I wrote this in november 2003 but as usual I stopped and started writing something else. I have removed quite a bit from it because Qur'an numbers. You can make correction to it and make it into better article if you like, otherwise it is correct-------

Revelation 16:
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
13  And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of
      the mouth of the dragon, and out of
      the mouth of the beast, and out of
      the mouth of the false prophet.
14  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
16  And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

This is the Armageddon people heard a lot, it is not a name of battle but place. Sound very like very big and ultimate battle, as we imagine it and wish it to happen of course. And we are like maniac imagining the blood flowing and cities after cities destroyed. Those who long for it for all his life will take very deep breath, "Good Lord", than he/she will go to bed happy and smiling, the ultimate orgasm finally arrived and over, or IS IT?
Islamically this devil known as DAJJAL, yet this dajjal or the armageddon both not mention in the Qur'an, this dajjal came from khadith and armageddon came from from Bible.
If those are not in the Qur'an therefore they are false? not necessarily, I do believe in this "great battle" but not what people have in mind, thing that most likely you never thought, the real big and decisive battle where the "strong" survived and the weak goes to dust, a final battle, and it is coming or maybe it is going already. It is not a day, a week, months or even years but war for generations.
The funny thing of this is, nobody knows who is the opponent and noone even think that they are in the war.

We heard some people said that the reason for this battle is oil, as oil will became so scarce therefore attacking those countries with oil sources will be justified.

We heard some people said that the reason for this battle is water, as water will be so scarce therefore war for water will be even more just compare to oil.

Those reasons for war are possible, but to avoid war for those reasons are available, in other word the war is avoidable event. But there is a reason which is very hard to avoid, except with one reason.

And if ye turn away, still I have conveyed unto you that wherewith I was sent unto you, and my Lord will set in place of you a folk other than you. Ye cannot injure Him at all. Lo! my Lord is Guardian over all things. (11:57)

Although the above reason which is derived from the story of Hud and His people is different, but the result always the same, remove the people and place another people in their place.
Although it would be nice for most of us to hear more theories about above armageddon, In my mind I have completely different Armageddon, not a conflict which shed bloods or the destruction of buildings but a conflict which everyone see today and eventually will reach all with no exception.

I based this on a khadith which I only heard but I heard more than once. The wording of this khadith is not important but the meaning.
According to it Iblis was receiving reports from his armies, one of them said that he just made a nation to attack the other by their military might, just for an example. The other said he just starved some section of people, again just for an example. It was the last report that was important according this khadith. The report was -
he said he just split a married couple. Hearing that Iblis stood up from his throne and hug his army genius work. That was the method he praised most.

Now we look at this method in wider view instead of a married couple, how about a community? in much larger scale the humanity itself.

Did I not charge you, O ye sons of Adam, that ye worship not the devil - Lo! he is your open foe! (36:60)

Glory be to Him Who created all the sexual pairs,
of that which the earth groweth, and of themselves, and of that which they know not! (36:36)

Those who break the covenant of Allah after ratifying it,
and sever that which Allah ordered to be joined, and (who) make mischief in the earth: Those are they who are the losers. (2:27)


Lo! Pharaoh exalted himself in the earth and made its people castes. A tribe among them he oppressed, killing their sons and sparing their women. Lo! he was of those who work corruption. (28:4)

Salam Alaikoam

Armageddon

Armageddon does not have to mean a total collapse and catastrophe in the world.

To me it means Army Gathering for W.A.R.S.=World Arising Responsibly and Spiritually setting the playing field level so all Mankind has access to Education, Counseling, Consultation this is true justice.

People of all Races, Religions and Walks of Life called together, working together for the good of all Mankind.

Though we are working everyday on many issues in life there needs to be a Call to Revive, Renew and Encourage Everyone in Their Struggles that there is Help and Hope.

In this Army Gathering everyone will be called into Service to do Their part at making the World a better place and become a better People.

Just because historical books talk about a day of collapse does not mean it has to happen.

We can and We must work with what We have and encourage more resource sharing and caring amongst all people.

The world, the Earth has blessed us with many resources and these resources are for the well being and benefit of everyone not just a few.

It is time we found a system to ensure everyone has a share in the bounty of this world and is Encouraged, Educated, Trained, Counseled, Consulted and Guided towards being the best Person they can be and let go of the ills of the past and forge a new future that is bright with good Words, Deeds, Actions and Thoughts.

Though as it says in Surah 99, 1-8 we need to sort into resolution groups to see what We have done wrong and what We have done right and work towards increases those good deeds, actions and thoughts many fold.

We are at a point where we have the power to destroy the world many times over and I say we call everyone to the table and debrief on where we have been and what we want to see in the world and ourselves and create an even more vibrant and wonderful world for all Beings, Seen and Unseen with Affirmations of Faith.

Though we cannot control others we can control ourselves and we can encourage each other to get the Education, Training, Counseling and Consultations we need to prepare and accomplish the Greatest wonder of the World, Peace.  Peace within ourselves, others and the World.

We are the key ingredients in making this World Wonderful and making Us a Wonderful People.

There is hope, we are that hope.

May your day be Blessed with a more positive attitude.

May you find hope within Yourself, Others and the World!

Anne Marie Elderkin Habibi