Article on Sanctity of LIfe - Aramesh and H. Shadi

    Islamic jurisprudence, based on a convincing

interpretation of the holy Koran, does not recognize a

person’s right to die voluntarily. The Islamic arguments

against euthanasia can be summarized in two main

reasons: 1-Life is sacred and euthanasia and suicide are

not included among the reasons allowed for killing in

Islam. And 2-Allah decides how long each of us will

live and two verses support this reason.

According to Islamic teachings, life is a divine trust

and can not be terminated by any form of active or

passive voluntary intervention.11 All the Islamic

scholars regard active euthanasia as forbidden (Hiram)

and there is no difference between Sunni and Shiite

schools.

    The moment of death, ajal, is under the control of

Allah and the human has no say in this matter; the

human can not and should not attempt to hasten or

delay the ajal. The prohibition on life applies equally

well whether for self, suicide, or others, homicide or

genocide. The concepts of autonomy, freedom and

individual choice does not apply here for these two

reasons: a. life does not belong to the human; and b.

taking life will cause harm to the family and society in

general. An individual's freedom of choice is

constrained by the harm it causes to others.

Justifying the stance of advocates of euthanasia on

the basis of other factors such as economic concerns,

consideration of resources that could otherwise be

utilized by other patients and death with dignity does

not seem plausible because of crime nature of mercy

killing in Islamic point of view.3 Of course, we have to

exclude the situation in which the life support

equipments are switched off from a brain-dead person,

aimed to use them for saving the life of a live person.

As a conclusion we can say that the Islamic position

is that life belongs to Allah. It is He who gives and

takes away life. No human can give or take it. Muslims

are against euthanasia. They believe that all human life

is sacred because it is given by Allah, and that Allah

chooses how long each person will live. Human beings

should not interfere in this.

   There are two instances, however, that could be

interpreted as passive assistance in allowing a

terminally ill patient to die and would be permissible

by Islamic law: Administering analgesic agents that

might shorten the patient’s life, with the purpose of

relieving the physical pain or mental distress, and

withdrawing a futile treatment in the basis of informed

consent (of the immediate family members who act on

the professional advice of the physicians in charge of

the case) allowing death to take its natural course.11

If a patient is medically presumed dead through

what is known as brain death, switching off the life

support may be permissible, with due consultation and

care, especially when it is clear that the life support

machine becomes of no use for the already-dead patient

or in the case of organ and tissue donation for saving

another persons’ life which is a routine practice in Iran

and some other Muslim countries. Regarding end-stage

dementic patients, they should be considered as

completely human being and according to Islamic teachings; their life is scared and should not be taken.

What Does "Freedom" Mean to You?

Euthanasia and doctor assisted suicide is becoming legalized in more and more countries in the world. At the last stage of one's life, when one is faced by suffering, pain and dependance - people are beginning to choose death over life. It contradicts with a doctor's values to preserve life and heal, It may be due to depression or contracting the most deadlydiseases including HIV, AIDS, and cancer.  

 Surveys further indicate that religious values, practices and beliefs seem to have the highest correlation with the conceptof death and life. Agnostic and Atheism religious beliefs are the most supportive of Euthanasia while Muslims, Chrisitans,Jews and other faiths are generally not supportive of it.

  

Death and Life.Allah swt states "He who created death and life"....

  

Why is that? What does faith have to do with it? 

  

The biggest concern is "one should be able to choose" but the Canadian government has not legalized it because it values to sanctity of life, a doctor's job to preserve life above autonomy. Just like it provides people freedom of religion, freedom, autonomy at the expense that it does not violate the rights and dignity of another human being.. what if that violation is against oneself?

  

Is freedom and free will the most valuable entity that exists?Is beneficience more valuable than the right to freedom?and...if beneficience is more important than doesnt that open doors to so many other neglected ethics?

 Is freedom of speech more important than mannered restrained speech?Is moderation of temper, crime and violating the rights and dignity of other human beings not prohibited? Illegal? Are drugs, rape and abuse not illegal? Is peacenot more important than war?

  

Is the sancitity of life more important than the right to autonomy??? Was it ever ?? 

Freedom isnt beneficience - free will is great but to what extent? 

 

This test starts in this life and continues on to the next. Adam (a.s.) was sent to the earth for a reason.. cause restraint comes before freedom.The heavenly virtues are just not supposed to be compromised. ANd if you do keep compromising them, than how can you be in heaven? 

  

What most don't realize is true freedom and liberation is the liberation of the soul. If you remember watchign the lion kind as a child, as Mufasa showedSimba everything the light touched "except the shadowy place" why must we search the prohibited domains? 

IF Allah swt gave us free will, and if people sin against themselves anyways, than should euthanasia be allowed?

but...if you "choose" to "love" Allah swt more than it is haram. 

http://islamqa.info/en/70363

Resilience with Love

Recent studies reveal that the power of a kind word, good manners, politeness and social support and accepting the condition have a huge role on the resilience of people with disabilities. Our current society consists victim blaming, individualizing the client as deficient and stigmatizing behaviours towards those with illnesses. While we can hold the role of medicine accountable for curing several viral, bacterial and infectious diseases and saving lives, relieveing pain, enabling actives lives and performing caring functions, as the Prophet pbuh stated “you should seek medicaltreatment, because Allah, the Exalted, has let no disease exist withoutproviding for its cure, except for one ailment, namely, old age'."(Reported by Ahmad and the six sunnan. Tirmidi ), we cannot neglect the social conditions in which they exist. Through this article, I would like to raise awareness of the social factors contributing to the resilience of those with illness, the merit of becoming ill and helping those with illness and the impact of living the islamic lifestyle and following divine guidance that supersedes our limited understandings that are beyond our perceptions by comparing social anthropological studies that look at various social and environmental conditions and lifestyles.

Sickness; A Blessing or a Curse?

Historically in western soceity, religions were all generalized under giving illness stigmatizing labels such as deviance and satanic. (Crawford; 374)

The Prophet pbuh stated. “No Muslim is afflicted with any hurt, even if it is no more than thepricking of a thorn, but Allah wipes off his sins because of it and his sinsfall away from him as leaves fall from a tree'."(Abu Huraira)

Studies comparing migration of African Carribeans and Turkish in the Netherlands reveal that the social conditions for both groups included experiecing low levels of employment, low levels of education and while the social conditions made both groups vulnerable, the results were not the same. This suggests that the lower risks were reletaive to one’s expectations, ambitions and perceptions. The way we perceive illness and the conditions around us, and to the extent that which we internalize stress impacts our vulnerability to contractign diseases as well as resilience.

Accepting the societal labels, internalizing societal negative perceptions and stress can all heavily impact the well being of individuals. While certain lifestyle patterns can result in contractign dangerous chronic diseases including STDs, cancer and so on, many diseases do actually serve as blessings that expiate for sins in this world and should not be viewed negatively.   The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “On the Day of Resurrection, when people who had suffered affliction are given their reward, those who were healthy will wish their skins had been cut to pieces with scissors when they were in the world.”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2402.

How to Treat Individuals with illness

Many diseases today are caused or prolonged due to stress, lack of social support, heavy reliance on psychoactive druge, sleepign aid and pain relievers. (Crawford 373). Elders are being placed on social welfare programs and old houses, toddlers are being dropped into daycares and the structure of society are becoming more and more consumer based and individualistic. By ignoring the underlying causation of societal conditions in which illness is beginning to take root and societal imbalances are beginning to take place. Illness are beginning to prolonged. This is what happens when we think that we “know” it all and our perceptions without the aid of the firmness of divine guidance. In this specific article, I’m going to be discussing the way we should treat those with illnesses. It is Islamic etiquette to visit a sick Muslim, to provide him moral support,and to make sure that he or she is well taken care of.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "A Muslim has six obligations toanother Muslim." "What are these?" they asked. He replied:"To greet another Muslim when you meet him; to respond when he invitesyou; to give him your (sincerest) advice when he seeks it; to say 'may Allahhave mercy upon you' when he sneezes and says ' may Allah be praised '; tovisit him when he falls ill; and when he dies, to attend his funeral."

Negative attitudes stem from ignorance, fear and pity that are perpetuated by the media. Cross sectional studies indicate that Television is the main source of information about various illnesses and disorders. Family members also often become mroe hostile towards diseased members and act hostile towards them due to the perceived burden of care. (Smith & Reddy, 2011) . While women tend to be more expressive of compassion and empathy, these attitudes continue to persist. They negatively impact the social identity, social interactions and social institutions at the societal level causing distress for the individual and discrimination from the general public.   (Smith & Reddy, 2011)

In conclusion, I would like to make a point that as Muslims in society, we do not follow the negative attitudes that are created. That we - for the sake of Allah swt - show kindness, consideration, acceptance towards those with illnesses. That we see the merit in helping those and the rewards for doing good to members of our society during hardships.  

Sincerity Checklist

http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/living-islam/growing-in-faith/452831-sincerity-the-foundation-of-perfect-deeds.html

(1) No gratitude: How did you feel?

(2) Efforts were not recognized, appreciated etc. How did that feel?

(3) do you remember the deed constantly so that it feeds the ego/arrogance?

More importantly: 

Love

If you already acknoledge that Allah swt is the creator, and all His attributes..than you should KNOW who's opinion really truly matters!
Go back and re-acknowledge Allah SWT's Attributes!!!

Fear

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘The first of people against whom Judgment will be pronounced on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who died a martyr.  He will be brought and Allah will make known to him His favours and he will recognize them.  [The Almighty] will say: “And what did you do about them?”  He will say: “I fought for you until I died a martyr.”  Allah Subhanah will say: “You have lied! - you did but fight that it might be said [of you]: He is courageous.  And so it was said.”  Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire.  [Another] will be a man who has studied [religious] knowledge and has taught it and who used to recite the Quran.  He will be brought and Allah will make known to his Him favours and he will recognize them.  [The Almighty] will say: “And what did you do about them?”  He will say: “I studied [religious] knowledge and I taught it and I recited the Quran for Your sake.” Allah Subhanah will say: “You have lied! - you did but study [religious] knowledge that it might be said [of you]: He is learned.  And you recited the Quran that it might be said [of you]: He is a reciter.  And so it was said.”  Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. [Another] will be a man whom Allah had made rich and to whom He had given all kinds of wealth.  He will be brought and Allah will make known to him His favours and he will recognize them.  [The Almighty] will say: “And what did you do about them?”  He will say: “I left no path [untrodden] in which You liked money to be spent without spending in it for Your sake.”  Allah Subhanah will say: “You have lied! - you did but do so that it might be said [of you]: He is open-handed.  And so it was said.”  Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire.

Allahu'Akbar : The Greatness of Allah

Purpose of Life

Unseen Aspects of the Heavens and the Earth

Light Upon Light

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dMllapsjP8#t=155

Tribulations in Dunya, not in Deen

When Allah Loves You

Surah Hadid Tafsir

When you make dua Part II

http://ashshams.wordpress.com/2012/11/25/reliance-on-allah/

Reliance on Allah : Calling out to Allah during Hardship

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Duas and ta’awwudhaat [prayers seeking refuge with Allah] are like a weapon, and a weapon is only as good as the person who is using it; it is not merely the matter of how sharp it is. If the weapon is perfect and free of faults, and the arm of the person using it is strong, and there is nothing stopping him, then he can lay waste the enemy. But if any of these three features is lacking, then the effect will be lacking accordingly.” 

( Al-Daa’ wa’l-Dawaa’, p. 35 ).

Following are some of the duas that have personally moved and helped me.
May Allah Bless Shaykh Hasan Ali for this beautiful and immensely beneficial talk.
If you guys maintain a Dua Diary make sure you note the following duas down and make a habit of calling upon Allah through them at least once a day.

Bismillah

1. The Dua of Yunus
la ilaha illa anta subhanaka inneekuntu mina aththalimeen
“There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”
(Surah Al Anbya 21:87)
Benefits:

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The supplication of my brother Dhun Nun (Yunus, peace be upon him), who called on Allah while in the whale’s belly: ‘There is no deity but You. Glory be to You! Verily, I have been among the wrongdoers’ (Quran 21:87) – no Muslim person says it, for any situation whatsoever, except that Allah Most High answers his call.” [Tirmidhi]

Reflection:
The ayah following the dua of Yunus alyehi salaam – Allah subhanahu wata’ala mentions in the very next ayah i.e., (Surah Al-Anbya 21:88)Transliteration - Fastajabna lahu wanajjaynahumina alghammi wakathalika nunjee almu/mineen
Sahih International - So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers.
Muhsin Khan - So We answered his call, and delivered him from the distress. And thus We do deliver the believers (who believe in the Oneness of Allah, abstain from evil and work righteousness).
Pickthall - Then we heard his prayer and saved him from the anguish. Thus we save believers.
Yusuf Ali - So We listened to him: and delivered him from distress: and thus do We deliver those who have faith.
Shakir - So We responded to him and delivered him from the grief and thus do We deliver the believers.
Dr. Ghali - So We responded to him and safely delivered him from suffering; and thus do We deliver the believers.
Pointers:
~Admit your faults in front of the mighty one.
~Allah loves us.
~While we sin He still feeds us,clothes us, has blessed us with a wife,husband,children and gives us salary at the end of the month.
~He has blessed us with 100′s and 1000′s of blessings,blessings we can never count or be thankful enough for! – (Surah An-Nahl 16:18)Transliteration - Wa-in taAAuddoo niAAmata Allahi latuhsooha inna Allaha laghafoorun raheem
Sahih International - And if you should count the favors of Allah , you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

2. Dua of Nuh – During Political Situations
Rabbahu annee maghloobun fantasir
“I have been overcome, so help (me)!”
(Surah Al-Qamar 54:10)

Pointers:
~Family political situation.
~Gaza,Palestine,Syria,Kashmir,Pakistan oppression.
~Make sure you put your faith in the dua and be positive that Allah will answer it.
~Have Yaqeen and Tawakkul-this is going to happen! Dont say i dont know if this is going to work. If you are not committing any major sins it will work – bi’ithinillah.
~Possible and Impossible are the ideas of human brain. For Allah everything and anything is possible.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), “The supplication of every one of you will be granted if he does not get impatient and say (for example): `I supplicated my Rubb but my prayer has not been granted‘.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

3. Dua of Muhammad and his companions when threatened by the impending attack of the enemy and Of Ibrahim when he was thrown in fire
HasbunaAllahu waniAAma alwakeel
Sufficient for us is Allah , and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.
(Surah Ali’Imran 3:173)
Pointers:
~No person by himself is capable of fighting against the current of misfortune, nor can he fend off the blows of disaster when they strike. This is because man was created weak and fragile. However, when in times of difficulty, the believer places his dependancy and trust with his Lord; he knows that all difficulties can be overcome.
~By leaving your affairs to Allah, by depending upon Him, by trusting in His promise, by being pleased with His decree, by thinking favourably of Him, and by waiting patiently for His help, you reap some of the greater fruits of faith and display the more promonent characteristics of the believer. When you incorporate these qualities into your character, you will be at peace concerning the future, because you will depend on your Lord for everything. As a result, you will find care, help, protection, and victory.
~Use this dua when you are in some kind of stress.

4. Dua of Yaqoob
Dua 1: Innama ashkoo baththee wahuzneeila Allahi
I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah
(Surah Yusuf 12:86)
Dua 2 : Waofawwidu amree ila Allahi inna Allahabaseerun bilAAibad
And I entrust my affair to Allah . Indeed, Allah is Seeing of [His] servants
(Surah Ghafir 40:44) 
**This dua was also made by a man during the time of the Pharaoh**

Pointers:
~ Question yourself - ’Is not Allah sufficient for His servant?’ (Surah Az Zumar 39:37)

5. Dua of Musa 
Rabbiinnee lima anzalta ilayya min khayrin faqeer
My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need.
(Surah Al Qasas 28:24)

6. Hadith of Rasool Allah 

When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would be afflicted with a stressful trial, he would say, “O Living and Eternal Maintainer! By Your mercy I seek help!” [Sunan Tirmidhi]

Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum! Bi rahmatika astagheeth!

Pointers:
~ Call upon Allah by his names Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum.

References:
Shaykh Hasan Ali’s talk via HikmahOnline (Allah is enough for us)
Imam Anwar al Awlaki’s talk on Dua of Musa

When you Make Dua

Daniel (a.s.) said "Praise beto Allah Who does not forget those who remember Him, and praise be to Allah Who responds to the prayer of those who have hope in Him. Praise be to Allah Who does not fail those who put their trust in Him, and rewards patience with salvation, goodness with goodness, and Who removes distress after its infliction. Praise also be to Allah Who saves us when we are disappointed with our deeds, and Who gives us hope when every hope is cut off from us."

Who is on Our Side?

Best Quotes from Fajr Blog

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"At times our path to success is only through their plan for our downfall." - Mufti Ismail Menk

Powerful words. Subhan'Allah, sometimes we find that at times, despite our personal efforts to do good or get on with our life and personal decisions, there is always someone trying to bring about our downfall. They might say hurtful things, get on our back and hassle us all the time, etc. But you know what? Allah `azza wa jall will often create your success from this pursuit of the envier. Be patient and continue to do good, because in the end you'll be the last one standing successfully. This reminds me of the words of the Alchemist:

"And anyone who interferes with the destiny of another thing never will discover his own." - The Alchemist
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If we knew just how much the weight of a deed is tied to its intention, we would never act without purifying that intention. I'm sure we've all had experience of this; sometimes you do something small and minor, but you know that you did it with Iman (faith) and felt close to Allah at that point, so the small act benefitted you and others so much and you felt the barakah of it. And vice versa with big deeds performed with a heedless heart and zero thought for intention. Subhan'Allah, this reminds me of Ibn al-Mubarak's statement: "Many a big deed becomes small due to its intention, and many a small deed becomes big due to its intention."
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Make time for Allah even if you're busy, and Allah will bless your time for you. Give in charity even if you're in financial constraints, and Allah will increase your wealth. Help someone who is troubled even if you're shouldering burdens of your own, and Allah will remove your troubles. Give and likewise you will get. This is a rule that can sound absurd to the people of the world, especially in a world driven by ulterior motives, greed and selfishness, but the reality is; it's not a rule of this world. It's a rule tied to faith, which is tied to the belief in the Unseen and the Hereafter. Only a believer will make time, give of their wealth, help others etc, despite being in dire need of that themselves. Only the believer knows real sacrifice.
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The nafs (soul) is like a wild, untamed horse and Ramadan is just another training ground where we are given the tools and opportunity to tame this wild horse within us. Every act of 'ibadah (worship) is in fact a training session that our souls need in order for us to bring them under total submission to Allah 'azza wa jall (the essence of Islam). Don't let your nafs overpower you this Ramadan and thus make you fall into so much sin. Train it, break it, and allow Allah 'azza wa jall to rebuild it upon taqwa (God-consciousness).
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ome translated excerpts from the Diwan of Imam al-Shafi’i…

§-§

يا سميع الدعاء كن عند ظني *** واكفني مَن كفيتهُ الشَّر منّي
وأعنّي على رضاك وخِرْ لي *** في أموري وعافني واعفُ عني
O Hearer of supplications, fulfil my expectations,
And protect me from the evil of he whom You have power over.
And aid me in attaining Your Pleasure, and choose for me
In all my affairs, and grant me well-being, and forgive me.

§-§

يا من تعزز بالدنيا وزينتها *** الدهر يأتي على المبني والباني
ومن يكن عزه الدنيا وزينتها *** فعزه عن قليل زائل فاني
واعلم بأن كنوز الأرض من ذهب *** فاجعل كنوزك من بر وإيمان
O you who seeks glory and strength in this world and its glitter,
Know that time comes over every building and builder.
And whoever’s glory comes from this world and its glitter,
Then soon his glory will fade and will be no longer.
Know that the treasures of the earth lie in riches and gold,
So make your treasure lie in piety and faith.

§-§

لا تأس في الدنيا على فائت *** وعندك الإسلام والعافية
إن فات أمر كنت تسعى له *** ففيهما من فائت كافيه
Never be saddened by what you lose in this world,
When you have Islam and good health with you.
If you lose something that you were rushing towards,
Then the fact that you lost it is sufficient (as a lesson).

§-§

فيا عجبي كيف يعصى الإله *** أم كيف يجحـده الجاحـد
وللـه في كــل تحريكةٍ *** وتسكــينة أبــداً شاهد
وفي كـل شيء لـه آيـة *** تـدل على أنـه واحــد
How surprising that God can be disobeyed!
Or that the unbeliever can deny Him so
When there is a witness for God in every single thing
That moves about or is rested at peace.
And in everything there is truly a Sign
That shows He is indeed One (God).

§-§

إني صحبت أناسا ما لهم عدد *** وكنت أحسب أني قد ملأت يدي
لما بلوت أخلائي وجدتهم *** كالدهر في الغدر لم يبقوا علي أحد
إن غبت عنهم فشر الناس يشتمني *** وإن مرضت فخير الناس لم يعد
وإن رأوني بخير ساءهم فرحي *** وإن رأوني بشر سرهم نكدي
I have accompanied a countless number of people,
And I thought I had more than my share (of them),
But when I tested my friends I found that,
They were treacherous like Time which spares no-one.
If I were absent from them, the worst of them would insult me,
And if I fell ill, the best of them would not visit me.
And if they saw me in a good state, my delight hurt them,
And if they saw me in a bad state, my hardship delighted them.

§-§

قالوا يزورك أحمد وتزوره *** قلت الفصائل لا تفارق منزله
إن زارني فبفضله أو زرته *** فلفضله فالفضل في الحالين له
They said, ‘Ahmad (ibn Hanbal) visits you and you visit him!’
I said, ‘Virtue cannot be separated from his home!
If he visits me, then it’s because of his virtue, and if I visit him
Then it’s due to his virtue, so in both cases virtue belongs to him.’

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If we knew just how much the weight of a deed is tied to its intention, we would never act without purifying that intention. I'm sure we've all had experience of this; sometimes you do something small and minor, but you know that you did it with Iman (faith) and felt close to Allah at that point, so the small act benefitted you and others so much and you felt the barakah of it. And vice versa with big deeds performed with a heedless heart and zero thought for intention. Subhan'Allah, this reminds me of Ibn al-Mubarak's statement: "Many a big deed becomes small due to its intention, and many a small deed becomes big due to its intention."
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"If the heart radiates with the light of obedience (to Allah), the clouds of goodness come to him from every direction, and he goes from one act of obedience to another. But if the heart darkens with sin, the clouds of tribulation and evil come to him from every direction, and he goes from one act of disobedience to another. So he becomes like a blind person struck down by the dark night."

- Ibn al-Qayyim
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