Category: Islam

Islam and Muslim

Ancient Arabic inscription found in Jerusalem

An Israel Antiquities Authority worker holds a fragment of a marble plaque with an Arabic inscription …
By SHIRA RUBIN, Associated Press Writer

JERUSALEM – A home renovation in Jerusalem’s Old City has yielded a rare Arabic inscription offering insight into the city’s history under Muslim rule, Israeli archaeologists said Wednesday. The fragment of a 1,100-year-old plaque is thought to have been made by an army veteran to express his thanks for a land grant from the Caliph al-Muqtadir, whom the inscription calls “Emir of the Faithful.”

Dating from a time when Jerusalem was ruled from Baghdad by the Abbasid empire, the plaque shows how rulers rewarded their troops and ensured their loyalty, archaeologists said.

The Abbasids conquered Jerusalem after numerous wars with the Fatimid empire in Egypt. The Abbasid caliphs valued Jerusalem as an Islamic holy site.

“The caliph probably granted estates as part of his effort to strengthen his hold over the territories within his control, including Jerusalem, just as other rulers did in different periods,” said excavation director Annette Nagar.

The white marble plaque measures four inches by four inches (10 x 10 centimeters) and was found approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters) beneath the floor of a home in the Old City’s Jewish Quarter.

The house’s owner planned a renovation and — as required by law — brought archaeologists to carry out a salvage dig meant to prevent harm to valuable antiquities. The plaque has been removed from the site and is now in the hands of Israel’s Antiquities Authority.

The writing was deciphered by Hebrew University professor Moshe Sharon, who traced it to 910, during the early part of al-Muqtadir’s 24-year rule.

The finding will help scholars better understand 10th-century Jerusalem, populated by Muslims, Christians and Jews, and the methods used by Muslim rulers to solidify their control.

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Ancient Arabic inscription found in Jerusalem

President Obama Greets Ramadan Kareem.

As the new crescent moon ushers in Ramadan, the President extends his best wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world.

Each Ramadan, the ninth month on the lunar calendar, Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset for 29 or 30 days. Fasting is a tradition in many religious faiths and is meant to increase spirituality, discipline, thankfulness, and consciousness of God’s mercy. Ramadan is also a time of giving and reaching out to those less fortunate, and this summer, American Muslims have joined their fellow citizens in serving communities across the country. Over the course of the month, we will highlight the perspectives of various faiths on fasting and profile faith-based organizations making real impacts in American cities and towns.

This month is also a time of renewal and this marks the first Ramadan since the President outlined his vision for a new beginning between America and the Muslim world. As a part of that new beginning, the President emphasizes that our relationship with Muslim communities cannot be based on political and security concerns alone. True partnerships also require cooperation in all areas – particularly those that can make a positive difference in peoples’ daily lives, including education, science and technology, health, and entrepreneurship – fields in which Muslim communities have helped play a pioneering role throughout history.

The President’s message is part of an on-going dialogue with Muslim communities that began on inauguration day and has continued with his statement on Nowruz, during trips to Ankara and Cairo, and with interviews with media outlets such as Al Arabiya and Dawn TV.

As this dialogue continues and leads to concrete actions, the President extends his greetings on behalf of the American people. Ramadan Kareem.

Soon Muslims around the world will celebrate the beginning of Ramadan, a month in the Islamic lunar calendar, which “shifts” eleven days earlier each year with respect to the Gregorian solar calendar.

During Ramadan, Canadian Muslims will celebrate Canada’s multi-faith society by sharing their experience for spiritual growth.

During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking or engaging in sexual activity from dawn to sunset.

This year Ramadan will fall during August / September. Fasting will be hard because of the long daylight hours and the thirst caused by the summer heat.

To non-Muslims, fasting may seem absurd, harsh, and taxing, especially during the summer. But to Muslims it is an opportunity to recharge their spirit, reinforce their connection with God, and distance themselves from evil and unlawful temptations. Muslims in Ramadan are to avoid anything that is not of good nature or excessive.

At sunset they break their fast and start a series of prayers for about an hour. They are also encouraged to perform extra prayers in the middle of the night. Many attend these prayers at mosques.

Before dawn they have their first meal in preparation for another day of fasting.

While fasting is an obligation on every Muslim, certain people are exempted and include for example those who are sick, women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, and travelers. Children below the age of puberty are not obliged to fast but they are encouraged to do so as much as they can.

Dr. Jeffery Lang, an American Muslim professor, narrated an interesting encounter. One of his Muslim students congratulated him on the first day of Ramadan. A non-Muslim colleague heard the congratulation so he asked Dr. Lang about the reason. When he heard that it was for the beginning of Ramadan, he was amazed.

He said “the student congratulated you on having to suffer a month of hunger? I could understand him congratulating you at the end of the Ramadan when it is over, but not at the beginning!”

This statement reflects a major difference in perspective. To the Muslim, Ramadan is not about hunger or suffering, though it does cause both. It is about something beyond the inconvenience of those hardships.

In order to grow in virtues, people need to experience and strive against a form of hardship or adversity in life. To be compassionate, one has to experience suffering and vow to help the victims. To be grateful, one has to experience deprival of some basic needs for a while, to develop a real appreciation for whatever material and means he/she has gained.

Human spiritual growth in any virtue for that matter is inconceivable without experiencing some hardship and adversity. Hence, the attitude of Islam towards human suffering in general is dynamic. It is viewed as crucial and profitable to personality growth. And that is precisely the underlying purpose of fasting in Ramadan.

At a moment of hunger or thirst, a fasting person may encounter friends or colleagues who are eating or drinking. He is not supposed to be offended. On the contrary he / she should demonstrate courtesy and patience; two qualities that can be strengthened in Ramadan.

As people are more likely to get tired and hence develop bad temper while fasting, they are supposed to control their anger and mind their expressions. That is another quality that can be emphasized in Ramadan.

Attending fully to work responsibilities and regular work hours while fasting (with no coffee, lunch or snack breaks), may cause lassitude or even fatigue. But this is not an excuse for laziness, which is a stark contrast to the purpose of fasting. Hence, while fasting, a Muslim should be able to develop more endurance and willpower out of this experience.

In Ramadan, much of the activities and religious rituals are performed collectively at the community level. People usually eat breakfast at sunset with friends and family members. The evening prayers attract a larger number of worshippers than usual. That should underscore the sense of brotherhood in the community.

Ramadan is also a month of sharing. Throughout the month, Muslims donate generously to various charities. But sharing does not stop at the donation level. They are also supposed to share sympathy and empathy for others.

In conclusion, a fasting Muslim needs to adorn his fast with nobility, love, appreciation, understanding and good manners.

Fasting is a definite way to help believers attain higher levels of patience, gratefulness, gentleness, generosity, courtesy, wisdom, self-determination and self-discipline.

Fasting also boosts willingness to protect the weak and advocate for justice.

That is why Muslims receive Ramadan with great anticipation and optimism. And that is why they congratulate each other on the arrival of Ramadan by saying, “Ramadan Mubarak – Wishing you a blessed Ramadan.”
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You don’t have to be a Muslim to understand Ramadan

ISLAM IN BRIEF

1. Islam means “submission to the will of God”. Islam teaches belief in only one God, the day of Judgement and individual accountability for actions. Islam greatly values peace.
2. Muslim is the one who follows Islam. Muslims submit to the will of God and accept the Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him) as his last messenger.
3. Muslims believe that Muhammed was a prophet and the last in a series of messengers of God, which include Abraham, Noah, Moses and jesus.
4. The Qur’aan is the holy book of Islam. The Qur’aan instructs Muslims to respect other faiths and decrees that there is no compulsion in religion.
5. Islam’s basic teachings are after the worship of God, respect and care for parents, good neighboring, giving to the needy, poor and orphanage. Any act of goodness will elevate a Person closer to God.
6. Jihad does not mean “Holy War”. Jihad mean to strive against evil inclinations within oneself, struggle to improve the quality of life in society and to stop injustice.

Islam is the second largest and the fastest growing religion in the United States. There are more than 1.2 billion Muslims around the world.