Tuesday, August 03, 2004

*road to mecca*

" we turn toward the Kaaba, God's holy temple in MEcca, knowing that the faces or all Muslims, wherever they may be, are turned to it in prayer, and that we are like one body, with Him as the center of our thoughts. Fisrt we stand upright and recite from Holy KOran, remembering that this is His word, given to man that he may be upright and steadfast in life. then we say, " God is the Greatest," reminding ourselves that no one deserves to be worshipped but Him; and bow down deep becasue we honour Him above all, and praise his power and glory. Thereafetr we prostrate ourselves on our foreheads, because we feel that we are dust and nothingness before HIm, and He is the Creator and Sustainer on high. Then we lift our faces from the ground and remain sitting, praying tha He forgive aour sins and bestow His grace upon us. and guide us aright, and give us health and sustenance. Then we again prostrate ourselves on the ground and touch the dust with our forehad before the might and the glory of the One. After that, we remain sitting and pray that He bless the Prophet Muhammad who brought His message to us, just as He blesses the earlier Prophets, and that He bless us as well, and all those who follow the right guidance; and we ask HIme to give us of the good of this world and of the good of the world to com. IN the end we turn our heads to the right and to the left, saying " Peace and teh grace of aGod be upon you,"- and thus greet all who are righteous, wherever tehy may be"

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" it was not the Muslim that had made Islam great : it was Islam that had made Muslim great. But as soon as their faith became habit and ceased to be a programme of life, the be consciouly pursued, the creative impulse that underlay their civilisation waned and gradually gave wat to indolence, sterility and cultural decay"

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"if water stands motionless in pool, it becomes stale, muddy and foul; only when it moves and flows does it remain clear"

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