The Underestimated Hamas

What is Hamas and who are the Hamas people?

We have always heard of people who have sold their souls to the Devil, but we have hardly heard of people who have sold their souls to Allah in return for being awarded Jannah (paradise) and Allah’s Pleasure. Among those rarely heard of are Hamas members who never fear their enemies even armed to teeth, let alone criticisms of skeptics or condemners. They are people who have focused exclusively on and devote their entire lives to liberating the Holy land which was praised by Allah the Lord of the Worlds in His Glorious Book the Qu’ran. They have turned their backs to pleasures of life and, instead, opted to live under firings and attacks, as well as the blockade imposed by their enemies and friends, with the former pounding them day and night and the latter being unable to do anything.

Unlike Arab rulers, Hamas’ leaders prefer not to live in palaces and castles at a time when the people are suffering pains and coming under blockade. Hamas members are indoctrinated Qur’an and Sunna, the history and the reality around it, in a way that makes them understand meanings of jihad and truce, laws of war and peace, mechanisms of fighting and negotiations; they also learn to do all their best while leaving their affairs to Allah. In short, they are people whose sole mission is to restore the Muslim Nation’s once great glory and dignity, as well as the honor which the Nation has lost amid periods of imperialism and despotism alike. Therefore, we pray that Allah award them His pleasures and paradise.

This aforementioned glory should be met with honor and appreciation on the part of all Arab and Muslim peoples. But, alas, it is met by with a fierce war on the part of Arab newspapers and government television programs, a media war that one cannot find in the Jewish media outlets themselves! We also see in media outlets owned by Arab states those who throw suspects on and groundless allegations against this group, with some accusing it of loyalty to Iran while others labeling its members as power hunters; some also claim that the group does not read the events deeply, as if the wise in this age is the one who has raised the white flag and surrendered to his enemy unconditionally. !!This position is a shame but it is not that surprising, since there are hypocrites in every age!!

The hypocrites whom I mean are those who bear Muslim names and live in Muslim lands and may perform some kind of worship like prayers or fasting but they harbor spite and hatred in their hearts to Muslims even more than that in the Jews and Christians and atheists. Concerning the disbelievers, they have publicly said that they hate faith and the faithful, but the hypocrites are too cowardly to say this, so they live in perplexity, bewilder and paradox. They pray while they hate the prayers, and witness that no deity but Allah while they abhor the monotheists, and they live in the Muslim lands while they seek to surrender them to the enemies of the religion of Islam. So, the people with such aforementioned mentalities and moody mindsets hate the mujahedeen and the faithful, and embark on attacking and mercilessly criticizing them, seizing the opportunities to trap them or mar their images.

Now the hypocrites in our age ridicule those who stage jihad, although those mujahedeen do one of the duties ordained by Islam. They ridicule their primitively made rockets although they did all their best to make them. Those hypocrites ignore the question: what made the mujahedeen resort to such rockets”? The answer which the hypocrites know well is that the Arabs around them are denying them access to their modern rockets and state- of- the art weapons; they have even denied them staples without which one cannot live. !

Before throwing suspects on an honorable group like Hamas or any other heroes and freedom fighters, we have to look at those leaders and media men who throw suspects at them and tell them that ” you have done nothing although you rule over peoples and you have sufficient capabilities, weapons and ammunition, and you have sway over media outlets and politics! Tell them also that “before you ridicule those who do their best, ask yourself what you have done!” As to Hamas, I address them saying” well done, Hamas! You have offered jihad and sacrifice and giving. We are proud of your way of thinking , knowledge and action, and I pray to Allah to help you continue sincerity and steadfastness. O, our Lord! Whatever we offer to those people, we will not give their due right, so we ask You to reward them for the best. Our Lord! We pray to You to help them keep sure footed, and to make a success of their shootings and support them in the face of their enemies, Amen. May Allah restore glory to the Muslim Nation,

Author: Dr. Rageb El Sergany.
this article is taken from: http://english.islamstory.com/index.php

Polygamy and Islam

Not only one…..

In many cultures, in many lands and in many civilizations, the treatment of women has been diverse. They have been looked upon as slaves, given no share in inheritance, treated as mere machines for progeny, looked down upon, branded as week and taken as pieces of entertainment. This article does not intend to relate the tale of their sufferings. Instead it tries to impress on the role of Islam in restoring and amending the wrongs done to them.

Some of the women rights in Islam are :

1. Permission for widow remarriage,

2. Granting inheritance rights for women,

3. Permitting them to participate in politics and judiciary,

4. Accepting them as witnesses in courts, forbidding dowry,

5. making it mandatory for the men to take up financial responsibilities of the family while declaring the same as optional for women.

And finally permitting the practice of polygamy are Islam’s contribution to establish a decent livable environment for women which most cultures deny – or it’s better for her to be a mistress!!!-

Of the above things there is nothing that is more controversial than Polygamy. People might wonder how on earth does Polygamy make way for a decent livable environment for women? Isn’t Polygamy an evil that is an insult to women? Well, lets find out.

Firstly let me clarify that Islam does not impose polygamy as a universal practice. The Prophet himself was a monogamist for the greater part of his married life, from the age of twenty-five when he married Khadija until he was fifty when she died.
One should therefore regard monogamy as the norm and polygamy as the exception.

One may observe that, although it has been abused in some times and some places, polygamy has under certain circumstances proved to be a valuable option. In some situations it may be considered as the lesser of two evils, and in other situations it may even be a positively beneficial arrangement.

1. The most obvious example of this occurs in times of war when there are inevitably large numbers of widows and girls whose fiancees and husbands have been killed in action. One has only to recall the figures of the dead in the first and second world wars to be aware that literally millions of women and girls lost their husbands and fiancees and were left alone without any income or care or protection for themselves or their children. If it is still maintained that under these circumstances a man may marry only one wife, what options are left to the millions of other women who have no hope of getting a husband? Please keep in mind that in any war more men die than women. Their choice, bluntly stated , is between a chaste and childless old maidenhood, or becoming somebody’s mistress, that is an unofficial second wife with no legal rights for herself or for her children. Most women would not welcome either of these since most women have always wanted and still do want the security of a legal husband and family.

The compromise therefore is for women under these circumstances to face that if given the alternative many of them would rather share a husband than have none at all. And there is no doubt that it is easier to share a husband when it is an established and publicly recognized practice than when it is carried on secretly along with attempts to deceive the first wife. This is where Islam comes into picture by legalizing Polygamy.

2. And it is no secret that polygamy of a sort is widely carried on in Europe and America. The difference is that while the Western man has no legal obligations to his second, third or fourth mistresses and their children, the Muslim husband has complete legal obligations towards his second, third or fourth wife and their children. This is where Islam comes into picture by legalizing Polygamy.

3. There may be other circumstances unrelated to war–individual circumstances, where marriage to more than one wife may be preferable to other available alternatives– for example, where the first wife is chronically sick or disabled. There are of course some husbands who can manage this situation, but no one would deny its potential hazards. A second marriage in some cases could be a solution acceptable to all three parties. This is where Islam comes into picture by legalizing Polygamy.

4. Again there are cases in which a wife is unable to have children, while the husband very much wants them. Under Western laws a man must either accept his wife’s childlessness if he can, or adopt a child which will not compensate for a child from his own flesh and blood, or if he cannot he must find a means of divorce in order to marry again. This could be avoided in some cases if the parties agreed on a second marriage. This is where Islam comes into picture by legalizing Polygamy.

5. There are other cases where a marriage has not been very successful and the husband loves another woman. This situation is so familiar that it is known as the Eternal Triangle. Under Western laws the husband cannot marry the second woman without divorcing the first one. But the first wife may not wish to be divorced. She may no longer love her husband, but she may still respect him and wish to stay with him for the security of marriage, for herself and their children. Similarly the second woman may not wish to break up the man’s first family. There are certain cases such as this where both women could accept a polygamous marriage rather than face divorce on the one hand or an extra-marital affair on the other. This is where Islamic laws come to the rescue and grant women what they want.

6. In most human societies, females outnumber males. In the U.S. there are at least  eight million more women than men. In a country like Guinea there are 122 females for every 100 males. In Tanzania there are 95.1 males per 100 females.

-Eugene Hillman, Polygamy Reconsidered: African Plural Marriage and the Christian Churches (New York: Orbis Books, 1975) pp. 88-93.

What should a society do towards such unbalanced sex ratios? There are various solutions. Some might suggest celibacy, others would prefer female infanticide (which does happen in some societies in the world even today !). Others may think the only outlet is that the society should tolerate all manners of sexual permissiveness: prostitution, sex out of wedlock, homosexuality etc. But for other societies , like most African societies today, the most honorable outlet is to allow polygamous marriage as a culturally accepted and socially respected institution.

7. To impress the benefit of Polygamy let me cite an example. If your sister fails to get an unmarried man, what would you have her do? Make her stay unmarried for the rest of her life? let her be in live-in relationships? let her be someone’s mistress with no legal rights for her and her children? Tolerate all manners of sexual permissiveness: prostitution,  sex out of wedlock,  homosexuality  etc? OR let her marry a man who is already married and live a decent and recognized life,  enjoying all rights equally that the first wife has? The choice Is yours.

I have mentioned some of these examples because to the majority of the Westerners,  polygamy is only thought of in the context of a harem of glamorous young girls, not as a possible solution to some of the problems of Western society itself. I have given some time to it not in order to advocate its indiscriminate use, but in an attempt to show that it is a practice not to be condemned without thinking of its uses and possible benefits in any community.

Women in Islam justice or oppression!!!

A question to answer….

In the midst of the darkness that engulfed the world, the divine revelation echoed in the wide desert of Arabia with a fresh, noble, and universal message to humanity: “O Mankind, keep your duty to your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate (of same kind) and from them twain has spread a multitude of men and women” (Holy Qur’an 4: 1).
A scholar who pondered about this verse states: “It is believed that there is no text, old or new, that deals with the humanity of the woman from all aspects with such amazing brevity, eloquence, depth, and originality as this divine decree.”

Stressing this noble and natural conception, the Holy Qur’an states:

“He (God) it is who did create you from a single soul and there from did create his mate, that he might dwell with her (in love)…”  (Holy Qur’an 7:189)

“The Creator of heavens and earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves …”  (Holy Qur’an 42:11)

“And Allah has given you mates of your own nature, and has given you from your mates, children and grandchildren, and has made provision of good things for you. Is it then in vanity that they believe and in the grace of God that they disbelieve?” (Holy Qur’an 16:72)
But how Islam deals with women regarding their stature in society from it’s various aspects?.

1. The Spiritual Aspect

The Qur’an provides clear evidence that woman is completely equal to man in the sight of God in terms of her rights and responsibilities. The Holy Qur’an states:

“Every soul will be (held) in pledge for its deeds” (Holy Qur’an 74:38).

It also states:

“…So their Lord accepted their prayers, (saying): I will not suffer to be lost the work of any of you whether male or female. You proceed one from another …”  (Holy Qur’an 3: 195).

Woman according to the Qur’an is not blamed for Adam’s first mistake. Both were jointly wrong in their disobedience to God, both repented, and both were forgiven. (Holy Qur’an 2:36, 7:20 – 24). In fact, in one verse (20:121), Adam specifically, was blamed.

In terms of religious obligations, such as the Daily Prayers, Fasting, Poor-due(charity) and Pilgrimage, a woman is no different from a man. In some cases, women have certain advantages over men. For example, a woman is exempted from the daily prayers and from fasting during her menstrual periods and forty days after childbirth. She is also exempted from fasting during her pregnancy and when she is nursing her baby if there is any threat to her health or her baby’s. If the missed fasting is obligatory (during the month of Ramadan), she can make up for the missed days whenever she can. She does not have to make up for the prayers missed for any of the above reasons. Although women can and did go into the mosque during the days of the prophet and thereafter, their attendance at the Friday congregational prayers is optional while it is mandatory for men.

2. The Social Aspect

a) As a child and an adolescent

Despite the social acceptance of female infanticide among some Arabian tribes, the Qur’an forbade this custom, and considered it a crime like any other murder.

“And when the female (infant) buried alive – is questioned, for what crime she was killed.” (Holy Qur’an 81:8-9).

Criticizing the attitudes of such parents who reject their female children, the Holy Qur’an states:

“When news is brought to one of them, of (the Birth of) a female (child), his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief! With shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain her on (sufferance) and contempt, or bury her in the dust? Ah! What an evil (choice) they decide on?” (Holy Qur’an 16: 58-59).

Far from saving the girl’s life so that she may later suffer injustice and inequality, Islam requires kind and just treatment for her. Among the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (P.) in this regard are the following:

Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, God will enter him into Paradise.  (Ibn Hanbal, No. 1957).

Whosoever supports two daughters till they mature, he and I will come in the day of judgment as this (and he pointed with his two fingers held together).

The right of females to seek knowledge is not different from that of males. Prophet Muhammad (P.) said:

“Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim”. (AlBayhaqi). -Muslim as used here includes both males and females.–

b) As a wife:

The Qur’an clearly indicates that marriage is sharing between the two halves of the society, and that its objectives, beside perpetuating human life, are emotional well-being and spiritual harmony. Its bases are love and mercy.

Among the most impressive verses in the Qur’an about marriage is the following.

“And among His signs is this: That He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest, peace of mind in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo, herein indeed are signs for people who reflect.”  (Holy Qur’an 30:2 1).
According to Islamic Law, women cannot be forced to marry anyone without their consent.

Ibn Abbas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of God, Muhammad (P.), and she reported that her father had forced her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of God gave her the choice . . . (between accepting the marriage or invalidating it). (Ibn Hanbal No. 2469). In another version, the girl said: “Actually I accept this marriage but I wanted to let women know that parents have no right (to force a husband on them)” (Ibn Maja, No. 1873).
Besides all other provisions for her protection at the time of marriage, it was specifically decreed that woman has the full right to her Mahr, a marriage gift, which is presented to her by her husband and is included in the nuptial contract, and that such ownership does not transfer to her father or husband. The concept of Mahr in Islam is neither an actual or symbolic price for the woman, as was the case in certain cultures, but rather it is a gift symbolizing love and affection.

The rules for married life in Islam are clear and in harmony with upright human nature. In consideration of the physiological and psychological make-up of man and woman, both have equal rights and claims on one another, except for one responsibility, that of leadership. This is a matter which is natural in any collective life and which is consistent with the nature of man.

The Holy Qur’an thus states:

“And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them, and men are a degree above them.” (Holy Qur’an 2:228).

Such degree is Quwama (maintenance and protection). This refers to that natural difference between the sexes which entitles the weaker sex to protection. It implies no superiority or advantage before the law. Yet, man’s role of leadership in relation to his family does not mean the husband’s dictatorship over his wife. Islam emphasizes the importance of taking counsel and mutual agreement in family decisions. The Qur’an gives us an example:

“…If they (husband wife) desire to wean the child by mutual consent and (after) consultation, there is no blame on them” (Holy Qur’an 2: 233).

Over and above her basic rights as a wife comes the right which is emphasized by the Qur’an and is strongly recommended by the Prophet (P); kind treatment and companionship.

The Holy Qur’an states:

“…But consort with them in kindness, for if you hate them it may happen that you hate a thing wherein God has placed much good.”  (Holy Qur’an 4: l9).

Prophet Muhammad. (P) said:

The best of you is the best to his family and I am the best among you to my family.

The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of you are those who are best to their wives. (Ibn-Hanbal, No. 7396)

As the woman’s right to decide about her marriage is recognized, so also her right to seek an end for an unsuccessful marriage is recognized. To provide for the stability of the family, however, and in order to protect it from hasty decisions under temporary emotional stress, certain steps and waiting periods should be observed by men and women seeking divorce. Considering the relatively more emotional nature of women, a good reason for asking for divorce should be brought before the judge. Like the man, however, the woman can divorce her husband without resorting to the court, if the nuptial contract allows that.

More specifically, some aspects of Islamic Law concerning marriage and divorce are interesting and are worthy of separate treatment. When the continuation of the marriage relationship is impossible for any reason, men are still taught to seek a gracious end for it.

The Holy Qur’an states about such cases:

“When you divorce women, and they reach their prescribed term, then retain them in kindness and retain them not for injury so that you transgress (the limits)”.(Holy Qur’an 2:231).

c) As a mother:

Islam considered kindness to parents next to the worship of God.

“And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents: His mother bears him in weakness upon weakness…” (Holy Qur’an 31:14)

Moreover, the Qur’an has a special recommendation for the good treatment of mothers:

“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none save Him, and that you be kind to your parents.” (Holy Qur’an 17:23).

A man came to Prophet Muhammad (P) asking:

O Messenger of God, who among the people is the most worthy of my good company? The Prophet (P) said, Your mother. The man said then who else: The Prophet (P) said, Your mother. The man asked, Then who else? Only then did the Prophet (P) say, Your father.  (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

A famous saying of The Prophet is “Paradise is at the feet of mothers.”   (In Al’Nisa’I, Ibn Majah, Ahmad).

“It is the generous (in character) who is good to women, and it is the wicked who insults them.”

3. The Economic Aspect.

1400 years ago, Islam decreed a right of which women were deprived in other cultures, both before Islam and after it (even as late as this century) – the right of independent ownership. According to Islamic Law, a woman’s right to her money, real estate, or other properties is fully acknowledged. This right undergoes no change whether she is single or married. She retains her full rights to buy, sell, mortgage or lease any or all her properties. It is nowhere suggested in the Law that a woman is a minor simply because she is a female. It is also noteworthy that such right applies to her properties before marriage as well as to whatever she acquires thereafter.

“Unto men (of the family) belongs a share of that which Parents and near kindred leave, and unto women a share of that which parents and near kindred leave, whether it be a little or much – a determinate share.”  (Holy Qur’an 4:7).

Her share in most cases is one-half the man’s share, with no implication that she is worth half a man! It would seem grossly inconsistent after the overwhelming evidence of woman’s equitable treatment in Islam, which was discussed in the preceding pages, to make such an inference. This variation in inheritance rights is only consistent with the variations in financial responsibilities of men and women according to the Islamic Law. A man in Islam is fully responsible for the maintenance of his wife, his children, and in some cases of his needy relatives, especially the females. This responsibility is neither waived nor reduced because of his wife’s wealth or because of her access to any personal income gained from work, rent, profit, or any other legal means. But this is not the case with the women. Women have no obligation towards the financial needs of the family. If they wish they can support the family with their own money but if they don’t then it is no sin on them.

Is this justice or oppression !!!!?

Now it’s up to you our reader to decide whether Islam gave women their full rights or not…

this article is taken from : http://www.islamfortoday.com/women.htm