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INAUGURATION FOR A NEW HOUSE Question I have constructed a new house. is it permitted to do an inauguration? Answer In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. Alhamdulillah, we are pleased to know that Allah has blessed you with a new house. Thank Allah for this bounty. The concept of inauguration (ceremony) for a new house as in the general norm has no basis in Islam. There are many negative factors in having an opening ceremony for a new house. There is a great possibility of showing off one’s wealth and abilities in the ceremony. That deprives one of the mercy of Allah and barakah. Furthermore, we live in an era of jealously and evil eyes. It is possible that some people may not bear your happiness and begin having jealousy for you. That can be harmful to you. If you wish to express your happiness, you may practice on a sunnah. Invite some pious people (saaliheen) to a meal and request them to preform Nafl Salah in your home and make that place your musalla. A Sahabi, Hadarat Itban bin Malik Radiallahu Anhu invited Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to his house to perform Salah in his house so that he could make that place his musalla (place for Salah). He used that occasion to be hospitable to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and other Sahabah who gathered at that time. Remember, this practice too should not be regarded as compulsory. If one violates the laws of Allah and does not follow Shariah, do not expect the new house itself will bring peace to one. There are many people living in a life of misery in spacious mansions. Peace and happiness lies in obeying Allah and his Rasul and Shariah. No amount of money can purchase such peace. If you want the mercy of Allah and barakah in your home, 1) Obey Allah in all aspects of your life. 2) Practice on the sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. 3) Abstain from committing sins. 4) Recite Quran and Zikr daily in the house. Inshallah, your house will be a means of peace and tranquility for you. And Allah Taala Knows Best Mehrazur Rahman Student Darul Iftaa Brooklyn, NY, USA Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

Life at home ? A woman shared an exemplary point about her life at home: ? I have allotted a name to each room in my house. ? My living room has been named "Tahleel Room", so whenever I am in that room I continue to recite/read 'La Ilaha Illalah' ? I have named my Master Bedroom "Hamd Room". My Zikr is this room is 'Alhamdulillah' ? My children's bedroom is named "Tasbeeh Room" and I recite 'SubhanAllah' in that room ? My kitchen's name is "Astagfaar Room" so while cooking food I remember to read 'Astagfirullah'. Normally while cutting vegetables I continue to do Zikr which I believe adds to the taste and pleasure in my food. ? My drawing room is named "Salawaat Room". ? I read "Takbir" while watering plants and pots. ? To summarize, I am involved in Zikr in each corner of my house and this saves me from getting lethargic. ? This way I stay entertained at home and I don't feel tired. At the same time, my home is blessed and my heart is satisfied! ?? Let us all follow her example and make the air in our homes fresh and beautiful. Via Shaykh Abdul Raheem source

House or Home? “Home is where the heart is” forms a well-known phrase which we often hear. However, we seldom hear a person say “house is where the heart is”. The reason is simple – the word ‘house’ generally refers to just the structure, be it of brick and concrete or stone and mud, while the word ‘home’ refers to the special place to which a person belongs and where he feels most comfortable, relaxed and ‘at home’. Let us now ask ourselves, “How many of us feel at home in our own houses?” Before we ‘jump the gun’ in our eagerness to answer, let us ponder over the following: Do we feel trapped in our homes, and feel like we just need to go out? Despite us having every amenity and comfort in our homes, is it inconceivable for us to spend a holiday at home? When we enter our homes, do we feel peace, tranquillity and happiness? Are we overwhelmed by feelings of gloom, depression and frustration? If it feels as if our home is permanently permeated by the darkness of fighting, quarrelling and discontentment, then we need to look beyond Eskom for enlightenment. In this regard, we will find the ‘down-lighter of Dua and the ‘quarrel-breaking contentment-making current of the Quraan indispensable and irreplaceable. Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) says: “The house in which the Quraan is read, its household members increase, virtues and barakah multiply, angels come down upon them and the Shayaateen run far away from there, but the house in which the Quraan is not read, life there becomes difficult and empty of barakah, angels leave the house and the Shayaateen stay in it.” (Ithaafus Saadatil Muttaqeen vol. 4, pg. 466) Naturally, the environment of a house filled with Shayaateen and void of angels will be one of misery and unhappiness. However, there is no need to despair, as we literally hold the flawless formula in our hands – The Quraan. We need to enliven our houses, transforming them into homes of happiness, by daily reciting some portion of the Quraan. Whether collectively or individually, every member of the home should be part of this effort to illuminate the home with the Noor (light) of the Quraan. When recitation of the Quraan is replaced by reading posts on WhatsApp and Facebook or reading novels and blogs, then the angels are forced to flee as the Shayaateen flock to the family’s home. Just as we repel mosquitoes with ‘Peaceful Sleep’, let us repel the Shayaateen with the Quraan to enjoy peace, not only in our sleep but also in our wakefulness, and in every other aspect of our lives. uswatulmuslimah