Oct 2, 2009

hadith

Friday is the best day of all and in the eye of Allah is more superior to Ghurbān and Fitr feasts.

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posted by Mohsen Feizian @ 10:13 PM

Sep 17, 2009

Was Islam Spread by the Sword?

It is a common misconception with some non-Muslims that Islam would not have millions of adherents all over the world if it had not been spread by the use of force. The following points will make it clear, that far from being spread by the sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible for the rapid spread of Islam. Islam has always given respect and freedom to all religions.
There are some facts that we can't ignore, for example Indonesia is the country that has the largest number of Muslims in the world, and the majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims but, no Muslim army ever went to Indonesia or Malaysia. It is an established historical fact that Indonesia entered Islam not due to war, but because of its moral message. Despite the disappearance of Islamic government from many regions once ruled by it, their original inhabitants have remained Muslims. Moreover, they carried the message of truth, inviting others to it as well, and in doing so they endured harm, affliction and oppression. The same can be said for those in the regions of Syria and Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, North Africa, Asia, the Balkans and in Spain

posted by Mohsen Feizian @ 12:52 PM

Bismillah (In the Name of Allah): Meaning of Bismillah, Power of Bismillah, Worth of Bismillah

Bismillah or in the Name of Allah is the start of all good things, so we shall start with it. This blessed phrase is mark of Islam, one constantly recited by all creatures through their tongues of disposition. If you want to perceive its inexhaustible source of strength and blessing, consider the following story:
Travelers in Arabian deserts must travel under a tribal chief’s name and protection, or else they will be bothered by bandits and unable to acquire what they need for the journey. Two people, one humble and the other arrogant, set out on a journey. The humble one obtained the name of a tribal chief; the arrogant one did not. The former traveled everywhere in safety. Whenever he met a bandit, he said: “I’m traveling in the name of this chief,” and so was left alone. He was treated with respect in every tent he entered. In contrast, the arrogant one suffered disaster and constant fear, for he had to struggle and beg for every need. He became basse and vile.
O arrogant soul! You are that traveler, and this world is the desert. Your weakness and poverty are endless, and the enemies and privations to which you are exposed are beyond number. Given this, invoke the name of the Eternal Owner and the Everlasting Ruler of this world, for only this can deliver you from such begging and fear

posted by Mohsen Feizian @ 12:49 PM

Sin

Two men came to Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (p.b.u.h) and said that they would like to do Tawbah (to ask for forgiveness of Allah) for their sins. The first man said that he had done a lot of small /minor sins while the second /one said that he had committed two big /major sins.
Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (p.b.u.h) told the first man to pick one small stone for each small sin that he had committed. Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (p.b.u.h) told the second man to bring a large boulder for each of his big sins. After a while both men came back to Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (p.b.u.h) having brought what they were asked to bring. Imam (p.b.u.h) now asked both of them to put back every stone in its place. The man with the two large boulders found it difficult to carry them back in their original place but eventually he managed. The man with the many small stones could not remember where he had picked all of them so he could not put them all back in their original place.
Therefore, it is very difficult to do Tawbah for the sins which seem small because we forget and take them for granted. That's why Imam Ali (p.b.u.h) has said: "The biggest sin is that which the doer considers the smallest."

posted by Mohsen Feizian @ 12:47 PM

I'tikaf

I'tikaf, spending the last ten days of Ramadan or some days in Rajab and Sha'ban in the Mosque, is a beautiful tradition of the holy Prophet (pbuh). After him his followers continued this practice of observing I'tikaf regularly. It is recommended that every Muslim makes at least one I'tikaf in his/her life. There must be at least few people in every community who should do it in every mosque, every year, to keep this tradition alive. People should do I'tikaf in the mosque so that they can pray in public and also offer the Friday prayers. There is a great blessing in I'tikaf and people who do it bring blessings upon themselves, upon their families, and upon the Muslim society at large.
During I'tikaf people should stay in the mosque day and night. They are allowed to eat inside the mosque, but if it is not convenient, they may go outside and come back as soon as they finish. During I'tikaf, one should spend most of his/her time in prayer, reading of the Koran and reflection. Engaging in business and other worldly conversations and activities is not allowed during I'tikaf. However, attending a funeral or visiting a sick person or leaving for any emergency is permissible.

posted by Mohsen Feizian @ 12:45 PM

prophet Joseph

After being imprisoned for a few years, God granted Joseph with the ability to interpret dreams, a power in which he became popular amongst the prisoners. In one occasion two less fortunate royal servants were thrown into the prison prior to Joseph's imprisonment. They were haunted by two ambiguous dreams and remained unaware of the dream due to the inability to interpret it until they heard about Joseph's popularity among the citizens. They went to Joseph to seek for his opinion and ask him if he could help them in solving the problems. Joseph asked them about the dreams they had, and one of them described that he saw himself in the vineyard picking grapes and pressing them into wine.
The other said to have seen himself holding a basket of bread on his head but then a bird came and took it from him. Joseph smiled to the first man and said that he will be released from the prison and he would serve the King but he warned the other one that he will soon die. One day, under the order of the King of Egypt, soldiers came to take the two men away, the King said one would be forgiven, the other will be executed.

posted by Mohsen Feizian @ 12:43 PM

Fasting

Fasting is not unique to Muslims. It has been practiced for centuries in connection with religious ceremonies by Christians, Jews, Hindus and many other religions. Some Native American societies fasted to avert catastrophe or to serve as apology for sin. Jews observe fasting as a form of penitence and purification annually on the Day of Atonement. On this day neither food nor drink is permitted.
Islam is the only religion that has retained the outward and spiritual dimensions of fasting throughout centuries. The most unruly human emotions such as pride, lust, envy, and anger are not easy to control, thus a person must strive hard to discipline them when fasting. Muslims fast to purify their soul because fasting puts a bridle on the most uncontrolled, savage human emotions. Fasting occurs once each year during the 9th lunar month, the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which the Koran was sent down as guidance for the people.

posted by Mohsen Feizian @ 12:41 PM