The Qur'an: A Monotheist Translation

This is a free copy of the Qur'an. I love this translation and I love the introduction.

http://free-minds.org/sites/default/files/quran.pdf

Article on Islam

Queen Rania

A Message from Her Majesty Queen Rania to Arab Times

US Religious Knowledge Quiz

This is a good, short quiz about some major religious. Test your knowledge!

US Religious Knowledge Quiz

"Myths About Islam..."

This is a post from PrisonTalk.com from the poster Sheyanne. I thought it was fantastic and interesting. Needed to be shared!

Myths About Islam 


[Hopefully this will clear up some of the ignorance that some continue to spread]

The crescent moon is a universal symbol of IslamThe early Muslim community did not really have a symbol. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, Islamic caravans and armies flew simple solid-colored flags (generally black, green, or white) for identification purposes. The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years, and wasn't affiliated with Islam at all until the Ottoman Empire placed it on their flag.



Muslims worship a moon-godSome non-Muslims mistakenly believe that Allah is an "Arab god," a "moon god," or some sort of idol. Allah is the proper name of the One True God, in the Arabic language. The most fundamental belief that a Muslim has is that "There is only One God," the Creator, the Sustainer -- known in the Arabic language and by Muslims as Allah. Arabic-speaking Christians use the same word for the Almighty.



Muslims don't believe in JesusIn the Qur'an, stories about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (called 'Isa in Arabic) are abundant. The Qur'an recalls his miraculous birth, his teachings, and the miracles he performed by God's permission. There is even a chapter of the Qur'an named after his mother, Mary (Miriam in Arabic). However, Muslims believe that Jesus was a fully human prophet and not in any way divine himself.



Most Muslims are ArabsWhile Islam is often associated with Arabs, they make up only 15% of the world's Muslim population. The country with the largest population of Muslims is Indonesia. Muslims make up 1/5 of the world's population, with large numbers found in Asia (69%), Africa (27%), Europe (3%) and other parts of the world.



Islam is intolerant of other faithsThroughout the Qur'an, Muslims are reminded that they are not the only ones who worship God. Jews and Christians are called "People of the Book," meaning people who have received previous revelations from the One Almighty God that we all worship. The Qur'an also commands Muslims to protect from harm not only mosques, but also monasteries, synagogues, and churches -- because "God is worshipped therein."



Islam promotes "jihad" to spread Islam by the sword and kill all unbelieversThe word Jihad stems from an Arabic word which means "to strive." Other related words include "effort," "labor," and "fatigue." Essentially Jihad is an effort to practice religion in the face of oppression and persecution. The effort may come in fighting the evil in your own heart, or in standing up to a dictator. Military effort is included as an option, but as a last resort and not "to spread Islam by the sword."



The Quran was written by Muhammad and copied from Christian and Jewish sourcesThe Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of two decades, calling people to worship One Almighty God and to live their lives according to this faith. The Qur'an contains stories of Biblical prophets, because these prophets also preached the message of God. Stories are not merely copied, but the oral traditions are referred to in a way that focuses on the examples and teachings that we can learn from them.

'And when it is said to them,'Believe in what Allah has sent down,'they say,we believe in what was sent down to us.'And they disbelieve in that which came after it,while it is the truth confirming what is with them. Surah 1,ayat 91 [verse from Qur'an]

"10,000 Reasons"

This song is by a man named Matt Redman. This lady, ilysomuch247, does this cover so beautifully. I love it to pieces. 

"10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)"

True Test

I said sometime within the last month, "Things are going so well in my life, I'm afraid because that means something horrible is about to happen." LOL! It sounds pessimistic, but in my eyes, it was just realistic.

And something very bad did happen, I was right. Something so bad, it tried its very best to overshadow absolutely every single blessing God has given me. It tried, but I guarantee you, it did not succeed.

Yes, I've been crying. Yes, I've been severely depressed. Yes, I have had some horrible thoughts. Yes, I am literally struggling every moment not to break down when I'm out in public. Yes, getting out of bed has been a struggle on it's own. BUT. . . I never one single time asked, "Why me?" Also, I didn't ask God to take it away, either. Here is why:

"Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives and the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.

Who say: when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah we belong and to Him is our return."

Al-Baqara - 2:155-156

"Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of Bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: "When (will come) the help of Allah?" Ah! verily the help of Allah is (always) near!"

Al-Baqara - 2:214

"And the messengers whom We sent before thee were all (men) who ate food and walked through the streets: We have made some of you as a trial for others: will ye have patience? For Allah is One Who sees (all things)."

Al-Furqan - 25:20

"Do men think that they will be left alone on saying "We believe" and that they will not be tested?

We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false."

Al-Ankaboot - 29:2-3

The simple fact that I have been tested so severely is a blessing on it's own. The fact that my faith is strong enough for God to believe in and test is something that is beautiful to me.

"On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear."

Al-Baqara - 2:286

I have been praying for God to help me get through this test, and I know that help is continuously coming.  He is the absolute Greatest of all and there is nothing I would change about my life in any way. I just pray and ask that God continue to guide me through this test and help me come out as a better person from this. My real struggle will be to use this test to my advantage and use it to improve who I am. I am endlessly grateful to God for every single blessing and I feel even more grateful now that I'm going through this struggle.

ALHAMDULILLAH EVERY SINGLE MOMENT OF EVERY SINGLE DAY OF LIFE AND BEYOND.