MASTERPIECES OF SPAIN

During the Ummayad dynasty, Hispania was an integral province of the Ummayad Caliphate ruled from Damascus, Syria. When the Caliphate was seized by the Abbasids, Al-Andalus (the Arab name for Hispania) split from the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad to form their own caliphate.

The Caliphate of Córdoba ruled most of the Iberian Peninsula from the city of Córdoba from 929 to 1031. This period was characterized by remarkable flourishing in technology, trade and culture.

Many of the masterpieces of Spain were constructed in this period, including the famous Great Mosque of Córdoba. The title Caliph was claimed by Abd-ar-Rahman III on 16 January 929; he was previously known as the Emir of Córdoba.

All Caliphs of Córdoba were members of the Umayyad dynasty; the same dynasty had held the title Emir of Córdoba and ruled over roughly the same territory since 756. The rule of the Caliphate is considered as the heyday of moslem presence in the Iberian peninsula, before it fragmented into various taifas in the 11th century.

The Umayyad dynasty was overthrown by another family of Meccan origin, the Abbasids, in 750. The Abbasids had an unbroken line of Caliphs for over three centuries, consolidating Islamic rule and cultivating great intellectual and cultural developments in the Middle East.

By 940, however, the power of the Caliphate under the Abbasids was waning as non-Arabs, particularly the Berbers of the Maghrib, the Turks, and later, in the latter half of the 13th century, the Mamluks in Egypt, gained influence, and the various subordinate sultans and emirs became increasingly independent.

Initially controlling Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, the Fatimid caliphs extended their rule for the next 150 years, taking Egypt and Palestine, before the Abbasid dynasty was able to turn the tide, limiting Fatimid rule to Egypt. The Fatimid dynasty finally ended in 1171. The Umayyad dynasty, which had survived and come to rule over the moslem provinces of Spain, reclaimed the title of Caliph in 929, lasting until it was overthrown in 1031.

The Fatimid Caliphate or al-Fātimiyyūn (Arabic) that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Egypt, Sicily, Malta and the Levant from 5 January 909 to 1171. The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the Egyptian city of Cairo as their capital.

1258 saw the conquest of Baghdad and the execution of Abbasid caliph al-Musta'sim by Mongol forces under Hulagu Khan. A surviving member of the Abbasid house was installed as caliph at Cairo under the patronage of the newly formed Mamluk Sultanate three years later; however, this line of caliphs had generally little authority although some Abbasid rulers had the actual rule over the Mamluk Sultans.

Later moslem historians referred to it as a "shadow" caliphate. Thus, the title continued into the early 16th century.

Source: Wikipedia English, 17 February 2011

ENERGY FOR MOSLEM

Alvin Toffler (1991) states, that the world has experienced three major waves of change, namely: First, the agricultural era (consisting of the stone age, and iron age); Second, the industrial era, and; Third, the information age.

So, the world of moving and changing quickly, which unfortunately tends aimlessly. This is due to the more anthropocentric humans, so the more arrogant, or feel most knowledgeable on all matters, including the values of life. One thing that people forget, that the anthropocentric attitude is an attitude not very intelligent.

Gordon Dryden and Jeannete Vos (2001) states, that the world is moving very fast. Man and women lives in the midst of a revolution of life. But unfortunately, in each country few people who knew, how to deal with the change. Those who do not know, how to deal with the change immediately trapped in the demoralization and despair.

Allah has warned in The Holy Qur'an, that is because they are a people who do not want to use their minds (see The Holy Qur'an 5:58).

Allah (God) has said, that Allah has perfected for human sustenance, through Islam (see The Holy Qur'an 5:3). Therefore, mankind should be grateful to Allah, by studying and implementing Islamic values in everyday life, as the main values or the ultimate values. In addition, in order to preserve the Islamic values, need to put up some members of society to study Islam seriously (see The Holy Qur'an 9:122).

Thus, human beings have the opportunity to confirm themselves with the straight (in truth) to Allah (see The Holy Qur'an 30:30). This is important because it contains Islamic religion, which according to the nature of human or human condition.

This is evident from the substance that Islamic values a valid and reliable, as noted in The Holy Qur'an 112:1-4, which contains human commitment, that: (1) God is Allah, the One and Only; (2) only to Allah, human expect and ask for something; (3) Allah does not give birth, nor is begotten, and; (4) there is nothing equivalent with God.

Allah has commanded in The Holy Qur'an 4:34, "The man is the leader for women." This message does not indicate, that man can be a dictator, but ordered the execution of a responsibility to men. The man responsible for everything that was in its responsibilities.

When he was married, then he is responsible to give every needs of this family. Therefore, if there is a wife out of the house to earn a living in order to meet the needs of families then the question to be asked, "How far her husband's efforts, in meeting the needs of the family?" Similarly, if a child out of the house to meet the needs of families, then the question to be asked, "How far his/her father's efforts, in meeting the needs of the family?"

If the answer is, "Husband/father effort is not on the maximum effort!" Surely the man (husband/father) belonging to a man who worst. He has violated The Holy Qur'an 4:34, and he has been neglecting his responsibilities. He has caused the exploitation of wife/child in his family. As such he has damaged the norm of society, because it failed to organized and manage his family, which is part of the community (Islamic community).

As a complete way of life, Islam has provided guidelines and rules for every sphere of society. God (Allah), the Creator of all, knows that people love to gather material possession, and that much of their effort are for the sake of gathering the various material means of the world. The relationship between economics and religion only has a very solid ground in Islam.

Ibn Khaldun wrote about the economic system in Islam in the 15th century. The Islam economic system has its own principles and philosophies, and the only way to understand them is to refer back to what is called the primary sources of learning about Islam and its principles. These are mainly The Holy Qur'an, which is viewed by moslems as the word of God, and The Prophetic tradition which explained and elaborated upon how to apply those principles.

Look at this fact: First, Islam seeks to guarantee the freedom of property owners to spend, give away, and invest it as he or she deems fit. Then, Islam has set some standards, based on justice and practicality. Earnings should not be based on cheating and sweandling. The Islamic ideal is based upon absolute justice on the personal as well as the societal level.

Second, Islam is concerned with the spirit of the economic system. There is no monopolization of necessities. Wells and other sources of water, for instance, are unlawful to use and monopolize as personal property, thereby eliminating another potential for oppression.

Third, Islam teaches that God has created provision for every person, who God has brought to life. Interest (riba) is strictly forbidden. Interest is defined as a set return on a loan, and as such implies a profit based on no risk and effort.

Fourth, Islam encourages investment and loan given as a means of charity. Interest has crumbled empires, while making oppressors out of others. The true moslem realizes that the wealth in his or her possession is in actuality in the possession of God. Through such measures, The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sought to reduce the gap between rich and poor.

God (Allah) states, "The only religion in the sight of God is Islam" (Qur'an 3:19). In another verse of The Holy Qur'an, God states, "If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him, and in the hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost" (Qur'an 3:85).

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever testifies that there in none worthy of being worshipped but God, who has no partner, and that Muhammad is God servant and Prophet; and that Isa (Christians claimed as "Jesus") is the servant of God, His prophet, and His word which He bestowed in Mariam and a spirit created by Him; and the heaven is true; and that the hellfire is true: God will eventually admit him into heaven, according to his deeds" (Shaheeh Al Bukhari).

As a moslem, a person must declare, that he or she believe there is no god (the other God), but Allah (God), and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. This declare is perhaps the bedrock belief in Islam. Without this declare a person is not considered a moslem, he or she still an unbeliever. This phrase is the essential step in a conversion to Islam, by someone who is not a born moslem. This creed will often be repeated by moslem constantly.

This declare will being a power (energy) for moslem to live and life in the world. This declare also give strong motivation for moslem to face to face with violence West Government in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq (include Abu Ghraib), and Guantanamo.

GREETINGS OF PEACE

In the name of Allah (God), the Most Compassionate, and the Most Merciful.

Asallamu'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, which is equivalent in English, "greetings of peace".

We are going through some very difficult time, when west relations with moslem have polarized. Continously devastating conditions of Palestinians, who had tyrant and unjust authoritizing by Israel. USA invations on Afganistan (since 2002) and Iraq (since 2003), had destruction and killings of several hundred thousand moslem people on Afghanistan and Iraq. Evil treatment of prisoners by USA military (on Abu Ghraib in Iraq, and on Guantanamo in Cuba Region) are some of the major factors which have turned our world into a lawless, and unjust global village.

I hope we will be a step to undo the lawless and unjust global village. We will to undo the stereotypes, and help inspire a contructive and sincere interaction. The Holy Qur'an could inspiring to return harmonize west world and moslem world interaction.

THE ISLAMIC TRADITION

Mecca is the holiest meeting site of the Islamic religion. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) proclaimed "Islam" in this city. The other site, Medina is the second holiest city in Islam, and the burial place of The Prophet Muhammad.
Most moslems accept as a moslem anyone who has publicly pronounce, "I bear witness there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah (God), and I bear witness Muhammad is His (Allah) messenger." This mind set, make moslem thinkers pursued humanistic, rational, and scientific discourse in their search for knowledge, meaning, and values.
The earliest known treatises dealing with environmentalism, and environmental science were Islamic treatises written by al-Kindi, al-Razi, Ibn al-Jazzar, al-Tamimi, al-Masihi, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Ali Ibn Ridwan, Abd al-Latif, and Ibn an-Nafis. The Islamic tradition witnessed a fundamental transformation in agricultural known, especially "the Islamic agricultural revolution" in Eighth Century. Moslem engineers also invented crankshaft and water turbines, employed gears in mills, and water raising machines, and pioneered the use of dams as a source of water power, used to provide additional power to watermills and water raising machines.
Now, many peoples know about a growing moslem identity, and a wish to assert that identity by many ways or style. The major point of contention are the different female forms of clothing.
In finance sector, moslem have Islamic bank. In Britain, the Islamic Bank of Britain opened its doors on 2004. Other countries which have Islamic banking institutions are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherland, Switzerland, and Ireland.

SURETY OF HEART

Two bomb explosion has killed at last 8 people at Ritz Carlton Hotel and J.W. Marriot Hotel in Jakarta, at Friday July 17-th 2009. Moslem peoples strongly condemn this bomb attack, and belief that peace will come in the world, when unjust disappear.
God (Allah) said, "Whoseover kills a human being without any reason like man slaughter, or corruption on earth, it is as though he/she had killed all mankind (Qur'an 5:32).
A moslem is an adherent of the religion of Islam. The word "Islam" in Arabic word which mean "submission to the will of God". This word comes from the same root as the Arabic word "salam" which means "peace". Then "Islam" have mean "submission to the will of God with peace". As such, the religion of Islam teaches that in order to achive true peace of mind a surety of heart, one must submit to God and live according to God divinely revealed law.
Islam is a monotheistic religion based on the teachings contained in The Holy Qur'an, and include many religious practices. Adherents are generally required to observe the five pillars of Islam, which are five duties that unite moslems into a community.
In addition to the five pillars, Islamic law or "sharia" (Arabic) has developed a tradition of rulings that touch on virtually all aspects of life and society. This tradition encompasses everything from practical matters like dietry laws and banking to warfare and welfare.
Islam's fundamental theological concept is "tawhid" (Arabic), the belief that there is only one God, who is a universal God, rather than a local, tribal, or parochial one. God is an absolute, who integrates all affirmative values, who tells people about "who God is" by speaking through the prophet. According to this view, the fundamental message of all of the prophets is, "There is no god worthy of worship but God (Allah)."
God said, "Say, God is the only one, God is the indivisible, God gives no birth, nor is God begotten, and God is in God self, not dependent on anything" (Qur'an 114:1-4).

THE ESSENTIAL STEP

God (Allah) states, "The only religion in the sight of God is Islam" (Qur'an 3:19). In another verse of The Holy Qur'an, God states, "If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him, and in the hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost" (Qur'an 3:85).
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever testifies that there in none worthy of being worshipped but God, who has no partner, and that Muhammad is God servant and Prophet; and that Isa (Christians claimed as "Jesus") is the servant of God, His prophet, and His word which He bestowed in Mariam and a spirit created by Him; and the heaven is true; and that the hellfire is true: God will eventually admit him into heaven, according to his deeds" (Shaheeh Al Bukhari).
As a moslem, a person must declare, that he or she believe there is no god (the other God), but Allah (God), and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. This declare is perhaps the bedrock belief in Islam. Without this declare a person is not considered a moslem, he or she still an unbeliever. This phrase is the essential step in a conversion to Islam, by someone who is not a born moslem. This creed will often be repeated by moslem constantly.
This declare will being a power (energy) for moslem to live and life in the world. This declare also give strong motivation for moslem to face to face with violence West Government in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq (include Abu Ghraib), and Guantanamo. Peoples know that West Government (USA, NATO, and Israel Government) had killed millions moslem peoples in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine.
Moslem are prayer five times a day, include Friday prayer (one time a week), that make moslem have communicated with God. In his or her prayer, moslem face toward Mecca (for common direction) to worship God. In a verse of The Holy Qur'an (3:19) God states, "The only religion in the sight of God is Islam."

IN THE NAME OF GOD

In the name of God (Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala), the Most Compassionate, and the Most Merciful. Asallamu'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, which is equivalent in English, "greetings of peace".
We are going through some very difficult time, when west relations with moslem have polarized. Continously devastating conditions of Palestinians, who had tyrant and unjust authoritizing by Israel. USA invations on Afganistan (since 2002) and Iraq (since 2003), had destruction and killings of several hundred thousand moslem people on Afghanistan and Iraq. Evil treatment of prisoners by USA military (on Abu Ghraib in Iraq, and on Guantanamo in Cuba Region) are some of the major factors which have turned our world into a lawless, and unjust global village.
I hope we will be a step to undo the lawless and unjust global village. We will to undo the stereotypes, and help inspire a contructive and sincere interaction. The Holy Qur'an could inspiring to return harmonize west world and moslem world interaction.