Put Your Trust On Allah

Put Your Trust on Allah

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Human life is not only full of roses, there are also thorns. There are pain, sorrows and difficulties. Difficulty comes, calamity befalls and disaster happens in human life. These could be surmounted with patience, perseverance and complete submission to the Will of Allah. Believer will always put his trust on Allah.

The test of a Mu’min lies in his resolute steadfastness in trials and tribulations. That is why the Qur’an says, “Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested.” (29:2)

Putting one’s trust in Allah (tawakkul ala Allah) is the spiritual weapon that turns weakness into strength and few numbers into large numbers. It was also the weapon with which the Messengers of Allah faced up to the tyrants among their people, never being intimidated by their tyranny or weakened by their mischief, but said: “And why should we not put our trust in Allah while He indeed has guided us our ways. And we shall certainly bear with patience all the hurt you may cause us, and in Allah (Alone) let those who trust, put their trust.” (14:12)

Putting one’s trust in Allah means to take Allah as one’s Guide, following His commands and depending on Him, as He says: “(He Alone is) the Lord of the east and the west, La ilaha illa Huwa(none has the right to be worshipped but He. So take Him Alone as Wakil (Disposer of your affairs).” (73:9)

You should take Allah as your disposer of affairs, however, only after you prepare yourself and take every precaution, then go ahead in confidence that Allah will not abandon you. Putting one’s trust in Allah should by no means be taken to mean neglecting one’s work; abandoning the means that lead to the ends, ignoring the approved practices or waiting to reap unsown seeds or harvest unattended crops. It means what the Prophet and the Messengers before him did, i.e. doing one’s best and leaving the outcome to Allah, out of trust in Him, out of conviction in His promise and out of belief in His support.

No person by himself is capable of fighting against the current of misfortune, nor can he fend off the blows of disaster when they strike. This is because man was created weak and fragile. However, when in times of difficulty, the believer places his dependency and trust with his Lord; he knows that all difficulties can be overcome. “put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed.” (5:23)

Human being has to be sincere to himself, to his belief in Allah and depend completely and fully upon Allah Almighty Alone. He can alone save from calamity and disaster. Live your lives according to this precept: Allah Alone is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of our affairs.

If you have meagre means, if you are deep in debt, or if you are in any kind of worldly difficulty, call out: Allah Alone is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of our affairs.

If you face your enemy and are alarmed, or if you fear the misdeeds of the oppressor, say Aloud: Allah Alone is sufficient for us, and He is Best Disposer of our affairs. “But Sufficient is your Lord as a Guide and Helper.” (25:31)

By leaving our affairs to Allah, by depending upon him, by trusting in His promise, by being pleased with His decree; by thinking favourably of Him, and by waiting patiently for His help, we reap some of the greater fruits of faith, display the more prominent characteristics of the believer.

When we incorporate these qualities into our character, we will be at peace concerning the future, because we will depend on our Lord for everything. As a result, we will find care, help, protection, and victory.

When Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was thrown into the fire, he said, “Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and he is the Best Disposer of Affairs (for us).” Thereupon, Allah made the fire to be cool, safe, and peaceful for Ibrahim. When the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions were threatened by the impending attack of the enemy, “they said: Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us). So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty.” (3:173-174)

On another occasion, our noble Prophet made the best arrangements for his Hijrah, but the unbelievers managed to reach the cave where he was hiding. “If you help him (Muhammad, peace be upon him) not (it does not matter), for Allah did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of two, when they (Muhammad, peace be upon him and Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu Anhu) were in the cave, and he, peace be upon him, said to his companion (Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu Anhu): “Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allah is with us.” (9:40)

This was also what Prophet Moses (pbuh) said to his people when Pharaoh and his soldiers were pursuing them and they were caught between the sea before them and their enemy behind them:

“And when the two hosts saw each other, the people of Moses said: “We are sure to be overtaken.” (Moses) said: “Nay, verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me.”(26:61-62)

We are in need of this sort of conviction in facing the hardships and difficulties and we should trust that Allah is with us; and those who have Allah with them will never fail: “And if Allah helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allah (Alone), let believers put their trust.” (3:160).

Read more and more the Qur'an in its month of revelation

Read more and more the Qur’an
In its month of revelation

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The Noble Qur’an was revealed in the month of Ramadan (Al-Qur’an, 97:1-3.). The Qur’an was sent down in the month of Ramadan on the Night of Power Lailatul Qadr. (Al-Qur’an, 91:1-3.). It is the month of Ramadan that Allah has honoured by revealing the Qur’an. Because of this strong relation between the Qur’an and the month of Ramadan, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to read the Qur’an to Archangel Jibreel every Ramadan. I think this is the right place to discuss the purpose and objective of the revelation of the Qur’an, its importance, the campaigns against it and the do’s and don’ts of the Qur’an.

First of all, Allah the Most High, created mankind and gave him the gift of expression. For the guidance of mankind Allah sent Prophets (peace be upon them all) to every single community. In the words of the Qur’an, "There has been no community to which God’s messengers have not come" and "Muslims should make no distinctions between them." So it is the duty of a Muslim to honour all the prophets equally.

The Qur’an represents the culmination of all other earlier Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the last of the Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the first religious book in the world, which requires the belief in other revelations, a part of its Faith. This Sacred Book was revealed to the last Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the month of Ramadan. Allah Himself said in the Qur’an: “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to Mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).” (2:185). Allah the Most High has especially mentioned the exact date and month of the revelation: “We have indeed revealed This (Message) in the Night of Power.” (97:1) So the purpose of the revelation of the Qur’an was for guidance of Mankind.

The Qur’an is emphatic in proclaiming that Islam is the religion of Jesus, Moses, Abraham and the Prophets Jesus and Moses were not Jews but Muslims. "Surely those who believe (in that which is revealed to Muhammad Peace be upon him) and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabaeans – whoever believes in Allah, and the Last Day and does good, surely their reward is with their Lord, and there is no fear for them nor shall they grieve." (2:62). "A Guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and judgement (between right and wrong)." This is the most important characteristic of the Qur’an, the Book that Allah has revealed in the month of Ramadan. It is guidance for mankind. It is clear proof, clear proof of guidance and of judgement.

Before the revelation of the Qur’an, it was preserved and guarded from corruption in the "Mother of the Book". Allah Himself said: "Nay this is a Glorious Qur’an (inscribed) in a Tablet Preserved" (85:21-22). When Allah wanted to give this Trust to someone, the Heavens, the Earth, and the Mountains, i.e. other creatures of Allah, besides man, refused to undertake this Trust or responsibility. They preferred to submit their will entirely to Allah’s Will, which is All-Wise and Perfect, and which would give them far more happiness than a faculty of choice, with their imperfect knowledge. Allah says in the Qur’an: "We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it: He was indeed unjust and foolish." (33-72).

So it is the human beings who took the responsibility of the Trust without realising its importance. This Sacred Book was revealed to the last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the month of Ramadan. The Qur’an is the revealed book of God which has been in existence for more than four hundred years and the Word of Allah is available in its original form. There has not been an iota of change in this unique historic record. Its originality and authenticity has been guaranteed by no other than Allah the Almighty who challenges in the Qur’an itself.

Allah said, "This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah: on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelation) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - wherein there is no doubt – from the Lord of the Worlds." (10:37). In another verse of the Qur’an Allah challenges, "Or do they say, "He forged it?" Say: "Bring then a Surah like unto it; and call (to your aid) anyone who can, beside Allah if it be you speak the truth!" (10:38). "Or they may say, "He forged it." Say, "Bring you then ten Suras forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsoever you can, other than Allah! – if you speak the truth!" (11:13).

Allah said in the Qur’an, "And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant then produce a Sura like thereunto, and call your witness and helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if you are truthful." (2:23) Allah places many verses before you. Can you produce one like it?

The world is challenged to produce a Book like it and has not produced one. It is the only Revealed Book whose text stands pure and uncorrupted today. Allah said, "Say: "if the whole of mankind and jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support." (17:88)

Since the revelation of the Qur’an, the enemies of Islam have been trying to distort it. Firstly, they said, it is not revelation, it is written by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Then they started attacking its authenticity and originality. In spite of their conspiracy, the Qur’an has been preserved in its original form.

The Qur’an is the only Book in the world which has remained for the past fourteen centuries pure without any interpolation or change and will remain so till the Last Day as Allah has guaranteed its purity. (15:9).

The purity, preservation and propagation of the Qur’an were maintained by two methods: memorization of Qur’an in Qur’anic schools and the recitation of the complete Qur’an in Ramadan. In the month of Ramadan every year the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked by Archangel Jibreel to recite the whole of it twice. It was a Muzakira between the two. Abu Huraira reported that Jibreel used to repeat the recitation of the Qur’an with the Prophet once a year, but he repeated it twice with him in the year the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away. The Qur’an was recited in the Taraweeh for the first time during the era of Caliph Omar.

So far as the memorization of the Qur’an in Qur’anic schools is concerned, many Huffaz and Islamic scholars have been killed in different parts of the world at different times. But still there is no dearth of Islamic scholars who can recite the complete Qur’an from memory. Severe campaigns have been launched against the Qur’anic schools, which teach the study, recitation and memorization of the Qur’an. The Qur’an is the main Book of the Muslims; it is the duty of the Muslims to learn Qur’an, which contains their code of life and ethical values whose benefits have been experienced by mankind throughout the ages.

I have already mentioned the objective and importance of the Qur’an and how its originality and purity have been maintained. Our Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions dedicated their days and nights for worship. Their lives revolved completely around the Book of Allah, the Qur’an, reciting it in and out of Salah.

The Qur’an is the basis of the religion of Islam, and on the preservation and propagation of the Qur’an depends the very existence of this Faith. Hence the virtue of learning and teaching the Qur’an is self-evident and does not need further elucidation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The best amongst you is he who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.” (Bukhari, Daud and Tirmidhi).

A great Islamic scholar wrote in his book entitled Toward Understanding of the Qur’an: “The present arrangement of the Qur'an is not the work of later generations, but was made by the Prophet under God's direction. Whenever a surah was revealed, the Prophet summoned his scribes, to whom he carefully dictated its contents, and instructed them where to place it in relation to the other surahs. The Prophet followed the same order of surahs and verses when reciting during ritual Prayer as on other occasions, and his Companions followed the same practice in memorizing the Qur'an. It is therefore a historical fact that the collection of the Qur'an came to an end on the very day that its revelation ceased. The One who was responsible for its revelation was also the One who fixed its arrangement. The one whose heart was the receptacle of the Qur'an was also respon¬sible for arranging its sequence. This was far too important and too delicate a matter for anyone else to dare to become involved in.”

“Not even the most skeptical person has any reason to doubt that the Qur'an as we know it today is identical with the Qur'an which Muhammad (peace be on him) set before the world; this is an unquestionable, objective, historical fact, and there is nothing in human history on which the evidence is so overwhelmingly strong and conclusive. To doubt the authenticity of the Qur'an is like doubting the existence of the Roman Empire, the Mughals of India, or Napoleon! To doubt historical facts like these is a sign of stark ignorance, not a mark of erudition and scholarships,” he added.

Ramadan Mubarak from Masjid al-Haram and Balad al-Ameen

Ramadan Mubarak from Masjid
al-Haram and Balad al-Ameen

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Makkah al-Mukarramah: Ramadan Mubarak and Ramadan Greetings from the Masjid al-Haram and the Balad al-Ameen to all of you, especially to all the readers of the Islamic Monitor blog: May this holy month bring barakah, and Allah's boundless mercy upon the believers and harmony and tolerance for the world. The Supreme Judicial Council of Saudi Arabia called on all Muslims in the Kingdom to sight the crescent of the lunar month of Ramadan on July 30 (Saturday) evening. But the lunar moon was not sighted at sunset Saturday evening. So the holy month of Ramadan begun on Monday, 1st of August, 2011.

I welcome Ramadan, the month of Mercy and Repentance, the month of the Qur’an, of laylatul qadr (the night of power) and of repentance and forgiveness. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of the Islamic faith. It was declared an obligatory duty (Fard) in the second year of the Hijrah upon each and every mukallaf (one capable of carrying out religious duties, i.e. a sane adult).

Allah the Almighty made Ramadan fasting compulsory for Muslims. Allah said, “O those who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as were enjoined upon those before so that you be God-fearing.’ [Surah Baqarah, 183]. Literally, Sawm means ‘to abstain’. In the terminology of Islamic law, Sawm means ‘to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse: with the conditions that one abstains continuously from dawn to sunset, and that there is an intention to fast.’ Therefore, should one eat or drink anything even a minute before sunset, the fast will not be valid. Similarly, if one abstained from all these things throughout the day but made no intention to fast, there will be no fast here too.

Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an “…And eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from its black thread…” (Al-Qur’an, 2:187) Literally defined, fasting means to abstain “completely” from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year.

Fasting in Islam is based on the lunar calendar and is tied to the sightings of hilal, the crescent, or new moon. Allah the Almighty stated: “They ask you concerning the new moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time… (Al-Qur’an, 2:189). And the Traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Eat until you see the crescent and break not until you see the crescent. If it is cloudy calculate the period of the month.” (Muslim and others).

Fasting in Ramadan is compulsory upon every Muslim, male or female, who has these qualifications, e.g. mentally and physically fit, adult full of age which is normally fourteen and fairly certain that fasting is unlikely to cause any harm, physical or mental, other than the normal reactions to hunger, thirst etc.

The said qualifications exclude the following categories: children under the age of puberty and discretion; men and women who are too old and feeble to undertake the obligation of fast and bear its hardships; sick people whose health is likely to be severely affected by the observance of fast; travellers may break the fast temporarily during their travel; pregnant women and women breast-feeding their children may also break their fast and women in the period of menstruation (of a maximum of ten days or of confinement (of a maximum of forty days. They must postpone the fast till recovery and then make up for it.

The holy month of Ramadan is the month of mercy, forgiveness, and seeking release from the Hell-fire. It is the month of repentance and acceptance of prayers. It is the month when the devils are chained, the gates of Hell are looked and the gates of Paradise are opened. That’s why; Muslims welcome Ramadan each year with energy and happiness, and are saddened only when the month departs. Fasting is for the living, not for mourning.

Ramadan is a month of worship. Muslims should welcome the month with repentance and seeking Allah’s pardon. We should keep away from committing sins; worship Allah sincerely and spending the night and day in prayer, supplication and recitation of the Holy Qur’an.

Fasting is a shield which helps prevent many sins and with which Muslim protects himself from Hell-fire. Fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. It also means to abstain from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing and quarrelling. Therefore, fasting helps to develop good behaviour.

Fasting inculcates a sense of brotherhood and solidarity, as a Muslim feels and experiences what his needy and hungry brothers feel. This gives Muslim a new sense of togetherness and association.

Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an: The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (between right and wrong). (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 185) As Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, every Muslim should prepare himself to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan by strengthening his relationship with the Qur’an. A Muslim is encouraged to complete one recitation of the Holy Qur’an during Ramadan.

We should engage more and more in the recitation of the Qur’an, in dhikr (remembrance of Allah), perform extra Salah (ritual prayers) at night and renew identity with one another in our obedience to Allah.

Ramadan is called the month of charity and sympathy; a month of giving in charity and sharing meals to break the fast together. Many Muslims also pay Zakah in the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is an excellent opportunity to bring about permanent improvement into our lives. We can do this by making a goal to remove a harmful trait from our character or speech, whether it be argumentation, backbiting, making false promises, or resentment against a fellow Muslim, or a sinful matter from our lives. Insha’Allah by the baraka of this month, this effort will result in change that will benefit us in this world and the next.

I would again like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a blessed Ramadan. May this blessed month bring unadulterated peace to everyone in the world. May Allah make this Ramadan a month of increasing nearness to Him, and May He accept all of our fasts and worship. Ameen.

Thus Ramadan becomes a blessed month of physical, moral and spiritual renewal through fasting, charity and worship. This is the moral and spiritual gifts of Ramadan. “We can say that Ramadan gives us the great gift of Taqwa (Piety). Taqwa is the sum total of Islamic life. It is the highest of all virtues in the Islamic scheme of things. It means God-consciousness, piety, fear and awe of Allah and it signifies submission to Allah and total commitment to all that is good and rejection of all that is evil and bad,” said Dr. Muzzammil H. Siddiqi, former President of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).

King Abdullah and Crown Prince
Greet Muslims on Ramadan
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and the Crown Prince Sultan, deputy Premier greeted Muslims in the Kingdom and the rest of the world on Sunday on the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan. In a joint address read out by the Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja, the King and the Crown prince said, “We pray to Almighty Allah to make the advent of this month an opportunity for the Muslim Ummah to learn more, to strive to reject disunity and to achieve the ideals of brotherhood. That is when the strong stands by the weak, the wealthy supports the needy and the oppressed forgives the oppressor. Thus, they will build a tolerant society where people coexist peacefully preserving the rights and respecting the rights of others.”

British Foreign Secretary sent
very best wishes to Muslims
The British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, M.P. sent his “very best wishes to Muslim communities in Britain and across the world”. In his Ramadan Message, Mr. Hague said, “Ramadan is a time of intense devotion and reflection. Its importance is emphasised in prayer and as a time when families and friends gather to remember those less fortunate. Its values remind us of the principles that we hold in common – tolerance, justice, progress and the dignity of all human beings. The key messages of selflessness, charity, and compassion are values that unite Muslims and non Muslims alike.”

Imams lead Taraweeh Prayer at Grand Mosque
Imam of Taraweeh prayers at the Grand Mosque of Makkah was announced. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Awwad Al-Juhani will lead the first 10 rak’as of Taraweeh and Witr prayers, while Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais will lead the last 10 rak’as at the Grand Mosque, it was announced Saturday.

Dr. Saud Al-Shuraim and Sheikh Maher Bin Hamad Al-Muaiqli will lead the prayers in even nights during the last ten days of the holy month. During this period Al-Juhani and Al-Muaiqli will lead the Taraweeh prayers and Al-Shuraim and Al-Sudais will lead the Tahajjud (voluntary night) prayers.

On the night of the Khatm (completion or conclusion) of the Qur’an, the congregation will be led by Sheikh Al-Sudais. Ramadan Friday sermons will be delivered by Sheikh Saleh Bin Muhammad Aal Taleb, Dr. Osama Bin Abdullah Khayyat, Dr. Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Humaid, and Dr. Saud Bin Ibrahim Al-Shuraim, respectively.

King Abdullah: Double efforts in
serving Umrah pilgrims
King Abdullah has directed all agencies to spare no effort in providing quality services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the two Holy Mosques. The Grand Mosque is already full of worshippers and Umrah pilgrims. Over 4.5 million Umrah visas have been issued to this year’s Ramadan. Authorities have devised elaborate plans to provide all comfort to visitors to the holy city. The General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has a special Ramadan plan in place to ensure millions of worshippers and Umrah pilgrims can perform their rituals in ease and comfort.

Hand out Ramadan meals
Close to 500 new officials including supervisors are appointed to ensure the hand out the free Ramadan meals at the courtyards of the Grand Mosque.

Makkah Health Plan for Ramadan Pilgrims
The General Health Directorate in Makkah has worked out an integrated plan to provide comprehensive health services to the Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque. There will be 36 health and first aid centres at the Grand Mosque for Umrah pilgrims and visitors this Ramadan said Dr. Khaled Obaid Zafar, Director General of Health affairs in Makkah region. The centres are Ajyad Al-Sufli Gate, Ajyad Al-Alwi Gate, Gate 94, Gate 64 and Nadwa Gate. The directorate plans to operate three new first aid centres at the Grand Mosque plazas in addition to 29 permanent first aid centres, the official said.

There are 29 permanent primary healthcare centres in Makkah. All Makkah hospitals have been prepared to work at full capacity in Ramadan.

120 units of blood donated for pilgrims
Pilgrims who come for Hajj and Umrah sometimes face tough challenges. King Fahd Medical City (KFMC) organised Blood donation campaign in view of the forthcoming month of Ramadan to alleviate some of the problems by donating blood for pilgrims coming to Saudi Arabia on Umrah. About 150 people participated and donated 120 units (50 litres) of blood that would be delivered to blood banks in Makkah and Madinah.

Improved Zamzam water coolers
The Holy Mosques General Presidency has launched new improved Zamzam water coolers in the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque during Ramadan. The new coolers are easy to move and distribute, can maintain the water temperature, and are made of materials resistant to bacteria. It will guarantee a high-level of cleanliness and preserve the purity of water. They can be sealed so that only workers can open them for filling or washing, it is reported.

Prophet’s Mosque ready to welcome worshippers
The Presidency of the Affairs of the Prophet’s Mosque has initiated a new operational plan to enable worshippers and visitors to perform their prayers at ease and comfort during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The plan includes an increase in the number of female inspectors, preachers conducting religious sessions and cleaning personnel, as well as an expansion of facilities and services provided to those who visit the Prophet’s Mosque, it is reported. The presidency has hired 1,000 seasonal female inspectors to help its staff deal with the growing number of female worshippers and visitors, which it is thought will reach more than three million, he said. More preachers have also been engaged to hold religious teaching sessions to meet the demand of worshippers who seek to increase their understanding of Islamic issues.

Maryam in the Bible and in the Qur'an

Maryam in the Bible and in the Qur’an

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Lord Harries and Lord Ahmed organised a Christian-Muslim celebration meeting in honour of Sayeditana Maryam entitled “Mary in the Bible and in the Qur’an” at the Cholmondeley Room at the House of Lords on Monday, the 28th of March, 2011. This was the first ever real celebration mounted by the All-Party Parliamentary Inter-Faith group. There were two renowned scholars from the Christian and Muslim communities, Archbishop McDonald and Hajj Ahmad Thomson, who gave brief outlines on the theme of Mary. The celebration was attended by parliamentarians, religious leaders from the Christian community, the Muslim Community, the Jewish community, the Hindu community as well as several journalists. There was a short film on Mary from the Christian-Muslim-Jewish Forum after the meeting.

Introductions by Lord Harries

Lord Harries, the chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Inter-faith Group made some introductory remarks and introduced the two speakers. Archbishop McDonald was ordained as a priest in 1974 in the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Chad in Birmingham; he served for a number of years in Oscar College, first of all, as a Lecturer in Moral Theology and after that as a Rector of that College; he worked as a Parish Priest in Sparkhill, Birmingham and then he was ordained Bishop of Northampton in 2001. After that he was appointed Archbishop of Southwark in 2003. He is responsible for the inter-faith relationship of half of the Roman Catholics in England and Wales and although he has retired as Archbishop of Southwark, he is continuing that work.

Archbishop McDonald spoke on the life of Mary for 10 minutes and then Lord Harries introduced Hajj Ahmad Thomson, who embraced Islam in 1973. In his professional life he is member of Gray’s Inn; he was called to the Bar in 1979 and is a practising barrister working in the field of charity, employment, discrimination and Islamic Law. He was a founding member of the Association of Muslim Lawyers, is secretary of Muslim Lawyers (Europe) and is an author of a good number of books. He has been on pilgrimage to Makkah.

Hajj Ahmad Thomson

Hajj Ahmad Thomson, Barrister, began his talk by reciting a few of the many verses in the Qur’an which deal with Maryam, peace be upon her. Hajj Ahmad mentioned that the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, blessings and peace be on him, who did not go to school and who could not read or write – and confirmed that the Qur’an was revealed to him by the Angel Jibril (Gabriel): “So it is a powerful message. It is always good to hear some of it.” Then Hajj Ahmad recited in Arabic verses 42 to 48 of Surah Ali ‘Imran from the Qur’an and read the English translation of those verses (reading from the Bewley translation) as follows:

“And when the angels said, ‘Maryam, Allah has chosen you and purified you. He has chosen you over all other women. Maryam, obey your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow.’ This is news from the Unseen which We reveal to you. You were not with them when they cast their reeds to see which of them would be the guardian of Maryam.You were not with them when they quarrelled.

“When the angels said, ‘Maryam, your Lord gives you good news of a Word from Him. His name is the Messiah, ‘Isa, son of Maryam, of highest esteem in the dunya and the akhirah, [that is, in this world and in the next world] and one of those brought near. He will speak to people in the cradle, and also when fully grown and will be one of the salihun,’ [that is, of the people who are in the right place at the right time]

“she said, ‘My Lord! How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me?’ He said, ‘It will be so.’ Allah creates whatever He wills. When He decides on something, He just says to it, ‘Be!’ and it is. He will teach him the Book and Wisdom, and the Torah [the revelation given to Moses] and the Injil [the revelation given to Jesus], as a Messenger to the tribe of Israel …[Surah Al ‘Imran : 3. 42-48]

After reading the translation, Hajj Ahmad continued, “These two examples of the angels addressing Maryam give us a glimpse of two different periods in her life: one when she was a young girl; and one when she was about to become the mother of Jesus, peace be on them.”

Speaking about a clear line of descent right from the Prophet Abraham down to the father of Hannah who was of course the mother of Mary, Hajj Ahmad said that he had not been aware of Maryam’s genealogy “when I was brought up as a Christian – and maybe I did not look hard enough.” Hajj Ahmad added, “Hannah, who was the mother of Mary was actually married to a man called Imran. Imran was descended from the Prophet Sulayman (Soloman), who was descended from the Prophet Dawud (David), who was descended from Judah, one of the sons of Yaqub (Jacob) – another of whose names was Israel – who was descended from Ishaq (Isaac), the son of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham).”

Purity and Special Station of Maryam

Another aspect which Hajj Ahmad mentioned is the purity and very special station of Maryam: “Hannah made a prayer and she said to God, ‘I dedicate to You whatever is in my womb,’ and she also made another prayer and she said, ‘Don’t let shaytan (Satan) touch whoever is in my womb or any of its offspring.’ And it is said that because of this prayer, when Maryam was born, shaytan could not even touch her – and similarly when Jesus was born, shaytan could not even touch him.” Hajj Ahmad added, “The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings upon him, said that every one of the banu Adam (that is, the people who are descended from Adam) is touched by shaytan when they are born – which is what makes them cry at birth – except for these two, because of the prayer of Hannah. So already even before she was born, there was an indication of the purity and special place that had been assigned for Maryam in the unfolding of the prophetic tradition.”

Hajj Ahmad also referred to the Prophetic geneaology of Zakariya: “The Prophet Zakariya (Zachariah) was also descended from Soloman, through the same lineage as Imran. He was married to Ishbah, which is the Arabic name for Elizabeth – and Hannah and Ishbah were sisters. The son of Zakariya and Elizabeth was Yahya, John the Baptist. So again we see within the prophetic family, we see this very close genetic link, as well as the link as regards the message given to mankind about the nature of God, the nature of existence and the guidance that He sent to mankind through His Messengers.”

Referring to Maryam’s relationship with her Lord, Hajj Ahmad said, “We have descriptions in the Qur’an of Maryam’s childhood in the Temple – and that first passage of the two main passages that I recited, mentions the angels speaking to her when she was still a girl, telling her to be obedient to God and to worship Him – and we also have a description of Zakariya coming into her room and finding her eating food and he asks, ‘Where did you get this food from?’ and she says, ‘It has been provided for me by my Lord.’ This was in fact food from the Garden, food from Heaven, from the Unseen. And again this is an indication of her purity and her special station, that she was given food from the Garden.”

Coming of Jesus – identical

There are many ayahs (verses) throughout the Qur’an which refer to Maryam and there is a chapter in the Qur’an which is entitled Maryam in honour of her. Then Hajj Ahmad referred to the second passage which really refers to the coming of the Angel Gabriel to her: “When Jibril (Gabriel) came to tell her that you are going to be the mother of Jesus, he appeared as a handsome man. And as we all know, this is where, if you look at the Christian tradition and the Muslim tradition, it is almost identical, word for word: ‘You are going to be the mother of Jesus.’ And she says, ‘How can I be, when I have not been touched by any man?’ And she is told, ‘It is by the command of your Lord,’ – and He can do anything, including the creation of the whole of the universe and everything it contains.”

God bestowed the highest station to Maryam

God has bestowed the highest station to Maryam. When speaking of the reference to Maryam in the Qur’an as an example of a believer, Hajj Ahmad said, “And then God gives the example of Maryam – and this is the highest station. We also have a hadith (prophetic saying) from the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, that enough for you – meaning that these are the best examples for you – are Maryam the mother of Jesus, Asiya the wife of Pharoah, Khadija (who was his first wife) and Fatima, who was his daughter from whom all the members of the family of the Prophet Muhammad are subsequently descended during the last 14 centuries up until now, blessings and peace be on all of them. So we have these indications again and again and again, right from before she was born and after, that Mary had a very high station with her Lord. And this was a station which no human being could confer on her – it was a station for which she was created.”

Miraculous figure of Mary

There then followed a lively Questions & Answers session when different questions were asked, especially as to whether Mary was a miraculous figure in her own right. Archbishop McDonald replied, “I think the key point is about two things about Mary – which I think as, if you like, the act of God: one is the virgin birth and the other is the fact that she was without sin from the outset. These two things, we call the virgin birth and the immaculate conception.”

Significance of Mary

On this question, Archbishop McDonald replied, “I think regarding the person of Mary as someone with whom we can engage, it is to engage together with Mary in whatever way our traditions commit us and encourage us – and to allow spontaneous responses and affective responses (and not just intellectual responses) to be shared; that is what I would suggest.”

Hajj Ahmad’s reply was, “I think regarding Mary there is no dispute about who she is and how she lived: she was very pure, she is a very good example and she was the mother of Jesus. This is something about which we have complete and concrete agreement on. Therefore there is no basis for entering an argument on that. I think that as far as women are concerned in this society, they have a good example. You could say that Maryam is someone who has an unfair advantage over any other woman in the world because of what was destined for her – but at the same time the way she lived was exemplary: she worshipped God without any partner and this is a good example; she was modest; and she had all the fine qualities that a woman can have.”

Limits of the two traditions

Another question asked was: “What are the limits in the two traditions, as regards the past?” Archbishop McDonald replied, “As a Christian, I can engage with and seek to identify with Mary in relation to the crucified Lord and in relation to God who created me. I think the most fruitful, most fertile area for common engagement with Mary would be the annunciation – and not for obvious reasons, the crucifixion, because that is specifically the Christian thing. I think it is a great important principle both in ecumenical dialogue and in interfaith dialogue that we begin with what we can confirm together or by what we can celebrate together – and if any further exploration in building towards more difficult things is indicated, then we can pursue it.”

In contrast, Hajj Ahmad said, “As I understand it, your question is actually looking at what happened before, rather than at anything that comes after – and, looking at the Jewish tradition, certainly the coming of Jesus was expected. I think it is probably mentioned in the Torah somewhere that the coming of the Messiah would take place – and when Jesus came, it happened that some people said yes, he is the Messiah and some Jews said no, he is not – and some say even nowadays that they are still waiting for the Messiah. The Christians obviously said yes, he is the Messiah – he came and he has gone. The Muslims say yes, he was the Messiah, he was not crucified, he was taken up into the Unseen – and he will be coming back. This is what the Muslims believe from the Qur’an.”

Hajj Ahmad continued, “And the Qur’an says that when Jesus returns, then the People of the Book, the people who received the earlier divine revelations, will then believe in the final revelation of the Qur’an without any disagreement whatsoever – because it will be very clear at that point that he is the Messiah, come back for the second time as far as the Christians and the Muslims are concerned, and arrived for the first time as far as the Jews are concerned. So there is still more confirmation to come in the future – but it does go right back to the time of Moses. That is why the genealogy I was giving earlier in my talk confirms actually how close all the Messengers of God and all the Prophets of God are in the Prophetic tradition – certainly as regards those who were post-Abraham, but also those who were pre-Abraham, because they all came originally from Adam and Eve. So we see that within the Prophetic tradition they were related genetically as well as by their message and function.”

The Roman Catholic duty priest commented, “Surely the main attribute of Mary is that she embodies someone who heard the word of God and kept it – and this is true for both of our traditions – and as a result of which she was able to answer the call of the archangel Gabriel.”

Hajj Ahmad replied, “I think that is a very good point that you have made. If I could, I would just like to add one point to the Bishop’s: as regards that great gathering, that gathering of 5,000 people is concerned, I find it very interesting that in the Gospel of Barnabus, the reason for that gathering is given: it was to give everyone a clear understanding of who Jesus was by letting Jesus prove that he was not God. So he asked a scribe, ‘Doesn’t it say in the Torah that God has no beginning and no end?’ – and the scribe said, ‘Yes, thus it is written.’ Then Jesus said, ‘I have a beginning and an end – so I am not God.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Doesn’t it say that God never sleeps, nor slumbers?’ – and the scribe said, ‘Yes, that’s what it says in the Torah,’ and Jesus said, ‘I have to sleep – so I am not God.’ And then Jesus said, ‘Is it not true that it says in the Torah that God has created everything in the heavens and the earth?’ – and the scribe said, ‘Yes, that is what it says,’ and Jesus said, ‘I could not even create a fly.’ Then the people said, ‘Then who are you?’ and Jesus said, ‘I am a Messenger of God.’”

Lord Harries

After the Q & A session, Lord Harries made the following closing remarks: “I have been involved in inter-faith dialogue for quite a long time and in my experience, there are three main fundamental principles. First of all, it is a way of understanding – of letting people define themselves in their own terms; secondly it is a way of affirmation – trying to identify and find common ground; and thirdly it is a way of sharing. It seems to me that we have certainly done the first two today: people have defined the subject in their own terms. I think this is very important.”

I think one of the ways in which inter-religious relationships are poisoned,” continued Lord Harries, “is because of the caricatures which society inherit – and we have to get beyond that and people have to define themselves in their own terms and secondly to identify a lot of common ground.”

Lord Harries concluded by saying, “And my third point is that whereas some people think wrongly that in order to engage in interfaith dialogue you have to criticise your most cherished convictions and try to find a sort of lowest common denominator of religion, in fact, in a true dialogue you have to share differences as well as what you have in common – and my own experience is that if you can build up relationships which rely on respect and trust, so also you can share differences as well as affirm the common ground.”

Lord Ahmed

After thanking everyone for coming and especially Caroline Jean from the Mary foundation because, “it was her idea that inspired me and prompted us to decide on all this,” Lord Ahmed said, “I think it is important to have this type of event where Maryam, peace be on her, brings everybody together – because we have seen too much of the Christian Minister in Pakistan who was murdered by extremists in Lahore and Terry Jones the so-called Pastor who burnt the Qur’an in the United States last week – that creates the differences and the hatred. It is important that we do bring people together.”

An Interview with Archbishop McDonald

After the conclusion of the celebration, I had the opportunity to talk to Archbishop McDonald and interview him regarding the common ground where both Christian and Muslim traditions can meet. The Archbishop confirmed, “The virginity of Mary is accepted by both traditions.”

As regards the understanding that Jesus spoke to people from the cradle, which is what Muslims believe, the Archbishop said, “We don’t believe this – that is not part of our tradition. This is a point of difference.”

On the point of the annunciation, the Archbishop said that both traditions can meet on this: “The story is told differently, but the key element of the story is held in common. The important thing is to engage first to our lady and then to engage with each of the stories of the annunciation together – and that we can do.”

On the question of the holiness of Mary, which the Muslim tradition accepts, the Christian tradition does not. The Archbishop said, “No, it is different. The main difference is our understanding of Jesus Christ, because we see the holiness of Mary as coming from the redemption of Christ – so we see the source of the holiness differently.”

Eid Mubarak to all of you from Masjid al-Haram Makkah

Happy Eid Mubarak from the
Masjid al-Haram in the Balad al-Ameen

Dr. Mozammel Haque

I, on behalf of the Islamic Cultural Centre, London, wish all of you a happy Eid Mubarak from the Masjid-al-Haram in the Balad al-Ameen.

The Saudi Royal Court announced on Thursday, the 9th of September quoting the Supreme Court that the Eid Al-Fitr would be celebrated in the country on Friday, the 10th of September, 2010 after completing 30 days of Ramadan. It said no one sighted the new Shawwal Crescent on Wednesday evening. Thus, the joyous Islamic festival Eid-ul-Fitre comes at the end of the month of Ramadan and it came this year 2010 on Friday, the 10th of September, throughout most of the countries. Muslim brothers and sisters are enjoying and celebrating their Eid on the same day in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom and other places.

It is very good news that the month of Ramadan is completed this year in 30 days. It’s my pleasure to extend my Eid Mubarak and good wishes to all my Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world on the occasion of the celebration of the Eid after the conclusion of fasting in the blessed month of Ramadan. I pray to Almighty Allah for all the benefits and the rewards. I am in the Haram and I would like to pray to Allah the Almighty for myself and for you all, May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala accept our fasting, our prayers, our worship and all our good deeds done in the blessed month of Ramadan.

Eid Al-Fitr prayers were held on Friday morning at big mosques and vast grounds in Saudi Arabia. King Abdullah, senior princes and ministers including Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif joined Eid prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, along with nearly 2.5 million faithful.

On the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, have urged all Muslims to unite on the basis of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

In a joint Eid Al-Fitr message to the nation, read on Saudi radio and television by Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja, King Abdullah and Prince Sultan reminded those Muslims who are better-off to sympathize with and support their less fortunate brothers.

Eid Message from the British Prime Minister
The British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, M.P. send his warmest best wishes to celebrate the end of the Holy month of Ramadan and the start of Eid-ul-Fitr. In his message, he said, “As families, friends and communities come together around the United Kingdom to celebrate the end of the Holy month of Ramadan and the start of Eid- ul-Fitr I want to send you all my warmest best wishes.”

“Eid is a special time, a time for celebration but also a time for contemplation,” said British Prime Minister and added, “The terrible scenes of devastation in Pakistan have shocked us all. I am hugely impressed by how we in the UK have responded to this tragedy, with communities up and down the country coming together to mobilise support.”

Mr. Cameron also said, “As Eid begins we should enjoy this very special time but our thoughts will of course turn to those less fortunate. Eid Mubarak.”

Eid ul Fitr Message from the British Foreign Secretary
On the occasion of the Eid-ul-Fitr, the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. William Hague, M.P. issued Eid-ul-Fitr message on 08 September, 2010, saying, “I’m delighted to send my very best wishes to you and your families in Britain and around the world as you celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr and the end of the holy month of Ramadan.”

Mr. Hague also said, “At this time of celebration but also of remembrance we, of course, must have first in our minds the so many people in Pakistan and India whose homes and livelihoods have been stricken by the terrible floods who, of course, we’re trying to help in every way that we can.”

He concluded his Eid message by saying: “And so I say to Muslims all over the world that I hope you have a happy, peaceful and prosperous Eid. Eid Mubarak.”

British Communities Secretary wishes all Muslims “Eid Mubarak”
The British Communities Secretary Mr. Eric Pickles has sent out a message on 9th September, 2010 to all Muslims in the UK as the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end.

Mr Pickles said: “The message of compassion, giving and justice is strong in the Islamic faith. And this period of Ramadan and Eid, in particular, inspires Muslims to focus more on others than themselves and think about those who are less fortunate.

“I wish to join you in celebrating the Eid al Fitr festival after a long, hard month of fasting during Ramadan.

“The principles and actions demonstrated during this time - of empathy, generosity and concern for the welfare of others - can be an inspiration to everyone, irrespective of faith.

Mr. Pickles also mentioned, “I, and my fellow ministers in Government, recognise and commend the huge contributions Muslims have made and continue to make to enrich British society.

“From now, everyone - Muslims and non-Muslims alike - will have a part to play in creating the Big Society, in which people come together, think about what they can offer others and start to mould their own communities and neighbourhoods.

Mr Pickles concluded by saying,“Eid is a time for family and friends; and for prayer, contemplation and reflection. As British Muslim communities across the United Kingdom enjoy their Eid celebrations, may I take this opportunity to wish you a peaceful and blessed Eid. Eid Mubarak!”

Eid Message from The Custodian of Two
Holy Mosques King Abdullah
Eid Al-Fitr prayers were held on Friday morning at big mosques and vast grounds. King Abdullah, senior princes and ministers including Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif joined Eid prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, along with nearly 2.5 million faithful.

From Saudi Arabia, the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, who prayed along with millions of Muslims at the Masjid al-Haram also issued Eid Message for the Muslims throughout the world on this auspicious occasion.

Close ranks to preserve unity, King Abdullah
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, on Thursday urged Muslims all over the world to stand united on the basis of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

In a joint Eid Al-Fitr message to the nation that was read on Saudi radio and television by Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja, King Abdullah and Prince Sultan also called upon rich Muslims to support and sympathize with their less fortunate brethren.

“We are now bidding farewell to the blessed month of Ramadan after the Almighty honoured us to fast and pray during the month. We hope we were successful in making use of the blessed days and nights to establish closer relations with God,” the message said.

King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan emphasized the importance of the fasting month of Ramadan. “This annual occasion offers Muslims a great opportunity for retrospection and self evaluation and strengthening their mental capabilities to engage in righteous activities.”

The King and the Crown Prince said: “The Eid days and its celebrations come for Muslims to support and sympathize with one another. The rich among them sympathizing with the poor and the big showing kindness toward the small enables all to love one another with clean hearts and peaceful minds.

King Abdullah and Prince Sultan expressed their hope that God would unify Muslim ranks who follow the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah. “May Allah unite Muslims on goodness, improve their condition and make them victorious over their enemies,” the message said.

Meanwhile, Prince Naif extended Eid greetings to the families of security officers who fell martyr while fighting terrorists and defending the Kingdom.

As soon as the authorities declared after the Maghreb prayer on Thursday evening that the Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, the 10th of September, I met some of the foreign dignitaries with whom I have been performing fasting, prayers, Iftars, Taraweeeh and Qiyam al-Lail behind the Imam at the Masjid al-Haram for the month of Ramadan, particularly the last ten days, I enquired about their Eid Message for the Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world.

Eid Message from Senator Muniruddin Adekunle Muse of Nigeria
I interviewed Senator Muniruddin Adekunle Muse from the Lagos State of Nigeria, who is a Member of the Upper House of the National Assembly of Nigeria, about his Eid Message. He said: “We are in Makkah right now and the purpose of coming here is to perform the Umrah. And Umrah, as everybody knows as a Muslim, is a kind of purification. So we are here on the call of Allah and pray to Allah for peace and to enable Islam to continue to grow. I appeal to all the Muslims to be patient about what is going on against us in the world. I wish that everybody, all Muslims, should continue to pray fervently to Allah to enable us and Islam to grow from strength to strength.”

Eid Message from former Governor of Sokoto state of Nigeria
I also interviewed former Governor of the Sokoto State of Nigeria, Attahiru Bafarawa, who said, “My message to the Muslim community of the world is: I want to congratulate them for the Eid and want to advise them to unite and to bring peace to the world. As a Muslim let us show good example and show the difference and the other way the religious people can make. Our Islam is for peace and therefore acts together and looks for peace collectively to put this world forward.”

Mr. Attahiru Bafarawa, the former Governor of the Sokoto State of Nigeria, it is learnt, has bright prospects to be, Insha Allah, the next President of Nigeria.

Former commissioner of works of the Lagos State of Nigeria
Former commissioner of works of the Lagos State of Nigeria, Abdur Rauf Aregbesola, who will be contesting as Governor of Osun State of Nigeria in the coming elections in April 2011, sent Eid messages to the Muslims throughout the world. He said: “It’s my pleasure to extend my Eid felicitations and good wishes to all our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world on the conclusion of fasting of the month of Ramadan and as we are looking forward for the celebration of the Eid. I pray that the Almighty Allah will give us all the benefits and rewards of the month and the prayers exercised. I am in the Haram with Dr. Mozammel Haque and we, Muslims, here of the belief that the desires of the Muslims for peace, the desire of the Muslims to that we banish poverty, misery, hunger and demonisation we try for us Muslim in collaboration with all the Muslims.”

Mr. Abdur Rauf Aregbesola, Mechanical Engineer by profession, was in the government of Nigeria as a functionary of state for the Lagos State of Nigeria for a period of eight years with the involvement of social development of people resources. Today he is planning to lead another State, Osun State, as a governor and supplicating Allah to support winning enjoying all the Muslims and all the good people of the world to join him in the prayer for the salvation of humanity.

Welcome Ramadan Mubarak and Ramadan Greetings from Balad al-Ameen to you all

Welcome Ramadan Mubarak and Ramadan Greetings from Balad al-Ameen to you all

Dr. Mozammel Haque

It is very happy and good news that most communities and schools of thoughts of the United Kingdom have decided to start Ramadan from the same day, Saturday, the 22nd of August 2009 like their brothers and sisters in other parts of the world. In Canada, the month of Shaaban was completed 29 days on Friday when Ottawans got the shahadah from cities in Texas and Florida about the clear sighting of the Crescest, thus beginning Ramadan 1430 on Saturday 22 August 2009. Alhamdo Lillah, the wish of the Imam and Khateeb of the Masjid Al-Haram Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Sudais expressed in his meeting with Muslim leaders at the East London Mosque and the Islamic Cultural Centre has been accepted and fulfilled.

I am sending my Ramadan greetings and prayer from the Balad al-Ameen, the City of Peace, Makkah al-Mukarramah and from the Masjid al-Haram to all the readers: May this holy month bring barakah, and Allah's boundless mercy upon the believers and harmony and tolerance for the world. Saudi Arabia also started Ramadan on the same day, Saturday, the 22nd of August 2009.

I welcome Ramadan, the month of Mercy and Repentance, the month of the Qur’an, of laylatul qadr (the night of power) and of repentance and forgiveness. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of the Islamic faith. It was declared an obligatory duty (Fard) in the second year of the Hijrah upon each and every mukallaf (one capable of carrying out religious duties, i.e. a sane adult).

Allah the Almighty made Ramadan fasting compulsory for Muslims. Allah said, “O those who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as were enjoined upon those before so that you be God-fearing.’ [Surah Baqarah, 183]. Literally, Sawm means ‘to abstain’. In the terminology of Islamic law, Sawm means ‘to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse: with the conditions that one abstains continuously from dawn to sunset, and that there is an intention to fast.’ Therefore, should one eat or drink anything even a minute before sunset, the fast will not be valid. Similarly, if one abstained from all these things throughout the day but made no intention to fast, there will be no fast here too.

Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an “…And eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from its black thread…” (Al-Qur’an, 2:187) Literally defined, fasting means to abstain “completely” from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year.

Fasting in Islam is based on the lunar calendar and is tied to the sightings of hilal, the crescent, or new moon. Allah the Almighty stated: “They ask you concerning the new moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time… (Al-Qur’an, 2:189). And the Traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Eat until you see the crescent and break not until you see the crescent. If it is cloudy calculate the period of the month.” (Muslim and others).

Fasting in Ramadan is compulsory upon every Muslim, male or female, who has these qualifications, e.g. mentally and physically fit, adult full of age which is normally fourteen and fairly certain that fasting is unlikely to cause any harm, physical or mental, other than the normal reactions to hunger, thirst etc.

The said qualifications exclude the following categories: children under the age of puberty and discretion; men and women who are too old and feeble to undertake the obligation of fast and bear its hardships; sick people whose health is likely to be severely affected by the observance of fast; travellers may break the fast temporarily during their travel; pregnant women and women breast-feeding their children may also break their fast and women in the period of menstruation (of a maximum of ten days or of confinement (of a maximum of forty days. They must postpone the fast till recovery and then make up for it.

The holy month of Ramadan is the month of mercy, forgiveness, and seeking release from the Hell-fire. It is the month of repentance and acceptance of prayers. It is the month when the devils are chained, the gates of Hell are looked and the gates of Paradise are opened. That’s why; Muslims welcome Ramadan each year with energy and happiness, and are saddened only when the month departs. Fasting is for the living, not for mourning.

Ramadan is a month of worship. Muslims should welcome the month with repentance and seeking Allah’s pardon. We should keep away from committing sins; worship Allah sincerely and spending the night and day in prayer, supplication and recitation of the Holy Qur’an.

Fasting is a shield which helps prevent many sins and with which Muslim protects himself from Hell-fire. Fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. It also means to abstain from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing and quarrelling. Therefore, fasting helps to develop good behaviour.

Fasting inculcates a sense of brotherhood and solidarity, as a Muslim feels and experiences what his needy and hungry brothers feel. This gives Muslim a new sense of togetherness and association.

Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an: The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (between right and wrong). (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 185) As Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, every Muslim should prepare himself to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan by strengthening his relationship with the Qur’an. A Muslim is encouraged to complete one recitation of the Holy Qur’an during Ramadan.

We should engage more and more in the recitation of the Qur’an, in dhikr (remembrance of Allah), perform extra Salah (ritual prayers) at night and renew identity with one another in our obedience to Allah.

Ramadan is called the month of charity and sympathy; a month of giving in charity and sharing meals to break the fast together. Many Muslims also pay Zakah in the month of Ramadan.

Thus Ramadan becomes a blessed month of physical, moral and spiritual renewal through fasting, charity and worship. This is the moral and spiritual gifts of Ramadan. “We can say that Ramadan gives us the great gift of Taqwa (Piety). Taqwa is the sum total of Islamic life. It is the highest of all virtues in the Islamic scheme of things. It means God-consciousness, piety, fear and awe of Allah and it signifies submission to Allah and total commitment to all that is good and rejection of all that is evil and bad,” said Dr. Muzzammil H. Siddiqi, former President of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).

In this connection, I would like to convey the Ramadan Message from the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown and British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, who have issued Ramadan Message in August 2009.

Message from British Prime Minister
On this auspicious occasion of the Blessed month of Ramadan, the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, MP, in his Ramadan Message in August 2009, said, “The message of compassion and justice is strong in the Islamic faith, not just in the holy month of Ramadan. It is a universal message that unites us all.”

While saying “Ramadan Mubarak” to the two million Muslims living in the United Kingdom, the British Prime Minister expressed his wishes to share with all the Muslim communities along with their families in the United Kingdom and throughout the world, his “sincerest best wishes for this the sacred month of Ramadan.”

British Prime Minister said, “Ramadan is a time for family and friends. A time when Muslims around the world focus more on others than themselves. As you come together everyday for the next month to break the fast, thoughts will be of faith, families and togetherness.”

“It will also be a time for prayer, contemplation and reflection; a time to remember those who are less fortunate today,” observed British Prime Minister.

Brown also said, “Britain is a country of around 2 million Muslims in a Europe of over 20 million. Britain today is a better place because of our diversity and openness. Our culture and society are stronger because of the contribution Muslims make everyday.”

British Prime Minister also said, “As British Muslim communities across the United Kingdom prepare for Ramadan, may I take this opportunity to say: may your Ramadan be peaceful and blessed. Once again Ramadan Mubarak to you all.”

Message from British Foreign Secretary
British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, MP, also sent his “warmest wishes to Muslim communities around the world for the holy month of Ramadan” in his Ramadan Message to the British Muslim Community. Miliband said, “Ramadan marks an important time in the Islamic calendar. Wherever they are in the world, Muslims will be busy preparing for this month of fasting, prayer and contemplation.”

“Ramadan also has a strong social aspect. It is a time for charity and giving – the outward expression of faith through acts of kindness and love, to complement the inner devotion and prayer. Ramadan’s focus on helping those in need is a good message for all of us, both Muslim and non Muslim,” Miliband said in his Ramadan Message.

“As we approach the holy month, let me wish you Ramadan Mubarak,” Miliband said

Message from British Communities Secretary
British Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham, MP, while passing on to all Muslim communities his “sincerest best wishes for the holy month of Ramadan” said, “Ramadan teaches patience and humility, and empathy for the less fortunate.”

“The Ramadan's message of compassion and social justice spreads beyond Muslim communities; it speaks of shared values that unite us all. Ramadan Karim,” said John Denham Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Message from the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques
‘Promote sympathy, love’
King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, urged Friday Muslims around the world to use the blessed month of Ramadan to promote sympathy, compassion and love for other human beings.

“Let us seek to embrace the spirit of brotherhood and fraternity, promote sympathy, compassion and openhandedness, and let us recall the great values of religion which are of the blessings of this good month and this tolerant religion,” the messages read.

The King and the Crown Prince thanked Almighty Allah for bestowing this blessed month on the Muslims. “Praise be to God Who said in His Holy Book: ‘(Ramadan is the (month) in which the Qur’an was sent down, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong)’, and peace and prayers be upon Prophet Muhammad, who was a Messenger of God, and upon his companions and followers until the Day of Resurrection.”

The King and the Crown Prince thanked Allah for honoring Muslims with the blessed month, with its first part of mercy, middle of forgiveness and last part a pardon from fire.

They said that in this blessed month “all Muslims begin to recall, during its great days and nights, sympathy, compassion and love, and acquire from its generosity all the great meanings given by the religion: the meanings of compassion, tolerance and generosity, of following the example of our master Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who hastened to perform acts of generosity and good.”

The speech ended by beseeching Allah to help “us worship Him, observe the fast including its night rituals, show us the way to acts of obedience, and make us among the pardoned during this month.”

President Obama’s historic speech at Cairo University
President Obama Seeks a New Beginning
between the US and the Muslim World

Dr. Mozammel Haque

US President Barack Hussein Obama issued an ambitious seven-point manifesto for better ties with the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims in his long-awaited, long promised historic address to the Muslim world at Cairo University in Egypt, on Thursday, the 4th of June, 2009.

Speaking from the lectern at Cairo University in a speech also sponsored by Al-Azhar, one of the oldest centers of Islamic learning, President Obama spoke at Cairo University after meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the second stop of a four-nation trip to the Middle East and Europe. The speech was the centrepiece of his journey.

While the 55-minute speech before a 3,500 invited audience of politicians, opposition leaders, scholars and human rights activists was billed as an effort by the President to soothe grievances of more than one billion Muslims across the world but choosing Cairo underscored his focus on the Middle East. Iran’s top diplomat in Egypt was also invited to attend and so the members of the semi-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s largest opposition group. The President covered the Middle East peace process, Iran, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in his speech.
On the same day, “The Israeli newspaper Haaretz printed a cartoon today of Mr Obama wearing Arab headdress, captioned "Barack Hussein Obama the Anti-Semitic Jew-hater", which was being posted up around Jewish settlements this morning ahead of his speech.” reported in The Times, London, on 4 June, 2009.

President Obama’s seven-point manifesto for better ties with the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims, includes, besides bridging gap between Islam and the West; first, confront violent extremism in all of its forms; second, the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world; third, rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons; fourth, democracy; fifth, religious freedom; sixth, women’s rights; and finally, economic development and opportunity.

But Obama dwelled most heavily on an Arab-Israeli peace. He spoke 6,000 words in Thursday’s speech, 1,000 about the Mideast conflict. “Too many tears have flowed. Too much blood has been shed,” he said.

New Beginning between US and Muslim World
In this part, I have mainly concentrated on his efforts to start a new beginning of relationships between the United States and the Muslim world. President Obama paid homage to the Islamic culture and civilizations, noted his Muslim roots, referred to America’s biography etc.

“I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles – principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings,” said the US President Barack Hussein Obama in his long-awaited, long promised historic address to the Muslim world at Cairo University in Egypt, on Thursday, the 4th of June, 2009.

Al-Azhar: a beacon of Islamic learning
In his historic speech at the Cairo University, President Obama said, “For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: Assalamu Alaikum.”

Relationship between Islam and the West
In a gesture to the Islamic world, Obama conceded at the beginning of his remarks that tension “has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.”

View Islam as hostile to America
President Obama mentioned, “The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust.”
“This cycle of suspicion and discord must end,” said President Obama.

Quoting from the Qur’an
Obama’s ambitious speech also represented an opportunity to shape his own image in the eyes of Muslims. He quoted from the Qur’an, paid homage to the cultural and intellectual achievements of Muslims and noted his middle name and his father’s ties to the faith. Obama said, “As the Holy Qur’an tells us, “Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.” That is what I will try to do – to speak the truth as best as I can.”

Noted his own biography
This frank discussion was punctuated and given credibility by Obama’s own biography, which he invoked to remind his audience that he does indeed understand the Muslim point of view. “I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the Adhan at the break of dawn and the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith,” said President Obama.

Civilization’s debt to Islam
US President Barack Obama paid tribute to Islam’s influence in culture and civilization in his well-admired speech in Cairo. Obama said, “As a student of history, I also know civilization’s debt to Islam. It was Islam – at places like Al-Azhar University – that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe’s Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.”

Islam a part of America’s story
President Obama said, “I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America’s story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President John Adams wrote, ‘The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims.’”

Contributions of American Muslims
President Obama also acknowledged, “Since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, served in government, stood for civil rights, started businesses, taught at our universities, excelled in our sports arenas, won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim-American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Qur’an that one of our Founding Fathers – Thomas Jefferson – kept in his personal library.”

Freedom in America
The President pointed out that freedom in America is indivisible. “That is why there is a mosque in every state of our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That is why the US government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the Hijab, and to punish those who would deny it,” said Obama and also pointed out that Muslims there enjoy the same successes as non-Muslim Americans. He pointed out that US congressman Keith Ellison was sworn into office using Thomas Jefferson’s copy of the Holy Qur’an. He quoted the Qur’an and spoke of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Fight against negative stereotypes of Islam
Weaving his personal biography and America’s biography into his speech, Obama said, “So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn’t. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.” At the same time, he said the same principle must apply in reverse. “Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire.”

Dream of Opportunity exists for all

Obama also said, “Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores – that includes nearly seven million American Muslims in our country today who enjoy incomes and education that are higher than average.”

Islam is a part of America
“So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations – to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity,” said the President.

America is not at war with Islam
Recalling his speech in Ankara, Turkey, earlier this year, Obama said, “In Ankara, I made clear that America is not – and never will be – at war with Islam.” Quoting the Holy Qur’an, Obama said, “The Holy Qur’an teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind.”

Conclusion
I have mentioned all those areas which President Obama invoked to bridge the gap between the US and the Muslim world, particularly, Islam’s contribution to culture and civilizations, his Muslim roots, America’s biography, etc. I would like to draw the conclusion only on this part of his speech. Other issues which President Obama mentioned in his speech will be dealt with in the second part.

Writing on the President Obama’s speech at the Cairo University, Robert Fisk commented in The Independent, “It was a clever speech we heard from Obama yesterday, as gentle and as ruthless as any audience could wish for – and we were all his audience. He praised Islam. He loved Islam. He admired Islam. He loved Christianity. And he admired America. Did we know that there were seven million Muslims in America, that there were mosques in every state of the Union, that Morocco was the first nation to recognise the United States and that our duty is to fight against stereotypes of Muslims just as Muslims must fight against stereotypes of America?” (Robert Fisk: Words that could heal wounds of centuries, in The Independent, London, 5 June 2009)

Commenting editorially The Independent observed, “As a President seeking to bridge the gulf that now yawns between the United States and the Islamic world, Mr Obama started out with three advantages. The first derived from his biography. His references to his Kenyan family, his childhood in Indonesia and his Chicago years all rang true. The second, not unconnected, is the cultural sensitivity that derives at least in part from that variegated background. When he quoted from the Koran – as he did several times and always to applause – the allusions flowed naturally, without the slightest affectation. And the third is his skill as a communicator, which encompasses not just his formidable rhetorical gifts, but his ability to explain a complex message in such a way that it will be heard and understood. These qualities, which played such a large part in winning him the presidency, were displayed to full effect again yesterday.” (Leading article: Mr. Obama makes his case for a historic rapprochement, The Independent, London, 5 June, 2009)