Terrorist attack against Afghan state institutions
SHAFAQNA – A huge explosion took place on Monday as a rocket landed near the Afghan parliament building. The blast took place when senior security officials were on their way towards the building to brief lawmakers on the current situation in the country. “Some three rockets landed near new parliame...
Dutch Police Arrest Frenchman Suspected of Terrorist Plot
SHAFAQNA – Dutch prosecutors say police have arrested a French citizen in Rotterdam on suspicion of involvement in the pla ing of a “terrorist attack” against France. The 32-year-old man was arrested March 27 at the request of the French gove ment and is expected to be handed over to France soon, pr...
What are Divine Commands for inviting people to the right path?
SHAFAQNA – In Ayah 125 of Surah Al-Nahl, Allah (SWT) sent down Divine Commands to the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) to be used for inviting people to the right path: “Invite to the way of Allah (SWT) with wisdom, beautiful preaching and discuss with them in ways that are best and most gracious, indeed you...
Emotional attachment must not prevent the course of justice
SHAFAQNA – Allah (SWT) wa ed human beings that family and emotional co ections must not cause them to go out of the circle of justice. In latter part of Ayah 152 of Surah Al-An’aam, the Supreme Being says: “Whenever you speak or give evidence, speak justly, even if a near relative is conce ed, and f...
Yemen … in numbers – The world needs to see
[embedded content] SHAFAQNA – For one year Yemen has suffered under the brutal, and vengeful fire dispensed by Saudi Arabia. For one year Yemenis have died, bled, and cried bitter tears for the kingdom decided Yemen had to kneel instead of stand free. For one year the world has failed to recognize t...
Pakistan: 65 dead in suicide blast in Lahore
SHAFAQNA – 65 people were killed and 314 injured in a blast in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, in Iqbal Town area of Lahore. The sound of the blast was heard around 6:30 pm today, with rescue teams dispatched to the site. These include 23 ambulances and rescue vehicles. According to reports the blast took pla...
The Martyrdom of Fatima – Poem
SHAFAQNA – A pure lady of Islam, a light among lights, and a purety among all other purities, Lady Fatima bint Muhammad was as much her father’s daughter, as she was his mother … the tender soul he drew strength and comfort from, Fatima al-Zahra was piety, and beauty combined. Her wisdom and the lov...
The Mother of Her Sons
SHAFAQNA – Throughout Islamic history, only a handful of women have emerged as models of perfect womanhood in all legitimate social and religious domains. In addition to the four leading women of world – Ladies Maryam, Asiya, Khadija, and Fatima Zahra (peace be upon them all) – there are several wom...
The Case for God in a World Suffused with Evil
SHAFAQNA – Is God omnibenevolent? Then how come He doesn’t stop all the evil in this world? How come God didn’t prevent Hitler from carrying out his genocide against the Jews? How come He doesn’t cure all those with terminal diseases? If God is ru ing the show, how come He’s doing a terrible job at ...
Yemenis march to denounce Saudi aggression
SHAFAQNA – In defiance to Saudi Arabia’s military aggression against Yemen, thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of the capital, Sana’a, this Sunday, determined to make their cry of resistance heard. The demonstrators were waving Yemeni nation flags and carrying ba ers, the largest of which read...
Palmyra liberation is a turning point against Terro
SHAFAQNA – The recapture of Palmyra from Daesh by the Syrian Army and its allies demonstrated the success of Damascus’ strategy in fighting terrorism, President Bashar Assad said Sunday. Earlier in the day, the Syrian Arab Army and popular defense forces drove Daesh terrorists out of the ancient cit...
Islamic Art on display in the UK
SHAFAQNA – With extremism an issue both in the Middle East and for police forces in the UK, a major museum exhibition in Aylesbury is opening today, with a hope of showcasing the cultural and artistic side of Islam. Organizers claimed it is the largest display of Islamic art ever seen in public in t...
The ruling about begging/The Grand Ayatollah Sobhani’s answer
SHAFAQNA – The Grand Ayatollah Sobhani answered a question about begging without being poor. Question: A beggar who collects a lot of money, is he/she committing Haram act or not? And also is he/she the owner of the (collected) money? The Grand Ayatollah Sobhani: Begging is the most abominated act (...
Justice is next to piety
SHAFAQNA – Allah (SWT) in Ayah 8 of Surah Al-Ma’edah says: “O’ those who believe, stand out firmly for Allah (SWT) and be just witnesses, and let not the hatred of others make you divert to wrong and depart from justice. Be just; that is next to piety, and fear God, as Allah (SWT) is well aware of a...
Truthfulness has four signs
SHAFAQNA – It is narrated from the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) who said: A truthful person has four signs: Speaks the truth, acknowledges (confirms, confesses) God’s promises and wa ings, be faithful to (one’s) promise, and does not breach the covenant (treaty, promise, agreement, contract) [1]. [1] Toh...
What is the connection between apology and intercession?
SHAFAQNA – According to Islam, accepting others apologies is very useful because based on the principle of compassion; be compassionate so you can be compensated by Divine Mercy. Imam Ali (AS) recommended to his son Mohammad Hanafiyeh: Accept the excuse of the person who offers you an apology in ord...
We need to apologize to our Muslim citizens – OPED
SHAFAQNA – The following opinion piece was written on the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris. While it was written with Paris, and France in mind, its relevance today remains the same since we continue to be plagued by the same narrative of terror, exclusion, and ethnocentrism. Shafaqna would...