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Thursday, July 29, 2010

The Worst Idea Ever–Indian Troops In Afghanistan

Indian boots in Afghanistan?

Bidanda Chengappa

US Special Representative for AfPak Richard Holbrooke's recent statement that Pakistan is critical to stabilise Afghanistan has serious implications for Indian security interests. Considering he was also dismissive of New Delhi's concerns over reconciliation with the Taliban, calls for a radical review of India's Afghanistan policy.

New Delhi can no longer afford to kowtow to US policy interests, given Pakistan's insecurity vis a vis India. With the ground being laid for the creeping return of the Taliban to Kabul, India faces a far greater threat to its national security interests from Afghanistan than the US. New Delhi therefore seriously needs to consider the possibility of military deployment in Afghanistan to support and strengthen the US led coalition military efforts against the Taliban terrorists.

India has never flexed its military muscles against Pakistani-sponsored cross border jehadi terrorism —except occasionally for some shallow penetration trans-border commando raids — besides the December 2002 coercive diplomacy through military mobilisation. A sizeable and powerful Indian military presence in Afghanistan could however rattle Pakistan, support /strengthen US /ISAF force levels and help to hit the Taliban harder.

Today President Hamid Karzai is being coerced by Islamabad and Washington to talk to the Taliban, mainly because Washington is dependent on Islamabad for support in logistics, intelligence and operations. Evidently Islamabad's rationale in pursuing such a policy is to ensure that Afghanistan continues to remain under its sphere of influence and a sanctuary for cross border terrorism against India.

For India therefore to curtail Pakistan's capability to foster cross border terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir, the first step would logically be to fight the Taliban in Afghanistan. With the US led NATO/ISAF forces making little headway against the Taliban, Indian military participation would certainly contribute to the counter-insurgency effort underway.

It can be argued that Indian involvement should be avoided because the Taliban would massacre our troops deployed there. The Indian experience in Sri Lanka notwithstanding, the Indian Army is not a para-military force that the Taliban can easily slaughter. It did succeed in Somalia where even the US Army Rangers failed to deliver in 1992.

The case for military intervention can be buttressed with the argument that while Western forces have an option to exit Afghanistan, considering their countries are not vulnerable directly to cross border terrorism, India has no such luxury.

It goes without saying that only strict rules of engagement for Indian troops would prevent indirect or direct clashes with Pakistan soldiers to avoid a shooting match between them.

Objections about a shortage of military manpower to secure our territorial interests are equally invalid. India has massive para-military forces trained for precisely these tasks unlike the army which fights wars. The almost 9000 Indian troops deployed on UN peace keeping missions could easily be re-deployed in Afghanistan.

The US picked Pakistan as its primary entry point into landlocked Afghanistan. However after the US-led global war on terror gained momentum in 2001, India's attempt to dilute Pakistan's monopoly as a gateway into Afghanistan began by building a strategic corridor that connects the hinterland of Afghanistan with the Iranian port city of Chahbahar. The 280-km road from Delaram on the Kandahar-Herat highway to Zaranj on the Afghanistan-Iran border brings the landlocked country 1,000 km closer to the sea. From an Indian security perspective this strategic road implies that New Delhi, with the concurrence of Iran, can transport military logistics overland to support a war fighting role in Afghanistan after reaching it to Chahbahar by sea. That Iran too wants the Americans out of Afghanistan but not at the cost of seeing the Pakistan backed Taliban re-entry is another factor.

Clearly, Afghanistan forms part of India's neighbourhood and New Delhi needs to work against the US and Pakistan's Taliban-centric policy by involving other neighbours like Iran and the Central Asian states to counter Pakistan's strategy in Afghanistan to keep India out as far as possible. Its time India asserted itself as the regional power that it is.

(The writer is a Visiting Fellow with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, New Delhi)

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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Leaks Destroy The American Case Against ISI

Ø US tries to hide American war crimes & shift focus to Pakistan

Ø 90,000 documents on US military & CIA failures, only 180 on ISI

Ø How safe are US nuclear, chemical and biological secrets

Ø Most of the American propaganda on Pakistan is "Rumors, bullshit and second-hand information"

By AHMED QURAISHI

Wednesday, 28 July 2010.


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—Since late 2006, United States government, military, intelligence and media have been orchestrating regular attacks against Pakistan, creating a false alarm about its nuclear capability and portraying its premier spy agency, the ISI, as a threat to world peace.

The weak and apologetic reactions by Pakistan's political and military officials encouraged this American double game.

But here comes the smoking gun, more than 90,000 leaked US intelligence documents, which prove how the Washington establishment has been running a vilification campaign against Pakistan both under Bush and Obama administrations, without any evidence except malicious intent.

Here is a chance for Pakistan to use these documents to argue its own case more confidently.

As soon as the classified documents were leaked over the weekend, US government sprung into action to minimize damage by shifting the focus toward Pakistan.

US government and military officials succeeded in making Pakistan and ISI the main story and hide the massive and spectacular US failures in Afghanistan, including evidence on war crimes and civilian carnage. It's an exercise that bears the hallmarks of a CIA-style public diplomacy [a la Iraq invasion].

Instead of brooding over the American failures and war crimes that have been neatly hidden from the world for eight years, the mainstream US media chose once again to indulge in anti-Pakistanism which is rampant and endemic within the US media and among think-tank types. A British journalist, Declan Walsh, couldn't help but notice this anti-Pakistan streak in how the Obama administration handled the leaks.

"In issuing such a strongly worded statement with implicit criticism of the ISI," Mr. Walsh wrote in The Guardian, "the White House may be trying to keep ahead of a tide of US opinion that is hostile towards Pakistan."


A TASTE OF AMERICAN DECEIT

Here's a quick look at how ISI and Pakistan are a small part of the story blown out of proportion:


- Out of more than 90,000 classified US documents, only about 180 mention ISI, and only about 30 or so charge the legendary Pakistani spy service of wrongdoing in Afghanistan

- The whole case built by US against Pakistan and ISI is based not on evidence but on information sourced to 'informants', 'sources', initials [like A.E.], and sources linked to either the new US-created Afghan intelligence or the Indians. Both Karzai's spies and the Indians have been telling anyone who'd listen that they are the preeminent source for any credible information on Pakistan

- Many of these classified US documents carry a disclaimer added by the authors or their handlers in the US military and intelligence. The disclaimer emphasizes that information in these reports can't be trusted, is unverified, is sourced to people working for monetary gain or are linked to biased parties such as the Indians and Karzai's intelligence

- Most importantly, many of these documents carry a warning that US policymakers should not rely on information in the reports to formulate policy

- According to the Guardian, most of the American propaganda on Pakistan is "Rumours, bullshit and second-hand information"


THE REAL STORY

The real story, the one hidden in the bulk of the 90,000 leaked documents, is this:

- How the US government, military and CIA have hidden a US military disaster in Afghanistan from the American public and the world

- How the mainstream US media is complicit in misleading the American public and the world

- How the United States is involved in war crimes in Afghanistan, especially in mass murder of innocent Afghan civilians

- How the US and its allies within the Pakistani government and military are most probably hiding similar tales of mass murder of Pakistani citizens in Pakistan's tribal belt who fell victim to CIA-run drones

PAKISTANI OFFICIAL COMPLICITY


An important question that arises out of these documents is this:

1. If this is the level of US propaganda against Pakistan over the past five years, why have Pakistan's political and military leaders acquiesced in US's anti-Pakistan pressure tactics and failed to appropriately respond to American disinformation?

2. If this is the quality of US intelligence in Afghanistan, why has Pakistan's government and military accept faulty US intelligence to allow US covert military operations inside Pakistan that have almost pushed the nation to civil war?



Pakistan's leaders have almost wasted one opportunity – the Pakistan-US strategic dialogue in March 2010 – to redefine the terms of cooperation between Islamabad andWashington in Afghanistan. The storm over the leaked secrets provides a second opportunity to Pakistani officials to review their generally weak and apologetic policy that has messed up Pakistan in little less than eight years.

© 2007-2010. All rights reserved.

Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium

without royalty provided this notice is preserved.


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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

15 th of Sha’ban – Sheikhul Hadith Fazlur Rahman Aazmi

All Praise be to Allaah Ta'aala who has blessed us with a Deen wherein small actions reap tremendous rewards as expounded by His Beloved Rasul, Hadhrat Muhammad (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam), and by the blessed Sahaabah (RadhiAllaahu-anhu) who spent everything for the upliftment of the Deen.

This leaflet is a summary of the booklet by Sheikhul Hadith Hadhrat Moulana Fazlur Rahman Aazmi of Darul Uloom, Islamia, Azaadville. May Allaah grant him a long healthy life.

Allaah Ta'aala has presented His bondsmen with some special occasions with the golden opportunity of earning the mercy and forgiveness of Allaah Ta'aala. Explicit examples of these occasions are the month of Ramadaan and Laylatul Qadr. So is the fifteenth of Shabaan. Several Ahaadith extol the tremendous merits of this occasion. Amongst them is the fact that countless people are forgiven by Allaah Ta'aala during this blessed night. It is due to this reason that it is called "The Night of Baraat" (i.e. the night wherein judgement of saviour from Jahannam and punishment is passed).

However, it should be borne in mind that a vast majority of narrations describing the benefits and virtues of this night are in fact quite weak.

The foundations of the Shari'ah are the Qur'aan, the Sunnat and the lives of the Sahaabah (RadhiAllaahu-anhu).

Non of the narrations regarding the excellences of this night of Baraat are free from criticism and comment by the scholars of Hadith. Moulana Yusuf Binouri (RadhiAllaahu-anhu) says, "I have not come across any Sahih, Marfoo or Musnad Hadith regarding the excellence of the night". [Ma'aarifus Sunnan, vol 5, pg 419].

The Muhaddith, Ibnu-Dihya, has also agreed that neither has anything authentic been narrated regarding the fifteenth night of Shabaan nor has any specific Salaat been narrated for this night via reliable narrators. [Faydhul-Qadeer - Sharhul Jaamis-Sagheer. vol 2., pg 317].

Whilst even Allama Ibnu-Taymiyyah, a scholar notorious for refuting such things, also accepts the virtue of the night of Baraat, he says,

"So many Ahaadith and reports exist regarding the excellence of the fifteenth night of Shabaan that one is compelled to accept that this night possesses some virtue".

Some of the pious predecessors used to specially devote this night for Salaat. [Faydhul-Qadeer. vol 2., pg 317].

Moulana Abdur Rahman Mubarakpuri writes in the commentary of Tirmidhi, "The sheer number of Ahaadith regarding this night serve as proof against those people who refute the excellence of this night". [Tuhfatul-Ahwazi. vol 2. pg 53].

The virtue of this night as established from these Ahaadith is that from the very beginning of the night Allaah Ta'aala turns with special mercy and attention towards the creation and forgives those who repent and seeks forgiveness. Every Muslim should therefore value this night. Turn towards Allaah Ta'aala with sincere regret and shame over sins committed and make a promise never to return to sin and seek forgiveness from Allaah Ta'aala. Seek forgiveness for oneself and the rest of the Muslims, living and deceased. Have firm hope and resolution in the heart that Allaah Ta'aala will surely show mercy and forgiveness.

UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE

It is understood from Ahaadith that even on this night, some are deprived of Allaah's forgiveness.They are,

1. Idolaters

2. Those who harbour enmity against others

3. Those who consume alcohol

4. Those who disobey their parents

5. Those who wear their trousers, kurtas, lungis etc, below their ankles

6. Those who commit adultery and murders

7. Those who sever family ties.

From the above, we can gauge the severity of these sins and need to perpetually abstain from them as they are so grave that even when Allaah Ta'aala's mercy comes to the fore, they still pose an obstacle to forgiveness.

SPECIAL VIRTUES OF THE NIGHT OF BARAAT

The special virtues of the night of Baraat are,

1. Contrary to other nights wherein Allaah descends to the lowest Heaven to bestow His special blessings during the last third of the night, on the night of Baraat the special rain of mercy and forgiveness from Allaah Ta'aala begins to shower down right from the beginning of the night and continues up till dawn.

2. The Sins of countless people are pardoned. Furthermore, the number of pronouncements seeking out those who want forgiveness supersede those which occur on other nights. [Hafiz Zayud-deen Iraqi, Faydhul Qadeer, vol 2, pg 317].

It should be remembered that while the narrations regarding the night of Baraat are weak, the narrations regarding Allaah Ta'aala's descending to the nearest Heaven during the last third of every night are totally correct.

VISITING THE GRAVESIDE ON THE NIGHT OF BARAAT

Rasulullaah's (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam) awakening during any night and visiting the graveyards is recorded in some previously mentioned Ahaadith. However, visiting of the graveyard is not a special characteristic of this night in particular.It is proven from another authentic narration that Rasulullaah (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam)used to visit the graveyard during the last portion of every night.

There is no specific reference in the Ahaadith to the night of Baraat or any other night. Furthermore, it is understood from the Ahaadith that whenever it was the turn for Rasulullaah (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam) to spend the night with Hadhrat Aisha (RadhiAllaahu-anha), he would visit the graveyard. [Muslim Shareef, vol 1, pg 313]. Thus a wide and general application of this practice is understood. About visiting the graveyard on the night of Baraat, we should ponder how much this practice conforms to the authentic Ahaadith of Nabi (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam). Are we following the norm, or are our actions truly spurred by an intention to follow the Sunnah? The turn of Hadhrat Aisha (RadhiAllaahu-anha) occurred once every week. It can thus be concluded from the above riwaayat that Nabi (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam) would visit the graveyard for a minimum of once a week.

NO SPECIFIC PRESCRIBED SALAAT RESERVED FOR THE NIGHT OF BARAAT.

Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri (R.A.) has written regarding the matter that the significance of the night of Baraat is proven. There is however, no proof for those weak and unacceptable narrations mentioned in certain books. [Alarfus-Shazi, pg 156].

Allama Yusuf Binouri (R.A.) writes in Ma'arifus-Sunan that Abu Talib Makki recorded these narrations in his book Qutul-Quloob. Imaam Ghazali, following Abu Talib Makki, did the same and Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani has followed them in his book Ghunyat-ut-Talibeen (See N.B. below). They mention a narration of Hadhrat Ali (RadhiAllaahu-anhu) that discusses a Salaat of a hundred rakaats. However, Ibnu-Jawzi (R.A.) and others declared this narration to be a fabrication (Mowdhu'). [Maarifus Sunan, vol 5, pg 419].

Allama Dhahabi, Ibnu-Arraq, Suyuti, Mullla Ali Qari and other scholars of Hadith have vehemently refuted such Namaazes. [Those who desire further reference should consult the books of Mowdhu'aat - Fabrications].

N.B. Imam Dhahabi says regarding the book Ghunya-tut-Talibeen that although it is the work of Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, many additions were made to this book after his death. [Taqreer Moulana Shabeer Ahmed Uthmani, published by Jamea Islameah Dabhel, pg 227 - This book cannot be relied upon. As far as Ahaadith is concerned, the opinion of the scholars of Ahaadith (Muhadditheen) is always considered and not that of Waa'izeen and Sufis].

Mulla Ali Qadri has discussed this matter under a special chapter regarding the prescribed Namaazes of the night of Baraat. After mentioning these Namaazes, he declares them to be unfounded and therefore in the fourth century in Baitul-Muqaddas and thereafter Ahaadith were fabricated in order to support these baseless formulae. [Mowdhu'aatte-Kabeer, pg 330, Beirut edition, also Tadhkiratul-Mowdhu'aat of Farrbi, pg 45].

FASTING ON THE FIFTEENTH OF SHABAAN IS NOT ESTABLISHED FROM HADITH

Some people believe the misconception that fasting on the fifteenth of Shabaan is Sunnat. They have been deceived by the Hadith of Hadhrat Ali (RadhiAllaahu-anhu) that appears in Ibne-Maja which has been fabricated. The Hadith states that Rasulullaah (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam) said: "When the 15th night of Shabaan comes, then spend this night in Qiyaam (Salaah) and the day in fasting. For verily, Allaah descends during this night to the nearest Heavens". [Ibnu-Maja, pg 99]. This Hadith is however very weak. Some scholars have declared it as Mowdhu (fabricated). One of the narrators of this Hadith is Abnu-Abi-Jabrah, who has been accused of fabricating Ahaadith. [Taqrib of Ibnu-Hajar, pg 396]. Imaam Bukhari and others have also proved him to be weak. [Mizanul I'tidal, vol 5, pg 503]. Thus this Hadith cannot be relied upon. Hence the fasting of this day should not be regarded as Sunnat , since a weak narration is not sufficient to prove this fast as been Sunnat.

Another interesting fact is that fasting on this day is only discussed in this weak Hadith. If it were a Sunnat act, a stronger hadith would have been available to prove it.

FASTING DURING THE MONTH OF SHABAAN IS SUNNAT AND A CLEARLY ESTABLISHED PRACTICE OF THE SHARI'AH

Fasting in the month of Shabaan, without the stipulation of any day, is proven from Rasulullaah (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam). In fact, he used to fast excessively during this month. This is substantiated by a Hadith of Hadhrat Aisha (RadhiAllaahu-anha) wherein she describes the fast of Nabi (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam). She says that aside from the month of Ramadaan, he never used to fast for an entire month. However, of the remaining months, he would fast the most in Shabaan. [Bukhari, vol 1, pg 264].

THE NIGHT OF BARAAT AND QUR'AAN

Has the night of BARAAT been mentioned in the Qur'aan? The most correct opinion is that the night of Baraat has not been mentioned in the Qur'aan. Hafiz Ibnu-Katheer writes that those like Ikramah who have explained the "blessed night' in the Qur'aan as the night of Baraat are very distant from the correct interpretation. [Ma'arisfus-Sunan, vol 5, pg 420].

IS SUSTENANCE, LIFE AND DEATH DECIDED ON THIS NIGHT?

Qazi Abubakr bin Arabi writes that there is no reliable Hadith regarding the fifteenth of Shabaan from which it may be understood that sustenance, life and death are decided on that night. He has even gone so far as to say that there is no reliable narration concerning this night being the blessed one. [Ma'ariful Qur'aan, vol 7, pg 757]. Since the significance of the night of Baraat has been mentioned in a number of narrations, and the narrations are not in conflict with any verse in the Qur'aan or any authentic narration, we do accept its significance. However, the opinion that sustenance, death, etc. are determined on this night is in conflict with the Qur'aan and is therefore unacceptable. It has been established from the Qur'aan that these decisions are passed to the Angels on Laylatul Qadr and not on the night of Baraat. It is on this account that the scholars of research have always rejected this opinion.

The opinion of the lecturers would not be considered in this discussion, instead the opinion of the scholars of Tafseer and Hadith will be relied upon.

There is a Hadith of Hadhrat Aisha (RadhiAllaahu-anha) mentioned in Mishkaat [pg 115] on the authority of Baihaqi's Da'waatul-Kabeer. This Hadith discusses that the decisions are passed on this night regarding those who will be born ; those who will die ; the actions of men are placed in front of Allaah and sustenance is revealed. The Condition of this Hadith is unknown and the scholars of Tafseer and Hadith do not consider it reliable.

SOME STRANGE AND INNOVATIVE PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH SHABE-BARAAT

The occasion of Shabe-Baraat has become synonymous with some baseless beliefs and practices.

1. Burning lights and candles. :Nothing has or can be found in any Hadith, whether strong or fabricated, nor in any Islaamic books. The Muslims of India,being in close contact with the Hindus, probably began imitating them in their practices, thus resulting in the introduction of this and various other bid'ats [Ma-Thabata-bis-Sunnah, pg 215].

2. Preparing of Sweetmeats: Some consider this being compulsory. Without it there can be no Shabe-Baraat. This is absolutely baseless. Some say that this act gains significance from the fact that on the occasion of Uhud when the blessed tooth of Rasulullaah (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam) became Shaheed, he had some Halwa. Others say that Hadhrat Hamza (RadhiAllaahu-anhu) was martyred on this day and the sweetmeats are taken as his "Faatiha" (In commemoration of him). These are fabricated and concocted theories. How can it ever be possible when it is a known fact that the battle of Uhud in which Hadhrat Hamza(RA) was martyred took place in Shawwal and not Shabaan.

3. Souls Visit Families: Some people firmly believe that the souls of the deceased visit their families homes and see whether any food has been prepared for their honour or not. Some people feel that if a person dies before Shabe-Baraat than until his "Faatiha" is not made on Shabe-Baraat, he is not counted amongst the dead. These are baseless ideologies that clearly contradict the Ahaadith.

4. Distribution of Food: Some feel that it is compulsory to distribute food on this night with the intention of Isale-Sawab. There is no association between this practice and the significance of the night. No special acts of charity etc. have been prescribed for this night. [Fatawa Imdadiyyah, vol 4, pg 27].

5. Hadith on Rajab, Shabaan and Ramadaan: Some people quote the following narration in their lectures:

Rasulullaah (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Rajab is Allaah's month, Shabaan is my month and Ramadaan if the month of my Ummah". It should be noted that this "Hadith" is a fabrication. [Akhbaare-Modhoo', pg 329].

OTHER ACTIONS WHICH ARE THE RESULT OF MISINFORMATION

On these nights, in many Masaajids,

1. Congregational Yaseen Khathams are held:

2. Congregational Zikr sessions are held;

3. Congregational recitation of Salaat wa Salaam are held;

4. One person recites the 40 Durood etc. whilst others listen;

5. Individual Quraan recitations takes place.

All the above are NOT proven in the Shariat of Islaam.

Some opine that before this we were performing hundreds of Rakaats but now this 'benefit' is lost.

To this we say,

The author of Majma ul bahrayn has related in his commentary that a man thought of saying two rakahs of nafl salaat in the Idgah before the Id Salaat. Hadhrat Ali (RA) forbade him. The man said,"O Commander of the Faithful, I well know that Allaah The Most High will not punish me for saying Salaat;(why am I then being prevented from Salaat? ) Hadhrat Ali(RA) said:"I also well know that Allaah The Most High does not recompense an act which the Rasul did not perform or for which he did not persuade (his Ummah).Hence your Salaat is in vain and a vain work (in devotions) is unlawful. Probably Allaah might punish you that you did a work which the Rasul did not do". (Majalis ul Abrar-majlis 18. pp 129).-Fatawa Rahimyah Vol.1 pp 60 -English .

Can anyone object and question why Hadhrat Ali (RA) stopped the person from performing Salaat, from reciting the Noble Quraan, from remembering Allaah?

"Oh Allaah! Show us that which is Haqq (truth) and guide us to follow it and show us that which is Batil (false) and guide us to refrain from it. May Allaah shower His choicest blessings upon the best of His creation, Hadhrat Muhammad (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam) and upon his descendants and his entire Ummat".


 

Source

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LAYLATUL BARAA'AH - NIGHT OF SALVATION

Source : http://www.deenislam.co.uk/dua/Shaban_3.htm
The 15th night of Shabaan is a very blessed night. According to the Hadith Shareef, the name of this Mubarak night is "Nisf Shabaan"which means 15th night of Shabaan. The reason for this special night to attain its name of Laylatul Baraa'ah, meaning the Night of Salvation, Seeking Freedom from Azaab and Calamity, is that in this night the Barkaat and acceptance of repentance may be accomplished. Laylatul Baraa'ah in Persian, as well as in Urdu, is called Shabbe Baraat. 

It is the night of seeking pardon and repenting to Almighty Allah, remembering our past sins and sincerely settling the mind that one will never commits sins in the future. All the deeds that are against Shari'ah must be totally avoided so that our Du'a and Istighfaar, hopefully, will be accepted. Muslims should check themselves and A'la Hazrat, Imam Ahmed Raza Bareilvi (radi Allahu anhu) has given a beautiful advise in this regard. This great Imam said: "Verily the auspicious night of Shabbe Baraa'a is drawing near when the deeds of the slave will be presented to the Almighty Allah. I humbly supplicate in the Darbar-e-Aqdas of the Almighty Allah that through the Wasila-e-Uzma of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) He forgives the sins and transgressions of all Muslims. Aameen. 

"On this occasion, it should be the duty of all Sunni Muslims to forgive one another and to make sure that whatever debts owed to one another is settled. The importance of Huqooq-ul-Ibaad cannot be over-emphasised as this is among the pre-requisites for proper Ibaadat. I pray that all Muslims humbly remember this night and try as much as possible to perform Ibaadat and other pious deeds so that their Record of Deeds be presented in all dignity. 

"Finally, I pray that the Almighty Allah assists you and I and the Muslim Ummah wherever you may be. Muslims should be aware of sincerity and honesty in all their deeds. May Almighty Allah forgive all of us. Aameen." Faqeer Ahmed Raza Qaaderi (may Allah forgive him) 

HOW TO WELCOME THIS NIGHT 

On this auspicious night, you should perform fresh Ghusal and Wudhu and perform the two Rakaat of Tahhiyatul Wudhu. In every Rakaat, after the Suratul Fatiha, you should read Ayatul Kursi once and Surah Ahad three times. Also perform eight Rakaats of Salaah with four Salaams. In each Rakaat after the Surah Fatiha, you should read the Ayatul Kursi (once) and Surah Ahad fifty times. 

WHAT TO RECITE IMMEDIATELY AFTER SUNSET 

After sunset, you should recite "La Hawla walaa Quwwata illa Billahil-aliyil Azeem" forty times with three times Durood Shareef before and after. It is mentioned that by reciting this, Almighty Allah will forgive forty years of your sins and forty Hoors will await to serve you in Jannatul Firdous. 

COUNTLESS MERCIES 

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated: "Verily! Almighty Allah directs His Special Grace on the world on this Night. He forgives my Ummah more than the number of wool that is found on the sheep of the Bani Kalb". We should remember that in those days the Bani Kalb possessed the most number of sheep that any other tribe. 

How great is the Mercy of Almighty Allah on this night that He forgives millions of Muslims. We also realise from this that these numbers can only pertain to the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah collectively, for the righteous followers of the Hanafi, Shaafi'i, Maaliki and Hambali indeed number millions of Muslims. 

THE VISITORS OF THIS NIGHT 

It is narrated that the departed souls (Arwaah) of the Muslims visit the houses of their friends and relatives on this night and proclaim: "O people of the house! You stay in our houses and enjoy the wealth that we have left behind. You use our children and take work from them, please perform our Esaale Sawaab. Verily our deeds have become complete, while your record of deeds is still spread". 

If the people of the house perform the Esaale Sawaab and Khatam Shareef on this night, then the Arwaah depart will the Sawaab extremely happy and overjoyed all the time making Du'a for the people. 

VISIT TO THE CEMETERY 

Hazrat Ayesha Siddiqa (radi Allahu anha) reports: "One night, which was the 15th of Shabaan, I did not find the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in the house so I went in search of him. After a long search, I found him in Baqiah (the cemetery of Madinah) offering Du'a for the deceased and praying for their forgiveness". (Baihaqi) 

A special point must be made to visit the cemetery during this night and pray for the deceased buried therein, as the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is been reported as having visited the cemetery on this night and spending a long time therein, lamenting, reading and praying for the deceased. 

TO KEEP FAST 

According to the Hadith Shareef which is narrated by Ibne Habaan (radi Allahu anhu) that Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "When the night of 15th Shabaan arrives spend the night awake and keep fast the next day". 

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) reports that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said often in his Khutba (sermon): "O people! Lighten and cleanse your bodies by way of fasting during Shabaan, so that it shall be easy and helpful to you for the fast during Ramadaan. Whoso fasts for three days during Shabaan, all his past sins are wiped off". (Baihaqi) Fasting is also recommended on the 13th, 14th and 15th of Shabaan. 

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHT 

On this night, perform Nawaafil, recite the Quran Shareef, recite abundant Durood Shareef, Istighfaar and Kalima Tayyibah. It is also mentioned that if one reads Surah Dukhaan seven times on this night, Almighty Allah will reward you with 70 worldly needs and 70 deeds for the Hereafter. 

DO NOT BE AMONGST THOSE DEPRIVED OF MERCY 

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Almighty Allah forgives all Muslims on this night, besides the fortune tellers, the magicians, the alcoholics, those who disrespect their parents and those who take part and encourage adultery". 

In another narration, the following people have also been mentioned: 

1. One who deals in usury (Riba), 

2. One who wears his trousers below his ankle with pride and arrogance (In Arabia, people displayed their wealth and boasted in this manner), 

3. One who creates disunity among two Muslims, 

4. The person who unjustly takes away the right and property of another Muslim and has not yet rectified himself.
 

All these persons are not shown Mercy on this auspicious Night. 

A HUMBLE APPEAL TO SEEK PARDON AND ASK ALLAH'S FORGIVENESS 

Dear Muslim brothers, the Bountiful Allah in His Infinite Mercy has provided us with such an auspicious night so that we may take advantage of it and repent for our sins, and thus obtain His Grace and Favour. It is for us to take full advantage of it. During this night, offer special prayers and repent sincerely for our past sins and ask for His Forgiveness. 

Also on this night the Doors of Mercy and Forgiveness are opened wide, and those who sincerely grieve over and repent for their past sins and seek forgiveness from Allah are pardoned and forgiven by the Grace of Allah the Merciful. 

Each Tasbih or Du'a should begin and terminate with the recital of Durood Shareef and one who wishes for the acceptance of his Du'as should use the Wasila of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). 

Hazrat Ghousul Azam, Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilani (radi Allahu anhu) has mentioned in his famous "Gunyat-ut Taalibeen" that the month of Shabaan according to some narrations is related to Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). So, it is our duty, as the Ummat of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) to love and respect this month more than any other month (besides Ramadaan). We should also offer abundantly salutations (Salaat-o-Salaam) upon the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). 

While we are praying and asking for ourselves and family, we should also remember in our Du'as the Muslim Ummah facing calamities in many parts of the world, that may Allah Ta'ala grant them the strength and Istiqaamat (steadfastness) in Deen. Those weak Muslims who are under pressure from the West and modernisation, may Allah Ta'ala guide them and show them the right path so that they be in touch with their glorious past. Aameen. May Almighty Allah guide us on the path of the Ambiya and the Awliya. Aameen. 

NAFIL SALAAH TO BE READ ON Night of 15th Shaban Laylatul Baraa'ah (Urdu Shab-E-Baraat ) 

BASHARAT OF JANNAT: Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said that Allah Ta'ala instructs and assigns 100 angels to the person who performs 100 Nafil Salaahs on this auspicious night - 30 of which will bring the good news of Jannat, 30 angels to protect one from the Azaab (Punishment) of Dozakh (Hell), 30 to remove all misfortunes and miseries of this world and 10 angels to protect one from Shaitaan. 

THE GUARDING OF IMAAN: After performing Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil. In the first rakaah, after Surah Fatiha, recite Surah Ikhlaas 3 times and Surah Falaq once. In the second rakaah, after Surah Fatiha, recite Surah Ikhlaas 3 times and Surah Naas once. After Salaam, make Du'a and ask Allah to protect your Imaan. 

BARAKAH IN RIZQ: After Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil. Thereafter, read Surah Yasin once, Surah Ikhlaas 21 times and Du'a Nisf Shabaan once. Then, make Du'a for Barakah in Rozi and ask Allah not to make you dependent on anyone. 

LONG LIFE FILLED WITH PIETY: After Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil. Read Surah Yasin once. Then read Du'a Nisf Shabaan once. Thereafter, make Du'a for long life filled with piety and righteousness. 

REWARD FOR 
TEN THOUSAND GOOD DEEDS: Anyone who performs 20 rakaahs of Nafil after Maghrib in such a way that after Surah Fatiha, recites Surah Ikhlaas 10 times in every rakaah, will be rewarded abundantly by Allah Ta'ala, and ten thousand good deeds will be recorded in his Amal Namaa (Book of Deeds). 

DEATH WITH COMPLETE FAITH/IMAAN: Anyone who 
performs 2 rakaahs of Nafil on the Last Friday of Shabaan between Maghrib and Esha will die with full faith and Imaan. After Surah Fatiha, one should read Ayatul Kursi once, Surah Ikhlaas 10 times and Surah Falaq and Surah Naas once in both rakaahs. If the person who reads Nafil in such a way dies until the next Shabaan, will die with Imaan, Insha-Allah. 

The performing of Salaatul Tasbeeh on this night is also very virtuous. 

courtesy: www.raza.co.za

THE SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MONTH SHA'BAN AND THE DIVINE FORGIVENESS SENT DOWN IN THIS MONTH.

Allah's beloved prophet hadrat MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}said: "Sha'ban is my month,Rajab is Allah's month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah[Community]

Sha'ban is expiator,while Ramadan is the prufier." Sha'ban is a month between Rajab and Ramadan.People tend to neglcet it,but that is when the deeds of His servants ascend to  the Lord of all the Worlds,so I would rather mine rose up while i am fasting." 

" The excellence of Rajab over other months is like the excellence of the Quran over all other books, while the excellence ofSha'ban over other months is like my excellence over the rest of the prophets,and the excellence of Ramadan over other months is like the excellence of Allah[Exalted is He]over all His creatures.

FASTING OF HADRAT MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}IN THE MONTH OF SHA'BAN 
Hadrat Aisha,the wife of our prophet hadrat MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}is reported,having said: "Allah's Messenger{peace be upon him}used to fast until we would say he was never going to stop fasting, and he would go so long without fasting thet we would say he was never going to fast,but i never saw Allah's Messenger{peace be upon him}continue a fast from the begning to the end of any month except the month of Ramadan and i never saw do more fasting in any month than he did in Sha'ban .So i a sked him "how is it i always see you fasting in Sha'ban?" and he{peace be upon him}said: "O' Aisha,it is the month in which the angel of death has to note down the name of anyone whose soul he must take before the year is out,so i would rather he did not record my name except while i am fasting." Hadrat Aisha{may Allah be pleased with her}said: " The dearest of months to our Prophet hadrat MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him} was Sha'ban, which he would link to Ramadan." 

LAST MONDAY OF SHA'BAN.
 
Allah's beloved hadrat MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}said: "Anyone who fasts on the last monday of Sha'ban will be granted forgiveness."

LAILAT-UL-BARA'T{THE NIGHT OF ABSOLUTION},ITS SPECIAL MERCY,GRACE AND MERITS
Allah almighty said:" Ha-Mim.By this luminous Book. Undoubtedly we sent it down in a blessed night verily We are to warn.Therein every affair of wisdom is divided.[44:1-3] Hadrat Ibn-e- Abbas{may Allah be pleased with him}said,"Ha-Mim means that Allah has predetermined everything in existance till the day of Resurrection. Book means AL-QURAN,which is a mercy from Allah and provid guidance and was revealed in "blessed night".The 'blessed night' is the night of mid-Sha'ban in which every wise and important work is decided and is made distinct. Mid of Sha'ban is the night of absolution."

THE SPECIAL [IBADA] WORSHIP OF OUR PROPHET HADRAT MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}IN THIS BLESSED NIGHT.

Hadrat Aisha{may Allah be pleased with her}said,once Allah's Messenger{peace be upon him}asked me, "O Aisha,what night is this?"She replied, "Allah and His Messenger know best."Then he said: This is the night of the middle of Sha'ban ,during which worldly actions and the deeds of mankind are carried aloft.In this night as numerous as the wool of the flocks of the tribe of Kalb,are the slaves of Allah, emancipated from the fire of hell. So will you excuse me tonight?" She said :" I said yes,So he performed his prayer like this : He held the upright position only briefly,and recited AL-Hamd and a short Sura then he stayed in prostration till middle of night .then he stood upto begin the second rak'at[cycle] with a recitation similar to the first,and then his prostration lasted untill dawn."

OUR PROPHET{peace be upon him} WENT TO JANNA-TUL-BAQQI [the blessed cemetry of the city of Madinah-tul-Munwwara]. 

Hadrat Aisha{may Allah be pleased with her}once said: " I could not find Allah's Messenger{peace be upon him}one night,So i went outside there he was in Jannat-ul-baqqi{the blessed cemetry},his hand turned up toward the sky.Then he said to me: 'Were you afraid that Allah and His Messenger would treat you unfairly?' I replied: 'O Messenger of Allah, I thought that you had gone to one of your[other] wives.'He{peace be upon him}said:' On the night of mid-Sha'ban,Allah{Exalted is He} descends to the lowest heaven and forgives more than the number of woolly hairs on the flocks and herds of [the tribe of Kalb]." 

Hadrat Ibn-e-Abbas 
{may Allah be pleased with him and his father}said: "In the night of mid Sha'ban ,Allah[Exalted is He] arranges the affairs of the year.He transfers[some of] the living to the list of dead,and records those who will make pilgrimage to the house of Allah,neither adding one too many nor leaving a single one of them out."

THREE HUNDRED GATES OF MERCY ARE OPENED IN THE NIGHT OF MID SHA'BAN
Hadrat Abu Huraira{may Allah be pleased with him}reported that Rasullullah{salallahu alaihi wassallam}said: "Gabriel {peace be upon him}came to me on the night of mid Sha'ban and said to me:"Ya RasulAllah,raise your head heavenwards!" I asked him: "What night is this?"and he replied: "This is night when Allah{Glorified is He}opens three hundred of the gates of mercy,forgiving all who do not make anything His partner. The only exceptions are those who practice sorcery or divination,are addicted to wine,or persist in usuary and illict sex; these He does not forgive untill they repent." At a quarter of the night, Gabriel {peace be upon him}came down and said: Ya RasulAllah , raise your head!" So i looked up,to behold the gates of Paaradise wide open.At the first gate an angel was calling: "Good news for those who bow in worship this night!" At the second gate an angel was calling: Good news for those who prostrate themselves in worship this night!" At the third gate an angel was calling: "Good news for those who offer supplication this night!" At the fourth gate an angel was calling: "Good news for those who make remembrance this night!"At the fifth gate an angel was calling: "Good news for those who weep this night from the fear of Allah!" At the sixth gate an angel was calling:"Good news for those who submit this night!" At the seventh gate an angel was calling: "Will anyone ask,that his request may be granted ?" At the eight gate an angel was calling :"Will anyone seeks forgiveness,that he may be forgiven?" Rasullullah{salsllahu alaihi wassallam}said:"O Gabriel,how long will these gates remain open?" He replied: From the beginning of the night until the break of dawn." Then he said: "Ya rasulAllah , tonight Allah has as many slaves emancipated from the fire of hell as the number of wooly hairs on the flocks and herds of tribe Kalb." 

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISLAM! 

You read the blessings and mercy of this month.How fortunate is this month that our Prophet{peace be upon him} said that THIS IS MY MONTH,this is the blessed month in which our Prophet{peace be upon him}used to fastmore than any month except Ramadan.In the mid of this blessed month,he{peace be upon him}spent the  whole  night in worshiping of Allah subhanahu ta'ala.He remained in prostration the half night for the maghfirah [forgiveness] of his Ummah.Not only he prayed for his ummah but also he went himself to the blessed cemetry of Janna-tul-Baqqi in Madinah Munawwara and he prayed for maghfirah[forgiveness] for the dead of his Ummah.And he fasted the fifteenth day of Sha'ban.How fortunate are those who worship and seek forgiveness from Allah subhanahu ta'ala and are forgiven.Instead of sleeping in this blessed nitht,spend this night in worshiping,weeping,asking for forgiveness for the whole muslim ummah,reciting Quran,reciting SALAT and SALAM upon Allah's beloved Prophet hadrat MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}as many times as we can, as this the month of Allah's beloved Prophet{peace be upon him}. Allah subhanahu ta'ala is watching us,it is up to us what we decide.

WRITTEN BY: IMAM BABAR RAHMANI

SALAAT, DUA AND WAZEEFA IN SHAB-E-BARAAT
THE FIFTEENTH NIGHT OF SHA'BAN

WAZEEFA FOR FORGIVENESS: On the fourteenth day of Sha'ban after Asr prayer 
at the time of sun setting, if anybody recites 40 times this Dua, his or her 40 years sins will be forgiven.


SALAT FOR INCREMENT OF {RIZK}SUBSISTANCE: 
In the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, perform two raka'at[cycle]prayer,in each raka'at after Sura-tul-Fatiha recite once Aya-tul-kursi and fifteenth times Sura-tul-Ikhlas.After salam recite 100 times Salat And Salam upon Prophet Muhammad{peace be upon him}. Make Dua for the increment of [rizk]subsistence,Insha Allah,Allah ta'ala will increase his subsistence..

SEVENTY NEEDS IN THIS WORLD AND SEVENTY HEREAFTER ARE ACCEPTED . In the fifteenth night of Sha'ban,if someone recites seven times Sura Dukhan{the 44 sura},Insha Allah,his or her 70 needs in this world and 70 hereafter will be accepted.

SIX NAWAFIL SALAT AFTER THE PRAYER OF MAGHRIB. In the fifteenth night of Sha'ban after the prayer of Maghrib perform six raka'ats with three slalams.
The niyyat [intention] of the first two is for "the long pious life ",
the niyyat of the second two is for "being safe from the calamities and misfortunes"
and the niyyat for the third two is "for the incrememt of {rizk}subsistence".
After every two rak'at ,recite once Sura Yaseen and at the end once
 Dua of Sha'ban-Nisf Shaban

SALVATION FROM THE PUNISHMENT OF GRAVE BY THIS SALAT . In the fifteenth night of Sha'ban ,perform eight rak'at[cycle] salat with two salams.in each rak'at after Sura-tul- Fatiha ,recite ten times Sura-tul-Ikhlas [the 112 sura]. As a result of that ,Allah ta'alawill appoint countless angels,who will give the glad news to receive salvation from the punishment of grave and to enter into the Heaven.

FORGIVNESS FROM SINS BY THIS SALAT . In the fifteenth night of Sha'ban .perform eight rak'at salat with four salams.In each rak'at after Sura-tul-Fatiha once Sura-tul- Qadr [the 97 sura] and twenty five times Sura-tul-ikhlas .Insha Allah,Allah subhanahu ta'ala will forgive his or her all sins .

ANY DUA[SUPPLICATION] WHETHER FOR WORLD OR HEREAFTER IS ACCEPTED BY THIS SALAT. 
In the fifteenth night of Sha'ban ,say fourteen rak'at salat with seven salams.In each rak'at after Sura-tul- Fatiha ,once , Sura Kafiroon [the 109 sura] once, Sura Ikhlas once , Sura Falaq [the 113 sura] once , Sura Naas [the last sura]once.After every salamAyat-ul-Kursi once and the last three verses of Sura Tauba [the 9 sura] i.e.,from' laqad ja'akum rasoolum to Azeem "Make Dua after the completion of eight rak'at.Whatever he or she will ask for, Allah subhanahu ta'ala will bestow.Insha'a Allah.

THE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE : The idolater,drinker,adulterer, prostitute,the breaker of family ties,bearing of malice,the disobedient to his parents,backbitter,who practices majic,who eat interest are not forgiven unless they make Tauba[repentance]. And ask for forgiveness from fellow muslims.

FASTING OF THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF SHA'BAN: Allah's beloved,Rasullah{salallahu alaihi wassallam}said: Worship in the fifteenth night of Sha'ban and fast the following day.Because Allah Ta'ala descends to the lowest heaven from sun set till dawn,He says"Will anyone ask,that his request may be granted?""Will anyone seeks forgiveness,that he may be forgiven?" [IBN-e-MAJAH,VOL :1,P:99]

 
 

Reference: madinah masjid of carrollton - islamic center

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Afghanistan war logs: Task Force 373 – special forces hunting top Taliban

Previously hidden details of US-led unit sent to kill top insurgent targets are revealed for the first time

The Nato coalition in Afghanistan has been using an undisclosed "black" unit of special forces, Task Force 373, to hunt down targets for death or detention without trial. Details of more than 2,000 senior figures from theTaliban and al-Qaida are held on a "kill or capture" list, known as Jpel, the joint prioritised effects list.

In many cases, the unit has set out to seize a target for internment, but in others it has simply killed them without attempting to capture. The logs reveal that TF 373 has also killed civilian men, women and children and even Afghan police officers who have strayed into its path.

The United Nations' special rapporteur for human rights, Professor Philip Alston, went to Afghanistan in May 2008 to investigate rumours of extrajudicial killings. He warned that international forces were neither transparent nor accountable and that Afghans who attempted to find out who had killed their loved ones "often come away empty-handed, frustrated and bitter".

Now, for the first time, the leaked war logs reveal details of deadly missions by TF 373 and other units hunting down Jpel targets that were previously hidden behind a screen of misinformation. They raise fundamental questions about the legality of the killings and of the long-term imprisonment without trial, and also pragmatically about the impact of a tactic which is inherently likely to kill, injure and alienate the innocent bystanders whose support the coalition craves.

On the night of Monday 11 June 2007, the leaked logs reveal, the taskforce set out with Afghan special forces to capture or kill a Taliban commander named Qarl Ur-Rahman in a valley near Jalalabad. As they approached the target in the darkness, somebody shone a torch on them. A firefight developed, and the taskforce called in an AC-130 gunship, which strafed the area with cannon fire: "The original mission was aborted and TF 373 broke contact and returned to base. Follow-up Report: 7 x ANP KIA, 4 x WIA." In plain language: they discovered that the people they had been shooting in the dark were Afghan police officers, seven of whom were now dead and four wounded.

The coalition put out a press release which referred to the firefight and the air support and then failed entirely to record that they had just killed or wounded 11 police officers. But, evidently fearing that the truth might leak, it added: "There was nothing during the firefight to indicate the opposing force was friendly. The individuals who fired on coalition forces were not in uniform." The involvement of TF 373 was not mentioned, and the story didn't get out.

However, the incident immediately rebounded into the fragile links which other elements of the coalition had been trying to build with local communities. An internal report shows that the next day Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Phillips, commander of the Provincial Reconstruction Team, took senior officers to meet the provincial governor, Gul Agha Sherzai, who accepted that this was "an unfortunate incident that occurred among friends". They agreed to pay compensation to the bereaved families, and Phillips "reiterated our support to prevent these types of events from occurring again".

Yet, later that week, on Sunday 17 June, as Sherzai hosted a "shura" council at which he attempted to reassure tribal leaders about the safety of coalition operations, TF 373 launched another mission, hundreds of miles south in Paktika province. The target was a notorious Libyan fighter, Abu Laith al-Libi. The unit was armed with a new weapon, known as Himars – High Mobility Artillery Rocket System – a pod of six missiles on the back of a small truck.

The plan was to launch five rockets at targets in the village of Nangar Khel where TF 373 believed Libi was hiding and then to send in ground troops. The result was that they failed to find Libi but killed six Taliban fighters and then, when they approached the rubble of a madrasa, they found "initial assessment of 7 x NC KIA" which translates as seven non-combatants killed in action. All of them were children. One of them was still alive in the rubble: "The Med TM immediately cleared debris from the mouth and performed CPR." After 20 minutes, the child died.

Children

The coalition made a press statement which owned up to the death of the children and claimed that troops "had surveillance on the compound all day and saw no indications there were children inside the building". That claim is consistent with the leaked log. A press release also claimed that Taliban fighters, who undoubtedly were in the compound, had used the children as a shield.

The log refers to an unnamed "elder" who is said to have "stated that the children were held against their will" but, against that, there is no suggestion that there were any Taliban in the madrasa where the children died.

The rest of the press release was certainly misleading. It suggested that coalition forces had attacked the compound because of "nefarious activity" there, when the reality was that they had gone there to kill or capture Libi.

It made no mention at all of Libi, nor of the failure of the mission (although that was revealed later by NBC News in the United States). Crucially, it failed to record that TF 373 had fired five rockets, destroying the madrasa and other buildings and killing seven children, before anybody had fired on them – that this looked like a mission to kill and not to capture. Indeed, this was clearly deliberately suppressed.

The internal report was marked not only "secret" but also "Noforn", ie not to be shared with the foreign elements of the coalition. And the source of this anxiety is explicit: "The knowledge that TF 373 conducted a HIMARS strike must be protected." And it was. This crucial fact remained secret, as did TF 373s involvement.

Again, the lethal attack caused political problems. The provincial governor arranged compensation and held a shura with local leaders when, according to an internal US report, "he pressed the Talking Points given to him and added a few of his own that followed in line with our current story". Libi remained targeted for death and was killed in Pakistan seven months later by a missile from an unmanned CIA Predator.

In spite of this tension between political and military operations, TF 373 continued to engage in highly destructive attacks. Four months later, on 4 October, they confronted Taliban fighters in a village called Laswanday, only 6 miles from the village where they had killed the seven children. The Taliban appear to have retreated by the time TF 373 called in air support to drop 500lb bombs on the house from which the fighters had been firing.

The final outcome, listed tersely at the end of the leaked log: 12 US wounded, two teenage girls and a 10-year-old boy wounded, one girl killed, one woman killed, four civilian men killed, one donkey killed, one dog killed, several chickens killed, no enemy killed, no enemy wounded, no enemy detained.

The coalition put out a statement claiming falsely to have killed several militants and making no mention of any dead civilians; and later added that "several non-combatants were found dead and several others wounded" without giving any numbers or details.

This time, the political teams tried a far less conciliatory approach with local people. In spite of discovering that the dead civilians came from one family, one of whom had been found with his hands tied behind his back, suggesting that the Taliban were unwelcome intruders in their home, senior officials travelled to the stricken village where they "stressed that the fault of the deaths of the innocent lies on the villagers who did not resist the insurgents and their anti-government activities … [and] chastised a villager who condemned the compound shooting". Nevertheless, an internal report concluded that there was "little or no protest" over the incident.

Concealment

The concealment of TF 373s role is a constant theme. There was global publicity in October 2009 when US helicopters were involved in two separate crashes in one day, but even then it was concealed that the four soldiers who died in one of the incidents were from TF 373.

The pursuit of these "high value targets" is evidently embedded deep in coalition tactics. The Jpel list assigns an individual serial number to each of those targeted for kill or capture and by October 2009 this had reached 2,058.

The process of choosing targets reaches high into the military command. According to their published US Field Manual on Counter Insurgency, No FM3-24, it is policy to choose targets "to engage as potential counter-insurgency supporters, targets to isolate from the population and targets to eliminate".

A joint targeting working group meets each week to consider Target Nomination Packets and has direct input from the Combined Forces Command and its divisional HQ, as well as from lawyers, operational command and intelligence units including the CIA.

Among those who are listed as being located and killed by TF 373 areShah Agha, described as an intelligence officer for an IED cell, who was killed with four other men on 1 June 2009; Amir Jan Mutaki, described as a Taliban sub-commander who had organised ambushes on coalition forces, who was shot dead from the air in a TF 373 mission on 24 June 2009; and a target codenamed Ballentine, who was killed on 16 November 2009 during an attack in the village of Lewani, in which a local woman also died.

The logs include references to the tracing and killing of other targets on the Jpel list, which do not identify TF 373 as the unit responsible. It is possible that some of the other taskforce names and numbers which show up in this context are cover names for 373, or for British special forces, 500 of whom are based in southern Afghanistan and are reported to have been involved in kill/capture missions, including the shooting in July 2008 of Mullah Bismullah.

Some of these "non 373 operations involve the use of unmanned drones to fire missiles to kill the target: one codenamed Beethoven, on 20 October 2008; one named Janan on 6 November 2008; and an unnamed Jpel target who was hit with a hellfire missile near Khan Neshin on 21 August 2009 while travelling in a car with other passengers (the log records "no squirters [bodies moving about] recorded").

Other Jpel targets were traced and then bombed from the air. One,codenamed Newcastle, was located with four other men on 26 November 2007. The house they were in was then hit with 500lb bombs. "No identifiable features recovered," the log records.

Two other Jpel targets, identified only by serial numbers, were killed on 16 February 2009 when two F-15 bombers dropped four 500lb bombs on a Jpel target: "There are various and conflicting reports from multiple sources alleging civilian casualties … A large number of local nationals were on site during the investigation displaying a hostile attitude so the investigation team did not continue sorting through the site."

One of the leaked logs contains a summary of a conference call on 8 March 2008 when the then head of the Afghan National Directorate of Security, Amrullah Saleh, tells senior American officers that three named Taliban commanders in Kapisa province are "not reconcilable and must be taken out". The senior coalition officer "noted that there would be a meeting with the Kapisa NDS to determine how to approach this issue."

It is not clear whether "taken out" meant "killed" and the logs do not record any of their deaths. But one of them, Qari Baryal, who was ranked seventh in the Jpel list, had already been targeted for killing two months earlier.

On 12 January 2008, after tracking his movements for 24 hours, the coalition established that he was holding a large meeting with other men in a compound in Pashkari and sent planes which dropped six 500lb bombs and followed up with five strafing runs to shoot those fleeing the scene.

The report records that some 70 people ran to the compound and started digging into the rubble, on which there were "pools of blood", but subsequent reports suggest that Baryal survived and continued to plan rocket attacks and suicide bombings.

Numerous logs show Jpel targets being captured and transferred to a special prison, known as Btif, the Bagram Theatre Internment Facility. There is no indication of prisoners being charged or tried, and previous press reports have suggested that men have been detained there for years without any legal process in communal cages inside vast old air hangars. As each target is captured, he is assigned a serial number. By December 2009, this showed that a total of 4,288 prisoners, some aged as young as 16, had been held at Btif, with 757 still in custody.

Who are TF373?

The leaked war logs show that Task Force 373 uses at least three bases in Afghanistan, in Kabul, Kandahar and Khost. Although it works alongside special forces from Afghanistan and other coalition nations, it appears to be drawing its own troops from the 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and to travel on missions in Chinook and Cobra helicopters flown by 160th special operations aviation regiment, based at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.

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Saturday, July 24, 2010

18 Sources of Barakah


If we were to look for an Islamic definition of Productivity, it'll probably be summarised in the word "barakah" or Blessing. Being able to achieve more with little resources, doing much in little time, and generate a lot with little effort surely is a blessing from Allah (SWT). Yet Barakah has somehow become a lost treasure these days; everyone's looking for it, but no one seems to find it! You always hear people complaining that there's no barakah in their time, no barakah in their sleep, no barakah in their money..etc. In this post, we'll solve this mystery inshaAllah, we'll find out what Barakah is and where you can find it!

What is Barakah?

A Well-known daee explains it as follows:

والبركة: هي ثبوت الخير الإلهي في الشيء؛ فإنها إذا حلت في قليل كثرته، وإذا حلت في كثير نفع، ومن أعظم ثمار البركة في الأمور كلها إستعمالها في طاعة الله عز وجل.

"Barakah is the attachment of Divine goodness to a thing, so if it occurs in something little, it increases it. And if it occurs in something much it benefits. And the greatest fruits of Barakah in all things is to use that barakah in the obedience of Allah (SWT)"

Sources of Barakah

I'm a firm believer that Barakah is not a lost treasure, it's right in front of our eyes! This treasure is only available and ready to be handed over to the one who works for it. Below I list some of the sources of Barakah. It's not an exhaustive list, therefore, I do hope you can contribute to it with your comments below inshaAllah so we can all share and extend our understanding of this great treasure!

1. Good Intentions

If you want something to have barakah attached to it, have good intentions for it. More specifically, make sure that deed is intended for the sake of Allah (SWT). Looking at the definition of Barakah again, you may guess that without us intending what we have or do to be for thesake of Allah, the "Divine goodness" won't be attached to it.

2. Piety and Belief in Allah

Allah says in the Quran: "If the people of the towns had but believed and feared Allah, We should indeed have opened out to them (All kinds of) blessings from heaven and earth…"(Surat Al-A'raf, verse 96). And He says in the Quran: "And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out. And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine" (Surat Al-Talaq, verses 2-3).

3. Putting your trust in Allah

Allay says in the Quran: "And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is ((Allah)) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion" (Surat Al-Talaq, verses 3)

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "If only you relied on Allaah a true reliance, He would provide sustenance for you just as He does the birds: They fly out in the morning empty and return in the afternoon with full stomachs."

4. Reading Quran

This is the fountain of the Barakah! But subhanaAllah, we rarely drink from it! Allah says in the Quran: "And this is a Book which We have sent down, bringing blessings, and confirming (the revelations) which came before it…" (Surat Al-An'am, verse 92). So read the Quran, and note the blessings and barakah of Allah coming to your life. The further we are from this book, the less barakah we'll have in our lives, trust me.

5. Saying Bismillah

When you say bismillah before anything you do, you're invoking the name of Allah on that activity, not only will that activity be blessed but shaytaan cannot take part in it! So always say bismillah before anything you do!

SubhanaAllah, it's easy for us to forget to say Bismillah or be conscious of saying it. Sometimes we're so used to saying it that we can't remember if we said it or not! Try to be conscious of saying Bismillah and understand what you're saying.

6. Eating with People

Anyone who had the experience of inviting guests to his/her house will know this one. No matter how little you think the food you're presenting to your guest is, it's always enough! (note: this is not an excuse to be miserly when you invite guests over, in fact we should follow the sunnah of our Prophet Ibhraim (Peace be upon him) who when the angels visited his house and he didn't know they were angels he went and prepared a large meal for them). What I'm referring here is the blessing that occurs with eating together, this is confirmed in the hadeeth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) who said :"Eat together, for blessing is in Jamma'a (congregation or being together)…" and in another hadeeth "Whoever has food enough for two persons, should take a third one, and whoever has food enough for four persons, should take a fifth or a sixth (or said something similar)."

7. Honesty in Trade

This is for all of the business people out there (include ebayers!), don't think that lying and deceiving people would make your trade profitable, on the contrary, it'll remove the blessing from your trade. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "The buyer and the seller have the option ofcancelingor confirming the bargain unless they separate, and if they spoke the truth and made clear the defects of the goods, them they would be blessed in their bargain, and if they told lies and hid some facts, their bargain would be deprived of Allah's blessings."

Yes, it's difficult to be honest when you're trying to sell something, but trust me it's worth it.

8. Dua

Ask Allah for barakah! If you listen to some of the Duas from the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) you'll notice how the Prophet used to make dua for barakah. We always say "May Allah bless you!" well, guess what? That's a source of barakah! Also, when you're invited to someone's house, Prophet Muhammad advised us to make the following dua for the host:"O Allaah, bless for them, that which You have provided them, forgive them and have mercy upon them."

9. Halal income/money

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "O people, Allah is good and He therefore, accepts only that which is good"Scholars refer this to Halal income and the importance of Halal income.

A scholar also said that the one who eats Haram his limbs will disobey Allah whether he likes it or not, and the one who eats Halal and seeks Halal income his limbs will also do good and would be given the permission to seek goodness.

This concept of your limbs being "blessed" and enabled to do good, is truly a blessing and a barakah we should all seek. Reminds me of a story of the old man, who jumped a large distance that young people couldn't do. So when the young men asked the old man how he did it, he replied: "These are limbs, we've protected it from doing sins when we were young, so Allah preserved them from us when we got old"

10. Following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad in all things

I've said it once and I'll say it again, the most Productive Man in the history of humanity is Prophet Muhammad(Peace be upon him), therefore, by just following his lifestyle and the sunnahs we so often hear about, is a great source of Barakah!

Some of these sunnahs include: Eating Suhoor, eating with the right hand from the side of the plate, going out for Eid Salat, licking your fingers after finishing eating, sleeping on your right hand side, using the siwaak, and many more. Look out for these sunnahs and follow them, for imitating the life of the most blessed man on earth, is surely a source of blessing!

11. Praying Istikhara

Praying istikhara in all matters and handing over the matters to Allah and accepting his decree is a great source of barakah. And Prophet Muhammad have taught us this beautiful dua which helps us make decisions and not regret the choices we make with the permission of Allah in the following hadeeth:

On the authority of Jaabir Ibn 'Abdullah he said: The Prophet (S) would instruct us to pray for guidance in all of our concerns, just as he would teach us a chapter from the Qur'an. He (S) would say 'if any of you intends to undertake a mater then let him pray two supererogatory units (two rak'ah naafilah) of prayer and after which he should supplicate:

'O Allaah, I seek Your counsel by Your knowledge and by Your power I seek strength and I ask You from Your immense favour, for verily You are able while I am not and verily You know while I do not and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allaah, if You know this affair -and here he mentions his need- to be good for me in relation to my religion, my life, and end, then decree and facilitate it for me, and bless me with it, and if You know this affair to be ill for me towards my religion, my life, and end, then remove it from me and remove me from it , and decree for me what is good wherever it be and make me satisfied with such.'

One who seeks guidance from his Creator and consults his fellow believers and then remains firm in his resolve does not regret for Allaah has said:

'…and consult them in the affair. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allaah…"

12. Giving thanks to Allah in abundance

Allah says in the Quran: "If ye are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you" A scholar once told me if you look into this verse, the Arabic word that is used to confirm that Allah will favours unto the person who thanks Allah is actually in the form of an Oath "La azidannakum" so Allah is promising the person who thanks Him that He'll increase him, and Allah never breaks his promises.

13. Charity

In the Hadeeth Qudusi, Allah says: "O son of Adam, spend (in charity), and I'll spend on you!"

Whenever you are broke, or you feel barakah is zapped out of our life and urgently need it back, the quickest of way of getting barakah in your life is giving charity. Not only because of the above hadeeth, but let's say barakah has been removed from your life because of a sin you've committed, charity cleanses your sins and adds good deeds and is truly a source of barakah.

I cannot describe the instantaneous gratification of giving charity and the barakah that follows it! Try it NOW!

14. Tying your ties of kinship

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Allah created His creation, and when He had finished it, the womb, got up and caught hold of Allah whereupon Allah said, "What is the matter?' On that, it said, 'I seek refuge with you from those who sever the ties of Kith and kin.' On that Allah said, 'Will you be satisfied if I bestow My favors on him who keeps your ties, and withhold My favors from him who severs your ties?' On that it said, 'Yes, O my Lord!' Then Allah said, 'That is for you.' " Abu Huraira added: If you wish, you can recite: "Would you then if you were given the authority. do mischief in the land and sever your ties ofkinship."

15. Waking up early

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Allah made the early hours blessed for my Ummah."

This hadeeth was the reason for me to start ProductiveMuslim. com! Such gems of productivity are actually sources of blessings that we should seek to make our life productive. Waking up early is such an important part of being blessed and feeling blessed throughout your day.

Try to wake up for tahajjud, pray, and then work during the hours before fajr salaat and tahajjud. If you can't, then at least wake up for fajr and stay up till sunrise before you go back to sleep. Those hours are so blessed. If you're able to go to work in those hours, do so, you'll get much more work done than the whole day put together!

16. Marriage

Allah says in the Quran: "Marry those among you who are single, or the virtuous ones among yourselves, male or female: if they are in poverty, Allah will give them means out of His grace: for Allah encompasseth all, and he knoweth all things."

17. Salaat

Allah says in the Quran: "Enjoin prayer on thy people, and be constant therein. We ask thee not to provide sustenance: We provide it for thee. But the (fruit of) the Hereafter is for righteousness"

To illustrate the point of Salaat further, just imagine your life without salaat, where would barakah come from? For those of you who are still wavering in their Salaat, please get back on track, this is your lifeline in this life and hereafter, and the daily food for your soul.

18. Asking Allah for forgiveness

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "If anyone continually asks forgiveness from Allah, Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress, and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide for him from where he did not reckon."

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