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2017 - VISIT TAMBUNAN YEAR
SELAMAT KEMBALI KE SEKOLAH

30 June 2009

HARI KOPERASI SMK SANZAC

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PHOTO GALLERY

Above: SMK SANZAC students participating the open stall business as a good way to build-up interest on business.

Above: Talking about having meeting among cooperative members, those empty seats means some members did not attend the meeting which reflect the actual 'members-taking for granted' attitude. These students were actually performing sketch as to why some cooperatives failed in their business.


Above: Ir. Datu Jamigul bin Hj Datu Salin, Ketua Sektor Pembangunan Kemanusiaan, Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri Sabah was given the hand from Janis abdullah and encik Diuh Balimbang, after planting a flower to mark the launching of cooperative week celebration.

Above: Puan Rokayah from Lembaga Pembangunan Koperasi Kota Kinabalu is seen planting the flower during the launching ceremony of SMK SANZAC cooperative week celebration.

Above: Janis Abdullah presenting hamper to award winning student in the various categories of competition in conjunction with cooperative week.

Above: Janis abdullah watering the newly planted flower during the ceremony while Ir. Jamigul Salin and encik Diuh Balimbang look-on.

Above: Janis presenting the award to the winner of various competition during cooperative week celebration.

Above: Sanzac dikir barat (national 2Nd Runner sup 2009), performing their talent during the ceremony. Last year (2008) this group emerged national champion.


Above: Janis Abdullah presenting award to winner during cooperative week celebration.

Above: School representative, Nurul Afifah binti Janis, delivering the key notes address from Ketua Pengarah Pelajaran


Above: Puan Rokayah watering the flower just planted by her


Above: Ir Datu Jamigul is seen watering the newly planted flower planted by him during the ceremony.
Above: Another planting session by Janis Abdullah while encik Diuh Balimbang (SMK SANZAC principle) and Ir. Datu Jamigul look on.

Above: Student receiving a token from Janis Abdullah for winning certain category during the week celebration.

29 June 2009

DARJAT PEMBACA AL-QURAN

DARJAT PEMBACA Al-QURAN :

(1)Jutawan - membaca 300-1000 ayat sehari

(2)Jayawan - membaca 200-299 ayat sehari

(3)Setiawan - membaca 100-199 ayat sehari

(4)Pemelihara - membaca 50-99 ayat sehari

(5)Yang Ingat - membaca 10-49 ayat sehari

(6)Yang lalai - membaca 0-9 ayat sehari

(Petikan dari buku HIDUP BERTAQWA oleh Dato' Ismail Kamus)

25 June 2009

JANGAN 'CUT AND PHASE'

Kalau ada kawan-kawan yang nakkan foto dalam blog ini, boleh saja. Silakan tapi jangan 'cut'. Cara yang baik ialah 'copy' and 'phase'. Kalau tidak mungkin berlaku kehilangan dokumen saya. Saya bukan arif sangat mau 'reproduce'. Saya cuba 'backup' tapi selalunya lupa.
Kadang-kadang 'setting' blog saya pandai rosak so pandai-pandailah mau 'copy', maklumlah blog saya tak ada insurance. he...he...

22 June 2009

SEKOLAH KU TMS - SIRI 1

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Kuala Pilah Negeri Sembilan, 20hb Februari 1971:-
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Nama sekolah saya ialah Tuanku Muhammad School (TMS), yang terletak kira-kira satu kilometer dari pekan Kuala Pilah menuju ke Tampin. Saya mulai bersekolah di TMS bermula pada Februari 1971 dalam tingkatan 1 sehingga tahun 1975. Lima tahun bersekolah di TMS mencatatkan banyak kenangan manis dan pahit.
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Saya amat bersyukur kepada Allah kerana menggerakkan hati-hati Pegawai Yayasan Sabah menerima saya belajar di Semananjung Malaysia. Saya tidak lupa juga berterima kasih kepada Yayasan Sabah kerana memberi peluang kepada saya melanjutkan pelajaran di TMS Kuala Pilah Negeri Sembilan, dibiayai sepenuhnya oleh Yayasan Sabah. Juga berterima kasih kepada Pengetua TMS kerana sudi menerima saya dan rakan-rakan saya belajar di TMS. Kalau bukan Yayasan Sabah, mungkin saya terus bersekolah di St.Martins Secondary School Tampasak Tambunan dalam keadaan daif. Saya amat terhutang budi kepada Yayasan Sabah kerana menerima saya menjadi pemegang biasiswa sehingga berjaya menamatkan pelajaran saya sehingga tingkatan lima.
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Dulu saya tak terfikir pun kesan penganugerahan biasiswa itu... tapi hari ini semasa saya menulis artikel ini, saya menitiskan air mata bila mengenangkan kembali sumbangan Yayasan Sabah kepada saya. Saya amat bertuah diberi pertolongan menghijrahkan saya dari kegelapan kepada cahaya. Kemiskinan yang menyelubungi saya dan keluarga tidak mungkin menjadikan saya seperti sekarang iaitu boleh berfikir secara rasional kemana ilmu (yang diperolehi) akan dicurahkan. Pencapaian dalam hidup ini tidaklah sehebat mana pun tetapi pengalaman berada di rantau orang menjadikan saya boleh berfikir dan boleh membantu orang lain. Alhamdullilah.

Atas: Inilah asrama ku tempat tidur, makan, beriadah, tempat aku menghabiskan masa ku bersantai mencipta kejayaan berinteraksi dengan rakan seasrama. Bermula dengan 'ragging' , belajar mencuci baju sendiri, mandi sendiri, makan bersama kawan, tidur nenyak, mimpi ngeri, bergaduh, bermasam muka, memanjat, 'escape', belajar berdikari, belajar bertoleransi 'give and take', belajar bersosial, belajar menjadi dewasa, belajar perkara kemahiran baru, belajar solat, belajar menjadi pengawas asrama, belajar menulis laporan, belajar belajar sehingga tahun akhir 1975.
Atas: Sekolah ku TMS dibena pada tahun 1930 oleh penjajah. Di hadapan sekolah letaknya hamparan padang yang luas, padang hoki, padang ragbi, padang bolasepak. Di padang inilah saya belajar main bola, main takraw, main ragbi, main kriket, main jimnastik dan belajar 'marching sambil bermain band sekolah'. Saya menjadi pemain Takraw under 15 wakil sekolah dan daerah, main hoki untuk sekolah (under 18), pemain kriket wakil sekolah dan Negeri Sembilan selama 2 tahun. Saya juga 'team' ahli jimnastik sekolah yang termuda. Di padang ini juga saya belajar menerima kekalahan berlari semasa sukan rumah 'Chessmen house' berwarna merah. Pasukan kami juara sukan peringkat sekolah pada tahun 1971 dan selepas itu tak menang-menang lagi. Di padang inilah saya belajar main hoki tanpa 'coach' dan melakukan kesilapan 'turning', 'leg' dan 'back-stick'. Bila pukul bola selalu dipersalahkan kerana pukul macam golf. Kalau tak ada game, saya apa peduli...hentam saja swing asalkan bola clear dari kawasan penalti.
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Satu yang tak syok... bila main 'volleyball' selalu 'spike' bawah net semua pemain sebelah lari takut kena 'biji'. Sebabnya... hight tak cukup sampai. Masa rugbi under 15 boleh tahan lagi... antara yang terkuat badan gempal. Tapi bila under 18, otomatik nama kena delete dari senarai kerana badan kawan-kawan semua naik tinggi... saya tumbuh juga tapi 'side-ways' he..he.. Give-up aje laa ragbi..
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Merajuk? taaak... ubah strategi. Saya main permainan yang orang lain tak main..itulah 'Kriket' namanya. Kriket tak famous kerana diorang kata 'an old-mens game'. Tak apa laa.. old-man pun old-man laa... terus practice baling/humban bola bulat lebih keras dari bola hoki dan baseball. Baling bola pun macam-macam cara baling. Baling kelapa, baling manggis, baling saja-saja...he..he... Lantaklah sebab nak belajar. Kalau tak sambut betul-betul memang tangan cedera. Hari-hari Mr Sukdev Singh tengok kami main baling-baling. Practice everday... lama-lama jadi school player dan terus jadi state player. Hmmm... lega. Every saturday lawan sekolah lain SMI Port Dickson, Sek Men King Goerge 5 (KGV 5) Seremban, TBSS Tampin, Tungku Durah Seremban semuanya kami lawan dan menang... Petang-petang balik asrama penat dengan muka hitam terbakar dgn panahan matahari panas terik bermain dari pagi sampai petang... Tapi yang bestnye.. guru kriket Mr Sukhdev Singh buat announcement semasa school assembly pada setiap pagi Isnin... "Yesterday, our kriket team played against KGV5 at Seremban. TMS won by 6 wickets...and the best bowler was Janis Abdullah with 6 maidens.. katanya. Pelajar dan kengkawan semua tepuk tangan...kembang hidung jugak. Esoknya keluar di News Straits Times column kecik jer... nama Janis Abdullah...the best bowler. Saya tak bangga sangat dengan laporan newspaper sebab kecik jer column dalam newspaper. No big deal... Rupa-rupanya state coach Negeri Sembilan baca 'small column' tu lantas dipilih jadi NS State Player lawan team kuat 'New South Wales Australia'... Resultnya...Australia menang by 7 wickets. Siapa boleh lawan Australian team, diorang tu 'cricket is in their blood". Pemain paling tua New South Wales baru 17 tahun tapi NS team ada yang berumur 21 tahun. Team kami dah tua-tua tapi tak boleh 'beat Australian players'. Kecewa memang kecewa tapi apo nak dikato... Kami pun balik Kuala Pilah berlatih lagi kat TMS kerana belum cukup terror laie...
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(story tak abih laie ni...)
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18 June 2009

PHOTO PILIHAN HARI INI

Photo of the day
oooooo)))))))o((((((oooooo



17 June 2009

HARI GURU SANZAC 2009 MERIAH - PART 2

Sambungan dari Part 1 ......
Atas: Foto beberapa lagi guru yang menerima ole-ole dari pelajar yang di sampaikan oleh YDP PIBG.

Atas: Menyanyi lagu 'guru malaysia' setahun sekali sempena hari guru, semestinyalah lupa senikata.

Atas: Tidak habis-habis dengan ucapan YDP al-maklumlah pantang sungguh disuruh berucap.


Atas: Pengetua juga tidak ketinggalan menerima ole-ole dari Pelajar yang disampaikan oleh YDP.

Atas: Inilah kumpulan Nasyid SMK SANZAC yang turut mempersembahkan nasyid mereka sempena hari guru SMK Sanzac bagi tahun 2009.

Atas: Persembahan silat turut dari pelajar SMK Sanzac. Walaupun baru setahun jagung, persembahan mereka kelihatan mantap sehingga ada dua pelajar Sanzac terpilih mewakili Sabah dalam pertandingan silat yang akan diadakan di Kuala Lumpur.


Atas : Encik Diuh Balimbang, Pengetua SMK Sanzac sedang menyampaikan cenderahati kepada Janis abdullah, YDP setelah selesai perasmian yang dibuat oleh YDP.


Atas: Seorang lagi guru menerima ole-ole guru paling 'comel' menurut penilaian panel pelajar.

Atas: Acara merebut kerusi juga meriah kerana acara ini menggamatkan suasana di dewan terbuka Sanzac.

Atas: Aksi Pelajar dalam persembahan silat 'wira tempur' satu lawan tiga.

Atas: Backup kumpulan nasyid yang menjadi tunjang kepada kejayaan kumpulan ini supaya terus unggul


HARI GURU SANZAC 2009 MERIAH - PART 1



SANZAC 29.05.2009 (Jumaat):-

Pelbagai acara telah diadakan di perkarangan SMK SANZAC sempena majlis sambutan hari guru baru-baru ini. Majlis ini dianjurkan oleh pelajar sekolah yang diketuai oleh pelajar tingkatan 6 dan disokong oleh pelajar lain.

Antara aktiviti yang dijalankan ialah acara menyanyi lagu 'Guru Malaysia', persembahan nasyid, koir, sajak pelbagai bahasa, persembahan seni silat, acara memotong kek, aktiviti sukaneka seperti peraduan makan buah, isi air dalam botol dan rebut kerusi.

Pihak penganjur juga menyediakan hadiah kepada semua guru-guru serta anugerah pelbagai kategori seperti guru paling ceria, paling aktif, paling comel dan paling sporting.


Atas: Acara memotong kek dilakukan oleh Encik Diuh Balimbang (Pengetua), Encik Janis Abdullah (YDP PIBG) dan Encik Hashim (guru penyelaras Tingkatan 6) sementara Puan Faezah (Penolong Kanan) hanya memerhati.
Atas: Guru-guru sedang menyanyikan lagu 'Guru Malaysia', mmm... lirik tak hafal lagi ke..?


Atas : Encik Janis Abdullah, YDP PIBG SANZAC sedang memberi ucapan dan seterusnya merasmikan majlis tersebut

Atas: Cikgu Hashim sedang menerima hadiah pelajar yang disampaikan oleh YDP PIBG.

Atas: Kelihatan Usth Amelia Khanna sedang menerima hadiah sementara guru-guru yang lain berbaris menunggu giliran mereka .

Atas: Apa agaknya yang diperkatakan oleh cikgu Suryani ini? Mungkin nak 'offer' lebih banyak buah-buahan kepada Pengetua yang sememangnya sangat meminati buah ini. Sebenarnya ini adalah acara peraduan memakan buah.

Atas : Para 'penyokong' peraduan yang terdiri dari pelajar ini begitu 'nervous' sekali takut pasukan favorite mereka kalah dalam pertandingan makan buah.
Atas: Hari yang paling bermakna bagi guru-guru ialah disaat-saat menerima hadiah pemberian pelajar mereka sebagai tanda penghargaan kepada guru-guru yang menyumbang-bakti mendidik mereka.

Atas: Persembahan Nasyid Pelajar sempena perayaan hari guru.

Atas : Para pelajar sedang mendeklamasi sajak dalam perbagai bahasa seperti bahasa Inggeris, Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Dusun, Bahasa Arab sebagai tanda kepelbagaian kaum.

Atas : Encik Diuh Balimbang menyampaikan ucapan alu-aluan dan seterusnya membacakan ucapan dari Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Pelajaran sempena perayaan hari guru tahun 2009.



16 June 2009

SEKOLAH DI RUMAH SENDIRI

Due to the horrific and astounding incidents that have occurred within public schools in America over the last decade, a significant numberof Muslim and non-Muslim parents alike decide to homeschool their children every year. The Hanafi family is one such example and after their daughter made the dean's list at the age of 12, they certainly don't regret their decision.

Di Amerika telah bermula gelombang baru iaitu ibubapa memilih untuk memilih rumah sebagai sekolah anak-anak mereka kerana mereka bimbang dengan keadaan yang berlaku di sekolah-sekolah umum. Anak-anak bukan sahaja terdedah kepada pengaruh negatif rakan-rakan sekolah mereka tetapi juga menghadapi masalah kos sekolah yang tinggi.
Di negara kita, ini belum berlaku lagi tetapi bakal berlaku jika kos memasuki sekolah rendah, menengah dan universiti terlalu tinggi. Malah masuk 'tadika' pun kosnya sangat mahal. Di sekolah menengah dan universiti kosnya agak tinggi. Kos buku teks, yuran dan peralatan terlalu tinggi. Bayangkan, baru masuk metrik (pra-universiti) terpaksa bayar yuran kemasukan RM550.00, makan RM400.00 sebulan, buku teks RM200.00 (satu semester) dan peralatan RM500.00. Semua kos ini ditanggung oleh ibubapa. Masalah 'pocket money' belum diambil kira.
Dengan meningkatnya kos harga barangan serta ditambah pula dengan sikap pentadbir universiti yang lebih melihat 'keuntungan' serta melupakan aspek 'kebajikan' maka kemungkinan besar ramai rakyat Malaysia akan mengikuti jejak-langkah rakyat Amerika yang sudah mulai gusar serta memilih untuk menyekolahkan anaknya di rumah sendiri.
Bagi keluarga Hanafi (seperti yang tersebut di awal tulisan ini), walaupun anaknya disekolahkan dirumahnya, namun berjaya juga mendapat 'deans list' dalam usia 12 tahun. Ini membuktikan bahawa pelajar sekolah di rumah juga boleh berjaya.

15 June 2009

USIA CAWANGAN KG.PATAU TAMBUNAN SELESAI MENGADAKAN MESYUARAT AGUNG

14.06.2009 (Ahad):


USIA cawangan Kampung Patau selesai mengadakan mesyuarat agung pada hari ini bertempat di surau Kampung Patau.
Dalam mesyuarat itu, Encik Janis Abdullah sekali lagi terpilih menjadi Ketua Cawangan sementara Setiausaha dipegang oleh Ust Suhaidi Ag Damit. Dalam ucapan penggulungan, En Janis menggariskan tiga perkara penting untuk dijadikan landasan berpersatuan iaitu, jangan ada 'one-man show, jangan ada 'over-lapping of function' dan segala rekod serta dokumentasi perlu dijaga dengan baik.
USIA Patau juga menaruh harapan kepada kumpulan wanita dan belia supaya bergerak cergas mengadakan aktiviti bermenafaat seperti kursus pemantapan aqidah dan memperbaiki serta memantapkan keadaan ekonomi semua ahlinya sehingga mampu berdikari dalam menghadapi segala cabaran hidup.
Mesyuarat tamat pada jam 5.30 petang.

14 June 2009

SOKONG MEMBAWA REBAH


Ada kawan beritahu pada saya bahawa ada seorang Pakcik mengkagumi anak buahnya lulusan teknik yang lebih pandai buat kerja dari bossnya, seorang Engineer. Saya inginkan kepastian lalu bertanya kepada Pakcik berkenaan.


"Betul kah si anu itu lebih pandai dari bossnya, Engineer?"

"Betul bah", katanya.

"Macam mana dia pandai sedangkan bossnya itu yang menerima dia bekerja di situ?", tanya saya.

"Itulah yang pelik tu", jawabnya mengkagumi anak buahnya sendiri.

Dalam hati saya, bagaimana pakcik itu tahu sedangkan beliau tak pernah pun berjumpa dengan engineer itu. Dan bagaimana pakcik itu tahu sedangkan dia bukan pekerja di situ. Mungkin pakcik itu mendengar sendiri anak buahnya bercerita memperlekehkan bossnya. Hati kecil ini tertanya-tanya bagaimana mungkin anakbuah ini lebih pandai dari bossnya sedangkan bossnya ini seorang engineer.

Nak jadi engineer bukannya senang. Pertama, keputusan SPMnya mesti cemerlang dalam bidang matematik, sains dan bahasa Inggeris kalau tidak takkan dapat masuk universiti. Kedua, selepas mendapat tempat di universiti, kena kerja keras kalau tidak first semester atau first year dah kena kick-out. Nak jadi engineer memakan masa 6 tahun. Buku teks pula tebal-tebal dan mahal harganya. Ketiga, tak ramai yang terpilih mengambil jurusan engineering kerana memang subjeknya 'very tough'. Menjawab soalan engineering subject bukanya boleh 'goreng' sesuka hati. Semuanya jawapan mesti fakta kalau tidak bangunan atau infrastruktur yang bakal dibena mudah runtuh.

Inilah persoalan yang patut dijawab dulu sebelum berani mengatakan bossnya, seorang engineer, tak pandai kerja. Bapa saudaranya pun satu... mudah sangat percayakan anakbuahnya yang mungkin berbohong. Lebih teruk lagi, Pakciknya yang mendengar anakbuahnya bohong, beliau pula menyampaikan lekehan itu kepada orang lain.

Pakcik ini mungkin nak promote anakbuahnya supaya dapat kerja lebih baik macam bossnya yang bergelar engineer. Kalau iya pun...cerminlah diri samada layak seorang yang bukan engineer mengatakan bossnya engineer TAK PANDAI KERJA. Saya mendengarnya pun rasa nak muntah kerana 'jauh panggang dari api'. Pakciknya pun satu...mudah sangat termakan 'bohong' anakbuahnya. Malah ini bukan kali pertama dia puji anak buahnya sendiri. Kepingin juga mau ketemu dengan anak buahnya yang dia anggap sebagai 'genius'. Entah-entah engineer itu bercakap pasal 'criticle path' pun dia tak faham.

Sama juga dengan satu kesah lagi, seorang pekerja lulusan SPM boleh memperlekehkan bossnya kononnya bossnya tak tahu kerja-kerja 'accounting'. Pekerja ini baru selesai mengikuti kursus 'book keeping' empat hari dah pandai mengatakan bossnya yang mempunyai ijazah 'accounting' tidak pandai kerja. Bila bossnya bertanya kepadanya yang 'asas-asas' apa itu ROA, ROI dan Financial liverage, dia tak tahu. Tergamaknya dia mengatakan 'bossnya' tak pandai dalam kerja-kerja accounting. Pakciknya pula menyokong penuh pembohongan anakbuahnya.

Dia tak tahu bossnya itu sampai botak kepala 'mugging' di kampus 'memeras otak' mengulangkaji subjeknya seperti Financial Management, Commercial law, accounting, statistik dan banyak lagi 'calculation subjects'. Ini baru ikut kursus 'book keeping' dah pandai memperlekehkan kebolehan orang lain. Kalaulah benar-benar dia pandai... kenapa tak masuk universiti ambil 'accounting'? Saya pun nak tengok performancenya yang begitu berani membohongi orang lain dengan mengkagumi diri sendiri.

Kita perlu jauhi dari perasaan bangga diri, ujub, riak dan sebagainya kerana sifat ini boleh menjerumus kita menjadi fasik kerana terlalu banyak berbohong. Kita sering diperingati oleh ustaz-ustaz serta ulama supaya tidak terlalu berbangga diri walaupun sebenarnya kita pandai. Lebih teruk lagi bila sesorang yang tak banyak ilmu mengaku lebih pandai dari bossnya. Pakcik tadi pun jangan mudah mengungkapkan kata-kata pujian kepada anakbuahnya kerana pujian itu akan memudaratkan kedudukan anakbuahnya terutama sekali bila bossnya tahu cerita sebenar. Pakcik janganlah terlalu ghairah menyokong anakbuahnya kerana 'sokongan itu bakal membawa rebah' kepada anakbuahnya. Setiap tahun semua pekerja akan dinilai oleh boss masing-masing untuk mengetahui 'Key Performance Indicator' (KPi) masing-masing. Di sektor swasta kadang-kadang disebut penilaian prestasi atau 'Performance Appraisal'.

12 June 2009

MENUTUPI SALURAN ILMU


Saya baru selesai 'browsing' laman fatwa IKIM tetapi agak kecewa kerana nak masuk pun payah. Saya terus 'click' butang 'Hubungi Kami' dan berikut ialah mesej yang saya terpapar:-

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"Hubungi Kami

Sudut Hukum IKIM mengalu-alukan sebarang maklumbalas sama ada berbentuk pertanyaan mahupun pandangan dari para pengunjung. Walaubagaimanapun kami hanya akan melayan maklumbalas yang dianggap bermanfaat dan berkaitan dengan bidang tugas IKIM sahaja. MAKLUMAN !! Sila login untuk tulis maklum balas anda".
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Nak baca FATWA pun kena login. Saya tak pertikai sangat jika nak bagi komen atau maklumbalas kerana ada komen yang negatif dan positif dan ada komen yang menyakitkan hati. Jadi tak kesahlah kalau kena login. Tapi tak kanlah nak baca 'fatwa' pun kena login!. Kenapa nak sembunyikan ilmu?.
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11 June 2009

INILAH DUNIA

The world we live in ...........
A few weeks ago in a movie theatre in Melbourne a person sat on something that was poking out of one of the seats. When she got up to see what it was she found a needle sticking out Of the seat with a note attached saying quote:
'You have just been infected by HIV'

The Disease control Centre in Melbourne reports many similar incidents have occurred in many other Australian cities recently.
All tested needles are HIV Positive.

The Centre also reports that needles have been found in the cash dispensers in ATMs. We ask everyone to use extreme caution when faced with this kind of situation. All public chairs/seats should be inspected with vigilance and caution before use. 17 people have been tested positive in the Western suburbs alone in the last 2 months!!! A careful visual inspection should be enough.

In addition they ask that each of you pass this message along to all members of your family and your friends of the potential danger. We all have to be careful at public places! This is very important.

Just think about saving a life of someone even you don't know by forwarding this message. Please, take a few seconds of your time to pass it along.

-----------------------------------------------------


Australian Red Cross Blood Service
Ph: (08) 94212877 Fax: (08) 94212366

08 June 2009

THE LAST SERMON (KHUTBAH TERAKHIR)

The last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad ( peace beupon him)

The last sermon of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is known as Khutbatul Wada'. It is mentioned in almost all books of Hadith.
This Khutbah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was long and it contained much guidance and instructions on many issues. The Prophet (peace be upon him) gave this sermon in front of a large gathering of people during Hajj.

Who so ever heard what ever part of the sermon reported it and later some scholars put it together. It is a great khutbah and we should all pay attention to its message and guidance. Following are the basic points mentioned in this khutbah:

O People Lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People Just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest); therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity.

Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all interest due to Abbas Ibn ‘Abd al Muttalib (the Prophet's uncle) shall henceforth be waived.

Beware of Satan for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People It is true that you have certain rights in regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives, only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat you women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People Listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat.

Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over a white, except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim, which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not therefore, do injustice to your selves.

Remember one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone. People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and the Sunnah (Hadith), and if you follow these you will never go astray. All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listened to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people."

01 June 2009

Shattering Ten Misconceptions About Islam

Shattering Ten Misconceptions About Islam

Source: http://www.missionislam.com/discover/misconceptions.htm

by The Muslim Students Association at USC


In this article, we will try to clear up many of the misconceptions that are prevalent about Islam. Before jumping into the list of misconceptions directly, it is important to give a little interesting background about the source of Islam.

Islam is the name of a way of life which the Creator wants us to follow. We avoid the word religion because in many non-Islamic societies, there is a separation of "religion and state." This separation is not recognized at all in Islam: the Creator is very much concerned with all that we do, including the political, social, economic, and other aspects of our society. Hence, Islam is a complete way of life.
The source of Islam is Allah, the Creator of everything known and unknown to us. He is One, and He is Unique. Allah has taught us about Islam via two mediums: the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Both the Qur'an and Sunnah were transmitted to us, humanity, via the Messenger of Allah: Muhammad bin Abdullah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him (saws). The Messenger of Allah was nothing more and nothing less than a mortal messenger of the immortal Creator.

The Qur'an is a book containing the literal Word of Allah. It was transmitted from Allah to an angel of His (Gabriel), and from the angel to the Messenger of Allah who delivered it to us. The Qur'an covers a wide variety of topics, including evidence to support its claim of being the Word of the Creator, stories of earlier generations, rules which humanity is asked to obey, and information about the Hereafter. The Qur'an claims that it is protected from change by other than Allah, and this is confirmed by its 1400 year history. The earliest copies and the latest copies are the same.

The Sunnah is the term used to describe how the Messenger of Allah (saws) lived his life. The Messenger's life is an example for all Muslims, or those who accept Islam, to follow. Whatever the Messenger (saws) did, said, or approved of is a source of Islam just as much as the Qur'an. The Messenger's role is not overemphasized: his life was dictated by what the Creator desired, and the Messenger did not add or subtract to Islam according to his own personal whim. His life was such that his wife called him "a walking Qur'an."

The Qur'an and Sunnah are the only two mediums by which Allah has directly taught us about Islam. This leads us to the following simple but critical principle:

If any man or woman engages in a belief or action which clearly contradicts the Qur'an or Sunnah, then that belief or action cannot be thought of as `Islamic'.

This rule applies whether the man or woman is Muslim or non-Muslim. Hence, we cannot equate Islam and the Muslims. Islam is the way of life; Muslims are people who claim to follow that way of life. A Muslim may claim to follow Islam, but be wrong. In the context of misconceptions, we can restate the above principle in a slightly different way:
Some misconceptions about Islam are due to the wrong beliefs and actions of Muslims, and others are due to a significant lack of understanding and false stereotyping by non-Muslims.
Several misconceptions are listed below. Instead of simply stating the misconception by itself, we have also included some reasons why people might adopt that misconception. Therefore, each entry in the list is given in the following form:
....statement of misconception...because:
1. ..reason 1
2. ..reason 2
3. ..etc.
After each misconception and its possible reasons, we show briefly why the misconception is false by showing one or more of three possibilities:
1. a reason is false
2. the reason does not logically lead to the misconception
3. a key piece of information is being ignored
Our answers to the misconceptions are drawn from the Qur'an and Sunnah. All other approaches are insufficient: Islam is a way of life which is very firmly based on a scholarly approach, an approach which is based on knowledge.
Misconception 1

Islam is `the religion of peace' because:

1. the Arabic word Islam is derived from the Arabic word "Al-Salaam" which means peace.
Answer: It might seem strange to think of this as a misconception, but in fact it is. The root word of Islam is "al-silm" which means "submission" or "surrender." It is understood to mean "submission to Allah." In spite of whatever noble intention has caused many a Muslim to claim that Islam is derived primarily from peace, this is not true. Allah says in the Qur'an (translated):
[2:136] Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us and that which was revealed to Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have surrendered. [Arabic "Muslimoon"]
A secondary root of Islam may be "Al-Salaam" (peace), however the text of the Qur'an makes it clear that Allah has clearly intended the focus of this way of life to be submission to Him. This entails submission to Him at all times, in times of peace, war, ease, or difficulty.
Misconception 2
In Islam, denial of human rights is OK because:
1. Islam is against pure democracy
2. Islam tolerates slavery

Answer: The misconception does not follow from the reasons given, and the reasons ignore a great deal of information.
As stated earlier, Islam is a complete way of life. Given this, it is not surprising that the Creator is concerned with the method which we choose to govern ourselves. The pre-eminent rule which the Islamic state must observe is stated in the Qur'an (translation follows):
[4:59] O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you do believe in Allah and the Last Day; That is best, and most suitable for final determination.
From this verse, it is clear that the state's obligation of obedience to the Creator is as important as the obedience of the individual. Hence, the Islamic state must derive its law from the Qur'an and Sunnah. This principle excludes certain choices from the Islamic state's options for political and economic systems, such as a pure democracy, unrestricted capitalism, communism, socialism, etc. For example, a pure democracy places the people above the Qur'an and Sunnah, and this is disobedience to the Creator. However, the best alternative to a pure democracy is a democracy that implements and enforces the Shariah (Islamic Law).
The Creator also states in the Qur'an (translated):

So whatever thing you are given, that is only a provision of this world's life, and what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and rely on their Lord, and those who shun the great sins and indecencies, and whenever they are angry they forgive, and those who respond to their Lord and keep up prayer, and their rule is to take counsel among themselves, and who spend out of what We have given them.[Qur'an 42:36-38]
Allah orders us in this verse to conduct our matters by taking counsel among ourselves, or by consulting each other. This is the methodology of the Islamic state, to consult one another, but to always keep the Qur'an and Sunnah paramount. Any law which contradicts the Qur'an or Sunnah is unlawful. This broad principle of consultation is certainly wide enough to encompass a form of government where all are heard - in fact, encouraged to be heard. The early Islamic states were of this form. The petty governments of many `Muslim countries' today do not apply this principle and in fact commit many crimes against the people.

As for slavery, Islam is unique among the `religions' in its close attention to the peaceful removal of this practice. Before the advent of Islam, slavery was widespread all over the world. The Messenger of Islam taught us that freeing slaves was a great deed in the sight of Allah. From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Whoever frees a Muslim slave, Allah will save all the parts of his body from the (Hell) Fire as he has freed the body-parts of the slave." Said bin Marjana said that he narrated that Hadith to `Ali bin Al-Husain and he freed his slave for whom `Abdullah bin Ja'far had offered him ten thousand Dirhams or one-thousand Dinars.[3:46:693]

Also from the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Malik's Muwatta, we find:
Narrated Aisha Ummul Mu'minin: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked what was the most excellent kind of slave to free. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, answered, "The most expensive and the most valuable to his master."[38:9:15]

The Creator has also made it easy for slaves to gain their freedom. From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Whoever frees his portion of a common slave should free the slave completely by paying the rest of his price from his money if he has enough money; otherwise the price of the slave is to be estimated and the slave is to be helped to work without hardship till he pays the rest of his price."[3:46:704]

The condition of slavery is very different in Islam than the harsh conditions imposed by non-Muslims or disobedient Muslims. From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sunan Abu-Dawud, we find:

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (saw) said: None of you must say: "My slave" (abdi) and "My slave-woman" (amati), and a slave must not say: "My lord" (rabbi or rabbati). The master (of a slave) should say: "My young man" (fataya) and "My young woman" (fatati), and a slave should say "My master" (sayyidi) and "My mistress" (sayyidati), for you are all (Allah's) slave and the Lord is Allah, Most High.[41:4957]

Also from the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:

Narrated Al-Ma'rur bin Suwaid: I saw Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari wearing a cloak, and his slave, too, was wearing a cloak. We asked him about that (i.e. how both were wearing similar cloaks). He replied, "Once I abused a man and he complained of me to the Prophet. The Prophet asked me, `Did you abuse him by slighting his mother?' He added, `Your slaves are your brethren upon whom Allah has given you authority. So, if one has one's brethren under one's control, one should feed them with the like of what one eats and clothe them with the like of what one wears. You should not overburden them with what they cannot bear, and if you do so, help them (in their hard job)."[3:46:721]

As a result of the teachings of Islam, slavery was almost completely eradicated from many areas of the Muslim world, peacefully and without bloodshed.

Misconception 3
In Islam, women are inferior to men because:
1. a man can marry up to 4 wives, a woman can marry only one man
2. a man's share of inheritance is bigger than a woman's
3. a man can marry a non-Muslim, a woman cannot
4. women must wear the veil

Answer: This widely held misconception does not remotely follow from the reasons given. The first and most important observation to make about the popular question "Are men and women equal?" is that it is a badly-formed, unanswerable question. The problem which many people conveniently ignore is that "equal" is not defined. This is a very critical point: the equality must be specified with respect to some measurable property. For example, women on average are superior to men if we ask who is shorter in height than the other ("Growth and Development", Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1992). Women are also superior on average if we ask whom do children bond to deeper, mothers or fathers. Women are also superior on average if we ask who has a tendency to socialize more. On the other hand, men are superior on average if we ask who is taller in height than the other. And so on: every question can be turned around, and more importantly these are properties which are irrelevant.
What then, is the really important property which we are worried about in terms of gender equality? Naturally, from the point of view of the Qur'an and Sunnah, the obvious important property is who is dearer to Allah, men or women? This question is emphatically answered in the Qur'an (translation),

If any do deeds of righteousness - be they male or female - and have faith, they will enter Paradise, and not the least injustice will be done to them.[4:124]
For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for truthful men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.[33:35]

The Qur'an and Sunnah repeat over and over again that Allah only favours one person over another based on that person's awareness, consciousness, fear, love, and hope of Allah (the Arabic word is difficult to translate: Taqwa). All other criteria are excluded: gender, ethnic group, country, ancestry, etc.

Given that Allah does not favour one gender over the other in His attention to us (and it helps to remember that Allah is neither male nor female), we can now address the differences between the genders in Islam. First, men and women are not the same as we know. The Creator states in the Qur'an (translation),
...and the male is not like the female...[3:36]
Men and women are different in their composition, and in their responsibilities under Islam. However, both are bound by obligations to one another, especially the following important one which must be understood in any discussion on men and women. From the Qur'an (translation),
And marry those among you who are single and those who are fit among your male slaves and your female slaves; if they are needy, Allah will make them free from want out of His grace; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.[24:32]

In this verse, the Creator emphasizes that marriage is to be vigorously pursued by the Muslims: the state of being single is not to be maintained. With this in mind, we can begin to understand the four reasons cited above for the nonetheless erroneous conclusion.
Men and women are different in their responsibilities towards the families that they are strongly encouraged to set up. Women are not obligated to work, whereas men are obligated. The man must provide for the family, but the woman does not have to spend out of her money for it, though she gets a reward for doing so. Allah says in the Qur'an (translation),

Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.[4:34]
From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:
[2:24:545] Narrated `Amr bin Al-Harith: Zainab, the wife of `Abdullah said, "I was in the Mosque and saw the Prophet (saws) saying, `O women ! Give alms even from your ornaments.' " Zainab used to provide for `Abdullah and those orphans who were under her protection. So she said to `Abdullah, "Will you ask Allah's Apostle whether it will be sufficient for me to spend part of the Zakat on you and the orphans who are under my protection?" He replied "Will you yourself ask Allah's Apostle ?" (Zainab added): So I went to the Prophet and I saw there an Ansari woman who was standing at the door (of the Prophet ) with a similar problem as mine. Bilal passed by us and we asked him, `Ask the Prophet whether it is permissible for me to spend (the Zakat) on my husband and the orphans under my protection.' And we requested Bilal not to inform the Prophet about us. So Bilal went inside and asked the Prophet regarding our problem. The Prophet (saws) asked, "Who are those two?" Bilal replied that she was Zainab. The Prophet said, "Which Zainab?" Bilal said, "The wife of `Adullah (bin Masud)." The Prophet said, "Yes, (it is sufficient for her) and she will receive a double rewards (for that): One for helping relatives, and the other for giving Zakat."
Given that husbands are obligated to provide for wives, and that marriage is a highly recommended goal of Islam, it is easy to see why women's inheritance share is half that of men. We note also that men are obligated to provide a suitable dowry to women on marriage. In fact, it is preferable at this point to speak in terms of husbands and wives instead of men and women. Allah says in the Qur'an (translation),
And give women their dowries as a free gift, but if they of themselves be pleased to give up to you a portion of it, then eat it with enjoyment and with wholesome result.[4:4]

Allah says in the Qur'an (translation),

...And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness, and men are a degree above them..[2:228].
This one degree in no way affects the position of the Creator in which He has stated that He does not hold women dearer to him than men, or vice versa. Rather it is simply a way of partitioning responsibilities in a household of two adults: someone must make the final decision on daily matters. As will be shown below in a section on a different misconception, though the final decision rests with the husband, it is through mutual consultation that decisions are best reached at.
While men are allowed to marry up to four wives, they are also commanded to meet the preconditions of being able to financially support them. They must also deal with each wife justly and fairly with respect to marital and economic obligations. Allah says in the Qur'an (translation),
[4:3] If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.
Moreover, women are allowed to reject any marriage proposal made to her by prospective suitors, thus if she does not feel she can abide by the rules of the Qur'an and Sunnah if she marries a certain person, she can reject his proposal. While it is irrelevant to Islam, it is worthwhile to note that both Judaism and Christianity allow polygamy. The idea is not as foreign to the non-Muslims as is often claimed.
Finally, the wearing of the veil by women is also an illogical premise to claim that women are inferior to men. It is more appropriate to indict a society of female exploitation if it tolerates pornography rather than if it enforces the veil. Given that Allah is neither male nor female, given that He does not endear people to Himself based on their gender, given that the Creator cares about all of us male or female, given that the sexual and violent drive of men is stronger than that of women...given all this, it is illogical to cast a negative light on the following injunctions contained in the Qur'an (translation),
O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not be annoyed...[33:59]
Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands...[24:30-31]
On this misconception, there is a great deal more to write, most of it showing how current practices in many Muslim lands go against what the Qur'an and Sunnah have ordained, lands in which women are treated as property (unIslamic), are not educated (unIslamic), are forbidden their economic rights (unIslamic), and more. On this point in particular, we encourage everyone to consult the Qur'an and Sunnah before incriminating Islam. Always remember that Islam is a complete way of life from the Creator, and that Muslims are people who claim to follow that way of life. A Muslim may claim to follow Islam, but be wrong.

Misconception 4

Islam is well-suited only to the Arabs because:
1. most Muslims are Arabs
2. the Qur'an is in Arabic
Answer: The first reason for this misconception is far from the truth. Of the more than one billion Muslims around the world, only 18% are Arab. The most populous Muslim country in the world is Indonesia. The second most populous Muslim country is Bangladesh. Neither of these countries is Arab.
Islam is the fastest growing major religion in the world (Encyclopaedia Britannica). It has adherents on all the populated continents, and is accessible to Arabs and non-Arabs alike. In the United States, Muslims are expected to become the largest religious minority around the turn of the century, outstripping the Jews.
The universal appeal of Islam to Arabs and non-Arabs comes in spite of the Qur'an being in Arabic. Allah states in the Qur'an that this way of life called Islam is for all people (translation follows),
And We (Allah) have not sent you (Muhammad) but as a mercy to the worlds.[21:107]

We have not sent you but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not.[34:28]

Moreover, the Creator does not use the colour or mother tongue of people to judge them, be they Arab or not. Instead, it is the level of their awareness of Allah which is the criterion,

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)."[49:13]
The choice of Arabic as the language of the Qur'an is explained very simply and clearly (translation follows),
And if We (Allah) had made it a Qur'an in a foreign tongue, they would certainly have said: "Why have not its communications been made clear? What! a foreign (tongue) and an Arab!" Say: It is, to those who believe, a guidance and a healing; and (as for) those who do not believe, there is a heaviness in their ears and it is obscure to them; these shall be called to from a far-off place.[41:44]
However, it is also important to emphasize that the Qur'an in its revealed form in Arabic is the literal Word of the Creator - but any translation is not. Each translation is more accurately called a translation of an interpretation, for every translator includes his or her own bias.
Misconception 5

Islam rejects Jesus because:
1. Jesus is not accepted as `the Son of God'

Answer: The Qur'an and Sunnah both teach us emphatically and without any doubt that the Creator considers the statement of the Trinity to be a great falsehood. The Qur'an states (translation):

They say: "(Allah) the Most Merciful has begotten a son!" Indeed you have put forth a thing most monstrous! At it the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin, that they should invoke a son for (Allah) the Most Merciful. For it is not consonant with the majesty of (Allah) the Most Merciful that He should beget a son: Not one of the beings in the heavens and the earth but must come to (Allah) the Most Merciful as a servant.[19:88-93]

However, the misconception that Jesus is rejected does not follow from the reason given above. It is more precise to say that identifying Jesus as `the Son of God' is rejected. As a Messenger of Allah, Jesus is accorded the same honour that all the Messengers are given, as the following verse attests to (translation),
[2:136] Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us and that which was revealed to Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have surrendered. [Arabic "Muslimoon"]

Misconception 6

Islam orders the worship of a man because:
1. Muslims are also `Muhammadans'

Answer: Early non-Muslim quasi-researchers of Islam called it `Muhammadanism', implying in some way that Muslims worshipped the Messenger of Allah (saws). Hence, the (false) basis for this misconception really emanates from non-Muslims. However, as was described above, a "Muslim" is "one who submits to Allah." The essence of Islam is pure, pure, pure monotheism. Allah says in the Qur'an (translated):

Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the One on whom all depend; He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none comparable to Him.[112:1-4]
Muhammad is no more than a messenger: many Were the messengers that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will you then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude.[3:144]

From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:

Narrated Mu'adh bin Jabal: The Prophet said, "O Mu'adh! Do you know what Allah's Right upon His slaves is?" I said, "Allah and His Apostle know best." The Prophet said, "To worship Him (Allah) Alone and to join none in worship with Him (Allah). Do you know what their right upon Him is?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know best." The Prophet said, "Not to punish them (if they do so)."[9:93:470]

Narrated `Umar: I heard the Prophet saying, "Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a Slave. So, call me the Slave of Allah and His Apostle."[4:55:654]
Misconception 7

Islam tolerates the killing of innocents because:
1. Muslims can be terrorists
2. Muslims engage in `holy wars' (jihad)
3. Islam spread by the sword
4. it has a harsh and cruel judicial system
Answer: This misconception is one of the most widely held misconceptions about Islam today. And yet in the Qur'an, the Creator unambiguously states (translation),

Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand retaliation or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life, for he is helped (by the Law)[17:33]

Based on this verse, it is Islamically unlawful to murder anyone who is innocent of certain crimes. It is well to remember at this point the distinction made above between Qur'an and Sunnah, and the Muslims: only the Qur'an and Sunnah are guaranteed to be in accordance with what the Creator desires, whereas the Muslims may possibly deviate. Hence, if any Muslim kills an innocent person, that Muslim has committed a grave sin, and certainly the action cannot be claimed to have been done "in the name of Islam."
It should be clear, then, that "Muslim terrorist" is almost an oxymoron: by killing innocent people, a Muslim is committing an awesome sin, and Allah is Justice personified. This phrase is offensive and demeaning of Islam, and it should be avoided. It is hoped that as the general level of public awareness and understanding of Islam increases, people will keep "terrorism" and "Islam" separate from each other, not to be used in the same phrase.
Another reason advanced in support of the misconception is that the Creator has imposed `jihad' on us. The term "holy war" is from the time of the Crusades and originated in Europe as a rallying cry against the Muslims in Jerusalem. Jihad is an Arabic word meaning struggle, but in the context of many verses in the Qur'an, it carries the meaning of military struggle, or war. Allah gradually introduced the obligation of military struggle to the Muslim community at the time of the Messenger (saws). The first verse ever revealed in that connection is as follows (translation),
Permission (to fight) is given to those upon whom war is made because they are oppressed, and most surely Allah is well able to assist them;[22:39]

This verse lays down the precondition for all war in Islam: there must exist certain oppressive conditions on the people. The Creator unequivocally orders us to fight oppression and persecution, even at the expense of bloodshed as the following verse shows (translation),
And fight in the cause of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits. And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from where they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the reward of the unbelievers. But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors.[2:190-192]
As one might imagine, the method of military struggle has been clearly and extensively defined in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Since this subject is a huge one, we simply summarize part of it by noting that it is unlawful to kill women, children, the infirm, the old, and the innocent. From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find:
Narrated 'Abdullah: During some of the Ghazawat of the Prophet a woman was found killed. Allah's Apostle disapproved the killing of women and children.[4:52:257]
A related misconception to jihad is often propagated by Muslims who say that "Jihad is only for self-defence of physical borders." The Qur'an and Sunnah refute this notion categorically. As the verses cited above show, jihad is obligatory wherever there is injustice, and Muslims need not acknowledge imaginary lines around the earth when it comes to upholding this obligation. The Messenger of Allah (saws) has also commented on this extensively in the Sunnah. From the study of the Sunnah called Sahih Bukhari, we find that,
Narrated Abu Musa: A man came to the Prophet and asked, "A man fights for war booty; another fights for fame and a third fights for showing off; which of them fights in Allah's Cause?" The Prophet said, "He who fights that Allah's Word (i.e. Islam) should be superior, fights in Allah's Cause."[4:52:65]
Hence, the Creator obligates us to fight wherever people are being grossly deprived of freely hearing or practicing the Message of Allah as contained in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Sayyed Qutb, a famous Muslim scholar eloquently discusses the notion of jihad and self-defence in his book Milestones,
"If we insist on calling Islamic jihad a defensive movement, then we must change the meaning of the word `defence' and mean by it `defence of man' against all those elements which limit his freedom. These elements take the form of beliefs and concepts, as well as of political systems, based on economic, racial, or class distinction."
A third reason often cited for the misconception about Islam which says that this way of life tolerates the killing of innocents is that the judicial system of Islam is unnecessarily harsh. This reason is weak in two respects. First, it presupposes that human beings are more just and more merciful than the Creator, and therefore we can change the law. Second, it is often based on gross oversimplifications of Islamic law, such as saying "all thieves get their hands cut off."
The Qur'an and Sunnah make it clear that the law of retaliation (or equality) governs us for murder and physical injury, but forgiveness is better as the following verses from the Qur'an show (translation),
O you who believe! the law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then prosecution (for the bloodwit) should be made according to usage, and payment should be made to him in a good manner; this is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy; so whoever exceeds the limit after this he shall have a painful chastisement.[2:178]
The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loves not those who do wrong. But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them, against such there is no cause of blame. The blame is only against those who oppress men and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a grievous penalty. And whoever is patient and forgiving, these most surely are actions due to courage.[42:40-43]

The Creator ordained the law of retaliation on us knowing full well that we might question it. In many non-Muslim societies today, there are ongoing debates about the death penalty. In Islam, this discussion is moot: the Creator has decided the matter for us. He has however given us an interesting verse in the Qur'an which advises to consider the matter carefully if we want to understand it (translation follows),
And there is life for you in (the law of) retaliation, O people of understanding, that you may guard yourselves.[2:179]
Most people are also unaware of the stringent conditions which must be met for the law of retaliation to be applicable. The Sunnah is full of examples of the Messenger of Allah showing us when the law's preconditions were fulfilled. For example, a thief is only liable to lose his or her hand if the item stolen exceeds a certain value, and if it is proven that the item was taken from its normal resting place. Stealing food is not punishable by the loss of one's hand, and other items are exempt as well. This is just an example of how gingerly the law is applied in Islam.
Finally, another reason advanced for this prevalent misconception is that Islam `spread by the sword'. It should be clear by now that we must always distinguish between the Qur'an and Sunnah and the Muslims when it comes to determining what the Creator has asked of us. Allah has stated clearly in the Qur'an (translation),
There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever rejects Satan (and what he calls to) and believes in Allah, he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handhold, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.[2:256]

Hence, it is impossible to accept Islam under duress. Even if misguided Muslims were to try to `force' Islam somehow on others, it would not be accepted by the Creator based on this verse.
Historical arguments that try to demonstrate that Muslims did not `convert others by force' are actually secondary to the argument given above. However, it is worth noting that historically, Islam did spread by peaceful means. The Message of the Creator was conveyed to Africa and to southeast Asia by trading Muslims, and today the largest Muslim country in the world is Indonesia. The military expeditions that led to the conquest of large swathes of territory in Europe and central Asia were all marked by tolerance of other creeds and faith.

Again, it is important to remember that Allah declares it IMPOSSIBLE that Islam can be forced on a person, hence Muslims find it useless to try!
Misconception 8

Islam is intolerant of other religions because:
the Qur'an condemns the other religions as false
Answer: The Creator has taught us in the Qur'an and Sunnah that all other `religions' and ways of life are unacceptable to Him if a person is aware of Islam. The Qur'an states (translation),
And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers.[3:85]

However, even though the Creator has clearly specified that no other way of life is acceptable to Him except Islam (i.e. submission to Him as embodied in the Qur'an and Sunnah), He has also commanded the Muslims to be tolerant of people who espouse other creeds. From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Al-Awsat by Al-Tabarani, we find regarding those non-Muslims living in the Islamic state,
The Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "One who kills a non-Muslim person under protection (Arabic: dhimmi) will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise."
Also from the Sunnah, specifically in a report from Al-Khatib, we find that the Messenger of Allah (saws) also said:
Whoever hurts a non-Muslim person under protection, I am his adversary, and I shall be an adversary to him on the Day of Resurrection.
In short, Islam is intolerant of false ideas, however it is tolerant of the people who hold to those ideas. One historical example of Muslims living up to the standard of Islam can be found from the time of the Spanish Inquisition. During that disaster sprung by misguided Catholics, some Spanish Jews fled to Muslim Turkey and to this day, there is a community of Spanish-speaking Jews in Turkey. Another example may be found during one of the Crusader invasions from Western Europe. Some of the the Catholic Western European knights were so likely to rape, murder, and pillage the Jews and Orthodox Christians, that when the Muslims won, they were treated as a liberating force by those non-Muslims.
Misconception 9
Islam is a racist, afro-centric cult because:
1. Nation of Islam espouses the superiority of the black man
2. The Nation of Islam recognizes God as a black man
Answer: One of the great misconceptions of the twentieth century is that the so-called `Nation of Islam' is a Muslim community, or more precisely: a community which submits to Allah by following the Qur'an and Sunnah. The `Nation of Islam' is a man-made way of life which borrowed some elements of Islam and then mixed them with a large number of inventions and lies to reach their present doctrines.
It suffices to point out the `Nation of Islam's deviation in two areas. First, they reject the essence of Islam by concocting a story wherein the Creator takes the form of a black man. From their on-line publications, we find that the `Nation of Islam' believes in

...one God (Allah) and that Allah (God) appeared in the Person of Master W. Fard Muhammad, July, 1930; the long awaited `Messiah' of the Christians and the `Mahdi' of the Muslims...
However, the Creator states in the Qur'an (translation),

[6:103] No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision: He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things.
The `Nation of Islam' also claims that white men are `devils', and that black people are in general superior to all other races. However, from the Sunnah, specifically in the Messenger of Allah's farewell sermon, we find the Messenger (pbuh) saying:
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white - except by piety and good action.
There are many other beliefs which the `Nation of Islam' holds which take it outside of Islam. It is interesting to note that in the mid-1970's, the overwhelming majority of the group realized its errors and converted to true Islam. There is, however, a splinter group which remains active today.
Misconception 10
Islam produces a lazy, uneducated society because:
1. all things come from God, and so fatalism is OK
2. modern technology and science are condemned

Answer: The reasons given for this misconception are false, and the misconception itself is actually refuted directly by the Qur'an and Sunnah. While it is true that the Creator is the source of everything to us, it is not true that this can be used as an excuse for humanity to hide behind as the following verses from the Qur'an state (translation),
The worshippers of false gods say: "If Allah had so willed, we should not have worshipped anything but Him - neither we nor our fathers,- nor should we have prescribed prohibitions other than His." So did those who went before them. But what is the mission of messengers but to preach the Clear Message? [16:35]

They (the idolaters) say, "If it had been the will of (Allah) the Most Merciful, we should not have worshipped such (deities)!" Of that they have no knowledge: they do nothing but lie![43:20]

Allah has taught us via the Qur'an and Sunnah that we all have a certain amount of free will. This free will must be exercised properly in accordance with the Qur'an and Sunnah to please the Creator. This is plenty of motivation for all Muslims to push themselves to be the most knowledgeable, effective Muslims they can be. If Muslim societies today are not meeting their potential, it is surely not due to their knowledge of Islam, rather it is their ignorance of this way of life. The importance of seeking knowledge and working are made clear in the Sunnah.

From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sunan Abu-Dawud, we find:

Narrated Anas ibn Malik: A man of the Ansar came to the Prophet (pbuh) and begged from him.[9:1637]
He (the Prophet) asked: Have you nothing in your house? He replied: Yes, a piece of cloth, a part of which we wear and a part of which we spread (on the ground), and a wooden bowl from which we drink water.
He said: Bring them to me. He then brought these articles to him and he (the Prophet) took them in his hands and asked: Who will buy these? A man said: I shall buy them for one dirham. He said twice or thrice: Who will offer more than one dirham? A man said: I shall buy them for two dirhams.
He gave these to him and took the two dirhams and, giving them to the Ansari, he said: Buy food with one of them and hand it to your family, and buy an axe and bring it to me. He then brought it to him. The Apostle of Allah (pbuh) fixed a handle on it with his own hands and said: Go, gather firewood and sell it, and do not let me see you for a fortnight. The man went away and gathered firewood and sold it. When he had earned ten dirhams, he came to him and bought a garment with some of them and food with the others.
The Apostle of Allah (pbuh) then said: This is better for you than that begging should come as a spot on your face on the Day of Judgment. Begging is right only for three people: one who is in grinding poverty, one who is seriously in debt, or one who is responsible for compensation and finds it difficult to pay.
Also from the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Sunan Ibn Majah, we find that the Messenger of Allah said:
Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim.

Knowledge of the Qur'an and Sunnah are clearly the best types of knowledge, and knowledge which benefits humanity is good as well. The Qur'an and Sunnah do not condemn the study of this earth and in fact the Creator encourages us to investigate the world we live in according to the following verse from the Qur'an (translation),

Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are indeed Signs for people of understanding. People who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (with the thought): "Our Lord! not for nothing have You created (all) this! Glory to You! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire."[3:190-191]
Anything good in this document is from Allah, while everything bad in it is from us.

Source: www.missionislam.com/discover/misconceptions.htm


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