QUERESHI’s, SOUTH EX (BEHIND MAC DONALD)
WELL FINDING QUERESHI’S CAN BE A LITTLE HARD.BUT YOU CAN ASK THE DIRECTIONS FROM THE GUARDS STANDING AT MAC DONALDS.ON APPROACHING THE SOUTH EX FROM THE MOOLCHAND SIDE U CROSS THE FLYOVER AND TAKE A LEFT TURN TO THE MAC DONALD.THE MAC D IS LOCATED ON THE MAIN ROAD SO CAN EASILY SEE IT WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM.ONCE YOU PROCEED TO THE MAC D THERE IS LANE GOIN ON THE LEFT SIDE JUST AFTER THE MAC D.TAKE THE LEFT TURN.IN THE LANE ON THE LEFT CORNER U WILL FIND THE QUERESHI’S.IF STILL U DON’T FIND IT YOU CAN ASK ANY PASSERBY.
NOW ONCE YOU COME TO THE QUERESHI’S THERE IS NO SEATING ARRANGEMENT IN THE INSIDE.ON THE OUTSIDE THERE ARE WELL PALCED TABLES.BE IN FOR A SURPRISE AS THEY ARE MOSTLY OCCUPIED BY THE CUSTOMERS SO BE QUICK TO GRAB YOUR SEAT.
OK ONCE WE SAT DOWN THE WAITER BOUGHT US THE MENU ALONG WITH WATER (TASTES GOOD). WE DECIDED TO GO FOR THE BUTTER CHICKEN (FULL) AS IT IS THEIR SPECIALITY.I ALSO ORDERED SEEKH KABAB TAWA (HALF) RELENTING THE NO NO FROM MY FRIENDS.FOR ROTI WENT IN FOR BUTTER NAANS.
THE WAITER THEN BOUGHT US A PLATE FULL OF ONIONS N CURD AND ALSO SOME PIECES OF LEMON.AS WE SAT CHATTING THE BUTTER CHICKEN.THE SERVICE WAS GOOD NOT MUCH WAITING TIME.HE ALSO BOUGHT THE BUTTER NAANS.
THE BUTTER CHICKEN TASTED JUST AWESOME.THE CHICKEN WAS TENDER AND SUCCULENT.THE GRAVY GAVE IT A TENDER EFFECT.THOUGH IT WAS A BIT SPICY IT OVER TASTED VERY GOOD.THEN THE SEEKH KEBAB TAWA ARRIVED.WE WERE IN FOR A SURPRISE AS IT TASTED REALLY GOOD AND THIS WAS WHAT WE HAD NOT EATEN BEFORE.THE GRAVY HAD KEBABS WHICH WERE CUT IN TO PIECES AND MIXED WITH THE GRAVY.IT WAS NOT AT ALL SPICY.IT REALLY TASTED GOOD.THE KEBABS WERE REALLY SMOKED VERY WELL OVER THE COAL.THEY WERE SO TENDER.AFTER THE BUTTER NAANS WE WENT FOR ROMALI ROTI.THESE TWO DISHES WERE VERY SUFFICIENT FOR A GROUP OF 5.
THE BILL ARRIVED AND IT WAS RS.615/- PRETTY DECENT FOR SUCH A DECENT DINNER.
BUTTER CHICKEN 300 (full)
SEEKH KEBAB TAWA 120(half)
BUTTER NAAN 25 EACH
ROMALI ROTI 10 EACH
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
QUERESHI’s, SOUTH EX (BEHIND MAC DONALD)
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
About Badoo
About Badoo
Badoo is a truly worldwide online community that provides its members with the ability to communicate and share their lives with people both locally and around the globe. Its many features include the next generation in photo/video sharing and social networking. More importantly, though, Badoo allows its users to gain an instant mass audience for themselves and their work.
Key features
One of Badoo's greatest strengths lies in giving the user direct control over the size of their audience. With our patented system, members can activate features that instantly gain more exposure for their profile. We've added to that the ability for instant messaging, lightning quick uploads of photos/videos, and the transparency of being able to see who views your profile and individual entries.
Beginnings
Badoo was brought to life in London in 2006 by a small group of young, forward thinking programmers and tech entrepreneurs. The idea was to create a social website that would transcend all national boundaries, but at the same time, save the local unique culture of its users. The goal was then to allow people to share their lives and bring attention to themselves and their work both globally and locally.
Future
Badoo has already built a large and diverse global community. However, we strive to extend our reach and continue to provide the most cutting edge technology, which allows our users to share their lives with their friends and the world.
Invention Of the Year: The iPhone
The thing is hard to type on. It's too slow. It's too big. It doesn't have instant messaging. It's too expensive. (Or, no, wait, it's too cheap!) It doesn't support my work e-mail. It's locked to AT&T. Steve Jobs secretly hates puppies. And—all together now—we're sick of hearing about it! Yes, there's been a lot of hype written about the iPhone, and a lot of guff too. So much so that it seems weird to add more, after Danny Fanboy and Bobby McBlogger have had their day. But when that day is over, Apple's iPhone is still the best thing invented this year. Why? Five reasons:
1. The iPhone is pretty
Most high-tech companies don't take design seriously. They treat it as an afterthought. Window-dressing. But one of Jobs' basic insights about technology is that good design is actually as important as good technology. All the cool features in the world won't do you any good unless you can figure out how to use said features, and feel smart and attractive while doing it.
An example: look at what happens when you put the iPhone into "airplane" mode (i.e., no cell service, WiFi, etc.). A tiny little orange airplane zooms into the menu bar! Cute, you might say. But cute little touches like that are part of what makes the iPhone usable in a world of useless gadgets. It speaks your language. In the world of technology, surface really is depth.
2. It's touchy-feely
Apple didn't invent the touchscreen. Apple didn't even reinvent it (Apple probably acquired its much hyped multitouch technology when it snapped up a company called Fingerworks in 2005). But Apple knew what to do with it. Apple's engineers used the touchscreen to innovate past the graphical user interface (which Apple helped pioneer with the Macintosh in the 1980s) to create a whole new kind of interface, a tactile one that gives users the illusion of actually physically manipulating data with their hands—flipping through album covers, clicking links, stretching and shrinking photographs with their fingers.
This is, as engineers say, nontrivial. It's part of a new way of relating to computers. Look at the success of the Nintendo Wii. Look at Microsoft's new Surface Computing division. Look at how Apple has propagated its touchscreen interface to the iPod line with the iPod Touch. Can it be long before we get an iMac Touch? A TouchBook? Touching is the new seeing.
3. It will make other phones better
Jobs didn't write the code inside the iPhone. These days he doesn't dirty his fingers with 1's and 0's, if he ever really did. But he did negotiate the deal with AT&T to carry the iPhone. That's important: one reason so many cell phones are lame is that cell-phone-service providers hobble developers with lame rules about what they can and can't do. AT&T gave Apple unprecedented freedom to build the iPhone to its own specifications. Now other phone makers are jealous. They're demanding the same freedoms. That means better, more innovative phones for all.
4. It's not a phone, it's a platform
When Apple made the iPhone, it didn't throw together some cheap-o bare-bones firmware. It took OS X, its full-featured desktop operating system, and somehow squished it down to fit inside the iPhone's elegant glass-and-stainless-steel case. That makes the iPhone more than just a gadget. It's a genuine handheld, walk-around computer, the first device that really deserves the name. One of the big trends of 2007 was the idea that computing doesn't belong just in cyberspace, it needs to happen here, in the real world, where actual stuff happens. The iPhone gets applications like Google Maps out onto the street, where we really need them.
And this is just the beginning. Platforms are for building on. Last month, after a lot of throat-clearing, Apple decided to open up the iPhone, so that you—meaning people other than Apple employees—will be able to develop software for it too. Ever notice all that black blank space on the iPhone's desktop? It's about to fill up with lots of tiny, pretty, useful icons.
5. It is but the ghost of iPhones yet to come
The iPhone has sold enough units—more than 1.4 million at press time—that it'll be around for a while, and with all that room to develop and its infinitely updatable, all-software interface, the iPhone is built to evolve. Look at the iPod of six years ago. That monochrome interface! That clunky touchwheel! It looks like something a caveman whittled from a piece of flint using another piece of flint. Now imagine something that's going to make the iPhone look that primitive. You'll have one in a few years. It'll be very cool. And it'll be even cheaper.
Facebook More Privacy Options
Today, we are introducing privacy changes that work towards our goal of giving you the control you need in order to share information comfortably on Facebook. There are two ways we've changed things: a standardized privacy interface across the site, and new privacy options available through this interface.
New Privacy Interface
Now, whenever and wherever you are controlling your privacy on Facebook, you will use the same standardized privacy interface. Whether you're editing the visibility of a photo album or restricting who can see your contact information, you'll see this:
Look for the blue privacy lock.
New Privacy Options
We've added a "Friends of Friends" privacy option that allows you to share information with more people that you are connected to through your friends. We thought this provided a much needed option for people whose strongest social connections are not through the networks they've joined, but through the friends they've added.
The second new option is the ability to share and restrict information based on specific friends or friend lists. We added friend lists to Facebook back in December as a way to help you communicate with groups of your friends. Now, in addition to messaging and event and group invitations, friend lists can help you communicate by choosing what information you share with certain groups of people.
For example, you can upload your "Family vacation" photo album and share it only with your mom and dad or only your "Family" friend list. Alternatively, you can restrict them from seeing a photo album that may not be so Family-friendly by allowing your friends "Except" these people or this list to see it.
To check out the new privacy interface and options, go to the Privacy page. While you're there, you'll notice that we've also redesigned this Privacy section to make it simpler and easier to find what you're looking for. We're always building more ways for you to control your information on Facebook, so stay tuned for more in the future.
Developments in iPhone-land
was away at the end of last week, so I missed much of the hubbub about Apple’s letters to the would-be iPhone developers. The poorly-phrased missive was initially interpreted by some as a rejection, but later assessments suggested that it was intended more to keep devs in a holding pattern as Apple scrutinized the requests.
Since then, it’s become apparent that some developers have gotten accepted into the program, though the numbers appear to be fairly limited at present. While the SDK allows you to develop apps for the iPhone, developers need to obtain a certificate from Apple in order to to test applications on their phone and distribute programs via the App Store, get access to Apple’s iPhone documentation and support, and to install the 2.0 beta version of the iPhone OS. Even those in the program appear to have limitations, though, as there seems to be a five iPhone limit for testing; installing it on unauthorized devices will render those devices inoperable.
Presumably, more devs will be allowed access to the program as time goes on, but I have to wonder what kind of impact the five phone limit will have on beta testing. One developer I spoke to pointed out that if there’s no way to enable wider beta testing, we’ll likely be seeing “a lot of buggy apps on day one.” Given how much noise Apple has made about security and stability, I’d think that’s a scenario they’d want to avoid
iPhone’s Become a master of all domains
One of the most useful advantages to the iPhone’s software keyboard is that it can change—mutate, if you will—depending on the context in which you find yourself. Safari’s location field is perhaps the best example of this: the iPhone removes the spacebar and replaces it with buttons for the period, slash, and “.com” suffix—all handy additions when you’re typing in URLs.
But what of those other domains besides .com? Well, as a tipster over at Mac OS X Hints points out, it turns out if you’ve enabled any international keyboard support (under Settings -> General -> Keyboard -> International keyboards), you’ll find an extra added bonus. When you switch to those keyboards in Safari’s location bar (by using the Globe button), holding down the “.com” button will also give you the option of choosing the country domain for the keyboard you’re using. So, for example, using the French keyboard layout will let you pick between “.com” and “.fr,” German will give you the option of using “.de,” and the British keyboard layout will let you choose “.co.uk”.
Sure, that’s all great, but there are more than just country codes. I’d like to see Safari’s keyboard offer the choice between “.com,” “.org,” and “.net”. Why the hate towards those non-.com sites? Is this because of that whole boom and crash? That was years ago! Time to move on.
Microsoft eyeing iPhone development
Given their long-standing rivalry, you might think that Microsoft would be wringing its hands over the iPhone. But if there’s one thing the Redmond-based company knows, it’s where the money is. With the announcement of the iPhone SDK, combined with Apple’s support for Microsoft’s Exchange email protocol, the iPhone has become a ripe target for Microsoft’s software development.
Microsoft’s Tom Gibbons (pictured), who heads up the company’s Specialized Devices and Applications Group—which includes the Mac Business Unit—told Fortune that they’re investigating iPhone development.
“It’s really important for us to understand what we can bring to the iPhone,” [said Gibbons]. “To the extent that Mac Office customers have functionality that they need in that environment, we’re actually in the process of trying to understand that now.”
While the iPhone can, of course, view Office files from Word and Excel, many users have made known their desires to be able to edit those files on their iPhone as well.
Outside of Gibbons’s group, there are other at Microsoft who are apparently interested in the opportunities presented by the iPhone platform as well, such as TellMe, the voice recognition software that Microsoft purchased not long ago. Seeing as voice-dialing is another oft-requested feature, if Microsoft can make it happen, the customers will probably flock to them.
Power Support Crystal Jacket Set for iPhone
Power Support’s $30 Crystal Jacket Set for iPhone () is another in that long line of time-honored combinations: a clear plastic iPhone case paired with belt holster.
Like many of its ilk, the Crystal Jacket comprises two pieces—front and back—that snap together with the iPhone in the middle. Power Support includes a thin, static-adhesive screen protector, but the screen is not protected by the case itself. There are openings for the headphone jack and the Sleep/Wake button on the top of the case; for the camera on the back; for the volume controls and Ring/Silent switch on the left side; and one for the microphone, speaker, and dock-connector port on the bottom. A small slit in the plastic lets you use the receiver speaker and there’s a cut-out in the front of the case for access to the Home button.
Once you’ve got the iPhone in the case, you can pop the whole thing into the included holster. From my tests, it seems that the holster prefers you to orient the phone with the screen facing in. You can make it work with the screen facing out, but there’s definite resistance to that direction. The belt clip rotates 90 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise, and though the clip itself feels a little flimsy, it held up well enough in my everyday use. The case itself is pretty slim; it doesn’t add a a lot of bulk to the phone.
The only problem I ran into the with Crystal Jacket was that when I put the case into the holster, one corner of the case would catch on one of the holster’s brackets, pulling the two halves of the case apart slightly. It may have been a slight imperfection in the particular unit I was testing, but it wasn’t a huge problem; the solution was just to push it a little more firmly, and the case would snap back together and into the holster.
Other than that minor glitch, though, the Crystal Jacket Set is a decent entry in the hardshell/holster lineup, though it’s perhaps a little pricey for the rather barebones features that it offers.
Review: Tekkeon Hard Case with Soft Touch for iPhone
Tekkeon’s $30 Hard Case with Soft Touch for the iPhone () is a hardshell iPhone case…with a twist. Or, more accurately, a flip. Available in five colors, its most distinctive feature is a hard-plastic screen protector that flips up to let you use the iPhone’s touchscreen, and back down to keep the screen shielded when it’s not in use. But just how well does that idea work?
Like most other hard cases I’ve tested, Tekkeon’s is made of two pieces: a front and a back. These snap together around the iPhone, leaving a thin gap between them (more on that later). Wide openings let you get at the headphone jack and Sleep/Wake button on top of the iPhone as well as the microphone, speaker, and dock-connector port on the bottom, while the front features cutouts for the iPhone’s receiver speaker, ambient-light sensor, and Home button. The left side of the case lets you get at the phone’s Ring/Silent switch and volume controls, and the back has an opening for the iPhone’s camera lens. There’s also a removable, rotating belt clip that snaps into place or slides off when you don’t want it. And, of course, there’s the aforementioned flip-up screen protector.
While the screen protector is a nifty, novel feature, it can be annoying to use. Since so many of the iPhone’s functions involve interacting with its touchscreen, you spend a lot of time flipping the case’s door up and down. Worst of all is answering a call, which requires you to: 1) unclip the phone from your belt; 2) flip the door up; 3) tap the screen to answer the phone call; and 4) flip the door down (because you can’t put the phone to your ear when the door is open). Though I got faster at this procedure with practice—I lost a couple phone calls while fumbling with it at first—it’s still an irritating process (unless you largely use the iPhone’s earbuds or a Bluetooth headset). Fortunately, the door can popped off from the inside of the case, which means you can avoid the problem, but you do so at the cost of screen protection.
The case itself is solidly built, and it holds together well. So well, in fact, that the instructions say you need a credit card to get the two halves apart again (don’t worry, it’s not to pay for a locksmith). Remember that thin gap I mentioned earlier? Slide a credit card in and twist and the you’ll pop the latches. I wouldn’t recommend trying with your fingernails if you want to keep them intact; it’s pretty tightly sealed.
The case’s belt clip is fine, if you want to use it, but unfortunately, it doesn’t look like you can remove the mount for the belt clip, a small toothed wheel that sticks out of the back of the case; you’re stuck with that nub even if you don’t want to use the belt clip.
So though its screen protector is an interesting idea, Tekkeon’s Hard Case with Soft Touch has practical limitations unless you’re a devoted headset user. That, combined with the protruding belt clip mount, should make you consider whether or not this case is right for you.
World of Islam
The Spread of Islam
From the oasis cities of Makkah and Madinah in the Arabian desert, the message of Islam went forth with electrifying speed. Within half a century of the Prophet's death, Islam had spread to three continents. Islam is not, as some imagine in the West, a religion of the sword nor did it spread primarily by means of war. It was only within Arabia, where a crude form of idolatry was rampant, that Islam was propagated by warring against those tribes which did not accept the message of God--whereas Christians and Jews were not forced to convert. Outside of Arabia also the vast lands conquered by the Arab armies in a short period became Muslim not by force of the sword but by the appeal of the new religion. It was faith in One God and emphasis upon His Mercy that brought vast numbers of people into the fold of Islam. The new religion did not coerce people to convert. Many continued to remain Jews and Christians and to this day important communities of the followers of these faiths are found in Muslim lands.
Moreover, the spread of Islam was not limited to its miraculous early expansion outside of Arabia. During later centuries the Turks embraced Islam peacefully as did a large number of the people of the Indian subcontinent and the Malay-speaking world. In Africa also, Islam has spread during the past two centuries even under the mighty power of European colonial rulers. Today Islam continues to grow not only in Africa but also in Europe and America where Muslims now comprise a notable minority.
General Characteristics of Islam
Islam was destined to become a world religion and to create a civilization which stretched from one end of the globe to the other. Already during the early Muslim caliphates, first the Arabs, then the Persians and later the Turks set about to create classical Islamic civilization. Later, in the 13th century, both Africa and India became great centers of Islamic civilization and soon thereafter Muslim kingdoms were established in the Malay-Indonesian world while Chinese Muslims flourished throughout China.
Global Religion
Islam is a religion for all people from whatever race or background they might be. That is why Islamic civilization is based on a unity which stands completely against any racial or ethnic discrimination. Such major racial and ethnic groups as the Arabs, Persians, Turks, Africans, Indians, Chinese and Malays in addition to numerous smaller units embraced Islam and contributed to the building of Islamic civilization. Moreover, Islam was not opposed to learning from the earlier civilizations and incorporating their science, learning, and culture into its own world view, as long as they did not oppose the principles of Islam. Each ethnic and racial group which embraced Islam made its contribution to the one Islamic civilization to which everyone belonged. The sense of brotherhood and sisterhood was so much emphasized that it overcame all local attachments to a particular tribe, race, or language--all of which became subservient to the universal brotherhood and sisterhood of Islam.
The global civilization thus created by Islam permitted people of diverse ethnic backgrounds to work together in cultivating various arts and sciences. Although the civilization was profoundly Islamic, even non-Muslim "people of the book" participated in the intellectual activity whose fruits belonged to everyone. The scientific climate was reminiscent of the present situation in America where scientists and men and women of learning from all over the world are active in the advancement of knowledge which belongs to everyone.
The global civilization created by Islam also succeeded in activating the mind and thought of the people who entered its fold. As a result of Islam, the nomadic Arabs became torch-bearers of science and learning. The Persians who had created a great civilization before the rise of Islam nevertheless produced much more science and learning in the Islamic period than before. The same can be said of the Turks and other peoples who embraced Islam. The religion of Islam was itself responsible not only for the creation of a world civilization in which people of many different ethnic backgrounds participated, but it played a central role in developing intellectual and cultural life on a scale not seen before. For some eight hundred years Arabic remained the major intellectual and scientific language of the world. During the centuries following the rise of Islam, Muslim dynasties ruling in various parts of the Islamic world bore witness to the flowering of Islamic culture and thought. In fact this tradition of intellectual activity was eclipsed only at the beginning of modern times as a result of the weakening of faith among Muslims combined with external domination. And today this activity has begun anew in many parts of the Islamic world now that the Muslims have regained their political independence.
A Brief History of Islam
The Rightly guided Caliphs
Upon the death of the Prophet, Abu Bakr, the friend of the Prophet and the first adult male to embrace Islam, became caliph. Abu Bakr ruled for two years to be succeeded by 'Umar who was caliph for a decade and during whose rule Islam spread extensively east and west conquering the Persian empire, Syria and Egypt. It was 'Umar who marched on foot at the end of the Muslim army into Jerusalem and ordered the protection of Christian sites. 'Umar also established the first public treasury and a sophisticated financial administration. He established many of the basic practices of Islamic government.
'Umar was succeeded by 'Uthman who ruled for some twelve years during which time the Islamic expansion continued. He is also known as the caliph who had the definitive text of the Noble Quran copied and sent to the four corners of the Islamic world. He was in turn succeeded by 'Ali who is known to this day for his eloquent sermons and letters, and also for his bravery. With his death the rule of the "rightly guided" caliphs, who hold a special place of respect in the hearts of Muslims, came to an end.
The Caliphate
Umayyad
The Umayyad caliphate established in 661 was to last for about a century. During this time Damascus became the capital of an Islamic world which stretched from the western borders of China to southern France. Not only did the Islamic conquests continue during this period through North Africa to Spain and France in the West and to Sind, Central Asia and Transoxiana in the East, but the basic social and legal institutions of the newly founded Islamic world were established.
Abbasids
The Abbasids, who succeeded the Umayyads, shifted the capital to Baghdad which soon developed into an incomparable center of learning and culture as well as the administrative and political heart of a vast world.
They ruled for over 500 years but gradually their power waned and they remained only symbolic rulers bestowing legitimacy upon various sultans and princes who wielded actual military power. The Abbasid caliphate was finally abolished when Hulagu, the Mongol ruler, captured Baghdad in 1258, destroying much of the city including its incomparable libraries.
While the Abbasids ruled in Baghdad, a number of powerful dynasties such as the Fatimids, Ayyubids and Mamluks held power in Egypt, Syria and Palestine. The most important event in this area as far as the relation between Islam and the Western world was concerned was the series of Crusades declared by the Pope and espoused by various European kings. The purpose, although political, was outwardly to recapture the Holy Land and especially Jerusalem for Christianity. Although there was at the beginning some success and local European rule was set up in parts of Syria and Palestine, Muslims finally prevailed and in 1187 Saladin, the great Muslim leader, recaptured Jerusalem and defeated the Crusaders.
North Africa And Spain
When the Abbasids captured Damascus, one of the Umayyad princes escaped and made the long journey from there to Spain to found Umayyad rule there, thus beginning the golden age of Islam in Spain. Cordoba was established as the capital and soon became Europe's greatest city not only in population but from the point of view of its cultural and intellectual life. The Umayyads ruled over two centuries until they weakened and were replaced by local rulers.
Meanwhile in North Africa, various local dynasties held sway until two powerful Berber dynasties succeeded in uniting much of North Africa and also Spain in the 12th and 13th centuries. After them this area was ruled once again by local dynasties such as the Sharifids of Morocco who still rule in that country. As for Spain itself, Muslim power continued to wane until the last Muslim dynasty was defeated in Granada in 1492 thus bringing nearly eight hundred years of Muslim rule in Spain to an end.
After the Mangol Invasion
The Mongols devastated the eastern lands of Islam and ruled from the Sinai Desert to India for a century. But they soon converted to Islam and became known as the Il-Khanids. They were in turn succeeded by Timur and his descendents who made Samarqand their capital and ruled from 1369 to 1500. The sudden rise of Timur delayed the formation and expansion of the Ottoman empire but soon the Ottomans became the dominant power in the Islamic world.
Ottoman Empire
From humble origins the Turks rose to dominate over the whole of Anatolia and even parts of Europe. In 1453 Mehmet the Conqueror captured Constantinople and put an end to the Byzantine empire. The Ottomans conquered much of eastem Europe and nearly the whole of the Arab world, only Morocco and Mauritania in the West and Yemen, Hadramaut and parts of the Arabian peninsula remaining beyond their control. They reached their zenith of power with Suleyman the Magnificent whose armies reached Hungary and Austria. From the 17th century onward with the rise of Westem European powers and later Russia, the power of the Ottomans began to wane. But they nevertheless remained a force to be reckoned with until the First World War when they were defeated by the Westem nations. Soon thereafter Kamal Ataturk gained power in Turkey and abolished the six centuries of rule of the Ottomans in 1924.
Persia
While the Ottomans were concerned mostly with the westem front of their empire, to the east in Persia a new dynasty called the Safavids came to power in 1502. The Safavids established a powerful state of their own which flourished for over two centuries and became known for the flowering of the arts. Their capital, Isfahan, became one of the most beautiful cities with its blue tiled mosques and exquisite houses. The Afghan invasion of 1736 put an end to Safavid rule and prepared the independence of Afghanistan which occured fommally in the 19th century. Persia itself fell into tummoil until Nader Shah, the last Oriental conqueror, reunited the country and even conquered India. But the rule of the dynasty established by him was short-lived. The Zand dynasty soon took over to be overthrown by the Qajars in 1779 who made Tehran their capital and ruled until 1921 when they were in turn replaced by the Pahlavis.
India
As for India, Islam entered into the land east of the Indus River peacefully. Gradually Muslims gained political power beginning in the early 13th century. But this period which marked the expansion of both Islam and Islamic culture came to an end with the conquest of much of India in 1526 by Babur, one of the Timurid princes. He established the powerful Mogul empire which produced such famous rulers as Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan and which lasted, despite the gradual rise of British power in India, until 1857 when it was officially abolished.
Malaysia And Indonesia
Farther east in the Malay world, Islam began to spread in the 12th century in northem Sumatra and soon Muslim kingdoms were establishd in Java, Sumatra and mainland Malaysia. Despite the colonization of the Malay world, Islam spread in that area covering present day Indonesia, Malaysia, the southern Phililppines and southern Thailand, and is still continuing in islands farther east.
Africa
As far as Africa is concemed, Islam entered into East Africa at the very beginning of the Islamic period but remained confined to the coast for some time, only the Sudan and Somaliland becoming gradually both Arabized and Islamized. West Africa felt the presence of Islam through North African traders who travelled with their camel caravans south of the Sahara. By the 14th century there were already Muslim sultanates in such areas as Mali, and Timbuctu in West Africa and Harar in East Africa had become seats of Islamic leaming.
Gradually Islam penetrated both inland and southward. There also appeared major charismatic figures who inspired intense resistance against European domination. The process of the Islamization of Africa did not cease during the colonial period and continues even today with the result that most Africans are now Muslims carrying on a tradition which has had practically as long a history in certain areas of sub-Saharan Africa as Islam itself.
Islam in the United States
It is almost impossible to generalize about American Muslims: converts, immigrants, factory workers, doctors; all are making their own contribution to America's future. This complex community is unified by a common faith, underpinned by a countrywide network of a thousand mosques.
Muslims were early arrivals in North America. By the eighteenth century there were many thousands of them, working as slaves on plantations. These early communities, cut off from their heritage and families, inevitably lost their Islamic identity as time went by. Today many Afro-American Muslims play an important role in the Islamic community.
The nineteenth century, however, saw the beginnings of an influx of Arab Muslims, most of whom settled in the major industrial centers where they worshipped in hired rooms. The early twentieth century witnessed the arrival of several hundred thousand Muslims from Eastem Europe: the first Albanian mosque was opened in Maine in 1915; others soon followed, and a group of Polish Muslims opened a mosque in Brooklyn in 1928.
In 1947 the Washington Islamic Center was founded during the term of President Truman, and several nationwide organizations were set up in the fifties. The same period saw the establishment of other communities whose lives were in many ways modelled after Islam. More recently, numerous members of these groups have entered the fold of Muslim orthodoxy. Today there are about five million Muslims in America.
Aftermath of the Colonial Period
At the height of European colonial expansion in the 19th century, most of the Islamic world was under colonial rule with the exception of a few regions such as the heart of the Ottoman empire, Persia, Afghanistan, Yemen and certain parts of Arabia. But even these areas were under foreign influence or, in the case of the Ottomans, under constant threat. After the First World War with the breakup of the Ottoman empire, a number of Arab states such as Iraq became independent, others like Jordan were created as a new entity and yet others like Palestine, Syria and Lebanon were either mandated or turned into French colonies. As for Arabia, it was at this time that Saudi Arabia became finally consolidated. As for other parts of the Islamic world, Egypt which had been ruled by the descendents of Muhammad Ali since the l9th century became more independent as a result of the fall of the Ottomans, Turkey was turned into a secular republic by Ataturk, and the Pahlavi dynasty began a new chapter in Persia where its name reverted to its eastern traditional form of Iran. But most of the rest of the Islamic world remained under colonial rule.
Arab
It was only after the Second World War and the dismemberment of the British, French, Dutch and Spanish empires that the rest of the Islamic world gained its independence. In the Arab world, Syria and Lebanon became independent at the end of the war as did Libya and the shaykdoms around the Gulf and the Arabian Sea by the 1960's. The North African countries of Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria had to fight a difficult and, in the case of Algeria, long and protracted war to gain their freedom which did not come until a decade later for Tunisia and Morocco and two decades later for Algeria. Only Palestine did not become independent but was partitioned in 1948 with the establishment of the state of Israel.
India
In India Muslims participated in the freedom movement against British rule along with Hindus and when independence finally came in 1947, they were able to create their own homeland, Pakistan, which came into being for the sake of Islam and became the most populated Muslim state although many Muslims remained in India. In 1971, however, the two parts of the state broke up, East Pakistan becoming Bengladesh.
Far East
Farther east still, the Indonesians finally gained their independence from the Dutch and the Malays theirs from Britain. At first Singapore was part of Malaysia but it separated in 1963 to become an independent state. Small colonies still persisted in the area and continued to seek their independence, the kingdom of Brunei becoming independent as recently as 1984.
Africa
In Africa also major countries with large or majority Muslim populations such as Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania began to gain their independence in the 1950's and 1960's with the result that by the end of the decade of the 60's most parts of the Islamic world were formed into independent national states. There were, however, exceptions. The Muslim states in the Soviet Union failed to gain their autonomy or independence. The same holds true for Sinkiang (called Eastem Turkestan by Muslim geographers) while in Eritrea and the southern Philippines Muslim independence movements still continue.
National States
While the world of Islam has entered into the modern world in the form of national states, continuous attempts are made to create closer cooperation within the Islamic world as a whole and to bring about greater unity. This is seen not only in the meetings of the Muslim heads of state and the establishment of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Countries) with its own secretariat, but also in the creation of institutions dealing with the whole of the Islamic world. Among the most important of these is the Muslim World League (Rabitat al-alam al-Islami ) with its headquarters in Makkah. Saudi Arabia has in fact played a pivotal role in the creation and maintenance of such organizations.
Revival and Reassertation of Islam
Muslims did not wish to gain only their political independence. They also wished to assert their own religious and cultural identity. From the 18th century onward Muslim reformers appeared upon the scene who sought to reassert the teachings of Islam and to reform society on the basis of Islamic teachings. One of the first among this group was Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab, who hailed from the Arabian peninsula and died there in 1792. This reformer was supported by Muhammad ibn al-Sa'ud, the founder of the first Saudi state. With this support Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab was able to spread his teachings not only in Arabia but even beyond its borders to other Islamic lands where his reforms continue to wield influence to this day.
In the 19th century lslamic assertion took several different forms ranging from the Mahdi movement of the Sudan and the Sanusiyyah in North Africa which fought wars against European colonizers, to educational movements such as that of Aligarh in India aiming to reeducate Muslims. In Egypt which, because of al-Azhar University, remains to this day central to Islamic learning, a number of reformers appear, each addressing some aspect of Islamic thought. Some were concerned more with law, others economics, and yet others the challenges posed by Western civilization with its powerful science and technology. These included Jamal al-Din al-Afghani who hailed originally from Persia but settled in Cairo and who was the great champion of Pan-Islamism, that is the movement to unite the Islamic world politically as well as religiously. His student, Muhammad 'Abduh, who became the rector of al-Azhar. was also very influential in Islamic theology and thought. Also of considerable influence was his Syrian student, Rashid Rida, who held a position closer to that of 'Abd al-Wahhab and stood for the strict application of the Shari'ah. Among the most famous of these thinkers is Muhammad Iqbal, the outstanding poet and philosopher who is considered as the father of Pakistan.
Reform Organizations
Moreover, as Western influence began to penetrate more deeply into the fiber of Islamic society, organizations gradually grew up whose goal was to reform society in practice along Islamic lines and prevent its secularization. These included the Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan al-muslimin) founded in Egypt and with branches in many Muslim countries, and the Jama'at-i Islami of Pakistan founded by the influential Mawlana Mawdudi. These organizations have been usually peaceful and have sought to reestablish an Islamic order through education. During the last two decades, however, as a result of the frustration of many Muslims in the face of pressures coming from a secularized outside world, some have sought to reject the negative aspects of Western thought and culture and to return to an Islamic society based completely on the application of the Shari 'ah. Today in every Muslim country there are strong movements to preserve and propagate Islamic teachings. In countries such as Saudi Arabia Islamic Law is already being applied and in fact is the reason for the prosperity, development and stability of the country. In other countries where Islamic Law is not being applied, however, most of the effort of Islamic movements is spent in making possible the full application of the Shari'ah so that the nation can enjoy prosperity along with the fulfillment of the faith of its people. In any case the widespread desire for Muslims to have the religious law of Islam applied and to reassert their religious values and their own identity must not be equated with exceptional violent eruptions which do exist but which are usually treated sensationally and taken out of proportion by the mass media in the West.
Education and Science in the Islamic World
In seeking to live successfully in the modern world, in independence and according to Islamic principles, Muslim countries have been emphasizing a great deal the significance of the role of education and the importance of mastering Western science and technology. Already in the 19th century, certain Muslim countries such as Egypt, Ottoman Turkey and Persia established institutions of higher learning where the modem sciences and especially medicine were taught. During this century educational institutions at all levels have proliferated throughout the Islamic world. Nearly every science ranging from mathematics to biology as well as various fields of modern technology are taught in these institutions and some notable scientists have been produced by the Islamic world, men and women who have often combined education in these institutions with training in the West.
In various parts of the Islamic world there is, however, a sense that educational institutions must be expanded and also have their standards improved to the level of the best institutions in the world in various fields of leaming especially science and technology. At the same time there is an awareness that the educational system must be based totally on Islamic principles and the influence of alien cultural and ethical values and norms, to the extent that they are negative, be diminished. To remedy this problem a number of international Islamic educational conferences have been held, the first one in Makkah in 1977, and the foremost thinkers of the Islamic world have been brought together to study and ponder over the question of the relation between Islam and modern science. This is an ongoing process which is at the center of attention in many parts of the Islamic world and which indicates the significance of educational questions in the Islamic world today.
Influence of Islamic Science and Learning Upon the West
The oldest university in the world which is still functioning is the eleven hundred-year-old Islamic university of Fez, Morocco, known as the Qarawiyyin. This old tradition of Islamic learning influenced the West greatly through Spain. In this land where Muslims, Christians and Jews lived for the most part peacefully for many centuries, translations began to be made in the 11th century mostly in Toledo of Islamic works into Latin often through the intermediary of Jewish scholars most of whom knew Arabic and often wrote in Arabic. As a result of these translations, Islamic thought and through it much of Greek thought became known to the West and Western schools of learning began to flourish. Even the Islamic educational system was emulated in Europe and to this day the term chair in a university reflects the Arabic kursi (literally seat) upon which a teacher would sit to teach his students in the madrasah (school of higher learning). As European civillization grew and reached the high Middle Ages, there was hardly a field of learning or form of art, whether it was literature or architecture, where there was not some influence of Islam present. Islamic learning became in this way part and parcel of Western civilization even if with the advent of the Renaissance, the West not only turned against its own medieval past but also sought to forget the long relation it had had with the Islamic world, one which was based on intellectual respect despite religious opposition.
Conclusion
The Islamic world remains today a vast land stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, with an important presence in Europe and America, animated by the teachings of Islam and seeking to assert its own identity. Despite the presence of nationalism and various secular ideologies in their midst, Muslims wish to live in the modern world but without simply imitating blindly the ways followed by the West. The Islamic world wishes to live at peace with the West as well as the East but at the same time not to be dominated by them. It wishes to devote its resources and energies to building a better life for its people on the basis of the teachings of Islam and not to squander its resources in either internal or external conflicts. It seeks finally to create better understanding with the West and to be better understood by the West. The destinies of the Islamic world and the West cannot be totally separated and therefore it is only in understanding each other better that they can serve their own people more successfully and also contribute to a better life for the whole of humanity.
Chronology of Events in the Life of Muhammad (PBUH)
The Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, peace be upon him, born an orphan His father Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with him, had died a few months before the birth of his son.
0 years 9 or 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal 52 or 53 BH April 570 or 571 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hadrat Halima Sadiyya, may Allah be pleased with her, appointed wet nurse. 8 days
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return to Mecca under the care of his mother 6 Years 46 BH 577 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mother, Hadrat Amina, may Allah be pleased with her, passes away 6 Years 46 BH 577 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grandfather, Hadrat Abdul-Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with him, died 8 Years 44 BH 579 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First visit to Syria with a trading caravan 12 years 40 BH, 583 AD 12 Years 40 BH 583 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pledge of Fudul to help the needy and the oppressed 15 Years 37 BH 586 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second journey to Syria for trade as an agent of Hadrat Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her 25 Years 28 BH 595 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriage with Hadrat Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her 25 Years 28 BH 595 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Birth of a son, Hadrat Qasim (may Allah be pleased with him) 28 Years 25 BH 598 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Birth of his daughter, Hadrat Zainab, may Allah be pleased with her 30 Years 23 BH 600 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Birth of his daughter, Hadrat Ruqayya, may Allah be pleased with her 33 Years 20 BH 603 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Birth of his daughter, Hadrat Um-e-Kalthum, may Allah be pleased with her 34 years 19 BH 604 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Renovation of Ka'aba and the placement of Hajr-e-Aswad (Black Stone) 35 years 18 BH 605 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Birth of his daughter, Hadrat Fatima, may Allah be pleased with her 35 years 18 BH605 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hadrat Jibrail bought the First Revelation in the Cave of Hira 40 Year 12 BH 610 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revelation of the Holy Quran continues, Ministry of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is established. Hadrat Khadija (the wife), Hadrat Abu Bakr (the best friend), Hadrat Ali (the dearest cousin) and
Hadrat Zaid (a freed slave and adopted son), may Allah be pleased with
them all, accept Islam 40 Years 6 months Friday18 Ramadan 12 BH 14 August 610 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open invitation to the people of Mecca to join Islam under Allah's command 43 Years 9 BH 614 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A group of Muslims emigrates to Abyssinia 46 Years 7 BH 615 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blockade of Shi'b Abi-Talib 46 Years 7 BH 30 September 615 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hadrat Hamza (paternal uncle) and Hadrat Umar, may Allah be pleased
with them, accept Islam 46 Years 6 BH 616 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hadrat Abu Talib, (beloved uncle and guardian) and only a few days later, Hadrat Khadija, the most beloved wife, may Allah be pleased with them, passed away 49 Years Ramadan 3 BH January 619 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriage with Hadrat Sau'da, may Allah be pleased with her 49 Years 3 BH 619 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriage with Hadrat Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her 49 Years 3 BH 619 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Journey to Ta'if, about 40 miles from Mecca, for calling the citizens of Ta'if
to Islam 49 Years 3 BH 619 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Journey of Mi'raj. Five daily prayers made obligatory for Muslims 50 Years 27 Rajab 2 BH 8 March 620 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deputation from Medina accepts Islam 50 Years 2 BH 620 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Pledge of 'Aq'ba' 52 Years Dhul Haj, 1 BH 621 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second Pledge of 'Aq'ba 52 Years 3 months BH June 622 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hijra (migration) from Mecca to the cave of Thaur 52 Years Friday 27 Safar 10 September 622
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emigration to Medina begins 52 Years Monday 1 Rabi-ul-Awwal 13 September 622 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrival at Medina after the first Friday Prayer at Quba's Mosque 53 Years 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1st year AH 24 September 622 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction of the Holy Prophet's Mosque at Medina. Hadrat Bilal's call
for Prayer (Adhan) 53 Years 1st year AH 622 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brotherhood pacts between Ansar (Muslims from Medina) and Muhajirin (immigrants from Mecca) 53 Years 1st year AH 622 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Treaty with Jews of Medina 53 Years 1st year AH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Permission to fight in self-defense is granted by Allah 53 Years 12 Safar 2 AH 14 August 623 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Waddan 53 Years 29 Safar 2 AH 31 August 623
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Safwan 54 Years 2 AH 623 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) Dul-'Ashir 54 Years 2 AH 623 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hadrat Salman Farsi, may Allah be pleased with him, accepts Islam 54 Years 2 AH 624 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revelation and change of Qibla (direction to face for Formal Prayers, Salat) towards Ka'ba Fasting in the month of Ramadan becomes obligatory 54 Years Sha'abn 2 AH February 624 A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Badr 54 Years 12-17 Ramadan 2 AH March 8-13, 624 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Bani Salim 54 Years 25 Ramadan 2 AH 21 March 524 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initiation of Eid-ul-Fitr and Zakat-ul-Fitr (Alms at the Eid-ul-Fitr). 54 Years 28 Ramadan / 1 Shawwal 2 AH 24/25 March 624 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zakat becomes obligatory for Muslims 54 Years Shawwal 2 AH April 624 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nikah and Marriage ceremony of Hadrat Fatima, may Allah be pleased
with her 54 Years Shawwal 2 AH April 624 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Bani Qainuqa' 54 Years 15 Shawwal 2 AH 10 April 624 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Sawiq 54 Years 5 Dhul-Haj 2 AH 29 May 624 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Ghatfan 54 Years Muharram 3 AH July 624 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Bahran 55 Years Rabi-us-Sani 3 AH October 624 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriage with Hadrat Hafsa, may Allah be pleased with her 55 Years Shaban 3 AH January 625 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Uhad 55 Years 6 Shawwal 3 AH 22 March 625
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Humra-ul-Asad 55 Years 8 Shawwal 3 AH 24 March 625 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriage with Hadrat Zainab Bint Khazima, may Allah be pleased with her 55 Years Dhul-Haj 3 AH May 625 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Banu Nudair 56 Years Rabi-ul-Awwal 4 AH August 625 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prohibition of Drinking in Islam 56 Years Rabi-ul-Awwal 4 AH August 625 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Dhatur-Riqa 56 Years Jamadi-ul-Awwal 4 AH October 625 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriage with Hadrat Um-e-Salma, may Allah be pleased with her 56 Years Shawwal 4 AH March 626 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Badru-Ukhra 56 Years Dhi Qad 4 AH April 626
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Dumatul-Jandal 57 Years 25 Rabi-ul-Awwal 5 AH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Banu Mustalaq Nikah with Hadrat Jawariya bint Harith, may Allah be pleased with her 57 Years 3 Shaban 5 AH 28 December 626 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriage with Hadrat Zainab bint Hajash, may Allah be pleased with her 57 Years Shawwal 5 AH February 627 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revelation for Hijab, rules of modesty 57 Years 1 Dhi Qa'd 5 AH 24 March 627 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Ahzab or Khandaq (Ditch) 57 Years 8 Dhi Qa'd 5 AH 31 March 627 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Bani Quraiza 57 Years Dhul-Haj 5 AH April 627 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Bani Lahyan 57 Years 1 Rabi-ul-Awwal 6A H 21 July 627 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Dhi Qard or Ghaiba 58 Years Rabi-ul-Akhar 6 AH August 627 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Treaty of Hudaibiyya 58 Years 1 Dhi Qa'd 6 AH 13 March 628 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prohibition of Marriage with non-believers 58 Years Dhi Qa'd 6 AH March 628 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriage with Hadrat Habiba, may Allah be pleased with her 58 Years Dhul-Haj 6 AH April 628 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invitation sent to various rulers to accept Islam 58 Years 1 Muharram 7AH May 628 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Khaibar Return of Muslims from Abyssinia. Marriage with Hadrat Safiyya, may Allah be pleased with her. Ghazwa (Battle) of Wadiyul-Qura and Taim. 58 Years Muharram 7 AH June 628 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance of Umra (Umratul-Qada) Marriage with Hadrat Maimuna, may Allah be pleased with her 59 Years Dhi Qa'd 7 AH March 629 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hadrat Khalid bin Walid and Hadrat Umar bin Al-'Aas, may Allah be pleased with both, accept Islam 60 Years Safar 8 AH June 629 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa of Muta 60 Years Jamadi-ul-Awwal 8 AH August 629 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Mecca and Fall of Mecca 60 Years 10 Ramadan 8 AH 1 January 630 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Hunain (or Autas or Hawazan) and Ghazwa (Battle) of br>Ta'if 60 Years Shawwal 8 AH January 630 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrival in Ja'rana Deputation from Hawazan accepts Islam 60 Years 5 Dhi Qa'd 8 AH 24 February 630 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regular establishment of Department of Zakat (Alms) and Sadaqa
(Charity), and appointment of administrative officers 60 Years Muharram, 9 AH April 630 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deputation from Ghadra accepts Islam 60 Years Safar 9 AH May 630 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deputation from Balli accepts Islam 61 Years Rabi-ul-Awwal, 9 AH June 630 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ummul-Muminin Hadrat Mariya, may Allah be pleased with her, gave birth
to a son, Hadrat Ibrahim, may Allah be pleased with him 61 Years Jamadi-ul-Akhar, 9 AH August 630 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ghazwa (Battle) of Tabuk, the last great battle lead by the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him 61 Years Rajab, 9AH October 630 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ordinance of Jizya, tax on non-believers seeking protection from Muslims and exemption from military service in defense of the country they were
living in as its citizens 61 Years Rajab 9 AHOctober 630 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilgrimage journey of Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique, may Allah be pleased with him 61 Years Dhi Qa'd, 9 AHFebruary 631 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hajj (pilgrimage of Ka'ba in Mecca) made Obligatory by Allah Interest is prohibited in Islam 61 Years Deputation Tai, Hamadan, Bani Asad and Bani Abbas, all accept Islam
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deputation from Ghuttan accepts Islam 62 Years Ramadan, 10AH 631 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Departure from Medina for Mecca for Hajjatul-Wida (Farewell Pilgrimage) 62 Years 25 Dhi Qa'd 10 AH 23 February 632 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entry into Mecca for Hajjatul-Wida (Farewell Pilgrimage) 62 Years 4 Dhul-Haj 10 AH 1 March 632 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hajjatul-Wida, departure for 'Arafat, Farewell Sermon Received the last revelation from Allah 62 Years Friday 9 Dhul Hajj 10 AH 6 March 632 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return from Mana, Hajjatul-Wida 62 Years 13 Dhul-Hajj 10 AH 10 March 632 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrival of deputations from Nakha' Last deputation received by the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him 62 Years 15 Muharram 11 AH 11 April 632 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sarya Usama bin Zaid, may Allah be pleased with him, last successful military mission during the Holy Prophet's life 62 Years 28 Safar 11 AH 24 May 632 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, falls ill 62 Years Monday 29 Safar 11 AH 25 May 632 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, lead the last Salat four days before his departure from this world 62 Years Wednesday 8 Rabi-ul-Awwal 11 AH 3 June 632 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, offered his last Prayer in
congregation in the Mosque lead by Hadrat Abu Bakr, may Allah be
pleased with him 63 Years Monday 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal 11 AH 7 June 632 AD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, passed away 63 Years Inna lillahe wa inna elaihe rajioon
Janaza (funeral) Prayer and burial 63 Years Wednesday 14 Rabi-ul-Awwal 11 AH 9 June 632 AD
Ninety Nine Names of Allah
He is Allah, and there is no God beside Him. He is:
al-Rehman The Gracious
al-Raheem The Merciful
al-Malik The Sovereign
al-Quddus The Holy
as-Salam The Source of Peace
al-Mumin The Gaurdian of the Faith
al-Mohaymin The Protector
al-Azeez The Mighty
al-Jabbar The Compeller
al-Mutakabbir The Majestic
al-Khaliq The Creator
al-Bari The Originator
al-Musawwir The Fashioner
al-Ghaffar The Forgiver
al-Qahhar The Subduer
al-Wahhab The Bestower
al-Razzaq The Provider
al-Fattah The Opener
al-Aleem The Knowing
al-Qabidh The Constrictor
al-Basit The Expander
al-Khafidh The Abaser
ar-Rafay The Exalter
al-Mu'izz The Honourer
al-Muzill The Abaser
as-Samee The All-Hearing
al-Baseer The All-Seeing
al-Hakam The Judge
al-Adl The Just
al-Lateef The Subtle One
al-Khabeer The Knowing
al-Haleem The Forbearing
al-Azeem TheGreat
al-Ghafur The All-Forgiving
ash-Shakur The Appreciator
al-Ali The High
al-Kabeer The Great
al-Hafeez Preserver
al-Muqeet The Sustainer
al-Haseeb The Reckoner
al-Jaleel The Sublime
al-Kareem Generous
ar-Raqeeb The Watchful
al-Mujeeb The Responser
al-Wassay The All-Embracing
al-Hakeem The Wise
al-Wadud The Loving
al-Mujeed The Glorious
al-Baaith The Resurrector
ash-Shaheed The Witness
Names Meanings
al-Haqq The True
al-Wakeel The Trustee
al-Qawi The Strong
al-Mateen The Firm
al-Walee The Friend
al-Hameed Praisworthy
al-Muhsi The Reckoner
al-Mubdi The Originator
al-Mu'id The Restorer
al-Muhyi The Giver of Life
al-Mumeet The Giver of Death
al-Hayee The Living
al-Qayyum The Self Subsisting
al-Wajid Finder
al-Majid The Noble
al-Wahid The Unique
as-Samad The Eternal
al-Qadir The Powerful
al-Muqtadir The Powerful
al-Muqaddim The Expediter
al-Mu'akhir The Postponer
al-Awwal The First
al-Akhir The Last
al-Zahir The Manifest
al-Batin The Hidden
al-Waalee The Governor
al-Muta'li The Most Exalted
al-Barr The Benign
al-Tawwab The Oft Returning
al-Muntaqim The Avenger
al-Afu Pardoner
ar-Rauf The Compassionate
Malikul-Mulk The Owner of Sovereignty
Dhul-Jalal-wal-Ikram The Lord of Majisty and Bounty
al-Jame The Gatherer
s
al-Ghanee The Self Sufficient
al-Mughani The Enricher
al-Mani The Preventer
al-Nafi The Propitious
an-Noor The Light
al-Hadi The Guide
al-Badi' The Incomparable
al-Muqsit The Just
al-Dhar The Distresser
al-Baqi The Everlasting
al-Warith Inheritor
ar-Rasheed The Guide to the Right Path
as-Sabur The Patient
Attributes of Allah
Allah is the proper name of God, however, we know Him generally through His attributes. These attributes describe how Allah manifests Himself to us. God's attributes are innumerable since human intellect cannot possibly comprehend every aspect of the Supreme Being. A Hadith of the Holy Prophet (peace be on him) makes mention of Ninety Nine names of Allah commonly known as al- Asmaul Husna, the Most Names. In the Holy Quran we read: "And to Allah alone belong all perfect attributes. So call Him by these. And leave alone those who deviate from the right way with respect to His Attributes." (7:181).
"Allah - there is no God but He, the Living, the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining. Slumber seizes Him not, nor sleep. To Him belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that will intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them; and they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He pleases. His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth; and the care of them burdens Him not;and He is the High, the Great." (2:256)
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is a lustrous niche, wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a glittering star. It is lit from blessed tree - an olive - neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would well-nigh glow forth even though fire touched it not.Light upon light! Allah guides to His light whomsoever He will. And Allah sets forth parables to men, and Allah know all things full well.This light is now lit in houses with regard to which Allah has ordained that they be exalted and that His name be remembered in them, Therein is He glorified in the mornings and the evenings (24:36-37)
"He is Allah, and there is no God beside Him, the Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is Gracious, the Merciful.He is Allah, and there is no God beside Him, the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace, the Bestower of Security, the Protector, the Mighty, the Subduer, the Exalted. Holy is Allah far above that which they associate with Him.He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner. His are the most Beautiful Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Him, and He is the Mighty the Wise.(59: 23-25)
Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Allah has ninety nine Names, one hundred less one; and who memorized them all by heart will enter Paradise." (Bukhari, The Book of Tauhid.
Articles of Faith
There are six articles of faith in Islam: 1. Belief in Allah 2.Belief in Angles, 3. Belief in the Books (Scriptures) of Allah 4. Belief in the Prophets of Allah, 5. Belief in the Day of Judgment and 6. Belief in the Divine Laws
Umar ibn Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, relates:
We were sitting in the company of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, when suddenly a man arrived. He was wearing clean, white clothes and his hair was jet black. He did not look as though he were a traveler and he was not known to any of us. He sat down close to the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his knees touching the knees of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. He said: O Muhammad, tell me something about faith. The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, replied:
"Faith is that you should believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books and His Prophets; that you should believe in the Day of Judgment and that you should believe in the Divine Laws relating to good and evil." (Tirmidhi)
Ali ibn Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, relates that he Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
"The faith is that one recognizes God at heart, accepts Him verbally and acts on His commandments." (Ibni Majah)
Hajj
Hajj is the fifth Pillar of Islam and another form of worship. It is an annual pilgrimage to the holy sites in Mecca which each adult Muslim, who can afford it, has to perform once in life time. Apart from the financial aspect, the ability to afford the pilgrimage also means that one is able to travel and perform the Hajj in peace.
Muslims perform Hajj in order to visit for themselves the holy sites where their faith started. More importantly it is a pilgrimage to the Ka'aba, which we believe is the first place of worship ever built on this earth, Muslims thus refer to it as House of God. The ceremony of Hajj is also symbolic of the Unity of God; all Muslims gather from four corners of the earth in one spot at an appointed time and worship God. There are no difficulties to perform Hajj apart from the obvious financial commitment in order to travel to Mecca. That is the reason why, strictly speaking, Hajj is only obligatory to those who have fulfilled all their worldly needs and have no pressing commitments left and indeed can afford the passage to Mecca.
It is a Muslim belief that God is everywhere and He answers those who truly seek Him. In this respect indeed going to a particular place to seek the pleasure and nearness to God is not the issue. However, it is the physical presence of being in the holiest of the holy places for the Muslim faith and indeed the congregational worship with millions of other fellow Muslims that leaves an indelible mark on the spiritual life of a person. It is a most supreme form of worship and is most desirable to God.
During Hajj, the person who intends to perform it is required to travel to Mecca during the prescribed days and observe all the rites and ceremonies. During Hajj Muslims from all corners of the world gather in Mecca and perform the rites of Hajj and thus strengthen the bond of Muslim unity.
During Hajj each place brings to mind some event of the blessed life of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings on him). It refreshes the memory of the supreme sacrifices made by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings on him) for the sake of Islam.