sâmbătă, 26 februarie 2011

Henna...




Henna tattoos have existed in Africa and the Middle East for generations and were most often used in ceremonies. Now the popularity of henna tattoos have spread to other parts of the world, with people using it for a variety of other uses, like fashion.Henna is a dye created from the Lawsonia plant Inermis through the process of drying the leafs and then crushing them into a dark paste.The dark dye called henna is used to stain the skin when creating tattoos. The dye is temporary and lasts for a few days before naturally washing off.The history and origin of Henna is hard to trace with centuries of migration and cultural interaction it is difficult to determine where particular traditions began. There is very persuasive evidence that the Neolithic people in Catal Huyuk, in the 7th millennium BC, used henna to ornament their hands in connection with their fertility goddess. The word Henna has its origin in the Arabic word Al-Hinna. In botanical terms it is Lawsonia Enermis, a plant which grows to be 4 to 8 feet high in hot climates.The art of henna decorating has been practiced in Northern Africa, the Middle East, Southern Asia.The art form of henna (Arabic) or mehndi (Hindi) varies from region to region. Varying designs have a different meaning for members of each culture, such as good health, fertility, wisdom, protection and spiritual enlightenment. While Arabic henna designs are usually large, floral patterns on the hands and feet, Indian mehndi involves fine, thin lines for lacy, floral and paisley patterns covering entire hands, forearms, feet and shins.

African henna patterns are bold, large geometric designs.Throughout time henna has been associated with special celebrations. Betrothals, weddings, the eighth month of pregnancy, the birth, the 40th day after a woman gives birth, naming ceremonies, circumcisions, etc, are all events celebrated with henna. Eids, and other religious holidays are also occasions to be hennaed. There are also some healing ceremonies, like the Zar in North Africa, which include its use. A common practice seen in India and in the Islamic world is the pre-wedding tradition of 'Night of Henna' parties, like the Sudanese one described earlier.

Henna was a traditional folk art, and in some cases henna actually replaced jewellery for families that couldn’t afford jewellery as gifts, so the henna designs sometimes emulated bangles and rings.

vineri, 25 februarie 2011

The Holy Quran...









For those new to the Quran, the word Quran (kurr-'aan) itself means recitation. The Quran is the last revelation to humanity and has been unchanged since it was sent down to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in the 7th century. The Quran's 114 chapters (Surahs) and 6236 verses (Ayahs) are the source of every Muslim's faith and practice.

Calling the Qur'an amazing is not something done only by Muslims, who have an appreciation for the Revelation, it has been labeled amazing by non-Muslims as well. Please read our informative articles below to see why this is so.


"Do they not then consider the Qur'an carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradiction and error."
[Qur'an, An-Nisa 4:82]

Welcome to Discover Islam - Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. God tells us in the Qur'an:

"Let there be no compulsion in Religion: truth stands out clear from error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah (one God) has grasped the most trustworthy hand hold, that never breaks. and Allah hears, and knows all things."
(Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:256)



"Say: we believe in God and in what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il: Isaac, Jacob and The Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus and the Prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another, among them, and to God do we bow our will (in Islam)." (Qur'an, Al-'Imran 3:84)

For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is a complete way of life encompassing all facets of a Muslims existence from birth to death:

"This day I have perfected your Deen (Complete way of Life, Religion) for you, and completed my favour upon you, have chosen ISLAM as your Deen (way of life)." (Qur'an, Al-Ma'idah 5:3)

As Muslims, it our responsibility to give the message of Islam to you, the evidences and facts and invite you on that basis to accept Islam or to deny it.

"Let there be no compulsion in Religion: truth stands out clear from error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah (one God) has grasped the most trustworthy hand hold, that never breaks. and Allah hears, and knows all things." (Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:256)

At the least we hope, that after reading the articles below, you may, if nothing else become enlightened as to what Muslims believe and why Islam is the fastest growing Way of Life on Planet Earth today.

It would be my pleasure to provide any further information you need on Islam or indeed discuss any other topics you wish.



The Muslim Woman and Hijab...







The woman is Islam is very important.
Woman is the mirror of home, of family is an exemple for family society. She proud use the veil.
Hijab for the muslim woman means modesty, feminity, degnity and freedome.
Our children are our responsibility.
Our husbands are our leaders as well as our partners.
Our parents are our trust.
We can not neglect any of these duties in the search for fulfillment. If we follow our basic nature we will find fulfillment
in these tasks. the woman can work.
The woman can be a doctor or lawyer or engineer. She has the mental capacity
to do so and the physical abilities. However, she is better suited to be a mother, a wife, a daughter. She does not have

In a famous incident, a man came to the Prophet (SAW) and asked:

"O Messenger of Allah! to whom should I show kindness? He replied: Your mother, next your mother, next your mother, and then comes your father..." (Sunan Abu Dawud)

The Quran also discusses the immense honor and respect due to both parents, and especially to mother:

"And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination." (Luqman 31:14)

Allah (SWT) did not create humans without reason. Nor did He create them for the sake of spending their time in pointless activity. He created them for 'ibaadah in the complete meaning of 'ibaadah - worship of Him as the one Almighty Lord of the Worlds. 'Ibaadah refers not just to ritual, physical, and mental acts of 'ibaadah such as salaah, siyaam, zakaah, and Hajj.

These are the arkaan of 'ibaadah. The true and complete meaning of the word 'ibaadah includes much more. As Ibn Taymiyah puts it, 'ibaadah is "a comprehensive word that refers to all that Allah loves and all that pleases Him."

So…how does all this tie in with a woman and free time? If we examine the question and take a deeper look at exactly how 'ibaadah is performed in a woman's life, the desire for "free time" takes on a new meaning. Adh-Dhahabee related in Sayr A'laam An-Nubalaa from Asmaa bint Yazeed ibn As-Sakan (radiallahu 'anhaa) that she went to the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and said,

"O Messenger of Allaah, may my father and mother be sacrificed for you. I have come to you on behalf of the women. Verily Allaah has sent you to men and women. We have believed in you. We do not go out and we remain in your homes. We are your source of physical pleasure. We carry your children. A man goes out to pray jum'ah and jamaa'ah, and follows the janaazah. And if you go out for hajj, or 'umrah, or jihaad, we look after your wealth. We wash your clothing. We raise your children. Shall we not share in the reward?" The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) turned to his Companions and said, "Have you ever heard anything a woman has said better than what she has said?"

Then he (SAW) said to her,

"Understand O woman, and inform the other women. Indeed a woman's perfection of her relationship with her husband, her seeking his pleasure, and doing that which he approves of is equivalent to all of that." Asmaa left exclaiming "Laa ilaaha illallaah. "

Here, the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) explains an important aspect of 'ibaadah which applies uniquely to women. He informs us of the way to her success and how she has been granted this distinguished form of worship, one that many of us complain about. It is equivalent to jihaad, praying jum'ah and jamaa'ah. It is commensurate to participating in the janaazah, performance of hajj and 'umrah. This 'ibaadah is the perfection of her relationship with her husband her seeking his pleasure, obeying him, and doing that which he approves of. It is the caring for her children and her home and remaining within her home. Allah, ta'aalaa, in His incomparable mercy, has provided her with other deeds which replace those deeds that men usually perform, so that she may achieve equal reward.

One might argue that most all women participate in these actions on a daily basis, even the disbelieving women. However, the concerns of a Muslim woman are nobler. She sets her sights high in her actions. She is aware that her every act, when performed Islamically, is an expression of her worship of Allaah, ta'aalaa. What is it that makes a woman wish for free time? Usually it is a need for a more personal time period wherein she may direct her energies into something that she would individually benefit from and enjoy. There is nothing wrong with this and indeed, when done with the correct intention, this too falls into 'ibaadah. However, the waste of free time is an evil that many of us succumb to. The world is filled with opportunities for us to waste our time. Shaytaan whispers here and there and before you know it we've intended well but failed to follow through. All of us are prone to wasting our time or failing to take opportunities to use our time well.

Affairs OUTSIDE our home can be harmful as well as haraam. Would you even think that going shopping could fall into this? Don't be surprised. Islam directs that a woman is primarily meant to remain in her home. She may come out for her needs. If she goes out, according to the conditions of the sharee'ah, for a need which her husband cannot fulfill for her, then there is nothing against that. But, sometimes we fall into a western mentality of role sharing. Now there is nothing wrong with a husband helping his wife out and vice-versa. However, a woman taking over responsibilities of the husband with the intention of "making things easier on him" is skirting on the questionable. This is particularly so when we talk of shopping and other such needed but not always necessary tasks. A better way would be to organize herself and her household affairs and that of her children by simplifying her lifestyle and cutting back on the unnecessary.

A Muslim woman's constant going to the markets to make the household purchases and her desire to do so is wrong. Some women have no intention to purchase anything. They just want to walk around the market and see what's new. Maybe there's a new style, new material, something nice. So she has no true need to go out. And we know the hadeeth of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) who said,

"If a woman goes out of her home Shaytaan will attract attention to her presence." [At-Tirmidhi Saheeh]

meaning he will draw attention to her presence and make use of the opportunity either in tempting her or tempting others through her. If a woman remains in her home then shaytaan cannot do this. The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) also said that if a woman goes out of her home she

"appears in the form of a shaytaan and she leaves in the form of shaytaan." [Muslim]

Fear Allah (SWT)! Place this feeling into everything that you approach in your life. Keep in mind the pillars of our Deen - not just that of Eemaan and Islam but particularly of Ihsaan - "to worship Allaah as if you see Him and, though you cannot see Him, know that He sees you" [Mutafaqun 'alaih]. What a powerful statement! Make it words to live by. Also remember that our entire lives and the world around us is a test.

When a Muslim man decides to get married, he searches for a good wife who will also be a good mother to his future children by her. In Islam, the very first quality a man should look for in a wife is not her beauty, her wealth or family name, but how much she fears Allah (SWT) and obeys His commandments. Is she a pious Muslimah? In the words of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW):

"Women may be married for four reasons: for their property, their rank, their beauty, and their religion: so get the one who is religious and prosper."

By asking family and friends to guide him to such a woman by word of mouth, he may then visit her family. At the same time, if a woman’s father or guardian sees an eligible man whom he thinks is a suitable person for his daughter, he is allowed to ask that particular man if he would consider marrying his daughter.

Before a yes or no answer is decided upon by the woman, she should try to find out about her prospective suitor’s background, as regards piety, honesty, character, and whatever else might concern them as a future couple together. This can be done by having her family speak with the man himself, and by having them ask others about his background. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:

"When a man comes to you (seeking marriage) in whom you are satisfied with his character and religion, let him marry."





Islam in my life...



Islam for me is peace and freedome, means to know the Creator and worship Him, do His commands as much as you can, refrain of doing forbidden things, and live as Allah stated for you.
It is a complete way of life formed by the Creator, the best who can predict the needs and duties of the individual.
Islam is a peaceful religion,perfect,logic and practical modern religion .
Islam is submission on fully to Allah (God) which needs us to make more good doings avoid bad doings based on the Quraan and hadith as life guide and way of life.
Islam is a tolerant religion,anti terrorism and redicalism.
Islam is a flexible religion which does not give difficulties to its followers.
Islam is the most updated and complete religion given by Allah for reaching the happy and safety life here on this earth and in the life after death if we obey to all of Allah's commands and prohibitions as stated in the Qur'an and explained in the Hadith.
We follow this faith because we convince that Islam is right and true religion with its uncorrupted holy book Al Quran given by Allah through the last Prophet and messenger Muhammad.
By obeying the Quran and Hadith we will be accepted in heaven.
Islam stated for us to live this life after clarifying all the good from all the bad, so as to live happy, die happy, people and Allah , be happy of us.Promised the heaven for those who follow the right path and hell for those who refused to.Islam is the mission of all previous messengers generally, but reformed and purified to suit all time and every where.So other religions are no longer valid and definitely non-muslims today will burn in hell, so save your self, no body is going to save you unless you repent from your own.Because, except exceptional cases, on the day of judge, even your son, brother, father, and mother will not give you a single good deed to balance your good deeds against bad ones.
Islam is complete and total submission to the will of God.
It is a beautiful religion, filled with peace. It is not just a religion but a way of life that Allah(swt) has ordained for us. The Quran is more beautiful than poetry. When you play it, it fills your home with calmness. When we pray, we have an intimate connection with Allah and we do this 5 times a day in order to be close to God, and remind ourselves of our purpose here. Our purpose in life is only to worship the Creator in all our actions. From a smile, to giving in charity, doing something nice for our brothers and sisters. The smallest act is a blessing if done for the sake of Allah.

Islam is a beautiful faith -very flexible and based on sound judgments.
The work of God does not conflict with the word of God as in some religions.
Prayer is an integral part of the Muslim's faith and it occupies their mind day and night.
Islam teaches peace and the methods one should adopt to become peaceful hence righteous.



Islam...






With Islam, God completed the religion He revealed and chose for humanity (5:3). Literally, Islam means submission, peace, and salvation. In its most fundamental aspect, Islam is epitomized in the most frequently recited of all Qur’anic phrases, the Bismillah—In the name of God, the Merciful (al-Rahman), the Compassionate (al-Rahim). Both words are related to the quality of rahma (mercy and compassion). God manifests Himself through His absolute, all-inclusive Mercy and Compassion, and Islam is founded upon that affirmation. The Qur’an calls Prophet Muhammad’s mission a mercy for all the worlds, for God sent him to spread Islam to all of humanity.
God created the universe so that He could be known and recognized in all His Names and Attributes, and so His creation includes one creature with free will: humanity. Of all creatures, only humanity can manifest the Divine Names the All-Willing, All-Knowing, and All-Speaking. God then endowed us with the knowledge of things (“names”), and made us His vice-gerent to rule on Earth according to His laws. As having free will means that one must choose, each person’s life consists of choosing between what is right and wrong.
God endowed humanity with three principal faculties fundamental to our survival and carrying out our function as His vice-gerent: an appetite for such things as the opposite sex, offspring, livelihood, and possessions; anger or forcefulness in defense and struggle; and reason or intellect. Since we are tested in this worldly life and are free to choose, God did not restrict these faculties.
According to Islam, our individual and collective happiness lies in disciplining our faculties so that we may produce a harmonious and peaceful individual and social life. If they remain undisciplined, they may drive people to immorality, illicit sexual relationships, unlawful livelihoods, tyranny, injustice, deception, falsehood, and other vices. To prevent the ensuing chaos and suffering, we must submit to an authority that guides and regulates our collective affairs. Since one person will not accept the authority of another, humanity needs a universal intellect, a guidance from beyond human reason and experience, to whose authority all may assent freely. That guidance is the religion revealed and perfected by God through His Prophets: Islam.
By means of belief and worship, as well as its intellectual, moral, and spiritual principles, Islam educates us in the best possible way. In addition, it uses its socioeconomic principles to establish an ideal society free of dissension, corruption, anarchy, and terror, one that allows everyone to obtain happiness both in this world and in the hereafter.
Islam does not reject modern civilization altogether. According to Said Nursi, the most influential Turkish scholar and writer of the 20th century, there are two Europes (or Wests): One that, benefiting from the religion of Jesus and Islamic civilization, made human life more comfortable through its inventions and the regulations it brought to human social life, and became the source of certain beauties; and another one that, based on naturalistic and materialistic philosophy, opposes the revealed religions. The evil of the latter is the cause of most human wretchedness and suffering. Islam opposes this second West.
On the past, present and future Islam is the key of life.