2010年8月30日 星期一

Why China Cannot Accept Islam

by amirkhalid99

The People’s Republic of China has a total of fifty-five recognised ethnic groups, the largest being the Han. All of these fifty-five are accepted and embraced in China, all except the predominatly Muslim ethnicities, who don’t quite seem to fit in. The fact is that China cannot accept Islam. Given that in China attention is centred on the majority, the demanding duties of Islam, and the nature of religion in China, it appears that Islam will be sitting in the back-seat of the country’s national identity for a long time to come.

When people think of China, regardless of where they come from, the thought of dark-haired, light-skinned, almond-shaped-eyed people usually comes to mind. Who on earth would suspect a brown-skinned, bearded man with light-brown hair and hazel eyes wearing a turban or a kufi to be Chinese too? How can a Chinese person be a Muslim? The thought is simply unheard of. And for good reason: though Islam’s history in China stretches back for centuries, it is still the psychology today, even amongst Chinese people, that it is a new, foreign religion meant more for people of Central Asia than for people of the Orient. There are approximately twenty-million Muslims living in China. However, despite this large amount of people, the number of Muslims only account for one- to two-percent of the total population. With the rest of China being non-Muslim, attention is naturally centred on the majority. And though statistics claim that Islam is supposedly one of the more “rapidly” growing religions of the country, it is certain that Islam will never become the dominant religion of China. The average Chinese citizen (that is the Sino-Tibetan looking kind) is not accustomed to being in a mosque with the people within looking and speaking differently than himself. A house of worship is a very important thing to the Chinese. Not only do they travel to the house of worship to worship, they also wish to become a part of the community within it. Returning to the notion that the majority of the nation’s citizens are not brown-skinned with lightly-coloured hair, the Chinese are hesistant to embrace the ideals of Islam.


Another obstacle preventing the greater growth of Islam is the demands of the religion. Despite its alleged political standings, China is a capitalist country. As the old cliché goes: time is money, and money is the blood that keeps the nation alive. The average Chinese worker does not have the time or the luxury to stop in the midst of his work five times a day to kneel and pray in the direction of the Ka’aba. Also, Islam demands that certain foods and beverages are not to be consumed, such as pork and alcohol. Given that there are countless Chinese dishes that include pork, halal food (food that is acceptable to be consumed by Muslims) is difficult and rather cumbersome to find. Alcohol is also a staple ingredient in the average Chinese social life. There is not a single Chinese social gathering that I have encountered that does not involve a couple bottles of wine, some beers, and perhaps even harder alcholic beverages such as liquor, whiskey, or vodka.

The very nature of religion in China is unfitting for Islam. China has historically been a polytheistic nation with traditional gods such as Yu Di (玉帝), the Jade Emperor, and Guan Yu (关于), the god of war, that are still revered to this day. Buddhism, introduced to China from India, fit well with the nation’s religious society because Prince Siddhartha, the Buddha, and other figures such as bodhisattvas easily blended in, becoming deified with the traditional Chinese gods. Prince Siddhartha was promoted from a revered teacher status to the position of literally a god.

The bodhisattva, originally male in Indian Theravada Buddhism, turned female and became known as Guan Yin (观音), the goddess of mercy, perhaps influenced by the traditional Chang’E (嫦娥), goddess of the moon. Christianity, though a foreign, monotheistic faith, managed to squeeze a firm foothold in Chinese society by teaching the Trinity, emphasising three entities in one God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

However, Islam preaches only one god, and only one, as evident in the Shahada, the Muslim declaration of faith: لا إله إلاَّ الله محمدا رسول الله, which means “I attest that there is no god but God, and Muhammad is His messenger”. Also, it is worthy to note that Chinese often feel the need to have icons, statues, or shrines in the event of worship. Unlike the Buddha or the Christ, Islam strictly forbids any image of God, as it is the Muslim belief that

(1) we don’t even know what God looks like and (2) the construction of any image of God is deemed as idol worship (there is a huge difference between worshipping God and worshipping an icon that represents God).

Is there a future for Islam in China?

Yes, definitely. Islam has enjoyed a place in China’s rich history for many many centuries and it will do so hopefully for many more years to come. However,seeing as Islam is the underdog amongst China’s population, it seems that it will have to enjoy its place in the shadows as the spotlight is pointed elsewhere.

2010年8月24日 星期二

Be Careful who you call a Kafir

"As to those who reject Faith, It is the same to them Whether thou warn them Or do not warn them; They will not believe." The Holy Quran, 02:06 Al Baqarah


Abdullah Yusuf Ali's commentary: Kufr, Kafara, Kafir, and derivative forms of the word, imply a deliberate rejection of Faith as opposed to a mistaken idea of Allah or faith, which is not consistent with an ernest desire to see the truth. Where there is sch desire, the Grace and Mercy of Allah gives guidance. But that guidance is not efficacious when it is deliberately rejected, and the possibility of rejection follows from the grant of free will. The consequence of the rejection is that spiritual faculties become dead or impervious to better influence.


Be careful who you call Kafir because only Allah knows who is truly a rejector and who is merely a misguided person. It is not up to us to "sentence" a person to the Hellfire.
We must always maintain courtesy, diplomacy and a never-dying zeal to convey the message to others no matter how discouraging or useless it may seem - don't give up on a non-muslim because most people are good people who simply need a break from the anti-Islamic propaganda around them.


The Fastest Way to Leave Islam


It is always safest to assume that a non-muslim has been misguided, misinformed and fed lies and misconceptions about Islam and Muslims - don't jump to calling him a Kafir. Remove the name-calling from your articles and websites - wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry - name-calling, especially wrongly branding someone as 'evil', 'kafr' and 'manifestation of satan' -
GHEEBOT - could entail dire consequences for us on Judgement Day.
Perhaps there is no faster way to leave Islam than by calling other Muslims "kafir" or "mushrik" without discrimination.



About calling other Muslims "kafir," we read the following hadith: It is reported on the authority of Ibn `Umar that the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said: Any person who calls his brother: O Unbeliever! (then the truth of this label) would return to one of them. If it is true, (then it is) as he asserted, (but if it is not true), then it returns to him (and thus the person who made the accusation is an Unbeliever). [Muslim]



Therefore, if you call other Muslims "kafir" or "mushrik" without discrimination, you could find that you have left Islam, according to the words of the Prophet (s.a.w.), in less than a second.
Waste no time debating what a good Muslim should be. Be one!


Guiding a Non-Muslim to Islam only possible by the Grace of God. Our job is to help others understand Islam - that is our basic duty. And only then inshallah, will non-muslims move in the direction of becoming one of us. We must remain positive, open-minded and generous in our efforts to convey the true message.


You cannot encourage a non-muslim to be understanding and open-minded if you yourself are hot-tempered and hurling accusations at him/her. No non-muslim is going to respect you and it will certainly reflect badly on Islam if a Muslim, a representative of Islam, is narrow-minded.
I pray to Allah that we develop patience and sincerity in our efforts to bring about more tolerance in this world. Remember....every human being, regardless of whether he/she is born to Muslim or Non-Muslim parents, is born innocent and pure...it is society that influences him/her to stray from Islam and just as a person can stray, he/she can revert back and YOU can help this process.


We have a very important and sensitive role to play. We are the trusted Ummah of the Rasool, a servant of God...it has been made our duty and our obligation to pass on the pure, unadulterated truth - make honest and full use of this honourable task.



2010年8月23日 星期一

Ramadhan kareem to all of the world

this is the first time i lived at outside alone independently ..since i was grown

up in a very conservative or the traditional muslim family..people know that my

parents wont easy to let me live outside ..after i graduated ,i consider the job

that could make me perform salat in time and noone ban for me to wearing the hijab

.even i have not got a high salary..but i felt alhumdulillah for the mercy of God

to make me not to worry too much about work and unemployee problem.. this month is

a special month for all muslim around the world ,we all celebrate fot this holy

month together, but it may will be a little bit harsh for me to carry alone my way..

i need to wake up alone to take my sohol..i felt little cold ,and sometime i felt

lonely ,i do miss my parents and both sisters alot..i miss the time when all family

sitting together and eating for hot food..i also miss the taraweeh night that i

perform salat with other muslim...after finish job at 8 pm ..i need to finish my

dinner...i am already get used to my table time..i have to bear ad get used to the

time..after trying complete the student homework in time.i cant wait to back to my

dorm and take some rest and then for the rest i will start to see something on

internet,becaz i have no tv here...seem like i was already disconnected from the

outside world now ..lol but i rarely watching tv these year..so there is not much

affect to my life..when i have time i will read the book ,any kind of book or i

will find islamic article to read from internet...this is the part of my spiriture

nutrition..but i am hardly to find a partner to share article with me ,so i will intend to

post something on internet to share with other.. i am a study-hard women i think..

i know i am not smart like other,.but i always keep working hard for it ..i used to

dream oneday i also could benefit to other to talk with them about islam ..to help

other and let them know how beautiful of our realigion and our deen..i dont care

about money.just dont let me worry about spending is enought for me.but i more care


about the knowledge and high spiriture in our iman..alhumdulillah ...i used to curious

and humble mind to learn for the new knowledge and never end to pursuit for the

knowledge..insha ALLAH...May ALLAH sent us hikmah, taqwa and haq to our heart

2010年8月22日 星期日

Islam in China

Islam was introduced to Chinese people in 650 CE – through an Arab delegation headed by Sa’ad ibn Abi Waqqaas during the period of third Islamic Caliph in Medinnah – Uthman ibn Affan. The members of the delegation built first mosque in Canton city (known as ‘Memorial Mosque’).

In the begining, Islam was resented by Pagan Chines, but after their defeat in 751 CE, and during the rule of Caliph Manur, Muslims found respect and tolerance within several Chinese communities. However, the situation changed under Manchu Dynasty (1644-1911), which persecuted Muslims and waged five wars against them – in Lanchu (1820-28), Che Kanio (1830), Sinkiang (1847), Yunan (1857), and Shansi (1861).

Some Muslim communities lead by Yakoob Beg (1820-77) and Tu Wenhsin (Sultan Sulayman), however, inflicted crushing defeats on Manchu forces and establishe an Islamic State (1867-77).

According to 1936 population statistics – Muslims numbered more than 48 million. However, after Communists’ take-over in 1949 – the persecution of Muslims surpassed their plight under Manchu Dynasty – and within a decade of Communist rule, Muslim population was reduced down to just 10 millions. The Holocaust of 38 million Muslims pales before the much publicized plight of Tibetan Monks or the Jewish holocaust under Nazi rule.

Ann Miller Darling’s pictorial article China\’s Nu Ahong, published in Saudi Aramco World (July-August issue) is a good read on this topic.

Allah`s will 真主的欲意和前定

Now, apply those verses to yourself. The shaytan might keep whispering to you that you are not up to much and that you will never amount to much. He might even use the advertising companies to reinforce his message and make you believe that you have to conform to a certain look in order to be acceptable. As Muslims, though, we believe something different. We believe that Allah Almighty has created us as the very pinnacle of his Creation.

Believing anything else is to fall for the trick of those who want to take advantage of us. Whether we have the best trainers in the world, or no trainers at all, when our heads are bowed on the ground in prayer, we know the truth. When our foreheads are touching the ground we can’t get away from the facts. Allah has created us. Allah wills us into being every moment of every day. It is Allah who will make the sun come up for us the next morning and breathe life into our bodies once more.

The next time you pray, just take a moment to thank Allah for all of this and to thank Him that He made you just the person you are. He didn’t make any mistake. The challenge for us is to live up to all of this. And we can start by looking in the mirror and winking at the person we see. If we are good enough for Allah, we are good enough for anyone else, too!

How To Support A New Muslim?

1. You should give the new Muslim the feeling that Islam is a perfect religion, its source is divine, and it is totally inclusive. You have to emphasize that there is no truth but the truth of this religion.

2. You should clarify to the new Muslim that Islam erases every sin before it. Otherwise, he will keep thinking about his previous sins. You should make it clear for him that the moment he converted to Islam, his records became clean, and if he was Christian in the past, he will receive twice the reward from Allah.

3. Assure him that the only reference for Islam is quraan and sunnah, not the wrongdoings of Muslims. Only Qur’an and Sunnah can define what is right and what is wrong.

4. Advise the new Muslim to read Qur’an, Hadith and Serah as often as possible.

5. Advise him to take care of his personal cleanness in all its types, (Ablution, Ghusl…etc.)

6. He should perform prayers in time, and you should point out the importance of praying in Gama’ah.

7. It is very important that the new Muslim lives in an Islamic environment. This will help him to obey Allah, mainly by keeping him away from sins, and wrongdoings.

8. Take the new Muslim to a nearby mosque. It is better to have someone from the neighborhood accompanying him and following his progress.

9. Let the Imam of the mosque know about this new Muslim, and remind the Imam to take special care of him.

10. Advise him to read and learn more about Islam. It is better if he can dedicate some of his time to do that, whether by himself, or with a group.

11. It is very important for the new Muslim to ask about everything he doesn’t know or can’t understand. He should try to contact scholars or at least ask anyone he trusts.

12. Try to know about his financial status, and help him as much as possible to make him feel friendlier. It will be more encouraging to have his salary raised a little, if you are in a position to make that possible.

13. You should make it clear to him, that his conversion to Islam would cause him some problems. Allah is testing his faith by these problems. He can always handle these problems by referring to Qur’an and Sunnah.

14. You should emphasize the importance of Monotheism and Islamic belief basics. You can provide him with a book that explains these important things in a simple way.

15. Try to keep him away from his previous atmosphere, and to involve him in an environment that suits, and helps his development as a Muslim.

16. Try to engage him in some Islamic activities, and provide him with important books and recorded lectures.

17. Try introducing him to group from his nationality. The communication between them will be easier; he can also have lessons with them.

18. He should feel that he is important and loved by everyone, because of his conversion to Islam. Giving him a gift would be a good start…

19. Make it clear to him that the problems he faces have occurred to every new Muslim, so they are expected. Try to follow-up with his problems, and help him solving them, so that he can handle them without doing something terribly wrong.

20. There should be a simple approach that helps him to learn Arabic language (reading and writing), In order to be able to read quran by himself and understand it.

Written By: A'nas Abd Al-Hamed Al Qos
Translated In english By: IslamWay Sisters Team

Four Poisons of the Heart

1. Unnecessary Talking

Umar Ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "A person who talks too much is a person who often makes mistakes, and someone who often makes mistakes, often has wrong actions. The Fire has a priority over such a frequent sinner."

2. Unrestrained Glances

It has been related that the Prophet *saaws* once said words to the effect: "The glance is a poisoned arrow of shaytan. Whoever lowers his gaze for Allah, He will bestow upon him a refreshing sweetness which he will find in his heart on the day that he meets Him."

3. Too Much Food

Al-Miqdam ibn Ma'd Yakrib said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah *saaws* say: "The son of Adam fills no vessel more displeasing to Allah than his stomach. A few morsels should be enough for him to preserve his strength. If he must fill it, then he should allow a third for his food, a third for his drink and leave a third empty for easy breathing."

4. Keeping Bad Company

Allah's Apostle said, "The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is I like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith's bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof."

__________________
We will show them our proofs in the horizons, and within themselves, until they realize that this is the truth. Is your Lord not sufficient as a witness of all things?

2010年8月21日 星期六

Benefiting from Islamic Lectures 從伊斯蘭知識得到的益處


“To benefit from a Deeni talk you must have two qualities:
要從伊斯蘭知識中得到益處必須必備兩種重要的品格

1) Talab: come and listen to the talk with a yearning and desire to gain from it.
達拉巴 : 參與和領聽而且從中渴望得到這個知識

2) Ihtiyaaj: consider yourself to be in need of what the speaker is saying.
伊合迪亞茲 : 把自己當作需要得到演講者所提及的被忠告者

Just participating and listening to talks, without these two points in mind, does not bring change into people’s lives. The disbelievers of Makkah had the opportunity to listen to many speeches of our beloved Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, but because they did not have the right intentions and attitude, his blessed words had no effect on their lives.”

只有參與和領聽, 但並沒有這兩種重要的品格兼併的話,
這將不會影響和改變一個人的生活
在麥加的不信者他們曾有很多機會接近我們敬愛的穆罕莫德聖人(求主賜福於他)
和直接得到他(聖人)的教導, 由於他們缺乏正確的意圖和態度 ,
聖人(求主賜福於他)的智慧名言也不能影響和改變他們的生活和命運

by Mawlana Suleyman Sidat ( In Shaykh’s Company)

翻譯: 麗菁 maryem

The origins of the names of the days

The names of the days are in some cases derived from Teutonic deities or, such as in Romance languages, from Roman deities. The early Romans, around the first century, used Saturday as the first day of the week. As the worshipping of the Sun increased, the Sun's day (Sunday) advanced from position of the second day to the first day of the week (and saturday became the seventh day).
「天」的名字,來自日耳曼神明或羅馬神明。早期羅馬人,大約一世紀左右,將星期六視為一星期的第一天。隨著對於太陽的崇拜增加,太陽的日子(星期天)從第二天的位置變成第一天。原本的Saturday變成第七天!

•Sunday
The name comes from the Latin dies solis, meaning "sun's day"
 Sunday名字來源是拉丁語的「太陽天」

•Monday
The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon monandaeg, "the moon's day". This second day was sacred to the goddess of the moon.
 Monday名字來源是盎格魯薩克遜人的「月亮天」,奉獻給月之女神。

•Tuesday
This day was named after the Norse god Tyr. The Romans named this day after their war-god Mars
Tuesday是以古挪威神-Tyr命名。羅馬人則以戰神瑪斯命名。

•Wednesday
The day named to honor Wodan (Odin).
The Romans called it dies Mercurii, after their god Mercury.
星期三用來紀念(北歐神話)歐丁神(司藝術、文化、戰爭、死者等之神)
羅馬人稱之為dies Mercurii,以水星神命名之。
 
•Thursday
The day named after the Norse god Thor. In the Norse languages this day is called Torsdag.
The Romans named this day dies Jovis ("Jove's Day"), after Jove or Jupiter, their most important god.
星期四以挪威的神-索爾(北歐神話中司雷、戰爭及農業的神) 命名
羅馬人以Jove朱比特(古代羅馬的主神,=Jupiter)來命名。


•Friday
The day in honor of the Norse goddess Frigg.
In Old High German this day was called frigedag.
To the Romans this day was sacred to the goddess Venus, and was known as dies veneris.
星期五用來紀念北歐女神-歐丁的太太Frigg(象徵婚姻、母親、愛情的守護神)
在古德語中星期五叫做frigedag
羅馬人將這天獻給女神-維那斯(朱比特的女兒,象徵愛與美)

•Saturday
This day was called dies Saturni, "Saturn's Day", by the ancient Romans in honor of Saturn.
古羅馬人稱這天dies Saturni,羅馬神話中Saturn農業之神的日子。
Saturn是朱比特的爸爸。