What is death?
A new beginning...
Monday, June 11, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
The Iron Wall
A documentary worth watching. If pictures are worth a thousand words, this documentary's worth tens of thousands.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Hijab
Took this off from my friend's blog...
http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jun2007-weekly/iqra-01-06-2007/index.html#3
http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jun2007-weekly/iqra-01-06-2007/index.html#3
Monday, June 04, 2007
Karachi's Fav. topic
There's no end to the cursing and swearing to KESC in Karachi. Last month when we were having exams and even before that when temperatures soared to 40 or 41 degrees, whenever we used to ask our friends and class mates, " What did you study last night?"
Friend 1: Oh! no electricity for five hours! I couldn't study..
Friend 2: I think Robinson Crusoe is jinxed. Whenever I think or intend to do it, electricty goes out!
Friend 3: I'm so tired! We didn't have electricity all night. I couldn't sleep.
Me : It's ironic that government has sold KESC to Seimens, a multinational company, and they're are sucking us up like this! My brother calls Pakistan "andhi" (blind), whoever wants to suck up the blood and wealth of people, they do it without any hinderance! it's like a platter of food for free... come and drain us of all that we have left!
At someone's place, I heard the homemaker telling me, " I buy diesel of Rs. 32,000 every month for the generator! And we get more than that amount of the electricity bill! It's crazy and ununderstandable that there's no electricity half of the day, the rest of the day it's the voltage fluctuation game, sometimes the tubelights won't even light up! and yet we get more than Rs 50,000 bill from KESC!"
You go to the businessmen, who owns factories and shops around the city and they tell you, " We don't get electricity, but we have deadlines to meet and put those machines to work so that we could get food for our families. Yet we pay taxes and electricity bills with SURCHARGES and look the government wants more!! they want us to shut our shops at 8! How can we? People come to us after sunset, when the temperature goes down a bit."
All I want to say is that if powercut has to be there, start it off with the President and the Prime Minister's Houses. And put them in the same situation as the other civillians are. Let them go through the same powercuts of 8, 12 or 16hrs. Let them know how the kids, mothers and the sick go through when they have governments who are talking about America sending them off to "stone-age" and they are doing the same thing. Who needs America?! We have KESC who's doing a better job!
P.S. KESC has increased the unit charge by 20 paisas without prior notice. The bill that you would get would be of 50% more of your earlier bills... so yess... no electricity yet lambe lambe bill...
Friend 1: Oh! no electricity for five hours! I couldn't study..
Friend 2: I think Robinson Crusoe is jinxed. Whenever I think or intend to do it, electricty goes out!
Friend 3: I'm so tired! We didn't have electricity all night. I couldn't sleep.
Me : It's ironic that government has sold KESC to Seimens, a multinational company, and they're are sucking us up like this! My brother calls Pakistan "andhi" (blind), whoever wants to suck up the blood and wealth of people, they do it without any hinderance! it's like a platter of food for free... come and drain us of all that we have left!
At someone's place, I heard the homemaker telling me, " I buy diesel of Rs. 32,000 every month for the generator! And we get more than that amount of the electricity bill! It's crazy and ununderstandable that there's no electricity half of the day, the rest of the day it's the voltage fluctuation game, sometimes the tubelights won't even light up! and yet we get more than Rs 50,000 bill from KESC!"
You go to the businessmen, who owns factories and shops around the city and they tell you, " We don't get electricity, but we have deadlines to meet and put those machines to work so that we could get food for our families. Yet we pay taxes and electricity bills with SURCHARGES and look the government wants more!! they want us to shut our shops at 8! How can we? People come to us after sunset, when the temperature goes down a bit."
All I want to say is that if powercut has to be there, start it off with the President and the Prime Minister's Houses. And put them in the same situation as the other civillians are. Let them go through the same powercuts of 8, 12 or 16hrs. Let them know how the kids, mothers and the sick go through when they have governments who are talking about America sending them off to "stone-age" and they are doing the same thing. Who needs America?! We have KESC who's doing a better job!
P.S. KESC has increased the unit charge by 20 paisas without prior notice. The bill that you would get would be of 50% more of your earlier bills... so yess... no electricity yet lambe lambe bill...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Monsoon Rains
There's something about rains that make us look at the brighter side. Whenever it rains, whether in summers or winters, everyone yearns to get all wet in that rain. But Monsoon Rains are special. They bring hope and life in our lives.
When I enter through the gate of Karachi University throughout the year, though it has a wonderful botanical garden now right after you enter from Silver Jubilee gate, it is not that mesmerising. But in the monsoon season, the garden seems to have a new life. The places in University which seems like a part of the Thar Desert, after the rains, turn into a green jungle. The growth of the plants though is wild, uneven but it brings freshness, green-ness and healthy-ness in everyone around! I'm talking about Karachi University in particular because around Karachi, there's not much change visible except in the less populated areas like Gulshan-e-Maymar. Because you see empty plots of land with grass and other plantations sprouting up right after the rains, and not all round the year. I guess that is why the poet said,
"zara num ho tu yeh mitti bohot zarkhez hai saaqi"
And all at once you see around you and you think, "HOW TRUE!!!"
The Imam of Kaa'ba was in Lahore and was leading the maghrib prayer. It was showing LIVE on t.v. And you could see thousands gathered behind him to pray to their Lord Almighty. It seemed as if it was a crowd of Hajj or on smaller scale, of Eid Prayers.
And this reminded me what one of my teachers regularly say that the Muslims just need a proper direction or someone who could tell them the right path. Muslims, in todays world, though are scattered and divided, yet they all would lead the prayer behind the Imam of Kaa'ba. They still hold him in high esteem. The Imam of Kaa'ba, who is not a political figure and yet has soo much influence upon the Muslims of the world, who doesn't give long boring speeches and yet people would love to stand behind him for prayers.
All I could conclude from this is that the Muslims, in Pakistan specially, are fed up with the division of sects, races and on the basis of language. They just need one person who could tell them THE RIGHT PATH and they will follow. The hollowness and the religiosity of the soo many has led them into trivial things which are making them more divided, unfulfilled and yet more weak while the enemy grows stronger on the other side.
When I enter through the gate of Karachi University throughout the year, though it has a wonderful botanical garden now right after you enter from Silver Jubilee gate, it is not that mesmerising. But in the monsoon season, the garden seems to have a new life. The places in University which seems like a part of the Thar Desert, after the rains, turn into a green jungle. The growth of the plants though is wild, uneven but it brings freshness, green-ness and healthy-ness in everyone around! I'm talking about Karachi University in particular because around Karachi, there's not much change visible except in the less populated areas like Gulshan-e-Maymar. Because you see empty plots of land with grass and other plantations sprouting up right after the rains, and not all round the year. I guess that is why the poet said,
"zara num ho tu yeh mitti bohot zarkhez hai saaqi"
And all at once you see around you and you think, "HOW TRUE!!!"
The Imam of Kaa'ba was in Lahore and was leading the maghrib prayer. It was showing LIVE on t.v. And you could see thousands gathered behind him to pray to their Lord Almighty. It seemed as if it was a crowd of Hajj or on smaller scale, of Eid Prayers.
And this reminded me what one of my teachers regularly say that the Muslims just need a proper direction or someone who could tell them the right path. Muslims, in todays world, though are scattered and divided, yet they all would lead the prayer behind the Imam of Kaa'ba. They still hold him in high esteem. The Imam of Kaa'ba, who is not a political figure and yet has soo much influence upon the Muslims of the world, who doesn't give long boring speeches and yet people would love to stand behind him for prayers.
All I could conclude from this is that the Muslims, in Pakistan specially, are fed up with the division of sects, races and on the basis of language. They just need one person who could tell them THE RIGHT PATH and they will follow. The hollowness and the religiosity of the soo many has led them into trivial things which are making them more divided, unfulfilled and yet more weak while the enemy grows stronger on the other side.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Mangoes and Milkshakes
Mangoes and Milkshakes are one of the best things, we, Pakistanis look for in the summer. Mangoes, being the favourite fruit of almost everyone here, is a whole affair. When you have guests at your place you can simply serve them with mangoes, or milkshake or just cream,condensed milk with mangoes. And trust me, everyone loves them. The mango parties, the mango mela (fair) or just having mangoes after every meal is what everyone looks forward to in the summer here in Pakistan besides the monsoon rains. But...
Inspite of all the sweetness in the fruit, the bitterness of life can not just whither away. It remains there gnawing at you, biting you and injecting more pain and miseries upon your soul. Whether it's the politics of your own country or the sufferrings of the innocent Muslims out there.
"It's easier to look the other way" - Prisonbreak
And perhaps it is... but how can you just ignore that the country, which was built on the very basis of Islam, is just losing it's grip on the very ideology it was built upon? The politicians and the leaders have given into lust of power, corruption and greed for money. It's easier to ignore what they are doing, and moving on with your life. But what would life be without your own country, ideology or religion? It's easier to ignore that Muslims are brutally killed and their lands and plantation taken away from them but they are a part of me and how can I not flinch, or feel the pain? A part of me is burning, the other fighting between themselves, How can I just go on eating mangoes and look the other way?!
The natioanlists are raising their voices, the sects are fighting amoungst themselves and the rest are watching as silent spectators. Looking everywhere and seeing the blood, the selfishness of Muslims is destroying them. They are in huge number, they bow towards the same Ka'aba, and yet so much hatred inside?! OR is there someone else creating and fuelling the whole affair?!
A just question. Because I don't want to fight with my brothers, nor they do. Who comes in to bring those gaps, hatred and absurd theories of dividing us between, sects, languages or the races? This reminds me of the time when I was reading about how in Salahuddin Ayyubi's (the famous Saladin that the West loves) time, the jewish and the christian agents used to come to manipulate the Muslims and used to create the walls and the barriers and corruption into the religion. And this let me thinking;" why is today any different?" Just look around... and see... and pray,
" Oh Lord! Show me things as they are in themselves". Ameen.
Inspite of all the sweetness in the fruit, the bitterness of life can not just whither away. It remains there gnawing at you, biting you and injecting more pain and miseries upon your soul. Whether it's the politics of your own country or the sufferrings of the innocent Muslims out there.
"It's easier to look the other way" - Prisonbreak
And perhaps it is... but how can you just ignore that the country, which was built on the very basis of Islam, is just losing it's grip on the very ideology it was built upon? The politicians and the leaders have given into lust of power, corruption and greed for money. It's easier to ignore what they are doing, and moving on with your life. But what would life be without your own country, ideology or religion? It's easier to ignore that Muslims are brutally killed and their lands and plantation taken away from them but they are a part of me and how can I not flinch, or feel the pain? A part of me is burning, the other fighting between themselves, How can I just go on eating mangoes and look the other way?!
The natioanlists are raising their voices, the sects are fighting amoungst themselves and the rest are watching as silent spectators. Looking everywhere and seeing the blood, the selfishness of Muslims is destroying them. They are in huge number, they bow towards the same Ka'aba, and yet so much hatred inside?! OR is there someone else creating and fuelling the whole affair?!
A just question. Because I don't want to fight with my brothers, nor they do. Who comes in to bring those gaps, hatred and absurd theories of dividing us between, sects, languages or the races? This reminds me of the time when I was reading about how in Salahuddin Ayyubi's (the famous Saladin that the West loves) time, the jewish and the christian agents used to come to manipulate the Muslims and used to create the walls and the barriers and corruption into the religion. And this let me thinking;" why is today any different?" Just look around... and see... and pray,
" Oh Lord! Show me things as they are in themselves". Ameen.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
THE SCAR
Living in Karachi, and surviving the May 12 mayhem, I believe I owe my blog one comprehensive post relating to the event plus the after effects. But as this blog belongs to me, and I cannot write in a vacuum so I believe this would be filled with deep anguish and bitterness intertwined with the anger that has been baffling inside me ever since.
I guess everyone watched the whole affair on Television that day. The independent media, for the first time ever, seemed to have gone against the government with such drastic measures. The idea that the civilians were killed, the representatives of the secular parties were carrying guns and killing people just to make sure that the Chief Justice of Pakistan could not enter the city, so that he will not be able to address the Bar council?!
It was quite heart-wrenching to see that the people were dying in the streets of Karachi yet the ruling party's leader, Altaf Hussein, was addressing the people of his rally from London. Not a single gun fire, not a single drop of blood was shed from anyone who was attending that rally but the people who were going to show their solidarity with the Chief justice were welcomed with open fire from the activist of the same ruling party of MQM.
The amazing thing to notice is that not a single policeman or the Rangers were visible on the streets, yet there was a helicopter hovering above the MQM's rally. Quite a show they put up there. We could see how much they cared about the people of Karachi. If the MQM's leader was so in love with the people of Karachi as he claim to be, then why is his party activists have to collect bhatta from shopkeepers around their area. Living in a lavish London lifestyle and holding a British passport, one asks if he's so in love with Karachi or Pakistan, why cannot he just give up his passport and come back. Be a Machiavellian and come and live here. What is he afraid of? that people might kill him (he will die eventually, he is not immortal).or the popularity is not that great as they claim it to be?!
Coming back to the ground realities, people of Karachi were left alone to their demise on May 12, where there was no one to provide them with security, while everyone of us saw how amazing security measures were taken to ensure the perfect, harmonious and celebratory rally of the ruling party of PML-Q in Islamabad. Just in front of the Parliament, everyone could see on Television how the party members were celebrating. For us, Karachiites, it seemed as they were dancing to celebrate the shattered Karachi. For me it was crucial to see what everyone has to say to that rally as I was looking for answers. I was looking for comfort. But to my surprise, each politician be it Chaudhry Shujaat Hussein, Sheikh Rasheed, or Shaukat Aziz (the Prime minister) or the respected leader of this country General Parvez Musharraf, just talked about the upcoming elections, the upcoming budget and the power of people! I was shocked and flabbergasted that the leaders of this country, had to say one phrase to the Dead Karachi and all they cared about was their votes. The election campaign was more important to them then the state security, lives of innocent civilians?! Quite a show they put up there! Bullet proof glasses set up on the dais for the President to address the nation while the financial hub was burning. The general, the army chief who claims that he's been in the two battles, is actually hiding behind the bulletproof glass. WOW! All he could say was that everyone has seen that the power of people is with whom and not just here but even in Karachi( referring to the MQM's rally).
It's quite amazing to see how the West loves Musharraf Sahib just because he's an ally of US on War on Terrorism. It seems as if the patron of the war on terrorism is terrorist himself, killing people, burning their properties just to make sure he Rules. Just to make sure that a Chief Justice cannot reach his destination in Karachi.
It's amazing how the General Sahib is saying that the Chief Justice is making the whole issue politicized but what about him.. giving licence to kill the innocent civilians in Karachi so that they cannot support the Chief Justice?! So that the issue doesn't get politicized? General Musharraf has already made the whole issue politicized and here in Karachi, lost his dignity, integrity, honour and respect. It's so easy for him to address a rally hiding behind the bullet proof wall, with the police and army providing him with the maximum security. I bet he doesn't have the guts to address the nation on the naked streets of Karachi without any bulletproof wall and half the police force of this country.
At least we now know that the General, who's been harping about the Islamic, fundamentalist parties to be the jihadis and the militants who want to shed blood of innocent people, was just a huge LIE. The secular parties and the enlightened-moderate factions are actually the one's who are terrorists. They are the ones carrying guns and killing innocent civilians. They are the ones who do not want independence of Judiciary. They are the ones who are afraid of getting rid of the power. They believe in the motto of "Might is Right" and they use the might to curb the opposition.
One question that will always remain unanswered by the authorities is : Why Is General Sahab So Afraid Of The Chief Justice?!
The other thing that was quite surprising was that on other occasions we see the Police and the Rangers roaming around the city, checking cars and removing the coloured sheets off the widows of the cars, WHERE WERE THEY?! On 13th of may the Ranger's spokesman said on TV that they love this city and will make things better, as they were. But they can never bring back those who were gone. The people who died were fathers, brothers, sons and husbands of someone. Can these Rangers and Policemen ever heal the wounds of those who lost their loved ones? Will the people of Karachi, including me, Ever Trust these Law Enforcement Agencies?! I guess you have to be a Karachiite to know the real answer.
I guess everyone watched the whole affair on Television that day. The independent media, for the first time ever, seemed to have gone against the government with such drastic measures. The idea that the civilians were killed, the representatives of the secular parties were carrying guns and killing people just to make sure that the Chief Justice of Pakistan could not enter the city, so that he will not be able to address the Bar council?!
It was quite heart-wrenching to see that the people were dying in the streets of Karachi yet the ruling party's leader, Altaf Hussein, was addressing the people of his rally from London. Not a single gun fire, not a single drop of blood was shed from anyone who was attending that rally but the people who were going to show their solidarity with the Chief justice were welcomed with open fire from the activist of the same ruling party of MQM.
The amazing thing to notice is that not a single policeman or the Rangers were visible on the streets, yet there was a helicopter hovering above the MQM's rally. Quite a show they put up there. We could see how much they cared about the people of Karachi. If the MQM's leader was so in love with the people of Karachi as he claim to be, then why is his party activists have to collect bhatta from shopkeepers around their area. Living in a lavish London lifestyle and holding a British passport, one asks if he's so in love with Karachi or Pakistan, why cannot he just give up his passport and come back. Be a Machiavellian and come and live here. What is he afraid of? that people might kill him (he will die eventually, he is not immortal).or the popularity is not that great as they claim it to be?!
Coming back to the ground realities, people of Karachi were left alone to their demise on May 12, where there was no one to provide them with security, while everyone of us saw how amazing security measures were taken to ensure the perfect, harmonious and celebratory rally of the ruling party of PML-Q in Islamabad. Just in front of the Parliament, everyone could see on Television how the party members were celebrating. For us, Karachiites, it seemed as they were dancing to celebrate the shattered Karachi. For me it was crucial to see what everyone has to say to that rally as I was looking for answers. I was looking for comfort. But to my surprise, each politician be it Chaudhry Shujaat Hussein, Sheikh Rasheed, or Shaukat Aziz (the Prime minister) or the respected leader of this country General Parvez Musharraf, just talked about the upcoming elections, the upcoming budget and the power of people! I was shocked and flabbergasted that the leaders of this country, had to say one phrase to the Dead Karachi and all they cared about was their votes. The election campaign was more important to them then the state security, lives of innocent civilians?! Quite a show they put up there! Bullet proof glasses set up on the dais for the President to address the nation while the financial hub was burning. The general, the army chief who claims that he's been in the two battles, is actually hiding behind the bulletproof glass. WOW! All he could say was that everyone has seen that the power of people is with whom and not just here but even in Karachi( referring to the MQM's rally).
It's quite amazing to see how the West loves Musharraf Sahib just because he's an ally of US on War on Terrorism. It seems as if the patron of the war on terrorism is terrorist himself, killing people, burning their properties just to make sure he Rules. Just to make sure that a Chief Justice cannot reach his destination in Karachi.
It's amazing how the General Sahib is saying that the Chief Justice is making the whole issue politicized but what about him.. giving licence to kill the innocent civilians in Karachi so that they cannot support the Chief Justice?! So that the issue doesn't get politicized? General Musharraf has already made the whole issue politicized and here in Karachi, lost his dignity, integrity, honour and respect. It's so easy for him to address a rally hiding behind the bullet proof wall, with the police and army providing him with the maximum security. I bet he doesn't have the guts to address the nation on the naked streets of Karachi without any bulletproof wall and half the police force of this country.
At least we now know that the General, who's been harping about the Islamic, fundamentalist parties to be the jihadis and the militants who want to shed blood of innocent people, was just a huge LIE. The secular parties and the enlightened-moderate factions are actually the one's who are terrorists. They are the ones carrying guns and killing innocent civilians. They are the ones who do not want independence of Judiciary. They are the ones who are afraid of getting rid of the power. They believe in the motto of "Might is Right" and they use the might to curb the opposition.
One question that will always remain unanswered by the authorities is : Why Is General Sahab So Afraid Of The Chief Justice?!
The other thing that was quite surprising was that on other occasions we see the Police and the Rangers roaming around the city, checking cars and removing the coloured sheets off the widows of the cars, WHERE WERE THEY?! On 13th of may the Ranger's spokesman said on TV that they love this city and will make things better, as they were. But they can never bring back those who were gone. The people who died were fathers, brothers, sons and husbands of someone. Can these Rangers and Policemen ever heal the wounds of those who lost their loved ones? Will the people of Karachi, including me, Ever Trust these Law Enforcement Agencies?! I guess you have to be a Karachiite to know the real answer.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
My city's on Fire!
12th may '07.
Gun fires, bloodshed, fire, dead bodies and clashes. The city of Karachi. It seems as if it necessary to associate all these words with this city of lights. It has been so since the '80s. I still remember in 1995, there used to be a strike every Friday and torching of buses was everyday routine. The gunfires stopped scaring the children, they knew it was time to hide, lay low and no school, no exams and no homeworks for many days to come!
Today, we saw how responsible our city and our country's government is. Where were Rangers or the Police forces when the clashes were taking place?! Where were the saviours when the city was being torn into pieces?!
So, no security for the common people of Karachi and bullet proof, well secured places for President Musharraf for holding his address! Hypocrisy!
Gun fires, bloodshed, fire, dead bodies and clashes. The city of Karachi. It seems as if it necessary to associate all these words with this city of lights. It has been so since the '80s. I still remember in 1995, there used to be a strike every Friday and torching of buses was everyday routine. The gunfires stopped scaring the children, they knew it was time to hide, lay low and no school, no exams and no homeworks for many days to come!
Today, we saw how responsible our city and our country's government is. Where were Rangers or the Police forces when the clashes were taking place?! Where were the saviours when the city was being torn into pieces?!
So, no security for the common people of Karachi and bullet proof, well secured places for President Musharraf for holding his address! Hypocrisy!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Whatever You May
'Tis probably high time when I should pull up my socks, jammmm my foot in the boots and hit the tracks. It's been quite a while since I've stopped writing here or anywhere else and I can see that the former haphazard scraps here and there on my blog are putting me off already. The whole idea of writing a formal essay given the time I have just before my semester exams is not a favourable idea, I guess.
Things have changed quite a bit since the last time I actually put in an effort to write something in here. I guess I was too concerned with politics, not that I am not now, but I have other things on my mind too. The world politics or just the politics is odious. The more you learn about it, the more you get involved, the more you feel betrayed, decieved and stupid. All the politicians say the same things over and over again, diction might change the kernel remains the same. The powerful want more power and as they say, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". And Thanks to all the powerful men out there, now we know for sure.
Coming back to where I orginally was... hmm... this blog will remain the entity of my stream of thoughts nomatter how haphazard... that keeps the fun alive!!!
Things have changed quite a bit since the last time I actually put in an effort to write something in here. I guess I was too concerned with politics, not that I am not now, but I have other things on my mind too. The world politics or just the politics is odious. The more you learn about it, the more you get involved, the more you feel betrayed, decieved and stupid. All the politicians say the same things over and over again, diction might change the kernel remains the same. The powerful want more power and as they say, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". And Thanks to all the powerful men out there, now we know for sure.
Coming back to where I orginally was... hmm... this blog will remain the entity of my stream of thoughts nomatter how haphazard... that keeps the fun alive!!!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Terrorism quiz
TERRORISM QUIZ
1) Which is the only country in the world to have dropped bombs on over twenty different countries since 1945?
2) Which is the only country to have used nuclear weapons?
3) Which country was responsible for a car bomb which killed 80 civilians in Beirut in 1985, in a botched assassination attempt, thereby making it the most lethal terrorist bombing in modern Middle East history?
4) Which country's illegal bombing of Libya in 1986 was described by the UN Legal Committee as a "classic case" of terrorism?
5) Which country rejected the order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to terminate its "unlawful use of force" against Nicaragua in 1986, and then vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling on all states to observe international law?
6) Which country was accused by a UN-sponsored truth commission of providing "direct and indirect support" for "acts of genocide" against the Mayan Indians in Guatemala during the 1980s?
7) Which country unilaterally withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in December 2001?
8) Which country renounced the efforts to negotiate a verification process for the Biological Weapons Convention and brought an international conference on the matter to a halt in July 2001?
9) Which country prevented the United Nations from curbing the gun trade at a small arms conference in July 2001?
10) Aside from Somalia, which is the only other country in the world to have refused to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?
11) Which is the only Western country which allows the death penalty to be applied to children?
12) Which is the only G7 country to have refused to sign the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, forbidding the use of landmines?
13) Which is the only G7 country to have voted against the creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 1998?
14) Which was the only other country to join with Israel in opposing a 1987 General Assembly resolution condemning international terrorism?
15) Which country refuses to fully pay its debts to the United Nations yet reserves its right to veto United Nations resolutions?
Answer to all 15 questions: The United States of America
http://www.nidokidos.org/
Friday, February 16, 2007
Valentine's Day Special
There is a hadeeth of the Holy Prophet(pbuh) that you shouldn't do what non-believers do!
When he migrated to Madinah, people there used to have a festival of two days, he put a stop to it and said that the only festival celebrated by Muslims are the two Eids (Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr).
Now coming back to the present situation, the activities are quite inverted. Eids are not celebrated with much conviction but everyone is hyped up about the Valentine's Day! Red flowers, clothes, teddies and cards everywhere. You switch on your television set and you see women dressed in red solving the love problems of the entire nation! IS this what a Mculim country should be doing?!
Being a Muslim, I know first of all that I shouldn't copy the non-Muslims on such occasions and I shouldn't mingle with the opposite sex! The society we are living in is getting more corrupt and more diseased just by having co-ed schools, colleges and media promoting such culture which is not even a part of our lives.
I got an email two years back that I would like to share it with you on this occasion:
Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions. Allaah has chosen for us Islam as our religion and He will not accept any other religion from anyone, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that groups of his ummah would follow the enemies of Allaah in some of their rituals and customs, as it says in the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him), who narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“You will certainly follow the ways of those who came before you, span by span, cubit by cubit, until even if they were to enter a lizard’s hole, you would follow them.”
We said, “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?”
He said, “Who else?!” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari in al-I’tisaam bi’l-Kitaab wa’l-Sunnah, Baab Qawl al-Nabi (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) La tattabi’unna Sanan man kaana qablakum, 8/151;
and by Muslim in Kitaab al-‘Ilm, Baab Ittibaa’ Sanan al-Yahood wa’l-Nasaara, 4/2054)What the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) spoke of has indeed come to pass and has become widespread in recent times, in many of the Muslim countries. Many of the Muslims follow the enemies of Allaah in many of their customs and ways of behaving, and imitate them in some of their rituals and in celebrating their holidays. The matter has been made even worse by the opening up of mass communications between peoples, whereby the rituals and customs of the kuffaar are now transmitted with the glamorous adornment of sound and image from their countries into the Muslim countries, via satellite TV and the World Wide Web (Internet). Many Muslims have been deceived by their glamour. In recent years, a new phenomenon has spread among the Muslim youth – males and females alike – which does not bode well. This is manifested in their imitation of the Christians in their celebration of the Valentine’s Day, which has led the scholars and daa’iyahs to explain the rulings of sharee’ah concerning that, out of sincerity towards Allaah, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk, so that Muslims may have a clear understanding of this issue and so that they will not fall into that which will undermine the belief (‘aqeedah) with which Allaah has blessed them. This is a brief discussion of the origins, development and purpose of this holiday, and what the Muslim should do with regard to it.
The story of the Festival of Love (Valentine’s Day)The Festival of Love was one of the festivals of the pagan Romans, when paganism was the prevalent religion of the Romans more than seventeen centuries ago. In the pagan Roman concept, it was an expression of “spiritual love”. There were myths associated with this pagan festival of the Romans, which persisted with their Christian heirs. Among the most famous of these myths was the Roman belief that Romulus, the founder of Rome, was suckled one day by a she-wolf, which gave him strength and wisdom. The Romans used to celebrate this event in mid-February each year with a big festival. One of the rituals of this festival was the sacrifice of a dog and a goat. Two strong and muscular youths would daub the blood of the dog and goat onto their bodies, then they would wash the blood away with milk. After that there would be a great parade, with these two youths at its head, which would go about the streets. The two youths would have pieces of leather with which they would hit everyone who crossed their path. The Roman women would welcome these blows, because they believed that they could prevent or cure infertility. The connection between Saint Valentine and this festival Saint Valentine is a name which is given to two of the ancient “martyrs” of the Christian Church. It was said that there were two of them, or that there was only one, who died in Rome as the result of the persecution of the Gothic leader Claudius, c. 296 CE. In 350 CE, a church was built in Rome on the site of the place where he died, to perpetuate his memory. When the Romans embraced Christianity, they continued to celebrate the Feast of Love mentioned above, but they changed it from the pagan concept of “spiritual love” to another concept known as the “martyrs of love”, represented by Saint Valentine who had advocated love and peace, for which cause he was martyred, according to their claims. It was also called the Feast of Lovers, and Saint Valentine was considered to be the patron saint of lovers. One of their false beliefs connected with this festival was that the names of girls who had reached marriageable age would be written on small rolls of paper and placed in a dish on a table. Then the young men who wanted to get married would be called, and each of them would pick a piece of paper. He would put himself at the service of the girl whose name he had drawn for one year, so that they could find out about one another. Then they would get married, or they would repeat the same process again on the day of the festival in the following year. The Christian clergy reacted against this tradition, which they considered to have a corrupting influence on the morals of young men and women. It was abolished in Italy, where it had been well-known, then it was revived in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when in some western countries there appeared shops which sold small books called “Valentine’s books”, which contained love poems, from which the one who wanted to send a greeting to his sweetheart could choose. They also contained suggestions for writing love letters. It was also said concerning the origins of this holiday that when the Romans became Christian, after Christianity had become widespread, the Roman emperor Claudius II decreed in the third century CE that soldiers should not get married, because marriage would distract them from the wars they used to fight. This decree was opposed by Saint Valentine, who started to perform marriages for the soldiers in secret. When the emperor found out about that, he threw him in jail and sentenced him to execution. In prison, he (Saint Valentine) fell in love with the jailer’s daughter, but this was a secret because according to Christian laws, priests and monks were forbidden to marry or fall in love. But he is still regarded highly by the Christians because of his steadfastness in adhering to Christianity when the emperor offered to pardon him if he forsook Christianity and worshipped the Roman gods; then he would be one of his closest confidantes and he would make him his son-in-law. But Valentine refused this offer and preferred Christianity, so he was executed on 14 February 270 CE, on the eve of February 15, the festival of Lupercalis. So this day was named for this saint. In The Story of Civilization, it says that the Church devised a calendar in which every day was designated as the feast day of one of the saints. In England, Saint Valentine’s Day was to come at the end of winter. When that day came, according to them, the birds mated enthusiastically in the forests, and the young men would put flowers on the windowsills of the homes of the girls whom they loved. (The Story of Civilization by Will Durant, 15/23) The Pope designated the day of the death of Saint Valentine, February 14, 270 CE, as a festival of love. Who is the Pope? He is the “the archbishop, the supreme pontiff of the universal church, the successor of Saint Peter.” Look at this “archbishop” and how he prescribed for them the observance of this festival which was an innovation in their religion.
This reminds us of what Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):“They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allaah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allaah)…”[al-Tawbah 9:31]
It was narrated that ‘Adiy ibn Haatim said: “I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wearing a gold cross around my neck. He said, ‘O ‘Adiy, cast aside this idol.’ And I heard him reciting from Soorat Baraa’ah [al-Tawbah] (interpretation of the meaning): ‘They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allaah.’ He said: ‘They do not worship them, but when they permit them something they accept it as permitted, and when they forbid them something they accept it as forbidden.’” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and it is a hasan hadeeth).
Among the most important symbols of this holiday:
1 – Expressing joy and happiness on this occasion, as on their other major festivals.
2 – Exchanging red roses, which are an expression of love, the “spiritual love” of the pagans or the “love” of the Christians. Hence it is known to them as the Feast of Lovers.
3 – The sending of greetings cards. On some of these cards are pictures of “Cupid”, who appears as a child with two wings, carrying a bow and arrows. This was the god of love of the pagan Romans – exalted be Allaah far above their fabrications and their association of others with Him.
4 – Exchange of words of love and desire in the greetings cards which they send to one another, in verse, prose and short phrases. Some of the cards contain comical pictures and funny words, and they often contain the phrase “be my Valentine”. This represents the Christian concept of this festival after it was taken from the pagan concept.
5 – In many western countries, parties are held during the day and in the evening, where there is mixing of men and women, and dancing. Many of them send gifts such as roses and boxes of chocolates to their wives, friends and those whom they love. Anyone who looks at what is said above about the myths surrounding this pagan festival will clearly understand the following:
Firstly:That its origins lie in the pagan beliefs of the Romans, where it was an expression of the spiritual love of the idols which they used to worship instead of Allaah. Whoever celebrates it is celebrating an occasion of shirk on which the idols are venerated.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allaah, then Allaah has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers”[al-Maa’idah 5:72]
Secondly:That the development of this festival among the Romans was connected to myths and legends which no sound mind can accept, let alone the mind of the Muslim who believes in Allaah and His Messengers (peace be upon them). Can anyone of sound mind believe that a she-wolf suckled the founder of the city of Rome and gave him strength and wisdom. Moreover, these myths go against the belief (‘aqeedah) of the Muslim because the One Who bestows strength and wisdom is the Creator, may He be glorified and exalted, not the milk of a she-wolf! The same applies to the myth that their idols could protect them from evil or keep wolves away from their flocks.
Thirdly:Among the ugly rituals of the Romans on this day was the sacrifice of a dog and a goat, the daubing of their blood onto two youths then washing the blood off with milk, etc… This is something that would cause revulsion in anyone of a sound nature, and it is unacceptable to the sound mind.
Fourthly:The connection between Saint Valentine and this festival has been questioned by many sources, and it considered to be far from definite. It would have been better for the Christians to reject this pagan festival in which they imitated the pagans. So how about us Muslims, who are commanded to be different from the Christians and the pagans before them?
Fifthly: this festival was denounced by the Christian clergy in Italy, the bastion of Catholicism, because it was spreading bad attitudes and having an adverse effect on the minds of young men and women.
So it is better for the Muslims to reject it, warn others against it and to fulfil their duty towards it of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil. Someone may ask: why do we Muslims not celebrate this festival?This question may be answered in several ways:
1. In Islam, the festivals are clearly defined and well established, and no additions or subtractions may be accepted. They are an essential part of our worship and there is no room for ijtihaad or personal opinion. They have been prescribed for us by Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Festivals are part of the laws, clear way and religious ceremonies of which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way[al-Maa’idah 5:48]‘For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow’[al-Hajj 22:67]like the qiblah (direction faced in prayer), prayer and fasting.
So there is no difference between joining them in their festival and joining them in their other rituals. Agreeing with the whole festival is agreeing with kufr. Agreeing with some of their minor issues is the same as agreeing with them in some of the branches of kufr. Festivals are the most distinctive things by which religions are told apart, so whoever celebrates their festivals is agreeing with the most distinctive rituals of kufr. Undoubtedly going along with them in their festivals may in some cases lead to kufr. Dabbling in these things, at the very least, is a sin.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) referred to the fact that every nation has its own festivals when he said: ‘Every nation has its own Eid and this is our Eid’ (al-Bukhaari , 952, Muslim, 1892).” (al-Iqtidaa’, 1/471-472)
Because Valentine’s Day goes back to Roman times, not Islamic times, this means that it is something which belongs exclusively to the Christians, not to Islam, and the Muslims have no share and no part in it. If every nation has its own festivals, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said – “Every nation has its Eid” (narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim) – then this means that every nation should be distinguished by its festivals. If the Christians have a festival and the Jews have a festival, which belongs exclusively to them, then no Muslim should join in with them, just as he does not share their religion or their direction of prayer.
2. Celebrating Valentine’s Day means resembling or imitating the pagan Romans, then the Christian People of the Book in their imitation of the Romans in something that was not a part of their religion. If it is not allowed to imitate the Christians in things that really are part of their religion – but not part of our religion – then how about things which they have innovated in their religion in imitation of idol-worshippers?! Imitating the kuffaar in general –whether they are idol-worshippers or People of the Book – is haraam, whether that imitation is of their worship – which is the most serious form – or of their customs and behaviour.
This is indicated by the Qur’aan, Sunnah and ijmaa’ (scholarly consensus):
(i) From the Qur’aan: Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful torment" [Aal ‘Imraan 3:105]
(ii) From the Sunnah: the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (narrated by Ahmad, 2/50; Abu Dawood, 4021)Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) said: “This hadeeth at the very least indicates that it is haraam to imitate them, although the apparent meaning implies that the one who imitates them is a kaafir, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’ [friends and helpers]), then surely, he is one of them’ [al-Maa’idah 5:51].” (al-Iqtidaa’, 2/722-725)
(iii) With regard to ijmaa’, Ibn Taymiyan narrated that there was agreement that it is haraam to imitate the kuffaar in their festivals at the time of the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them), and Ibn al-Qayyim narrated that there was scholarly consensus on this point. (See al-Iqtidaa’, 1/454; Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, 2/722-725)
Allaah has forbidden imitation of the kuffaar; He has described it as hateful and has warned against the consequences of that, in many aayahs, on many occasions, and in various ways, especially imitation of the kuffaar. Sometimes He does that by forbidding following them or obeying them; sometimes by warning against them or being deceived by their plots, following their opinions, or being influenced by their actions, conduct or attitude. Sometimes He does that by mentioning some of their characteristics that will put the believers off from them and from imitating them. Most of the warnings in the Qur’aan refer to the Jews and hypocrites (munaafiqeen), then the People of the Book in general and the mushrikeen. Allaah tells us in the Qur’aan that imitating and obeying the kuffaar may constitute riddah (apostasy). Allaah also forbids following them, obeying them, or following their whims and desires and bad characteristics.
Prohibition of imitating the kuffaar is one of the basic principles of sharee’ah. Allaah sent His Messenger with guidance and the true religion so that it might prevail over all other religions, and Allaah has perfected His religion for mankind: “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”[al-Maa’idah 5:3 – interpretation of the meaning].
Allaah has made Islam cover all (human) interests at all times and in all places and for all people. So there is no need to adopt the ways of the kuffaar or imitate them. Imitation causes defects in the Muslim personality, such as feelings of inadequacy, inferiority, weakness and defeatism, then it leads to shunning and keeping away from the path and laws of Allaah.
Experience has shown that admiration for the kuffaar and imitation of them causes people to love them, have complete faith in them and take them as friends and helpers, and to reject Islam and its people, its heroes, its legacy and values, and become ignorant of all of that.
3. The purpose of Valentine’s Day in these times is to spread love between all people, believers and disbelievers alike. Undoubtedly it is haraam to love the kaafirs.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people)…”[al-Mujaadilah 58:22]
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Allaah tells us that there is no believer who takes a kaafir as a close friend. Whoever takes a kaafir as a close friend is not a believer. Outward imitation may be taken as a sign of love, so it is haraam.” (al-Iqtidaa’, 1/490).
4. The love referred to in this festival ever since the Christians revived it is romantic love outside the framework of marriage. The result of that is the spread of zinaa (fornication and adultery) and immorality. Hence the Christian clergy opposed it at some stage and abolished it, then it came back again. Most of the young people celebrate it because it lets them fulfil their desires, without thinking of the issues of imitation and resembling that are involved. Look at this tragedy, where they go so far as to commit major sins such as zinaa and the like, by imitating the Christians in something which is part of their worship and which may even be kufr. Some people may wonder, and say, you mean to deprive us of love, but in this day and age we express our feelings and emotions – what is so wrong with that?
We say:
Firstly:It is a mistake to confuse what they call the day with what the real intentions are behind it. The love referred to on this day is romantic love, taking mistresses and lovers, boyfriends and girlfriends. It is known to be a day of promiscuity and sex for them, with no restraints or restrictions… They are not talking of pure love between a man and his wife or a woman and her husband, or at least they do not distinguish between the legitimate love in the relationship between husband and wife, and the forbidden love of mistresses and lovers. This festival for them is a means for everyone to express love.
Secondly:Expression of feelings and emotions is not a justification for the Muslim to allocate a day for celebration based on his own thoughts and ideas, and to call it a festival, or make it like a festival or Eid. So how about when it is one of the festivals of the kuffaar? In Islam, a husband loves his wife throughout the year, and he expresses that love towards her with gifts, in verse and in prose, in letters and in other ways, throughout the years – not just on one day of the year.
Thirdly:There is no religion which encourages its followers to love and care for one another more than Islam does. This applies at all times and in all circumstances, not just on one particular day. Indeed, Islam encourages us to express our emotions and love at all times, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If a man loves his brother, let him tell him that he loves him.” (narrated by Abu Dawood, 5124; al-Tirmidhi, 2329; it is saheeh). And he said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you truly believe, and you will not truly believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread (the greeting of) salaam amongst yourselves.” (Narrated by Muslim, 54)
Fourthly:Love in Islam is more general and more comprehensive; it is not restricted only to one kind of love, that between a man and a woman. There are many more kinds of love. There is the love of Allaah, love of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them), love for good and righteous people, love and support for the religion, love of martyrdom for the sake of Allaah. There are many kinds of love. It is a dangerous mistake to restrict this broad meaning to this one kind of love.
Fifthly:What these people think, that love before marriage is a good thing, is wrong, as has been proven in studies and by real-life experience. In a study conducted by the University of Cairo, on what they called “love marriage” and “traditional marriage”, the following was stated: In marriages which came after a love story, 88% of cases ended in failure, i.e., the success rate was not more than 12%. But in cases of what the study calls traditional marriage, 70% were successful. In other words, the success rate in marriages described as traditional was six times more than those described as “love marriages”. (Risaalah ila Mu’minah, p. 255). Now let us look at the state of affairs in western societies where Valentine’s Day is celebrated, and ask, what is the state of marriage relationships in those societies, and do these celebrations have any positive effect on interactions between husbands and wives? Their own studies and statistics show the following:
1- In an American study done in 1407 AH/1987 CE, it states that 79% of men beat their womenfolk, especially if they are married…! (al-Qabas newspaper, 15/2/1988).
2- A study carried out by the National American Office for Mental Health states the following:- 17% of women who go to emergency rooms are victims of beatings by their husbands or boyfriends.- 83% of those who have previously been admitted to hospital at least once for treatment of injuries, were admitted as a result of beating.The study added that there are more women who do not go to hospital for treatment, but deal with their injuries at home.
3- In a report of the Central American Agency for Examination [FPT] it states that every 18 seconds there is a woman who is beaten by her husband somewhere in America.
4- American Time magazine stated that around 4,000 wives out of approximately 6 million who are beaten die as a result of that beating.
5- In a German study it said that no less that 100,000 women annually are exposed to acts of physical or psychological abuse on the part of their husbands or the men they live with. The real figure may exceed one million.
6- In France, approximately 2 million women face beatings.
7- In Britain, in an opinion poll in which 7,000 women took part, 28% of them said that they had been subjected to attacks by their husbands and boyfriends. So how can we believe that Valentine’s Day is of any benefit to married couples? The truth is that it is a call for more permissiveness and immorality, and the forming of forbidden relationships. The husband who sincerely loves his wife does not need this holiday to remind him of his love. He expresses his love for his wife at all times and on all occasions.
The Muslim’s attitude towards Valentine’s Day From the above discussion, the Muslim’s attitude towards this holiday should be clear:
(1) He should not celebrate it, or join others in their celebrations of it, or attend their celebrations, because of the evidence quoted above which shows that it is forbidden to celebrate the festivals of the kuffaar. Al-Haafiz al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “If the Christians have a festival and the Jews have a festival, which belongs only to them, then the Muslim should not join them in that, just as he does not join them in their religion or their direction of prayer.” (Tashabbuh al-Khasees bi Ahl al-Khamees, al-Hikmah magazine, 4/193). Because one of the basic principles of the pious predecessors was al-walaa’ wa’l-baraa’ (loyalty and friendship vs. disavowal and enmity), it is obligatory for everyone who says Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah Muhammad Rasool Allaah to follow this principle. So he should love the believers and he should hate the disbelievers, oppose them, and be different from them. He should know that that will bring immeasurable benefits, just as imitating them causes far greater harm. In addition to that, when the Muslims imitate them it makes the kuffaar happy and fills their hearts with joy, and it leads the Muslims to love the kuffaar in their hearts. If any Muslim girl who celebrates this holiday because she sees Margaret or Hilary or whoever doing so, this undoubtedly reflects the fact that she is following them and approves of their behaviour.
But Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):“O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is one of them.
Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)”[al-Maa’idah 5:51] One of the bad effects of imitating them is that this makes it look as if there are more of them, as if they have more supporters and followers. How can it be appropriate for a Muslim who recites in every rak’ah, “Guide us to the Straight Way, The way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray” [al-Faatihah 1:6-
7 – interpretation of the meaning], to ask Allaah for guidance to the Straight Path of the believers and to keep him away from the path of those who have earned His anger and of those who went astray, then go and follow their path by choice and willingly? Statistics indicate that Valentine’s Day is second only to Christmas in popularity. So it is clear that the Feast of Love is one of the festivals of the Christians and that it is second only to the festival of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the Messiah. So it is not permissible for Muslims to join in the celebrations of this date, because we are commanded to differ from them in their religion, customs and other things that belong exclusively to them, as is stated in the Qur’aan and Sunnah and scholarly consensus.
(2) He should not help the kuffaar in their celebrations, because it is one of the rituals of kufr, so helping them and approving of what they do is helping them to manifest kufr and make it prevail, and approving of it. The Muslim’s religion does not allow him to approve of kufr or help others to manifest it and make it prevail. Hence Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “It is not permissible for the Muslims to imitate them in anything that is specifically part of their festivals, whether it is food, clothing, bathing, lighting fires, or changing a custom of daily life or worship… To sum up, they should not do any of the specific rituals of their (the kuffaar’s) festival on that day; rather the day of their festival should be just another ordinary day for the Muslim.” (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 25/329)
(3) He should not help any Muslims who celebrate it. Rather it is obligatory to denounce them, because for the Muslims to celebrate the festivals of the kuffaar is an evil action which must be denounced. Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) said: “Just as we should not imitate them in their festivals, so too we should not help a Muslim to do that; rather he should be told not to do that.” (al-Iqtidaa’, 2/519-520)
Based on what Ibn Taymiyah said, it is not permissible for Muslim businessmen to deal in gifts for Valentine’s Day, whether they are particular kinds of clothes, red roses, or whatever. Similarly, it is not permissible for the one who is given a gift on this occasion to accept it, because by accepting it, he is showing approval of this holiday. One of the daa’iyahs said: we went to a flower shop in one of the Muslim countries and we were shocked to find it completely prepared for this occasion, with red carpets at the entrance, red placards and red decorations. We were met by one of the people who worked there, and we asked him why they had done so much to decorate the place for this occasion. He said that these preparations had begun early, and that there had been very many orders… Then he told us that he had been amazed by that, because he was a new Muslim who had left Christianity. He had known about that before he became Muslim, so how come his customers were Muslims and not Christians?! Other shops ran out of red roses, which were being sold at high prices. When one of the female daa’iyahs entered upon the female students who were gathered in the lecture hall, she was dismayed to find them all carrying something red. One had a red rose, another had a red scarf, or a red handkerchief, or a red bag, or red socks… Alas for the Muslim girls! Among the things that have been seen among the Muslims on this holiday:
1- All the female students agreeing with their friends to tie a red ribbon on the right wrist.
2- Wearing something red (a blouse, hair clip, shoes…). This reached such an extent last year that when we entered the classroom we found most of the students wearing it, as if it was a uniform.
3- Red balloons on which are written the words “I love you”. They usually bring these out at the end of the school day, in an area far from where the teachers can see them.
4- Writing names and hearts on their hands, or just initials.
5- Red roses are widespread on this day. Groups of girls entered their lecture rooms on February 14, each of them wearing something red, with red heart-shaped stickers on their faces, wearing red make-up. They started to exchange red-coloured gifts and kiss one another warmly. This happened in more than one university in the Muslim world, even in an Islamic university. In other words they were celebrating Saint Valentine’s Day.On that day, secondary schools (high schools) were astonished by the large numbers of female students who brought red roses of the finest quality, coloured their faces with red cosmetics, wore red earrings, and started to exchange gifts and warm greetings, in celebration of this day.
Al-Mawsoo’ah al-‘Arabiyyah (the Arabic Encyclopaedia) says that there are special customs for Valentine’s Day, such as printing love poems on cards to be given to relatives and those whom one loves. Some of them draw funny pictures on these cards, and the most common phrase written on them is “be my Valentine”. Parties are often held during the day, where they dance in their fashion. The Europeans still celebrate this holiday. In Britain, sales of flowers reached 22 million pounds. More chocolate is consumed on this day, and companies offer free messages on their Web sites to advertise those sites.Valentine’s Day has come to a number of Arab and Muslim countries, and has even reached the heartland of Islam (the Arabian Peninsula). It has reached societies which we had thought far removed from this insanity. In Riyadh the price of roses has risen in a crazy manner, so that a single rose costs 36 riyals (10 dollars), whereas before this day it cost 5 riyals. Gift shops and card shops compete in designing cards and gifts for this occasion, and some families hang up red roses in the windows of their homes on this day. In some of the Gulf countries, shopping centres and hotels have organized special celebrations of Valentine’s Day. Most of the stores and business places are covered with red. One of the finest Gulf hotels was full of balloons and dolls. Following the customs of the Feast of Love and the pagan myths, the restaurant put on a dramatic production with “Cupid”, the idol of love in the Roman myths, nearly naked and carrying a bow and arrow. He and his cohorts were looking to select “Mr. & Mrs. Valentine” from among the people present. Less expensive restaurants also celebrated this day in their own way. Some stores replaced their regular plates with heart-shaped plates, used red tablecloths and linens, and put a red rose on each table for the man to present to his beloved. The latest Valentine’s Day craze was started by the owner of a gift-shop in Kuwait. He imports (live) French rabbits which are small and have red eyes. He puts a necktie around the neck of each rabbit, and puts it in a small box to be given as a gift! We must oppose these things by all possible means. The responsibility rests with us all.
(4) We should not accept congratulations on Valentine’s Day, because it is not a holiday or an Eid for the Muslims. If the Muslim is congratulated on this occasion, he should not return the congratulations.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “With regard to congratulating others with the congratulations used by the kuffaar on such occasions, it is haraam by scholarly consensus, such as congratulating them on the occasion of their festivals or fasts, wishing them a blessed festival, etc. Even if the one who says this is free of kufr, it is still haraam. It is like congratulating someone for prostrating to the cross. It is even worse with Allaah and more hated by Him than congratulating someone for drinking alcohol, or committing murder or adultery, etc. Many of those who have no respect for religion do that, and they do not realize the abhorrence of their actions. Whoever congratulates a person for sin, innovation (bid’ah) or kufr exposes himself to the hatred and wrath of Allaah.” (Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, 1/441-442)
(5) We must explain the true nature of this holiday and other festivals of the kuffaar to those Muslims who have been deceived by them, and explain to them that it is essential for the Muslim to be distinguished by his religion and to protect his belief (‘aqeedah) from anything that may damage it. This should be done out of sincerity towards the ummah and in fulfilment of the command to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil. Fatwas of Muslim scholars concerning Valentine’s Day The Fatwa of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) Question:In recent times the celebration of Valentine’s Day has become widespread, especially among female students. This is one of the Christian holidays. They wear all red clothes, including their shoes, and they exchange red flowers… We hope that you can tell us the ruling on celebrating such holidays. What do you advise the Muslims to do with regard to such things?
May Allaah keep you and take care of you.He replied: Celebrating Valentine’s Day is not permitted for several reasons:
1 – It is an innovated celebration which has no basis in sharee’ah.
2 – It calls for people to keep their hearts and minds busy with these foolish things that go against the guidance of the pious predecessors (may Allaah be pleased with them), so it is not permitted on this day to do any of the customs associated with that holiday, whether that be connected to food, drink, clothing, exchanging gifts or anything else. The Muslim should be proud of his religion and not be so weak of character that he follows everyone who makes a noise. I ask Allaah to protect the Muslims from all temptations, visible and invisible, and to take care of us and give us strength. And Allaah knows best. The Fatwa of Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Jibreen concerning celebrating this day He was asked: the celebration of the so-called Feast of Love (Valentine’s Day) has become widespread among our boys and girls. This (Valentine) is the name of a saint who is venerated by the Christians, and this day is celebrated every year on February 14. They exchange gifts and red roses, and they wear red clothes. What is the ruling on celebrating this day, or exchanging gifts on this day? May Allaah reward you with good.He answered:
Firstly, it is not permissible to celebrate such innovated festivals, because this is a newly-invented innovation (bid’ah) which has no basis in sharee’ah. So it is included in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) which is not part of it, will have it rejected” – i.e., it will be thrown back upon the one who innovated it.
Secondly, this involves imitating and resembling the kuffaar in venerating that which they venerate and respecting their festivals and holidays, and imitating them in some of their religious practices. In the hadeeth it says, “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
Thirdly, the things that result from that, such as partying, idle play, singing, music, insolence, impertinence, unveiling, wanton display, mixing of men and women, and the appearance of women before non-mahrams, etc., are all things which are haraam, or are means which lead to immorality. So it should not be justified as an excuse for relaxation and entertainment, or claims that they will not overstep the mark, because that is not right. The one who cares about himself should keep away from sin and all that leads to it.On this basis, it is not permissible to sell these gifts and roses, if one knows that the purchaser will celebrate these holidays, give them as gifts or otherwise use them to honour these days, so that the vendor will not be sharing in the guilt of the one who does this innovated action. And Allaah knows best. The Fatwa of the Standing Committee The Standing Committee was also asked a question about this holiday:Some people celebrate the fourteenth day of February of each Christian year as the Day of Love (Valentine’s Day), where they exchange gifts of red roses and wear red clothes, and congratulate one another. Some the bakeries make sweets that are red in colour, with hearts drawn on them, and some stores have advertisements for their products that are especially for this day.
What is your opinion?
The Committee replied:It is haraam for the Muslim to help with this festival or any other haraam celebration in any way, be it food, drink, buying, selling, manufacturing, corresponding, advertising or in any other way, because all of that constitutes helping one another in sin, transgression and disobedience towards Allaah and His Messenger, and Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment”[al-Maa’idah 5:2]
So the Muslim must adhere to the Qur’aan and Sunnah in all his affairs, especially at times of fitan (temptation and tribulation) and when corruption is widespread. He should be smart and be careful to avoid falling into the misguidance of those who have earned the anger of Allaah and of those who went astray, and of the evildoers who hope not for reward from Allaah and do not show any respect towards Islam. The Muslim should seek refuge with Allaah and ask for His guidance and for help to adhere steadfastly to it, because none can guide except Allaah and none can make us remain steadfast except Him. And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace. Al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyah wa’l-Iftaa’ Finally, we offer our brothers the following advice:
1 – They should urge the khateebs of the mosques to tell the people and warn them. They should explain this matter to the imaam of the mosque and tell him when this day is approaching. They should give him a copy of the fatwas of the Standing Committee and of Shaykh Muhamamd ibn Saalih ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah forgive him). Every person should make the effort to contact the imaam of his mosque and tell him about this. Certainly there are imaams of mosques among the brothers so perhaps the responsibility of telling them about this will be discharged when they read this article.
2 – Every teacher should explain the reality of this holiday and warn his or her students about it. They will be answerable before Allaah tomorrow. They should explain that it is haraam by quoting the Fatwaa of the Standing Committee. All that should begin a week beforehand in order to be of any benefit.
3 – Those who go around and check on people and the headquarters of organizations should be notified of any shops which are selling gifts for this day or which put up pictures showing what the gift is or how it is wrapped.
4 – Each person should make his family members aware of this. Whoever has sisters in school or brothers should tell them and warn them about this matter, because many people are unaware of this holiday and what it means. We ask Allaah to protect the Muslims from the harm of temptations and from the evil of their own selves and the plots of their enemies, for He is the All-hearing Who answers prayers. May Allaah send blessings upon His slave and Messenger Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions.
http://www.islam-qa.com/topics/hobb/Valentines_eng.html
When he migrated to Madinah, people there used to have a festival of two days, he put a stop to it and said that the only festival celebrated by Muslims are the two Eids (Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr).
Now coming back to the present situation, the activities are quite inverted. Eids are not celebrated with much conviction but everyone is hyped up about the Valentine's Day! Red flowers, clothes, teddies and cards everywhere. You switch on your television set and you see women dressed in red solving the love problems of the entire nation! IS this what a Mculim country should be doing?!
Being a Muslim, I know first of all that I shouldn't copy the non-Muslims on such occasions and I shouldn't mingle with the opposite sex! The society we are living in is getting more corrupt and more diseased just by having co-ed schools, colleges and media promoting such culture which is not even a part of our lives.
I got an email two years back that I would like to share it with you on this occasion:
Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions. Allaah has chosen for us Islam as our religion and He will not accept any other religion from anyone, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that groups of his ummah would follow the enemies of Allaah in some of their rituals and customs, as it says in the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him), who narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“You will certainly follow the ways of those who came before you, span by span, cubit by cubit, until even if they were to enter a lizard’s hole, you would follow them.”
We said, “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?”
He said, “Who else?!” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari in al-I’tisaam bi’l-Kitaab wa’l-Sunnah, Baab Qawl al-Nabi (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) La tattabi’unna Sanan man kaana qablakum, 8/151;
and by Muslim in Kitaab al-‘Ilm, Baab Ittibaa’ Sanan al-Yahood wa’l-Nasaara, 4/2054)What the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) spoke of has indeed come to pass and has become widespread in recent times, in many of the Muslim countries. Many of the Muslims follow the enemies of Allaah in many of their customs and ways of behaving, and imitate them in some of their rituals and in celebrating their holidays. The matter has been made even worse by the opening up of mass communications between peoples, whereby the rituals and customs of the kuffaar are now transmitted with the glamorous adornment of sound and image from their countries into the Muslim countries, via satellite TV and the World Wide Web (Internet). Many Muslims have been deceived by their glamour. In recent years, a new phenomenon has spread among the Muslim youth – males and females alike – which does not bode well. This is manifested in their imitation of the Christians in their celebration of the Valentine’s Day, which has led the scholars and daa’iyahs to explain the rulings of sharee’ah concerning that, out of sincerity towards Allaah, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk, so that Muslims may have a clear understanding of this issue and so that they will not fall into that which will undermine the belief (‘aqeedah) with which Allaah has blessed them. This is a brief discussion of the origins, development and purpose of this holiday, and what the Muslim should do with regard to it.
The story of the Festival of Love (Valentine’s Day)The Festival of Love was one of the festivals of the pagan Romans, when paganism was the prevalent religion of the Romans more than seventeen centuries ago. In the pagan Roman concept, it was an expression of “spiritual love”. There were myths associated with this pagan festival of the Romans, which persisted with their Christian heirs. Among the most famous of these myths was the Roman belief that Romulus, the founder of Rome, was suckled one day by a she-wolf, which gave him strength and wisdom. The Romans used to celebrate this event in mid-February each year with a big festival. One of the rituals of this festival was the sacrifice of a dog and a goat. Two strong and muscular youths would daub the blood of the dog and goat onto their bodies, then they would wash the blood away with milk. After that there would be a great parade, with these two youths at its head, which would go about the streets. The two youths would have pieces of leather with which they would hit everyone who crossed their path. The Roman women would welcome these blows, because they believed that they could prevent or cure infertility. The connection between Saint Valentine and this festival Saint Valentine is a name which is given to two of the ancient “martyrs” of the Christian Church. It was said that there were two of them, or that there was only one, who died in Rome as the result of the persecution of the Gothic leader Claudius, c. 296 CE. In 350 CE, a church was built in Rome on the site of the place where he died, to perpetuate his memory. When the Romans embraced Christianity, they continued to celebrate the Feast of Love mentioned above, but they changed it from the pagan concept of “spiritual love” to another concept known as the “martyrs of love”, represented by Saint Valentine who had advocated love and peace, for which cause he was martyred, according to their claims. It was also called the Feast of Lovers, and Saint Valentine was considered to be the patron saint of lovers. One of their false beliefs connected with this festival was that the names of girls who had reached marriageable age would be written on small rolls of paper and placed in a dish on a table. Then the young men who wanted to get married would be called, and each of them would pick a piece of paper. He would put himself at the service of the girl whose name he had drawn for one year, so that they could find out about one another. Then they would get married, or they would repeat the same process again on the day of the festival in the following year. The Christian clergy reacted against this tradition, which they considered to have a corrupting influence on the morals of young men and women. It was abolished in Italy, where it had been well-known, then it was revived in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when in some western countries there appeared shops which sold small books called “Valentine’s books”, which contained love poems, from which the one who wanted to send a greeting to his sweetheart could choose. They also contained suggestions for writing love letters. It was also said concerning the origins of this holiday that when the Romans became Christian, after Christianity had become widespread, the Roman emperor Claudius II decreed in the third century CE that soldiers should not get married, because marriage would distract them from the wars they used to fight. This decree was opposed by Saint Valentine, who started to perform marriages for the soldiers in secret. When the emperor found out about that, he threw him in jail and sentenced him to execution. In prison, he (Saint Valentine) fell in love with the jailer’s daughter, but this was a secret because according to Christian laws, priests and monks were forbidden to marry or fall in love. But he is still regarded highly by the Christians because of his steadfastness in adhering to Christianity when the emperor offered to pardon him if he forsook Christianity and worshipped the Roman gods; then he would be one of his closest confidantes and he would make him his son-in-law. But Valentine refused this offer and preferred Christianity, so he was executed on 14 February 270 CE, on the eve of February 15, the festival of Lupercalis. So this day was named for this saint. In The Story of Civilization, it says that the Church devised a calendar in which every day was designated as the feast day of one of the saints. In England, Saint Valentine’s Day was to come at the end of winter. When that day came, according to them, the birds mated enthusiastically in the forests, and the young men would put flowers on the windowsills of the homes of the girls whom they loved. (The Story of Civilization by Will Durant, 15/23) The Pope designated the day of the death of Saint Valentine, February 14, 270 CE, as a festival of love. Who is the Pope? He is the “the archbishop, the supreme pontiff of the universal church, the successor of Saint Peter.” Look at this “archbishop” and how he prescribed for them the observance of this festival which was an innovation in their religion.
This reminds us of what Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):“They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allaah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allaah)…”[al-Tawbah 9:31]
It was narrated that ‘Adiy ibn Haatim said: “I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wearing a gold cross around my neck. He said, ‘O ‘Adiy, cast aside this idol.’ And I heard him reciting from Soorat Baraa’ah [al-Tawbah] (interpretation of the meaning): ‘They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allaah.’ He said: ‘They do not worship them, but when they permit them something they accept it as permitted, and when they forbid them something they accept it as forbidden.’” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and it is a hasan hadeeth).
Among the most important symbols of this holiday:
1 – Expressing joy and happiness on this occasion, as on their other major festivals.
2 – Exchanging red roses, which are an expression of love, the “spiritual love” of the pagans or the “love” of the Christians. Hence it is known to them as the Feast of Lovers.
3 – The sending of greetings cards. On some of these cards are pictures of “Cupid”, who appears as a child with two wings, carrying a bow and arrows. This was the god of love of the pagan Romans – exalted be Allaah far above their fabrications and their association of others with Him.
4 – Exchange of words of love and desire in the greetings cards which they send to one another, in verse, prose and short phrases. Some of the cards contain comical pictures and funny words, and they often contain the phrase “be my Valentine”. This represents the Christian concept of this festival after it was taken from the pagan concept.
5 – In many western countries, parties are held during the day and in the evening, where there is mixing of men and women, and dancing. Many of them send gifts such as roses and boxes of chocolates to their wives, friends and those whom they love. Anyone who looks at what is said above about the myths surrounding this pagan festival will clearly understand the following:
Firstly:That its origins lie in the pagan beliefs of the Romans, where it was an expression of the spiritual love of the idols which they used to worship instead of Allaah. Whoever celebrates it is celebrating an occasion of shirk on which the idols are venerated.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allaah, then Allaah has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers”[al-Maa’idah 5:72]
Secondly:That the development of this festival among the Romans was connected to myths and legends which no sound mind can accept, let alone the mind of the Muslim who believes in Allaah and His Messengers (peace be upon them). Can anyone of sound mind believe that a she-wolf suckled the founder of the city of Rome and gave him strength and wisdom. Moreover, these myths go against the belief (‘aqeedah) of the Muslim because the One Who bestows strength and wisdom is the Creator, may He be glorified and exalted, not the milk of a she-wolf! The same applies to the myth that their idols could protect them from evil or keep wolves away from their flocks.
Thirdly:Among the ugly rituals of the Romans on this day was the sacrifice of a dog and a goat, the daubing of their blood onto two youths then washing the blood off with milk, etc… This is something that would cause revulsion in anyone of a sound nature, and it is unacceptable to the sound mind.
Fourthly:The connection between Saint Valentine and this festival has been questioned by many sources, and it considered to be far from definite. It would have been better for the Christians to reject this pagan festival in which they imitated the pagans. So how about us Muslims, who are commanded to be different from the Christians and the pagans before them?
Fifthly: this festival was denounced by the Christian clergy in Italy, the bastion of Catholicism, because it was spreading bad attitudes and having an adverse effect on the minds of young men and women.
So it is better for the Muslims to reject it, warn others against it and to fulfil their duty towards it of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil. Someone may ask: why do we Muslims not celebrate this festival?This question may be answered in several ways:
1. In Islam, the festivals are clearly defined and well established, and no additions or subtractions may be accepted. They are an essential part of our worship and there is no room for ijtihaad or personal opinion. They have been prescribed for us by Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Festivals are part of the laws, clear way and religious ceremonies of which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way[al-Maa’idah 5:48]‘For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow’[al-Hajj 22:67]like the qiblah (direction faced in prayer), prayer and fasting.
So there is no difference between joining them in their festival and joining them in their other rituals. Agreeing with the whole festival is agreeing with kufr. Agreeing with some of their minor issues is the same as agreeing with them in some of the branches of kufr. Festivals are the most distinctive things by which religions are told apart, so whoever celebrates their festivals is agreeing with the most distinctive rituals of kufr. Undoubtedly going along with them in their festivals may in some cases lead to kufr. Dabbling in these things, at the very least, is a sin.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) referred to the fact that every nation has its own festivals when he said: ‘Every nation has its own Eid and this is our Eid’ (al-Bukhaari , 952, Muslim, 1892).” (al-Iqtidaa’, 1/471-472)
Because Valentine’s Day goes back to Roman times, not Islamic times, this means that it is something which belongs exclusively to the Christians, not to Islam, and the Muslims have no share and no part in it. If every nation has its own festivals, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said – “Every nation has its Eid” (narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim) – then this means that every nation should be distinguished by its festivals. If the Christians have a festival and the Jews have a festival, which belongs exclusively to them, then no Muslim should join in with them, just as he does not share their religion or their direction of prayer.
2. Celebrating Valentine’s Day means resembling or imitating the pagan Romans, then the Christian People of the Book in their imitation of the Romans in something that was not a part of their religion. If it is not allowed to imitate the Christians in things that really are part of their religion – but not part of our religion – then how about things which they have innovated in their religion in imitation of idol-worshippers?! Imitating the kuffaar in general –whether they are idol-worshippers or People of the Book – is haraam, whether that imitation is of their worship – which is the most serious form – or of their customs and behaviour.
This is indicated by the Qur’aan, Sunnah and ijmaa’ (scholarly consensus):
(i) From the Qur’aan: Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful torment" [Aal ‘Imraan 3:105]
(ii) From the Sunnah: the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (narrated by Ahmad, 2/50; Abu Dawood, 4021)Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) said: “This hadeeth at the very least indicates that it is haraam to imitate them, although the apparent meaning implies that the one who imitates them is a kaafir, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’ [friends and helpers]), then surely, he is one of them’ [al-Maa’idah 5:51].” (al-Iqtidaa’, 2/722-725)
(iii) With regard to ijmaa’, Ibn Taymiyan narrated that there was agreement that it is haraam to imitate the kuffaar in their festivals at the time of the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them), and Ibn al-Qayyim narrated that there was scholarly consensus on this point. (See al-Iqtidaa’, 1/454; Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, 2/722-725)
Allaah has forbidden imitation of the kuffaar; He has described it as hateful and has warned against the consequences of that, in many aayahs, on many occasions, and in various ways, especially imitation of the kuffaar. Sometimes He does that by forbidding following them or obeying them; sometimes by warning against them or being deceived by their plots, following their opinions, or being influenced by their actions, conduct or attitude. Sometimes He does that by mentioning some of their characteristics that will put the believers off from them and from imitating them. Most of the warnings in the Qur’aan refer to the Jews and hypocrites (munaafiqeen), then the People of the Book in general and the mushrikeen. Allaah tells us in the Qur’aan that imitating and obeying the kuffaar may constitute riddah (apostasy). Allaah also forbids following them, obeying them, or following their whims and desires and bad characteristics.
Prohibition of imitating the kuffaar is one of the basic principles of sharee’ah. Allaah sent His Messenger with guidance and the true religion so that it might prevail over all other religions, and Allaah has perfected His religion for mankind: “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”[al-Maa’idah 5:3 – interpretation of the meaning].
Allaah has made Islam cover all (human) interests at all times and in all places and for all people. So there is no need to adopt the ways of the kuffaar or imitate them. Imitation causes defects in the Muslim personality, such as feelings of inadequacy, inferiority, weakness and defeatism, then it leads to shunning and keeping away from the path and laws of Allaah.
Experience has shown that admiration for the kuffaar and imitation of them causes people to love them, have complete faith in them and take them as friends and helpers, and to reject Islam and its people, its heroes, its legacy and values, and become ignorant of all of that.
3. The purpose of Valentine’s Day in these times is to spread love between all people, believers and disbelievers alike. Undoubtedly it is haraam to love the kaafirs.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people)…”[al-Mujaadilah 58:22]
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Allaah tells us that there is no believer who takes a kaafir as a close friend. Whoever takes a kaafir as a close friend is not a believer. Outward imitation may be taken as a sign of love, so it is haraam.” (al-Iqtidaa’, 1/490).
4. The love referred to in this festival ever since the Christians revived it is romantic love outside the framework of marriage. The result of that is the spread of zinaa (fornication and adultery) and immorality. Hence the Christian clergy opposed it at some stage and abolished it, then it came back again. Most of the young people celebrate it because it lets them fulfil their desires, without thinking of the issues of imitation and resembling that are involved. Look at this tragedy, where they go so far as to commit major sins such as zinaa and the like, by imitating the Christians in something which is part of their worship and which may even be kufr. Some people may wonder, and say, you mean to deprive us of love, but in this day and age we express our feelings and emotions – what is so wrong with that?
We say:
Firstly:It is a mistake to confuse what they call the day with what the real intentions are behind it. The love referred to on this day is romantic love, taking mistresses and lovers, boyfriends and girlfriends. It is known to be a day of promiscuity and sex for them, with no restraints or restrictions… They are not talking of pure love between a man and his wife or a woman and her husband, or at least they do not distinguish between the legitimate love in the relationship between husband and wife, and the forbidden love of mistresses and lovers. This festival for them is a means for everyone to express love.
Secondly:Expression of feelings and emotions is not a justification for the Muslim to allocate a day for celebration based on his own thoughts and ideas, and to call it a festival, or make it like a festival or Eid. So how about when it is one of the festivals of the kuffaar? In Islam, a husband loves his wife throughout the year, and he expresses that love towards her with gifts, in verse and in prose, in letters and in other ways, throughout the years – not just on one day of the year.
Thirdly:There is no religion which encourages its followers to love and care for one another more than Islam does. This applies at all times and in all circumstances, not just on one particular day. Indeed, Islam encourages us to express our emotions and love at all times, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If a man loves his brother, let him tell him that he loves him.” (narrated by Abu Dawood, 5124; al-Tirmidhi, 2329; it is saheeh). And he said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you truly believe, and you will not truly believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread (the greeting of) salaam amongst yourselves.” (Narrated by Muslim, 54)
Fourthly:Love in Islam is more general and more comprehensive; it is not restricted only to one kind of love, that between a man and a woman. There are many more kinds of love. There is the love of Allaah, love of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them), love for good and righteous people, love and support for the religion, love of martyrdom for the sake of Allaah. There are many kinds of love. It is a dangerous mistake to restrict this broad meaning to this one kind of love.
Fifthly:What these people think, that love before marriage is a good thing, is wrong, as has been proven in studies and by real-life experience. In a study conducted by the University of Cairo, on what they called “love marriage” and “traditional marriage”, the following was stated: In marriages which came after a love story, 88% of cases ended in failure, i.e., the success rate was not more than 12%. But in cases of what the study calls traditional marriage, 70% were successful. In other words, the success rate in marriages described as traditional was six times more than those described as “love marriages”. (Risaalah ila Mu’minah, p. 255). Now let us look at the state of affairs in western societies where Valentine’s Day is celebrated, and ask, what is the state of marriage relationships in those societies, and do these celebrations have any positive effect on interactions between husbands and wives? Their own studies and statistics show the following:
1- In an American study done in 1407 AH/1987 CE, it states that 79% of men beat their womenfolk, especially if they are married…! (al-Qabas newspaper, 15/2/1988).
2- A study carried out by the National American Office for Mental Health states the following:- 17% of women who go to emergency rooms are victims of beatings by their husbands or boyfriends.- 83% of those who have previously been admitted to hospital at least once for treatment of injuries, were admitted as a result of beating.The study added that there are more women who do not go to hospital for treatment, but deal with their injuries at home.
3- In a report of the Central American Agency for Examination [FPT] it states that every 18 seconds there is a woman who is beaten by her husband somewhere in America.
4- American Time magazine stated that around 4,000 wives out of approximately 6 million who are beaten die as a result of that beating.
5- In a German study it said that no less that 100,000 women annually are exposed to acts of physical or psychological abuse on the part of their husbands or the men they live with. The real figure may exceed one million.
6- In France, approximately 2 million women face beatings.
7- In Britain, in an opinion poll in which 7,000 women took part, 28% of them said that they had been subjected to attacks by their husbands and boyfriends. So how can we believe that Valentine’s Day is of any benefit to married couples? The truth is that it is a call for more permissiveness and immorality, and the forming of forbidden relationships. The husband who sincerely loves his wife does not need this holiday to remind him of his love. He expresses his love for his wife at all times and on all occasions.
The Muslim’s attitude towards Valentine’s Day From the above discussion, the Muslim’s attitude towards this holiday should be clear:
(1) He should not celebrate it, or join others in their celebrations of it, or attend their celebrations, because of the evidence quoted above which shows that it is forbidden to celebrate the festivals of the kuffaar. Al-Haafiz al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “If the Christians have a festival and the Jews have a festival, which belongs only to them, then the Muslim should not join them in that, just as he does not join them in their religion or their direction of prayer.” (Tashabbuh al-Khasees bi Ahl al-Khamees, al-Hikmah magazine, 4/193). Because one of the basic principles of the pious predecessors was al-walaa’ wa’l-baraa’ (loyalty and friendship vs. disavowal and enmity), it is obligatory for everyone who says Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah Muhammad Rasool Allaah to follow this principle. So he should love the believers and he should hate the disbelievers, oppose them, and be different from them. He should know that that will bring immeasurable benefits, just as imitating them causes far greater harm. In addition to that, when the Muslims imitate them it makes the kuffaar happy and fills their hearts with joy, and it leads the Muslims to love the kuffaar in their hearts. If any Muslim girl who celebrates this holiday because she sees Margaret or Hilary or whoever doing so, this undoubtedly reflects the fact that she is following them and approves of their behaviour.
But Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):“O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is one of them.
Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)”[al-Maa’idah 5:51] One of the bad effects of imitating them is that this makes it look as if there are more of them, as if they have more supporters and followers. How can it be appropriate for a Muslim who recites in every rak’ah, “Guide us to the Straight Way, The way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray” [al-Faatihah 1:6-
7 – interpretation of the meaning], to ask Allaah for guidance to the Straight Path of the believers and to keep him away from the path of those who have earned His anger and of those who went astray, then go and follow their path by choice and willingly? Statistics indicate that Valentine’s Day is second only to Christmas in popularity. So it is clear that the Feast of Love is one of the festivals of the Christians and that it is second only to the festival of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the Messiah. So it is not permissible for Muslims to join in the celebrations of this date, because we are commanded to differ from them in their religion, customs and other things that belong exclusively to them, as is stated in the Qur’aan and Sunnah and scholarly consensus.
(2) He should not help the kuffaar in their celebrations, because it is one of the rituals of kufr, so helping them and approving of what they do is helping them to manifest kufr and make it prevail, and approving of it. The Muslim’s religion does not allow him to approve of kufr or help others to manifest it and make it prevail. Hence Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “It is not permissible for the Muslims to imitate them in anything that is specifically part of their festivals, whether it is food, clothing, bathing, lighting fires, or changing a custom of daily life or worship… To sum up, they should not do any of the specific rituals of their (the kuffaar’s) festival on that day; rather the day of their festival should be just another ordinary day for the Muslim.” (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 25/329)
(3) He should not help any Muslims who celebrate it. Rather it is obligatory to denounce them, because for the Muslims to celebrate the festivals of the kuffaar is an evil action which must be denounced. Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) said: “Just as we should not imitate them in their festivals, so too we should not help a Muslim to do that; rather he should be told not to do that.” (al-Iqtidaa’, 2/519-520)
Based on what Ibn Taymiyah said, it is not permissible for Muslim businessmen to deal in gifts for Valentine’s Day, whether they are particular kinds of clothes, red roses, or whatever. Similarly, it is not permissible for the one who is given a gift on this occasion to accept it, because by accepting it, he is showing approval of this holiday. One of the daa’iyahs said: we went to a flower shop in one of the Muslim countries and we were shocked to find it completely prepared for this occasion, with red carpets at the entrance, red placards and red decorations. We were met by one of the people who worked there, and we asked him why they had done so much to decorate the place for this occasion. He said that these preparations had begun early, and that there had been very many orders… Then he told us that he had been amazed by that, because he was a new Muslim who had left Christianity. He had known about that before he became Muslim, so how come his customers were Muslims and not Christians?! Other shops ran out of red roses, which were being sold at high prices. When one of the female daa’iyahs entered upon the female students who were gathered in the lecture hall, she was dismayed to find them all carrying something red. One had a red rose, another had a red scarf, or a red handkerchief, or a red bag, or red socks… Alas for the Muslim girls! Among the things that have been seen among the Muslims on this holiday:
1- All the female students agreeing with their friends to tie a red ribbon on the right wrist.
2- Wearing something red (a blouse, hair clip, shoes…). This reached such an extent last year that when we entered the classroom we found most of the students wearing it, as if it was a uniform.
3- Red balloons on which are written the words “I love you”. They usually bring these out at the end of the school day, in an area far from where the teachers can see them.
4- Writing names and hearts on their hands, or just initials.
5- Red roses are widespread on this day. Groups of girls entered their lecture rooms on February 14, each of them wearing something red, with red heart-shaped stickers on their faces, wearing red make-up. They started to exchange red-coloured gifts and kiss one another warmly. This happened in more than one university in the Muslim world, even in an Islamic university. In other words they were celebrating Saint Valentine’s Day.On that day, secondary schools (high schools) were astonished by the large numbers of female students who brought red roses of the finest quality, coloured their faces with red cosmetics, wore red earrings, and started to exchange gifts and warm greetings, in celebration of this day.
Al-Mawsoo’ah al-‘Arabiyyah (the Arabic Encyclopaedia) says that there are special customs for Valentine’s Day, such as printing love poems on cards to be given to relatives and those whom one loves. Some of them draw funny pictures on these cards, and the most common phrase written on them is “be my Valentine”. Parties are often held during the day, where they dance in their fashion. The Europeans still celebrate this holiday. In Britain, sales of flowers reached 22 million pounds. More chocolate is consumed on this day, and companies offer free messages on their Web sites to advertise those sites.Valentine’s Day has come to a number of Arab and Muslim countries, and has even reached the heartland of Islam (the Arabian Peninsula). It has reached societies which we had thought far removed from this insanity. In Riyadh the price of roses has risen in a crazy manner, so that a single rose costs 36 riyals (10 dollars), whereas before this day it cost 5 riyals. Gift shops and card shops compete in designing cards and gifts for this occasion, and some families hang up red roses in the windows of their homes on this day. In some of the Gulf countries, shopping centres and hotels have organized special celebrations of Valentine’s Day. Most of the stores and business places are covered with red. One of the finest Gulf hotels was full of balloons and dolls. Following the customs of the Feast of Love and the pagan myths, the restaurant put on a dramatic production with “Cupid”, the idol of love in the Roman myths, nearly naked and carrying a bow and arrow. He and his cohorts were looking to select “Mr. & Mrs. Valentine” from among the people present. Less expensive restaurants also celebrated this day in their own way. Some stores replaced their regular plates with heart-shaped plates, used red tablecloths and linens, and put a red rose on each table for the man to present to his beloved. The latest Valentine’s Day craze was started by the owner of a gift-shop in Kuwait. He imports (live) French rabbits which are small and have red eyes. He puts a necktie around the neck of each rabbit, and puts it in a small box to be given as a gift! We must oppose these things by all possible means. The responsibility rests with us all.
(4) We should not accept congratulations on Valentine’s Day, because it is not a holiday or an Eid for the Muslims. If the Muslim is congratulated on this occasion, he should not return the congratulations.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “With regard to congratulating others with the congratulations used by the kuffaar on such occasions, it is haraam by scholarly consensus, such as congratulating them on the occasion of their festivals or fasts, wishing them a blessed festival, etc. Even if the one who says this is free of kufr, it is still haraam. It is like congratulating someone for prostrating to the cross. It is even worse with Allaah and more hated by Him than congratulating someone for drinking alcohol, or committing murder or adultery, etc. Many of those who have no respect for religion do that, and they do not realize the abhorrence of their actions. Whoever congratulates a person for sin, innovation (bid’ah) or kufr exposes himself to the hatred and wrath of Allaah.” (Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, 1/441-442)
(5) We must explain the true nature of this holiday and other festivals of the kuffaar to those Muslims who have been deceived by them, and explain to them that it is essential for the Muslim to be distinguished by his religion and to protect his belief (‘aqeedah) from anything that may damage it. This should be done out of sincerity towards the ummah and in fulfilment of the command to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil. Fatwas of Muslim scholars concerning Valentine’s Day The Fatwa of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) Question:In recent times the celebration of Valentine’s Day has become widespread, especially among female students. This is one of the Christian holidays. They wear all red clothes, including their shoes, and they exchange red flowers… We hope that you can tell us the ruling on celebrating such holidays. What do you advise the Muslims to do with regard to such things?
May Allaah keep you and take care of you.He replied: Celebrating Valentine’s Day is not permitted for several reasons:
1 – It is an innovated celebration which has no basis in sharee’ah.
2 – It calls for people to keep their hearts and minds busy with these foolish things that go against the guidance of the pious predecessors (may Allaah be pleased with them), so it is not permitted on this day to do any of the customs associated with that holiday, whether that be connected to food, drink, clothing, exchanging gifts or anything else. The Muslim should be proud of his religion and not be so weak of character that he follows everyone who makes a noise. I ask Allaah to protect the Muslims from all temptations, visible and invisible, and to take care of us and give us strength. And Allaah knows best. The Fatwa of Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Jibreen concerning celebrating this day He was asked: the celebration of the so-called Feast of Love (Valentine’s Day) has become widespread among our boys and girls. This (Valentine) is the name of a saint who is venerated by the Christians, and this day is celebrated every year on February 14. They exchange gifts and red roses, and they wear red clothes. What is the ruling on celebrating this day, or exchanging gifts on this day? May Allaah reward you with good.He answered:
Firstly, it is not permissible to celebrate such innovated festivals, because this is a newly-invented innovation (bid’ah) which has no basis in sharee’ah. So it is included in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) which is not part of it, will have it rejected” – i.e., it will be thrown back upon the one who innovated it.
Secondly, this involves imitating and resembling the kuffaar in venerating that which they venerate and respecting their festivals and holidays, and imitating them in some of their religious practices. In the hadeeth it says, “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
Thirdly, the things that result from that, such as partying, idle play, singing, music, insolence, impertinence, unveiling, wanton display, mixing of men and women, and the appearance of women before non-mahrams, etc., are all things which are haraam, or are means which lead to immorality. So it should not be justified as an excuse for relaxation and entertainment, or claims that they will not overstep the mark, because that is not right. The one who cares about himself should keep away from sin and all that leads to it.On this basis, it is not permissible to sell these gifts and roses, if one knows that the purchaser will celebrate these holidays, give them as gifts or otherwise use them to honour these days, so that the vendor will not be sharing in the guilt of the one who does this innovated action. And Allaah knows best. The Fatwa of the Standing Committee The Standing Committee was also asked a question about this holiday:Some people celebrate the fourteenth day of February of each Christian year as the Day of Love (Valentine’s Day), where they exchange gifts of red roses and wear red clothes, and congratulate one another. Some the bakeries make sweets that are red in colour, with hearts drawn on them, and some stores have advertisements for their products that are especially for this day.
What is your opinion?
The Committee replied:It is haraam for the Muslim to help with this festival or any other haraam celebration in any way, be it food, drink, buying, selling, manufacturing, corresponding, advertising or in any other way, because all of that constitutes helping one another in sin, transgression and disobedience towards Allaah and His Messenger, and Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment”[al-Maa’idah 5:2]
So the Muslim must adhere to the Qur’aan and Sunnah in all his affairs, especially at times of fitan (temptation and tribulation) and when corruption is widespread. He should be smart and be careful to avoid falling into the misguidance of those who have earned the anger of Allaah and of those who went astray, and of the evildoers who hope not for reward from Allaah and do not show any respect towards Islam. The Muslim should seek refuge with Allaah and ask for His guidance and for help to adhere steadfastly to it, because none can guide except Allaah and none can make us remain steadfast except Him. And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace. Al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyah wa’l-Iftaa’ Finally, we offer our brothers the following advice:
1 – They should urge the khateebs of the mosques to tell the people and warn them. They should explain this matter to the imaam of the mosque and tell him when this day is approaching. They should give him a copy of the fatwas of the Standing Committee and of Shaykh Muhamamd ibn Saalih ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah forgive him). Every person should make the effort to contact the imaam of his mosque and tell him about this. Certainly there are imaams of mosques among the brothers so perhaps the responsibility of telling them about this will be discharged when they read this article.
2 – Every teacher should explain the reality of this holiday and warn his or her students about it. They will be answerable before Allaah tomorrow. They should explain that it is haraam by quoting the Fatwaa of the Standing Committee. All that should begin a week beforehand in order to be of any benefit.
3 – Those who go around and check on people and the headquarters of organizations should be notified of any shops which are selling gifts for this day or which put up pictures showing what the gift is or how it is wrapped.
4 – Each person should make his family members aware of this. Whoever has sisters in school or brothers should tell them and warn them about this matter, because many people are unaware of this holiday and what it means. We ask Allaah to protect the Muslims from the harm of temptations and from the evil of their own selves and the plots of their enemies, for He is the All-hearing Who answers prayers. May Allaah send blessings upon His slave and Messenger Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions.
http://www.islam-qa.com/topics/hobb/Valentines_eng.html
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Back to School
After waiting for around 1 month and 8 days i finally got my chance to go to the university again! I was so overwhlemed with joy at the very thought of it that I actually took a bus which dropped me off at NED and took a walk till inside of my department in KU. It was fun. Most of the time when I'm walking all by myself, I usually think about serious things happening around me, my family or politics but yesterday, I actually sang and smiled to myself while walking all the way.
Meeting my friends, hugging them and glad to see them. people gazed at us as if we were some overly excited kids but hey! trust me once you get invovled with university, the very thought of leaving it leaves you in destitute. We had CHAAT and coffee; coffee because everyone was freezing in the open while the cold wind blew about us! (it wasn't that bad but it was COLD)
EEEEE!!! I passed! I came unscathed through the 4rth semester and now have to deal with two more before I get to walk "the walk". (not the walk of fame or shame... rather the walk to my future home.hehe)
And we socialised with the new crew that came aboard. We were quite chirpy then and I'm not so sure about the rest of the semester. Hopefully, we'll do okay.
I'm getting late for the second day... lol
Meeting my friends, hugging them and glad to see them. people gazed at us as if we were some overly excited kids but hey! trust me once you get invovled with university, the very thought of leaving it leaves you in destitute. We had CHAAT and coffee; coffee because everyone was freezing in the open while the cold wind blew about us! (it wasn't that bad but it was COLD)
EEEEE!!! I passed! I came unscathed through the 4rth semester and now have to deal with two more before I get to walk "the walk". (not the walk of fame or shame... rather the walk to my future home.hehe)
And we socialised with the new crew that came aboard. We were quite chirpy then and I'm not so sure about the rest of the semester. Hopefully, we'll do okay.
I'm getting late for the second day... lol
Friday, September 08, 2006
The Al Qaeda tape
Somethings in life connect in the most bizzare way and yet the puzzles fall into places but I guess it needs a brain to figure out what actually is connecting.
Just after President Bush came into power, we had sept 11 attacks! Why didn't this all happen in someone else's era?! Oh! maybe God wanted it to happen this way because it may reveal something really important that is not visible to the naked eye.
Then Boom! before you know it they're all over Afghanistan. Has anyone ever wondered that when Taliban were ruling Afghanistan, growing poppy was a crime and Taliban eradicated the whole culture of growing poppies from the Afhan soil but hey all those addicts out there... Now poppy is grown legally in Afghanistan, is being smuggled by "some people" to the West and is sold to the general public in dollars and pounds for more than 100% of the original amount! But then who's gaining from it? YOu? or you? obviously not me!
Then opps! Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and I wonder why they were never found? Why when attacked by the coalition forces, Saddam's army didn't use those bombs? Maybe Saddam wanted to use those bombs on something more worthwhile, something more worthy than his country, his people and even his own life!
Well... Forget everything... Why is that whenever the elections are closeby, the video of AlQaeda planning the Sept 11 attacks is released? Maybe it wants more of Bush in power, but why? Maybe the video just wants us to revise what happened to US or maybe it's just a free ticket to eradicate the non-whites off this earth. oh well... we'll see that sooner or later.
Just after President Bush came into power, we had sept 11 attacks! Why didn't this all happen in someone else's era?! Oh! maybe God wanted it to happen this way because it may reveal something really important that is not visible to the naked eye.
Then Boom! before you know it they're all over Afghanistan. Has anyone ever wondered that when Taliban were ruling Afghanistan, growing poppy was a crime and Taliban eradicated the whole culture of growing poppies from the Afhan soil but hey all those addicts out there... Now poppy is grown legally in Afghanistan, is being smuggled by "some people" to the West and is sold to the general public in dollars and pounds for more than 100% of the original amount! But then who's gaining from it? YOu? or you? obviously not me!
Then opps! Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and I wonder why they were never found? Why when attacked by the coalition forces, Saddam's army didn't use those bombs? Maybe Saddam wanted to use those bombs on something more worthwhile, something more worthy than his country, his people and even his own life!
Well... Forget everything... Why is that whenever the elections are closeby, the video of AlQaeda planning the Sept 11 attacks is released? Maybe it wants more of Bush in power, but why? Maybe the video just wants us to revise what happened to US or maybe it's just a free ticket to eradicate the non-whites off this earth. oh well... we'll see that sooner or later.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Our Hero
The list of heroes of Pakistan can never be completed without the name Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. One person who made it possible for us to dream greater dreams and hope that nothing in this world is impossible.
The one person, who worked day and night to make this country proud of itself, to provide this country with the ability to stand up to it's huge neighbouring enemy who has been hostile towards it even before the partition and assisted in further dismemberment of this piece of land.
The one person, who worked day and night to make this country proud of itself, to provide this country with the ability to stand up to it's huge neighbouring enemy who has been hostile towards it even before the partition and assisted in further dismemberment of this piece of land.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
The so-called protectors of the right
It's not I who's speaking as for now, they themselves are loud enough to be heard! but as It says that they hear it but they don't choose to listen, they watch it but they refuse to see...and they definitely refuse to understand... their minds are stamped!
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/749566.html
U.S. assures Israel it will not be forced to withdraw from Shaba
By Aluf Benn, Amos Harel, Yoav Stern and Eli Ashkenazi, and Agencies
An agreement reached between Israel and the United States on the disputed Shaba Farms area, located on Israel's border with Lebanon, enabled a breakthrough in reaching a cease-fire resolution at the United Nations on Friday.In letters exchanged between U.S. and Israeli leaders, U.S. officials assured Israel that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan would be authorized to determine whether the area belongs to Lebanon or Syria, but that the future status of the territory would only be determined in negotiations between Israel and Farms' rightful owners.A senior government source said that Israel would not be obligated to withdraw from Shaba Farms, even if Annan's investigation determines that they belong to Lebanon.
In the negotiations that preceded the cease-fire deal, Lebanon demanded that Israel hand over Shaba Farms as a "deposit" to the UN, with the small strip of territory later to be given to either Lebanon or Syria, according to the results of Annan's investigation.But Olmert strongly opposed the Lebanese demand, telling U.S. officials that Israel viewed the Shaba Farms as part of the Golan Heights, which was captured by Israel from Syria in 1967. He said that a withdrawal from part of the Golan would require a majority of 61 members of Knesset - a majority he does not have - or a national referendum. In 1981, the Knesset voted to extend Israeli law to the Golan.With Olmert refusing to budge on the Shaba issue, the UN Security Council announced that Annan would determine the exact delineation of area of the Farms and present his findings to the Security Council within 30 days.When Israel withdrew from south Lebanon in May 2000, the UN determined that the Farms were Syrian territory and that their future therefore had to be determined in negotiations between Jerusalem and Damascus.A government source said Friday that Olmert, Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni had agreed to the UN cease-fire resolution following last-minute changes to the text. "The various key ministers have voiced satisfaction at the amendments made over the last few hours," the source said. "For implementation by Israel, this now requires a cabinet vote. The idea is that the military offensive will continue until then."Earlier Friday, Olmert issued the order for an expanded ground operation after diplomatic efforts at the UN appeared to be faltering. Another stumbling block was Lebanon's opposition to a more robust contingent of UNIFIL troops and to granting UNIFIL the authority to enforce the cease-fire.Olmert thanks BushOlmert thanked U.S. President George W. Bush Friday for his work on the UN Security Council resolution to stop violence between Israel and Hezbollah, the White House said in recounting the first direct talks between the two leaders since the fighting began.The eight-minute phone call with Bush at his ranch in Texas was initiated by Olmert, said Frederick Jones, spokesman for the National Security Council at the White House."The president expressed his view that the crisis was provoked by Hezbollah with the support of Iran and Syria and that we need to ensure that the reach of the Lebanese government extends throughout the country," Jones said.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/749566.html
U.S. assures Israel it will not be forced to withdraw from Shaba
By Aluf Benn, Amos Harel, Yoav Stern and Eli Ashkenazi, and Agencies
An agreement reached between Israel and the United States on the disputed Shaba Farms area, located on Israel's border with Lebanon, enabled a breakthrough in reaching a cease-fire resolution at the United Nations on Friday.In letters exchanged between U.S. and Israeli leaders, U.S. officials assured Israel that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan would be authorized to determine whether the area belongs to Lebanon or Syria, but that the future status of the territory would only be determined in negotiations between Israel and Farms' rightful owners.A senior government source said that Israel would not be obligated to withdraw from Shaba Farms, even if Annan's investigation determines that they belong to Lebanon.
In the negotiations that preceded the cease-fire deal, Lebanon demanded that Israel hand over Shaba Farms as a "deposit" to the UN, with the small strip of territory later to be given to either Lebanon or Syria, according to the results of Annan's investigation.But Olmert strongly opposed the Lebanese demand, telling U.S. officials that Israel viewed the Shaba Farms as part of the Golan Heights, which was captured by Israel from Syria in 1967. He said that a withdrawal from part of the Golan would require a majority of 61 members of Knesset - a majority he does not have - or a national referendum. In 1981, the Knesset voted to extend Israeli law to the Golan.With Olmert refusing to budge on the Shaba issue, the UN Security Council announced that Annan would determine the exact delineation of area of the Farms and present his findings to the Security Council within 30 days.When Israel withdrew from south Lebanon in May 2000, the UN determined that the Farms were Syrian territory and that their future therefore had to be determined in negotiations between Jerusalem and Damascus.A government source said Friday that Olmert, Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni had agreed to the UN cease-fire resolution following last-minute changes to the text. "The various key ministers have voiced satisfaction at the amendments made over the last few hours," the source said. "For implementation by Israel, this now requires a cabinet vote. The idea is that the military offensive will continue until then."Earlier Friday, Olmert issued the order for an expanded ground operation after diplomatic efforts at the UN appeared to be faltering. Another stumbling block was Lebanon's opposition to a more robust contingent of UNIFIL troops and to granting UNIFIL the authority to enforce the cease-fire.Olmert thanks BushOlmert thanked U.S. President George W. Bush Friday for his work on the UN Security Council resolution to stop violence between Israel and Hezbollah, the White House said in recounting the first direct talks between the two leaders since the fighting began.The eight-minute phone call with Bush at his ranch in Texas was initiated by Olmert, said Frederick Jones, spokesman for the National Security Council at the White House."The president expressed his view that the crisis was provoked by Hezbollah with the support of Iran and Syria and that we need to ensure that the reach of the Lebanese government extends throughout the country," Jones said.
Monday, August 21, 2006
The sound of the cries reaches your ears and the pictures of the dead and wounded dances in front of your eyes on your television screens. Children being killed and their bodies being scattered around trigger in your mind the very thought that what if they were yours?
Civillian buildings reduced to rubble, children's voices died beneath that debris and the remaining mourn the death of their loved ones, the cruelty that was sent to them from the sky by the Israeli airforce. Israel, defending it's right to exist?! on what grounds?!
The satellite positioning missles why only attacked a civilian residency in Qana? Why attacked the buses and cars of innocent civillians who were going for safer places? The Israeli genecide against the lebanese people just because their democracy is not in favour of Israel's interests?( Hezbullah being part of their parliament!) Same is the case with Palestinians... They are being punished for practising democracy and choosing Hamas (the freedom of expression I would say)... just because they can't make the Palestinians take back all the votes, they nab the memebers of parliament and send them off to their jails to rott... more than 9,000 innocent civillians are rotting in the jails of Israel but when you nick one or two of their soldiers, they destroy your right to breathe in a uranium free air!!!
Civillian buildings reduced to rubble, children's voices died beneath that debris and the remaining mourn the death of their loved ones, the cruelty that was sent to them from the sky by the Israeli airforce. Israel, defending it's right to exist?! on what grounds?!
The satellite positioning missles why only attacked a civilian residency in Qana? Why attacked the buses and cars of innocent civillians who were going for safer places? The Israeli genecide against the lebanese people just because their democracy is not in favour of Israel's interests?( Hezbullah being part of their parliament!) Same is the case with Palestinians... They are being punished for practising democracy and choosing Hamas (the freedom of expression I would say)... just because they can't make the Palestinians take back all the votes, they nab the memebers of parliament and send them off to their jails to rott... more than 9,000 innocent civillians are rotting in the jails of Israel but when you nick one or two of their soldiers, they destroy your right to breathe in a uranium free air!!!
Friday, April 21, 2006
Fundamentalist!!!
Yesturday during a seminar in the I.R department at KU, the honourable spreaker Mr Ikram-ul-Majeed Sehgal, actually said that wearing hijab and wearing ur trousers above your ankles(for men) are minor issues!!! And I couldn't controll the sarcastic smile that formed under my naqab (veil... covering of the face)
What is Islam? Who is a Muslim? Well... Islam is a complete code of life and a Muslim is a person who submits himself to Allah alone and bows before Him alone and when you come under the fold of Islam you're bound to live your life according to the Quran and Sunnah(practices and saying of the Prophet Mohammad saw). So when the Quran says that you have to cover yourself up, then there's NO room for questioning, exceptions or there is no saying NO to all those orders and rules set by Quran and Sunnah.
" And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons..."[Al-Qur’an 24:31]
This is a common mistake people make and say out loud in authority that wearing hijab and naqab are of no importance in Islam but then do Quraniic verses hold no importance in the eyes of such people?
We are labelled as FUNDAMENTALISTS and I'm proud to be called a fundametalist as well. I have no right to distort the Quranic teachings, to disobey the laws of Allah and to disregard His sayings and orders.
What is Islam? Who is a Muslim? Well... Islam is a complete code of life and a Muslim is a person who submits himself to Allah alone and bows before Him alone and when you come under the fold of Islam you're bound to live your life according to the Quran and Sunnah(practices and saying of the Prophet Mohammad saw). So when the Quran says that you have to cover yourself up, then there's NO room for questioning, exceptions or there is no saying NO to all those orders and rules set by Quran and Sunnah.
" And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons..."[Al-Qur’an 24:31]
This is a common mistake people make and say out loud in authority that wearing hijab and naqab are of no importance in Islam but then do Quraniic verses hold no importance in the eyes of such people?
We are labelled as FUNDAMENTALISTS and I'm proud to be called a fundametalist as well. I have no right to distort the Quranic teachings, to disobey the laws of Allah and to disregard His sayings and orders.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Hope!
The city was on fire! Everywhere you looked, you saw something burning, u heard people screaming and then suddenly everything went black!
The lights revived and life got back to normal. Things got smoooth once again...
This is Karachi. We have experienced the worst violence over the years. People have gone used to bomb blasts, strikes, ethnic violence and then a prolonged holiday because haalaat bohot kharab hain but the same people bring back the life in the deserted streets of Karachi. Even when it's a bloodied strike you will see kids playing in the streets in the evening. Even when the streets are haunted by the shrieking sounds of gunfire, you'll see people laughing on lame jokes. This is Karachi, these are Karachiites... nomatter how bad things are there's still is hope! There still is light, colour and faith that keeps them from going insane...
The lights revived and life got back to normal. Things got smoooth once again...
This is Karachi. We have experienced the worst violence over the years. People have gone used to bomb blasts, strikes, ethnic violence and then a prolonged holiday because haalaat bohot kharab hain but the same people bring back the life in the deserted streets of Karachi. Even when it's a bloodied strike you will see kids playing in the streets in the evening. Even when the streets are haunted by the shrieking sounds of gunfire, you'll see people laughing on lame jokes. This is Karachi, these are Karachiites... nomatter how bad things are there's still is hope! There still is light, colour and faith that keeps them from going insane...
Thursday, March 30, 2006
My hard Work!
Though the blogs have been banned in this part of the world and the friend who died asking me to join it has left it, im standing by it, hoping that one day... someday.. i'll get my page back. The page on which I really worked( the truth is.. all is written on the spot.. no pre writings). The page that actuallly reminds me that.. maybe.. someday.. I'll write something worthwhile!(My writing skills' teacher will love me for that!)
I ain't going anywhere.. wanna stick to this page!
I ain't going anywhere.. wanna stick to this page!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Bunking again!!!
Bunking again, but today there was a reason... we were soo fed up with the monotonous writing skills class that four of us bunked it and went to take philosophy's class of Mr. W.S.
To our surprise we didn't see an old man, who wears thick glasses with strict face and thunderous voice which could kill anyone who has sensitive ears. The teacher was quite young and yet very knowledge-able and one of those who make the outsiders feel at home.
Well... What we did was the Difference Principle of John Rawls...which stated that;
1. Equal Freedom of all
2 (a) Greatest benefit goes to the least advantaged section of the society
2(b) Equal oppurtunity to compete.
I'm not going into each detail but this is what we learned .. the first point he suggested actually refers to the freedom to choose from the various choices available to them. Meaning the conception of the "the good" they have can be anything from counting the stars to doing research on drug abuse. Everyone has the freedom to think what's good and what's not and they are given freedom to exercise their own conceptions.
The person who restricts your freedom, or the concept that restricts your freedom.. you tend to run away from that. for example, people idealise players, actors, etc. because they don't question you or restricts you from doing whatever you want to do... but if you idealise a Prophet, you'll have to abide by the things he's gonna ask you and practice what he tells you to... in other words RESTRICTING your FREEDOM of choices... ( the teacher also said that this is the main reason that people in Europe/west don't go to church that much.. because it restricts your freedom).
Anyway, relating it with today's cartoon controversy, the cartoon was a FREEDOM of EXPRESSION to the West BUT what about that Irish dude who's sent to jail for denying haulocast.. why wasn't he not given his right... in the broader perspective the freedom of expression of that Irish was restraining the accumulation of capitalism.. that's why... (I'm thinking of changing my major from English to Philosophy..lol)...
Going ahead... Every conception of "good" is not recognizable.. Who are we to judge what's good or not.. isn't this what Iblees did. He was asked to bow before Adam and he didn't claiming that he'll do what he thinks is right and not what God has asked him to. The concept of determining what's right and what's wrong by an INDIVIDUAL is what Ibleesiyat is...
I'm signing off with the last thought that I have... Allah has provided us with the best of laws for everything.. and last but not the least a question to ponder on by Mr. F."Can human beings ever come up with the holistic understanding of life that comprehensively takes care of all the facets of life?"
Think about it!!!
To our surprise we didn't see an old man, who wears thick glasses with strict face and thunderous voice which could kill anyone who has sensitive ears. The teacher was quite young and yet very knowledge-able and one of those who make the outsiders feel at home.
Well... What we did was the Difference Principle of John Rawls...which stated that;
1. Equal Freedom of all
2 (a) Greatest benefit goes to the least advantaged section of the society
2(b) Equal oppurtunity to compete.
I'm not going into each detail but this is what we learned .. the first point he suggested actually refers to the freedom to choose from the various choices available to them. Meaning the conception of the "the good" they have can be anything from counting the stars to doing research on drug abuse. Everyone has the freedom to think what's good and what's not and they are given freedom to exercise their own conceptions.
The person who restricts your freedom, or the concept that restricts your freedom.. you tend to run away from that. for example, people idealise players, actors, etc. because they don't question you or restricts you from doing whatever you want to do... but if you idealise a Prophet, you'll have to abide by the things he's gonna ask you and practice what he tells you to... in other words RESTRICTING your FREEDOM of choices... ( the teacher also said that this is the main reason that people in Europe/west don't go to church that much.. because it restricts your freedom).
Anyway, relating it with today's cartoon controversy, the cartoon was a FREEDOM of EXPRESSION to the West BUT what about that Irish dude who's sent to jail for denying haulocast.. why wasn't he not given his right... in the broader perspective the freedom of expression of that Irish was restraining the accumulation of capitalism.. that's why... (I'm thinking of changing my major from English to Philosophy..lol)...
Going ahead... Every conception of "good" is not recognizable.. Who are we to judge what's good or not.. isn't this what Iblees did. He was asked to bow before Adam and he didn't claiming that he'll do what he thinks is right and not what God has asked him to. The concept of determining what's right and what's wrong by an INDIVIDUAL is what Ibleesiyat is...
I'm signing off with the last thought that I have... Allah has provided us with the best of laws for everything.. and last but not the least a question to ponder on by Mr. F."Can human beings ever come up with the holistic understanding of life that comprehensively takes care of all the facets of life?"
Think about it!!!
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