"But you cannot will, unless God wills. Indeed, God is ever All-Knowing, All-Wise." Quran (76:30)
“He is the First beginning and Ultimate end, Revealed to the world and Hidden within. The All-Knowing.”— The Qur’an, 57:3
Any Art fans here? This is a piece by Anselm Kiefer whom I recently discovered. Reminds me of a modern Totem pole depicting hyper-consumer culture.
Today, Patrice Lumumba was born. The man who led Congo to independence. Because he wanted his country free from Belgium and western allies, he was attacked and killed in a firing squad, hacked into pieces and dissolved into acid.
The great Hermann Hesse born on this day in 1877:"There's no reality except the one contained within us. That's why so many people live an unreal life. They take images outside them for reality and never allow the world within them to assert itself."
Yes, the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah was indeed a result of the persecution he and his followers faced in Makkah. The early years of Islam in Makkah were marked by opposition and persecution from the Quraysh, the dominant tribe of that region. The Quraysh leaders, who were polytheists, were hostile to the message of monotheism that the Prophet preached.
The persecution against Muslims grew severe, and they were subjected to various forms of harm and oppression. Torture, boycotts, and economic sanctions were some of the measures taken against the Muslim community. To ensure the safety and preservation of the Muslim community, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sought a new home in Madinah.
The leaders of Madinah, known as the Ansar (the Helpers), had embraced Islam and invited Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to migrate to their city. The Prophet accepted their invitation and, along with his close companion Abu Bakr, made the journey to Madinah. This migration marked a turning point in the history of Islam and served as the foundation for the establishment of the first Islamic state in Madinah.
The Hijrah not only provided a safe haven for Muslims but also set the stage for the spread of Islam. Madinah became the center of Islamic governance, where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught and implemented various aspects of Islamic law and principles. It also served as a base from which the Prophet and his companions launched defensive and offensive campaigns to protect the Muslim community and spread the message of Islam.
The Hijrah is a significant event in Islamic history and marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar. It symbolizes the resilience, courage, and faith of the early Muslim community and carries valuable lessons in perseverance, trust in God, and seeking refuge in a supportive community during times of adversity.
Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported Allāh's Messenger ﷺ as saying: “Allāh has mobile (squads) of angels, who have no other work (to attend to but) to follow the assemblies of ḏikr and when they find such assemblies in which there is ḏikr (of Allāh) they sit in them and some of them surround the others with their wings till the space between them and the sky of the world is fully covered, and when they disperse (after the assembly of ḏikr is adjourned) they go upward to the heaven and Allāh, the Exalted and Glorious, asks them although He is best informed about them:‘Where have you come from?’They (the angels) say: ‘We come from Thine servants upon the earth who had been glorifying Thee (reciting SubḥānAllāh), uttering Thine Greatness (reciting Allāhu Akbar) and uttering Thine Oneness (reciting Lā ʾilāha ʾillā llāh) and praising Thee (reciting Alḥamdulillāh) and begging of Thee.’Allāh would say: ‘What do they beg of Me?’ They (the angels) would say: ‘They beg of Thee the Paradise of Thine.’ Allāh would say: ‘Have they seen My Paradise?’ They (the angels) said: ‘No, our Lord.’ Allāh would say: ‘(What it would be then) if they were to see Mine Paradise?’ They (the angels) said: ‘They seek Thine protection.’ Allāh would say: ‘Against what do they seek protection of Mine?’ They (the angels) would say: ‘Our Lord, from the Hell-Fire.’Allāh would say: ‘Have they seen My Fire?’ They (the angels) would say: ‘No.’ Allāh would say: ‘What it would be if they were to see My Fire?’They (the angels) would say: ‘They beg of Thee forgiveness.’ Allāh would say: ‘I grant pardon to them, and confer upon them what they ask for and grant them protection against which they seek protection.’ They (the angels) would again say: ‘Our Lord, there is one amongst them such and such simple servant who happened to pass by (that assembly) and sat there along with them (who had been participating in that assembly).’ Allāh would say: ‘I also grant him pardon, for they are a people the seat-fellows of whom are in no way unfortunate.’[Ṣāḥīḥ Muslim 2689]
The Square and the Circle. Courtyard of the Palace of Charles V (1527) Spain.
“Do not think for a second that God is unaware of what the oppressors are doing.”— The Qur’an, 14:42
Mamluk, Ottoman, Safavid, Timurid, Mughal and Seljuk - Turkic dynasties.
Did you know one of the oldest Mosques in the world is in China?Dating back to the 7th century, Chinese Mosques are often built in a pagoda style with a combination of both Chinese & Islamic aesthetics - unlike familiar Mosque architecture.
Yes, you are correct. "Munawarah" is an Arabic word that means "enlightened" or "illuminated." It is commonly used as an epithet for Madinah, which is also known as Madinah Al-Munawarah. This holy city holds significant importance in Islam as it was the destination of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during his Hijrah (migration) from Makkah.
Madinah Al-Munawarah is known as the City of the Prophet because it was the site where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) established the first Islamic state and lived there for the last ten years of his life. It is a place of immense spiritual significance for Muslims around the world.
The name "Madinah" means "city" in Arabic, and "Al-Munawarah" emphasizes the city's state of being enlightened or illuminated. This illumination is not only in a physical sense but also refers to the spiritual enlightenment that resides in the hearts of those who visit and reside in this blessed city.
Muslims consider Madinah Al-Munawarah to be a place of peace, harmony, and tranquility, where they can nourish their faith and seek closeness to Allah. It is also the second holiest city in Islam, following Makkah. Thousands of Muslims visit Madinah each year to offer prayers, visit the Prophet's Mosque and his grave, and gain blessings from being in this blessed city.
By referring to Madinah as Madinah Al-Munawarah, Muslims acknowledge and honor the enlightenment and blessings associated with this sacred city.
Islam places a strong emphasis on tolerance and coexistence with people of different beliefs and backgrounds. The Quran, which is the central religious text of Islam, underscores the importance of tolerance and respect for diversity.
One of the fundamental teachings of Islam is the principle of "La Ikraha fi al-Din" meaning "There is no compulsion in religion." This verse from the Quran (2:256) recognizes that individuals should have the freedom to choose and practice their own faith. This shows that Islam promotes tolerance and rejects the idea of imposing one's beliefs on others.
Furthermore, Islam encourages Muslims to engage in respectful dialogue with people of different faiths in order to foster understanding and promote peaceful coexistence. In Surah Al-Kafirun (Quran 109:6), Muslims are instructed to say, "To you, your religion, and to me, mine," indicating the acceptance of diversity in religious beliefs.
Islam also highlights the importance of treating all people with kindness and fairness, regardless of their religious or ethnic background. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever is not kind to others, Allah will not be kind to him" (Bukhari). This serves as a reminder that Muslims are encouraged to show compassion and mercy to all people, regardless of their beliefs.
However, it is crucial to note that while Islam promotes tolerance, it does not mean that Muslims are expected to endorse or accept all beliefs and practices. Islam teaches its followers to hold firmly to their own faith while respecting the rights of others to hold different beliefs.
In conclusion, Islam promotes tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and respect for diversity. Muslims are encouraged to display kindness and compassion towards all people, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds, in accordance with the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Hajj Stats 2023
