WEEK 23: THE GREEN SHOW – Everything you ever wanted (or didn’t want) to know about the colour and what it means

Host: Omar (GreenKufi) Quran ArRahmaan [ch. 55 | Recited by Abdullah Basfar -عبد الله بن علي بصفر ] Discussion GREEN: In England we painted the town Green on Eid. Most Muslim flags are either green or contain green in it. Many minarets and domes on mosques around the world are green. The pulpits are often coloured green. We wear green clothing, and green kufis. We bind our books, most notably the print of the Quran, in Green. Why is this? What is so special about this colour? Well, the colour itself is a one we see very often around us. Almost every plant is green or some shade of it. Green is restful to the eye. Studies show that a green environment can reduce fatigue. Green In the Quran: If we look up in the Quran (try Quran.com), you’ll find the prescription of green in many places. And I’m just talking about the colour. Not plants. Most importantly is that Allah subhanahu wa taala describes many of the blessing and rewards of paradise as green. HE says in Surat Al-Insaan: {Their garments will be of fine green silk, and gold embroidery. They will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink.} 76:21 and in Surat ArRahman He says: {Is there any reward for good other than good? [] Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny? [] And besides these two, there are two other Gardens (i.e. in Paradise). [] Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny? [] Dark green (in colour).} 55:60-64. And as I said, this in only referring to the colour green. Not to plantations, which are mentions many time more. Apparently, many Muslims nations choose green in their flags to represent the greenery of nature. Since it is a responsibility that Allah has entrusted us with, and He often commands us to ponder His creation. In fact, similar to many colours, that are given a distictive name, the green often used in Muslim symbols and the likes is referred to as Islamic Green. Abu Ramthah said: “I saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wearing two green garments.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, who said, this is a ghareeb hasan hadeeth, and by al-Nisaa’i, 5224). Green is definitely something we often dress in, but why must this symbol of green simply be a garment. Why can’t we BE GREEN, as opposed to simply wearing it. I would go as far as to say that we should be like nature. Be like a tree. And leave others business alone. Now, before you tune out saying, “Phtt. Look at this Muslim Hippie, go hug a tree bro.” Listen to this what the prophet peace and blessing of Allah be upon him Had to say about this. Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: The Prophet said, “The example of a believer is like a green tree, the leaves of which do not fall.” The people said. “It is such-and-such tree: It is such-and-such tree.” I intended to say that it was the datepalm tree, but I was a young boy and felt shy (to answer). The Prophet said, “It is the date-palm tree.” Ibn ‘Umar added, ” I told that to ‘Umar who said, ‘Had you said it, I would have preferred it to such-and such a thing.” (Book #73, Hadith #143) Always green. Why aren’t we always green. Why must our greenness be deciduous like our kufis and hijabs in the evening when we reach home. Why aren’t we like the date palm, giving shade, beauty, fruits, shelter to all of Allah’s creation all of the time. WHY MUST WE BE GREEN? 1- The environment, is Allah’s creation. The creation of this earth and all its natural resources is a sign of His wisdom, mercy, power and His other attributes and therefore serves to develop human awareness and understanding of this creator. (Ar-Ra`d, 13: 2-4; 21:79) 2- Muslims should seek to protect and preserve the environment because by so doing they protect Allah’s creatures which pray to Him and praise Him. Humankind might not be able to understand how these creatures praise Allah but this does not mean that they do not do so, Allah says: (The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory: There is not a thing but celebrates His praise, and yet ye understand not how they declare His Glory!) (Al-Israa’ 17: 44) 3- The environment contains Allah’s creatures which the Muslim scholars consider to also deserve protection. 4- Also among the reasons why Islam seeks to protect and preserve the environment is that Islam, as a way of life, is established on the concept of good (khayr). Therefore it is expected that Islam will protect the environment once it is understood that such protection is good by itself. The Qur’an states: (He whoso do good an atom’s weight will see it. And whoso do ill an atom’s weight will see it.) (Az-Zalzalah 99: 7-8) In Islam, humans are expected to protect the environment since no other creature is able to perform this task. Humans are the only being that Allah has “entrusted” with the responsibility of looking after the earth. This trusteeship is seen by Islam to be so onerous and burdensome that no other creature would ‘accept’ it. Allah says: (Lo! We offered the trust unto the heavens and the earth and the hills, but they shrank from bearing it and were afraid of it and man assumed it Lo! he is a tyrant and fool.) (Al-Ahzab 33: 72) Community News Ottawa – A Muslim boy, Zaid, came in third place in the two kilometer race last weekend. He participated in the race from his school, from among over 1000 other runners from around Ottawa. We will be talking to him next week insh’Allah. The relationship between human beings and his environment – Yousuf Estes [IslamicTube.net Muslim News Omar Khadar’s hearing: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/643886 Nasheed How can you deny? – No Beats Necessary Hamza Robertson & Sami Yusuf – The Mountain Dawud Wharnsby – Alhamdulillah Our Creation – Hamza Robertson The Lord of the Worlds – Labbyk Upcoming Action Come and get inspired! Faith and the Common Good, in cooperation with local faith groups, invites you to a viewing of the environmental documentary  “Be the Change” The film, produced locally by David Chernushenko,shows us  how to live green and enjoy the journey.   Participants are invited for a post viewing discussion and refreshments –         an opportunity to share ideas and fellowship. David Chernushenko will be in attendance Doors open at 6:30pm Film Screens at 7:00pm JUNE 8th, 2009 at Temple Israel 1301 Prince of Wales Drive  Yasir Naqvi MPP (Ottawa Centre) and the Ontario Trillium Foundation will be special guests to present the Trillium Foundation Award and support the launching of the third phase of the program to help faith communities Green their Sacred Spaces. Go back to the top

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Week 22: Community Tension: Why can’t we all just get along + Be grateful: Go outside for little bit

Host: Omar (Green Kufi)

Quran

Alhujuraat [ch. 49 v. 1-6 | Recited by Abdullah Basfar -عبد الله بن علي بصفر ]
http://flashquran.com/quran_sound/049.mp3%20

Discussion

Community Tensions – Talk by Hakim Quick: [REMINDER SERIES]

Short Lecture by Siraj Wahaj on being Grateful:
Are We Pushing Our Children from the Masajid? Sr. Janaan Hashim

Summer Time:
– Off from classes for university students and public school students will be off next month
– Don’t waste the summer away by staying inside
– Spend time with your family OUTSIDE

Muslim News

Yusuf Islam on Colbert Report and Jay Leno

Yusuf Islam was in the U.S. to promote his new album, Roadsinger. He was invited on various shows including Colbert Report and Jay Leno to sing a few songs from his new album. He is no doubt a legend in the entertainment industry, which makes him a great daee. He said on the Colbert report that he is promoting his album to educate. He sang the song, Boots and Sand on one of the shows which is about how he was listed as a terrorist and banned from entering the U.S. five years ago.

Muslims are slowly but surely integrating back into society as normal individuals as displayed in mainstream media. Seeing as media is one of the greatest influences on societal attitudes it seems that tolerance towards muslims is slowly underway.

Yusuf (a.k.a Yususf Islam, a.k.a Cat Stevens) Live on the Colbert Report: with his latest album Roadsinger. The interview: [thecomedynetwork.ca]

Nasheed

The Prophet – Dawud Wharnsby Ali
My Ummah – Sami Yusuf
Full of humility – Dawud Wharnsby Ali
Don’t be Hypocritical by No Beats Necessary

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Upcoming Action

June 8th: Be the Change – more to come on this soon.

Your moment of Zen Alhamdulillah for Islam!

http://www.watchtvsitcoms.com/Simpsons/S20E07.php

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Week 16 – Special Guest Sh. Ismail Batnuni on Ottawa Islamic School + What the youth really need and want + Tigers in Ottawa?

Hosts: Omar (GreenKufi) and Ahmed Khalil + Guest Sh. Ismail Batnuni

Quran

Al-Maidah [ch. 5 v. 1-6 | Recited by Abdullah Basfar -عبد الله بن علي بصفر ]

Discussion

The Messed up Priorities of Ottawa Muslims Leaders Why do we have 7 mosque building projects, but we have no projects for building believers to attend these huge expensive mosques? We build these believers from the school age through to High School, Collage, and University. But who is preparing these future believers? The Public School? Sh. Ismail Batnuni will explain. AUDIO AVAILABLE NOW!

Local Community News

Tigers in Ottawa?

[YAHYA’S POLITICAL BLOG]

Galloway speaks anyway! Two weeks ago we told you that George Galloway the Banned Mp from the UK was going to speak to the Canadian Public regardless of the ban. Here is how he did it and what he had to say. [Rabble.ca | NowPublic.com]

Global Muslim News

HELP IMAM SIRAJ WAHAJ Imam Siraj Wahhaj, the voice of Da’wah in the West was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March of 2009. Since then, he has been receiving treatment and needs help to pay his medical bills. He was there when we needed him; now he needs us! Yasir Qadhi, Suhaib Webb, Zaid Shakir, Faraz Rabbani Nasihah: An Online Fundraiser for Imam Siraj Wahhaj Saturday, April 25th, 2009 – 7PM EST

Tadthkirah

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The relationship between one believer and another is like a structure, parts of which support other parts,” and he interlaced his fingers.” Agreed upon.
And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The likeness of the believers in their mutual love, mercy and compassion is that of the body; if one part of it complains, the rest of the body joins it in staying awake and suffering fever.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim in their Saheehs.

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Upcoming Action

Anticipate: The Biggest Quran Competition in Ottawa’s History.. Qabeelat Ansar presents, AlKiraam Albararrah; Juz Tabarak Memorization & Recitation Competition… Featuring Local Talents.. Brothers and Sisters… coming April 25th in sha Allah

Registrations for the 10th Annual Zawiyah Retreat on Tazkiyat al-Nafs by Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui will on April 15th at 6pm. The popular retreat will be from June 13th to June 23rd.

LUL: Friday night Aqeedah in Action, the topic will be: “The best of the best”, and it will be, as always, at the Ottawa main mosque right after Maghrib prayer in chaa Allah.

The Islamic Society Of Cumberland will be conducting a 28 Week Comprehensive Weekend Course for brothers over 16 in a variety of areas including tafsir of short surahs, introductory tajweed, and the basics of faith.
Classes start May 2nd at the Mussalah on Innes Rd. in Orleans taught by Imam Mohammad Badat.

Purpose of Fearing Allah?, Why should we fear Allah?
What our Youth today are like? Why are they far from deen? & Turning to Allah as a Youth.
Sun April 12.09 Sh. Ismail Al-Batnuni Topic: Fearing Allah
Mon April 13.09 Br. Rashid Mohamud Topic: Youth Today
Location: Assalam Masjid
Time: Both Programs will start after Maghrib and will run until Isha Salat.

The Ottawa Muslim Women’s Organization extends an invitation to all Canadians to attend its annual dinner at the St. Elias Centre on Sunday April 26, 2009 at 5:30pm
Keynote Speakers: Right Honourable Alexa McDonough (former NDP leader) and Dr. Monia Mazigh (wife of Maher Arar)
This dinner supports:
a) The Osteoporosis Society of Canada and
b) The Centre for The Study of Islam at Carleton University, Ottawa.
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