Yusuf Estes: Get Involved And Share

Yusuf Estes was born in January 1, 1944 in Ohio, into an Anglo-Saxon Protestant family.

His family owned several musical instrument companies including the Estes Piano and Organ Company.
From 1962 to 1990, his career was in the music industry, entertainment, marketing, working as a music instructor and music minister.
He produced and directed live entertainment programs in the United States from the mid 1960s until his last endeavour for cable TV in Florida, entitled 'Estes Music Jamboree'.

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Yusuf Estes, a former Catholic Priest, left Christianity in the early 1990s after being involved in a business collaboration with an Egyptian named Muhammad.
The Texas businessman came to Islam while trying to preach Christianity to the Egyptian.

Here is the story of his conversion.

Following his conversion in 1991 at 47-years old, he pursued Arabic language and Quranic studies in Egypt, Morocco and Turkey.

Islamic Missionary Centre In Houston, Texas.

Yusuf Estes, now a former National Muslim Chaplain for the United States Bureau of Prisons, as well as a Delegate to the United Nations World Peace Conference for Religious Leaders held in September 2000. He is actively involved in Islamic missionary work in the United States, and often features as guest lecturer and keynote speaker at various Islamic events, as well as frequently appearing on various Islamic satellite TV channels.

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From 2004, Estes regularly appeared on the Islam Channel, a UK-based, free-to-air English language, Islamic-focused satellite television channel.
UK government figures state that 59% of Muslims watch the channel regularly above any other Muslim Channel.
It broadcasts across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
It is soon to commence broadcasting in North America.

Estes appeared on Peace TV too.
Referred as an "edutainment channel", the Islamic satellite television network broadcasting globally 24/7 from Dubai - Another English language and telecasted free-to-air.
Since January 21, 2006, it has been telecasted to more than 150 countries around the world, including in Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia and North America.
It's sister channel (Peace TV Urdu) was launched in 2009, dedicated to the Urdu-speaking viewers around the world.

Estes can be seen on Huda TV too. Another 24/7 Islamic channels broadcasting in many countries around the globe, via satellite and via the website Watch Islam TV Channels.

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One of the first thing to strike Yusuf Estes since coming into the religion, was the lack of proper presentation of Islam in the English language.
He quickly decided the best type of 'business' for him 'to work for the Next Life' - It is by showing others the beautiful and logical reality that is true Islam.

For this reason, he dedicated himself to producing the very best in Islamic presentations, videos and websites – for all people of all ages. Guide US TV, first American Islamic Channel is the most important project he had been blessed to work on.
He wished to put Islam in every household on earth - Work to make a real, positive difference.
GOD willing, Ameen.
He also set up websites directed toward English speaking Muslim youth which include www.TubeIslam.com, a Muslim video sharing site, and www.ChatIslam.com, a Muslim Chatroom, and for young children www.WorldPreschool.com, Preschool Learning.

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Since his own entrance into the religion and becoming a chaplain to the Muslims throughout the country and around the world, he encountered many more individuals who were leaders, teachers and scholars, who learned about 'the religion of peace' and entered into it - The reason is always, people are sincerely seeking the truth and are willing to put their different prejudices and biases out of their minds and begin to ask GOD for HIS Guidance in their lives.

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I'm linking you to Darul Arqam, a Converts' Association of Singapore for Yusuf Estes's talk on "Get Involved And Share", when he was in Singapore, last year.

He mentioned of people wanting to get to know Islam, but the followers are projected to rather focus on the "anger management" issues.
In the end, the only people who speaks for Islam are mostly from non-Muslims scholars of the Western scholarly tradition.
GOD Willing, there is change in the approach to some outstanding issues in Singapore which needs greater attention by Muslims, and ALLAH Knows Best.

He carries an important message which Muslim could play a part to reach out their faith to others, so that they could understand the true faith.
It is a different matter of their response.

But with the many distortions and misunderstanding portrayed both by non-Muslims and Muslims too, the need to understand and the knowledge of Islamic teachings, how it should be portrayed, both in practise and in delivering the message, is vital.

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Here, he appeared on Catholic TV on his conversion.

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Sheikh Yusuf Estes (link to his website) suggests the seeker of truth do the following NINE STEPS to purification of the heart:

1-Clean - your mind, your heart and soul - remove all prejudices and biases. 

2-Thank GOD - for what you have - every moment of every day. 

3-Read - a good translation of the meaning of the Noble Quran in a.language.that.they.can.understand.best.

4-Reflect - on the meanings and consider the bounties of GOD. 

5-Seek - Forgiveness from GOD and Learn to Forgive others.

6-Ask - in your heart for Guidance from Above.

7-Open - your heart and mind. 

8-Continue - to do this up for a few months. And be regular in it. 

9-Avoid - the poison of evil while your heart is opening for the "rebirth of your soul." 

Remember - CLEAN; THANK; READ; REFLECT - Then SEEK, and you shall find. 

ASK, and it shall be given. 

KNOCK, and.it.shall be opened.

Then CONTINUE and AVOID.

The rest is between you and THE ALMIGHTY LORD of the Universe.

If you truly seek HIM, then HE already Knows it and HE will deal with each of us according to our hearts.

Source: Articles Base - September 25, 2010

In Prison - For Better? Or Worse?

Islam In American Barrios & Prisons: Converts Reclaim Moorish Spain, Reject Church 

by SpearIt

 

[Image by SpearIt]
 

For those in the US typically designated as “Latino” or “Hispanic,” the historical legacy of Islam plays a role similar to that in the African-American context. As the term “Moor” was embraced by various African-American leaders to unite poor, disenfranchised blacks with the glory of Islam, the connection to Moorish Spain provides a powerful tool to re-imagine Latino identity. Converts learn that popular Latin American terms like ojala (“may God will”) derive from the Arabic allah and that their African ancestors used to chant “Allah, Allah, Allah,” which in Spain became “Ole, Ole, Ole.” Such connections offer evidence of Islam’s influence on Spanish pedigree, regardless of what etymologists might conclude. Like many African Americans, Latino converts reject the notion of “conversion” altogether and instead embrace the notion of “reversion” to denote not merely a turn to the faith, but a return. The importance of Moorish Spain, then, is of special relevance to both Latinos and African Americans for reclaiming their lost Muslim and African heritage. Islam can also become a foil to critique their previous affiliations with Christianity and a way of distancing themselves from the most recent Catholic church sex scandals. But more specifically and perhaps importantly, Islam provides African-American and Latino converts a way to reject the long history of Christian church associations with the missionary ventures in Africa and Latin America that were anything but holy. Thus, the very act of converting within a predominant Christian community might itself represent a radical proposition, and in some cases may facilitate the cultivation of extremism.

The case of Jose Padilla, who was arrested in 2002 and accused of plotting a “dirty bomb,” brought to the world stage an unfolding drama in the American religious landscape. Primarily, it provided a first-hand glimpse of conversion by one who was once a member of the Latin Kings. For Padilla, gang life led to prison, and prison to Islam, which eventually led him to jihad. His story raised questions about the role of prisons in conversion, radicalization and terror recruitment, including speculation as to whether he first found God behind bars. Since Padilla, there have been at least two other high-profile terrorism cases involving Latino converts—a seemingly disproportionate number considering the relatively tiny number of Latino Muslims in the United States. This makes the involvement of Latino radicals all the more intriguing and worthy of critical attention.

Reports and studies show that Latinos in America are indeed turning to Islam, with current estimates ranging from 25,000 to 100,000 in the United States. In general, obtaining an accurate census for Muslims in the United States has proved elusive, with figures ranging from two to eight million adults. The entire number of Latinos is thus an approximation at best. Islam first appeared in the barrios of the American Northeast in the early 1970s with converts entering Islam by affiliating with African American mosques or with the Nation of Islam. The question of Latino conversion to Islam seemingly indicates that Islam is making inroads, especially among jail and prison populations. US penitentiaries foster a major interface between Muslims, usually African-Americans and Latinos who, when combined, make up a disproportionate size of the population. In places like California and Texas, home to two of the largest incarceration operations in the world, the majority of inmates are Latinos.

No reliable statistics exist for the total number of Muslim prisoners held throughout American institutions of imprisonment. Nationwide it has been estimated that fifteen percent of the prison population is Muslim; elsewhere this has been quantified as roughly 300,000 - 350,000. At the federal level, the Office of the Inspector General has reported that approximately six percent of the 150,000 federal inmates seek Islamic services. Despite the lack of reliable figures, scholars, chaplains and some prison officials have claimed that Islam is the fastest growing religion behind bars, and one study revealed that at one particular research site, one-third of African-American males converted while incarcerated.

Islam’s appeal to Latinos is enhanced by the force of hip hop culture, and Islam’s success in prison is matched only by its influence in music. Islam is dubbed the “official religion” of hip hop, while Muslim rap artists have helped spawn “raptivists” and “blastmasters”; in turn, hip hop music has been like a loyal ambassador for the faith. For many young Americans, the music affords their first encounters with Islam and race politics. Although some listeners may not be aware of or interested in the religious underpinnings of the music, rap is an outlet that has brought Islamic themes and symbols to mainstream America. The most radical strains of this music, called “godcore” or “jihadi” rap offer some of the most militant voices of Islam in America, perhaps second only to those heard behind bars. Sometimes they are one in the same, like Latino rapper Immortal Technique, an ex-prisoner who represents the most hardened core of rappers on the underground circuit, “a suicide bomber strapped and ready to blow.”

For Latinos, as with African Americans, the influence of hip hop culture, and increasingly prisons, are common vehicles for spreading radical Islam. This point suggests that religious radicalism in the United States has a strong root in American culture itself. Although many would point to foreign influences as a primary culprit for Islamic radicalization, the evidence points to actors on the homefront. The case of Daniel Maldonado is illustrative. Maldonado was an outspoken convert who radicalized to the point of moving overseas to Egypt and plotting attacks in Somalia. For Maldonado, it was American culture and foreign policy that drove him to jihad, not the persuasion of foreigners. Such is the case of the Baltimore-based Antonio Martinez, aka Muhammad Hussain, who recently was charged with attempting to detonate a weapon of mass destruction: he did not have any solid foreign connections, rather, his radicalization was homegrown and, as some have charged, homecooked by FBI sting operations.

The weight of empirical data seems to suggest that foreign influences are not primary vehicles of religious radicalism in the United States. Rather, the catalyzing forces have to do with perceived systemic unfairness and oppression of Muslims at home and abroad. Although homegrown radicals may eventually seek to work with foreign interests in the name of Islam, they need little help from abroad to reach this point. For prisoners, the prison experience itself may serve as a radicalizing factor, and an inmate who serves as “imam” at his prison is a more likely suspect for igniting individuals than organizations abroad. Perhaps more than anything else, these cases, along with Padilla and others, reveal the United States as a producer and exporter of jihadists. Thus, although alarmist voices have raised red flags about the influence of foreign Islamic organizations, especially in prisons, the more likely threat is from indigenous influences, as the Kevin Lamar James case also exemplifies. For Latinos, conversion to Islam is already a radical posture when coming from a Catholic background. Thus, this demographic may provide a fertile field of a priori radical converts already dissatisfied, dismayed and disgruntled, some of whom can be cultivated to violent extremes. 

Source: Jadaliyya - Jan 7, 2011

The Haj - In This Sacred Moment, The 'Arafah Day

Tarwiyah Day, the eighth day of Dzulhijjah, one of the greatest days of Haj.

Pilgrims spent their time in Mina’s Tent City praying, supplicating (du'a) and contemplating preparing themselves for the second stage of their five-day greatest trip.

The Day of Tarwiyah marks the very beginning of the rites of Haj, the day during which the pilgrims redo what Prophet Muhammaad s.a.w. did, from the day the rules of Haj started, when He s.a.w. reached Mina where He s.a.w. prayed Dzhuhr, 'Asr , Maghrib, 'Isya' and Fajr prayers and then proceeded to 'Arafah before the sunrise.

Narrated 'Abdul 'Aziz bin Rufai: I asked Anas bin Malik, "Tell me what you remember from ALLAH s.w.t.'s Apostle (regarding these questions): 
Where did He s.a.w. offer the Dzuhr and 'Asr prayers on the day of Tarwiyah (8th day of Dzulhijjah)?"


He s.a.w. replied, "(He offered these prayers) at Mina."  


I asked, "Where did He offer the 'Asr prayer on the day of Nafr ( the departure from Mina on the 12th or 13th of Dzulhijjah)?" 


He s.a.w replied, "At AlAbtah," and then added, "You should do as your chiefs do."  - Bukhari.

Among the rules of this day is that Haj pilgrims frequenting their Talbiyah and perform the prayers at their specific times.

The Prophet s.a.w. and his companions had already assumed Ihram before they proceeded to Mina - so are we, not necessarily from Masjidil Haram - enough from the place where we stay.

Photo: Arab News

Today, nearly three million pilgrims 'Wuquf' or standing on Mount 'Arafah or on its plain, the climax of the annual pilgrimage.

The Prophet s.a.w. said, “Haj is ‘Arafah.”

The very core of Haj takes places on the day of ‘Arafah as well as at the site known as ‘Arafah, an area where the Prophet s.a.w. went, on the 9th Dzulhijjah, as a part of His Haj.

'Arafah is where Haj pilgrims, standing and supplicating to the ALMIGHTY s.w.t., seeking HIS forgiveness and mercy.

Men, draped in two white unsewn pieces of cloth, an extraordinary symbol of Islam’s unity and equality. 
Islam, a religion of universal character fit for all times and people.

On the Mount Arafah and the plains surrounding it from where Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. gave his farewell sermon more than fourteen centuries ago, men and women formed a massive stream of white set out, chanting that they have come to answer GOD’s call. The endless sea of  'white' pilgrims, in their endless chants,  

"Labbaikallaahumma Labbaik” (O GOD, here I am answering YOUR call).

Hear ALLAH s.w.t.
Fear Allah s.w.t., in private and public.
Adhere to Islamic creed and deeds, and radiance insyaALLAH, is reflected in us, in our doings, in our daily life.

Getting to 'Arafah is not without difficulties for many.
Hardship aside, having reached the plains of Arafah is a dream come true, for all pilgrims.
All believers, from all corners of the world, come to 'Arafah, to pray to GOD.

The feeling of wanting to meet GOD, the whole body shivers...
Ability to make connection with ALLAH s.w.t. is an individual experience.
Unexplainable...
No words can explain one's feeling although everyone on the sacred ground of 'Arafah is obviously with one intention, HIS acceptance.

Arafah, peaceful, is where the connection with GOD takes place, Dzulhijjah after Dzulhijjah, over and over again.
Today, the day of Haj, is the day where connectivity and communication to ALLAH s.w.t. is obvious.

While in 'Arafah, wise pilgrims spend the day making supplications to ALLAH s.w.t. as the Prophet s.a.w said,  

“The best du‘a is the du‘a on the day of ‘Arafah.” - Abu Dawud.

It is the ultimate day to ask for forgiveness of every single sin of us, as the Prophet s.a.w. also said,  

“There is no day in which Allah s.w.t. sets free more souls from the fire of Hell than on the day of ‘Arafah.” - Muslim.

People spent the day in worship and supplication, praying for their needs, and for the welfare of all.
Praying for an end to sufferings in Afghanistan, Haiti, Iraq, Pakistan, Palestine, and everywhere else in the world.
Insya ALLAH we will have peace.
We have worldwide peace if we pray in sincerity, if the fund we use for the pilgrim is blessed, no abuse of any breathing creatures.
Unity in prayers itself has created a peaceful atmosphere, at the most peaceful place on earth.

"Labbaikallaahumma Labbaik”, reenacted again and again, since fourteen centuries ago.

The 'Arafah Day, one of the cornerstones of the pilgrimage, at the site where Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. delivered his farewell sermon, is where, on this day, the doors of heavens open to answer prayers and grant forgiveness.

Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifah are the three stops on the pilgrims’ journey during the Haj, traces the steps of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

'Arafah reminds us of our beloved Prophet s.a.w.
He asked the believers to undertake this journey and here, today, the Haj pilgrims from all over the world, undertake the journey, since the last fourteen centuries.
And Muslims will continue to do so until the Judgment Day.

Haj is tiring but rewarding.
HIS choicest blessings is on the very true believers, he who believes with his heart, mind and soul.
Answer the call of ALLAH s.w.t. and pray for peace and tranquility.
Pray sincerely, spread humanity.

Haji Mabrur aside, the feeling in us now, in this sacred moments all over the world, indescribable... 

The Haj - Dzulhijjah, The Month Of Many Virtues

Dzulhijjah is here again.
Today is the third of Dzulhijjah - after Maghrib now, so is the 4th, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar year month, the month of Haj, which gives Dzulhijjah a very special significance.

Dzulhijjah days are among the most magnificent days in Islamic calendar.
Dzulhijjah has many virtues, based on many things, particularly in its first ten days.
The first ten days of Dzulhijjah are the days of virtue and righteous deeds. Quranic verses and Hadith indicate that the first ten days of Dzulhijjah are better than all the other days of the year.

The first ten days of Dzulhijjah have been preferred by ALLAH s.w.t. over all the other days of the whole year, except that the last ten days of Ramadhan, which are considered better than them for they include Lailatul Qadr - the Night of Power - which is better than a thousand months.

"And remember ALLAH during the appointed Days. But whosoever hastens to leave in two days, there is no sin on him and whosoever stays on, there is no sin on him, if his aim is to do good and obey ALLAH (fear HIM), and know that you will surely be gathered unto HIM." - (Al-Baqarah: 203).

Celebrate the Praises of ALLAH s.w.t. during the appointed days - Takbir (Allahu Akbar), Tasbih (Subhaanallah), Tahmid (Alhamdulillah), and Talbiyah (Labbaikallah Humma Labbaik).
It is our duty to appreciate the blessed month of Dzulhijjah, having more concentration in our prayers, always on our very best.
Dzulhijjah is a wonderful moment immersing ourselves as much iba'dah, acts of worship, as possible.
Devotion and sincerity do have its reward.

Abdullah ibn Umar r.a., the son of Saidina Umar r.a., reported that The Prophet s.a.w. said: 
"There are no days greater in the sight of ALLAH and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to HIM than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahlil (La ilaaha ill-Allah), Takbir and Tahmid." - (Reported by Ahmad: 7/224).

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. commanded the believers to recite a lot of Tasbih, Tahmid and Takbir during these days.

Ibn Abbas r.a. reported that The Prophet s.a.w. said:

"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to ALLAH than these ten days." 

The people asked, "Not even jihad for the sake of ALLAH?" 

He said, "Not even jihad for the sake of ALLAH, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." - (Bukhari).

These ten days are a great blessing from ALLAH s.w.t. to all of us.

Even for us, who are not undertaking the Haj, the first ten days of Dzulhijjah are a special time to remember ALLAH s.w.t., the opportunity to sincerely correct oneself, bettering our deeds and seek HIM for forgiveness and guidance.

The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. encouraged people to do righteous deeds due to the virtue of these days and the Haj season during which the Haj season is situated.
The Prophet s.a.w. said that the first ten days of Dzulhijjah are a special time for devotion, for during these ten days that most of the Haj rites occur.

i) - 9th Dzulhijjah is the 'Arafah Day (Yaumul 'Arafah), the date when all pilgrims assemble on the plain of 'Arafah, six miles away from Makkatul Mukarramah, where the pilgrims perform the most essential part of the prescribed duties of Haj - Wuquf  - the stay in 'Arafah. Yaumul Arafah is the day when the Mercy of ALLAH s.w.t. descends in Abundance.

Yaumul 'Arafah is the day when sins are Forgiven, and do'a Accepted, all through HIS Compassion and Mercy. Yaumul 'Arafah is the day which ALLAH sw.t. perfected one's Religion.

The Prophet s.a.w. was asked about fasting on Yaumul 'Arafah.
He s.a.w. said, "It compensates for the (minor) sins of the past and the coming year." - (Ibu Majah)

Fasting on this day will be forgiven the sins of two years - before and after the Arafah Day.
The 'Arafah fast has been emphasized by the Prophet s.a.w. as a desirable act. Fasting on these ten blessed days, or at least a day, on the 9th Dzulhijjah, will bring us closer to HIM.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. has said, "One fast during these days is equal to the fasting of one complete year, and the worship of one night during this period is equal to the worship in the "Lailatul-Qadr".
 For us not performing the Haj, it is desirable to fast on this day.

ii) - Beginning from the Fajr of the 9th Dzulhijjah up to the 'Asr prayer of the 13th, it is encouraged on us to recite the Takbir of Tashriq after each daily prayer. 

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,

La Ilaha Illallahu, Wallahu Akbar,

Allahu Akbar wa Lillahilhamd.

(There is no other God but ALLAH and ALLAH is the Greatest, 

Allah is the Greatest and to ALLAH belongs all Praise).

iii) - 10th Dzulhijjah is Eidul Adha. Unlike 'Eidul Fitr, the sunnah is not to eat before the 'Eid prayer.

iv) - The Qurban. An act of total submission to ALLAH s.w.t. and a complete obedience to HIM, without hesitation.
It is encouraged for all to make sacrifices for themselves and their dependents. The sacrifice of animals - goat, sheep, cow or camel - during the 10th, 1lth and 12th of Dzulhijjah.

Looking beyond its mundane benefits, its to understand the spirit of most superior qualities so necessary to keep humanity in a state of lasting peace and welfare.
Qurban is but a powerful symbol of the required human conduct vis-a-vis the DIVINE commands.
The spirit of total submission to HIM, irrespective of difference in our economy or society.

Pine not, whine not if we are unable to slaughter a sacrifice - for general qurban included all acts of charity too, all year round.
The purpose of charity is nothing but to seek ALLAH s.w.t.'s pleasure. And, sacrifices are in many forms too. Sincerity is always priorotised. Verily, good deeds remove small sins. A gentle reminder for the mindful, for those who accept advice.

Perform sincere prayers.
"And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night: for those things that are good remove those that are evil: be that the word of remembrance to those who remember (their LORD) - (Hud: 114).

Pray that HE Bless us with HIS Virtues. Pray that HE Bless us with spiritual gains
Pray that we are all Blessed in these magical moments of Dzulhijjah.

Reflecting of our past doings will have great benefits for us, and people around us, family, neighbours, relatives and friends.
Pray for the very best, for His Bounty of what's already in our possession, His Reward, not a burden:

"On no soul do ALLAH place a burden greater than it (the soul) can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. 
(Pray): "Our GOD, condemn us not if we forget or fall into error. 
Our GOD, lay not on us a burden like that which YOU did lay on those before us. 
Our GOD, lay on us not a burden greater than we have strength to bear. 
Blot out our sins, and grant us Forgiveness. Have Mercy on us. 
YOU are our PROTECTOR, Help us against those who stand against Faith." - (Al-Baqarah : 286)