Muslims have two celebrations each year, 'Eid al-Fitr and 'Eid al-Adha. The celebrations are based in the Islamic faith and religious way of life. There are some who argue t
hat Halloween, at least, is a cultural holiday, with no religious significance. To understand the issues, we need to look at the origins and history of Halloween.
Pagan Origins of Halloween
Halloween originated as the Eve of Samhain, a celebration marking the beginning of winter and the first day of the New Year among ancient pagans of the British Isles. On this occasion, it was believed that supernatural forces gathered together, that the barriers between the supernatural and human worlds were broken. They believed that spirits from other worlds (such as the souls of the dead) were able to visit earth during this time and roam about. At this time, they celebrated a joint festival for the sun god and the lord of the dead. The sun was thanked for the harvest and given moral support for the upcoming "battle" with winter. In ancient times, the pagans made sacrifices of animals and crops in order to please the gods. They also believed that on October 31st, the lord of the dead gathered all the souls of the people who had died that year. The souls upon death would dwell in the body of an animal, then on this day the lord would announce what form they were to take for the next year.
Christian Influence
When Christianity came to the British Isles, the church tried to take attention away from these pagan rituals by placing a Christian holiday on the same day. The Christian festival, the Feast of All Saints, acknowledges the saints of the Christian faith in much the same way that Samhain had paid tribute to the pagan gods. The customs of Samhain survived anyway, and eventually became intertwined with the Christian holiday. These traditions were brought to the United States by immigrants from Ireland and Scotland. Halloween Customs and Traditions
"Trick or Treating": It is widely believed that during the Feast of All Saints, peasants went from house to house asking for money to buy food for the upcoming feast. Additionally, people dressed in costumes would often play tricks on their neighbors. Blame for the resulting chaos was placed on the "spirits and goblins." Images of bats, black cats, etc.: These animals were believed to communicate with the spirits of the dead. Black cats especially were believed to house the souls of witches. Games such as bobbing for apples: The ancient pagans used divination techniques to foresee the future. There were various methods of doing this, and many have continued through traditional games, often played at children's parties. Jack-O'-Lantern: The Irish brought the Jack-O'-Lantern to America. The tradition is based on a legend about a stingy, drunken man named Jack. Jack played a trick on the devil, then made the devil promise not to take his soul. The devil, upset, promised to leave Jack alone. When Jack died, he was turned away from Heaven because he was a stingy, mean drunk. Desperate for a resting place, he went to the devil but the devil also turned him away. Stuck on earth on a dark night, Jack was lost. The devil tossed him a lighted coal from the fire of Hell, which Jack placed inside a turnip as a lamp to light his way. Since that day, he has traveled the world over with his Jack-O'-Lantern in search of a resting place. Irish children carved out turnips and potatoes to light the night on Halloween. When the Irish came to America in great numbers in the 1840's, they found that a pumpkin made an even better lantern, and this "American tradition" came to be. Islamic Teachings
Virtually all Halloween traditions are based either in ancient pagan culture, or in Christianity. From an Islamic point of view, they all are forms of idolatry (shirk). As Muslims, our celebrations should be ones that honor and uphold our faith and beliefs. How can we worship only Allah, the Creator, if we participate in activities that are based in pagan rituals, divination, and the spirit world? Many people participate in these celebrations without even understanding the history and the pagan connections, just because their friends are doing it, their parents did it ("it's a tradition!"), and because "it's fun!" So what can we do, when our children see others dressed up, eating candy, and going to parties? While it may be tempting to join in, we must be careful to preserve our own traditions and not allow our children to be corrupted by this seemingly "innocent" fun. When tempted, remember the pagan origins of these traditions, and ask Allahto give you strength. Save the celebration, the fun and games, for our 'Eid festivals. Children can still have their fun, and most importantly, should learn that we only acknowledge holidays that have a religious significance to us as Muslims. Holidays are not just excuses to binge and be reckless. In Islam, our holidays retain their religious importance, while allowing proper time for rejoicing, fun and games.
Guidance from the Quran
On this point, the Quran says: "When it is said unto them, 'Come to what Allah has revealed, come to the Messenger,' they say, 'Enough for us are the ways we found our fathers following.' What! Even though their fathers were void of knowledge and guidance?" (Qur'an 5:104)
"Has not the time arrived for the believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance ofAllah and of the Truth which has been revealed to them? That they should not become like those to whom was given the Book aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors." (Qur'an 57:16)
FOUR keys to success in this life and the Hereafter...!
FOUR keys to success in this life and the Hereafter...!
1. SABAR
Patience, steadfastness, endurance and accepting what Allah Ta'ala has destined for you. This will make you strong to face more hardship and will give you rewards in this life by lifting your troubles and with many goodness in the next life.
2. SYUKUR
Gratefulness, thankful to Allah Ta'ala for everything, feeling content with what Allah Ta'ala has given you. This will make you feel rich even if you don't have a thing and it will get you rewarded here by increasing your blessings here and in the hereafter.
3. TAQWA
Piousness, righteousness, good character, doing what is prescribed and keeping away from forbidden deeds. This will make you loved by Allah Ta'ala, his angels and mankind and you will be rewarded in this life by always having a way out in this life and with Jannah.
4. TAWAKKAL
Putting your total trust in Allah Ta'ala, leaving your affairs in His hands, realizing that everything goes as He has planned. This will give you peace of mind and heart...
Hazrat Imam Hussain(R.A) Ki Shahadat
حضرت امام حسین رضی اللہ تعالی' کی شہادت انسانوں کو ہمیشہ سچائی اور حق پرستی کا درس دیتی رھے گی۔چاہے راست گوئی کی سزا کچھ بھی تجویزھو حق قائم و دائم رھنے والا ھے۔نواسہ رسول حضرت امام حسین رضی اللہ تعالی' کی شہادت حق کی بقاء کی جد و جہد تھی سچائی کے فروغ کا راستہ تھی اور اسلام کے استحکام کی کامیاب پیش رفت تھی۔ آج واقعۂ کربلا کو قریب چودہ سو سال گزر چکے ھیں لیکن اس شہیدِ اعظم کی یاد تازہ ترین واقع کی طرح تازہ ھے اور یہ تازگی اس وقت تک انسانوں کواس خوں آشام اور دلدوز مناظر کی یاد دلاتی رھے گی جب تک یہ دنیا قائم ھے۔جبر و صبر کا تصادم اس وقت سے جاری ھے جب سے آدم نے اس کرۂ ارض پر انسانی تمدّن کا سنگِ بنیاد رکھا تھا اس مسلسل تصادم کی ایک لمبی اور بھاری زنجیر ھے جو کربلا کے میدان تک کھنچتی ھوئی چلی آئی لیکن شہادتِ حسین کا منفرد پہلو جس نے اسے آفاقی بنا دیا یہ ھے کہ جبر و صبر کے مابین تصادم کے جتنے بھی ممکنہ وجوہ ھو سکتے تھے وہ سب کے سب کربلا میں جمع ھوگئے تھے اور حسین کا یہ فیصلہ کہ صبر ، جبر کے ہاتھ پر بیعت نہیں کرے گا، انسانی شعور و فکر کواس موڑ پر لے آ
یا تھا جہاں سے شخصی نظامِ حکومت کے خلاف عوام کی تحریکِ آزادی شروع ھوتی ھے ، بے شک حسین کا ھر اقدام اسلام کی بقا کے لئے تھا۔مذھبِ توحید کی سربلندی کے لئے تھا ۔عبادت،تقویٰ اور پرھیز گاری کے پرچم کو حیاتِ بشر کی فضاؤں میں لہرانے کے لئے تھا اور خود ان کا اشتیاقِ عبادت یہ تھا کہ نمازِ صبح شروع کی وہ تیروں کی برسات میں نمازِ ظہر ادا کی تلواروں کی چھاؤں میں اور نمازِعصر کے وقت قاتل کی چھری کے نیچے اپنا سر جھکایا تو قبلہ رو ھو کر،لیکن نواسۂ رسول کے اقدامات کو اگر بغور دیکھیں تو یہ احساس ھو گا کہ اسلام صرف چند عبارتوں کے مجموعے کا نام نہیں بلکہ یہ ایک ایسا فلسفہ ء حیات ھے جو اس دنیا میں پیدا ھونے والے ہر آدمی کی باوقار زندگی سے تعلق رکھنے والے ھر شعبہ میں اس کی رھنمائی کرتا ھے وہ دشمن کو اس حالت میں پانی پلاتے ھیں کہ وہ پیاسا ھے اور پیاس سے جاں بلب ھے
Today's modern science and islam
Muhammad (PBUH) The Last Prophet
س… قرآن پاک میں ۲۸ویں پارے میں سورہ صف میں موجود ہے کہ عیسیٰ علیہ السلام نے فرمایا کہ میرے بعد ایک رسول آئے گا اور اس کا نام احمد ہوگا۔ اس سے مراد کون ہیں؟ جبکہ قادیانی، مرزا قادیانی مراد لیتے ہیں۔
ج… اس سے آنحضرت صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم مراد ہیں۔ کیونکہ صحیح بخاری اور صحیح مسلم کی حدیث میں ہے کہ آنحضرت صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا: میرے کئی نام ہیں، میں محمد ہوں اور میں احمد ہوں۔ (مشکوٰة ص:۵۱۵) قادیانی چونکہ حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم پر ایمان نہیں رکھتے اس لئے وہ اس کو بھی نہیں مانیں گے۔
Sona Bhi Ibadat
Entertainment in Islam
As far as 'entertainment' is concerned, it is very essential for us humans; we all need a break. But the problem comes when we limit this entertainment to the haram stuff. How you ask? Simple, when you ask some teenager these days about fun, mostly what he/she would come up with is something about hanging out with friends (which includes non Mahrams), dating, smoking or something along these lines.
This is the Muslim youth! We have limited fun to the haram.
There is a lot of halal entertainment out there; we need to go for that. Let's not forget that having fun is allowed but it does not mean that haram becomes halal.
ولایت کیا چیز ہے؟
میں نے قدرت الله شہاب سے پوچھا ، یہ ولایت کیا چیز ہے؟
کہنے لگا، غفور صاحب نے ایک مرتبہ بتایا تھا مجھے- انہوں نے تصویر کھینچی تھی،
کہنے لگے، جب ولایت ملتی ہے تو کچھ اس قسم کا منظر ہوتا ہے کہ سمندر کا کنارہ ہوتا ہے سامنے اتھاہ سمندر ہوتا ہے، طوفان زدہ سمندر جو بے کنار ہوتا ہے، ولی کو ایک ٹوٹا ہوا چپو اور پھوٹی ہوئی کشتی دے دیتے ہیں اور کہتے ہیں میاں اب تیری ہمت ہے اس روحانی سمندر میں جتنی دور جا سکتا ہے چلا جا -
از ممتاز مفتی، الکھ نگری ،صفحہ 550
Please don't waste water and food
Eat what Allah permits us and always keep a good relationship with our family members and our neighbours. May Allah will give us understanding to follow theIslam completely and properly. Please don't waste water and food in your daily life, save for next Generation. Let's make a prayer for the suffering in anywhere around the globe.
I hope this picture will always as a reminder to us that how fortunate we are.
Bitter Truth
Kaaba is at the centre of the world
Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do not worship the Kaaba. Muslims worshipand bow to none but Allah.
It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah:
"We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction."
[Al-Qur’an 2:144]
The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the map with the south facing upwards and north downwards. The Kaaba was at the centre. Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing upwards and south downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah theKaaba is at the centre of the world map.