People of the Book

Fatima Hye opines the qualities of those people who devote themselves to the Quran.

Me and my husband have noticed that people who are attached to the Quran tend to be a special breed. They tend to be a bit broader in their thinking, less likely to be part of partisan strife, more open to Muslim brotherhood, etc. [...] But mostly, they just tend to have better manners – they are not the hotheads, they are the more quiet and humble, the more generous in working for others, etc. And this is not surprising when you realize that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam mentioned he has come “to perfect the manners” and that his character was described by ‘Aishah as “the walking Quran”.

[Image Credit: Qatari Mother]

Al Mahabba Awards for Islamic Art

Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah

My name is Teakster and I have been made the new Islamic arts editor. I not sure how this occurred but personally blame the milkshake they tricked me into drinking. Next thing I know, I had signed away a part of my life.

I am a bit of cowboy artist as I like to make pretty pictures, so society has labelled me an “artist”. I will be highlighting a different piece of Islamic Art/Photography each week, in order to promote the work of Muslim artists, plus any big art events.

Speaking of events……currently in Abu Dhabi is the 2008 Al Mahabba Awards.

Al Mahabba Awards is an annual event that is held to promote and reward artistic expressions of love for the Prophet Mohammed, Peace be upon Him.

For more information, watch the inspiring video above, and check out the Mahabba Awards website.

Tower of Babylon

A short essay by Saha on the Tower of Babylon. An excerpt:

I am utterly obsessed with language and I always read references to language metaphorically. In this sense, speaking many different languages, causing confusion and chaos is just as applicable today as it was at the time of the tower. But I understand the problem as being tribalism rather than just a matter of language and translation. So from this, I imagine the “pure language” as being knowledge of Allah, because it is only through such knowledge that barriers of language and ethnicity can be overcome.

But, it is only through Allah’s Mercy that we receive such knowledge, thinking that we can gain it through our own endeavours leads us back to the tower of Babel. Arrogance, which is after all, shirk, leads us far away from pure language.

Essential qualities for good leadership

Imam Zaid discusses the qualities of leadership while explaining the following verses in which Allah (SWT) address the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS):

Owing to Mercy from God, you were gentle in dealing with them [your companions]. Were you harsh [and crude], hard of heart; they would have fled from you. Therefore, pardon their abuses, seek [God’s] forgiveness for them, and consult them in the affair. Once you have resolved on a course of action [be decisive] and trust in God. Surely, God loves those who trust in Him. Qur’an 3:159″

Excerpts:

“People who are harsh in their leadership styles oftentimes demand respect. They should be mindful of the fact that respect that is demanded is seldom lasting, and it is never sincere. People who are gentle in the appropriate situations, compassionate, empathetic and magnanimous command respect. Respect that is commanded is sincere and lasting.

Here the Prophet, peace upon him, who is divinely guided in religious affairs, in the broadest sense of religion, is encouraged to consult his companions because he is laying the foundation for effective rule and leadership to guide those succeeding him. However, we will only be the beneficiaries of the wisdom he bequeathed to us if we implement those teachings in our lives. This area of endeavor is no exception.”

More at New Islamic Directions.

Geert Wilders’ “Fitna” – Muslim Reviews

Indigo Jo reviews Geert Wilders’ controversial, new film “Fitna”:

The flaws are not hard to spot. This is basically Jihad Watch or Little Green Footballs as a film, and is not intended to try and convince anyone not of that mindset. For a start, only a small minority interpret the verses Wilders cites to justify the acts depicted; the majority of Muslims in the world simply do not behave like this and mainstream scholars reject such interpretations.

Austrolabe also presents some interesting legal ramifications of “Fitna” within its own review:

As far as such things go, Wilder’s film is quite a weak effort. It’s unlikely to provoke anyone to anything except, perhaps, fall asleep or yawn. [...] The thing that strikes me more than its offensiveness is its lack of originality. Wilders, apparently unable to come up with a suitably offensive shtick of his own, attempts to ride on the coattails of the Danish cartoons; appropriating one of their cartoons — without permission — and using that to start and close his video. He’s now being sued for that. He used footage from an interview with Theo van Gogh without permission. And the owner of that footage is considering legal action too. Where he was original — perhaps too original — was in using the photo of a Dutch-Moroccan rapper instead of a terrorist. He’s now being threatened with legal action for that. Fitna is proving to be more of a fitna for Mr Wilders than for anyone else.

Free Poster!


Brother Teakster (who happens to be one of the judges of the Ijtema.net Photo Contest – the winners of which will be announced soon, insha’Allah!) has created a great poster based on the Last Sermon of the Prophet Muhammed (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam)… 100% free to download:

Okay – I am really gonna upset some of the corporate monkeys here!

Since the Prophet Muhammed [sallalahu 'alayhi wa salam] has been getting a lot of grief, I thought it would great for the world to see one of his last sermons.

This sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhu al-Hijjah 10 A.H. (After Hijra) in the ‘Uranah valley of Mount Arafat’ in Mecca. This is considered to be the last sermon of prophet Muhammed.

You can print it off and stick it up wherever you like. Heck – give it random people in the street if you want!

You can download it from my website – http://www.teakster.co.uk/web/downloads.aspx

The Middle Path

Brother Anis has put up an explanation of the term “Al Umma Al Wasat” or the community of the middle way, as Muslims are described in verse 2:143 of the Quran.An excerpt:

“The Arabic expression which we have translated as ‘the community of the middle way’ is too rich in meaning to find an adequate equivalent in any other language. It signifies that distinguished group of people which follows the path of justice and equity, of balance and moderation, a group which occupies a central position among the nations of the world so that its friendship with all is based on righteousness and justice and none receives its support in wrong and injustice.”

More at Belief in the Unseen.