Connect with us

Uncategorized

Sunday Open Thread – 2/14/2010 – False Holidays; True Love

Published

As many of us are aware (certainly those living in America and most Western countries), today is the greeting card companies’ favorite day to display your love. Though some facts are known, the origins of this day are largely obscured. Regardless, Valentine’s Day has imprinted itself onto our collective psyche and here, I don’t single out the West. From select observances of Eid al Hubb

Share
Tweet
WhatsApp
Reddit
0 Shares
Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

Related Topics:

Youssef Chouhoud is an assistant professor of political science at Christopher Newport University, where he is affiliated with the Reiff Center for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution. Youssef completed his PhD at the Political Science and International Relations program at the University of Southern California as a Provost’s Fellow. His research interests include political attitudes and behavior, survey methodology, and comparative democratization.

11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. Sam

    February 14, 2010 at 8:49 AM

    Hi,

    I would like to know Yassir Qadhi take on Valentine.. I think this special day effects all of muslims, esp in arabia having calling it the Eid of Love. I dont know the history about valentines… but when have we cared when it came to looove.

    Thanks

    Reply

  2. Amatullah

    February 14, 2010 at 9:03 AM

    Ameen! Allahu Akbar, what a beautiful reflection. Jazaak Allahu khayran for such an awesome open thread! May Allah reward you for all the benefit that comes from it!

    Shaykh Waleed Basyouni’s two-part lecture on the Death of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam is always moving. Can be found on audioislam.com. Also my favorite chapter in seerah books has always been the physical description of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. I love reading how the companions compare him to the shining of the sun, or the glowing nature of the moon or that he was the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen.

    I’m currently obsessed with a very small book called “the heart that loves Muhammad” (alayhi salaatu wa salaam). First it goes through why we love the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, the exclusive blessings Allah gave him, how he loved his ummah, instances from the seerah that show his love for his companions and finally goes through the stories that show the love of the companions for the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. It’s less than 50 pages and simply beautiful.

    My favorite story from the Companions (there’s so many!) is the story of Sawad radi Allahu anhu. During the battle of Uhud, the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was lining up the army and telling them to stand straight. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam saw Sawad who was out of line so the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “stand straight ya Sawad!” so Sawad responded affirmatively, but he did not stand straight. so the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam came to him again and told him to stand straight, and this time the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam poked his stomach with a sewak.
    So Sawad said to him, you have hurt me ya Rasul Allah, Allah has sent you with the haqq so I want to return to you what you did to me. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam lifted up his top garment and said, take your revenge ya Sawad, so Sawad radi Allahu anhu knelt down and instead of taking his retribution, he kissed the stomach of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, is this what you intended?! Sawad then said, ya Rasul Allah, I think that today is my last day so the most beloved thing to me as the last thing I do would be that my skin touches your skin.

    Reply

    • Amatullah

      February 14, 2010 at 9:08 AM

      Another one is when the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam met his companion Thawban (radi Allahu anhu) and noticed that he looked sad so he said to him, “O Thawban, what has changed your appearance?” Thawban replied, “O Messenger of Allah, I do not have any sickness or any pain except that I feel discomfort when I do not see you, so I seclude myself completely until I meet you. Then I remembered the hereafter and and was afraid that I would not see you there. I know that you will be with the Prophets, and if I enter Jannah, I will be in a level lower than yours. But if I do not enter Jannah, then I will never see you again.”

      So Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala revealed,

      وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ وَحَسُنَ أُولَـٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا
      “And whoever obey Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!” (4:69)

      Reply

    • Ashraf Ali

      February 14, 2010 at 9:18 AM

      AA!

      Can you please publish the author of the book or a link to the book so that I may purchase it? Is it avaliable at Darul Sallam in Brooklyn, NY? I would really, really love to read that book.

      Thank you.

      Reply

      • Amatullah

        February 15, 2010 at 3:45 AM

        wa alaykum salam brother,

        I don’t think it would be there, it’s a small book in Arabic…

        Since it’s so small, inshaAllah I will try my best to translate it and post it online on MM. It’ll take some time though, if you don’t mind waiting.

        Reply

        • Ashraf Ali

          February 15, 2010 at 8:27 AM

          Not at all. I really wouldn’t mind. May Allah (swt) have mercy on you and give you much blessings!

          E-mail: nerveband@gmail.com

          Reply

    • TheAlexandrian

      February 14, 2010 at 12:04 PM

      That story of Sawad (RA) is one of my favorites, too :)

      Reply

  3. Shahbaaz Baig

    February 15, 2010 at 1:44 PM

    Jazak Allaah khayr for reflections. barak Allaah feeki.

    True love only happens after marriage. and as one of indian news paper reported a supreme court ruling in india that read, ‘Obey your wife, and Rule the world.’

    wassalam.

    Off topic.

    a. Micheal oren receives special welcome at University of California Irvine
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcaryZbL3gE&feature=player_embedded

    b. Debate, Should US withdraw from special relations with Israel. ( can’t believe it happened in USA)
    http://intelligencesquaredus.org/index.php/past-debates/the-us-should-step-back-from-its-special-relationship-with-israel/

    c. if you have any heart.. prof. finkelstein Norman getting candid with.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNQSV3BBtZ4

    Reply

  4. Shahbaaz Baig

    February 15, 2010 at 3:28 PM

    Now that is something of substance..

    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/indians-abroad/Indian-origin-lawyer-is-Barack-Obamas-new-pointman-for-OIC/articleshow/5577147.cms

    He chose a hafiz guy , mash Allaah, for the job. I don’t know how significant his practical role would be but the change in pattern in choosing , modernist muslim looking names for the jobs is changing. First it was Dalia Mogahed and now this.

    Reply

  6. Ibnu Ameen

    February 17, 2010 at 2:59 AM

    Assalamualaikum Ikwan…

    Here are some books that i would like to share, base on seerah nabawiyyah

    – The Sealed Nectar Ar-Raheequl Makhtum – Biography of Prophet Muhammad by Sheikh Saifur Rahman Al-
    Mubarakpuri

    – Enjoy Your Life!
    The art of interacting with people… as deduced from a study of the Prophet’s Life.

    – Ideal Muslim darussalam Publishing

    Jazakallah Khairan :)

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending