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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Oct 2008 : 16:43:35
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Holy Quran Verse activity: Al-umran, 3:64
source: "What Did Jesus Really Say?" by Mishaa'l ibn Abdullah
(compilation of the speeches and writings of the late Sheik Ahmed Deedat -May God accept his struggle.)
LETTER TO HERCULES, EMPEROR OF ROME (610-641AD)
quote:
In the name of God, Most Compassionate, Most merciful.
From Muhammad the slave and messenger of Allah to Hercules the great one of Rome. Peace be unto he who follows [true] guidance. [Further,] I greet you with the greeting of Islam. Embrace Islam and yours shall be peace and safety, and God shall double your reward. But if you turn away then upon you shall be the sin of the 'Ariusins.'
Seal: Muhammad, messenger of Allah.
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"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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Edited by - Dalton1 on 11 Oct 2008 16:56:30 |
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musa pembo
United Kingdom
154 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2008 : 19:27:46
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Thanks brother Dalton1.Thanks also for bringing happy memories of the late Skeikh Ahmed Deedat of South Africa.I attended most of his lectures whenever,he visited the united kingdom.His Propagation headquarter in the United Kingdom is based at Birmingham.Despite the fact that he is no longer with us,his earthly works still goes on,in the form of books that he wrote,numerous VHS recording about Islam and Christainity,infact,he was the first muslim who started the Muslim-Christain dialogue,which has now gained currency in certain quaters,like the recent July Conference held in Spain sponsored by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.The United Nations will be having a conference on Muslim -Christain dialogue in the next three weeks.Watch the space.May Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'Alla have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannat.Ameen.
Without much ado,I will forward to the forum the FIRST of the Letters of our Beloved Prophet(PBUH):
LETTER TO HERACLES CAESAR
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate and Merciful
From Muhammad, who is the servant of Allah and His Prophet to Heracles Caesar.
Peace be on him, who follows the right path.
After this, I invite you to the fold of Islam. Therefore, if you desire security, accept Islam. If you accept Islam, Allah shall reward you doubly and if you refuse to do so, the responsibility for the transgression of the entire nation, shall be yours.
O people of the Book! Leaving aside all matters of differences and disputes, agree on a thing, which is equally incontrovertible both as you and we are concerned and it is that we should not worship any one else with Him, nor regard any one else except Allah as our Sustainer.
If you deny this, you must know that we believe in Oneness of Allah, in all circumstances.
Seal: Allah's Prophet Muhammad
Note: Just as in our time, there is powerful State which call itself 'Super' power; in the time of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) there were two most powerful States: One was Iran and the other Rome or Byzantium or Constantinople. The former was the biggest state of Asia and a cradle of a great civilisation. It was towards the east of Arabia. Towards the north west was the Roman Empire. The two States were contiguous. Rome is at present the Capital of Italy. The Arabs called Byzantium by the name of Rome.
Some years back when this letter was sent, the Iranians attacked Syria and defeated the Romans. There is a reference to it in the Quran. The Romans, in order to avenge themselves, made big preparations and defeated the Iranians. Although the Iranians were at that time very powerful and the Romans did seem to have a chance of a victory against them, the Quran prophesied a clear triumph for the Romans. Heracles came to Jerusalem in token of his gratefulness, It was here that he received the letter of the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.). He ordered that somebody from Arabia, should be presented before him. Per chance Abu Sufyan was staying at Ghaza with his merchandise. The men of Caesar brought him from Ghaza.
Caesar held a grand court. He donned a Crown and sat on his throne. Then addressing the Arabs, he enquired as to who was the relative of the person who claimed himself to be a Prophet. Abu Sufyan said that he was related to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). The following dialogue then took place:
Caesar: To what sort of family does the Claimant to Prophethood belong?
Abu Sufyan: Is noble.
Caesar: Did some one else in the family claim Prophethood?
Abu Sufyan: No.
Caesar: Did someone from the family happen to be a King?
Abu Sufyan: No.
Caesar: Are the people who have accepted this religion, poor or influential?
Abu Sufyan: They are poor people.
Caesar: Are his followers growing in number or decreasing?
Abu Sufyan: They are growing.
Caesar: Have you ever experienced an untruthfulness from him?
Abu Sufyan: No.
Caesar: Does he ever break a promise or agreement?
Abu Sufyan: Thus far he has never done it. But it is to be seen if he adheres to the new peace pact which has been oncluded.
Caesar: Have you ever fought a battle against him?
Abu Sufyan: Yes.
Caesar: What was the result of the battle?
Abu Sufyan: Sometime we were victorious and sometime he was successful.
Caesar: What does he teach?
Abu Sufyan: He says, "Worship One God -- Allah. Associate none else with Allah. Say prayers. Take to piety. Speak the truth. Treat relatives with kindness.
After this dialogue Caesar remarked that the Prophets always belonged to noble families. Further he said that as nobody else from the family of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) laid claim to Prophethood, it was, therefore, clear that there was no hereditary influence involved in his claim to Prophethood. Similarly absence of any king in the family, proved that the Holy Prophet was not prompted by a desire of kingship. As He never spoke a lie, he could hardly be expected to lie about Allah. Caesar further observed that the followers of the Prophets, in the beginning, are poor and that a true religion goes on making progress. Also Prophets never cheat anybody. As he preached piety, cleanliness and worship of Allah alone, he should one day be a master of the place, he (Caesar) was occupying. Thereafter Caesar ordered that the letter of Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) be read.
The dialogue of Caesar, with Abu Sufyan, highly enraged the courtiers. The Caesar, therefore, sent away the Arabs from the court. The love of crown and throne and the opposition of the courtiers, however, did not allow Caesar to accept Islam. But his searching questions and his talk clearly show that he was convinced of the truthfulness of Islam, as he had correctly judged that a person who never in his life, uttered even a trifling lie, could hardly say anything wrong about Allah. He was also certain that worldly riches, splendour and ascendancy were not the aims and objects of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), but the communication of he message of Islam to the entire world, was his mission.
When Caesar was about to return to Constantinople, he again advised his courtiers to follow the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) as he was the one, they were awaiting. He further mentioned that their books contained the description of the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (S.A.W.), and these clearly and unequivocally indicate that he was the true Prophet of Allah. It was, therefore, in their own interest to follow the guidance given by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.).
The courtiers, however, said that it would mean their acceptance of the over lordship of the Arabs, although their's was the biggest kingdom of the world and their nation the greatest nation of the world. Caesar, thereon, said that although they were not prepared to accept Islam then very shortly they would be overpowered by the Arabs. He was much displeased by the arrogant attitude of the courtiers and immediately left Syria. While departing he looked at the Syrian territory and said that he was leaving Syria for ever. And it was true, he was never to return to Syria.'
Hello Members et all,
I thought it appropriate to make two additional points on this letter.
1.It must noted that Abu Sufyan bin Harb,who was questioned by Hercules at his palace had not embraced Islam at this point,infact he was avowed enemy of the Prophet,but despite his hatred for the Prophet and his New Message,he was none the less able to give a fitting testimony of the character of the Prophet in front of Hercules.Hercules was left speechless and wonder-struck.
2.On the authority of Abdullah Ibn Abbass,Al- Bukhari in Sahih Bukhari Volume 1 Book 1 Number 6 gave a long narration of the content of the letter sent by the Prophet to Hercules.You can read it here:
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/001.sbt.html
You can also watch a you tube video on the subject:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB5R1a4bSUM
We shall continue the discussion tomorrow insha'allah. |
Edited by - musa pembo on 12 Oct 2008 15:24:40 |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2008 : 19:18:02
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Brother Dalton1, Salaam to You.
Be blessed. |
Karamba |
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musa pembo
United Kingdom
154 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2008 : 22:12:52
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LETTER TO NEGUS(full name:Ashama bin Al-Abjar)KING OF Abyssinia(ETHIOPIA)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
From Muhammad (S.A.W.) Prophet of Allah to Negus King of Abyssinia(Ethiopia).
I praise Allah, except Whom there is none to be worshipped, who is the Ruler of the world. He is innocent and pure free from all blemishes,defects,flaws,or shortcomings).He gives refuge and sustains all.
I do admit that Isa (Jesus) (A.S.)son of Mariam (Mary),was the soul from Allah and His word (Order),he was infused to Mariam, who was clean and proof against evil. And Isa(A.S.) was born of Mariam. Allah created him from His soul and breath in the same manner as He created Adam(A.S.) with His own hand. I invite you towards Allah the One who has no associate. Believe in Him and join me in obedience to Him. Follow me and accept my prophethood because I am the Messenger of Allah. I have wished - you well in conveying the message of Allah in all sincerity. It is up you to accept my sympathetic advice. Extend the same invitation to your subjects. I am sending my cousin Jaffer (R.A.A.) with the other Muslims. When they reach you, treat them hospitably, by setting aside the vanity and pride of a ruler.
Peace be on him, who followed the right path.
Note: As mentioned earlier, after the Holy Prophet began to preach Islam, the Quraish became the bitterest enemies of Islam. In the beginning they taunted, teased and maltreated the Muslims. But by and by their opposition took the shape of tyranny. Their treatment of the Muslims, particularly of the poorer ones was so brutal, that they felt extremely unsafe in Mecca and feared annihilation at the hands of the Quraish. At that stage, (6th year before Hijri i.e. 614 A.D.) the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) allowed the Muslims to temporarily migrate to Abyssinia(Ethiopia), as he expected a good treatment by the King of Abyssinia(Ethiopia). The Muslims began to migrate to the neighbouring country of Abyssinia(Ethiopia).This continued till the famous Migration of the Holy Prophet, after which the migrants began to return to Medinah The last caravan returned from Abyssinia(Ethiopia) in 7th Hijra - about 629 A.D. when the second Caravan went to Abyssinia(Ethiopia), the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) addressed a letter to the King of Abyssinia(Ethiopia).
The Quraish could not tolerate that the Muslims should live in peace even in Ethiopia. They sent a delegation to Negus and pointed out to him that the Muslims had a strange faith which was altogether new and requested that the Muslims should be sent back. The King concluded from the Muslims about their beliefs. On that occasion Jaffar (R.A.) made a very impressive speech, saying.
"They were an extremely ignorant and pagan nation who worshipped self-made idols. Debauchery, cruelty and eating the dead was their way of life, but Allah sent a Prophet (S.A.W.) who changed their lives altogether. He admonished them to worship Allah only and to regard Him as their Master. He preached to them always to be truthful; and not to misappropriate a trust, treat neighbours kindly, avoid bloodshed and all that Allah has prohibited. Worship Allah, the One observe fasts and pay Zakat. This was the crime, for which their countrymen forced them to leave their hearths and homes and they had to take refuge in Abyssinia(Ethiopia)."
The King of Abyssinia(Ethiopia) was highly moved by the speech and clearly announced that he would not allow such pious people to be tyrannised.
The Muslims, thereafter, always had a deep regard for Abyssinia(Ethiopia) and never did they think of attacking that country.They conquered big countries like Iran,but never touched the neighbouring Abyssinia(Ethiopia).
SECOND LETTER TO THE KING OF Abyssinia(ETHIOPIA)
In the name Of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
From Muhammad (S.A.W.) the Prophet of Allah to Negus, King of Abyssinia(Ethiopia).
Peace be on him who follows the guidance. I praise Allah Who alone is to be worshipped. He is the Master of the entire universe. He is Sublime. Only He is the haven of peace and security. I testify that Isa (Jesus)son of Mariam (Mary) is the spirit of Allah and His word, which He communed to Mariam (Mary) the pious and thus she became the mother of Allah's Prophet Isa(A.S.).Thus Allah created him from His spirit and infused it into Mariam just as He made Adam (A.S.) with His powerful hand.
Now I invite you to accept the obedience, sympathy, and love of Allah Who is One and Who is without an associate. You should follow me and should believe in the message of Allah which I have brought.
I call you and your army towards Allah Who is worthy of all respect and esteem. I have thus discharged my duty of conveying His message and advice. You should accept it, May peace be on the followers of the guidance.
Seal: Allah's Prophet Muhammad
Note: As Negus continued to listen to the holy message, he was being influenced by it. As soon as the holy text was over, he kissed the letter with extreme fondness and placed it over his head. He sent the following reply:
To Muhammad, Prophet of Allah. May peace be on him.
From As'hama.Bin Al-Abjar the Negus,King of Abyssinia..
May peace be on you 0 Prophet of Allah! May blessings and favours of Allah be on you. Allah, except Whom there is none worthy of worship, Who has shown me the way of Islam and has guided me.
O Prophet of Allah ! I had the honour of seeing your esteemed letter. Whatever you have written about Isa Jesus (A.S.) I swear by Allah, Lord of earth and Heaven, that Isa (A.S.) is nothing more than that. I have well understood all these things which you have conveyed to me. Your cousin and his companions are my close companions.
I bear evidence that you are a true Prophet of Allah. I have taken bai'at (oath of allegiance to Allah and His Prophet) at the hand of your cousin, for the sake of Allah and have become a slave of Islam. O Allah's Prophet! I send my son Arha to you. If you will so order, I will present myself to you. May peace and blessings of Allah be on you.
THIRD LETTER TO THE KING OF Abyssinia(ETHIOPIA)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
May peace be on you. You treated us nicely. We have complete trust in you. The thing, we had hoped from you, has been realised and are safe and sound from the thing, we had feared. There is no capability (to do a thing) except from Allah.
Seal: Allah's Prophet Muhammad
Note: The main object in sending the letter was to call back the refugees to Medinah. The Negus is stated have kept the holy letters in an ivory casket and said that as long as the holy letters were there, the people of Abyssinia(Ethiopia)should be safe and secure.
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 04:45:25
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Hi bro Karamba,
Thanks & my salam to you too.
I see your steadiness in the political forum but it looks like there is a big wound on Gambia's political future. Please keep it up!
Thanks bro Musa for the letters. I am working on another letter.
Salam,
Dalton |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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musa pembo
United Kingdom
154 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 05:44:04
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Thanks Brother Dalton1.I am just sharing the wisdom of the letters of the Prophet(PBUH)I have in my possession.
Today,we are concentrating on the Letter the Prophet(PBUH) sent to the king of Egypt.
Here is the Letter:-Letter to the Vicegerent of Egypt, called Muqawqas
The Prophet wrote to Juraij bin Matta [Rahmat-al-lil'alameen 1/178; Dr. Hamidullah said that his name was Binyamin], called Muqawqas, vicegerent of Egypt and Alexandria saying: "In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. From Muhammad slave of Allâh and His Messenger to Muqawqas, vicegerent of Egypt. Peace be upon him who follows true guidance. Thereafter, I invite you to accept Islam. Therefore, if you want security, accept Islam. If you accept Islam, Allâh, the Sublime, shall reward you doubly. But if you refuse to do so, you will bear the burden of the transgression of all the Copts. "Say (O Muhammad : ‘O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians),come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allâh, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allâh.’ Then, if they turn away, say: ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’ " [Al-Qur'an 3:64]
Hatib bin Abi Balta‘a, who was chosen to communicate the message, requested an audience with Muqawqas before imparting the contents of the letter. He addressed Egypt’s vicegerent saying: "There used to be someone before you who had arrogated the status of the Supreme Lord, so Allâh punished him and made an example of him in the Hereafter, and in this life; therefore, take warning and never set a bad example to others." Muqawqas answered: "We are in no position to relinquish our religion except for a better one." Hatib resumed: "We invite you to embrace Islam, which will suffice you all what you may lose. Our Prophet has called people to profess this Faith, Quraish and the Jews stood against him as bitter enemies, whereas Christians stood closest to his Call. Upon my life, Moses’s news about Christ is identical to the latter’s good tidings about the advent of Muhammad; likewise, this invitation of ours to you to embrace Islam is similar to your invitation to the people of Torah to accept the New Testament.
Once a Prophet rises in a nation, he is eligible for positive response, hence you are subject to the same Divine Law. Bear in mind that we have not come to dissuade you from religion of Christ but rather bidding you to adhere to its tenets." Muqawqas meditated over the contents of the letter deeply and said: "I have come to the conviction that this Prophet bids nothing abominable; he is neither a straying magician nor a lying soothsayer. He bears the true manifest seeds of Prophethood, and so I will consider the affair deeply." He took the parchment and ordered that it be kept in an ivory casket. He called a scribe to write the following reply in Arabic:
"In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. From Muqawqas to Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah. Peace be upon you. I have read your letter and understood its contents, and what you are calling for. I already know that the coming of a Prophet is still due, but I used to believe he would be born in Syria. I am sending you as presents two maids, who come from noble Coptic families; clothing and a steed for riding on. Peace be upon you." It is noteworthy that Muqawqas did not avail himself of this priceless opportunity and he did not embrace Islam. The presents were accepted; Maria,the first maid,stayed with the Prophet and gave birth to his son Ibrahîm;the other Sirin, was given to Hassan bin Thabit Al-Ansari.
A Letter to Chosroes,Emperor of Persia
"In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allâh to Chosroes, king of Persia. Peace be upon him who follows true guidance, believes in Allâh and His Messenger and testifies that there is no god but Allâh Alone with no associate, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. I invite you to accept the religion of Allâh. I am the Messenger of Allâh sent to all people in order that I may infuse fear of Allâh in every living person, and that the charge may be proved against those who reject the Truth. Accept Islam as your religion so that you may live in security, otherwise, you will be responsible for all the sins of the Magians." ‘Abdullah bin Hudhafa As-Sahmi was chosen to carry the letter. This envoy carried it to the king of Bahrain but we do not know as yet if the latter despatched to Chosroes by one of his men or chose ‘Abdullah himself. The proud monarch was enraged by the style of the letter as the name of the Prophet had been put above his own name. He tore the letter into shreds and forthwith dictated a command to his viceroy in Yemen to send a couple of troopers to arrest the Prophet and bring him to his presence. The governor, Bazan by name, immediately sent two men to Madinah for the purpose. As soon as the men reached Madinah, the Prophet was informed by a Divine Revelation that Pervez, the emperor of Persia, had been murdered by his son. The Prophet disclosed to them the news and they were stunned. He added asking them to tell their new monarch that Islam would prevail everywhere and outstrip the sovereignty of Chosroes himself. They hurried back to Bazan and communicated to him what they heard. Meanwhile, Sherweh, the new monarch sent a letter to Bazan confirming the news and bidding him to stop any procedures as regards the Prophet till further notice. Bazan, together with the Persians in Yemen,went into the folds of Islam, and gladly signified his adhesion to the Prophet. [Fath Al-Bari 8/127,128]
We shall continue the series tomorrow Insha'allah.The Letters I will deal with tomorrow will definitely set us thinking,how far we have deviated from the teachings and examples of our beloved Prophet(PBUH)
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Edited by - musa pembo on 14 Oct 2008 05:50:00 |
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mbay
Germany
1007 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 08:51:53
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assalaam alaikum, here are some letters also from Imam Ali(ra)
Letter 28. from Nahj ul balagha from amir ul mo'mineen Ali ibn Abi Talib to Mu'awiya ibn Abu Sufyan:
The following is a famous reply of Imam Ali (a) to the letter of Mu'awiya. It throws ample light on many phases of the history of Islam from the time of its dawn up to the time of Imam Ali (a). ]
After glorifying Allah and praising the Holy Prophet (s) let it be known to you that I am in receipt of your letter wherein you write to me that Almighty Allah selected Muhammad (s), the Holy Prophet as the Messenger of His revelations and He helped those companions of the Holy Prophet (s) who sincerely exerted themselves to assist him. Is it not an irony of fate that circumstances have favoured you to such a position that you dare remind us of the Favours which Allah bestowed upon us and the Blessings conferred by Him upon His chosen Prophet (s) who was one of us. You have nothing to do with them and you have no share in these Blessings and Favours.
Your condition is like that of a man who carries dates to the date-growing districts or that of a man who tries to teach archery to the master from whom he has learnt the art. You believe that the best of the people amongst the Muslims are so and so and you have started discussing a subject (superiority of Muhajirs over Ansar) which if it is proved correct will not be of any use to you, will not enhance your status and if it is repudiated, this repudiation will not harm you because you are neither a Muhajir nor an Ansar.
What have you to do with their respective status and prestige? What is that for you if one is considered superior to the other? How are you considered in their affairs? You are a freed and liberated slave, and slaves and their sons, though freed and liberated, cannot aspire to the status of Muhajirs and Ansar and they have no right to introduce unholy classification amongst the Muhajirs and Ansar. Do you realize your limitations? You do not belong to either group, you are a liberated slave and son of liberated parents and you want to introduce an unhealthy division between these two groups.
The false status you have tried to grasp is not going to enhance your prestige (before Allah or the people). Can you not think of remaining at the place where you old hostility towards Islam and the Holy Prophet (s) has kept you? How is the lower status or defeat of one class or a person of that class, to whom you do not belong going to harm you and how is the success or higher status of the other going to do you good? You have gone astray from the straight path and from the real teachings of Islam. Listen! I want to give you a short description of the Blessings of Allah upon us.
A party of Muhajirs met martyrdom. They were killed in the cause of Islam and Allah. Every one of them was blessed by Allah with a status and rank. Out of them those who belonged to my family and tribe, Bani Hashim, were granted an excellent status by Allah. Hamza (the uncle of the Holy Prophet (s) and Imam Ali (a)) received the title of Chief of Martyrs (Sayyid al-Shuhada). The Holy Prophet (s) himself called him by this name after his martyrdom and at his funeral ceremony.
The Holy Prophet (s) recited Takbir ('Allahu Akbar') seventy times as a mark of distinction for him, which is not for any other Muslim. Some Muhajirs lost their hands in the battlefield but when one of us (Ja'far, cousin of the Holy Prophet (s) and brother of Imam Ali (a)) lost both of his hands and died in the battlefield, Allah granted him angelic wings and the Holy Prophet (s) informed us that this martyr received the title of Tayyar (one who flies in Paradise). If Allah had not disapproved man's habit of eulogizing and praising himself, I would have given several such instances which speak of the enhancement of my prestige and status before Allah, instances which are accepted and can be testified by faithful Muslims about which the hearers will have no reason to doubt. Do not be like a man whom the Devil has laid astray. Accept the obvious truth when it faces you.
Listen O' Mu'awiya! We (Ahlul Bayt, the progeny of the Holy Prophet (s)) are unique examples of the creation of Allah. For such a status, we are not under obligation to any person or tribe but the Almighty Allah who granted us these blessings. Human beings have received and will receive perfection through us. The perpetual supremacy and inherent superiority do not prevent us from making contact with human beings or with your clan, we have married amongst you and have established family connections with your (as well as with others) clan, though you do not belong to our class. How can you be our equal when the Holy Prophet (s) belongs to us and Abu Jahl, the worst enemy of Islam was from amongst you.
Asadullah (lit. "the Lion of Allah" - a title of Imam Ali (a)) is from amongst us, while Asadul Ahlaaf (lion of the opposing groups, who had sworn to fight against Islam and the Holy Prophet (s)) was from you.
The two foremost leaders of the youth of Paradise (Imam Hasan (a) & Imam Husayn (a)) are from us and the children of Hell are from you. The best woman in the world (title bestowed by Allah upon Fatima (a)) the beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet (s) is from us, and the slanderer and the wood-carrying woman who tried to spend every hour of her life in doing harm to the Holy Prophet of Islam (s), was your aunt. There are so many other things similar to the few mentioned which praise us and speak ill of your clan and which show how far and superior we are to you.
We were faithful followers of the commandments of Allah and you and your clan always opposed Islam and accepted it out of sheer expediency simply to save yourselves from humiliation and disgrace.
Our sincerity in Islam and our services to its cause are the facts of history and history cannot deny your enmity against Islam and the Holy Prophet (s).
The credit which you want to take away from us and the honour which you want to deprive us of is the one which the Holy Qur'an is carefully guarding for us. It says: "Some relatives are superior and have excellence over others, according to the Book of Allah" [ Qur'an, 33:6 ] and in another place in the very same Book, Allah informs mankind that: "The nearest people to Abraham, are those who follow him and those who follow the Holy Prophet (s) and the true believers. Allah is the guardian of the true believers" [ Qur'an, 2:68 ]. Therefore we hold two excellences: That of close relationship to the Holy Prophet (s) and that of loyally accepting his teachings. Do you know on the day of Saqifa, Muhajirs told Ansar that they were superior to them because they in one way or the other, were related to the Holy Prophet (s) and therefore they deserved the caliphate and with the aid of this argument the Muhajirs carried the day.
If success can be achieved with the help of this argument and if it has got a grain of truth in it then according it, we and not you, deserve the caliphate. If not, then the Ansar still hold their claim over the caliphate.
You want to impress the world with the idea that I envied all the previous caliphs and that I was jealous of them. Even if I grant this, I want to know what right and authority have you to ask for an explanation from me? You have no place in religion to talk of such things. You also want to taunt me by saying that when I refused to accept the caliphate of the First Caliph I was dragged like a camel with a rope round my neck and every kind of cruelty and humiliation was leveled against me. I swear by my life that by talking like that you want to bring disgrace to me but you are actually doing the greatest service to me and are disgracing yourself as well as the cause that you pretend to support.
There is no disgrace for a Muslim if he is subjected to tyranny and suppression so long as he is firm in his faith and belief in Allah and religion. This is exactly what I say that every cruelty and tyranny was leveled against me to deprive me of the right which Allah and the Holy Prophet (s) have given me and this is exactly what you do not want to acknowledge and accept. Your taunts against me go a long way to prove that in reality there was no election, it was a coup d'etat followed by brutal force which decided the fate of caliphate by making it neither hereditary nor elective but possessive. I have no desire to go into these details but you brought in the subject and I was forced to explain a few points about it.
Then you have referred to the murder of Uthman, and declaring yourself to be his relative, you claim vengeance and blood (and want me to arrange for it as if I was responsible for the murder). I want to say something about the insinuation and false propaganda carried on by you in this respect.
My reply to you is that first of all you should try and find out who was the arch-enemy of Uthman. Can the arch-enemy be he who offered his help and services to Uthman and Uthman refused to have anything to do with him and told him plainly to go and sit at home as his help was not required and his services were not needed or the worst enemy of Uthman is he whom Uthman asked to come to his succour and who purposely and intentionally delayed the help and allowed the events to take their course till what was to happen. No, these two persons cannot be considered in the same category. I swear by the Omniscient Allah that He very well knows everything as He says in the Holy Book, "Allah certainly knows the people who put obstacles in the path of those who wanted to go to war and also to those who did not stay to face a battle." [Qur'an, 33:18 ].
I do not want to offer any excuse for having objected to his introducing innovations in religion. If my objections to the introduction of innovation and my advice to him to give it up was considered by him a sin committed by me, then I do not attach any importance to his opinion, because well-wishers are often blamed, and their good advice is misconstrued but they do their duty to man and religion. Allah in the Holy Book repeats the saying of a prophet which appropriately represents my position. He says, "I only intend to reform you as much as I can. My success lies with Allah. I have faith in Him and trust in His help." [ Qur'an, 11:88 ].
Then you have tried to frighten me by saying that there is nothing with you for me and my companions but your sword. Well, Mu'awiya! You made the people laugh at your words, they were feeling very sad and depressed at the standard of mental depravity exhibited by you.
When did you find the sons of Abdul Muttalib (the grandfather of the Holy Prophet (sa) and Imam Ali (ra)) timid in facing their enemies or getting afraid of brandishing swords?
Just wait a little, you will in the near future have to face the attack of a brave soldier. He will shortly invite you for the encounter you are desiring for. The thing which you apparently wish for is not as far away as you imagine it to be. I am coming towards you with an army of Muhajirs, Ansar and those companions who have sincere faith in me. Theirs is a powerful congregation. Their movements will raise huge clouds of dust (indicating the strength of the army). They are prepared to die or to kill. They believe that the best that could happen to the is to receive the Blessings of the Lord by their good deeds. Sons of those warriors who routed your clan in the Battle of Badr are with them.
The swords of Bani Hashim are with them. And you have already realized the sharpness of these swords when your brother, your maternal uncle, your grandfather and kinsmen were killed (those people were killed by Imam Ali (a) in the battles of Badr and Uhud). These swords are now nearing the despots who have tyrannized the Muslim world.
more from here http://muslimonline.org/forum/lofiversion/index.php?t6101.html
May Allahu(sw)be please with us all. ameen was-salaam
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 09:07:53
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May I ask you guys a few questions?
1. What are the sources of these letters?
2. Where they hand written by the Prophet Himself (PBUH)?
3. If not, who wrote them?
Thanks for providing your source, Mbay ... |
Edited by - kayjatta on 14 Oct 2008 09:16:42 |
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musa pembo
United Kingdom
154 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 13:29:29
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Thanks Kayjatta.These are very interesting questions.I shall answer them in turn.
1.What are the sources of these letters?
These letters of the Prophet(PBUH)have come to us through several means,starting from the Sahaba(Companions) of the Prophet,through narrations in Hadith Literature,and through Muslim Historians.It is the combination of these that I am using in bringing them(sharing)with members of the forum.I will now venture to list my sources:
1.Muslim History 570-1950 C.E.
Author:Dr.AKram Zahoor.
ISBN: 0970238908
2 http://www.scribd.com/doc/3737025/The-letters-of-the prophet-Muhammad.
3.http://WWW.cyberistan.org/islamic/letters.html
4.Cross-Check the Letters with narration from Hadith:
letter number 1 above is recorded in Sahih Bukhari:Volume 1 Book 1
number 6.
Letter number 2 above to the Emperor of Abyssinia is also recorded
in various places in Sahih Muslim for instance:
004/1078,004/2078,019/4375,019/4383,024/5218,031/6096
I now give you a link for you to check them:
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/reference/searchhadith.html
This is the hadith database:type abyssinia in the space provided and dont forget to tick all the Hadith collection provided to give you a compresensive search.
2.Where they hand-written by the Prophet himself(PBUH)?
Kayjatta,I do not know if you are a muslim,If you are,then you would have known that the Prophet(PBUH) was illiterate,so as such,he could not have hand-written these letters himself.He rely wholly and solely on the services of educated people,who were at the beck and call of the Prophet to do the job for him.
3.If not,who wrote them?
These correspondences were written by Scribes in Mecca and Medinah
who had embraced Islam.
I hope these short answers go some way to satisfy your query.
The very best of salam,
musa. |
Edited by - musa pembo on 14 Oct 2008 14:14:44 |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 13:35:08
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| Thanks so much, I truly appreciate your answers. One more thing, who are those scibes in Mecca, any names? |
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musa pembo
United Kingdom
154 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 13:57:33
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Thanks Brother Kayjatta.You have been Blessed with a fertile and inquisitive/searching/enquiry mind.Keep it up.I can see you with the eye of my heart reaching the stratosphere of your Profession.May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala be praised.
I cannot give you the names of any of the scribe in Mecca just now.I am not in my study.I will however try to furnish this by the end of the day.
Get a copy of Muslim History:570-1950 by Dr. Akram Zahoor its a book worth its weight in gold!
The best of salam,
Musa. |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 15:34:53
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| Ibn Kathir wrote in his Sira of the Prophet (SAW) that the following Sahabi were the scribes of the Prophet: Abdullah bin Arqam, and Zaid bin Thabit. Other Sahabi like Umar bin Khattab, Ali bin Abu Talib, Muawiyyah bin Abu Sufyan, Al Mughira bin Shuba, Khalid bin Said bin al-As also wrote documents for Rasulullah. For example the terms of Hudaibiyyah agreement were written by Ali bin Abu Talib. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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musa pembo
United Kingdom
154 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 17:11:05
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Thanks Mansasulu.You have given a short and succint answer to the question posed by brother Kayjatta.That is the beauty and importance of this meeting place.May Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala reward you for your effort.
Ibn Kathir is well-known for his Tafsir of the Holy Quran,one of the most popular within Sunni Islam,so also is his book on the Stories of the Prophets which incidentally include the Sira of the Prophet.
Thanks Profusely.
The best of salam,
Musa. |
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musa pembo
United Kingdom
154 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 19:02:17
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Hello Brothers and sisters,Yesterday,I promise to share some more letters of the Prophet(PBUH)which he wrote to some Christain Monks.After reading these letters,I want you to share your view on them as to why we have deviated from the examples of our Prophet.
Here are the letters.Letter to the Monks of St. Catherine Monastery
In 628 C.E. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) granted a Charter of Privileges to the monks of St. Catherine Monastery in Mt.Sinai. It consisted of several clauses covering all aspects of human rights including such
topics as the protection of Christians, freedom of worship and movement, freedom to appoint their own judges and to own and maintain their property, exemption from military service, and the right to protection in war. An English translation of that document is presented here:
“This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.
“Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).”
____________
A Letter from the Prophet Muhammad To The Assyrian Christians
“God has told me in a vision what to do, and I confirm His command by giving my solemn promise to keep this agreement.
“To the followers of the Islam I say: Carry out my command, protect and help the Nazarene nation in this country of ours in their own land. Leave their places of worship in peace; help and assist their chief and their priests when in need of help, be it in the mountains, in the desert, on the sea, or at home. Leave all their possessions alone, be it houses or other property, do not destroy anything of their belongings, the followers of Islam shall not harm or molest any of this nation, because the Nazarenes are my subjects, pay tribute to me and will help the Muslims. No tribute, but what is agreed upon, shall be collected from them, their church buildings shall be left as they are, they shall not be altered, their priests shall be permitted to teach and worship in their own way-the Nazarenes have full liberty of worship in their churches and homes. None of their churches shall be torn down, or altered into a mosque, except by the consent and free will of the Nazarenes. If any one disobeys this command, the anger of God and His Prophet shall be upon him.
“The tribute paid the Nazarenes shall be used to promote the teachings of Islam and shall be deposited at the treasury of Beth Almal. A common man shall pay one denar (piece of money), but the merchants and people who own mines of gold and silver and are rich shall pay twelve denars. Strangers and people who have no houses or other settled property shall not have taxes levied upon them. If a man inherits property he shall pay a settled sum to the Baitulmal treasury. The Christians are not obliged to make war on the enemies of Islam, but if an enemy attacks the Christians, the Muslims shall not deny their help, but give them horses and weapons, if they need them, and protect them from evils from outside and keep the peace with them. The Christians are not obliged to turn Muslims, until God’s will makes them believers.
“The Muslims shall not force Christian women to accept Islam, but if they themselves wish to embrace it, the Muslims shall be kind to them.
“If a Christian woman is married to a Muslim and does not want to embrace Islam, she has liberty to worship at her own church according to her own religious belief, and her husband must not treat her unkindly on account of her religion. If any one disobeys this command, he disobeys God and his prophet and will be guilty of a great offense.
“If the Nazarenes wish to build a church, their Muslim neighbors shall help them. This shall be done, because the Christians have obeyed us and have come to us and pleaded for peace and mercy.
“If there be among the Christians a great and learned man the Muslims shall honor him and not be envious of his greatness.
“If any one is unjust and unkind to the Christians he will be guilty of disobeying the Prophet of God.
“The Christians should not shelter an enemy of Islam or give him horse, weapon or any other help. If a Muslim is in need the Christian shall for three days and nights be his host and shelter him from his enemies. The Christians shall, furthermore, protect the Mohammedan women and children and not deliver them up to the enemy or expose them to view. If the Nazarenes fail to fulfil these conditions, they have forfeited their right to protection, and the agreement is null and void.
“This document shall be entrusted to the Christian chief and head of their church for safe keeping.”
The peace of God be over them all! This agreement is written by Moavijah Ben Sofian, according to the dictates of Muhammad, the Messenger of God, in the 4th year of the Hegira in the city of Medina.
___________
Al Qur`an says: “And abuse not those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest exceeding the limits, they abuse Allah through ignorance. Thus to every people have We made their deeds fair-seeming; then to their Lord is their return so he will inform them of what they did” (6:109)
Al Qur’an says: “Those who restrain their anger and pardon men. And Allah loves the doer of good (to others)” (3: 133)
Source:MUSLIM HISTORY 570----1950 by Dr.Akram Zahoor
ISBN:0970238908. |
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Momodou
Denmark
11778 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 19:52:12
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| Musa, thanks for taking your time and sharing this letters with us. It is very much appreciated and may Allah (SWT) reward you. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 23:01:34
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When, after his father’s death in 1451, he took full control of government affairs, Muhammad II concentrated all his efforts in an attempt to fulfill the prediction of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who is reported to have said: “Constantinople will be conquered and what an excellent army will that army be, and what an excellent leader will its leader be!” After several fruitless attempts to take the city from the Mediterranean side, where the straits of the Bosporus were fully covered by the Byzantine archers and catapults from the high city walls, he decided to secretly transport his fleet overland to the shores of the Black Sea. When in 1453 he unexpectedly attacked the city from this wide-open flank, the defenders fled in panic and Sultan Muhammad took the Byzantine capital without extensive losses or bloodshed, earning the title “al-Fatih”. One of the first steps he took as Constantinople’s new sovereign was to reassure the city’s Christian inhabitants of his full guarantee of safety, threatening anyone who would dare to harm them with dire consequences.
http://myelectronicdiary.wordpress.com/2007/07/10/conqueror-sultan-muhammad-fatihs-istanbul/ |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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