Responding to insults: the Teddy Bear incident.

[the_middle_road]

:salams

I suppose everyone knows by know about the woman who was jailed because she named a teddy bear Muhammad. I fear that people reading about this in the media might be misled to believe that the punishment meted out to this woman is in accordance with what Islam teaches. Is it? Let us see.

From the Quran:

وَلا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَنْ يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا أَلا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ


"Let not those among you who are endued with grace and amplitude of means resolve by oath against helping their kinsmen, those in want, and those who have left their homes in Allah's cause: Let them forgive and overlook; do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
(24: 22)

This verse was revealed concerning Abu Bakr (ra). He used to spend out of his wealth on one of his kinsmen, Mistah bin Athaathah (ra). But he was one of those who was involved in the slandering of 'Aishah (ra) so Abu Bakr (ra) vowed to stop spending on him. This ayah was then revealed. So even though Abu Bakr (ra) was offended and insulted by Mistah's behaviour towards his daughter, he was commanded by Allah (swt) Himself to forgive him and to overlook what he had done.

قُلْ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يَغْفِرُوا لِلَّذِينَ لا يَرْجُونَ أَيَّامَ اللَّهِ لِيَجْزِيَ قَوْمًا بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ


"Tell those who believe, to forgive those who do not look forward to the Days of Allah: It is for Him to recompense (for good or ill) each People according to what they have earned."
(45: 14)

This was revealed concerning 'Umar (ra) who was on his way to kill one of the Jews (I think it was because he mocked one of the ayat of the Holy Quran). Jibril (as) came to Muhammad (saw) with this verse and informed him of what 'Umar (ra) was about to do. So the Prophet (saw) went out in search of him and ordered him to desist. He then recited this verse to him.

From the Sunnah:

Narrated Abu Huraira (ra): A bedouin stood up and started making water in the mosque. The people caught him but the Prophet (saw) ordered them to leave him and to pour a bucket or a tumbler of water over the place where he had passed the urine. The Prophet then said, "You have been sent to make things easy and not to make them difficult."
(Sahih Bukhari)

Narrated Anas bin Malik (ra): Once I was walking with Allah's Apostle (saw) and he was wearing a Najram Burd with thick margin. A bedouin followed him and pulled his Burd so violently that I noticed the side of the shoulder of Allah's Apostle affected by the margin of the Burd because of that violent pull. The bedouin said, "O Muhammad! Give me some of Allah's wealth which is with you." The Prophet (saw) turned towards him, (smiled) and ordered that he be given something.
(Sahih Bukhari)

Subhanallah. The insult to the Prophet (saw) here is so much worse than what the teacher did. Yet see what was the reaction of Rasulullah (saw) to the one who mistreated him in such a violent manner.

Also from the Sunnah is the incident of when the Prophet (saw) went to convey the message of Islam to the people of Taif. They rejected him and the children of the town stoned him such that his sandals were caked with blood. This was much worse than any mere verbal insult. It was the most difficult thing which the Prophet (saw) had to endure. Yet even in this trying circumstance when the angel came to him and asked him whether the people should be destroyed, he (saw) did not agree to that. Instead he chose to forgive them and prayed that they would be given guidance. Allahu akbar! How far are we from this?

So if people insult us, we should forgive them and return their evil with good. The Prophet (saw) was sent as a mercy for mankind, not as a trial. So we should be merciful.

And Allah knows best.

[Zaina in Jena]

:salams

I suppose everyone knows by know about the woman who was jailed because she named a teddy bear Muhammad. I fear that people reading about this in the media might be misled to believe that the punishment meted out to this woman is in accordance with what Islam teaches. Is it? Let us see.

From the Quran:

وَلا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَنْ يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا أَلا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ


"Let not those among you who are endued with grace and amplitude of means resolve by oath against helping their kinsmen, those in want, and those who have left their homes in Allah's cause: Let them forgive and overlook; do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
(24: 22)

This verse was revealed concerning Abu Bakr (ra). He used to spend out of his wealth on one of his kinsmen, Mistah bin Athaathah (ra). But he was one of those who was involved in the slandering of 'Aishah (ra) so Abu Bakr (ra) vowed to stop spending on him. This ayah was then revealed. So even though Abu Bakr (ra) was offended and insulted by Mistah's behaviour towards his daughter, he was commanded by Allah (swt) Himself to forgive him and to overlook what he had done.

قُلْ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يَغْفِرُوا لِلَّذِينَ لا يَرْجُونَ أَيَّامَ اللَّهِ لِيَجْزِيَ قَوْمًا بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ


"Tell those who believe, to forgive those who do not look forward to the Days of Allah: It is for Him to recompense (for good or ill) each People according to what they have earned."
(45: 14)

This was revealed concerning 'Umar (ra) who was on his way to kill one of the Jews (I think it was because he mocked one of the ayat of the Holy Quran). Jibril (as) came to Muhammad (saw) with this verse and informed him of what 'Umar (ra) was about to do. So the Prophet (saw) went out in search of him and ordered him to desist. He then recited this verse to him.

From the Sunnah:

Narrated Abu Huraira (ra): A bedouin stood up and started making water in the mosque. The people caught him but the Prophet (saw) ordered them to leave him and to pour a bucket or a tumbler of water over the place where he had passed the urine. The Prophet then said, "You have been sent to make things easy and not to make them difficult."
(Sahih Bukhari)

Narrated Anas bin Malik (ra): Once I was walking with Allah's Apostle (saw) and he was wearing a Najram Burd with thick margin. A bedouin followed him and pulled his Burd so violently that I noticed the side of the shoulder of Allah's Apostle affected by the margin of the Burd because of that violent pull. The bedouin said, "O Muhammad! Give me some of Allah's wealth which is with you." The Prophet (saw) turned towards him, (smiled) and ordered that he be given something.
(Sahih Bukhari)

Subhanallah. The insult to the Prophet (saw) here is so much worse than what the teacher did. Yet see what was the reaction of Rasulullah (saw) to the one who mistreated him in such a violent manner.

Also from the Sunnah is the incident of when the Prophet (saw) went to convey the message of Islam to the people of Taif. They rejected him and the children of the town stoned him such that his sandals were caked with blood. This was much worse than any mere verbal insult. It was the most difficult thing which the Prophet (saw) had to endure. Yet even in this trying circumstance when the angel came to him and asked him whether the people should be destroyed, he (saw) did not agree to that. Instead he chose to forgive them and prayed that they would be given guidance. Allahu akbar! How far are we from this?

So if people insult us, we should forgive them and return their evil with good. The Prophet (saw) was sent as a mercy for mankind, not as a trial. So we should be merciful.

And Allah knows best.

Indeed you are truly on the right path. May Allah reward you for this deed and forever keep you guided on it Ameen.

[.: Anna :.]

^ Aameen

Jazakallah khayr for the excellent post :)

[Babbage]

:salams

I suppose everyone knows by know about the woman who was jailed because she named a teddy bear Muhammad. I fear that people reading about this in the media might be misled to believe that the punishment meted out to this woman is in accordance with what Islam teaches. Is it?

It might be as well if you had a word with the sudanese government about this. Sudanese law is supposed to be based on sharia [http://countrystudies.us/sudan/65.htm] and that is a sharia law in their eyes.

[Morris]

She did not name the teddy bear. Her class were asked to name a teddy who was the class mascot. One little boy whose name was mohammed named the teddy after himself.

That's it. Someone is choosing to make an issue out of this where there was'nt one. If that women is sentenced to physical punishment for this silliness i want the S.A.S. in.

[Hammurab]

:salams
Also from the Sunnah is the incident of when the Prophet (saw) went to convey the message of Islam to the people of Taif. They rejected him and the children of the town stoned him such that his sandals were caked with blood. This was much worse than any mere verbal insult. It was the most difficult thing which the Prophet (saw) had to endure. Yet even in this trying circumstance when the angel came to him and asked him whether the people should be destroyed, he (saw) did not agree to that. Instead he chose to forgive them and prayed that they would be given guidance. Allahu akbar! How far are we from this?

So if people insult us, we should forgive them and return their evil with good. The Prophet (saw) was sent as a mercy for mankind, not as a trial. So we should be merciful.

And Allah knows best.

I have never read the Koran, but if what you say is the way of a Muslim, I will go to the library and find a copy.

[Zaina in Jena]

I have never read the Koran, but if what you say is the way of a Muslim, I will go to the library and find a copy.

Go For it!:up:

[Hammurab]

Go For it!:up:

I have a question, though.

Suppose I read the Koran, and I believe its the Truth, with the capital T.

Can one be a Muslim if they follow only the Koran?

In reading this board and others, I hear much argument over Hadith, over this person is a Muslim and that isn't, I see some historical wars where Muslims fight one another.

If I read the Koran, follow it, but choose to go only by the Koran and not by the teachings of any particular sect, can I still be a Muslim?

[Zaina in Jena]

I have a question, though.

Suppose I read the Koran, and I believe its the Truth, with the capital T.

Can one be a Muslim if they follow only the Koran?

In reading this board and others, I hear much argument over Hadith, over this person is a Muslim and that isn't, I see some historical wars where Muslims fight one another.

If I read the Koran, follow it, but choose to go only by the Koran and not by the teachings of any particular sect, can I still be a Muslim?

Please forgive my skepticism; people often appear to be interested only to later reveal they only wanted to debate. Insha Allah that is not your purpose. So here goes. In the Koran you will find all components you need to be Muslim, it is the #1 authority on how o be a good Muslim and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is after it.

[Hammurab]

Please forgive my skepticism; people often appear to be interested only to later reveal they only wanted to debate. Insha Allah that is not your purpose. So here goes. In the Koran you will find all components you need to be Muslim, it is the #1 authority on how o be a good Muslim and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is after it.

Thank you. I understand your skepticism.

I have made an appointment at 2:00pm today (I am in the US Southwest) to speak with the Imam of a local Mosque, because the Website of his Mosque says they will provide me with a Koran in English.

I am not yet informed enough to debate Islam. My question was sincere. If I do wish to debate, once I have read the Koran and spoken with teachers, I will go to a different part of the forum to do so. Thank you, again.

I hope you understand the nature of my question. When I enter a house, I wish to come through the correct door. If it is true that this may be God's house, I want to be certain I knock in the correct place.

[Zaina in Jena]

Thank you. I understand your skepticism.

I have made an appointment at 2:00pm today (I am in the US Southwest) to speak with the Imam of a local Mosque, because the Website of his Mosque says they will provide me with a Koran in English.

I am not yet informed enough to debate Islam. My question was sincere. If I do wish to debate, once I have read the Koran and spoken with teachers, I will go to a different part of the forum to do so. Thank you, again.

I hope you understand the nature of my question. When I enter a house, I wish to come through the correct door. If it is true that this may be God's house, I want to be certain I knock in the correct place.

You are most welcome and I truly understand where you are coming from. :hidban:Alhamdulilaah you are truly going about things in the proper manner, as much as I would love the whole world to be Muslim and follow Islam, I would never want someone to come into the Deen without the proper knowledge and resources to make a sound decision. I pray you will be enlightened and that the Masjid you plan to visit in just a little while will take you further in you endeavors to find the truth Ameen. Please keep us posted. :up:

[.: Anna :.]

As a Muslim you can not take Quran only and reject the Hadiths, they are also a part of it and not permissable to leave them out without believing and following them

[Hammurab]

You are most welcome and I truly understand where you are coming from. :hidban:Alhamdulilaah you are truly going about things in the proper manner, as much as I would love the whole world to be Muslim and follow Islam, I would never want someone to come into the Deen without the proper knowledge and resources to make a sound decision. I pray you will be enlightened and that the Masjid you plan to visit in just a little while will take you further in you endeavors to find the truth Ameen. Please keep us posted. :up:

The Imam I spoke to was very kind and patient, and answered my questions. He gave me a copy of the Koran, which I will begin reading. He invited me to return for guidance and to bring more questions.

I am not a convert right now, of course, but his information left me very encouraged to continue to learn.

My only regret is that I have now decided to drop Spanish and take Arabic. My coursework is currently too heavy to take both, and Spanish would be of great value to me in this region. However, Arabic, as challenging as it appears, is necessary for me to truly read the Koran.

[Hammurab]

As a Muslim you can not take Quran only and reject the Hadiths, they are also a part of it and not permissable to leave them out without believing and following them

The following questions are not to dispute you, but only for me to understand your position. I am not trying to debate your statement, only to understand its basis.

1. Does the Quran itself say that there will be Hadiths and that they are as necessary as the Quran itself?

2. Who codifies and ratifies a given Hadith as being authentic and binding?

3. Is Hadith held as unilaterally by Muslims as the Quran? That is to say, if I asked ten Muslims which Hadith are true and which mean what, will I get the same answer from all ten, anywhere in the world?

4. Is not following the Hadith enough to mean that I would not be Muslim?
Are there groups that call themselves Muslims, but do not follow Hadith as you see it, that you would say are not Muslims?

Please do not take offense. I have not read the Quran, and I don't know what the various Hadith say. Whatever your answers are, I am not qualified to say they are right or wrong, I just want to know your opinion. Thank you.

[tangents]

I hope this helps for your first question:

The Quran states that Muhammed(PBUH) was the best of servants and that muslims must obey God and follow the prophet's ways. How do we know how he acted and lived his life? Through the hadiths which are narrations from his companions (usually called sahaba). By following the hadiths, you are in essence, following the prophet's ways in how exactly to follow and live islam. He is a walking example of the Quran and thus a model for all muslims.

[Cashew]

My only regret is that I have now decided to drop Spanish and take Arabic. My coursework is currently too heavy to take both, and Spanish would be of great value to me in this region. However, Arabic, as challenging as it appears, is necessary for me to truly read the Koran.

You will likely never be required to converse in the classical Arabic, or fus'ha, used in the Qu'ran and Muslim prayer.

So, studying classical Arabic isn't like studying Spanish in which everyday communication is emphasized.

Also, Arabic and Spanish are entirely unrelated languages. Studying both at the same time would in no way confuse you.

In fact, mastering classical Arabic grammar, like mastering the grammar of any classical language, is an enormous help when it comes to learning any other language.

I, for example, had only two years of Latin, but the Latin grammar I learned helped me tremendously when I later studied French and Spanish.

It's really a matter of learning how the parts of speech work, and getting a good feel for how things such as gender, tense, mood, and voice work in language.

[Ibn Sina]

You will likely never be required to converse in the classical Arabic, or fus'ha, used in the Qu'ran and Muslim prayer.

So, studying classical Arabic isn't like studying Spanish in which everyday communication is emphasized.

Also, Arabic and Spanish are entirely unrelated languages. Studying both at the same time would in no way confuse you.

In fact, mastering classical Arabic grammar, like mastering the grammar of any classical language, is an enormous help when it comes to learning any other language.

I, for example, had only two years of Latin, but the Latin grammar I learned helped me tremendously when I later studied French and Spanish.

It's really a matter of learning how the parts of speech work, and getting a good feel for how things such as gender, tense, mood, and voice work in language.

I think Spanish was influenced by Arabic, althoguh I'm not sure to what extent ... I mean the Spanish "el" has to be from the Arabic "al" ...

[Cashew]

I think Spanish was influenced by Arabic, althoguh I'm not sure to what extent ... I mean the Spanish "el" has to be from the Arabic "al" ...

There are many Arabic words in Spanish, but the languages themselves are completely unrelated.

From what I understand, it's not a good idea to study two related languages at the same time, such as Italian and Spanish, because you'll have a difficult time keeping the distinctions clear in your mind.

[Hammurab]

I hope this helps for your first question:

The Quran states that Muhammed(PBUH) was the best of servants and that muslims must obey God and follow the prophet's ways. How do we know how he acted and lived his life? Through the hadiths which are narrations from his companions (usually called sahaba). By following the hadiths, you are in essence, following the prophet's ways in how exactly to follow and live islam. He is a walking example of the Quran and thus a model for all muslims.

All the Hadith are specific to Muhammed? So there will be no "new" Hadith added?

Are the Hadith agreed upon by all Muslims?

Thank you for your answer. I'm sorry my questions reflect that I am very uninformed about the details of Hadith.

[Hammurab]

You will likely never be required to converse in the classical Arabic, or fus'ha, used in the Qu'ran and Muslim prayer.

So, studying classical Arabic isn't like studying Spanish in which everyday communication is emphasized.

Also, Arabic and Spanish are entirely unrelated languages. Studying both at the same time would in no way confuse you.

In fact, mastering classical Arabic grammar, like mastering the grammar of any classical language, is an enormous help when it comes to learning any other language.

I, for example, had only two years of Latin, but the Latin grammar I learned helped me tremendously when I later studied French and Spanish.

It's really a matter of learning how the parts of speech work, and getting a good feel for how things such as gender, tense, mood, and voice work in language.

Thank you for the information. My reason for dropping Spanish has more to do with my limited time. Between the material I am studying in other subjects, I just don't have room for two extra classes, so I must choose between Spanish and Arabic.

I'm wondering, though, what the cross application will be between contemporary Arabic and scriptural Arabic.

[the_middle_road]

All the Hadith are specific to Muhammed? So there will be no "new" Hadith added?


Yes. The hadith are those things which the Prophet :saw: said, did or agreed to. After his death no new hadith can arise.


Are the Hadith agreed upon by all Muslims?


I'm not entirely sure what you mean here. But no we don't automatically accept all ahadith. They must first be proven to be sahih (authentic) or hasan (good) before they are accepted. Da'if (weak) ahadith cannot be used in matters of 'aqidah (belief) or in matters of halal and haram (the permissible and the prohibited) but can be used in other areas such as encouraging people to do good. Mawdu' (fabricated) ahadith are rejected outright and cannot be used for anything. In fact we shouldn't even relate such sayings as they are not from the Prophet (saw).

Basically the requirements which a hadith must fulfill before it is declared as sahih are:

1) That the chain of the narrators must be continuous.
2) All narrators must be 'adil (pious, just, honest) .
3) All narrators must have dabt (good memory).
4) There should be no shudhudh (defects) in the hadith.
5) There should be no 'illah (subtle defects) in the hadith.

[Hammurab]

Yes. The hadith are those things which the Prophet :saw: said, did or agreed to. After his death no new hadith can arise.



I'm not entirely sure what you mean here. But no we don't automatically accept all ahadith. They must first be proven to be sahih (authentic) or hasan (good) before they are accepted. Da'if (weak) ahadith cannot be used in matters of 'aqidah (belief) or in matters of halal and haram (the permissible and the prohibited) but can be used in other areas such as encouraging people to do good. Mawdu' (fabricated) ahadith are rejected outright and cannot be used for anything. In fact we shouldn't even relate such sayings as they are not from the Prophet (saw).

Basically the requirements which a hadith must fulfill before it is declared as sahih are:

1) That the chain of the narrators must be continuous.
2) All narrators must be 'adil (pious, just, honest) .
3) All narrators must have dabt (good memory).
4) There should be no shudhudh (defects) in the hadith.
5) There should be no 'illah (subtle defects) in the hadith.

Is there a theological group that makes these determinations for all Muslims?

Do some call a particular Hadith weak, and others disagree? How are these matters settled for Islam as a whole?

[the_middle_road]

Is there a theological group that makes these determinations for all Muslims?

Do some call a particular Hadith weak, and others disagree? How are these matters settled for Islam as a whole?

The Muhaddithun (scholars of hadith) are the ones who determine whether a hadith is sahih, hasan or da'if. The six most authentic books of hadith - known as the Sihah Sittah - are:

1) Sahih Bukhari
2) Sahih Muslim
3) Sunan Abu Dawud
4) al-Jami' al-Tirmidhi
5) Sunan al-Nasai
6) Sunan ibn Majah

The first two are the most authentic as the only contain ahadith which are sahih. The others contain some ahadith which are not sahih. These six were the ones who compiled ahadith in books. There were other compilations as well such as the Muwatta' of Imam Malik but these six are the most prominent. Later scholars would examine the ahadith in these books and grade them according to their authenticity. But yes there are disagreements among them. Some would perhaps regard one narrator as weak while another would regard him as thiqah (reliable) so they would then give the hadith different gradings. But I like I said the books of Imam Bukhari and Muslim are entirely authentic and there is no disagreement on that so you can rely on those two.

[Hammurab]

The Muhaddithun (scholars of hadith) are the ones who determine whether a hadith is sahih, hasan or da'if. The six most authentic books of hadith - known as the Sihah Sittah - are:

1) Sahih Bukhari
2) Sahih Muslim
3) Sunan Abu Dawud
4) al-Jami' al-Tirmidhi
5) Sunan al-Nasai
6) Sunan ibn Majah

The first two are the most authentic as the only contain ahadith which are sahih. The others contain some ahadith which are not sahih. These six were the ones who compiled ahadith in books. There were other compilations as well such as the Muwatta' of Imam Malik but these six are the most prominent. Later scholars would examine the ahadith in these books and grade them according to their authenticity. But yes there are disagreements among them. Some would perhaps regard one narrator as weak while another would regard him as thiqah (reliable) so they would then give the hadith different gradings. But I like I said the books of Imam Bukhari and Muslim are entirely authentic and there is no disagreement on that so you can rely on those two.

Thank you, your answer is very helpful.

If I limit myself to the study of Koran and the two first books of your list, and I am diligent in the practice of those teachings, is that enough to be Muslim?

My fear is this: If I read the Koran and see truth, I can follow the Koran and not fear that I am misled. If the Koran says to follow Hadith, and I read the Hadith, I am also not worried. But what if this man or that comes to me and says "You must do this, or that, or you are not really submitting to Allah", how can I know to follow this religious leader or another?

I want to know what is my foundation, for certain.

[the_middle_road]

Thank you, your answer is very helpful.

If I limit myself to the study of Koran and the two first books of your list, and I am diligent in the practice of those teachings, is that enough to be Muslim?

My fear is this: If I read the Koran and see truth, I can follow the Koran and not fear that I am misled. If the Koran says to follow Hadith, and I read the Hadith, I am also not worried. But what if this man or that comes to me and says "You must do this, or that, or you are not really submitting to Allah", how can I know to follow this religious leader or another?

I want to know what is my foundation, for certain.

To be a Muslim you have to profess belief in Allah (swt) and that Muhammad (saw) is the Messenger of Allah. If you say that and you believe that then you are a Muslim. Then there four other obligations which you have to fulfill: perform Salah five times daily, pay Zakah, fast the month of Ramadan, and perform the Hajj (pilgrimage) if you are able to. That's it. Anything else besides that is extra.

Narrated Abu Huraira (ra): A bedouin came to the Prophet :saw: and said, "Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter paradise, if I do it." The Prophet :saw: said, "Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five) prescribed compulsory prayers perfectly, pay the compulsory Zakat, and fast the month of Ramadan." The bedouin said, "By Him, in Whose Hands my life is, I will not do more than this." When he (the bedouin) left, the Prophet :saw: said, "Whoever likes to see a man of paradise, then he may look at this man."

(Sahih Bukhari)

[Hammurab]

To be a Muslim you have to profess belief in Allah (swt) and that Muhammad (saw) is the Messenger of Allah. If you say that and you believe that then you are a Muslim. Then there four other obligations which you have to fulfill: perform Salah five times daily, pay Zakah, fast the month of Ramadan, and perform the Hajj (pilgrimage) if you are able to. That's it. Anything else besides that is extra.

Narrated Abu Huraira (ra): A bedouin came to the Prophet :saw: and said, "Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter paradise, if I do it." The Prophet :saw: said, "Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five) prescribed compulsory prayers perfectly, pay the compulsory Zakat, and fast the month of Ramadan." The bedouin said, "By Him, in Whose Hands my life is, I will not do more than this." When he (the bedouin) left, the Prophet :saw: said, "Whoever likes to see a man of paradise, then he may look at this man."

(Sahih Bukhari)

If this is true, and is the teaching of Islam, it urges me to read more of the Koran I was given.

[zammy]

If this is true, and is the teaching of Islam, it urges me to read more of the Koran I was given.

May Allah make your journey to his path a successful one. You seem very sincere :up:

[hammerofthehuns]

Ameen

[mujahideenryder]

mashaAllah. good response.

this is what i have to say:
http://www.mujahideenryder.net/2007/12/02/to-the-sudanese-teddy-bear-protesters/