Sheikh Salman al-Oadah People often deceive themselves by becoming show-offs under the pretense of making casual conversation. There are people who cannot sit with others without saying: “I did this and I did that… I spent so much in charity.” Sometimes they can be a bit more subtle – usually deceiving themselves more than those with whom they are speaking – saying things like: “Actually, I cannot stay up in prayer at night more than two hours…” or: “Unfortunately, I cannot cope with fasting every day, so I must suffice with fasting on Mondays and Thursdays…” By saying these things, … Continue reading Be Wary of Publicizing Your Good Deeds

Measuring the ‘Religiosity’ of Muslims Dr. Sâlih Ibrâhîm al-Sanî` Religion is a natural human need. It has been so since Allah created Adam and will remain so as long as there are people on Earth. People differ in their religiousness according to how closely they remain true to the natural religious disposition that Allah, in His mercy, has instilled in all human beings. Allah says: ” Then set your face upright for religion in the right state — the nature made by Allah in which He has made humanity.” [Sûrah al-Rûm: 30] He also says: “And (remember) when your Lord … Continue reading ‘Religiosity’ of Muslims

Sheikh Salman al-Oadah We know it is a duty upon every Muslim to call others away from sinful behavior, and to do so with wisdom, within the limits of our various abilities. The Prophet (peace be upon him) delineated these levels for us when he said: Whoever sees something wrong should change it with his hands. If he is unable to do so, then he should do so with his tongue. If he is unable to do so, then he should do so in his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.” [Sahîh Muslim] We also know that here … Continue reading Forbidding Wrong: a Duty upon… Sinners?

All the Rest Is Commentary By Susanne Strimling At the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan through July 30 is an exhibition called “All the Rest Is Commentary.” For this exhibit, Beth Grossman explores 12 Golden Rules from various world religions. She not only displays these rules, but engages people in conversations on topics related to the text in discussions called “table talks.” Grossman has used the metaphor of a tablecloth, as it represents the traditionally feminine aspects of society and because the table is a place where family and friends gather to discuss world issues such as religion, have general … Continue reading All the Rest Is Commentary

Omar Khadr and the Still-Black Hole of Guantánamo by: Lisa Hajjar, t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed (Illustration: Lance Page / t r u t h o u t) At 23, Omar Khadr is the youngest of the 176 people still imprisoned at the US military’s detention facility in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. He has been there for eight years, one third of his life. A Canadian, he is the only citizen of a Western country remaining in detention, although one British resident, Shaker Aamer, is also still locked up there. Of the 779 people brought to … Continue reading Omar Khadr – Free Him NOW!

‘Having a whale of a time’: Giant mammals take a diver by the hands for an amazing tour under Arctic ice By Mail Foreign Service These amazing photographs show incredible wild Beluga whales who help human visitors to swim under thick Arctic sea ice. The whales have a delicate touch and these two were spotted taking the hands of one diver and coasting along with him. Photographer Andrey Nekasov, 38, from Odessa, Ukraine, visited the White Sea – off the Barents sea on the north-west coast of Russia – which is popular for spotting pods of the all-white swimming mammals. … Continue reading ‘Having a whale of a time’

Nazi ‘death camp guard’ charged with involvement in murder of 430,000 Jews By Mail Foreign Service A suspected former Nazi death camp guard has been charged with participating in the murder of 430,000 Jews and other crimes during the Third Reich. Samuel Kunz, 88, was informed last week of his indictment on the charges including participation in mass murder at the Belzec death camp in occupied Poland, where he allegedly served as a guard from January 1942 to July 1943, prosecutor Christoph Goeke said. Kunz is also charged with murder over ‘personal excesses’ in which he allegedly shot a total … Continue reading Samuel Kunz charged with murder of 430,000

Put my car down! Enraged driver stages sit-in protest… forcing clampers to retreat By Daily Mail Reporter When clampers decided to tow away William O’Driscoll’s car after he parked on a single yellow line, there was no way he was going to take it lying down. Instead, the enraged driver took it sitting up, after he jumped into the passenger seat of the 4×4 as it was lifted from the ground and refused to budge. With baffled passers-by looking on and queues of traffic forming around him, the 28-year-old contacted the police and demanded they attend the scene. Sit-in protest: … Continue reading Birmingham City Council Bastards get a black eye!