These terms and conditions govern your use of this weblog; by viewing this weblog, you accept these terms and conditions in full. (1)Subject to the licence below, all intellectual property rights are reserved. (2)You may view and download for caching purposes only provided that: (a) you must not republish material from this blog or reproduce or store material from this website in any public or private electronic retrieval system; (b) you must not reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell, visit, or otherwise exploit this weblog or material found on this weblog for a commercial purpose, without the express written consent of the author of this weblog (abu ameerah/The Empire); (c) you must not edit or otherwise modify any material on this weblog.
(3) The authors of this weblog maintain all limitations of liability. The information on this weblog is provided free-of-charge, and you acknowledge that it would be unreasonable to hold us liable in respect of this weblog and the information on this weblog. While we endeavor to ensure that the information on this weblog is correct, we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy; nor do we not commit to ensuring that this weblog remains available or that the material on this weblog is kept up-to-date. "Ahlus Sunnah wal Jammah...The Empire Strikes Back" and the authors of said weblog are limited and excluded to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law. This weblog will not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage arising under these terms and conditions or in connection with this weblog, whether arising in tort, contract, or otherwise - including, without limitation, any loss of profit, contracts, business, goodwill, data, income, revenue or anticipated savings.
You must not use this weblog in any way which is unlawful, illegal, fraudulent or harmful, or in connection with any unlawful, illegal, fraudulent or harmful purpose or activity. You must not use this weblog for any purposes related to marketing without our express written consent. You must not use this weblog to copy, publish or send material which is illegal or unlawful, or material which could give rise to legal action under applicable law. The author(s) of this weblog reserve the right to edit or remove any comments or postings that may be deemed harmful or in violation of the law.
(4) Variation: We may revise these terms and conditions from time-to-time. Please check this weblog regularly to ensure you are familiar with the current version.
(5) Law and Jurisdiction: This notice will be governed by and construed in accordance with all applicable law, and any disputes relating to this notice shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of The International Criminal Tribunal (ok,ok...sorry...i mean -- jurisdiction will be of the courts of my backyard -- so don't mess with me or I'll throw you off the deck).
You can contact the author(s) of this blog with any questions, comments, or concerns via email: thesunnah@gmail.com
Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah - the empire strikes back...
2007. All Rights Reserved.
Posted by abu ameerah on Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Where do contemporary Neo-Traditionalists find the nerve to attack Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah (mainstream Muslims & Scholars alike) with serious accusations of shirk when one of their most famous figures, Ibn Arabi (the deviant mystic), is clearly guilty of such crimes? How about al Hallaj (kaffir mystic)? Rumi, where he states, “I am God.”? Until, and unless, we have real intellectual honesty — and clarity — amongst Muslim scholars (on a whole host of issues including Aqeedah) … I find that “pacts” of any description will easily be rendered meaningless.
Posted by abu ameerah on Friday, September 14, 2007
A new French book is aimed at Muslims fasting during the month of Ramadan. The purpose of this book is to encourage healthy eating so that Ramadan, the month of fasting, does not become the month of feasting (and unnecessary weight gain). I think this book is brilliant! There should be similar books written and distributed by medical professionals throughout the Muslim world. I should be the first person in line to buy this book…
Posted by abu ameerah on Saturday, September 8, 2007
A historical look at the intersection between mental instability and true religious fanaticism. Ivan Vasilyevich IV, or “Ivan the Terrible” as he later came to be known, plunged Russia into one of its darkest periods in history. Ivan IV gained notoriety, and infamy, for being Russia’s first Czar (Tsar) as well as one of the most brutal rulers in its history. Ivan’s cruelty toward his enemies, and his own people, almost seems something of legend. After all, history is indeed full of countless dictators and ruthless leaders.
However, Ivan the Terrible’s “iron fisted” rule seemed to take tyranny and human savagery to rarely (before) seen depths in early modern times. With disturbing precision, Ivan personally oversaw the torture and execution of tens of thousands of Russians that he percieved as his enemies. Ivan’s bloodthirstiness only grew with each day of his nightmarish reign and the executions he participated in turned more and more into sadistic orgies of violence, torture and brutal inhumanity. Ivan’s “purges” of Russia were cruel, yet calculated, and were designed to instill the utmost level of fear into his subjects. Enemies weren’t simply slated for execution by the Czar…but they were to be tortured and so violated that Ivan would forever be regarded as something more than a mere despot or iron fisted ruler. Ivan would ultimately be regarded — by many of his terrified subjects & political rivals — as the bringer of death for 16th century Russia.
His enemies, which included an enormous list of nearly every cross section of 16th century Russia, were eliminated in some of the most horrendous ways. Ivan’s tortures seemed to be rooted in his obsessive reading of the Bible. One might even argue that, in a strange way, his Biblical tortures were an affront to the very religion he claimed devout adherence to. In that sense, Ivan the Terrible’s awful reign presents us with a number of contradictions. What is certain though is that Russia was never to be the same after the death of Ivan Vasilyevich IV.
A few thoughts I was left with after watching these videos:
1. Ivan the Terrible comes across as more than histories “usual” despot. Rather he seems more like what we might describe today as a serial killer. Only this serial killer had the legitimacy of political rule.
2. Ivan’s seige of Kazan marks one of Russia’s earliest campaigns against Muslims. I could be wrong here.. and I probably am. However, I am correct in stating that Ivan IV was the first Czar to have ever fought against Muslims in any territory.
3. The striking similarities of Ivan’s reign compared with the brutal grip on power held by the Communists during the Cold War. While there are similarities that I will briefly mention in a moment…there is at least one basic difference (I think). Ivan IV’s reign of terror over his subjects reflected, to some degree, his sadistic personal desires. Ivan, after all, was known to not only have personally participated in the gruesome torture and execution of his victims — but he was known to take pleasure and delight out of it as well. The Communists on the other hand, though equally as ruthless and brutal as Ivan, saw executions as something more political and routine in nature. Theirs was a job that involved the elimination/extermination of any, and all, enemies of the state as part of a national duty (or broader national strategy) and not necessarily as part of any personal agenda (this may be a point of contention for some who will raise the spector of Joseph Stalin whose paranoia and ruthlessness seems to have rivaled that of Ivan). Communists’s saw their role in forever silencing all opposition as part of a noble goal — the establishment of a utopian Socialist society in Russia (formerly USSR) and beyond. ANYWAY…I could ramble on…here are the possible similarities:
a. The employment of a secret force to eliminate political opposition…
b. The use of “purges” to eliminate any, and all, opposition…
Posted by abu ameerah on Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Have you ever wanted to find answers to some of the most important questions confronting mankind? Do you ever wonder what you’re life means in the grand cosmic scheme of things? Have you ever pondered the meaning of life itself? Have you ever been visited by Extraterrestrial beings? Is George W. Bush really that stupid? Is the the purple Teletubby (Tinky Winky) really gay?
Anyway, do yourself a favor and check it out — if you haven’t already done so. Real Islamic scholars (Sh. Yasir Qadhi and Sh. Yaser Birjas) will be taking YOUR questions so feel free to give it to ‘em … Full-Force!
Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah
