Inviting People to Islam: Dawah Tips and Articles

Bismillah,
In the past two weeks I read the following four blog articles about Dawah (Inviting people to Islam).

• Tips for Da’wah - a great article in point format containing more than 25 tips for Dawah

• Sister Fatima Barkatulla says she received a phone call from a Yorkshire lady on the day when it was in the news that 13% of British Muslims apparently believe that the July 7th bombers were martyrs. Read what happened next in her blog post - A lady so close to Islam. And make Dua that may Allah guide her to Islam

• In this 2 part series titled, "Current Affairs and Misconceptions," PART1 and Part 2, Fatima Barkatulla has analysed Muslims present situation in non-Muslim countries and how we can make a impact for the better or for the worst.

• Here's the best news I heard this week. Ibnal Hyderabadee's informs about our new brother in Islam in his post, US Mayor Converts to Islam. See also Amad's views on it at, Can’t Elect One? Then, Convert One! (STORY BEING FOLLOWED) alhamdulillah. May allah increase this new brothers faith and knowledge and keep him in the correct path. Ameen.
  

Israel Palestine Focus on Reads of the Week

Bismillah,
This week I was very busy so couldn't do much reading. I hardly had time to go over even my blogroll. But here are 4 articles read in this week you might find interesting.

• Robin from 'Under The Holly Tree' writes Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land/What You Don't Know About the Palestinian Israeli Conflict Yep, it's a must read.
  

• How Jewish is the state of Israel? Article in January / February 2007 'Future Islam' Journal.
  

• A mother from Gaza, writes about Hamas in power: one year on
  

• Welcome to DrMaxtor Analysis with a Cold, Bitter and Silly about "Little Mosque".............and why I think Barack Obama is a "secret" jew. (By the way, Amad had done a good analysis sometime back about US presidential candidate Barack Obama and American Muslims voting choices in The Demise of Obama.

2 Inspiring Poems About The Holy Qur'an

Bismillahi rahmani raheem,
I stumbled upon two inspiring poems about The Holy Qur'an (Koran) yesterday in this lovely website called, SparklyWater.com. They are not only beautiful but very evocative. So I thought I'll share them with you through my blog.

This first poem called, "The Miracle of the Qur'an," is almost like a poetically written introduction to The Holy Qur'an.

The Miracle of the Qur'an

Brothers and sisters, to increase your Iman
Read the Miracle - read the Qur'an
Recite it everyday and to recite it be proud
For the word 'Qur'an' means to recite aloud
And this is to know - for those who are keener:
Around 28 Surahs were revealed in Madinah
The Book from Allah - the Lord of the worlds
Over 6000 verses / 77,000 words
Read it with respect - notice the auras
Al-Fatiha to An-Nás - all 114 Surahs
In this Book, 25 Prophets are mentioned by name
Came at different times, but the message the same
The verses revealed over a 23 year span
Sent from Allah, through an angel to man
He gave us a message and this is Islam
So read the Miracle - read the Qur'an

This second poem called, "The Holy Qur'an," made me very sad. It's a reflection about the way we treat the world's greatest treasure...

The Holy Qur'an

I am a Book in elegant prints
To know my name, here are some hints:
Rich in cover and nicely bound
In hearts of Muslims I am rarely found
High on a shelf I am usually kept
Forgotten and neglected, I am left
With respect I do get lots of kiss
My main point is what they always miss
At times I am used for phoney swear
My true use though is very rare
A Miracle I am that can change the world
All one has to do is heed my word
I am your saviour, I am your guide
So come and take heed, come and abide
I have wisdom, I have treasure
So much so, there is no measure
Right from wrong is my fame
Holy Qur'an is my name

If you like these 2 poems you might also like reading the other poems, especially the poem called, "Qur'an and the TV Guide." Also check out the great Islamic pictures in the 'Picture Section'. They are AWESOME...

Reads of the Week - 1 February 2007

Bismillah,
Every week while browsing the Internet I read many interesting articles. I would like to share the most interesting, instructive, informative or inspiring articles with my blog readers. So inshallah, from this week onwards I am going to post a weekly blog post like this with links to the most interesting web articles I read in that week.

• Amad relates two very distressing stories involving two Muslim sisters in his post- The Prostitute and the Atheist: Lessons in our Grief. I found it very painful because both involved practicing sisters, who by all accounts  seem to have been "good" Muslims.


• Umar Lee writes about a ongoing Western propaganda promoting a superficial form of Islam which will be in harmony with Western interests and pacify the current Muslim resistance. This is a very serious matter. If Only a “Wahabi” Believes This, Then What Does a Muslim Believe?” An essential read for all concerned Muslims.
  


• Among the plethora of misconceptions and petty accusations against Islam, you would occasionally find a serious charge. One of them is that the noble Quran (Koran) contains "hate" against Jews and Christians. Svend White's debunks it in his article,Some observations on charges of "hate" in the Quran


• Parenting is no easy task and so is growing up as a God fearing student and going through school and university. Growing up as a practicing Muslim I got through my fair share of difficulties at school but still continue to struggle against Shaytan's (Satan's) temptations while I now study for my degree. A Bristish Muslim activist and young mother, Fatima Barkatulla who blogs at Muslim Motherhood writes,  My visit to a prep school. (And my memories of sex-education) May Allah protect all of us from sin and hellfire. Amen.
  

• German conversions to Islam have quadrupled, says Svend White.