Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:37:00 -0800 http://www.darulislam.info/ Domain of Islam en-us http://www.darulislam.info/images/logo.gif http://www.darulislam.info/ webmaster@darulislam.info http://www.darulislam.info/Article150.html WE OFFER HUSBANDS a prescription which will ensure happiness in the home—a prescription which is designed to overcome incompatibility between spouses. It is the prescription of the Qur’aan-the prescription of the Sunnah. Both husband and wife are the makhlooq (creation) of Allah Ta’ala. In His infinite wisdom, Allah Ta’ala has assigned different rights, duties and obligations to the variety of specimens of His makhlooq. Allah Ta’ala has assigned the wife to the care of the husband. She is His makhlooq whom He has placed in the custody of the husband. Allah Ta’ala has awarded custody of the wife to the husband by way of Amaanat (Sacred Trust), not by way of mielkiyyat (ownership). As such, the wife in the custody of her husband and under his jurisdiction is a Sacred Trust. She is the sole property of Allah Ta’ala—and of no one else. THE AMAANAT Normally, the rule of Amaanat is that the Ameen (Trustee) is under compulsory obligation to maintain and guard the Amaanat. He is not permitted to derive any personal benefit or use from or with the Amaanat. However, Allah Ta’ala in His infinite mercy has bestowed to the husband the right to derive comfort, rest, peace and benefit from the Sacred Trust we call The Wife. Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:37:00 -0800 http://www.darulislam.info/Article149.html It was about seven years ago that I visited South Africa I went to Cape Town and found that many Malaysians lived there. Of the total number of Muslims there, Malaysians formed an eighty percent majority. I was anxious to know how they reached South Africa and was told of an interesting historical fact which, indeed, is worth learning from. These people were of the stock of those Malaysians who had fought the British Colonisers unsuccessfully and had failed to drive them out of their country because of inadequate weapons of war. The Britishers took them as captives and put them in fetters and brought them to Cape Town as slaves. These white people talk of democracy to day but they had subjugated, innumerable people and chained them at their feet. They disallowed them to offer prayers in accordance with their religion not even in their homes. They whipped anyone found offering prayers. These people were made to labour hard and oppressed cruely. When their masters prepared to sleep in the night, they unchained these Malaysians so that they could go to their barracks and sleep. But they would sneak out one by one to the nearby mountains and offer they day's prayers all together in congregational form. Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:52:07 -0700 http://www.darulislam.info/Article139.html Allah has created varying seasons throughout the year for the people’s benefit. Similarly, Allah out of his infinite mercy has assigned different seasons for particular Ibadaah as well. These are special times, which Allah has assigned for increased Ibadaah. It is related by Abu Thalaba (ra) that the Blessed Prophet (saws) said: on the 15th night of Shabaan Allah looks over at His creation, and forgives all the believers but for the one who begrudges and hates; he leaves them in theirenmity. This hadith is narrated by Bayhaqi (rahemullah) in Shubal Imaan, Hafiz Ibn Abi Asim in Kitabus Sunnah, Imam Suyuti in Durrel Manthoor and Shaykh Albani confirms its authenticity by narrating it in his Silsilah Sahiha. Sat, 25 Aug 2007 17:32:24 -0700 http://www.darulislam.info/Article148.html A rewritten and expanded telling of M. Saeed Dehlvi’s classic tale of a young girl who finds Islam- and danger – amidst the harrowing religious conflicts of medieval Muslim Spain. Experience first time what life was like in the splendid Muslim City of Cordoba, Spain. See through the eyes of Isabella as she struggles with her father’s Christian beliefs and finds that life is not always as easy as people think. Embark on a journey into history. Into the heart…. As you follow her on the path from darkness into light. In A Luscious Garden In a famous garden of Spain, well known for its beauty and freshness vying with the garden of Eden, which was always crowded by sight-seers, two learned men were engaged in a theological discussion in a corner. The sun at this time had completed its round and was preparing to set in the west; while the enchanting songs of birds returning to nests were exhilarating the passers-by. A Christian girl, whose name is given in history as Isabella, was also sitting with some friends in the garden and watching with delight the beauty of Nature. Aged about sixteen or seventeen she was the daughter of a Christian priest. In her "beauty and grace she looked like a hourie of Paradise, and nobles and religious leaders aspired for her hand to make their lives happy and joyful, but her father wanted her to be the model of virgin Mary and did not want to give her away in marriage. Since she was being given religious training, she was well acquainted with religious matters and took keen interest in theological discussions. Sun, 27 May 2007 09:59:49 -0700 http://www.darulislam.info/Article147.html Islam - Only Its Name   Qur'aan - Only Its Text "Say (O Muhammad!) If you love then follow me (i.e Muhammad) [Qur'aan] “There will dawn an age over people when there will remain nothing of Islam but its name and nothing of the Qura’aan but its text.” [Hadith} Islam is the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and the Sunnah is Islam. Obedience to Allah Ta'ala is only via the avenue of obedience to the Rasool (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). This avenue is termed the Sunnah. In the aforementioned aayat, the Qur'aan Majeed indicates clearly that without submission to the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam), love for Allah Ta'ala is not possible. The Hadith cited above has attained full materialization in this present age. In view of the almost complete abandonment of the Sunnah. there remains nothing of Islam but its name and nothing of the Qur'aan other than its text. Everyone of the millions related to the Ummah of Islam claims to be Muslim. Everyone raises the slogan of Islam and everyone recites the Qur'aan. But. most Muslims know Islam only by name and are aware of only the text of the Qur'aan. The Sunnah is viewed as an alien concept, hence modernists and deviates present a plethora of baseless and satanic arguments to denigrate and refute the Sunnah practices and Sunnah attitudes which have come down in the Ummah from Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Tue, 08 May 2007 18:31:12 -0700 http://www.darulislam.info/Article146.html The life of this world is nothing but futility and play. Verily, the Abode of the Akhirah most certainly is the original life. Every person will taste death. Thereafter will you all be returned to Us. Those who have Imaan and practise righteous deeds, most certainly. We shall grant them lofty palaces beneath which flow rivers; therein will they dwell forever. Indeed, wonderful is the reward of those who act virtuously. (Qur'aan: Surah Ankaboot) According to the Qur'aan Majeed the true life, the original life, the actual life is in Jannat in the Akhirah (Hereafter). In relation to the Abode of the Akhirah, the Qur'aan describes this transitory and defective material world as an entity of play and futility. In relation to the Akhirah there is no reality in this ephemeral existence for which the Mu'mineen have never been created. Mu'mineen, according to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), have been created for the everlasting life of bliss, comfort, purity and happiness in the Akhirah, hence Nabi-e-Kareem (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) declared: "The world has been created for you, but you have been created for the Akhirah". Sun, 29 Apr 2007 08:08:18 -0700 http://www.darulislam.info/Article145.html Our eternally blessed and exalted Prophet (saws} was having a midday nap in the residence of Umme Haram, the aunt of his companion Anas (ra). She was also the prophet's foster sister. The Prophet (saws), during the course of sleep woke up with a pleasant smile on his ever-shining face. Umme Haram asked the Prophet, "'What made him smile." The Holy Prophet (saws), said, "Thai he had a vision Of his followers who would sail across the violent waves of the sea for Jihad like kings seated on their thrones." Umme Haram solicited the Prophet (Saws)} to pray that she had the honor to be with them. The Holy Messenger of Allah (saws) prayed accordingly and slumbered again. After some time he got up again with a similar delightful smile. Umme Haram was naturally tempted to know about the new vision. The Holy Prophet (saws) said, "I have been informed in my dream that the first army to siege the city of Constantinople shall be blessed with Divine forgiveness. Umme Haram. ever keen for such blessings, requested the Prophet (saws) again to pray that she too had the privilege of their association but this time her request was declined. Fri, 09 Mar 2007 17:50:54 -0800 http://www.darulislam.info/Article144.html At a time when Muslim names are stinking in corruption and scandals, it is time for serious reflection … When a Muslim loses direction and purpose in life, then all he lives for is the short-lived enjoyment of this short life. When a Muslim lives just to own and drive an expensive car like a friend of his does, when he lives just to have a fabulous house like the neighbours have, when he lives just to jetset around the world like fellow businessmen, when he lives just to have fun, entertainment, enjoyment, leisure and pleasure like others do, then he is walking on a dangerous road. He begins to makes 'Tawaaf' of material wealth … The day he begins to think in this way, the day these become important objects in his life, when he begins to makes 'Tawaaf' of these things, that come what may, he feels he must have these things no matter how, he MUST have it. From that day onwards, the lines separating Halaal and Haraam become blurred for him! Trying to differentiate between right and wrong, honesty and corruption becomes meaningless for him because these desired and coveted things HAVE to be achieved no matter how! This is greed in its raw and ugly form – the desire to have at any cost. Greed drives this greedy man. He sets out with a dirty intention, waiting for any opportunity to grab what he can. Sadly, this is the way many Muslims have become these days. Sun, 31 Dec 2006 18:09:58 -0800 http://www.darulislam.info/Article143.html As soon as the children cross the age of childhood and reach adolescence, the parent's responsibilities and anxieties take a new turn. The parents of fully grown up sons start dreaming of a house full of happiness, as their sons will bring in daughter-in-laws; and, in the case of daughters, they become worried and perplexed at the prospect of their daughter to belong to another household for ever, and of finding a good husband to look after her just as they had done. The marriage of children by their parents is a social, legal responsibility on the shoulders of the parents, as well as their natural desire. Islam strongly advises to arrange the marriage of eligible and responsible children as soon as a suitable match is found for them. Ages may vary according to place, times and climes. The only reason for the delaying of marriage for a normal and healthy child, should be that a suitable match is not found or the child is not yet capable of supporting a family. Unnecessary delay in this matter and negligence in a matter as important as this, can have serious social problems and irrepairable damage to the iman faith and corruption of dignity of that child and his entire family. Sat, 18 Nov 2006 17:27:14 -0800 http://www.darulislam.info/Article142.html WEDDING OF FAATIMAH (RADHIYALLAAHU ANHA) Faatimah (Radhiallaahu Anha) is the youngest daughter of our beloved Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). Out of all the children, he was the most beloved to him. He said, 'The Queen of the ladies in Jannat is Faatimah.' He also said, 'Faatimah is part of my body. Whoever grieves her, grieves me.' When Faatimah (Radhiallaahu Anha) reached the age of fifteen, proposals for her marriage began to come from high and responsible families. But the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) remained irresponsive. Ali (Radhiallaahu Anhu), who was 21 at the time, says: It occurred to me that I should go and make a formal proposal, but then I thought, 'How could this be accomplished, for I possess nothing.' At last, encouraged by the Prophet's kindness, I went to him and expressed my intention to marry Faatima (Radhiyallaahu Anha). The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) was extremely pleased and asked, 'Ali! Do you possess anything to give her in Mahr?' I replied, 'Apart from a horse and an armour I possess nothing.' Sun, 05 Nov 2006 16:00:13 -0800 http://www.darulislam.info/Article141.html Time Period: Sometimes during the period that Hadhrat Ali (ra) was the khalifah, Amirul Mu’minin-Leader of the Believers. (35-40 A.H.) Personalities Involved: i. Hadhrat Ali (ra) ii. Qazi Shureh (ra), a judge, appointed to this position by Hadhrat Umar (Ra) during his khalifat; iii. a Yahud who lived in Madina as a subject, under the rule of Amirul Mu’minin. Amirul Mu’minin, Hadhrat Ali’s (ra) armour had been stolen. One day, while walking through the market place, he recognized his armour in the possession of a Yahud. He went up to the Yahud and said, “This is my armour.” The Yahud retorted, “Bring witnesses to prove it. Alternatively, file a law-suit!” Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:20:05 -0700 http://www.darulislam.info/Article140.html A man of Allah should never buckle under the unjust and oppressive pressure which his wife or even mother may apply in a bid to gain fulfillment of their haraam desires. Hadhrat Sa'd (radhiyallahu anhu) who was a senior Sahaabi was most obedient and kind to his mother. He was always engaged in serving his mother. When he embraced Islam, his mother became extremely annoyed with him. She threatened to commit suicide by starvation if he does not abandon Islam. She told him that if she had to die in this manner, all people would regard him as being her murderer. When Hadhrat Sa'd (radhiyallahu anhu) refused to heed her command, she commenced her hunger strike. On the second day of her hunger strike, Hadhrat Sa'd (radhiyallahu anhu) said to his mother: Sun, 08 Oct 2006 11:45:37 -0700 http://www.darulislam.info/Article121.html Some important rulings to be kept in mind whilst fasting in accordance to the rulings of the madhab of Imam Abu Hanifa (rh): If the intention of fasting for the fast of Ramadhân is made at night, the fast will be valid. The intention was not made at night and even in the morning one decided not to fast on that day. The day progressed considerably and only thereafter the person realized that it is not good to leave out a fard duty and therefore made the intention of fasting - even then his fast will be valid. But if he has already consumed some food in the morning, he cannot make the intention of fasting. If a person has not consumed any food or drink, then for the fasts of Ramadhân he can make the intention of fasting until one hour before mid-day. For the fasts of Ramadhân, the following intention is sufficient: "I am fasting today". Alternatively, at night one could say: "Tomorrow I will fast". By making this intention, the fasts of Ramadhân will be valid. When making the intention, a person did not specify as to whether it is a fast of Ramadhân or a fard fast. Even then the fast will be valid. Wed, 20 Sep 2006 17:32:24 -0700 http://www.darulislam.info/Article138.html Allaamah Jalaaluddin Abdurruhmaan Suyooti rahmatullahi alayh is an Islaamic scholar of great renown of the tenth century. Allaamah. his vast knowledge is evident from his many writings which can easily fill a whole library and establish a separate institution of knowledge and research. A great part of this knowledge was acquired not from male teachers only, but also from female teachers. At that point in time, it was very commonly seen that women were deeply involved in imparting higher learning. Juwayriyyah Bint Abul F'adhl: She is the daughter of Haafiz Abul Fadhl Iraqi. She studied ahaadith from her father and other renowned Scholars like Abubakr Haashmi. Ibne Haatim. etc. Imam Sakhaawi who is her student writes, she had special knowledge in hadith and many Imams benefited from her knowledge. Sun, 06 Aug 2006 08:28:24 -0700 http://www.darulislam.info/Article137.html Raulullah (saws) has said, "A person is on the creed of his friend. Therefore a person should see who he is affiliated with". (Abu Dawud) In other words, if his friend is pious, he will also be pious, if he is pious, he is sure to be the same. Hence, the irreligiousness of his friend is a cause for his irreligiousness and the piety of his friend is a cause for his piety.This is the gist of this hadith. A person should ponder over his friendship and contemplate that the person whom I have selected as a friend, in terms of religiousness and piety, is he worth befriending or not? Think about the importance people attach to this topic, Nothing whatsoever! Let alone the worldly minded, even those that are referred to as religious are unmindful of this religious injunction. The "religions minded" who. other than Salah, Zakat, Hajj etc., are extremely keen on performing other optional devotions such as recitation of the Qur'an, nafl salah and so forth and they are considered to be great saints but none of them except a few arc really concerned about the company they keep. Sat, 05 Aug 2006 19:34:06 -0700 http://www.darulislam.info/Article136.html The narrations of the Prophet (Sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) prophesy of a Muslim force from the East ("al-Mashriq"), possibly from the land of "Khorasan" (Ahmad, Tirmithi, etc, Hasan/Da`eef, ikhtilaaf) which is today Afghanistan , that will march towards the West conquering everything in site and will remain undefeated until they reach Jerusalem (termed "Eeliyaa'" in the Hadeeth). They and their Ameer will give bay`ah to the Mahdi. However, in the path of this force from the East lies a powerful behemoth called Iran from where the Prophet (Sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said Dajjal will appear with a following of 70,000 Jews in Isfahaan (Abu Bakr, Radee Allaahu `anhu, said this would be in the direction of Khorasan in the city of Isfahan). Thus we can assume there will be a major war between the forces of the Sunnah in the East and the Iranians and their "70,000 Jews" (SaHeeH Muslim) who lie in the path of Jerusalem . While there remains difference of opinion regarding the authenticity of some of these narrations, they seem to be taking shape in spite of the ikhtilaaf. Fri, 02 Jun 2006 15:17:01 -0700 http://www.darulislam.info/Article135.html Tasawwuf, tariqat, sulook, Ihsan are different names conveying the same sense. The basic aim of tasawwuf is not simply zikr (remembrance or mention of Allah) so that some people are under the impression that zikr is the sole aim of tasawwuf. They imagine that when they offer a bay'ah (allegiance) to a Shaykh, he will teach them the waza'if ( a rota of religious exercises inclusive of supplication, zikr, etc). There are some people who take tasawwuf to embrace certain practices and spiritual healing which they expect a Shaykh would prescribe for them together with amulets. We must understand it well that tasawwuf has nothing to do with these things. We must also know that even zikr is not the real objective of tasawwuf though it is a means to the real objective. There are some people, again, who suppose that tasawwuf calls upon them to seclude themselves in meditation, to shut themselves up for forty days or to engage in extraordinary effort. All these things are not the real objective of tasawwuf but different means and paths to it. Sun, 09 Apr 2006 12:14:54 -0700 http://www.darulislam.info/Article134.html Who is the person speaking, and what should he be like? Also, what should be the condition of those who are listening? To listen to all and sundry [i.e. every Tom, Dick an Harry], and for such persons to deliver lectures, is contrary to the rules and principles in the Qur’an shareef. The principle in the Qur'an shareef is as follows: That person who has in him two qualities, can be listened to without putting forward any "whys?" and "wherefors?", any "ifs" and "buts". Proof of this is in the Qur'an shareef. In Surah Yaseen, in the second ruku’ Allah Ta'ala has related a qissah/story, which, briefly, is as follows: Zate Bari Ta'ala sent two Rasuls to Antioch for the hidayet (guidance) of the people. As on previous occasions in the past, the habit of the people was to oppose any Rasul sent to them, and to harass such a Rasul, to such an extent that a Rasul would be killed as well. The people were not prepared to listen to the haq (truth). When batil (falsehood) becomes so forcefully ingrained, then the ears and the heart cease to place any importance to the words of Haq Ta'ala.. Mon, 13 Mar 2006 20:25:38 -0800 http://www.darulislam.info/Article133.html ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY FOR MUSLIMS AND SHAIKHUL HIND'S ADDRESS "At This old age, in a state of illness and in such a convalescent stage I have come here on your invitation with the hope to find a precious lost treassure. There are many people whose faces are aglow with marks of prayer and remembrance of Allah. But when they are asked to rise up and act in order to protect and save the devrived Ummah from the tightening clutches of Kufr, their hearts tremble and sink with fear. Whose fear? Not of Allah, but of a few despicable men and of their weapons of war and destruction....." Wed, 11 Jan 2006 19:27:52 -0800 http://www.darulislam.info/Article130.html Let us see how haj depicts death and the hereafter. A haaji leaves his home, bids farewell to all his dear ones and relatives; and departs from them just before he sets off alone. From there he proceeds to another country (as if into another world) leaving behind all those things to which he had been attached and with which he occupied most of his time; his house, his family, his farm, his orchards and the company of his friends. Death is the same. Therefore, when a person dies he leaves behind all this, his home, family, friends, country and everything that he loves. Such should the haajis thoughts be when leaving for the house of Allah, that in the same way as he is now leaving all worldly things behind for a short period of time, that time shall soon come when without a choice he shall have to leave them forever. After that, the haaji mounts his camel, his horse, or boards the train, which begins to move him further and further away from his house and dear ones. So will his dear ones, relatives and friends lift his Janazah. Having lifted it to their shoulders they will begin to move him further and further away from everything that he loved. So he departs like the Janazah being carried to the grave. Sun, 11 Dec 2005 12:54:56 -0800 http://www.darulislam.info/Article129.html When Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) completed the structure of the Kabah, Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) commanded him to call the people to Hajj. Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) pleaded, “O Allah! How shall my voice reach all of those people?” Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) told him that his duty was only to give the call and it was up to Allah to make it reach the people. Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) then climbed Mount Arafat and called out in his loudest voice, “O People! Verily Allah has prescribed upon you Hajj, so perform Hajj.” Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) revealed in the Qur’an: "And proclaim the Hajj among mankind. They will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways” (Surat Al-Hajj, Ayat 28). To this very day millions upon millions of Muslims continue to answer the call of Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam). Perhaps this year you shall be amongst those who answer the cal Sat, 10 Dec 2005 15:18:37 -0800 http://www.darulislam.info/Article127.html Human beings with a sense of conscience, concern and humanity are deeply disturbed about the plague of racism that is threatening the future of the human race in our troubled world. Despite the many international conventions, conferences and resolutions against Racism as a violation of basic human rights, this ugly phenomenon stubbornly refuses to disappear. Yet once more, heads of state, international leaders and NGO's met in Durban, South Africa recently, under the auspices of the UN to voice their outrage and condemnation of Racism at the World Conference against Racism (WCAR). The need for holding a conference of this nature itself reflects a new global awareness of modern forms of racism and xenophobia which is spreading over the planet like a cancer. Whether the outcome of this and the scores of previous such conferences is likely to produce any tangible change or difference against the cancer of global Racism or not, is a matter that is yet to be seen. On the positive side, it can be stated without fear of contradiction that the levels of consciousness and acute awareness of this scourge has burgeoned at a fantastic rate all over the world. The overall mood and atmosphere that prevailed at the WCAR was a good barometer to gauge this fact. Fri, 04 Nov 2005 08:23:39 -0800 http://www.darulislam.info/Article126.html The Great Battle of Badr took place on the seventeenth of Ramadan, two years after the Hijra. This was the first battle that the believers ever engaged in with the disbelievers, and it is, by far, the most famous and most renown, because of the several extraordinary events that occured during it. Rasoolullah (saws) had encouraged the Muslims to oppose the Quraish caravan which was returning to Mecca from Sham. The Muslims went out with 300 and some soldiers not intending to meet a caravan of about 40 men, not intending to fight but only to overpower them. The caravan escaped, but Abu Sufyan had already sent word to Quraish to come and protect it. The Quraish marched with enormous army of 1000 men, six hundred wearing shields, 100 horses, and 700 camels, and luxurious provisions to last for several days. The disbelievers wanted to make this a victory that would put fear into the hearts of all the Arabs. They wanted to crush the Muslims once and for all and the odds were overwhelmingly in their favor. Imagine that the believers with their small army (including only 2 horses), going out with the intent of meeting a mere 40 unarmed man and instead meeting a well- prepared army of *3 times* their size.... Rasoolullah (saws) could have easily ordered the believers to fight and they wouldn't have hesitated to comply, but, he (saws) wanted to emphasize to his followers that they should fight out of conviction and iman and to teach us a lesson in the process. He gathered his followers to conduct shura (consultation). Sat, 08 Oct 2005 20:50:41 -0700 http://www.darulislam.info/Article125.html THE preponderance of animality in man is an obstacle in the path of the manifestation of angelic and celestial attributes. Therefore, it has become necessary to subjugate this attribute of animality in man. Since the dominance and power of bestial attributes are caused by eating, drinking and excessive indulgence in lowly desires - the latter playing the dominant role in the assertion of bestial attributes - it is essential to curtail and curb the onslaught of the flesh by a reduction in these factors (eating, drinking and indulgence in desire). Precisely for this reason do we find unanimity among all those who desire the supremacy of the soul and the subjugation of the flesh. All such men are unanimous in their assertion that the method of establishing the supremacy of the soul over the body is to reduce indulgence in eating, drinking and lowly desire. A remarkable fact is that this unanimity exists despite the different religions and lands of these men (i.e. those who desire the supremacy of the soul). It is of prime importance that the animal body remains within the power and control of the higher soul so that it (the body) becomes infused with the nobility and transcendence of the higher soul. It is likewise essential that the celestial soul remains aloof of the flesh in a way that will protect it from coming under the sway and control of the animal body. Sat, 08 Oct 2005 20:30:37 -0700 http://www.darulislam.info/Article123.html In these blessed days, the month of Ramadan, we remember the battle of Badr, which took place in the seventeenth of Ramadan, the second year of Hijrah. The battle plays a great role in the Islamic history as it was to determine the destiny of worshipping Allah on earth, and it was the first of a series of battles later. Muslims were not ready for such a war, they were only three hundreds and thirteen fighters, armed with a few weapons, seventy camels and two horses whereas the disbelievers were nine hundreds and fifty, armed with many weapons, seven hundreds camels, and hundred horses. Yet, Muslims decided to go for the battle with great persistence. One could wonder how did those Muslims were encouraged to battle in such a critical situation and without hesitation? It is sincere faith, relying on Allah and entrusting matters to Him. They turned to Allah for aid, implored Him with deep trust that He would never disappoint them. Allah who never break His promise, sent them angels to fight alongside them and it was a great victory. Sat, 17 Sep 2005 19:55:51 -0700