LOVING JESUS (AND GOD) DEMANDS That You Obey His Commands

Celebrating Jesus’ Birthday
Loving Jesus (And God)
Demands That You
Obey His Commands

(M. Javed Naseem)

“Rich people who see a brother or sister
in need, yet close their hearts against them,
cannot claim that they love God.” 

(1-John 3:17)

December is the month of celebration and festivities as the Christian world celebrates the birthday of Prophet Jesus, son of Mary, presumed to be the 25th of December. Christmas is a billion-dollar business in the Americas alone. Every store-owner or shopkeeper counts on huge Christmas sales. But that’s the material side attributed to a Prophet’s life. Christmas is a lot more than that.

Since Prophet Jesus was appointed by our Lord God as the guide and savior of the nation of his time, it is only befitting that his teachings are followed and his commands obeyed. There is no better tribute to him than that. The best way to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Jesus is to follow his footsteps. He showed the Jews and the tribes of Bani Israel how to live simple life and please the Almighty Lord at the same time. He was an upright man who was blessed by the Lord God to perform miracles. He healed the sick and cured the suffering mankind. Those who claim to love Jesus, should emulate the character of Jesus in their real life by pursuing righteousness; bestowing upon others compassion and love; and worshiping One God. Those who don’t like to do that, shouldn’t call themselves Christians!

Since lots of pagans and idol-worshipers accepted the religion promoted by Prophets Moses and Jesus, they didn’t abandon everything from paganism. They brought those customs and traditions into the new religion to make it more suitable to themselves. That’s how all religions changed in this world. People want something easy and comfortable to practice as religion. Pagan traditions are being practiced by the followers of all major religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

A Christian activist asks:
Santa Claus: The Ultimate in Fake News (a.k.a. What The F… Are We Celebrating?)

“Why do we persist with the Santa Claus mythology? Do we really need all the lies and ‘naughty/nice’ behavioral rewarding to have a meaningful annual midwinter celebration? Instead of fiction, it is time instead to celebrate the true magic and wonder around us”, says Ethan Indigo Smith (a writer/activist at the Wake Up World).

For children who have just learned or realized the truth, the lie is everywhere we look at Christmas time. It’s at home, in schools, on the news; even the local weather forecasters cooperate with powerful military institutions like NORAD (the North American Aerospace Defense Command) lie to us! And we play along without a moment to process our loss, lest we poop the party for younger, still-ignorant children. (Never mind that ours is the only culture on Earth to base its major holy-day on a foundation of pure fictional fabrication, forgoing reality to celebrate the bounty of a deliberately false patriarch.)

In a sense the Santa Claus story is the biggest series of lies on the planet — the mother of all ‘fake news’ — because most of the white western world eats up and regurgitates it all cyclically. We all know it’s a lie, but most of us don’t question its effect on our children’s psychological and spiritual development. The Santa Claus story is not the worst of the big lies, not by far; especially when compared to the lies that underpin the financial, political and education systems, energy and resources, nuclear experimentation, and countless other industries that destroy our Earth Mother; or to the lies that inspire people to kill on behalf of religious, or national institutions. But it is one of the big lies in our lives, and it does have an effect– and arguably, a purpose.
(Courtesy: Wake-Up-World. Santa Claus: The Ultimate in ‘Fake News’ (a.k.a. What The #$*! Are We Celebrating?)

Jesus Christ was known for many of his miracles that gave new life to scores of people. He gave them direction with the Divine support as he was a Prophet of God. People were so impressed that, out of love and respect, they falsely proclaimed him as son of God and then as God, and started worshiping him.

Commemorating the occasion of Jesus’ birth, it is only befitting that I share with you some beautiful quotes of that great personality of human history. The best tribute to Jesus is that we respect and obey his commands and follow his teachings.

According to The Bible, Here Are The Teachings of Jesus Christ:

1-Corinthians 10:24
“None of you should be looking out for your own interests, but for the interests of others.”

Romans 12:13
“Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians, and open your homes to strangers.”

Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to set free the oppressed and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people.”

James 2:15-16
“Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don’t have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them, ‘God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!’ – if you don’t give them the necessities of life?”

Luke 18:29
"You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and mother!’”

James 4:1
“What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?”

1-Peter 2:17
“Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king!”

Ephesians 6:1-3
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.” 

2-Timothy 3:1-2
“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy.”

Luke 18:29
"You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and mother!’”

James 4:1
“What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?”

1-Peter 2:17
“Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king!”

Ephesians 6:1-3
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.”

2-Timothy 3:1-2

“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy.”

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THE EVIL EMPIRE IS DESTROYING World Peace ...

 

The Evil Empire Is Destroying

World Peace By Playing Game

of ‘Death & Destruction’ In

The Middle East & Ukraine

(M. Javed Naseem)

“When it is said to them, ‘Make not mischief

on the earth’, they say: ‘Why, we only want to

make peace.’ Of a surety, they are the ones

who make mischief, but they realize it not.”

(al-Quran 2:11-12)

“… Then fear the Fire whose fuel is men and stones,

which is prepared for those who reject Faith.”

(al-Quran 2:24)

The New World Order is destroying the world peace and spreading violence and chaos. The ‘fear-mongering’ tactics and blackmailing threats are working well and bearing fruits, although those fruits are bitter and poisonous. The evil elite is so serious about their agenda of the world hegemony that they are going all out to implement it, no matter how many humans are killed and how many towns are destroyed. The world peace is just a dream now.

We have seen the despicable tactics of ‘divide & rule’ being used in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and other countries. Terrorist groups were created, trained and sponsored to play with bombs and bullets in those countries. Weapons, ammunition, equipment and logistics were provided free of cost, and the Zionist media gave extensive publicity/coverage (using fake news and disinformation too) to achieve the goal. The Middle East has been turned into hell for the last 20 years or more. Proxy wars and terrorist activities are spreading in many areas and there is no end in sight.

9/11 was the biggest lie and deception of the modern history, and then came Corona virus or Covid. Millions of people were killed, paralyzed and made sick while the evil pharma companies reaped billions of dollars in profits every year in the name of pandemic and vaccine. And it is not over yet. They bring it back by ‘discovering’ new variations with funky names. All corrupt government of the world are playing along, fooling their own nations and making billions in drug sales at the same time. The truth is suppressed; opposition is crushed and the freedom of expression is no more.

Robert Redfield, a former director of the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), has claimed that Covid-19 was artificially developed, and that the US played a “substantial” role in starting the pandemic.

Redfield, who led the agency under the administration of US President Donald Trump, made the claim in an interview that was released on November 14, but only drew media attention this week.

Speaking to author and podcaster Dana Parish, he suggested that the virus was “intentionally engineered as a part of a biodefense program.” “When you look at the accountability for China, their accountability is not in the lab work and the creation of the virus,” but in their failure to quickly report the incident to health authorities worldwide including the CDC, when they realized the virus was on the loose, he said.

However, the US “role was substantial,” he added. “They funded the research, both from NIH [National Institutes of Health], the State Department’s USAID and the Defense Department.”

(Robert Redfield. © Andrew Harnik-Pool / Getty Images)

rt.com reports:

"Covid-19 Was Artificially Developed And US Played

Substantial Role In Causing Pandemic” – ex-CDC Chief

Several US government agencies helped to fund lab work that led to the creation of the

coronavirus, according to Robert Redfield.

New study claims to pinpoint Covid-19 source

According to the former CDC chief, the “scientific mastermind behind the research” was Dr. Ralph Baric, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on coronaviruses. Redfield suggested that the professor, who works at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was “very involved in this research.” 

“I think he probably helped create some of the original viral line”, Redfield said, admitting he did not have any proof. “I think there is a real possibility that the virus’s birthplace was Chapel Hill.”

Redfield previously said the Covid-19 pandemic, which killed more than seven million people worldwide and caused a global economic downturn, most likely started with a lab leak in Wuhan, China, and suggested that the debate on the virus’s origins was “squashed.” He has also criticized the World Health Organization (WHO) for failing to hold Beijing accountable.

One of the prevailing theories of the origin of the Covid pandemic is that the virus was transmitted to humans from an animal, possibly a bat, at a food market. China has maintained that the virus is of natural origin, and has dismissed the laboratory leak theory as an attempt to smear the country for political reasons.

“US played ‘substantial’ role in causing Covid pandemic”, said the ex-CDC chief. ‘Several US government agencies helped to fund lab work that led to the creation of the coronavirus’, according to Robert Redfield. Redfield, a former director of the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), has claimed that Covid-19 was artificially developed, and that the US played a “substantial” role in starting the pandemic. Redfield, who led the agency under the administration of US President Donald Trump, made the claim in an interview that was released on November 14, but only drew media attention this week.

Speaking to author and podcaster Dana Parish, he suggested that the virus was “intentionally engineered as a part of a biodefense program.” “When you look at the accountability for China, their accountability is not in the lab work and the creation of the virus,” but in their failure to quickly report the incident to health authorities worldwide including the CDC, when they realized the virus was on the loose, he said.

However, the US “role was substantial,” he added. “They funded the research, both from NIH [National Institutes of Health], the State Department’s USAID and the Defense Department.”

According to the former CDC chief, the “scientific mastermind behind the research” was Dr. Ralph Baric, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on coronaviruses. Redfield suggested that the professor, who works at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was “very involved in this research.” 

“I think he probably helped create some of the original viral line”, Redfield said, admitting he did not have any proof. “I think there is a real possibility that the virus’s birthplace was Chapel Hill.”

Redfield previously said the Covid-19 pandemic, which killed more than seven million people worldwide and caused a global economic downturn, most likely started with a lab leak in Wuhan, China, and suggested that the debate on the virus’s origins was “squashed.” He has also criticized the World Health Organization (WHO) for failing to hold Beijing accountable.

(Courtesy: https://www.rt.com/news/607966-us-covid-origin-claim/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Email)

**************

THE MESSAGE IS DELIVERED. The Ball Is In Your Court Now!

 

The Message Is Delivered.

The Ball Is In Your Court Now.

Act Wisely To Avoid Punishment!

(M. Javed Naseem)

اگرچہ بت ہیں جماعت کی آستینوں میں

مجھے ہے حکم اذاں ، لا الہ الا اللہ

(علامہ اقبال)

(‘Although there are hypocrites among the Ummah,

I am commanded to proclaim (the Truth) that

there is no god but Allah’ – (Allama Iqbal)

Thinker of the East and the poet philosopher who gave the idea of a Muslim homeland (Pakistan) to the believers of the Sub-continent – Dr. Mohammad Iqbal – regretfully expressed his concern in the above verse. But he was an optimist and saw the potential in the Ummah. He was very steadfast in his effort and despite all odds followed the same path which our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was commanded in the Holy Quran to follow: Deliver the message!

“And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) save
as a bringer of good tidings and a warner unto all
mankind; but most of mankind know not.”
(al-Quran 34:28)

“And our (Prophet’s) duty is but plain
conveyance (of the Message).”
(al-Quran 36:17)

“You are (O Muhammad) but a warner.”
(al-Quran 35:23)

“O Prophet! Lo, We have sent you as a witness
and a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And
as a summoner unto Allah by His permission,
and as a lamp that gives light.”
(al-Quran 33:45-46)

“But the messenger has no other charge
than to convey (the message) plainly.”
(al-Quran 24:54)

The duty of the Messengers of Allah had been to convey the divine Message to the mankind. All of them did that to the best of their abilities. It was up to us, the people, to accept the Message and follow the path prescribed by the Creator of mankind. The Prophets are not responsible for the actions or deeds of the people and they will not be asked by Allah about that. We are responsible for our own actions and only that will decide our fate. We have to carry our own burden. The Prophets conveyed the Message and told people how to follow the commands of Allah. They led by example. Those who
followed them successfully, they were the winners in the Hereafter. But those who didn’t follow them, and rather did mischief/evil, they would face the wrath of Allah. We cannot deny the revelations of Allah and escape from Him. There is nowhere to go!

“Lo, this Quran is a Reminder.
Let him, who will, then choose
a way unto his Lord.”
(al-Quran 73:19)

The Almighty Allah says that Quran is a Reminder to the mankind. And all preachers are making an effort to remind you of the Holy Reminder (The Quran). If we want to succeed, we need to bring Allah back into our lives. It requires a strong determination, honesty and sincerity – and sacrifice, of course. It is very important and at the same time very rewarding too. It is very difficult but that is the way. As a matter of fact, there is no other way. We don’t have a choice – we have sort of a choice between Heaven and Hell, but who will choose Hell over Heaven?

Hypocrisy (‘Munafiqat’) has been the dilemma of Muslim Ummah for centuries. There are always a few who will sell their conscience, their faith or Iman, their motherland, their honor and their dignity for petty material gains. They try to win the comforts of this world in exchange to the Hereafter – and eventually end up losing both of them.

“Bear unto the hypocrites the tidings
that for them there is a painful doom.”
(al-Quran 4:138)

“Lo! The hypocrites (will be) in the
lowest deep of the Fire, and you will
find no helper for them.”
(al-Quran 4:145)

The Almighty Allah told the Prophet (s.a.w.) that his job was to convey the message to the mankind. It is up to people whether they accept the divine message, believe in One God or not. This is actually called ‘Dawah’ in Islam. All Prophets of Allah did that and Dr. Mohammad Iqbal followed the prophetic tradition. He always tried to remind Muslims of the divine message in a meaningful
way. This little article is part of a wake-up call to the Ummah so that they revert to Allah. The forces of evil are once again all around us and are determined to destroy the Muslim Ummah. It is time to wake up and stand up to them. We need to get united, find a common goal and adopt a common strategy to thwart this malicious attack. Mind it, it is getting late! The time is running out! Open the Book (Holy Quran) to find the solution to the problems we are facing today.

The forces of evil are controlling the media and all other sources of information or education. They are misleading simple people by their crooked ways, lies, false propaganda and deception. It is our responsibility to find out the truth, dig out the reality and do the research for our own good. Nobody else will do it for us. The evil-doers are strong and have all the resources of the world to their disposal. These resources are being used to mislead those who want to follow the ways of Allah. They forget that it is Allah Who is controlling the Heavens and the earth and whatever is between them. He gives people enough time to correct their mistakes, repent and revert to the right path. If they choose not to, then they will be the greatest losers in this world as well as in the Hereafter.

“Who debar (men) from the way of Allah
and would have it crooked, and who are
disbelievers in the Hereafter. Such will
not escape in the earth, nor have they any
protecting friends besides Allah. For them
the torment will be double. They could not
bear to hear, and they used not to see. Such
are they who have lost their souls, and that
which they used to invent has failed them.
Assuredly, in the Hereafter they will be the
greatest losers.”
(al-Quran 11:19-22)

When we accepted the Message and said “La ilaha illa Allah” (There is no god but Allah), we, in fact, agreed to abide by the rules and regulations prescribed for us in the Holy Book (Quran) by Allah. Then how dare we violate the laws of Allah? At so many places in the Holy Quran, the Almighty reminds us of our obligations and codes of ethics. Why don’t we pay attention?

“Lo, Allah enjoins justice and kindness,
and giving to kinsfolk, and forbids
lewdness and abomination and wickedness.
He exhorts you in order that
you may take heed.”
(al-Quran 16:90)

“Confound not truth with falsehood,
nor knowingly conceal the truth! Establish
worship, pay the poor-due (Zakat), and bow
your heads with those who bow (in worship)!”
(al-Quran 2:42-43)

“Eat and drink of that which Allah has
provided, and do not act corruptly,
making mischief in the earth!”
(al-Quran 2:60)

There is absolutely no confusion or ambiguity in these commands of Allah. They are as clear as sunlight. Nobody, in his right frame of mind, can say that he did not get the message or did not understand it. The sins we commit unintentionally or intentionally, can be forgiven by Allah, if we repent and don’t repeat them. But the evil deeds we commit intentionally, cannot go without reprimand or punishment unless we repent and seek forgiveness. The Almighty Allah has warned in the Holy Quran. These warnings cannot be ignored.

“And whoso among you does wrong, We
shall make him taste great torment.”
(al-Quran 25:19)

“We destroyed the generations before you
when they did wrong; and their Messengers
(from Allah) came unto them with clear
proofs (of His sovereignty), but they
would not believe. Thus do We reward
the guilty folk.”
(al-Quran 10:13)

Can there be any warning clearer than that? No, absolutely not! Then why don’t we pay attention and correct our ways? Nobody wants to go to Hell. Logically, it is very difficult to understand why should people choose the ways to destruction? Everybody knows that so many nations and generations of the old had been destroyed because they chose the evil ways of living. They violated the divine laws and they got what they deserved. What guarantee do we have that it won’t happen to us if we continue to follow the path of evil?

“Because of their sins they (the tribes
of Noah) were drowned, then made to
enter a Fire. And they found they had
no helpers in place of Allah.”
(al-Quran 71:25)

**************

LEADERS HAVE BETRAYED The Muslim Ummah.

 

Leaders Have Betrayed

Muslim Ummah!

They Are Trying To Please The

Zionists To Stay In Power While

Their Towns Are Being Bombed

(M. Javed Naseem)

 

Muslims are going through Hell in many countries but, in particular, they are facing genocide in Palestine. The entire world is watching and nobody is taking any action to stop the evil Zionist hand of oppression. On the other hands, in many Muslim countries, especially Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Lebanon and Egypt, the concerts of dance & music; and film/TV award ceremonies are being held at the same time when Israeli armed forces are bombing Palestine, Syria and South Lebanon. This is height of shamelessness and hypocrisy on the part of the Muslims governments running those countries. How do they think that they will be spared by the evil forces committing genocide in their countries? Or, are they working for those Zionist evil forces? It is not a surprise when you realize that the history of Muslim Ummah is full of traitors and Munafiqeen. Allah the Almighty asks the Muslim leaders in particular and the Muslim Ummah in general:

“And why should you not fight in the cause

of Allah and of those who, being weak, are

ill-treated (and oppressed)?-- Men, women,

and children, whose cry is: "Our Lord!

Rescue us from this town, whose people

are oppressors; and raise for us from you

one who will protect; and raise for us

from you one who will help!"

(al-Quran 4:75)

To pacify the Muslim populations in their countries, the leaders are traveling here and there (enjoying tourism), having banquets and attending entertainment functions. They also hold ‘meetings’ to fool their own people claiming that they are trying to find out some solution to the current problem. They never reached any concrete, solid and effective decision to help their suffering population. Their meetings are just formalities to calm down the Ummah while the game of death & destruction continues without any respite. When are they going to wake up? When are they going to fight back for their own rights and liberties? Or are they content with this shameful slavery? At least their leaders are! Nobody is trying to restore peace and justice.

Muslim leadership of today is full of hypocrites who say something else and do something else. Those Munafiqeen are openly disobeying Allah’s commands and boldly violating the tenets of Islam. They are enjoying dictatorial powers and chant the songs of democracy to deceive their own nations. The whole world knows them well but they can still fool people in their own countries. Nobody has the courage or the means to bring them to justice. Therefore, the corruption is at peak. Those who are in the corridors of power, they are enjoying the benefits and the fruits of corruption. They are not interested in changing the situation. But the commands of Allah the Almighty are clearly there in the Quran to remind all Muslims about their responsibilities in such situations.

“And fight in the way of Allah with those

who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits,

surely Allah does not love those who exceed the

limits. And kill them wherever you find them,

and drive them out from whence they drove you

out, and persecution is severer than slaughter.”

(al-Quran 2:190-191)

_{Humanity has been facing such situations throughout history and the righteous people always suffered, whether it was Roman times, Jewish times or the Christian Times. Now, the last nation, the Muslim Ummah, is also going through the same situation. The Bible reminds us of such plight of the earlier nations with verses like this:}

_{“For your hands are defiled with blood, and your}

_{fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies,}

_{your tongue hath muttered perverseness.”}

_{(Isaiah 59:3)}

Matthew 23:27-28

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”

“In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”

1-John 4:20

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

Hypocrisy and corruption has destroyed the fabric of our society. People are chasing money and material benefits. Moral values have disappeared and codes of ethics are only decorating the books. The Torah, the Bible and the Quran have become pieces of decoration in our homes. Nobody follows them as they are being used for references only. These are the End Times and we were warned of that.

We need to stand up for freedom, justice and peace. If there is no justice, there would be no peace. The game of death & destruction needs to be stopped with an iron hand. The nations of the world need to get together and stop the genocide in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and other countries. The Muslim population of the countries of the world should demand their leadership and respective governments to work for peace, prosperity and economic development. Looks like we have already lost the game to the evil rich and powerful forces of the Devil. But there is always hope!

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ALLAH SAYS: 'I Answer The Prayer Of The Suppliant When He Cries Unto Me.'

 

The Magic Of Prayer/Dua

Allah Says:

'I Answer The Prayer

Of The Suppliant When

He Cries Unto Me!'

(M. Javed Naseem)

'And when my servants question
you (O Muhammad) concerning Me,
then surely I am nigh. I answer the
prayer of the suppliant when he cries
unto Me. So, let them hear My call
and let them trust in Me, in order
that they may be led aright.’
(al-Quran 2:186)

When we offer prayer (Salat), we whisper with Allah, the Almighty. It means that we are communicating with our Creator directly, one on one. Sometimes when you don’t offer prayer and say that you don’t have time for it or you forgot to offer prayer, that's Devil's influence. He tries his best to distance you from your Lord so that you stay away from performing good deeds. We need to be more careful and vigilant in view of our lives in the Hereafter. It demands strict discipline and patient perseverance.

We are humans and we all make mistakes. We are sinners but the better sinners in the eyes of God are those who repent after the sins and try to change their ways. Allah is the most merficul and He forgives us every time we cry unto Him. One should not be persistent in committing sins because that will lead us to habitual disobedience and eventually rebellion. Allah does not like rebellion or disobedience. Disobedience and rebellion are punished.

‘And there may spring from you,
a nation who invite to goodness,
and enjoin right conduct and
forbid indecency. Such are they
who are successful.’
(al-Quran 3:104)

 Think about your faith (Iman), its level, its intensity and its depth! The more you put your trust in Allah, the stronger your faith (Iman) becomes. But if your faith is so weak that it cannot carry you to your local mosque nearby for prayer, how would it carry you to Paradise on the Day of Judgment? As a matter of fact, your journey to Paradise has already started with your birth. It is up to you to make it worthwhile. You work on your Hereafter (Aakhirah) right here in this world and go through tests & trials. Only the result would be declared on the Day of Judgment.

Did you ever try to understand the meanings of the call for prayer? Pick up a booklet on the subject of ‘Salat’ and read the translation of ‘Azan’ and the contents of ‘Salat’. When the caller (Mouazzan) says: ‘Haeya al-alfalah’, he is saying; ‘Come to the success’.

Now, everybody wants to be successful in life because it is considered to be the ultimate goal. But ironically when the caller (Mouazzan) invites us to success five times a day, we ignore it with one excuse or the other. We are looking for success all over the world, throughout our lifetime, but don’t find it. On the other hand when success itself calls us, we don’t even respond. Funny?

We measure success on the scale of wealth or material possessions. Wealth and material possessions are temporary for this world only. A Muslim should always think about the Hereafter, because, according to the Quran, that's the real and everlasting life. This world is a trial for us. Try to live in the world like a traveller, as if you were just passing by. Don’t let the world live in you while you are living in this world temporarily. Because a boat floats well as long as it stays in the water, but if the water stays in the boat, it sinks.

We all believe luck. Most of the times we Muslims say that everything is pre-destined, whatever we do, wherever we go, whatever we get or don’t get, whatever we achieve, etc. This is true to some extent, not hundred percent. Certain things have been pre-destines while for others we are given freedom of choice. And those are the affairs that can be influenced by prayer. Allah has taught His creation how to pray, how to beg for His mercy or how to supplicate for His blessings. When humans pray, Allah likes it, listens to it and grants it. You can change things with prayer! Had Allah pre-destined every little affair as ‘luck’, He would not have taught humans to pray or supplicate (Dua). Prayer is not a spare wheel that you pull out when in trouble. It is a steering wheel that directs you to the right path throughout. As human beings we get frustrated over small failures and sometimes we lose hope. That is not the right attitude. Never lose hope! Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, Allah smiles from above and seems like saying: ‘Relax, it’s just a bend, not the end.’ He tells us not to despair.

All things in life are temporary. If it is going well, enjoy it. It is not going to last for ever. And if it is not going well, don’t worry. It can’t last long either. Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles, it rather takes away today’s peace. Try to be content with whatever God has given you. But
trust Him and thank Him for His blessings for the future. And pray for it.

 

Look at the birds how they put their trust in Allah. Every morning they leave home in search of food (or Allah’s bounty). They don’t even know where they are going and what they are going to get to eat. Allah takes care of them and provides them with food and water. Every evening when they fly back home, they carry no food in their beaks for tomorrow. They trust their Creator for that. Learn ‘Tawakkal’ (trust) from the birds.

God listens to everybody’s prayers, especially those who are in distress, and He answers them too. When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them. And sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone else has prayed for you. Prayer brings peace to your mind and heart. Prayer can do magic. Put that magic to work!

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THE AMPHITHEATRE OF EL-JEM: The Unique Roman Landmark In Africa.

 

Visiting Tunisia-III

The Amphitheatre of el-Jem

Is The Unique Roman

Landmark In Africa

(M. Javed Naseem)

 

The Amphiteatre of el-Jem (Tunisia) is the second biggest (the first is in Rome, Italy) Roman collosseum in the world. It is Tunisia's star attraction and draws visitors from all over the world. A visit to Tunisia cannot be considered complete without visiting this landmark in el-Jem. The amphitheatre of El Jem is the third amphitheatre built on the same place. It is very well preserved and well-maintained too. The entree fee is 12-Dinars ($3.50) and you can wander in all three floors and the slave quarters/prisons in the basement too. It is just aweful and offers some amazing views. While wandering in the corridors of this huge colloseum, you can easily get lost in time and the ancient history.

History

The amphitheatre was built around 238 AD in Thyusdrus, located in the Roman province of Africa Proconsularis, in present-day El Djem, Tunisia. It is one of the best preserved Roman stone ruins in the world, and is unique in Africa. As other amphitheatres in the Roman Empire, it was built for spectator events, and it is one of the biggest amphitheatres in the world. The estimated capacity is 35,000, and the sizes of the big and the small axes are respectively 148 metres (486 ft) and 122 metres (400 ft). The amphitheatre is built of stone blocks, located on a flat ground, and is exceptionally well conserved. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The amphitheatre of El Jem is the third amphitheatre built on the same place. The belief is that it was constructed by the local proconsul Gordian, who became emperor as Gordian-II. In the Middle Ages, it served as a fortress, and the population sought shelter here during the attacks of vandals in 430 and Arabs in 647. In 1695, during the Revolutions of Tunis, Mohamed Bey El Mouradi made an opening in one of the walls to stop the resistance of the followers of his brother Ali Bey al-Muradi who gathered inside the amphitheater.

It is believed that the amphitheatre was used as a saltpetre manufacture in the end of the 18th and in the 19th century. Around 1850, the breach in the wall was enlarged by Ahmad ibn Mustafa to approximately 30 metres (98 ft). In the second half of the 19th century, the structure was used for shops, dwellings, and grain storage.

Muslim History

Mohamed Bey el-Mouradi was a Muradid leader and Bey (Governor) of Tunis from the year 1675 until his death in 1696. He was the eldest son of Murad-II Bey.

Mohamed Bey's reign was plagued with upheaval and civil war worsened by constant raiding from neighboring Algiers. His uncle, Pasha Mohammed Al-Hafsi and brother Ali bin Murad would attempt several times to usurp the throne. Al-Hafsi was exiled in 1679 but Ali bin Murad, disappointed by his share in the division of power sought refuge in the Beylik of Constantine, a governorate of the Regency of Algiers. He brought the tribes of northwest Tunisia led by Muhammad ben Cheker over to his side with promises of gold and silver.

He besieged Tunis, while Muhammad Bey al-Muradi fled from Tunis to Kairouan before the troops of his brother arrived. Ali besieged the city but Muhammad broke out of the siege, and met Ali on the field of battle. The Battle of El Kerima, which took place on the plain of Fahs in 1677 was decisively won by Ali. He had his troops besiege Kairouan and returned to Tunis to be recognised as Bey in place of his brother who remained under siege in Kairouan.

After some mediation by the Dey of Algiers, a treaty was signed in 1679 between the Muradid princes, but this peace didn't last long. The Turkish Janissaries of Tunis elected their own leader, Ahmed Chelebi, who attempted to take over the country. He was defeated by the Algerians who feared that the revolutionary spirit of the Janissaries in Tunis would spread to their own country. They sacked Tunis in 1686, and left the country in ruins. Mohamed Bey suspected his brother Ali of supporting the Algerians, and thus killed him and seized power for himself.

In 1694 Dey Hadj Chabane invaded Tunisia with the help of a pretender called Mohammed ben Cheker. The resulting war ended in the total annexation of Tunis for several months. During that time Chaabane appointed ben Cheker as the Bey of Tunis, a new Beylik of Algiers similarly functioning in the same way as the Beylik of Constantine.

This didn't last long though, and in 1695, the Tunisians revolted and defeated ben Cheker at the battle of Kairouan, reinstating the Muradid dynasty.

Despite the troubled times, Mohamed Bey was responsible for building several monuments in Tunis including the Sidi Mahrez Mosque, modelled on the mosques of Istanbul, with a great central dome. He constructed many buildings of worship and education within the country including construction works in Beja, el-Kef, Gafsa, Tozeur and Gabes. In 1690 Mohamed Bey built a bridge between Tebourba and Medjerda.

He died on October 14, 1696, and was buried in the mausoleum of his grandfather Hammuda Pasha Bey. He was survived by two sons, Mourad and Hassan, but as they were too young to reign, his brother, Ramadan Bey, inherited his estate.

References in popular culture

It was featured in films such as Monty Python's Life of Brian and the television travel series Long Way Down.

It is commonly believed that the Hollywood movie 'The Gladiator' was filmed here but that's not true. The movie was filmed at the island of Malta (between Tunis and Italy) where they built a replica of the Amphitheatre. But they might have used the pictures/videos of the site.

American sportswear company Nike used this location in 1996 to shoot a television commercial titled "Good vs Evil", which depicts a gladiatorial-style soccer game set in a Roman Amphitheatre. Football players from around the world, including Eric Cantona, Ronaldo, Paolo Maldini, Luis Figo, Patrick Kluivert and Jorge Campos defend 'the beautiful game' against a team of unsportsmanlike demonic warriors, which ends with Cantona receiving the ball from Ronaldo, pulling up his short collar as was his trademark, and delivering the final line, "Au Revoir", before striking the ball which punches right through the demon goalkeeper.

The fourth episode of The Amazing Race 1 concluded at the amphitheatre.

(Courtesy: Wikipedia.org)

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HISTORICAL CARTHAGE RUINS; Antonin Baths & Town of Sidi Bou Said.

Visiting Tunisia-II

Historical Carthage Ruins;

Baths of Antonin; And

Town of Sidi Bou Said

(M. Javed Naseem)

Carthage ruins

According to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, Carthage was founded in the 9th century B.C. on the Gulf of Tunis. From the 6th century onwards, it developed into a great trading empire covering much of the Mediterranean and was home to a brilliant civilization. In the course of the long Punic wars, Carthage occupied territories belonging to Rome, which finally destroyed its rival in 146 B.C. A second – Roman – Carthage was then established on the ruins of the first.

Outstanding Universal Value

Founded by the Phoenicians, Carthage is an extensive archaeological site, located on a hill dominating the Gulf of Tunis and the surrounding plain. Metropolis of Punic civilization in Africa and capital of the province of Africa in Roman times, Carthage has played a central role in Antiquity as a great commercial empire. During the lengthy Punic wars, Carthage occupied the territories that belonged to Rome, which then destroyed its rival in 146 AD. The town was rebuilt by the Romans on the ruins of the ancient city.

Exceptional place of mixing, diffusion and blossoming of several cultures that succeeded one another (Phoenico-Punic, Roman, Paleochristian and Arab), this metropolis and its ports have encouraged wide-scale exchanges in the Mediterranean. Founded at the end of the 9th century BC by Elyssa-Dido and having sheltered the mythical love of Dido and Aeneas, Carthage produced a warrior and strategy genius in the person of Hannibal, the navigator-explorer Hannon, and a famous agronomist, Magon. Carthage has always nourished universal imagination through its historic and literary renown.

The property comprises the vestiges of Punic, Roman, Vandal, Paleochristian and Arab presence. The major known components of the site of Carthage are the acropolis of Byrsa, the Punic ports, the Punic tophet, the necropolises, theatre, amphitheatre, circus, residential area, basilicas, the Antonin baths, Malaga cisterns and the archaeological reserve.

The historic and literary renown of Carthage has always nourished the universal imagination. The site of Carthage is notably associated with the home of the legendary princess of Tyre, Elyssa-Dido, founder of the town, sung about by Virgil in the Aeneid; with the great navigator-explorer, Hannon, with Hannibal, one of the greatest military strategists of history, with writers such as Apulée, founder of Latin-African literature, with the martyr of Saint Cyprien and with Saint Augustin who trained and made several visits there.

Although its integrity has been partially altered by uncontrolled urban sprawl during the first half of the 20th century, the site of Carthage has essentially retained the elements that characterise the antique town: urban network, meeting place (forum), recreation (theatre), leisure (baths), worship (temples), residential area, etc. The conservation of the site guarantees the maintenance of the intact character of the structures. However, it continues to face strong urban pressure that has, for the most part, been contained thanks to the national listing of the Carthage-Sidi Bou-Said Park.

Restoration and maintenance work carried out over the years is in accordance with the standards of international charters and has not damaged the authenticity of the monuments and remains of the site of Carthage. The site benefits from a maintenance protocol.

(Courtesy: UNESCO World Heritage Convention. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/37/)

Wikipedia adds:

Antique and medieval Carthage continued to play an important cultural and economic role in the Byzantine period. The city was sacked and destroyed by Umayyad forces after the Battle of Carthage in 698 to prevent it from being reconquered by the Byzantine Empire. It remained occupied during the Muslim period and was used as a fort by the Muslims until the Hafsid period when it was taken by the Crusaders with its inhabitants massacred during the Eighth Crusade. The Hafsids decided to destroy its defenses so it could not be used as a base by a hostile power again.

The regional power shifted to Kairouan and the Medina of Tunis in the medieval period, until the early 20th century, when it began to develop into a coastal suburb of Tunis, incorporated as Carthage municipality in 1919. The archaeological site was first surveyed in 1830 and excavations were performed in the second half of the 19th century. The site of the ruins is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Carthage was one of the largest cities of the Hellenistic period and was among the largest cities in pre-industrial history. Whereas by AD 14, Rome had at least 750,000 inhabitants and in the following century may have reached 1 million, the cities of Alexandria and Antioch numbered only a few hundred thousand or less. According to the history of Herodian, Carthage rivaled Alexandria for second place in the Roman empire.

 

The Baths of Antoninus continued to function in the Arab period and the eleventh-century historian al-Bakri stated that they were still in good condition at that time. They also had production centers nearby. Constantine the African was born in Carthage.

The Medina of Tunis, originally a Berber settlement, was established as the new regional center under the Umayyad Caliphate in the early 8th century. Under the Aghlabids, the people of Tunis revolted numerous times, but the city profited from economic improvements and quickly became the second most important in the kingdom. It was briefly the national capital, from the end of the reign of Ibrahim-II in 902, until 909, when the Shia Berbers took over Ifriqiya and founded the Fatimid Caliphate.

The fortress of Carthage was used by the Muslims until Hafsid era and was captured by the Crusaders during the Eighth Crusade. The inhabitants of Carthage were slaughtered by the Crusaders after they took it, and it was used as a base of operations against the Hafsids. After repelling them, Muhammad-I al-Mustansir decided to raze Cathage's defenses in order to prevent a repeat.

Carthage is some 15 km northeast of Tunis; the settlements nearest to Carthage were the town of Sidi Bou Said to the north and the village of Le Kram to the south. In the old, Carthage used to be an industrial hub. Each day it produced one hundred and forty finished shields, three hundred swords, five hundred spears, and one thousand missiles for the catapults... . Furthermore, [Carthage although surrounded by the Romans] built one hundred and twenty decked ships in two months... for old timber had been stored away in readiness, and a large number of skilled workmen, maintained at public expense.

The textiles industry in Carthage probably started in private homes, but the existence of professional weavers indicates that a sort of factory system later developed. Products included embroidery, carpets, and use of the purple murex dye (for which the Carthaginian isle of Djerba was famous). Metal-workers developed specialized skills, i.e., making various weapons for the armed forces, as well as domestic articles, such as knives, forks, scissors, mirrors, and razors (all articles found in tombs). Artwork in metals included vases and lamps in bronze, also bowls, and plates. Other products came from such crafts as the potters, the glassmakers, and goldsmiths.

The Greeks were favourably impressed by the constitution of Carthage. Aristotle remarked:

'Many of the Carthaginian institutions are excellent. The superiority of their constitution is proved by the fact that the common people remain loyal to the constitution; the Carthaginians have never had any rebellion worth speaking of, and have never been under the rule of a tyrant.'

(Courtesy:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carthage)

Sidi Bou Said

Sidi Bou Said is a town in northernTunisia located about 20km northeast from the capital Tunis.

Named after a religious figure who lived there, Abu Said al-Baji, it was previously called Jbel el-Menar. The town itself is a tourist attraction and is known for its extensive use of blue and white.

In the 12/13th century AD, Abu Said Ibn Khalaf Yahya al-Tamimi al-Beji arrived in the village of Jabal el-Menar and established a sanctuary. After his death in 1231, he was buried there. In the 18th century wealthy citizens of Tunis built residences in Sidi Bou Said.

During the 1920s, Rodolph d'Erlanger introduced the blue-white theme to the town. His home, Ennejma Ezzahra, is now a museum that has a collection of musical instruments, and organizes concerts of classical and Arabic music.

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