ummtaalib

Daughter bought a brand new Iphone 6. She got a screen protector along and beautiful phone cover as well. She showed her new phone to her dad and the conversation is as follows.. Dad: this is a nice phone. How much did you pay for it? Daughter: it's 700 dollars for the phone, 20 dollars for the phone cover, 5 dollars for the screen protector. Dad: oh why did you get the screen protector and the phone cover, you could have saved 25 dollars. Daughter: dad! I've spent 700 dollars on my phone whats the point if I don't spend 25 dollars for its safety? And more over this cover makes my phone look beautiful. Dad: is it not an insult to the apple company that it did not make the phone safe enough? Daughter: no dad! They in fact recommend us to get the screen protector and the phone cover for its safety. And I dint want it to get damaged. Dad: does it reduce the beauty of the phone? Daughter: no it doesn't. It makes my phone look more beautiful. Dad looked at his daughter and smiled lovingly. And said, my daughter you know I love you, you paid 700 dollars for a phone and you spent 25 dollars for its safety. I've paid my life on you and what is the point If you do not cover yourself with hijab for your own safety. This phone will not be questioned on aakhirah but my daughter you and me will be questioned.

Reasons why Victims do not leave Abusive Marriages Of the many reasons given regarding why victims remain in abusive marriages, for female victims, the main ones seem to be "for the children's sake" and "financial support". Other reasons discussed by Sister Saba Syed: As for male victims, there is an added reason ~~~ Back to Table of Contents

Effects of Prohibited Foods By Dr. Shahid Athar It is not required of a believer to always find a scientific justification for divine prohibitions. However, if they look and find it, they must share the information that will increase their faith. On the contrary, however, lack of confirmation should not cast doubt on the authenticity of the Qur’an. We believe that all Qur’anic statements are true. If science has not confirmed some of them yet, it may do so in the future. It may be that it needs to examine its data more deeply or repeat the experiment. For the benefits of non-medical readers, before we discuss hormonal and behavioral effects of prohibited food, intoxicants and ingredients, we need to define some medical terms and inter-relationships that are involved in this discussion. HORMONES These are the powerful secretions of the endocrine (internal) glands. They control the functions of all organs and even individual cells. They are made from protein and are peptides or sterol in nature. Thyroid hormones control our metabolism, energy level, and temperature tolerance. Behind them are para-thyroid glands, which control our calcium metabolism. In the abdomen are the adrenal glands above the kidneys, which secrete cortisone, the life-saving essential hormone, and catecholamines and aldosterone, which control our blood pressure and heart rate. Steroids and catecholamines are derived from cholesterol. Also in the abdomen are the pancreas, which secretes insulin, which lowers blood sugar, and glycogen, which raises a low blood sugar. Lower down in the pelvis are gonads, ovaries in women, and testes in men, which secrete estrogen, progesterone and testosterone respectively. All these hormones have internal control and influence each other. They control our growth, muscle mass, bone development, temperature tolerance, blood pressure, energy, fertility, sex desire, thirst and well being in general. HOW DO HORMONES AFFECT BEHAVIORClinically we see various behavioral manifestations in endocrine disorders. Hypoglycemic patients (low blood sugar) suffer from depression and poor mental concentration. Patients with low thyroid have impotency and depression. Those with high thyroid have agitation, irritability, and lack of sleep. Patients with low cortisone (Addison disease) have severe depression; while with high cortisone have hallucinations and psychosis. Patients with high testosterone have been claimed to have criminal tendencies (i.e. rapists) while those with low testosterone have problems in behavior adjustment. Patients with calcium and sodium imbalance likewise have marked mental changes. Physiologically boys and girls differ in behavior i.e. aggressive versus passive (playing with mechanical toys and guns versus dolls) due to differences in their sex hormone even in prepubertal age. This becomes more obvious after full sex differentiation takes place. In fact by changing the sex hormone level of a given sex, one can change not only the sexual behavior but also the aggressiveness of a particular sex. Homosexual males have been noted to have less male sex hormone, and on the other hand repeated male sex offender can be cured by castration or by injection of the female hormone progesterone. In one experiment female rats whose mothers were treated with testosterone while pregnant, showed male behavior pattern of threatening peers, rough play, and increased sexual activity as compared to the control rat. This shows that the effect of testosterone not only affects the individual but the offspring as well. In humans, girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (excessive testosterone secretion) at the age of post puberty, show a tomboy attitude with preference for rough sports, preferring boys as playmates, and low interest in dolls and baby care! Sexual behavior is not only affected by testosterone, but also by the pineal gland, which is turned, off and on by light and darkness. Hormones, not directly, but indirectly control blood sugar, calcium, sodium balance, affect behavior in general anger, love, anxiety, panic attacks and agitation. The hyperactivity in children could be due to low blood sugar many food preservatives and coloring agent like nitrates and dyes. HORMONAL AND BEHAVIORAL EFFECT OF PORK AND FAT INGESTIONPork and pig fat is not only prohibited in the Qur’an,. But also in the Bible because “swine were designed to be scavengers, to eat up filth.” In the Old Testament, Leviticus Chapter 7-8, it is mentioned about swine, “Though he divides the hoof and be cloven-footed, yet he chews not the cud, he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall you not eat.” There is no mention in the Bible that Jesus ever ate pork in his life. It was Paul who declared all food and drink permissible saying, “To the pure, everything is pure.” The Habits of SwineTo get a first hand idea, I interviewed farmers of Fisher, Indiana, who breed swine. According to them, “Swine is cheaper to breed, since it does not require pasture. It can live on manure and other such items including dead meat. In fact it can cat its own feces. Their sexual habits are also different than other animals like cows, sheep and goats. They have very little shame i.e. engage in sex acts anytime any place while others sometime wait for darkness. The female hog is very aggressive in sexual activity. When she is in “heat” she does not care about anything (i.e. food or privacy) until she has sex. Swine, also lick the genitalia of their partners after sex like dogs, but unlike other mammals like cows, sheep or goats.” Why is Pork Fat Different From Other Animal Fat? Fats are lipids, which are a source of energy. They can be of vegetable source or animal source. Triglycerides are neutral fats with 1 molecule of glycerol and 3 fatty acids. The fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated. The more unsaturated fats have high melting points. The iodine value of fat gives the degree of saturation. The iodine value of lard is 65, beef 45, and mutton 32. If a person eats the fat of a herbivorous animal, the fat will be hydrolyzed, absorbed, and then resynthesized and stored as human fat, while that of carnivorous fat will not be hydrolyzed and therefore has to be deposited in humans as pork fat in the adipose tissue. What Has Deposition of Pork Fat to Do With Hormone and Behavior in Humans?Circulating hormones are in bound from and free form. The free form has to be attached to the receptor in fat tissue before becoming active. Obesity decreases the number of receptors. Therefore hormones cannot utilize them. Therefore, if the hormone is insulin, it leads to diabetes (type 2), and if it is testosterone, it leads to sub fertility and amenorrhea. The amount of fat also controls hormone release. Therefore we see menarche is delayed in athletics girls with less fat, and occurs early in sedentary overweight girls. It can be postulated that in humans who have pork human fat deposit, there is derangement in the binding of hormones. It is possible that sexual promiscuity and deviant sexual practices of pork eating society is due to what they eat! After all, it has been said by nutritionist, ” You are what you eat.” Since this is an essay on hormones and behavior, the effect of pork on cholesterol, sodium and the relationship to heart disease are not mentioned here . EFFECTS OF DEAD MEAT AND BLOOD INGESTIONDead meat is the meat of an animal, which dies before slaughtering, and its blood was not drained out. Blood ingestion is not only the drinking of blood, prevalent in the days of ignorance in Arabia or even now in Africa, but also the blood which is retained inside the meat by improper killing of the animal. All hormones and antibodies are retained in the blood. All infective organisms, including virus, flourish in the blood. Therefore ingestion of such will be dangerous. It may also induce animal instincts similar to those found in carnivorous animal like dogs, cats and lions. HORMONAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL Both in acute and chronic alcoholism, endocrine glands are affected. Hypoglycemia may result in acute alcoholism, which may be severe and can lead to coma. This should be recognized and treated with IV dextrose since it may not respond to glycogen. Low magnesium with resultant low calcium is another effect of resulting in poor concentration, muscle twitching and even seizure. Increase in urine flow is due to suppression of antidiuretic hormone. Chronic alcoholism leads to pancreatitis with failure of pancreatic endocrine system sometime (diabetes) and exocrine gland (malnutrition). This leads to protein deficiency leading to reduced production of testosterone. This leads to impotency, gynecomastia in men and amenorrhea in women. Alcoholics liver disease causes increased clearance of testosterone with testicular atrophy leading to true hypogonadism. Sperm formation is also affected leading to infertility. Infants born to alcoholic mothers can also have undescended testes and labial hypoplasia. In addition, the cortisol levels are increased during withdrawal while I.H and I.H-RH levels are suppressed during chronic alcoholism. BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLAlcohol being a CNS depressant, depresses both facilitatory and inhibitory pathways. It is the suppression of the latter that discards the shame and removes control. Therefore, what an average person des not normally do i.e. use abusive language, undress in public, etc. he may perform under the influence of alcohol. There are more serious behavioral disorders described to include brain dysfunction in 50-70%: memory loss, depression, both acute and chronic, high suicide rate, mood fluctuation, delirium tremulous (DTS) in withdrawal state, and blackout spells during acute drinking. One third of all auto accidents are due to alcoholism. Under the influence of alcohol, mental judgment and motor skill are affected. Sometime the level of consciousness is also affected. Alcohol has been also found to be at the root of family violence, sexual violence, rape, assault, and child abuse. Alcohol is not aphrodisiac as it is claimed. It not only depresses the central nervous system effect on libido but also actually lowers the penile blood flow and tumescence (Swelling) thereby decreasing performance. EFFECTS OF NARCOTICS (COCAINE AND MARIJUANA) ON HORMONES AND BEHAVIORBoth LSD and cocaine causes decrease in plasma testosterone and LH. The aphrodisiac effect is due to local anesthesia, causing prolonged erection and central stimulation causing general well being. Also by inhibiting inhibitions, they encourage engagement in unusual sex acts like a false sense of euphoria flowed by depression, anxiety and agitation. Panic attacks, suicidal tendencies, violent behavior are not uncommon. Chronic usage may lead to schizophrenia, paranoia and a variety of psychiatric disorders. Even infants born to cocaine mothers show signs of withdrawal. EFFECTS OF INGREDIENTS ON HORMONES AND BEHAVIOURIf prohibited ingredients i.e. pork, lard, alcohol, cocaine etc. are consumed, the effect will be as described earlier, though because of the small quantity it may be slow and cumulative. More serious are items like sugar which causes reactive hypoglycemia, sodium which may lead to hypertension, nitrates and nitrites (used in meat preservation) linked to cancer, DES (diethylstilbestrol, a female hormone given to cattle to increase fat and muscle content) linked to vaginal and cervical cancer in women, and artificial sweeteners like saccharin related to bladder cancer in rats, and asperate related to brain damage. CONCLUSIONMore research is needed on all of the above areas especially those affecting the lifestyle of Muslims to determine their affects more accurately. Though usage of prohibited items are not commonly found in Muslims, the dangers also may come to their health and spirits by the effects of non-prohibited items like western rock music, dress (i.e. tight jeans affecting testicular temperature) and sexual practices, and cigarette smoking. SELECTED REFERANCES Badri, M. B. Islam and Alcoholism. Indianapolis, IN: ATP Publication. Drucker, W. M. “Endocrine Abnormalities Caused by Alcoholism” Medical Aspect of Human Sexuality, Vol. 16, No. 12, Dec. 1982. Eckardt et all. “Health Hazard Associated With Alcohol Consumption.” JAMA 8.7.81. Felig and Baxter. Endocrinology and Metabolism. Goodhart and Shils. Modern Nutrition In Health And Disease. 6th Ed. Qur’an: 2:173, 5:4, 6:145, 16:115, 2:219, 4:43, 5:90, 5:91. Qardawi, Yusuf al-. The Lawful and Prohibited in Islam, pp. 39-61. Sakr, Ahmad. The Food Nutrition Manual. Saud, M. A. Sex Roles in Muslim Families of U.S.A. Published in Al-Ittihad. William, R. H. Test Book of Endocrinology. 6th Ed. Chapter on Psychoendocrinology. Washton and Stone. “Human Cost of Cocaine Use.” Medical Aspect of Human Sexuality, Vol. 18, No. 11 Nov 1984. Courtesy of Dr Shahid Athar. He is currently a clinical associate professor of medicine, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indiana University, School of Medicine and Chief, section of Endocrinology at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is president-elect of Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) and has authored 6 books and over 120 published articles on Islamic topics. eathalal.com

Psychological Tsunami By: Haleh Banani, MA Clinical Psychology Domestic violence affects the psychological and emotional well being of a woman the way a tsunami brings colossal destruction and unparalleled devastation to a metropolitan city. The unpredictability and dangerous nature of men who abuse their wives creates terror, anxiety and depression in women, the way a storm indiscriminately destroys without warning; leaving inhabitants in a state of shock and constant fear. The deep, emotional scars last much longer than the superficial bruises and broken bones that usually demand our attention and provoke our sympathy. The emotional debris will take years to completely be cleared causing emotional bankruptcy and vulnerability which can lead to suicide. The ferocious waves of violence cause a series of long lasting, psychological damages: Depression Domestic violence floods women with feelings of sadness, hopelessness and despair which generally lead to depression. 60% of battered women reported having depression which is the most common symptom of domestic violence.3 Depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for weeks or longer. Sadness affects every aspect of life: thoughts, feelings, sleeping, eating, physical health, relationships and the ability to function at work. When victims experience interpersonal violence from a spouse or family member, they are at high risk for mental and emotional illnesses. There is a strong feeling of abandonment, betrayal and instability when they are abused by someone who should be protecting and nurturing them. Although it is natural to feel sad when faced with difficult tests, as a believer it is critical to understand that there is wisdom in everything that happens. Understanding and accepting divine destiny does not mean tolerating abuse by any means. It simply means that life is filled with tests and that trust needs to be placed in Allah while searching for the right solutions. It was narrated by Suhayb that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “How amazing is the condition of the believer, for all his affairs are good. If something good happens to him, he gives thanks for it and he is rewarded; if something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and he is also awarded.” Narrated by Muslim (2999). Do not despair of solace from Allah. No one despairs of solace from Allah except for people who do not believe. (Surah Yusuf 87) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) After the devastation of domestic violence, most women experience the aftershock of abuse: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder which can occur after you've seen or experienced a traumatic event that involved the threat of injury or death. It is very common for victims of domestic violence to continue to fear their spouse even if they have separated. PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as flashbacks, intrusive imagery, nightmares, anxiety, emotional numbing, insomnia, hyper-vigilance and avoidance of traumatic triggers. There are many factors that affect the intensity of PTSD: severity of the violence, the duration of exposure, early-age onset and the victim's cognitive assessment of the violence (perceived degree of threat, predictability and control-ability). The way to cope with any form of anxiety is turning to Allah and trusting His plan while striving hard to overcome the fear. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “No exhaustion, pain, anxiety, grief, harm or distress befalls a Muslim, not even a thorn that pricks him, but Allah will expiate some of his sins with them.” Narrated by al-Bukhari (5318) and Muslim (2573). Anxiety Fear and anxiety consume a victim of domestic violence the way a tidal wave engulfs a city. The fear lingers in a woman's psyche long after the abuse has taken place. This anxiety can prevent her from concentrating, falling asleep and performing at home or work. Paranoia and inability to trust others are the most frequent traits of the victims of domestic violence. 25 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders which are the most common of emotional disorders. Some of the symptoms may include: Overwhelming feelings of panic and fear Uncontrollable obsessive thoughts Painful, intrusive memories Recurring nightmares Physical symptoms such as feeling sick to your stomach, “butterflies” in your stomach, heart pounding, startling easily and muscle tension The most beloved people, the prophets, were tested the most. It is essential to keep the stories of the prophets in mind and recall that instead of feeling anxious when faced with threat, oppression and harm, they put their trust in Allah. وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ We will test you with a certain amount of fear and hunger and loss of wealth and life and fruits. But give good news to the steadfast (Surat al-Baqara, 155) الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ “Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: Without a doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction. (Al-Raad 28) Low Self-Esteem Verbal and emotional abuse are like earthquakes that brutally shake the foundation of a woman's self-esteem. They shatter her self- confidence, tear down her sense of security and destroy her self-respect . Each degrading remark, criticism and profanity is like a bulldozer that vehemently annihilates her sense of self-worth. The deep, emotional and psychological scars that are burned into her heart from the cursing, name-calling and humiliation will disable her from achieving her potentials, nurturing her children and attaining peace. She becomes so crippled emotionally that it is next to impossible to leave. Suicidal Like the victims of natural disasters that discover they have nothing left to live for, victims of domestic violence feel so overwhelmed with grief and hopelessness that many attempt suicide. The feeling of helplessness and hopelessness that many victims fall prey to has a profoundly undermining effect on their mental and emotional well being.4 Many times these women simply give up on life and they experience learned helplessness where they lose the will to live. Here are some of the signs of suicide contemplation: Talking about killing or harming one's self Expressing strong feelings of hopelessness or being trapped An unusual preoccupation with death or dying Acting recklessly, as if they have a death wish (e.g. speeding through red lights) Calling or visiting people to say goodbye Getting affairs in order (giving away prized possessions, tying up loose ends) Saying things like “Everyone would be better off without me” or “I want out.” If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, express your concern and seek professional help immediately. Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life.6 See Suicide Prevention: Signs of Suicide and How to Help a Suicidal Person. The problems and difficulties that people endure are known and for a temporary period of time. Compare that to being faced with the unknown punishment in the hereafter for committing suicide for all eternity. يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِالْبَاطِلِ إِلَّا أَن تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً عَن تَرَاضٍ مِّنكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا O you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful. 4:29 After a psychological tsunami that ruthlessly destroys feelings of self-worth and security, there needs to be massive action taken to recover from the lasting damages. The first step is to clean up the emotional debris and the shattered feelings. Time and money needs to be invested to reestablish self-worth. If the amount of damage is overwhelming, seek the support and guidance of professionals to overcome the devastation. Next, focused effort needs to be put in rebuilding self-esteem. By not internalizing the negative, destructive comments of others and reconfirming all positive traits, self-respect and dignity will be rebuilt. Trust in the self and in others will be essential in creating a strong foundation for developing lasting relationships. Perhaps the most important aspect of recovery is to gain hope in the future. Once the fire of hope is ignited it will shine so brightly and provide the necessary motivation to overcome all obstacles and to help others facing the same challenges. If you or someone you know is a VICTIM of abuse know: You are NOT ALONE There are avenues for HELP Ensure the SAFETY of you and your children You are a VALUABLE person who is worthy of love It is NEVER ACCEPTABLE to be physically, verbally or emotionally abused Narrated Abu Ma'bad, that the Prophet said, “… and be afraid of the supplication of an oppressed person because there is no screen between his invocation and Allah.” Sahih Bukhari: Volume 2, Book 24, Number 573. If you or someone you know is the ABUSER: Seek professional help to MANAGE YOUR ANGER It is not too late to CHANGE YOURSELF and CHANGE YOUR LIFE Find an OUTLET (sport or other activity) to release stress and frustration Seek the SUPPORT of family and friends REAL MEN DON'T ABUSE! “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is oppressed.” The Prophet was asked: “It is right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” He replied: “By preventing him from oppressing others.” Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadith 624 In Islam, Prophet Muhammad (peace and prayer upon him) taught us to live with impeccable character and to treat our spouse with kindness, compassion and understanding. He said that the best man is he who is best to his wife. We should all aspire to live by his exceptional example. References: http://www.womensweb.ca/violence/dv/pregnancy.php Types of Trauma: Domestic Violence – San Francisco depression | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/depression-in-san-francisco/types-of-trauma-domestic-violence#ixzz1ZstUJQB9 http://www.aardvarc.org/dv/effects.shtml Types of Trauma: Domestic Violence – San Francisco depression | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/depression-in-san-francisco/types-of-trauma-domestic-violence#ixzz1Zsu4uQTE http://www.examiner.com/depression-in-san-francisco/types-of-trauma-domestic-violence Suicide Prevention: Signs of Suicide and How to Help a Suicidal Person. Source

NO to Domestic Violence in Islam | Mufti Hussain Kamani | The Prophet said: "Among the Muslims the most perfect, as regards his faith, is the one whose character is excellent, and the best among you are those who treat their wives well." - Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 628 | Narrated by Abu Hurayrah Sadly, the curse of domestic violence plagues Muslim and Non-Muslim communities all over the globe. In this segment, Mufti Hussain Kamani reminds the listener as to why any form of domestic violence (Physical, emotional or Mental abuse) is forbidden in prohibited in Islam. Thousands of women are killed each year all over the world including the US and sadly for far too long this issue has been pushed under the rugs. This practice goes against the Sunnah of Prophet as he never abused his wives and instructed his companions to be among those who stand up against injustice and oppression. It is high time that we as take the lead in insuring that Domestic violence is not just reduced but completed eradicated from our communities. Source

Male Victims of Domestic Abuse Domestic abuse is generally seen as a female victim / male perpetrator problem however the evidence points to a different picture. Husband battering is no laughing matter Cii News | 09 Safar 1436/02 December 2014 It may be difficult to believe but the flip side of domestic violence paints the picture of a man, battered and abused at the hands of an angry and unreasonable wife. Incidents of abused men are no different to those told by women. Men abused by their wives are kicked, hit, stabbed and pushed down stairs and through plate glass doors. They are emotionally and verbally degraded, and like their female counterparts, men often cover up for their wives. The stigma of being a “weakling” or “not man enough” is attached to being an abused husband so men lie to their doctors and the authorities about the true cause of their injuries. Men in these abusive relationships never fight back, not only because they were raised not to hit women, but also because automatically authorities consider the man the aggressor in cases of domestic abuse, even when the woman is at fault, and are thus arrested. “Domestic violence is any incident of threatening behaviour. Violent or physical abuse on psychological, physical, emotional, sexual or financial levels between two adults regardless of gender and age and this violent behaviour reflects on the kids. Domestic violence can be seen as this pattern of abusive and controlling behaviour which the abuser seeks power over their victim and the behaviour gets worse over time,” explained life coach Nelene Flemming Felmming says during her research as well as during the 16 days of Activism there are many complaints from women and children “but there is a voice unheard and that is the voice of men”. “I don’t know whether it’s the perception of men being weaker and women just want more and more control but I think that the subject to study on its own.” Abusive women, much like men have psychological problems that come from pre-conditioning or generational conditioning. The example of abusive parents growing might be the only way the abuser sees life and relationships. Doctor Khalid Sohail, Pakistani author, humanist and psychotherapist has counselled many abused husbands who come out of the destructive relationship as damaged as abused women and only after many years. The cycle of abuse, irrespective of whether the abuser is the man or woman in the relationship follows the same pattern. The abuser becomes aggressive, lashes out verbally and physically and then feeling shame or regret either apologises or “makes up” by buying gifts or behaving extra affectionately. The perpetual cycle makes it harder for the victim to leave, gives the abuser more power, often scarring children. Claudia Dias who has counselled abusive men and women for over twenty years is critical of the different ways domestic violence against men and women is understood. In an article on battered.com she said, “When a man hits a woman, it’s abuse and felony. When she does it, it’s because she has a bad temper.” Claudia describes the cycles of domestic abuse as “a dance… it doesn’t matter which gender does which part.” The major difference, she says, is that men hit women to “make them shut up” whereas women hit men in order to “make them listen.”” Over the years authorities and mental health professionals are realising there are many abused husbands who are still leading a life of secrecy in our communities. Since men’s shelters are scarce to non-existent, it is difficult for these men to get professional help. The distinguishing traits of an abuser, says Flemming, “The abuser has this goal to have all the power and control and their perceptions are that the victim has the same goal for power that they do. This makes them so much stronger. Then they are central and dominant. They believe they are entitled to be selfish. They are irresponsible and they blame others for their mistakes and they never accept the blame. The abuse escalates over time and the abuser is happy in every situation. They don’t see any reason to change.” The victim thus takes the blame and shame for the abuser’s actions. Being the one in the relationship who recognises a problem, the victim wants things to work out and is hopeful it will. Victims become anxious and scared and might then abuse substances like alcohol and drugs. Victims can notice tell tale signs of an abuser such as early expressions of love and pressure for commitment. A red flag is someone who grew up in an abusive family. “They are extremely jealous of your friends and in a way she possesses you. She hurts you when she doesn’t get her way, being abusive to family members and the most important is sarcasm. That’s talking you down, breaking you down. She has unrealistic expectations for you to meet all her needs.” The indirect abuse of children leads to a legacy of abusive relationships. Children who come from abusive families are changed by the cyclic battles they witness. They grow up believing that a normal family life is one defined by a wheel of fear, violence and tearful apologies. Their self-esteem is affected in a way that cannot easily be understood explain psychologists. jamiat.org And His Cries Went Unheard: Husband Abuse Unveiled By Umm Zakiyyah | Saudi Life “I DON’T care who’s listening,” the sister spoke angrily into her friend’s phone, prompting the other sisters in the room to look in her direction, concerned expressions on their faces as they halted their own chatter amongst themselves. “I have somewhere to go, Abdullah. I’m tired of this—“ There was the muffled sound of a man’s voice coming through the receiver. “No, no, I’m not going to be patient. You are so irresponsible. I can’t depend on you for anything. I swear!” More muffled sounds. “You are such a stup—“ The sister stopped mid-syllable as the phone line went dead. Her eyes grew wide in shock as she heard the clanking of the base of the phone as it fell off the table and onto the floor. She turned to find the hostess of the gathering standing feet from her, meeting her gaze unblinking. “I’m sorry,” the hostess said, shaking her head in disapproval. The phone wire that she had pulled out the wall was still in her hand. “I can’t sit here and let you talk to your husband like that.” … “If he even thinks about taking another wife, I’ll kill him.” I laughed at the ridiculousness of the statement, although my laughter was more of discomfort than amusement. “Yeah right. You wouldn’t do anything like that,” I told the woman. “You’d just get a divorce.” The sister’s cold eyes rested on me, and I shuddered. There was not a hint of humor in her expression. “Why would I need a divorce if he’s dead?” I started to respond but could find no words, my heart racing in the realization that she was not joking, at all. Finally, I found my voice though I detected a slight quiver in my speech. “And you’re willing to spend the rest of your life in prison?” One side of her upper lip lifted in a snare. “I wouldn’t be that stupid,” she said, a wicked smile forming on her face, making me weak as I listened. “I’ll just do sihr. And nobody would ever know.” … “I’m calling the Embassy,” the woman said angrily. “For what?” her friend asked, her forehead creasing. “I’m reporting him as an abuser and a terrorist.” Her friend’s mouth fell open. “You can’t do that.” The woman laughed. “Oh yes I can.” “But that’s lying, ukhtee.” “So what if it is?” She shrugged. “I’m taking the kids and leaving this country, and he’ll never see us again.” “But what about your soul? And the kids? And even your husband.” her friend pleaded, frantic. “He doesn’t deserve that. Think about Allah.” Her eyes became glassy, and rage was apparent there. “That’s what he should be thinking about.” … “Disgusting. Disgusting, he is.” I flinched at the words, and instinctively, my eyes widened at the woman who had spoken. But the woman was contorting her face and looking toward the other sisters present in the woman’s prayer area. My friend, who sat across from me on the other side of the woman, looked at me, a look of alarm in her eyes, as if begging me to stop this conversation. We had gathered for the night’s lecture, not for backbiting. I didn’t know what to say. The woman went on mercilessly tearing into the flesh of a man who sat clueless in the men’s prayer area opposite the dividing curtain, likely smiling and laughing amongst friends as he waited for the speaker to begin… I cringed. All I could think was, How could she disrespect her husband so shamelessly, and in the musallaa? My heart drummed nervously as I realized that this was one of the worst forms of flesh-eating that I had ever heard in my life—in or outside a masjid. I decided to speak up… I opened my e-mail and was about to click delete when I read the online newspaper’s headline that decried the “shameless lack of support” for a domestic abuse awareness weekend seminar held by a charitable Muslim organization… The contributors to the article were appalled that no one showed up for the well-advertised program that was intended as a fundraiser for a local Muslim women’s shelter… And the seminar was being hosted in a city that was home to one of the largest Muslim communities in America. What’s really sad, one organizer said, is that when women seek help from imams and other Muslims, they’re often asked, “But what did you do?” What broke my heart while reading this article was that among all the social workers, PhD-holders, and experienced domestic abuse counselors, not one entertained the possibility that the fault lay not in the Muslims who did not show up… But in the organizers who did… And proof for that could be found in the quote criticizing those who asked women, “But what did you do?”… “He hit me,” she whimpered, tears filling her eyes as her shoulders shook from where she sat on the couch in her friend’s home, having arrived minutes before, not knowing where else to turn. Bruises were visible on her arms as the sleeves of her abaya gathered at her elbows as she lifted her hands to cover her face. Next to her, Hakimah rubbed the woman’s back and spoke soft, reassuring words to soothe her best friend, Hakimah’s heart aching in utter helplessness. Hakimah was at a loss for what to do. She’d known that her friend had had a tumultuous marriage, but Hakimah never imagined that the apparently calm, good-natured man who was friends with her own husband was capable of abuse, especially now. He and Hakimah had been divorced for nearly a month. How could he do something like this—and to a woman who wasn’t even his wife anymore? What should Hakimah do? Her first thought was to call the American Embassy. Both Hakimah and her friend were thousands of miles from home, in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. They’d left America more than ten years ago to settle in the Kingdom and had since then called it home. With her free hand, Hakimah fumbled for her purse, determined to get her friend to safety. This abuse had to stop. She found her mobile phone in a side pocket, withdrew it, and quickly scanned her contacts for the embassy’s number. “As-salaamu’alaikum!” a cheerful voice called from the front room at the sound of a heavy door opening and closing. It was Adil, Hakimah’s husband, arriving home from work. Immediately, Hakimah slid her phone back into her purse and went to greet her husband. Noticing her distressed expression, Adil asked what was wrong. She told him. An hour later, upon Adil’s insistence, the woman’s ex-husband arrived at the front door. The first things Adil noticed when he opened the door were the brother’s black eye and long blood-stained scratches on his cheeks and neck. Minutes later, Adil learned that this had occurred at the hands of the “abused” woman, who had, earlier that day, arrived at her ex-husband’s front door where he now lived with his new wife. The woman had been infuriated that he had married someone else and she came in punching, flailing, and screaming. Her own bruises? Well…the brother had been trying to restrain her from harming him—and his new wife. Those familiar with the marital turmoil in so many homes today know that the fictionalized story of Hakimah’s friend is not a rare account. It’s quite common—in fact, arguably more common than incidents of real abuse. The details differ, yes, but essentially the stories are all similar… She claims “abuse” and cries her eyes out on the phone, on the couch, in the masjid, at the istiraaha….wherever—evoking sympathy from every well-meaning, good-hearted Muslim who hears her heartbreaking tale… Days, weeks, or months later we learn that, no she wasn’t lying—he did hit her, he did yell at her, he did call her those horrible names… But she had merely omitted some “minor” details in her version of events… She’d thrown a frying pan at him. She cursed him for the umpteenth time. She yelled at him until the neighbors got concerned. She called him horrible names—in front of others. She hit him—as she did almost every day… … Allah says, “And cover not truth with falsehood nor conceal the truth when you know what it is” (Al-Baqarah, 2:42). …For people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, going before Allah with such an enormity as slander or tainting the honor of an innocent Muslim is simply not a risk they’re willing to take… Even for an apparently abused woman claiming something as egregious as suffering abuse from her husband… For they have no idea if she is even speaking the truth… …Yes, they could simply investigate the matter… But… Since Women’s Rights groups and “Abuse Awareness” seminars teach that it is a crime to even ask “the victim” what happened, most people opt to be safe and stay out of it… At least as far as their own souls are concerned. … Yet, according to today’s experts on domestic violence, this is where the problem lies… If everyone is going to “stay out of it” and worry about only their own lives, then where does an abused woman turn for help? Maybe the husband isn’t innocent. Maybe he really is abusive… Then again, maybe he’s not… Therein lies the dilemma… Allah says, “O you who have believed, if there comes to you a faasiq* with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance, and become, over what you have done, regretful” (Al-Hujuraat, 49:6). Also, in the chapter of the Qu’ran entitled Saad, Allah relates to us the story of two men who come to the Prophet Dawud (David) seeking his judgment. One of the men claims that he was wronged by the other. He says that his brother, who has ninety-nine ewes while he has only one, is demanding that he hand over this one to him. Prophet Dawud, upon hearing this great injustice, immediately says, “He has certainly wronged you in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds—and they are few.” Shortly thereafter, the Prophet realizes his mistake: He did not listen to the other man’s version of events. He also realizes that this was a trial from Allah—and that he did not pass. Allah says, “And David became certain that We had tried him, and he asked forgiveness of his Lord and fell down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance [to Allah]” (38:24). …In some ways, many of the well-meaning, anti-domestic violence Muslims of the world are like Prophet Dawud, peace be upon him, when he was judging between the two men: They hear an enormity such as a man mercilessly abusing his wife, and it’s difficult to stay silent. So without hesitation or forethought, they say to the woman who comes to them crying and claiming abuse, “He has certainly wronged you in what he’s done! So many men oppress women, except those good men who really believe in Islam. And how few they are nowadays!” Except, they are not like Prophet Dawud because… They don’t realize their mistake. They don’t even imagine they should hear the other side. And it doesn’t even occur to them that they should ask Allah’s forgiveness… Because they don’t think they’ve done anything wrong in the first place… Let’s face it. We live in a world that isn’t quite just or balanced—even when championing “women’s rights.” The lens of those of the “modern world” define abuse as…. A parent raising their voice at a child (“verbal abuse”)… A caretaker criticizing a sensitive teen (“psychological abuse”)… A husband refusing to speak to his wife when he’s angry (“emotional abuse”)… Anyone at all—a parent, caretaker, or husband—as much as laying a finger on a child, teen, or wife (“physical abuse”)… Yet… The modern world also says… If that child yells at the parent, “Oh, she’s just acting out…” If that teen criticizes the actions of the caretaker, “Oh, he just needs someone to talk to…” If that wife refuses to speak to her husband (or even refuses intimacy with him), “Oh, she’s going through a lot right now…” If that child, teen, or wife hits, punches, smacks, or throws something at their parent, caretaker, or husband, “Oh, be patient, they’re just really stressed…” … Those who grew up in the West know all too well the pillar of “proper” male conduct in dealing with women, which is also a product of “championing women’s rights”… A woman can scream at, curse, hit, punch, smack, or even kick a man where it really hurts (or anything else she so chooses)… and he must do absolutely nothing, say absolutely nothing, be absolutely nothing, and just “take it like a man”… Or else… The stories I shared at the beginning of this blog are just a few of thousands that illustrate that the image of domestic violence, especially in the Westernized modern world, isn’t as “experts” and “domestic awareness seminars” would have us believe… Yet, if there is going to be any real uprooting of domestic abuse, certain realities have to be openly discussed, and investigated—especially for those truly concerned for women’s and men’s well-being… And for the safety of their own souls on the Day of Judgment. Amongst these basic realities are… The fundamental principle of justice, which includes hearing all sides of a story… The fact that people can and will exaggerate, especially when they are emotionally hurt and seeking sympathy… Or revenge. And… People suffer from selective memory. Sometimes they outright lie. And this is true for both men and women. And… Many husbands suffer abuse from their wives. Yes… husband abuse does exist. And, no, it is not rare. In fact, it’s become quite “in style” for today’s women… There are even books touting titles like How to Train Your Husband—with a cover depicting the image of a man on all fours wearing a dog collar as his wife stands towering over him tugging on a leash. Needless to say, if such a cover depicted the man and woman with the roles (and book title) reversed—especially if printed in an Islamic country—there’d be an outcry…worldwide. But these “chic,” modern women do exist… And they find it quite humorous and perfectly acceptable to… Scream at their husbands… …Or Hit, slap, or kick them… Or… In snide remarks and jokes amongst friends—on the phone or at favored (husband-funded) dinner parties as she lounges on the couch… She may say, between snickers and sips of tea, amidst giggling friends and guests, “Oh how stupid he is… like all men…” …Ha, ha, ha… But… If she discovers that he’s called her stupid…in front friends and guests, no doubt…the drums of Women’s rights in Islam! Fight oppression! and cries of abuse can be heard reverberating through phones halfway across the world… Or… What’s more—and those Western expats living abroad know this is true… She’ll simply contact her embassy with claims against him that take advantage of the Islamophobia afflicting the world today… Thousands of websites and organizations worldwide rally in efforts to assist female victims of domestic abuse, an effort that is absolutely necessary and even commendable—socially and Islamically. …Especially given the fact that women who suffer from actual abuse often suffer in silence. Thus, something must be done. Yet, these well-meaning sites and groups are often confounded by what seems like an “utter lack of support” during fundraisers and events aimed at raising awareness, and by their constant fruitless efforts in getting people even talking about rooting out this horrible vice. But, quite likely, the answer to this dilemma lies not in the droves of apparently silent witnesses to abuse who seem to sit idly by and allow it to happen… But in the organizations and “awareness events” themselves—which, more often than not, focus solely on women’s suffering… Most people with even a shred of conscience, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, feel uncomfortable supporting events and organizations that turn a blind eye to the fact that spousal abuse is not a “women’s issue”— It is a humanity issue. … Yet, even if one believes that women are the primary sufferers of domestic violence and thus deserve the most support and attention, it is still necessary to openly acknowledge the existence of husband abusers and “fake victims”… Because their existence likely presents the greatest obstacle to abusive men being justly admonished and punished. As well-meaning people are simply paralyzed into inaction by the knowledge of this phenomenon alone… Yes, due to men being the “stronger sex,” it is likely that women suffer most from physical abuse… But it is debatable whether or not they suffer most from abuse itself… Nearly all modern “experts” include in their definitions of abuse the subcategories of psychological and emotional abuse… What’s more is that they also contend that the latter two categories are far more damaging long-term than physical abuse… And, certainly, men are not necessarily the “stronger sex” psychologically and emotionally… Abused men are utterly confounded because they often have absolutely no where to turn… Especially if they live in the West… Or as Western expats abroad… …And his cries went unheard… Certainly, it’s not the most socially acceptable thing for a man to come crying on his friend’s couch to say that his wife abuses him, while murmuring, “Can you help me, akhee?” And, chances are, that “philanthropic” organization that champions rooting out abuse in the community isn’t planning a husband-abuse awareness seminar… Or opening a men’s shelter… In fact, it’s quite likely that, for them, “spousal abuse” doesn’t even include the possibility of a man suffering at all. But what’s the solution? many may ask. Well, that’s something we all have to put our heads together to figure out. I certainly don’t have the answer. But, as with all dilemmas, the first step is acknowledging the problem. But I do have one suggestion: Next time a charitable organization hosts a “spousal abuse” or “domestic violence” seminar in your area, make sure they have workshops and classes aimed at rooting out all abuse—regardless of the gender of the victim. Because we simply cannot continue to wear our hearts on our sleeves, act on impulse and emotion, abandon all justice and good sense—and even the Qur’an and the Sunnah… While asking the accuser no questions… And assume… Guilty as accused. …Lest you harm a people out of ignorance, and become, over what you have done, regretful… And no, this isn’t “blaming the victim”… …Because the victim just may not be a she at all. ~~~ Back to Table of Contents

Fasting for three days can regenerate entire immune system, study finds By Sarah Knapton, Science Correspondent The Telegraph A person's entire immune system can be rejuvenated by fasting for as little as three days as it triggers the body to start producing new white blood cells, a study suggests. Fasting for as little as three days can regenerate the entire immune system, even in the elderly, scientists have found in a breakthrough described as "remarkable". Although fasting diets have been criticised by nutritionists for being unhealthy, new research suggests starving the body kick-starts stem cells into producing new white blood cells, which fight off infection. Scientists at the University of Southern California say the discovery could be particularly beneficial for people suffering from damaged immune systems, such as cancer patients on chemotherapy. It could also help the elderly whose immune system becomes less effective as they age, making it harder for them to fight off even common diseases. The researchers say fasting "flips a regenerative switch" which prompts stem cells to create brand new white blood cells, essentially regenerating the entire immune system.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “My close friend [i.e., the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)] advised me to do three things which I will never give up until I die: fasting three days each month, praying Duha, and sleeping after praying Witr.” (al-Bukhaari, 1178; Muslim, 721). It is mustahabb to observe this fast in the middle of the hijri month, on the days called Ayaam al-Beed. It was narrated that Abu Dharr said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to me, ‘If you fast any part of the month then fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.’” (al-Nasaa’i, 2424; Ibn Maajah, 1707; Ahmad, 210)

Long Term Effects of Domestic Violence Domestic violence has wide ranging and sometimes long-term effects on victims. The effects can be both physical and psychological and can impact the direct victim as well as any children who witness parental violence. Physical Effects The physical health effects of domestic violence are varied, but victims are known to suffer physical and mental problems as a result of domestic violence. Battering is the single major cause of injury to women, more significant that auto accidents, rapes, or muggings. (O'Reilly, 1983). Many of the physical injuries sustained by women seem to cause medical difficulties as women grow older. Arthritis, hypertension and heart disease have been identified by battered women as directly caused by aggravated by domestic violence early in their adult lives. Medical disorders such as diabetes or hypertension may be aggravated in victims of domestic violence because the abuser may not allow them access to medications or adequate medical care. (Perrone, 1992). Victims may experience physical injury (lacerations, bruises, broken bones, head injuries, internal bleeding), chronic pelvic pain, abdominal and gastrointestinal complaints, frequent vaginal and urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV. (Jones & Horan, 1997 and Bohn & Holz, 1996). Victims may also experience pregnancy-related problems. Women who are battered during pregnancy are at higher risk for poor weight gain, pre-term labor, miscarriage, low infant birth weight, and injury to or death of the fetus. Psychological Effects While the primary and immediate focus for many people is the physical injury suffered by victims, the emotional and psychological abuse inflicted by batterers likely has longer term impacts and may be more costly to treat in the short-run than physical injury. (Straus, 1986, 1988, 1990). Depression remains the foremost response, with 60% of battered women reporting depression (Barnett, 2000). In addition, battered women are at greater risk for suicide attempts, with 25% of suicide attempts by Caucasian women and 50% of suicide attempts by African American women preceded by abuse (Fischbach & Herbert, 1997). Along with depression, domestic violence victims may also experience Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is characterized by symptoms such as flashbacks, intrusive imagery, nightmares, anxiety, emotional numbing, insomnia, hyper-vigilance, and avoidance of traumatic triggers. Several empirical studies have explored the relationship between experiencing domestic violence and developing PTSD. Vitanza, Vogel, and Marshall (1995) interviewed 93 women reporting to be in long-term, stressful relationships. The researchers looked at the relationships among psychological abuse, severity of violence in the relationship, and PTSD. The results of the study showed a significant correlation between domestic violence and PTSD. In each group in the study (psychological abuse only, moderate violence, and severe violence), women scored in the significant range for PTSD. Overall, 55.9% of the sample met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. In further support of the strong relationship between domestic violence and PTSD, Mertin and Mohr (2000), interviewed 100 women in Australian shelters, each of whom had experienced domestic violence. They found that 45 of the 100 women met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Impacts on Children One-third of the children who witness the battering of their mother demonstrate significant behavioral and/or emotional problems, including psychosomatic disorders, stuttering, anxiety and fears, sleep disruption, excessive crying and school problems. (Jaffe et al, 1990; Hilberman & Munson, 1977-78) Those boys who witness abuse of their mother by their father are more likely to inflict severe violence as adults. Data suggest that girls who witness maternal abuse may tolerate abuse as adults more than girls who do not. (Hotaling & sugarman, 1986) These negative effects may be diminished if the child benefits from intervention by the law and domestic violence programs. (Giles-Sims,1985) Children may develop behavioral or emotional difficulties after experiencing physical abuse in the context of domestic violence or after witnessing parental abuse. Responses in children may vary from aggression to withdrawal to somatic complaints. In addition, children may develop symptoms of depression, anxiety, or PTSD (Harway & Hansen, 1994). (Source) ~~~ Back to Table of Contents

Hadhrat Abu Ubaidah (Radhiallahu Anhu) loses His Teeth. During the battle of Uhud, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was severely attacked by the enemy and two links of his helmet penetrated his mubaarak face. Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) and Hadhrat Abu Ubaidah (Radhiallahu Anhu) immediately ran to assist Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Hadhrat Abu Ubaidah (Radhiallahu Anhu) began pulling out the links with his teeth. By the time one of the links was removed, he had lost one of his teeth. Without minding this, he again used his teeth to pull out the other link as well. He succeeded in removing the other link, however in the process he lost another tooth. When the links were drawn out, the blood began to ooze out from the body of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Hadhrat Malik bin Sinaan (Radhiallahu Anhu), the father of Hadhrat Abu Sa'eed Khudri (Radhiallahu Anhu), licked the blood with his lips. At this, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) remarked: “The fire of Hell cannot touch the person who has my blood mixed with his.” (Fazaail Aa’maal) يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِمًا أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيبِكَ خَيرِ الخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمِ

Cycle of Domestic Abuse In 1979, psychologist Lenore Walker found that many violent relationships follow a common pattern or cycle. The entire cycle may happen in one day or it may take weeks or months. It is different for every relationship and not all relationships follow the cycle—many report a constant stage of siege with little relief. This cycle has three parts: Tension building phase—Tension builds over common domestic issues like money, children or jobs. Verbal abuse begins. The victim tries to control the situation by pleasing the abuser, giving in or avoiding the abuse. None of these will stop the violence. Eventually, the tension reaches a boiling point and physical abuse begins. Acute battering episode—When the tension peaks, the physical violence begins. It is usually triggered by the presence of an external event or by the abuser’s emotional state—but not by the victim’s behavior. This means the start of the battering episode is unpredictable and beyond the victim’s control. However, some experts believe that in some cases victims may unconsciously provoke the abuse so they can release the tension, and move on to the honeymoon phase. The honeymoon phase—First, the abuser is ashamed of his behavior. He expresses remorse, tries to minimize the abuse and might even blame it on the partner. He may then exhibit loving, kind behavior followed by apologies, generosity and helpfulness. He will genuinely attempt to convince the partner that the abuse will not happen again. This loving and contrite behavior strengthens the bond between the partners and will probably convince the victim, once again, that leaving the relationship is not necessary. This cycle continues over and over, and may help explain why victims stay in abusive relationships. The abuse may be terrible, but the promises and generosity of the honeymoon phase give the victim the false belief that everything will be all right. (source) ~~~ Back to Table of Contents

Blasting The Foundations Of Atheism; Its Pseudoscience and Pseudo-reason Answering Richard Dawkins' (The God Delusion) By: AbulFeda‟ About this book Alhamdulellah… In his bold and bigoted quest to ridicule the very idea of “God” and “religion”, rendering the whole thing as nothing but a big ancient “delusion”, Richard Dawkins delivers what I view to be – in fact – some of the greatest services an atheist has ever done to the cause of truth and the message of tawheed. Even an amateur philosopher like himself should realize that it takes much more to argue against the reliability of innate rationality and natural language, not to mention the mental consistency of all humans ever since the dawn of time (except for atheists in general and Darwinians in particular). Yet, he does not, thinking perhaps that this is all he needs to do to deliver his message to an audience of commoners and laypeople; and this serves me pretty well indeed. In his book “The God Delusion”, Dawkins seeks to convince the lay reader that ever since time immemorial, humans have been “fooled” or “deluded” to see “design” where in fact there is not, and to see order and purpose where in fact there is none. He calls his ideological mission an attempt to “raise” people’s consciousness to the level where they are finally prepared to embrace such outrageous claims, both intellectually and spiritually. Thus I only find it convenient and justifiable that a book written to serve – among other pertinent ends - as a response to The God Delusion would come out under the title: Blasting the foundations of Atheism. But how does blowing Dawkins’ book serve as a means to blast all atheism? Well, I think that if one was to take some time and carefully examine every quasi argument that Dawkins puts forth in his boldly titled book, they would at least offer the reader fair insight into the “psyche” and “rationale” of an atheist, a militant one no less, who claims to have come to a near certainty that God is only a delusion! So if written with care, such an insight would suffice, in my view, to effectively destroy the foundations of all atheism. After all, atheism should be viewed as a psychological condition, and the core thesis of atheism is indeed every bit as ridiculous as what the very title of Dawkins’ book demonstrates. Thus I chose to exploit The God Delusion as a perfect instrument for my ends, and for that I am very grateful to Richard Dawkins. Originally, I set out to refute every false or inconsistent claim that Dawkins bothered to advance in his book, and further expand on my arguments against atheistic thought along every quotation that I choose to pick. Naturally, I ended up with a volume little over a thousand pages large. Thus I was advised to split it in two volumes, the first of which would be printed separately, and would suffice to blow at least the two core chapters of Dawkins’ book out of the water: chapters three and four. It is my pleasure to present the first of the two volumes of the book Blasting the Foundations of Atheism: its Pseudoscience and Pseudo-reason; a book which is not only addressed to sincere truth seekers worldwide but also to those who are on the verge of atheism. May Allah, the Creator of all, guide us to the one and simple truth, Amen Read Online PDF

Another year gone.... By Abdur Rahmaan Umar Staring at the calendar it’s impossible not to notice that there is just a day left on the calendar! Where did the time go? Where did the year go? What did we do with the time? Questions without answers, but there are answers. The answers are in how we spend our time. Every one of us is given the same 24hours in a day, the same 86’400 minutes for the year. What we choose to do with it is entirely up to us. As the adage goes: Bad News is that time flies. The good news is that you are the pilot. More than the time lost are the lost moments. Opportunities to share precious moments lost when we focussed on ‘more important’ things. Events and objects that we have attached importance to and given them a valuable space in a major part of our lives – our jobs, careers, enjoyment are all important but not as important as the people around us. To date no one has been recorded as saying while on his deathbed “I should have spent more time at the office.” This touching story brings the point home with stark reality: While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a lady on a bench near a playground. “That’s my son over there,” she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide. “A fine looking child ” the lady said. “That’s my daughter on the bike in the white dress.” Then, looking at her watch, she called to her daughter. “What do you say we go, Melissa?” Melissa pleaded, “Just five more minutes, Mum. Please? Just five more minutes.” The lady nodded and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart’s content. Minutes passed and the mother stood and called again to her daughter. “Time to go now?” Again Melissa pleaded, “Five more minutes, Mum. Just five more minutes.” The lady smiled and said, “OK.” “My, you certainly are a patient mother,” the woman responded. The lady smiled and then said, “Her older brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last New Year’s eve while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I’d give anything for just five more minutes with him. I’ve vowed not to make the same mistake with Melissa. She thinks she has five more minutes to ride her bike. The truth is, I get five more minutes to watch her play.” Life is all about making priorities, what are your priorities? Give someone you love 5 more minutes of your time today. So drop the pens, pots, money and just make the time to give someone you love a call or a hug just for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala That opportunity may not arise again so grab it and make it a moment to remember. . And give thanks to Allah that He granted us such special people in our lives – people without whom life would be constrained and devoid of pleasure. Time is not about counting the moments but about making the moments count! For an informative article on Importance of Time visit: EISLAM

Allahu-Akbar '...We can see why those with arrogance may be threatened by it...' By Khalid Baig Allahu-Akbar. Allah is the greatest. These are the first words a Muslim child hears after entering this world. The father makes the call to prayer in his or her ears as the welcome-to-this-world message. The same call is heard wherever there are Muslims, five times a day. The prayers also begin with this pronouncement. Certainly this is the emblem of the Islamic faith. There is no power in the world equal to the power of the One God. Allah is the greatest. This has been the Islamic message right from the beginning. The very first surah or chapter to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, was surah Mudathir. And it contains the command: "And Thy Lord, do thou magnify." The Arabic word is kabbir. Declare Allahu-Akbar. Announce that Allah is the greatest. The pagans of Arabia did not like it. The Jews and Christians were not happy with it either. The irony is that at the same time all of them professed belief in the statement. The pagans believed in many gods, but did believe in the Supreme God too. They claimed authority for their smaller gods, but did not claim them to be bigger than Allah. Jews and Christians clearly believed in God, the Creator and Lord of the universe. With the exception of a small group of atheists, that remains valid till today, as the U.S. dollar bill announces to the whole world: "In God we trust." The question is, then, why should anyone have problem with Allahu-Akbar. Why feel uneasy with it or feel threatened by it? Is it not saying the same thing that they already agree with? The answer lies in the Islamic concept of God. In the western literature, God is presented as a wise man. (To the feminists He is increasingly a She). To the mathematician-philosopher, He may be a super mathematician or even a differential-equation. To the scientist, He is the First cause, that jump started the automobile of this universe that is now running on its own. To all of them, He is a good subject for a hobby but is irrelevant to our day to day affairs. As one scientist puts it: "I subscribe to Einstein's religion. It's an oceanic feeling; there's that great big thing out there that's pretty marvelous." Thing? Einstein, who reportedly considered himself spiritual but not religious, said: "I want to know how God created this world." The implication is that He did it once. I am studying and conquering His universe now. But for intellectual curiosity it will be good to learn a little more about Him. "He may have created the laws of nature but since creation He has left them pretty much alone. He does not come in and tweak them any more." A people's concept of God is the first place to look for, to get an idea of the corruption that their religion has gone through. Now let's compare the above confusions with Islam's declaration of an All Knowing, All Powerful God who created the Universe and who is running it every second. His attributes are best described in the well-known ayatul-kursi. Look at this marvelously profound declaration, that is beyond any human's capacity to declare but within everyone's ability to feel: "Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Eternal, Supporter of all. Neither slumber nor sleep can seize Him. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is he that intercedes with Him except by His leave? He knows that which is in front of them and that which is behind them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the Most High, the Supreme." [Al-Baqarah 2:255] What a tremendously empowering creed! From the smallest to the largest, everything in the universe depends on Him. He depends on none. All other powers are illusory. His is the only real Power. When He is on our side, we need not fear anyone. If He is not pleased with us, the support of the whole world for us will be for naught. Worldly powers try to manipulate people by telling them what they can do for them and what they can do to them. But a person informed by Allahu-Akbar will not be tempted by the first or intimidated by the second. The power of "world powers" evaporates before the shouts of Allahu-Akbar. In fact there is no empowerment outside this belief, and no enslavement to other humans with it! We can see why the claimants to power in this world may be threatened by it. What a tremendously liberating creed! It liberates us from slavery to our own desires also. His knowledge is unlimited. Ours is extremely limited. What can we do except follow His commands? He is watching us all the time. We cannot get away with disobedience because of His oversight. He will judge us and no one will be able to intercede on our behalf except with His permission. We can see why those who are afraid of accountability may be threatened by it. What a tremendously humbling creed! It reminds us of our humble station in life with respect to God. As the Qur'an says at another place, "Those who dispute about the Signs of Allah without any authority bestowed on them, there is nothing in their breasts except the quest of greatness, which they will never attain..." [Mumin, 40:56]. We can see why those with arrogance may be threatened by it. This includes the arrogance of science. We see it in the scientist who declares that there is no need to invoke a spiritual hand of God since everything has a rational basis. Or the medical doctor who thinks that he can control the biological processes. (Look at all the pronouncements of the genetic engineering pundits, euthanasia advocates, and population control gurus). On the other hand, a scientist free of such sickness looks at the workings of this universe; the great design in it; the tremendous purpose in every creation; and he finds himself compelled to say: Subhan-Allah. Allahu-Akbar. Glory be to Allah. Allah is the greatest. Similarly a medical doctor constantly finds the Hand of God in the life and death struggles of his patients; some succumb to minor problems, others survive major ones. Allahu-Akbar! Allahu-Akbar is the weapon that gives us the courage to challenge all subjugation, political or intellectual. It makes us turn our attention to the Creator and ignore other creations like ourselves. In the jihads in Afghanistan, Kashmir, or Bosnia, as elsewhere, the power of this weapon has been felt by people on both sides of the conflict. In every conflict the shouts of Allahu-Akbar instilled fear in the hearts of the oppressors. It boasted the morale of the mujahideen with new levels of hope and courage. And that is the way it should be. Because Allah is the Greatest.

Soiled Clothing Q: I have a chronic disease with no cure, which is the inability to hold urination. My clothing is always soiled with urine. Do I have to change every time I have to pray, knowing that most of the time I'm away from home. What if I can not pray on time? Sometimes I start to pray and urine comes out, do I have to finish or stop praying? A: In Shariah, a person will qualify as a ma'zoor if the entire namaaz time passes in such a condition that he is unable to perform the wudhu and the salaah without the uzr being found (i.e. without the factor breaking the wudhu e.g. the coming out of urine being found). This is the law in regard to becoming a ma'zoor. However after one has become a ma'zoor, then in order for one to remain a ma'zoor, the condition is that the 'uzr will have to be found at least once in every namaaz time. The Shar'i law regarding a Ma'zoor is that he will have to renew his wudhu for every salaah time. 1. You should ensure that you perform the salaah in its time. If you are unable to change your clothes, then wash the area which the urine has soiled and perform salaah with the same clothing. 2. Through the urine coming out, your wudhu will not break. However since the urine has soiled your clothes, the salaah will be invalid. Hence you should break the salaah, change your clothes or wash the area which the urine has soiled and thereafter perform your salaah. If it is not possible for you to perform the salaah without the clothes becoming soiled, then in this case it is not compulsory upon you to change your clothes. Performing the salaah with the soiled clothes will be permissible. (وصاحب عذر من به سلس ) بول لا يمكنه إمساكه ( أو استطلاق بطن أو انفلات ريح أو استحاضة ) أو بعينه رمد أو عمش أو غرب وكذا كل ما يخرج بوجع ولو من أذن وثدي وسرة ( إن استوعب عذره تمام وقت صلاة مفروضة ) بأن لا يجد في جميع وقتها زمنا يتوضأ ويصلي فيه خاليا عن الحدث ( ولو حكما ) لأن الانقطاع اليسير ملحق بالعدم ( وهذا شرط ) العذر ( في حق الابتداء وفي ) حق ( البقاء كفي وجوده في جزء من الوقت ) ولو مرة ( وفي ) حق الزوال يشترط ( استيعاب الانقطاع ) تمام الوقت ( حقيقة ) لأنه الانقطاع الكامل ( وحكمه الوضوء ) لا غسل ثوبه ونحو ( لكل فرض ) اللام للوقت كما في لدلوك الشمس ( ثم يصلي ) به ( فيه فرضا ونفلا ) فدخل الواجب بالأولى ( فإذا خرج الوقت بطل ) أي ظهر حدثه السابق حتى لو توضأ على الانقطاع ودام إلى خروجه لم يبطل بالخروج ما لم يطرأ حدث آخر أو يسيل كمسألة مسح خفه وأفاد أنه لو توضأ بعد الطلوع ولو لعيد أو ضحى لم يبطل إلا بخروج وقت الظهر( وإن سال على ثوبه ) فوق الدرهم ( جاز له أن لا يغسله إن كان لو غسله تنجس قبل الفراغ منها ) أي الصلاة ( وإلا ) يتنجس قبل فراغه ( فلا ) يجوز ترك غسله هو المختار للفتوى وكذا مريض لا يبسط ثوبا إلا تنجس فورا له تركه (الدر المختار 305-307) Answered by: Mufti Zakaria Makada Checked & Approved: Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

RULES RELATING TO THE MA’ZUR 1. If someone’s nose begins to bleed in such a way that it doesn’t stop, or has a wound from which blood flows continuously, or is afflicted by the sickness of urine dripping continuously – and in all these cases he does not have such a time wherein he could offer his salaat with (complete) purity - then such a person is called a ma’zur (excused). The rule in regard to him is that he should make Wudhu for the time of every salaat. As long as that salaat time remains, his Wudhu will remain. However, if apart from this sickness, some other matter crops up which causes Wudhu to break, then his Wudhu will break and he will have to repeat it. An example of this is: a person’s nose began to bleed continuously and refused to stop. At Zuhr time he made Wudhu. So as long as the Zuhr time remains, his Wudhu will not break as a result of the bleeding nose. However, if (in that Zuhr time) the person went to the toilet, or pricked himself with a needle and blood flowed, then Wudhu will break and will have to be repeated. When this time passes, and the next salaat time comes, then another Wudhu will have to be made (for this second salaat time). In like manner, Wudhu should be made for every salaat time. With this Wudhu, one can read any number and any type of salaat – irrespective of Fard or nafl salaat. 2. If Wudhu was made at Fajr time, then after sunrise, salaat cannot be read with that Wudhu. A fresh avdu will have to be made. If Wudhu was made after sunrise, then it would be permissible to read Zuhr with that Wudhu and there’s no need to make a fresh Wudhu for Zuhr. When Asr time enters, then only will it be necessary to make a fresh Wudhu. However, if Wudhu breaks for some other reason (eg. urinating or passing stool), then fresh Wudhu will have to be made (as mentioned above). 3. A person had a wound which bled continuously. So he made Wudhu. Thereafter, another wound emerged and began to bleed. The Wudhu will break and will have to be made again. 4. A person will only be classified as a ma’zur and this ruling will only apply to him when one complete time passes wherein the blood flows continuously, and he is unable to read the salaat of that time in complete purity. If such a time is found wherein salaat could be offered with complete purity, then he won’t be classified as a Ma’zur. Whatever rules that have just been mentioned, will not apply to him. However, if one complete time passed, wherein he did not get the opportunity to offer salaat in total purity, then he will be classified as a ma’zur. Now, the same rules apply to him, i.e. make a fresh Wudhu for every salaat time. When the next salaat time comes, then it is not a pre-requisite that blood should flow at the time. In fact, if in that entire period, blood only flows once, and stops flowing for the rest of the time – then too the person will be classified as a Ma’zur. However, if after this, an entire time passes in which no blood flowed at all, then the person will not remain in Ma’zur. Now the ruling will be that each time blood flows, Wudhu will break. 5. Dhuhr time had already entered and only after that the blood of the wound began to flow. So he should wait till the end of the time. If it stops, well and good. And if it doesn’t stop, then he should make Wudhu and offer his salaat. Now, if it continued flowing during the entire time of Asr and to the extent that he could not perform his Asr salaat, then when the Asr time passes, he will be classified as a Ma’zur. If the blood stops flowing in the very time of Asr, then he won’t be regarded as a ma’zur and whatever salaats he may have read in this time will not be proper and will have to be repeated. 6. On account of urinating or passing stool, a ma’zur made Wudhu. At the time of making Wudhu, the bleeding had stopped. After completing Wudhu, the blood started to flow again. By the flowing of this blood, Wudhu will break. However, that Wudhu which was made on account of the bleeding of the nose, etc.; that particular Wudhu will not break on account of bleeding of the nose. 7. If this blood falls on the clothing, etc. then check: if it will fall again before he can complete his salaat, then it won’t be wajib to wash it off. But if he knows that it won’t fall again so quickly and that salaat could be performed in purity, then it will be wajib to wash it off. If the extent of the blood is more than the size of a fifty cents coin then salaat will not be complete without washing it off. Source

Rules Related to an Excused Person (Ma’dhur) Question Can you explain the rulings with regards to Wudhu and Taharah for a person who has an excuse, such as continuous urine drops? ANSWER In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, There are two aspects to your question: 1) When and how is an individual classified as an excused (ma’dhur)? 2) What are the rulings concerning a Ma’dhur? As far as the first aspect is concerned, a Ma’dhur in relation to the laws of purity is the one who experiences the continuous exiting of ritual impurity from his/her body, such as continuous nose bleed, chronic virginal discharge (istihadha), continuous exiting of blood from a wound or the dripping of urine continuously, etc…. in a way that it remains for the period of one complete Fard Salat time and that one does not find sufficient time wherein Salat can be offered. After becoming a Ma’dhur once, it is not a condition that these continuous discharges remain for the whole time of every prayer (Salat), rather, by it covering one prayer time; one will be classed as a Ma’dhur. However, it is a condition that this occurs once throughout the other prayer times. This classification of one being a Ma’dhur will terminate when the occurrence of the discharge fails to appear even once for a whole complete Salat time. It is stated in the famous Hanafi Fiqh treatise, Maraqi al-Falah: “A person will not be classed a Ma’dhur until the excuse remains and covers the whole period of a (fard) Salat time wherein the excuse does not seize for even a duration in where one is able to perform ablution and offer Salat, for if it did halt, then one would not be classed as Ma’dhur. This includes where the excuse fails to seize physically in that it is continuous throughout the Salat time, or constructively in that it seizes for a time, but it is too short, thus insufficient for the performance of Wudu and offering of Salat. The condition for one to remain a Ma’dhur is the occurrence of the excuse in the times of each of the subsequent prayer times.” (Maraqi al-Falah Sharh Nur al-Idhah, p. 150) This we become clearer with an example: Suppose Abd Allah had a problem of continuous nose bleed. He bled to the extent that he could not find sufficient time wherein he could perform ablution and offer his Zuhr Salat (this of course would be known by waiting until the end of the time of Zuhr prayer). Due to this, Abd Allah will be classified as a Ma’dhur. When the Asr time came in, the bleeding only occurred once and not throughout the Asr time, even then he will remain a Ma’dhur. The same was the case with the Maghrib prayer. In the time of Eisha prayer, however, the bleeding stopped altogether and did not occur even once. Due to this, Abd Allah now will no longer be classed as a Ma’dhur person. In other words, the condition to be classified a Ma’dhur is the occurrence of nose bleeding throughout the time of a Fard Salat. The condition for one to remain in such a state is the occurrence of this bleeding once in the times of the other prayers, and the condition for one to come out of this state is that the bleeding stops completely and does not occur at all during a complete Salat time. Ruling regarding a Ma’dhur The ruling with regards to a Ma’dhur is that he/she must perform ablution for each Salat time, and with that Wudu, one may carry out all the various prayers and worships. When the time of the prayer exits, Wudu will be nullified and it will be necessary to renew the Wudu. (al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab, 1/64). Sayyida Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) relates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said to Fatima bint Abi Hubaysh (Allah be pleased with her) who had the problem of chronic virginal discharge (istihadha): “Perform ablution for every Salat until the time of the next Salat appears.” (Sahih al-Bukhari) Therefore, the Wudu will remain throughout the time of the prayer. One may offer obligatory (fard) prayers, optional (nawafil) prayers, touch the Qur’an and all the other forms of worship that require Wudu as long as that Salat time remains. Once, the Salat time comes to an end, fresh Wudu must be made. However, if apart from this problem, Wudu becomes nullified due to some other reason, then the wudu will break and one will have to renew it. An example of this is: a person’s nose began to bleed continuously and refused to stop. At Zuhr time he performed wudu. As long as the Zuhr time remains, his wudu will not become nullified as a result of the bleeding nose. However, if he went to the toilet, or cut himself with a needle and blood flowed, wudu will become nullified and will have to be repeated. (Maraqi al-Falah, P. 149) It is worth remembering here that Wudu will become nullified due to the exiting of the Salat times and not the entering of the subsequent Salat time. Normally, the exiting of one Salat time is the entering time for the next Salat. However, this is not the case with the time between Fajr and Zuhr prayers. The time of Fajr prayer ends at sunrise, but Zuhr time does not commence until midday ( zawal). Therefore, the time of exiting will be considered and not the time of entering. This will be clearer with an example: If wudu was made at Fajr time, salat cannot be performed with that wudu after sunrise, a fresh wudu will have to be made, as the exiting of Fajr time nullified the Wudu. If, however, wudu was made after sunrise, it will be permissible to perform Zuhr Salat with that wudu and there is no need to make a fresh wudu for Zuhr, for the entering of Zuhr time does not nullify Wudu. When the time of Zuhr exits (and Asr time enters), then only will it be necessary to make a fresh wudu. Finally, with regards to the cloths on which the impurity falls, if the impurity is to the amount of a Dirham (50 pence coin) and it is not possible to wash it before the cloths becoming polluted again, then it is not necessary to wash it before offering Salat. If, however, one thinks that, it is possible to wash it and perform Salat without the impurity falling onto the cloths again, then it will be necessary to get rid of it, otherwise Salat will be invalid. (See: al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab, 1/64). I sincerely hope that all your questions have been answered with the above explanation. And Allah knows best [Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam Darul Iftaa Leicester , UK Source

The Fiqh of Chronic Excuses and Ablution Question: Could you please detail the fiqh of chronic excuses and ablution? Answer: If someone has a chronic excuse (`udhr) such as being unable to stop intermittent drops of urine, or one whose bowels have become loose, should: 1) perform wudu at the time of every fard prayer and 2) pray with that wudu as many fard or nawafil as one wishes. Aisha reports from the the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) that he told Fatima Bint Hubaish, “Perform wudu at the time of every prayer.” The wudu of one suffering from a chronic excuse becomes void only with 1) the expiry of the prayer time or 2) the occurrence of that which invalidates the wudhu, other than the current reason. (Shurunbulali, Imdadu’l-Fattah Sharh Nuru’l-Idah pg 145,146 ) The conditions for being considered someone with a chronic excuse are of three types: 1. The condition of initiation: This is that an entire prayer time passes with the excuse (that renders one unable to retain wudu) present such that one did not have enough time to perform a minimal wudu and pray a quick prayer. If bleeding starts during the time of a prayer, one waits until the end of the prayer time (or until just before the disliked time, in the case of Asr) in hope that the bleeding stop, and then prays immediately after performing wudu (and striving to take the means to stop or minimize the bleeding). 2. The condition of continuation: To remain considered as someone with a chronic excuse, it is merely necessary that the excuse exist once in each prayer time. (This illustrates the legal maxim, ‘Continuation is easier than initiation.’) 3. The condition of termination: One is no longer considered legally excused, and therefore unable to act on the dispensation given to such an individual, after an entire prayer time goes by without the excuse occurring. [Ala’ al-Din Abidin, Gifts of Guidance] It is necessary to take all reasonable means to stop that which makes one unable to retain one’s wudu. So, for example, if it is possible to pray sitting without the excuse (such as passing wind) occurring, one must pray sitting. [ibid.] Faraz Rabbani Source

With thanks to Brother ColonelHardstone at Central-Mosque

Fatawa on Ismaili Shias (Aga Khanees): Darul-uloom Deoband: Shaykh (Mufti) Ebrahim Desai (HA): Shaykh (Mufti) Mohammed Sajjad (HA):

Aqeedah of Ismaili Shias (Aga Khanees) vs Islam: We (Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaat) believe that the words of Allah (SWT) and his Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is final. There are others who may be given temporary authority e.g. Ulama, Mashaykh, Ameers (in Jihad or other administrative matters) but they are only obeyed as long as they obey Allah (SWT) and his Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam). Where there is a disagreement then the final call is with Allah (SWT) and his Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam). The Ismaili Shias (and the sub cult Aga Khanees) believe the Imam to have the absolute authority to define, abrogate, add, amend and change Shariah as it is clearly stated on their site: Number of Prayers of Ismaili Shias (Aga Khanees) vs Islam: We (Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaat) pray 5 times a day as per the saying of Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) while Ismaili Shias (and the sub cult Aga Khanees) pray 3 times a day. Ismaili Shias (and the sub cult Aga Khanees) actually mock the Hadeeth of Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and the incident of 50 Salah (reduced down to 5 due to Mercy of Allah (SWT))) as a pure fabrication! Direction of Prayers of Ismaili Shias (Aga Khanees) vs Islam: We (Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaat) pray facing Makkah. Here is what the Ismaili Shias (and the sub cult Aga Khanees) have to say about direction of prayer and the Kabah: Ramadhan Fasting of Ismaili Shias (Aga Khanees) vs Islam: We (Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaat) regard fasting in Ramadhan to be an obligation while Ismaili Shias (and the sub cult Aga Khanees) regard the word of the Imam to define the Qur'aan. The "Imam" regards their Sharia to be Dhahhir (external) and Baatin (internal) and he thinks that Baatin (internal) is more important so a person DOES NOT have to fast in Ramadhan at all! It is more important for them to do Baatin (internal) fasting i.e. be a person of good moral etc. The following discussion on their forum is relevant to the discussion and should be read for further insight into their fasting. (Other) Mandatory Fasting of Ismaili Shias (Aga Khanees) vs Islam: Some Imam (down the line) mandated two additional kinds of fasting of "Beej Shukarwari' and "Satima no Rozo". My understanding is that this has something to do with new moon being on a Friday. Again don't think of their fasting as (our fasting), the timings and the methodology are all different. The following discussion on their forum is relevant to the discussion and should be read for further insight into their fasting. We (Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaat) have nothing else which is mandatory besides Ramadhan. Hajj of Ismaili Shias (Aga Khanees) vs Islam: We (Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaat) know what Hajj is and has to be performed in Makkah. Ismaili Shias (and the sub cult Aga Khanees) mock the Ka'bah as nothing but a meteorite and believe that the real Hajj is DEEDAR (seeing) of the Imam). They believe that according to Baatin (internal) eyes everybody should be connected to the Imam but in DEEDAR (seeing) the Baatin (internal) attention to the Imam and Dhaahir (external) eyes are combined to create a most complete experience. This is Hajj. Repentance & Forgiveness of Ismaili Shias (Aga Khanees) vs Islam: We (Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaat) know what Hajj is performed for the pleasure of Allah (SWT) and to seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT). Ismaili Shias (and the sub cult Aga Khanees) peform Hajj to seek forgiveness from the Imam by using many duas with one of them being as follows:

Beliefs & Practises of Ismaili Shias (Aga Khanees) vs Islam: Unlike the 5 Pillars of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaah the Ismaili Shias atcually believe in 7 pillars. When asked in public they say that they believe in Shahadah (but due to their) Batini Aqeedah i.e. everything has an overt (obvious) as well as (covert) meaning their Shahadah is no way the same as the Shahadah of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaah. They admit 7 pillars but actually believe that the root (internal meaning) is more important; the tree is as follows: 7 Pillars of Ismaili Shias (Aga Khanees): (Click on picture to enlarge) 1 Pillar 1 walāyah: The walāyah (sanctity, closeness, friendship) of the Prophets and Imāms refers to their spiritual status before God. The souls of the Prophets and Imāms possess sanctity due to their proximity or closeness to the Divine. In this context, walāyah refers to an exalted spiritual station – due to which the souls of the Prophets, Imāms and saints are pure and in turn reflect the radiance of the Divine Names and Attributes. “Walāya also denotes the essential nature of the figure of the imām, his ontological status. Now, the imām/walī in the ultimate reality of his being, is the locus for the manifestation of God (mazhar, majla), the vehicle of the divine Names and Attributes. ‘By God’, Imam Ja‘far is said to have declared, ‘we (the imāms) are the Most Beautiful Names (of God).’ The imam reveals God, he provides access to what may be known of Him, the Deus Revelatus, the zahir of God.” - Mohammad Ali Amir Moezzi, (The Spirituality of Shi’i Islam, p. 249) 2 Pillar 2: Taharah "Purity": The Ismā'īlī lay special emphasis on purity and its related practices, and the Nizari consider this in a more esoteric sense too and apply it to purity of mind, soul and action, the Musta'lis also apply it to ritual practices related to prayer and cleanliness. 3 Pillar 3 Salat "Prayer": Unlike Sunni and Twelver Muslims, Nizari Ismā'īliyya reason that it is up to the current imām to designate the style and form of prayer, and for this reason the current Nizari practices resemble dua and pray them three times a day. 4 Pillar 4 Zakah "Charity": with the exception of the Druze, all Ismā'īlī Madh'hab have practices resembling that of Sunni and Twelver Muslims with the addition of the characteristic Shī'a khums: payment of 1/8th of one's unspent money at the end of the year to the imām. In addition to khums, Ismā'īlīs pay 12.5% of their monthly gross income to the imām, which goes to the central accounts and then spent on welfare of the humankind like education and health projects. One of the major examples of these projects is the Aga Khan Development Network, that is one of the biggest welfare networks of the world.: 5 Pillar 5 Sawm “Fasting”: Nizari and Musta'lī believe in both a metaphorical and literal meaning of fasting. The literal meaning is that one must fast as an obligation, such as during the Ramadan and the metaphorical meaning being that one is in attainment of the Divine Truth and must strive to avoid worldy activities which may detract from this goal. In particular, Ismā'īlīs believe the real and esoteric meaning of fasting is avoiding devilish acts and doing the good deeds. Not eating during the month of Ramadan in conjunction with a metaphorical implementation of fasting. 6 Pillar 6 Hajj “Pilgrimage”: For Ismā'īlīs, visiting the imām or his representative is one of the most aspired pilgrimages. There are two pilgrimages: Hajj-i-Zahiri and Hajj-i-Batini the first is the visit to Mecca, the second, being in the presence of the Imam. The Musta'lī maintain also the practice of going to Mecca. The Druze interpret this completely metaphorically as "fleeing from devils and oppressors" and rarely go to Mecca 7 Pillar 7 Jihad "Struggle": The definition of jihad is controversial as it has two meanings: "the Greater Struggle" and the "The Lesser Struggle", the latter of which means a confrontation with the enemies of the faith. The Nizari are pacifist and interpret "adversaries" of the faith as personal and social vices (i.e. wrath, intolerance, etc.) and those individuals who harm the peace of the faith and avoid provocation and use force only as a final resort only in self-defense. Basically the first pillar (i.e. the Imam) gets to interpret what the rest of the religion is.

From Ismaili Shia to (Imam) Prince Karim Aga Khan IV: Benevolence of the British Empire! We have no mention of honorific titles of Aga Khan or Prince or His Highness throughout the Islamic history until the British colonial rule who deemed it prudent and pragmatic to invest in the Ismaili Shia sect to secure British interests in the subcontinent and the in the greater Muslim world. Here is a brief summary of how a little known cult in Islam became a global conglomerate: 1 Aga Khan (I) [1804-1881]: When the Shia Mohammad Shah Qajar (1808-1848) ascended the throne of Iran he appointed him as the Governer of Kerman (Iran) in 1835. They fell out 2 years later and he escaped to (Kandahar) Afghanistan in 1840 where he developed relationship with the British Empire. Due to his Services to the British Empire during the 1st Anglo-Afghan War he was given the title "His Highness" by the British. 2 Aga Khan (II) [1804-1881]: Aqa Ali Shah inherited the Shia Imamat from his father in 1881. By this time while residing in India the relations with British Empire had become stronger. On the recommendations of Sir James Fergusson he was awarded his father's title of "His Highness" by the British. 3 Aga Khan (III) [1877-1957]: Sultan Muhammed Shah succeeded his father at the age of 8 as the 48th Imam in 1885. He married Shahzahdi Begum in 1897 and in the following year set out on his first European tour at the age of 21. During his visit to Britain he was received in audience by Queen Victoria and knighted with the K.C.I.E. At that time he also made the acquaintance of the Prince of Wales (later to become King Edward VII) and set the foundations of a lasting friendship. He was created G.C.I.E. on King Edward’s coronation in 1902 and in the following year was nominated a member of the Indian Legislative Council. In 1908 on a visit to France he married his second wife, Mlle. Theresa Magliano, and in the following year his first son, Mehdi Khan, was born. Mehdi Khan died two years later, a few months before Ali Khan was born. The Aga Khan set out upon a career of public service, spreading a message of both modernization and loyalty to the British Empire among his followers as well as to a wider colonial audience. In sociological terms, Aga Khan III was a key connector, a key maven and a key salesman, and was thereby perfectly placed to guide the rapid transformation and modernization of the Ismaili movement. The British authorities carefully nurtured and fostered these characteristics, and equipped him with the necessary status and information. 1914 (at the start of WWI) immediately Immediately the British groomed Shia Imam jumped to defend the British empire and when Turkey opposed Britain he became the official “spokesmen” for Muslims of India in London and articulated (as a Shia Imam) that the position of Turkey was taken as a personal preference and not due to Islam thus confusing the Indian Muslims (who had always supported Ottomans). In 1916 to reward his Services to the British Empire the title of "His Highness" by the British. 4 Aga Khan (IV) [1936-]: The British Government was directly involved with the 49th Imam of the Shias. A letter dated 13 February 1955, from Mr Antrobus at the Foreign Office to K.W. Blaxter at the Colonial Office, we read: To this the following handwritten text was added: I Relevant research on this topic can be read in "Across the Threshold of Modernity : The Shi’a Imami (Nizari) Ismailis and British Foreign- and Colonial Policy In the period 1839 to 1969" with a small quotation from the book as follows: https://drive.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=http://freepdfhosting.com/a782718c20.pdf Shia-British Here we see, gently and carefully phrased, British colonial diplomacy at its very best. High honours were bestowed, on which a reputation and indeed a worldly position rested in no small manner. But they were bestowed conditionally, with the hope held out that they might be renewed at some future date ‘once the (*) attitude of the Khoja’s was known’. Repeated attempts to make the title hereditary, or at least hereditary in a de facto manner by granting fiscal privileges which would put the title on a similar footing to those that were already hereditary, were ever so politely refused. The note also makes some interesting observations regarding the Aga Khan’s position since Indian independence.