ummtaalib

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupping_therapy there's even a video on youtube....type in cupping

Says Sara Bokker (former actress and model), after taking the shahaadah... The next day, eager to show the world I was a Muslim, I went to a local Middle Eastern store where they sold beautiful hijabs (headscarves) and dresses appropriate for the required Muslim dress. I bought many dresses and scarves, and from that day forward, I dressed properly. Ahhhhh … free at last! I had broken the chains of fashion and physical enslavement enforced by a superficial society. Honestly, I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I no longer felt the pressure to dress and look better than everyone else. I finally respected myself and no longer based my self-worth on the reactions and attention of others.

The conversion to Islam of Karima Burns This Iowa student of Arabic became a Muslim in her heart when she started reading the Quran in order do to her university homework and couldn’t put it down. I sat in the Alhambra Mosque in Granada, Spain staring at the script that bordered the walls. It was the most beautiful language I had ever seen. “What language is that?” I said a Spanish tourist. “Arabic,” they answered. The next day, when the tour attendant asked which language I wanted my tour book in, I answered, “Arabic.” “Arabic?” she said, surprised. “Do you speak Arabic?” “No,” I replied. “Can you give me one in English too?” By the end of my trip I had a bag full of Arabic tour guides to all the sites I had visited in Spain. In fact, my bag was so full that at one point I had to give away some of my clothes so I could make everything fit. But, I hung on to my Arabic tour books as if they were made of gold. I would open them every night and look at the letters of the language as they flowed across the page. I imagined being able to write such beautiful script and I thought to myself that there must be something worth knowing about a culture that had such an artistic language. I vowed that I would study this language when I started college in the fall. Only two months before, I had left my family in Iowa to take a trip through Europe, alone. I was only 16 years old and due to enter Northwestern University in the fall and I had wanted to “see the world” first. At least, that is what I told my friends and family. In reality I was searching for answers. I had left the church only a few months before and did not know where to turn. I knew that I was not comfortable with what I was being taught, but I did not know of any alternatives. Where I grew up, in the Midwest, there was no room for confusion – you were either part of the church or you were not. So, I had no idea there was something else. When I set off for Europe I hoped that there was. In my church we were not allowed to pray to God, we could only pray to Jesus and hope that he would relay the message to God. I had intuitively felt that there was something wrong with that and so, without telling anyone, I secretly prayed to “God.” I sincerely believed that there was only one entity to pray to. But, I felt guilty because this was not what I had been taught. Then, there was the confusing matter of what to do during one’s “daily life.” “I dutifully went to church every Sunday and was very serious about what I learned regarding honesty, kindness and compassion. So, it confused me when I saw people from church acting so differently during the week. Were there no rules during the week? Did they only apply on Sundays? I looked for some guidance…but found none. There were the Ten Commandments that covered the obvious things like killing, stealing and lying, but other than that, I had no guidelines for how to act when I wasn’t in church. All I knew was: perhaps there was something wrong with wearing mini-skirts to church and only going to Sunday School because of cute guys that attended. One day, I went to a teacher’s house and saw a shelf lined with Bibles. I asked what they were. “Different versions of the Bible,” my teacher replied. It did not seem to bother him at all that there were so many different versions. But, it bothered me. Some of them were really different and some chapters were even missing from the version I had. I was very confused. I returned to college that fall disappointed that I had not found the answers I was hoping for in Europe, but with a passion for a language I had only just learned about – Arabic. Ironically, I had stared right at the answers I was searching for, on the walls of the Alhambra. But, it took me two more years to realize that. The first thing I did when I reached the campus was…enroll in Arabic classes. I was one of only three people in the highly unpopular class. I immersed myself in my Arabic studies with such a passion that my teacher was confused. I did my homework with a calligraphy pen and I went into the Arab areas of Chicago just to track down a Coca Cola bottle written in the language. I begged him to lend me books in Arabic just so I could look at the script. By the time my second year of college came around, I decided I should consider a major in Middle Eastern Studies. So, I enrolled in some classes focusing on the region. In one class we studied the Qur’an. I opened the Qur’an one night to “do my homework” and could not stop reading it. It was like I had picked up a good novel. I thought to myself, “Wow. This is great. This is what I have always believed. This answers all my questions about how to act during the week and it even states very clearly that there is only one God.” It just all made so much sense. I was amazed that there was this book written about everything I believed in and had been searching for. I went to class the next day to ask about the author of the book so I could read more books by them. In the copy I had been given, there was a name. I thought it was the author of the book, akin to the Gospels written by St. Luke or the other religions I had studied…that all attributed their writings to some person who was inspired enough to write it down. My professor informed me that it was not the author but the translator because “according to the Muslims no one had written the book.” The Qur’an was, according to THEM (referring to Muslims, he was Christian) the word of God and had not been changed since it was inspired, recited and then transcribed. Needless to say, I was fascinated. After that, I became passionate, not only about my studies of Arabic, but about studying Islam and about going to the Middle East. My senior year in college I finally went to Egypt to continue my studies. My favorite place to go became “Islamic Cairo,” where the mosques always gave me a sense of comfort and awe. I felt that by being in them, one could really feel the beauty, power and awe of Allah. And, as always I enjoyed staring at the elegant calligraphy on the walls. One day a friend asked me why I didn’t convert to Islam if I liked it so much. “But I am already Muslim.” My answer surprised me. But then, I realized that it was a simple matter of logic and common sense. Islam made sense. It inspired me. I knew it was right. Why did I then have to convert? My friend informed me that in order to “be official,” I needed to actually go to the mosque and state my intention in front of two witnesses. So, I did. But, when they gave the certificate to me, I just filed it in my file cabinet with my “other” medical and personal records…because to me, I had always been Muslim. I didn’t need to hang a piece of paper on my wall to tell me that. I had known it the minute I picked up the Qur’an. The minute I opened it, I felt like I had found my long lost family. I hung a picture of the Alhambra Mosque on my wall instead.

Question assalamualikum, i just wanted to know if it is permissible for children to play with dolls and keep them in your house, as i have heard from someone that when Hazrat Aisha R.A was a child she played with dolls. if it is not permissble then please can you state why? Answer In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh It is not permissible to have dolls in the house or to allow children to play with them. There are many Ahadith that have explicitly mentioned the impermissibility and punishment of having something that resembles a living being. The following Hadith is just one of many: فقال ابن عباس لا أحدثك إلا ما سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يقول سمعته يقول ( من صور صورة فإن الله معذبه حتى ينفخ فيها الروح وليس بنافخ فيها أبدا ) .(صحيح البخاري، 2/53، الفكر) The Prophet (SalAllahu Alayhi Wasallam) says: “One who makes an image (of a living being), surely Allah Ta’ala will punish him until he does not blow life into it and surely he will never be able to blow life into it.” After such grave punishment is mentioned for one who makes images of a living being, how can it be permissible for one to posses such items and give them to their children to play with? The simple fact that the Prophet (SalAllahu Alayhi Wasallam) has forbade us from this is reason enough for us to refrain from having anything that resembles a living being. As for the incident of Aishah (RadhiAllahu Anha) having dolls a group of Fuqahaa have mentioned that there is no clear explanation about how her dolls were. Therefore, it is very likely that her dolls did not have any obvious similarity to a real being. Rather, her dolls were void of any distinct features that resembled a living being. A second group of Fuqahaa including Imam al-Bayhaqi has simply mentioned that this incident took place prior to the prohibition of images. Therefore, this incident cannot be used to sanction the use of dolls. Nevertheless, none of the Fuqahaa have given the permissibility of playing with dolls we find commonly these days. واحد( اشترى ثورا أو فرسا من خزف ) للأجل ( استئناس الصبي لا يصح و ) لا قيمة له ف ( لا يضمن متلفه وقيل بخلافه ) (رد المحتار، 5/ 226، سعيد) (Fatawa Mahmodiya, 19/ 500-502, Farooqiyah) (Ahsan ul-Fatawa, 8/ 201, Saeed) وقد استشكل هذا الحديث بما روى من تحريم الصور. فقال بعض العلماء: إن قصة حديث الباب قبل تحريم الصور، وإليه مال البيهقي، وقال بعضهم: محل التحريم ما كان واضح الصورة، وما كانت تلعب به عائشة لم يكن واضح الصورة... (تكملة فتح الملهم، 5/ 148، كراتشي) قال القاضي فيه جواز اللعب بهن قال وهن مخصوصات من الصور المنهي عنها... وقالت طائفة هو منسوخ بالنهي عن الصور هذا كلام القاضي. (سرح النووي على مسلم، 15/ 200، المعرفة) فيه جواز اللعب بهن، وتخصيصهم من الصور المنهي عنها لهذا الحديث...وذهبت فرقة الى أنه منسوخ بالنهي عن الصور. (شرح صحيح مسلم للقاضي عياض، 7/ 447-448، الوفاء) And Allah knows best Wassalamu Alaikum Ml. Sajid bin Shabbir, Student Darul Iftaa Checked and Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah askimam

Improving ones memory, one must: 1) Keeping away from sin, because the bad effects of sin result in a bad memory and the inability to retain knowledge. The darkness of sin cannot co-exist with the light of knowledge. The following words were attributed to al-Shaafa'i, may Allaah have mercy on him: "I complained to [my Shaykh] Wakee' about my bad memory, and he taught me that I should keep away from sin. He said that knowledge of Allaah is light, and the light of Allaah is not given to the sinner." 2) Do not eat too much, because eating too much makes one sleep too much and become lazy, and it dulls the senses, besides exposing one to the risk of physical diseases. Most of the diseases which we see result from food and drink. Also, too much acidic food is one of the causes of laziness and weak memory. 3) Some of the scholars have mentioned certain foods which increase the memory, such as drinking honey and eating raisins and chewing certain kinds of gum resin and nuts such as, almonds. Imaam al-Zuhri said: "You should eat honey because it is good for the memory." He also said: "Whoever wants to memorize hadeeth should eat raisins." (From al-Jaami by al-Khateeb, 2/394). 4) Another thing that can help the memory and reduce forgetfulness is cupping (Hijaamah) of the head, as is well known from experience. (For more information see Al-Tibb al-Nabawi by Ibn al-Qayyim). 5) Frequently remembering Allaah, may He be glorified, by reciting Dhikr, Tasbeeh (saying Subhan Allaah), Tahmeed (Al-hamdu Lillaah), Tahleel (Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah) and Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar), etc. Allaah Ta'ala says (interpretation of the meaning): "And remember your Lord when you forget" [al-Kahf 18:24] . 6) Recite: ربى زدنى علما Transliteration: 'Rabbi Zidni Ilma' Translation: 'O my Lord, increase my knowledge' It may be recited as many time as possible. (Aamale Qurani) Or recite the Du'a below, twenty times after the morning prayers. (Aamale Qurani) : رب اشرح لى صدرى و يسرلى امرى واحلل عقدة من لسانى يفقهو قولى Transliteration: 'Rab-bish-rahlee Sadree wa-Yassirlee Amree Wa-hlul U'qdatam Mil-lisaanee Yafqahu Qaulee' (Musa) said: "O my Lord! Expand me my breast; Ease my task for me; And remove the impediment from my speech. So they may understand what I say" (Ta Ha, 25:28) muftisays.com

How to concentrate in Salaah Q: How to stop thoughts coming to your mind while praying? What is the best way to concentrate in namaaz? A: You may engage your mind in another thought. For example, Allah is watching you. The thought has to be refreshed all the time as it may fade away or alternately you may think that this is your last namaaz and thereafter you are going to be standing before Allah Ta`ala for your reckoning. Alternately you could imagine the Ka`bah before you and the special blessings of Allah Ta`ala descending upon the Ka`bah. And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best. حـٰفِظوا عَلَى الصَّلَوٰتِ وَالصَّلوٰةِ الوُسطىٰ وَقوموا لِلَّـهِ قـٰنِتينَ ﴿البقرة: ٢٣٨﴾ (رأى رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - رجلاً يعبث بلحيته في الصلاة فقال لو خشع قلب هذا لخشعت جوارحه) قال العراقي: رواه الحكيم الترمذي في النوادر من حديث أبي هريرة بسند ضعيف والمعروف أنه من قول سعيد بن المسيب رواه ابن أبي شيبة في المصنف وفيه رجل لم يسم اهـ. (تخريج أحاديث إحياء علوم الدين #388) Answered by: Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

How inspiring! May Allah ta'ala elevate her status and make her efforts a means of hidayah for many, aameen

Effects of sins, Tauba, & the Mercy of Allah swt We are unable to do Tauba because we look at our own abilities. Actually what we need to do is that we have to learn to focus on the azmat of Allah swt and the Rehmat of Allah swt. That person whose heart understands and appreciates the ‘azmat of Allah swt and the Rehmat of Allah swt, that person will be able to leave sin. It is not enough only to know about Allah swt’s Mercy, His Rehmat; one must also know about His ‘Azmat, His Jalal, His Majesty, His Might and His Glory. That is why, Sayyidina Ata ibn-e-abi-raba’ rahimahullah, one of the most greatest & famous of Tabi’een of this ummah, used to say to his students that: O My friends! When you choose and plan and intend and commit a sin, you close all the doors & all the avenues of the people who can watch you sin; you close the curtains, you draw the blinds, you hide your tracks, because you feel shame from all of creation… From all of the people who are watching you sin, do you only not feel shame in front of Allah swt? So, we have to leave all of our sins, due to the ‘azmat of Allah swt. Hafiz ibn-e-qayyum rahimullahta’ala said: Don’t look at small or how how great the sin is; but look at how ‘azeem-u-shaan that Rabb is against whom you are sinning. And then every single sin will seem to be great for us. EFFECTS OF SINS: Every single sin has an effect on us. Allah swt stated in the Qur’an-e-karim: مَنْ يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا يُجْزَ بِهِ Surah Nisa [4:123] that whomsoever does any sin, he/she will have to face the jaza or the consequences of that sin. Theres another deception many of us have; that we do a sin and we do that sin so happily and so blindly because we don’t realize that there are going to be consequences o f that sin.Sometimes we look for those consequences in the wrong places; so we do a sin and we look at our studies, we are still doing okay. we do a sin and we look at our business, we are still doing okay. we do a sin and we look at our izzat in society, Allah swt keeps our izzat in society so we keep doing that sin. But, Allah swt has laid down a golden rule: مَنْ يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا يُجْزَ بِهِ whomsoever does any sin he will have to face the jaza for it. We look for consequences in the wrong places; if we were to look for consequences in the right places, everyone would realize and think that we are being punished because of our sins. 1. One way Allah swt punishes us is that He makes those who we wished and wanted to be obedient to us; He makes them disobedient to us. So, it may happen that someone commits a sin and their wife or their husband disobeys them. or their child disobeys them, it may happen that their friend or colleague betrays them – all and any of this can be a consequence of that sin. 2. A second place to look at consequences of sins is in our ‘amaal, ‘ibadaat. Because one of the most immediate, direct impact of our sin is that we loose the lazzat and lutf or ibadah; we loose the pleasure and sweetness and enjoyment of ‘ibadah, we loose the raghbat, inclination and yearning towards ‘ibadat. This is the biggest consequence of our sin. So, Allah swt does not necessarily make the jaza come in our dunya; because we may have sinned against Him and it was a matter of Deen, so the consequences come in our Deen and the consequences come in our aman and itminaan and our sukoon – those are the things that are taken away whereas the dunya may keep flowing upon us. So, every single sin that we do, we have to face the consequences of that sin. You can imagine like this that every single sin brings with it a host of worries, a host of difficulties When an individual sins, he will be worried as an individual; when a society sins they will face worries and difficulties as a society; when a country is full of sin, it will face worries and difficulties at the level of a country. This ayah just like it applies to an individual can apply to a nation: مَنْ يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا يُجْزَ بِهِ Now, again people look at the wrong place for the consequences – they look at the dunya. Remember that the consequences are going to come on our Deen and our Aman and our It’minaan …to be cont’d To listen to the original lecture: Mercy of Allah (swt) – Shaykh Kamaluddin Ahmed

The effect of sins & it's Remedy "Stay away from outward sins and inward sins. " (Quraan) Sins cause a barrier between a person and His Creator, between a person and the mercy of Allah, between a person and sustenance in abundance, between a person and peace of mind and contentment of the heart, between a person and a peaceful time in the grave, between a person and Jannah (Paradise) etc. Sins lead a person to the displeasure, anger and wrath of Allah, lead a person to difficulties and hardships, both here and in the hereafter, lead a person to depression and anxiety, lead a person to the punishment of the grave and finally to Jahannam - hell fire (May Allah protect us all - A'meen). Sins are very tempting, desirous and beautiful in the beginning and at the outset but soon shows its ugly poisonous head, like a snake kept in a beautiful, colourful scented packet very tempting and inviting, but as soon as it is opened and one sees the snake - what a shock, fear, etc sets in. Hakimul Ummat, Mujaddid-e-Millat, Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahimahullah) has mentioned an eye- opening story illustrating the evil of sins. A married man used to wet his bed every night. His wife asked what is this? You are a grown up, married man. We treat little children with this disease. We stop their liquids early, etc. He explained that shaytaan comes to him in his dreams every night and takes him for a long walk, after which he needs to go to the toilet to urinate. Shaytaan shows him an ultra modern, hygienic toilet wherein he relieves himself. But it is all in his dream and he wets the bed. His wife said, "Shaytaan is such a great friend of yours that he visits you every night and he is the king of the evil Jinnaat. He knows where all the treasures, etc. are kept. Why don't you ask him to show you all this treasure. You know we are so poor. You can bring us this treasure." He said "Yes, I never thought of this idea." That night shayaan came in his dream again. He told shaytaan what his wife said. Shaytaan said why did you not tell me long ago? Come I will take you right now. He took him and showed him a huge treasure box filled with jewels, diamonds, golds, pearls etc. He rushed to pick it up (all in his dream, in his sleep, in bed). It was so heavy he passed stools and messed the bed (a reality). In the morning his wife asked, "And now what is this?" He explained his dream. She said you rather carry on doing what you were doing before. Many people remember this story but forget the moral. Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahimahullah) explained that sins are those temptations, the glittering gold and silver etc. in the dreamworld, while the reality is worse than the actual stool in bed. May Allah protect us from all sins. After understanding the reality of sins, it requires just a little effort to abstain from sins. On one occasion, my Sheikh Hadrat Moulana Hakim Akhtar Saheb (Mudda Zilluhu) was travelling with his Sheikh Hadrat Moulana Abrarul Haq Saheb from Jeddah to Madina Shareef in the summer of Hijaz-e-Muqaddas. The car was very hot and uncomfortable. Moulana Abrarul Haq Saheb asked the driver if he did not put on the air-conditioner. He said it was on, but it seemed as though some window was left open. One window was open. On closing it, the car became cool on which Moulana Abrarul Haq Saheb (Mudda Zilluhu) observed, "See, the air-conditioner was doing its work. Cool air was coming but we did not get the effect. Similarly, the Ummat is doing good deeds and good effects of these are coming (even in the dunya) but we are not experiencing them because our sins are blocking them. Salat, Haj, Umrah etc. are on the increase but our window of sins of the eyes, ears, tongue, heart, etc. are open, letting in the unpleasant hot air which blocks the effect of our good deeds. Therefore, taubah and istighfar are absolutely and continually essential. Another example of the evil of sins is that of a person who has for example imported some goods which he is going to market at 2000% profit or even more, yet it is such a 'hot' item that as soon as it comes into the market, it will all be sold, but his goods are blocked in the customs because some of his paper work is not done. Similarly, our good deeds will give us so much benefit but our sins are blocking those benefits. It comes clearly in the Hadith that for some bandas (servants) of Allah, a huge amount of sustenance is waiting for them right at their heads but only their sins are blocking it. Just remove the sins, make taubah and the sustenance will start flowing. Sins are like a person day-dreaming. By committing sins of lust, it is like fantasising. By earning haraam for example, is like dreaming of building castles in the air. Like Sheikh Chillie who was asked by somebody to carry his ghee worth R100 to his house for which he will pay him R10. Hecarried the ghee on his head and began day-dreaming that with the R10 I will buy 10 eggs and let them hatch under my neighbour's hen. I will have 10 hens which will lay 10 eggs. Soon I will have plenty of fowls. Then I will buy goats, sheep, cows, horses etc. Then I will buy land, cultivate it, and have lots of crops etc. Then I will build a house. I will get married. I will have children. They will have children. My grandchildren will come and trouble me and say "Dada Jaan", "Daadi" is calling for meals and I will say, "Out of here," shaking his head and saying, "Don't disturb me" and the ghee falls from his head. The owner becomes angry and says you destroyed my R100 worth of ghee. He said you are worried of your R100. My 3 generations are destroyed. Similarly, sins are just an imagination of enjoyment while their evils are a reality. Like a person who has acquired haraam money (by stealing, fraud, etc.) and dreaming. I will buy a car, house, go on a holiday etc. His friend telephones him on his cellphone and tells him the police have caught up with you. A warrant of arrest has already been issued and they are on your trail to arrest you. That same money that was so dear to him, which he felt and touched now and again to make sure it was safe, he starts throwing it away far, so that there must not be any evidence against him. In the Ayat mentioned earlier, Allah Ta'ala has first mentioned outward sins. This shows how serious and dangerous they are! Shaytaan deceives many of us by saying the inside, the heart must be right. The outside does not matter. Many say, "My Islam is in my heart, I don't have to keep a beard and make a show of my Islam." A woman will say, "My modesty and purdah is in my heart. My heart is clean. I don't have to make a show of my Islam by wearing a burqah," etc. and similar other remarks. A few examples of a few outward sins are mentioned now: A person who does not keep a sunnat beard ( i.e. a fist length on all sides etc.) should consider this example: a plane fall of hajees lands at Johannesburg International airport by a Saudi flight. The captain, pilots etc. all are Muslims who have just performed haj. The captain announces that we have all made haj and have tawakkul in Allah and we do not have to make a show of our Islam. So similarly, our aircraft has got wheels but when landing, we are not going to take them out. We will keep them in our heart. We don't have to make a show of our wheels." At that time, all will realise that our philosophy of 'hiding' our Islain (beard) is not correct but must be shown outside. Similarly a royal bird that soars high in the air and wins great prizes, if somebody thinks the inside "steam-power" of the bird is the important thing and the outside does not matter, cuts the wings of the bird - the bird will not fly. It will lose all its value and die in depression. Similar is the case of a sincere conscious Muslim. Also consider, if we are eagerly waiting at Jeddah airport to board the plane to Madina Shareef but because of an outside deficiency, a puncture, the plane is not taking off. One small outside deficiency will cause unsurmountable frustration to the ardent lovers of Nabi(sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam). The importance of the outside can further be gauged by the example of a hobo dressed in torn and tattered clothes, no shoes, etc. who forces himself into the first class lounge at a modern international airport, the people are upset and force him out but to no avail. They report him to the person in charge. Following procedure, he asks him for his ticket. On seeing that he has a first class ticket, all have to accept him there. When boarding the plane, he will be turned out, but he forces himself into the first class. Again he is turned away, but when they see his ticket, he is given VIP treatment again. Similarly, his whole joumey will initially go in difficulty and opposition at every stage and will become a luxury and comfort when he proves his inside. Similarly will the journey into the Akhirah be if the outside is not adomed and identified by a'mal and sunnats - by the barkat of imaan, he will eventually be given VIP treatment. Now let us consider a few examples of purdah (hijab) of women. To protect milk and meat from the cat and money from the crooks, so much precaution is taken. When in fact money, meat and milk cannot fly, so how much more should not the women be protected from the enemy. The evil people will even get tempted by the mere looks or dressing of women. If one hundred thousand rands is stolen but after sometime returned, it will be just as dear to one, but if one's wife is missing for an hour or two and she cannot explain her absence, the rest of one's life will be Jahannam. Valuable treasures, gold, silver etc. are kept in a safe. Nobody objects to it. It is the right thing to do but when women are kept safely in the house or behind the veil, then it is objectionable. Is the value of our women less than milk, meat or money?! The problem is we have forgotten our true values - values of lslam, by the various propaganda machines of the west from kindergarten till university and we have imbibed animal values from magazines etc. to television. Also it is necessary for a woman to cover herself with a proper purdah that fulfills its purpose and does not in fact serve the opposite purpose, for example, if on a hot day an umbrella is used of such material that intensifies the heat or if on a rainy day an umbrella is used to save oneself from the rain, but instead of the umbrella being in its normal dome shape, if it is made in a funnel shape and all the water falls onto the person, then the purpose of the umbrella will be defeated. Similarly, if the burqah is of such bright colours, beautified with bead work, lace etc. or the face or eyes are left open, which are the more important things to be covered, then the purpose of the burqah is defeated. We do not have to cover ourselves to fool ourselves that we are covered. Rather, we cover ourselves to see that the command of Allah is fulfilled. Judge Akbar Ilaahabadi said women were asked what has happened to your purdah (veil). Why don't you wear it any more. They said it has fallen on the brains of our men (so they don't allow us to wear it). May Allah save us from the snares of shaytan and propaganda of the enemies and bless us with proper understanding and amal. (Hazrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Ishaaq Saheb; Principal of Daarul Uloom Azaadville,South Africa) Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net

PDF for download islaahi-correspondence.pdf

Hadhrat Ibn Hizam (Radhiyallaho anho) Gives up Begging. Hadhrat Hakeem bin Hizam (Radhiallahu Anhu) once came to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and begged him for some assistance. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) gave him something. Next time he came and asked for something again from Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) gave him something on this occasion as well. When he came to beg the third time, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), after giving him something, said: “O Hakeem! Money has a deceptive appearance. It appears to be very sweet (but it is really not so). It is a blessing when earned with contentment of heart, but there is no satisfaction in it when it is acquired with greed (begging etc).” Hakeem said: “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), I will not beg from anyone again after this.” يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِمًا أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيبِكَ خَيرِ الخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمِ

Jazaakallaahu khayran Brother Arslan...i understand now @Haya: yes i'll move it...Jazaakillah

Unfortunately and sadly this is the situation in many families....as for the agreement, yes though I think many would not accept the condition ) : Allah ta'ala make it easy for you Can one be forced to go? Parties, weddings etc where we know impermissible things like intermingling will take place, and we cannot cover properly and no separate facilities are arranged then we do not have to accept the invitation. It takes courage to refuse to go because either the husband or the in laws or others are sure to get upset. So then the choice is between pleasing Allah ta'ala or the relatives. I think one has to make a stand at some point and face some hardship because of it but it eases the way afterward....please note that my answers are from my own self

Wa'alaykumus salaam warahmatullah. Jazaakallah. I had no idea about this. Is it possible the post the laws of Binaa which Mufti sahib has mentioned?

Wa'alaykumus salaam warahmatullaah Firstly I'd like to mention that from what I have read and heard in bayans, I cannot stress the importance of covering in front of non-mehram males in laws. It is said that there is less likely hood of fitnah with someone while out and about however with men and women living in the same house or socialising a lot there are so many opportunities of fitnah. In most communities the interaction between a woman and her brothers in law are very lighthearted and there are ample opportunities of being alone in a room as well... Secondly, it can be done Haya. Even in small houses and living together it can be done. It is more difficult where there is no support from the husband but the wife would then need to keep trying making her husband husband understnand without arguments and fights or where things get out of hand...along with abundant du'a for Allah ta'ala to ease the situation. Ok as for personal experience, I will mention a short summary of the experience of not just myself but many of my friends here so that inshaAllah it serves as a means of guidance and help to others. Yes it is difficult however as I mentioned it can be done inshaAllah. Many relatives get upset and even stop talking however it has been known that those very relatives come around after some time (I believe it is because Allah ta'ala, in Whose control are hearts, has turned their hearts). The initial difficulty is a test and all that is required is steadfastness and reliance on Allah ta'ala. As for : Better to call the father or a brother to get the food and if there is no one than the face and the rest of the body still has to be covered. Sometimes we may have to welcome a non mehram in law or pass them something...it can still be done from behind the veil and by not using soft tones or talking unnecessarily. Here in the UK I know many families who observe strict rules when families get together or when living together. Men and women sit separately, with men serving the men and women serving the women. Please note that most houses are quite small yet Alhamdulillah, purdah is strictly observed. I can vouch that it can be done because a very close family member lived with in laws in one house for quite a long time and there was no relaxing of the rules..Alhamdulillah. The biggest test is when there is no support from the husband. I know of situations where the wife has continued to cover despite the husband's disapproval and continued serving him and trying her best not to create a situation....in most cases the husband eventually accepts it and even supports it.

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai Q.) Can you please explain to me in the light of Qur'an and Hadith what is the hijab for my husband to his brother's wives? Can he speak to them when there is no need? Can he also speak to them when their husband is not around and there is fear of fitnah? I am in purdah ie I cover my entire body except my eyes and hands and I make purdah from my husband's brothers. Lately after the incident of him speaking freely to my brother in laws wives I felt like not wearing my niqab anymore. Please clear my doubts. [A sister in Islam] A.) It is necessary for a male to observe Hijab from his brother's wife (sister-in-law). Any contact whatsoever with her is prohibited. Rasulullah said, 'Brother-in-law is death.' (Bukhari) The death being referred to in the Hadith refers is the death of spirituality. Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law are part of the family. They often get together and tend to socialize freely. This is very dangerous and certainly poses a death threat to one's spirituality. One has to be more cautious in adhering to the laws of Hijab in such a close family relationship. Rasulullah also prohibited a male from going to a woman in the absence of her husband. Sister, you should discuss the issue with your husband with utmost wisdom and make him conscientious of the laws of Allah and the consequences of not following the Shari'ah. However, that should not drive you to removing your own hijab. Why should you incur the wrath of Allah on yourself due to somebody else's wrong? Two wrongs don't make a right. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best Al-Balagh

Question I married an year ago, but I got in a serious problem when I knew that my little brother and my wife was involved in zina, I want to give divorce to her and cut off every kind of relation with my bro, I am doing right? and also please guide me if there is a relexation for them or Can I forgive them? Answer In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Assalāmu ῾alaykum wa Rahmatullāhi Wabarakātuh This is a very difficult and perplexing position to be in and it's certainly not an easy hurdle to overcome. However since you have asked about the possibility of “Can I forgive them?” it means your heart is big enough and you have enough resolve to overcome this situation, Insha-Allah. Consult a pious, learned scholar in your locality for marriage counseling to take further steps to rebuild the trust between you and your wife. Only after you have gone through marriage counseling would you be able to arrive at a proper decision whether or not to divorce your wife. Then too, you should make istikhaarah before taking the decision. Do not cut off relations with your brother Doing so will only engender further bitterness in you and will not make you any happier. Forgive your brother and drop the subject, and never bring it up again. For the future keep in mind that your wife has to keep hijab from him, just as with any other stranger, not because of this incident but because your brother is not a mahram to your wife. One of the misconceptions that is present in Muslim societies in general is the laxity towards relations with a brother-in-law. However when we look at the teachings of Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) we find that we should be very careful because that laxity can easily lead to sin. إياكم والدخول على النساء . فقال رجل من الأنصار : يا رسول الله ، أفرأيت الحمو ؟ قال : الحمو الموت Rasullullah (salallhu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Beware of entering upon women.” So a man from the Ansaar (the native residents of Madinah) said: O Messenger of Allah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam): What about the brother-in-law? He (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said “The brother-in-law is death”1 This hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari (rahmatullahi alayhi) in his Sahih, by Imam Muslim (rahmatullahi alayhi) in his Sahih, by Imam Tirmidhi (rahmatullahi alayhi) in his Sunan and others show how diligent one must be with the relatives of the husband who are not mahram to the wife. Imam Tirmidhi has stated الحمو to be “brother-in-law” and Imam Nawawi (rahmatullahi alayhi) has stated it to be “relatives of the husband other then the fathers and the sons because they are mahram to the wife”2 Since the husband's non-mahram relatives to his wife are not strangers, they are able to enter upon women easily and so the ever-present possibility of zina is more dangerous with such relations. Therefore we have been advised to be more cautious and the wife should practice Hijab with such non-mahram relations of her husband just as she would from strangers. And Allāh Ta῾āla Knows Best Wassalāmu ῾alaykum Ml. Sohail Bengali Correspondence Iftā Student, US. Checked and Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Dārul Iftā, Madrasah In῾āmiyyah 1 صحيح البخاري الرقم ٥٢٣٢ و صحيح مسلم الرقم ٢١٧٢ و الترمذي الرقم ١١٧١ 2 ووقع عند الترمذي بعد تخريج الحديث ‏"‏ قال الترمذي‏:‏ يقال هو أخو الزوج، كره له أن يخلو بها‏...وقد قال النووي‏:‏ المراد في الحديث أقارب الزوج غير آبائه وأبنائه، لأنهم محارم للزوجة [ فتح الباري شرح صحيح البخاري - باب لا يخلون رجل بامرأة إلا ذو محرم والدخول على المغيبة ]

Advice for Husbands - Part 4 Maintaining the balance between parents and wife: Fulfill the rights of your parents as well as your wife. Serving your parents is YOUR responsibility. Out of love a wife will generally assist in this duty. However do not impose anything on her. Do not disrespect your parents for anything, especially because of any issue with your wife. Totally refrain from carrying tales or relaying any comments and remarks from either side to the other. You will only make your life a misery. In any issue be totally impartial but never be disrespectful. Issues between one’s wife and parents can sometimes become complicated. It is best to take advice from an experienced ‘Aalim in such matters. Dealing with problems: Misunderstandings and minor differences should not be suppressed. Rather discuss them in an amicable manner, or else this could ultimately lead to a broken marriage (Allah Ta’ala save us). Learn to communicate constructively. Make a resolution that at the time of a problem you would sit down with her and discuss your problems in a dignified manner, without raising voices or being abusive; or you will seek advice from someone you both can confide in. You cannot choose not to communicate. Even your silence and body language can send important messages and they may be misinterpreted and could cause more harm. Don't ever argue in public or in front of the children as this can affect the children psychologically and could prove detrimental to the marriage. Never discuss a problem in the state of anger. Calm down first. In a serious conflict, call in arbitrators from both sides and let the matter be solved amicably. Learn to admit your mistake as this is a sign of humility. Do not attempt to justify your mistakes with lame excuses. Exercise patience. Never make hasty decisions which you will regret later. "Allah is with those who exercise patience" (Al-Baqarah v153). Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "The most detestable of lawful things to Allah Ta’ala is talaaq (divorce)” (Abu Dawood #2178). Don't abuse this responsibility of issuing talaaq, given to you by Allah Ta’ala. Talaaq has been allowed as a last resort after all avenues of reconciliation have been exhausted, the marriage has totally broken down and there is no other way out. Don't react violently by meeting out injustice and cruelty upon her with verbal and physical abuse. Never take her curse. Don't become an oppressor, a tyrant, and a blackmailer. Unfortunately, many of our sisters bear untold misery and suffer in silence, day in and day out for years on end, having none to turn to besides Allah Ta’ala. Remember O’ husband, when that lonely, broken heart cannot tolerate anymore injustice and those hands rise up complaining to none other than Allah Ta’ala, then be rest assured that her tears and pain will not go unanswered. Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Beware of the curse of the oppressed person, since there is no veil between it and Allah Ta’ala” (Bukhari #1496). Allah Ta’ala says to the oppressed person: “I will assist you, even though it may be after some time” (Tirmizi #3598). REMEMBER, that your wife has made the great sacrifice of leaving the confines of her parent's home and her near and dear ones to come and spend the rest of her life with you. This she does with great hopes and expectations. Do not destroy them. Fulfill all these requisites which you have made binding on yourself through marriage. Appreciate and value these sacrifices. Allah Ta’ala will surely reward you in this world and the hereafter.

Advice to Husbands - Part 3 Dont’s: Do not disclose your wife's secrets or faults to any family members or friends. Always conceal one another's faults. Even worse is to speak about one's intimate matters to others. Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “One of the worst people in the sight of Allah Ta’ala on the day of Qiyaamah is a man who was intimate with his wife and thereafter he publicizes it” (Muslim #3542). Never compare nor mention the beauty, character, or qualities of other women to your wife. This is extremely insensitive and may cause jealousy, suspicion, and unnecessary doubts in her mind. Accept your wife for what she is and do not cast lustful glances at other women. By doing so, you will lose the love of your wife. When a woman emerges from her home, shaytaan beautifies her in the eyes of men. By controlling one's gazes, one's love for one’s wife will increase and one will attain the sweetness of imaan. Do not keep in touch or communicate with any female acquaintances from the past, even if they are 'just good friends'. This is forbidden and extremely detrimental to the marriage. Never allow your wife to mix with strange men. This will severely harm your marriage. The hadith says that Allah Ta’ala has made Jannah haraam on a man who allows his wife to talk and freely mix with other men (Ahmad #5372). You too should abstain from talking unnecessarily to strange women. NB: Strange (ghayr-mahram) in the sharee’ah refers to all people with whom marriage is permissible in Islam. Included among them are cousins, brothers-in-laws, sisters-in-laws, parent's brother’s and sister’s spouses, father and mother-in-law's brothers and sisters, etc. Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “The male relatives of the husband are death (in other words, just as one fears death, one should fear fitnah, mischief, and corruption from his male relatives with regard to his wife)” (Bukhari #5232). There are many cases where an illicit relationship was established in family circles. The consequences of not upholding the laws of hijaab, especially between a woman and her husband’s male relatives, are disastrous. Never trust the carnal-self. Never use the word 'talaaq' or 'divorce', either in jest or in anger. Don’t threaten her with divorce. If the marriage totally breaks down, seek the advice of a learned and experienced ‘Aalim before resorting to divorce. Never demand back any gift given to your wife, even if the marriage ends in divorce. It is totally forbidden to repossess gifts given at the time of marriage or at any other time.

Advice to Husbands - Part 2 Spending and Giving Gifts: Support your family and spend generously on them according to your means. Regard this as an Islamic responsibility and not as a favour upon them, nor as a burden on yourself. Spending on bare necessities is not sufficient to engender true love and a happy home. However, be moderate in your expenditure as there should be neither extravagance nor miserliness. Shower your wife with gifts (within your means). Never remind her of the favours that you confer upon her. Provide her with her own monthly allowance (according to your means) over and above your household expenses. This money will then belong to her, thereby allowing her freedom of choice to purchase items for her personal needs, without having to account for how it was spent. It is your Islamic obligation to be the breadwinner of the family. Never shirk in your responsibility and unduly burden your wife with the onerous task of supporting your family. This unnecessary strain on her will be a cause of great sorrow. You will be answerable to Allah Ta`ala for neglecting your fundamental duty to your family. Encouraging and Complimenting: Compliment your wife on her dressing. If you do not approve of any aspect of her dressing, then instead of rebuking her, rather explain to her in a gentle and loving manner your likes and dislikes. Just as you would like to see her smartly dressed, you too should dress smartly for her (all within the confines of the sharee’ah). Compliment your wife's cooking after meals. Overlook the little shortcomings, e.g. if the salt is less or if the food is not prepared on time. If your wife is troubled with worries or is depressed, then be sympathetic and encourage her to discuss the problem with you. Make du'aa for her. Be an anchor of support and a pillar of strength for her by practically expressing your moral support. This will Insha-Allah make her truly appreciate your heartfelt concern for her. Forgiving and Overlooking: Learn to tolerate slight misbehaviour, or little displeasing acts committed by your wife. Endeavour to change her habits like carelessness, laziness, etc. with advice and admonition. This must be given tactfully, with wisdom and patience. RULE WITH LOVE AND NEVER WITH THE IRON FIST. It is among her rights upon you that you tolerate her. Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has said: “A woman is created from a crooked rib (therefore there is crookedness in her character). If you try to straighten her, you will break her. Hence, take benefit from her despite her crookedness” (Muslim #3634). Learn to forgive your wife. Forgive her as many times as you would like Allah Ta’ala to forgive you for your errors. Remember the proverb "To err is human, to forgive is Divine." If you dislike some qualities in her, she will possess other qualities that will please you. Focus on her positive qualities. No one is perfect. Remember that the grass always seems greener on the other side. When you are overcome by anger and wish to physically or verbally abuse her, then remember that Allah Ta’ala, whose trust she is, possesses greater power than you do. Immediately move away from that place, drink water, and recite a’oozu billahi minash shaitaanir rajeem. If possible, make wudhu. Remember that after the expression of every bout of anger, there is regret.

Advice to Husbands - Part 1 Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, "The best amongst you are those who are best towards their wives, and I am the best to my wives" (Tirmizi #4651). Entering and leaving the home: When leaving home in the morning, make a point of not leaving without making salaam. When entering the home, always make salaam cheerfully, no matter how difficult your day may have been. Salaam is a means of engendering great love and happiness in the home. Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) advised Anas (radiyallahu anhu) thus: “Oh my son! When you enter your home, make salaam to your family. It will be a means of blessings for you and for them” (Tirmizi #2698). General conduct: Live with her and speak to her in the manner that you would want someone to treat your own sister or daughter. Implement the beautiful sunnah of smiling. Smile more and frown less. This virtuous act of smiling should not be expressed outside to strangers only, rather to one’s own wife also. Smiling is an act of charity. Create such a loving presence at home that your family members look forward to see you, they should not be dreading your return or hoping that you never come home. Express your love to your wife often and make her feel wanted. Laugh and joke with her within the limits of sharee’ah. Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to engage in light-hearted conversation with his wives. Endeavour to eat and drink from the same utensil. Sometimes place a morsel of food in each other's mouth (not only to be practiced when newly-wed). This will increase mutual love and one will be rewarded for this. Spend quality time with your wife and children. The time spent with them is an act of 'ibaadat (worship). Apart from religious activities and necessary business activities, devote yourself to your family. Insha-Allah, it will reap excellent dividends. Share in the upkeep and maintenance of the home. Doing household chores is a sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) that breeds humility and displays compassion and kindness. Examples of this are cleaning, sweeping, laying the food-cloth, looking after the children, etc. Control your tongue at all times. Remember that wounds afflicted by swords may heal, but the wounds afflicted by the tongue very seldom heal. Avoid raising your voice and NEVER yell at your wife. Regard your wife's parents as your own, address them politely, and treat them kindly as you would treat your own parents. Accord them the same respect and honour as your own parents.

It is necessary to cover the face Haya...for a full explantion I think you should read this explanation; http://www.askimam.org/public/question_detail/18325 The following is from the conclusion Your comment: I dont think thats a genuine reason to uncover the face

"You don't wake up for tahajjud, You're woken up for tahajjud (by Allah)"

"The traveller of this world has blisters on his feet The traveller of the spiritual world has blisters on his heart"

"A mother does not await the return of her long lost son as much as the way Allah ta'ala awaits the return of His sinful slave"