Sunday, December 18, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Monday, March 3, 2008
Britain’s High Class Are Flocking to Islam
Authentic research has shown that over 14000 Brits have converted to Islam after having lost hope in the style of life the West is offering. ‘Amongst the converts there exists many famous personalities which is a great booster for the Muslims who have become a prey to accusations of terrorism and are living in fear’ in the words of Muslim leaders. The Muslim Council has appointed the former health minister’s son Ahmed Dobson as chairman of their new committee which is striving to explain the reality of Islam to the whites living in the United Kingdom. Yahya Britt (Jonathan Britt) the former BBC director has researched thoroughly the data of Christians converting to Islam and concluded that the total number of new Muslims in Britain was 14200. In his statement of conversion to Islam last week, Britt stressed the point that Britain also needed a leader to bring whites more easily into Islam, just as Malcom X had done for the blacks of America and to make Islam a more national religion rather than the strange one it is at present. Furthermore, he explained how Islam’s balanced system, strong beliefs and spirituality gave him that hearts contentment. Herbet Scott’s great grand daughter, Emma Clark has also accepted Islam as a way of life, a former designer for the gardens of the Prince of Wales is now involved in designing a mosque’s garden. She stated to the press a few days ago that ‘I accepted Islam after detesting the doubt standards of Western values and to lee from the filth that surrounds it. Her great grandfather who was the prime minister of Britain in 1908-1916 led his people to the lines of victory in the First World War. Most new converts have been greatly influenced by Charles Easton’s book, ‘Islam and the Destiny of Man’. He states that I’ve receives thousands of letters informing me that we have lost hope in today’s Christianity which is following the whims and desires of people and are searching for such a religion which does not have this. The earl of Yarbrough who is the owner of over 28000acres of land in Lincolnshire told the press, ‘I have changed my name to Abdul Mateen and would only like to say that ‘Study Islam and you shall see its beauty’. Her Majesty has given full permission for Muslim staff working in Buckingham Palace to take time off to perform their Friday prayers. The above were examples of people who were directly connected to the kingdom, whose grandparents were the bearers of knighthoods and lordships, who used to sit in the houses of Parliament, wealthy people, from a nation who has never been ruled. But what happened to these people’s progeny? There was no slavery or force on them to make them accept Islam; ‘it was solely the unexplainable hearts contentment we found which compelled us.’ After all this I see not the reasons of my shyness, my regret, my inferiority complex that is stopping me from even performing my Jumu’ah Salaat amidst my colleagues at work only because of the fear of what will people say and that my business may lose important profits, yet the kingdom headquarters, Buckingham Palace, has such facilities… [ extracted from the monthly ‘Al-Furqan’. Written by Nicholas Hellan, Christopher Morgan and Maqbool Jaan ]
Sunday, March 2, 2008
POETRY
Main Aiyna Hoon,Wo Mera Khayal Rakhti Hay
Main Toot-ta Hoon Tu Chun Kar Sambhal Rakhti Hay,
Har Aik Maslay Ka Hal Nikal Rakhti Hai
Zaheen Hai,Mujhay Hairat Main Daal Rakhti Hay,
Main Jab Bhi Tark-e-taluq Ki Baat Karta Hoon
Woh Rokti Hay Mujhay, Kal Pay Taal Rakhti Hay,
Woh Mairay Dard Ko Chunnti Hay Apnay Pooron Say
Woh Mairay Wastay Khud Ko Nidhaal Rakhti Hay,
Woh Dobnay Nahi Daiti Hay Dukh Kay Darya Main
Mairay Wajood Ki Naow Uchaal, Rakhti Hay,
Duain Uss Ki , Balaoon Ko Rook Laiti Hain?
Woh Mairay Chaar Soo Hathon Ki Dhaal Rakhti Hay,
Ik Aisi Dhunn ,Kay Nahin Phir Kabhi Main Nay Suni
Woh Munfarid Saa Hansi Main Kamal Rakhti Hay..... ,
Usay Nadamatain Mairi Kahan Gawara Hain,,
Woh Mairay Wastay Asaan Sawal Rakhti Hay,
Bichar Kay Uss Say Main Duniya Ki Thokaron Main Hon
Woh Pass Ho Tau Mujhay Lazawaal Rakhti Hay......... ,
Woh Muntazir Mera Rehti Hay Dhoop Main
Main Laut-ta Hoon To Chahoon Nikal Rakhti Hay...!
Main Toot-ta Hoon Tu Chun Kar Sambhal Rakhti Hay,
Har Aik Maslay Ka Hal Nikal Rakhti Hai
Zaheen Hai,Mujhay Hairat Main Daal Rakhti Hay,
Main Jab Bhi Tark-e-taluq Ki Baat Karta Hoon
Woh Rokti Hay Mujhay, Kal Pay Taal Rakhti Hay,
Woh Mairay Dard Ko Chunnti Hay Apnay Pooron Say
Woh Mairay Wastay Khud Ko Nidhaal Rakhti Hay,
Woh Dobnay Nahi Daiti Hay Dukh Kay Darya Main
Mairay Wajood Ki Naow Uchaal, Rakhti Hay,
Duain Uss Ki , Balaoon Ko Rook Laiti Hain?
Woh Mairay Chaar Soo Hathon Ki Dhaal Rakhti Hay,
Ik Aisi Dhunn ,Kay Nahin Phir Kabhi Main Nay Suni
Woh Munfarid Saa Hansi Main Kamal Rakhti Hay..... ,
Usay Nadamatain Mairi Kahan Gawara Hain,,
Woh Mairay Wastay Asaan Sawal Rakhti Hay,
Bichar Kay Uss Say Main Duniya Ki Thokaron Main Hon
Woh Pass Ho Tau Mujhay Lazawaal Rakhti Hay......... ,
Woh Muntazir Mera Rehti Hay Dhoop Main
Main Laut-ta Hoon To Chahoon Nikal Rakhti Hay...!
Experiences of a Recently Converted Hindu Woman
I came from a purely Hindu family where we were always
taught to regard ourselves (i.e. women) as beings who
were eventually to be married off and have children
and serve the husband, whether he was kind or not.
Other than this, I found that there were a lot of
things, which really oppressed women, such as: If a
woman was widowed, she would always have to wear a
white sari costume, eat vegetarian meals, cut her hair
short, and never re-marry. The bride always had to pay
the dowry (bridal money) to the husband’s family. And
the husband could ask for anything, irrespective of
whether the bride would have difficulty giving it.
Not only that, if after marriage she was not able to
pay the full dowry she would be both emotionally and
physically tortured, and could end up being a victim
of “kitchen death” where the husband, or both the
mother-in-law and the husband try to set fire to the
wife while she is cooking or is in the kitchen, and
try to make it look like an accidental death. More and
more of these instances are taking place. The daughter
of a friend of my own fathers had the same fate last
year!
In addition to all this, men in Hinduism are treated
literally as among the gods. In one of the religious
Hindu celebration, unmarried girls pray for and
worship an idol representing a particular god (Shiva)
so that they may have husbands like him. Even my own
mother had asked me to do this. This made me see that
the Hindu religion which is based on superstitions and
things that have no manifest proof, but were merely
traditions which oppressed women could not be right.
Subsequently, when I came to England to study, I
thought that at least this is a country, which gives
equal rights to men and women, and does not oppress
them.
We all have the freedom to do, as we like, I thought.
Well, as I started to meet people and make new
friends, learn about this new society, and go to all
the places my friends went to in order to “socialize”
(bars, dance halls, ...etc.), I realized that this
“equality” was not so true in practice as it was in
theory. Outwardly, women were seen to be given equal
rights in education, work, and so forth, but in
reality women were still oppressed in a different,
subtler way.
When I went with my friends to those places they hung
out at, I found everybody interested to talk to me and
I thought that was normal. But it was only later that
I realized how naive I was, and recognized what these
people were really looking for. I soon began to feel
uncomfortable, as if I was not myself: I had to dress
in a certain way so that people would like me, and had
to talk in a certain way to please them. I soon found
that I was feeling more and more uncomfortable, less
and less myself, yet I could not get out. Everybody
was saying they were enjoying themselves, but I don’t
call this enjoying. I think women in this way of life
are oppressed; they have to dress in a certain way in
order to please and appear more appealing, and also
talk in a certain way so people like them.
During this time I had not thought about Islam, even
though I had some Muslim acquaintances. But I felt I
really had to do something, to find something that I
would be happy and secure with, and would feel
respected with. Something to believe in that is the
right belief, because everybody has a belief that they
live according to. If having fun by getting off with
other people is someone’s belief, they do this. If
making money is someone’s belief, they do everything
to achieve this. If they believe drinking is one way
to enjoy life then they do it. But I feel all this
leads to nowhere; no one is truly satisfied, and the
respect women are looking for is diminishing in this
way.
In these days of so called ‘society of equal rights,”
you are expected to have a boyfriend (or you’re
weird!) and to not be a virgin. So this is a form of
oppression even though some women do not realize it.
When I came to Islam, it was obvious that I had
finally found permanent security. A religion, a belief
that was so complete and clear in every aspect of
life.
How I find that Islam does not Oppress Women:
Many people have a misconception that Islam is an
oppressive religion, where women are covered from head
to toe, and are not allowed any freedom or rights. In
fact, women in Islam are given more rights, and have
been for the past 1400 years, compared to the only
recently rights given to non-Muslim women in some
western and some other societies. But there are, even
now, societies where women are still oppressed, as I
mentioned earlier in relation to Hindu women that
Muslim women have the right to inheritance. They have
the right to run their own trade and business. They
have the full right to ownership, property, disposal
over their wealth to which the husband has no right.
They have the right to education, a right to refuse
marriage as long as this refusal is according to
reasonable and justifiable grounds.
The Quran itself, which is the word of Allah, contains
many verses commanding men to be kind to their wives
and stressing the rights of women. Islam gives the
right set of rules, because they are NOT made by men,
but made by Allah; hence it is a perfect religion.
Quite often Muslim women are asked why they are
covered from head to toe (except the face and the
hands), and are told that this is oppression! It is
not. In Islam, marriage is an important part of life,
the making of the society. Therefore, a woman should
not go around showing herself to everybody, only for
her husband. Even the man is not allowed to show
certain parts of his body to none but his wife. In
addition, Allah has commanded Muslim women to cover
themselves for their modesty: “O Prophet! Tell your
wives and your daughters and the women of the
believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their
bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that
they could be known as such (i.e. decent and chaste)
and not molested.” (Qur’an 33:59).
If we look around at any other society, we find that
in the majority of cases women are attacked and
molested because of how they are dressed. Another
point I’d like to comment on is that the rules and
regulation laid down in Islam by Allah (God) do not
apply just to women but to men also. There is no
intermingling and free running between men and women
for the benefit of both. Whatever Allah commands is
right, wholesome, pure and beneficial to mankind;
there is no doubt about that.
A verse in the Quran explains this concept clearly:
“Say to the believing men that they should lower their
gaze and protect their private parts (i.e. from
indecency, illegal sexual acts); that will make for
greater purity for them. And Allah is well aware of
what they do. And say to the believing women that they
should lower their gaze and protect their private
parts (from indecency, illegal sexual intercourse) ;
and that they should not display their beauty and
ornaments... .” (Quran, Surah “Al-Nur” 24:31).
When I put on my Hijab (veil), I was really happy to
do it. In fact, I really want to do it. When I put on
the Hijab, I felt a great sense of satisfaction and
happiness. Satisfied that I had obeyed Allah’s
command. And happy with the good and blessings that
come with it. I have felt secure and protected. In
fact people respect me more for it. I could really see
the difference in behavior towards me.
Finally, I’d like to say that I had accepted Islam not
blindly, or under any compulsion. In the Qur’an itself
there is a verse which says “There is no compulsion in
religion.” I accepted Islam with conviction. I have
seen, been there, done that, and seen both sides of
the story. I know and have experienced what the other
side is like, and I know that I have done the right
thing.
Islam does not oppress women, but rather Islam
liberates them and gives them the respect they
deserve. Islam is the religion Allah has chosen for
the whole of mankind. Those who accept it are truly
liberated from the chains and shackles of mankind
whose ruling and legislating necessitates nothing but
the oppression of one group by another and the
exploitation and oppression of one sex by the other.
This is not the case of Islam, which truly liberated
women and gave them individuality not given by any
other authority.
Sister Noor has been a Muslim for over a year and a
half and is currently in her second year of
undergraduate study in the Department of Biology.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: All our articles may be used for
any purposes with the proviso that;
a) They are acknowledged,
b) They are not edited
taught to regard ourselves (i.e. women) as beings who
were eventually to be married off and have children
and serve the husband, whether he was kind or not.
Other than this, I found that there were a lot of
things, which really oppressed women, such as: If a
woman was widowed, she would always have to wear a
white sari costume, eat vegetarian meals, cut her hair
short, and never re-marry. The bride always had to pay
the dowry (bridal money) to the husband’s family. And
the husband could ask for anything, irrespective of
whether the bride would have difficulty giving it.
Not only that, if after marriage she was not able to
pay the full dowry she would be both emotionally and
physically tortured, and could end up being a victim
of “kitchen death” where the husband, or both the
mother-in-law and the husband try to set fire to the
wife while she is cooking or is in the kitchen, and
try to make it look like an accidental death. More and
more of these instances are taking place. The daughter
of a friend of my own fathers had the same fate last
year!
In addition to all this, men in Hinduism are treated
literally as among the gods. In one of the religious
Hindu celebration, unmarried girls pray for and
worship an idol representing a particular god (Shiva)
so that they may have husbands like him. Even my own
mother had asked me to do this. This made me see that
the Hindu religion which is based on superstitions and
things that have no manifest proof, but were merely
traditions which oppressed women could not be right.
Subsequently, when I came to England to study, I
thought that at least this is a country, which gives
equal rights to men and women, and does not oppress
them.
We all have the freedom to do, as we like, I thought.
Well, as I started to meet people and make new
friends, learn about this new society, and go to all
the places my friends went to in order to “socialize”
(bars, dance halls, ...etc.), I realized that this
“equality” was not so true in practice as it was in
theory. Outwardly, women were seen to be given equal
rights in education, work, and so forth, but in
reality women were still oppressed in a different,
subtler way.
When I went with my friends to those places they hung
out at, I found everybody interested to talk to me and
I thought that was normal. But it was only later that
I realized how naive I was, and recognized what these
people were really looking for. I soon began to feel
uncomfortable, as if I was not myself: I had to dress
in a certain way so that people would like me, and had
to talk in a certain way to please them. I soon found
that I was feeling more and more uncomfortable, less
and less myself, yet I could not get out. Everybody
was saying they were enjoying themselves, but I don’t
call this enjoying. I think women in this way of life
are oppressed; they have to dress in a certain way in
order to please and appear more appealing, and also
talk in a certain way so people like them.
During this time I had not thought about Islam, even
though I had some Muslim acquaintances. But I felt I
really had to do something, to find something that I
would be happy and secure with, and would feel
respected with. Something to believe in that is the
right belief, because everybody has a belief that they
live according to. If having fun by getting off with
other people is someone’s belief, they do this. If
making money is someone’s belief, they do everything
to achieve this. If they believe drinking is one way
to enjoy life then they do it. But I feel all this
leads to nowhere; no one is truly satisfied, and the
respect women are looking for is diminishing in this
way.
In these days of so called ‘society of equal rights,”
you are expected to have a boyfriend (or you’re
weird!) and to not be a virgin. So this is a form of
oppression even though some women do not realize it.
When I came to Islam, it was obvious that I had
finally found permanent security. A religion, a belief
that was so complete and clear in every aspect of
life.
How I find that Islam does not Oppress Women:
Many people have a misconception that Islam is an
oppressive religion, where women are covered from head
to toe, and are not allowed any freedom or rights. In
fact, women in Islam are given more rights, and have
been for the past 1400 years, compared to the only
recently rights given to non-Muslim women in some
western and some other societies. But there are, even
now, societies where women are still oppressed, as I
mentioned earlier in relation to Hindu women that
Muslim women have the right to inheritance. They have
the right to run their own trade and business. They
have the full right to ownership, property, disposal
over their wealth to which the husband has no right.
They have the right to education, a right to refuse
marriage as long as this refusal is according to
reasonable and justifiable grounds.
The Quran itself, which is the word of Allah, contains
many verses commanding men to be kind to their wives
and stressing the rights of women. Islam gives the
right set of rules, because they are NOT made by men,
but made by Allah; hence it is a perfect religion.
Quite often Muslim women are asked why they are
covered from head to toe (except the face and the
hands), and are told that this is oppression! It is
not. In Islam, marriage is an important part of life,
the making of the society. Therefore, a woman should
not go around showing herself to everybody, only for
her husband. Even the man is not allowed to show
certain parts of his body to none but his wife. In
addition, Allah has commanded Muslim women to cover
themselves for their modesty: “O Prophet! Tell your
wives and your daughters and the women of the
believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their
bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that
they could be known as such (i.e. decent and chaste)
and not molested.” (Qur’an 33:59).
If we look around at any other society, we find that
in the majority of cases women are attacked and
molested because of how they are dressed. Another
point I’d like to comment on is that the rules and
regulation laid down in Islam by Allah (God) do not
apply just to women but to men also. There is no
intermingling and free running between men and women
for the benefit of both. Whatever Allah commands is
right, wholesome, pure and beneficial to mankind;
there is no doubt about that.
A verse in the Quran explains this concept clearly:
“Say to the believing men that they should lower their
gaze and protect their private parts (i.e. from
indecency, illegal sexual acts); that will make for
greater purity for them. And Allah is well aware of
what they do. And say to the believing women that they
should lower their gaze and protect their private
parts (from indecency, illegal sexual intercourse) ;
and that they should not display their beauty and
ornaments... .” (Quran, Surah “Al-Nur” 24:31).
When I put on my Hijab (veil), I was really happy to
do it. In fact, I really want to do it. When I put on
the Hijab, I felt a great sense of satisfaction and
happiness. Satisfied that I had obeyed Allah’s
command. And happy with the good and blessings that
come with it. I have felt secure and protected. In
fact people respect me more for it. I could really see
the difference in behavior towards me.
Finally, I’d like to say that I had accepted Islam not
blindly, or under any compulsion. In the Qur’an itself
there is a verse which says “There is no compulsion in
religion.” I accepted Islam with conviction. I have
seen, been there, done that, and seen both sides of
the story. I know and have experienced what the other
side is like, and I know that I have done the right
thing.
Islam does not oppress women, but rather Islam
liberates them and gives them the respect they
deserve. Islam is the religion Allah has chosen for
the whole of mankind. Those who accept it are truly
liberated from the chains and shackles of mankind
whose ruling and legislating necessitates nothing but
the oppression of one group by another and the
exploitation and oppression of one sex by the other.
This is not the case of Islam, which truly liberated
women and gave them individuality not given by any
other authority.
Sister Noor has been a Muslim for over a year and a
half and is currently in her second year of
undergraduate study in the Department of Biology.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: All our articles may be used for
any purposes with the proviso that;
a) They are acknowledged,
b) They are not edited
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