ummtaalib

How To Perform Umrah Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (Hafizahullah) The rituals of Umrah explained in simple English and in steps easy to understand Read How To Perform Hajj Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (Hafizahullah) The rituals of Hajj explained in simple English and in steps easy to understand Read How To Perform Ziyaarat Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (Hafizahullah) The rituals of Hajj explained in simple English and in steps easy to understand Read AUDIO Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah Guide to Hajj in Urdu (2016 Version) حج کے فضائل اور تیاریاں Please download and listen on an external player. Download Session 1 [Hajj ke Fazā'il awr Tayyāriyā(n)] عمرہ کا طریقہ اور منی سے پہلے Please download and listen on an external player. Download Session 2 ['Umrah kā Tarīqah awr Minā se Pehley] منی، عرفہ، مزدلفہ اور پہلی رمی Please download and listen on an external player. Download Session 3 [Minā, 'Arafah, Muzdalifah awr Pehlī Ramī] باقی دنوں کی رمی اور حج کے بعد Please download and listen on an external player. Download Session 4 [bāqī Dino(n) kī Ramī awr Hajj ke ba'd] مدینہ منوّرہ اور زیارت Please download and listen on an external player. Download Session 5 [Madīnah Munawwarah awr Ziyārat] Guide to Hajj in English Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah 1. Download 2. Download 3. Download 4. Download 5. Download

By E ISLAM TEAM EISLAM Zakah (alms) is one of the five pillars of Islam. Its importance can be realised from the fact that in 82 verses of the Qur'an Zakah is associated with prayer (Salah), such as: “Establish regular prayer and give Zakah; and obey Allah and His Messenger.” Quran (33:33) If social justice and compassion to fellow humans who are disadvantaged is one of the central themes in the message of Allah to humanity, then it is no wonder that Zakah, like prayer and fasting, was also enjoined upon the people of the past messengers: “And We made them (descendants of Abraham) leaders, guiding by Our command, and We sent them inspiration to do good deeds, to establish regular Prayers and to practise Zakah; and they constantly served Us” -Quran (21:73) THE WISDOM OF GIVING ZAKAH · It purifies your wealth as Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur'an: “Take alms from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it and pray for them.” Quran (9:103) It reminds Muslims of the fact that whatever wealth they may possess is due to the blessings of Allah and as such it is to be spent according to the His commands. Zakat functions as a social security for all. Those who have enough money today pay for what they have. If they need money tomorrow they will get what is necessary to help them live decently. Zakat payer pays his dues to Allah as an act of worship, a token of submission and an acknowledgment of gratitude. The receiver of Zakat receives it as a grant from Allah out of His bounty, a favor for which he is thankful to Allah. Economically, Zakat is the best check against hoarding. Those who do not invest their wealth but prefer to save or hoard it would see their wealth dwindling year after year due to inflation etc. Zakah helps increase production and stimulates supply because it is a redistribution of income that enhances the demand by putting more real purchasing power in the hands of poor. It keeps one away from sin and saves the giver from the moral ill arising from the love and greed of wealth. · Through Zakah, the poor are cared for, these include widows, orphans, the disabled, the needy and the destitute. Zakah is the right of the poor. Zakah is not considered a favour that is given to the poor by the rich. It is the right of the poor on the wealth of the rich. Allah says: “..(In their) wealth there is a known share for the beggars and the destitute”Quran (70:24-25) Zakah, therefore, is unlike charity that is given to the needy voluntarily. Withholding Zakah is considered depriving the poor of their due share. Thus one who pays Zakah actually "purifies" his wealth by separating from it the portion that belongs to the poor. VIRTUES OF ZAKAH Allah says in the Quran: "The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn. It grows seven ears and each ear has hundred grains. Allah increases manifold to whom He pleases." (Quran 2:261) The Beloved Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is reported to have said about Zakah: · Zakah is a (great and strong) bridge of Islam. · If a man pays the Zakah due on his property, it causes its evil influence to vanish. · Gains the pleasure of Allah. · Increases wealth and protects from losses. · Causes Allah's forgiveness and blessings. · Protection from the wrath of Allah and from a bad death. · A shelter on the Day of Judgment. · Security from seventy misfortunes. Alqamah Radhiallaho anho says that when our group of people visited Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam he said to them, "Verily you can make your Islam perfect by your payment of the Zakaat due on your property". Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam said, "he who observes three things will taste the sweetness of Imaan (faith): One who worships Allah alone and believes (from his heart) that there is no one to be worshipped but Allah and one who pays the Zakaat on his property, willingly, every year. In Zakaat on the animals, one should not give an aged animal or one suffering from itch or any other ailment, or an inferior one, but should give animals of average quality. Allah Ta'ala does not demand from you the best of your animals, nor does He command you to give animals of the worst quality". Do I have to give Zakah? Zakah is obligatory on an adult sane Muslim who has wealth that reaches or exceeds a certain level called the Nisab for a lunar year.(please contact your local Islamic Scholar about the exact amount of Nisab in your local currency). Unlike tax, however, Zakah is an act of worship for which one receives reward from Allah Ta’ala. Ignoring to pay Zakah, on the other hand, is a major sin. How much do I have to give? If you are in possession of money, gold, silver, stock in trade or shares that amount to more than the value of Nisab (at current market rates) then you are obliged to pay Zakah. What amounts are owed by you should be deducted from the capital amount before Zakah is calculated. The rate of Zakah is 2.5% For details and rules pertaining to Zakah please contact your local Ulama (Islamic Scholars) or for any questions relating to Zakah please email [email protected] Remember … "The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e. he who gives in charity is better than him who takes it).” (Hadith- Bukhari)

"O our Lord!" This publication is a compilation of forty such verses, which are supplications imploring Allah for favours, all of which start with beseeching Allah with His title of, the Lord of all.

Du`a for protection against evil and calamities taken from authentic ahadith Click Here

A compilation of Qur'anic verses, the reading of which has been confirmed to be extremely effective for the protection against the evil influence of Jinn, Sihr and other evils Click Here

Radiant Prayers Author: Mufti Taqi Usmani A collection of du'as from the Qur'an, authentic ahadith of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Sahabah رضی اللہ عنھم and Tabi'een رحمة اللہ عنھم. Prayers for many specific situations (related to Todays particular situations) that a person goes through in his everyday life. Also includes a collection of general comprehensive prayers for different times of the day. Easy to follow and well set out. A separate section contains duas for Hajj and Umrah. Duas in Arabic contain diacritical marks and are followed by English translation and brief explanatory notes. Click Here

Don't Be Sad Author: Shaykh Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni At a time in which the Muslims are beset with trials from every periphery and within, comes this heartening book rooted in the commandments of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), the Sunnah and the excellent guidance and examples of the Muslims that have come before us. Don't Be Sad is an absolute must-read for all people. It is full of practical advice on how to replace sadness with a pragmatic and ultimately satisfying Islamic outlook on life. It exposes to the modern reader how Islam teaches us to deal with the tests and tribulations of this world. So, take heart and hold firmly onto the rope of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى). Dr. Shaykh Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni, born in Saudi Arabia, is an Islamic Scholar and respected author and activist. He is most well known for his self-help book 'Don't Be Sad' which is seen as the number one in its field within Islamic literature and although written by a Muslim for Muslims it is praised as being ideal for non-Muslims alike. Read Online...

The Salah of a Believer in the Quran and Sunnah By Shaykh Riyadhul Haq.

Shoulder to Shoulder, Not Feet to Feet! Muhammad Yusuf Danka The Muqtadi should join their shoulders with others in the row either side of them (the feet should not be so far apart that shoulders cannot be joined) and not leave any space between each other. The feet and chest should face towards the Qibla. No individual should be slightly forward or behind the others (they should all be in one ‘straight’ line.) The Imam should stand in a central position to the rows behind him the Muqtadis should form rows, completing the front rows first. Rasullulah stated that the Imam should be ahead of the rows in a central position and no gaps should left in the rows. (Sunan Abu Dawood, vol 1, p99) We will now explain how to position the feet in Salah through the correct meanings and purpose of the Ahadith of the Prophet , the actions of the companions , statements of the Khulafa Rashideen and the rulings of the four Imams of Fiqh .رحمه الله تعالى اجمعين Read

Differences In The Ummah And The Straight Path By Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Ludhianvi (رحمه الله) A critical look at the Shia-Sunni, Hanafi-Wahabi, and Deobandi-Barelvi-Maudoodi differences. Answers the oft-repeated questions: Why the differences? Who should we follow? A Must Read

Differences Of The Imams By Shaykh ul Hadeeth Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (رحمه الله) If the Imams of the four schools [madhahib] (رحمة الله عليهم) established all of their rulings from the Qur’an and the Sunna, why have they differed on so many points? How can two authentic narrations from the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) appear to contradict one another? When is it acceptable for Muslims to differ over religious matters? What did the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) mean when he said, “The differences of my Umma are a source of mercy?” Find out the answers

Fiqh Al-Imam Author: Mufti Abdur Rahman Ibn Yusuf In recent decades many attacks have been launched against the concept of taqlid [following a school of Islamic law]. Opposition has ranged from being mild with degrees of acceptance to malicious attacks. Certain extreme elements have gone so far as to brand those who follow a madhhab [school] as mushrik [polytheist]. Much of the opposition has been a result of misunderstanding the realities of this concept. The first part of this book seeks to clarify certain aspects of taqlid that have been misunderstood and gravely distorted. It sheds light on the necessity of taqlid, its history, and its role in today’s world. The second part includes several chapters devoted to issues regarding salat [ritual prayer] according to the Hanafi school of law. Through illustrative examples and detailed discussions, the chapters on prayer sufficiently demonstrate the sophisticated legal philosophy employed by the Hanafi school (indeed all the madhhabs) in their derivation of legal rulings from the source texts of Islam. All rulings have been supported with evidentiary proofs from the Qur’an and Hadith. The author delivers an even-handed presentation of arguments throughout the book. He intends neither to offend nor to perpetuate polemic disputes, but rather to state the facts in a lucid and rational style, with a view to appeal to the reader's sense of reason. Download Here

The Legal Status of following a Madhab by Mufti Taqi Uthmani. No Muslim can deny that Islam's real message is to obey Allah alone. Emphasis has been placed upon following the Prophet Muhammed sallalahu alaihi wa sallam because he represented Allah's commandments through his words and actions. Allah and His Messenger have to be unequivocally followed in what is halal (permissible) and what is haram (forbidden): what is allowed and what is not. Whoever believes in following anyone besides Allah and His Messenger and regards that person as independent (of Allah and His Messenger) is surely outside the fold of Islam. Thus, every Muslim should attempt to follow the commandments of the Qur'an and Sunnah (the traditions and norms of the Prophet sallalahu alaihi wa sallam). Full Explanation

UNDERSTANDING TAQLEED FOLLOWING ONE OF THE FOUR GREAT IMAMS By Mufti Muhammad Sajjad. Whether or not a person should follow one of the four schools is an issue that has created much confusion among Muslims today. It is hoped this short treatise will serve to dispel much of the misinformation regarding this issue and furnish the details for why the four schools (Hanafī, Mālikī, Shāfiʿī and Hanbalī) have such a central role in Sunnī Islām. Read Here

By Abu Muhammed From time immemorial, the Almighty Creator, Allah Jalla Wa A’ala, as a manifestation of His Mercy towards Humanity, intermittently sent Prophets and Messengers to remind Man of the pledge of allegiance given to Allah Jalla Wa A’ala in the world of souls (Qur’an Surah 7: V172). Together with a call towards a Divine code of life, a Prophet and Messenger often performed a supernatural act that defied logic and the laws of nature and which could only be classified as an act of God – A MIRACLE! With Isa (Jesus) (peace be upon him), it was his speech as an infant to protect the integrity of his mother (Qur’an Surah 19: V30-33) , blowing of life in to clay birds, his curing the lepers, granting of sight to those born blind, bringing the dead back to life-all with Allah’s permission (Qur’an Surah 3: V49) while with Moosa (Moses)(peace be upon him) it was his staff turning in to a serpent to devour the ‘snakes’ of the magicians to defeat them in to submission and his staff splitting the Red Sea, allowing for the exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt and the tyranny of the Pharoah while at the same time resulting in the watery grave and destruction of the Pharoah- all with Allah’s permission (Surah 26: V63- 68). To many other Prophets and Messengers were also miracles but the aim and objective was one – to draw the attention of their respective nations to the Greatness of Allah Jalla Wa A’ala and as a Divine ‘stamp of approval’ of the Prophet /Messenger The Messenger of Allah, Muhammed (Peace be upon him) was the last in the noble line and station of Prophethood. He (peace be upon him) performed many miracles during his lifetime and it was imperative that, as his mission of Prophethood extends until the Last Day his followers, who were mantled with the responsibility of carrying on his mission, had in their possession a living miracle of his that would serve the purpose mentioned above. Allah Jalla Wa A’ala, in His Divine wisdom, provided for this in the form of the greatest of literary works that transformed the Arabian Peninsula and propelled a group of ‘backward desert dwellers’ not to just the leadership of two thirds of the then known world but also to becoming the beacons of faith and justice in a world drowned in the injustice of faithlessness. This is the Qur’aan – revered as THE infallible word of GOD by more than 1,6 billion Muslims the world over from every conceivable colour, creed and background, whose message still holds relevance and credence today as it did 1 400 years ago and will still do the same until the end of time. Free on any contradictions and inaccuracies! The Quraan is not just a miracle but a myriad of miracles packaged all in one. Apart from it being the most read book in the world, it is also THE only book that has, is and will be memorised verse for verse in its original language of revelation by hundreds of thousands of Muslims many of whom do not even speak Arabic. Nothing showcases this spectacle more succinctly than the month of Ramadaan where Masaajid, Musallahs and homes are adorned with the recitation of the Quraan during the additional night prayers. A point to mention here is that while every Muslim is encouraged to understand the Quraan, its recitation without understanding is also not without benefit. A group of atheist, Russian high ranked politicians began to tear after listening to the world renowned Quraan Reciter Qari, Sheikh Abdul Basit (May Allah have mercy on him) reciting the Quraan before them and their only explanation was that, ‘There was something touching in it!’ The fact that it is mandatory to read the Quraan in Arabic in formal prayers is a unifying factor for Muslims in that wherever in the world they may find themselves, all differences of culture, language and the colour instantly melt away when the Imam (leader in prayer) begins the prayer and the familiarity of what’s recited binds the followers in a bond of brotherhood that looms above all else! Languages, by their very nature, evolve and their essence, correct meaning and understanding, often lost. Not only has the Arabic language been preserved but after its revelation the Quraan because of its literary brilliance, had become THE basis and reference of the Arabic language, thus ensuring its use, protection and proliferation for posterity. Unlike other religions, anyone wishing to pursue Islamic Scholarship, the learning of Classical Arabic is a pre requisite as the Quraan which is the foundation and primary source of the Shariah (body of Islamic Law) has to be studied in its original language of revelation. Translations are unreliable as a primary source as during this process much of the essence is lost. This process of memorisation, learning and teaching of the Quraan has protected the Shariah from corruption. The same cannot be said of the other Aramaic languages which were the original languages of revelation of the Jewish and Christian scriptures. Given the fact that the Quraan is a religious scripture meant for the guidance of humanity it stands to reason that a considerable portion of it deals with spiritual concepts of the purpose of creation, beliefs, stories of the previous Prophets, death, life after death, heaven and hell it is not limited to these aspects. It has broad principles of social laws and interaction as well as principles that cover aspects of trade, business and laws of inheritance. Together with this there are scientific truths that were mentioned 1 400 years ago which science has only discovered in the last century. Some of these are: - The origin of the Universe resulting from a ‘bang’ and continuously expanding (Qur’an Surah 51 : V47) discovered by Physicist and Astronomer Lemaitre and confirmed by Edwin Hubble in 1929 - The origin of life in water (Surah 21: V30) only recently discovered by Biologists - All things created in pairs (Surah 37: V36) discovered by Physicist Paul Dirac in 1933 - Conception and subsequent development of the foetus (Surah 23 – V12-14/Surah 36 – V6/Surah 75 – V36-37) as verified by leading American Embryologist Dr Keith Moore - The uniqueness of fingerprints (Surah 75 : V3-4) which was only discovered in the 19th Century - The atmosphere created in seven layers (Surah 2 : V29) and each layer having its own characteristics (Surah 41 : V12) as well as the formation of rain (Surah 24 : V43/Surah 30 : V48) as well as the equal rate of evaporation and precipitation (Surah 43 : V11) only discovered recently by Meteorologists using modern technology - Mountains created as pegs to stabilise the earth (Surah 21 : V31) only discovered by modern Geologists - The property of the seas, that they come together yet do not mix at all due to difference in density (Surah 55 : V 19-20) only very recently discovered by Oceanographers While the above has been cited it is important to understand that the Quraan confirms science and not vice versa and the objective of revealing these scientific truths was to manifest the greatness of Allah Jalla Wa A’ala to those who ponder and reflect so that they would also be enveloped in Divine guidance which is the ultimate objective of the revelation of the Quraan (Surah 2 : V2) and could also benefit from the ‘Divinely endorsed’ lifestyle of the The Final Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammed (May Allah be pleased with him) Probably the greatest miracle of the Quraan and a proof of its Divine origin is the fact that the one to whom it was revealed was unlettered, did not have any formal schooling was not renowned for his poetic skills in a society that prided itself on its Poets and poetry, yet at the age of forty, over a period of twenty three years, Muhammad (peace be upon him) began uttering such words from revelation that would culminate in the greatest literary masterpiece as well as a manual for eternal salvation – The Last Testament /The Qur’an the world has ever seen and will ever see! This could be none other than the fact that what he spoke was not from himself but rather what the Almighty placed on his tongue (Surah 53 : V1-5) and so laconically prophesised in the Biblical verse of Deuteronomy, ‘…and I (God) will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him’ (Bible Ch 18 : V 18) Dr Maurice Bucaille, who embraced Islam after studying the Quraan, had this to say ‘It is impossible that Muhammad (peace be upon him) authored the Quran. How could a man, from being illiterate, become the most important author, in terms of literary merits, in the whole of Arabic literature? How could he then pronounce truths of a scientific nature that no other human being could possibly have developed at that time, an all this without once making the slightest error in his pronouncement on the subject?’ (The Bible, the Quran and Science - 1978, p. 125) To all of us who are living at this moment who are looking for a something to inspire and motivate us, to answer our questions, satisfy our curiosities, remove our confusion, solve our problems and point us in the direction of living correctly so that we may travel the road to eternal happiness and salvation… then me need to look no further than the Quraan which is the greatest miracle that exists today – embrace it and be Guided! EISLAM

Sajda Tilawat By Mufti Ebrahim Desai POSTED: 4 SHAWWAL 1422, 19 DECEMBER 2001 Q. 1) If the Ayat of Sajjda is heard while listening to Tape/Radio, is it necessary to perform the Sajjda Tilawat? A. 1) If the Aayat of Sajdah is heard on tape recorder or played on radio, Sajda Tilaawat is not necessary. If the recitation is live on Radio, Sajda Tilawat is necessary. Q. 2) During the month of Ramadan the mosque speakers are used in the Taraweeh. The voice is also heard outside the mosque. As the whole Quran is recited in the Taraweeh and obviously Ayaat of Sajjda are also recited. Now a person sitting at his home hears those Ayaat, is he going to perform those Sajjda Tilawat? A. 2) Yes. Q. 3) What is the correct way to do Sajda Tilawat? Do we need to say Takbir and give salam to both sides like in salat? A.) Sajda-e-Tilawat is simply to make sajda by saying Allahu-Akbar, going into sajda, and reciting three times 'Subhaana rabbi-al a'alaa'. There is no need to stand or even raise the hands, as one would do when commencing Salat. There is also no salam on any side after making the sajda. And Allah Knows Best. Source: www.albalagh.net/qa/Sajdah_Tilawat.shtml

Sajdah Tilawah due to Listening on Audio Recording Q. I would like to know if it is necessary to do Sajdah Tilawat if whilst listening to the Quran on a tape/CD, a Sajdah Tilawat ayah is recited. A. In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, The traditional Hanafi scholars (fuqaha) have stated that there are three situations where the Qur’an recital prostration (sajdah al-tilawah) is not necessary on the listener. 1) Listening to the recitation of a parrot, 2) Listening to the verse of Sajdah by means of echo or reverberation, 3) Listening to the verse recited by an insane person (majnun). Imam al-Kasani states in his Bada’i al-Sana’i, which is a fundamental reference in Hanafi Fiqh: “Contrary to the situation where one listens to the verse (ayah) of Sajdah recited by a parrot or listens to it by the echo of a sound, as this is not considered recitation (tilawah). Similarly (m: Sajdah will not be necessary), when one listens to this verse from an insane person, as his recitation is not considered a proper recitation, for he is not competent to judge for himself.” (Bada’i al-Sana’i, 1/186) Due to the above, contemporary scholars have explained that if an verse of Sajdah was heard on a recording, such as on a tape, CD, etc… then Sajdah al-Tilawah will not be necessary. It is similar to listening to the recitation of a parrot or by reverberation. However, if it was heard on live broadcast, whether on a Masjid transmitter or a radio, then it will be necessary to perform a Sajdah. And Allah Knows Best [Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam Darul Iftaa Leicester , UK Source: www.daruliftaa.com/node/6192

Ramadhaan is the most important month of the Islamic year. It is in this month that the family worships Allah and practices Islam more fervently and with greater enthusiasm. The Muslim family spend precious moments of their time together during Iftaar and Suhoor. These two meals provide the fuel and blessing that grant a Muslim the physical and spiritual strength to fast. The food Muslims consume plays a critical role in their worship. Allah mentions in the Quran : "Eat what is wholesome and do good deeds.[23:51]" In other words, wholesome and halaal food promotes good character and actions. The responsibility of ensuring that wholesome meals are provided for the family rests on the father and mother. The father earns pure and halaal sustenance. The mother ensures that the food that is consumed is wholesome and halaal. A few ideas on how a mother can create an Islamic home in Ramadhaan: -Encourage children to recite Quran regularly every day even if it be a little. This will discipline them and make them love the Quran. -Encourage them to fast even for an hour or half a day. This will build their confidence. -Let them perform Salaah together with the mother while she prays. -Teach them one new thing about Ramadhaan every day, eg. a dua, Hadith, benefit of fasting and Taraweeh, etc. -Teach them to avoid unhealthy food. Ramadhaan is, after all, a month of diet control! Assign one of the kids the responsibility for waking everyone up for Suhoor and Fajr (Set your alarm clock, just in case!) This will teach them the importance of Suhoor and Fajr. In Ramadhaan, specifically, there must be a constant reminder of an Islamic home! Children learn from a mother's personal example. A mother who is always there by supervising and disciplining her children and who keeps busy with Salah, Qur'aan and Dua provides the most favourable Islamic atmosphere for piety and happiness in the home. A mother provides a special warmth and tenderness to the family during Ramadhaan. Ramadhaan without a mother can never be a true Ramadhaan. Ask anybody who has lost a mother within the last year how sad and empty that home now is. May Allah grant our mothers the understanding of their critical role in every Muslim home. They are the spiritual pillars upon which the bricks of worship and obedience stand. If they fall or crumble the future of the Ummah is at stake. May Allah make our Muslim women true beacons of piety and strength. Ameen! islaaminfo.co.za

"The Spiritual Retreat" By E ISLAM (www.eislam.co.za) The meaning of Itikaf is to seclude oneself in the Masjid with the express niyyah (intention) of Itikaf. Allah Ta’ala has indeed in His perfect wisdom created humanity in a unique way. He has made it such that from time to time His creation needs a rest. We rest at night to give our bodies time to recover. Birds retire to their nests, horses to their stables, bees to their hives etc. However there comes a time when more intensive rest or a retreat is required. Sometimes due to a person’s physical condition he is admitted into the intensive care unit allowing his body time to recover. Likewise the soul also needs to recover from the hustle and bustle of the world, the spiritual pollution caused by evil elements of society, the rat race of wanting, desiring and acquiring more of this world and the distractions that has diverted our mind, heart and soul from the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala and His Beloved Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Intensive Care Unit(ICU) for the soul is the Masjid and Itikaf is the feature within this ICU to allow the soul to not only recover but be spiritually rejuvenated! Itikaf is indeed a Spiritual Retreat! Inside each and every human being, a constant battle rages. It is like a battle between two tigers. One tiger is a manifestation of evil. It is full of hate, lust, and greed. It’s fangs drip with bitterness and strife. The other tiger is an embodiment of good. It is full of love, compassion, and honesty. He never betrays his brother. These two tigers are constantly at war. Which tiger is going to win the battle? The answer is quite obvious…. Whichever one you feed. Our soul is being bombarded by forces of good and evil. We need to feed it good so that it overpowers the evil….and Itikaf is indeed an excellent opportunity to achieve this by feeding and nourishing the soul with good deeds. Since the life of the transient world keeps us busy for the whole year in studies, work, social functions, business, traveling and other such things that often causes us to be negligent of our souls and the next life, we may sometimes think that these things are the sole purpose in life and thus, we end up forgetting our true goal – Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him). Thus, it is for this reason that I’tikaf is referred to as “The spring of life in a world struck with the drought of negligence of Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him).” I’tikaf indeed rejuvenates the soul and gives a fresh breath to life. In addition, we can once again find ourselves and our Lord Allah Ta’ala and spiritually return back to Him before we are forced to return back to Him when our soul separates from our body (death). The period of I’tikaf is the best time to force one’s self to sit and think and reflect on the self and the world around; the period of the I’tikaf is the best time to forget the worries of the transient world and to return to nurturing the soul and linking oneself with the Creator of the soul; the period of the I’tikaf is the best time to return back to Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) in true repentance for our sins committed through the year and to give our souls the spiritual strength desperately needed to live a spiritual and pure life in this challenging world. The Messenger of Allah ( Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam) observed, I'tikâf and the Muslims have on the whole adhered to it. It has become a regular feature of the month of Ramadhân and a confirmed practice with the devout and the faithful. Hazrat Ayesha (Radiallâhu anha) relates that "Rasulullâh. Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam regularly observed I'tikâf during the last ten days of Ramadhân till the end of his life. After him, his wives maintained the tradition." (Hadith-Bukhari) It is related by Hazrat Abû Huraira (Radiallâhu anhu) that "Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam observed I'tikâf for ten days every year in the month of Ramadhân. In the year he passed away he observed it for twenty days." (Hadith-Bukhari) The Messenger of Allah (blessings of Allah be upon him s family) is reported to have said: "The persons who secludes himself (in the Masjid in I'tikaf) in true faith and hope (for the reward of Allah), all of his previous sins shall be forgiven." (Kanzul Ummal, Hadith 24007) 3 TYPES OF ITIKAF WAAJIB (Compulsory) Itikaf. This Itikaf becomes compulsory when a person makes it obligatory upon himself. An example of this is, when a person makes a vow to Allah that if Allah fulfills a certain wish of his, he will undertake to perform so many days Itikaf. In this case the moment his wish is fulfilled, Itikaf becomes compulsory. A person may just make unconditional vow whereby he makes Itikaf Waajib upon himself for certain number of days. This becomes a Waajib duty on from that moment onward. SUNNAH Itikaf. This was the general practice of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and it means to seclude oneself inside the Masjid for the last ten days of Ramadhan. NAFIL Itikaf. There is no special time or specific number of days for Nafil Itikaf. A person may make niyyah for any number of days at any time, even for his whole life Before engaging into Itikaf it is highly recommended to learn the rules relating to this important act of ibadah (worship). Please to do consult your local Ulama (Islamic Scholars) for more guidance. For a detailed article on Itikaf and its rules please visit : http://eislaminfo.blogspot.com/2010/08/itikaf.html

"....The chance that higher life forms might have emerged in this way (by coincidence) is comparable with the chance that a tornado sweeping through a junk-yard might assemble a Boeing 747 from the materials therein....." Millions of plant and animal types present in the world stand out as evidence that prove the existence and might of our Creator. All of these living beings, a limited number of which will be described as examples here, deserve to be examined individually. They all have different body systems, diverse defence tactics, unique ways of feeding, and interesting reproduction methods. Unfortunately, it is not possible to describe all living beings with all their features in a single book. Encyclopaedias of many volumes would not be enough for this task. However, even the few examples we will discuss here will be sufficient to prove that life on earth can in no way be explained by coincidences or accidental happenings. From Caterpillar to Butterfly If you had 450-500 eggs and if you had to preserve them outside, what would you do? The wisest course for you would be to take precautions to prevent them from being scattered around, say, by the wind, or other environmental factors. Being one of the animals that lay the most eggs at one time (450-500), the silkworms use a very intelligent way to protect their eggs: they unite the eggs with a viscous substance (thread) they secrete to prevent them from being scattered around. The caterpillars that pop out of their eggs firstly find a safe branch for themselves and then get tied to this branch with the same thread. Later, to promote their own development, they start to spin a cocoon for themselves with the thread they secrete. It takes 3-4 days for a caterpillar that has opened its eyes very recently to life to complete this process. During this period, the caterpillar makes thousands of turns and produces a thread an average of 900-1,500 metres long. At the end of this process, it starts a new task through which it undergoes a metamorphosis to become an elegant butterfly. Neither the action taken by the mother silkworm to protect its eggs, nor the behaviour of a tiny caterpillar devoid of any awareness, education or knowledge can be explained by evolution. First of all, the ability of the mother to produce the thread it uses to secure its eggs is miraculous. The newly-born caterpillar's knowing the most suitable environment for itself, its spinning a cocoon in accordance with it, its undergoing a metamorphosis, and its coming through this metamorphosis without any problem are beyond human comprehension. Hence, we can simply say that each caterpillar is born into the world with a foreknowledge of what to do, which means that it was 'taught' all of these things before it was born. Let us explain this with an example. What would you think if you saw a new-born baby standing up a few hours after his birth, getting together the things he needs to make his bed (like quilt, pillow, mattress), and later putting all these together neatly, making his bed and lying down on it? After you recover from the shock of the event, you would probably think that the baby must have been taught in an extraordinary way in his mother's womb to perform such a process. The case of the caterpillars is no different from the baby in this example. This again leads us to the same conclusions: these living creatures come into life, behave and live in the way determined by Allah Ta'ala Who has created them. The Qur'anic verse stating that Allah Ta'ala has inspired the honeybee and commanded it to make honey (Surat an-Nahl, 68-69) provides an example of the great secret of the world of living beings. This secret is that all living beings have bowed to Allah's will and follow the fate determined by Him. This is why the honeybee makes honey and the silkworm produces silk. The Symmetry in Wings When we look at the butterfly wings in the pictures, we see a perfect symmetry prevailing over them. These lace-like wings are so adorned with patterns, spots and colours that each of them is like a work of art. When you look at the wings of these butterflies, you notice that the patterns and colours on both sides are fully identical, no matter how intricate they may seem. Even the smallest dot is present on both wings, thereby introducing a flawless order and symmetry. In addition, none of the colours on these thin wings mixes with the other, each being sharply set apart from the other. Actually, these colours are formed by the amassing of tiny scales clustered one on top of another. Isn't it a wonder how these small scales that are easily dispersed with your hand's slightest touch can be arranged in both wings without any mistake in their disposal so as to produce exactly the same pattern. Even the replacement of a single scale would destroy the symmetry in the wings and impair their aesthetics. However, you never see any muddle in the wings of any butterfly on the earth. They are as neat and elegant as if made by an artist. And they are indeed made by an Exalted Creator. The Animal with the Longest Neck: The Giraffe Giraffes have many amazing characteristics. One of these is that their neck stands on 7 vertebrae, just like that of all other mammals, even though it is so long. Another amazing fact about giraffes is that they do not have any problem pumping blood up to their brain on top of their long neck. A little thinking would make one notice how difficult it must be to have the blood pumped so high. But giraffes do not have any problem about this, because their hearts are equipped with features to pump blood as high as necessary. This enables them to carry on with their lives effortlessly. Yet they still face another problem while they drink water. Essentially, giraffes should have died of high blood pressure every time they bent down to drink water. However, the perfect system in their necks completely eliminates this risk. When they bend down, the valves in their neck vessels are shut down and they prevent excess blood from flowing to the brain. There is no doubt that the giraffes did not acquire these traits by planning them in accordance with their needs. It is even more implausible to say that all these vital features were shaped over time through a gradual evolutionary process. In order for a giraffe to stay alive, it is vital for it to have a pumping system to transmit blood to the brain and a valve system to prevent high blood pressure the minute it bends own. If any one of these characteristics did not exist or did not function properly, then it would be impossible for the giraffe to go on living. The conclusion to be derived from all this is that the giraffe species was born into the world with all the characteristics vital for its living. It is impossible for a non-existent being to master its body and acquire essential traits consciously. So, giraffes unquestionably prove that they are created by a conscious creation, that is by Allah Ta'ala. Sea Turtles Sea turtles living in the oceans surge in crowds towards the beach when it is time for them to reproduce. This is no ordinary beach though. The beach they arrive at to reproduce has to be the one where they were born. Sometimes sea turtles have to travel as far as 800 kilometres to arrive there. But a long and tough journey does not change the situation. They arrive at the beach where they were born to give birth to their offspring, no matter what. It is quite unaccountable how a living being can find its way back to the very same beach 20-25 years after its departure from there. It is all the more extraordinary that it can find the direction of its birthplace in the depths of the ocean where so little light penetrates, and then spot it from among numerous similar beaches. Finally, thousands of travellers with no compass meet on the same beach at the same time. Initially a mystery, the reasons underlying this insistent meeting came as a great surprise when finally revealed. Since turtles know that their offspring cannot survive in sea conditions, they bury their eggs under the sand on the beach. But why do all of them meet on the same beach, at the same time? Would not the hatchlings survive if they did the same thing at different times and on different beaches? Those who did research on this topic were faced with a very interesting situation. Thousands of offspring under the sand have to overcome a number of formidable obstacles after breaking their eggs with the hard lump on their head. The hatchlings of an average of 31 grams cannot dig the earth layer above them on their own and they all help each other. When thousands of hatchlings on the beach start to dig the earth, they make it to the sand surface in a few days. Yet before they appear on the surface, they wait for a while for nightfall. For in the day time, there is the danger of falling a prey to predators. In addition, it would be quite difficult for them to proceed by crawling on sands scorched by the sunlight. When night falls, they go up to the surface after completing the digging process. Although it is dark, they rush to the sea and depart from the beach to return there as much as 20-25 years later. It is impossible for these hatchlings to know that they have to dig their way up after they pop out of their eggs and wait for a while at a certain distance from the sea. It is by no means possible for them to know, when they are still buried in the earth, whether it is day or night, that predators exist outside and that they could fall a prey to them, that the sand is scorching because of the sun, that this could harm them, and that they must rush to the sea. So, how does this conscious conduct come about? The only answer to this question is that these hatchlings have been somehow 'programmed' to behave in this way, which means that their Creator has inspired in them the instinct that helps them protect their lives. Bombardier Beetle The bombardier beetle is an insect on which an enormous amount of research has been done. The trait that renders this insect so popular is that it uses chemical methods to protect itself from its enemies. In moments of danger, the insect squirts hydrogen peroxide and hydroquinone stored in its body towards the enemy to protect itself. Prior to battle, specialised structures called secretory lobes make a very concentrated mixture of these two chemicals. The mixture is stored in a separate compartment called the storage chamber. This compartment is connected to a second one called the explosion chamber. The two compartments are kept separate from one another by a sphincter muscle. The moment the insect senses danger, it squeezes the muscles surrounding the storage chamber while simultaneously relaxing the sphincter muscle, and the chemical in the storage chamber is transferred to the explosion chamber. A large quantity of heat is released and a vaporisation occurs. The released vapour and the oxygen gas exert pressure on the walls of the explosion chamber and this chemical is squirted at the enemy through a annel leading outward from the beetle's body. It is still a great mystery to researchers how an insect can harbour inside itself a powerful system potent enough to trigger a chemical reaction that could easily cause it harm while also isolating itself from the effects of that system. No doubt, the existence and working of this system is too complicated to be attributed to the insect itself. It is still a matter of discussion how the bombardier beetle makes such a system work within its tiny body measuring about 2 cm in length, when human experts can perform it only in laboratories. The only apparent truth here is that this insect is a concrete example completely refuting the theory of evolution, because it is impossible for this complex chemical system to have been shaped by a series of coincidental variations and passed on to future generations. Even a minor deficiency or 'defect' in a single piece of the system would leave the animal defenceless, so that it would soon be killed or it would cause it to blow itself up. Therefore, the only explanation is that the chemical weapon in the insect's body had come into being with all its parts all at once and without any defect. Termite Nests No one can help feeling surprised at the sight of a termite nest erected on the ground by termites. These nests are architectural wonders, rising as high as 5 or 6 metres. When you compare the size of a termite and its nest, you will see that the termite has successfully completed an architectural project about 300 times bigger than itself. But what is even more astonishing is that the termites are blind. A person who has never seen the huge nests built by blind termites would probably think that they are made up of sand piles heaped upon each other. However, a termite nest proves to be of a marvellous design comprehensible to the human mind: inside there are intersecting tunnels, corridors, ventilation systems, special fungus production yards and safety exits. If you assemble thousands of blind people and give them all kinds of technical tools, you can never make them set up a nest similar to the one made by the termite colony. So, just think: - How could a termite measuring 1-2 cm. in length have learnt the architectural and engineering information needed to make such a subtle design? - How could thousands of blind termites manage to work in harmony to build this construction which is an artistic wonder? -If you divide a termite nest into two during the first stages of its construction, and then reunite it, you will see that all passage-ways, canals and roads fit each other. How can this miraculous event be explained? The conclusion to be derived from this example is that Allah Ta'ala has created all living beings uniquely and without any prior example. Even one termite nest is enough for a person to comprehend Allah Ta'ala and believe that He is the One Who created all. The Woodpecker As we all know, woodpeckers build their nests by boring holes in tree trunks with their beaks. This may sound familiar to most people. But the point many people fail to examine is why woodpeckers suffer no brain haemorrhage when they beat a tattoo so vigorously with their heads. What the woodpecker does is in a way similar to a human being driving a nail into the wall with his head. If a man ventured to do something like that, he would probably undergo a brain shock followed by a brain haemorrhage. However, woodpecker can peck a hard tree trunk 38-43 times in just two or three seconds and nothing happens to it. Nothing happens because the head structure of woodpeckers is ideally created for such a task. The skull of the woodpecker has a remarkable suspension system that absorbs the force of the blows. Its forehead and some skull muscles adjoined to its beak and the jaw joint are so robust that they help lessen the effect of the forceful strokes during pecking. Design and planning do not end here. Preferring primarily pine trees, woodpeckers check the age of the trees before boring a hole in them and pick those older than 100 years, because pine trees older than 100 years suffer an illness that causes the hard and thick bark to soften. This was only recently discovered by science and perhaps you may be reading of it here for the first time in your life; woodpeckers have known it for centuries. This is not the only reason why woodpeckers prefer pine trees. Woodpeckers dig cavities around their nests, the function of which was not originally understood. These cavities were later understood to protect them from a great danger. Over time, the sticky resin that leaks from the pine trees fills up the cavities and the outpost of the woodpecker's nest is thus filled with a pool whereby woodpeckers can be protected from snakes, their greatest enemies. Another interesting feature of woodpeckers is that their tongues are thin enough to penetrate even ants' nests in the trees. Their tongues are also sticky, which allows them to collect the ants that live there. The perfection in their creation is further revealed by the fact that their tongues have a structure which prevents them from being harmed by the acid in the bodies of the ants.Woodpeckers, each of whose characteristics is discussed in a different paragraph above, prove with all their detailed features that they are 'created'. If woodpeckers had evolved coincidentally as the theory of evolution claims, they would have died before they acquired such extraordinarily consistent traits and hey would be extinct. However, as they were created by Allah with a special 'design' adapted to their life, they started their lives by bearing all the vital characteristics. CONCLUSION Can the wind form an airplane by coincidence? The famous physicist Sir Fred Hoyle makes a very striking observation about the origin of life. In his book The Intelligent Universe he writes: The chance that higher life forms might have emerged in this way (by coincidence) is comparable with the chance that a tornado sweeping through a junk-yard might assemble a Boeing 747 from the materials therein. This comparison of Hoyle's is quite inspiring. The examples that we have discussed above also reveal that both the existence of life and the perfection of its present systems force us to look for the great power making these come into being. Just as a hurricane cannot produce an airplane as a result of coincidences, neither is it possible for the universe to have come into being as a result of unanticipated happenings and moreover to harbour extremely complex structures therein. In truth, the universe is furnished with myriad systems of an infinitely greater complexity than those of an airplane Everything we have said in this chapter confronts us with the evidence of the flawless planning not only in our immediate surroundings but also in the depths of space. One who assesses these signs which are so evident as to be undeniable by both reason and conscience can come to only one conclusion: there is no room for coincidence in the universe; the universe was CREATED with all the minutiae contained in it. And Allah, the Creator of this flawless system, is He Who has infinite might and knowledge. www.islaaminfo.co.za

Tafsir: Surah Al-Fatiha - Part 1 [intro] Shaykh Saleem Nawab

Combating the Whisperings of Shaytaan By Shaykh Yunus Patel (Raheemahullah) Troublesome thoughts A lady called, saying that whilst reading Salaah, the images of idols come in front of her and there is a whispering in her heart : “You are not a Muslim. You are a Mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah Ta’ala), so prostrate (or make sajda) to this idol.” Surely if an image like that comes before a person in Salaah, the person will become terribly worried. And she repeatedly hears this: “You have become a Mushrik. You have become a Mushrik.” As a result she was very, very anxious and worried, saying that due to this worry, she hadn’t slept. Due to the frequency of these whisperings, she was becoming a nervous wreck. A VERY HELPFUL BOOK IN COMBATING WASAAWIS

Removing the Safety Net Transcription of a Talk by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (raheemahullah) The title, “Removing the safety net” was selected, because our beautiful religion and Shariah offers us a safety net with its various injunctions, teachings and prohibitions. Unfortunately, we have breached and disregarded many of those laws – similar to the person who removes the “safety net” which he covers his swimming pool with, as a safety measure for his little children and for those who are in-experienced in swimming; or on a larger scale : Like a people who remove the safety nets found near the shoreline of their beaches, as a protection against shark attacks. The title alludes to the fact that having, ourselves, removed the teachings of Deen from our lives, we find ourselves in deep waters, or having to face vicious “shark” attacks from all quarters – nafs, shaytaan and various other evil elements prevalent in society. CONTINUE READING

The Cure for Depression "Tafweez" (Resigning oneself to the Decisions of Allah) From a talk delivered by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Raheemahullah) Khalifa of Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Raheemahullah) Depression, it seems, has become synonymous with living in a society overrun with innumerable problems. It is an ailment which has unfortunately reached epidemic proportions. In the search for a solution, we sink deeper and deeper into the abyss of depression. Hardly a day passes, without some person complaining about his failures or of the acute depression that he is suffering, due to various factors. What I wish to discuss is Tafweez. If we learn Tafweez, then we have indeed found the antidote for depression. CONTINUE READING THIS EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL BOOK

The Messenger of Allah Muhammad[peace be upon him] has said,"Almighty Allah says, 'I treat my slave (man) according to his expectations from Me, and I am with him when he remembers me. If he remembers Me in his heart, I remember him in My heart…. if he walks towards Me, I run unto him."[Hadith-Qudsi] Make this Ramadan the month of "Change"..Are You Ready for it??? "Change" is the vogue today. "Change" is being chanted by the Presidents to rally up public support; "Change" is being demanded by the masses suffering due to skyrocketing fuel and commodity prices; "Change", a drastic one indeed, is what we are witnessing with awe in the global weather patterns. For Muslims, Ramadan is the prime time for change. This month dramatically alters our routines and schedules. From tight sleep schedules, to hunger for extended hours, to reduction in consumption of junk foods, to a technology diet; to withdrawal from caffeine addiction, to lengthy standing in Taraweeh prayers at night, to extensive listening to the Quran. What a change indeed! Beyond Routines and Rituals The real change, however, Ramadan demands of us is the internal change – a change that positively transforms our lifestyle, character, attitudes, conversations, and habits. Allah has described this change in the month of Ramadan as follows: "O you who believe, fasting has been ordained on you as it was decreed upon those before you so that you may adopt Taqwa[Taqwa is Allah consciousness ]" (2:183 [Quran 2:183]. Slavery to Ramadan? If our change is limited to outer physical practices only, we become slaves to Ramadan, instead of being servants to Ar-Rahman (Allah, the Merciful). Prophet Muhammad[peace be upon him] has warned us about those who don't fast from bad behaviour: "Allah has no interest in any person's abstention from eating and drinking, if that person does not give up lying and dishonest actions" [sahih al-Bukhari]. Ramadan Resolutions Every Ramadan we make resolutions and tell ourselves: "This Ramadan will be different. I'm going to change my ______ habit." "I will give up ………", "I will take my practice of Islam to the next level". But how many of us are really able to follow through? Plenty of good intentions, many amazing wishes, but sadly enough, life goes on as usual the morning of Eid. Ask yourself, how is my fasting benefitting my spiritual connection with Allah? How is my extensive worship in Ramadan helping me discipline my tongue (taste and speech), eyes, ears, and habits? Are you ready to take that first step to transform your bad habits into good ones? Ways to Kick Bad Habits Few things are more demanding than eliminating bad habits, since they are part of our daily routines and personality. It takes days of patience and practice to break old habits. However, the good news is, Ramadan offers a perfect and natural environment for moral training. Interestingly, researches from "positive psychology" (scientific study of successful people) have repeatedly shown it takes between 30 to 40 days to kick a bad habit and develop a new one. In addition to the physical discipline during the month of Ramadan, the increased spiritual exercise and connection with Allah, can transform your habits for life. Try these proven techniques for a successful positive change in your habits during Ramadan and beyond! 1. Acknowledge and Identify your bad habits: First step is to admit you need to change. If you are in a state of denial, you won't recognize that you have a bad habit to change. 2. Pick a habit for this month: Prioritize your bad habits and focus on one for this month. If you are committed to changing at least one habit, you will see remarkable results, Allah-willing. 3. Realize that it's in us to change: Don't believe the old saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." You can break a bad habit if you really want to. No one else can change your habits, if you don't want to. 4. Remember, Allah loves those who commit mistakes and repent: Prophet Muhammad[peace be upon him] said: "By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if you were not to commit sin, Allah would sweep you out of existence and He would replace (you by) those people who would commit sin and seek forgiveness from Allah, and He would have pardoned them." [sahih Muslim] 5. Intention & Plan to change: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." A healthy process of change in character requires a gradual pace, which entails planning. Develop concrete milestones to measure your progress. 6. Replace a bad habit with a good one: Completely eliminating a habit is more challenging than replacing it with a more productive habit. Moreover, it's crucial to replace the lost natural needs, such as the need to socialize and to be entertained with something healthy. For instance, it's easier to replace or balance your addiction to TV with a physical workout or reading, than to suddenly remove the TV from your life. Interestingly, Prophet Muhammad[peace be upon him], the greatest 'psychologist' of humanity, illustrated this principle in these words: "Fear Allah wherever you may be; follow up an evil deed with a good one which will wipe (the former) out, and behave good-naturedly towards people." [At-Tirmidhi] 7. Change your Environment: Resist the negative peer pressure by finding a better company of friends. Collective action to change is very powerful. Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] explained this peer pressure effect with this analogy: "A good friend and a bad friend are like a perfume-seller and a blacksmith: The perfume-seller might give you some perfume as a gift, or you might buy some from him, or at least you might smell its fragrance. As for the blacksmith, he might singe your clothes, and at the very least you will breathe in the fumes of the furnace." [sahih al-Bukhari & Muslim] 8. Exercise: Spiritual exercise is important for lasting change. You may not realize that by exerting your yourself in spiritual exercises like the reading of Quran and Hadith, fasting, giving charity, Zikr[remembering Allah] etc helps in eliminating a number of bad habits. Through the spiritual light of doing noble deeds evil ones will gradually be eradicated from your life. Allah says : "Indeed, Salah restrains from Shameful and unjust deeds" [Quran:29:45]. A person complained to the Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] about someone who read salaah and also committed theft .The Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] said "His salaat will very soon wean him off that sin.' This shows that the evil habits can be got rid of by adhering to good practises. The doing of good deeds such as remembering Allah cleanses the heart. A clean heart encourages a person to do good deeds and refrains one from evil habits! Moreover, exercising your will power (struggle to fight temptations) for this month helps you kick all kinds of bad habits and form new good ones. Willpower is like a muscle; the more you exercise it, the more you strengthen it. 9. Think of yourself as a changed, different, new person. This simple psychological shift in your thinking about your own image can do wonders. Tell yourself, "I can't continue this ill-behaviour. I am better than that. I am stronger. I am wiser." 10. Reward success: The most fundamental law in all of psychology is the "law of effect." It simply states that actions followed by rewards are strengthened and likely to recur. Unfortunately, studies show that people rarely use this technique when trying to change personal habits. Setting up formal or informal rewards for success greatly increases your chances of transforming bad habits into good ones, and is far more effective than punishing yourself for bad habits or setbacks. As Muslims we should also remember that the ultimate reward is Allah's Pleasure and Paradise in the Hereafter. 11. Get help: Tell someone about your effort to change if it helps. He or she may keep you on track and may offer some good advice. Read books that will encourage you to do virtues actions. Join programs in your local Mosque. Ladies should endeavour to join their local Taalimi Halqas. There are good and sincere people who are ready to assist. We are not an island- We are an Ummah! 12. Boost your spiritual immune system: By fasting,doiung good actions, spending time in the Mosque or going in the path of Allah will boost your Imaan[faith] which will provide you with internal strength to overcome temptations to reverting to old bad habits. 13. Remind yourself of Death and Hereafter often: "Remember often the terminator (or destroyer) of all the pleasures [i.e. death]," the Prophet [peace be upon him]once stated. [At-Tirmidhi.] 14. Resolve to continue on and follow up: Giving up bad habits or learning good habits requires regular maintenance and determination. It is a long, ongoing process, also known as "Tazkiyyah" in Islamic terminology. It's more difficult than the first few steps of change. ("How many times have I dieted, for example, only to gain the weight back?"). So ensure that you follow up. Link yourself to a good Allah-fearing Islamic Scholar and make a habit of spending time in Allah path. 15. Develop a relapse strategy: How do you ensure not to return to your bad habit you are trying to change? Some people donate money to a good cause every time they return to sinning or a bad habit. This reminds them of the 'cost' of going back to old bad habits. Others try physically demanding acts to deter them from reverting to old ways. For example that if you do___ act than you will keep three fast or pay so much sadaqah[charity] etc 16. Ask Allah for Help: MOST IMPORTANT!-Make Asking for Allah's Help an integral part of the overall change process. Ask for Allah's Help before, during and after every attempt at kicking a bad habit. Do so sincerely, even begging and crying, like a child does when he or she really wants something. Allah is Ever-Willing to Help and to Respond to our needs, but it is us who must take the first step towards Him. Allah will NEVER disappoint us! "And whosoever is conscious of Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He (Allah) will make a way for him to get out (from) every (difficulty), and He will provide him from (sources) he could never imagine." [Quran 65:2-3] EISLAM