- Origin Of The Word “Assassins” By:-Ibrahim Machiwala
The Ismailis were not a band of terrorists, but their fighting against their oppressors was a struggle for survival. Mediaeval Europeans, who remained absolutely ignorant of Muslim beliefs and practices, had transmitted a number of tales, and produced a perverted image of the Ismailis. Rene Dussaud writes in Histoire et Religion des Nosaires (Paris, 1900) that, "One of the very few Europeans who have appreciated the good points of this remarkable sect and who is of opinion that the judgments pronounced by western scholars are marked by an excessive severity. It is certainly wrong to confound as do the Musulman doctors, in one common reprobation. And the Old Man of the Mountain himself was not so black as it is custom to paint him." In more recent times, too, many western scholars have continued to apply the ill-conceived term Assassins to the Nizari Ismailis without being aware of its etymology or dubious origin. Paul E. Walker makes his comments in his Abu Yaqub al-Sijistani: Intellectual Missionary (London, 1996, p. 1) that, "Until recently, however, the Ismailis were studied and judged almost exclusively on the basis of the evidence collected or fabricated by their enemies, including the bulk of the medieval Sunni heresiographers and polemicists who were hostile towards the Shi’is in general and the Ismailis among them in particular. These Sunni authors in fact treated Shi’ite interpretations of Islam as expressions of heterodoxy or even heresy. As a result, a ‘black legend’ was gradually developed and put into circulation in the Muslim world to discredit the Ismailis and their interpretations of Islam.
- Ghadir-I Khum - Its Location By:-Ibrahim Machiwala
The nass wa-ta’yin was made after the farewell pilgrimage of the Prophet. On Monday, the 20th Zilkada, 10, the Prophet received a revelation before his farewell pilgrimage:- "And you proclaim to the people for pilgrimage. They will come to you on foot and lean camel, coming from every remote place." (22:27)
- Lawful & Unlawful Food By:-Ibrahim Machiwala
While the people were brought up in an environment deeply influenced by centuries’ old custom, religious superstitions and prejudices, it was not easy to break down the barriers, because their minds agitated by doubts, which could be, as they wanted, removed by further instructions. That is the reason that the Koran repeatedly made statement dealing with the various kinds of foods lawful or unlawful to Muslims. Thus, the second time a statement akin to the first one (6:145) was revealed: “So eat of what God has provided you, lawful and good; and be you thankful for the blessing of God, if it be Him that you serve. These things only He has forbidden you carrion, blood, and the flesh of swine, what has been hallowed to other than God. Yet whoso is constrained, not desiring nor transgressing, the God is Forgiving, Merciful. And do not say, as to what your tongue falsely describe, “this is lawful and this is forbidden,” so that you may forge against God falsehood, surely those who forge against God falsehood shall not prosper” (16:114-118).
- Knowing your numerology and star signs By:-Steve Silvester
Numerology is a highly popular topic. Actually, anything that deals with stars signs and birth charts is very popular, although many people have no idea how to read these signs or even what numerology means.
- Christmas in Africa By:-Ibrahim Machiwala
Christmas is celebrated throughout the African continent by Christian communities both large and small. There are roughly 350 million Christians in Africa. Christmas Carols are sung from the Congo to South Africa. On Christmas day, meats are roasted, gifts are exchanged and family visits made. The Coptic Christians in Ethiopia and Egypt celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January (rather than the 25th of December) because they follow a different calendar.
- Christmas in Africa, Asia & North America By:-Ibrahim Machiwala
In the United States and Canada, many elements of modern Christmas celebrations did not emerge until the 19th century. Before then Christmas had been an ordinary workday in many communities, particularly in New England, where early Puritan objections to Christmas celebrations remained highly influential. Among some groups, Christmas was an especially animated event, characterized by huge feasts, drunkenness, and raucous public partying. In an English tradition that survived in some parts of North America, Christmas revelers would dress in costume and progress from door to door to receive gifts of food and drink. Most holiday gifts were limited to small amounts of money and modest presents passed from the wealthy to the poor and from masters to their servants. Families almost never exchanged Christmas gifts among themselves.
- Sibak Al-Khayl (Horse Racing) In Islam By:-Ibrahim Machiwala
Horse Racing (sibak al-khayl or ijra al-khayl) had been a major sport and a favorite pastime in pre-Islamic Arabia. It was a part of equitation (furusiyya), regarded as essential for military training and also as an object of entertainment for the people from all walks of life. During the Islamic period the breeding, maintenance and training of horses became one of the means of facilitating the prosecution of the holy war. The Prophet regarded horse-breeding as a meritorious calling, and assigned to it a share in the booty obtained on the battle field. This religious sanction fostered a competitive attitude amongst the breeders and encouraged the augmentation of the stock, which suffered considerable depletion in the course of the wars of that time. Cavalry was in fact to become an important factor in the military success of the Muslims.
- Tahddi Al-Nasl (Birth Control) In Islam By:-Ibrahim Machiwala
The word au or al-aul in the above verse is used for everything, which burdens man. The word aul literally means "to do justice by grabbing what is in excess of one’s right." Thus the words zalika adna al la t’aoulu means "from this you will be saved from injustice" which has been also interpreted by Imam Shafi’i according to al-Azhari that "you may not have many children." It is well known among the Arabs that aala y’aoulu means to commit excess or injustice, while the word aala y’aeelu means "the abundance of offspring". But Kissai says that aala y’aoula means to become a pauper. The eloquent among the Arabs used the words aala y’aoulu encompassed by the meaning of many children, vide Lisan al-Arab, on the root of aul. Imam Shafi’i further maintains that the phrase "this will make justice on your part easier" (an la ta’ulu) implies a warning against the multiplicity of children. He explains the whole Koranic verse thus: "If you are afraid that the number of you family will be many, then limit yourself to one wife. This will banish multiplicity of children." This explanation of Imam Shafi’i is reported verbatim by Ibn Arabi in his Ahkam al-Koran (1:314)
- Why Does God Allow Suffering in the World? By:-Robert Thomson
Evil, pain and suffering are never far from us. Why does God allow it? Can a loving God allow suffering? Why does God allow suffering? How do we reconcile a caring god, a god of power, with a god who allows evil to happen?
- Submit Yourself To Your Self By:-Elysha Elysha
There is absolutely nothing lacking in the fullness of the divine one – that is this "you" of you – as it is flowing through the eyes of this mindbody that you would otherwise disharmonic-ally and unnaturally mistakenly identify yourself to be.
- Feng Shui your Web Site By:-Robert Thomson
So can the power of Feng Shui practices be used in Web Sites I hear you ask. It can be applied to your environment, health and love life so surely the same principles can be applied to your web site making it more appealing to it’s users.
- The most awaited celebration of a year By:-Rahul Roy
It is the most awaited festival for all as it is both holiday and holy day. People enjoy it along with huge parties and visiting relatives, greeting each other a “Mary Christmas”. It is not only a religious festival but also a social celebration to be celebrated with each other.
- the mystique art of numerology By:-Steve Silvester
Are you curious to know about your future or you want to get out of the difficulties encountering now, or just want to improve your present situation? Then, numerology would be the answer for all of your spiritual needs.
- The Hindu festival “Diwali”, a time to celebrate and rejoice By:-Rahul Roy
It is a time to exchange greetings, best wishes and gifts with family and friends, somewhat like the Christian festival of Christmas. Traditionally, houses are cleaned thoroughly then decorated with oil lamps called diyas and candles and streets are brightened with fairy lights. The ground outside homes and temples is decorated with Rangoli patterns, often made with colored rice and flour and water to attract the attention of the Goddess Lakshmi.
- Durga Puja, the festival of victory By:-Rahul Roy
Durga Puja, the festival of victory over bad is the worship of 'Shakti' or the divine power. Most of the religious celebrations in the world have legends surrounding them. The stories are generally the fight between the evil and the good. Worship of Goddess Durga is based on myths where Durga symbolizes the divine power.
- Celebration of Breaking the Fast and Sacrifice By:-Rahul Roy
The night before Eid is called Chand Raat, or night of the moon. People visit bazaars and shopping malls with their families and children for last moments Eid shopping. Women, especially young girls often paint each others' hands with traditional "henna" also called "mehendi" and wear colorful bangles.
- Symbolize the love of brother and sister By:-Rahul Roy
Come; let's enter this world of cultural & traditional beauty and the stunning bond of love between a brother and a sister. The easy and fastest way of wishing your brother and sister is through sending sms.
- Churches Increase Tithes and Offerings Easily? By:-John Reed
Churches with limited budgets are hindered at the times they shoud be most effective. Pastors are employing innovative tactics to bring the needed funding in without over burdening church members. Its Easier, faster and more effective than regular fund raising techniques.
- Encyclopedia Of Ismailism By:-Ibrahim Machiwala
It purports a sort of a dictionary of Shia Ismaili Muslims history, tariqah, philosophy, political movements and their rich contributions to Islam. It induces the readers to know, who Ismaili Muslims are? what is their history? what is their interpretation of the Holy Koran? what civilization they built as well as the diverse challenges they had confronted in the course of history?
- EASTER the Christian Festival By:-Ibrahim Machiwala
On Easter Sunday Cakes and sweets are distributed to friends and families. Usually Easter chocolate eggs are prepared for young children. Visits are made to families and friends homes, parties and get-togethers are organized for Christians to unite and celebrate the festival.
- Golden Jubilee Of H.H. Prince Karim Aga Khan By:-Ibrahim Machiwala
The 11th July, 2007 is going to mark historically an inauguration of the Golden Jubilee of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the 49th Hazar Imam. This is the glorious historical era when the Ismailis are scattered all over the world, not confined to East Africa and British India. The splendor, magnificence and the fidelity with which the Ismaili world celebrates the Golden Jubilee of their beloved 49th Hazar Imam is unparallel.
- Diamond Jubilee of Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan By:-Ibrahim Machiwala
In a message to “Diamond Jubilee Souvenir Year Book,” the Imam said, “The Ismailia history has passed through several stages of development. My Diamond Jubilee marks such a stage in the present times. With it a phase of consolidation and cooperation has been achieved among my spiritual children in various countries, and now lies ahead a period of goodwill and expansion.
- Golden Jubilee Of Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan By:-Ibrahim Machiwala
Bombay was the venue for the celebrations in India. Huge crowd in festive and solemn mood had gathered at Hasanabad to attend the unique occasion on January 19, 1936. When the Imam and Begum arrived at 10.35 a.m. to receive one of the most spectacular ovations from a crowd of over 40,000 Ismailis, every inch of space in the Hasanabad ground was taken up. The Imam took his seat on the gadi embroidered in gold with the coat of arms of his family. To his right sat his mother, Lady Aly Shah, and to his left sat the Begum. The Imam was dressed in a purple robe with a great turban, with all the decorations and insignia glittering on his breast.
- Jubilee Celebrations In Ismaili History By:-Ibrahim Machiwala
A peep into the historical records tends to reveal the culture of holding the jubilee festival which was celebrated for the first time by Moses in obedience to the commands of religion before the inauguration of the Christian era. The Law of Moses prescribed a special year for the Jewish people: "You shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim the liberty throughout the land, to all its inhabitants; it shall be a jubilee for you when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his family. This fiftieth year is to be a jubilee year for you: you will not sow, you will not harvest the un-gathered corn, you will not gather the untrimmed vine. The jubilee is to be a holy thing to you, you will eat what comes from the fields." (The Book of Leviticus 25, 10-14) The trumpet with which this particular year was announced was a goat's horn called yobel in Hebrew, and the origin of the word jubilee. The celebration of this year also included the restitution of land to the original owners, the remission of debts, the liberation of slaves and the land was left fallow. In the New Testament, Jesus presents himself as the One who brings the old Jubilee to completion, because he has come to "preach the year of the Lord's favour" (Isaiah 61: 1-2).
- How to Seduce the 12 Horoscope Signs By:-Steve Silvester
Useful tips to seduce any person we like just by knowing his zodiac sign. Just follow the advices and you will attract the desired person. The following advices are quite general. You can consult Tarot or psychic for personal questions.
- Are You Ready To Be Completely Freed From Everything? by Elysha By:-Elysha Elysha
The full impact of the totality of the freedom of the divine one immediately comes to fruition in every moment that you leave alone the trying to be of who you think you are and in its stead, you stopping at and as this one that is the truth of who you are - this "you" of you that is already flowing through the eyes of this mindbody that you find yourself flowing through.
- Judge Not Least You Be Judged! By:-Linda Dipman
Recently a minister and his congregation have been picketing the funerals of fallen soldiers from Iraq. Are they doing God's will by telling the families of these war hero's that their sacrifice is a result of judgment by God for allowing homosexuals into the armed forces? Or is this minister and his followers an instrument of Satan?
- Pride By:-Linda Dipman
When I am in control my pride is intact, but when God is control I can see our world for what it is! Open your eyes to how God can change you into more loving, kind and compassionate people.
- Haunted Typewritter Or God? By:-Linda Dipman
To my astonishment my typewriter began to move. Is this possible? I looked intently for some mechanical device that could cause such an impossible action.
- Where In The World Is God? By:-Linda Dipman
Many people have become so preoccupied with life that they have stopped reaching out to God. They believe that God doesn't care and as a result they believe God has left our planet! They refuse to see that all forms of disasters in this world is the preamble to the end of the game of life. They go about their business without understanding that in order to live in this world we must realize that our lives have a purpose. A predestined evolution that has a beginning and an end.
- He Speaks In A Whisper By:-Linda Dipman
He speaks to us in a whisper. Acknowledging the game of life helps us to understand how to win. Knowing the Spiritual dimension of our world is to have knowledge, while living in this world like everyone else is to be simple minded.
- I am not Jewish By:-Linda Dipman
God made all people. Yet today we persecute people in order to justify the doctrine handed down by the church fathers. Why is this happening?
- I Believe In Miracles By:-Linda Dipman
Believing in what is unseen is gaining understanding about the purpose of this world. From the Miracle of life to the wonders of our world stand up and see that it could have never just been created in a big bang!
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