. OOI ISLAM AWARENESS WEEK SPECIAL Nov. 1st, 1994 Published by Muslim Students’ Association at the University of Toronto Volume 2 Issue 2 Twelve Hours Old: A Journey to Peace By Katherine Buifock Poor things. What about their treatment noticed diat dicse men were very No wonder the women are oppressed, in Muslim countries? That's culture, Uiey friendly. I noticed how helpful dicy and these fanatics storm around burning What am I doing down here? I won¬ would reply. I knew they were deluded, were. I perceived an aura of calmness. the US flag, I thought. But the Muslims der, my nose and forehead pressed to the socialised/brainwashed from an early What a belief they must have, I I put this to seemed bewildered. Their floor as I kneel in prayer. My kneecaps age, into believing this wicked way of diought. But it puzzled me. I had read Qur’an didn't say dungs in that way Per¬ ache, my arm muscles strain as I try to treating women. But I noticed how die Qur’an, and hadn't detected anything haps I had a bad translation? keep the pressure off my forehead. I lis¬ happy they were, how friendly they were, special about it. That was before, when Suddenly the praying person I am fol¬ ten to strange utterings of the person how solid they seemed. the Gulf War broke out. What kind of lowing stands up. I too stand up, my feet praying next to me. It's Arabic, and they I saw Muslim men walking around die God would persuade men to go to war, catching on the long skirt I wear; I al¬ understand what they arc saying, even if international centre. There was even a to kill innocent citizens of anodicr coun¬ most trip. I sniff, trying to stop the rears hoI nodlpOoyi nnK1'gt2.. GhGSooooud, dr ws,I ioIlm ll dcba.oe kn ekv iuenprdt etmod ymt ooe w,I asn l Mawmuo srlbdiems¬, mtsrreoeammmne ebfmdrleoibidmne grw e Lthdoibe nymda ieI e - isdnati ewetlh e letavh ninesdami omo,n fe l etioesmrftr aotGghreoeissydt s.d .o oIIf tadcrgliyaea,i i mnHtseotod lt yhtrhe ae pBUyeo S wo?wke roIeo md naeec cntwii,dn hegtod.o s eII' dd bre beemaehdtoat nleafrs tPdrreeiacantyde¬ IGat inamodnd iubt,y seIt,c aafmuoJscu euhd sdea ruioesn nmbn e,gp cr maauyIyssi enlra egIms ebt,oa er lciGeHhvo oiend fd.i CnuD hiysreoimsau¬r,, cmaauksee sI sbeenlsieev teo i nm yeo. uD, iadn dI breeaclaluy sjeu Isst lsaamy meffaisgseess ooff P rraemsipdaegnitn Bg uAshra, ba lml ienn t hbeu nrnaimnge gaunidn Ic lcaossuilcd, ns'ut rfeilnyi sah tirtu, sIt wdiosrltihkyed b iot osko, Smikohsti smse,n asen.d BBeundddinhgis mov, eIrs,l ammy mhaandde st haet tWmflholoeasho ttal ?riy t?k o1.ew .u .ctTroha huimtscel,dhyi nk 'dmdmn e?lyyea” slu eiftgnrhlfihgee,, yn ban'dduto s rsm asesstea kipn y.r g ei“ “sfiHYs ntehtaodoevu yett o e csy aataorhnwsue'.t odldjieieficoa vGtutei o goGinhndo t .o.Gd f Wo Pwudosha, o saIw rt a aeatndha dGkian enoghddsdu, i m srtdhoeaicapenutoy rmt behme oeiiunyrnp s gdeths vihi.eec a Bn tvpr ueubrto,et h¬¬I1 mw(aGw ivuodhicdira hg tvd i.i wner gsawtisHrn ooa emyw rrieaoing nmgwh ietwanens oh Puiaonas l re piawt ad crofiiaostmidere ?iasds)n ;eia e htt do eraei rgd seshoc twtr reiwoaboksieut edhas. mGlwcwiomyohon di,m tkv.eA nee P enrwMtle eesuats,so ssteeIe lci r amonthr nelywr ld eKph ol iaammgcdrildaieoayn nst,t s o owh w obrhchweeoiiat c iscaizhss oe guuenmordlseodlua dmkcy aeoyMtsuse B ued-ilsut f¬sa-.t seriously tell me you are religiousl” Kingston's Muslims became my friends, Religious. .I was oncc^ a happy I protest. They welcomed me into their "speculative atheist**. How did! turn into community warmly, without question. I a believer and a Muslim? I ask myself. I forgot that dicy were oppressed and ter¬ turn my mind into the past and attempt a rorists. This seems like die start of my whirlwind tour through my journey. But journey. But I was still an atheist. Or where did it begin? was I? I had looked into die starry night, Maybe it started when I first met prac¬ and contemplated die universe. The dia¬ ticing Muslims. This was in 1991, at mond stars strewn across die dark sky Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, twinkled mysterious messages to me. I Canada. I was an open-minded, tolerant, felt hooked up to somediing bigger dian liberal woman. 24 years old. I saw Mus¬ myself. Was it a collective human con¬ lim women walking around the Interna¬ sciousness? Peace and tranquility flowed tional Centre and I felt sorry for them. I to me from die stars. Could I wrench knew they were oppressed. My sorrow myself from diis feeling and declare there increased when I asked them why they is no higher being? No higher conscious¬ covered dieir hair, why they wore long ness? sleeves in summer, why they were so ill- Haven't you ever doubted the cxis- treated in Muslim countries, and they told me dtat they wore the veil, and they (Continued on pace 6) dressed so, because God asked them too. The White Man’s Burden TABLE OF CONTENTS The Myth of Fundamentalism in the Modern World By Wael M. R. Haddara dIselmamoincs tFruanbdlya mtreunet atlihsamn. inT hthe et ecramse h oasf ocrriegaitninagl tish at higimhlayg e, qutehset ioWnaebslet . wIans tBhuei lgdrinege tian Cgso mofm puenaictye on 2 According to the media, be it become of household currency. Perhaps imposing upon die Orient its own vision, television, radio, or newspapers, the even children arc familiar with it. Yet, do its own understanding, its own fears and Muslims on the Info Highway 3 world stands witness to a surge in Islamic we understand the term? What is die its own apprehensions. The Orient was Sisters’ Net 3 Fundamentalism. phenomena to which have so securely viewed dirough the eyes of the West. If some analysts arc to be believed, die attached a label? Communism was easy This image of the Orient was legitimised Islamization of Knowledge 3 Green Menace is as dangerous, insidious enough to define, the definition being of and perpetuated and continues to be so and destructive as die Red Menace was albeit questionable value is identifying by hordes of foreign policy advisors and Feature: 4-5 oFelixnkuilensy td teahvmeae ermynfwteeadwhluie ssrmead,, iedtsc eteaoesdutmercossh y esus a beegivvoqee.u rryiytootIhnsuliesan .mag n iIicdtt cfduoienmD dsmraa.mm uEnee idnpswttlasala.ni rsedm. ,W h.Do Swefaeiinvdi,e nrig,n ish ihsa rfIdaslmlyam oouincs nd‘eioxotFpsioeuenr ntw.sd ’haI- mto wewnaotsau lglidse mntae krisae t aei td w thahanotdl l tyha epC pBhlriieibsdlte i ations MMuoIsdnleismpmi rWWatoioomrnlde tn o iLn itbheer ation 5 comes in contact with. The internal work Orientalism, argues that the West die literal word of God. A natural The Hijab Question in 5 violence in Algeria, the bombings in has created die Orient. Not diat the corollary is that application of biblical Quebec Israel, the world Trade center in the Orient did not exist, but diat die western texts should also be done literally. It is Being Muslim in the ‘90s 6 United States are just examples of the mind has created an image of die Orient accepted by a large majority of complex web of terrorism that exists in and has dealt with nations and Christians, including Churchmen and The Journey of the Scholar 8 ourI tw hoarsld b teoedna ys-a id diat labels are often iinmdaigveid uHalos wof tthruee o rdieiantt aimccaogred inisg ttoo tthhaet (Continued on page 8) nothing but fables. Nowhere is this more The Muslim Voice Page 2 Assalamu 'Alaikum: Building a Community on the Greetings of Peace mppmfilMinrlrfoaeaateuIontmc nseh itld,atai aB ycscammub etnyaisut m doh op twA na rafnof; tadio u btyvm.atstn dhico dcebteouiftetasoinh lssloen-ilo i nfyfRcsdevoa coetlertth.hhr lh hMoyaraOeamtg t u p cuyaisartasr rilec nci nnnmc fcoso beaistMppiatfi t castlhoaeenas nnsd,ldPr l icbe y bkroaequo el cn ultp o aiphdhmtrnuheuee¬d¬¬estt aatllmoeaaeiannabnfestictddseodIst-h,tn d ,v r m t ade ,eiwd w psi,selav poioeenbydcii scan tu tiast wiet et ataeg oma hlydaowlgn iyt i acufdhnhs-nfh i a oeiaoiydc c c lmarIo 5halcms ucnn emcltgioapfchudnahumnteeliseiatsit, tni dn ie etcPnMt ogdao afruid iodofuainlt r ienpsofh vmhafdlgh aeiiolire om s seaolm .ttnls bsiosofNcee ed owg cfeflewruaairo vesvianrimlwecee t socrrt edtoiteiodriinhbos mrmnigeeoadmea¬¬d¬n.esrl sosutajtmTouhpinsphs seeerdpotTTetee de ofnaohhtrr Pfsre d teunet irocw ursfeoae r d n e gasipageivl abio elhsrtteM.lrepry eu toeeIwo ttotuehntdt ani oso e tisnmoslir e aifiogrdgwmbaria n d srcciwrie s ll,tkisgii e.,odahtee” otyli“f Atilee n a W[ sopprdsAb gh; leorf dhosaoieb ac utsceuulocu stlleniltooel sf d a n D,wn sopn h oooeuefs aa ln b taaserwIhi ecrnilbrlienuya oeustnnte tg .otdee twdrh o]Ufd v eea h wevgymrdyine i imoiovtretaaouhyesrr.t cgwftlttaaaeehersorinolvomr cemolmsAm emi d icsnnpsptu oeig sFeaafcnms aurtnosrh o eo.isfior t dmso oi aI fmasetnsrrte eyah etM siedeasc les p a abih ewdwiyrtel ndiMaievionohaigny endgustegu en ap itlnm srtc od seosl moari .gaa m ldginnkeoaotir yia nvpnridnmen cdeo bgi ok cees rt osmar eeitoora bml rd slmrl y riageneipne calrurooutgaiemrunnonst sewir i-ue ottnwMai syahnn no ni,ehpsug dtfdn rhosi oao tlsomtw ibbnihnusmi¬edee¬eest aoadtacotrlMa iaeloniftvbohbemh neooVaen lels’itdatliyeeshcriishie -ed th ione e,eiovsae T nrrrnceueadh ho,vwb rsi , f neMnn eeusibi2 sretoslroh]ieQ ufcst e aih udssidnvluio,lewirni ei durraama rai's itisanrnycn c condtgoswdncht f niansneievd tAftenbe gvhiioewnldnliu l lklwuoesav atni hidaaytniohuo r:ln gp ltogtsondfyu r,mro"thf aeoh e“reac A ue n.[ltbnta.pp oiSlm.edncclh auhoedp oeiRhtrom r clny apaaoIlGie;dphsc stl lhlo ato aeaaAieaennncdcnmslrl¬y¬ede¬¬--, oAYuteopafhrvrnrffoliecae iaeTddEu vyrinIiih ”keveenesdp,reruel s oss oa mrmaehaftmywn no lia,w pdd irNgontoc eoi rryaonm mteredrh wnl uducesyoeeedsart,neay n i ? ysinlwnMi eq osnagoidxeuv#ir nu it fctea eAgeyseg ,mll a an iriibomfvnamcdoe“uebkfdine.P tn niS bag Hcvetgownhars,iaow sotliiec aaniswtdM ble rahgaeiclg emred eeu vrea rgbseA nef lmeeeheoridsd mta,ars a i t nnpdaakuUssldogos,iria psne wo mtt gowwnehooe nureeeearff. bhTgectjgteuhoenerrhrseeet noTauwt eessuc shitthcewtgm iieiionnehoo odnugpgM,numi l o oe sdbdwbrSe en autiesniiaeesgnststd, namw eidt aivlecrn runeo armieaganetosdd edenn gedoii aria dcc i ehfnenrojr r siu r dhib mafM.nishe t lrtgABTa . oiu ”ssfamhmdlsr uh mloleiaeelo[iec mthA xepufhnr toaosalsbd semdl .nr orlui t aohdscpr bnw oi e lDmendeb fico n eao iossttgsawuwmh i g slirouinatnee mewicdie onnrini]¬a¬sst,t awbiassnpttMgohat crieeestn yeoqua yiipA oitunncsfw.nh r esleacttgeie eeio iem swnrarlrwA dsdarte sea eocias aoe nd stmcrhn amacdewouad lessmpao vni is sctmorbe fchmioeow suo Au mfotluifm eee llondAnpdrrlafaersifliirole o eht nnadyair to ogineetian klaidp ln sfouayb,opat d md.oblihno de dioeHWc; sei i gleiaw ri itcit dl esien adiagn iid scMsaimmsr iy ceebt ba poxeeouuw cysp trusuioi adselotsnsmrdne ii s ognnlimdoimenfsgtga wta yigp uneevortel rnn¬odneyatf, joinT hoenree afonEroesd taiiteb rils ii snih ne csGutamobolbidsenhnietn sugsp goono dunse tsos pmWeeaea cnaers ca, natdhse kc ioanntgtta eAinnltmlmahee nnttht .ao Itf s Hlpaeema gc, eraa snd ati rwtohuoegrmdh ddieinsS taashs lsa enbrditni oa nhS.aa d'dit hr eaprocr tceldea hr aesv irdeepnocret eodf: awfebalrlyoo owadf .Me xSutaesylniidmnig ni gnA redsssieap leawcmta ayun AdAl llloaahivk eua tnmod y iHos uiasr and help one anodier stay away from submission to die will of Allah; our greet¬ “There was a woman among us who Messenger have dictated. Likewise, we deeds held reprehensible by Allah. Unlike ing reflects our desire diat Allah grant Is¬ would put beetroot in a ketde and add to must make an effort to give greetings octhtohem evrme ruiydn eibotyelgo imgninueissn tg w,b heMe rcueos lniumsntsritu yac rtewe diad lrifiernao dmay lcaommI tp tolei stoe uanrn adfre rblaletoaewudt iMfuthlu aswltia my.t hien thPer omphoestt aittof st georrm epeeet erhfreoorru mannidnd bg sa hFrelre iwyd.ao Wyu lphdre oanyf fweerer, irwte ettou u runssee.d”d mcthoaunkss icnfiugol ufeislallyicnh ag n sodau luwr tidadtuii topineus r aet osi nientaeccenhrte ioo pndr,i acdyri euarss, given the universal basis for community Muhammad said: “O you people, ex¬ [Bukhari] Muslims. and ummah in die Qur'an: "All believers change greetings of peace, feed people, Asma’ bint Yazid has reported: “The Allah says, “...pay heed unto God and are but brethren. Hence make peace be¬ strengthen die tics of kinship and be in Messenger of Allah passed by us when the Aposdc, so that you might be graced tween your two brethren and remain prayer when odiers arc asleep, you will we were with a party of women, and he with mere)'. And vie with one another to conscious of Allah, so that you might be enter Paradise in peace.” [Tirmidhi] gave us salutation." [Abu Dawud] She attain to your Sustainer’s forgiveness and graced with his mercy.” [AJ-Hujurat, 10] To give meaning to Assalamu also reported that the Messenger of Allah to a paradise as vast as die heavens and Allah commands us to make peace Alaikum, we must examine die context passed through die Mosque one day and the earth, which has been readied for die with one another, because by virtue of widiin winch die Prophet and his nearest dierc was a company of women in die God-conscious who spend in time of our faith we arc already part of the best companions used it so that we too can Mosque. He raised lies hand to offer saluta¬ plenty and in time of hardship, and hold community raised up for humankind and apply it in a way that will help bring us tions.” [Tirmidhi] in check their anger, and pardon dieir part of our communal responsibility is togcdicr and closer to Allah. Umm Hani daughter of Talib re¬ fellow-men, because Allah loves the do¬ that we must treat each other with dignity ported: " I went to sec the Messenger of ers of good.” [Ali-Tmran, 132-4] and respect, while safeguarding one an¬ Nature of Assalamu Alaikum Allah...He [the Messenger of Allah] was May Allah grant us forgiveness for our other* rights and honour. As die Messen¬ It is told to us by Aiysha that when she taking a bath and Fatima was screening short comings and unite us in peace and ger of Allah has said, “None amongst responded to a greeting of peace to she him widi a clodi. I offered him the greet¬ faidi. Amecn. you becomes a true believer until he likes used to respond by saying Assalamu wa ing of peace [Muslim] for his brother that which he loves for Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu, meaning Thus we see how the Messenger of Al¬ Abdul-Rehman Malik is secondyear student himself." [Bukhari] It is important to Peace and die Mercy of Allah and His lah behaved towards die women in the of Political Science at the Uniitrsity of make dear, that the words brother and blessings be upon you. The Muslim is en¬ early Muslim community, giving them Toronto, and the current President of MSA at brotherhood used here includes die en¬ couraged to respond to a greeting with greetings when he would meet or sec U of T. He can be reached at tirety of die Muslim family, both women word equal to or better dian those given. diem, just as dicy would give him saluta¬ arm@epas. utoronto. ca. and men, young and old, from all races Furthermore, die Prophet said: “The tion when dicy would see him He would and walks of life. person nearest to Allah is one who is first even raise his hand to greet them and the The Muslim Voice Staff cafe hse E Editor-in-Chief: The Muslim Voice seeks to present Mustafa Kamal Sycd Muslim perspectives on issues of concern to students. The majority of die The new Cafe Elise Is now open! Associate Editor: articles are writtsetnu dbeyn tasn. d for university Faraz Rabbani We have Halal and vegetarian products fresh In 1993-94, we had 17 issues of die croissants, danlshes and muffins baked on the Advisors: newsletter. Our circulation started at Abdul-Rchman Malik 250 and rose to 5000 copies by die end premises, cookies from "Cookie-lt-up!" Nabil Rehnian of die year with this issue printing 8000. Contributors: This publication was produced widi the Great coffees, also espresso and cappuccino Katherine Bullock efforts of students and odicr Muslims Fresh Juices Thomas Aalim Zakcc Fcvens from across Nordi America. SDaellla dssa n(gdrweiecnh easn da npda sstuab) s MKhoanlac dR Sahhmaraanf pIlef aysoeu c halalv Ke aamnya lq Suyecsdti,o ants 9 o0r5 c-8o9n0c-e8r6n2s,0 Dally hot meal specials Omar Haydar or email Faraz Rabbani at: Melodic (Iman El Maghribi) Smith frabbani@cp as.utoronto.ca. Nushccn Amecruddin Enquire about our specials and value cards. Wacl M Haddara You can mail articles to: 673 spadina Ave at Sussex Najarn Khaja The Muslim Voice | (1 block west of Robarts; 1 block south of Bloor) | Shccma Khan MSA U of T Tel: (416) 598-5522 MTuhnea Dzzaawh aShh iBrwoyasn i Interna3ti3o nSat.l GSetuodrgene tsS’t Centre Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2E3 Page 3 The Muslim Voice MSA-NET: Sisters’ Muslims on Information Super-Highway Net by Aaiim Zakee Fevens Islamic subjects, announcements of group for the MSA-ORG net is MSA ex¬ meetings, conferences, lectures, and so ecutive members and active MSA work¬ By Mona Rahman The MSA-Net was conceived of dur¬ on. Occasionally, very interesting discus¬ ers. Some of the projects that are partially ing the preparations for an Inter-MSA sions arise on the Net. Especially when coordinated via the MSA-ORG net are The Sisters Net was first established meeting during the ISNA-Canada An¬ the topic turns to issues that don’t seem die Islam Awareness Week project, other on February 14, 1992, in order to create nual Convention in May, 1991. to find proper exposure in Masjids, such MSA-National projects, and inter-MSA a support group for Muslim sisters During this meeting, an initial elec¬ as domestic violence. Also, with some events such as conferences, workshops, around the world. The initial group tronic mailing list was formed. One of initiative, there are targeted discussions consisted of about 14 Muslimaat. Now, the organizers of the Inter-MSA meeting, such as die popular Islamic Movements In addition, to address a similar need two years later, there are over 120 sisters Br. Boualcm Sekhri, wrote die inidal shell series. locally, an MSA-ONTario net was also on die net from all over die world, and program which operates the MSA-Net The reasons that people join the MSA- established to enhance communication our numbers are still increasing. Masha mailing list, and installed it at a special Net vary, as do their expectations. Some between die executives of die MSAs in All alii MSA address at Queen’s University. are new Muslims, seeking to learn more Ontario. Currcndy, all the MSAs in On¬ As Muslimaat, we face different Initially, die MSA-Net was intended to about their rediscovered deen; some arc tario arc represented on the MSA-ONT challenges/dilcmmas than our Muslim be a medium for communication be¬ activists, looking to meet odier activists; net. brothers. Moreover, there are certain tween members of the MSAs in North some live in isolated areas, far from large Apart from die MSA-Net mail, die issues which Muslim sisters would feel America. The main purpose was to facil¬ Muslim communities, trying to stay in MSA-Net provides a number of odier uncomfortable discussing with our male itate Islamic work at die MSA level and touch; some arc community members, services. Some receive die MSA-Net mail counterparts. The exclusive nature of particularly at an inter-MSA level. curious about this information highway; in die form of a Daily Digest, The MSA- Sisters Net provides a discussion forum As interest in the MSA-Net grew, most are students wanting to exchange Net Database is a service diat allows in which Muslim sisters can freely members soon joined from England, and ideas with other students. members of die MSA-Net to store or re¬ participate. The following is a rough then other countries from around die Reaction to die MSA-Net also vat)'. trieve text files that arc of interest to the oudine of die goals of the Net: globe. Eventually, a number of non¬ Some are challenged by the wide variety MSA-Net members. Among the 230 1) To increase our Islamic knowledge. students started joining, and currcndy of new ideas, while others are inspired. files stored in the database arc articles on 2) To allow Muslim sisters to discuss comprise a large segment of the member¬ But sometimes, due the rather eclectic Islamic issues, khutbahs, resource lists, tribulations, aspirations, triumphs, etc. in ship. Prcsendy, die membership ranges mix of Muslim cultures, levels of under¬ die manuals of die MSA-Net, etc. Access an INFORMAL manner. from high school students, to university standing of Islam, and natural range of to the database is via an automatic email 3) To encourage each other to take a students, to prison Imams, to leaders of personalities, some issues tend to lead to server. stand and work for die sake of Allah die Muslim community in North Amer¬ postings of a unpleasant variety. To fa¬ To subscribe to the MSA-Net or of (SWT). ica. cilitate the enforcement of Islamic be¬ any of die Nets mentioned above, please 4) To network widi our fellow sisters. Further, in November, 1993, it was haviour, a Charter for the MSA-Net was send an email to: Masha Allah, Islam has expanded decided by the MSA-Net Shura commit¬ introduced in October 1993. This Char¬ [email protected] .ca. from a tiny community in die Arabian tee, to restrict the membership in the ter has evolved to accommodate the The MSA-Net is also mentioned in Peninsula to one which encompasses the MSA-Net to Muslims only. Currcndy types of problems that arise on die MSA- published Internet directories, under world. Alhamdulillah, through die die membership is around 450 direct Net. subject heading Islam or MSA. If you medium of e-mail, we arc able to members spread over around 15 coun- Due to die radier heavy email traffic are a member of an MSA executive, diminish diese barriers of distance thus on the MSA-Net and die general nature please note that in your subscription. allowing Muslim sisters from around the Many more receive MSA-Net mail of die postings, it was decided by die world to develop bonds of sisterhood second-hand. With the growth of die Shura Committee that a parallel net had Aaiim Fevens is a graduate student at Queen's and maintain the feeling of being part of number and diversity of members, the to be established to cater only to MSA University in Physics! Computer Science and is a global Muslim Ummah. focus of die MSA-Net shifted from MSA and inter-MSA issues and communica¬ extremely active in rise student Muslim commu¬ For more information regarding issues to general discussion on Islamic is¬ tion needs. This net, die MSA- nity. He can be reached at Sisters net, please send mail to the sues. The postings on the MSA-Net ORGanizational Net, was established in [email protected] following e-mail address: range from news items, personal opin¬ lanuary 1994, and now represents over [email protected] ions on various subjects, expositions on 150 MSAs in North America. The target Mona Rahman is a student at Queen s The Islamization of Knowledge Project University, and is the Sisters Net Administrator By Omar Haydar credited these schools must be operated the various disciplines of knowledge.” The International Institute of Islamic within the national educational system of What IIIT is offering is to hold a num- £ Islamic Thought (HIT) has a project which each country, and hence must follow all ber of one day seminars later on diis year, £ MSA's should take advantage of. IIIT sorts of regulations created by major de¬ aimed at presenting their “Islamization i has long been working on a project of cision makers. of Knowledge” project to the MSA and i, Book Service "Islamization of Knowledge". They hold d) There is widespread disillusionment the Muslim Students at large. Included in i seminars, publish numerous books by re¬ with the Western system of education. dus offer is a sum to cover any fees (such £ spected scholars, and work at presenting The efforts at integration and Is¬ as room rental), * number of preparatory Islam at a scholarly level to die world. To lamization have not yet succeeded. The informative booklets for the participants ^ quote some of the background material: imported western secular system is domi¬ to go through before the seminar 2i Featuring the latest in Islamic “The Muslim World is economically, nant in most Muslim countries and has (depending on the number of attendees), £ literature and video tapes. We politically and educationally underdevel- the material and moral backing of the as well as a collection of HIT'S excellent £ take special orders, and often opped. This is equally true whether mea¬ state. publications which relate to the project ^ import books directly from the saunrde dp ootne ntthiael socar lec oomf ptharee dIs ltaom iwc eIsdteeranl upoRne aMlizuinslgi mth essceh oislsauress/s, tiutd ies nitms pteor aftiinvde forT thhee sMemSAin'sa rlsib srharoyu. ld run between 4-6 £2 manufacturers overseas. ctitctoaoayt lu ic,ov nheafta rngniideogms oe.pr d ierEn loei dtgvdhuieuoecmcu aMatseti niouoctns nolaii nnlmw s ric tlewhilf oeoloue rrsaslmoddnc. e tiisAoassl v ,ta aho piqelofau lbakittilheili¬¬¬ye amscIsonooll nauIltmosteligxaoiyzmtn,a, s tt tiihhonteootne u pldlgoreioehfccs ttue eKa sanpnsl droaoo wlftbee ldlaereunndmcadgats eitt v hiboecey na i n.nno e nIfeefnoped itr st ifhtbneoi¬egsr ohacfounofrsd u ps rMisrsoot,Sin pmAa ownu'ssidlal al lf tsiboin oelclfn odlo uwersd edepesid scr iolaobetjncyeetsdc ua. t tr sPoed s aaips,rn rctdde uois sseafscn cituohttisanevst iiisdtooicinensssss-- £££££ SMMoeemddiiecc iionnSfee h oooeuffi rktthh hnee e aPPwlrr-oo Srppuehhlyeeeutta tsie s: masses which is a pre-requisite for major over-emphasized in the effort to emanci¬ sion. They will also incorporate a scholar- £ Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziya socTiahle c hEadnugec.a tion system is in a crisis. pleast eo tfh We Mesutesrlinm a unmd mseachu lfarro map tphreo ashcahc ko¬f sfhuitpu rpe,r oagnrdam a ltsoo ednecvoeulorapg ea wmoarikli nign ltihset ££ KnowledSghee oikfh C uNraresnrut Addffianir As lbani The crisis is manifesting in 4 ways: both acquiring and imparting knowledge. which includes individuals dedicated to £ Gods Will be Done a) Duality, the existence of 2 parallel and Project Objectives: this sort of work. £ Laleh Bakhtiar contradictory education systems: tradi¬ a) Make Muslim students aware of the The plan is to organize 15 seminars at £ bpttaccmoaih))toarro e eiegrnnTnI taWntasoehienlen dr exieit tz I t thssauia.itee dnl tp.as i ido sm,mc itcnoshsiiostccpuri.s oh lnnaitIoucnt nnrogtsei dlclhseoys h s r s to dwefahowoecneelrrudh ss el tt Meaeofarkrfre n uonnba dsro edMlt wiasoufm nuuplnoeds ntifdlev sdi gtdmeIseuseer ddlssf ca ireuamitoanmilnemrait¬decssr nbboicKMdrne))aa)f n s us ttAIdEeuoihsnsiarlnwede tirecm r fdclM owooehra deurd enhu sugrtddossoaseculol pgie ceccmtaie ah iacss au eotse selis adc tode utciuinphussedhcs. oatca eaoyuttannt e ef-ti gatni ostodoethn in dtfeaaao.r ll enI e sstsddreolse ual fIemctdoshcailriteeatzm i gmoaccr tnriraiazii odssscani iurtss itia sohooitinneesff bSvOetOixehaommtpnanIwUehfo,aa cnreuryrpatie seoHvlnKn edueM aaK ar tsysOswSoaeiudtA s occylaicctuh' mrsooo la idbanaf is(r nc etM 7 jaasrdru0ocon i s3cts maSt ash) n4I ureildIdgit7l ksIoaia 1eeTyinfD-m U,s 1mt htrea1aSueceon3nd pse ra3dyeremNn.e i csdnsyibeaneg aemCnnf nrao at.igba tntn emtatDaia hrvdarsreeca-.. “&£^£££££^ CoEtPnt1oeh1b 7oiin4nc oetTmok:h aetehn,( ey4QO 1smnu6ttco)o.5c rrMen0e 3s.f8 w-oZ9ra1 m1y9R,7a 5 n y, Muslim education and Islamization of reached at omh@umcc. umich. edu ^ The Muslim Voice Page 4 The Root of the Hijab Ruling on Headscarves Controversy in Quebec Angers Muslims in France By Sheema Khan choice in their eyes. They claim to “value By Juinli Pana rNisu ndy oanttleyn d2in0g sgcihrloso lsw ienr Me urselicmko dnreedss . tAot tbhee ■■They seem ob, sessedj t.o press hUen*r ttro. wc.>hhboi ci^che ”is, wv ahliuleew dion. r Srreiim„aliirltaayr,tl .yi t,i inists ati„sc qnduo itie tsd ciisee ndhc,iee- end of June when schools broke up for the summer, there were more than 700. confess that she S oppressed, rejection of Western feminism by women NINE French Muslim associations Although the wearing of scarves has To which she answers: 'Don 7 mess who have been raised and educated in have protested against “the climate of touched on a number of different with my dress!'" North America. intolerance which is developing in our Muslim communities, from Turks to (by AllafKhaiserudihn. from ihc album "MYNA Rather than examine die possible inad¬ country” after the Education Ministry North Africans, die increase has Raps") equacies of feminism, many conveniently issued instructions to headteachers to coincided with the rise of assume that those who wear hijab arc in discourage Muslim girls from wearing fundamentalism in Algeria. In several The dismissal of 13-year-old Emilic a category different from “Western” headscarves in state schools. cases, banning girls from attending Ouimet from Louis Riel Highschool, and women. Think again. On September 4, The initiative by Francois Bayrou, the school in scarves has created a dispute the ensuing dialogue about die hijab in die Times of London reported that diou- centrist Education Minister, follows five with local immigrant bodies; in odiers, Quebec, has unveiled the latent racism sands of British women have embraced years in which die wearing of the veil has headteachers have preferred to turn a which exists towards Muslim practice. Islam within the past few years. They become a recurring issue in the state blind eye. Curiously, diis prejudice, which stems cornc from a variety of backgrounds: An- lycecs. Issued last weekend, the Mr. Bayrou’s memorandum, appealing from ignorance, has been strongly evi¬ glican, Catholic, aristocracy, working- instructions encourage school principals to principals “to convince radicc dian dent amongst the “enlightened” mem¬ class, educated, single, professional, and to dissuade pupils from wearing signs of force", said “I ask you to reject any bers of our society: intellectuals, writers, married. There is also a trend towards re¬ their religious faith while insisting they mediatisation. No pictures. No politicians, educators, and government newed commitment to the faidi by those should do nothing to attract media statements by you or your staff’. The officials. bom Muslim. What all these women attention. Mr. Bayrou’s new measure statement by Muslim associations on Ms. Ouimet appeared at her school, share in common is the search for spiri¬ comes as the French government is Tuesday said the ban on the veil could dressed according to die Islamic guide¬ tuality in a secular environment. They increasingly worried at signs of a rise of result in Muslims “pulling dicir children lines of modesty, which accord dignity travel a path of deep introspection, study Islamic fundamentalism in France, out of school to conduct their education and respect to die human being. That this of Islamic teachings, and critical analysis mainly spilling over from the civil strife themselves”. That, they said,could create young woman chose to go against peer of contemporary norms. While complet¬ in Algeria. “a risk of exclusion which nobody wants pressure to assert her identity is an exam¬ ing a doctorate in Chemical Physics at In 1989 when Ernest Chcnierc, the in our Muslim com mu nit)'". ple in self-assertiveness which few 13- Harvard, I gave careful thought to my Caribbean head of a lycec in Creil north ycar olds can claim. Yet, the principal ig- purpose in life, and I came to accept Is¬ of Paris who has since become a Gaullist This article is an excerpt from The norandy lumped her choice of dress into lam as a complete way of life. At its member of the National Assembly, first Independent, the European News Page, the same category' as neo-Nazi garb, and essence is submission to the One God banned scarf-wearing girls in his school, for September J5. 1994 summarily sent her home for not con¬ (Allah) alone - and nothing else. Libera¬ forming to the majority. Not only was tion comes from knowing that one is at diis an act fe'ig>ous discrimination, it the mercy of an infinitely merciful Cre¬ was completely contrary to the very ator, rather than at the mercy of people essence of education: to broaden minds, or objects. The Mind’s Eye and encourage people to learn, under¬ Out of this compassion emanates stand and appreciate differences. Instead, guidelines for all human endeavor, in¬ students were given die message diat it is cluding male-female interaction. The "Though you see Him not, surely He sees you. better to follow die effortless path of Qur'an first directs men to “lower their prejudice. gaze and be modest” [24:30]. This is also By Munazzah Shirwani purpose diat we serve Him. “And I have Yet, diis was not enough. Some have enjoined upon women, with the explicit not created Jinn and humans except diat said diat die hijab is a symbol of submis- directive for drawing their hcadcovcrs There I was in the Reading Room of diey serve (worship) Me ” [Sura al- siveness; diereforc, Muslim women over their bosoms in the presence of men Robarts The books in front of me lay Dhaariyaat: 56] should remove it. What hypocrisy. The to whom they not related by blood or open, but it was just an illusion; I was in Tins means that we become die wor¬ hijab is deemed as inferior, and under die marriage [24:31]. It is not Muslim men fact trying my outmost to find a fulfilling shippers fabd) of Him, and not of our guise of “liberation”, Muslim women are who decide the standards of dress for distraction. desires, nor of our peers, wealth or fam¬ told to give up dicir identity and submit Muslim women. However, in North My gaze wandered up to die ceiling ily. That is to say that when somediing to an ideology which they do not agree America and Europe, women’s fashions with its funny triangles. I smiled to my¬ has to be done, we should think of die widi. Anodicr patronizing attitude is: are decided primarily by male designers self as I imagined the ceiling to be a one¬ most beneficial way of approaching it. In “when in Rome, do as the Romans do". in Paris, New York , and Milan. In which way window. Wouldn't it be hinny if die short, we must keep in mind at all times In contemporary society, the vibrancy of case docs one segment of society decide guy two tables down proceeded to dean that He is watching, and should not do a culture is enhanced by its openness to¬ the dress code for another segment? his cars with lus click pencil? Then, in a what He would not want us to do. And wards die richness of human experience. There have been plenty of sweeping pretence of clcanng his desk, he would who knows die best way of doing things Furthermore, those who espouse such a judgments made about Islam in the class¬ get rid of die evidence.. but the Creator? So when we sec a choice stance forget that when their ancestors room, popular media, and literature. If Imagine if he knew diat a horde of of several padis, we should choose die first came here, litde attempt was made Canadians claim to value hones')’ in keen eyes had been watching his “wax- one most pleasing to die Creator. to adopt die culture of this nation’s in¬ scholarship, then we must go beyond ig¬ cctomy” all alongl Of course, the point is Sometimes, we forget to look up from digenous people. norant assumptions, and take a deeper rlr.f the grind-stone of life, dien matters be¬ But, the cultural imperialism docs not look at the foundations of Islamic Our concern in not so much who come disproportionate, because we do stop dierc. In an opinion piece written which are rooted in God-consciousness. might be watching us from die Third not take time out to think, “Hold on, is October 6th, by die Montreal Gazette’s Given die failure of modem secular Floor, but die reality that Allah the Most Mali pleased with what I am doing?" Eve McBride, we are told repeatedly diat thought to address spiritual needs, is it at High (al-' Ala) is watching us from above. The main issue I have been trying to “wearing it [die hijab] might not be a real all surprising that women (and men) are It is almost like die scenario I just get across is that our attitude towards our choice.” As many of us have realized, so turning to faith for personal fulfillment? gave, “ . While you see Him not, yet truly actions should be one of Goodness, and long as our choice agrees with the pre¬ He secs you.” (Muslim]; we arc being Goodness is lhsan. vailing Western feminist paradigm, it is Sheema Khan is a graduate student in watched and heard by the All-Seeing, The Angel Jibra’cel (Gabriel) asked the valid. But if our choice is contrary to Chemistry at McGill university. She can All-Heanng (al Bascer, as-Samecr). Prophet (saw), “Tell me about lhsan.'’ what women like Ms. McBride arc be reached at: It is such a simple fact, and yet were He (saw) replied, “It is to worship .Mali “comfortable” with, then it is not a real well. chem. mcgitl. ca. we to grasp it, it would help us in our hu¬ as though you were seeing Him, and man, social and moral development. while you see Him not, yet truly He sees We all know it: the fact diat Allah sees you..." [Muslim] everything we do and ever)' intention we Just like the people looking dirougli have is not a secret. It is somediing we the one-way window... M \ need to remind ourselves of; the conse¬ So, remember diis piece of advice, "If quences of being aware the Allah is All- you want to do something which you Muslim ^ Seeing (al Bascer) are fruitful. know Mali docs not like, then you had Students' When people become aware that Allah better go somewhere He cannot see is "up there" looking at us, aware of the you I” /cry motivation of our soul and the very chemistry of our being, then diey realize Munazzah Shirwani is a student at the This newspaper is printed on recycled newsprint their place in the universe and become University of Toronto, and has been active This publication contains the Words of »*lh 25% recycled material. Please support the humble in Islamic work on both sides of Allah. Please dispose of it accordingly. eJfort °td pass it on to someone else when you Allah has created us for the specific the "Big Pond. ‘ Burning or shredding is often suggested. an done with it. Page 5 The Muslim Voice Inspiration for Liberation me to address his class, and another even invited me to speak at her church! But best of all, my hijab enticed one phoorattcrerheinvwiortigmahaoedenIhnlcedur niv t t zrh —g h iisretcanahea odivcow1 tlpn m ieed9pfgwpga( d 8ieabyi sieIaa otMir0o mny.snttsn t,m oe Tu Ilou fay’Md ubas ehdn IsldWnet a tiot eb“fem oatEao fl ee ygmwuot hrlmts ef etdnditaereMdtm eei"os itreiI,hr eem g, ndai( b ttmeotiiiagr SehsezmtrinL cah e eme etbdaaemid o/rdbu)te mi i y.u ebsCs“t tla.cemTohoetl ih .oa ar) h traietohc sIetie 1r to ssi drlshnmetnwiifie tgeneiavietonhn d n riduw raaona miepiltlzcualal ”eayyeyIIstt prwwichdTmrfaadnieeorlnourghih ooimbentdnnsAheonhgsef tnydtilgs ortelgsne elr.le. ro ahi oiebdsewoswkneIdtes ntu t etai sfetchmmavsrrworT re;ete/iee reeyef h ei aeedo rd sieytn f mhln htrfnoeoyddeeu iItir .njri a ) nsK aint. aMtbnaI bihacee es ak I Mevordtnsuw ns cnisuc tscss udriu ilalwoiit,lsis Iddtch irm tnelktifk ee iatpodse ma hraytir e ttt dn.tbi,e mom hdd ewdufrna eTeirereb byndeoo e s hrlae demdmpoacweImn d c ec orrwed m aaceeeenn alnh t chTdf y, mteeak iIaIueIsg rn Sosdwdeaernlw lsnkNosl n saihafjhteenhacm iyAawdoyldageae.tl (lwwfadiuhbaaoinaolnnepiebfaho lsred ed mtesNntcGehdon or egrfyjoaeasn ereuso!.mtey uo? l hdir“do gpo r egbAtIlgohennoaeeteHiko , ldo saa ilwhipdsia.tuw nn.j halaia.aitgewetosy sp.nbo a m t”ppdaI ta a wtosass e sco ta abtr ni oadpusytmdty imsl iapd,tiyat i k oodsrende Iie beuw inn s iaesow eeb gttlisbiwel c uethr oiaherga Ictoo emtwf i uraan nmhosesb mdea.ttarlae eeleiniredite eglddnIne, ol “hn i bsdaUafgsibts ten yn e trenaMweht mneadr hinIyeiic vesbuwnoi meeInnleho susa sortgul"ha)l sm sir ,, onlnmaioa l yitidiidndlgnycftt,l, istwwlwaoadmhnHhnohntieteaooejsetenohdwtaesIty mmegr e rbcnge ”rurehm soeet a sdarceaitnnneva oineoxtvvn v tseonanaduntesasee rnren, ta y’mrrg a ieytyttlht lAacoe ledle dteyln tat dh.o fsabi la sdets!oe aynerhe eaf ant dgiaxlaelt mIn ,a erh p fd ga srAoph talaim moh ocbprtitsndhjoem iy epsaotdhiI it ce obs sroee biadfcae jrI ceerua r?tm i etwituaisbts“ sitmlh b enoeh oca towriiniiIimtrott !nnm hu uyI ankameemhtt escp th yntIa I,eeoAaa o as mvdfryn wlrtwsleen ab t l,eaea aea meheawyalwghhand y t n,hea rteh,tt tr trt iaiaha ajahtmunnnahtrttracals’ooddboeeyystttt led me to Islam. learned in our conversation diat I wasn’t, Studies. I have a special affection for my liberated, and a member of His Umma. Long before I took shahada, I was she began to weep and beg me to leam "scarves" as they attract people to me gcw(reeooovlntime gvsnitieo unnncic f.kew. .d iteot h rnteewh. y faa iIstg d ghIdirsdtieilennaw ’gmit s uh skpawun reaido ns ow f dotf hi relwe id i6hjioae0anbi’trsl y trdwh iigtaohrhtues teensI awhkbanodooBm wuteoatis nn fsg iIoin ssdmd liaa eoems t uchl.uto i rnwoiIgonh uyIa s dtda rtcsoho rnaeud’atigt c.twh uyta r.ces..o. ctmhWitaehte,e lIrol aIr m dtshih,di esI, letwaiinnkmodaeoe b dshlae.wa dvob Serem ikane,ecc vI oee ntanoIm bdi genwoie vnenlde’l t ii ekndb nvaloeid'twwnaeddrank l li ot nona c n wsocdpuai etmnhaht pklaetu vhsaseest, IQma3gaM0on 2u aIEsnMlldiMmA is q Nuagon@hm raieMcbntii. v UeSimsShteb Ii Crnca a.cCines dCsb uIe.es Urslea caGmocnhA cIe e).drE nyaDietn agUr s I found diat die hijab was NOT for men many functions. One instructor invited Being Muslim in the 90’s Allah (May He be praised and Exalted) says in the Qur'an: 0 ye who believe! believe in Allah and His Messenger and the scripture which He bath sent to His Coming to terms with modern society Apostle and the scripture which He sent to those before (him). And who denietb Allah His angels His Boohs His Messengers and tire Day ofJudgment hath gone far far astray. By Nusheen Ameenuddin becoming arrogant when we are blessed [The Qur'an: al-Nisaa / The Women (4):136] with good fortune from Allah. I wake up just before dawn with the Islam also teaches discipline. Proof of It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces touurd East or West; but it is righteousness to believe words “In the name of Allah die this is found in our five mandatory daily in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and lire Book and tlx Messengers; to spend of your Bcneficient, the Merciful”. My eyes are prayers. Salat, as it is called, structures a substance out of love for Him for your kin for orphans for the needy for the wayfarer for those aho still heavy' with sleep, but I pull myself Muslim’s life in a way diat nodiing else ask andfor the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer and practice regular charity; to fulfil the out of bed for Fajr prayer. By die time I can. Constantly remembering this duty contracts which ye hate made; and to be firm and patient in pain (or suffering) and adversity and finish, I feel ready to begin anodierday as keeps us focused on our ultimate throughout all periods ofpanic. Such are tlx people of truth tlx Allah-fearing. a Muslim. goal—pleasing Allah. Because the (The Qur'an: al-Baqara / The Calf (2):177) Living as a Muslim means constantly prayers are spread diroughout the day, striving to please Allah, out Lord and we literally build our day around them. The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) teaches: Creator. This is so important because Salat becomes a main focus in our life, A beduin r me to the Holy Proplxt (pbuh) and asked a number ofpertinent questions. Tlx follow part of what we are judged on is striving not just something we think of once in a took place: in_His. way. and the.sinccrity,withjvhiclv long while. J. srisb_to.be die. richest man in die wodd. . we strive. Everything I do must be I would feel scattered widiout prayer. Prop/xt. Be content and you will be die richest man in the world. oriented to diis purpose, whether it is It gives me a chance to put aside my Beduirr. I would like to be the most learned of men. praying five times a day, going to school worldly concerns. Far from being a Prophet. Fear Allah and you will be the most learned of men, to seek knowledge, or being kind to burden, it is one of the most refreshing Beduin: I would like to be die most |ust of men. odiers. Each day, I diink of what I can do experiences I have the pleasure of Prophet Desire for odiers what you would desire for yourself and you will be die to please Allah(swt) and become worthy participating in. When I am praying, it most just of men. of His infinite mercy. feels like I am in my own little space in Beduirr. I would like to be die best of men. Being a Muslim means always trying to die world—an oasis of peace. Prayer is Prophet Be good to odiers, and you will be the best of men. improve myself. In Islam, learning is a the time when I can release my mind and Beduirr. I wish to be safe from Allah's wrath on the day of Judgement. process that begins in die cradle and ends open my heart. This makes me realize Prophet If you do not lose your temper widi any of your fellow men, you will be only in die grave. There is no point where diat the Islamic lifestyle is the most safe from -VII ah's wradi on the Day of Judgement. I can say diat I am good Muslim and diat natural way of life. Beduin: What are the worst evils in the sight of Allah? is enough, because we continuously grow At night, after finishing my homework Prophet Hot temper and miserliness. in Islam. This means striving to be more and praying Isha, I often reflect or. die Source: The vMusnadof Imam Ahmad. than a Muslim in name only. Instead, I day’s events. I sometimes wonder what I try to follow Islam in every aspect of my learned from a given event and how it fits life. into Allah (swt)’s Plan for me. The ISTANBUL TURKISH DELIGHTS Striking a balance in all diat we do is answer is not always obvious, but I will part of the essence of living as a Muslim. probably look back on this in the future We must leam to live in this world and then realize how it shaped me as a | To have your Turkish Cuisine, don’t fly to j wwaityh, owuet bmeuinsgt baebcsoomrbee dsp biryi tiut.a lIlny tcheen stearmede MuBsleifmo.r e falling asleep, I whisper “Laa | Istanbul, Have it here in the heart of Toronto j without abandoning our worldly duties. ilaha illallah Muhammadan Rasullullah”. 'evLeirvyitnhgi nIsgl4a mh aasl soa mpeuarnpso ksen.o wWineg mthaayt Mmey ad Mayu eslnidms: witThh tehree wiso rdnso dgiaotd m abkuet Best of Turkish Food at College Park Food Court ! think somediing is good, bad, or Allah and Muhammed(SAW) is His Near College Subway Station, Yonge & College insignificant, but all that happens is a part Messenger. osufs Atalilanhs’ s uGs ratnhdro Pulgahn . Ihta irsd d itiism feaisd i wdiitaht NushSeteante A Umneiveenrusidtdy.i nS ihse ac farne sbhem reaanc haetd K aatn sas Celal Uysal (416) 340-1946_ composure and prevents us from [email protected] Soup Red Lentil (Ezogelin) SI.95 Islamic Jihad Salad All natural Turkish salads S2.25 Kebab Doner Kebab $3.97 Iskender Kebab $5.95 Islam has specific laws for die conduct of war. For example, these were the instruc¬ tions of Abu Bakr (raa), the first Khalifah after die Prophet, to the Muslim army: Baking Turkish Pida (meat and veg) $2.99 n"Doto c nuot td obwe nh aorrs hb uomn tphaelmm ; trdeoe sn, odto k nillo tc hdielsdtrreony, forludi tm treene so, rd ow onmote snl,a yd oa Turkish Pida (cheese and veg) S2.99 sheep or camel except for food. If you see people who have taken refuge Borek (spinach and cheese) $2.48 in monastaries, let diem be safe in their place of refuge. (Quoted in t^-m ih,- Natural Wav, by Abdul Wahid Hamid, MELS 1989, p. 136] Dessert Turkish Baklava: Shobiyet $1.26 The Muslim Voice Page 6 Twelve hours old: my journey to peace of evolutionary forces? Don't you know elsewhere, and diat dicrc, worship would tence: There is no God but God and (CtCGsoaGrasCwgtdBamsacafeehofn fon ohiannnoaopefheFe dnydviveornc m udWlsdad fi dn'ieG iwceiopstd frstse ddlii'y i ttseeutrtd lvneoonlaihoeei tia , inr. cauG srbgss fdama giykfiClegttn,moNe,tlob td. ertne ?o eGa dyamweuun?olre oaa wtkduo e f hIe ottbgen?eImtesr noct itClo tdeivt odtoe 'onkNce ohhas u?dsoihs m vloaoaitne eMwe cbiooon.ofintoul Ieue enmhip iwpuad?g myfallumosl s yIwvla err dwcp?esnnTtitywses regeoohnl o.oi. :sn aIhih ddndm ena Hh 'smiu y ti,s iseeg ssdo G sll tytaoteIAi wwdsaai,y o eoab) vfcwopio i nliaorl nafeopn ^ulnbesidyWc o ,sdtecngrp.z temhes k awane.oa-d zei c ia yrndModmnnhul ao motv-eesgo d tcfpHetuweeadd .rhy , h fil mny nlh o imonae a 1dmsbNbeteu r a jwtypnhc.eupad.er et oIco o'aetslr s ?t.af.Aiast tt,ucto iei r heIeyn oclWFIGve tpAwmjxdd eigheauuitielni ronncnre iemaslrsoaigkespdhrgy¬'dd,sntttte,,s,sf ., l ,e mtptGctIaecamptlseemmefhh'ih oemegconadvpgouea aarinnoeosareM ehyd'ea jtdthcsncr,,ttnn s yin ? tuerie tetcardasocegtvhoast a,resayicDiefndn ibiedyoelf ssc raiba d .siopinee ad oiowatcenycme mssna cnr bn,widtrwsttoitorecond e avtuhsee'acw ecathntd nemanhxhituf e sd e sy eh rytfpsapm eletiei voInlo roesw sdhdoepissdiioacry u g raenligwhecaweitatgai rfeel i sh.mekideb tmineonia anrm esnttn,uttaascln the ruhhtsIt oi bdoaneai enefero reeaocgm eiwdidnnrx wetuoncI ihestmfoidpina yetiusaa. d tn il np all anwchnsatsinsoedla wgnienhhtr yosatdavlntisiiady 1dh gye vnu evc tto y1oiot tisse siiejrrmneh oesidl?tenu?cimec ftur rctc e wre scgrs am epebtiatIocyb omaeuil erhdna tcnlhloi. oevp.is nrya.se ho ioeonp beitsidi nmco endtH evpnwo htdeIei ed lvwg edhs nealpI foat wjidic n m unyettediupei evged inlwnenxeoshhoresfaeooeoi tvaiidne mitaeendirscodnnscri aaettclrdmtanl¬yih¬nhh'g¬¬¬dardyst.-l, , aoTsgCkEtlllsndcsIlMidhtiiauhcientoseeoahoeeiovaoe ttlscraelspml vvueinuanvewu,yW netkoG tees ma ted l da cectFJ lnnewrrdlrdiseisowkimsd;oel mc,e ma c yaa dnadisusoMiwadoLyesi stgbpsu?oitildnny ird mknaa odao welnususwig o eanItior nuhr oaahont rldtdt,pdwoo gl iefaukhe actdpv ,we nuSt ds t Mmeeaa martaoe ho elGghn osg lhnlwrdk oapea msQeounaeayoo' nou tntael,iin h Geet rsufnr cegQednaedoeiaa veeM irednhtnsw , oatiim ,f’use stlhe u ic dGa tntdio.re.anrorco oe ist mn )d’edst nku oHtoe lma bWasi oeTdwgm lcns(S cdnblelodomnJtl pd ahsya.pen,oiymhe le dcf ailm'qiy ioygsu wsla nosnsiIGe u fe tts eleste sgutotrciboeds nietrsmnsi oielht,tnaretr ;ntfsoee,a ihtgla do n oo tote.gdseibudn Caige mdal'dlrsenma os egdlttie roti ihi nt nia ecIMt;rh ngdwwhwrenrm tor cldta en ge o idideg wce ihnto sgwmMnu,eo d oi s, rto wrirea‘cnb ostiaitIao defead ra e neb tuearJsrvobanb?u irs ninildeaeonoleeyuet .aulttaed¬¬sy ¬’os¬¬o¬e¬Idt.-ty.r;,, , MwocaKmptlIhcwwntdwadslir ofaooaaftagoieaosaiateuaun e omsuldehn nIusrddtN li ssnhkolr,hd f tt.tfspii edtisea rtosea nfeyoesd nmr .peyd iBemt, l eua.chwsxge, faoo mlfy y roeeuaiIest fmoIusI no de a.e.ord tw 'oe r o vdidb gsli rr ekain,sicGdmueseei Oel ltndoqt,fyrnig sd ol t dkgfcoa iousi nKfebaatineesbei. iraed eslivr dirirtrvd e'eog,pnsq ee,tIo aee nee s a d vn h Idlpuk n uI ctim 'sr'koietm.tietlolihnet uoga. nhln.ial if c ioee icntnf he,gIne dsTod. dwer ed d vtt t goo mdlmcohh Ih aheieitamo p itiydne eehiirerroaorsisntrf ocimgctne. ot.ttlol is d .llua ndi omon qIfaeaop,wfsIoy ao nf dtopguh nhylshweimato fBe aw,entaeroeede es yht ian.hge hu d.ltnor n, aen tp. cs. ae uitd so ,nh Ifyeioey op a, tlsg ICtk dexdf wea odn elhbbhsr.i iaesiomtudakv meecaaetSitscutm r,o ne.ir nl ytu i pimmoInwttyelrGnmenEed e yntaen bwa yedoe. wdw. voptdv cug todro. rhahe lydaaaereii lnueiysnI¬¬nIIesdrsI,r,rt purple mosque on a °f the WOrld' U f though no one the prayer seems so long. I puff sligjitly, famous football players prostrate like green background Have you ever doubted the was saying this still sniffling, since with all the standing this, I remember, glancing sideways at There is a path leading existence of God, I would ask vcry loudly for and kneeling and standing I am some¬ die tassles of my hijab which fall onto the btthoee ca k bomlnaosc ski q eunet rTaanhncede c o-f mrepyl ibeedl.i eving friends,. No, they ^saw w,^asf s^ta°rst.i1"ngc wtwhhhiniackth tohtuuarttn Ieo dwf ombureled ai nwdt)oi.l laiSn soge ecynootneudr acs leraresilsoi gucisiotliyn¬ pearrqcau yaseliltryt i nmhgua umtp; b slwetreda ibgaerhefto , rmaell y G pdoriaedy . esraN mleoaewd ea rwn ides trance to die mosque “ ““““““to fall apart. zen? I demand of my questioners. You muttering something still, waving his seems to contain the truth, it s elusive, OK, so you decided God existed. You know that there is a lot of abuse of right hand's forefinger around in die air but it is there I am happy be bcck- were a monotheist. But Christianity is women in Islamic countries, just as in the I look down at my mat again. The grer ., oned to tins entrance. monodieistic. It is your heritage. Why West, but this is not true Islam. -And purple and black of my prayer mat look When 1 was much younger I had a leave it? Still these questioners arc puz¬ don't bring the veil tiling up. Don't you reassuringly die same. The blackness of complete jigsaw picture of the world. It zled. But you must understand diis is the know that women wear hijab because the Mosque's entrance entreats me: 'I am fell apart sometime during the third or easiest question of them all to answer. I God asks them to? Because they trust in here, just relax and you will find me.' My fourth year of my undergraduate study. smile. I learned how the Qur'an did not God's word. Still. How will I have the tears have dried on my face and die skin In Kingston I had reminded myself that contradict science in the same way the courage to wear hijab? I probably won't. feels tight. What am I doing here? Dear I had once been a regular churchgoer, Bible did. I wanted to read the Biblical People will stare at me. I'll become obvi¬ God. I am here because I believe in you, somewhat embarrassed, since I knew stories literally, and discovered I could ous; I'd rather hide away in the crowd because I believe in die compelling and that religious people were slushy/mushy, not. Scientific fact contradicted Biblical when I'm out. What will my friends say majestic words of the Qur’an, and be¬ quaint, bonng, old fashioned people. Yet account. But scientific fact did not con¬ when they sec me in that?? OHI Godl cause I believe in the Prophethood of God had seemed self-evident to me then. tradict Qur’anic account, science even Help. Your Messenger Muhammcd. I know in The universe made no sense without a sometimes explained a hitherto inexplica¬ I had stalled at the edge of change for my heart my decision is the right one. Creator Being who was also omnipotent. ble Qur’anic verse. This was stunning. many a long month, my dilemma grow¬ Please give me the courage to carry on Leaving church I had always had a feeling There was a verse about how the water ing daily. What should I do? Leave my with this new self and new life, that I may of lightness and happiness. I felt the loss from fresh water rivers which flowed old life and start a new one? But I serve you well widi a strong faidi. I smile of that feeling. Could it be that I had into the sea did not mix with the sea wa¬ couldn't possibly go out in public in hi¬ and stand up, folding my prayer mat into once had a connection to God which was ter; verses describing conception accu¬ jab. People would stare at me. I stood at half, and lay it on the sofa ready for my now gone? Maybe this was the start of rately; verses referring to the orbits of the the forked path which God had helped next encounter widi its velvety green cer¬ my journey? I tried to pray again, but planets. Seventh century science knew me reach. I had new knowledge which tainty. Now the burden begins to lift found it extraordinarily difficult. Chris¬ none of this. How could Muhammcd be tested comfortably with my intellect. tians told me that people who didn't be¬ so uniquely wise? My mind drew me to¬ Follow the conviction, or stay in the old Katherine Bullock is a second year lieve in Lord Jesus Christ were doomed. wards the Qur’an, but I resisted. way? How could I stay when I had a dif¬ PhD student in Political Science at the What about people who've never heard I started going to church again, only to ferent outlook on life? How could I University of Toronto. She can be of Jesus? Or people who follow their own find myself in tears in nearly every ser¬ change when the step seemed too big for reached at kbullm [email protected] religion? And society historically claimed vice. Christianity continued to be diffi¬ me? I would rehearse die conversion sen¬ women were inferior because Christianity cult for me. So much didn't make sense: twoeldre u bsa irtr ewda sf rEomve 'sst upduyniinsgh,m veontitn; gw, oomwne¬n tihnec aTrnriantiet;y ; tthhee iwdeoar sthhiapt Joesfu sM waarys , Gtohde 5 ing land. God was an awful man with a Saints, or Jesus, rather than God. The 1 long white beard. I couldn't talk to him. priests told me to leave reason behind <s> I couldn't follow Christianity, therefore when contemplating God. The Trinity <$> X GeCrohedrdi sctfioeamunl idnwnis'ott mse xewins ht.wo hBboue tlw ietehvreeend fIei nmd iisGncioosvtds¬,, dpcioodus elnddo Itt o lm.e aaIvk ede em lsveyen cdsu edl,te uaernpede, r mn. oyAr h fwteerarist aa liglt,e sh,u ompw¬y <<$i>> XI adiannnidtdde gnMcroaaltull s tcmlooim nythds eewoilnrfo erma e ale'ip nglooi oswt tno-h.c ofhI wr bsieshtatlaiiratet nveI edtfd het omoIs upilngaraimhsytt fItEai'daman sbi.tl eey r?Ia lwloeNanasoer n. ioendIns ettmir tiwuoetdroee udt.l o d a Ib uecdn oidasu ecgprolosveto eadorne fdCd ,h h taurhinnsad¬¬t <<<$$8>>> (416)1 916832- D3M1a8on4nf .o( -rB th)F S /Ara itv..( 4e.1 6) T11500o6::r500o-00n2 aat9omm4,4 Ot too(nH t66a)::r00 i/00o 3pp4mm7M -349J 944C (3C el.) XIII bmineaelydieb vmee yrG. 'l oifde' Is d eifdve eletn xtitssh taa. nt dI l iIcg ashratewnfue dsllsiy a tea xcgoaamiinn¬¬; dsaurnesdd nsm eovofer eyr ecoaarflstle eandf tsehariijmde sshueelsf ' swG daosed at thhine, c tSahroannta jteoe-f, <<$$>> CAalilr wusa yfso,r LAuifr tChaannsaad, aO, Alyimr Ipnicd,i aS,a Audliitaa,l iPa,I AKaLnMd ,o Kthuewrsa.i t TI cidences and luck were God's blessings Man; that the doctrine of the Trinity was <$> We also offer special Haj and Umrah packages. Z fthoar nmkse. , a1 nadm I 'adm naezvede rG noodti cweads, soor ksianidd eCshtaribslti shhaedd dsieodm; et h3at0 0th eo dNdi ccyneacrcs Carfeteedr <$> X and persistent while I was disloyal. which I had faithfully recited every week, <$> g twmaphweaeeaMse cthswoeyoi . naame gspahe Ptp swirlnd eoahgeaanii sctcdIeyhh .f hseGchael1ovo et fawedtein nei jsnmlgue lspaseet wr pamgtelyhci,ee vea wr esa.p naonanG ndtdtdh ohyea.de rlfm.l r oBaoA;wn mundast JMmfopeoufiscE nnGuuNogssore i inddatwyg, t a fapaoson o nprdseoG ivelttioihaetoicrdecn.h ' as m lt w hIam majowoteer rJedasietsts,iy senw usngvosga i etsewao wrnw,a cpgsro orwityntihtnalfee sitnr W Smt hebohx ayna¬yt <<<$$•>>> FoWr gEu aOraFntFeFEeodRr Cs teuShursevsPt o ipocEmeerrC f e&verIci AstSs ipateL rturiiv cssRif ecifsAceo a ariTtns it odhEon euSt, h rb p eTfel ipesOreats rstpf eeApr cirdctLi oesoLes nn.n to-Syit.cT ehUse,s DitaEteN toT Sca ll » XIX surely you can see that die world is too hadn't the Church taught me these call MOHAMMED AMIN. T complex, too beautiful, too harmonious tilings. Well. I knew why. People would ’ to be an accident? To be die blind result understand that they could worship God Page 7 The Muslim Voice The Essence of the Qur'an The significance of the opening verses by Khaled Sharaf The Qur'an teaches us a Prayer that Allah the One True God. is die Way of the favored and blessed sums up our faith, our hope and our Since it is die gist of die 113 chapters ones who know die Truth and act upon 'In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, inspiration in things that matter. We of die Qur'an, diis chapter is called the it, not that of the condemned who rebel Most Merciful, think in devotion of Allah's name and Essence of die Book (Qur’an). The and discard God's commands despite All praise is due to Allah, The Che rishe r and praise Him for His creation and His fundamental articles of faith; oneness of their knowledge of the Truth, nor that of Sustainer of the Worlds, Cherishing care. We call to mind the God, His attributes, life in die Hereafter die astray ones who deviate because they Most Gracious, Most Merciful, realities, seen and unseen. We offer Him and absolute submission to Him alone in lack in reaching die Truth. Master of the Day ofjudgment. worship and ask His guidance. We know ever)’ action arc briefed in the seven The Opening chapter ends with You alone do we worship, and You alone do we the straight from die crooked path by the verses which make up diis Opening grouping the mankind into those three turn for help. light of His grace diat illuminates the chapter. The Opening chapter also categories among which only die first one Gidde us to the straight path, the path of those righteous. combines the peak of objectives, namely is die successful and the rest arc loscrs. You hate blessed, not the path of those who By universal consent, these verses arc the worship of Allah alone, and die most Thc characteristics of the successful hate been condemned, nor the path of those who righdy placed at die beginning of die honorable of means, which is seeking group are listed in anotherQur'anic verse hate gone astray.” Qur'an as summing up, in marvelously Allah’s aid in fulfilling this duty. which reads “Whosoeier obeys Allah and tlx [Surah aJ-Fatihah] terse and comprehensive words, man's In addition, it includes the best Messenger (Muhammad), they an in the relation to Allah in contemplation and supplication, namely asking the guidance compary of tlsose whom Allah has blessed, of These seven verses form a complete prayer. It teaches us die perfect prayer. to die straight path. According to die the Prophets (who leach the Truth), the Sincen chapter by themselves and arc recited by For if we pray right, it means that we Qur'an, guidance to die straight Way (loiers of Truth), tlte martyrs, and the Righteous Muslims in their prayers at least 17 times have true knowledge of Allah, His comes in two steps. First, finding this (who do good): How beautiful is their a day. Prayer is the heart of Religion and attributes, of His relations to us and His straight Way which is the ultimate Truth. Company" [4:69] Faith. But how shall we pray? What creations. [Though Allah needs no praise, Second, keeping oneself in this straight words shall convey the yearnings of our for He is above all praise, die prayer is Way by following the Truth. 'Hie Khalid Sharaf is a student at the miserable ignorant hearts to the Knowcr primarily for our own benefit as it question that might arise now is what is University of Waterloo. of all? develops love, hope and fear towards daniastw Wer aiys eaxnpdl awinheedr ien itsh ed ilaats tT vreurtshe?. TThhaet ISLAM: The Daily Struggle AN INVITATION TO THINK By Naheed Khaja ner peace and happiness within herself. And no one can take diat away from her. By Iqbal Ahmed, Ziad El-Kurjse & die culmination of all messengers that As a Muslim what docs a women who Can you imagine being a young Mus- Afshin Afrashteh came before him. This final message is a wears die hijab mean to you? An old- limali, constandy fighting and struggling complete guidance pertaining to every as¬ fashioned, overzealous... fundamentalist? to practice her religion? She only wants Have you ever wondered why Islam is pect of life and is valid for all time, places Or is it someone who fears and loves Al¬ to practice modesty and be chaste, why constandy a subject of discussion for ev¬ and people. lah? docs she continue her struggle? Because erybody, Muslims and non-Muslims Our life on diis Earth has a specific Unfortunately, it is not only diis soci¬ the repercussions of not practicing the alike? One can hardly miss it in interna¬ purpose. God did not create us just for ety- who condemns the hijab, but sadly hijab are far more serious dian some may tional politics, religious and ideological a few years of diis life. On the contrary, enough it is sometimes also our own realize. She wishes to save herself from circles, as well as in die media. dicrc exists a Day ofjudgement when the families and friends. They mistakenly be¬ die terrible torments of Hcllfirc. Today, Islam is die fastest-growing re¬ entire human race will be rcsucrected and lieve that a women that wears a hijab is She does not want to be like Western ligion in the world, with over a billion fol¬ everyone will appear before God and one who will never succeed in the work¬ women; she has herown Muslim identity-, lowers from all races, nationalities and face tell consequences of dieir deeds in force, never accomplish anything in soci¬ one dint is recognized by all, and one that cultures. What is die ideological basis of diis life. Belief in human accountability ety or diat die women will have very few she is not at all ashamed or embarrassed Islam that relates to you, as a diinking to God gives a sense and meaning to life opportunities in getting married. How¬ of. In die eyes of Allah, Muslim women hdepmpnwinxeouiohonsrhsmnElatrgeayidatva nfu oleueniuclssrfylr ntte ny bi csibdeotevuoilo svinesceonsi reei ,lngas wic fcsel ?uirladtao. eyls tni,ra i eso iptOsnashinrveenjine,u iep dsetflr yeea tihooc cardovataudfisanftesi n .ta wsn iog idoaenbH hent tcsoiuls uegiet frv mrrdhoeteuvhie,r ae ceir enni t wn tid sebsoaa h inennehtpagtu aiuotiirtn vonrryai¬¬¬¬esf.l aammpmpginnnaoleoaitlddlen Itinrt estrado iindl lcnea weiaiadtamrxftayl finii;yeeo sa iat rmtnighconseeauae dnnafli la t .tclntm ei iiueafns cear,otItj oae, tutb fesmlsccsrj;r toeo riohipaiacvcmmunurltee esddm t.re.h o oi d,tane hoidnIgnecektis so ae pnisl aevflemra mnreirtfovivod iopemaer anltaatsndi eal posda;a lp n n tsodtro, cioio fmao e a hidmt marlchueielh¬¬¬ee¬¬s AaeMhhtuuelvciiettrj/ihueera lTli rsi rbiehhan l n viswGoa fm ed stodaomehei bri ed aie wwgo sA'tnshou hot mwloeo.tlw m dratoahbe ohenrneear,llne yd fdiHtwe st h vedd;aes eer ronot n?echacd oa nnasw fnwdt tocei de ltrhiulre .t nar ihcAeiltTin laesld hg llobdea ieezmoh wn etn otonc iehirs d osle tdwn ih tlito syenher u ieagwarlpiw rt dfanb eyuiatem fh tratty ¬deaoes, gslcawaMdatnromirhheadunuN co'os stg.e iAnl osgnsidgo mpallu mmisnckrneataieioa ghegca htrt hdlttyt lieteioi cy.niarrw s,et tp wi d AomriSactamhdl ihoiclblaidaeeytneethina csch.t.sit oee sehta mdr rhni-ujn Aetobeaglernsbybygv d sh lrae teeeianarfl t crrii ywggc ailJosei ihif ondshrwttn,aeiiah n ;ihsd dehfghee.o ,e xen rr cb dawsAedeinespiilsldl¬¬etlft Tmtamonhaa deenn l nysiSc e huiwwtan fa v,as yevufs iobb.r euset,re iN tcnauoon twwdnes esop , rtr osaoihd rtGcieop clopset,diet oeda arnn nr.idc na T lle,aih mvnaee insenteedf df hoo ualirld¬ntl dbTmtiaoooes n seanasd alow gnoteo an alt doidor fmatn oclaiiemtlf, e rb ,ci aavohpraloraoliprrueitee rrb s,s , ya cna Iarsdnasl dtcaeo im sfdom ipars rtacgeinnoslodceur tnniiitrootsrrnua y¬ass. gstohr eeSwa tuter ruamerl,y a[d nnsbihylee-e lQdih eiimuvfjafreai’bscay, u n isln:hth iaYeAevs ul.wel na ihluHtl osaao nt1wgtda0oe i:cn6v o5 edt]nrih rtawiontu huigeneh¬ns ANamcaethireiitce adin) K. MAhanYjdaN iysAe sa, b (hNrMoigatuhh/sa eslmric.m h oi sYo lho seutrut nhde eoenfdt yN w Soharolt ohisf t submit to present, static laws of the uni¬ verse. The universe at its best is a paint¬ ing, not the painter. Who is to be wor¬ Yorkland Travel shipped: the painting or die painter? Islam is based on die belief in on God, who is the creator of all. God is free from all dependents, yet all arc depen¬ dent on him. God has neidier a begotten For all your trcn’el requirements all over the world including umrap package: $299 US (4 nights/5 days) son nor a father. God is High and India, Pakistan, Middle East. Asia, Africa, Europe. South Supreme, but He is very near to die pi¬ i America, U.S., Canada and Australia. We specialize in Umrah Special of the Month from Toronto: ous, thoughtful believers. He loves peo¬ [ and Hajj and offer special student discounts. LT oonnrdlonnn SS 338800 (Cdn) ple who love Him, and forgives their sin. Karachi $1149 He gives diem peace, happiness, knowl¬ edge and success. Only God can provide ! Please contact us at: Bombay / Delhi $1199 the perfect guidance to humanity, and 33 City Centre Drive Jeddah $1280 not human-made systems such as Capi¬ \ Suite 355 Riyadh $1350 taliTsmo ,c Donevmeoyc rhaicsy m oers Csaogme mtou nhiusmm.a nity, Mississauga, Ontario L5B 2N5 Umrah DShpaehcriaanls (without pac$k1a3g60e ): God chose people who were the best Karachi $1399 among dieir nation in terms of modesty, Phone : (905) 896-3335 Bangkok $1430 pTiheetyse, hinodnievsidtyu aalsn din colbueddeide nNcoe ahto, AHbirma¬. Fax : (905) 896-3343 Lahore $1465 ham, Moses, Jesus and, lasdy, Note: Yorkland Travel will donate $10/Cdn Nairobi $1475 Muliammcd (peace be on them all). to die charity of your choice All prices do not include applicable taxes. Their message was the same: the One¬ ness of God. Muhammad (pbuh) was The Muslim Voice most of the hadith are found in Bukhari Finally, I would like to make a couple The Journey of the Scholar: and Muslim. Even more important is the of comments. We all have to remember fact that these each hadith was chosen that by reading just a couple of these Introduction to Hadith Literature because it sets “forth one of the great books does not give us the authority to points of religious belief.” And so these start making fatwas. There is no such hadith give an excellent oveerrvviieeww ooff tthhee thing as an “instant” scholar. We are in¬ By Najam Khaja mMiutwteartst ai nw athse wcrhiattienn (iisnn aMd)e. dinAal sow,h tihche funGdeanmeeranltlayl ss opefa Ikslianmg,. when looking for cfaocmt ptheatet nmt otos tg oivfe u vse radreic ntso bt etcruaue sme oasft tehres MmbttochurovoeoruleTnrl wsreeihlnwcn isemetrighirnewoe semgtn l o msaitts sohrerte k krhedIoaaaleknC e ubt ebsiaoglglrhyercr rhna ioo iig^ tsswahAfi anne ttiblnha nl koaeeIlngn hsu u oslcc taoImwoot m runnwIlebrseicc.nciceldeelaed lrgrr. mbs nnteo or a . .y fowwm ckth iiaWoosutEanht nidosv h goiirieibcet slrnhe¬e-tt (wlaccQwiffotalnaa ueunus"daad rs }moikaeoee) n fn os itthat enhcih1 am e ej,eodku y vewcifr .t eir fhaAsdreeTst sim,bl ee whotbu aeniegd it o„D trhnisataerieien a natnrc wy°t ga oi t tnu pochnh tceaoadehtanrndh iet.nrtc iene tccol hcratounasioesl„cli bsl lac o elm sraecwehf lceit n aseoltrecsiddebuou,aei olnoert wdhon .op eb,ikimf nanIe sk¬gn.aa-.- a-amplpmsoe onrrfaagihouy nsk arpthwcec dcie cepoirlhdtsplr heeu.mcuf .cuhr nAsekclad.B eoi lensdstluGorlhi tesn(, dao ctidctatsiothei eninid oe stadh a n dofaoiue,)onnu p .toe gh,tet hh th enFnaooencsdoo rca fti uo inr.set tapheth ysn a o ahwaodb.hu snateiyakleldodrl v s itc ge thh“hvhia eawvaar bvrec,sloh ue e bdrira ecta eito.nhega -- otAcwgRbAoufaelelh stlmsl ececaotidlgl tsh laht tiw eosaookecsen nrnrikb c c oos aeaeiwurs rtls eh pcn sAsa aee o buuu rrtsasesrta ereiubsduoondtaii.tucuesle hl,is ndy eth nid nbiavionitgdyenir ni c tgatdmhioh ntoaary aoa ht wh ttnaothraeesteef d rgbok r,ia eatnfthrar e odatn nhwh.add aenai dth bAdiiictoro ti noohrwni¬¬ds.f. out the hadith literature and lay down sleoamArneti ntshgoe er xtr ipsoekrf io encfrc bietee. irniag ttooo fsaimcilpiltiastteic twhee ttrhheeag ta nriden xctltou dctlehadse sih,r a awduiotdhui lewdn icctihotyom u(ete mgth.c erB icbauoihlooakuqssi sac lhooao lsaaebr odgvuoei dw esehl iotnrueu.ls dt? p”r oRveidgear dsolemsse, dsioer t of ErinNdadjlaem C oKllhegaeja o ifs tahe f iUrsntiyveearsri stytu odfe Tnto arotn to. gcaron ucpast egorTizoe hsatadritt h wliittehr,a tuthree inotroig tiwnaol andB Tuat btahriasn ii)s. where the money factor Myth of Fundamentalism sources of hadith form the first category. comes in. It would be nice to have all For a period of about three hundred these collections of hadidi but realisti¬ It is rarely mentioned that the regimes yPaenraodrp sch oaemftt e(ppri blheudihs )i dnw emeartaehn ,c yot hlwlee ocsrtakeydsi.,n cgSlsao somsiffe i tehodef, caanldly E Sdnaighaliiths hisM tn,umoslt,S i mpl.ot ,saosrnicbs l aeo . sfe SFvieoArrai hlii nBvsoutalUi un,m„caen e, (emCleamrn&gyUv>. ’ Mptlh,a 'aictJe nsth miisn p isat h^gr eea thnBI)e;i urb lld_ei ffdi.icautl„ t.a rIeh cffra„cr, rtthoega tir methpeeslas tcehe a Ist alearxmei sictd isFcotulaentlodyra timhalre,o nuttagolhtias lttihst eaw ruiiassnhe the most authentic hadith have been works. However, die Muwatta is an ex¬ better understood in analogy, rather than of oppression. A few examples suffice. recorded in the six canonical books, com¬ cellent addition to any library because it litcra]ly From the Shah of Iran to Saddam prising of Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, is an authentic yet concise collection. But It is a fundamental belief of the Hussein to Mu-ammar Qaddafi, the Sunan Abu Dawood, Jami' al-Tirmidhi, perhaps the best alternative (and proba¬ Muslim that die Qur’an is die literal word people in diose countries live under opp- Sthuen aMn uasln-Nadi soaafi ,A ahnmda Sdu bn.a nH Iabnnb aMl, aajanhd, bally'M thajea amno wsth ircehli aibs lea coonme)p iisla tLioun' Ionf' awlal of TG boedli.e vTeh ethrea t.i sM nuos lMimuss lmimay w dhifof edro cs sreuspspioonr.t eFdu rbtyh eurms. oTreh,e irte i si sa nn oopt par essisnigolne the Muwatta of Maalik. Then, there are ,hc hadith that “ TJ implka'tions of this bdiaf, but they do regime in the region that docs the collections, which arc compilations of {mutlafaqun alaib) by l: o U lan an no^ ancj jndced cannot differ oni ddiiee depend on foreign aid for its very htiaodniethd afrboomve tahned omrigainnya lo ts_hoeurrs c. esE_ mxaemn¬ - MuOsldimic.r works which arc also good arc priTmhaicsy i so wf dhieer eb ethliee fW itesestlf h. as imposed its eexleisctteonracete. s-W ree c-o gansiz eg odvieer nompepn-trse 'sainvdc pits include SLuwi's Riyadh al-Salih.cn and Ibn Hujt’s Bullish al- experience on Islam. nature of these dictatorships and we Bsghawi's Mishka! MlauM, Ibn Hair's Manam. Riyadh al-Salihccn was for Westerners have assumed - and continue to aid and abet dieir existence. Buluth 'pl-Mcmm mill Aadlhl tl-Abkam many centuries considered the standard continue to assume - diat die Qur’an is And then we wonder, why die people of as well as the contemporary collections by which scholacs were judged. In spite similar to the Bible. This is not so. They diat region arc inimical to die West. which were wntten pnmarily for sn En- of that, the hadith contained sv.du- have assumed - and continue to assume - Anodier accusation that is levelled glish speaking audience. Riyadh al-Saliheert arc equally important that Islam is similar to Christianity. towards Islamic Fundamentalism is that Now before buying (or just reading) a for any Muslim to know. Ibn Hajr in his Whereas there are definite similarities, diey are diemselves dictatorial. They do certain collection of hadith, there arc sev¬ collection provides a source for each ha¬ dicrc arc also signal differences. not allow freedom of though and eral factors to co-nsi—der. Auth.en.tic,ity is, dith and on top- of that he g- rades the a Islam has never acquiesced to the expression, and they will establish their by far, the important. In terms of thencitv of the hadith He includes weak CQ t of..rcndcringunto Caesar*’. Islamic regimes by force. This is an the n reliable sources, the first class hadidi so diat the reader may be waarryy ooff ^ comfary> propOSCd |aws accusation that is worth looking at more would include Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Mus¬ diem. Mishkat al-Masabih is an important and principles which should guide closely. Even if we are to accept the lim, and the Muwatta of Maalik. Sahih work in the field of hadidi literature since human life in its daily aspects. As such, accusation as accurate, we are looking at Bukhari has been acknowledged by the it shows many of die relevant hadidi on Islam is a complete way of life that a group of people who believe in an majority of scholars as being the most au- a particular issue. But, there arc many governs die individual, die family, die ideology and wish to impose that dicntic book under the sun after die weak hadith diat have been recorded society and the state. The Qur’an is not ideology upon dicir compatriots because Quran. Muslim was also very strict in the widiout being reported as such. Never¬ therefore merely a book of stories or diev believe diat ideology to be fit to cntcria diat he applied in discerning au¬ theless, in my opinion, die most valuable parables or history, it is also a book of government. Is diat not what we thentic hadith. Most of the hadidi in die collection diat I have come across is law, as well as being a source for social ourselves arc doing? Muuatla rarely have more dian two ttans- Nawawi’s 40 Hadith. It’s concise and and individual guidance. Is die West not establishing sanctions, Unlike the Bible, diere is nothing in and invading countnes and sacrificing The Prophet Mohammed’s Last Sermon the Qur’an that has imposed upon lives to establish democracy around die This sermon was delivered on die Prophet's last Pilgrimage: Muslims a need for interpretation on a world? Do we not believe diat democracy “O People, lend me an attentive eat, for I don’t know whcdicc, after this year, I steady level. There arc verse in die qur’an is the best system of government for all shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you care¬ that arc not taken at their literal meaning, people wherever diey may be? And arc fully and take these aords to those who could not be present here today. and in fact, they never have been This is we not fighting to impose this system O People, just as you regard this month, this day, diis city as Sacred, so regard a funda-mcntal difference between Islam upon nations around the world? the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred tnist. Return die goods entrusted and Christianity : Christianity began with Congress is now urging the President of to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remem¬ literal acceptance, and ended widi a need die United States to ■ocably link aid ber that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your for interpretation. Islam began with both, to democratization, deeds Allah has forbidden you to take usury (Interest), therefore all interest obliga¬ and remains so. I submit that diis perspective on tion shall henceforth be waived... Thus when speaking from a Western human affairs is a deplorable vestige of Beware of Satan, for your safety of your religion. He has lost all hope diat he will perspective, literal reading or acceptance die days of Colonialism. In our ever be able to lead you astray in big diings, so beware of following him in small of scripture is associated widi less happy ethnocentric arrogance we believe diat dungs. O people, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, times. It is associated with the Dark we - and only we - know what is best for but they also have right over you. If diey abide by your right then to them belongs Middle Ages, die Hegemony of Rome, people in the Muslim World. We believe the nght to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind die Burning of Heretics and the Holy that they should be governed by to diem for diey arc your partners and comittcd helpers. And it is your right diat Inquisition. democracy and will ensure that they are they do not make friends widi any one of whom you do not approve, as well as I The literal reading and acceptance of even if we have to oppress them to do it. never to commit adultery i scripture is associated in the Muslim We believe that they should not be O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers mind with happier days. Indeed, it is governed by Islam, and we will kill them (Salali), fast during the mondi of Ramadhan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Per- | associated with a civilization that to make sure they aren’t. -Mid when they form Hajj if you can afford to You know diat every Muslim is die brodier of an¬ illuminated the Darkness of these same fight us back we will call them terrorists. odier Muslim. You arc all equal. Nobody has superiority over anodier except in middle ages, tolerated religious St. Augustine narrates the following story piety and good action. Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer differences and produced a plediora of in his Confessions: for your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am scientific discoveries. Alexander captured a pirate and gpnc Several accusations are levelled at harangued him for his piracy. The O People, no Prophet or Messenger will come after me and no new faidi will be Muslim Fundamentalists - who, pirate’s reply: “Because I steal one ship at bom. Reason well, dierefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey incidentally, arc never identified beyond a time, I am a pirate. Because you steal to you. 1 leave behind me two things, die Qur'an and my example, die Sunnali and the simple notion of their literal many, you arc called Emperor.” if you follow these you will never go astray. All diose who listen to me shall pass on acceptance of scripture. One of the most my words to odiers and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my prominent of these accusations is that If'ael M.R. Haddara is a Meds recluse words better than diose who listen to me direcly. Be my witness, O Allah, diat I they want to establish “Fundamentalists who’s too modest to write. But we forced have conveyed Your message to your people." Islamic States “ through the use of force. him to anyways.