Category: Issue 16

A Garden of Truths

The Pen

Islamic Unity “The greatest obligatory duty in this time is to work for the Islamic unity. The aim and objective of the unity are to vibrate such a long luminous (blessed) chain that connects the Islamic centres and mosques/masjids and milieus which are branched out in subdivisions and thereby to awake those who are tied to that chain and to lead them towards the path of development with desire and command of conscience.” (Bediuzzaman, Damascus Sermon, 90) Working Louis Pasteur, the famous French chemist and microbiologist, used to give his…

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Sheikh Shamil, the Eagle of the Caucasus

Feridun SAMIL

As a Muslim leader whose country had been exposed to the occupation of a foreign country, Imam Shamil carried out a legendary defence war and protected his country’s honour. Imam Shamil, who was the legendary leader of the North Caucasus, and an unforgettable name in the Russian-Caucasus wars, and who struggled to reinvigorate Islam again in the Caucasus when the Russians were trying to obliterate it, and who brought the Russian armies to heel, was born in Gimry village of Dagestan in 1797. He started his academic life at an…

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Two Fearsome Conditions of the Modern Age

The Pen

Since the Risale-i Nur is able to respond successfully to two of the most fearsome challenges of modern life, it has proved to be beneficial to many and it affects people’s minds and hearts easily. By Ismail Kaya The significant results of the Risale-i Nur service, which is a cause of the spreading of faith and knowledge of the Quran, have been attracting attention ever since it was composed. And many people have asked both Imam Bediuzzaman Said Nursi and his students why they were not defeated when confronted with…

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Dietary Prohibitions

Mohammad Mazhar Hussaini

Maintaining a balance between the requirements of the body and soul, Islam has laid down simple dietary rules. Islam allows its adherents to eat all that is pure and nutritious through halal earning. For the general wellbeing of human beings, Islam prohibits certain categories of foods and drinks, as well as certain sources, means, and methods of earning. These forbidden categories are to save people from harm. As a preventive measure, the things which lead to unlawful things are also prohibited. “He makes lawful to them what is good and…

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THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF TURKEY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA

The Pen

By Dr. Mohammad Siddik, MA* A model for sustainable development. A joint cooperation between Turkey and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Jeddah. Background In a quick survey of the conditions of the Muslim communities living in its non-member countries in Africa and Asia in the early 1980s, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), which was established in 1973 with the mission of enhancing development of the Muslim countries and the Muslim communities in the non-member countries, found out that, as the result of discrimination during the colonial times, Muslims in Africa…

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A Short History of Risale-i Nur Service

Mustafa Topöz

Imam Nursi, after living a life full of struggle to save the faith of the people and to defeat the materialist ideology, left behind a service which is now illuminating the paths of millions of people. Imam Bediuzzaman Said Nursi was born in Nur village of Bitlis province in the eastern part of Turkey in 1877. Thanks to his extraordinary intelligence and memory, Allah (SWT) granted that he complete his education in the Islamic disciplines, which normally takes fifteen years, in a much shorter time and he took his diploma…

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The Importance of Repentance

The Pen

Tawba (repentance) is a means to the infinite mercy of Allah and it is a shelter for the individual servant Allah blessed His servants with “free will” to choose between good and bad. He commands His servants to prefer good over evil; right over wrong; halal (lawful) over haram (unlawful) and promises heaven, the great reward, to those who obey His commands. As for those who are beaten by their nafs and the devil and disobey orders, Allah (SWT) calls them to repentance and opens the doors of His infinite…

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Concentration and humbleness in Prayers

The Pen

By Mohammad Qasim* Although the main prayer in Islam (known as salat in Arabic) is ostensibly made up of some physical movements, indeed it should be performed with reverence, concentration and humbleness which can only be reached at the end of a spiritual education process. We are going to touch upon and comment on two important and basic words which are ‘salat/prayer’ and ‘khushu/reverence, concentration and humbleness’. As stated in a hadith narrated by al-Baihaqy, from Umar (ra), the Messenger of Allah said, prayers are the pillar of religion. Prayers…

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The Wisdom of Prophethood and its Necessity

The Pen

By Yusuf Muhammad Eid Sil’u Sometimes the human mind may be enough to conclude that there must be a Supreme Creator to explain the existence of the universe and the things in it. But the commands of the Creator and the details of servanthood can only be understood through the tradition of prophethood.  This article is about the most important pillar among the pillars of faith. This pillar is the cornerstone among the pillars of faith because it is about prophethood and prophets, and because faith in Allah is dependent…

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The Educational Methods of Our Prophet (PBUH)

The Pen

By Vahap Gultekin As a model in human relationships, the methods that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used in spreading his cause and mission will prove to be effective if we can apply them successfully in our own educational activities. What is more important than what we teach in education is how we teach it. Of course, we have to teach good and useful things to people and youth, but this must be done in effective ways. It is known that the students who do not like a teacher generally do…

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