Since I was eight years old, there has been one tradition that my family has been partaking in that I don’t think will ever get old ! Every Friday, without a doubt, my father attends Jumuah (Friday prayers) at Madina Masjid, and every Friday afternoon, I come home from school to the wonderful smell of Madina Halal Pizza.

Madina Halal Pizza is located on the north side of Danforth in between Greenwood and Donlands (1078 Danforth Ave) and it has the best pizza I have ever tasted. I have gone to numerous pizza places and tried many, many different pizzas, both homemade and store bought, but none has come even close in taste.

It’s a cozy little restaurant, snuggled in between a line of other small shops. The only difference is, on Fridays, it is overflowing with people. The employees are amazing and the customer service could never be better.

The pizza is always fresh and extra cheesy; their combos are the best deals to get for lunch.The following are their combos which are (1 Slice of Pizza by itself is $1.50):

• 2 Slices of Pizza and a pop (or bottled water): $3.50
• 1 Slice of Pizza and a pop (or bottled water): $2.25

They also sell chicken wings and whole chicken as well (which is also awesome!). I am not sure about the rest of their menu, but I do know that it probably tastes as good as everything else I have tried.

 I think the only thing that should be worked on is getting more employees for their busy days, Friday. Occasionally, I’ve noticed that the pizza slices are not always equal...which isn’t necessarily a problem until you realize that your slice of pizza is no bigger than half a slice of bread...

Other than that, the prices are reasonable and the food is great and always fresh, and it’s 100% HALAL. What more could a person want?

Recently, I was going through some of my old Philosophy work and I happened to come across some work on atheism, the doctrine or belief that there is no God, and I came across this interesting exchange between student and teacher.

An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty. He asks one of his new students to stand and...

Prof: So you believe in God?
Student: Absolutely, sir.

Prof: Is God good?
Student: Sure.

Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student: Yes.

Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm? (Student is silent)

Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fellow. Is God good?
Student: Yes.

Prof: Is Satan good?
Student: No.

Prof: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From God...

Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student: Yes.

Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.

Prof: So who created evil?
(Student does not answer)

Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student: Yes, sir.

Prof: So, who created them?
Student has no answer.

Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir.

Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student: No, sir.

Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.

Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes.

Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.

Student: No sir. There isn't.
(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events)

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?

Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.

To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir? (The Professor shakes his head)

Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher? (The class is in uproar)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain? (The class breaks out into laughter)

Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room is silent)

Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.

Student: That is it sir... The link between man & god is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving and alive.

Nowadays, we have science proving everything to us, left and right. Many a times, we get lost in the wonders of the scientific findings and perhaps lost our faith just a little. We must remember that without faith, we have nothing. 

It’s been many years since the horrific 9/11 attack on the U.S twin towers. Many lives were lost and loved ones are still coping with their losses. However, the devastating event, and the perpetrators of the attack are now being put on trial. The five September 11 terror attack suspects will be put on trial this month.

But there is just one thing stopping them. It looks highly likely that the Obama administration will no longer hold the trial of the five suspects in a federal courthouse in New York City. According to official sources, alternative locations are being studied after lawmakers and New York City officials showed concern about security and costs.

The republican legislation is arguing for a military hearing for the terror attack suspects, but the White House still follows Attorney General Eric holder’s suggestion to pursue a civilian trial. So now the question remains, if not in New York City, where will this trial be held?

Conservatives still argue that the Obama administration should hold military tribunals for the 9/11 suspects at this controversial detention facility, which already is equipped to handle them. But human rights and legal organizations have repeatedly challenged it because it denied defendants many of the rights they would be granted in a civilian courtroom.

Plenty of terrorist suspects have been tried and convicted here, including Zacarias Moussaoui. But providing security wouldn't be cheap, as the federal courthouse is just across the Potomac River from the White House and Capitol.

To see more photos and information please visit http://www.foxnews.com/slideshow/politics/2010/01/30/new-york-city?slide=1

Many of us hear the various ringtones that play out when we are in the Masjid, or perhaps at an Islamic event such as a bayaan or halaqaa. We get annoyed and find it extremely disrespectful and rude to hear the voices of Jay-Z or One Republic blaring during a khutbah. So it was a pleasant change, and not found nearly as disrespectful, when people started to download Ayahs (verses) of the Quran or the Adhaan (call to prayer) as ringtones.  However, one of the most senior authorities in Sunni Islam has stated his disapproval of ringtones that feature verses from the Qur'an and the call to prayer.

Sheikh Ali Gomaa has issued a fatwa - a kind of Islamic recommendation – rejecting the idea of the use of the Qur'an in ringtones.

Ali Gomaa is not the first to bring this point up. There have been many Sheikhs and Scholars who had previously suggested the same ideas. However, many people are still sceptical. From their point of view, what could possibly be wrong with listening to a verse of the Quran?

"By using Quran verses as ringtones we undermine this legitimacy and limit it to a phone call. Quranic verses are interrupted and meanings are often truncated when the reciting stop as we answer the phone call. The calls to prayer are to announce it is time ... using it as a ringtone is confusing and misleading."

Many of us have these ringtones ourselves, or know of others who have them. Let us spread the word and inform our friends and families of the repercussions of their actions. Changing the words of Allah, even unintentionally, is sinful (to the best of my knowledge) and should be avoided at all costs—especially if the matter is in our hands.

 Ali Gomaa is very strict on his position and, for those insisting their ringtones have an Islamic character, he suggested they use Islamic hymns (Nasheeds etc.) or religious prose.

"God's words are sacred. ... He ordered us to respect them and glorify them," Gomaa said.

During the 3 days of RIS, I came across a booth that was selling modern, glossy-page magazines. I’m not sure if most of you are familiar with the Muslim magazine, aimed towards young females, Muslim Girl Magazine. This magazine is everything that any other teen magazine is. It’s filled with pages of clothes for girls that “keep it halal”, inspirational stories about young women making a change in the world, a health and lifestyle section and much more.

There are pages filled with young Hijabi females (this is the part that excites me the most) showing off different hijab styles for the seasons. I actually have two copies of the magazine at home. It had been awhile since I had heard of or seen the magazine and when I saw it again at a booth at RIS, I was reminded of the inspiration and voice this magazine attempts to give to young Muslim women.

Although I applaud the idea of a magazine aimed toward Muslim youth, not many people feel the same way. They believe that the magazine is much too modern and focuses too much on fashion and not enough on Islam itself. Some even go on to say that the magazine “praised musicians and other dubious, if not outright haraam, characters/ behaviours."

Considering that the woman on the cover of this particular edition displayed above is wearing a bright, form-fitting suit with expertly applied makeup, it does lead one to question the notion, meaning and application of the word "modesty." But is she not merely a reflection of what's on the streets today? Are we lying to ourselves about who we are if we reject her as the Muslim everywoman?

That’s up to the reader to decide. For a second opinion:
http://muslimmatters.org/2009/05/20/muslim-girl-magazine-a-review/

As the New Year comes along, we are well aware of the significant issues that we have surpassed together as a nation. With natural disasters, deaths of canonical figures and terrifying man-made disasters, I’m sure we all agree that we have come very far in protecting ourselves and ensuring the protection of our fellow citizens. This can be seen through heightened security systems, particularly by the US.  However, have we gone too far in the name of safety?

When we take a look at Canada and compare it to the US post 9/11, have we done a better job at maintaining national security and democratic values?

Sure, we’ve had no Guantanamo Bay or torture in Canadian prisons and partially because of that, we seem to look down on the Americans for their excessive and seemingly exaggerated security methods. It’s been argued that 9/11 made Canada more Canadian because we put more emphasis on our values... particularly human rights. And unlike the U.S., we had been spared a terrorist attack.

However, Canada hasn’t been without its post 9/11 issues:

• Maher Arar
• Similar Canadian complicity in the torture in Syria of three other Canadian Arabs (who are negotiating a settlement with Ottawa and, unlike Arar, getting nowhere).
• The 2003 arrest of 23 men in Toronto on false accusations of being an Al Qaeda sleeper cell bent on blowing up the CN Tower.
• Benamar Benatta, an Algerian refugee claimant "rendered" the day after 9/11 to the U.S., where he was held five years before being cleared of any wrongdoing (and who's now suing Ottawa).
• Stephen Harper's stalling tactics in the probe of possible Canadian complicity in torture in Afghanistan, and his obstinacy – for reasons of ideology or partisan politics – in refusing to take Omar Khadr back from Guantanamo.
• The five Arabs held under security certificates, without charge and without being told why, cases that are collapsing in the courts, with two already tossed out.

 The main argument for holding them has been this: What else can be done with those who may pose a security threat but against whom there isn't the evidence to present in court and whom we cannot deport to their native nations for fear of torture?

But apparently, we are asking the wrong question.

The problem is not that, but rather the ineffectiveness of the “security services that hold the wrong people for the wrong reasons (or have them tortured abroad or held in the U.S.) and then invoke secrecy in the name of security to hide their mistakes.” (Siddiqui)

That has been the issue all along, as noted by Justice Dennis O'Connor (during the Arar inquiry) and as of the new year, should something not be done about it? Hopefully, realizing that these are false accusations will help Canada from making these mistakes again in the years to come.

 

Hey there KIH. Let me get straight to the point.

 I feel like everything in my life is going wrong and it’s not getting any better. My family just keeps fighting with each other. I understand that every family has their problems and I know as a Muslim I’m supposed to be patient but I just can’t handle it anymore. Is there anything I can do or pray to make this better? I’m going crazy and school is already frustrating me…my family is one stressor too many.

--Sister.

Assalamu Alaikum,

I totally understand how you feel. Exams are coming up, and assignments are due, and that’s pretty much the biggest bump in the road we students have to face. I know it’s hard and so far, from what I understand, you’ve been doing your best to be patient and understanding about your situation.

Allah, the Exalted, says: "O you who believe! Endure and be more patient." (Qur’an- 3:200) The patience you are exhibiting right now is the best idea. Also, try to avoid expressing any anger at your family. That is the worst way to end the problem, trust me. 
I suggest that you should talk to someone like a close friend about what you’re feeling. That’s usually the best way for me to feel better when I encounter a problem that I feel helpless about. Try not to keep things bottled up.

If you are close to your family, then may I suggest that you try and speak to them about how you feel? Maybe they don’t realize that it is affecting you as much, or perhaps they need to realize that it’s time to put things aside and love each other for the sake of Allah.

One thing that is important though, I think, is that you need to remember to focus on your school work, whatever it may be. I know it may be hard to ignore the problems at hand, but try and prioritize; tackling one thing at a time will really help ease the tension. Just keep in  mind that "Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.'' (Qur’an- 39:10)

To do this, it may be best if you try to separate yourself from the situation - try to spend more time at school, on campus or with a friend. When you're at home, try to stay uniDistance yourself from the situation so you can get some perspective, and some peace of mind.

I really hope this helps. I don’t have extensive Islamic knowledge, nor am I a scholar. If you feel that you were offended or hurt in any way possible, please feel free to let me know, and I apologize in advance. Wa’laikum Salaam.

Assalamu Alaikum,

I remembered hearing this particular story at an Islamic event a couple of months ago. I just wanted to share it with you in hopes to remind us all the importance of what we say. To read more interesting stories, visit http://www.livingislam.org. 

The Triple Filter Test

During the golden Abbasid period, one of the scholars in Baghdad, the capital of the Muslim caliphate at that time, was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem.

One day, an acquaintance met the great scholar and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"

"Hold on a minute," the scholar replied. "Before telling me anything I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."

"Triple filter?"

"That's right," the scholar continued. "Before you talk to me about my friend it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say.

That's why I call it the triple filter test.

The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and.."

"All right," said the scholar. "So you don't really know if it's true or not."

Now let's try the second filter, the filter of goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," the scholar continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though, because there's one filter left: the filter of usefulness.

Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really."

"Well," concluded the scholar, "if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"

___________

So the moral of the story is:

"O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former)"... Hujurat 49.12

"And spy not on each other behind their backs..." Hujurat 49.13

A 35-year-old shopkeeper and two of his employees were arrested for having allegedly chased down and tied up a shoplifter, keeping him captive in a delivery truck until police arrived. Chen, Jie Chen, 21, and Qing Li, 40, were charged with assault, forcible confinement, carrying a concealed weapon and kidnapping. The kidnapping charge has been dropped.

On Aug. 17, Anthony Bennett was sentenced to 30 days in prison after having pleaded guilty to stealing 10 plants from Chen's Lucky Moose Food Mart and. It’s shocking to hear, however, that the store owner is put in the position of committing the crime, when, in reality, he was merely trying to protect himself and his business.

Islam imposes that a thief’s hand should be cut, but such punishment is never inflicted when there is the slightest doubt that the thief was impelled to crime by hunger. It can only be applied if goods stolen are over a set value and consideration is given to whether this is a first offence or the person is a habitual thief. And what exactly did the thief steal? Ten plants. That’s right folks, he stole plants. Not food, not brand name clothes, not an LCD TV, but plants.

Apparently, under the criminal code, a property owner can only arrest someone if they're caught committing a crime, Peter Lindsay, Chen’s lawyer, explained. Chen didn't catch Bennett red-handed, but the theft was captured on surveillance camera and Chen caught Bennett nearly an hour later when he returned to Lucky Moose.

"In China, if this happened, a lot of people in the area would help, plus the police would arrive immediately," Chen said in Mandarin.

"The thief would be on trial, not the store owner."

What do you think?

SOURCE: Toronto Star --http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/crime/article/720812--put-thief-not-me-on-trial-grocer-says