IB_Issue5

Page 10

The Islamic Bulletin

Issue 5

Page 11

The Islamic Bulletin

Issue 5

Some English words derived from the Arabic words.

Admiral

amir al-rahl

Jasmine

yasin

Lemon

limun

Alchemy

al-kimiya’

Lute

al-’ud

Alcove

al-qubba

Mask

maskhara

Algebra

al-jabr

Monsoon

mawsim

Amber

anbar

Musk

musk

Nadir

nazir

Orange

naranj

Artichoke

al-kharshuf

Rice

ruzz

Atlas

atlas

Saffron

za’faran

Sandalwood -

sandal

Sofa

suffa

Camel

jamal

Sugar

sukhar

Syrup

sharab, shurb

Cotton

qutun

Troubadour

tarrab

Giraffe

zurafa

Zero

sifr

Prophet Salih (PBUH) was sent as a Prophet to the tribe of Bani

Thamud to rectify their depraved people. The Thamudites were the

descendants of Thamud, a grandson of Sam. They lived in Wadi

al-Qura and Al-Hajr between Syria and Hijaz. They were idol wor-

shipers and their tribe flourished for more than two centuries after

‘Ad. Its people were renowned for their longevity and enormous

well-built bodies. They built spacious buildings in the caves of the

mountains and attained considerable powers.

Slaughtering of the She-Camel

The Prophet Salih (PBUH) was commissioned by God to invite the

tribe to the worship of One God but the tribe turned a deaf ear to

the Prophet’s preaching. Finally, the tribe decided to kill the Prophet.

The Almighty fixed a she-camel as a sign and warned them if they

slew her, they would be overtaken by the chastisement from God.

Prophet Salih (PBUH) asked the tribe to be kind to the she-camel

and let her graze in the pastures and drink water from the spring

but the tribesmen denied the access, instead they slaughtered the

she-camel.

Chastisement Befalls

After the slaughtering of the she-camel the tribesmen decided to

carry out their final plan against Prophet Salih (PBUH). Before they

could proceed, a visitation befell them and they were exterminated

by the showering of stones from the volcanic eruption.

Description in the Holy Qur’an

Some references regarding the Prophet Salih (PBUH) and his people

are as follows:

“And to the Thamud We sent their brother Salih. He said: O my

people: Serve The Almighty. You have no God other than Him.

Clear proof, indeed, has come to you from your Lord. This is

The Almighty’s she-camel for you, a sign. Therefore, leave her

alone to pasture on the Almighty’s Earth and do not do her any

harm. Otherwise painful chastisement will overtake you. And

remember when He has made you the successors after ‘Ad and

settled you in the land. You made mansions on its plains and

hew out houses in the mountains: remember, therefore, The

Almighty’s benefits and do not act corruptly in the land making

any mischief. The Chiefs of those who behaved proudly among

his people said to those who were considered weak, to those

who believed from among them. Are you sure that Salih is sent

by his Lord? They said: Surely we are the believers in what he

has been sent with. Those who were haughty said: Surely we

deny of what you believe in. So they slew the she-camel and

revolted against their Lord’s Commandments and they said: O

Salih! Bring us of what you have threatened us with if you are

one of the Apostles. Then the earthquake overtook them so they

became motionless bodies in their abodes.” (Qur’an 7:73-78)

alor

and

eroism of

usab

bin

-U

mair

(RAA)

Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) had been brought up in great love and

affection by his well-to-do parents. Before embracing Islam, he

lived in luxury and comfort.

It is said that he was the most well-dressed youth of Mecca. He

embraced Islam in its early days, without his parents’ knowledge.

However, when they came to know of it, they got very upset

and restricted him from going out.

At the first opportunity, Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) escaped and

emigrated to Abyssinia and then to Madinah. An individual

brought up in comfort and luxury was now living a life of ab-

stinence and austerity.

In the battle of Uhud, Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) held the flag of

Islam. When the Muslims on meeting defeat were dispersing in

confusion, Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) held the flag and stood at

his post like a rock.

An enemy soldier came and cut off his hand with a sword, so that

the flag might fall down and proclaim defeat for the Muslims.

Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) at once grabbed the flag in the other

hand. The enemy soldier then slashed the other hand.

Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) still stood clinging the flag to his bo-

som with the help of his bleeding arms. Lastly, an enemy arrow

pierced through him, and Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) fell dead

on the battlefield. But as long as he was alive, he did not let

the flag go down. Immediately, another Muslim ran and took

over the flag.

At the time of his burial, Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) had only

one sheet to cover his body. This sheet was too short for his

size. When it was drawn to cover his head, the feet remained

exposed and vice versa.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “Cover his head with the sheet,

and his feet with the Azkhar’ leaves.” Such was the end of a

youth who was brought up in luxury and comfort.

Once an individual develops faith, it makes the individual

forget everything else, whether be it wealth, luxury or life

itself. Musab-bin-Umair (RAA), a true hero and one of the

great martyrs.

Islam is a religion in which there are few dietary rules. In

Islam, one can eat all that is pure and nutritious, but it also

prohibits certain categories of food and drink.

Among the categories of food and drink forbidden according

to Quranic injunctions are the following:

Meat of dead animals (carrion).

Meat of strangled animals.

Meat of dead animals through beating.

Meat of dead animals through falling from a height.

Meat of dead animals killed by (the goring of) a horn.

Meat of dead animals devoured of wild beasts.

Food on which any other name has been invoked besides

that of God.

Meat of animals that have been immolated into idols.

Meat of swine (pig), including anything prepared from

swine.

All intoxicants including all types of alcohol and intoxicating

drugs.

In Surah Al-Ma’idah, the forbidden foods are explained in

detail:

“Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the

flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the

name of other than God, and that which hath been killed

by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall,

or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly)

eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it

(in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars);

(Forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with

arrows: that is impiety.” (Qur’an 5:4)

“O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication

of) stones, and (divination by) arrows are an abomination-

of Satan’s handiwork; Eschew such (abomination) that you

may prosper. Satan’s plan is (but) to excite enmity and

hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and

hinder you from the remembrance of God and from Prayer.

Will you not then abstain?” (Qur’an 5:90-91)

Since the above categories are obviously too many to explain

in one issue, we will be explaining the categories in future

issues.

slamic

ocabulary

rophet

alih

slamic

ietary

aws