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For the first nine months, I was in solitary confinement in an underground cell. I would say that the cell was about 8 feet by 4. It was about 12 feet high. It was clean. No interaction with any other prisoner was allowed for the entire nine months. After that, they moved me to the upper floor. The same thing, it was s... |
I was allowed for the last month and a half… they moved another person into this room, for the last month and a half. So for a year and a half, minus this month and a half, I was in solitary confinement, with the exception of the last month and a half. |
MB: Subhan Allah. Did they place any restrictions on you in terms of what you were allowed to have in your cell, how you were allowed to interact with other prisoners, or in any way, other than you have already stated? |
AA: When I was in the underground cell, there were restrictions on family visits, restrictions on any food that my family would send me, there were restrictions on books. I was not allowed pen and paper, and no exercise whatsoever. I hadn’t seen the sun for the entire period. What else… No interaction at all with any p... |
Later on, when I moved to the upper level, even though I was still in solitary confinement, but the restrictions were less. Visits from the family were more frequent. They would allow me food from home twice a week, and I was allowed more books. So things were better during the last period of the time I spent in detent... |
MB: That’s one of the questions I was meant to ask you. You were never charged with a crime, is that correct, and you were never put through any legal system? |
AA: I wasn’t charged with anything. I was held for interrogation. When interrogation was over, I was released. |
MB: Did any foreign interrogation take place? Did any Americans or any other foreign nationals interrogate you? |
AA: Yes, the US did interrogate me. Officials from the US. |
MB: And do you know if that was the FBI? Did they identify themselves as FBI, CIA, NSA or anything? |
AA: Yes. They were FBI. |
MB: Okay. And how was their attitude towards you… how did they deal with you as a person, how did they regard you? |
AA: There was some pressure, which I refused to accept and that led to a conflict that occurred between me and them, because I felt that it was improper behaviour from their behalf. That led to an issue between me and them during the interrogation. That was solved however, later on, and they apologised. |
MB: Al Hamdulillah[iii]. Were you able to have contact with your family at all, during the imprisonment, of course you’ve already said that they restricted from you letters, phone calls, and so forth, for the first nine months, I think you said. But afterwards, did they allow you this contact? |
AA: Yes, towards the latter period of my imprisonment, I was allowed visits from my family, once a week. |
MB: How often were you interrogated, by either local officials or foreign officials? Was it something regular, or was it something sporadic? |
AA: The interrogation was on and off for a year. |
MB: Is there any truth in the rumour that you were placed under house arrest prior to this and that you were banned from speaking in public? |
AA: No, no that’s not true. I haven’t been placed under house arrest, nor have I been banned from speaking publicly. |
MB: There was also something that said that you were being punished in prison because you were teaching some of the other prisoners. Is this true also, or could you elaborate on that? |
AA: No, I didn’t have a chance to deliver any lectures because I was in solitary confinement for the entire period except the last month, which was only me and another person, so I wasn’t in touch with other prisoners. |
MB: Are you allowed to travel outside the Yemen? Obviously, many people want you to come to the United Kingdom and elsewhere, to come and give lectures, and you’ve only been out a few days! I think this is based on a question from a lot of your supporters, subhan Allah. Are you allowed to travel outside the Yemen to gi... |
AA: Well, I would like to travel. However, not until the US drops whatever unknown charges it has against me. |
MB: Yes, and that would be my advice to anybody who would be in that sort of situation is to be aware of that. |
Can you tell us any of the lessons that you’ve learnt from being incarcerated that you would like to share? |
In sha’Allah[iv] this is something that I plan to do in a lecture or more, and I would leave it to that point. |
MB: In sha’Allah… and is that one of your plans for the future? Do you have any other plans for the future that you’d care to elaborate upon, or is it something that you’d wish to wait and see how time evolves? |
AA: You mean, in terms of lectures? |
MB: Lectures, and just life in general. Not just lectures but generally, in the future – what does the future hold? |
I have a few opportunities open at the moment and I haven’t chosen yet among them. I’m still sort of studying the situation at the time being. |
MB: What was your response to the outpouring of support and concern, the campaigns, petitions, Facebook groups and the messages that you’ve received since your release – what was your response to this? How do you feel? |
AA: Al Hamdulillah, it was very moving to know that there were brothers and sisters out there who were making du’a[v] for me. Al Hamdulillah Rabbil-Alameen[vi]. I believe that I was released due to the du’a of a certain righteous person who was making du’a for me, because RasulAllah (salla Allahu alayhi was-salam)[vii]... |
MB: In sha’Allah, and I pray that the du’a that they made for you is also made for all the other Muslim prisoners around the world, in sha’Allah, and that they will all be released. |
Could you please give some words of advice, to the other prisoners and the prisoners’ families in terms of your experience, and how they might benefit from your words? |
AA: My advice to them is the saying of Allah, azza wa jall[ix], “You might dislike something but there is a lot of good in it for you”.[x] And the hadith[xi] of RasulAllah (salla Allahu ‘alayhi was-salam), Whatever decree Allah has decreed for the believer it is good for him. So if Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala[xii] has de... |
decreed for me. This is the first word of advice. |
The second word of advice is this is a test for your sabr, patience; and patience is the one deed in which Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala has promised an open reward. Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.”[xiii] There is no limit on their reward that Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala give... |
Finally, one should always believe that the strongest weapon that they have is du’a. They should never underestimate the power of du’a. ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab[xiv] used to say, I’m not worried about Allah not accepting my prayers but I am worried about the way I pray to Allah azza wa jall. Allah will accept the du’a, All... |
MB: SubhanAllah, jazaakAllahu khair. One of the things that we used to do in Guantanamo, one of the things that I learnt, was Surat Yusuf[xv] used to be the most often, the most resonating surah that I used to read, and contemplate on, simply because Yusuf (‘alayhis-salam) was thrown in prison for something he didn’t d... |
AA: Well, the feeling I had when I was reading Qur’an – every surah, every ayah was totally different when I was reading it in the cell, compared to when I was reading it when I was outside. |
MB: Yes, absolutely, ma sha’Allah[xviii]. |
AA: That was particularly true with Surat Yusuf but I can say that this has been the case with every single ayah and every surah in Qur’an. It was in a totally different light when I was reading it in prison. |
MB: It’s quite amazing, because in prison, for us, in Guantanamo, they took everything away from us, our clothes, our families, our food, our life, everything and the only thing that we had that was familiar to us was the Qur’an, even though it was a different version or a different print, but it was the only thing tha... |
Subhan Allah, and because they took everything away and gave the Qur’an, that is why the Qur’an had this different meaning. ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan[xix] used to say that if our hearts were clean and pure we would never satisfy our thirst from Qur’an. It is because of the distractions that are going around us, that we don’t ... |
MB: Absolutely. Do you have or have you had interaction with people who have been in Guantanamo, in prison or after release, have you been able to speak to them or see how they’ve fared since their release at all? |
There were some brothers who were brought from Guantanamo and handed over to the Yemeni government and spent time in the PSL prison where I was but I didn’t have a chance to interact with them. I heard that they passed through while I was there. However, I never had a chance to interact with any of them yet. |
MB: In sha’Allah may you interact with them in jannah[xx], insha’Allah |
AA: In sha’Allah… I would really like to know how it was over there. |
MB: In sha’Allah. Finally, I suppose it’s a question for Cageprisoners. Do you have any words about your feelings towards organisations like Cageprisoners are; what you think of our work, good or bad? |
AA: The brothers and sisters at Cageprisoners are fulfilling the order of RasulAllah (salla Allahu ‘alayhi was-salam) which was stated in Bukhari[xxi], ‘Seek the release of the prisoner’, and they are at the forefront of fulfilling this command of RasulAllah (salla Allahu ‘alayhi was-salam) so I ask Allah azza wa jall ... |
MB: Barak Allahu feek[xxii]. JazaakAllahu khairan, ya Shaykh. |
AA: Wa iyyakum.[xxiii] |
His Excellency the High Commissioner |
For Australia Suite 710, 50 O'Connor Street, |
Ottawa, ON K1P 6L2 |
Canada Fax 613-236-4376 |
Your Excellency SIR, |
Pls click here for picture: |
Yours truly Meer Sahib P. |
Thursday, December 27, 2007 |
Invalidators of islam |
Allah has made it obligatory upon all His slaves to enter Islam and hold onto it and warned them against following other than Islam. He also sent His Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, to call all mankind to it. Allah has informed us in the Quran that guided are those who follow the teachings of Islam, and misguided a... |
Ten most critical invalidators of Islam |
1. To associate others with Allah in worship. The Quran says: |
"Allah forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners with Him in worship, but He forgives whom He pleases other sins than this" [4:116] |
"whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, Allah will forbid him Paradise, and the Fire will be his abode. For the wrongdoers there are no helpers" [5.72] |
2. To set up intermediaries between oneself and Allah, seeking their intercession and putting absolute trust in them. Those who do so are unanimously considered disbelievers.Such as going to shrines - or asking someone to pray because he/she is perceived as being more spiritual or closer to Allah. |
3. Not to accuse polytheists and those who commit Shirk or disbelief, to doubt as to their being disbelievers, or to approve of their beliefs. |
4. to believe that the Prophets guidance is not complete or perfect or that other people's ruling and judgement is better than his. Those who prefer the rule of false gods are blatant disbelievers. |
5.those who hate anything that the Prophet pbuh came with are also disbelievers even if they act upon them. The Quran says |
" that is because they hate that which Allah sent down, so He has made their deeds fruitless." |
6. Those who ridicule anything that Islam preaches, such as punishment and reward in the Hereafter, are disbelievers. The Quran says: |
"say: was is it Allah , and His Signs, and His Messenger, that you were mocking? Make no excuse you have rejected faith after you had accepted it" [9:65,66] |
7. Magic in all its forms including turnings someone away from somebody that he she loves and making somebody love someone or something he or she does not normally like. Whoever practices magic or approves of it is is a disbeliever, as evidenced by the Quranic Verse that says: |
"But neither of these [two angels] taught anyone [such things] without saying 'we are only for trial, so disbelieve not [by learning this magic from us] [2:102} |
8. to take the disbelievers for friends, give them support and assistance against the Muslims is an act of disbelief. The Quran says: |
"And one amongst you that turns to them [for friendship] is of them.Verily Allah guides not people unjust." |
9. those who believe that it is in their power or authority to forsake the law of Islam are not disbelievers. The Quran says: |
10. To turn away from Islam and to stubbornly refuse to earn its teachings or act upon them. The Quran says: |
"And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Signs of His Lord, Then he turns away there from? Verily from those who transgress W shall exact [due] retribution" |
Wednesday, December 26, 2007 |
I came across this link while browsng. Hope InshÁllah it proves beneficial to all of us muslims. |
Spread the word and create awareness. |
Tuesday, December 25, 2007 |
Enjoy (and implement): |
Translated by Abu Sabaayaa |
taken from |
Sunday, December 23, 2007 |
How often do we see people stop and help others for the sake of humanity? Little gestures like helping a mother maneuver a stroller onto the pavement? Help someone with a heavy object - just for the sake of it? Smile at someone or compliment them on their effort - knowing they have put in hard work and a smile or kind ... |
If we were paid to do these deeds - I'm sure there would be dearth of such kindness everywhere. No one would have to be asked.Simply because you were getting something in return. |
Allah has created man. He Knows our weaknesses and strengths. The same way - if we do such kind deeds for His sake - we are indeed given something in return. A helping hand nor the kind word will be in vain. You will be rewarded. Such kindness falls under sadaqah. |
sadaqah. It is something that we constatly need to remind ourselves of - because we often forget – I had only remembered one type of sadaqah – that was giving from your wealth. But there are other types of sadaqah. The general definition is that all good deeds are sadaqah. |
The Messenger of Allah pbuh said ' every Muslim has to give sadaqah" the people asked : " O, Prophet what about the one who has nothing? " He replied: " he should work with his hands to give sadaqah" they asked " what if he cant find work?'. He replied ; " he should help the needy who asks for help." They asked ;" if h... |
[Related by Bukhari and others] |
Abu Dhar Al-Ghifary said : The Messenger of Allah PBUH said : 'Sadqah is for every person every day the sun rises.' I said ' O Prophet from what do we give sadaqah if we do not possess property?' |
He said : The doors of sadaqah are Allahu Akbar, Subhan Allah; Alhamdullilah[ all praise is for Allah]; La ilaha illal-lah; Astaghfirullah [ I seek forgiveness from Allah]; enjoining good; forbidding evil removing thorns,bones, and stones form the paths of people; guiding the blind; listening to the deaf and dumb until... |
[The sadaqah] from you is prescribed for you, and there is a reward for you [even] in sex with your wife.' [Ahmad] |
in another narration [Muslim] it is that the people asked the Prophet 'O Messenger is there reward if one satisfies his passion?' He replied " Do you now that is he satisfies it unlawfully he has taken a sin upon himself? Likewise, if he satisfies is lawfully, he is rewarded." |
The messenger of Allah pbuh said : 'every good deed is sadaqah. To meet your brother with a smiling face and to pour out from your bucket into his container are sadaqah." [ I would interpret this is giving someone water, or spooning out food for someone or similar acts ] |
A few examples of small gestures that we would never think to be rewarded for; |
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