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AL-AQSA Magazine 2

President‛s EDITOR‛S The Meaning of the Logo


Foreword FOREWORD

A ll praise to the Almighty Allah, I n the Name of Allah, al-Rahman,


al-Raheem, and may the peace
and peace be upon His mes- and prayers of Allah be bestowed
senger Mohammed (s.a.w) in abundance upon His final Proph-
et and Messenger.
By the grace and blessings of Allah
s.w.t. Al-Aqsa Friends’ Society has So here we have it, alhamdulil-
been able to successfully launch lah, the third issue of al-Aqsa
the third issue of the English edi- Magazine in English. The last
tion of the Al-Aqsa magazine. The few months seen much activ-
Society does not only produce ity on the world’s stage, and the
typical magazines but it also runs student stage here at IIUM has
activities in cultural, Da’wah, arts, managed to capture that activity
and educational fields to meet the throughout this last semester, and
diversity of the students’ interests. microcosmically bring these issues
A l-Aqsa mosque is depicted in
the centre of the logo, for it
should be in the heart of every
These activities take the form of within our grasp. The creativity Muslim, just as it is in the hearts of
exhibitions, lectures, newsletters, through which this was done has the brothers and sisters in Al-Aqsa
workshops, journeys, art nights, been outstanding – discussions, Friends’ Society whose hands join
cultural competitions and others. forums, plays, videos, interviews, together in unity to protect and
skits, and parodies, to name but a defend its cause. The Qur’an in
I would like to take this oppor- few. Thus we wanted this issue of the logo depicts the constitution
tunity to express my deepest al-Aqsa Magazine to represent a and methodology adopted by the
gratitude to all those who worked conglomeration of topics, to reflect members of the Society. The cause
with Al-Aqsa to achieve its noble the diversity of talents and inter- of Al-Aqsa is an Islamic one, aided
adjectives in strengthening the ests of the student body of IIUM, by Muslims who work side by side
ties of brotherhood amongst IIUM and as such we hope you will find like the bricks of a building, as seen
students, making students aware it includes something for everyone in the logo. The logo of the Islamic
of the central issues of the Um- – the religious, the political, the University can also be seen, for
mah and achieving IIUM vision spiritual, the literary, the serious, from it Al-Aqsa Friends’ Society be-
and mission through students’ and the light-hearted. gan, grew and developed. The Is-
excellence. lamic University represents a base
It is customary at this point that for the unity of the Ummah, and
I should not forget Al-Aqsa new
the Editor thanks all those who for employing their efforts to help
outstanding members who recent- al-Aqsa mosque, as is indicated by
have worked to make this maga-
ly joined the society and undoubt- the phrase mentioned at the bot-
zine a reality. Only by going be-
edly helped a lot in enhancing the tom of the logo.
yond the customary will change
number and quality of the society’s come about, so I would also like
programs. To them I send my spe- to thank those who have [in the
cial and deep regards. eyes of many] done nothing to
I ask The-Almighty Allah to reward make this particular magazine a Editorial
reality…the silent, lone individu-
with the best all those who are
als who strive with their lives and
Team
working to revive the Islamic spirit
wealth to hack at the roots of evil
in our Ummah and all those who and injustice while others are sim-
go with us hand in hand to make a ply pruning its branches. You are Coordinator:
change in today’s complex society. our inspiration, and we ask Allah
Iman Hussain
Thanks to all. to shower upon you His greatest
blessings, such that were each one
Wassalamualaikum Warahmato Al- a mere drop of water from the sky, Editor:
lahi Wabarakatuh. the world would be flooded many Ola Shoubaki
times over. Ameen. Wa al-Salaamu Designers:
DIAA MUSA DIAB AL-JUNEIDI ‘alaykum, Showayb A A Zahda
Mohammed Al-Herbawi
By: Ola Shoubaki.
AL-AQSA Magazine 3

“Along the way, take time to smell the flowers”:


A spiritual journey around the IIUM campus.
A s you walk through the campus,
hearken to the birdsong that is
to be your traveling companion,
may have covered the head of
the Iraqi child who was forced
to watch his parents being killed
and ask yourself: Of what do they before his eyes, just as they may
sing? Of worship and adoration have covered the head of the Haji
of their Creator, of happiness and who sacrificed his comfort to em-
sadness, of love and of loss; let not bark upon a journey to worship his
their song fall upon deaf ears. Creator. See what the clouds see;
share with them their pain and
As you cross the HS bridge, let their pleasure, and ask Allah that
your heart applaud the fountains He protects all the Muslims whom
that dance with the breeze, and the clouds will next cover.
feel the purity of Allah’s creation.
And as you move your eyes to the
As you pass by the trees, share horizon, ponder the magnitude of
their anticipation as they await the the mountains, and reflect on your
blossoming of their young buds, relationship with your Creator and
and share their joy as their child- with the Qur’an as you appreciate
rens’ vibrant colours explode onto how the same mountain could be
the green landscape. Marvel at moved from its place and be split
the fraternity of the young, weak As you raise your head to the sky,
into two had the Qur’an been sent
trees as they bask in the protec- look through the eyes of the clouds
down upon it, due to its fear of Al-
tive shade of their large, majestic which are now your canopy; the
laah.
brothers. same clouds that cover your head
By Ola Shoubaki

Hijab! Some reflections


M uslim women wear Hijab -
which is more than just a
head cover- because God ordered
clearly that Allah has obligatd refer to head cover, but to the en-
women to wear hijab. tire dress of a woman. This means
that there are certain requirements
them to do so in two places in the But what exactly is meant by hijab? for a woman’s dress to be Islamic:
Qur’an, and because the Prophet Hijab is the proper Islamic · It must cover the whole body.
Muhammad (peace and blessings dress code, which is primarily in- · It must not be tight or transpar-
be upon him), also ordered it. tended to safeguard the modesty, ent.
The Qur’an teaches us dignity and honor of women and · It must not delineate the parts
what means: (( And say to the be- men. By wearing Hijab, women of the body, especially those parts
lieving women that they protect them- that are sexually attractive.
should lower their gaze selves from · It must not be a dress that is usu-
and guard their modesty; any lustful gaze ally worn by men.
that they should not or act that may Moreover, complete hijab,
display their beauty and expose them besides these criteria of clothing,
ornaments except what to temptation also includes the moral conduct,
(must ordinarily) appear or harassment behavior, attitude, and intention
thereof; that they should of any kind. of the individual. A person who
draw veils over their bo- On the other only fulfills the criteria of hijab of
soms and not display their hand, it pro- the clothes is observing hijab in a
beauty except to their tects men from limited sense. Hijab of the clothes
husbands, their fathers, indulgence in should be accompanied by hijab of
their husbands’ fathers, vices and un- the eyes, the heart, the thought,
their sons...)) (An-Nur lawful acts. and the intention. It also includes
24:31). In fact, Hijab the way a person walks, talks, and
This verse shows does not only behaves
AL-AQSA Magazine 4

Defending Jerusalem: A Sacred Duty


By Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi and Al-Aqsa Mosque and the third

N o Muslim, be he in authority or most venerable city in Islam, after


not, is allowed to abandon any Makkah and Madinah? This land
of the lands of Muslims. The land of was the destination of Al-Israa’
the Islamic world is not the property and the land from where Al-Mi`raj
of any president, prince, minister or was launched. Nothing better
group of people. It is not up to any- explains its revered status than
one therefore to relinquish it under Allah’s words, (Glory to (Allah)
any circumstances. Who did take His servant for
a journey by night from the
Conversely, it is the duty of individu- sacred Mosque to the farthest
als and groups to strive hard to lib- Mosque, whose precincts
erate occupied territories or retrieve We did bless, in order that
usurped land. The entire nation is We might show him some of
jointly responsible for that and it is Our Signs: for He is the One
not up to the ruler or his subjects to Who Heareth and Seeth (all
choose to give up the land. If a par- things).) (Al-Isra’ 17: 1)
ticular generation lapses in idleness
or is incapable of shouldering the Therefore, Jerusalem has come to
responsibility, it has no right to force enjoy a special place in the heart
its idleness or incapacity on all the of every Muslim in the entire Arab
coming generations up till Judgment world. The occupation of Jerusalem Palestine is meaningless with no
Day, by giving up what it has no moves his heart and pains him, out Aqsa or Jerusalem.
right to. Therefore, we have issued of love, keenness and jealousy over
a Fatwa indicating that it is unlawful it as well as his concern about it. It Without Jerusalem, it is like a body
for all homeless Palestinian refugees is mainly on account of Jerusalem with no head.
to accept damages in return for that the Palestinian cause comes
first on Muslims’ list of priorities. It Jerusalem is not for the Palestinians
their lost land, even if they amount only, but for all Muslims, be they Ar-
to billions. The land of Islam is not is Jerusalem that Muslims fear for
and are keen to preserve, defend abs or not. It is a city for all Arabs, be
for sale; it is not to be relinquished, they Muslims or Christians. Therefore
and no damages can possibly make and fight for. It is for the sake of
Jerusalem that they willingly give it is incumbent on Muslims, wherever
up for its loss. they may be, to shoulder their respon-
their lives and all they hold dear. Je-
If this is the ruling concerning any rusalem is the symbol of the cause sibility of defending Jerusalem and Al-
ordinary piece of land in an Islamic of Palestine. It is the backbone and Aqsa Mosque. This is an obligation for
state, what will be the case with the very core of the problem. True them all. They are to jointly defend it,
the holy land of Jerusalem, the are the words of the poet who once offering in the process their lives, their
land of the first of the two Qiblahs said, money and all they possess, or else
they will be subject to Allah’s punish-
ment, for Allah says:
[O ye who be-
lieve what is the
matter with you,
that when ye are
asked to go forth
in the cause of Al-
lah, ye cling heav-
ily to the earth?
Do ye prefer the
life of this world
to the Hereafter?
But little is the
comfort of this
life, as compared
with the Hereaf-
ter.] (Al-Tawbah 9:
38).
AL-AQSA Magazine 5

Al-Khushu’
and read the Qur’an’s translation
continuously.
10- Interact with the recited aayahs;

A
a. if you hear an ayah about Allah,
ll praise be to Allah, and peace be 4- When you stand facing the Qiblah
glorify Him by saying “Subhaana Allah”;
upon his messenger, all his family remember the following:
b. If you hear an ayah about Hellfire,
and companions. a. It might be the last Salaat in
say “a’uuthu billaahi mina-n-naar”.
Allah says at the beginning of Surah your life. There is no guarantee to
c. If you hear a command
Al-Mu’minun “Successful indeed are live longer to catch the next Salaat.
to make istighfaar, do it.
the believers, who have Khushu’ in b. You are standing between the hands
d. If you hear an ayah that
their prayers”. Since khushu’ is the of Allah, the Lord of the worlds. How
requests tasbiih, make tasbiih.
first characteristic of the believers as can you be busy with something else?
11- When you prostrate, remember
is clearly stated in the previous verse, c. The angel of death is chasing you.
that this position brings you closer
the main way to purify the heart, a 5- Do not forget to make isti’azah.
to Allah. Seize the opportunity to
contributing factor for the acceptance It wards off Satan’s whispers.
make sincere supplication. Invest
of the prayer, and the way to gain 6- Keep your eyes focused on
these moments in making sincere
greater reward from the Almighty the place of sujuud. This helps
supplications.
Allah, then achieving Khushu in prayer you gain more concentration.
12- After finishing the Salaat, don’t
should become our priority. 7- When reciting the Fatiha, try to
forget to thank Allah by blessing you
recall the response of Allah to you
to be able to achieve Khushu’, do all
Ways to achieve Khushu’: after every ayah you
Dhikr after salaat, and supplicate to
1- To have clear and authentic
Allah to help you do that in every
knowledge about Allah the
salaat.
Almighty, think about His
Finally, al-Khushu’ constitutes
names and attributes, always
the spirit of Salah. So, a
remember Him, surrender to
Muslim has to do his
Him, do what He likes and
best to perform
avoid what He dislikes. We
Salaat with
have to know the One who
al-Khushu’.
we are praying to and realize
Al-Khushu’ can
His greatness.
be gained mainly by following the
2- To minimize attachment to worldly say. (When you say:”al-hamdu lillahi
above steps, but key to open these
matters; gear one’s intentions towards rab-bil ‘alamin) Allah responds: “My
doors is undoubtedly: Seeking Allah’s
the Afterlife; avoid major and minor servant praised me.” etc. This feeling of
help to gain al-Khushu’ sincerely and
sins, guard against the temptations speaking to Allah puts you in the right
following that with actions. My hope
of life, and do whatever softens the mood of khushuu’. And interact with
for you, after reading this article,
hearts such as reciting the Qur’an, the rest of the recited aayahs as well.
is that you begin your intention to
continuous supplication, and following 8- Beautifying the recitation of the
achieve Khushu’ in all your prayers
Allah’s orders. Qur’an has a positive impact on the heart.
starting from this moment.
3- To leave whatever we are doing, 9- Recite the Qur’an slowly and reflect
perform Wudu’, go to the mosque and upon its meaning deeply if you know
Assalamu alaikum.
keep remembering Allah while waiting it, and if you don’t know the meaning,
By: Alwatheq@aqsa.com
for Iqamah once the Azan is heard. then it’s preferable to learn Arabic
AL-AQSA Magazine 6

Palestine Life Makers 3


Is Our Holy Land ...
Women who always cry...
A ssalamualaikum,During the past two sessions
we talked about establishing a strong basis
of Iman, determining the mission and vision in
Men who love to die... life, having the eagerness, strengthening the
Birds that sing and fly... various relations, and we started to talk about the
All swear by Allah in the sky... relation with Allah as the most important one. In
And shout loudly to certify... this session we’ll talk about the relation with the
Palestine Is Our Holy Land one self.
My hope now that
Beans we used to grow... we all have set clear
The winds that always blow... mission and vision in life.
Every stone we used to throw... The vision is to be divided
On the walls we write and draw... into short-term and long-
Israelis are the worst we saw... term goals for the coming
We Will Never Shake Their Dirty Hand year or years. I want from
you to write the goals on
Every seed, plant and tree... a paper and past them in your room where you
Every man who loves to be FREE... can always see them. Remember as much time,
Balfour is a false decree... concentration, and understanding you engage
Whether they agree or dissagree... while setting your goals as clear the vision will be.
Israelis will one day run and flee... Take a few minutes everyday after Fajir to write
We Own Each Grain Of Its Holy Sand your daily tasks.
It’s very important to arrange your tasks
Al-Aqsa is a holy place... in priority. Think about yourself, discover your
Muslims’ first issue and case... talents and try to improve them. Use a special
Strong faith is what we should embrace... diary to record your daily achievements in one
We should seek Allah’s help and grace... page and your daily failures in the facing page, do
Their plan to destroy it is our duty to face... a weekly assessment, reward your self for every
Oh Muslims; We Should Take A Serious Stand achievement and punish it for every mistake. Try
to discover the points of weakness to overcome
Oh my brother, hold your rifle and fight... them and the points of strength to improve them.
To defend your legal & holy right... In your study; try hard to get wonderful results
To our Prophet’s teachings hold tight... in your kulliyyah. Keep doing jogging or walking
It has been a very long night... everyday and I prefer it to be in the morning.
But I swear I can see the light... Always talk positively to yourself.
The Sun Will Wave Its Hand Entertain yourself from time to time by
an outing every week. Prepare a plan for daily
Written by: SAMER N A ALHERBAWI reading, and do your utmost to finish a book
every two weeks at least. To benefit from your
reading; note down all important information you
read. Read in various fields and try to concentrate
on the more important fields. We may follow
this descending order from the most to least
important, Qur’an and Sunnah, self management,
the specialization of the study, history, politics,
economics, law and then the other materials. It’s
very important to read the news everyday and
know what is going on in the world around.

DIAA MUSA DIAB AL-JUNEIDI


Abkarino99@hotmail.com
AL-AQSA Magazine 7

Towards Enhancing the Thinking Skills of Muslim Youth1


Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jamal Badi

T hinking (tafakkur) is highly culture for practicing it. Ijtihad or positive, conceptual and perceptual
valued in Islam. It is over-exerting oneself in search of thinking skills, to name a few.
considered as “Ibadah wajibah”
or an obligatory form of worship, It is because of this status of
which is rewarded, provided it is thinking in Islam that led
practiced with sincerity and good the Muslim scholars to be
intention, and for a good purpose. pioneers in many fields
of knowledge. Muslim
Islam encourages collective scholars innovated
thinking, where many Islamic and developed many
principles can be only practiced disciplines such as:
collectively such as mutual Chemistry, Algebra,
consultation (shura), mutual Mathematics,
advice (Nasiha), enjoining good Optics, Astronomy,
and discouraging evil. Medicine, Linguistics,
Philosophy of
Islam draws the attention of History, and Sociology.
Makind not to be trapped by
barriers to thinking such as: lack Al-Biruni, Al-Farghani,
of knowledge, blind following, Al-Battani, Al-
arrogance, stubbornness, whims Khawarizmi, Al-Razi,
and lusts, emotions and feelings, Ibn al-Haytham, Al-
reliance on conjectures, and Mastaufi, Ibn Khaldun, Ibn
satanic temptations. al-Nafis, and Jabir Ibn Hayyan
are some of the great Muslim
Islam not only encourages scholars who contributed to
thinking and creativity, it also knowledge is a good example. the advancement of Human
creates the environment and knowledge.
Another good example Unfortunately, and due to many
is the command contributing factors, Muslims have
to practice the act become less innovative and critical
of exploring and in the last two centuries.
discovering universal
and social divine laws Nowadays, thinking is being
that govern this world taught as skills and tools that
in an attempt to live can be learnt. It is of an extreme
a better and more importance that our young
progressive life and generation pays careful attention
to cultivate the earth to this fact. They should make
as one of the most a serious effort to learn thinking
important obligations of skills. This becomes an obligation
every Muslim. in order to overcome many of
the contemporary challenges and
To enhance thinking to restore the progressive role of
one needs to be the Muslim Ummah as a leading
equipped with thinking Ummah.
skills. The Qur’an is full
of a great number of
1
These insights are taken from the
thinking skills such as: author’s book entitled: Creative
scientific, analogical, Thinking: An Islamic Perspective.
metaphorical, rational, IIUM Research Centre. KL 2005
logical, contemplative,
hypothetical, visual,
AL-AQSA Magazine 8

AL-Quds cities that enjoy mountainous


temperate climate with the odor
Bab Al Khaleel , Bab Al Jadeed,
Bab Al Amoud (Damascus

T here is hardly any media of the sea around its corners. The Gate), Bab Al Zaherah (Al
coverage of the situation stones of its ancient buildings Samereh), Bab Al Asbat, Bab Al
in Palestine (or the Middle narrate the stories of 5000 years Magharbeh, Bab Al Rahmeh and
East as it is usually referred long human civilization; that Bab Al Nabi Dawud. Western
to) that does not mention Al involved millions of lives, and of Jerusalem, which was annexed
Quds “Jerusalem”, or display struggles, love, hate and faith. by “The Zionist entity” after its
its golden holy shrine in the It houses some of the major occupation in 1948, is built in the
background. Being one of the style of modern
oldest cities on Earth, a holy cities. Eastern
city for the three Abrahamic Jerusalem is
religions, Islam, Christianity surrounded by
and Judaism, and the assumed mountainous
capital of Palestine, its issue is forests on which
at the heart of this conflict. “Israel” has
Indeed, the current Intifada built various
of Al Aqsa, which witnessed settlements. The
some of the worst stories of main quarters of
bloodshed in the history of this Al Quds, besides
generations-old dispute, started the old city, are:
after the former Zionist Prime Shufat, Sheikh
Minister, then the leader of the Jarrah, Wadi El
opposition, entered Al Aqsa shrines of Islam, Christianity Joaz, El Tor, Selwan,, Sur Baher
Mosque in 28-September-2000 and Judaism. In short, it is a and Al Qastal. More quarters and
protected by 2000 occupational concentration of the holiness of districts have been recently built
forces, in flagrant defiance of Palestine and the world. on the neighboring mountains of
the local Muslim population and Places and Sites: Al Masharefi, Al Qatamoun and
Muslims around the world. Jerusalem is composed of two Al Mukabber. Since its fall under
The City: Al Quds is its main parts, Eastern Jerusalem occupation in 1967, East Al-
Arabic name that is derived from that encompasses most of the Quds has witnessed increasing
a root that means holiness. It is religious historical sites and is Jewish expansion coupled
a marvelous city located 55km composed of the Old City and with practices to alienate and
from the Mediterranean Sea the built up around it. The ultimately displace the local
and 22km from the Dead Sea at Old City is totally surrounded Muslim population.
an altitude of 720-800m above by walls that were built for
sea level; it is one of the few protection, it has eight gates:

The Historical Minbar (pulpit) of Nur al-Din Zinki


K ing Nur al-Din Zinki, who
was fighting the Crusaders,
made a minbar hoping that he
the minbar was placed in al-
Aqsa Mosque on 23rd of January
2007, after more than 2 years
the minbar in its place inside
the main building in Al-Aqsa
Mosque, the Zionist Occupation
would be able to place it in al- of working on it. Not only was Authorities started demolishing
Aqsa Mosque, but he died before the new minbar made of the two rooms within Al-Aqsa
he could do that, and it was put same materials as the original Mosque, as well as a pathway
20 years later by the Sultan historical one, but it was also that leads to one of its gates.
Salah al-Din after the liberation put together in the same unique This indicates the fact that the
of al-Aqsa Mosque in 1187. way that was used for the minbar returned back to Al-
The original minbar of Nur al- original minbar; about 16500 Aqsa Mosque, but without Salah
Din Zinki was burned by an pieces, with no nails. al-Din to liberate it.
extremist Jew on 21st August
1969. An exact new copy of After two days from installing
AL-AQSA Magazine 9
Brotherhood in the Words of Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w)

T he perfect model
Islamic brotherhood can
of

be constructed from the life,


the Exalted, says ‘Indeed, My
Love shall be bestowed upon
the ones who visit each other
around the Throne [of Allah] for
a group of people whose faces
resemble the full moon. These
character, and words of the for My Sake. Indeed, My Love people shall not experience
noble Messenger of Allah shall be bestowed upon the any fear or terror although all
(s.a.w) ones who love one another others will. They are the friends
for My Sake. Indeed, My of Allah upon whom there shall
In a Hadeeth narrated by be no fear and who shall not
Love shall be bestowed upon
Tabarani, Allah’s Messenger be sad. It was asked, who are
the ones who approach one
(s.a.w) said: “Those who sit those people, O Messenger of
another in humility for My Sake.
nearer to me are the ones Allah? The Messenger (pbuh)
And, indeed, My Love shall be
among you with the best replied, they are the ones who
bestowed upon the ones that
manners, the humble who love one another for the sake of
rush to help one another for My
befriend and are befriended.” Allah, the Exalted.’’
Sake.”
On another occasion the These various sayings of thr
On one occasion Idrees Al-
Prophet (s.a.w) said: “The Prophet (s.a.w) show that by
Khawadani said to Mu`aadh Ibn
believer is friendly and easy fostering love for the sake of
Jabal: “I love you for the sake
to befriend. And there is no Allah and establishing ties of
of Allah.” Mu`aadh responded:
good in the person who does brotherhood among fellow Mus-
“Behold! Then, behold again
not befriend and does not get lims, the believer may hope to
the good news! For I have
befriended.” attain the ultimate and unimag-
heard the Messenger of Allah
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) also (s.a.w) saying: “On the Day of inable honor: the friendship and
said in a Hadeeth Qudsi: “Allah, Judgment, seats will be placed pleasure of Allah (S.W.T.).

Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) and Islam


l et’s start by defining what is
FOSS – (Free/ Open source
Software). It is a software that can
developing countries from the
perspective of Information and
Communication Technology (ICT),
“… Circulate knowledge and teach
the ignorant, for knowledge does
not vanish except when it is kept
be used, studied, and modified with specific regard to topics such secretly (to oneself).” (Sahih
without restriction, and which as the applications of ICT in day to Bukhari, Vol. 1, Hadith no. 98).
can be copied and redistributed in day life and the knowledge of ICT “He who is asked about
modified or unmodified form only itself. Such gaps have proved to knowledge and conceals it, will be
to ensure that further recipients be a significant factor in a nation’s bridled with a bridle of fire on the
can also do these things. To development process. Bridging Day of Resurrection.’’ (Abu Dawud
make these acts possible, the this so-called “digital divide” and At-Tirmidhi ).
human readable form of the has continuously been a major This precisely is what FOSS
program (called the source code) objective of the global community. movement is fighting for i.e;
must be made available. The It is true that FOSS can and will keeping the source code of
source code can be placed in play a crucial role in shaping the software open so that people
the public domain, accompanied bridge to gap the “digital divide” can benefit. The FOSS movement
by a software licence saying that that has been created. is also against the idea of
the copyright holder permits From an Islamic perspective FOSS closing source codes or applying
these acts. This is contrary to embodies the spirit of Islam by Intellectual Property (IP) rights
popular proprietary softwares promoting collaborative effort on them. There are a number
like WindowsOS, Microsoft Office, by all members of society for of hadiths which encourage
MacOS, Sun systems etc. overall societal development. The congregational acts and also
There is an ever widening Prophet has said sharing of knowledge.
gap between developed and Mohammed Yacoob - ICT 4th year
AL-AQSA Magazine 10

The Message
Our mission on earth is to wor- especially if we want to face the som of slaves; to be steadfast
ship Allah s.w.t. but actually challenge of the 21st century. So in prayer, and practice regular
Al-Qur’an gave us the right many Muslims think that to be charity; to fulfil the contracts
derivation of worship (Ibadah) a righteous person you need to which ye have made; and to
as we read in it the meaning have a long beard, wear a col- be firm and patient, in pain (or
of Al-Ihsan. It’s narrated in the orful scarf, take care of worship suffering) and adversity, and
authentic Hadith that Al-Ihasan such as prayers, fasting, Itiqaf , throughout all periods of panic.
can be used to mean: perfec- Umrah. Even we cheat in busi- Such are the people of truth,
the Allah-fearing”.
The purpose behind the change
of the place Muslims face in
prayer and indeed all aspects of
worship and rituals have never
been the direction people face,
and indeed any outward form.
These are not what give wor-
ship its value and meaning, nor
what makes people good and
righteous. Righteousness is the
result of a total feeling and at-
titude and a mode of behaviour
which shapes the individual’s
conscience and the mind-set of
the community. It’s a discipline
tion, doing a work, a research, ness or we do not behave nicely whose effects are immediately
or teaching perfectly. Al-Ihsan with people. To correct this and constantly apparent in
can be apparent through your wrong understanding Al-Qur’an one’s life and the life of the
behaviour as the prisoners have mentions in Surah Al-Baqara society at large. Without these
seen the Akhlaq of the prophet verse 177: “ what constitutes aspects facing east and west,
Yosof (s.a.w). Then they were righteousness: “It is not righ- or turning face to the right and
witnesses that he was (Mohsen) teousness that ye turn your left has no significance (In the
hehaving nicely with others. faces Towards east or West; but shade of Al-Qur’an- Sayyed
The scholars of Rafsin reported it is righteousness- to believe in Qutb). This is the first mes-
that he was very helpful to his Allah and the Last Day, and the sage we can observe from Al-
companions even in the prison. Angels, and the Book, and the Qur’an teachings. Hopefully we
Al-Qur’an recorded that clearly: Messengers; to spend of your will have opportunities to read
“We see thou art one that doth substance, out of love for Him, about many concepts from the
good (to all).” for your kin, for orphans, for Qur’an perspective like: win-
I think we need to read the the needy, for the wayfarer, for ning and losing, Al-Taqwa, and
Qur’an with a new approach those who ask, and for the ran- others.
AL-AQSA Magazine 11
Comments Corner
What does AL-AQSA mean to you?
S adly to say, not every
Muslim knows about Al-
Aqsa Mosque.
I n fact, when I remember Al-
Aqsa Mosque, I feel the sad-
ness and the pain deeply in my
I believe that the Masjid Al-
Aqsa is the holy land of
Muslim Ummah. I love Masjid
For me, Al- heart. This is
Al-Aqsa because
Aqsa is a because Al-
holy mosque Aqsa Mosque it is the first
w h i c h is not a beau- Qiblah for the
belongs to tiful structure Muslim Ummah
every Muslim only but, it and the place
in this world. has also a from where the
So, it is our great mean- Prophet Moham-
responsibility ing to me. It
med s.a.w has ascended to
to defend it from the Zionists. means the
Those killers are killing soul, heart and land. Every heaven (Mi’raj). When I hear
Muslims, demolishing the day Al-Aqsa Mosque cries but or mention Al-Aqsa Mosque I
homes, uprooting the trees, nobody hears its crying. It’s feel too disappointed because
and destroying our sacred a shame on us to keep silent the blessing and holy place
places in Palestine while we while it’s under occupation. If which was built by Prophet
are still quiet. As Muslims we we are real Muslims we should Adam and has a great history
must defend Al-Aqsa mosque know that Al-Aqsa Mosque is
in Islam is today under the oc-
with whatever way we have. really the heart of every Mus-
We could contribute by giving lim. Defending Al-Aqsa Mosque cupation of Zionists who don’t
our ideas, material support, does not have one way only; allow our Muslim brothers and
or at least doing supplication it can be done through many sisters to pray freely in Al-Aqsa.
to Allah for our brothers over ways. Yes ... We don’t have In my opinion, we may defend
there in Palestine who are still advanc ed weapons to defend Al-Aqsa by being united, knowl-
steadfast and ready to die to it but we have the Do’wa which
edgeable, hard-working, and by
free Al-Aqsa. is much greater than any other
exposing the occupational ag-
weapon.
gressive behaviors to the world.
Mohd Shafiq - Malaysia Yousef Al-Juneidi -Palestine Zabihullah Zaland –Afghanistan.
1 year, HS-BENL
st 1 year, HS-Communication
st
1st year, HS-Political science.

A llah says: “Glorified be He who


took His servant (Muhammad)
for a journey by night from Al-Masjid
in prayer and then ascended to heaven to
receive ALLAH’s command to Muslims to pray
five times a day. So this place means for me
Al Haram to the Al-Aqsa Masjid, the everything, and it’s a holly MASJID that we
neighborhood whereof we have should all unite to free it from the Zionists.
blessed”. With these eternal verses, We can defend Masjid Al-Aqsa in many ways;
Allah (SWT), stated in the heart of Our first of all we should unite our voices and
holly Qur’an, the never diminishing actions towards Al-masjid AL-Aqsa and we
significance of Masjid Al-Aqsa to us as Muslims. should sacrifice our wealth to our brothers
Al-Aqsa is in the heart of every single Muslim in this who are fighting in the frontline. Secondly, we
world, Al-Aqsa is the first “QIBLAH” and then is the have to create awareness of the matter to our
third sacred house of ALLAH, it’s the place where Muslim societies and encourage them that this
our prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) journeyed at night is our responsibility not only the responsibility
in a miraculous manner from the city of Mecca, of the Palestinians. Finally we may make Du’a
where his call to Islam (submission to ALLAH) was in our daily prayers for our brothers, who are
still in its earliest stages. At Al-Aqsa Mosque, he struggling for the freedom of Masjid Al- Aqsa
led all the prophets of ALLAH that came before him and Palestine. Hamza Faqih - Somalia -KICT 3rd year

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