EDUCATED APPROACH TO MOONSIGHTING

29^th June = 1^st of Ramadan 1435

Let’s Get United And Start

Ramadan On The Same Day

Follow The Visibility Curve!

(M. Javed Naseem)

إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَمَاوَاتِ وَٱلأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ

ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ يُغْشِى ٱلْلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُ حَثِيثاً

وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ وَٱلنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَاتٍ بِأَمْرِهِ أَلاَ لَهُ ٱلْخَلْقُ

وَٱلأَمْرُ تَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ
“Your Guardian-Lord is Allah, Who created the

heavens and the earth in six days, and is firmly

established on the throne (of authority). He draws

the night as a veil over the day, each seeking the

other in rapid succession. He created the sun,

the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws

under His command. Is it not His to create and

to govern? Blessed be Allah, the Cherisher

and Sustainer of the worlds!”

(al-Quran 7:54)

Allah tells us in the Holy Quran that He created us as One Ummah (‘Ummat-an Wahida’) or one nation. The Faith of Islam binds us together regardless of color, race or ethnic background. All believers of One God are one nation, therefore, they should be united as one big community. We are commanded to hold unto the Rope of Allah all together and be not divided. So, there is no room of sectarianism in Islam. Sectarianism violates and disobeys the command of Allah. Now, anybody who disobeys Allah and His commands, can he/she still claim to be a true Muslim?

People in America and Europe get confused (it is hard for them to understand) that in one city (New York, London, Birmingham, Paris or Copenhagen, etc.) different groups of Muslims (Arabs, Indo-Pakistanis, Egyptians and Africans) start Ramadan on different dates and celebrate Eid festivals on different days. It gets more ridiculous in countries like Pakistan, India, Canada where people from the same ethnic group observe Ramadan on different dates. Even two neighboring Muslim countries observe Ramadan and Eid on different dates. Non-Muslims laugh at them and ask: Have you ever seen Christians celebrating Christmas on a date other than 25^th December?

Muslims sheepishly try to justify by saying that Islamic festivals and occasions are governed by the lunar (moon) calendar and not by the Gregorian (sun) one. But that does not justify two (sometimes three) Eid festivals in one city. Most Muslims don’t know that the lunar (moon) calendar is as correct and specific as the Gregorian one. They ‘read’ the Quran but they don’t “study” the Quran. The Quran guides you on all aspects of your Deen. To avoid confusion about the lunar calendar, it is important that we acquire some basic knowledge/education.  

ٱلشَّمْسُ وَٱلْقَمَرُ بِحُسْبَانٍ
“The sun and the moon follow courses

(exactly) computed.”

(al-Quran 55:5)

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلأَهِلَّةِ قُلْ هِىَ مَوَاقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَٱلْحَجِّ
“They ask you concerning the new moons. Say:

They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time

in (the affairs of) men, and for pilgrimage.”

(al-Quran 2:189)

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ ٱلشَّمْسَ ضِيَآءً وَٱلْقَمَرَ نُوراً وَقَدَّرَهُ مَنَازِلَ

لِتَعْلَمُواْ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلْحِسَابَ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ذٰلِكَ

إِلاَّ بِٱلْحَقِّ يُفَصِّلُ ٱلآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
“It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory

and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and

measured out stages for her; that you might know

the number of years and the count (of time).

Nowise did Allah create this but in truth and

righteousness. (Thus) does He explain His Signs

in detail, for those who understand.”

(al-Quran 10:5)

Allah has created the universe with Truth and knowledge and some of this knowledge was bestowed upon human beings too. We should study the Quran where Allah has explained everything that we need to know to live on this planet Earth. He tells us that the movements of all elements (entities) of the constellation in the atmosphere are fixed and pre-programmed.

وَآيَةٌ لَّهُمُ ٱلْلَّيْلُ نَسْلَخُ مِنْهُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فَإِذَا هُم مُّظْلِمُونَ
“And a Sign for them is the Night. We

withdraw from it the Day, and behold!

They are plunged in darkness.”

(al-Quran 36:37)

وَٱلشَّمْسُ تَجْرِى لِمُسْتَقَرٍّ لَّهَـا ذٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ
“And the sun runs his course for a period

determined for it; that is the decree of (Him),

the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing.”

(al-Quran 36:38)

وَٱلْقَمَرَ قَدَّرْنَاهُ مَنَازِلَ حَتَّىٰ عَادَ كَٱلعُرْ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌جُونِ ٱلْقَدِيمِ
“And the Moon - We have measured for her

mansions (to traverse) till she returns like the

old (and withered) lower part of a date-stalk.”

(al-Quran 36:39)

Everything is floating on its prescribed axis in its measured orbit. They cannot deviate or collide with each other. Allah has created a celestial system, which is perfect, and He regulates or controls it. No discrepancies! If we follow the system carefully, we can prepare a faultless calendar not only for the entire year, but even for 100 years. There cannot be two Eids in one city any more.

لاَ ٱلشَّمْسُ يَنبَغِى لَهَآ أَن تدْرِكَ ٱلقَمَرَ وَلاَ

ٱلْلَّيْلُ سَابِقُ ٱلنَّهَارِ وَكُلٌّ فِى فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ
“It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon,

nor can the Night outstrip the Day. Each (just) swims

along in (its own) orbit (according to Law).”

(al-Quran 36:40)

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

Ramadan 1435 gives you the best

opportunity to get united as the new

crescent moon would be visible in

many countries of Americas, Europe,

Africa, Asia and Australia. This could

be the first step toward solidarity,

brotherhood and coordination. Let’s

start Ramadan on 29^th June 2014.

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

لَّهَـا ذٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ

“That is the decree of (Him), the Exalted

in Might, the All-Knowing (Allah).”

(al-Quran 36:38)

فَالِقُ ٱلإِصْبَاحِ وَجَعَلَ ٱلْلَّيْلَ سَكَناً وَٱلشَّمْسَ

وَٱلْقَمَرَ حُسْبَاناً ذٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ
“He it is that cleaves the day-break (from the dark).

He makes the night for rest and tranquility, and

the sun and moon for the reckoning (of time).

Such is the judgment and ordering of (Him),

the Exalted in Power, the Omniscient.”

(al-Quran 6:96)

وَسَخَّر لَكُمُ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ دَآئِبَيْنِ

وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلْلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ
“And He has made subject to you the sun and the

moon, both diligently pursuing their courses; and the

night and the day has He (also) made subject to you.”

(al-Quran 14:33)

وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱللَّيْلَ وَٱلْنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ وَٱلْنُّجُومُ

مُسَخَّرَاتٌ بِأَمْرِهِ إِنَّ فِى ذٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ 
“He has made subject to you the Night and the Day; the

sun and the moon; and the stars are in subjection by His

Command: verily in this are Signs for men who are wise.”

(al-Quran 16:12)

خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَاوَاتِ وَٱلأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ يُكَوِّرُ ٱللَّيْـلَ عَلَى ٱلنَّهَـارِ

وَيُكَوِّرُ ٱلنَّـهَارَ عَلَى ٱللَّيْلِ وَسَخَّـرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ

كُـلٌّ يَجْرِى لأَجَـلٍ مُّسَـمًّى أَلاَ هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفَّارُ
“He created the heavens and the earth in true

(proportions). He makes the Night overlap the

Day, and the Day overlap the Night. He has

subjected the sun and the moon (to His law).

Each one follows a course for a time appointed.

Is not He the Exalted in Power - He

Who forgives again and again?”

(al-Quran 39:5)

وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّالِحَاتِ

لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
“To those who believe and do deeds of righteousness

has Allah promised forgiveness and a great reward.”

(al-Quran 5:9)

Moon Phases:

Here’s some basic information about the lunar cycle and phases from astronomical point of view:

From any location on the Earth, the Moon appears to be a circular disk which, at any specific time, is illuminated to some degree by direct sunlight. Like the Earth, the Moon is a sphere which is always half illuminated by the Sun, but as the Moon orbits the Earth we get to see more or less of the illuminated half. During each lunar orbit (a lunar month), we see the Moon's appearance change from not visibly illuminated through partially illuminated to fully illuminated, then back through partially illuminated to not illuminated again. Although this cycle is a continuous process, there are eight distinct, traditionally recognized stages, called phases. The phases designate both the degree to which the Moon is illuminated and the geometric appearance of the illuminated part of the moon.

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى رَفَعَ ٱلسَّمَاوَاتِ بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ تَرَوْنَهَا ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ

وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِى لِـأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّـى

يُدَبِّرُ ٱلأَمْرَ يُفَصِّلُ ٱلآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّكُمْ تُوقِنُونَ
“Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any

pillars that, you can see, is firmly established on

the throne (of authority). He has subjected the sun

and the moon (to His Law)! Each one runs (its

course) for a term appointed. He does regulate all

affairs, explaining the signs in detail, that you may

believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord.”

(al-Quran 13:2)

These phases of the Moon, in the sequence of their occurrence (starting from New Moon), are listed below.

New Moon - The Moon's un-illuminated side is facing the Earth. The Moon is not visible (except during a solar eclipse).

Waxing Crescent - The Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is increasing.

First Quarter - One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is increasing.

Waxing Gibbous - The Moon appears to be more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is increasing.

Full Moon - The Moon's illuminated side is facing the Earth. The Moon appears to be completely illuminated by direct sunlight.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon appears to be more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing.

Last Quarter - One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing.

Waning Crescent - The Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing.

Following waning crescent is New Moon, beginning a repetition of the complete phase cycle of 29.5 days average duration.

The time in days counted from the time of New Moon is called the Moon's "age". Each complete cycle of phases is called a "lunation".

Because the cycle of the phases is shorter than most calendar (solar) months, the phase of the Moon at the very beginning of the month usually repeats at the very end of the month. When there are two Full Moons in a month (which occurs, on average, every 2.7 years), the second one is called a "Blue Moon".

The first time that the thin waxing crescent Moon is visible after New Moon (low in the evening sky just after sunset) marks the beginning of a month in the Islamic Calendar.

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ

كُلٌّ فِى فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ
“It is He Who created the Night and the Day,

and the sun and the moon; all (the celestial

bodies) swim along, each in an orbit.”

(al-Quran 21:33)

تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجاً

وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا سِرَاجاً وَقَمَراً مُّنِيراً
“Blessed is He Who made constellations

in the skies, and placed therein a Lamp

and a Moon giving light.”

(al-Quran 25:61)

Although Full Moon occurs each month at a specific date and time, the Moon's disk may appear to be full for several nights in a row if it is clear. This is because the percentage of the Moon's disk that appears illuminated changes very slowly around the time of Full Moon (also around New Moon, but the Moon is not visible at all then). The Moon may appear 100% illuminated only on the night closest to the time of exact Full Moon, but on the night before and night after will appear 97-99% illuminated; most people would not notice the difference. Even two days from Full Moon the Moon's disk is 93-97% illuminated.

New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter phases are considered to be primary phases and their dates and times are published in almanacs and on calendars.

وَلَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا فِى ٱلسَّمَاءِ بُرُوجاً وَزَيَّنَّاهَا لِلنَّاظِرِينَ

“And verily in the heaven We have set

mansions of the stars (galaxies), and We

have beautified it for beholders.”

(al-Quran 15:16)

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلنُّجُومَ لِتَهْتَدُواْ بِهَا فِى

ظُلُمَاتِ ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ قَدْ فَصَّلْنَا ٱلآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
“It is He Who makes the stars (as beacons) for

you, that you may guide yourselves, with their

help, through the dark spaces of land and sea.

We detail Our signs for people who know.”

(al-Quran 6:97)

فَٱسْتَقِيمَا وَلاَ تَتَّبِعَآنِِّّ سَبِيلَ ٱلَّذِينَ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ
“… So stand straight, and follow not

the path of those who know not."

(al-Quran 10:89)

The phases of the Moon are related to (actually, caused by) the relative positions of the Moon and Sun in the sky. For example, New Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon are quite close together in the sky. Full Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon are at nearly opposite positions in the sky - which is why a Full Moon rises about the time of sunset, and sets about the time of sunrise, for most places on Earth.

First and Last Quarters occur when the Sun and Moon are about 90 degrees apart in the sky. In fact, the two "half Moon" phases are called First Quarter and Last Quarter because they occur when the Moon is, respectively, one- and three-quarters of the way around the sky (i.e., along its orbit) from New Moon.

The relationship of the Moon's phase to its angular distance in the sky from the Sun allows us to establish very exact definitions of when the primary phases occur, independent of how they appear. Technically, the phases New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter are defined to occur when the excess of the apparent ecliptic (celestial) longitude of the Moon over that of the Sun is 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees, respectively. These definitions are used when the dates and times of the phases are computed for almanacs, calendars, etc. Because the difference between the ecliptic longitudes of the Moon and Sun is a monotonically and rapidly increasing quantity, the dates and times of the phases of the Moon computed this way are instantaneous and well defined.

For practical purposes, phases of the Moon and the percent of the Moon illuminated are independent of the location on the Earth from where the Moon is observed. That is, all the phases occur at the same time regardless of the observer's position.

Crescent Moon Visibility:

Although the date and time of each New Moon can be computed exactly, the visibility of the lunar crescent as a function of the Moon's ‘age’ - the time counted from New Moon -depends upon many factors and cannot be predicted with certainty. During the first two days after New Moon, the young crescent Moon appears very low in the western sky after sunset, must be viewed through bright twilight, and sets shortly after sunset.

The sighting of the lunar crescent within one day of New Moon is usually difficult. The crescent at this time is quite thin, has a low surface brightness, and can easily be lost in the twilight. Generally, the lunar crescent will become visible to suitably-located, experienced observers with good sky conditions about one day after New Moon. However, the time that the crescent actually becomes visible varies quite a bit from one month to another. Naked-eye sightings as early as 15.5 hours after New Moon have been reliably reported while observers with telescopes have made reliable reports as early as 12.1 hours after New Moon. Because these observations are exceptional, crescent sightings this early in the lunar month should not be expected as the norm.

Ignoring local conditions for the moment and visualizing the problem from outside the Earth's atmosphere, the size and brightness of the lunar crescent depend on only one astronomical quantity: the elongation of the Moon from the Sun, which is the apparent angular distance between their centers. For this reason, the elongation has also been called the ‘arc of light’. If the value of the elongation at any instant is known, the width of the crescent can be computed.

The elongation as a function of the Moon's age depends on several factors.

The Visibility Curve:

I am writing and appealing to the Muslim Ummah to observe Ramadan, all together on the same day, on the basis of the ‘Geographical Truth’ of the Visibility Curve.

The following two ‘visibility curve’ maps are shown by courtesy of the website ‘moonsighting.com’. The first map shows, from astronomical point of view, the first day of the new moon which is geographically visible only in Latin American countries (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, etc.) on 27^th of June. Therefore, any country in Europe, Middle East, Africa or Asia cannot claim the start of Ramadan because moon was not (and could not be) visible there. The visibility in these regions is bound by geographical limits whereas the birth of New Crescent Moon is on the celestial scene with no geographical limits.

The second map shows the same astronomical phenomena with geographical visibility extended (the 2nd day of New Crescent Moon, 28^th of June) to Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia. Therefore, a Muslim country in these regions can claim the start of Ramadan from the next morning, i.e., 29^th of June, 2014. The moon would be visible with the naked eye on the evening of 28^th of June, whether somebody cares to see it or not. There should absolutely be no dispute about the start of Ramadan from the USA to Australia including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, etc. from the 29^th of June. Now, this is an ‘educated’ approach based on the scientific (astronomical) data – the basis of all lunar calendars.

A Brief Introduction to the Islamic Calendar:

The Islamic calendar is based on lunar months, which begin when the thin crescent Moon is actually sighted in the western sky after sunset a day or so after New Moon. For Islamic calendar purposes, the sighting must be made with the unaided eye.

The names of the 12 months of the Islamic calendar, transliterated into the Roman alphabet, and their formal tabular lengths are:

Name	Length	Notes
Muharram	30	Holy month
Safar	29
Rabi' I	30
Rabi' II	29
Jumada I	30
Jumada II	29
Rajab	30	Holy month
Sha’ban	29
Ramadan	30	Month of fasting
Shawwal	29
Dhul-Qaada	30	Holy month
Dhul-Hijjah	29	Holy month; in a leap year Dhul-Hijjah has 30 days.

Since 12 lunar months are, on average, 11 days shorter than the (Gregorian) civil year, the Islamic year shifts earlier in each civil year by about this amount. The count of years for the Islamic calendar begins with 1 Muharram 1 A.H. (Anno Hegira), which corresponds to Friday, 16 July AD 622 (Julian calendar).

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُولِجُ ٱلْلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلْلَّيْلِ

وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِيۤ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى

وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ                      
“See you not that Allah merges Night into Day

and he merges Day into Night; that He has

subjected the sun, and the moon (to his Law),

each running its course for a term appointed; and

that Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do?”

(al-Quran 31:29)

يُولِجُ ٱلْلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلْلَّيْلِ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ

وَٱلْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِى لأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ذٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ

وَٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ مَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِن قِطْمِيرٍ
“He merges Night into Day, and he merges

Day into Night, and he has subjected the sun

and the moon (to his Law); each one runs its

course for a term appointed. Such is Allah,

your Lord; to Him belongs all Dominion.”

(al-Quran 35:13)

Tabular Islamic Calendar:

A tabular Islamic calendar has been established for some non-religious purposes in which the lengths of the months alternate between 29 and 30 days. This calendar consists of a 30-year cycle in which 11 of the 30 years are leap years. In leap years, an extra day is added to the last month, Dhul-Hijjah. Civil dates corresponding to important Islamic dates in this tabular calendar are:

First day of Ramadan 1434: July 9, 2013

Islamic New Year 1435:  November 5, 2013

First day of Ramadan 1435:  June 29, 2014

Islamic New Year 1436: October 25, 2014

First day of Ramadan 1436: June 18, 2015

Islamic New Year 1437: October 15, 2015

First day of Ramadan 1437:  June 7, 2016

Islamic New Year 1438: October 3, 2016

(Note: These dates are the astronomical ‘first day’ of New Moon. The start of Ramadan (or any other month) should be determined by the geographical visibility-curve map for that particular region.)

The Islamic dates begin at sunset of the previous evening and end at sunset on the date listed above. These dates may or may not correspond to the evenings on which the crescent Moon is first visible, and it is the visibility of the crescent Moon that determines when the religious observance begins. The Moon's visibility at these times varies with location; generally, the visibility increases to the west, and locations in the tropics are favored over those in middle or high latitudes.

(Courtesy: Astronomical Applications Dept., U.S. Navy)

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WOULD YOU PERMIT ME?

Nizar Commits A Sin By Asking:

"Would You Permit Me?"

A Poem Addressed To

The ‘Traders of Religion’

Responsible For Hatred

And Sectarian Violence

(By: M. Javed Naseem)

“Would you permit me to teach my children

That religion is the path to God,

And not to religious leaders or “scholars?”

“Would you permit me to teach my little ones

That religion is about good manners,

Good behavior, good conduct, honesty and truthfulness,

Before I teach them with which foot to enter the bathroom

Or with which hand to eat?”

Would you also permit me to say that so-called ‘Traders of Islam’ (the Middlemen) have distorted the face of the Deen prescribed by Allah for the One Ummah in the Holy Quran. These traders (in Urdu: ‘Thekedars’) promote and preach their own brand of Islam, thus creating ‘Fitnah’ of disunity, disruption, infighting and fragmentation among the Muslim Ummah. That’s contrary to the command of Allah in the Quran that says: “And hold on fast all together unto the Rope of Allah, and don’t be divided!”

وَٱعْتَصِمُواْ بِحَبْلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعاً وَلاَ تَفَرَّقُواْ وَٱذْكُرُواْ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ

عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَآءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ

إِخْوَاناً وَكُنْتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُمْ مِّنْهَا

كَذٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ
“And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah

(stretches out for you), and be not divided among

yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favor

on you; for you were enemies and He joined your

hearts in love, so that by His Grace, you became

brethren; and you were on the brink of the pit of Fire,

and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make

His Signs clear to you, that you may be guided.”

(al-Quran 3:103)

           

The so-called Muslim rulers (Emirs and Kings, even Presidents) rule the Muslim Ummah in their countries by force, trampling their basic rights, violating the international laws on free-speech, and denying them human freedom. In the Middle East, there are only dictators visible who have their own interpretation of Islam; their own agenda and their own plan to stay in power till death. And then after their death, their children take over. Any opposition is crushed and silenced by all means.

There are, of course, limits to everything, even human rights, but there’s the base line – the minimum basic human rights or freedoms. These limits are introduced to guarantee equal rights among humans and keep peace and social justice in society.

Remember one thing! During the times of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) there were non-Muslims (Jews, Christians and Pagans) living in the same town/country and none of them was killed because of his faith. Only those non-Muslims were killed who waged a war against Muslims and attacked Muslim communities. They were killed in retaliation and self-defense. Those who lived peacefully along with Muslims, nobody ever (EVER) interfered with their religious freedom. Islam was not forced upon them.

Today, one sect tries to force others to accept their brand of Islam (or religion) otherwise they start burning the mosques, temples or places of worship of those who differ. That’s against the teachings of Islam. Everyone has to carry his/her own load/burden. Everybody is answerable to God for his/her belief or faith.

There is no compulsion. Allah makes it very clear in the Quran:

لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِى ٱلدِّينِ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ ٱلرُّشْدُ مِنَ ٱلْغَىِّ فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ

بِٱلطَّاغُوتِ وَيْؤْمِن بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱسْتَمْسَكَ بِٱلْعُرْوَةِ ٱلْوُثْقَىٰ

لاَ ٱنفِصَامَ لَهَا وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“Let there be no compulsion in religion!

Truth stands out clear from Error.

Whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah

has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold,

that never breaks. And Allah hears

and knows all things.”

(al-Quran 2: 256)

Then who are we to kill or hurt those, and burn their houses/shops, who disagree with us and don’t accept our brand of religion? Let them believe what they want to believe! They will know at the end. Leave them alone as long as they don’t attack you to kill you or damage your property! Islam means peace!

In a world today where thinkers are assassinated, writers are considered infidels and books are burnt, where societies refuse each other, factions claim legitimacy, sectarianism is promoted and defended; and Authority forces silence on the mouths of speakers; where independent thinking is forbidden; where questioning is a sin, Nizar Qabbani, a Syrian poet-philosopher commits a sin by writing a poem: "Would You Permit Me?" We may not 100% agree with what he says and demands, but he speaks the truth and shares his pains and grievances with the rest of the world. See, if it touches your heart and makes you raise your voice for your rights to get rid of the middlemen, the ‘Traders (‘Thekedars’) of Islam’. Here’s the poem:

(Nizar Tawfiq Qabbani, a contemporary Arab (Syrian) poet, philosopher, thinker, diplomat. (Born: 21/3/1923 in Damascus, Syria. Died: 30/4/1998 in London, UK).

Would You Permit Me?

Would you permit me bring up my children as I want,

and not dictate their whims and orders.

Would you permit me to teach my children

that religion is the path to God,

and not to religious leaders or “scholars”?

Would you permit me to teach my little ones

that religion is about good manners,

good behavior, good conduct, honesty and truthfulness,

before I teach them with which foot to enter the bathroom

or with which hand to eat?

Would you permit me to teach my daughter

that God is about love, and she can dialogue with Him

and ask Him anything she wants,

far away from the teachings of any individual

who is only God’s creation?

Would you permit me not to mention

the torture of the grave and thereafter to my children,

who have just come to this world

and do not know about death yet?

Would you permit me to teach my daughter

the tenets of the religion and its culture and manners,

before I force on her the 'Hijab' (the veil)?

Would you permit me to tell my young son

that hurting people and degrading them

because of their nationality, color or religion,

will be considered a big sin by God?

Would you permit me to tell my daughter

that revising her homework and paying attention to her learning

is considered by God as a prayer to him

and is more useful and important

than learning Ayahs from the Quran by heart

without knowing their meaning?

Would you permit me to teach my son

that following the footsteps of the Honorable Prophet

begins with being honest, loyal and truthful,

before growing his beard or donning a short robe (long shirt)?

Would you permit me to tell my daughter

that her dearest friend, who happens to be a Christian,

is not an infidel, and my daughter should not cry for her friend

now fearing that she will go to Hell?

Would you permit me to argue,

that God has not authorized anyone on earth after the Prophet

to speak in His name nor did He vest any powers in anyone

to issue 'deeds of forgiveness' to people?

Would you permit me to say,

that God has forbidden killing the human spirit

by killing human beings,

and who kills wrongly a human being

is as if he killed all humankind,

and no Muslim has the right to frighten another Muslim?

Would you permit me to teach my children

that God is more powerful, more just, and more merciful

than all the (religious) scholars on earth combined?

And that his standards are different from the standards

of those trading the religion,

and that his accountability is kinder and more merciful?

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BE RIGHTEOUS TO AVOID HELLFIRE

O Muslims In Power!

Be Righteous To Succeed!

Serve People To Avoid Hellfire !

(By: M. Javed Naseem)

The Almighty Allah created everything in the universe and He gave the charge to His Viceroy on earth – man – to run the affairs by a system (Deen) based on justice, peace, discipline, fair-play, compassion and obedience to the Supreme Creator. The Creator Himself named that system ‘Islam’ and He is since supervising our governance. Whenever we go astray and start hurting human beings by corruption, injustice and oppression, the Almighty sends us some warning signs.

بَلْ مَتَّعْنَا هَـٰؤُلاۤءِ وَآبَآءَهُمْ حَتَّىٰ طَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْعُمُرُ

أَفَلاَ يَرَوْنَ أَنَّا نَأْتِى ٱلأَرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَآ أَفَهُمُ ٱلْغَالِبُونَ
“Nay, We gave the good things of this life to these men and

their fathers until the period grew long for them. See they

not that We gradually reduce the land (in their control)

from its outlying borders? Is it then they who will win?”

(al-Quran 21:44)

You might have read these verses of Surah al-Anbiya in the Holy Quran a few time but never paid much attention. We read the Holy Quran because we are supposed to, paying little attention to the vast and deep meanings. We take them casually. Now, for one moment, read these verses (with translation) again and try to ponder over them! Try to imagine what Allah is referring to and visualize the impact. I am sure you cannot grasp the impact of “gradually reducing the land”.

This is something very serious and has already worried millions of souls who have lost their night's sleep. Land is shrinking. In other words, the earth is sinking! Many small islands have disappeared from the map of the earth. The Maldives are at the brink of submerging and have asked for international help to survive. Other countries/town suffering similar fate are Bangladesh, Bangkok (Thailand), Solomon Islands, Komodo Island (Indonesia), Venice (Italy), Kiribati Island (Fiji), Seychelles and some parts of the Philippines. It is so horrifying!

Now, don’t you think that these are the warning signs from our Lord? Don’t sleep on the ‘global warming’ theory as the scientists themselves don’t use this term any more. God is warning us about His wrath, His anger and His punishment which we merit due to our corruption, hypocrisy, disobedience and evil-doing.

وَٱللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ لاَ مُعَقِّبَ لِحُكْمِهِ وَهُوَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ

“(When) Allah commands, there is none to put back

His Command; and He is swift in calling to account.”

(al-Quran 13:41)

The modern scientists (most of them are atheist or secular) always come up with some ‘scientific’ explanation (or theory) to everything. Sometimes, they come up with cock-and-bull stories (like the absurd theory of evolution, monkeys transforming into humans, etc.) and the lay-man accepts. They don’t miss a chance to deny God. The irony is that every honest research proves scientifically what Allah says! To Him belongs everything and He controls everything. Not otherwise!

للَّهِ ما فِى ٱلسَّمَاواتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلأَرْضِ وَإِن تُبْدُواْ مَا فِيۤ أَنْفُسِكُم

أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ يُحَاسِبْكُمْ بِهِ ٱللَّهُ فَيَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآء     
وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

“To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens

and on earth. Whether you show what is in your

minds or conceal it, Allah calls you to account for it.

He forgives whom He pleases, and punishes whom

He pleases, for Allah has power over all things.”

(al-Quran 2:284)

Contrary to the scientists, a believer knows the extreme power and unlimited capabilities of the Creator of the universe – Allah. And when Allah tells them something through the Scriptures, the believers accept it. They don’t ask Allah to give proof. The entire history of mankind and the ancient ruins on earth are the proof of what Allah says and does. The Faith (Iman) has only one theory, nothing else, and that is:

سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا

“We hear, and we obey.”

(i.e., total surrender to the Will of God)

All messengers and prophets of Allah practiced this theory and so did their followers who are called the ‘people of Faith’. So, practically, the Faith means obedience to Allah. That’s the way of the Believers.

                                            

آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ
“The Messenger believes in what has been revealed

to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. …”

(al-Quran 2:285)

وَقَالُواْ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ

“… And they say: We hear, and we obey.

(We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord,

and to You is the end of all journeys."

(al-Quran 2:285)

The Devil (Shaitan) puts the thought in human minds not to believe in or worship One God and unfortunately man submits to that. It is hard to believe that Allah tells the believers (with hundreds of reminders) in the Quran to obey Allah but man does not listen; but to Shaitan he surrenders immediately.

يَاأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعْبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
“O mankind! Worship your Guardian-Lord, who

created you and those who came before you, that

you may have the chance to learn righteousness!”

(al-Quran 2:21)

Man claims to be the viceroy of God Almighty on this earth but unfortunately he does everything against the Will of God. He is supposed to spread righteousness and justice but, on the contrary, he spreads evil, corruption and tries to subjugate other human beings by deception and lies. Man is killing other human beings by the thousands every single day, and this bloodshed is done in the name of peace and security! Is it? And he still claims that he’s doing the ‘right thing’. Whom is he fooling?

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلآخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ

يُخَادِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلاَّ أَنْفُسَهُم وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ
“Of the people there are some who say: ‘We believe in

Allah and the Last Day’, but they do not (really) believe.
Fain would they deceive Allah and those who believe;

but they only deceive themselves, and realize (it) not!”

(al-Quran 2:8-9)

This is the height of shamelessness that one does something evil to others and still says that he’s doing good. He fools people with lies and deception and thinks he’s too smart to be caught. This is hypocrisy and hypocrisy springs from dishonesty. And dishonesty leads to Hellfire. Allah knows these people well; and what they are doing.

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لاَ تُفْسِدُواْ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ قَالُوۤاْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ

أَلاۤ إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَـٰكِن لاَّ يَشْعُرُونَ
“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)

Those ‘smart’ people seem to be happy with the worldly profit they make from this evil trade. But, in fact, they don’t realize that it’s a bad bargain. They are following the way of Shaitan (the Devil) and they’ll eventually join the Devil (Shaitan) in Hellfire.

أُوْلَـٰئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشْتَرُواْ ٱلضَّلاَلَةَ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ

 فَمَا رَبِحَتْ تِّجَارَتُهُمْ وَمَا كَانُواْ مُهْتَدِينَ 
“These are they who have bartered Guidance

for error. But their traffic is profitless, and they

have lost true direction.”

(al-Quran 2:16)

Spreading evil in the Earth and ruling/controlling the world by oppression, deception, lies and falsehood, is a big crime in the eyes of God. It is Allah Who gives some people authority over others so that they treat mankind with justice and compassion. But authority (or power) makes many people corrupt and they cannot treat others justly.

فَهَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ إِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ أَن تُفْسِدُواْ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ وَتُقَطِّعُوۤاْ أَرْحَامَكُمْ

أَوْلَـٰئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَأَصَمَّهُمْ وَأَعْمَىٰ أَبْصَارَهُمْ

“Then, is it to be expected of you, if you were put

in authority, that you will do mischief in the land,

and break your ties of kith and kin? Such are
the men whom Allah has cursed for He has

made them deaf and blinded their sight.”

(al-Quran 47:22-23)

When someone does not stop corruption and keeps evil-living by violating God’s Law, God seals his heart making him blind to reality/truth, unless he repents and changes his ways. The history of the world reminds us, again and again, that ‘evil begets evil’ and destruction becomes the fate of the evil-doers.

فَٱنْتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَأَغْرَقْنَاهُمْ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ بِأَنَّهُمْ

كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا وَكَانُواْ عَنْهَا غَافِلِينَ
“So We exacted retribution from them: We drowned

them in the sea, because they rejected Our Signs and

failed to take warning from them.”

(al-Quran 7:136)

أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيْفَ كَانَ

عَاقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ دَمَّرَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلِلْكَافِرِينَ أَمْثَالُهَا
“Do they not travel through the earth, and see

what was the End of those before them (who did evil)?

Allah brought utter destruction on them, and

similar (fates await) those who reject Allah.”

(al-Quran 47:10)

Fortunately, there are still some people on the face of this earth who cannot compromise with evil and corruption. When they see those in power and authority, abusing their power/authority, they tell their ignorant fellow human beings that they are being betrayed. The are called the “whistle-blowers”. They put their lives at stake for the safety and well-being of others. They are the real ‘Mujahideen’.

The Betrayal: Who Is Fooling Who?

The forces of tyranny don’t want people to wake up and stand up for their rights or civil liberties. They always try plan after plan to curb and curtail these rights and liberties. They use religion (and religious leaders or scholars) to implement their designs. They want to be ‘free’ as dictators while at the same time they don’t want to hear the word ‘free’ or ‘freedom’ from public or the people whom they rule and control. These forces of tyranny are tightening their grip to control and subjugate people who work for them as slaves. The victims (slaves) used to knock at the doors of justice to get their grievances addressed. But these doors, generally, don’t open for them any more. They are being closed and locked, one by one. People ask their representatives:

You promised to protect us from tyranny and evil/corrupt government. But you did not! Why? We trusted you but you ……

You promised to stand up for our civil liberties, our rights and freedoms. But you did not! Why? We trusted you but you …..

You promised to uphold the principles laid down in our constitution and fight every tyrant/power-monger who violates the First Amendment. But you did not!

Why? We trusted you but you …..

You sold us out for a few dollars to make your own life comfortable and bring misery to others? What kind of human being are you? How do you sleep at night? What kind of ‘democracy’ do you believe in?

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

The Governments

“Of The People, By The People,

For The People”,

Are Working

Against The People.

Is This Democracy ???

(Or Hypocrisy?)

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

There are certain people (and groups) who are propagating ‘Khilafah’ these days and claim that Kilafah is the only solution to the present-day problems. This claim is not realistic. It is promoted by Salafi sect which is sponsored and financially supported by Saudi Arabia. They have their own agenda. You can see them handling the affairs in Egypt. The Salafi (Noor Party) have joined the illegal military government of Gen. Sisi after dislodging the legal and democratically elected government of President Morsi. They are killing innocent Muslims (who oppose them and demand the restoration of a legal and legitimate government). They are killing Muslim members of “Ikhwaan” party because they don’t accept their agenda or their brand of Islam.

Another anti-Islam tradition that comes from Khilafah era is heredity. A Khalifah (Caliph) dies and his son takes over the government as if the country, and all that is in it, is the personal property of his father (in Urdu: Baap ka Maal). The Quran (and Islam) does not give them that right. Head of the state must be elected/chosen by people (or Shoora), not by the family of the deceased.

The truth is that no system (Khilafah or Democracy or Dictatorship) can work successfully as long as the people are corrupt and dishonest. Khilafah of Uthmania (in Turkey) worked well in the beginning but when the corruption seeped in and people in power tried to hide corruption behind the authority (force), it started to crumble. And the empire was eventually defeated and dismembered with humiliation, creating new states like Jordan, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, etc. These states are neither governed by Khilafah nor Democracy. The kings or Emirs of these so-called ‘Islamic’ states claim to be from the family of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). They claim to be the ‘Khalifah’ (Caliph) and want people to address them as ‘Ameer-ul-Moumineen’. They are corrupt, dishonest and govern by force like tyrants/dictators by killing or imprisoning the opposition. The posts of ministers are given to the family members. So, what difference would it make if Zardari or Nawaz Sharif is called ‘Khalifah’ and their governments claim to be ‘Khilafah’?

Therefore, it is not Khilafah or Democracy that matters; it is the honesty and righteousness (‘Taqwa’) that is needed. Obedience to Allah is the most important thing in a Muslim’s life. And that should prevail in a Muslim society based on justice, equality  and honesty, with the Quran as the basis of all affairs/dealings. You can call it by any name you like. There’s nothing in the name. If Muslims don’t enforce Islam in their countries and on their lives, they’ll not succeed. Simple as that.

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