Page 10
The Islamic Bulletin
Issue 5
Page 11
The Islamic Bulletin
Issue 5
Some English words derived from the Arabic words.
Admiral
-
amir al-rahl
Jasmine
-
yasin
Lemon
-
limun
Alchemy
-
al-kimiya’
Lute
-
al-’ud
Alcove
-
al-qubba
Mask
-
maskhara
Algebra
-
al-jabr
Monsoon
-
mawsim
Amber
-
anbar
Musk
-
musk
Nadir
-
nazir
Orange
-
naranj
Artichoke
-
al-kharshuf
Rice
-
ruzz
Atlas
-
atlas
Saffron
-
za’faran
Sandalwood -
sandal
Sofa
-
suffa
Camel
-
jamal
Sugar
-
sukhar
Syrup
-
sharab, shurb
Cotton
-
qutun
Troubadour
-
tarrab
Giraffe
-
zurafa
Zero
-
sifr
Prophet Salih (PBUH) was sent as a Prophet to the tribe of Bani
Thamud to rectify their depraved people. The Thamudites were the
descendants of Thamud, a grandson of Sam. They lived in Wadi
al-Qura and Al-Hajr between Syria and Hijaz. They were idol wor-
shipers and their tribe flourished for more than two centuries after
‘Ad. Its people were renowned for their longevity and enormous
well-built bodies. They built spacious buildings in the caves of the
mountains and attained considerable powers.
Slaughtering of the She-Camel
The Prophet Salih (PBUH) was commissioned by God to invite the
tribe to the worship of One God but the tribe turned a deaf ear to
the Prophet’s preaching. Finally, the tribe decided to kill the Prophet.
The Almighty fixed a she-camel as a sign and warned them if they
slew her, they would be overtaken by the chastisement from God.
Prophet Salih (PBUH) asked the tribe to be kind to the she-camel
and let her graze in the pastures and drink water from the spring
but the tribesmen denied the access, instead they slaughtered the
she-camel.
Chastisement Befalls
After the slaughtering of the she-camel the tribesmen decided to
carry out their final plan against Prophet Salih (PBUH). Before they
could proceed, a visitation befell them and they were exterminated
by the showering of stones from the volcanic eruption.
Description in the Holy Qur’an
Some references regarding the Prophet Salih (PBUH) and his people
are as follows:
“And to the Thamud We sent their brother Salih. He said: O my
people: Serve The Almighty. You have no God other than Him.
Clear proof, indeed, has come to you from your Lord. This is
The Almighty’s she-camel for you, a sign. Therefore, leave her
alone to pasture on the Almighty’s Earth and do not do her any
harm. Otherwise painful chastisement will overtake you. And
remember when He has made you the successors after ‘Ad and
settled you in the land. You made mansions on its plains and
hew out houses in the mountains: remember, therefore, The
Almighty’s benefits and do not act corruptly in the land making
any mischief. The Chiefs of those who behaved proudly among
his people said to those who were considered weak, to those
who believed from among them. Are you sure that Salih is sent
by his Lord? They said: Surely we are the believers in what he
has been sent with. Those who were haughty said: Surely we
deny of what you believe in. So they slew the she-camel and
revolted against their Lord’s Commandments and they said: O
Salih! Bring us of what you have threatened us with if you are
one of the Apostles. Then the earthquake overtook them so they
became motionless bodies in their abodes.” (Qur’an 7:73-78)
T
he
V
alor
and
H
eroism of
M
usab
-
bin
-U
mair
(RAA)
Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) had been brought up in great love and
affection by his well-to-do parents. Before embracing Islam, he
lived in luxury and comfort.
It is said that he was the most well-dressed youth of Mecca. He
embraced Islam in its early days, without his parents’ knowledge.
However, when they came to know of it, they got very upset
and restricted him from going out.
At the first opportunity, Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) escaped and
emigrated to Abyssinia and then to Madinah. An individual
brought up in comfort and luxury was now living a life of ab-
stinence and austerity.
In the battle of Uhud, Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) held the flag of
Islam. When the Muslims on meeting defeat were dispersing in
confusion, Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) held the flag and stood at
his post like a rock.
An enemy soldier came and cut off his hand with a sword, so that
the flag might fall down and proclaim defeat for the Muslims.
Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) at once grabbed the flag in the other
hand. The enemy soldier then slashed the other hand.
Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) still stood clinging the flag to his bo-
som with the help of his bleeding arms. Lastly, an enemy arrow
pierced through him, and Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) fell dead
on the battlefield. But as long as he was alive, he did not let
the flag go down. Immediately, another Muslim ran and took
over the flag.
At the time of his burial, Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) had only
one sheet to cover his body. This sheet was too short for his
size. When it was drawn to cover his head, the feet remained
exposed and vice versa.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “Cover his head with the sheet,
and his feet with the Azkhar’ leaves.” Such was the end of a
youth who was brought up in luxury and comfort.
Once an individual develops faith, it makes the individual
forget everything else, whether be it wealth, luxury or life
itself. Musab-bin-Umair (RAA), a true hero and one of the
great martyrs.
Islam is a religion in which there are few dietary rules. In
Islam, one can eat all that is pure and nutritious, but it also
prohibits certain categories of food and drink.
Among the categories of food and drink forbidden according
to Quranic injunctions are the following:
Meat of dead animals (carrion).
Meat of strangled animals.
Meat of dead animals through beating.
Meat of dead animals through falling from a height.
Meat of dead animals killed by (the goring of) a horn.
Meat of dead animals devoured of wild beasts.
Food on which any other name has been invoked besides
that of God.
Meat of animals that have been immolated into idols.
Meat of swine (pig), including anything prepared from
swine.
All intoxicants including all types of alcohol and intoxicating
drugs.
In Surah Al-Ma’idah, the forbidden foods are explained in
detail:
“Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the
flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the
name of other than God, and that which hath been killed
by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall,
or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly)
eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it
(in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars);
(Forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with
arrows: that is impiety.” (Qur’an 5:4)
“O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication
of) stones, and (divination by) arrows are an abomination-
of Satan’s handiwork; Eschew such (abomination) that you
may prosper. Satan’s plan is (but) to excite enmity and
hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and
hinder you from the remembrance of God and from Prayer.
Will you not then abstain?” (Qur’an 5:90-91)
Since the above categories are obviously too many to explain
in one issue, we will be explaining the categories in future
issues.
I
slamic
V
ocabulary
T
he
P
rophet
S
alih
I
slamic
D
ietary
L
aws