* After trying to resolve the issue of how red is perceived inside the
brain, how the sound of pleasant music is interpreted differently from
chewing a steak and why even the most detailed MRI provides noevidence
regarding the interpretation mechanism involved, Jeffrey M. Schwartz,
a neuroscientist and research professor of psychiatry at the UCLA
School of Medicine, goeson to ask the following important question:
...why would studying brain mechanisms, even down to the molecular
level, ever provide an answer to those questions?
The answer is this: Because the answer to the interpreting mechanism
is not in the brain at all. It is impossible to come by the answers to
questionsregarding this mechanism by studying human cells, examining
neurons or performing research at the molecular level. That is because
what causes a person to perceive the outside world is not inside the
human body. It is something outside the brain, neurons, cells or
electric signals. It is the soul bestowed on us by Almighty Allah.
Reveals Allah in one verse:
… then [He] formed him and breathed His Spirit into him and gave you
hearing, sight and hearts. What little thanksyou show! (Surat
as-Sajda, 9)
People who fail to understand that it is the soul that perceives, and
that it is independent of matter, are making a very important mistake:
They face the possibility that the images they see exist on a screen
in their brains. Yet when we consider that there is a screen in our
brains on which the outside world exists, we also have no choice but
to admit the existence of a little man watching that screen. And there
must be another little man watching the screen in the brain of the
first, and so on. But there is no screen and no other little man
watching the events on it in the brain. The human brain is pitchblack
and silent. There is nothing there but neurons made up of proteins and
electric signals moving very swiftly back and forth. It is impossible
for those electric signals to see a flower, smell it, touch it,
delight in it, see a ship sailing in the distance orenjoy the taste of
a strawberry--all in a pieceof flesh. It is impossible for them to
experience aprolonged period of enjoyment of an orchestral symphony.
It is obviously not electrical signals that produce such a lively,
bustling, brightly colored, vivid, three-dimensional and perfectly
sharp world. And there is also no doubt that it is not electric
signals that cause one to rejoice or grieve, to feel excitement or
concern, to remember and feel happy, or to miss someone and satisfy
thatlonging. Even if the world's most renowned professors were to work
together, as Jeffrey M. Schwartz says, they still would not find this
perception mechanism anywhere in the brain.
The self-conscious entity that says "I see" the images and "I hear"
the sounds in the brain is the soul given to man byAllah. This is the
reality that the materialist mindset is most unwilling of all to see
revealed. The soul sees without the need for eyes, touches without the
need for hands, hears without the need for ears, smells without the
need for a nose and tastes without the need for a mouth. The soul is
the only answer to the question of "who does the perceiving?" which
scientists have been trying to resolve for years. Allah constantly
shows images to the human soul and, day and night, whether in this
world or in dreams, creates a whole world for them. Everything in that
world has a perfect and flawless appearance. So much so that it is
very difficult forus to realize that the sharp image and sensation of
depth in front of us consists merely of an illusion andhas no
connection with the real outside world. This is the flawless,
matchless, glorious workof our Almighty Lord, Who has the power to
create infinite worlds in an area just a few centimeters in size
whenever He chooses.
He is Allah – the Creator, the Maker, the Giver of Form. To Him belong
the Most Beautiful Names. Everything in the heavens and Earth
glorifies Him. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise. (Surat al-Hashr, 24)
A flawless image forms in our brains because Allah so wills. There are
smells there because He so wills and we listen to and enjoy immaculate
music because He so wishes. We also feel and recognize things by
touching them because Allah so wills. The food we eat has flavor
because that is what Allah wills. A whole world emerges in the human
mind from nothing at Allah's command. Our Lord creates a world from
nothing in a person's mind that belongs to that person alone, that
only he can see and recognize. This world is not the outside world. It
is impossible to have direct contact with the world outside. It is
impossible, unless Allah so wills, for anyone to have direct
experience of a world created for someone else. One can only live in
and watch a world created for oneself alone by Allah. It is impossible
to step outside it. In another verse, Allah reveals:
They will ask you about the Spirit. Say: "The Spirit is one of the
commands of my Lord. You have only been given a little knowledge."
(Surat al-Isra', 85)
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Islam is a religion of Mercy, Peace and Blessing. Its teachings emphasize kind hear tedness, help, sympathy, forgiveness, sacrifice, love and care.Qur’an, the Shari’ah and the life of our beloved Prophet (SAW) mirrors this attribute, and it should be reflected in the conduct of a Momin.Islam appreciates those who are kind to their fellow being,and dislikes them who are hard hearted, curt, and hypocrite.Recall that historical moment, when Prophet (SAW) entered Makkah as a conqueror. There was before him a multitude of surrendered enemies, former oppressors and persecutors, who had evicted the Muslims from their homes, deprived them of their belongings, humiliated and intimidated Prophet (SAW) hatched schemes for his murder and tortured and killed his companions. But Prophet (SAW) displayed his usual magnanimity, generosity, and kind heartedness by forgiving all of them and declaring general amnesty...Subhanallah. May Allah help us tailor our life according to the teachings of Islam. (Aameen)./-
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Sunday, February 24, 2013
* Allah (God) breathed his spirit into man
Uyghur's and Chinese can live together in peace in east Turkestan
The efforts being made today to stir up ethnic conflict in East
Turkestanare extremely dangerous. Our Muslim brothers in East
Turkestan have been subjected to various difficulties for the last
60years or so, but have never turned to violenceand conflict. The
Uyghur Turks are a noble people, known for their good manners,
honesty, fortitude, reconciliatory natures, obedience to the state,
loyalty and devotion. These fine people possess excellent virtues,
such as forgiveness, loving peace, lovableness, respect for different
ideas and beliefs and judging people according to their moral values
rather than their race. There has therefore never been any conflict
based on ethnicity with the other peoples living in the region,
especially the Han Chinese, and neitherwill there be any in the
future. The Uyghur Turkswant a climate in which everyone can live
together in peace and security, respecting the right to life of
everyone in East Turkestan, no matter what their religion or ethnic
origin.Some of the main ways in which this can be brought about are as
follows:
1. It is obvious that the Uyghur Turks favor peace and security. But
peace in the region can only be ensured if the security of our Uyghur
brothers is guaranteed. The international community has important
responsibilities in that respect. The support of international
societies and organizations is essential if it is to be possible for
our Uyghur Turk and Chinese brothers are to be able to live in peace.
Democratic pressure from these organizations, especiallythe UN, on the
Chinese government, will ensure that the administration follows a line
that is more peaceable toward the problems and legitimate demands of
our Uyghur brothers andrespects their human rights. When the
necessary encouragement and direction is provided, when the
international community acts as a guarantor, it will be easier to
establish peace in the region.
2. It is natural for China to be keen to protect its national and
economic interests. But this cannotbe established through oppression
and aggression. The path that will make China prosperous and
strengthen its economic and social regeneration lies in a conception
that respects human rights, isdemocratic and loving, and that defends
freedom of ideas and belief. The only solution that can calm Chinese
fears, such as lack of access to energy resources, economic losses,
loss of territory orfragmentation is the foundation of the
Turkish-Islamic Union. The Turkish-Islamic Union will establish an
environment in which borders are lifted, there is freedom of trade and
investment and in whichall communities have equal access to energy
resources. In this way, China will be able to spread its investments
over a wide area from Tanzania to Indonesia and sell its good across
awide territory, and Muslims will be able to invest in China on a
large scale. China will regenerate rapidly with the establishment of
the Turkish-Islamic Union, will be spared from having to use its
citizens as a cheap labor force and will enjoy abundance and plenty
all over.
3. Islam is a religion of peace. All forms of violence are sinful in
Islam. In the Qur'an, Allah commands Muslims to be forgiving. A
Muslimwho abides by the Qur'an and follows our Prophet (saas) has a
dutyto be peace-loving, affectionate, loving, compassionate, patient
and moderate. The moral values of the Qur'an oblige Muslims to control
their anger, to respond to evil with good, to always speak and behave
in a pleasantmanner, to forgive under even the most difficult
circumstances and to behave justly, even if that conflicts with their
own interests.The spread of and learning about Islamic moral values is
a great benefit for China. If the Chinese government is concerned
about the Han Chinese taking in action in terror attacks and wishes to
avoid anarchy and violence, then it must encourage the teaching and
dissemination of Islamic moral values. In a China inhabited by people
who live by the moral values of the Qur'an there will be no need
formilitary occupation and security measures. The unrest and unease
will come to a complete stop.The result will be a society made up of
individuals who trust and respect one another, treat one another with
understanding, are respectful of and loyal tothe state and who all
livein peace, that spends its money on the wealth of its own citizens
instead of military investment, without investing millions of dollars
in armaments and employing thousands of security personnel. And the
order and equilibrium sought by China will be establishednaturally.
4. Our Uyghur brothers' demands for humane conditions, to live freely
according to their religion, to be able to worship as they wish, to
protect their own culture and maintain their own existence are all
justified and human ones. The most effective way of bringing these
about is for the Uyghur people to make a cultural leap forward, to
improve themselves withan anti-materialist and anti-Darwinist
education, to increase their economic strength,and strengthen
themselves both materially and spiritually. The Turkic Uyghur people
must not forget that they are the most important representatives of
Muslims and Islam in China. They must act as models to the Chinese
people with their good manners, nobility, modesty, balance and
moderation. An Uyghur people who are culturally advanced and
materially stronger will clearly have wide opportunities to defend
their own rights and also to describe and spread the moral values of
Islam. By Allah's leave, the future of an Uyghur society that loves
Allah, protects its own nationalculture, is anti-Darwinist and
anti-materialist, whose members love one another, which perfectly
implements Qur'anic moral values and supports peace, love, tolerance
and compassion, will be a very bright and excellentone.
The time we are living inis a very holy one, in which Hazrat Mahdi
(as) will appear and in whichthe Prophet Jesus (as) will return to
Earth. The time has now come when war and conflict will come to an
end, when armament will come to an end, when people will love and
embrace one another as brothers, when they will trust one another and
when moral virtues will reign. This is the destiny of Allah. That
destiny willalso manifest itself in China, and this will be a time
when Chinese and Uyghurs live together in friendship, when they
allattain wealth, and whenthey build a bright civilization with joy
and enthusiasm.
Turkestanare extremely dangerous. Our Muslim brothers in East
Turkestan have been subjected to various difficulties for the last
60years or so, but have never turned to violenceand conflict. The
Uyghur Turks are a noble people, known for their good manners,
honesty, fortitude, reconciliatory natures, obedience to the state,
loyalty and devotion. These fine people possess excellent virtues,
such as forgiveness, loving peace, lovableness, respect for different
ideas and beliefs and judging people according to their moral values
rather than their race. There has therefore never been any conflict
based on ethnicity with the other peoples living in the region,
especially the Han Chinese, and neitherwill there be any in the
future. The Uyghur Turkswant a climate in which everyone can live
together in peace and security, respecting the right to life of
everyone in East Turkestan, no matter what their religion or ethnic
origin.Some of the main ways in which this can be brought about are as
follows:
1. It is obvious that the Uyghur Turks favor peace and security. But
peace in the region can only be ensured if the security of our Uyghur
brothers is guaranteed. The international community has important
responsibilities in that respect. The support of international
societies and organizations is essential if it is to be possible for
our Uyghur Turk and Chinese brothers are to be able to live in peace.
Democratic pressure from these organizations, especiallythe UN, on the
Chinese government, will ensure that the administration follows a line
that is more peaceable toward the problems and legitimate demands of
our Uyghur brothers andrespects their human rights. When the
necessary encouragement and direction is provided, when the
international community acts as a guarantor, it will be easier to
establish peace in the region.
2. It is natural for China to be keen to protect its national and
economic interests. But this cannotbe established through oppression
and aggression. The path that will make China prosperous and
strengthen its economic and social regeneration lies in a conception
that respects human rights, isdemocratic and loving, and that defends
freedom of ideas and belief. The only solution that can calm Chinese
fears, such as lack of access to energy resources, economic losses,
loss of territory orfragmentation is the foundation of the
Turkish-Islamic Union. The Turkish-Islamic Union will establish an
environment in which borders are lifted, there is freedom of trade and
investment and in whichall communities have equal access to energy
resources. In this way, China will be able to spread its investments
over a wide area from Tanzania to Indonesia and sell its good across
awide territory, and Muslims will be able to invest in China on a
large scale. China will regenerate rapidly with the establishment of
the Turkish-Islamic Union, will be spared from having to use its
citizens as a cheap labor force and will enjoy abundance and plenty
all over.
3. Islam is a religion of peace. All forms of violence are sinful in
Islam. In the Qur'an, Allah commands Muslims to be forgiving. A
Muslimwho abides by the Qur'an and follows our Prophet (saas) has a
dutyto be peace-loving, affectionate, loving, compassionate, patient
and moderate. The moral values of the Qur'an oblige Muslims to control
their anger, to respond to evil with good, to always speak and behave
in a pleasantmanner, to forgive under even the most difficult
circumstances and to behave justly, even if that conflicts with their
own interests.The spread of and learning about Islamic moral values is
a great benefit for China. If the Chinese government is concerned
about the Han Chinese taking in action in terror attacks and wishes to
avoid anarchy and violence, then it must encourage the teaching and
dissemination of Islamic moral values. In a China inhabited by people
who live by the moral values of the Qur'an there will be no need
formilitary occupation and security measures. The unrest and unease
will come to a complete stop.The result will be a society made up of
individuals who trust and respect one another, treat one another with
understanding, are respectful of and loyal tothe state and who all
livein peace, that spends its money on the wealth of its own citizens
instead of military investment, without investing millions of dollars
in armaments and employing thousands of security personnel. And the
order and equilibrium sought by China will be establishednaturally.
4. Our Uyghur brothers' demands for humane conditions, to live freely
according to their religion, to be able to worship as they wish, to
protect their own culture and maintain their own existence are all
justified and human ones. The most effective way of bringing these
about is for the Uyghur people to make a cultural leap forward, to
improve themselves withan anti-materialist and anti-Darwinist
education, to increase their economic strength,and strengthen
themselves both materially and spiritually. The Turkic Uyghur people
must not forget that they are the most important representatives of
Muslims and Islam in China. They must act as models to the Chinese
people with their good manners, nobility, modesty, balance and
moderation. An Uyghur people who are culturally advanced and
materially stronger will clearly have wide opportunities to defend
their own rights and also to describe and spread the moral values of
Islam. By Allah's leave, the future of an Uyghur society that loves
Allah, protects its own nationalculture, is anti-Darwinist and
anti-materialist, whose members love one another, which perfectly
implements Qur'anic moral values and supports peace, love, tolerance
and compassion, will be a very bright and excellentone.
The time we are living inis a very holy one, in which Hazrat Mahdi
(as) will appear and in whichthe Prophet Jesus (as) will return to
Earth. The time has now come when war and conflict will come to an
end, when armament will come to an end, when people will love and
embrace one another as brothers, when they will trust one another and
when moral virtues will reign. This is the destiny of Allah. That
destiny willalso manifest itself in China, and this will be a time
when Chinese and Uyghurs live together in friendship, when they
allattain wealth, and whenthey build a bright civilization with joy
and enthusiasm.
Compassion in the Qur'an
All Muslims must embrace the moderate, gentle, compassionate, calm and
kind style Allah depicts in the Qur'an.
Radicalism means supporting sudden revolutionary destructive changes
in any sphere and applyinga strict uncompromising policy in order to
achieve them. Radicals are characterised by their desire for
revolutionary change and the stern, sometimesaggressive attitude they
adopt.
In this, as in every sphere of life, the guide for the Muslim is the
Qur'an. When we look atradicalism in the light of the Qur'an, we see
that ithas nothing to do with the way in which Allah commands the
believers to behave. When Allah describes a believer in the Qur'an,
He depicts him as a loving, soft-spoken person, shunning conflicts and
arguments, approachingeven the most hostile people with warmth
andfriendship.
Beautiful Examples from our Prophet (saas)
An example to guide us in this matter is the command given by Allah to
Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh and speakgently to him:
Go to Pharaoh; he has overstepped the bounds.But speak to him with
gentle words so that hopefully he will pay heed or show some
fear.(Surah Ta Ha, 43-44)
Pharaoh was one of the most cruel and rebellious unbelievers ofhis
time. He was a despot who denied Allah and worshipped idols; moreover,
he subjected believers (the Israelites of the time) to terrible
cruelties and murder. But Allah commanded His prophets to go to such
a hostile man and speak to him gently.
You will notice that the way shown by Allah wasthe way of friendly
dialogue, not the way ofconflict with sharp words, angry slogans and
agitated protests.
If we examine the Qur'an you will see that a warm, gentle and
compassionate disposition characterized all the prophets. Allah
describes Abraham as "tender-hearted and forbearing." (Surat at-Tawba,
114) and in another verse, the prophet Muhammad's moral principles are
described in this way:
It is a mercy from Allah that you were gentle with them. If you had
been rough or hard of heart, they would have scattered from around
you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult with
them about the matter. Then when you have reached a firm decision, put
your trust in Allah . Allah loves those who put their trust in Him.
(Sura Al'Imran, 159)
Compassion in Islam
An obvious characteristicof radicalism is its anger.This disposition
can be clearly seen in the speeches, writings and demonstrations of
radicals. However, angeris not an attribute of Muslims. When Allah
describes believers in the Qur'an, he describes," those who give in
times of both ease and hardship, those who control their rage and
pardon other people - Allah loves the good-doers" (Surah Al'Imran,
134)
Therefore, it is the duty of a Muslim only to explain the facts and to
invite people to accept them. Whether or not people accept the
invitation is completely up to their own conscience. Allah
revealsthis truth in the Qur'an when He says that there is no
compulsion in religion.
There is no compulsion where deen is concerned. Right guidance has
become clearly distinct from error...(Surat al-Baqara, 256)
Therefore, there is no coercion to make peoplebelieve and become
Muslims, or to make Muslims perform prayersand beware of sin. Thereis
only advice. Allah reveals in a few verses addressed to the Messenger
of Allah that Muslims are not oppressors:
We know best what theysay. You are not a dictator over them. So
remind, with the Qur'an, whoever fears My Threat. (Surah Qaf, 45)
Muslims are responsible only for explaining their religion, they apply
no pressure or coercion on anyone and are enjoined to speak gentlyto
even the most tyrannical deniers. Such persons cannot be radicals.
The Behind the Scenes ofRadicalism
There is no radicalism in the religion of Islam. Islam commands to be
moderate, temperate and compassionate and prohibits extremism. In one
verse Allah relates thus:
"Say: 'People of the Book! Do not go to extremes in your religion,
asserting other than the truth, and do not follow the whims and
desires of people who were misguided previously and have misguided
many others, and are far from the right way.' (Surat al-Maida, 77)
When the social phenomena depicted as "radicalism" are examined, it
will be seenthat they are actually a compilation of the methods and
statements formerly employed by communists.
Muslims must refrain from a harsh, angry, andchallenging approach, for
these are contrary to the Qur'an's method andessence. Instead,
Muslimsmust adopt the accepting, moderate, calm, and rational approach
described in the Qur'an. In other words, they must be rolemodels for
humanity and earn people's admiration for the morality of Islam and
themselves. Muslims should also make great progress and produce superb
works of science,culture, art, and aesthetics, as well as live Islam
in the best way, and thus represent it to the world. (Harun Yahya,
Justice and Compassion in the Qur'an )
kind style Allah depicts in the Qur'an.
Radicalism means supporting sudden revolutionary destructive changes
in any sphere and applyinga strict uncompromising policy in order to
achieve them. Radicals are characterised by their desire for
revolutionary change and the stern, sometimesaggressive attitude they
adopt.
In this, as in every sphere of life, the guide for the Muslim is the
Qur'an. When we look atradicalism in the light of the Qur'an, we see
that ithas nothing to do with the way in which Allah commands the
believers to behave. When Allah describes a believer in the Qur'an,
He depicts him as a loving, soft-spoken person, shunning conflicts and
arguments, approachingeven the most hostile people with warmth
andfriendship.
Beautiful Examples from our Prophet (saas)
An example to guide us in this matter is the command given by Allah to
Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh and speakgently to him:
Go to Pharaoh; he has overstepped the bounds.But speak to him with
gentle words so that hopefully he will pay heed or show some
fear.(Surah Ta Ha, 43-44)
Pharaoh was one of the most cruel and rebellious unbelievers ofhis
time. He was a despot who denied Allah and worshipped idols; moreover,
he subjected believers (the Israelites of the time) to terrible
cruelties and murder. But Allah commanded His prophets to go to such
a hostile man and speak to him gently.
You will notice that the way shown by Allah wasthe way of friendly
dialogue, not the way ofconflict with sharp words, angry slogans and
agitated protests.
If we examine the Qur'an you will see that a warm, gentle and
compassionate disposition characterized all the prophets. Allah
describes Abraham as "tender-hearted and forbearing." (Surat at-Tawba,
114) and in another verse, the prophet Muhammad's moral principles are
described in this way:
It is a mercy from Allah that you were gentle with them. If you had
been rough or hard of heart, they would have scattered from around
you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult with
them about the matter. Then when you have reached a firm decision, put
your trust in Allah . Allah loves those who put their trust in Him.
(Sura Al'Imran, 159)
Compassion in Islam
An obvious characteristicof radicalism is its anger.This disposition
can be clearly seen in the speeches, writings and demonstrations of
radicals. However, angeris not an attribute of Muslims. When Allah
describes believers in the Qur'an, he describes," those who give in
times of both ease and hardship, those who control their rage and
pardon other people - Allah loves the good-doers" (Surah Al'Imran,
134)
Therefore, it is the duty of a Muslim only to explain the facts and to
invite people to accept them. Whether or not people accept the
invitation is completely up to their own conscience. Allah
revealsthis truth in the Qur'an when He says that there is no
compulsion in religion.
There is no compulsion where deen is concerned. Right guidance has
become clearly distinct from error...(Surat al-Baqara, 256)
Therefore, there is no coercion to make peoplebelieve and become
Muslims, or to make Muslims perform prayersand beware of sin. Thereis
only advice. Allah reveals in a few verses addressed to the Messenger
of Allah that Muslims are not oppressors:
We know best what theysay. You are not a dictator over them. So
remind, with the Qur'an, whoever fears My Threat. (Surah Qaf, 45)
Muslims are responsible only for explaining their religion, they apply
no pressure or coercion on anyone and are enjoined to speak gentlyto
even the most tyrannical deniers. Such persons cannot be radicals.
The Behind the Scenes ofRadicalism
There is no radicalism in the religion of Islam. Islam commands to be
moderate, temperate and compassionate and prohibits extremism. In one
verse Allah relates thus:
"Say: 'People of the Book! Do not go to extremes in your religion,
asserting other than the truth, and do not follow the whims and
desires of people who were misguided previously and have misguided
many others, and are far from the right way.' (Surat al-Maida, 77)
When the social phenomena depicted as "radicalism" are examined, it
will be seenthat they are actually a compilation of the methods and
statements formerly employed by communists.
Muslims must refrain from a harsh, angry, andchallenging approach, for
these are contrary to the Qur'an's method andessence. Instead,
Muslimsmust adopt the accepting, moderate, calm, and rational approach
described in the Qur'an. In other words, they must be rolemodels for
humanity and earn people's admiration for the morality of Islam and
themselves. Muslims should also make great progress and produce superb
works of science,culture, art, and aesthetics, as well as live Islam
in the best way, and thus represent it to the world. (Harun Yahya,
Justice and Compassion in the Qur'an )
Islam on dowry
The Real Gift
Islam has legislated the giving of the dower by the husband to the
wife in order to please the woman's heart and to honour her. It is
also meant to bring an end to what was done in the Days of Ignorance
wherein she was wronged, exploited, despised and robbed of her wealth.
The dower is a right exclusively for the wife. It is her possession
and none of her guardians or relatives may share any part of it. No
one has any power over her concerning how she wishes to dispose of it,
as long as she does so in a legally acceptable manner. She may give it
away as a gift, she may lend it to others or she may give it in
charity or do any other permissible acts she wishes with it.
T he dower was instituted because the goal of marriage is not the
actual act of the marriagecontract in itself. In fact, the actual
purpose of marriage cannot be achieved unless the spouses stay in a
state of marriage. However, that may not be achieved unless the dower
is an obligation at the time of the marriage contract itself. In this
case, when there come times that may lead the man to divorce his wife,
such as estrangement orcoarse behaviour, the husband would not be
willing to divorce his wife due to just the slightest act of rudeness
that occurs. If it were not for the dower that was required due to the
contract itself, it would be very easy for him to leave her.
Therefore, the goals of marriage would not be met as the goals and
benefits of marriage are only met when the two are in accord and
agreement with one anotherbut that accord will not come about unless
the woman is something honoured and special to the husband. But such
honour will not come about unless he had to give up something
important to him. This is becausewhat is most difficult to achieve is
most special to the person. Therefore, if the wife is not something
special in the eyes of the husband, then he will disposeof her at the
first sign of unhappiness, the accord will not occur and the purposes
of marriage will not be achieved.
What we see happening in some European countries, and indeed some
Muslim countries, is very strange indeed. This is where the woman is
required to furnish a dowry or provide the furniture for their future
house. This is definitely turning the natural order of things upside
down and goes against the nature of mankind. It leads to a great deal
of social ills and behavioural harm. It is a means by which the woman
is despised and belittled. Indeed, she is ruined because of it. If the
woman is not able to gather enough wealth together for marriage, she
will not be able to get married and, instead, will have boyfriends and
affairs, and other evil results.
Such a practice contains a great deal of evil and harm for the
society; this practice may even bring about society's end soon. There
is a great difference between the case where the woman feels that she
and what she possesses belong to her husband and where she feels that
she is something desired and honoured, as the fiancé spends money on
her and gives her presents and so on to get heras his wife.
One regrettable aspect of dowry-giving in recent times is that it is
becoming more and more a matter of ostentation. Nothing could be more
un-Islamic in motivation than this. Even the practice of performing a
marriage quietly, without any flamboyant display of wealth,
butsubsequently giving a lavish dowry to enable the bride to set up
her home is contrary to Islamic practice. It was certainly not the
Sunnah of the Prophet . Faatimah was his favourite daughter, but he
neither gave her a lavish dowry nor did he send things to her home
after the wedding, and even when she made a request to him for
something of a material nature, he only gave her the benefit of his
counsel.
Mahr (The Dower)
Islam has successfully maintainedan even balance in society between
men and women by giving its unequivocal endorsement to a practical
division of labour, whereby women are placed in charge of the internal
arrangement of the household, while men are responsible for its
financing. The home is thus organised on the pattern of a microcosmic
estate, with the man in a position of authority. The Quran is
specified on this issue; Allaah Says (what means): "Men are in charge
of women by [right of] what [qualities] Allaah has given one over the
other and what they spend [in support] from their wealth. So righteous
women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what
Allaah would have them guard…" [Quran 4:34]
For largely biological reasons, women are well adapted to domestic
pursuits while men, for similar reasons, are better suited to work
outside the home. These physical and mental differences between men
and women are, in practice, what underlay Islam's division of familial
responsibilities into internal and external spheres, with the woman
dealing exclusively with the home and family and the man providing the
funds.
Mahr Mu'ajjal (Promptly given dower)
At the time of the marriage, the groom hands over to the bride a sum
of money called Mahr (dower) which is a token of his willing
acceptance of the responsibility of bearing all necessary expenses of
his wife. This is the original meaning of Mahr, although this custom
has come to have different connotations in modern times.
There are two ways of presentingthe Mahr to the bride. One is to hand
it over at the time of the marriage, in which case it is known as Mahr
Mu'ajjal, or promptly given dower. During the time of the Prophet and
his companions, Mahr Mu'ajjal was the accepted practice and the amount
fixed was generally quite minimal. The giving of Mahrby 'Ali to
Faatimah who was the Prophet's daughter, is anillustration of how this
custom was respected. After the marriage had been arranged, the
Prophet asked 'Ali if he had anything he could give as dower in order
to make Faatimah his lawfully wedded wife. 'Ali replied:"I swear by
Allaah that I have nothing, O Messenger of Allaah." The Prophet then
asked: "Where is the coat of armour I once gave you?" 'Ali replied
that it was still in his possession. The Prophet then instructed him
to send the coat of armour to Faatimah thereby making his union
lawful. This then was the sum total of Faatimah's dower.
Islam has legislated the giving of the dower by the husband to the
wife in order to please the woman's heart and to honour her. It is
also meant to bring an end to what was done in the Days of Ignorance
wherein she was wronged, exploited, despised and robbed of her wealth.
The dower is a right exclusively for the wife. It is her possession
and none of her guardians or relatives may share any part of it. No
one has any power over her concerning how she wishes to dispose of it,
as long as she does so in a legally acceptable manner. She may give it
away as a gift, she may lend it to others or she may give it in
charity or do any other permissible acts she wishes with it.
T he dower was instituted because the goal of marriage is not the
actual act of the marriagecontract in itself. In fact, the actual
purpose of marriage cannot be achieved unless the spouses stay in a
state of marriage. However, that may not be achieved unless the dower
is an obligation at the time of the marriage contract itself. In this
case, when there come times that may lead the man to divorce his wife,
such as estrangement orcoarse behaviour, the husband would not be
willing to divorce his wife due to just the slightest act of rudeness
that occurs. If it were not for the dower that was required due to the
contract itself, it would be very easy for him to leave her.
Therefore, the goals of marriage would not be met as the goals and
benefits of marriage are only met when the two are in accord and
agreement with one anotherbut that accord will not come about unless
the woman is something honoured and special to the husband. But such
honour will not come about unless he had to give up something
important to him. This is becausewhat is most difficult to achieve is
most special to the person. Therefore, if the wife is not something
special in the eyes of the husband, then he will disposeof her at the
first sign of unhappiness, the accord will not occur and the purposes
of marriage will not be achieved.
What we see happening in some European countries, and indeed some
Muslim countries, is very strange indeed. This is where the woman is
required to furnish a dowry or provide the furniture for their future
house. This is definitely turning the natural order of things upside
down and goes against the nature of mankind. It leads to a great deal
of social ills and behavioural harm. It is a means by which the woman
is despised and belittled. Indeed, she is ruined because of it. If the
woman is not able to gather enough wealth together for marriage, she
will not be able to get married and, instead, will have boyfriends and
affairs, and other evil results.
Such a practice contains a great deal of evil and harm for the
society; this practice may even bring about society's end soon. There
is a great difference between the case where the woman feels that she
and what she possesses belong to her husband and where she feels that
she is something desired and honoured, as the fiancé spends money on
her and gives her presents and so on to get heras his wife.
One regrettable aspect of dowry-giving in recent times is that it is
becoming more and more a matter of ostentation. Nothing could be more
un-Islamic in motivation than this. Even the practice of performing a
marriage quietly, without any flamboyant display of wealth,
butsubsequently giving a lavish dowry to enable the bride to set up
her home is contrary to Islamic practice. It was certainly not the
Sunnah of the Prophet . Faatimah was his favourite daughter, but he
neither gave her a lavish dowry nor did he send things to her home
after the wedding, and even when she made a request to him for
something of a material nature, he only gave her the benefit of his
counsel.
Mahr (The Dower)
Islam has successfully maintainedan even balance in society between
men and women by giving its unequivocal endorsement to a practical
division of labour, whereby women are placed in charge of the internal
arrangement of the household, while men are responsible for its
financing. The home is thus organised on the pattern of a microcosmic
estate, with the man in a position of authority. The Quran is
specified on this issue; Allaah Says (what means): "Men are in charge
of women by [right of] what [qualities] Allaah has given one over the
other and what they spend [in support] from their wealth. So righteous
women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what
Allaah would have them guard…" [Quran 4:34]
For largely biological reasons, women are well adapted to domestic
pursuits while men, for similar reasons, are better suited to work
outside the home. These physical and mental differences between men
and women are, in practice, what underlay Islam's division of familial
responsibilities into internal and external spheres, with the woman
dealing exclusively with the home and family and the man providing the
funds.
Mahr Mu'ajjal (Promptly given dower)
At the time of the marriage, the groom hands over to the bride a sum
of money called Mahr (dower) which is a token of his willing
acceptance of the responsibility of bearing all necessary expenses of
his wife. This is the original meaning of Mahr, although this custom
has come to have different connotations in modern times.
There are two ways of presentingthe Mahr to the bride. One is to hand
it over at the time of the marriage, in which case it is known as Mahr
Mu'ajjal, or promptly given dower. During the time of the Prophet and
his companions, Mahr Mu'ajjal was the accepted practice and the amount
fixed was generally quite minimal. The giving of Mahrby 'Ali to
Faatimah who was the Prophet's daughter, is anillustration of how this
custom was respected. After the marriage had been arranged, the
Prophet asked 'Ali if he had anything he could give as dower in order
to make Faatimah his lawfully wedded wife. 'Ali replied:"I swear by
Allaah that I have nothing, O Messenger of Allaah." The Prophet then
asked: "Where is the coat of armour I once gave you?" 'Ali replied
that it was still in his possession. The Prophet then instructed him
to send the coat of armour to Faatimah thereby making his union
lawful. This then was the sum total of Faatimah's dower.
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