Baby Dresses

The Tiny Universe Dresses Your Baby To The Nines With Mini Tuxedos & Fancy Dresses

For special occasions and holidays, not to mention weddings, comes the creative line of baby clothing by the Swedish company The Tiny Universe. Look at how adorable these babies look dressed to the nines, ready for anything the Royal family has to offer.
The Tiny Universe has created a line including girls dresses, boys tuxedos, and a unique traditional Swedish dress. Let’s start with the dresses! Both garments are made of 100% cotton, making the clothing very lightweight and great for anytime of the year. I love how both dresses have something that sets them apart, my personal favourite is the pearls. Adorable!


Next up are the boys tuxedos, which are cleverly made from comfy bodysuits. The boys look dapper in these suits, and I really love the homage to old Hollywood with the white tux.


The Tiny Universe has also included a warm and cozy blanket in their line, as well as a traditional Swedish summer dress. There is a little something for everyone here and so many of these items would make fabulous gifts. One of the most hilarious items I have come across however, is the Picturebook For The Finest of Babies. This book will teach your child the most vital words in the English language; Designer Handbag, Champagne, and Private Jet!
Sizes range from 0-12 months depending on the item. Visit The Tiny Universe now for ordering details and more information on the products.

I know, I know the holidays have just ended and we are already talking about Valentine’s Day. It may seem too soon, but it is only one month away which means you have just enough time to purchase the goods you need to celebrate the holiday of love .
We will be featuring several cute round-ups over the next couple of weeks, but first up are these cute tees for little boys. For some reason, people associate pink, red and hearts with girls only which is a shame because there are so many cute outfits for boys as well. Etsy is of course my go-to resource for all things handmade and one-of-a-kind and as usual they didn’t let me down.
The tee pictured above is inspired by the Shakespeare quote “…I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at.” The seller has cleverly fused hearts on the elbows of these long sleeved Rabbit Skins tees which not only provide a cute look but extra durability too. Price: $20.00 from Onceuponastory

No these aren’t’ fooler tees. The clever pairing above was done with 4 matching tees. Those red numbers you see with the embellished striped ties are super fun to layer, dress up or down. 
Yes Movember is over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a little bit of fun with the mustache. 

Looking for something a little subtle? The sewn tie on this black tee features a red heart embellishment that is just too cute.

A onesie and a tee – matching “Be Mine” Valentine’s Day tees for your little men.

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Party Wear Dress

NazJunaid Latest Summer Party Dresses

NazJunaid, whose aim to create attire and interiors that are not only pleasing to the eye, brought another stunning and glamorous collection.

This most recent collection is entitled as “NazJunaid Latest Summer Party Dresses 2012?. NazJunaid remained very successful to make the place in the world of fashion and it was liked by lots of women.

These dresses are very beautiful and highly-worked which can provide a great look to the young girls and women.

The brand is struggling hard for last one year to provide latest fashion trend in Pakistan to their clients who are working in the field of fashion industry.

NazJunaid, who was found in 2008, is now a well established brand of fashion industry of Pakistan. Pakistan’s famous fashion designer has already launched many collections.

There are are the casual, formal and semi- formal wear of “NazJunaid” which can provide you the best look in winter to attend any type of party you attend.

NazJunaid has already launched many collections which are brought out according to the demand of the people.

NazJunaid Latest Summer Party Dresses 2012 are very beautiful and highly-worked which can provide a great look to the young girls and women.

There are more exclusive designs and dashing color scheme in this collection. This collection is especially designed according to the latest fashion trend in Pakistan.

How Does Someone Become a Muslim?

imply by saying with conviction
"La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah." One converts to Islam and becomes a Muslim....

This saying means 
"There is no true god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God.” 

The first part » “There is no true god but God,” means that "none has the right to be worshipped but God alone, and that God has neither partner nor son."

To be a Muslim, one should also 
» Believe that the Holy Quran is the literal word of God, revealed by Him.
» Believe that the Day of Judgment (the Day of Resurrection) is true and will come, as God promised in the Quran.
» Accept Islam as his or her religion.
» Not worship anything nor anyone except God.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said :
{God is more joyful at the repentance of someone when he turns to Him in repentance than one of you would be if he were riding his camel in the wilderness, and it runs away from him, carrying his food and drink, so that he loses all hope of getting it back. He comes to a tree and lies down in its shade (awaiting death), for he has lost all hope of finding his camel. Then, while he is in that state (of desperation), suddenly it is there before him! So he seizes its halter and cries out from the depth of his joy, “O God, You are my servant and I am Your Lord!” His mistake comes from the intensity of his joy.}*1


Footnotes
1. Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2747, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6309.

Prohibition of Alcohol

Q. Why is the consumption of alcohol prohibited in Islaam?

Answer.. 
Alcohol has been the scourge of human society since time immemorial. It continues to cost countless human lives, and causes terrible misery to millions throughout the world. Alcohol is the root cause of several problems facing society. The statistics of soaring crime rates, increasing instances of mental illnesses and millions of broken homes throughout the world bear mute testimony to the destructive power of alcohol. 

1. Prohibition of alcohol in the Qur'ân.

The Glorious Qur'ân prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verse: "O ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling, (Dedication of) stones, And (divination by) arrows, Are an Abomination – Of Satan’s handiwork; Eschew such (abomination), That ye may prosper." [Al-Qur'ân 5:90] 



2. Prohibition of alcohol in the Bible.

The Bible prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verses: 
a. "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." 
[Proverbs 20:1] 

b. "And be not drunk with wine." [Ephesians 5:18] 



3. Alcohol inhibits the inhibitory center.

The human beings possess an inhibitory centre in their brains. This inhibitory centre prevents the person from doing things that he considers wrong. For instance a person does not normally use abusive language while addressing his parents or elders. If he has to answer the call of nature, his inhibitory centre will prevent him from doing so in public. Therefore he uses the toilet. 

When a person consumes alcohol, the inhibitory centre itself is inhibited. That is precisely the reason that an inebriated person is often found to be indulging in behaviour that is completely uncharacteristic of him. For instance the intoxicated person is found to use abusive and foul language and does not realize his mistake even if he is addressing his parents. Many even urinate in their clothes. Neither do they talk nor walk properly. They even misbehave. 



4. Cases of adultery, rape, incest and AIDS are found more among alcoholics.

According to National Crime Victimization Survey Bureau of Justice (U.S. Department of Justice) in the year 1996 alone everyday on an average 2,713 rapes took place. The statistics tell us that the majority of the rapists, were intoxicated while committing the crime. The same is true in cases of molestation. 

According to statistics, 8% of Americans commit incest i.e. one in every twelve to thirteen persons in America is involved in incest. Almost all the cases of incest are due to intoxication of one or both the persons involved. 

One of the major factors associated with the spread of AIDS, the most dreaded disease, is alcoholism. 



5. Every alcoholic was initially a social drinker.

Many may argue in favour of liquor by calling themselves ‘social drinkers’. They claim that they only have one or two pegs and they have self-control and so never get intoxicated. Investigations reveal that every alcoholic started as a social drinker. Not a single alcoholic or drunkard initially starts drinking with the intention of becoming an alcoholic or a drunkard. No social drinker can say that I have been having alcohol for several years and that I have so much self-control that I have never been intoxicated even a single time. 



6. If a person is intoxicated just once and commits something shameful, it will remain with him for a lifetime.

Suppose a ‘social drinker’ loses his self-control just once. In a state of intoxication he commits rape or incest. Even if the act is later regretted, a normal human being is likely to carry the guilt throughout his life. Both the perpetrator and the victim are irreparably and irreversibly damaged. 



7. Alcohol is prohibited in the Hadith.

The Prophet of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 
a. In Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3371. 
"Alcohol is the mother of all evils and it is the most shameful of evils." 

b. In Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3392 
"Anything which intoxicates in a large quantity, is prohibited even in a small quantity." 
Thus there is no excuse for a nip or a tot. 

c. Not only those who drink alcohol are cursed but also those who deal with them directly or indirectly are cursed by Allaah. 

According to Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3380. 
It was reported by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "God’s curse falls on ten groups of people who deal with alcohol. The one who distills it, the one for whom it has been distilled, the one who drinks it, the one who transports it, the one to who it has been brought, the one whom serves it, the one who sells it, the one who utilizes money from it, the one who buys it and the one who buys it for someone else." 



8. Diseases associated with alcoholism 

There are several scientific reasons for the prohibition of consumption of intoxicants i.e. alcohol. The maximum number of deaths in the world related to any one particular cause is due to the consumption of alcohol. Millions of people die every year only because of intake of alcohol. I need not go into the details of all the ill-effects of alcohol since most of them are commonly known. Below is a simple list of few of the alcohol related illnesses: 

1. Cirrhosis of Liver is the most well known alcohol associated disease. 

2. Others are Cancer of Oesophagus, Cancer of Head and Neck, Cancer of Liver (Hepatoma), Cancer of Bowel, etc. 

3. Oesophagitis, Gastritis, Pancreatitis and Hepatitis are linked with alcohol consumption. 

4. Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, Coronary Artherosclerosis, Angina and Heart Attacks are linked with heavy alcohol intakes. 

5. Strokes, Apoplexy, Fits and different types of Paralysis are linked with alcohol intake. 

6. Peripheral Neuropathy, Cortical Atrophy, Cerebellar Atrophy are well-known syndromes caused by alcohol consumption. 

7. Wernicke – Korsakoff syndrome with amnesia of recent events, confabulations and retainment of memory to old events with different types of paralysis are mainly due to thiamine deficiency due to excessive alcohol intake. 

8. Beriberi and other deficiencies are not uncommon among alcoholics. Even Pellagra occurs in alcoholics. 

9. Delerium Tremens is a serious complication that may occur during recurrent infection of alcoholics or post operatively. It also occurs during abstention as a sign of withdrawal effect. It is quite serious and may cause death even if treated in well equipped centres. 

10. Numerous Endocrine Disorders have been associated with alcoholism ranging from Myxodema to Hyperthyroidism and Florid Cushing Syndrome. 

11. Hematological ill effects are long and variable. Folic acid deficiency, however, is the most common manifestation of alcoholic abuse resulting in Macrocytic Anemia. Zeive’s syndrome is a triad of Hemolytic Anemia, Jaundice and Hyperlipaedemia that follows alcoholic binges. 

12. Thrombocytopenia and other platelet abnormalities are not rare in alcoholics. 

13. The commonly used tablet metronidazole (flagyl) interacts badly with alcohol. 

14. Recurrent infection is very common among chronic alcoholics. The resistance to disease and the immunological defense system are compromised by alcohol intake. 

15. Chest infections are notorious in alcoholics. Pneumonia, Lung Abcess, Emphysema and Pulmonary Tuberculosis are all common in alcoholics. 

16. During acute alcoholic intoxication, the drunk person usually vomits, the cough reflexes which are protective are paralysed. The vomitus thus easily pass to the lung causing Pneumonia or Lung Abscess. Occasionally it may even cause suffocation and death. 

17. The ill effects of alcohol consumption on women deserves special mention. Females are more vulnerable to alcohol-related Cirrhosis than men. During pregnancy alcohol consumption has a severe detrimental effect on the foetus. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is being recognised more and more in the medical profession. 

18. Skin diseases are also related to alcohol indulgence. 

19. Eczema, Alopecia, Nail Dystrophy, Paronychia (infection around the nails) and Angular Stomatitis (inflammation of the angle of the mouth) are common diseases among alcoholics. 



9. Alcoholism is a ‘disease’ ???? 

Medical doctors have now turned liberal towards alcoholics and call alcoholism a disease rather than an addiction. 

The Islamic Research Foundation has published a pamphlet that says: 

If alcohol is a disease, it is the only disease that: 

- Is sold in bottles 

- Is advertised in newspapers, magazines, on radio and television 

- Has licensed outlets to spread it 

- Produces revenue for the government 

- Brings violent deaths on the highways 

- Destroys family life and increases crime 

- Has no germs or viral cause



ALCOHOLISM IS NOT A DISEASE – IT IS SATAN’S HANDIWORK 
Allaah (swt) in His Infinite Wisdom has warned us against this snare of Satan. Islam is called the "Deen-ul-Fitrah" or the natural religion of Man. All its injunctions are aimed at preserving the natural state of man. Alcohol is a deviation from this natural state, for the individual as well as for society. It degrades man to a level below that of the beasts he claims to be superior to. Hence the consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Islaam.

Jihad Vs Terror

Today, the world is filled with experts. Left and right, there are hundreds of experts. Sadly though, the majority of them carry the least qualification. In other words, they are self-appointed experts. 

Take for example the term Jihad or the term Terrorism. Many, so called experts will claim that Jihad means holy war and terrorism is a form of that holy war. These so called experts have violated the very profession they claim to master because a true expert is one who understands fully his field of expertise.

The truth is, Jihad is the opposite of terrorism because jihad, though its Arabic primary meaning is to struggle to do better, can only be used in defense for self or an oppressed person or to regain a stolen land. 

On the other hand, terrorism is an act of aggression against innocent people. So how can these experts claim that jihad is comparable to terrorism? 

Today, Muslims around the world have suffered as a result of this misconception and day by day, this misconception serves to alienate Muslims from the rest of the world. Unfortunately, Muslims, who are the true experts on the term jihad, have never been given the chance to explain what this term truly means. After all it's their language and Muslims have used this term for 1400 years and during those many years, jihad was used for the betterment of mankind.

Yet, because an insignificant group of criminals had committed an act of terror on September 11th while claiming to be Muslims, have erased the 1400 years of service to humanity. Islam, which means peace in Arabic, was the victim on September 11th, rather than the criminal. Muslims also argue with these so called experts who equate terror with jihad that Allah (God) has passed a verdict or judgment against individuals who cause terror and chaos in the land. It is written in the Quran " The punishment of those who wage war against Allah (God) and His messenger and strive to spread mischief (terror, chaos, etc.) is: execution or crucifixion or the cutting off of their hands and feet from opposite sides or exile from the land." 

This is a very harsh and fitting punishment for any one who commits the above crimes and Muslims are aware of this judgment. So how can any one argue that Islam promotes terror in any way when it has the most severe punishment against criminals of terror.

There is also another verse in the holy Quran which shows the limits of a Muslim in the case of self defense; " Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits for Allah loves not the transgressors." From this verse, we understand that aggression or terror is not part of the Muslim's behavior but Allah (God) has given him the right to defend himself, may Allah guide all of us to the truth and help us shun falsehood wherever it may be. 

Ameen

Submited by kaisa on http://www.islamiway.cjb.net

Jihad: The Highest Peak of Islam

Islamic Terms using in this Article! so, if you don't understand the Arabic words then visit, the Islamic Terms.

The Prophet (saw) stated in one hadith, “The head of its matter is Islam and its pillar is the Salah and its highest peak is the Jihad.” 

The discussion concerning Jihad is taking place throughout the Ummah and indeed many misunderstandings and distortions, some deliberate, have come forth. Some of these have been propagated by the likes of the government scholars both in the West and in the Muslim World, such as Jihad an-Nafs, Jihad against oneself and Jihad as a defensive war only. 

We must realise that Jihad is a pillar of Islam and was described as its peak by Sayyidina Muhammad (saw). It is the thing, which Allah (swt) in the Qur’an states that gives the Ummah life; indeed Umar ibn al Khattab (ra) stated, “There is no izza (honour) without Jihad”. Hence any misunderstanding of this vital concept would have huge ramifications. Hence, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of Jihad and make clear these corruptions, which have been propagated by the Kuffar, their agent rulers and their “scholars”. 


Jihad an-Nafs
Some have attempted to justify their stance on this concept with what is apparently intended as a daleel (Islamic evidence), and so have used a narration to justify this concept of Jihad an-Nafs or dealing with all the political and military problems we face by becoming introspective or looking inwardly as opposed to looking at the Ahkam Shari'a and seeing what Allah (swt) has demanded from us. 

So they use what they claim is a Hadith, or saying of Muhammad (saw), “We have returned from the lesser Jihad to the greater Jihad, that is the struggle against the evil of oneself.” This is in fact a fabrication and is known as Mawdu’ (spurious). Hafidh al Iraqi and Ibn Hajar al Asqalani, who were hadith masters and muhaditheen, who memorised one hundred thousand hadith by Isnad and were qualified to scrutinise hadith and their authenticity, stated that this was not a saying of the Messenger of Allah (saw) but was in fact a statement that was made by someone in the later generation named Ibrahim ibn Abi Yabla. Hence, this is not considered an evidence in the Islamic Shari’ah.

To elaborate further, it is in contradiction with the subject matter of Jihad that has been elaborated in over a hundred ayat of the Qur’an that have come with the meaning of Jihad being Qitaal, which means to slay or to kill or to fight. This was how the Prophet (saw) and the Sahabah (ra) understood it. To give an example from the Seerah that was narrated by Ibn Majah with a source in Bukhari, woman came to the Prophet (saw) and asked “O Messenger of Allah! Is Jihad obliged upon the women?” To which he responded, “Yes, a Jihad without Qitaal (fighting), it is the Hajj and the Umrah!” 

This clearly demonstrates that Jihad is Qitaal i.e. Jihad is undertaking the physical fighting and this is how it was understood by the woman and the Prophet (saw), as explained in the Prophet’s (saw) answer i.e. Jihad in Islam means fighting. The Messenger of Allah (saw) did not respond by saying that there was the greater Jihad for everyone i.e. Jihad against oneself! Rather he informed her that Allah had prescribed the Hajj and the Umrah for her and that she would get the reward of the Mujahid for undertaking this action, as explained by Imam Sanani in his explanation in the book Sub us Salam. 

A definition of the subject of Jihad can be extracted from the Islamic evidences rather than a mere linguistic understanding - so for example the term ‘Salah’ in the Arabic language means seeking maghfirah (forgiveness) or blessing or Du’a (supplication); however we know that in the Islamic Shari’ah it is referent to the five obligatory prayers. Similarly the term ‘Zakah’ means, literally, purification but in the Islamic Shari’ah, Zakah is referent to a specific amount of charity that is taken from specific types of wealth and distributed to particular categories of people. So when we scrutinise the Islamic daleel we can extract a clear definition or definitions. When the Prophet (saw) was asked who is in the way of Allah i.e. who is a Mujahid, he explained, “Whosoever fights to make Allah’s word the highest, then he is in the way of Allah” [Bukhari and Muslim]. 

Similarly looking at the Ayat of Qur’an we can see that Jihad is undertaken to convey Islam, and to remove the barriers from implementing and propagating Islam, this can be seen from the rules to do with Jihad as well. So we can define Jihad as struggling to remove the material barriers to conveying the Islamic Da’wa, whether it is by the physical means, or by wealth or expressing an opinion concerning the same. 

Myth: Jihad is only defensive
Another distortion that is promoted is the idea that Jihad is only defensive. The protagonists of this idea again utilise certain misinterpretations to justify their positions. 

"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress the limits. For Allah loves not the transgressors” [TMQ Al-Baqarah: 190]. 

“And if they incline to peace, you incline to it also, and trust in Allah. Verily! He is the hearer, the knower” [TMQ Al-A’raf: 61]. 

These two verses however, cannot abrogate the 119 other verses of Qur’an that suggest that Jihad is not merely limited to defensive war alone. These 119 verses, which are general and absolute, indicate that Jihad encompasses all of the following types of war: 

1. Defensive war
2. Offensive war
3. Limited war
4. Unlimited war
5. Protective war 

Before we go into the details of the subject let us first clarify what we mean by the terms “general” (aam) and “absolute” (mutlaq). When a verse is described as “general” it means that it covers everything related to the subject. “Absolute” means that the verse is not limited in a particular aspect of the subject in question. If a verse is general, another verse (or evidence from Sunnah) is required to make it specific (khass) otherwise it must remain as general. Similarly if the verse is absolute another evidence is required to “limit” (muqayad) it, otherwise it to remains absolute. 

The verses concerning Jihad were revealed as general and absolute without limitation. Accordingly an evidence from Shari’ah is required to limit these verses concerning Jihad. However there are no evidences from Qur’an or Sunnah that place limitations on Jihad. Thus, Jihad encompasses all of the aforementioned types of war. 

There are many verses concerning Jihad that could be drawn upon to illustrate this understanding. It is sufficient to focus on Surah At-Taubah (Repentance), which is one of the last Surahs to be revealed. Thus no one can claim that the verses are abrogated, limited or specified by later revelations. 

"Fight against such of those who have been given the scripture as believe not in Allah nor the last day, and forbid not that which Allah hath-forbidden by his messenger, and follow not the Deen of truth, until they pay the Jizya readily, being brought low” [TMQ At-Taubah: 29]. 

"Verily! The number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah's ordinance in the day that he created the heavens and the earth, four of them are sacred: that is the right Deen, so wrong not yourselves in them. And wage war on all the idolaters as they are waging war on all of you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto him)” [TMQ At-Taubah: 36]. 

"O Prophet! Strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites! Be harsh with them, their ultimate abode is hell, a hapless journey's end” [TMQ At-Taubah: 73]. 

"Verily! Allah hath bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because the garden will be theirs: they shall fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise which is binding on him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur’an. Whoever fulfils his covenant better than Allah? Rejoice then in your bargain that you have made, for that is the supreme triumph" [TMQ At-Taubah: 111]. 

"O you who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto him)" [TMQ At-Taubah: 123]. 


If we examine these verses we see that they include: 
“Fight against those who…have been given the scriptures as believe in Allah and the last day…until they pay the jizya.” 

“Fight all the idolaters as they fight you.” 

“Fight against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh with them.” 

“ …the garden, will be theirs, they shall fight in the way of Allah.” 

“Fight those of the disbelievers…” 

These verses command Muslims to fight, generally and absolutely. The verses impose no restrictions or conditions. Therefore this is clear evidence that “Jihad” may be offensive or defensive. 

These verses of At-Taubah were revealed under certain circumstances. The following verses chronologically precede these verses of Surah At-Taubah. They provide an insight into the circumstances in which Surah At-Taubah was revealed. 

“Let not the unbelievers think that they can outstrip (Allah's purpose). Verily! They cannot escape” [TMQ: At-Taubah: 2]. 

“Make ready for them all you can of (armed) force and of horses tethered, in order that you may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others beside them whom you know not. Allah knows them. Whatsoever you spend in the way of Allah it will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be, wronged” [TMQ Al-Anfal: 60]. 

“And if they incline to peace, you also incline to it, and trust in Allah. Verily! He is the hearer, the knower” [TMQ Al-A’raf: 61]. 

The meaning of abrogation (naskh) is that the rule (hukm) of one revelation is completely cancelled by another later revelation. When something is specified it is abrogation of a kind i.e. partial abrogation but it is only in the stated areas of the subject. The criteria for abrogation and specification is that the abrogating or specifying revelation must have been revealed at a later date. It should be noticed that the verses of Surah At-Taubah were the last to be revealed concerning Jihad. 

A misunderstanding of abrogation and specification by some of the Muslims may have resulted in these people saying that Jihad is a purely defensive war. Others however are happier distorting Islam in order to please the rulers in the Muslim lands or the Western lands rather than please Allah (swt). 

However a further point to be clarified is that the mere appearance of contradiction between two statements (either Qur’an or Sunnah) is not sufficient to claim abrogation. There must be a divine evidence to state that the abrogation is actually relating to the abrogated. There must be a clear context concerning the occurrence of the abrogation. There are a number of incidents where two, apparently contradicting revelations where implemented in total compatibility. Concerning the above verses from At-Taubah they should be understood without abrogation. 

Two verses may refer to one subject, such as Jihad, but differ in their context and situation. Therefore one verse may be applicable to a particular situation, and a different verse, seemingly contradictory, is applicable in a totally different situation. Consequently there is no abrogation. 

When we examine the verses of Jihad we see that they refer to the same subject but in different situations. 

Therefore, Jihad cannot be understood as being neither purely defensive nor purely offensive. The two verses quoted at the beginning relate to the situation of peace and the verses from At-Taubah relate to the situation of conflict. Conflict and peace are two different situations. To explain this, one must look to the accepted explanations of Qur’an and the opinion of our great scholars. 

Az-Zamakhshari in his Tafseer of the Qur’an, Al-Kashaf, says: 

“If they tend towards peace you must accept it, but this depends on what the Imam sees as a benefit for Islam and Muslims. It is not a must on the Imam to fight always, nor is it a must on him to accept peace always.” 

Thus both are compatible, but used under different situations and conditions. Both As-Sadi and Ibn Zaid have stated: 

“If they ask you for peace, accept it from them and there is no abrogation in it.” 

Hence according to As-Sadi and Ibn Zaid it is incorrect to say that the “sword verses” abrogate the “peace verses”. Abu Bakr Ibn Arabi in his Tafseer of the Qur’an, Ahkam ul Qur’an comments; “The answer here differs…Allah says, ‘don't weaken, don't call for peace whilst you have the upper hand. If Muslims are mighty with strength, invincible, and numerous in groups let there be no peace’ [TMQ Muhammad: 35].” 

Thus peace may be accepted but not if Muslims have the upper hand. In addition to the evidences of the Qur’an, Sunnah and Ijma-as Sahabah present clear evidences of the reality of Jihad. 

Abdullah ibn Umar (ra) relates that the Prophet of Allah (saw) said: 

“I have been ordered to initiate the fighting of people, until they testify that there is no god save Allah, that Muhammad is Allah's Prophet, establish Salat and pay Zakat. If they do that they save their blood from me, except by the right of Islam, their account will be to Allah” [Bukhari and Muslim]. 


In another hadith related by Anas ibn Malik; 
“Three are the origin of faith, to refrain from saying; 'they are disbelievers,' if they say there is no god save Allah, merely because of a sin or bad action. Secondly, that Jihad is continuous until the Day of Judgement, till the last one of my Ummah fights the 'Dajjal'. Thirdly to believe in the Qadr.” 

If Jihad is only defensive war how can it continue until the Day of Judgement? If it was so Jihad would be periodic and would not be continuous. Moreover, this completely contradicts evidences from the life of the Prophet (saw) and the example of Sahabah. 

In the nine years that followed the Hijrah to Madinah (where permission was given to fight) the Prophet (saw) personally led 28 military campaigns, and during the same period the Companions (ra) embarked on another 51 military campaigns. 

If one looks in detail at these expeditions and battles one finds clear evidence that the Prophet (saw) and the companions undertook both defensive and offensive action. The battles of Uhud and Ahzab are clear examples of defensive battles - on the other hand, Tabuk and Mutah are clear examples of offensive wars. Indeed the Prophet (saw) took part in thirteen expeditions and eleven major battles in which he took the initiative and launched offensive action. Likewise of the 51 Sariyah (campaigns), 39 were offensive. How can one say, therefore, that Jihad is only defensive? 


Transgression
"Fight in the way of Allah, those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah verily loves not transgressors” [TMQ Al-Baqarah: 190]. 

The above verse describes the way in which Jihad is being carried out. It refers to the limits that have to be observed when engaging the enemy. It by no means implies that Jihad is defensive. Islam has its own regulations of war - the limits Muslims are strictly commanded to adhere to, are not to kill women, children, old men, and priests who do not participate in war against Muslims. To attack such people would be to transgress the limits set by Allah (swt) because they are not "those who fight you". However, if they fight against Muslims on the battlefield then to fight them would not be transgression. Muslims are also commanded to treat war prisoners kindly not to torture them or mutilate dead bodies - all of these actions would amount to a transgression. 

Transgression would also arise if a nation was attacked without first calling them to Islam. Muslims are ordained to call their enemies to Islam before fighting against them. If they refuse, Muslims should call them again to pay Jizya and submit to the laws of Allah (swt). If the enemy refuses again, Muslims should fight them in order that there be no persecution, and the Deen should be for Allah alone. This procedure should be observed, otherwise the limits have been transgressed and, “Allah verily loves not transgressors.” 

The verse; "it is permitted for those to fight, that they have been wronged", does not tell us to fight because we have been wronged. It merely gives us the permission to fight. The question of the reason for fighting does not enter into it. If being “wronged” were the reason then Muslims would have been able to fight in Makkah. In Makkah, after great suffering the Companions approached the Messenger of Allah (saw) asking him for permission to fight the enemy. The Messenger (saw) replied, "Be patient, I have not been permitted to fight" [Ibn Hisham]. 

The verse "it is permitted for those to fight, that they have been wronged", which was revealed in Madinah, gave the permission to fight. 


The Call
Before a land is opened up to Islam the inhabitants must be invited to Islam. Without this call the fight is not allowed. This call may take a variety of forms: direct invitation, conferences, via the media and so on and so forth. The Prophet (saw) for example sent letters to the leaders, like the following letter sent to Heraclius of Rome: 

"In the Name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful. From Muhammad, Servant and Messenger of Allah, to Heraclius Emperor of Rome. Peace be upon those who follow the Guidance. I invite you to Islam; accept Islam, you will be safe, Allah will grant you two-fold reward; if you turn away, the sin of (the wrongdoings of) all the people will be upon you. "O people of the Book come to an agreement between-us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we shall associate no partners to Him, and that none of us shall take other for words beside Allah and if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we have surrendered to Him." Muhammad, Messenger of Allah.

Prior to the Battle of Qadisiyyah, Sad ibn Abi Waqqas (ra) sent a delegation to Yazdagird, Emperor of Persia, headed by An-Nu'man ibn Muqarrin with the purpose of inviting the Emperor to Islam. Yazdagird greeted the delegation in the following way: 

"Why have you come to our dominions and why do you want to invade us? Perhaps, you have designs on us...and seek to venture against us because we are preoccupied with you, but we do not wish to inflict punishment on you". 


An-Nu'man replied: 
"Indeed Allah has been Kind and Merciful to us and has sent to us a Messenger to show us the good and command us to follow it, to make us realise what is evil and forbade us from it. The Messenger promised us if we were to respond to what he commands, Allah would bestow on us the good of this world and the good of the hereafter. Not much time has elapsed but Allah has given us abundance in place of hardship, honour in place of humiliation and mercy and brotherhood in place of our former enmity. The Messenger has commanded us to summon mankind to what is best for them and to begin with those who are our neighbours. We therefore invite you to enter into our Deen. It is a Deen, which beautifies and promotes all good and which detests and discourages all that is ugly and reprehensible. It is a Deen, which leads its adherents from the darkness and tyranny of unbelief to the light and justice of Iman. Should you respond, positively to us and come to Islam, it would be our duty to introduce the Book of Allah in your midst and help you to live according to it and rule according to its laws. We would then return and leave you to conduct your own affairs. Should you refuse however, to enter the Deen of Allah we would take the Jizya (tribute) from you and give you protection in return. If you refuse to give the Jizya, we shall declare war on you" (Ibn Sad in his Tareekh). 

This is the reality of the call to Islam and the manner in which it spread. It is a call to deliver people from the servitude of man to the service of Allah (swt), not a desire for exploitation and domination. 

Consider these noble words of Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra) to Sad ibn Abi Waqqas (ra) as he bade farewell to the Muslim army that was to confront the Persians at Qadisiyyah. 

"O Sad! Let not any statement that you are the uncle of the Messenger of Allah or that I or you are the companion of the Messenger of Allah distract you from Allah. Allah Almighty does not obliterate evil with evil but he wipes out evil with good.” 

“O Sad! There is no connection between Allah and anyone except obedience to Him. In the sight of Allah all people whether nobleman or commoner are the same. Allah is their Lord and they are His servants seeking elevation through taqwa and seeking to obtain what is with Allah through obedience. Consider how the Messenger of Allah used to act with the Muslims and act accordingly..." 

Are these the words of a leader to an army that is embarking on conquest for the sake of domination and exploitation? Clearly not. 


The Opening of Lands
The opening of lands by the means of Jihad is to destroy the material obstacles that prevent people from entering Islam. The objective is not to exploit the lands in the manner of the imperialists but to free men from the servitude of other men to the worship of Allah (swt). The proof that Islam never exploited or dominated in the manner of the imperialists is the success of Islam in melting the different nations into one Ummah. 

History has proved that the unjust conquering of lands alienates the conquerors from the conquered. In the entire history of the world no nation has been able to impose its will on a people to the extent that the people themselves freely leave their own culture and nationality, and adopt freely the will of the conqueror. The Greeks, Romans, Nazis, British, French, Italians, and so on, all tried and all failed. In recent times we have seen countless examples of nations fighting for their independence and freedom from imperialism. The conquerors have always sought to dominate and the conquered have always been treated as second-class citizens. 

The West has sought to tarnish Islam with the same brush - to accuse Islam of dominating by force; this however is so far from the truth. Islam spread all over the world until the authority of the Islamic Khilafah encompassed Persia, Iraq, Bilad as-Sham, North Africa and many more lands. The people of these lands were Persians, Berbers, Copts and Romans, who all had their own nationalities, cultures and languages. These people under the shade of the rule of Islam grew to understand it - they all embraced Islam and became one Ummah (nation). The success of the Islamic intellectual leadership in melting these people and cultures is unparalleled in the history of the World and proof that Islam was adopted by individuals out of conviction and not because a sword was placed to their necks. This is the picture that the West has sought to propagate so that Muslims would leave Jihad and leave conveying Islam to the entire world. 

The reality is that any nation that has a doctrine, which deals comprehensively with the universe, man and life, must be a nation with the need to spread this doctrine. Islam is not simply a doctrine of thoughts and ideas. Islam is also a practical system and way of life. Faith in Islam is not based only on its thoughts and concepts. A Muslim must also have belief in its actual implementation as a comprehensive way of life. Belief in this must then be followed by action. 

It is obligatory for the Islamic nation to invite people to Islam, to propagate it and to subjugate other nations to the Islamic system of ruling. 


No Compulsion in Deen
Whilst other nations must be subjugated to the rule of Islam, the individual residing in a land opened by Islam must not be compelled to become Muslim. The Messenger of Allah (saw) has said: 
"I have been commanded to initiate the fighting of people until they say there is no god save Allah..." 

The Arabic word used here is ‘naas’ – people; which is plural and does not refer to individuals. 

Allah, the Supreme says in Qur’an, 

“There is no compulsion in Deen the right direction is henceforth distinct from error and he who rejects false gods and believes in Allah has grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is hearer, knower” [TMQ Al-Baqarah: 256]. 

The Messenger of Allah (saw) has said, “Whoever has been a Jew or Christian is not to be coerced from his Deen.” 

Jihad does not mean as the West intimate when they say Islam was spread by the sword that individuals are forced to become Muslims. Rather, it is the subjugation of the State and nation to the rule of Islam. The individual is compelled to abide by the Islamic ruling (with certain concessions permitted to non-Muslims by Shari’ah) but the Aqeedah (creed) of Islam is not forced upon him. 


Conclusion
Jihad is the removal of obstacles, by force if necessary, that stand between people and Islam. It is the practical method of spreading Islam. The call to Islam is compulsory on Muslims. Jihad is included within this compulsory action. Like the call, Jihad is to be performed by the nation (Ummah). 

Jihad is continuous and will always be so. This is an obligation imposed on Muslims by Shari’ah. However, this is not the Jihad that is carried by the nation whose intention is to open land to the justice of Islam. Practically speaking this is not going to take place until the Ummah can perform this Jihad and make the Call to Islam as a nation, and that nation must have a state that implements Islam i.e. Dar al Islam. Once this State has been established we can (Inshallah) carry on the work commenced by the Companions of our Prophet (saw), which is, to spread the Deen of Allah (swt) to all corners of the earth. The Prophet (saw) stated, "This Deen will never cease to exist. A party of the Muslims shall always fight for it until the Hour comes to pass" [Al Jami us Sahih of Imam Muslim].

Source > > http://www.pzq.cjb.net