Vol.

2 Issue 20
The Truth
A Weekly Bulletin Thu. May 17th 2007

H e has created the heavens and the earth with the truth; He makes the
night cover the day and makes the day overtake the night, and He has
made the sun and the moon subservient; each one runs on to an assigned
term; now surely He is the Mighty, the great Forgiver.
Holy Qur’an (39:5)

Word of Wisdom “God is not merciful to the person who is not

merciful to humankind. He who is not kind to
God’s creation and to his own children, God will not be kind to him.”
Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him and His Purified Progeny)
Contemp. Issue The Question of Hijab:
Suppression or Liberation
“Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?” This question is
one which is asked by Muslim and non-Muslim alike. For many women it
is the truest test of being a Muslim.
The answer to the question is very simple - Muslim women observe
HIJAB (covering the head and the body) because Allah
has told them to do so.
“O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters
and the believing women to draw their outer
garments around them (when they go out or
are among men). That is better in order that
they may be known (to be Muslims) and not
annoyed...” (Holy Qur’an 33:59) Cont’d on Page 2
Article Prophethood
Our Prophet Muhammed (P) s/o Abdullah,
son of Abdul-Muttalib, son of Hashim, son of Abd Munaf, is a true and
rightful Prophet. He claimed Prophethood and wrought miracles, which
proved that he was a true Messenger of Allah. His greatest miracle is
the Holy Qur’an - the glorious distinguisher between truth and false-
hood. It will continue to exist till the Day of Resurrection. It is a proof of
its authenticity for the whole mankind. It is inimitable on account of its
extraordinary eloquence and the beauty of its diction and style. When
challenged, no rhetorician or man of letters could produce even a small
Surah (chapter) or a complete verse like it.
Our Prophet (P) was a Prophet to himself before he was formally
raised. Afterwards he was a Prophet for the whole of mankind. He him-
self has said: “I was a Prophet when Adam was still between water and
clay”. And, if it were not so, then preference to the inferior (Muhammed)
over the superior (Adam) becomes necessary which is absurd.
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 The Truth, Thursday, May 17th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 20
Cont’d from 1st Page
Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both
men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills
instead of looks and sexuality. An Iranian school girl is quoted as saying,
“We want to stop men from treating us like sex objects, as they have
always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be atten-
tive to our personalities and mind. We want them to take us seriously
and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and
physical looks.”
A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about
her identity. Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and
has a good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled
with dignity and self esteem; they are pleased to be identified as a Mus-
lim woman. As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her
sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree. A
woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality but allowing her
femininity to be brought out.
The word “hijab” comes from the Arabic verb “hajaba” meaning to
hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of hijab is
the modest covering of a Muslim woman. The question now is what is
the extent of the covering?
The Holy Qur’an says: “Say to the believing man that they
should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will
make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted
with all that they do.”
“And say to the believing women that they should lower their
gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display
their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily ap-
pear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bo-
soms and not display their beauty except to their husbands...”
(Holy Qur’an 24:30-31)
These verses from the Qur’an contain two main injunctions: (1) A
woman should not show her beauty or adornments, and (2) the head
covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bo-
som.
Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of cloth-
ing that Muslims must wear. However, some requirements must be met.
The first of these requirements is the parts of the body which must be
covered.
Islam has two sources for guidance and rulings: first, the Holy Qur’an,
the revealed word of Allah and secondly, the Hadith or the traditions of
the Prophet Muhammed (P) and his holy progeny (Ahl ul bayt) who was
chosen by Allah to be the role model for mankind. The following is a
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 The Truth, Thursday, May 17th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 20
Cont’d from Last Page
Tradition of the Prophet:
The first requirement is when a girl reaches the age of nine lunar
years, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except for
the face and the hands.
The second requirement is looseness. The clothing must be loose
enough so as not to describe the shape of the woman’s body. One de-
sirable way to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other
clothes. However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is
not necessary.
Thickness is the third requirement. The clothing must be thick
enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of
the body.
Another requirement is an over-all dignified appearance. The cloth-
ing should not attract men’s attention to the woman. It should not be
shiny and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman.
In addition there are other requirements:
(1) Women must not wear the dress specialized for men and men
should not wear the dress specialized for women.
(2) The clothing should be modest, not excessively
fancy and also not excessively ragged to gain others
admiration or sympathy.
Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more
importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and
appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the
total being. For both men and women, clothing re-
quirements are not meant to be a restriction but rather
a way in which society will function in a proper, Islamic manner.
Anecdote Bahlool and a Slave who was
Scared of the Sea
A Baghdadi merchant was sitting in a ship with his slave, and they
were going to Basra. Bahlool and some others were also in this ship.
The slave started crying because he was afraid of the ship’s turbulent
movements. All the travelers became annoyed at this. Bahlool asked the
slave’s master for permission to quiet his servant by giving him some
advice. The merchant agreed. Bahlool immediately gave the order to
throw the slave into the sea. His command was carried out. When the
slave was near death, he was rescued. After that experience, the slave
quietly sat in a corner of the ship.
The travelers asked Bahlool the reason why this act made the slave
quiet. Bahlool replied, “This slave didn’t know how comfortable this ship
was or what greatness and value it held. When he was thrown into the
sea, he understood that this ship is a comfortable and relieving place.”
 The Truth, Thursday, May 17th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 20
Article The Truthful Belief
Imam Ja’far bin Muhammed al-Sadiq (AS) re-
portedly quotes his forefathers from the Messenger of God, Muhammed
(P) as saying: “Whoever recites sincerely that there is no god but
Allah enters paradise, and his sincerity should forbid him what
Allah has forbidden.”
It is well established that everything has a foundation and the foun-
dation stone of Islam is confirming the Oneness of Almighty Allah. Who-
ever truthfully says, “There is no god but Allah”, indeed fixes the founda-
tion of Islam in his heart as a builder digs the foundation for a building.
Whoever believes in the Oneness of Allah, and that Allah alone is the
Creator and Provider in whose hand is death and life that He is Able over
everything and He alone should be worshipped ...is a truthful believer,
who is sincerely committed to Islam.
Whoever believes that there is no God other than Allah Who is All-
Powerful over all things and Who punishes man for his misdeeds and
sayings...does not disobey Him but avoids what is forbidden (haram)
because he believes that Allah is All-Knowing of what we do and will
judge us on the Resurrection Day for our actions.
This truthful belief restrains man from doing forbidden acts; he nei-
ther wrongs nor deceives anyone, nor does he steal or drink alcohol; he
is neither undutiful towards his parents nor harms others.
The Messenger of God, Muhammed (P) teaches us that Islam is a
confession from the heart spoken by the tongue, that a true Muslim is
one who applies Islamic methods in organizing his personal and social
life as well as in his public life. So, a true Muslim has truthful beliefs that
deserve paradise and Allah’s pleasure.
But whoever utters “There is no god but Allah” only with his tongue
while his heart does not confess it and does not refrain from what Allah
has forbidden, is not a true faithful. If he were truthful, he would not
commit forbidden acts and would not disobey Allah; hence ultimately his
end will be in hell.
In Summary
1.Islam is a belief in the heart and doing righteous deeds in this life.
2.A true belief in Allah is belief that causes man to abstain from what
He has forbidden.
3.A true belief is the base to reform society and spread the goodness
and virtues of life.
4. The consequence for those who believe in the Oneness of Allah
and obey Him is paradise and blissful eternal life.
Say: There is no God but Allah, and you will succeed.
 Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS), is the grandson of the Messenger of Allah [s]. It is from Imam Ja’far
al-Sadiq (AS) that all the scholars and Imams after him took the Islamic laws.
 Hur al-Amili, Wasa’il al-Shi’ah, vol.6, chapter on Jihad al-Nafs, no. 20440.
 The Truth, Thursday, May 17th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 20
Anecdote Bahlool’s Discussion with a Faqih

It is said that a famous Faqih (Scholar) of Khorasan came to Baghdad.

When Haroun heard of this, he invited the Faqih (Scholar) to his court.
He was respectfully welcomed and was seated next to Haroun and treat-
ed very importantly by Haroun. During their conversation, Bahlool ar-
rived. Haroun told him to take a seat. The Faqih (Scholar) took one look
at Bahlool and said to Haroun, “The Khalifa’s favors and likes are strange
that he likes an ordinary man and seats him close to himself.”
Bahlool understood that the Faqih was talking about him, so with all
his might he turned to that man and said, “Don’t be arrogant about your
worthless knowledge, and don’t judge my looks. I am ready to debate
with you and prove to the Khalifa that you don’t know anything.”
The Faqih replied, “I have heard you are insane and I won’t have
anything to do with crazy people.”
“I confess my insanity, but you don’t acknowledge your misunder-
standing.”
Haroun Rashid looked at Bahlool angrily and told him to be quiet,
but Bahlool didn’t listen to him and said, “If that person is so confident
about his knowledge, then he should debate.”
Haroun said to the Faqih, “What is the difficulty? Ask Bahlool some
question.”
He replied, “I am ready on one condition, which is that I will ask
Bahlool something. If he gives a correct answer, I will give him 1,000
dinars (gold coins). If he can’t answer, he will give me 1,000 dinars.
Bahlool said, “I don’t have anything of worldly wealth, not even gold
dinars, but I am ready; when I answer your question, I will take the
money and distribute it among paupers. If I can’t answer, then I will at-
tend to you as a servant and slave.”
The man accepted these conditions and asked Bahlool, “In a house
a wife is sitting with her lawful husband. In that house one person is
praying Salat (Obligatory prayer) and another is fasting. Someone from
outside enters the house. Because of his coming, the husband and wife
become unlawful for each other, the prayers and fasts also become un-
lawful. Can you tell me who the person that came in is?”
Bahlool immediately answered, “The man that entered the house
was the woman’s first husband, who had gone on a journey. When a
very long time had passed since he left, and news was received that
he had died; according to the permission of Shari’ah (Law), the woman
married the man sitting next to her. She hired two people; one to fulfill
her dead husband’s overdue, unfulfilled prayers, and another to fulfill
tardy fasts. During this time the man who had gone on the journey re-
turned, although news of his death was widespread. Therefore, the
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 The Truth, Thursday, May 17th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 20
Cont’d from Last Page
other husband becomes unlawful as do the prayers and fasts.”
Haroun and those present became confident and praised Bahlool for
solving the problem correctly. Then Bahlool said, “Now it’s my turn to ask
a question.”
The Faqih said, “Ask.”
Bahlool asked, “I have one jar of honey and a second full of vinegar.
I want to prepare the refreshing drink called Sikanjebeen. I fill one bowl
with honey and another with vinegar. To make Sikanjebeen, I mix them
both together. Afterwards I see that there is a mouse in it. Can you tell
me if the mouse was in the honey or the vinegar jar?”
The Faqih thought for a long time, but was unsuccessful in answer-
ing.
Haroun said to Bahlool, “Now, you give the answer.”
Bahlool replied, “If this person accepts his inferior knowledge I will
answer the question.”
Helpless, the Faqih confessed his inferiority.
Bahlool replied, “We should take the mouse out, wash it with water,
and after it is cleaned of honey and vinegar, cut its stomach open. If the
stomach contains vinegar, then believe that it fell in the vinegar jar. If it
contains honey, accept that it fell in the honey.”
The entire assembly was astonished at Bahlool’s intelligence and
knowledge, and praised him a lot. The Faqih bowed his head, and ac-
cording to the deal, Bahlool distributed the 1,000 dinars amongst Bagh-
dad’s poor.
Cont’d from 1st Page
Infallibility
All Prophets were infallible and free from all defects, sins, and negli-
gence and forgetfulness in their deeds and sayings from their early child-
hood till their death, for if they had committed a sin or a mistake, they
would have lost their position in the hearts of the people who would not
have had confidence in what they said or did. In this way the benefits
of Prophethood would have come to naught. Therefore certain stories
mentioned about them in the Holy Qur’an must be explained away.
The Prophets (P) must be the best and the most learned men of their
time, for it is absurd to give preference to the inferior people.
The Seal of the Prophets
Our Prophet (P) was the last of all the Prophets and Apostles in the
sense that there would no more be any Prophet till the Day of Resur-
rection. Allah says: “Muhammed is not the father of any of your
men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the Proph-
ets.”(33:40)
By: Shaykh Tusi
 The Truth, Thursday, May 17th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 20
The Holy Quran Our Source of Guidance
It was a peaceful and quiet evening in Mecca.
Not yet a messenger, Muhammad [s] was busy pondering in the cave of
Hira when he heard a strange voice from above saying, “Iqraa”. It was
demanding him to read. The voice repeated again, “Read in the name of
your Lord who created” [Surat al-Alaq, Verse 1]. This was the first verse
of the Holy Quran revealed to the Holy Prophet. The very first verse re-
vealed to the Prophet of Islam, the Prophet of Mankind, was demanding
him to read. This simple verse illustrates the importance of reading the
Quran and the reason for the revelation of the Holy Quran. Before even
revealing the religion of Islam to Prophet Muhammad [s], Allah [swt]
stresses the importance of reading and understanding the Quran. The
religion of Islam was originally revealed to mankind through the first
man on earth, Prophet Adam [s]. Since then, there have been numerous
prophets and messengers who have instructed their people and taught
them the message of Islam. Unfortunately, many of these people even-
tually deviated from the religion. In order to prevent this from occurring
again, Allah [swt] starts His revelation to Prophet Muhammad [s] by em-
phasizing the importance of holding tight to the rope of Allah [swt]. At
this day and age, the Quran is one of our strongest links to Allah [swt].
The Quran contains treasures that have yet to be discovered by many.
Prophet Muhammad [s] advised us to read the Quran frequently. He
says: “…When afflictions surround you like the dark night, refer to the
Quran, because it is an Intercessor whose intercession is accepted. It
reports evils (of people) that will be confirmed. It leads the person to
Heaven who puts it in front of himself (follows it); and he who puts it
behind himself (neglects it) will be driven to Hell. This very Quran is
the best guide to the best ways. It is a Book in which there are useful
explanations, statements, and gaining (of goals). It is the Separator (of
right and wrong)…”– Usul-I-kafi, vol. 2, p. 599 –
There will come a day when all of mankind will have to answer to
God. Every human will be held accountable for all that he did and did not
do. This day is the Day of Judgment, the Day of Accountability. On this
day, Allah [swt] will ask us whether or not we used these gems that He
has given us. On this day the Quran will complain to Allah [swt] claiming
that the Muslims did not utilize it to their advantage. It will complain that
it was not read on a regular basis and that in some households it was
merely considered a decoration.
It is up to us to make use of all that the Quran has to offer. The Quran
should be read regularly and not exclusively in times of hardship. It is
our guiding light. Without it, one is like a lost child in the dark night.
Those who stick with it will be guided. Like a traveler with a compass,
one who knows what he believes will never loose his way.
 The Truth, Thursday, May 17th, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 20
Poetry

Thought About Prayers

I got up early one morning

and rushed right into the day
I had so much to accomplish
that I didn’t have time to pray

Problems just tumbled about me

and heavier came each task
‘Why doesn’t God help me?’ I wondered
He answered, ‘You didn’t ask’

I wanted to see joy and beasuty

but the day toiled on gray and bleak
I wondered why God didn’t show me
He said, ‘But you didn’t seek’

I tried to come into God’s presence

I used all my keys at the lock
God gently and lovingly chided
‘My servant, you didn’t knock’

I woke up early this morning

and paused before entering the day
I had so much to accomplish
that I had to take time to pray

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