Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Sky, Soil & Everything in Between: About Those 'African Mercenaries', An Open Letter ...
Sky, Soil & Everything in Between: About Those 'African Mercenaries', An Open Letter ...: "Dear .......... (Insert name of media organisation and modify letter as you wish) Dear Al Jazeera I have decided to write this letter to..."
Monday, February 9, 2009
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Obsession With Hate Website
Assalamu 3leikum,
Please go to http://www.obsessionwithhate.com/index.php to learn more about this horrible DVD and see what Muslims in North America are doing about it.
You can also do something about it and send an email to Mr. John Drescher, drescher@newsobserver.com
I need this man to be bombarded with emails!
If you need more info on what I personally sent him and what his reply was, go to the previous post.
Jazakum Allah 5eiran,
Maysa
Please go to http://www.obsessionwithhate.com/index.php to learn more about this horrible DVD and see what Muslims in North America are doing about it.
You can also do something about it and send an email to Mr. John Drescher, drescher@newsobserver.com
I need this man to be bombarded with emails!
If you need more info on what I personally sent him and what his reply was, go to the previous post.
Jazakum Allah 5eiran,
Maysa
Obsession DVD
Assalamu 3leikum sisters,
Like I promised you all, this is the email I sent to N&O and this is the "generic" response they are giving everybody. Hence, we are complaining to a wall. This is not a human response. It's like getting a voice message or having one of those voice systems we all get when we call any big corporation or company;"if you'd like this and this, please press 1, if you'd like this and that, please press 2, if you'd like to talk to a representative, please press 6", etc . . . . ., except, we don't get a representative to talk with and vent our frustrations.
At least my complaint has been documented. Now it's our turn to seek someone else to write our story and publish our frustrations so the whole world can know.
My daughter had an MSA meeting today at her high school where they viewed the "Obsession" DVD. She is not a politically inclined and can really care less about politics, but when she saw this video, she was devastated and very upset. The MSA leader at her school requested all the students to write down how they felt after viewing it on an index card and she collected them. Let us see where it will go from there.
Meanwhile, I suggest that you all send in your views in any which way, email, phone, tv, reporters of another newspaper but we should not keep quiet.
May Allah help us, Ya mu3'eeth, i3'ithna!
Maysa
Volume 8, Book 76, Number 472:
Narrated 'Aisha:
The Prophet was asked, "What deeds are loved most by Allah?" He said, "The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few." He added, 'Don't take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability."
--- On Tue, 9/23/08, John Drescher wrote:
From: John Drescher
Subject: Re: Distribution of "Obsession" DVD
To: maysahammoud@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 6:42 PM
Thanks for your e-mail. We believe in free speech. We don't pass
judgment on our advertisers, except in extreme cases. I believe
"Obsession" falls within the mainstream of American political debate.
However, I realize reasonable people can disagree with our decision.
I am glad you care about The N&O. I hope you will continue to be a
reader.
Best regards,
John Drescher
On Sep 22, 2008, at 10:11 PM, maysahammoud@yahoo.com
wrote:
> Dear Mr. Drescher,
>
> We were prospective readers and subscribers of the N&O. Recently, we
> moved into the area and were considering signing on to receive your
> most esteemed paper. Honestly, we only heard good things about your
> newspaper and were encouraged by many to become regular readers.
>
> However, just when we were to sign on, we were slapped with the
> horrible news that you were about to distribute over 160, 000 copies
> of the "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West” DVD
with your
> Saturday, September 13th edition.
>
>
> Mr Drescher, I know that you are a reasonable man that is just trying
> to run a profitable business. In addition, your main objective is to
> be successful without trying to please all the people most of the time
> since this is impossible to do
anyway.
>
>
> If you only took the time to come and get to know this population of
> readers (however small they may be), you will realize how inconsistent
> the content of this DVD is.
>
> We are in the last 1/3 of a fasting month we call "Ramadhan".
The
> amount of charity, community care/assistance, and worship that goes on
> through this month is beyond anything you have ever heard of or even
> experienced. Anyone that comes to the IAR mosque in Raleigh to
> observe will surely discredit the content of the DVD simply because it
> talks about a few among millions of a peaceful people. They don't
> make up but a grain of salt. For this grain of salt to be amplified
> through such a video is ludicrous. And you, being an Executive Editor
> for such an esteemed newspaper should take the time to discover
this.
>
> Mr. Drescher, you have aided in victimizing an entire nation of
> peaceful people through your decision to allow such an advertising
> tactic to spread hate to your readers and their relatives and
> acquaintences. What is worse is that you used a new, "1st of it's
> kind" advertising gimmick to spread this hate rather than use it to
> spread love and unity and goodness.
>
> With a very sad heart, I regret to announce that we will not even
> consider being customers of a newspaper that allows biased opinions to
> be advertised allong with their exemplary reporting on local and
> other news. It just leaves a bad taste in the mouth of Muslims and
> non-Muslims alike.
>
> I suggest as a way to clear the air with your existing readers that
> want to cancel their subscription, you cover the news of Ramadhan in
> the Triangle
Area to show an unbiased picture of the true Muslims
> living in this area. This picture will be an actual example of all
> Muslims communities in the US and abroad.
>
> Please forgive the long email. Honestly, there is a lot more to say,
> but I believe that I covered the main points I wanted to cover.
>
> In the end, I ask you to forgive any comments or words I could have
> used to offend you or your paper since this was not my intention as
> God is my witness.
>
> Maysa & Ahmed DiarBakerli
> Cary, NC
Like I promised you all, this is the email I sent to N&O and this is the "generic" response they are giving everybody. Hence, we are complaining to a wall. This is not a human response. It's like getting a voice message or having one of those voice systems we all get when we call any big corporation or company;"if you'd like this and this, please press 1, if you'd like this and that, please press 2, if you'd like to talk to a representative, please press 6", etc . . . . ., except, we don't get a representative to talk with and vent our frustrations.
At least my complaint has been documented. Now it's our turn to seek someone else to write our story and publish our frustrations so the whole world can know.
My daughter had an MSA meeting today at her high school where they viewed the "Obsession" DVD. She is not a politically inclined and can really care less about politics, but when she saw this video, she was devastated and very upset. The MSA leader at her school requested all the students to write down how they felt after viewing it on an index card and she collected them. Let us see where it will go from there.
Meanwhile, I suggest that you all send in your views in any which way, email, phone, tv, reporters of another newspaper but we should not keep quiet.
May Allah help us, Ya mu3'eeth, i3'ithna!
Maysa
Volume 8, Book 76, Number 472:
Narrated 'Aisha:
The Prophet was asked, "What deeds are loved most by Allah?" He said, "The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few." He added, 'Don't take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability."
--- On Tue, 9/23/08, John Drescher
From: John Drescher
Subject: Re: Distribution of "Obsession" DVD
To: maysahammoud@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 6:42 PM
Thanks for your e-mail. We believe in free speech. We don't pass
judgment on our advertisers, except in extreme cases. I believe
"Obsession" falls within the mainstream of American political debate.
However, I realize reasonable people can disagree with our decision.
I am glad you care about The N&O. I hope you will continue to be a
reader.
Best regards,
John Drescher
On Sep 22, 2008, at 10:11 PM, maysahammoud@yahoo.com
wrote:
> Dear Mr. Drescher,
>
> We were prospective readers and subscribers of the N&O. Recently, we
> moved into the area and were considering signing on to receive your
> most esteemed paper. Honestly, we only heard good things about your
> newspaper and were encouraged by many to become regular readers.
>
> However, just when we were to sign on, we were slapped with the
> horrible news that you were about to distribute over 160, 000 copies
> of the "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West” DVD
with your
> Saturday, September 13th edition.
>
>
> Mr Drescher, I know that you are a reasonable man that is just trying
> to run a profitable business. In addition, your main objective is to
> be successful without trying to please all the people most of the time
> since this is impossible to do
anyway.
>
>
> If you only took the time to come and get to know this population of
> readers (however small they may be), you will realize how inconsistent
> the content of this DVD is.
>
> We are in the last 1/3 of a fasting month we call "Ramadhan".
The
> amount of charity, community care/assistance, and worship that goes on
> through this month is beyond anything you have ever heard of or even
> experienced. Anyone that comes to the IAR mosque in Raleigh to
> observe will surely discredit the content of the DVD simply because it
> talks about a few among millions of a peaceful people. They don't
> make up but a grain of salt. For this grain of salt to be amplified
> through such a video is ludicrous. And you, being an Executive Editor
> for such an esteemed newspaper should take the time to discover
this.
>
> Mr. Drescher, you have aided in victimizing an entire nation of
> peaceful people through your decision to allow such an advertising
> tactic to spread hate to your readers and their relatives and
> acquaintences. What is worse is that you used a new, "1st of it's
> kind" advertising gimmick to spread this hate rather than use it to
> spread love and unity and goodness.
>
> With a very sad heart, I regret to announce that we will not even
> consider being customers of a newspaper that allows biased opinions to
> be advertised allong with their exemplary reporting on local and
> other news. It just leaves a bad taste in the mouth of Muslims and
> non-Muslims alike.
>
> I suggest as a way to clear the air with your existing readers that
> want to cancel their subscription, you cover the news of Ramadhan in
> the Triangle
Area to show an unbiased picture of the true Muslims
> living in this area. This picture will be an actual example of all
> Muslims communities in the US and abroad.
>
> Please forgive the long email. Honestly, there is a lot more to say,
> but I believe that I covered the main points I wanted to cover.
>
> In the end, I ask you to forgive any comments or words I could have
> used to offend you or your paper since this was not my intention as
> God is my witness.
>
> Maysa & Ahmed DiarBakerli
> Cary, NC
Sunday, April 20, 2008
MSG (a slow poison)
MSG
The food additive MSG (Mono-Sodium Glutamate) is a slow poison. MSG
hides behind 25 or more names, such as Natural Flavoring.' MSG is even in
your favorite coffee from Tim Horton's and Starbucks coffee shops!
I wondered if there could be an actual chemical causing the massive
obesity epidemic, and so did a friend of mine, John Erb. He was a research
assistant at the University of Waterloo in Ontario , Canada , and spent
years working for the government. He made an amazing discovery while
going through scientific journals for a book he was writing called The Slow
Poisoning of America.
In hundreds of studies around the world, scientists were creating
obese mice and rats to use in diet or diabetes test studies.
No strain of rat or mice is naturally obese, so scientists have to create
them. They make these creatures morbidly obese by injecting them with
MSG when they are first born.
The MSG triples the amount of insulin the pancreas creates, causing rats
(and perhaps humans) to become obese. They even have a name for the
fat rodents they create: 'MSG-Treated Rats.'
When I heard this, I was shocked. I went into my kitchen and checked
the cupboards and the refrigerator. MSG was in everything -- the Campbell 's
soups, the Hostess Doritos, the Lays flavored potato chips, Top Ramen,
Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Heinz canned gravy, Swanson frozen
prepared meals, and Kraft salad dressings, especially the 'healthy low-fat' ones.
The items that didn't have MSG marked on the product label had
something called 'Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein,' which is just another
name for Monosodium Glutamate.
It was shocking to see just how many of the foods we feed our
children everyday are filled with this stuff. MSG is hidden under many
different names in order to fool those who read the ingredient list, so that
they don't catch on. (Other names for MSG are 'Accent, 'Aginomoto,'
'Natural Meat Tenderizer,' etc.)
But it didn't stop there.
When our family went out to eat, we started asking at the restaurants
what menu items contained MSG. Many employees, even the managers, swore
they didn't use MSG.
But when we ask for the ingredient list, which they grudgingly
provided, sure enough, MSG and Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein were everywhere.
Burger King, McDonald's, Wendy's, Taco Bell, every restaurant -- even
the sit-down eateries like TGIF, Chili's, Applebee's, and Denny's -- use MSG
in abundance. Kentucky Fried Chicken seemed to be the WORST offender:
MSG was in every chicken dish, salad dressing. and gravy. No wonder I loved
to eat that coating on the skin -- their secret spice was MSG!
So why is MSG in so many of the foods we eat? Is it a preservative,
or a vitamin?
Not according to my friend John Erb. In his book The Slow Poisoning
of America, he said that MSG is added to food for the addictive effect it
has on the human body.
Even the propaganda website sponsored by the food manufacturers lobby
group supporting MSG explains that the reason they add it to food is to
make people eat more.
A study of the elderly showed that older people eat more of the foods
that it is added to. The Glutamate Association lobbying group says eating
more is a benefit to the elderly, but what does it do to the rest of us?
'Betcha can't eat [just] one,' takes on a whole new meaning where MSG
is concerned! And we wonder why the nation is overweight!
MSG manufacturers themselves admit that it addicts people to their
products. It makes people choose their product over others, and makes
people eat more of it than they would if MSG wasn't added.
Not only is MSG scientifically proven to cause obesity, it is an addictive
substance. Since its introduction into the American food supply fifty years ago,
MSG has been added in larger and larger doses to the pre-packaged meals,
soups, snacks, and fast foods we are tempted to eat everyday.
The FDA has set no limits on how much of it can be added to food.
They claim it's safe to eat in any amount. But how can they claim it's safe
when there are hundreds of scientific studies with titles like these:
'The monosodium glutamate (MSG) obese rat as a model for the study of
exercise in obesity.' Gobatto CA, Mello MA, Souza CT, Ribeiro IA. Res
Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 2002.
'Adrenalectomy abolishes the food-induced hypothalamic serotonin
release in both normal and monosodium glutamate-obese rats.' Guimaraes
RB, Telles MM, Coelho VB, Mori C, Nascimento CM, Ribeiro. Brain Res Bull.
2002 Aug.
'Obesity induced by neonatal monosodium glutamate treatment in
spontaneously hypertensive rats: An animal model of multiple risk factors.'
Iwase M, Yamamoto M, Iino K, Ichikawa K, Shinohara N, Yoshinari Fujishima.
Hypertens Res. 1998 Mar.
'Hypothalamic lesion induced by injection of monosodium glutamate in
suckling period and subsequent development of obesity.' Tanaka K,
Shimada M, Nakao K Kusunoki. Exp Neurol. 1978 Oct.
No, the date of that last study was not a typo; it was published in
1978. Both the 'medical research community' and 'food manufacturers' have
known about the side effects of MSG for decades.
Many more of the studies mentioned in John Erb's book link MSG to
diabetes, migraines and headaches, autism, ADHD, and even Alzheimer's.
So what can we do to stop the food manufactures from dumping this
fattening and addictive MSG into our food supply and causing the obesity
epidemic we now see?
Several months ago, John Erb took his book and his concerns to one of
the highest government health officials in Canada .
While he was sitting in the government office, the official told him,
'Sure, I know how bad MSG is. I wouldn't touch the stuff.' But this
top-level government official refuses to tell the public what he knows.
The big media doesn't want to tell the public either, fearing issues
with their advertisers. It seems that the fallout on the fast food industry
may hurt their profit margin. The food producers and restaurants have
been addicting us to their products for years, and now we are paying
the price for it. Our children should not be cursed with obesity caused
by an addictive food additive.
But what can I do about it? I'm just one voice! What can I do to
stop the poisoning of our children, while our governments are insuring
financial protection for the industry that is poisoning us?
This message is going out to everyone I know in an attempt to tell
you the truth that the corporate-owned politicians and media won't tell you.
The best way you can help to save yourself and your children from
this drug-induced epidemic is to forward this article to everyone.
With any luck, it will circle the globe before politicians can pass the legislation
protecting those who are poisoning us.
The food industry learned a lot from the tobacco industry. Imagine if
big tobacco had a bill like this in place before someone blew the whistle
on nicotine?
If you are one of the few who can still believe that MSG is good for
us and you don't believe what John Erb has to say, see for yourself. Go
to the National Library of Medicine at www.pubmed.com Type in the
words 'MSG Obese' and read a few of the 115 medical studies that appear.
We the public do not want to be rats in one giant experiment, and we
do not approve of food that makes us into a nation of obese, lethargic,
addicted sheep, feeding the food industry's bottom line while waiting for
the heart transplant, the diabetic-induced amputation, blindness, or other
obesity-induced, life-threatening disorders.
With your help we can put an end to this poison. Do your part in
sending this message out by word of mouth, e-mail, or by distribution of
this printout to your friends all over the world and stop this 'Slow
Poisoning of Mankind' by the packaged food industry.
Blowing the whistle on MSG is our responsibility, so get the word out.
The food additive MSG (Mono-Sodium Glutamate) is a slow poison. MSG
hides behind 25 or more names, such as Natural Flavoring.' MSG is even in
your favorite coffee from Tim Horton's and Starbucks coffee shops!
I wondered if there could be an actual chemical causing the massive
obesity epidemic, and so did a friend of mine, John Erb. He was a research
assistant at the University of Waterloo in Ontario , Canada , and spent
years working for the government. He made an amazing discovery while
going through scientific journals for a book he was writing called The Slow
Poisoning of America.
In hundreds of studies around the world, scientists were creating
obese mice and rats to use in diet or diabetes test studies.
No strain of rat or mice is naturally obese, so scientists have to create
them. They make these creatures morbidly obese by injecting them with
MSG when they are first born.
The MSG triples the amount of insulin the pancreas creates, causing rats
(and perhaps humans) to become obese. They even have a name for the
fat rodents they create: 'MSG-Treated Rats.'
When I heard this, I was shocked. I went into my kitchen and checked
the cupboards and the refrigerator. MSG was in everything -- the Campbell 's
soups, the Hostess Doritos, the Lays flavored potato chips, Top Ramen,
Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Heinz canned gravy, Swanson frozen
prepared meals, and Kraft salad dressings, especially the 'healthy low-fat' ones.
The items that didn't have MSG marked on the product label had
something called 'Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein,' which is just another
name for Monosodium Glutamate.
It was shocking to see just how many of the foods we feed our
children everyday are filled with this stuff. MSG is hidden under many
different names in order to fool those who read the ingredient list, so that
they don't catch on. (Other names for MSG are 'Accent, 'Aginomoto,'
'Natural Meat Tenderizer,' etc.)
But it didn't stop there.
When our family went out to eat, we started asking at the restaurants
what menu items contained MSG. Many employees, even the managers, swore
they didn't use MSG.
But when we ask for the ingredient list, which they grudgingly
provided, sure enough, MSG and Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein were everywhere.
Burger King, McDonald's, Wendy's, Taco Bell, every restaurant -- even
the sit-down eateries like TGIF, Chili's, Applebee's, and Denny's -- use MSG
in abundance. Kentucky Fried Chicken seemed to be the WORST offender:
MSG was in every chicken dish, salad dressing. and gravy. No wonder I loved
to eat that coating on the skin -- their secret spice was MSG!
So why is MSG in so many of the foods we eat? Is it a preservative,
or a vitamin?
Not according to my friend John Erb. In his book The Slow Poisoning
of America, he said that MSG is added to food for the addictive effect it
has on the human body.
Even the propaganda website sponsored by the food manufacturers lobby
group supporting MSG explains that the reason they add it to food is to
make people eat more.
A study of the elderly showed that older people eat more of the foods
that it is added to. The Glutamate Association lobbying group says eating
more is a benefit to the elderly, but what does it do to the rest of us?
'Betcha can't eat [just] one,' takes on a whole new meaning where MSG
is concerned! And we wonder why the nation is overweight!
MSG manufacturers themselves admit that it addicts people to their
products. It makes people choose their product over others, and makes
people eat more of it than they would if MSG wasn't added.
Not only is MSG scientifically proven to cause obesity, it is an addictive
substance. Since its introduction into the American food supply fifty years ago,
MSG has been added in larger and larger doses to the pre-packaged meals,
soups, snacks, and fast foods we are tempted to eat everyday.
The FDA has set no limits on how much of it can be added to food.
They claim it's safe to eat in any amount. But how can they claim it's safe
when there are hundreds of scientific studies with titles like these:
'The monosodium glutamate (MSG) obese rat as a model for the study of
exercise in obesity.' Gobatto CA, Mello MA, Souza CT, Ribeiro IA. Res
Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 2002.
'Adrenalectomy abolishes the food-induced hypothalamic serotonin
release in both normal and monosodium glutamate-obese rats.' Guimaraes
RB, Telles MM, Coelho VB, Mori C, Nascimento CM, Ribeiro. Brain Res Bull.
2002 Aug.
'Obesity induced by neonatal monosodium glutamate treatment in
spontaneously hypertensive rats: An animal model of multiple risk factors.'
Iwase M, Yamamoto M, Iino K, Ichikawa K, Shinohara N, Yoshinari Fujishima.
Hypertens Res. 1998 Mar.
'Hypothalamic lesion induced by injection of monosodium glutamate in
suckling period and subsequent development of obesity.' Tanaka K,
Shimada M, Nakao K Kusunoki. Exp Neurol. 1978 Oct.
No, the date of that last study was not a typo; it was published in
1978. Both the 'medical research community' and 'food manufacturers' have
known about the side effects of MSG for decades.
Many more of the studies mentioned in John Erb's book link MSG to
diabetes, migraines and headaches, autism, ADHD, and even Alzheimer's.
So what can we do to stop the food manufactures from dumping this
fattening and addictive MSG into our food supply and causing the obesity
epidemic we now see?
Several months ago, John Erb took his book and his concerns to one of
the highest government health officials in Canada .
While he was sitting in the government office, the official told him,
'Sure, I know how bad MSG is. I wouldn't touch the stuff.' But this
top-level government official refuses to tell the public what he knows.
The big media doesn't want to tell the public either, fearing issues
with their advertisers. It seems that the fallout on the fast food industry
may hurt their profit margin. The food producers and restaurants have
been addicting us to their products for years, and now we are paying
the price for it. Our children should not be cursed with obesity caused
by an addictive food additive.
But what can I do about it? I'm just one voice! What can I do to
stop the poisoning of our children, while our governments are insuring
financial protection for the industry that is poisoning us?
This message is going out to everyone I know in an attempt to tell
you the truth that the corporate-owned politicians and media won't tell you.
The best way you can help to save yourself and your children from
this drug-induced epidemic is to forward this article to everyone.
With any luck, it will circle the globe before politicians can pass the legislation
protecting those who are poisoning us.
The food industry learned a lot from the tobacco industry. Imagine if
big tobacco had a bill like this in place before someone blew the whistle
on nicotine?
If you are one of the few who can still believe that MSG is good for
us and you don't believe what John Erb has to say, see for yourself. Go
to the National Library of Medicine at www.pubmed.com Type in the
words 'MSG Obese' and read a few of the 115 medical studies that appear.
We the public do not want to be rats in one giant experiment, and we
do not approve of food that makes us into a nation of obese, lethargic,
addicted sheep, feeding the food industry's bottom line while waiting for
the heart transplant, the diabetic-induced amputation, blindness, or other
obesity-induced, life-threatening disorders.
With your help we can put an end to this poison. Do your part in
sending this message out by word of mouth, e-mail, or by distribution of
this printout to your friends all over the world and stop this 'Slow
Poisoning of Mankind' by the packaged food industry.
Blowing the whistle on MSG is our responsibility, so get the word out.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Mawlid al-Nabi (the Prophet's birthday)
Question:
Why some people accept and some unaccept the celebration of the prophet ( )? What is your opinion?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
There is nothing in the Qur'aan to say that we should celebrate the Mawlid or birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
The Prophet himself (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not do this or command anyone to do it, either during his lifetime or after his death. Indeed, he told them not to exaggerate about him as the Christians had exaggerated about Jesus (upon whom be peace).
He said: "Do not exaggerate about me as the Christians exaggerated about the son of Maryam. I am only a slave, so say, 'The slave of Allaah and His Messenger.'" (Reported by al-Bukhaari).
What has been reported is that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made the day of his birth a day of worship, which is different to celebration. He was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he said:
"That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was entrusted with the Mission or when I was first given Revelation." (Reported by Muslim, al-Nisaa'i and Abu Dawood).
Moreover, we know that the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) were the people who loved the Prophet most.
Was it reported that Abu Bakr, who was the closest of people to him and the one who loved him the most, celebrated the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)?
Was it reported that 'Umar, who ruled for twelve years, or 'Uthmaan, did this? Was it reported that 'Ali, his relative and foster son, did this? Was it reported that any of the Sahaabah did this?
No, by Allaah! Is it because they were not aware of its importance, or did they not truly love the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? No one would say such a thing except one who has gone astray and is leading others astray.
Did any of the imaams – Abu Haneefah, Maalik, al-Shaafi'i, Ahmad, al-Hasan al-Basri, Ibn Seereen – do this or command others to do it or say that it was good?
By Allaah, no! It was not even mentioned during the first and best three centuries.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said in a saheeh hadeeth: "The best of mankind are my generation (or my century), then those who come after them, then those who come after them. Then there will come a people who will not care if their testimony comes before their oath or vice versa (i.e., they will not take such matter seriously)." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Muslim and al-Tirmidhi).
The celebration of the Prophet's birthday appeared many centuries later, when many of the features of true religion had vanished and bid'ah had become widespread. Thus this celebration became a sign of one's love for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
But can it be possible that the Sahaabah, the imaams and the people of the best three centuries were unaware of it, and it was only those who came later who were aware of its importance?!
What the Qur'aan tells us is that love of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is demonstrated by following the guidance he brought. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): 'If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Say: 'Obey Allaah and the Messenger.' But if they turn away, then Allaah does not like the disbelievers." [Aal 'Imraan 3:31-32]
The first aayah explains that love is just a claim, but the proof of sincerity is following what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) brought. The second aayah reaffirms the importance and necessity of obeying Allaah and His Messenger. Hence Allaah ended the aayah with a very stern warning in which those who refuse to obey are described as kaafirs, and Allah does not love the disbelievers. We ask Allaah to keep us safe from that.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us of the danger of not obeying him, and the danger of adding to what he brought. The celebration of Mawlid or his birthday is indeed an addition to what he brought – as all the scholars agree.
He said: "The best of speech is the Book of Allaah, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The most evil of things are those which are newly-invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray." (Reported by Muslim and al-Nisaa'i).
We ask Allaah to protect us from bid'ah and to bless us by helping us to follow. Allaah knows best. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
Why some people accept and some unaccept the celebration of the prophet ( )? What is your opinion?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
There is nothing in the Qur'aan to say that we should celebrate the Mawlid or birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
The Prophet himself (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not do this or command anyone to do it, either during his lifetime or after his death. Indeed, he told them not to exaggerate about him as the Christians had exaggerated about Jesus (upon whom be peace).
He said: "Do not exaggerate about me as the Christians exaggerated about the son of Maryam. I am only a slave, so say, 'The slave of Allaah and His Messenger.'" (Reported by al-Bukhaari).
What has been reported is that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made the day of his birth a day of worship, which is different to celebration. He was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he said:
"That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was entrusted with the Mission or when I was first given Revelation." (Reported by Muslim, al-Nisaa'i and Abu Dawood).
Moreover, we know that the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) were the people who loved the Prophet most.
Was it reported that Abu Bakr, who was the closest of people to him and the one who loved him the most, celebrated the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)?
Was it reported that 'Umar, who ruled for twelve years, or 'Uthmaan, did this? Was it reported that 'Ali, his relative and foster son, did this? Was it reported that any of the Sahaabah did this?
No, by Allaah! Is it because they were not aware of its importance, or did they not truly love the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? No one would say such a thing except one who has gone astray and is leading others astray.
Did any of the imaams – Abu Haneefah, Maalik, al-Shaafi'i, Ahmad, al-Hasan al-Basri, Ibn Seereen – do this or command others to do it or say that it was good?
By Allaah, no! It was not even mentioned during the first and best three centuries.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said in a saheeh hadeeth: "The best of mankind are my generation (or my century), then those who come after them, then those who come after them. Then there will come a people who will not care if their testimony comes before their oath or vice versa (i.e., they will not take such matter seriously)." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Muslim and al-Tirmidhi).
The celebration of the Prophet's birthday appeared many centuries later, when many of the features of true religion had vanished and bid'ah had become widespread. Thus this celebration became a sign of one's love for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
But can it be possible that the Sahaabah, the imaams and the people of the best three centuries were unaware of it, and it was only those who came later who were aware of its importance?!
What the Qur'aan tells us is that love of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is demonstrated by following the guidance he brought. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): 'If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Say: 'Obey Allaah and the Messenger.' But if they turn away, then Allaah does not like the disbelievers." [Aal 'Imraan 3:31-32]
The first aayah explains that love is just a claim, but the proof of sincerity is following what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) brought. The second aayah reaffirms the importance and necessity of obeying Allaah and His Messenger. Hence Allaah ended the aayah with a very stern warning in which those who refuse to obey are described as kaafirs, and Allah does not love the disbelievers. We ask Allaah to keep us safe from that.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us of the danger of not obeying him, and the danger of adding to what he brought. The celebration of Mawlid or his birthday is indeed an addition to what he brought – as all the scholars agree.
He said: "The best of speech is the Book of Allaah, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The most evil of things are those which are newly-invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray." (Reported by Muslim and al-Nisaa'i).
We ask Allaah to protect us from bid'ah and to bless us by helping us to follow. Allaah knows best. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
