December 5, 2008
MAKKAH: Pilgrims prayed throughout Friday prayers indoors the Holy mosque in Mecca. Muslims from all over the world are graceful into the Saudi city of Mecca, just hour’s prior to the start of the once a year Hajj pilgrimage.
At least 2.5 million Muslims are expected to join the annual custom, which begins on Saturday.
Saudi Arabia has deployed some 100,000 security individual to make sure the protection of those making the pilgrimage. Helicopters, armored vehicles, ambulances and fire trucks are also part of the security process.
Saudi Arabia has used up more than $1 billion upgrading a two-level walker bridge to avoid the deadly stampedes that have taken place during the Hajj in recent years.
The pilgrimage is one of Islam’s five obligations. Every Muslim, if capable, must perform it at least once during his or her lifetime.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Tags: $ 1 Billion Upgrading, 000 Security, 100, 2.5 Million, Asia, MAKKAH, MECCA, Middle East, muslims, Pilgrimage, Saudi ArabiaSeptember 30, 2008
The moon of Shawwal was sighted on Saturday and the Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated today, Sunday.
Chairman Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Mufti Munibur Rehman announced, “the Shawwal moon was sighted so Eid will be celebrated on November-14, 2004”.
Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated across the country with customary zeal and a renewed pledge to strengthen national solidarity, and cement bonds of brotherhood in the Ummah.
Faithful will throng mosques and Eidgahs to offer Eid prayers at over 500 places in different parts of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Like every year, the biggest Eid congregation in the capital will be held at the Faisal Mosque.
Special Prayers
Special prayers for the liberation of all occupied Muslim territories including held Jammu and Kashmir, Palestine, Bosnia and Chechnya will be offered, and for strengthening the national solidarity, integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan.
Ulema and Khateebs will deliver special sermons and lectures to highlight the significance of this sacred festival, and call upon the Muslim from all walks of life to follow the teachings of Islam and mould their lives in accordance with the cardinal principles of Islam.
Call to Ummah
Religious scholars from diverse schools of thought will stress upon the need of forging unity in the ranks of the Muslim Ummah, to shun petty differences and unite against the evil forces which are bent upon to create hatred among various sects of the Islamic society.
All channels of radio and television in Pakistan have chalked out a series of special programmes to celebrate the festival in a befitting manner, and colourful programmes will be presented on the occasion. Print and E-media will also take out special supplements to highlight the distinctive features of the festival.
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Tags: eid, eidulfitr, Islam, muslims, PakistanSeptember 1, 2008
Fasting is another unique moral and spiritual characteristic of Islam. Literally defined, fasting means to abstain “completely” from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. But if we restrict the meaning of the Islamic Fasting to this literal sense, we would be sadly mistaken.
When Islam introduced this matchless institution, it planted an ever-growing tree of infinite virtue and invaluable products. Here is an explanation of the spiritual meaning of the Islamic Fasting:
- It teaches man the principle of sincere Love: because when he observes Fasting he does it out of deep love for God. And the man who loves God truly is a man who really knows what love is.
- It equips man with a creative sense of hope and an optimistic outlook on life; because when he fasts he is hoping to please God and is seeking His Grace.
- It imbues in man the genuine virtue of effective devotion, honest dedication and closeness to God; because when he fasts he does so for God and for His sake alone.
- It cultivates in man a vigilant and sound conscience; because the fasting person keeps his fast in secret as well as in public. In fasting, especially, there is no mundane authority to check man’s behavior or compel him to observe fasting. He keeps it to please God and satisfy his own conscience by being faithful in secret and in public. There is no better way to cultivate a sound conscience in man.
- It indoctrinates man in patience and selflessness, as through fasting, he feels the pains of deprivation but he endures them patiently.
- It is an effective lesson in applied moderation and willpower.
- Fasting also provides man with a transparent soul, a clear mind and a light body.
- It shows man a new way of wise savings and sound budgeting.
- It enables man to master the art of Mature Adaptability. We can easily understand the point once we realize that fasting makes man change the entire course of his daily life.
- It grounds man in discipline and healthy survival.
- It originates in man the real spirit of social belonging, unity and brotherhood, of equality before God as well as before the law.
- It is a Godly prescription for self-reassurance and self-control.
Now, someone may be tempted to raise the objection: If this is the case with the Islamic institution of fasting, and if this is the picture of Islam in this aspect, why are the Muslims not living in a utopia? To such an objection we can only say that Muslims have lived in and enjoyed a utopia in a certain epoch of their history. The realization of that utopia was a phenomenon of a unique achievement in the history of man. We say unique, because no religion or social system other than Islam has ever been able to realize its ideals in reality.
The reason why the Islamic utopia is not being established nowadays is manifold and easily explicable. But to restrict our discussion to the institution of fasting we may say that some Muslims, unfortunately for them, do not observe the fast or, at best, adopt the attitude of indifference. On the other hand, some of those who observe it do not realize its true meaning and, as a result, derive very little benefit out of it or, in fact, no benefit at all. That is why some Muslims today, do not enjoy the real privileges of fasting.
It has already been indicated that the period of obligatory fasting is the month of Ramadan. The daily period of observance starts before the break of the dawn ant ends immediately after sunset. Normally there are accurate calendars to toll the exact time, but in the absence of such facilities one should consult one’s watch and the sun’s positions, together with the local newspapers, weather bureau, etc.
Fasting Ramadan is obligatory on every responsible and fit Muslim. But there are other times when it is recommended to make voluntary fasting, after the Traditions of Prophet Muhammad. Among these times are Mondays and Thursdays of every week, a few days of each month in the two months heralding the coming of Ramadan, i.e., Rajab and Sha’ban, six days after Ramadan following the ‘Eid-ul-Fitr Day. Besides, it is always compensating to fast any day of any month of the year, except the ‘Eid Days and Fridays when no Muslim should fast.
However, we may repeat that the only obligatory fasting is that of Ramadan - which may be 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon’s positions. This is a pillar of Islam, and any failure to observe it without reasonable excuses is a grave sin in the sight of God.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Tags: fasting, Islam, muslims, patience, ramadan, ramdhan, ReligiousApril 7, 2008
Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world’s population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to be associated with their faith.
The word “Islam” itself means “Submission to Allah.” The religion of Islam is not named after a person as in the case of “Christianity” which was named after Jesus Christ, “Buddhism” after Gutama Buddha , “Marxism” after Karl Marx, and “Confucianism” after Confucius.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Tags: humanity, Islam, muslims, peaceMarch 28, 2008
The dutch member of parliment Wilders released his movie fitna recently on the internet which will create tension in Holand. The Dutch Prime minister Jan Peter said the movie does not reflect true Islamic aspects rather it is based on assumptions by the director. He said Islam never preach the things which is shown in this movie. He condemn the act of the movie director by showing such things which can raise tension in his country which is a peaceful land.
This kind of movie only can give pain to Muslims and will create a gulf between Muslims and westerns. The peoples like Wilders should be punished by the authorities in order to stop propaganda against Muslims. Islam is a peaceful religion. Any muslim never showed any hatered towards other religeon because Islamic preaching forbid its followers to do so. It is my request to the world especially the western to understand the Islamic preachings, istead of creating hatred in this beautiful world try to spread love and peace. The wilder act may raise anger in muslims and direct towards a dire consequences to be faced by innocent peoples. The war on terrorism can only be ended through talks and understanding, these kind of Muslim against activities will lead towards a non peaceful planet.
On behalf of apnaavenue.co i really condemn Wilder on releasing his movie which is based on lie and hatred.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Tags: fitna, holand, movie, muslims, Religious, wilderMarch 24, 2008
The publishing of cartoons is a shameful act of Dennish publishing press. Dennish government should take a step to stop this unethical and shameful act against the feelings of Muslim. Islam is a religeon of peace and strictly refrain Muslims from acting or behaving against non Muslims. Muslims also expect the same thing from non Muslims. It is a very bad act to disturb others feeling. These kinds of acts leads towards brutal actions. The world is already in a blood shed so it is my humble request to the social societies of the world to respect others feeling. If the acts like happened in Denmark will carry on then the dream of peaceful world cannot be achieved. I again on behalf of apnaavenue.com condemn the cowardly act of Dennish publisher.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Tags: denmark, muslims, peace, Religious