Islamically Speaking Newsletter Vol. 6

19th Dhul-Qa`dah 1430 A.H (06 November 2009) C.E.

ISLAMICALLYSPEAKING...

Vol 06

1- al Muhit as Sahra Part 2 2- Islam Around the World: The Korean Peninsula. 3-The Caller to Success, Bilal ibn Ribah (RA): The Voice of Medina. 4-Respecting and Serving the Parents. 5-The Fallacy of British Politics 6 - The Grand Stage: The Devil’s Deception of Barrack Obama

Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem AsSalamu Alaykum

Greetings dear Brothers and Sisters. We are happy to now share Volume 6 of our fortnightly newsletter with you. In this instalment, we have a continuation of the epic: al Muhit as Sahra (“The Ocean of the Desert”), a Seerah of The Prophet (PBUH). In addition, we also have prepared another article for “Islam Around the World”, this time dealing with Korea (we can guess what you are thinking, but read and you will receive clarification…). We also have a story from the life of The Companion Bilal ibn Ribah al Habashi (RA), detailing his special status amongst us. This Volume also contains valuable information relating to the Islamic view on parental relations with children, and how to achieve a harmonious family life. There is also an article deals with the ills and unreliability of British Politics, and a refutation of a few attacks made against Islam. Furthermore, we also have another article for “The Grand Stage”, which contains analysis on Barrack Obama’s actions towards The Muslim World, and a judgement on his legitimacy as a “hope” for Muslims globally. Insha’Allah, you will enjoy this volume and take much enjoyment and benefit from it.

al Muhit as Sahra (The Ocean of The Desert)

Previously, we had described what the world was like when it was plunged into complete ignorance. We had also described the miraculous incident of the destruction of Abraha al Ashram and his army that occurred in the year of The Prophet’s (PBUH) birth. Finally, the world could let out a sigh of relief due to the emergence of a mercy to all the worlds, The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). We will conduct a more specific study of Arab society at the time of Muhammad’s (PBUH) birth and then continue where we left off...

Prelude II: The Reality of pre - Islamic Arabia Muhammad (PBUH) was truly a special person, to be so pure while born into, and surrounded by a completely depraved setting. Before we touch upon the story of the young boy’s childhood, we will outline the types of ignorant practices prevalent in more detail. Hopefully, the reader will

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understand the true nature of the society that this boy was sent to revive. Social life in The Arabian Peninsula at that time was full of debauchery. With regards to marriage, a group of men could have disgusting orgies with women, when the women had given birth to a child, she would choose her husband according to who she though was the father. Prostitution was widespread and rampant and such women were used by many men in the community, and men would claim illegitimate children from this prostitute as their own. Among all levels of society, especially the aristocracy, adultery was widespread and rampant, very few people had any restraint in controlling their lusts, and so, they lost their self respect. Indeed, the sexual practices of these people were wild and barbaric. While some children were loved and r e s p e c t e d by The Arabs, others, especially young girls, were subject to mistreatment and abuse. Consequently, many infant females were buried alive by

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their own fathers. This had happened to the younger sister of Sumayyah bint Khayyat (RA). Before Umar ibn al Khattab (RA) was a Muslim, he himself buried his daughter alive, and as a Muslim, he would later cry upon the remembrance of this. The economic practices were also corrupt, Mecca was a centre of trade and commerce and in the marketplace, and there were dishonest merchants who would engage in fraud, among other types of cheating and stealing. Shop owners would take full price from people when selling their products, but when any time came to give money to others for a particular reason, they would give less than due.

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There was no just political governance. In the absence of any holistic ideology, there was tribalism, which was a key component of the pre-Islamic political construct in Arabia, and a kind of fanatical devotion developed among people in relationship to their clan. People of the same clan developed strong emotional bonds, and began to perceive those from outside their clan as alien enemies. Thus, war was extremely common in Arabia, and while there was no fighting in or around Mecca itself, pointless bloodshed was a common day event everywhere else. The intellectual level of the people at that time was low, and their awareness of the world was shallow, they perceived the dominance of their blood relations as a purpose of life. This dominance driven way of behaviour was what made The Arab society function in a very animalistic way. Many social groups formed, blindly adhering to their forefathers traditions, and these people despised others, who themselves honoured their own ancestors blindly. This gave rise to the ignorant practice of Asabiyyah (Tribalism). The idols surrounding The Ka’aba were many in number. While the people believed in a powerful, unseen God, they took these idols as intercessors and partners with God, and so they fell into Shirk. The wood and stone themselves were worshipped as opposed to The One who created the wood and stone with which these “gods” were made.

Chapter 1: Birth and Childhood It was within this decadent society, that a special child was born. According to ibn Hisham, The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH), was born on the 12th of Rabi al Awwal, in The Year of the Elephant, this roughly corresponds to the 20th of April, 571 C.E. Abdullah, the father of The Prophet, had already died roughly seven months previously, and so this life had already begun with loss and some degree of hardship. Despite this however, the birth of The Prophet was received with joy by Amina, and also Abdul Muttalib, grandfather of Muhammad (PBUH). It was the custom of The Arabs of that time, to have their infants taken out into the desert to be raised by Bedouins in that harsh environment. This was done for the purpose of hardening the young, and making them strong and able in body, and in mind. This kind of nurturing would also protect infants from the widespread vices of the society at that time. The Prophet (PBUH) was blessed by Allah (SWT), in that he was safe and free from this corruption. The Bedouins were a nomadic people who tended to exempt themselves from what then considered as “urban life”. It was for that reason that they were seen as noble and virtuous, and consequently, many parents wanted their children to be raised by such people. Muhammad (PBUH) was very small, when he was suckled a maid named Halimah bint Abi Dhuayb. It is narrated that afterwards, Halimah begged Amina to let her look after the boy for a time. She had been experiencing good fortunes ever since she had suckled The Prophet (PBUH), and so she begged Amina to let her be with him. When she received permission, Halimah, and her husband, Al-Harith bin ‘Abdul ‘Uzza, were ecstatic. And so it was, that Muhammad (PBUH) stayed with Halimah until he was nearing the age of six years. It was at this point that Amina had her son returned to her.

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By this stage, it had been a few years since the death of Abdullah, Amina’s husband. Thus, out of respect to her deceased partner, Amina decided to go to a small oasis town named Yathrib, where her late husband was buried. Amina took her son along for the trip, and so it was that they left Mecca on a long journey. The Arabian Desert was a harsh environment, and the journey was long, spanning roughly 500 kilometers. It was in Yathrib that Amina and Muhammad spent one month before making their way back to Mecca. However, severe fatigue and illness took it’s toll on Amina, who had been suffering under such burdens for some time, and so it was that she eventually died. She passed away on the road back to Mecca, in a place named Abwa, which is a small village between the two cities. The Prophet’s (PBUH) life was full of loss and hardship, to the extent that he was now an orphan by the age of six. Alas, for The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), there would be many more times like this to come in the future. The boy, now an orphan, was taken in by his grandfather, Abdul Muttalib. The two developed a loving relationship whereby they became more akin to father and son. Muhammad (PBUH) was treated by his relative with love and respect. In fact, even the actual children of Abdul Muttalib were not treated with the degree of respect and tolerance that The Prophet (PBUH) was treated with. Unfortunately, it was only to last until the boy had reached the age of eight years, as it was then that his grandfather also died. Now, it was up to the uncle of The Prophet, Abu Talib, to look after his nephew. Abu Talib was the same as Abdul Muttalib, in the sense that he also loved and respected Muhammad (PBUH), even more than his own children. The boy also grew to love and respect his uncle, that is, as another father figure. Abu Talib was a business man, as many Meccans were. They made revenue via the conduct of trade, especially to Syria, to buy from and sell to with the citizens of the various cities in that land. At this point, Syria was under the control of The Roman Byzantine Empire. When Abu Talib decided to go on a business trip to with his caravan in order to conduct trade in Syria, he took Muhammad (PBUH) along for the journey. The trading caravan eventually reached a city in Syria called Bosra, it was in this city that there lived a man named Bahira, who was a Christian scholar, living in hermitage. While usually a recluse, who kept himself separated from worldly affairs, there was something about Muhammad (PBUH) that has struck Bahira, and caught his attention. On one hot day, while he was staring out from his monastery, Bahira caught sight of The Prophet. It was during the day, and the sky seemed to be more or less bare with almost no clouds, except for one which seemed to always follow Muhammad (PBUH) wherever he went in the city. While caravan members and the people of the city all had to endure the sun’s uncompromising heat, this one piece of shade always pursued the young boy, who Bahira intently fixed his eyes upon. In a fashion just as peculiar, whenever Muhammad (PBUH) sat near a tree, it’s branches seemed to bend and reach out to him, further shading him from the sun and it’s heat. Again, no one else seemed to be afforded this luxury.

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While usually a recluse who did not want a great deal of company, this phenomena was too much for Bahira to pass up. Bahira had a great desire to meet this small boy, who appeared to have divine blessing on his side. And so, the monk descended from his place of privacy and called out to the entire caravan group in hopes of getting their attention. “Oh community of Quraysh!” exclaimed Bahira. “I have made food for you, and I would like all of you to attend, be you old or young, master or slave.” “By God Bahira!” responded one of the Qurayshis. “This is indeed a surprise gesture you have never enacted before, even though we have passed by your place several times, what is the matter with you?” “That is true!” Bahira answered. “However, you are guests, and I wish to be your host by preparing food for you to eat.” The group responded in acceptance and began to gather for food, all except The Prophet (PBUH), who was left tending to the peoples luggage and goods under a tree. Bahira eventually noticed that the boy he really wanted to see was not among his patrons. “All of you have to attend my meal.” Bahira exclaimed. “Oh Bahira! Only one of us has not attended, he is young man looking after our luggage, and he is but still a boy.” Responded the group. “Do not do that, get him to come too.” Bahira requested with a great urgency. “By God! It is shameful to attend without Muhammad ibn Abdullah!” exclaimed one of the Qurayshis. One of the men hurried to fetch The Prophet (PBUH), and when he returned to the feast with the boy, Bahira eagerly examined him, searching for some kind of mark or sign. The feast members ate and drank their fill, and Bahira, growing ever more anxious, waited for the men to depart after their meal. He then asked Muhammad (PBUH) a question. “Swear to me by al Lat and al ‘Uzza, if I were to ask you something, would you respond in truth?” enquired Bahira. “Please don’t ask me to swear by al Lat and al ‘Uzza, for there is nothing more

vile to me than them.” replied The Prophet (PBUH). “Swear by Allah! If I were to ask you something, will you be truthful?” asked Bahira. “I will.” responded The Prophet (PBUH). Bahira began asking Muhammad ( P B U H ) m a n y d i ff e r e n t q u e s t i o n s regarding his disposition and mannerisms. Things like his mood, how he slept, how he generally behaved etc. Most of the men had gone, but Abu Talib was still in the room, and when Bahira had finished his examination of The Prophet (PBUH), he turned and asked Abu Talib some questions. “How are you related to this boy?” Bahira asked. “I am his father.” Abu Talib replied. “This boy’s father should not be alive.” Bahira stated. “Well! He is my nephew.” said Abu Talib. “And where is his father?” enquired Bahira. “He had died during the pregnancy of his mother.” Abu Talib responded. “Indeed, this is true.” said Bahira. It was rather uncanny, how Bahira seemed to know so much about Muhammad (PBUH), despite the fact that he had only just met him. Bahira had actually been examining him in relation to the Christian scriptures in his possession. While Christians had knowledge of a coming Prophet (PBUH), in their books, partly inspired by Allah (SWT) they were not the only ones. The Jews, having also received revelation from Allah (SWT) also knew of a coming Prophet. “This is the master of humans, Allah will send him with a message which will be a mercy for all human beings.” Bahira foretold. “How do you know this?” asked Abu Talib, having been shocked by such a revelation. “When you came to this town, you came from the direction of Aqaba, and when you entered with the boy, the trees and the stones prostrated, and they never do this, except for a Prophet. Also, I am able to recognise him by The Seal of Prophethood beneath his shoulder, like an

apple. This is the knowledge we have from our scripture.” explained Bahira. In Syria, there were some Jews who believed that a Messiah was coming to them, and they anticipated that he would be like, in the sense that he would be of Jewish origin, like Moses (AS), Jesus (AS) and many of the other respected Prophets of the past. However, this was not the case, as Muhammad (PBUH) was an Arab in his ethnicity, not Jewish. From Bahira’s perspective, he feared that, if The Jews found out that Muhammad fulfilled signs of Prophethood, and that he was a Gentile (non-Jew), they would hurt him. And so Bahira cautioned Abu Talib. “Go back with your nephew and guard him well, and please protect him from The Jews. By God! Your nephew will be very important, and if Jews learn something of what I have known, they will hurt him.” Bahira warned, with great worry for the boy. Having been made aware, Abu Talib hurried back to Mecca with his nephew, intent to protect him. In the future, some people, from among the Christians and Jews would seek to harm and even kill The Prophet, some would be more honourable and simply disagree with The Prophet yet not harm him, and some would even join with The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), becoming Muslims, and in so doing, becoming brothers with Him (PBUH) and the other Muslims. As you have seen, there is much to narrate just about The Prophet’s (PBUH) life before His Prophethood, and it simply cannot be covered in a single chapter lasting only a mere few pages, thus, we shall continue the story of The Prophet (PBUH) in the next chapter, insha’Allah.

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Islam Around the World:

The Korean Peninsula Previously, in Volume 5, I had written about Islam in China, and of course, given the fact that Islam has a deep seated, but generally unknown history in that land, it would be easy to make a case to write that article, because that generally unknown history could then become more acknowledged. However, when someone thinks of Islam in countries like Japan or Korea, then there really is much less to talk about, because truth be told, Islam has not really had any ingrained cultural or ideological presence in these places, and it has not yet penetrated the hearts and minds of the people in these places, at least not on a large scale. However, there are still matters to discuss in relation to Islam and it’s past and present role in these societies. It is also important to establish the fact that Islam is an ideology which is global, and not merely for Arabs. Hence commenting on Islam in places like East Asia is a good way of destroying that myth. This is why I have written an article regarding Islam and it’s ties with Korea, and in the next volume, insha’Allah, there will be an article on Islam in Japan. The story of Islam in this part of the world roughly begins in the 7th Century C.E. We have already been through how Khalifa Uthman ibn Affan (RA) was the one who established relations with China via the diplomatic envoy he sent. That decision had a great effect in that it established not only Islam in China, but also in an indirect way, Korea as well. Korean people were first introduced to The Deen via Muslim traders from China, not to mention from provinces within The Islamic State. These traders managed to establish themselves in Silla, one of the three ancient Korean kingdoms. The geographical location of this kingdom is now in what we call South Korea. Small concentrations of Persian and Arab traders entered into the Korean Peninsula, with larger groups entering at the beginning of the 9th Century C.E. As a natural consequence, there was some intermarriage that took place between the

two peoples, naturally, there would have been some form of Da’wah. The Islamic State continued to engage in relations with The Goryeo Dynasty, which followed and took the place of The Kingdom of Silla. Muslims from The Islamic State from both the Abbasid period and the Osmani (Ottoman) period would travel to Korea and settle there. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty was run by Mongols, who employed many Muslims in it’s army. The Mongols conquered The Goryeo Dynasty and Muslim soldiers were stationed there as a result, and so, yet again on a minimal level, Muslims and Koreans intermarried. There is also a theory, proposed by James Huntley Grayson, in his book A Religious History of Korea, that The Chang Family, one of the Korean clans, is descended in some part from Muslims. Relations between Muslims and Koreans continued in a very meagre way, with one people not really having any significant effect upon the other. There was however the small contribution Muslims made in the arts and sciences. Muslim geographers from both The Khilafah and China were able to put forward significant contributions to Korean geographical advancement. One of the oldest maps in Korea, The Kangido, was formulated using different sources, including the maps of Chinese and Arab geographers. Muslims also developed distillation methods and technology, which brought advancement in medicine, by being able to produce necessary medical ingredients. In terms of astronomy and calander making, Muslim Arabs were urged by The Chinese to help correct and update their techniques concerning the calculation of sun, moon and star movement. The Koreans also sent their own astronomers to Beijing so they could learn from The Muslims’ methodology. This facilitated more efficient astronomical technique and calendar making in both China and Korea.

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There have also been theories that Uyghur Muslims of Western China had a minimal effect upon The Korean Han’geul, or alphabet. The Mongol Yuan Dynasty had adopted the Uyghur writing system for some time before using another one, we also know that it was this same dynasty that also held dominion over Korea for a period of time, and so some have suggested that the Koreans must have come into contact with this writing system and in turn, adopted from it. The Joseon Dynasty eventually rose up and held dominance over the peninsula. This government was more conservative regarding immigration, and so it was that Muslims, either from Arabia or China, were shunned or barred entry. The Joseon Dynasty was known for it’s adopting a very isolationist policy, and it had a way of shutting itself off from the world in general. The Story of Islam in Korea halted for sometime afterwards. However, it was renewed in the 20th Century C.E. At this stage, the Khilafah was on it’s knees, and the age of Western dominance had unfortunately arrived. European Imperialism was rife, and Japan had adopted this same style of foreign policy. In 1910 C.E, The Empire of Japan succeeded in it’s occupation of the entire of Korea, and until the defeat of The Japanese at the end of World War Two, citizens would be subject to a series of brutal war crimes, including rape and mass murder. The colonial mindset of the early 20th Century was born from a rather low level dominance driven perspective, and “the pride of the nation” was the mantra adopted in defence of any expansionist aggression. Consequently, when The Japanese had been able to conquer the Koreans, who were of a different ethnic background and who were seen as inferior, they inflicted harsh oppression upon them out of animosity towards them. This animosity was born out of the fact that Koreans did not share the exact same culture or heritage as their occupiers With the defeat of The Japanese and their removal from power, there was a rise in Korean Nationalism, which was born out of the solidarity Koreans formed while under Japanese occupation. This rise in nationalistic

sentiments allowed The Koreans to bond upon a common identity, in the face of a perceived common enemy. However, this nationalistic bond could not stand up to more holistic ideological thought, and so there was the eventual adoption of Communism and Capitalism, which were modelled by Russia and America respectively in their Cold War. How it happened is another story in itself, but eventually, there was the rise of a Communist North Korea, and a Capitalist South Korea. North Korea was a totalitarian dictatorship under Kim il Sung, as for South Korea, it was headed by Syngman Rhee, who was a western backed corrupt elitist dictator. And of course, by this point, The Khilafah was destroyed, and so The Islamic System of Governance was no where to be offered as a just and viable alternative. This schism and division of Korea lead to The Korean War of 1950 – 1953. It is important to set Muslim people within the context of this new and unique situation within the Korean peninsula. It is also important to set Islam within this scenario as a viable alternative ideology for Korean people to benefit from. North Korea, being a Communist State has been massively authoritarian and oppressive towards the people it dominates. Kim il Sung eventually died in 1994 C.E, and so his son, Kim Jong-il took up the “throne”. Like his father before him, Kim Jong-il conducted and still conducts brutal oppression of the North Korean populace. The U.S State Department annually publishes “Human Rights Reports” on many countries, including North Korea. In it’s “2008 Human Rights Report”, the following introduction is made: “The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) is a dictatorship under the absolute rule of Kim Jong-il, general secretary of the Korean Workers' Party (KWP) and chairman of the National Defense Commission (NDC), the "highest office of state." The country has an estimated population of 23.5 million. Kim's father, the late Kim Il-sung, remains "eternal president." Local elections held in July 2007 were not free or fair. There was no civilian control of the security forces, and members of the security forces committed numerous serious human rights abuses.” America is not one to be talking about “Human

Rights” by any means given the it’s track record of committing many abuses globally in the past and present, however, North Korea is not a pretty picture by any means. The above quote is not an empty statement. In summary, the report details many issues including murder, (such as the killing of homeless people for attempting to steal food to survive), the operation of “gulags” (reminiscent of Soviet Russian concentration/slave camps), people being sent to these camps are denied the right to have a trial despite the law saying that they must. The North Korean Government is fully able to arrest and hold people for as long as they wish to, which in a disturbing way, is similar to The British Government’s “anti-terror legislation”, more on that in another volume, insha’Allah. In short, North Korea is a police state. The State Department report goes on to report the humiliation and torture of detainees in camps and prisons: “Methods of torture and other abuse reportedly included severe beatings; electric shock; prolonged periods of exposure to the elements; humiliations such as public nakedness; confinement for up to several weeks in small "punishment cells" in which prisoners were unable to stand upright or lie down; being forced to kneel or sit immobilized for long periods; being hung by the wrists; being forced to stand up and sit down to the point of collapse; and forcing mothers recently repatriated from China to watch the infanticide of their newborn infants. Defectors continued to report that many prisoners died from torture, disease, starvation, exposure to the elements, or a combination of these causes.” No doubt, some of these reports are reminiscent of what goes on in The Muslim World to those who seek to challenge the Western supported, dictatorial regimes there.

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North Korea has been accused by Amnesty International and Refugees International as having elitist ruling authority. Despite being a Communist State, the country has various social and political classes. The country has large wealth and food shortages and discriminates on the basis of class with regard to the distribution of these commodities. As a result of this, many are subject to poverty and starvation. All of the above are hallmarks of a Communist State, be it previous entities such as The Soviet Union, or present day manifestations such as North Korea. China is only more affluent mainly in it’s eastern provinces, but also plays favouritism and neglects it’s western provinces and non- ethnic Han Chinese populace. The North Korean economic structure is one of a Command Economy, and the state owns and controls everything relating to resources and the allocation of them to businesses. And so in Pyongyang and other urban settings, the running and set up of businesses to supply products is at least partially available, but in the majority of the land, which is rural, such privileges are less readily accessible. North Korea is an oppressive entity in the overt sense due to it’s adoption of Communism as an ideology, the oppression comes in the form of torture, abduction, elitism, poverty, famine and the mindset of fear that comes along with these. North Korea has adopted the unnatural outlook that people are merely existing matter without an initial intelligent cause, rather the state has constructed a false purpose for the people, which is to be a mere worker to help bring about the realisation of the state’s aims. The state, or rather it’s leader, is superficially taken as a “god” besides Allah (SWT), and this is shirk, and may He (SWT) save us from that. As a result, North Korea, through it’s adoption of Communism has failed to satisfy the need of it’s people to venerate and adore something above themselves. This instinct has not been satisfied due to how the Communist object of veneration, the state, is a mere superficial entity. Because of his, the state must use harsh and brutal methods in order to make people do what it desires, hence the totalitarian nature of Communist North Korea. Moving on to South Korea, it is a Capitalist State, and as such, it has a different position regarding economics in particular. South Korea has adopted a Free Market Economy, whereby there is a laissez faire (basically “laid back”) approach on the part of the state in it’s attitude towards economic activity.

While South Korea may have more economic vitality than North Korea, and while South Korea may have the 15th largest GDP in the world, it is has also suffered and continues to suffer the effects of the failures of Capitalism in the form The Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 and of course, the current Global Recession. South Korea’s economy suffered in 1997 – 1998 in The Asian Financial Crisis. Businesses began taking risks by aggressively expanding, despite the fact that there was only so much funding available to be able to continue this policy. There was a great desire to build larger corporations that could compete with other companies abroad. However, there was a resounding failure at this time on the part of borrowers, who became increasingly unable to pay back the interest based loans they took out. And so the risks they took in order to procure funds for expanding business activity ended up turning against them. In the early 1990’s South Korea began increasing it’s short term debt, which meant that the amount of money it had to pay back within one year began to rise to higher amounts. The amount of foreign debt South Korea incurred rose to $158 Billion, and financial crisis ensued. South Korea asked The IMF for a loan of a further $20 Billion just to handle it’s short term financial needs. The emergence of this crisis is reflective of the greed based mentality that Capitalism generated within people. Business owners wanted to expand in order to make more revenue, and the desire for profit was the catalyst that made them resort to taking out large amounts of loans that they could not pay back, and carelessly continue with their expansion manoeuvres. South Korea is also currently mired in another Economic Crisis, but this one is global, and is still going on today. The effects of the recession on South Korea has resulted in the decline in the value of the South Korean Won by 30%. Household debt also rose even faster then that of America, with a 210% growth from 2001 – 2006. Due to the effects of recession, The South Korean Government was also forced to go against the Capitalist pillar of laissez faire non intervention by introducing a stimulus package and directly intervene in economic affairs. Capitalist South Korea experienced two major economic meltdowns with barely a few years setting them apart. Capitalism also perpetuates the concept of “freedom”, which in conjunction with an emphasis on pleasure seeking and materialism, creates a society whereby various kinds

of social corruption can take place. South Korea has given into western culture, and the various kinds of decadence that comes along with it, including the availability of red light districts and the currently small, but gradually rising crime rates. Looking at the religion of South Korea, we find that both Buddhism and Christianity are the major ones. Both of these religions and their adherents have been highly secularised to the point whereby the doctrines of these religions have no real political or economic bearing on the society. Roughly half of the population of South Korea follow some kind of religion, as they acknowledge some kind of “divine” force/person. However, by adopting Secularism, they have effectively told this “god”, that it has no say in life affairs, unless they be spiritual affairs. This is highly irrational as this concludes that mere human beings can tell the “divine” thing (that they perceive as all powerful) what it can and cannot do, when it should actually be the other way around. The Islamic State, The Khilafah is not Communist, it is haraam (forbidden) to have a police state where people are spied upon, it is also haraam to torture and humiliate people as well. The Khilafah is obliged by The Islamic Shairah to make sure that every single person within it’s dominion, Muslim or non-Muslim has the basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter. At the same time, however, Islam mandates that peoples desires are satisfied, but also moderated, and those who seek to commit crime would be forced to be punished according to the Islamic Hudood, and of course, Islam is on the side of the victim, not the criminal. The Islamic Economic System is also an effective alternative in that it prohibits the hoarding of wealth by greedy businessman, but at the same time, makes sure that life is made comfortable for it’s citizens. It also prohibits interest based debts that land countries like South Korea in financial meltdown, more on the specifics in the future, insha’Allah. There is an up and coming series on Islamic Economics, but this is sometime away, so much to write, yet so little time!

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Don Baker of “Harvard Asia Quarterly” concludes his article “Islam Struggles to Gain a Toehold in Korea” by saying that Islam has failed to win hearts and minds in Korea due it’s inability to adapt, he sais in his conclusion: “Does Islam have a future in Korea? Yes, if that question means whether Islam has established a permanent presence on the peninsula. However, if that question is asking if Islam will soon become a significant religious force in Korea, challenging the dominance of Buddhism and Christianity, the answer is probably no. Christianity succeeded in Korea by adapting to Korean ways. A Korean Christian church is unlike most Christian churches in the rest of the world. There is a Korean approach to worship and church organization that draws Koreans to Korean churches even when they live overseas and have to drive past nonKorean churches in order to reach a church in which they will feel more comfortable. Islam, on the other hand, has resisted Koreanization. Perhaps because the number of foreign-born Muslims outnumbered the Korean-born only a few decades after the first Korean Islamic community was established, Islam in Korea still has the look and feel of an imported religion. A mosque in Korea does not look very Korean, inside or out. Moreover, Muslim worship services do not resemble any of the traditional Korean modes of worship. This non-Korean appearance of Muslim ritual and worship, and the reluctance of Islam to bend its ethical and ritual demands to local customs, may be the primary reason why Islam will remain a

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minority religion on the Korean peninsula.” While his opinion is respected, there are a number of flaws in this argument. Islam has come into contact with just about every culture in the globe, regardless of whether it is of Middle Eastern, Asian, African or European/American flavour, and has always made a name for itself, the question is the amount of time needed for Islam to make a name for itself. Muslim presence in Korea has been historically documented to have gone back for centuries, but there was no substantial establishment of Islam, and hence, nor real opportunity to engage in a battle for hearts and minds. It is known that Islam is the fastest growing way of life on earth, and people from all parts of the world are becoming part of one global Ummah, and of course, this includes Korea as well. Here in Britain, people are coming to Islam in vast numbers, however, that is because there is a rather substantial Muslim community of roughly 3 million, many of whom are engaged in the call to Islam . One hundred years ago, this number was far less, but because Muslims came to Britain and engaged in Da’wah, that situation is now changing. If the same happens in Korea, then I don’t see why Islam wouldn’t flourish there as well. Baker also cites how Christianity succeeded due to it’s ability to change so it could fit the environment. However, this, in my opinion is not a move of strength, but of compromise. What if there are aspects of Korean culture that do not conform with Christianity? Would they also be adopted? The Uniftication Church of Reverend Sun Myung Moon is an appropriate example of how some forms of “Korean Christianity” do not

conform with contemporary Christian doctrine. From an Islamic perspective however, we don’t change Islam to fit with the reality, but rather, we change the reality to fit with Islam via engaging in the Islamic Da’wah and winning in the battle of ideas. Of course, if the problem is merely of architecture, then there is no real problem. As far as I am aware, it is not an obligation to build Masjids according to an “Arabian fashion”, this is proven by some of the Masjids in China, which resembles Pagodas and other types of East Asian buildings. While no systems emanate from Buddhism or Christianity, Islam proposes Political, Economic and Social solutions, not just for Korea, but for the world over. Islam has come into contact with heavily nationalistic/tribalistic peoples before, but through the strength of it’s ideological call, it eventually won a place for itself. History does testify to this, and indeed, there will be a series at some point in the future proving this, though this is in the very distant future. For now, it is enough to prove what I have said by pointing to the truly diverse ethnic make up of people within The Muslim Ummah, whose ancestors came from non-Islamic cultures, but accepted Islam due it’s being The Truth. To conclude, Islam has a humble, yet all the more growing presence in Korea, and in the end, it does take time to nurture groups of Muslims and to organise them. However, the formation of groups such as The Korea Muslim Federation and the pockets of Korean reverts does give some hope. In the end, only with the progression of time and with hard work, will Islam be able advance in this land, and insha’Allah, Korea will prosper with Islam as a driving force within it’s society

ISLAMICALLY SPEAKING 06 November 2009

Bilal ibn Ribah (RA): The Voice of Medina

The Caller to Success

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The Prophet (PBUH) said: “If the people knew what was in the ‘Athaan’ (of virtues and rewards) and the first row (i.e. the first line in congregational prayer), and that they could not get it except by drawing lots, they would draw lots…” (Al-Bukhaari)

In pre-Islamic Arabia, the general opinion of a black slave

was very low, for the aristocracy of any Arabian city, such people would be worth little, but could be abused a great deal. Usually, black slaves came from al Habasha, otherwise known as Abyssinia or more commonly today, Ethiopia. In the 7th Cenutry C.E, al Habasha was under the political authority of The Kingdom of Axum, otherwise known as The Axsumite Empire. This empire was ruled by The Negus, which was basically the title of the ruler of the kingdom. This land had adopted the religion of Christianity, however, it still had relations with The Arabs, who were idolaters. These two peoples had quite cordial relations and The Kingdom of Axum, who would even sell slaves to The Arabs, who would use them to do their bidding.

What this article is dealing with, is a story of a more passive nature. The Hijrah had taken place, and The Muslims had escaped the oppression of al Quraysh in Mecca, and The Islamic State was established in Medina. The Muslims now had a greater degree of security, and so they could concentrate on ways to make the daily life of the people more comfortable. One thing that allowed the practice of Islam to become much easier was the building of al Masjid an Nabawi. However, after this accomplishment, the community was faced with other problems.

When Muhammad (PBUH) and his Sahabah (RA) came to Medina, The Da’wah to Islam began, and the number of Muslims began to increase. Months later, it got to the point whereby it became difficult to inform all the people of prayer time. And so, Muhammad (PBUH) met with his Companions (RA) to resolve this issue. At the meeting, a number of different suggestions were made to the people. Some suggested the use of a bell, like that which The Christians used. Others, put forwards the idea These slaves would go to Mecca, and their children of using a horn, like that of The Jews. In the end, it was would be born to them there, and they too would be Umar ibn al Khattab (RA), who suggested the use of the slaves. Bilal ibn Ribah (RA) was the son of such people, human voice instead. And so, Muhammad (PBUH) he was a black man from Axum, but who was born in ordered Mecca, in roughly 580 C.E. He was owned by an extremely oppressive and pompous man named Umayyah ibn Khallaf, an aristocrat from al Quraysh and head of The Bani Jumah clan. The entire life of Bilal (RA) will not be detailed here, but suffice it to say, Bilal would take revenge on this tyrant in The Battle of Badr for the years of mistreatment he suffered.

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ISLAMICALLY SPEAKING 06 November 2009

Bilal ibn Ribah (RA), who was renowned for his strong and wonderful voice, to call the people to prayer. Bilal got up and went to face the Qiblah, afterwards, he recited the following: “Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah! Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah! Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allah! Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allah! Hayya 'ala-s-Salah! Hayya 'ala-s-Salah! Hayya 'ala-l-Falah! Hayya 'ala-l-Falah! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! La ilaha illa Allah!” As we all should know, this means the following: “Allah is the greatest! Allah is the greatest! I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah! I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah! I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah! I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah! Come to Prayer! Come to Prayer! Come to Success! Come to Success! Allah is the greatest Allah is the greatest There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah!” This is the same call to prayer, or Adhaan, which is used to this day, in mosques all around the globe. It was Islam that took a slave who was deemed as socially and racially inferior, and gave him the great responsibility of being the first Muezzin of The Muslim Ummah. Bilal would receive great esteem and honour for this, and surely, he will have a great rank in the next world.

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The Prophet (PBUH) also said: “Your Lord, the Exalted, says: “Look at my slave there who makes the call to Prayer and establishes the Prayer out of fear of Me. I have forgiven My slave and have allowed him to enter Paradise.” (Ahmad, Abu Daawood and An-Nasaa’i)

ISLAMICALLY SPEAKING 06 November 2009

Respecting&Serving

Parents

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"We have instructed man to honour his parents." TMQ [29:8] As Muslims, we know that we place a high value on the idea of a stable family. Islam regards the famly as a fundamental unit in society. Without families, society would completely break down, and the human race would lose a massively important tool to cultivate positive contributors to society. An important aspect of this family life, often missed, is the relationship between the parents and the children, but specifically about how the children should treat their parents. It is often expected that the parents will love and look after the children; the Islamic position on the matter is clear. But how often do we ask ourselves, how should I be towards my parents? What is it that Allah SWT has asked of me? What is it that I can do for my parents that will ultimately please Allah SWT? “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour” TMQ [ 17:23 ]

And Allah SWT Says: “And we have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship. And she brings him forth with hardship, and the bearing of him and the weaning of him is thirty months” [ TMQ 46:15 ] In this very early stage of our life we are completely defenceless. If it wasn't for our parents who care so much, especially our mothers, we would surely die! How thankful should we be that in this early stage our parents were saving our lives (by the permission of Allah SWT) on a daily basis! For some of us, the case isn't so simple. Sometimes, we have other things we want to do. We want to play computer games, hang out with friends, and sometimes just do anything else but to spend time with our parents, and to be kind and respectful to our parents. Rest assured, that such a response is exactly the kind of thing that Shaytan would love to see us do, to watch us be cruel to our parents. We should have no doubt in our mind that such ideas are the things that Shaytan would whisper to us, to help us be sinful. SubhanAllah!

Of course, to ask a child what its parent wants of it can be a deep question, perhaps too deep for someone young. Allah SWT makes it easy for us to understand what it is that we should do. Being dutiful to our parents only requires that we listen to what they say, and try our best to do what is asked of us.

May Allah SWT always protect us from such ideas. Is there a limit to the respect and dutifulness? Some of us will face issues when it comes to doing as our parents asked. Sometimes they don't know what Allah SWT has asked of them, because they aren't practicing muslims, or because we reverted to Islam and our parents aren't even Muslim! In this As we grow older as sons and daughters, we are gathering case, we need to think a little more carefully about what is resources; intelligence, money, property, abilities and more. We being asked of us, whilst still maintaining upmost respect for should spend of these things with our parents in the forefront of them; after all, they are still our beloved parents! May Allah our mind (of course, not neglecting our immediate SWT guide them and us: responsibilties). For many of us, it will be as long as two decades before we can become independent individuals, And we enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his capable of looking after ourselves. In this time, our parents will parents; but if they strive to make you join with Me (in have spent thousands of hours, thousands of pounds, and worship) anything (as a partner) of which you have no maybe even developing some grey hairs, making sure that we knowledge, then obey them not. To me is your return and I are comfortable and our needs are taken care of. It is only right shall tell you what you used to do. that we look after them, as they did for us! TMQ [ 29:8 ] Of our parents, who deserves the best treatment? The mother or the father? The following hadith is very clear on the matter: Hadrat Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) reports: "A man came to the presence of the Holy Prophet PBUH and submitted "O Prophet of God (peace and blessings of Allah be upon you!' Who deserves the noblest treatment from me?' The Holy Prophet PBUH observed: "Your mother." He again submitted: "And next?' The Holy Prophet PBUH observed : "Your mother." When the man submitted for the fourth time: "And who next?" The Holy Prophet PBUH observed: "Your father." [Al-Adab alMufrad]

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With all the information above in mind, lets think about how we can become closer to our parents by being dutiful to them. After all, obeying Allah SWT is to do as he asks of us, and we live in the hopeful anticipation that we can do enough for him to earn his good mercy, inshaAllah.

ISLAMICALLY SPEAKING 06 November 2009

The

Fallacy

British Politics

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fallacy

n pl -cies

1. an incorrect or misleading notion or opinion based on inaccurate facts or invalid reasoning 2. unsound or invalid reasoning 3. the tendency to mislead

It was on the 22nd of October that BBC Question Time featured three important guests: Labour MP Jack Straw, Conservative Shadow Minister Sayeeda Warsi and Leader of The BNP, Nick Griffin on their programme. While all The Muslims watching would understandably revile Griffin, it is important that take up the same attitude against Sayeeda Warsi and Jack Straw. In brief, the entire programme was just a chance for the different political parties to try their best to win votes and salvage the reputation of their party. It was for that reason and that reason only that Jack Straw, Sayeeda Warsi were on Question Time in the first place, to have a contest to see just who could win the most votes by attacking The BNP. In the case of Nick Griffin, he was either trying to get sympathy in his areas of influence by making them see how he was abused by those in multicultural London, either that, or he just didn’t do a very good job of making his case to the people in London. Griffin attacked Islam saying that it allowed women to be stoned to death if raped because it was seen as adultery in the eyes of The Shari’ah. This is ridiculous, and shows Griffins utter ignorance, Imam Malik (RA) said: “The punishment is to be carried out on the rapist and there is no punishment for the woman who has been raped, whatever the case.” Ibn Abd al Barr said: “The scholars are unanimously agreed that the rapist is to be subjected to the hadd punishment if there is clear evidence against him that he deserves the hadd punishment, or if he admits to that. Otherwise, he is to be punished (i.e., if there is no proof that the hadd punishment for zina may be carried out against him because he does not confess, and there are not four witnesses, then the judge may punish him and stipulate a punishment that will deter him and others like him). There is no punishment for the woman if it is true that he forced her and overpowered her, which may be proven by her screaming and shouting for help.” The “Hadd Punishment is stoning of the rapist, not the raped woman. And of course, Griffin speaks out in defence of Britain, which has startling rape statistics. Griffin also went on to say that Islam obliges Muslims to be harsh with the non-Muslims and that Islam allows us to kill Jews and other non-Muslims at any given time. If there are those like Griffin, who are bigoted and display enmity to Islam, then yes, were are harsh with them, and those like them. However, Allah (SWT) also said:

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of

“God forbids you not--with regard to those who do not fight you for your Faith nor drive you out of your homes--from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God loves those who

are just. God only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for your Faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support others in driving you out, from turning to them for protection. It is such as turn to them that do wrong!” (al Qur’an, Surah al-Mumtahanah, Ayats 8 and 9) Furthermore, in the time of al Khilafah Rashida, when The Four Rightly Guided Caliphs ruled, Jews and Christians were protected by Muslim armies, and were given state benefits, and were only taxed sometimes as little as a few gold coins. Indeed, how non-Muslims were treated by Muslims in The Islamic Khilafah is superior to Griffin’s view of how Muslims would be treated in his vision of Britain. Asides from Griffin’s overt attacks on Islam, there are also those from the other parties who are more covert in their attacks, and who are just as much our adversaries as Griffin is. People like Jack Straw, who attacked Muslim Sisters who wear the Niqab, and who is a part of The Labour Government, which was behind the PVE Agenda (Preventing Violent Extremism). There will be more on this in a coming volume, but for now, it is enough to say that The Government want to create a British Islam, as if such a thing makes any sense, Islam is Islam, there are not tailored versions to fit one country or another. It also seeks to facilitate spying on Muslims, as stated in the Guardian Newspaper, local councils have drawn up ISAs (Information Sharing Agreements) with the police. According to the Guardian, the ISA between The Islington Council and The Metropolitan Police was obtained, among the data to be acquired would be: "Sensitive personal data; personal data which consists of information concerning racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or other similar beliefs, physical/mental health or conditions, sexual life, alleged or committed offences, proceedings …" The ISA between Waltham Forest Council and The Metropolitan Police states: "If a community intervention is required to prevent a crime then personal information processed in this regard is done so as a matter of public protection … information relating to public protection must be retained until such time as the subject is deemed to have reached 100 years of age … the minimum review period for this information is every 10 years." Jack Straw is a part of The Labour Government that has pushed this kind of policy that is making Britain become more like a police state for Muslims. It is also important to know that Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also sent 500 more troops to Afghanistan, and Jack Straw is a representative of the same government who sent those soldiers.

ISLAMICALLY SPEAKING 06 November 2009

Sayeeda Warsi

Sayeeda Warsi is a prominent figure in The Conservative Party, which will most likely get into power in the next General Election. The conservatives are arguably worse for Muslims than Labour are. They are ready to apply pressure on and even ban many Muslim groups in Britain, including Tableeghi Jamaat, which is known for Da’wah work, and has never been linked to any trouble making, yet they will still be “examined” according to Pauline Neville Jones of The Conservatives. They also plan to engage in their own PVE Agenda, having gone on the record saying they would make youngsters “proud of our country”, which is absurd. How can a Muslim be proud of a country that is involved in the occupation of Muslim land, and the killing of Muslims? As for Chris Huhne of The Liberal Democrats, he also appeared in the show, but he is to be discarded, as it is well known that the competition in the next election will be between Labour and Conservatives, and so he and his party should be ignored. These are not the people we need to tell us what to believe and think. We are Muslims, and we should not dirty ourselves in the filthy game of British Politcs. We should not forget The MPs Expenses Scandal, where government ministers were caught red handed taking taxpayers money. Including Jack Straw, who from 2005 – 2009 took taxpayers money for a bathroom refit, redecorations, two beds, garage doors and an LCD Television. He also wrote to the Commons Fees Office asking for asking for permission to buy a £7,500 kitchen. Sayeeda Warsi, while not having herself stolen any money 9as far as I am aware), nevertheless represents a party whose members have stolen money, among them is Party Leader David Cameron. This is the fruit of British, Secular values. This is not the kind of governance and politics Islam talks about. Islam prohibits the state to spy on people, Allah (SWT) said:

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Nick Griffin

“O you who Believe avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicion is a sin. And spy not on one an other neither backbite one another.” (al Qur’an, Surah al –Hujuraat, Ayat 12) Rather than steal money from the people, a proper Islamic Government invests in it’s people. The populace of The Islamic State of The Rightly Guided Caliphs were taxed lightly and even given state benefits. As an example, Umar ibn al Khattab (RA) established al Bayt al Mal (State Treasury) which gave pensions and allowances to the people, including non-Muslims. It is narrated in al Kitab al Amwal by Ubayd by Abu Ubayd al Qasin ibn Sallam (RA) that Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) had seen an old Jewish man begging at doors, and he said: “We have not done justice to you if we have taken jizya from you in the prime of your youth and neglected you in your old age.” He then ordered from the treasury enough money for the old man to sustain himself. Non-Muslims were only charged what they could afford in terms of taxes, in Sahih al Bukhari it has been narrated by Abu Najeeh (RA) who said, “I said to Mujahid: “What is the matter with the people of Ash-Sham who pay 4 Dinars and the people of Yemen pay 1 Dinar?’ He said, ‘This was decided based on prosperity.” This is the type of advancement Islamic Values produce, and so we should be proud of that, and we should never feel like our values are inferior. What are inferior are the values that have created the monstrosity known as British Politics. And so, please do not fall for the evil tricks of the political parties of Britain, and please beware of them.

ISLAMICALLY SPEAKING 06 November 2009

The Grand Stage:

The Devil’s Deception of Barrack Obama

6 “And when it is said to them: ‘Make not mischief on the earth,’ they say: ‘We are only peacemakers. Verily, they are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive not.” (al Qur’an Surah al-Baqarah, Ayat 11-12)

We all know that Dajjal (The Anti-Christ) is the terrible one-eyed deceiver, and he will mislead many from The Straight Path, however, if there was ever to be a two-eyed version of this great imposter, my personal guess is that it would be someone like Barrack Obama. In the realm of contemporary politics, he is one of Shaytan’s greatest henchmen, whether he knows it, or not. Indeed, this man has been held up by many a person as a sign of hope. After all, having been through almost a decade of having George W. Bush as President of The United States of America, anyone with at least one more IQ point becoming the next President would be seen as a great relief by just about anyone. Luckily for Obama, he has far more than just one more IQ point than Bush, however, that should not be taken as a compliment. We should be certain that Obama is just as much an adversary to us as Bush was, the only difference being that he is smarter, which only makes him more dangerous. The sad irony of recent events is the fact that Obama was awarded The Nobel Peace Prize on October 9th, 2009. The Nobel Committee stated he had: "…created a new climate in international politics. ... Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future.” The statement continued on to remark: “His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population.”

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"Two-faced Obama" My estimation is that a book could well be written on how Obama absolutely should not be allowed anywhere near any kind of “peace prize”, but instead this article will have to suffice. I am sure that there are some Muslim Brothers and Sisters here in Britain, and elsewhere, who may take this man to be some kind of saviour, but I would respectfully urge these fellow Muslims to re-consider this opinion should they have it. This man had promised “Change We Can Believe In”, but it has been some months now since he became President, and I am afraid to say that despite the rhetoric, he has simply not delivered what we Muslims so desperately want. It was on June 4th, 2009, that Obama made a very well known and remembered speech in Cairo, Egypt. This speech was rather comically entitled: “A New Beginning”. While addressing The Muslim Ummah in this speech, Obama had said: "I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect." Such words sound wonderful, to some, many of the things that Obama said sounded pleasing. However, as the old saying goes, actions speak louder than words, and words without action are shallow. Obama had touched on five key parts of The Muslim World, and issues America has with them, these were: 1. Military Operations in Pakistan and Afghanistan 2. Military Operations in Iraq 3. The Issue of Palestine 4. The Issue of Iran and Nuclear Weapons. These are the main issues that Muslims globally hold as matters of great importance, and rightly so. Looking at these areas and American actions towards them, we should realise that what Obama says and what he does are distinctly different.

ISLAMICALLY SPEAKING 06 November 2009

Afghanistan: Escalation in The War on Islam Obama talked about Afghanistan first, saying: “Make no mistake: we do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We seek no military bases there.” The first point to mention is that one should find it impossible to believe such a statement, given the fact that America has military bases just about everywhere on the planet. And of course, The Muslim World is no different in this regard. America has access to and actual ownership of military bases in countries such as Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan. America still has military bases in Japan and South Korea despite the fact that it has been decades since World War Two and The Korean War. Generally speaking, America has had military bases wherever it has gone, it has over 700 bases in dozens of countries with thousands upon thousands of soldiers stationed within them, so are we really to believe this lie of Obama? Even if what he said was true, the fact remains that America has bases in every country that surrounds Afghanistan, such as the nations of Central Asia, not to mention Pakistan. Even more importantly, one would have to ask why Obama did not address the fact that he was sending 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan, something he approved of months before. These troops will be an addition to the 34,000 troops already deployed. This move has been made despite the fact that global opinion is very much against this war. In 2007, The Pew Research Centre published a “Global Attitudes Survey”, in which it asked citizens of 47 countries their opinions regarding the war. The survey found that 41 of the 47 countries held the majority opinion of opposing it. The 2009 instalment of the same survey polled 25 countries, of which 21 generally opposed the war. As for the 4 countries that remained, two of them were America and Israel, which hardly leaves any surprise. Obama also supports the treacherous Afghan Government, headed by Hamid Karzai, who is known to be an incompetent, bumbling fool. The Afghan elections have been proven to of been steeped in corruption, with a new round of voting having been promised. But that promise has now been broken due to Karzai recently having been able to sustain his Presidency of Afghanistan, having “won by default” instead. Obama of course, praised Karzai’s next term in office, thus, so much for the “democratic elections” that was supposedly the Afghan people’s “right”. The political corruption of Afghanistan has now shown that America’s supposed reason for going to war was a phoney one. The real reason was to expand his crusade into Pakistan, and to use Afghanistan as a base from which to do so.

Pakistan: An Expansion in the War on Islam Obama’s militarism has also spread to Pakistan, where he has continued George Bush’s attacks on the people there. Rather than trying to spread “democracy” to Afghanistan, Obama has instead used that country as a base in order to conduct more terrorist military operations in Northern Pakistan. In effect, America has made an Undeclared War which had it’s origins in 2004, when George Bush was still president. Pervez Musharraf, obeying the commands of the Americans, ordered attacks on the South Waziristan town of Wana, the alleged reason being the threat of a “Pakistani Taliban” that threatened Pakistan’s sovereignty and vowed take over the country. This led to a fight against a mere 400

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fighters, who were the fellow Muslims of the Soldiers killing them. It was in this battle that the first attacks were made by America, who used attack drones, or unmanned aircraft to bomb Rana. And so, this more covert war has been gaining momentum from that day onwards. It was because of these actions that the tribal people began to rise up and became known as “militants” or “Pakistani Taliban”. And so, the conflict expanded and still continues to this day, with drone attacks increasing in frequency. Graham E. Fuller, a former CIA station chief in Kabul and a former vice-chair of the CIA's National Intelligence Council actually said: “For all the talk of "smart power," President Obama is pressing down the same path of failure in Pakistan marked out by George Bush.” He also said: “Military force will not win the day in either Afghanistan or Pakistan; crises have only grown worse under the U.S. military footprint.” Indeed, these statements are not empty. It was George Bush who said that: ““Defeating these terrorists and extremists is also Pakistan’s responsibility — because every nation has an obligation to govern its own territory and make certain that it does not become a safe haven for terror…” Obama parroted George Bush when he pathetically tried to justify his actions in Pakistan by saying the following during his Presidential Campaign: “There are terrorists holed up in those mountains that killed 3,000 Americans if we have actionable intelligence about high value terrorist targets and President Musharraf will not act, we will.” He also said: “…and Pakistan’s instability right now, it’s turning away from democracy, the rise of Islamic militants inside the country that he (Musharraf) has not effectively dealt with, all of these threaten instability in the region.” These are the same sentiments he echoed in his Cairo speech. These, however are false reasons that Obama has given. Pakistani authorities themselves say that 701 civilians have been killed in these drone attacks with only 14 “militants” having been killed. Furthermore, there have been 2,000,000 – 3,000,000 people who have become IDPs (Internally Displaced Peoples) who have had to flee their homes in SWAT due to the attacks. Obama used 9/11 as an argument, however, the number who have been killed, injured, and forced to flee their homes in Pakistan far outnumber those who were killed in that one day. It is America with the compliance of puppets like Musharraf and also Zardari who have caused political instability in Pakistan, having bombed the north and having historically supported the various dictators of Pakistan. And so it is safe to say that Obama has done all harm and no good, and if the reasons he gave were his actual reasons, then it is safe to say that he has failed. However, there is more to Obama’s motives than meets the eye. He is the same as Bush in that he regards Pakistan as a threat due to the Islamic sentiments of all the people, and so they fear the rise and establishment of Islam not just there, but also in Afghanistan. It is for this reason that The Americans have created the term “AfPak” having grouped the two together, due to their fear of Islam surging in these territories, and Obama, being an agent of American interests, has expanded the conflict in Pakistan under this premise, not the lies he has stated above. The Zardari–Gilani regime has also accepted and condones the “Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act 2009”, which stipulates that “Pakistani national, regional, and local officials and members of Pakistani civil society and local private sector, civic, religious, and tribal leaders” are to act according to U.S dictates, and that Pakistan must blame itself for the U.S problems in Afghanistan, rather than the U.S blaming themselves and their own arrogance.

ISLAMICALLY SPEAKING 06 November 2009

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It is America and it’s puppets like Zardari and Gilani that are the problem, together, they have spread the myth that a mere handful of poorly armed men could seize the country, despite the fact that they face The Pakistani Army (6th largest in the world), not to mention the American drone attacks. They have done this so they can justify their intervention, which truly seeks to destabilise Pakistan like they did Iraq, and prevent the rise of a true Islamic State and to make sure that can continue to exploit the region.

Iraq: An Ongoing Colonialist Project

Palestine: A Continuation of Colonialist Brutality Another open secret is how every single American President has supported Israel, and of course, Obama is not foolish enough to break away from that trend of American politics. Before his election, Obama made a speech to AIPAC (The American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee) on June 4th, 2009, where in he stated: “I always understood the Zionist idea, that there is always a homeland at the centre of our story.” He further went on to say: “We know that the establishment of Israel was just and necessary, rooted in centuries of struggle and decades of patient hard work. But sixty years later, we know that we cannot relent, we cannot yield, and as President I will never compromise when it comes to Israel’s security.” These pro-Israeli, pro-Zionist sentiments were echoed in his Cairo speech: “America's strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable.”

Obama said in his speech: “I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources.” While I have addressed Obama’s claim regarding military bases, there are also the claims he has made regarding territory and resources. The above quote is a classic display of colonialist rhetoric, Obama can afford to say this due to the fact that America has already gotten what it It is easy predict that this is the kind of Zionist rhetoric wants from Iraq. America has installed a puppet regime under Nouri al Maliki, who has allowed the continued occupation of that Obama would come out with. He also went on to say: it’s own country, yet still has the audacity to claim that Iraq is “America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own.” a sovereign nation. While Obama says he supports the Palestinians having a Obama used an ace up his sleeve when he remarked: state, he neglects to mention that this state will be founded on “Iraq's sovereignty is its own. That is why I ordered the less than 20% of the land they had lost, spanning a mere removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why 6,209 square kilometres of the 27,009 square kilometres that we will honour our agreement with Iraq's democratically the Palestinians once called their own under The Islamic elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities Khilafah. This state will be completely dependant on Israel by July, and to remove all our troops from Iraq by 2012.” due it’s severe lack of resources, it will be dependent on Here, it is good to seek that the man is being at least a slight Israel for trade due to the fact that Palestinian imports and bit more honest. Obama has always stated he would remove exports will pass through Israeli control, which has led to combat troops by August 31st 2010, of course, that does not millions of dollars worth of lost exports in the past for mean that American troops as a whole will be removed by Palestinians. It would use the Israeli currency, the Shekel, it then. Most of American troops in Iraq are actually reserve would depend upon Israel for electricity and water, it would troops, not combat ones, Obama himself said that he would have a negligent armed force. Infact, Obama is increasing on keep 35,000 – 50,000 troops in Iraq for the purpose of: “… military ties with Israel, as he also said: “Our alliance is based training, equipping, and advising Iraqi Security Forces as long on shared interests and shared values, those who threaten as they remain nonsectarian; conducting targeted Israel threaten us. Israel has always faced these threats on counterterrorism missions; and protecting our ongoing civilian the front lines, and I will bring to the White House an and military efforts within Iraq." He also said he would keep unshakable commitment to Israel’s security. That starts with these reserves to: “…advise Iraqi troops and protect US ensuring Israel’s qualitative military advantage. I will ensure interests.” In other words, Obama does not care about Iraqi that Israel that Israel can defend itself from any threat, from people, or of Iraq’s prosperity, but rather, Iraq is a place for Gaza to Tehran. Defence co-operation is a model of success and it must be deepened. As President, I will implement a America to continue to occupy and interfere with. memorandum of understanding, that provides $ 30 Billion in Also Nouri al Maliki himself has actually stated that U.S assistance to Israel over the next decade. Investments that troops may stay as far in the future as beyond 2011, which is will not be tied to any other nation.” Obama speaks as though when all U.S reserve troops are supposed to have withdrawn. Israel actually faced a legitimate threat from Hamas in Gaza, Maliki justified this saying: “…if the Iraqis require further or Iran. He spoke as though Israel was a poor, frail victim, training and support we shall examine this at that time, based under serious threat, when we know this is not the case. He on the needs of Iraq." Maliki cannot hide behind the needs of has even admitted that he is playing favouritism with Israel, Iraqi people, who do not want American troops in their land, given the fact that the scale of military assistance he is and who have suffered through an American instigated war providing to Israel will go to no one else. that has resulted in the deaths of 650,000 – 1,000,000 Iraqi As a final point, Obama himself said in his AIPAC civilians. speech: “Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it It is an open secret that America has very meaty must remain undivided.” And as we speak, Israeli authorities economic interests in Iraq. Alan Greenspan, who Obama are evicting Palestinians from their homes, not just in East appointed as one of his economic advisors said that America Jerusalem, but in The West Bank and elsewhere. Despite cannot be: “…beholden to potentially unfriendly sources of oil “pressure” from Obama, Israel ignores and continues to and gas." This is the heart of the issue, America has interest engage in it’s fascist evictions of Muslims. in Iraq, among which is the need for energy resources and puppet regimes who will supply it to them, these interests however, are not centred on the slogans of “freedom” and “democracy”.

ISLAMICALLY SPEAKING 06 November 2009

Iran: The Subject of Propaganda Obama went on to talk about Iran and it’s nuclear weaponry. He said in his Cairo speech: “I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons. That is why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons.” With regards to nuclear weaponry, this issue has already been addressed in an article in the previous volume, so please read that insha’Allah. Suffice it to say however, that this is a ridiculous statement, the political reality of the world does not allow for such rhetoric to be a reality, and even if we were to accept this kind of sweet speech, it should not ever be from Obama in the first place. This segment specifically deals with Iran, who America has tried to paint as a major threat to Israel. To that end, they have spouted ridiculous propaganda which is reminiscent of a very badly written script for a Hollywood film. The American propaganda essentially states that The Iranian Government are all insane, and that when Ahmedinejad he would “wipe Israel of the map”, he actually meant it. And of course, when Hilary Clinton, who Obama appointed as his Secretary of State said America would “obliterate” Iran, that was just a joke. Let us just for a second, suppose that this script ever became reality, the fact of the matter is this: nuclear weapons have come a long way in their destructive potential since 1945, when they were used for the first and only times. Thus, if Iran ever fired even one nuclear weapon on Israel, he would also be killing Muslims who live under occupation there. Firing these weapons would also kill Muslims in The West Bank and Gaza, not to mention Muslims in other parts of the region. In fact, The Iranians may well be killing themselves too. An explosion from such weapons are in themselves enormously destructive, then there are the various diseases and bodily harms that occur as a result the radiation effect of such weapons, such problems are long lasting and far reaching. Nagasaki and Hiroshima were the two Japanese cities bombed and obliterated by America in 1945, and as a result 150,000 people were killed. Still, even to this day, the effects of radiation can be felt, as people are still contracting diseases as a result of what happened decades ago. This was the result of only two primitive nuclear weapons. Furthermore, it still remains to conclusively establish whether or not Iran actually has nuclear weapons in the first place, of course, Obama and The American Government have already written their script, and they have decided they want to say that Iran does have nuclear weapons. It is also well known that Israel itself has nuclear weapons, and the difference is that this is definitively established and true, yet we do not see America applying the same magnitude of pressure upon Israel. This indicates that Iran is being used as a part of fear mongering tactics that Obama can use to justify continued American intervention in the region, as there is a crazy regime that wants to destroy the entire Middle East, and America must save the day.

The Guardian of Capitalism, Not Islam Today, America is the grand patron of Capitalism, and Barrack Obama is it’s President. In reality, this country is an empire whose Government is not driven by notions of good, but rather, of benefit. America is driven by interest, and it is run by those who champion this concept. It is for that reason why Obama’s administration is full of people who are of the mentality just described.

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Obama’s administration includes people such as Timothy Geitner, Hilary Clinton, Alan Greenspan, Lawrence Summers, Robert Gates and Henry Kissinger. Some of these names have been associated with economic corruption, such as Lawrence Summers, while others have been seen as engineers of The Global Financial Crisis due to corporate greed, such as Timothy Geitner. All of these people have something in common, and that is the fact that they are the elite, the people of influence, and it is people like them who have a large role in dictating America policy. While Presidents come and go, such figures always remain. There is a prevailing false notion that Obama has absolute authority, but that is simply not the case, nor has it ever been. America never was one man, rather, it has always been many men. America has various branches of government, The Executive Branch, The Legislative Branch, and The Judicial Branch. As President, Obama has some Executive power and less Legislative and Judicial power. America also has many big businesses with influential and wealthy CEOs, large media corporations, various think tanks, and a massive military-industrial complex. America is all of these things, not just one man alone. And so, even if Obama was sincere, the fact of the matter is, there is much more to America than this one little figure. And in the end, while the faces within these branches of government and institutions change, the goals remain the same, and the goal of America is to dominate the world, and that includes The Muslim World. America is a state with super power status, and it intends to keep it. We must stop looking at the fact that the man’s middle name is Hussein. He is not a Muslim, either he was once as a child, or not even that. His father was from Indonesia, a Muslim for part of his life, who then left The Deen. His ancestry includes Muslims, and they may have been righteous, but that says nothing for Obama at all. Instead of looking at these superficial things, we should instead look to the reality of what he is now, and what he is doing to The Muslim Ummah. America believes in it’s ideology of Capitalism, and it is this idea that has led it to engage in something called globalisation, which aims to spread this ideology across the world. This is the substance of America, it is only the style that changes. George Bush, Barrack Obama and those like them are merely parts of the style, nothing more. Obama’s Cairo Speech, and all of his appealing rhetoric is nothing more than an attempt to deceive us, and so we as Muslims should beware of him.

ISLAMICALLY SPEAKING 06 November 2009

It Is Time for The Real Change We Can Believe In Alhamdulillah, in Muslim lands, Obama magic has failed to charm the populace. According to The Gallup World Organisation, The Muslim World collectively has no positive opinion of Obama, in Egypt, his approval rating is only 25%, in Saudi Arabia it is 29%, in Syria it is 15%, in Lebanon it is 22% and in Palestine it is a mere 7%. While I hate to borrow one of Obama’s slogans, we do need change, but a real change. If we wish to redeem The Muslim Ummah and restore it to it’s former glory, we must return our Deen again. The Shari’ah of Allah (SWT) was not revealed just to be but away in a cupboard or put on top of a shelf. By now, I have grown tired of quoting from Obama, but there is one honest thing he said: “As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam. It was Islam – at places like al-Azhar University – that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe's Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.”

It is this level of civilization that we need to reach once more, so we can be a beacon for the rest of the world. Indeed, the only time we had such a high standing in the world was when The Ummah was under the shade of The Islamic Khilafah. And so, we must work to re-establish it, we must improve ourselves and make sure we are good Islamic personalities, and also, we must spread the message to The Ummah that Khilafah is Fard (obligatory) and that we must inspire others to seek real change from sincere Muslims. We must give this message to our friends, families and the society at large in whatever way we can. Also, we must carry the message that our Prophet (PBUH) made a promise to us: On the authority of Hudhaifah bin Al-Yaman, who reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Prophethood will remain with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain, then Allah will raise it up whenever he wills to raise it up. Afterwards, there will be a Khilafah that follows the guidance of Prophethood remaining with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, He will raise it up whenever He wills to raise it up. Afterwards, there will be a reign of violently oppressive rule and it will remain with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, there will be a reign of tyrannical rule and it will remain for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, Allah will raise it up whenever He wills to raise it up. Then, there will be a Khilafah that follows the guidance of Prophethood." Then Hudhaifah said, "The Prophet stopped speaking." (Musnad of Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal)

Before anything else, we must also know that the work to re-establish The Khilafah is done only for The Sake of Allah (SWT) who said:

! Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion - the one which He has chosen for them; and that He will change (their state), after the fear in which they (lived), to one of security and peace: 'They will worship Me

(alone) and not associate aught with Me. 'If any do reject Faith after this, they are rebellious and wicked. (al Qur’an, Surah an-Noor, Ayat 55)

Farewell Message: Brothers and Sisters, we thank you for your having read this newsletter. Insha’Allah, you will continue to read the future volumes, please remember to look for them on the first Friday of each month. We hope you are eager to read the seventh Volume. We also have two notices: • We are eager to hear from Muslims who desperately want to give Da’wah and work hard for Islam, so we urge you to please contact us via this e-mail address: [email protected]. We can supply you with electronic versions of other material, they can be used as Da’wah material, fisabilillah. • Also, it would be good to hear your thoughts on the newsletter (be they positive or negative). We would especially be privileged if you would contact us so we may discuss ideas in relation to how we can revive The Ummah and allow it to progress again. In order to do so, please contact the above e-mail address. Jazakallah khayr for taking the time out to listen to what we have to say, do take notice of future volumes and notices. Kind regards.

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As salaam alaykum wa rahmatullah