ummtaalib

Ask to become a Muttaqee Haaji Faruq Sahib (Rahmatullaahi ‘alayh) used to say that since the month of Ramadhaan is enjoined upon us so that we become of the Muttaqeen (Allah-fearing) so ask Allah subhaanhu wata’ala to make you a Muttaqee as this is what He wants for you.

Unique advice on giving Charity in Ramadhaan One especially beneficial and unique advice given by our respected Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (Hafizahullah) was concerning charity. Firstly it should be increased and secondly to reap maximum benefit one should reflect on the following: The Night of Power falls in the last 10 days of Ramadhaan (and in some narrations it could be any night in the month). This night is “better than a thousand months” which according to the calculation made by Shaykh Zakariyyah (raheemahullaah) is “more than 83 years”. Now if one was to give charity every night for the entire month one is bound to attain the reward of the Night of Power and the charity given on that night would be similar to giving that amount every day for more than 83 years! So one should try and give whatever amount one can afford every night during Ramadhaan to attain maximum benefit.

"Verily, he who has purified the heart is successful and he who has despoiled it has lost." A lot of people have misunderstandings about tasawwuf. Many think that it is something beyond Qur'an and Sunnah. Errant Sufis as well as the superficial ulema, although on the opposite ends of the spectrum, are together in holding this mistaken notion. Consequently the first group has shunned the Qur'an and Hadith while the second group has shunned tasawwuf. Actually, although the term tasawwuf, like many other religious terms in use today, evolved later, the discipline is very much part of the Shariah. The department of the Shariah relating to external deeds like salat and zakat is called fiqh while the one dealing with the internal feelings and states of the heart is called tasawwuf. Both are commanded in the Qur'an. Thus while commanding Salat and Zakat, the Qur'an also commands gratefulness and love of Allah and condemns the evil of pride and vanity. Similarly, in the books of hadith, along with the chapters on Ibadat, trade and commerce, marriage and divorce, are to be found the chapters on riya (showoff) takabbur, akhlaq, etc. These commands are as much a mandatory requirement as the ones dealing with external deeds. On reflection it will be realized that all the external deeds are designed for the reformation of the heart. That is the basis of success in the hereafter while its despoiling is the cause of total destruction. This is precisely what is known technically as tasawwuf. Its focus is tahzeebe akhlaq or the adornment of character; its motive is the attainment of Divine pleasure; its method is total obedience to the commands of the Shariah. Tasawwuf is the soul of Islam. Its function is to purity the heart from the lowly bestial attributes of lust, calamities of the tongue, anger, malice, jealousy, love of the world, love of fame, niggardliness, greed, ostentation, vanity, deception, etc. At the same time it aims at the adornment of the heart with the lofty attributes of repentance, perseverance, gratefulness, fear of Allah, hope, abstention, tauheed, trust, love, sincerity, truth, contemplation, etc. To diagnose and treat the diseases of the heart normally requires the help of an expert mentor or Shaikh. Here are the qualities of a good Shaikh. 1. He possesses necessary religious knowledge. 2. His beliefs, habits, and practices are in accordance with the Shariah. 3. He does not harbor greed for the worldly wealth. 4. He has himself spent time learning from a good Shaikh. 5. The scholars and good mashaikh of his time hold good opinion about him. 6. His admirers are mostly from among the people who have good understanding of religion. 7. Most of his followers follow the Shariah and are not the seekers after this world. 8. He sincerely tries to educate and morally train his followers. If he sees anything wrong in them, he corrects it. 9. In his company one can feel a decrease in the love of this world and an increase in the love for Allah. 10. He himself regularly performs dhikr and shughal (spiritual exercises). In searching for a Shaikh, do not look for his ability to perform karamat (miracles) or to foretell the future. A very good Shaikh may not be able to show any karamat. On the other hand, a person showing karamat does not have to be a pious person --- or even a Muslim. Prominent Sufi Bayazid Bistami says: "Do not be deceived if you see a performer of supernatural feats flying in the air. Measure him on the standard of the Shariah." When you find the right Shaikh, and you are satisfied with his ability to provide spiritual guidance, you perform baya or pledge. This is a two-way commitment; the Shaikh pledges to guide you in light of Shariah and you pledge to follow him. Then the Shaikh will give his mureed (disciple) initial instructions. They include the following: 1. Perform repentance for all the past sins and take steps to make amends, e.g. if any salat has been missed so far in the life, you start making up for it. 2. If you have any unmet financial obligations toward another person make plans to discharge them. 3. Guard your eyes, ears, and tongue. 4. Perform dhikr regularly. 5. Start a daily session of self-accounting before going to bed. Review all the good and bad deeds performed during the day. Repent for the bad ones and thank Allah for the good ones. 6. Perform muraqaba-maut (meditation over death) every night before going to bed. Just visualize that you have died. Reflect upon the pangs of death, the questioning in the grave, the plain of Resurrection, the Reckoning , the presence in the Court of Allah, etc This helps bring softness to the heart and break the tendency to commit sins. 7. Develop humility. Even if you observe another individual committing the worst of vices you should not despise him/her, nor should you consider yourself nobler. It is very much possible that the perpetrator of the vice may resort to sincere repentance while the one who despised the sinner become ensnared in the traps of nafs and Shaitan. One has no certainty regarding one's end. One, therefore has no basis for regarding another with contempt. The essential idea of tahzeebe akhlaq is to bring our natural faculties in a state of balance. The three basic faculties are anger, desires, and intelligence. Anger: When in equilibrium it results in valor, forbearance, steadfastness, the ability to restrain anger, and dignity. Excess will result in rashness, boastfulness, pride, inability to restrain anger, and vanity. A deficiency will result in cowardice, disgrace, and feeling of inferiority. Desires: Equilibrium here results in chastity, generosity, haya (decency), patience, and contentment. Its excess leads to greed and lust. The other extreme results in narrow-mindedness, and impotence, etc. Intelligence: Equilibrium here makes man wise, sharp-witted and one with great insights. Excess here makes one deceptive, fraudulent and imposture. Its lack results in ignorance and stupidity with the consequence that such a person is quickly misled. A person will be considered as having a beautiful seerah (character) only when these faculties are in the state of balance and equilibrium. Internal beauty varies with people just as external beauty does. The possessor of the most beautiful seerah was Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. The beauty of our seerah is based on its closeness to his seerah. [Condensed from writings of Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi] Further Reading: 1) Fiqh aur Tassuwuf aik Taaruf (Urdu) 2) The Kashf Al-Mahjub (English) albalagh.net

Putting fingers in ears when one hears Music Hadhrat Naafi' (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates: "Once when Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) heard the sound of a shepherd's flute, he placed his fingers in both ears (to block the sound of the music), and he diverted his mount from that path. (As they rode o­n), he would say: 'O Naafi', can you still hear (the sound)?' I would say: 'Yes.' He would then continue riding. o­nly when I said: 'I can no longer hear it', did he remove his fingers from his ears. Then he returned to the road. He then said: 'I saw Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) doing like this when he had heard the flute of a shepherd." (Ahmad and Abu Dawood) Source

1. Keep free from eating hi-calorie flesh (gossip) of others - no matter how juicy 2. Switch to fat free truths 3. Avoid artificial tempers 4.Do voice therapy by reciting the Holy Quran 5.Purify your eyes by crying in Dua 6.Do hand reflexology on tasbeehs 7. Brighten your smile with a miswak 8.Take the weight of your shoulders by paying zakat 9. Shrug off those extra kilos of sins by repenting Source

Fasting for Every Part of the Body by Mawlana Obaydullah Suleman “Shaykh ul Hadeeth Muhammad Zakariyyah rahmatullahi alayh commenting on the verse of the Qur’aan ‘fasting has been prescribed for you’ has stated that”: ‘The commentators of the Qur’aan have deduced from this verse that fasting is compulsory for every part of the body. Thus, fasting of the tongue means to avoid all the sins of the tongue. Fasting of the ears means to refrain from all the sins of the ears. Fasting of the eyes means not to look at any form of evil and sin. Fasting of the self means to be free from all carnal desires. Fasting of the heart means casting out from it the love of worldly things. And fasting of the mind means avoiding thoughts about anything other than Allah ta’ala.’ Posted on www.shaykh.org recording the advices/teachings of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat September 2, 2010

Fasting during Ramadhãn has a connection also with the revelation of the Noble Qur’ãn. This connection has many implications. One of these is that – just as if the Qur’ãn were to be revealed in every Ramadhãn, a believer should seek to be like the angels and abandon eating and drinking, and divest himself of the vain preoccupations and gross needs of his carnal self. During Ramadhãn, he should recite or listen to the Qur’ãn as if it were being revealed for the first time or, if he is able, listen to the Qur’ãn as if he were hearing it recited by the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) or by Sayyidniah Jibraeel to Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) revealed by Allah Himself to Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) through Sayyidniah Jibraeel . Also, he should respect the Qur’ãn in the actions of his daily life and, by conveying its message to the others, demonstrate the Divine purpose for revealing the Qur’ãn. The Muslim world becomes in Ramadhãn like a huge masjid where millions of reciters recite the Qur’ãn, that heavenly address, to the inhabitants of the earth. Demonstrating the reality of the verse, The month of Ramadhãn, in which the Qur’ãn was revealed, Ramadhãn proves itself to be the month of the Qur’ãn: while some members of the vast congregation in that great mosque of the Muslim world listen to its recitation with solemn reverence, others recite it themselves. The rewards for the good deeds done in Ramadan are multiplied by a thousand. According to one hadith, ten rewards are given for each letter of the Wise Qur’ãn. The recitation of a single letter means ten good deeds, and brings forth ten fruits of Paradise. However, in the whole month of Ramadhãn, the reward for each letter of the Qur’ãn is multiplied not by ten, but by a thousand. Furthermore, the reward for each letter of the holy Qur’ãn recited in the Night of Power is multiplied by thirty thousand. Thus, the Qur’ãn, each of whose letters yields thirty thousand permanent fruits of Paradise, becomes in Ramadhãn like a huge blessed tree which produces for believers millions of permanent fruits of Paradise. Consider, then, how holy and profitable a trade this is, and know in how great a loss those are who do not appreciate the letters of the Qur’ãn! The one who fasts, should prevent his tongue from lying, backbiting, bad language and indecent talk, and make it busy with the recitation of the Qur’ãn, glorification of Allah, seeking His forgiveness. In the same way, he should prevent his eyes from looking at, and his ears from listening to, the forbidden things. He should, instead, use his eyes to see such things as those which, for example, will give a spiritual lesson or moral warning; and use his ears to listen to the Qur’ãn. At-Tarbiyyah Islamic Tarbiyyah Academy

Build up Your Forces in Ramadhaan! We have heard and read the Ahaadeeth regarding the virtues of Ramadhaan many times, however do we ever reflect and ponder over what they mean? For instance take the hadeeth regarding the Shayaateen being chained up. Since they are chained up they are not around to cause mischief. Allah subhaanahu wata’ala is giving us an opportunity to build up our forces and become powerful enough to combat their attack when they are released after Ramadhaan. Therefore perform abundant good deeds, refrain from all disobedience and be included amongst the Muttaaqoon (the god-fearing). There is the Hadeeth regarding the good deeds performed in Ramadhaan being multiplied manyfold. "...Whosoever tries to draw nearer to Allah subhaanahu wata'ala by performing any virtuous deeds in this month, for him shall be reward as if he performed a Fard (obligatory action) in any other time of the year. And whoever performs a Fard, for him shall be the reward of seventy Faraaidh in other times of the year..." from Fadhail A'maal Out of all the deeds, the obligatory ones are most beloved to Allah subhaanhu wata'ala. They are a means of attaining His closeness. Therefore the good deeds performed in the month of Ramadhaan become an easy means of attaining Qurb (nearness) of Allah subhaanahu wata'ala! From the teachings of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (Hafizahullah)

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi rehmatullah alayh says, “Some people increase their bad deeds in this month (Ramadhaan). This is perhaps due to unawareness, or due to deficient understanding, or perhaps they know it yet do not practice caution. This is indeed a very strange matter that in this month, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala has even prohibited those things which were permissible in normal months. Isn’t this an indication that those actions which were already impermissible are now prohibited to a greater degree? Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala even mentioned the reason for these fasts “لعلكم تتقون”, that is you fast so that you become more Muttaqi. Now anyone and everyone can judge themselves whether their state outside Ramadhaan is any different from their state in Ramadhaan. Have we secured ourselves from prohibited glances? Have we left aside backbiting? If we have not, then both the conditions are same, without any change. (i.e no progress) As for the food, the timings have been changed for that as well, although the quantity has not been changed. It is as though the Shariah came to decrease the bad deeds in the person, but the person does not take heed. Some Ulama have even gone ahead and said to reduce the level of food intake as well, in comparison to Sha’baan. However, they did not specify how much should one reduce. Whatever one used to eat in Sha’baan, he should reduce it in Ramadhaan. Some (pious predecessors) even fasted with only the amount of La-Yamut (enough to survive death). They saw some difference within themselves only through such measures. (They say that) we ate nicely all the time, so let us at least give one month for the worship. In effect, these people also reduced in their food. However, this is only for the selected few (who have reached such levels). Everyone cannot comply with such level (of hardship), but the least one can do is leave out the disobedience (to the creator by doing bad deeds). Eating food is still within the ambit of ibaha (permissibility) (one may eat more or less since both are permissible), but the disobedience does not even cherish that status (i.e it is haraam). In spite of this we continue to be engrossed in disobedience throughout the day, and some even increase in their disobedience (in this month). Lets take an example, whether we pray our Salaatul Fajr at its proper time or not? It has become our habit to delay this Morning Prayer. Many are such that they often pray Qadhaa (makeup), while those who although do not delay it to the time of Qadhaa, still delay it so much that they do not get the Jama’ah (congregation). Yet, they remain content that “at least we are fasting”. How strange it is that one loses his Salaatul Fajr! How will a fast compensate for that? * Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala has increase so much in his mercy (in these days of Ramadhaan) that He promises ten times the reward for single deed, yet we do so many bad deeds that despite the rewards being in multiples, our bad deeds overshadow our rewards! The ideal ought to have been that we excel in the rewards over our sins. Leave that as it may, it would have even sufficed that our sins were equal to the rewards, because then they would (at least) necessitate “سبقت رحمتى على غضبى” (My mercy supersedes my anger). (In our current state) despite having multiple rewards, our good deeds do not supersede our sins; so, what will be the end result? The limit is such that even if one cannot refrain from disobedience throughout the life, then at least one should desist from bad deeds in the month of Ramadhaan. It is known from experience that the affects of worship remains for eleven months after the act. Anyone who strives and does a good deed in Ramadhaan, will then gain the ability to it even after the month has passed. Similarly, one who desists from something haram in this month then he will gain the ability over refraining from it even after the month has passed. Moreover, it is not really that hard to desist from doing a sin because it is established that the Shayateen (evil jinns) are chained in this month. Thus the disobedience will lessen automatically. The motivator (i.e the Shayateen) being chained does not necessitate that the disobedience will completely fade away, since the other motivator (i.e the Nafs) is still free. In this month Nafs will motivate one towards disobedience, although with lesser force since it is alone. Hence in this endeavor one can bare a month worth of struggle and try to avoid the sins of each and every organ. Khutbaat Hakeemul Ummat – vol. 16 pg. 18-19 * The two worships are of two different categories. One cannot compensate for the other. It is a general misconception that if one is fasting then this act of fasting will compensate for ones lack in other facets of deen. Some even go to the extent and avoid fasting all together saying “Since we don’t pray or desist from vulgar language, we ought not to fast and ridicule fasting” Subhanallah! What deductive logic is this which prevents a person from doing good deeds, and not just any good deed rather one which is an obligatory in sight of Shariah? The example of this is like one who has a habit of wasting food. If he was to use such deductive logic and decide that he will stop eating or drinking altogether just so that he does not ridicule the food being wasted, would anyone consider him a sane person. The two are completely different obligations; eating being one and not wasting being another. One cannot compensate for the other. This is nothing but a ploy of ones nafs, seeking ways to ease ones worldly life.

The Month Of Training Ramadhan is the month of training for one on the path of tazkiyah (spiritual purification) and the training one receives in this month is not received at any other time. Below is some practical advice one should try to act on during this blessed month: • Ramadhan is the month of the Qur’an and one should try to complete at least one recitation. • Along with recitation one should make an effort to understand it by adhering to a reliable commentary or summary. The Glorious Qur’an by Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi (may Allah have mercy on him) is the Shaykh’s recommendation. • One should try to spend as much time as possible in the masjid with the niyyah (intention) of i’tikaaf (seclusion). • One should spend more moments in silence, meditation, reflection and try more consciously to engage in tasbeeh and dhikr (remembrance of Allah). • One should look at one’s timings, ability and other considerations and plan accordingly. • Ramadhan is the month of mujaahadah (striving) and our greatest mujaahadah would be to overcome the laziness and lack of motivation of the nafs in reciting the Qur’an. [This short excerpt is based on a brothers' majlis (gathering for spiritual training) held by Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq on 26th August 2008].

Seven Advices 1.Remove the TV from your home. 2. Men should grow a Shar'i beard. One of the blessings of having a beard is that it gives a man the constant awareness that he is seen by others as religious, and this makes him ashamed of committing sins in public. 3. Save yourself from ribaa (usury). 4. Sisters should observe the rules of hijab. 5. Observe the rules of the Shari'ah in your personal matters, e.g. clothing, appearance etc. 6. Be particular about consuming only halal, and saving yourself from haram and doubtful products. Special attention should be given to the matter of take-away food. The difference between eating halal daal and doubtful chicken is twenty minutes of pleasure, followed by the negative effects of eating doubtful or haram food, e.g. laziness in worship. 7. Make a point of spending time in the company of the pious, and avoid bad company. Someone who goes and sits on his own in a coffee shop, a place not considered as a good environment, is better off than someone who sits in the masjid with bad company. Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (Hafizahullah) Ramadhãn in Shaykh's Company • 14th Ramadhãn 1429 AH

Ramadhaan: A Training Ground “The commands of Allah subhanahu wata‘alaa fall under two categories: obligations, things we have to do, and prohibitions, things we are forbidden from doing. If we analyse the category of obligations, we can conclude that they too are prohibitions. Take the example of the obligation to perform salah; it is in effect a prohibition against not performing salah. So the commands of Allah subhanahu wata‘alaa are all about abstaining from things. A muttaqi is someone who abstains: when it comes to salah, someone who does not neglect salah is termed muttaqi with regards to salah. The 29 or 30 days of Ramadhan are a training ground, teaching us abstinence. From dawn to sunset, we practice abstaining from food, drink and marital relations. Sawm, fasting, is defined as abstinence, and through fasting we become accustomed to abstaining. The month of fasting compels us to ask ourslves the following question: if after becoming accustomed to abstaining from desires during this one month, is there any reason why we cannot abstain from following our base desires and disobeying Allah subhanahu wata‘alaa during the remaining 11 months?” Appeared on www.shaykh.org July 31, 2010 Words of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (hafizahullah) recorded by his students

From ATTARBIYAH..ITA Dewsbury In nature cure, one of the very important tools for health and disease cure is fasting. Many people are learning the trick of curing their colds, headaches, nervous spells and other acute troubles by missing a few meals or taking a short fast. It is the simplest and the most efficient way of relieving the overloaded and "foodpoisoned" system. You would be surprised to know how little food is actually required to keep the individual healthy. One of the commonest complaints of the sick is that they have "lost their appetite". In fact, the greatest blessing to them would be to lose their appetite long enough to find their hunger. Loss of appetite is an indication that the system is overcharged with toxins and nature is trying to correct this by giving a chance to the waste accumulation in the organs to escape from the system. Fasting as a remedy is fully in harmony with the "naturecure" philosophy of the cause of disease. If the disease is created by an abnormal accumulation of toxins in the system, it stands to reason that fasting will help in their elimination from the system. The membranous linings ofthe stomach and intestine which act as a "sponge" to absorb food materials are now "squeezed" to throw out the waste matter from the system

Q. In many Muslim regions it is considered that it is prohibited to go outside after sunset (during Salah al-Maghrib), especially it concerns children. whether there are bases at this custom in Islam? A. The practice of preventing children from going outdoors at the time of Maghrib is established from the Hadith. Sayyiduna Jabir (Radiyallahu Anhu) reports that the Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “When it starts to become dark at night, keep your children indoors for the Shayateen (plural of Shaitaan) roam around at this time. When the time for Esha passes, you may let them out” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith #: 3280) Due to the time of Maghrib being a time of high traffic for Shayateen and Jinn, it is emphasized for children to remain indoors as they are most vulnerable to the interference of such creatures. In the event of there being a need for children to be taken outdoors at the time of Maghrib, parents should at least encourage the children to recite the three Quls (Surah al-Ikhlaas, al-Falaq and an-Naas) thrice each or the parents should recite and blow on the children if they are not able to recite it themselves. And Allah Knows Best Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah alayh) There is no shortage of complaints when it comes to giving up sins and the struggle which ensues between individuals and their nafs, as well as Shaytaan. This battle is inevitably on-going – till our dying day. There is no other way out, except to show the courage and bravery that every Muslim does have – when it comes to Pleasing Allah Ta’ala. Yet another widespread weakness is that of Haraam fantasizing. Young and old, married and unmarried – thousands upon thousands, succumb to their runaway imagination when it comes to fantasy world and this in turn leads to even graver sin. Allah Ta’ala granted us the power of Imagination for a beautiful purpose; but most people today utilize this imagination in filthy thoughts. The following is actually drawn from my Malfoozaat. It is an extract from one of the kitaabs. It is a prescription which I have given to many who have complained of the same. Alhamdulillah, it has been a means of cure for many. May Allah Ta’ala make it a means of cure for all that have this ailment. “Haraam fantasizing is the spiritual disease of almost every person. It is abuse of the great, wonderful and amazing gift of imagination. Why did Allah Ta’ala give us this gift of imagination ? The imagination has been given to us so that it may be used to ponder over the Qur`aan Sharif, which entails stories of past nations and verses upon verses of Jannat and Jahannum and accountability. This is imagination was to be used for the purpose of taking lesson and strengthening our Imaan. It was to be used as a catalyst towards ‘Aml’ (action). The imagination was not given to us so that we may indulge our nafs in filthy thoughts. One of the main reasons why both men and women have this problem plaguing them, is due to their indulgence in lustful gazing. After having cast filthy gazes at ghair-mahareem , or watching porn movies or paging through porn magazines, or reading explicit romance novels, there is desire and craving for more. Since ‘more’ is generally not possible … since the person may be married, or the object of one’s desire is a film star or supermodel or a Miss Universe or Mr. Universe, and there is zero chance of meeting the person, the person tries to satisfy these shahawaat (desires) by fantasizing. But fantasizing is not going to satisfy desire. It will only increase desire. The person’s sickness will increase. His physical health will inevitably also suffer. When the desire to indulge in Haraam fantasizing comes into the heart, then take your imagination to the Day of Judgement; stand before Allah Ta’ala’s Seat of Judgement and begin accounting for all your actions in this world. Think of how you will account for and what you will say to Allah Ta’ala when all these filthy thoughts will be presented to you. Allah Ta’ala states in the Qur`aan Sharif : “WHEN THE SCROLLS ARE LAID OPEN.” [sURAH TAKWEER 81 :10] “THIS OUR RECORD SPEAKS ABOUT YOU WITH TRUTH : FOR WE WERE WONT TO PUT ON RECORD ALL THAT YOU DID.” [sURAH JATHIYA 45 :29] Even though Allah Ta’ala is All-Knowing and well aware of all our actions, He has established a law whereby every action and every detail of every action be recorded and thereafter presented to us on the Day of Reckoning – in favour of us or witness against us. Otherwise take your imagination for Haj : Picture yourself at the Multazam, making Tawaaf, making Sa`ee; picture yourself at the Raudha Mubarak, conveying Salaam to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), or take your imagination to your Qabr and the events which unfold in the grave after death. …Insha-Allah, this will a means of defeating nafs and Shaytaan as well as obliterating a filthy habit. If you find yourself still weak against the demands of nafs and whisperings of Shaytaan, then immediately occupy yourself in that which is ‘mubaah’ (permissible). Begin conversation with your parents, or with brothers and sisters, or phone a good, pious friend, or listen to some Qiraat or Deeni talk… Occupy yourself in that which is Halaal and mubaah; otherwise nafs will ravage your heart and destroy your peace of mind and lead you to even suicidal tendencies. Added to this, consider filthy thoughts as pigs. Just as we show aversion and absolute disgust on seeing a pig, so should we be disgusted with dirty thoughts – which fall in the same category as pigs. Both are Haraam (forbidden). Furthermore, Haraam fantasizing leads to the evil habit of self-gratification, because there is no Halaal avenue to satisfy one’s desires. This is a rather disastrous weakness amongst the youth and one should ponder over the various harms which are too many, and these harms are spiritual, physical and psychological harms. Satisfying one’s desires by masturbating is not permissible even if a person does not have the means to marry. Allah Ta’ala mentions that those who do not find the means to marry should remain chaste. “And those who do not find the means to marry, should remain chaste until Allah gives them resources by His Grace.” Remaining chaste is thus a Divine command which is compulsory to comply with – therefore we will find the Ahadith presenting prescriptions to remain chaste (lowering the gaze, fasting, etc.). As a prescription, the following harms should be read and re-read if need be, until it is understood that the harms long term are not worth the gratification that comes with the sin. Some Spiritual Harms : Taufeeq of doing good deeds is taken away. The person is deprived of Tahajjud, of Tilawat of the Qur`aan Sharief, of associating with the pious, etc. The person is deprived of knowledge and finds an aversion to people The most dangerous is that the person will not be able to remain steadfast on Deen. (Allah Ta’ala protect). Besides this, a person who satisfies his evil desires in this manner is cursed according to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Some Physical harms : The following physical harms have been recorded by highly qualified Hakims, the equivalent of specialist doctors. The bladder becomes weak and this leads to problems in respect to taharah – Wudhu/ salaah and other Ibaadah. There are many that are suffering with involuntary urinary and seminal discharges due to the indulgence in this sin, and they write mentioning the difficulties that are thereafter encountered. It also weakens the nerves. It causes some limbs like the legs to shake and shiver. It causes pain in the vertebra column, the spinal column from which semen is ejaculated. This pain creates crookedness and twisting in the back. It creates weakness in the brain and weakness of memory. It weakens the sight and reduces the normal limit of vision. It causes a person to become old before time. It decreases the natural resistence of the body. It causes harm to the four principle organs in the body : the heart, brain, liver and stomach. It weakens the fine nerves and veins of the sexual organs, resulting in impotency. Excessive loss of semen is in reality excessive loss of blood. In later years, it can be that such a person will not have the ability to father any children. It causes an excessive loss of sperm by way of nocturnal emission (wet dreams). Some Psychological Harms : It leads to agitation and irritation over trivial matters, lack of confidence, disinterest in studying and desire for isolation. Much more can be stated in respect to the harms of this sin. So contemplating the above, should give every incentive to give up the sin. No one would like to contend with any one of the above problems and yet just one evil deed and the person has invited waves of calamities upon himself. If evil desires still get the better, then Nikah is a simple solution. Where the evil desires are so difficult to suppress that the person engages in Haraam then Shariah says that it is Fardh for the person to marry. This is, of course, for those who the ability. source

Enter Paradise by whichever Gates you wish Offer your prayers, fast the month of Ramadhaan, guard your chastity and obey your husband.....

Be this kind of Muslimah “Hate no one, no matter how much they’ve wronged you. Live humbly, no matter how wealthy you become. Think positively, no matter how hard life is. Give much, even if you’ve been given little. Keep in touch with the ones who have forgotten you, and forgive who has wronged you, and do not stop praying for the best for those you love.” idealwoman.org

“To benefit from a Dīnī talk, there are two requirements: 1) Ṭalab: to listen with a yearning and desire to gain from it. 2) Iḥtiyāj: to consider oneself to be in need of what is being said. Just participating and listening to talks, without these, will not bring change in one’s life. The disbelievers of Makkah Mukarramah had many opportunities to listen to our beloved Nabi sallalahu alayhi wasallam, but did not change because they neither had ṭalab nor iḥtiyāj.” Courtesy of In Shaykh's Company: a blog maintained by the students of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah www.shaykh.org

[removebr] What comes to your mind when you think of a Muslim woman? A mysterious, veiled victim of male oppression, awaiting Western liberation? A slogan-shouting terrorist? An uneducated foreigner with whom you have little or nothing in common? Unless your social circle includes Muslim friends and acquaintances, the chances are that your impressions of Muslim women have largely been formed by negative media stereotypes - images that usually have little to do with real life, and may have been designed to attract more viewers, sell more products, or gain support for someone's political agenda. How much do you really know about Muslim women's lives or views, and why does it matter? Well, for one thing, Muslims account for 20-25% of the people on this planet, and Islam has become the second main religion in Europe. But did you know that the majority of European and American converts to Islam are women - not men? Would it surprise you to learn that many women in the Muslim world feel sorry for Western women and view them as being victimised? Have you ever stopped to consider why Muslim women who immigrate to the West usually maintain their identity and strive to pass it on to their children? A thinking person may well ask, if Islam is as oppressive to women as some journalists would have us believe, why aren't Muslim women running away in droves? What it is about Islam that attracts any followers outside its heartlands? In this brochure we aim to look beyond sensationalistic or alarmist stories to take a glimpse at what Islam has to offer educated women in today's world, and understand why so many (men and) women of every race, colour, and social class have made Islam their choice. The truth, like real life, is beyond propaganda and stereotypes. The Islamic view of women First of all, women are portrayed positively in the Qur'an and the Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad). The Qur'an is the only book of world Scripture in which women are frequently referred to alongside men, and both are described as being friends and partners in faith. The following verses are just a few notable examples: The believers, men and women, are protecting friends one of another; they promote the right and forbid the wrong, establish prayer, pay the poor-due, and they obey God and His messenger. As for these, God will have mercy on them. Surely God is Mighty, Wise. God has promised to believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of God: that is the supreme felicity. (Qur'an 9:71-72) Surely for men who surrender to God, and women who surrender and men who believe and women who believe; and men who obey and women who obey; and men who speak the truth and women who speak the truth; and men who persevere (in righteousness) and women who persevere; and men who are humble and women who are humble; and men who give alms and women who give alms; and men who fast and women who fast; and men who guard their modesty and women who guard (their modesty);and men who remember Allah much and women who remember - Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward. (Qur'an 33:35) There is no question in Islam of men and women being at odds with one another, engaged in some kind of historical struggle for power. Rather, the roles of both are complementary and essential. The Qur'an states: O mankind! Be mindful of your duty to your Lord, Who created you from a single being, and from it created its mate, and from the two of them has scattered countless men and women (throughout the earth). Fear God, in Whose (Name) you demand your rights of one another, and (be mindful of your duty) towards the wombs that bore you. God is ever Watching over you. (Qur'an 4:1) Do not long for the favours by which God has made some of you excel others. Men shall have a share of what they have earned, and women shall have a share of what they have earned. (Do not envy each other) but ask God to give you of His bounty. God has knowledge of all things. (Qur'an 4:31-32) The Prophet Muhammad augmented the revelations he received with further teachings and his wonderful personal example, which made him beloved by family and followers alike. He forbade violence against women, and preached against all forms of abuse of power. He warned that both men and women would be held accountable by God for those in their care or under their authority, and said: Let no Muslim man entertain any bad feeling against a Muslim woman. If he should dislike one quality in her, he will find another that is pleasing. The best of believers are those who are best to their wives and families. The position of women in other religions While these teachings may not seem very remarkable today, they were revolutionary at the time they were revealed, for Arabs and non-Arabs alike. While Muslim sons were being taught that Paradise lay at their mothers' feet, women in Confucian China were told to obey their fathers, then their husbands, and finally their sons after their husbands' death. Hindu women were declared to be unfit for independence, inherently weak, easily misled, sinful and unintelligent. In Buddhism, women were said to be the personification of evil. At the time, Jews and Christians believed women to be responsible for the downfall of the human race, and considered menstruation and childbirth to be the consequences of a Divine curse. One thousand years after Muhammad, in 1586, French Catholics were still debating whether or not women possessed souls! English Christians burned millions of women alive on the mere suspicion that they were witches. Married women in Europe did not gain the right to own property, obtain a divorce or enter into their own contracts until the 19th century. Not surprisingly, women who found such teachings unreasonable rebelled against them and fought for better treatment. Whereas other women have often had to pit themselves against the authority of a male priesthood, in Islam the dynamics of social change have been quite different. Muhammad was greatly concerned with women's rights The Prophet Muhammad was an extremely successful social reformer as well as spiritual and political leader, who championed the rights of the weak and oppressed. The Qur'anic verses referring to women had the effect of vastly improving the status and rights of women at the time they were revealed. Muslim women were granted the right to own, inherit and dispose of their own property as they saw fit; reject forced marriages; keep their own names and identities after marriage; initiate divorce; and obtain an education - back in the 7th century. In contrast to the dismal situation affecting many women in developing countries today, early Muslim women were noted for their learning and accomplishments. The Prophet declared, 'To seek knowledge is an obligation on every Muslim, male and female,' and his own wife Aisha was responsible for transmitting thousands of his sayings to later generations. Aisha was also renowned for her knowledge of poetry, medicine, and Islamic law, as well as her personal qualities of character and intelligence. When she led a battle after the Prophet's death, no one objected on the grounds that she was a woman. Many Muslim women in the medieval period enjoyed positions of respect as scholars and religious authorities. Therefore, Muslims seeking to improve the position of women in society have usually focused their efforts on getting men (and women) to practice Islam, rather than trying to 'reform' it, as happened with other religions. The main obstacles to Muslim women achieving the rights guaranteed to them, then and now, have been persistent un-Islamic cultural traditions (usually dating to the period before people accepted Islam in a given locality), inadequate religious education, and the bad side of human nature. Women's roles, rights and obligations Spiritual status As shown in the Qur'anic verses above, women are considered to be the spiritual equals of men, and they have the same religious duties. This is all the more important when we consider that the main goal of a Muslim is to serve God, and that this world is regarded as no more than a testing-grounds to prepare oneself for eternal life after death. Therefore, worldly accomplishments, fame, wealth and power simply do not have the same attraction for a Muslim, whose main focus is on the Next World. The Qur'an repeatedly draws our attention to the fact that the time we spend in this world is short and unpredictable, and what really counts is our character, how we treat others, and what we do with the blessings God has given us. In this context, home and family are of paramount importance, since stable families are essential to the rearing of well-adjusted children who will transmit their faith and values to the next generation. According to a well-known Arab proverb, 'The mother is a school.' Social roles Islam supports the traditional division of labour whereby women assume the main responsibility for home while men are responsible for their financial support, but with an important difference: motherhood and homemaking, like a Muslim's inner life, are not considered to be less important or rewarding than a professional career. Indeed, motherhood is one of the most important professions, and competent mothers who can successfully run a warm and welcoming home, and raise a family of happy, confident and well-disciplined children are becoming increasingly harder to find. Muslim wives and mothers are granted the respect due to all women for the struggles and sacrifices they make for the sake of their families. Furthermore, Muslims consider it unfair to burden women with both the physical and emotional demands of motherhood and the professional demands of the workplace, which end up exhausting so many women and destroying family life for the sake of economic gain. Muslims often express sympathy for women in the West, who often suffer from sexual exploitation and abuse at home and in the workplace, while being unappreciated in their traditional roles. Western women who seek to be respected must often dress and behave like men, and are expected in practise to neglect their children's needs for the sake of their careers. In Islam, femininity is appreciated, and Muslim women may seek a higher education, work outside the home or volunteer their services to benefit the community as long as their primary responsibilities are taken care of. Any money that a Muslim woman earns is her own, to spend as she likes; men remain solely responsible for maintaining the family. Islamic marriage Although Muslim parents traditionally play an important role in arranging introductions and helping to choose marriage partners for their children, both husband and wife must freely agree to the marriage. The Prophet granted girls who had been forced into marriages against their will the right to have their marriages annulled. The relationship between husband and wife in Islam is an interdependent one, based on love and tranquillity. The Qur'an says, And of His signs is this: He created spouses for you from among yourselves that you might find comfort in them, and He put between you love and mercy. Surely there are signs in that for people who reflect. (Qur'an 30:21) Both parents should strive to establish a stable, loving home and partnership. Major family decision-making should be through consultation and discussion. As the provider, the husband is expected to take the lead, as he is accountable to God for his care of the family. If no agreement can be reached, the wife should be supportive as long as her husband does not ask her to do anything that contravenes religious law. This works well as long as each spouse behaves maturely and treats the other with respect, kindness and consideration. Codes of behaviour for women and men In order to safeguard the moral integrity of family and society, Muslim men and women are expected to observe certain guidelines of behaviour that Westerners may find restrictive. Both sexes are expected to dress modestly in loose, non-transparent clothing and avoid situations that would put them alone with members of the opposite sex, or lead to temptation or misunderstandings. Muslim women additionally cover their hair, since women are ordinarily considered to be the more attractive of the sexes. These restrictions are not observed at home among close family members, but serve to protect women's honour in public and draw attention to their personal qualities rather than their looks. In Islam, the sexual urge is considered to be natural and desirable as long as it is confined to expression within marriage. However, Muslims are saddened by the rise in the vulgar exploitation of women and the human body for marketing purposes and pornography, which inevitably result in a cheapening of sexuality and the undermining of family and spiritual life. Islam's appeal to today's woman For women who enjoy being women and appreciate the differences (as well as the common ground) between the sexes, who would prefer to be respected for their intelligence and character rather than being chased after for their looks, and who would like to pursue personal and spiritual fulfilment at a human pace without having to neglect their families, Islam is a very appealing alternative. A few words about polygamy… Many people are aware that Muslim men are permitted to marry more than one wife. What is not generally known is that strict conditions of equal treatment in terms of time and money are imposed on men who do, or that women may stipulate in their marriage contracts that they have the right to divorce if their husbands take another wife. wamy

Question: I fell in love with a man for the first time of my life few years ago and it didnt take too long for us to get physically attached. Soon we realized the horrible mistake we made and planned to get married as soon as possible. I was ready to get married at that time but he was not, so to accelerate the situation, I helped him financialy to complete his study and get a job. Now that he has got work and things are a bit settled, unfortunately he doesnt seem to interested in getting married now. May be this is a punishment from Allah which I deserve, but I am just feeling that I dont have anymore patience, no energy to go through this. I cant force him if he wants to step back now, what do I do now? I attempted to suicide, but thats even bigger sin and its not the ultimate solution. this is the only sin I have committed in my knowledge that will lead me to jahannam after my death, what can I do? please help me, I am scared if I die today, I am taking this sin with me and cant concentrate in my salah…is there any specific procedure to follow to seek forgiveness to Allah the most merciful and get rid of this sin? Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. Sister in Islam; Your sense of guilt for the wrong you have committed is highly commendable. It is your Iman and consciousness of accountability to Allah that is of concern to you. This is Tawfeeq and guidance from Allah. Allah wishes to guide you on the straight path and cleanse you from sins. Thank Allah for that. The back peddling of the man in reference is the consequence of the Haram relationship. Never expect any good to come out of Haram. You are wise enough to realize that. If the person has expressed he is not interested in marrying you, that is his choice. There is good hidden in that. Do not grieve upon that. Break all contact with him and make Tauba to Allah. Never lose hope in the mercy and forgiveness of Allah. Allah most loving, caring, kind, tolerant, and most affectionate. Love Him. He will love you. Turn to Him. He will guide you. Praise and fear Allah. He will open doors of ease and comfort for you. Be sincere in your Tawba and never doubt being forgiven. Fulfill all your duties to Allah. Perform your five daily Salaah, recite Quran and Zikr daily. Be patient until Allah opens the way for you. And Allah knows best. Mufti Ebrahim Desai. Idealwoman.org

Lucy Berrington finds the Muslim Faith is winning Western admirers despite hostile media coverage. The Times (London) - Tuesday, 9th November 1993 Unprecedented numbers of British people, nearly all of them women, are converting to Islam at a time of deep divisions within the Anglican and Catholic churches. The rate of conversions has prompted predictions that Islam will rapidly become an important religious force in this country. "Within the next 20 years the number of British converts will equal or overtake the immigrant Muslim community that brought the faith here", says Rose Kendrick, a religious education teacher at a Hull comprehensive and the author of a textbook guide to the Koran. She says: "Islam is as much a world faith as is Roman Catholicism. No one nationality claims it as its own". Islam is also spreading fast on the continent and in America. The surge in conversions to Islam has taken place despite the negative image of the faith in the Western press. Indeed, the pace of conversions has accelerated since publicity over the Salman Rushdie affair, the Gulf War and the plight of the Muslims in Bosnia. It is even more ironic that most British converts should be women, given the widespread view in the west that Islam treats women poorly. In the United States, women converts outnumber men by four to one, and in Britain make up the bulk of the estimated 10, 000 to 20, 000 converts, forming part of a Muslim community of 1 to 1.5 million. Many of Britain's "New Muslims" are from middle-class backgrounds. They include Matthew Wilkinson, a former head boy of Eton who went on to Cambridge, and a son and daughter of Lord Justice Scott, the judge heading the arms-to-Iraq enquiry. A small-scale survey by the Islamic Foundation in Leicester suggests that most converts are aged 30 to 50. Younger Muslims point to many conversions among students and highlight the intellectual thrust of Islam. "Muhammad" said, "The light of Islam will rise in the West" and I think that is what is happening in our day" says Aliya Haeri, an American-born psychologist who converted 15 years ago. She is a consultant to the Zahra Trust, a charity publishing spiritual literature and is one of Britain's prominent Islamic speakers. She adds: "Western converts are coming to Islam with fresh eyes, without all the habits of the East, avoiding much of what is culturally wrong. The purest tradition is finding itself strongest in the West." Some say the conversions are prompted by the rise of comparative religious education. The British media, offering what Muslims describe as a relentless bad press on all things Islamic, is also said to have helped. Westerners despairing of their own society - rising in crime, family breakdown, drugs and alcoholism - have come to admire the discipline and security of Islam. Many converts are former Christians disillusioned by the uncertainty of the church and unhappy with the concept of the Trinity and deification of Jesus. Quest of the Convert - Why Change? Other converts describe a search for a religious identity. Many had previously been practicing Christians but found intellectual satisfaction in Islam. "I was a theology student and it was the academic argument that led to my conversion." Rose Kendrick, a religious education teacher and author, said she objected to the concept of the original sin: "Under Islam, the sins of the fathers aren't visited on the sons. The idea that God is not always forgiving is blasphemous to Muslims." Maimuna, 39, was raised as a High Anglican and confirmed at 15 at the peak of her religious devotion. "I was entranced by the ritual of the High Church and thought about taking the veil." Her crisis came when a prayer was not answered. She slammed the door on visiting vicars but traveled to convents for discussions with nuns. "My belief came back stronger, but not for the Church, the institution or the dogma." She researched every Christian denomination, plus Judaism, Buddhism and Krishna Consciousness, before turning to Islam. Many converts from Christianity reject the ecclesiastical hierarchy emphasizing Muslims' direct relationship with God. They sense a lack of leadership in the Church of England and are suspicious of its apparent flexibility. "Muslims don't keep shifting their goal-posts," says Huda Khattab, 28, author of The Muslim Woman's Handbook, published this year by Ta-Ha. She converted ten years ago while studying Arabic at university. "Christianity changes, like the way some have said pre-marital sex is okay if it’s with the person you're going to marry. It seems so wishy-washy. Islam was constant about sex, about praying five times a day. The prayer makes you conscious of God all the time. You're continually touching base." Author : Lucy Berrington Source : The London Times

Allah, The Most Exalted says: "O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)". (Qur’aan- 9:119) The Noble Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him) is reported to have said: Hasan bin 'Ali (May Allah be pleased with them) said: I remember (these words) from Messenger of Allah (PBUH): "Give up what is doubtful to you for that which is not doubtful; for truth is peace of mind and falsehood is doubt". (Hadith: Tirmidhi)

A long time ago, a girl named Li-Li got married and went to live with her husband and mother-in-law.In a very short time, Li-Li found that she couldn’t get along with her mother-in-law at all. Their personalities were very different, and Li-Li was angered by many of her mother-in-law’s habits. In addition, she criticized Li-Li constantly. Days passed days, and weeks passed weeks. Li-Li and her mother-in-law never stopped arguing and fighting. But what made the situation even worse was that, according to ancient Chinese tradition, Li-Li had to bow to her mother-in-law and obey her every wish.All the anger and unhappiness in the house was causing the poor husband great distress. Finally, Li-Li could not stand her mother-in-law’s bad temper and dictatorship any longer, and she decided to do something about it. Li-Li went to see her father’s good friend, Mr. Huang, who sold herbs. She told him the situation and asked if he would give her some poison so that she could solve the problem once and for all. Mr. Huang thought for a while, and finally said, Li-Li, I will help you solve your problem, but you must listen to me and obey what I tell you. Li-Li said, “Yes, Mr. Huang, I will do whatever you tell me to do.”Mr.Huang went into the back room, and returned in a few minutes with a package of herbs. He told Li-Li, “You can’t use a quick-acting poison to get rid of your mother-in-law, because that would cause people to become suspicious. Therefore, I have given you a number of herbs that will slowly build up poison in her body. Every other day prepare some delicious meal and put a little of these herbs in her serving. Now, in order to make sure that nobody suspects you when she dies, you must be very careful to act very friendly towards her. Don’t argue with her, obey her every wish, and treat her like a queen.” Li-Li was so happy. She thanked Mr. Huang and hurried home to start her plot of murdering her mother-in-law. Weeks went by, and months went by, and every other day, Li-Li served the specially treated food to her mother-in-law. She remembered what Mr.Huang had said about avoiding suspicion, so she controlled her temper,obeyed her mother-in-law, and treated her like her own mother. After six months had passed, the whole household had changed. Li-Li had practiced controlling her temper so much that she found that she almost never got mad or upset. She hadn’t had an argument in six months with her mother-in-law, who now seemed much kinder and easier to get along with. The mother-in-law’s attitude toward Li-Li changed, and she began to love Li-Li like her own daughter. She kept telling friends and relatives that Li-Li was the best daughter-in-law one could ever find. Li-Li and her mother-in-law were now treating each other like a real mother and daughter. Li-Li’s husband was very happy to see what was happening. One day, Li-Li came to see Mr. Huang and asked for his help again. She said, “Dear Mr. Huang, please help me to keep the poison from killing my mother-in-law! She’s changed into such a nice woman, and I love her like my own mother. I do not want her to die because of the poison I gave her.” Mr. Huang smiled and nodded his head. “Li-Li, there’s nothing to worry about. I never gave you any poison. The herbs I gave you were vitamins to improve her health. The only poison was in your mind and your attitude toward her, but that has been all washed away by the love which you gave to her.” Moral: Always treat others the way you would like to be treated. Source: Inspiration Vol 3 (idealwoman)

A Beautiful Woman A beautiful woman uses her lips for truth, her voice for kindness, her ears for compassion, her hands for charity and her heart for love. For those who do not like her, she uses prayer

Allah is Great! Sometimes Allah seems distant, but in reality He is very close. The distance may be in spiritual terms, Allah with his infinite wisdom is teaching us patience and is building our character. Even though most of the time we become distant to Allah with our actions, He is always very near in forgiveness and guidance. Allahu Akhbar!!!