The Pen Magazine 5 January/March 2010 by Erkan Eniştekin

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The

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Educational, Cultural, Quarterly Magazine

INVITATION to ISLAM

“Enlightening Souls”

Zuhd and Administration –Idris Tuzun

The Real Identity Of Women: Tasattur –Mehlika Yagmur

Principles of Islamic Invitation According to Risale-i Nur –Zakir Cetin

The Odd One Out Community In The USA: Muslims –Ahmad Gulenay

Interview: The Life Of This World Is Only Play And Amusement 48

–Hamza Berat

American Muslims –Munir Salih

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The True Invitation and Effective Representation

e are here with you again with a new theme in this very issue. “Invitation to Islam” We hope that the articles written by our esteemed authors will broaden the horizons of the readers. The Pen Magazine, improving itself in every issue, seeks the way of accurate invitation and effective representation in the fifth issue. What completes the “true invitation” or the most important matter that should be its result is “effective representation”. “Representation problem” is one of the vital questions that Muslims have today. This deficiency in question which can be recounted to explain as “Individual representation”, “social representation”, “political representation” and “global representation” both makes the Muslim world seem distance and encourages the anti-Islamic centres that notice that deficiency. To increase “true examples” and melt them in a pool will form societies with representation capabilities. Individuals who represent Islam not only need to know Islam but also to internalize it and be equipped with right and effective means. To train “concrete examples” and “speaking proofs” as well as altruistic individuals who know the principle of mudaraa (getting on well with those of other groups) is the most effective weapon against anti-Islamism. This is most important feature of the prophets especially our beloved Prophet (PBUH). To form societies that will display the true moral of Islam not only in discourse but also in action will make Islam a powerful attraction, and it will also counter the anti-Islamism. The magnificent invitation and conversion events in history only became possible this way. Bediuzzaman says the following concerning that point: “If we show the perfection of the truths of Islam by our actions, then the followers of the other religions will convert into Islam group by group.” The social representation power will transform into political representation sooner or later. The political representation can be possible only when you are successful in representation in every walks of life. When the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said “However you are, you are administered accordingly”, he gave a lesson about that factor to be formed in the background. The thoughts that did not prove successful

E D IT O R A. Cıhangır ısbılır editor@ thepenmagazine.net

in social life and which did not reflect in the people’s hearts and minds around the Muslim world are not possible to gain an effective representation ability. The global representation is dependent upon the development of a mechanism which will be accepted by everybody and represent Muslim communities and countries. We implore that may Divine Mercy open our way, eliminate the external and internal barricades before us, strengthen our unity and solidarity and amend our hearts in this way. The struggle towards the unity of the Muslim world is not only a threat to world peace and communities, but it is a respite and a need - it is a way out for the people who are crushed under ruthless tyranny of the international power centres. In order to attain this goal, strong, legal, well-equipped and effective umbrella organizations should be founded; and we should support cooperatively the invitation and structuring works which are appropriate to Islam’s essence of invitation. Today, particularly in the west, Muslims’ weakness of representation is felt every time and everywhere. The circles that search for interlocutors either apply to wrong representatives or cannot find any person or organization or this lack of interlocutors serve some ill-intentioned political actors in favour of their political interests. If “true invitation” is put into practice accompanied by effective representation, the foundations on which the anti-Islamism depends will be shaken to its roots. If Islam is reflective on life as a whole with true invitation and effective representation the foundations which anti-Islamism depends on shake. Thus, a systematic information campaign extending from nongovernmental organisations to the universities, from media to political establishments should be launched and accelerated; the ignorance and prejudice stemming from systematic disinformation should be removed. Now, we invite you to a journey through the pages of The Pen. We wish you health and welfare, may Allah keep you under his protection.

The

January / March

INDEX

Nothing but Adab!

The Eternal Fruits Of The Love For The Sake Of Allah –By Cemal ERSEN

–By Mustafa TOPOZ

Zuhd and Administration

Ask to Understand its Worth!

The Real Identity Of Women: Tasattur –By Mehlıka YAGMUR

Does the Qur’an Contain Everything? –By Feride KARAHAN

Is Coming Into Existence on its own Possible –www.askaquestionto.us

The Impact of Da'wah and Educational Thought of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi on the Muslim Youth of Malaysia

Principles of Islamic Invitation According to Risale-i Nur –By Zakır CETIN

The Odd One Out Community In The Usa: Muslims –By Ahmad GULENAY

An Abortive Initiation: A Necessary Engagement –By Selahattin OZEL

Questions on Miraj –By Cemaleddın SENER

Searching New Substance of Islamic Movement of the First Post Islamic Rise

When A Sun Set Down On Earth

The Morale (Akhlaq) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

–By Idris Tuzun

–By Muhammad Faisal ABDUL AZIZ

–By Ahmad SALEM

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THE

The Life Of This World Is Only Play And Amusement – Interview By Hamza BERAT

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YEAR: 3 - ISSUE: 5 - JANUARY / MARCH 2010 - 5€ - 5TL

Educational, Cultural, Quarterly Magazine

Republic In View Of Bediuzzaman

American Muslims –By Munir SALIH

INVITATION to ISLAM “Enlightening Souls”

Statement of the Secretary General of the UNIW on the occasion of the New Hijri Year

Zuhd and Administration –Idris Tuzun

The Real Identity Of Women: Tasattur –Mehlika Yagmur

Principles of Islamic Invitation According to Risale-i Nur –Zakir Cetin

The Odd One Out Community In The USA: Muslims –Ahmad Gulenay

Interview: The Life Of This World Is Only Play And Amusement 48

–Hamza Berat

American Muslims –Munir Salih

Year: 3 - Issue: 5 January / March The

56 57 60

News from UNIW How Do We Perceive Ourselves? –By Nader MEDEIROS HASAN JABER

The Garden Of Truths –By Zeynep EREN

Owner on behalf of Irfan Mektebi Yayincilik CAGLAYAN AVCIOGLU Editor-in-Chief A. CIHANGIR ISBILIR Editors BERKANT OZTAS SELAHATTIN OZEL FERIDE KARAHAN YUSUF KARA Responsible Manager GOKHAN OZDEMIR Translation Board IBRAHIM DILFIRUZ MUHAMMED IRFAN KORAY KAYA HASAN TAS ENSAR GÜMÜŞ Corrector SARAH KAYA Legal Board AHMET GULER Art Director ERDEM KOYMEN Photography Editor MUSTAFA YILMAZ Design O. GAZALI CAKMAK Tech Board ARIF AKTAS Orders & Subscription RAMAZAN UGUCU EMRULLAH SAKALAR Printed in FORART Yayinevi Tel: +90 212 501 8220 Head Office Halkalı Cd. No: 192/1 Sefaköy / ISTANBUL © All rights reserved. Articles from the magazine can be published in any other visual ways as long as the permission is given. Responsible of the advertisements are to the owners.

“O you who believe! Strengthen yourselves with resolution and prayer. Indeed Allah is with those who persevere in adversity.” —Qur’an, Al-Baqara, Surah 2:153

THE PEN is published quarterly. Contact PK 7 - 34290 Kücükcekmece / ISTANBUL Tel: +90 212 472 60 32 Fax: +90 212 696 13 86 Web www.thepenmagazine.net E-mail info@thepenmagazine.net The views expressed are those of the authors.

NOTHING BUT ADAB!

Nothing but Adab (propriety)! M. Akif GÜLER

If the acquired knowledge does not raise man to the elevated level of adab (propriety), embellish him with good manners, it means that knowledge hasn’t reached its very goal. Such knowledge accounts for nothing but making man guilty and responsible before Allah (SWT) and degrading him in the eyes of other people. ÐBy Mustafa TOPOZ m.topoz@thepenmagazine.net The

JANUARY-MARCH 2010

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NOTHING BUT ADAB!

here is a truthful saying, which probably has never been fully understood by anyone or its secret never discovered, which is: “I entered the circle of scholarship and desired the wisdom. Wisdom stood far away; it first demanded nothing but adab (propriety)!” Yes, adab is both earlier and later than scholarship. That is, adab is both the beginning and conclusion of scholarship. The result of adab is scholarship and the result of scholarship is the adab. It is known that there are three principles to set the essence of wisdom in a heart as related from the ‘Talimu-l Muteallim’ courses lectured during the late Ottoman period. First, one has to show respect and compassion for the teacher and the book, secondly, perseverance has to be obtained, and thirdly, permanent reading is to be done. One cannot be called non-believer just because he doesn’t perform his worship. However, when he disrespects or shows impertinence to worshipping and denies it, it is judged as he became a non-believer. That is to say, a believer may have deficiencies or flaws in his good deeds. But he is obliged to show respect to those deeds required by Islam although he may not be able to perform them through bearing a real consciousness of being Allah’s subject. Disrespect is an indication for hypocrisy. Imam Ghazali (rh) compares wahbi knowledge (directly from Allah, ilm al-ledun) and acquired knowledge (knowledge obtained through studying) with a story, and shows the superiority of wahbi knowledge as follows: Once upon a time, two artists – one of them Chinese and the other one being Roman – take on at the presence of a sultan. Is it you or me who is the better artist? Then the sultan says: “Here is an easier way. We will hang up a curtain between you; you both perform your art, and we’ll The

see which one of you is the better.” The curtain is hung and both perform their arts. Then, when the curtain is removed, they look at the Roman’s work. He has made a real-looking sculpture. Then, they turn their gazes on the Chinese’s work and become fascinated. This is because he has varnished the wall so brilliantly that the Roman’s work of art is reflected on the wall as exactly as it is. At this point the sultan judges that the Chinese artist is craftier. In the same way, the knowledge that is acquired through hard work and struggle can be compared to the Roman’s work of art. However, the scholarship that is reflected on the heart of Allah’s subject (wahbi knowledge) through good manners (adab) and purity of heart (varnish) is like the Chinese’s work of art. Allah the Almighty placed no natural limits or boundaries on the senses, emotions and faculties He had granted over mankind. Faculties such as reason, lust or anger are left limitless. Human can proceed in these areas without any restriction. Human is not confined with any innate restriction; whereas, a legal boundary has been placed on these limitless senses, emotions and faculties by the Qur’an and the Sunnah. In other words, Allah (SWT) puts a restriction for us saying, “You are authorized till this point but you don’t have any right or authority beyond that point.” Man naturally needs and is compelled to live together with other people, cooperate with them and look for his needs and rights in society. However, one can experience oppression, injustice and presumption in social relations. This is because some people are tended to be more cunning, greedier, more ambitious or lustier. In that case, unfortunately these shameful and undesired events can occur. The most disgraceful part which reJANUARY-MARCH 2010

sults in eternal sorrow is when man engages in presumption against his Lord. Man’s presumption in terms of worshipping is called “sin”. But if we pronounce presumption with belief, then it is called unbelief. Sins can be forgiven and erased by The Creator. But perversions and presumptions regarding faith will (May Allah save us) be responded with eternal torment. Because of the fact that no innate limitation has been determined on man’s faculties such as mind, thought or imagination, some people can transgress the legal boundary predetermined by Qur’an and sunnah and run at full speed in the valleys of heresy. By dealing with matters away from the circle of his boundary and right, he can go beyond the pre-eternally determined boundary and become an unbeliever. Mind and thought are limitless. It is the Qur’an and sunnah which set the principles and one can respect and obey this order through obtaining a way of conduct what we call adab. When a servant of Allah observes adab, he will certainly respect all the

Allah the Almighty placed no natural limits or boundaries on the senses, emotions and faculties He had granted over mankind. Faculties such as reason, lust or anger are left limitless. Human can proceed in these areas without any restriction. Human is not confined with any innate restriction; whereas, a legal boundary has been placed on these limitless senses, emotions and faculties by the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

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NOTHING BUT ADAB!

Ottoman calligraphy:

“Please, adab (propriety)!” - By Yusuf BILEN

rights. If he abandons adab, he will heed neither human’s rights nor his Lord’s decrees. Extremist words, daring cases, insulting behaviours, actions demanding torture, overreaching faults can emerge from him. Under all of these situations lays the lack of the lofty attribute called adab. The saying “Immoral person is detained from Allah’s mercy.” summarizes this reality most eloquently. In the 11th Flash of the Risale-i Nur Collection, Ustad Bediuzzaman gives us the definition of “adab” within the broadest frame as follows: “Adab in the sunnah implies being furnished with a complete adab within the boundaries of the names of the All Glorious Maker.” In other words, each and every one of Allah (SWT)’s names bears some requirements. The Adab exemplified in the sunnah is to adhere to the necessities of these names and to behave in accordance with what is required by these names. For example, the names of our Lord such as Lateef, Muzayyin, Hakeem, and Jameel require the created things to be nice, to hide their ugly sides and The

conceal their unpleasant aspects. So, we can imagine and think how suitable to adab is to fulfil the requirements of these names and display them in our attitudes. It can well be understood how shameful it is, both before Allah (SWT) and people, not to comply with the realities of these names. If the acquired knowledge does not raise man to the elevated level of adab, embellish him with good manners, it means that knowledge hasn’t reached its very goal. Such knowledge accounts for nothing but making man guilty and responsible before Allah (SWT) and degrading him in the eyes of other people. There is a strong relation between being people of presence and adab. People of presence are the ones who are always aware of being in the presence of Allah (SWT) and take heartfelt and spiritual pleasure from this state. Ustad Bediuzzaman makes the following explanation as to the second influential means for acquiring ikhlas (sincerity): With the JANUARY-MARCH 2009

glitters of a faith-based thinking which bring about recognizing and knowing Allah with all his names and attributes, the subject of Allah gains a kind of presence, and thinks that the Merciful Creator is present and watching over all places. So that he obtains ikhlas and saves himself from hypocrisy. Someone who in this way comprehends that he is in his Lord’s presence at all times and places shall start to obtain a favourable manner of adab. He struggles to take all his actions in the most appropriate manner as he is conscious of being in his presence. His adab can be read from all his daily courses such as sitting, standing, sleeping, eating, drinking, walking and so forth. That is to say, the result of adab is scholarship and the result of scholarship is adab. Immoral person may have some knowledge but not the scholarship. If he comes to have scholarship, then it also makes him an upright person. How happy are the people who are embellished with the ornament of adab by Allah (SWT). www.thepenmagazine.net

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ETERNAL FRUITS OF LOVE FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH

ETERNAL FRUITS OF LOVE A thousand years of a very happy life in this world cannot be compared to one hour of life in Paradise. And a thousand years of life in Paradise cannot be compared to one hour’s vision of the holy and endless beauty and perfection of Allah (SWT). So you are going to be honoured with this bounty as the result of faith in Allah and loving him in the world. ÐBy CEMAL ERSEN c.ersen@thepenmagazine.net

uman beings love many things such as first his self and relatives in the world. The most important duty of man is to love the world and creatures in the name of Allah. We should say for the beautiful things, “Allah created so well-orderly” and should not let any other kind of love enter our heart. This is because it is the place of reflection of Allah that is As-Samad and is particular to him. If all these loves are in the name of Allah, then they both are legal The

loves and will increase the love to Allah and will have great results in the hereafter. For example, the result of love for delicious foods and fruits besides offering thanks to Allah is, as cited in Qur’an, the delicious foods and fruits of the Paradise. Even, each word of “Alhamdulillah” that you say while eating the fruit will be presented to you as a heavenly fruit. You eat fruit here; you eat “Alhamdulillah” in the other world. JANUARY-MARCH 2010

As a result of the legitimate affection for his own personality; that is to say, not to see his own beauty but to see his shortcomings and to try to improve them and direct himself to goodness, the lovers that he deserves will be given to him in the Paradise. Now that person suppresses and directs his desires to right path for the sake of Allah, it was declared in many verses of the Qur’an that Allah, who is the Eternally Generous One, would give him hooris who are as beautiful as the heaven. www.thepenmagazine.net

ETERNAL FRUITS OF LOVE FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH

E FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH As a result of nurturing love for parents, children, his wife or her husband in the name of Allah, Allah who is the most compassionate of all, will present to that happy family a pure chatting joy in the form of an eternal reunion in a lifestyle worthy of Paradise even if their degrees in Hereafter were different. The result of love for good and worshipping friends in the world, as defined in the verse, is to sit together with his/her friend in the Paradise benches face-to-face chatting about their funny and sweet world adventures and memories and meeting and coming together without ever departing. The result of the love for the prophets and saints as the Qur’an describes is to benefit from their intercession in the grave and the

other world and benefit their lofty status in the hereafter. As a result of loving the world for the sake of Allah and as a grand mirror for reflection to his beautiful names, and as a field to harvest for the Hereafter, a paradise as wide as a world but not transient, an eternal world will be given to each believer in the Hereafter. And those divine names whose only slight shadows are shown in the world will be displayed in the Paradise magnificently. A thousand years of a very happy life in this world cannot be compared to one hour of life in Paradise. And a thousand years of life in Paradise cannot be compared to one hour’s vision of the holy and endless beauty

and perfection of Allah (SWT). So you are going to be honoured with this bounty as the result of faith in Allah and loving him in the world. Everybody consciously feels and desires to see distinguished personalities such as Prophet Suleiman who has a magnificent sultanate and Prophet Yusuf who has a famous, spectacular beauty. All the beauties and perfection of the Paradise, which are a thousand times loftier than all the beauties and perfection of the world, can merely be the glitters of the holy beauty and perfection of our Lord (SWT). Now think about how admirable a bounty it is, which is to be craved for with extreme love, desire and affection, and compare them… May our Great Creator grant us his consent and reach him being delivered from the veils. Ameen.

The

JANUARY-MARCH 2010

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ZUHD AND ADMINISTRATION

ªBECOME EITHER LIKE A STRANGER OR A PASSENGER IN THE WORLD!º

Zuhd and Administration “And do not stretch your eyes after that with which We have provided different classes of them, (of) the splendour of this world’s life, that We may thereby try them; and the sustenance (given) by your Lord is better and more abiding.” (Ta Ha, 131) ÐBy Idrıs TUZUN i.tuzun@thepenmagazine.net

uhd (Asceticism) means not to appreciate and enjoy the world and its properties. In many verses of the Qur’an and the ahadith of the Prophet, the love of the world is condemned, and the ones who do not love the world are praised. (Ustad Bediuzzaman says the love of world, which the Qur’an condemns, contains the lustful things and that it is not wrong to love the world for the sake of Allah.) It is ordered in the Qur’an: “And do not stretch your eyes after that with which We have provided different classes of them, (of) the splendour of this world’s life, that We may thereby try them; and the sustenance (given) by your Lord is better and more abiding.” (Ta Ha, 131) Since the love of world leads people to many sins the Prophet commanded as follows: “The love of world is the beginning of all faults.” “The love of world is the greatest of the big sins.” In another hadith he said “Become either like a stranger or a passenger in the world!” According to narration Allah said to the Prophet Davud (PBUH) “O Davud! If you love me get off the love of world from your heart! This is because love of me and love of the world do not come together in a heart.” The

THE ADMINISTRATION AND Zuhd (Asceticism) The Zuhd (Asceticism) is an Islamic trait. Every Muslim should adopt that trait, but the ones who lead and administrate the Muslims are to be more careful. Otherwise they will be the addressee of the following verse: “What! do you enjoin men to be good and neglect your own souls while you read the Book; have you then no sense?” (Baqara,44) The administrator who is keen on and greedy about the worldly JANUARY-MARCH 2010

pleasures and properties cannot be frugal. At the same time he cannot perform an absolute justice among the people whom he administrates. He treats the rich and high ranks preferentially. The leader should be frugal in using the public properties as well as in personal matters. It is not right to use the public properties prodigally or personally. The ones who do this are doomed to be blamed and held responsible. Ibn Khaldun explains in detail in his famous book ‘Muqaddima’ www.thepenmagazine.net

ZUHD AND ADMINISTRATION

what destroys the countries is extravagance pointing out that the extravagance he discusses about is not related to public but the administrators. Concerning this matter Ustad says: “Because of extravagance the consumers proliferate and the producers diminish. Everybody depends on the government in financial terms. Then the art, trade and craftsmanship which are the base of the social life recess. And that nation also degrades and falls to the poverty.

Kochi Bey says the following in his famous treatise: “The Sultan Sulaiman Khan realized the strength of army and the richness of the treasure and raised the adornment and magnificence of his sovereignty. Also, the Viziers and people (obeying the principle ‘the public adopts the religion (way) of the administrator’) became addicted to the adornment and magnificence following his path. In the course of time the situation was so worsened that the wages could not afford to buy the bread and then they began to descent into tyranny and The

infringement. Their condition was destroyed with tyranny and infringement” Every Muslim has his/her own share in the state treasure (bayt ulmal). In that respect the Muslim administrator does not have the right to use the properties in the state treasure arbitrarily. The administrator can use his properties as he pleases. However, if he uses the public properties for his personal interests or for unnecessary and worthless things, he infringes the rights of the public.

THE zahıd (ASCETIC) ADMINISTRATORS Ustad Bediuzzaman says: “The one who will be khalifa or sultan should be innocent like a Nabi (prophet) or should have an extraordinary zahid (ascetic) heart like Khulafat ul-Rashidin or Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz of the Ummayads or Mahdi of the Abbasids so that he will not be deceived by his soul. (19th Letter) Let us mention some examples which are matching with the view of Ustad: JANUARY-MARCH 2010

Khalifa Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said the following: “When I desire the world, I realize it causes harm to my hereafter. However, when I crave for the hereafter, I realize that it damages my world. Hence, I have preferred the transitory worldly life to be damaged.” “One day Khalifa Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) demanded sharbat of the honey (honey diluted with water), and they brought him what he wanted. Then, he said: “This is something good, but Allah thus commends condemning the pleasures and desires of a community: “You have exhausted your [share of] good things in your worldly life, having enjoyed them [without any thought of the hereafter]:” (Ahqaf, 20) What I fear is that the good things would be given us in advance in this transitory world.” Then he did not drink that sharbat of honey.” [Rezin] (Cem’ül Fevaid, c.5, 308, hn. 9603) Ibn Ebi Leyla, one of the greatest scholars of Tabiins told as follows: “A group of people from Iraq came to Khalifa Umar. Umar saw them while they are eating food in pride. He said to them: “O Iraqis! If I demanded the food that now you are eating to be prepared for me, of course I could do. But we give up what we want in this world to obtain in hereafter. Have you not heard that Allah (SWT) mentioned about a community as follows: “You have exhausted your [share of] good things in your worldly life, having enjoyed them [without any thought of the hereafter]:” (Ahqaf, 20) At one time Hasan al-Basri said: “Umar ibn Khattab addressed the Muslims in khutba in a dress with twelve patches on it when he was khalifa.” Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, who is the first mujaddid and famous as second Umar, led a life similar to that of his grandfather Umar Ibn Khattab. When he was khalifa the www.thepenmagazine.net

ZUHD AND ADMINISTRATION

cost of his cloths was just twelve dirhams. One of his friends relates the following: One day Umar came to Friday prayer late. When we asked the reason he said “the servant took my clothes, washed and brought them back late.” We concluded from this that he did not have any other clothes. Similarly, another friend of him tells the following: When Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz became khalifa he wept and said to me: “Are you worried about whether being khalifa would be dangerous for me?” I said “Do you love money?” Umar said “No, I do not like it.” Then I said “Then, do not fear! Allah (SWT) will help you.” THE CORRUPT ADMINISTRATOR EXPLOITING STATE PROPERTY FOR HIS INTERESTS The Prophet Davud (PBUH) used to make a living out of his effort and did not take anything from state treasure. Our prophet told about him as follows: “Nobody has eaten something better than the food which he/she earned with his/her hands. Prophet Davud, the apostle of Allah, used to eat food which he earned with his effort.” (Bukhari) It is narrated why Prophet Davud (PBUH) earned his life with his own effort as follows: When the prophet Davud (PBUH) became the king he would change his clothes and entangle with the people and ask them “What kind of a person is Davud?” One day when he changed his clothes in order not to be known by his people Allah sent down an angel to him in the image of a man. The prophet Davud asked him the same question: “What kind of a king is Davud?” The angel answered: “What a good worshipper he is. I wish he did not have a trait.” Prophet Davud asked curiously “What is that trait?” The angel answered “He makes his living taking from the state property. If he made his living with his own hands, his maturity would be complete.” The

Davud (PBUH) returned back and implored to Allah to teach him a craft to make his living. So Allah softened the iron for him. Davud (PBUH) began making his living by making armours from the iron. (Ibn Kathir, v.3, Kurtubî, v.14) Some of the Ottoman sultans adopted a profession and made their living by selling what their handmade products probably considering that kind of narrations. However it is very difficult both to lead a country and make his living performing another profession at the same time. If the administrator has already had a profession before being administrator and it is still sufficient for him, then he could be contented with it. If he does not have any, an average wage may be given to him from state treasure. When Abu Bakr (ra) became khalifa the companions assigned him a wage. Apart from his wage the administrator should not use the state treasure as if it belonged to him. The behaviours of companions and tabiins who were meticulous on this matter should be taken as examples. Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz is known for his meticulousness in using the state treasure. When he was engaged in governmental matters at nights he lit a candle which belonged to public treasure and when the candle were alight he did not do his personal works. When the governmental work ended he lit the personal candle for his personal engagements. At one time, the servants brought him water for ablution, warmed it burning some pieces of charcoal belonging to state but he refused to perform ablution with this water. Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz did not make use of the government’s postal service and transportation vehicles for his personal benefits; he used them only for public benefits. JANUARY-MARCH 2010

He commanded one of his officers to buy honey for himself and added not to use any governmental vehicles while bringing the honey. The officer brought the honey on the back of a mount which was used for transportational purposes. Umar asked him how he brought the honey. The man said that the honey was brought on the back of a mount belonging to the state. Thereupon, Umar commanded the honey to be sold and the money to be put to state treasure and said to the man: “You made the honey haram for us!” (Hilyatu’lAvliyâ, v.5) Nushirevan the Fair, Iran’s shah famous for his fairness, during a hunting activity, sent one of his servants to a village to bring some salt and told him “Take the salt in return for money. Otherwise taking something without paying its price may become a custom and that village might be destroyed because of that.” The people next to him: “What if a bit of salt taken without money? Does it cause any damage at all?” He said in response: “In the beginning the tyranny was little in essence in the world. Every person who showed up in the course of time added a little and finally it turned out to be today’s immense size of tyranny.” Sadi Shirazi, relating this story adds the following: “If a sultan eats only one apple from one’s garden without taking permission, then his men will rip off the tree with its root. If a sultan seizes half an egg unfairly, his soldiers will make kebab with a thousand chickens.” (Gulistan p.52)

Zuhd (asceticism) is an Islamic trait. Every Muslim should adopt that trait, but the ones who lead and administrate the Muslims are to be more careful.

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HAPPY AR E THE ONES WHO P UT T H E IR E V E R Y SE C O ND T O GOOD A C C OUNT !

Ask to Understand

its W rth!

ime is the most important capital of ours and a very precious bounty. It does not wait for anybody; it can neither be saved by anybody nor be transferred to others. Thus, happy are the ones who conceive the value of their limited number of breaths while they are still alive. If you are not satisfied with the answer, please ask those below: To understand the value of a year Ask it to a student who failed and had to retake his class

To understand the value of a month Ask it to a mother who had a premature birth

To understand the value of a week Ask it to an editor of a weekly journal

To understand the value of a day Ask it to a worker who works for daily wage

To understand the value of an hour Ask it to a driver who got stuck in a traffic jam

To understand the value of a minute Ask it to someone who could not catch his bus or plane

To understand the value of a second Ask it to someone who survived an accident

To understand the value of a millisecond Ask it to someone who gained silver medal in Olympics

THE REAL IDENTITY OF WOMEN: TASATTUR

THE REAL IDENTITY OF WOMEN: TASATTUR ÐBy Mehlıka YAGMUR m.yagmur@thepenmagazine.net

asattur (Islamic dress code) is the most constant and the most sacred divine law pertaining to the community life. As 350 thousand Qur’anic interpretations (tafseer) and 350 million scholars (‘ulama) agreed on this covering issue, all the Divine Books also agree on this matter. Women leaving their coverings seized by the European mindset, which does not fit with the honour of Muslim women, both distort their innocent natures and are lowered to the degree of toys by those dark powers aiming to destroy the moral disposition of society. Risale-i Nur does have a serious influence on women allowing them to regain their “innocence” which is their true fitrah (nature). Risale-i Nur treatises help women gain back their real identity by correcting their nature which has been distorted by the European so called sense of modernity. The major factor of the distortion of women’s nature is undoubtedly not to wear their Islamic dresses. Immodest dress and free-and-easy behaviour distort woman’s innocent nature which is incapable of doing evil. Thus woman while playing the most important role in beautifying the moral values of both family and society plays the reverse role and through being immodestly dressed she happens to be the source of immorality, indecency and obscenity. Unfortunately, some ignorant women are deceived by the committees which are working seriously for directing women The

to immoral ways by making use of them in order to gain wicked benefits. “Today’s sense of modernity made women leave their homes, lose their courtesy and lowered their value to the worthless degree. Orders of Islam invite them to the mercy, to their earlier homes. Their courtesy are there and their comforts are in their houses and in family life. Chastity is their adornment; sublimity is their good nature, purity is their kindness and beauty, the best perfection of theirs is compassion, their entertainment is their children. They must have strong perseverance in order to bear all the causes of mischief (fitnah).” (A Guide for Women)* “And so I decidedly state the following to you my sisters and my spiritual children: The sole means of saving women’s happiness both in the hereafter and in the world, as well as saving their elevated innate qualities from corruption is no other than the religious training given within the circles of Islam.” (A Guide for Women) Immodest Dressing Harms the Iman (Faith) In the Heart “Yes, it is narrated in the descriptions of old times that a tribe of soldiers consisting of women who were very good at fighting called amazons had been making fabulous fights. Precisely as the deviation of the unbelievers at this time, in their war against Islam, the most effective and terrified JANUARY-MARCH 2010

community which is under the command of the devil is the community of the women who are obscene leaving the proper, modest and decent veiling and true hijab by showing their legs. With their knife-like naked legs, they attack believers by assaulting them. Trying to close the door of marriage, enlarging the road to adultery, they are enslaving most of the believers and tearing their hearts and souls apart, and even killing most of those hearts.” (A Guide for Women) “It is understood from the narrations of the hadith that the most fearsome role played in the fitnah of the akhir-zaman (the mischief raised in the last time) is that of women and their fitnah.” (A Guide for Women) Damaging Impacts of Immodest Dressing on Family Life Marriage is a sacred institution providing man with social wellness, welfare and individuals with healthy and happy living conditions. Loyalty is the major principle for this marriage institution to continue, which is considered sacred in all divine religions. Covering and veiling (tasattur) is one of the most crucial evidences of the real love and true loyalty between the spouses. Obscenity and unveiling do serious harms to these esteemed values. As is known, the only tendency between man and woman is a law for the continued existence of new generations. Obscenity causes this divine law to be misused. A man may encounter immodestly dressed www.thepenmagazine.net

THE REAL IDENTITY OF WOMEN: TASATTUR

and obscene women at the outside and may find most of them more appealing and beautiful than his wife and he may like them. So, this tendency may be a start which could result in a “cheating” action. Also a woman may compare her husband with other men she would come across outside and tend to show her beauties and attract those she found likable. Yes, covering prevents these vulgar feelings and thoughts that destroy fidelity, trust, respect and love within the family members to a great extent; on the other hand, being unveiled and obscenity brings about such demonical feelings resulting in desperate situations. These immoral situations are tearing thousands of families apart, making children miserable, composing mentally ill generations and causing society to collapse both physically and spiritually. Sound solutions can be obtained only when women come to adopt authentic and decent way of covering.” What we mean by the “authentic and decent way of covering” is that the covering shouldn’t reveal the attraction and the beauty of a woman.

indisputably significant. Imam Said Nursi pointed out this issue in the treatise of “A Guidance for Women” as follows: “The welfare of a family is perpetuated through a mutual confidence and heartfelt respect and love between husband and wife. Immodest dress and obscenity destroy this confidence and also spoils the mutual respect and love.” (A Guidance for Women) Couples who don’t trust each other form unhealthy families. And unhealthy families cause problems for future generations. Fur-

thermore, another serious result of being unveiled is that it causes cohabitation without marriage. The main reason for young people to prefer an unmarried cohabitation instead of marriage is that they are unable to find a reliable couple because they don’t wear covering and with the fear that they may have an anxious family atmosphere. That is to say, being unveiled is a devastating impact made directly on the family, which is the most important fundamental of a society. Immodest Dress Causes Physically, Mentally and Spiritually Weak Generations It is demonstrated in Risale-i Nur that dressing immodestly and obscenity results in a weak generation not only in spiritual aspects but also physically and mentally. “Obscenity, by continually stimulating the fleshly desires of susceptible and sensitive people in hot countries, of course, is a cause of self-abuse and weakness in the generation and downfall in the strength.” (A Guide for Women) A Bloodcurdling Consequence of Obscenity Obscenity causes some people’s perverted manners having tendencies in sexual deviation to be unveiled. The increase of domestic sexual

Nowadays, ‘divorce cases’ are being filed every minute in almost every country in the world and ‘betraying one’s partner’ is the major factor of the divorces. The role of obscenity and unveiling in these cases is The

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THE REAL IDENTITY OF WOMEN: TASATTUR

abuse and violence is directly proportional to the increasing number of obscenity and the obscene publications. To be unveiled paves the way for stimulating these deviant senses and immorality. Imam Nursi explains the causes of this bloodcurdling situation which means humanity turns into bestiality in his treatise on tasattur as follows: “By nature, a man cannot have lusty desires towards his intimates (mahram) such as his own sister, because, the faces of the intimates (mahram) destroy lusty or sexual inclinations by reminding the compassion and mercy coming from relationship and intimacy. However; keeping certain parts of the body uncovered such as the legs which is not permissible to show even to those who are regarded as intimates (mahram) by the sharia (Islaic law) may arouse an extremely unpleasant and nasty feeling within wretched souls. Because the face of an intimate (mahram-one with whom marriage is prohibited such as sisters, brothers, mother, father, aunt, uncle) acquaints of the intimacy and doesn’t resemble to namahram (stranger) which means one with whom marriage is not prohibited. But naked leg is related to other parts of the intimates’ body than their faces. It doesn’t reveal any distinctive feature of the intimate, thus; it is possible to stimulate the bestial desires in some wretched intimates (mahrams-those with whom marriage is prohibited in Islam.) This kind of a desire is the bloodcurdling collapse of humanity!”

compassionate life partner that would understand and console her delicate heart and make her happy. Because she cannot find a suitable husband, she tries to fulfil this need with strangers; an unveiled woman loses her peace day by day. Bediuzzaman explains how obscenity decreases the value of woman as follows: The exact punishment of those knife-like dangerous legs exposed to the concupiscence desires of the strangers (namahram) for a few years, they will burn in the first place in the hell fire as the woods of hell and because of losing her reliance and loyalty even in this world, she can no longer find the

suitable husband whom she craves for and whom she needs by her true nature. Even if she finds, he will be troublesome to her. Moreover; it is comprehended from the narration of the hadith that in conclusion of this situation, females will be so worthless and valueless that in some places one man would be seen followed by forty women seeking refuge with him on account of the scarcity of males and abundance of females because of indifference and disobedience of the marriage at the last time (akhirzaman). (A Guide for Women) The dissipated civilizations of this time, by not accepting the covering, distort the real beauty of women and want to reflect only their outer and material beauty

The Unveiled Woman Cannot Find the Peace She Seeks European civilizations have imposed on women the fallacy that “they can only be free and happy when they are uncovered and unveiled.” But, unfortunately unveiled and obscene women have never been able to find the peace they desire in their lives. Because an unveiled woman loses her dignity and solemnity to a great extent, besides, she cannot find a The

JANUARY-MARCH 2010

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THE REAL IDENTITY OF WOMEN: TASATTUR

to the eyes, namely their femininity and obscenity. Owing to the indecent and immodest dressing, nowadays, when the word “women” is pronounced, “femininity” and “obscenity” come to mind. According to this point of view; an old and ugly woman who lost her beauty does not mean anything. But the true beauties of a woman, which are great an honour for her, are her compassion, her being an ever-lasting life partner, her self-sacrifice and her maternity. In this sense, only having a modest and decent dressing uncovers the women’s real beauties. Quite the contrary; being unveiled hides and hinders the real beauties of a woman and reduces her to a degree of an object recognized only of body and skin. “Along with being in accordance with woman’s nature, the Qur’an’s veiling command saves women -the mines of compassion and eternal worthy companions- from degeneration, abasement, what is in fact slavery and wretchedness.” (A Guide for Women) Tasattur (Being Covered) Is the True Modernity and the True Sense of Being Civilized At this time, wise Muslim women are preserving their dignity and solemnity by wearing the covering (hijab). They are preserving their coverings (hijabs), which is giving strength to their weakness, and they are preserving their value and preciousness. Thus; by perpetuating their most beloved beauty, which in reality lasts short, they show how smart they are in their movements and what a profitable trade they do. They also prove their high level of civilization, modernity and culture by not leaving the Islamic dress for the sake of so-called modernity of some corrupt societies, nations and individuals. This is because the term of “being civilized” doesn’t approve of harming the rights of society for some selfish pleasures The

and profits. Civilized women can willingly bear this temporary and slight difficulty for the sake of improving the morals and faith of the societies. It is definitely certain in the hadith that if that beauty is embellished in the circle of Islamic manners with the adornment of the Quran’s convenience, that mortal beauty will survive eternally and will be given back to her more adorably and more flashily than the houris (female spouses in paradise) have. (A Guide for Women) “And so I decidedly state the following to you my sisters and my spiritual children: The sole means of saving women’s happiness both in the hereafter and in the world as well as saving their elevated innate qualities from corruption is no other than the religious training given within the circles of Islam.” (A Guide for Women) “Along with being in accordance with woman nature, the Qur’an’s veiling command saves women -the mines of compassion and eternal worthy companions- from degeneration, abasement, what is in fact slavery and wretchedness.” (A Guide for Women) In short; nations having women communities who have left the modestly covering principle, are doomed to having moral breakdowns. Modest and decent dressing is an indispensable fundamental for the welfare of the individuals, families and societies. Any person whose conscious and mental reasoning is not dead can clearly fathom that the necessity for the covering is not dependent on Islam but on humanity. To be able to accept and affirm the necessity for the covering issue; surely there is no need to be Muslim, just being a human is enough for grasping that fact. * A Guide for Women, which is a treatise in Risale-i Nur Collection, written by Imam Badiuzzaman Said Nursi. JANUARY-MARCH 2010

“The welfare of a family is perpetuated through a mutual confidence and heartfelt respect and love between husband and wife. Immodest dress and obscenity destroy this confidence and also spoils the mutual respect and love.” (A Guidance for Women) www.thepenmagazine.net

DOES THE QUR’AN CONTAIN EVERYTHING?

Does the Qur’an Contain Everything? It is said that ªthe Qur'an contains everything.'' Could you explain this sentence? ÐBy Feride KARAHAN f.karahan@thepenmagazine.net

“There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry that is not in a clearest Book (the Qur’an)!” (An‘am: 59)

s understood from the verse, the Qur’an contains everything. But first and foremost, it must be known that the Glorious Qur’an is a Book of Worship. In order to address all levels of people, it uses expressions such as allegories and comparisons so that it can be generally comprehended. However; behind these expressions, as a result of the selection and the arrangement of the words, even of the letters; there are hidden infinite interpretations (resembling the infinite probability calculations in maths) and secret indications. The

Furthermore, everything takes place in the Qur’an, in various degrees and in terms of their values. For instance, a constitution gives place to every kind of issue that the government needs as main principles and basics but not in the way that each person can comprehend with no special effort. Likewise, everything concerning the man; the past and the future, whole branches of science and wisdom; and also the whole civilization wonders take place in the Qur’an as seeds and summaries. The Qur’an informs the man with them sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly. JANUARY-MARCH 2010

ªTechnology'' in the Qur'an The Qur’an gives us clues about the helicopters and planes which will be used in the air transportation to make people travel so easily to the farthest distances, by giving us the example of Solomon’s passage to the one month’s distance in one day by flying in the air. “And unto Salomon the wind (we made obedient)! (In such a way that) the morning-bound is one month (distance) and the evening return is one month (distance).” (Saba: 12) www.thepenmagazine.net

DOES THE QUR’AN CONTAIN EVERYTHING?

ªHistory'' in the Qur'an The Qur’an mentions a large number of historical events like Noah’s Flood which concerns the history of human. The historical events mentioned in the Qur’an include the destruction of nations, Noah’s Flood, the construction of the tower of Babel, the immigration of Bani Israel to Jerusalem, Sadd-i Dhulkarnayn, the birth of Jesus, the Arim Flood, Ashab al-Kahf, etc. ªFuture'' in the Qur'an “(Oh Pharaoh!) Today, we will give your (drowned) corpse deliverance (by throwing you to the shore) so that you may be a lesson to those who come after you!” And no doubt, most of the people are really heedless of our verses.” (Yunus: 92) The Qur’an indicates that the corpse of Pharaoh, who was drowned in the sea, would not decay, and would stay long for people to take admonition. The corpse of Pharaoh was taken to the United Kingdom after it was found among the sands on a little hill which is on the cost of Red Sea by an English Research group when the Suez Canal was being opened. Though it has been three thousand years after the incident, the body of Pharaoh is still in the form of Sajda and remains intact and is shown in the famous British Museum in London. This intact corpse obviously shows the future of those who deny Allah, for this world and for the hereafter. “...(Here is) a fair land and an indulgent Lord!” (Saba: 15) The Qur’an points out to Conquer of Istanbul which opened the doors of new events in the history The

such as Geographic Expeditions and Closing of the Middle Era leaving its place to the New Era. “Alif. Lam. Mim. The Romans have been defeated in the intimate vicinity (of Arabs by the Persians who were idol worshippers). But they, after this defeat of theirs, will soon be victorious (to Persians) within a few years (between three and nine years). The command is with Allah in the ahead and in the end; on that day, believers will rejoice with the help of Allah. He helps whomever He wills since He is the Mighty (whom His Power is superior to everything), the Merciful (whom He cares with the most compassion).” (Rum: 1-2-3-4)

“Beside him, a person, (called Asaf bin Barhiya), having knowledge of book said: “(In the time of) twinkling your eyes before it (your glance) returned to you, I would bring it to you.” (Naml: 40) This verse tells how King (Prophet) Solomon’s vizier brought the Throne of Balqis from Yemen city of Sana to Damascus. The Verse indicates both mobile phones & computers and transportation of audio, video and even transportation of objects via teleportation. Today, it has not happened yet; but, experiments are being conducted about transportation of objects which is pointed out in this holy verse. ªLiterature'' in the Qur'an

In this ayah revealed approximately 7 years after the heavy defeat of Christians.

“So proclaim that which thou art commanded, and withdraw from the idolaters.” (Hijr: 94)

Byzantine by the pagan Persians, it is pointed out that the Romans would beat the Iranians. If we look back at the history, approximately 7 years later than the revelation of this verse, around the Ninova ruins, the information of Byzantine Empire’s victory against Persian Empire it can obviously be seen that this came to reality.

Even though the deniers don’t believe, literary aspects of this Qur’anic verse made them prostrate. As is known that Arabic is the most perfect language among the world languages with regard to its supremacy in the way of rhetoric, literature and the fasahah (sound, rhythm and sentence structure.) For all the verses of the Qur’an, famous people such as Saqqaki,

The historical events mentioned in the Qur’an include the destruction of nations, Noah’s Flood, the construction of the tower of Babel, the immigration of Bani Israel to Jerusalem, Sadd-i Dhulkarnayn, the birth of Jesus, the Arim Flood, Ashab al-Kahf, etc. JANUARY-MARCH 2010

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DOES THE QUR’AN CONTAIN EVERYTHING?

Zamakhshari, Jurjani and many masters in the science of eloquence approved with consensus that literary aspects of the Qur’an is far beyond the reach of people. ªJustice'' in the Qur'an “And approach not the wealth of the orphan save with that which is better (to keep it and with the aim of doing good to the orphan), till he reach maturity. Give full measure and full weight, in justice. We task not any soul beyond its scope. And if you give your word, do justice thereunto, even though it be a kinsman; and fulfil the covenant of Allah (the word you promised). This He (Allah) orders you that haply you may take admonition.” (An’am: 152) Quite a few verses of the Qur’an point to some principles which should be paid attention in the welfare of one’s life. “For that cause We decreed for the Children of Israel that whosoever killeth a human being for other than man slaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. Our messengers came unto them of old with clear proofs (of Allah’s Sovereignty), but afterwards lo! many of them became prodigals in the earth.” (Maida: 32) As we understand from this verse, the Qur’an shows us the real justice, because the deictic meaning of this verse goes like this: “The rights of an innocent man cannot be cancelled even for the sake of the entire nation. Even a single individual may not be sacrificed for the welfare of all. In the compassionate respect of Allah the Almighty right is right; there is no difference between great and small. The small may not be abolished for the great. Without his consent, the life and rights of an individual may not be sacrificed for the welfare of the all. If he consents to sacrifice them in the name of patriotism then that is another issue.” (The 15th Letter-From the Genuine Ottoman Script of the Risale-i Nur Collection, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi) The

ª(Oh Pharaoh!) Today, we will give your (drowned) corpse deliverance (by throwing you to the shore) so that you may be a lesson to those who come after you!” And no doubt, most of the people are really heedless of our verses.º ÐYunus: 92

ªScience'' in the Qur'an “Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators.” (Al-Mu’minun: 14) In this verse, the Qur’an mentions the stages of the creation in the uterus respectively with the expressions (clot, clinging to the uterus), (little lump of flesh), (bones), (flesh). Today according to the discoveries of the modern medicine, the embryo in the mother’s womb, follows the order shown above, and at the beginning it is in a size clear enough to be seen by the naked eye but unclear to see in details. Bones take their shape in the future. “We have built the heaven with might, and We it is Who make the vast extent (thereof).” (Dhariyat: 47) For the first time since 1992, the model of expanding universe was supported and in 1929 this model was formulized. But the Qur’an had informed JANUARY-MARCH 2010

mankind about “broadening of the universe” 1500 years ago. “I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by Allah’s leave.” (Al al-Imran: 49) The Qur’an , by showing Jesus who opened the eyes of a blind man and resurrected the dead, points out that illnesses such as cancer, aids and even death are all treatable. “Reflection and Contemplation” in the Qur’an “...Thus Allah maketh plain to you (His) revelations, that haply ye may reflect.” (Baqara: 219) “...Have ye then no sense?” (Ya-seen: 68) “...Little do you reflect!” (Ghafir: 58) “...Lo! herein is indeed a lesson for those who see.” (Noor: 44) Humans have the ability to think and devise. In these verses, the Qur’an invites us to think about the humanity, the entire universe and its functioning and the divine wisdom of creation. Thus the Qur’an guides people by showing that there is no contradiction between religion and logic, wisdom and intelligence. www.thepenmagazine.net

DOES THE QUR’AN CONTAIN EVERYTHING?

ªNatural events'' in the Qur'an

His lightning all but snatches away the sight.” (Noor: 43)

The Qur’an points to many natural events such as rain, lightening, wind, the formation of night and day, periods of the months and days, the creation of the heavens and so on.

“Allah is He Who sends the winds so that they raise clouds, and spreads them along the sky as pleases Him, and causes them to break and thou sees the rain down pouring from within them. And when He makes it to fall on whom He will of His bondmen, lo! They rejoice…” (Room: 48)

“Have you not seen how Allah wafts the clouds, then gathers them, then makes them layers, and you see the rain come forth from between them; He sends down from the Heaven Mountains wherein is hail and smits therewith whom He will, and averts it from whom He will. The flashing of The

Rain has three stages; forming of wind, gathering of the clouds and emergence of the rain drops. The Qur’an revealed this fact fifteen centuries before today’s scientists who have recently uncovered these facts with the help of airborne radars. For more information please visit www.askaquestionto.us

“So proclaim that which thou art commanded, and withdraw from the idolaters.” —Hijr: 94 JANUARY-MARCH 2010

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IS COMING INTO EXISTENCE ON ITS OWN POSSIBLE?

Is Coming Into Existence on Its Own Possible?

Ð WWW.ASKAQUESTIONTO.US

“Beings are unconscious and unreasonable. If so; a superior Entity has created these unconscious but wonderful, wellequipped creatures with his all-encompassing knowledge (‘ilm) and infinite power and he operates the existence in an excellent harmony for highly precious goals.”

anging from the atoms to the stars an extraordinary harmony is observed throughout the universe. Two alternatives are in question for this excellent and harmonic composition’s coming into existence. The

It is bound to be said either “Each being even an atom has such an intelligence and brilliance much higher than human beings. Thus; each one is able know and see everything in the universe and has the complete power to compose this excellent harmony consciously.” or “ JANUARY-MARCH 2010

Beings are unconscious and unreasonable. If so; a superior Entity has created these unconscious but wonderful, well-equipped creatures with his all-encompassing knowledge (‘ilm) and infinite power and he operates the existence in an excellent harmony for highly precious goals.” www.thepenmagazine.net

IS COMING INTO EXISTENCE ON ITS OWN POSSIBLE?

According to the first alternative, will we accept that flour; sugar and oil have the intelligence and ability to make a cake on their own? Neither a piece of cloth has the intelligence so that it can sew a dress; nor do the paint, brush and toil have the intelligence to compose a painting. Even a child can understand that as a cake indicates and requires the existence of a cook; a dress also indicates and

elements created the water substance.” and did not think of the Creator, the Legislator and the Operator of all these laws, he would display a ridiculous ignorance attributing intelligence and consciousness to those elements (hydrogen and oxygen). Yet flower, water, electricity, sun and air are much more impossible to come into existence on their own than slice of cake, a dress or

while it is accepted as a base to fathom many invisible things. We as humans have, not only the wisdom (mind), but also hundreds of invisible emotions (like conscience) which are seeking Allah and desiring to fathom his existence. The victims of this materialist century ought to know that just as a book is appreciated through its meaning as a human being gains value through his spirit. (Without the spirit he is dead.) Physical material gains value through the spiritual meaning. The meanings observed behind the material are the attributes of Allah (SWT). The Universe is a kind of exhibition. All creatures are wellequipped artworks bestowed upon us and each one introduces us their creator; Allah (SWT). Earth is a factory; its engineer is Allah (SWT). Soil is a laboratory; its chemist is Allah (SWT). World is hospital; the doctor is Allah (SWT). World is a guesthouse; the hospitable host is Allah (SWT). Earth is a sanctuary; the worshipped is Allah (SWT). Bright objects on earth such as glass and water shine in the sunlight. Is each of them a sun having the heat and the sunshine in themselves or do they just get their light from the sun and reflect the sunlight? This means their brightness indicates the existence of the sun.

requires the existence of a tailor, so does a picture the existence of an artist. If a chemistry professor examining the water compound said: “The substance of water is composed of two elements: Hydrogen and Oxygen. These The

a picture. This is because each of their creations is a miracle. Eyes are to show us the physical materials, but wisdom is to show us the meaning behind these physical materials. If you realize, the wisdom (mind) is invisible, JANUARY-MARCH 2010

Brighter than the sun, every creature indicates that Allah‘s knowledge is all-encompassing, the Knower of all things and also indicates his unity, his names, attributes and his infinite power. So the people, who have not lost their minds and conscience, observe the attributes of Allah (SWT) with admiration and worship him. www.thepenmagazine.net

The Impact of Da'wah and Educational Thought of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi on the Muslim Youth of Malaysia

The Impact of Da'wah and Edu Bediuzzaman Said Nursi on th In the following pages, as the title of this paper suggests, we shall discuss especially about the life and thought of Ustad Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, the famous mujaddid and mujahid of modern Turkey. ÐBy Assoc. Professor Dr. Hj. Fadhlullah Jamıl* f.jamil@thepenmagazine.net

Introduction:

ach time the Muslim ummah faced with a setback or a socio-religious down turn, Allah the Almighty with all His blessings and grace sent the mujaddid (reformer) or mujaddidun (group of reformers) to purify and upgrade their iman (faith) for them, so that they would always be in the right path and attain success in their life. This has taken place in the past through the process of tajdid (renewal or purification of faith) which could be witnessed in history since centuries ago. In the following pages, as the title of this paper suggests, we shall discuss especially about the life and thought of Ustad Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, the famous mujaddid and mujahid of modern Turkey. Muslim World in the Late 18th Century: By late 18th century, the whole of the Muslim world had greatly declined. There was widespread decay and stagnancy in term of political power and intellectual development. The basis of this

whole decline was due more to religious decay, that is, the failure of the Muslim ummah in general to observe Islamic way of life. The teachings of Islam had been distorted and misrepresented. At the same time, there was mere taqlid (blind imitation), and the adoption of bid ‘ah (innovation) and tahayyul (superstitions), as a

He suggested that religious sciences should be taught together with modern sciences in modern schools. On the other hand, modern sciences should be taught together with religious sciences in religious schools. The

JANUARY-MARCH 2010

result of foreign influence and the sheer love of the world among the Muslims. Unfortunately, the Muslims in general had been affected by what we can term as the disease of al-wahn, that is, hubbud dunya wa qarihayat al-maut (love of the world and the fear of death) as Prophet (PBUH) had already pointed out in his famous hadith. This simply means that they want only to attain the pleasures of life (that is, to acquire ease and luxurious life) without caring for the halal (what is legal and permissible in Islam) and haram (what is illegal and therefore forbidden) and at the same time www.thepenmagazine.net

The Impact of Da'wah and Educational Thought of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi on the Muslim Youth of Malaysia

ducational Thought of he Muslim Youth of Malaysia refuse to make any sacrifices for the pleasure of Allah even to the extent of having to die in exchange for al-jannah (heaven) as Allah had promised. In other words, the Muslims had become materialistic in outlook and actions and wanting only short term success in this world without caring for true and lasting success that Allah had in store for them on condition that they did sacrifice for Him in their life on this earth. Bediuzzaman Said Nursi: A Sketch of His Life Ustad Bediuzzaman Said Nursi was born in 1877 in the village of Nurs, in the province of Bitlis in eastern Turkey.1 Within a short period of time, he was proficient in the Holy Qur’an, Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), oratory, dialectic, logic, rhetoric and theology. He even memorized the contents of a number of Arabic dictionaries and classical texts relating to theology and Islamic Jurisprudence. At the age of 16, he was already able to master al-Qur’an and the Islamic Law. Besides this, he took the opportunity to study modern sciences. It is reported that he studied all the available books on history, geography, mathematics, physics, chemistry, astronomy and philosophy.2 After having learned modern sciences, Ustad Bediuzzaman came to realize that neither the traditional (religious) education nor the modern secular education system introduced during the Tanzimat 1. Sukran Vahide, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi: the Author of the Risale-i Nur, Sozler Nesriyat San, Istanbul, 1992, (reprinted 2004), PP. 3. 2. Ibid., pp. 9. (Sarwat Saulat, Said Nursi, International Islamic Publishers, Karachi, 1981, pp. 8. ) The

era in Ottoman Empire could overcome doubts concerning Islam and satisfy human needs. He, therefore, proposed an integrated system of education where both of the streams should be merged together so as to overcome human needs and bring about really sound solutions to their problems. In other words, he suggested that religious sciences should be taught together with modern sciences in modern schools. On the other hand, modern sciences should be taught together with religious sciences in religious schools. In his opinion, such system would protect the modern educated students from faithlessness or becoming apostates, while the madrasah educated group would be rid of bigotry and fanaticism.3 The Da'wah Method and Educational System of Ustad Bediuzzaman: In term of da‘wah, in his early years, Bediuzzaman had resorted to debates and strong arguments much to the displeasure of his opponents. But later, he shifted more to persuasive and yet firm arguments through his writings. The most famous of his work is the tafsir, Risale-i Nur which has opened the hearts and minds of the intellectuals in Turkey to this day. In fact, the message which stresses on Tawhid and at the same time shows the relationship between science and the religion of Islam in a harmonious way has spread to most parts of the Muslim world 3. Ibid., pp. 9. (Sarwat Saulat, Said Nursi, International Islamic Publishers, Karachi, 1981, pp. 8. ) JANUARY-MARCH 2010

Through his writings, Bediuzzaman also had exposed the fallacies of nationalism and secularism, both the products of the decadent Western society. and even to Europe and America. Through his writings, Bediuzzaman also had exposed the fallacies of nationalism and secularism, both the products of the decadent Western society. He defended Islam ferociously and managed to rekindle the love for this great religion after it had been trampled by atheism and secularism brought about by the secular elite within the modern Turkish society. One important thing though, he (Bediuzzaman) had continued to link his scientific ideas to religion until the end of his life. This has made him somewhat special when compared to some other Muslim thinkers belonging to the great Islamic movements such as Ikhwan al-Muslimin or even Jama ‘at-e Islami of Pakistan. These two great movements had contributed a lot and are still contributing to the changes going on within the Muslim states of the contemporary world, despite the threat of secularism and liberalism of the West. However, they have concentrated less on the issue of the necessity to understand modern sciences as having important link with the understanding of religion, especially Islam. www.thepenmagazine.net

The Impact of Da'wah and Educational Thought of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi on the Muslim Youth of Malaysia

Hence, as we can see whenever the history of Turkey is taught at Malaysian universities, the role of Ustad Bediuzzaman is not forgotten, especially with regard to his struggle to uphold Islam within the secular environment of the Turkish society. The Influence of the Thoughts of Ustad Bediuzzaman among Muslim Youth:

Arabia, Libya, Algeria, Egypt and Iran vis-à-vis European imperialism (including Israel).

Through the efforts of ABIM’s activists, the thoughts of Ustad Bediuzzaman soon became known and studied within the academic circle at the Malaysian universities. For example, during the Academic Session of 1980/1981, this writer himself had taught the History of the Modern Middle East and also the Early History of Islam at the History Section, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang. He then introduced the history of the Ottoman Empire right up to the period of the modern Turkish Republic as part of the curriculum for the course, HHI 378: Dunia Islam Zaman Moden (later changed to Modern History of the Middle East). Other courses related to the history of the Middle East were also introduced by this writer. These were HSL: 342: Isu-Isu Terpilih Dalam Sejarah Asia – Asia Barat Moden (Selected Issues in the History of Asia – Modern West Asia) and JMS 316E: Sejarah Intelektual Islam (Islamic Intellectual History). Within this scope, he has discussed the role of Ustad Bediuzzaman in combating secularism and atheism and the trials and tribulations that the mujaddid had to face. Besides this, discussions were also focused on the general history of Saudi

Around the middle of 1983, Wan Jafree b. Wan Sulaiman, a teacher at ABIM’s school in Alor Setar , the capital of the Sultanate of Kedah in the northern part of Malaysia and also a close friend of this writer, had translated a book on the biography of Ustad Bediuzzaman into Bahasa Malaysia (Malaysian Language) for the first time.4 This of course helped the students following the history course taught by this writer to understand more about the thoughts and brave struggle of Ustad Bediuzzaman in modern Turkish history. Not only that, this same teacher also in his leisure time had conducted usrah and public lectures pertaining to the life history and struggle of Ustad Bediuzzaman on several occasions around Alor Setar and Kulim, another town to the south of Kedah. Up to this moment, this writer has been teaching the history of the Modern Middle East (West Asia) at the School of Distance Education, USM under the title of “Islamic Intellectual History”.

The

Hence, the students also have been exposed to the history of Turkey, including the episode on Ustad Bediuzzaman. In addition, 4. Wan Jafree had translated and published the book out of his own pocket money. JANUARY-MARCH 2010

Dr. Muhammad Hasrul Zakaria, a former student of this writer, is presently teaching the modern history of West Asia at the School of Humanities, USM. As part of his lecture, he is also involved in teaching about Turkey, involving the life history of Ustad Bediuzzaman. Furthermore, the history of Turkey and Ustad Bediuzzaman has also been taught at the Department of History, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur since late 1980s. The course on Middle East is now conducted by a close friend of this writer and also a former leader of ABIM, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ridzwan Uthman. Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Ustad Dr. Abdul Raoh b. Yaacob, from the Department of Arab Studies and Islamic Civilisation, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), had taught the same kind of courses before he moved over to University Brunei Darussalam, in the Sultanate of Brunei, in the year 2002. For example, we have such courses on the Middle East which also discuss about the contributions of Ustad Bediuzzaman, that is, PC 3563: Gerakan Islah di Dunia Islam (Islah Movement in the Islamic World), PC3583: Dunia Islam Abad ke-20 (Islamic World in the 20th Century) and PC6083: Aspek Sejarah Tamadun Islam Selepas Kejatuhan Baghdad Hingga Kini (Aspect of the History of Islamic Civilisation www.thepenmagazine.net

The Impact of Da'wah and Educational Thought of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi on the Muslim Youth of Malaysia

Wan Jafree b. Wan Sulaiman, Ustad Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Penerbit Wan Jafree b. Wan Sulaiman, Alor Setar, 1983. Mohamad Zaidin b. Mat, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi: Sejarah Perjuangan dan Pemikiran, Malita Jaya Publisher, Shah Alam, 2001. Fadhlullah Jamil, Islam Zaman Moden: Cabaran dan Konflik, Thinker’s Library Sdn. Bhd., Batu Caves, 1st Edition (1997) & 2nd Edition (2005). After the Fall of Baghdad Until Today (particularly designed for M.A. students)).5 In fact, under the supervision of Ustad Dr. Abdul Raoh, Mohamad Zaidin, a post-graduate student, had written a dissertation concerning Ustad Bediuzzaman, entitled, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi: Sejarah Perjuangan dan Pemikiran, Malita Jaya Publisher, Shah Alam, 2001. At present, the same course on modern Middle East, including Turkey and the life history of Ustad Bediuzzaman, is being offered at the Research Institute of West Asia, Department of History, UKM. Hence, as we can see whenever the history of Turkey is taught at Malaysian universities, the role of Ustad Bediuzzaman is not forgotten, especially with regard to his struggle to uphold Islam within the secular environment of the Turkish society. Meanwhile, some books and articles have been published in Malaysia pertaining to the history of the Middle East, including the struggle of Ustad Bediuzzaman and the history of modern Turkey, since early 1980s. The books and articles are as follows: Abdul Rahman Hj. Abdullah, Pemikiran Islam Masa Kini: Sejarah dan Aliran, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Kuala Lumpur, 1987. (The author was a student of this writer back in 1981). 5. Information was given by Assoc. Prof. Ustad Dr. Abdul Raoh in an interview in July, 1999. The

Fadhlullah Jamil, Islam Di Asia Barat Moden: Penjajahan dan Pergolakan, Karisma Publications Sdn. Bhd., Shah Alam, 1st Edition (2000) & 2nd Edition, 2007. Muhammad Abdullah Suradi, Lembaran Hidup Ulama: Warisan Ilmuwan Islam, Hijjaz Records Publishing, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, 2009. Elmira Akhmetova, “Books of Said Nursi banned in Russia”, Milenia Muslim, Julai, 2007, pp. 50 – 52. “Biography of Said Nursi (1877 – 1960)”, Milenia Muslim, Julai, 2007, pp. 52. During the last two years, Risale-i Nur has been studied at several usrah meetings around Bangi, a town somewhat close to Kuala Lumpur. This exercise is being carried out with the help of two representatives from Hayrat Foundation, Istanbul, based in Malaysia. Conclusion: From the discussion given above, we can conclude that the impact of the thoughts of Ustad Bediuzzaman can be seen, though somewhat minimal among the Muslim youth of Malaysia. The influence of Ikhwan al-Muslimin, Jama ‘at-e Islami and other da ‘wah movements from Indonesia is still strong due to the fact that JANUARY-MARCH 2010

most of Malaysian da ‘wah activists and their sympathizers are Arab educated and some few thousands of them had studied at al-Azhar, in Iraq, Jordan or Maghribi (Morocco), while others have strong link with Indonesian Muslims because of their study or cultural link that went on for centuries as they belonged to the same Malay ethnic stock. Nonetheless, until now, works pertaining to the life and jihad of Ustad Bediuzzaman have reached the Muslim youth as also the development in Turkey during the time of Milli Salamat Partisi and other subsequent Islamic oriented parties and now under the rule of the premier, Recep Tayyib Erdogan and his Adalet ve Kalkinma Partisi (AKP or Justice and Development Party). As for the ideas of Ustad Bediuzzaman on education and da‘wah, they certainly can be exploited a lot more as a means to overcome the secular and liberal trends within the Malaysian society. Although, up to now some efforts have already been done by Muslim scholars in Malaysia to bring natural and applied sciences closer to Islam, yet more will have to be done and in this aspect the ideas put forward by Ustad Bediuzzaman can certainly be used to boost up this effort. In fact, the philosophy of history too as commonly being taught in Malaysian universities and colleges will have to be revamped and new interpretation being given to it in line with the thought of Ibn Khaldun which is somewhat closer to Islamic interpretation of history. With all these efforts, it is hoped that Islam shall triumph over secularism and other ungodly tendencies in the near future. *Assoc. Professor Dr. Hj. Fadhlullah Jamil, History Section, School of Distance Education, University Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. www.thepenmagazine.net

InvItATION TO ISLAM:

"enlightenıng souls"

“Principles of Islamic Invitation According to Risale-i Nur” ÐBy Zakır CETIN mz.cetin@thepenmagazine.net

Invitation to Islam

INVITATION TO ISLAM

Invitation should be carried out in a way appealing to mind, heart and the feelings. Yes, Islamic invitation should not only convince the mind but also satisfy the heart. Besides being the nurture of the heart and giving spiritual benefits, it also should be a means of encouragement to do good deeds and a way to keep away from sinful actions by showing the distress and the difficulties in them.

adrat Bediuzzaman has described the activity of invitation according to the principles expressed in the verses of the Qur’an and hadiths. For me, the following are the most important ones of these principles stated in Risale-i Nur:

2. To explain the truths of faith from a viewpoint convincing both the mind and the heart.

1. To start with faith as it is the essence of the religion.

5. To set a good relationship with the people we invite.

The

3. To live what we say so as to make our words influential. 4. To act according to the principles of ikhlas (sincerity).

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6. To treat them with compassion like a mother to his child 7. To know our powerlessness and weakness and to know that only Allah can turn the hearts toward Islam. 8. To act by preserving the hope and encouragement of “Only Allah can affect people” www.thepenmagazine.net

INVITATION TO ISLAM

9. To be afraid of Divine punishment when we neglect and disregard the activity of invitation as it is a religious duty. 10. To carry out invitation activities in a way affecting the mind and the heart. We will try to explain the last one of these principles ‘Islamic invitation should be affecting the mind and the heart.’ Invitation should be carried out in a way appealing to mind, heart and the feelings. Yes, Islamic invitation should not only convince the mind but also satisfy the heart. Besides being the nurture of the heart and giving the spiritual benefits, it also should be a means of encouraging for doing good deeds and a way to keep away from sinful actions by showing the distress and the difficulties in them. As a result of his nature and creation, man is very scared of the punishment and torture to be applied to him immediately; besides, he would always and wholeheartedly prefer a benefit of the present to others to be given to him later. This is because grief and benefit are mainly related to the soul and feelings. Soul and feelings are addicted to present, cannot see the future. Just as man would rather many future sorrows and sometimes even death than experiencing the pain of a medicine or medical operation, he can also consent to a one-year punishment in jail so as to escape from the distress of a slap of the present. After all, it is because of this mentioned blindness of the soul that it chooses to commit the sins which look like poisonous honey and have momentary benefits. Based on this fact, if we ask people, “Would you like a spoonful of honey now or twenty kilos of honey five years hence?” the majority of them would prefer the spoonful of honey now available with the incentive of the soul and the feelings. The

In just the same way, some people give up worshipping, which actually resembles a healing medicine, just in order to abstain from the insignificant discomfort and distress caused by worship. Those wretched people do not consider that there is a neverending grief and torment they would suffer both in this world and in the hereafter as punishment for not performing that worship. They are accepting an absolute and everlasting torment and sorrow by avoiding a slight current distress. That is the extreme level of heedlessness. In an environment where most of the people live by Islam and socially preserve their spiritual purity, it may be enough to tell people the existence and oneness of Allah, encourage them towards worship through explaining them the existence of heaven and the bounties and blissful life along with it. Moreover we can tell of the pangs of the hell, which may be sufficient for them to abandon sins. Such a lesson may be beneficial for them because the soul, fancy and feelings are not strengthened by haraams and sins and cannot dominate the mind. But now, only one person out of ten or twenty could benefit from that lesson in the face of the obstinacy emerging from the habit of perversion, dissoluteness and immorality which arising from atheism and science. He too, however, says, “Allah is Ever-Forgiving and Ever-Merciful; He will forgive our sins, and the hell is too far away” and keeps on committing those haraams and sins. That is, the ones who are suffering from heresy can hardly benefit from that kind of a lesson. They can only take advantage of our lessons once we show them that the heaven and its joys contained in belief and worship can be felt even in this world and the hell and its torments involved in JANUARY-MARCH 2010

I n v it a t io n t o I s la m

How To Invite People to Islam

Help of Allah The most important factor in the success of our beloved Prophet (PBUH) is, of course, Allah’s help and aid. Allah (SWT) protected him constantly from his birth until death.

His Faith and Worship The Prophet obeyed and believed in the religion first himself, to which he invited people. He did this with great elaboration and was the best in every sort of worship. By doing this, he both provided a good sample and nurtured a feeling of trust among his followers. www.thepenmagazine.net

INVITATION TO ISLAM

blasphemy and transgression can be experienced in our lives. Yes, we may describe one of many truths of a Qur’anic verse to elucidate the matter. It is as follows: “Allah is the guardian of those who believe. He brings them out of the darkness (of unbelief) into the light (of belief).” (Baqarah, 257) Yes, unbelief and denial turn the death into a decree of execution for unbelievers. This is because an unbeliever doesn’t believe in the hereafter and the resurrection after death. Basically they have faith in the philosophical thought “humans come on the earth, live and pass away like plants”, so they regard death as eternal execution and nonexistence. However, as known by everyone, a decree which sentences someone to execution with no way of escape will certainly cause real-like distress and suffering to that person any moment he recalls the execution. That person will suffer as though he was being executed a thousand times a day. The joys, enjoyments, ornaments and property of the world cannot stop that sorrow and bring him wellbeing. In the same way, unbelief and denial not only show that death is the decree of execution for the unbelievers, but also indicate that it is a nonexistence for all his friends and relatives, all humanity, all entity, and even all the universe. As you know, man becomes happy with his friends’ happiness, while also feeling sorrow at their sorrows. An unbeliever, who constantly suffers from his nonexistence, suffers also from the torment of the nonexistence of his friends, relatives, all people, all entity, and the whole universe. It is as if unbelief fills up the universe with the sorrow of the nonexistence of all creation and releases it over the unbeliever’s mind and heart. As long as he lives, it makes him taste the torments of the hell due to his unbelief before going to the hell. It The

is a reality that unbelief has such consequences, and mind and heart cannot deny but accept it. So as to be saved from this dread and sorrow of unbelief and heresy, unbelievers and sinful people tend to indulge themselves in drunkenness and leisure in order to narcotize their minds and be freed from their minds’ assaults. Moreover, because reminding them of death means reminding them of every item of nonexistence that we have enumerated above, they take that reminding as the biggest insult. As belief, on the other hand, proves the existence of resurrection and hereafter through numberless evidences and proofs, it indicates that death is the sentence of deliverance from execution. It convinces the mind that believer together with all his friends, companions, all the humanity, even the whole creation and universe is not annihilated by death; on the contrary, death is means of gaining an eternal life and body.

Moreover, belief brings all those out of darkness and sorrow of annihilation and shows them the way to obtain the bliss and benefit of the light of eternal existence. So, the believer not only takes pleasure from his eternal existence but also becomes happy and content with all his relatives and beloveds having a perpetual life in this way. That’s to say, belief fills up the universe with the light of all entities and universe gaining everlasting lives and releases this light to the mind and the heart of the believer. It also makes him deserve the heaven and makes him taste heavenly pleasures and bliss as long as he is alive. Yes, as stated in Risale-i Nur, “Belief makes man into man and indeed makes him into king. Then, man’s most essential duty is belief and supplication. Unbelief, on the other hand, makes man an extremely powerless beast.” An unbeliever has no power; however, despite the fact that he cannot withstand cases like hunger, thirstiness and death, the unbeliever, like a monster to kill an innocent animal, rebels first

IMPORTANCE OF

GOODNESS AND P Abu Said al-Khudri: “I heard that the prophet (PBUH) spoke thus: “Whoever of you sees an evil (banned in our religion) should correct it with his hand (instead of being beholder). If he is not able to do this, he should correct it through speaking. If he is not able to do this, too, he should bear grudge with his

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www.thepenmagazine.net

INVITATION TO ISLAM

against his Creator and transgresses people’s and many animals’ rights. Showing everyone of sound mind that there is the sorrow of the hell and its torments within in unbelief and heresy themselves besides proving that there are worldly benefits as well as heavenly pleasures contained within belief and worship, Risale-i Nur, based on those principles, is a means originated from the Holy Qur’an for those who still maintain their minds to be saved from that unbelief and indulgence. Especially, it will be seen that the existence of the hereafter is proved as certainly as ‘two times two makes four’ if you see treatises of Tenth Word and Twenty Ninth Word in Risale-i Nur Collection. Therefore, belief in Allah bears the seed of Tuba Tree of Paradise in that it makes the believer gain the Paradise. For sure, it stands for the seed for the Heaven, resides in believer’s heart as the Heaven and makes him taste the pleasure and bliss of the Heaven even in this world. However, unbelief will end up with the Hell as

it conceals the seed of Zakkum Tree of Hell containing the Hell in it and making the unbeliever experience the Hell and its grievous torments and suffering in his heart. While conveying the truths of belief and Islamic issues, Risale-i Nur, in accordance with the aforementioned criteria, not only convinces people’s minds but also gives the heart and spirit the needed spiritual pleasure. It also affects the soul for it to be trained. Rather, it satisfies man’s all feelings through the spiritual power it receives from the Qur’an as it is an interpretation of the Qur’an. As Hadrat Bediuzzaman says, “The grief is mine and the remedy is Qur’an’s.” Consequently, each of the Risale-i Nur potions is a remedy for our distresses. Oh Allah! Make us love belief and make it our hearts’ ornament. Give us hatred towards rebellion against you and indulgence and keep us away from them. Amin for the sake of the Lord of the Prophets.

F INVITATION TO

PREVENTING EVIL heart. And the last one is the weakest degree of the faith.” (Muslim, Tirmidhî, Nasai, Ibn Mace)

Zerre bint Abu Lahab reported the following:

“The one who does not show affection for the young, show respect for the elderly, invite to goodness and prevent the evil is not one of us.” (Ahmad,

(One day) I asked “O Messenger of Allah! Who is the best of the people?” He answered “He is the one who fears the most from Allah (SWT), who visits the most his kinsfolk, who orders the good and prevents the evil.”

Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban)

(Abu Shaykh, Bayhaki)

Ibni Abbas reported that our prophet said the following:

The

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I n v it a t io n t o I s la m

How To Invite People to Islam

His Good Manners and Morale His gaining the love and trust of people by his seriousness, geniality, mildness, modesty, kindness, asceticism, patience, forgiveness and all his good morale made many people believe him and adhere to his religion.

His Prophethood The perfection and content of the Qur’an and orders which he brought from Allah to humanity attracted and convinced the minds, hearts and souls. www.thepenmagazine.net

THE ODD ONE OUT COMMUNITY IN THE USA: MUSLIMS

While some democrats started to get suspicious about whether these speeches are being prepared by someone else, some turned out to be military experts and said that the decision of deployment was necessary. Ironically just 9 days later, Obama delivered one more speech and this time it was for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. No, I didn’t see a sign of shame on his face. ÐBy Ahmad GULENAY – USA a.gulenay@thepenmagazine.net

o doubt, the life became harder for Muslims after 9/11. Meanwhile, the raising conspiracy theories about it (the very well known one is coded with the term “Inside Job”) and the actions of the Bush administration in Iraq, despite the fact that there were no nuclear weapons, cooled down the pressure over Muslims. Since then, a small amount of packed actions has been served to the attention of people in order to remind them how dangerous the Muslims are. On the 5th of November, an army psychiatrist fatally shot 12 men dead and wounded 38 in Fort Hood (Killeen TX), one of the biggest military bases in US. Surprisingly! the guy who killed these soldiers was a Muslim whose name is Nidal Malik Hasan. Although it is claimed that several soldiers were involved in the shooting, we have no chance to know what actually happened there. According to the other soldiers Malik Hasan had been continuously arguing with his friends about a possible deployment to Afghanistan, saying that the new president Mr. Hope would never go for that kind of decision. The obvious bright side is he didn’t witness the huge disappointment that we experienced. Roughly a month later after the Fort Hood incident, Obama delivered a speech in a military base and announced the deployment of troops to Afghanistan. Regardless of political view, there is a consensus that his speech was no different than a Bush speech; it consisted The

a lot of national security and emphasized and in fact focused on 9/11 and of course he had to say these men, who claimed to be responsible for the 9/11 attacks, were Muslim although he expressed his personal feelings about Islam by saying that it is one of the greatest religions in the world (appreciation). While some democrats started to get suspicious! that whether these speeches are being prepared by someone else, some turned out to be military experts and said that the decision of deployment was necessary. Ironically just 9 days later, Obama delivered one more speech and this time it was for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. No, I didn’t see a sign of shame on his face. Right after that speech, I was listening to a local radio talk which was about the future of Afghanistan. In the middle of the show the programmer said: “well these Islamic extremists see us as infidels either to be converted to Islam or to be killed but they are not just in Afghanistan, they are everywhere so what to do with them?” now that is the exact phrase that they want to put into the people’s minds. A Muslim just like Malik Hasan might be seemed as a normal guy. But sooner or later, when there is no hope for conversion, he is going to murder you. But what if people take this as an extra-ordinary case considering the fact that they do add the word ‘extreme’ near Islam? JANUARY-MARCH 2010

Yet again, On December 25th, Umar Farouq Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian national, tried to explode a plane up in the air. The plane took off from Amsterdam, which has one of the most secure airports in the world. And the story goes on as you can guess, extremist ties, Al-Qaida and so on. There is no need to scratch your head and think that what could actually happen in these incidents. Instead, I want you to look at the big picture. Two very much Muslim names in two bad events and a president, who gained liberal and surely some Muslim votes, giving a second 9/11 speech. Here is the end of the story; as a Muslim, when you present your driving license (which of course has a Muslim name on it such as Umar Farouq) in a bank, in a grocery store, in Wal-Mart, in Blockbuster or to a Police Officer just before getting your ticket, if you started to notice weird expressions on the faces and feel that you are being treated differently (implying that you are a potential terrorist), it is the day that you are no longer accepted in the community and that is what they have been trying to do. We already live this in the airports at the security check points. “Sir! You have been selected for additional screening”. Based on what? Anyway, We already know the answer, don’t bother… www.thepenmagazine.net

AN ABORTIVE INITIATION: A NECESSARY ENGAGEMENT

An Abortive Initiation: A Necessary Engagement Actually, an engagement between the USA and the Muslim world is really necessary, but first of all, America should build this policy on sincere and stable foundations and convince American public opinion. To do this, they can begin by changing the direction of the mainstream media and the Hollywood cinema industry. ÐBy Selahattin OZEL s.ozel@thepenmagazine.net in Iraq and globally so called “war on terror” caused them to search a way out of this mess. In that context, Obama’s election as a new president was a new chance.

fter the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York city, the radical posture adopted by American administrators towards the Muslim world was the beginning of a too tiresome, frustrating and difficult process for Muslims. In the wake of the attacks what the USA did was to wage two wars, the first one was against Afghanistan and backed up by the international community and the other one was against Iraq and was an illegal war in terms of being appropriate to the international treaties. During these notorious wars America violated basic human rights many times and needless to say killed many Muslims. Due to the terrorist activities of a bunch of al Qaeda fanatics, the USA launched a witchThe

hunt across the world, aiming to capture those so called “Islamic terrorists”. A holy war was waged against an unseen enemy, and the worst, the international community was enforced to take side in that controversial fight. Using the words “Islam” and “Muslims” with the words “terrorist”, “radical”, “extremist”, “fanatic”, and lastly “Islamofascist” side by side constantly in the same speeches led people to identify Islam and Muslims with terrorism naturally. Many poll results show that none of the Americans know anything good about Islam. Uttering the words “Guantanamo” and “Abu Ghraib” and remembering the sufferings of Muslims living in western countries may be enough to understand the growing hate and rage of Muslim communities against America. America’s failure JANUARY-MARCH 2010

Emile Nakhleh, former CIA director of political Islam department, proposes a plan for an effective public diplomacy to change and develop relations with the Muslim world in his book “A Necessary Engagement: Reinventing America’s Relations with the Muslim World”. By this public diplomacy he says the USA aims to win the hearts and minds of Muslims which requires a long and exhausting work, and he states that the success of such an effort will be slow in coming, incremental, and hard to measure, and finally he adds that the current low standing of the United States in most Arab and Muslim countries can be reversed. Nakhleh argues in his book that effective public diplomacy must be a unified effort pursued at federal government level, driven by a presidential declaration that reaches out to Arab and Muslim publics. Emile Nakhleh was one of those who prepared Obama’s Cairo speech. It was possible to see the cues of his thesis in speech. After being elected, Obama’s first messages and visits to the Muslim world carried the indicators of this new policy towards the Muslim world. But to be happy seeing only a couple of good intended messages www.thepenmagazine.net

AN ABORTIVE INITIATION: A NECESSARY ENGAGEMENT

may not suffice for the Muslims who have been for a long time under negative influence of media and the USA government. Firstly, since the beginning there was always adequate material for those who are pessimistic about Obama administration. In spite of his opposition to war in Iraq his eagerness to shift the place of war to Afghanistan and his talking about bombing there enthusiastically was underlined by watchful observers. Unfortunately his West Point speech and demand for deployment of thirty thousand troops to Afghanistan strengthened Muslims’ doubts about Obama. By the way, being given the 2009 Nobel peace prize to Obama through drums of war surprised many people. Besides, the pretentious shutting down Guantanamo prison cannot hide the reality of existence of tens of similar. What will happen to them? Who will sweep away the mess in these places? Anyway, whether Obama is well-intentioned or not, the notorious weapon lobby in America will not let an easy policy shift without a hard squabble. In that point the conspiracy theories begin to work. We do not know yet its real nature but the incidents like the Fort Hood attack will deteriorate the

The

policy which Nakhleh talks about and strengthen all the falcons such as neo-cons, republicans as opposition, evangelicals, weapon lobby and the fanatic Israeli lobby. If you think that I am exaggerating, then ask the people who recently travelled to America by plane. The passengers face security measures which they have never seen even after 9/11. The reason for these measures is a 23 year-old Muslim from London who was caught while nearly about to set off the explosive embedded in his underwear when the plane set off for the Detroit airport in the USA. After this event American commentators said not to be surprised if the nationality law which was limiting the basic human freedom and rights and was enacted after 9/11 is more aggravated. Actually, an engagement between the USA and the Muslim world is really necessary, but first of all, America should build this policy on sincere and stable foundations and convince firstly the American public opinion. To do this, they can begin by changing the direction of the mainstream media and the Hollywood cinema industry.

JANUARY-MARCH 2010

“A Necessary Engagement” Author: Emile A. Nakhleh Publisher: Princeton University Press

Who is

Emile Nakhleh? Dr. Emile A. Nakhleh served in the CIA for 15 years and retired on June 30, 2006, as the Director of the Political Islam Strategic Analysis Program, the intelligence community’s premier group dedicated to the issue of political Islam. His research has focused on political Islam, political and educational reform, regime stability, and governance in the greater Middle East. Nakhleh was awarded several senior intelligence commendation medals, including the Director’s Medal and the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. While at the CIA, Nakhleh briefed the “highest policymakers”—he is not allowed to identify them by name—on issues related to the war on terrorism. In 2002, he travelled to the Guantánamo Bay prison and interviewed numerous detainees over the course of an 11-day stay. Before joining the CIA he worked as a university professor for a quartercentury and in that capacity travelled widely in the Arab world, including Iraq. http://www.harpers.org/

www.thepenmagazine.net

QUESTIONS ON MIRAJ

Questions 1 on Miraj

JANUARY-MARCH 2010

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QUESTIONS ON MIRAJ

uestion: When and how did Miraj happen?

Answer: The miracle of Miraj happened on the 27th night of month of Rajab, half and a year before migration when RasulAllah (the Apostle of Allah) was in Mecca. That night Gabriel (PBUH) took the Apostle of Allah with a Heavenly mount named Buraq and brought him first to Jerusalem (Al-Quds), to Masjid al-Aqsa. This part of the journey is called Isra meaning nocturnal walking. After he performed prayer as an imam to the souls of all the Prophets (peace be upon them all) here, he was ascended to the heaven, passed through the seven layers of heavens, saw the Hell and the Paradise and the Sidrat al-Muntaha, and then left behind all the universe passing through the Arsh A’la (the Sublime Throne) and met with Allah without any barriers in a place called Qa’b Qawsayn (the distance of two arches) and saw his infinite beauty (Jamal) and heard his word and was honoured to have a conversation with him. He returned back from this long journey all of a sudden. Question: Is the miracle of Miraj told explicitly in Qur’an? Answer: The Surah al-Isra begins with a verse telling the first part of the Miraj journey that is the one which is till the Jerusalem in this way: “Glory be to Him Who made His servant to go on a night from the Sacred Mosque to the remote mosque of which We have blessed the precincts, so that We may show to him some of Our signs” 2 Because of this quite obvious expression in the verse, Muslim scholars have said that if someone denies the Isra, that is the Prophet went to Masjid al-Aqsa overnight, becomes an infidel (qafir). This is because this denial means rejection of the Qur’an. When it comes to ascent to Miraj, it is told in the Qur’an, Surah The

Through Miraj, our Beloved Prophet (PBUH) got to know Allah, who is sultan of universe, in the highest level and understood the divine purposes for which He created that universe. al-Najm with those verses: “that [which he conveys to you] is but [a divine] inspiration with which he is being inspired. something that a very mighty one has imparted to him: [an angel] endowed with surpassing power, who in time manifested himself in his true shape and nature, appearing in the horizon’s loftiest part, and then drew near, and came close, until he was but two bow-lengths away, or even nearer. And thus did [God] reveal unto His servant whatever He deemed right to reveal. The [servant’s] heart did not give the lie to what he saw:”3 Since the name of our Prophet (PBUH) is not clearly uttered and the matter is obscure to an extent in those verses, Muslim scholars have said the ones who deny the miracle of Miraj are not infidel (kafir) but they become ahl al-bid’a (Muslims who follow other than the doctrines and practices of Ahl al-Sunnah). Question: How can we prove the miracle of Miraj in the face of a non-believer? Answer: The miracle of Miraj can’t be proven on its own to non-believers, who do not recognize the basic tenets of faith. This is because the miracle of Miraj can’t be told to ones who do not know Allah and the Prophets and do not recognize the angels or deny the existence of the heavens. First the pillars of faith should be proven and then the miracle of Miraj should be built on these pillars. Ustad Bediuzzaman, following this method in Miraj treatise, has proven the miracle of Miraj which is difficult to conceive in such a decisive manner that even a non-believer can accept.4 JANUARY-MARCH 2009

Question: What is the reality of Miraj? What should we understand mentioning the Miraj concept? Answer: Miraj is a spiritual journey in which our beloved Prophet (PBUH) ascended through spiritual modes and maturity (kamalat) manners. That is, it is not an ordinary journey but a spiritual progression and ascension. Almighty Allah (SWT) has shown to his messenger whom he sent as a mercy to the all realms, the centres of His sovereignty in the seven heavens and Asma al-Husna (His Most Beautiful Names) which were manifested there. All those manifestations that he witnessed boosted all the potential in his blessed soul and he was exposed to all those Names reflected on the universe to a degree. So, to be the recipient of manifestations of Most Beautiful Names of Allah at utmost level is the mystery of Miraj al-Ahmad (Miraj journey of Prophet Ahmad (PBUH)) 5 He progressed spiritually and gained an ability to meet and speak to Allah without any barrier and he became the recipient of the limitless beauty and the address of Allah, who is the Lord of Realms, in Qa’b Qawsayn (two bows far) leaving the entire universe behind. Through Miraj, our beloved Prophet (PBUH) got to know Allah, who is the sultan of the universe, in the highest level and understood the divine purposes for which He created that universe. Thus, he returned back having been equipped perfectly with all information and knowledge needed for the prophethood task which pertains to the entire universe.6 www.thepenmagazine.net

QUESTIONS ON MIRAJ

MIRAJ

received his decree, and returned to his duty. It was possible it could happen, and it did happen.”10 Question: Even though Allah the Almighty is closer than everything, why did Prophet Muhammad take such a long distant journey?

QUDS IS

Answer: Ustad Bediuzzaman responds this question in this way:

MECCA

Question: According to the Ahl al-Sunnah school of Islamic belief, Allah is free from being in a place and direction. Regarding Miraj journey, does it not sound as if Allah had stayed in a specific place and direction? Answer: No, it does not. Allah Almighty is free from place, directions and being similar to His creatures. As stated in the Qur’an, Allah is closer to man than his neck-vein.7 Yet, as it is stated in hadith there are seventy thousands curtains between Allah and his worshippers. That is, although Allah is closer, the worshippers are barred with curtains. So Miraj is a journey that was held not because Allah was there but because the Prophet ought to transcend those seventy curtains and gain the ability to meet with Allah. People of the paradise will see Allah’s limitless beauty and become the interlocutors to His address when the curtains are lifted. However, pointed out by the hadith: “the roof of the paradise is the Arsh”, the paradise is under the Arsh (the throne).8 The Muslim scholars have declared that this meeting in the Paradise will happen without place and direction. In short, Allah Almighty is neither in a place beyond the Arsh nor in the The

Paradise. He is closer to everything than everything is close to itself and free from the place in a way that we cannot conceive and comprehend. Question: Did the beloved messenger (PBUH) see Allah in the night of Miraj? Answer: It is an absolute and doubtless truth that the beloved Messenger (PBUH) saw Allah Almighty that night. Even if some of the earlier Muslim scholars have said the contrary, the scholars of later eras such as Imam Ash’ari, Abd al-Qadir Jilani, Imam Rabbani, Taftazaani, Mawlana Khalid Baghdadi, Imam Nawawi, who are the seniors of the Ahl al-Sunnah, are unanimous that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) saw Allah (SWT). Nawawi said the following: “According to most of the scholars, the Prophet (PBUH) saw his Lord.9 Ustad Bediuzzaman has explained the reality that the beloved Messenger (PBUH) saw Allah the Almighty that night of Miraj with those words in the Miraj Treatise: “He was honoured with Divine converse and favoured with the vision of Divine beauty, JANUARY-MARCH 2010

“Allah the Almighty is closer to everything than any other thing. But everything is infinitely distant from Him. For example, if the sun possessed consciousness and the power of speech, it would be able to converse with you by means of a mirror held in your hand. It would have power of disposal over you as it wished. Rather, although it would be closer to you than the pupil of your eye, which is like a mirror, you would be approximately four thousand years' remote from it and could in no way draw closer to it. If you progressed and rose to the position of the moon and came to the point of being face to face with it, you would still only be able to be a sort of mirror to it. In the same way, although the All-Glorious One, Who is the Sun of Pre-Eternity and Post-Eternity, is closer to everything than anything else, everything is infinitely distant from Him. (…) For example, a private is far beneath the rank of the commander-in-chief. He looks to his commander through the small sample of his commander's rank he sees in his corporal at a great distance and beyond many veils, as it were. To attain the true proximity to his rank through his corporate personality the private has to pass through many universal degrees or ranks, like that of lieutenant, captain, and major. Whereas the commander-in-chief can be present with the private, and seeing, in person as well as in meaning, through his commands, regulations, view, decree, and knowledge.11 www.thepenmagazine.net

QUESTIONS ON MIRAJ

Besides, this following verse points that the earth and the ones in it do not have the capability to bear to the manifestation of Allah without curtains: “And when Musa came at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said: My Lord! Show me (Thyself), so that I may look upon Thee. He said: You cannot (bear to) see Me but look at the mountain, if it remains firm in its place, then will you see Me; but when his Lord manifested His glory to the mountain He made it crumble and Musa fell down in a swoon”12 Commenting on this verse, Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır (an interpreter of the Qur’an) says: “It can be concluded that Prophet Musa could not bear and fainted because of being exposed to an direct manifestation of Allah which happened through a mountain. If there had been a complete and absolute manifestation (if Allah’s personality could be seen) the entire world and perhaps all the universe would have been annihilated.”

Allah Almighty is not in a place beyond the Arsh as well as He is not in the Paradise. He is closer to everything than everything is close to itself and free from the place in a way that we cannot conceive and comprehend. took a step to the farthest distance one’s eyes can see.13 Question: Why did the beloved Prophet (PBUH) ascend with his body instead of doing it spiritually as awliya (saints) do?

In short, we can say that the beloved Prophet (PBUH) was ascended to the Miraj to attain a post which would enable him to meet Allah (SWT) without barrier and to be shown the realms which were related to his prophethood task.

Answer: The human body is a vehicle for the human spirit to fulfil its many tasks. If the Prophet (PBUH) would ascend to Miraj in order to see, hear and witness the perfect signs and works of Allah’s sovereignty in the heavens, the best and impeccable way of reaching this goal is to bring the body, eyes and ears as well as the spirit. The divine wisdom makes the body accompany the spirit in the paradise because the spirit works best and fulfils its meaning when it is together with the body. Based on the same reason, Prophet’s ascending to the Miraj with his body is the perfect way of Miraj.

Question: How can a man travel such a long distance with his body?

Question: What is the true reason for Miraj? Why did Allah (SWT) demand it to happen?

Answer: Allah makes the world travel more than a hundred thousand kilometres distance and governs the universe from atom to the stars with his limitless power. So, if He wishes he can elevate one of His beloved worshippers to His magnificent throne with his body and with a lightning speed. Allah lands Gabriel (PBUH) and angels to the earth from the Arsh in Laylat al-Qadr (the holy night of Qadr) and turns them back, so He is not incapable of fulfilling that Miraj journey. Regarding the speed in Miraj, the beloved Prophet (PBUH) said that the mount named Buraq

Answer: There are countless benefits and outcomes of Miraj. The five most important of them are mentioned below:

The

1-The most sublime of human beings, on behalf of them, has seen the pillars of the faith such as faith in Allah, angels, the paradise and the hell which we believe them to be true without ever seeing them. 2-He has brought the tenets Islam, especially five times prayer, as a gift to human beings and jinns. JANUARY-MARCH 2009

3-He has witnessed in person the promised eternal bliss of the Hereafter and has told the glad tidings to human beings and jinns that the eternal bliss does really exist. 4-As he was granted to see the beauty of Allah, he heralded man and jinn that it is also possible for the each and every believer to see His beauty. 5-It has been understood with Miraj that the man is the invaluable fruit of the universe tree and the beloved worshipper of Allah (SWT). May our sublime Lord grant us spiritual Mirajs which will make us reach Him for the sake of his Prophet who has experienced the Miraj. Amin. REFERENCES 1. It has been written by benefiting from the treatise of Ustad Bediuzzaman titled 31. Word, Miraj treatise and the other treatises. 2. İsra, 1 3.Najm, 5-11 4. See Sozler in Ottoman language, Mirac Risalesi, p. 238 5. See Sozler in Ottoman language, Mirac Risalesi, p. 240 6. See Sozler in Ottoman language, Mirac Risalesi, p. 240 7. Qaf, 16 8. Bukharî, 2-145 9. İmam Nevevî, Fetâvâ 10. See Sozler in Ottoman language, Mirac Risalesi, p. 248 11. See Sozler in Ottoman language, Mirac Risalesi, p. 245 12. Araf, 143 13. Buhârî, c. 4, s. 48 www.thepenmagazine.net

Searching New Sub

Movement of the Fir The Phenomena that occurred during the era of 70’s is often referred to historians as the era of Islamic Revivalism Rise / Islamic Resurgent. According to Gordon P. Means in his book Political Islam in South East Asia, “the persistence of some Islamic movements finally yielded success forming a lucrative generation today. ÐBy MUHAMMAD FAISAL ABDUL AZIZ* mf.abdulaziz@thepenmagazine.net

n conscious or not, the fact of the Malays in Malaysia have been through a major transformation towards an era of 70’s which according to Dean of The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences University of Malaya Prof. Dr. Mohammad Redzuan Othman a transformation known as a change towards “new Malay”. This change is presented through a clear understanding and perception that they hold to the actual meaning of the teachings of Islam. In the past Islam was only understood as the act of completing the five Pillars of Islam alone, but in the phase of 70’s their thoughts were changed to understand Islam as Ad-Din or a way of life with a view of nature and their own vision. In addition, the book order and the Islamic Da’wah Movement in Malaysia have outlined some main points of the Islamic revival in the year of 70’s. Among the major treasures including scattering of Islamic heritage, especially knowledge of materials and guidelines in solving the current problems and challenges, and the deep confidence of Islam as a potential solution to all diseases and healing of individuals and society. The

The Phenomena that occurred during the era of 70’s is often referred to historians as the era of Islamic Revivalism Rise / Islamic Resurgent. According to Gordon P. Means in his book Political Islam in South East Asia, “the persistence of some Islamic movements like Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM), the National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students (PKPIM), and Dar Al-Arqam that united the energy of da’wah finally yielded success forming a lucrative generation today. ABIM and PKPIM as examples dimentory by Prof Dr Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas has built the concept and idea of education. Taking the benefit and advantage of some of his idea, the concepts such as knowledge and its standardization, the concept of Islamic University, the idea of Islamic Knowledge, human education, concepts and Ta’dib Ta’lim, and others have been implemented. Today, some Muslims and orientalist feedback which still exist in that era seem to defend the notion that it is a phenomenon of significant, widespread, and based JANUARY-MARCH 2010

on the current position which will be a continuing reality. However, is the reality indeed fortunate to survive in the face of current and future or whether it will simply go from the stage of life? According to Prof. Mohamad Abu Bakar, a paradox is how adherents of Islam and carrier fight harder, and be more creative when under pressure; tend to lose perspective or fighting among themselves when confronted with a situation that is somewhat liberal or on the verge of success. Even it is not exaggeration if we state that Islamic movement resembles cyclists who are working and putting effort to the pedal of their vehicle while climbing the hill, but only after they pass the summit they will leave the vehicles alone while moving hands until they depart upon the uncertain direction of gliding again. The phenomenon of the rise of Islam has not only lost its momentum, but also lost attraction due to the weakness of their own missionaries who fail to provide content and establish the identity and understanding of Islam which should be directed to the community as a whole. www.thepenmagazine.net

ubstance of Islamic

rst Post Islamic Rise

In the past, the old missionary movement and the Islamic jurisprudence understand the concept of priority (aulawiyat) by not ignoring the issues and small problems such as disputes of practice (furu’), bid’ah etc. that have been discussed and resolved by scholars of a hundred years ago. Instead of that, the missionaries at that time were among the big figures with big authorities, knowing the social problems and diseases of people as a primary field to be settled down first. Meanwhile, the struggle is also clear that they do infiltrate walls that fortify the success of Islam, but now because of some disputes of thought and understanding some things a subject for a quarrel, the missionaries of Da’wah movement has split into factions that earnest belief model respectively until misleading the civil society. In dealing with situations like these disputes, a formula should be used. Today the Islamic movement has changed with the rapid establishment of many Islamic organizations and NGOs all over the world. Thus, the situation is now even more to see the role that is based on the formula “smart partnerships” The

among them. This can be explained through the insistence of an issue through a combination of Islamic NGOs such as Islamic Law Counsel (Pembela), ACCIN, Majlis Amal Islami (MAIM) and others. In the meantime, realizing the fact of people’s problems which is contained in the book entitled ‘The Treatise for Muslims’ written by Al-Attas, the idea that education in the Islamic tradition called ta›lim, tarbiyyah, and ta’dib should continue to be the pulse of Islamic movement. According to Dato› Dr. Siddiq Fadzil only education and knowledge that give meaning of dignity, prestige and moral to the people to form attitude not to yield to the others (ignorance). So, the idea that converges towards understanding Ta›dib Islami or Islamic education must be equally grabbed and strengthened by all prime movers in Da›wah in searching substance and direction in Islamic movement. The scenario of uncertainty in society being full of depravity and degradation from the point of integrity, morality, sole, and their failure to understand the JANUARY-MARCH 2010

tenets contained in the «Al-Akhlaq Karimah» urges us to empower the idea of Ta›dib or this education as accurate responding to the crisis respect. This is because the solution through the way of education is more effective and will last longer because it is an approach that is truly capable of penetrating into the society. As a result, the idea of Ta’dib is so important for rebuilding a new generation of Islam which will be a good illustration for all, has noble manners and personality, high-discipline knowledge, has strong holdings with faith (tauhid), and has high value of integrity and great leadership. This idea of education is actually plays a big role as a medium for the future sustainability to rise explosion of ‘Ubudiyyah’ around the era of 70’s.

*Muhammad Faisal ABDULAZIZ is the President of the National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students (PKPIM), which forms the youth branch of ABIM. He is currently a student at an Islamic University. www.thepenmagazine.net

The Great Caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz (RA)

�WHEN SET DOWN

(...) When the Caliph passed away the Roman emperor is reported to have said: “I should not be the least surprised if a monk renounces the world and busies himself in worship behind closed doors, but I am simply amazed at this man who has a vast empire at his feet but he rejected it and lived the life of a monk....”

ÐBy Ahmad SALEM a.salem@thepenmagazine.net

n every catastrophic period in history of Ummah some remarkable figures come about and they heal the injuries and repair the damage. Umar bin Abdul Aziz is one of these prominent figures in Islamic history. He is considered as a Mujaddid which means a revivalist in Islamic literature. Mujaddid is an important concept in the tradition of Sunnah. In a hadith, the Beloved Gracious Messenger (PBUH) says “Allah shall raise for this Ummah at the head of every century a man who shall renew (or revive) this religion.”(Sunan Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Malahim, ch. 1.) The

If we look at the works of the scholars we can see that they make some lists of Mujaddids. Shah Waliullah Dihlawi is one of them. Dihlawi who is an 18th century Sunni Islamic scholar said: A Mujaddid appears at the end of every century: The Mujaddid of the first century was Imam of Ahlul Sunnah, Umar bin Abdul Aziz. The Mujaddid of the second century was Imam of Ahlul Sunnah, Muhammad Idrees Shaafi. The Mujaddid of the third century was Imam of Ahlul Sunnah, Abu al-Hasan al-Ash’ari. The MujadJANUARY-MARCH 2010

did of the fourth century was Abu Abdullah Hakim Nishapuri (Izalat al-Khafa p. 77 part 7) As Shah Waliullah said, all Sunni Islamic scholars unanimously declared that Umar ibn Abdul Aziz is the first Mujaddid. A Mujaddid is needed when the Muslim Ummah is in decadence and corruption and the religion of Islam faces up some inevitable challenges. Mujaddids restore the damages inflicted on Islam, distract the doubtful ideas concerning its pillars and nullify the political or military attacks www.thepenmagazine.net

A SUN� N ON EARTH which threaten Islam. In this series of articles which we will publish in these pages for a while, we will look closely at the activities, reforms and fights of the Mujaddids throughout history of Islam.

When we analyze the pre-Umar II era of Umayyad sovereignty, we can easily understand that the Muslim ummah was in a serious crisis and faced up to some threats when it was just nearly a century that the Prophet (PBUH) had abandoned the world. That crisis and those threats did not stem from an outside source but unfortunately from the internal nature of the state. With chaotic events embarked on during the caliph Uthman who was third of the rightly guided caliphs, Muslims lost men much more than they lost in the wars that they waged against Byzantines, Persians and Egyptians. After long lasting conflicts for caliphate the Umayyads seized the sovereignty and with this shift of power the tribalism became the most significant code of conduct in administration. The Umayyads discriminated between Arab and non-Arab Muslims in appointments for governmental posts and continued to take higher taxes from converts although they had changed their religions. During the Umayyad period, the majority of people living within the caliphate was not Muslim, but Christian, Jewish, Zoroastrian, or otherwise. These religious communities were not forced to convert to Islam, but were subject to a higher The

tax burden. This situation may actually have made widespread conversion to Islam undesirable from the point of view of state revenue, and there are reports that provincial governors actively discouraged such conversions.

Furthermore, the Umayyads cherished not only Arabs over non-Arabs, but also preferred the Umayyads over the other tribes among Arab Muslims. The way of living of Umayyad caliphs did not match the way that Islam enjoins for a Muslim leader. Most of them lived in luxury and debauchery spending from public treasure extravagantly and confiscating the movable and unmovable properties of state. That kind of a ruling was contradictory to a leadership which Islam suggests and was a serious obstacle for those who demanded to convert to Islam and even was a threat for the future of Islam. The time had come for a revivalist who would breathe the soul of the Qur’an and Sunnah to the caliphate and Muslim society. And he came at last. Umar ibn Abdul Aziz was born in Madina in 679. Since his father was the governor of Egypt, he lived for a while there but then came to Madina for his education. He completed his education under the surveillance of great companions such as Anas bin Malik, Abdullah bin Jafar at-Tayyar and Said bin al-Musayyab. After his father died, the caliph Abdulmalik, his uncle, made him get married with JANUARY-MARCH 2010

his daughter and appointed him as a governor to Madina. Since he administered the Hejaz region with justice, his reputation disseminated through the Empire. Especially the people in Iraq moved to Madina and settled there because their governor Hajjaj was a cruel tyrant. Umar repaired and enlarged the Mosque of Nabi during his rein in Madina. When the caliph Suleiman bin Abdul Malik died in 717, he demanded Umar to be his successor although he had two sons. However, Umar bin Abdul Aziz declined to be caliph, but he could not resist the pressures and had to bow to the decision which was taken unanimously by scholars and notables. When he became the caliph, he dismissed all the governors who were known to be cruel and unjust to the people. Thus, the people were happier than ever. Whatever he attempted to do, he always remembered the Judgement Day. He had a great feeling of taqwa for actions which Allah does not confirm to do. He took the period of four rightly guided caliphs as a model for himself. He appointed the fair, skilled and virtuous people to the important positions. One of the most important reforms which Umar made was abolishing the long standing custom of Umayyads and Khawaarij which was to curse Ali ibn Abi Talib (the fourth Caliph) at the end of Friday sermons and was ordering the following Qur’anic verse to be recited instead: “Surely Allah enjoins justice, doing of good and giving to kinsfolk.” www.thepenmagazine.net

WHEN A SUN SET DOWN ON EARTH

Besides, Umar II enforced the sharia rules strictly to be implemented. He banned drinking alcohol and mixing of men and women freely in bathhouses. He went on implementing the welfare program which last caliphs before him had launched. He enlarged these programs to orphans and destitute. Umar also abolished the jizya tax from converts to Islam, who were former dhimmis, who were used to be taxed even after they had converted under Umayyad rulers. Then the caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz worked toward the purification of the Muslims’ souls and of the social and moral environment. For this reason, he encouraged the scholars to spread the true Islamic knowledge among the Muslims, and to call the disbelievers to Islam. He fought the deviations and innovations inherited from those before him. He gave back to the people of the book the rights that the Qur’an prescribed. He appointed scholars to record by writing the hadith of the Prophet (PBUH) and the

The caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz fought the deviations and innovations inherited from those before him. He gave back to the people of the book the rights that the Qur’an prescribed. He appointed scholars to record by writing the hadith of the Prophet (PBUH) and the quotations of his companions, (radihallahu `anhum) . It was in fact the first organized movement to record the hadith. The

“Rulers usually appoint people to watch over their subjects. I appoint you a watcher over me and my behaviour. If you find me at fault in word or action guide me and stop me from doing it.”

—UMAR IBN ABDUL’AZIZ

quotations of his companions, (radhiallahu `anhum). It was in fact the first organized movement to record the hadith. In order to strengthen up the administration he took some steps; He prohibited the which the wages of workers were not paid illegal. He distributed the pasture lands and game reserves, which were reserved for the family of the dignities among the poor for the purpose of cultivation. Finally, he urged to all of the officials to listen to the complaints of the people and on any occasion, he used to announce that, if any subject had seen any officer maltreating others they should report him to the leader and he would be given a reward ranging from 100 - 300 dirhams. Also, in his rein, the number of reverts to Islam raised. The Muslim army passed through the Pyrenees Mountains and went into the French and seized Narbonne. They constructed JANUARY-MARCH 2010

strong headquarters there. All the Berberies in North Africa reverted to Islam during his caliphate. Umar (RA) was extremely pious and disdainful of worldly luxuries. He preferred simplicity to the extravagance that had become a hallmark of the Umayyad lifestyle, depositing all assets and finery meant for the caliph into the public treasury. He abandoned the caliphate palace to the family of Suleiman and instead preferred to live in modest dwellings. He wore rough linens instead of royal robes, and often went unrecognized. When he died in 720, being poisoned by kharijites, all Muslims mourned for days. Even nonMuslims did not want to believe his death. A priestess was crying after him. When the people asked her “why are you crying while the dead man was not a Christian?” She answered: “I am crying because there was a sun on earth, and, now that sun has set down.” www.thepenmagazine.net

The Morale (Akhlaq ) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Caption Top Here

The finest and most impeccable example of Islam which is the biggest humanness is our Beloved Prophet (PBUH).

The finest and most impeccable example of Islam which is the biggest humanness is our beloved Prophet (PBUH). The moral model which he revealed by living and practising himself gives hints about the perfectness of Islamic morales. Yes, now some samples from his fine Islamic morales are below: Desire what you want for you also for anybody else, and do not desire what you do not want for you also for anybody else. Look like as you are, or be as you look like. Show respect for the elders and show love for youngers. Forgive and act tolerantly. Do not search for the other people’'s faults. Suppress your anger, keep your promise, be loyal to your oath. Never give up being honest and integrated. Be trustworthy. Be modest, keep away from conceit and pride. Keep away from greediness and stinginess. Be generous. Be patient in every sort of situations. Never give up being fair. Do not neglect your spiritual and physical cleaning. Be careful about the health and well-being which was granted to you by Allah Almighty (SWT). Spend your spare time in charities and by good deeds and do not waste your life by trivial things. Tell people to be patient and righteous (Haqq). Keep living honestly till the end of your life. The

JANUARY-MARCH 2010

www.thepenmagazine.net

THE LIFE OF THIS WORLD IS ONLY PLAY AND AMUSEMENT

in ter view

Ð Interview By HAMZA BERAT hamzaberat@thepenmagazine.net Would you please introduce yourself briefly?

ismillah wal hamdolilah wassalatu was-salam ‘ala rasool Allah.

My name is Yusuf, I am 26, I embraced Islam over 8 years ago, when I was about 18 years old, Alhumdolilah, I thank Allah, for this great blessing. I come from a predominantly Christian background, my family hasn’t always been practicing Christians but I went to a Christian school for my primary education. Could you tell us your story through the way to Islam? My journey really began when I was about 16 years old, at the time I was caught up as every teenager is in trying to live life to the full. I would go out to clubs and discos trying to indulge in all the temptations the world could offer. This period of experimentation actually started a little earlier than sixteen as is the case now in England these days, but I was enjoying every minute of it never the less. As time passed I found myself living for the highs and moments of ecstasy every night, but I would always find myself waking up the next morning feeling slightly discontent. I used to wonder why I was feeling a little empty inside, I’m having such a good time? It was at this point I began to question myself; is this it? Is this what’s life is all about? I used to think to myself, does anybody in the world know what the purpose of our life is? In the hot summer nights I would wonder out into my The

back garden and lay under the canopy of stars above and just ponder, I would feel humbled by the expanse of the sky above. I believe it was at these times that I was searching for the truth, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala put in my path a guide in the way of a young English convert by the name of Zain-al-abadeen (or Mathew as I used to know him). At the time I was studying at college for my A-levels, I held down a part time job as a salesperson for a large mobile phone company at the weekends. It was here that I and Zain meet. We didn’t become friends straight away but slowly we got to know each other and he used to invite me to his house for food and drinks (non-alcoholic of course). We would have conversations about, faith, ethics, morality, politics etc, all within the frame work of Islam, but JANUARY-MARCH 2010

the brother Zain would always bring the conversation back to belief in God. I think this had the greatest impact on me, the Islamic perspective of the Allah. The fact, that Allah is not a man and that he doesn’t resemble His creation in anyway. That he possesses ultimate attributes of knowledge, power, wisdom, and that he knows the finest mysteries of the universe from the workings of the most distance galaxy’s to the movement of the most hidden ant in the depths of the earth. It made sense to me to hear that Allah has no partners, none before Him, none equal to Him and has none after him. That he can forgive sin of the sincere by his will and that He doesn’t have to kill an innocent man in order to forgive mankind. All these points really struck me, it all just made so much sense. Over a period of about a year these regular meeting started to www.thepenmagazine.net

THE LIFE OF THIS WORLD IS ONLY PLAY AND AMUSEMENT

challenge the way I viewed the world. Although I wasn’t ready to make the bold step of embracing a new faith, it really made me consider some of my fundamental beliefs. At this time I was still only 17 and one day I received a call from Zain, he was inviting me to the mosque for the first time. I felt very unsettled by the invitation and shaytan was doing his best to discourage me from attending, so amidst all the confusion and indecision I decided to make a stand and go. When I arrived at the mosque to my surprise there was a gathering of brother sharing some food, maybe 8 -10 people. The brothers sitting in the gathering were from various different backgrounds, a couple were doctor’s, one was an accountant and the likes. They invited me to join them, at first I thought they might be angry that I’am eating their food, but obviously years later I knew they probably couldn’t off been more happy for me to share it with them. They began to explain to me some of the fundamental principles of Islam and how it relates to human life and society. They began with belief in Allah and then continued with talking about the line of prophets, family life in Islam, and the likes. As they explained each point I was quietly nodding my head in agreement with each topic. Finally one of the brothers after sometime interrupted the conversation and said; “look, if you believe in what we have discussed and you believe that there is only one God, who is worthy of worship, then repeat after me, ashadu an la ilah illallah wa ashadu anna Muhammad arasoolulah.” Which I did, alhumdolilah and the rest is history. Well not quite, that same night I went to my friends house (Zain) where I had a shower or made ghusl and then I returned to the mosque and spent my first night in Islam sleeping in the mosque with a few of the brothers. One of the brothers insisted that I take his pillow and blankets which I did, mashallah may Allah bless that brother. And that is how I became Muslim. The

“..Is this what’s life is all about? I used to think to myself, does anybody in the world know what the purpose of our life is? In the hot summer nights I would wonder out into my back garden and lay under the canopy of stars above and just ponder, I would feel humbled by the expanse of the sky above…” After embracing Islam were you challenged by family, relations or friends? If so were you able to tell them the message of Islam? I embraced Islam just a few weeks before 9/11 so at that time in England the general public didn’t really know very much about Islam. However my parents were fine about me becoming Muslim and all praise is due to Allah I haven’t had any problems since. Over the years I have had many conversations with my family about Islam. My father believes that there is one ultimate Creator, he doesn’t believe Jesus is the son of God or God Himself. So his belief isn’t very different from that of Islam also he agrees with many of the principles of Islam. He is currently reading a book about Prophet Muhammad (saw). May Allah guide him to the right path, ameen. Also my brother is quite close inshallah to becoming Muslim, but only Allah knows the best. He is three years younger than me. Most of my brother’s friends are Muslim and he said he would like to marry a Muslim woman one day but I don’t think he understands he has to be Muslim himself in order to do that. What do you think the problems of Muslims in England? I think the question is a good one, it’s difficult to say, I mean England isn’t a Muslim country so its Muslim population is made up of settlers from various differJANUARY-MARCH 2010

ent Muslim lands. They come here either fleeing from an oppressive country or come here in search of a better standard of life. You find nowadays the second generation of Muslims is probably more adherent to Islam in general than their forefathers were. I think education is one of the biggest problems, if a community or society has a good foundation in Islamic education, the society as a whole, can change in one generation and likewise if this area of education is neglected then it can corrupt the society in a single generation. In the midlands and northern England the Muslim communities tend to stay closer together and establish Islamic schools. However elsewhere in the country many Muslims children enter non-Muslim schools and end up confused about their identity as Muslims. The government can also play a role in influencing the Muslim society by having a say in which syllabus is taught in Islamic schools through governmental funding, but I think this happens in many other places around the world as well. Do you have a message to those non-Muslims who are seeking for knowledge? Yes, it’s quite a simple answer, but I promise you its very effective. If you are sincere and you long to come closer to God, then just raise your hands and ask Him the most majestic, the highest to guide you to the straight path. If you are sincere in doing this, I promise you, you will see the signs. www.thepenmagazine.net

THE LIFE OF THIS WORLD IS ONLY PLAY AND AMUSEMENT

members had the idea of advertising on the double-decker buses in London. We advertised a clear and simple message saying; Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, 3men 1mission and then had a verse from the Quran accompanying the ads. The messages all contained a website address (www.3men1mission.com).

Last but not least, what do you want to say to our readers? Your advice to Muslim brothers and sisters while telling about Islam to the people who are not Muslim?

Allah the Exalted describes the life of this world as such;

It is said here in England; you only live once. By this it is meant as a justification to make the most of your life, before you depart this world. I believe the saying is very important, but it can be understood in two very different ways, firstly if we made the assumption that this life is all there is and there is nothing after it, no God, no hereafter. Then It would be only logical for anyone to enjoy to the fullest, whatever time he or she has left. However if we were to take the other possibility that there is a creator and a life after this and a day of accounting, then it would make perfect sense to seek the truth and follow the divine guidance as best you possibly can.

We are to spend a short while in this transitory abode and then pass onto our next phase of life in our onward journey towards Allah Ta’ala. It is thus imperative that the heart of man does not cling to this world even though he physically is constrained to participate in worldly activities.

I recall a sheikh once asking the question; how much is an hour of your life worth? I mean really if you could sell a year of your life what would it be worth? Time is really important and I would advise people to consider how short this life really is, for example how quickly has the last 5yrs of your life passed, sometimes it just feels like a click of a finger. The

“that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children.”

So I would suggest if you are a person of faith, then return back to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala’s book and the sunnah of Muhammad (saw) and see what He has asked of us in this life. If you however, haven’t yet discovered Islam then I would say that it is upon you to at least dedicate a portion of time to reading the Qur’an or hadith of Muhammad (saw) to decide for yourself whether or not it is the truth. May Allah guide us all to the best of ways, ameen. Could you tell us about the website of 3 Men 1 Mission briefly in your own words please? Well, the idea for the advert came from a leaflet called 3men 1mission, one of our team JANUARY-MARCH 2010

The intention of the campaign was to raise awareness about Islam and give the public a chance to discover the truth about Islam and not just what the media coveys. Alhumdolilah, from only advertising on six buses for three months in London we received over half a million hits on our website, with lots of people requesting Quran’s and Islamic literature. The project was a great success. How many people did get involved in the project? We have a team of about eight at the moment working on this project, our organization is called Muslim Outreach we have been giving da’wah in London now for over a decade, we arrange school visits to the mosque for non-Muslims, and we have a table set up in two town centres on weekends in London, where we talk to people about Islam, offering them free literature and Qur’ans. We have youth projects that we are providing for the youngsters in our local mosque. Alhumdolilah we are trying to busy ourselves. Do you have any other projects like this? Yes, we are looking to launch a new bus advertising project this coming summer in 2010, we have set a target of £100,000 we want to raise and we plan to advertise in all 33 districts in London with this. We are currently working on new images for the campaign, inshallah more details will be available on our website in the coming months. I pray that Allah helps us to make this a success, ameen. www.thepenmagazine.net

The Republic

Republic In View of Bediuzzaman

hey asked me at the court: “What do you think about the Republic?” I replied: “As my biography which you have in your hands proves, I was a religious republican before any of you, with the exception of the Chairman of the Court, was born. Its summary is this: Like now, I was living at that time in seclusion in a remote tomb. The

They used to bring me soup, and I would give breadcrumbs to the ants. I used to eat my bread having dipped it in the soup. Those who heard about this asked me about it and I told them: “The ant and bee nations are republicans. I give the breadcrumbs to the ants out of respect for their republicanism. The four Rightly-Guided Caliphs were both Caliphs and JANUARY-MARCH 2010

Presidents of the Republic. Abu Bakr the Veracious (May God be pleased with him), the Ten Promised Paradise, and the Companions of the Prophet were like presidents of the republic. But not as an empty name and title, they were heads of a religious republic which bore the meaning of true justice and freedom in accordance with the Shari‘a.” Flashes, Said Nursi www.thepenmagazine.net

AMERICAN MUSLIMS

American Muslims Ten million Muslims live in the USA. 30 percent of this population are converts and 70 percent are immigrants. 60 percent of American Muslims consist of an energetic and intellectual group who are younger than 40 years old. The income and education level of the Muslim population is 25-26 percent higher than the American average. However, the American Muslims face up to many problems and challenges. ÐBy Munir SALIH m.salih@thepenmagazine.net

In USA where after 9/11 500 thousand Muslims were interrogated by the FBI, the Muslims offer thanks to Allah for being saved from the lunatic campaigns experienced under the Bush administration. The relief period which was embarked by the Obama administration has caused the problems which had been postponed for a while to be discussed in detail again. Dr. Ingrid Mattson, the President of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and a convert, says: “We have been telling what we are not for eight years and now it is time to tell what we are”. She explains the current situation by reciting surah al-Inshirah from the Qur’an. Dalia Mogahed, who is a Muslim adviser of Obama and with John L. Esposito, Ph.D., co-author of the book “Who speaks for Islam” describes the Obama period as a new era for Muslims. She encourages all Muslims to join particular projects. Keith Ellison and Andrea Carson, the Muslim senators who were elected from Obama’s party underline that the Muslims should consider the new period as an opportunity. Considering the atmosphere of fear caused by the FBI and CIA in USA, the optimistic points above do not seem to be an exaggeration. Although the American Muslims have not been able to criticize the government loudly so far about the sufferings of Muslims in Palestine, LebaThe

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AMERICAN MUSLIMS

“The first problem is “political ineffectualness”; then comes the need that young generation to be persuaded to live by Islam. The American culture is so devastating that even new converts cannot bear and give up. The Islamic schools are not enough and the American schools destroy the youth morally and spiritually.” non, Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan, and in other areas, they react from time to time. But that there has not been any session regarding the problematic areas of the Muslim world in ISNA whose forty sixth meeting has been arranged this year is sufficient to understand what kind of an atmosphere of fear there was during the Bush administration. As Turkish Muslims when we remember the conflict, tension and stress experienced by Muslims in the process after the 28th of February in 1997 in Turkey when the most of the population were Muslim, we can understand the feelings of the Muslims who are minority in a country where the television channels such as CNN, ABC and FOX made the news programs about Iran and Afghanistan defaming Islam everyday repeatedly and every kind of Islamophobic behaviours and broadcasts were available. Ten million Muslims live in the USA. 30 percent of this population consist of converts and 70 percent are immigrants. 60 percent of American Muslims consist of an energetic and intellectual group who are younger than 40 years old. The income and education level of the Muslim population are 25-26 percent higher than the American average. However, the American Muslims face up to many problems and challenges. Dr. Malik Mujahid is the president of the biggest Muslim public house and publication company in The

the USA. I asked him, “What are the most important problems of Muslims in USA where nearly ten million Muslims are estimated to live?” He said: “The first problem is “political ineffectualness”; then comes the need that young generation to be persuaded to live by Islam. The American culture is so devastating that even new converts cannot bear and give up. The Islamic schools are not enough and the American schools destroy the youth morally and spiritually. Political scientist Malik Mujahid briefly says, “We should organize and strengthen!” and adds: “We have a Muslim community consisting of very qualified people but unfortunately we do not have leaders who will organise and administer these people!” Junaid Afeef, the president of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC), the umbrella organization of Chicago, divides the Muslims into two as the one who come out of America and those who are native Muslims while explaining the problems of American Muslims. Afeef says that the most important obstacles which immigrant Muslims need to overcome are discriminations which they are faced with and their being deprived of civil rights. He points out that the main problem of native and especially Afro-American Muslims is to be unconnected with the other Muslim groups. Ahmad Rehab, the Chicago diJANUARY-MARCH 2010

rector of the Council on AmericanIslamic Relations (CAIR), which is aware of all these problems and works, who plans to overcome these problems with its 45 bureaus spreading around America, says “It is our duty to live by Islam and provide every kind of facilities so that our society adheres to Islam. But it is Allah’s work to make Americans Muslim.” Dr. Mohammad Mazhar Hussaini, the president of North American Halal Foundation and a member of World Halal Council says that the American society is liberal, hardworking and honest but due to the fitnas of final days of the world the American youth live as if they were children of the devil until their thirties in terms of deviant behaviours and after a while they become good citizens. He also says: “If you provide good models, and convince and work harder for society, the religion of Islam will help this society.” The American Muslims, who need to be studied and examined comprehensively, may seem very different and be assessed wrongly most of the time when we look from Turkey. They are after new ways out to overcome their problems and experience a new revival in the “new period”. To help them find this way out we can do better rather than cursing the USA and her policies everyday; such as to live by true Islam and represent it properly... www.thepenmagazine.net

Statement of the Secretary General of the UNIW on the occasion of the New Hijri Year

he Secretary General of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW) released a statement on the eve of the Islamic New Year. In his statement Sadıkoglu said: “Today, problems and challenges directed to the Islamic World should prevent us from running The

after small profits. I wish new year of 1431 will be beneficent for the Islamic World bringing victories and happiness to all of our brothers.” He stated the following: “1431 Hijri year will be a revival year for JANUARY-MARCH 2010

the Islamic World, if they can move together in full unity. It is high time for being linked up with each other in unity saying “us” instead of “me”. We have many more common points that do not leave any room to advance controversial circumstances.” www.thepenmagazine.net

Statement of the Secretary General of the UNIW on the occasion of the New Hijri Year

Sadıkoglu pointed out that the problems in the Islamic World which witness human tragedies in quiescence of global powers should find a solution itself; otherwise, there will be no one else to do it. Calling on every segment of society, the UNIW Secretary General continued his New Hegira Message where he has stated his points regarding the Islamic World: 1. Israel still continues its unjust and unlawful embargo imposed in Gaza. It displaces Palestinians and establishes new illegal settlements. Masjed al Aqsa is being gradually destroyed and grabbed. The right of return of millions of Palestinian refugees and their right to live as human beings are being banned in spite of Global Human Rights Resolutions and United Nations Resolutions. We invite regional and global actors especially Islamic countries to follow more active policies. In this regard, we also invite our Palestinian brothers to be united resolving their problems. 2. In Kashmir, the situation still remains unresolved despite the UN resolutions. In this matter, we invite USA and India to be sensitive and not prevent the rights of Kashmiri people. 3. We demand the immediate end of the occupation of Iraq and to detect crimes and perpetrators during the occupation to bring them to justice. We invite all Iraqis to unite and encourage common sense. 4. We strongly condemn parties who target peace and stability in Pakistan and we invite Islamic countries to help and support Pakistan. 5. We expect the end of the unjust occupation in Afghanistan where military initiatives must be relocated with civil initiatives The

in order to decrease suffering of Afghani people. We invite Afghani people in this difficult time to unity and cooperation. 6. In eastern Turkistan, horrendous crimes happened which are still ongoing. On this issue, we condemn related governments and invite them to fairness. We invite the Muslim World to understand the sorrows of our brothers living there and support them.

7. We expect Armenia to withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh that is hoped to be solved for over 20 years having provided territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. 8. We call on the Islamic World to material and moral support for the peace and stability of our oppressed and aggrieved Caucasian brothers. We strongly condemn those who are seeding mischief and division among our brothers in this region. 9. We expect the end of discrimination, intolerance and human rights violations directed at Muslims living Europe and USA. We invite the governments of those countries to treat justly and rightly their JANUARY-MARCH 2010

citizens and get rid of their prejudices about Islam. We invite the Muslim public to live by the moral principles of Islam, represent Islam and Muslims efficiently and apply proper presentation methods while conveying Islam. 10. We expect all NGOs of the Islamic World and Muslims to help those brothers of ours who are suffering, needy and oppressed. We invite them to help orphans, widows, veterans and families of martyrs. 11. We invite local residents of Darfur, whose population is completely composed of Muslims, to resolve Darfur Problem that is irritated by global powers who are planning various kinds of projects at local, regional and international levels. 12. Finally we invite our NGOs to convey the true message of Islam correctly and behave in accordance with the principles of “effective representation” and “right communication (tabligh)”. With these feelings, I pray Allah the Almighty to grant peace, blessings and stability to all the Muslim World on the occasion of this new Hijri year 1431. UNIW www.thepenmagazine.net

News from the UNIW r Visit for more www.theunity.org

Press Release - Release of Uyghur Refugees Thursday, 24 December 2009 UNIW Secretary General Necmi Sadikoglu: We strongly condemn the return of Uyghur Refugees! The UNIW Secretary General condemned the return of Uyghur Turks of East Turkistan to China, who took refuge in various countries particularly Thailand and

Cambodia. Sadikoglu stated: “Pretending that the genocides China carried out in Urumchi and other cities are not enough, she has recently launched a witch hunt on Uyghur Muslims who are living in the outer world under severe conditions, which does not fit with human rights at all.”

He also stressed that the United Nations, which passes condemnation and adopts an attitude towards any issues should put pressure on the Chinese government alongside other organisations due to this human rights violation.

Third International Youth Gathering to be Held Wednesday, 09 December 2009 The Union of NGOs of the Islamic World, who successfully completed the first two International Youth Gatherings, is going to hold the third one in Indonesia, Jakarta, between the dates of 17th24th January 2009. Concerning this issue,

UNIW General Coordinator A. Cihangir Isbilir gave the following explanation: “We aim to gather and unite the Muslim Youth so that they can develop a close cooperation both in material and spiritual terms. This is because we are currently faced with a global hegemony which

threatens and challenges the Islamic World. To face this trouble and provide an alternative model is only possible through forming a generation with solid background and sound character.”

Swiss Ban on Minarets Wednesday, 02 December 2009 Sadikoglu: “Switzerland must not give countenance to enmity of Islam!” Secretary General of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW) Necmi Sadıkoglu stated his disappointment and deep concerns about the public referendum result that took place in Switzerland on Sunday, 29th Novem-

ber 2009 to ban building of minarets onthe mosques in the country. In his message UNIW Secretary General said: “Becoming law by referendum, the ban is the result of increasing Islamophobic publications and policy in the Europe. This

decision is a threat to the communal peace in Europe and offends the Islamic World and is also an indication of growing enmity towards Islam that reached its peak.

UNIW Eighth Council Meeting in Kosova Saturday, 21 November 2009 The Eighth Council Meeting of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW) was successfully carried out in Pristine, Kosova on Saturday, November 21, 2009 with the participation of more than fifty NGO Presidents and Representatives from many countries of the world.

Following the opening speech of the Secretary General Necmi Sadikoglu, 2009 UNIW Activity Report was first evaluated. Besides, the Ninth Council Meeting to be held in Malaysia, commission works, proposals of new projects, 2nd International UNIW Youth Gathering, proposals on 3rd In-

ternational UNIW Youth Gathering were dealt during the meeting. Furthermore, 2010 UNIW Annual Schedule Draft was evaluated and 9 new organisations became members of the Union in the meeting.

HOW DO WE PERCEIVE OURSELVES?

How do we perceive ourselves? But religion itself takes a different approach when analyzing the human being. As science it looks to his body similarly to other creatures and, of course, superior to them through his intellect. But it adds up an important side to the human being, better yet, the most important side in him that is the spiritual side represented by his soul. Ă?By NADER MEDEIROS HASAN JABER - SUDAN The

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HOW DO WE PERCEIVE OURSELVES?

he scientific stream that separates itself from religion occupies itself with studying the human being as it studies anything else. Giving the measures and explaining the material causes or effects of everything that’s related to the matter. It talks about the human as being only this wonderful machine that works in the best way possible, just as it’s the case with any other creature. But the human takes his superiority over the rest by the ability of learning and gaining knowledge that’s incomparable with any other creature. And by this knowledge he can surpass any task that he finds himself incapable of accomplishing it just by his natural physical ability. He can change the environment around him in a way that no other living creature can. And he can subjugate to a large degree other creatures to his

will and comfort. The scientific view explains the material side of the human being: what he’s made of and how does he work. But because science’s concern is the material, it finds problems with explaining the spiritual and the occult. To the three main questions that occupy the main aspect of philosophy and religion, rather, that are the pillars upon which all the other questions are built on, science finds itself impotent in giving convincing and pleasing answers to mankind. It can only come up with theories to answer where we came from, all of them decreasing the status of the human being that it’s agreed upon. It cannot answer where we’ll go, since this is an occult matter, so it doesn’t occupy itself with this study. It’s impotent in answering why we are here, since it only studies the material causes for the existence. It goes as far as denying a lot of times anything to do with the spiritual or the occult since it cannot prove them with its usual methods. In other words it cannot prove and so it cannot believe in anything that the human The

eye can’t see or the human mind cannot comprehend. We can say to those who follow this way that their minds have been limited to their eyes. And from this point all the philosophies that are based on science only, or better saying are based on the material knowledge only and do not try to see beyond it, come to conclusions that not only differ from themselves but also cause more corruption than benefits. They cannot explain where we’re from or make us fall from our status to the status of lower creatures. They do not offer the answer to why we are here, so it makes our existence futile. They don’t answer where we’ll go so they make our actions futile and our death the final end. This way of thinking is what takes the hope from people’s JANUARY-MARCH 2010

hearts, bringing them despair. It’s what makes people set low values for their lives with so limited objectives for so vain or worldly reasons. Why would someone who sees life this way do anything that doesn’t result in a worldly benefit for him? It is the reason for what we find or complain about anything bad or unjust that happens in the world today, where someone who only worries about his worldly life will do anything in order to improve it the way that he sees better fit. Or where someone who is old or in difficulties or lost something he loved loses his will to live. Or where people base their relations to one another on what they can profit for themselves. Could anyone imagine a happy society consisting of individuals with such characteristics? But religion itself takes a different approach when analyzing the human being. As science it looks to his body www.thepenmagazine.net

HOW DO WE PERCEIVE OURSELVES?

Any society that has developed materially without spiritual development has only increased in corruption and oppression until it meets its end.

similarly to other creatures and, of course, superior to them through his intellect. But it adds up an important side to the human being, better yet, the most important side in him that is the spiritual side represented by his soul. It looks to the human being as a table supported by the following three legs: the body, the mind and the soul. All of them needing its own nurturing and development: food for the body, learning for the mind and worship for soul. Although, as we said before, science that separates itself from religion turns the human being from a high status in creation to something very close to other creatures as animals, religion that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t deny science or philosophy only has to gain and add to the real value of the human being as the most noble of creatures. It studies the human being with all his aspects and can offer the right answers for the problems found in humans by knowing their true oriThe

gins. Just as medicine is responsible for studying and sustaining the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health, and just as education tries to develop the mind, religion is responsible for keeping the soul healthy from certain diseases and developing it to reach higher levels. So without a doubt the human being is a better, more complete creature, when looked under the light of these three aspects. Not only that, religion has also provided philosophy with true strong bases so that the questions that may annoy the human mind can be finally answered and building philosophies may be formed instead of destructive ones. It tells us that the human being exists through the creation of a God much more powerful and much more knowledgeable than him. And that the reason for his wordly life is for a test, to see how JANUARY-MARCH 2010

much can he develop as a whole and more importantly as a soul. Because of that he may find difficulties which are more than justified when the reward for his success is known. And that leads us to the most important point which worries any human being that has learned the meaning of death and that he too will die. And religion brings us the good news that there is another life, where good actions will be rewarded and bad actions will be punished. Is there any other incentive like this for encouraging good deeds? Can anything comfort someone who has lost someone or something he loved as the belief of meeting that someone or having something better in another life? Is there any society better than the society where its people base the relations between them not only upon temporary benefits and understandings but rather eternal ones? There is nothing that can substitute in a society what the belief in the hereafter and the belief of God Who rewards good deeds and punishes sins can do. And that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we can see in the world and throughout history that any society that has developed materially without spiritual development has only increased in corruption and oppression until it meets its end. For there can be no society that continues upon those things: people will eventually be tired of it and try to choose and move to something better. They will prefer eventually to being seen as valuable creatures than as low short-living ones. They will prefer to have their lives based on what is bigger than themselves. And most importantly they will prefer living knowing that there is more in life than life itself. So the happy person is the one who sees himself complete in all his three spheres of existence. And that profits from religion rather than loses from denying it. And that uses his three spheres of knowledge (science, philosophy and religion) to understand himself better and as a result the world around him. www.thepenmagazine.net

THE GARDEN OF TRUTHS

–By Zeynep EREN

THE WAY YOU TREAT AN ANT An ant falls into a barrel. Someone comes along the barrel and sees the ant. “What are you doing here?” says he and crushes the ant. Another one approaches to the barrel and sees him and says “What a lovely ant you are. You do not harm anybody, good boy. Keep living in this barrel!” Then the last one comes around the barrel and finds the ant. He sprinkles a spoon of sugar so that the ant eats it. Who are those three people? The name of the first one is “selfish”. the second one is called “tolerance” while the third is … yes, that’s the “love”!

THE LIARS

Imam Al Ghazali says in his masterpiece Ihya al Ulum al Din: The one claiming these four but not doing himself is a liar. The one claiming 1. that he loves the paradise, but does not perform his prayers, is a liar. 2. that he loves the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), but does not love the scholars (‘ulama) and the poor, is a liar. 3. that he fears the hell, but does not abandon his sins, is a liar. 4. that he loves Allah (SWT), but complains about the troubles faces him, is a liar.

The

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THE GARDEN OF TRUTHS

WHO TAUGHT YOU THE WISDOM?

IF A CHILD...

hen Loqman al Hakeem was asked “Who taught you the wisdom?”, he said in response: “I was taught by the blind. They do not take a step unless they examine their way with the stick in their hands. They take a further step only if they assure the place is safe. So, when I am about to attempt to do or say something, I contemplate and if it is useful I go further. If it is harmful or unnecessary I prefer to give up or remain silent.”

The

WHAT DOES TAQWA MEAN?

hen Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked the meaning of taqwa, he replied: “Have you ever walked along a thorny path?” They said: “Yes, we walked.” “Then, what did you do passing by?” asked he. They answered “We avoided them”, Then “In the same way, taqwa means avoiding sins.” said Abu Huraira (Radhiallahu Anh)

If a child is constantly criticized, S/he learns to criticize and blame people If a child is brought up with tolerance, S/he learns to be patient. If a child is ridiculed and humiliated, s/he learns to be shy and to be easily embarrassed. If a child is backed and encouraged, s/he learns to feel self-confident. If a child is trained constantly making him feel ashamed, s/he learns to blame himself. If a child is appreciated and praised, s/he learns to appreciate. If a child grows up in an atmosphere full of hatred, s/he learns to fight. If a child is grown up being respected for his/her rights, s/he learns to be fair. If a child receives confirmation and acceptance, s/he learns to defend himself. If a child is grown up in a safe atmosphere, s/he learns to be faithful. If a child experiences friendship and fellowship in his family, s/he learns to be happy in the world. JANUARY-MARCH 2010

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THE GARDEN OF TRUTHS

Ummah is like a Tasbih A Tasbih is used to keep count of dhikr. It is usually made up of 100 beads which are held together in a necklace form by a thread. As long as the tasbih remains in its original form, it can be used for doing good deeds. However, what happens if the thread rips? The beads fall all over the place and create a mess. Similar is the example of this ummah. As long as the Muslims remain united together, good results will come out of them. However, as soon as they are divided, they will create a big mess, which is clearly visible in these days. May Allah give the unity to the ummahâ&#x20AC;Ś

TEST DRIVE An Imam was selling his horse in the market. An interested buyer came to him and requested if he could get a test drive. The Imam told the man that this horse is unique. In order to make it walk, you have to say Subhanallah. To make it run, you have to say Alhamdulillah and to make it stop, you have to say Allahu Akbar. The man sat on the horse and said Subhanallah. The horse started to walk. Then he said Alhamdulillah and it started to run. He kept saying Alhamdulillah and the horse started running faster and faster. All of a sudden the man noticed that the horse is running towards the edge of the hill that he was riding on. Being overly fearful, he forgot how to stop the horse. He kept saying all these words out of confusion. When the horse was just near the edge, he remembered Allahu Akbar and said it out loud. The horse stopped just one step away from the edge. The man took a deep breath, looked up towards the sky and said Alhamdulillah! The

JANUARY-MARCH 2010

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Calligraphy: Yusuf Bilen

ASMA-UL HUSNA

The Beutiful names of Allah

22. Al-Khafid

28. Al-Hakam

• The One who lowers whoever He willed by His Destruction.

• He is the Ruler and His judgment is His Word.

• The Abaser, the Humbler

• The arbitrator, the Judge

23. Ar-Rafi'

29. Al-'Adl

• The One who raises whoever He willed by His Endowment.

• The One who is entitled to do what He does.

• The Raiser, the Exalter

• The justice, the equitable. The Just.

24. Al-Mu'iz

30. Al-Latif

• He gives esteem to whoever He willed, hence there is no one to degrade Him;

• The Most Gentle, the Gracious.

• The Honorer, the Exalter

• The One who is kind

25. Al-Muzil

31. Al-Khabir

• Degrades whoever he willed, hence there is no one to give him esteem.

• The One who knows the truth of things.

• The Abaser, the Degrader, the Subduer

• The Aware. The Sagacious, one is who is aware.

26. As-Sami'

32. Al-Halim

• The One who Hears all things that are heard by His Eternal Hearing without an ear, instrument or organ.

• The One who delays the punishment for those who deserve it and then He might forgive them.

• The Hearer, The All hearing, all knowing.

• The Gentle. The most patient, the Clement.

27. Al-Basir

33. Al-'Azim

• The One who Sees all things that are seen by His Eternal Seeing without a pupil or any other instrument.

• The One deserving the attributes of Exaltment, Glory, Extolment, and Purity from all imperfection.

• The Seer, The discerning, the All seeing.

The

• The Great, Mighty

JANUARY-MARCH 2010

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 2

2020

21 21

2222

25 25 28 28

3131

2626

27 27

2929

32 32

33 33 35

54 60

5966 60

50 61

43 47

51 55

51 62

52 56

62 67

JANUARY-MARCH 2010

5. in addition to 6. a possesive pronoun 7. a thin pointed piece of metal which you hit into a surface with a hammer 8. not neat 9. a particular period of history 13. acronym for 'World Relief' 14. one of the four rightly guided chaliphs 15. short for 'Master's Degree' 16. an indefinite article 17. consonants of 'ride' 19. to benefit from something 21. refers to plants growing thickly, with a lot of branches and leaves 24. to make a deep, very loud noise 25. neither... ? ... 26. the most known name of our Lord, which includes all of His names 27. Risale-i ... 28. a question word 29. duty 30. not closed 31. to abstain from cardinal sins and to perform the compulsory practices of Islam, piety 33. a widely consumed drink 36. he speaks Arabic ... (very well) 37. abbreviation for the state of Illinois 38. kind 40. consume

64 68

41. the successor of Imam Bediuzzaman Said Nursi 42. rule 43. correctness of social or moral behaviour 45. one who doesn't tell the truth 47. a colour 49. used when mentioning a fact that you wish was not true 50. recover 53. a suffix showing connection 55. consonants of 'line' 57. have 58. 'yes' in old use 60. a conjunction 62. a form of verb 'be' 65. suffix used to form ordinal numbers

A G E

N U R

SOLUTION

S O R T

T H

2323 2424

3030

7 12

N U S A W N I R T U L I S A D E T L Y T A L S A F E K H L A U B E A L A N U N T Y E L E A Y A

The

U Z Z A M A L Y M A R S V A N D O N N H O O R W I H A L A L U A D S W A R L B O E N A W V M A N

DOWN 2. short for 'et cetera' 3. information or facts 4. a special number that is used to identify a computer

L I A R

1. the great scholar, ... Said Nursi 8. acronym for the United States of America 10. a piece of equipment for controlling the flow of water 11. suffix used to make adverb 12. acronym for Automated Weather Network 14. to behave in a particular way 15. a small red planet 18. moral goodness of character and behaviour 20. to leave someone 22. a form of verb 'be' 23. chemical symbol for iridium 26. one of the names of Paradise 28. in an excited or angry way 30. a formal and very serious promise 32. spoken, not written 33. abbreviation for Turkey 34. to speak to Allah in order to ask for help or give thanks 35. not dangerous 37. to choose the consent of Allah over one's own consent, sincerity 39. information about something that has happened recently 41. permitted by Islam 44. acronym for Anatolian Agency 45. abbreviation for Luxembourg 46. used to show a date after the birth of Christ 48. an organ of the body 49. a preposition 50. a possessive pronoun 51. abbreviation of the state of Washington 52. a system that connects computers to each other 54. a small round valuable jewel 56. reward 59. a conjunction 61. a building with a large flat central area surrounded by seats 63. a subject 64. allow 66. the part of an animal or man which leaves them at the time of their death 67. the conscious being on earth responsible for worshipping Allah 68. a verse of the Qur'an, sign

B E D I T A P A C T A B L I R U O S O A T H P R A Y E Q N E W S A A H A T P E L A S A S O U L

ACROSS

Ă? By YAKUP KARACA y.karaca@thepenmagazine.net

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Risale-i Nur Collection in Arabic

The collection was translated into Arabic from the original copies in Ottoman language by Altinbasak Academic Research and Translation Board whose members are both expert on Risale-i Nur and competent in Arabic language.

Even the slightest points in original texts were considered.

It was revised by an expert editorial staff.

“

A rewarding collection A rewarding collection of books ofguidance guidance of books of through the the way of faith through way of faith in today’s challenging in today’s challenging world. world. Altinbasak Publication

Halkali Cd. No: 192 Sefakoy / ISTANBUL Tel: (+90) 212 696 13 70 Fax: (+90) 212 696 13 71 www.altinbasaknesriyat.com

SAVE THE DATE!

22-23TH May

2010

‘‘The Truths of Faith in Risale-i Nur’’ III. International Symposium on

Bediuzzaman and Risale-i Nur http://www.risaleinursymposium.com