Living Islam

‘To speak for ourselves in ways that bring out the best of our culture. To speak truth, and to demand justice, and to share with our people and the world the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest since.’ – Dr. Maulana Karanga

Karenga, a professor and chairman of Africana studies at the University of California-Long Beach, created Kwanzaa in 1966 as a way to bring African Americans together after the Watts riots.

Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States that honors all military veterans who served in the armed forces. But how did it start and what does it mean today?

Veterans Day began in 1919 as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I and honoring its casualties.

In 1921, Congress approved the burial of an unknown soldier from World War I at Arlington National Cemetery. This became a national symbol of gratitude and respect for all who served in the military. Other countries also adopted similar ceremonies and traditions.

In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill that changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day, to honor veterans of all wars, not just World War I.

Congress moved Veterans Day to October in 1968, but many opposed it for losing the historical meaning of November 11.

President Ford restored Veterans Day to November 11 in 1975. He valued the day’s historical and patriotic significance and the public’s wish to honor veterans.

Today, Veterans Day is a time to celebrate the service and sacrifice of millions of men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States. It is also a time to educate the public about the veterans’ contributions and challenges, and to support them in their communities.

History of Veterans Day

African American Veterans Monument Inc.

The African American Veterans Monument, located at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, is the first of its kind to recognize the contributions of African Americans who have served and are currently serving in all six branches of the military, during war and in peace times. African Americans have fought in all 12 of the United States’ military conflicts since the country’s first war, whether they enlisted voluntarily, or were drafted. This Monument honors the contributions made by African American Veterans

VIDEO: Buffalo New York, African American Veterans Monument: Honoring Service and Sacrifice | Youtube

VIDEO: History of the Holidays: History of Veterans Day | History | Youtube – 11/4/2016

ٱلْرَّحِيْمُ

The Merciful, The Beneficent

From the root ra-ha-mim (ر ح م), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to have tenderness, gentleness, kindness to love to have mercy, to have pity to show favor and goodness to have all that is required for beneficence.

The name Ar-Raheem (in Arabic: ٱلْرَّحِيْمُ) comes from the same root as Ar-Rahman which refers to Allah’s attribute of being Merciful. Although similarly related the meanings are different. Ar-Rahman can be understood to refer to Allah as the origination/source of all mercy, whereas Ar-Raheem refers to its sustaining/infiniteness. Some view the name of Ar-Raheem as being merciful to His creation deserving of mercy (primarily the mercy reserved for the believers).

وَكَانَ بِٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رَحِيمٗا

 And ever is He, to the believers, Merciful.

هُوَ ٱلَّذِي يُصَلِّي عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتُهُۥ لِيُخۡرِجَكُم مِّنَ

ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِۚ وَكَانَ بِٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رَحِيمٗا

“It is He who confers blessing upon you, and His angels [ask Him to do so] that He may bring you out from darknesses into the light. And ever is He, to the believers, Merciful.”

Quran 33:43

Reference: MyIslam.Org

ٱلْرَّحْمَـانُ

From the root ra-ha-mim (ر ح م), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to have tenderness, gentleness, kindness, to love, to have mercy, to have pity, to show favor and goodness.

He who wills Goodness and Mercy for all His creatures

Allah is Ar-Rahmaan (in arabic: ٱلْرَّحْمَـانُ). He is the One who blesses all His creation with prosperity and devoid from disparity. He is most merciful, kind, and loving towards all creation. His Rahma is all inclusive and embraces all.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

قُلِ ٱدۡعُواْ ٱللَّهَ أَوِ ٱدۡعُواْ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنَۖ أَيّٗا مَّا تَدۡعُواْ فَلَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰۚ

“Say, “Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever [name] you call – to Him belong the best names.” Quran 17:110.

Reference: MyIslam.org

أَللهَ

The name أَللهَ “Allah” is derived from the Arabic root word “Ilah” (إله), which means “god” or “deity.” “Ilah” is a general term that refers to a god, divinity, or object of worship. However, “Allah” is a unique and specific term that denotes the one and only object of worship “God.”

ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡحَىُّ ٱلۡقَيُّومُ‌

“Allah! there is no God but Him  (none has the right to be worshipped but Him), the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal,”

Quran 2:255

The name “Allah” is used in the Qur’an throughout its verses, and it signifies not just a god but the only God who is the source of all creation. Allah is understood as being omnipotent, omniscient, merciful, just, and beyond human comprehension. The name “Allah” represents the totality of God’s essence and attributes, and it is used in various forms of worship and prayer in Islam, most notably in the Shahada (declaration of faith) and during the daily prayers.

Allah is beyond any form, shape, or concept that humans may imagine. In Islam, Allah is not confined to a particular time or space, nor is He comparable to any of His creations. The name “Allah” expresses His transcendence and immanence, meaning that He is both beyond human understanding and intimately close to all of creation.

Rference: MyIslam.Org

Allah سُبْحَٰنَهۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Al-Mujeeb/Al-Mujib (in Arabic: ٱلْمُجِيبُ) meaning He is the one very close to His believers and readily available to hear and answer the supplications of those who ask. He is the responder to all needs, invitations, and prayers. Whoever needs help in difficulties, they should call upon this name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ.

ِسْمِ اللهِ الرَحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْم

 وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمۡ صَـٰلِحً۬ا‌ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُ ۥ‌ۖ هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱسۡتَعۡمَرَكُمۡ فِيہَا فَٱسۡتَغۡفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى قَرِيبٌ۬ مُّجِيبٌ۬ 

“And to Thamud [We sent] their brother Salih. He said, “O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so ask forgiveness of Him and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive.” — (Qur’an 11:61

Reference: MyIslam.Org

Be mindful of GOD and He will protect you, be mindful of GOD and He will be on your side. If you ask, ask of GOD, and if you seek help, seek it from GOD. Know that if the Ummah gather their strength to bring you benefit, they will never bring you benefit, except that which GOD has decreed for you. Know that if they gather their strength to harm you, they will never harm you, except with that which GOD has decreed against you. The pens have been raised and the pages are dry. related by At-Tirmidhi

Declaring that GOD begets not, nor is He begotten is such an evident principle for the Uniqueness of Allah and its mentioning here refutes all creeds that attribute sons or daughters to GOD. It primarily and categorically refutes the pagans attribution to Him of the angels as daughters and the Christians’ seeing Him as the Father of Jesus عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ , or their saying that Jesus عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ is the son of GOD; as well as claims of some that GOD came in a person called Fard Mohammad. That is Shirk – a negation of true belief in Allah. Allah has no need of help in any way. He is The Creator and Sustainer of all that exists.