SAHABAH

In Islam, the Ṣaḥābah (Arabic: الصحابة‎, Ṣaḥābeh, "Companions") were the companions of the Islamic prophet Muḥammad. This form is plural; the singular is masculine ṣaḥābiyy, feminine ṣaḥābiyyah.

Definitions of companion

The most widespread definition of a companion is someone who saw Muhammad, believed in him and died a Muslim. Those that saw him but held off believing in him until after his passing are not considered Sahaba but Tabi`in.^[1]

Lists of prominent companions usually run to 50 or 60 names, being the people most closely associated with Muhammad. However, there were clearly many others who had some contact with Muhammad, and their names and biographies were recorded in religious reference texts such as Ibn Sa'd al-Baghdadi's (Muḥammad ibn Sa'd) early Kitāb at-Tabāqat al-Kabīr (The book of The Major Classes).

Muhammad ibn Ahmad Efendi (died 1622), who is also known with the sobriquet "Nişancızâde", the author of the book entitled Mir’ât-i-kâinât (in Turkish), states as follows:

"Once a male or female Muslim has seen Hadrat Muhammad only for a short time, no matter whether he/she is a child or an adult, he/she is called a Sahaba with the proviso of dying with as a believer; the same rule applies to blind Muslims who have talked with the Prophet at least once. If a disbeliever sees the Prophet and then joins the Believers after the demise of Muhammad, he is not a Sahaba; nor is a person called a Sahaba if he converted to Islam afterwards although he had seen the Prophet Muhammad as a Muslim. A person who converts to Islam after being a Sahaba and then becomes a Believer again after the demise of Prophet Muhammad, is a Sahaba."^{[citation needed]}

It was important to identify the companions because later scholars accepted their testimony (the hadith, or traditions) as to the words and deeds of Muhammad, the occasions on which the Qur'an was revealed, and various important matters of Islamic history and practice (sunnah). The testimony of the companions, as it was passed down through chains of trusted narrators (isnads), was the basis of the developing Islamic tradition.

Other links in the chain of Isnad

Because the hadith were not properly written down until many years after the death of Muhammad,although there were many individual written copies, the isnads, or chains of transmission, always have several links. The first link is preferably a companion, who had direct contact with Muhammad. The companion then related the tradition to a Tabi‘un, the companion of the companion. Tabi‘un had no direct contact with Muhammad, but did have direct contact with the Ṣahāba. The tradition then would have been passed from the Tabi‘un to the Tābi‘ at-Tābi‘īn, the third link.

The second and third links in the chain of transmission were also of great interest to Muslim scholars, who treated of them in biographical dictionaries and evaluated them for bias and reliability. Shi'a and Sunni apply different metrics.

Number of companions

Some Muslims assert that there were more than 200,000. It is believed that 124,000 witnessed The Farewell Sermon Muhammad delivered after making his last pilgrimage, or Hajj, to Mecca.

The book entitled Istî’âb fî ma’rifat-il-Ashâb by Hafidh Yusuf bin Muhammad bin Qurtubi (death 1071) consists of 2,770 biographies of male Sahaba and 381 biographies of female Sahaba. According to an observation in the book entitled Mawâhib-i-ladunniyya, an untold number of persons had already converted to Islam by the time Muhammad died. There were 10,000 Sahaba by the time Mecca was conquered and 70,000 Sahaba during the Battle of Tabouk in 630.

Views of the companions

The two largest Islamic denominations, the Sunni and Shi'a, take very different approaches in weighing the value of the companions' testimony.

Sunni views

Main article: Sunni view of the Sahaba

According to Sunni scholars, Muslims of the past should be considered companions if they had any contact with Muhammad, and they were not liars or opposed to him and his teachings. If they saw him, heard him, or were in his presence even briefly, they are companions. Blind people are considered companions even if they could not see Muhammad. Even unlearned Muslims are considered companions. However, anyone who died after rejecting Islam and becoming an apostate is not considered a companion. "Whom God is pleased with" (Arabic: رضي الله عنه‎ raḍiyu l-Lāhu ‘anhu) is usually mentioned by Sunnis after the names of the Sahaba.

Regard for the companions is evident from the ahadith:

It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allah ibn Mas’ud that Muhammad said: "The best of the people are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them."^[2]

Sunni Muslim scholars classified companions into many categories, based on a number of criteria. The hadith quoted above shows the rank of ṣaḥābah, tābi‘īn, and tābi‘ at-tābi‘īn. Al-Suyuti recognized eleven levels of companionship. However, all companions are assumed to be just (udul) unless they are proven otherwise; that is, Sunni scholars do not believe that companions would lie or fabricate hadith unless they were proven to be liars, untrustworthy or opposed to Islam.

Shi'a views

Main article: Shi'a view of the Sahaba

Shi'a Muslims do not accept all companions as just. The Shi'a believe that after the death of Muhammad, the majority of the sahabah turned aside from true Islam and deviated from Muhammad's family, instead electing the caliph by themselves. Although some of the sahabah repented later, only a few of the early Muslims held fast to Ali, whom Shi'a Muslims regard as the rightful successor to Muhammad. Shi'a scholars therefore deprecate hadith believed to have been transmitted through unjust companions, and place much more reliance on hadith believed to have been related by Muhammad's family members and companions who supported Ali.

Queen Elizabeth II Descended from the Prophet Muhammad

As odd this may sound, it is the truth. The British Royal family has Arab Muslim descendants (maybe some other ethnic groups too) but what is so interesting is that Queen Elizabeth II is believed to have descended from the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). If she were a Muslim, she would be a Syed (get out!).

Take a look at this (Burke’s Peerage, well known British Royal Family Genealogist):

United Press International
October 10, 1986
MOSLEMS IN BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Mixed in with Queen Elizabeth’s blue blood is the blood of the Moslem prophet Mohammed, according to Burke’s Peerage, the genealogical guide to royalty. The relation came out when Harold B. Brooks-Baker, publishing director of Burke’s, wrote Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to ask for better security for the royal family. ”The royal family’s direct descent from the prophet Mohammed cannot be relied upon to protect the royal family forever from Moslem terrorists,” he said. Probably realizing the connection would be a surprise to many, he added, ”It is little known by the British people that the blood of Mohammed flows in the veins of the queen. However, all Moslem religious leaders are proud of this fact.”

Brooks-Baker said the British royal family is descended from Mohammed through the Arab kings of Seville, who once ruled Spain. By marriage, their blood passed to the European kings of Portugal and Castille, and through them to England’s 15th century King Edward IV. ‘

Here it would be important to mention that if looked at, lot of Egyptians, Lebanese and other Arab cultures would find themselves descending from the crusaders. It is all interconnected and it should not be a surprise that Queen Elizabeth II descended from the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).

Islam spread like a wild fire in its earlier days and kept on growing after the death of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). Muslims started to migrate and discover new land in order to spread the message of Islam. During that gruesome period, some obviously didn’t stick on to Islamic religion as Muslims started marrying into other religions.
Queen Elizabeth II listening to a recitation of the Quran

It is not surprising to find the name Hussein (Prophet’s grandson Al-Husayn) in Europe and the name Fatima (Prophet’s daughter) in Latin America still being very common amongst Christians and people of other religions. Look at the current Presidential nominee for the U.S Presidency, Barack Hussein Obama. His descendants were Muslims from Africa, obviously he is not a Muslim but the name usually stays.

My wife is still a skeptic of this thought that the Queen Elizabeth II descended from the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and so are many other Muslims. Well, what can I say, if this were not true, the royal family would be out there debunking the myth but it doesn’t seem to matter to them, at least not yet.

Queen Elizabeth asked to convert to Islam

A Muslim preacher has sparked controversy after asking for Britain's Queen Elizabeth to convert to his faith.
Anjem Choudary claims the only way the 83-year-old monarch, who is head of the Church of England, will be sure of a place in heaven is if she becomes Muslim.
He said: "We invite everyone from the queen, to the ministers, to the Parliament, to the aristocracy, to the ordinary person in Britain to embrace Islam.
"Save yourself and your children in this life from misery and prepare them for a great destiny in the hereafter."
Choudary, who is close to Islamic radical Omar Bakri, also spoke out about the upcoming UK election, due to take place next year.
He said: "Britain does not need a new leader, it needs a revolution - an Islamic revolution."
Labour MP Andrew Dismore has criticised Choudary's comments.
He said: "It'd be laughable if we didn't know that some take this man seriously."

Catholics trade Mel Gibson to Muslim fundamentalists

The Catholic Church announced today it was trading Mel Gibson to the Wahhabis, a militant Islamic sect based in Saudi Arabia, a spokesman for the Vatican said.

“Given his expressed attitudes on women and Jews, we feel that Mr. Gibson will be more comfortable in the Wahhabi community,” said Monsignor Gianni Antonelli, the Vatican’s director of celebrity affairs.

Vatican insiders said that Pope Benedict XVI felt the church could ill afford to be associated with the controversial Gibson at a time when it was also receiving bad publicity on the priest-child-abuse issue.

In exchange for Gibson, the Catholics will receive Walid al-Gazar, a talented young actor/screenwriter who was sentenced to amputation of both legs and an arm recently for his Oscar-nominated short film, Babes Without Burkas, plus 160 camels.

Friends of Gibson said Saudi Arabia, where alcoholic beverages are illegal and drug laws carry the death penalty, would provide him a healthier environment than Hollywood.

Gibson, who belongs to a traditionalist Catholic sect that celebrates the Mass in Latin, refuses to eat fish on Fridays and believes Jews have cloven hooves, directed the controversial 2004 film The Passion of the Christ, a retelling of events leading up to the Crucifixion.

Clad in a Go-Wahhabis jersey and baseball cap, Gibson appeared at a brief news conference in Riyadh, where he said he was at work on a script for his next film, Saladin: The Early Years.

“I spent many happy, productive years as an embittered, retrograde Catholic, he said. “And now it’s time to move on.”

Gibson declined to answer questions about the scathing tapes in which he cursed his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva so vigorously he had to pause and pant for breath.

Inilah Tanda-tanda Kehancuran Zionis

Situs Debkafile yang berafiliasi terhadap rezim Zionis Senin lalu mengemukakan prediksi akan terjadinya sejumlah peristiwa penting di kawasan. Pasalnya, di Amman, ibu kota Yordania baru-baru ini berlangsung pertemuan keamanan segi lima yang dihadiri para pejabat tinggi Amerika Serikat, Yordania, Otorita Ramallah, Mesir dan Israel. Pertemuan keamanan itu membahas agenda utama mencari strategi mewujudkan proses perundingan damai antara Israel dan Palestina yang menemui jalan buntu.

Tersebarnya berita diterimanya prakarsa penghentian pembangunan permukiman Zionis selama 90 hari oleh Perdana Menteri rezim Zionis, Benyamin Netanyahu yang ditebus dengan sejumlah dana besar tampaknya biasa saja. Namun, berita ini menjadi sorotan ketika bersanding dengan kabar sakitnya Raja Arab Saudi yang semakin parah. Pasalnya penguasa Arab berusia 83 tahun ini adalah salah seorang inisiator program perdamaian Arab Beirut tahun 2002 lalu.

Di luar itu, sekutu strategis Israel lainnya, Presiden Mesir Hosni Mubarak dan suksesi di Mesir serta gunungan masalah internal Israel lainnya menjadi agenda utama pertemuan Amman. Kini, kawasan Timur Tengah menghadapi peristiwa penting.

Menengok sejarah, Raja Abdullah ketika masih menjadi putra Mahkota pernah mengusulkan perdamaian Arab dalam pertemuan Liga Arab di Beirut pada tahun 2002. AS berharap Arab Saudi di tangan Abdullah bisa mendukung pemulihan hubungan Arab-Israel di satu sisi dan hubungan Palestina-Israel di sisi lain.

Setelah Abdullah diangkat menjadi orang nomor satu di Arab Saudi, ia mengusulkan partisipasi Fatah dalam pemerintahan Palestina di Jalur Gaza dalam pertemuan Mekah pada tahun 2007. Padahal, berdasarkan undang-undang Palestina sendiri, Fatah tidak berhak mendapat jatah kue kekuasaan dalam pemerintahan yang dimenangkan Hamas secara demokratis pada pemilu tahun 2006.

Tidak bisa dipungkiri, Saudi dengan menguasai Fatah dalam pemerintahan baru Palestina, bermaksud menguasai hirarki kekuasaan di Palestina. Tidak mengherankan, ketika Hamas, berdasarkan undang-undang, tidak menyepakati keberadaan Fatah di kementerian yang sensitif, tidak ada negara Arab, terutama Riyadh dan Kairo yang mendukung pemerintahan Hamas di Jalur Gaza.

Sejatinya, Arab Saudi, Mesir dan Yordania memainkan peran penting di Palestina. Mesir yang tidak menyetujui peran Arab Saudi dalam kasus Palestina, setelah kegagalan kesepakatan Mekah menggulirkan rekonsiliasi nasional Palestina. Eksekusi prakarsa Kairo ini relatif bisa menangguhkan pembentukan pemerintahan baru Palestina, namun akhirnya Hamas membentuk pemerintahan Palestina di Jalur Gaza.

Hamas akhirnya menyerahkan sejumlah kementerian kepada gerakan Fatah. Pemerintah pilihan rakyat Palestina yang mengusung reformasi sosial dan politik di Palestina, memulai program pembersihan orang-orang yang tidak layak di pemerintahan Palestina di Jalur Gaza, yang berbuntut tersingkirnya orang-orang Fatah dari jabatan kementerian.

Sontak, Fatah mereaksinya dengan berang, dan menyebut pemerintahan pilihan rakyat Hamas di Jalur Gaza tidak demokratis. Kemudian pemerintah Riyadh dan Kairo sebagai sekutu Otorita Ramallah memboikot pemerintahan baru Hamas di Jalur Gaza. Inilah pemicu boikot total Barat dan rezim Zionis atas Gaza. Sementara itu, Saudi dan Mesir terus memimpin arus anti-muqawama di kawasan.

Pasca empat tahun dari kemenangan pemilu demokratis di Jalur Gaza yang dimenangkan Hamas, pemerintah Riyadh dan Kairo sebagai negara poros anti muqawama di kawasan mengkhawatirkan eskalasi dukungan terhadap Hamas di kawasan.

Tampaknya, Presiden Mesir Hosni Mubarak dan sejawatnya Raja Abdullah tidak lama lagi akan mengakhiri karir politiknya sebagai orang nomor satu di negaranya masing-masing. Dalam kondisi sensitif saat ini, tidak diragukan lagi perundingan segi lima di Amman yang membahas perundingan Palestina-Israel tidak lagi menjadi isu penting bagi Washington.

Mengingat situasi politik di Mesir dan Arab Saudi, serta kondisi sensitif di kawasan terutama wajah suram AS di Timur Tengah, tampaknya transisi kekuasaan di Arab Saudi dan Mesir tidak akan berjalan mulus. Untuk itu, pemimpin kedua negara saat ini tengah mencari solusi yang tepat untuk mengatasi masalah itu.

Pertemuan segi lima Amman merupakan tempat yang tepat untuk membahas solusi mengenai masalah tersebut serta mengantisipasi kemungkinan kudeta di dua negara poros utama pendukung perdamaian Arab-Israel.

Sementara itu, koalisi baru muncul di kawasan dan membentuk bola salju yang terus menggelinding kencang. Melebihi sebelumnya, kondisi ini semakin mempersulit AS dan sekutunya di kawasan.

NEWS

UK rapper MIA wears a burqa on the red carpet

Never one to shy away from a controversial costume, singer/rapper MIA surprised fans when she arrived at the 2010 Spike Scream Awards wearing an Islamic niqab veil and robe that covered her entire body, save for her eyes (done up in bright metallic green eyeshadow) and strappy heel-clad feet.

Perhaps trying to make a statement about the recent burqa ban in France and Muslim-phobia sweeping the nation, MIA's version of the conservative Islamic garment also contained bold and colorful graphics, including a big heart scrawled with the words "I Love You."

For her performance later in the show, MIA shed the controversial robe, which many argue is sexist and oppressive, and opted for another head-turning getup comprised of bright purple pants and a yellow top, both covered in sequins, accented with a sky blue bobbed wig (how very Katy Perry!) and lime green tennis shoes.

In addition to MIA's sartorial antics, see who accessorized their outfit with a 2010 Spike Scream Award, which honors the best performers in the sci-fi and horror movie categories, when the show is aired on Oct. 20 at 9/8 C on Spike.
 

 

The Most Beautiful Place in The World

Kashmir Pictures : The Beauty of Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is the northern most state of India situated mostly in Himalayan mountains. The state shares its border with Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the south, Azad Kashmir to the west and the Peoples Republic of China to the north and east.

Jammu & Kashmir consist of three regions - Jammu, the Kashmir valley and Ladhak. The capital of Jammu and Kashmir is Srinagar in summer and Jammu in winter. While Jammu is considered as the holy place for Hindus and Muslims, Ladhak is known for its Buddhist culture and its mountain beauty popularly called as “Little Tibet”. The Kashmir Valley, known as the “Paradise on Earth” is famous for its beautiful mountain landscapes.

In the following pictures we can see the captivating Dal Lake situated in Srinagar, attractive valleys and lakes in Pahalgam and beautiful snow peaks of Himalayas. A true Paradise indeed!

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