Al-Huda

the Message Continues ... 1/26

NEWSLETTER FOR September 2003

The Holy Quran - Translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
14. ABRAHAM

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

14:1    A. L. R. A Book which We have revealed unto thee, in order that thou mightest lead mankind out of the depths of darkness into light - by the leave of their Lord - to the Way of (Him) the Exalted in power, worthy of all praise!

The Prophet of Islam (s)

by  Nasir Shamsi

What is Islam? , asked an Arab. The Prophet Muhammad (s) replied, to obey Allah and to love His Creation. When asked why was he ordained as an Apostle, the Last of the Prophets (Khatam an nabi'iyyin), may Allah's Blessings be upon him and his family,  responded, with a smile: to perfect human conduct.

Today, shall we not take a close look at ourselves and examine closely our individual and collective lives, to see if we live up to his simple message ?

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF IMAM MUSA AL-KAZIM (a)
by late Dr. Haider Hussain Shamsi

Imam Musa Al-Kazim (a) was born during the waning glow of the Umayyad dynasty.

He was only three years of age when the Abbasids established themselves in a new dynasty.  Before his death, Imam Ja'far as­Saadiq (a) appointed his son Musa as the next Imam.  Musa took up the responsibility of the Imamate at the age of twenty years, and carried it out through a troubled period of thirty-five years.  He endured about ten years of the remaining rule of the Abbasid caliph al-Mansoor Dwaneeqi, about ten years of the caliph al-Mahdi, about one year
of al-Hadi and the initial thirteen years of the caliph Haroon ar-Rashid.

Tolerant and Intolerant Islam
.....on how extremism emerged in the contemporary world.

As early as the first century of the Muslim calendar, Islam has known radical sects who demanded blind adherence to their rigid reading of the articles of faith, side by side with mainstream Islam, whose adherents eschew violence and extremism and do not profess to hold a monopoly on Truth. The phenomenon began with the emergence of the Khawarij (Seceders) in 660 AD,

Etiquettes of Social Life
By Shaykh Ashraf Ali

Of the five constitutional branches of Islaam, Muslims in general nowadays regard only two branches as being integral parts of the Deen. These are Aqaa-id (beliefs) and Ibaadaat (worship). The Ulama-e-Zaahir (those Ulama concerned only with the external dimension of Islaam - with
only the letter of the law) consider the third branch, viz. Muamalaat (mutual dealings and transactions) also an integral part of Deen.

Why ?
by Okasha Naqvi, age 13, New Jersey

Why were we made?
We have reached the stars,
next comes mars !
but did it ever occur to us instead ?
Why we have been created...use your head.
Did we come to cheat, steal and lie,
or was it to spread God's message and not ask why?

HARE AND TURTLE
 an interesting story

Once upon a time a tortoise and a hare had an argument about who was faster.
They decided to settle the argument with a race. They agreed on a route and started off the race. The hare shot ahead and ran briskly for some time. Then seeing that he was far ahead of the tortoise, he thought he'd sit under a tree for some time and relax before continuing the race. He sat under the tree and soon fell asleep. The tortoise plodding on overtook him and soon inished the race, emerging as the undisputed champ. The hare woke up and realized that he'd lost the race...........

Establishing the Truth of Tawhid in Our Minds and Hearts
 by Kabir Helminski

The hatred, fear, and violence that we see manifesting in the world will cause us to ask many questions. What meaning shall we read in these events? What are the root causes of evil? What should our response be? Where shall we turn to find answers and guidance?

SHIA-SUNNI UNITY
....an Excellent Essay By A Sunni Intellectual
By Dr. Shahid Athar M.D.
 courtesy: Ali Hasan, CA

The centuries-old Shia-Sunni differences are the major obstacle to Muslim
unity. The enemies of Islam to their benefit have always fanned these
differences. Unfortunately, some so-called Muslim scholars on their payroll have also
played a key role in keeping these differences alive.

Do not ignore a child !
by Steve Toth

While the adults are talking
     in a semi-circle in the parking lot
A little brother and sister are chasing each other
     around the pillars that hold up the building
The boy slips but catches himself with his right hand
He springs back up
     and checks his hand for a moment
then starts running after his sister again

RUMI's PAGE

She's My Sister
A true story, translated by Muhammad Alshareef

Her cheeks were worn and sunken and her skin hugged her bones. That didn't stop her though, you could never catch her not reciting Qur'an.
Always vigil in her personal prayer room Dad had set up for her. Bowing, prostrating, raising her hands in prayer. That was the way she was from dawn to sunset and back again, boredom was for others. As for me I craved nothing more than fashion magazines and novels.