ummtaalib

Posted: 26 Jamad ul awwal 1434, 06 April 2013 Q.)This news is all over the web today. There is a new nail polish that is claimed to be water permeable. This thing seems to have hit a big craze in the Muslim world and many may have started using it based on one opinion of an “Islamic Scholar.” Is it okay to perform wudu while one has this nail polish on her nails? A.) In principle, it is necessary in wudu and ghusal that water reaches the nail. We have not tested the mentioned product to verify whether it is permeable or not. You may refer to other Ulama as well. Since this is a matter of Ibadat it is best and more precautious to abstain from this until one is satisfied that water does indeed reach the nail. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best. Albalagh Note: According to Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed of Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) their tests indicated that the nail polish in question was not permeable. He writes: “Due to the numerous requests from concerned Muslim sisters, the Jamiat looked into this particular product and conducted multiple tests. The results turned out to be negative and it was concluded that the nail polish is not water permeable and it prevents water from reaching the surface of the nail. Hence, this particular type of nail polish that is being marketed as Halal nail polish is not acceptable for wudu.” By M Ballim/ M.D Mangera http://albalagh.net/qa/0166.shtml?&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=New_Articles_on_Albalagh_E-Journal

Q.)As a Muslimah, would it be halal for me to work as a marriage counselor? I feel like we need more Muslim counselors. Muslim should be helping out other Muslims. We can’t always go to non-Muslims for certain things. I am studying Psychology so I will be going in to family and marriage counseling. My concern is that sometimes I will have to talk to couples. Is there any option for me in this field? It is really my passion to help people. A.) Working as a marriage counselor in order to assist Muslims is a noble task, which will Insha Allah prove fulfilling as well as rewarding provided it is done with sincerity, within the framework of the Shariah and for the pleasure of Allah SWT. We advise that when embarking upon the same one should seek advice from Ulama pertaining to one’s methodology and the advice one imparts as there may be certain specific guidelines of Shariah that one should not overlook. At the same time, involvement in domestic matters and disputes is generally the responsibility of pious family elders and Ulama. Women, due to their soft nature could be swayed by emotion and thereby not be as effective in such circumstances. However, for woman to offer general encouragement and motivation is an act of goodness and reward. Nevertheless, it is our observation that due to escalation in marital problems in our community the need for pious, competent and experienced women counsellors does arise in the initial stages of trauma and to settle emotions etc. Women tend to relate better to females in these initial stages. Ulama are then required to assist the matter further. Hence, you should work within your home and restrict yourselves to counselling women only. Try your best to avoid consulting with the husband and if there is a genuine need to do so and there is no Alim or pious experienced male to refer them to then one may do so in the presence of some mahram or at least in the presence of the wife whilst observing the strict rules of purdah e.g. speaking from behind a screen and not speaking in alluring tones etc. One should also be aware that there is a big difference between counselling in Islam and in other conventional forms of counselling. In Islam, obedience to Allah and following the sunnah form the cornerstone of our advices and counselling. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best By Shafiq Jakura / M.D Mangera http://albalagh.net/qa/0165.shtml?&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=New_Articles_on_Albalagh_E-Journal

Q.) Is it permissible for women to weartops and trousers under their burqa? Also what’s the fatwa regarding womenwearing jeans? A.) Wearing tops and trousers or jeans within the confines of one's home or beneath the burqah cannot be deemed to be prohibited. However, the clothing should be modest and loose fitting even within one's home, especially when there are children in the home. One should bear in mind that the effects of one's clothing generally display on one's behavior. Hence, although such clothing, when worn within the confines of hijab and pardah (i.e. beneath the burqah or within the home), cannot be deemed to be absolutely prohibited, it is certainly not the attire of the pious and the righteous. Rather, it is generally the attire of those disobedient to Allah (SWT), and hence, emulating them must be avoided. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best By Mufti Shafiq Jakura http://albalagh.net/qa/0168.shtml?&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=New_Articles_on_Albalagh_E-Journal

Agreed....though we come across many unsuccessful and heart rending co-wives stories there are still many many success stories too

Friendship Between Co-Wives! I would like to contribute this story which shows that it is not impossible for co-wives to not just live together in one house but to become close friends despite sharing a husband! My father-in-law had two wives and lived in a small town in India. We grew up knowing and accepting it without question despite being brought up in the West. His first wife did not have any children and he married a young divorcee who bore him three sons (one of whom is my husband) and a daughter. From the beginning both the wives lived in the same house and from the stories I’ve heard there was a little tension between them in the beginning however I believe my father-in-law was a very wise man. He did not appear to favour either of them and in this way they became good friends. The first wife did all the indoor chores and looked after the children, which led to them being very close to her while the younger wife helped in the field and did the laundry at the village river. In this way life continued. The children grew up having the love of two mums. In Asian families it is the custom for the bride to receive some gold jewellery from her in laws. My father-in-law was not a wealthy man and knowing this my father did not ask for anything. Yet on the occasion of my Nikah the first wife (my older mum-in-law), sold a piece of her jewellery so that my husband could give me a gold ring! May Allah ta’ala reward her in abundance for this generous gesture. Soon after our marriage my father-in-law passed away (May Allah ta’ala elevate him) and the two co-wives lived together, supporting each other and being supported by the sons. Eventually the first wife became quite ill and her family took her to their town but this did not mean that her friend and co-wife and the children did not visit her. They visited regularly and supported her until her death. To this day my husband and his brothers visit her family and regard her as their “mum”.

Moulana Ismail (ra), the father of Moulana Ilyas (ra), had a rule in his house that at all times throughout the night someone would be up doing some sort of ibadah. This was the system of his household. So it was that first Moulana Yahya (ra), the middle son, would be up doing mutala, studying until about 1am. Then Moulana Ismail (ra) would wake up and Moulana Yahya (ra) would go to sleep. Then Moulana Ismail (ra) would do ibadah for some time and then he would go to sleep and before going to bed he would wake up the eldest son Moulana Muhammad (ra) and then Moulana Muhammad (ra) would be up in worship. This is how the night would pass in their house; throughout the night someone in the house would be up in worship. Look at how maqbool, accepted, this action of the family was that just simply from reading this brings happiness and joy to our heart, makes us proud that such people passed in our ummah and gives us inspiration to be like that. Our homes and our nights are quite different. from FususAlHikam's blog on sunniforum

Question: Assalam Alaikum Brothers,I am curious to learn from the Quran and the Hadeeth of our beloved Prophet, Salla Allah Alaihe wa Sallam, where did this term : Tassawuf originate and who practiced it amongst the early 3 generations that the Messenger of Allah, Salla Allah Alaihe wa Sallam, testified to be upon the right path. Jazakum Allah Khair Wa Assalam Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu `alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. Brother in Islam, There are different interpretations as to how the word “Tasawwuf” originated. Some have said that the word “Tasawwuf” is derived from the Arabic word “Soof” meaning “wool”, thus, the donning of “woolen garments” is referred to as “Tasawwuf”.# There are various other explanations as to how the word Tasawwuf originated. Nevertheless, Tasawwuf is synonymous with Tazkiyah al- Nafs. Tazkiyah al- Nafs is proven from the Qur’an and Hadeeth. Tazkiyah is synonymous with many other terms like Islaah e Nafs, Tasheeh al- Akhlaq, Ilm al- Adab, e.t.c. (Fatawa Mahmudiyyah, Vol.6, Pg.220, Maktabah Mahmudiyyah) One of the main responsibilities and duties of Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was Tazkiyah and Islaahe Nafs. (Al- Qur’an, 2: 129) The Sahabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum) sat in the company (Suhbat) of Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), that is why they are called Sahabah. The Sahabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum) had many other distinguishing and unique attributes with which they could be identified. However, they were specifically distinguished by their Suhbat with Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). Suhbat is an integral part of Tasawwuf and Tazkiyah. All the silsilah’s (spiritual chains) of Tasawwuf reach Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallahu Anhu) and from him, it reaches directly to Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). (Fatawa Mahmudiyyah, Vol.6, Pg. 285) Many Taabi’een like Hadhrat Hasan al- Basri (Rahmatullahi Alayhi), Tabe Tabi’een and other great Masha’ikh right until the present day and age have practiced on Tasawwuf and Tazkiyah. And Allah knows best. Mufti Ebrahim Desai Dar al- Mahmood

Does A Woman Need To Meet With A Shaykh To Give Bayah And What If Her Husband Is Reluctant About Tasawwuf? Question: I am a lady wanting to give Bayah, but do not have a lot of information on the subject. I would like to know mainly if I need my husband’s permission and do I need to meet with the Shaykh, if he lives far away? My husband is agreeing to give bayah too, but isn’t as inclined towards it as I am. I would be very grateful for any advice you can offer. Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu `alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. Sister in Islam, We commend your enthusiasm and zeal to tread the path of Sulook and Tasawwuf. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) grant all of us his Ma’rifat (gnosis) and Mahabbah (divine love). Aameen. There are two things: 1. Islaahe Nafs 2. Bay’at Islaahe Nafs is Fardh (obligatory) whereas, Bay’at is Sunnah. Obedience to the husband is Fardh and Bay’at is Sunnah. Therefore, you will have to obtain the permission of your husband before taking Bay’at to a Shaykh. You do not need to meet with the Shaykh in order to take Bay’at with him. The Shaykh can simply write a letter stating that he has accepted your request for Bay’at. The proof for that is the famous incident of “Bay’ah al- Ridhwan”; Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) took the Bay’at on behalf of Hadhrat Uthman (Radhiyalllahu Anhu) in his absence. Before taking Bay’at with any Shaykh, it is necessary that certain inherent qualities and attributes be found in the Shaykh. Hadhrat Shah Muhaddith Dehlawi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) has mentioned the following qualities that have to be found in a Sheikh e Kamil: 1. He should possess the necessary knowledge of Deen, which he should have acquired by formal pursuit of such knowledge or from remaining in the company of firmly grounded scholars. 2. He should be upright and pious, refraining from major sins and from continuously perpetrating minor sins. 3. He has no desire for this World. He engages in acts of obedience, Adhkaar and other devotional practices. 4. He must have derived spiritual benefit by remaining in the company of his Shaykh for an adequate period of time. Such “companionship” can come either through physically being in the Shaykh’s company or through correspondence. 5. He is habitual in enjoining good and forbidding evil (Amr Bil Ma’roof Wa Nahy anil Munkar).# In addition, one should develop Munasabah (congeniality) with the Shaykh in order for one to derive maximum benefit from the Shaykh. The objective in Tasawwuf is Islaahe Nafs (spiritual reformation), one should see how best this objective is achieved. We advise you to search for a Sheikh e Kamil with whom you have Munasabah (congeniality) and with whom you feel that your Islaah (spiritual reformation) will be made. In the meantime, we advise you to practice on the following daily practices: 1. Perform the five Fardh (obligatory) Salaahs with Jamaat (congregation). 2. Read some portion of the Qur’an daily. 3. Be sensitive to the rights of others at all times. 4. Read the following Tasbeehaat daily: 4.1) Durood Shareef (100 times daily) 4.2) Istighfaar (100times daily) 4.3) Third Kalimah (100 times daily) When reciting the above Tasbeehaat, try as much as possible to focus the mind on the greatness and grandeur of Allah (Ta’ala) and if you can’t do that or find that difficult, then focus the mind on the waves of the ocean, a particular mountain, e.t.c so as to focus your mind on the Qudrat (power) of Allah (Ta’ala). 5. Abstain from sin as far as possible. I f you do commit as sin, immediately make Tawba (repentance) to Allah (Ta’ala) for committing such a sin. Remember that one of the most significant ways of refraining from sin is by determination and resolute courage. We advise you to submit a report of your spiritual condition/state after every ten days so that we may advise you accordingly. With regards to your husband’s reluctance in taking Bay’at, we advise you to do the following: 1. Explain to your husband the importance of Tasawwuf, having a Sheikh, e.t.c. You may find the relevant content on Dar al- Mahmood. 2. Employ wisdom and diplomacy when dealing with your husband regarding such matters. 3. It may be a good idea to print out the relevant content on Tasawwuf and keep it in your house within close distance of your husband. He might read it and change his mindset. 4. Explain to your husband the revolution takes place in the heart of a sincere individual who enters this part of Tasawwuf and Sulook. You may find the story of Hadhrat Fudhail (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) on Dar al- Mahmood. 5. Your husband might be scared to open up his faults and shortcomings to another person, explain to him that the Shaykh never discloses the faults of his Mureedeen to others. Explain to him that by doing so, it is for his own benefit. When a wounded person is being examined by a doctor, he willingly exposes his wound to the doctor so that he can examine the wound, treat the wound and then prescribe treatment accordingly. If he doesn’t examine the wound, how is he going to treat the wound? 6. Wake up for Tahajjud in the early part of the morning and implore Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) in Du’aa to soften the heart your husband. Du’aa is the most powerful weapon of a Believer. And Allah knows best. Mufti Ebrahim Desai Dar al- Mahmood

Question: I am an engineering student and I want to learn the method of doing Muraqaba. Could you please teach me. Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu `alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. Dear Brother in Islam, We commend your enthusiasm and desire to gain the love of Allah (Ta’ala). Before explaining the method of Muraqaba, we would like to draw your attention to the following: 1. Muraqabaat, Adhkaar, Ashghaal, e.t.c are not the objective in Tasawwuf (spiritual reformation). These practices serve as aides in achieving the real objective which is the Ma’rifat of Allah (Ta’ala). One should always keep the aim and objective in mind. 2. It is advisable that one have a spiritual mentor (Shaykh) to correctly administer these Muraqabaat, Awraadh, Adhkaar, e.t.c. Muraqabah is referred to as “meditation” in the English language. Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood al- Hasan Gangohi (Rhmatullahi Alayhi) states: “Muraqabah is done for one to reflect over one’s sins and to think of a method of how to make Tawba for committing such sins”. (Malfoodhaat, Pg.428, Ta’leemi Board) There are different types of Muraqabah. Some of them are as follows: 1. Muraqabah to dispel the inclination to commit sin. 2. Muraqabah to dispel sin. 3. Muraqabah of death. 4. Muraqabah of the punishment in the Aakhirah. 5. Muraqabah Tafweedhiyyah. 6. Muraqabah Tawheediyyah. 7. Muraqabah Ishqiyyah.# We advise one to practice on the following method of doing Muraqabah: “Stipulate a certain amount of time daily, free the mind of all thoughts, e.t.c. and focus the mind on one’s sins, the despicability of sin, how to make Tawba for one’s sins and the fact that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) is watching one at all times. Insha’Allah, over a period of time the inclination to do sins will gradually diminish and the inclination to do good deeds will be created.” In addition to doing the above, we advise one to do the following: 1. Abstain from all types of sins as far as possible. 2. Fulfill the rights of others. 3. Perform the five Fardh Salaah daily. We advise you to report your spiritual condition after every ten days until such time that you find a Shaykh. (These spiritual practices should not be done by anyone without the permission of one’s Shaykh (spiritual guide). And Allah knows best. Mufti Ebrahim Desai Dar al- Mahmood

Question: As salaamu alaykum, What is the practice where the shaykh does stare in the eyes of a candidate murid ? Is this a kind of rope-in process ? Is it ment that the candidate murid than falls in a state of some kind of trance and also getting the feeling to cry and a feelings like his body is in extase ? Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu `alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh Almighty Allah (Ta’ala) has blessed the Ahlullah with a high level of spirituality (Roohaniyyat) in their hearts. They all have the ability to focus that spiritual light on their Mureed’s to initiate their spirituality. This is similar to a battery booster that is connected to a flat battery. The electrons from the charged battery are transferred to the flat battery and once the car starts, the flat battery is in motion and the life span of the battery is extended. The staring of the Shaikh in reference may be like the battery boosters to boost spiritual light in you. The following article will enlighten you further. Definition Tasarruf is defined as “The effulgence of specific and praiseworthy modalities/states (Kayfiyyat) which is placed in the heart of a person and produces special effects according to the objective of the sheikh/Murshid.” This is known as “Tasarruf/Tawajjuh, Himmah and Jam’ul Khawatir” according to the terminology of the Masters of Tasawwuf. Background and basis of Tasarruf Tasarruf has been proven in the Qur’an and Ahadeeth. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) says: اذ يوحي ربك الي الملائكة “When your Rabb(lord) inspires/reveals to the angels” Allamah Zujaaj (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) says under the Tafseer of this verse that “This verse confirms and establishes the fact that the angels insert certain states/modalities (Kayfiyyat) into the hearts of the Believers through which their determination and courage increases and is strengthened. The angels have been given the power to insert goodness into a person’s heart. This is called “Ilhaam” like how the angels have the ability to insert evil (sharr) into the heart of Shaytaan. This is called “Waswasah”. The Above verse clearly proves “Tasarruf”. Tasarruf has also been established in numerous Ahadeeth. Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) received Wahy from Jibra’eel (Alayhis Salaam). While expounding on the incident, He said “Jibra’eel took me and he held me tightly once, twice and thrice”. Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Abi Jamrah al-Sufi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) has mentioned in “Bahjatul Nufoos” under the commentary of this Hadeeth that “It is apparent that this squeezing/holding tightly was to strengthen the heart so that Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) could receive the Wahi. In this verse there is proof that the meeting of the squeezer and the squeezed person’s and their joining together initiates and creates a spiritual light in the Batin of a person. This light then assisted Him in receiving whatever was revealed to Him because when the body of Jibra’eel (Alayhis Salaam) and that of Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) met together, a special effect took place. The experts of Tasawwuf have found the same effect” Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) has mentioned that “The Qur’an and Sunnah prove that Tasarruf has been proven in the Shari’ah if it done for a permissible reason. Many of the Masha’ikh of Tasawwuf are known to practice on “Tasarruf” especially the “Naqshabandi Masha’ikh”. This is done for the purposes of making the Mureedeen more determined to make Tawba, open up the heart towards the love of Allah (Ta’ala), to create desire to do good deeds and all other praiseworthy qualities”. Obtaining the ability to do Tasarruf The power to practice Tasarruf is obtained through rigorous training and carnal restraint like how a wrestler obtains power through rigorous physical exercises and routines. Sometimes, the ability to do Tasarruf is natural and innate. However, this is very rare. The Shar’ee Ruling of Tasarruf The juridical (Fiqhi) ruling of Tasarruf is that “It is permissible provided that it is done with the correct motive and objective. If Tasarruf is done to obtain a praiseworthy objective like the Tasarrufat of the Masha’ikh of Tasawwuf who have this practice, then it would be praiseworthy and commendable to practice Tasarruf. In other words, the ruling of Tasarruf would be based on the aims and ends of such a practice. If Tasarruf is done for attain some evil and sinful objective, then that Tasarruf would be blameworthy and Makrooh (disliked). Such an act would never be considered as any Deeni perfection (Kamaal) and nor would it be considered among the signs of acceptance in anything. Is Tasarruf Sunnah? There are many Ahadeeth which some Masha’ikh use to prove the Sunniyyah of Tasarruf. For example, on certain occasion’s, Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) touched the chest of a Sahabi, passed His Mubarak hand over some Sahabi, etc and the Sahabi’s Waswasah was removed in the first case and sickness was removed in the second case. It might be understood from the external meaning, that this is exactly Tasarruf. However, if one examines these Ahadeeth carefully, one will understand that this is not Tasarruf since Tasarruf only occurs when the Sheikh/Murshid exerts his spiritual mind to practice Tasarruf. It is evident that Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) did not practice Tasarruf. The most evident proof in this regard is that Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) never practiced Tasarruf for Abu Talib despite the fact that Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was overly desirous of Abu Talib accepting Islam and bringing Eemaan. Is Tasarruf a sign of Wilaayah? Tasarruf is not a distinguishing sign of Wilayah. (Imdadul Fatawa, Vol.5, Pg.236- 241, Karachi) And Allah knows best. Mufti Ebrahim Desai Dar al- Mahmood

a'alaykumus salaam lol its not just in your country sis!

Touching Our Hearts - The Sincerity Between Co-Wives Bismihi Ta'ala On the author’s request, names and personal details are withheld to protect the privacy of the individuals involved. "We are like a set of scales – the three of us: my husband; his first wife and myself as the weighing plates – because it is we who keep our husband in the balance! In this way our happiness lies in each other’s good works, care and love and so is constantly reinforced, because a good wife protects her husband from wrong doing. "K" has many names for me – all depending on what role she is playing. Sometimes I am her daughter, sometimes her sister, sometimes she calls me by my professional title, sometimes a scholar, but always a friend. I know whenever I achieve anything she will be the most proud of what her sister has done and so I always tell my husband: “Please don’t tell K. I want to tell her myself.” - because I love to see the joy on her face. Like a child, I want her approval and as a woman I want her to share my success as only another woman can understand. We have many names for our husband too. When we talk about individual needs and rights, we say: ‘My husband’; when we talk to family and friends he is: ‘Our husband;’ and when he is in trouble he is: ‘Your husband!’ I wonder if there is something wrong in the way we are because it seems so unusual to love one’s husband’s other wife so much. But no matter how we try to formalize our relationship and protect it through distance, Allah brings us closer together. My Father and My Husband’s First Wife Here my father is our greatest supporter with the joy and happiness he feels at our sisterhood. Whenever we speak, he will always ask me first “How is your sister” and then “How is your husband?” I am so proud of him, that in his old age he is able to support us in this blessed Sunnah in a way which no one except a father’s concern for his daughter’s happiness can understand and he tells me “She is also my daughter.” and I feel so happy that he thinks in this way. My father is always a just person, reminding us to be good to each other. He laughs when I tell him my husband is in trouble with K because of something he has said to upset me. My father always makes Du`aa’ for my husband’s first wife. I feel it is his Du`aa’ that has made this relationship so special. K believes this too because she regularly tells me she prays for my parents – as I pray for hers. It is unusual for me to have a conversation these days without mentioning her. Indeed, one day I was telling a friend that my husband was on holiday with my sister K; my friend was rather disturbed that I had allowed my husband to go away with my sister. I quickly explained she was his wife and my friend laughed shaking her head, “You talk about her so much I thought she was your actual sister I never realized she was your husband’s first wife!” I have often just sat and watched K’s face while she is working or sharing her life with me or scolding her children and I feel in awe of her. She is so careful and cautious, yet so carefree and relaxed. She is so focused, yet so impulsive. She is so thoughtful, wise and so concerned. She is My Teacher It’s true to say that she, along with many of my friends, has taught me how to be a wife and has protected my marriage as much as her own but within the appropriate boundaries. She is possessive over me when I am upset, she encourages me when I want to do things in my life and she is severe with me when I want to give up – she is always there for me. I love whenever I make Du`aa’ for her and her husband to be together in this life and in the Hereafter how she always says “With you.” I have often wished that my mother – were she alive – could have met K and that I had known her when I was younger. Not because she is my husband’s other wife but because she is, in herself, a remarkable woman. One day, K and I were talking and I was wearing a ring of my mother’s which I took off and gave to K, with tears in her eyes she took it and put it on her finger. I notice how often when I come to visit or we go out together, she especially puts it on. Of course we are clear with our boundaries and we agree that we should each feel the freedom to be husband and wife within the boundaries of our religion. Yes, we live our own lives, we have our privacy with our husband but we cherish our own sisterhood equally. We do our utmost to protect our relationship from our husband and friends as much as we do for our individual marriages. Of course when we are together, we do not cross the Islamic boundaries of conversation about our personal relationship with our husband. Both, practically and psychologically, there is clear boundary. The only sadness that K and I share is about those women who feel unhappy that we are so close, who feel threatened at our example, fearing that if their husbands may see us happy, worry that they will also take their right and re- marry. This is the sad state of sisterhood for some Muslim women – who fear harm by their own lack of faith, so start the (co –wife) relationship by harming first. They forget that while they have power over the other wife, they lose respect in the eyes of their husband and clearly do not fear Allah SWT. But K and I agree that a good friend is one who is happy when you do good whatever that is and no matter who it affects. I could write many pages about all K has done for me. I was a stranger in the land in which I was married and I cannot count all the times she has been there for me, all the times she has supported me against her own friends, all the times she has just cared, put her arm around me and wiped my tears and enjoyed my laughter. I need only sneeze and she will send me a remedy for flu. I need only sound sad and she will come and see me or scold my husband for me! I will only mention I am tired and she will volunteer one of her children to come and ‘serve’ me as she puts it. My husband and I call her Mudirah (Director) – a perfect title for her because with her energy and love she organizes us all.. When we were married I said to my husband: "I hope when you marry me you will appreciate what a wonderful wife you already have and I hope that in my presence you will realize this about her." – I think K has – without need and without doubt – proved this to be true. I feel in many respects more fulfilled in my marriage because of her – as a woman she knows what women face, the challenges, the expectations and injustices and she is always there fighting my corner, no matter who the opponent. She is in my mind throughout the day as we live our own lives and when I pray I wonder if she has prayed and when I clean I wonder if she is cleaning also and I picture her busy in her home all day with her tasks and children. She tells me when she prays she thinks the same and when she eats always sets aside some food for me, before her husband and children, to send to me when my husband comes. She does not know how many times she has had my heart’s Du`aa’ for feeding me over the time we have known each other. Her reason is, she says, because “I will have to account to Allah on the Last day for how I treated my sister.” For me, this is Iman (faith). It is truly a miracle from Allah SWT when one wife can say that one of the greatest blessings of her marriage is her husband’s other wife. May Allah bless My K., Allah protect her, raise her in honor, grant her endless peace and happiness with her husband and keep them both for each other; and most of all keep her for me." آمِيْن ثُمَّ آمِيْن Posted by Sister Munawwarah on sunniforum.com

Sajdah Sahw for reciting a surah in the third or fourth rak'at of a fardh salah unintentionally Q. I was wondering if someone recited a surah in the third or fourth rak'at of a fardh salah unintentionally, is his salah valid? Does he have to make sajdah sahw? (There may be grammatical and spelling errors in the above question. Questions are published as received) A. It is sunnah to recite only Surah Fatiha in the third and fourth Rakaat of Fardh Salaah. However, if one unintentionally recites a Surah after Surah Fatiha in the third or fourth Rakaat of a Fardh Salaah, then the Salaah will be valid and Sajdah Sahw will not be necessary. Note: In Wajib, Sunnah and Nafl Salaah, Surah Fatiha and a Surah must be recited in all Rakaats. The exclusion of the Surah after Surah Fatiha is only in the Fardh Salaah. (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah) And Allah Knows Best Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed Confirmation: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Umme Salamah was the daughter of Hadhrat Abu Ummayyah (Radhiyallaho anhu). She was first married to her cousin Hadhrat bin Abdul Asad known as Abu Salamah (Radhiyallaho anhu). The couple embraced Islam in the very beginning and emigrated to Abyssinia, due to the persecutions of Qureysh. A son was born to them in exile, who was named Salamah. After returning from Abyssinia, the family emigrated to Madinah. Hadhrat Umme Salamah’s (Radhiyallaho anha) story about her journey to Madinah, has been already given in the early part of the chapter. After reaching Madinah, Hadhrat Umme Salmah (Rad laho anha) got another son ‘Umar and two daughters Durrah and Zainab (Radhiyallaho anhum). Hadhrat Abu Salamah (Radhiyallaho anho) was the eleventh man to embrace Islam. He participated in the Battle of Badr as well as in Uhud. He got a severe wound in Uhud, which did not heal for a long time. He was sent by the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) in an expedition in Safar, 4 A. H. When he returned from the expedition, the old wound again started giving trouble and at last he died of the same on 8th Jamadil-Akhir, 4 A. H. Hadhrat Umme Salamah (Radi-allaho anha) was pregnant at the time. Zainab was born to her after the death of her husband. After Umme Salamah had completed her Iddat (waiting period), Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radlaho anho) proposed to marry her, but she declined. Later, the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) offered to marry her. She said: “O, Prophet of Allah! I have quite a few children with me and I am very sensitive by nature. Moreover, a people are in Mecca, and their permission for getting remarried is necessary.” The Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) said: “Allah will look after your children and your sensitiveness will vanish in due course. None of people will dislike the proposed marriage”. Hadhrat Umme Salamah then asked her (eldest) son Hadhrat Salamah (Radhiyallaho anho) to serve as her guardian and give her in marriage to the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) She was married in the end of Shawwal, 4 A. H. She says: “I had heard from the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) that a person struck with a calamity should recite this prayer: “O, Allah! Recompense me for this affliction by giving me something better than what I have lost: then Allah would accept his prayer.” I had been reciting this prayer since the death of Hadhrat Abu Salamah (Radhiyallaho anho), but I could not imagine a husband better than he, till Allah arranged my marriage with the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) .” Hadhrat Aishah (Radhiyallaho anha) says: “Umme Salamah (Radhiyallaho anha) was famous for her beauty. Once I contrived to see her. I found her much more beautiful than I had heard. I mentioned this to Hafsah who said. “In my opinion, she is not as beautiful as people say.” She was the last of the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) wives to die. It was in 59 or 62 A. H. She was 84 at the time of her death, and as such she was born 9 years before Nubuwwat. As already been said, the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) married Hadhrat Umme Salamah after the death of Hadhrat Zainab Khuzaimah (Radhiyallaho anha). She therefore lived in Hadhrat Zainab’s (Radhiyallaho anha) house. She found a had-mill, a kettle and some barley in an earthen jar, lying in the house. Hadhrat Umme Salamah milled some barley and after putting some fat cooked a preparation, which she served to the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) on the very first day of her marriage with him. Haq Islam

Hazrat Zainab bint Khuzaimah Hadhrat Zainab (Radhiyallaho anha) was the next to be married to the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) . There are divergent reports about her previous husbands. According to one report she was first married to Hadhrat Abdullah bin Jahsh (Radhiyallaho anho) who was killed in Uhud, as we have already seen in his story in chapter VII. According to another report, she was first married to Tufail ibnul al Harith and when divorced by him was remarried to his brother Ubaidah ibnul Harith, who was killed in Badr. The Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) married her in Ramadan 3 A.H. She lived with the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) for eight months only, as she died in Rabi-ul-Akhir, 4 A.H. Hadhrat Zainab and Hadhrat Khadijah (Radhiyallaho anha) are the two wives of the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) who died during his life time. All the other wives lived on after him and died later. Hadhrat Zainab (Radhiyallaho anha) spent very liberally on the poor, and was Ummul Masakin’ (mother of the poor) even before Islam Haq Islam

Question I told my wife: "I divorce you." I just told her once. Does it count as a divorce? Also is there a 3 month waiting period for man too or is it just for woman? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. Divorce is of two types. Divorce may either be Sareeh or Kinayah. A Sareeh divorce is one in which clear words of divorce are used. Kinayah divorce is where the intention of divorce is expressed using ambiguous words. A divorce that was issued with clear words maybe revocable. However, a divorce that was issued with ambiguous words may not be retracted without having to re-perform a nikah. To say “I divorce you” are clear words of divorce and falls under the category of Sareeh Divorce. To issue a divorce once using clear words is sufficient for divorce. If it was said once or twice, the husband can revoke the divorce before the expiry of the three months period (iddat). This could be by saying “I take you back as my wife” or to be physically intimate with your wife etc. There is no waiting period of iddat for a man. Iddat of divorce or death is only for women. And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Mawlana Saeed Ahmed Golaub Westmoreland, Jamaica, West Indies Student Darul Iftaa Checked and Approved by Mufti Ebrahim Desai daruliftaa.net http://askimam.org/public/question_detail/21148

Question I'm a new muslim. I got married 6 months ago.. My husband told me by text message I DIVORCE YOU 3 times I don't speak arabic, I don't what he means after he said that. He never told me front of me after that day we were living in the same house like normal marriage. he was so angry at the moment the text me . We are divorce? Answer In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh It is unclear from your query whether your husband sent you a text message saying “I divorce you three times” or whether he sent you three text messages, each message saying “I divorce you”. The ruling may be different in both cases. Hereunder are the rulings for both cases: 1) If your husband sent you a text message saying “I divorce you three times”, then three talaaqs (divorces) have taken place whether he intended talaaq (divorce) or not. You are no longer husband and wife. Your iddah (waiting period) started the moment he wrote the text message. You cannot marry anyone before the expiry of your waiting period. The waiting period is three menstruations if not pregnant or birth of the child if pregnant. You cannot marry him again unless you marry someone else, consummate the marriage and happen to get divorced again. الكتابة على نوعين : مرسومة وغير مرسومة ، ونعني بالمرسومة أن يكون مصدرا ومعنونا مثل ما يكتب إلى الغائب ... ( وبعد أسطر ) ... وإن كانت مرسومة يقع الطلاق نوى أو لم ينو ثم المرسومة لا تخلو إما أن أرسل الطلاق بأن كتب : أما بعد فأنت طالق ، فكما كتب هذا يقع الطلاق وتلزمها العدة من وقت الكتابة إلخ ( رد المحتار: ج 4 ص 442 ط دار المعرفة ) 2) If your husband sent you three text messages and in each text message he said “I divorce you”, then in this case also three talaaqs (divorces) have taken place and the same rulings as above will apply. If, however, by sending the second and third text messages, the intention of your husband was merely to emphasize the talaaq (divorce), then in this case one revocable divorce (talaaq raj’i) has taken place. In a revocable divorce, the husband may take his wife back during her iddah (waiting period) by saying “I am taking you back into my nikah (marriage)” or “I am going to maintain you as my wife and I will not let you go.” or by kissing or fondling her, etc. If your waiting period has expired and both of you wish to get back together, then you may do your nikah again. ( فتاوى دار العلوم ديوبند: ج 9 150 ط دار الإشاعت ) ( بهشتي زيور: ج 1 ص 463 ) في الدر المختار: كرر لفظ الطلاق وقع الكل ، وإن نوى التأكيد دين ؛ وفي حاشية ابن عابدين: ( قوله كرر لفظ الطلاق ) بأن قال للمدخولة : أنت طالق أنت طالق أو قد طلقتك قد طلقتك أو أنت طالق قد طلقتك أو أنت طالق وأنت طالق إلخ ( قوله وإن نوى التأكيد دين ) أي ووقع الكل قضاء ( رد المحتار: ج 4 ص 510 ط دار المعرفة ) Please note that the rulings mentioned above will not change because of the fact that your husband was angry when he sent you the text message/s; and neither will the rulings change because of you not having understood what he meant by the text message/s. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best Wassalaamu `alaykum Ml. Faizal Riza Correspondence Iftaa Student, Australia Checked and Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah http://askimam.org/public/question_deta

wslm...sure go ahead, i'll change it here as well

....So I said to him: “And the likes of her truly deserve that from you.”.... This story was recounted by Prof. Khalid Al-Jubeir, consulting cardiovascular surgeon, in one of his lectures: Once I operated on a two and a half year old child. It was Tuesday, and on Wednesday the child was in good health. On Thursday at 11:15 am – and I’ll never forget the time because of the shock I experienced – one of the nurses informed me that the heart and breathing of the child had stopped. I hurried to the child and performed cardiac massage for 45 minutes and during that entire time the heart would not work. Then, ALLAH decreed for the heart to resume function and we thanked HIM. I went to inform the child’s family about his condition. As you know, it is very difficult to inform the patient’s family about his condition when it’s bad. This is one of the most difficult situations a doctor is subjected to but it is necessary. So I looked for the child’s father whom I couldn’t find. Then I found his mother. I told her that the child’s cardiac arrest was due to bleeding in his throat; we don’t know the cause of this bleeding and fear that his brain is dead. So how do you think she responded? Did she cry? Did she blame me? No, nothing of the sort. Instead, she said “Alhamdulillah” (All Praise is due to ALLAH) and left me. After 10 days, the child started moving. We thanked ALLAH and were happy that his brain condition was reasonable. After 12 days, the heart stopped again because of the same bleeding. We performed another cardiac massage for 45 minutes but this time his heart didn’t respond. I told his mother that there was no hope. So she said: “Alhamdulillah. O ALLAH, if there is good in his recovery, then cure him, O my Lord.” With the grace of ALLAH, his heart started functioning again. He suffered six similar cardiac arrests till a trachea specialist was able to stop the bleeding and the heart started working properly. Now, three and a half months had passed and the child was recovering but did not move. Then just as he started moving, he was afflicted with a very large and strange pus-filled abscess in his head, the likes of which I had never seen. I informed his mother of the serious development. She said “Alhamdulillah” and left me. We immediately turned him over to the surgical unit that deals with the brain and nervous system and they took over his treatment. Three weeks later, the boy recovered from this abscess but was still not moving. Two weeks pass and he suffers from a strange blood poisoning and his temperature reaches 41.2°C (106°F). I again informed his mother of the serious development and she said with patience and certainty: “Alhamdulillah. O ALLAH, if there is good in his recovery, then cure him.” After seeing his mother who was with her child at Bed#5, I went to see another child at Bed#6. I found that child’s mother crying and screaming, “Doctor! Doctor! Do something! The boy’s temperature reached 37.6°C (99.68°F)! He’s going to die! He’s going to die!” I said with surprise, “Look at the mother of that child in Bed#5. Her child’s fever is over 41°C (106°F), yet she is patient and praises ALLAH.” So she replied: “That woman isn’t conscious and has no senses”. At that point, I remembered the great Hadith of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam): “Blessed are the strangers.” Just two words… but indeed two words that shake a nation! In 23 years of hospital service, I have never seen the likes of this patient sister. We continued to care for him. Now, six and a half months have passed and the boy finally came out of the recovery unit – not talking, not seeing, not hearing, not moving, not smiling, and with an open chest in which you can see his beating heart. The mother changed the dressing regularly and remained patient and hopeful. Do you know what happened after that? Before I inform you, what do you think are the prospects of a child who has passed through all these dangers, agonies, and diseases? And what do you expect this patient mother to do whose child is at the brink of the grave and who is unable to do anything except supplicate and beseech ALLAH? Do you know what happened two and a half months later? The boy was completely cured by the mercy of ALLAH and as a reward for this pious mother. He now races his mother with his feet as if nothing happened and he became sound and healthy as he was before. The story doesn’t end here. This is not what moved me and brought tears to my eyes. What filled my eyes with tears is what follows: One and a half years after the child left the hospital, one of the brothers from the Operations Unit informed me that a man, his wife and two children wanted to see me. I asked who they were and he replied that he didn’t know them. So I went to see them, and I found the parents of the same child whom I operated upon. He was now five years old and like a flower in good health – as if nothing happened to him. With them also was a four-month old newborn. I welcomed them kindly and then jokingly asked the father whether the newborn was the 13th or 14th child. He looked at me with an astonishing smile as if he pitied me. He then said, “This is the second child, and the child upon whom you operated is our first born, bestowed upon us after 17 years of infertility. And after being granted that child, he was afflicted with the conditions that you’ve seen.” At hearing this, I couldn’t control myself and my eyes filled with tears. I then involuntarily grabbed the man by the arm, and pulling him to my room, asked him about his wife: “Who is this wife of yours who after 17 years of infertility has this much patience with all the fatal conditions that afflict her first born?! Her heart cannot be barren! It must be fertile with Imaan!”Do you know what he said? Listen carefully my dear brothers and sisters. He said, “I was married to this woman for 19 years and for all these years she has never missed the night prayers except due to an authorized excuse. I have never witnessed her backbiting, gossiping, or lying. Whenever I leave home or return, she opens the door, supplicates for me, and receives me hospitably. And in everything she does, she demonstrates the utmost love, care, courtesy, and compassion.” The man completed by saying, “Indeed, doctor, because of all the noble manners and affection with which she treats me, I’m shy to lift up my eyes and look at her. So I said to him: “And the likes of her truly deserve that from you.” The End… ALLAH says: And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient; Who, when calamity strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to ALLAH, and indeed to HIM we will return.” Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the guided. (Surah Al-Baqarah 155-157) Umm Salamah (the wife of the Prophet) said: I heard the Messenger of ALLAH (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) saying: “There is no Muslim who is stricken by a calamity and says what ALLAH has commanded him – ‘Indeed we belong to ALLAH, and indeed to Him we will return; O ALLAH, reward me for my affliction and compensate me with that which is better’ – except that ALLAH will grant him something better in exchange.” When Abu Salamah passed away, I said to myself: “What Muslim is better than Abu Salamah?” I then said the words, and ALLAH gave me the Messenger of ALLAH (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) in exchange. (Sahih Muslim Sharief)

Q. I want to know - is it true that in Islam a guidance of a husband is the law for his wife, she must implicitly obey him. And may a husband forbid his wife to visit her parents? If between the husband’s guidance and parents guidance there is a contradiction (the conflict), whom of them the wife must obey? (Query published as received) A. Islam has emphasized on the wife to be obedient to the husband and on the husband to treat the wife with kindness, compassion and justice. Both components are necessary in a successful marriage and if both husband and wife play their proper roles in the marriage, the objectives of marriage will be fulfilled. Sayyiduna Qays bin Sa’ad (Radiyallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said after explaining to the Sahabah that it is prohibited to prostrate to anyone besides Allah: لو كنت آمرا أحدا أن يسجد لأحد لأمرت النساء أن يسجدن لأزواجهن لما جعل الله لهم عليهن من الحق “If I had to command prostration to anyone, I would have commanded wives to prostrate to their husbands due to the great right they have over them” (Abu Dawood, Hadith #: 2140) In another Hadith, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: إذا صلت المرأة خمسها، وصامت شهرها، وحفظت فرجها، وأطاعت زوجها قيل لها: ادخلي الجنة من أي أبواب الجنة شئت “When a woman is punctual on her five daily Salaah and fasts for the month of Ramadaan and safeguards her chastity and obeys her husband, it will be said to her (on the day of Judgment): Enter through whichever door of Paradise you wish” (Musnad Ahmed, Hadith #: 1661, Narrated by Abdurrahman bin Auf) And with regards to husbands treating their wives with compassion, Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ فَإِنْ كَرِهْتُمُوهُنَّ فَعَسَى أَنْ تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَيَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا And treat them (your wives) in a good manner. If you dislike them, then it is quite likely that you dislike something and Allah has placed a lot of good in it (Surah an-Nisaa, Verse: 19) In the Hadith, the Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, خيركم خيركم لأهله وأنا خيركم لأهلي “The best of you is he who is good to his wife and I am good to my wife” (Tirmizi, #: 4269, Narrated by Aa’ishah) It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu Anhu) that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, استوصوا بالنساء خيرا “Treat your wives with kindness”. (Sahih al-Bukhari, #: 5186, Narrated by Abu Hurayrah) So as you can see from the abovementioned divine texts, it is the duty of the wife to obey her husband whilst it is also the duty of the husband to be kind and fair to his wife. However, it should be noted that with regards to the obedience of the husband, the wife is not allowed to obey her husband in matters that are not permissible. For example, if the husband commands the wife to accompany him to a casino or pub, it will not be permissible for her to obey him in this regard. This leads us to the other part of your question. Should she obey her husband if he forbids her from visiting her parents? If she obeys her husband and does not visit her parents at all, this will result in her breaking off ties with her parents which is a major sin. So she cannot be expected to obey her husband in this regard. However, at the same time, she cannot also visit her parents so often where it leads to a problem in the marriage. A balance has to be struck between the obedience of the husband and the visiting of her parents. Likewise, a balance has to be struck between the pleasing of the parents and the husband as both are equally important. In situations where the commands of both come into conflict, the wife will have to weigh the situation and look at the best interests of preserving her marriage, as long as the wish of the husband is not in contradiction to the laws of Shari’ah. The jurists have provided the guideline that the wife should be allowed to visit her parents at least once a week if they are nearby. If they are distant or it is difficult to go to them, she should be allowed to visit them based on the usual practice of people. (Raddul Muhtar & al-Bahrur Ra’iq). ينبغي أن يأذن لها في زيارتهما في الحين بعد الحين على قدر متعارف The husband and wife should form some mutual agreement as to when and how often she can visit her parents. He should be considerate of her feelings and she should also be considerate of his position as the husband. And Allah Knows Best Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Fooling ourselves with Aprils Fool Responding to a question regarding Aprils Fool, Khalid Baig writes: The question is why do you want to take part in it? Think about it, research it, ask those who do urge or encourage you to do so. Why? When you do, you will discover that real fools are the persons who foolishly follow this practice while they have no idea why they are doing it. A Muslim does not follow the mob. He, or she, never does things simply because other people are doing it. He is a thinking, reflecting, person who does not waste any of his time in doing things that will not bring him any benefit in the hereafter or in this world. The Hadith says: "From the beauty of a person's Islam is his abandoning of vain things." (Tirmizi) In contrast, in Jahiliyya (ignorant) societies people do things simply because others are doing it. They blindly follow whatever the media or the mob tell them is the latest in thing or cool idea. That is why Qur'an says that they are deaf, dumb, and blind. They are like animals. Rather they are worse than animals. "Many are the Jinns and men we have made for Hell: They have hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle, nay more misguided: for they are heedless (of warning)." (Surah: 7, V: 179) Islam liberates you from the Jahiliyya society. Indeed it would be tragic if someone, instead of cherishing it, were to question this liberation. Adapted from Al-Balagh Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians 223 Alpine Road, Overport, Durban

Allah created the body from the dust of the earth So its nourishment (food and drink) comes from the earth Our soul (nafs, rooh) has come from Allah and the heavens So too the nourishment of the soul comes from Allah and the heavens So what is the nourishment of the soul? It is the Holy Quran, words of Allah, spirituality, our connection with Allah and Ibadaat. Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadhul Haqq

Saved at the Last Minute! "This is a true story that happened in Egypt (related by Shaykh Wahid ‘Abd al-Salam Bali in his lecture): A young man flagged down a taxi in order to take his ill mother to the hospital. They both got in and the driver made his way to the hospital. However, on the way, the son asked for the taxi to be stopped so that he could get out and quickly get some medication for his mother. As he was away, the mother’s health suddenly plummeted and subhan’Allah, the driver noticed the signs of death on her. He immediately went to her side and guided her through the Shahadah (testimony of faith), in accordance to the hadith: “Whoever’s last words are la ilaha illa’Allah (there is no God but Allah), will enter Paradise.” [Abu Dawud]. The mother looked at the driver acknowledging it, and finally she uttered the words of faith before breathing her very last. When the son returned, the driver informed him of the news. The son went into a natural hysteria whereupon the driver consoled him saying, “Don’t worry, I helped her utter the Shahadah and she said it in a clear voice.” The son then exclaimed, “What! Why did you do that? Don’t you know we are Christians?!” Subhan’Allah, the wonders of the Qadr (Decree) of Allah. You just don’t know where it will take you and what your last words/deeds will be. This was a Coptic Christian mother in the throes of death and Allah saved her just in time. May Allah grant us all a good end, ameen. The Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: “Iman is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day and the Decree; the good thereof and the bad.”" [Muslim] http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/showthread.php?103954-Amazing-Story-of-accepting-Islam