Alhamdulillah - Are you Not Afraid?

AN AMAZING STORY

A man just got married and was returning home with his wife.

They were crossing a lake in a boat, when suddenly a great storm arose. The man was a warrior, but the woman became very much afraid because it seemed almost hopeless: The boat was small and the storm was really huge, and any moment they were going to be drowned. But the man sat silently, calm and quiet, as if nothing was happening.

The woman was trembling and she said, “Are you not afraid ?”. This may be our last moment of life! It doesn’t seem that we will be able to reach the other shore. Only some miracle can save us; otherwise death is certain. Are you not afraid? Are you mad or something? Are you a stone or something?

The man laughed and took the sword out of its sheath.

The woman was even more puzzled: What he was doing?

Then he brought the naked sword close to the woman’s neck, so close that just a small gap was there, it was almost touching her neck. He said,” Are you afraid ?”

She started to laugh and said,” Why should I be afraid ?,If the sword is in your hands, why I should be afraid? I know you love me.

” He put the sword back and said, This is my answer”.

I know ALLAH Loves me, and the storm is in His hands
SO WHATSOEVER IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS GOING TO BE GOOD.

If we survive, GOOD; if we don’t survive, ALSO GOOD ,because everything is in HIS hands and HE knows what is best for us.

ALLAH ( Subhana wa taaala) say’s in the Quran “But it may happen that ye hate a thing which is good for you, and it may happen that ye love a thing which is bad for you. ALLAH knoweth, ye know not” (Quran, 2:216).

Make a habit by saying ALHAMDULILLAH and acknowledge ALLAH in everything you do. It’s very easy to forget and to neglect this. Acknowledging ALLAH as often as possible will save you from becoming selfish, self-centered and proud.

Therefore, always be optimistic and respond with “ALHAMDULILLAH” and Remember that Everything happens to you is from ALLAH.

Verily the best supplication is ALHAMDULILLAH (“Praise be to Allah“)

Sahih Muslim; #4:2073,

Ask a Muslim: 10 Weird Questions I'm Often Asked, But am Happy to Answer

By Manar Hijaz


Shared from: http://www.policymic.com/articles/21665/ask-a-muslim-10-weird-questions-i-m-often-asked-but-am-happy-to-answer

As I prepare to say goodbye to 2012, I hope that I'll also be saying goodbye to these 10 interesting questions I am occasionally asked. I am not providing this list to make fun of the individuals who have asked these questions, but as a means to answer them for the last time.

1. How did you feel about Bin Laden’s death?
It’s been over a year since U.S. Navy SEALs raided a compound in Pakistan and killed Osama Bin Laden yet I continually get asked how I feel about Bin Laden’s death. Those who ask, believe the question is an innocuous one and fail to realize the hateful connotation it illustrates. What these individuals are really asking is “Were you sad about Bin Laden’s death?” The assumption would be if I am, in fact, sad about his death then I, as a Muslim, support the murder of innocent individuals. It’s really an offensive question to ask. American Muslims were also attacked on 9/11. We were attacked twice. The first attack was on our country, and the second attack was on our religion. Islam denounces terrorism and rejects all forms of unlawful violence and killing of innocent civilians. We will never lament the death of any terrorist in the world.

2. Are you forced to wear “that thing” on your head?
It’s crazy how many variations of the same question I get about my hijab. One of the major misconceptions about Muslim women is that we are oppressed because veiling is linked with oppression. People are usually shocked to hear that wearing the hijab is 100% my decision. I have immediate family members who chose not to wear it and I respect their choices. I won’t deny that in some parts of the world women are forced to cover; however, this is not a representation of Islam. Islamic principles exist but whether or not Muslims choose to follow them is entirely their decision. So, before you assume that Muslim women cover because their husbands, fathers, brothers…forced them to, think again. Quite frankly, I don’t care what people think when they see me all covered up. I’ve always rejected the “Western” definitions of beauty that provide emphasis on physical sexuality. The hijab is my version of beautiful and wearing it makes me feel confident and modest. I don’t try to compete with other women for males’ approval of my physical appearance. I am happy to lose that competition.

3. How do I know you are not bald under that?
I usually get questions relating to my hair from men. I think it’s their way of hinting, politely, that they want to see my hair. Other males are more courageous in their approach. They get straight to the point: “Can’t you just show me your hair once?!” Sorry gentlemen, no sneak peeks unless you’re family or my future husband. No, I’m not bald, and you’re just going to have to take my word on this one.

4. Is your marriage arranged?
Nope! Unfortunately I have to go through the process of weeding out all the creepy douchebags, in search of “the one,” all on my own. I’m not lucky enough to have my parents provide me with a line up of eligible bachelors to choose from. Arranged marriages are not a characteristic of Islamic teachings; they are a cultural practice, not a religious one. There is a major misconception about many communities that engage in so-called “arranged” marriages. Most people believe the scenario goes a little something like this (I’ll use fake names):

Parents: “Jane, meet Alan.”
Jane: “Hi, Alan.”
Parents: “Great, you like him. You will be marrying this man tomorrow.”
Jane: “But…”
Parents: “No buts. This isn’t negotiable. Alan will be your husband and you have no choice in the matter.”

When in reality, most families who engage in so-called “arranged” marriages the actual incident is like this:

Parents: “Jane, do you know Alan? He is a very nice man I think you should meet him.”
Jane, while hesitant to do so, actually takes her parent’s advice and meets Alan. They date. Fall in love and THEN get married. Did the parents pick a person who they thought would make their daughter happy? Sure they did. It’s no different from being set on a blind date by your parents, friends, or coworkers. They are arranging a meeting between you and someone with the hopes that you will hit it off and live happily ever after. I wont deny that there are cases where women are not given a choice, which is very unfortunate and depressing, but again this isn’t a representation of Islamic principles.

5. What do you do for “fun” if you don’t drink?

It’s always surprised me how much people think they need alcohol to have “fun.” Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against drinkers (most of my friends drink), but I choose not to because my religion prohibits it. I always respond to this question with a question: “Well, what do you do for fun?” The response is always the same: go to parties, concerts, sporting events, theme park etc. Well, I do all those things too, just minus the beer. The idea of possibly not remembering what I did the night before because of a “few” drinks never appealed to me. I’m forgetful as it is, so I don’t need a substance to facilitate that process.

6. Do they have cars where you come from?
I don’t know. Do they have cars in the United States? That is where I’m from. Of course, I know what they really mean by the question. People have actually asked me if camels are still the means of transportation in the Middle East. It’s quite hilarious but also expected. When you watch various Hollywood blockbusters (even recent ones) whenever the characters are in the so-called Middle East the scene looks like this: camels roaming in the vast sandy hills, women in burkas, men wearing long thobes and turbans, and a small village with homes made out of clay and twigs. No cars, no freeways, no streets, no skyscrapers. Nothing! So I can’t say I’m surprised by the question.

7. Do you hate Jews?
It’s very unfortunate that the Western media has been successful in portraying the many conflicts in the Middle East (especially Palestine/Israel) as a religious conflict where Muslims hate Jews. Do some Muslims hate Jews? Yup! Do some Jews hate Muslims? Sure. However, this isn’t a representation of everyone. In fact, I would confidently aver that it’s a minority. The Quran refers to Jews and Christians as “Ahl al-Kitab,” or People of the Book. Muslims believe these groups received divine revelation. The Quran is clear in recognizing previous Abrahamic religions and provides special status to “The People of the Book.” I’ve always enjoyed introducing my Jewish friends to people. The bewildered facial expression they get after they learn my friends are Jewish (and I’m clearly Muslim) is priceless. They exhibit a confused “Oh, wait, you guys actually like each other?” expression.

8. Is it true that Muslims want to kill “the infidels?”
One of the most quoted verses in the Quran is the one that reads, “Kill them wherever you find them” (2:191-192). It’s interesting that those who quote that verse always exclude the beginning, which reads, “Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors.” This verse is referencing a specific war. The only time Muslims are permitted to kill someone is if war is being waged against them and they are defending themselves. “Permission to fight is given to those upon whom war is made because they are oppressed” (Quran 22:39). Of course, those who argue that Muslims want to kill “the infidels” exclude major Islamic principles from their argument so that they convince people to adopt their hateful views. Unfortunately, these bigoted individuals have been successful at doing this and I know this from personal incidents.  In the last year of my undergraduate education me and a few of my friends were always harassed by this lunatic girl who would yell, “If you don’t want to kill me right now then you are not real Muslims. Real Muslims have to kill the infidels.” Yeah, we laughed.

9. Are you hot?
The hotter summers in California get the more this question is asked. I’ve always felt the need to respond with, “If you mean in a physically attractive way, then yes, I’m hot.” Although, I fear people won't sense the sarcasm and will assume I’m arrogant. If it’s 100 degrees outside, then yes, like a “normal” person I’m hot. However, I’m not a lot hotter than most people. People don’t notice that hijabis* have different clothing options depending on the weather. So if it’s hot, we usually switch to wearing lighter/sheer hijabs and lighter long-sleeved shirts. Do you ever notice that gardeners, construction workers, and other outdoor workers always put a cloth or towel over their head and then wear a hat? It protects their skin from direct contact with the sun, and it’s actually a lot cooler. The hijab is similar in that way. It Isn't as hot as it looks, trust me.

10. Do you want the United States to adopt Shari’ah Law?
I am satisfied with the United States Constitution and wouldn’t want to replace it with anything. Having said this, I would protest the banning of Shari’ah. Confused? I bet. Let me explain. The meaning of this term has been widely misunderstood. Shari’ah literally means a way or path to be followed. For Muslims, it is the path of faithfulness to God.  Shari’ah encompasses a wide range of values for Muslims like social, moral, and economic regulations among other things. Let me give you a few examples. I must exhibit a respectful attitude and good conduct towards non-Muslims because this is required of me by Shari’ah. I must donate the money I make off of interest in my savings account because Shari’ah prohibits me from keeping it. If my neighbors need assistance, and I have the means to help them, then Shari’ah commands that I do. When I see a hungry homeless person on the street and God has blessed me with more than enough to eat, then Shari’ah encourages me to feed that person. Banning Muslims’ right to practice Shari’ah is an infringement on our right to freely practice our religion.

I do not demand or expect that non-Muslims follow Shari’ah, after all, the Quran does state, “There shall be no compulsion in religion” (2:256). However, I would still demand that First Amendment rights be extended to Muslims too. Now the million-dollar question that remains is does Shari’ah law exempt me from following the laws of United Sates of America? Absolutely NOT! Did you know that Shari’ah also commands Muslims to obey the laws of the land they live in? I am required by my religion to obey and follow U.S laws as long as I’m living in this country.

While we get ready to welcome the New Year, I hope that 2013 brings more curiosity and a zeal for learning about diverse cultures, ethnicities, and religions. While I hope I wont have to be answering any of the above questions anymore, I do encourage people to ask anything their minds desire to know. I appreciate every type of question and I commend all individuals who have the courage to ask their questions. I know it’s not easy but it’s the only way misconceptions can be eradicated and we can truly learn to respect one another. Instead of relying on what the media says about Muslims go out and meet Muslims and get a first hand account. Most, like me, will be more than willing to answer your questions. Don’t be afraid to express your thoughts even if you think they may offend someone. Open dialogue and discussion is the only way we can move forward in society.

So, ask! You can ask me anything. I’m an open book. Almost nothing offends me. If being called a terrorist, Osama’s daugher, and “rag-head” hasn’t offended me, then rest assured your question will not either. Let me apologize in advance if I laugh at your question. Sometimes it takes me a while to realize that people are being serious. One time, a student in my class asked me if I shower with my hijab on. Of course, I thought he was joking so I responded with, “Yes, I shower fully clothed.” Then he said “really?! That’s interesting.” At that point I realized it was a genuine question. Oops.

I'll leave you all with this quote: "Don't make assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstaings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life." -Miguel Angel Ruiz. 

Happy New Year, friends!

*Hijabis isn’t a grammatically correct word. It’s something women who wear the hijab came up with to address a group of women who wear hijab. So instead of saying “women who wear hijab” we just say “hijabis.”

An Amazing Scientific Miracle in the Quran

Assalamu'alaykum, 

Something really interesting a sister of mine posted which is worth sharing:

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I came across an amazing scientific miracle in the Quran, it is in Surah Al Maryam.....
When a Mother is giving birth it can be the most painful period in her life, its not easy....
Now when Maryam PBUH was (pregnant with Jesus PBUH) was going through such pain, Allah in the Quran orders her to go near a stream of water, You have to listen carefully to the science of this verses,
Allah tells her to go near a stream of water where next to it is a Palm tree, Allah instructs her to shake the palm tree and keep pulling down from trunks of the palm tree, so the dates can fall down for her,
Some people may ask why is Allah telling us about the palm tree, the stream of water and the dates? Why did Allah not just simply tell us that she gave birth to Jesus (pbuh) and that's it, why all these details??
Now here is the miracle, Firstly Allah tells her to shake the palm tree and keep pulling, some hospitals until very recently when a Mother is about to give birth, there is something they will tell her to hold on to and they tell her to keep pulling it back so it eases labour pain and muscle tension.
Then Allah tells her to cool herself with water, there are modern hospitals today that tell pregnant women to sit in cool water as it will help them give birth,
Then Allah tells her in the Quran that when she has relaxed in the water it will make her birth pain easier but he also tells her to straight away to eat the dates that fall....
Now one may ask why did Allah instruct her to eat the dates?? This is because dates contain within them easily absorb-able sugars which help the heat and the movement and these sugars are of the fructose type which help raise the blood pressure....
So the methods Hospitals are using today to ease birth pains, Allah has hinted in the Quran 1400 years back....Subhanallah

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Egypt - the Return of a Pharoah

From: http://fajr.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/egypt-the-return-of-a-pharaoh/

Egypt: The Return of a Pharaoh 

 

by Fajr

As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah

For those of us who lived in Egypt recently, the events that are currently unfolding were actually seen brewing quite some time ago. Much of today’s brutality does not come as a surprise unfortunately. It was just a few months ago when my own aunt was robbed by an armed man as she walked home. He held a machete to her neck, grabbed her bag and threatened to kill her if she fought back. He ripped her hijab and her niqab (face-veil) off and threw her viciously to the floor. Thankfully he didn't have a chance to do more damage as two men shouted from a nearby building and he simply walked away, without fear. What was surprising though, was the fact that despite many calls to the police, they did not turn up. We ran to the crime scene, we then went in different directions for help, we went into pharmacy stores and dialled for the police, but they failed to come straight away (they turned up after hours). As crowds gathered around my aunt, and helped pick up her torn clothes, a man came to her, lifted his shirt and pointed to a bandaged wound on his back. “You were lucky,” he said, “I was mugged here just last week by a thief, but he actually did stab me. The police did not come to help.” I had been hearing of many incidents of muggings, burglaries, and armed criminals, but that day I realised something very sinister had began. Security, for all intent and purpose, had been decreased, and thugs were now on the scene and they carried a horrifically surprising level of confidence. This explains the phenomenon of the 'Baltagiya' (thugs) that we see in today's chaos and mayhem. It isn't just the army that is killing its people, but the thugs who've been given the license to kill are also responsible for many of the deaths.

I have been a private student in Nasr City over the years, living and mixing with locals, and in 2012, I too cheered along with the people when Morsi came into power. Not because I was a member of the Ikhwan, or that I was an Egyptian - I am neither. But I didn’t have to be to see the relief and happiness of the people. A lot that I met and spoke to were not Ikhwani, but they were just glad that Egyptians could finally choose their own leader and the country could progress forward.
But then the problems started. It wasn’t just security and police presence that had been lowered. But water issues had began to crop up, gas and electricity worsened, and management had generally become shoddier. This wasn’t the fault of the new President or the revolution, but it was becoming increasingly clear that some people some-where were doing everything they could to dismantle and sow seeds of unhappiness in the general public, all in the hopes of it reflecting back badly on current rule. And indeed it did.

The Massacre of al-Rabi’a
For several years, I used to go past and at times pray in Masjid al-Rabi’a and I often witnessed the incredible fortress that it was in society. Al-Rabi’a was a place where the poor would be fed on a regular basis, the homeless used to take shelter in it, the charity-givers would visit it hoping for some reward, and the ill were treated at its low-cost hospital often for free. But the 14th of August was the bloody day that witnessed armed men move in after shedding much blood outside, and it witnessed the burning of the House of Allah down to cinders, along with the hundreds of corpses that it held inside. This was a message firstly to the people of Madinat Nasr - a town known for its religiosity and conservative ways, a town housing a number of the Ikhwan. The fortress of al-Rabi’a which had been a towering figure throughout the sit-ins, remained so until the very last martyr; holding its worshippers tightly like a mother holding her dying child.

"And who is more unjust than those who forbid that Allah's Name be mentioned in His Mosques and strive for their ruin? It was not fitting that such should themselves enter them (Allah's Mosques) except in fear. For them there is disgrace in this world, and they will have a great torment in the Hereafter." [al-Baqarah: 114]

However, it didn’t stop at al-Rabi’a. Masjid al-Iman and Masjid al-Fath also bore the tyranny of the military coup as the minbars took the suffocation of tear gas canisters and the minarets took bullet after bullet, and its refugees witnessed martyr after martyr. Mosques across the country were then taken up as a symbol of defiance and unity and as estimated, the masses pushed back as powerful waves from the doors of at least 28 mosques nationwide.

As difficult as it is to say this, the massacres at Rabi’a, al-Nahdah, Ramsis, and other parts of the country were not done haphazardly. It was part of an execution that had been planned beforehand by an army and a police force still loyal to their military man and president of the previous regime. Hosni Mubarak may be behind bars today, but he is still very much operative in the form of his man and loyal friend, ‘Abdul-Fattah al-Sisi, and tomorrow he will re-emerge.

But for every Pharaoh, there is a Musa, and for the people of Egypt, there will be salvation insha’Allah, although it will come at a cost. Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Aziz al-Turayfi recently wrote, "There is no salvation from the punishment of Allah. Pharaoh killed the newborns of Egypt out of fear that Musa would be born, and Allah made it such that he (Musa) would be raised in his home and nurtured by his wealth.” Today we are witnessing just that. To date, 4 or 5 children of high-ranking members of the Muslim Brotherhood have been purposely singled out, targeted, and killed. The army has an agenda to sever the Ikhwan movement from its roots, take out any offspring that can continue the struggle, and remove its memory from the next generation. But for a movement that has existed for more than 80 years, that has struggled, strengthened itself and survived the brutality, oppression, and repression of leaders long before al-Sisi and Mubarak, it is an agenda that will not succeed easily. The movement - like every other movement - has its own methodology that is subject to agreement and disagreement, but there is something to admire about them, and that is their love and sacrifice for Islam and da’wah.

Today in Egypt, it really is upon the Muslims who wish to see Islam included in the future of the country to support their brothers and honour the martyrs. Putting aside differences, it is clear that that the battle of old between Pharaoh and Musa is repeating itself as Rabi’a al-‘Adawiyyah, al-Nahdah, Ramsis and other places witness the unarmed civilians killed and fall down dead all because they wish to see ‘La ilaha illa’Allah’ raised in the country, and for their rightful leader to be reinstated. The greatest treachery and breach of loyalty is to turn away from your brother at the point of death and side with his killer. I was dismayed to hear voices of people who pray as much we do, who revere scholars and Islamic scholarship as much as we do, but who betrayed the trust of brotherhood in the hour nigh. It is hypocritical and from ignorance to consider the brutal army as being the legitimate figure of authority when events show us clearly that they were never a rightful authority, nor did they deserve that. They are a group who took up arms against the Muslims, betrayed their leader, and went out against him in enmity. To thus support them means to wash your hands in the same blood that they have shed unlawfully, and to remain silent about their actions means to give your consent to a marriage like the virgin bride-to-be.

The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever takes up arms against us is not from us.” [al-Bukhari]

But dictators and the hypocrites who side with them, never learn. The more force they use, the stronger the waves return. The more they kill and oppress, the more they ignite the fire in people's hearts. The more they subjugate and repress, the more they force out the Musa from among the masses. And the more they stomp their oppressive boot on the ground, the more they shake that ground beneath their own feet. A President was democratically elected after decades of state repression, but democracy has failed Egypt. Not because of the masses, but because the 'Democracy' that the West keeps pushing down the throats of Muslims world-wide is one that is highly intolerable of Islam and incapable of giving it due ground or due rights to lead a country and be a legitimate authority in the land. We have seen example after example that when this happens, the West and its allies raise the dreaded 'Terrorism' card and it all crumbles apart.

As I watch the events unfold in Egypt, I can’t help but see many parallels in the story of Musa. As the powerful but deceitful Egyptian media and the elite powers-that-be twist and tell tales against the protesters, eventually raising the red ‘terrorism’ card like their Western fathers, there were two verses that particularly struck me:

The first is when the chiefs of Pharaoh cry out in incitement against the innocent: “…Will you leave Musa and his people to spread mischief in the land, and to abandon you and your gods?” He (Pharaoh) said: "We will kill their sons, and let their women live, and we indeed have power over them."

And the next is the verse after; and this is the only thing left for us to say to the people of Egypt: “Musa said to his people: "Seek help in Allah and be patient. Verily, the earth belongs to Allah. He gives it as a heritage to whoever He wills of His slaves, and the (blessed) end is for the righteous.” [al-A'raf: 127-128]

As for that powerful and deceitful media, I have one befitting verse for them: “He (Pharaoh) said: ‘Throw!’ And when they threw, they cast a spell upon the people's eyes, and overawed them, and produced a mighty spell.” [al-A'raf: 116]

The Pharaoh of today’s Egypt has his magicians in the form of al-falul (remnants of the previous regime) and the Egyptian media, and for months they have been working hard to brainwash and cast the spell of enmity against their brothers, such that they do not even feel shame when they see innocent blood being spilled. But as the story of old tells us: it is Musa who will be aided and it is the righteous worshippers of Allah that will be given the land as inheritance.

Ya Allah, help my brothers and sisters around the world! Ya Rabb al Alameen! 

The Hijab as Da'wah

Source: http://www.missionislam.com/family/hijabdawah.html

By Dr Aisha Hamdan

Most Muslims are familiar with the various reasons that Allah has required women to wear hijab: The hijab reflects modesty, purity and respect; it lessens temptation so that more serious sins will be avoided; it protects women from the harm and molestation of evil men; a woman who wears hijab will be evaluated for her intelligence and skills rather than her appearance.

One important aspect that is often overlooked, however, is that the hijab is a symbol of Muslim identity. A woman who covers her head is making a statement that she is a member of the Muslim community and that she follows a particular code of moral conduct. 

Allah says: "O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them. That is more suitable that they will be known (as Muslims and chaste believing women) and not be abused." [Qur'an, 33:59] 

"...that they will be known..." In America, where Islam is the fastest growing religion (alhumdullilah), many people are coming to know what this head covering really signifies and to understand the religion that mandates it. The hijab, in effect, is an amazingly powerful tool for dawah; one that Muslims themselves are probably not even aware of. As with any tool, the key for effectiveness is appropriate and knowledgeable use. 

The most obvious first step would be for Muslim women to actually wear the hijab. It is a tragic and upsetting phenomenon to see so many Muslims dressing in the manner of the disbelievers (blue jeans, T-shirts, short skirts, even shorts). The Prophet, sallalahu allahe wa salam, said; "Whoever resembles a people is one of them." (Abu Dawood). This is not only happening in America and other Western countries as people attempt to assimilate and adopt the practices of the prevailing culture, but it is also occurring in Muslim countries at an alarming rate. 

A woman who refuses to wear the hijab is disobeying Allah and committing a serious sin, putting worldly pleasures above spiritual attainment, and neglecting her duty to the religion of Islam. Many scholars agree that the only reason a Muslim may live in a non-Muslim country is to conduct dawah and bring people to the true religion. How can a woman perform dawah for Islam when she is not even practicing it herself? To do this would be a form of hypocrisy and it will not be successful. 

Once a woman begins to wear hijab she completes a large portion of her responsibility for dawah with very little effort. Each time that she goes to the grocery store, the library, to work, to school, or to any other public place, she is spreading the magnificent message of Islam. This is not only because of the outer hijab that she wears, but more importantly, the modesty of her behavior that accompanies it. When a woman refrains from flirting with men, limits physical contact, and is reserved and respectful, people may become curious and want to learn more about this intriguing faith. It may just sow the seeds of something wonderful. 

At the University where I teach (which happens to be a private, Catholic school), women are often interested in my manner of dress and demeanor. Each semester I have at least one student who requests my involvement in a project for another class, usually comparative religions. They are surprised when they learn the rationale for this injunction and the fact that it was part of their religious heritage as well. If I chose not to wear hijab, I would miss these wonderful opportunities to share the beauty, peace and universality of my faith. 

When there is the possibility for further discussion with those who are interested, knowledge and understanding of the topic are imperative. A very effective technique is to relate the concept to something that is familiar to the other person. Some examples of questions that could be posed include:
•"Did you every wonder why Mary, the mother Jesus (alayhes salam) wore clothing very similar to that of Muslims?" 

•"Why do Catholic nuns dress the way they do?" 

•"Did you know that in the Canon laws of the Catholic church today there is a law that requires women to cover their heads in church?"

•"Have you read in I Corinthians (Bible, 11:3-10) the verses that Paul wrote: 'Every man who prays of prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And evey woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head - it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman doesn't cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or shaved off, she should cover her head." 

•"Did you know that there are some Christian denominations, namely the Amish and the Mennonites, who still require women to wear the head covering?" 

•"Were you aware that is was the custom of Jewish women to go out in public with a head covering and that some denominations still practice this today?" 

These discussion points demonstrate the obvious fact that the head cover was not introduced by Islam, but rather that this requirement has been in place for thousands of years. This can also be a cogent segue to more crucial topics such as the fact that Moses, alayhes salam, Jesus, alayhes salam and Muhammad, sallalahu allahe wa salam, were all prophets of the same God and that they each carried the same basic message. Islam corrected the errors that had been introduced into previous revelations by humans and completed the process that was planned by Allah. 

We should be proud to be Muslim. We should also be grateful for the gift that Allah has given to each one of us: The perfect truth of Islam that is our key to paradise. All others are being deluded by Satan and following paths to destruction. With our gift comes the responsibility to share the truth with those who are less fortunate. We are all responsible to carry the light of Islam. The hijab is an outward manifestation of this light that burns within, and it can be an effective tool for fulfillment of our obligation. We choose whether to develop this light into a bright, radiant star or let it be extinguished by foolish and selfish desires.  

May Allah guide each of us to the true path.Ameen!

Overcoming Anxiety

Source: http://www.missionislam.com/health/overcominganxiety.html

"Oh Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being overpowered by men." ~ [Hadith Al-Bukhari]

Anxiety is an unavoidable part of life. Everyone in this world will have his or her share of worries. However, there are limits to how much worry there should be. Worry should not lead us to despair.

Some people try so hard to avoid anxiety that they are unable to cope with the real world. By fleeing from reality, they merely increase their worries.

We need to cope with our anxiety in a rational, methodical way.

First of all, we need to stop making unrealistic demands upon ourselves and upon the society in which we live. Many people worry over problems that are far beyond their scope to deal with. These problems are often so great that society as a whole cannot hope to solve them at the present time. Worrying about these matters does nothing but cause anxiety.

There is an old Arabic parable that goes: Once there was a desert dweller who owned a servant girl. Someone asked him: “Wouldn’t you dream that instead of possessing this servant girl you could be Caliph?”

He replied: “God no!” When the other asked him why, he said: “I am afraid that then both the servant girl and the nation would be lost!”

Now there is a man who knew what he should not be bothered with.

The second thing that we must do to get anxiety under control is to find contentment with the situation in which we find ourselves. This does not mean that we always have to accept things the way they are. We should definitely have dreams and ambitions. `Umar b. `Abd al-`Azîz said: “I am an ambitious man. First, I desired governorship. When I attained it, I desired to be Caliph. When I became caliph, I renounced its pleasures, for then my ambitions had turned to attaining Paradise.”

We should have ambitions, but we should also see the good in what we already have.

The third thing that we must do is to enjoy our successes. All of us have some achievements to our credit. We need to take satisfaction and pride in them, as this helps to prevent us from making light of Allah’s blessings.

Finally, we must refrain from envying others. Whatever someone else has is purely from Allah’s grace. Allah gives whatever He wills to whomever He pleases. A single woman should not get upset when she sees her sister getting married. A married woman should not fret when she sees another woman married to a man of far greater wealth and prestige. A divorcee should not cry whenever she sees someone else living in marital bliss. Instead, she should take a deep breath and say: “Praise be to Allah who has placed me in my good circumstances.”

We should appreciate that today is better than many days in the past, and with Allah’s blessings, tomorrow can be even better than today. Those who prefer to dwell in the past keep themselves in permanent sorrow thinking about missed opportunities and what might have been.

Once a professor entered his classroom and asked his students: “Has any of you ever sawed up some wood?” When some students replied that they all had done so at one time or another, he asked: “Have any of you ever sawed up a saw?” This time no one answered. The professor then said: “A person who always looks to the past is like a person who saws up a saw.”

We must not look to the lost opportunities of the past. We must instead look forward to the promise of a better future.

Fears and Worries

Ibn Hazm mentions that he took a good look at people, all people – Muslims and non-Muslims, righteous and ignoble, Arabs and non-Arabs – and made the following observation: “I found that they all had one thing in common; they all sought to rid themselves of their problems and worries.”

He then said: “So I decided to unlock the secret to this matter and discover the best way to overcome our worries. I found that there was nothing better for this than to worship Allah, adore Him, and to submit ourselves to Him fully. From this I realized that the guidance of the Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon them) is comprehensive of what dispels the concerns of both this world and the next.”

There are many things in this world that inspire fear. However, we can find security in true reliance upon Allah and in reconciling ourselves to His decree.

Our fear is often worse that the things we are afraid of. Sometimes we fear some crisis occurring and that fear becomes a crisis in itself. Our fear of sickness may actually be the worst sickness to afflict us.

Do not grieve and do not be afraid. Allah says: “Verily, those who say ‘Our Lord is Allah’ then keep themselves upright, the angels descend upon them saying: ‘Do not fear and do not grieve. Hearken to glad tidings of the Paradise that you have been promised’.” [Sûrah Fussilat: 30]

Ibn Jawzî said: “I was plagued by a problem that compelled me to continuously suffer from worry and anxiety. I began to go to great lengths trying to figure out any ruse or strategy to rid myself of that problem, but to absolutely no avail. Then I remembered the verse: “And whoever fears Allah, Allah will provide for him a way out.” Then I realized that fear of Allah is a way out of every worry. No sooner did I resolve to strengthen my fear of Allah than I found a way to solve my problems.”

It does not behoove a created being to pin his trust, his hopes, and his thoughts on anything besides his obedience to Allah and his fulfillment of Allah’s command. Obedience to Allah is the reason for opportunities to open up for us. A person who fears Allah should always keep in mind that Allah is sufficient for him.

Ramadan is Almost Here!

Ramadan is just around the corner. Are we ready yet? Here are some guidelines to remember:

Hadith - The Benefits of Gaining Knowledge

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, God will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge. The inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and (even) the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man. The superiority of the learned over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave (no monetary inheritance), they leave only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion.“ - Sunan of Abu-Dawood, Hadith 1631

124-year old Muslim woman Refuses to Take off her Hijab

 SubhanAllah, what a story!

124-year-old Muslim woman refused to sell her religion for money and fame

Publication time: 3 February 2013, 14:41

The head scarf was the only hindrance in the way for the oldest woman in the world to enter the so-called Guinness World Records.
 
124-year-old Palestinian Maryam Hamdan Ammash, her sons and grandsons refused to meet the condition of the Guinness team for the aged woman to take off her head scarf and appear on TV.
 
Maryam's family members said that their grandmother who has performed the Haj (Pilgrimage) five times in her life and performed Umrah ten times refused to commit a sinful act even for getting eternal with entering the Guinness World Records.
 
"There have been serious discussions about Maryam entering the Guinness World Records breaking the record of the French Jeanne Louise Calment who lived 122 and a half years. A team of the Guinness team visited Maryam and her family last March to this end", said Mahdi Helmi Ammash, a grandson of Maryam in an interview with Gulf News.
 
"Armed with official documents including her birth certificate, identity card and other documents, we will not give up our grandmother's right to enter the Guinness World Records for the longest human lifespan even after her death," he said.
 
Maryam died last Saturday after she lived for 124 years and scores of people from around the world are attending her ongoing condolence session held in her home village of Jisr Al Zarqa'a, near Haifa of the 1948 areas.
 
Maryam who held a Turkish birth certificate and an identity card which clearly stated that the woman was born in 1888, became undoubtedly the oldest woman in the world.
 
"This fact is beyond doubt and that all officials who paid visits to my grandmother have confirmed it and this is documented with the family", said Mahdi.
 
Maryam had ten children, the youngest of whom died a long while ago. With four sons and five daughters who survived, she had hundreds of descendants, estimated at 600.
 
"Maryam's grandsons were grandfathers when she died as the grandmother of four generations," he said.
 
"Maryam's relationship with her children, grandchildren and their children and grandchildren was astonishing, knowing them one by one and following their lives in details," he said.
 
"The wise Maryam, despite her old age, was the spiritual leader to all her family members who trusted her views and followed them almost blindly," he stressed.
 
The woman was known in her village to be totally focused and balanced and she acted as a paediatrician who provided medical treatment for the newly born and infants.
 
"We keep instruments which Maryam carefully kept since the Turkish rule in Palestine to treat the little ones", he said, adding that visitors from around the 1948 areas visited Maryam seeking treatment which she provided for free.
 
The aged Maryam was an active woman despite her years and known to be a social entity who visited people on all their occasions.
 
When a representative of the Guinness told her that they can make her a well-known personality, she answered with a question - "And will that make me happy?"
 
Representative, with a little hesitation, replied that probably it would make happy her and her family.
 
She asked a second question:
 
"How old are you?" To which he replied - 43.
 
She smiled and said - "And most of all, you are not a Muslim ...?"
 
Surprised man asked why these issues may be of any importance and what she wanted to say?
 
To which Maryam replied.
 
- "You are old enough to distinguish between what is right and what is not. But you are not a Muslim. That means either you are too small to distinguish truth from delusion, or you are an imbecile. Because only a child or imbecile would believe that it will make him/her happy to be glorified among the same mortals like himself. When he risks being thrown into shame in the eyes of the Creator.
 
So what should I choose - the woman said - to be glorious amongst those themselves are inglorious or to be glorious amongst the lucky owners of the Contentment of the Creator, me, you, him and all those whom you represent"?
 
Guinness representative did not know what to say.
 
Maryam said:
 
- "Go away and grow up to start thinking if you do not have the answer. And I promise not to die until you get back - she joked at the end".
 
The most surprising fact was that the man embraced Islam in 7 months afterwards. And after another 4 months Maryam Hamdan Ammash died. 
 
It is quite a mystery - why Guinness Book needed the old Muslim woman to remove her scarf ...?
 
Department of Monitoring
Kavkaz Center

http://kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2013/02/03/17338.shtml

Are we Really this Foolish?

There lived in a town a very rich man, who was given every comfort and luxury by Allah. He had a servant who was slightly foolish. One day the rich man called him and presented him with a gift saying: “Keep this in a safe place until you find someone more foolish than yourself. When you do, give it to Him.”

The servant replied: “Very good, Sir!”

After some time, the rich man became very ill. Many doctors treated him but there was no sign of recovery. He finally lost hope and called for his servant and said to Him: “I am leaving now. If I have caused you any grief, please forgive me.”

Servant: “Sir, where are you going?”

Rich Man: “Where everyone has to go.”

Servant: “When wil you return?”

Rich Man: “I am going to a place from where there is no return.”

Servant: “I see…Have you made your preparations for your comfort there, sir?”

Rich Man: “No.”

Servant: “Sir, have you made arangements to safeguard yourself from heat and cold?”

Rich Man: “No.”

Servant: “What have you done about your food and drink, sir?”

RichMan: “Nothing.”

Hearing this, the servant laughed and said: “Sir, this is most surprising. In your temporary home, you have made all sorts of arrangements of joy and comfort; buildings and bungalows, gardens and parks, servants and maids, beautiful cars, shops, factories and all sorts of luxuries, but for your permanent home, you have made no preparations whatsoever.
Now tell me sir! Where will I find someone more foolish than you? Hence I am giving this gift to you.”

The moral of the story is that we should take time out and review frequently whether our actions are solely for the life of this world or for the eternal life in the hereafter.

Scientific Miracle or a Sign of God: The Sweet and the Salty Water

If you have ever looked at the view from an airplane window and marvelled at how two differently-coloured water bodies meet and yet stay separate, you need to see this video. The Quran mentioned the barrier between sweet and salty water 1400 years ago, but modern scientists have only recently discovered that truly, a barrier does indeed exist.



Modern Science has discovered that in the places where two different seas meet, there is a barrier between them. This barrier divides the two seas so that each sea has its own temperature, salinity, and density.
(Principles of Oceanography - Davis, pp. 92-93)

For example, Mediterranean sea water is warm, saline and less dense, compared to Atlantic ocean water. When Mediterranean sea water enters the Atlantic over the Gibraltar sill, it moves several hundred kilometers into the Atlantic at a depth of about 1,000 meters with its own warm, saline and less dense characteristics. The Mediterranean water stabilizes at this depth (Principles of Oceanography p. 93).
The Mediterranean sea water as it enters the Atlantic over the Gibraltar sill with its own warm, saline and less dense characteristics, because of the barrier that distinguishes between them. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius (C).

Even in depths (indicated here by darker colors) up to 1,400 meters and at distances ranging from a minus -100 to +2,500 meters, we find that both bodies of water maintain their individual temperatures and salinity.
Although there are large waves, strong currents, and tides in these seas, they do not mix or transgress this barrier.

The Holy Qur'an mentioned that there is a barrier between two seas that meet and that they do not transgress. God said:

{He has let free the two seas meeting to gather. There is a barrier between them. They do not transgress.} (Qur'an 55:19-20)


But when the Qur'an speaks about the divider between fresh and salt water, it mentions the existence of "a forbidding partition" with the barrier. God said in the Qur'an:

{He is the one who has let free the two bodies of flowing water, one sweet and palatable, and the other salty and bitter. And He has made between them a barrier and a forbidding partition.} (Qur'an 25:53)

One may ask, why did the Qur'an mention the partition when speaking about the divider between fresh and salt water, but did not mention it when speaking about the divider between the two seas?

Modern science has discovered that in estuaries, where fresh (sweet) and salt water meet, the situation is somewhat different from what is found in places where two seas meet. It has been discovered that what distinguishes fresh water from salt water in estuaries is a "pycnocline zone with a marked density discontinuity separating the two layers." (Oceanography p. 242)

This partition (zone of separation) has a different salinity from the fresh water and from the salt water (Oceanography p. 244 and Introductory Oceanography pp. 300-301)

This information has been discovered only recently using advanced equipment to measure temperature, salinity, density, oxygen dissolubility, etc. The human eye cannot see the difference between the two seas that meet, rather the two seas appear to us as one homogeneous sea. Likewise the human eye cannot see the division of water in estuaries into the three kinds: the fresh water, the salt water, the partition (zone of separation).

And which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?

A Difficult Life?

Assalamualaikum,

A few days ago, my local newspaper ran a column by a popular author promoting his new book. The book was mainly about why God can not exist. Because if He did, people would not suffer. The author wrote how his son was born handicapped, and this experience made him come to the conclusion that there is no God.

Astaghfirullah. (May Allah forgive us.)

This is the most common argument we'll hear atheists say: "If God is all-Loving, why does He not prevent atrocities in the world?","How can people be poor and hungry, and so many wars take place, and God just calmly watches?" In other words, they conclude that Difficulties = No God.

Is that a rational argument? Is God just some Cure-All for all our sufferings and worries?

One of the greatest attributes of Allah is Wisdom. One of His names is "Al-Hakeem", or The Most Wise. This means that whatever Allah creates, He creates for a reason, and nothing is created in vain. Allah says to us in the Quran:

“Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?”

So Exalted be Allaah, the True King: Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!” [Al-Mu'minoon 23: 115, 116]

And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)” [al-Dhaariyaat 51:56]

So if we all exist to only serve one purpose, ie. to worship God and to obey His Will, do we have any right to complain when punishments happen to us as a result of us falling short of that command? We've been given the perfect way to live our lives - on a personal level, familial level, societal level and universal level. There is no aspect of our life which God has not given us instructions for. We have things laid out for us straight - what to follow, and what to avoid. All we have to do is listen to the rules, obey them, not stray out of line or be out of bounds. That's it. I know its easier said than done, but when we as mere petty humans stray from what we're supposed to be doing, bad things may happen to us. In brief, punishments happen because:

1. We deserve it because of our sins.

2. God is testing our faith. Like a diamond roughed out and polished from coal, trials have the potential to bring out the best in us, and bring us to our highest nature.

3. A blessing may be hidden in a calamity. We just don't know since God works in miraculous ways, and it may be that we like a thing which is bad for us, or we dislike a thing which is good for us. Usually something good always comes out of a calamity - we just don't see it.

Strangely enough, people see punishments as just that - punishments. Something bad, something we don't like, something we need to get away from. Psychologists, on the other hand, term punishments as 'negative reinforcements.' But we only see the negative side of what befalls us. And we fail to realize that this is just another form of discipline from God, a reinforcement; that we're supposed to reflect, learn from our mistakes, and correct our behaviour so as not to have the same thing happen to us again.

Doesn't a parent use punishments to control the behaviour of a child, save him or her from harm, teach him to only follow certain behaviour whilst avoiding things which may be harmful to them? Doesn't a classroom teacher punish students to teach them proper discipline and the value of hard work? Would it make sense if I'm sitting in a classroom, and the teacher is scolding me because I didn't do my homework, but I just say there isn't a teacher there? People would say that's nonsensical! And yet, people deny God's existence for the same reasons. I mean, rewarding good behaviour and punishing bad behaviour is such an essential fundamental to learning. Even the overly commercialized Santa Claus, a mere fairytale portrayed as a generous, kind hearted guy brings presents to the good and a lump of coal to the naughty kids, right?

So why is it then, that when God uses punishments to discipline human beings and tries to bring us back to the right path, we turn our back on Him and negate His existence? Shouldn't the same rules apply?

God's attribute of being All-Loving does not mean He lets human beings run amok without any form of discipline, letting them eat, drink and be merry without a care in the world. That is not love, its irresponsibility - and thankfully, God is not irresponsible!

This is God we are talking about. God, the Most High, the One who created us out of nothing wants to let us reflect on our life's priorities, and to humble ourselves before Him. He wants what is best for us. He doesn't need us or our worship in the slightest. And yet, we need Him. We need Him every second of our lifetime. And even if it takes a punishment for us to fumble and find the straight path again, to earn His Pleasure, is it really that bad? Maybe we deserved it; maybe it's a trial to test our strength and our faith; or maybe we just can't see the good in it. But a punishment does not, in the slightest, mean that God does not exist - because only the Most Caring would put us through hardships for our own sakes.

Does it still make sense to say that just because bad things happen in the world, there is no God?

Ramadan Kareem

Assalamualaikum,

I want to wish everyone who stumbles upon my blog a blessed Ramadan. May Allah's blessings shower upon us. Ameen. May He forgive us our sins and accept our prayers, worship and fasts. Ameen. May He help all those who need help all over the world, and may He correct all our affairs, increase us in faith and guide us on the right path. Ameen.

Officially, fasting starts on Tuesday for me, but I already am feeling the Ramadan spirit!

The Best Thing About Islam?

Assalamualaikum, how is everyone today?

Here are a few things which muslims say is the best thing about their religion:

* The perfection in defining how to live life

* The beauty of the Quran and its teachings

* It gives humankind a bond of brotherhood and unity, no matter what their race or color, our religion gives us a common ground

* How it all makes perfect sense

* It brings out the "Human Being" out of a man or a woman

* Waking up early morning at dawn and praying the morning prayer freshens and energizes our mind, and prepares us for the day ahead. It assures we have a good day, day after day, since our heart and mind start off with a good mood

* It is so simple to practice, and rids you of confusion

* It's the only Truth in a world full of Lies. We are the light in the darkness

* Our religion tells us exactly how to live regarding every single facet of our lives. Can anyone come up with a better way to live?

* Islam not only teaches us *What* we must do to attain a perfect life, but *How* to do it. It not only preaches good things, but it actually tells us how to achieve that state of goodness. By the example of our Prophet Muhammad (May peace be upon him), it has been practically demonstrated to us how to achieve that state. For example, others may say 'help the poor' but they fail to state how to help, how much to give, and what happens if we don't. But Islam goes ahead and tells us not only to help, but exactly how to go about doing it - it puts the duty of zakat (charity) on every Muslim who has wealth above a certain level, tells us to pay an exact 2.5% of that wealth to the poor, describes the rights/obligations, categorizes the people who are to receive that charity, and even tells us the consequences of not paying this money. It is the only solution to poverty. And this is just one solution to society's problems. Islam is chalkfull of examples of how to lead the perfect life.

* It gives your life a purpose, and a direction

The Prophet's Final Sermon

This is the final speech given to the muslims by the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.)

After praising, and thanking God, the Prophet, may God send His praises upon him said:

“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. God has Judged that there shall be no interest, and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abd’al Muttalib shall henceforth be waived...

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under a trust from God and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God, perform your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and offer Zakat. Perform Hajj if you have the means.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; white has no superiority over black, nor does a black have any superiority over white; [none have superiority over another] except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before God and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me, and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and it may be that the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”

Thus the beloved Prophet completed his Final Sermon, and upon it, near the summit of Arafat, the revelation came down:

“…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My Grace upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion…” (Quran 5:3)

A Beautiful Prayer / Dua

O Allah! I ask of You integrity and soundness in my religion, my life, my family, and my possessions.

O Allah! Cover my shame, pacify my fears, guard me from what is in front of me and behind me, from what is on my right and on my left, over my head and under my feet.

O Allah! Grant health to my body. O Allah grant health to my hearing. O Allah! Grant health to my sight. There is no deity except You.

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from unbelief and poverty, and from the punishment of the grave. There is no Deity except You.

O Allah! You are my Lord. There is no deity except You. You are my Creator and I am your creature. I try to keep my covenant with You and to live in the hope of Your promise as well as I can. I seek refuge in You from my one evil deeds. I acknowledge Your favours to me; and I acknowledge my sins. Forgive me my sins, for there is no one who can forgive sins except You.

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from worry and sorrow. I seek refuge in You from impotence and sloth, from stinginess and cowardice, and I seek refuge in You from the burden of debt and from being humbled be men.

O Allah! Make the beginning of this day good, the middle prosperous, and the end successful. I ask You to grant me the good of this world and of the Hereafter, O Most Merciful of all Who show us mercy!

O Allah! I ask you to make me pleased with what You decreed for me return to good life after death, and I earnestly seek the pleasure of looking at Your Glorious Countenance and the craving to meet you, without distress or affliction or misguiding trial. I seek refuge in You from oppressing others or being oppressed, from doing wrong or suffering wrong, and from committing an error or a sin, which you will not forgive.

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the feebleness of old age. O Allah! Guide me to the best of deeds and the best of morals, as none can guide to the best except You, and save me from bad deeds, as none can save me from what is bad except You. O Allah! Strengthen my faith, expand my living space and bless me in my livelihood.

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from negligence, degradation and destitution; I seek refuge in You from unbelief, wickedness, vanity and show; and I seek refuge in You from blindness, deafness and leprosy and bad diseases.

O Allah! Give my soul piety and my conscience purity. You are the Master of my soul and the Guardian of my conscience.

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from a knowledge, which does not benefit, from a heart, which does not tremble, from an ego, which is not stated, and from a supplication, which is not accepted.

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I did and from the evil of what I did not do; from the evil of what I know and from the evil of what I did not know.

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from a decline in Your favour, from a change in Your protection, from Your sudden punishment and all Your displeasure.

AMEEN

Been a While

Assalamualaikum,

I haven't blogged in quite a while, due to life being busy. However, now I'm able to be back online, and InshaAllah, I hope to catch up with blogging again. Thank you to everyone who reads my blog posts - may Allah reward you.

O Messenger of Allah, Indeed I Love you!

‘A’ishah reported that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allah! Indeed, I love you more than I love myself, and I love you more than I love my family, and I love you more than I love my children. When I am at home and I think of you, I am unable to contain myself until I can come to you and look at you. When I think about my death and your death, I know that when you enter Paradise, you will be raised to where the Prophets are. But, if I enter Paradise, I am afraid: will I be able to see you?”

So, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not answer him at all until Jibril revealed to him: {“And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace - of the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!”} [an-Nisa’; 69]

[‘Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah’; #2933]

Shaking Hands

Women are discouraged from shaking hands with men who are not close relatives. It might seem strange in a Western context, because then it comes off as "not being polite", however, women in Islam are given a high status of respect and dignity, therefore, the higher standards are followed.

A British man came to a Sheikh and asked, "Why is not permissible in Islam for women to shake hands with a man?" The Sheikh said, "Can you shake hands with Queen Elizabeth?" British man replied, "Of course not, there are only certain people who can shake hands with Queen Elizabeth". Sheikh replied with a smile on his face, "Our Women are Queens and Queens do not shake hands with strange men"...

Why Are We Here?

When unhappiness and tragedy befall people, they start to question basic questions of life - what is my purpose? Why am I here? Some people are driven by an inner motivation to continue asking and asking and searching for the truth.

Here is one such story. This might possibly be my favorite Revert Story of all time - I can watch this dozens of times over, and it always touches me deeply. An ordinary guy living in the western world, a western life, had a few things going badly in his life, and it lead him to question existence and its purpose. He researched so many different religions, but never found a satisfactory answer. He kept asking for a sign from God - anything, big or small. And in the end, he got it. A must-watch. Plus, its really hilarious!

Part 1:



Part 2: