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Hussein Bin Ali

Hussein Bin Ali

Author:
Publisher: www.alhassanain.org/english
English

IMAM HUSSEIN'S ROLE IN REVIVING ISLAM: PROLOGUE

Imam Hussein's role in Islamic life started very early. While still a young man, he contributed effectively to the rising movement of Islam. Eminent was his role during the Imamate of his father, the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.). Side by side with his father, pother, and the loyal men around his father, he took part in the major battles of his father: al-Jamal, Siffin and al-Nahrawan.

During the Imamate of his pother, Hassan (a.s.), he lived as his loyal, obedient soldier. They shared the same views and acted in unison. He experienced, with his pother, the events, including the signing of the peace document with Mu'awiyah. Afterwards, he went to Medina along with his pother and the members of the house of the Prophet (s.a.w.). There, they did their best to carry out their mission of keeping the Divine Message away from the current of mounting deviation. As we have explained in our study of the life of Imam Hassan (a.s.), their religious task centered around ethical and ideological teachings, straightening up people's conduct, and pointing out their religious responsibility to them.

In the wake of Imam Hassan' s (a.s.) departure to his Exalted Lord, Imam Hussein's (a.s.) role entered a new phase due to the complications which sprung up in the midst of the ummah. Since the role of any Imam from the house of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is defined by the nature of the social, ideological and political developments in his time, Imam Hussein (a.s.) blazed a new trail in defining the progress of the Islamic movement which he led after taking the office of the legitimate Imam, in harmony with the Divine Will which was expressed in the statements and words of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) in this respect.

Jabir bin Sumrah is reported to have said: "I went with my father to see the Prophet (s.a.w.). I heard him saying: 'Life will not come to an end before twelve caliphs have appeared.' Jabir went on to say: "I could not figure out what he said afterwards, and so I asked my father: "What has he said?"

"He (s.a.w.) said," my father replied, 'All of them are from the Quraish.'"(23)

Ababah bin Rab'i bin Jabir is reported to have said: "The Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.) said: 'I am the master of the prophets, who will come after me are twelve, the first one of whom is Ali and the last one is al-Mahdi, who will revolt against injustice.'"(24)

Salman (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I went to see the Prophet (s.a.w.). I saw Hussein on his lap. The Prophet was kissing him on the cheeks and mouth. I heard him saying: 'You are a master, the son of a master, and the pother of a master. You are an Imam, the son of an Imam and the pother of an Imam. You are the Proof of Allah, the son of a Proof of Allah, and the pother of a Proof of Allah, and the father of nine Proof s of Allah, the ninth one of them is al-Mahdi, the one who will revolt against injustice.'"(25)

There are a plethora of statements and traditions reported from the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.) in which he states, implicitly and explicitly, that his successors are twelve caliphs.(26)

Imamate took a new turn during Imam Hussein's (a.s.) term. That is what we Will explain, Insha'llah, in the following pages.

POST-PEACE TREATY EVENTS

Mu'awiyah entered the city of Kufa after signing the peace treaty with Imam Hassan (a.s.). His army encircled it. He addressed the Kufans in these words: "O people of Kufa! Do you think that I have fought you for the sake of prayer, poor-rate and hajj (pilgrimage), whilst I know you offer your prayers, give the poor-rate and perform hajj? Nay, I fought you so as to be your ruler and seize control of your lives. Allah granted any property plundered or any blood shed in this sedition is irretrievable. Any promise I have given is trampled under these two feet of mine..."(27)

This address of Mu'awiyah amounted to a public revocation of the treaty which was conducted with Imam Hassan (a.s.) as expressed in these words: "Any promise I have given is trampled under these two feet of mine." Not a few days had passed after the signing of the peace document, when Mu'awiyah began implementing a new plan, totally in contrast to the terms of the peace document. The following goals figure in his notorious plan:

1. Unleashing a wave of terror, and embarking on elimination of all opposition forces, particularly the followers of Imam Ali (a.s.). They were bunted down, and every means of oppression and terror was employed to silence every free voice. No better testimony to the danger of this savage and horrifying policy than the following text, which carries the orders of Mu'awiyah to one of his military officers:

" ...And kill any one you come across who does not hold the same views you hold, and attack every town you pass by. And plunder property as plundering property is tantamount to killing, and it is more hurting to the heart..."(28)

If the deviant Ummayyad plot, expressed clearly in this text, is devilish, it was first implemented during the life of Imam Ali (a.s.); it took on more dangerous proportions after the signing of the peace document with Imam Hassan (a.s.). More innocent blood was shed, and opponents, who came from different schools of thought, at the head of which were the followers of Imam Ali (a.s.) and the Ahlul Bait (a.s.), were put to the sword.

Mu'awiyah wrote to his governors in all provinces: "See to it that whoever is proven, by irrefutable evidence, to love Ali and his household, his name is erased from the public register and his pay and food allotment are dropped."(29)

In another letter, he wrote: "Whomever you accuse of being loyal to these people, severely punish him and tear down his house."(30)

In short and expressive words Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) depicts this bloody tragedy. He says: "...Our followers were killed in every city. Hands and legs were cut off at the slightest suspicion. Whoever was reported to love us or had any contact with us would either be imprisoned or robbed of his property or his house destroyed. Oppression increased in volume and became unduly harsh, till the time of Ubaidullah bin Ziyad, the murderer of Hussein (a.s.)."(31)

At the head of the victims of that horrible carnage was a group of pious companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.) including Hijr bin Uday and his

followers, Rasheed al-Hajari, Amru bin al-Humq al-Khuza'i, Awfa bin Hisn and many others. Books such as al-Tabari, al-Kamil and Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah collected countless stories about Mu'awiyah's hatred for the followers of Ahlul Bait (a.s.).

2. Dispersing money for the sake of buying-out men, and weakening their Islamic character, and helping the deviant policy of Mu'awiyah to fulfill its devilish objectives. In reality, two kinds of men were bought out:

A. A number of preachers and traditionists whose role was outrageous in working in favor of Mu'awiyah. They forged traditions and narratives and falsely attributed them to the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.) in order to depricate Imam Ali (a.s.) and all the members of his family.

B. Leading social men who might act against the Ummayyad rule. It was a policy practised by Mu'awiyah and the other rulers of the Ummayyad dynasty. This policy became an adopted line of action throughout the Ummayyad rule. No better testimony to this policy than Mu'awiyah's sending 1,000 Dirhams to Malik bin Hubairah al-Sakoon. The latter was enraged to hear of the murder of the great companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.), Hijr bin Uday, and his followers (may Allah be pleased with them). Mu'awiyah sent him the money. Al-Sakooni, upon receiving it, gave up any intention of rising against oppression and corruption.

3. War of starvation. It was the most effective weapon used by the Ummayyads. The Muslim ummah felt humiliated and unable to challenge the rulers.

As this policy was based on fighting the opposition forces with their daily pead and depriving them of the means to earn their living, Mu'awiyah employed the most horrendous way to besiege the followers of Ahlul Bait (a.s.) in particular. His recorded directive, which he sent to his governors in this respect said: "...See to it that whoever is proven, by irrefutable evidence, to love Ali and his household, his name is erased from the public register, and his pay and food allotment are dropped."

One can see for himself the repercussions of this inhuman policy, adopted by the Ummayyad house to corrupt people and numb their conscience. It was not a temporary line of action. Mu'awiyah made it a consistent policy throughout the twenty years of his rule (41-60 A.H.).

4. peaking the bonds holding the Muslim ummah as one entity by stirring up the nationalist, tribal and regional spirit among the different groups. Thus, plunging the Muslims into infighting at the expense of their real opposition to the oppressive rule of the Ummayyads. Mutual spite and hatred between the Arab tribes were awakened and soon differences and violence began to surface. The tribes of Qays and Mudhar fought each other. The people of Yemen and those of Medina jumped at each other's throats. And so was the case among the tribes of Iraq! In the same way sectarianism was revived between the Arabs and non-Arab Muslims who came to be historically known as al-Mawali. This policy of ignorance was expressively reflected in the poetry of many poets like Miskeen al-Darimi, al-Farazdaq, Jareer, al-Akktal and others.(32)

5. Assassination of Imam Hassan bin Ali (a.s.) as he was the legitimate symbol of original Islam.

6. Crowning Yazid as the new king after his father, Mu'awiyah. Such a move was taken in a severe atmosphere of oppression, and in line with the stick-and-carrot policy, which ran counter to the peace treaty which appointed Imam Hassan (a.s.) as the next caliph after the death of Mu'awiyah. If Imam Hassan (a.s.) himself was already dead at the time of Mu'awiyah's death, the document said that Imam Hussein (a.s.) would be the next caliph.

And so Mu'awiyah completed his plot of revoking every term of the treaty he concluded with Imam Hassan (a.s.). Mu'awiyah, thus, went another step in tresspassing the Islamic concept of rule, by adopting the hereditary rule, which implies dictatorship, as a system of rulership in the Muslim world. Islamic principles and the Muslim ummah were exposed to the most violent tragedy in their history. The ummah's movement swerved off the right track it was supposed to tread.

Deviation took a clear shape shortly after the death of Mu'awiyah and the ascension of Yazid to the office of caliphate. Such was the desire of Mu'awiyah who nurtured and kept it alive till it was completely realized.

The mandate given to Yazid to lead the Muslim ummah, plan its future, and define its course of action meant, in reality, the liquidation of the Islamic existence. It was an actual regression from it shrouded in another attire.

Yazid, as history testifies, was overwhelmed by deviation in his thought, practices and feelings. Unbiased researchers would admit that Yazid could not find the chance to consciously open to Islam and its high objectives which models man as an individual and a member in a society in a way that keeps him totally away from the pillars of ignorance. It is the best model of man any ideology can produce.

When Yazid got rid of the atmosphere of good education furnished by Islam for its followers, it is no wonder that our history pims over with stories about Yazid's daily practices which were immersed in deviation, under the noses of the majority of the Muslims in Syria. He plunged himself into debauchery, loose entertainment, alcohol-drinking, womanizing and singing...He was so careless and morally loose that he used to put gold bangles on his dogs!(33)

And so the ummah stood at the threshold of a new stage of its history. Ahead of it, there were two choices:

Either to develop a strong rejection of the type of life being imposed on it, whatever the price; or accept the de facto life, wherein it had to give up its Message, the source of its greatness and symbol of its pride among other nations.

Then, which choice did the ummah prefer?

WIND OF THE UPRISING

Shortly after the death of Mu'awiyah, his son, Yazid, took over. He ordered his governors to take the pledge of allegiance to him from the people. He focused on Imam Hussein (a.s.), in particular, due to the Ummayyad conviction that he was the unshakable resisting force among the opposition. Once they subjugated him, all dams before them would collapse. The opposition, minus Imam Hussein (a.s.), would be easily subdued.

Instantly Yazid wrote to the governor of the city of Medina, al-Walid bin Utbah, to take the pledge of allegiance from the people, in general, and from Imam Hussein (a.s.), in particular. The governor wasted no time in carrying out the orders of his superior. He sent one of his retainers for Imam Hussein (a.s.) late in the night. Imam Hussein (a.s.) realized what the governor was up to. He got himself ready. Escorted by thirty men from his family and followers, he went to the house of the governor. He told them that if he called them they had to peak into the house.

As soon as they were seated, the governor asked Imam Hussein (a.s.), to give his pledge of allegiance. Imam Hussein (a.s.) suggested the matter be delayed to a more suitable time. It would better if it was with the people of Medina. He said: "...The likes of me do not give their pledge of allegiance secretly. When you call the people to give their pledge, call us with them. So it will be one call."(38)

Imam Hussein (a.s.) wanted the delay to prepare himself for the inevitable conflict. He would not like to raise the anger of the local authorities prematurely. But Marwan bin al-Hakam, who was also present, urged the governor to forcibly take the pledge of allegiance from Imam Hussein (a.s.). Should he refuse to yield, Marwan went on, the governor had to kill him. Otherwise, the matter would get out of al-Walid and his master's hands. But Imam Hussein (a.s.) acted decisively and determinedly. He was tough with Marwan and warned him. A violent skirmish between the two parties ensued. The companions of Imam Hussein (a.s.) poke into the house and returned him to his house.(39)

That was the starting point of the rejection of the policy of treachery and oppression. Imam Hussein (a.s.) made up him mind to shoulder his responsibility, to challenge the oppressors, as he was the legitimate Imam of the ummah, and the righteous leader entrusted with the faith.

He went to the tomb of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), his grandfather and offered prayer beside it. Then he raised his hands in prayer:

"O Allah! This is the grave of your Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), and I am the son of the daughter of your Prophet. You know what I am going through. O Allah! I love good and detest evil. I beseech You, O! The Lord of glory and honor, and adjure You by this grave and its contents, to choose for me whatever pleases You and Your."(40)

And so Imam Hussein (a.s.) made a covenant with Allah that he would defend the faith no matter how high the price was, as long as that would please Allah.

In the prayer he said beside the tomb of the Prophet (s.a.w.), Imam Hussein (a.s.) presents himself as a soldier, whose self was totally molted at

the threshold of the faith. He could not separate his self from the faith. His life would only express itself through the faith.

Imam Hussein (a.s.) hastened to gather the members of his family and the loyal among his companions. He told them about his decision to move to Mecca, the sanctuary of Allah.

The objectors increased in number. They pressed him to change his course for fear of being killed. Still others called him to yield. They were helpless and thought he would kill himself in vain.

Imam Hussein (a.s.) was too determined to back down. He announced the first communique of his uprising in the form of a will he wrote to his pother, Muhammad bin al-Hanafiyyah:

"...and I am not taking up arms in order to make merry, or be ecstatic over what I possess. I am ready to fight for the sole goal of seeking reform of the ummah of my grandfather, the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.). I want to enjoin good and forbid evil and guide the affairs of the people as my grandfather, and my father, Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.), were doing. Whoever justly accepts my call, Allah is the Source and Sustainer of justice, but whoever turns my offer down, I will opt for patience, till Allah judges between me and these people, and He is the best of judges."(41)

His first official communique of his uprising pointed to the scope of deviation which had set in, when en joining good vanished and forbidding evil ceased. In the same manner, the statement covered the key goals and motives of the uprising in so few words.

The caravan of Imam Hussein (a.s.) marched towards Mecca. The name of Allah was on his tongue, and his heart was filled with love of Allah. Upon entering Mecca, he recited the glorious verse:

"And when he turned his face towards Madyan, he said: Maybe my Lord will guide me in the right path." Holy Qur'an (28:22)

He stayed at the house of al-Abdul-Muttalib. Throngs of the faithful gathered to welcome him.(42)

Imam Hussein (a.s.) monitored the reactions of the Muslims throughout the Islamic provinces towards the ascension of Yazid to the office of caliphate. Kufa, the capital of Iraq, was witnessing a revolutionary movement and a remarkable political shake-up. After long periods of terror and suppression the opposition forces stirred seeing it the golden chance to free themselves from the yoke of the tyrants. At the head of these revolutionaries were the followers of the Ahlul-Bait (a.s.). They held an emergency meeting to discuss the mounting tension in Kufa and the responsibility they should take vis-a-vis the change in the government, after Yazid bin Mu'awiyah had taken the affairs of the ummah into his own hands. Sulaiman bin Sird al-Khuza'i, at whose house the meeting was held, delivered a speech. He informed the gathering of Imam Hussein' s (a.s.) announcement of his opposition to Yazid and that he rejected him as a legitimate caliph. He told them that Imam Hussein (a.s.) was in Mecca, and since they were his followers and helpers they had to do something. If they were able to support and back him, sparing no effort in doing that, they had to inform him of their position. But were they unable to live up to their

principles, it would be most incorrect to write to him and then fail him when the best comes to the worst.

The Shi'ites who were present at the meeting declared their full support to the Imam. They would defend him by any means available. "We fight his enemy, and kill ourselves defending him,"(43) they vowed.

After reaching a consensus on this point, the leading men of Kufa wrote a letter in which they declared their total and final rejection of the Ummayyad rule and that they knew no substitute for Imam Hussein (a.s.). Then letters poured in from Kufa carrying the urgent call of the Kufans for Imam Hussein (a.s.) to join them, to take office as the caliphate and Imam of the Muslims. The wave of support for Imam Hussein (a.s.) was so massive that a list of the tribes waiting for his arrival, totalling 100,000 fighters, was prepared.(44)

After studying these letters, Imam Hussein (a.s.) concluded that it was necessary to send an envoy to Kufa authorized to take the pledge of allegiance from the people of Iraq, on his behalf, and campaign for the sake of rallying the people around Ahlul-Bait (a.s.), represented at the time by Imam Hussein (a.s.).

Imam Hussein chose his cousin, Muslim bin Aqeel, for this mission. The man was known for his piety, courage, and high qualifications in thought and leadership. He would be able to steer the wave of enthusiasm for the interest of the faith.

With him, Imam Hussein (a.s.) dispatched a special letter to the people there, and particularly their chiefs. He explained the qualifications of his envoy, and the nature of his mission. He was to closely examine the situation and describe precisely what was going on there.

Following is the full text of the letter:

"In the Name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful...

From Hussein bin Ali,

To the leaders of the believers and the Muslims.

Hani and Sa'id have pought me your letters; they are the last two of your messengers who have come to me. I have understood everything which you have described and mentioned.

The essential statement of the majority of you is: 'We have no Imam. Therefore come; through you, may Allah unite us under truth and guidance'. I am sending you my pother, Muslim bin Aqeel, who is my cousin and trustworthy representative from my house. I ordered him to write to me about your conditions, affairs and views. If he writes to me that the opinion of your leaders and of the men of wisdom and merit among you is united in the same way as the messengers who have come to me have described, and as I have read in your letters, I will come to you at once, Allah willing. By my life, what is the Imam except one who professes the religion of truth, and one who dedicates himself to the essence of Allah, and Salam."(45)

Kufa welcomed Muslim as any loyal and dutiful following would. The pledge of allegiance was taken for Imam Hussein (a.s.). Ibn Aqeel, by now, was convinced that the change was on behalf of Ahlul-Bait (a.s.) and the Message of Allah, the Exalted. It was by no means something common and could not be ignored. It was a truth, tangible and subjective. They should

quickly deal with the situation before something happens and spoils the situation.

And so Muslim, may Allah be pleased with him, saw it fit to dispatch an account to Imam Hussein (a.s.) about the direction of the de facto situation. In his account he called him to come to Kufa. He wrote:

"Certainly, the man sent by a caravan in a desert to explore the way ahead of it will never lie to those who had sent him. All the people of Kufa are with you. Eighteen thousand of them have given their pledge of allegiance to me. So make haste and come to us as soon as you read this letter of mine. And peace and the blessings of Allah be on you."(46)

In the meantime, Imam Hussein (a.s.) thought it would be wise to contact the chiefs of Basra and discuss with them his decision to oppose deviation and in justice. He wrote to them. Yazid bin Mas'ood sent a letter in which people spoke volumes for the loyalty of the tribes of Tamim and Bani-Sa'd to AhlulBait (a.s.). Quite painfully and regrettably, his letter arrived too late.

Al-Nahshali's troops were late to arrive. The man was so shocked at the news of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a.s.) that he died. He had missed the opportunity to help the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).

AN ROUTE TO IRAQ

The Ummayyads were extremely worried at the news of the success of Hussein (a.s.) in Mecca. He had won over nearly the whole city. Fearing the spread of the opposition movement, Yazid dispatched an army from Syria. He appointed Umar bin Sa'id bin al-Aas as its commander-in-chief and ordered him to kill Imam Hussein (a.s.) whenever he found him and at whatever price.

Imam Hussein (a.s.) had got the word that the Ummayyad army was on its way to Mecca. Given the Ummayyads disrespect of the Sacred House of Allah, he had decided to leave the city. It was impossible for him to allow the sacredness of the city to be violated because of him. In advance, he knew of his inevitable fate in Iraq. He expressed it in the speech be delivered in Mecca before he left. He said:

"Praise be to Allah. What Allah desires is certainly done. There is no power but in Allah. Blessings of Allah be on His Messenger. Death had been decreed on man, as the neckless encircles a girl's neck. How great is my desire to see my predecessors. It is as strong as Ya'qoob's (Jacob) desire to see (his son) Yusuf (Joseph).

"It is better for me to face my death. It is as if I am seeing now my members being torn to pieces by the wolves of the desert, in a place between Nawawees and Karbala. They will fill their empty stomachs and their hungry bellies. There is no escape from a day decreed by the divine pen..."(51)

Lots of people could see Imam Hussein (a.s.) leaving, for fear of being killed within the holy precincts of the Ka'ba. While he expressed his final decision to leave, he was assuring them that he would be killed. When Ibn Abbas pleaded with him to change his mind, he said:

"...By Allah, they will not leave me till they tear the very heart from the depths of my chest. When they do that, Allah will give power to someone over them who will humiliate them. They will be more humiliated than even a woman's menstrual cloth."(52)

And to his pother Muhammad bin al-Hanafiyyah, he said:

"After you left me, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) came to me and said, 'O Hussein! Go out (to fight). Allah certainly willed to see you being killed."(53)

And to Abdullah bin Umar, he said:

"...By Allah, even if I go into hiding in a hole of an insect, they will flush me out, till they do with me what they wanted. They would abuse me the way the Jews desecrated the sabbath."(54)

Certain as he was of his own death, Imam Hussein (a.s.) marched on. But he was sure that the faith would be revived after his death and there was no defender of the faith next to him. It is because of these considerations that he went on to achieve the real, historical victory. Only with shedding his blood and sacrificing his soul would Islam be immortalized.

En route to Iraq he would ask the travellers he met about Iraq and the current situation there. The only reply was: "The people were with the Ummayyad, but their hearts were with him!"

He knew and understood that duplicity on the part of the people. Terror was ruling. Anyone there was being torn apart by two faces: His belief in the faith and the right of Ahlul-Bait (a.s.) to steer the ship of Muslims' lives on the one hand, and fear from the Ummayyad authorities, the terrorism of the rulers, and the love of life and a comfortable, easy living on the other.

IMAM HUSSEIN (A.S.) IN KARBALA

Imam Hussein's (a.s.) caravan set off on the eighth day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, (the day the pilgrims get ready to perform hajj), in the year of 60 A.H.

Many had questioned as to why he would leave without performing the hajj ceremonies. He replied:

"By Allah, should I be killed a span's distance away from Mecca, that would be more desirable for me than being killed in it. And should I be killed two spans' distance away from it, that would be more desirable for me than being killed a span's distance from it."(55)

On his way, at a place called al-Sifah, Imam Hussein (a.s.) came across al-Farazdaq, a poet known for his love for Ahlul-Bait (a.s.). Imam Hussein (a-s.) asked him about the public opinion and the political conditions in Iraq. "The hearts of the people are with you, but their swords are against you. The decision comes from Heaven and Allah does what He wishes."

"You have spoken truly of the affair belonging to Allah," replied Imam Hussein (a.s.). "Every moment He is in a state of glory. If fate sends down what we like, we praise Allah for His blessings. He is the One from Whom help should be sought. However although fate may frustrate our hopes, yet, It does not destroy the souls of those whose intention is the truth, and whose hearts are pious."(56)

The Ummayyad authorities in Kufa were confused. Measures were taken to prevent Imam Hussein (a.s.) from going on with his uprising. The governor of Kufa and chief administrator, Ubaidullah bin Ziyad, ordered the way to Kufa blocked and the traffic into and out of the city closed so that no one could contact Imam Hussein (a.s.) or find the chance to join him. He sent the head of his police, al-Husayn bin Numair al-Tamimi, to carry out his orders. Al-Husayn encamped at al-Qadisiyyah and deployed his troops on the main road to Kufa. The troops were widely positioned in an area extending from al-Qadisyyah to Khaffan, and from al-Qadisiyyah to Qatanah and the mountain of La'la'.

The plan to prevent people from entering and leaving Kufa was a successful for the most part. Only a handful of pave ones managed to reach Imam Hussein (a.s.) during his journey. The messengers whom Imam Hussein (a.s.) had sent to Kufa had all been captured and martyred. Even the deaths of Muslim and Hani were not known to him until these few men had managed to escape from Kufa and inform him.

At a place called Zubalah he heard of the martydom of both Muslim bin Aqeel and Hani bin Urwah. He gathered his companions and the members of his family and disclosed to them the news of the Kufans' failing of him.

"Our Shi'ah have deserted us," he told them. "Those of you who prefer to leave us, may do so freely and without guilt."

Some people had joined Imam Hussein (a.s.) in Mecca feeling sure that with the support of the Kufans he would be victorious and become the new caliph. When they heard this news they dispersed from him right and left until there were only left with him those close companions and his family members including the women.(57)

Deep inside Iraq, Imam Hussein (a.s.) came face to face with a great army led by al-Hurr bin Yazid al-Riyahi. He chose a good, fortified place and encamped there. The Ummayyad commander encamped, in a military poad line, in front of the camp of Imam Hussein (a.s.). Imam Hussein's (a.s.) army Wag, by then, facing the hostile army, but they were protected, from the rear, by the mountain of Dhi-Hasm. Obviously the enemies could not lay siege to them or surround them.

Tension was already mounting between the two camps facing each other. When it was midday, and the time for midday prayer entered, Imam Hussein (a.s.) ordered one of his companions to recite the call to prayer. He began to address the two sides. He conveyed to them his viewpoints concerning the general situation in the Islamic homeland. He explained to his enemies the motives behind his move, and asked them to honor their promises and the covenants they had made with him, and the pledge of allegiance they had given him. They only listened and said nothing.

Having finished his speech, Imam Hussein (a.s.) led both sides in prayer. All of them offered their prayer behind him.

Once again, after the afternoon prayer, Imam Hussein (a.s.) delivered another speech. In front of them, he emptied two bags full of letters sent by the Kufans to him, calling him to come to Kufa and giving their pledge of allegiance to him. Hurr replied that he and his men were not the writers of those letters. When Imam Hussein (a.s.) had addressed them he told that if they did not like him he was prepared to turn back toward Hijaz, al-Hurr bin Yazid al-Riyahi said:

"We are commissioned to follow you until we take you to Ibn Ziyad."

Imam Hussein (a.s.) replied:

"You will find your death easier than that."

Imam Hussein (a.s.) and his followers left the place with Hurr travelling parallel but at a distance. When Imam Hussein (a.s.) attempted to return to Medina, Hurr blocked his path.

Hurr then said:

"I have not been ordered to fight with you. I have to follow you until you reach Kufa. If you do not want to go to Kufa then I suggest to you to go towards a station which is neither Kufa nor Medina."

Imam Hussein (a.s.) considered this a fair proposal and turned his caravan to the left of the road which ran between Qadsiyyah and Azib.

Hurr marched along parallel to Imam Hussein (a.s.) While marching, the two spoke. Hurr said:

"I appeal to you in the name of Allah to avoid battle because you are bound to be killed."

Imam Hussein (a.s.) retorted:

"Do you think you can frighten me with death? Could a worse disaster befall you than killing me? I can only say to you what the pother of al-Aws said to his cousin when he wanted to help the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.). His cousin feared for him and said: 'Where are you going, you will be killed.' But he replied: 'I will depart, for there is no shame for a young man whenever he intends to do what is right and fight like a Muslim. He who soothes righteous men through the sacrifice of his life, has partied with the

cursed and opposed the criminal. If I live, I will not regret what I have done, and if I die, I will not be blamed. Let it be enough for you to live in humiliation and be reviled.'"

Al-Hurr gave up all hope of persuading Imam Hussein (a.s.) to go to Kufa, so he kept a good distance between the two armies. Imam Hussein (a.s.) continued his journey to the target he desired to reach. The Ummayyad army kept the other army under surveillance. The two armies reached a village called Nainawa. At it a messenger sent by Ubaidullah bin Ziyad, arrived and delivered a message to Hurr. The message read:

"When this letter of mine arrives and my messenger comes to you, force Hussein to a halt. But only let him stop in an open place, without vegetation or water. I have ordered my messenger to stay with you and not take his leave until he pings the news of your carrying out my instructions. Wassalam."(58)

Having finished reading, al-Hurr conveyed its contents to Imam Hussein (a.s.). Imam Hussein (a.s.) said: "Then let us stop at Nainawa, al-Ghadhiriyah or Shufayyah." Al-Hurr turned down the suggestion, saying that he feared the authorities and the spies in his army.

Imam Hussein (a.s.) thereupon, addressed his followers:

"No doubt you are aware of the gravity of the situation which you are witnessing yourselves here and now. Life has certainly changed disguises, and good has gone forever. This has continued till the remaining good in it amounts to the thin sediment at the bottom of a drinking utensil. Life is a mean food, like a pasture covered with bad grass. Do you not see that the truth is not followed and falsehood not discouraged? The faithful must certainly desire to meet his Lord righteously. I do not deem death other than martyrdom and life among the unjust other than suffering and boredom."(59)

Then Imam Hussein's (a.s.) army defiantly resumed its march deep into Iraq. It was not long before the Ummayyad army blocked his way and forced him to encamp at a place called Karbala'. That was the second day of the month of Muharram in the year 61 A.H.

When Imam Hussein (a.s.) learned of the name of the place he dismounted and ordered his camp to be set up. He had reached his destination. The plain of Karbala', the cradle of the uprising, the site of the massacre of the heroes, the beacon of glory, and the symbol of power. When he dismounted he stated that his father, Imam Ali (a.s.), on his way to Siffeen had passed by this desert plain when he himself had been in his company. Imam Ali (a.s) had informed him that he would be forced to camp here and his blood would be shed here.

KARBALA'

On the desert of Karbala' Imam Hussein (a.s.) emerged as a symbol for free men, and a slogan for the revolutionaries throughout the ages and generations.

On the other hand, the Ummayyad authorities, at the helm of which stood Ubaidullah bin Ziyad in Kufa, started sending reinforcements and mobolizing more forces for Karbala'. They knew full well that Imam Hussein (a.s.) was not someone unknown or with no weight. They were still

obsessed by fear, in spite of the fact that Imam Hussein (a.s.) would be defended by only a few men, and that the Kufans had failed him.

Ziyad replaced al-Hurr with Umar bin Sa'd as the new commander who would engage Imam Hussain (a.s.). First, Umar hesitated to accept the command, but finally he gave in to the lures of governorship and imaginary wealth. He agreed to take up the task. At the head of an army of 4,000, he set off to fight Imam Hussein (a.s.). He ordered his army to encamp nearby.

Imam Hussein (a.s.) started talks with Umar bin Sa'd. They sat down many times. At the end, Umar was convinced to lift the siege he had laid to the camp of Imam Hussein (a.s.), and open the way for him to leave Iraq. He sent a message to Ubaidullah bin Ziyad notifying him of the result of their talks. Ubaidullah conceeded and tried to put it into effect, when Shimr bin Dhil-Jawshan, a vowed enemy of Imam Hussein (a.s.) interferred. He warned Ziyad that Imam Hussein (a.s.) would, after the lifting of the siege, act from a position of strength, and it would be extremely difficult to face him. The balance of power would tip in his favor. Persuaded, Ubaidullah wrote a letter to Umar bin Sa'd, in which he threatened him and turned down his offer. He ordered Shimr to deliver the letter in person to Umar. Furthermore, he presented two choices before Umar; he should either go to war with Imam Hussein (a.s.), or he would be relieved of his post as commander of the army. Shimr would occupy his place in this case and dispatch his head, as well, to Kufa.

Umar bin Sa'd got the letter. He pondered over it for a length of time. He could either fight Imam Hussein (a.s.) or lose power and his post as commander of the army. Satan, eventually, got the better of him. He chose the loss of this life and the hereafter. He would certainly fight Imam Hussein (a.s.). Accordingly, he moved his troops, on the seventh of the holy month of Muharram, to surround the Husseini army. They cut his camp off from access to the river Euphrates, so as to deprive them of water to force them to surrender.

Two days later, on the ninth of Muharram, the treacherous Ummayyad army began closing in on the camp of Imam Hussein (a.s.). Imam Hussein (a.s.) thought of a way to stop the march of the enemies. He asked his pother, Abbas, to call on the army to stop their aggression. Their response was a reply of a weak-willed, helpless army manipulated by the rulers, "Let Hussein accept the judge of the prince, or, otherwise, we will fight him."

Imam Hussein (a.s.) saw that he could not negotiate with this herd of weak-willed men who dedicated themselves to win booty and wealth. He asked his pother, Abbas, once again, to talk to the army and demand a delay of only one night. Umar bin Sa'd and his officers agreed to grant Imam Hussein (a.s.) the delay he asked.

On the morrow, history would turn a new page in the life of Islam. Men would fight one another in a great and glorious battle in Karbala'.

THE DAY OF ASHURA'

Imam Hussein (a.s.), together with his pious companions, passed the night before the tenth of Muharram in prayers, supplications and getting ready for the following day.

That night came to an end. It was as if a long history had elapsed. The tenth of Muharram, the day of blood, jihad and martyrdom, the day of the decisive battle, was already born.

Umar bin Sa'd was arranging his troops in line, and mobilizing his soldiers to fight the fifth member of the purified family of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), whose love was decreed by Allah on the ummah through the explicit words of the Holy Qur'an.

Imam Hussein (a.s.) stared unperturbably and strong-hearted at the great army which was equipped to the teeth. Like a towering mountain, determined and unshakable, Imam Hussein (a.s.) did not show the smallest sign of weakness.

Never did he think of reconsidering his decision. There was no one but Allah to look to. He raised his hands in prayer:

"O Allah! It is You in Whom I trust amid all grief. You are my hope amid all violence. You are my refuge and provision in everything that happens to me. How many grievances that weaken the heart, leaving me with no means to handle them, during which friend deserts me, and the enemy rejoices in it. I lay it before you and complain of it to You, because of my desire in You. You alone. You relieve me of it and remove it from me. You are the Master of all grace, the Possessor of all goodness, and the Ultimate Resort of all desire."(60)

Imam Hussein (a.s.) went out of his tent, completely ready to engage the enemy. The battle was unescapable. So he started fortifying his camp where the children and women were waiting for what would happen next. He ordered the digging of a trench at the rear of the camp. This was to prevent the army from attacking the camp from that point. He set the trench ablaze. Secure as the back of the camp was, the battle would be fought in the front only.

Once again, Imam Hussein (a.s.) delivered a speech. He reminded the Kufans of their letters and envoys, combined with their pledge of allegiance, but to no avail. His call fell on deaf ears.

He mounted his horse, and galloped to a place before the hostile army, in his hand he grasped the Qur'an. He opened it, raising it above his head, and said: "O people! Let us have the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of my grandfather, the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.), to arbitrate between us."(61)

No one seemed to be influenced by the words of Imam Hussein (a.s.). Rather, Umar bin Sa'd ordered the standard-bearer of his army to advance and gave the go-ahead for the war to start. He, himself, fired the first arrow toward the camp of Imam Hussein (a.s.), shouting, "All of you be witness that I am the first to shoot."

That was the outset of a catastrophe and tragedy which victimized the scion of prophethood and the leader of the Muslims, the grandson of the noble Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), Hussein bin Ali bin Abi-Talib.

The men lunged at one another, first in single battles, then in a full war. It was only natural that strength would help the army of Yazid bin Mu'awiyah massacre this small group of warriors.

The whole tragedy of the Ahlul-Bait (a.s.), and their painful suffering at the hands of their enemies was crystally incarnated in the battle of Karbala'.

History tells us of scenes and tragic sights which are extremely difficult for writers, poets and artists to depict. A baby, for example, was in the arms of Imam Hussein (a.s.). It was his son, Abdullah, sometimes called Ali Asghar. It is after this child that Imam Hussein (a.s.) was given the title "Abu Abdullah" recorded in many books and salutations when referring to Imam Hussein (a.s.). He took Abdullah to the Ummayyad camp asking them to give him some water. Detachments were stationed at the banks of the Euphrates. With no access to the water, the family of Imam Hussein (a.s.) and their followers felt thirsty. Imam (a.s.) wanted to awaken their conscience and stir their human sentiments; but the stone-hearted enemies targeted the six-months old baby with an arrow which struck him in the throat and slaughtered him instantly.

Imam Hussein (a.s.) felt an unbearable wave of pain. The sight of the slaughtered baby was etched forever in his mind.

But his heart did not give way to weakness. He filled his palm with the blood of his little baby, and threw it upwards, complaining to his Lord, "I find consolation in the fact that what I am suffering is witnessed by Allah."

The battle got more horribly ferocious. One after the other, the followers and the members of Imam Hussein's (a.s.) family attained martyrdom. The last one to be martyred in that eternal battle was Imam Hussein (a.s.) himself. He became the sacred offering and the "greater sacrifice" to Allah. A three-pointed arrow hit Imam Hussein (a.s.) in the chest. Deeply embedded, he could not dislodge it. The blood gushed out of his holy chest unhalted. He fell down to the ground swimming in a pool of his blood.

The Ummayyad were not satisfied. Their hatred for Ahlul-Bait (a.s.) was too blazing to be extinguished by this. One criminal from the army of the Ummayyad, Shimr bin Dhil-Jawshan, walked over to Imam Hussein (a.s.), sat on his chest and cut off his head from the back of his neck. Ibn Sa'd ordered the horsemen to trample over the supine body of Imam Hussein (a.s.).

The star of Imam Hussein (a.s.) set. The tragedy set in. The head of Imam Hussein (a.s.), along with the heads of his companions (and even the tiny head of Abdullah) were distributed among the criminals, as gifts, carrying them to the Ummayyad governor of Kufa.

For three days the pure, holy bodies of the martyrs were left lying on the desert of Karbala' before men from the tribe of Bani-Asad who were living not far away from the battlefield buried them. The criminals, not yet satisfied with all this, carried the children and women, in addition to the sick son of Imam Hussein (a.s.), Imam Zain Al-Abideen (a.s.), as prisoners from Kufa to Syria. At the front of the sad procession were the heads of Imam Hussein (a.s.) and his followers.

The American Sister

FATIMA

Islam brought happiness into my life and gave me a feeling of respect to myself and the others.

Just as truth emits a light that guides those who dive deep in the darkness and those who are led astray, You, our Lord, guide whom You wish to Your straight path, those who pray for Your help in the dark night of their confusion, to be met by Your gracious guidance.

From this deep darkness, the American sister Fatima was able to escape and become a new Muslim sister who was guided by the« Light of Islam » . In this interview, she tells us (at her home in Kaifoun in Mount Lebanon) the story of how she became a Muslim.

Q: Please tell us about your environment and the circumstances that led you to Islam?

A: First, I would like to welcome you. I am an American from the city of Denver. I was born in 1951. I called myself Fatima after Fatima al-Zahra (A.S.). I have a university degree in nursing, and I am interested in the various fields of culture especially religion. I have worked as a nurse in America, but now I am a housewife. I take care of my family and my Lebanese husband whom I met after I became a Muslim. We live in this beautiful Lebanese town. And I always try to develop myself as a Muslim by learning more about Islam to serve my religion and my message.

I thank Allah, (Subhanahu wataallah ), for helping me find the truth, Islam. As He offers this path to all His creatures, and so to me, and I am so grateful. It is as if I« came home » after a long journey and finally sat before the heart of knowing that there are answers to all my questions, and I can have peace of mind in knowing that ultimate truth does exist. That is because Christianity took a sectarian detour in its origin and did not adhere to the truth as taught by Prophet Jesus (A.S.). So the present day Christianity is based on basic misconceptions. Growing up in a Christian environment, as I did, gives one, as myself, some confusing concepts such as altered literature (Bible), indirect relationship with Allah (S.W.T.), separation of church from political economic structure, forgiveness through the« crucifixion » of Jesus, doctrine of original sin, son of Allah (S.W.T.), and some left over pagan ideas such as Christmas, Easter, and the« trinity » ... These are the negative aspects, and I mention these in retrospect, not knowing they were misconceptions at the time of learning and practicing Christianity. I did wonder at the inconsistencies, and I did ask some questions which were left to ...« When you grow up you will understand » . Well I grew up and still did not understand. The positive things that Christianity gave to me were knowledge of God, respect for God, and a social structure adherent to religious laws as they knew them to be. It also gave me some knowledge base to continue my search for the truth. I am thankful to these experiences, and I am also thankful to my parents and grandparents who did the best they could to let me know about a relationship with God.

My family in the U.S.A. is German in origin and strictly Protestant Lutheran in religion. I attended Lutheran school for 13 years and lived in a fairly isolated German, Lutheran social atmosphere. I attended daily religious study classes - a« typical » American upbringing. If one can generalize, my rearing was much more« religious » and attentive than the norm.

I became an inactive member of the church in my early adult years as I became disillusioned with its inability to answer those questions I had and its inability to address social and political realities in the U.S.A., and I began to look at various philosophies and other branches of Christianity. I made an attempt to return to the Lutheran church for one year, however, I found it impossible to honestly participate as an adult in the doctrines I found to be more and more false. Bewilderment within myself was my ever present baggage as I wondered why I could not find inner peace in knowing what the truth is, as I never gave up the prospect that Allah (S.W.A.) had created all of us and this world so exquisitely with the truth contained therein. I feel within myself that there was a« Complete Truth » given to us by our God; however, for some reason I could not find it.

Q: How did you come to embrace Islam?

A: In the middle of my third decade of life (Alhamdulillah ), I more and more felt distress about looking at the world around myself, participating in the world, be holding a future, and still not having the missing puzzle piece. I feared the Day of Judgment and did not know how to face it in my then present state of incomplete knowledge. At that time I quite simply prayed. Yes, I prayed. I prayed that God would show the right path to me and lead and guide me.

Within two weeks, a doctor I was working with at that time (my profession is nursing) began to speak with me about her Islamic faith. She was from Pakistan and Shia. She did not have books about Islam in English for me; however, she shared what she knew. I was quite interested and wanted more information.

At that time, I was completing my nursing education at the university, so I looked at the university schedule to see if there was perhaps any class about Islam. I found an« Islamic Study » class and took it for one semester. It was a general survey course, historical in nature. I gleaned what information from it and from the classmates - many of whom were Muslims. Through my participation in this class I was able to meet an American sister who had become a Muslim through the teaching of her Iranian husband and the Iranian community. She helped me so much (Alhamdulillah ) in my study of Islam and in many of its aspects of daily living and worship. Through her friendship and care I was introduced to a group of believers in the local cultural Iranian and Lebanese community.

Nearly after one year of study since I had beseeched Allah (Subhanahu wataallah ) for help in showing me the right path I became a Muslim during the month ofRamadan (Alhamdulillah ). How gracious and beneficent Allah (S.W.A.) has been to me in my life to guide me to the truth!

Q: Could you tell us about the impact of your embracement of Islam on your milieu, and what are the problems, if any, that you now face?

A: Embracing Islam does mean inevitable change in one’s life. Every change adherent to the faith has been a joy in my life. Initially, I can say some have been a bit startling and difficult; however, how can I ever not be pleased to change when I waited for so long to know the truth?

Personally, my impulse became to get all the information I could, to read books, to read The Quran, and to learn from other Muslims. The reciting of prayer and contemplation is my solace. I wear women’s Islamic dress and feel a metamorphosis of subtle change by so doing. I did not know that this was essential when first studying Islam and was a bit taken aback when my sisters told me of this. I began this process slowly and realized that this mode of garmenting oneself is not only the cloth and what it covers but an inward spiritual journey as well. I truly feel my self respect. My honor for society and the Islamic« body of believers » has grown by covering appropriately. Our examples for Islamic dress come from the Household of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) as Sayyeda Zeinab (A.S.) and Sayyeda Fatima Zahra (A.S.). Certainly their examples in behavior as wives, mothers, and members of society were intimately connected to their covering themselves, their self respect, and their honor for those around them.

The effect on my parents, children, and relatives was predictable I suppose. They adhere to Christian doctrine and see me as a lost, condemned soul. This has been the most difficult thing for me to lose the respect of my parents in this regard. I pray that they would follow the path of Islam. Of course, they still love me as their daughter and through the years have become more accepting of my change in dress, eating, etc. but the look in their eyes is not the same for me. They feel hurt by this change. I respect my parents and their commitment to their church and family.

My great happiness is the subsequent conversion of my three adult children to Islam (Alhamdulillah ). They are studying their faith and each has in his heart the desire to serve Islam in propagation and service. My sons are currently being educated to teach, (Inshallah ), and my daughter is a homemaker, mother, and wife.

Non-Muslim friends, who were truly friends, respect my decision to become a Muslim. Our relationship has become closer in some cases because we can discuss« religion » with more knowledge. They do nice, respectful things such as buy meat from the Islamic meat store to serve for me and provide a quiet room in which I can pray when I visit their home. In general, I have not lost friends and probably have gained.

In my employment at the hospital, fellow employees were quite accepting of me. They would cover my absence so I could pray, arrange their meal times so I could break my fast inRamadan , and, in general, were open and sharing with me about their lack of knowledge of Islam which elicited many discussions. I started wearing Islamic dress to my work approximately one year after becoming a Muslim and six months after wearing it at home and socially. This provoked many questions from staff, patients, etc. They were accepting and respectful. My career advancement was not affected, (Alhamdulillah ), as the hospital wanted me to take a higher position as supervisor, However, I said I would not be able to attend the parties associated with the position as there was drinking of alcohol and dancing. So they said that this party attendance was mandatory; therefore, I declined the position.

Q: On the personal level, do you feel more peaceful, secure, and relieved?

A: Yes, all of the above: more peaceful, secure, and relieved, and as I said before, it was as if I have« come home » . Islam covers in practical terms every aspect of life, and I see it as a continuing evolving process. I am ever humble before its greatness and completeness. Each day I learn new aspects of this path.

The Quran is the source of peace to me. My security comes from knowing more and more about the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and the twelve Imams (A.S.) who provide a supreme example for living this life. There is not any problem I face which could compare to what Imam Hussein (A.S.) confronted at Karbala in his sacrifice.

The relief comes from now having a direct relationship with Allah (S.W.A.) without need of an intermediary, as Jesus (A.S.) is in Christianity. It states in the Quran [50: 16]:« We are nearer to him than the regulate vein » . This is a very direct and close relationship we have with Allah (S.W.A.).

Q: On the social relations level, do you feel the difference between your relations with Muslims now and those with non-Muslims in the past?

A: Yes, there is a code of ethics and conduct prescribed and ordained by Allah on our relations between each other. We have The Quran and traditions of our Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and Imams (A.S.) to look to for guidance. I am grateful for these sources and examples.

I feel close in my relations with other Muslims. Certainly, we are all not perfect, and we all error in our caring for each other as« one body » ; however, in general, there is a much higher level of mutual honesty, benevolence, and cooperation in the Muslim world compared to the non-Muslim world.

I did not leave Christianity because of not having benevolence, honesty, and cooperation; I left because the doctrine is incorrect. One can find many fine examples of loving, caring Christians such as in the community in which I was raised, but without the entire« truth of Islam » one is left, as a Christian, without all the rules for life and will inevitably feel lost in the social realm of life.

Q: Do you suggest any specific methods, based on you own experience, to call non-Muslims to Islam?

A: The example that we are in our everyday learning is one of the greatest ways to show that submission to Allah is part of our personality. This« personality » would hopefully be an impetus for some to examine Islam. I would encourage all who travel as Muslims to non-Muslim lands for work or study or whatever reason not to abandon their example. Their behavior with non-Muslims is important, and too often what the non-Muslim sees of their actions is taken as Islamic behavior which is a deception and misleading to the non-Muslims.

Doctrine for the Christian, as it was for myself, may be the greatest reason for conversion to Islam. I would encourage any Christian to really study well the doctrine of Christianity. I believe true study of Christianity will lead one to Islam because of the many errors in logic and reasoning found therein. There are books available to give to them regarding misconceptions in the Bible, but point to even passages in the Bible itself proclaiming Prophet Muhammad (P .B.U.H.) as the final Messenger.

I truly appreciated and continue to appreciate the many fine Islamic books which have been translated into English. In the U.S.A., the Iranian foundations were most helpful in supplying these for my children and me.

Q: What is the role you are personally assuming or the role you intend to assume in serving the Islamic Call?

A: I believe the greatest role I can serve is to be a good wife, mother, and homemaker. I have a small baby and feel great prospect in being able to raise him in Islamic surroundings. Parenting is the most valuable undertaking for the future and certainly an all-consuming mission. We are most blessed to have as our examples for parenting our Prophet (P.B.U.H.), the Imams (A.S.), and their wives. Their hard work in parenting and working for the family helped us in Islam to, still, have a solid social and family structure network.

I feel there is a great need for Islamic children’s books written in English. I am certainly not an illustrator but I have thoughts about their content.Inshallah , I can contribute my effort in this regard as well as any writing that is needed in general.

Q: What are the potentials and prospects of the Islamic Call in your country?

A: I am now living in Lebanon, but to give my view of the U.S.A. seems logical as I spent most of my life there. The potentials of the Islamic Call in the U.S.A. are great as the general population is good and accepting. They are a searching group with great disillusion with their present society.

Only Allah (S.W.A.) knows about the prospects for the Islamic Call in the U.S.A. I feel I can suppose that the prospect for the Americans present course is downfall and misery as it is not currently based on Islam, or even Christianity. It is a racial, secularist, floundering government and society.

Q: What in your view is the state of Muslim women?

A: I think we Muslim women have as our guide and example the faithful women of our Islamic history. Khadija (A.S.), Sayyeda Fatima Zahra (A.S.), Sayyeda Zeinab (A.S.), the wives of our Imams (A.S.), Hajjar (A.S.), Miriam (A.S.), the wife of Pharaoh (A.S.) etc... If we take their example as they struggled, suffered, and took their happiness and try to incorporate even a small part of their traits into our personalities, we would take more comfort and solace in the life that Allah (S.W.A.) has given to us. Does this represent the current« state of Muslim women? » Probably not, because as stated before, we become entrapped in our cultures rather than Islam. We have no excuse because Allah (S.W.A.) has elevated women to an exalted position in Islam. Her rights are protected, and her status is individual in regard to her path of faithfulness.

Q: Do you wish to address Muslims from the forum of Noor Al-Islam?

A: I would like to add my voice to others having great concern about the influx of« Hollywood Media » into developing countries around the world.« Hollywood » , I believe, has done much to destroy the limited social structure that existed in the U.S.A. maybe 30 to 40 years ago, and now is being incorporated into populations around the world, especially with the advent of the satellite dish, videos, CDs, cassettes; etc. Hollywood movies, music, and cartoons are currently the U.S.A.’s largest export, so its distribution will of course be propagated and protected worldwide by the private owners and the U.S. government. Remember when you turn on the television to any meaningless violence and inhumane behavior contained in many cartoons, movies, and T.V. programs, contrary to Islamic teachings, you are inviting a very potent and evil force into your home, and many will divert your children and your own attentions away from valuable subjects to disrupting and corrupting subjects.

Thank you for your kind consideration of my thoughts and words. I appreciate your diligent work and like to read the English section ofNoor Al-Islam .

CLEAR FACTS LEAD A BELGIAN COUPLE TO EMBRACE ISLAM

Following the Zionist invasion of Lebanon in 1982, Beirut was besieged for more than two months. The deteriorated situation motivated me to make the hard decision: Departure!

During a short cease-fire, we had the chance to leave the bunkers and cast a look on our homes and store shops. Everything was a ruin. I decided to leave the country to ease my nerves and start business abroad. The only route out was via Syria. From Damascus airport I left for Brussels, the capital of Belgium, where I was often for business or visits of relatives.

I reached the country on that Friday noon and went directly to my relative’s house. The family was getting ready to spend the weekend at the seaside, a 100 km. away.

They welcomed me, praised Allah for my safety, and asked a lot of questions about the homeland, the friends, and the relatives, since the telephone services were inoperative.

My relative Said was a surgeon working in a big hospital; he was married with two children. He was bright, intellectual, and skilled in his profession, and with high morals and good reputation. He was committed to Eastern traditions despite spending many years in the West.

His only defect that saddened me was his indifference regarding Islam. Though he was of inborn purity (Fitra ), he lacked the Islamic knowledge as a result of living in a non-Muslim country. Being fully occupied with his job, he had no time to get such religious information. Hence he led a western routine life.

I performed my prayer and sat to have some rest. My relative asked me to join them and spend the weekend at the seaside. Giving some excuses, I apologized but he was not convinced since he knew how much I loved swimming. He insisted, and I finally told him the real reason for my refusal. It was to avoid seeing women semi-naked (in their swimming suits) or in indecent situations. He then suggested spending the couple of days in his friend’s villa, Dr. Bernard, a physician who worked in the same hospital where my relative used to work. He phoned him, and we soon were on our way to his villa in Louvain, 30 km. south of Brussels. He welcomed us warmly since the Westerners suffer loneliness and hardly enjoy visits of their relatives. It was a splendid villa amid a big garden, with a swimming pool at one corner. In the small room near the pool, we put on our swimming suits and jumped into the clean water. We enjoyed swimming then got out to stretch on the green grass and enjoy the warm sun. I looked at the villa and was taken by a surprise when a beautiful woman, the doctor’s wife, in her swimming suit came in our direction to welcome the dear guest. The husband introduced her to me, and she stretched her hand to shake mine. I drew back and apologized for not shaking hand with her. She became red in the face and quickly returned to the villa. Her husband followed in anger, and my relative exploded blaming me for such backward behavior, finalism, and religious prejudice. How could I humiliate such a famous doctor and his wife - a famous psychiatrist? Could Islam be disgusting to such an extent? I tried to pacify his anger and told him of my readiness to apologize to them and explain the situation. He went inside and came with the husband who was still angry. He said:« You have humiliated us. How could you refuse shaking my wife’s hand? Are not we clean enough? » I said:« Please, do call your wife; I want to apologize to her » . He went, and she came with him, still vexed. She said:« Am I dirty? Suppose I were, is it a matter of good behavior not to shake my hand while you are my guest? Are you such a fanatic to consider us filthy or infidels? »

I said:« It is nothing to do with filth or infidelity. I shook your husband’s hand just few minutes before you came to join us » .

« What is it then? » she asked.

I thought that the best means of defense is to attack. Seeking Allah’s help, I said:« I used to think that the Europeans are objective and discuss the matters objectively. No doubt, scientific progress affects the social behavior, especially of those highly educated individuals. You could have taken the matter easy and asked about the reasons for my behavior. Instead, your reaction was quite strange vis-à-vis such simple matters. I think the concept of civilized or uncivilized has nothing to do with the educated or the uneducated, poverty or wealth, and the developing or the developed countries » .

They said nothing, and I added:« Dr. Bernard, whose beautiful villa is this? » He said,« My wife’s and mine » .

I said: «What would you say if I seized a part of it to be my own? Would you agree on no conditions? »

He said: «It is nonsense! Why should I agree? »

I said:« If it were the jungle law, I could do it at my will. Yet, there are laws that regulate the social relations » .

He asked: «What do you intend to say? »

I said:« You don’t agree at my sharing with you your property. Could you agree at sharing with you your wife?

She is beautiful; every man wants to kiss her or shake her hand. Even I would do it if my instincts were not controlled. However, I act through laws decreed by my Lord, the Creator of all. It is a matter of religious instructions and Islamic behavior.

Have you ever been to a jeweler’s shop? Have you seen precious stones thrown here and there? Can everyone touch them? Are not they kept in a safe place where no one can get them? We, Muslims, consider woman as a precious stone. Not everyone can touch or enjoy her beauty. We don’t allow one to degrade her or damage her chastity. It is not the same as in your country where woman has lost her female nature and become a commodity, a plaything for all vices and indecencies. She is no more considered a human being. All your feminist organizations are means to cover the woman’s exploitation. » They still listened attentively without interrupting me. I continued,« You see how corruption spreads at large and family relations are discarded. It is the result of the freedom of no limits. It starts with shaking hands to end in an intimate love affair. Don’t you feel it is an odd situation? You do! But you are afraid of saying your opinions, lest you may be labeled as reactionaries. You stick to such trifles which are the real backwardness. In such an atmosphere, every woman will look for a lover and thus corruption spreads as fire in dry straws. Children of unknown fathers can be seen everywhere. Your girls count the days to be 15 and leave the parents’ house and experience life by their own. Can these countless illegal children settled in special homes be considered civilization? What do statistics tell you? Thousands of the aged die in their homes while no one knows about them until bad smelling leak out of their homes » .

When I took a breath, the doctor’s wife said:« Don’t you think that Muslim men are quite tough on women? Women are locked in their homes. They cannot have jobs and should observe hijab. Is not polygamy a remnant of old ages? »

I said:« Islam forbids whatever leads to situations experienced in your communities. Hijab is woman’s shield against men’s lusty instincts. It is to spare man the instincts stirred by woman’s beauty. It is for the benefit of all humanity.

Islam does not lock woman in her house. She can have any job or social activity outside her house, but she should observe decent clothes. Our history is rich with such active women in their communities.

Moreover, man is also ordered to act decently. The reason for this dispute is my refusal to shake hands with you. It is a religious duty. Similarly, a Muslim woman is not allowed to shake hand with a foreigner.

Regarding polygamy, it is allowed under strict conditions to solve social problems suffered by communities such as yours. Your thinkers confess such a truth » . When I finally apologized, I felt a clear change in their attitude. They asked me to spend the night with them but I apologized and was about to leave when they expressed their wish to meet again and have more discussions. I was ready to do that. For more than ten days we met, and I answered all their questions regarding Islam religion. Both were convinced of the sound reasoning and asked how to become Muslims. I said,« Quite simply. There is no baptism, no confession and no sacred bread! Just you utter: There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger » .

Both of them uttered the clause twice for an accurate pronunciation. I congratulated them and shook the husband’s hand, while the wife drew back. I taught them how to perform ablution, prayers and fasting and promised to provide them with Islamic literature. I gave the doctor’s wife an Islamic dress as a gift. Both of them today propagate Islam in America.

Antoine Ja’ja:

The Bible Calls to Islam

Ja’ja (Mustafa) is a graduate from a French University. He is from the city of Bshirry (Lebanon). He is a Christian who converted to Islam. He read the Old Testament and the new one, and after reading The Holy Quran, he became a Muslim enjoying spiritual tranquility and rest, though his kin and kith turned away from him. A local newspaper interviewed him recently.

Q: When and how did you acquire Islamic ideology?

A: I am proud of being of the people of The Book. The Bible was the first book that linked me to Islam and to The Quran. I read The Quran and pondered on the Quranic verse that reads:{ Those who follow the Apostle, the Prophet, the Ummi ( unlearned) whom they find written ( in their scriptures) with them in the Torah and the Ingil; (who) enjoins unto them ( what is) good and prevents them from evil... } [A’araf: 157].

I made a thorough investigation in the Divine Books that preceded The Holy Quran. I found that the Islamic religion is actually the religion of all prophets and apostles. Prophet Jesus (a.s.) was sent with the mission of The Lord. He says:{ For I have not spoken of myself, but of the Father ( Lord) Who sent me, He gave me commandment, what I should say and what I should speak. } . [John: 12/49].

The Bible clearly calls to Islam, the religion of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) who was a monotheist.

Q: When did you start such investigation?

A: I became a Muslim after profound studying of the Torah and David Psalms. In 1993 and 1994, I made a comparative study of the holy Books and The Holy Quran. I found that The Quran completes and verifies the preceding Divine Books.

Prophet Muhammad’s (P.B.U.H.) message is a perfection of the preceding religions. The Holy Quran says:{ ...This day I have perfected for you, your religion and have completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam (to be) the religion. } [Al-Maidah :3].

Q: You are a Christian from the Maroni sect; how could you overstep the sectarian factor flourishing in Lebanon?

A: I believe in religion not in sects. I am proud of my Christian background. The Holy Quran mentions all the prophets and apostles including Prophet Muhammad (P .B.U.H.). The Quran says:{ Say ( O’ Muhammad!) O, you people, surely I am the messenger of Allah unto you all... } [Al-A’araf; 158].

I found that the message of Islam addresses all people. Hence I had the right to become a Muslim. I do not claim that I changed from one religion to another, but that I found the right path. I was on the wrong track; then, I found the right one.

I became a Muslim following Prophets Muhammad and Jesus (Peace be upon them both). I believe in Christianity as a doctrine, and I find a lot that leads to Islam in the Bible.

Q: Your major is psychology; how did you feel before embracing Islam and how do you feel now?

A: Psychologically, I have thoroughly changed. I was pessimistic, hesitant, lost, and alien to my own self. Now I am optimistic and firm in belief. Previously, I had to choose one of three: to be a heretic, to commit suicide, or to embrace Islam. I preferred the third option. Following the west scientific development one cannot be a heretic.

Science proves the existence of a creator. To commit suicide means to displease Allah. I embraced Islam.

Q: Are you influenced by famous intellectuals who embraced Islam in France such as Maurice Bucaille and Rojer Garaudy?

A: I was greatly influenced by those famous men, especially Bucaille who was stunned by the Quranic verse that reads:{ ...And say: 0’ my Lord! Increase me in knowledge } [Taha: 114].

No other religion but Islam demands one to increase one’s knowledge. Man is at the threshold of a new century; still increase in scientific knowledge is demanded.

It is logic and reasoning that led me to embrace Islam. I did not blindly follow one of the present trends, nor did I flatter Muslims for some personal interest in marriage or divorce. I found the scientific factor in The Quran. They are scientific miracles in the age of science and knowledge.

Q: What was the reaction in your own locality?

A: Naturally, they rejected my new attitude. I suffered hardship and social harassment. I became a stranger in my family and amid my friends. But I consider myself an immigrant from one religion to another. Today I live amid the Muslims.

Q: The majority of Muslims are not committed Muslims; how were you attracted to Islam?

A: I was attracted to Islam through its clear reasonable logic and concepts that can be enacted. There is nothing secret or ambiguous in Islam. Islam’s practical instructions are clear to both: the common people and intellectuals. No one is humiliated or despised in this religion. There are no complicated or ecclesiastical rituals. No one has the authority to forgive the sinners. Allah the Almighty is only the One Who forgives. Islam is religion of reason and convincing argument. The Holy Quran says:

{ But if they dispute with you ( O’ Muhammad), then say: I have submitted myself ( wholly) to Allah and so does everyone who follows me } [Al-Umran: 19].

{ And they say: ‘None shall enter Paradise except him who is a Jew or a Christian.’ Say ( O, Muhammad to them): Bring your proof if you are truthful. } [The Cow: 111].

Islam is the religion of dialogue. A Muslim feels certain of the Creator hence enjoys spiritual tranquility.

The Holy Quran says:{ And those who believe and their hearts are set at rest by God’s remembrance; certainly by God’s remembrance are the hearts set at rest. } [Al-Ra’d:28].

Islam is different from other religions in such features in addition to its demand of one to seek knowledge. Moreover, Islam does not stifle the natural instincts of the human being. We are today at the age of stirred instincts through media propaganda. Islam is moderate; it does not suppress the instincts. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) says:« The believer who lives amid others and is patient at hardship is better than he who isolates himself and is impatient. » In Islam there is not monasticism that suppresses the instincts Allah created in men to survive the species reproduction. Tribes and nations are created to know each other. The Holy Quran says:{ O’ you people, surely We have created you of a male and female and made you in nations and tribes that you may recognize each other; surely the most honored of you to Allah is the one of you who guards ( against evil) the most, Allah is All- Knowing All-Aware } [Al-Hujurat: 13].

Q: Are you active amid Muslims or Christians?

A: Naturally amid the Muslims. I give lectures, radio interviews, and explain a lot about reasons for my conversion to Islam. I refer to the scientific miracles in The Quran and confirm its authenticity vis-à-vis the distorted Bibles.

Q: You do not address Christians, do you?

A: No, I do not, but I do call them to seek authentic information related to the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) in their Bibles. The Deuteronomy 18: 18 says:

{I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee (Moses - having a father and a mother)and will put My words in his mouth and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. }.

Isaiah 2:12 says:

{And the Book (The Quran)is delivered to him that he is not learned saying: Read this, I pray thee, and he says: I am not learned .}.

Q: Do you consider Islam as a perfect religion encompassing all previous religions? Can it play a role at the international level?

A: Of course I do. The Quranic verse 3 chapter Al-Maidah confirms this fact. Other religions need Islam so that they may be refined of all distortion.

Islam can be a unique school for science and culture. The renowned writer George Bernard Show says:« If a man like Muhammad were to assume leadership of the modem world, he would succeed in solving its problems and bring peace and happiness. »

MRS. BERNICE HOLTON

Mrs. Bernice Holton is a British biologist who embraced Islam more than twenty years ago. She married a committed Muslim scientist and has three children. In an interview with a local magazine, Mrs. Holton speaks about her early inclination toward religion in general and Islam in particular. Following is the text of her interview.

Q: Kindly tell us how were you attracted to Islam?

A: As a child, I attended the church as is usual for Christian families to do. Then I became a teacher in the church; however, the teaching and the contents of the Bible did not convince me. Hence I left the church and turned to other religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism... and Islam as well. The problem in the West is that one reads about Islam in books that cannot tell the true meanings in Islam. Writers play with words to distort information. I gave up thinking of religion. Then in college, I saw people from all over the world. Some were Muslims, and I asked them about Islam. At that time, the Muslims and the Arabs were ridiculed in the magazines and newspapers. They were portrayed as being silly and stupid, and it was said that one Jew could mislead a thousand Arabs.

However, when I talked with true Muslims, they furnished me with good, reasonable information which proved them to be clever and intelligent. I asked for books written in English by British Muslims. I never thought of becoming a Muslim woman, because I knew my family, friends, and co-workers would oppose me and create trouble for me. Hence I put away all the Islamic books in a place where I could not get them easily. Yet I could not tolerate the situation and hurried to get them back. I accepted Islam after I received my college degree. I got a job in Toronto... It was not easy for me to work with Jews, Christians, etc. They mocked my new belief, but I used to tolerate their behavior and talked to them sociably.

When I started to fast, I could not arrange the times for eating: Iftar and suhur (eating after sunset and before dawn). When I suffered poor health, my colleagues hurried to get me a doctor and from that time on, they were so nice to me that they even supplicate me on fasting days with chocolates or biscuits at the time of eating. They are still my good friends.

Q: What is your opinion regarding women’s freedom in the West and Muslim women in the Muslim community?

A: Women have gained some freedom in recent years. They have entered all fields of knowledge. The West talks a lot about freedom but never talks about duties and obligations. For women, it is good to study and achieve social status. Women can work as doctors, engineers, and in business. The problem is not to work or not outside the home. The problem is that she is being cheated, misled, and sexually abused. In this regard you can see the article of Dr. Frances Conley published in« Time » No. 27, July 1991.

In a capitalist society, companies compete for the highest profits for their products. Now who is to buy their products? Of course, men, women, and children. Women also take the husband’s money for their own use. Here the companies encourage women to buy even useless items. Women, in turn, try to find the latest fashions, cosmetics, furniture, luxurious cars… They think about how to spend the evening and where. The company’s profits increase. In the West, nothing is encouraged if it is not profitable. As a result, immorality and deviation spread, families break down, and children suffer psychological damage. Women also suffer. This is the result of the media campaigns which don’t differentiate between reasonable freedom and interference in one’s obligation...

In regard to a Muslim woman wherever she lives, she suffers hardships in her community. Even those who agree with her decent (Islamic) clothes (hijab ) find it difficult to have her at work. She faces difficulties in bringing up her children in an environment where the schools (usually with secularist curriculums), the T.V. programs, and the media teach them something in contrast with their belief. Hence the Muslim mother must be aware of Islamic ethics (ideology) and must know that which is forbidden and that which is not forbidden.

Q: How can a true Muslim woman play a positive role in a Muslim community?

A: Every person can play such a role. A woman can have such a role if she brings up her children according to Islamic instructions. Speaking for myself, I like reading scientific and social books as well as books about environment. I like very much to join organizations caring for the disabled. I think disabled people throughout the world are in great need of help. The work with the disabled may not seem fruitful since improvement is not always obvious... However, in Third World countries, we see few organizations caring for them. Everyone is concerned with his own affairs. In the results of the territorial wars, one can see thousands of helpless citizens.

The disabled may not suffer from a missing leg or hand. He may suffer from a mental disorder, a bullet in the liver, etc. The disabled often feel they are a burden to their families, and they may develop other sicknesses. Organizations can be of great help. We are all supposed to demonstrate sympathy, compassion, and help towards those who need it.

The American Sister

FATIMA

Islam brought happiness into my life and gave me a feeling of respect to myself and the others.

Just as truth emits a light that guides those who dive deep in the darkness and those who are led astray, You, our Lord, guide whom You wish to Your straight path, those who pray for Your help in the dark night of their confusion, to be met by Your gracious guidance.

From this deep darkness, the American sister Fatima was able to escape and become a new Muslim sister who was guided by the« Light of Islam » . In this interview, she tells us (at her home in Kaifoun in Mount Lebanon) the story of how she became a Muslim.

Q: Please tell us about your environment and the circumstances that led you to Islam?

A: First, I would like to welcome you. I am an American from the city of Denver. I was born in 1951. I called myself Fatima after Fatima al-Zahra (A.S.). I have a university degree in nursing, and I am interested in the various fields of culture especially religion. I have worked as a nurse in America, but now I am a housewife. I take care of my family and my Lebanese husband whom I met after I became a Muslim. We live in this beautiful Lebanese town. And I always try to develop myself as a Muslim by learning more about Islam to serve my religion and my message.

I thank Allah, (Subhanahu wataallah ), for helping me find the truth, Islam. As He offers this path to all His creatures, and so to me, and I am so grateful. It is as if I« came home » after a long journey and finally sat before the heart of knowing that there are answers to all my questions, and I can have peace of mind in knowing that ultimate truth does exist. That is because Christianity took a sectarian detour in its origin and did not adhere to the truth as taught by Prophet Jesus (A.S.). So the present day Christianity is based on basic misconceptions. Growing up in a Christian environment, as I did, gives one, as myself, some confusing concepts such as altered literature (Bible), indirect relationship with Allah (S.W.T.), separation of church from political economic structure, forgiveness through the« crucifixion » of Jesus, doctrine of original sin, son of Allah (S.W.T.), and some left over pagan ideas such as Christmas, Easter, and the« trinity » ... These are the negative aspects, and I mention these in retrospect, not knowing they were misconceptions at the time of learning and practicing Christianity. I did wonder at the inconsistencies, and I did ask some questions which were left to ...« When you grow up you will understand » . Well I grew up and still did not understand. The positive things that Christianity gave to me were knowledge of God, respect for God, and a social structure adherent to religious laws as they knew them to be. It also gave me some knowledge base to continue my search for the truth. I am thankful to these experiences, and I am also thankful to my parents and grandparents who did the best they could to let me know about a relationship with God.

My family in the U.S.A. is German in origin and strictly Protestant Lutheran in religion. I attended Lutheran school for 13 years and lived in a fairly isolated German, Lutheran social atmosphere. I attended daily religious study classes - a« typical » American upbringing. If one can generalize, my rearing was much more« religious » and attentive than the norm.

I became an inactive member of the church in my early adult years as I became disillusioned with its inability to answer those questions I had and its inability to address social and political realities in the U.S.A., and I began to look at various philosophies and other branches of Christianity. I made an attempt to return to the Lutheran church for one year, however, I found it impossible to honestly participate as an adult in the doctrines I found to be more and more false. Bewilderment within myself was my ever present baggage as I wondered why I could not find inner peace in knowing what the truth is, as I never gave up the prospect that Allah (S.W.A.) had created all of us and this world so exquisitely with the truth contained therein. I feel within myself that there was a« Complete Truth » given to us by our God; however, for some reason I could not find it.

Q: How did you come to embrace Islam?

A: In the middle of my third decade of life (Alhamdulillah ), I more and more felt distress about looking at the world around myself, participating in the world, be holding a future, and still not having the missing puzzle piece. I feared the Day of Judgment and did not know how to face it in my then present state of incomplete knowledge. At that time I quite simply prayed. Yes, I prayed. I prayed that God would show the right path to me and lead and guide me.

Within two weeks, a doctor I was working with at that time (my profession is nursing) began to speak with me about her Islamic faith. She was from Pakistan and Shia. She did not have books about Islam in English for me; however, she shared what she knew. I was quite interested and wanted more information.

At that time, I was completing my nursing education at the university, so I looked at the university schedule to see if there was perhaps any class about Islam. I found an« Islamic Study » class and took it for one semester. It was a general survey course, historical in nature. I gleaned what information from it and from the classmates - many of whom were Muslims. Through my participation in this class I was able to meet an American sister who had become a Muslim through the teaching of her Iranian husband and the Iranian community. She helped me so much (Alhamdulillah ) in my study of Islam and in many of its aspects of daily living and worship. Through her friendship and care I was introduced to a group of believers in the local cultural Iranian and Lebanese community.

Nearly after one year of study since I had beseeched Allah (Subhanahu wataallah ) for help in showing me the right path I became a Muslim during the month ofRamadan (Alhamdulillah ). How gracious and beneficent Allah (S.W.A.) has been to me in my life to guide me to the truth!

Q: Could you tell us about the impact of your embracement of Islam on your milieu, and what are the problems, if any, that you now face?

A: Embracing Islam does mean inevitable change in one’s life. Every change adherent to the faith has been a joy in my life. Initially, I can say some have been a bit startling and difficult; however, how can I ever not be pleased to change when I waited for so long to know the truth?

Personally, my impulse became to get all the information I could, to read books, to read The Quran, and to learn from other Muslims. The reciting of prayer and contemplation is my solace. I wear women’s Islamic dress and feel a metamorphosis of subtle change by so doing. I did not know that this was essential when first studying Islam and was a bit taken aback when my sisters told me of this. I began this process slowly and realized that this mode of garmenting oneself is not only the cloth and what it covers but an inward spiritual journey as well. I truly feel my self respect. My honor for society and the Islamic« body of believers » has grown by covering appropriately. Our examples for Islamic dress come from the Household of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) as Sayyeda Zeinab (A.S.) and Sayyeda Fatima Zahra (A.S.). Certainly their examples in behavior as wives, mothers, and members of society were intimately connected to their covering themselves, their self respect, and their honor for those around them.

The effect on my parents, children, and relatives was predictable I suppose. They adhere to Christian doctrine and see me as a lost, condemned soul. This has been the most difficult thing for me to lose the respect of my parents in this regard. I pray that they would follow the path of Islam. Of course, they still love me as their daughter and through the years have become more accepting of my change in dress, eating, etc. but the look in their eyes is not the same for me. They feel hurt by this change. I respect my parents and their commitment to their church and family.

My great happiness is the subsequent conversion of my three adult children to Islam (Alhamdulillah ). They are studying their faith and each has in his heart the desire to serve Islam in propagation and service. My sons are currently being educated to teach, (Inshallah ), and my daughter is a homemaker, mother, and wife.

Non-Muslim friends, who were truly friends, respect my decision to become a Muslim. Our relationship has become closer in some cases because we can discuss« religion » with more knowledge. They do nice, respectful things such as buy meat from the Islamic meat store to serve for me and provide a quiet room in which I can pray when I visit their home. In general, I have not lost friends and probably have gained.

In my employment at the hospital, fellow employees were quite accepting of me. They would cover my absence so I could pray, arrange their meal times so I could break my fast inRamadan , and, in general, were open and sharing with me about their lack of knowledge of Islam which elicited many discussions. I started wearing Islamic dress to my work approximately one year after becoming a Muslim and six months after wearing it at home and socially. This provoked many questions from staff, patients, etc. They were accepting and respectful. My career advancement was not affected, (Alhamdulillah ), as the hospital wanted me to take a higher position as supervisor, However, I said I would not be able to attend the parties associated with the position as there was drinking of alcohol and dancing. So they said that this party attendance was mandatory; therefore, I declined the position.

Q: On the personal level, do you feel more peaceful, secure, and relieved?

A: Yes, all of the above: more peaceful, secure, and relieved, and as I said before, it was as if I have« come home » . Islam covers in practical terms every aspect of life, and I see it as a continuing evolving process. I am ever humble before its greatness and completeness. Each day I learn new aspects of this path.

The Quran is the source of peace to me. My security comes from knowing more and more about the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and the twelve Imams (A.S.) who provide a supreme example for living this life. There is not any problem I face which could compare to what Imam Hussein (A.S.) confronted at Karbala in his sacrifice.

The relief comes from now having a direct relationship with Allah (S.W.A.) without need of an intermediary, as Jesus (A.S.) is in Christianity. It states in the Quran [50: 16]:« We are nearer to him than the regulate vein » . This is a very direct and close relationship we have with Allah (S.W.A.).

Q: On the social relations level, do you feel the difference between your relations with Muslims now and those with non-Muslims in the past?

A: Yes, there is a code of ethics and conduct prescribed and ordained by Allah on our relations between each other. We have The Quran and traditions of our Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and Imams (A.S.) to look to for guidance. I am grateful for these sources and examples.

I feel close in my relations with other Muslims. Certainly, we are all not perfect, and we all error in our caring for each other as« one body » ; however, in general, there is a much higher level of mutual honesty, benevolence, and cooperation in the Muslim world compared to the non-Muslim world.

I did not leave Christianity because of not having benevolence, honesty, and cooperation; I left because the doctrine is incorrect. One can find many fine examples of loving, caring Christians such as in the community in which I was raised, but without the entire« truth of Islam » one is left, as a Christian, without all the rules for life and will inevitably feel lost in the social realm of life.

Q: Do you suggest any specific methods, based on you own experience, to call non-Muslims to Islam?

A: The example that we are in our everyday learning is one of the greatest ways to show that submission to Allah is part of our personality. This« personality » would hopefully be an impetus for some to examine Islam. I would encourage all who travel as Muslims to non-Muslim lands for work or study or whatever reason not to abandon their example. Their behavior with non-Muslims is important, and too often what the non-Muslim sees of their actions is taken as Islamic behavior which is a deception and misleading to the non-Muslims.

Doctrine for the Christian, as it was for myself, may be the greatest reason for conversion to Islam. I would encourage any Christian to really study well the doctrine of Christianity. I believe true study of Christianity will lead one to Islam because of the many errors in logic and reasoning found therein. There are books available to give to them regarding misconceptions in the Bible, but point to even passages in the Bible itself proclaiming Prophet Muhammad (P .B.U.H.) as the final Messenger.

I truly appreciated and continue to appreciate the many fine Islamic books which have been translated into English. In the U.S.A., the Iranian foundations were most helpful in supplying these for my children and me.

Q: What is the role you are personally assuming or the role you intend to assume in serving the Islamic Call?

A: I believe the greatest role I can serve is to be a good wife, mother, and homemaker. I have a small baby and feel great prospect in being able to raise him in Islamic surroundings. Parenting is the most valuable undertaking for the future and certainly an all-consuming mission. We are most blessed to have as our examples for parenting our Prophet (P.B.U.H.), the Imams (A.S.), and their wives. Their hard work in parenting and working for the family helped us in Islam to, still, have a solid social and family structure network.

I feel there is a great need for Islamic children’s books written in English. I am certainly not an illustrator but I have thoughts about their content.Inshallah , I can contribute my effort in this regard as well as any writing that is needed in general.

Q: What are the potentials and prospects of the Islamic Call in your country?

A: I am now living in Lebanon, but to give my view of the U.S.A. seems logical as I spent most of my life there. The potentials of the Islamic Call in the U.S.A. are great as the general population is good and accepting. They are a searching group with great disillusion with their present society.

Only Allah (S.W.A.) knows about the prospects for the Islamic Call in the U.S.A. I feel I can suppose that the prospect for the Americans present course is downfall and misery as it is not currently based on Islam, or even Christianity. It is a racial, secularist, floundering government and society.

Q: What in your view is the state of Muslim women?

A: I think we Muslim women have as our guide and example the faithful women of our Islamic history. Khadija (A.S.), Sayyeda Fatima Zahra (A.S.), Sayyeda Zeinab (A.S.), the wives of our Imams (A.S.), Hajjar (A.S.), Miriam (A.S.), the wife of Pharaoh (A.S.) etc... If we take their example as they struggled, suffered, and took their happiness and try to incorporate even a small part of their traits into our personalities, we would take more comfort and solace in the life that Allah (S.W.A.) has given to us. Does this represent the current« state of Muslim women? » Probably not, because as stated before, we become entrapped in our cultures rather than Islam. We have no excuse because Allah (S.W.A.) has elevated women to an exalted position in Islam. Her rights are protected, and her status is individual in regard to her path of faithfulness.

Q: Do you wish to address Muslims from the forum of Noor Al-Islam?

A: I would like to add my voice to others having great concern about the influx of« Hollywood Media » into developing countries around the world.« Hollywood » , I believe, has done much to destroy the limited social structure that existed in the U.S.A. maybe 30 to 40 years ago, and now is being incorporated into populations around the world, especially with the advent of the satellite dish, videos, CDs, cassettes; etc. Hollywood movies, music, and cartoons are currently the U.S.A.’s largest export, so its distribution will of course be propagated and protected worldwide by the private owners and the U.S. government. Remember when you turn on the television to any meaningless violence and inhumane behavior contained in many cartoons, movies, and T.V. programs, contrary to Islamic teachings, you are inviting a very potent and evil force into your home, and many will divert your children and your own attentions away from valuable subjects to disrupting and corrupting subjects.

Thank you for your kind consideration of my thoughts and words. I appreciate your diligent work and like to read the English section ofNoor Al-Islam .

CLEAR FACTS LEAD A BELGIAN COUPLE TO EMBRACE ISLAM

Following the Zionist invasion of Lebanon in 1982, Beirut was besieged for more than two months. The deteriorated situation motivated me to make the hard decision: Departure!

During a short cease-fire, we had the chance to leave the bunkers and cast a look on our homes and store shops. Everything was a ruin. I decided to leave the country to ease my nerves and start business abroad. The only route out was via Syria. From Damascus airport I left for Brussels, the capital of Belgium, where I was often for business or visits of relatives.

I reached the country on that Friday noon and went directly to my relative’s house. The family was getting ready to spend the weekend at the seaside, a 100 km. away.

They welcomed me, praised Allah for my safety, and asked a lot of questions about the homeland, the friends, and the relatives, since the telephone services were inoperative.

My relative Said was a surgeon working in a big hospital; he was married with two children. He was bright, intellectual, and skilled in his profession, and with high morals and good reputation. He was committed to Eastern traditions despite spending many years in the West.

His only defect that saddened me was his indifference regarding Islam. Though he was of inborn purity (Fitra ), he lacked the Islamic knowledge as a result of living in a non-Muslim country. Being fully occupied with his job, he had no time to get such religious information. Hence he led a western routine life.

I performed my prayer and sat to have some rest. My relative asked me to join them and spend the weekend at the seaside. Giving some excuses, I apologized but he was not convinced since he knew how much I loved swimming. He insisted, and I finally told him the real reason for my refusal. It was to avoid seeing women semi-naked (in their swimming suits) or in indecent situations. He then suggested spending the couple of days in his friend’s villa, Dr. Bernard, a physician who worked in the same hospital where my relative used to work. He phoned him, and we soon were on our way to his villa in Louvain, 30 km. south of Brussels. He welcomed us warmly since the Westerners suffer loneliness and hardly enjoy visits of their relatives. It was a splendid villa amid a big garden, with a swimming pool at one corner. In the small room near the pool, we put on our swimming suits and jumped into the clean water. We enjoyed swimming then got out to stretch on the green grass and enjoy the warm sun. I looked at the villa and was taken by a surprise when a beautiful woman, the doctor’s wife, in her swimming suit came in our direction to welcome the dear guest. The husband introduced her to me, and she stretched her hand to shake mine. I drew back and apologized for not shaking hand with her. She became red in the face and quickly returned to the villa. Her husband followed in anger, and my relative exploded blaming me for such backward behavior, finalism, and religious prejudice. How could I humiliate such a famous doctor and his wife - a famous psychiatrist? Could Islam be disgusting to such an extent? I tried to pacify his anger and told him of my readiness to apologize to them and explain the situation. He went inside and came with the husband who was still angry. He said:« You have humiliated us. How could you refuse shaking my wife’s hand? Are not we clean enough? » I said:« Please, do call your wife; I want to apologize to her » . He went, and she came with him, still vexed. She said:« Am I dirty? Suppose I were, is it a matter of good behavior not to shake my hand while you are my guest? Are you such a fanatic to consider us filthy or infidels? »

I said:« It is nothing to do with filth or infidelity. I shook your husband’s hand just few minutes before you came to join us » .

« What is it then? » she asked.

I thought that the best means of defense is to attack. Seeking Allah’s help, I said:« I used to think that the Europeans are objective and discuss the matters objectively. No doubt, scientific progress affects the social behavior, especially of those highly educated individuals. You could have taken the matter easy and asked about the reasons for my behavior. Instead, your reaction was quite strange vis-à-vis such simple matters. I think the concept of civilized or uncivilized has nothing to do with the educated or the uneducated, poverty or wealth, and the developing or the developed countries » .

They said nothing, and I added:« Dr. Bernard, whose beautiful villa is this? » He said,« My wife’s and mine » .

I said: «What would you say if I seized a part of it to be my own? Would you agree on no conditions? »

He said: «It is nonsense! Why should I agree? »

I said:« If it were the jungle law, I could do it at my will. Yet, there are laws that regulate the social relations » .

He asked: «What do you intend to say? »

I said:« You don’t agree at my sharing with you your property. Could you agree at sharing with you your wife?

She is beautiful; every man wants to kiss her or shake her hand. Even I would do it if my instincts were not controlled. However, I act through laws decreed by my Lord, the Creator of all. It is a matter of religious instructions and Islamic behavior.

Have you ever been to a jeweler’s shop? Have you seen precious stones thrown here and there? Can everyone touch them? Are not they kept in a safe place where no one can get them? We, Muslims, consider woman as a precious stone. Not everyone can touch or enjoy her beauty. We don’t allow one to degrade her or damage her chastity. It is not the same as in your country where woman has lost her female nature and become a commodity, a plaything for all vices and indecencies. She is no more considered a human being. All your feminist organizations are means to cover the woman’s exploitation. » They still listened attentively without interrupting me. I continued,« You see how corruption spreads at large and family relations are discarded. It is the result of the freedom of no limits. It starts with shaking hands to end in an intimate love affair. Don’t you feel it is an odd situation? You do! But you are afraid of saying your opinions, lest you may be labeled as reactionaries. You stick to such trifles which are the real backwardness. In such an atmosphere, every woman will look for a lover and thus corruption spreads as fire in dry straws. Children of unknown fathers can be seen everywhere. Your girls count the days to be 15 and leave the parents’ house and experience life by their own. Can these countless illegal children settled in special homes be considered civilization? What do statistics tell you? Thousands of the aged die in their homes while no one knows about them until bad smelling leak out of their homes » .

When I took a breath, the doctor’s wife said:« Don’t you think that Muslim men are quite tough on women? Women are locked in their homes. They cannot have jobs and should observe hijab. Is not polygamy a remnant of old ages? »

I said:« Islam forbids whatever leads to situations experienced in your communities. Hijab is woman’s shield against men’s lusty instincts. It is to spare man the instincts stirred by woman’s beauty. It is for the benefit of all humanity.

Islam does not lock woman in her house. She can have any job or social activity outside her house, but she should observe decent clothes. Our history is rich with such active women in their communities.

Moreover, man is also ordered to act decently. The reason for this dispute is my refusal to shake hands with you. It is a religious duty. Similarly, a Muslim woman is not allowed to shake hand with a foreigner.

Regarding polygamy, it is allowed under strict conditions to solve social problems suffered by communities such as yours. Your thinkers confess such a truth » . When I finally apologized, I felt a clear change in their attitude. They asked me to spend the night with them but I apologized and was about to leave when they expressed their wish to meet again and have more discussions. I was ready to do that. For more than ten days we met, and I answered all their questions regarding Islam religion. Both were convinced of the sound reasoning and asked how to become Muslims. I said,« Quite simply. There is no baptism, no confession and no sacred bread! Just you utter: There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger » .

Both of them uttered the clause twice for an accurate pronunciation. I congratulated them and shook the husband’s hand, while the wife drew back. I taught them how to perform ablution, prayers and fasting and promised to provide them with Islamic literature. I gave the doctor’s wife an Islamic dress as a gift. Both of them today propagate Islam in America.

Antoine Ja’ja:

The Bible Calls to Islam

Ja’ja (Mustafa) is a graduate from a French University. He is from the city of Bshirry (Lebanon). He is a Christian who converted to Islam. He read the Old Testament and the new one, and after reading The Holy Quran, he became a Muslim enjoying spiritual tranquility and rest, though his kin and kith turned away from him. A local newspaper interviewed him recently.

Q: When and how did you acquire Islamic ideology?

A: I am proud of being of the people of The Book. The Bible was the first book that linked me to Islam and to The Quran. I read The Quran and pondered on the Quranic verse that reads:{ Those who follow the Apostle, the Prophet, the Ummi ( unlearned) whom they find written ( in their scriptures) with them in the Torah and the Ingil; (who) enjoins unto them ( what is) good and prevents them from evil... } [A’araf: 157].

I made a thorough investigation in the Divine Books that preceded The Holy Quran. I found that the Islamic religion is actually the religion of all prophets and apostles. Prophet Jesus (a.s.) was sent with the mission of The Lord. He says:{ For I have not spoken of myself, but of the Father ( Lord) Who sent me, He gave me commandment, what I should say and what I should speak. } . [John: 12/49].

The Bible clearly calls to Islam, the religion of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) who was a monotheist.

Q: When did you start such investigation?

A: I became a Muslim after profound studying of the Torah and David Psalms. In 1993 and 1994, I made a comparative study of the holy Books and The Holy Quran. I found that The Quran completes and verifies the preceding Divine Books.

Prophet Muhammad’s (P.B.U.H.) message is a perfection of the preceding religions. The Holy Quran says:{ ...This day I have perfected for you, your religion and have completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam (to be) the religion. } [Al-Maidah :3].

Q: You are a Christian from the Maroni sect; how could you overstep the sectarian factor flourishing in Lebanon?

A: I believe in religion not in sects. I am proud of my Christian background. The Holy Quran mentions all the prophets and apostles including Prophet Muhammad (P .B.U.H.). The Quran says:{ Say ( O’ Muhammad!) O, you people, surely I am the messenger of Allah unto you all... } [Al-A’araf; 158].

I found that the message of Islam addresses all people. Hence I had the right to become a Muslim. I do not claim that I changed from one religion to another, but that I found the right path. I was on the wrong track; then, I found the right one.

I became a Muslim following Prophets Muhammad and Jesus (Peace be upon them both). I believe in Christianity as a doctrine, and I find a lot that leads to Islam in the Bible.

Q: Your major is psychology; how did you feel before embracing Islam and how do you feel now?

A: Psychologically, I have thoroughly changed. I was pessimistic, hesitant, lost, and alien to my own self. Now I am optimistic and firm in belief. Previously, I had to choose one of three: to be a heretic, to commit suicide, or to embrace Islam. I preferred the third option. Following the west scientific development one cannot be a heretic.

Science proves the existence of a creator. To commit suicide means to displease Allah. I embraced Islam.

Q: Are you influenced by famous intellectuals who embraced Islam in France such as Maurice Bucaille and Rojer Garaudy?

A: I was greatly influenced by those famous men, especially Bucaille who was stunned by the Quranic verse that reads:{ ...And say: 0’ my Lord! Increase me in knowledge } [Taha: 114].

No other religion but Islam demands one to increase one’s knowledge. Man is at the threshold of a new century; still increase in scientific knowledge is demanded.

It is logic and reasoning that led me to embrace Islam. I did not blindly follow one of the present trends, nor did I flatter Muslims for some personal interest in marriage or divorce. I found the scientific factor in The Quran. They are scientific miracles in the age of science and knowledge.

Q: What was the reaction in your own locality?

A: Naturally, they rejected my new attitude. I suffered hardship and social harassment. I became a stranger in my family and amid my friends. But I consider myself an immigrant from one religion to another. Today I live amid the Muslims.

Q: The majority of Muslims are not committed Muslims; how were you attracted to Islam?

A: I was attracted to Islam through its clear reasonable logic and concepts that can be enacted. There is nothing secret or ambiguous in Islam. Islam’s practical instructions are clear to both: the common people and intellectuals. No one is humiliated or despised in this religion. There are no complicated or ecclesiastical rituals. No one has the authority to forgive the sinners. Allah the Almighty is only the One Who forgives. Islam is religion of reason and convincing argument. The Holy Quran says:

{ But if they dispute with you ( O’ Muhammad), then say: I have submitted myself ( wholly) to Allah and so does everyone who follows me } [Al-Umran: 19].

{ And they say: ‘None shall enter Paradise except him who is a Jew or a Christian.’ Say ( O, Muhammad to them): Bring your proof if you are truthful. } [The Cow: 111].

Islam is the religion of dialogue. A Muslim feels certain of the Creator hence enjoys spiritual tranquility.

The Holy Quran says:{ And those who believe and their hearts are set at rest by God’s remembrance; certainly by God’s remembrance are the hearts set at rest. } [Al-Ra’d:28].

Islam is different from other religions in such features in addition to its demand of one to seek knowledge. Moreover, Islam does not stifle the natural instincts of the human being. We are today at the age of stirred instincts through media propaganda. Islam is moderate; it does not suppress the instincts. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) says:« The believer who lives amid others and is patient at hardship is better than he who isolates himself and is impatient. » In Islam there is not monasticism that suppresses the instincts Allah created in men to survive the species reproduction. Tribes and nations are created to know each other. The Holy Quran says:{ O’ you people, surely We have created you of a male and female and made you in nations and tribes that you may recognize each other; surely the most honored of you to Allah is the one of you who guards ( against evil) the most, Allah is All- Knowing All-Aware } [Al-Hujurat: 13].

Q: Are you active amid Muslims or Christians?

A: Naturally amid the Muslims. I give lectures, radio interviews, and explain a lot about reasons for my conversion to Islam. I refer to the scientific miracles in The Quran and confirm its authenticity vis-à-vis the distorted Bibles.

Q: You do not address Christians, do you?

A: No, I do not, but I do call them to seek authentic information related to the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) in their Bibles. The Deuteronomy 18: 18 says:

{I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee (Moses - having a father and a mother)and will put My words in his mouth and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. }.

Isaiah 2:12 says:

{And the Book (The Quran)is delivered to him that he is not learned saying: Read this, I pray thee, and he says: I am not learned .}.

Q: Do you consider Islam as a perfect religion encompassing all previous religions? Can it play a role at the international level?

A: Of course I do. The Quranic verse 3 chapter Al-Maidah confirms this fact. Other religions need Islam so that they may be refined of all distortion.

Islam can be a unique school for science and culture. The renowned writer George Bernard Show says:« If a man like Muhammad were to assume leadership of the modem world, he would succeed in solving its problems and bring peace and happiness. »

MRS. BERNICE HOLTON

Mrs. Bernice Holton is a British biologist who embraced Islam more than twenty years ago. She married a committed Muslim scientist and has three children. In an interview with a local magazine, Mrs. Holton speaks about her early inclination toward religion in general and Islam in particular. Following is the text of her interview.

Q: Kindly tell us how were you attracted to Islam?

A: As a child, I attended the church as is usual for Christian families to do. Then I became a teacher in the church; however, the teaching and the contents of the Bible did not convince me. Hence I left the church and turned to other religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism... and Islam as well. The problem in the West is that one reads about Islam in books that cannot tell the true meanings in Islam. Writers play with words to distort information. I gave up thinking of religion. Then in college, I saw people from all over the world. Some were Muslims, and I asked them about Islam. At that time, the Muslims and the Arabs were ridiculed in the magazines and newspapers. They were portrayed as being silly and stupid, and it was said that one Jew could mislead a thousand Arabs.

However, when I talked with true Muslims, they furnished me with good, reasonable information which proved them to be clever and intelligent. I asked for books written in English by British Muslims. I never thought of becoming a Muslim woman, because I knew my family, friends, and co-workers would oppose me and create trouble for me. Hence I put away all the Islamic books in a place where I could not get them easily. Yet I could not tolerate the situation and hurried to get them back. I accepted Islam after I received my college degree. I got a job in Toronto... It was not easy for me to work with Jews, Christians, etc. They mocked my new belief, but I used to tolerate their behavior and talked to them sociably.

When I started to fast, I could not arrange the times for eating: Iftar and suhur (eating after sunset and before dawn). When I suffered poor health, my colleagues hurried to get me a doctor and from that time on, they were so nice to me that they even supplicate me on fasting days with chocolates or biscuits at the time of eating. They are still my good friends.

Q: What is your opinion regarding women’s freedom in the West and Muslim women in the Muslim community?

A: Women have gained some freedom in recent years. They have entered all fields of knowledge. The West talks a lot about freedom but never talks about duties and obligations. For women, it is good to study and achieve social status. Women can work as doctors, engineers, and in business. The problem is not to work or not outside the home. The problem is that she is being cheated, misled, and sexually abused. In this regard you can see the article of Dr. Frances Conley published in« Time » No. 27, July 1991.

In a capitalist society, companies compete for the highest profits for their products. Now who is to buy their products? Of course, men, women, and children. Women also take the husband’s money for their own use. Here the companies encourage women to buy even useless items. Women, in turn, try to find the latest fashions, cosmetics, furniture, luxurious cars… They think about how to spend the evening and where. The company’s profits increase. In the West, nothing is encouraged if it is not profitable. As a result, immorality and deviation spread, families break down, and children suffer psychological damage. Women also suffer. This is the result of the media campaigns which don’t differentiate between reasonable freedom and interference in one’s obligation...

In regard to a Muslim woman wherever she lives, she suffers hardships in her community. Even those who agree with her decent (Islamic) clothes (hijab ) find it difficult to have her at work. She faces difficulties in bringing up her children in an environment where the schools (usually with secularist curriculums), the T.V. programs, and the media teach them something in contrast with their belief. Hence the Muslim mother must be aware of Islamic ethics (ideology) and must know that which is forbidden and that which is not forbidden.

Q: How can a true Muslim woman play a positive role in a Muslim community?

A: Every person can play such a role. A woman can have such a role if she brings up her children according to Islamic instructions. Speaking for myself, I like reading scientific and social books as well as books about environment. I like very much to join organizations caring for the disabled. I think disabled people throughout the world are in great need of help. The work with the disabled may not seem fruitful since improvement is not always obvious... However, in Third World countries, we see few organizations caring for them. Everyone is concerned with his own affairs. In the results of the territorial wars, one can see thousands of helpless citizens.

The disabled may not suffer from a missing leg or hand. He may suffer from a mental disorder, a bullet in the liver, etc. The disabled often feel they are a burden to their families, and they may develop other sicknesses. Organizations can be of great help. We are all supposed to demonstrate sympathy, compassion, and help towards those who need it.