ummtaalib

By Sheima Rafiq a student at Rayyan Institute. Ikhlas means sincerity and, as believers, our actions, interactions and deeds are scrutinised closely – each moment recorded. Our eventual return to Allah is a reality we cannot escape from and the weighing of our deeds and their intentions, good and bad, is an event which we cannot help but worry about. Sincerity matters because all the good we claim to do is of no use if it wasn’t for it. If it wasn’t for sincerity in intentions, then our good is in fact not good at all. While we can attempt to deceive others and perhaps even ourselves, there is no way we can deceive our Creator for He knows our intentions. There is no running from that. Imam Ghazali (may Allah have mercy on him) explains sincerity as “the freeing of one's intentions from all impurities in order to become nearer to Allah. It – sincerity in actions -- is to ensure that the intentions behind all acts of worship and obedience to Allah are exclusively for His pleasure”. Shaykh Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “The servitude of the man is divided over the heart, the tongue and the remaining limbs of the body. From among those issues that are incumbent on the heart there are: sincerity, trust, love, patience, penitence, fear [of Allah], hope, firm belief and true intention. The Ummah has agreed that these actions of the heart are incumbent.” Here are five reasons why sincerity matters in everything we do: #1 – Sincerity is a cause for barakah (blessings) Any permissible act initiated to please Allah Most High augmented with sincere intentions will merit His Barakah; be it from the simplest of tasks to the most demanding. Yet certain conditions apply, for example, it is important to acknowledge that sincere intentions are not a means for justifying unlawful actions. #2 – Sincerity allows for Divine Guidance "And Allah increases those who were guided, in guidance, and the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for recourse. (Qur’an 19:76) It is a no-brainer that in order to be guided it is of utmost importance that our deeds are soaked in sincere intentions. Our success lies in following the path of the righteous and among the habit of our pious predecessors was to condition all their actions with sincerity, for without it, they knew the path to Allah was impossible to tread. #3 – Sincerity is demanded by the Qur’an and Sunnah Allah Most High says in the Qur’an: “Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion.” (39:3) Purity in one’s religion comes from freeing it from all forms of shirk and all types of ulterior motives, such as ostentation. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Actions are [judged] according to intentions.” (Bukhari) #4 – Sincerity ensures success both in the dunya (world) and akhirah (hereafter) Indeed, the consequences of our actions have a deep link with our initial intentions. Our intentions carve the path our actions take. Everything we do is affected by what we have intended. Good intentions result in an up-beat outlook coupled with patience, gratitude and appreciation of our peers. #5 – Sincerity is a prerequisite to activism and service in Deen If the intention to serve the Deen is flawed then failure awaits us as our intentions, no matter how great, becomes devoid of any barakah. At times, we will see that arguments may arise or a lack of accomplishment may become apparent at an early stage of our work. Therefore, it is essential to keep in mind that the value of sincerity is indeed immense in our Deen. Remember, a good intention “converts dust in to gold”. Hence, let us strive to ensure our virtuous deeds are conducted solely to please Allah Most High. Let our deeds radiate the aroma of sincerity, upheld with a strong conviction of true faith. I invite you to take a few minutes to reflect upon one action you performed today; perhaps one you execute as an accustomed daily habit. Contemplate upon your reasons for conducting that task… What were your reasons? Your intention? Rayyan Voices Newsletter of Rayyan Institute

Allamah Sakhaawi (Rahmatullahi Alayh) reports from Abu Bakr bin Muhammad (Rahmatullahi Alayh): “While I was once in the presence of Shaikh Abu Bakr bin Mujaahid (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) and it so happened that Shaikh Shibli (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) arrived. Abu Bakr bin Mujaahid (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) rose from his seat, stepped forward, embraced the saint and kissed his forehead in honour. I asked him: “How is it that you bestow such honour on Shaikh Shibli (Rahatullahi Alayhi) when you and all the Ulama of Baghdad are of the opinion that he is a mad man?” Abu Bakr bin Mujaahid (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) replied: “I have only done that which I saw Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) do to him.” He then related the following dream: “I had seen Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) in a dream and Shaikh Shibli appeared. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) rose and kissed him on his forehead. When I asked the reason for this great honour, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) replied: “After every salaah, this man used to recite the following verse: لَقَد جاءَكُم رَسولٌ مِن أَنفُسِكُم عَزيزٌ عَلَيهِ ما عَنِتُّم حَريصٌ عَلَيكُم بِالمُؤمِنينَ رَءوفٌ رَحيمٌ ﴿١٢٨﴾ Verily the Messenger has come to you from among yourselves, it greatly causes him pain that you fall into distress and hardship, who is extremely anxious for your welfare, for the believers he is full of compassion and mercy. He thereafter would recite the following durood: صلى الله عليك با محمد صلى الله عليك يا محمد صلى الله عليك يا محمد Abu Bakr (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) continues: “After having seen this dream, I met Shibly (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) and asked him, “What durood do you recite upon Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) after salaah?” The reply he gave was exactly the same as I had seen in my dream” (Fazaail Durood) يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّم دَائِمًا أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيبِكَ خَيرِ الخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمِ

عن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال إذا صليتم على رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم فأحسنوا الصلاة فإنكم لا تدرون لعل ذلك يعرض عليه قال فقالوا له فعلمنا قال قولوا اللهم اجعل صلواتك ورحمتك وبركاتك على سيد المرسلين وإمام المتقين وخاتم النبيين محمد عبدك ورسولك إمام الخير وقائد الخير ورسول الرحمة اللهم ابعثه مقاما محمودا يغبطه فيه الأولون والآخرون اللهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما صليت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم إنك حميد مجيد اللهم بارك على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما باركت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم إنك حميد مجيد رواه ابن ماجه موقوفا بإسناد حسن (الترغيب و الترهيب رقم 2588) Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports: “When you recite Durood upon Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), then recite Durood in the best of manners (complete devotion, concentration, love and respect), for certainly you do not know perhaps that Durood of yours will be presented before him. The students of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (Radhiallahu Anhu) asked: “Teach us how to recite Durood on Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (Radhiallahu Anhu) replied: “Recite the following: أَللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ صَلَوَاتِكَ وَرَحْمَتَكَ وَبَرَكَاتِكَ عَلَى سَيِّدِ المرسَلِينَ وَإِمَامِ المتَّقِينَ وَخَاتَمِ النَّبِيِّينَ محَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَرَسُولِكَ إِمَامِ الخَيرِ وَقَائِدِ الخَيرِ وَرَسُولِ الرَّحْمَة اللَّهُمَّ ابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا يَغْبِطُهُ فِيهِ الْأَوَّلُونَ وَالْآخِرُون اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى محَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ محَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيتَ عَلى إبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إبرَاهِيمَ إنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيد اللَّهُمَّ بَارِك عَلَى محَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ محَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلى إِبرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إبراهيمَ إنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيد O Allah, shower your special blessings and mercies and upon the leader of the Messengers,the Imaam of all the pious servants, and the seal of the Ambiyaa, Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) your servant and messenger, the imaam of all good and virtue and the messenger of mercy. O Allah, elevate him to the highest of positions, and make him worthy of the position of Maqaam Mahmood, in such a way that the former and the latter of the entire creation will all envy him. O Allah, shower Your mercy upon Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and the family of Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), as You showered Your mercy upon Hadhrat Ebrahim (Alaihis Salaam) and the family of Hadhrat Ebrahim (Alaihis Salaam). Indeed You are praiseworthy and most glorious. O Allah, shower Your blessings upon Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and the family of Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), as You showered Your blessings upon Hadhrat Ebrahim (Alaihis Salaam) and the family of Hadhrat Ebrahim (Alaihis Salaam). Indeed You are praiseworthy and most glorious. Ihyaaud Deen

What’s wrong with weed? The message below was received from a concerned university student: “Slmz. How are you Moulana.. Alhumdulillah I have started campus and its going well. It was quite a big adjustment for me but shukr I'm getting there.. It is very shocking to see our muslims are gone off the track on campus.. Many of them smoke weed and what's even more shocking muslim girls are also smoking weed openly.” (END) The message received makes disturbing and worrisome reading. It should serve as a wake-up call to parents, yet the probable reaction would likely be, “That must be someone else’s kid. My child would never do that!” We lie to ourselves because it allows us to remain in our illusion of happiness. As someone aptly pointed out, “Most people would rather deny a hard truth than face it.” Yet no problem was ever solved by the ostrich putting its head in the ground. Weed or cannabis is general considered a recreational or soft drug. Because it’s only a mild narcotic and it does contain medicinal properties, some people have ventured to say that there is nothing wrong with it. They argue it helps the mind to open and makes life easier to cope with. Let us explore this issue in the light of the Quran and Hadith. The first verse revealed regarding intoxicants was, “They ask you regarding wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin as well as benefit for man. But the sin is greater than the benefit.” (Surah 2, Verse 219) This verse provides a general guideline that an item having benefit does not necessitate it being permissible to use. Items must be weighed in totality. While the verse mentioned previously speaks specifically about wine, the Ahadith of Rasulullah grants further clarity into the issue. Ummu Salamah Radhiyallahu Anha reports “Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam prohibited every intoxicant and narcotic.” (Abu Dawud) Islamic rulings are based on Divine Wisdom. It is not just the mere individual that is to be considered but the benefit of society as a whole has to be considered. There are individuals who drink and gamble recreationally without that causing detriment to their lives, but there are many whose lives and families have been destroyed because of the same. Society as a whole suffers the ill effects of these evils. A vivid example of this is displayed in a recent news article about Yemen titled, “A Nation Chewing Itself to Death” which speaks about the obsession of Yemenites with “qat”, another mild narcotic plant. It reveals statistics of a poor Arab nation of 26 million, where 72 percent of men and a third of all women are reported to be habitual users. By one estimate, 20 million dollars is spent each day on qat, and 80 million work hours lost to its consumption. In Yemen, the day revolves around qat,” says Ali Ayoub, a leather merchant who chews qat for about four hours a day, or longer if there is a wedding or holiday celebration. “By 2pm, you won’t find anyone at work. Everyone leaves early to buy qat.” This obsession has reached such levels that farmers have turned away from traditional crops to the planting of the more lucrative qat with the effect that the price of staple foods has rocketed due to insufficient supply. This in turn has led to widespread malnutrition, yet still many Yemenites spend more on the drug than on food for their hungry families. Sure, there is fun in smoking weed, but there is always a price to pay when Allah’s commands are disobeyed. In the end, the price paid is always more than the enjoyment received. Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians 223 Alpine Road, Overport, Durban

Allah, The Most Exalted, says: “…they prefer others above themselves even though poverty becomes their lot…” (Qur’an -Al-Hashr 59: 9) The Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him) is reported to have said: “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should honour his guest according to his rights. He was asked: What are his rights ? The Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him) answered: A day and night of generous treatment and hospitality of three days. That which you may offer beyond this will be regarded as charity.” (Hadith-Bukhari and Muslim) Note: Entertaining a guest is an important feature of Islam which signifies the respect and concern of a host towards his guest. It is obligatory upon every Muslim to welcome his guest whether rich or poor with a cheerful countenance and without least expression of unpleasantness. Being hospitable to neighbours and guests can increase societal ties as well as unite an entire community. Most importantly, Allah Ta’ala commands Muslims to be hospitable to neighbours and guests. There is a great virtue in doing so.

Teenage Years: Most Difficult for the Parents "I never asked to be born!" "Stop trying to control my life!" "I hate you!" You thought you were over the hard part---changing diapers and being awakened throughout the night by your crying baby, dealing with an uncontrollable two-year old "monster," and trying to handle a mischievous child, who was always getting into trouble at school. But now comes the really hard part---coping with a rebellious, often rude and obnoxious, teenager. Muslim Parents: Not Immune from Teenage Problems The teenage years have historically been a difficult period for parents in America, with very few exceptions. Struggling to find their own place in the world, teenagers often rebel against the ways of their parents. They want to experiment to find out what is best for them. And, unfortunately, Muslim parents may also face many of the same problems with their teenagers that non-Muslim families face. Muslim children can also be tempted to drink alcohol or take drugs, be physically attracted to someone of the opposite sex in their class, skip school, or get involved in the wrong crowd. No doubt, it will be a traumatic experience for a Muslim family to find out that their son or daughter is taking drugs, secretly going out on dates with the opposite sex, or getting in trouble with the police, but it could happen. And what if they become addicts, contract AIDS by having unmarried sex, or become a mother or father before marriage. Our great dreams for our children could suddenly turn into nightmares. It has happened to other Muslim families. This is, of course, a very frightening thought for most parents. Some will merely say that it won't happen to their Muslim child. But others will take action and look for ways to prevent these problems or to better handle them if they arise. Although no two families have exactly the same situation, there are some general guidelines for dealing with Muslim teenagers that might be useful. We should teach them from an early age about Allah Ta’aala , the Prophets, the Sahaba, and the great heroes of Islam. If we develop in them a love for Islam and provide them with righteous examples for their heroes, they will be much less likely to go astray. A person wants to be like his heroes. If he admires Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam, Abu Bakr Radhiyallahu Anhu, and Ali Radhiyallahu Anhu, he will try to follow their example. If he admires a rock star or a gang leader, he will want to be like them. If we inspire our children with good examples, when they are tempted to do wrong, they will, InshaAllah, remember these examples and remain steadfast. Although I was raised as a Christian and didn't embrace Islam until I was in my 20s, I was greatly influenced by the Biblical stories of Prophets like Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, and Isa (Peace be upon them all). Although the Biblical stories were not in their pure form, they still inculcated in me a love and respect for the way of the Prophets. Although I fell into many of the temptations of youth, Alhamdulillah, I always felt something within me holding me back from going too far. While many of my friends went headlong into a highly destructive way of life, I believe that my knowledge of, and affection for, the Prophets helped me to return to a better path. We must be very careful about our children's friends During the teenage years, children often care more about what their friends say than what their parents or elders say. According to a hadith, "Man is upon the path of his intimate friend; so let each look to whom he takes as a friend." If our children have good, sincere, and righteous friends, the chances are good that our children will be like them. If, on the other hand, our children hang around with children who take drugs and get into trouble, our children will likely take drugs and get into trouble. Therefore, it is essential from an early age that we try to get our children involved with good children. One way to encourage this is by regularly taking them to the mosque (be careful of not creating disturbance) or by sending them to an Islamic school where they will have the opportunity to meet and interact with Muslim children. We should be worried though if our children start hanging around with bad-mannered and disrespectful children. We should encourage our children to participate in wholesome religious, social, and sports activities Bored teenagers are more likely to look for fun and excitement in the wrong place. "Idle hands are the devil's (shaytan's) workshop," someone once said. If teenagers' lives are full of good and exciting things to do, they will not have the time or the desire to get involved in bad things. We should try to channel their teenage zeal into constructive avenues Sometimes, teenagers begin to criticize the way of life of their parents and society, and parents are often angered by this. However, we must keep in mind that sometimes they may be right. Our lives and our society are not perfect, and teenagers may have fresh insight into how to improve them. In Living With Teenagers: A Guide for Muslim Parents, Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood writes: "Teenagers are idealists---they want to change the world, and make it a better place. These are not bad ideals, and it is a great pity that adults have forgotten their own ideals in the rat-race of daily life. You, the parent, may have ended up as just a hard-working nonentity in some quiet niche in life; a teenager who is a real idealist may end up as a famous person, a reformer, a politician, an aid-worker---who knows. The future lies there before them. It is therefore a foolish parent who tries to ridicule and trample on that young idealism. If it is consistent with Islam, it should be fervently encouraged, and not set at nought." If a teenager is idealistic and wants to improve the world, we should encourage him and help him. If he if full of zeal but lacks the proper direction, we should help him to use that zeal constructively. If we get teenagers involved in helping those in need and in working for important causes, their zeal could make a tremendous impact. We should sometimes admit that we are wrong Parents make mistakes. If we admit to our children that we are wrong at times, they will not always feel that they have to rebel against us and prove that we are wrong. We should listen to our children Sometimes, children act out in order to get our attention. If we give them our attention freely, they will not have to seek it in destructive ways. Also, by listening to our children, there is a greater chance that they will confide in us and ask us questions, rather than seeking answers from negative sources. We should do what we say Teenagers hate hypocrisy, and many of them seem to have a built-in radar for detecting it. If we want them to listen to us and take our advice, they must trust us. If we tell them not to drink, but drink ourselves, they will not respect us. The teenage years are usually difficult, and parents need to prepare for them before they arrive. If parents have built a strong, trusting, and loving relationship with their children before the teenage years, their children will be less likely to go astray. It is very difficult to see one's child going in the wrong direction and not know how to stop him from destroying himself. But if we work hard to instil in them the right values early and try to help them develop a wholesome lifestyle without being overbearing, perhaps we can prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring. Islaaminfo

Allah, The Most Exalted, says: “By no means shall you attain the reality of true piety and righteousness, unless you spend (in Allah's cause) that which you love “ (Quran-Ale-'Imran 3: 92) Jabir ibn 'Abdullah Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates: “Whenever Rasullullah Sallaliahu 'alaihi wasallam was asked for anything, he never said 'No'.” (Hadith-Muslim) Note: It means that The Messenger of Allah (Sallaliahu 'alaihi wasallam) never used the plain word 'no' before anyone who asked for something. If he had something with him, he would give it then and there; if not, he would either promise him, or remain quiet, or excuse himself with some suitable words, or say words of supplication.

Practical Tips for Parenting Children By Dr. Aisha Hamdan Parents of young children (preschool age) should have few expectations in terms of behavior and acquisition of knowledge due to the cognitive limitations at this age. This does not mean that children should be allowed to run about and do as they please; they still require guidelines and boundaries. What it does mean is that care should be taken regarding the methods that are used to raise children and the values that are instilled from the very beginning. It is interesting to note that the Arabic term tarbiyyah, which is often used to mean teaching or training, generally refers to growth, increase, nourishment, and cultivation. This relates to the physical, intellectual, emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects of an individual. When thinking of growth and cultivation this implies that something has already been planted or is already present (natural Fitrah, disposition). Tarbiyyah then refers to the various methods that are used to watch over and attend to a child until he or she becomes prepared to take responsibility and behave in complete submission to and worship of Allaah, subhanahu wa ta'aala. The following suggestions are techniques that may be used for tarbiyyah for early-childhood. Play, Play, Play Play should be the primary emphasis during this time in a child's life since this is the means through which they gain an understanding of the world around them. Pretend or imaginative play is the most common type of play during this stage and this directly impacts cognitive, social, and psychological development. Children will often mimic or imitate the behavior of adults or other children around them in their play, which is their way of preparing for their particular roles in life. Girls will most often imitate their mother, and boys will follow in the footsteps of their father. You will see girls playing with dolls, dressing and feeding them and boys in more rough-and-tumble physical types of play. These gender roles develop at an early age and are a natural part of Allaah's plan for the differentiation of responsibilities for men and women. These and other types of play should be encouraged and fostered in young children. Prevention The saying "Prevention is the best medicine" is true not only in the medical field, but also within psychology. There are many steps that parents can take to prevent misbehavior and avoid the disruption that this can cause within the family. First of all, children need predictability, structure, and guidelines because this gives them a sense of security and a feeling that there is order in the world. When this is present they are less likely to feel anxious or stressed which, in turn, will decrease the likelihood of inappropriate behavior. Children will sometimes act chaotic if they are in a chaotic environment. Secondly, probably the most common reason for misbehavior is to gain attention from a parent or other adults. A defining feature of being human is the need for social contact, approval, and attention that is already present at birth. When parents fulfill this need adequately, a child will feel content and be more likely to engage in solitary play. If a child is not able to obtain attention through positive behavior, he or she may utilize negative behavior for this purpose. Parents can fulfill this need by spending quality time with their child (e.g., talking, playing, reading, enjoying nature, and much more). Quality is often more important than quantity. Rewarding Positive Behavior The concept of rewards and punishments is an integral part of Islamic 'Aqeedah as there are natural consequences for each of our actions. This same wisdom can be applied to the area of parenting. The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said that Allaah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, says, "Allaah has written down the good deeds and the bad ones. Then He explained it (by saying that) he who has intended a good deed and has not done it, Allaah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed; but if he has intended it and has done it, Allaah writes it down with Himself as from ten good deeds to seven hundred times, or many times over. But if he has intended a bad deed and has not done it, Allaah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allaah writes it down as one bad deed." (al-Bukhaaree and Muslim). Allaah's mercy can be seen in this Hadith Qudsi and this should be reflected in a parent's tarbiyyah aswell. Rewards are effective in not only increasing the occurrence of positive behavior, but also in decreasing negative behavior and increasing a child's self-esteem. The most effective rewards for children are those that are the easiest to give: praise, encouragement, hugs, thanks, etc. Ignoring Misbehavior Many of the inappropriate behaviors of young children can simply be ignored or disregarded. The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, is our best example in this regard. Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, had the best disposition among people. One day he sent me on an errand and I said, 'By Allaah, I will not go,' but it was in my mind that I would do as the Messenger of Allaah had ordered me. I went until I came upon children playing in the street. Then the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, arrived and he caught me by the back of my neck from behind. As I looked at him, I found him smiling, and he said, 'Unays (Anas' nickname), did you go where I asked you to go?' I said, 'O Messenger of Allaah, yes, I am going.'" Anas said further, "I served him for nine years, but I do not know that he ever said to me about anything I did, why I did that, or about anything I had neglected, why I had not done that." (Saheeh Muslim). We may want to compare this to how we react to or interact with our own children. For young children, in particular, it is really counterproductive to berate, question, and reprimand when they really have little understanding as to why they acted in a certain way. Simply ignoring the behavior may be the most appropriate response. Another related technique is to redirect the child to something else in the environment to draw attention away from the undesirable. It is important to realize that within these general guidelines there are about as many ways to parent as there are parents. Parents need to take into consideration the unique personalities, dispositions, and gifts of each child when deciding upon a particular approach. What may work with one child may not necessarily be effective with another. It is also imperative to remember that our children are one of the greatest tests that we have from Allaah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, and we need to continually ask Him for assistance and guidance for ourselves and our children. This is the most effective and powerful tool for tarbiyyah. Allah says, {When My servants ask you (Muhammad) concerning Me, I am indeed near. I respond to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me. Let them also, with a will, listen to My call and believe in Me, that they may walk in the right way.} (al-Qur'aan, [2]:186) Islaaminfo

Drinking directly from a large utensil One should not drink directly from a large utensil or any such utensil through which the contents one is consuming cannot be seen. عن ابن عباس قال نهى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن الشرب من في السقاء (مشكوة المصابيح رقم 4264) 1. Hadhrat ibn Abbaas (Radhiallahu Anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) stopped us from drinking directly from the mouth of a water bag (as its contents could not be seen). 2. It is Mustahab for one to drink while sitting. However if it is Zam Zam water or the remaining water in the utensil after wudhu, then one may stand and drink the water. عن ابن عباس : أن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم شرب من زمزم وهو قائم (ترمذي رقم 1882) Hadhrat ibn Abbaas (Radhiallahu Anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) drank Zam Zam water while he was standing. عن أبي حية قال : رأيت عليا توضأ فغسل كفيه حتى أنقاهما ثم مضمض ثلاثا واستنشق ثلاثا وغسل وجهه ثلاثا وذراعيه ثلاثا ومسح برأسه مرة ثم غسل قدميه إلى الكعبين ثم قام فأخذ فضل طهوره فشربه وهو قائم ثم قال أحببت أن أريكم كيف كان طهور رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم (ترمذي رقم 48) Hadhrat Abu Hayya (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) reports that I had once seen Hadhrat Ali (Radhiallahu Anhu) perform wudhu (in the following manner). He commenced by washing his hands till his wrists until he thoroughly cleansed them, thereafter he gargled his mouth thrice and inserted water in his nose thrice. Thereafter he washed his face thrice, and washed his hands till his elbows thrice. He thereafter made masah of the head once and washed his feet till the ankles. Subsequently, he took the water that was remaining in the utensil and whilst standing he drank the water. Addressing the people he said: “It was my desire to show you the wudhu of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) (i.e. this was how he performed his wudhu).”

Dars 1 – Introduction Dars 2 – Introduction 2 Dars 3 – Introduction 3 Dars 4 – Obediences Dars 5 – Waking, Using the Toilet, Iistinja Dars 7 – Istinja and Wudu Dars 7 – Wudu 2 Dars 8 – Ghusl and Tayammum Dars 9 – Going to the Masjid Dars 10 – Between Sunna and Fard of Fajr Dars 11 – After Fajr Until Sunrise Dars 12 – Sunrise to Dhuhr Dars 13 – Sunrise to Dhuhr 2 Dars 14 – Dhuhr to Maghrib Dars 15 – Maghrib Until Sleep Dars 16 – Value of Time, Salat Dars 17 – Salat 2 Dars 18 – Salat 3 Dars 19 – Etiquette of Imamat, Etiquette of Friday Dars 20 – Etiquette of Friday 2 Dars 21 – Fasting Dars 22 – Avoiding Disobedience Dars 23 – Falsehood and Breaking Promises Dars 24 – Backbiting and Argumentation Dars 25 – Self Purification and Cursing Dars 26 – Mocking Others and Halal Food Dars 27 – Private Parts, Feet, the Heart Dars 28 – Calamities of the Heart, Envy, Ostentation Dars 29 – Pride, Haughtiness, Hadith of Muaz Dars 30 – Hadith of Muaz 2, More on the Heart Dars 31 – Adab with Allah, the Teacher, and the Student Dars 32 – Adab with Parents, Friends, and Associates Dars 33 – Qualities in Friends Dars 34 – Rights of Friendship 1 Dars 35 – Rights of Friendship 2 Dars 36 – General Advice and End [HD] FULL Mangera Deceptions of the Dunya _2011_ Signs of the Day of Judgement _Aqeeda_ Mufti Abdur Rahman Yusuf Ability vs. Acceptance Advice to University Students Aqeedah of Imam Abu Hanifa Aqida Tahawiyya (The Creed of Imam Tahawi) Part 1 Autopilot salat Be, and it is_ The Power of Allah HD BEING AMONGST THE ULUL ALBAB _ Mangera Between Sulayman ibn Abd al Malik and Abu Hazim Absolutely Inspiring Bringing Barakah into Our Lives [HD] Class 1_ Al Arba’in of Muhammad ibn Jaffar al Kattani Part 2_2 Class 2_ Al Arba’in of Muhammad ibn Jaffar al Kattani Part 2_3 Class 2_ Al Arba’in of Muhammad ibn Jaffar al Kattani Part 3_3 Dealing with Depression and the Realities of Patience Divorce in Islam Divorce; The Illness & it’s Remedies Shaykh Mangera Du’a_ The Essence of Worship YTC 2012 Essential Fiqh of Ramadan Seminar 1_3 Essential Fiqh of Ramadan Seminar 2_3 Essential Fiqh of Ramadan Seminar Q&A Session 3_3 Etiquettes of Disagreement Fiqh of Salah Lesson 1 Fiqh of Salah Lesson 3 Following a Madhab Heart of a Believer [HD] Horse Meat Scandal_ Halal and Haram Issues Imam Abu Hanifa the Theologian Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal’s Inquisition Imam Ghazali’s Advice_ How to Choose friends Imam Qurtubi’s_ The Secrets to Asceticism Islamic Spirituality_ Tasawwuf, Sufism and Tazkiya (Part 2) 1_3 HD Islamic Spirituality_ Tasawwuf, Sufism and Tazkiya (Part 2) 3_3 HD Ja’far al Sadiq, Muhammad al Baqir, Ali Zayn al Abidin Journey of the Soul Shaykh Hasan Ali Muhammad Abdul Jabbar Living and Dying for Allah Marriage Marriage Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Meet the Messenger The Shama’il of Imam At Tirmidhi Ramadan 2011 Understanding The Concept Of ‘Amr Bil Ma’roof Wa Nahy Anil Munkar Mufti Abdurrahman ibn Yusuf Mangera Muawiya_ The Restorer of the Muslim Faith Path to Piety 2012 Friday Session 2 Path to Piety 2012 Saturday Session 7 Qur’an & Purification of the Heart Q&A on Divorce Qasida Burdah in Praise of the Prophet Muhammad SAW Qasida Burdah_ Unravelling a Rose Ramadhan; Why do we Sin if Shaytan is Chained up_ Shaykh Mangera Reflections on Sura Qiyama, Revival of Islam Salaat & Salaam; Importance of Salawaat Shaykh Mangera Shaykh Gone Green Sura Qiyama_ Reflections on Style, Structure and Sound The Diligence of Our Righteous Scholars The Harms of Jealousy (Hasad) The Need To Revive The Ummah Mangera 1_2 The Need To Revive The Ummah Mangera 2_2 The Secrets of Ramadanic Success The Virtues and Etiquette of Traveling 1_2 HD The Virtues and Etiquette of Traveling 2_2 HD Virtues of Ashura_ 10th of Muharram What do Women Get in Paradise (Janna) When is the help of Allah_ Why is Sura Kahf so Significant

Q: I want to ask I always feel that I am a sinner and I did too many sins. What to do to avoid sins and also what should I do now for making tauba. Please guide me. I really feel bad. My life is miserable. A: Regularly meditate in this manner at a time when nothing obstructs you, perhaps after Esha salaah. Make wudhu correctly, perform two rakaats of namaaz and then focus deeply over death and the events that will follow after death, the loneliness of the grave, standing before Allah Ta`ala for reckoning, Jannah and Jahannum and thereafter think to yourself, can you tolerate Jahannum for a single moment. When you cannot, then how can you be brazen about matters that will take you to Jahannum. Reprimand yourself saying that you are enjoying the comforts of Allah Ta`ala and His favours during the day and night, and is this the way to show appreciation to the one who is so loving and caring. Then you do not have any understanding of loyalty and faithfulness to the one who is most loyal and beneficent. Thereafter resolve with deep remorse and regret after crying as much as you can, never to repeat these wrongs. And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best. قُل يـٰعِبادِىَ الَّذينَ أَسرَفوا عَلىٰ أَنفُسِهِم لا تَقنَطوا مِن رَحمَةِ اللَّـهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَغفِرُ الذُّنوبَ جَميعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفورُ الرَّحيمُ ﴿٥٣﴾ وَأَنيبوا إِلىٰ رَبِّكُم وَأَسلِموا لَهُ مِن قَبلِ أَن يَأتِيَكُمُ العَذابُ ثُمَّ لا تُنصَرونَ﴿٥٤﴾ وَاتَّبِعوا أَحسَنَ ما أُنزِلَ إِلَيكُم مِن رَبِّكُم مِن قَبلِ أَن يَأتِيَكُمُ العَذابُ بَغتَةً وَأَنتُم لا تَشعُرونَ ﴿٥٥﴾ أَن تَقولَ نَفسٌ يـٰحَسرَتىٰ عَلىٰ ما فَرَّطتُ فى جَنبِ اللَّـهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ السّـٰخِرينَ ﴿٥٦﴾ أَو تَقولَ لَو أَنَّ اللَّـهَ هَدىٰنى لَكُنتُ مِنَ المُتَّقينَ ﴿٥٧﴾ أَو تَقولَ حينَ تَرَى العَذابَ لَو أَنَّ لى كَرَّةً فَأَكونَ مِنَ المُحسِنينَ ﴿الزمر: ٥٨﴾ يـٰأَيُّهَا الَّذينَ ءامَنوا توبوا إِلَى اللَّـهِ تَوبَةً نَصوحًا عَسىٰ رَبُّكُم أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُم سَيِّـٔاتِكُم وَيُدخِلَكُم جَنّـٰتٍ تَجرى مِن تَحتِهَا الأَنهـٰرُ يَومَ لا يُخزِى اللَّـهُ النَّبِىَّ وَالَّذينَ ءامَنوا مَعَهُ ۖ نورُهُم يَسعىٰ بَينَ أَيديهِم وَبِأَيمـٰنِهِم يَقولونَ رَبَّنا أَتمِم لَنا نورَنا وَاغفِر لَنا ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلىٰ كُلِّ شَىءٍ قَديرٌ ﴿التحريم: ٨﴾ ولهذا قال العلماء: التوبة النصوح هو أن يُقلعَ عن الذنب في الحاضر، ويندمَ على ما سلف منه في الماضي، ويعزِم على ألا يفعل في المستقبل. ثم إن كان الحق لآدمي ردّه إليه بطريقه. قال الإمام أحمد: حدثنا سفيان، عن عبد الكريم، أخبرني زياد بن أبي مريم، عن عبد الله بن مَعقِل قال: دخلت مع أبي عَلى عبد الله بن مسعود فقال: أنت سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: "الندم توبة؟". قال: نعم. وقال مَرَة: نعم سمعته يقول: "الندم توبة". (ابن كثير) Answered by: Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

Showing Compassion to the creation of Allah Ta’ala Islam teaches us to be kind and compassionate to the creation of Allah Ta’ala. Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said , الخلق عيال الله فاحب الخلق إلى الله من احسن إلى عياله The creation of Allah are the family of Allah Ta’ala (i.e. Just as a person loves his family, similarly Allah Ta’ala loves His creation.) and the most beloved from the creation in the sight of Allah Ta’ala are those who show kindness to His creation. Our elders and pious predecessors displayed this quality of compassion for the creation throughout their lives. They understood that this was the cornerstone to earn success in this world and the next. They were constantly concerned about being a source of mercy for the creation and refrained from causing the slightest inconvenience to any creation to Allah Ta’ala. This attribute was so deeply entrenched within them, that let alone showing compassion towards their kith and kin, friends and associates, even those who showed enmity towards them were put to shame through the kind conduct they afforded them. Their compassion and kindness was not only confined to the human species, rather it transcended beyond all bounds until even the animal kingdom enjoyed their warmth and love. Hereunder, we will relate a few incidents from the books of history in order for us to gain a glimpse of the compassion displayed by our pious predecessors. Perhaps through these few incidents one will be able to try to imagine the level of compassion and love for the creation in the lives of the Ambiyaa and the Sahabaha (Ridwaanullahi Ta’ala Alaihim Ajma’een). Ihyaaud Deen

40 Salat-Salam with sources mentioned interislam

40 Salat-Salam with sources mentioned interislam

how about this: http://www.islamicteachings.org/forum/topic/20140-virtues-ettiquesttes-of-durood-sharif/ many duroods here: http://www.islamicteachings.org/forum/topic/20108-salaat-wa-salaam-upon-nabi-sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam/

In Raudhul Faa’ik the following story is related. there was once a woman who had a very evil son. In spite of the fact that she admonished him on numerous occasions, he paid no attention to her advice and never heeded her warnings. In this state without repenting for his evil, he passed away. His mother felt great sorrow and suffered much grief that he died without having repented. She therefore had a great wish to be able to see him in a dream. When she did see him in a dream, she was even more distressed to see him suffering great punishment. After some time, it so happened that she had seen him in a dream again. However, on this occasion she had seen him in great ease and comfort and extremely happy. She asked him the reason for the change in his condition. He replied: “A great sinner passed our graveyard. When he saw our graves he was greatly affected and took heed that he should change his life and become obedient to Allah Ta’ala before it is too late. He started to cry bitterly over his past sins and from a sincere heart, repented for his deeds. He then recited some verses of the Quran Majeed and twenty times recited durood on Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and conveyed the rewards thereof to the inmates of the graves. I was one of the recipients and the portion that came to me had such an effect that it lifted me from my previous condition to what you now see. O mother, durood on Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is the light of the hearts, a means of forgiveness of sins, and a source of mercy for both the living and the dead. (Fazaail Durood) يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّم دَائِمًا أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيبِكَ خَيرِ الخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمِ

Question and Answer: Q. A relative of mine had a miscarriage. She was 4 months pregnant and the baby was developed. Baby was removed by a D&C procedure. What is the procedure for the remains of the foetus ? Is it to be buried? (Query published as received) A. The foetus should be wrapped in a clean cloth and buried. There is no Ghusl or Janazah for a foetus or a stillborn. (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah, Vol: 1, Pg: 159) And Allah Knows Best Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

One should recite the following Duaa after drinking milk. اَلّلهُمَّ بَارِك لَنَا فِيهِ وَزِدْنَا مِنهُ O Allah grant us barkat and increase in this milk. عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال : دخلت مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم أنا و خالد بن الوليد على ميمونة فجاءتنا بإناء فيه لبن فشرب رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم وأنا على يمينه و خالد على شماله فقال لي الشربة لك فإن شئت آثرت بها خالدا فقلت ما كنت أوثر على سؤرك أحدا ثم قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم من أطعمه الله الطعام فليقل اللهم بارك لنا فيه وأطعمنا خيرا منه ومن سقاه الله لبنا فليقل اللهم بارك لنا فيه وزدنا منه وقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم ليس شيء يجزي مكان الطعام والشراب غير اللبن (ترمذي رقم 3455) Hadhrat ibn Abbaas (Radhiallahu Anhuma) reports: “On one occasion Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Hadhrat Khaalid bin Waleed (Radhiallahu Anhu) and I went to the house of Hadhrat Maymoonah (Radhiallahu Anha). She offered us some milk. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) drank, while I was seated on his right and Hadhrat Khaalid (Radhiallahu Anhu) was seated on his left. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) addressed me saying: “(Since you are seated on the right) you have the right to drink first, however if you wish, you may give Hadhrat Khaalid preference to drink first (since he is elder).” I replied: “I will not give preference to anyone over myself in regard to your mubaarak drink that is leftover (i.e. I wish to take the maximum barkat from it before anyone else).” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then said: “Whoever is blessed with food from the side of Allah Ta’ala, then he should recite the following duaa: اَللَّهُمَّ بَارِك لَنَا فِيهِ وَأَطْعِمْنَا خَيرًا مِنه O Allah, give us barkat in this food and bless us with something better. And whoever is given milk to drink, then he should recite the following duaa: اَلّلهُمَّ بَارِك لَنَا فِيهِ وَزِدْنَا مِنهُ O Allah grant us barkat and increase in this milk. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then said: “There is nothing that can be a substitute for both food and drink besides milk.” Ihyaaud Deen

We finished Part 2 by mentioning that when a person converts to Islam all his previous sins, no matter how grave or small, are eliminated. The slate is clean, free from sin, shiny and white; this is a new beginning. However there are some people who may hesitate to accept Islam because they fear they will be unable to stay away from sin. We begin part 3 by discussing this topic. 7. I want to be Muslim but I know there are some sins I cannot stop doing. If a person truly believes that there is no god but Allah, he or she should accept Islam without delay, even if they believe they will continue to sin. When a person is used to living a life unencumbered by any set of moral principles, Islam may at first seem like a set of rules and regulations that are almost impossible to fulfil. Muslims do not drink alcohol, Muslims do not eat pork, Muslim women must wear scarves, Muslims must pray five times every day. Men and women find themselves saying things like, “I could not possibly stop drinking”, or “I would find it too difficult to pray every single day let alone five times”. The reality is however, that once a person has accepted that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah, and developed a relationship with Him the rules and regulations drift into insignificance. It is a slow process of wanting to please God. For some, accepting the guidelines for a happy life is a matter of days, even hours, for others it can be weeks, months, or even years. Every person’s journey into Islam is different. It is important to remember that God forgives all sins. A believer can, by the mercy of God, be admitted to paradise no matter what sins he has committed. On the other hand, a non believer, one who worships something or someone other than the One True God, will be admitted to eternal Hellfire. Therefore given a choice between not accepting Islam altogether or being a Muslim who is sinning, the second choice is certainly much better. 8. I want to be a Muslim but I am afraid to inform others. As we have stressed repeatedly there is nothing in the world that should prevent a person from embracing Islam. If one fears the reaction of others, such as his or her parents, siblings or friends, and feels that they are not ready to inform them, still they should convert and try to practice Islam in secret as much as they can. As time passes, and the connection with God is established, a person’s faith will become stronger and they will know how to handle the situation better. In fact the new Muslim will almost certainly feel liberated and begin to feel the need to inform the whole world about the beauty of Islam. In the meantime it is a good idea to slowly and subtly prepare your friends and family for the changes that will obviously take place. Perhaps one could begin to talk openly about God and religion in general, express an interest in other faiths or Islam in particular. When a person begins to practice Islam, which is in fact a way of life, those close to them often notice a difference. They will see a new found respect for them, the family and society in general; they will also see a change in demeanour often from anxious and unhappy to relaxed and contented. Islam is a way of life and it's difficult to hide it for long. It is important to remember that when people learn of your conversion to Islam there will be a reaction. It will range from those that are happy and accepting, to those who feel upset and disappointed. Often those upset, with time get over it and begin to accept the change. And when they see many positive changes in you, they may actually begin to appreciate your conversion. One needs to stay strong, determined and know that God is with you. Your words and experience may very well lead others to follow your example. Trust in God, learn all you can about your new found faith and let the light of Islam shine through your eyes. 9. I want to be a Muslim but do not know any Muslims Some people learn about Islam from reading, others from watching the behaviour of Muslims they see in their cities and towns, some even learn about Islam from programs on TV and for others, it is the sound of the call to prayer. Often people seek and find the beauty of Islam without ever meeting a Muslim. It simply is not necessary to know Muslims before accepting and converting to Islam. Conversion to Islam is as easy as saying the words, I testify that there is no god but God and I testify that Muhammad is His messenger. The conversion does not have to be done in a mosque (Islamic centre) and nor are witnesses needed for the conversion. These things however, are manifestations of the brotherhood of Islam and mark the beginning of a new faith with the moral and spiritual support of others. Consequently after conversion it could be very helpful for the new Muslim to make contact with other Muslims. Members of your new spiritual family can be found by approaching local mosques and Islamic centres, or introducing yourself to the Muslim who lives down the street, catches the same bus, or works in the same company. However, even if a new Muslim is totally alone, he or she is connected to 1.5 billion other Muslims. Before or after conversion this website is available to help new Muslim or those thinking about converting to Islam. There are literally hundreds of easy to understand articles about Islam. After your conversion, this website will help you get started as a new Muslim by giving you useful resources and online support through Live-Chat.

There is no god but God. It is a simple statement that should make converting to Islam easy. There is only One God, and only one religion, nothing could be more uncomplicated. However, as we discussed in the previous article, whenever a person realises the truth and wants to become a Muslim, Satan introduces the word but. I want to be a Muslim...BUT. But I am not ready. But I don’t speak Arabic, or but I do not want to change my name. Today we will discuss more myths that prevent people from converting to Islam. 3. I want to be a Muslim but I do not want to be circumcised. Prophet Muhammad said that every child was born in a state of fitrah, with the correct understanding of God.[1] and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad tell us that the conditions related to fitrah (the natural state of being) are five. “Five things are part of the fitrah: shaving the pubic hair, circumcision, trimming the moustache, plucking the armpit hairs, and cutting the nails”.[2] This is believed to be the ancient way, the natural way, followed by all of the Prophets, and enjoined on the believers by the laws that they brought.[3] The majority of Islamic scholars agree that circumcision is obligatory for men providing they do not fear that it may harm them. When assessing the degree of harm a man must look to the Quran and the authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad for guidance. If a man is not able to be circumcised due to fear of injury or any other valid reason that may make his life miserable, the obligation is waived. It is not permissible for the issue to become a barrier that prevents a man from accepting Islam[4]. In other words, it is not a condition for becoming a Muslim. Also, it does not prevent a man from leading the prayers. There is no requirement for female circumcision in Islam. 4. I want to be a Muslim but I am white. Islam is the religion that was revealed for all people, in all places, at all times. It was not revealed for a particular race or ethnicity. It is a complete way of life based on the teachings found in the Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad. Although the Quran was revealed in the Arabic language and Prophet Muhammad was an Arab, it would be wrong to assume that all Muslims are Arabs, or for that matter, that all Arabs are Muslim. In fact the vast majority of the world’s 1.4 billion Muslims are not Arabs. There are no racial or ethnic requirements for one to be a Muslim. In his final sermon Prophet Muhammad reiterated this fact very succinctly. “All humankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab and a non-Arab has no superiority over an Arab; a white person has no superiority over black person nor does a black person have superiority over a white person, except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.”[5] “O humankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another.” (Quran 49:13) 5. I want to be a Muslim but I do not know anything about Islam. There is no need to know a lot about Islam to become a Muslim. It is enough to know the meaning of testimony and the six pillars of faith. Once a person has embraced Islam, there is time for him to learn about his religion. There is no need to rush and be overwhelmed. Take things slowly, but steadily move forward at your own pace. There is time to understand the inspirational beauty and ease of Islam, and to learn about all the prophets and messengers of Islam including the last prophet, Muhammad. A Muslim never stops learning; it is a process that will continue until death. Prophet Muhammad said, “The believer will never have enough of listening to good things (seeking knowledge) until he reaches Paradise.”[6] 6. I want to be a Muslim but I have committed too many sins. When a person says the testimony of faith (Shahada), I testify that there is no god but God and I testify that Muhammad is His messenger, he becomes like a new born baby. All his previous sins, no matter how great or small are washed away. The slate is clean, free from sin, shiny and white; this is a new beginning. “Say to those who have disbelieved that if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them…” (Quran 8:38) There is no compulsion for anyone to accept the truth of Islam. However if your heart tells you there is only One God, do not hesitate. “There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in evil and believes in God, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And God is All-Hearer, All-Knower.” (Quran 2:256) Footnotes:[1] Saheeh Muslim [2] Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim [3] AS-Shawkaani, Nayl al-Awtaar, Baab Sunan al-Fitrah [4] Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 5/115, Al-Ijaabaat ‘ala As’ilah al-Jaaliyaaat, 1/3,4 [5] The text of the Farewell Sermon can be found in Saheeh Al-Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim, and in the books of At Tirmidhi and Imam Ahmad. [6] At Tirmidhi

The most fundamental belief in Islam is that there is no true god (deity) but Allah. He, the One, the Only, the First and the Last, has no partners, sons, daughters or intermediaries. He is Alone in His Dominion and in His Omnipotence. It is a very simple concept, it is simply the truth. Nevertheless sometimes the pure belief in God can be overwhelming. Often we are surprised when we call for God and He answers immediately. The religion of Islam encompasses that simple concept – that God is One and wraps it in a package called submission. Islam means, submission to the will of God. The root word of Islam (sa-la-ma) is the same that is shared with the Arabic word meaning peace and security. In essence, peace and security comes from living life according to God’s will. Like a circle of life it always begins and ends in the same place – there is no god but Allah. When we submit to the will of God, we are Muslims and to demonstrate our sincerity we testify that we are Muslim by saying, alone or in the company of other Muslims, La ilah illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah. There is no true god (deity) but Allah and Mohammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, is His messenger. Whenever any human being experiences and understands God’s mercy, Satan tries his best to harm that individual. Satan does not want us to feel comfort and mercy; he wants us to feel anxious and depressed. He wants us to make mistakes and commit sins. Satan despairs of ever feeling God’s love therefore he wants to corrupt as many human beings as he can. (Satan said) “…surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left…” (Quran 7:16-17) Whenever a person realises the truth and wants to become a Muslim, Satan introduces the word ‘but’. I want to become Muslim...BUT! But I am not ready. But I don’t speak Arabic. But I am white. But I don’t really know about Islam. God warned us against Satan and his cunning ways. “O children of Adam. Let not Satan deceive you.” (Quran 7:27) “Surely Satan is an enemy to you so take him as an enemy.” (Quran 35:6) Satan’s whispers try to prevent us from converting to Islam. These ideas should not stand in the way of a person connecting, or reconnecting with the Most Merciful God. In this article, and the next, we will discuss some of the most prominent myths, lay them open to scrutiny and see that God is indeed Most Merciful. He makes converting to Islam easy, not difficult. No buts! 1. I want to be a Muslim but I do not want to change my name. A person embracing Islam does not have to change his or her name. Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said that everybody was entitled to a good name, a name that had meaning or character. For the vast majority of people it is not an issue, however if you discover that your name has a bad meaning or an association with sinners or tyrants it is better to change it to something more acceptable. If the person’s name is a name of an idol or reflects servitude to something or someone other than God, then it has to be changed. Remember though that Islam is easy. If changing your name officially would cause hardship, distress or harm, it would suffice to change it only among friends and family. 2. I want to be a Muslim but I do not know any Arabic. The religion of Islam was revealed for all people, in all places, at all times. It is not a religion exclusively for Arabs or Arabic speakers. In fact the majority of the world’s 1.4 billion Muslims are not from an Arab background. A person can become Muslim without knowing a single word of Arabic; it does not affect his or her ability to accept Islam. However, the language of Quran is Arabic and the daily prayers are performed in Arabic, so although it is not necessary to learn the whole language, after conversion it will be necessary to learn some Arabic words. If a person is unable to learn enough Arabic to perform his prayers because of a speech defect or because he is not able to pronounce the Arabic, he must try as much as he can. If learning at least some Arabic is not possible, then he is relieved of this obligation, because God does not burden people with more than they are able to bear. However God also says that he has made learning Quran easy, therefore it is obligatory for a person to try his best. “God burdens not a person beyond his scope.” (Quran 2:286) “And We have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember” (Quran 54:17) A man came to the Prophet and said: “O Messenger of God, teach me something of the Quran that will suffice me, for I cannot read.” He said, “Say: Subhaan-Allaah wa’l-hamdu Lillaah wa laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa Allaahu akbar wa laa hawla wa la quwwata illa Billaah (Far removed is God from every imperfection, praise be to God, there is no god except Allah and God is Most great, there is no god except Allah and there is no power or strength except with God).”[1] Entering the fold of Islam is easy. It is a simple process, free of complications. In part 2 we will discuss circumcision, the fact that Islam has no ethnic or race restrictions and becoming Muslim without knowing very much about Islam. Footnotes: [1] Abu Dawood, An Nasai. IR.com

Hair Falling - Cause, Symptoms, Home Treatment and Remedy of Hair Falling - Vitamins and Hair Fall Falling of hair is natural and is common to everyone. Hair tend to fall after gaining full length and new ones grow. But excessive hair-loss is a real problem. It is natural for hair to stop growing after a certain period. Depending on the conditions of an individual, the lower part of, the hair gland gets withers or dries up, the old strand of hair is severed from the pore. This process of severance from the pores is known as falling of hair but the fallen hair is replaced by the growth of new hair. Usually the hair grow by one centimeter in a month. The falling of upto 100 hair in a day is considered normal because the, head can grow this much of hair again. Usually, there is a cycle according to which every strand of hair falls within 3-4 years and new growth takes place. Physicians, generally prescribe iron capsules and vitamin tablets to check the falling of hair but it does not seem to be necessary. One should consult a physician only if the hair-loss is more than 100 per day. The main causes for the falling of hair are anemia, disease affected roots of the hair, the diseases caused, by heat in the body, dandruff, lack of nutrition or too much exposure of the hair to the Sun. Vitamins for hair loss is due to the fact that body does not get enough of some of the nutrients. Taking vitamins for hair fall is just simple step we can take. Vitamins Needed by Hairs? Vitamins generally are good for all your vital body orgain in one or the other forms. Here we have tried to list down the vitamins that are essential for the Hair and hair falling: Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin E Bioton - helps prevent hair from premature graying Inositol - It can help in preventing hair loss and hair fall Vitamin B3 - promotes blood circulation and thus creates better scalp cells Vitamin B5 - may stop hair loss and help to regrow hair. Vitamin B6 - it has role in healthy hair growth Vitamin B12 - it has role in healthy hair growth Natural Home remedies for the treatment of Hair Falling Oil : Application of oil is necessary for the health and beauty of the hair. These days most people prefer dry hair. But the roots of dry hair become weak and it leads to hair-loss. Besides application of oil, it also necessary to brush the hair briskly for some time to give it exercise. Brushing also improves blood circulation in the scalp and makes the hair roots strong and prevents hair-loss. First of all, massage your scalp softly with a good oil like coconut oil or almond oil. Rub the oil into the hair gently with the pores of your fingers. Avoid scented oils as far as possible because they make the hair weak and cause premature graying. Vitamins Good for Hair - Natural Vitamins for Hair Growth Deficiency of B vitamins is one of the major cause of hair loss. The body needs plenty of vitamins for good health including the health of hair. Nutrition/Vitamins for hair loss There are certain vitamins and minerals which must be here in adequate quantity or else there will be defective hair growth. The poor eating habits of the current times has been affecting our general health and energy levels. This has a consequence in terms of weaker hair and fingernails. Coenzyme Q10 - This improves scalp circulation and raises the tissue oxygenation levels. It is also important for heart health. L-Cysteine and L-methionine - These amino acids improve hair quality, hair texture and hair growth which can further contain hair falling. Homemade recipes for hair falling Simple home remedy for hair falling using Steam : It prevents hair-loss. Take some hot water in a pan, dip a towel in it, squeeze it lightly and wrap it around the head. When it gets cold, use another towel in the similar way. In this manner, steam your hair for ten minutes. Apply oil into the hair a day before steaming. Steaming keeps the hair soft like silk and healthy. Good home remedy for hair falling using Beet root : Grind beet root leaves along with henna into a paste and apply on the hair. It checks hair-loss, facilitates hair growth and new hair also grow. Effective home remedy for hair falling using Amla : Soak dry amla overnight in water. Next morning wash your hair with it. It will strengthen the hair roots and enhance their natural beauty. It is also beneficial for the brain and eyes. How to get rid of hair falling - Getting rid of hair falling Natural home remedy for hair falling using Long cucumber : The juice of long cucumber facilitates thick growth of hair. It contains silicon and sulphur in plenty. Taking mixed juice of cucumber, carrot and spinach also helps in the growth of hair. If anyone of these foods is not available, you may take the juice of the items readily available during the season; This will facilitates thick growth of hair. Diet tips for hair falling Cabbage: Eating 50 gms. of cabbage leaves daily helps in the growth of new hair. Coconut: Application of coconut oil checks hair-loss and facilitates hair growth. Wheat: Taking the juice of wheat grass daily for forty days checks hair-loss. Precautions for hair falling Washing: In case of excessive hair-loss frequent washing of the head is recommended. Do not comb the wet hair because the wet hair are weak and fragile and can break easily. Allow the hair to dry for some time before combing. Do not use a hair dryer daily for drying the hair because it weakens the hair roots. When using a hair dryer, keep it at a distance of 6-8 inches away from the hair. Do not leave the hair spray in the hair for long because it contains severe harmful chemicals which can cause damage to the hair. Jamiat

This is one of the best explanations of why Allah allows pain and suffering that I have seen: A man went to a Barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects when they eventually touched on the subject of Allah The Barber said: I don’t believe that Allah Exists. Why do you say that? Asked the customer. Well, you just have to go out in the street & realize that Allah doesn’t exist. Tell me if Allah Exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned Children? If Allah existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can’t imagine a loving Allah who would allow all of these things The customer thought for a moment, but didn’t respond because he didn’t want to start an argument. The Barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and untrimmed beard, he looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barbershop again and said to the barber: You know what? Barbers do not exist. How can you say that? Asked the surprised Barber. I am here, and I am a Barber, & I just worked on you! No! The customer exclaimed. “Barbers don’t exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beard, like that man outside. Ah, But Barbers do exist! That’s what happens when people do not come to me.” Exactly, affirmed the customer. “That’s the Point! Allah, too, exists! That’s what happens when people do not go to HIM and don’t look to HIM for Help. That’s why there’s so much pain and suffering in the World”.

Qunoot - e - Naazilah Du'aa for protection against Natural Disaster, Plague and War. When the Muslims Community is afflicted with some hardship then Qunoot-E-Naazilah should be recited in the Fajr Salaat. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) encouraged the Ummah to read Qunoot-e-Naazilah supplication (dua) at the time of distress and calamity. (Hadith- Abu Dawood). Method: After the Rukoo of the second raka'at, while standing in the position known as Qaumah, the Qunoot should be read in a voice lower in tone than when reciting the Qiraa'at. The Muqtadees should place their hands at the side and say Aameen at the proper juncture. Note: Women may also recite this du'aa softly. One may recite it as often as possible as a du'aa. (Click to enlarge) Translation : O, Allah, guide us aright along with those who have been rightly guided and grant us safety along with those that have been granted safety and support us along with those that have been supported and add Your Blessings to what You have given us and save us from the harmful effects of what You have ordained ( i.e. lest I should be wanting in cheerfully submitting to your Decrees) as You alone disposes and no one can dispose against You. Anyone who is under Your Protection cannot be lowered and anyone who is opposed by You cannot gain dignity; our Lord; You are full of blessings and Most High, we beg forgiveness from You and repent before You and may the blessings of Allah be showered on the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). O Allah, forgive us and the believing men and women and Muslim men and women, unite their hearts with mutual love, set right their mutual affairs and help them against theirs and Your enemy. O Allah, let Your curse be on those unbelievers who prevent people from treading Your path, who reject Your prophets and fight Your chosen ones. O Allah, make difficult their plans, shake their feet and give them such punishment which is not turned away from a sinning people. Aameen EISLAM

Envy...Some ways to Cure it! Envy refers to the desire that a person feels for the destruction or removal of a blessing that another person has – a destruction which the bearer of this feeling would himself carry out if he had the power to. This is quite different to wanting such blessings for oneself while not wishing for them to be removed from others, for that is, indeed, a positive and commendable desire. Envy is an evil disease of the heart and the cancer of the soul. If unchecked it leads to animosity, bad behaviour, thinking evil of others, backbiting, tale-bearing and dishonesty. It is considered to be among the most dangerous and destructive of internal diseases and is the most destructive to a person's religion and worldly life. Abu Huraryah (ra) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "When one of you sees someone who has been blessed more than him in money or appearance, then let him look at someone lesser than him, whom he has been preferred over." (Bukhari) What is Envy? Envy is a puzzling and complex emotion. In Christianity, it is known as one of the "Seven Deadly Sins". In Islam, there is hasad (destructive jealousy) where the envier wishes evil for others and to be happy when misfortune befalls them. Ghibtah, however, is envy that is free from malice, meaning the envier neither wants the loss of the blessing nor hating for it to remain with the person, but desiring the same for oneself without the removal of the blessing from others. Envy is not a respected emotion in religion, philosophy, or psychology, yet many of us are suffering from it more and more in a world that forces us to compare ourselves to others. On Social Media Networks we are forced to look into the lives of others and wonder if our life compares as well. In magazines and talk shows, we are forced to look into the lives of celebrities, which leaves us wondering about our own lives. Are we thin enough, pretty enough, successful enough, etc? Even if we try and protect our home environment from being invaded by such images, we are bombarded with them each time we go to the grocery store and see magazine covers promoting the lifestyles of the rich and famous; drive through the town or freeways and see billboards with images promoting plastic surgery; or listen to the radio and hear advertisements for various products that will make us prettier, richer and thinner. Young children as a result are starting to worry about their weight and appearance at ages as young as 4-5 years old. This is worrisome to say the least. "If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself". How Envy Can Destroy Our Lives "Envy is a propensity to view the well-being of others with distress, even though it does not detract from one's own. [it is] a reluctance to see our own well being overshadowed by another's because the standard we use to see how well off we are is not the intrinsic worth of our own well being but how it compares with that of others. [Envy] aims, at least in terms of one's wishes, at destroying others' good fortune". Envy and jealousy are often used interchangeably but they are separate and distinct emotions. Envy is centrally focused on the competition with another. You can channel the desire for competition into something more productive rather than destructive. 10 Easy Steps to Overcome Envy 1. Stop the comparisons! If you find yourself stalking your friends on Social Media Networks or comparing yourself to celebrities, catch yourself and STOP IT! Come up with an affirmation to soothe yourself such as "I feel blessed with all that I have been given." Giving thanks to Allah for all that has been bestowed upon you takes your focus on what you don't have and brings it back to all that you do have. Make gratitude a regular part of your day. For 30 days, write down three different things you are grateful for at the end of each day. Volunteering at a homeless shelter for one day is also a great way to recognize your blessings. 2. Increase your knowledge. Many of us envy others, without having full knowledge of their lives. "Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in his moccasins." – When we compare our lives to others, we don't take into consideration the whole picture. Many celebrities fear aging and gaining weight so much, they deprive themselves of nourishing sustenance in order to maintain relevant and remain in the public eye. If we knew all this about our favorite envied individual, would we still want to have that life? Would it not make our life seem more stable by comparison? 3. Recognize and embrace your own individuality. We need to learn to appreciate our differences, within ourselves and with others. We may envy the lives of others but if it were given to us, we may actually wish for our own life back! Embrace what makes you unique and what's different about you. What you consider a flaw in you might actually be what makes you unique and special. "It is much more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself rightly, than you are indeed a man of true wisdom." 4. Recognize that the success of others DOES NOT take way from your own! Be happy for the success and happiness of others and remind yourself it does not take anything away from you. You create your own path and you are responsible for your successes and failures. There is more than enough to go around. You do not need to trample over others to get what you deserve. 5. Learn from the envied: "Don't hate, appreciate and emulate!" Learn from those you envy. You do not need to have all that they have but maybe you can learn from them. If you envy a friend for their success or happiness, you can ask them their "secret." This can deepen your friendship rather than drive the wedge of resentment and envy further. Are they eating healthy and exercising? You can emulate some of the positive traits and apply them to your life. Do they look young because they take care of their skin? You can learn from their techniques. 6. Find out what you can do better, how you can be better! Envy is a non-productive and energy zapping emotion. You can instead channel your energy towards making yourself better. Do you envy how creative or talented your friend is? Explore your own creativity or talents by taking classes and experimenting with various projects. Is your friend adventurous and you wished you traveled more? Start saving up for that trip you've been wanting to take. Rather than stand by and hope great things will happen to you, make things happen. "Thought is the sculptor who can create the person you want to be." 7. Work within your limitations. Understand what is possible and accept what isn't. If you've always wanted to jump out of a plane but are terrified of heights, how can you achieve the sensation without having to actually jump out of a plane? Would riding a scary roller coaster be sufficient? Would taking a helicopter ride be equivalent? Work within your limitations and use them to bust through the mental barriers you have set up for yourself. You don't have to have everything in place to make your dreams a reality. Set your intentions and you'll be amazed how things fall into place after that. It might take years but once it happens, you'll realize it happened at just the right time! 8. Keep your focus on your goals. You must first have goals in order to stay focused on them. Your goals don't have to be major accomplishments. Keep the focus of your goals on increasing your happiness and making you a better person rather than impressing others. Do things because you want to feel good not because you feel bad about your life. 9. Be happy for the envied and genuinely mean it. Being happy for others makes you feel happier inside. Envy takes our focus away from the connection we all have to each other. We envy others because we don't feel good about our own lives. Instead of allowing envy to erode your self-esteem, boost your self-esteem by remembering what makes you special. Focusing on your positives will make you notice the positives in others. "The supplication of a Muslim for his brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Everytime he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says: `Ameen! May it be for you, too'." (Muslim). 10. Be the best that you can be. Focus on an area of your life that needs improving, whether it's to become a better person, gossip less, give more, take more time for yourself, get a makeover, get a massage, or learn a new skill. When you feel good about yourself, it's easier to be good to those around you. Confidence and self-esteem are at the core of success and happiness. Work on improving and increasing your self-esteem and self-confidence. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The deeds of anyone of you will not save you from the Fire." They said, "Even you, [will not be saved by your deeds] O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "No, even I [will not be saved] unless and until Allah bestows His Mercy on me. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target." (Bukhari) EISLAM