Page 10 The Islamic Bulletin Issue 5 Page 11 The Islamic Bulletin Issue 5 Some English words derived from the Arabic words. Admiral - amir al-rahl Jasmine - yasin Lemon - limun Alchemy - al-kimiya’ Lute - al-’ud Alcove - al-qubba Mask - maskhara Algebra - al-jabr Monsoon - mawsim Amber - anbar Musk - musk Nadir - nazir Orange - naranj Artichoke - al-kharshuf Rice - ruzz Atlas - atlas Saffron - za’faran Sandalwood - sandal Sofa - suffa Camel - jamal Sugar - sukhar Syrup - sharab, shurb Cotton - qutun Troubadour - tarrab Giraffe - zurafa Zero - sifr Prophet Salih (PBUH) was sent as a Prophet to the tribe of Bani Thamud to rectify their depraved people. The Thamudites were the descendants of Thamud, a grandson of Sam. They lived in Wadi al-Qura and Al-Hajr between Syria and Hijaz. They were idol worshipers and their tribe flourished for more than two centuries after ‘Ad. Its people were renowned for their longevity and enormous well-built bodies. They built spacious buildings in the caves of the mountains and attained considerable powers. Slaughtering of the She-Camel The Prophet Salih (PBUH) was commissioned by God to invite the tribe to the worship of One God but the tribe turned a deaf ear to the Prophet’s preaching. Finally, the tribe decided to kill the Prophet. The Almighty fixed a she-camel as a sign and warned them if they slew her, they would be overtaken by the chastisement from God. Prophet Salih (PBUH) asked the tribe to be kind to the she-camel and let her graze in the pastures and drink water from the spring but the tribesmen denied the access, instead they slaughtered the she-camel. Chastisement Befalls After the slaughtering of the she-camel the tribesmen decided to carry out their final plan against Prophet Salih (PBUH). Before they could proceed, a visitation befell them and they were exterminated by the showering of stones from the volcanic eruption. Description in the Holy Qur’an Some references regarding the Prophet Salih (PBUH) and his people are as follows: “And to the Thamud We sent their brother Salih. He said: O my people: Serve The Almighty. You have no God other than Him. Clear proof, indeed, has come to you from your Lord. This is The Almighty’s she-camel for you, a sign. Therefore, leave her alone to pasture on the Almighty’s Earth and do not do her any harm. Otherwise painful chastisement will overtake you. And remember when He has made you the successors after ‘Ad and settled you in the land. You made mansions on its plains and hew out houses in the mountains: remember, therefore, The Almighty’s benefits and do not act corruptly in the land making any mischief. The Chiefs of those who behaved proudly among his people said to those who were considered weak, to those who believed from among them. Are you sure that Salih is sent by his Lord? They said: Surely we are the believers in what he has been sent with. Those who were haughty said: Surely we deny of what you believe in. So they slew the she-camel and revolted against their Lord’s Commandments and they said: O Salih! Bring us of what you have threatened us with if you are one of the Apostles. Then the earthquake overtook them so they became motionless bodies in their abodes.” (Qur’an 7:73-78) The Valor and Heroism of Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) had been brought up in great love and affection by his well-to-do parents. Before embracing Islam, he lived in luxury and comfort. It is said that he was the most well-dressed youth of Mecca. He embraced Islam in its early days, without his parents’ knowledge. However, when they came to know of it, they got very upset and restricted him from going out. At the first opportunity, Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) escaped and emigrated to Abyssinia and then to Madinah. An individual brought up in comfort and luxury was now living a life of abstinence and austerity. In the battle of Uhud, Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) held the flag of Islam. When the Muslims on meeting defeat were dispersing in confusion, Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) held the flag and stood at his post like a rock. An enemy soldier came and cut off his hand with a sword, so that the flag might fall down and proclaim defeat for the Muslims. Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) at once grabbed the flag in the other hand. The enemy soldier then slashed the other hand. Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) still stood clinging the flag to his bosom with the help of his bleeding arms. Lastly, an enemy arrow pierced through him, and Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) fell dead on the battlefield. But as long as he was alive, he did not let the flag go down. Immediately, another Muslim ran and took over the flag. At the time of his burial, Musab-bin-Umair (RAA) had only one sheet to cover his body. This sheet was too short for his size. When it was drawn to cover his head, the feet remained exposed and vice versa. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “Cover his head with the sheet, and his feet with the Azkhar’ leaves.” Such was the end of a youth who was brought up in luxury and comfort. Once an individual develops faith, it makes the individual forget everything else, whether be it wealth, luxury or life itself. Musab-bin-Umair (RAA), a true hero and one of the great martyrs. Islam is a religion in which there are few dietary rules. In Islam, one can eat all that is pure and nutritious, but it also prohibits certain categories of food and drink. Among the categories of food and drink forbidden according to Quranic injunctions are the following: Meat of dead animals (carrion). Meat of strangled animals. Meat of dead animals through beating. Meat of dead animals through falling from a height. Meat of dead animals killed by (the goring of) a horn. Meat of dead animals devoured of wild beasts. Food on which any other name has been invoked besides that of God. Meat of animals that have been immolated into idols. Meat of swine (pig), including anything prepared from swine. All intoxicants including all types of alcohol and intoxicating drugs. In Surah Al-Ma’idah, the forbidden foods are explained in detail: “Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than God, and that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (Forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety.” (Qur’an 5:4) “O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows are an abomination- of Satan’s handiwork; Eschew such (abomination) that you may prosper. Satan’s plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of God and from Prayer. Will you not then abstain?” (Qur’an 5:90-91) Since the above categories are obviously too many to explain in one issue, we will be explaining the categories in future issues. Islamic Vocabulary The Prophet Salih Islamic Dietary Laws
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