The Australian:

IRAQI police have seized 30 men linked to terror groups and involved in three beheadings, the rape and murder of three women, and the separate murders of 40 other people, General Adel Molan said today.

Some of the men belonged to al-Qaeda and some to its sister group Ansar al-Islam and were caught in Baladruz, 60km north-east of Baghdad, the general said.

He said police had divided the detainees into three groups: the first was wanted for beheading three people; and the second for the separate murders of 40 people, including some Diyala provincial council members and Iraqi security forces.

The third group raped and then murdered three women, Gen Molan said.

Posted by: Rusty at 12:21 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
Post contains 139 words, total size 1 kb.

Tampa, Fla (Jawa News Service): A federal judge on Tuesday refused to order the reinsertion of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube, denying an emergency request from the brain-damaged woman's parents that had been debated in Congress and backed by the White House.

He also ordered caregivers of Stephen Hawking to stop feeding the 63 year old nobel prize winning physicist.

U.S. District Judge James Whittemore said the 41-year-old woman's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, had not established a "substantial likelihood of success'' at trial on the merits of their arguments. He also noted that since Stephen Hawking appeared to be in "pretty bad shape, we better err on the side of caution and stop feeding him too."

Whittemore wrote that Schiavo's "life and liberty interests'' had been protected by Florida courts. Despite "these difficult and time strained circumstances,'' he wrote, "this court is constrained to apply the law to the issues before it.''

"And by 'law'," he added, "I mean the disregard of this court for the express will of the legislature which wrote the law, substituting my own judgement for their's."

The Florida legislature had attempted to clarify the law in Florida so that in cases where a person in a vegetative state had not left clear instructions as to whether to continue life supporting activities, that the presumption would be in favor of life. The Florida Supreme Court declared that law unconstitutional.

Rex Sparklin, an attorney representing Terri Schiavo's parents, said lawyers were immediately appealing to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta to "save Terri's life.'' That court was already considering an appeal on whether Terri Schiavo's right to due process had been violated.

Lawyers for Hawking also plan to join the suit.

Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, praised the ruling: "What this judge did is protect the freedom of people to make their own end-of-life decisions without the intrusion of politicians. Terri Schiavo and Stephen Hawking would have wanted it this way.''

Bobby Schindler, Terri Schiavo's brother, said his family was crushed. "To have to see my parents go through this is absolutely barbaric,'' he told ABC's "Good Morning America'' on Tuesday. "I'd love for these judges to sit in a room and see this happening as well.''

But Scott Schiavo, brother of Terri's husband, Michael, called the judge's decision "a good thing,'' and said he did not believe Congress should have intervened.

"Plus," he added, "that computer voice thingy of Hawkings is just freaky. Not natural, like."

"There's not a law that's made for this,'' Scott Schiavo told The AP in a telephone interview. "This is something that goes on 100 times a day in our country, that people, their wish to die with dignity is not a federal issue. And if they refuse to die with dignity, we'll just help them along some.''

Attempts to reach Bob Schindler were unsucessful early Tuesday. George Felos, the attorney for Michael Schiavo, hung up twice when reached by reporters from The Associated Press. Hawking's people were equally short with reporters, one of them telling the AP to, "go bugger off."

Whittemore's decision comes after feverish action by President Bush and Congress on legislation allowing the brain-damaged woman's contentious case and the ALS afflicted (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) physicist's to be reviewed by federal courts.

The tube was disconnected Friday on the orders of a state judge, prompting an extraordinary weekend effort by congressional Republicans to push through unprecedented emergency legislation Monday aimed at keeping her alive.

Gov. Jeb Bush was described by a spokeswoman as "extremely disappointed and saddened'' over the judge's decision not to order the tube reconnected. "Gov. Bush will continue to do what he legally can within his powers to protect Terri Schiavo and Stephen Hawking, both vulnerable persons,'' said the spokeswoman, Alia Faraj.

Terri Schiavo did not have a living will. Her husband has fought in courts for years to have the tube removed because he said she would not want to be kept alive artificially and she has no hope for recovery. Her parents contend she responds to them and her condition could improve.

Stephen Hawking has lived with ALS his whole life, and first noticed its affects on his Oxford rowing team. The disease slowly ate away at his motor functions.

Doctors, hired by the ACLU for this case, note that Hawking's latest attack on string theory, published in the journal Nature, was, "nothing more than a reaction to light and sound and only mimicked higher motor functions."

David Gibbs III, the parents' attorney, argued at a Monday hearing in front of Whittemore that forcing Terri Schiavo to starve would be "a mortal sin'' under her Roman Catholic beliefs and urged quick action: "Terri may die as I speak.''

Hawking's, an agnostic, is said to believe that the right to life is the fundamental basis of democracies and that no man can sit in judgement of anothers inherent human worth. He noted that without the help of a specially designed computer that he might also appear to be braind dead.

Hawking communicates through eye movement alone.

But George Felos, an attorney for Michael Schiavo, argued that keeping the woman alive also violated her rights and noted that the case has been aired thoroughly in state courts. "Hawkings," he added, "was just thrown in for safety's sake."

"Yes, life is sacred,'' Felos said, contending that restarting artificial feedings would be against Schiavo's wishes. "So is liberty, particularly in this country. And if it's not in England, it should be.''

Hawkings is a British citizen who has often complained that his computerized voice system makes him sound American.

Michael Schiavo said he was outraged that lawmakers and the president intervened in a private matter. "When Terri's wishes are carried out, it will be her wish. She will be at peace. She will be with the Lord,'' he said on CNN's "Larry King Live'' late Monday.

When King asked Michael Schiavo if dying really was Terri's wish, he answered, "We didn't know what Terri wanted, but this is what we want...."

Terri Schiavo suffered brain damage in 1990 when her heart stopped briefly because of a possible potassium imbalance brought on by an eating disorder. She can breathe on her own, but has relied on the feeding tube to keep her alive.

Stephen Hawking was born in 1942 and first noticed symptons of ALS when he was 20. At 21 doctors diagnosed him with multiple sclerosis. Later he learned the diagnosis was incorrect. Since 1974 he has been unable to feed himself, and has been assisted by his wife Jane. Since 1985 he has been under full time medical supervision.

Court-appointed doctors say Schiavo is in a persistent vegetative state with no hope of recovery, while her parents insist she could recover with treatment. Doctors have said Schiavo could survive one to two weeks without the feeding tube.

Hawking is expected to expire in a much shorter time.

According to a CNN-USA Today-Gallup poll of 909 adults taken over the weekend, nearly six in 10 people said they think the feeding tube should be removed and felt they would want to remove it for a child or spouse in the same condition.

In another poll, nearly one in three agreed with the statement that 'the holocaust has been blown way out of proportion.'

The poll was taken before the judge added Professor Hawking to the list of those that will be euthenized.

On Tuesday, reaction to the judge's decision from the handful of protesters outside the woman's hospice came quickly. "It's terrible. They're going to talk and talk and she's going to die,'' said Miriam Zlotolow, 59, of Venice, Calif.

Larry Flynt, of Hustler publishing fame, is said to be holed up in his Malibu home and is said to be looking for a non-extradition country for immediate emmigration.

UPDATE: It looks like we both forgot our lithium on the same day.

UPDATE II: Dan is on the same wavelength:

A conservative judge in Orange County, California has come under fire for ordering the removal of at least three feeding tubes sustaining the live's of a small group of anti-war protestors in Southern California.

The therapist, too:

Florida officials are setting up a makeshift "tent city" in Pinellas County, Florida, in anticipation that recent court rulings may provide a spike in euthanasia requests.

"We've received many letters from distraught husbands with ‘vegetatively constrained’ wives. We'd just like to be prepared for the boom."

UPDATE III: Via Bill at INDC my thoughts summed up exactly by Dale Franks suggests:Do us all a favor. The next time you go to the doctor, put in a DNR/No Heroic Measures order. Save us all a bunch of trouble if you get a nasty bump on the head, would you?Allah provides us with this link: "Click, register, and download your very own state-specific living will and/or health-care proxy. Follow the instructions on the forms closely, as you'll probably be required to sign in front of two witnesses or a notary."

Posted by: Rusty at 09:21 AM | Comments (42) | Add Comment
Post contains 1533 words, total size 10 kb.

UPDATE: This is an archive page. For the latest information about communiques and videos being released by terrorists in Iraq, please visit the MAIN PAGE HERE. Updated Daily.
-----------------------

The General Headquarters of the Mujahadin Army in Iraq has made the following statement addressed to the American people. The communique is written in English. The letter is published in its entirety below, with brief commentary and analysis.

A propaganda video was also put out with the message. The video may be downloaded here (see 'communique7.wav).

The video shows IEDs being made and used, while the letter is read as a voice over. The voice over on the video is more extensive than the printed letter. Part of the video shows insurgents digging up previously buried ordinance, which is then converterd to use as IEDs. The video is desinged to show a strong insurgency in order to sway American public opinion. It paints a Vietnam like picture in exactly the same way the American left portrays Iraq.

[ UPDATE and NOTE TO SELF: Insurgents digging up previously buried ordinance....they know where to find weapons that are covered with dirt.....buried weapons are then converted to use on the masses.....video shows previously buried weapons then used for destruction.....and this video was probably made by Saddam loyalists who might know where to find buried weapons......I know there is something to this, but my mind is just unable to connect the dots.....]

Notice the heavy use of Leftist media reports, including the allegation made by Giuliana Sgrena that chemical weapons were used in Fallujah, to justify ongoing efforts to kill Americans. Also notice the heavy use of anti-Semetic imagery and the major theme of a global Jewish conspiracy. Hat tip Infovlad. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 05:08 PM | Comments (15) | Add Comment
Post contains 2082 words, total size 13 kb.

It's not just in Iraq, but in the entire Middle East where Christians have been persecuted for a thousand years. However, as civil society breaks down the threat to Christians increase. This MEMRI report puts the whole thing into context. Here's a taste:

Shortly after the fall of Saddam, Islamists, who took control of the streets of many Iraqi cities, began to target Christian owners of liquor stores. They first ordered the owners to close their businesses; if the owners failed to comply, the Islamists gutted the stores and often killed the owners. An example is liquor merchant Bashir Toma Alias, who was shot in the head in the center of a bazaar in Basra while on his way home to celebrate Christmas....

The report goes on to warn that unless these "Islamic terrorists" are brought to justice, "Iraqi Chaldeans will continue to be an easy target for such criminals who are bent on imposing their distorted version of Islam by force." It was reported that in the southern city of Basra, the second largest city in Iraq, armed Shi'ite groups with names such as "The Revenge of Allah," "Hizbullah," and "The Organization of Islamic Doctrines," roam the streets to mete out "Islamic punishment" on traders and users of alcohol, as well as on prostitutes. Four hundred Christian stores were closed. According to Faysal Abdullah, the head of the Organization of Islamic Doctrines, Islam "rewards those who seek martyrdom and who were designated by Allah to uproot vice."

Often the police stand idly by in the face of crimes committed in their presence because they are afraid of the armed Islamists or because they sympathize with their aims.

I would only add that Christians have never been allowed to fully practice their religion. Islamic law forbids conversion to Christianity (or any other religion) and prescribes the death penalty for those who would openly attempt to proseletyze Muslims. Not a single Muslim country--whether it be 'moderate' or not--allows true freedom of religion in that regard.

Posted by: Rusty at 04:22 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 348 words, total size 2 kb.

Click the hippie above to see a short clip of South Park's Ward Churchill inspired episode. This clip includes the classic line, "See the corporations are trying to turn you into little Eichmanns so that they can make money."

Posted by: Rusty at 03:49 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 49 words, total size 1 kb.

SOL. I resemble those remarks. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 03:06 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 266 words, total size 2 kb.

The Saudis do that voodoo that they do so well--beheading people. Yes, practicing magic, the dark arts, witchcraft, voodoo, whatever you want to call it is a capital offense under Islamic law. Yes Timmy, that means they kill you....JPOST:

A Saudi man was executed Monday for murdering a compatriot and having illicit sex with women by using sorcery to trick them, the Interior Ministry said.

Zayed bin Ali bin Saleh al-Thabiti al-Maliki was executed in Taif, a city in western Saudi Arabia, bringing the number of people beheaded in Saudi Arabia this year to 29.

Posted by: Rusty at 01:37 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 112 words, total size 1 kb.

Now that would be justice. Instead, the Saudis give a liberal muslim scholar 200 lashes for making fun of a conservative muslim scholar. His offence was mocking 'long beards', a euphemism for salafist and wahhabist Muslims who have a strict interpretation of Islamic law.

The Australian:

A SAUDI academic has been sentenced to 200 lashes and time in jail for insulting an Islamist colleague, a Saudi-owned newspaper reported today.

Hamza al-Muzaini, a lecturer in linguistics at King Saud University, was accused by Abdullah al-Barak, a lecturer of Islamic culture at the same university, of defamation and insult, the London-based Al-Hayat reported.

Barak, who is described as a radical salafist - a strict form of Sunni Islam - reportedly accused Muzaini of "mocking long beards" and questioning his knowledge in an article published a few months ago, other reports said.

Muzaini was sentenced to 200 lashes, four months in prison and banned from publishing, a verdict he immediately appealed, the newspaper said.

Posted by: Rusty at 12:01 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 175 words, total size 1 kb.

This is an archive page. For the latest news about communiques and videos coming from terrorists in Iraq, please go to the MAIN PAGE HERE.
----------------------------

UPDATE: Something just clicked. I've updated this post here, check it out.
more...

Posted by: Rusty at 12:00 PM | Comments (33) | Add Comment
Post contains 2089 words, total size 13 kb.

It's not hot girl-on-girl action, but I'd say Social Security is almost as sexy. American Warmonger has a good summary of the alternatives.

Posted by: Rusty at 11:55 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 29 words, total size 1 kb.

Congrats to Jay Dawg Quinton who is now engaged to be married.

Posted by: Rusty at 11:28 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 14 words, total size 1 kb.

Because females outnumber males on college campuses, coeds realize some difficulty in getting noticed by men. To do so, some women get attention by resorting to making out in front of men at parties and on the dance floor.

"A lot of girls do it to get men going," said Jenny Sabella, 21, a junior at Columbia. "They'll be at a party and be drunk and start making out with another girl to get noticed."

This nugget of male-female interplay is according to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times by Lori Rackl and Andrew Herrmann. In all candor, I've always thought that women team up with women because they get the hots for each other. Now I'm led to believe that women hit on women for the benefit of getting noticed by men. Pretty shrewd, eh?

"It works, too," said Columbia senior Andrew Greiner, 26.

You know what this means? The prevalence of lesbians in society may be reported higher than it actually is because some women pretend to like women just to attract men.

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

UPDATE: Photo commentary by Rusty

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 11:00 AM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
Post contains 196 words, total size 1 kb.

President Bush has signed a bill aimed at keeping Terri Schiavo alive. Bush signed the Bill at 1:11 a.m. after an extraordinary all night session of Congress. The bill gives federal jurisdiction in the case by Terri's parents to keep her alive. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 08:57 AM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
Post contains 1528 words, total size 10 kb.

Yeah, you heard it right, pirates. The official line, that is, says it was pirates. However, the GAM Islamist group operates in the area. GAM advocates an Islamic state in Indonesia's Aceh province. Hostage taking is often used as a method to fund insurgent activities around the world. Earlier report here. more...

Posted by: Rusty at 08:05 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 202 words, total size 1 kb.

In light of this post, caption this photo of Republican National Committee chair Ken Mehlman. Winners announced Monday.

UPDATE: Eeek, is it already 6:30?!? Winners announced tomorrow.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:42 PM | Comments (25) | Add Comment
Post contains 35 words, total size 1 kb.

1 "On open mike night, RNC chairman Ken Mehlmen does his Howard Dean impersonation."

Posted by: William Teach at March 19, 2005 09:01 PM (HxpPK)

2 "And a One and a Two and a..." Sorry he just needs the baton to be lawrence welk!

Posted by: Jennifer at March 19, 2005 09:06 PM (iudoM)

3 Ken Mehlman, starring in "The Jim Carrey Story#, reprises a classic scene from "Liar, Liar"

Posted by: caltechgirl at March 19, 2005 09:18 PM (bwprt)

4 Somebody got their first shipment of Enzyte, I see.

Posted by: Laurence Simon at March 19, 2005 10:10 PM (rOZ8t)

5 "yes I did smoak (pole) but I did not swallow"

Posted by: dreamer at March 19, 2005 10:40 PM (bgoXf)

6 "And after I saw that Jeff Gannon was this big (cut!), I made damn sure he got his press credentials..."

Posted by: Jack "Redcorn" M. at March 19, 2005 10:57 PM (1W1ap)

7 "Dude, I'm telling you! The moment I saw Ms. Sgrena's nose grow this long, I KNEW somethin' wasn't right!"

Posted by: Matt at March 20, 2005 04:09 AM (4O3ry)

8 Great, I just realized this comment was in the context if this guy was gay. Now I look like a completely tool! Oh well.

Posted by: Matt at March 20, 2005 04:12 AM (4O3ry)

9 Shit. I was going to do a Howard Dean impression caption, but Teach did it already in the FIRST ONE. ::sigh::

Posted by: Beth at March 20, 2005 04:31 AM (Di0rQ)

10 You could do it as a gay Ken imitating a gay Dean, Beth

Posted by: William Teach at March 20, 2005 07:30 AM (HxpPK)

11 Ken Mehlman, performing at the Met sings: "Ass Hole O Mio"

Posted by: Eric 1 at March 20, 2005 07:48 AM (lK7Sh)

12 Look ma, I'm catching!

Posted by: Emma Schwoogie at March 20, 2005 09:47 AM (rhKei)

13 "I once caught a schlong *THIS* big..."

Posted by: Angus Beef at March 20, 2005 10:54 AM (HCLCN)

14 In a misguided attempt to dispel rumors that he is a homosexual, Republican National Committee chair Ken Mehlman takes time to pose for the new JC Penney catalog.

Posted by: Buckley F. Williams at March 20, 2005 11:21 AM (O2fD/)

15 "I'm here to assert that no gay man makes these kind of hand gestures..."

Posted by: NeoScribe at March 20, 2005 12:30 PM (y5wgB)

16 "....and when I saw in the locker room that Rogers and Aravosis were this big, I said to them, 'no wonder you're gay!'.."

Posted by: wavemaker at March 20, 2005 07:03 PM (2GyMB)

17 [In his best Steve Martin voice.] I am one wild and crazy guy! [Continues to point disco fingers.]

Posted by: Jeremy at March 20, 2005 10:22 PM (farnf)

18 Barney Frank you ole madam, this feels great,but please stay under the podium until the crowd leaves.

Posted by: Henry Waxman at March 20, 2005 11:08 PM (ywZa8)

19 You are all so disturbing.

Posted by: Lune at March 21, 2005 03:38 AM (k56Dr)

20 "It was this long and I had to open my mouth this wide..."

Posted by: Mr. K at March 21, 2005 06:02 AM (BV69o)

21 O.K. folks..Heres' my John Kerry impersonation.

Posted by: xtremewing at March 21, 2005 07:06 AM (8FJgm)

22 It's a left wing conspiracy. I am not hung like a bull mouse. I am this big, dammit. Just ask Michael, I mean Michelle.

Posted by: Rob at March 21, 2005 07:19 AM (Bnrlu)

23 "I once deep throated a COCK (registered trademark, Jeff Gannon Productions) this big! I even have it stuffed and mounted on my wall. True story!" Hey, that's relatively PG-13, right?

Posted by: Wine-aholic at March 21, 2005 08:50 AM (Wsn+K)

24 I vote for either Wine-aholic's or Jack Redcorn M's quips!

Posted by: greg at March 22, 2005 08:18 AM (/+dAV)

25 And the one that got away was this big or perhapes bigger i was fishing with bill clinton and al gore

Posted by: sandpiper at March 22, 2005 11:48 AM (ZERtD)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

Raw story:

GQ Magazine details the outing campaign of gay blogger Mike Rogers (also editor of RawStoryQ) in a 3,100 word spread in this monthÂ’s issue, now on newsstands in New York and Los Angeles, RAW STORY has learned.

The piece, which includes a first-ever denial that the chairman of the Republican National Committee Ken Mehlman is gay–a fact contested by many reporters and others close to the Mehlman himself–is sure to spark a new firestorm of debate over whether outing those who oppose gay civil rights is appropriate.

“Ken Mehlman is not gay,” Steve Schmidt, a senior official of the Bush campaign and a friend of Mehlman’s told Jake Tapper, an ABC News correspondent who wrote the piece for the magazine. Scmidt who refers to Rogers as a “bottom dweller.”

Mehlman has not responded to previous requests for comment on his sexuality from any publication.

RAW STORY previously reported that during the Republican National Convention in New York, Schmidt intimidated two New York newspapers from printing a story questioning MehlmanÂ’s sexuality. Schmidt also allegedly called the sources that had spoken to Mike Rogers, who had been ready to go on the record about their experiences with the then-Bush-Cheney campaign manager. Mehlman was also outed by a progressive radio talk show host late last year.

AmericaBLOGÂ’s John Aravosis, who is gay and publicly questioned whether Mehlman might be gay last year, said he was surprised a Bush campaign official would deny Mehlman was gay.

“If he’s now heterosexual, I’d like to know why he’s single at 38,” Aravosis told RAW STORY. “Because we’ve heard nothing about girlfriends, we’ve heard nothing about marriage, we’ve heard nothing about nothing–and he’s bashing [us] about gay marriage? Because he doesn’t seem like much of a defender of marriage himself.”

I wonder if John Aravosis will publish photos of Ken Mehlman's C*CK? Cause, you know, there's nothing that settles the Social Security reform debate better than a nine-inch Republican MAN-SHAFT.

Rob at Say Anything in his best Jeff Goldstein voice says about the article:

After all, we canÂ’t let these Republicans escape the hypocrisy of their private sexual lives. Your political leanings absolutely must hinge upon your choice in sexual partners.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:31 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 401 words, total size 3 kb.

Evan Kohlmann sent me a link to a translation of a communique between al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia to other al Qaeda network affiliates in the Middle East a couple of days ago. In the communique, Saleh al-Aoofi orders the jihadis to begin striking the infidel. It looks like they are following orders well.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:08 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 68 words, total size 1 kb.

If this was an Islamic state, this woman would be hanged, she would be killed, she would be diced into pieces. * via LGF

Posted by: Rusty at 07:45 PM | Comments (33) | Add Comment
Post contains 34 words, total size 1 kb.

1 This was never practiced during the days of our Prophet (SAW). He explicity asked us to pray as we have seen him pray. Was he ever lead by a female in prayer? Hadith is there to help us follow the Prophet (SAW)'s lifestlye and to help guide us in life. He was the most upstanding Muslim, and the safest way to stay on the correct path is to do as the Prophet (SAW) did. InshAllah Amina Wadud will repent for her mistake, and will no longer commit such acts of blasphemy. Those who argue that times have chanced...all I can say is that Islam is everlasting and not bound by time. The word of Allah and the teachings of his Prophet (SAW) are for all the ages, through all of time. Anyone who believes the opposite surely has little respect for our creator and his gift to us that is Islam.

Posted by: Sami at March 23, 2005 05:31 PM (CByvI)

2 Has it ever crossed your mind that Muhammad was a human being, and as a human being, he wasn't perfect, that he had biases and carried cultural baggage in the form of traditions? Perhaps those traditions were so chauvinistic that he couldn't help but shush his wives.

Posted by: Jacquelina at March 24, 2005 09:21 PM (b5Rn6)

3 jacquelina i suggest u develop ur understanding if islam before u make pathetic remarks about the prophet (peace be upon him). it is clear u are not a follower so do us a favour and keep ur blasphemous remarks out if this discussion.The phophet (peace be upon him) was the best example for mankind and perfect in every way. period.Therefore this discussion is based on what is permissable and not according to the Sunnah (the prophet's time). certaintly it is not an invitation for You (a nobody) to comment on Muhammad pbuh, the best example to mankind. end.

Posted by: sara at March 25, 2005 06:19 AM (aIRUY)

4 it is a clear cut case..."fain tanaza'tum fi syaiin farudduhu ila Allaha wa Rasulihi" (in case where there is disagreement among you in any matter, refer back to Quran and Sunnah". in one of the hadith of Prophet (pbuh), "sollu kama raaitumuuni usolli" (pray as how you see I prayed). another hadith of Prophet (pbuh), "faman ghaghibi annis sunnati, falaisa minni" (whoever against or hate my sunnah, they are not my followers). this is a very basic principle in usul al-fiqh (islamic jurisprudence). think about it.end.wallahu a'lam.

Posted by: unisys-tech at March 25, 2005 10:21 AM (KAyHa)

5 Dear Fans of Muhammad, 1) I am NOT a nobody. I exist. That is enough to not be a nobody. 2) I will NOT keep my opinions to myself. Kaffirs have a right to speak their minds about Muhammad once they learn about him. 3) Muhammad was a product of his time. His chauvinism was milder than that of his culture, but it was chauvinism nonetheless. Also, Muhammad didn't drive, watch TV, use electricity, and wave American flags. He never went to Spain (although it was theoretically possible in that day and age). 4) "Blasphemous" remarks have a place in this discussion. They have a right to be heard, just as Islamic remarks are. You don't have to agree with me. But just whining about the remarks being blasphemous is not going to keep them out of the conversation. Offer up sound reasoning about your opinions, on why you feel Muhammad is the best example for humankind, and I might add my two cents. 5) I submit to you that, regardless of what Muhammad (pbuh) said about being the last Prophet, that Amina Wadud (pbuh) is the next Prophet.

Posted by: Jacquelina at March 25, 2005 12:07 PM (b5Rn6)

6 I made that last statement to be provocative. I know that no Muslims would believe that statement. I probably don't believe it myself. But it's about as reasonable as yours, given that you base your arguments on faith. As for what Wadud herself says: http://almusawwir.org/amina.html

Posted by: Jacquelina at March 25, 2005 12:28 PM (b5Rn6)

7 i say when wadud is dead SHOOT JAQALINA. ill tell u why, waste of space, U SOUND LIKE A 50 YEAR OLD WRINKLED UP WOMAN, BUT B4 U TAKE DA P*** OUT OF MY WRITING IM TWICE HALF UR AGE. U DONT KNW NUFFIN ABOUT OUR PROPHET,AS FAR AS I CAN SEE UR MIND IS FULL OF RUBBISH. U MAKIN STUPUD STORIES ABOUT OUR PROPHET AND WHAT HIS LIFE WAS ABOUT. U DONT F***** KNW NUFFFIN, I C U HAV NO RELIGON BUT IT DONT MEAN THAT EVER1 WILL B LIKE U. U ARE ONE OF THE MOST STUPID WOMEN ON EARTH THAT MAKES REMARKS ABOUT STUFF THAT DUZENT EVEN EXIST IN THE RELIGON. U SEM TO BE LOW LIFE TRYING TO SUCK UP TO WADUD WELL SHE AINT GONNA GIV YA EXTRA BUCKS FOR LIKIN HER ASS. NITHER U AINT GONNA CHANGE NO ONES POINT OF VIEW ABOUT ISLAM. IF U THINK THAT PPL WILL BELIEVE UR COMMENTS THEN THEY MUS BE ANOVA ZERO METER DODO LIK U. DONT KNW HOW MANY TIMES UR MOTHER GAVE BIRTH TO YA BUT LOOKS LIKE UR DAD DID HER EVERY CENTURY, AND U POPPED OUT EVERY CENTURY TO INFORM US WHAT USE TO HAPPEN THE CENTURY B4. COZ LOOKING AT UR STUPID DISCUSSIONS U SEEM TO BE DISCUSSIN ABOUT THE PROPHETS AND HIS WIVES. WHO DA HELL ARE U TO STATE THAT WADUD IS THE NEX PROPHET, I KNOW U R ANOTHER BUSH BUT LISTEN STUPID JAQAKLINA OR WHATEVA DA NAME, U AINT NO GOD. ONLY GOD SENDS PROPHETS. IF U THINK U ARE, GOOD LUK TO YA. I DONT GIV 2 S**** OR FLIPPIN MONKEYS IF U AGREE OR DISAGREE WID WHAT I AM SAYIN MY AIM IS NOT TO CHANGE UR MIND BUT JUS TO TELL U HOW STUPID U ARE GRAN. U AINT LEARNT NUFFIN ABOUT THE PROPHET I FINK UR LEARNIN ABOUT UR SELF HERE, WHAT A HYPOCRIT b**** u r. BECOZ U TALK S*** U DNT KNW NUFFIN ABOUT ISLAM OR THE PROPHET, I C U HAVE NO FRIENDS THEREFOR U POP UR ASS IN HERE TO TALK SHIT THAT DONT EXIST. U MAYBE WADUDS LESBIAN PARTNER OR U MAY WORSHIP DA COW BUT UR FAKE REMARKS AINT CHANGED NO ONES THINKING ABOUT ISLAM. WEN PPL DO READ UR COMMENTS IM SURE THEY SPIT ON IT COZ I DD IT SEVERAL TIMES. LISTEN GRANDMA POST UR COMMENTS NOT ONCE, OR TWICE, BUT A BILLION TIMES. COZ U ARE RITE ANYONE TAKES PART IN THIS DISCUSSION, THEY HAVE THE RITE TO SAY WHTEVA. BUT STUPID WOMAN only take part in discussions wen u know da tru facts, not just made up ones, thats wat u seem to be doin. i bet u will reply, u may say, u knw about islam and our prophet, and that blah blah blah. BECOZ U TALK RUBBISH, PPL DNT BOTHER REPLYIN AS MANY TIMES AS U DO. COZ THEY KNOW U TALKIN BULLS***. I SUPPSE I WONT CUM BAK TO THIS SITE, BUT PPL LIK U NEED A GOOD CLEAN IN THE HEAD ABOUT ONES RELIGON. PLZ IF U DONT KNW ABOUT THE RELIGON WHY DISCUSS AND MAKE STORIES ABOUT IT.DONT U HAV ANYFINK ELS TO DO, LIK WIPE UR DOGS ASS. ONE MORE THING IN THE PREVOIUSE COMMENTS U STATED "WHAT GOOD DD SEP 11 OR 3 DO TO ISLAM" WELL STUPID WOMAN LEARN SOMETHING, NO ONE MAKES ISLAM BETTER ONLY ISLAM MAKES PEOPLE BETTER. U ARE THE RESULT FOR OUR SINS BURN IN HELL

Posted by: fritz at March 25, 2005 04:44 PM (uwzOE)

8 amina wadud talks out of her glutius maximas and thinks she can change our religion, i don't like people of that sort and hope they get badly punished

Posted by: qasim at March 25, 2005 05:00 PM (wgzqK)

9 amina talks s**t she bloody thinks she's the flipin queen, but get out of my ass and dont come back in you twit, bug off tworp

Posted by: usman at March 25, 2005 05:03 PM (wgzqK)

10 The approach that Fritz and Usman take - a death threat (w00t, that means I'm being revolutionary) and name-calling - mean that the Muslims have run out of sound arguments against my statements. Typical bully attitude: if you can't argue, then threaten violence and threaten to kill a person. I'll tell you this: murder makes martyrs. To wit: the 9/11 victims. The best thing that conservatives can do now is to leave Wadud and her ilk alone - they'll form a new sect of Islam, and America makes that possible. Any violence, and you'll bet she becomes a martyr for liberal religion. That only increases the determination of the progressives.

Posted by: Jacquelina at March 25, 2005 07:52 PM (b5Rn6)

11 Hello I find your discussion very insightful. Jacquelina is asking some serious questions. And those who arent able to defend their faith feel that their faith is based on shaky grounds. Or arent you able to use your mind? Quran isnt ready to say you in every way of life what to do. It must be interpreted, as every written piece. Dont you think? Or do you refuse to think about this? Thank you very much

Posted by: human at March 25, 2005 07:59 PM (CV81B)

12 http://www.tenrikyo.or.jp/en/teaching/teachings/oyasama.html Hey, look, another Prophet of Allah!

Posted by: tenrikyo at March 25, 2005 08:01 PM (b5Rn6)

13 Methinks you refuse to think about it.

Posted by: Jacquelina at March 25, 2005 09:46 PM (b5Rn6)

14 You all will have to understand that the Holy Quran is Perfect and people's interpretations of certail metaphorical and even clear ayats that's wrong And Jacqueline if u want to learn a thing or two bout Islam..then I suggest u ask ur questions nicely coz slander won't take u anywhere Salaam

Posted by: Shaheed at March 25, 2005 11:44 PM (p6jU/)

15 Perfection is in the eye of the beholder.

Posted by: Jacquelina at March 26, 2005 12:01 AM (b5Rn6)

16 Jacquelina, Mix prayers are not allowed in islam. A women can lead prayer but only to women. God wants us forget world (which is not eternal) while we bow in front of him. In case of amina wadud, she is leading prayers for both men and women touching their shoulders. This is forbidden by God because a slight desire of sex in prayers invalidates prayers and this is possible in mix prayers. Even christianity, jews, hinduism, jainism and many religions dont have female priest or a leader of prayers Y west doenst target their own religion, jews, hinduism ? y only islam

Posted by: Shiraz Ahmed at March 26, 2005 12:51 AM (v+rfh)

17 Brother in islam, Fritz, don't waste your time on the likes of Jacquelina, she is not worth it. I have read all of her opinions that give me the impression that she is seriously foolish or uneducated. And i totally agree with what u said. unfortunately there are some that get a kick out of manipulating the truth, and "trying" aimlessley to destroy something they dont have: IMAN AND CONVICTION. without conviction they base their argument on logic and and rationality, basically she like her fellow Americans want to see God in his true form, perhaps the Prophets (pbuh) lifestyle on dvd or vhs, before they are convinced of ISLAM. Because this is not the case with islam, and we base our devotion on the miracoulous Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet, not to mention the trust in Allah the Exhalled, these non-believers cannot comprehend this. she is not arguing right or wrong, but she is introducing the primary question: is there God, how do we know etc! As for u jaqulina sista! Don't embarrass yourself further darling cos u have made an utter fool out of urself and ur fellow nation. If you really wana involve urself on the debate of God, faith, i suggest u widen ur knowledge on faith itself, and understand life is not all about Hollywood movies and pornography! There is a way of life out there that entails conviction and faith, spirituality, and devotion to the creator of all creations- and a way of life based on the Quran and Hadiths of the prophet (pbuh) that leads to enternal hapiness in both the worlds. Go check it out. Finally

Posted by: Maryam at March 26, 2005 08:23 AM (aIRUY)

18 "Mix prayers are not allowed in islam. A women can lead prayer but only to women. God wants us forget world (which is not eternal) while we bow in front of him." And, obviously, some Muslims disagree with you, and have been citing chapter and verse of the Quran to back up their case. "In case of amina wadud, she is leading prayers for both men and women touching their shoulders. This is forbidden by God because a slight desire of sex in prayers invalidates prayers and this is possible in mix prayers." Not necessarily true. While Muhammad may have said so in the past, God might not have been speaking through Muhammad at the time; furthermore, biases of the SCRIBES of Muhammad might have further muddied up whatever Muhammad was saying. Thus, there is no evidence for the invalidation of prayers of people who are, well, horny. Call it a lie if you want to - you don't believe it anyway, but I feel differently from how Muhammad felt. I'm not God. Neither was your Muhammad. "Even christianity, jews, hinduism, jainism and many religions dont have female priest or a leader of prayers" BLATANTLY FALSE. Christianity has female ministers, and Judaism has female rabbis. Tenrikyo (a Japanese religion) was founded by a woman, and, while I don't know much about the status of women in the Vedic traditions, there were likely female shamans in many an aboriginal tradition. "Y west doenst target their own religion, jews, hinduism ? y only islam" Hinduism is not a Western religion, and, besides, Hinduism is more concerned about the fate of its caste system. As for Judaism and Christianity, they HAVE been targeted, and they HAVE been changing for several centuries already.

Posted by: Jacquelina at March 26, 2005 11:54 AM (b5Rn6)

19 "Brother in islam, Fritz, don't waste your time on the likes of Jacquelina, she is not worth it. I have read all of her opinions that give me the impression that she is seriously foolish or uneducated. And i totally agree with what u said" I'm educated in many ways. I am educated in the Western tradition, which says to question everything, to look for proof, to leave no stone unturned. It is a dynamic kind of education, not a repetitive kind of education. And, of course, any orthodoxy goes around calling the dissenters "foolish". Nothing new here, folks. "Without conviction they base their argument on logic and and rationality, basically she like her fellow Americans want to see God in his true form, perhaps the Prophets (pbuh) lifestyle on dvd or vhs, before they are convinced of ISLAM." You misunderstand the Western way of education. To the Westerner, logic and rationality are the heart of proof. It is the foundation-stone of science. In order for an educated Westerner to have conviction, oftentimes, he or she will require proof. As for the "Prophet's life on DVD", that's obviously impossible, and so are attempts to "see God in Its true form". "Because this is not the case with islam, and we base our devotion on the miracoulous Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet, not to mention the trust in Allah the Exhalled, these non-believers cannot comprehend this. she is not arguing right or wrong, but she is introducing the primary question: is there God, how do we know etc!" Obviously, Islam will do pretty poorly in scientifically oriented non-Islamic cultures, as it is faith-based while science is evidence-based (and thus offers a closer view of the truth, by and large). "As for u jaqulina sista! Don't embarrass yourself further darling cos u have made an utter fool out of urself and ur fellow nation." In YOUR opinion. In my opinion, it's those who rely on faith without looking at the evidence who are fools. And so is those folks' "fellow nation". "If you really wana involve urself on the debate of God, faith, i suggest u widen ur knowledge on faith itself, and understand life is not all about Hollywood movies and pornography!" Please. My arguments are not based on what Hollywood cranks out. They are based on the sort of thinking that American universities crank out. And, YES, this includes Comparative Religion courses, and geology, and other courses where much evidence is pointed out. And some of that evidence runs against what any religion, including Islam, has said by far in its sacred documents. "There is a way of life out there that entails conviction and faith, spirituality, and devotion to the creator of all creations- and a way of life based on the Quran and Hadiths of the prophet (pbuh) that leads to enternal hapiness in both the worlds. Go check it out." Mind if I point out that Judaism, Christianity, Tenrikyo, and spiritualism - as well as Buddhism - offer just about the same thing - a way of life that leads to eternal happiness in both the worlds - and, of course, this presumes there IS an afterlife (which at least one religion, Judaism, hasn't really decided on, and which mainstream science is skeptical about).

Posted by: Jacquelina at March 26, 2005 12:12 PM (b5Rn6)

20 "BECOZ U TALK RUBBISH, PPL DNT BOTHER REPLYIN AS MANY TIMES AS U DO. COZ THEY KNOW U TALKIN BULLS***. " No, it's because I'm hitting "Reply" and then thinking up something new which you'd likely refer to as "bull----"....so now I have to hit post all over again. As far as I know, I've been getting responses, mostly by folks such as you who think they can bully folks into Islam. Nice try. "ONLY ISLAM MAKES PEOPLE BETTER. U ARE THE RESULT FOR OUR SINS BURN IN HELL " Obviously not. If your diatribe is any guide, it gives the impression that Islam makes people WORSE. Now, I know that Islam makes some prople better.... but so do Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, etc. I am not the result of (or "for") anybody's sins. I am a Westerner. I don't consider myself an evil person. I don't think God does, in spite of your "evidence" to the contrary. Yeah, I have sinned, just as everyone has; however, I feel preaching in favor of liberal religion is NOT one of my sins. You may disagree. As for "BURN IN HELL", the concept of Hell has a long history, but is pretty short on concrete evidence. People (mainly Christians and liberals) have had near-death experiences and put them on record (the concentration of kaffirs and dhimmis is due to the prevalence of Christianity and reasons in the countries the researchers studied), and found the following: about a third or so had an NDE, the vast majority of which showed peace and bliss; there was a rare "hellish" experience every once in a while. (And, mind you, those are NOT Muslims!) Others have had weirder experiences (such as seeing a "giant disembodied hand", but not very many actually saw anything like hellfire. Perhaps hell is a more prevalent vision in Indonesia; culture may well play some kind of a role in how people experience death - but the Quran and Sunnah appear to be but one of a number of possible causes in play here. Perhaps hellfire-and-brimstone preachers are responsible for the largest contributions of lost souls to hell (after all, they preach it so much that it becomes expected by individuals). This cultural nature of death is another reason why scientists are skeptical about there being an afterlife. Also, lobotomies show that different parts of the brain house different parts of one's mind, or soul, and it's apparently possible to prevent communication between part of one's mind and another part with the use of a knife.

Posted by: Jacquelina at March 26, 2005 01:11 PM (b5Rn6)

21 I might add: Read Kant and you wont need religion. Yes, there is morality without god/allah. In fact such a concept is misleading in finding the right ethics. Life is too complex for only one book.

Posted by: human at March 26, 2005 06:56 PM (CV81B)

22 Just in case anyone's still listening: http://www.faithfreedom.org/faq.htm see here, all religions are false, so there.

Posted by: kafir at March 26, 2005 09:06 PM (b5Rn6)

23 TO JAQUELINA, i would just like to point out that despite your attempts to give a another insight to Islam, as a muslim myslef and reading this discussion, i am not moved or influeneced by your opinions in any way. My faith to me, in fact has become more clear that sadly there are none-beleievers out there that are so desperate to destroy soemthing so beautiful. Primarily, your perspective to islam from a "science point of view" and the "possibilities of misunterpretation from the Prophets" is a reccurent arguemet that boils back to "how do we know there is God etc". To this question, Muslims have the Word of God in the Quran, that its laws and teachings are the safest way to succeed in this life and the hearafter. We believe that this book is a guide to live our life, for we are weak as humans, despite having a brain, god has urged us to witness his signs, which tells us everything that happened in the past, to the prediction of what is to come. in short the Quran is a miracle, And my God, is it spot on! You have to comprehend this before you can progress onto developing respect for this way of life, you simply cannot use "science" or "Western way of interrogation" to reduce this concept. It is your agument against mine that Muhammad was the final messenger of God, (PBUH), an argument that no doubt will continue throughout time. But please, do not argue your case by starting with "what if" what if the quran was misunterpreted, what if there are flaws in the Quran.....etc. remember "looking for alternatives" is another theory, and by no means a method through which religion can be filtered to be "proved or disproved". Islam may be a "myth" to non-muslims, but to muslims it is the truth.how can you urge muslims to "interrogate this truth" when God has told us to have belief, and shown us signs? do u undersatnd this? Your beliefs by no means gives you authority to assess islam through your way of thinking, this is why none-beleivers will always remain proud that islam is "just a myth" "misnderstood" etc, because you assume that you have that authority to dictate your views over everything else. All you have done is reitterted the concept of "Questioning and open to interpretation", which in islam can be applied to everthing BUT the laws of Allah, As Allah created man, so Allah knows what his creation does not know. So please jacquelina, have some respect for other ways of thinking, because you have continuosely emphasised the need to "look for possibilites", take a leaf out of your own book, because it seems as though you cannot/dont wish to respect that Islam is the truth for Muslims, despite what none-believers say, and it is not there to be manipulated.

Posted by: maryam at March 26, 2005 10:53 PM (aIRUY)

24 well guys to be honest first of all, there is a very logical reason to why women in islam are not allowed to lead the prayers.And it has nothing to do with male chavinisum or anything ..just consider this example, whenever in an areobic class u have a female instructor, half of the men just stare at her body like pervets .. rather then doing wat they r meant to do ..when a women leads a prayer in a mix congregation , some men might behave in a disrespectful manner , even if they do it unintentioanlly , it will harm their original intent of paryers as well , hence they wont get the just reward as well..the reason is as simple as that , its all about given a women her due respect and maintaining grace.. as far as i remeber in the old english culture it was even considered unrespectful for a women to dismound a horse in front of a man .. so why when it comes to islam all these common sense approach changes , most of the feakin westren media just brands it as women being treated as inferior...when actually its all about maintainings a women grace , it has nothing to do with a women's place in an islamic society , she is still a strong member at her house and in her life as well.. this wadud lady just is another wanna be , just wait she will end up like many other who tried to mould this religion for their own ease.

Posted by: tehreem at March 28, 2005 07:32 PM (+4pPd)

25 dear readers.. things are going according to God's will and plan. the late Rashad Khalifa accalimed his prophecy in the mid-eighties last century. he was advocating for women to be imams, etc. what recently happened in vew york city is not new and won't be the last trial for women to invent and do whatever thei minds can create. the truth always prevails and stays high. Islam will be kept intact till the end of this world, like it or not. Any invention or innovations in this religion will die as soon as it comes up. thanks.

Posted by: human9 at April 03, 2005 02:46 PM (XyMV5)

26 Dear brothers/sisters in Islam, I would like to quote you a hadith right now. Please take something out of it.... "....When ever there was a quarrel/dispute, the Prophet (PBUH) would leave that gathering...." As individuals, we are not suppose to protect Islam, Allah (SWT) protects it as He (SWT) has given muslims that promise. I would encourage my self and then my brothers/sisters to be practising muslims. This is the only way to clear Jahiliyah. We, as muslims, can't blame any of the non-muslims because they are misguided. They believe in giving in to their own desires as being liberation and view being naked as fashionable. Please utilize your time wisely and don't participate in these type of forums, especially when the party asking these questions has no clue about Islam. Just my one cent. Assalam-u-alaikum.

Posted by: Craving Heaven at April 05, 2005 01:07 AM (2lvj+)

27 Question On March 18, 2005 Amina Wadud led the first female-led Jumu`ah Prayer. On that day, women took a huge step towards being more like men. But, did we come closer to actualizing our God-given liberation? Date 2005/3/28 Name of Consultant AAI Editorial Staff Content of Reply This answer was kindly provided by Sister Yasmin Mogahed, a member of Ask About Islam Editorial Staff. Yasmin is an Egyptian-American journalist based in Wisconsin, USA. She is currently studying for a Master's degree in Journalism. Salam, Sarah. Thank you for your inspiring question! Well, answering your question, I can say that I don't think so. What we so often forget is that God has honored women by giving them value in relation to God-not in relation to men. But as Western feminism erases God from the scene, there is no standard left but men. As a result, the Western feminist is forced to find her value in relation to a man. And in so doing, she has accepted a faulty assumption. She has accepted that man is the standard, and thus a woman can never be a full human being until she becomes just like a man-the standard. When a man cut his hair short, she wanted to cut her hair short. When a man joined the army, she wanted to join the army, and so on. She wanted these things for no other reason than because the "standard" had it. What she didn't recognize was that God dignifies both men and women in their distinctiveness, not their sameness. And on March 18, Muslim women made the very same mistake. For 1,400 years, there has been a consensus of scholars that men are to lead Prayer. As a Muslim woman, why does this matter? The one who leads Prayer is not spiritually superior in any way. Something is not better just because a man does it. And leading Prayer is not better just because it is leading. Had it been the role of women or had it been more divine, why wouldn't the Prophet have asked Lady `A'ishah or Lady Khadijah, or Lady Fatimah-the greatest women of all time-to lead? These women were promised heaven and yet they never led Prayer. But now, for the first time in 1,400 years, we look at a man leading Prayer and we think, "That's not fair." We think so, although God has given no special privilege to the one who leads. The imam is no higher in the eyes of God than the one who prays behind. On the other hand, only a woman can be a mother. And the Creator has given special privilege to a mother. The Prophet taught us that heaven lies at the feet of mothers. But no matter what a man does, he can never be a mother. So why is that not unfair? When asked who is most deserving of our kind treatment? The Prophet replied "your mother" three times before saying "your father" only once. Isn't that sexist? No matter what a man does, he will never be able to have the status of a mother. And yet even when God honors us with something uniquely feminine, we are too busy trying to find our worth in reference to men, to value it or even notice it. We too have accepted men as the standard; so anything uniquely feminine is, by definition, inferior. Being sensitive is an insult, becoming a mother is a degradation. In the battle between stoic rationality (considered masculine) and selfless compassion (considered feminine), rationality reigns supreme. As soon as we accept that everything a man has and does is better, all that follows is just a knee jerk reaction: if men have it, we want it too. If men pray in the front rows, we assume this is better, so we want to pray in the front rows too. If men lead Prayer, we assume the imam is closer to God, so we want to lead Prayer too. Somewhere along the line, we've accepted the notion that having a position of worldly leadership is some indication of one's position with God. A Muslim woman does not need to degrade herself in this way. She has God as a standard. She has God to give her value; she doesn't need a man here. In fact, in our crusade to follow men, we, as women, never even stopped to examine the possibility that what we have is better for us. In some cases, we even gave up what was higher only to be like men. Fifty years ago, we saw men leaving the home to work in factories. We were mothers. And yet, we saw men doing it, so we wanted to do it too. Somehow, we considered it women's liberation to abandon the raising of another human being in order to work on a machine. We accepted that working in a factory was superior to raising the foundation of society-just because a man did it. Then after working, we were expected to be superhuman-the perfect mother, the perfect wife, the perfect homemaker, and have the perfect career. And while there is nothing wrong, by definition, with a woman having a career, we soon came to realize what we had sacrificed by blindly mimicking men. We watched as our children became strangers, and soon recognized the privilege we'd given up. And so only now-given the choice-women in the West are choosing to stay home to raise their children. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, only 31 percent of mothers with babies, and 18 percent of mothers with two or more children, are working fulltime. And of those working mothers, a survey conducted by Parenting Magazine in 2000, found that 93 percent of them say they would rather be home with their kids, but are compelled to work due to "financial obligations." These "obligations" are imposed on women by the gender sameness of the modern West and removed from women by the gender distinctiveness of Islam. It took women in the West almost a century of experimentation to realize a privilege given to Muslim women 1,400 years ago. Given my privilege as a woman, I only degrade myself by trying to be something I'm not, and in all honesty, don't want to be-a man. As women, we will never reach true liberation until we stop trying to mimic men and value the beauty in our own God given distinctiveness. If given a choice between stoic justice and compassion, I choose compassion. And if given a choice between worldly leadership and heaven at my feet, I choose heaven. I hope my words answer your question. In case you have any comment or you need more about the topic, please don't hesitate to contact us again. Thank you and please keep in touch. Salam. Useful Links: Woman Leading Men in Prayer Women Leading Friday Prayer: AMJA's Statement

Posted by: abdullah at April 06, 2005 06:28 PM (sYwqj)

28 This is to remind you that this sort of arguments are normal 2 muslims,and we should give them no consideration; since we know our religion very well, we are pretty much confident it is the right religion and we do not need people like Wadud or Jacquelina to teach us about islam, either they are ignorant or they need to correct their "virus alike infected info" information gathered from untrusted sources. we have only one version of quran and thus a comprehensive religion unlike other religions; other than that it's all human make up, and of course we don't accept it. I am not here to argue with those people, but to say look at those who studied islam very well and know its truth, they weren't muslims b4, but since they were that much educated, they converted to islam instead, cos they have found their way to the truth, and just to mention here: Wise People Never Look at one side, they get to think, research, analyse then compare, and this is too much for an ignorant to look for, cos "what you miss, you can't give". Eventually even I oppose those comments, I believe in discussions within the boundaries of respect but not violence as this is not in islam teaching.

Posted by: Human being at April 14, 2005 07:35 AM (aC3x8)

29 To Jacquilina ( pardon if i spell it wrong) I read your first thread ! You said that Prophet (PBUH) was a human being ! RIGHT! He was a human being. But whats different about him then if he was just like us! Quran describes it "that i'm no one but a human being like you but "wahee" (message of God to prophet) is sent to me" So what he DOES or DOES NOT was not to be treated as actions of a simple human being like us! He was given messages, orders, restrictions (like leading the prayer is not allowed for women !) by God. Your next logical question would be then why a prophet is then chosen to be a human being if he was to be only the carrier of God's messages why not an angel or some other link! Actually we forget here that 'to be guided' is not the problem of God but of us ! WE NEED TO BE GUIDED. WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT IS WRONG. WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO TALK TO GOD. WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN A CHILD IS BORN WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON DIES AND OF COURSE WE NEED TO KNOW WHETHER A WOMAN CAN LEAD THE PRAYER OR NOT. So in any of these or other conditions we need some sort of guidance. Now question arises where to get knowledge ! Are we really in need of some heavenly knowledge like that is sent from God or we can make things based on our own logic. (I come to THE POINT AFTERWARDS SO HAVE PATIENCE) Lets take an example. Scenario 1: A child is brutly wounded by a dacoit. He pulls out a knife and cuts his intestines. What will his father do when he sees all this in front of him. He will pull out his own rifle,pistol or in worst case hands out of his pockets and try to save his child in any case .... Scenario 2: The same child has some sort of gastro intestinal disturbance. A surgeon "pulls out a knife and cuts his intestines". What will his father do when he sees all this in front of him. Of course, he will pay doctor for this. What is different in the two scenarios is the PERSPECTIVE with which we see things, with which that particular child saw things and with which his father saw things. To child, both the doctor and dacoit are brutes ! To his father dacoit is brute and doctor is a messiah. So who knows better , the child or his father Of course his father. In the same way Allah , the Almighty has created us. He knows better what is right for us and what is wrong. Whether we should drink or not. Is a man allowed to marry 4 wives or more or not and if a woman can be allowed to lead the prayer. So Allah sent a prophet to us like he did before to guide us from within us so that we dont face any difficulty in understanding his language.We cant make perfect desicion about anything if we dont have the perspective of the FATHER. The best way to teach was to present a modal, and Allah did so! Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the ONE. He was the model, guided all the way by God, tracked all the way by God. So that's why we call him the PERFECT and do belive in his perfection not because he is 'surprisingly' a perfect human being but he is the prophet(PBUH) sent by God with complete guidance. So all above i explained why do we need to be,live a perfect man for perfect guidance. If you have more comments feel free to ask but as a good 'human being' you should take care of others' feelings. If you want to ask something ask in way that doesn't hurt others ! I dont think so you need any 'logical reasoning' behind that In the end i apologize if anyone is hurt and let me know so that i'll be more careful in the future. And God knows the best (Wallah o Alim bis-Sawab)

Posted by: rudeCode at April 15, 2005 08:28 AM (nQZNB)

30 Benefits of Practicing lkhlas With Allah Shaykh Husayn al-Awaaishah Kitab Al-Ikhlas © 1997 The Daar of Islamic Heritage 1. The Muslim ummah will be victorious, for the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said, what translated means, "Allah only gives victory to this nation because of its weak ones, because of their du`aa', prayer and ikhlas." [At-Targhib wa At-Tarhib]. 2. Acquiring safety from Allah's punishment and wrath in the Hereafter. Allah said about some people who observe ikhlas, what translated means, "And they give food, in spite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to the poor, the orphan, and the captive. (Saying), 'We feed you seeking Allah's Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you. Verily, we fear from our Lord a Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible (from extreme dislikeness to it).' So Allah saved them from the evil of that Day, and gave them Nadhratan (a light of beauty) and joy. And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken garments, because they were patient." [76:8-12]. 3. Elevation to a higher grade in the Hereafter. There are many ayat and hadiths about this subject, such as the following ayah that describes the abrar (the pious). Allah said, what translated means, "So Allah saved them from the evil of that Day, and gave them Nadhratan (a light of beauty) and joy. And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken garments, because they were patient. Reclining therein on raised thrones, they will see there neither the excessive heat of the sun, nor the excessive bitter cold. And the shade thereof is close upon them, and the bunches of fruit thereof will hang low within their reach. And amongst them will be passed round vessels of silver and cups of crystal. Crystal-clear, made of silver. They will determine the measure thereof according to their wishes. And they will be given to drink there a cup (of wine) mixed with Zanjabil (ginger, etc.). A spring there, called Salsabil. And round about them will (serve) boys of everlasting youth. If you see them, you vould think them scattered pearls." [76:11-19]. Also, the Messenger of Allah said, what translated means, "The first group that enters Paradise will be glittering like the moon when it is full. The following group will glitter like the brightest planet in the sky; they will neither urinate, nor answer the call of nature, nor spit, nor have any nasal secretions; their brushes will be from gold, their sweat is Misk. The aloes-wood will be used in their centers, and their wives are from Hur al-`Een (Houris, female fair ones, with wide, lovely eyes). They will all look like each other, just as is the statute of their father Adam, sixty feet in the sky." [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]. 4. Safety from falling into misguidance in this dunya, that is, the life of this world. We have mentioned before example to this subject in the story of Prophet Yusuf. "Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of our Mukhlasin (chosen, guided persons who observe ikhlas with Allah." [12:24] 5. Acquiring an increase in huda (Right Guidance), as Allah said, what translated means, "Truly! They were young men who believed in their Lord (Allah), and We increased them in guidance." [18:13]. 6. Residents of the heavens will love those who observe ikhlas. The Messenger of Allah said, what translated means, "When Allah loves a slave, He summons Jibreel, saying, 'Allah, the Exalted, loves Fulan (such and such person), so love him,' and Jibreel will love him. Then he calls upon the people of the heaven, 'Allah loves Fulan, so love him', and the people of the heaven will love him. Then acceptance (honor, content, love, etc.) will be sent down (and spread up [meaning between the community of the believers]) on earth for him." [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]. 7. Acceptance and honor for the mukhlisin, those who observe ikhlas, will be sent down and spread up on earth for them, as was mentioned in the previous hadith. 8. Having a good reputation among people, as was mentioned in the previous hadith. Also, the Messenger of Allah said, what translated means, "Each slave has a reputation in the heaven. If his reputation in the heaven is good, it will be sent down to earth (transferred as such). However, if his reputation is bad in the heaven, it will be transferred as such to the earth." [Al-Bazzar]. 9. Acquiring safety from all types of hardships and disasters in this life, as was mentioned in the story of the three persons who were trapped in the cave. 10. Achieving tranquillity in the heart and feeling joy, content and elation, for Allah said, what translated means, "Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." [13:28]. 11. Faith will be endeared to the Mukhlisin, while wickedness will be made hateful to them. Allah said, what translated means, "And know that, among you there is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you (follow your opinions and desires) in much of the matter, you would surely be in trouble, but Allah has endeared the Faith to you and has beautified it in your hearts, and has made disbelief, wickedness and disobedience (to Allah and His Messenger) hateful to you. These! They are the rightly guided ones." [49:7]. We have mentioned before how Prophet Yusuf was made to hate fornication, disbelief and wickedness, and how iman was made beautiful to him, that he preferred staying in jail rather than falling into fornication and sin. 12. Allah willing, ikhlas will guide one to choose the rightly-guided company, those who observe ikhlas. The best example for this subject is that the companions of the Messenger of Allah were friends with each other as they were friends with the Messenger, and who can find a better company than the Prophet and his companions. 13. Enduring all types of hardships in this life with patience. The Messenger of Allah and his companions were excellent in this behavior, for they endured and were patient in the face of all types of hardships, and the proof to this better behavior is detailed in abundance in their seerah (life stories). 14. Acquiring the good end, as is evident from the story of the man who had killed ninety nine persons, but then sought to repent from his crimes. This person's ikhlas in seeking forgiveness from Allah guided him until he died while his heart was coming back to Allah, the Exalted. 15. Du`aa' will be accepted, as is evident from the story of the young boy, the wizard and the priest. Also, an example to this is the story of the three men who were trapped in the cave. This, indeed, is a vast subject with numerous examples testifying to the fact that ikhlas is an essential ingredient that ensures the acceptance of du`aa'. 16. Being rewarded in the grave, and receiving the glad tidings of the joy and happiness that the mukhlisin will enjoy in the grave and in the Hereafter. We have narrated the hadith by Al-Baraa' ibn `Azib which describes how one's good deeds will come in the shape of a handsome man, wearing nice clothes and whose scent is pleasing, saying, "I am your good deeds."

Posted by: Adam Muhammad at April 18, 2005 09:19 AM (KWFa0)

31 To all moslems brothers & sisters, do not waist your precious time on this unproductive issues. Amina wadud is just some women with emotive driven agenda of her pro-feminist perpective for some unproductive publicity. What kind of improvement or progress from her action towards the moslems or to the world community ? Controversy..Don't waiste your time to explain to those non believers. If they sincerely want to learn from their logic & critical thinking cap as their base argument to understand this issues, they should start with neutral perpective first instead with prejudice and falacies judgement. And please brothers, do not curse anybody even the non-believers, that is not the prophet teaching. Moslems should more focus on the Palestinians issues, economis progress, technology development instead arguing with this nonsense issue. Please..wake up..

Posted by: katagi at May 27, 2005 03:42 AM (zYXW4)

32 I am back Jacquelina, It is wise to think before you talk. A person full of wisdom is the one who thinks before uttering anything nonsense. If you believe that amina wadud is the prophet than I have no problem with that. In fact noone should not have any problem becuase you know and I know that death will approach us all. So wait for your death. This is not a threat but a reminder because the Creator said to those who deny and utter foolishness to wait until death approaches them. It would be too late for you to change your opinion than becuase truth will be before all of us and none of us would be able to deny it. And if you have no idea what you are talking about than let me make it clear to you. If you believe amina a prophet than ask amina to perform some miracle from the Almighty Creator. Because a person cannot claim to be a prophet without a miracle sister!!! otherwise he/she would be a liar. My honest adivice to you-DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME, EDUCATE YOURSELF BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. unisys-tech, You did a great job. Well done! I really appreaciate it. fritz, Please don't dirty your tongue and make yourself a sinner before Allah swt. You (Muslims) are the best of the Creation before Allah. If these people utter something, let them. don't pay attention because you know the guidance is in the hands of Allah swt. Allah swt says they have diseases in their hearts and neither they can see or hear. So unless they themselves want and Allah swt opens for them, they will not get even point zero percent. So becareful, don't dirty yourself with dirty language brother.

Posted by: ignoranceisnotbliss at June 16, 2005 09:29 PM (jwoSR)

33 Everyone please wake up. There is no god. Us humans are just the result of 5 billion years of evolution. You all need to face reality and be at peace with all other humans because religion means nothing.

Posted by: Accept Reality at July 21, 2005 08:17 AM (xfyWv)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

Hizballah responsible? Probably.

Posted by: Rusty at 07:36 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 9 words, total size 1 kb.

Yoda's last words: "There... is... another... Shackleford......"

Rusty: "Rachel Corrie!!"

Posted by: Rusty at 07:32 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 24 words, total size 1 kb.