Q: Is photography allowed in Islam? Bearing in mind that it is not the same as painting or recreating a being, it’s rather a capture of image through light and lens.

A: With regard to this question, Photography as a medium of communication or for the simple, innocent retention of memories without the taint of reverence (shirk) does not fall under the category of forbidden Tasweer which means innovating the features of a person , while the only one who can do that is Allah.

One finds a number of traditions from the Prophet, (peace be upon him), condemning people who make Tasweer, which denotes painting or carving images or statues. It was closely associated with paganism or shirk. People were in the habit of carving images and statues for the sake of worship. Islam, therefore, declared Tasweer forbidden because of its close association with shirk (association of partners with Allah). One of the stated principles of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence is that if anything directly leads to committing sin, it is likewise a sin. In other words, Tasweer was forbidden precisely for the reason that it was a means leading to shirk.

Photography Today?

The function of photography today does not fall under the above category. Even some of the scholars who had been once vehemently opposed to photography under the pretext that it was a form of forbidden Tasweer have later changed their position on it – as they allow even for their own pictures to be taken and published in newspapers, for videotaping lectures and for presentations. Whereas in the past, they would only allow it in exceptional cases such as passports, drivers’ licenses, etc. The change in their view of photography is based on their assessment of the role of photography.

Having said this, one must add a word of caution: To take pictures of leaders and heroes and hang them on the walls may not belong to the same category of permission. This may give rise to a feeling of reverence and hero worship, which was precisely the main thrust of the prohibition of Tasweer.

Therefore, one cannot make an unqualified statement to the effect that all photography is halal. It all depends on the use and function of it. If it is for educational purpose and has not been tainted with the motive of reverence and hero worship, there is nothing in the sources to prohibit it.

[This question has been answered by Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada]

source

Day Light Saving?

Daylight Saving Time (or summertime as it is called in many countries) is a way of getting more light out of the day by advancing clocks by one hour during the summer. During Daylight Saving Time, the sun appears to rise one hour later in the morning, when people are usually asleep anyway, and sets one hour later in the evening, seeming to stretch the day longer.

The reason DST works is because its saves energy due to less artificial light needed during the evening hours—clocks are set one hour ahead during the spring, and one hour back to standard time in the autumn. Many countries observe DST, and many do not.

Note: Between March–April through September–November, it is summer in the northern hemisphere, where many countries may observe DST, while in the southern hemisphere it is winter. During the rest of the year the opposite is true: it is winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern.

Benjamin Franklin first suggested Daylight Saving Time in 1784, but it was not until World War I, in 1916, when it was adopted by several counties in Europe that initially rejected the idea.

It is difficult to predict what will happen with Daylight Saving Time in the future. The daylight saving date in many countries may change from time to time due to special events or conditions.The United States, Canada and some other countries extended DST in 2007. The new start date is the second Sunday in March (previously the first Sunday in April) through to the first Sunday in November (previously the last Sunday in October).

In which direction does the clock move?

The clock moves ahead (thus, losing one hour) when DST starts, typically in the spring, and falls back one hour (thus, gaining one hour) when DST ends in the fall. To make it easier to remember which way the clock goes, keep in mind one of these sayings: “spring forward, fall back” or “spring ahead, fall behind.”

Is DST always one hour ahead of normal time?

Today it is almost always one hour ahead, but throughout history there have been several variants on this, such as half adjustment (30 minutes) or double adjustment (two hours), and adjustments of 20 and 40 minutes have also been used. A two-hour adjustment was used in several countries during the 1940s and elsewhere at times. A half adjustment was sometimes used in New Zealand in the first half of the 20th century. Sometimes DST is used for a longer period than just the summer, as it was in the United States during World War II. From February 3, 1942 to September 30, 1945 most of the United States had DST all year; it was called “War Time.”

source

Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Bertakwalah kepada Allah dan hendaklah setiap orang memperhatikan apa yang telah diperbuatnya untuk hari esok (akhirat), dan bertakwalah kepada Allah. Sungguh, Allah Maha teliti terhadap apa yang kamu kerjakan  [59:18]

At the end of the day we lay down in bed,

Staring at the ceiling in darkness of the room

Just before we settle in

Take our minds to where we begin

Today He let me open my eyes

And breathe the air I’m filling in

Looking at the sun

Shining as we run

Did I smile at the lady waiting for the bus?

Did I help the old man carry his bags?

Did I give my salaam to the neighbours below?

Did I teach another something that i know?

How were my prayers to Allah today?

Where was my Quran the whole day?

Was I thankful for everything i have?

Or was I too busy with the first half?

]]> http://msmnorthwest.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/contemplate/feed/ 0 msmnorthwest night http://msmnorthwest.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/salam-ukhuwwah/ http://msmnorthwest.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/salam-ukhuwwah/#comments Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:40:06 +0000 msmnorthwest http://msmnorthwest.wordpress.com/?p=1399 ]]>

Tiap kali membaca doa rabitah ni mestikan terbayang insan-insan tersayang. Walaupun jauh di mata tapi tetap sentiasa dekat dihati. Walaupun tak pernah berjumpa mestikan terasa hangat kasih sayangnya.

Terasa betapa beratnya amanah yang telah dipertanggugjawabkan ke atas diri ini. Tetapi Dia Maha Mengetahui akan makhluk ciptaanNya. Tidak akan dibebankanNya dgn sesuatu yang kita tak mampu. Penyatuan antara hati-hati yang sentiasa mengingatiNya itu, mengutuhkan lagi ayunan langkah dalam mencari redhaNya.

YA ALLAH

sesungguhnya Engkau Maha mengetahui hati-hati ini

telah berkumpul kerana mengasihiMU,

bertemu untuk taat kepada-MU,

bersatu memikul beban dakwah-MU,

hati-hati ini telah mengikat janji setia untuk

mendaulat dan menyokong syariatMU,

maka eratkanlah YA ALLAH akan ikatannya…

Kekalkanlah kemesraan antara hati-hati ini

akan jalanNya yang sebenar,

Penuhilah hati ini dengan cahaya RabbaniMu

yang tidak kunjung malap,

Lapangkanlah hati-hati ini dengan

limpahan iman dan keyakinan

dan keindahan tawakkal kepadaMU,

Hidup suburkanlah hati-hati ini dengan

ma’rifat (pengetahuan sebenar) tentangMU,

Jika Engkau mentakdirkan mati,

maka matikanlah pemilik hati-hati ini

sebagai para syuhada dalam perjuangan agamaMU,

Engkaulah sebaik-baik sandaran

dan sebaik-baik penolong,

Ya Allah perkenankanlah permintaan ini

“AKU mengikut sangkaan hambaKU kepadaKu, Aku bersamanya (memberi rahmat dan membelanya)apabila dia mengingatiKu. jika mereka megingatiKu dalam dirinya nescaya Aku menyebutnya dalam diriKu. apabila mereka menyebut namaKU dalam kumpulan nescaya Aku menyebutnya dalam kumpulan yang lebih baik daripada mereka.jika mereka menghampiriKu sejengkal, Aku mendekati mereka sehasta. jika mereka menghampiriKu sehasta Aku mendekati mereka sedepa dan apabila mereka datang kepadaKu dalam keadaan berjalan, Aku datang kepada mereka berlari.”

(Riwayat Bukhari dan Muslim)

Register now! Book ur places!

calling all brothers n sisters!

an event not to be missed!

especially to our new coming brothers n sisters in September 09!

c u there!!

here’s some sneak peek for u!

Loch Lomond.. Subhanallah

Loch Lomond during Winter

And who wouldn't want to do this?! hehe

Any queries please do leave a comment for us!

For registration, please contact:

Brother Munzir: 07599427457 <reeznum88@yahoo.com>

Sister Athirah: 07791430286 <athirahaminudin@ yahoo.com>

it’s a wonderful feeling
with the love in the room from the floor to the ceiling
its that time of year
Eid time is here
with the blessings from above
Allah sends his love
and everything’s okay
Eid Mubarak
its our holiday
Eid Mubarak, Eid Mubarak
it’s a wonderful day
Eid Mubarak, Eid Mubarak, Eid Mubarak
it’s a blessed day

from us here at MSM Northwest to the muslims all over the world!

]]> http://msmnorthwest.wordpress.com/2009/09/20/eid-mubarak-2/feed/ 0 msmnorthwest eidmubarak! http://msmnorthwest.wordpress.com/2009/09/19/warm-welcome/ http://msmnorthwest.wordpress.com/2009/09/19/warm-welcome/#comments Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:51:39 +0000 msmnorthwest http://msmnorthwest.wordpress.com/?p=1385 ]]>

Warm welcome to our dear brothers and sisters in Leeds!

See you there!!

“Hiduplah sesuka hatimu, tapi ingat kau akan mati. Cintailah sesiapa sahaja sepuas hatimu,tapi ingat kau pasti akan berpisah. Lakukanlah apa sahaja yang kau mahu,tapi ingat kau akan dibalas dengan yang selayaknya”

Bulan sudah sayup-sayup sahaja menampakkan diri di langit malam gelap. Selesai sudah ia berputar mengelilingi bumi,menampakkan dirinya sedikit demi sedikit,dari hanya sekadar anak,hinggalah ia mengambang gagah,dan kini kembali menyepi. Taat dan patuh pada Tuhan buatkan ia tak mampu melawan walau sesaat perbezaan.

Dan hati kau juga sepi. Barangkali sesepi bulan yang kau cuba intai-intai dari jendela. Aduh, kalau sahaja kau mampu meminta malam ini tidak hadir,pasti kau akan lakukan. Tapi kau tiada kudrat atas semua itu. Berkeluh dan berhati sayu sahajalah kau malam ini.

Sangat perit rupanya perpisahan. Perit kerana ia menarik dari diri kau segala keindahan yang kau alami,ketika mula-mula berjumpa dahulu. Bila kau berpisah,kau sedar, nanti bukan hanya jasadmu yang terpisah,tapi lebih dari itu,segenap penjuru batinmu bakal merasakan pedihnya perpisahan itu.

Kau sudah boleh menjangka apa yang akan kau kenang selepas ini.

Kau pasti akan terkenang saat kau letih lelah lagi lapar,dia datang memberimu ubat sabar dan redha dengan yang sedikit. Juga saat kau sudah malas-culas berdampingan dengan Tuhan,dia datang menjanjikanmu janji-janji indah dan suntikan keseronokan untuk kembali merapati Tuhanmu. Dan tentu juga kau takkan mampu lupakan,saat kau ditimpa gering hati dan jiwa,diasak kasarnya nafsu haloba,dia datang membantu kau bersuci hati dan berhalus budi. Kau sudah rasa nikmat taqarrub. Kau sudah belajar rasa simpati dan kasihan belas.

Semuanya kerana pertemuan kau dan dia.

* * *

“Betul kau kena pergi?” kau lontar soalan yang kau sendiri tahu jawapannya.

“Tentu. Dah sampai masanya. Aku tak mampu elak.” Dia balas,tanpa sedikit pun nada kompromi.

“Tak boleh kita bersama sekejap sahaja lagi? Sehari dua hari lagi mungkin? Tak boleh?” Kau cuba mendesak halus.

“Kalau aku yang merancang pertemuan kita,tentu,aku ingin duduk lagi dengan kau. Tapi, ya, kau pun tahu kan bagaimana kita berjumpa? Bukan ketentuan kita kan?”

Kau tunduk perlahan-lahan ke bawah. Sudah tidak mungkin lagi perpisahan ini boleh dihalang. Dilambatkan sedikit pun mustahil nampaknya. Sukma kau sudah teramat hiba. Kau biarkan sahaja hiba itu meresap ke seluruh jasad,hingga matamu jelas merasainya. Dan ia titiskan airnya,mengalir perlahan di pipi.

“Memang tiada apa-apa yang mampu aku buat untuk bersama dengan kau lama sedikit?” kau cuba lagi mencari kepastian.

“Mungkin kau tak mampu menahan aku dari pergi,tapi kau tahu,sekurang-kurangnya,kita masih boleh berharap untuk berjumpa lagi di masa lain. Bukan begitu?” dia berikan sedikit harapan. Kau pun hampir terlupa itu. Terlupa kau masih boleh berharap untuk kembali bertemu jika panjang umurmu.

“Ya,moga-moga kata kau benar. Dan kalau kita tak lagi berjumpa selepas ini, tentu aku manusia paling kecewa. Kau dengar itu?” balasmu penuh harapan.

“Jika Tuhan berkehendak tiada yang boleh menghalang kita bertemu lagi. Aku faham perasaanmu.”

Kau cuba juga gagahkan diri menerima kenyataan.

“Kalau begitu,di sini titik perpisahan kita. Kau tetap mahu pergi,dan aku tunduk dengan keputusan ini. Cuma aku minta,mungkin,sebelum aku sunyi semula dari belaian kau, wasiatkanlah aku sesuatu, sebagai balasan buat jasa kau, boleh?” kau tanya sambil menahan air mata.

“Kau sudah jadi manusia lain sebelum aku mula-mula menemui kau. Aku wasiatkan kau,jangan kau jadi begini bila hanya kita sedang bersama. Kau jadilah begini selama-lamanya hingga kita bertemu semula. Aku janji, jika kita bertemu lagi dan kau masih begini, pertemuan itu pasti lebih indah dari ini. Jika benar cinta kau kepada aku,itu akan jadi buktinya.” Itu sahaja pesannya kepada engkau yang begitu menanti dan berharap.

“Itu sahaja?”

“Ya,cukup itu.” dia muktamadkan pesannya. “Maaflah, aku terpaksa pergi sekarang. Fajar sudah hampir menjelang.”

“Err…ya,tentu sekali,silakan. Moga kita berjumpa lagi.”

Dia perlahan-lahan berlalu pergi dari engkau. Dan kau lupa kau belum bertanya satu lagi perkara penting. Kau jeritkan dari jauh, “Nanti! Aku belum tahu namamu! Siapa namamu?”

Dia berhenti seketika. Menoleh ke belakang. Mengukir senyumnya.

“Namaku, Ramadhan.”

* * *

Sudah separuh masa yang diizinkan untuk dia bertandang sebagai tetamu kita pada kali ini. Masa semakin suntuk. Gunakan setiap detik untuk meraih yang tertinggi. Ayuh mencari Laitaul Qadr!

Moga-moga kita bersedia lebih sebelum ‘berpisah’…

Brat Mikrajovic

Telah Lebih Setengah Abad Bendera itu Berkibar

Masih ingatkah kalian
1 April 1948
Saat turunnya Union Jack
untuk diganti dengan “Star of David”
Di atas tanah warisan para anbiya’

Tanah itu dulu pernah disinggahi
Nabi kita yang mulia
Dalam perjalanan menuju Sidratul Muntaha

Kunci kotanya pernah diserahkan
Kepada Umar Amirul Mukminin
Dari Penguasa Empayar Byzantium
Lalu diisytihar sebagai waqaf muslimin
Hiduplah segala bangsa
Rom, Kristian, Muslim dan Yahudi
Dalam aman bahagia

Masa berlalu
Dan pada millenium pertama
Bumi itu dijajah kembali
Sekali lagi oleh pemikul-pemikul Salib
Di atas pundak-pundak kuda
Bersahutanlah seruan sabil
Di medan Hittin
Salahuddin al-Ayyubi mengembalikan kota itu
Kemasyhuran kita bermula

Usaha mereka tidak terhenti
Dengan lagenda Richard “berhati singa”
Mereka merancang dan terus merancang
Akhirnya peluang datang
Apabila dunia Islam yang menjadi pewaris kota itu
Dikalahkan dengan runtuhnya kesatuan
Sebelum mereka dialahkan di medan perang
Dendam lama masih membara
Dengan pongah
Mereka injak pusara pahlawan berjasa
Berserulah mereka
Salladin!!!
Perang Salib telah tamat!!!

Episod duka itu tidak berakhir
Malah menjadi prolog kepada satu penderitaan berpanjangan
Kebencian dizahirkan
Dengan membina pakatan antarabangsa
Kota itu dikepung dari segala penjuru
Melalui satu pengisytiharan cuma
Datanglah waris-waris Bani Israel
Dari segenap tempat
Menduduki tanah itu dengan percuma

Setelah menang dalam peperangan Dunia
Ciptaan dan lakonan mereka
Mereka bersidang
Kononnya untuk mencari keadilan
Ke atas satu bangsa yang teraniaya
Kali ini waris-waris Bani Israel bukan sekadar
Diberikan pas percuma
Malah dianugerahkan sebuah Negara
Setelah penghuninya diusir
Dari tanah kelahiran mereka

Setengah abad sudah bendera itu berkibar
Setelah derita menjadi sebati
Setelah generasi silih berganti
Setelah Negara-negara bersaudara menyepi
Menyangka kebangkitan telah mati

Bercambahlah benih harapan
Dari darah syuhada
Yang terus menyuburkan jiwa-jiwa yang sedar
Slogan kemenangan berkumandang
Dari mehrab dan mimbar-mimbar

Para musuh kembali mengepung
Kali ini menggabungkan gergasi-gergasi dunia
Untuk menunjukkan sebuah kebangkitan
Yang dijulang oleh segelintir cuma
Daif kelihatan mereka
Tetapi tidak pada jiwa
Mereka terus berjuang meski
Di selang-seli tangisan anak-anak
Kerana perut minta diisi

Kemenangan bagi mereka sudah pasti
Syurga sedang menanti
Lalu mereka menyeru
Saudara-saudara mereka yang sedang diulit mimpi
Yang tidur kekenyangan
Hulurkanlah bantuan dari hartamu yang melimpah-ruah
Kelak kami akan bersaksi

Di hadapan Tuhan Rabbul Jalil
Ini saudara kami yang telah membantu kami
Dalam jihad membebaskan tanah suci
Mereka adalah sekutu kami dalam perjuangan ini
Ya Rabbi
Mereka adalah teman-teman kami dalam syurga abadi

Dengan wajah tunduk malu
Kita menilik diri
Apakah layak
Untuk bersama mereka nanti???

Dengan hanya beberapa ringgit
Yang dihulurkan dengan penuh hemat
(Apakah cukup) Unutuk membebaskan Masjid Al-Aqsa yang dikuasai???

Hafizi Mohd Nor

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

When our beloved Miss Editor told me that I need to write something for OUR blog, I kept on thinking, what should I write about? Life? There are tonnes of things that I can write about life. But something happened last Monday (if I’m not mistaken), whilst having our Sahur.

My Ibu, Ayah and I were sitting at the table just after Azan, and my mom was thinking what she should cook for Iftar later that evening. Suddenly I felt weird and blurted, “Ibu x boring ke masak hari-hari?”

I sort of wished I took it back. Because after saying that, then I thought, how ungrateful I am as a daughter.

My Ibu cooks everyday, I cook once a week, and only in the UK, but I whine when I have to cook.

My Ibu cleans the house, cleans my toilet, and my room. But when she asks me to clean my own toilet and my own room, I whined and complained.

My Ibu picks up my little sister everyday using our old car, under the hot blazing sun everyday. But when she asks me to help, I’ll only drive her there, without going out of the car to walk for 1 minute under the hot blazing sun. She didn’t complain.

My Ibu irons my Ayah’s shirt everyday for his work. I didn’t help because I told her that I don’t know how to (excuses!).  She didn’t complain.

I left the house for usrah, daurah and all sorts of programmes, leaving all the housework undone, yet Ibu did not whine. She knows that all the programmes will do me benefit.

But I forgot. In the midst of my so-called geared-up tarbiyah, I forgot that righteousness towards parents is a virtue of a Muslim. A must-have criterion for those who want to achieve the 10 Muwasafat Tarbiyah. How can I consider myself to be good when everytime my Ibu asks me for a favour, I turned away, I whined, and I complained?

Astaghfirullahalazim…

Hmm… I guess, in a battle Mother vs Daughter, the Daughter will never win. Because Allah s.w.t has given the mother the glory even when the daughter is still in the womb.

O Allah, I pray for my Ibu, and all mothers in the world, the bounty that You have promised – a seat by Your side, and the magnificence of Jannah…ameen..

[note: I’m picking up my Ibu after this, not complaining, but with lots of love for her *wink*]

LittleMoon

Assalamualaikum…

Kekasihku yang dirindui….

Tiba masanya kita bertemu lagi… dalam satu pertemuan yang bakal mengubat rinduku padamu. Kenanganku tentangmu adalah dengan shaum, tahajjud, tarawih dan i’tikaf yang ada padamu. Harumnya hari-hari bersamamu dengan tilawah al-Quran , dzikir dan doa yang mewangi khusus dalam saat-saat teristimewa ini. Kuingat dikau dengan anugerah, barakah dan kebaikan yang berlimpah darimu. Hadirnya dirimu sentiasa meniupkan semangat mengejar rahmat, maghfirah dan pengampunan dari Allah.

Aku sentiasa mengingatimu…

Mengingatmu dengan segala kelemahan, kekurangan dan banyak kebaikan yang telah ku lewatkan begitu sahaja. Berapa banyak kebaikanmu yang telah ku hilangkan dengan ghibah? Berapa banyak indahnya malammu yang kuhabiskan dengan nyenyaknya tidur dan kesia-siaan. Berapa banyak kebaikan alQuran yang kusiakan sehingga saat kau pergi meninggalkanku, aku masih ketinggalan dalam menghabiskan mushafku? Berapa banyak kemanisan dzikir yang kutinggalkan atas alasan kelelahan berpuasa di siang hari?

Semua itu kembali menerobos fikiranku dalam satu ingatan yang menuntut titis air mata, saat aku berpisah denganmu setahun yang lalu. Saat aku berjanji dengan Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala bahawa aku tidak akan lagi menyia-nyiakanmu andai aku diberi kesempatan bertemu lagi denganmu. “Allahumma balighna Ramadhan…” ku lantunkan saban hari memohon simpati dari Allah agar kesempatan itu bertandang lagi.

Dan kini…

Saat kau hadir semula… aku malah menjadi ragu. Masih sudikah engkau menerima kehadiranku? Untuk aku menempa diri dengan puasa dan dzikir? Aku tahu sampai masanya kau akan pergi lagi. Makanya sementara kau di sini, aku harus mengutip kekuatan dan bekalan untuk kuharungi hari-hari mendatang tanpamu di sisi lagi

Datanglah engkau dengan seluruh kebaikan,

Tilawah al Quran dengan tartil,

Lantunan dzikir, tahmid dan tasbih

Terasah jiwa dalam berkata dan berbuat,

Selamat datang Ramadhan… kehadiranmu aku nantikan.

-Khadeeja-

Diolah dari: Indahnya Ramadhan di Rumah Kita oleh Dr. Akram Ridha

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Assalamualaikum dear blog readers. Ramadhan Mubarak to all. Let us pray that Allah grant us Taqwa, Forgiveness and Jannah from this blessed month. Also lets remind ourselves to pray for the safety of our brothers and sisters in Palestine and muslims all over the world.

We would like to share another great publication of MSM Northwest for this holy month, Quantum Ramadhan! you may find it in the Box.net widget on the right handside. kindly download it for reading.

Another goodie for you is also uploaded there, entitled Renungan Ramadhan. Can be shared each night in breaks between Tarawih prayers at the mosque.

May we gain the most from it, biiznillah.

Wassalam.

Definitely a recommended book!

This fine piece was written by Dr. Muhammad ‘Abd Al-Rahaman Al-’Arifi, which took him almost 20 years to complete. His inspiration was the well-known book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie, read more than trice since he was 17 years old (fuh fuh), and implemented in his daily life as best as he could. However, the author started to realise that the golden book did not really have an impact on Dale Carnegie’s own life, as he was found to have committed suicide!

Since then, the author started to write according to his own life experience and the life of our beloved Prophet (pbuh). He realised that Muhammad (pbuh) and the companions’ life are more than enough for us to learn from. This book also provides understanding of how to deal with social problems, in light of the prophetic lifestyle. Even the style of writing of this book is very interesting and believe me, will not make u feel bored! (how cool is that?)

So brothers n sisters, what are you waiting for? go to ur nearest bookstore and start the very 1st page! (did i mention pay for it first?)

may we benefit from it, inshaAllah

nectarbee

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Peace be upon you. How’s Ramadhan so far? Its been 3 days already, how time flies. And how’s your tilawah going? Just to share something regarding the beauty of Quran..

An example of the impact that the eloquence of the Quran had on the disbelievers is the famous story of al-Waleed ibn al-Mugheerah. Of all the poets in Makkah, he was known to be the most eloquent and highly esteemed at the time of the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam). Once he passed by the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam) when he was reciting some verses of the Quran. Al-Waleed was shaken and startled by what he had heard. The news spread through Makkah. When Abu Jahl heard of it, he ran to al-Waleed in fear that people might convert to Islam, and said, O my uncle! Say something (against Muhammad) so that the people will know that you are against him and that you hate (his message)! Al-Waleed replied, What can I say? For, I swear by Allah, there is none amongst you who knows poetry as well as I do, nor can any compete with me in composition or rhetoricnot even in the poetry of jinns! And yet, I swear by Allah, Muhammads speech (meaning the Quran) does not bear any similarity to anything I know and I swear by Allah, the speech that he says is very sweet and is adorned with beauty and charm. Its first part is fruitful and its last part is abundant (meaning that it has deep meanings to it) and it conquers (all other speech), and remains unconquered! It shatters and destroys all that has come before it (of poetry because of its eloquence)! Abu Jahl was not pleased with this answer and reminded al-Waleed that neither will the people be pleased. After a few days of thinking, he could not think of any explanation to his actions and words, except, This (the Quran) is a type of magic that has an effect on its listeners. In response to this Allah cursed him for rejecting the revelation of Allah through pride and fear of people in Surah Muddathir 74:16-26.

See the beauty? Subhanallah

Let us discover more of this beauty by reciting more of the Quran, especially in this blessed month of Ramadhan!

Ramadhan Kareem to all~