Casualties of war often take different forms – this current chaos has already seen the continued oppression around the world thrown over the shoulder, the ‘Make Poverty History’ campaign put on the back burner and millions of people facing famine and starvation.

You can now add a few more things to that list.

President Musharraf, who is anything but ‘Musharraf’, who knows as much about Islam as George Bush does – hold on, no sorry that’s an insult to Bush isn’t it – actually about as much as Irshad Man-in-disguise and Fred Singh know about Islam (which isn’t very much of course) has just gone and rammed another nail in the coffin. And yes I know that was a huge, insulting and emotive sentence but that’s because now it’s personal.

By banning all foreign students from Pakistani Madâris (‘Islamic’ schools), he is well on his way to completing the Neo-Cons’ ultimate aim which is to destroy the fundamental pillars of our Deen one by one – in this case, talab al-‘ilm or the ‘seeking of sacred divine knowledge’.

Personally this is another blow because I have already sourced a nice madrasah near my home in Swat, in the NWFP for my eldest lad Eesa. With Musharraf really putting the pressure on, particularly on dual-nationality holders like us, then we’re rapidly running out of options.

This trend of shutting down all avenues to learn Shari’ah in the traditional way in Muslim countries is particularly worrying. A few countries that I have been to myself to learn are now almost no-go areas. For example, the biggest casualty will be Pakistan due to the cheap cost and the total convenience for many Pakistani families in the UK. Another huge casualty is Mauritania which is now virtually impossible to learn in. Even when I was there many years back, they were starting to arrest and detain all foreign students; it has got much worse since then, to the extent that they have now started locking up their most famous scholars and ambassadors such as Shakyh Muhammad Hasan Dadaw et al. Absolute disaster.

Egypt isn’t much better, many teachers being too frightened to teach foreigners anything other than Arabic and tajweed. Saudi, Syria, Jordan and other places are rapidly falling by the wayside under American pressure – all part of the Satanic plan of destroying our sources of knowledge.

As for those that respond, “This is better for us to develop ‘home-grown’ Islamic schools” then forgive my cynicism. That’s a load of bakwas if I ever heard.

Seeking knowledge is a divine act of ‘ibadah. It has an intention, it has difficulties, Sunan, blessings, and everything else one would expect from an act of worship. Environment obviously plays a huge role – not to say that we don’t have scholars and teachers in the West and in the UK but rather if we are not going to let any more scholars in, and only rely on what we have here as resources then the only kind of scholars we’ll produce here are those on the style of modernist secular ‘Islamic moderates’. Fantastic.

It’s helpful to know that the early Salaf would not consider a man’s knowledge to be complete if they had not travelled in search of it. There are many reasons for this and of course there are exceptions (Imam Malik et al) but these current policies that people are passing now are nothing but a catastrophe for the authentic learning of our Deen.

I am sure that we’ll still be able to string a few people together to make a functional Imam position work – but where will the ‘ulema and fuqaha come from?

And whilst I’m at it, equally serious is the dissolving pillar of Jihad - the one word which has now more so than ever come under such attack as a principle and concept that it is only by the skin of our teeth that we are still holding on to such an important tool in the fight against oppression. It has been buried as has the legitimate use of istishadiyyah by those such as the Palestinians, amongst the current rhetoric of the ‘War on Terror’ as well as our own problem of fanatical extremism and deviant ideologies.

Jihad in all its forms as well as seeking sacred knowledge need to be defended today as another one of our priorities; just where do we start??

Also, in the middle of writing this comment the most ajeeb thing has just happened. In all my working life, I have never faced the scenario described a few posts ago as having to sell something questionable such as a bacon sandwich etc.

So what happened exactly 5 minutes ago?

Yep – Bacon and Egg flamin’ sandwich innit!

The girl sees me at the counter and asks the usual ‘Can I pay for this here’ bakwas. I gave it my usual (totally coerced) ‘Yeah no problems’ bakwas and we decide to play out the normal rubbish where I seethe away while she looks on in triumphant victory. You know the score.

Anyway, to my absolute HORROR, I look at the sandwich and read ‘Egg and Bacon’ and my heart just pure skips a beat! So I look at her and say, ‘Err, you know something, I don’t think this Pharmacy till can process sandwiches.’

‘That’s strange. It was fine yesterday, and every other day I come here to get a sandwich.’

‘Oh.’

Anyway, being my usual self, I bogged here straight in the eye and told her, ‘Sorry but not today its not. Try the bottom till. Ta.’

:-)

Finally, remember if you haven’t already heard that all lessons today are cancelled. Our beloved Shaykh Kehlan (hafidhahullah) is currently in hospital to sort out a few ongoing problems but everything will be fine insha’Allah by the end of the weekend. Do not forget him in your Du’aa.

The situation in Niger seems to be getting better wal-hamdulillah, thanks to all the media coverage and everyones' generosity. I thank all those who have contacted me personally with their collection plans and ideas. Barakallahu Feekum.

But we all know this was too little too late. We must not be caught out again like this.

Mauritania is likewise in serious trouble and insha'Allah, it'd be nice if we can mobilise our community into some action. I will hopefully post some details soon after I try and get in touch with some old reliable contacts there in Nouakchott the capital.

Back to the mad old world of London, bombs, tornados, and heretics - isn't life just so interesting these days?

It seems like the brothers and sisters using the tube seem to be stressed with a capital S - things don't seem to be going too well with all the looks and suspicion. I'd like to write up a to-do list sometime in the future but for the present, a good idea for a bag which is currently doing the mailing list rounds seems to be:




Hmmm. But do we do when it's time for Salah on the tube with the picture and stuff?

:-)

And then we have Amir Taheri - actually hold on, let me call him by his proper name as the fiqh students have decided on: 'Fred Singh' - anyway, if it isn't for Fred to be chatting rubbish as usual, the question is always whether to even bother responding to such a loser. Is it worth it when it is clear he doesn't have a single bit of credibility, neither in academic fields and especially in the Islamic sciences.

Prepare yourself for a deluge of such 'academics' and 'enlightened ones' as our dear beloved President Musharraf calls them. It is at these times when the Muslims are on the floor that the people of hypocrisy revel - they've done it before and they'll do it again.

Yawn. Someone wake me up when they've finished...

Actually, is there any time for sleep? What with all the latest conspiracy theories hitting the market, how can one stand the suspense?!

You guys know my take on that kind of stuff, but only the Maniac can put it in his own unique way.

But I tell you guys what...isn't that railing thingy in the picture the most darndest thing?

;-)

In the midst of all this mayhem it is often the innocent, weak and destitute who suffer most.

As we were left analysing the Qa’idah programme on BBC2, maybe a few of you might have turned over to BBC1 for the News at Ten.

What followed was one of the most desperate and emotional reports I have seen, given by Hilary Andersson reporting from Niger in West Africa.

How did we allow our brothers, sisters and children get into this state?!




To be honest, the other pictures I have are far too depressing to post. Most of them are those who died earlier yesterday such as Fatima, Ossania and countless others.

Look at your children today and think about your people out there who need us in their time of need. Reflect on the infinite bounties of your Lord and realise that it is all but a test on how those bounties are to be utilised.

Tonight’s report showed a family including many small children and babies looking on in desperation after walking 150 miles in the scorching desert in the search for food, but arriving to find nothing.

Their young son died of starvation along the way.

The camera panned to the father who was weeping during his prayer, crying to Allah saying, “Ya Allah, forgive me for not being able to feed my family! Forgive me! Forgive me!”

La wallahi. It is us who need to beg for forgiveness! Us! US!

The call for aid is desperate. We have to respond.

PG has sent a thousand pounds but we as individuals should respond as well in our own respective capacities. You can donate at many charities including Islamic Relief and Muslim Hands.

Let not this current ‘War on Terror’ distract us from our responsibilities to the rest of Humanity…

You've got to be a Chemist to understand this one...

Earlier this morning I was planning to write a review of what I advised two weeks ago on the London bombings. It was going to justify each and every point from a Shar'i angle and a practical point of view especially in the light of the developments in the investigation so far.

I was going to exonerate those who had been criticised for believing that those four lads were involved (even though I had still not said that) especially considering the fact that this was suggested only after the respective parents of these four boys had already accepted the 'blame' and reality. This of course ridicules those [anonymous] ones who accused us of, 'I bet you'd have more doubt if they were your sons!'

Well considering that their parents didn't show much doubt, I think others can't be too blamed for coming to similar conclusions can they?

But anyway, forget that.

I think the whole thing was going to turn into some ego bakwas - so alhamdulillah that a few things within the next few hours changed my mind.

1. A brother rings up and asks me to help him prepare for the Hajj, so that he can truly benefit from it and not just tick off the boxes.

Subhanallah - now that's a thought.

2. A small e-group list of 20 odd people that I'm on received a request from the wife of one of its members. It said simply and I quote:

"Please remove Dr. Ali Al Timimi from your mailing list. He is in prison."

Subhanallah - now that's a thought.

3. I was expected to be at a good friend's nikah ceremony today at a well known Manchester restaurant. On arrival, I can confidently say I have never been so ashamed in my life. No nikah, no Islam, no nothing - just a pure disgrace. As I looked around the packed and vibrant hall, I could only think of one thing: these guys don't need bomb condemnations and counter refutations for my ego - they need Allah and His Messenger.

Subhanallah - now that's a thought.

So it's time for us all to start putting all these thoughts into action and giving this Deen the respect it deserves. It's about time we got back to working on our Iman and Taqwa and making a real difference in our lives and society.

So - any ideas folks?

Seeing as we’re in conspiracy theory season and everyone reckons I got battered by fifty BNP thugs (if only they knew that I worked for the BBC!), I’ve decided to show exactly how one has a cracking weekend away and returns looking like I do (alhamdulillah a few gashes, cuts and some bruised limbs so nothing serious).

Of course the baistee is that my head is probably going to end up like that Pak's one from Leeds interviewed a few days ago on Newsnight, proudly displaying his battle scars after his ‘rucks’ with the ‘gorai’.

Betws-Y-Coed is home to some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere – stunning views, forgotten river valleys, awe-inspiringly still lakes, forests, alpine trails – the whole lot.





So that’s all the beautiful stuff. Now on to the mad stuff. The Marin Trail.

There is no point in describing this mad 25km dash through the magnificent Gwydyr Forest in the middle of Betws-Y-Coed. A sport for absolute freaks, totally suicidal in places, the biggest adrenaline rushes possible, and all to be blamed on one gora: Abdur-Raheem Green.

Cheers pal.

So now that I’m addicted, and have a more than able partner in Doc Issey, I’ll have to keep justifying to the wife why I keep coming home looking like I fell off a bus. For those who have broadband, then this, this and this will show you how and why.

For all those interested, I take no responsibility in what may happen to you. If you want a good bike hire place then Beics Betws is an excellent place to hire from. Ask for Martin (I add here that we are in delicate da'wah stages with that bloke so don't open your big mouth and ruin it all just yet!), and get yourself one of those crazy £2500 Scott MC-02 Genius Full Suspension bikes and make some serious Du’a - you’ve just paid £16 to go and kill yourself on a mountain.

:-)

PS: the above clips show the middle of the Marin trail, which are the technically difficult parts. I stacked it on the easy, straight downhill section not shown on the video – so beware, all is not what it may seem. Oh and please wear a helmet when you go and then you won’t look like Frankenstein gone wrong when you come back home.

Actually, I don’t look that bad do I?

Considering that it seems we are dealing with a people who (I assume) 'sincerely' and 'honestly' believe that the position they hold of killing non-Muslims (and Muslims for that matter) in the indiscriminate fashion that has been witnessed is correct and Islamically permissible, I've decided to cut and paste a section of a document we released a few years back.

I'll put the whole document up as a PDF file later this evening. Note that it is a legal research document, academic in nature, and naturally might sound rather technical and even 'harsh' in places. This has to be accepted in discussions of Jihad, a detailed and difficult subject at the best of times.

Anyway, below is a section which I thought might be relevant to the recent events. I don't have the time to edit the italics, arabic, and transliterated words - you'll also have to keep in mind that this document was released in the midst of the murder of non-Muslims in Muslim lands and so the context needs to be appreciated.

Islam and the Sanctity of Human Life
An analysis of contemporary false ideologies

By Faisal ibn Qazzâz al-Jâsim

Edited translation by Abu Eesa Niamatullah

......

The Muslim in Dâr ul-Harb (Land of War)

If a Muslim enters a Dâr ul-Harb, after receiving Amân [such as an entry visa] from the non-Muslims to enter then it is not permissible for him to harm them in any manner or to betray their Amân. This Muslim cannot shed the blood of any of their residents, loot any of their possessions or betray them in any shape, form or manner. This is because they only allowed that Muslim entry into their lands and gave him Amân after imposing a condition on him that they would be safe from his treachery and betrayal. This is a matter that all classical Muslim scholars have reached consensus upon.

The simple and clear reason for this prohibition is that to harm the non-Muslims after accepting their offer of Amân and being trusted not to harm them is an act of betrayal and treachery, and these are impermissible and abhorred acts according to Islamic Law. The Prophet (sallallâu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, “Every betrayer will have a flag on the Day of Resurrection”[1] meaning that they will be identified for everyone to look at so as to increase their humility and disgrace. All the verses of the Qur'ân and narrations of the Prophet (sallallâu 'alayhi wa sallam) regarding betrayal and treachery are applicable in this situation.

Therefore, what has taken place in recent times in some non-Muslim countries of bombing, hijacking airplanes and killing the innocent by the hands of Muslims who had entered these lands with Amân are in reality acts of treachery and betrayal and heinous crimes that Islâm strictly prohibits. These crimes are even graver and far more evil if they are committed in the name of the religion and falsely and incorrectly considered acts of Jihâd. We will list below a few statements of the leading classical scholars of Islâm that affirm this conclusion:

1. Imâm ash-Shâfi'î said in his book al-Umm under the chapter of 'al-Musta'man fi Dâr ul-Harb' that, “If a group of Muslims enters Dâr ul-Harb, after being granted Amân by the non-Muslims, then the non-Muslims will be safe and secure from this Muslim group until they depart their land or until the Amân period expires. Therefore these Muslims cannot be treacherous or unjust with those non-Muslims. If the non-Muslims were to attack them and take some of their women and children prisoners…I do not like treachery and betrayal, but I would prefer if they would first ask the non-Muslims to rescind the Amân granted them, and they then can fight the non-Muslims to free their children.”

2. Imâm ibn Qudâmah said in al-Mughnî, “Any Muslim who enters the land of the enemy after being given Amân cannot betray them with regards their possessions nor can he deal with them in Ribâ (usury).” He also said, “As for betraying them, this is impermissible, because they only granted him Amân with the condition that he would not betray them, and this is an implicit meaning if not explicit. This is why if any of them enters our land with Amân and then betrays us, his Amân is null and void. If this is held true, then it is clear that betraying them in such a case is impermissible, because this is an act of betrayal, and betrayal and treachery have no place in our religion. The Prophet (sallallâu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘The Muslims fulfill their contracts.’[2]”

3. Imâm ibn Juzay', in the chapter of Jihâd from his book Qawânîn al-Fiqhiyyah writes, “To clarify the distinction between the Amân that one is obliged to observe and fulfill and between trickery and deceit in warfare, which is permissible, we say that Amân is what the heart of the non-Muslim accepts and depends on. As for trickery and deceit during warfare, these are tactics and movements during battle that would lead the enemy to think that you are attacking or retreating while in reality you are not, but instead seeking an opportunity to surprise or trap him. This does not include the Muslim pretending that he has embraced their religion or that he has come to advise them, and then, if he finds an opportunity, he attacks them while they are unaware. This in reality would be an act of betrayal and treachery that is impermissible in Islâm.”

4. Imâm as-Sarkhasi said in his explanation of the book as-Siyar al-Kabîr by Muhammad ibn Hasan ash-Shaybânî, “Muhammad said, 'If a group of Muslims approach a checkpoint of a Dâr al-Harb and claim that they are envoys from the Muslim ruler to their ruler, and they then present the non-Muslims with a message that may resemble the Muslim ruler’s messages, or even not produce one at all, and they tricked and defrauded the non-Muslims as a result of which they were granted entry into that Dâr al-Harb, then it is not permissible for them to kill any Harbi there nor take any of their possessions as long as they are in that land.'”

Imâm as-Sarkhasi then said, “This is because if what these Muslims had presented the non-Muslims with (the false document or message that shows that they are indeed envoys to the non-Muslim ruler) had not been fake, they would have then attained safety in the lands of the non-Muslims and the non-Muslims would have been safe from their betrayal and treachery. This is the Islamic ruling regarding the envoys of rulers, which includes both our envoys to them and theirs to us. When Mohammad ibn al-Hasan said, ‘The same applies if they had shown the non-Muslims that this is their intention and true meaning,’ he meant that they claim to the non-Muslims that they are indeed envoys, and the non-Muslims have no means of verifying what is in their hearts, and thus accept their claim. In reality, the situation will depend on whatever the person declares and shows, not what he may conceal in his heart, and this way one can avoid injustice, harm and treachery. Since the matter of Amân is so crucial (since it deals with life and death), any minor indication that may lead to preserving life must be applied. Therefore, if the non-Muslims grant the Muslims Amân to enter their land, then the Muslims cannot betray them.”

Imâm as-Sarkhasi then said, “The same applies if the Muslims go to the non-Muslims and claim that they want to conduct business, while in reality they seek to enter their land to kill and destroy. This is because had they indeed gone there to trade, they cannot betray them.”

5. Imâm al-Merghâni said in his book al-Hidâyah, “If the Muslim enters Dâr al-Harb as a merchant, which is an example of the Muslim who is a Musta'man in Dâr al-Harb, he cannot harm them with regards to themselves or their possessions. This is because he was granted Amân to enter and Amân was also taken from him towards the non-Muslim country that he had entered. Therefore, any harm that he may direct at them after that is in reality betrayal and treachery, and this is impermissible in Islâm.”

The statements of the scholars on this matter are far too numerous to all be listed here. We only mentioned a few to show that the four schools of Islâmic Law have reached consensus on this rule. Another proof that further bolsters our argument is that the scholars of Islâm have unanimously agreed that if a Muslim is taken as prisoner of war by the non-Muslims and is then set free on the condition that he does not fight against them, he must fulfill his promise and not betray them. The scholars hold differing opinions on a prisoner freed on the condition that he remains in the land of his captors [the non-Muslims]. Imâm Mâlik and Imâm Ahmad had stated that he cannot escape from their land, whilst Imâm ash-Shâfi'î and Imâm Abu Hanîfah allowed such a person to seek to escape from their land. Imâm ash-Shâfi'î in al-Umm said, “If the non-Muslims take a Muslim as a prisoner and they then set him free granting him Amân, whether they put him in charge of something in their lands or not, then the Amân they gave him is also an Amân from him towards them, and he can by no means betray or harm them.”

All the above is in the case of the Muslim who is taken prisoner in the lands of the non-Muslims by force. How would it then be with the Muslim who enters the lands of the non-Muslims without force but by his own accord and with an Amân from them to him and with official permission to enter?! Most certainly such a person cannot betray the non-Muslims in such a case or bring them any harm.

What we’ve mentioned above concerns Muslims entering Dâr al-Harb with Amân. So how would it be then if the Muslim enters a Dâr al-'Ahd, not a Dâr al-Harb, with Amân?! Most certainly he cannot betray or harm the non-Muslims in such a case. This is because there would then be two matters that protect them from his harm and treachery: the ‘Ahd between the two countries, and the Amân that they had granted him to enter, which also translates into an Amân from him to them.

Therefore, if any Muslim enters the lands of the non-Muslims with Amân from them, or if he enters a Dâr al-'Ahd, he cannot harm anyone in that country, whether a resident of that country or a visitor from another country. This is because the Muslim enters that land on the condition that Amân will be given from the Muslim to everyone there.

[1] Bukhâri
[2] Abu Dâwûd and at-Tirmithi

Difficult times no doubt are looming and we ask Allah for His Mercy.

After our total and unequivocal condemnation of last Thursday’s bombings, we all have to take a serious look at ourselves and even more importantly I feel, take an even closer look at what comes out of our mouths in these times of pressure.

Just a brief look at the BBC over the last 24 hours has seen any number of Muslims ready to step up and start to get carried away with their new found Patriotism.

I would hope that I have always been a British patriot. But it has never meant that I have to forego the Shari’ah for it. Sure, it can be difficult at times but the speed at which the Divine Law of Allah ‘azza wa jall is being thrown behind our backs in the last 48 hours is not only scary, shocking, and grotesque (to use a few choice words of recent times), but playing right into the hands of all our collective enemies.

Already Muslims have started to deny sacred verses of the Qur’an, blessed traditions, key principles such as Jihad, solidarity with the Ummah, Unity, respect for our elders and Scholars, and unbelievably in the last few hours, the nature of Paradise!

It is far too depressing to listen to, and this is far too depressing to carry on with as a subject. Some of the comments here are also quite disturbing, in fact some close brothers have advised that I close this blog down as all it is doing is displaying our disunity and ignorance. Others are suggesting that I censor it more. I must say that I can’t do that, and will not censor other Muslims but closing the blog down might be of benefit and Allah knows best. Your ideas are welcome…

…which leads me on to a nice and convenient change of subject, namely our Cheadle by-election. You’ll all have heard how close it is, and how nasty and personal the campaign has become from Stephen Day’s end, but the Masjid committee has decided to back the Lib Dems again due to our collective interests. Please contact as many people in this area as possible to utilise their vote tomorrow and maybe we can have just one less problem to worry about over the upcoming few months.

And finally, please remember our brother Ali al-Timimi in your prayers as he goes up for sentencing today in the States.

May Allah help all the Muslims in their times of difficulty, Ameen Ya Rabb al-‘Alameen.

Ya Allah, forgive us.

Brothers and sisters of Srebrenica, forgive us.

May Allah accept these Shuhadaa and compensate their families with that which is better.

Ameen.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4670379.stm

:-(

Advice on the London Bombings

All praise is due to God and may His peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad, indeed a Rahmatun lil-‘Ālamīn.

What we feared most has happened.

The terrorists have hit our capital, intending nothing but the indiscriminate massacre of thousands of innocent men, women and children, regardless of colour, race or religion.

It is only by the grace and mercy of God that circumstances allowed us to minimise the loss of life for it could have been so much horribly worse.

Our sincerest condolences and prayers must be with those who have been affected by this tragedy. I doubt there is a single Muslim in the entire UK who doesn’t know someone caught up either directly or indirectly in the mayhem and chaos of London yesterday morning. The mixed emotions of intense relief upon receiving confirmation of safety from loved ones and friends coupled with the grief felt for those who have lost fathers, husbands, wives and other beloved ones can only have left the hearts heaving under the weight of feeling.

The Muslims find themselves in a state of confusion. What should they believe? What does the Sharī‘ah say? What should they tell other Muslims? What should they tell other non-Muslims?


The Sharī‘ah

Let all Muslims be in no doubt whatsoever. This attack in London against innocent civilians cannot be justified under Islamic Law.

The evidences are now well known to this fact and only the most stubborn and ignorant of the Sharī‘ah and its aims and objectives can refuse to believe this. For those who wish to still debate the legal ‘permissibility’ of such an atrocity, let them refer to the English version of “The Sanctity of Human Life”.

As Muslims, if we don’t feel an utter revulsion at such attacks, then we must seriously consider our level and quality of Imān (faith). It does not befit those who carry the divine message of peace and justice that is Islam to have such hatred and disregard against our fellow neighbours and human beings.

There are no ifs and buts about this, regardless of international events and foreign policies. The heart which rejoices in the massacre of innocent people is anything but a heart, whatever ‘justification’ it might find from the continuing massacres and injustices in foreign Muslim lands.

Whoever wants Islam to be promoted throughout the world only does so because they wish for justice and divine knowledge to prevail over the oppression we witness today. Is what we have seen yesterday the precursor of justice and knowledge or rather ignorance and oppression? Will we also, those who claim to bring the panacea to this utter chaos, descend to the same depths of the same depraved fanatics that are orchestrating the destruction of our Ummah?

This is not the Hady al-Nabawi – Prophetic Guidance. Rather we are as our guide and leader, the Prophet Muhammad, described himself (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that, “Of a surety, I was not sent as a Bringer of curses; indeed I was sent as a Mercy.” (Muslim)


Advice to Muslims

One feels it is vital to consider the following points in response to the tragedy to have hit our capital city:

- Be normal. Be real. Be sincere. If you find that you are having to put a show on, that you have underlying feelings of doubt and confusion over these attacks then please consult the people of knowledge, for we fear for your heart and your Islam. If from your sincere real self you cannot bring about a basic level of compassion to fight against this terrorism and to help those affected in every way possible, then your heart needs urgent help and guidance.

- For all Muslims to now recoil back into their homes, their mosques, their ghettos etc as has been suggested by some Muslim leaders would be the biggest mistake possible. Indeed, the safety of Muslim women and children is of concern but to exhibit a siege mentality will only worsen things and allow the extremist fanatics of both ‘sides’ to gain a moral victory. Rather, we should come out more confident than ever, in all our varying walks of life to indeed show our fellow British citizens that we are as normal and human as ever. We were their friends, assistants, doctors, pharmacists, engineers, builders and neighbours before the terrorist attacks, and we will be the very same to them after these attacks. Our friendship, co-operation and mutual compassion has not suddenly dissolved into thin air despite the concerted attempts of fanatics from all quarters.

- We must afford our fellow non-Muslim citizens more honour and dignity than we currently do. To rather patronisingly assume that we are suddenly about to come under attack from our neighbours is both naïve and insulting. They have looked after us well in this country, as we have them, and we must not let the threats of the scaremongering right-wing groups destroy this relationship. The Muslims have always been under the threat of abuse and physical attack from such a fringe, before 9/11, after 9/11 and it will continue as long as ignorance remains – we should always have been alert to this fact as a very visible minority and that shouldn’t change any further now.

- Let those who believe that by letting our Islamic identity slip and amalgamate even further into kufr do so. They will not only disgrace themselves in the eyes of God but also in the eyes of the wider community as a people who live on their knees to terrorism. We are not such a people, rather we are people of God, a people who accept the tests and trials thrown at them whilst asking our Lord for steadfastness and a strong back to bear the burden – that is the way of the people of Imān. God says in His Final Testament, “Do not weaken and do not despair, for you shall be uppermost if you are indeed people of Imān.” (Āle-‘Imrān)

- Do not engage in pointless recriminations and ‘justification’ against the rhetoric being espoused by some at these sensitive times. All people with common sense and justice recognise the real roots of terrorism but we do not need to be reminded about it in our times of difficulty and pain. We know that this chaos and oppression of the innocent in our ‘Western’ world will continue as long as the said continues in the rest of the world. These are the unfortunate times we live in, but now is a time for help, solidarity, healing and unity. Do not let your misplaced emotions ruin this delicate equilibrium.


Advice to non-Muslims

- Above all, be reassured that we Muslims as fellow British citizens stand side by side with you in your times of pain, for it is our pain. We are as British as you are. Don’t think any different simply because we may not join in at the pub, celebrate the same religious festivals, dress differently, have beards and have Muslim women who maintain a modest covering of their bodies.

- Forgive us if you start to get fed up of all the ‘mercy’ and ‘compassion’ (rhetoric you may feel) you will hear from many Muslim public figures. They truly and honestly have no real other idea on how to explain their collective embarrassment and ‘guilt’ for that which has affected us all. In these times of suspicion and confusion, how exactly do a people condemn such an atrocity ‘properly’? How does one best exhibit their ‘solidarity’ to their fellow general public with whom we have always assumed that we were in solidarity with anyway! We simply can’t understand how we can be viewed any differently from before and we are struggling to represent ourselves in the best possible light. Please bear with us.

- Please also remember, if you still have any remaining doubts, that these were attacks aimed at not only innocent British citizens, but in particular one might add, British Muslim citizens. Not only are Aldgate and Edgware Rd well known Muslim areas in London, but there are a high percentage of Muslim employees of the London Underground who man the various London stations as is well known to London commuters. Hence your indignation is our indignation, your suffering our suffering and your desire for peace is our absolute desire for peace.

And God knows best.

Abu Eesa, July 8 2005

'Aafiyah Ya Allah!

Make IGNORANCE History - indeed the cause of all our problems today.

May Allah preserve the Muslims in their times of fitnah, Ameen.

Notice:

The Make Poverty History Seminar on Friday at Makki Masjid is CANCELLED due to some unforseen circumstances.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

The French aren’t exactly my cup of tea at the best of times but what on Earth is that old rascal Chirac blabbering about?

Ok I have to admit that it’s quite a funny line: “The only thing that the British ever gave Europe were mad cows” but then how dare he put our food down!

I mean have any of you ever been to France? And worse, have you ever even tried eating in France?

I should know – my cousin owns a restaurant in Paris, which I have visited a few times now. Other than trying to get myself back there throughout the day to eat, there is absolutely no where else to eat anything except good old Maccy Dees. Fact.

Honest, the food in France is an absolute disgrace. They must be the only people who eat more pig than the Brit non-Muslims do, and they also eat frogs which Alhamdulillah our Shari’ah prohibits and the Brits don’t do either.

As for Blighty, then yeah, if you stick to fish & chips, and pie & mash, then you’re not exactly in culinary heaven. But when you add to that arsenal all the Pak, Indian and other nations which have adapted their own national dishes to the Brit tongue, then other countries are fighting a losing battle. Where on this Earth can you get a chicken sandwich like at Kansas and where can you get a Chicken Donner such as the one at Kashmiri Spice?

Exactly.

:-)

It’s also about time I put fingers to keyboard on why I like to wear the ‘thawb’ as my main mode of clothing, especially whilst working.

This is half in response to a particular bigot who really had a major problem with the way I dressed. Can you believe that?! It was like I forced him and his parents to wear the same!

Let me make it clear now, I don’t believe that it is an obligation to wear ‘Islamic’ looking clothes such as Shalwar Kameez or Thawbs etc. Rather this is a personal choice, for my own personal reasons, but which has many general benefits and advantages, some of which are:

- It looks nice. And I like it too. And so do my family. And my mates. So there.

- Older lady assistants love the ironing on a thawb. And the younger ones are dead jealous cos' my one is whiter than their dispensary coats will ever be. As for the bloke dispensers, then they're just gutted.

;-)

- During Salah, one sometimes finds the problem of a shirt or jumper coming unstuck as such and exposing the ‘awrah at the back hence invalidating the prayer. With the thawb, I’ve never had that problem wal-hamdulillah, something which I was often at risk of in the old days.

- I find that the thawb in particular always provokes a response from the general public or those working with you. Naturally this response varies according to the time and place, but going through these responses logically produces the following scenarios:

Positive – here, the person might praise the style or design of the clothing which inevitably opens up a discussion into its origin, then ones own origin, then religion and hey presto, we’re in! I’d say that over the last eight odd years, this has been maybe 70% of all responses with those whom I work with or get to actually talk to in some capacity.

Neutral – well, nothing gained and nothing lost if the other person doesn’t care. But there is always the possibility of some benefit (see next one)

Negative – this response is usually one of understandable suspicion and concern due to preconceived ideas and beliefs. The good thing of course is that the onus is upon you to change that perception and indeed, turn the meeting into a positive da’wah result. The working environment is perfect for this, for often there will be an immediate negative response, a frown, something hidden and more subtle, but after 5 minutes have passed and you have interacted with them in a way suited to their respected intellectual levels, the prejudice starts to melt away rapidly. 9 times out of 10, I have seen negatives turned into positives for the Paks after engaging such people.

Super negatives – well, these guys hate your guts anyway, whether you were in a thawb or stark naked. They hate everything about you, your beard, your mannerisms, your colour, everything. So you do your best and take the higher moral path and if they are still freaking out then let them burn in their rage!

When talking about these responses, it’s important to qualify what we mean as a positive result. I could give so many examples of positive outcomes, I just don’t know where to start! For example, what of the practising Christian store Manager the other day. He came up to me in the dispensary and started to lament how difficult it was for him to display his own religion in his own country! We started to talk about Faith and its importance and need in our times and I left with him some Qur’anic literature which I will be chasing up with him in a few weeks time insha'Allah. This is not uncommon in my line of work.

Mostly though, its just that when they see a decent person (I hope) in ‘Islamic’ clothes, one hopes the next time they see some miskeen in the same clothes, or some TJs walking about, they’ll treat them with that little bit more respect and understanding, less suspicion and doubt, just making things more comfortable for the Muslims out there, all those who like wearing such clothes, aswell as the sizeable minority who actually expect a reward for wearing such dress in emulation of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) despite the 'weakness' of such a position.

How often have we benefited in our own work and study places from our predecessors who have strived to create Islamic-friendly environments whether by the virtue of their dress or where they would pray at work, or how they wore their beards and Hijabs etc.

I know that I’m very grateful for those early practising Pharmacists who have conditioned my staff in large cities into accepting my needs for Salah, Siyam, certain working environments etc, without me having to go through the whole process one more time. It’s nice to be told what way Qiblah is, to be reminded of prayer times, to be assumed certain advantages because of my ‘appearance’ etc.

Likewise I feel a similar responsibility and would hope for a similar reward insha’Allah by any sincere efforts in the outlying and rural areas of the UK that I end up in due to my rather extrovert and ‘Islamic’ character. I have already been informed by Muslim friends of the benefits of some of my introductory work, so what of all the Muslim generations to come?

This is going on far too long – I hope you’ll enjoy your own clothes and allow others to wear their own. Subhanallah, I find more tolerance to my thawb from the non-Muslims!

And anyway, I couldn’t get into a nice pair of Levis if I tried. As for that black, tight Armani tank top…

:-)

The great thing about writing a digest is that you can blurt out whatever in no order with no relevant structure. So let me end with the joy of just witnessing Azhar Mahmood hit his fellow Pak team-mate Hindu Danesh Kaneria for 24 runs in one brutal 20-20 over.

And I’ve got one word for Liverpool – Gutted.

:-)

The next article will actually be of some benefit insha’Allah – I promise.

Honest.

Two events for your calender. Myself and the family will be at both insha'Allah (I'll try and sneak in to tomorrow's one)...

1. Manchester Women and Childrens' Multicultural Association presents:

Charity Fundraiser for Orphans of the Tsunami Disaster

Date: Saturday 2nd July 2005
At: Longsight Library (Upstairs Hall), Stockport Rd, Longsight, Manchester
Time: 11AM - 4PM
Contact: info@theorphanchild.org
Tel: 07946 187 290 or 07811 406 074

Activities will include:

BOUNCY CASTLE
ARTS & CRAFTS
FACE PAINTING
BRIC-A-BRAC
FOOD AND MUCH MORE

Note: This is a Womens and Childrens event only

ALL PROCEEDS TO THE ORPHAN CHILD (REGISTERED CHARITY)




2. Prophetic Guidance presents:

Make Poverty History
The Poverty of Justice and Knowledge - Mankind's Greatest Challenge

Panel session to include amongst others:

- Abdur-Raheem Green
- Abu Aaliyah
- Nabeel ul-Haq
- Usama Hasan

Date: Friday 8th July 2005
Time: 8pm - 10pm
Location: Makki Masjid, 125 Beresford Rd, Longsight, Manchester
T: 07976 950 228 or 0161 225
E: info@PropheticGuidance.co.uk