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THE HONOUR OF ALLAAH IS TO HONOUR THE MEMORIZERS OF THE QUR’AAN by Lawal AbdulAfeez Arishekola

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The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “Indeed, from the honour of Allaah is to honour the grey-haired (older) Muslim, the carrier of Qur’aan who is neither extreme in it

nor turns away from it.” – Reported by Abu Dawud from Abu Musa – Sahih al-Jami’ (2199)

It’s a brewing and seemingly common action among Muslims today that most times we fail to give the memorizers of Qur’aan (Hufaadhul Qur’aan) their due honour and reverence as espoused by Allaah Azza wa ja’la and His Prophet (SallaLLaahu alayhi wasalam).

Ibn al-Jazari (rahimahullaah) said: “The transmission of Qur’aan by
relying upon memorisation (off by heart) and not upon script in the mus-haf and in books, is from the most noble of characteristics given to this Ummah by Allaah Ta’aala.”

Abul-Fadhl al-Razi said: “It was upon the memorisation and teaching (of Qur’aan) that the
hearts of the first ones (of this nation) and those after them lay.” – Fadha’il al-Qur’aan pg. 33

There are many times when I have physical interaction with people, and we were blessed with the presence of one or more Hufaadhul Qur’aan, but the Muslims there takes everyone in the gathering as on the same level without accruing honour to the memorizers of the Book of Allaah, nor giving them the special right to talk when matters of the deen and mundane issues begins.

“The Qur’an as a guide to mankind also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong)…”(al-Baqara, 2/185).

If the lovers of this world take enchantments in their world, and the people of high position take felicity in their mounting status and the people of riches take delectation in their heaps of material possessions, then the memorizers of the Qur’aan is more worthy of taking delight in the most profound honour and reverence as they are the holders and carriers of the speech of Allaah on earth.

Allaah `azza wa jall apportioned every servant of His with a rank, hence, why many of pray as follows: (May Allaah increase my/your rank), and as the people of Qur’aan are
the best of people in rank, for the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, narrated
in Bukhari – “The best of you is the one who learns Qur’aan and teaches it.”
Goodness descends upon the people of Qur’aan and Allah’s favour wraps them
The Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “No people gather together in one of the
Houses of Allaah, reciting the Book of Allaah and studying it among themselves, except that
Sakeenah (Tranquility) descends upon them, and Mercy envelops them, and the angels
surround them, and Allaah mentions them amongst those who are with Him.” (Muslim 2699).

Just as Allaah `azza wa jall raised the position of the memorizer of Qur’aan in this world and made him the most deserving of leadership amongst the people, He also elevated his rank in the next life by making him the most deserving of getting the mercy of the hereafter first as Narrated from Jabir ibn ‘Abdullaah (radhiallaahu `anhumaa): The Prophet (sallallaahu
`alayhi wa sallam) used to gather together two men from those killed in Uhud in one piece of
cloth, then he would say, “Which one of them knows Qur’aan more?” If one of them was
pointed out to him, he would lower him into the grave first and say, “I am a witness over
them on the Day of Judgement.” He would then order for their burial in their blood and they
were not washed nor were they prayed over. – Al-Bukhari (1343)

It is no exaggeration to reiterate that the people of Qur’aan (its memorizers and abiders) are most deserving of being at the forefront of all affairs of the Ummah as they’ve the life’s manual and its Constitution in them (i.e memorised) and this is more) better understood as It was narrated that Abu Mas’ood al-Ansaari said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘The people should be led in prayer by the one among them who has the most knowledge of the Book of Allaah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Qur’aan, then by the one who has most knowledge of the Sunnah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then by the one who migrated (made hijrah) first; if they are equal in terms of hijrah, then by the one who became Muslim first. No man should lead another in prayer in his domain of authority, or sit in his place in his house, except with his permission.”-
(Narrated by Muslim, 673)

These are just a few examples of how Allaah honored the People of Qur’aan and such, we as Muslims should strive to give due honour to the ones whom Allaah has classified special honour to (Memorizers of Qur’aan)

Let us strive to learn the recitation of the Qur’aan, and memorize the whole of it or a greater part we can, and understand its exegesis, know the causes of revelation, abide by its words and recite more of the Quran, for indeed, our ranks will be increased by the Book of Allaah as our Lord raised a slave “Ibn Abzi” to become a Governor of Makaah as narrated from Naafi’ ibn ‘Abd al-Haarith that he met’ Umar (Radi’allahu anhu) in isfaan and ‘Umar made him a governor’ over Makkah. He said, “Who have you put over Ahl al-Waadi (as a governor)?” He replied, “Ibn Abzi.” He said, “And who’s Ibn Abzi?” He said, “A slave amongst our slaves.” He said, “And you put a slave over them as a governor ?” Umar replied, “Indeed he recites the Book of Allaah ‘azza wa jall and he is knowledgeable of the Faraa’ idh (Obligations), did your Prophet (Peace be upon him) not say,” Truly, Allaah raises a people by this Book and debases others by it.” – Reported by Muslim

Islam gives great priority to the learning of the Quran as it is the most perfect code of conduct. Islam attaches great value to knowledge, learning and education. When the Quran was revealed, its first word was “Iqra”, which means is to read.  The Noble Quran is an substantial ocean of knowledge and learning that guide us from cradle till grave. That’s why Islam has continously re-echo the learning of Quran.

“Verily, therein is indeed a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while he is heedful.” Surat Qaf Verse 37

Holy Qur’aan is the sizable passport to paradise and salvation. The Noble Quran was revealed to the Last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW) for the betterment of entire Ummah. Let’s all revert towards it and apply it in the daily matter in order to attain the pedestal worthy of high appreciation in the sight of Allaah.

“For the honour of the carrier of the Qur’aan is not due to his personal self, but rather it’s because of and due to the honour of Allaah’s words which he carries in his heart.”

Qur’an Cake: Are we normal? – Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman

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So, a picture (that led to many pictures) surfaced online generating lots of comments and arguments. A baker had delivered a cake to a client. This cake was designed, not just in the shape of the Qur’an, but also a depiction of the cover of the Qur’an.

This has generated lots of arguments and counter-arguments, especially on Twitter and Facebook. Right or wrong?

 

CHRISTIANS

 

As usual, the Christians have joined in the discussion. They do not know their limits, not at all. When we discuss issues on Islam like Hijab, Polygyny, etc., they want to have an opinion. What opinion do you have about what you have no idea about?

Christians should learn to mind their businesses and learn their own religion before attempting to define what is permissible and impermissible in Islam. What good contribution do we expect from a people who have lost their religion and adopted practices that are contrary to the fundamental teachings of their faith?

Therefore, it is important that a Muslim gets very careful when he gets support from a Christian when discussing the fundamentals of Islam.

 

The Cake Qur’an; Right or wrong?

 Majority of Muslims I have read from on the topic are of the opinion that this is wrong. Sheikh Assim Al-Hakeem has ruled that it is a disrespect to the Qur’an. Ustaadh Sanusi Lafiagi also said it amounts to, “‘making jest of the Book of Allāh’ and ridiculing its essence. The Qur’ān was revealed to be read and applied”.

However, we have some Muslims who claim that there is nothing bad about this. They have argued that it is just a cake, so, there is nothing wrong with it. Moreso, the look-alike of the Qur’an cover that was designed is not part of what Allah revealed. Others have argued that, as a company, if your client says design a look-alike of the Qur’an, there is nothing bad in that.

 

         MY OPINION

I agree with those who are of the opinion that this is a very wrong thing to do. It mocks, disrespects, dishonours and desecrates the glorious Qur’an. Evil begets evil, not frowning against acts like this would be a gateway to other acts that would disparage the Qur’an.

In line with the point above, the celebration of birthday led to the design of a cake Qur’an, thus, a cake Qur’an may also lead to something unimaginable. Scholars have warned against the celebration of birthdays. Many do not just celebrate, they spend lavishly during such celebrations. Therefore, it should be no surprise if what we get from such celebrations is a cake Qur’an. Of all the designs in the world, it is the Qur’an a Muslims is thinking of designing.

As for the argument that Allah did not reveal the back cover of the Qur’an, hence, there is nothing wrong with it, I want to understand that people who make this argument would have something against baking a cake of Qur’an verses. If so, there are questions for them. Since the cover of the Qur’an is that irrelevant, would they smile at a non-Muslim who tears and burns the cover of the Qur’an? Would they befriend such a person since that cover is irrelevant?

It is important that we watch against extreme rationalization when rationalization has its own evils. We cannot rationalize the Religion, it puts us in further troubles. So, if it is okay to have a cake Qur’an since the cover that was designed was not revealed, did Allah reveal the Qur’an in a paper? Why can we not use, even, pages of the Qur’an since Allah did not send a printed version of the Qur’an?

A Muslim who is conscious of his deen will not accept a job that insults his religion. Those who ask you to bake a Qur’an cake will later ask you to give them Allah’s cake – a cake with a man with long beards on the throne and Allah written on the crown and then, more and more evils…

Lastly, when we talk about Islam and you are being supported by non-Muslims, you seem ‘WOKE’ and civilized, it is important to have a rethink. For someone that has written his biography in the pages of his Bible, how will you explain to him that it is not permissible to write anything in the Mushaf (of the Qur’an). Fear ALlah.

 

Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman

THE UNTOLD STORY By Mukhtar Mukhtar

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THE UNTOLD HISTORY
-Mukhtar Mukhtar

From 1808 until the mid-1830s, during the reign of Sokoto Caliphate that expanded to the west and key parts of Yorubaland which became one of the largest states in Africa, stretching from modern-day Burkina Faso to Cameroon and including most of Northern Nigeria and Niger Republic. The spread of Islam prompted the invasion of Nigeria by European Christians (British) to halt its expansion, destroy its tentacle and control Nigeria economy.

Before Nigeria was totally colonized by the British, they went further to kill Caliph Muhammad Attahiru, the last Sultan of Sokoto who resisted the invasion of British Rule. Since then, Muslims have been facing different challenges and whoever seems to be conscious of his religion among the Muslims, asking for Sharia court or Hijab in all government working places will be tagged as those who want to put an end to British rule which today’s CAN is supervising.

The colonial masters have never for once left us alone unmonitored. In the beginning, an acceptance of Christianity meant an acceptance of Western education and the rejection of Christianity meant a denial of Western education, an event which eventually culminated in the changing of names and religion by Muslim children. After independence, they introduced the Christian Missionary education referred to as western education or formal education which made it mandatory for interested Muslim children to renounce their religion and be baptized with Christian names. It was when missionary schools were abolished that Muslims had their way to other options.

The fear for the Muslim right of return prompted 1954 meeting by the highest body of Christian Association of Nigeria to sponsor some people among Christians to go to Arab countries as new Muslim converts, and learn Arabic and Islam with aim of coming back to Nigeria as Muslim clerics, use their Islamic knowledge to preach violence, distort original Islamic teachings and if possible, cause a riot in the North that will make northern Nigeria a history.

Professor Dauda Ojobi, a former secretary of Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), a retired Professor in Benue State University faculty of Law, the 3rd Reverend Father from northern Nigeria, after Paul Gindiri, and GG Ganaka, The first Nigerian overseer of Baptist Church in Kaduna, and One time commissioner of Justice in Bauchi State who revealed this after he had embraced Islam in 1966, he is still alive and ever since, no Christian scholar or CAN executive has denied this statement from Prof. Dauda.

Yesterday’s Maitatsine, Today’s Boko Haram, is just a change of name. Why did Jerry Gana (Christian chieftain) bail Muhammad Yusuf when he was arrested by The Nigerian Police force in 2008? What was he doing at Israel 50th Jubilee and why was Nigerian CAN president Jet chartered for illegal arms deal? These are very hard questions that must be cracked.

On a final note, if CAN really have passion for Muslims and believe we are brothers, why did they detest Hijab in all government parastatals and building of Sharia courts in South west just for the Muslim alone?

PRAYER MATS: SALAT ENABLER FOR CHILDREN by Lawal AbdulAfeez Arishekola.

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PRAYER MATS: SALAT ENABLER FOR CHILDREN by Lawal AbdulAfeez Arishekola

Abu Dawood (495) and Ahmad (6650) narrated from ‘Amr ibn Shu‘ayb from his father, that his grandfather said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Instruct your children to pray when they are seven years old, and smack them if they do not do it when they are ten, and separate them in their beds.” Classed as saheeh (authentic) by al-Albaani in al-Irwa’ (247). 

It is no doubt that it is a flagitious carelessness from parents whose children weren’t instructed to observe Salat from age 7 nor reprimanded when they reach age 10. Taking into cognizance the age mentioned by the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and the wisdom behind it, being that children at those mentioned age start to take in and comprehend numerous things better by observing their folks, kin and friends.

Children like to mimic the grown-ups around them majorly parents, especially during early adolescence. At the point when a kid sees his parent repeatedly performing an action i.e Salat, he is probably going to stick to this same practice and with time he gets acclimatised to it.

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy upon him) said in al-Mughni (1/357):

“This telling and discipline is prescribed in the case of children in order to train them to pray, so that they will be used to it and it will become their habit, and they will not forsake it when they reach puberty.”

In order to show your children the significance of Salat in their lives, it is critical to carry them along when going to offer your Salat in a Masjid or voluntary Salawat in the house, doing this, he will best possibly mirror you from the earliest starting point, and he will build up an affection and ecstasy for Salat since the early formative stage.

Also, it is majorly imperative to give your children a daily practice by making the ablution, known as “Wudu” trailed by using their hand to do it, and help them wash unnoticed/hidden body parts that the children usually skip while doing ablution, and by spreading supplication mats for yourself and the children and proceeding with the Salat – it’s a frisky accompanying motivator for kids.

The prayer mats which go about as a notable item for Salat can be eye catching for children. Despite the fact that at first children may utilize the supplication place as a play territory, yet with the progression of time, they begin to copy your Salat activities.

Parents can encourage their wards to produce a prayer mat with materials best available to them as well. At that point these prayer mats are more utilized and it likewise go about as a beginning stage for the kids to offer Salat all the more consistently. What’s more to it is that it regularly serve as a matter of pride for them to appeal to Allah utilizing a mat they have made themselves. For children, these little exercises keep them occupied and engaged, yet in addition go about as venturing stones to improve their lives as Muslim children.

While at this, parents should make sure that the prayer may is devoid of any markings or images as these may serve as major distractions for them and in Salat;

Al-Bukhaari (373) and Muslim (556) narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed in a black cloak that had markings, and he looked at its markings. When he finished praying, he said: “Take this cloak to Abu Jahm ibn Hudhayfah, and bring me his plain garment, for they distracted me just now when I was praying.”. Hishaam ibn ‘Urwah narrated from his father, from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I was looking at its markings whilst I was praying and I was afraid that they would distract me.”

Teach your children how to observe Salat with jolly activities while not leaving out the importance of them having Khushoo (Calmness) in Salat, and find them doing it continuously fulfilling life-long.

Breaking News: Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke is dead!

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Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke

Reinhard Bonnke, the German Pentecostal Evangelist died today, December 7, 2019 at the age of 79.

The Evangelist, whose farewell crusade was held in Lagos, Nigeria in 2017 was best known for his missionary exploits in Africa.

About three weeks ago, knowislam.com.ng published a story on his being in the hospital, requesting prayers from Christians worldwide after a surgery on his right femur.

Recall that, Reinhard Bonnke had allegedly healed the sick and raised the dead in his crusades.

Details of his death would be published later…

 

EFCC AND THE SORCERER SAGA — Aladodo Abdus-Salam.

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News had it that the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Kaduna Zonal Office arrested one Mallam AbdulRashid Imam for allegedly defrauding one Arc. Muhammad Dewu a huge amount of over $3, 024, 00 (Three Million and Twenty Four Thousand United State Dollars).

According to the EFCC, “the arrest came as a result of a petition written by one Arc. Dewu who alleged that sometime in October, 2019, the suspect fraudulently collected the money from him claiming that he has the ability to impact Qur’anic knowledge to him by inserting a complete Quran into his head through the aids of Jinns (spirits) he is working with. The petitioner further alleged that subsequently to facilitate the realization of this fact, the suspect made him purchase items as follows: Two number of bottle perfume at N70,000; One bottle of special perfume at N160,000; One bottle of perfume for the medicine of his mother’s leg sickness at N550,000; Set of 60 perfumes to activate the Qur’anic verses that will be implanted into his brain by the powers of jinn(spirits) at N1,680,000; Two mobile phones and SIM cards at N20,000; Thirty buckets of honey that will enable him to transfer the Qur’anic verses to his brain. He further alleged that the suspect asked him to facilitate money which is to be given in United State Dollars, in which he paid the sum of $24,000 in the third week of October, 2019. The suspect also asked the petitioners to pay $120,000 to help him secure money that will be dropping in two boxes in his room”.

There would never be any form of fraud which could be as greater as this in history. Acts like this might end up in the Guinness book of records, just in case a reference point has to be made to it. The self-acclaimed Imam who actually happened to be a sorcerer. He did not only defraud the said Arc. Mohammad Dewu of his money, he also successfully succeeded in defrauding him of his faith.

1.

To start with, the Qur’an is Allah’s Divine words revealed to Prophet Muhammad through Angel Jibrīl over a period of 23 years, for the purpose of guidance and worship. Each time Jibrīl came down with the revelation, the Prophet (peace upon him) is always thrown into an indescribable state, due to the magnificent nature of the Qur’an and the unfathomable mode of revelation.

Narrated ‘Aisha (the mother of the faithful believers) that Al-Harith bin Hisham asked Allah’s Messenger “O Allah’s Messenger! How is the Divine Inspiration revealed to you?” Allah’s Messenger replied, “Sometimes it is (revealed) like the ringing of a bell, this form of Inspiration is the hardest of all and then this state passes off after I have grasped what is inspired. Sometimes the Angel comes in the form of a man and talks to me and I grasp whatever he says.” ‘Aisha added: Verily I saw the Prophet being inspired divinely on a very cold day and noticed the sweat dripping from his forehead (as the Inspiration was over). (Sahih Al-Bukhari).

To think the Prophet went through all these when Allah could have easily sent the Qur’an at once is a great pointer that the self-acclaimed Imam is no doubt a fraud.

The Qur’an which was revealed in piecemeal was done to Allah’s best knowledge. Whenever a verse is revealed and Jibrīl recites it to the Prophet, the prophet then call upon his companions who documented it and in turn teach themselves the wordings of the Qur’an, till they all ended up memorizing, and it was through documentation and memorization that it was preserved till this very moment. When the disbelievers quizzed the Prophet as to why the Qur’an was not revealed at once, Allah replied thus:

And those who disbelieve say, “Why was the Qur’an not revealed to him all at once?” Thus [it is] that We may strengthen thereby your heart. And We have spaced it distinctly.

-Sura Al-Furqan, Ayah 32.

2.

The world of the Jinn is a different world from that of men, and Allah has not given any human the ability to seek communion with them freely except if they (humans) go overboard by doing that through the act of magic and sorcery, which in turn becomes a form of shirk (associating partners with Allah), and completely takes one of our the fold of Islam. When describing the world of the Jinn, Shaykh Salih Al-Munajjid said:

“The world of the jinn is an independent and separate world, with its own distinct nature and features that are hidden from the world of humans. Jinns and humans have some things in common, such as the possession of understanding and the choice between the way of good and the way of evil”. The jinns referred to here as taking the choice of the good way are those whom Allah described in the Qur’an as thus:

And among us are the righteous, and among us are [others] not so; we were [of] divided ways.

-Sura Al-Jinn, Ayah 11

The Jinn however are of two types as well: The believers and disbelievers, and they can take the form of anything they so desire. The believers among the jinns also listen to and learn the Qur’an, this is evident to the verse of Allah which reads:

Say, [O Muhammad], “It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened and said, ‘Indeed, we have heard an amazing Qur’an.

-Sura Al-Jinn, Ayah 1.

In the same chapter, it was affirmed that humans seek help from the Jinn, but the help they seek will do them no good but burden them:

And there were men from mankind who sought refuge in men from the jinn, so they [only] increased them in burden.

-Sura Al-Jinn, Ayah 6.

This act was what the self-acclaimed Imam attempted and fortunately for him, he is now in the hands of the law.

3.
There are several ways and methods to memorize the Qur’an, to learn the Qur’anic knowledge, but all the available methods can only be achieved through consistent reading and revision. It is unheard of that one seeks to gather the knowledge of Islamic monotheism through the Qur’an and the only way available is to get in touch with a Jinn to help with the compilation. It’s not only strange, but insane. The suspect and the petitioner are both lost souls that need redemption. It is a puzzle that the petitioner who happens to be that rich and of a considerable educational level cannot distinguish between falsehood and truth. It might have been that the self-acclaimed Imam succeeded in brainwashing him, but even at that, shouldn’t he have been more careful of where to go and who to visit. The said huge sums of money would have been better spent in the way of Allah that in frivolities and unyielding venture. On the other hand, he (the self-acclaimed Imam) succeeded in also defrauding the Arc. of his faith in line with the following hadith:

It was narrated in a saheeh (authentic) report that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and asks him about something, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days.” [Muslim].

Indeed, Allah has distinguished for us the truth from falsehood, and whenever we try seeking the path of falsehood rather than the truth, we will always end up being humiliated. Allah’s aid is sought.

For:
Knowislam.com.ng

Another Gunman Attack on US soil!!!

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Pensacola base shooting: Officials say gunman was Saudi airman

Four people, including the gunman, killed in shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, the US Navy says.

The aircraft carrier USS John F Kennedy arrives for exercises at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida [Handout/US Navy/Patrick Nichols]
The aircraft carrier USS John F Kennedy arrives for exercises at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida [Handout/US Navy/Patrick Nichols]

A Saudi national visiting the United States for military training was the suspect in a shooting attack at a US Navy base in Florida, which left four people dead, including the gunman, US officials said on Friday.

The attacker was killed by sheriff’s deputies responding to the dawn incident at Naval Air Station Pensacola, the Navy and local sheriff’s office said, the second deadly shooting at a US military installation this week.

More:

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the suspect was a Saudi national attending training at the base as part of long-standing Navy programme open to US allies. The motive for the violence was under investigation.

“There is obviously going to be a lot of questions about this individual being a foreign national, being a part of the Saudi Air Force and then to be here training on our soil,” DeSantis said at a news conference. “The government of Saudi Arabia needs to make things better for these victims. They are going to owe a debt here, given that this was one of their individuals.”

The gunman opened fire in a classroom on Friday morning, officials said.

Twelve people were injured, including two sheriff’s deputies who were the first to respond, one of whom killed the shooter, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said.

U.S. Navy

@USNavy

: A second victim has been confirmed deceased.

U.S. Navy

@USNavy

: Shooter and three victims confirmed deceased with multiple others injured and being treated at local hospitals. NAS Pensacola remains in lockdown.

Full Press Release: https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=111609 

UPDATED 9:35 EST: Reported Active Shooter at NAS Pensacola

The Navy is aware of reports of an active shooter at Naval Air Station Pensacola. The base is currently on lockdown. More information will follow.

navy.mil

808 people are talking about this

US President Donald Trump said he has been briefed on the incident, tweeting that his “thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time”.

Trump said he had received a phone call from Saudi King Salman who told him that “the Saudi people are greatly angered by the barbaric actions of the shooter, and that this person in no way shape or form represents the feelings of the Saudi people who love the American people”.

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

King Salman of Saudi Arabia just called to express his sincere condolences and give his sympathies to the families and friends of the warriors who were killed and wounded in the attack that took place in Pensacola, Florida….

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

….The King said that the Saudi people are greatly angered by the barbaric actions of the shooter, and that this person in no way shape or form represents the feelings of the Saudi people who love the American people.

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In a statement, the Saudi embassy in Washington, DC, said King Salman expressed his “sorrow and grief” over the shooting and ordered his security services to cooperate with US authorities in investigating the shooting.

“His Majesty affirmed that the perpetrator of this heinous crime does not represent the Saudi people, who count the American people as friends and allies,” the statement said.

‘Like being on a movie set’

The suspect used a handgun in the shooting, which took place over two floors in a classroom building at a base whose main function is training, officials said.

“Walking through the crime scene was like being on the set of a movie,” Sheriff David Morgan said.

The first reports of an “active shooter” on the base came through to the Escambia County sheriff’s office at about 6:51am, officials said.

A few minutes later, a sheriff’s deputy fatally shot the attacker in a classroom on the base, Morgan added.

The Pensacola base, which is near Florida’s border with Alabama, is a major training site for the Navy and home to its aerobatic flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels. The base employs about 16,000 military and 7,400 civilian personnel, according to the base’s website.

Florida Pensacola
The main gate at Naval Air Station Pensacola is seen on Navy Boulevard in Pensacola, Florida [Handout/Patrick Nichols/US Navy/Reuters]

Military personnel from around the globe visit the base for flight training.

In recent weeks, 18 naval aviators and two aircrew members from the Royal Saudi Naval Forces were training with the US Navy, including a stint at Pensacola, according to a November 15 press release from the Navy. It was not clear if the suspected shooter was part of that delegation.

The delegation came under a Navy programme that offers training to US allies, known as the Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity.

A person familiar with the programme said that Saudi Air Force officers selected for military training in the US are intensely vetted by both countries.

The Saudi personnel are “hand-picked” by their military and often come from elite families, the person said, speaking to Reuters News Agency on condition of anonymity because they did not have permission to speak to a reporter. Trainees must speak excellent English, the person said.

Past shootings at US military bases

Although military bases house the country’s most powerful armaments, military personnel normally are restricted from carrying weapons on base unless they are part of their daily duties. Nonetheless, US military bases have seen deadly mass shootings before, including one in Ford Hood, Texas, in 2009 that left 13 dead and one at the Washington Navy Yard in 2013 that killed 12.

On Wednesday, a sailor shot three civilians at the historic Pearl Harbor military base in Hawaii, killing two of them before taking his own life.

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson told reporters the base is “an incredibly important part of our community”.

“We’re a military town,” he said. “Our hearts and prayers are connected to all of those that serve us every day.”

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

DAILY AHADITH: RELIGION

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حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ صَالِحٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ بْنِ سَهْلٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيَّ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ بَيْنَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ رَأَيْتُ النَّاسَ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَىَّ، وَعَلَيْهِمْ قُمُصٌ مِنْهَا مَا يَبْلُغُ الثُّدِيَّ، وَمِنْهَا مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ، وَعُرِضَ عَلَىَّ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ وَعَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ يَجُرُّهُ ‏”‏‏.‏ قَالُوا فَمَا أَوَّلْتَ ذَلِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏”‏ الدِّينَ ‏”‏‏.‏

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “While I was sleeping I saw (in a dream) some people wearing shirts of which some were reaching up to the breasts only while others were even shorter than that. Umar bin Al-Khattab was shown wearing a shirt that he was dragging.” The people asked, “How did you interpret it? (What is its interpretation) O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)?”He (the Prophet (ﷺ) ) replied, “It is the Religion.”


Sahih Bukhari
(Belief)
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 23
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 16

FERRARI HORSE

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الصافنات الجياد

By Ashraf Akintola

I guess you are busy right now, but to save time, let me cut to the chase.

Sulyman عليه السلام, a king, a prophet and the son of a prophet is described by Allah as- “……An excellent servant and was frequent in returning to Allah.
(Suratu Sad, Verse 30)

As described in the next verses of the same surah, he has a vast collection of horses

(some scholars say they are up to 20,000 horses)

that “…. are still when standing and swift when running.” You can call them the Ferraris, the Bugattis of this age.

From the explanations made by scholars of Tafsir, these are not just meant for liesure or to pass over time, they are vehicles, that Sulyman عليه السلام uses on the path of Allah.

So, the story continues.

As dutiful a king as he was, he never lets any work pass under him unexamined. Works so little as stroking the horses necks and checking their foot (People who rear horses would have a better understanding of this regarding horses care).

He was on this until he forgot the time for Asr (which is the prayer he was assigned to pray. Each prophet has his own. Even the prophet did not begin with five. It used to be two- morning and evening glorifying Allah until Isra’i wal mi’raj) has passed by.

He was distraught by this and lamented thus:

فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَحْبَبْتُ حُبَّ الْخَيْرِ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّي حَتَّىٰ تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ

Then he said: Surely I preferred the good things to the remembrance of my Lord– until the sun set and time for Asr prayer was over, (he said):

(Suratu Sad, Verse 32)

As a prophet described as “……An excellent servant and was frequent in returning to Allah, he summoned back all the horses that took away his attention from the main purpose of his creation, cut off all their necks and legs (remember their humunguous number), offered them all as a sacrifice to Allah and sought repentance from Allah.

From this incident, he was tested and after acing the test, he said:

قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَهَبْ لِي مُلْكًا لَّا يَنبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِي إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

He said: My Lord! do Thou forgive me and grant me a kingdom which is not fit for (being inherited by) anyone after me;

And here was Allah’s reply:

فَسَخَّرْنَا لَهُ الرِّيحَ تَجْرِي بِأَمْرِهِ رُخَاءً حَيْثُ أَصَابَ

Then We made the wind subservient to him; it made his command to run gently wherever he desired,

Suratu Sad, Verse 36

So, don’t go yet, here is the gist.

1. What are those glittering things of life that kept decieving you and stopping you from the rememberance of Allah? At first it is Allah that gave them all to you and he can decide to take them all away even within the twinkling of an eye. Bro, cut off everything that is taking you away from the rememberance of your lord. He owns you and the thing you run after.

2. Seek repentance to Allah everytime. That should be the oxygen with which you breathe. And the first stage of repentance is regret. Regret your sinful past and vow not to go back again. Keep this act of repentance going as long as you are alive. For surely Allah is oft forgiving, ever merciful.

Sulyman عليه السلام ran back to Allah and used that opportunity to ask for favours so big he doesn’t know the extent of its reaches. Ask for your own customized blessing, don’t envy others. Allah can do it. He surely can.

3. Don’t try to think your configuration of thinking is the scope with which the might of Allah operates. You saw what Sulyman was distracted about-horses! And what they are meant for – jihad! And you saw how he returned back to Allah – sincere and confirmed! And you saw what he asked. See how Allah answered him. *He gave him the wind* amidst other things. With the command of the wind, he goes anywhere he wants. How can even our Ferrari compare to that not to talk of horses of old.

Think about these and make a conclusion yourself.

Till another time,

Ashraf’s Scribbles would keep using words to change the world.

OUR LAST BREATHE

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OUR LAST BREATHE

In and out it goes, with
its every actions drawing
us closer to reality.

Look how we work so hard,
sometimes forgetting about
the certainty.

What are we chasing for,
when we don’t need more.

Oh! When will it be?
Our last breathe that holds
much more than just the air.

For it takes away our
love for the world,
leading us into the darkness
of the underworld.

It makes our mind the slave
of itself, as it flashes
back to the very beginning
of its existence.

To the Man with ears that listen
and eyes that see, use
every breathe like it’s
your last.

© Ummu Ubaidah Penword ✍

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