By JOEL CONNELLY - SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

Photo: Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb

There have been many signs of the revival of Al-Azhar, the Sunni world’s most important seat of learning, most recently with the appointment of Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb as the institution’s rector, writes Hossam Tamam – Al-Ahram Weekly

The declining impact of the official religious establishment, made up of Al-Azhar and its fatwa and waqf foundation offices, on religious affairs has been the most salient feature of the evolution of religious life in Egypt over the past three decades. Nevertheless, there are strong indications that we have reached a turning point where it is now possible to envision a revival of this institution as a central and effective player in the management and guidance of religious affairs, not only in Egypt but throughout the Islamic world. Read the rest of this entry »

The reasons Captain Cousteau converted to Islam .

The one who disdains prayers (Salat) will receive Fifteen punishments from Allah (SWT).. 

Six punishments in this lifetime 

Three while dying 

Three in the grave & 

Three on the Day of Judgment. 

THE SIX PUNISHMENTS OF LIFE :  Read the rest of this entry »

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) said: ‘When a man dies and his relatives are busy in funeral, there stands an extremely handsome man by his head. When the dead body is shrouded, that man gets in between the shroud and the chest of the deceased.

When after the burial, the people return home, 2 angels, Munkar and Nakeer (names of two special Angels), come in the grave and try to separate this handsome man so that they may be able to interrogate the dead man in privacy about his faith. But the handsome man says, ‘He is my companion, he is my friend. I will not  leave him alone in any case. If you are appointed for interrogation, do your job. I cannot leave him until I get him admitted into Paradise ’. Read the rest of this entry »