Prof. Tahir ul Qadri.

Taken from the book Nur-i-Muhammadi [sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam]

In the Sira of Ibn Hisham it is narrated that during her pregnancy Hadrat Amina saw a light [nur] by which the palaces of the cities of Basra and Sham (Syria) became visible.

It is narrated from Hadrat Amina (radiyallahu `anha) that,

1. What is Islam?

The word "Islam" means peace and submission. Peace means to be at peace with yourself and your surroundings and submission means submission to the will of God. A broader meaning of the word "Islam" is to achieve peace by submitting to the will of God.This is a unique religion with a name, which signifies a moral attitude and a way of life. Judaism takes its name from the tribe of Juda, Christianity from Jesus Christ, Buddhism from Goutam Buddha and Hinduism from Indus River. However, Muslims derive their identity from the message of Islam, rather than the person of Muhammad (P), thus should not be called "Muhammadans".

2. Who is Allah?

Palestinians in al-Mawasi queue in the heat while nearby Israelis dip in their pools.

Edward Pilkington in al-Mawasi, Wednesday 4 July 2001, The Guardian

Om Mohamed Zuorb has been queueing silently for more than an hour in the midday heat. She is trying to reach her home less than a mile away, but there is something in her way: an imposing pillbox covered in black netting and sandbanks and surrounded by concrete slabs which someone has painted pastel pink and blue in a vain attempt to make it look more friendly.

A couple of Israeli soldiers are inside - you can't see them but their voices boom out over loudspeakers directed at Mrs Zuorb and the about 20 or so other Palestinians waiting with her in the heat to pass the Tufah checkpoint.

NOW in its seventh month, the intifada has reached the most cruel and, for Palestinians, the most suffocating stage. Israel's leaders are clearly determined to do what they have always done, which is to make life impossible for this unjustly suffering people, and Sharon knows no limits to what he is willing to do, all of it in the name of a "principle" accepted by the US, which is to refuse to do anything while "violence" continues.

Scotland's largest police force is expected to be branded "institutionally racist" in a report into the murder of Asian waiter Surjit Singh Chhokar.

Strathclyde Police's decision to rule out a racial motive in the early stages of its investigation into the killing has been singled out for criticism by Dr Raj Jandoo, leading one of two inquiries into the case, according to the Scotland on Sunday newspaper.

Sources within the Labour party reportedly told the newspaper that Dr Randoo was also set to clear the Crown Office of overt racism in its handling of the case. He is set to cite incompetence and weaknesses in the system for the failures in the prosecution of the case and the Crown Office's dealings with Mr Chhokar's family.

JERUSALEM, (AFP) - Two Palestinians, including a four-month old baby girl, were killed by shelling Monday, as Israel stepped up its action in response to attacks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Iman Hajjour was killed by shell-fire when Israeli forces struck at the town and refugee camp of Khan Yunes in the southern Gaza Strip in retaliation for Palestinian mortar attacks on Jewish settlements.

Her sister, Suzanne, 19, was seriously wounded and 20 other people slightly hurt, Palestinian officials said, while the Palestinian Authority immediately repeated its call for an international protection force.

Scotland's largest police force is expected to be branded "institutionally racist" in a report into the murder of Asian waiter Surjit Singh Chhokar.

Strathclyde Police's decision to rule out a racial motive in the early stages of its investigation into the killing has been singled out for criticism by Dr Raj Jandoo, leading one of two inquiries into the case, according to the Scotland on Sunday newspaper.

Sources within the Labour party reportedly told the newspaper that Dr Randoo was also set to clear the Crown Office of overt racism in its handling of the case. He is set to cite incompetence and weaknesses in the system for the failures in the prosecution of the case and the Crown Office's dealings with Mr Chhokar's family.

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So brothers and sisters, to increase your Iman
Read the miracle, read the Quran
Here's a fact for the ones who are keener
92 chapters revealed in Mecca, 22 in Medina
Read it every day and to read it be proud
The word 'Qur'an' means to read aloud
Read the book from the Lord of the worlds
Over 6000 verses and 77,000 words
Read it with respect, no disturbance, no laughter's
From Al-Fatiha to An-naas, all 114 chapters
And in it 14 times you are required to prostrate
And say Allah Hu Akhbar, meaning God is Great
In this book, 25 Prophets are mentioned by name
Who came at different times but their message was the same
This miracle was revealed over a 23-year span
Sent from Allah, to an angel and then to man