Tabsir illustrates an interesting anecdote of history from the Ottoman Empire, the birth of a railway link between Damascus and Makkah for pilgrims.
But besides these the general direction has been under Marshal Kiazim Pasha, to whom the greatest credit is due in bringing the line successfully into Medina, and to Hajj Mukhtar Bey, a brilliant Turkish engineer, who has absorbed all modern methods of construction, and compelted the last section into Medina without European assistance.
At-Talib has a post on a transcribed talk by Khalid Baig giving an overview of the state of medicine today and in the past, and how Muslims can play a part in steering it.
Revival of any Islamic science is part of the revival of Islamic civilization and will pave the way for the revival of other sciences as well. But unlike other Islamic sciences, Islamic medicine has the distinction that despite all the efforts to wipe it out — many at the hands of Muslims themselves—it is still a living tradition, unlike physics and chemistry. Reviving it is thus easier.
There are things our physicians can do individually.
Our physicians need to recognize the great and unique opportunity that they have for doing good not only for the body but also for the soul of their patients. Doctors are in the best position to promote Islamic lifestyle, which is the best protection against the diseases brought on by our modern lifestyles. This refers to diseases of all kinds— physical, mental, and spiritual, although the last one is not always recognized. Today we are more concerned about the hardening of the arteries than we are about the hardening of the hearts. But Muslim physicians can furnish treatments for both.
Numerous bloggers have put forth their thoughts and reflections on the historic Night of Ascension.
Ashrafiya reflects on the nearness of the Prophet, peace be upon him, to Allah in his post entitled The Gift of Miraj.
Al-Miskeenah relates two inspiring excerpts about the night of Meraj which highlight the implications of this miraculous event.
And the Writeous Sister highlights some other posts about Meraj that are also of benefit.
Yursil shares photographs from the Cave of Hira, littered with graffiti and garbage. While the site may not be considered a “holy site” of any sort, it is certainly an extremely historic site, as the location of the first revelations of the Quran. Forgetting Hira is to forget an important part of our history.
However, few places are mentioned as often in childrens tales as the Cave of Hira at Jabl al-Nur (Mountain of Light). Even these people with confused ideologies find their hearts drawn to the stories of the cave. What would it be like to see that cave, pray where the Prophet (S) first received Quran?
Recently family members have come back from Umrah and took some pictures of the situation of the cave.
During my own climb up the Mountain of Light to the Cave of Hira, nearly 10 years ago, I recall a man in the cave who would dress you up in traditional Arab garb and take a picture of you pretending to make du’a – just five riyyals! It offended me that such a historical site would be exploited for business, with the act of prayer also being mocked. I’m not sure what is more offensive; that we are selling our history for money, or that we are selling it for so cheap.
Taken from Shirazi’s blog:
“Like so many other historic sites in the country, Derawar Fort is yet another sign of old times we are poised to loose forever due to the apathy of those who are responsible for its upkeep and preservation.
Before it disappears, once again, I was on my way to Cholistan: the place that is crucible of one of the world’s oldest civilization, where some of the past secrets are hidden, where history is still active.”
Video of the week, brought to you by IslamicTube.net.
This is a heart wrenching story narrated by Abu Qudama, a 10th century Muslim general from Iraq, about a young man called Muhammad who devoted his whole life to the cause of Islam – fulfilling his vow to his widowed mother to follow in his fathers footsteps and become a warrior, fighting for the sake of Allah to defend the weak.
This talk by Bilal Assad, extracted from the lecture ‘Those who desire Paradise’, takes us through the sequence of events in which Abu Qudama is introduced to this young man, and how his shining example of bravery and faith in Allah carried him through to his very last breath when he fell as a martyr. View the video here.
Video of the Week brought to you by HalalTube.com
Adnan talk about the survival of Uighur language in China.