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Welcome to the Website of Jonathan (Yahya) Cazalas

     The purpose of this website is simply to provide a centralized location for those who have asked for videos of my khutbahs or other lectures.  Additionally, there are introductory articles on Islaam and comparative religions.  Please feel free to contact me with any comments/questions or if you are looking to book an event.

What Is Islam? PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jonathan Cazalas   
Wednesday, 24 June 2009 13:24

     The word itself is an Arabic word; so when we go to the Arabic language, we see that the word Islaam comes from the root wood aslama, linguistically meaning “to submit.”  In arabic, one could say “aslama nafsahu ila Allah”, which translates to “He submitted his own self to God (or to the will of God).”  So linguistically, the word Islaam means submission.  It is also important to note that the word Islaam comes from the same root word as the word salaam, which means peace.

Last Updated on Saturday, 11 July 2009 13:52
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Who are the Muslims? PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jonathan Cazalas   
Wednesday, 24 June 2009 14:22

     This one is simple.  Again, the word Muslim is an Arabic word.  We see that it stems from the same word that Islaam stems from:  aslama (to submit).  Muslim is the Ism Faa’il in the Arabic language, which refers to the one who is doing the action stated by the verb.  A Muslim is the one who is doing the submitting or surrendering of his/her own self.  So, religiously, a Muslim is one who surrenders his own self to the will of his creator, to the will of Almighty God.

Last Updated on Saturday, 11 July 2009 13:53
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Who is Allah? PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jonathan Cazalas   
Wednesday, 24 June 2009 14:31

     We hear Muslims talking about Allaah and the need to worship Him.  But who is Allaah?  Is Allaah some God only for Muslims?  Is Allaah perhaps an Arab God?  You may be surprised to find how many people are confused on this simple question.

Last Updated on Saturday, 11 July 2009 13:53
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A Verse From the Quraan

“That is Allaah, your Lord; there is no deity except Him, the Creator of all things.  So worship Him, and make your worship exclusively for Him.”

     Quraan, 6:102

Prophetic Hadeeth

"Purification is half of iman (faith). Saying 'Al-Hamdulillah' (Praise be to Allah) fills the scales. Saying 'Subhanallah wa al-Hamdulillahi' (Exhalted be Allah and Praise be to Allah) fills the space between the heavens and the earth. Salah (prayer) is a light. Sadaqah (charity) is a proof. Sabr (patience) is a shining glory. The Qur'an is an argument either for you or against you. Everybody goes out in the morning and sell themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves."

     Muslim