The wise Caliphs of Andalusia were not only concerned with the welfare of Muslims. They were totally committed to uphold justice and to guarantee the welfare of everyone in their dominion, including the Jews and Christians.
Sadly, many children grow up developing a strong resentment towards Islam, because their parents impose intolerable burdens on them, cultural burdens, in the name of Islam. Some examples are: the oppression of women, denying girls the right to education, genital mutilation i.e. female circumcision, forced marriages and so-called ‘honour’ killings. None of these despicable and barbaric practices has anything at all to do with Islam. They are pre-Islamic traditions that are totally forbidden for Muslims. Yet some uneducated Muslims behave as if this is part of their religion…
Sadly, many children grow up developing a strong resentment towards Islam, because their parents impose intolerable burdens on them, cultural burdens, in the name of Islam. Some examples are: the oppression of women, denying girls the right to education, genital mutilation i.e. female circumcision, forced marriages and so-called ‘honour’ killings. None of these despicable and barbaric practices has anything at all to do with Islam. They are pre-Islamic traditions that are totally forbidden for Muslims. Yet some uneducated Muslims behave as if this is part of their religion…
Concerns over Islamic extremism, extensive in the West even before this month’s terrorist attacks in London, are shared to a considerable degree by the publics in several predominantly Muslim nations surveyed. Nearly three-quarters of Moroccans and roughly half of those in Pakistan, Turkey and Indonesia see Islamic extremism as a threat to their countries. At the same time, most Muslim publics are expressing less support for terrorism than in the past. Confidence in Osama bin Laden has declined markedly in some countries and fewer believe suicide bombings that target civilians are justified in the defense of Islam…
“Truly Allah loves those who strive in his way as if they were a solid structure”; this Ayah indicates that as an Ummah (community) we need to be like a solid structure, and for a structure to be solid, we must have solid foundations along with a good framework (both from within and without)…
Respect differences among Muslims, and do not judge others or think you are superior to them…..
How to cultivate Taqwa: an awe-inspired awareness of Allah, based on Love, Fear and Hope: loving Him for His generosity, fearing His punishment, and ever hopeful of his forgiveness, His mercy. The reward is a renewed sense of social responsibility that grows out of our maturing spirituality…
Sometimes we hate things that are good for us, and we love things that are harmful for us. We should accept that only Allah has the full picture. Our judgement is very limited.
