Zaheer Razack on Talking to Allah on an iPhone

SunniPath Blog - » Technology… in a mosque

SunniPath is the vanguard of combining religion and technology. A funny thing happened a few days ago. I was reading a dua at a remote mosque. I didn’t have it memorized so I was reading along with a recording on my iphone. A five to six year old Palestinian girl came up to me and pointed at the iphone and said, “Aysh hadha (what’s that)?” I responded, a telephone. Thinking I was reading Quran, she continued her inquiry, “You’re reading Quran on a telephone?” Laughingly, I tried my best to explain, “No, no. It’s also an electronic device as well that can play Quran and I read along.” With a look of amazement on her face she blurted, “Are you talking to Allah on a telephone?” I thought about it and I guess I was since I was making dua and using an iphone. It was a bit of a reach but I didn’t want to disappoint her. “Yup.” Her eyes got bigger. “Can I try?” I shrugged my shoulders and put the headphones on her. “Ya Allah, bidee diraja (O Allah, I want a bicycle).”

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf on Michael Jackson’s Death: Shock Dead, Everybody’s Gone Mad: Reflections on the Death of Michael Jackson

Zaytuna Institute & Academy

As a little boy, Michael Jackson had an extraordinary charisma — as well as an absolute innocence — that was disarmingly charming. It captivated millions of Americans and eventually people around the world.

As the years went by, his career took strange turns and he slowly turned white, transforming his face eerily into a pale and ghastly masque, perhaps to conceal the pain of alienation from his own self and family. He was also rumored to have unsavory predilections that would never have been suggested if one used the rigorous criteria of Islam before hurling an accusation. Despite the rumors, he appeared to have had a genuine concern for children, wanting to provide them with a world that was denied to him as a child due to the abuses he claimed to have suffered.

I was very happy for him last year when he reportedly became a Muslim. He had apparently followed the footsteps of his dignified and intelligent brother, Jermaine, who converted to Islam 20 years ago and found peace. It seemed befitting that Michael sought refuge from a society that thrives on putting people on pedestals and then knocking them down. He was accused of many terrible things, but was guilty of perhaps being far too sensitive for an extremely cruel world. Such is the fate of many artistic people in our culture of nihilistic art, where the dominant outlet for their talents is in singing hollow pop songs or dancing half-naked in front of ogling onlookers who often leave them as quickly as they clung to them for the next latest sensation. Read more

Swat Relief - A Message from Imam Tahir Anwar

YouTube - Swat Relief - A Message from Imam Tahir Anwar

We want to raise no less than $1 Million for our displaced and desperate brothers and sisters in Swat. We need 1,000 people to make a simple commitment:
1. Donate at least $20
2. Find 20 others to do the same.
3. Have them find only 2 others to donate the same amount. (keep track of your lists!)

To donate directly: http://swatrelief.eventbrite.com/

Facebook: Swat Relief: Let’s Raise a Million for the Three Million Displaced

The Virtues of Lengthy Standing in Prayer - SeekersGuidance Islamic Knowledge Podcasts - Faraz Rabbani

The Virtues of Lengthy Standing in Prayer

Understanding Virtue through the Prophetic Teachings (Lesson Twenty-five): In this lecture, Shaykh Faraz discusses the virtues of lengthy standing in Prayer. Jabir ibn Abd Allah (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about which prayer is best. He replied (peace and blessings be upon him), “Lengthy standing.” [Muslim (756), Tirmidhi (387), and others]

Download Options:

(1) Download this talk here. (right click and “save”)

or (2) Download podcasts directly onto your iPod by going to Seekers Guidance Islamic Knowledge Podcasts (iTunes)

Swat Relief - A Message from Imam Afroz Ali (Australia)

YouTube - Swat Relief Australia - A Message from Imam Afroz Ali

Do something. Donate generously online: http://swatrelief.eventbrite.com/

Imam Afroz Ali heads the Al-Ghazzali Center (www.alghazzali.org), Australia.

Pakistan: Swat Valley’s humanitarian crisis

YouTube - Pakistan: Swat Valley’s humanitarian crisis

Do something, donate online, generously: http://swatrelief.eventbrite.com/

Are the Free Lunch Days Over for Web Apps?

Are the Free Lunch Days Over for Web Apps?

How much are you willing to pay for your favorite web apps and services? That’s the key question to which every app developer wants an answer. It seems as if the provider of every once-free service is now pondering ways to make money and extract revenue from their members, which makes sense when you consider that they are, after all, businesses.

Remember that old adage, you get what you pay for? Will we continue to see more of our favorite free services following this model of offering stripped down freemium accounts along with feature-rich premium plans? Will online advertising ever allow these sites to generate enough revenue to avoid going this route?

Proven Winners

Here are a couple of services that have found the right formula for success when it comes to charging their members. There might be some valuable lessons learned by examining these successful services to see how they managed to get their users to take out their wallets rather than their pitchforks and torches.

Flickr was one of the first sites to capitalize on the fact that its members needed its services. They knew that people love their photos and they would be more than willing to pay a small fee for the convenience of storing and sharing their precious collections online. The paid accounts offered a few other bells and whistles, too, which only made the decision to pay easier.

Evernote is another service that was clever enough to jump on a need it knew its members would pay for — storing notes and information in the cloud, and then having them accessible via the web from their desktop and mobile devices.

When the iPhone was released with its feeble notes app, Evernote swooped in with its own much more fully featured app, which allowed even more users to tap into their service, and thus into their wallets.

Read more

Iran’s coming storm | open Democracy News Analysis

Iran’s coming storm | open Democracy News Analysis

The support of Iran’s supreme leader for the president is key to the unfolding crisis, says Hossein Bastani.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered his first public speech since Iran’s tenth presidential election at the Friday prayers in Tehran on 19 June 2009, a week after the controversial vote had delivered a landslide victory to the incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The supreme leader’s intervention, in front of a vast crowd that included senior clerics and politicians - though only one of Ahmadinejad’s three rival candidates - was a turning-point in Iran’s tumultuous post-election events.

The leader of the Islamic Republic again upheld the official result of the election, even as intense public protests continue against them.  In doing so, he appeared to accept the cost of supporting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for a second presidential term - even though this is on a rising curve. 

Read more

A troubled week in Iran - In Pictures - Boston.com

A troubled week in Iran - The Big Picture - Boston.com

In the ten days since Iran’s disputed presidential election, street demonstrations have taken place every day. Iranian citizens, supporters of opposition candidates, continue to take to the streets and document what they encounter there, despite explicit government bans, the danger of arrest (many hundreds placed in custody), or possible physical harm (at least 19 deaths so far). Iranian officials maintain their stance that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was the undisputed winner, and have increased restrictions and pressure on opposition members, protesters, foreign media and communication networks as they work to regain control. President Barack Obama recently stated that the government of Iran should “recognize that the world is watching.” Many of the photographs here were taken and transmitted at great risk in the past week, in the hopes that others would be able to see and bear witness.

A troubled week in Iran - The Big Picture - Boston.com

Message from Imam Zaid Shakir - Helping our brothers and sisters in Swat

YouTube - A Message from Imam Zaid - Helping our brothers and sisters in Swat

There are 3 million displaced women, children, and men in Pakistan from the fighting in the devastated Swat Valley. Join us at the Swat Relief Fundraiser or donate online: http://swatrelief.eventbrite.com

Missing the Friday Prayer in the West Because of Work - Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam - SeekersGuidance Answers

Missing the Friday Prayer in the West Because of Work

On Obama’s Speech by Sh. Ali Guma Grand Mufti of Egypt - from www.SuhaibWebb.com

On Obama’s Speech by Sh. Ali Guma Grand Mufti of Egypt at Imam Suhaib Webb’s Site

I listened to the well-prepared speech of the US President Barack Obama in Cairo University last Thursday.  In fact, it is a good start of the mutual relationships between the Muslim World and the United States.  In his speech, President Obama referred to civilization’s debt to Islam, which carried the light of knowledge and learning throughout centuries.

In his speech, he reminds us of the speech Prince Charles delivered in Oxford in 1992, as it had the same spirit.

Now, as everyone is anticipating, it is time for the beginning of real work, I would like to suggest some practical plans for this cooperation, in which the Muslim World along with the US and the whole world would begin the establishment of the human civilization in a better way and based on justice.

Read more

[Shaykh] Hamza Yusuf on a Presidency of Descending Grace

Tikkun Magazine - Hamza Yusuf on a Presidency of Descending Grace

It is an extraordinary and momentous event to call you president. Your father was of the Luo clan and, as you know, it would be difficult for a Luo to be elected president in Kenya. In our country, while tribe is not an issue, color often is, but you have succeeded in overcoming both clan and complexion, and in doing so inspired millions of people around the world.

Though you preside over a nation that has drifted away from its foundational principles, you possess the qualities that can begin to change that. Winston Churchill said: “Of all the talents bestowed upon men, none is so precious as the gift of oratory. He who enjoys it wields a power more durable than that of a great king.” Your words have moved a nation-in the right direction, toward a more just, more equal, and more perfect union. Now you must call on Americans to live up to the promise of America. You must challenge them, demand of them great sacrifices, appeal to the better angels of their nature. Remind them that we are a nation founded upon the idea of liberty and justice for all, not just for Americans but for citizens everywhere.

You must restore America’s standing in the world. Resurrect the art of diplomacy that previous administrations have abandoned. Meet with world leaders who pose a challenge-in Afghanistan, in Iran, and elsewhere-and gently but firmly wage peace. Redefine the “war on terror,” so it becomes a pursuit of criminals who must be prosecuted and not nations that must be attacked.

But one of the most consequential things you can do is to call on the Muslims. Challenge them to live up to the ideals of their faith that are rooted in self-sacrifice, charity, and most importantly, the single attribute that every Muslim knows characterizes our Prophet: mercy. Your grandfather converted to Islam because he saw something good in it. But Islam is a religion currently under assault. Like many Muslims who have lost sight of the good of America, far too many Americans fail to see the good of Islam.

But Islam stands alongside its sister religions, feeding the poor, nursing the sick, and teaching the ignorant. Far too many people live in horrific conditions, without potable water, enough food, or adequate housing. Islam challenges us to address the problems of the disenfranchised. You know that faith can be a powerful force for the change we need in the world. While you are not a religious leader but a political one, you are nonetheless one whose family extends to both “them” and “us,” and religion has been central in your life.

Barack in Arabic means “descending grace.” Your middle name, Hussein, is a name that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, gave his grandson after objecting to his father’s desire to name him “Harb,” which means war. While Hussein is a diminutive in Arabic, it actually denotes in this case a superlative and means “great good.”

It is my audacious hope that your presidency is one of descending grace and great good, not simply for this nation, but for the world.

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf is a Muslim scholar, lecturer, and author of Purification of the Heart as well as other works. He is the cofounder of the Zaytuna Institute in California, which is dedicated to reviving the traditions of classical Islamic scholarship.

Make a difference: donate to help the 3 million displaced, hungry, and desperate refugees from the fighting in the Swat Valley in Pakistan: http://swatrelief.eventbrite.com/

The Virtues of Standing in Prayer in the Month of Ramadan - Faraz Rabbani - SeekersGuidance Islamic Knowledge Podcast

SeekersGuidance Islamic Knowledge Podcast

Understanding Virtue through the Prophetic Teachings (Lesson Twenty): In this lesson, Shaykh Faraz discusses the virtues of performing Taraweeh in Ramadan. Additionally, he discusses the importance of Laylat al-Qadr and its characteristics. Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever stands in prayer in Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward shall have their past sins forgiven.” And he said, “Whoever stands in prayer on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and seeking reward shall have their sins forgiven.” [Bukhari (1901) and Muslim (1097)

Direct download: Understanding_Virtue_-_020-21_-_Virtues_of_Standing_in_Prayer_in_Ramadan.MP3

On iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=303712260

Pakistan’s 3 million displaced left in the lurch - AlJazeera English - Do something!

YouTube - Pakistan’s displaced left in the lurch - 14 June 09

Pakistan’s government has earmarked $620m to help those displaced by fighting in the country’s Swat valley. But in Islamabad, the country’s capital, hundreds of the displaced say they have yet to receive any assistance at all…

Al Jazeera’s James Bays reports.

Do Something:
Swat Relief Fundraiser (Toronto, June 27th) and Online Donation: http://swatrelief.eventbrite.com/
Swat Releif Fundraiser: Facebook Page (share with friends and family):
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=98217996897

“Whoever points to the good has the reward of those who act on it,” said the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).

And Allah alone gives success.

Faraz Rabbani.
www.Relief-Works.com

YouTube - Imran Khan Appeals for the Sasta Tandoor Project

YouTube - Imran Khan Appeals for the Sasta Tandoor Project

Dr Sarfraz Hussain Naeemi - Martyred in Lahore - The News

LAHORE: Dr Sarfraz Hussain Naeemi was born in 1948 in Lahore. He was the third child and second son among four sons and six daughters of Mufti Mohammad Hussain Naeemi, the founder of Jamia Naeemia, Lahore.

His ancestors migrated to Pakistan from Muradabad (UP) in India. Dr Naeemi learnt Holy Quran by heart (Hifz) before completing his schooling and later passed Dars-e-Nizami and did M.A. (Islamiat). He went on to pass LLB and Ph.D. (Islamic Studies) from the Punjab University. He also passed an Arabic teaching course from the Al-Azhar University, Cairo. He was awarded a gold medal for his Arabic degree by the Punjab University.

Well versed in Urdu, Arabic and Persian languages, he had been writing columns in newspapers on religious issues and remained the editor of Monthly Arafat, Lahore. He was a soft spoken and humble man who was loved equally by friends and foes, especially by a large number of his students.

He had a dynamic personality leading a number of organisations and platforms like the Tahaffuz Namoos-e-Rislat Mahaz (TNRM), a group of over 20 Sunni parties working for the cause of Shariah enforcement, the Ittehad Tanzimat Madaris Deeniya (ITMD), an association of seminaries boards affiliated with different schools of thought and the Naeemian Association. He was secretary of Tanzimul Madaris Pakistan, the seminary board governing all seminaries affiliated with Barelvi School of thought. He remained member of the Council of Islamic Ideology, the Ittehad Bainul Muslimeen Committee, Punjab, the Muttahida Ulema Board and others.

He was known for a bold stance on global Muslim issues like victimization and suppression of the Muslim movements and invasions on Muslim countries. He raised voice against Gen Musharraf’s decision to provide logistic support to the US-led coalition in the war on terror for which he was first removed from his job as Khateeb in the Auqaf Department and then arrested briefly. He was again arrested for protesting against the blasphemous caricatures carried by European press.

Dr Sarfraz Neemi assumed the position of principal of Jamia Naeemia in 1998 after the death of his father Mufti Hussain Naeemi. He is survived by four daughters and one son, Raghib Hussain Naeemi, who will succeed him as principal of Jamia Naeemia. His funeral will be held on Saturday (today) at Nasir Bagh at 5 pm. He will be buried beside his father’s shrine inside the Jamia Naeemia.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=182756

Swat Relief: Fundraiser in Toronto - Help the 3 million-plus displaced refugees - June 27th - ReliefWorks & Swat Relief

Swat Relief - Eventbrite

There are 3 million refugees displaced from Swat as a result of the fighting, 80% or more of them are women and children. They’re hungry, cold, sick, and needy. DO Something! Join ReliefWorks and the Edhi Foundation to raise funds and awareness. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Religion itself is sincere concern.” Express your concern, and please join us:

Speaker:
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Featuring performances by:
Halal Meat, Waleed Hilal, & Nader Khan

Also featuring:
The ManiacMuslim: Hamza Moin

The Goal: To raise $60,000 for Swat Relief

The Date: Saturday June 27th 2009

The Time: 5:30 pm

The Venue: Pearl Banquet Hall
1638 Aimco Blvd, Mississauga Ontario

Tickets: $35 ($45 at the door)

Proceeds are for Swat Valley Relief through Edhi Foundation (www.edhifoundation.com)

To purchase tickets: http://swatrelief.eventbrite.com

To donate to the event,
Online: http://swatrelief.eventbrite.com

Generously Supported by:

* Edhi Foundation
* Kara Mia
* Pearl Banquet Hall
* Atlantic Promotions Canada
* Maniac Muslim
* MAPCanada
* Islamic Relief Canada
* And many others

To purchase tickets: http://swatrelief.eventbrite.com

Mawlana Sarfraz Naeemi Killed in Lahore - Bombers target two Pakistani cities

Al Jazeera English - Bombers target two Pakistani cities

The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for two suicide bomb attacks in two different cities that have killed at least eight people, including a pro-government religious leader.

A spokesman for Hakimullah Mehsud, a local tribal Taliban chief, said that the Taliban carried out the attack inside the offices of the Jamia Naeemia religious school and mosque in Lahore, soon after Friday prayers.

The second attack, which took place a few minutes later, was a car bombing in the city of Nowshera in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Mehsud said that more attacks would be carried out if security forces did not stop their offensive against the Taliban.

Police said among those killed in Lahore when a lone suicide bomber detonated his explosives inside the religious school was Maulana Sarfraz Naeemi, a prominent religious leader known to oppose the Taliban.

“Unfortunately, [he] has been martyred,” Pervez Rathore, Lahore’s police chief, said.

Naeemi was critically wounded in Friday’s blast and later died in hospital, Waqar Naeemi, his son, said. Our correspondent said Naeemi had been receiving death threats for some time.

In recent weeks, Naeemi had headed several meetings of religious leaders to denounce Taliban fighters for carrying out suicide blasts, and voiced support for the military operation under way in Swat in NWFP.

He had passed a religious ruling (fatwa) declaring that suicide bombings were forbidden. Officials accuse the Pakistan Taliban of being behind the spate of suicide attacks in the country, mainly in the northwest but also in Lahore, the main city in the eastern province of Punjab.

Read more

Years of Missed Fasts and Expiation - SeekersGuidance Answers

Years of Missed Fasts and Kaffara

Question : I have several years in which I did not fast Ramadan. I also have some years in which I did fast but I didn’t make up the days I did not fast because of menstruation. Should I make up the fasts from my menstruation first and then perform the 60-day kaffara for all the previous years of not fasting? I feel overwhelmed by the amount of fasting I have to do. Can you give me a prayer?

Answer: Years of Missed Fasts and Kaffara (SeekersGuidance Answers - Faraz Rabbani)

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