Sometimes I fast to know God more closely and intimately. On one occasion I fasted a few weeks in which I skipped lunch, and ate early breakfast and late dinner. It is similar to Ramadan for Muslims. Because of my own experience I know fasting is a hard discipline. Do you know some Christians fast 40 days without eating anything except for water for survival? Our pastor in our church is one of them. Because it requires extreme discipline, people would fail or even die if they start fasting on their own will power. I was told that typically they hear God’s message for fasting in a dream or vision. We usually fast in order to know God more intimately and find God’s purpose in our life, not to become better Christians or to be accepted to God due to our hard disciple. Although there may be hundreds of those believers who have successfully performed 40 days of hard fasting, they are not considered real role models in our home country. We believe that our love for God is best demonstrated through our love for fellow human beings instead of performing hard religious disciplines. Mother Teresa was one of good examples who had spent her whole life living with lepers and caring for the social outcasts. Here is a man in our home country who is considered as a role model by many Christians.
There was a bloody civil war in our home country about 60 years ago. A believer in Christ lived in a remote area and was respected by people for his generosity and loving care for the social outcasts such as lepers. When the communist rebel captured the area, their number-one target was this believer because even the underprivileged respected him more than the communist ideology of equal share. Because they could not find any fault in him to accuse of, they found some in his two sons. They carried out public execution of his sons in front of the father and other people. Some time later the area was recaptured by the government troop and the rebel leader was arrested by the army. For his atrocities including the execution of the innocent two sons, he was about to be executed by the army. When the father learned about the execution, he went to the army captain to beg for the life of the rebel leader. He told the captain that the death of two lives would be enough and that he did not want more death of precious lives. Eventually the captain was persuaded by his honest and genuine request for the release of the rebel leader. Later the father adopted this man as his own son, because he did not have his sons anymore. More surprisingly this heartless man was moved and touched by the genuine love of his new father to become a follower of Jesus Christ. In his biography the father wrote that he learned this unconditional forgiveness and sacrificial love from Jesus Christ, his Savior and Lord. Here are two of his favourite verses in the Bible.
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)
Due to the choice of forgiveness (instead of revenge) of a believer in Christ, one more precious live was spared from execution and furthermore became a messenger of forgiveness and love for other human beings. This man is the role model of many Christians including me in our home country. Please feel free to share with me a role model in your community.
Indeed we model our lives after the prophet Mohammed (PBUH). The Prophet said: 'Surely I was sent to perfect the qualities of righteous character (Musnad Ahmad, Muwatta Mâlik)
Nice that some christians try to fast a whopping forty days..
for some fast is a way of life...
and suffering is an every day existence:
Text without context is pretext If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him
Honestly I do not know much about your Prophet. Would you tell me in detail how he showed his "sacrificial love" for other fellow human beings? Thanks in advance for your time.
He(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was a Mercy for us believers," A messanger has come to you from amount yourselves.Your suffering is distressing to him;he is deeply concerned for you;he is gentle and merciful to the believers.(Surat at-Tabwa,128)
He is the seal of all Prophets(peace and blessings be upon them all),he communicated the Qur'aan from Allaah to the believers,he did so much for Allaah and his religion, he assisted the believers with issues,didn't stop spreading the word of Islaam regardless of all the threats he had got,the wars he fought with the believers for Islaam and Allaah, the insults,the beatings he got from others for spreading the word of his religion for Allaah.
after you are done reading, please go tell that dying little girl who is about to be eaten by a vulture all about 'sacrificial love' I know how Christians love to exchange food and medicine for a pagan conversion!
all the best
Text without context is pretext If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him
Honestly I do not know much about your Prophet. Would you tell me in detail how he showed his "sacrificial love" for other fellow human beings? Thanks in advance for your time.
I am sensing missionary tactics here, trying to show how christians fast for months long periods - similar to muslims
its not gonna work, besides; apart from Jesus (peace be upon him) being god - him 'dying' for your sins has to be the most absurd christian concept muslims will come across - its complete injustice
He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers. [Quran {33:43}] www.QuranicAudio.com www.Quran.com
what gave that away? sadly they don't understand that simply doing one act to echo a monotheistic religion doesn't render them one, nor make it anymore attractive.. aside from the sanctimony and patent creativity to shove down their 'love' and 'sacrifice' they seem to completely neglect the rest of their 'tenets' which will take a millennium to refine, provided people lose brain matter to accept it and so far that loss seems to happen only in bible belt states!
Text without context is pretext If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him
after you are done reading, please go tell that dying little girl who is about to be eaten by a vulture all about 'sacrificial love' I know how Christians love to exchange food and medicine for a pagan conversion
truth finder is too busy helping jesus love everyone to do any reading on seerah of prophet Muhammad SAW, let alone saving a litlle girl's life or protesting his own western government to stop murdering, torturing and raping muslims in foreign countries.
truth finder is too busy helping jesus love everyone to do any reading on seerah of prophet Muhammad SAW, let alone saving a litlle girl's life or protesting his own western government to stop murdering, torturing and raping muslims in foreign countries.
I had no expectation that he'd read.. christians do very little reading, and I'd honestly recommend they start with their own scriptures.. I don't think they have any clue what their religion is about, after they parrot the 'love love love' they can't engage you in anything worth while.. The only way they can do it successfully is in exchange for some life essential, as stated food or medicine.. if no conversion they withhold and then 'unleash' their love..
this style
la3nahoum Allah and 7asbya Allah wa'ni3ma alwakeel!
Text without context is pretext If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him
i would ask that not all christians be lumped together . .... whether i revert or not.... wide sweeping generalizations are rarely if ever true. There are a lot of christians who read and understand quite a great deal. Being christian has nothing to do w/ being a better person at reading what they should be or comprehending what they should. I've talked to people of all religions at times who were very lost on what they themselves as that particular religion to know and comprehend and read... and many who are very scholarly at it.
Serena
until we see christians verbally and physically condemning these acts and not supporting them or at least not so complacent to their occurring there is only one side that we Muslims have seen and will likely continue to see. It doesn't help matters any that these sanctimonious Tartuffes come here spreading their stupidity, hatred and propaganda.
I wish you the best indeed whether you choose to convert or not that is something between you and God.. not everyone is a Serena or Eric -- and if two people out of so many here on board are a sample at all of that is going on then I hazard think of what is out there.
all the best
Text without context is pretext If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him
To Yales lily what happened to that man that women is posing beside? That picture is too much it'll be in my head for a long time subhanallah.
She's no woman or anything remotely human!--& he clearly didn't have a pleasant death..May Allah swt have mercy on the souls of Muslims & receive them as martyrs..
ameen
Text without context is pretext If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him
^ I was wondering what could cause a death like that? May Allah have mercy on the person. You're right I shouldnt even refer to her as a women to cause death like that and smile about it, she is lower than an animal and they have the nerve to ask why the people subjected to such tyranny hate. Ameen to your duas.
it looks like a chemical burn or some sort of biological/chemical weapon used if you are asking for the cause of death, but I am not sure.. as we say in Arabic.. ta3ddat al'asbab wal'mawt wa7id.. ''many are the reasons but death is one'' bottom line is who is responsible for this unnecessary evil and mischief in the lands..I assure you it is the ones barking loud all the time and afraid of their own shadow yet with utmose insolence have the temerity to project their hatred and lowly selves unto others .. may Allah swt yizidhoum ro3ban wa khosara fi amwalihim wa'awladighim wa yoradoon youm alqyama ila ashadd il3athabb insha'Allah.. la3nahoum Allah a3da'a Allah, a3d'a al'islam illa jouhnamma wa b'es almaseer.. ameen ya rabb
Text without context is pretext If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him
I am more interested in recent figures of your community who touched the heart and souls of people by demonstrating their love for God through their love for their fellow human beings. In the case of the believer in our home country, his main ministry was to help and care for lepers just like Mother Teresa. As you may know, people with this disease have been rejected by other people in almost all societies, because it has been stigmatized as a curse from God. Thus lepers have suffered from both, namely, the pain of the disease itself and the rejection by the society. It is a chronic disease caused by special bacteria on or under the skin. According to the biography of the Christian, many lepers suffered pain when pus (a whitish-yellow liquid produced by inflammation) was developed under the skin. To ease their pain, he put his mouth on the affected area and sucked pus and spit it. This was the way he cared for social outcasts. People are touched and moved by this kind of sacrificial love for fellow human beings, rather than by religious performances such as memorizing the whole scripture and a long period of fast or prayer.
I am more interested in recent figures of your community who touched the heart and souls of people by demonstrating their love for God through their love for their fellow human beings. In the case of the believer in our home country, his main ministry was to help and care for lepers just like Mother Teresa. As you may know, people with this disease have been rejected by other people in almost all societies, because it has been stigmatized as a curse from God. Thus lepers have suffered from both, namely, the pain of the disease itself and the rejection by the society. It is a chronic disease caused by special bacteria on or under the skin. According to the biography of the Christian, many lepers suffered pain when pus (a whitish-yellow liquid produced by inflammation) was developed under the skin. To ease their pain, he put his mouth on the affected area and sucked pus and spit it. This was the way he cared for social outcasts. People are touched and moved by this kind of sacrificial love for fellow human beings, rather than by religious performances such as memorizing the whole scripture and a long period of fast or prayer.
In Islam we don't like false praise and exalting people based on their good deeds--good deeds whether with lepers or kings alike is between one and the creator. Only Tartuffes love it when people point out their charitable deeds or so-called noble character.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُبْطِلُوا صَدَقَاتِكُمْ بِالْمَنِّ وَالْأَذَىٰ كَالَّذِي يُنْفِقُ مَالَهُ رِئَاءَ النَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۖ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَيْهِ تُرَابٌ فَأَصَابَهُ وَابِلٌ فَتَرَكَهُ صَلْدًا ۖ لَا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ {264} [Pickthal 2:264] O ye who believe! Render not vain your almsgiving by reproach and injury, like him who spendeth his wealth only to be seen of men and believeth not in Allah and the Last Day. His likeness is as the likeness of a rock whereon is dust of earth; a rainstorm smiteth it, leaving it smooth and bare. They have no control of aught of that which they have gained. Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk.
Why is everything about your religion for show? can't you do without expecting praise or a false conversion?
The Quran and Hadiths on the poor and needy: a topical index by Sound VIsion Staff writer
1. The Quran Attitude of the giver of charity
Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and do not follow up their spending by stressing their benevolence and causing hurt, will find their reward secure with their Lord. They have no cause for fear and grief.
To speak a kind word and to forgive people's faults is better than charity followed by hurt. Allah is All-Sufficient, All-Forbearing
Believers! Do not nullify your acts of charity by stressing your benevolence and causing hurt as does he who spends his wealth only to be seen by men and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. The example of his spending is that of a rock with a thin coating of earth upon it: when a heavy rain smites it, the earth is washed away, leaving the rock bare; such people derive no gain from their acts of charity. Allah does not set the deniers of the Truth on the right way. (2:262 - 264) The needy who do not do beg
Those needy ones who are wholly wrapped up in the cause of Allah, and who are hindered from moving about the earth in search of their livelihood especially deserve help. He who is unaware of their circumstances supposes them to be wealthy because of their dignified bearing, but you will know them by their countenance, although they do not go about begging of people with importunity. And whatever wealth you will spend on helping them, Allah will know of it. (2:273) Economic exploitation
And do not become like the woman who, after having painstakingly spun her yarn, caused it to disintegrate into pieces. You resort to oaths as instruments of mutual deceit so that one people might take greater advantage than another although Allah puts you to the test through this. Surely on the Day of Resurrection He will make clear the truth concerning the matters over which you differed. (16:92) Food and the needy
Have you seen him who belies the rewards and punishments of the Hereafter? He it is who drives away the orphan and does not urge giving away the food of the poor. (107:1 - 3)
Give to the near of kin his due, and also to the needy and the wayfarers. Do not squander your wealth wastefully; for those who squander wastefully are Satan's brothers, and Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord. (17:26 - 27) Greed
Look, you are being called upon to expend in Allah's Way, yet some of you are being niggardly, whereas the one who is niggardly is, in fact, being niggardly only to himself. Allah is Self-Sufficient: it is you who are the needy. If you turn away, Allah will replace you by another people, and they will not be like you. (47:38) Moderation in giving
Do not keep your hand fastened to your neck nor outspread it, altogether widespread, for you will be left sitting rebuked, destitute. (17:29)
(In reference to the slaves of Allah) "who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor miserly but keep the golden mean between the two (extremes) (25:67) Righteousness
You shall not attain righteousness until you spend out of what you love (in the way of Allah). Allah knows whatever you spend. (3:92) Sadaqa
(O Prophet!) Tell those of My servants who believe that they should establish Prayer and spend out of what We have provided them with, both secretly and openly, before there arrives the Day when there will be no bargaining, nor any mutual befriending. (14:31) Stinginess
Allah does not love the arrogant and the boastful, who are niggardly and bid others to be niggardly and conceal the bounty which Allah has bestowed upon them. We have kept in readiness a humiliating chastisement for such deniers (of Allah's bounty) (part of 4:36 and all of 4:37) Zakat-what you owe from your money
The people who where given the Book before this did not divide into sects until after the clear statement (of the Right Way) had come to them, and the only Command they were given was to worship Allah, making their religion sincerely His, turning all their attention towards Him, and to establish the Salat and to pay the Zakat: for this alone is the most true and right religion. (98:4 - 5)
Establish Prayer and dispense the Purifying Alms (Zakat) and bow in worship with those who bow (2:43)
The believers, both men and women, are allies of one another. They enjoin good, forbid evil, establish Prayer, pay Zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Surely Allah will show mercy to them. Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise (9:71)
The alms (Zakat in this specific verseÕs case) are meant only for the poor and the needy and those who are in charge thereof, those whose hearts are to be reconciled; and to free those in bondage, and to help those burdened with debt, and for expenditure in the way of Allah and for the wayfarer. This is an obligation from Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (9:60) 2. The Hadiths Begging
Narrated Hakim bin Hizam that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e. he who gives in charity is better than him who takes it). One should start giving first to his dependents. And the best object of charity is that which is given by a wealthy person (from the money which is left after his expenses). And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will give him and save him from asking others, Allah will make him self-sufficient. (Bukhari)
Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: He who makes a habit of asking from others reaches out for a brand of Fire, so let him refrain or continue, as he desires. (Muslim) Clothing
Ibn Abbas related that the Prophet said: Any Muslim who gives a Muslim a garment to wear will be in Allah's safekeeping as long as a shred of it remains on him. (Ahmad, Tirmidhi) Debt: Relieving the person in debt
Abu Qatadah related that the Prophet said: If anyone would like Allah to save him from the hardships of the Day of Resurrection, he should give more time to his debtor who is short of money, or remit his debt altogether. (Muslim) Food and the needy
Safwan ibn Salim related that the Prophet said: Anyone who looks after and works for a widow and a poor person is like a warrior fighting for AllahÕs cause, or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all night. (Bukhari)
Anas related that the Prophet said: If any Muslim plants something or sows seed from which a man, a bird or an animal eats, it counts as a charity for him. (Bukhari, Muslim) Relatives who are needy
Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet said: The best charity is that which is practiced by a wealthy person. And start giving first to your dependents. (Bukhari)
Salman ibn Amer reported that the Prophet said: To give something to a poor man brings one reward, while giving the same to a needy relation brings two: one for charity and the other for respecting the family ties. (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Nasai, Tirmidhi) Stinginess
Jabir reported that the Prophet said: Avoid doing injustice to others, for on the Day of Judgment, it will turn into manifold darkness, and safeguard yourself against miserliness, for it ruined those who were before you. It incited them to murder and treating the unlawful as lawful. (Muslim) Zakat-what you owe from your money
Abbas related that a man asked the Prophet, Tell me what should I do to be admitted to Paradise and he (the Prophet) answered: Worship Allah associating nothing with Him, observe Salat, pay Zakat and strengthen the ties of kinship. (Bukhari, Muslim)
Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: When someone is made rich but he does not pay Zakat for his wealth, then on the Day of Judgment his money will be turned into a poisonous snake with two black spots on its head. It will coil around his neck and bite his cheeks and say: 'I am your wealth, I am your treasure'. Then the Prophet recited verse 3:180 of the Quran. (Bukhari)
Again, our role model is the prophet (PBUH) we try to emulate him in every way, for surely he was of noble character!
all the best
Text without context is pretext If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
what gave that away? sadly they don't understand that simply doing one act to echo a monotheistic religion doesn't render them one, nor make it anymore attractive.. aside from the sanctimony and patent creativity to shove down their 'love' and 'sacrifice' they seem to completely neglect the rest of their 'tenets' which will take a millennium to refine, provided people lose brain matter to accept it and so far that loss seems to happen only in bible belt states!
That picture is too much it'll be in my head for a long time subhanallah.
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks