Sent-in by one of you! Just watch and judge!

This article was sent-in on behalf of Mohammad Rana Farooq

Islam is a natural Din (practical and complete code of life) which enjoins tolerance and moderation in everything that matters. The Holy Qur'an states explicitly:

Kuloo waishraboo wala tusrifoo innahu la yuhibbu almusrifeena.

"Eat and drink, but waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters." (7:31)

Salat (prayer), fasting, zakat (obligatory charity) and hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) are all ritual practices of worship but these too are characterized by moderation. There are occasions when offering prayer is forbidden by Shariah. The observing of fast is tempered by sahr and iftar (having pre-dawn and post-sunset meals before and after fasting). The Shariah has imposed strict restraint on constant fasting without taking recourse to sahr and iftar at a stretch. In order to safeguard one's chastity the institution of marriage has been made compulsory so as to realize the natural urges of biological need. Spending in the cause of Allah is a laudable act but it is conditioned by limits so as to ensure a balanced approach that one may not squander away all and go himself a begging.


Continue reading "So, what's up with music in Islam?"...

I looked at her once, and twice, and yet again. I did not smile at her as I did to everybody else, oh no, I wasn’t about to make her the recipient of my affection. Instead she smiled at me, the cheek of it all, but I merely looked away, ha! A smirk passed over my face and my eyes became cold, devoid of emotion. I crossed my arms and held my chin high. My heart suddenly clenched, what was unseen though was the little green arrow that pierced it. I didn’t realise, but the arrow rapidly spread a vile poison throughout my body and my mind gulped it all, producing all sorts of loathsome thoughts about that girl. Just because she has the beauty, wealth, and authority, just because she has it all, she thinks she’s better than me. I became certain that if I had all that, I would be so much higher in status than her… I became envious.

This article was sent by Saida Ounnisi.

I'm Muslim and French; it's not an oxymoron, even if people in Europe think that we have the same political system like Tunisia, which can forbid headscarf and mosques. By the way, I'm originally from Tunisia; I never live in a country in which a practicing Muslim is something allowed by the State. In France, we have a very complicated relationship with all what is about religion. It is something which is imitated to the private space. But what is a private space in a centralized country in which welfare-state is so important and invasive. In all areas of life, State is present. We have one of the most important national administrations in the world, and in all steps in your life. The State is watching you. The State built its power against the Church (and not using the Church). After two centuries of measures weakening Church but not just Church, even religious feeling and religious references in all areas of public space (euh... keep in mind that everything is public space in France, the only one place considered as private is your home, after closing the door). Continue reading "Me, My Headscarf, and I"...