villages and towns, do not spoil the cultivated fields and gardens, and do not slaughter the cattle.” (Sahih Bukhari)

It is recorded in Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Do not kill the monks in monasteries and do not kill those sitting in places of worship.”

It seems we need to re-learn the character of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his mercy, compassion, tolerance, generosity, devotion, and worship.
The Muslims in Egypt responded by gathering in mosques to donate blood for the injured survivors of the attacks in the churches.

Types of Packages

Prime travel agency of the UK, British Hajj Travel Ltd is famous for offering best Hajj and Umrah deals to British pilgrims.

VIP Umrah 7 Nights       Golden Umrah 7 Nights       Silver Umrah 7 Nights      Deluxe Umrah 7 Nights

Source: saudigazette.com.sa

Does Islam Oppress Women ?

Does Islam Oppress Women ?

Fourteen hundred years ago Islam gave women rights; rights that could not have been imagined by European counterparts.  Bold words!  Words that have been spoken repeatedly, especially in the last two or three decades by Muslim converts, and Islamic writers, academics and educators across the globe.Women’s rights, responsibilities, and choices have been the subject of books, articles, essays, and lectures.  Sadly however, convincing the world that Muslim women are not oppressed by Islam is a message that is just not getting through.  Media headlines scream oppression and the words Muslim, women, and oppression seem to have become inextricably linked.

No matter what Muslim women do or say to try to convince the world otherwise, words like hijab, burka, polygamy, and Sharia seem to do little but convince people that Islam oppresses women.  Even educated, articulate women fulfilling the modest conditions of hijab can do little to dispel the myths.  Women who conduct themselves with decorum and grace and function effortlessly in the modern world have their achievements and successes celebrated.  However, if a woman wears a scarf, covers her hair or puts her religion above worldly pursuits she is immediately labelled oppressed.  One wonders if this is the case for women of other religious persuasions.  Are modest religious women of all faiths labelled oppressed?  Alternatively, is it just Islam?

The most visible sign of a Muslim woman’s faith is the headscarf or hijab; it is also the garment that leads people to believe that Islam oppresses women.  Although Islamic scholars unanimously agree that modest dress and head coverings are obligatory in Islam, for the majority of Muslim women around the world, to cover, or not to cover, is a freely made choice.  The women who chose to wear hijab view it as a right, not a burden and many describe wearing hijab as liberation from the need to conform to unrealistic stereotypes and images dictated by the media.

What exactly do Muslim women say about themselves in relation to the issue of oppression? In 2005, a World Gallup Poll[1]  entitled, What women Want: Listening to the voices of Muslim Woman, revealed that the majority of women polled, in predominantly Muslim countries resented lack of unity among Muslim nations, violent extremism, and political and economic corruption.  The headscarf or hijab, or any garment covering the face and body, often depicted as a tool of oppression was not even mentioned.

The report concluded that “...most women in the Muslim world are well aware that they have the same capabilities and deserve the same fundamental rights as men.  Majorities of females in each of the eight countries surveyed said they believe women are able to make their own voting decisions, to work at any job for which they are qualified, and even to serve in the highest levels of government.”

Islam raised the level of women, they were no longer chattels being passed from father to husband.  They became equal to men, with rights and responsibilities that take into account the nature of humankind.  Unfortunately across the globe, Muslim women are victims of cultural aberrations that have no place in Islam.  Powerful individuals and groups claim to be Muslim yet fail to practice the true principles of Islam.  Whenever the media reveals unconscionable stories about honour killings, genital mutilation, forced marriage, the punishment of rape victims, women being confined to their homes or women being denied education they are revealing a tale of men and women who are ignorant about the status of women in Islam.

“O you who believe!  You are forbidden to inherit women against their will, and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the bridal money you have given them. And live with them honourably.  If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and God brings a great deal of good through it.” (Quran 4:19)

The religion of Islam demands that women be treated with respect, honour, and justice.  It condemns oppression of any kind.  In Islam women, like men, are commanded to believe in God and to worship Him.  Women are equal to men in terms of reward in the Hereafter.

“And whoever does righteous good deeds, male or female, and is a true believer in the Oneness of God, such will enter paradise; and not the least injustice, even to the size of a speck on the back of a date stone, will be done to them.” (Quran 4:124)

Women in Islam have the right to own property, to control their own money to buy and sell, and to give gifts and charity.  It is not permissible for anyone to take a woman’s wealth without her consent.  Islam gave women formal rights of inheritance.  Women in Islam have the right to an education; seeking and acquiring knowledge is an obligation on all Muslims, male or female.

Muslim women have the right to accept or refuse marriage proposals as they see fit, and married women are completely free from the obligation of supporting and maintaining the family.  Working married women are free to contribute to the household expenses, or not, as they see fit.  Women have the right to seek divorce if it becomes necessary.

Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said, “A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after her permission.”  The people asked, “O God’s messenger!  How can we know her permission?”  He said, “Her silence (indicates her permission).”[2]

A women was given by her father gave her in marriage when she was a matron and she disliked that marriage.  So she went to God’s Messenger and he declared that marriage invalid.[3]

The religion of Islam declares that women are worthy human beings deserving of respect, and the right to be free from oppression.  Women have the right to a decent life, without facing aggression or abuse of any kind.  They have the right to pursue a life that is pleasing to them within Islamic boundaries.  Nobody has the right to force women to be less then they want to be.  The true teachings of Islam, declare that women should be held in a position of high regard.

Sadly, it is true that some Muslim women are oppressed, but across the globe, some women are treated badly by some men, of all religious persuasions and ethnicities.  It is possible to say that such and such a government oppresses women, or that Muslim men in such and such a country think it is acceptable to beat women, however,  it is not correct to say that Islam oppresses women.  If women were given their God given rights, as set out in the religion of Islam, the global oppression of women could be trampled into oblivion.

Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said, “None but a noble man treats women in an honourable manner.  And none but an ignoble treats women disgracefully.”[4]

Source: islamreligion.com

Honouring the Grey Haired

saudigazette.com.sa

Honouring the Grey Haired

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Part of glorifying Allah is honouring the grey haired Muslim.” (Abu Dawud)

Islam, our complete way of life and system of living, has granted each individual dignity. Respect and reverence are never in short supply in our deen. Perhaps however, its followers fall short, and thus I bring you, a quick reminder on caring for the grey-haired Muslim.

As stated in the Holy Qur’an, {And We have certainly honoured the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.} (Chapter 17, verse 70)

Allah has preferred us, and granted us abundant blessings, and amongst these, is the blessing of having the elderly among us. The elderly are actually a blessing.

The elderly have a special station in Islam. They have lived through the various stages of life, they have experienced things the youth are yet to come across, and have come through the thick and thin of the daily struggle of life. They were at the forefront of upholding our faith, the flag bearers and upholders in their youth, and some continue this task even in their old age.

Even if they missed such a golden opportunity to be an ambassador for our faith, they still deserve the respect that Allah has decreed for them.
Some would describe the elderly as a burden, and would gladly dump them in a ‘home’ so that the encumbrance of their care is lifted of their shoulders. Yet, little do we realise the blessings in the elderly.

l They are the means of us existing on earth. Without the elder generation, there wouldn’t be a younger one.

l They are wise and provide great advice and support. They can be a source of comfort in times of difficulty and an eye-opener in times of confusion. Their hindsight and experience is always useful.

l Serving them is an opportunity to earn ample rewards from Allah. So, stock up on your hereafter by helping the elderly, because not an atom’s weight of good goes to waste.

l Upholding the ties of kinship with elderly relatives, may increase your sustenance and your life. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us, “He who desires that he be granted more provision and his life be prolonged should maintain good ties with his kinship.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
l Caring for them is an opportunity to get their supplication (duaa).

Making someone happy doesn’t just warrant rewards from Allah. Rather the receiver of good often reciprocates with a favour, and sometimes it may something as simple as a duaa of theirs that opens the doors in your life.

l And something that everyone enjoys: the elderly are great story tellers! They weave such intricate and interesting webs that even fidgety children get caught up in.

These are just a few of the many blessings that are found in being in the company of the elderly.

For those elderly who had worshiped Allah, worked hard, and spread goodness in their lives, you should wish to emulate them. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘“The best of you are those who live the longest and do the best deeds.” (Saheeh al-Jaami’)

Let’s not forget the saying of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him), “He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young ones and respect our old ones.” (At-Tirmidhi)

We must strike a balance, the elderly deserve our care, and the young our attention.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The Most Merciful has mercy on those who are merciful. Be merciful to those who are on earth so that the One Who is in Heaven will have mercy on you.” (At-Tirmidhi)

To be merciful is a means of attaining the mercy of Allah. To be respectful is a means of earning respect from others. Look after your elderly, so that in your old age, the younger generation will look after you.

May Allah soften our hearts towards the elderly, and enable us to serve them.

Let us endeavor to change our attitude towards the elderly and show them the love, attention, and the respect that they deserve.

Source: saudigazette.com.sa

Why Muslim Women Wear the Veil

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Why Muslim Women Wear the Veil

In recent years, a small piece of cloth has managed to cause quite a stir.  The scarf or hijab that Muslim women wear on their heads is making headlines around the world.  Hijab is banned in French public schools and other European countries have adopted, or are drafting similar legislation.  In Australia, a radio presenter triggered both debate and outrage when he called for the face veil (niqab) to be banned from banks and post offices.  Even predominantly Muslim countries such as Turkey and Tunisia ban the hijab in certain government buildings.  When a small piece of fabric causes such controversy and conflict, wouldn’t it be easier to remove it?  Why then, under such circumstances, do Muslim women wear scarves?

There are a myriad of reasons why, but the easy, one sentence answer is, because they believe God has made it an obligation for believing women.  In the Quran God tells the believing men and women to lower their gaze and to dress modestly.  He (God) specifically addresses women when He asks them not to show off their adornment, except that which is apparent, and draw their veils over their bodies.  (Quran 24:30-31)

These verses of Quran are known as the verses of hijab and it is the consensus of Islamic scholars that they make the wearing of hijab mandatory.  Some countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar do enforce a dress code.  Women there are expected to cover their hair and wear some sort of loose fitting, full-length garment over their clothes.  However, for the majority of Muslim women around the world, to cover, or not to cover, is a freely made choice. God requires Muslim women to dress modestly and to wear the hijab in public and in the presence of men who are not close relatives.

Although the English word scarf and the Arabic term hijab have become interchangeable, it is worth noting that hijab is more than just a scarf.  It is a term that covers a variety of clothing including scarves, but also a variety of different dress styles from around the world.  Many have cultural connotations such as the Pakistani shalwar khamis or the Afghani burqa, but whenever a Muslim woman covers “her adornment”, she is said to be wearing hijab.

The literal meaning of hijab is to veil, to cover, or to screen.  Islam is known as a religion concerned with community cohesion and moral boundaries, and therefore hijab is a way of ensuring that the moral boundaries between unrelated men and women are respected.  In this sense, the term hijab encompasses more than a scarf and more then a dress code.  It is a term that denotes modest dressing and modest behaviour.  For instance, if a Muslim woman was wearing a scarf but at the same time using bad language, she would not be fulfilling the requirements of hijab.

The majority of Muslim women wear hijab, to obey God, and to be known as respectable women.  (Quran 33:59)  However, in the last 30 years hijab has emerged as a sign of Islamic consciousness.  Many women see wearing the hijab as indicative of their desire to be part of an Islamic revival, especially in countries where the practice of Islam is discouraged or even forbidden.

While those who seek to ban hijab refer to it as a symbol of gender based repression, the women who choose to don a scarf, or to wear hijab, in the broadest sense of the word, do so by making personal decisions and independent choices.  They view it as a right and not a burden.  Nor do these women regard hijab as a sign of oppression.  Women who wear hijab often describe themselves as being “set free” from society’s unrealistic fashion culture.

Hijab frees women from being thought of as sexual objects of desire or from being valued for their looks, or body shape rather then their minds and intellect.  No longer slaves to consumerism, hijab liberates women from the need to conform to unrealistic stereotypes and images dictated by the media.  Women wearing hijab have expressed that dressing modestly and covering their hair, minimises sexual harassment in the workplace. The aura of privacy created by hijab is indicative of the great value Islam places upon women.

Women who choose to wear hijab do not make the decision lightly.  In fact many women testify that they faced great animosity from their Muslim or non-Muslim families when they decided to cover.  Across the globe there are numerous instances of women having to defend their right to wear the hijab.

Hijab can be a symbol of piety and it can be a sign of great inner strength and fortitude.  A woman wearing hijab becomes a very visible sign of Islam.  While Muslim men can blend easily into any society, Muslim woman are often put on the line, and forced to defend not only their decision to cover, but also their religion.  Nevertheless, women who wear hijab insist that the advantages far outweigh any disadvantage conjured up by media bias or general ignorance.

Types of Packages

Prime travel agency of the UK, British Hajj Travel Ltd is famous for offering best Hajj and Umrah deals to British pilgrims.

VIP Umrah 7 Nights       Golden Umrah 7 Nights       Silver Umrah 7 Nights      Deluxe Umrah 7 Nights

Source: islamreligion.com

Umrah packages 2017 UK by British haj travel

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Umrah packages 2017 UK by British haj travel

British haj travel is privileged to provide the best Umrah packages 2017 uk as well other Umrah related services in the aviation industry. We have a strong commitment to serve our respected clients by giving them our best packages. Unfortunately, the industry has developed the repute of not providing appropriate service packages. But we British haj travel assure its clients of delivering services up to the mark. We believe in valuing our client’s money upon anything else.

Umrah is a sacred journey taken at any time of the year. A person who visits the Holy Kaabah and Madinah is considered to be the most fortunate person. Allah (S.W.T) sends His countless Blessings and Mercy upon this place and only the one who abstains from all kinds of sins is able to attract these Blessings. But many people get stuck with issues during their journey owing to the misleading services and troubles confronted during the travel. For this purpose, we are here to assure our valued clients with our best professional services before and after Umrah journey and best price Umrah packages from UK.

Our tours are designed to your needs and requirements. We also take into account the fact that the majority of our Muslims brothers and sisters are visiting the Holy Land for the first time. We understand your desire to concentrate your worship without getting worried about your logistical hurdles. Therefore, we take the hassle from your tour and leave you a trouble free Umrah.

We provide services starting from letting you decide the package of your choice, to your visa approval, to your departure and arrival at the airport, to your needs during the travel we ensure that everything is done at our best to give the comfort you desire. So do not miss the opportunity to take Umrah 2017 with our Umrah Packages 2017 and let us take care of you leaving you to seek Blessings of Allah (S.W.T).

Our customer care executives are available 24/7 to help you assist any troubles you may face. We assure that our clients are not left alone in the hour of need therefore our representatives will be present at the airport to make sure that you have a safe tour. Furthermore, in case of emergency we will provide you our contact numbers so that you do not have any problem. We have been serving the guests of Allah (S.W.T) for more than a decade and we are honoured to imprint a hallmark in the air travel with our exemplary services and efforts. For those who are booking for the first time, we are financially protected by ATOL and IATA, so there is no need to worry about your money. We serve you at our best.

Types of Packages

Prime travel agency of the UK, British Hajj Travel Ltd is famous for offering best Hajj and Umrah deals to British pilgrims.

VIP Umrah 7 Nights       Golden Umrah 7 Nights       Silver Umrah 7 Nights     

Deluxe Umrah 7 Nights       Ramadan Umrah Package (14 Night)

Source: sauditours.co.uk

Islam in the Fabric of African American History

source: saudigazette.com.sa

Islam in the Fabric of African American History

Islam is not an imported, foreign religion brought to America by immigrants from Arab countries and from the Indo-Pak communities in the past couple of decades. Islam is part of the fabric of American history. The Southern regions of America were actually built on the backs, sweat, blood, and toil of the African slaves brought to this country at its very founding, and many of them were Muslim.

Slavery in America began when the first African slaves were brought to the North American colony of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619, to work on lucrative field crops, such as tobacco. The cruel practice of slavery spread throughout the American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries, and African-American slaves helped build the economic foundations of the new nation. The production of cotton solidified the importance of slavery to the South’s economy.

Men, women, and children were captured mainly from West Africa. They were sold to slave traders, forced on to ships, and kept in appalling conditions for the long journey across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. Historians estimate that at the height of the slave trade in the 18th century, up to 7 million Africans had undertaken this voyage. It is estimated that up to 30% of the enslaved in North America were Muslim.

Maintaining their religion was difficult and many were forcibly converted to Christianity. Any effort to practice Islam, and keep the traditional clothing and names alive had to be done in secret. The slaves were treated as subhuman and their owners tried to erase everything about their past, their history, beliefs and religion, their right to freedom, and their family ties.

Nonetheless, evidence of Muslim origins has been found in documented Arabic texts written by the slaves in captivity. Most of these texts turned out to be memorized verses of the Qur’an, handwritten by the slaves. These texts reveal the slaves’ struggle to maintain their religious beliefs. It shows their high level of education attained in Africa prior to enslavement and forced emigration. Many of them were learned in the Qur’an and Islamic sciences and they could read and write Arabic. Unfortunately, slavery has systematically silenced them, so our present knowledge of these educated people is lacking.

In addition to this, Muslim names can be found in reports of runaway slaves and among the rosters of soldiers in the American war for independence. Many slaves were forced to accept Christian names; however, some kept their Muslim names. Historians discovered men living in the American South named Abd ar-Rahman, Bilali Mohammed, Salih Bilali, Omar ibn Said, and Yarrow Mamout, who maintained Islamic names.

Among those captured into slavery was Job Ben Solomon. His real name was Ayyub ibn Sulayman ibn Ibrahim, he was born in Gambia, West Africa, in 1701 to a prosperous Muslim family. By age 15, he was trained to be an Imam. At age 29, he was on a trading mission. He was seized by a band of men, taken to the coast where he was sold as a slave and transported to work on a tobacco plantation in Maryland. Solomon ran away but was captured and imprisoned. During his incarceration, he met the lawyer Thomas Bluett who became impressed by his story and helped buy his freedom. The two travelled together to England in 1734 where Solomon learnt English and became a prominent intellectual. His transcriptions of the Qur’an are still preserved in Oxford. He later returned to his homeland where he resumed his inherited position.

Another African Muslim, Omar ibn Said was born around 1770 in an African region near the Senegal River, which now forms Senegal’s northern border with Mauritania. Omar ibn Said, an African Muslim, had studied arithmetic, business, and theology before he was enslaved, shipped across the Atlantic, and sold. After he was sold to a South Carolina planter, Said escaped and made his way to North Carolina, where he was imprisoned after entering a Christian church to pray. He was described as the remarkable runaway slave who wrote on the walls of his prison cell from right to left in an unknown language, which was Arabic. He was writing verses from the Qur’an.

Omar ibn Said then became the legal property of General James Owen of Bladen County, who recognized Said to be an educated man and, according to Said’s autobiography, treated him well.

What is unclear is whether Omar ibn Said was able to maintain his religious faith. An anonymous author of an article in The Christian Advocate claims that Said converted from “the Mohamedan religion to Christianity.” However in his own autobiography, Said’s language reflects more ambiguity about his religious beliefs. He never explicitly rejects Islam, the religion of his upbringing, or professes faith in a Christian God.

As Patrick E. Horn, professor of American literature and history at the University of North Carolina wrote, “Like that of other Africans who were enslaved and brought to America Omar ibn Said’s situation was fraught with complexity. He was both African and American, a non-native English speaker, a Muslim surrounded by Christians, a slave in the “land of the free.” In order to please a master who was both generous and persuasive, he may have made certain concessions, representing his life and his beliefs in ways he knew would be well-received.”

Other accounts tell of Abdul Rahman ibn Ibrahim Sori, a West African Muslim nobleman and ruler of the city of Timbo, now located in Guinea. Abdul Rahman had studied the Islamic sciences and could speak 4 different African languages, in addition to Arabic. He was the colonel of an army and was on a military campaign when he and his men were ambushed. Abdul Rahman and 50 other men were captured and sold to a British slave ship captain.
Abdul Rahman was brought to Natchez, Mississippi where he labored on the cotton plantation of Thomas Foster for more than thirty-eight years. Some claim that Abdul Rahman converted to Christianity when he married his wife, Isabella, another of Foster’s slaves. They had five sons and four daughters.

While selling produce in the market, Abdul Rahman ran into an old friend, Dr. Coates Cox. Abdul Rahman and his father had aided Dr. Cox during his travels in Africa. Dr. Cox tried to purchase Abdul Rahman from Thomas Foster, but was unsuccessful. Two decades later, Dr. Cox’s son, with the assistance of Andrew Marschalk, a local newspaper publisher, launched a campaign to liberate Abdul Rahman.

In 1826, Abdul Rahman wrote a letter in Arabic to his family. Marschalk forwarded the letter to the U. S. Consulate in Morocco. The Arabic handwriting caused others to believe that Abdul Rahman was from Morocco. The letter actually contained scriptures from the Qur’an which Abdul Rahman memorized and wrote down. Despite these mistakes, the Sultan of Morocco took interest in Abdul Rahman and offered funds to liberate Abdul Rahman and pay for his passage to Africa. In 1828, the Adams Administration gave Marschalk permission to secure Abdul Rahman’s freedom.

Abdul Rahman wanted to free his wife and children. He collected funds to liberate Isabella. They then traveled North; meeting with abolitionist groups to raise money to purchase their children from Foster. They were unable raise sufficient funds to liberate their entire family. Abdul Rahman was able to liberate two of his children and their families, before he immigrated to Liberia in Africa, but he never saw his hometown again.

Although the American system of slavery crushed the religious practices of African-American Muslims in the past, current research is shedding new light on this interesting topic.

Types of Packages

Prime travel agency of the UK, British Hajj Travel Ltd is famous for offering best Hajj and Umrah deals to British pilgrims.

VIP Umrah 7 Nights    |    Golden Umrah 7 Nights     |     Silver Umrah 7 Nights 

Deluxe Umrah 7 Nights    |   Ramadan Umrah Package (14 Night)

Source: saudigazette.com.sa

Umrah Flights | British haj travel 2017 and 2018

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Umrah Flights | British haj travel 2017 and 2018

In 2001, British haj travel Company was established to compete in the untapped religious market all over the world especially during Hajj and Umrah seasons. British haj travel is considered the largest carrier of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Hajj & Umrah flights operations are planned across different continents including Europe, Africa, and Asia. The group, NAS Holding, has extensive exposure and experience in the aviation industry. In the year 1431H, the governments of Senegal, Cameroon, and India awarded the Hajj contracts. These included extended dedicated Hajj & Umrah services from a total of 11 destinations within these 3 countries to Jeddah and Medina. The operations resulted in successfully uplifting of 40,000 pilgrims with 127 flights operated for each phase a total of 254 Hajj flights.The overall operation was described as a smooth operation with excellent customer experience.

Up until today, British haj travel Aviation continues to expand its operations into different countries across different regions. In 1436/2015 British haj travel has successfully uplifted over 101,000 pilgrims and operated 335 flights for each phase a total of 671 Hajj flights to 17 countries in Africa, India and Central Asia.

Types of Umrah Packages:

Prime travel agency of the UK, British Hajj Travel Ltd is famous for offering best Hajj and Umrah deals to British pilgrims.

VIP Umrah 7 Nights  | Golden Umrah 7 Nights   |  Silver Umrah 7 Nights 

Deluxe Umrah 7 Nights  |  Ramadan Umrah Package (14 Night)

source: flynas.com