Thursday, February 28, 2008

Nizam al-Din, “Fawa’id al-Fu’ad”

Nizam al-Din, "Fawa’id al-Fu’ad"

On the spiritual path no one has higher or lower status than anyone else.

Nizam al-Din, "Fawa’id al-Fu’ad"

Friday, February 22, 2008

Al-Ghazzali, "Ihya Ulum Id-Din"

Al-Ghazzali, Ihya Ulum Id-Din

Even before accomplishing enlightenment a person knows that everything attests to the existence of God. But these virtuous feelings of innocence disappear as he begins to mingle with corrupt society, because worldly affairs hinder him from swimming in the vast ocean of insight.

Al-Ghazzali, Ihya Ulum Id-Din

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Qur'an, Al-An'am, Surah 6:59

Qur'an, Al-An'am, Surah 6:59

God allows people to err as he chooses, and he leads people onto the right path as he chooses. God holds the key to the unseen treasures; no one knows these treasures except him. He knows every creature on land and in the sea. A leaf does not fall without God knowing it. There is no seed in the soil that God does not know. There is nothing green or dry of which God is not aware. Everything is recorded in his glorious book.

Qur'an, Al-An'am, Surah 6:59

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Muslims and science

Astronomy

Muslims have always had a special interest in astronomy. The moon and the sun are of vital importance in the daily life of every Muslim.By the moon, Muslims determine the beginning and the end of the months in their lunar calendar. By the sun the Muslims calculate the times for prayer and fasting.
It is also by means of astronomy that Muslims can determine the precise direction of the Qiblah, to face the Ka'bah in Makkah, during prayer. The most precise solar calendar, superior to the Julian, is the Jilali, devised under the supervision of Umar Khayyam.
The Qur'an contains many references to astronomy.
"The heavens and the earth were ordered rightly, and were made subservient to man, including the sun, the moon, the stars, and day and night. Every heavenly body moves in an orbit assigned to it by God and never digresses, making the universe an orderly cosmos whose life and existence, diminution and expansion, are totally determined by the Creator." [Qur'an 30:22]
These references, and the injunctions to learn, inspired the early Muslim scholars to study the heavens. They integrated the earlier works of the Indians, Persians and Greeks into a new synthesis.
Ptolemy's Almagest (the title as we know it today is actually Arabic) was translated, studied and criticized. Many new stars were discovered, as we see in their Arabic names - Algol, Deneb, Betelgeuse, Rigel, Aldebaran. Astronomical tables were compiled, among them the Toledan tables, which were used by Copernicus, Tycho Brahe and Kepler.
Also compiled were almanacs - another Arabic term. Other terms from Arabic are zenith, nadir, Aledo, azimuth.
Muslim astronomers were the first to establish observatories, like the one built at Mugharah by Hulagu, the son of Genghis Khan, in Persia, and they invented instruments such as the quadrant and astrolabe, which led to advances not only in astronomy but in oceanic navigation, contributing to the European age of exploration.

To see the rest of this article go to

http://www.islamtomorrow.com/science2.asp

Friday, February 15, 2008

Ibn Ishaq, The Life of Muhammad

Gabriel ordered Muhammad to mount the animal, which was called Buruq. But as Muhammad approached the animal, it shied. Gabriel put his hand on its mane, and exclaimed, "No one more honorable in the sight of God than Muhammad has ever ridden you before." The animal was so ashamed that it broke into a sweat; and it stood quite still, so Muhammad could mount.-

Ibn Ishaq, "The Life of Muhammad"

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Al-Hujwiri The Kashf al-Mahjub

Al-Hujwiri, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"

When reason reaches its peak and the souls of His lovers feel helpless and disabled, they grow restless and stretch their hands in supplication, seeking comfort for their burning souls. When every manner of search within their power has been consumed, the doorway to Him is opened.

Al-Hujwiri The Kashf al-Mahjub

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Ibn Umar

Live in this world like a stranger, a wayfarer, and deem yourselves as dwellers of the graves.
-
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Ibn Umar

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Futhul Ghaib

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Futhul Ghaib"

Do not strut proudly on account of your good deeds. Do not let pride waylay you. When you deem yourself holier than others, know that you have fallen into grave error because in your pride you believed yourself equal to God.

-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, Futhul Ghaib