The original question: I am really puzzled about this 'Self'. How is it nothing? I know that we have a free will and have many privileges given to us by Allah. But are we really 'nothing'. I'm not speaking in comparison to God but generally.
When one speaks of the nafs, it is first a good idea to know what we are referring to, before we delve deeper.
Allah says in 4:1 of the Qur'an that He created us from a single soul (nafsin wahidatin).
At-Tabataba`i writes:
"The words, "Who created you from a single being and created its mate of the same (kind)": "an-Nafs
(????? = translated here as "being") according to the dictionary and
language denotes the thing itself. They say: "He came to me (nafsuhu) himself"; or "He came to me ('aynuhu) the self same"; although the basis for use of these two words "an-nafs" and "al-'ayn" in this meaning (self; same; quiddity of a thing) is etymologically different. an-Nafs
of a man is that because of which man is man; and it is the combination
of soul and body in this life and only the soul in the life of al-Barzakh..."
--From al-Mizan fi tafsir al-Qur'an by al-'Allamah Muhammad Husayn at-Tabataba`i
1.) How does my future goal affect the Ummah?
2.) Pick an influential person (limited to Imams, Sheikhs,
and Caliphs) and explain their influence on you. ( and we know they are
all influential)
3.) Pick an event in your life that has stood out and inspired you.
Guidelines for the First Muslim Writers Society Writing Contest
1.) This contest is limited to members of the MWS only. (At
this point in time anyone may join before the starting date)
http://writers.oneummah.net/
2.) No Moderators and Administrators are allowed to participate in the contest.
3.) No family members of Admin or Mods are allowed to participate.
4.) More than one person in the family can participate
5.) The writing must be original and not previously published or written.
6.) Writing should be no more than 600 words and no less than 600 words.
7.) Essays must be typed, double spaced, and size 12 Times New Roman font. Spelling and grammar will be checked
8.) After the ending date no essays will be accepted.
9.) Everyone who will participate must have already emailed
MWSadmin@gmail.com before the start of the contest, and should also be
notified when their request is accepted to participate.
10.) If there is more rules or adjustments to the topics, it will be made before the start of the contest.
11.) Have fun ...make du'aa and write!
Depending on how many people say they are interested the date of all
articles will be due on November 1st 2005. The winner will be announced
December 1st 2005.
Everyone who plans to participate must email MWSadmin@gmail.com by September 1st 2005 (the day it starts)
There is a lot of talk
lately about jihad juxtaposed with terrorism. It is unfortunate that
the topic has even emerged, but it is certainly a reasonable question
and deserves a just and honest response.
Jihad is an arabic word that comes from the root jahada
meaning "to struggle." It can refer to various types of struggle:
physical, psychological, spiritual, and even financial. In the case of
the Qur'an, it is used to mean all of these forms in various places.
For example:
The Holy Prophet (may Allah bless he
and his family and grant them peace) said: The angel Gabriel (Jibril)
came to me and said: "O Prophet of Allah, indeed, Allah has sent me
to you with a gift that no one before you has ever been given."
The Prophet asked: "What is it?"
