Archive for October, 2007

Sunan An-Nabi

Sunday, October 7th, 2007

I’ve purchased a new book from the Academy for Learning Islam.

It’s called, Sunan An-Nabi: A Collection of Narrations on the Conduct and Customs of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him and his family peace).

The original work was written by the venerable ‘Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Taba’taba’i (may Allah make his grave fragrant) and was translated by Tahir Ridha Jaffer.

Here is an excerpt from the back cover:

Outsiders have understood his political genius, his power of oratory, and his great statesmanship, but few have understood how he could be the religious and spiritual guide of humanity and how his life could be emulated by those who aspire proximity to the Almighty Creator.  From the Muslim point of view, the Prophet is the symbol of perfection of both the human person and human society.  He is the prototype of the human individual and the human collectivity and as such, he bears certain characteristics in the eyes of the Muslims which can only be discovered by studying the accounts of conduct and behavior – as seen in this monumental work, Sunan an-Nabi.

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Remembering Imam Ali

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007
The 21st night of Ramadan is the night that Imam ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) returned to his Lord.  A year ago, I wrote some words regarding it.  Rather than trying to outdo myself, I’ll just link to it here.  Insha`Allah, it will be of benefit.
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New Muslim Writers Society

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007

We have revamped the Muslim Writers Society web site.  It now runs Joomla and offers many options for community interaction and collaboration.  Also, I plan to make Facebook and maybe even MySpace groups for the organization, insha`Allah.

If you haven’t seen it, check it out, and if you haven’t joined, now is a great time to do so.  It’s free.  Free as in price, and free as in freedom of expression.

Taubah, who is the creator of N~Flow Magazine, is the executive editor.

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What is success?

Monday, October 1st, 2007

On the  night of the 19th of Ramadan, the accursed Abdur-Rahman ibn Muljim struck Imam ‘Ali with a poison-tipped sword.  The Imam, who had already endured severe hardship at the hands of his enemies, cried out, “By the Lord of the Ka’ba, I have been successful.”

In modern secular societies, success often means wealth, so the judgment of someone’s success is based on the amount of money they’ve earned, the investments they’ve made, and even the fame that they’ve achieved as a result of their wealth.  It is only then, that we say of someone, “He is a successful man” or “She is a successful woman.”

For Imam Ali and all of those who walk the path of righteousness, success is something more profound.  To be successful is to know God, and once a person truly knows God, he serves Him in his life.  Therefore, success comes from service to God.  The successful ones, the victorious ones, are those who strive in the way of God with their minds, their words, their wealth, and their lives.

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