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| ..:: It's Moving Time! ::. |
| 10.04.04 (11:00 am) |
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Â
Assalaamu 'alaikum
I've been working loooong and harrrrrd to get my new blog up and running, and I'm telling you, it has not been easy!
BUT.. alhamdulillaah, all's well and we're [well I am] ready to move. So..here goes....:
UmmJunayd.Info
I've transferred many of my previous posts over to the new blog and the great thing is.. yes.. they are catergorized!
So.. what are you waiting for.. come on over!
wassalaamu 'alaikum
Umm Junayd
pps. Tell me what you think of the design.. im always up for fresh ideas and comments!
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| .:: Reflections ::. |
| 09.25.04 (3:58 am) |
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Assalaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh
Isn't it amazing how much benefit is gained from spending a few minutes pondering? SubhaanAllaah, if only we but knew!
A series of events have occured recently which have, alhamdulillaah, led me to ponder. In the few minutes that I grasped with both hands, I was able to think over a few things - namely about my and your Lord, Allaah.
He says: "Your wealth and your children are but a trial." [64:15] and how true He is in His Words! I've had sleepless nights and tiresome days due to my son being unwell and although it may seem like nothing, indeed it's a trial! I'm obviously being tested to see how strong my faith is [which at the moment has had its low times] and whether I will turn to Allaah for help. Afterall, should I not? Is He not the One I worship and the One I should turn to for help? Will I be a hypocrite to that which I recite (Soorah al-Faatiha: 5)?Â
There are moments when I've wanted to cry because I feel hopeless and tired. Afterall, there is only so much I can do to try to ease my son's pain, yet I dont seem to be making a difference. Then the reality of the situation kicks in - I'm really not able to do anything, and it's by Allaah's Will and Mercy that he'll recover.
You see... we are weak... very, very weak and it's at times of hardship that we come to recognise this. At times of ease, we think everything's hunky-doory [please excuse the expression!] and we're doing fine - but when we face a hardship, that's when we remember Allaah.
Why is this? Do we not reflect upon the story of Prophet Yoonus (alayhis-salaam)? If it was not for the fact that He remembered Allaah at times of ease, Allaah would not have remembered him at his time of difficulty. But sadly many of us are like those who Allaah mentions:
"Whenever affliction touches a man, he prays to Us, whether lying down on
his side, sitting, or standing on his feet. But as soon as We relieve his
affliction he walks away as if he had never prayed to Us for removing that
affliction which touched him!" (10:15)
We should cry at this realisation - how ungrateful we are! Junayd's now sitting in front of me able to breath okay again [although not fully recovered], walhamdulillaah - and less than 24 hours ago we didn’t know what was going on with him, laa hawlaa wa laa quwwata illaa billaah! This ayah has been of real comfort to me:
"If Allah afflicts you with a calamity, none can remove it but He; and if He
intends to bestow a favour, none can withhold His bounty." (10:107)
For verily with Allaah is the cure and the success and to Him shall we return!
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| ..Stress!.. |
| 09.08.04 (3:21 am) |
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Assalaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh
*sigh*
What a week it's been - subhaanAllaah. It's only Wednesday and it feels like I've been through the whole week already! Allaahu Musta'aan.
Olive Tree School's been crazy this week. A fire inspector came to inspect the move we had made - he was not not happy - yes.. thank you for adding to the stress! Madrasah's been just as bad.. no.. worse! It was total madness on Monday.. new teachers [which I shall not comment on as I am too upset about it all!].. new girls.. new classrooms.. no organisation - yep.. same ol', same ol'!
*sighs*
On a lighter note, Im trying to make up my missed Ramdhaan fasts - I've got well.. 16 to make up. I started today walhamdulillaah - I just realised how close we are to Ramdhaan. I've never left making my fasts up too late - I guess my eemaan's been at it's lowest since I gave birth [subhaanAllaah, I went through some major rought patches!] and I got really lazy. Alhamdulillaah my husband gave me some great naseehah and reminders last night [may Allaah reward him with Jannah, ameen!] and has been a great help - thank Allaah for husbands, ey?
On an even lighter note.. i got my course material for my BA Islamic Studies course yesterday! Im so excited - make du'aa for me!
A dear sister of mine is feeling upset -- check our her blog and make her feel better: Taqwaa
Right.. Junayd's calling.. I've got a headache [alhamdulillaah.. not complaining] and I need to pray Zhuhr - so Im gonna chip.
wassalaamu 'alaikum
Umm Junayd
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| ... Just Blogging ... |
| 09.04.04 (1:02 am) |
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Assalaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh
Mashaa`Allaah, what a wonderful day I had yesterday; we had Shaikh Salim al-Amry over to give the khutbah at our masjid and the bonus to it all was that he also gave a lecture afterwards! What great benefit it was! He spoke about major and minor sins which was followed by a question and answer session [he answered 3/4 of my questions and gave excellent answers mashaa`Allaah].
Has anyone noticed that when sisters are given a Q&A session, the questions are always about marriage and divorce? Why is that?
Anyhow, I've got alot to do at the moment, I don't know how I'm going to fit it all in. Teaching at the madrasah, doing the administration at the Olive Tree School [http://www.olivetreeschool.org" title="http://www.olivetreeschool.org" target="_blank"http://www.olivetreeschool.or...], studying for my BA in Islaamic Studies.. please make du'aa for me that I fit everything in.. oh and SDN [which i WILL mention in my next blog inshaa`Allaah].
Junayd's got a cold at the moment.. runny nose and everything - miskeen - shafahullaah! He caught it off of a daughter of one of my dear dear sisters [no darling, I wont praise you on my blog, but you know that I love you dearly for the sake of Allaah]!
Since we are rapidly approaching Ramadhaan, here are a few ahadeeth that may be of some benefit inshaa`Allaah:
Narrated Ibn Umar: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can't see it) then regard the month of Ramadan as of 30 days."
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever observes fasts during
the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven."
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said: "Whoever establishes prayers :
during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven."
Narrated Ata: I heard Ibn 'Abbas saying, "Allah's Apostle asked an Ansari woman (Ibn 'Abbas named her but 'Ata' forgot her name), 'What prevented you from performing Hajj with us?' She replied, 'We have a camel and the father of so-and-so and his son (i.e. her husband and her son) rode it and left one camel for us to use for irrigation.' He said (to her), 'Perform 'Umra when Ramadan comes, for 'Umra in Ramadan is equal to Hajj (in reward),' or said something similar."
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened."
BTW.. these are all reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree.
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| .:: Back..! ::. |
| 08.31.04 (2:52 am) |
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Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh
We got back yesterday from our 'bank holiday break' at the JIMAS conference [look, if you dont agree with it, please dont give me grief - frankly, I dont want to know!].
We had a good time mashaa`Allaah. The lectures were... hmm.. kinda general, a few were very good reminders and a overall I gained quite a bit from it, mashaa`Allaah. The best part of it all was seeing the sisters who I havent seen since last year's conference. Those Leicester sisters are such great fun, mashaa`Allaah - I'm really going to miss them. I actually should have exchanged email addresses/ phone numbers.. *sighs* oh well. If Allaah wills, we'll meet again next year.
The lil Jund came along with us and subhaanAllaah.. i dont know how he does it, but he attracts so much attention! I had him in the pushchair to get him around.. and while I was busy shopping a the stalls, I'd leave him for a while - by the time I turn around, he's got at least one sister playing with him, mashaa`Allaah. I think it's the smile that does the trick because he smiles at almost any lady [if he likes her face.. *smile*]. I was a little worried because with all that attention, it's so easy to get evil eye - na'oodhubillaah min dhaalik.
Aaaaanyhow.. i gotta stop blogging and start some serious work on SDN [something which I'll explain in the next blog inshaa`Allaah]. But before I go, here's a hadeeth that may be of some benefit:
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar: The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) passed by a man who was admonishing his brother regarding Haya and was saying, "You are very shy, and I am afraid that might harm you." On that, Allah's Apostle said, "Leave him, for Haya is (a part) of Faith." [Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree - #139]
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| .:: Brace Yourself Umm Junayd...!::. |
| 08.21.04 (1:44 pm) |
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Assalaamu 'alaikum
SubhaanAllaah - it's been a while since I've posted, huh? Not much to publish actually. But my lil Jund's been making progress so i thought i'd share!
*smile*
He is now.. er.. over 9 months and should be crawling [according to statistics?], but the lil soldier used to be like:
"Look i aint moving anywhere, so just leave me be!" - Well, that's the message i got when i 'read' his facial expression!
But lately.. mashaa`Allaah.. i cant keep the little man still! He wants to grab everything! I tell my husband to keep everything off the ground now cos i just dont know when he's going to be on the move. As we were eating dinner this evening, he was bum-shuffling. Yes that's right, the little man realised that it was too hard to do it the proper way, so he shuffles on his cute little behind, mashaa`Allaah!
Alhamdulillaah we have a very simple living room.. so we shouldnt have to worry about that.
Anyway - just thought i'd share.
Take care all... wassalaamu 'alaikum
Umm Junayd - Mother of the Lil Soldier!
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| .:: Sabeelillaah is BACK! ::. |
| 08.03.04 (12:52 am) |
[image]ummjunayd_62070321 2.gif[/image]
[b].:: Sabeelillaah is BACK! ::.[/b]
Assalaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh
On behalf of the admin of [url=http://sabeelillaah.co.uk]Sabeelillaah[/url] I apologise for the downtime that was experienced over the last few weeks. However, alhamdulillaah, the site and [url=http://sabeelillaah.co.uk/for...]forums[/url] are up and running again.
Inshaa`Allaah, we look forward seeing you on the forums!
wassalaamu 'alaikum
Umm Junayd - Sabeelillaah Administrator.
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| .:: Levels of Patience ::. |
| 07.26.04 (1:36 am) |
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.:: Levels of Patience ::.
By Imaam ibn al-Qayyim
Five Categories of Patience can also be divided into categories following the five categories of deeds, namely Waajib (obligatory), mandub (encouraged), mahdhur (forbidden), makruh (disliked) and mubah (permissible).
[u]Obligatory (Waajib) patience[/u]
1. Patience in abstaining from forbidden (haraam) things and actions,
2. Patience in carrying out obligatory deeds,
3. Patience in facing adversity which is beyond one's control, such as illness, poverty, etc.
[u]Encouraged (mandub) patience[/u]
1. Patience in abstaining from disliked (makruh) things,
2. Patience in performing acts of worship which is liked and encouraged (mustahabb)
3. Patience in refraining from taking revenge.
[u]Forbidden (mahdhur) patience[/u]
1. Patience in abstaining from food and drink until death.
2. Patience in abstaining from eating haraam meat, carrion and blood, when the alternative is death and starvation. Tawus and Ahmad ibn Hanbal said, "Whoever has no choice but to eat carrion, haraam meat and blood, but refuses to eat it and dies as a consequence,
will enter Hell."
3. Patience in refraining from begging. There is a dispute as to whether begging from people is forbidden or permissible. Imam Ahmad said that this kind of patience and abstention is allowed. He was asked, "What if a person fears that if he does not do this, he will die?" Imam Ahmad answered, "No, he will not die. Allah will send him his due provision (rizq)."Imam Ahmad did not allow begging: when Allah knows the need of a person and his sincerity in abstaining from begging, Allah will send him rizq. Other scholars, including some of Imam Ahmad's companions and Imam ash-Shafi'i said, "It is
obligatory on such a person to beg, and if he did not beg, than he would be a wrongdoer, because by begging he protects himself from death."
4. Patience in enduring things that may lead to death, such as predators, snakes, fire and water.
5. Patience at times of fitnah when the Muslims are fighting Muslims. Patience in abstaining from fighting at such a time, when Muslims are killing Muslims, is mubah (permissible), indeed it is mustahabb (liked and preferred). When the Prophet (SAAS) was asked about this, he said, "Be like the better of the two sons of Adam." In other, similar reports he said, "Be like the slave of Allah who was killed, and not like the one who has killed," and "let him (the killer) carry his own wrong action and your wrong action." In another report, he said, "If the sword is too bright, put your hand on your face." Allah has told us the story of the better of the two
sons of Adam, and how he surrendered himself and did not fight back, and how Allah commended him for that. This is different to the case when Muslims are fighting kafirun: in that situation the Muslim has to defend himself, because the meaning of Jihad is to defend himself and Islam.
[u]Disliked (makruh) patience[/u]
1. Patience in abstaining from physical appetites (food, drink, sex) to the extent of causing damage to one's health.
2. Patience in doing a makruh deed.
[u]Permissible (mubah) patience[/u]
Patience in abstaining from mubah deeds
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| Points of Benefit from the Book Al-Fawaa'id |
| 07.02.04 (4:14 am) |
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Points of Benefit from the Book Al-Fawaa'id
By Shaikh Husain Al-'Awaayisha
From Faid-ur-Rahmaan fee Al-Fawaa’id-il-Hisaan (No. 1, pg. 30-32)
Translator: Abu Maryam Isma'eel Alarcon
• How can anyone who has common sense trade Paradise and what is in it for the pleasure of one hour?
• When you fear the creation, you feel repelled by it and run away from it, but when you fear the Creator, you feel close to Him and run towards Him.
• If knowledge without action were of benefit, why did Allaah condemn the scholars of the People of the Book? And if action without sincerity were of benefit, why did He condemn the hypocrites?
• Repel the thought, for if you don’t, it becomes an idea. So repel the idea, for if you don’t it will become a desire. So fight against that (desire), for if you don’t, it will become a determination and a passion. And if you don’t repel that, it will become an action. And if you don’t replace it with its opposite, it will become a constant habit. So at that point, it will be difficult for you to change it.
• When a decreed matter occurs to Allaah’s ‘abd (slave), which he dislikes, then he should have six perspectives about it :
• First: The Perspective of Tawheed: And that Allaah is the One who decreed it and willed it and created it. And whatever Allaah wills comes to pass, and whatever He doesn’t will doesn’t come to pass.
• Second: The Perspective of Fairness: And that He ruled this event to occur in the past and that there is fairness in His Divine ordainment.
• Third: The Perspective of Mercy: And that Allaah's mercy with regard to this thing which He decreed supercedes His anger and vengeance
• Fourth: The Perspective of Wisdom: And that it was Allaah’s infinite Wisdom that brought that about. He did not decree it in vain nor did He divinely execute it for no purpose.
• Fifth: The Perspective of Praise: And that to Allaah belongs the complete and entire praise for that thing that was decreed, from all perspectives of it.
• Sixth: The Perspective of Worship to Allaah (‘Ubudiyyah): And that he is a pure worshipper of Allaah from every standpoint. His Master’s Rulings and Decrees occur to him by virtue of his being Allaah’s possession and slave. So Allaah administers him under His decreed rulings just as He administers him under His religious rulings. So it (i.e. the decreed event) becomes a place for these rulings to occur to him.
• Little success (from Allaah), bad views, unawareness of the truth, corruption of the heart, laziness in making dhikr, wasting time, distaste for the creation, estrangement between the servant and his Lord, the prevention of the supplication from being answered, hardening of the heart, the termination of blessing from ones provision and lifespan, the prevention of knowledge, being covered in debasement, humiliation at the hands of the enemy, constricting of the chest, prolonged grief and sorrow, a wretched life of poverty, and a gloomy state of being are all produced from sins and neglecting to remember Allaah just as crops are produced from water and burning from fire. And the opposites of these things are produced from obedience to Allaah.
• If your mind would free itself from the governorship of your desires, the state would return back to it.
• You have entered into the abode of desires, so you have put your life at stake.
• It was once to said to one devout worshipper of Allaah: "Until when will you continue to exhaust your soul?" So he responded: "It is its relaxation that I seek."
• The women of this world were made beautiful to those who can see in order to test which of them prefers them over the women of the Hereafter. So whoever knows the extent of differences, he will choose what deserves to be chosen.
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| .:: Umm 'Umara (radiyallaahu anha) ::. |
| 06.22.04 (12:26 am) |
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Umm 'Umara (radiyallaahu anha):
The Prophet's Shield at Uhud
Umm 'Umara was blessed with many honours, amongst these her presence at Uhud, al-Hudaybiyya, Khaybar, the Fulfilled Umra, Hunayn, and the Battle of Yamama. But her most noble role came about during the battle of Uhud.
Umm 'Umara set out to the battle with her husband, Ghaziya, and her two sons. Her (task had) been to give water to the wounded, but Allaah had planned for her a more rewarding role.
So she set out with her family with a waterskin, and arrived at the battle field during the beginning of the day. The Muslims had the upper hand, and she went to see how the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam was. But then the Muslims committed a fatal error - seeing the Quraysh on the retreat, they ran towards the booty, ignoring the Prophet's command to remain on the hill. Khalid bin Walid, (who hadn't embraced Islam yet), seeing the open flank, made a charge against the Muslims and suddenly the tide had swung towards the Quraysh. The Muslims panicked and began to flee, leaving behind only the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and a handful of his Companions. Among these was Umm Umara.
Seeing the Muslims flee, Umm Umara ran to the defense of the Prophet and took up arms, along with her husband and two sons. The Prophet noticed that she had no shield, and so said to one of the retreating men: "Give your shield to the one who is fighting." So he handed her the shield, and she defended the Prophet of Allaah with it, using also the bow and arrow along with a sword. She was attacked by horsemen, but never wavered nor felt fear. She later boldly claimed, "If they had been on foot as we were, we would have trounced them, Allaah willing."
Abdullah ibn Zayed, her son, was wounded during the battle. His wound bled profusely. His mother ran to him and bandaged his wounds, and then commanded him, "Go and fight the people, my son!" The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam admired her sense of sacrifice, and commended her, "Who can endure what you can endure, Umm 'Umara!"
Suddenly, the man who had struck her son advanced, and the Prophet called out to her, "This is the one who struck your son." She bravely confronted the man, who her very son described as being like a great tree trunk, and struck at his leg, sending him to his knees. The Messenger of Allaah smiled so much his teeth became visible, and remarked, "You have retaliated, Umm 'Umara!". Having finished him off, the Prophet then said "Praise be to Allaah who has given you victory and delighted you over your enemy and let you enjoy your revenge directly."
At one stage, the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam was left alone, so taking the opportunity, the enemy Ibn Qumay'a charged at the Prophet, shouting "Show me Muhammad! I will not be saved if he is saved!" So Mus'ab ibn 'Umayr, along with some other of the Companions, dashed to the protection of the Prophet. Umm 'Umara was among them, and began fiercely striking at the enemy of Allaah, even though he was wearing double armour. Ibn Qumay'a managed to strike a blow at her neck, leaving a serious wound. The Prophet quickly called on her son "Your mother! Your mother! Bind her wound! May Allaah bless you, the people of a house! The stand of your mother is better than the stand of so-and-so. May Allaah have mercy on you, people of a house! The stand of your foster father is better than the stand of so-and-so. May Allaah have mercy on you, people of a house!" Umm 'Umara, seeing the Prophet's pleasure on her determination and valour, earnestly requested "Ask Allaah to make us your companions in the Garden!" So he said "O Allaah, make them my companions in the Garden." And this was the desire of Umm 'Umara, to which she replied "I do not care what afflicts me in this world!"
That day, she received thirteen wounds, and was treated for her neck wound for a complete year. She also participated in the Battle of Yamama, where she received eleven wounds and lost her hand.
Her courageous character earned her the respect of all the Companions, especially the Khalifa's who would visit her and pay special attention to her.
'Umar bin Khattab (r.a.a) was brought some silk garments which contained excellent quality material. One of the people remarked "This garment is worth such-and-such (meaning how expensive it was). You should send it to the wife of 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, Safiyya bint Abi 'Ubayd." 'Umar radiallaahu 'anhu however did not desire such a garment for his daughter in law. "That is something which I will not give to Ibn 'Umar. I will send it to someone who is more entitled to it than her - Umm 'Umara Nusayba bint Ka'b. On the day of Uhud, I heard the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam say, 'Whenever I looked to the right or left I saw her fighting in front of me'."
This was the life of Umm 'Umara, the warrior who stood when many fled, who sent her wounded son back into the thick of the battle, and was prepared to lose her life to save the Prophet's. In return, she received the du'a for the Prophet's companionship in Paradise.
May Allaah bless our women with such courage, self-sacrifice and perseverance.
Posted [url=http://sabeelillaah.co.uk/for...]here[/url]
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| .:: Take Care of Your Inner Beauty ::. |
| 06.16.04 (2:24 am) |
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[b]Take Care of Your Inner Beauty[/b]
By: Hifzur Rehman
Let us talk about beauty from a different angle!
We have our own criteria for judging the beauty of a woman. We look the beauty of a lady from a certain angle and then pass the remarks whether she is beautiful or not. It's not fair. Let me tell every woman that she is unique and beautiful.
The business of beauty is thriving everywhere. Women are spending much of their time and money on buying beauty products. Even in the third world countries, women living below the poverty line, buy cheap and substandard beauty products, which give more harm to their skin than good.
It's the fundamental right of every woman to look beautiful. Every woman wants to listen the sweet words "you are beautiful". But the beauty of a woman is far from her looks or figure. Physical beauty is only one aspect while a beautiful charming personality is a complete blend of many fine characteristics such as good manners, etiquette, behavior, smile, intelligence, sense of humor, social and family values etc., all make a woman look beautiful and attractive.
Didn't you know that there is a marked difference between a carefully hand woven expensive Persian carpet and a cheap machine made carpet. Both of these cannot be equated. A beautiful woman is like an elegant hand-knotted Persian carpet. Each and every silky, colorful thread of her character, nicely woven into her personality, gives a woman an everlasting beauty and attraction.
Looks are very important indeed but the characteristics of a person are much more important. Besides taking care of your physical beauty, why not think of improving your inner beauty. The beauty which everyone admires is becoming a rare commodity these days.
While on your way to a beauty parlor keep on thinking ways of improving your inner beauty.
Take care of yourself and take care of your inner beauty. No doubt you are a beautiful person.
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Hifzur Rehman (c) 2004 - All Rights Reserved
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| Consequences of Iman |
| 05.22.04 (3:05 am) |
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Consequences of Iman
A student studies hard for his final examinations, researching in libraries, practicing past papers and revising his notes because he wants a university degree that will help advance his career. A businessman invests much of his time, energy and money into a commercial venture in the hope of large profits in the future. A farmer ploughs his land, sows it, waters it and tends it regularly in the hope of a good harvest. They all know that success does not come down on a plate but has to be achieved through hard work. Man does certain things in life for certain results, and he avoids other acts because of their consequences. An adult will not put his hand into a naked flame because he knows that fire burns, but a child will do so as he is unaware of the consequences. The most important Belief and Knowledge that should dictate our actions is that Allah Almighty exists, that He is the Creator and Provider, and that none can benefit nor harm us except with His permission. If a person's Iman (faith) in Allah is firm and unyielding, he will be able to direct all his worship and obedience to Allah and will feel no fear of false deities or worldly powers.
Consider the encounter of Pharaoh's court magicians with Prophet Musa as described in the Quran. Before meeting the Prophet, they pleaded with Pharaoh for a substantial reward were they to defeat Musa in a duel using magic. "So the sorcerers came to Pharaoh and said, 'Of course we shall have a suitable reward if we win.' " (Surah Al A'raaf 113)
Pharaoh accepted their plea and promised them not only a reward but also positions at court. When the encounter with Musa began, the magicians realized quickly that while their own display was simple magic, Musa's display was extraordinary and much more than any human could conjure up. So overawed were they by Musa's miracles that they all fell down in sajda saying,
"We believe in the Lord of the Worlds. The Lord of Musa and Harun." (Surah Ta Ha, 70)
Pharaoh was stunned by their declaration of faith in Allah and shouted:
"Have you believed in Him before I gave you permission? ... Be sure, I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and then I will crucify you on trunks of palm trees. So shall you know which of us can give the more severe and lasting punishment." (Surah Ta Ha, 71)
These threats did not frighten the magicians. These men who had just been begging Pharaoh for more gold coins now became so fearless because of their faith in Allah that they answered him back easily.
"Never shall we prefer you over the Clear Signs that have come to us and Him who has created us. So decree whatever you wish to decree. For you can only decree concerning the matters of this world. We have believed in our Lord; may He forgive us our faults and the magic to which you did compel us, for Allah is the Best and forever abiding." (Surah Ta Ha, 72-73)
By: Dr. Suhaib Hasan
Source: islaam.com
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| .:: As-Siraat (The Path) ::. |
| 04.14.04 (4:19 am) |
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[b]As-Siraat (The Path) [/b]
Ibn Taymiyyah (Sheikh al-Islam)
We believe that after the reckoning and weighing, people will pass over the bridge known as as-Sirat" set across the Hell-Fire.
Abu Hurayrah who said that some people once asked the Prophet : O Allah's Messenger! Shall we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection? The Prophet said: "Do you have any difficulty in seeing the full moon on a clear night?" They said, "No, O Allah's Messenger". He said, "So you will see Him, like that."
Allah will gather all the people on the Day of Resurrection and say, "Whoever worshipped something (in the world) will follow (that thing). So, whoever worshipped the sun will follow the sun, whoever worshipped the moon shall follow the moon, and whoever use to worship Taaghut (false deities and anything worshipped besides Allah) he will follow Taaghut. And there will remain only this nation with its good people and among them the hypocrites. Allaah will come to them in the appearance they do not know and say: "I am your Lord!" They will (deny Him and) Say, "We shall stay here until our Lord comes, for when our Lord comes, we shall recognize Him". So Allah will come to them in the appearance that they know, and will say, "I am your Lord". They will say, "You are our Lord" so they will follow Him. Then a bridge will be laid across Hell (fire). I and my followers will be the first ones to go across it and none will speak on that day except the Messengers. The invocation of the Messengers on the Day will be, "O Allah, Save!" In Hell (or over the bridge) there will be hooks like the thorns of as-Sa'daan (a thorny plant). Have you seen as-Saa'dan?" They replied, "Yes, O Allah's Messenger!" He said, "So those hooks look like the thorns of as-Saa'dan, but none knows how big they are except Allah. Those hooks will pull the people away according to their deeds. Some of the people will stay in Hell (be destroyed) because of their (evil) deeds and some will be cut or torn by the hooks (and fall into Hell) and some will be punished and then relieved" (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The Prophet said: "Allah willing, the people of the Tree (those who gave allegiance under it) will never enter the Fire of Hell" Hafsah then quoted the verse:
[i]"There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell): this is with your Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished"[/i] (Surah Maryan - Al-Aayah 71)
Thereupon the Prophet said: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious has said:
[i]"Then We shall save those who used to fear Allah and were dutiful to Him, And We shall leave the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) therein (humbled) to their knees (in Hell)."[/i] (Surah Maryam - Al-Aayah 72) (Hadith reported by Muslim)
Abu Sa'id al Khudri reported Allah's Messenger as saying: "When the believers pass safely over (the bridge across) Hell, they will be stopped at a bridge between Hell and Paradise where they will retaliate against one another for the injustices done among them in the world, and when they are purified of all their sins, they will be admitted to Paradise. By Him in Whose hands the life of Muhammad is, everybody will recognize his dwelling in Paradise better than he recognizes his dwelling in this world." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Fath Al-Bari)
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| .:: Constant Awareness of Being 'Prepared' ::. |
| 04.08.04 (5:41 am) |
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[b]Constant Awareness of Being 'Prepared'[/b]
Imam Ibn ul Jawzee
It is a duty upon every sane person to be prepared for his departure (from this world), for one does not know when he will be served by his Lord's commands (to take away his soul) nor does he know how long it is going to be before he will be summoned (for the Day of Judgment).
I have seen so many people enchanted by their youth. They have forgotten that their peers no longer exist, yet they are preoccupied with prolonged hopes (to stay alive).
A person in the process of acquiring knowledge may tell himself; 'I will acquire knowledge today and will adopt it the following day.' Such (postponement) may leave him in his deviation whilst giving himself a break (for the day)! Delaying his readiness to achieve repentance, whilst exposing himself to be indulged in (sins, such as) backbiting or listening to such (backbiting) or getting involved in a Shubhah (suspected, Halaal or Haraam) matters. He hopes to cancel it out (i.e. the bad deed/s) through his would be observance, the following day, forgetting that death may be sudden.
The wise one is he who values each and every moment of his life, observing one's due duties. Then, if death was to come suddenly, one would be ready (to face The Judge, Allaah subhanahu wata'aala). However, if one is granted his wish (in his life being prolonged) that would mean the increasing of (one's scale of) good deeds.
source: http://www.islaam.com/Article...
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| .:: Causes That Bring About Love for the Lord of the Worlds ::. |
| 03.30.04 (2:49 am) |
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Causes That Bring About Love for the Lord of the Worlds
Abdullah bin Jarullah al-Jarullah
From 'The Delight of Faith'
(1) Recognizing the bounties Allah has bestowed upon His slaves. These bounties [are so many that they] cannot be counted or enumerated. [Allah says:]
"If you count the blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them." [14:34]
Hearts naturally have love for those who do good to them. Love for a blessing is from the general aspects of thanking the one who has bestowed a bounty. It is said that thanks is with the heart, tongue and limbs.
(2) Another cause is to have knowledge of Allah by His Names, Attributes and Actions. The one who knows Allah, loves Him. Whoever loves Him, obeys Him. Whoever obeys Allah is honored by Him. Whoever Allah honors, He will have him live close to Him. Whoever lives close to Him, has attained the glad tidings.
(3) One of the great causes [that leads to having love of Allah] is the specific knowledge that comes about through pondering over the creation of the heavens and the earth and what Allah has created. In the Qur'an, there is much mention of the signs of Allah that indicate His Greatness, Power, Majesty, Perfection, Eminence, Compassion, Mercy, Strength, Subjugation and other of His beautiful Names and exalted Attributes. Whenever one's knowledge of Allah is strengthened, one's love for Him is also strengthened and one's love for obeying Him is also strengthened. He will then experience the pleasure of worship, whether it be in prayer, remembrance or other forms of worship.
(4) Another cause that will bring about love for Allah is to act towards Allah with sincerity and purity while going against one's desires. This is a cause for Allah to bless a slave and when He blesses the slave, the slave loves Him.
(5) One of the greatest causes that bring about one's love for Allah is increasing one's remembrance of Allah. Whenever a person loves something, he remembers it more often. And it is through the remembrance of Allah that the hearts find tranquillity. In fact, one of the signs of having love for Allah is the constant remembrance of Allah by one's heart and tongue.
(6) One of the causes that brings about Allah's love for His slave is reciting the Qur'an often and pondering over its meaning, in particular those verses that contain Allah's Names, Attributes and Actions. Having fondness for that action will lead the slave to love Allah and Allah to love Him.
(7) Another of the causes of love for Allah is remembering what has been mentioned in the Qur'an and Sunnah concerning the believers seeing their Lord in the Hereafter and visiting them and gathering together on the Day of Abundance. That will definitely bring about in a person love for Allah.
Ibn Rajab, Instinshaq Naseemul-Uns min Nafahaati Riyaadil-Qudus, pp. 22-30
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| .:: General Guidelines for Internet Users ::. |
| 03.20.04 (2:33 am) |
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General Guidelines for Internet Users
By Sheikh: Hamed Ibn Abdullah El Aly
[u]First:[/u] When a Muslim hears the call for prayer, he should rise up to the remembrance of Allah and not let anything take him away from answering that call. The Lord Subhana Wata'aala said:
"In houses that Allah ordered to be built and His name to be mentioned in them mornings and nights, men who are not diverted by trade or selling from the Remembrance of Allah, pray, give alms, fear a day where hearts and eyesight's are diverted in all directions."
(Qur'an 24:36-37)
[u]Second:[/u] The Internet is a way for communication that is considered a double-edged weapon. When it provides benefit, it becomes a gift. And when it provides evil, it becomes a disgrace. Muslim should use the good side of this facility to serve his religion and life, rather than its evil side that corrupts his religion and life.
[u]Third:[/u] It's very important for internet users to protect their eyes from falling on prohibited scenes. The prohibited scene is considered Satan's arrow, his weapon that he uses to spoil the Muslims heart by offering immediate pleasure, followed by long lasting feelings of remorse and regret. Watching scenes that Allah prohibited causes darkness in the heart, gloominess in the chest and heaviness and reluctance to perform actions of worshiping Allah. It deprives the soul of enjoying the sweetness of deep faith. By all means it is a tool that Satan uses to sugar coat sins with, and the moment one falls in this trap, Satan takes complete control of his heart, and play with it like a young boy who plays with a ball. The end is always a fatal loss.
[u]Fourth:[/u] Don't let the internet consume your effort and time for no value. That happens when you navigate between the various sites and online groups for long hours. You waste your precious lifetime hours. That time that you should devote for people like your family, parents, children and relatives, or for your job where you earn the living for you and your dependants.
[u]Fifth:[/u] Visit the Islamic Sites frequently. Visit the useful sites that add to your useful information, and widens up your scales of knowledge. Stay away from the sites that promote corruption to Belief or Morals, those groups that seek the spread of Fitnah or controversy, even if this is over religious issues. Bad controversy is of no avail. Don't interfere in conversations with the enemies of Islam unless you have the necessary knowledge and power that enables you to handle this task. And if not, ask a scholar to handle it instead.
[u]Sixth:[/u] [i]Take caution against the chatting sites. [/i]They are traps for males and females to drag them into a prohibited relationship, which often starts by an innocent introduction and end up in mere pain and causes damage to life and faith.
[u]Seventh:[/u] Its either you control or you get controlled by the trap of the internet. If you put it under your control, you take its benefit and shed away its harm. Hence Internet becomes a gift from Allah for your welfare. And if you fall under its control, it blurs your eyes with its glittering charm and temporary pleasures, steals your money, time, life and the duties your have towards your family and beloved ones. You become the prey without being aware of it. Save yourself from this trap before you are lost, and before it is too late.
Courtesy: [url=www.everymuslim.com ]everymuslim.com[/url]
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| .:: Preparing Ourselves for the Hereafter ::. |
| 02.29.04 (8:53 am) |
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Preparing Ourselves for the Hereafter
by Sheikh Khâlid Husayn.
Praise be to Allah who said: “And for those who fears the time when they will be standing before their Lord, there shall be two gardens (in Paradise).” [Sûrah al-Rahmân: 46]
May Allah bestow His peace and blessings on His prophet who said: “If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much. [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (4621, 6486, 7295) and Sahîh Muslim (2359)] And may Allah be pleased with the Companions who wept upon hearing this hadîth.
It is right for us to have fear of that day that we all have to face. That Day of Resurrection is a day of distress and deep regret. It is that long and ominous Day in which all humanity will stand before their Lord. On that day, fear will make the pregnant woman miscarry. People will be as if they are drunk but they shall not be drunk save that the severity of Allah’s punishment will make them that way. On that day, fear will make the hair on the heads of small children turn gray.
We should seriously start to prepare ourselves for that day, since it is the crossroads on the long journey of our existence. From there, we will head either to Paradise or to the Hellfire. Those who enter paradise will dwell there for all eternity in perpetual happiness and enjoyment, while those who go to Hell will face torture, and the denizens of Hell will find to their distress that they have eternal lives as well.
We must, however, have an optimistic outlook regarding our Lord. His mercy is truly vast for those who believe in Him and worship Him sincerely and it always takes precedence to His wrath. The Prophet (peace be upon him) has told us that Allah is more merciful to us than a devoted mother is to her newborn child. [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (5999) and Sahîh Muslim (2754)]
The fear that we have of the Day of Resurrection should motivate us to be more devoted in worship and more ready to engage in good deeds. We should pray and fast more often and renew our efforts to make pilgrimage. We should be good to our families and show kindness to our parents. There are many different ways to do good.
This same fear should help us to abstain from sinful acts and disobedience to Allah. This fear, then, will actually have a positive effect on us. It is not a negative fear that will make us inactive and despair of Allah’s mercy.
The following activities are very helpful in helping a Muslim prepare for that dreadful day, “a day wherein they will be brought forth and nothing about them will be hidden from Allah.” [Sûrah Ghâfir: 16]
1. We should read the Qur’ân and contemplate its meanings. We should consider its rulings and appreciate the good that it promises us as well as the warnings that it gives us.
2. We should read about the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him). We should study how he conducted himself in obedience to Allah and how he abstained from overindulgence in worldly pleasures.
3. We should likewise read the biographies of the Companions and those who followed after them and look at how they strove to attain success in the Hereafter.
4. We should often contemplate the inevitability of death. We should be aware of the trials that follow in the grave and during the resurrection. We should visualize ourselves standing before Allah, the most scrupulous and just of judges. We should think about the bridge that we will have to cross in order to attain salvation, a bridge from which many will slip and fall to their destruction. We should think about the joy that will be experienced by the people of Paradise and the suffering and sorrow of the denizens of Hell.
We need to always keep in mind that death can come to us at any moment. How do we wish to meet our Lord? Do we wish to do so in a state of grace and obedience or would we like to do so while engaged in sin? Ibn `Umar relates to us that the prophet (peace be upon him) once put his hand on his shoulder and said to him: “Be in the world as if you are a wayfarer or a stranger passing through.” Because of this, Ibn `Umar would often say: “When night falls, do not look forward to the dawn and when day breaks do not anticipate the night. Take full advantage of your health before you succumb to illness and of your life before death overtakes you.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (6416)]
5. We need to seriously study to acquire Islamic knowledge. When we acquire more knowledge of our religion, we become more aware of Allah and more God-fearing. Allah says: “The only people who fear Allah from among His servants are those who possess knowledge.”
6. We should keep company with pious people, especially those who have Islamic knowledge and those who are engaged in calling others to Islam. Likewise, we should avoid the company of sinful and unscrupulous people. Good company helps us to purify our hearts. We also find support in such people for our efforts to do what is right. Conversely, bad company hardens our heart. Immoral people encourage us to do immoral things. Also, when our hearts become hardened, we become far away from Allah and more attached to worldly things.
7. We should always keep in mind that this world is a transient place. Those who enjoy the pleasures of this world will not be able to take those pleasures with them. They have only their deeds to send before them. Allah says: “On the Day when every soul will find itself confronted with all that it has done of good and all that it has done of evil, and every soul will long that there might be a mighty space of distance between it and that evil. Allah bids you beware of Him. And Allah is full of pity for His servants.” [Sûrah Âl `Imrân: 30]
No matter how great this world may seem to us, it is in truth quite insignificant. No matter how enduring it may appear right now, it is as fleeting as a night that must end at another sunrise. Our worldly lives will come to an end at the grave.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The life of this world compared to the Hereafter is as if one of you were to put his finger in the ocean and take it out again then compare the water that remains on his finger to the water that remains in the ocean.” [Sahîh Muslim (2858)]
8. Lastly, we must spend more time in sincere supplication to our Lord. We should ask Him to make the Hereafter dearer to us and to make us less fond of the world. We should beseech Him to grant us Paradise with all of its delights and to spare us His wrath. Truly, Allah hears and answers our prayers
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| .:: Let's Have A Little Talk Son ::. |
| 02.24.04 (4:05 am) |
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Let's Have A Little Talk Son
Dad: Son, your mother and I are a little concerned about something we found in your room.
Son: Huh? Oh, man! You guys were snooping around in my room?
Dad: That's not important son. What is...is what I found.
Son: I swear to God its not mine! Um...What was it?
Dad: Well it was this son, and frankly it has us worried. I thought we taught you to be careful and responsible son. Needless to say, we were shocked.
Son: Gee Pop, it's just a Qur'aan.
Dad: Exactly! And what about this?
Son: Well, that's a pamphlet explaining the beliefs and practices of Muslims.
Dad: Where'd you get your hands on something like this son? I mean don't you realize this was printed by an Islamic Charity based in Saudi Arabia?
Son: Uh, yeah. So? I thought you were against censorship and for free expression of ideas...?
Dad: Son, son, son. Haven't I warned you a million times about this type of thing? Of the dangers? Don't you know what's in this stuff? What it can do to your mind? Have you read what's in here? Haven't you read the papers about Islamic charities especially those connected with well...the Wahaabis?
Son: Well, yeah Pop, but they were available for free at our school when a Muslim came there to give talk and he invited us to the local mosque.
Dad: What? Oh my God! In the school? They let one talk at your school? What in blazes is going on down there!?
Son: Calm down Pop, it was cool. The dude was cool and he came at the invitation of the principal to help explain about the Muslims. You know, after all that's happened. We didn't have to go to the assembly. They even invited parents and some came and I brought the flyer home last week but you didn't pay it any attention.
Dad: To spread their propaganda and influence the innocent little kids...!
Son: Pop, I'm in High School!
Dad: Never mind. You don't know what's good for you. You see what happened to Taleban John!
Son: Pop c'mon, give me a little credit. I can think for myself. You're the one who taught me to make my own decisions and think things out and hear both sides didn't you? I thought that was why we went to school.
Dad: Well, yes but...
Son: Well the Muslim guy was just explaining what they believe and how they look at the situation, and what it's like to live in the West as a Muslim, what life is like in Muslim countries and clear up any questions people may have.
Dad: Son, they force religion down the people's throats and they oppress their women and believe in killing those who don't ...
Son: Pop! You sound just like Uncle Pete.
Dad: Don't "back-talk" me boy!
Son: The guy was barraged with questions and some people really laid into him...
Dad: Ah hah! So he couldn't answer them could he? He dodged and waffled didn't he? He probably got all upset and cursed everyone to Hell right?
Son: No, Pop. He handled it really cool and made a lot of points clear without arguing or shouting. It kind of embarrassed the people who started screaming at him and they later apologized.
Dad: C'mon! Get out...!
Son: No, really Pop. And you know a lot of what he was saying made sense..
Dad: Oh...my...God! Here we go! They got to you. Margaret! Come talk to your son!
Son: Give me a break, chill out would ya? He just explained how Muslims believed in God and doing five prayers and giving charity and stuff. We had already read about a lot of it in Social Studies class but when they got to the questions and answers is when it got really interesting. For example, Buff Hardbody really tried to give it to him for Muslims spreading hatred by saying that Islam was the true religion and America was a big Satan and stuff.
Dad: I bet he choked on that one huh!?
Son: Well he pointed out that all religions believe they are true and even the people who don't believe in religion believe they are right not to and they write books and do TV shows and films about it.
Dad: Well that's different.
Son: That's what Chrissy McSwish's mom said too. So, he said billions of dollars are spent to spread culture and ideas all over the world to educate people and to attract them to it and see things their way and even admire and aspire to it. Year after year people are given images and messages to convince them that theirs is the right and best way of life and the best civilization and they help countries that agree with them and even fight against those that don't. A lot is done to convince people of the superiority of their system and to be like them. Newspapers and magazines are filled with their ideas and spread all over the world so everyone can get a taste of it by reading and seeing and they export their customs, foods, dress everything until it kind of dominates most other ideas...
Dad: See what did I tell you son!?
Son: He meant us.
Dad: Oh. But that's different son. We don't force anyone to follow our way of life.
Son: Pauly Bookbinder said the same thing. So the guy made a point that they don't have a super army that can go around the world to force people to be Muslims or follow their policies or sophisticated technologies or satellites, but the Muslim charities print books and pamphlets, build schools, orphanages and clinics, build wells and mosques and send teachers and stuff.
Dad: Yes son but they also have terror squads!
Son: That's what Mr. Betterman said. That's when he made a good point that you can't scare somebody into being a true believer and the Qur'aan says you can't force anyone to be a Muslim and it only gives Islam and Muslims a bad name. If somebody takes it into their hands to do that stuff it doesn't mean all Muslims are like that or that Islam says do it.
Dad: But they teach violence boy!
Son: That's what T.J. Readerson said. So, the speaker made a good point that more people have been killed by non-Muslims over the years than they have by Muslims and that in many places Muslims are killed the most. He even said when Muslims fight other Muslims nobody believes that the ones who oppress the others are following Islam correctly.
Dad: It's all propaganda son and they oppress their women.
Son: Yeah, that's exactly what Trixie Brown-Fox said, but the man had a point when he asked if putting women in sex mags and advertising and even comic books filled with cheesecake and Hollywood hotties to be ogled at in sex scenes on TV and in the movies wasn't exploitation and disrespecting women.
Dad: Well maybe, but..
Son: And when other people do bad stuff you don't usually hear about their religion and all kinds of crimes and acts of terror are committed around the world and right here every day. Nobody usually makes an issue of their religion but they make a point to relate violence to Islam if Muslims are involved as though every Muslim is the same. He also pointed out that in Muslim countries so far, even though American forces have bombed Afghanistan and foreign policy doesn't stop Israeli excesses and a lot of Muslim civilians and even children have been killed with our weapons or died because of sanctions, there still hasn't been any wave of attacks on Westerners living in Muslim countries.
Dad: That's because they have to stay indoors and aren't free...
Son: It's Muslims who have been getting beat up and harassed and profiled and deported from a lot of countries that are supposed to be free and getting put in jail for stuff like having a registered gun.
Dad: Well that's dangerous son. You never know what one of them may do. I mean they hate us...
Son: And they wear funny clothes!
Dad: Don't joke with me son.
Son: Well you have a registered gun right Pop?
Dad: Sure, but that's different I'm a responsible citizen.
Son: And do you hate 'em Pop?
Dad: Now don't you smart-mouth me boy, that's different, I have a reason. They hate people who don't follow their religion or way of life.
Son: They don't follow your religion or way of life and you say they're wrong but they get arrested and mistreated and called traitors for it right?
Dad: Don't argue with me son...and you had better be careful who you listen to from now on!
Son: You're right Dad.
source: http://www.alharamain.org/EN/...
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| .:: Moving ::. |
| 02.16.04 (7:04 am) |
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Assalaamu 'alaikum
I have been really busy moving home, so I have had no time to update my blog. Inshaa`Allaah things will be up and running again when I finally sort the mess in my home. Take care all!
wassalaamu 'alaikum
*~ Umm Junayd ~*
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| .:: Gheebah: Backbiting ::. |
| 01.17.04 (2:34 am) |
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[u][b]Gheebah: Backbiting[/b][/u]
Author: Umm Junayd
There are many diseases rampant within our Ummah which are dividing us and slowly killing us as a nation. One of the most dangerous, yet common of these diseases is backbiting.
In Arabic backbiting is referred to as ‘Gheebah’ which comes from the word ‘ghayaba’, which means something which is unseen. Here we can relate this to the action of backbiting; where a Muslims sees a fellow brother or sister committing an unlawful act and rather than advising him/ her, he speaks ill of the person to someone else while they are absent; hence the backbiter is unseen by the one who is being backbitten.
There is unanimous agreement amongst the scholars of Islaam that backbiting is haraam and therefore a major sin that, when committed, requires the Muslim to seek the forgiveness of Allaah (i.e. make tawbah).
The saddest thing about gheebah is that we fail to recognise that we are committing it.
Abu Huraira (radiAllaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) said, “Do you know what is backbiting?” They (the companions) said: “Allaah and His Messenger know best. Thereupon he (the Prophet) said: “Backbiting implies your talking about your brother in a manner which he does not like.” It was said to him: “What if what I say about my brother is true?” He said: “If what you said about him is true then you would have backbitten him, and if it is not true, then he is slandered (buhtaan) [Reported in Saheeh Muslim: hadeeth 1183]
It’s a great shame that we do not take heed to the teachings of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam). He (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) told us that even if what we say about a Muslim brother/ sister is true, it is considered as backbiting and if it is false, it is slandering. Let us ask ourselves: how many times have we spoken ill of a brother or sister to others while the brother or sister we are speaking about is absent? Let us also ask ourselves: have we atoned for this sin? The answer to the latter question is most probably no, and this is exactly the reason why gheebah is so deadly - we never think to ask for forgiveness of the sin as it is taken so lightly. In order to atone for the sin of gheebah, we must pray for forgiveness of the one who was backbitten and also mention good of him/ her to those who heard the backbiting.
It should be known that the backbiter should be stopped immediately and should be warned that he/ she has committed in a great sin. Also, the person who listens to the backbiter should be aware that he/ she is encouraging an evil if he/ she remains silent. Therefore, if the person does not stop backbiting, then he should warn them. If they still insist on backbiting, he should walk away from him, for the Prophet has said:
“He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue; and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart and that is the least of faith.”
Abu Musa narrated that some people the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam), "Whose Islam is the best? (i.e. who is a very good Muslim)?" He replied, "One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands." [Reported in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: volume 1, hadeeth 10]
Let us take a look at a companion of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), and how he feared for his tongue:
Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (radiAllaahu ‘anhu) narrated that one day when Umar went in to visit Abu Bakr as-Siddiq and found him pulling his tongue, he said, "Stop! May Allah forgive you!" Abu Bakr replied to him, "This has brought me down to dangerous places."
Not only has the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) warned us against backbiting, Allaah has also:
“O you who believe! Avoid immoderate suspicion, for in some cases suspicion is a sin. Do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another (to say something about another behind ones back that if one hears it, dislikes it). Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Surely you would abhor it. Fear Allaah; for Allaah is the Accepter of repentance, Merciful.”
[Surah Al-Hujaraat (19): 12]
So, can we count how many times we have feasted on the flesh of a brother? It is something we’d never think of coming near, yet we don’t think twice before backbiting him.
Is it not astonishing how we tend to pick out the faults of others while we have not yet rectified the many faults we have in ourselves? It is too often that we, especially women, speak about others while we probably have more sins or faults than the one who is being spoken about.
Sisters! Remember that backbiting is a widespread disease amongst the Ummah as a whole; however, it seems to be most common amongst us women as we have a tendency to talk and gossip more than men. It seems that we tend to have more spare time to give a sister a ‘quick call’ which frequently ends in gossip, slander and backbiting.
Here are a few ways to avoid backbiting:
o Choose the right company! – This is very important as we are often caught in the trap of backbiting because others are doing it.
o Advice one another in private about any faults – this was you’ll be less likely to say it to others
o Show kindness and love to fellow Muslims – without this enmity will become rampant.
o Love for others what you love for yourself; if you don’t want to be backbitten, don’t do it to others!
Let us always keep the following words of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) in our minds:
[b]"He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak that which is good or remain silent." [/b]
[Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: volume 8, no.157]
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| .:: Obligations of a Wife ::. |
| 01.13.04 (1:14 am) |
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[u][b]Obligations of a Wife[/b][/u]
Author: Umm Junayd
Too often we read about ‘women’s rights in Islaam’, how her husband must treat her and so on; rarely do we read about a woman’s obligations to her husband, her offspring and her home. Being a wife and a mother myself, I’d like to remind sisters of the main obligations and recommendations that a woman should fulfil in order to bring happiness and blessings into her home.
[b]Kindness & gratitude[/b]
First and foremost a Muslim woman should be obedient to her husband in all that he commands her to do provided that she is not being asked to do something unlawful. She is also required to respect him (just as he is required to respect her) and to please him at every available opportunity.
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As narrated that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) said, “The whole world is a provision, and the best object of benefit of the world is the pious woman.” [Reported in Saheeh Muslim: hadeeth 704]
The above hadeeth indicates that a pious woman is one of the greatest joys and blessings that a man can ever receive in this world. He should find serenity, pleasure and comfort when he returns home after a long days work. Refrain from delivering any bad news to him as soon as he walks through the door; allow him time to relax and ‘de-stress’ before dropping the bomb on him!
As women, we should also realise the great favours that have been provided to us by our husbands. Failure to do so can only displease Allaah and also determine that our destination will be the Hellfire (may Allaah protect us from it!):
Ibn Abbas (radiAllaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allah's Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) said, "I was shown the Hell-fire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful." It was asked, "Do they disbelieve in Allah (or are they ungrateful to Allah?)?” He replied, "They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favours and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, 'I have never received any good from you." [Reported in Al- Bukhaaree: volume 1, hadeeth 28]
We know very well how emotional we can be as women and unfortunately, our emotions can cause us to become forgetful of the many favours which our husbands have done for us. We are required to show our gratitude for the good which we have been provided with, even for the smallest actions. In this way, he’ll know that his efforts are appreciated.
[b]Appearance[/b]
Effort should be made by sisters to please their husbands with their appearance. They are often bombarded with images of semi-naked women when they are outside of the home and to come home to a wife who looks shabby and smells foul will only tempt a husband to ‘look elsewhere’. A little make-up, jewellery, clean clothes and perfume is all it takes to look seductive in a halaal way.
[b]Physical desire[/b]
As chastity is the main objective of marriage, fulfilling our innate sexual desires yields great reward as the hadeeth below illustrates:
AbuDharr narrated that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) said, “…in man's sexual intercourse (with his wife) there is a Sadaqah. They (the companions) said: Messenger of Allaah, is there reward for him who satisfies his sexual passion among us? He said: Tell me, if he were to devote it to something forbidden, would it not be a sin on his part? Similarly, if he were to devote it to something lawful, he should have a reward.” [Reported in Saheeh Muslim: 497]
Similarly, refusing to engage in sexual relations with our husband when he has the desire not only angers him, but also causes us to be cursed:
Abu Huraira (radiAllaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) said, "If a husband calls his wife to his bed (i.e. to have sexual relation) and she refuses and causes him to sleep in anger, the angels will curse her till morning." [Reported in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: volume 4, hadeeth 460]
[b]Motherhood[/b]
If Allaah wills that a woman gives birth, she should make sure that she pays close attention to their upbringing; devoting her time to them in this world may bring her goodness in the next. Allaah says in the Qur`aan:
“O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your family from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones.”
[Surah At-Tahreem (66): 6)
Nowadays we find that our sisters are running after the dunya and neglecting a responsibility which could inevitably result then being in the Hellfire or Paradise. Motherhood id not easy, yet we must strive to raise our children with the best possible akhlaaq and to also love Allaah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam). It is important to teach children about Islaam from an early age as we can see below:
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As narrated that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) said,
“Command your children to pray when they become seven years old, and beat them for it (prayer) when they become ten years old; and arrange their beds (to sleep) separately.” [Sunan Aboo Dawood: hadeeth 197]
If we begin to teach out children how to pray from the age of seven (or even earlier), by the time they reach ten years of age, they’ll know the importance of the salaah and will not delay it – so much so, that you’ll probably have them telling you that it is time for salaah. This is just one of the many benefits of instilling the teachings of Islaam in early childhood; it will remain with them as they grow.
[b]Finances [/b]
It is also important that we tend to our husband’s finances; to safeguard his possessions, to spend with his permission and to also encourage him to give in the Way of Allaah.
‘Aaishah (radiAllaahu ‘anhaa) narrated that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) said, “When a woman gives in charity some of the food in her house, without causing any damage, there is reward for her for whatever she has given, and a reward for her husband for what he earned.” [Muslim: hadeeth 503]
The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) told us who the best women are; apart from being kind to her children, they are the most responsible with their husbands’ property:
Abu Huraira (radiAllaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) said, "The best women are the riders of the camels and the righteous among the women of Quraish. They are the kindest women to their children in their childhood and the more careful women of the property of their husbands." [Reported in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: volume 7, hadeeth 19]
Amongst the duties mentioned above, we are also required to:
o Ask his permission before leaving the home and also when inviting others over.
o Not to mix with non-mahram men.
o Keep his secrets, especially those pertaining to sexual relations.
Although it may seem that we have ‘read this all before’, it is vital that we are reminded; for those who are reminded frequently are less likely to forget. Remember, keep your cool when it seems that an argument may erupt, speak sweetly to him (it’s the only chance you get to do this!)
I’d like to finish by ending with this final very important hadeeth:
Ibn ‘Umar (radiAllaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allah's Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) said, "All of you are guardians and are responsible for your wards. The ruler is a guardian and the man is a guardian of his family; [u]the lady is a guardian and is responsible for her husband's house and his offspring[/u]; and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your wards.” [Reported in Al- Bukhaaree: volume 7, hadeeth 128]
May Allaah bring tranquillity into our homes, increase us all in goodness and provide for us a means to please Him and may He overlook our shortcomings. Those who guard their Islaam will be the successful – may Allaah include us amongst them, ameen.
© Copyright Umm Junayd 2003
All Rights Reserved
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| .:: Back ::. |
| 01.03.04 (6:00 am) |
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[b].:: Back ::.[/b]
Alhamdulillaah, I am feeling much better.. Alhamdulillaah, alhamdulillaah, alhamdulillaah... Allaah gave me the ability to see and recognise that something was wrong... What i think it was was the 3 weeks that i wasnt praying after childbirth - i think it had a huge effect on me. Now that I have recognised that, I have been able to work at actions of the heart because the actions of the heart always manifest into action of the tongue and the limbs.
Here's a good read, mashaa`Allaah:
[u]Good Night's Sleep[/u]
[b]"Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and that which has not died, in its sleep; He withholds that against which He has decreed death, but releases the other till a stated term." [/b][Surah Az-Zumar (39): 42]
When a believer contemplates on the above verse, he cannot help but feel that his life, from one moment to the next, is a gift from the hand of the Lord of All the Worlds.
It may be that when he lays himself down for the night, he will rise again only on the Day of Resurrection. In this event, the believer's only request is for mercy. But if he rises to live another day, then his only wish is to live under the protection of Allah.
When a believer closes his eyes and prepares to go to sleep, he abandons his will for a period of absence that may either be short or long. Indeed, there are many who deliver themselves to the unknown. But the believer is the one who commits himself to the keeping of his Lord, and entrusts Him with all his affairs!
Quite often what happens when a person prepares for sleep is that his mind is still occupied with thoughts of what he gained or lost during the day, or what mistakes he may have made, or what successes he may have had. One of the functions of the dua before sleep which the Prophet taught us is to relieve us of those worries, to enable us through our feelings of awe and longing to reach our resting-place at the side of Allah.
Source: "Remembrance & Prayer" - By Muhammad Al-Ghazali, pp. 37-39
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| .:: Haitus Time ::. |
| 12.27.03 (12:39 pm) |
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[b].:: Haitus Time ::.[/b]
Hmm...
I've finally decided that it's about time that I take a little brake from the 'net and spend time recollecting myself. I need to find my eemaan again. At times I cry because I [i]cant[/i] cry from fear of Allaah - I need to feel His Presence and for some reason, I believe that there's more I need to do off the 'net to fulfil my desire to feel close to Allaah once again.
*sighs*
Have you ever called out to The Most-Merciful saying: "I need a sign.."? Well... Im calling to Him asking for Him to bring something my way - something that'll raise my eemaan again and make me fear death and the aakhirah. I tend to recall how 'I used to be'... my heart used to shake.. my eyes were constantly flowing with tears, subhaanAllaah! Im longing for those feelings again.
Until then, I'll be away from my blog. You can leave comments as I'll check in from time to time. But I wont be blogging.
Peace & love...
*~ Umm Junayd ~*
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| .:: Fighting the Shaytaan ::. |
| 12.25.03 (5:50 am) |
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[b].:: Fighting the Shaytaan ::.[/b]
Ahmad Fareed
From the morals and manners of the Salaf was that they would be fully conscious of fighting Iblees and they would strive to know about his plots and plans.
Allaah, the Most high said:
[i]Verily the shaitaan is an enemy to you all, so take him as an enemy. He only calls his followers to be the people of a blazing fire" (Sura Faatir 35, Ayah 6) [/i]
This is an aspect of life which has been ignored by many people and since Iblees is never absent-minded about us, thus neither should we ever ignore him, because he watches and is keen to trip up the slave so that he falls into what Allaah the Most High hates.
The Messenger of Allah said: "Iblees places his throne ('arsh) on the sea from which he sends his armies and troops. The one greatest in standing to him is the greatest in spreading turmoil among the people" (Reported by Muslim)
Fudhayl ibn 'Iyaad (rahimahullaah) said: "If Iblees conquers the son of Aadam with one of three (things) he says - I will not seek anything else from him - (1) being fond of himself, (2) deeming his deeds to be plentiful, and (3) forgetfulness of his sins".
Wahb ibn Munabbih (rahimahullaah) would say: "Beware of despising shaitan in public while obeying him in secret. The one who sleeps in disobedience then for that reason shaitaan will sleep with him as his bride".
Pay attention dear Muslimeen and be warned for the sake of your self. Do not think Iblees has abandoned you when you are seen approaching worship, but consider carefully and search the fullest search and you will be sure to find there some presence of Iblees.
Therefore, seek the forgiveness of Allaah more!
Al-Hasan (rahimahullaah) said: "If shaitaan saw you consistently obeying Allaah he will seek you time and time again. If he sees your consistency he grows weary of you and rejects you. If you changed, however, each and every time, then he begins to have hope in you".
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| .:: Reminder! ::. |
| 12.22.03 (7:37 am) |
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[b].:: Reminder! ::.[/b]
Ibn 'Umar (radiAllaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wassallam) said, "All of you are guardians and are responsible for your wards. The ruler is a guardian and the man is a guardian of his family; the lady is a guardian and is responsible for her husband's house and his offspring; and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your wards. [reported in Saheeh Al- Bukhaaree: volume 7, hadeeth 128]
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