HADEES - ~

At the end of the Battle of Yarmuk, the King of Rome began to ask his
defeated army: "Shame on you, tell me about those whom youfought. Are
they not men like yourselves?" They said,"Yes O King." He said,
"Whowas greater in number, you or them?" They said,"We are greater
than them in every place." He said,"Then why have you been defeated?"
An elder from their great heads said,"They have defeated us because
they stand to pray at night, they fast during the day, they fulfill
their oaths and they are just amongst themselves."
[Ibn Kathir's 'al-Bidayah wal-Nihayah']

ISLAMIC ARTICLE :- ~ What are some reasons for the animosity between Christians and Muslims?

Question: "What are some reasons for the animosity between Christians
and Muslims? Can Christians reconcile with Muslims?"
Answer: On September 11, 2001, the world entered the age of terror.
The terrorists wage cruel atrocities in the name of Islam. Christians
wonder how to respond to the threat. To their reproach, some fearfully
spurn all Muslims as terrorists. Others compromise truth to show
acceptance. Both approaches dishonor God.
Christians must understandtheir differences with Muslims so they can
respond with truth and love. First, let's prayerfully examine how to
overcome some of the initial barriers between Muslims and Christians.
1. Muslims are offended by Western secularism
As global technology shrinks the world, Muslims feel threatened by
Westernculture: immoral movies, pornography, immodest dress, vile
music, and rebellious teens. Western culture threatens the Islamic
faith, worldview, and lifestyle. They equate this Western culture with
Christianity.
Christian response : Befriend Muslims and explain how Western culture
is no longer Christian but secular. Further, not all who claim to be
Christians are true followers of Christ. Show by word and action an
example of a true Christian:"Keep your conduct amongthe Gentiles
honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may
see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation" (1 Peter
2:12).
2. Muslims are resentful of Western dominance
Some countries of the Westhave a history of colonialism and
interference, which Muslims resent. While some approve of the war on
terror, other Muslims bitterly object. Many also feel betrayed by the
West's"favoritism" of Israel, which displaced thousands of
Palestinians.
Christian response : Demonstrate genuine love and humility by prayer
andservice. Focus on Christ—not political controversies. God will one
day restore justice. In the meantime, He provides government leaders
to protect the good and punish the wrongdoer (Romans 13:1-7).
"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate
with the lowly. Never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but
give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible,
so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never
avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is
written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the
contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feedhim; if he is thirsty, give
him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on
his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good"
(Romans 12:16-21).
"Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know
that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be
quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring
evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant
them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may
escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do
his will" (2 Timothy 2:23-26).
3. Militant Muslims act onwar verses in the Qur'an
While many Muslims are peace-loving, others interpret the Qur'an as
giving them divine permission to convert or kill non-Muslims.
Christian response : Sadly,some Christians fearfully despise Muslims.
But the Lord gives the perfect neutralizer to fear and hatred: His
love.
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18a).
"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell"(Matthew
10:28).
"But I say to you who hear,Love your enemies, do good to those who
hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you"
(Luke 6:27).
Jesus didn't promise His followers a life free of suffering. Instead,
He assured, "If the world hatesyou, know that it has hatedme before it
hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its
own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the
world,therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to
you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted
me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also
keep yours. But all these things they will do toyou on account of my
name, because they do not know him who sent me" (John 15:18-21).
While some misunderstandings can be cleared with Muslims, the main
offense is . . . Jesus Christ! (See 1 Peter 2:4-8.) The truth about
the Lord and Savior must not be compromised. Muslims reject God the
Father who sent His Son to die for sinners. Most deny both
thenecessity and historicity of Christ's death.

ISLAMIC ARTICLE :- ~ Types of Diseases That Attack the Heartand Their Cure

... both are mentioned in the Qur'an. Allah says about the disease of
doubt: "In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and
Allah has increased their disease." (2:10) And He said: "...and that
those in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) and the disbelievers
may say: 'What Allah intends by this (curious) example?'" (74:31)
Allah says concerning those who refuse to make the Qur'an and Sunnah
the basis of their judgments: "And when they are called to Allah
(i.e., His Words, the Qur'an) and His Messenger, to judge between
them, lo!a party of them refuses (to come) and turns away. But if the
truth is on their side, they come to him willingly with submission. Is
there a disease in their hearts? Or do they doubt or fear lest Allah
and His Messenger should wrong them in judgement? Nay, it is they
themselves who are the Dhalimoon (polytheists, hypocrites and
wrongdoers)." (24:48-50) This is the disease of doubtand error. Also,
Allah says about desire and lust, adultery in this case: "O wives of
the Prophet! You are not likely any other women. If you keep your duty
(to Allah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose hearts is a
disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved
with desire..." (33:32) ... Providing proper remedies for ailments of
the heart (referring to spiritual and emotional ailments) only occurs
at thehands of the Prophets, alaihim as salam, and Messengers of
Allah. The heart becomes well when it acquires knowledge of itsLord
and Creator and in His Names, Attributes, Actions and Commandments.
The heart also becomes well when it prefers acquiring Allah's Pleasure
and preferswhat He likes, all the while avoiding His prohibitions and
what might lead to Hisdispleasure. There is no life,health, or
wellbeing for theheart except by this method, which only the Me...

ISLAMIC ARTICLE :- ~ The Qur'an addresses men and women in the same manner

Every society knows all of the traditional arguments about women's
ideal role and place. Their social status and importance in the
family, whether or notthey should work, and other social issues have
been discussed seemingly forever. For Muslims, theseissues were
settled by the Qur'an: Men and women are equal. The facts that men and
women have different physical builds and that women are generally
weaker than men are irrelevant and cannot be used to reduce women's
value.
What truly matters in Islamic morality is not whether someone is male
or female, but whether or not he or she is a believer who fears and
respects Allah. Each believer is expected to strive to live by the
Qur'an's morality, for the results of this struggle are what Allah
values and will measure inthe Hereafter. Allah revealsthe qualities
that all Muslims, male or female, should have:
The men and women of the believers are friends of one another. They
command what is right and forbid what is wrong, keep up prayer and
give the alms [ zakat ], and obey Allah and HisMessenger. They are the
people on whom Allah will have mercy. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.
(Surat at-Tawba: 71)
As Allah reveals, all Muslims, regardless of their gender, have the
same responsibilities: to worship Allah, live according to the
Qur'an's morality, command good and prevent evil, and abide by the
Qur'an's rules.Allah promises everyone who fears and respects
thelimits that He has established for humanity that He will give them
the ability to distinguish right from wrong:
O you who believe! If you have fear of [and respect] Allah, He will
give you discrimination, erase your bad actions, and forgive you.
Allah's favor is indeed immense. (Surat al-Anfal:29)
Any man or woman who acts on the impulses of theintellect derived from
belief can achieve success in many areas. This depends on their will,
motivation, and persistence. Believers never rest on their laurels,
for it is part of Islamic morality to always strive to be more
intelligent, talented, responsible, and virtuous, as well as to seekto
always improve upon their character. Allah reveals that believers
prayto Him for a character thatwill make them role models for those
around them:
Those who say: "Our Lord, give us joy in our wives and children, and
make us a good examplefor those who guard against evil. " (Surat
al-Furqan: 74)
Islam states that men and women are totally equal. For both of them,
it all depends on their ability toexceed what is expected of them by
realizing the full potential of their character and personality, and
by fulfilling their responsibilities. For this reason, believing women
do not struggle for equality with men, but exert themselves in the
race to do good, defined inthe Qur'an as the effort to win Allah's
good pleasure. For this end, they race to become the person most loved
by Allah so that theymay win His good pleasure and be the nearest to
Him. Allah reveals that these efforts determine the Muslim's
superiority over others in this life as well as in the Hereafter:
Such people are truly racing toward good things, and they are the
first to reach them. (Surat al-Mu'minun: 61)
Then We made Our chosen servants inherit the Book. But some of them
wrong themselves,some are ambivalent, and some outdo each other in
good by Allah's permission. That is the great favor. (Surah Fatir: 32)
The equality between menand women is also seen inthe fact that Allah
gives them equal rights in this world:
We made everything on Earth adornment for it sothat We could test them
to see whose actions arethe best. (Surat al-Kahf: 7)
Every soul will taste death. We test you with both good and evil as a
trial. And you will be returned to Us. (Surat al-Anbiya': 35)
In the above verses, Allah reveals that He tests men and women so that
they can show who is better. Inanother verse, He says that He will
test men and women with various trials until the day they die, and
that those who show patience will be rewarded with His mercy:
We will test you with a certain amount of fear and hunger, as well as
loss of wealth, life, and fruits. But give good news to the steadfast.
(Surat al-Baqara: 155)
Allah gave each man and woman a fixed number of years, holds them both
responsible for their choices, gave them a senseof right and wrong,
and made their base instincts and Satan their enemies. And whoever
shows strength of character and works for good in the face of these
realities here on Earth will receive the best rewards from Allah in
bothworlds: