I was born in New Zealand and I am a European Muslim Man. Okay, you might want a comfy seat to rest in as this story is just on 13 pages long, I Pray that you will enjoy it (Insha Allah) as much as I did in creating it for our Brothers and Sisters in Islam to read. 9th September 2000.

Asalamu'alaikum Warahmatullah... Entering onto the "Straight Path" Here are some facts and information on Islam and being of this Faith. As written by: Br. Salim Muhammad Bilal With regards to taking in any form of intoxicates* and dancing, it is not aloud (period) in a Muslim to do such things. *Intoxicants meaning: Anything that would cause the users mind and body to be influenced and altered, thus making your judgment impaired and indecisive. (drunk, stoned, doped or incapacitated) I know this may seem hard to understand, but a person has to think about what happens to ones senses and mind when they have had some form of intoxicant, for example: Alcohol and/or Marijuana in their system.

I know what I was like before I accepted Islam, I was a mess, I had many bad and dirty thoughts of what sexual things I wanted from a woman, now I do not have such thoughts, I have only but utmost respects for woman, not only for their gender, but also for their personalities. Also with dancing, as much as I loved dancing in the past, this causes people to feel emotions of well, hormonal urges when dancing with someone close. (of the opposite gender) so in Islam it is not aloud, this also covers singing (out loud) by Muslim woman or men in this case. An example of which: Cat Stevens (now called Yusaf Islam) was a famous performer and singer, but as soon as he excepted Islam whole heartily he put a stop to his singing career, as it is not aloud in Islamic monotheism to sing, unless it is by the man only when calling Azaan.

With regards to the drinking and consuming of intoxicants of all kinds, this was stopped for Muslims some time ago as some Muslims used to be somewhat "under the weather being doped" and miss their daily five Prayers and/or they used to perform their Prayers under the influence of what intoxicant they were on at the time, thus taking their focus and love for Allah away somewhat. It is so important for us Muslim's to have clean and pure thoughts and feelings when it comes time to Pray to Allah. (Allah mean's "One God") We have to make sure that when doing Prayers (Speaking in Arabic) we make the Prayer as perfect as possible, as this shows your respect and love to Allah (SWT) that you want to please him in any way you can with your love for him.

We as Muslim's believe that there is only one God, this being Allah. (SWT) We believe that he is the sole creator of all the heavens and of the earth and all that exists, (Human and Jinn alike) we do not believe that he has any such associates of any kind or form. Allah (SWT) does not have a Mother and he does not he have a Father, He does not have any children let alone a son called Isa. (Arabic word for Jesus) Isa was/is a Prophet and also a son of Adam, he will be coming back to us again, just before the Day of Judgment.

We as Humans are not the sons and daughters of Allah (SWT) we are his Servants only and we are the sons and daughters of Adam.We (as Muslims and Non-Muslims alike) have been put upon this earth to give Prayer and ask for forgiveness for our sins, we are also to cultivate and look after this earth, (Allah's (SWT) creation) not destroy it with pollution and sin, like we have done and are still doing to this very day.We Pray daily to show our love and respects for Allah. (SWT) Allah (SWT) is Oft Forgiving and Most Merciful to us, just as long as if you have and are always remembering him with every hour and day that passes and you give Prayer from your heart to him and love him unconditionally for the "One above All" that he is.

Allah (SWT) has provided you with all that you could need and want, he gives you your health, your senses, your love for living, your friends, your family, your employment, thus the means for gaining money to achieve the goals that you so want and need. Allah (SWT) has made this life so perfectly indeed, so that with everything that you think and do, there will always be two decisions that could come from it. Everything is 50/50 on your decision upon it and so is your choice to do what you think is "right" from it. There are two paths that you can choose, usually Humans choose the easier path, which gives them something they desire and lust for at the end of it, this is in a majority of cases the best choice for most whom are grateful to Allah (SWT) but there are many out there who choose the easier path and obtain what they want and give no such thought of thanks to Allah. (SWT) Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) chose the easier path, (as it is encouraged in Islam) but in some cases the harder, more difficult and narrower path can be the better choice of path to take, as not everything in this world comes to you easily all the time without some form of sacrifice or so-called sacrifice. Allah (SWT) has left Shaitan (Arabic word for Satan) to live, (Allah can destroy Shaitan at any time he chooses) so that Humans will always have this choice, as Allah (SWT) will not seem to be one whom makes his Servants believe in him because they "have to" this would not be fair.

You can only love something if you want to and if Allah (SWT) chooses to open your heart to him in believing in Islam whole heartily, he will, but there are some out there who will never be able to grasp what truth there is in being a Muslim and a true believer in Allah. (SWT) Nothing in Islam is forced, if it is written that it is one of the requirements of Islamic Monotheism then if you are a true believer, you will except and practice what is only but asked of you to do and there are very good reasons for why things are in place too. For instance, Muslim woman who wear Hijab, (head vale) they are not made to wear them, they are only but asked to wear them. The beauty in a woman is in her hair, face, voice, bodily contour and gentleness.

 The reason for why Muslim women are asked to wear Hijab is to hide thoseattributes that men find so entrancing. I, even before I became a Muslim Believer, used (and still do) find such respect in looking and being around Muslim woman wearing Hijab* as all those humanly desires and wants, (sexually and emotionally) are removed automatically, thus leaving you talking and mixing with an individual person, not just a woman. *You may have seen on television Muslim women whom are treated so horribly by either their Husband or men around their community... i.e. not being aloud to come out on the open streets alone, wearing clothing that covers all their body, thus only exposing their eyes, being stoned to death, having acid thrown on them, being beaten being made to stand behind their Husband at a distance when going places and being forced to make love to their Husbands. Woman are to be respected, most importantly your Mother, she is the next most important figure under Allah (SWT) as she went through the tremendous pain of giving birth to you, she gave suck to you, she gave up part of her life for you and she brought you up, thus providing for you to give you Security and Love whilst you grew up and matured.

 One should never question their Parents, nor should you ever raise their voice or hand to them neither, regardless of whether you feel they are right or wrong, you should hold your feelings and anxieties to yourself and if you need to talk about it, talk to someone of your own age and wisdom. It is never good to back-bite your Parents, Family, Friends and Associates, even those whom are known enemies to you, as you never know whom Allah (SWT) will put you together with, they may end up being your friend or Lover/Wife of Husband.

 This is merely a personal conflict with the individual whom is causing this pain and suffering on these woman. Also in some cases, like when the woman is "made to" stay off the streets, wear full body Hijab and not associate with others, this is a Cultural concern/issue* which has nothing to do with what is asked of in the Muslim's "Five Pillars of Islam" *Realistically this issue would be a conflict between the Husband on the Wife, through maybe jealousy.

Well, the Muslim woman in Islam is recognized as being a very respected part of Islam for their role in it. A Muslim man is to always provide and take constant care of his Wife and Children, the Muslim Woman is to have the highest of respect given, as she is the one whom both males and females originate from, with Allah's guidance. Men and women have been created to complement each other, we cannot live without each other for long, we have to have each other to have that strength intact, we each hold strengths that the opposite sex needs for survival, plus we hold weaknesses that the other sex can help with. Muslims do not believe in having pre-marital relationships (boyfriend/girlfriend) as this only causes heartbreak and confusion within ones soul, nor do we believe in making love before marriage. Just look at how many woman and men are having children that they do not really want or can take care of, thus providing the child(ren) with the correct amount of Love and Security that one needs for a good life.You are having young girls having babies, this is not what is supposed to be happening here.

Also, you have men whom will only have sex, but not take responsibility for their actions, thus leaving the poor woman to make life changing decisions, decisions that are beyond a woman whom is too young to make any such decision at that tender age. Also, with men, they have a strong sexual drive at the teenage years of their life, so to be around woman in this sense is to surely cause intercourse, thus sexual exploitations to happen at an early age. It is somewhat lessened due to Allah creating each gender to have sexual peaks at different stages of our lives. When a young man is sexually frustrated and "so-called" needs to have such release from his body in the form of sexual intercourse, he will do almost anything he can do achieve this, I know, as I was in this state when I was young and a non-believer in Islamic Monotheism.

Men are like a kind of Predator to woman when they are young and sexually driven by their hormones. Also if one is rejected by someone of the opposite sex, it grows on them, some can handle such emotions, but most of us have it scar our lives permanently, thus conditioning our very being. Some men get frustrated and kind of angry at such rejection and become violent, this is where rape and murder are a permanent feature on our morning and evening papers. But it is Allah's Will (Insha Allah) whom he puts together as partners for life.

(Husband and Wife) We spend the first part of our lives trying to be accepted by someone other then our Parents, but in the same way as our Parents did/do, this being totally loved and accepted for who we are inside and out. This is why it has been asked upon for men and woman to wait and marry the one they are truly in love with before any such sexual activity should occur. When you are older you have more control on your body and emotions, so to wait till this part of your life is to only strengthen you now and your past, plus to create a positive future for you and your partner. As if you were to get all tangled up in the "spider web" of rejection, heartache and premature sexual activity that you at a young age still cannot control, then surely you will spend the rest of your life in isolation with unnecessary fears and phobias of times gone by and rejection felt. We as humans are learning sponges, what we look at, touch, listen to, experience, love, hate, speak, feel, we absorb, this is why we (Allah's Creations) are made to be the highest of the highest in respect to what we are capable of doing and creating for ourselves in order to grow. But also, then made to be the lowest of the lowest, as we have such instincts which other creations have not... Like choice, judgmental feelings, the will to live, the will to die, the will to hate and the will to kill for the sake of killing and the will of revenge. "Animals kill only to survive, Humans kill because they can" One aspect of Islam that I first fell in love with is that it is not a single Culture Religion, Islam is "neutral" when it comes to a Cultural aspect, but with this it is made up of almost every Culture and background Ethnic Cultural influences that I have ever seen in any other so-called Religions that I have studied in the past. I used to be very scared and fearful of approaching other Cultures before I became a Practicing Muslim, but I get rather excited now when I meet a person (whatever the gender is) from another Cultural background. Allah (SWT) has made us all different and encased us in different shades of skin for many important reasons. The main reason would have been to see if "Man" would embrace his fellow Brother and Sister, no matter what the color of their skin or what language they spoke. But here we are destroying what he has created, we as a nation and as a world are turning our backs on what could actually save us all, this being to accept, adapt, promote and grow.

We only work together through fear of extinction and loss of the ones we hold so close to our hearts. Humans have become a very selfish race with everyone out for themselves, as if it were a lolly scramble. If we are to be granted by Allah (SWT) to go to Paradise on the Day of Judgment, we have to work with each other, not against ourselves. Money now means Power in this day and age, this is now the main focus on a majority of Humans to achieve, as if you do not get enough of it, you will be tossed aside to let room for someone whom can gain all this so-called Power.

 It is because of this external insecurities of wealth and so-called freedom that we are forgetting about what created us and where we are heading, not only as a race, but as individuals as well. Allah (SWT) is all that we should be focusing on firstly, not ourselves, as only Allah (SWT) can grant us what else we need and it is granted to you in a due course of time. Look at the Word "Human" where did it come from, what does it mean, maybe we will never know, but if you look at the word in a different angle it could be seen as "Huhmain" maybe not the right spelling but it gets the point across. To be "Huhmain" is to be kind to others, so what is going wrong here then? We lost the "h" and the "i" that's what! and you know, if you join together the "h" and the "i" we would be saying "hi" which is a kind of warm greeting to one another correct? This word "hi" is not used as much as it should be these days, perhaps we should say it more to each other and to complete strangers, as you would most certainly have a nice feeling within you, just prior to saying it and isn't this what Allah (SWT) wants of us? To be in constant harmony with each other? Saying "hi" actually opens you up to feeling happier within yourself, I know that, as since I became a Practicing Muslim I have been saying "hi" to so many more people I did not know, as I did earlier, 95% more. And a majority of the time people will say "hi" back to you, if they don't do not get angry, just be happy that you have said it to them, (plus, it was from your heart) and that that person will be better off for having you "except" their presence and being. I was in Fiji close to two years ago and I learnt a very valuable lesson whilst being there. I had hopped onto a bus and it was full of Fijians, I was a little nervous at first, as I knew nothing of the Fijian Culture, I just smiled bravely and to my surprise, I received about 23 full faced smiles back.

A seat was happily cleared and offered to me too. I felt instantly warm inside and the feeling of acceptance was somewhat overwhelming, as here in New Zealand, if you were to smile in that situation, you would have been frowned upon as being weird and under the influence of alcohol/drugs or they would smile just because they felt they had to, not because they wanted to. What made my bus ride even more wonderful was the fact that everyone was laughing and talking so openly in the bus, even the driver, no one cared about what the other was thinking about them or what they were saying, to me this was perfect harmony within "Huhmain" society. Well when I got back to new Zealand and hopped on the bus and smiled (remembering my wonderful experience in Fiji) I decided to focus on just one person and that person looked at me and was a little unsure at first, but when he looked into my eyes and saw total honestly behind my intentions, he gave out the most beautiful ear to ear smile.

We ended up talking soon afterwards, Alhumdullilah. (All Praises go to Allah) Islam (which means peace in Arabic) was created by Allah (SWT) to give us all a sense of good will and knowledge that we all "can" live in harmony, just as long as we focus on the basis of what Islam covers in whole. To be a Practicing Muslim is not hard, as if you have totally embraced Islam, this would be classed as more of a life style improvement rather then an exercise or job to be done daily. You have to love Allah (SWT) but also fear him with all that you have been created to be, his Servant. "Always base your life around your Religion, not your Religion around your life" Here are some questions that were confronting me when I was younger and before I had any idea I was to be chosen to be a Practicing Muslim. (Alhumdullilah, all praises go to Allah (SWT) for granting me this chance to repent and show my honest love for him) Whilst growing up on Easter eggs and Christmas puddings, (usually drenched in cherry...this being the sponge pudding) I used to sit and wonder why we are always sitting there each year scoffing ours mouths until we can eat no more, in remembrance of what Isa (Jesus) did for us. Why should we be eating? Shouldn't we be fasting instead to show our compassion for this Holy man called Isa? (Jesus) Every year, I thought more and more about this and many more questions that were confronting me constantly came into my head, with the need for the answers.

Never did I ever truly believe that "God" had a son or anything connected to him, I never agreed with this term, why would God belittle himself be creating something the same as him in us? I always believed that we were the sons and daughters of Adam, but created by God. I used to never like seeing pictures of Jesus, as it is not good to emphasize what a person looks like on the message they bring, as they are messengers of God, not the message itself. The message is what's important here. Whenever I read from the Bible, it never explained the harsh realities of what your actions could do and/or what it will do for/against you on the "Day of Resurrection" Nor did it give you dates, names, sites, explanations for the scriptures written, it seemed to always miss quote itself be saying something in the next sentence or chapter, that wronged what it had just made right. As time went on and the years slowly went by, I experimented on different parts of Religion, I went to the Catholic Church, I did not like it and its so called beliefs at all. An example of this being... How can a fellow (equal) human be asking for forgiveness form another human being? Doesn't that destroy what power God has and doesn't that pull God down to our level of standards? God is our creator, he is not one of us. And how can the Church start changing the written rules to suit them? Like excepting Homosexuals as their Ministers, does not the Holy Book state that Homosexuality is forbidden? (well it is) Next was the Anglican Church...no! then the Baptist Church, well, this I stayed at for about close to a year and a half, I was also attending the Youth Group as well.

I was nineteen years old then. But from out of the blue, I started to feel rather "sick" inside when ever I would attend Sunday mass, I started to miss Church gatherings, then I stopped all together. Then I got into the "rebelling" Phase. I started to drink alcohol, (I became a Bar Tender) I smoked marijuana, I took LSD (Acid Trips) and I went on the most wildest magical trips on mushrooms. This went on every day for about three years, until one day...I just stopped. About a year later I went into some "New Age" and "Spiritual" courses, I also attended a "Channeling" seminar. This was rather scary to watch, as when one of the people who were taking the course said "he'll be out soon" To us, I thought, oh? Obviously the main speech person will be coming out to talk with us soon, but I was somewhat wrong to assume that.

As soon as I could, someone to the right of my vision started to shake and quiver in her seat. I thought straight away that this person was having some sort an attack and I went to get up, but I was then asked to find my seat again. This was rather odd to me, but I did sit down, then this woman stopped shaking, her head hanging into her chest, started to make some weird noises, then she raised her head...ahhhhh. To this day, I will never forget the image I saw.

She looked "possessed" like Shaitan had entered her. Then she, well, he, umm, it spoke....it was hideous, the whole room felt so "evil" I got up and left straight away. It was now late July 1998 and I went to my good friends home. I have known Mohammed Yusaf Sahim (Shane Hopkins) for close to eight years at this stage. He is also a New Zealand born Brother. Alhumdullilah. Well, we were sitting there talking when all of a sudden he said, I have to go and do my Prayers. I looked at him and said Prayers? I started to laugh a little, as last time I had seen Shane, he had thrown a dozen beers at my feet and said "Thirsty" I asked him what had happened? He smiled and said that he had a change in Faith and that he had excepted Islam and he is now a practicing Muslim. I just couldn't grasp it, but I politely smiled back at him.

The next time I came around and he went to do Prayers, I asked him if I could come up and watch, plus listen in, he smiled and told me to lead the way. Shane and I have been friends for so long, so I think this is why he felt safe in him showing me the ways of Islam & Prayer. As I waited for Shane to finish doing Waduu, I looked around his room, there were all these posters with Arabic writings on them. I could not believe that he had changed so dramatically in such a short time. Well, he was soon doing Prayers, I remember it being Al-Salat Maghrib. As he started to do the Farz, I said wow! As to hear Arabic being spoken from a friend you used to "Party Hard" with, kind of shocked me somewhat. Once he had finished doing his Prayers, I had a thousand questions lined up for him. But he said I will answer what I can soon, now I will read from the Holy Qur'an. So I laid there on the bed, whilst Shane sat knelling on his mat.

One of the Sura's Shane read was "Ya-Sin" this Sura answered almost all my questions, in one short chapter. We both sat and talked for what must have been about three hours, in between which Shane did Al-Salat Isha. That night I could not sleep one bit, more and more questions arose and I just had to find the answers. It was then I started to realize that I was going into some form of cross roads in my life, I started to have wild flashbacks come flying into my face, it was kind of scary, but as they came at me, they faded, then disappeared. About three weeks later, I quit my Bar Tending job and got employment with Group 4 Security, being stationed Full time at Wellington City Council. (To this day, I am still working here as an Operations Controller) The next time I visited Shane, I asked him what I needed to do to become a true believer in Islamic monotheism.

He just smiled and said "Alhumdullilah" I put forward all the questions I had written down earlier. With all the questions and all the research I did, not once did I have any "ill-feeling" in the response and the answers/explanations given back to me. It was on the 30th of August 1998 I excepted Islam whole heartily. It was on the 11th December 1998 that I had learnt Al-Fatiha from heart. To this day I only know four Sura's, almost five, as spoken in Arabic that is, but I am still learning and I love this Religion of Islam. Alhumdullilah to Allah (SWT) for his guidance and patience with me, for he knows all and he knew where I was heading to and where I had come from. All Praises go to Allah. (SWT) "Allah hu Akbar" (Arabic word for Allah is Great) Before becoming a believer in the Oneness of Allah (SWT) I had so many unresolved issues in my life, I was addicted to playing the Poker Machines, I drank, I smoked, I used to swear, I never spoke to my Mother and I thought of myself as a failure.

On a couple of earlier occasions I had tried to commit suicide. Within three days of being a practicing Muslim...all those failed feelings decreased and died. I no longer practice any of the above "Bad Habits" And my Iman started to build in a rather fast rate of knots. About a year and a bit before I was introduced to Islam and I excepted it whole heartily, without any questions whatsoever from within my heart. I tried committing suicide, (A couple of times, by slicing open my wrists) to this day, I still hold the scares of my earlier insecurities.

Every day I look at those scares and remember just what I was like then, to what I have become now, through the support and unconditional love and guidance from Allah. (SWT) All praises go to the one and only GOD, this being Allah. (SWT) Allah Hu Akbar. My Mother is a strong believer in Christian ways, my Father is of the Catholic belief, the rest of my family is of either a spiritual belief or of no belief at all. For me to tell my Father that I had excepted the ways of Islam was to be the hardest thing I have ever had to go through. I actually made myself tell him in a crowded shopping mall for fear of him getting mad at me or even worse, hitting me.

When I told my father what I had done and how my beliefs had changed for the best, my eyes were filled with tears, it was so hard to do. But my father just looked at me, after hearing what I had to say and he laughed, I was quite upset to see him laugh. He apologized to me, with only to say how incredibly proud of me he was and that he was shocked to see that I still believed in "GOD" He was also so proud of the fact that I was changing my entire life around my Religion, where in the past I would not have cared one bit. My Father has always prided himself in the Catholic way, I can remember him and my Mother arguing so much about what way us children would be brought up as. (Which belief that is) Well, both my Parents were so incredibly upset and hurt with each other that they didn't really talk to one another for long periods of time.

It kind of makes me laugh a bit now, as it all means nothing to me now, as I am now a very proud Muslim Brother. I am not saying that I am some "Perfect Practicing Muslim" Not at all, as with the hours of my employment, I start at 11:00am right through to 11:00pm (12 hours per day) it is 12:00am by the time I get home. My hours of work are on a four days on four days of routine, I do 48 hours a week in work. I work at the Wellington City Council in the Protective Services Division. (Security) So with all these hours of work, it is so hard to do all 5 prayers each day...my intention is to do them, but when I am on my days at work, I only get to do Prayer Al-Salat Fajr, that is all. As at work, they do not allow me to stop to do Prayers.

But on my days off, I do all five Prayers...Fajr, Zohr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha. Alhumdullilah. It is very hard indeed to practice Islam in New Zealand as it is not recognized as being the countries base Religion. Christianity is the biggest so-called excepted Religion in New Zealand, as I am still unsure as to how many Christians actually practice their Religion every day? I am not putting Christianity down, I am only questioning it, as I used to be a Christian. Since I have become a true believer in the one and only Religion, this being Islam and total belief in Allah (SWT) alone, my entire life has turned around. I used to never talk to/with my Mother.

You know the consequences of this if you never make the effort from your heart to make peace, love and a bond with your Mother whilst both of you are still alive? Your chances of being granted paradise are greatly lessened, Insha Allah. (If God Wills) Everyone who is born unto this world are meant to be, this is the "Will of Allah" (SWT) Never let your Parents and/or Family say that you were an accident or not planned. Allah (SWT) has got a really big plan for you, with a wonderful gift at the end of it, (Paradise) if you are good towards him and do justly things towards others from your heart, Insha Allah (If God Wills) Ameen. My Mother and I used to never see eye to eye, it was silly when I look back now, as nothing in this world is really ever that bad that you have to hold hatred towards an individual. Unless it is Rape or Murder, but even then, you should only but have pity on that person who committed the crime, as Allah (SWT) watches over everything and it is recorded on a clear book, which on the day of resurrection will be handed to either your right hand or your left and you will have to be answerable to all you used to do.

My Mother and I love each other to pieces now, we get on so well, and we are now trying to make up for lost time where we were both so selfish and foolish. To be honest with you, Only Allah (SWT) knows whether you will be a believer or not, whether you are born a Muslim or if you choose to change to Islam and practice being a Muslim. Everyone is born a Muslim, it is their choice from there as to where they go from there.

Allah (SWT) is so good to you in so many ways, he will always provide you with clean air, water, food, your sanity, your eye sight, your limbs working properly. (unless he has other plans for you in this life, everyone has a different lesson to learn) He will also give you the gift of speech, the thoughts within your mind, he will grant you abundance and he will most always give you a second chance at everything, Insha Allah. You know that quick thought you have in your mind, just before you do something you should not...think about it.

You know the burning feeling you have in your heart when you have done something very bad? Again...think about it if you would. You know that shivering feeling you have, like something is shaking you? Do you feel a presence? Even when you feel this surge of happiness rush throughout your entire body...Think of Allah, (SWT) for he gave you this wonderful sensation. Love comes directly from Allah. (SWT) Hurt and pain comes from Humans through Shaitan. (Satan) All my friends who I used to drink and smoke with all know that I have turned to Islam. Some of them ask me when I will stop this "Phase in my life" and get back into being the "James" that they all know and love, I just smile and say..."You to yours and me to mine" I still am "James" but I now believe in Allah. (SWT) They all respect this and in a way, they are all very proud of me, but to be frank with you, the only one that I want to be happy and proud of me....is Allah. (SWT) This world's only a place of preparation for the next. Some non believers would look at this world as being a "Paradise" as everything is here to "Lap it Up" and "Party Hard" and take everything from others. But we as Muslims look at this world as solely a place to worship, plus asking for guidance, mercy and forgiveness to Allah (SWT) alone for our sin's and any wrongdoings that may come of us. (as individuals and as a family unit as well) Not a lot of Humans seem to think about what will become of them do they?? But that Day of reckoning will come alright... This being when the trumpet is blown and the sky opens up and the living unbelievers scatter to find refuge, the Muslim believers all fall down when the gentle winds from Allah (SWT) blow throughout the lands, laying "all" Muslims to "rest" thus leaving the "unbelievers" to go through a painful torment, everything and everyone will see death at this time.

The First to be judged will be the Jews, then the Christians and finally us the Muslim believers. It will be that day that the Believers and the unbelievers will be split apart from each other. It will also be of that day that your worst fear of Allah (SWT) will come out. And it will be then that you get to see what Allah (SWT) is truly capable of doing, Whether it be good or bad, but it will always be on reflect to what you used to do. Allah (SWT) will always provide for everyone on this earth if he so wishes, but this world is only of a short time...Paradise is forever.

It is for us Humans to show compassion for one another, to give Zakat (Arabic word for giving money to the poor) if you are financially able. We "Mortal Humans" look at life as such a long drawn out process of finding relief at any corner we can and we will always try to "cut" corners if we are able. But always remember who is watching you and who also knows your most deepest intentions. It is written in the Hadeeth that there will be an evil force that will become rampant throughout the world that will have only "one eye" facing at you, it will be in abundance and it will be available almost anywhere you go.

It will ultimately be used as the tool for war, crime and violence. To me this looks and sounds very much like Computers, don't you think? Our real focus on this Earth is to give praises to the Almighty, all Merciful Allah. (SWT) It is only the gifts that Allah (SWT) has bestowed to us that has drawn some away from the truth. Tell me, have you ever had a loved one, whether it be Family or a Friend die suddenly? Through an accident or ill-health right out of the blue? I have and so have millions of others out there.

Doesn't this make you sit and think about the true power Allah (SWT) has over us? Some times he will just wipe someone off this earth who is dear to all our hearts, we all ask why? Why to this person? They were so good! But Allah (SWT) has a plan, a plan for everything and everyone. Since becoming a Muslim, I have got to meet some very wealthy fellow practicing Muslims, but I must say this about them, they are not all "toffee nosed" or ignorant towards those of us whom are not in there financial level of achievement, to be honest, they are such giving and warm people indeed, Alhumdullilah.

You see with Islam, it is okay to be "well off" but it is not good to be selfish towards those whom are hungry or are in need of financial help, this is where Zakat comes in to focus, to give (from your heart) to the poor is one of the five pillars of Islam. If everyone in this world gave Zakat (whether it be once a year or throughout the year, each year) the world would not be in such "term oil" as it is now, there is more then enough money for "all" Humans to be both well off and/or comfortably off, thus being able to provide for their families and friends. I have not yet met a selfish Muslim, where with lots of non-believers in Islam, well, just look around at the world will you... Okay, you do have those Muslim brothers and Sisters from Saudi Arabia whom own Oil. But it is Allah's (SWT) choice to allow them this, as they will not be greedy with it, that is if the individuals truly believe in the oneness of Allah. (SWT) But on the other hand, Look at the fact the in Texas, America, they also have Oil, and they are very greedy with it and they all show off all their money, this being the fact that this is a Non-Muslim State and somewhat a Raciest State as well.

Yes it is okay to enjoy this world that Allah (SWT) has provided for us, but there is a fine line drawn between enjoying it's pleasures and taking advantage of the pleasures provided. Allah (SWT) has designed it this way for a lot of major reason's, one big reason is to siphon out the good from the bad, to also give those people out there a "choice" and all things in this world are split into a two choice margin It is very easy to see good from bad, just stand back and watch... Please remember...Fear Allah (SWT) and all the power he has and what he is capable of doing with it, for he knows all that you reveal and all that you conceal within your heart and mind. But also love Allah, (SWT) as he is most willing to show his mercy and give blessings and abundance before he would ever want to show is anger.

So show your love and pay your respects to him every day, for it is him who raises you out of your bed every morning, it is he who puts the air into your lungs, it is he who causes the clean blood to rush forth around your body. Please, never let pity and ignorance of others stop you from practicing what you so believe and love...be proud and stand up for what you believe, this being the one and only Allah. (SWT) He has power over all his creations and in one day, it will all be brought back to him. Be unto thee thy Servant of Allah, (SWT) be gentle, be kind, be the giving soul that Allah (SWT) created and intended you to be, do not be influenced by other equals of this earth, their day will come and it will be Allah (SWT) that they will be accountable to for all that they used to do. "The Paradox Of Our Age" We have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways but narrower view points; we spend more, but have less; we buy more but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much; spend too recklessly, laugh too little; drive too fast, get too angry too quickly; stay up late, get up too tired; read too seldom, watch TV too much and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom and lie too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've done larger things, but not better things; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice; we write more, but learn less; plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait; we've higher incomes, but lower morals; more food but less appeasement; more acquaintances, but fewer friends; more effort, but less success.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication; we've become long on quantity, but short on quality. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men and short character; steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace but domestic warfare; more leisure and less fun; more kind of food, but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet to kill. It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom.

He Who created death and life, that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving. (67: 2) Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: So We gave him (the gifts) of hearing and sight. (76: 2) Not for (idle) sport did We create the heavens and the earth and all that is between them! If it had been Our wish to take (just) a pastime, We could have found it in Our presence, if We would do (such a thing)! (21: 16-17) He will say: "What number of years did you stay on earth?" They will say: "We stayed a day or part of a day: but ask those who keep account." He will say: "You stayed not but a little, if you had only known!" (23: 112-114) What is the life of this world but play and amusement? But best is the home in the hereafter, for those who are righteous. Will you not then understand? (6: 32) Please note: If any of you have any Islamic photographs of any kind please could you send them through to me, it would be very much appreciated.

Please feel free to contact me by writing your comments and any other information that you may think I would need to know by e-mailing: Br. Salim Muhammad Bilal Email to: amuslim@ihug.co.nz