Issue 5: Ali Wannabe & Jamal!
By Irfan Khan and Dawud
In the Mosque, after a talk has been held, everyone is sitting down to eat, food is being served. Jamal sees Ali and makes a bee line for him and sits across from him.
Jamal: As Salaamu alaykum Ali, its a very pleasant surprise to see you here.
Ali: W-S
Jamal: Huh? Double-you ess?
Ali: I said 'Wa Salaam.' And it's good to see you too.
Jamal: Aww thanks, really though it's amazing that you're here.
Ali: Its nothing, I got a text saying there was food and … the rest is history.
Jamal: Well the important thing is that you're here; just being in a Mosque is a rewardable act.
An Idiots Guide To The Prophet Muhammad(Pbuh)
Mohammed is the guy Muslims worship innit?
No. Muslims do not worship Muhammad (peace be upon him) or any other prophets. Muslims believe in all prophets including Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, Moses and Jesus. Muslims believe that Muhammad(pbuh) was the last of the prophets. They believe that God alone is to be worshipped, not any human being.
So then who was he?
In brief, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was born in Mecca in Arabia in the year 570 AD. His ancestry goes back to Prophet Ishmael, son of Prophet Abraham.. His father died before his birth and his mother died when he was six. He was raised first by a nurse as it was the custom in those days, and then by his grandfather and uncle.
The Revival Guide To The World Cup 2006
The World Cup. Its great innit! We all fool ourselves that our national team is gonna win. We all support the underdog. We all support teams like Nigeria in their matches against European rivals. We all shout ingerluund! ingerluuuund! iinggggerlundddd!
But lets face it, we all know Brazil is gonna win. (EDIT - hindsight is 20:20. Just imagine we said Italy!)
So what really matters is which players makes a name for themselves, which nations are disgraced (2002: France- no goals!), and which TV Channel has the most viewers! All in the name of footballing glory.
What Role Does Islam Play In Your Life?
The Revival has travelled across the UK to speak to young Muslims about the role of Islam in their everyday lives:
NB: Some personals details have been changed or ommitted to ensure anonymity
Name: Sara Age: 21 Location: Bolton
Islam is my passion. My life revolves around my Islamic commitments, even Uni and work is set around my Islamic timetable. On a weekly basis I attend/lead Islamic circles, manage Islamic websites, organise Islamic programmes and write Islamic articles.
Extremism: Mother of All Beasts
By Irfan Khan
Reading, listening or watching the latest news headlines it seems to me that there is always yet another brand that I as a Muslim can fall into. Apart from fundamentalism, terrorism, Islamism (which genius came up with that one?!) etc.
I can also fall in to the wider category of 'Moderate' or 'Extremist'. The media has attached so many labels to Muslims that I myself am beginning to wonder what type of Muslim I am.
Am I not just a Muslim? Are not all Muslims the same and don't we believe in the same message and read the same Quran?
Exclusive Danny Williams Interview
By Shah Siddiki
The Revival talks to Danny Williams about life as a Muslim, his boxing career and his future plans.
Big, powerful and fearless can be three words to describe the current British Boxing heavyweight champion. After knocking out the likes of Iron Mike, Audley Harrison and most recently Matt Skelton, Danny Williams visited Queen Mary's University in East London to discuss Islam and life outside the ring. The talk, hosted at the Mason lecture theatre, turned out to be quite an audience as the big man sat himself down with his title belts gleaming in front of them.
Born and raised in Brixton, Williams described how his life revolved around friends who were involved with drugs, gang violence and prison, yet the only time he went to court was for jury service.
Why Vote, and Who To Vote For?
With the Name of Allah, and in Him we seek assistance, and the praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship besides Allah alone, without any associate, and there is nothing comparable to Him. And I testify that Muhammad is His servant and final Messenger.
In the current climate, many brothers and sisters in Britain have become preoccupied with the issue of the coming elections and debating the question of whether Muslims are allowed to vote and which party is most deserving of our vote. In reply, I would like to present the following clarification and advice.
Al-Nikah: the Islamic Marriage Ceremony
The following article describes in a simple and clear manner the requirements and method of the Islamic marriage ceremony.
Mutual Agreement of Bride and Groom
Marriage (nikah) is a solemn and sacred social contract between bride and groom. This contract is a strong covenant (mithaqun Ghalithun) as expressed in Quran 4:21). The marriage contract in Islam is not a sacrament. It is revocable. Both parties mutually agree and enter into this contract. Both bride and groom have the liberty to define various terms and conditions of their liking and make them a part of this contract.
Mahr
The marriage-gift (Mahr) is a divine injunction. The giving of mahr to the bride by the groom is an essential part of the contract.
Divorce - Marriage Dissolution
Introduction
Any discussion of marital relationships in Islam, should briefly mention the laws of divorce, since marriage and divorce are strongly related. The laws of divorce are among those laws shown in detail in the Qur'an along with the laws of marriage. It is also important to study the other forms of marriage dissolution besides divorce that are mentioned in the Qur'an and Hadith.
At-Talaq (Divorce)
Divorce is allowed in Islam. People, however, should not abuse this permission by seeking divorce without good reasons. Although if a couple divorces without reason it would still be considered lawful.