The Hajj

Reflecting on this day of Hajj and the event will convince Muslims and others with open minds of its miraculous and divine nature.

The Hajj beautifully portrays the true qualities of Muslims. The following, demonstrates the putting into practice the some of the basic principles Islam.

• The unity, orderliness and discipline of the biggest gathering of people in the world.
• The largest gathering of people of different races, languages, customs, traditions and nationalities to gather in one place at the same time.
• The largest gathering of people in the world performing the same actions, saying the same prayer in the same language in perfect unison following the lead of a single person.
• The only place in the world where three and a half million people, the population of a small country, comes to a complete halt for praying to Almighty God five times a day.
• The only place in the world to demonstrate the true brotherhood of mankind, harmony, love, unity and true devotion to Almighty God. 

Muslims need to put this wonderful heritage of beautiful and powerful guidance, exemplified by this annual occasion for the past 1433 years, into their daily lives. 

If the teachings and practical example of this event is applied in the lives of Muslims in the countries where they reside, they will be respected, love, honored and trusted. They will then be reflecting the true image of Islam and the example of Muhammad SAW. 

I look forward to the day when the teachings, principles and real life experience of Hajj is brought back to the communities and countries from whence those who performed the Hajj came.

The Tragedy of Mallala Yousafzai

The barbaric act against Malala Yusufzai is just another unfortunate situation where the savages have demonstrated their true quantities. By now we should be able to distinguish normal human behavior from that of savages. I hope and pray for the day when the press and media will realize that whenever the actions of savages are described using words that associate them with a religious ideology, in this case Islam, it is in fact reinforcing their evil agenda and their the cause. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for this evil act. "Taliban" is derived from the Arabic word meaning student. It is normally accepted that a student is one acquiring knowledge for the sake of bettering oneself, one's community, or one's cause. In the same manner you can have one acquiring knowledge for the sake of evil, destruction and creating mayhem. In this case the Taliban belongs to the latter and should not be associated with Islam. Their ideology, if this term can be used, of these groups is savagery and barbarism. As such it will be appropriate and correct whenever actions by such groups are being reported, Islam should not the associated with them. They should be referred to with terminology indicative of their actions and intentions.

The rules regulations, principles and laws of Islam are contained in the holy Koran, the message brought to mankind by the prophet Mohammed, and the messages of other previous prophets of God, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus (EESA), Peace and Blessings be upon them all, and others not mentioned.

A clear distinction must be made between customs, traditions, political rulings, tribal edicts and rules instituted in communities to serve a particular agenda or purpose and the teachings, laws and principle of a particular religion. It is unfortunate that in the case of places where there are predominantly Muslim populations these customs, traditions, political rulings, tribal edicts have become associated with Islam. 

In Islam, the woman enjoys equal rights to that of a man.

• One of the first educators in Islam was a woman, Ayesha, wife of the Prophet.
• Khadija was a business owner and employer of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Women can own property.
• A woman can choose her husband.

By applying the normal principles of languages, words are descriptive of of the object to which we are referring. Muslims believe that Almighty God (Allah) named the religion brought to mankind, through the ages, by Prophet Mohammed, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus (EESA), Peace and Blessings be upon them all, and others not mentioned, Islam and they and their followers, Muslims.

The meaning of Islam is Peace and a Muslim is one who submits to the Will of Almighty God (Allah). Everyone, Muslim or otherwise and especially the press and media must be able to determine when to associate the words Muslim and Islam with persons or acts. If it was not clear before, then it should be abundantly clear now. In the same manner we should not associate barbaric, savage and evil acts with the teachings of Jesus (Essa), David (Daud), Moses (Musa), Abraham (Ibrahim) and other Blessed messengers of Almighty God.

Again I appeal to the press and media. Do not affix positive labels to the evil ones. Do not propagate their evil agendas by associating them with peace (Islam). Call them what they are in your reporting and describe their acts accordingly. When you start doing this we will begin to defeat them and they will begin to lose their efficacy.

Jews in Al Quran

Knowledge engenders peace, love and harmony and ignorance, hate, war and destruction. If we had the time, desire, willingness and love for the truth, we will discover a beautiful world with beautiful people, the way Almighty God designed it. For those, Muslims, Jews and others who may have opinions, views and preconcieved notions on the relationship between Jews and Islam, Muslims, Al Quran and Muhammad UWBP, I have quoted some verses from the Holy Quran, 2nd. Chapter verses 40 - 50. These are just a few references of which there are many more. 2:40  O Children of Israel! remember the favour which I bestowed upon you, fulfill your covenant with Me as I fulfilled My Covenant with you, and fear none but Me. 2:41 And believe in what I reveal, confirming the revelation which is with you, and be not the first to reject Faith therein, nor sell My Signs for a small price; and fear Me, and Me alone.

2:42  And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is).

2:43  And be steadfast in prayer; practice regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).

2:44  Do ye enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget to practice it yourselves, and yet ye study the Scripture? Will ye not understand?

2:45  Nay, seek (Allah's) help with patient perseverance and prayer: It is indeed hard, except to those who are humble,-

2:46  Who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and that they are to return to Him.

2:47  Children of Israel! call to mind the favour which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you to all other (for My Message).

2:48  Then guard yourselves against a day when one soul shall not avail another nor shall intercession be accepted for her, nor shall compensation be taken from her, nor shall anyone be helped (from outside).

2:49  And remember, We delivered you from the people of Pharaoh: They set you hard tasks and punishments, slaughtered your sons and let your women-folk live; therein was a tremendous trial from your Lord.

2:50  And remember We divided the sea for you and saved you and drowned Pharaoh's people within your very sight.  I hope that this knowledge from the Holy Quran will help serve in bringing about Peace, love and harmony where it was lacking or needed. Let us continue to recognize all aspects of Almighty God's beautiful creation and always give thanks for it. Kamruz  The Islamic Theosophical Society 10/3/12

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu called for a ban on insults against the Islamic prophet.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation called for a ban on insults against the Islamic prophet. Although I understand the spirit in which the appeal was made, when coming from a person holding such office the connotation and implication must be given due attention. It is obvious that such an article will have a very wide readership, hence the importance of conveying the right message and clearing up misconceptions. 

l The description "Islamic Prophet" means "Peaceful Prophet", although this is correct the correct terminology is "Prophet of Islam", meaning the Prophet who brought the message of Islam (Peace) to the mankind, which is what Muslims believe.

l If the Honorable Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu was making a statement on behalf of Muslims, then he will have extend the ban on insults to Abraham (Ibrahim), Moses (Musa), David (Daoud), Jesus (Issa) and all other prophets who brought God's Message. These are Prophets of Islam and to them are due the highest respect, love and acceptance.

l The Quran substantiates the above viz.:

2:87  We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of apostles; We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the holy spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you an apostle with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are puffed up with pride?- Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay!

2:62  Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

2:139  Say to the Jews and the Christians: "Why do you argue with us about God?"  He is our Sustainer as well as your Sustainer, we will be be accountable for our deeds, and you, for your deeds; and it is Him alone that we worship and praise.

The above quotations from the Holy Quran was just to substantiate our relationship to the the other Holy Prophets of God Almighty (Allah), our religious affinity.

I hope that one day soon we will have enough correct representation of Islam and Muslims to bring us back to a state of peace, love and harmony and the rejection of those misrepresenting true Islam and Muslims.