Question: Are we allowed to buy items from Israeli sources, even though this money may be used to help the Jewish "war machine"?

Answer by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi:

It is Jihad to liberate the Islamic lands from those who attack or conquer them. These are enemies of Islam. This Jihad is an absolute obligation and a sacred duty; firstly on the people of that land. If the Muslims of that land can't offer sufficient resistance, then Muslims of neighboring countries are obliged to assist. If this is still not sufficient then all the Muslims of the world must assist.

The pro-war newspapers have consistently refused to give balanced coverage on the Iraq issue.

All the pro-war newspapers are also (with the exception of the Observer) vocal supporters of Israeli militarism too.

On the other hand, the anti-war newspapers are notable for the fact that they have all given a significant amount of space to pro-war columnists to ensure a balanced debate in their papers.

We urge you all to boycott the pro-war daily papers and weekly magazines listed below and ask Muslim newsagents to do their bit for our ummah by helping teach these newspapers a lesson by refusing to stock the pro-war newspapers.

SARAJEVO, (AFP) - Bosnian Muslims expressed bitterness on Tuesday over violence by several thousand mainly Christian Serbs against the rebuilding of a mosque destroyed during the war that tore the country apart in the 1990's.

The violence on Monday, in the mainly Serb city of Banja Luka, left at least 30 people injured, and saw international officials blockaded inside a house for eight hours.

An association of people who survived the war's worst massacre, when Serb forces killed some 7,000 Muslims in the enclave of Srebrenica, said that the anti-Muslim riots in Banja Luka, capital of the Republika Srpska (RS), "was no surprise."

(Replies to the claims of contradictions in the Quran), By : A. Muhammad

Let me tell all of you a simple duua

After answering the call of nature say Ghaffranaka(1)

When goin in to do the above, don't think twice

Just say Allahumaini auzubika minal khubsi val khubais(2)

Before eating anything, start with Bismillah(3)

And end with Shukur Al Hamdullilah(4)

When a sneeze comes your way, say Al Hamdullilah(5)

And on hearing this everyone say Yar Hamoo Kullah (6)

On remembering a bad deed, while cruising in your car

With a sincere heart just repent and say Asthagh-firullah!(7)

Just before you sleep, instead of counting a star

Say Bismika Allahuma amootu va aahya(8)

1) What is the meaning of the word "Qur'an"?

A) That which is Read.

2) Where was the Qur'an revealed first?

A) In the cave of Hira (Makkah)

3) On which night was the Qur'an first revealed?

A) Lailatul-Qadr (Night of the Power)

4) Who revealed the Qur'an?

A) Allah revealed the Qur'an

5) Through whom was the Qur'an revealed?

A) Through Angel Jibraeel (Alaihis-Salaam)

6) To whom was the Qur'an revealed?

A) To the last Prophet, Muhammed (Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam)

7) Who took the responsibility of keeping the Qur'an safe?

A) Allah himself

Q.When Islam is against idol worship why do the Muslims worship, and bow down to the Kaaba in their prayer?

A.Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do not worship the Kaaba.

Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah. It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah:

"We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction." [Al-Qur’an 2:144]

Q.How can Islam be called the religion of peace when it was spread by the sword?

A.It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have millions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the use of force.

The following points will make it clear, that far from being spread by the sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible for the rapid spread of Islam.

1. Islam means peace. Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also means submitting one’s will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah (swt).

A. This question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, during any discussion on religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuated in every form of the media accompanied by gross misinformation about Islam and Muslims.

In fact, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads to discrimination and acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is the anti-Muslim campaign in the American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast, where the press was quick to declare a ‘Middle Eastern conspiracy’ behind the attack. The culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American Armed Forces.

Let us analyze this allegation of ‘fundamentalism’ and ‘terrorism’:

A. It is not true that two female witnesses are always considered as equal to only one male witness. It is true only in certain cases.

There are about five verses in the Qur’an that mention witnesses, without specifying male or female. There is only one verse in the Qur’an, that says two female witnesses are equal to one male witness. This verse is Surah Baqarah, chapter 2 verse 282. This is the longest verse in the Qur’an and deals with financial transactions.