Gautama Buddha was the founder of Buddhism. His original name was Siddharth (meaning one who has accomplished). He was also called Sakyamuni, i.e. the sage of the tribe of Sakya. He was born in the year 563 B.C. in the village of Lumbini near Kapila Vastu, within the present borders of Nepal. According to legend, an astrologer foretold his father, the king, that young Gautama would give up the throne and luxury and renounce the world the day he would see four things (i) an old man, (ii) a sick ... [Continue Reading]
Islam in China
Prior to 500 CE and hence before the establishment of Islam, Arab seafarers had established trading relations with the “Middle Kingdom” (China). Arab ships bravely set off from Basra, the tip of the Arabian Gulf and also from the town of Qays (Siraf) in the Persian Gulf. They sailed the Indian Ocean passing Sarandip (Sri Lanka) and navigated their way through the Straits of Malacca, which were between the Sumatran and Malaysian peninsulas en route to the South China Sea. ... [Continue Reading]
Contribution of early Muslims to the field of astronomy
Out of numerous contributions by Early Muslim scholars to the field of astronomy, the following can be listed: Early Muslims precisely defined astronomy as a definite field of scientific research; translated available information and critically reviewed it; developed observing equipments (such as the telescope, the celestial mirror or armillary sphere, the quadrant, the astrolabe, etc.), astronomical tables, calculations and techniques; established a large number of observatories; innovated ... [Continue Reading]
Contributions of early muslims to the field of earth sciences
Despite the magnificent contributions of Early Muslims to the field of Earth Sciences, it has been wrongly assumed that the birth of such sciences did actually take place in 1830 A.C. by the publication of Charles Lyell’s book “Essentials of Geology”. It is true that the field has since been broadened to accommodate many specializations, has gradually advanced with big leaps and great strides, has been met with world-wide recognition and placed to widespread economic applications, but ... [Continue Reading]
Why Pork is Forbidden in Islam ?
Islam is a holistic way of life, taking into account physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Each is a separate but overlapping part of the structure of a human being. God created us with a purpose; to worship Him (Quran 51:56), He did not abandon us to a world of instability and insecurity. He gave us a book of guidance; the Quran and the example of Prophets and Messengers, to explain that trusting in God was the way for us to achieve success in this life and in the hereafter. ... [Continue Reading]
The Big Questions: Who Made Us?
At some point in our lives, everybody asks the big questions: “Who made us,” and “Why are we here?” So who did make us? Most of us have been brought up more on science than religion, and to believe in the Big Bang and evolution more than God. But which makes more sense? And is there any reason why the theories of science and creationism cannot coexist? The Big Bang may explain the origin of the universe, but it doesn’t explain the origin of the primordial dust cloud. This dust cloud (which, ... [Continue Reading]