Terrorism is an act of cowardice and anybody can engage in it. The blanket criticisms often leveled against the Muslims is more often than not devoid of concrete evidence.The West is always quick to rise to the occasion of attacking the east of any act of violence, and this is something unacceptable.The relationship between the West which is largely dominated by the whites, and the East which is largely dominated by Muslims and red Indians and Arabs is awash with suspicion, accusations and counter-accusations. Even as terrorism is used as a scapegoat, religious conflicts which started many centuries ago is often ignored.

The situation especially the political instability in the middle east is playing a critical role is, as far as, the future of Muslims relationship with the west is concerned. The stakes are high, and so are the demands. The current political situation in Syria is just, but  a long tale but the underhand tactics fueling this relentless situation of massacre should not cast the Muslim world into dark shadows. Perhaps there could be some influence from the west, but it should be understood that the humanitarian crisis is dire and urgent measures ought to be always taken without further ado. Politics or pronouncements of terrorism would only serve to worsen the situation.

When Syria’s conflict began two years ago, the international community was agape and did nothing, but until recently when hundreds of lives were claimed in what has been believed to be  chemical weapons attack, the west wanted to act by way of military air strikes. Looking at situations like Syria, Libya and among other Muslim dominated nations, the relationship between the west and Islamic fraternity often suffers a big a blow. All always culminate into a war between Islam and the west. Major bombings the world over are often a blame game and often shifted to our Muslim brothers.

Further, taking a scenario like Egypt, the battle is declared against the Muslim brotherhood. Well, it should be understood that they too have their grievances, and this is just but a situation of normal political disgruntlement among the populace. The senseless and targeted attacks on those who are affiliated to the Muslim brotherhood are definitely uncalled for. Egypt’s case is a tricky one, and the involvement of the west cannot be overruled since the ousting of Mubarak, and Morsi. Many critics of the west argue that their involvement in the East affairs is often interest bound. Weapons stockpile is often at center-stage with the west often coming in to attack the side which they feel isn’t meeting their interest.

Well, we live in challenging times. The world is awash with terror and every part of the world is affected. Cost of living will continue to rise if these blanket criticisms continue to be  targeted at the Muslims for whatever terror related crimes there is in the world but without much basis of claims. The latest terror related attack in Kenya’s upscale shopping mall is one such case which should be treated with care lest the Muslim-western relations get even bitter.

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Nikah is actually an excellent bounty from Allah Ta’ala. The extramarital affairs on this world, as well as, the hereafter tend to be put in order by means of marriage. There exist lots of wisdom and several advantages in marriage. An individual will save himself from sinning, and his heart can be put at ease. He doesn’t have any kind of bad objectives and his ideas never start to stroll and run away. The most effective advantage is that there are only advantages and only benefits within this. It is because a husband and wife’s relaxing with each other and engaging in a caring discussion, joking amongst each other, etc is superior to nafl salat.

A wedding could be carried out by simply 2 phrases, e.g. an individual says the following phrases in the existence of witnesses: “I present my girl to you personally in marital life.” The one who is addressed response: “I admit the girl in wedding.” By doing this, wedding ceremony is logical, and both of them are legal wife and husband.

When the girl exists and the parent says: “I offer this girl of my own in marital life to you”, and the particular person response: “I admit the girl”, the nikah will likely be logical. It will not be essential to speak about her name.

If both guy and girl are adults, they are able to execute their own nikah. All that they need to perform is saying the following in the existence of 2 witnesses; One of them should declare: “I am doing my nikah along with you”, and also the other should express: “I admit.” By doing this, the nikah will likely be logical.

Individuals with whom Nikah is Haram:

1. Wedding with one’s children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc is not allowable. Neither is matrimony with one’s mothers and fathers, grandparents, maternal grandparents, etc allowable.

2. Marriage with one’s brothers, uncles and nephews is not allowable. Based on the Shari’ah, a brother is the only one whose father and mother will be the similar or they have got one father, but 2 mom or one mom, but 2 dads. However, if the dad is different, as well as, the mom is also different; that individual will never be a brother. Nikah along with him will likely be logical.

The Wali or Protector

1. The first wali of a girl or boy is their dad. When the dad is not really present, the grandfather will become their wali. In case he is not present, then a great grandfather. If not one of them can be found, the blood-brother will become their wali.

2. A premature individual could not become a wali of anybody. A kafir can not be a wali for any Muslim, nor can a lunatic become a wali for anybody.

3. An adult woman has the option to marry or not to marry. She can get married to whomsoever she desires – nobody can induce her to get married to a person. If the girl marries an individual on her own, the nikah will likely be logical regardless if the wali is informed or not.

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Cairo Court for Urgent Matters ordered to disband the Muslim Brotherhood, which was a Non Government Organization in Egypt. Court said that, this ruling applied to the Islamist movement, its non-governmental organization and any affiliated groups. It also banned all the activities carried out by the movement.

Court further ordered to seize the funds and the properties of the organization and had formed a panel to administer those frozen assets until any appeal heard.

Along with this, the future of Freedom and Justice Party – the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood had become a question as the Egypt’s latest draft constitution is more favorable towards banning all religious political parties. However, It was registered officially in 2011 which has its own legality since then.

As a movement, which has the 85 years of its history, was first banned in 1954 by the military regime, which was against the religious concepts. Somehow, the social services and political attendance of Muslim Brotherhood were continued as an unformed organization.

In the recent past, which was in last March, Muslim Brotherhood was registered as a NGO in response to a court case brought by opponents who contested its legal status, which directly involved in politics after the Arab Spring.

Court had formed a commission to investigate further on this. Also, the formed commission has agreed upon the opposition’s complaint towards the Brotherhood’s legal status. Further the commission says that the registration of Muslim brotherhood as an NGO was done by the government led by Muslim Brotherhood under President Morsi, which is nowhere acceptable.

Also, a leftist party had made a complaint on the legality of Muslim Brotherhood.
It is to be noted that after the coup against the elected president Morsi, the people’s voted constitution was too set to trash by the Cairo Courts. Also, many leading figures of Muslim Brotherhood including FJP Officials been detained since then.

Ibrahim Munir, Guider Council Member of Muslim Brotherhood has stressed that Monday Court ruling to disband the group and ban all its activities is anyhow expected as it had been ready since the 3rd July Military Coup against legitimacy. He further mentioned that no force on earth can end the presence of Muslim Brotherhood.

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Did you know that laughter is the one sound that has no language? Think about it, no matter where you travel, the laugh will remain, “ha ha ha” or “ho ho ho” or “he he he” Your immune system stands great chances of being stronger with a dose of laughter a day! If you are stressed, and have a dose of laughter, then your stress hormones will be lowered!

Laughter has curved a niche of its own in the world, what with industries built around sitcoms, jokes, laughter and comedians, simply because humans love to laugh. A good dose of laughter makes us as humans feel good, and not only humans, it is said that animals such as cats and dogs also do laugh! Amazing, right?

There are a number of comedians out there, but the focus today is on Dean Obeidallah. Formerly a lawyer, Dean turned into a political comedian and commentator, and is the founder and Editor of the blog “The Dean’s Report.com.”

Dean is an American comedian of Pakistan-Italian descent, who was born in Lodi, New Jersey. Arab-American comedians are by far few and far between, but Obeidallah is among the small, but growing number of these comedians who are making their way into media. They are especially renowned for their use of comedy in order to entertain, as well as, eliminate negative stereotypes of Muslims and Arab-Americans.

He has appeared on a number of US and international TV shows which include; ABC’s “The View”, Comedy Central’s Axis of Evil”, as well as, Current TV and CNN, where he is often offering commentary. In addition, he is the co-founder of the New York Arab American Comedy Festival, which is a highly acclaimed festival that has received national, as well as, international coverage, with showcases of Arab-American comics, playwrights, actors and filmmakers.

Dean is also the co-creator of Stand up for Peace which is geared at bringing Muslims, Arab-Americans, and Jews together through comedy. He does performances of Stand up for peace all across the country with Jewish-American comedian, Scott Blakeman. The show hopes to foster an understanding and the support of a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israel conflict through comedy.

In addition, Dean is co-directing the upcoming documentary “The Muslims Are Coming!” which focuses on freedom of religion for all Americans and features a tour of American-Muslim comedians performing free comedy shows across the South and West. Also, featured in the film are MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart, CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, as well as, comedians David Cross, Lewis Black, and Janeane Garofalo among others.

Dean has, in addition to appearing at a number of colleges and comedy clubs across the United sates, performed stand-up comedy in Canada and the Middle East in Dubai, Amman, Haifa, Beirut, Cairo, Oman, Ramallah and Sharm El Sheikh.

The sky is the limit for this growing niche of Arab-American comedians as they strive to leave their mark in the world.

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His name is Ali. His title is Asadullah (Lion of Allah), Haydar and Murtaza. His kunyat is Abul hasan and Abu turab. The name of his father is Abu Talib. He was the cousin of Muhammad (SM). He was born ten years before Rasulullah’s nobuat. His birth year was 600. The financial state of Abu talib wasn’t that stable. Abu talib was in freaky situation as his income was little, but his family was a big one. Muhammad (SM) took the responsibility of Ali Radia Allahu Anhu to help Abu Talib. Hazrat Ali was an intellectual boy. He proved his talent and honesty in every field of life.

He was the first child who became Muslim. When he became Muslim, he was only 9 to 11. One day, he entered the house of Muhammad (SM) and saw Muhammad and khadija praying. Ali was greatly surprised watching them in such state. Then he asked them what they were doing. Then they told him that they were praying to Allah. Then they invited him in Islam. Hazrat Ali became Muslim without even questioning.

In the 3rd year of Nobuat, Rasulullah invited some people of Makkah in his house. Rasulullah instructed Ali the responsibility of hospitality. Then Rasulullah (PBUH) said that I have brought such a thing from Allah which is beneficial for both here and hereafter. He asked the guests to be his associate. The guests remained silent. Then Hazrat Ali spoke out for the first, he said “though I am a little boy, having problems of eyes, weak, nevertheless I will assist you.”

He didn’t leave makkah during Hijrat as the messenger of Allah ordered him to stay there. Ali stayed in Rasulullah’s room in the night of hijra. Though there was a terrible possibility of death in staying there but, he felt respectful to be in rasulullah’s room. He stayed in makkah to return the moneys to the people which were kept to Hazrat Muhammad (SM) for safety.

Hazrat Ali was one of those ten men who were given the good news of heaven. They are called “Ashare Mubasharah”. He was the husband of Fatma; the daughter of Allah’s Messenger. Fatma is the queen of all women in heaven. He was a greatly lucky man. He was a wise man too. Allah’s messenger said about his knowledge. He said I am the city of knowledge, and Ali is its gateway. He participated in all wars of Islam.

He is called the Lion of Allah. He is the proud father of Hazrat Hasan and Hussain (Radiallahu Anhum). He was the fourth Khalifa of Islam. He became the Khalifa after the assassin of Usman. He had been busy in fighting with Muslim revolts throughout his khelafat.

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For the Muslim womenfolk, Hijab is considered an integral part which guides their modesty. The Muslim women consider Hijab to be an important part of their religion, and most women want to cover their heads when they go out in public. This is an easy thing to do if you are already living in an Islamic country, but if you are living somewhere abroad, following the Islamic way of life can be extremely challenging.

In places like France and now Russia, the feminists and those who believe in the secular form of  government  feel that Hijab is a symbol of oppression. The feminists are of the opinion that when a woman covers herself up with Hijab, she is actually portraying a very submissive attitude. She automatically becomes the weaker sex. Those who are in support of the secular government, are already against anything which even remotely has a religious base, so Hijab for them is strictly something which is frowned upon.

Stavropol is a multiethnic region in which recently the Supreme Court of Russia has declared a ban on Hijabs. Any student if when at school is caught wearing a hijab will have to face some dire consequences. Those who are in support of this decision, back up their argument by saying that the only reason they are banning Hijabs is because the Russian constitution itself is secular in nature.

However, the Muslims of that region say that the Russian government cannot impose this ban on us because no regional government whatsoever has the right to condemn the constitutional rights of its citizens, and one of the most basic constitutional rights is the freedom of religion. Therefore, Hijab is an important part of Islam and Muslims living in Russia cannot be forced to abandon it.

The schools at Stavropol now have a proper dress code in which along with revealing clothes, Hijab is also banned. This is very distressing for the Muslims who are living in that area because their daughters who wear Hijab are simply not allowed to enter the schools. The regional court of Stavropol has passed its final verdict that the dress code which has been introduced by the schools is legal, and no matter who protests and they protest, the verdict is final. The dress code is staying.

The Muslim women of that area are left with little to no choice, either they get their daughters to cover their heads or either they send them to school. They cannot do both, and this is resulting in a big conflict for the Russian Muslim communities who do not know what to do. Both the options have their disadvantage. If they opt for Hijab, then they will not be able to receive education, if they opt for education, they will be compromising on their religion.

Muslims who are living in non-Muslim countries often have to face this dilemma. May Allah (SWT) help our Muslims sisters in making the right choice. Amen.

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Offering prayers 5 times daily is one of the pillars of Islam. Over and over, in Quran the Muslims have been told to offer their prayers, regularly. It is said that when a Muslim dies and he is resurrected, he will be made to answer all that he had been doing in this world, the first thing that he will be asked about is his prayers, Namaz.

It is also said that one of the major reasons why some people would be thrown in Hell because they did not offer their prayers. Namaz has been advised for our own good. We get to stand before Allah 5 times a day, praise him and thank him for all his blessings. Send peace and blessings upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW). We glorify Allah, ask him for his forgiveness. Dua is one of the most powerful weapons that a Muslim can ever possess. There is no particular time or location set for making Dua, after every namaz, most  Muslims make dua for themselves for their parents, friends and families. The best part is that they can ask for anything in the world while knowing the fact that Allah is listening, and no prayer goes unnoticed.

Praying is also probably the most effective way of staying away from sins. It is such a simple thing to do, I never really understood such Muslims who say that they do not have time for praying. On an average, how much time can one Namaz take? Not more than 10 minutes to 15 minutes. Are you implying that you cannot even spend 15 minutes to offer your prayers while you have all time in the world to watch your favorite movie? It’s about priorities. Remember that you have to go from this world. This world and all its glitz and glamour are not everlasting. You need to pray while you still have time. Death can come at any moment, and it will come unannounced, so you have better to be prepared for it.

Namaz is Farz. That means it is mandatory. No ifs and buts, no excuses. You are a Muslim, and it is your duty to offer your prayers 5 times a day, with proper Wudhu. If you are one of those who feel that offering prayers 5 times daily is too burdensome then you should start by making Dua for yourself. Ask Allah to make your heart inclined towards offering prayers with concentration. Another thing that you can do is to remember death. Remind yourself as much as you want that you have to leave this world, and Namaz is one of those very limited things that you will be allowed to take with you. Remind yourself of the blessings that one gets by offering Namaz.

Once you start offering prayers 5 times a day, it will gradually become a habit, and soon enough you would realize that your day is incomplete without offering prayers.

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For some time, there has been a rumor regulating around America’s current President, Barack Obama, according to which it is said that he is a Muslim. He has a Kenyan father while his mother is an American.

It is believed that Obama’s father, Senator Obama was a Muslim, but then some say that he had abandoned Islam before he met Obama’s mother. After that, he became a pretty skeptic person, more of an atheist. Obama’s stepfather who goes by the name of Lolo Soetoro was a Muslim, but not a very devoted one. He did not place much importance on religion.

Obama’s grandfather was a Christian until he accepted Islam while he was still a young man, and then added the ‘Hussein’ to his name. Obama’s father inherited Hussein from him, and later Obama himself has Hussein as his middle name, Barack Hussein Obama.

Many people believe that Obama is a closet Muslim. Even in Hillary Clinton’s camp started circulating a photo of Obama in which he could be seen wearing a traditional Somali (Muslim) costume when he visited Kenya in 2006. However, it was made clear that Obama only wore the traditional Somali costume as a sign of respect to his hosts who has brought him clothes as gifts.

Nothing can be said for sure as to the fact that if he is really a Muslim or not. I feel that he is not. Just the fact alone that he has ‘Hussein’ as his middle name is not an evidence for him to be declared as a Muslim, or a follower of Islam. His father may have been a Muslim and his grandfather may be a Muslim as well, but Obama himself has not passed any statement yet which would make us think of him as a Muslim.

However, if we look at this from the Islamic tradition, any child who is born to a Muslim father automatically becomes a Muslim. If Obama’s father was a Muslim, then consequently that would make Obama a Muslim, as well. However, Obama himself has denied that he is a Muslim, in his Obama campaign, but that rejection if looked from this point of view, is not 100% genuine.

As far as his lifestyle is concerned, we cannot say that it is an Islamic way of life.  Moreover, let us just suppose that if he is a Muslim, then Americans are already anti-Muslims, they would simply not tolerate if their President would turn out to be a follower of Islam. They would naturally think that he is misleading the Americans, and he should be gotten rid of as soon as possible. Americans stereotype Muslims and think of them in the most negative way possible. They think that we are terrorists, and that Islam is a religion which promotes hatred and violence.

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