the message

BHAGAT SINGH - CELEBRATING LEGEND BIRTHDAY

Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh
ਭਗਤ ਸਿੰਘ
بھگت سنگھ

Born at Llyallpur, Panjab - India

28 September 1907 – 23 March 1931

Gave a new direction to revolutionary movement in India, formed 'Naujavan Bharat Sabha' to spread the message of revolution in Punjab, formed 'Hindustan Samajvadi Prajatantra Sangha' along with Chandrasekhar Azad to establish a republic in India, assassinated police official Saunders to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, dropped bomb in Central Legislative Assembly along with Batukeshwar Dutt.
Bhagat Singh was one of the most prominent faces of Indian freedom struggle. He was a revolutionary ahead of his times. By Revolution he meant that the present order of things, which is based on manifest injustice must change. Bhagat Singh studied the European revolutionary movement and was greatly attracted towards socialism. He realised that the overthrow of British rule should be accompanied by the socialist reconstruction of Indian society and for this political power must be seized by the workers.
Though portrayed as a terrorist by the British, Sardar Bhagat Singh was critical of the individual terrorism which was prevalent among the revolutionary youth of his time and called for mass mobilization. Bhagat Singh gave a new direction to the revolutionary movement in India. He differed from his predecessors on two counts. Firstly, he accepted the logic of atheism and publicly proclaimed it. Secondly, until then revolutionaries had no conception of post-independence society. Their immediate goal was destruction of the British Empire and they had no inclination to work out a political alternative. Bhagat Singh, because of his interest in studying and his keen sense of history gave revolutionary movement a goal beyond the elimination of the British. A clarity of vision and determination of purpose distinguished Bhagat Singh from other leaders of the National Movement. He emerged as the only alternative to Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, especially for the youth.
Bhagat Singh was born in a Sikh family in village Banga in Layalpur district of Punjab (now in Pakistan). He was the third son of Sardar Kisan.
Gave a new direction to revolutionary movement in India, formed 'Naujavan Bharat Sabha' to spread the message of revolution in Punjab, formed 'Hindustan Samajvadi Prajatantra Sangha' along with Chandrasekhar Azad to establish a republic in India, assassinated police official Saunders to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, dropped bomb in Central Legislative Assembly along with Batukeshwar Dutt.
Bhagat Singh was one of the most prominent faces of Indian freedom struggle. He was a revolutionary ahead of his times. By Revolution he meant that the present order of things, which is based on manifest injustice must change. Bhagat Singh studied the European revolutionary movement and was greatly attracted towards socialism. He realised that the overthrow of British rule should be accompanied by the socialist reconstruction of Indian society and for this political power must be seized by the workers.
Though portrayed as a terrorist by the British, Sardar Bhagat Singh was critical of the individual terrorism which was prevalent among the revolutionary youth of his time and called for mass mobilization. Bhagat Singh gave a new direction to the revolutionary movement in India. He differed from his predecessors on two counts. Firstly, he accepted the logic of atheism and publicly proclaimed it. Secondly, until then revolutionaries had no conception of post-independence society. Their immediate goal was destruction of the British Empire and they had no inclination to work out a political alternative. Bhagat Singh, because of his interest in studying and his keen sense of history gave revolutionary movement a goal beyond the elimination of the British. A clarity of vision and determination of purpose distinguished Bhagat Singh from other leaders of the National Movement. He emerged as the only alternative to Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, especially for the youth.
Bhagat Singh was born in a Sikh family in village Banga in Layalpur district of Punjab (now in Pakistan). He was the third son of Sardar Kisan.

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai
Dekhna hai zor kitna baazu-e-qaatil mein hai
Aye watan, Karta nahin kyun doosree kuch baat-cheet
Dekhta hun main jise woh chup teri mehfil mein hai
Aye shaheed-e-mulk-o-millat main tere oopar nisaar
Ab teri himmat ka charcha gair ki mehfil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai
Waqt aanay dey bata denge tujhe aye aasman
Hum abhi se kya batayen kya hamare dil mein hai
Kheench kar layee hai sab ko qatl hone ki ummeed
Aashiqon ka aaj jumghat koocha-e-qaatil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai
Hai liye hathiyaar dushman taak mein baitha udhar
Aur hum taiyyaar hain seena liye apna idhar
Khoon se khelenge holi agar vatan muskhil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai
Haath jin mein ho junoon katt te nahi talvaar se
Sar jo uth jaate hain voh jhukte nahi lalkaar se
Aur bhadkega jo shola-sa humaare dil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai
Hum to ghar se nikle hi the baandhkar sar pe kafan
Jaan hatheli par liye lo barh chale hain ye qadam
Zindagi to apni mehmaan maut ki mehfil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai
Yuun khadaa maqtal mein qaatil kah rahaa hai baar baar'
Kya tamannaa-e-shahaadat bhi kisee ke dil mein hai
Dil mein tuufaanon ki toli aur nason mein inqilaab
Hosh dushman ke udaa denge humein roko na aaj
Duur reh paaye jo humse dam kahaan manzil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai
Wo jism bhi kya jism hai jismein na ho khoon-e-junoon
Toofaanon se kya lade jo kashti-e-saahil mein hai
Chup khade hain aaj saare bhai mere khaamosh hain
Na karo to kuch kaho mazhab mera mushkil mein hai

सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है
देखना है ज़ोर कितना बाज़ू-ए-क़ातिल में है
(ऐ वतन,) करता नहीं क्यूँ दूसरी कुछ बातचीत,
देखता हूँ मैं जिसे वो चुप तेरी महफ़िल में है
ऐ शहीद-ए-मुल्क-ओ-मिल्लत, मैं तेरे ऊपर निसार,
अब तेरी हिम्मत का चरचा ग़ैर की महफ़िल में है
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है
वक़्त आने पर बता देंगे तुझे, ए आसमान,
हम अभी से क्या बताएँ क्या हमारे दिल में है
खेँच कर लाई है सब को क़त्ल होने की उमीद,
आशिकों का आज जमघट कूचा-ए-क़ातिल में है
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है
है लिए हथियार दुश्मन ताक में बैठा उधर,
और हम तैयार हैं सीना लिए अपना इधर.
ख़ून से खेलेंगे होली अगर वतन मुश्क़िल में है
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है
हाथ, जिन में है जूनून, कटते नही तलवार से,
सर जो उठ जाते हैं वो झुकते नहीं ललकार से.
और भड़केगा जो शोला सा हमारे दिल में है,
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है
हम तो घर से ही थे निकले बाँधकर सर पर कफ़न,
जाँ हथेली पर लिए लो बढ चले हैं ये कदम.
ज़िंदगी तो अपनी मॆहमाँ मौत की महफ़िल में है
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है
यूँ खड़ा मक़्तल में क़ातिल कह रहा है बार-बार,
क्या तमन्ना-ए-शहादत भी किसी के दिल में है?
दिल में तूफ़ानों की टोली और नसों में इन्कलाब,
होश दुश्मन के उड़ा देंगे हमें रोको न आज.
दूर रह पाए जो हमसे दम कहाँ मंज़िल में है,
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है
वो जिस्म भी क्या जिस्म है जिसमे न हो ख़ून-ए-जुनून
क्या लड़े तूफ़ान से जो कश्ती-ए-साहिल में है
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है
देखना है ज़ोर कितना बाज़ू-ए-क़ातिल में

The desire for sacrifice is now in our hearts
We shall now see what strength there is in the boughs of the enemy.
Hey country, Why is no one speaking to each other?
Whoever I see, is gathered quiet in my party...
O martyr of country, of nation, I submit myself to thee
For yet even the enemy speaks of thy courage
The desire for struggle is in our hearts...
When the time comes, we shall show thee, O heaven
For why should we tell thee now, what lurks in our hearts?
We are pulled to service, by the hope of blood, of vengeance
Yea, by our love for nation divine, we go to the streets of the enemy
The desire for struggle is in our hearts...
Armed does the enemy sit, ready to open fire
Ready too are we, our bosoms thrust out to him
With blood we shall play Holi, if our nation need us
The desire for struggle is in our hearts...
No sword can sever hands that have the heat of battle within,
No threat can bow heads that have risen so...
Yea, for in our insides has risen a flame,
and the desire for struggle is in our hearts...
Set we out from our homes, our heads shrouded with cloth,
Taking our lives in our hands, do we march so...
In our assembly of death, life is now but a guest
The desire for struggle is in our hearts...
Stands the enemy in the gallows thus, asking,
Does anyone wish to be sacrificed?...
With a host of storms in our heart, and with revolution in our breath,
We shall knock the enemy cold, and no one shall stop us...
What good is a body that does not have passionate blood,
How can one conquer a storm while in a shored boat.
The desire for struggle is in our hearts,
We shall now see what strength there is in the boughs of the enemy.

سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے

سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے
دیکھنا ہے زور کتنا بازوئے قاتل میں ہے

ایک سے کرتا نہیں کیوں دوسرا کچھ بات چیت
دیکھتا ھوں میں جسے وہ چپ تیری محفل میں ہے
اے شہید ملک و ملت میں تیرے اوپر نثار
اب تیری ہمت کا چرچہ غیر کی محفل میں ہے
سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے

وقت آنے دے بتا دیں گے تجہے اے آسمان
ہم ابھی سے کیا بتائیں کیا ہمارے دل میں ہے
کھینج کر لائی ہے سب کو قتل ہونے کی امید
عاشقوں کا آج جمگھٹ کوچئہ قاتل میں ہے
سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے

ہے لئے ہتھیار دشمن تاک میں بیٹھا ادھر
اور ہم تیار ھیں سینہ لئے اپنا ادھر
خون سے کھیلیں گے ہولی گر وطن مشکل میں ہے
سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے

ہاتھ جن میں ہو جنون کٹتے نہیں تلوار سے
سر جو اٹھ جاتے ہیں وہ جھکتے نہیں للکا ر سے
اور بھڑکے گا جو شعلہ سا ہمارے دل میں ہے
سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے

ہم جو گھر سے نکلے ہی تھے باندہ کے سر پہ کفن
جان ہتھیلی پر لئے لو، لے چلے ہیں یہ قدم
زندگی تو اپنی مہمان موت کی محفل میں ہے
سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے

یوں کھڑا مقتل میں قاتل کہہ رہا ہے بار بار
کیا تمناِ شہادت بھی کِسی کے دِل میں ہے
دل میں طوفانوں کی تولی اور نسوں میں انقلاب
ھوش دشمن کے اڑا دیں گے ھمیں روکو نہ آج
دور رہ پائے جو ہم سے دم کہاں منزل میں ہے

وہ جِسم بھی کیا جِسم ہے جس میں نہ ہو خونِ جنون
طوفانوں سے کیا لڑے جو کشتیِ ساحل میں ہے

سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے
دیکھنا ہے زور کتنا بازوئے قاتل میں ہے

Isi Sarfaroshi Ki Tamana ke sath Bharat ke yuva krantikariyone ka naya janam huwa. jinme Ashfaqullah Khan, Bhagat Singh aur Chandrashekhar Azad the. Aaj ke dour me Bharat ko age badane ke liye aur in yuva krantikariyonka 'Swatantra Bharat' aur 'Bhavishya ka Bharat nirman' ka sapana pura karne ke liye ekjut hona chahiye.

hai liye hathiyaar dushman taak mein baitha udhar
aur hum taiyyaar hain seena liye apna idhar
khoon se khelenge holi gar vatan muskhil mein hai
sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai
haath jin mein ho junoon katt te nahi talvaar se
sar jo uth jaate hain voh jhukte nahi lalkaar se
haath jin mein ho junoon katt te nahi talvaar se
sar jo uth jaate hain voh jhukte nahi lalkaar se
aur bhadkega jo shola-sa humaare dil mein hai
sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai
hum to ghar se nikle hi the baandhkar sar pe qafan
chaahatein liin bhar liye lo bhar chale hain ye qadam
zindagi to apni mehmaan maut ki mehfil mein hai
sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai
dil mein tuufaanon ki toli aur nason mein inquilaab
hosh dushman ke udaa denge humein roko na aa
duur reh paaye jo humse dam kahaan manzil mein hai
sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

Jay Hind.

Sadaqa Al-Fitr And Almsgiving - Zakat

Sadaqa Al-Fitr (also known as Zakatul-Fitr) is a small amount of food to be given in charity at the end of Ramadan, before the holiday (Eid) prayers. This amount is separate from the annual payment of Zakat, which is one of the pillars of Islam. Unlike Zakat, which is calculated annually as a percentage of extra wealth, the Sadaqa Al-Fitr is to be paid equally by every Muslim man, woman and child at the end of Ramadan.

Amount of Sadaqa Al-Fitr
According to the Prophet Muhammad, each person should give away in charity an amount equivalent to one sa'a of grain. A sa'a is an ancient measure of volume, and various scholars have struggled to interpret this amount in modern measurements. The most common understanding is that one sa'a is equivalent to 2.5 kilograms (5 pounds) of wheat. Each individual Muslim is to give away this amount -- man or woman, adult or child, sick or healthy, old or young. The senior member of the household is responsible for paying the amount on behalf of the family. So a family of four individuals (2 adults + 2 children of any age) should purchase and give away 10 kilograms or 20 pounds of food.

It is recommended that the Sadaqa Al-Fitr be given as an amount of non-perishable staple food, not cash. The purpose of this charitable donation is to ensure that all members of the community have food to eat after Ramadan and during the Eid holiday. The recommended foods may vary according to local diet, but traditionally include:

Flour/Wheat
Rice
Barley
Corn
Dates
Raisins

Some scholars advise that donations of cash are permissible, if one is living in an area where food is readily available for purchase. However, most scholars agree that giving food products is preferable.

When to Pay Sadaqa Al-Fitr
Sadaqa Al-Fitr is a charitable donation linked directly to the month of Ramadan. One must make the donations in the days or hours just prior to the Eid Al Fitr holiday prayer. This prayer occurs early on the first morning of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan.

Who Benefits From Sadaqa Al-Fitr
Sadaqa Al-Fitr is intended for members of the Muslim community who do not have enough to feed themselves and their family members. It is traditionally given directly to individuals in need. In some places, one may take the donation directly to a known needy family. In other places, the local mosque may collect all of the food donations for distribution to appropriate community members. It is recommended that the food be donated within one's local community. However, some Islamic Charitable organization accept cash donations which they use to purchase food for distribution in famine or disaster-affected regions.

Zakat

Giving to charity is one of the five "pillars" of Islam. Muslims who have wealth remaining over the year, after paying for their own basic needs, must pay a certain percentage to help others. This almsgiving is called Zakat, from an Arabic word which means both "to purify" and "to grow." Muslim believe that giving to others purifies their own wealth, increases its value, and causes one to recognize that everything we have is a trust from God. Paying Zakat is required of every adult Muslim man or woman who possesses wealth of a certain minimum amount .

Zakat vs. Sadaqah:
In addition to the required alms, Muslims are encouraged to give in charity at all times according to their means. Additional, voluntary charity is called sadaqah, from an Arabic word meaning "truth" and "honesty." Sadaqah may be given at any time and in any amount.

How Much to Pay in Zakat:
Zakat is only required of those who have wealth beyond a certain amount to meet their basic needs (called nisab in Arabic). The amount of money paid in Zakat depends on the amount and type of wealth one possesses, but is usually considered to be a minimum of 2.5% of a person's "extra" wealth. The specific calculations of Zakat are rather detailed and dependent on individual circumstances, so zakat calculators have been developed to assist with the process.

Goal setting and using the power of visualisation

Professional athletes and other highly successful people use the power of visualization technique on a regular basis. Why?

Results of a 20-year study of the effects of visualization revealed an amazing discovery. Humans see pictures on the screen of the mind when thoughts are being processed; i.e. when they think of things.

For example, if a person, let’s say, George Right, stopped doing what he was doing right now, closed his eyes and thought of his car. What would he see? Is it the word car that pops up on the screen of his mind or a visual image?

Mentally, here’s what is actually happening…

George is accessing a memory from his mind that was instilled while he was first learning what a “car” is. Then specifically, his present car popped up. He didn’t always know it was called a car.

Similarly, other humans associate names with images or other forms of stimuli as a way to refer back to them in the mind. And here’s an example of why this simple talent is so important.

Let’s go back to George for a moment. When he goes to find his car after he’s been at a shopping mall, all he is focusing on is finding the image that he has inside his head for his car. He quickly scans the parking lot and with lightning speed eliminates all other cars until he finds the familiar one that he is focused on.

With this example in mind, here is a behind-the-scenes look at how to use visualization to achieve any goal.

* Visualize an outcome you want over and over again to build ‘cells of recognition’ in your memory bank, just like you may have had with a car or other learned object when you were younger. This serves in the following two ways.

* First: you become consciously and acutely aware of everything that can help you achieve the visualized outcome that you desire. (Just like looking for a car). You quickly scan over anything that is not in tune with that image.

When you continuously focus on an image in your mind, every cell in your body is involved in that image and you vibrate and resonate with everything that is in harmony with that frequency both on a physical and non-physical level. This frequency moves you towards, and moves everything that is needed towards you, for the manifestation of the desired image.

* Second: you impress an idea into the subconscious part of you, it eventually becomes ‘fixed’ and you automatically attract and move towards that which you desire.

The reason athletes practice visualization is because they want to condition their mind in such a way that the body automatically behaves the way they want it to without effort. It is the only way to become ‘unconsciously competent’.

The same is true for highly successful people. If they visualize the success they want over and over again, eventually their bodies will automatically do whatever it must to make the image a physical reality.

The outside world is a mirror image of the inside and hidden mental world. Unfortunately, very few people have really taken the time to learn this side of their personality. And that is unfortunate because this is the part that is so powerful.

To visualize is to direct unseen energy into an orderly vibration and that is what is needed to manifest desires of the inner self. Desires must first be created in thoughts and then they are created in ‘ real life’. Humans are the sum of what they think about and focus on most.

Learn to Deal in Challenges

To really help people in extraordinary ways, learn to deal
in challenges. That is what sports is all about:
challenges. That is what music is all about. The challenge
to play so well, someone is inspired.

The challenge to say it so well, someone gets it. The
challenge to be so gifted in language that someone sees it.
Insight is unbelievable; only human beings can do this.

The man closes his eyes and puts his hands over his eyes
and says, "I see it." You say, "No, you don't; you've got
your eyes closed." No. There is more than one way to see.

And all someone has to do is to see an answer that they can
start on immediately, and within six months, their life
could start to multiply and change. Within one year, the
difference will be extraordinary, and a person who was lost
now becomes a person of influence -- just because someone
helped them to see for the moment what was wrong and the
possibility to change it. And then the challenge to go do
it and do it well.

Now, here is the best challenge of all: "Let's go do it."
Don't always say, "You go do it. You change." But rather,
"Let's get healthy. Let's go change the world. Let's build
an enterprise. Let's work on this together." See, I always
respond better to "let's."

Sometimes it is hard to lift yourself out. It's hard to be
self-inspired at first. And if someone says, "Come on, let's
start a new program." "Come on, let's do exercises." "Come
on, let's get healthy." "Come on, let's start something.
I'll be there, you be there, and you bring a guest and I'll
bring a guest -- let's start something."

That is so inspiring to have somebody say "let's." "Let's do
it." "Let's build a team." "Let's win the championship."
"Let's walk off with the trophy."

"Let's." Wow, there is something about that that can keep
you awake at nights. There is something about that that
turns on the juices. There is something about that that
reaches deep in the soul.

For a person could do extraordinary things when somebody
says "let's." "Let's do it." "I've got two with me already;
if you'll be the next one, we can conquer the world." You
say, "Whoa, together nobody is a match for us." By
yourself, you're vulnerable; but with us, nobody is a
match. You say, "Wow! I want to belong to that team." So
figure out ways to say "let's."

Get a new Attitude

One of the first and foremost things to do to change your
life is to change your attitude. Attitude is fundamental to
the success or failure that we experience in our life.

Are you less successful than you would like to be? Do you
have the money you want? Do you have the family you want? Do
you have the job that you want?

If you answered "no" to any of the questions above, then you
may want to take a look at your attitude, because so much
depends on it!

"Life is 10 percent what you make it and 90 percent how you
take it," says Irving Berlin. It is true. Now don't get me
wrong, that 10 percent is M-A-J-O-R, but even bigger than
that is what your attitude is. So, do everything that you
can -- action wise -- to make your life an absolute success.

But when you are done acting, you will only have what you
have. It may be big and it may be little. But it is what you
have to live with. Now the biggest key will be what your
attitude is toward what your actions have brought to you.

One person will work and be happy with it. Another will
work, achieve the same thing, and have a terrible attitude
about it. Who will achieve the most successful life? My bet
is on the one with the best attitude.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "To different minds, the same
world is a hell, and a heaven." It is all in what value you
give to it! You see, you may look at one thing and say
"That's terrible," while another person may say, "That's
great!"

A simple example would be a half a ham sandwich. Now, if you
are used to filet mignon, you are going to think, "A measly
old ham sandwich? Is that it?" But a starving person would
have a very different viewpoint! They would think, "I won
the lunch lottery!"

Another reason to keep in mind that our attitude is so very
important is because oftentimes the attitude we demonstrate
is exactly what we will get back. The great Earl Nightingale
said, "Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude
toward us." Think about it. You walk into a store and say to
the clerk, "Hey lady, do you think you could get off your
duff and tell me where I can find the milk?"

What kind of attitude do you think you will get back?
Instead, we should go in and say, "Excuse me, but would you
be so kind as to tell me where I could find the milk?" You
will get a good attitude back from that! The same is true in
every area of our lives.

Do you find that others have a bad attitude toward you? Then
maybe you have a bad attitude toward them. The old saying is
true that you reap what you sow; if you are reaping bad
attitudes, you are probably sowing bad attitudes. Take a
closer look, and you may find the key to turning your life around.

"There is little difference in people, but that little
difference makes a big difference. That little difference is
attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or
negative." - W. Clement Stone

Let's face it; there is little difference in people
physically or intellectually. But what does make the
difference is the attitude. You can take two people of
similar background, education, skill and intelligence and
find that one is the kind of person you are looking for
because of a positive attitude, while the other is a
complete dud -- the eternal pessimist! Your attitude is the
big difference.

What is your attitude? Is it positive or negative? Are you
an optimist or a pessimist? I guarantee you, no matter what
your attitude is, it is affecting you -- and your success.

Take this test: Purposefully upgrade your attitude for 90
days and see if life doesn't begin to change for you! Pick a
few areas where you can make a change. For example, begin to
trust people and believe the best in them and see if your
relationships begin to change!

If you're stuck or if you just want to go to the next level
of success, it's time to "Get a New Attitude!"

Birthday Wishes - in 161 Languages

How to say "Happy Birthday"

Afrikaans

Veels geluk met jou verjaarsdag!

Albanian

Urime ditelindjen!

Alsatian

Gueter geburtsdaa!

Amharic

Melkam lidet!

Arabic

Eid milaad saeed! or Kul sana wa inta/i tayeb/a! (masculine/feminine)

Armenian

Taredartzet shnorhavor! or Tsenund shnorhavor!

Assyrian

Eida D'moladukh Hawee Brikha!

Austrian-Viennese

Ois guade winsch i dia zum Gbuadsdog!

Aymara (Bolivia)

Suma Urupnaya Cchuru Uromankja!

Azerbaijani

Ad gununuz mubarek! -- for people older than you
Ad gunun mubarek! -- for people younger than you

Basque

Zorionak!

Belauan-Micronesian

Ungil el cherellem!

Bengali (Bangladesh/India)

Shuvo Jonmodin!

Bicol (Philippines)

Maogmang Pagkamundag!

Bislama (Vanuatu)

Hapi betde! or Yumi selebretem de blong bon blong yu!

Brazil

Parab?ns a voc !
Parab?ns a voc ,
nesta data querida muitas felicidades e muitos anos de vida.

Breton

Deiz-ha-bloaz laouen deoc'h!

Bulgarian

Chestit Rojden Den!

Cambodian

Som owie nek mein aryouk yrinyu!

Catalan

Per molts anys! or Bon aniversari! or Moltes Felicitats!

Chamorro

Biba Kumplianos!

Chinese-Cantonese

Sun Yat Fai Lok!

Chinese Fuzhou

San Ni Kuai Lo!

Chiness-Hakka

Sang Ngit Fai Lok!

Chinese-Mandarin

qu ni sheng er kuai le

Chinese-Shanghaiese

San ruit kua lok!

Chinese-Tiociu

Se Jit khuai lak!

Chronia Polla

NA ZHSHS

Croatian

Sretan Rodendan!

Czech

Vsechno nejlepsi k Tvym narozeninam!!

Danish

Tillykke med fodselsdagen!

Dutch-Antwerps

Ne gelukkege verjoardach!

Dutch-Bilzers

Ne geleukkege verjoardoag!

Dutch-Drents

Fellisiteert!

Dutch-Flemish

Gelukkige verjaardag! or Prettige verjaardag!

Dutch-Frisian

Fan herte lokwinske!

Dutch-Limburgs

Proficiat! or Perfisia!

Dutch-Spouwers

Ne geleukkege verjeurdoag!

Dutch-Twents

Gefeliciteard met oen'n verjoardag!

Dutch

Hartelijk gefeliciteerd! or Van harte gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag!

English

Happy Birthday!

Esperanto

Felichan Naskightagon!

Estonian

Palju onne sunnipaevaks!

Euskera

Zorionak zure urtebetetze egunean!

Faroes ( Faroe island )

Tillukku vid fodingardegnum!

Farsi

Tavalodet Mobarak!

Finnish

Hyvaa syntymapaivaa!

French (Canada)

Bonne Fete!

French

Joyeux Anniversaire!

Frisian

Lokkiche jierdei!

Gaelic (Irish)

L‡ breithe mhaith agat!

Gaelic (Scottish)

Co` latha breith sona dhuibh!

Galician (Spain)

Ledicia no teu cumpreanos!

Georgian

Gilotcav dabadebis dges!

German-Badisch

Allis Guedi zu dim Fescht!

German-Bavarian

Ois Guade zu Deim Geburdstog!

German-Berlinisch

Allet Jute ooch zum Jeburtstach! or Ick wuensch da allet Jute zum Jeburtstach!

German-Bernese

Es Muentschi zum Geburri!

German-Camelottisch

Ewllews Gewtew zewm Gewbewrtstewg. Mew!

German-Frankonian

Allmecht! Iich wuensch Dir aan guuadn Gebuardsdooch!

German-Lichtenstein

Haerzliche Glueckwuensche zum Geburtstag!

German-Moselfraenkisch

Haezzlische Glickwunsch zem Gebordsdach!

German-Plattdeutsch

Ick wuensch Di allns Gode ton Geburtsdach!

German-Rhoihessisch

Ich gratelier Dir aach zum Geburtstag!

German-Ruhr

Allet Gute zum Gebuatstach!

German-Saarlaendisch

Alles Gudde for dei Gebordsdaach!

German-Saechsisch

Herzlischen Gliggwunsch zum Geburdsdaach!

German-Schwaebisch

Aelles Guade zom Gebordzdag!

German-Wienerisch

Ois Guade zum Geburdsdog!

German

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!

Greek

Eytyxismena Genethlia! or Chronia Pola!

Greenlandic

Inuuinni pilluarit!

Gronings (Netherlands)

Fielsteerd mit joen verjoardag!

Gujarati (India)

Janma Divas Mubarak!

Gujrati (Pakistan)

Saal Mubarak!

Guarani (Paraguay Indian)]

Vy-Apave Nde Arambotyre!

Hawaiian

Hau`oli la hanau!

Hebrew

Yom Huledet Same'ach!

Hiligaynon (Philippines)

Masadya gid nga adlaw sa imo pagkatawo!

Hindi (India)

Janam Din ki badhai! or Janam Din ki shubkamnaayein!

Hungarian

Boldog szuletesnapot! or Isten eltessen!

Icelandic

Til hamingju med afmaelisdaginn!

Indonesian

Selamat Ulang Tahun!

Irish-gaelic

La-breithe mhaith agat! or Co` latha breith sona dhut! Or Breithla Shona Dhuit!

Italian

Buon Compleanno!

Italian (Piedmont)

Bun Cumpleani!

Italian (Romagna)

At faz tent avguri ad bon cumplean!

Japanese

Otanjou-bi Omedetou Gozaimasu!

Javaans-Indonesia

Slamet Ulang Taunmoe!

Jerriais

Bouon Anniversaithe!

Kannada (India)

Huttida Habba Subashayagalu!

Kapangpangan (Philippines)

Mayap a Kebaitan

Kashmiri (India)

Voharvod Mubarak Chuy!

Kazakh (Kazakstan)

Tughan kuninmen!

Klingon

Quchjaj qoSlIj!

Korean

Saeng il chuk ha ham ni da!

Kurdish

Rojbun a te piroz be!

Kyrgyz

Tulgan kunum menen!

Latin

Fortuna dies natalis!

Latvian

Daudz laimes dzimsanas diena!

Lithuanian

Sveikinu su gimtadieniu! or Geriausi linkejimaigimtadienio progal

Luganda

Nkwagaliza amazalibwa go amalungi!

Luxembourgeois

Vill Gleck fir daei Geburtsdaag!

Macedonian

Sreken roden den!

Malayalam (India)

Pirannal Aasamsakal! or Janmadinasamsakal!

Malaysian

Selamat Hari Jadi!

Maltese

Nifrahlek ghal gheluq sninek!

Maori

Kia huritau ki a koe!

Marathi (India)

Wadhdiwasachya Shubhechha!

Mauritian Kreol

mo swet u en bonlaniverser!

Mbula (Umboi Island, Papua New Guinea)

Leleng ambai pa mbeng ku taipet i!

Mongolian

Torson odriin mend hurgee!

Navajo

bil hoozho bi'dizhchi-neeji' 'aneilkaah!

Niederdeutsch (North Germany)

Ick gratuleer di scheun!

Nepali

Janma dhin ko Subha kamana!

Norwegian

Gratulerer med dagen!

Oriya (India)

Janmadina Abhinandan!

Papiamento (lower Dutch Antilles)

Masha Pabien I hopi aña mas!

Pashto (Afganistan)

Padayish rawaz day unbaraksha!

Persian

Tavalodet Mobarak!

Pinoy (Philippines)

Maligayang kaarawan sa iyo!

Polish

Wszystkiego Najlepszego! or Wszystkiego najlepszego zokazji urodzin!
wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji urodzin

Portuguese (Brazil)

Parabens pelo seu aniversario! or Parabenspara voce! or Parabens e muitas felicidades!

Portuguese

Feliz Aniversario! or Parabens!

Punjabi (India)

Janam din diyan wadhayian!

Rajasthani (India)

Janam ghaanth ri badhai, khoob jeeyo!

Romanian

La Multi Ani!

Rosarino Basico (Argentina)

Feneligiz Cunumplegeanagonos!

Russian

S dniom razhdjenia! or Pazdravliayu s dniom razhdjenia!

Sami/Lappish

Lihkos Riegadanbeaivvis!

Samoan

Manuia lou aso fanau!

Sanskrit (India)

Ravihi janmadinam aacharati!

Sardinian (Italy)

Achent'annos! Achent'annos!

Schwyzerduetsch (Swiss German)

Vill Glück zum Geburri!

Serbian

Srecan Rodjendan!

Slovak

Vsetko najlepsie k narodeninam!

Slovene

Vse najboljse za rojstni dan!

Sotho

Masego motsatsing la psalo!

Spanish

Feliz Cumplea–os!

Sri Lankan

Suba Upan dinayak vewa!

Sundanese

Wilujeng Tepang Taun!

Surinamese

Mi fresteri ju!

Swahili

Hongera! or Heri ya Siku kuu!

Swedish

Grattis pŒ fšdelsedagen

Syriac

Tahnyotho or brigo!

Tagalog (Philippines)

Maligayang Bati Sa Iyong Kaarawan!

Taiwanese

San leaz quiet lo!

Tamil (India)

Piranda naal vaazhthukkal!

Telugu (India)

Janmadina subha kankshalu!

Telugu

Puttina Roju Shubakanksalu!

Thai

Suk San Wan Keut!

Tibetan

Droonkher Tashi Delek!

Tulu(Karnataka - India)

Putudina dina saukhya!

Turkish

Dogum gunun kutlu olsun!

Ukrainian

Mnohiya lita! or Z dnem narodjennia!

Urdu (India)

Janam Din Mubarak

Urdu (Pakistan)

Saalgirah Mubarak!

Vietnamese

Chuc Mung Sinh Nhat!

Visayan (Philippines)

Malipayong adlaw nga natawhan!

Welsh

Penblwydd Hapus i Chi!

Xhosa (South Afican)

Imini emandi kuwe!

Yiddish

A Freilekhn Gebortstog!

Yoruba (Nigeria)

Eku Ojobi!

Zulu (South Afican)

Prophets of Islam

Why has God sent prophets?:

Islam teaches that God has sent prophets to humanity, in different times and places, to communicate His message. Since the beginning of time, God has sent His guidance through these chosen people. They were human beings who taught the people around them about faith in One Almighty God, and how to walk on the path of righteousness. Some prophets also revealed God's Word through books of revelation.
What message have the prophets brought?:
Muslims believe that all prophets gave guidance and instruction to their people about how to properly worship God and live their lives. Since God is One, His message has been one and the same throughout time. In essence, all prophets taught the message of Islam - to find peace in your life through submission to the One Almighty Creator; to believe in God and to follow His guidance.
What does the Qur'an say about the prophets?:
"The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one of them believes in God, His angels, His books, and His Messengers. They say: 'We make no distinction between one and another of His Messengers.' And they say: 'We hear, and we obey. We seek Thy forgiveness, Our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys.'" (Al-Baqarah, 2:285)
What prophets are named in the Qur'an?: There are 25 prophets mentioned by name in the Qur'an, although Muslims believe that there were many more in different times and places. Among the prophets that Muslims honor are:
Adam
Idris (Enoch)
Nuh (Noah) Hud Saleh Ibrahim (Abraham)
Isma'il (Ishmael)
Ishaq (Isaac) Lut (Lot)
Ya'qub (Jacob)
Yousef (Joseph)
Shu'aib
Ayyub (Job)
Musa (Moses)
Harun (Aaron)
Dhu'l-kifl (Ezekiel)
Dawud (David)
Sulaiman (Solomon)
Ilias (Elias)
Al-Yasa (Elisha)
Yunus (Jonah)
Zakariyya (Zechariah)
Yahya (John) 'Isa (Jesus) Muhammad
How do Muslims honor the prophets?:
Muslims read about, learn from, and respect all of the prophets. Many Muslims name their children after them. In addition, when mentioning the name of any of God's prophets, a Muslim adds these words of blessing and respect: "upon him be peace" (alayhi salaam in Arabic).

Myths about Islam

Islamic prayer is just a ritualized performance with no heartfelt meaning :

Prayer is a time to stand before God and express faith, give thanks for blessings, and seek guidance and forgiveness. During Islamic prayer, one is modest, submissive and respectful to God. By bowing and prostrating ourselves to the ground, we express our utmost humility before the Almighty.

How To Perform the Muslim Prayers

Five times each day, Muslims bow down to Allah in prayer. If you are learning how to pray, or are just curious about what Muslims do during prayers, follow along with these general guidelines.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 10 minutes

Here's How:
Make sure your body and place of prayer are clean. Perform ablutions if necessary. Make the intention to perform your obligatory prayer.

Standing, raise hands up and say "Allahu Akbar" (God is Most Great).

Standing with hands folded over chest, recite the first chapter of the Qur'an in Arabic. Then recite any other verses of the Qur'an that you would like.

Raise hands up, saying "Allahu Akbar." Bow, reciting three times, "Subhana rabbiyal adheem" (Glory be to my Lord Almighty).

Rise to standing while reciting "Sam'i Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal hamd" (God hears those who call upon Him; Our Lord, praise be to You).

Raise hands up, saying "Allahu Akbar." Prostrate on the ground, reciting three times "Subhana Rabbiyal A'ala" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High).

Rise to a sitting position, saying "Allahu Akbar." Prostrate again in the same manner.

Rise to a standing position, saying "Allahu Akbar."

This concludes one rak'a (cycle or unit of prayer). Begin again from Step 3 for the second rak'a.

After two rak'as, one remains sitting after the prostrations and recites the first part of the Tashahhud in Arabic.

If the prayer is to be longer than these two rak'as, one now stands up and begins again to complete the prayer, sitting again after all rak'as have been completed.

Recite the second part of the Tashahhud in Arabic.

Turn to the right and say "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah" (Peace be upon you and God's blessings).

Turn to the left and repeat the greeting. This concludes the formal prayer.

Tips:
There are five daily prayer timings. Formal prayers can be done during a window of time between the start of one prayer and the start of the following prayer.
If Arabic is not your native tongue, learn the meanings in your language while trying to practice the Arabic.
Software programs are available that can help you learn the correct positions and Arabic pronunciations. Better yet, pray with other Muslims to learn.

What You Need:
The heart-felt intention to perform the prayer
A clean body with correct ablutions
A clean place to pray
A prayer rug (optional)

Islamic Prayer Timings
Muslims observe five formal prayers each day. The timings of these prayers are spaced fairly evenly throughout the day, so that one is constantly reminded of God and given opportunities to seek His guidance and forgiveness.
Muslims observe the formal prayers at the following times:
Fajr (pre-dawn): This prayer starts off the day with the remembrance of God; it is performed before sunrise.
Dhuhr (noon): After the day's work has begun, one breaks shortly after noon to again remember God and seek His guidance.
'Asr (afternoon): In the late afternoon, people are usually busy wrapping up the day's work, getting kids home from school, etc. It is an important time to take a few minutes to remember God and the greater meaning of our lives.
Maghrib (sunset): Just after the sun goes down, Muslims remember God again as the day begins to come to a close.
'Isha (evening): Before retiring for the night, Muslims again take time to remember God's presence, guidance, mercy, and forgiveness.
In Muslim communities, people are reminded of the daily prayer times through the calling of the adhan. For those in Muslim-minority communities, computerized adhan programs are available.

Azan

Muslims use the human voice to announce the times of prayer to the community. The adhan is the call to prayer itself, and the person who calls it is called the muadhan.

The following is the Arabic transliteration and the English translation of what you hear:

Allahu AkbarGod is Great(said four times)
Ashhadu an la ilaha illa AllahI bear witness that there is no god except the One God.(said two times)
Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool AllahI bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God.(said two times)
Hayya 'ala-s-SalahHurry to the prayer (Rise up for prayer)(said two times)
Hayya 'ala-l-FalahHurry to success (Rise up for Salvation) (said two times)
Allahu AkbarGod is Great[said two times]
La ilaha illa AllahThere is no god except the One God
For the pre-dawn (fajr) prayer, the following phrase is inserted after the fifth part above, towards the end:
As-salatu Khayrun Minan-nawmPrayer is better than sleep(said two times)

Islam promotes "Jihad" to spread Islam by the sword and and kill all unbelievers:

The word Jihad stems from an Arabic word which means "to strive." Other related words include "effort," "labor," and "fatigue." Essentially Jihad is an effort to practice religion in the face of oppression and persecution. The effort may come in fighting the evil in your own heart, or in standing up to a dictator. Military effort is included as an option, but as a last resort and not "to spread Islam by the sword." The word Jihad stems from the Arabic root word J-H-D, which means "strive." Other words derived from this root include "effort," "labor," and "fatigue."

Essentially Jihad is an effort to practice religion in the face of oppression and persecution. The effort may come in fighting the evil in your own heart, or in standing up to a dictator. Military effort is included as an option, but as a last resort and not "to spread Islam by the sword" as the stereotype would have one believe. The Qur'an describes Jihad as a system of checks and balances, as a way that Allah set up to "check one people by means of another." When one person or group transgresses their limits and violates the rights of others, Muslims have the right and the duty to "check" them and bring them back into line. There are several verses of the Qur'an that describe jihad in this manner. One example: "And did not Allah check one set of people by means of another,the earth would indeed be full of mischief;but Allah is full of Bounty to all the worlds"-Qur'an 2:251 Islam never tolerates unprovoked aggression from its own side; Muslims are commanded in the Qur'an not to begin hostilities, embark on any act of aggression, violate the rights of others, or harm the innocent. Even hurting or destroying animals or trees is forbidden. War is waged only to defend the religious community against oppression and persecution, because the Qur'an says that "persecution is worse than slaughter" and "let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (Qur'an 2:190-193). Therefore, if non-Muslims are peaceful or indifferent to Islam, there is no justified reason to declare war on them.

The Qur'an describes those people who are permitted to fight: "They are those who have been expelled from their homesin defiance of right, for no cause except that they say,'Our Lord is Allah.'Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another,there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches,synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of God is commemoratedin abundant measure..."-Qur'an 22:40 Note that the verse specifically commands the protection of all houses of worship. Finally, the Qur'an also says, "Let there be no compulsion in religion" (2:256). Forcing someone at the point of a sword to choose death or Islam is an idea that is foreign to Islam in spirit and in historical practice. There is absolutely no question of waging a "holy war" to "spread the faith" and compel people to embrace Islam; that would be an unholy war and the people's forced conversions would not be sincere.

Suicide Bombers
"And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you. But do not transgress limits. Truly Allah loves not the transgressors."
- Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:190)
The dangerous escalation of violence in the world is disturbing to all people of conscience, from September 11 to the Middle East battles, and other random acts of violence perpetrated at innocent civilians.

In Islam, several things are clear:
Suicide is forbidden. "O ye who believe!... [do not] kill yourselves, for truly Allah has been to you Most Merciful. If any do that in rancour and injustice, soon shall We cast him into the Fire..." (Qur'an 4:29-30).

The taking of life is allowed only by way of justice (i.e. the death penalty for murder), but even then, forgiveness is better. "Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause..." (17:33).

In pre-Islamic Arabia, retaliation and mass murder was commonplace. If someone was killed, the victim's tribe would retaliate against the murderer's entire tribe. This practice was directly forbidden in the Qur'an (2:178-179). Following this statement of law, the Qur'an says, "After this, whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave chastisement" (2:178). No matter what wrong we perceive as being done against us, we may not lash out against an entire population of people.

The Qur'an admonishes those who oppress others and transgress beyond the bounds of what is right and just. "The blame is only against those who oppress men with wrongdoing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice. For such there will be a chastisement grievous (in the Hereafter)" (42:42).

Harming innocent bystanders, even in times of war, was forbidden by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This includes women, children, noncombatant bystanders, and even trees and crops. Nothing is to be harmed unless the person or thing is actively engaged in an assault against Muslims.
The predominant theme in the Qur'an is forgiveness and peace. Allah (God) is Merciful and Forgiving, and seeks that in His followers. Indeed, most people who spend time on a personal level with ordinary Muslims have found them to be peaceful, honest, hard-working, civic-minded people.
"O ye who believe! Remain steadfast for Allah, bearing witness to justice. Do not allow your hatred for others make you swerve to wrongdoing and turn you away from justice. Be just; that is closer to true piety."
- Qur'an, Surah al-Maidah (5:8)

Myths about Islam

Islam is intolerant of other faiths

Throughout the Qur'an, Muslims are reminded that they are not the only ones who worship God. Jews and Christians are called "People of the Book," meaning people who have received previous revelations from the One Almighty God that we all worship. The Qur'an also commands Muslims to protect from harm not only mosques, but also monasteries, synagogues, and churches -- because "God is worshipped therein."
In the Qur'an, Christians are often referred to as among the "People of the Book," i.e. people who have received and believed in previous revelation from God's prophets. There are verses that highlight the commonalities between Christians and Muslims, and other verses that warn Christians against sliding towards polytheism in their worship of Jesus Christ.
Commonalities:
"Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians -- whoever believes in God and the Last Day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord. And there will be no fear for them, nor shall they grieve" (2:62, 5:69, and many other verses).
"...and nearest among them in love to the believers will you find those who say, 'We are Christians,' because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant" (5:82).
"O you who believe! Be helpers of God -- as Jesus the son of Mary said to the Disciples, 'Who will be my helpers in (the work of) God?' Said the disciples, 'We are God's helpers!' Then a portion of the Children of Israel believed, and a portion disbelieved. But We gave power to those who believed, against their enemies, and they became the ones that prevailed" (61:14).
Warnings:
"If only they [i.e. Christians] had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course, but many of them follow a course that is evil" (5:66).
"Oh People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion, nor say of God anything but the truth. Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, was (no more than) a messenger of God, and His Word which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him. So believe in God and His messengers. Say not, 'Trinity.' Desist! It will be better for you, for God is One God, Glory be to Him! (Far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is God as a Disposer of affairs" (4:171).
"The Jews call 'Uzair a son of God, and the Christians call Christ the son of God. That is but a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. God's curse be on them; how they are deluded away from the Truth! They take their priests and their anchorites to be their lords in derogation of God, and (they take as their Lord) Christ the son of Mary. Yet they were commanded to worship but One God: there is no god but He. Praise and glory to Him! (Far is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him)" (9:30-31).

Myths about Islam

Muslims are violent, terrorist extremists :

Terrorism cannot be justified under any valid interpretation of the Islamic faith. The entire Qur'an, taken as a complete text, gives a message of hope, faith, and peace to a faith community of one billion people. The overwhelming message is that peace is to be found through faith in God, and justice among fellow human beings. Muslim leaders and scholars do speak out against terrorism in all its forms, and offer explanations of misinterpreted or twisted teachings.

The entire Qur'an, taken as a complete text, gives a message of hope, faith, and peace to a faith community of one billion people. The overwhelming message is that peace is to be found through faith in God, and justice among fellow human beings.
At the time the Qur'an was revealed (7th century A.D.), there was no United Nations or Amnesty International to keep the peace or expose injustice. Inter-tribal violence and vengeance was commonplace. As a matter of survival, one must have been willing to defend against aggression from all sides. Nevertheless, the Qur'an repeatedly urges forgiveness and restraint, and warns believers not to "transgress" or become "oppressors." Some examples:
If anyone slays a person- unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land -it would be as if he slew all people.And if anyone saves a life,it would be as if he saved the life of all people.Qur'an 5:32
Invite all to the way of your Lordwith wisdom and beautiful preaching.And argue with themin ways that are best and most gracious...And if you punish,let your punishment be proportionalto the wrong that has been done to you.But if you show patience, that is indeed the best course.Be patient, for your patience is from God.And do not grieve over them,or distress yourself because of their plots.For God is with those who restrain themselves,and those who do good.Qur'an 16:125-128
Oh you who believe!Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God,even against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin,and whether it be against rich or poor,for God can best protect both.Follow not the cravings of your hearts, lest you swerve,and if you distort justice or decline to do justice,verily God is well acquainted with all that you do.Qur'an 4:135
The recompense for an injuryis an injury equal thereto (in degree),but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation,his reward is due from God,for God loves not those who do wrong.But indeed, if any do help and defend themselvesafter a wrong done to them,against such there is no cause of blame.The blame is only against those who oppress menwith wrongdoing and insolently transgressbeyond bounds through the land,defying right and justice.For such there will be a penalty grievous (in the Hereafter).But indeed, if any show patience and forgive,that would truly be an affair of great resolution.Qur'an 42:40-43
Goodness and evil are not equal.Repel evil with what is better.Then that person with whom there was hatred,may become your intimate friend!And no one will be granted such goodnessexcept those who exercise patience and self-restraint,none but people of the greatest good fortune.Qur'an 41:34-35

The Qur'an commands Muslims to stick up for themselves in a defensive battle -- i.e. if an enemy army attacks, then Muslims are to fight against that army until they stop their aggression. All of the verses that speak about fighting/war in the Qur'an are in this context.
There are some specific verses that are very often "snipped" out of context, either by critics of Islam discussing "jihadism," or by misguided Muslims themselves who wish to justify their aggressive tactics.

"Slay Them" - If They Attack You First
For example, one verse (in its snipped version) reads: "slay them wherever you catch them" (Qur'an 2:191). But who is this referring to? Who are "they" that this verse discusses? The preceding and following verses give the correct context:
"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter... But if they cease, God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful... If they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (2:190-193).

It is clear from the context that these verses are discussing a defensive war, when a Muslim community is attacked without reason, oppressed and prevented from practicing their faith. In these circumstances, permission is given to fight back -- but even then Muslims are instructed not to transgress limits, and to cease fighting as soon as the attacker gives up. Even in these circumstances, Muslim are only to fight directly against those who are attacking them, not innocent bystanders or non-combatants.

"Fight the Pagans" -
If They Break TreatiesA similar verse can be found in chapter 9, verse 5 -- which in its snipped, out of context version could read: "fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war)." Again, the preceding and following verses give the context.
This verse was revealed during a historical period when the small Muslim community had entered into treaties with neighboring tribes (Jewish, Christian, and pagan). Several of the pagan tribes had violated the terms of their treaty, secretly aiding an enemy attack against the Muslim community. The verse directly before this one instructs the Muslims to continue to honor treaties with anyone who has not since betrayed them, because fulfilling agreements is considered a righteous action. Then the verse continues, that those who have violated the terms of the treaty have declared war, so fight them... (as quoted above).
Directly after this permission to fight, the same verse continues, "but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them... for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." The subsequent verses instruct the Muslims to grant asylum to any member of the pagan tribe/army who asks for it, and again reminds that "as long as these stand true to you, stand ye true to them: for God loves the righteous."

Conclusion
Any verse that is quoted out of context misses the whole point of the message of the Qur'an. Nowhere in the Qur'an can be found support for indiscriminate slaughter, the killing of non-combatants, or murder of innocent persons in 'payback' for another people's alleged crimes.
The Islamic teachings on this subject can be summed up in the following verses (Qur'an 60:7-8):

"It may be that God will grant love (and friendship) between you and those whom ye (now) hold as enemies. For God has power (over all things), and God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
God does not forbid you, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God loves those who are just."

Myths about Islam

Most Muslim are Arabs :
While Islam is often associated with Arabs, they make up only 15% of the world's Muslim population. The country with the largest population of Muslims is Indonesia. Muslims make up 1/5 of the world's population, with large numbers found in Asia (69%), Africa (27%), Europe (3%) and other parts of the world.

World's Muslim Population
Statistics About the Muslim Population of the World

Nearly one-fourth of the world’s population today is Muslim. The Muslim population is a diverse community of believers spanning the globe. Over fifty countries have Muslim-majority populations, while other groups of believers are clustered in minority communities on nearly every continent.
Although Islam is often associated with the Arab world and the Middle East, fewer than 15% of Muslims are Arab.
Countries With The Largest Muslim Populations (2009):
Country
Number of Muslims
Indonesia
203 million
Pakistan
174 million
India
161 million
Bangladesh
145 million
Egypt
79 million
Nigeria
78 million
Iran
74 million
Turkey
74 million
Algeria
34 million
Morocco
32 million
Iraq
30 million
Sudan
30 million
Afghanistan
28 million
Ethiopia
28 million
Uzbekistan
26 million
Saudi Arabia
25 million
Yemen
23 million
China
22 million
Syria
20 million
Russia
16 million

It has been argued by many that the invasion of Iraq will only produce more terrorism; therefore, invading Iraq was the wrong thing to do because it undermines our efforts against terrorism. A common counter-argument to this is to point out that the leading ideological voices of Islamic extremism, like Sayyid Qutb, have relied more heavily upon Islamic tradition than Western imperialism to make their case. Thus, the driving force of Islamic extremism is Islam itself, not the acts of the West. Is this a valid argument?
In fact, it is partially correct and partially mistaken. Yes, the ideas of Qutb (and others) are more dependent upon Islamic tradition than American actions and these ideas are a significant basis for the ideologies and theologies of Muslim terrorists. All of that is true - we really can't understand modern Islamic extremists without being familiar with people like Qutb.
But that's not the end of it. The fact of the matter is, Qutb's conception of Islam is not the only one, nor is it the most logical or most reasonable or best organization of traditional Muslim doctrines. It is an Islamic path and it is not an unjustified Islamic path, but it is not the only Islamic path. Thus, the question that needs to be answered is: why has this path become popular?
As a loose analogy, consider the case of Pat Robertson. He offers a Christian path and it's not an unjustified Christian path (in that it can be reasonably derived from Christian traditions), but it is certainly not the only Christian path. Thus, we cannot explain the existence of Pat Robertson fundamentalism simply by stating that it "finds its essence in the nature of Christianity." We might be right, but we aren't answering the right question.
While it may be comforting to some to imagine that there are simple ways to connect the dots between the traditions of Islam and the modern phenomenon of Muslim terrorists, reality is much more complicated than there. There is certainly a close relationship, but it is not an automatic or necessary relationship - there is a key ingredient missing.

So, why are the ideas of Islamic extremists like Sayyid Qutb so popular? That's where Western geopolitics, including our imperialism, play a role. The Arabic world suffers from an extreme case of an inferiority complex (I'm not using this in a harshly critical sense - it just seems to be the best label). Islam was once "Number One," but now it's at the bottom of the heap when it comes to military, political, scientific, economic, and cultural influence.
Sure, we get the "0" from Arabic, but how many world-renown mathematicians and computer scientists come from the Muslim Arabic world? Sure, medieval Arab physicians were an important link in the development of modern medicine, but how many ground-breaking medical techniques are developed in the Muslim Arab world? How many of the rich and famous go to Damascus or Medina for important medical procedures?
I don't mean to suggest that Arab Muslims are not capable of rising to the highest levels of science, medicine, art, or culture. I'm also not suggesting that there are none who have, here and there. Instead, I'm arguing that they are unusual. Too unusual, given the proporition of the planet's inhabitants who come from the Arab Muslim world.
German mathematicians, British computer engineers, and American doctors who are on the cutting edge of their fields are not odd. Ideally, it also wouldn't be odd if we replaced those nationalities with Syrian, Iraqi, and Jordanian. Someone who says "I'm going to New York to study the latest medical techniques" is not odd. Someone who says "I'm going to Damascus to study the latest medical techniques" is. That's what needs to be changed.
Islam went from the top to the bottom - Muslims can't explain why and can't explain how, but they want answers and they want changes. Quite understandable. Who can blame them? Unfortunately, in situations like this, people often end up looking for enemies - internal and external. Both share the lamentable characteristic of not being Muslim enough (reaching for old traditions that characterized a supposed Golden Age is another common feature of these situations).
That's the environment that produced Qutb - it produced his ideological predecessor, Ibn Taymiyyah (who struggled against the domination of the Mongols), and it produced his successors, like Muhammad Abd al-Salam Faraj and Osama bin Laden. If the above are the conditions which went a long way to making people like Qutb possible and his ideas popular, then surely it is reasonable to conclude that further demonstrations of Arab Muslim impotence in the face of a militarily and technologically superior West can only exacerbate things.
So does that mean that the invasion will produce more terrorists? Perhaps. An important point to note here, and which not everyone catches, is that a failure to invade wouldn't have suddenly made the Arab Muslim world feel powerful again. The invasion exacerbates the situation, but it doesn't create it - thus, a lack of an invasion would not produce a lack of the problematic situation. This means that the observation "this will produce more terrorists" is a valid observation, especially since it might well produce more terrorists than a lack of an invasion, but I'm not sure it qualifies as a clear argument against the invasion.
Setting aside the question of whether the invasion of Iraq was justified, we are still left with the very serious problem of Islamic extremism and Muslim terrorists. If the above helps us understand why Islamic Extremism is so popular in the Arab Muslim world, does it also help us see a way to solve the problems?

Is there a solution to the problem of the popularity of Islamic Extremism in the Arab Muslim world? Well, yes - sort of. One of the problems of the Arab Muslim world is oil - they rely on it too much. Everything is invested in oil capital, none invested in human capital. They don't produce the best and brightest who could make Damascus or Baghdad important centers of science, art, music, culture, technology, etc.
If people can achieve such goals, and do so in a secular context, then Arab Muslims could lose the inferiority complex which breeds extremism, but without resorting to Islamic fundamentalism. Everyone wins - not only do Arab Muslims benefit, but everyone else will benefit from what they can provide the rest of the world, just as they once did in their Golden Age.
This suggests, then, that post-invasion the United States and Great Britain must invest heavily in the infrastructure of secular education, not just democratic institutions. It also suggests that decreasing our reliance on foreign oil, often touted as important for the future of the West, may also be just as important for the future of the Middle East. That's awfully curious.
But will a post-war Iraq receive the support needed for developing secular education and for reducing its dependence upon oil exports? It would be wise to be skeptical of that occurring so long as the current American administration remains in power.
For one thing, the Bush administration has been very active in reducing the strength of public, secular education in favor of increased reliance upon religious education - for example, through educational voucher schemes. That is exactly what the Middle East does not need more of.
For another thing, the Bush administration has been very active in developing new and expanded sources of oil, for example by drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It doesn't seem very likely that these same people would then turn around and help Iraq spend less on oil capital and more on human capital.
Nobody knows what the future will bring, but it will help to understand what sorts of things we really should be hoping for.

Myths about Islam

Muslims don't belive in Jesus :

In the Qur'an, stories about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (called 'Isa in Arabic) are abundant. The Qur'an recalls his miraculous birth, his teachings, and the miracles he performed by God's permission. There is even a chapter of the Qur'an named after his mother, Mary (Miriam in Arabic). However, Muslims believe that Jesus was a fully human prophet and not in any way divine himself.

In the Qur'an, there are many stories about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (called 'Isa in Arabic). The Qur'an recalls his miraculous birth, his teachings, the miracles he performed by God's permission, and his life as a respected prophet of God. The Qur'an also repeatedly reminds that Jesus was a human prophet sent by God, not part of God Himself. Below are some direct quotations from the Qur'an regarding his life and teachings of Jesus.

He Was Righteous"Behold! the angels said, 'Oh Mary! God gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter, and in (the company of) those nearest to God. He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. He shall be (in the company) of the righteous... And God will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel'" (3:45-48).

He Was a Prophet"Christ, the son of Mary, was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how God makes His signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!" (5:75).

"He [Jesus] said: 'I am indeed a servant of God. He has given me revelation and made me a prophet; He has made me blessed wheresoever I be; and He has enjoined on me prayer and charity as long as I live. He has made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable. So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)!' Such was Jesus the son of Mary. It is a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute. It is not befitting to (the majesty of) God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When He determines a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is" (19:30-35).

He Was a Humble Servant of God"And behold! God will say [i.e. on the Day of Judgment]: 'Oh Jesus, the son of Mary! Did you say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of God?' He will say: 'Glory to Thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would indeed have known it. You know what is in my heart, though I know not what is in Yours. For You know in full all that is hidden. Never did I say to them anything except what You commanded me to say: 'Worship God, my Lord and your Lord.' And I was a witness over them while I lived among them. When You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a witness to all things'" (5:116-117).

His Teachings"When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: 'Now I have come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) on which you dispute. Therefore, fear God and obey me. God, He is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him -- this is a Straight Way.' But sects from among themselves fell into disagreement. So woe to the wrongdoers, from the penalty of a Grievous Day!" (43:63-65)

Do Muslims believe in the virgin birth of Jesus?

Muslims believe that Jesus (called 'Isa in Arabic) was the son of Mary, and was conceived without the intervention of a human father. The Qur'an describes that an angel appeared to Mary, to announce to her the "gift of a holy son" (19:19).

She was astonished at the news, and asked: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?" (19:20).

When the angel explained to her that she had been chosen for the service of God, and that God had ordained the matter, she devoutly submitted herself to His will. In the Qur'an and other Islamic sources, there is no mention of Joseph the carpenter, nor any recollection of the inn and manger legend. On the contrary, the Qur'an describes that Mary retreated from her people (outside the city), and gave birth to Jesus underneath a remote date palm tree. The tree miraculously provided nourishment for her during labor and birth. (See Chapter 19 of the Quran for the entire story. The chapter has aptly been named "The Chapter of Mary.")

However, the Qur'an repeatedly reminds us that Adam, the first human being, was born with neither a human mother nor a human father. Therefore, Jesus' miraculous birth affords him no higher standing or presumed partnership with God. When God ordains a matter, He merely says, "Be" and it is so. "The similitude of Jesus before God is as that of Adam. He created him from dust, then said to him: "Be!" And he was" (3:59).

In Islam, Jesus is regarded as a human prophet and messenger of God, not part of God Himself. Muslims observe two holidays per year, which are associated with major religious observances (fasting and pilgrimage). They do not revolve around the life or death of any human being, including prophets. While some Muslims observe the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday, this practice is not universally accepted among Muslims. Therefore, most Muslims do not find it acceptable to celebrate or acknowledge the "birthday" of Jesus either.

In the Qur'an, there are many stories about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (called 'Isa in Arabic). The Qur'an recalls his miraculous birth, his teachings, the miracles he performed by God's permission, and his life as a respected prophet of God. The Qur'an also repeatedly reminds that Jesus was a human prophet sent by God, not part of God Himself. Below are some direct quotations from the Qur'an regarding his life and teachings of Jesus.