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Valentines Day : How Halaal is it ?

2012-02-12T04:16:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day : How Halaal is it ?
by Asma bint Shameem

Okay...so its that time of the year again. When they say that "love" is in the air. The time when you see RED everywhere.....red hearts, red candy, red flowers and red roses.

And when you walk into the stores you see chocolates, and jewelry and gifts for "that someone special you know".

This is the time when the old and the young, and even kids, as young as those in elementary school, exchange valentine cards and love notes amongst themselves.
And why is all this?
Because it's "Valentine's Day"...thats why.

But the sad calamity is, that even us Muslims are doing this. And its not just in the West. Those living in Muslim countries are just as involved. They too, are exchanging cards and gifts and love notes.

They too, are celebrating Valentines Day,

But what is this "Valentine's Day" after all ?

Have we ever thought about it? What is the story behind it?

What does celebrating "Valentines Day" really mean?

Where does this fit in a Muslims life?

In fact, does it even fit in it at all?

Looking at the Quraan and Sunnah, one should realize that we should not be celebrating it in the first place, because it is a celebration of the non-Muslims. Whatever we need to celebrate has been prescribed to us by Allaah and His Messenger (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) and it is prohibited to celebrate anything else.

That is why And Allaah said:
"For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow."
[Surah al-Hajj:67]

And the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said: "Every nation has its own Eid (celebration) and this is our Eid (meaning Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha). ’ (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

But, even if this Divine command was not there, it still would not be appropriate for a Muslim to celebrate Valentines Day.

Why is that ?

Because, if you really think about it, what this day promotes and revolves around, goes against the very basic principles of Islaam. What this day encourages, cuts at the very roots of what our religion teaches us.

Let us see what some of these differences are:

1. Allaah commands us to lower our gaze and not look at the opposite gender.

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and protect their private parts....And tell the believing women to lower their gaze, and protect their private parts...” Surah al-Noor :30-31)

But Valentines Day encourages people to deliberately look and stare and seek out the one that you find attractive and pick him/her as your valentine.

2. Allaah orders the Muslim women not to talk unnecessarily or in a soft manner to strange men.

“....then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire” (Surah al-Ahzaab :32)

Even for the Sahaabah, Allaah ordered them to screen themselves from the wives of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) when they need to ask them something. Who could be purer than the wives of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) and who could be higher in taqwa than the Sahaabah?

"And when you ask (the Prophets wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts".
(Surah al-Ahzaab: 53)

Yet, for Valentines Day, you see young men and women who are absolutely not mahram for one another in any way whatsoever, going way beyond this prohibition. Not only are they talking to each other in a soft and flirtatious way, but they are right out expressing their love (in reality, lust) for each other.

3. The Sunnah prohibits a man and a woman from being alone together at any time.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said:
“Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, let him not be alone with a woman who has no mahram present, for the third one present will be the Shaytaan.” (Ahmad -- saheeh by al-Albaani)

But those who celebrate Valentines Day purposely seek to be alone with each other and go out on dates with each other while Allaah says:

“And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a Faahishah (i.e. anything that transgresses its limits: a great sin, and an evil way that leads one to hell unless Allaah Forgives him)” (al-Isra’ :32)

4. Islaam prohibits a man to even touch a non-mahram woman.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said:
“If one of you were to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle, that would be better for him than his touching a woman who is not permissible for him.” (al-Tabaraani --saheeh by al-Albaani)

But Valentines Day promotes more than just touching. It promotes hugging, kissing, cuddling and much more. May Allaah protect us.

5. Islaam teaches us that real love between a man and a woman, that is acceptable and allowed by Allaah is only that between a husband and his wife.

"And of His signs is that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you might reside with them, and has put love and mercy between you. Surely, there are signs in this for those who think".
(al-Room: 21)

But Valentines Day endorses haraam relationships between a non-mahram man and woman and encourages illicit love and un-Islaamic affiliations.

6. Islaam tells us that Hayaa (modesty) and bashfulness are a jewel to be treasured.

It is a purity and innocence that is a virtue, regardless for a man or a woman.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said:
“Hayaa (modesty) is a branch of faith.” (Bukhaari)

On the other hand, this Valentines day advocates nothing but shamelessness and immodesty. Young men and women who have no hayaa for Allaah, leave alone for each other, openly and shamelessly, ask each other to be their love or be their valentine. Subhaan Allaah!

Conclusion

We, as Muslims, should not be celebrating Valentines day, nor is it allowed for us to do so. Everything that this day revolves around and is associated with is totally against the pure and pristine teachings of Allaah and His Messenger (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam).

One shouldnt even congratulate one another or commemorate this day in any way or form. Even if this celebration is between a husband and wife, it is not right to do so because it is a celebration of the non-Muslims. And of course, if it is an illicit relationship, then obviously it is haraam.

We should adhere to the limits set by Allaah, and not transgress them just because we see other people doing so.

May Allah guide us and enable us to be true Muslims who submit earnestly and sincerely to Allaah and His Orders.
Ameen.

"O you who believe! Fear Allaah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for tomorrow, and fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is All-Aware of what you do."
(Surah al-Hashr:18)

The importance of ‘Aqeedah for the Muslim

2011-12-04T07:21:00.000-08:00

The importance of ‘Aqeedah for the Muslim

Written by/Said by: Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan
Taken from: Fataawa as-Siyaasah ash-Shar'iyyah, Question 1

Question: There is (one) here who is lax concerning the importance of aqeedah (creed) and he is of the opinion that eemaan (faith) is sufficient (for him). Do you have any clarification concerning the importance of aqeedah for the Muslim and how it reflects on his life, on his relationship with the (Muslim) society (as a whole) and with the non-Muslims?

Answer: In the name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. All praise is due to Allaah, the Lord of the all that exists. And may the peace and blessings be upon our Messenger Muhammad and upon his family and his companions. To proceed:

The correctness of aqeedah is the (most) fundamental principle. This is because bearing witness that Laa Ilaaha Illa Allaah Wa Anna Muhammaddan Rasool Allaah (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His Messenger), is the first pillar of Islaam. And the Messengers called firstly, to the correction of the aqeedah because all acts of worship and behavior depends on it and without the correct aqeedah, there is no benefit from (these) deeds. The Most High said:

“But if they had joined in worship others with Allaah, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.” - Al-An’am (6):88

And their deeds became invalid.

And Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى) said:

“Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allaah, then Allaah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers.” - Al-Maa’idah (5):72

And the Most High said:

“And indeed it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)), as it was to those (Allaah’s Messengers) before you: ‘If you join others in worship with Allaah, (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.’” - Az-Zumar (39):65

From these texts and other than them, it is clear that the correction of the aqeedah is from the important (affairs) and at the forefront of the da’wah. And the first (affair) to establish for the da’wah is the correction of aqeedah. And the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) remained in Makkah for thirteen years after his mission began, calling the people to the correction of the aqeedah and to at-Tawheed. And the faraa’id (obligatory acts of worship) were not revealed to him except in Madeenah.

Yes, and the salaat was made obligatory upon him in Makkah before the hijrah and the rest of the shar’iah was imposed on him after the hijrah. From this we have evidence that deeds are not accepted except after the correction of the aqeedah.

And this is for the one who says: That the eemaan is sufficient without having interest for the aqeedah.

This is contradictory because eemaan is not eemaan except if the aqeedah is correct. And if the aqeedah is not correct, then there is no eemaan, and (there is) no deen (religion).

Time to pray… pilots land on motorway

2011-11-03T23:03:00.000-07:00

Several Saudi air force soldiers decided to cut their mission and land on a motorway in the middle of the day to perform prayers on time.

A photojournalist who happened to be passing on the motorway just outside the capital Riyadh caught the airmen kneeling down on the road while their helicopters were parked nearby.

“Despite the scorching sun and the hot asphalt, the airmen landed their Sikorsky helicopters on the road and performed prayers on time,” Sabq daily said

ALLAH is with u always!

2011-08-15T21:10:00.000-07:00

...is with u always!

when u are blessed,

HE is Al-Rehman.

when u are hungry,

HE is Al-Razzaq.

when u are honoured,

HE is Al-Moiz.

when u are weak,

HE is Al-Moqeet.

when u pray,

HE is Al-Mujeeb.

when u need a friend,

HE is Al-Wali.

when u are detracked,

HE is Al-Hadi.

when u are gifted,

HE is Al-Kareem.

When u are forgiven,

HE is Al-Ghafoor.

when u are in darkness of hopelessness,

HE is Al-Noor.

if u are a sinner,

HE is Al-Tawwab.

Ramadhan In Pictures

2011-08-14T00:33:00.000-07:00

Some Common Mistakes in Ramadaan

2011-08-02T18:24:00.000-07:00

Lets Strive Not to Repeat the Same.
By Asma bint Shameem

1 : Taking Ramadaan as a ritual

For many of us Ramadaan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night like a zombie just because everyone around us is fasting too. We forget that its a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil....we forget to make dua, forget to beseech Allaah to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Fire. Sure we stay away from food and drink but that's about all.

Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
“Jibreel said to me, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven, and I said, Ameen.
Then he said, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by not serving them) and I said, Ameen.

Then he said, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you, and I said, Ameen.’”
(Tirmidhi, Ahmad, others. Saheeh by al-Albaani)

2 : Too much stress on food and drink

For some people, the entire month of Ramadaan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about only food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Quraan and other acts of worship. All they can think of is FOOD. So much so that they turn the month of fasting into the month of feasting. Come Iftaar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. It is also a kind of waste & extravagance.

".....and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance)" [al-Araaf :31]

3 : Spending all day cooking

Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read Quraan. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan!

4 : Eating too much

Some people stuff themselves at Suhoor until they are ready to burst, because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day and some people eat at Iftaar, like there is no tomorrow, trying to make up for the food missed. However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air." (Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah. saheeh by al-Albaani).

Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless.
It was said to Imam Ahmad: Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so.

5 : Sleeping all day

Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) sleeping away their fast. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people also are missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot bear to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control. For a fasting person to spend most of the day asleep is nothing but, negligence on his part.

6 : Wasting time

The month of Ramadaan is a precious, precious time, so much so that Allaah calls this month "Ayyamum Madoodaat" (A fixed number of days). Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allaah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or worse still, watching TV, movies or even listening to music. Subhaan Allaah! Trying to obey Allaah by DISOBEYING him!

7 : Fasting but not giving up evil

Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam, buying lotto tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allaah.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” [al-Baqarah 2:183]

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink." (Bukhaari)

8 : Smoking

Smoking is forbidden in Islam whether during Ramadaan or outside of it, as it is one of al-Khabaaith (evil things). And this includes ALL kinds of smoking material eg.cigars, cigarettes, pipes, sheesha, hookah etc.
"he allows them as lawful At Tayyibaat (all good and lawful things), and prohibits them as unlawful Al Khabaa'ith (all evil and unlawful things) [al-Araaf :157]

It is harmful, not only to the one smoking, but also to the ones around him. It is also a means of wasting ones wealth.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "There should be no harming or reciprocating harm."
This is especially true during fasting and it invalidates the fast. (Fatwa -Ibn Uthaymeen)

9 : Skipping Suhoor

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing."(Bukhaari, Muslim).

And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor." (Muslim)

10 : Stopping Suhoor at Imsaak

Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe Imsaak.

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: This is a kind of bidah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite. Allaah allows us to eat until dawn: "and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)" [al-Baqarah 2:187]

And the Prophet (pbuh) said: "….eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes."

This imsaak which some of the people do is an addition to what Allaah has prescribed, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
"Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed." (Muslim)

11 : Not fasting if they missed Suhoor

Some people are too scared to fast if they miss Suhoor. However, this is a kind of cowardice and love of ease. What is the big deal if you missed a few morsels of food? Its not like you will die. Remember, obedience to Allaah overcomes everything.

12 : Saying the intention to fast out loud or saying a specific dua to start fasting

The intention is an action of the heart. We should resolve in our heart that we are going to fast tomorrow. That is all we need. It is not prescribed by the Shariah for us to say out loud, "I intend to fast", "I will fast tomorrow" or other phrases that have been innovated by some people. Also, there is no specific dua to be recited at the time of starting the fast in the correct Sunnah. Whatever dua you may see on some papers or Ramadaan calendars, etc. is a Bidah.

read more :
Uttering the intention to fast out loud is an innovation (bidah)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveIslam_LiveIslam/message/258

Authentic & UnAuthentic Dua for Iftaar !!!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveIslam_LiveIslam/message/263

13 : Delaying breaking fast

Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be on the safe side. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to break the fast, which means breaking fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set. Aaishah (RA) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to do. (Muslim)

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to break the fast." (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul on Allaah and break your fast exactly on time.

14 : Eating continuously until the time for Maghrib is up

Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss Maghrib. That is obviously not right. The Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) was that once he broke his fast with some dates, them he would hasten to the prayer. Once you are done with the prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish.

15 : Missing the golden chance of having your Dua accepted

The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler." (al-Bayhaqi, saheeh by al-Albaani).

Instead of sitting down and making Dua at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc. Think about it....Is food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your Duas.

16 : Fasting but not praying

The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer." (Muslim)

In fact, NONE of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled.
"Whoever does not pray Asr, his good deeds will be annulled." (Bukhaari)

17 : Fasting and not wearing Hijaab

Not wearing the Hijaab is a major sin as it is obligatory for Muslim women. (See Surah Nur, Surah Ahzaab). So fasting and not wearing hijaab certainly takes away enormously from the rewards of fasting, even if does not invalidate it.

18 : Not fasting because of exams or work

Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do that during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than good grades. Besides, if you will fulfil your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make it easy for you and help you in everything you do.

"Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him." (Surah at-Talaaq 2-3)

19 : Mixing fasting and dieting

DO NOT make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet. That is one of the biggest mistakes some of us make (esp. sisters). Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah alone.

Otherwise, mixing it with the intention of dieting may become a form of (minor) Shirk.

20 : Fighting over the number of Rakaah of Taraweeh

There is no specific number of rakahs for Taraweeh prayer, rather it is permissible to do a little or a lot. Both 8 and 20 are okay. Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: "No one should be denounced for praying eleven or twenty-three (rakaah), because the matter is broader in scope than that, praise be to Allaah."

21 : Praying ONLY on the night of the 27th

Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan." (Bukhaari, Muslim).

22 : Wasting the last part of Ramadaan preparing for Eid

Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadaan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. although, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to strive the hardest during the last ten days of Ramadaan in worship (Ahmad, Muslim) and not in shopping. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadaan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadaan to the max.

Aaishah (RA) said: “When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam)) would tighten his waist-wrapper (i.e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family.” (Bukhaari and Muslim).

23 : Iftaar parties

Although inviting each other for breaking fast is something good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish Iftaar parties with all sorts of disobedience to Allaah, from flirting, mixing of the sexes and hijaab-less women, to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salaah, and Taraweeh to even music and dancing.

The Holy Prophet (SAW) Said

2011-07-01T10:42:00.001-07:00

The Holy Prophet (SAW) Said:
1) Four things that make your body sick:
a) Excessive talking
b) Excessive sleeping
c) Excessive eating and
d) Excessive meeting other people
2) Four things that destroys the body:
a) Worrying
b) Sorrow (Sadness/Grief)
c) Hunger
d) Sleeping late in the night

3) Four things that dry the face & take away its happiness:
a) Lying
b) Being disrespectful / impudent (insisting on something wrong knowingly)
c) Arguing without adequate knowledge & Information.
d) Excessive immorality (doing something wrong without fear).
4) Four things that increases the wetness of face & its happiness:
a) Piety
b) Loyalty
c) Generosity (being kind)
d) To be helpful to others without he/she asking for that.
5) Four things that stop the Rizq (Sustenance) :
a) Sleeping in the morning (from Fajr to sunrise)
b) Not Performing Namaz or Ir-regular in Prayers
c) Laziness / Idleness
d) Treachery / Dishonesty
6) Four things that bring / increase the Rizq:
a) Staying up in the night for prayers.
b) Excessive Repentance
c) Regular Charity
d) Zikr (Remembrance of Allah / God).

The Holy Prophet (SAW), Also said to communicate to others even if you listen One Verse (Ayaah) & this one verse will stand on the Day of Judgment for intercession.

The Holy Prophet (SAW) said, Stop doing everything during the Azaan, even reading the Quran, the person who talks during the Azaan will not be able to say the Kalima E Shahada on his/her death bed....
Please pass this message to Muslims...

Ya Allah

2011-04-13T09:25:00.001-07:00

All praises are for you Allah, how I hope that you are there.

For sinful though I know I am, your displeasure I can not bear.

Never, till this moment, did I realize how much I've strayed.

Never, till now, was I more conscious of all those times when I should have prayed.

For sins are like heavy baggage, that one carries through Life, the airport.

Why didn't I realize sooner, that Earth is but a place of sport?

Ya Allah ! Forgive me. Save me from the fire of Hell.

Forgive me as you did my parents, from Jannah though they fell.

Ya Allah ! Protect me. From myself for my soul is weak.

Let me not falter ever, for Jan'ah is the abode I seek.

Ya, Allah! Please help me. For I don't understand and thus, I fear.

What happened to all those moments when I never doubted that you were near?

My actions once were guided, by my faith which, once, was strong.

Ya Allah! please guide me . What happened, what went wrong?

Each footstep that I used to take, I took with you ever near my side.

The Qur'an was my faithful companion, Rasulallah my beloved guide.

How I yearn for those bygone days Allah, for I know that the day comes near

When we'll each receive our just rewards, and Truth will stand sparkling clear.

Life is like a spider's web Allah. We get caught in its tricky snare

So thoroughly are we disillusioned, time for salat we can not spare.

I sit here and I wonder, Ya Allah! Why did I fall so low?

What happened to my faith Allah? Where did my Iman go?

In this earthly life of ours, so often does sin seem right.

Falsehood seems to be the truth, as if days are confused with night.

Man is an imperfect creature. And thus, Man shall always wrong.

For the road to Jan'ah is rocky, and the journey seems awfully long.

Ya Allah ! Our creator, we are all just peices of clay.

Please help us with our steps in life, and let us not lose our way.

All praises are for you Allah, I know that you are near.

I know that you have read my heart, and my words I know you hear.

Shaytan has no power to force us into commiting sins

2011-03-19T03:28:00.000-07:00

Shaytan has no power over the believers, but he is able to gain control over those who accept his ideas and who follow him willingly.

Allah said to Iblees when he avowed to mislead the children of Adam, Certainly, you shall have no authority over My slaves, except those who follow you of the Ghaawoon (Mushrikoon and those who go astray, criminals, polytheists, and evildoers). [Soorah al-Hijr (15): 39-42]

And it is mentioned in Soorah an-Nahl (16): 99-100, Verily! He (Shaytan) has no power over those who believe and put their trust only in their Lord (Allah). His power is only over those who obey and follow him (Shaytan), and those who join partners with Him (Allah).

Shaytan can, thus do no more than call people to misguidance and make it look attractive to them. He has no power over them to force them into doing what he wants. People who respond to his call do so because it suits their whims and desires. So blame is attached only to those who respond to him.

Allah says, (on the Day of Resurrection) His Qareen (jinn companion) will say, Our Lord! I did not push him to transgression, (in disbelief, oppression, and evil deeds), but he was himself in error far astray.' Allah will say, 'Dispute not in front of Me, I had already in advance sent you the threat. The Sentence that comes from Me cannot be changed, and I am not unjust to the slaves. [Soorah al-Qaaf (50): 27-29]

Ibn Katheer said, 'His companion (qareen) will say' Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu), Mujahid, Qatadah and others said, 'this refers to the Shaytan who is appointed to accompany him. 'Our Lord! I did not push him to transgression' means, he will disown that person on the Day of Judgment, and will say, 'Our Lord! I did not push him to transgression' meaning, I did not lead him astray. 'but he was himself in error far astray' means, he was misguided in himself, receptive to falsehood and resistant to the truth...

as Allah says elsewhere, 'And Shaytan will say when the matter has been decided, 'Verily, Allah promised you a promise of truth. And I too promised you, but I betrayed you. I had no authority over you except that I called you, and you responded to me. So blame me not, but blame yourselves. I cannot help you, nor can you help me. I deny your past acts of associating me as a partner with Allah (i.e., Shirk by obeying me in the life of the world). Verily, there is a painful torment for the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers). ' [Soorah Ibraheem (14): 22]

The phrase 'Dispute not in front of Me' refers to what Allah will say to the human and his companion from among the jinn, when they dispute before Him, and the human says, 'O Lord, this one led me astray from the Reminder after it had come to me' and the devil will say, 'Our Lord! I did not push him to transgression, (in disbelief, oppression, and evil deeds), but he was himself in error far astray' i.e., from the path of truth.

Allah will say, 'Dispute not in front of Me' meaning, in My presence. I had already in advance sent you the threat' means, I sent the warning on the lips of the Messengers, and I sent down the Books, so proof and evidence was established against you. 'The Sentence that comes from Me cannot be changed' Mujahid said, this means I have passed My judgment. 'and I am not unjust to the slaves' means, I do not punish anyone for the sin of another, and I only punish a person for his sin after proof has been established against him.' [Tafseer Ibn Katheer (4/227)]

Remember 5 things Before You Sleep

2011-02-17T09:08:00.000-08:00

Do these five things before going to bed at night:

- Give 4000 dinaars in sadaqa and then sleep
- Read one complete Quran and then sleep
- Pay the price for jannat and then sleep
- Make two people happy with each other when they are upset and then sleep
- Do one hajj and then sleep

This looks impossible, how will i be able to do it?

4 times reading surah Fatiha is equals to four thousand dinaars giving in sadaqa.

3 times reading surah ikhlas (qul hu allahu ahad) is equals to one complete quran.

3 times reading any durood shareef (shortest: Sallalaho alaihe wassallam) is the price of jannat.

10 times astaghfirullah (or any istighfar) is equals to making two unhappy people happy with each other.

4 times third kalima is equals to one hajj.

To Celebrate or Not to Celebrate...

2011-02-13T05:33:00.000-08:00

To Celebrate or Not to Celebrate...
That is the Question
by Asma bint Shameem

Some of us celebrate it with great devotion and diligence, while some of us are against it with an equally great vengeance. Some say it is our religious duty while others say it is nothing but bid'ah.

People argue about it. Families split up, friends forsake each other. And sometimes people literally fight over it and hurt one another.

So what is it that I am talking about?

I am talking about celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam), the Mawlid or Milad, as some of us say.

Yes, the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal came and went. But, ever wondered..... what is the reality regarding the celebration of the birth of our beloved Prophet anyway?

Let's examine the facts.

First of all, whenever a Muslim is faced with a problem or confusing situation, what are we supposed to do? Allaah tells us:

“O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination” [Nisaa’:59]

Referring it to Allaah and His Messenger means to turn to Allaah's Book and the Sunnah of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam).

1. What does the Qur'aan say about the Mawlid?

Nothing. Yes that's right.....NOTHING.

There is absolutely nothing in the Quraan that tells us to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam). Not one single ayah.

You see, all acts of worship are tawqeefi which means that they are not subject to personal opinion and it is not permissible to do any acts of worship except those which are approved by Shareeah.

So, for example, I cannot pick a special day or time, say the 22nd of every month, and start celebrating that day as a form of worship.
Why?
Because there is nothing in the Shareeah that permits me to do that.

Also, I cannot start praying three rakaah for Fajr from tomorrow, even if I want to worship Allaah more, because Fajr Salah is only two rakaat as commanded upon us by the Shareeah.

And similarly, if there is no order for us to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam), then we dont.

In fact, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Whoever innovates anything in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam), that is not part of it will have it rejected.” (Bukhaari).

Now someone might argue that we dont celebrate the Mawlid/Milad as an act of worship.

So let's see what other evidences we have.

2. What does the Sunnah say about it?

Again, there is nothing in the Sunnah of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) that shows us that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) EVER celebrated his birthday or that of his wives, children, or Sahaabah.

There is not a single hadeeth that tells us that he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) thought this day was significant enough to celebrate it.

Just think.....if there was any good in doing so, wouldnt he would have done so himself and wouldnt he have ordered the Sahaabah to do so?

And obviously, it is not possible that he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) forgot to tell us about it, Aoodhu billaah!

Did the Sahaabah celebrate the Mawlid/Milad?

The Sahaabah were witnesses to the revelation of the Quraan.

They had the Prophet right in front of their eyes.

They ate, drank, sat, slept, talked, walked, lived with the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam).

If they misunderstood anything or were mistaken, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) immediately corrected them. And thus, their understanding and practice of Islaam was the best.

Yet, when we look at the lives and practice of the Sahaabah, we find that none of them EVER celebrated the birth of their beloved Prophet, whether during his life or even after he passed away.
Not Abubakr, not Umar, not Uthman, not Ali, nor Aaishah, Ibn Umar, Ibn Masud, Talha, Az-Zubair, not a single Sahaabi.

Doesn't that prove anything?

The Sahaabah absolutely loved the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam). They gave up their homes, families, lives, everything they had... for his sake, in the blink of an eye. Yet this love did NOT promote them to celebrate his birth.
This love translated into the practical application of his teachings and NOT picking the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal as a day of celebration.

What about the Four Imaams and other Ulama?

Did any of the Imaams – Abu Haneefah, Maalik, al-Shaafi’i, Ahmad, al-Hasan al-Basri, do this or command others to do it or say that it was good? No. In fact, it was not even mentioned during the first and best three centuries.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “The best of mankind are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them. (Bukhaari, Muslim and al-Tirmidhi).

And if the 'best of mankind' didnt celebrate his birth, then we shouldnt either.

Actually, the celebration of the Prophet’s birthday appeared many centuries later. By this time, many of the features of true religion had disappeared and bid’ah had become widespread.

Think about it!

Can it be possible that the Sahaabah, the Imaams and the people of the best three centuries were unaware of the importance of celebrating the birthday of the Prophet or that they were lacking in their love for him?

And it was only those who came later who were aware of it or loved him more?!!! How can that be?!!

Actually, dear brother/sister in Islaam, TRUE love of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) is shown and proven by following the guidance that he brought. So follow his Sunnah to the best of your ability and don't fall into innovated forms of worship. It is nothing but a trap of the Shaytaan.

“Say (O Muhammad): ‘If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Aal ‘Imraan 3:31)

And remember the words of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) when he said:

“The best of speech is the Book of Allaah, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The most evil of things are those which are newly-invented (in religion), and every innovation (bid'ah) is a going astray.”
(Muslim and al-Nisaai).

Is wishing Merry Christmas forbidden (HARAM) in Islam?

2010-12-23T02:52:00.000-08:00

Is wishing Merry Christmas forbidden (HARAM) in Islam? Dr Zakir Naik

Did You Thank Allah for Your Eyesight?

2010-10-28T05:45:00.001-07:00

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"

The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way."

What he had written was: "Today is a beautiful day and I cannot see it."

Do you think the first sign and the second sign were saying the same thing?

Of course both signs told people the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

"It is He, Who has created for you (the sense of) hearing (ears), sight (eyes), and hearts (understanding). Little thanks you give." [surah Al-Mu'minun; 78]

Arrange yourselves - SubhanAllah!

2010-10-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

In the program called (ONE FAMILY) on MAJD channel
The speaker was Dr.Yahya Alyahya (head of the CALL to Islam Committee)

He said that Muslims are never disorganized; they just need to be CONVINCED.

THEN HE TOLD A STORY OF AN AMERICAN NON MUSLIM MAN WHO WAS DISCUSSING ABOUT ISLAM WITH HIM WHILE HE WAS WATCHING LIVE .ON BROADCAST OF SALAT ISHA FROM KAABAH, ON TV

The American man was so amazed of how crowded is the masjid, more than 3 million Muslims were there at the last nights of the holy month of Ramadan, so crowded, so disorganized.

The sheikh asked the Non-Muslim man: How long do you think they'll take to organize themselves in rows and start the Salaat?

He answered: at least 2-3 hours

The sheikh said: but the masjid (HARAM) of Kaaba is 4 floors

The man said: OH, this's will make it about 12 hours then

The sheikh said: put in your mind that they are from countries all over the world with different languages.

The American man said: THEN IT's IMPOSSIBLE TO ORGANIZE THEM BY ANY MEANS!!

Then the Salaat time came, and sheikh Sudais of Makkah stood up and said (ESTAWOO)=Arrange yourselves

And within seconds, the whole scene changed and the crowd of 3 million Muslims arranged themselves in well-organized rows in NO TIME !!

The American man stared at the TV screen for a moment, and then said:

ASH-ASH-HADU ALLAH ILAHA ILLA ALLAH WA ASH-HADU ANNA MOHAMMADAN RASOOLOLLAH.

(I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but ALLAH, and I bear witness that Mohammad is His Servant and Messenger)

--
"O Allaah grant a good end to all our matters and save us from humiliation in the world and the punishment of the Hereafter." (Sunan Ahmed)

Worlds smallest handwritten holy Quran

2010-10-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

The smallest handwritten complete version of the Holy Quran ever made.
measuring 2.4cm x 1.9cm, inherited by Abed Rabbo from his great grandmother,
dates back to the Ottoman era and contains 604 pages decorated with gold ink.

Lebanese Muslim Hassan Abed Rabbo inspects with a magnifying glass
what he says is the smallest handwritten complete version of the Holy Quran
ever made at his house in Beirut.

Abed Rabbo inspects with a magnifying glass what he says is
the smallest handwritten complete version of the Holy Quran Even Made.

Rabbo holds what he says is the smallest handwritten complete version
of the Holy Quran ever made at his house in Beirut.

A picture taken in Beirut at the house of Lebanese Muslim Hassan Abed Rabbo
shows what he says is the smallest handwritten complete version
of the Holy Quran ever made sitting on top of another copy of
the Holy Quran at his house.

A picture of the smallest handwritten complete version of the Holy Quran
ever made placed on top of another copy of the Holy Quran

The smallest handwritten complete version of the Holy Quran
ever made the residence of Abed Rabb

Abed Rabbo measures what he says is the smallest handwritten
complete version of the Holy Quran ever made at his house in Beirut.

Rabbo holds what he says is the smallest handwritten complete version
of the Holy Quran ever made.

Hassan Abed Rabbo with the smallest handwritten complete version of
the Holy Quran

Hassan Abed Rabbo inspects with a magnifiying glass what he says is
the smallest handwritten complete version of the Holy Quran
ever made at his house in Beirut.

Credit

Welcoming Back The Shaitaan

2010-09-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

Welcoming Back The Shaitaan
- Adil ibn Manzoor Khan

Hurray … Eid is here.
We are Free.
We can now return back to our Daily Routine.

Is this what you just said to yourself after the Ramadhan got over ?
Then read on , this article is specially meant for you.

Eid is now over and we are busy meeting our family and relatives and giving them the Eid greetings.
But in doing so, how many of you bothered to pray the “zohar” (afternoon) salat ?
How many of us prayed Asr / Magrib / Esha ?

Hey “Esha” , but ‘Taraweeh” is now over , isnt ?
Now who cares to go, we will just read it at home after this tv daily soap. We have truly missed so many episodes of our daily soap.
I truly need to catch up with the story.

Wait a sec my dear brothers (and sisters) , think.
During Ramadhan , why was it so easy to abstain from evil and do our salat on time ?
Was it we are only muslim during Ramadhan ?
Is it not because your good friend “Shaitaan” was not near you to fill your hearts with "waswas" that you could easily pray all 5 salat on time ?

Think ?
If you have indeed changed after the Ramadhan then you have truly “Welcomed Back The Shaitaan”.

Hmmm,,, not me.
Why would anyone welcome the shaitaan and why would anyone call him a “good friend” when we all know it is he who would take us to hell ?

Now lets see and analyze for yourself.

Have you gone back to your old habbits ?
Backbitting , giving foul words , cheating , fighting ?

Do you now stare lustfully to other womens walking on the street.
Is watching Fashion TV and other haraam things back on your "sin list" ?

Do you now get angry everytime your mothers tells you something to do ?

And yes Salaats.
Asr : I am in office , cannot pray.

Magrib : I am driving home , inshallah I will pray once I reach home.

Esha : Yes I will surely pray after I finish my meal and watching tv.

Fajr , did not hear the alarm clock. Sorry + I will read once I get up for my office.

Do you know that its “good friend” (shaitaan) who sleeps next to you and ties knot around your head making it difficult for you to wake for fajr.

During Ramadhan, we prayed "tahajjud" salat during nights , now why does it appear like a huge task as if we are told to climb the mountain. Its because Shaitaan knows tahajjud is the time when Allah swt Himself says "is there anyone praying at this time of the hour, if yes I will answere his prayers" , so Shaitaan tricks us and makes our bed comfortable and cozy so that we will not leave the bed and pray.

During Ramadhan, we protected our eyes from committing zina by not looking at non-mehram ladies. Its was because of our will power and fear of Allah swt, we could achieve.
But now are you back to the old routine ? Doesnt that mean the fear of Allah swt has gone and you now trust your good friend (shaitaan)more ?

These are just few of the examples and if answer to even one of them is "true" then.. you have indeed Welcomed Back The Shaitaan.

Dont you know that on the Day of Judgement , it would be you who would be answerable to everything you did ?
That time your supposedly “good friend” (shaitaan) wont be standing next to you to answere your test ?

Choice is all yours... Either welcome your good friend (shaitaan) and stay and doom yourself in hellfire or Summit your will to Almight Allah swt and ask protection from Shaitaan.

Woman and Laylat al-Qadr

2010-09-05T19:50:00.000-07:00

What can a woman who is menstruating do on Laylat al-Qadr?
I was wondering what a woman can do on laylat al-qadr if she is menstruating at that time. can she earn extra rewards for engaging herself in worship? if so, what is permissible for her to do so that night?.

Praise be to Allaah.

A woman who is menstruating may do all acts of worship apart from praying, fasting, circumambulating the Ka’bah and doing i’tikaaf in the mosque.

It was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to stay up at night during the last ten nights of Ramadaan. Al-Bukhaari (2401) and Muslim (1174) narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “When the last ten nights of Ramadaan came, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would refrain from marital relations, stay up at night and wake his family up.”

Staying up at night is not only for prayer, rather it includes all kinds of acts of worship. This is how the scholars interpreted it.

Al-Haafiz said: “Staying up at night” means staying up to do acts of worship.

Al-Nawawi said: spending the night staying up to pray etc.

He said in ‘Awn al-Ma’bood: i.e., in prayer, dhikr and reciting the Qur’aan.

Praying qiyaam is the best act of worship that a person can do on Laylat al-Qadr. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever spends the night of Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1901; Muslim, 760).

Because the woman who is menstruating is not allowed to pray, she can spend the night in doing other acts of worship apart from prayer, such as:

1- Reading or reciting Qur’aan. See question no. 2564.

2- Dhikr – such as saying Subhaan-Allaah, La ilaaha illa-Allaah, al-Hamdu Lillaah, etc. She can repeat the words “Subhaan-Allaah wa’l-hamdu Lillaah, wa laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, wa Allaahu akbar (Glory be to Allaah, praise be to Allaah, there is no god but Allaah and Allaah is Most Great)” and “Subhaan Allaah wa bi hamdihi, subhaan Allaah il-‘Azeem (Glory and praise be to Allaah, glory be to Allaah the Almighty)” etc.

3- Istighfaar (praying for forgiveness), by repeating the phrase “Astaghfir-Allaah (I ask Allaah for forgiveness).”

4- Du’aa’ (supplication) – she can pray to Allaah and ask Him for what is good in this world and in the Hereafter, for du’aa’ is one of the best acts of worship. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Du’aa’ is ‘ibaadah (worship).” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2895; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 2370).

The woman who is menstruating can do these acts of worship and others on Laylat al-Qadr.

We ask Allaah to help us to do that which He loves and which pleases Him. May Allaah accept our righteous deeds.

http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/26753/qadr

21 Common Misconceptions about Zakaah

2010-08-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

by Asma bint Shameem

Misconception # 1
I pray, dont I?
Whats the big deal if I dont give Zakaah?

Zakaah is one of the PILLARS of Islam and NOT an option. It is just as important to ones faith as Salaah. In fact, anyone who denies it is a Kaafir and the Prophet (pbuh) and his Sahaba waged war against such persons even though they uttered the Shahadah and prayed Salaah.
About such people Abu Bakr said: "By God! I shall certainly wage war against the people who discriminate between Salaah and Zakaah." (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Misconception # 2:
But it will decrease my wealth!

Abu Hurayra said that the Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Whoever is given wealth by Allaah and does not pay the Zakaah due thereupon shall find that on the Day of Arising it is made to appear to him as a hairless snake with two black specks, which chains him, and then seizes him by his jaw and says, -I am your wealth! I am your treasure!'

Then he recited the verse, Let not those who are miserly with what God has given them of His bounty think that this is good for them. Rather, it is bad for them. That which they withhold shall be hung around their necks on the Day of Arising. [3:180] (Bukhaari)

Misconception #3:
I dont have to pay Zakaah every year.

Zakaah is an obligation that must be paid each year. The Prophet (pbuh) used to send the zakaah-collectors to the tribes and cities, and they did not differentiate between those who had paid their zakaah the previous year and those who had not, rather they used to take the zakaah that was due on all the “zakaatable” wealth that people possessed.

Misconception # 4:
I never paid Zakaah before.
I will just repent and that should be enough

The one who never paid Zakaah before should repent to Allaah first. Then he should estimate the amount of Zakaah that was due on him over the years as best he can, and pay it as soon as possible

Misconception # 5:
I dont have to pay Zakaah if I owe a debt

The one who has any “zakatable” wealth must pay zakaah on it, when one year has passed since he acquired it, even if he has debts, according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions. The Prophet (pbuh) used to command his agents to take zakaah from those who owed zakaah, and he did not tell them to ask them whether they had any debts or not. (Majmoo Fataawa -Abd al-Azeez ibn Baaz)

Misconception # 6:
I will waive my debt and count that as Zakaah

The Prophet (pbuh) said to Muaadh ibn Jabal, when he sent him to Yemen: “Teach them that Allaah has enjoined upon them zakaah on their wealth, to be taken from their rich and given to their poor.”
He (pbuh) explained that zakaah is something which is to be taken and given, so on this basis it is not permissible to let off someone who owes you money and count that as zakaah, because letting someone off a debt does not involve taking and giving.
(Fataawa Manaar al-Islam by Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen)

Shaykh al-Islam said: “letting someone off a debt does not relieve one of the obligation of zakaah, and there is no scholarly dispute on this matter. But you can give this needy person some of your zakaah and he can meet his needs using what you give him as zakaah; and Allaah will help him to pay off his debt in the future, inshaAllaah.”

Misconception #7:
I have lent someone some money. I dont have to pay Zakaah on it.

In this situation, there can be two scenarios;
1. If the borrower is rich and is known to repay debts promptly: The lender has to pay Zakaah annually on the money lent, because it is possible to recover the money readily and it is like money that is in ones possession.

2. If it is unlikely that the lender will get his money back or the borrower is known to delay repayment: Then the lender does not have to pay zakaah before he gets the money back, because it is not readily accessible and is not like money that is in ones possession.

Misconception # 8:
I pay my taxes so I dont have to pay Zakaah!

The taxes we pay are to Uncle Sam/govt , not to Allaah to Whom the Zakaah is due. And this Zakaah money is to be only spent according to the rules of Shareeah in certain specific ways. Thus, it is not permissible for the taxes we pay on our wealth to be counted as part of Zakaah. The obligatory Zakaah must be paid separately.

Misconception # 9:
I will use the money that I receive from my bank as interest to pay off Zakaah

First of all, putting money in the bank in return for interest is a kind of riba which Allaah and His Messenger have forbidden, and it is a major sin. The Prophet(pbuh) cursed the one who consumes riba and the one who pays it. (Muslim)
This money cannot be used to pay Zakaah or other kinds of charity since it is impure and a haraam form of wealth.

Misconception # 10:
I will pay Zakaah on whatever is OVER the Nisaab

If ones wealth surpasses the amount of nisaab, then Zakaah is due upon it ALL, and not upon the surplus only.

Misconception #11:
Zakaah is due on precious gems, stones and diamonds

No zakaah is due on gems, precious stones, diamonds, etc. unless they are prepared for trade, in which case they come under the same ruling as all other trade goods

Misconception # 12:
I will buy diamonds so that I dont have to pay Zakaah

Some people try to get out of Zakaah by investing in diamonds, since no Zakaah is due on them, and think they can outsmart Allah.
Doesnt Allaah know whats in our hearts and minds?
They forget that Zakaah is due on them if they are prepared for trade. “They seek to deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive none except themselves, though they do not sense it.“ (Surah al-Baqarah: 9)

Misconception # 13:
The husband HAS to pay Zakaah on the wifes jewelry and wealth

It is NOT the husbands duty to pay Zakaah on his wifes jewelry, wealth, etc. Rather, it is her responsibility, since she is the possessor of the wealth. If her husband or someone else pays zakaah on her behalf with her permission, that is o.k., and he will be rewarded for this voluntary action.

Misconception # 14:
I only have gold, but I do not have any money. So, I dont have to pay Zakaah….

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said:“ Zakaah must be paid on jewelry if it reaches the nisaab (minimum threshold), which is 85 grams. If it reaches this amount, zakaah must be paid on it. If she has other wealth and pays from that, there is nothing wrong with it. If her husband or one of her relatives pays it on her behalf, there is nothing wrong with that. If neither of these options is available to her, then she should sell some of it and pay zakaah with that money.”

Misconception # 15:
I will use my Zakaah money on my immediate family

Shaykh Ibn Baaz said: “The Muslim cannot give his zakaah to his parents or to his wife and children; rather he is obliged to spend on them from his wealth if they need that and he is able to spend on them.”

Misconception # 16:
I cannot give Zakaah to my poor relatives

It is actually preferable for a person to give their zakaah to a brother, sister, paternal uncle, paternal aunt or to any other relative, if they are poor. This is because, giving zakaah to them is both an act of charity and upholding family ties.

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Charity given to the poor is charity and charity given to a relative is charity and upholding of family ties.” (Ahmad, al-Nasaa’i)

Misconception # 17:
A woman cannot give Zakaah to her Husband

It is okay for a woman to give zakaah to her husband, if he is qualified to receive zakaah, because she is not obliged to spend on him. Also, the Prophet (pbuh) gave permission to the wife of Abd-Allaah ibn Masood to give her zakaah to her husband

Misconception # 18:
Zakaah can be given to Non-Muslims if they are poor

It is not permissible to give Zakaah to any kaafir except the one who is inclined towards Islam, in the hope that he will become Muslim if you give him zakaah (al-Tawbah:60).

Misconception # 19:
I will use Zakaah to build hospitals, masjid and orphanages

That is not permissible, because this is not included in the eight categories on which zakaah may be spent.

Allaah tells us that Zakaah may be spent on the following:
“As-Sadaqaat (Zakaah) are only
for the Fuqaraa (poor),
and Al-Masaakeen (the poor)
and those employed to collect (the funds);
and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam);
and to free the captives;
and for those in debt;
and for Allaah’s Cause (Mujaahidoon — those fighting in a holy battle),
and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything)” [al-Tawbah:60]

But if the intention in giving the money to an orphanage is so that this money will be spent on the poor orphans, then this is permissible, if the orphans are poor.
Similarly, Zakaah cannot be used to print Quraans and other Dawah material.

Misconception # 20:
Zakaah is the same as Zakaat ul-Fitr

Zakaat al-Fitr is NOT the same as Zakaah. These are two separate entities and whoever paid Zakaah is NOT relieved of paying Zakaat al-Fitr and vice-versa.

Misconception # 21:
I have to inform the one I am giving, that it is Zakaah

You do not have to tell the recipient that it is zakaah.

Because he is a Muslim!

2010-08-19T00:52:00.000-07:00

Taraweeh

2010-08-17T18:50:00.000-07:00

Firstly:
It is prescribed to offer the night prayers in Ramadaan in congregation or individually, but it is better to do it in congregation than to do it individually. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) led his companions in offering these prayers in congregation on several nights.

It is proven in al-Saheehayn that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) led his companions in prayer (Taraweeh) for several nights, then on the third or fourth night he did not come out to them. When morning came he said: “Nothing prevented me from coming out to you except the fact that I feared that it would be made obligatory for you.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1129.

According to the version narrated by Muslim (761): “But I feared that night prayers would be made obligatory for you and you would not be able to do them.”

Offering Taraweeh prayer in congregation is something that is established by the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stated the reason why he did not persist in offering this prayer in congregation, which is that he feared that it might be made obligatory. This reason cased to be applicable after the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died, because when he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died, the wahy (revelation) ceased and there was no longer any worry that it might be made obligatory. Once the reason, which was the fear of it being made obligatory, disappeared with the cessation of the wahy, then the fact that it is Sunnah to offer this prayer in congregation resumed.
See al-Sharh al-Mumti by Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen, 4/78.

Imam Ibn Abd al-Barr (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
This indicates that praying qiyaam in Ramadaan is one of the Sunnahs of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and is recommended and encouraged. It was not introduced by Umar ibn al-Khattaab, rather he revived something that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) loved and approved of. Nothing stopped him from doing it regularly except the fear that it might be made obligatory upon his ummah. He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was kind and compassionate towards his ummah. Umar knew from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that the obligatory duties would not be increased or decreased after his death (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), so he revived this practice and enjoined it upon the people. That happened in 14 AH, and Umar has the honour of being the one who revived this Sunnah.
Al-Tamheed, 8/108, 109

After the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) prayed Taraweeh in small groups and individually, until Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) united them behind a single imam.

It was narrated that Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Abd al-Qaari said: I went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) one night in Ramadaan to the mosque, and the people were scattered, with one man praying by himself and another with a group of men following his prayer. Umar said: “I think that if I gather them behind one reader, it will be better.” Then he decided to unite them behind Ubayy ibn Kab. Then I went out with him on another night, and the people were praying behind their reader. Umar said: “What a good innovation this is. But the prayer that they forget about and sleep is better than the one they are offering.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1906.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said, when refuting the view of those who quoted Umar words “What a good innovation this is” as meaning that innovation (bidah) is permissible:

With regard to qiyaam in Ramadaan, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) introduced this to his ummah, and he led them in prayer for a number of nights, because at his time they used to pray in congregation and individually. But he did not persist in leading them in one congregation, lest that be made obligatory for them. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died, shareeah was established (and would not change after that). When Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) became caliph, he united them behind one imam, Ubayy ibn Kab, who united the people in one congregation on the orders of Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him). Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) was one of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, of whom the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I urge you to adhere to my Sunnah and the way of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs after me; cling tightly to it.” So what he did was Sunnah but he said, “What a good innovation this is,” because it was an innovation in the linguistic sense, as they were doing something that they had not done during the life of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), i.e., gathering to do this, but it is SUNNAH in the shariah sense.”
Majmoo al-Fataawa, 22/234, 235

Secondly:
Completing the Quraan in Ramadaan, whether during prayer or outside prayer, is something that is praiseworthy. Jibreel (peace be upon him) used to review the Quraan with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) every Ramadaan, and in the Prophet last year he reviewed it with him twice.

Some Common Mistakes in Ramadaan

2010-08-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

Lets Strive Not to Repeat the Same.
By Asma bint Shameem

1 : Taking Ramadaan as a ritual

For many of us Ramadaan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night like a zombie just because everyone around us is fasting too. We forget that its a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil....we forget to make dua, forget to beseech Allaah to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Fire. Sure we stay away from food and drink but that's about all.

Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Jibreel said to me, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven, and I said, Ameen.

Then he said, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by not serving them) and I said, Ameen.

Then he said, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you, and I said, Ameen.’”

(Tirmidhi, Ahmad, others. Saheeh by al-Albaani)

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2 : Too much stress on food and drink
For some people, the entire month of Ramadaan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about only food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Quraan and other acts of worship. All they can think of is FOOD. So much so that they turn the month of fasting into the month of feasting. Come Iftaar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. It is also a kind of waste & extravagance.
".....and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance)" [al-Araaf :31]
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3 : Spending all day cooking
Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read Quraan. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan!

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4 : Eating too much
Some people stuff themselves at Suhoor until they are ready to burst, because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day and some people eat at Iftaar, like there is no tomorrow, trying to make up for the food missed. However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air." (Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah. saheeh by al-Albaani).

Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless.

It was said to Imam Ahmad: Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------5 : Sleeping all day
Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) sleeping away their fast. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people also are missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot bear to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control. For a fasting person to spend most of the day asleep is nothing but, negligence on his part.
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6 : Wasting time
The month of Ramadaan is a precious, precious time, so much so that Allaah calls this month "Ayyamum Madoodaat" (A fixed number of days). Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allaah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or worse still, watching TV, movies or even listening to music. Subhaan Allaah! Trying to obey Allaah by DISOBEYING him!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------7 : Fasting but not giving up evil
Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam, buying lotto tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allaah.
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” [al-Baqarah 2:183]

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink." (Bukhaari)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------8 : Smoking
Smoking is forbidden in Islam whether during Ramadaan or outside of it, as it is one of al-Khabaaith (evil things). And this includes ALL kinds of smoking material eg.cigars, cigarettes, pipes, sheesha, hookah etc.

"he allows them as lawful At Tayyibaat (all good and lawful things), and prohibits them as unlawful Al Khabaa'ith (all evil and unlawful things) [al-Araaf :157]

It is harmful, not only to the one smoking, but also to the ones around him. It is also a means of wasting ones wealth.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "There should be no harming or reciprocating harm."

This is especially true during fasting and it invalidates the fast. (Fatwa -Ibn Uthaymeen)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------9 : Skipping Suhoor
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing."(Bukhaari, Muslim).

And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor." (Muslim)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------10 : Stopping Suhoor at Imsaak

Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe Imsaak.
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: This is a kind of bidah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite. Allaah allows us to eat until dawn: "and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)" [al-Baqarah 2:187]

And the Prophet (pbuh) said: "….eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes."

This imsaak which some of the people do is an addition to what Allaah has prescribed, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

"Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed." (Muslim)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------11 : Not fasting if they missed Suhoor
Some people are too scared to fast if they miss Suhoor. However, this is a kind of cowardice and love of ease. What is the big deal if you missed a few morsels of food? Its not like you will die. Remember, obedience to Allaah overcomes everything.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------12 : Saying the intention to fast out loud or saying a specific dua to start fasting
The intention is an action of the heart. We should resolve in our heart that we are going to fast tomorrow. That is all we need. It is not prescribed by the Shariah for us to say out loud, "I intend to fast", "I will fast tomorrow" or other phrases that have been innovated by some people. Also, there is no specific dua to be recited at the time of starting the fast in the correct Sunnah. Whatever dua you may see on some papers or Ramadaan calendars, etc. is a Bidah.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------13 : Delaying breaking fast
Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be on the safe side. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to break the fast, which means breaking fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set. Aaishah (RA) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to do. (Muslim)

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to break the fast." (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul on Allaah and break your fast exactly on time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------14 : Eating continuously until the time for Maghrib is up
Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss Maghrib. That is obviously not right. The Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) was that once he broke his fast with some dates, them he would hasten to the prayer. Once you are done with the prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------15 : Missing the golden chance of having your Dua accepted
The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler." (al-Bayhaqi, saheeh by al-Albaani).

Instead of sitting down and making Dua at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc. Think about it....Is food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your Duas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------16 : Fasting but not praying
The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer." (Muslim)
In fact, NONE of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled.

"Whoever does not pray Asr, his good deeds will be annulled." (Bukhaari)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------17 : Fasting and not wearing Hijaab
Not wearing the Hijaab is a major sin as it is obligatory for Muslim women. (See Surah Nur, Surah Ahzaab). So fasting and not wearing hijaab certainly takes away enormously from the rewards of fasting, even if does not invalidate it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------18 : Not fasting because of exams or work

Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do that during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than good grades. Besides, if you will fulfil your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make it easy for you and help you in everything you do.

"Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him." (Surah at-Talaaq 2-3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------19 : Mixing fasting and dieting
DO NOT make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet. That is one of the biggest mistakes some of us make (esp. sisters). Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah alone.

Otherwise, mixing it with the intention of dieting may become a form of (minor) Shirk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------20 : Fighting over the number of Rakaah of Taraweeh
There is no specific number of rakahs for Taraweeh prayer, rather it is permissible to do a little or a lot. Both 8 and 20 are okay. Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: "No one should be denounced for praying eleven or twenty-three (rakaah), because the matter is broader in scope than that, praise be to Allaah."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------21 : Praying ONLY on the night of the 27th
Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan." (Bukhaari, Muslim).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------22 : Wasting the last part of Ramadaan preparing for Eid
Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadaan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. although, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to strive the hardest during the last ten days of Ramadaan in worship (Ahmad, Muslim) and not in shopping. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadaan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadaan to the max.

Aaishah (RA) said: “When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam)) would tighten his waist-wrapper (i.e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family.” (Bukhaari and Muslim).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------23 : Iftaar parties
Although inviting each other for breaking fast is something good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish Iftaar parties with all sorts of disobedience to Allaah, from flirting, mixing of the sexes and hijaab-less women, to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salaah, and Taraweeh to even music and dancing.

Wallahualam

SADAQAT AL JARIYAH

2010-08-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

SADAQAT AL JARIYAH - THE ACTIONS WHICH OUTLIVES YOU

1.Give a copy of Quran to someone and each time they read from it, you will gain hasanaat

2.Donate a wheel chair to a hospital and each time a sick person uses it, you will gain hasanaat

3. Share constructive reading material with someone

4. Help in educating a child

5. Teach someone to recite a doa . With each recitation, you will gain hasanaat

6. Share a doa or Quran CD

7. Participate in the building of a mosque thru wealth or strength

8. Place a water cooler in a public place

9. Plant a tree. Each time any person or an animal sits under its shade or eats from the tree, you will gain hasanaat

10. Share this with someone. If one person applies any of the above you will receive your hasanaat until the Day of Judgment

You Are Never Alone

2010-07-30T01:55:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, when the world's not on your side,
You don't know where to run to,
You don't know where to hide.

You gaze, at the stars in the sky,
At the mountains so high.
Through the tears in your eyes.

Looking for a reason,
to replace what is gone.
Just remember, remember
That you are never alone.

You are never alone (you are never alone),
Just reach into your heart,
And Allah is always there.

You are never alone (you are never alone)
Through sorrow and through grief
Through happiness and peace
You are never alone.

So now as you long for your past,
Prepare for your future,
But knowing nothings going to last.

You see this life is but a road,
A straight and narrow path,
To our final abode.

So travel well O Muslim,
And Paradise will be your home,
And always remember.
That you are never alone.

You are never alone (you are never alone),
Just reach into your heart,
And Allah is always there.

You are never alone (Allah is there),
Through sorrow and through grief,
Through happiness and peace,
You are never alone.

You are never alone (you are never never alone),
Just reach into your heart,
And Allah is always there.

You are never alone (you are never alone),
Through sorrow and through grief,
Through happiness and peace,
You are never alone.

Cellphone Vs Al-Quran

2010-07-13T08:04:00.000-07:00

Just sharing this, got from a friend in Yemen last night.

Cell phone vs Quran

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Quran like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several time a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Quran?

Oh, and one more thing.

Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Quran being disconnected

Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!

18 Ways to Achieve Greatness through Gratefulness

2010-06-24T09:10:00.001-07:00

I wanted to share this beautiful article written by: Br. Taha Ghayyur

Whether you consider yourself a positive, easy-going person or a demanding, hard to please person, these tips can help you become a more grateful, caring, and content individual.

There is much more to gratitude and Syukur (thankfulness) in Islam than a mere “Thank You” that our ears have become so used to ignoring. Discover how you can be more thankful to Allah and His creation.

1. Stop Complaining and be positive! This is the first step towards being thankful to Allah and people around you. We have become a community of complainers and whiners, which has lead to a collective psychology of negativity and unproductively.Stop complaining about the economy, weather, politicians, traffic, or ‘the system’. Refrain from blaming your Masjid, Imams, parents, spouse, in-laws, children, or boss. If you think with an open mind, you may find more positives in your circumstances and the people around you than negatives.

2. Say “Al-hamdulillah” (All thanks and praise belongs to Allah) often: A constant utterance of this phrase reminds you of the source of all blessings and happiness in this life. This practice of attributing all good actions to Allah keeps you humble and content and has a positive affect on your relations with people.Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, has instructed us to say “Al-hamdulillah” on daily basis: “Allah is pleased with His servant if, when he eats something he thanks Allah for it, and when he drinks something he thanks Allah for it” (Muslim).

3. Respect others’ time and schedule: Part of ungratefulness is wastage of time. As a scholar once said, “Time is not just money. It is more expensive than gold, diamonds and pearls. Time is life itself!”Arriving late at a meeting or a class, cancelling appointments last minute, or starting off a program late, are not only a big waste of time and disrespectful to others, but also a lack of appreciation of others’ time on your part.

4. Seize the opportunity while you can. Procrastination in offering your prayers, delaying a donation to a humanitarian cause, or filling your leisure time with unproductive or unlawful activities is ingratitude to Allah for the limited time and opportunity He has given you to do good and to achieve Paradise.Prophet Muhammad warned us, “Good health and spare time are two of the blessings of Allah with respect to which many people are deceived.” (Bukhari)Even if you live till tomorrow, what guarantee do you have that there won’t be any obstacles in carrying out a good action. The Prophet used to call on Muslims to take the initiative to do good deeds before any problems arise.

5. Spend 15 minutes daily to think about things that you should be thankful for: Recall people in your life, whom you may have taken for granted like your parents, spouse, children, co-worker, or teacher, who were caring and loving.List some of Allah’s gifts that are not tangible or were not obvious to you before. Sulayman, a follower of the Prophet’s Companions, once said: “Remembering His blessings makes one love Allah.”This simple mental exercise not only makes you a grateful person, but also a healthy one. According to a 2001 research bythe Institute for Research on Unlimited Love (IRUL), based in Ohio, just 15 minutes a day focusing on the things you are grateful for will significantly increase your body’s natural antibodies, will make you less vulnerable to clinical depression, and will keep your blood pressure and heart rate stable.

6. Be patient and grateful when disasters strike: The depth and strength of your gratitude is tested in difficult times. Allah wants to see how thankful you truly are when you loose your job or a loved one, or when you feel ill and or get injured.It helps to know that in times of calamity and distress, there will be some good for you, provided you respond appropriately. The Prophet said, “How wonderful is the case of a Believer! There is good for him in whatever happens to him -and none, apart from him, enjoys this blessing.” (Muslim)Sufyan al-Thawri, a famous early scholar of Islam, said, “He does not understand religion properly who does not count affliction as a blessing and ease as a trial.”

7. Donate your time, talent, money, and advice to social work and non-profit efforts: In our profit-driven culture, it is burdensome to squeeze out time and wealth for others. Your selfless service and generosity towards people in need and non-profit organizations is a sure way of showing gratitude to Allah and to your community.The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him said, “People are dependants of Allah; the closest to Him are those who are most useful to His dependants” (Muslim).”As the blessings from Allah to a servant increase, so will the people’s needs of that blessed servant’s services. If the servant ignores their needs, it will cause those blessings to be removed” (lbn Hibban).

8. Visit the sick, the terminally ill, and the disabled: Frequenting patients and families of the deceased, not only brings comfort to them and brings multiple rewards from Allah to you, it also helps you appreciate your own good health and opportunities you have in life to serve others.

9. Share the message of Islam: If you appreciate the guidance of Islam as your most precious treasure, don’t hesitate to share it with others. If Islam has changed your life for the better, what’s holding you back from inviting your friends, family, neighbours, and co-workers to explore this message of hope and positive transformation?

10. Recite and memorize the Duas of Prophet Muhammad: The most natural and beautiful way to thank Allah is the words of the Prophet himself.The Prophet told Muadh, “By Allah, I love you, so do not forget to say at the end of every prayer, ‘O Allah, help me to remember You and to give thanks to You and to worship You well’” (Ahmad and At-Tirmidhî).

11. Fall in Prostration (Sajda) when you receive a blessing from Allah:Prophet Muhammad used to prostrate (Sajda) to Allah whenever he received something pleasant or was told good news to thank Allah for the grace he had received.

12. Don’t consider any blessing too small: Treat all gifts of Allah with equal respect and gratitude, lest you lose it one day for good. Aishah said that the Prophet entered upon her one day and saw a small piece of bread on the floor, so he picked it up and wiped it, then told her: “O Aishah, treat the blessings of Allah with respect, for when it departs from a household it may never come back to them” (Abud Dunya).

13. Use and display Allah’s blessings moderately. Part of being grateful to Allah is to look presentable and clean, and spend money on yourself with moderation.Abul-Akhwas nar rated that his father said: “I came to the Messenger of Allah looking dishevelled and scruffy. He asked me, ‘Do you have any possessions?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He asked me what sort, and I told him, ‘I have all sorts. Allah has given me camels, horses, slaves and sheep.’ The Prophet said: ‘If Allah has given you all of that, then let Him see His blessing on you.’”

14. Don’t be too picky and accommodate others! Some people express their discomfort (perhaps unintentionally) with anything that they are not used to. They may be too picky about their taste of food, clothing and furniture; they may get irritated easily in new environments; they may like meeting only a certain type of people; they may not like working with others.This insensitivity to other people’s preferences and inability to accommodate others is a sign of selfishness, arrogance, and ungratefulness. Be content in every situation and you will become grateful.

15. Admire those below you and keep your expectations low: A lot of times the reason for our ungrateful behaviour is that we are constantly comparing our material success with the wealthier, healthier, and more accomplished. In our race to ‘keep-up-with-the-Ahmad-family’ next door, we forget so many obvious blessings that others may not enjoy and we should be thankful for.The Prophet admonished us, “Look at those people who have less than you and never look at those who have more grants than you, this will ensure that you will not depreciate Allah’s favours” (Muslim).

16. Thank people for littlest things: People like to be appreciated for little favours they do for us, which often get ignored in our busy routines. When was the last time you thanked your little son for taking care of simple chore for you? Has your husband heard a compliment from you lately?Take the time to thank them for their thoughtfulness. As the Prophet stated, “The one who does not give thanks for a small blessing will not give thanks for a great blessing, and the one who does not give thanks to people will not give thanks to Allah” (Abud Dunya).

17. Compliments & recognition and motivate team members: Whether you are an employer or a manager at work, or lead a volunteer based project, or simply a team player, a personal recognition significantly boosts the employee or volunteer morale.As Stephen Robbins in his book “The Truth about Managing People” explains, several organizational behaviour studies have indicated employees and volunteers rate personal thanks and recognition from a superior for a job well-done as the most motivating of a variety of incentives; yet not many team leaders use this simple, cost-effective technique that works like magic! What kinds of personal recognition and group success incentives does your organization have in place?

18. When you thank someone, make sure you mean it: When you say “Jazakallahu Khayran” (May Allah reward you the best) to your wife, does it come from your heart? Or is it received as another cold cliché?Be a little creative when you really want to express your gratitude to someone. Say it with a personal thank you card. Show it with flowers. Accompany it with a genuine smile. Charge it with emotions. Enhance it with a meal or a meaningful gift.

Read the full post on: http://www.productivemuslim.com/journal/2009/11/16/guest-post-18-ways-to-achieve-greatness-through-gratefulness.html

** Its one of the best qualities to aspire to, of being grateful.**

Do share with others too.

Wassalam.

Stones from Sky - Saudi Arabia

2010-06-23T05:38:00.000-07:00

The Importance of Friday

2010-06-17T21:53:00.000-07:00

Friday is the best day of the week.

Imam Bukhari and Muslim reported that Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) had said, "We (Muslims) came last and yet we are the first on the day of judgment. They have received the books before us (meaning Torah and Injil). We have received the book after them (meaning the Quran). Friday was their day to be glorified. However, they disputed on that while Allah had told us Friday is the day to glorify.

Thus they will follow us.

The Jews glorify Saturday,

and the Christians glorify Sunday."

Also reported by Imam Muslim, Abo-Dawod, Al-Nesaii, and Al-Termithi, that Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) had said, "The best day during which the sun have risen is Friday. It is the Day Adam was created. It is the day when Adam entered paradise and also when he was taken out from it. It is also the day on which the day of judgment takes place."

Muslims are supposed to do the following on Fridays:

Men are obligated to participate in Friday Prayer. Allah (S.W.T.) said in Surat Al-Jumauah, (verse 9), what can be translated as, "O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed to Prayer on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business. That is best for you if you but knew."

In addition, prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) had warned from not attending Friday Prayer. Imam Muslim and Ahmad had reported that Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) said about people who do not attend Friday Prayer,

"I wanted to ask a man to lead people in the prayer so that I may go and burn houses of men who did not attend the Friday Prayer with us"

He also said reported by Imam Muslim, Ahmad and An-Nesaii, "Either they (meaning people who do not attend the Friday prayer) stop neglecting Friday prayers or Allah will set a seal on their hearts so they can not find the right path again."

In another authentic hadith reported by Abu Dawod, Termithi, An-Nesaii, and Ibn-Majah, that the prophet (P.B.U.H.) said, "Who ever does not attend three Friday prayers, (without a valid excuse) Allah will set a seal on his heart"

It is also recommended to increase supplication especially at the last hour of the day since it is the hour when requests are replied by Allah. In an authentic hadith reported by Imam An-Nesaii, Abu-Dawod, and Al-hakim, that the prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said, "Friday has 12 hours, one of which is the hour where cries are granted for Muslim believers. This hour is sought at the last hour after Asar."

It is encouraged to wish peace be upon prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) during Fridays and Fridays night because of an authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod, An-Nesaii, and Ibn-Majah, that the Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H.) said, "The best day is Friday. On Friday Adam was created, and died. On Friday is the first time the trumpet is blown (meaning when every creature dies) and the second time the trumpet is blown (referring to resurrection). So increase the number of times you wish peace upon me since this prayer will be shown to me."

They asked him, How will our prayers be shown to you after you have vanished. He replied, "Allah has prohibited earth to cause the body of prophets to decay."
It is also recommended that Muslims recite surat Al-Kahf, because of the authentic hadith reported by Imam Al-Baihaqee, and Al-Hakim, that the prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) had said, "Who ever recites surat Al-Kahf on Friday, Allah will give him a light to the next Friday."

It is also recommended that Muslims clean and wash themselves and make sure they smell nice when they attend Friday Prayers. Imam Muslim and Bukhari reported that the prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) said, "Every Muslim is obligated to wash on Fridays and wear his best cloth. Also, he should use perfume if he has any."

It is important to come early to the Friday prayer.

All of the hadith collectors, except Ibn-Majah, reported in an authentic hadith that the prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said, "If one washes himself and then went to Friday Prayer, it is considered as if he donated a camel for the sake of Allah. However, If he went in the second hour then it is considered as if he donated a cow and if the third hour then as if he donated a big sheep and if the fourth hour then as if he donated a chicken and if the fifth hour then as if he donated an egg. Then when the Imam starts delivering the speech the angels come and listen to it."

Also in anther authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod that the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) said, "On Friday the angels come to stand on the doors of the mosque (masjid), the angels record who comes first, if the Imam starts delivering the speech, the angles close their files and come to listen to the speech."

It is forbidden to work on Fridays after the call for the prayer was announced because Allah says in surat Al-Jumuah, (verse 9), what can be translated as, "When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business."

Also, it is forbidden to talk during the Khutbah. Several sayings of prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) covers this subject. In an authentic hadith reported by (the group of Ahadith collectors), except Ibn-Majah that prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said, "If you told your friend to pay attention on Friday while the Imam is delivering the speech then you committed a sin of vain talk."

Another authentic hadith which was reported by Imam Ibn-Majah and Attermizi that prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) said, "Even who touches the gravel on the floor then he committed vain talk, and he who does commit that there will be no (Jumuah) Friday for him."

It is also disliked to walk between sitting people during Friday gathering unless there is an empty spot to fill.

In an authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod, An-Nesaii, and Ahmad that, A man came and started walking between people during a Friday gathering while Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was delivering his speech, so the Prophet told him, "Sit because you caused harm to other people and came in late."

It was not legislated to consider Friday as a day off and not work during it. Because Allah (S.W.T.) said in surat Al-Jumu’ah, (verse 10), what can be translated as, "And when the prayer is finished, then you may disperse through the land and seek of the bounty of Allah."

It was not a habit of any of the companions to consider Friday as a day to take off work. On the contrary Imam Al-Malek said, "It is disliked to take Friday off since we will be resembling the Jews and Christians for taking, respectively, Saturday or Sunday off."

Finally , there are two important matters for us in this country to be cautioned of.

First of all, we must not neglect Friday Prayers because of work, study, or other matters. Every Muslims should make attending Friday Prayer as his top priority. It is important to do so since ignoring it three times with no valid reason will cause the heart to be sealed from the right path.

The second matter to watch for is the loosing of ones interest in the importance of Friday. This is especially important for the growing generation who are used to the concept of weekend being Saturday and Sunday and know almost nothing about the importance of Friday in the eyes of Muslims.

So it is our duty to remind them and ourselves about this great day which is the best day of the week and try to spend it according to Islamic teaching.

The Importance of Friday
(Friday speech was delivered by Imam Mohamed Baianonie at the Islamic Center of Raleigh on April 6, 1990)

KA’BA under rain

2010-05-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

Miracle Of Allah

2010-05-06T05:46:00.000-07:00

Allahuakbar!

2010-03-30T10:16:00.000-07:00

A young man had been to Wednesday Night Class of Quranic Studies. The Mualim had shared about listening to Allah and obeying Allah through intuition.

The young man couldn't help but wonder, 'Does Allah still speak to people through intuition?'

After Lessons, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how Allah had led them in different ways and that at the end you'll know it was Allah(SWT) Who has directed you.

It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, 'Allah...If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen.. I will do my best to obey.'

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, 'Allah is that you?' He didn't get a reply and started on toward home.

But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk came into his head. 'Okay, Allah, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.' It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk.

He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.

As he passed Seventh Street , he again felt the urge, 'Turn Down that street.'This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection.
Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street .

At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, 'Okay, Allah, I will.'

He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around.

He was in a semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the
best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either.
The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed something, 'Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street.'

The young man looked at the house.. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep.

He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat. 'Allah, this is insane. Those people are asleep and
if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid.'
Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door, 'Okay Allah(SWT), if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay.

I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something, but if the don't answer right away, I am out of here.'

He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, 'Who is it? What do you want?' Then the door opened before the young man could get away.

The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. 'What is it?'
The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, 'Here, I brought this to you.' The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face.

The man began speaking and half crying, 'We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money.. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking Allah(SWT) to show me how to get some milk.'

His wife in the kitchen yelled out, 'I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?'

The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand.

He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that Allah (SWT) still answers prayers.

NOW HERE'S THE TEST....
If you believe that Allah (SWT) answers prayers, send this to everyone you care about and also the person that sent it to you!!!!!!!!!

If you do not send nothing will happen to you, but if you send you might just be sending someone hope and belief that Allah (SWT) hears our prayers and give hope to those who have already lost faith considering the situation most people.

That's it!That's the test!
It's just that simple!

Sometimes it's the simplest things that Allah (SWT) asks us to do, that enable us to understand His words clearer and better than ever.. Please listen, and obey!

The Story of Alqamah

2010-03-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

At the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), there was a young man named Alqamah. He was very diligent in obeying Allah by engaging in prayer and fasting and spending in charity.

Then he fell ill and his illness became serious.

His wife went to the Prophet and said, "My husband, Alqamah, is on his deathbed. I therefore came to tell you, Messenger of Allah, about his condition."

The Prophet (then) sent for Ammar or Suhaib and Bilal, and told them to go to him (Alqamah) and have him repeat the Shahadah. Thereupon they went to him and found him in the agony of death.

They asked him to say, "La illaha illa Allah," but his tongue was unable to pronounce it.

At that, they came and told the Messenger of Allah that he was unable to repeat the Shahadah.

The Prophet asked, "Is either of his parents alive?"
He was told, "Messenger of Allah, his mother is, but she is very old."

The Prophet sent her a message that if it was convenient for her (that is, is she was able to go out), she should come to him; otherwise she should stay in her house and the Prophet would come to her.

The Prophets messenger came to her and informed her of the Prophets message.

She said, "May my life be a ransom for him, it is my pleasure to go to him!"
She then stood up, leaning on her walking stick, and came to the Prophet and greeted him.

The Prophet returned her greeting and said to her,
"Umm Alqamah, tell me the truth, for otherwise Allah Most High will reveal the truth to me! What is the situation concerning your son, Alqamah?"

She replied, "Messenger of Allah, he prays much, fasts a great deal, and spends a great amount in charity."

The Prophet said, "And what about yourself?"

She said, "Messenger of Allah, I am angry with him."
He said, "Why?"

She replied, "Messenger of Allah, he has preferred his wife to me and has disobeyed me."

Then Allahs Messenger said, "Umm Alqamah, surely your anger has prevented Alqamahs tongue from pronouncing the Shahadah."

He then turned to Bilal and said, "Bilal, go out and collect a quantity of firewood."
She said, "Messenger of Allah, what do you plan to do?"

He replied, "I will burn him in front of your eyes."
She said, "Messenger of Allah, he is my son! My heart cannot bear your burning him in front of me!"

He said, "Umm Alqamah, Allahs punishment is more severe and more lasting! Therefore, if you want Allah to forgive him, be reconciled to him. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, the prayer, fasting, and spending in charity (which he has done) are of no benefit to Alqamah as long as you are angry with him!"

Thereupon she said, "Messenger of Allah, I call upon Allah Most High and His angels and the Muslims who are present to be my witnesses that I am pleased with my son Alqamah."

Allahs Messenger said, "Bilal, go to him and see whether he is now able to say, "La illaha illa Allah" or not. It may be that Umm Alqamah is saying something for my sake which is not in her heart."

Thereupon Bilal went, and while entering the door he heard Alqamah saying, "La illaha illa Allah." (Concerning this),
Bilal remarked, "It is surely true that while Alqamahs mother was angry with him his tongue was tied, and now that she is pleased with him his tongue is freed."

Alqamah died the same day.

The Prophet came to him and gave the order for his washing and shrouding, and then prayed the funeral prayer for him and buried him. He then stood by the side of his grave and said, "You company of Muhajireen and Helpers, if anyone favors his wife over his mother, Allah and His angels and all the people curse him!
Allah does not accept his spending (in charity) and his uprightness unless he repents toward Allah, the Glorious and Majestic, and reconciles with her and attains her pleasure, because Allahs pleasure consists in her pleasure and Allah's anger consists in her anger."

Source: Reported in Tabarani and Ahmed.

We must always be respectful and obedient to our parents. However, we are not to obey them if they order us to disobey Allah and His Prophet[pbuh]. Other than this, they deserve our utmost attention and respect.
http://www.eislam.co.za/

Should We Really Laugh?

2010-03-16T08:44:00.001-07:00

Hasan al-Basri (rahimaullah) was an eminent scholar and pious individual of his time. He would rarely laugh due to his remembrance of death and the punishment of hell. One day he was going somewhere when he saw a young man indugled in laughter. Hasan al-Basri asked the youth, "Young man, have you already crossed the bridge of Sirath? Have you already found out whether you are going to paradise or hell?" The young man replied, "No." Hasan al-Basri told him, "Then why are you laughing so much?" After that, no one saw this young man laughing again as he came to know the reality of this life.

Many hours or probably days have passed away from our lives in laughter and jokes. It is a sign that we have forgotten the life of the hereafter. The sahabah used to do good deeds all day but still cry during the night to Allah. On the other hand, we do sins all day and still have no concerns!

Mosque in Brunei

2010-03-09T07:10:00.000-08:00

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque Amazing in appearance, but too beautiful to be true, The Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is Brunei's proudest architectural achievement. It sits on an artificial lagoon near the Brunei River in Kampong Ayer, which is appropriately enough, known as a "water village."The mosque is the largest in the Far East, and considered among the most beautiful in the world. It reaches a height of 52 meters and is topped with a gold dome supported by walls of Italian marble, which also forms the mosque's columns, arches, and towers.

Maths In Quran

2010-03-04T09:41:00.000-08:00

Dr. Tariq Al Swaidan discovered some verses in the Holy Quran that mention one thing is equal to another, i.e, the number of words for man and women are equal.Although this makes sense mathematically, the astonishing fact is that the number of times the word man appears in the Quran is 24 and number of times the word woman appears is also 24,therefore not only is this phrase correct in the grammatical sense but also true mathematically: 24=24.
Upon further analysis of various verses, he discovered that this is consistent throughout the whole Quran, where it says one thing is like another. See below for astonishing results:-

The word number of times mentioned in Arabic Quran:
Dunia (one name for life) 115 . Akhirat (one name for the lifeafter) 115
Malaikat (Angels) 88 . Shaytan (Satan) 88
Life 145 . Death 145
Benefit 50 . Corrupt 50
People 50 .Messengers 50
Eblees (king of devils) 11 . Seek refuge from Eblees 11
Museebah (calamity) 75 . Thanks 75
Spending (Sadaqah) 73 . Satisfaction 73
People who are misled 17 . Dead people 17
Muslimeen 41 . Jihad 41
Gold 8 . Easy life 8
Magic 60 . Fitnah (dissuasion, misleading) 60
Zakat ( Taxes Muslims pay to the poor) 32 .
Barakah (Increasing or blessings of wealth) 32
Mind 49 . Noor 49
Tongue 25 . Sermon 25
Desire 8 . Fear 8
Speaking publicly 18 . Publicising 18
Hardship 114 . Patience 114
Muhammed 4 . Sharee*ah (Muhammed's teachings) 4
Man 24 . Women 24

And amazingly enough have a look how many times the following words appear:-
Solat 5; Month 12; Day 365;
Sea 32; Land 13; Sea + land = 32+13= 45%Sea=32/45*100=71.11111111%
Land=13/45*100= 28.88888889=100.00
Modern science has only recently proven that the water covers 71.111% of the earth, while the land covers 28.889%. Is this a coincidence ?
Who taught Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) all this?
Allah, the All Mighty taught him this. As the Quran tells us.

"The Soul is like a glass lamp, and knowledge is light (giving fire), and the wisdom of God is the oil, If it is lit, you are alive,and if it is darkened, you are dead"-- Ibn Sina

HIJAB is there in Hindu and Christian Books Also...

2010-02-24T01:08:00.000-08:00

HIJAB is there in Hindu and Christian Books Also
- Zakir Naik

Lets analyze what the Hindu Scriptures have to speak on modesty ?

It is mentioned in the Rig Veda Book no. 8 Hymn no. 33 V. no. 19
“When Brahma has made you a woman, you should lower your gaze and should not look up. You should put your feet together and you should not reveal what the garment and the veil conceals.”

So the Rig Veda says that the woman should wear the veil.
They should lower their gaze and should not stare.

It is further mentioned in Rig Veda Book no. 10 Hymn no. 85 V. no.30
“Unlovely is the person is the husband who covers his thighs with the garment of his wife. “

So the Rig Veda says that wearing the clothes of the opposite sex is prohibited.

It is further mentioned in the Mahavir Charitra Act 2 Page 71 that
When Purshuram comes, Rama tells his wife Sita that “He is our elder, please lower your gaze, and put on the veil. “

Rama tells his wife Sita to put on the veil and to lower her gaze.

If you read historical books, the books talking about the Coin Age, the Age of the Gupta and the post Gupta age, there are coins , on which there are pictures of the Indain woman wearing the veils and the veil are going upto their shoulders, some go upto the arms. There are many Indian woman in the villages who wear the veils, some of the woman even cover their faces.

So,if you analyze, even the Hindu Scriptures say that a woman should wear the veil. That the woman should lower their gaze.

Now lets look at the Christian Scriptures...

Matthew 5:27-28
You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery'
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart

Wearing of opposite sex clothes not allowed
Deuteronomy 22:5
22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

I Timothy 2:9
And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes.

Punishment for a women who does not cover her head

I Corinthians 11:5-6
11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven

The Noble Qur'an - Al-Ahzab 33:59
And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornments except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.)
and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their son’s, their husband’s sons, their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sisters sons or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex.
And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And beg Allah to forgive you all O believers, that you may be successful.

Because followers of hindu and christianity does not wear hijab , This implies either they do not follow whats written in it or they themselves know that thier holy book is not the word of god and is not worthy of not being followed.
So be it.

But do not point your fingers on followers of Islam, because we belive and we know that the Quraan is the word of God and we obey by it.

Watch :
Hindu Women Questions Dr. Zakir Naik about Hijab
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp5ORAqZIlA

Scientific Fact And Al-Quran

2010-02-23T10:14:00.000-08:00

Science : Finger tips can be used for Identification
Qur'an : Does man think We cannot assemble his bones? Yes . . . We are able to put together in perfect order the very tip of his fingers.

Science : Atoms are found in pairs
Qur'an : Glory be to ALLAH, Who created in pairs all things that the earth produces, as well as their own( human ) kind, and other things of which they have no knowledge.

Science : Honey is healing for mankind
Qur'an : Comes from their ( the bees ) belleis a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for human being. Verily in this is a sign for people who reflect.

Science : Separation of salt and sea water
Qur'an : Verily He is the One Who has joined the two seas: this is palatable and sweet, and this is salty and bitter. And He made a barrier between the two of them, and a partition that is forbidden to be passed.

Science : Milk as a wholesome meal
Qur'an : And verily for you in the cattle there is an instructive sign ( lesson ). We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies from between excretions and blood, pure milk palatable to the drinkers.

Science : Oceans have darkness under their surfaces
Qur'an : Or as darkness in a vast, deep sea, there it covers waves, from above which are waves, from above which are clouds. Darkness on top of each other. If a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it. And whoever ALLAH does not make light for him, for him there is no light.

Science : Iron and steel
Qur'an : And We sent down Iron, in which is severe strength and benefits for mankind. Verily in this is a Sign for people who reflect.

Science : Sun and Moon
Qur'an : It is not permitted to the sun to catch up with the Moon, nor the night outstrip the Day. Each floats in an orbit.

Science : Creation of living creatures from water
Qur'an : We made from water every living thing.

Science : Mountains have roots inside the earth
Qur'an : Have We not made the earth as a wide expanse, and the mountains as pegs

FORMULA TO FIND PAGE NUMBER IN QURAN

2010-02-20T10:00:00.000-08:00

Would like to share with you a formula for memorizing the Qur'an pages (On a standard size Qur'an - Madina Al Munawwarah).

Pay attention carefully; its very easy:-

Qur'an has 30 Juzuus (parts)

Example 1

If you want to know the 5th Juzuu of the Quran is on which page?
Take 5 (the fifth juzuu) 5-1 = 4, the answer 4 x 2 = 8 then insert 2 after 8 which shows 82
Now look at the Quraan and you will see The 5th Juzuu begins on page 82.

Example 2
10th Juzuu 10-1 = 9, the answer 9 x 2 = 18 then insert 2 after 18
which shows 182
Now look at the Quraan, you will see the 10th Juzuu begins on page 182.

Example 3
Juzuu 23, 23-1 = 22, the answer 22 x 2 = 44 then insert 2 after 44
which shows 442
Now look at the Quraan, you will see the 23rd Juzuu begins on page 442.
Moreover, the Juzuu starts from the top of the pages & ends on the bottom of the pages

Subhana ALLAH!

Muslim's Rules for Life

2010-02-15T07:07:00.000-08:00

Assalamualeikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

I would like to share with you what I think is good for us Muslims.
Please, read and if possible Insha-Allah practice them. May Allah
makes it easier for us and rewards us Jannat (Firdaus Nuzulah)
insha-Allah.
I received this from my convert friend,Hillary.
Oh Allah Increase Me in Knowledge (A'ameen).

The Muslim's 25 rules for life

1. Start off each day with 'adhkaar al-istiyqaadh' (waking up Supplication or du'a, thanking Allah for waking up in good shape.

2.Put Allah first in yr life (eg.never leave yr daily solat). for women, it's ok to take wudhu' n perform yr solat first, then continue with yr meeting,etc

3. Broaden your horizons - learn 5 new verses from the Quran every day, travel to pray far in the mosque to brighten your day,take up a booklet having supplications and read them.

4. Pray Salaat Al-dhuhaa (after sunrise).

5. If someone says something mean ;to you, just shrug it off and dismiss it in a friendly, laidback manner, and pray that Allah shall forgive them.

6. When you get angry, remember Allah, and how short and worthless life is to waste in being Angry.

7. Remember that you can never have too many friends, but you can have few quality friends that help you fulfill the purpose of your creation ( i.e. live for Allah).

8. When you're happy, try to share your happiness with others. Thank Allah for that, and pray its continuation.

9. When something bad or embarrassing happens to you, just think that it could always be worse, remember the reward of patience,and thank Allah that it's not worse than it is.

10. Do something extra of goodness once in a while, like feeding a poor person, or caressing an orphan's head.

11. Never stop believing that you can win Allah's love and thus work For it. Then you can win the love of Allah's slaves.

12. Spend some time thinking of Allah's amazing creation.

13. Always love those who love Allah unconditionally. This way you will ensure that you live for Him, love for Him, and hate for Him(those who are enemies of Him)

14. Find the righteous ways to express yourself, and if you think that what you are about to say shall cause no benefit, maintain silence (this is tough!!).

15. Every now and then, give yourself a break. Play sports, give time to your family, friends, but always remember Allah and watch that He is watching you.

16. Pray for blessing to come to those being lost, and pray to Allah to guide them to the right path.

17. Hug your parents, kiss their hands and heads and always obey but stop at Allah's orders.

18. Smile to everyone, for your smile makes a big difference to him or her and you are rewarded.

19. Forgive, forget and smile.

20. Tears are not for women only... tears are for all human beings with feelings remaining in them. Don't restrain your tears when remembering Allah.

21. When people criticize your actions and effort, revise your actions and see if they please Allah or no. If they do; then ignore and remember how the Prophet (SAW) and the Sahaba were criticized, made fun of and even physically harmed, so have patience.

22. Read the Quran daily and try to have a schedule for completing it as much as you could. As you open the Quran daily, read with observing not just passing your eyes through the words.

23. Don't let popularity go to your head, for it never lasts and you may lose from it more than gain.

24. Never look down on anybody, for, to Allah, they may be better than you

Prisoner No. 650

2010-02-07T09:57:00.000-08:00

Prisoner No. 650
Dr Aafia Siddiqui,A Pakistani PhD. Having 144 Honorary Degrees & Certificates, In Neurology, From Different Institutes Of The World,
The Only Neurologist In The World Have The Honorary Ph.d From Harvard University,
Hafiz-e-Quraan,
Aalima,
Not Even A Single American Matches her Qualifications,
Was Kidnapped along with her 3 children, By the FBI from Karachi, With Help of Pakistan Government Alleging Connection with Al-Qaeeda,
Now She is in USA prison,
Having Lost Memory, Due to physical, Psychological & Sexual Torture,
She is Imprisoned with Men,
But We,
The Muslims are Dead,
Even this Message will remain in our Inbox, until we delete it.
Protest!

If you cannot do anything, Just forward it and just Pray for Her.

Plz spread it !!!!!

Muslims from various part of the world

2010-01-25T09:25:00.000-08:00

Canadian Muslims

British Muslims

Russian Muslims

Spanish Muslims

Italian Muslims

Chinese Muslims

SriLankan Muslims Pray for Tsunami Victims

Austrian Muslims

Australian Muslims

South Korean Muslims

Pakistan Muslims

Indian Muslims

Indonesian Muslims

Why are Jews so powerful, and Muslims so powerless?

2009-12-22T10:27:00.000-08:00

POINTS TO PONDER ON TAQWA AND ATTITUDE

How one could imagine that Imam Mahadi and Nabi Isa WILL WIN THE WAR AGAINST MUNAFIQINS AND KAFFIR INCLUDING JEWS later other than TAQWA OF IMAM MAHADI AND NABI ISA and their followers.

Harvard made a research and concluded that what make a person successful is not his intelligent but attitude. Intelligent is just 10%.

GEC also made a study and the conclusion is that one can excel in works due to the following:

70% apprenticeship and sufferings by doing works (hands on experiences)

20% networking, polishing and others

10% training and education such as attending university, IBFIM classes and whatever training he wishes during his life time.

May be the above HARVARD AND GEC researches on talent development explain why people like the late Lim Goh Tong and Loh Boon Siew were successful in life, at least in this world. Donâ€™t forget the Chinese are controlling our economy and just see around you for evidences.

Wallahu Alam.

Subject: FW: Extracts of speech by Hafez A.B Mohamed: Director-General, Al Baraka Bank - VE RY INTERESTING!

Extracts of speech by Hafez A.B Mohamed: Director-General, Al Baraka Bank.

Demographics:
o World Jewish Population. 14 million
o Distribution: 7 m in America
5 m in Asia
2 m in Europe
100 thousand in Africa
o World Muslim Population: 1.5 billion
o Distribution: 1 billion in Asia/Mid-East
400 M in Africa
44 M in Europe
6 M in the Americas
o Every fifth human being is a Muslim.
o For every single Hindu there are two Muslims
o For every Buddhist there are two Muslims
o For every Jew there are 107 Muslims
o Yet the 14 million Jews are more powerful than the entire 1.5 billion Muslims

Why?

Here are some of the reasons.

Movers of Current History
o Albert Einstein Jewish
o Sigmund Freud Jewish
o Karl Marx Jewish
o Paul Samuelson Jewish
o Milton Friedman Jewish

Medical Milestones
o Vaccinating Needle: Benjamin Ruben Jewish
o Polio Vaccine Jonas Salk Jewish
o Leukaemia Drug Gertrude Elion Jewish
o Hepatitis B Baruch Blumberg Jewish
o Syphilis Drug Paul Ehrlich Jewish
o Neuro muscular Elie Metchnikoff Jewish
o Endocrinology Andrew Schally Jewish
o Cognitive therapy. Aaron Beck Jewish
o Contraceptive Pill Gregory Pincus Jewish
o Understanding of Human Eye. G. Wald Jewish
o Embryology. Stanley Cohen Jewish
o Kidney Dialysis Willem Kloffcame Jewish

Nobel Prize Winners
o In the past 105 years, 14 million Jews have won 180 Nobel prizes whilst 1.5 billion Muslims have contributed only 3 Nobel winners

Inventions that changed History
o Micro- Processing Chip. Stanley Mezor Jewish
o Nuclear Chain Reactor Leo Sziland Jewish
o Optical Fibre Cable Peter Schultz Jewish
o Traffic Lights Charles Adler Jewish
o Stainless Steel Benno Strauss Jewish
o Sound Movies Isador Kisee Jewish
o Telephone Microphone Emile Berliner Jewish
o Video Tape Recorder Charles Ginsburg Jewish

Influential Global Business
o Polo Ralph Lauren Jewish
o Coca Cola Jewish
o Levi's Jeans Levi Strauss Jewish
o Sawbuck's Howard Schultz Jewish
o Google Sergey Brin Jewish
o Dell Computers Michael Dell Jewish
o Oracle Larry Ellison Jewish
o DKNY Donna Karan Jewish
o Baskin & Robbins Irv Robbins Jewish
o Dunkin Donuts Bill Rosenberg Jewish

Influential Intellectuals/ Politicians
o Henry Kissinger , US Sec of State Jewish
o Richard Levin, PresidentYaleUniver sity Jewish
o Alan Greenspan , US Federal Reserve Jewish
o Joseph Lieberman Jewish
o Madeleine Albright , US Sec of State Jewish
o CasperWeinberger , US Sec of Defence Jewish
o Maxim Litvinov , USSR Foreign Minister Jewish
o DavidMarshal , Singapore Minister Jewish
o Isaacs Isaacs, Gov-GenAustralia Jewish
o Benjamin Disraeli, British Statesman Jewish
o Yevgeny Primakov, Russian PM Jewish
o Barry Goldwater , US Politician Jewish
o Jorge Sampaio, President Portugal Jewish
o Herb Gray, Canadian Deputy - PM Jewish
o Pierre Mendes, French PM Jewish
o Michael Howard, British Home Sec. Jewish
o Bruno Kriesky, Austrian Chancellor Jewish
o Robert Rubin , US Sec of Treasury Jewish

Global Media Influential
o Wolf Blitzer, CNN Jewish
o Barbara Walters ABC News Jewish
o EugeneMeyer , Washington Post Jewish
o Henry Grunwald, Time Magazine Jewish
o Katherine Graham , Washington Post Jewish
o Joseph Lelyeld, New York Times Jewish
o Max Frankel, New York Times Jewish

Global Philanthropists
o George Soros Jewish
o Walter Annenberg Jewish

Why are they powerful? why are Muslims powerless?

Here's another reason. We have lost the capacity to produce knowledge.

o In the entire Muslim World (57 Muslim Countries) there are only 500 universities.
o In USA alone, 5,758 universities
o In India alone, 8,407 universities
o Not one university in the entire Islamic World features in the Top 500 Ranking Universities of the World
o Literacy in the Christian World 90%
o Literacy in the Muslim World 40%
o 15 Christian majority-countries, literacy rate 100%
o Muslim majority - countries , None
o 98% in Christian countries completed primary
o Only 50% in Muslim countries completed primary.
o 40% in Christian countries attended university
o In Muslim countries a dismal 2% attended.
o Muslim majority countries have 230 scientists per one million Muslims
o The USA has 5000 per million
o The Christian world 1000 technicians per million.
o Entire Arab World only 50 technicians per million.
o Muslim World spends on research/developmen t 0.2% of GDP
o Christian World spends 5 % of GDP

Conclusion.
o The Muslim World lacks the capacity to produce knowledge.

Another way of testing the degree of knowledge is the degree of diffusing knowledge.

o Pakistan 23 daily newspapers per 1000 citizens
o Singapore 460 per 1000 citizens.
o In UK book titles per million is 2000
o In Egypt book titles per million is only 17

Conclusion.
o Muslim World is failing to diffuse knowledge

Applying Knowledge is another such test.
o Exports of high tech products from Pakistan is 0.9% of its exports.
o In Saudi Arabia is 0.2%
o Kuwait , Morocco and Algeria 0.3%
o Singapore alone is 68%

Conclusion.
o Muslim World is failing to apply knowledge.

What do you conclude? no need to tell the figures are speaking themselves very loudly we are unable to listen

Advice:

Please educate yourself and your children. always promote education, don't compromise on it, don't ignore your children's slightest misguidance from education (and please, for God's Sake, don't use your personal contacts or sources to promote your children in their education; if they fail, let them and make them learn to pass; b/c if they can't do it now, they can't ever).

We are World's biggest and strongest nation, all we need is to identify and explore our own selves. Our victory is with our knowledge, our creativity, our literacy...And nothing else. Allah blesses usâ€¦

.... Wake up ... ! ! !

Not Many Muslims Had The Opportunity TO See This

2009-12-18T18:52:00.000-08:00

ROZA RASUL, PROPHET MUHAMMAD P.B.U.H

Foot Mark Of HAZRAT ADAM (AS) , Srilanka
HAZRAT AMMA HAWA, Jeddah
Abeel (Another view of grave of Abeel), Son of HAZRAT ADAM (Al.)
HAZRAT YOUSHE (First Prophet after Adam), Jordan.
Makam-e-Ibrahim
HAZRAT IBRAHIM-AL-KHALIL, Israel
HAZRAT LOT, Iraq
HAZRATt SALEH (AS)
HAZRAT MOOSA (AS), Israel
HAZRAT SHOAIB (Al.)
HAZRAT HAROON (Al.)
HAZRAT ZAKARIA (Al.)
HAZRAT YAHYA (Al.)
HAZRAT BIBI AMENA , Outside Macca
HAZRAT BIBI HALEEMA, Outside Madina.
HAZRAT ABU TALEB, Uncle of Prophet Mohammed P.B.U.H, Macca
HAZRAT BIBI KHADIJA (Ummul Moamineen), Macca
HAZRAT IMAM HASAN (AS).
HAZRAT BIBI FATIMA ZAHRA
HAZRAT BILAL HABASHI, Damascus

Abeel, Son of HAZRAT ADAM (Al.), First grave on earth, Jordan.

Recent scenes from Afghanistan

2009-12-08T06:36:00.001-08:00

JEDDAH FLOOD- LOSS DURING RAIN (25-NOV-2009)

2009-12-03T07:14:00.001-08:00

Subhanallah.....take a look of this 97 year old man what he has done .. its amazing

2009-12-02T06:17:00.000-08:00

Precolumbian Muslims in the Americas

2009-11-30T06:26:00.000-08:00

Precolumbian Muslims in the Americas
By Dr. Youssef Mroueh, Preparatory Commitee for International Festivals
to celebrate the millennium of the Muslims arrival to the Americas (1996 CE)

Numerous evidence suggests that Muslims from Spain and West Africa arrived to the Americas at least five centuries before Columbus. It is recorded,for example, that in the mid-tenth century, during the rule of the Ummayyed Caliph Abdul-Rahman III (929-961 CE), Muslims of African origin sailed westward from the Spanish port of DELBA(Palos) into the "Ocean of darkness and fog". They returned after a long absence with much booty from a "strange and curious land". It is evident that people of Muslim origin are known to have accompanied Columbus and subsequent Spanish explorers to the New World.

The last Muslim stronghold in Spain, Granada, fell to the Christians in 1492 CE, just before the Spanish inquisition was launched. To escape persecution, many non-Christians fled or embraced Catholicism. At least two documents imply the presence of Muslims in Spanish America before 1550 CE. Despite the fact that a decree issued in 1539 CE by Charles V, king of Spain, forbade the grandsons of Muslims who had been burned at the stake to migrate to the West Indies. This decree was ratified in 1543 CE, and an order for the expulsion of all Muslims from overseas Spanish territories was subsequently published. Many references on the Muslim arrival to Americas are available. They are summarized in the following notes:

A: HISTORIC DOCUMENTS:

1. A Muslim historian and geographer ABUL-HASSAN ALI IBN AL-HUSSAIN AL-MASUDI (871-957 CE) wrote in his book Muruj adh-dhahab wa maadin aljawhar (The meadows of gold and quarries of jewells) that during the rule of the Muslim caliph of Spain Abdullah Ibn Mohammad(888-912 CE), a Muslim navigator, Khashkhash Ibn Saeed Ibn Aswad, from Cortoba, Spain sailed from Delba (Palos) in 889 CE, crossed the Atlantic, reached an unknown territory(ard majhoola) and returned with fabulous treasures. In Al-Masudi's map of the world there is a large area in the ocean of darkness and fog which he referred to as the unknown territory (Americas).(1)

2. A Muslim historian ABU BAKR IBN UMAR AL-GUTIYYA narrated that during the reign of the Muslim caliph of Spain, Hisham II (976-1009CE), another Muslim navigator, Ibn Farrukh, from Granada, sailed from Kadesh (February 999CE) into the Atlantic, landed in Gando (Great Canary islands) visiting King Guanariga, and continued westward where he saw and named two islands, Capraria and Pluitana. He arrived back in Spain in May 999 CE.(2)

3. Columbus sailed from Palos (Delba), Spain. He was bound for GOMERA (Canary Islands)-Gomera is an Arabic word meaning 'small firebrand' - there he fell in love with Beatriz BOBADILLA, daughter of the first captain general of the island (the family name BOBADILLA is derived from the Arab Islamic name ABOU ABDILLA.).Nevertheless, the BOBADILLA clan was not easy to ignore. Another Bobadilla (Francisco) later, as the royal commissioner, put Columbus in chains and transferred him from Santo Dominigo back to Spain (November 1500 CE). The BOBADILLA family was related to the ABBADID dynasty of Seville (1031-1091 CE). On October 12, 1492 CE, Columbus landed on a little island in the Bahamas that was called GUANAHANI by the natives. Renamed SAN SALVADOR by Columbus. GUANAHANI is derived from Mandinka and modified Arabic words. GUANA (IKHWANA) means 'brothers' and HANI is an Arabic name.Therefore the original name of the island was 'HANI BROTHERS'. (11) Ferdinand Columbus, the son of Christopher, wrote about the blacks seen by his father in Handuras: "The people who live farther east of Pointe Cavinas, as far as Cape Gracios a Dios, are almost black in color." At the same time, in this very same region, lived a tribe of Muslim natives known as ALMAMY. In Mandinka and Arabic languages, ALMAMY was the designation of "AL-IMAM"or "AL-IMAMU", the leader of the prayer,or in some cases, the chief of the community,and/or a member of the Imami Muslim community. (12)

4. A renowned American historian and linguist, LEO WEINER of Harvard University, in his book, AFRICA AND THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA (1920) wrote that Columbus was well aware of the Mandinka presence in the New World and that the West African Muslims had spread throughout the Caribbean, Central, South and North American territories, including Canada,where they were trading and intermarrying with the Iroquois and Algonquin Indians. (13)

B: GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORATIONS:

1. The famous Muslim geographer and cartographer AL-SHARIF AL-IDRISI (1099- 1166CE) wrote in his famous book Nuzhat al-mushtaq fi ikhtiraq al-afaq (Excursion of the longing one in crossing horizons) that a group of seafarers (from North Africa) sailed into the sea of darkness and fog (The Atlantic ocean) from Lisbon (Portugal), in order to discover what was in it and what extent were its limits. They finally reached an island that had people and cultivation...on the fourth day, a translator spoke to them in the Arabic language. (3)

2. The Muslim reference books mentioned a well-documented description of a journey across the sea of fog and darkness by Shaikh ZAYN EDDINE ALI BEN FADHEL AL-MAZANDARANI. His journey started from Tarfaya (South Morocco) during the reign of the King Abu-Yacoub Sidi Youssef (1286-1307CE) 6th of the Marinid dynasty, to Green Island in the Caribbean sea in 1291 CE (690 HE). The details of his ocean journey are mentioned in Islamic references, and many Muslim scholars are aware of this recorded historical event..(4)

3. The Muslim historian CHIHAB AD-DINE ABU-L-ABBAS AHMAD BEN FADHL AL-UMARI (1300-1384CE/700-786HE) described in detail the geographical explorations beyond the sea of fog and darkness of Mali's sultans in his famous book Massaalik al-absaar fi mamaalik al-amsaar (The pathways of sights in the provinces of kingdoms).(5)

4. Sultan MANSU KANKAN MUSA (1312-1337 CE) was the world renowned Mandinka monarch of the West African Islamic empire of Mali. While travelling to Makkah on his famous Hajj in 1324 CE, he informed the scholars of the Mamluk Bahri sultan court (An-Nasir Nasir Edin Muhammad III-1309-1340 CE) in Cairo, that his brother, sultan Abu Bakari I (1285-1312CE) had undertaken two expeditions into the Atlantic ocean. When the sultan did not return to Timbuktu from the second voyage of 1311 CE, Mansa Musa became sultan of the empire. (6)

5. Columbus and early Spanish and portuguese explorers were able to voyage across the Atlantic (a distance of 2400 Km's) thanks to Muslim geographical and navigational information. In particular maps made by Muslim traders, including AL-MASUDI (871-957CE) in his book Akhbar az-zaman (History of the world) which is based on material gathered in Africa and Asia (9). As a matter of fact, Columbus had two captain of muslim origin during his first transatlantic voyage: Martin Alonso Pinzon was the captain of the PINTA,and his brother Vicente Yanez Pinzon was the captain of the NINA. They were wealthy, expert ship outfitters who helped organize the Columbus expedition and prepared the flagship, SANTA MARIA. They did this at their own expense for both commercial and political reasons. The PINZON family was related to ABUZAYAN MUHAMMAD III (1362-66 CE), the Moroccan sultan of the Marinid dynasty (1196-1465CE). (10)

C: ARABIC (ISLAMIC) INSCRIPTIONS:

1. Anthropologists have proven that the Mandinkos under Mansa Musa's instructions explored many parts of North America via the Mississippi and other rivers systems. At Four Corners, Arizona, writings show that they even brought elephants from Africa to the area.(7)

2. Columbus admitted in his papers that on Monday, October 21,1492 CE while his ship was sailing near Gibara on the north-east coast of Cuba, he saw a mosque on top of a beautiful mountain. The ruins of mosques and minarets with inscriptions of Quranic verses have been discovered in Cuba,Mexico,Texas and Nevada. (8)

3. During his second voyage, Columbus was told by the indians of ESPANOLA (Haiti), that black people had been to the island before his arrival. For proof, they presented Columbus with the spears of these African muslims. These weapons were tipped with a yellow metal that the indians called GUANIN, a word of West African derivation meaning 'gold alloy'. Oddly enough, it is related to the Arabic word 'GHINAA' which means 'WEALTH'. Columbus brought some GUANINES back to Spain and had them tested. He learned that the metal was 18 parts gold (56.25%), 6 parts silver (18.75%) and 8 parts copper (25%), the same ratio as the metal produced in African metalshops of Guinea. (14)

4. In 1498 CE, on his third voyage to the new world, Columbus landed in Trinidad. Later, he sighted the South American continent, where some of his crew went ashore and found natives using colorful handkerchiefs of symmetrically woven cotton. Columbus noticed that these handkerchiefs resembled the headdresses and loinclothes of Guinea in their colors, style and function. He refered to them as ALMAYZARS. ALMAYZAR is an Arabic word for 'wrapper','cover','apron' and/or 'skirting' which was the cloth the Moors (Spanish or North African Muslims) imported from west Africa (Guinea) into Morocco, Spain and Portugal. During this voyage, Columbus was surprised that the married women wore cotton panties (bragas) and he wondered where these natives learned their modesty. Hernan Cortes, Spanish conqueror, described the dress of the Indian women as 'long veils' and the dress of Indian men as 'breechcloth painted in the style of Moorish draperies'. Ferdinand Columbus called the native cotton garments 'breechclothes of the same design and cloth as the shawls worn by the Moorish women of Granada'. Even the similarity of the children's hammocks to those found in North Africa was uncanny.(15)

5. Dr. Barry Fell (Harvard University) introduced in his book 'Saga America-1980' solid scientific evidence supporting the arrival, centuries before Columbus, of Muslims from North and West Africa. Dr. Fell discovered the existence of the Muslim schools at Valley of Fire, Allan Springs, Logomarsino, Keyhole, Canyon, Washoe and Hickison Summit Pass (Nevada), Mesa Verde (Colorado), Mimbres Valley (New Mexico) and Tipper Canoe(Indiana) dating back to 700-800 CE. Engraved on rocks in the arid western U.S, he found texts, diagrams and charts representing the last surviving fragments of what was once a system of schools - at both an elementary and higher level. The language of instruction was North African Arabic written with old Kufic Arabic scripts. The subjects of instruction included writing, reading, arithmetic, religion, history, geography, mathematics, astronomy and sea navigation. The descendants of the Muslim visitors of North America are members of the present Iroquois, Algonquin, Anasazi, Hohokam and Olmec native people..(16)

6. There are 565 names of places (villages, towns, cities, mountains, lakes, rivers,.. etc. ) in U.S.A. (484) and Canada (81) which derived from Islamic and Arabic roots. These places were originally named by the natives in precolumbian periods. Some of these names carried holy meanings such as: Mecca-720 inhabitants (Indiana), Makkah Indian tribe (Washington), Medina-2100 (Idaho), Medina-8500 (N.Y.), Medina-1100, Hazen-5000 (North Dakota), Medina-17000/Medina-120000 (Ohio), Medina-1100 (Tennessee), Medina-26000 (Texas), Medina-1200 (Ontario), Mahomet-3200 (Illinois), Mona-1000 (Utah), Arva-700 (Ontario)...etc. A careful study of the names of the native Indian tribes revealed that many names are derived from Arab and Islamic roots and origins, i.e. Anasazi, Apache, Arawak, Arikana, Chavin, Cherokee, Cree, Hohokam, Hupa, Hopi, Makkah, Mahigan, Mohawk, Nazca, Zulu, Zuni...etc..
Based on the above historical, geographical and linguistic notes, a call to celebrate the millennium of the Muslim arrival to the Americas, five centuries before Columbus, has been issued to all Muslim nations and communities around the world. We hope that this call will receive complete understanding and attract enough support.

FOOTNOTES:

(1)See ref 4 (2)See ref. 9 (3)See ref. 3 (4)See ref. 1, 2 and 5 (5)See ref. 6 (6)See ref. 14 (7)See ref. 21 and 22 (8)See ref. 15 (9)See ref. 4 (10)See ref. 15 (11)See ref. 15 (12)See ref. 6 (13)See ref. 20 (14)See ref. 16 (15)See ref. 7 (16)See ref. 10 &12

REFERENCES:
1. AGHA HAKIM, AL-MIRZA Riyaadh Al-Ulama(Arabic),Vol.2 P.386/Vol.4 P.175
2. AL-AMEEN, SAYED MOHSIN Aayan Ash-Shia(Arabic),Vol.7 P.158/Vol 8
P.302-3
3. AL-IDRISSI Nuzhat Al-Mushtaq fi Ikhtiraq Al-Afaaq(Arabic)
4. AL-MASUDI Muruj Adh-Dhahab (Arabic), Vol. 1, P. 138
5. AL-ASFAHANI, AR-RAGHIB Adharea Ila Makarim Ash-Shia,Vol.16,P.343
6. CAUVET, GILES Les Berbers de L'Amerique,Paris 1912,P.100-101
7. COLUMBUS, FERDINAND The Life of Admiral Christopher Columbus,Rutgers
Univ.Press, 1959,
P.232
8. DAVIES, NIGEL Voyagers to the New World,New York 1979
9. ON MANUEL OSUNAY SAVINON Resumen de la Geografia Fisica...,Santa Cruz
de Tenerife, 1844
10. FELL,BARRY Saga America, New York 1980
11. FELL,BARRY America BC, New York 1976
12. GORDON,CYRUS Before Columbus,New York 1971
13. GYR,DONALD Exploring Rock Art,Santa Barbara 1989
14. HUYGHE,PATRICK Columbus was Last,New York 1992
15. OBREGON ,MAURICIO The Columbus Papers,The Barcelona Letter of 1493,
The Landfall
Controversy, and the Indian Guides, McMillan Co.,New York 1991
16. THACHER,JOHN BOYD Christopher Columbus,New York 1950,P.380
17. VAN SETIMA,IVAN African Presence in Early America,New Brunswick,NJ
1987
18. VAN SETIMA,IVAN They Came Before Columbus,New York 1976
19. VON WUTHENAU,ALEX Unexpected Facts in Ancient America,New York 1975
20. WEINER,LEO Africa and the Discovery of America,Philadelphia
1920,Vol.2 P.365-6
21. WILKINS,H..T. Mysteries of Ancient South America,New York 1974
22. WINTERS,CLYDE AHMAD Islam in Early North and South
America,Al-Ittihad,July 1977,P.60

http://www.themodernreligion.com/ht/precolumbus.html

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

2009-11-29T09:09:00.000-08:00

Sheikh Zayed Mosque (Arabic: مسجد الشيخ زايد) in Abu Dhabi is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the eighth largest mosque in the world.[1][2][3] It is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and the first President of the United Arab Emirates, who is also buried there. The mosque was officially opened in the Islamic month of Ramadan in 2007.

Women and Hajj , Umrah

2009-11-01T07:37:00.000-08:00

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah . As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu

Her period came before she did her Umrah

Menses does not prevent a woman from entering ihraam for Hajj and Umrah, but it is haraam for her to circumambulate the Kabah until after her menses ends. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) when she got her menses before entering Makkah: “Do everything that the pilgrim does but do not circumambulate the House until you become pure (i.e., your menses ends). Agreed upon.

It is proven in Saheeh al-Bukhaari that when she became pure, she circumambulated the Kabah and did saai between al-Safa and al-Marwah. This indicates that if a woman gets her menses before doing tawaaf, she should not do tawaaf and saa’i until she becomes pure.

Based on this, what you wife must do is wait until she becomes pure, and then circumambulate the Kabah and do saai between al-Safa and al-Marwah, then cut her hair. Then she will have completed her umrah. And she does NOT have to offer a ransom for having gotten her menses when she was in ihraam.
(islam-qa)

Women Kissing the Black Stone

Is it correct for a woman when kissing the Black Stone to uncover her face when there are men near her ?

Kissing the Black Stone during tawaaf is Sunnah muakkadah (a confirmed Sunnah), it is one of the Sunnahs of tawaaf if it is possible to do that without crowding or disturbing anyone by your actions, following the example of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in that.

If it can only be done by crowding and disturbing others, then it should not be done; in that case it is sufficient to point to it with ones hand, especially for women, because the woman is awrah and because crowding is not prescribed for men, so that applies even more so to women. If it is easy for a woman to kiss the Black Stone without crowding, it is not permissible for her to uncover her face when doing so, because there are men who are not her mahrams in that place.
(islam-qa)

She wore the Burqa (face veil) when in Ihraam and she did not know that it is Haraam

Is it permissible for a woman to wear the burqa’ (a kind of face veil) when in ihraam? My family wore it and when they came back from Hajj they were told that their Hajj was not acceptable, because they wore the burqa ?

Wearing the burqa is NOT permissible for a woman in ihraam, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Women should not wear niqaab or gloves.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari.

But there is no sin on a woman who wears the burqa in ihraam if she is unaware of the prohibition, and her Hajj is valid.

If she was aware and still she wore the burqa it means she has done a sin.

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote.

Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas

Shaykh Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz, Shaykh Abd al-Razzaaq Afeefi, Shaykh Abd-Allaah ibn Qaood.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta (11/190-192).

She did Umrah and forgot to Cut her Hair, then she did Umrah again

I did umrah and forgot to cut my hair, then I went and entered ihraam for another umrah [straight after the first one], and I did tawaaf and saai then cut my hair.
What is the ruling on my first and second umrahs, and what should I do ?

I asked our Shaykh Abd al-Rahmaan al-Barraak about this and he replied:

Doing one umrah after another is not valid according to the fuqaha of the Muslims, so the second umrah does not count and the cutting of the hair is counted for the first umrah.

http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/48961

Can a woman enter Ihraam when she is wearing Gold ?

It is permissible for a woman to enter ihraam with bangles or rings of gold on her hands, and so on, but it is prescribed for her to conceal that from non-mahram men, lest they be tempted by her.

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Majmoo Fataawa Ibn Uthaymeen (22/201): There is nothing wrong with a woman wearing whatever she wants of gold when entering ihraam, so long as that does not reach the level of extravagance, even rings and bangles on the hands, but in that case she should conceal it from non-mahram men lest any temptation occur.
(source- islam-qa)

She wants to go for Umrah but She Does Not have a Mahram

A woman who does not have a mahram to travel with does not have to go for Hajj or Umrah, and she is excused if she does not go. It is haraam for her to travel for Hajj or for any other reason without a mahram, and she has to be patient until Allaah makes it easy for one of her mahrams to travel with her.

The ways of goodness are many. If a Muslim cannot do one act of worship, he may strive hard in those acts of worship that he can do, until Allaah makes it easy for him to do the acts of worship that he could not do.

By the bounty of Allaah towards His believing slaves, if a person resolves to do an act of worship but he is unable to do it because of some excuse, he will be granted the reward of one who does it. Al-Bukhaari (4423) narrated from Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came back from the campaign of Tabook and when he drew close to Madeenah he said: “In Madeenah there are some people who, whenever you marched or crossed a valley, were with you.” They said: “O Messenger of Allaah, but they were in Madeenah.” He said, “They were in Madeenah because some excuse kept them back.”

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:
A woman who does not have a mahram does not have to do Hajj, because in her case a mahram is part of being able to do Hajj, and being able to do it is one of the conditions of Hajj being obligatory. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Kabah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence)”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:97]

It is not permissible for her to travel for Hajj or for any other purpose unless she is accompanied by her husband or a mahram, because of the report narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him), that he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “No man should be alone with a woman unless her mahram is present, and no woman should travel unless she has a mahram with her.”

A man stood up and said: “O Messenger of Allaah, my wife has gone out for Hajj, and I have enlisted for such and such a campaign.” He said: “Go and do Hajj with your wife.” This was also the view of al-Hasan, al-Nakha’i, Ahmad, Ishaaq, Ibn al-Mundhir and ashaab al-ra’i, and it is the correct view, because of the verse quoted, as well as the general meaning of the ahaadeeth which forbid a woman to travel without her husband or a mahram. Maalik, al-Shaafa’i and al-Awzaa’i held a different opinion and each of them stipulated a condition (allowing her to do that), but with no evidence. Ibn al-Mundhir said: they did not follow the apparent meaning of the hadeeth, and each of them stipulated a condition (allowing her to do that), but with no evidence.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta’, 11/90, 91

And they said:

If the situation is as described – that it is not easy for your husband or a mahram of yours to travel with you to perform the obligation of Hajj – then you are not obliged to do it so long as this is the case, because the accompaniment of your husband or mahram on the journey for Hajj is one of the conditions of Hajj being obligatory for you. It is haraam for you to travel for Hajj or for any other purpose without that, even if you go with your brother’s wife and a group of women, according to the correct scholarly view, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “No woman should travel except with a mahram.” (Saheeh – agreed upon). That is unless your brother also travels with his wife, in which case it is permissible to travel with him, because he is a mahram for you. Strive to do righteous deeds that do not need you to travel, and be patient in the hope that Allaah will make things easier for you and enable you to go for Hajj with your husband or mahram.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta’, 11/96.
(islam-qa)

And Allaah knows best.

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Women & Hajj

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Porcupine

2009-10-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

Some practical tips for a Hajj Mabroor..

2009-10-25T09:03:00.000-07:00

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala RasulillahAs-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu Some practical tips for a Hajj Mabroorby Asma bint Shameem

Hajj is the Ultimate journey. They say it is the journey of a lifetime. Yet I see so many people, brothers and sisters, confused, angry, frustrated or just simply ignorant. So here is a piece of sincere advice for all of my brothers and sisters going for Hajj this year.

1. Educate yourself before you go

This is the most important point. They say "Knowledge is Power." And how true that is. I see people confused, not knowing what to do, looking left and right...bewildered. And in the end, they just follow what the rest of the crowd is doing without even knowing whether what they are doing is even from the Shareeah of Muhammad (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) or not! Indeed, I know people who have gone and come back from Hajj, and yet they dont know what kind of Hajj they performed, how many minimum days one is required to stay in Mina....in fact, they dont even know that it takes seven rounds around the Kaabah to make one Tawaaf!

Going to Hajj without knowing the basics of how to perform Hajj and Umrah is like placing someone who doesnt know how to offer Salah, in the middle of people praying in Jamaah. He may follow their movements in ruku and sujood, but does he really know how to pray? Did such a prayer even count? So study the rituals of Hajj before you go. Learn how to perform this magnificent journey closest to the Sunnah. Because the closer to the Sunnah it will be, the more acceptable it will be to Allaah, Subhaanahu wa Taala. Know the various rulings about the Meeqaat, Ihraam, Tawaaf, staying in Mina, stoning the Jamaraat, visiting the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam)s Masjid, etc. Educate yourself on the various common mistakes done by the pilgrim, so you can be aware of them and avoid them. And Insha Allaah, you will be able to perform your Hajj with confidence, according to the Sunnah, hoping for it to be accepted by Allaah.

2. Go with a prepared heart

Every year at Hajj, you see only two kinds of people. So for example, when stuck in traffic for 5 hours, you will see the first kind of people, sitting there calm and cool, with patience, wisely utilizing his time making dhikr of Allaah or reading Quraan....while the other kind of person will grumble and complain, fidget restlessly in his seat, cuss at the bus driver and waste his whole time fighting with whoever is sitting next to him. Why is that? Because the first kind of person came with a prepared heart and the second one didnt.

You see, Hajj is not only a journey of the body to the house of Allaah...it is also a journey of the heart and soul. And just as it is important to know the manners of performing Hajj, it is equally important to prepare yourself spiritually. Remember, this is Hajj.... an act of Ibaadah....the fifth pillar of our Deen....something Allaah loves. So have khushoo in your Ibaadah....submit your heart and soul to Him, to the One Who has invited you to His Honorable House. Reflect on why you are here. Have tawakkul in Him and complete faith. Be sure to know that He will take care of you. Be kind to His slaves, have patience and forbearance, take everything in stride and look for the positive in everything, even if it seems bleak.

So when the bus breaks down, its okay....it was the Will of Allaah that it happened. And when the guy next to you pushes you, or your shoes get stolen, forgive him. And if your luggage gets lost for a day or two, be patient. And if you get stuck in traffic for 8 hours, remind yourself...whatever time Allaah has decreed for me to get there, I will get there, not a second before and not a second after.

3. Know Salatul Janazah

There is hardly any Fardh prayer in the Haram, that is not followed by the prayer for Janazah. And I see so many brothers and sisters who just sit there and not participate in this great act of worship, just because they dont know how. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:“Whoever attends the janaazah until he offers the prayer will have one qeeraat (of reward), and whoever attends until (the deceased) is buried will have two qeeraats.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allaah, what are the two qeeraats?” He said, “Like two great mountains,” meaning, of reward. (Saheeh – agreed upon). And remember the reward of a prayer in al masjid al-Haraam is equal to 100,000 prayers anywhere else. [Tabarani]. So dont miss out on this great opportunity to add to your good deeds.

4. Dont get overwhelmed with the crowd

When you look at the large number of people there for Hajj, dont get overwhelmed or bothered. Instead, raise your head up high, feel proud and thank Allaah. After all, all those people are none, but your own brothers and sisters in Islaam. This is the Ummah of your beloved Prophet, Muhammad (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam). They are from you and you are from them. They are a part of you, just as much as you are a part of them. All of you are there for one and one purpose only....to worship One God, Allaah, Subhaanahu wa Taala. So love them...and have mercy for them....and make dua for them.

5. Time is precious

Utilize your time to the MAX while in Makkah and Madeenah. Do all your 5 prayers in the Masjid, no excuses allowed! When you pray in Masjid al-Haraam in Mecca, your salaah is multiplied by 100,000 times. Just imagine, if youre there for about two weeks (14 days), and you pray all five prayers in the masjid, thats equivalent in reward to praying more then 3800 years! Subhaan Allaah!

When you get to Mina, busy your self with making dua, dhikr, reading Quraan, etc. Your stay here is only a few precious days. You cant waste it by talking, relaxing, doing nothing, as some people do.

And once in Arafah, this is THE day you were waiting for.This is what Hajj is all about.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said, “Hajj is Arafah.” (Abu Dawud)Put in all you got during the day of Arafah. Take advantage of each hour, minute and second. Do not waste even a single moment. Make a dua list and do lots and lots of dua, for this is the day to make dua.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best of dua is dua on the day of Arafah, and the best thing that I and the Prophets before me said is Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu laa shareeka lah (There is no god but Allaah alone with no partner or associate). (al-Tirmidhi, hasan by Albaani)

6. Hajj is not your annual vacation trip. Its an act of Ibaadah

Some people forget that they are going for Hajj....they expect Mina to be a five star hotel and the whole journey about relaxation and luxury. So they complain about the food, they complain about the weather, they complain about the crowds, the bus, the beds, the bathrooms, the tents, the A/C in Mina, you name it. They complain about everything under the sun.

Remember this is Hajj...not a cruise or a vacation. Remember when not so long ago people traveled for months through dangerous terrain and rough weather to get to Hajj, not to mention the heat, diseases, thugs and other hardships of travel. They had to draw water from a well and walk to the bushes to relieve themselves. Look around you, what is there to complain? Alhamdulillaah, you have flowing water from a tap and running bathrooms. And even if they are not as clean as they should be, at least they are there! And you have hot food and air conditioned tents, a place to sleep and transportation from one place to another. So be patient and thank Allaah.

7. Dont just say it.... mean it

When you recite the Talbiyah, dont just say it like a parrot, without knowing what it means and what it implies. Think about the greatness of these words and an even greater Greatness of the One you are saying these words to. You are saying Labbaik, Allaahumma Labbaik....What do these words imply?Oh Allaah I am here....here to serve You, here to obey You, here to submit my life, my wants, my desires only to You. I am ready for change. Oh Allaah, I love you and I worship no one but you. So forgive me and guide me. This is the implication behind these words. So say these words from the heart....mean what you say...and let a tear roll from your eyes when you say it.

And that goes for all the duas that you will recite.

8. Be nice

Obviously, everybody wants their Hajj To be Mabroor (accepted)...because the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said, “…There is no reward for Hajj mabroor except Paradise.” (Al-Bukhaari)

They said: “What makes Hajj mabroor, Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Providing food to people and spreading (the greeting of) salaam.” (Fath al-Bari, 4/446)

Thus we see that being kind to the people, being generous and considerate, serving and helping them is the KEY to having your Hajj accepted.

So go ahead and help that old lady with her luggage, and the older brother across the street. Move over to make room in the saff for your fellow Muslim so that they too can find a place to pray. Distribute candy among the children, pass out glasses of Zam Zam, smile at everyone and say salaam to those you know and those you dont. In other words, just keep you eyes and ears open for every opportunity to do good and jump at any chance you get to spread khair, all this for the sake of pleasing Allaah Alone and Insha Allaah your Hajj will be mabroor. May Allah accept all the Hajj of all the brothers and sisters, and teach the coming Hujjaj how to best prepare and earn a Hajj Mabroor. Ameen.

Koran boy's skin mystery

2009-10-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

A BABY boy has left doctors baffled after passages from the Koran were found on his skin.

The parents of nine-month-old Ali Yakubov were stunned when the word Allah appeared on his chin soon after his birth.

Since then scores of writings in Arabic script have emerged on his back, arms, legs and stomach.

Amazingly his family claim the old markings vanish before the new words arrive — twice a week.

Medics say they cannot explain his mysterious condition — but deny that the marks are from someone writing on the child's skin.

His mother, Madina, said that she and her husband were not religious until the words started appearing on his skin.

Initially they did not show anyone the unexplained scribbles, but eventually revealed them to their doctor.

Now the boy has become a focus of Muslim homage in his troubled home province of Dagestan, close to war-ravaged Chechnya in the south of Russia.

Local MP Akhmedpasha Amiralaev said: "This boy is a pure sign of God. Allah sent him to Dagestan in order to stop revolts and tension in our republic."

The tot's mother said: "Normally those signs appear twice a week - on Mondays and on the nights between Thursdays and Fridays.

"Ali always feels bad when it is happening. He cries and his temperature goes up.

"It's impossible to hold him when it's happening, his body is actively moving, so we put him into his cradle. It's so hard to watch him suffering."

Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2689523/Koran-boys-skin-mystery.html#ixzz0UUqJmSJA

In one minute

2009-10-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

What can you do in one minute of your life?
1.. In one minute you can say Surat Al Fatiha 7 times,silently and repetitively. The reward for each reading of the Surah: 1420 gooddeeds! This is on the basis that there are 142 letters in the Surah, with each letter getting you 10 good deeds. So after doing a simple calculation,7 readings will get you 9940 deeds. subhaanallah!

2.. In one minute you can say Surat Al-Ikhlaas (Kul Huwa Allahu Ahad) approximately 20 times, silently and repetitively. Remember that one reading of this beautiful Surah equals a third of the Quran. Thus 20 readings means that you have read the Quran a whopping 6.7 times! If you devote one minute of each day to this Surah you'd have read the Quran. 201 times in a month, 2412 times in one year! All this in just one minute.

3.. In one minute you can say: "Laa Ilaaha Illa Allah, Wahdahu Laa Shareeka Lah, Lahu Al Mulk Wal Hamd, Wa Huwa 'Ala Kulli Shay'in Qadeer" 20 times. (There is no god worthy of worship but Allah, alone, without any partners. For Him is all Dominion and Praise, and He is Capable of doing anything) Each saying is equal to the deed of freeing 8 slaves from the Children of Ismail (peace be upon him), and what noble slaves to set free!

4.. In one minute you can say "Subhaanallahu wa bi Hamdihi" 100 times. (All praise and glory is due to Allah) Whoever says this everyday will have his/her sins forgiven, even if the sins were as much as the froth of the ocean.

5.. In one minute you can say "Subhaanallahu wa bi Hamdihi, Subhaanallahu Al 'Atheem" 50 times. (All Praise and Glory is due to Allah, All Praise is due to Allah the Almighty). These are "a couple of phrases, light on the tongue, heavy on the scales (on the Day of Judgement), beloved to the All Merciful (Allah)". (Agreed upon).

6.. In one minute you can say "Subhaanallah, wa Al Hamdu Lil'lah, wa Laa Ilaaha Illallah, wa Allahu Akbar" 18 times (All Praise is due to Allah, and All Glory is due to Allah, and there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest). These are the most beloved words to Allah(swt) and his Prophet saw) that the sun has ever risen upon.

7.. In one minute you can say "Laa Ilaaha Illallah" approximately 50 times (There is no true god worthy of worship, except Allah). These are the greatest words, as they are the words of true Islamic Monotheism.

8.. In one minute you can say "Laa Hawla wa Laa Kuwata Illa bi'Laah" over 40 times. (There is no Power and Might except by Allah) This sentence is one of the treasures of Paradise.

9.. In one minute you can say "Salla-Allahu 'Alayhe wa Sallam" 50 times.(sending peace and blessings upon the Prophet) In return you get 500 prayers from Allah, as each prayer you make to his Prophet, 10 are returned to you!

10.. In one minute you can raise your hands to Allah (s.w.t) and supplicate with any words you wish.

11.. In one minute you can advise your brother/sister in Islam if they are doing anything incorrect.

12.. In one minute you can remove anything harmful that may be lying on the street.

13.. In one minute you can give a few words of comfort to a brother/sister who is concerned for any reason.

These actions are easy but in order to gain their rewards it is much harder indeed. Know also that the best of deeds are those that are maintained on a regular basis.
So do you have a minute during the whole day (1440 minutes)?

Believe it or not - Saudi Arabia

2009-10-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

Hajj in 1953!!

2009-10-14T06:28:00.000-07:00

Ramadan - Some Pictures

2009-09-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

Full of faith:

Above, Indonesian women pray at the Istiqlal Masjid in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Aug. 21. Amid all the turbulence of the world, Ramadan is a special month of fasting and feasting in which Muslims
worldwide can reflect on the importance of faith and family.

Ill at ease:
For Ramadan and the Hajj, swine flu is a big concern this year due to worries about how quickly it could be transmitted during large gatherings.
The Saudi cities of Mecca and Medina, usually crowded with visitors to their holy sites during Ramadan, have seen lower turnout -- a blow to local business --as a result of swine flu-related travel restrictions and the economic downturn.

Saudi officials are considering requiring a swine flu certificate for visitors this year.Above, a shopkeeper in Mecca on Aug. 19 wears a medical mask to protect himself.

Best feet forward:
Ramadan began on the same day for Sunnis and Shiites this year, the first time in 10 years that has occurred. In Iraq, the synchronicity was received by some religious leaders as a positive sign for possible reconciliation. Above, an Iraqi man washes his feet prior to entering a mosque in central Baghdad on Aug. 24.

Hand to mouth:
Fasting during Ramadan, referred to with the term Sawm, is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. The other pillars are Shahada, the profession of faith; Salat, prayers; Zakat, giving alms; and the Hajj, a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca during the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. Many people, especially the well off, focus on giving alms during Ramadan. Above, street children in Afghanistan eat free food at a mosque in Kabul on Aug. 22.

Break time:
During Ramadan, worshipers gather to break the fast with a meal at dusk known asiftar. According to the Koran, sundown begins when a black thread can no longer be distinguished from a white one. With the economic downturn, many budgets are thinner this year.

Even formerly lavish Dubai has seen many cutbacks in iftar expenditures.Above, Pakistani Muslims wait to break the fast in Karachi on Aug. 27.

Selling like hot cakes:
A Palestinian baker in Hebron on Aug. 22 prepares qatayef, sweet pancakes popular in Arab countries during Ramadan. For Palestinian worshipers, security on Aug. 28, the first Friday of Ramadan, was tight as Israeli police and soldiers imposed a security clampdown in Jerusalem,
citing past unrest at Friday prayers. Widely considered the third holiest site of Islam, the Masjid of Al Aqsa in Jerusalem held Friday prayers for an estimated 90,000 Palestinian worshippers.

Hanging out:
In India, noodles similar to vermicelli, known as sev or sewaiyan, are extremely popular during Ramadan. In many countries, food prices go up just before Ramadan due to increased demand and spending by consumers for the holy month. In India, a drought has further increased food prices, making shopping even more difficult for many people.

Getting up to dates:
A Yemeni woman buys dates at a market in Sanaa on the first day of Ramadan.
In many countries, dates are a common food to break the fast at the end of the day.

Heading into a holy time:
Muslims the world over are observing the holy month of Ramadan.In addition to fasting from dawn until sundown, Muslims are also expected to abstain from smoking, sex, and drinking -- even water -- during these hours.

Although a time for prayer and reflection, Ramadan also includes festive family feasts to break the fast, and in Egypt, traditional tin lanterns called fawanis are used to decorate. Above, a man in Cairo carries bread past a stall selling fawanis on Aug. 16.

How to Get Rid of Haram Money

2009-08-27T10:16:00.001-07:00

In the Name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

There are a few important points here:

1. Giving and taking interest are both decisively impermissible in Islam. Similarly, it is impermissible to consume unlawfully-earned money.

2. Given this, the default is that it is impermissible to have any kinds of interest-bearing accounts. Many banks provide zero interest current accounts. If these are available where you are, it would not be permissible to get an interest-bearing account, even ?low interest.? Given the need to safeguard money and the unavoidable need to engage in financial transactions, the jurists of our age have given a dispensation for low interest current accounts if the abovementioned type are not available.

3. When you deposit money in the bank, the interest they give you is not your property, Islamically. Similarly, unlawfully-earned money is not your rightful possession. The default would have been to actually return it to its rightful owners. When this is not possible to do, we are legally obliged to effectively return it to them by giving it away in charity, so that even though their money does not go back to them its benefit does in the form of the benefit of charity given on their behalf.

It is only charity, however, with regards to the actual owners of the money. When you give this money away, you can only intend to get rid of unlawful filthy money from your holding, while repenting and seeking Allah?s forgiveness for disobeying Him in a matter He deems most hateful. To seek ?good? or reward when one gets rid of this money would be a serious sin in itself, the fuqaha tell us.

One may either give this money to those deserving of zakat (=the poor and needy), or to charities. There is nothing wrong or dubious with accepting this money, because the sin devolves back to the person who wrongful engaged in the unlawful transaction and not the actual money itself.

[Sources: al-Hadhr wa?l Ibaha of al-Nahlawi, al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Ibn Abidin?s Radd al-Muhtar, with some details from questions asked of contemporary scholars]

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

A Beautiful Hadith

2009-08-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi 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.

Thereafter he turns to his dead companion and says, 'I am the Qur'an, which you used to read, sometimes in a loud voice and sometimes in a low voice. Do not worry. After the interrogation of Munkar and Naker, you will have no grief.'

When the interrogation is over, the handsome man arranges for him from Al-Mala'ul A'laa (the angels in Heaven) silk bedding filled with musk.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: 'On the Day of Judgement, before Allah, no other Intercessor will have a greater status than the Qur'an, neither a Prophet nor an angel.'

Carbon nanotechnology in an 17th century Damascus sword

2009-08-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

The Damascus swords of the Middle East were legendarily sharp, strong and flexible. Now, an analysis of one of these weapons under an electron microscope reveals that the key to its properties is nanotechnology, inadvertently used by blacksmiths centuries before modern science.

In medieval times, crusading Christian knights cut a swathe through the Middle East in an attempt to reclaim Jerusalem from the Muslims. The Muslims in turn cut a swathe through the invaders using a very special type of sword, which quickly gained a mythical reputation among the Europeans.

These â€˜Damascus bladesâ€™ were extraordinarily strong, but still flexible enough to bend from hilt to tip. And they were reputedly so sharp that they could cleave a silk scarf floating to the ground, just as readily as a knightâ€™s body.

These superlative weapons gave the Muslims a great advantage, and their blacksmiths carefully guarded the secret to their manufacture. The secret died eventually died out in the eighteenth century and no European smith was able to reproduce their method.

Now, Marianne Riebold and colleagues from the University of Dresden have uncovered the startling origins of Damascus steel using a technique unavailable to the sword-makers of old â€“ electron microscopy.

Damascus blades were forged from small cakes of steel from India called â€˜wootzâ€™. All steel is made by allowing iron with carbon to harden the resulting metal. The problem with steel manufacture is that high carbon contents of 1-2% certainly make the material harder, but also render it brittle.

This is useless for sword steel since the blade would shatter upon impact with a shield or another sword. Wootz, with its especially high carbon content of about 1.5%, should have been useless for sword-making. Nonetheless, the resulting sabres showed a seemingly impossible combination of hardness and malleability.

Rieboldâ€™s team solved this paradox by analysing a Damascus sabre created by the famous blacksmith Assad Ullah in the seventeenth century, and graciously donated by the Berne Historical Museum in Switzerland.

They dissolved part of the weapon in hydrochloric acid and studied it under an electron microscope. Amazingly, they found that the steel contained carbon nanotubes (see left), each one just slightly larger than half a nanometre. Ten million could fit side by side on the head of a thumbtack.

Carbon nanotubes are cylinders made of hexagonally-arranged carbon atoms. They are among the strongest materials known and have great elasticity and tensile strength. In Rieboldâ€™s analysis, the nanotubes were protecting nanowires of cementite (Fe3C), a hard and brittle compound formed by the iron and carbon of the steel.

Here is the answer to the steelâ€™s special properties â€“ it is a composite material at a nanometre level. The malleability of the carbon nanotubes makes up for the brittle nature of the cementite formed by the high-carbon wootz cakes.

It isnâ€™t clear how ancient blacksmiths produced these nanotubes, but the researchers believe that the key to this process lay with small traces of metals in the wootz including vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt and nickel. Alternating hot and cold phases during manufacture caused these impurities to segregate out into planes.

From there, they would have acted as catalysts for the formation of the carbon nanotubes, which in turn would have promoted the formation of the cementite nanowires. These structures formed along the planes set out by the impurities, explaining the characteristic wavy bands, or damask (see image at top), that patterns Damascus blades.

By gradually refining their blade-making skills, these blacksmiths of centuries past were using nanotechnology at least 400 years before it became the scientific buzzword of the twenty-first century.

The ore used to produce wootz came from Indian mines that were depleted in the eighteenth century. As the particular combination of metal impurities became unavailable, the ability to manufacture Damascus swords was lost.

Now, thanks to modern science, we may eventually be able how to replicate these superb weapons and more importantly, the unique steel they were shaped from.

Close up of Islamic Sabre #10, made by Assad Ullah in the 17th Century.

Ramadan Mubarak Wallpapers

2009-08-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

Click to enlarge a picture

The Greatest Statement Ever

2009-08-15T10:01:00.001-07:00

MILLIONS of Muslims around the world pronounce this statement on a regular basis.
It is heard in the call to prayer, in our daily lives, in sermons, read in books, fought and died for and the basis of our religion. It differentiates believers from non- believers and is the key to enter into paradise. All the Messengers and Prophets came to propagate and teach it in order to take people from darkness to light. Above all, it is the reason Allah created us for. Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And I (Allâh) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone)... " (Qur'an, 51:56)

he testimony of faith, the Kalimtul-Haqq, the Kalimatul-Ikhlas [UTF-8?]â€“ Laa ilaaha illa Allah [UTF-8?]â€“ comprises the greatest statement ever. It means 'None has the right to be worshipped except Allah'. However, as we all utter these beautiful words on a daily basis we should ask a few questions:

Do we understand it and fulfill its obligations?

Are we aware of its conditions?

Just utterance alone without understanding its meaning is something that may not stop us from associating partners with Allah; something that is the essence of this great statement. Allah says in the Qur'an,
"Worship Allâh and join none with Him in worship... " (Qur'an, 4:36)
Allah, our Creator and Sustainer, has commanded us to worship Him alone, without any partners.

We may think we are, but without knowledge of this statement can we really knowingly stop ourselves from the gravest of sins?
"Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allâh in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin." (Qur'an, 4: 48)

The statement has two pillars:
1-NEGATION
None has the right to be worshipped
To negate anything and everything that is worshipped besides Allah
2-AFFIRMATION
Except Allah
To affirm that Allah and only Allah has the right to be worshipped

Conditions of Worship:
Must be sincerely for the sake of Allah alone
Must be in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him)
Types of worship in the Qur'an and Sunnah:
Supplication (Du'a), Fear (Khawf), Hope (Rajaa), Reliance (Tawakkul), Longing (Raghbah) and Dreading (Rahbah), Submissiveness (Khushoo'), Awe (Khashyah), Repentance (Inaabah), Seeking Assitance (Isti'aanah) , Seeking Refuge (Iti'aadhah) , Asking for Help (Istighaathah) , Offering Sacrifices (Dhabah), Making Oaths (Nadhar) and all other types of worship that Allah commanded [UTF-8?]â€“ all of these belong to Allah alone.If any act of worship is directed to other than Allah, then Shirk has occurred.
Conditions of the Laa ilaha illAllah are seven:
Conditions Results
1 Knowledge expels ignorance
2 Certainity expels doubt
3 Sincerity expels shirk
4 Truthfulness expels hypocrisy
5 Love expels hate
6 Submissive compliance expels deviation
7 Acceptance expels rejection
References: Aqeedah of Tawheed, by Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzaan and The Three Fundamental Principles, by Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul WahhabVirtues of Laa ilaaha illAllah
Haafidh Ibn Rajab mentions many virtues of this statement in his essay entitled Kalimatul-Ikhlaas ( p. 54 -66)
It is the price to pay for the Gardens of Paradise
His whose last words are none has the right to be worshipped except Allah will enter Paradise
It is a salvation from the Hellfire
It necessitates being forgiven
It is the best of all good actions
It wipes away sins
It renews the faith in the heart
It outweighs the record of sins on the scales
It is the best of what the Prophets have said
It is the best form of remembrance, the best of actions and the one that is that is multiplied the most in reward
It is a protection against the devil
All eight gates of Paradise will be opened to its testifier and he may enter from any gate he chooses
With all this in mind it is imperative that we all learn its pillars and conditions so that we can say it with full meaning and understanding preventing us from falling into associating partners with Allah.
Indeed Allah has forbidden for Hell the person who says 'There is nothing that has the right to be worshipped but Allah', seeking thereby the Face of Allah.
(Bukhari and Muslim)

Quran did not Burn inside the burning Car

2009-08-11T10:14:00.001-07:00

SUBHAN ALLAH - PLEASE FORWARD TO THE BELIEVERS

WHAT IS ISLAM?

2009-08-03T19:51:00.000-07:00

Can we find an explanation of the great universe? Is there any convincing interpretation of the secret of existence? We realize that no family can function properly without a responsible head, that no city can prosperously exist without sound administration, and that no state can survive without a leader of some kind. We also realize that nothing comes into being on its own. Moreover, we observe that the universe exists and functions in the most orderly manner, and that it has survived for hundreds of thousand of years. Can we then say that all this is accidental and haphazard? Can we attribute the existence of man and the whole world to mere chance.

Man represents only a very small portion of the great universe. And if he can make plans and appreciate the merits of planning, then his own existence and the survival of the universe must also be a planned policy. This means that there is an extraordinary power to bring things into being and keep them moving in order.

In the world then must be a great force in action to keep everything in order. In the beautiful nature there must be a Great creator who creates the most charming pieces of art produces every thing for a special purpose in life. The deeply enlightened people recognize this creator and call him Allah "God". He is not a man because no man can create or make another man. He is not an animal, nor he is a plant. He is neither an Idol nor is He a statue of any kind because non of these things can make itself or create anything else. He is different from all these things because he is the maker and keeper of them all. The maker of anything must be different from and greater than things which he makes.

There are various ways to know God "ALLAH'' and there are many things to tell about him. The great wonders and impressive marvels of the world are like open books in which we can read about God. Besides, God Himself comes to our aid through the many Messengers and revelations He has sent down to man. These Messengers and revelations tell us everything we need to know about God.

The complete acceptance of the teachings and guidance of God 'Allah' as revealed to His Messengers Muhammad is the religion of Islam. Islam enjoins faith in the oneness and sovereignty of Allah, which makes man aware of meaningfulness of the Universe and of his place in it. This belief frees him from all fears and superstitions by making him conscious of the presence of the Almighty Allah and of man's obligations towards Him. This faith must be expressed and tested in actions, faith alone is not enough. Belief in one God requires that we look upon all humanity as one family under the universal Omnipotence of God the Creator and Nourisher of all. Islam rejects the idea of chosen people, making belief in God and good actions the only way to heaven. Thus, a direct relationship in established with God, without any intercessor.

Islam is not a new religion. It is, in essence, the same message and guidance which Allah revealed to all Prophets. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ismael, David, Moses and Jesus (PBUT). But the message which was revealed to Prophet Mohammed (PBUT) is Islam in its comprehensive, complete and final form.

The Quran is the last revealed word of Allah and the basic source of Islamic teachings and laws. The Quran deals with the basis of creeds, morality, history of humanity, worship, knowledge, wisdom, God-man relationship, and human relationship in all aspects. Comprehensive teaching on which, can be built sound systems of social justice, economics, politics, legislation, jurisprudence, law and international relations, are important contents of the Quran. Hadith, the teachings, sayings and actions of Prophet Mohammed (PBUT), meticulously reported and collected by his devoted companions. Explained and elaborated the Quranic verses.

THE FUNDAMENTAL ARTICLES OF FAITH IN ISLAM

The true faithful Muslim believes in the following Principal articles of faith:-

1. He believes in One God 'Allah', Supreme and Eternal, Infinite and Mighty, Merciful and Compassionate, Creator and Provider.
2. He believes in all Messengers of God without any discrimination among them. Every known nation had a warner or Messenger from God. They were chosen by God to teach mankind and deliver His divine message. The Quran mentions the name of twenty five of them. Among them Mohammad stands as the last Messenger and the crowning glory of the foundation of Prophethood.
3. Muslin believes in all scriptures and revelations of God. They were the guiding light which the Messengers received to show their respected peoples the Right Path of God. In the Quran a special reference is made to the books of Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus. But long before the revelations has been lost or corrupted. The only authentic and complete book of God in existence in the Quran.
4. The true Muslim believes in the Angels of Allah. They are purely spiritual and splendid beings whose nature requires on food, drink or sleep. They spend their days and nights in the worship of God.
5. Muslim believes in the last Day of Judgement. This world will come to an end someday, and the dead will rise to stand for their final and fair trial. People with good records will be generously, rewarded and warmly welcomed to the Heaven of Allah, and those with bad records will be punished and cast into Hell.
6. Muslim believes in the timeless knowledge of God and His power to plan and execute His planes and nothing could happen in His Kingdom against His will. His knowledge and power are in action at all times and command over His creation. He is wise and merciful, and whatever He does must have a meaningful purpose. If this is established in our mind and hearts, we should accept with good faith all that He does, although we may fail to under stand it fully, or think it is bad.

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

Faith without actions arid practice is a dead end, as far as Islam is concerned. Faith by nature is very sensitive and can be most effective. When it is not out of practice or out of use, it quickly loses its liveliness and motivation power.

There are five pillars of Islam:

1. The declaration of faith: To bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Mohammad (PBUH) is His Messenger to all human beings till the Day of Judgment. The Prophethood of Mohammad obliges the Muslims to follow, His exemplary life as a model.
2. Prayers: Daily, prayers are offered five times a day as a duty towards Allah. They strengthen and enliven the belief in Allah and inspire man to a higher morality. They purify the heart and prevent temptation towards wrong - doings and evil.
3. Fasting the month of Ramadan. The Muslims during the month of Ramadan not only abstain from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset but also sincerity and devotion. It develops a sound social conscience, patience, unselfishness and will - Power.
4. Zakkah: The literal and simple meaning of Zakkah is purity. The technical meaning of this word designates the annual amount in kind or coin which a Muslim with means must distribute among the rightful beneficiaries. But the religious and spiritual significance of Zakkah is much deeper and more lively. So it has humanitarian and sociopolitical values.
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah): It is to be performed once in a lifetime, if one can afford it financially and physically.

A Beautiful Hadith

2009-07-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

13.5 Kg Weight Quran-e-Karim

2009-07-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

Indian continent Kerala Police has arrested Mr. M.G. Sukumar (44) resident of Trichur, who is going to sell this Quran for 5 crores Indian Rupees (IRS.5,00,00,000) equal to 50 million $. And it has been sent to Hyderabad for verification of script.

This Holy Qura'n written by Mughal Emperor AURANGZEB in his own hand writing before 400 hundred years ago (During 1636-44 & 1653-58).

- It's weight measured as 13 KG.
- Size: Length 39.5I cm. and width 20 cm.
- The text was graving with Gold & Silver
- This Qura'n papers are made by fireproof material.
- It's every page giving different type of perfume smell

Mikaeel (Murder) Conspiracy

2009-07-15T04:40:00.000-07:00

Just got this article from my email:

Michael Jackson (MJ) was known as the most loving person in the world. He gave up most of his assets for charity and all his life, he fought for equality of the African Americans, AIDS victims, Against Drug Abuse, Against Abortion, Against Child Labor and secretly channelled his properties for the hungry children of the world. However, he wasn't peace at heart. He always think of himself as a child trapped inside a man's body. Being Peter Pan is all his dream, never to grow up, forever a child. That inspires him to build Neverland - a heaven for children. Children of all ages and races are welcomed to Neverland. MJ had so much love to give.

However, he made a mistake which he didn't know of the consequences. He saw the peaceful life his brother, Jermaine (Muhammad Abdul Aziz) had as a Muslim - true, Jermaine faced so much pressure that he moved to Bahrain.

In 1989, MJ made a press conference which shocked the world, "I have seen the Islam in the life of my brother, I have read the books about Islam. And I'd love to someday feel the calmness and peace of Islam...."

Since that, MJ's life was never the same again.
He was accused of so many accusations against child molestation. MJ was not someone who can deal with much pressure as he is a 'delicate child'. All the extortion and black mail followed after that. Everything he did was being seen as wrong in the eyes of the Media. All these are to influence his fans to hate MJ. If he is hated, then he would not be influencial anymore.

For several years, he stayed in England. Getting motivation from a long time friend, Cat Stevens, who had converted into Islam - named Yusuf Islam. From him, MJ learnt how Yusuf had survived being Muslim. He made friends with a song writer, Zain Bhikha too, who wrote a song titled, "GIVE THANKS TO ALLAH", which he wanted MJ to sing whenever he is ready. GIVE THANKS TO ALLAH. You can download this song here: http://www.ziddu.com/download/5617143/MichealJackson-GiveThanksToAllah.mp3.html

Following his trial, MJ withdrew to Bahrain, where he was the special guest of sheik Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the son of Bahrain’s king. It was then that Michael began to give conversion more “serious thought.”
MJ stayed in Bahrain for approximately 3 years. He studied Islam, the prayers and learn to read the Koran (al-Quran).

Finally, he came back to Los Angeles and in November 2008 MJ had formally converted to Islam in a ceremony at a close friend’s house in Los Angeles.
He perform Haj with the King of Bahrain and son on December 2008.

He had a hidden agenda when he wanted to make a final comeback. He annouced in a press conference on March 2009, "This will be my final concert. I'll see you all in July...."

He planned that during his concert, he would announce that this is the FINAL concert as he wouldn't be performing anymore. He will declare that he is a Muslim and will only sing with Yusuf Islam and Friends.
At the end of the concert, he will be singing the song, "GIVE THANKS TO ALLAH" with Yusuf Islam. That is the reason why he chose London as his final concert venue instead of the USA. It was because he thought he could escape the USA's extortion, and that he could perform with yusuf Islam who is in England.

At 12.30am, 25th June 2009, he hugged his production manager and said, "After reherasing for 2 months, I am finally ready for the concert..."
Before leaving to sleep, he waved his dancers, "It was a good night everyone. I'll see you all tomorrow..."
The next thing... He was pronouced dead at 2.26am....

When 911 was called, there are so much questions asked. It is as if they didn't know who MJ is and where he lived. The questions asked are more towards to delay time.
The hospital said the autopsy result can only be obtained after 2 months - very illogical as even the worst African technology could obtain the result in less than 2 weeks.

MJ's family members opt for second private autopsy as they started to feel something fishy is going on. The result came out in about 4 days - MJ was drugged with high dosage of anaesthetic - drug that brings about a reversible loss of consciousness, if used to much could stop the heart from beating.

Another result which was not aired in the media was, MJ's stomach is empty of this drug, but his blood were filled with it - same case as the death of Marilyn Monroe.
The private doctors also found many needle marks, afraid to be forced injections given to MJ on his bed.

In CNN Live after a week, Barack Obama was interviewed. And he said, "I love MJ, I grew up listening to his songs. It is a great loss, but rest assured that there is no conspiracy in his death..."
Now, why must a President made such statement before the official autopsy result came out? How would he know that there is no conspiracy without the post-mortem result? Seems like someone is afraid of his shadows.

MJ was known to the world as a person who is against drug abuse. Why must he be addicted to drug, then? If he wanted to commit suicide, why rehearse for his concert? And why will he want to see his dancers the next day?

Enough about his death. I am sure people around the world is not stupid anymore. These supreme power can fool us during the Marilyn Monroe conspiracy, Martin Luther King and Princess Diana. But in this MJ's case, they left too many loopholes for those who think...!!

MJ's family was about to give him a Muslim burial with the help of The Brotherhood of Islam. But, the CIA showed up at Neverland's door - blackmailed them that if they do so publicly, Katherine (MJ's mother) would be pull off from MJ's 3 children's custody as well as MJ's estates. Instead, they'll hire Debbie Rowe for the purpose, and the court will be in their favour. So much for democracy and fairness...

Finally, they agreed to let MJ have a Muslim Burial in Neverland. But in condition, must show to the public a Christian Memorial Service, as to prove to the world that MJ was never a Muslim.

So, Staples Centre was just a normal show. That's why the coffin was closed and sealed.

MJ was buried days earlier. The Gold Coffin was empty. They were about to bury the Coffin according to Christianity ways in Hollywood - as in their deal with the USA Government.

These happened, because the USA is afraid of the rising numbers of Muslims in the world.

(Sheikh Ha**d)
The Brotherhood of Islam
Buletin of Bahrain

Necessary Tips for Raising Children Following Islam

2009-07-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

Necessary Tips for Raising Children Following Islam

Allah Almighty has entrusted parents with their children. Parents bear the responsibility to raise up their children in the Islamic way. If they do that they will be blessed in this life and in the Hereafter, and if they don't, they will get bad result during their life and in the Hereafter.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “All of you are guardians and all of you are responsible for things under your guardianship; the ruler is a guardian (managing his state’s affairs) and he is responsible for things under his care, the man is a guardian over his family and responsible for them, the woman is a guardian of her husband's house and she is responsible for it. All of you are guardians and responsible for things under your control.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not excuse any one from responsibility that Allah has put on every individual to build the Islamic society: the ruler is responsible: the man and woman are responsible. ... all within their capabilities, domains, and authorities. .. and the loss of Islam from our Muslim Ummah these days is nothing but a result of the neglect of responsibility.

Men and women, fathers and mothers share the responsibility to raise up, educate, and build the new generation in the correct method and the right way.

Man has in him the good and bad tendencies, so parents must encourage and grow the good tendencies in the child so he can become a useful person that helps himself and his people. Referring to this, Allah Almighty says: (O' you who believe, protect yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones. ) (At- Tahreem: 6)

The protection of yourself and your family from Hell-Fire won't be with anything but good education, the practice of good morals, and the guidance to nobility.

Islam does not distinguish between male and female with regard to the education requirements. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “Whoever has a daughter, tutors her on good morals, educates her well and feeds her properly; she will be a protection for him from Hell-Fire.”

What do we mean by good education? The good education means the physical, mental and moral preparation of the child so he can become a good individual in the good society.

METHODS FOR MORAL UPBRINGING:
1. Showing the values of good deeds and their effects on the individuals and society; also showing the effects of bad deeds, all within the child's capability of understanding.

2. Parents should be a good example in their behavior because children like to imitate their parents in their sayings and their deeds.

3. Teaching the child the religious principles and tutoring him in worship, taking into account the child's capability of understanding. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “Order your children to pray at the age of seven.”

4. Treating children nicely and kindly. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us that practically. When he was praying as an Imam with the people, his grandson Al-Hasan, son of his daughter Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with them rode his back while he was bowing. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, lengthened his bow. When he finished his prayer, some attending Companions said, “You lengthened your bow?” Then the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, answered, “My grandson rode my back and I hate hastening him”

5. One of the important things that parents must teach their children is to choose the good company and to the avoid the bad one, because children are always influenced by the company they keep. The bad behavior can be easily transmitted through bad company. So the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, warned us by saying, “Man is inclined to get influenced by his friend's manners, so one must be careful in choosing friends.” (Reported by Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhi)

6. Encouraging the child's sense of belonging to the Muslim Ummah, by teaching him of the brotherhood between Muslims, teaching him to care for Muslims in any land, and that he is part of the Muslim body, to feel joy when Muslims are joyous, to feel sad for Muslims' sadness, and to do best to achieve the Muslim Ummah’s goals. All of this can be done practically through:

a. Taking children to Mosques and introducing them to their brother in Islam regardless of race, language, or origin.

b. Teaching the children the history of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companions and the history of Islam, bearing in mind the child's capability of understanding.

c. Encouraging children to sympathize with Muslim problems and to contribute to the solutions such as the poverty problem and to donate some money to the hungry Muslim children.

d. Taking part in the celebrations and festivals with Muslims, and sharing picnics and creating ties with their Muslim brothers of the same age.

7. Imbuing in children the feeling of love of Allah, His Prophet, Muslims, and all people. This love will lead to special behavior towards all those loved.

These are general guidelines to raise our children Islamically, so every Muslim must take care of his children and know the correct path that must be followed. This will help us do the job we are entrusted to do as Allah proscribed, as well as the responsibility the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, has clarified, with aim of protecting the future generations of Muslims, as Allah Almighty says: (And Say Do deeds! Allah will see your deeds, and (so will) his Messenger and the believers. And you will be brought back to the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. Then He will inform you of what you used to do.) (At-Tawbah: 105)

Source: www.Islamonline. net
http://witness- pioneer.org/ VMagazine/ v9i2/v9i2. htm#6