ummtaalib

Q. Please advise on the ruling regarding a woman who is breastfeeding and fasting in Ramadhaan; if she does not fast does she have to make up the fasts at a later stage as well as feed the poor? (Query published as received) A. She will not be sinful for not fasting in Ramadaan due to breastfeeding. However, she will have to make up for the missed fasts at a later stage once she is able to. She does not have to give any monetary compensation. And Allah Knows Best Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed Confirmation: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

RAABI’AH BASRIYYAH Also known as RAABI’AH ADAWIYYAH, she was the fourth daughter of her parents. Great saints and scholars have benefitted from her spirituality and piety and many books have been written about her virtues and qualities. The following is my collection of inspiring stories about her. BIRTH The night Raabi’ah bint Isma’eel Adawiyyah Basriyya was born there was no oil in the house with which to anoint her naval. Her mother asked her father to borrow some oil from the neighbours. He left the house but had no intention of asking anyone for anything as he had made a vow not to ask anything of anyone. He therefore knocked softly on the neighbour’s door and returned home saying they did not open the door. He went to sleep filled with grief. That night he beheld the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam in a dream saying to him, “Do not grieve. This daughter of yours is going to intercede on behalf of seventy thousand of my Ummatis”. He then instructed him thus, “Send a note to Ameer of Basra and tell him that each night he sends Durood upon me, and on Friday nights he sends four hundred Durood upon me. Last night he had forgotten to send Durood upon me. As a recompense for that he must hand over four hundred Dinars to the bearer of the note”. When he woke up he cried and then did as instructed. When the messenger handed over the note to the Ameer of Basra he read it and said, “Give ten thousand Dirhams to the poor as a gesture of thanks that Rasulullaah sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam has thought about me and give four hundred Dinars to this man”. AS A SLAVE After she came of age her parents passed away. There was a great famine in Basra and the sisters were separated. A cruel man abducted her, enslaved her and finally sold her. All day she worked for her master and spent the night in worship. One night her master woke up and heard her supplicating. When he went to investigate he saw a lamp miraculously hanging in midair above her lighting up the entire room. She was saying, “O Allah! You know that my heart’s desire is to serve You, and the light of my eyes is in Your service. You have subjected me to be in the service of people. I am late for Your service”. Raabi’ah’s master resolved to set her free. In the morning he said to her, “You are free to go. If you choose to stay here you are welcome. However, then I shall serve you”. Taking permission she departed to spend time in the worship of Allah ta’ala. ALLAH’S SPECIAL PROTECTION Once Raabi’ah, overcome with tiredness, fell asleep. A thief entered and took her shawl but he was unable to find his way out. When he replaced the shawl he saw the exit. Again he took the shawl and lost his way. He replaced the shawl and saw the way out. He repeated this process several times, then he heard someone saying, “Why bring calamity on yourself? She whose shawl this is, has handed herself over to another Being. Even Shaytaan cannot approach her. A thief is not able to steal her shawl. Leave it and depart”. HER CONCERN This great saintly woman was once seen walking the streets carrying a pail of water in one hand and a fire in the other. On being asked the reason she replied, “I wish I could burn the gardens of Jannat with this fire and put out the fire of Jahannam with this water. Then people will worship Allah subhaanahu wata’ala for His pleasure alone and not for entry into Jannat or for safety from the fire of Jahannam”. TRUE MIRACLE Once she went to visit Hasan Basri, the great saint, to consult him about a religious matter. On arriving at his house she was told he had gone to the riverside outside the city to worship Allah ta’ala undisturbed. At the riverside she observed the great saint immersed in prayers with his prayer mat spread on the surface of the water. To show him that this was no miracle, she spread her prayer mat in the air and started praying. Hasan Basri took the hint and stepped onto the shore. The great saintly lady did likewise and said, “Offering prayers while floating on the surface of the water or praying while suspended in the air, thus imitating a fly or a straw is no miracle. What then is a true miracle? It is to obliterate completely the yearnings of the heart for the sake of the approval of your Creator”. AIDED BY ALLAH When she went for Hajj she took along an emaciated donkey on which she loaded her few belongings. Along the journey it died and the people accompanying her offered to carry her belongings, but she refused saying, “Proceed! I did not come relying on you”. The caravan continued, leaving her behind. With her perfect trust in Allah ta’ala she supplicated for His aid. Even before completing her du’a, the donkey came to life and she continued her journey and reached Makkah Mukarramah. DEPTH OF HER KNOWLEDGE Hasan Basri ra the great saint would not deliver his discourses even if large numbers had attended unless Raabi’ah Basriyya was present. On being questioned he said, “The drink which fills the water trough of elephants cannot be poured for ants.” LEVEL OF TAQWAA Hasan Basri, upon hearing of Raabi’ah’s final illness, decided to visit her and from behind the veil asked about her health and if she desired anything. She replied that she desired Maghfirat (forgiveness). He asked if she had any worldly desires and she replied that she desired dry dates as she had not eaten any for the past 30 years. He enquired about the reason for going without them for so long and she replied that once while in salaat her concentration was disturbed by a desire to eat them and so she punished her nafs and denied it the fulfilling of the desire to eat dry dates. Hasan Basri went out wondering how he could get hold of them as it was not the season for them. Just then a bird flew by and dropped a fresh dry date in his lap. He immediately took it in and offered it to the saintly lady. She asked where he got it as it was not the season for dry dates. When he related the incident of the bird she refused to eat it even though she had such a desire for them since she did not know whose orchard the bird had got it from. Thereafter she asked everyone to leave the room. No sooner did Hasan Basri go out when he and the others heard a voice saying, “Yaa ayyutuhan nafsul mutma’innah, irji’ee ilaa rabbiki raadhiyatam mardhiyyah. Fadkhuli fee ‘ibaadee, wad khuli fee jannati” O contended soul! Return happily to your Lord while He is pleased with you. Enter among My bondsmen and enter My Jannah. (Suratul Fajr) They went in to find she had left this temporary world for the permanent abode of the Hereafter. IN HER GRAVE When this wonderful lady passed away someone saw her in a dream and asked what had transpired when the Angels Munkar and Nakir had arrived to question her. She revealed the following amazing conversation which had taken place... Angels: Who is your Lord, what is your Religion? Raabi’ah: I shall Insha Allah answer your question later. First, you answer my questions please. Where have you come from? Angels: From the Heavens. Raabi’ah: What is the distance between Heaven and earth? Angels: A journey of 500 years. Raabi’ah: Have you not forgotten Allah ta’ala having travelled such a vast distance? Angels: No, we have not forgotten Allah ta’ala. Raabi’ah: When after having sojourned such a long distance you claim not to have forgotten Allah ta’ala, why...are you seriously contemplating that Raabi’ah would forget her Allah after being lowered just 6 feet below the earth...especially when I had not forgotten Him even for a second whilst on earth? And another point, why are you asking me, ‘Who is your Lord?’ Why do you not go and ask my beloved Lord, ‘Who is Raabi’ah?’ He will reply, ‘She is one of Our beloved servants!’ This reply left the Angels completely amazed and speechless! (from “Ashraf’s Orchards) Even if we cannot be of them, we do so love them! O Allah! Include us amongst them!

An insightful and personal account of why a Western teenage girl would reject the 'wonders' of fashion, and want to cover herself in the hijab (veil). I probably do not fit into the preconceived notion of a "rebel". I have no visible tattoos and minimal piercing. I do not possess a leather jacket. In fact, when most people look at me, their first thought usually is something along the lines of "oppressed female". The brave individuals who have mustered the courage to ask me about the way I dress usually have questions like: "Do your parents make you wear that?" or "Don't you find that really unfair?" A while back, a couple of girls in Montreal were kicked out of school for dressing like I do. It seems strange that a little piece of cloth would make for such a controversy. Perhaps the fear is that I am harboring an Uzi machine gun underneath it! Of course, the issue at hand is more than a mere piece of cloth. I am a Muslim woman who, like millions of other Muslim women across the globe, chooses to wear a hijab. And the concept of the hijab, contrary to popular opinion, is actually one of the most fundamental aspects of female empowerment. When I cover myself, I make it virtually impossible for people to judge me according to the way I look. I cannot be categorized because of my attractiveness or lack thereof. Compare this to life in today's society: We are constantly sizing one another up on the basis of our clothing, jewelry, hair and makeup. What kind of depth can there be in a world like this? Yes, I have a body, a physical manifestation upon this Earth. But it is the vessel of an intelligent mind and a strong spirit. It is not for the beholder to leer at or to use in advertisements to sell everything from beer to cars. Because of the superficiality of the world in which we live, external appearances are so stressed that the value of the individual counts for almost nothing. It is a myth that women in today's society are liberated. What kind of freedom can there be when a woman cannot walk down the street without every aspect of her physical self being "checked out"? When I wear the hijab I feel safe from all of this. I can rest assured that no one is looking at me and making assumptions about my character from the length of my skirt. There is a barrier between me and those who would exploit me. I am first and foremost a human being, one of the saddest truths of our time is the question of the beauty myth and female self-image. Reading popular teenage magazines, you can instantly find out what kind of body image is "in" or "out" . And if you have the "wrong" body type, well, then, you're just going to change it, aren't you? After all, there is no way you can be overweight and still be beautiful. Look at any advertisement. Is a woman being used to sell the product? How old is she? How attractive is she? What is she wearing? More often than not, that woman will be no older than her early 20s, taller, slimmer, and more attractive than average, and dressed in skimpy clothing. Why do we allow ourselves to be manipulated like this? Whether the 90s woman wishes to believe it or not, she is being forced into a mould. She is being coerced into selling herself, into compromising herself. This is why we have 13-year-old girls sticking their fingers down their throats to vomit and overweight adolescents hanging themselves. When people ask me if I feel oppressed, I can honestly say no. I made this decision of my own free will. I like the fact that I am taking control of the way other people perceive me. I enjoy the fact that I don't give anyone anything to look at and that I have released myself from the bondage of the swinging pendulum of the fashion industry and other institutions that exploit females. My body is my own business. Nobody can tell me how I should look or whether or not I am beautiful. I know that there is more to me than that. I am also able to say no comfortably when people ask me if I feel as if my sexuality is being repressed. I have taken control of my sexuality. I am thankful I will never have to suffer the fate of trying to lose / gain weight or trying to find the exact lipstick shade that will go with my skin colour. I have made choices about what my priorities are and these are not among them. So next time you see me, don't look at me sympathetically. I am not under duress or a male-worshiping female captive from those barbarous Arab deserts. I've been liberated! (s) Toronto Star Young People's Press, the author a 17 year old high school student

As Muslims, it is our responsibility to remind and invite people toward the beautiful Deen of Islam. Somewhere, somehow over the years, we have become distracted by the Dunya (world), thus resulting in many of us becoming negligent in fulfilling our obligation of giving Da’wah. Occasionally, we feel that we are unable to give Da’wah due to our limited resources. However, this is not justifiable, as ‘Passive Da’wah’ (meaning Da’wah given unconsciously on a day to day basis) may be provided in numerous ways, regardless of a person’s availability of resources or formal education. Da’wah can be executed by anyone and at anytime. We are ambassadors of Islam. How we behave and interact with the creation of Allah Azza Wajal reflects upon us as Muslims. It is imperative that we aspire to acquire good character. Our good characters and manners will leave a positive impression on those whom we meet. Religious injunctions are not commanded by Allah Azza wajal to oppress us, but to protect us and to provide us with an identity. Hijab gives us identity and weaves us into a community that is “Proud to be Muslim.” Regardless of whether we are alone or in public, we need to remember that Allah see’s us. Let us be ambassadors by sitting with the truthful, keeping our desires at bay, making Shukr for everything that we have and by being patient. Passive Da’wah is relatively easy and does not need a large amount of expendable resources. It is fundamentally the giving of ourselves. So read on dear sister, with an open heart and an open mind. The following are simple ways in which you could serve and participate in the work of Da’wah, Insha’Allah, Allah Azza Wajal will assist us with our endeavors through trying to assist others. Ameen. 1. Your neighbors- Exchanging gifts was a great Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallāhu Alayhi Wasallam and is encouraged in Islam. Perhaps bake a cake and send it over to the neighbors. A simple gesture such as calling them to enquire about their health can really change their perception of Islam and Muslims. 2. Phone or write to a friend- While you chat, you can help renew a sisters Iman (faith),advise her regarding something she’s concerned about, and remind her to have Sabr (patience), which all come under ‘enjoining the good.’ Allah says in the Qur’an, “And remind, for indeed the reminder benefits the Believers.” 3. Media- Participate in spreading the Da’wah by writing for publications, websites etc. There has be something you feel passionately about. Put pen to paper and let your ideas flow! Base what you write upon the Qur’an and Sunnah and have it checked by a reliable scholar. It will be a chance for you to do a bit of research, increase your knowledge, and it may be a valuable resource for others. 4. Support an Islamic Institute- There are plenty of Islamic organizations that help to spread the word of Islam. By sending them a donation you will not only be participating in Da’wah, you’ll be rewarded for Sadaqah Jaariyah (ongoing charity) as your donation may cause a ripple effect, touching future generations, or it may mean someone accepting Islam and practicing it. 5. Distribute Authentic Islamic literature- Spread the publications of the truthful and righteous scholars to create awareness and promote their cause of defending Islam. 6. Start a study circle- Have you thought about joining or starting a study circle? Ask reliable ulama to guide and check your notes so that you may actively pass on authentic information to your peers. Attend classes where we can learn the Tafseer of the noble Quran and get back to the basics such as Wudhu (ablution) and Salaah. 7. Encourage – Your husband and men folk in the family and make them realize their duty to Allah and the Ummah. When we support and aid their efforts in Da’wah and upholding the banner of Islam, we will be rewarded just as much. Allow your husband time to spend in this cause and help him in any way you can. 8. Teach your children- Bringing up our children to love Allah and defend Islam is our most important Da’wah task! Our children and spouses need to be given Da’wah first. Remember that everything you do to increase their knowledge and make them strong, righteous people is priceless and will be rewarded. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “All of you are shepherds and are responsible for their flocks. A leader is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. A man is a shepherd over his family and is responsible for his flock. A woman is the shepherd in the house of her husband and is responsible for her flock. idealwoman.org

I am now at the prime age of 28, of course much more maturer than when I started my modelling career at the very young age of 17. Being a young teenager, of course, I was in love with fashion and clothes, and took an opporturnity to walk the 'cat walk' , not only did I get fame, money and attention, I obtained lots of free dresses now and then. However, that fame & attention which I attracted, as I look back, indeed, its nothing to be proud of. I remember, I would enter the dressing room, I would have personal attention from the hairdresser, the beauty therapist and they would groom me to look like a professional model. I was told to wear 'tighter' underwear as it was important for 'Sales' to go up. At that time, I didnt think much of it, I was a hungry teenager looking for fame and money. As I walked out on the catwalk, the music banter was very much pitched up to get everyone excited, the green flag was given to me, as my manager shouted to me, "Go on girl, shown them what you got" and I took on the stage, very proud, young and energetic. I still remember walking down the catwalk, tight clothing of the traditional 'shalwar kameez' from the East, half naked arms, high heels, aritifical air fans gently blowing air from the overcast , giving my hair the bounce that was required and yes, the men, the men were stared on me: I could see from the corner of my eye, the way they were closely staring at me, talking with their friends about my figure and were photographing me. I must admit, it did get me annoyed, but the chase of the duniya and making money overshadowed my ignorance, increasing my sins. I quit modelling at the age of 24. The final blow came, when I was watching a video of my catwalk show, I remember how my manager told me with static pride, " You dressed up excellent in that particular show, we sold more DVD'S at the show than we sold of the clothing! The men love it". I felt ashamed and I felt lost. Was I going to be seen thousands of men around the world, for them to get cheap thrills, and to be known as a model for the wrong reason, for the fame of my body? I felt truly very upset and I felt ashamed of what disrespect I had given to myself and my father who passed away when I was a kid. Abida, a close friend at University, was so right, she would always say to me : " Sister, Muslim sisters cover themselves, we have respect, we only show and beautify ourselves for our husbands, not for men we dont know. What are you going to do tomorrow when you have kids and you are older? How will they feel knowing their mum used to dress so 'loosely' and their mother is on DVD being watched by men around the World"? If only I listened to Abida. She was so right. I learnt the hard way, I let money and fame dictate my life. My youth features have now gone, I was 'used' by the fashion industry to make hundreds of thousands of pound in profit but at a huge expense: I have lost my self respect as a Muslimah. I have shamed myself in front of other men. I now live in total regret, I was used, and God knows how many men have seen my catwalks and eyed every part of my body. Indeed, I feel ashamed. What will my future kids think of me. Is this what their mother used to do? Not the ideal islamic role model, I accept. However, I am now much closer to Allah swt, I have repented, and I know that Allah swt is looking for His creation to return back to Him. Please make Duaa for me, that Allah swt forgives me. I only hope and pray, that my personal experience, will help other sisters to never go into modelling on the catwalk, it brings no reward at all, it simply introduces men to 'cheap' thrills by examining your body. Dont live to regret it, I certainly have and will live in deep regret for the rest of my life. I truly understand why Allah swt has given us sisters in Islam so much honour and respect, for tomorrow, we will be mothers who will have to be responsible for all the choices we make in our youth. I salute all those sisters who covered themselves up from a young age, insha'Allah, when you are mothers, you will have children who will be proud of you when they grow up and you will not risk for people to 'point the finger' at you , putting salt on your wounds, rediscovering your past. And Allah swt knows best. Make Dua for me brothers and sisters. Sister in Islam, London, United Kingdom everymuslim.net

Question Is it permissible to make Masah on Sealskin socks? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. The original SealSkinz socks fulfill all the conditions of a leather sock (Mozah); therefore, it is permissible for one to make Masah on the original SealSkinz socks. We cannot comment on the fake sealskinz socks as we have not seen them. And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Moulana Ismail Desai, Student Darul Iftaa Durban, South Africa Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai. Hereunder is the original Fatwa of Mufti Ebrahim Desai Saheb (Damat Barakatuhum) on SealSkinz socks: Q) What is your view regarding making Masah on Sealskinz socks. Do they fulfil the sharii requirement of masah? Answer In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh In order for it to be permissible to wipe on non-leather socks, it is imperative to fulfil all the conditions of leather socks. After thoroughly studying the inherent qualities of leather socks, our illustrious Fuqaha suggest that non-leather socks should resemble leather socks in the following: 1. They should entirely cover both the ankles. 2. They should be durable enough that a person can walk with the sock for three miles without them tearing. 3. Both socks should independently be free from holes to the extent of three small toes. 4. The socks should remain on the leg without it being tied or fastened. 5. They should be such that water does not seep through them. [Al Mabsoot lil Sarakhsi (1/18, 184 Dar al Fikr), Al Muheet al Burhani (1/343, Al Majlis al Ilmi), Ahkam al Quran lil Jassaas (3/440, Dar al Kutub al Ilmiyyah), Tuhfa al Mulook (1/33, Dar al Bashaair al Islamiyyah), Majma al Anhur (1/75, Dar al kutub al Ilmiyyah), Al Bahr ar raaiq (1/191, 192 Dar al Ma’rifah), Tabyeen al haqaaiq 1/52 Dar al kutub al Ilmiyyah), Al Fatawa al Hindiyyah (1/32, Dar al fikr), Ad Dur al Mukhtaar (1/269, Dar al fikr), Tuhfa al Ahwadhi (1/278, Dar al kutub al Ilmiyyah), Al Maslak adh Dhaki (1/29, Wajidi Publishers), Fatawa Mahmoodiyyah (5/195, Farooqiyyah), Fatawa Haqqaniyyah (2/216, Dar al Uloom Haqqaniyyah), Kifayah al Mufti (2/321, Farouqiyyah, Fatawa Darul Uloom Zakariyyah (1/509-5516, Zam Zam Publishers) (كتاب الحجة علي أهل المدينة – (ج 1 / ص 44 عالم الكتب)ينبغي لمن قاس علي السنة و الآثار أن يقيس علي السنة ما لم يأت فيه أثر لما قد جاءت فيه الآثار مما يشبهه (بداية المجتهد- (ج 1 / ص 52 دار الاسلام) و من صح عنده الأثر أو جوز القياس علي الخف أجاز المسح علي الجوربين شرح فتح القدير - (ج 1 / ص 157 دار الفكر)لا شك أن المسح على الخف على خلاف القياس فلا يصلح إلحاق غيره به إلا إذا كان بطريق الدلالة وهو أن يكون في معناه ومعناه الساتر لمحل الفرض الذي هو بصدد متابعة المشي فيه في السفر وغيره للقطع بأن تعليق المسح بالخف ليس لصورته الخاصة بل لمعناه للزوم الحرج في النزع المتكرر في أوقات الصلاة خصوصا مع آداب السير We have personally examined ‘sealskinz’ socks and are satisfied that they fulfil all the above-mentioned conditions. One can refer to their website to see the full durability of these socks. Hence, it is permissible to use ‘sealskinz’ socks as leather socks and make masah on them. And Allah knows best Checked and Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai http://www.askimam.org/public/question_detail/21184

By Abu Ibrahim Ismail, founder of Islamic Learning Materials Ever wish you could read your husband’s mind? Western culture encourages husbands and wives to talk to each other and discuss things. However, in many Muslim cultures, men are raised to be stoic and tight-lipped. Muslim husbands are very often (not always) reluctant to talk about certain things with their wives. Part of the problem is also that sometimes it is hard to actually formulate our thoughts into the right words. The only thing more difficult than translating thoughts to words is translating feelings to words. 1. Above All, He Desires Your Respect It’s important that Muslim women understand the value of respect for men, especially Muslim men. In Islam, men are taught from a young age that they are supposed to be the bread-winners and caretakers of their families. You can imagine how frustrating it would be for a man, who tries his best to care for his family, to be married to a woman who doesn’t respect him. She may declare that she loves him, but without her respect, he will quickly fall out of love with her. This idea is put forward in the Quran where Allah says: Men are in charge of women by what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard. Chapter 4, Verse 34 2. He Desires Your Loyalty This goes hand in hand with respect. There’s nothing that will ruin a marriage quicker than the idea that your spouse is not loyal. The idea, that he or she is not going to stick by you. I’m not talking about infidelity. This is what usually comes to mind when people talk about loyalty in a marriage. What I’m talking about is knowing that the person whom you’ve chosen to spend the rest of your life with is going to be there for you when you really need them. Most men won’t admit it, but we do need women. And we do need your support. And it’s very troubling to be married to a woman who may not be around when the going gets tough. If you are constantly threatening divorce or separation or Khula (Islamic divorce initiated by the wife), you can expect your marriage to fizzle out very quickly. Your husband needs to know that you’re going to be by his side if: He loses his job and the money gets tight. He tries to do something (like start a business or go back to school) but fails at it. His reputation is tarnished or his honor is attacked. You should be loyal to your husband before everything else except Allah and His Messenger (pbuh). If you’re loyal to your husband, than rest assured he’ll be loyal to you. 3. He Wants To Have Sex More Often Let’s get this right out into the open. Some women might think men are narrow-minded brutes for this, but it’s the truth. Men desire sex. Men really desire sex. So when you give him the following excuses: “I’ve got a headache.” “I’m not feeling good.” “Can’t it wait till the weekend? I’m really not in the mood.” Know that your husband is going to go to sleep a little upset with you, even if he doesn’t show it. And do this often enough, he’s going to start resenting you. And that resentment will build up and may lead to him being unnecessarily mean to you or losing some love. Please keep the following hadith in mind: When a man calls his wife to his bed, and she does not respond and he (the husband) spends the night angry with her, the angels curse her until morning. Bukhari and Muslim. Something to think about. 4. He Thinks About Other Women Okay, first of all, calm down. Let me explain this. Most men think about other women. It doesn’t mean he’s going to cheat on you. It doesn’t mean he’s thinking about taking a second wife. It doesn’t mean he’s fantasizing about another woman. It just means that all (straight) men do, at some point in their lives, consider having another woman (i.e. wife). You’re better off coming to terms with this and accepting it than having false, purile notions about men. The best way to combat these thoughts are to apply the advice given in the first three secrets: Respect him. Be loyal to him. Give him physical love when he wants it. Does this mean he’ll never take a second wife if you do these three things? Of course not. But it will raise your value in his mind relative to other woman and he’ll be all the more reluctant to look for those three things (respect, loyalty, and sex) elsewhere. 5. He Wants To Make You Happy Why do you think men work so hard to make money? Why do you think men are willing to leave their jobs and risk starting a business? Why do you think men like buying women gifts? Because deep down, we really just want to make you happy. :) Sometimes we screw it up and forget our anniversary. But we really would prefer to remember because we know it would make you happy. So when your husband buys you a gift, accept it, rejoice over it, thank him profusely, and use it as often as possible. If he buys you some jewelry, wear it. If he buys you a new smartphone, use it. If he buys you perfume, put on for him in the confines of your home. And don’t be so quick to nag him about the things he doesn’t do right. Because then he’ll start feeling that you don’t respect (there’s that word again) the things he does do for you. 6. If You Gently Nudge Him, He Can Be A Better Muslim Nobody’s perfect. Perhaps your husband isn’t a Muslim scholar. Perhaps he’s not the best Muslim in the world. You can nudge him to make him better. But you can’t force him. Do little things to get him to improve his Islam. Offer to wake him up for Salaatul Fajr. Encourage him to make Salaah at the Masjid. Tell him how much nicer he’d look if he grew his beard. This takes deliberate words, a soft touch, and careful action. No one likes to be preached to. But if you do this right, you’ll be getting a double reward: The reward that comes with living with a righteous husband. And the reward in the next life for encouraging your husband to the truth. Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. Chapter 103, Verse 3 7. He Loves You, Even If He Doesn’t Always Show It I know, this one may be kinda hard to swallow. But it’s true (usually). Men are just not that good at showing emotion (unless we’re talking sports or politics). We don’t tell our wives “I love you” often enough. We’re not perfect. And constantly comparing us to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ain’t helping. Of course, we are supposed to emulate him (pbuh) as much as we can. And for most of us, we are doing the best we can. But we just can’t treat you the same way he (pbuh) treated his wives. Similarly, it’s unfair for men to expect their wives to behave like Aisha (RA) and his other wives (RA) did. Just because your husband doesn’t treat you in the way (you think) the Prophet (pbuh) treated his wives, doesn’t mean your husband doesn’t love you. It just means he’s human. It is very important that you understand this. If he’s doing his best to take care of you. If he doesn’t abuse you or sleep around. If he sincerely tries to solve your problems and helps you in the best way he can. Then chances are he loves you. A lot. Author: Abu Ibrahim Ismail, founder of Islamic Learning Materials Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net

What’s Going On Under the Hijab? Most men have a hard time understanding women. Even a woman they’ve been married to for years. One minute she’s perfectly fine. The next, she’s crying like a baby. She complains about something but when we offer advice on how to fix it, she still isn’t satisfied. After several years of marriage (and counselling) I’ve learned to not worry so much about what my wife says. Instead, I should worry about what she doesn’t say. With this information in mind, I’ve put together a quick list of things Muslim men should be aware of when it comes to their wife’s mind. 1. Above All, She Wants Your Love This harkens back to a post I wrote a couple of months ago called “Love or Respect: Which Do You Prefer?” In this article I explained that men desire respect from their wives, and women desire love from their husbands. When a wife shows her husband less respect, he in turn shows her less love. And when a husband shows his wife less love, she in turn shows him less respect. And the vicious cycle repeats itself. Stop this prophecy before it becomes self-fulfilling. Show love to your wife. That’s what she wants. Love her despite her flaws and quirks. And Inshallah, she’ll respect you despite your flaws and quirks. 2. She’s Bored It’s the same thing every day. Week in and week out. Not only is she bored but she’s also tired. She has to care for the kids and run the household and then pamper you. Just thinking about doing that every day makes me want to crawl under my covers and hide. I can imagine how the average Muslim housewife must feel. And let’s not forget about working woman. Many Muslim women have to work a full time job as well as hold a house down. So brothers, I implore you, make your wife feel special. Give her a break. Take her out sometimes. Surprise her with a surprise meal. Bring her favorite desert home. Just do something every now and then to break the monotany. 3. She Wants to Be Complimented Appreciation. Everybody wants it. No one wants to feel as if the hard work they do goes unnoticed or even worse, it taken for granted. Your wife does not have to clean your dirty clothes. And she does not have to cook your meals. But she does. And she does that on top of all the other things in her life: Working or going to school. Caring for the kids. Striving to be a better Muslimah. Show your Muslim wife that you appreciate and are thankful for the things she does to maintain you and your family. A simple “thank you” is a good start. 4. She’s Insanely Jealous There’s a reason most women don’t care for polygamy. Be very careful how you talk about other women around your wife. Don’t ever compare your wife to another woman. Don’t compare her to any other female, except to encourage her to emulate the pious Sahabiyyah. Don’t compare her to your mother. Never, ever compare her to your ex-wife (or other wife!) She’s wants to know and believe that she is the center of your universe. So make her feel that way. Even the Prophet’s (pbuh) wives got jealous. Aisha (RA) even got jealous of Khadijah (RA) who was dead. Expect, and respect, the same type of jealousy from your wife. 5. She Wants You to Help Her Become A Better Muslimah If you haven’t seen it yet, I encourage you to watch this video I did a couple of weeks ago for Muslim men. In this video I stress the importance of men taking the role of leader within their families. And that’s the problem with a lot of Muslim men these days. Not only are they not being good leaders, they’re being led by their wives (or mothers, or other women in their lives). Your wife desires and wants you to be her leader. And what better way to lead her than to be show her how to be a better Muslimah? But you can’t show her how to become better if you’re not that great either. Therefore, you have to upgrade your Iman. You have to improve yourself and then pass it on to her in a gentle, respectful way. 6. She Doesn’t Like to Nag, But Sometimes You Make It Hard It’s a common myth that women like to nag their husbands. That’s not entirely true. Yes, there are some people (men and women) whom you can never please. No matter what you do, they’ll always find fault in something. Let’s be reminded of the following hadith: Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas: The Prophet said: “I was shown the Hell-fire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful.” It was asked, “Do they disbelieve in Allah?” (or are they ungrateful to Allah?) He replied, “They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, ‘I have never received any good from you.” Sahih Bukhari So, yes sisters should be careful about denegrating the things your husband does for you. But very often, you Brother, make it hard for her to hold your tongue. Perhaps you’re always finding fault with her and she looks for things in your character to get even. Perhaps you’re not working (or not working hard enough) and she has to work to take up some slack. Perhaps you’re just not that great of a guy. Once again, upgrade yourself and give her less reasons to complain and nag. 7. More Than Anything, She Wants a Stable, Happy Relationship With You Women don’t get married just because they think it’s gonna be fun. They get married because they want a happy family life and they believe you’re gonna give it to them. Outside of her religious duties, that’s the most important thing in a Muslim woman’s life. Raising a happy, stable, Muslim family. The funny thing is, it’s very easy for you to give that to her. Stop acting like a jerk. Be a good husband to her. Be kind. Show her you love her. Don’t threaten her with divorce or taking a second wife. Yes, you have the right to do both. But using them as threats is inappropriate and detrimental to your marriage. Trust in Allah, watch out for the tricks of Shaytan, and be patient with her. There’s nothing Shaytan would love more than to destroy your marriage. Author: Abu Ibrahim Ismail, founder of Islamic Learning Materials Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net

By Shahnaaz Bemath It's an icy cold winter's morning sitting in the comforts of my home and enjoying a hot cuppa coffee. Suddenly feelings of inner contentment and serenity engulf me. It dawns on me - far too many women feel unimportant, unrecognised and apologetic for being full-time housewives. I prefer the term 'homemaker' - an infinitely better description of a tremendously important role. And so, as an occasion arises with its heavy demands on women, let us reflect upon the vital art of homemaking. How special you feel in a home that is always open with a warm welcome. The kind of old-fashioned home with enough love to spare for outsiders, which beckons you to sit down and relax. In it you'll find a wise blend of order and flexibility. A mother who doesn't fuss if her children and friends run in and out... who is never too busy to sit down for a chat with a friend, a confused teenager or lonely widow. Not that she isn't busy or creative. She probably is, but she recognizes one of the advantages of being Queen of the Home; of having flexitime, which allows her to set aside plans in order to help someone in need, or to rush into the garden to share a small wonder with a child. Lifestyles and options are changing. Many women need, or prefer to work. But full-time home making is a career option, which allows you to make of it what you will. It requires many skills ranging from communication and management to cookery and economics. She'll find time to listen to her family, to friends young and old, rendering invaluable emotional "first-aid." A good homemaker knows the home is the heart of society - a place where family and friends can be nurtured. In swiftly changing times it can be provide a sense of security and continuity where children soak up happy experiences and memories that will affect their whole lives. If you're a bride, anticipate your career as a homemaker with joy. If you're a mature woman who has spent years learning the art of home-making, never be apologetic about being 'only a housewife.' Glow with pride at having chosen such a vital role. I have come to value this 'way of life' through the will and grace of ALLAH TA'ALA by blessing me with a stay-at-home mother who showered me with guidance, compassion, generosity and love. And I in turn will do the same to my kids. May ALLAH TA'ALA give us all women the faith of Aasiyah (Radhiyallahu Anha), purity of Maryam (Radhiyallahu Anha), love of Khadija (Radhiyallahu Anha), affection and knowledge of Aa'ishah (Radhiyallahu Anha), and the favour of being with them in Jannah. Aameen. Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net

Jazakallah. InshaAllah these posters will be very helpful. May Allah subhaanahu wata'ala grant guidance

Please refer Here for the full fatwa of when the Salaah is invalidated.

Question: Mufti saab, can please explain the status of the salat, if during the prayer the back becomes visible and sometimes to the extent the private part becomes visible. Because its become a common thing people come to the masjid with such short T-shirts that during ruku and sajda everything is visible. Also at times during a congregation salat it becomes visible to the person praying behind. Is the person praying behind salat invalidated as well.. somebody told me that the salat is invalid. Some people told me that even the wudhu breaks. Please Clarify Jazakallah Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. In principle, if a quarter of a limb within the ‘awrah (private area which must be concealed during prayer) is exposed with intent or without concern, the Salāh will be invalidated instantly, even if it be for a moment.[1] The ‘awrah of a male in Salāh is from the belly button to the knees. The ‘awrah of a female in Salāh is her entire body besides her face, hands and feet.[2] However, if a quarter of a limb within the ‘awrah was exposed mistakenly or involuntarily, Salāh will only be invalidated if it remained exposed for the duration of reciting Subhāna Rabī al-‘Alā three times.[3] If less than quarter of a limb within the ‘awrah was exposed involuntarily or a quarter of a limb within the ‘awrah was exposed less than the duration of reciting Subhāna Rabī al-‘Alā three times, the Salāh will not be invalidated.[4] The limbs within the ‘awrah for males are as follows: 1) The whole reproductive organ 2) The testicles 3) The anus[5] 4) Each buttock is an individual limb 5) Each thigh with the knee is an individual limb 6) From the navel to the pubic area and the area parallel to this from the sides and back. The limbs within the ‘awrah for females are as follows: 1) The whole reproductive organ 2) The anus 3) Each buttock is an individual limb 4) Each thigh with the knee is an individual limb 5) From the navel to the pubic area and the area parallel to this from the sides and back. 6) Each calf with the ankle is an individual limb 7) Each breast is an individual limb 8 ) Each ear in an individual limb 9) Each upper arm with the elbow is an individual limb 10) Each forearm with the wrist is an individual limb 11) The hair 12) The head 13) The neck 14) Each shoulder is an individual limb[6] Coming back to the question, each buttock is regarded as an individual limb as cited above. Therefore, if even a quarter of one buttock is exposed due to carelessness and lack of concern, the Salāh will be invalidated instantly. If a quarter of one buttock is exposed involuntarily or mistakenly for the duration of reciting Subhāna Rabī al-‘Alā three times, the Salāh will be invalidated. It is common that the top section of both buttocks is revealed simultaneously. When multiple limbs from the ‘awrah are exposed, and the total amount exposed is equivalent to a quarter of the smallest limb, the Salāh will be invalidated with the conditions stipulated above. Therefore, if even one-eighth (1/8) of both buttocks is exposed, the Salāh will be invalidated instantly if it is on account of carelessness and lack of concern. If one-eighth of both buttocks is exposed involuntarily or mistakenly for the duration of reciting Subhāna Rabī al-‘Alā three times, the Salāh will be invalidated.[7] [1] (وَيُمْنَعُ) حَتَّى انْعِقَادَهَا (كَشْفُ رُبْعِ عُضْوٍ) قَدْرَ أَدَاءِ رُكْنٍ بِلَا صُنْعِهِ (مِنْ) عَوْرَةٍ غَلِيظَةٍ أَوْ خَفِيفَةٍ عَلَى الْمُعْتَمَدِ (وَالْغَلِيظَةُ قُبُلٌ وَدُبُرٌ وَمَا حَوْلَهُمَا، وَالْخَفِيفَةُ مَا عَدَا ذَلِكَ) مِنْ الرَّجُلِ وَالْمَرْأَةِ، وَتُجْمَعُ بِالْأَجْزَاءِ لَوْ فِي عُضْوٍ وَاحِدٍ، وَإِلَّا فَبِالْقَدْرِ؛ فَإِنْ بَلَغَ رُبْعَ أَدْنَاهَا كَأُذُنٍ مُنِعَ (الدر المختار ج 1 ص 407-408 أيج أيم سعيد) أحسن الفتاوى ج 3 ص 399 أيج أيم سعيد (قَوْلُهُ بِلَا صُنْعِهِ) فَلَوْ بِهِ فَسَدَتْ فِي الْحَالِ عِنْدَهُمْ قُنْيَةٌ (حاشية ابن عابدين ج 1 ص 408 أيج أيم سعيد) [2] [حد العورة] 1 – وعورة الرجل ما بين السرة ومنتهى الركبة. 2 – وتزيد عليه الأمة البطن والظهر. 3 – وجميع بدن الحرة عورة إلا وجهها وكفيها وقدميها. 4 -[كشف العورة] وكشف ربع عضو من أعضاء العورة يمنع صحة الصلاة. ولو تفرق الانكشاف على أعضاء من العورة وكان جملة ما تفرق يبلغ ربع أصغر الأعضاء المنكشفة منه وإلا فلا.( نور الإيضاح ونجاة الأرواح في الفقه الحنفي ص 53 العصرية) [3] (قَوْلُهُ قَدْرَ أَدَاءِ رُكْنٍ) أَيْ بِسُنَّتِهِ مُنْيَةٌ. قَالَ شَارِحُهَا: وَذَلِكَ قَدْرُ ثَلَاثِ تَسْبِيحَاتٍ اهـ وَكَأَنَّهُ قَيَّدَ بِذَلِكَ حَمْلًا لِلرُّكْنِ عَلَى الْقَصِيرِ مِنْهُ لِلِاحْتِيَاطِ، وَإِلَّا فَالْقُعُودُ الْأَخِيرُ وَالْقِيَامُ الْمُشْتَمِلُ عَلَى الْقِرَاءَةِ الْمَسْنُونَةِ أَكْثَرُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ، ثُمَّ مَا ذَكَرَهُ الشَّارِحُ قَوْلُ أَبِي يُوسُفَ. وَاعْتَبَرَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَدَاءَ الرُّكْنِ حَقِيقَةً، وَالْأَوَّلُ الْمُخْتَارُ لِلِاحْتِيَاطِ كَمَا فِي شَرْحِ الْمُنْيَةِ، وَاحْتُرِزَ عَمَّا إذَا انْكَشَفَ رُبْعُ عُضْوٍ أَقَلَّ مِنْ قَدْرِ أَدَاءِ رُكْنٍ فَلَا يُفْسِدُ اتِّفَاقًا لِأَنَّ الِانْكِشَافَ الْكَثِيرَ فِي الزَّمَانِ الْقَلِيلِ عَفْوٌ كَالِانْكِشَافِ الْقَلِيلِ فِي الزَّمَنِ الْكَثِيرِ، وَعَمَّا إذَا أَدَّى مَعَ الِانْكِشَافِ رُكْنًا فَإِنَّهَا تَفْسُدُ اتِّفَاقًا قَالَ ح: وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ هَذَا التَّفْصِيلَ فِي الِانْكِشَافِ الْحَادِثِ فِي أَثْنَاءِ الصَّلَاةِ، أَمَّا الْمُقَارِنُ لِابْتِدَائِهَا فَإِنَّهُ يَمْنَعُ انْعِقَادَهَا مُطْلَقًا اتِّفَاقًا بَعْدَ أَنْ يَكُونَ الْمَكْشُوفُ رُبْعَ الْعُضْوِ، وَكَلَامُ الشَّارِحِ يُوهِمُ أَنَّ قَوْلَهُ قَدْرَ أَدَاءِ رُكْنٍ قَيْدٌ فِي مَنْعِ الِانْعِقَادِ أَيْضًا. اهـ. (قَوْلُهُ بِلَا صُنْعِهِ) فَلَوْ بِهِ فَسَدَتْ فِي الْحَالِ عِنْدَهُمْ قُنْيَةٌ قَالَ ح: أَيْ وَإِنْ كَانَ أَقَلَّ مِنْ أَدَاءِ رُكْنٍ. اهـ. وَفِي الْخَانِيَّةِ إذَا طُرِحَ الْمُقْتَدِي فِي الزَّحْمَةِ أَمَامَ الْإِمَامِ، أَوْ فِي صَفِّ النِّسَاءِ أَوْ مَكَان نَجَسٍ، أَوْ حَوَّلُوهُ عَنْ الْقِبْلَةِ أَوْ طَرَحُوا إزَارَهُ، أَوْ سَقَطَ عَنْهُ ثَوْبُهُ، أَوْ انْكَشَفَتْ عَوْرَتُهُ، فَفِيمَا إذَا تَعَمَّدَ ذَلِكَ فَسَدَتْ صَلَاتُهُ وَإِنْ قَلَّ، وَإِلَّا فَإِنْ أَدَّى رُكْنًا فَكَذَلِكَ، وَإِلَّا فَإِنْ مَكَثَ بِعُذْرٍ لَا تَفْسُدُ فِي قَوْلِهِمْ، وَإِلَّا فَفِي ظَاهِرِ الرِّوَايَةِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ تَفْسُدُ اهـ لَكِنْ فِي الْخَانِيَّةِ أَيْضًا مَا يَدُلُّ عَلَى عَدَمِ اشْتِرَاطِ قَوْلِهِ بِلَا صُنْعٍ، فَإِنَّهُ قَالَ لَوْ تَحَوَّلَ إلَى مَكَان نَجَسٍ، إنْ لَمْ يَمْكُثْ عَلَى النَّجَاسَةِ قَدْرَ أَدْنَى رُكْنٍ جَازَتْ صَلَاتُهُ وَإِلَّا فَلَا، وَكَذَا فِي مُنْيَةِ الْمُصَلِّي. قَالَ: وَكَذَا إنْ رَفَعَ نَعْلَيْهِ وَعَلَيْهِمَا قَذَرٌ مَانِعٌ إنْ أَدَّى مَعَهُمَا رُكْنًا فَسَدَتْ وَذَكَرَ نَحْوَ ذَلِكَ فِي الْحِلْيَةِ عَنْ الذَّخِيرَةِ وَالْبَدَائِعِ وَغَيْرِهِمَا. ثُمَّ قَالَ: وَالْأَشْبَهُ الْفَسَادُ مَعَ التَّعَمُّدِ إلَّا لِحَاجَةٍ كَرَفْعِ نَعْلِهِ (حاشية ابن عابدين ج 1 ص 408 أيج أيم سعيد) أحسن الفتاوى ج 3 ص 399 أيج أيم سعيد [4] وَالِانْكِشَافُ الْكَثِيرُ فِي الزَّمَنِ الْقَلِيلِ لَا يَمْنَعُ الْجَوَازَ، حَتَّى لَوْ انْكَشَفَتْ عَوْرَتُهُ كُلُّهَا وَغَطَّاهَا فِي الْحَالِ لَا تَفْسُدُ صَلَاتُهُ وَالْقَلِيلُ مُقَدَّرٌ بِمَا لَا يُؤَدِّي فِيهِ الرُّكْنَ (تبيين الحقائق ج 1 ص 96 إمدادية) والمراد بكشف العورة ما يعم كشف ربع العضو منها (حاشية الطحطاوي ص 337 دار الكتب) [5] (وَحَلَقَةِ الدُّبُرِ بِمُفْرَدِهَا) احْتَرَزَ بِهِ عَمَّا قِيلَ الدُّبُرُ عُضْوٌ مَعَ الْأَلْيَتَيْنِ (مجمع الأنهر ج 1 ص 81 دار إحياء التراث العربي) وَاخْتَلَفُوا فِي الدُّبُرِ هَلْ هُوَ عَوْرَةٌ مَعَ الْأَلْيَتَيْنِ أَوْ كُلِّ أَلْيَةٍ مِنْهُمَا عَوْرَةٌ عَلَى حِدَةٍ وَالدُّبُرُ ثَالِثُهُمَا وَالصَّحِيحُ أَنَّهُ ثَالِثُهُمَا (تبيين الحقائق ج 1 ص 96 إمدادية) [6] [تَتِمَّةٌ] أَعْضَاءُ عَوْرَةِ الرَّجُلِ ثَمَانِيَةٌ: الْأَوَّلُ الذَّكَرُ وَمَا حَوْلَهُ. الثَّانِي الْأُنْثَيَانِ وَمَا حَوْلَهُمَا. الثَّالِثُ الدُّبُرُ وَمَا حَوْلَهُ. الرَّابِعُ وَالْخَامِسُ الْأَلْيَتَانِ. السَّادِسُ وَالسَّابِعُ الْفَخِذَانِ مَعَ الرُّكْبَتَيْنِ. الثَّامِنُ مَا بَيْنَ السُّرَّةِ إلَى الْعَانَةِ مَعَ مَا يُحَاذِي ذَلِكَ مِنْ الْجَنْبَيْنِ وَالظَّهْرِ وَالْبَطْنِ. وَفِي الْأَمَةِ ثَمَانِيَةٌ أَيْضًا: الْفَخِذَانِ مَعَ الرُّكْبَتَيْنِ، وَالْأَلْيَتَانِ وَالْقُبُلُ مَعَ مَا حَوْلَهُ، وَالدُّبُرُ كَذَلِكَ، وَالْبَطْنُ وَالظَّهْرُ مَعَ مَا يَلِيهِمَا مِنْ الْجَنْبَيْنِ. وَفِي الْحُرَّةِ هَذِهِ الثَّمَانِيَةُ، وَيُزَادُ فِيهَا سِتَّةَ عَشَرَ: السَّاقَانِ مَعَ الْكَعْبَيْنِ، وَالثَّدْيَانِ الْمُنْكَسِرَانِ، وَالْأُذُنَانِ، وَالْعَضُدَانِ مَعَ الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ، وَالذِّرَاعَانِ مَعَ الرُّسْغَيْنِ وَالصَّدْرُ، وَالرَّأْسُ، وَالشَّعْرُ، وَالْعُنُقُ، وَظَهْرُ الْكَفَّيْنِ. وَيَنْبَغِي أَنْ يُزَادَ فِيهَا أَيْضًا الْكَتِفَانِ وَلَا يُجْعَلَانِ مَعَ الظَّهْرِ عُضْوًا وَاحِدًا، بِدَلِيلِ أَنَّهُمْ جَعَلُوا ظَهْرَ الْأَمَةِ عَوْرَةً دُونَ كَتِفَيْهَا وَكَذَلِكَ بَطْنَا الْقَدَمَيْنِ عَوْرَةٌ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أَيْ وَهِيَ الْأَصَحُّ كَمَا قَدَّمْنَاهُ عَنْ إعَانَةِ الْحَقِيرِ لِلْمُصَنِّفِ، فَتَصِيرُ ثَمَانِيَةً وَعِشْرِينَ كَذَا حَرَّرَهُ ح. قُلْت: وَقَدَّمْنَا عَنْ التَّتَارْخَانِيَّة أَنَّ صَدْرَ الْأَمَةِ وَثَدْيَيْهَا عَوْرَةٌ، وَقَدَّمْنَا أَيْضًا عَنْ الْقُنْيَةِ أَنَّ جَنْبَيْهَا عَوْرَةٌ مُسْتَقِلَّةٌ عَلَى أَحَدِ قَوْلَيْنِ، وَعَلَيْهِ فَتُزَادُ الْأَمَةُ خَمْسَةً عَلَى الثَّمَانِيَةِ الْمَارَّةِ فَتَصِيرُ أَعْضَاؤُهَا ثَلَاثَةَ عَشَرَ، وَاَللَّهُ تَعَالَى أَعْلَمُ (حاشية ابن عابدين ج 1 ص 409 أيج أيم سعيد) وَالذَّكَرُ يُعْتَبَرُ بِانْفِرَادِهِ وَكَذَا الْأُنْثَيَانِ هُوَ الصَّحِيحُ. هَكَذَا فِي الْهِدَايَةِ وَالْأَلْيَتَانِ كُلُّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُمَا عَوْرَةٌ عَلَى حِدَةٍ وَالدُّبُرُ ثَالِثُهُمَا هُوَ الصَّحِيحُ كَذَا فِي شَرْحِ الْمَجْمَعِ لِابْنِ الْمَلَكِ وَهَكَذَا فِي التَّبْيِينِ. (الهندية ج 1 ص 59 الرشيدية) [7] ولو تفرق الانكشاف على أعضاء من العورة وكان جملة ما تفرق يبلغ ربع أصغر الأعضاء المنكشفة منه وإلا فلا.( نور الإيضاح ونجاة الأرواح في الفقه الحنفي ص 53 العصرية) And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Mufti Faraz al-Mahmudi, www.darulfiqh.com

The first thing you should do to enable you to study with ease is to condition your mind to love what you are studying. The more you love what you are studying, the more you will find it easy to spend with your studies. The most important thing you can do to make it easy to commit your study material to your mind and understand them is to enjoy studying each of the subjects. Hereunder are a few practical solutions: 1) Choose a quiet spot in your house where you will be comfortable studying. That spot should only be used for studying. Arrange that area in such a way that you feel comfortable studying there. However, do not make it too comfortable by using soft pillows etc. as this will induce sleep when you sit to study. This area should be in a room where you are alone. It should be quiet and away from all distractions. 2) Before you study, perform two Rakāts of Ṣalātul Hājah seeking the help of Allah Taʿālā to open your mind to what you are going to study. Recite the following two Duas after you have read the two Rakāts: {رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِيْ صَدْرِيْ وَيَسِّرْ لِيْ أَمْرِيْ وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّنْ لِّسَانِيْ يَفْقَهُوْا قَوْلِيْ} [طه: 25 – 28] {رَبِّ زِدْنِيْ عِلْمًا} [طه: 114](The Dua of Mūsā ʿAlaihis Salām) Oh my Lord, open my heart for me and ease my task for me and untie the knot from my tongue so that they may understand my speech. [surah Ṭāhā, V. 25-28] (The Dua Nabi Ṣallallāhu ʿalaihi wa Sallam was instructed to make) Oh my Lord, increase me in knowledge. [surah Ṭāhā, V. 114] 3) Give up all activities that distract you from studying, e.g. playing games, chatting to friends, social networking, etc. Giving up these things will keep your mind concentrated while you are studying and will give you more time to dedicate to your studies. 4) Try your best to remain in the state of Wudhu while studying. 5) When you feel sleepy, wash your face and continue studying. 6) Focus on understanding the lesson you are revising rather than memorizing it. Consult the teacher of each subject to find out how to study that subject and what to focus on in each lesson. You may even get tips on this from students of higher grades. 7) Make brief notes in your notebook of the key points in the lesson you are revising. After revising the lesson, go over the notes you have made. This will aid you to embed the information in your mind. 8) After revising a lesson, do a rough overview of the next day’s lesson. 9) Discuss your problem with your teachers and seek their advice and Duas. http://idealwoman.org/2013/tips-for-effective-studying/

This is a brief collection of a few couplets which portray the love of Allah. They have been taught to us by our illustrious spiritual mentor and guide, Hazrat-e-Aqdas, Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (DB). They are to be read particularly when making zikr, after every ten times of, “La Ilaha il Allah” and “Allah, Allah” for men and “La Ilaha il Allah” and “SubhanAllah” for women. These couplets enhance the quality, expression of love, and concentration in zikr. It should be kept in mind they are not zikr and are not necessary. They are merely an aid to zikr, but since their benefit is so great, one should endeavor to learn them and say them in one’s zikr and at other times as well. If a person recites and ponders over the command of Allah, “Fazkurooni Azkurkum” “Remember Me and I will remember you.”, before starting one’s zikr, there will be much more benefit, enjoyment, and concentration in one’s zikr. If a person thinks that when I make zikr, Allah, the Creator, my Creator and the Creator of the universe, the King of kings, the controller of everything is remembering me, and in fact according to a Hadith, Allah boasts about the one who makes zikr. According to another Hadith, the angels surround the person who makes zikr. One may ask why? The angels who are in the heavens come down to earth? The angels who are in the presence of Allah come to witness the zikr of a human? This occurs for various reasons: The angels are astonished that this person is engaged in zikr without even seeing Allah. The angels notice that this person despite of his human need of food, drink, wife, kids etc. he makes time for the zikr of Allah. He gets no apparent material benefit, and yet he still makes zikr. دل میرا ہو جائے اک میدان ہو تو ہی تو ہو تو ہی تو ہو تو ہی تو اور میرے تن میں بجائے آب و گل درد دل ہو درد دل ہو درد دل غیر سے بلکل ہی اٹھ جائے نظر تو ہی تو آئے نظر د یکھو جدھر Dil mera ho jaye aik maidaan-e-hu Tu hi tu ho tu hi tu ho tu hi tu Aure mere tan mein bajaye aab-o-gil Dared-e-dil ho dard-e-dil ho dard-e-dil Ghair se bikul hi uth jaye nazar Tu hi tu aaye nazar dekhun jidhar May my heart become an open field In which there is no one but you and only you And in my body instead of water and sand May I be blessed with the pain of the heart May my sight be lifted from all else Wherever I look, may I only see You. The ardent lover of Allah makes this prayer that his heart be an empty field in which there is nothing and no one, but Allah. Further, he desires that his body be drenched with the pain of Allah’s love. Love is painful but this pain is pleasurable. For example, like that person who is eating something hot and spicy, his mouth is burning, but he is still enjoying and savoring the food. He eats more and more. Likewise, the love of Allah will make a person give up his wrong lifestyle, his sins, to get up for tahajjud, cry is du’as, outwardly this all seems painful but there is great enjoyment in it for the person doing it. Furthermore, his love is so intense that he does not want to see anything or anyone other than Allah, and that he only sees the manifestation of Allah’s existence in His creation wherever he looks. When a person is blessed with the ma’rifat i.e. recognition of Allah and progresses in this, then he only sees the hidden system of Allah at work. الھی دل میں میرے غیر کا اثر نہ رہے سوائے تیرے کسی پر میری نظر نہ رہے تو کر بے خبر ساری خبروں سے مجھکو الھی رہوں ایک خبردار تیرا Ilahi dil mein mere ghair ka asar Na rahe Siwa-e Tere kisi par meri nazar na rahe Tu kar be-khabar saari khabron se mujh ko Ilahi rahoon eik khabardar tera. O Allah Do not let anything other than you affect my heart. May my gaze be on none but You. Make me unaware of all things. O Allah let me be fully aware of You. The lover of Allah wants to be exclusive for Allah and he wants the highest level of Tauheed in him. So he asks Allah that he be affected by Allah alone. For his needs, his heart and mind should go to none but Allah. All he wants to know about is Allah. اللہ اللہ کیسا پیارا نام ہے عاشقوں کا مینا اور جام ہے Allah, Allah kaisa pyara naam hai Aashiqon ka meena aur jam hai Allah, Allah, what a lovely name…! O Allah, what a beloved name You have. In fact the “Aah” (expression of yearning, pain or grief due to physical, social, or emotional stress) of a humble servant of Allah is joined to the end of the name Allah. This “Aah” does not exist in any other name of the false gods. This is solely and exclusively the quality of just the name of Allah. What a splendid and majestic name it truly is. O Allah! Never deprive me of repeatedly taking Your name. A person may be deprived because of sin. It is not because a person doesn’t have time or is too busy to make zikr. In reality, Allah helps the person at a distance due to sin The name of Allah is not so cheap that a person goes on breaking the law of Allah, never feels remorse or regret, doesn’t repent, and is still given the opportunity to take His blessed name and enjoy it also! Firstly, due to sinning, and after being given respite, a person is deprived of the enjoyment and pleasure of zikr, then of other noble acts. Afterwards, he is deprived of even other acts of worship which may carry over into sunnahs, waajibaat, and even faraaidh. If even after all this, a person still does not make Taubah, his Iman may be in danger. O Allah! Protect us from sins and give us the taufeeq to make your zikr. Aameen! اپنے ملنے کاپتہ کوئی نشاں تو بتادے مجھکو اے رب جہاں Apne milne ka pata koi nishaan, tu bata de mujhko ay Rabb-e-Jahaan. Tell me your address, show me some sign to meet You, O Sustainer of the universe. The lover of Allah wants to always go closer to Allah and therefore always asks for more ma’rifat. The physical, literal meaning is obviously not intended here because that will be kufr. Allah doesn’t have a real address. The love is admitting that I have not gained enough of Your recognition, so grant me more. کوئی تجھ سے کچھ کوئی کچھ چاہتا ہے الھی میں تجھ سے طلبگار تیرا Koi tujh se kuch koi kuch chahta hai, Ilahi mein tujhse talabgaar tera. Some ask You for something and others for something else. My Lord, I only seek from You Yourself. Seldom do people ask of Allah by means of du’a, and when they do, they ask for things of this dunya. Then others ask for things of aakhirat. The true and real ardent lovers of Allah only desire Allah and His pleasure. The dunya has no value in their eyes nor does Jannat. What value would Jannat have without Allah! It is for this reason that the Ahlullah ask Allah for Himself. ہر تمنا دل سے رخصت ہو گئی اب تو آجا اب تو خلوت ہو گئی Har tammanna dil se rukhsat ho gayi, ab to aaja ab to khalwat ho gayi. My heart has bid farewell to all hopes and wishes. Now please come, now I have achieved solitude. This is alluding to the notion that the heart is where Allah manifests His manifestations. When the heart of a mu’min is occupied with other things like hopes and desires, then Allah will not enter that heart. Allah is King of all kings. He requires a clean and pure heart to settle in. When we, as mere humans would feel offended when people do not honor us, then Allah has more ghairat than all of us. Therefore, clean your heart and mind of everything, and then make zikr and you yourself will see the outcome. Source

One day, a brilliantly beautiful and fragrant flower with attractive colors met a pearl that lives far in the bottom of the sea and has none of these characteristics. Both got acquainted with each other. The flower said: "Our family is large; roses and daisies are members of the family. And there are many other species that are various and countless; each has a distinctive scent, appearance etc." Suddenly, a tinge of distress appeared on the flower. "Nothing accounts for sorrow in your talk; so why are depressed?" The pearl asked. "Human beings deal with us carelessly; they slight us. They don't grow us for our sake but to get pleasure from our fragrance and beautiful appearance. They throw us on the street or in the garbage can after we are dispossessed of the most valuable properties; brilliance and fragrance." The flower sighed. And then the flower said to the pearl: "Speak to me about your life! How do you live? How do you feel it? You are buried in the bottom of the sea." The pearl answered: "Although I have none of your distinctive colors and sweet scents, humans think I am precious. They do the impossible to procure me. They go on long journeys, dive deep in the seas searching for me. You might be astounded to know that the further I lay, the more beautiful and brilliant I become. That's what upraises my value in their thought. I live in a thick shell isolated in the dark seas. However, I'm happy and proud to be in a safe zone far from wanton and mischievous hands and still the humans consider me highly valuable." Do you know what the flower and the pearl symbolize? Think, Think, Think... You will find that: The flower is the unveiled woman (who shows her charms) and the pearl is the veiled woman (who conceals her beauties).

Let the Hereafter be your objective, your goal. Who says women cannot attain knowledge or excel in worship? There are examples of great women from the time of the Sahaabiyaat and through the ages where women have excelled in knowledge, worship and spirituality. So make the Aakhirah your objective in whatever you pursue, be it knowledge, worship, rectification etc and even in fulfilling your duties to your husband, children, in laws and in serving humanity at large. Today women pursue equal rights however it is in worldly matters whereas the Sahaabiyaat and their followers pursued in competing with the men in Deeni matters and matters related to the Hereafter. So don’t grieve and concern yourselves with the luxuries of this world. Compete for the Hereafter. This was the message from Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (hafizahullah) at the Annual Sister’s Gathering (March 2012)

I found this very inspirational post on the vital role of women in the Ummah. Women have a great responsibililty and a vital role to play...if only we realised and appreciated the great status Islam has bestowed upon us! A Woman’s Role In The Ummah Sisters, your role in society is like the role of the archers in the battle of Uhud. They were not at the forefront or in the thick of the action, BUT they held the most important position. They guarded the army. If they moved, the whole army would be uncovered and defeated. In the same way, if you leave your most important position, you leave the army-the Ummah uncovered. - You are the silent heroes, - You are the foundational structure of great generations, - You are the mothers who look after the family, - You are the first of the teachers of this Ummah, - You are the ones who teach the Muslim men courage, truthfulness, kindness, perseverance, and patience, - You are the carer’s of the men of this Ummah, - The success of this Ummah lies upon your shoulders. Allah states that a woman’s primary abode is her home. This does not mean she plays no role in society. She is like the engine of a car hidden in the bonnet. Everything of the car is meaningless without the engine. The engine being concealed does not mean it is insignificant. Infact, being concealed reveals its real value A woman is like a live wire tucked away. If it is exposed it will shock people. It is concealed yet provides the current for electricity. A woman is like the battery in a mobile phone. All the features of the mobile phone mean nothing if the battery is not there. It is concealed but provides the main function. Being concealed and doing what Allah wants us to do reveals the real value of women. http://www.idealwoman.org/2012/a-wom...-in-the-ummah

I have read and heard many times the story of how our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, on the momentous occasion of receiving Prophethood, goes to his beloved wife Khadijah R.A., confides in her and receives total support from her. A beautiful story, but never before have I heard of the beautiful lessons derived from this occasion as explained by Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (hafizahullah)in his bayan called “Ruswaayi sey bachaaney waaley awsaaf”. The enormous responsibility of Prophethood conferred by Jibrail left our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alyhi wasallam in a state of agitation and fear, i.e. would he be able to carry out this great responsibility or would he fail. He immediately went home to his beloved wife and recounted the whole episode of the meeting with the Angel Jibrail. Her immediate reaction was to offer loving words of comfort and support. She allayed his fears by pointing out to him that Allah Ta’aalaa had placed this responsibility on him, but surely not to humiliate him with failure. After all, did he not keep ties with those who wished to break them (silaa rahmi), and did he not worry about those who had no-one to worry for them (boj uthaanaa)? Did he not create means of earning for the poor (faqiro ko kamaane ke raastein dikhaanaa) and did he not help and stand up for the oppressed who were on the haqq? Did he not happily entertain guests? How then would Allah not help him in attaining success? The first lesson from this episode is that Khadijah R.A. describes five qualities present in Rasulullaah sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, which were the reason for his not being humiliated, and if these five qualities were to be present in us success would be guaranteed for us in both worlds. The second very important lessons especially for women, is that a wife should be a means of comfort to her husband, especially so if he was striving in the path of Deen. A few words of comfort from a wife are enough compared to others. Khadihah R.A. holds a very high status in the ummah. Allah Ta’aalaa sent salaams to her through Jibrail which were conveyed to her by Rasulullaah sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, she was the first to accept Islam and spend all her wealth in the cause of Islam, but there is no comparison to the status of her husband. Despite the differences in their status, Rasulullaah sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, was able to go to her and confide his fears in her. Explaining further Shaykh says that to practice on these five things a couple would have to be united and supportive of each other. A man or a woman would never be able to feed the poor or worry about the weak, the helpless, the disabled, the widows or the orphans, or help the oppressed or invite guests without the support of the other. Therefore the five beautiful qualities Khadijah R.A. pointed out in her husband were present in her also!

Read Oh Mu’minah, read the Qur’an Read and ponder over the message from Ar-Rahmaan. Educated is she who recognises her Lord and His infinite mercy, Intelligent is she who submits to His wishes in total humility. In the Qur’an He did not forget to mention you, Apparent His love in His elevating you. Created you from the rib of man, close to his heart, To be loved and cherished, and not left to be perished. Read and know about Aasia, wife of the cruel Fir’own, She preferred torture and death and a house close to her Lord. Fruits sent down from Heaven, for Mariam, mother of Isaa Comforted and inspired to save her child was mother of Musaa. Know how Khowla’s anxiety was removed, And A’isha’s purity and sanctity proved, Verses of the Qur’an, sent down in mercy, A means of protection for women till eternity. Know that just as acceptance was granted to Ibrahim’s Ramee, So it was to Hajra’s Sa’ee Is Hajj complete without the stoning, And did not the Prophet, the Sahaba and the Awliya have to do the running? And just as Ahadith was narrated by Abu Hurairah, So it was by A’isha, Asma and Hafsah. And if there was born the likes of Hasan Al Basri, Then who can deny the high status of Raabiyah? If man will reap the reward of his worship and bear punishment for his inequity, Then woman too will do so equally, And if man can reach great heights, then you too are not denied, So struggle and strive and free yourself, you are not confined. The freedom of the West is nothing but imaginary Posing half naked and following the fashions is in actual fact slavery. So don’t be foolish and be left behind, Oh Mu’minah, Become in reality a devoted and true Muslimah!

From WASP to a Muslim Jonathan Brown 05/03/2003 From Washington DC to California I would like to start the story of how I became Muslim with a bit about my background prior to embracing Islam. I come from a white, upper-middle-class Anglo Saxon American family from Washington DC. Growing up I would accompany my parents to soiree’s, potato-salad laden outdoor luncheons at friends’ houses and church on Sundays. My parents were very well educated and both successful in their respective fields. My days were spent in a coat and tie at private schools. I was not exposed to much diversity, unless by diversity you mean different kinds of rich white people. Despite my excellent education, I certainly had little real understanding of how people from other countries or other religions perceived the world. I was religious as a child, but I did not care too much about the Protestant doctrine my Sunday school teachers tried to teach their students. I was religious, I suppose, because I believed in God in the same way so many people in this world do: I called upon Him when I needed Him, pledging my undying service and devotion if only He’d grant me whatever wish I desperately wanted at the time, only to forget Him later. But I suppose I really did believe in God, for throughout my life I always knew that some higher truth existed and going off to California for boarding school further constricted the role of religion in my life. My father could no longer make me go to church, and California’s rich and liberal environment has never been known to welcome any religious expression other than vapid adulterations of Eastern faiths such as Buddhism and Hinduism. When a teacher at my school suggested having a private Bible study at his house after formal dinner for any students interested he drew criticism from faculty and students alike. With such issues cast aside, then, I spent my high school days studying, drinking when I could and desperately trying to hook up with whatever female would let me near her. Time slipped by as my friends and I knocked tennis balls back and forth in the warm California sun, hoping to impress girls and reaping the inevitable heart-aches with which spoiled youths are constantly stricken. Beyond my English classes, clumsy attempts at getting drunk and days at the beach I knew in both my heart and mind that my life was not complete. I knew, with perhaps too much perspicacity, that all the fleeting delights of my life and all its momentary agonies could come to an end with the wrong turn on a highway or a freak accident. I knew that all my hopes and dreams as a person had to have more significance than simply the transitory whims of an animal born and bound to perish without history even noticing. I knew all this, so I kept looking for the truth that could grant my life meaning. Encountering Islam Soon I went off to college. There, among stacks of required readings and friends smart and arrogant enough to provide stimulation conversation for each other, I pondered these questions. Motivated and excited by my classes, my mind was always racing from thinker to thinker, from book to book. My university had a theology requirement, so I decided to take a class on Islamic Thought and practice. My professor was a Palestinian Muslim woman who made no apologies for her faith. She presented Islam in a fair and reasonable light, stating on the first day of class that she expected her students to “step into the shoes of a Muslim in order to understand Islam.” I was initially averse to sympathizing for a religion spread by the sword and so closely associated with terrorism, and I took every opportunity I could to argue with the professor about the merits of the religion. As the semester progressed, however, I found myself identifying more and more with the image of Islam that she presented: One God, totally beyond our comprehension, the Creator and Shaper of a rational and ordered universe; a message sent from on high, over and over again to the various human communities that had thrived on and then vanished from the earth; men corrupting this message out of the desire to hasten felicity, out of greed or the lust for power; one last messenger, sent to the dry earth of Arabia, that Near-Eastern crucible of human faith, to deliver the pronouncement one last time; God is, and you must worship Him, when you do, you will be free from fear and pain, and all the trials and vicissitudes of this life will gain meaning; one last book, intact, preserved for all time for the generations that would ponder it as the centuries passed. Surrendering to God This was the God I had believed in as a child, the God and the message cleansed of human accretions and worldly corruptions. This was the message that sat peacefully both in man’s heart and mind, bringing reason and faith together in submission to God. Yes, the manifestation was foreign; I knew no Arabic, barely understood the world into which the Qur’an was revealed and could hardly grasp the manifold transformations that would affect the Islamic tradition as time and space moved Muhammad’s revelation away from its origins. Nonetheless, I felt that I had alighted upon the truth that had evaded me for so long and that at last my nagging fears and doubts had come to an end. I spent the summer traveling in Europe and Russia and was able to ponder these questions with the seriousness and depth that only long hours of traveling afford. When I returned home to Washington to start my sophomore year of college, I decided that I had already become Muslim. I believed in God’s message, as delivered through the Prophet Muhammad, and all that remained was to formalize my commitment and begin living as a Muslim. I had already weaned myself off liquor and, quite unwillingly, put a stop to my attempted womanizing. I said the shahada (testimony of faith) in front of some of the Muslim friends I had made while learning about the religion and began to pray. God made this transition very easy for me. My family gradually understood the change that had occurred in my life, and they have never been anything but supportive and sympathetic. They are very result-oriented; when they saw that I no longer came home drunk or acted like an idiot they realized that my life had improved. Little can be compared to the euphoria of those first days. With every step I took and every glance at the green trees around me I felt that I had begun life anew. My life and everything in it took on a new purpose. Gone were the doubts and fears of yesteryear. All I wanted to go was serve God and worship Him…all I asked was that He grant me peace in this world and the next. I continued to take classes on Islam and gradually focused on Middle Eastern history. As my college career continued it occurred to me that studying and research were my forte and that pursuing graduate studies in the study of Islam and Islamic civilization would allow me to best serve God. Understanding Islam But I suppose I had another reason. It is difficult to explain to someone who has not experienced it, but Muslims have long conflated culture and religion. As a convert to Islam it is thus very difficult to distinguish between Arab, Indian or Iranian culture and the actual faith and practices of Islam. Moreover, Muslims have not exactly carried themselves well in the modern era. Their societies and states are poor, uneducated, backward, decadent, and torn by pathetic and pedantic racial or class conflicts. In addition, it is difficult to know when a Muslim is actually committed to their religion, when he is just waving it as some kind of flag to make himself feel better in a world in which secularism, modernity and the West have become paramount. Studying the history and development of the Islamic community helped me answer the important questions “How should I live as a Muslim in the modern world? What elements of Islamic tradition are authentic and which are just the cultural additions of Muslim cultures?” These problems are all interesting, but the Muslim ailment that has affected me most personally is the parochial visions of marriage that abound in the Muslim world. In Islam race should mean nothing. A person’s merit is determined by their belief in God, good deeds, and character alone. Unfortunately, many Muslims are overly concerned with race when it comes to marriage. Whether they are Muslim immigrants in the United States or families that have remained in their countries of origin, an alarmingly large percentage of Muslim parents are only interested in marrying their children to members of their ethnic community. Syrian immigrants in the United States want their children to marry other Syrians, Indian Muslim immigrants want their children to marry Indian Muslims, etc. This is all well and good for those people involved, but it presents somewhat of a dilemma for an American convert to Islam. This attitude is completely antithetical to the original spirit of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad was cast out of his hometown of Mecca because his preaching irked the city’s elite. He was welcomed in the city of Yathrib by noble folk who had embraced his message. As more and more Meccans converted, they made the journey to Yathrib, newly named al-Medina, to be welcomed into an emerging believing community. The Prophet wove these new emmigrants into the fabric of the community and, although tribal divisions did remain, the fraternity of Islam trumped them. Like these early immigrants I long to be accepted and welcomed into a Muslim family. Nonetheless, these problems amount to little when compared to the blessings that God has given me as a Muslim. He has allowed me to explore new peoples and cultures far removed from the white suburban fences and gin-and-tonic cocktail parties of my youth. He has given me a passion for learning and a mission to fulfill in contributing to man’s understanding of history and the world of Islam. He bestowed dignity upon me by leading me away from habits and vices not befitting an upstanding man. He has given my life meaning and saved me from the fear that plagues those whose mortality and life styles haunt them. He has given me brothers and sisters in faith who have embraced me as one of their own.

Experiences of a Recently Converted Hindu Woman My Experiences and How I Find that Islam does not Oppress Women" by Sister Noor, University of Essex I came from a purely Hindu family where we were always taught to regard ourselves (i.e. women) as beings who were eventually to be married off and have children and serve the husband-- whether he was kind or not. Other than this I found that there were a lot of things which really oppressed women, such as: If a woman was widowed, she would always have to wear a white sari (costume), eat vegetarian meals, cut her hair short, and never re-marry. The bride always had to pay the dowry (bridal money) to the husband's family. And the husband could ask for anything, irrespective of whether the bride would have difficulty giving it. Not only that, if after marriage she was not able to pay the full dowry she would be both emotionally and physically tortured, and could end up being a victim of "kitchen death" where the husband, or both the mother-in-law and the husband try to set fire to the wife while she is cooking or is in the kitchen, and try to make it look like an accidental death. More and more of these instances are taking place. The daughter of a friend of my own father's had the same fate last year! In addition to all this, men in Hinduism are treated literally as among the gods. In one of the religious Hindu celebration, unmarried girls pray for and worship an idol representing a particular god (Shira) so that they may have husbands like him. Even my own mother had asked me to do this. This made me see that the Hindu religion which is based on superstitions and things that have no manifest proof (1), but were merely traditions which oppressed women could not be right. Subsequently, when I came to England to study, I thought that at least this is a country which gives equal rights to men and women, and does not oppress them. We all have the freedom to do as we like, I thought. Well, as I started to meet people and make new friends, learn about this new society, and go to all the places my friends went to in order to "socialise" (bars, dance halls, ...etc.), I realised that this "equality" was not so true in practice as it was in theory. Outwardly, women were seen to be given equal rights in education, work, and so forth, but in reality women were still oppressed in a different, more subtle way. When I went with my friends to those places they hung out at, I found everybody interested to talk to me and I thought that was normal. But it was only later that I realised how naive I was, and recognised what these people were really looking for. I soon began to feel uncomfortable, as if I was not myself: I had to dress in a certain way so that people would like me, and had to talk in a certain way to please them. I soon found that I was feeling more and more uncomfortable, less and less myself, yet I could not get out. Everybody was saying they were enjoying themselves, but I don't call this enjoying. I think women in this way of life are oppressed; they have to dress in a certain way in order to please and appear more appealing, and also talk in a certain way so people like them. During this time I had not thought about Islam, even though I had some Muslim acquaintances. But I felt I really had to do something, to find something that I would be happy and secure with, and would feel respected with. Something to believe in that is the right belief, because everybody has a belief that they live according to. If having fun by getting off with other people is someone's belief, they do this. If making money is someone's belief, they do everything to achieve this. If they believe drinking is one way to enjoy life then they do it. But I feel all this leads to nowhere; no one is truly satisfied, and the respect women are looking for is diminishing in this way. In these days of so called "society of equal rights", you are expected to have a boyfriend (or you're weird!) and to not be a virgin. So this is a form of oppression even though some women do not realise it.(2) When I came to Islam, it was obvious that I had finally found permanent security. A religion, a belief that was so complete and clear in every aspect of life. Many people have a misconception that Islam is an oppressive religion, where women are covered from head to toe, and are not allowed any freedom or rights. In fact, women in Islam are given more rights, and have been for the past 1400 years, compared to the only-recently rights given to non-Muslim women in some western and some other societies. But there are, even now, societies where women are still oppressed, as I mentioned earlier in relation to Hindu women. Muslim women have the right to inheritance. They have the right to run their own trade and business. They have the full right to ownership, property, disposal over their wealth to which the husband has no right. They have the right to education, a right to refuse marriage as long as this refusal is according to reasonable and justifiable grounds. The Quran itself, which is the word of Allah, contains many verses commanding men to be kind to their wives and stressing the rights of women. Islam gives the right set of rules, because they are NOT made by men, but made by Allah; hence it is a perfect religion. Quite often Muslim women are asked why they are covered from head to toe, and are told that this is oppression--it is not. In Islam, marriage is an important part of life, the making of the society. Therefore, a woman should not go around showing herself to everybody, only for her husband. Even the man is not allowed to show certain parts of his body to none but his wife. In addition, Allah has commanded Muslim women to cover themselves for their modesty: "O prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they could be known as such (i.e. decent and chaste) and not molested." (Quran 33:59) If we look around at any other society, we find that in the majority of cases women are attacked and molested because of how they are dressed. Another point I'd like to comment on is that the rules and regulation laid down in Islam by Allah (God) do not apply just to women but to men also. There is no intermingling and free-running between men and women for the benefit of both. Whatever Allah commands is right, wholesome, pure and beneficial to mankind; there is no doubt about that. A verse in the Quran explains this concept clearly: "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and protect their private parts (i.e. from indecency, illegal sexual acts); that will make for greater purity for them. And Allah is well aware of what they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and protect their privaate parts (from indecency, illegal sexual intercourse); and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments...." (Quran, surah "Al-Nur" 24:31) When I put on my hijaab (veil), I was really happy to do it. In fact, I really want to do it. When I put on the hijaab, I felt a great sense of satisfaction and happiness. Satisfied that I had obeyed Allah’s command. And happy with the good and blessings that come with it. I have felt secure and protected. In fact people respect me more for it. I could really see the difference in behaviour towards me. Finally, I'd like to say that I had accepted Islam not blindly, or under any compulsion. In the Quran itself there is a verse which says "there is no compulsion in religion" (3). I accepted Islam with conviction. I have seen, been there, done that, and seen both sides of the story. I know and have experienced what the other side is like, and I know that I have done the right thing. Islam does not oppress women, but rather Islam liberates them and gives them the respect they deserve. Islam is the religion Allah has chosen for the whole of mankind. Those who accept it are truly liberated from the chains and shackles of mankind whose ruling and legislating necessitates nothing but the oppression of one group by another and the exploitation and oppression of one sex by the other. This is not the case of Islam which truly liberated women and gave them an individuality not given by any other authority. Sister Noor has been a muslim for over a year and a half and is currently in her second year of undergraduate study in the Department of Biology

Why is the simile in Tashahhud special with Hadhrat Ibraaheem (a.s) ? and What is the reason for giving virtue to Hadhrat Ibraaheem (a.s) over Rasulullaah (s.a.w) in the Durud? There are 2 questions here: In the tashahhud, why is the similarity drawn only with Hadhrat Ibraaheem (A.S). What is the reason for giving virtue to Hadhrat Ibraaheem (A.S) over Rasulullaah (S.A.W) in Durud Sharif (as You have sent mercy upon Ibraaheem). The answer to the first question is as follows, Honour for Hadhrat Ibraaheem (A.S). In lieu of the Du'aa he made for the Ummah of Rasulullaah (S.A.W) . Other Ambiyaa' were not included in his Du'aa. Hadhrat Ibraaheem (A.S) is the Khaleel (friend) of Allaah I and Rasulullaah (S.A.W) is the Habeeb (beloved) of Allaah I. Hadhrat Ibraaheem (A.S) was commanded to call the people for Hajj [surah Hajj, verse 27] and Rasulullaah (S.A.W) was commanded to call towards Deen and Imaan [surah Aal Imraan, verse193]. Hadhrat Ibraaheem (A.S) saw that Kalimah Tayyibah was written on the trees of Jannah in a dream, so he made Du'aa to Allaah I to establish his mention on the tongues of the Ummah of Rasulullaah (S.A.W) It could be because Allaah has said, وَ اجْعَلْ لِّیْ لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ فِی الْاٰخِرِیْنَ ﴿ۙ۸۴﴾ Maintain a favourable word for me among those who are to come.[surah Shu'araa (the Poets) 26:84] Hadhrat Ibraaheem (A.S) is the most virtuous of all the other Rasuls. He is the father of the believers, as Allaah I says, مِلَّۃَ اَبِیْكُمْ اِبْرٰہِیْمَ ؕ Follow the religion of your father Ibraaheem. [surah Hajj, verse78] Rasulullaah (S.A.W) was given the order to follow Hadhrat Ibraaheem (A.S) , especially in the rituals of Hajj. Hadhrat Ibraaheem (A.S) also made this Du'aa, "O Allaah, make from me whichever old person of the Ummah of Muhammad performs Hajj..." There are a number of replies to the second question, i.e. why has Hadhrat Ibraaheem (A.S) been given preference and virtue in Durud e Ibraaheem (as You have sent mercy upon Ibraaheem), Rasulullaah (S.A.W) gave this similarity at the time when he did not know that he was more virtuous than Hadhrat Ibraaheem u. Rasulullaah gave virtue to Hadhrat Ibraaheem u out of humility and he commanded his Ummah to do the same. This similarity is not showing one person to be more virtuous than another, but it is related to an example, as Allaah I mentions in the Qur'aan, اِنَّآ اَوْحَیْنَآ اِلَیْکَ کَمَآ اَوْحَیْنَا ٓ اِلٰی نُوْحٍ Indeed We have sent revelation to you just as We had sent revelation to Nooh u. [surah Nisaa (Women) 4:164] Or, fasting has been made obligatory upon you just as it was made obligatory upon those before you. The meaning of this is the reality of fasting, not its time and its form. This is like somebody saying, 'Do good to your children like how you do good to someone.' The meaning of this is the reality of goodness, not the amount. Therefore, the meaning of 'just as You had sent mercy upon Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem' will be like these examples Alislam.co.za

Love this! Jazaakillah for posting