From: http://www.defending-islam.com/page373.html
If the proof of Allah’s existence is so simple, then why doesn’t the world convert to Islam?
(Original Source: http://sunnianswers.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/q-a-if-the-proof-of-allahs-existence-is-so-simple-then-why-doesnt-the-world-convert-to-islam/)
Question: If it is that simple, and the proof so clear, why does not the whole world convert to Islam?
Answer: Because obvious proofs do not cause acceptance. You know, I struggled with another version of the proof in “Foundations of the Religion” when I had first converted to Islam. I needed them, because I knew I would be facing a wave of mockery from my own people due to my conversion. I wanted proofs that were based on commonly accepted premises to fight back to show that I was right. I even thought that if I could prove my beliefs logically based on common premises, the whole world would quickly become Muslim, and that is why I was euphoric the first time I learned them. Now I know that humans are far from rational, and the fact that the world didn’t become Muslim was a clear proof for me that no one believes unless Allah has willed it:
“وَاللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ”
Meaning: “Allah created you and what you do.” (As-Saaffaat. 96)
My experience makes it easy to accept that people like Abu Talib or other idolaters like Abu Lahab, knowing the truth by having seen miracles in front of their eyes, still did not accept Islam. It is mentioned in tafsiir books that when this was revealed:
إِنْ هُوَ إِلا ذِكْرٌ لِلْعَالَمِينَ () لِمَنْ شَاءَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَسْتَقِيمَ
Meaning: “Verily this is a warning to the worlds, so the one who wills will take the path of fearing and obeying Allah” (Al-Kawthar, 27-28).
Then the idolaters said, “so it is up to us, if we want, we will.” So Allah revealed:
وَمَا تَشَاءُونَ إِلا أَنْ يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Meaning: “You do not will anything unless Allah has willed it.”
The first version I learned of this proof used simple math, and I ventured out to present it when challenged about my conversion. The problem was that I had not understood some of the underlying assumptions of that version and a mathematician had a field day with me due to my ignorance. Bruised and beaten, I set out to understand it properly, and to learn how to present it in a way that anybody can understand, and without having complicated ideas in the argument or underlying the argument.
I had my “revenge,” by the Grace of Allah when I faced a hypocrite that used to attend my lessons pretending to be Muslim for marriage purposes. He had a degree in math and physics. One day I announced, “I can prove that Allah exists, and that the Islamic belief in God is correct.” He said mockingly, “O really…, how so?” He was probably expecting an argument based on design, or contingency, and had his arsenal ready. When I explained to him the proof he made an attempt or two to throw me off, but because the argument is simple and clear, it was easy to silence him, by the Grace of Allah. He stood up and said, “I will think about it, I take it as a challenge!” He never came back to my lessons, and avoided me like the plague after that. Subhan Allah, how can someone with a fragment of good in their heart be annoyed by a proof that shows that the Creator exists?
In another quite different instance I was teaching a person who had converted and was taking classes so that he could marry a Muslim girl. Whenever I receive converts I fear they might not be convinced, but just going along to “get the girl,” or some other reason, so if there is time I will present the above proof. One time I had a gentleman with a Master’s Degree in aeronautical engineering from a prestigious university. When I presented the proof he actually started crying, and even explaining it to others. For the most part however, whenever I use it on a non-Muslim I get a nodding, “yes you are right,” and then…. nothing. As if I had told them something very ordinary, that has no implications. That is why I see these proofs mainly as defense systems, not change agents, because most people change only for emotional reasons, not logical reasons. These proofs are important for preventing deviants to affect Muslims by answering their attacks. They are also important to help someone affected by doubts.
Authored by Shaykh Abu
Blogger Comment:
If man can can feel his body with my hands and can see himself in the mirror he is existing. If he came from tow parents that they came from another and so forth there is two pairs that started humanity. Since there is no strong proof that they created themselves or found from nothing they were created. If the creator decided at anytime to reveal himself we have to listen to him and examine his message. In the above three verses: He would declare that his the creator and what we create is part of his creation, and he would reveal his message as a creator and those who follow are those who seeking the truth that is why those are the only ones who are guided. It is a simple and clear mathematics like 1 + 1 = 2. If you read the Quran to find the truth you will be guided and if you read it to defeat it you will go astray. There is no proof that because there are non-Muslims that Islam is false. The thing we can say if you read the Quran with open heart and mind the likelihood to be guided is very high.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Islam: The Religion of Proofs
From: http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_251_300/islam_the_religion_of_proofs.htm
by Jibril Ibn Anwar
"Thus do We explain the proofs in detail, so that they may turn (unto the truth)." [The Qur'an Al-Araaf 174]
Many people follow their religions blindly without proof under the justification that they “have faith.” Having faith in ideologies, belief systems, or religions that are not based upon clear proof is a source of falsehood and submission unto the conjectures and whims of men.
Islam is based upon proofs. In fact, throughout the Noble Qur’an, Allah directly addresses man’s reason, and discusses the ayaat(proofs, evidences) that would lead man to accept Islam as the religion of truth for all of mankind.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Islam is to bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah…”
This statement (there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) is what separates Islam from every other belief system and way of life that exists on earth. If one bears witness to this statement, which is the first fundamental pillar of Islam, and consequently believes in all which accompany it (such as the Qur’an being the literal word of Allah, everything that the Qur’an and the Prophet reported to us about Unseen matters, etc.) , then he would be considered as a Muslim.
Now you are most likely asking yourself, how is this noble religion of Islam proven? What are the evidences to show the truthfulness of Islam? How can we authenticate this statement (there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) which would transform our complete way of life and outlook upon the world, and our belief about God, the Unseen, and the human soul?
So, bearing this in mind, Let us examine the proofs which give evidence that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger.
The Proofs
1) The Proofs of Allah's Existence and that nothing is worthy of worship except Him
Allah, Most High, says (interpretation of meaning):
“Were they created by nothing, or were they themselves the creators?
Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, but they have no firm Belief.
Or are with them the treasures of your Lord? Or are they the tyrants with the authority to do as they like?”[al-Toor 52:35-37]
Shaykh Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen comments:
Man did not create himself, since before coming into this life he did not exist; and that which does not exist is nothing; and that which is nothing cannot create anything at all. Nor was it the case that his father or mother or anyone from creation created him. Nor did he randomly appear without a creator to bring him into existence, since for everything which comes into existence or occurs there must be one who brings it into existence or causes it to occur. The presence of all that exists in this creation and the amazing order found in it and its harmonious structures make it impossible that it came about randomly. This is because that which would come into existence randomly and by chance is not in principle and origin something well-ordered. This produces certain conclusion that Allah alone is the creator, and there is no creator, nor anyone who orders and commands except Allah. Allah, the Most High, says,
“Certainly creation and the Command are His.” [The Qur’an 7:54]”
Allah, the Most High, commands man throughout the Qur’an to ponder upon His creation, and to realize that it all testifies to His existence and His sovereignty over the universe. In other words, the science and workings over the universe are in fact proofs of God’s Lordship:
‘Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.
Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire. “ [The Qur’an 3:190-191]
“Verily, the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, and the water (rain) which Allaah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death, and the moving (living) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein, and in the veering of winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed proofs, evidences, and signs for people of understanding.”[The Qur’an 2:164]
“Do they not look in the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all things that Allah has created, and that it may be that the end of their lives is near. In what message after this will they then believe?” [The Qur’an 7:185]
Likewise, Allah did not create everything in the universe except with truth and for an appointed term. It would be against reason that Allah would create everything in vain. Likewise it would be against reason that He would create mankind, give us faculty and a soul, without any wisdom or purpose behind our creation. Rather:
“And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). “ [The Qur’an 51:56]
We are here to worship our Creator and to follow His orders and abstain from His prohibitions. This is why Islam means “submission”. In other words: submission to the will of our Creator.
It would be against the intellect, that you would recognize that there is a Creator who provided everything for you and all of creation, but then you would still live life according to other than His commands, or that you would worship something other than Him. It would be against intellect to say that He created the universe and that He manages its affairs, yet that you would turn away from submitting to Him (and noone else).
“And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: "Allah". How then are they turned away (from the worship of Allah, Who created them)?” [The Qur’an 43:87]
"Say: "Verily, Allah's Guidance is the only guidance, and we have been commanded to submit (ourselves) to the Lord of all Creation" [The Qur'an 6:71]
So if we are here to worship our Creator and submit to His Will, how do we know what His Will is? How do we know what His Nature is? How do we know what ideology, way of life, or belief system He would be pleased with us to follow?
These subjects, and other such things (such as what happens after death, and other unseen matters) are out of the range of human intelligence, scientific experiment, and human reason. Likewise, subjects such as philosophy are insufficient, for they are simply the conjectures of the human being of what is the true nature of the universe (without clear proof). But indeed, conjectures can never take the place of the truth.
It is only rational that we are informed of our Creator’s Will, matters of the unseen, and how our Creator would want us to worship Him, by way of report. In other words: by way of Divine Revelation. No human being can know any of these things by mere conjecture; no matter how much he ponders and how much information he thinks he has from his own knowledge.
2) Proofs that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the literal word of God and that it is the greatest miracle that Allah has set forth for mankind. Every Prophet before Muhammad (peace be upon him) had miracles (such as the parting of the red sea by Moses) which were particular to their own peoples in order to establish proof against them. Muhammad, 1400 years ago, was given the Noble Qur’an, the greatest miracle of all, which will last as proof of the Message of Islam (submission to the will of the Creator) for every time and every place and every people.
The Challenge of the Qur’an
“And if you (non-muslims) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur'an) to Our slave (Muhammad Peace be upon him ), then produce a Surah (chapter) of the like thereof and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allah, if you are truthful. “ [The Qur’an 2:23]
In the second chapter of the Qur’an, Allah addresses every non-muslim who has doubts about the divine origins of the Qur’an. Allah states that the Qur’an is a book inimitable, unmatched, unique, and without comparison. He challenges every individual who has doubts that it is a divinely revealed book to produce a single chapter that is similar to it. Till this day, many disbelievers have attempted at this but have only proved their attempts to be vain and meaningless.
One of the attributes of the miraculous nature of the Qur’an, is that its verses and text completely conform with the scientific discoveries of today. More amazingly is that the Qur’an is full of verses which reveal things about the science which have never been even comprehended until the past 100 years.
Here is an excerpt from Gary Miller’s article: “the Amazing Qur’an” which outlines some of these facts:
."The citations included in this pamphlet appeared in the Qur’an during the 7th century CE. The Prophet Muhammad was himself illiterate and was living among illiterate people. The Arabs at that time worshipped idols and believed in horoscope and magic and were superstitious. The Arabs very actively opposed the teachings advanced by the Prophet through his revelations.This short article is for you to read and to consider. Because the subject matter is so vast, we have space to mention only a few brief facts from the Amazing Qur’an.
The Creation of the Universe
"Do not the unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together, then We clove them asunder? And We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?" (21:30) This verse is specifically addressed to non-believers, and touches upon the creation of the universe and the origins of all life. The Qur’an mentions the existence of a gaseous mass (dukhan,41:11) which is unique and whose elements, although at first fused together (ratq) subsequently became separated (fatq). The separation process resulted in the formation of multiple worlds, a notion which crops up dozens of times in the Qur’an (1:1): "Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds." [1,2]
The Origins of Life
"And We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?" (21:30)
The building blocks of all living things are called cells. They are the basic units of life.
Protoplasm (cytoplasm + nucleus) is the substance of all living things. Cytoplasm is a jelly-like material consisting of water and dissolved substances. The constitution of protoplasm is about 80-85% water. Without water life is not possible. [2]
None of the myths on the origins of life that abounded at the time of the Qur’an are present in the text. Furthermore, the fact that all life originated from water would not have been a very easy thing to convince people of 1400 years ago, especially in the desert!
The Expansion of the Universe
The expansion of the universe is the most imposing discovery of modern science. Today it is a firmly established concept and the only debate centres around the way this is taking place.
"The heaven, We have built it with power. Verily, We are expanding it." (51:47)‘We are expanding it’ is the translation of the plural present particle musi’una of the verb ausa’a meaning "to make wider, more spacious, to extend, to expand." Some translators were unable to grasp the meaning and provided mistaken translations. Others sense the meaning, but were afraid to commit themselves eg. Hamidullah talks of the widening of the heavens and space, but he includes a question mark. Zidan & Zidan, and The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs refer to the expansion of the universe in totally unambiguous terms. [1,2]
The Mountains
Mountains have always been looked upon as conspicuous landforms, characterized by lofty protrusions above their surroundings, high peaks and steep sides.However, the Qur’an accurately describes mountains as stabilizers for the Earth that hold its outer surface firmly, lest it should shake with us, and as pickets (or pegs) which hold that surface downwardly as a means of fixation."Have we not made the earth an expanse, and the mountains stakes (awtad)?" (78:6-7) and "And God cast into the ground mountains standing so that it does not shake with you." (31:10). [1,3]
The Developing Human Embryo
Statements referring to human reproduction and development are scattered throughout the Qur’an. It is only recently that the scientific meaning of some of these verses has been fully appreciated. The Qur’an determines that human development passes through stages (39:6). The realization that the human embryo develops in stages was not discussed and illustrated until the 15th century. The staging of human embryos was not described until the 20th century. Streeter (1941) developed the first system of staging which has now been replaced by a more accurate system proposed by O’Rahilly (1972). However, the Qur’an was the first source to mention the (23:12-16). The Qur’an and Hadith also state that both parents share in the origins of the offspring: "O mankind! We created you from male and female." (49:13) and "We created mankind from a mixed drop (nutfah-amshaj)." (76:2)The mixed drop refers to the mixture and convergence of a small quantity of sperms with the ovum (and its associated follicular fluid) to form the zygote. It has the form of a drop and consists of a mixture of male and female secretions."Then we made the drop into a leech-like structure (‘alaqah)." (23:14) ‘alaqah in Arabic means (i) to cling and stick to a thing; (ii) a leech or bloodsucker; (iii) a suspended thing; and (iv) a blood clot. Amazingly, each of the meanings for ‘alaqah can be applied to human prenatal development.For example, taking ‘alaqah to mean a leech we find that the embryo is surrounded by amniotic fluid just as a leech is surrounded by water. The human embryo clings to the mothers womb, in the same way that a leech clings to the skin. A leech is a pear shaped organism and thrives on bloodsucking. The diagram above clearly indicates that the shape of the embryo does in fact resemble a leech! At this stage the cardiovascular system has started appearing and the embryo is now dependant on the maternal blood for its nutrition like a leech! As there were no microscopes or lenses available in the 7th century, people could not have known that the embryo has this leech-like appearance."Then out of that leech-like structure We made a chewed lump (mudghah)." This statement is from Surah 23:14. The Arabic word mudghah means "chewed substance or chewed lump." Towards the end of the 4th week, the human embryo looks somewhat like a chewed lump of flesh. The chewed appearance results from the somites which resemble teeth marks. The somites represent the beginnings of the vertebrae (backbone). (For a detailed discussion concerning the Qur’an and modern embryology see 1,2,4,5,6).
Lost Civilizations
In the 89th chapter of the Qur’an, the city of "Iram" is mentioned: "Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with Aad, of the city of Iram, with lofty pillars the like of which was never created in any land?" Iram has been unknown to history, so much so that it apparently became an embarrassment to some Muslim commentators of the Holy Qur’an. In 1975, in North-Western Syria the ancient city of Ebla was excavated.Ebla is over 4500 years old. In the ruins of the Palace Library they found the largest collection of cuneiform clay tablets ever discovered - around 15,000. Written in the oldest Semitic language yet identified, the tablets reveal that Ebla rivalled Egypt and Mesopotamia as a major power of the ancient world. They found in there a record of all the cities that Ebla used to do business with including one IRAM! [7,8,9]
What happened to the body of Pharaoh of the Exodus?
The Biblical version of Pharaoh’s story states that he was drowned in the pursuit of Prophet Moses (Exodus 14:28-29). Unknown to the world till only of late, the Holy Qur’an made a definite prediction about the preservation of the body of that same Pharaoh of Moses’ time 10:90-92:"This day We shall save you in your body so that you may be a sign for those that come after you". The body was discovered in the tomb of Amenhotep II in 1898. [2,12]
The resting place of Noah’s Ark
The Bible states that "And the Ark rested... upon the mountains of Ararat." Genesis 8:4. According to the Holy Qur’an (11:44): "The Ark came to rest upon Al-Judi." According to recent evidence from an archaeological find in Eastern Turkey, experts believe they may have discovered the remains of an ancient vessel whose dimensions mirror those of Noah’s Ark as told in the Bible. However, the discovery was made on Al-Judi! [10,11]
The Holy Qur’an:- God’s final Guidance to Mankind
"How could a man, from being illiterate, become the most important author in terms of literary merits in the whole of Arabic literature? How could he the pronounce facts of a scientific nature that no other human being could have possibly known at that time, and all this, without once making the slightest error in his pronouncement on the subject?" (Dr. Maurice Bucaille).
In light of this, many scientists and intellectuals who have discovered Islam readily embraced it due to the scientific miracles which they found abundant throughout its texts.
Likewise, the Qur’an is the only Book that claims to be Divinely Revealed that has been preserved in its original form. It has a supernatural eloquence and language which has been unmatched by any poet or writer in the history of mankind. It is free from any inconsistencies or contradictions. Its wisdom of its rulings and laws makes it impossible for it to be the invention of any man, whether he is an illiterate Arab, or a knowledgeable scholar of the 7th century. Indeed:
“(This is) the truth from your Lord. So be you not one of those who doubt.” [The Qur’an 2:147]
Conclusion
And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam (submission to God), it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers. [The Qur’an 3:85]
The matter is a serious one. Are you going to live your life in accordance with the will of your Creator? Or are you going to live your life aimlessly, constantly pursuing your desires and heedless of your overall purpose? It is a matter of Paradise and Hell-Fire.
“Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account.” [The Qur’an 3:19]
And All Praise and Thanks is due to Allaah, the Lord of all creation. And Peace and blessings be upon His Slave and Messenger Muhammad.
1: Allaah is the Arabic word for God.
by Jibril Ibn Anwar
"Thus do We explain the proofs in detail, so that they may turn (unto the truth)." [The Qur'an Al-Araaf 174]
Many people follow their religions blindly without proof under the justification that they “have faith.” Having faith in ideologies, belief systems, or religions that are not based upon clear proof is a source of falsehood and submission unto the conjectures and whims of men.
Islam is based upon proofs. In fact, throughout the Noble Qur’an, Allah directly addresses man’s reason, and discusses the ayaat(proofs, evidences) that would lead man to accept Islam as the religion of truth for all of mankind.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Islam is to bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah…”
This statement (there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) is what separates Islam from every other belief system and way of life that exists on earth. If one bears witness to this statement, which is the first fundamental pillar of Islam, and consequently believes in all which accompany it (such as the Qur’an being the literal word of Allah, everything that the Qur’an and the Prophet reported to us about Unseen matters, etc.) , then he would be considered as a Muslim.
Now you are most likely asking yourself, how is this noble religion of Islam proven? What are the evidences to show the truthfulness of Islam? How can we authenticate this statement (there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) which would transform our complete way of life and outlook upon the world, and our belief about God, the Unseen, and the human soul?
So, bearing this in mind, Let us examine the proofs which give evidence that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger.
The Proofs
1) The Proofs of Allah's Existence and that nothing is worthy of worship except Him
Allah, Most High, says (interpretation of meaning):
“Were they created by nothing, or were they themselves the creators?
Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, but they have no firm Belief.
Or are with them the treasures of your Lord? Or are they the tyrants with the authority to do as they like?”[al-Toor 52:35-37]
Shaykh Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen comments:
Man did not create himself, since before coming into this life he did not exist; and that which does not exist is nothing; and that which is nothing cannot create anything at all. Nor was it the case that his father or mother or anyone from creation created him. Nor did he randomly appear without a creator to bring him into existence, since for everything which comes into existence or occurs there must be one who brings it into existence or causes it to occur. The presence of all that exists in this creation and the amazing order found in it and its harmonious structures make it impossible that it came about randomly. This is because that which would come into existence randomly and by chance is not in principle and origin something well-ordered. This produces certain conclusion that Allah alone is the creator, and there is no creator, nor anyone who orders and commands except Allah. Allah, the Most High, says,
“Certainly creation and the Command are His.” [The Qur’an 7:54]”
Allah, the Most High, commands man throughout the Qur’an to ponder upon His creation, and to realize that it all testifies to His existence and His sovereignty over the universe. In other words, the science and workings over the universe are in fact proofs of God’s Lordship:
‘Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.
Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire. “ [The Qur’an 3:190-191]
“Verily, the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, and the water (rain) which Allaah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death, and the moving (living) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein, and in the veering of winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed proofs, evidences, and signs for people of understanding.”[The Qur’an 2:164]
“Do they not look in the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all things that Allah has created, and that it may be that the end of their lives is near. In what message after this will they then believe?” [The Qur’an 7:185]
Likewise, Allah did not create everything in the universe except with truth and for an appointed term. It would be against reason that Allah would create everything in vain. Likewise it would be against reason that He would create mankind, give us faculty and a soul, without any wisdom or purpose behind our creation. Rather:
“And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). “ [The Qur’an 51:56]
We are here to worship our Creator and to follow His orders and abstain from His prohibitions. This is why Islam means “submission”. In other words: submission to the will of our Creator.
It would be against the intellect, that you would recognize that there is a Creator who provided everything for you and all of creation, but then you would still live life according to other than His commands, or that you would worship something other than Him. It would be against intellect to say that He created the universe and that He manages its affairs, yet that you would turn away from submitting to Him (and noone else).
“And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: "Allah". How then are they turned away (from the worship of Allah, Who created them)?” [The Qur’an 43:87]
"Say: "Verily, Allah's Guidance is the only guidance, and we have been commanded to submit (ourselves) to the Lord of all Creation" [The Qur'an 6:71]
So if we are here to worship our Creator and submit to His Will, how do we know what His Will is? How do we know what His Nature is? How do we know what ideology, way of life, or belief system He would be pleased with us to follow?
These subjects, and other such things (such as what happens after death, and other unseen matters) are out of the range of human intelligence, scientific experiment, and human reason. Likewise, subjects such as philosophy are insufficient, for they are simply the conjectures of the human being of what is the true nature of the universe (without clear proof). But indeed, conjectures can never take the place of the truth.
It is only rational that we are informed of our Creator’s Will, matters of the unseen, and how our Creator would want us to worship Him, by way of report. In other words: by way of Divine Revelation. No human being can know any of these things by mere conjecture; no matter how much he ponders and how much information he thinks he has from his own knowledge.
2) Proofs that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the literal word of God and that it is the greatest miracle that Allah has set forth for mankind. Every Prophet before Muhammad (peace be upon him) had miracles (such as the parting of the red sea by Moses) which were particular to their own peoples in order to establish proof against them. Muhammad, 1400 years ago, was given the Noble Qur’an, the greatest miracle of all, which will last as proof of the Message of Islam (submission to the will of the Creator) for every time and every place and every people.
The Challenge of the Qur’an
“And if you (non-muslims) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur'an) to Our slave (Muhammad Peace be upon him ), then produce a Surah (chapter) of the like thereof and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allah, if you are truthful. “ [The Qur’an 2:23]
In the second chapter of the Qur’an, Allah addresses every non-muslim who has doubts about the divine origins of the Qur’an. Allah states that the Qur’an is a book inimitable, unmatched, unique, and without comparison. He challenges every individual who has doubts that it is a divinely revealed book to produce a single chapter that is similar to it. Till this day, many disbelievers have attempted at this but have only proved their attempts to be vain and meaningless.
One of the attributes of the miraculous nature of the Qur’an, is that its verses and text completely conform with the scientific discoveries of today. More amazingly is that the Qur’an is full of verses which reveal things about the science which have never been even comprehended until the past 100 years.
Here is an excerpt from Gary Miller’s article: “the Amazing Qur’an” which outlines some of these facts:
."The citations included in this pamphlet appeared in the Qur’an during the 7th century CE. The Prophet Muhammad was himself illiterate and was living among illiterate people. The Arabs at that time worshipped idols and believed in horoscope and magic and were superstitious. The Arabs very actively opposed the teachings advanced by the Prophet through his revelations.This short article is for you to read and to consider. Because the subject matter is so vast, we have space to mention only a few brief facts from the Amazing Qur’an.
The Creation of the Universe
"Do not the unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together, then We clove them asunder? And We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?" (21:30) This verse is specifically addressed to non-believers, and touches upon the creation of the universe and the origins of all life. The Qur’an mentions the existence of a gaseous mass (dukhan,41:11) which is unique and whose elements, although at first fused together (ratq) subsequently became separated (fatq). The separation process resulted in the formation of multiple worlds, a notion which crops up dozens of times in the Qur’an (1:1): "Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds." [1,2]
The Origins of Life
"And We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?" (21:30)
The building blocks of all living things are called cells. They are the basic units of life.
Protoplasm (cytoplasm + nucleus) is the substance of all living things. Cytoplasm is a jelly-like material consisting of water and dissolved substances. The constitution of protoplasm is about 80-85% water. Without water life is not possible. [2]
None of the myths on the origins of life that abounded at the time of the Qur’an are present in the text. Furthermore, the fact that all life originated from water would not have been a very easy thing to convince people of 1400 years ago, especially in the desert!
The Expansion of the Universe
The expansion of the universe is the most imposing discovery of modern science. Today it is a firmly established concept and the only debate centres around the way this is taking place.
"The heaven, We have built it with power. Verily, We are expanding it." (51:47)‘We are expanding it’ is the translation of the plural present particle musi’una of the verb ausa’a meaning "to make wider, more spacious, to extend, to expand." Some translators were unable to grasp the meaning and provided mistaken translations. Others sense the meaning, but were afraid to commit themselves eg. Hamidullah talks of the widening of the heavens and space, but he includes a question mark. Zidan & Zidan, and The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs refer to the expansion of the universe in totally unambiguous terms. [1,2]
The Mountains
Mountains have always been looked upon as conspicuous landforms, characterized by lofty protrusions above their surroundings, high peaks and steep sides.However, the Qur’an accurately describes mountains as stabilizers for the Earth that hold its outer surface firmly, lest it should shake with us, and as pickets (or pegs) which hold that surface downwardly as a means of fixation."Have we not made the earth an expanse, and the mountains stakes (awtad)?" (78:6-7) and "And God cast into the ground mountains standing so that it does not shake with you." (31:10). [1,3]
The Developing Human Embryo
Statements referring to human reproduction and development are scattered throughout the Qur’an. It is only recently that the scientific meaning of some of these verses has been fully appreciated. The Qur’an determines that human development passes through stages (39:6). The realization that the human embryo develops in stages was not discussed and illustrated until the 15th century. The staging of human embryos was not described until the 20th century. Streeter (1941) developed the first system of staging which has now been replaced by a more accurate system proposed by O’Rahilly (1972). However, the Qur’an was the first source to mention the (23:12-16). The Qur’an and Hadith also state that both parents share in the origins of the offspring: "O mankind! We created you from male and female." (49:13) and "We created mankind from a mixed drop (nutfah-amshaj)." (76:2)The mixed drop refers to the mixture and convergence of a small quantity of sperms with the ovum (and its associated follicular fluid) to form the zygote. It has the form of a drop and consists of a mixture of male and female secretions."Then we made the drop into a leech-like structure (‘alaqah)." (23:14) ‘alaqah in Arabic means (i) to cling and stick to a thing; (ii) a leech or bloodsucker; (iii) a suspended thing; and (iv) a blood clot. Amazingly, each of the meanings for ‘alaqah can be applied to human prenatal development.For example, taking ‘alaqah to mean a leech we find that the embryo is surrounded by amniotic fluid just as a leech is surrounded by water. The human embryo clings to the mothers womb, in the same way that a leech clings to the skin. A leech is a pear shaped organism and thrives on bloodsucking. The diagram above clearly indicates that the shape of the embryo does in fact resemble a leech! At this stage the cardiovascular system has started appearing and the embryo is now dependant on the maternal blood for its nutrition like a leech! As there were no microscopes or lenses available in the 7th century, people could not have known that the embryo has this leech-like appearance."Then out of that leech-like structure We made a chewed lump (mudghah)." This statement is from Surah 23:14. The Arabic word mudghah means "chewed substance or chewed lump." Towards the end of the 4th week, the human embryo looks somewhat like a chewed lump of flesh. The chewed appearance results from the somites which resemble teeth marks. The somites represent the beginnings of the vertebrae (backbone). (For a detailed discussion concerning the Qur’an and modern embryology see 1,2,4,5,6).
Lost Civilizations
In the 89th chapter of the Qur’an, the city of "Iram" is mentioned: "Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with Aad, of the city of Iram, with lofty pillars the like of which was never created in any land?" Iram has been unknown to history, so much so that it apparently became an embarrassment to some Muslim commentators of the Holy Qur’an. In 1975, in North-Western Syria the ancient city of Ebla was excavated.Ebla is over 4500 years old. In the ruins of the Palace Library they found the largest collection of cuneiform clay tablets ever discovered - around 15,000. Written in the oldest Semitic language yet identified, the tablets reveal that Ebla rivalled Egypt and Mesopotamia as a major power of the ancient world. They found in there a record of all the cities that Ebla used to do business with including one IRAM! [7,8,9]
What happened to the body of Pharaoh of the Exodus?
The Biblical version of Pharaoh’s story states that he was drowned in the pursuit of Prophet Moses (Exodus 14:28-29). Unknown to the world till only of late, the Holy Qur’an made a definite prediction about the preservation of the body of that same Pharaoh of Moses’ time 10:90-92:"This day We shall save you in your body so that you may be a sign for those that come after you". The body was discovered in the tomb of Amenhotep II in 1898. [2,12]
The resting place of Noah’s Ark
The Bible states that "And the Ark rested... upon the mountains of Ararat." Genesis 8:4. According to the Holy Qur’an (11:44): "The Ark came to rest upon Al-Judi." According to recent evidence from an archaeological find in Eastern Turkey, experts believe they may have discovered the remains of an ancient vessel whose dimensions mirror those of Noah’s Ark as told in the Bible. However, the discovery was made on Al-Judi! [10,11]
The Holy Qur’an:- God’s final Guidance to Mankind
"How could a man, from being illiterate, become the most important author in terms of literary merits in the whole of Arabic literature? How could he the pronounce facts of a scientific nature that no other human being could have possibly known at that time, and all this, without once making the slightest error in his pronouncement on the subject?" (Dr. Maurice Bucaille).
In light of this, many scientists and intellectuals who have discovered Islam readily embraced it due to the scientific miracles which they found abundant throughout its texts.
Likewise, the Qur’an is the only Book that claims to be Divinely Revealed that has been preserved in its original form. It has a supernatural eloquence and language which has been unmatched by any poet or writer in the history of mankind. It is free from any inconsistencies or contradictions. Its wisdom of its rulings and laws makes it impossible for it to be the invention of any man, whether he is an illiterate Arab, or a knowledgeable scholar of the 7th century. Indeed:
“(This is) the truth from your Lord. So be you not one of those who doubt.” [The Qur’an 2:147]
Conclusion
And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam (submission to God), it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers. [The Qur’an 3:85]
The matter is a serious one. Are you going to live your life in accordance with the will of your Creator? Or are you going to live your life aimlessly, constantly pursuing your desires and heedless of your overall purpose? It is a matter of Paradise and Hell-Fire.
“Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account.” [The Qur’an 3:19]
And All Praise and Thanks is due to Allaah, the Lord of all creation. And Peace and blessings be upon His Slave and Messenger Muhammad.
1: Allaah is the Arabic word for God.
Evolution or Creation
From: http://scienceislam.com/evolution_creation.php
HOME MIRACLES GOODIES VIDEOS AUDIOS
Proof from Science Evolution? Creation? "Big Bang" - BUSTED! Quran: Comments by Top Scientists Science: Contributions from Islam Astrolabe
For the Muslim there is no need for separation between religion and science. It is understood from the Quran, revealed over 1,400 years ago, that there is both; "Creation" and "Evolution." And in both instances, it is only Allah who is "Able to do all things." In fact, it was the Muslim scientists, more than 1,000 years ago, who set the stage for the advancement of learning, technology and disciplines in science that we know today.Allah has explained how He created everything in the universe and brought all life out of water. He created humans from earth (not monkeys) and there is no need to attempt fabrications of "links" to the animal world in Islam.The Christian Bible says that Adam & Eve were both created here on Earth, less than 10,000 years ago. The Quran says that Adam & Eve were created in Heaven, and NOT on Earth. When they disobeyed God, He expelled them from Heaven, down to Earth. Muslims believe that souls are assigned to humans 40 days after the human inception. The Quran says that angels retrieve human souls on two occasions. One occasion is when humans die. The other occasion is every time humans fall asleep. When humans wakeup, the angels release those souls back to them:
It is Allah that takes the souls (of men) at death; and those that did not die, during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back, but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed. Verily in this are Signs for those who reflect.
[Noble Quran 39:42]
And Allah has Created every animal from water; of them are some creeping on their bellies; some walk on two legs; and some on four. Allah Creates what He wills: for sure Allah has Power over all things.
[Noble Quran 24:45]The Quran has set a precedent 14 centuries before modern science, explaining in simple and direct terms about his "creation" of animals and their various functions and then assures us it is He who has the Power over everything. This statement includes the fact Allah can if He Wills, reshape and alter his creation as He Chooses. There is clear evidence within many species of alteration and changes within the species. However, there is no concrete evidence to support a cross over in development from one type to another, such as reptiles turning into birds or alligators turning into cows. The statements made in Quran are quite clear when Allah tells us of having brought forth other life forms and then destroying or replacing them with others. This again, does not imply evolution in the sense of one type becoming or changing into another.Allah tells us He is Al-Bari, (The Shaper or Evolver) but once again, this does not mean He has a need to bring about each individual life form all from one kind. Actually, while reading the Quran you learn He has brought many types and shapes and sizes as He Wills. Changes within species occur even as quickly as one or two seasons, not even taking a whole year, much less millions as was supposed by Darwin.Speaking of Charles Darwin, he was only an armature naturalist and had only observed the finches (birds) on the Galapagos Islands for the first time in the mid 1850s. He noticed that on each island the birds had different shaped beaks according to the type of food available on their particular island. For this reason, he assumed, the birds had progressed over millions of years and only the hardiest of the species had survived the climate and vegetation changes. However, this is totally inaccurate and was dismissed as a mere humor in a TV series on the educational channel in October of 1998. According to the scientists’ discoveries in that very same year, the effects of the weather phenomenon known as El Nino, the climate on these same exact islands had drastically changed in a single year within a number of months. And to their surprise, the eggs of the finches on each island hatched open producing birds with beaks already altered to accommodate the changes of their environment.The commentator even said this shoots Darwin's theory completely down and he laughed.There is no DNA research pointing to a connection between apes and humans as was supposed by the scientists and those who had financed them over the years. In fact, the barnyard pig is closer to humans in many aspects, than a monkey or a gorilla. Consider the fact, doctors use the skin from pigs to replace needed tissue on burn victims and the famous movie actor, John Wayne had a pig's heart valve installed in his own heart in a 1977 operation to save his life. It worked, too - until his smoking caused him to die of cancer.The rational approach to the whole subject is rather simple. Just as He is able to Create the universe and bring forth life, it is simple also for Him to produce as many different types of forms of life as He Wills. No problem for Him, after all - He is the Creator and He is the Shaper. And most important, He can change anything as He Wills - even today.
HOME MIRACLES GOODIES VIDEOS AUDIOS
Proof from Science Evolution? Creation? "Big Bang" - BUSTED! Quran: Comments by Top Scientists Science: Contributions from Islam Astrolabe
For the Muslim there is no need for separation between religion and science. It is understood from the Quran, revealed over 1,400 years ago, that there is both; "Creation" and "Evolution." And in both instances, it is only Allah who is "Able to do all things." In fact, it was the Muslim scientists, more than 1,000 years ago, who set the stage for the advancement of learning, technology and disciplines in science that we know today.Allah has explained how He created everything in the universe and brought all life out of water. He created humans from earth (not monkeys) and there is no need to attempt fabrications of "links" to the animal world in Islam.The Christian Bible says that Adam & Eve were both created here on Earth, less than 10,000 years ago. The Quran says that Adam & Eve were created in Heaven, and NOT on Earth. When they disobeyed God, He expelled them from Heaven, down to Earth. Muslims believe that souls are assigned to humans 40 days after the human inception. The Quran says that angels retrieve human souls on two occasions. One occasion is when humans die. The other occasion is every time humans fall asleep. When humans wakeup, the angels release those souls back to them:
It is Allah that takes the souls (of men) at death; and those that did not die, during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back, but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed. Verily in this are Signs for those who reflect.
[Noble Quran 39:42]
And Allah has Created every animal from water; of them are some creeping on their bellies; some walk on two legs; and some on four. Allah Creates what He wills: for sure Allah has Power over all things.
[Noble Quran 24:45]The Quran has set a precedent 14 centuries before modern science, explaining in simple and direct terms about his "creation" of animals and their various functions and then assures us it is He who has the Power over everything. This statement includes the fact Allah can if He Wills, reshape and alter his creation as He Chooses. There is clear evidence within many species of alteration and changes within the species. However, there is no concrete evidence to support a cross over in development from one type to another, such as reptiles turning into birds or alligators turning into cows. The statements made in Quran are quite clear when Allah tells us of having brought forth other life forms and then destroying or replacing them with others. This again, does not imply evolution in the sense of one type becoming or changing into another.Allah tells us He is Al-Bari, (The Shaper or Evolver) but once again, this does not mean He has a need to bring about each individual life form all from one kind. Actually, while reading the Quran you learn He has brought many types and shapes and sizes as He Wills. Changes within species occur even as quickly as one or two seasons, not even taking a whole year, much less millions as was supposed by Darwin.Speaking of Charles Darwin, he was only an armature naturalist and had only observed the finches (birds) on the Galapagos Islands for the first time in the mid 1850s. He noticed that on each island the birds had different shaped beaks according to the type of food available on their particular island. For this reason, he assumed, the birds had progressed over millions of years and only the hardiest of the species had survived the climate and vegetation changes. However, this is totally inaccurate and was dismissed as a mere humor in a TV series on the educational channel in October of 1998. According to the scientists’ discoveries in that very same year, the effects of the weather phenomenon known as El Nino, the climate on these same exact islands had drastically changed in a single year within a number of months. And to their surprise, the eggs of the finches on each island hatched open producing birds with beaks already altered to accommodate the changes of their environment.The commentator even said this shoots Darwin's theory completely down and he laughed.There is no DNA research pointing to a connection between apes and humans as was supposed by the scientists and those who had financed them over the years. In fact, the barnyard pig is closer to humans in many aspects, than a monkey or a gorilla. Consider the fact, doctors use the skin from pigs to replace needed tissue on burn victims and the famous movie actor, John Wayne had a pig's heart valve installed in his own heart in a 1977 operation to save his life. It worked, too - until his smoking caused him to die of cancer.The rational approach to the whole subject is rather simple. Just as He is able to Create the universe and bring forth life, it is simple also for Him to produce as many different types of forms of life as He Wills. No problem for Him, after all - He is the Creator and He is the Shaper. And most important, He can change anything as He Wills - even today.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Fortunetelling (part 1 of 3)
From: http://www.islamreligion.com/
By Dr. Bilal Philips
There are among mankind, people who claim knowledge of the unseen and the future. They are known by various names, among them: fortune-teller, soothsayer, foreseer, augur, magician, prognosticator, oracle, astrologer, palmist, etc. Fortune-tellers use various methods and mediums from which they claim to extract their information, among them: reading tea-leaves, drawing lines, writing numbers, palm-reading, casting horoscopes, crystal ball gazing, rattling bones, throwing sticks, etc.
Practitioners of occult arts, which claim to reveal the unseen and predict the future, can be divided into two main categories:
1. Those who have no real knowledge or secrets but depend on telling their customers about general incidences which happen to most people. They often go through a series of meaningless rituals, then make calculatedly general guesses. Some of their guesses, due to their generality, usually come true. Most people tend to remember the few predictions that come true and quickly forget the many which do not. This tendency is a result of the fact that after some time all the predictions tend to become half-forgotten thoughts in the subconscious until something happens to trigger their recall. For example, it has become a common practice in North America to publish, at the beginning of each year the various predictions of famous fortune-tellers. When a survey was taken of the various predictions for the year 1980, it was found that the most accurate fortune-teller among them was only 24% accurate in her predictions!
2. The second group are those who have made contact with the Jinn. This group is of most importance because it usually involves the grave sin of Shirk, and those involved often tend to be highly accurate in their information and thus present a real Fitnah (temptations) for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
World of the Jinn
Some people have attempted to deny the reality of the Jinn about whom the Quran has devoted a whole chapter, Soorah al-Jinn (Chapter 72). By relying on the literal meaning of the word Jinn which comes from the verb Janna, Yajunnu: “to cover, hide or conceal”, they claim that the word Jinn really refers to “clever foreigners”. Others have even stated that a Jinn is a human who does not have a true mind in his head but he has a fiery nature. But, the reality is that the Jinn represent another creation of God, which co-exists with man on the earth. God created the Jinn before He created mankind, and He also used a different set of elements than those used for man. God said:
“Verily we created man from dried clay, from black putrid mud. And we created the Jinn before that from a fiery wind.” (Quran 15:26)
They were named Jinn because they are hidden from the eyes of mankind. Iblees (Satan) is from the world of the Jinn, even though he was among the angels when they were commanded by God to prostrate to Adam. When he refused to prostrate and was asked why, God said:
“He said, ‘I am better than he is. You (God) created me from fire and You created him from clay!” (Quran 38:76)
Aisha reported that the Prophet, may the mercy of God be upon him, said, “The angels were created from light and the Jinn from smokeless fire.” (Saheeh Muslim)
God also said,
“And when We told the angels to prostrate to Adam, they all prostrated except Iblees. He was of the Jinn.” (Quran 18:50)
Therefore it is incorrect to consider him a fallen angel or the like.
The Jinn may first be divided into three broad categories in relation to their modes of existence. The Prophet said:
“There are three types of Jinn: One type which flies in the air all the time, another type which exists as snakes and dogs, and an earthbound type which resides in one place or wanders about.” (At-Tabaree and al-Haakim)
The Jinn may be further divided into two categories in relationship to their faith: Muslims (believers) and Kaafirs (disbelievers). God refers to the believing Jinn in Soorah al-Jinn as follows:
“Say: It has been revealed to me that a group of Jinn listened and said, ‘Verily we have heard a marvellous Quran. It guides unto righteousness so we have believed in it. And, we will never make partners with our Lord. He, may our Lord’s glory be exalted, has not taken a wife nor a son. What the foolish ones among us used to say about God is a horrible lie.” (Quran 72:1-4)
“And there are among us Muslims and others who are unjust. Whoever accepts Islam has sought out the right path. As for those who are unjust, they will be fuel for the Hell fire.” (Quran 72:14)
The disbelievers among the Jinn are referred to by various names in both Arabic and English: Ifreet, Shaytaan, Qareen, demons, devils, spirits, ghosts, etc. They try to misguide man in various ways. Whoever listens to them and becomes a worker for them is referred to as human Shaytaan (devil).
God said:
“Likewise, we have made for every Prophet an enemy, Shaytaans from among mankind and the Jinn.” (Quran 6:112)
Every human has an individual Jinn accompanying him referred to as a Qareen (i.e. companion). This is a part of man’s test in this life. The Jinn encourage his lower desires and constantly try to divert him from righteousness. The Prophet referred to this relationship as follows,
“Everyone of you has been assigned a companion from the Jinn.” The Sahaabah asked, “Even you, O Messenger of God?” And the Prophet replied, “Even me, except that God has helped me against him and he has submitted. Now he only tells me to do good.”(Saheeh Muslim)
Prophet Sulaymaan (Solomon) was given miraculous control over the Jinn, as a sign of his prophethood. God said: “And, we gathered for Sulaymaan his army from the Jinn, mankind and the birds.” (Quran 27:17) and they were all kept in order and ranks.
But this power was not given to anyone else. No one else is allowed to control the Jinn and no one can. The Prophet said, “Verily an Ifr-eeit from among the Jinn spat on me last night trying to break my Salaah. However God let me overpower him and I wanted to tie him to one of the columns in the masjid so that you all could see him in the morning. Then, I remembered my brother Sulaymaan’s prayer: ‘Oh my Lord, forgive me and bestow on me a kingdom not allowed to anyone after me.’ (Quran 38:35)[1]
Footnotes:
[1] Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim
Blogger Comment:
The two supernatural beings that visited humans were Angels and Jinns. The angels visited particularly prophets and Jinns other humans. Angels are created from light and Jinns from fire. Both Angels and jinns live in a dimension that different from ours. But they can live or transform that we will be able to see them. Angels know the future that God allowed them to know. Like the Angels that came to Abraham to tell him about a son that will be born from him and Sara, and the Angels that gave the glad tidings of the birth of the messiah to Mary. Jinn know some of the future by listening and spying on the angels. However they may get some of the knowledge and mix it with some lies. Muhammad like Salmon had the Jinn also visited him but Salmon had them under his service. Some of the Christians tried to say that Muhammad was visited by a Jinn and not the angel of the holy spirit Gabriel. Muslims believe strongly he was Gabriel the angel of inspiration since the Quran is far highly reverent to be a book inspired by Satan or one of his offspring. If you watch the history channel you find some people think the Jinn and the Angels are just UFO and no God but UFO's who created us from their genes and come to visit us every now and then. For religious people our spiritual lives are real and we can feel it and there is God there. Prophecies of true religions comes true, there is no way that UFO would know the future since the power of someone to know that a prophet will come in certain time and people would recognize him or things that will happen and precisely occur in the future. Prophecies attest to a power that know more than advancement in science a higher being that knows every move in every particle in the world that would end by a seen that can be unseen to all of us including UFO's until it unfolds.
By Dr. Bilal Philips
There are among mankind, people who claim knowledge of the unseen and the future. They are known by various names, among them: fortune-teller, soothsayer, foreseer, augur, magician, prognosticator, oracle, astrologer, palmist, etc. Fortune-tellers use various methods and mediums from which they claim to extract their information, among them: reading tea-leaves, drawing lines, writing numbers, palm-reading, casting horoscopes, crystal ball gazing, rattling bones, throwing sticks, etc.
Practitioners of occult arts, which claim to reveal the unseen and predict the future, can be divided into two main categories:
1. Those who have no real knowledge or secrets but depend on telling their customers about general incidences which happen to most people. They often go through a series of meaningless rituals, then make calculatedly general guesses. Some of their guesses, due to their generality, usually come true. Most people tend to remember the few predictions that come true and quickly forget the many which do not. This tendency is a result of the fact that after some time all the predictions tend to become half-forgotten thoughts in the subconscious until something happens to trigger their recall. For example, it has become a common practice in North America to publish, at the beginning of each year the various predictions of famous fortune-tellers. When a survey was taken of the various predictions for the year 1980, it was found that the most accurate fortune-teller among them was only 24% accurate in her predictions!
2. The second group are those who have made contact with the Jinn. This group is of most importance because it usually involves the grave sin of Shirk, and those involved often tend to be highly accurate in their information and thus present a real Fitnah (temptations) for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
World of the Jinn
Some people have attempted to deny the reality of the Jinn about whom the Quran has devoted a whole chapter, Soorah al-Jinn (Chapter 72). By relying on the literal meaning of the word Jinn which comes from the verb Janna, Yajunnu: “to cover, hide or conceal”, they claim that the word Jinn really refers to “clever foreigners”. Others have even stated that a Jinn is a human who does not have a true mind in his head but he has a fiery nature. But, the reality is that the Jinn represent another creation of God, which co-exists with man on the earth. God created the Jinn before He created mankind, and He also used a different set of elements than those used for man. God said:
“Verily we created man from dried clay, from black putrid mud. And we created the Jinn before that from a fiery wind.” (Quran 15:26)
They were named Jinn because they are hidden from the eyes of mankind. Iblees (Satan) is from the world of the Jinn, even though he was among the angels when they were commanded by God to prostrate to Adam. When he refused to prostrate and was asked why, God said:
“He said, ‘I am better than he is. You (God) created me from fire and You created him from clay!” (Quran 38:76)
Aisha reported that the Prophet, may the mercy of God be upon him, said, “The angels were created from light and the Jinn from smokeless fire.” (Saheeh Muslim)
God also said,
“And when We told the angels to prostrate to Adam, they all prostrated except Iblees. He was of the Jinn.” (Quran 18:50)
Therefore it is incorrect to consider him a fallen angel or the like.
The Jinn may first be divided into three broad categories in relation to their modes of existence. The Prophet said:
“There are three types of Jinn: One type which flies in the air all the time, another type which exists as snakes and dogs, and an earthbound type which resides in one place or wanders about.” (At-Tabaree and al-Haakim)
The Jinn may be further divided into two categories in relationship to their faith: Muslims (believers) and Kaafirs (disbelievers). God refers to the believing Jinn in Soorah al-Jinn as follows:
“Say: It has been revealed to me that a group of Jinn listened and said, ‘Verily we have heard a marvellous Quran. It guides unto righteousness so we have believed in it. And, we will never make partners with our Lord. He, may our Lord’s glory be exalted, has not taken a wife nor a son. What the foolish ones among us used to say about God is a horrible lie.” (Quran 72:1-4)
“And there are among us Muslims and others who are unjust. Whoever accepts Islam has sought out the right path. As for those who are unjust, they will be fuel for the Hell fire.” (Quran 72:14)
The disbelievers among the Jinn are referred to by various names in both Arabic and English: Ifreet, Shaytaan, Qareen, demons, devils, spirits, ghosts, etc. They try to misguide man in various ways. Whoever listens to them and becomes a worker for them is referred to as human Shaytaan (devil).
God said:
“Likewise, we have made for every Prophet an enemy, Shaytaans from among mankind and the Jinn.” (Quran 6:112)
Every human has an individual Jinn accompanying him referred to as a Qareen (i.e. companion). This is a part of man’s test in this life. The Jinn encourage his lower desires and constantly try to divert him from righteousness. The Prophet referred to this relationship as follows,
“Everyone of you has been assigned a companion from the Jinn.” The Sahaabah asked, “Even you, O Messenger of God?” And the Prophet replied, “Even me, except that God has helped me against him and he has submitted. Now he only tells me to do good.”(Saheeh Muslim)
Prophet Sulaymaan (Solomon) was given miraculous control over the Jinn, as a sign of his prophethood. God said: “And, we gathered for Sulaymaan his army from the Jinn, mankind and the birds.” (Quran 27:17) and they were all kept in order and ranks.
But this power was not given to anyone else. No one else is allowed to control the Jinn and no one can. The Prophet said, “Verily an Ifr-eeit from among the Jinn spat on me last night trying to break my Salaah. However God let me overpower him and I wanted to tie him to one of the columns in the masjid so that you all could see him in the morning. Then, I remembered my brother Sulaymaan’s prayer: ‘Oh my Lord, forgive me and bestow on me a kingdom not allowed to anyone after me.’ (Quran 38:35)[1]
Footnotes:
[1] Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim
Blogger Comment:
The two supernatural beings that visited humans were Angels and Jinns. The angels visited particularly prophets and Jinns other humans. Angels are created from light and Jinns from fire. Both Angels and jinns live in a dimension that different from ours. But they can live or transform that we will be able to see them. Angels know the future that God allowed them to know. Like the Angels that came to Abraham to tell him about a son that will be born from him and Sara, and the Angels that gave the glad tidings of the birth of the messiah to Mary. Jinn know some of the future by listening and spying on the angels. However they may get some of the knowledge and mix it with some lies. Muhammad like Salmon had the Jinn also visited him but Salmon had them under his service. Some of the Christians tried to say that Muhammad was visited by a Jinn and not the angel of the holy spirit Gabriel. Muslims believe strongly he was Gabriel the angel of inspiration since the Quran is far highly reverent to be a book inspired by Satan or one of his offspring. If you watch the history channel you find some people think the Jinn and the Angels are just UFO and no God but UFO's who created us from their genes and come to visit us every now and then. For religious people our spiritual lives are real and we can feel it and there is God there. Prophecies of true religions comes true, there is no way that UFO would know the future since the power of someone to know that a prophet will come in certain time and people would recognize him or things that will happen and precisely occur in the future. Prophecies attest to a power that know more than advancement in science a higher being that knows every move in every particle in the world that would end by a seen that can be unseen to all of us including UFO's until it unfolds.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
The secret Wall Street bailout
From: www.islamicity.com
By: Danny Schechter
Go, Wall Street, Go!Never mind the rise in unemployment and foreclosures. Never mind the folks waiting to know if they will get the benefits they need before they are cut off. Never mind the growing gap between rich and poor, and the rapid spread of poverty. (Did you know that inequality in the US is at the highest level of any industrialised country?)Does any of this matter?The idea of equality as a social goal is apparently passŽ. Christmas has a special meaning on Wall Street: It's bonus time.Just five too big to fail bankster companies have stashed $90 billion for payouts to prized employees. They know that the beat on The Street is fading, so it seems to be take the money and run time.
Incidentally, that "bonus pool" will rise with end of the year earnings.Right now, the greedsters have a PR problem - how to transfer all this wealth from the banks to themselves with the lowest possible tax rate and the lowest degree of bad publicity. They also will try to focus the media on supporting their right to such over the top rewards and "incentives" in the name, of course, of fostering an economic recovery.Selling your soul for a sixpenceYes, it is a cynical exercise but no more blatant that the successful campaign to extend the Bush tax cuts for millionaires. The mantra is simple: to those who have, more should be given. So say the faux populists of the Tea Party and their Republican benefactors. So say the Democrats in the interest of compromise and getting some unemployment benefits to workers even at an unacceptable cost.Who will remind the American people that many of these banks are only here to pay because the government - our government - bailed them out and, then, the Federal Reserve Bank pumped trillions in low-interest loans into their coffers.
Can we count on the media to point this out, to make the connection clear about the many government subsidies behind the gigantic payouts that are on the way to companies lobbying against government programs? Don't count on it.Last Sunday, the television programme 60 Minutes sat down with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, they asked him about the bonuses. The Fed head had nothing to say about that. He just wanted to praise his own efforts to save the financial system.The language that never lies If you watched his body language you could see that his stab at optimism was forced. He admitted it will be at least five years - if that - before more jobs come back. He seemed depressed perhaps because he didn't want to tell us we are in a depression. His past track record as a forecaster has been flawed to a fault. That was not noted.As is common these days on the networks, no criticisms or contrary concerns integrated into this world-shaking interview. There was no comment from Bernie Sanders who challenged the Fed's admission of a "jaw-dropping" injection of trillions into banks here and abroad. There wasn't even a response from libertarians like Ron Paul who was also horrified.So much for reporting.David Degraw of Amped Status says the recent Fed disclosures were shocking."Just when I thought the banksters couldn't possibly shock me anymore... they did. We were finally granted the honour and privilege of finding out the specifics, a limited one-time Federal Reserve view, of a secret taxpayer funded 'backdoor bailout' by a small group of unelected bankers. This data release reveals 'emergency lending programs' that doled out $12.3 trillion in taxpayer money - $3.3 trillion in liquidity, $9 trillion in 'other financial arrangements.' Wait, what? Did you say $12.3 trillion tax dollars were thrown around in secrecy by unelected bankers... and Congress didn't know any of the details!?"
Of course not!Wall Street: master of puppets The myth that the media continues to truck in, is that somehow the Congress and the President are in charge of the economy. They aren't. Wall Street and the corporate world are clearly running the show, with little restraint so far, effective oversight or regulation.Back to Degraw: "The Federal Reserve was secretly throwing around our money in unprecedented fashion, and it wasn't just to the usual suspects like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Citigroup, Bank of America, etc.; it was to the entire Global Banking Cartel. To central banks throughout the world: Australia, Denmark, Japan, Mexico, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, England... To the Fed's foreign primary dealers like Credit Suisse (Switzerland), Deutsche Bank (Germany), Royal Bank of Scotland (UK), Barclays (UK), BNP Paribas (France)... All their Ponzi players were 'gifted.' All the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations got their cut."Degraw continues: "If you still had any question as to whether or not the United States is now the world's preeminent banana republic, the final verdict was just delivered and the decision was unanimous.
The ayes have it.... I've been arguing for years that the market is rigged and that the major Wall Street firms are elaborate Ponzi schemes, as have many other people who built their beliefs on rational thought, reasoned logic and evidence. We already came to this conclusion by doing the research and connecting the dots."Where does this leave us? Is there any hope?In search of a 'scape goat'The critics of the Fed see little: There are some related developments underway that could shake things up. The Bernie Madoff ponzi probers are targeting banks including HSBC that went along with his $65 bn dollar fraud. A Swiss bank has already admitted it was complicit. The FDIC is investigating officials from banks that failed. Bank of America just coughed up millions for financing an illicit bond scheme.At the same time, the "Justice Department" has mounted an investigation into insider trading. They say there are 343 criminal investigations underway but none against big players. ProRublica writes: "Everyone is wondering: Where are the investigations related to the financial crisis?"John Hueston, a former lead Enron prosecutor, wonders: "Have they committed the resources in the right place? ... Nobody from Lehman, Merrill Lynch or Citigroup has been charged criminally with anything."At the same time, WikiLeaks is promising new revelations about financial chicanery at a major US bank that many suspect is Bank of America. On the housing front, many class action suits and investigations by state officials are challenging major fraudclosures. The crimes of Wall Street may yet do the bonus babies in. There is still a slim chance that, as the economy gets worse, the people of this country will finally get to see through the haze and the BS and act. Neither the Democrats nor the Repugnicans seem to have any fresh ideas.It's up to us to break through our own illusions to fight the plunder of our country and world. We need to call for a jailout, not a bailout. of financial criminals - a full investigation followed by the prosecution of wrong doers. We need a campaign for economic justice.If you are as disgusted by all this, as I am, it's time to act. Will we? Will you?
*****
Danny Schechter edits www.Mediachannel.org He directed Plunder The Crime of Our Time, a film on DVD about the financial crisis as a crime story. (Plunderthecrimeofourtime.com)
By: Danny Schechter
Go, Wall Street, Go!Never mind the rise in unemployment and foreclosures. Never mind the folks waiting to know if they will get the benefits they need before they are cut off. Never mind the growing gap between rich and poor, and the rapid spread of poverty. (Did you know that inequality in the US is at the highest level of any industrialised country?)Does any of this matter?The idea of equality as a social goal is apparently passŽ. Christmas has a special meaning on Wall Street: It's bonus time.Just five too big to fail bankster companies have stashed $90 billion for payouts to prized employees. They know that the beat on The Street is fading, so it seems to be take the money and run time.
Incidentally, that "bonus pool" will rise with end of the year earnings.Right now, the greedsters have a PR problem - how to transfer all this wealth from the banks to themselves with the lowest possible tax rate and the lowest degree of bad publicity. They also will try to focus the media on supporting their right to such over the top rewards and "incentives" in the name, of course, of fostering an economic recovery.Selling your soul for a sixpenceYes, it is a cynical exercise but no more blatant that the successful campaign to extend the Bush tax cuts for millionaires. The mantra is simple: to those who have, more should be given. So say the faux populists of the Tea Party and their Republican benefactors. So say the Democrats in the interest of compromise and getting some unemployment benefits to workers even at an unacceptable cost.Who will remind the American people that many of these banks are only here to pay because the government - our government - bailed them out and, then, the Federal Reserve Bank pumped trillions in low-interest loans into their coffers.
Can we count on the media to point this out, to make the connection clear about the many government subsidies behind the gigantic payouts that are on the way to companies lobbying against government programs? Don't count on it.Last Sunday, the television programme 60 Minutes sat down with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, they asked him about the bonuses. The Fed head had nothing to say about that. He just wanted to praise his own efforts to save the financial system.The language that never lies If you watched his body language you could see that his stab at optimism was forced. He admitted it will be at least five years - if that - before more jobs come back. He seemed depressed perhaps because he didn't want to tell us we are in a depression. His past track record as a forecaster has been flawed to a fault. That was not noted.As is common these days on the networks, no criticisms or contrary concerns integrated into this world-shaking interview. There was no comment from Bernie Sanders who challenged the Fed's admission of a "jaw-dropping" injection of trillions into banks here and abroad. There wasn't even a response from libertarians like Ron Paul who was also horrified.So much for reporting.David Degraw of Amped Status says the recent Fed disclosures were shocking."Just when I thought the banksters couldn't possibly shock me anymore... they did. We were finally granted the honour and privilege of finding out the specifics, a limited one-time Federal Reserve view, of a secret taxpayer funded 'backdoor bailout' by a small group of unelected bankers. This data release reveals 'emergency lending programs' that doled out $12.3 trillion in taxpayer money - $3.3 trillion in liquidity, $9 trillion in 'other financial arrangements.' Wait, what? Did you say $12.3 trillion tax dollars were thrown around in secrecy by unelected bankers... and Congress didn't know any of the details!?"
Of course not!Wall Street: master of puppets The myth that the media continues to truck in, is that somehow the Congress and the President are in charge of the economy. They aren't. Wall Street and the corporate world are clearly running the show, with little restraint so far, effective oversight or regulation.Back to Degraw: "The Federal Reserve was secretly throwing around our money in unprecedented fashion, and it wasn't just to the usual suspects like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Citigroup, Bank of America, etc.; it was to the entire Global Banking Cartel. To central banks throughout the world: Australia, Denmark, Japan, Mexico, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, England... To the Fed's foreign primary dealers like Credit Suisse (Switzerland), Deutsche Bank (Germany), Royal Bank of Scotland (UK), Barclays (UK), BNP Paribas (France)... All their Ponzi players were 'gifted.' All the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations got their cut."Degraw continues: "If you still had any question as to whether or not the United States is now the world's preeminent banana republic, the final verdict was just delivered and the decision was unanimous.
The ayes have it.... I've been arguing for years that the market is rigged and that the major Wall Street firms are elaborate Ponzi schemes, as have many other people who built their beliefs on rational thought, reasoned logic and evidence. We already came to this conclusion by doing the research and connecting the dots."Where does this leave us? Is there any hope?In search of a 'scape goat'The critics of the Fed see little: There are some related developments underway that could shake things up. The Bernie Madoff ponzi probers are targeting banks including HSBC that went along with his $65 bn dollar fraud. A Swiss bank has already admitted it was complicit. The FDIC is investigating officials from banks that failed. Bank of America just coughed up millions for financing an illicit bond scheme.At the same time, the "Justice Department" has mounted an investigation into insider trading. They say there are 343 criminal investigations underway but none against big players. ProRublica writes: "Everyone is wondering: Where are the investigations related to the financial crisis?"John Hueston, a former lead Enron prosecutor, wonders: "Have they committed the resources in the right place? ... Nobody from Lehman, Merrill Lynch or Citigroup has been charged criminally with anything."At the same time, WikiLeaks is promising new revelations about financial chicanery at a major US bank that many suspect is Bank of America. On the housing front, many class action suits and investigations by state officials are challenging major fraudclosures. The crimes of Wall Street may yet do the bonus babies in. There is still a slim chance that, as the economy gets worse, the people of this country will finally get to see through the haze and the BS and act. Neither the Democrats nor the Repugnicans seem to have any fresh ideas.It's up to us to break through our own illusions to fight the plunder of our country and world. We need to call for a jailout, not a bailout. of financial criminals - a full investigation followed by the prosecution of wrong doers. We need a campaign for economic justice.If you are as disgusted by all this, as I am, it's time to act. Will we? Will you?
*****
Danny Schechter edits www.Mediachannel.org He directed Plunder The Crime of Our Time, a film on DVD about the financial crisis as a crime story. (Plunderthecrimeofourtime.com)
Al Jazzera: The fake Qatar Media outlet
وضاح خنفر: شبكة الجزيرة لا تحمل أجندة سياسية (الجزيرة)دحض المدير العام لـشبكة الجزيرة وضاح خنفر ما جاء في تسريبات الخارجية الأميركية التي كشفها موقع ويكيليكس، وقال إن المزاعم بأن قطر تستخدم الجزيرة أداة لسياستها الخارجية عارية عن الصحة، مؤكدا استقلالية القناة عن أي أجندة سياسية.
وقال إن مثل تلك المزاعم "لم تعد تفاجئنا"، ولا سيما أن مذكرة للرئيس الأميركي السابق جورج بوش ورئيس الوزراء البريطاني السابق توني بلير كشفت في ديسمبر/كانون الثاني 2005 عن نية قصف مقر الجزيرة في قطر الذي يضم أكثر من ألف موظف.
وأكد خنفر -في مقال بصحيفة ذي غارديان- أن مسربي تلك المذكرة أودعوا السجن، وتبين "لي من مسؤول أميركي أن مباحثات بهذا الشأن تمت بالفعل".
كما أن مكاتب الجزيرة في أفغانستان والعراق –يقول خنفر- تعرضت قبل ذلك للقصف من قبل أميركا في محاولة للمس باستقرار القناة، غير أن ذلك "لم يردعنا عن المضي في مهمتنا القائمة على شعار الرأي والرأي الآخر".
وتابع أن الدبلوماسيين –رغم أن شيئا من ذلك لا يمت إلى الحقيقة بصلة- أحرار فيما يقولون، ولكن لا يمكن للتأويلات أن تحل محل التحليل والحقيقة، فقد ركزوا على مصدر التمويل دون العمل الصحفي في محاولة لتشويه صورة العمل.
وقال إن الأحكام التي صدرت في التسريبات عارية عن الصحة، منها تأكيدها أننا "خففنا من وقع التغطية الصحفية للسعودية والانتخابات الإيرانية بسبب ضغوط سياسية"، مشيرا إلى أن متابعة التغطيات لتلك الأحداث تظهر حقيقة الأمر، "فنحن صحفيون ولسنا سياسيين، ولا نعمل بأجندة سياسية تجاه أو ضد أي أحد".
وانتقد بعض وسائل الإعلام التي لم تضع تلك المزاعم في سياقها الطبيعي، منها صحيفة ذي غارديان التي ذهبت أكثر من ذلك وأساءت فهم تصريح رئيس الوزراء الشيخ حمد بن جاسم بن جبر آل ثاني وعززت الزعم المغلوط بأن الجزيرة "ورقة مساومة".
"خنفر: الذين يمارسون الضغوط على الجزيرة يسعون إلى نزع الشرعية عن عمل صحفيين متفانين عرضوا حياتهم للخطر"الشرق الأوسطوأوضح أن من يفهم الشرق الأوسط يعلم بأن تغطية الجزيرة ليست عائقا أمام إحلال السلام الدائم في المنطقة، مشيرا إلى أن التحليل والمعرفة العميقة بالمنطقة تشكل أساسا في قراءة التسريبات، وإلا فإن الصحافة ستكون مجرد أداة غير فعالة أخرى لمراكز القوى.
وأشار خنفر إلى أن المنطقة تضم أكثر الحكومات قمعا في العالم حيث تكمم الأفواه ويودع الصحفيون في السجون وتبدو فيها الحريات المدنية نادرة، وهذه المزاعم بافتقارنا للاستقلالية لم تعد تفاجئنا.
وأكد أن الشبكة اتخذت كافة الإجراءات لحماية النزاهة التحريرية رغم الترويع من قبل الحكومات والأنظمة، مشيرا إلى أن العديد من صحفيي الجزيرة منعوا من العمل في بعض البلاد وسجنوا وتعرضوا للتعذيب والقتل، وإغلاق مكاتب الجزيرة في دول على علاقة طيبة مع قطر.
ولمأسسة الاستقلالية، يقول خنفر، "عمدنا إلى التنوع في جنسية الموظفين، فالجزيرة تضم أكثر من خمسين جنسية دون أن تطغى واحدة على الأخرى".
وبشأن علاقة الجزيرة بقطر، أوضح المدير العام للشبكة أن رئيس الوزراء ينتقد الجزيرة علنا ويعبر عن ما تسببه للبلاد من إزعاج، مؤكدا أن الأسئلة القاسية والمعايير الصحفية تطبق على المسؤولين القطريين كما تطبق على غيرهم.
وانتقد خنفر نأي المسؤولين الأميركيين بأنفسهم عن تحليلات الجزيرة التي كانت –لو استمعوا لها- ستساعدهم في فهم المنطقة وتجنبهم ارتكاب أخطائهم سواء في العراق أو أفغانستان.
وختم بأن الذين يمارسون الضغوط على الجزيرة يسعون إلى نزع الشرعية عن عمل صحفيين متفانين عرضوا حياتهم للخطر. وقال إن مشاهدينا يعتمدون علينا ولن نتأثر بضغوط الأنظمة أو الدول أو الإعلام أو مراكز القوى الأخرى، معربا عن ثقته بمهمة الصحفيين.
السعودية
بل العكس الجزيرة تستخدم القناة لأهداف قطر السياسة ، اي دولة تكون علاقاتها سيئة مع قطر كل سيئة في تلك الدولة تنشر في الجزيرة، وبعد ما تصبح العلاقات جيدة على العكس تماما ومثال على ذلك مع حصل مع السعودية.
مصطفى-
السلام عليكم هده حقيقة لن تعترف بها الجزيرة كما لم تعترف بأنها صاحبة ازدواجية في التعامل مع الدول العربية و هدا واضح من تغطيتها لأخبار بعض الدول( المغرب العربي ) و تجاهلها عن قصد لأخبار دول أخرى ( خليجية و خاصة قطر) أنا من متتبعي قناة الجزيرة منذ مدة و بالتأكيد هناك تحول كبيير في اتجاهها و سيؤدي بها هدا التحول الى سقوط لن ينفع معه شيء بعد دلك
Blogger Comment:
Really, why we should believe you. You worked against the invasion of Iraq because most of the tyrants in the area including Qatar would not work for them to have the tyrants Saddam removed from power. Looking at your articles of Al Jazzera it never touch Qatar at any level. Qatar is one of the wicked regime in the area. They play the game of having Al Jazzera as a voice of semi-democracy that does not touch Qatar and meantime present Qatar as most of the liberal of the Arab tyrants. Just tell to the Muslim and Arabs people why did you not accept to have me in your television or newspaper to talk about my health plan that is a miracle to America and all the world because you took instructions from the Qatar fake regime not to allow me to do so. Since they think I am Al Mahdi Al Muntazer. I tried several times to e-mail them and no response. F--- you I mean have a good night.
Please read my heath plan and distribute copies to all Muslims you know to know why the west and the Arab tyrants do not want you to know about me. As you will notice they putting my website under the microscpe and control how many people visit which look about the same 100 daily or so. They want you to know that I am under the microscope. I will tell you other things they tried to do to me in the right time.
http://books.google.com/books?id=FzJ3NtHcpFYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=maged+taman&source=bl&ots=ycbzb_U2CK&sig=lNsjkrSh2ts0jopMuk8JpU9bo3k&hl=en&ei=7mwETZWjJo2qngff_KzlDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAzgK#v=onepage&q&f=false
America and the tyrants, 2: Obama Al Muntazer
كتب مراسل صحيفة "الجارديان" البريطانية في القاهرة جاك شينكر مقالا عن تجربته في تغطية الإنتخابات البرلمانية المصرية، والتي وصفها بأنها مسرحية هزلية ألفتها النخبة السياسية المصرية.
واستعرض شينكر تحليله لنتائج الإنتخابات التي جعلت 97% من مقاعد البرلمان تقع تحت سيطرة الحزب الوطني الحاكم، وهو ما اعتبره مراسل الصحيفة البريطانية في مقاله رسالة تحذير ذات دلالة لا يمكن الاستخفاف بها وهي أن النظام لن يلتفت إلى أي شئ سوى ضمان بقاءه في السلطة.
كما اتهم شينكر في مقاله حلفاء مصر الغربيين بأنهم لا يرغبون في وجود ديمقراطية حقيقية في مصر، إلا أنهم في الوقت نفسه سيجدون أنفسهم مجبرون للبحث عن جدوى من الإحتفاظ بالعلاقة الوثيقة مع نظام مبارك.
نص المقال
كانت تغطية الإنتخابات البرلمانية المصرية هذا الأسبوع تجربة سريالية، فعلى سبيل المثال قام مسئولو الأمن بقطع الكهرباء عن أحد لجان التصويت لمنعنا من رؤية صناديق الانتخاب الممتلئة، ليقوم مرشحو المعارضة باشعال شموع كي نجد طريقنا وسط الظلام.
وفي اليوم التالي للإنتخابات، قام المراقبون من جمعيات المجتمع المدني ونشطاء حقوق الإنسان والصحفيين بسرد الكثير من الأمثلة على أعمال العنف الفاضحة، بدءا من شراء الأصوات وحتى تخويف رجال الأمن للناخبين، ويمكن الشعور أنه مع استخدام عبارات مثل "مخالفات" قد يضفي على تلك الإنتخابات قدرا من الشرعية الزائفة لتلك المسرحية، إلا أنه في الحقيقة يمكن القول أن تلك المخالفات تمت وفقاً نظام محدد.
ومشكورة، كثفت اللجنة العليا للإنتخابات في ذلك الصباح عملها بالتركيز على إزالة أي غموض حول ما اذا كانت البلاد تشهد عملية ديمقراطية حقيقية أم لا. وباعلان نتيجة الجولة الأولى التي أظهرت فوز الحزب الوطني الحاكم بـ97% من مقاعد البرلمان تاركا جماعة الإخوان التي كانت تشكل أكبر قوة معارضة في البرلمان السابق بلا أية مقاعد، خرج المتحدث باسم اللجنة العليا لإخبارنا أن العملية الإنتخابية برمتها قد تمت بشكل سليم، وأن النتائج تعكس رغبة الناخب المصري. في القاهرة، يمكن إطلاق الهراء عبر وجه جاد.
لقد رفعت عنا كلمة المتحدث الرسمي عبء التظاهر بأن ما حدث يوم الأحد الماضي، وسيتكرر نهاية الاسبوع في جولة الإعادة- يشكل شئ ما يشبه الانتخابات، وبدلا من ذلك، فان الوصف الأفضل لما جرى يوم الأحد هو أنه عمل مسرحي من تأليف النخبة السياسية المصرية (ليس بالضرورة عمل فني رائع) وتم اختيار الأداء المسرحي بشكل لا يتفق مع رغبة الجمهور، إذا يصبح السؤال هو " إلام يهدف هذا الأداء، ولماذا؟".
مع اقتراب العقود الثلاثة التي حكم الرئيس مبارك فيها مصر من نهايتها، يواجه المتشبثون بالنظام المصري الذي نجح في تخليد نفسه عاما من التقلبات السياسية، حيث يتنافس المطلعون على شؤون الحزب الداخلية من خلال المناورات على الدخول إلى منطقة الوريث الطبيعي.
وتُظهر ممارسات الأحد الماضي قدرا من الديناميكيات التي يعتمد عليها هذا السباق، على الرغم من رصد عدة مشاهد تكشف وجود منافسة داخلية في الحزب. ذلك لأن الصراع الداخلي للحصول على ترشيح الحزب الوطني للبرلمان لا يزال محدوداً ، حيث يبحث رجال الأعمال عن دعم وتعزيز مكانتهم ومصالحهم من خلال البرلمان الذي يمنح حصانة قانونية، والمرور إلى مناطق رفيعة في الدولة، وبالتالي فان ذلك التنافس لا يعكس انقساماً وانشقاقا حقيقياً داخل الحزب الحاكم.
فالحزب باق بالتاكيد، وهم يوجهون تركيزهم الآن حيث تتم صناعة القرارات حول ما اذا كان يجب ترشيح مبارك لست سنوات أخرى عندما يحل موعد الإنتخابات الرئاسية، بينما يواجه ابنه جمال شكوك عسكرية خفية راسخة حول قدرته على القفز إلى حذاء والده.
إلا أن هذا العرض يهدف إلى شئ آخر، فهو يهدف إلى ارسال رسالة مفادها أن الإنتقال من فرعون لآخر سيتم من خلال هذا الحكم الفردي، حيث يتم إبعاد جميع الأصوات الأخرى.
إن دلالة هذه الرسالة في وقت تشهد فيه أكبر دولة عربية من حيث عدد السكان ثوران في النشاط العمالي، واحتجاجات شعبية متقطعة ، إلى جانب انفجار في منتديات المعارضة على الرغم من الجهود الحكومية لإخصاء الإعلام المستقل، دلالة لا يمكن الاستخفاف بها. إنها انذار للمصريين بأنه لن يكون هناك أي وسيلة للتعبير عن التظلم والتشكي، كما أنه لن يكون هناك حتى صمامات يمكنها إخراج الضغط الموجود داخل من هم خارج قدس الأقداس، بحيث لا يمكنهم التحدث والمشاركة في تحديد المسار الذي ستسلكه مصر، وكما قال شادي حميد في مركز بروكنز "النظام ليس في حالة مزاجية تسمح له بالمخاطرة ببقائه في الوقت الذي نستعد فيه لدخول مرحلة ستكون من أكثر المراحل تحديا في تاريخ مصر الحديث".
فعلى المدى القصير، يعني ذلك أن مصر التي شكلها مبارك كما يريد ستستمر وتبقى، حيث تستخدم الأدوات الأمنية الممولة من المساعدات الخارجية لتحجيم وإطفاء المعارضة بعيدا عن القانون، وحيث تُقاد موارد الدولة الطبيعية إلى من يسيئ استغلاها.
أما على المدى الطويل فان هذا يعني عدم اليقين. ففي الأمس خرج مسؤول بارز في جماعة الإخوان المسلمين ليقول إن الحكومة تحطم أي أمل لدى الشعب باحداث تغيير بالطرق السلمية".
وتتجه كل العيون إلى واشنطن، حيث بدأت الخارجية الأمريكية العزف لمبارك على وتر المليار و300 مليون دولار سنويا.
وكما استنتج حميد فان إصرار النظام المصري على عدم الاستعداد لوجود معارضة في الإنتخابات الرئاسية تضع إدارة أوباما في وضع صعب، خاصة مع اتجاه عدد من دول المنطقة مثل الأردن والمغرب والبحرين في الإتجاه المعاكس، حيث يعملون على خلق أشكالاً أكثر براعة وتهذباً لنظام الحكم المتسلط.
وبدون ارتكاب أية أخطاء، فانه ليس هناك رغبة لدى حلفاء مصر الغربيين في وجود ديمقراطية حقيقية في مصر، ولكي تستطيع فهم لأي مدى يؤيد "المجتمع الدولي" قمع أي معارض من شأنه التأثير على قبضة مبارك، ما عليك سوى التحدث لأحد ضحايا التعذيب في أقسام الشرطة في الاسكندرية، حيث يتعرض أولئك لضربات معذبيهم بينما تكبل أيديهم بالأصفاد الأمريكية.
ولكن مثل تلك الممارسات ذات الصوت المرتفع والعنيدة تمثل مشكلة بالنسبة لمؤيدوا الدكتاتور، كما أن من شانها أن تزيل القشور التي تغطي المظهر الحقيقي كما يمكنها أن تسبب في ظهور مشاكل مستقبلية لا يمكن تصورها.
ويعتقد حميد أن نتائج مسرحية الأحد ستجبر دوائر السياسة الغربية على فتح نقاش عن مدى جدوى البقاء بالقرب من مبارك. يقول حميد "بدء دق نواقيس الخطر، وستجبر نتائج الإنتخابات نقاش ما على الظهور بغض النظر عن النتائج التي ستفرزها تلك النقاشات".
ولكن القصة الحقيقية للتحول السياسي في مصر يجب كتابتها في مكان آخر، بعيداً عن دهاليز الدبلوماسية الغربية، وبعيدا عن تلك النخبة التي لا تهتم إلا ببقاءها ومصالحها والتي سيطرت على مصر على مدى جيل كامل. لقد تم رفع الستار، ولم تبدأ الدراما إلا الآن.
Blogger Comment:
The world is governed by a wealthy families and dynasties. Democracy is good when wars are waged for oil and geopolitical interests and dictatorship is great when it achieves the goals of the empires. Obama is another emperor work for the rich and corrupt. A change we were waiting for, ask Ralph Nader he will tell you what it is all about. The silent about in justices is a silent devil. They stole my passport from my own apartment so I do not go in the middle east and stand against the tyrants. A kind of democracy and love in liberty of Obama Al Muntazer. Who will help the Arab and Muslims but give him time so he can finish Jihadists first. Take a notice he is not Muslim and his father was not a Muslim. For Muslims do not deceive yourself they will give you false hope so you shout up and wait for false hopes that will never materialize. The only way to our freedom is Jihad against our tyrants they stayed in power by force and they will be only eliminated by force.
واستعرض شينكر تحليله لنتائج الإنتخابات التي جعلت 97% من مقاعد البرلمان تقع تحت سيطرة الحزب الوطني الحاكم، وهو ما اعتبره مراسل الصحيفة البريطانية في مقاله رسالة تحذير ذات دلالة لا يمكن الاستخفاف بها وهي أن النظام لن يلتفت إلى أي شئ سوى ضمان بقاءه في السلطة.
كما اتهم شينكر في مقاله حلفاء مصر الغربيين بأنهم لا يرغبون في وجود ديمقراطية حقيقية في مصر، إلا أنهم في الوقت نفسه سيجدون أنفسهم مجبرون للبحث عن جدوى من الإحتفاظ بالعلاقة الوثيقة مع نظام مبارك.
نص المقال
كانت تغطية الإنتخابات البرلمانية المصرية هذا الأسبوع تجربة سريالية، فعلى سبيل المثال قام مسئولو الأمن بقطع الكهرباء عن أحد لجان التصويت لمنعنا من رؤية صناديق الانتخاب الممتلئة، ليقوم مرشحو المعارضة باشعال شموع كي نجد طريقنا وسط الظلام.
وفي اليوم التالي للإنتخابات، قام المراقبون من جمعيات المجتمع المدني ونشطاء حقوق الإنسان والصحفيين بسرد الكثير من الأمثلة على أعمال العنف الفاضحة، بدءا من شراء الأصوات وحتى تخويف رجال الأمن للناخبين، ويمكن الشعور أنه مع استخدام عبارات مثل "مخالفات" قد يضفي على تلك الإنتخابات قدرا من الشرعية الزائفة لتلك المسرحية، إلا أنه في الحقيقة يمكن القول أن تلك المخالفات تمت وفقاً نظام محدد.
ومشكورة، كثفت اللجنة العليا للإنتخابات في ذلك الصباح عملها بالتركيز على إزالة أي غموض حول ما اذا كانت البلاد تشهد عملية ديمقراطية حقيقية أم لا. وباعلان نتيجة الجولة الأولى التي أظهرت فوز الحزب الوطني الحاكم بـ97% من مقاعد البرلمان تاركا جماعة الإخوان التي كانت تشكل أكبر قوة معارضة في البرلمان السابق بلا أية مقاعد، خرج المتحدث باسم اللجنة العليا لإخبارنا أن العملية الإنتخابية برمتها قد تمت بشكل سليم، وأن النتائج تعكس رغبة الناخب المصري. في القاهرة، يمكن إطلاق الهراء عبر وجه جاد.
لقد رفعت عنا كلمة المتحدث الرسمي عبء التظاهر بأن ما حدث يوم الأحد الماضي، وسيتكرر نهاية الاسبوع في جولة الإعادة- يشكل شئ ما يشبه الانتخابات، وبدلا من ذلك، فان الوصف الأفضل لما جرى يوم الأحد هو أنه عمل مسرحي من تأليف النخبة السياسية المصرية (ليس بالضرورة عمل فني رائع) وتم اختيار الأداء المسرحي بشكل لا يتفق مع رغبة الجمهور، إذا يصبح السؤال هو " إلام يهدف هذا الأداء، ولماذا؟".
مع اقتراب العقود الثلاثة التي حكم الرئيس مبارك فيها مصر من نهايتها، يواجه المتشبثون بالنظام المصري الذي نجح في تخليد نفسه عاما من التقلبات السياسية، حيث يتنافس المطلعون على شؤون الحزب الداخلية من خلال المناورات على الدخول إلى منطقة الوريث الطبيعي.
وتُظهر ممارسات الأحد الماضي قدرا من الديناميكيات التي يعتمد عليها هذا السباق، على الرغم من رصد عدة مشاهد تكشف وجود منافسة داخلية في الحزب. ذلك لأن الصراع الداخلي للحصول على ترشيح الحزب الوطني للبرلمان لا يزال محدوداً ، حيث يبحث رجال الأعمال عن دعم وتعزيز مكانتهم ومصالحهم من خلال البرلمان الذي يمنح حصانة قانونية، والمرور إلى مناطق رفيعة في الدولة، وبالتالي فان ذلك التنافس لا يعكس انقساماً وانشقاقا حقيقياً داخل الحزب الحاكم.
فالحزب باق بالتاكيد، وهم يوجهون تركيزهم الآن حيث تتم صناعة القرارات حول ما اذا كان يجب ترشيح مبارك لست سنوات أخرى عندما يحل موعد الإنتخابات الرئاسية، بينما يواجه ابنه جمال شكوك عسكرية خفية راسخة حول قدرته على القفز إلى حذاء والده.
إلا أن هذا العرض يهدف إلى شئ آخر، فهو يهدف إلى ارسال رسالة مفادها أن الإنتقال من فرعون لآخر سيتم من خلال هذا الحكم الفردي، حيث يتم إبعاد جميع الأصوات الأخرى.
إن دلالة هذه الرسالة في وقت تشهد فيه أكبر دولة عربية من حيث عدد السكان ثوران في النشاط العمالي، واحتجاجات شعبية متقطعة ، إلى جانب انفجار في منتديات المعارضة على الرغم من الجهود الحكومية لإخصاء الإعلام المستقل، دلالة لا يمكن الاستخفاف بها. إنها انذار للمصريين بأنه لن يكون هناك أي وسيلة للتعبير عن التظلم والتشكي، كما أنه لن يكون هناك حتى صمامات يمكنها إخراج الضغط الموجود داخل من هم خارج قدس الأقداس، بحيث لا يمكنهم التحدث والمشاركة في تحديد المسار الذي ستسلكه مصر، وكما قال شادي حميد في مركز بروكنز "النظام ليس في حالة مزاجية تسمح له بالمخاطرة ببقائه في الوقت الذي نستعد فيه لدخول مرحلة ستكون من أكثر المراحل تحديا في تاريخ مصر الحديث".
فعلى المدى القصير، يعني ذلك أن مصر التي شكلها مبارك كما يريد ستستمر وتبقى، حيث تستخدم الأدوات الأمنية الممولة من المساعدات الخارجية لتحجيم وإطفاء المعارضة بعيدا عن القانون، وحيث تُقاد موارد الدولة الطبيعية إلى من يسيئ استغلاها.
أما على المدى الطويل فان هذا يعني عدم اليقين. ففي الأمس خرج مسؤول بارز في جماعة الإخوان المسلمين ليقول إن الحكومة تحطم أي أمل لدى الشعب باحداث تغيير بالطرق السلمية".
وتتجه كل العيون إلى واشنطن، حيث بدأت الخارجية الأمريكية العزف لمبارك على وتر المليار و300 مليون دولار سنويا.
وكما استنتج حميد فان إصرار النظام المصري على عدم الاستعداد لوجود معارضة في الإنتخابات الرئاسية تضع إدارة أوباما في وضع صعب، خاصة مع اتجاه عدد من دول المنطقة مثل الأردن والمغرب والبحرين في الإتجاه المعاكس، حيث يعملون على خلق أشكالاً أكثر براعة وتهذباً لنظام الحكم المتسلط.
وبدون ارتكاب أية أخطاء، فانه ليس هناك رغبة لدى حلفاء مصر الغربيين في وجود ديمقراطية حقيقية في مصر، ولكي تستطيع فهم لأي مدى يؤيد "المجتمع الدولي" قمع أي معارض من شأنه التأثير على قبضة مبارك، ما عليك سوى التحدث لأحد ضحايا التعذيب في أقسام الشرطة في الاسكندرية، حيث يتعرض أولئك لضربات معذبيهم بينما تكبل أيديهم بالأصفاد الأمريكية.
ولكن مثل تلك الممارسات ذات الصوت المرتفع والعنيدة تمثل مشكلة بالنسبة لمؤيدوا الدكتاتور، كما أن من شانها أن تزيل القشور التي تغطي المظهر الحقيقي كما يمكنها أن تسبب في ظهور مشاكل مستقبلية لا يمكن تصورها.
ويعتقد حميد أن نتائج مسرحية الأحد ستجبر دوائر السياسة الغربية على فتح نقاش عن مدى جدوى البقاء بالقرب من مبارك. يقول حميد "بدء دق نواقيس الخطر، وستجبر نتائج الإنتخابات نقاش ما على الظهور بغض النظر عن النتائج التي ستفرزها تلك النقاشات".
ولكن القصة الحقيقية للتحول السياسي في مصر يجب كتابتها في مكان آخر، بعيداً عن دهاليز الدبلوماسية الغربية، وبعيدا عن تلك النخبة التي لا تهتم إلا ببقاءها ومصالحها والتي سيطرت على مصر على مدى جيل كامل. لقد تم رفع الستار، ولم تبدأ الدراما إلا الآن.
Blogger Comment:
The world is governed by a wealthy families and dynasties. Democracy is good when wars are waged for oil and geopolitical interests and dictatorship is great when it achieves the goals of the empires. Obama is another emperor work for the rich and corrupt. A change we were waiting for, ask Ralph Nader he will tell you what it is all about. The silent about in justices is a silent devil. They stole my passport from my own apartment so I do not go in the middle east and stand against the tyrants. A kind of democracy and love in liberty of Obama Al Muntazer. Who will help the Arab and Muslims but give him time so he can finish Jihadists first. Take a notice he is not Muslim and his father was not a Muslim. For Muslims do not deceive yourself they will give you false hope so you shout up and wait for false hopes that will never materialize. The only way to our freedom is Jihad against our tyrants they stayed in power by force and they will be only eliminated by force.
Friday, December 10, 2010
America and the tyrants.l
الدبلوماسية الأميركية وصفت مبارك بأنه واقعي وحذر بالفطرة (الفرنسية-أرشيف)كشفت وثائق دبلوماسية أميركية سرية نشرها موقع ويكيليكس توقعها تولي الرئيس حسني مبارك فترة ولاية رئاسية سادسة في 2011 واحتمال وفاته وهو رئيس بدلا من تنحيه طوعا عن السلطة.
وجاء الكشف عن ذلك في برقية دبلوماسية أرسلتها سفيرة الولايات المتحدة في القاهرة مارغريت سكوبي إلى وزيرة الخارجية الأميركية هيلاري كلينتون في مايو/أيار 2009.
ونقلت الوثائق أن السفيرة سكوبي توقعت أن يسعى الرئيس مبارك (82 عاما) لإعادة انتخابه العام المقبل قائلة إنه سيفوز "حتما" في انتخابات لن تكون حرة ونزيهة.
ووصفت سكوبي في البرقية السرية التي نشرتها صحيفة الغارديان البريطانية مبارك بأنه "واقعي موثوق وحقيقي وحذر بالفطرة ومحافظ ولديه القليل من الوقت لتحقيق الأهداف المثالية".
وقالت "رغم المناقشات الهامسة المتواصلة لا يوجد أحد في مصر على يقين بمن سيخلف مبارك في نهاية المطاف ولا تحت أي ظروف".
مرشح
وأوضحت أن نجله جمال (46 عاما) يعد "المرشح الأكثر ترجيحا"، مضيفة أن رئيس المخابرات عمر سليمان قد يسعى بدوره للمنصب. وتوقعت أيضا أن يخوض عمرو موسى الأمين العام لجامعة الدول العربية الانتخابات الرئاسية.
ومع ذلك ذكرت سكوبي "يبدو أن نموذج مبارك لزعيم قوي ولكنه عادل سيستبعد" في خلافته مشيرة إلى احتمال تولي جمال مبارك الحكم "مع الوضع في الاعتبار افتقار جمال للخبرة العسكرية، وقد يفسر ذلك عدم تدخل مبارك في مسألة الخلافة".
وأضافت "في الواقع يبدو أنه يضع ثقته في الله والجيش الموجود في كل مكان والخدمات الأمنية المدنية لضمان انتقال سلس للسلطة".
وتتحدث العديد من الأوساط السياسية المصرية أن مبارك الذي يتولى السلطة منذ العام 1981 يسعى لتوريث نجله جمال مقاليدها.
وظهرت البرقية بعد أيام من تحقيق الحزب الوطني الحاكم الذي يتزعمه مبارك فوزا كبيرا في الانتخابات البرلمانية التي نددت بها المعارضة ووصفتها بأنها مزورة.
وتأتي أيضا بعد دعوة رئيس الجمعية الوطنية للتغيير في مصر محمد البرادعي إلى مقاطعة الانتخابات الرئاسية المقررة في العام 2011.
Blogger Comment:
Mubarak is strong and just leader a big joke. He would not have people to elect whatever they like or can change their situation. He is well known corrupt guy and his family. Just, what just, did you visit the people he did imprisoned or the people who was crushed with his brutal police. Most of the guys who control the country for him are from intelligence background. Mubarak iron fist will be broken and people will be liberated. Injustices will not continue forever, read your Bible.
وجاء الكشف عن ذلك في برقية دبلوماسية أرسلتها سفيرة الولايات المتحدة في القاهرة مارغريت سكوبي إلى وزيرة الخارجية الأميركية هيلاري كلينتون في مايو/أيار 2009.
ونقلت الوثائق أن السفيرة سكوبي توقعت أن يسعى الرئيس مبارك (82 عاما) لإعادة انتخابه العام المقبل قائلة إنه سيفوز "حتما" في انتخابات لن تكون حرة ونزيهة.
ووصفت سكوبي في البرقية السرية التي نشرتها صحيفة الغارديان البريطانية مبارك بأنه "واقعي موثوق وحقيقي وحذر بالفطرة ومحافظ ولديه القليل من الوقت لتحقيق الأهداف المثالية".
وقالت "رغم المناقشات الهامسة المتواصلة لا يوجد أحد في مصر على يقين بمن سيخلف مبارك في نهاية المطاف ولا تحت أي ظروف".
مرشح
وأوضحت أن نجله جمال (46 عاما) يعد "المرشح الأكثر ترجيحا"، مضيفة أن رئيس المخابرات عمر سليمان قد يسعى بدوره للمنصب. وتوقعت أيضا أن يخوض عمرو موسى الأمين العام لجامعة الدول العربية الانتخابات الرئاسية.
ومع ذلك ذكرت سكوبي "يبدو أن نموذج مبارك لزعيم قوي ولكنه عادل سيستبعد" في خلافته مشيرة إلى احتمال تولي جمال مبارك الحكم "مع الوضع في الاعتبار افتقار جمال للخبرة العسكرية، وقد يفسر ذلك عدم تدخل مبارك في مسألة الخلافة".
وأضافت "في الواقع يبدو أنه يضع ثقته في الله والجيش الموجود في كل مكان والخدمات الأمنية المدنية لضمان انتقال سلس للسلطة".
وتتحدث العديد من الأوساط السياسية المصرية أن مبارك الذي يتولى السلطة منذ العام 1981 يسعى لتوريث نجله جمال مقاليدها.
وظهرت البرقية بعد أيام من تحقيق الحزب الوطني الحاكم الذي يتزعمه مبارك فوزا كبيرا في الانتخابات البرلمانية التي نددت بها المعارضة ووصفتها بأنها مزورة.
وتأتي أيضا بعد دعوة رئيس الجمعية الوطنية للتغيير في مصر محمد البرادعي إلى مقاطعة الانتخابات الرئاسية المقررة في العام 2011.
Blogger Comment:
Mubarak is strong and just leader a big joke. He would not have people to elect whatever they like or can change their situation. He is well known corrupt guy and his family. Just, what just, did you visit the people he did imprisoned or the people who was crushed with his brutal police. Most of the guys who control the country for him are from intelligence background. Mubarak iron fist will be broken and people will be liberated. Injustices will not continue forever, read your Bible.
Sunday, December 05, 2010
See What Mubarak Newspaper is Saying About the Bush Administration
فضائح جديدة لإدارة بوش بقلم: رجب البنا
كما هو المتوقع, فإن فضائح إدارة الرئيس الأمريكي السابق جورج دبليو بوش يكتشفها العالم يوما بعد يوم, وقد تكفل موقع ويكليكس الالكتروني بالنصيب الأكبر من هذه المهمة, فأزاح ستار السرية الذي كان يخفي الأسرار والفضائح التي كانت إدارة بوش تظن انها ستبقي خافية لعشرات السنين بعد ان تتغير الظروف والأشخاص والمصالح.
لكن موقع ويكليكس كشف الكثير من الأسرار في الدفعة الأولي, فظهر للعالم الوجه الأمريكي القبيح في العراق وأفغانستان, وتبين بالدليل القاطع كذب الادعاء بأن الغزو الأمريكي لهما كان من أجل الديمقراطية ولم يحقق شيئا منها سوي الشكل والمظهر والتصريحات.. ثم تأتي الدفعة الثانية لتضيف ما يفوق التصور عما كان يجري في الخفاء من التصرفات السياسية غير الأخلاقية وتكشف حقيقة ان السياسة الأمريكية تفعل بعيدا عن العيون ما تخجل من إظهاره والتصريح به في العلن, وأن إدارة بوش كانت بوجهين.. وجه يظهر في الخطب والتصريحات يتحدث بلسان الرئيس المؤمن الذي يحيا في المسيح ويعمل لتحقيق رسالة إلهية لإنقاذ الشعوب من القمع والحكم الدكتاتوري وحياة الفقر, ووجه لتدبير المؤامرات والتجسس ودعم الدكتاتوريات.وهذا ما جعل الحكومة الأمريكية في حالة من الهلع والانزعاج لما سيصيب صورة أمريكا وما يمكن أن يصيب الأمن القومي الأمريكي من أضرار, وما يترتب علي كشف الأسرار من حرج للعديد من الدول والقادة, وهذا ماجعلها تهدد صاحب الموقع باتخاذ الاجراءات لمحاكمته ومحاكمة كل من شارك في تسريب هذه الوثائق البالغة السرية.وعبر صاحب الموقع عن شعوره بأن حياته مهددة ولذلك يختفي في مكان غير معلوم, وقد تعرض الموقع للاختراق والتخريب حتي من قبل النشر, ولم يمنع ذلك من تسريب بعض الوثائق الي الصحف العالمية الكبري أشارت الي بعضها, ووصف معلقون اسرائيليون هذه الوثائق بأنها متفجرات سياسية.ومما نشر يتكشف أن الإدارة الأمريكية طلبت التجسس علي السكرتير العام للأمم المتحدة بان كي مون ومساعديه والتجسس أيضا علي مندوبي الدول في المنظمة الدولية, وقامت بنقل المعتقلين لاستجوابهم تحت التعذيب في دول صديقة لأمريكا تمارس التعذيب المحظور في أمريكا وفقا لقوانينها, ومن أخطر ما في هذه الوثائق أن إدارة بوش كانت تجند صحفيين وحقوقيين وناشطين سياسيين وأصحاب مدونات الكترونية وتمدهم بالأموال لتنفيذ مخطط الفوضي الخلاقة في بلادهم, كما تكشف الوثائق عن مواقف وتعهدات بعض قادة الدول بخلاف ما يعلنونه لشعوبهم من آراء ومواقف في القضايا الحساسة مما يدل علي أن إدارة بوش كانت تتعامل مع هؤلاء القادة علي مستويين, مستوي معلن لتغطية الدعايات السياسية ومستوي سري يمثل المواقف الحقيقية, وتكشف الوثائق ايضا ان ادارة بوش زرعت عملاء في العديد من الدول وحتي في اسرائيل وانها تجسست علي حماس والسلطة الفلسطينية, وانها ساعدت انفصاليين اكرادا في العراق للقيام بعمليات عسكرية في تركيا, فضلا عن اضافة ادلة جديدة علي جرائم الحرب الأمريكية في العراق وافغانستان التي تفوق كل ما قيل عنها وبتعليمات من واشنطن وليست تصرفات فردية, وتؤكد الكذب الذي أدمنه بوش حتي آخر لحظة من حكمه حين قام بزيارة مفاجئة للعراق أعلن فيها ان العراقيين يشعرون الآن بنعمة المجتمعات الحرة, وتجاهل التقرير الحكومي الذي نشر قبل ذلك في واشنطن أن ادارة بوش ضالعة في عمليات فساد وتزوير كبري في العراق بما يزيد علي مائة مليار دولار ومنها مبالغ كبيرة مخصصة لإعادة إعمار العراق, وكان هذا التقرير من513 صفحة, ونشرت موجزا له صحيفة نيويورك تايمز وفيه ان الحكومة الأمريكية أنفقت تحت بند الإعمار117 مليار دولار منها50 مليار دولار من أموال دافعي الضرائب في الولايات المتحدة و77 مليار دولار من الأموال العراقية ولم تتجاوز عملية الإعمار ترميم بعض ما دمرته القوات الأمريكية, وان جيمس بيكر كان رئيسا لشركة كارليل وطالب الحكومة العراقية بدفع مليارات العراق كتعويضات عن الخسائر التي لحقت بالشركة نتيجة غزو العراق للكويت وحصل علي عقد يخول لشركته المطالبة بهذه التعويضات مقابل ان يدفع بضعة ملايين!ولايزال الوقت مبكرا للتعرف علي كل ما جاء في وثائق ويكليكس, نظرا لضخامة عددها3 ملايين وثيقة, وصادرة عن السفارات الأمريكية في جميع انحاء العالم, وقد وصف وزير الخارجية الايطالي نشرها بأنها سيؤدي الي زلزال في الدبلوماسية العالمية لا يقل في نتائجه خاصة أن فيها تقارير عن تحليل شخصية عدد كبير من القادة والزعماء, ورأي الإدارة في كل منها وهذه الآراء سيؤدي كشفها الي أزمات سياسية ومشاكل للإدارة والدرس الكبير الذي لابد ان يستوعبه السياسيون بعد ذلك هو عدم جدوي النفاق السياسي, ففي عصر زوال الحدود وسهولة الحصول علي المعلومات وتداولها فإن كل ما هو في الخفاء اليوم سيصبح في العلن غدا.
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كما هو المتوقع, فإن فضائح إدارة الرئيس الأمريكي السابق جورج دبليو بوش يكتشفها العالم يوما بعد يوم, وقد تكفل موقع ويكليكس الالكتروني بالنصيب الأكبر من هذه المهمة, فأزاح ستار السرية الذي كان يخفي الأسرار والفضائح التي كانت إدارة بوش تظن انها ستبقي خافية لعشرات السنين بعد ان تتغير الظروف والأشخاص والمصالح.
لكن موقع ويكليكس كشف الكثير من الأسرار في الدفعة الأولي, فظهر للعالم الوجه الأمريكي القبيح في العراق وأفغانستان, وتبين بالدليل القاطع كذب الادعاء بأن الغزو الأمريكي لهما كان من أجل الديمقراطية ولم يحقق شيئا منها سوي الشكل والمظهر والتصريحات.. ثم تأتي الدفعة الثانية لتضيف ما يفوق التصور عما كان يجري في الخفاء من التصرفات السياسية غير الأخلاقية وتكشف حقيقة ان السياسة الأمريكية تفعل بعيدا عن العيون ما تخجل من إظهاره والتصريح به في العلن, وأن إدارة بوش كانت بوجهين.. وجه يظهر في الخطب والتصريحات يتحدث بلسان الرئيس المؤمن الذي يحيا في المسيح ويعمل لتحقيق رسالة إلهية لإنقاذ الشعوب من القمع والحكم الدكتاتوري وحياة الفقر, ووجه لتدبير المؤامرات والتجسس ودعم الدكتاتوريات.وهذا ما جعل الحكومة الأمريكية في حالة من الهلع والانزعاج لما سيصيب صورة أمريكا وما يمكن أن يصيب الأمن القومي الأمريكي من أضرار, وما يترتب علي كشف الأسرار من حرج للعديد من الدول والقادة, وهذا ماجعلها تهدد صاحب الموقع باتخاذ الاجراءات لمحاكمته ومحاكمة كل من شارك في تسريب هذه الوثائق البالغة السرية.وعبر صاحب الموقع عن شعوره بأن حياته مهددة ولذلك يختفي في مكان غير معلوم, وقد تعرض الموقع للاختراق والتخريب حتي من قبل النشر, ولم يمنع ذلك من تسريب بعض الوثائق الي الصحف العالمية الكبري أشارت الي بعضها, ووصف معلقون اسرائيليون هذه الوثائق بأنها متفجرات سياسية.ومما نشر يتكشف أن الإدارة الأمريكية طلبت التجسس علي السكرتير العام للأمم المتحدة بان كي مون ومساعديه والتجسس أيضا علي مندوبي الدول في المنظمة الدولية, وقامت بنقل المعتقلين لاستجوابهم تحت التعذيب في دول صديقة لأمريكا تمارس التعذيب المحظور في أمريكا وفقا لقوانينها, ومن أخطر ما في هذه الوثائق أن إدارة بوش كانت تجند صحفيين وحقوقيين وناشطين سياسيين وأصحاب مدونات الكترونية وتمدهم بالأموال لتنفيذ مخطط الفوضي الخلاقة في بلادهم, كما تكشف الوثائق عن مواقف وتعهدات بعض قادة الدول بخلاف ما يعلنونه لشعوبهم من آراء ومواقف في القضايا الحساسة مما يدل علي أن إدارة بوش كانت تتعامل مع هؤلاء القادة علي مستويين, مستوي معلن لتغطية الدعايات السياسية ومستوي سري يمثل المواقف الحقيقية, وتكشف الوثائق ايضا ان ادارة بوش زرعت عملاء في العديد من الدول وحتي في اسرائيل وانها تجسست علي حماس والسلطة الفلسطينية, وانها ساعدت انفصاليين اكرادا في العراق للقيام بعمليات عسكرية في تركيا, فضلا عن اضافة ادلة جديدة علي جرائم الحرب الأمريكية في العراق وافغانستان التي تفوق كل ما قيل عنها وبتعليمات من واشنطن وليست تصرفات فردية, وتؤكد الكذب الذي أدمنه بوش حتي آخر لحظة من حكمه حين قام بزيارة مفاجئة للعراق أعلن فيها ان العراقيين يشعرون الآن بنعمة المجتمعات الحرة, وتجاهل التقرير الحكومي الذي نشر قبل ذلك في واشنطن أن ادارة بوش ضالعة في عمليات فساد وتزوير كبري في العراق بما يزيد علي مائة مليار دولار ومنها مبالغ كبيرة مخصصة لإعادة إعمار العراق, وكان هذا التقرير من513 صفحة, ونشرت موجزا له صحيفة نيويورك تايمز وفيه ان الحكومة الأمريكية أنفقت تحت بند الإعمار117 مليار دولار منها50 مليار دولار من أموال دافعي الضرائب في الولايات المتحدة و77 مليار دولار من الأموال العراقية ولم تتجاوز عملية الإعمار ترميم بعض ما دمرته القوات الأمريكية, وان جيمس بيكر كان رئيسا لشركة كارليل وطالب الحكومة العراقية بدفع مليارات العراق كتعويضات عن الخسائر التي لحقت بالشركة نتيجة غزو العراق للكويت وحصل علي عقد يخول لشركته المطالبة بهذه التعويضات مقابل ان يدفع بضعة ملايين!ولايزال الوقت مبكرا للتعرف علي كل ما جاء في وثائق ويكليكس, نظرا لضخامة عددها3 ملايين وثيقة, وصادرة عن السفارات الأمريكية في جميع انحاء العالم, وقد وصف وزير الخارجية الايطالي نشرها بأنها سيؤدي الي زلزال في الدبلوماسية العالمية لا يقل في نتائجه خاصة أن فيها تقارير عن تحليل شخصية عدد كبير من القادة والزعماء, ورأي الإدارة في كل منها وهذه الآراء سيؤدي كشفها الي أزمات سياسية ومشاكل للإدارة والدرس الكبير الذي لابد ان يستوعبه السياسيون بعد ذلك هو عدم جدوي النفاق السياسي, ففي عصر زوال الحدود وسهولة الحصول علي المعلومات وتداولها فإن كل ما هو في الخفاء اليوم سيصبح في العلن غدا.
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"Islam is the Solution"
From: www.islamicity.com
by Uri Avnery
(Saturday, December 4, 2010)
"In Turkey, the Ataturk revolution is now threatened by the upsurge of a rejuvenated Islam. In Israel, the new Hebrew nation is under siege by a fundamentalist, aggressive Judaism. All over the Arab world, the situation is worse....To put it bluntly: secular nationalism has not delivered. It has brought no real independence, no freedom, no economic and technological breakthrough."
First, an apology: I am not going to write about the Wikileaks.
I like gossip as much as the next (wo)man. The leaks provide a lot of it, interspersed with some real information.
But there is nothing really new there. The information only confirms what any intelligent person could have worked out already. If there is anything new, it’s exactly this confirmation: the world is really managed the way we thought it was. How depressing.
Four hundred years ago, Sir Henry Wotton, a British diplomat, observed that “An ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the good of his country.” Since then, nothing has changed except that the ambassador has been joined by the ambassadress. So it is quite refreshing to listen to what they say in secret messages home, when they don’t have to lie.
That said, let’s move on to more important things.
THIS WEEK’S ELECTIONS in Egypt, for example.
Years ago, the story goes that a Soviet citizen went to the polling station on election-day and was handed a sealed envelope to put into the ballot box.
“Aren’t I allowed to see who I am voting for?” he asked.
“Of course not!” the stern-faced official retorted indignantly, “In our Soviet Union, the elections are secret!”
This could not happen in Egypt. First of all, because Egyptians are a very humorous people. If told that their elections were secret, they would burst out laughing.
Second, because they so obviously are not.
On one of my visits to Anwar Sadat’s Cairo, I had the chance to witness an election day. It was a jolly occasion, more a medieval carnival than a solemn fulfillment of democratic duty. Everybody was happy.
Visiting a polling station in a village near the Giza pyramids, I was struck by this atmosphere of jolly cynicism. No one even pretended that it was serious. Good-humored soldiers guarding the locale volunteered to help old women in choosing the right ballot and putting it in the envelope.
I am not sure whether this good humor has been retained under the Mubarak regime, but the results are the same. Media editors, all appointed by the government, prevent any criticism of the government. Opposition activists are arrested well before election day (if they are not in prison already). The government party is a sorry joke. No one seriously pretends that the country is anything but a dictatorship. The upper classes like it that way, not only out of fondness for their privileges but also out of a genuine fear that under democracy, their country would elect a fundamentalist religious regime, with burqas and all.
ALL OVER the Arab world, this is a real dilemma. Free elections would bring fundamentalists to power.
During the last century, secular nationalism was in vogue. In many Arab countries, nationalist movements sprang up. Their model was the great Ataturk – a revolutionary renovator as no other. He suppressed Islam, forbade the fez for men and the hijab for women, replaced the Arabic with the Latin script, fostered Turkish nationalism instead of the Ottoman Islamism.
This, by the way, was a model for many of us, who aspired to replace the Jewish religion and Zionist pseudo-nationalism with a healthy Hebrew territorial secular nationalism. The son of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, the renovator of the modern Hebrew language, also proposed replacing the Hebrew script with a Latin one.
In Turkey, the Ataturk revolution is now threatened by the upsurge of a rejuvenated Islam. In Israel, the new Hebrew nation is under siege by a fundamentalist, aggressive Judaism. All over the Arab world, the situation is worse.
To put it bluntly: secular nationalism has not delivered. It has brought no real independence, no freedom, no economic and technological breakthrough.
In the economic sphere, no Arab country has succeeded in doing what has been done by Japan, South Korea and even Malaysia, and what is being done now by China and India. The successful Israeli example is near at hand and increases the frustration.
The dream of a secular pan-Arab union, as envisioned by Gamal Abd-al-Nasser and the original Ba’athists, is in tatters. So is the dream of Arab independence. Almost all Arab countries are backward American clients and dance to the American tune. A whole generation of Arab leaders has spectacularly failed.
The most recent example was Yasser Arafat. He created a Palestinian national movement that was proud of its non-sectarianism. Christian Arabs played a significant role in the Palestine Liberation Organization. George Habash was a Christian physician from Ramallah, the Christian Hanan Ashrawi is one of the most articulate Palestinian spokespersons.
Arafat himself was a practicing Muslim. Often, even in private conversations, he would excuse himself, disappear for a few minutes and return unobtrusively, while his assistants would whisper to us that the Ra’is was praying. Yet he never tired of assuring everyone that the future State of Palestine would be free of any religious domination.
As long as he was alive, political Islam remained a minor influence, and not because of any repressive measures.
ALL THIS is history. The Sunni Hamas (“Islamic Resistance Movement”) and the Shiite Hezbollah (“Party of God”) are becoming the models for masses of young people all over the Arab world.
One of the major reasons for this is Palestine.
If Arafat had succeeded in founding the free and sovereign State of Palestine, the texture of Arab politics would have changed, not only in Palestine itself but in all Arab countries.
The rise of Hamas in Palestine is a direct result of this failure. Secular Palestinian nationalism has been given a try, and has failed. The Islamic revolutionaries are appealing to a people deprived of all national and human rights, with no alternative in sight.
As the Wikileaks show (here I go, mentioning them after all) not one single Arab regime gives a damn about the Palestinians. That is nothing new – indeed, Arafat created his movement, Fatah (‘Palestinian Liberation Movement”), in order to liberate the Palestinians, first of all, from the cynical Arab regimes, all of which exploited the “Palestinian Cause” for their own ends.
But the depth of cynicism revealed in these conversations between Arab potentates and their American masters borders on outright betrayal. This will increase the already massive frustration not only in Palestine, but in all Arab countries. Any young Egyptian, Jordanian, Saudi or Bahraini (to mention only a few) must be acutely aware that his country is led by a small group for whom the preservation of their personal power and privileges is vastly more important than the holy cause of Palestine.
This is a deeply humiliating insight. It may not produce immediate results, but when hundreds of millions of people feel humiliated, the effects are foreseeable. The older generation may be used to this situation. But for young people, especially proud Arabs, it is intolerable.
I am very sensitive to this kind of feeling, because at the age of 15 I felt the same and joined the “terrorist” Irgun (“National Military Organization”). I just could not stand the sight of my leaders kowtowing before the British rulers of my country. Putting myself in the shoes of a young Arab of similar age now in Jeddah, Alexandria or Aleppo, I can just imagine what he feels. Even Ehud Barak, that veteran Arab-fighter, once said that if he were a young Palestinian, he would join a terrorist organization.
Sooner or later, the situation will explode – first in one country, then in many. The fate of the Shah of Iran should be remembered by those who speak – in secret documents – about the “Iranian Hitler” who is on the verge of obtaining a nuclear bomb.
THE FRUSTRATION about Palestine is the immediate cause of this humiliation, being manifest for all to see, but the feeling itself goes beyond one single cause.
Secular nationalism has signally failed the Arabs. Communism has never taken root in the Islamic world, being by its very nature inimical to the basic tenets of Islam. Capitalism, while attractive to some, has also failed to solve any of the basic problems of the Arab world.
The Islamic revolutionary movement in its many forms promises a viable alternative. It is no fluke that the Egyptian dictatorship forbids the use of the slogan “Islam is the Solution” – the simple and effective slogan that unites the Islamic opposition in all the countries. There is a gaping vacuum in the Arab world, with no one there to fill it – except Islamism.
FOR THE US, this is a huge challenge. Obama seemed to have perceived it, before he was swallowed – head and body – by the American political routine.
Everybody seems to be talking about the Decline of the American Empire. It’s all the rage. What’s happening in the Arab world may accelerate or slow this process. The creation of a sovereign, free and viable State of Palestine – with the electrifying effect this would have throughout the Arab region, indeed the entire Islamic world - would slow it considerably.
Judging from these leaks, this seems very far from the minds of American statesmen and stateswomen, such as they are.
For Israel, the outlook is even grimmer. The prospect of a fundamentalist Arab world, with a completely new and popular set of leaders, surrounding us on all sides, with the power of America (and its Jewish lobby) declining ever more, is a frightening prospect indeed.
If I were responsible for Israel at this moment, I would worry about this much more than about the Iranian bomb.
Fortunately, this is not an inescapable danger. Israeli policy can do a lot to avert it. Unfortunately, we are doing the exact opposite.
To those who chant “Islam is the Solution”, our answer should be: “A just Peace is the Solution”.
Blogger comment:
When Sadat went to Israel with great dignity to his nation and respect to the Israeli and their leaders he made his case strong that the other side has to move. They moved and they had agreement that respected by the two nations for over 25 years. The Arab tyrants at that time scolded Sadat and even incited people to kill him. What they did was nothing they had the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as their ever lasting plan to continue distract their people from their rights for just and truly chosen governments by their people. In secrecy they support America and Israel and publicly attack them through their media. The outcome is good for them to continue to hold on their chairs forever to them and their families. No doubt there is blame to America and Israel but most of the blame on the Arab themselves. We can not work through America to change our situation. We have to change our destiny and stand one hand. We should not be part of war on terror or take sides we just ignore both sides. Let us have plan to remove our tyrants join me in my face book an start the discussion. Do not be scared of the tyrants. Ask Qaddafi to publicly renounce me as Al Mahdi Al Muntazer and I will give it one more thought. In Israel a lot of moderates want to have ever lasting peace with Arabs. Secular tyrants were more damaging to Israel than a moderate Islamic guy like Sadat. Democracy was not 100% in Sadat time but at least 70% with people able to breath and at least they knew their leader cared about them.
by Uri Avnery
(Saturday, December 4, 2010)
"In Turkey, the Ataturk revolution is now threatened by the upsurge of a rejuvenated Islam. In Israel, the new Hebrew nation is under siege by a fundamentalist, aggressive Judaism. All over the Arab world, the situation is worse....To put it bluntly: secular nationalism has not delivered. It has brought no real independence, no freedom, no economic and technological breakthrough."
First, an apology: I am not going to write about the Wikileaks.
I like gossip as much as the next (wo)man. The leaks provide a lot of it, interspersed with some real information.
But there is nothing really new there. The information only confirms what any intelligent person could have worked out already. If there is anything new, it’s exactly this confirmation: the world is really managed the way we thought it was. How depressing.
Four hundred years ago, Sir Henry Wotton, a British diplomat, observed that “An ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the good of his country.” Since then, nothing has changed except that the ambassador has been joined by the ambassadress. So it is quite refreshing to listen to what they say in secret messages home, when they don’t have to lie.
That said, let’s move on to more important things.
THIS WEEK’S ELECTIONS in Egypt, for example.
Years ago, the story goes that a Soviet citizen went to the polling station on election-day and was handed a sealed envelope to put into the ballot box.
“Aren’t I allowed to see who I am voting for?” he asked.
“Of course not!” the stern-faced official retorted indignantly, “In our Soviet Union, the elections are secret!”
This could not happen in Egypt. First of all, because Egyptians are a very humorous people. If told that their elections were secret, they would burst out laughing.
Second, because they so obviously are not.
On one of my visits to Anwar Sadat’s Cairo, I had the chance to witness an election day. It was a jolly occasion, more a medieval carnival than a solemn fulfillment of democratic duty. Everybody was happy.
Visiting a polling station in a village near the Giza pyramids, I was struck by this atmosphere of jolly cynicism. No one even pretended that it was serious. Good-humored soldiers guarding the locale volunteered to help old women in choosing the right ballot and putting it in the envelope.
I am not sure whether this good humor has been retained under the Mubarak regime, but the results are the same. Media editors, all appointed by the government, prevent any criticism of the government. Opposition activists are arrested well before election day (if they are not in prison already). The government party is a sorry joke. No one seriously pretends that the country is anything but a dictatorship. The upper classes like it that way, not only out of fondness for their privileges but also out of a genuine fear that under democracy, their country would elect a fundamentalist religious regime, with burqas and all.
ALL OVER the Arab world, this is a real dilemma. Free elections would bring fundamentalists to power.
During the last century, secular nationalism was in vogue. In many Arab countries, nationalist movements sprang up. Their model was the great Ataturk – a revolutionary renovator as no other. He suppressed Islam, forbade the fez for men and the hijab for women, replaced the Arabic with the Latin script, fostered Turkish nationalism instead of the Ottoman Islamism.
This, by the way, was a model for many of us, who aspired to replace the Jewish religion and Zionist pseudo-nationalism with a healthy Hebrew territorial secular nationalism. The son of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, the renovator of the modern Hebrew language, also proposed replacing the Hebrew script with a Latin one.
In Turkey, the Ataturk revolution is now threatened by the upsurge of a rejuvenated Islam. In Israel, the new Hebrew nation is under siege by a fundamentalist, aggressive Judaism. All over the Arab world, the situation is worse.
To put it bluntly: secular nationalism has not delivered. It has brought no real independence, no freedom, no economic and technological breakthrough.
In the economic sphere, no Arab country has succeeded in doing what has been done by Japan, South Korea and even Malaysia, and what is being done now by China and India. The successful Israeli example is near at hand and increases the frustration.
The dream of a secular pan-Arab union, as envisioned by Gamal Abd-al-Nasser and the original Ba’athists, is in tatters. So is the dream of Arab independence. Almost all Arab countries are backward American clients and dance to the American tune. A whole generation of Arab leaders has spectacularly failed.
The most recent example was Yasser Arafat. He created a Palestinian national movement that was proud of its non-sectarianism. Christian Arabs played a significant role in the Palestine Liberation Organization. George Habash was a Christian physician from Ramallah, the Christian Hanan Ashrawi is one of the most articulate Palestinian spokespersons.
Arafat himself was a practicing Muslim. Often, even in private conversations, he would excuse himself, disappear for a few minutes and return unobtrusively, while his assistants would whisper to us that the Ra’is was praying. Yet he never tired of assuring everyone that the future State of Palestine would be free of any religious domination.
As long as he was alive, political Islam remained a minor influence, and not because of any repressive measures.
ALL THIS is history. The Sunni Hamas (“Islamic Resistance Movement”) and the Shiite Hezbollah (“Party of God”) are becoming the models for masses of young people all over the Arab world.
One of the major reasons for this is Palestine.
If Arafat had succeeded in founding the free and sovereign State of Palestine, the texture of Arab politics would have changed, not only in Palestine itself but in all Arab countries.
The rise of Hamas in Palestine is a direct result of this failure. Secular Palestinian nationalism has been given a try, and has failed. The Islamic revolutionaries are appealing to a people deprived of all national and human rights, with no alternative in sight.
As the Wikileaks show (here I go, mentioning them after all) not one single Arab regime gives a damn about the Palestinians. That is nothing new – indeed, Arafat created his movement, Fatah (‘Palestinian Liberation Movement”), in order to liberate the Palestinians, first of all, from the cynical Arab regimes, all of which exploited the “Palestinian Cause” for their own ends.
But the depth of cynicism revealed in these conversations between Arab potentates and their American masters borders on outright betrayal. This will increase the already massive frustration not only in Palestine, but in all Arab countries. Any young Egyptian, Jordanian, Saudi or Bahraini (to mention only a few) must be acutely aware that his country is led by a small group for whom the preservation of their personal power and privileges is vastly more important than the holy cause of Palestine.
This is a deeply humiliating insight. It may not produce immediate results, but when hundreds of millions of people feel humiliated, the effects are foreseeable. The older generation may be used to this situation. But for young people, especially proud Arabs, it is intolerable.
I am very sensitive to this kind of feeling, because at the age of 15 I felt the same and joined the “terrorist” Irgun (“National Military Organization”). I just could not stand the sight of my leaders kowtowing before the British rulers of my country. Putting myself in the shoes of a young Arab of similar age now in Jeddah, Alexandria or Aleppo, I can just imagine what he feels. Even Ehud Barak, that veteran Arab-fighter, once said that if he were a young Palestinian, he would join a terrorist organization.
Sooner or later, the situation will explode – first in one country, then in many. The fate of the Shah of Iran should be remembered by those who speak – in secret documents – about the “Iranian Hitler” who is on the verge of obtaining a nuclear bomb.
THE FRUSTRATION about Palestine is the immediate cause of this humiliation, being manifest for all to see, but the feeling itself goes beyond one single cause.
Secular nationalism has signally failed the Arabs. Communism has never taken root in the Islamic world, being by its very nature inimical to the basic tenets of Islam. Capitalism, while attractive to some, has also failed to solve any of the basic problems of the Arab world.
The Islamic revolutionary movement in its many forms promises a viable alternative. It is no fluke that the Egyptian dictatorship forbids the use of the slogan “Islam is the Solution” – the simple and effective slogan that unites the Islamic opposition in all the countries. There is a gaping vacuum in the Arab world, with no one there to fill it – except Islamism.
FOR THE US, this is a huge challenge. Obama seemed to have perceived it, before he was swallowed – head and body – by the American political routine.
Everybody seems to be talking about the Decline of the American Empire. It’s all the rage. What’s happening in the Arab world may accelerate or slow this process. The creation of a sovereign, free and viable State of Palestine – with the electrifying effect this would have throughout the Arab region, indeed the entire Islamic world - would slow it considerably.
Judging from these leaks, this seems very far from the minds of American statesmen and stateswomen, such as they are.
For Israel, the outlook is even grimmer. The prospect of a fundamentalist Arab world, with a completely new and popular set of leaders, surrounding us on all sides, with the power of America (and its Jewish lobby) declining ever more, is a frightening prospect indeed.
If I were responsible for Israel at this moment, I would worry about this much more than about the Iranian bomb.
Fortunately, this is not an inescapable danger. Israeli policy can do a lot to avert it. Unfortunately, we are doing the exact opposite.
To those who chant “Islam is the Solution”, our answer should be: “A just Peace is the Solution”.
Blogger comment:
When Sadat went to Israel with great dignity to his nation and respect to the Israeli and their leaders he made his case strong that the other side has to move. They moved and they had agreement that respected by the two nations for over 25 years. The Arab tyrants at that time scolded Sadat and even incited people to kill him. What they did was nothing they had the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as their ever lasting plan to continue distract their people from their rights for just and truly chosen governments by their people. In secrecy they support America and Israel and publicly attack them through their media. The outcome is good for them to continue to hold on their chairs forever to them and their families. No doubt there is blame to America and Israel but most of the blame on the Arab themselves. We can not work through America to change our situation. We have to change our destiny and stand one hand. We should not be part of war on terror or take sides we just ignore both sides. Let us have plan to remove our tyrants join me in my face book an start the discussion. Do not be scared of the tyrants. Ask Qaddafi to publicly renounce me as Al Mahdi Al Muntazer and I will give it one more thought. In Israel a lot of moderates want to have ever lasting peace with Arabs. Secular tyrants were more damaging to Israel than a moderate Islamic guy like Sadat. Democracy was not 100% in Sadat time but at least 70% with people able to breath and at least they knew their leader cared about them.
The Nature of Revelation?
From: http://www.islamreligion.com/
By The Editorial Team of Dr. Abdurrahman al-Muala (translated by islamtoday.com) -
Revelation is where God imparts whatever knowledge He wills to those whom He chooses to receive it. God gives this knowledge to them in order for them to convey it to whomever else He wishes.
All the Messengers of God experienced revelation. God says:
“Verily, We have sent Revelation to you (O Muhammad) as We have sent Revelation to Noah and the prophets who came after him. We had sent revelation to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Tribes, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon. And to David We gave the Psalms. And Messengers We have told you about before, and Messengers We have not told you about – and to Moses We spoke directly.” (Quran 4:163)
The possibility of divine revelation cannot be denied by anyone who believes in the existence of God and in His omnipotence. God maintains His creation in any manner that pleases Him. The connection between the Creator and his Creation is by way of His Messengers, and these Messengers only know what God wants from them by way of revelation, either directly or indirectly. The rational mind cannot dismiss the possibility of revelation, since nothing is difficult for the all-powerful Creator.
The Nature of Revelation
Revelation is not a personal experience that a Prophet brings forth from within himself. It is not a spiritual state that a person can attain by doing certain meditations or spiritual exercises. Quite the contrary, revelation is a communication between two beings: one that speaks, commands, and gives, and another who is addressed, commanded, and receives. Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him – as with every Prophet – never confused himself with the One who gave the revelation to him. As a human being, he felt his weakness before God, feared God’s wrath if he should disobey, and hoped for God’s mercy.
He sought help from God, submitted to what he was commanded to do, and was on occasion even sternly reprimanded by God. The Prophet admitted his absolute inability to alter even one word of God’s Book. God says:
“And when Our clear signs are recited to them, those who hope not for a meeting with Us say: ‘Bring a Quran other than this or change it.’ Say (O Muhammad): ‘It is not for me to change it of my own accord. I only follow what is revealed to me. I fear, if I were to disobey my Lord, the punishment of an awful day.’ Say: ‘If God had willed, I would not have recited it to you nor would He have made it known to you. I have lived with you a whole lifetime before it came to me. Have you no sense?’” (Quran 10:15-16)
This should make perfectly clear the difference between the essence, attributes, and ways of the Creator and those of His Creation.
The Prophet took great care to maintain a distinction between his own speech (the Hadeeth) and the direct speech of God, though both were the result of revelation. For this reason, in the early period of revelation, he used to prohibit anything that he uttered to be written down except for the Quran. This preserved for the Quran its distinctiveness as being the very word of God, unmixed with the speech of people.
The Prophet would also make a distinction in his own speech between his own opinions and what came from God as revelation.
He said: “I am only a human being like yourselves. Opinions can be right or wrong. But, when I say to you that God said something, then know that I will never attribute something false to God.”
The Prophet had no hand in the revelation that he received. Revelation is a force external to the being of the Prophet (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him). He was not able to manipulate it in any way. This is supported by the fact that certain crises would befall the Prophet or one of those around him that required an immediate solution, but he found no verse of Quran to recite to the people. He had to remain silent and wait, sometimes in desperation, until God, in His wisdom, revealed what was needed.
A good example of this is the time when Aishah, the wife of the Prophet was accused of adultery by some of the hypocrites, though she was innocent. People began to say things that were painful for the Prophet until his heart was about to burst. He was unable to prohibit this. All he could say was:
“O Aishah, I have heard this or that. If you are innocent, then God will show your innocence, and if you fell into sin, then seek God’s forgiveness.”
A whole month passed like this before the revelation came down declaring Aishah’s innocence and exonerating the household of the Prophet (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him).
In brief, revelation has nothing to do with the choices and wishes of the one who receives it. It is an unusual, external occurrence. It is a force of knowledge, because it gives knowledge. It is free from error. It comes only with the truth and guides only to what is right.
How revelation comes to the angels and to the Messengers
In the Quran it is mentioned that God speaks to the angels. God says:
“And (remember) when your Lord revealed to the angels: ‘Verily I am with you, so keep firm those who have believed’…” (Quran 8:12)
Revelation to the angels happens by God speaking to them and the angels hearing from Him.
Revelation comes to God’s human Messengers either directly or through an intermediary. In the case of an intermediary, it is the angel Gabriel who brings the revelation. There are two ways that this occurs:
1. The angel would come to him with a voice like the clanging of a bell. This is the severest way revelation would come to the Messenger (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him). Such a harsh sound demands the full attention of the one being addressed with it. When the revelation came in this manner, it was extremely demanding upon all of the Messenger’s faculties (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him).
2. The angel would come to him in the form of a man. This was easier than the previous way, since the form of the angelic Messenger was familiar to the human Messenger and easier to relate to.
Both of these ways are mentioned by the Prophet in his answer to al-Haarith b. Hishaam when he asked how the revelation came to him. God’s Messenger said:
“Sometimes he comes to me like the clanging of a bell, and this is the most difficult for me. It weighs upon me and I commit to memory what he says. And sometimes the angel comes to me in the form of a man and speaks to me and I commit to memory what he says.”
Revelation without an intermediary happens in two ways:
1. A good dream: Aishah relates:
“It began as a good dream during sleep. He would not have a dream except that it would come as clear as day.”
This was to prepare God’s Messenger to receive revelation while awake. The whole Quran was revealed while the Prophet was awake.
The story of Abraham when he was commanded to sacrifice his son demonstrates how a dream can be revelation that must be acted upon. God says:
“So We gave him glad tidings of a forbearing boy. And when he was old enough to walk with him, he said: ‘My son, I have seen in a dream that I am sacrificing you. So look, what do you think?’ He said: ‘O my father, do what you are commanded. By God’s will, you shall find me to be among those who are patient.’ Then, when they had both submitted themselves and he had laid him prone on his forehead, We called out to him: ‘O Abraham, you have fulfilled the dream.’ Thus do We reward the righteous. That was indeed a manifest trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice. And We left for him a goodly remembrance for later generations. Peace be upon Abraham! Thus indeed do We reward the righteous. Verily, he was one of Our believing servants.” (Quran 37:101-111)
If that dream had not been revelation that had to be obeyed, Abraham would never have gone forward to sacrifice his son, but in fact he almost did so. He was only stopped because God commanded him to stop and ordered him to sacrifice something else instead.
The good dream is not only for the Prophets. It remains for the believers, even though it is not revelation. God’s Messenger said:
“Nothing remains of prophecy except for glad tidings.” When he was asked what these glad tidings were, he said: “Dreams.”
2. God speaking directly from behind a barrier: This happened to Prophet Moses, (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him). God says:
“When Moses came to Our appointed meeting, his Lord spoke to him…” (Quran 7:143)
God also says:
“…And God spoke to Moses directly.” (Quran 4:164)
This also happened to Prophet Muhammad (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him) on the night of his Journey and Ascension when he was taken up into the heavens and his Lord spoke to him.
All of these ways of receiving revelation are mentioned in the Quran. God says:
“It is not for a human being that God should speak to him except as revelation or from behind a barrier, or by sending a Messenger who reveals by His leave whatever He wishes. Verily, He is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Quran 42:51)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1DxM92AnGk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_fN6P7LiP4&feature=related
By The Editorial Team of Dr. Abdurrahman al-Muala (translated by islamtoday.com) -
Revelation is where God imparts whatever knowledge He wills to those whom He chooses to receive it. God gives this knowledge to them in order for them to convey it to whomever else He wishes.
All the Messengers of God experienced revelation. God says:
“Verily, We have sent Revelation to you (O Muhammad) as We have sent Revelation to Noah and the prophets who came after him. We had sent revelation to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Tribes, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon. And to David We gave the Psalms. And Messengers We have told you about before, and Messengers We have not told you about – and to Moses We spoke directly.” (Quran 4:163)
The possibility of divine revelation cannot be denied by anyone who believes in the existence of God and in His omnipotence. God maintains His creation in any manner that pleases Him. The connection between the Creator and his Creation is by way of His Messengers, and these Messengers only know what God wants from them by way of revelation, either directly or indirectly. The rational mind cannot dismiss the possibility of revelation, since nothing is difficult for the all-powerful Creator.
The Nature of Revelation
Revelation is not a personal experience that a Prophet brings forth from within himself. It is not a spiritual state that a person can attain by doing certain meditations or spiritual exercises. Quite the contrary, revelation is a communication between two beings: one that speaks, commands, and gives, and another who is addressed, commanded, and receives. Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him – as with every Prophet – never confused himself with the One who gave the revelation to him. As a human being, he felt his weakness before God, feared God’s wrath if he should disobey, and hoped for God’s mercy.
He sought help from God, submitted to what he was commanded to do, and was on occasion even sternly reprimanded by God. The Prophet admitted his absolute inability to alter even one word of God’s Book. God says:
“And when Our clear signs are recited to them, those who hope not for a meeting with Us say: ‘Bring a Quran other than this or change it.’ Say (O Muhammad): ‘It is not for me to change it of my own accord. I only follow what is revealed to me. I fear, if I were to disobey my Lord, the punishment of an awful day.’ Say: ‘If God had willed, I would not have recited it to you nor would He have made it known to you. I have lived with you a whole lifetime before it came to me. Have you no sense?’” (Quran 10:15-16)
This should make perfectly clear the difference between the essence, attributes, and ways of the Creator and those of His Creation.
The Prophet took great care to maintain a distinction between his own speech (the Hadeeth) and the direct speech of God, though both were the result of revelation. For this reason, in the early period of revelation, he used to prohibit anything that he uttered to be written down except for the Quran. This preserved for the Quran its distinctiveness as being the very word of God, unmixed with the speech of people.
The Prophet would also make a distinction in his own speech between his own opinions and what came from God as revelation.
He said: “I am only a human being like yourselves. Opinions can be right or wrong. But, when I say to you that God said something, then know that I will never attribute something false to God.”
The Prophet had no hand in the revelation that he received. Revelation is a force external to the being of the Prophet (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him). He was not able to manipulate it in any way. This is supported by the fact that certain crises would befall the Prophet or one of those around him that required an immediate solution, but he found no verse of Quran to recite to the people. He had to remain silent and wait, sometimes in desperation, until God, in His wisdom, revealed what was needed.
A good example of this is the time when Aishah, the wife of the Prophet was accused of adultery by some of the hypocrites, though she was innocent. People began to say things that were painful for the Prophet until his heart was about to burst. He was unable to prohibit this. All he could say was:
“O Aishah, I have heard this or that. If you are innocent, then God will show your innocence, and if you fell into sin, then seek God’s forgiveness.”
A whole month passed like this before the revelation came down declaring Aishah’s innocence and exonerating the household of the Prophet (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him).
In brief, revelation has nothing to do with the choices and wishes of the one who receives it. It is an unusual, external occurrence. It is a force of knowledge, because it gives knowledge. It is free from error. It comes only with the truth and guides only to what is right.
How revelation comes to the angels and to the Messengers
In the Quran it is mentioned that God speaks to the angels. God says:
“And (remember) when your Lord revealed to the angels: ‘Verily I am with you, so keep firm those who have believed’…” (Quran 8:12)
Revelation to the angels happens by God speaking to them and the angels hearing from Him.
Revelation comes to God’s human Messengers either directly or through an intermediary. In the case of an intermediary, it is the angel Gabriel who brings the revelation. There are two ways that this occurs:
1. The angel would come to him with a voice like the clanging of a bell. This is the severest way revelation would come to the Messenger (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him). Such a harsh sound demands the full attention of the one being addressed with it. When the revelation came in this manner, it was extremely demanding upon all of the Messenger’s faculties (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him).
2. The angel would come to him in the form of a man. This was easier than the previous way, since the form of the angelic Messenger was familiar to the human Messenger and easier to relate to.
Both of these ways are mentioned by the Prophet in his answer to al-Haarith b. Hishaam when he asked how the revelation came to him. God’s Messenger said:
“Sometimes he comes to me like the clanging of a bell, and this is the most difficult for me. It weighs upon me and I commit to memory what he says. And sometimes the angel comes to me in the form of a man and speaks to me and I commit to memory what he says.”
Revelation without an intermediary happens in two ways:
1. A good dream: Aishah relates:
“It began as a good dream during sleep. He would not have a dream except that it would come as clear as day.”
This was to prepare God’s Messenger to receive revelation while awake. The whole Quran was revealed while the Prophet was awake.
The story of Abraham when he was commanded to sacrifice his son demonstrates how a dream can be revelation that must be acted upon. God says:
“So We gave him glad tidings of a forbearing boy. And when he was old enough to walk with him, he said: ‘My son, I have seen in a dream that I am sacrificing you. So look, what do you think?’ He said: ‘O my father, do what you are commanded. By God’s will, you shall find me to be among those who are patient.’ Then, when they had both submitted themselves and he had laid him prone on his forehead, We called out to him: ‘O Abraham, you have fulfilled the dream.’ Thus do We reward the righteous. That was indeed a manifest trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice. And We left for him a goodly remembrance for later generations. Peace be upon Abraham! Thus indeed do We reward the righteous. Verily, he was one of Our believing servants.” (Quran 37:101-111)
If that dream had not been revelation that had to be obeyed, Abraham would never have gone forward to sacrifice his son, but in fact he almost did so. He was only stopped because God commanded him to stop and ordered him to sacrifice something else instead.
The good dream is not only for the Prophets. It remains for the believers, even though it is not revelation. God’s Messenger said:
“Nothing remains of prophecy except for glad tidings.” When he was asked what these glad tidings were, he said: “Dreams.”
2. God speaking directly from behind a barrier: This happened to Prophet Moses, (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him). God says:
“When Moses came to Our appointed meeting, his Lord spoke to him…” (Quran 7:143)
God also says:
“…And God spoke to Moses directly.” (Quran 4:164)
This also happened to Prophet Muhammad (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him) on the night of his Journey and Ascension when he was taken up into the heavens and his Lord spoke to him.
All of these ways of receiving revelation are mentioned in the Quran. God says:
“It is not for a human being that God should speak to him except as revelation or from behind a barrier, or by sending a Messenger who reveals by His leave whatever He wishes. Verily, He is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Quran 42:51)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1DxM92AnGk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_fN6P7LiP4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opm1JlzDOgk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLESZQUvIVU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJNoqfItKPw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl7ITg7xLvM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHWCRG7h-ks&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ0I4CGBIYg&feature=related
8 ways of approaching the Quran with purity of intention
From: www.islamicity.com
By: Khurram Murad
1 Read the Quran with no purpose other than to receive guidance from your Lord, to come nearer to Him, and to seek His good pleasure.What you get from the Quran depends on what you come to it for. Your intention and purpose is crucial. Certainly the Quran has come to guide you, but you may also go astray by reading it should you approach it for impure purposes and wrong motives.Thereby He causes many to go astray, and thereby He guides many; but thereby He causes none to go astray save the iniquitous (al-Baqarah 2:26).The Quran is the word of God; it therefore requires as much exclusiveness of intention and purity of purpose as does worshipping and serving Him.
2 Do not read it merely for intellectual pursuit and pleasure; even though you must apply your intellect to the full to the task of understanding the Quran. So many people spend a lifetime in studying the language, style, history, geography, law and ethics of the Quran, and yet their lives remain untouched by its message. The Quran frequently refers to people who have knowledge but do not derive benefit from it.
3 Nor should you come to the Quran with the fixed intention of finding support for your own views, notions and doctrines. For if you do, you may, then, hear an echo of your own voice in it, and not that of God. It is this approach to the understanding and interpreting of the Quran that the Prophet, blessings and peace be on him, has condemned.
4 Nothing could be more unfortunate than to use the Quran to secure, for your own person, worldly things such as name, esteem, status, fame or money. You may get them, but you will surely be bartering away a priceless treasure for nothing, indeed even incurring eternal loss and ruin.
5 [Do not limit the Quran to just healing of bodily afflictions, psychological peace, and deliverance from poverty.] You may also derive other lesser benefits, from the words of the Quran, such as the healing of bodily afflictions, psychological peace, and deliverance from poverty. There is no bar to having these, but, again, they should not become the be all and end all that you seek from the Quran nor the goal of your niyyah. For in achieving these you may lose a whole ocean that could have been yours. Reading every single letter of the Quran carries with it great rewards.
6 Remain conscious of all the rewards, and make them an objective of your intention, for they will provide you with those strong incentives required to spend your life with the Quran. But never forget that on understanding, absorbing and following the Quran you have been promised much larger rewards, in this-world and in the Hereafter. It is these which you must aim for.Nothing brings you nearer to your Lord than the moments you spend with His words. For it is only in the Quran that you enjoy the unique blessing of hearing His 'voice' addressing you.
7 So let an intense desire to come nearer to God be your one overwhelming motive while reading the Quran.Finally,
8 your intention should be directed to seeking only your Lord's pleasure by devoting your heart, mind and time to the guidance that He has sent to you. That is what you barter when you surrender yourself to God: 'There is such as would sell his own self in order to please God' (al-Baqarah 2:207).Purpose and intentions are like the soul of a body, the inner capability of a seed. Many seeds look alike, but as they begin to grow and bear fruits, their differences become manifest. The purer and higher the motive, the greater the value and yield of your efforts.So always ask yourself: Why am I reading the Quran? This may be the best way to ensure the purity and exclusiveness of purpose and intention.
Excerpted and adapted from the book "Way to the Quran" by Khurram Murad
By: Khurram Murad
1 Read the Quran with no purpose other than to receive guidance from your Lord, to come nearer to Him, and to seek His good pleasure.What you get from the Quran depends on what you come to it for. Your intention and purpose is crucial. Certainly the Quran has come to guide you, but you may also go astray by reading it should you approach it for impure purposes and wrong motives.Thereby He causes many to go astray, and thereby He guides many; but thereby He causes none to go astray save the iniquitous (al-Baqarah 2:26).The Quran is the word of God; it therefore requires as much exclusiveness of intention and purity of purpose as does worshipping and serving Him.
2 Do not read it merely for intellectual pursuit and pleasure; even though you must apply your intellect to the full to the task of understanding the Quran. So many people spend a lifetime in studying the language, style, history, geography, law and ethics of the Quran, and yet their lives remain untouched by its message. The Quran frequently refers to people who have knowledge but do not derive benefit from it.
3 Nor should you come to the Quran with the fixed intention of finding support for your own views, notions and doctrines. For if you do, you may, then, hear an echo of your own voice in it, and not that of God. It is this approach to the understanding and interpreting of the Quran that the Prophet, blessings and peace be on him, has condemned.
4 Nothing could be more unfortunate than to use the Quran to secure, for your own person, worldly things such as name, esteem, status, fame or money. You may get them, but you will surely be bartering away a priceless treasure for nothing, indeed even incurring eternal loss and ruin.
5 [Do not limit the Quran to just healing of bodily afflictions, psychological peace, and deliverance from poverty.] You may also derive other lesser benefits, from the words of the Quran, such as the healing of bodily afflictions, psychological peace, and deliverance from poverty. There is no bar to having these, but, again, they should not become the be all and end all that you seek from the Quran nor the goal of your niyyah. For in achieving these you may lose a whole ocean that could have been yours. Reading every single letter of the Quran carries with it great rewards.
6 Remain conscious of all the rewards, and make them an objective of your intention, for they will provide you with those strong incentives required to spend your life with the Quran. But never forget that on understanding, absorbing and following the Quran you have been promised much larger rewards, in this-world and in the Hereafter. It is these which you must aim for.Nothing brings you nearer to your Lord than the moments you spend with His words. For it is only in the Quran that you enjoy the unique blessing of hearing His 'voice' addressing you.
7 So let an intense desire to come nearer to God be your one overwhelming motive while reading the Quran.Finally,
8 your intention should be directed to seeking only your Lord's pleasure by devoting your heart, mind and time to the guidance that He has sent to you. That is what you barter when you surrender yourself to God: 'There is such as would sell his own self in order to please God' (al-Baqarah 2:207).Purpose and intentions are like the soul of a body, the inner capability of a seed. Many seeds look alike, but as they begin to grow and bear fruits, their differences become manifest. The purer and higher the motive, the greater the value and yield of your efforts.So always ask yourself: Why am I reading the Quran? This may be the best way to ensure the purity and exclusiveness of purpose and intention.
Excerpted and adapted from the book "Way to the Quran" by Khurram Murad
Friday, December 03, 2010
My Vision to Workers Everywhere
By: Maged Taman
The workers in a lot of countries work like slaves particularly in USA. To be fair no doubt the American workers would be protected from humiliation or discrimination to a large extent (except some of the Arab after 9/11 ).
However workers work to pay large portion of their salaries as taxes. Many of the money is a waste to support wars and a military budget of about 500 billion dollars a year. Besides the large owners of America are only small percentage of population. Most of Americans have to work every week, paycheck to paycheck you are not allowed to take significant out of work vacation. You are not allowed to sit down and relax. You have to worry and continue to worry. You have to work until last day of your life.
Karel Marx who was a at certain point of time brought understanding of corrupt elite however brought instead an inapplicable communism that does not accept the human spirit of free market and free choices. Unlike him, I am very faithful to the free market. There is no oppression on non-Muslims to be Muslims or to adopt Sharia. Sharia is applied to people who accept Islam and not for non-Muslims.
However from Islam there is a simple idea that can be implemented anywhere. A 2.5 % of the money, properties of the rich that go to the poor. Thus the rich will try to get more of their money in the market to create jobs to minimize the 2.5% that they have to pay. Thus the economy keep running since the Rich have to spend their bigger portion of money in pushing the wheel of economy and the 2.5% present a continuous stimulus to the economy regular families will stimulate investments to produce foods, clothing and so forth.
To learn more about my plans that offer much to the workers of the world read my health and long term care plan in the Internet first.
http://books.google.com/books?id=FzJ3NtHcpFYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=maged+taman&source=bl&ots=ycbye0R4BN&sig=5wUwMlgCPDfKdTJrNjoBbMiMe_4&hl=en&ei=twH6TLb9IOjtnQeQ6qHICg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q&f=false
The workers in a lot of countries work like slaves particularly in USA. To be fair no doubt the American workers would be protected from humiliation or discrimination to a large extent (except some of the Arab after 9/11 ).
However workers work to pay large portion of their salaries as taxes. Many of the money is a waste to support wars and a military budget of about 500 billion dollars a year. Besides the large owners of America are only small percentage of population. Most of Americans have to work every week, paycheck to paycheck you are not allowed to take significant out of work vacation. You are not allowed to sit down and relax. You have to worry and continue to worry. You have to work until last day of your life.
Karel Marx who was a at certain point of time brought understanding of corrupt elite however brought instead an inapplicable communism that does not accept the human spirit of free market and free choices. Unlike him, I am very faithful to the free market. There is no oppression on non-Muslims to be Muslims or to adopt Sharia. Sharia is applied to people who accept Islam and not for non-Muslims.
However from Islam there is a simple idea that can be implemented anywhere. A 2.5 % of the money, properties of the rich that go to the poor. Thus the rich will try to get more of their money in the market to create jobs to minimize the 2.5% that they have to pay. Thus the economy keep running since the Rich have to spend their bigger portion of money in pushing the wheel of economy and the 2.5% present a continuous stimulus to the economy regular families will stimulate investments to produce foods, clothing and so forth.
To learn more about my plans that offer much to the workers of the world read my health and long term care plan in the Internet first.
http://books.google.com/books?id=FzJ3NtHcpFYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=maged+taman&source=bl&ots=ycbye0R4BN&sig=5wUwMlgCPDfKdTJrNjoBbMiMe_4&hl=en&ei=twH6TLb9IOjtnQeQ6qHICg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q&f=false
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
WikiLeaks documents reveal how closely U.S. worked with Mideast autocracies despite lofty rhetoric about freedom.
From: www.newsweek.com
WikiLeaks documents reveal how closely U.S. worked with Mideast autocracies despite lofty rhetoric about freedom.
by Michael Brendan DoughertyDecember 01, 2010
Julian Assange’s data dump has helped confirm that America’s democracy agenda is over. The project of liberating the Middle East from tyrannical regimes and installing free governments was once a centerpiece of the United States’ post-9/11 strategy, but the latest cables released by WikiLeaks reveal a far different reality.
In his second inaugural address, George W. Bush proclaimed that “the best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world. America’s vital interests and our deepest beliefs are now one.” Bush was echoing the ideology of neoconservatism. Commentator David Frum and defense analyst Richard Perle wrote in their 2003 book, An End to Evil, that “people all over the world want the benefits of American democracy but they do not always possess the skills to launch a representative government by only their unaided strength. We can help, as we helped in Western Europe and Japan.”
In the years following 9/11, neoconservatives argued against coddling the princes of Saudi Arabia and other autocrats in the wider Middle East. Bush promised to “persistently clarify the choice before every ruler and every nation: The moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and freedom, which is eternally right.”
The released cables, however, show a United States that worked closely with autocracies to ensure the success of its aims in Iraq. Gen. David Petraeus worked to build support in Egypt for Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Another cable shows U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia James Smith was frustrated by Saudi fundamentalism but felt the alliance “has proven durable.” And another document recounts a meeting of U.S. senators with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that was cordial. Instead of demanding intelligence cooperation and political liberalization, senators contented themselves with politely inquiring about collaboration on regional peace talks and Assad’s thoughts on Iran. This is hardly the persistent clarity of pushing a regional democratic revolution. It is diplomatic and foreign-policy realism.
The Wikileaks document release also shows that Arab leaders see the rise of Iran as a problem—one they wish America would solve for them. That revelation now has neoconservatives warming up to the same leaders they formerly labeled feckless and untrustworthy. Washington Post blogger Jennifer Rubin, writing in Commentary, said of the leaks: “You can add to the list of the hawks’ confirmed truths: the enthusiastic support of the Arab states for a more vigorous U.S. response to Iran.” On the Saudi royals’ assessment of Iran—“Cut off the head of the snake”—Rubin confessed, “I’m with King Abdullah on this one.” Formerly considered an untrustworthy ally for its financial support of Wahhabi Islam, Saudi Arabia is enjoying a strange new respect.
There are neoconservatives making similar arguments. David Frum, who complained in 2003 that American policy had been too abject toward Saudi Arabia, now cites Saudi anxieties to make the case for a more aggressive policy toward Iran. He wrote at CNN.com this week: “Public opinion in all U.S.-allied countries can now see that the dread of the Iranian nuclear program is not some artificial emotion whipped up by Israel, but a widespread fear among Arab and European governments. It’s Iran’s Gulf neighbors who have begged most urgently that the United States hit Iran’s nuclear sites.”
Of course, Saudi King Abdullah’s fears of Iranian power are probably justified. The leaders of Saudi Arabia and Iran are taken as political tokens for Sunni Islam and Shia Islam, respectively, in the Middle East, ergo King Abdullah and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are natural rivals. Saudi Arabia’s leaders reside in the western part of the desert kingdom, while its oil wells sit nearer to the eastern coast that contains a discontented and significant minority of Shia Muslims. It is easy to imagine the trouble Iran could whip up there. But it is notable that the U.S. has recently concluded a major arms deal with Saudi Arabia. A strike at Iran’s nuclear program or at the regime itself would leave Abdullah the most powerful figure in the Muslim Middle East. This scenario would have horrified democratists just five years ago.
The democracy agenda was already in jeopardy before Assange’s leaks. In 2006, Bush urged Palestinians to have free elections—only to see Hamas take power. In 2007, Israeli legislator Yuval Steinitz urged America to freeze $200 million in foreign aid to Egypt until the Mubarak government had curbed police abuse and passed laws guaranteeing an independent judiciary. But in early 2008, Condoleezza Rice, then secretary of state, admitted that the congressional hold on those funds was waived by Bush. And America’s war in Afghanistan has meant making deals with unsavory allies such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
But the Wikileaks dump has shown that history is unkind to the demanding visions of ideologues. The democratists once hoped to get out from under the venal Saudis, but a shared zeal against Iran has yoked them together. That’s the comedy of history. The tragedy would be a military strike at Tehran that rallies the Iranian people around its regime and kills as collateral damage the Green Movement, the fitful and reform-minded coalition pushing for a democracy that originates in Iran, not in Washington.
Michael Brendan Dougherty is a contributing editor at The American Conservative
WikiLeaks documents reveal how closely U.S. worked with Mideast autocracies despite lofty rhetoric about freedom.
by Michael Brendan DoughertyDecember 01, 2010
Julian Assange’s data dump has helped confirm that America’s democracy agenda is over. The project of liberating the Middle East from tyrannical regimes and installing free governments was once a centerpiece of the United States’ post-9/11 strategy, but the latest cables released by WikiLeaks reveal a far different reality.
In his second inaugural address, George W. Bush proclaimed that “the best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world. America’s vital interests and our deepest beliefs are now one.” Bush was echoing the ideology of neoconservatism. Commentator David Frum and defense analyst Richard Perle wrote in their 2003 book, An End to Evil, that “people all over the world want the benefits of American democracy but they do not always possess the skills to launch a representative government by only their unaided strength. We can help, as we helped in Western Europe and Japan.”
In the years following 9/11, neoconservatives argued against coddling the princes of Saudi Arabia and other autocrats in the wider Middle East. Bush promised to “persistently clarify the choice before every ruler and every nation: The moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and freedom, which is eternally right.”
The released cables, however, show a United States that worked closely with autocracies to ensure the success of its aims in Iraq. Gen. David Petraeus worked to build support in Egypt for Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Another cable shows U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia James Smith was frustrated by Saudi fundamentalism but felt the alliance “has proven durable.” And another document recounts a meeting of U.S. senators with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that was cordial. Instead of demanding intelligence cooperation and political liberalization, senators contented themselves with politely inquiring about collaboration on regional peace talks and Assad’s thoughts on Iran. This is hardly the persistent clarity of pushing a regional democratic revolution. It is diplomatic and foreign-policy realism.
The Wikileaks document release also shows that Arab leaders see the rise of Iran as a problem—one they wish America would solve for them. That revelation now has neoconservatives warming up to the same leaders they formerly labeled feckless and untrustworthy. Washington Post blogger Jennifer Rubin, writing in Commentary, said of the leaks: “You can add to the list of the hawks’ confirmed truths: the enthusiastic support of the Arab states for a more vigorous U.S. response to Iran.” On the Saudi royals’ assessment of Iran—“Cut off the head of the snake”—Rubin confessed, “I’m with King Abdullah on this one.” Formerly considered an untrustworthy ally for its financial support of Wahhabi Islam, Saudi Arabia is enjoying a strange new respect.
There are neoconservatives making similar arguments. David Frum, who complained in 2003 that American policy had been too abject toward Saudi Arabia, now cites Saudi anxieties to make the case for a more aggressive policy toward Iran. He wrote at CNN.com this week: “Public opinion in all U.S.-allied countries can now see that the dread of the Iranian nuclear program is not some artificial emotion whipped up by Israel, but a widespread fear among Arab and European governments. It’s Iran’s Gulf neighbors who have begged most urgently that the United States hit Iran’s nuclear sites.”
Of course, Saudi King Abdullah’s fears of Iranian power are probably justified. The leaders of Saudi Arabia and Iran are taken as political tokens for Sunni Islam and Shia Islam, respectively, in the Middle East, ergo King Abdullah and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are natural rivals. Saudi Arabia’s leaders reside in the western part of the desert kingdom, while its oil wells sit nearer to the eastern coast that contains a discontented and significant minority of Shia Muslims. It is easy to imagine the trouble Iran could whip up there. But it is notable that the U.S. has recently concluded a major arms deal with Saudi Arabia. A strike at Iran’s nuclear program or at the regime itself would leave Abdullah the most powerful figure in the Muslim Middle East. This scenario would have horrified democratists just five years ago.
The democracy agenda was already in jeopardy before Assange’s leaks. In 2006, Bush urged Palestinians to have free elections—only to see Hamas take power. In 2007, Israeli legislator Yuval Steinitz urged America to freeze $200 million in foreign aid to Egypt until the Mubarak government had curbed police abuse and passed laws guaranteeing an independent judiciary. But in early 2008, Condoleezza Rice, then secretary of state, admitted that the congressional hold on those funds was waived by Bush. And America’s war in Afghanistan has meant making deals with unsavory allies such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
But the Wikileaks dump has shown that history is unkind to the demanding visions of ideologues. The democratists once hoped to get out from under the venal Saudis, but a shared zeal against Iran has yoked them together. That’s the comedy of history. The tragedy would be a military strike at Tehran that rallies the Iranian people around its regime and kills as collateral damage the Green Movement, the fitful and reform-minded coalition pushing for a democracy that originates in Iran, not in Washington.
Michael Brendan Dougherty is a contributing editor at The American Conservative
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