Yet, based on the reaction from some quarters to a few lines in NTC chairman and Libya's interim leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil's speech, one could almost feel a tinge of regret. What did Abdul Jalil exactly say so horrible?

“anything contradicting the shari'ah is void, he gave two examples: the law forbidding polygamy, and laws allowing riba (interest)” [approx translation]

Some tweeps were in uproar. Self-declared liberal secularist, Sultan Al Qassemi, a popular and in-the-know tweep from UAE (must-follow) was quick to scoff at Abdul-Jalil:

“The Islamic Republic of Libya” brought to you by NATO.

Shrewd politicking from Mustafa Abdul Jalil to announce to thousands of freedom fighters that their quota of women just quadrupled.

The first line seems to indicate that Sultan was looking for NATO to bring something else. Was NATO there to facilitate freedom or did Sultan expect NATO to facilitate (impose) Western ideals as well? And in his second tweet, Sultan seems to have missed the fact that Abdul Jalil didn't need to announce anything that Allāh hadn't already given the fighters 1400 years ago.

The editor of Gulf News (major newspaper in the Middle East), Abdul Hamid, similarly chimed in, “Mustafa Abdul Jalil has just given an evidence to all world that Arab uprising will end up to be Islamic states.” By tying the end result of revolution to state of affairs that Abdul Hamid shows obvious distate to, he is really insiniuating that it was better for the uprising not to occur at all. Better Gaddafi, Ben Ali, Mubarak, fill-in-the-blanks than God forbid an nation whose citizens CHOOSE to live under Islam?

Habiba Hamid, seasoned writer and journalist at UAE's the National newspaper, tweeted, “No Muslim actor can claim a monopoly on Islam/Islamic thought. Any that does hijacks it”. Yet, she seems to have missed the fact that this is not the first time that Abdul Jalil has said that the new Libya will be based on shariah (yes that would be Islamic law- link below). So, what was so different this time? That he actually gave examples of what shariah might involve? Perhaps we should thank him for making clear what he is saying instead of assuming what he is not.

This blog article by Blake Hounshell sums up the sentiment of the do-gooders only when it suits their end-goals. Hounshell, normally an astute and fair-minded writer, falls prey to what I call “shariah-scare”. Just like the “ban-the-shariah” movement in the USA is based on hearsay and lack of any fundamental evidence, similarly this “shariah-scare” is based on few facts and much fear. The facts, as we have it, currently include three words: “shariah”, “polygamy” and “interest”. All of which one way or the other incorporated in most Muslim countries, even in current favorite Arab Muslim nation, Qatar.

Reading Hounshell's blog-post and his composition of revolution timeline, from how Abdul Jalil “sold the revolution” to how undercurrents of Islam were ignored, to how the issue has come roaring back, his intended thesis is quite clear. Libyans threw a fake bait at the West, and the West swallowed it all, bait and rod.

Hounshell then asks “If Libyans want to outlaw interest and bring back polygamy, fine, but let them do so in a democratic and transparent way”

But herein lies the inherent hypocrisy of those raising these alarm-bells, especially not befitting a seasoned writer such as Hounshell. First of all, this is not the first time that Abdul Jalil has talked about laws being based on shariah. But more importantly, in a speech on September 13 this year, Abdul Jalil talked about Libya being a democratic, civil society.

SO, the question for Hounshell and others who now suddenly want Abdul Jalil to wait for Libyans to vote is this: Why didn't you the raise the same alarm-bells and questions when Abdul Jalil wanted to build a democratic society? In other words, why is it okay for Abdul Jalil to promote democracy without asking the people, but it is not okay for him to promote shariah without asking the people? Shouldn't what is good for the goose be good for the gander too?

Real supporters of freedom are content that Libyans have gotten rid of a despot, and will be able to make their own mind. Abdul Jalil, as the current leader of Libyans can feel the pulse of his people and has the full right to express what that pulse might be. Those who are opposed to hearing him talk about Islamic laws should also be opposed of him talking about secularism, democracy or any other form of government or ideology. And if they don't, and they won't, then that smacks of double-standards, not befitting of sincerity to the nation of Libya or for journalists, to their profession.

From Al-Jazeera:

“With deep sorrow and sadness … King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz mourns the death of his brother and his Crown Prince Sultan who died at dawn this morning Saturday outside the kingdom following an illness,” the Saudi state press agency said.

Prince Sultan's funeral will be held on Tuesday, the statement said.

He was an “important and influential senior prince” who played a key role in relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council, particularly Yemen, said Hussein Shobokshi, a columnist for the Asharq Alawsat newspaper.

“He was always in favour of stability and has always been in touch with various sectors of Yemeni society, tribal, governmental, and he was keen on having … a smooth political climate that does not affect the kingdom,” Shobokshi said.

With Prince Sultan's death, his brother Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz, the longtime minister of interior, becomes the most likely candidate to be next in line to rule after King Abdullah.

[Read More on AlJazeera]

Other Interesting Tid-bits. This via @SultanAlQassemi

• CNN: U.S. official: Saudi Crown Prince dies http://bit.ly/ovy8RL
• CNN announced the death before any news agency in Saudi
• Saudi Crown Prince Sultan was born in 1925 & was appointed Governor of Riyadh in 1947 by his father King Abdul Aziz Al Saud
• Al Arabiya announces Crown Prince Sultan's death at age of 86. Sultan is younger than King Abdullah
• Saudi analyst: People in Saudi consider this big news as CP Sultan was the second (strongest) man in Saudi
  • He was in charge of the Yemeni file in Saudi. He oversaw the bilateral relations.
• He died at dawn in a hospital in New York, he was the 15th son of King Abdul Aziz, founder of Saudi Arabia.
• He was one of the so called “Sudeiri Seven” which included King Fahad & includes Prince Nayef & Prince Salman.
  • The so-called “Sudeiri Seven” Saudi princes were named so due to their influential mother Princess Hassa Al Sudairi (wife of Saudi founder)
• Al Arabiya correspondent: Former Saudi Crown Prince Sultan's body will arrive in Saudi on Tuesday
  • His wife Princess Monira bint Abdulaziz bin Jalawi died in Paris on August 25 2011
  • He was the father of Bandar Bin Sultan (born 1949) who served as Saudi Ambassador to US from 1983 to 2005. Prince Sultan's son Prince Bandar is now the Secretary-General of the Saudi National Security Council (appointed in 2005)
  • He was also the father of Prince Khaled (born 1949), Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation. Prince Khaled Bin Sultan (son of former Crown Prince Sultan) was in charge of 2009 Saudi war on Yemen rebels
  • Governor of Riyadh Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz (born 1936) was with Crown Prince Sultan throughout his treatment
• He was part of the Saudi team that signed the declaration of the UN in San Francisco 1945 – Saudi Analyst Hani Wafa
• He oversaw the rapprochement with Qatar that allowed Al Jazeera to operate in Saudi.

What's Next?

A lot of this information thanks to @SultanAlQassemi

• He will be buried on Tuesday after “‘aṣr” (afternoon) prayers in Saudi – Al Arabiya
• Saudi “Succession Council” expected to meet soon to decide on next steps – Al Arabiya Correspondent
  • Here is the full text of the Saudi Allegiance (Succession) Council in English http://bit.ly/nv3dXw
  • The Saudi Succession Council aka Allegiance Council that is due to meet soon (according to Al Arabiya correspondent) was formed in Oct 2006.
  • It is formed of 34 members: 15 surviving sons of Saudi founder King Abdul-Aziz and 19 of his grandsons.
  • It is chaired by Prince Mishaal (born 1926) who although senior is not considered in line for Saudi succession.
  • Prince Mishal, Chairman of Saudi Allegiance Council served as Saudi Defence Minister & has only one full brother, Prince Miteb. (born 1931)
• Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef, named second-deputy prime minister in 2009, is now believed to be next in line for Saudi succession.

Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud

• Prince Nayef's Wikipedia entry
• On the Phone to Al Jazeera: Saad Omar, Advisor to Saudi Shura council: “Practically & by custom Prince Nayef will be the next King”
• He became Governor of Riyadh in 1953 the year his father King Abdul-Aziz (born 1876) passed away.
• He became deputy Saudi Interior Minister in 1954 (under King Saud) & Interior Minister in 1975.
• He is one of the most conservative forces in Al-Saud [FACTBOX Reuters 2010]
  • Prince Nayef is one of the most conservative forces in the ruling family and is feared by liberals and reformers. Shortly before his promotion last year, Nayef said he saw no need for female lawmakers or to hold elections at all.
  • Other diplomats in Riyadh say Nayef will have no choice but to continue with some reforms as the kingdom needs to attract investors to create thousands of jobs for its rising population but overall doubts over the course of reforms remain.
  • In June 2010 he admonished the religious police to treat people with respect, a move described by an official at the interior ministry as showing that Nayef can be flexible.
  • King strongly believes in women's role: Prince Naif [Gazette]
  • Though the conservative label is overly simplistic, Nayef's lifetime emphasis on the security imperative suggests that he may represent the interest of more conservative royals. [Foreign Policy]
• Nayef played a crucial role in dealing with a series of al Qaeda attacks in Saudi
  • Nayef had raised eyebrows abroad after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the United States when he denied that Saudis were among the hijackers, suggested Jews instead were behind the attacks, and held up cooperation with Western security bodies.
  • The confrontation strengthened Nayef's pivotal role in the monarchy and helped him extend his authority into foreign policy, religious affairs and the media.

The jury has found the 10 Muslim students tried GUILTY on both counts.  The judge has ruled a sentence which includes:  a 3 year informal probation, 56 hours of community service with a non-profit organization for each defendant, and $200 in fines.  The sentence will most likely be suspended if the students complete their community service before January 31st and their probation will most likely be dropped after 1 year.  The judge made these rulings based on the students' clean records, being productive members of the community, and because he believes that the students' actions were political.

Walk the talk! If you REALLY believe in the Irvine-11 and what they are doing for ALL of us, then donate towards their legal fees here: http://www.mlfa.org/irvine-11 (click on DONATE button top left)

Message of support on twitter: Send a msg to @irvine_11 so these brave heroes know how proud we are of them.

Or Email them: support@irvine11.com

—————————————————————————————————————————————————

As we all await the jury verdict in the Irvine 11 case with bated breaths, I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about the “big picture”, especially since the Israel Lobby minions are in full swing to change the narrative of what has become one of the biggest fiascos in the American justice system history.

While the Defense lawyers did an admirable job arguing the specifics of the case, the fact that some people are confused by the technical legal issues in play is exactly why it is important to redouble our efforts to maintain the big picture and the “real” facts. None of what I am about to say is new, but we cannot say it enough in order to counter the misinformation being spread online:

If these were not Muslims, there would be no case

I think this is so obvious that it needs no explanation, but nevertheless needs to headline any story on Irvine-11. Why? Because we have had documented cases of nearly identical situations that have occurred with other student groups and individuals doing the same sort of protesting at events, but none ever facing prosecution. In fact, is there any case in our entire American legal history, where individuals are being prosecuted for sloganeering in a public speech? None! If such a precedent existed, you would have bet that would have been front and center for the prosecution.

Let's refer to two examples to highlight my stated assertion:  One in which a Muslim speaker was nearly shutdown AT the SAME university (UCI), and secondly where non-Muslims (Jewish students) protested an Israeli speaker, Netanyahu. So, these two events cover the entire spectrum of possible scenarios.

HISTORICAL PROOF of SIMILAR PROTESTS (not prosecuted):

(1) College Republicans interrupted Muslim speaker Amir Abdel Malik at UCI. The protest was so overwhelming that the UCI's College Republicans literally shut the speaker down.

• Link to Youtube Video
• Article by John Esposito referring to the incident.

(2) Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) protested Israeli Prime-Minister Netanyahu at NOLA in November 2010

• Tale of two protests (including Youtube video of the JVP protest)

If an Israeli speaker was not on the other side, there would be no case

Mearsheimer and Walt captured the spirit of the Israeli Lobby strength in their book that literally shook the Israeli-firsters in America. Since then, there has been a steady attack on both, each accused of anti-Semitism and every evil in the world. Ironically enough, their speeches have been stopped by the Lobby (one example); so forget about being heckled, they weren't even allowed to make their speech at all.

If the power of the Lobby was in any doubt, then I hope that those doubts were put to rest by the recent clamoring of BOTH Republicans and Democrats, both Congressional and Executive to please the Prime-Minister of Israel, belonging to extremist right-wing Likud party (no different from Hamas on the other side) on the UN Palestine issue. Even the Nobel Peace Prize winner President Obama (the Nobel committee must be highly embarrassed by its strange decision that is being proven wrong daily) is scrambling to declare his love for Israel, and could only describe Israeli suffering in his UN speech, not offering even a single word of solace to the ACTUAL people being occupied and brutalized, Palestinians.

It is one thing though for the Israel-first part of the Lobby to influence America's foreign policies, but it is quite another when it starts affecting the fabric and soul of the American nation, trying to take away the liberty and freedom of expression from those who voice anti-Israel positions. The Israel Lobby realizes that the new generation, including Jewish Americans (as we see with Jewish Voices for Peace), will not necessarily swallow all of Israeli hasbara. More and more Jewish voices are rejecting not only the hawkish explanations for why peace cannot be achieved, but they are proactively pushing for the silenced Palestinian voice in American circles. Thus for the Lobby, with the Congress  firmly in control, The Lobby has been actively targeting American campuses (campuswatch website by Daniel Pipes is just one of the many efforts to silence any anti-Israel dissent). Thus when the Irvine-11 were able to challenge the Lobby's campus strategy, the Lobby saw it as a test, and felt the need to try to use the American justice system to help in their political goals.

Why the Israel Lobby is willing to bet on an American jury to deliver the unfathomable.

While we pray and hope for fair-minded individuals on the jury to deliver the Irvine-11 from this witch-hunt, the Lobby is also likely optimistic, betting that the negative public opinion on Muslims and Arabs will deliver a decision that would be otherwise unfathomable– a guilty verdict. Think about it. The American jury system is all about being tried by one's peers. Whenever there is an imbalance in the jury composition relative to the defendant, we can and have seen lopsided results. That is why African Americans and other minorities, in general, have found it harder to achieve justice. On the flip-side, when the jury is swung enough in favor of the “peer-type”, you can get the OJ Simpson type result as well.

With Muslims representing only a fraction of the American population, and the prosecution ensuring that no Muslim will serve on any jury that is trying Muslims, Muslim defendants are hardly being tried by peers. Consider all the cases against Muslims thus far where their faith was “part of the equation”, number of jury members Muslims = zero. Furthermore, considering the nearly 50% negative opinion of Muslims, is it too hard to imagine that statistically one can expect 50% of any jury will already be biased against a Muslim or Arab defendant, especially when the case highlights religious or ethnic identity? Jury is composed of humans, and if they have a prejudice, regardless of the specifics of the case, they will tend to be moved by arguments that resonate with their biases and reject those that contradict the biases. Rarely will you find a person who is able to shut off the prejudice part to be entirely objective.

Whatever happens today, the Irvine-11 will be victorious

Even though I have no relation to any of the students, have never met one of them, I still feel as if I too am on trial, standing besides them. And I am only one of millions (composed of people from all faith). Each of the Irvine-11 (or 10 now) likely could have accepted some plea bargain to get off for some sort of deal, yet they stuck to their principles because they realized that the fear-mongering and witch-hunt against them by the Israel-firsters was not about them, but about the larger question of freedom of expression in America. And in this case, specifically the freedom and right to support A CAUSE (Palestine in this case), regardless of whether one believes in the cause or not.

So whatever happens today (we pray Allāh frees them), the Irvine-11 individuals will be victorious. And I hope and pray that the community supports them with everything at their disposal (jobs, security, etc.) if the jury falls to its own prejudices and the American justice fails them. And if indeed the Defense wins the case against the odds, then count the Defense team among the heroes!

In conclusion, as Evelyn Beatrice Hall said (often quoted by right-wing but only in talk, not in action), “I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it”, and that should be the standard for all fair minded Americans. Prayers for Irvine-11 & for America: Acquittal will be victory for BOTH. Conviction will be one of darkest chapters ONLY for USA.

In this week's WIYE, we interview Sheikh Ibrahim Dremali (you can also watch an exclusive Ramadan Reminder from the sheikh here).

Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. This is Yasir Qadhi welcoming you to the muslimmatters.org podcast. For more quality media, be sure to subscribe to our podcasts wa jazakum Allahu khayran wassalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah.

[Shaykh Ibrahim Dremali]: Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim.  Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. I am really happy to speak again with MuslimMatters.org. Jazakum Allāh khayr for everything.  You have some questions for me, and inshā'Allāh I will answer those questions.

The first question is:  What am I reading?  In fact, in the month of Ramadan, I am continuously reading the Qur'an inshā'Allāh rabb'l-'alamin.  I have tried to finish the Qur'an every week.  My advice to all of you is to do the same inshā'Allāh rabb'l-'alamin.  As Allāh (subḥānahu wa ta'āla) revealed the Qur'an in the month of Ramadan, we must read the Qur'an continuously in this month of Ramadan.

What am I listening to?  Sometimes I listen to the Qur'an on my phone, or I listen to the channels 'Iqra, Al-Nas, or Rahma online.  Those channels are Islamic channels.  Before Ramadan I watched them more, but in Ramadan I really concentrate on reading the Qur'an alhamdulillah.  Also, as I said, I'm watching a lot of channels online, or I have satellite television for the channel called 'Iqra.

What kind of technology do I use?  I have alhamdulillah my  laptop, and very soon inshā'Allāh I will get an iPad.  I advise everybody to use technology, which is a great da'wah.  From my home, alhamdulillah, I can give lectures all over the world alhamdulillah and they can listen to me at the same time.  I can also learn online.  My advice is for all imams and students of knowledge to use the internet but in the right direction and right way inshā'Allāh rabb'l-'alamin.

The advice I got from my father when I was a kid – and I always repeat this – is to study the Qur'an and understand the reason for the revelation and the tafsir of the Qur'an, especially in this month.  When I read, I read a lot of fiqh because it is my specialty.  I advise all of you, especially living in this country, to speak about fiqh'l-nawaazil. My advice to all of you is to know your deen (religion) very well.  Know Allāh (subḥānahu wa ta'āla).  Ask and seek the love of Allāh (subḥānahu wa ta'āla) especially in this month. Jazakum Allāh khayr wa barak Allahu feek for everything.

You have been listening to the muslimmatters.org podcast.  For more quality media, please visit the site at muslimmatters.org.  Jazakum Allāh khayr wassalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

This article  WILL help you KILL porn addiction or at least start on the road to recovery inshā'Allāh.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• Physiology of porn addiction & why it's so hard to quit
• Porn addicts: you are not losers & you CAN quit
• The Ramadan connection
• Simple changes towards a new life

The other day on the MM Facebook page, I had posted a question- “what is one bad habit you'd like to kill this Ramadan?” Surprisingly, one brother openly wrote about his desire to stop watching porn. Think about it. What great desperation would make a person openly talk about this habit? In fact, this is a brave brother, who has recognized his battle, and who is literally begging for a cure, a change. He is afraid, scared of going through Ramadan, through fasts, afraid that he will not be able to ward off the urge to flip on an internet porn site, or a DVD to watch some porn.

Some of you may be thinking, “Astaghfirullah, how can someone even think of doing this in Ramadan?“. Stop.  First say Alhamdulillah, and thank Allāh that He, Al-Rahman, has protected you from this great fitnah.  Next pray to Allāh that He keeps you away from the dark forces of sexual addictions of all types, from porn to zina, naudhubillah.

Some of you may remember that I addressed the dangers of porn addiction in a post nearly four years ago called Pornography Addiction Among Muslims. Not only did this article touch a strong nerve in our community, but it has since become the 3rd most viewed post on MuslimMatters. And, every few months, it still goes viral.  Why? Not because the post is some masterful gem written by a world expert; rather, the post was merely a collection of true stories of people afflicted. With the availability and accessibility of internet spreading like wildfire, I reckon the problem has only gotten worse.

Effects of Porn

Although destructive in many ways, the deteriorating impact porn addiction has on intimacy between spouses, tops the list.  There is developing research that “pornography was progressively desensitizing these men sexually… that they quickly required higher levels of stimulation to achieve the same level of arousal”. The sad reality is that your wife/husband becomes progressively insufficient to satisfy your sexual desires.

For those addiction-afflicted as well as those who aren't, take heed of the dangers of porn addiction. Like alcohol and drug addiction, porn addiction cannot simply be shut off. Rather, one must undergo a rigorous process requiring time and effort, and this process cannot start unless one understands why this addiction is so strong.  Porn addiction is one sub-category of sexual addictions, likely the lightest in terms of haram- but equally destructive and almost certainly leading to worse if not nipped in the bud. That is why Allāh has instructed us to not even “approach zina” [Quran 17.32], because with porn as an entry-way, it becomes almost impossible to stop one's path to zina.

Why is it an Addiction?

Research has shown that porn addiction is a “chemical addiction“, having an effect on the brain that is very similar to drugs. It has even been called the new crack cocaine in this Wired article. Mary Anne Layden, co-director of the Sexual Trauma and Psychopathology Program at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Cognitive Therapy, calls porn the “most concerning thing to psychological health that I know of existing today.”

First let's see how drugs work so we may see how analogous it is to porn addiction. The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports: “Most drugs of abuse directly or indirectly target the brain's reward system by flooding the circuit with dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter present in regions of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, cognition, motivation, and feelings of pleasure. The overstimulation of this system, which rewards our natural behaviors, produces the euphoric effects sought by people who abuse drugs and teaches them to repeat the behavior.”

Porn addiction works similarly: “During the sexual process, the brain begins narrowing its focus as it releases a tidal wave of endorphins and other neurochemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine, oxytocin and serotonin. These “natural drugs” produce a tremendous rush or high. When these chemicals are released during healthy marital intimacy we refer to them as “the fabulous four” because of the myriad positive benefits they generate between a husband and wife. When they are released during pornography use and other sexual addiction behaviors, we call them “the fearsome four” due to the severe addiction and many negative consequences they produce in the brain and nervous system.” [Read more in this informative article]

Overcoming Addiction

We know that drug addicts can get over their addiction. We know that alcoholics have been able to do the same.

So, if you are a porn addict, know this:

(1) you are not alone
(2) you are not a loser or an evil person
(3) you CAN kick this habit but only with a huge amount of jihad'l-nafs (the struggle of the soul).

This psychologist-backed site will further help you understand your addiction–the first step in this journey of killing it. I have not done an extensive review of the site, so “buyer beware”. Please keep your Muslim hat on, and, like all information, screen it through a simple Islamic filter.

For spouses, family, friends, and supporters, know that:

(1) It is important that you “recognize” the addiction and become partners towards a cure rather than continually debasing and disparaging the addict. Debasement only makes the addict feel worse and increases the desire to seek pleasure from endorphins through porn.

(2) Porn addiction is destructive not only for the addict, but also for the spouse. As we saw in my previous post on porn addiction, it has the ability to destroy marriages. That is why it is not to be taken lightly. I urge spouses of addicts to please also be a “partner in solution” rather than a police officer. You cannot hammer the addiction out of your spouse. Learn about its physiological and psychological aspects, and HELP in the recovery. If you love your spouse, you will give it your very best shot.

The Ramadan Connection

The psychologist linked above, Joe Zychik, mentions two requirements for overcoming sexual addictions– effective motivation and a reliable method.

Ramadan is a time where we are instructed to fast. Fasting has been described by the Prophet (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) as one of the ways to control sexual desire:

Abdullah (b. Mas'ud) (Allāh be pleased with him) reported that Allāh's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said to us: “O  young men, those among you who can support a wife should marry, for it restrains eyes (from casting evil glances) and preserves one from immorality; but he who cannot afford it should observe fast for it is a means of controlling the sexual desire.”

During regular days, it may be tough to observe this instruction, but Ramadan is a month where you are surrounded with “effective motivation” to fast. The last thing you want to do is go through the motions of fasting yet breaking it by engaging in your addiction. Use this opportunity to make some strong moves towards a “reliable method“.

Partner Up

Connect with a close friend, family member, or spouse–someone you can trust. Let's call this person your “partner”. Have your partner install a strong porn filter/activity monitor on your computer. Let him/her control the password and make this partner promise that they will not give it to you regardless of how much you ask for it. If it helps, make them swear by Allāh. In some cultures, putting your hand on the Quran reinforces this promise.

Make Structural Changes

Replace your SmartPhone- If you watch porn on your phone, get rid of it! Replace it with a non-internet-capable “cheap mobile”. Either you can have a nice toy or you can save yourself from porn.

Change your computer- If you watch it on your laptop, consider buying a desktop instead that stays in an open area where you wouldn't want to be caught watching porn.

Turn off your TV- if u have any porn videos or DVDs, destroy them now, before you lose your spirit.

Reliable Methods

Self-Talk- Talk to yourself and your partner about your addiction. Consider this: If you are able to control yourself during fasting, why can't you control yourself during the nights of Ramadan, nights that are the holiest nights of the entire year? And if you are able to control yourself for the entire Ramadan, is the Allāh of Ramadan not the same Allāh of the rest of the months, Who watches your every move?

Make constant dua- Ask Him, Al-Tawwab, to pardon your sins, and grant you barakah in your efforts and time to help you overcome this trial. Recognize that you are in this trial only by the will of Allāh (subḥānahu wa ta'āla), and by His will and mercy, He will lift you from this trial after you rise from it, a stronger believer. Use the nights of this most blessed months, and the moments before you break your fast to humbly ask Allāh (subḥānahu wa ta'āla) for help.

Moisten your tongue with duas such as this one:
اللهم اني ظلمت نفسي ظلما كثيرا ولا يغفر الذنوب الا انت فاغفرلي مغفرة من عندك, وارحمني انك انت الغفور الرحيم

'Alla-humma innee thalamtu nafsee thulman kathee-ra wala yaghfiru thunouba ila anta, faghfirlee maghfiratan min 'indika, warr hamnee innaka antal Ghafoor-ur Raheem.'
[O Allāh! I have wronged myself very much, and none can forgive sins, except You only. Grant me forgiveness, and have mercy upon me; indeed You are the Most Forgiving, Ever Merciful.] (Bukhari) Allāh/">(for in-detail translation)

Read Self Help Books- Beyond the self-talk, you need to continue the journey on a “reliable method”. Your best bet is to get books on breaking sex addiction. Do it NOW before you lose your motivation to read them! It is more important for you to read these books in Ramadan than to spend time on entertaining guests or even tarawih (stopping haram is more important than an optional, mustahab).

Get Counseling- If you have access and ability to engage with a psychologist, this is the time to put that in motion. Call one and set up an appointment. Make sure this psychologist is a specialist in the area of addictions, especially sex addiction.

In other words, start doing whatever it takes during these Ramadan days of high spiritual motivation to set into motion something that will keep you porn free in the LONG RUN, as opposed to perhaps controlling it only in Ramadan.

Note: This article does not rely or recommend “coaches”. Maybe in a year, when we have testimonials from people who have been cured–and stay cured–with such coaching services, I'd be glad to advertise their services. For now, please don't post any such services provided, because this would be just advertisement that I do not, in good faith, agree with or can recommend. This is my own opinion, not MM's.

“If any religious figure discusses Ramadan during the course of religious activities, or encourages people to take part, then they will lose their license to practice,” Dilxat Raxit, spokesman for the Munich-based World Uighur Congress, told Eurasia Review on Friday, August 5.

“The more serious cases will result in arrests for incitement to engage in illegal religious activity,” he said.

A day before the start of the holy fasting month for China's Muslims, at least 11 people were killed in a series of attacks in the north-western region of Xinjiang.

Chinese authorities blamed the attacks to the ethnic minority, after which the Chinese police shot dead two Muslims last Sunday.

The attacks came less than two weeks after 18 people were killed in an attack in the restive Xinjiang region. Following the unrest, more than 100 uighurs were detained by Chinese authorities. Most of those detained as suspects were committed Muslims who attended mosque and whose wives wore veils, residents say.

Xinjiang's capital, Urumqi, was the scene of deadly violence in July 2009 when the mainly Muslim Uighur minority vented resentment over Chinese restrictions in the region.

In the following days, mobs of angry Han took to the streets looking for revenge in the worst ethnic violence that China had seen in decades.

The unrest left nearly 200 dead and 1,700 injured, according to government figures. But Uighurs, a Turkic-speaking Muslim minority, say the toll was much higher and mainly from their community.

China's authorities have convicted about 200 people, mostly Uighurs, over the riots and sentenced 26 of them to death.

No Fasting

Beijing slapped severe restrictions on Chinese Muslims as the holy fasting month of Ramadan started.

As for Muslim members of the government throughout Xinjiang, the government forced them to sign “letters of responsibility” promising to avoid fasting, evening prayers, or other religious activities.

[Continue Reading on onislam.net]

Choices: Jews, Palestinians

Well, the title has already given away the answer. And people are actually demonstrating to protest detention of two Rabbis who endorsed the book, “King's Torah”

Imagine now if a few nutty Muslims wrote a book that said that Palestinians could kill Jewish babies (explicitly), what would the reaction be in the US media? Rabid islamophobia? FOX's wall-to-wall coverage. Perhaps condemnation by the White House, definitely a Congressional resolution? Maybe all of that. But it is amazing that we have to go to BBC to hear of this demonstration story.

As you can read in the story, there are plenty of disclaimers to remove the “Jewishness” of the bigots who are supporting the book. And I fully endorse these disclaimers, because indeed many of the strongest voices against bigotry in the occupied territories have been Jewish. The story also goes to great lengths in making the protesters seem less of bigots than they really are. It is a telling account of the right-wing Jewish mentality in the settlements when

Both men have strong support among ideological Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, but the wider religious community also took up their cause.

The problem is that the same treatment is not afforded to Muslims. Muslim nuts end up representing the entire Muslim ummah, while Jewish nuts or other religious nuts only represent themselves (as they should).

King's Torah splits Israel's religious and secular Jews

By Yolande KnellBBC News, Jerusalem

Recent protests in Israel highlight the differences between the country's religious and secular Jewish communities.

Hundreds of right-wing Jews have taken part in demonstrations outside Israel's Supreme Court over the brief detention of two prominent rabbis in the last few weeks.

There were clashes with police on horseback on the nearby Jerusalem streets and several arrests were made.

Rabbis Dov Lior and Yacob Yousef had endorsed a highly controversial book, the King's Torah – written by two lesser-known settler rabbis. It justifies killing non-Jews, including those not involved in violence, under certain circumstances.

The fifth chapter, entitled “Murder of non-Jews in a time of war” has been widely quoted in the Israeli media. The summary states that “you can kill those who are not supporting or encouraging murder in order to save the lives of Jews”.

At one point it suggests that babies can justifiably be killed if it is clear they will grow up to pose a threat.

Israeli police investigating allegations of incitement had asked the rabbis to be voluntarily questioned, but took them into custody when they refused.

Both men have strong support among ideological Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, but the wider religious community also took up their cause.

The heated reaction to their arrests has highlighted tensions between religious and civil authority in Israel and sparked a debate over freedom of expression.

'Culture clashes'

Some students who joined a rally on 4 July are now back in the quiet of the library of the Raanana Yeshiva, a seminary of higher Jewish studies, north of Tel Aviv.

Eliyahu Gross, 21, travelled with friends to Jerusalem but tells me he had not read the King's Torah.

“I was just demonstrating against the idea of the restriction of the Torah,” he says, stressing the need for uninhibited discussions of Judaism's founding legal and ethical religious texts.

“In my point of view, anything that's against the freedom of the Torah is basically against my freedom as a Jew.”

Rabbi Yehuda Amar, who helped organise the gathering, strongly rejects the way the text has been presented.

“Jewish law is very, very careful about anything that poses a threat to life,” he says. He maintains that the book invites only theoretical analysis of scripture.

“We need freedom to study the Torah on both a spiritual level and on a democratic level,” Rabbi Amar adds. “We try to show there is a contrast: Spiritual ideas are pulled away from practical life.”

As the discussion goes on, the religious community's sense of marginalisation comes to the fore.

The head of the yeshiva, Rabbi Haim Rehig, sees the King's Torah as “a problematic book” and has written against it.

[Continue reading]

Interestingly, Sr. Hebah was EVERY BIT there. She was part of the conversation. She did not disappear, otherwise Mona would be engaging a ghost. I hope with every interaction such as this, our very eloquent sister Mona, comes to terms with her differences with other Muslims on a variety of topics, starting with the niqab. It's okay to agree to disagree.

Comments are open, but all comments will go through moderation. Only those get through that pass a very stringent test:

• No praise of OBL or any terrorist for that matter
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• No condescending remarks

MuslimMatters blogger, Hebah Ahmed, went head to head with prominent commentator Mona Eltahawy on the issue of the face-veil (niqab) ban in France on CNN. Even while getting far less speaking time, Hebah pretty much pwned (excuse the lingo) Mona. Hebah's confident and composed appearance surely won the day against a somewhat shrill Mona. This happens when you argue reason (Hebah) against pure emotion (Mona). There are many lessons that all Muslims, regardless of  view on niqab, can learn from Hebah's TV appearance: composure, succinctness, drawing out themes and buzz-words that average audience will latch onto, etc. Also, you can't discount the importance of sounding more American than the other (yes that includes accent)! It was refreshing to watch a Muslim woman making her own case for what she believes (or not), instead of some talking-head.

Well done Hebah, we are all proud of you! Dear readers, pls do take a moment to leave a kind word if you agree with us on Hebah's performance (regardless of your stance on her argument).

Click here to view the embedded video.

TRANSCRIPT

SPITZER: Debates over integrating devout Muslims into society are not unique to the United States. Effective today it is illegal to wear a burqa in France or a niqab like this. A Muslim veil that reveals only the eyes.

The new law drew protest and confusion on the streets of Paris. Two women stepping out in their niqabs and drawing the crowd were arrested for staging an unauthorized protest.

The French government has called the veils, and I quote, “a new form of enslavement,” and, quote, “not acceptable on its soil.”

Many Muslims are enraged but not all. I am joined by Hebah Ahmed, a writer for the blog, Muslim Matters, who's against the ban. She's in Albuquerque. And Mona Eltahawy, a columnist on Arab and Muslim issues who wants to see the ban extended everywhere. She's joining me from Washington.

Welcome to you both.

HEBAH AHMED, BLOGGER, MUSLIMMATTERS.ORG: Thank you.

SPITZER: Let me begin by — if I might, by quoting the President Sarkozy of France in his justification for the law. It's kind of a remarkable statement. He says, and I quote — this is the president of France. “The burqa is not a religious symbol. It's a sign of enslavement of debaseness. I want to say this solemnly. The burqa will not be welcomed on the territory of the French republic. We cannot accept in our country women imprisoned behind a mask, deprived of all social life of their identity.”

So, Mona, let me start with you. You want to extend this ban across the world. Do you agree with President Sarkozy that merely because somebody wants to dress like this, they choose to dress like this, they shouldn't be permitted to do so?

MONA ELTAHAWY, COLUMNIST ON MUSLIM ISSUES: You know, Eliot, I detest Nicolas Sarkozy. I consider him right wing and racist but I also detest the niqab and I detest the face veil. And I say this as a Muslim woman.

I think that it represents an ideology that does not believe in Muslim women's rights to do anything but choose to cover her face. And I find that — I believe that the niqab dangerously equates piety with the disappearance of women and so I support banning it everywhere because I don't — it's not in the Koran, it's not an obligation for a Muslim woman to cover her face, and my talk with you now with you seeing my face is going to be very different than if I were sitting here with my face covered.

I believe that the human face is central to communication.

SPITZER: OK, Mona, the only thing I would observe and I want to give Hebah a chance to jump in of course but I heard you used single personal pronoun I many times. I have no doubt you believe that, but why should your belief ban other people from wearing what they want to wear. That's what I don't get.

Hebah, explain to me why you think the ban is a bad idea.

AHMED: I think that it's a bad idea because I think it's yet another example of men telling women how to dress, how to live their life. It's another way to try to control women. And to take it to a government level and to try to legislate the way that a woman dresses is not just wrong and against human rights, but it really violates the whole basis that the democracy in democratic countries are based.

This is a free choice. This is something that I choose to wear. I disagree that it's some right-wing ideology. It is something that is permitted in Islam. I have a masters degree in mechanical engineering and I'm free to do whatever I want, and this is choice that want to make. And just because somebody doesn't accept my interpretation of Islam or personally like it doesn't mean that we can use laws to violate people's freedom of expression and freedom of religion.

SPITZER: Hebah, let me just ask you this. When you go to the airport, you understand they're going to be obligations, they're going to have to check you for security like they check all the rest. When you get a driver's license, they take a picture with or without your veil on? AHMED: Absolutely. I want everyone to know that as a Muslim woman, as a Muslim in America, I am just as concerned about safety and security as everybody else. And I have no problem whatsoever accommodating any security issues that come about. When I enter a bank, when I go to the airport, when I go to the DMV, I show my face and actually in Islam we are required to show our identity when we're in a court system giving testimony. This is absolutely something that is essential for the security and identification of people, but it doesn't mean that I should be banned completely from what I choose to do.

SPITZER: OK, Mona, let me jump in here. There are lots of type of dress that I look at and I don't like them. I think they're degrading. I think they're oppressive. You know, a lots of things that I see teenagers wearing that, you know, I'm now viewed as old- fashioned by my kids perhaps. I don't go around saying we should pass a law banning it. Isn't that fundamentally violative (ph) of the First Amendment? What possible reason can there be legally to say to somebody you can't dress the way you want to dress.

MONA ELTAHAWY, COLUMNIST ON MUSLIM ISSUES: Actually, Eliot, the government does tell people how they can and can't dress all the time. You cannot walk outside naked. There are many states here in the U.S. where three or more people cannot be together in public wearing a face mask. So the government actually does legislate over our wardrobe, but everybody conveniently forgets that.

I would like to ask Hebah, you know, once I'm done talking, if she works. Because we've been on media shows together where we've been on opposite ends of this argument and I know from what she said before that once she started covering her face, she stopped working. So my argument is — and this is not just about “I.” I understand the point that you were making earlier, Eliot. Feminist groups, many women's rights group have made the point that what the niqab goes in a society, especially for Muslim women is that it creates a spectrum where that is the pinnacle of piety and that is the good Muslim woman and so, of course, it has — it affects me.

In France, where this ban is going in effect, Muslim women's rights group there support it because they find that Muslim women who live in the French housing projects have been put under tremendous pressure by the Muslim right wing to give into the niqab, and when they speak out they are told it's basically become these political pawns.

SPITZER: But, Mona –

ELTAHAWY: That's why I said I oppose Sarkozy but I oppose this on women because what choice do women have besides covering their face. This ideology doesn't recognize Muslim women's rights.

SPITZER: Mona, I just have to push you on one thing here. There are certain prohibitions on the way people dress, or you mentioned nudity that don't dress that are in fact imposed upon us by law but none of them that I'm aware relates to a specific religion and says if you are a devout member of a religion you cannot dress in a way that you are obligated to to practice your religion, your choice of faith. Can you think of any example like that? Because I can think of a thousand other laws if this were upheld that suddenly we would limit all sorts of things that people do for their religious beliefs because we don't agree with it. Wouldn't that be a very dangerous thing to do?

ELTAHAWY: See, this is I think where these right-wing interpretations of religion get a free pass because everybody says well, it's my religious obligation, it's my religious right do this. Let's look really at what we're talking about here. We're talking about the disappearance of women justified in the name of them becoming closer to God. So the closer you want to become to God, the more — the less of you, the more you disappear.

SPITZER: But, Mona –

AHMED: I don't feel that I have disappeared at all.

SPITZER: One at a time.

AHMED: I totally disagree.

SPITZER: Guys, one at a time. Hebah, jump in. Tell us, does anybody forced you to do this? Is this something you're doing with your own free will?

AHMED: Nobody has — nobody has forced me do this and I really have to disagree with the statistics that Mona is trying to put forth because studies have shown that there are only 2,000 women in France that wear the niqab. The majority of them are converts who converted to Islam and are voluntarily choosing to do it. This is my choice. Nobody can force me to take it off. I would not take it off even if you paid me to do it. And the fact of the matter is that there's never — I have never met a single Muslim woman in all of my travels around the world that is being forced to wear it. She — I understand Mona does not like it and does not want to wear it personally. But she keeps talking about her own feelings about it and she wants to use the law to support it. If she wants diversity and Islamic belief, then she has to accept my version just like she wants me to accept hers.

SPITZER: Mona, let me ask you this question. Do you have any evidence to support your statement that women are forced to wear this? And let me ask you this. If women are being forced to do something they don't want to do, there is recourse other than banning this entire motive dress that has chosen as we just heard from Hebah by people who do choose to wear it of their own free will.

ELTAHAWY: Well, you know, I lived in Saudi Arabia. I have a sense that she's traveled the world and she's never met a woman who has been forced to wear it. I lived in Saudi Arabia where millions of women are forced to cover their face. But now that the argument will be, well, that's in Saudi Arabia not in France. What choice does a woman have when she's told she will burn in hell if she doesn't cover every inch of her body? What kind of a choice is that? So, of course, she's going to convert to this ideology. AHMED: I've never heard that. I've never heard anybody say that.

ELTAHAWY: But the women who convert to this ideology who are then told that this is how to be a good Muslim woman, to be close to God, to avoid hellfire, is there really a choice in that? And I believe when you have a law like this, you know, I told you I detest Sarkozy. I consider him racist, but I will not sacrifice Muslim women's rights in order to uphold the Muslim right wing which I believe is misogynist. With a law like that, a woman can tell her husband or any male relative who is forcing her to dress like this, the law says I don't have to dress like this.

SPITZER: Mona — Mona, let's not deal with Saudi Arabia, different customs, different laws. We have the First Amendment.

AHMED: Thank you.

SPITZER: I was talking about France. I was talking about France.

SPITZER: Mona, wait, hold on one second. In the United States, we have the First Amendment that gives people the right to practice religion as they wish. Do you not think that a law in the United States that would ban this form of dress would violate the First Amendment, permission to practice religion as each individual sees fit?

ELTAHAWY: Well, this comes back to religion again. Everything is allowed, just because someone says it's their religious belief. You know, what I think –

SPITZER: No, no, no, Mona — I'm going to jump in. Hold on one second. It's banned or permitted until there is some compelling state interest on the other side, but it's got to be an overwhelming interest. What is the overwhelming interest that would justify us in banning a type of dress that people choose as a result of their religion?

ELTAHAWY: Well, all the reasons I just gave you but I will repeat. I believe that this is genuinely harmful to Muslim women because it creates this pinnacle of piety in which a Muslim woman is told, this is the closest that you can get to God and she's disappeared. I'm no longer here. You don't even know who I am. The face is central to communication.

SPITZER: Right.

ELTAHAWY: And not just that, it objectifies women.

SPITZER: Mona, Mona.

ELTAHAWY: The pinnacle of objectification.

SPITZER: Look, I agree with much of what you're saying but not as the matter of law. You know, you get the last word. You haven't gotten a fair time in this one. Give it the best 15 seconds you've got.

AHMED: Thank you. Basically, I want people to know that when I choose to cover this way it's because I am fighting against a systematic oppression against women in which women's bodies are being sexualized and objectified. This is a different perspective and a different form of empowerment in which I think when I'm in public, my sexuality is in my control and people have to deal with my brain and who I really am and not judge me by my body. And if we want to really talk about the oppressive situation of women, let's talk about all the eating disorders, all of the plastic surgery, all of the unhealthy diets that are being done, all in the name of having the perfect body. To me, this is liberating and this is empowering. Mona keeps saying I believe, I believe, I believe, well, we don't make laws based on what Mona believes or what anybody believes.

SPITZER: All right. Guys, well –

AHMED: It's based on whether or not –

SPITZER: This is clearly not an issue we're going to resolve in the will resolve in the next 10 seconds. I want to thank you both. Hebah Ahmed and Mona Eltahawy, clearly a passionate and important debate.

AHMED: Thank you.

Indeed all souls shall taste death

A few hours ago, I received a text message from a friend that one of my closest friends in Qatar, Khalid al-Malki, had passed away in an accident.

At first, I read the words “father of” (Khalid) into the message. Emotions have a strange way of clouding your vision. As my mind quickly jogged through ways I will send my condolences to Khalid for his father, I re-read the message and there was no “father of” in the text. I stood still. I was in disbelief. The same Khalid, who I had hugged 2 days ago at work before leaving for a vacation trip to Malaysia (from where I write)? The same Khalid whose bubbly personality lit up the entire workspace?

I quickly dialed another friend and he confirmed this tragic news. My heart dipped, my mood darkened and I just wanted to sit down right there, in the center of a Kuala Lumpur mall, and cry. But I collected my emotions, and relayed the news to my family. My wife couldn't believe what she was hearing (Khalid's family had come over to our place a few times so our families knew each other). I told her to continue with the kids, while I come back to the hotel as vacationing was the last thing on my mind at this time. It is as if I had lost one of my anchors in Qatar.

I came to the hotel and immediately sat down to write this. Dear readers, if you are wondering why I am sharing this personal story of the passing away of my friend, that is because you have to know Khalid. Khalid was no ordinary person. In my social and community circles, I have met hundreds of people and gotten know quite a few quite well. That comes with the territory of being active in dawah circles. But Khalid wasn't your average person. He was special.

I first met Khalid in my first few days at work when he gave me the standard building tour in his capacity as the Healthy & Safety coordinator. As we started talking and I mentioned a few of the troubles I was having settling in Qatar, Khalid's eyes lit up. It was as if he reveled in helping people.

Before long, Khalid was running around with me, here and there, trying to get this and that sorted out. Every time I wanted to take Khalid out for lunch, just to reciprocate a little bit, he would have already made a deal with the restaurant people to take his money. He called this true Qatari style, I called it Khalid style. It was never about reciprocation for him. When I brought gifts for him from my travels, I had to convince him to accept it for friendship (which was also true), and not because I was paying him back. Indeed Khalid soon became more than just the go-to helper. In less than 2 years of knowing each other, we shared our problems and concerns, helping each other in self-improvement. When we became frustrated at work, we could count on each other for encouragement and patience… we both didn't want the other to leave!

Not long ago, I had a car accident, and the first person I called of course was Khalid. In fact, Khalid insisted to all he knew, esp. the expats who might have difficulty with Arabic, that if anyone got into any trouble, to call him. So, Khalid was there by my side on the accident scene in a jiffy and spent the next 3 hours of his busy life dealing with accident, the police and just being with me. I have lost count of how many times I called Khalid for help.

Truly, Khalid encompassed the spirit and actions of a true ansaar (the Arabic word for helper). It was as if he was a transplant from the times of the Prophet (S), from Madinah, the city to which the Prophet (S) migrated from Makkah and formed a bond between the people of Madinah and the migrants from Makkah… one Makkan for each Madinah resident. The hospitality shown by the people of Madinah became an unparalleled story of love, brotherhood and acceptance of immigrants, bonded only by faith. For Khalid, it was even beyond faith. His help did not depend on your being Muslim. He was an equal-opportunity ansaar.

Whenever I went out with Khalid, we'd almost certainly run into one or more of his friends on the road or at location. He was extremely popular and it was his generosity and kindness in his dealings with people that made him so. I should add that he was the wrong person to go shopping with, because he could sometimes become too sympathetic to the seller as well!

Khalid had completed his Hajj just last year alhamdulilah and he would impulsively drive off to umrah every so often.

Khalid leaves behind a wife and three beautiful little girls, the youngest an infant. He sometimes brought the older two to work and you could see that they were really daddy's girls. Ironically, he too was planning a trip to Malaysia this summer and had already made some reservations. Man plans and plans, yet it is Allāh who is the Best Planner.

Death is indeed a strange thing. Everyone will experience it, yet everyone goes in disbelief when it happens to one close to us (see this post  “Tuesdays with Morrie” and our Death Denying Culture).

When I bid farewell to Khalid a couple of days ago, little did I know that this was the last time I was going to see him. I didn't just lose a friend, the world lost an ansaar and Qatar lost an exemplary citizen. There are some people in the world who mean so much to so many, that they probably don't even realize it themselves. They are the secret warriors, going about their daily dose of helping others without beating their chest about it.

Khalid had another passion, car racing. I had gone with him a couple of times to the track. It was this passion that took away his life, though all the details of his accident are unknown at the time of this writing. We cannot blame a lifestyle choice because truly the “how”, “where” and “when” of his death were written. But we can take heed from such incidents to remind us of how fragile our bodies are, and to make careful choices of what we engage in because while Allāh is in charge of all affairs, the means we choose lead to the ends that Allāh chooses.

It greatly pains me that I am not able to attend my friend's janazah (funeral), being thousands and thousands of miles away. But I know that there will be throngs of people there by his grave side, to pay homage to a great man, as his family and friends engage in the final rituals to return Khalid to His Lord.

I pray that Allāh grants Khalid the highest paradise (jannatul firdaus) and raise him with the Ansaar of Madinah, and reunites us in Jannah. I pray that Allāh give his family patience and gives them the fortitude to raise his three girls to become lights for the ummah.

If you are reading this and knew Khalid, you are welcome to leave your thoughts. Regardless, whether you knew him or not, please take a moment right now to make a quick prayer for Khalid and his family. I am going to miss you my friend!

___________________________________

Also, for those of you have been exposed to death, whether distantly or personally, feel free to share your thoughts and reactions.

I leave you with this small, comforting section from Tafsir ibn Kathir:

Allāh issues a general and encompassing statement that every living soul shall taste death. In another statement, Allāh said,

كُلÙ'ُ Ù…ÙŽÙ†Ù' عَلَيÙ'هَا فَانٍ – وَيَبÙ'Ù‚ÙŽÙ‰ وَجÙ'هُ رَبÙ'ِكَ ذُو الÙ'جَلÙ'ـلِ وَالإِكÙ'رَامِ

Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of majesty and honor will remain forever. [Quran 55:26,27]

Therefore, Allāh Alone is the Ever-Living Who never dies, while the Jinn, mankind and angels, including those who carry Allāh's Throne, shall die. The Irresistible One and Only, will alone remain for ever and ever, remaining Last, as He was the First. This Ayah comforts all creation, since every soul that exists on the earth shall die. When the term of this life comes to an end and the sons of Adam no longer have any new generations, and thus this world ends, Allāh will command that the Day of Resurrection commence. Allāh will then recompense the creation for their deeds, whether minor or major, many or few, big or small. Surely, Allāh will not deal unjustly with anyone, even the weight of an atom, and this is why He said,

وَإِنÙ'َمَا تُوَفÙ'ÙŽÙˆÙ'Ù†ÙŽ أُجُورَكُمÙ' ÙŠÙŽÙˆÙ'Ù…ÙŽ الÙ'قِيَـمَةِ

185. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full

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