Alhamdulilah

Free Books

2012-02-11T07:47:00.000-05:00

A massive collection of free e-books available for download here:

http://www.download-islamic-ebooks.com/

Qur'an

2012-02-03T03:13:00.001-05:00

A link to the Quran explained in 24 languages and recitations. Very nice website.

http://quran.ksu.edu.sa/

Enjoy.

Knowledge

2012-01-31T07:26:00.003-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

abu Dawud and al Tirmidhi record, on the authority of Kathir ibn Qays: "I was sitting with abu Darda [may Allah be pleased with him] in the Mosque of Damascus. A man came to him and said: "abu Darda, I have come to you from the town of the Messenger of Allah [may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil] for a hadeeth that I have heard you relate from the Messenger of Allah [peace and blessings be upon him]. I have come for no other purpose." He said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah [peace and blessings be upon him] say:

"If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allah 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 the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man. The superiority of the learned man 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 neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion."

Open Islamic Curriculum

2012-01-20T02:17:00.001-05:00

In The Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Beneficent.

asSalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

http://www.openislamiccurriculum.com/

Madaar aims to produce and develop free educational resources and curricula, covering all the worldly sciences from an Islamic framework. By connecting Muslim schools, parent groups and other Islamic Education institutions across the globe Madaar plans to create a pace whereby every can mutually share and benefit.

This is not a plea for money, rather a request for support from like minded individuals that wish to improve education for Muslims in the English medium. We recognize that we will likely start out with singular lesson plans and the like; however, our goal is direct the development of holistic and integrated curriculum. For that we need your time and effort.

You are invited to take part in sending in ideas, designing resources, writing learning plans and developing curricula; there is also the scope to help in other areas such as marketing, network management, website design, and of course in making du’a for this initiative’s success.

http://www.openislamiccurriculum.com/

Humility in Action

2012-01-12T03:01:00.000-05:00

KIU Scholarship

2012-01-07T10:01:00.001-05:00

Application deadline - 5th January 2012

Course completion deadline - 6th Jan-20th Jan.

KIU is excited to offer a great opportunity for new students to apply for a full scholarship entitling the successful candidate to study the entire BA Islamic Studies degree without the need to pay for tuition fees. (Normally fees are $975 USD a semester). The student will enjoy the privilege of studying a well structured BA degree programme in Islamic Studies taught by some of the leading scholars and Western Educators. All this will be provided free of charge for the successful scholarship applicants. While the degree programme is open to everyone, KIU encourages only the dedicated and committed students to apply for the scholarship. The degree requires an average of 10-15 hours of committed time a week necessary to read through the materials, complete the online videos and assessments.

How to apply for the Full scholarship

To apply for the full scholarship the student will need to complete the following requirements.

1. Complete the KIU Scholarship application form in full

2. Complete the Manhaj As-saalikeen course and successfully pass the set exams

(You may also need to complete an interview)

The KIU selection committee will then work through all submitted applications and will determine suitable candidates to award a full scholarship.

Dua Coach

2012-01-05T13:00:00.000-05:00

Here at Dua Coach, we are using the latest learning techniques to help you achieve your desired goals, you can use some of them or all of them to increase your learning pace. We use established techniques that you can find in many memory books, and throw in a couple of new ones which are tailored to the rhythmic quality of the Quran, we mix in technology too, and instead of eating the whole of the cake, using our algorithm which breaks down your lesson to word level, we will email you up to 3 times a day, a smaller slice of the cake that you find tasty and that you can digest easily.

Highly recommended: http://www.duacoach.com

Du'a Series

2012-01-03T02:21:00.000-05:00

اللهمأنت ربى لا إله إلا أنت خلقتنى وأنا عبدك ، وأنا على عهدك ووعدك ما استطعت أعوذ بكمن شر ما صنعت أبوء لك بنعمتك على وأبوء بذنب فاغفر لى فاءنه لا يغفر الذنوبالا أنت

O Allah, You are my Rabb (Lord). There is no god worthy of worship exept You. You have created me and I am Your servant, and I stand by Your covenant and Your promise to the best of what I can. I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I have done. I confess before You of Your blessings on me, and I confess my sin. So, fogvie me, for no one else can forgive these sins except You.

The Prophet said "The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is: 'Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Anta Khalaqtani wa ana abduka, wa ana 'ala ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu, A'udhu bika min Sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u Laka bini'matika 'alaiya, wa Abu Laka bidhanbi faghfirli innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta." The Prophet added. "If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise."

Sahih al Bukhari, Vol. 8, Book 75, Hadeeth 318.

Imam Ahmad

2012-01-01T03:21:00.001-05:00

Aboo Daawood Sulaymaan ibn Ash’ath, the author of Sunan Abee Daawood, was a student of Imam Ahmad who related many issues from him, issues that are published today. He said, describing the Imam, “I have not seen anyone like Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal He never used to talk about the things that the people talk loosely about from the worldly affairs, but if some affair of knowledge was mentioned, he would talk.”

From a series of lectures given by Shaykh Saalih Aal ash-Shaykh, which has been translated and transcribed here.

Update: Abu Taubah

2011-12-30T23:18:00.002-05:00

From: Abu Taubah
To: Everybody else

As-salaamu ‘alaykum,
Al-hamdulillahi Rabbil-aalameen and salaatuhu was-salaamu on the Prophet Muhammad.

To Proceed:
During the last few days of the month of Ramadan of this past year, towards the end of August 2011, I was arrested by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and eventually charged with, “Constructive Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.”

...

I need you all to be my heroes. Do not let the Prosecution turn a simple gun charge into the Terrorist case of the Decade. Do not let Islamic terminology be defined by those who have a pre-conceived dogmatic opinion about it.

...

The letter is long. See full letter here.

Cautiousness

2011-12-30T06:15:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"If anyone of you passes through our mosque or through our market while carrying arrows, he should hold them by the heads lest he should injure one of the Muslims with it."

Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 196, Vol. 1.

Ta'addud

2011-12-28T08:56:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Often times brothers, be they married or not, make comments about multiple marriages (ta’addud). One comment in particular, or attitude, is such that a brother thinks that if his wife does not agree with his marriage then “too bad for her, I am following the Sunnah!”

The first, and most importantly, point with regards to this kind of attitude is that the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) did not have a callous or cold-hearted attitude towards in family, in fact he was the best to his family (peace and blessings be upon him). It is narrated in ibn Majah and Tirmidhi that the Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil, said: “The best of you is the one who is best with his family, and, among you, I am the best to my family.” Imam al Shawkani, in his book Nayl al Awtar, explains “Surely, the family deserves the most to be happy, to be treated with good manners and kindness, and to be protected from harm and provided with what benefits them.” Allah includes this responsibility in the Qur’an when He, Most-High, says: “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones…” (66:6). With regards to treating family in the best of manners Allah says: “And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought” (30:21). Furthermore, Allah says: “And live with them honorably” (4:19) and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “I advise you to treat women well” (Sahih Muslim).

At this point, one it will likely be mentioned that multiple marriage is permissible (halal), which is correct. It may also be said, that doing so is also Sunna. Let us be clear, as clarity in terminology is of great importance. The term “sunna” can have different uses, and different implications in shari’ah. If we are referring generally that “sunna” means anything the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did, then yes, it is from the sunna. However, if we are referring to the shari’ah “sunna” may refer to that which is recommended (mustahab) or compulsory (wajib, fard). Thus, these two uses of the term (and there are more), clearly make a major difference with regards to the meaning of the term.

One ought to also clarify the issue of a woman not agreeing to such a situation. One can not make assumptions in this regard that her disagreement is a rejection of shari’ah. It may be the case that the woman in question knows the permissibility of multiple marriages yet she herself feels unable to handle such a situation. She may include this in her marriage contract and/or she may seek divorce in the case that her husband marries and she is unable to handle that. The greatest example of this is when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself requested Ali ibn abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) not to marry the daughter of abu Jahl, a muslimah, as Ali was married to the daughter of the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil). Ali ibn abi Talib agreed to this request (may Allah be pleased with him). In this case the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was not rejecting the permissibility of the marriage, likewise with the situation of some sisters today. Ibn al Qayyim mentioned this in his saying: “His (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) protective jealousy wasn't simply due to dislike of sharing partners, rather the issue was about the sanctity of religion and he indicated this when he said "I am afraid she will be subjected to trials in her religion" (in his text, Rawdatil Muhibbeen).

As this brief commentary relates specifically to the attitude mentioned above it is more relevant to continue the discussion with regards to the second meaning of the term sunna, namely that equating it to being recommended in shari’ah. In such a case, is multiple marriage sunna?

There is agreement among the four major schools: a man may marry more than one wife, but not more than four. That permissibility, however, does not equate a shari’ ruling of recommended (mustahab) or obligatory (wajib, fard). On the contrary, it implies permission (mubah), with stipulations. Some scholars suggest that it is fitter for a man to confine himself to one wife, and they give reasons for that. In doing so, however, they do not alter the agreed upon ruling of permissibility.

As such, it is not recommended or obligatory, in a general sense, to marry more than one wife, in fact doing so requires that conditions be first fulfilled in order to practice this permissible act (additional information listed below regarding these conditions). Thus, with regards to the shari’ meaning of sunna, multiple wives is not sunna (i.e. recommended or required generally). Rather it is permissible and it is from the practices of the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil). Not every practice of Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is obligatory or even recommended in shari’ah. Plenty of examples in shari’ah demonstrate this, marriage itself being one as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) married more than four wives, yet Muslims are not permitted to follow him in this practice.

May Allah guide us to what is best. May our brothers and sisters consider what is best for each other. My advice for myself and my brothers is to act with care and integrity when dealing with such matters.

And Allah knows best.

With regards to the stipulations in marrying more than one wife:

abu Bakr Jabir al Jazairy, in Minhaj al Muslim, says: “He must be just between his wife and her co-wives, if she has co-wives. He must be equitable with respect to food, drink, clothing, living with and sleeping in their beds. He cannot be unequal in any of these matters nor can he be wrong or oppress any of his wives.” Allah has forbidden that in His Words

“And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice]” (4:3).

Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “When a man has two wives and he is inclined to one of them, he will come on the Day of Resurrection with a side hanging down [i.e. paralyzed]” (abu Dawood, No. 2128). With regards to the requirements of equal time allotted to each wife, the Shaf’i position is that the minimal amount of time for one turn is a day and night, whereas the Hanafi and Maliki schools set the minimum time as that which is agreed upon by all parties. With regards to travel, lots are to be drawn. Time taken during travel does not need to be made up upon return, with regards to turns. It is not permissible for a husband to select with whom to travel.

And Allah knows best.

Saudi Arabia

2011-12-26T14:37:00.000-05:00

Many of us are aware of a certain set of issues in Saudi Arabia, most notably that women can't drive. What we often don't know about is some of the very interesting developments going on in Saudi Arabia that does not make the international news. I'd like to highlight a few of those things today, not to turn a blind eye on faults but as an attempt to shed some light on the wider picture of what is going on in the country. I anticipate some will highlight the negative points I've failed to mention here, that is fair and the only reason I've not done so is because they are regularly highlighted while these on-goings are not. Some dislike anything positive being said about Saudi Arabia, I'd like to clarify that I am not pro-Saudi nor do I fail to see the faults (I do know about them as well). Kindly take the post as it was intended, sharing information most of us probably don't know about.

The king of Saudi (Abdullah ibn Abdul Aziz al Saud) suggested to the the United Nations that they ought to create a center to monitor and counter terrorism worldwide, this month that center was approved and the king provided funding for the first three years of operations (USD 10 million). The king also founded an interfaith dialogue center in Vienna, the King Abdullah Interfaith Center, welcome to all countries and faiths and is funded entirely by Saudi Arabia. In terms of Gross National Income (GNI) Saudi Arabia contributes the largest percentage of any country in the world in charitable giving, followed by Luxembourg, Sweden and Denmark. In 2008 Saudi Arabia gave the largest single donation to the UN World Food Program, USD 500 million. For its citizens Saudi Arabia has no taxes, higher education is free and students are given a stipend, health care is also free. Currently over 70,000 Saudis are on full scholarship from the king to study overseas. Saudi Arabia is also home to the largest University for women in the world, Princess Nora University, having 32 campuses and over 50,000 students with research centers for nanotechnology, information technology and bioscience. Interestingly almost 20% of power required for air conditioners for that university is supplied by solar power. Women were also granted equal rights to vote in the next local elections. Saudi Arabia has also built the world's first solar powered desalination plant and is building several solar power plants. The King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (a graduate and research University) has one the largest endowments of any university in the world (on the same scale as Harvard and Yale), and students are given a salary while they study (Saudi and non). The government subsidizes essential goods, such as water, bread, electricity, gas and even some telecommunications.

Keeping away

2011-12-24T09:57:00.000-05:00

Narrated Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman:

The people used to ask Allah's Apostle about good, but I used to ask him about evil for fear that it might overtake me. Once I said, "O Allah's Apostle! We were in ignorance and in evil and Allah has bestowed upon us the present good; will there by any evil after this good?" He said, "Yes." I asked, "Will there be good after that evil?" He said, "Yes, but it would be tained with Dakhan (i.e. Little evil)." I asked, "What will its Dakhan be?" He said, "There will be some people who will lead (people) according to principles other than my tradition. You will see their actions and disapprove of them." I said, "Will there by any evil after that good?" He said, "Yes, there will be some people who will invite others to the doors of Hell, and whoever accepts their invitation to it will be thrown in it (by them)." I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Describe those people to us." He said, "They will belong to us and speak our language" I asked, "What do you order me to do if such a thing should take place in my life?" He said, "Adhere to the group of Muslims and their Chief." I asked, "If there is neither a group (of Muslims) nor a chief (what shall I do)?" He said, "Keep away from all those different sects, even if you had to bite (i.e. eat) the root of a tree, till you meet Allah while you are still in that state."

Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 803, Vol. 4.

Knowledge International University

2011-12-22T12:08:00.000-05:00

Knowledge International University (KIU)

From the Website:

Knowledge International University was conceived and implemented in the fall of 2007 as a platform for providing accurate and balanced knowledge to the widest possible audience via the internet.

Providing English speaking students the opportunity to study a degree in Islamic studies entirely online. Its main goal is to bring higher education to people who are unable to enroll in Studies programs at conventional universities.

In order to achieve this noble goal, KIU has gathered an international array of leading scholars of high repute to supervise and deliver academically sound curricula in the various traditional disciplines of learning.

How to Apply:

1. Go to the homepage and click on the link 'university portal', left hand side of the page
2. Scroll down around 2 thirds of the page and on the left hand side you will see 'Apply Now' 'Click here'
3. Then the application form comes up and obviously you have to fill it in.

Make sure you have the following ready to attach to the application form:

1. An electronic copy of your passport sized photo (male only)
2. A scanned copy of your iqama or passport
3. A scanned copy of your secondary school certificate, or I think a degree or postgraduate degree will suffice

Repentance

2011-12-20T19:13:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

While I was with the Prophet a man came and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have committed a legally punishable sin; please inflict the legal punishment on me'.' The Prophet did not ask him what he had done. Then the time for the prayer became due and the man offered prayer along with the Prophet , and when the Prophet had finished his prayer, the man again got up and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have committed a legally punishable sin; please inflict the punishment on me according to Allah's Laws." The Prophet said, "Haven't you prayed with us?' He said, "Yes." The Prophet said, "Allah has forgiven your sin." or said, "....your legally punishable sin."

Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 812. Vol. 8.

Rememberance

2011-12-18T06:43:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Narrated Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him:

Allah 's Messenger [peace and blessings be upon him] said, "Allah has some angels who look for those who celebrate the Praises of Allah on the roads and paths. And when they find some people celebrating the Praises of Allah, they call each other, saying, "Come to the object of your pursuit.' " He added, "Then the angels encircle them with their wings up to the sky of the world." He added. "(after those people celebrated the Praises of Allah, and the angels go back), their Lord, asks them (those angels), though He knows better than them, 'What do My slaves say?' The angels reply, 'They say: Subhan Allah, Allahu Akbar, and Alham-du-lillah, Allah then says 'Did they see Me?' The angels reply, 'No! By Allah, they didn't see You.'

Allah says, How it would have been if they saw Me?' The angels reply, 'If they saw You, they would worship You more devoutly and celebrate Your Glory more deeply, and declare Your freedom from any resemblance to anything more often.' Allah says (to the angels), 'What do they ask Me for?' The angels reply, 'They ask You for Paradise.' Allah says (to the angels), 'Did they see it?' The angels say, 'No! By Allah, O Lord! They did not see it.' Allah says, How it would have been if they saw it?' The angels say, 'If they saw it, they would have greater covetousness for it and would seek It with greater zeal and would have greater desire for it.' Allah says, 'From what do they seek refuge?' The angels reply, 'They seek refuge from the (Hell) Fire.' Allah says, 'Did they see it?' The angels say, 'No By Allah, O Lord! They did not see it.' Allah says, How it would have been if they saw it?' The angels say, 'If they saw it they would flee from it with the extreme fleeing and would have extreme fear from it.' Then Allah says, 'I make you witnesses that I have forgiven them."'

Allah's Apostle added, "One of the angels would say, 'There was so-and-so amongst them, and he was not one of them, but he had just come for some need.' Allah would say, 'These are those people whose companions will not be reduced to misery.' "

Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 417, Vol. 8.

Clearing the way

2011-12-16T06:20:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Allah's Messenger, may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil, said:

"While a man was going on his way he saw a thorny branch and removed it from the way and Allah became pleased by his action and forgave him for that."

Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 624, Vol. 1.

On Being Consistent

2011-12-14T15:37:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Smoking has been ruled as forbidden (haram) by a vast majority of scholars and across the diverse spectrums of understanding in Islam (see footnote below for a selected representation of that great diversity agreeing upon this ruling).[1] It ought to be noted that some, in particular of the Hanafiyyah, scholars disagree and rule that smoking is highly disliked (makrooh tahreemi).[2]

Smoking was not a practice known during the time of the Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil. Thus, our scholars must evaluate the role of smoking in light of the Qur’an and Prophetic traditions in order to determine the ruling regarding it. Generally speaking there are a number of approaches scholars have made in ruling that smoking is forbidden, they include:

1. Smoking is evil and all that is evil is forbidden. Allah says: “…He allows them all that is good and lawful and prohibits them as unlawful all that is evil...” (7:157).

2. Smoking leads to death. Since smoking causes cancer and cancer causes death, therefore smoking is forbidden. Allah says: “And do not kill yourselves.” (4:29) and “And do not throw yourselves into destruction” (2:195).

3. Smoking is wasteful and therefore it is not allowed. Allah says: “And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully. Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful” (17:26-7).

4. Smoking inflicts harm upon others, and is therefore not allowed. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “There is no harming oneself nor harming others” (recorded in ibn Majah and Ahmad).

When we analyze the points mentioned above, we must consider some additional points. First, smoking does not always lead to cancer. Some people smoke for a long time and do not develop cancer. The U.S. Surgeon General said that smoking is a major factor in the development of many types of cancer; not that 100% of smokers will develop cancer. Furthermore, for those who do develop cancer there is no indication of how much smoking will lead to that. Some develop cancer after a few years and some after many decades. Furthermore, not all cancer results in death. Thus, it is the high probability of danger and/or death that leads to smoking being forbidden (or highly disliked).

Having demonstrated that high probability of causing harm onto the self, onto others and causing waste is widely used as a reason to give a ruing of forbidden I think our beloved and dear scholars ought to also consider the use some of the following (and many more not mentioned):

1. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, or DDT (a pesticide that kills insects, environments, animals and humans)

2. Chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs (a polluting chemical that destroys the ozone layer)

3. Asbestos fibers in construction (causes cancer)

4. Bisphenol-A (chemical used in some plastics, linked to causing cancers)

5. Lead in paint and toys (damages childhood development)

6. Phthalate (chemical used to make plastic flexible, causes cancer and birth defects)

Due note that all of these above-mentioned suggestions have viable alternatives, so the benefit one might get from such use can easily be achieved with a replacement product; therefore, we are not using them in the case of necessity.

Also, it might be thought that these chemicals are never used by the average person, in the same way that cigarettes are, and therefore they are of less importance. However, that is sadly not the case. I have listed specific chemicals so as to be as specific as possible, and unfortunately these chemicals are routinely found in many products that we use and/or ingest. I have refrained from mentioning specific products as that is not the objective of this article, rather the aim is to encourage discussion on being consistent and raising awareness on the point that many commonly used items, beyond and including cigarettes, have a high probability of causing harm to the self, to others and/or are wasteful.

[1] Examples of this are the rulings given by: the Supreme Council of Darul Ifta of the Philippines, Dr. Ibrahim B. Syed, the Grand Mufti of Singapore, ibn Baz, Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Aal-ish Shaykh, various authorities representing al-Azhar, Muhammad al-Jibaly, Yusuf al Qaradawi, Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid, along with a variety of well-known dawah and fatawa websites.

[2] For reference regarding this opinion the ruling given by the Mufti Ebrahim Desai can be found on his website.

Lobbying

2011-12-13T04:22:00.000-05:00

A blogger at Forbes recently covered the work of the FloridaFamily Association, who are working to ensure that companies pull theiradvertising (hence some kind of support) for the TV show All-American Muslim,running on TLC. Thus far the group claims to have succeeded with 65 of 67companies it has pressured.

“The FFA’s statement onthe matter reads: ‘‘All-American Muslim’ is propaganda clearly designed tocounter legitimate and present-day concerns about many Muslims who areadvancing Islamic fundamentalism and Sharia law… The show profiles only Muslimsthat appear to be ordinary folks while excluding many Islamic believers whose agendaposes a clear and present danger to the liberties and traditional values thatthe majority of Americans cherish.’”

By the way, that is a 97% success rate. Clearly companies are reacting, and in some part agreeing, to the claims made by the FFA.

Full article.

Believers

2011-12-12T06:04:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"A faithful believer to a faithful believer is like the bricks of a wall, supporting and reinforcing each other." While the Prophet clasped his hands by interlacing his fingers.

Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 468, Vol. 1.

al Nu'man ibn Bashir, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil, said:

"You see the believers being merciful among themselves, showing love among themselves and being kind among themselves resembling a body, so that, if any part of the body is not well, then the whole body shares the sleeplessness and fever with it."

Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 40, Vol. 8.

Ordered and Forbade

2011-12-10T14:59:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

al Barra' ibn Azib, may Allah have mercy on him, narrated:

Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered us to do seven things and forbade us from seven. He ordered us to visit the sick, to follow funeral processions, [blessings] to the one who sneezes, to accept invitations, to propagate salaam, to help the oppressed, and to help others fulfill their oaths. He forbade us to wear gold rings, to drink in silver, to use mayathir [silken carpets for saddles], to wear al qissi [kind of silk cloth], to wear silk, dibaj or istabraq [kinds of silk]."

Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 539, Vol. 7.

Ethical Oil

2011-12-08T14:07:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

With unconventional energy sources and large reserves of Canadian tar sands there is much controversy regarding Middle East oil being imported into the United States. The claim is basically that Canadian oil is the "ethical" choice in order to remove dependence and support for Middle Eastern governments, and specifically Saudi Arabia.

One claim that is often cited in this argument is that Saudi Arabia was recently taken to court in the United States for funding terrorists and terrorism, specifically al Qaeda. Thus, they say, Americans ought not buy oil from that country. First and foremost Saudi Arabia is to be considered innocent until proven guilty. Second, that court case was dropped and Saudi Arabia was not found guilty of any wrongdoing. However, we continue to see, hear and read this point in the "ethical oil" debates (further details below).

It is also interesting to have a look at how "ethical" the Canadian tar sands oil actually is. I don't mean this point as a red herring, but am just curious if such people are really serious about wanting an ethical option for energy. If we want oil to be ethical, it must also apply to Canada and its tremendously dirty oil that is destroying Canada's largest watershed, harming human health and irreversibly ruining the wider environment (see documentary below).

Furthermore, the argument for Americans not to buy Saudi oil is becoming a mute point as Saudi sells less and less oil to the US. In fact, around 40% of US oil is sourced from the US itself, following that the largest source of imported oil is already Canada. Saudi Arabia provides a similar amount as Mexico and Venezuela contributes about as much as Nigeria. If we are talking about the ethics of oil, Nigerian oil is horrific (Nigeria is one of the top five sources of US imported oil). Shell admitted guilt of attempting to bribe the Nigerian government, has settled out of court for the deaths of activists protesting against its destruction of the Niger delta and is currently being taken to court for continuing to flare gas despite the Nigerian government ruling it unlawful.

My point is consistency. We should work for energy solutions that are ethical, and I am certainly not against that noble pursuit. Rather, it is important to keep fact and fiction clear lest we become misinformed by such claims.

Follow-up:

Documentaries:
Canadian Tar Sands
Nigerian Flaring

Books:
Tar Sands

Websites:
Court case against Saudi Arabia dropped
US Oil Imports

Facilitate Things ....

2011-12-06T18:11:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

abu Burda, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, sent his father [abu Musa] and Mu'adh to Yemen and said to them both: "Facilitate things for the people, do not make things difficult, give good tidings, do not repulse them and both of you should obey each other." (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 632, Vol. 5)

Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: The Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil, said: "Facilitate things for people, do not make it hard for them, give them good tidings and do not make them run away." (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 69, Vol. 1)

Generosity

2011-12-04T17:05:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

abu Shurayh al Adawi, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: My ears heard and my eyes saw the Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] when he spoke: "Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should serve his neighbor generously, and whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should entertain his guest by giving him his reward." I asked: "What is his reward, O' Allah's Messenger?" He said: "For a day and a night with high quality food and the guest has a right to be entertained for three days and if he stays longer, what he will be provided with will be regarded as charity. And whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet."

Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 48, Vol. 8.

Innovations

2011-12-02T16:55:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated that the Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil, said: "If somebody innovates something which is not present in our religion then that thing will be rejected." (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 861, Vol. 3).

Note that this narration says "thing" not "person" so let us be merciful with the believers and each others, and not reject one another.

Reminder

2011-11-30T08:49:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Narrated al Mughira ibn Shu'ba (may Allah be pleased with her): The Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] said: "Allah has forbidden for you: to be undutiful to your mothers, to bury your daughters alive, to not pay the rights of others, and to beg of men. And Allah has hated for you: Useless talk, to ask too many questions, and to waste wealth."

Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 59, Vol. 3.

Wills

2011-11-28T23:15:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

Allah's Messenger [peace and blessings be upon him] said: "It is not permissible for any Muslim who has something to will, to stay for two nights without having his last will and testament written and kept ready with him."

Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 1, Vol. 4.

Leave what is doubtful

2011-11-26T14:40:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

On the authority of al Nu'man ibn Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him) the Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), as reported in Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, said:

"Both legal and illegal things are evident, but in between them there are doubtful [unclear] things, and most people have no knowledge about them. So whoever saves himself from these doubtful things saves his religion and his honour. And, whoever indulges in these doubtful (unclear) things is like a shepherd who grazes near the Hima [private lands] of someone else, and at any moment he is liable to get into it. Beware. Every king has a Hima and the Hima of Allah on Earth are His illegal [forbidden] things. Beware. There is a piece of flesh in the body, if it becomes good the whole body becomes good, but if it is spoilt the whole body gets spoilt; and that piece of flesh is the heart."

Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 49. Vol. 1.

State of a place ...

2011-11-24T22:02:00.000-05:00

ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The state of a place reflects the state of a person. It is possible to be sometimes a Muslim and at other times a disbeliever; sometimes sincere and at other times hypocritical; sometimes good and pious and at other times rotten and corrupt. Thus, a person becomes like the place of his abode. The migration of a person from a land of disbelief and profanity to one of faith and probity is an expression of repentance and of his turning away from disobedience and perversion to belief and obedience. This is so until the Day of Resurrection.”

Majmoo’ul Fataawaa 18/284

Credit: SOS Help Blog

Planting

2011-11-22T12:14:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings be upon him] said: “There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird or a person or an animal eats from it, but it is regarded as an act of charity for him.” (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 513, Vol. 3)

Imposing Upon Others

2011-11-20T20:13:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

What about the people who stipulate things which are not present in Allah’s Laws?

Aisha [may Allah be pleased with her] narrates that Barira came to seek her help in her writing of emancipation and that time she had not paid anything of it. Aisha said to her: “Go back to your masters and if they agree that I will pay the amount of your writing of emancipation and get your wala [a form of relationship] I will do so.” Barira informed her master of that but they refused and said: “If she is seeking Allah’s reward, then she can do so, but your wala will be for us.” Aisha mentioned that to Allah’s Messenger [may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil] who said to her: “Buy and manumit her, as the wala is for the liberator.” Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings be upon him] then got up and said: “What about the people who stipulate things which are not present in Allah’s Laws? Whoever imposes conditions which are not present in Allah’s Laws, then those conditions will be invalid, even if he imposed those conditions a hundred times. Allah’s conditions are the Truth and are more solid.” (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 735, Vol. 3)

Conditions of Marriage

2011-11-18T12:12:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Uqba ibn Amir [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings be upon him] said: “From among all the conditions you have to fulfill, he conditions which make it legal for you to have sexual relations [i.e. marriage contract] have the greatest right to be fulfilled.” (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 882, Vol. 3).

Excessiveness

2011-11-16T20:10:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Anas ibn Malik [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated: A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] asking how the Prophet worshipped, and when they were informed about that they considered their worship insufficient and said: “Where are we from the Prophet and his past and future sins have been forgiven.” Then one of them said: “I will offer prayers throughout the night forever.” The other said: “I will observe fasting throughout the year and will not break my fast.” The third said: “I will keep away from women and will never marry.” Allah’s Messenger [may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil] came to them and said: “Are you the same people who said such and such? By Allah, I am more submissive to Allah and more afraid of Him them you; yet, I observe fasting and also do not fast, I offer prayers and also sleep, and I also marry women. So, he who does not follow my sunnah (way) in religion is not from me.”

Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 1,Vol. 7.

Al Madinah (part 2)

2011-11-14T08:42:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Narrated abu Hurayrah [may Allah be pleased with him]: Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings be upon him] said: “I was ordered to migrate to a town which will swallow [conquer] other towns and is called Yathrib and that is al Madinah, and it turns out bad persons as a furnace removes the impurities of iron.” (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 95, Vol. 3)

Narrated Zayd ibn Thabit [may Allah be pleased with him]: The Prophet [may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil] said: It [al Madinah] it tayabah [good, it removes impurities as the fire removes impurities from silver.” (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 113, Vol. 6)

Narrated Sa’d ibn abi Waqqas [may Allah be pleased with him]: I heard the Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] saying: “None plots against the people of al Madinah but that he will be dissolved like salt is dissolved in water.” (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 101, Vol. 3)

Narrated Sufyan ibn Zuhaur [may Allah be pleased with him]: I heard Allah’s Messenger [may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil] saying: “Yemen will be conquered and some people will migrate there [from al Madinah] and will urge their families and those who will obey them to migrate, although al Madinah will be better for them. Sham will also be conquered and some people will migrate there [from al Madinah] and will urge their families and those who will obey them to migrate, although al Madinah will be better for them, if they but knew. Iraq will be conquered and some people will migrate [from al Madinah] and will urge their families and those who will obey them to migrate there, although al Madinah will be better for them, if they but knew.” (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 99, Vol. 3)

*All narrations mentioned above are also recorded in Sahih Muslim, I’ve provided the reference for Sahih al Bukhari only, however.

Al Madinah (part 1)

2011-11-12T05:40:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Narrated Abdullah ibn Zaid [may Allah be pleased with him]: The Prophet [may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil] said: “Prophet Ibraheem made Mekkah a sanctuary and asked for Allah’s blessings in it. I made al Madinah a sanctuary and I asked for Allah’s blessings in its measure - the mudd and the saa – as Ibraheem did for Mekkah.” (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 339, Vol. 3)

Narrated Asim [may Allah be pleased with him]: I asked Anas [may Allah be pleased with him]: “Did Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings be upon him] make al Madinah a sanctuary?” He replied: “Yes. From such and such a place to such and such place. It is forbidden to cut trees, and whoever innovates a heresy in it or commits a sin therein will incur the Curse of Allah, the Angels and all the people.” Then Musa ibn Anas added: “… or gives refuge to such and such a heretic or a sinner…” (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 409, Vol. 9)

Narrated Anas [may Allah be pleased with him]: The Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] said: “Oh Allah! Bestow on al Madinah twice the blessings You bestowed on Mekkah.” (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 109, Vol. 3)

Narrated Aisha [may Allah be pleased with her]: The Prophet [may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil] said: “Oh Allah! Make us love al Madinah as You made us love Mekkah, or more. And transfer the fever that is in it to al Juhfa. Oh Allah! Bless our mudd and saa [kinds of measures]. (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 383, Vol. 8)

Narrated abu Hurayrah [may Allah be pleased with him]: Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings be upon him] said: “There are angels guarding the entrances of al Madinah, plague and the Dajjal will not enter it.” (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 104, Vol. 3)

*All narrations mentioned above are also recorded in Sahih Muslim, I’ve provided the reference for Sahih al Bukhari only, however.

Hajj

2011-11-10T05:39:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Regarding Hajj and Umrah, the Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil said: “Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one. And the reward for al Hajj al Mabrur [an accepted Hajj] is nothing by Paradise.” (Narrated in Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 1, Nol. 3).

Wisdom

2011-11-08T08:39:00.000-05:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Often times we think that doing something that is right ought to always be done, even if it is not approved of by others. Many times this is the case. For example, even if some disapprove we continue to offer prayers. Yet, this approach needs to be tendered by wisdom. Our best example of such is the beloved Prophet Muhammad, may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil.

In the two greatest of Prophetic narrations, Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, we find narrations coming to us from Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, describing how the position, size and structure of the Ka’ba is not as it was when build by Ibrahim (peace be upon him), but rather was altered slightly when it was rebuilt by the Quraysh due to their financial condition at the time. There are several narrations that describe the way in which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would have rebuilt the Ka’ba, however there is one narration that related to this particular discussion, it reads:

Narrated Aisha [may Allah be pleased with her]: I asked the Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] whether the round wall was part of the Ka’ba. The Prophet [may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil] replied in the affirmative. I further said: “What is wrong with them, why have they not included it in the building of the Ka’ba?” He said: “Don’t you know that your people [the Quraysh] ran short of money [so they could not include it in the building]?” I asked: “What about its gate? Why is it so high?” He replied: “Your people did this so as to admit into it whomever they liked and prevent whomever they liked. Were your people not close to the Period of Ignorance [i.e. recently embracing Islam] and were I not afraid that they would dislike it, surely I would have included the wall inside the building of the Ka’ba and I would have lowered its gate to the level of the ground.”

This narration is reported in Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth number 654 in Volume 2. Notice that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, clearly states that one of the reasons he did not correct the House of Allah to its original position, proportions and size was that he feared the reaction of others, in particular on how it would affect their belief. SubhanAllah. May Allah bless us to be among those who have wisdom and deal with others with wisdom. May Allah make clear for us when to stand for the Truth and when to make exceptions and sacrifices for the betterment of the community.

Criticism

2011-10-20T15:51:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Within Islamic scholarship there exist a variety of valid opinions, many of which we support and reject the alternative. Unfortunately this leads to a lack of understanding and unity as we hold strongly to a single opinion, even when other valid opinions exist. I thought the following narration, regarding one area wherein people differ, would be telling on how one ought to act in such a situation:

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: We used to travel with the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) and neither did the persons observing the fast criticize those who were not observing the fast, nor did those who were not observing the fast criticize the ones who were observing the fast.

This is narrated in both Sahih Muslim and Sahih al Bukhari, it can be found in Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 168, Vol. 3).

Worldly Blessings

2011-10-18T12:38:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "The thing I am afraid of most for your sake is the worldly blessings which Allah will bring forth to you." It was said, "What are the blessings of this world?" The Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) said, "The pleasures of the world." A man said, "Can the good bring forth evil?" The Prophet kept quiet for a while till we thought that he was being inspired divinely. Then he started removing the sweat from his forehead and said,"Where is the questioner?" That man said, "I (am present)." Abu Sa'id added: We thanked the man when the result (of his question) was such. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Good never brings forth but good. This wealth (of the world) is (like) green and sweet (fruit), and all the vegetation which grows on the bank of a stream either kills or nearly kills the animal that eats too much of it, except the animal that eats the Khadira (a kind of vegetation). Such an animal eats till its stomach is full and then it faces the sun and starts ruminating and then it passes out dung and urine and goes to eat again. This worldly wealth is (like) sweet (fruit), and if a person earns it (the wealth) in a legal way and spends it properly, then it is an excellent helper, and whoever earns it in an illegal way, he will be like the one who eats but is never satisfied." (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 435, Vol. 8)

Son of Adam

2011-10-16T19:25:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah's Messenger (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) said: "If the son of Adam had a valley full of gold, he would like to have two valleys, for nothing fills his mouth except dust [meaning death]. And Allah forgives him who begs for His pardon." (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 447, Vol. 8)

abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Wealth does not mean having a great amount of property, but wealth is self-contentment." (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 453, Vol. 8)

Allah will give shade ....

2011-10-14T19:12:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) said:

"Allah will give shade to seven on the Day when there will be no shade but His. [They are]: A just ruler; A youth who has been brought up in the worship of Allah; A man whose heart is attached to the masajid; Two persons who love each other only for Allah's sake, and they meet and part in Allah's cause only; A man who refuses the call of a charming woman of noble birth for adultery with her and says: 'I fear Allah'; A man who gives charitable gifts so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given; and, A person who remembers Allah in seclusion and his eyes become flooded with tears." (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 629, Vol. 1)

Metaphors & Giving

2011-10-12T05:54:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from Allah's Messenger (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) a metaphor of a miser and a charitable person by comparing them to two men wearing two iron cloaks and their hands were raised to their breasts and necks. Whenever the charitable man tries to give a gift, his iron cloak expands till it becomes so wide that it will cover his finger tips and obliterate his tracks. And whenever the miser wants to give a charitable gift, his cloak becomes very tight over him and every ring gets stick to its place. abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) added: "I saw Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) putting his finger in the chest [pocket] of his shirt like that. If you but saw him trying to widen [the opening] but it did not widen." (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 689, Vol. 7)

Sometimes we wonder when to give and when not to give, as we tend to judge those who are seeking charity, second guessing their need. abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that:

Allah's Messenger [may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil] said: "A man said that he would give something in charity. He went out with his object of charity and unknowingly gave it to a thief. The next morning the people said that he had given his object of charity to a thief. He said: 'Oh Allah! All praises and thanks are for You. I will give alms again.' And so he went again out with his alms and unknowingly gave it to an adulteress. The next morning the people said that he had given his alms to a adulteress the previous night. He said: 'Oh Allah! All praises and thanks are for You. [I gave my alms] to an adulteress, I will give alms again.' And so he went again out with his alms and [unknowingly] gave it to a rich person. [The people] the next morning said that he had given his alms to a wealthy person. He said: 'Oh Allah! All the praises and thanks are due to You. [I had given my alms] to a thief, to an adulteress and to a wealthy man.' Then someone came and said to him: 'The alms which you gave to the thief might make him abstain from stealing, and that given to an adulteress might make her abstain from adultery, and that given to the wealthy man might make him take a lesson from it and spend his wealth which Allah has given him in Allah's cause.'" (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 502, Vol. 2)

Being Charitable

2011-10-10T18:48:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

First and foremost, what is charity?

abu Musa [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated: The Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] said: "On every Muslim there is enjoined sadaqa." They asked: "If one owns nothing?" He said: "He should work with his hands so that he may benefit himself and give in charity." They said: "If he cannot work or does not work?" He said: "Then he should help the oppressed unhappy person." They said: "If he does not do it?" He said: "Then he should enjoin what is good." They said: "If he does not do that?" He said: "He should refrain from doing evil, for that will be considered for him as a sadaqa." (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 51, Vol. 8)

An exhortation to be charitable:

abu Hurayra [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated: Allah's Messenger [may Allah honor his mention and protect him from every evil] said: "Allah said: 'Spend and I shall spend on you.'" He also said: "Allah's Hand is full, and is not affected by the continuous spending night and day." He also said: "Do you see what He has spent since He created the heavens and the Earth? Nevertheless, what is in His Hand is not decreased, and His Throne was on the water and in His Hand there is the balance, whereby He raises and lowers [people].(Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 206, Vol. 6)

May Allah make us of those who are continuously charitable.

Prayer

2011-10-08T20:12:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; the Merciful, the Compassionate.

abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: I heard Allah's Messenger [peace and blessings be upon him] saying: "If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day, would you notice any dirt on him?" They said: "Not a trace of dirt would be left." The Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] added: "That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots [annuls] our evil deeds." (Reported in Sahih al Bukhari, Vol. 1, No. 506)

abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Prophet [may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil] said: "Allah will prepare for him who goes to the mosque [every] morning and in the afternoon an honorable place in Paradise with good hospitality for every morning and afternoon goings." (Reported in Sahih al Bukhari, Vol. 1, No. 631)

Malik ibn Huwayrith (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: I came to the Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] with some men from my tribe and stayed with him for twenty nights. He was kind of merciful to us. When he realized our longing for our families, he said to us: "Go back and stay with your families and teach them, and offer the prayers and one of you should pronounce the call to prayer for prayer when its time is due, and the oldest one amongst you should lead the prayer." (Reported in Sahih al Bukhari, Vol. 1, No. 601)

Volunteer Online

2011-10-06T18:19:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

Maybe we could all use our free time to help the poor by volunteering online. The following link is a portal for organizations to list their needs for volunteers. You can more or less choose any country and select which organization and roles you prefer. The site is here. Another volunteering portal can be found here. Or, you can do some online volunteering for dawah (here).

For example, currently there are listings for: Help developing a project proposal to support orphans in Cameroon, help build a website for a Kenyan organization supporting rural development, volunteer coordination for an organization supporting orphans in 13 countries, and so on and so forth. You can find locally-based organizations run by Muslims listed or you can list yourself as a potential volunteer and outline your abilities and interests.

May Allah guide us to what is best.

Yemen

2011-10-04T08:51:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate:

Narrations that are agreed upon in Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim regarding the land and people of Yemen:

Uqba ibn Amr and abu Masud (may Allah be pleased with them) narrate: Allah's Messenger (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) pointed with his hand towards Yemen and said: "True belief is Yemenite yonder, but sternness and mercilessness are the qualities of those rural Bedouins who are busy with their camels and pay no attention to the religion" [Then pointing towards the east said] "There, from where comes out the two sides of the head of Shaytan, namely the tribe of Rabiá and Mudar." (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 521, Vol. 4)

abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Pride and arrogance are characteristics of the rural bedouins, while modesty and gentleness is found among the owners of sheep. Belief is Yemenite and wisdom is also Yemenite. (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 703, Vol. 4)

Superior Deeds

2011-10-02T15:47:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

The following narrations relate to the best things, or best deeds in Islam. Both narrations are found in both Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim:

Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: A man asked the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil): "Whose Islam is good, or what sort of deeds of Islam are good?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "To feed others and to greet those whom you know and those whom you don't know." (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth No. 11, Vol. 1)

abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Some people asked Allah's Messenger (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) "Whose Islam is the best?" He replied: "One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands." (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth No. 10, Vol. 1).

May Allah make us among those.

Zuhd

2011-09-30T04:33:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

Al-Hasan Al-Basrî – Allah have mercy on him – said:

When a man sought knowledge, it would not be long before it could be seen in his humbleness, his sight, upon his tongue and his hands, in his prayer, in his speech and in his disinterest (zuhd) in worldly allurements. And a man would acquire a portion of knowledge and put it into practice, and it would be better for him than the world and all it contains – if he owned it he would give it in exchange for the hereafter.

Ibn Al-Mubârak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqâ`iq Vol.1 p.156.

Family

2011-09-28T21:08:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

InshaAllah the following two narrations will provide us much food for reflection and need little commentary. They are both regarding keeping good relations with family and the prohibition of severing ties. Both of these narrations are found in Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim:

Jubayr ibn Mut'im (may Allah be pleased with him) heard the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) saying: "Qaati' will not enter Paradise" [Qaati' is the person who severs the bond of kinship]. (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 13, Vol. 8).

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) heard Allah's Messenger (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) saying: "Whoever desires an expansion in his sustenance and age should keep good relations with his kith and kin." (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadeeth 281, Vol. 3).

May Allah make of us those who keep good relations with our family.

Palestine

2011-09-26T10:08:00.000-04:00

MIT professor and most cited living person, Noam Chomsky, writes in the book Chomsky on Mis-Education (2000, p. 68-69) on the situation in the occupied territories of Palestine:

"Israel is free to use its phenomenal U.S. aid to send its military forces to conduct the regular operations described in the Israeli press (but rarely here) ... To bar supplies from refugee camps where there is a "serious lack of food." To beat young prisoners so severely that a military doctor in the Ansar 2 detention camp refuses to admit them, one lying "battered and motionless for an hour and a half, surrounded by soldiers, without receiving any medical treatment", "dumped" from a jeep on the way to the hospital and "brutally beaten" again "in front of dozens of soldiers" (one was allegedly censured). To break into a home and drag out a seven-year-old boy who had been hiding under his bed, then "beat him up savagely in front of his parents and the family", then to beat the father and brother too because they did not reveal the hiding place of the child, while the other children scream hysterically and the "mother cannot calm them because she is told not to move."

"And to mercilessly beat children of age five and up, sometimes three or four soldiers with sticks, "until [their] hands and legs are broken" or to spray gas directly into their eyes. These are among the horror stories that soldiers report from the miserable Jabaliya refugee camp, where the army has "succeeded in breaking them" so that "they are totally crushed, weak and tired." To rake a boy twelve to fifteen years old over barbed wire "in order to injure him" as prisoners arrive at the Dahariya prison, with no reaction by the officer observing, after vicious beatings of prisoners en route with clubs, plastic pipes, and handcuffs while their commanding officer looked on ("Israeli buses have become torture chambers" Knesset member Dedi Zucker reports, citing these and other atrocities).

"To rampage freely through Jericho, breaking into houses, smashing furniture, and humiliating residents. To "run amok" through the Amari refugee camp, "knocking down doors, breaking into houses, smashing furniture and beating residents, including children," then beating the ambulance driver who arrived on the scene after dragging him by his hair - an elite paratroop unit in this case, marauding with no provocation according to witnesses. To jail a prisoner "in perfect health," leaving him "paralyzed and dumb", "apparently the result of severe beatings and torture...he suffered while in detention" at the Jenin interrogation center ....

"...And on and on."

Make du'a.

Soften the Heart

2011-09-24T12:14:00.000-04:00

Reminders from Shaykh Shanqeeti on softening the heart (3 parts):

Burqa / Niqab Ban (France)

2011-09-22T16:20:00.000-04:00

What the Burqa / Niqab ban means in France for those who choose to wear it:

Ahmas, 32, French, a divorced single mother of a three-year-old daughter, puts her handbag on the table and takes out a pepper spray and attack alarm. She doesn't live on the high-rise estates but on a quiet street of semi-detached houses. The last time she was attacked in the street a man and woman punched her in front of her daughter, called her a whore and told her to go back to Afghanistan. "My quality of life has seriously deteriorated since the ban. In my head, I have to prepare for war every time I step outside, prepare to come up against people who want to put a bullet in my head. The politicians claimed they were liberating us; what they've done is to exclude us from the social sphere. Before this law, I never asked myself whether I'd be able to make it to a cafe or collect documents from a town hall. One politician in favour of the ban said niqabs were 'walking prisons'. Well, that's exactly where we've been stuck by this law."

Before the law, Stephanie [a former law student and convert to Islam] would often be called names like "Batman, Zorro, or Ninja" in the street - often by pensioners. Now people favour swear words or sexual insults. She wants to work with children, but despite having a degree in theology, she can't find a job.

Full article.

Worldly Riches

2011-09-20T04:28:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

It was narrated that ‘Amr ibn ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) said:

“Allah, it is not poverty that I fear for you, rather what I fear for you is that worldly riches may be given to you as they were given to those who came before you, and you will compete for them with one another as they competed with one another, and you will be destroyed as they were destroyed.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari (2988) and Muslim (2961)

Muslims Unwelcome

2011-09-18T17:44:00.000-04:00

CNN (March, 2011):

"Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door" examines a city in middle Tennessee that is torn apart by fear and suspicion as residents fight to block the construction of a large Islamic center. From New York to California, since Sept. 11, 2001, fears of radical Islam, terrorism and "Sharia law" have fueled opposition to mosque projects and launched a national debate around religious freedom protections. Murfreesboro, Tennessee has just over 100,000 people, 140+ churches, and one mosque. For decades, Muslims have lived and prayed in Murfreesboro without incident, but last May, when the Muslim community gained county approval to build a new 52,000 square foot Islamic center in town, hundreds of Murfreesboro residents took to the streets in protest. CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O'Brien chronicles the dramatic fight to block the mosque project in Murfreesboro and the fight over religious freedom; a fight that would ultimately include protests, vandalism, arson and an explosive lawsuit that would involve the U.S. Department of Justice.

University in Madinah

2011-09-16T08:49:00.000-04:00

FYI:

Some resources on applying for studies at the University in Madinah:

For American students (and plenty of general information):

American Students at the IUM (Islamic University of Madinah) who volunteer to serve the

American student body. Our services include:

Assisting prospective students with information in regards to applying to the university in a systematic and up to date manner
Aiding current students in having a more pleasant and successful stay for the duration of their study in Madinah
Be a resource for all interested with any and all inquiries they might have about Madinah University

And for Canadians:

This site is designed primarily for Canadians seeking information about the Islamic University of Madinah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Due to the vast differences between Canadian standards and life in the Middle East, it can sometimes be quite difficult to find clear-cut information when it is needed. Thus, the purpose of this site is to make matters easier by providing detailed information and step-by-step instructions...

inshaAllah they are of benefit.

Rewards of Prayer

2011-09-14T02:36:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

Whoever prays twelve units of prayer voluntarily in a day and night, Allah will build him a house in Paradise. (Muslim)

Whoever observes four rakaat before dhuhr prayer, and four rakaat after prayer, the fire will not touch him. (Abu Dawud)

Whoever stands in night prayer and recites ten verses will not be written as a heedless person. And whoever recites 100 verses will be written as a devout slave. And whoever recites 1000 verses will be written as one who has mountains of good deeds. (Abu Dawud)

The voluntary prayer of a man where no one can see him is 25 times greater than voluntary prayer in front of the people. (Abu Ya’la)

Verily, Allah and His angels pray for the ones who fill in (or complete) the rows [in prayer], and whoever fills in a gap, Allah will raise his status because of it and will build a house for him in Paradise. (Ahmad)

“Whoever prays to Allah for forty days in congregation, not missing the first takbeer (of prayer), he will be recorded as being free from two things: free from the Fire and free from hypocrisy. (Tirmidhi)

Credit: Suhaib Webb

Narrations of the Day

2011-09-12T20:03:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

If a Muslim plants a tree, or sows a field and men and beasts and birds eat from it, all of it is charity from him. (Muslim)

Whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will give him (help) and save him from asking others; Allah will make him self-sufficient.” (Bukhari)

May Allah give us stability on the diin.

Resource

2011-09-10T19:27:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

InshaAllah the following resource will be useful for both studies of the Qur'an and Arabic language.

Welcome to the Quranic Arabic Corpus, an annotated linguistic resource which shows the Arabic grammar, syntax and morphology for each word in the Holy Quran. Click on an Arabic word below to see details of the word's grammar, or to suggest a correction.

1. Quranic Arabic Corpus - Word by Word

2. Quran Dictionary

3. Quranic Arabic Corpus - Grammar, Syntax and Morphology.

Post-Ramadan Rewards

2011-09-08T12:57:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

Whoever reads Surah Ikhlas ten times, Allah will build a palace for him in Paradise. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) exclaimed, “If that’s the case, then we will increase in our palaces!” The Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) responded, “Allah is better and greater (in reward).” (Ahmad)

Whoever reads Ayatul Kursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing will keep him from Paradise except death. (Nasaa’i)

When you go to your beds at night, read Suratul Kafirun then sleep upon completing it, for it will be a protection from shirk. (Ahmad)

Whoever performs their ablution carefully and then affirms (their faith by testifying): “Ash-hadu an laa ilaha il Allah wahdahu laa shareeka lahu wa anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluhu; Allahumma-ja’lni min at-tawaabeen waj-a’lni min al-mutatahireen”: ‘I testify that there is no true deity except Allah Alone, Who has no partners, and that Muhammad [peace and blessings be upon him] is His slave and Messenger; O Allah, make me from those who repent and purify themselves’ – the eight gates of Jannah are opened for him so he may enter through whichever of these gates he desires (Tirmidhi)

Credit: Suhaib Webb

Al Muhaddithat

2011-09-06T12:53:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

InshaAllah this project (and set of books) will be of interest:

Al-Muhaddithat, an encyclopedic collection of biographies, is a ground-breaking account which unravels Muslim female scholarship throughout Islamic history. The importance of such a work lies in its ability to challenge historical and contemporary stereotypes of women and their role in religion, education and society.

The unprecedented 40-volume work, authored by Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwi, a renowned Islamic scholar and Oxford academic, details over 8,000 female narrators and teachers of hadith, dating from the 7th century to the present.

Website is here.

Somalia (updates)

2011-09-04T09:09:00.000-04:00

The United Nations is planning to announce Monday that the famine in Somalia has now spread to the Bay region of the south-central area of the country (full article).

Guardian: "The emergency unfolding in and around Somalia is being portrayed by many aid organisations and the media in one-dimensional terms, such as "famine in the Horn of Africa" or "worst drought in 60 years". But only blaming natural causes ignores the complex geopolitical realities exacerbating the situation and suggests that the solution lies in merely finding funds and shipping enough food. Glossing over the man-made causes of hunger and starvation in the region and the difficulties in addressing them will not help resolve the crisis." (full article)

Turkish Aid in the famine and beyond: "In the midst of all the dust and poor security measures, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been the only leader to visit Somalia together with his crowded delegation of Turkish politicians, celebrities, journalists and representatives of aid organisations...What is noteworthy in terms of Turkey's African opening is the sincere and strong public support in favour of Turkey's aid initiative for Africa. For instance, so far around $250m in donations have been sent to Somalia, collected mainly through public donations. The holy month of Ramadan played a significant part in arousing public sentiments for Somalia..." (full article).

Reports from MSF:

The head of an international medical charity has called on aid agencies to stop presenting a misleading picture of the famine in Somalia and admit that helping the worst-affected people is almost impossible.

The international president of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Dr Unni Karunakara, returned from Somalia last week and said that, even though there was chronic malnutrition and drought across east Africa, hardly any agencies were able to work inside war-torn Somalia, where the picture was "profoundly distressing". He condemned other organisations and the media for "glossing over" the reality in order to convince people that simply giving money for food was the answer.

According to Karunakara, agencies have been able to provide medical and nutritional care for tens of thousands in camps in Kenya and Ethiopia, which have been receiving huge numbers of refugees from Somalia. But trying to access those in the "epicentre" of the disaster has been slow and difficult. "We may have to live with the reality that we may never be able to reach the communities most in need of help," he said.

... Full article.

Turkey & the Gaza blockade

2011-09-04T02:21:00.000-04:00

AP reports:

ANKARA: Turkey is preparing to challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the foreign minister said Saturday, ratcheting up tensions between the once close allies.

Ahmet Davutoglu’s comments came a day after Turkey expelled the Israel’s ambassador and severed military ties with the country, angered over its refusal to apologize for last year’s deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that killed nine pro-Palestinian activists.

In an interview with Turkey’s state-run TRT television, Davutoglu dismissed a UN report into the raid that said Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza was a legal security measure. Davutoglu said the report — prepared by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer and former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, and presented to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon — was not endorsed by the UN and was therefore not binding.

“What is binding is the International Court of Justice,” Davutoglu said. “This is what we are saying: let the International Court of Justice decide.” “We are starting the necessary legal procedures this coming week,” he said.

Full article.

Qaddafi & the CIA

2011-09-04T02:17:00.000-04:00

Professor Juan Cole:

Human Rights Watch found documents in Libya after the fall of Muammar Qaddafi that it passed on to the Wall Street Journal, which is analyzing them. The WSJ reported today that the documents show that Qaddafi developed so warm a relationship with George W. Bush that Bush sent people he had kidnapped (“rendition”) to Libya to be “questioned” by Libya’s goons, and almost certainly to be tortured. The formal paperwork asked Libya to observe human rights, but Bush’s office also sent over a list of specific questions it wanted the Libyan interrogators to ask. Qaddafi also gave permission to the CIA from 2004 to establish a formal presence in the country.

Qaddafi had been on the outs with the West for decades, but was rehabilitated once he gave up his ‘weapons of mass destruction’ programs (Qaddafi had no unconventional weapons, and no obvious ability to develop them, so his turning over to Bush of a few rotting diagrams that had been buried was hardly a big deal.

...

Full article.

abu Taubah

2011-09-03T01:18:00.001-04:00

FYI: From the FIKS website:

On Tuesday, August 23, 2011, Abu Taubah was arrested by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. Abu Taubah is being held in a detention facility in Florida, while the Government follows its legal process. No doubt, this is a test for our Muslim Brother Abu Taubah and his Family. As it is prescribed for the Muslims who have the misfortune to live in kaafir states to unite, to form bonds amongst themselves and cooperate with one another, we ask that you assist us in defense of our esteemed teacher. Also, Abu Taubah is a US Citizen who is “assumed to be innocent until proven guilty”.

What should you do? Please donate generously to the “Abu Taubah Defense and Support Fund”. Your contributions will be used to pay for food, clothing and shelter for his Family, and Abu Taubah’s legal fees. Also, please make Duaa to Allah to Remove this Difficulty from Abu Taubah and his Family.

Islamophobia in the United States

2011-09-02T19:45:00.000-04:00

Islamophobia in the United States has grown in reach and vitriol in the past two years, as evidenced by citation of the writings of several prominent Islamophobes by Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik in his political manifesto, the introduction of anti-Sharia bills in 23 states, and anti-Muslim statements put forth by recent presidential candidates. A seminal report (pdf) released today by the Center for American Progress traces the rise and path of Islamophobia, exposing a small but widely influential group of funders of this network and revealing the underpinnings of how the anti-Muslim movement works.

The 130-page report, "Fear, Inc. The Roots of the Islamophobia Network in America," desribes a vast and methodical flourishing of Islamophobia, defined as "exaggerated fear, hatred, and hostility toward Islam and Muslims" that results in "bias, discrimination, and the marginalization and exclusion of Muslims from America's social, political, and civic life." The report pinpoints a money trail that funds the "experts" and "scholars" who guide grassroots activists, who in turn pepper the public landscape with media amplifiers, which shapes politicians who embrace the rhetoric and support anti-Muslim causes....The report reveals a $42 million-dollar industry that has been financed from seven conservative foundations over the past year, including Donors Capital Fund, the Anchorage Foundation, and the Fairbrook Foundation, to fund a small group of experts who move anti-Muslim rhetoric into public discourse. The key five Islamophobes, according to the report, are Steve Emerson (Investigative Project on Terrorism), Daniel Pipes (Middle East Forum), Frank Gaffney (Center for Security Policy), David Yerushalmi (Society of Americans for National Existence), and Robert Spencer (Jihad Watch, Stop Islamization of America). The second tier includes Brigitte Gabriel, David Horowitz, and Pamela Geller.
...

Full article here.

Arabic

2011-08-31T16:42:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

Some reminders from our early scholars and leaders regarding the importance of learning Arabic:

It is reported that Ubay b. Ka’b – Allâh be pleased with him – said, “Learn Arabic just as you learn to memorize the Qurân.” (Ibn Abî Shaybah, Al-Musannaf Vol.7 p150).

One of the reported instructions ‘Umar wrote to Abû Mûsâ Al-Ash’arî and those under his governance during the former’s Caliphate was, “Seek knowledge and understanding of (fiqh) the Sunnah and seek knowledge and understanding of Arabic.” (Ibn Abî Shaybah, Al-Musannaf Vol.6 p126).

It is reported that Ibn Shubrumah – Allâh have mercy on him – said, “Men have never worn a garment more beautiful than Arabic.” (Al-Bayhaqî, Shu’ab Al-Îmân Vol.4 p197).

Credit: Sayings of the Salaf

Ramadan Rewards

2011-08-29T02:15:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

Whenever a servant prostrates to Allah, Allah writes a reward for him, wipes out one of his sins and elevates his rank by one degree (ibn Majah)

Whoever prays fajr (morning prayer) in congregation then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two units of prayer has the reward like that of Hajj and Umrah (Tirmidhi)

Whoever is easy-going, gentle and kind, Allah will make the fire forbidden for him (Hakim)

Credit: Suhaib Webb

Children's Resource

2011-08-27T13:45:00.000-04:00

http://www.successfulbeginnings.org/

The Successful Beginnings Help Center commenced its revolutionary homeschooling movement via the web in 2009 with the simple belief that all children need a strong foundation in their deen and deserve the right resources to transform that need, into a reality.

SBHC offers a wide variety of classes with a focus on basic creed, and instilling the love of Allah, his Prophet (sal-lal-laa-hu 'alayhi wasal-lam) and our beautiful deen in to the hearts of our future generations. We hope to follow in the footsteps of the companions, and in doing so, teach our children the Quran with proper tajweed at an early age as well as the Hadith of our Prophet (sal-lal-laa-hu 'alayhi wasal-lam).

Here in the west, Arabic is a language widely unknown and so we feel the dire need and utmost importance to teach it to our future leaders and scholars. We believe joining this program at an early age will guarantee a concrete base for your child in these fundamental subjects as well as give them an advantage in their future schooling.

Through this program, we hope that they may acquire the key that will open doors of vast knowledge for them.

Somalia Updates

2011-08-25T13:43:00.001-04:00

Turkish PM and his wife visit Somalia and calls on us to do more.

Donor numbers and needs, updated weekly.

Timeline on the famine:

FEBRUARY 2011

17: Malnutrition has increased in the last six months in southern Somalia and more than 30 per cent of the population remain in crisis, UN under secretary general for humanitarian affairs, Valerie Amos, says after a visit to the region.
JUNE

9: The Dabaab refugee camp in eastern Kenya is facing a humanitarian emergency due to severe overcrowding, mainly with Somalis who have fled fighting back home, Doctors Without Borders says.

JULY

13: UNICEF delivers food and medical aid by plane to Baidoa in central Somalia, which is controlled by the Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab.
19: The death rate among drought-stricken Somalis arriving at a refugee camp in Ethiopia has reached several times above levels seen in emergency situations, the UN refugees agency says.
20: The UN officially declares famine in the southern Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions of southern Somalia.
22: Somalia's insurgent Shebab say a ban on foreign aid groups remains in force and rejects the UN declaration that parts of the country had been hit by famine.
24: The International Red Cross says it has handed out 400 tonnes of food in drought-hit parts of rebel-held southern Somalia.
25: The World Bank pledges more than $500 million (£300m) to aid the region, as United Nations aid chiefs meet in Rome to discuss ramping up relief efforts. Non-governmental organisations criticise the donors' efforts.
27: The World Food Programme begins airlifting emergency supplies to Mogadishu.
29: The UN says $2.4 billion is needed to help victims of the drought.

AUGUST

1: Tens of thousands of Somalis have already been killed by the famine and hundreds of thousands are threatened, according to the UN's Amos. In the Dabaab camp the UN children's agency UNICEF launches a mass vaccination against polio and measles.
2: Uganda may become the next country to fall victim to severe food shortages, the UN food agency warns.
3: Famine has spread to three new regions of Somalia. The three areas are the Afgoye corridor IDP settlement, the Mogadishu IDP community and in the Balaad and Adale districts of Middle Shabelle.
5: At least five people are killed when an armed gang raids a camp in the Somali capital and steals relief food.
6: Rebels says they have abandoned their positions in Mogadishu. On the 9 the government offers an open amnesty to remaining Shebab fighters.
10: The UN says about half the Somali population, about 3.7 million people, are now at risk from famine.
11: The US says it will increase its aid to $580 million.
17: Members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation promise to donate $350 million dollars to Somalia.
19: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits Mogadishu.

24: Famine is set to spread to two new southern Somali regions, the top UN humanitarian aid official for the country warns. The European Union says that the international community has a moral obligation to help the Horn of Africa, on the eve of a pledging conference organised by the African Union in the Ethiopian capital.

Traditional Madinah hospitality

2011-08-23T16:00:00.000-04:00

After Asr prayers, thousands of citizens and residents of Madinah wheel food carts into the Prophet's Mosque to serve iftar meals to millions of worshippers who gather in the sprawling prayer complex during Ramadan. (AN photo by Yousuf Muhammad)

By YOUSUF MUHAMMAD | ARAB NEWSPublished: Aug 18, 2011 23:04

MADINAH: Serving iftar meals to help visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque break their fast is part of the rich tradition of the people of Madinah that dates back to the period of the Prophet (peace be upon him). They lay out hundreds of thousands of iftar meals on sufras (plastic table spreads) to feed visitors to the mosque every evening throughout the holy month.

These sufras, which make the longest dining table on the face of the earth, in a way reflect the immense hospitality of the people of Madinah.Tasting this hospitality provides an inexplicable experience for almost all Umrah pilgrims and visitors who come from all over the world to visit the holy mosque during Ramadan. Speaking to Arab News, a number of pilgrims shared their amazing experience of having an iftar meal at one of these sufras. Khaled Hafeezuddin, a pilgrim from Bangladesh, says that his pilgrimage was the realization of a long cherished dream to perform Umrah and visit the two holy mosques.

“I worked hard for a long period of time to save the money to meet the cost of performing the pilgrimage in the holy month of Ramadan. It was a thrilling experience for me to watch the massive lines of iftar meals laid out inside the Prophet’s Mosque and its courtyards,” he said while praising the much commendable hospitality of the Madinah residents.

Muhammad Hamdi, an Egyptian pilgrim, also has no words to express his feelings about the vast facilities arranged for pilgrims at the holy mosque, especially during Ramadan. “I thank Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and his government for making available all these facilities and services for the pilgrims and visitors to the holy mosque.

The marvelous sunshades that blend architecturally into the design of the historic mosque are of a great help for pilgrims as they protect them from the scorching sun,” he said.There are a total of 250 large sunshades, each of which covers an area of more than 600 square meters and offers up to 800 pilgrims protection from the sun and heat. These sunshades provide a shaded area of 156,000 square meters. There are also 500 huge fans that sprinkle cold water to provide comfort to the faithful while the mercury is soaring.

Many pilgrims commended the hospitality of Madinah people who start laying out sufras immediately after the Asr prayers. The iftar meals consist of the finest varieties of Madinah dates, juices, water, yoghurt and fruits such as oranges and bananas. They said that it is quite amazing for them to watch locals of all ages, including children, young men and the elderly, compete with each other in serving the food. The local residents make preparations well in advance before the advent of the fasting month so meals can be distributed without any disruption.

On the first day of Ramadan, they start preparations immediately after Dhuhr prayers and reserve space to spread out the sufras. There are specific areas that Madinah families have been using for decades to spread their sufras.“I have been laying down my sufras at this spot for 10 years,” said Ali Juma, a Madinah resident. “On the first day of Ramadan, we all arrive to confirm the actual space for spreading out the sheets. If nobody else has occupied the place, then we continue using it throughout the month. If we do not arrive at the right time, it is taken by those who come early,” he said, adding that this practice of reserving space was done in coordination with the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.

“We are also meeting some specific conditions set by the presidency with regard to organizing iftar meals,” he added.Usually, the presidency allows only dates, water, yoghurt, coffee and Al-Shiraik bread inside the mosque while fruits and juices as well as dishes made of rice, meat and chicken are allowed in the courtyards of the mosque.

The cost for iftar meals ranges from SR2,000 to SR5,000. The hundreds of thousands of the faithful sitting along two sides of the sufras spread out inside the mosque as well as on the vast sprawling courtyards of the mosque provide an amazing view.People of various backgrounds, including Arab and non-Arab, white and black, are sitting patiently in front of the sufras, reflecting the unique principles of Islam’s universal brotherhood, unity and hospitality.

They enjoy the spirit of hospitality inherited by the people of Madinah from their ancestors by feeding hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and visitors from various corners of the world. The presidency has mobilized more than 5,000 men and women, including cleaning workers, to make available the best possible services for the pilgrims as well as to keep the holy mosque and its courtyards neat and tidy. It has also stocked more than 290 tons of Zamzam water to meet the demand during the holy month.

Ramadan Rewards

2011-08-21T08:50:00.000-04:00

Whoever supplicates for his brother (in Islam) in his absence, an angel is appointed to his side who says “Ameen (so be it) and may you also be blessed with the same.” (Muslim)

Whoever defends the honor of his brother in his absence will be entitled to Allah’s Protection from the Fire. (Tirmidhi)

Whoever removes a harmful thing from the path of the Muslims, Allah shall write for him a virtue whose reward is Paradise. (Al Tabarani)

Whoever extends the time to his debtor [to return the loan] , or forgives the debt, will be in the shade of the Throne (of Allah) on the Day of Resurrection. (Muslim)

Whoever gives respite to a poor person or writes off his debt, Allah will put him under His shade on a day on which there will be no shade except His (Judgment Day). (Muslim)

Credit: SuhaibWebb.com

Ibn Al Qayyim

2011-08-19T07:45:00.000-04:00

Some of his Sayings included the following:

“The highest rank of intention in seeking knowledge is seeking knowledge of the Qur’an and Sunnah and knowledge of the laws of Allah. The meanest intentions are those seeking the answers to hypothetical questions, that is neither divine nor real, or those who are hesitant and follow the words of others and do not have any intention to know what is right. It is rare if any of those obtain benefit from gaining knowledge” [al-Fawwaid]

“Whenever Allah, the Exalted prevents His believing servant from something during this worldly life, He will bestow upon him something which is better and more useful to him. It should be noted that this is only granted to the believers.” [al-Fawwaid]

“The Prophet (peace be upon him) established a relationship between the fear of Allah and good character, because fearing Allah improves the relation between the servant and Allah, and good character improves the relation between a person and others. Therefore, fearing Allah makes it possible for Allah to love him, and good manners makes it possible for people to love that person.” [al-Fawwaid]

“Be satisfied with whatever Allah grants you from this worldly life. Walking thereon is like walking in a land that is filled with beasts, and water that teams with crocodiles. That which causes delight, turns to be the source of grief. Pain is found in the midst of pleasures, and delights are derived from its sorrows. As a bird sees the wheat, so does one’s insight perceive polytheism, while vain desires render its holder blind.” [al-Fawwaid]

“Whosoever causes his heart to settle with his Lord shall find himself in a calm and tranquil condition and whosoever sends it amongst the people shall be disturbed and excessively perturbed.” (The Hardness of The Heart)

May Allah guide us to what is best for this life and the next.

Reposted from Masjid Hidaya.

Enmity

2011-08-17T04:41:00.004-04:00

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

Let us be of those who prevent and stop enmity as Allah says:

“Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.” (7:199)

“And let not those of virtue among you and wealth swear not to give [aid] to their relatives and the needy and the emigrants for the cause of Allah , and let them pardon and overlook.” (24:22)

“Who spend [in the cause of Allah ] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good;” (3:134)

“…and when they are angry, they forgive…” (42:37)

“And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace” (25:63)

“And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.” (41:34)

Let us be among those who enjoin what is good and ease the hardships of others.

Rewards for Ramadan

2011-08-16T01:37:00.006-04:00

Glad tidings for the one who finds in his book (i.e. his book of deeds) lots of seeking forgiveness. (ibn Majah)

From the acts that guarantee forgiveness is being generous with the spreading of salaam and good speech. (al Tabarani)

Whoever visited a sick person or visits his brother in Islam, a caller calls from the skies: “You have done well and your walk was good also, and you have earned a place in paradise”. (Tirmidhi)

If a man visits his sick Muslim brother, it is as if he walks reaping the fruits of Paradise until he sits, and when he sits he is showered in mercy, and if this was in the morning, seventy thousand angels pray for him until the evening, and if this was in the evening, seventy thousand angels pray for him until the morning. (Tirmidhi)

Rewards for Ramadan

2011-08-15T05:31:00.000-04:00

Whoever reads Suratul Kahf on Friday, it will act as a light and protection for him from one Friday to the next. (Bayhaqi)

Whoever memorizes the first ten verses from Surat al Kahf, he will be protected from the trial of the Dajjal. (Ahmad)

Whoever seeks forgiveness for believing men and believing women, Allah will write for him a good deed for each believing man and believing woman. (Al Tabarani)

Documentaries

2011-08-14T10:05:00.000-04:00

Environment & Food
Blind Spot
Food Inc.
Food Matters
Monsanto
Water
A World without Water
Story of Stuff (20mins)
Consuming Kids (marketing)
The Corporation
Suburbia
Shock Doctrine

War & Conflict

Black Hawk DownWar on Terror: Fallujah
abu Ghraib
Afghanistan
Why we Fight
Afghanistan
Power of Nightmares

Others that you suggest?

Overlooking Faults

2011-08-13T09:51:00.001-04:00

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

Allah says:

“Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good and turn away from the foolish” (7:199).

Far too often we see Muslims forsaking others due to a particular fault, when none of us is perfect. Perfection is unattainable and it is unrealistic for us to expect others to be without flaw. Al Kindi said: “How is it that you want your friend to possess a specific pattern of characteristics when your soul – which is the closest of souls to you – does not always obey your commands. What right do you then have to expect another person’s soul to follow your orders.”

It has been said that one will not find a person so cultivated, free of blemish and sin, as long as s/he lives. Rather, one ought to contemplate his or her own self and how it often errs and strays. This process and introspection makes your demand on others more balanced and makes you more sympathetic to the sinner. (narrated by Aaidh ibn Abdullah al Qarni). Al Hasan ibn Wahb said: “From the rights of mutual love is to forgive and overlook shortcomings.” As Allah says: “So overlook their faults with gracious forgiveness” (15:85).

“So ascribe not purity to yourselves. He knows best him who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him” (53:32)

Somalia

2011-08-12T06:34:00.000-04:00

From the New York Times (full here)

"The worst famine in 60 years is devastating the Horn of Africa. In Somalia, where the problem is most acute, 3.9 million people are at risk of starvation and as many as 12 million throughout the region. Some 29,000 Somali children are believed to have died in the last 90 days alone. The casualties will only grow without an urgent and generous international response.

The United Nations has made an emergency appeal for $2.4 billion but only received $1.1 billion in pledges. The United States has contributed $580 million so far and is the largest donor, as it should be. Other countries — especially in Africa and in the gulf region — also need to quickly help out....

Donate here: http://www.islamic-relief.com/Donations/

Tafsir

2011-08-11T20:53:00.000-04:00

Resource:

http://www.e-jaazah.com/

Welcome to E-jaazah.com! At E-jaazah.com you have the opportunity to study at your own pace according to your own schedule. While content is delivered on a steady timeline, you can take your time to digest lessons and then meet the challenge of successfully completing exams. Yes, studying at E-jaazah.com is a challenge, but not one you can't take on with full confidence.

Once you become a student, you will have access to all courses and you will be able to join new courses at your leisure. All students obligations are different, so with that in mind your courses can meet your needs if you have a busy schedule or if you are a serious student of knowledge.

Ramadan Watching

2011-08-11T20:50:00.003-04:00

Some Ramadan watching options:

E-Jaazah TV http://www.e-jaazah.com/?section=8

Ramadan TV http://www.ramadan.tv/live_stream.php

Al Maghrib TV http://tv.almaghrib.org/

Benefit and enjoy.

More on Somalia

2011-08-09T13:05:00.000-04:00

Does it really take mass death to arose our action? USAID saw warnings of on-coming famine as early as August 2010. “In areas where limited humanitarian assistance is expected (i.e. south and central Somalia), pastoral households are likely to become extremely food insecure.” More here.

PodCast via Owen Barder on the famine in Somalia, senior fellow at the Center for Global Development.

Charles Kenny calls the famine a crime, and blames local government and al Shabab; recalling Amartya Sen who argued that famine does not occur in a democracy or in a place wherein there is a relatively free press.

Whereas Thomas Mountain, the controversial Eritrean government supporter, blames the World Food Program for destabilizing food security in the region.

Obviously diverse opinions being shared on the issues, wisely take points from each inshaAllah.

Somalia

2011-08-09T09:44:00.001-04:00

FYI:

Assalamu alaikum,

Replay: www.almaghrib.org/livenow

$108K USD has been raised in under 3 hours and the numbers are still growing - Allahu Akbar! When we are faced with choices of what to cook today, mothers in Somalia are plagued with the decision on which child to feed while the other must die.

"Never will you attain the good (reward) until you spend (in the way of Allah from that which you love. And whatever you spend, indeed Allah is knowing of it" [3:92]

More on the situation in Somalia:

Development Perspective (article)
Ummah Welfare Trust (video blog)
Local East Africa News (site)

Being Green

2011-08-09T08:54:00.001-04:00

A few links on being Green this Ramadan:

Going Green (article)

Five ways to Green your Ramadan (article)

Fair Trade (video)

MAS Green Team (site)

Green Ramadan Toolkit (pdf)

Islam and the Environment (pdf)

Ecology and Islam (article)

There are a variety of opinions and traditions expressed in the above links;

May Allah guide us to what is best.

Sabr

2011-08-08T03:59:00.001-04:00

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

Some reminders about patience take from Don’t be Sad, written by ‘Aaidh ibn Abdullah al Qarni:

Ishaaq said: “Perhaps Allah tests a slave with a calamity but then saves him from destruction. Thus, the calamity is really a great blessing”

He also said: “Beware of complaining if you are caught in the sharp claws of a hardship, for the way to safety is a difficult path to tread.”

Ishaaq (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Perhaps Allah tests a slave with a calamity but then saves him from destruction. Thus, the calamity is really a great blessing” He also said: “Beware of complaining if you are caught in the sharp claws of a hardship, for the way to safety is a difficult path to tread."

ibn Mas'oud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The patient one achieves the best of aims." He also said: "Relief and aid are from faith and contentment. Anxiety and grief are from doubt and anger."

May Allah make us among the patient.

Happiness

2011-08-05T07:10:00.003-04:00

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

The following are some, of many, actions and things that bring about happiness in the life of the believer. They act as a reminder for us to keep focused and to understand our priorities, as confusion can lead to discontent and displeasure.

1. Good deeds – As Allah says: “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.” (16:97)

2. A pious wife – And similarly a pious husband, as Allah says: “"Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous." (25:74)

3. Sustenance – That which is earned in an honest way and through halal means, as the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) said: “Verily, Allah is tayyib (good and pure) and He does not accept other than what is good and pure.”

May Allah make us of those who find happiness for His sake.

Spanish Quran

2011-08-02T17:34:00.001-04:00

I have a few Spanish Qur'ans, similar to the ones that they have in Mekkah.

Email me if you are in need of one.

The Most-Merciful

2011-08-02T12:53:00.000-04:00

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

The following Prophetic narration is recorded by al Tabarani, al Bazzar, Ahmad and abu Ya’la:

“Leaning on a cane, an old man came to the Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] and said: “O’ Messenger of Allah, I have perpetrated treacherous and wicked deeds. Will I be forgiven?” The Messenger of Allah said: “Do you bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah?” The man said: “Yes, O’ Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet [may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil] said: “Verily, Allah has forgiven you for your treacherous and wicked deeds.” The man departed and said: “Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest.”

Shari’ah

2011-07-30T04:00:00.000-04:00

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

The term shari’ah is often times misunderstood as only thatwhich relates to crime and punishment, and of course that is not the case. Today we see some places seeking to ban ‘Shari’ah’ and thus I’d like tohighlight what Allah speaks about in relation to shari’ah, bearing in mind itis a much more encompassing and holistic way of life. Throughout the Qur’an wefind that Allah wants ease for people and facilitates comfort. For example,

“We have not sent down to you the Qur'an that you bedistressed” (20:2)

“And We will ease you toward ease.” (87:8)

“Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] itscapacity.” (2:286)

“Allah does not charge a soul except [according to] what Hehas given it. Allah will bring about, after hardship, ease.” (65:7)

“He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in thereligion any difficulty.” (22:78)

From the Prophetic tradition we have various narrationsfrom the Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil,which exemplify this issue further, such as:

“Verily, this religion is easy; and when one makes the religiontoo harsh one will be overcome by it.”

Hope

2011-07-27T10:16:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

Allah answers the pray of the one in distress, be they Muslim or not. That in and of itself is a sign of the immense hope and trust we ought to have in Allah. We know this as Allah says:

“And when they board a ship, they supplicate Allah , sincere to Him in religion. But when He delivers them to the land, at once they associate others with Him.” (29:65)

Furthermore, Allah says:

“Is He [not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him…” (27:62)

Thus, let us not lose hope. Each of us enter into difficulties and trials. However, the believer can not lose hope in Allah; He hears the calls and answers the prayers.

“It is He who enables you to travel on land and sea until, when you are in ships and they sail with them by a good wind and they rejoice therein, there comes a storm wind and the waves come upon them from everywhere and they assume that they are surrounded, supplicating Allah , sincere to Him in religion, "If You should save us from this, we will surely be among the thankful."” (10:22)

“And those who believe and do righteous deeds and believe in what has been sent down upon Muhammad - and it is the truth from their Lord - He will remove from them their misdeeds and amend their condition.” (47:2)

On Reading

2011-07-24T11:00:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

al Jaahiz on reading:

The book is a companion that does not praise you and does not entice you to evil. It is a friend that does not bore you, and it is a neighbor that causes you no harm. It is an acquaintance that desires not to extract from you favors through flattery, and it does not deceive you with duplicity and lies. When you are poring through the pages of a book, your senses are stimulated and your intellect sharpens... Through reading the biographies of others, you gain an appreciation of common people while learning the ways of kings. It can even be said that you sometimes learn from the pages of a book in a month, that which you do not learn from the tongues of men in a century. All this benefit, yet no loss in wealth and no need to stand at the door of the teacher who is waiting for his fees or to learn from someone who is lower than you in manners.

The book obeys you by night, as it does by day; both when you are traveling and when you are at home. A book is not impaired by sleep nor does it tire in the late hours of the night. It is the teacher who is there for you whenever you are in need of it, and it is the teacher who, if you refuse to give to it, does not refuse to give to you. If you abandon it, it does not decrease in obedience. And, when all turn again you, showing you enmity, it remains by your side. As long as you are remotely attached to a book, it suffices you from having to keep company with those that are idle. It prevents you from sitting on your doorstep and watching those who pass by. It saves you from mixing with those that are frivolous in their character, foul in their speech, and woeful in their ignorance. If the only benefit of a book was that it keeps you from foolish daydreaming and prevents you from frivolity, it would certainly be considered a true friend who has given you a great favor.

Don't be Sad by al Qarni

Personality

2011-07-21T10:36:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

'Aaidh ibn Abdullah al Qarni, author of Don't Be Sad, writes on the concept of personality and explains how each of us are unique. Mimicking the personality of others and/or striving to have the traits of others may be a form of discontentment with the Decree of Allah. Rather, every person has been bestowed with skills, talents, abilities and preferences unique to them. Allah says:

"For each is a direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that is] good. Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you forth [for judgement] all together. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent." (2:148)

For example, the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) had a unique ability to lead, and he utilized the unique traits of his companions as well. Ali was just and wise and therefore made a judge, Mu'aadh utilized for his intellect and knowledge, Ubay for talents with the Qur'an, Zayd for his rulings in matters of inheritance, Khalid for leading campaigns, Hassan for poetry and Qays ibn Thabit for his skill of giving public addresses (may Allah be pleased with them all). Allah further says:

"And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you." (6:165)

Among the signs of Allah, he writes, is the diverse characteristics of humankind, such as their talents, languages, and aspirations. Each of which may uniquely benefit this Ummah. Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) possessed unique traits and talents, yet both were of immense benefit not only to those with them but for all that followed as well. Therefore, be comfortable with your talents and abilities. Develop them, expand upon them, benefit form them and enrich this Ummah by them.

In His Service

2011-07-17T13:23:00.003-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

Be in His service by being in the service of others. The Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) said:

"Verily, Allah will say to His slave as He is taking account of him on the Day of Judgment: "O' son of Adam, I was hungry and you did not feed Me." He will answer: "How can I feed You and You are the Lord of the worlds!" He will say: "Did you not know that My slave so and so, who is the son of so and so, felt hunger and you did not feed him? Alas! Had you fed him you would have found that [reward] with Me. O' son of Adam, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink." He will say: "How can I give you drink, and You are the Lord of the worlds?" He will say: "Did you not know that My slave so and so, the son of so and so, felt thirsty ad you did not give him drink? Alas! If you had given him, you would have found that [reward] with Me. O' son of Adam, I became sick and you did not visit Me." He will say: "How can I visit You, and You are the Lord of the worlds?" He will say: "Did you not know that My slave so and so, the son of so and so, became sick and you did not visit him? Alas! Had you visited him, you would have found Me with him."

SubhanAllah. Whether it be the hadeeth regarding the prostitute who entered Jennah because she gave a drink to to a thirsty dog or those of intimacy and smiling being acts of charity, we are taught time and time again to be in the service of others; seeking the rewards from Allah.

May Allah make us among those who are always in the service of others.

Sadness

2011-07-15T23:18:00.002-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

Sometimes we find ourselves down, which often leads to inactivity and difficulties for the heart. Allah speaks about sadness to the believers in multiple occasions, such as: "so do not become weak, nor sad ..." (3:139). He says: "and be not distressed because of what they plot" (16:127). And, "Be not sad, surely Allah is with us." (9:40).

One of the causes of sadness is shaytan as Allah says: "secret counsels are only from Shaytan, in order that he may cause grief to the believers." (58:10) Furthermore, it is taught in the Prophetic Sunnah to avoid causing any sadness to other believers, as the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) said: "In a company of three, it is forbidden for two to hold secret counsel to the exclusion of the third, since doing so will be a cause of sadness for him." The beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sought protection from sadness in saying: "O' Allah I seek refuge from anxiety and grief."

See Don't be Sad by al Qarni

Contentment

2011-07-11T11:14:00.002-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

A form of wealth that often goes uncounted is that of contentment; being content with that which Allah has bestowed. Allah says:

"So hold that which I have given you and be of the grateful" (7:144)

Consider those great scholars who came before us, some of whom were wealthy and others impoverished. What they have in common is that they led fruitful lives and were of great benefit to the Ummah. In either case, they did not lament that which they did not have but were content with what has been bestowed. Clearly there were blessed in their time, efforts and lives. Similarly, we can see people who have been bestowed with great blessings yet are not content, and therefore not happy.

May Allah guide us to be those who are content with His decree.

Prayer

2011-07-08T23:20:00.002-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

"O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient." (2:153)

Prayer is our connection, and when done with an attentive heart brings comfort. As the beloved Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) used to say: "O' Bilal! Give us comfort and call the prayer." As al-Qarni writes, "The prayer was is joy and his pleasure; it was the delight of his eye." (Don't Be Sad, p. 56).

Let us be mindful of this excellent example and seek comfort in prayer, be it in facing hardship or seeking guidance.

Rest

2011-07-04T23:10:00.000-04:00

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

Where can the believer take rest? The world is a busy place with many trials and stresses. Allah says:

"Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (13:28)

Such an action has benefits beyond that which we can understand, as Allah says:

"Therefore, remember Me, and I will remember you." (2:152)

Let us be of those who constantly remember Allah, throughout our day and during all our engagements. In doing so, our hearts will find rest, despite whatever it is we are doing.

Turkey

2011-07-01T06:39:00.000-04:00

Some facts you may not know about Turkey:

"Jews have a long history within the Ottoman Empire. They found refuge there after they were expelled, along with Muslims, from Catholic Spain in 1492. In fact, as Soner Cagaptsy states, 'in the seventeenth century more Jews lived in the Ottoman Empire than in the rest of the World collectively.' For Jews the historical experience of life in the Muslim world was generally much more positive than it was in large parts of Europe."

Over 120,000 Jewish people live in Turkey today and continue to support the Turkish State, to the extent that the Turkish-Jewish community in Israel remains overly pro-Turkish.

(Fuller, G. 2009. The New Turkish Republic, p. 155)

Attitude

2011-06-27T02:30:00.000-04:00

In the Name of Allah; Most-Merciful, Most-Compassionate.

"Whoever is within the heavens and earth asks Him; every day He is bringing about a matter." (55:29)

Supplicate to Him as "Allah is Gracious and Kind to His slaves" (42:19).

"And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them." (14:34)

Thank your Creator and Sustainer as He "perfected His Graces upon you" (31:20).

"[He] who gives [from] his wealth to purify himself and not [giving] for anyone who has [done him] a favor to be rewarded, but only seeking the countenance of his Lord, Most High. And he is going to be satisfied." (92:18-21)

Give of your blessings and bounties, as "Verily in every tasbih (i.e. saying Subhanallah) there is a sadaqah, every takbir (i.e. saying Allahu Akbar) is a sadaqah, every tahmid (i.e. saying Alhamdulillah) is a sadaqah, every tahlil (i.e. saying Lailaha illallah) is a sadaqah, enjoining of good is a sadaqah, forbidding of evil is a sadaqah" (narrated in Muslim). And "do not dismiss certain acts of kindness by deeming them to be insignificant, even if [such an act] is to meet your brother with a smiling face."

"O My servants..."

2011-06-21T23:33:00.000-04:00

On the authority of Abu Dharr Al-Ghafari (may Allah be pleased with him); the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and protect him from every evil) relates from his Lord that He said:

"'O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another. O My servants, all of you are astray except for those I have guided, so seek guidance of Me and I shall guide you.

'O My servants, all of you are hungry except for those I have fed, so seek food of Me and I shall feed you. O My servants, all of you are naked except for those I have clothed, so seek clothing of Me and I shall clothe you. O My servants, you sin by night and by day, and I forgive all sins, so seek forgiveness of Me and I shall forgive you. O My servants, you will not attain harming Me so as to harm Me, and you will not attain benefiting Me so as to benefit Me.

'O my servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to become as pious as the most pious heart of any one man of you, that would not increase My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any one man of you, that would not decrease My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to rise up in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have, any more than a needle decreases the sea if put into it.

'O My servants, it is but your deeds that I reckon up for you and then recompense you for, so let him who finds good praise Allah, and let him who finds other than that blame no one but himself.

(Sahih Muslim)