Friday, August 29, 2008
:: Jummah Mubarak ::
As-Salaamu Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu
Jummah Mubarak to you and your families on this Blessed Day!
I begin by praising Allah in the best possible manner and by sending Durood and salutations to our Nabi Muhammad (SAW).May Allah guide us all.. May He keep us steadfast on our Deen.May He let us live with Imaan, die with Imaan and resurrect us with Imaan. May Allah grant us ikhlaas, taqwa, and most of all forgiveness
May The Almighty accept ALL our Sincere Dua'as.
Kindly remember the Ummah of Nabi (Sallahu Alayhi Wassalam), the weak, the sick & oppressed, our Marhoomeen as well as my family & I in your Dua'as, likewise we will do the same, Inshallah
Jazakallah & Was-Salaam
Satan's Tactics
Satan makes the slave of Allah (swt) to forget what is good and best for him
If Satan gains complete control over the human, he will make the human forget Allah (swt) completely: "Satan has engrossed them and so he has caused them to forget the remembrance of Allah (Swt). They are the devil's party. Lo! Is it not the devil's party who will be the losers?" (Al-Mujaadala 19)
This verse of the Holy Qur'an-ul-Majeed is referring to the hypocrites, as is clear from the verses that precede it. The way to remember is by the remembrance of Allah (swt), which repels Satan: "And remember your Lord when you forget." (Al-Kahf 24)
ef: The World Of the Jinn and Devils, Pg 112
May Allah Rabbul Izzat always protect us all from the evil whisperings of Satan, the rejected one, Inshallah, Aameen.
Jummah Mubarak, have a great weekend and don't forget to say Laa Ilaaha Illallah.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Test your Islamic Knowledge
1. What is the meal with which Muslims break the fast after sunset in Ramadaan called?
2. What is the term for the compensation which a Muslim gives out when he or she cannot fast in Ramadaan due to old age?
3. What is the term for the penalty or 'fine' which a Muslim pays for breaking the Ramadaan fast without a valid reason?
4. What is the status of saying Aameen while making Dua'a?
Hadith for the week
Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said:"Fasting is a shield from the fire of Jahannam."(Tirmidhi)
O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may develop piety. (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 183)
What does Saum mean?
Saum is the Arabic word for fasting. The plural of Saum is Siyaam. Literally, Saum means to abstain. The technical meaning of Saum is to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse, with the intention of fasting, from Fajr to sunset.
Fasting is a critical pillar of our beautiful religion
The command of fasting has been mentioned with great emphasis in the above verse as it is a crucial pillar of Islam. Allah has made it compulsory upon every Muslim male and female to fast. If it was not made compulsory those who are slaves of food, drink and pleasure would have found a means of escape from it.
Allah mentions in the verse that past nations also fasted. This is to encourage and motivate the Muslims. Even though fasting is a sacrifice upon ones desires but when many people are involved in a difficult task the burden seems easier.
Why do we need to fast?
Fasting is a great method of achieving piety (taqwa) because fasting helps to control the desires and this is the basis of taqwa. When one develops the habit of controlling the lawful desires of eating, drinking and sexual intercourse with one's spouse than it will be easy to stay away from the Haraam desires. Control of the desires now weakens the inclination towards sin.
By fasting we move closer to the angelic nature within us as angels have no need for food and drink.
Fasting teaches patience
A few verses before the verse of fasting Allah mentions Sabr (patience). See Surah Baqarah, verse 153. Fasting helps to build patience as one has to exercise self control in the heat of the day. One has to suppress one's thirst and hunger in order to develop the higher self. Fasting removes the animal instinct of impulsiveness and haste from within. Fasting also teaches one to be content and satisfied with little.
Allah loves a fasting person
In a Hadith the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam mentioned : "Allah says that all of man's actions are for himself but fasting is for me and I will grant the reward for it."
Fasting has been singled out in this Hadith as a special form of worship because :
1. It controls the desires in a manner different from all the other types of worship.
2. Fasting is a secret worship which only Allah knows. Salaah, Haj, recitation of Qura'an, etc all have a physical dimension and pride can easily creep in. Fasting, however, is a state of abstention. Pride cannot easily come in as others do not know whether a person is fasting or not.
How good is your fast?
Imam Ghazali Rahimahullah, the great scholar and mystic, has mentioned three stages of fasting:
1. Fasting of the general masses - Abstaining from food, drink and sexual intercourse only. This is the weakest form of fasting.
2. Fasting of the pious - In addition to abstention from food and drink a person guards the eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet and all the parts of the body from sin.
3. Fasting of the prophets and the close servants of Allah - In addition to guarding the limbs of the body from sin there is fasting of the heart and mind so that the thoughts are restricted to Allah. Evil intentions and worldly thoughts are prevented from entering the heart.
To attain perfection of the second level of fasting Imam Ghazali has given five advices :
a. Lowering and protecting the gaze from evil and sinful sights.
b. Protecting the tongue from vain talk, obscene language, lying, back-biting, carrying tales, etc. Keep the tongue busy in remembering Allah and reciting the Qura'an.
c. Protecting the ears from listening to evil. Words which are Haraam to speak are also Haraam to listen to.
d. Protecting the remainder of the limbs of the body from evil.
e. Eating less than one's normal meals. How can the fast be beneficial when the Iftaar has such a variety of foods which are not even eaten at other times of the year? Does fasting not teach once to abstain from eating to one's fill?
Points to ponder
a. Do not overeat in Ramadaan even if it is Halaal food. A small dose of medicine will cure. A higher dose will cause harm.
b. To engage in sin while fasting is like a person who refrains from fruit according to doctors instructions but consumes poison.
May Allah make your Ramadaan a spiritually uplifting experience and may He grant you the true enjoyment of Ibaadah, Aameen
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Prayer rooms become trendy
The provision of prayer rooms seems to be becoming an increasing occurrence in certain areas. In North Texas USA, companies are increasingly making space for quiet rooms as Muslim employees play a larger role in the U.S Workplace and in the United Kingdom, a football team in the English Premiership has provided a multi-faith prayer room to cater for the spiritual needs of their supporters. In South Africa, prayer rooms have been a feature of certain corporates for some time.
Manzur Mahmud used to hide when he prayed. He'd duck down in his cubicle at Dallas' Texas Instruments or scramble to a friend's office to conduct two of his five daily Muslim prayers. Now the Bangladeshi engineer walks down the corridor and enters a small prayer room.
Islamic prayer, which involves a specified cleansing and prayer routine, also causes confusion for those unfamiliar with the practice. Islam mandates five daily prayers in the direction of Mecca. Two of these prayers, early and late afternoon, often fall during work hours.
North Texas has up to 180,000 Muslims, the second largest population in Texas next to Houston and the seventh largest Muslim community in the United States. Many work in information technology and engineering jobs in Dallas and are now assuming management positions.
"Today you even have leadership and management training workshops associated with Muslims," said Mohamed Elibiary, president of the Freedom and Justice Foundation, based in Plano. "They are trying to climb the corporation into management whereas in the 1990s they were just happy to have a stable job."
Muslim backlash after 9/11 had a profound impact on the community, Mr. Elibiary said, and only now are Muslims becoming comfortable enough to showcase their faith again. He attributes it to American disenchantment with the Iraq war and the war on terror. "As Americans started losing confidence, they stopped fearing their Muslim neighbor," he said.
Beyond a rising comfort level, more companies are taking a global approach to how they do business, said Dr. Khurshid Qureshi, president of the Association of Muslim Scientists and Engineers. "They want Muslims to work for their companies," he said. "The prayer rooms aren't mandatory, but they are fringe benefits."
Mustafaa Carroll, executive director of the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, estimates that less than half of the region's companies have prayer rooms. He said it's often something that doesn't occur to an employer until a Muslim employee mentions it.
Brian Mershon, a spokesman for Fluor Corp., said that is the case with the Irving-based construction company. "If we had requests from Muslim employees or nursing mothers as well as any prayer room for employees, we would accommodate their requests," Mr. Mershon said.
Meanwhile, businesses nationwide are seeing a rise in the number of religious discrimination charges. The changing nature of the workplace is forcing organizations to navigate the nuances of religious acceptance and office productivity. To aid companies, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued new guidelines last week for handling religious diversity issues.
Some of the diversity guidelines provided by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: •Employers should make efforts to accommodate an employee's desire to wear a yarmulke, hijab or other religious garb. If the employee is required to wear a uniform, consider allowing modifications to include religious garb.
· Managers and employees should be trained not to stereotype based on religious dress and grooming practices.
· Employers should be sensitive to the risk of unintentionally pressuring or coercing employees to attend social gatherings after the employees have indicated a religious objection to attending.
In a similar move, a prayer room has been created at Ewood Park in Blackburn, England to allow fans of Blackburn Rovers, a club in the English Premiership to worship on matchdays. It is hoped the move will help to attract new supporters from all faiths and backgrounds.
The new multi-faith prayer room has been opened in the Blackburn End for the new season. It is one of the first such facilities to open at a Premier League football stadium.
The move has been praised as “commendable” by the Lancashire Council of Mosques and The Dean of Blackburn Cathedral.
Rovers’ managing director Tom Finn said the specially sound-proofed facility was designed to provide existing staff and supporters with a quiet space for prayer and reflection, as well as encouraging fans from all faiths and backgrounds to attend more games.
Bolton Wanderers already have a quiet room in one of the stands at the Reebok Stadium and last season every team in the Scottish Premier League made facilities available to allow Muslim players to pray before and after games.
Mr Finn said: “We welcome all fans to Ewood Park, whatever their backgrounds. We acknowledge that we live in a diverse society and therefore need to accommodate the needs of people from all walks of life.”
Salim Mulla, the senior vice chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said the creation of the facility was “commendable”.
Mr Mulla, who is also the vice chairman of the Blackburn with Darwen inter-faith council, said: “This is a fantastic gesture by Blackburn Rovers and shows that the club has got a very good understanding of the needs of the Muslim community.
“There is a large Muslim community in East Lancashire and I am sure that this move will encourage more Muslim people to go to matches.
“What they have done is very positive and should be commended.”
“The club is to be congratulated on its open-mindedness and recognising the spirituality of all of its fans. It is crucial that inter-faith projects like this are allowed to succeed.”
Multi-faith prayer rooms are already in place in the Royal Blackburn Hospital, all local town halls and even most motorway service stations.
Sources:
‘North Texas employers answer prayer room’ by Jessica Meyers/The Dallas Morning News (2 August 2008)
‘Prayer room opened at Ewood Park’ by David Watkinson/ This is Lancashire (12 August 2008)
Monday, August 25, 2008
Muslim Sister wins Olympic sprint
Sprinters have long been squeezing their muscular frames into the most eye-catching skimpy, tight and revealing costumes imaginable but one female athlete at this year’s Olympics is bucking the trend for bulging lycra and naked torsos. In 2004, Bahrain's Ruqaya Al Ghasara, a devout Muslim, was the first athlete to ever take part in an Olympics wearing a Hijaab.
'It’s definitely helped me to improve my times being able to wear something so comfortable and I’m sure it will help me to give my best performance at Beijing.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Jummah Mubarak
As-Salaamu-Alaikum
Jummah Mubarak to you and your loved ones. May you blessed on this day and every day with Allah (swt’s) Rahmah & bounties beyond measure….May each of your heartfelt Dua’as be answered & all your Desires be fulfilled in the Dunyah and Aakirah, Aameen
The wonderful place that has been created by the Almighty Creator for the Ummah of Nabi (Sallahu Alayhi Wasallam) is `Jannah' the abode of Paradise. The Almighty Creator undoubtedly is the Only Almighty one 'Allah'. The last of the Messengers is Rasulullah (Sallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and the last Holy Book sent with him is the Holy Qura’an.
People of the world...Strive hard! This world is but a temporary abode! Become a practicing Muslims and surely we all will cross the Bridge of Siraat-ul-Mustakeem at the speed of lightning into the ever lasting wonderful place - Jannat-ul-Firdowse, Aameen. Allah (swt) has created for each of us this wonderful abode!
May Allah (swt) keeps us guided and grant us each entrance into Jannat-ul-Firdowse, Aameen.
May the Almighty bestow His choicest blessings on you today and always. May His Angels guide You every step you may take, taking away all burdens, only leaving goodness and lasting kindness in your path, Aameen
Kindly remember my family and I in your Dua’as, likewise we will do the same, Jazakallah
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Ramadaan 1429
May Allah (swt) grant you the strength and Yaqeen to complete this blessed month of Ramadaan, May you take full advantage of these powerful days, Inshallah
May I take this opportunity to wish you, your family, friends and loved ones, A Blessed Month of Ramadaan...
May all your good deeds & Dua'as be accepted, your heart's desires be fulfilled and all your sins forgiven, Aameen
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Is Qiya'amah approaching??
Nabi (Sallahu Alayhi Wassallam) fortold of these 72 signs that would appear near the Day of Qiya'amah:
2. People will usurp Ama'naat (Trust)
3. Lying will become an art
4. There will be murders on the slightest of disagreements
5. Interest will become common
6. There will be very tall buildings
7. People will sell Religion for the world
8. People will treat relatives badly
9. Justice will become a rarity
10. Lies will be considered truth
11. Clothes will be of silk
12. Persecution will become common
13. Divorces will become common
14. Sudden deaths will increase
15. The usurper of Ama'naat will be considered honest and honourable
16. The keeper of Ama'naat will be called an usurper of things given to him for
17. Liars will be thought of as honest
18. Honest people will be thought of as liars
19. False accusations will become the norm
20. It will be hot in spite of rain
21. Instead of wishing for children, people will pray that they not have children
22. People from bad backgrounds and with bad upbringing will live a life of luxury -
23. Good people, when they try to practice, will be cut off from the world.
24. Previously good people will also usurp Ama'naat
25. Leaders will become persecutors
26. Ulema and Qaris will commit adultery
27. People will wear clothes of animal skin
28. But their hearts will smell and will be dead
29. And will be bitter
30. Gold will become common
31. Demand for Silver will increase
32. Sin will increase
33. Peace will become rare
34. Ayaats from the Qura'an will be decorated and calligraphy will become common
35. Masjids will be decorated
36. And will have tall minarats
37. But out hearts will be empty
38. Alcoholic drinks will be consumed
39. Punishments ordered by the Shariah will be revoked and will no longer be
40. Women will order their mothers around
41. People who are with naked feet, naked bodies and against religion will become kings
42. Women will trade along with men
43. Women will imitate men
44. Men will imitate women
45. People will swear by things other than Allah (swt) and the Qura'an
46. Even Muslims will be prepared to give false testimony, without being incited to it 47. Only people one knows will be greeted with the Salaam
48. The knowledge of the Shariah will be used to earn worldly things
49. Acts which earn the Aakhirah, will be used to earn the world 50.
50. Assets belonging to the nation will be considered and treated as personal treasures by the rulers
51. Ama'naat will be considered ones personal asset
52. Zakaah will be considered a penalty
53. The lowest and the worst man in the nation will become its leader
54. People will not obey their fathers
55. And will mistreat their mothers
56. And will not hold back from harming their friends
57. And will obey their wives
58. And the voices of men who commit adultery will be raised in mosques
59. Women who sing will be treated with great deference
60. Instruments of music will be kept with great care
61. Alcohol will be drunk on the highways
62. People will be proud of their acts of persecution
63. Justice will be sold in the courts
64. The number of men in the police force will increase
65. Instead of music, the Qura'an will be used to gain pleasure for its tune and style Qirat not for what it preaches, its meaning or for rewards in the Aakhirah
66. Animal fur will be used - we see this on the Catwalks of Paris, London?!
67. The last of the Ummah will curse those before them - clearly seen today in people who call Nabi (Sallahu Alayhi Wassallam's) companion's names
68. Either Allah (swt) will send a Red Storm upon us
69. Or Earthquakes
70. Or your faces will be changed
71. Or a rain of rocks from the skies Asteroids? Meteors
72. Lies will become a habit of the rulers and the rich
Nabi (Sallahu Alayhi Wassallam) also said:
1. Alcohol will be called Sherbet, and will be considered Halaal
2. Interest will be called Trade, and will be considered Halaal
3. Bribes will be called Gifts, and will be considered Halaal
4. Women will be naked in spite of wearing dresses
The 3 kind of naked women are
1. Those who wear see-through dresses
2. Those who wear tight dresses and
3. Those whose dresses are so short, that they expose the body
4. Women will have hair, like the hump of a camel
This Hadith too, had baffled the Ulema for quite a long time till they saw current
Tahajjud
When he knows the value of something, he will try to attain it even if it be hard for him.
Allah Ta'ala has granted us the gift of Tahajjud Prayer. Through this Salaah, we can get many blessings from Allah (swt). Problems such as sickness, family issues, money, hunger, etc can easily be removed by praying to Allah (swt) at Tahajjud time. However, because we did not recognize the value of this prayer, it is very difficult for us to spare only 10-15 minutes of our sleep to get up and pray. On the other hand, for some money, we are ready to stay up the whole night.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Jamiat Appeal for Funds
The Jamiatul Ulama, South Africa - the oldest ulama organization of South Africa - has been serving the community for the past 84 years. It has 7 provincial branches.The Jamiatul Ulama has various departments such as education, relief, hilaal notification, halaal supervision, social welfare, dawah, ifta and counseling. It also responds to local and international crises. The Jamiatul Ulama ensures that all zakaah monies are spent in accordance with the laws of Shariah.
All of our activities are made possible by your continuous generous contributions. We appeal, in this blessed month of Shaba'an and Ramadaan, for donations towards the activities of the Jamiat. You will, Inshallah, share in the reward of all the activities.
Kindly deposit your contributions in to the following account: Jamiatul Ulama Transvaal, Nedbank Fordsburg, A/c No. 1953 285 937; Branch code: 195305, and fax your deposit slip to (011) 373 8022, clearly stating whether the contributions are either Lillah or Zakaah.
Please assist if you can, Jazakallah
Test your Islamic Knowledge
I've decided this is an interesting way to learn more about Islam and gain some knowledge.
Q1. Who was the mother of Ibraaheem, the son the Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam? Ibraaheem passed away in infancy.
Q2. Which Sahabiya'h killed a Jew during the battle of Khandaq and this action caused the enemy in Madinah to fear the Muslims?
Q3. Who was the only person from the Quraish tribe who managed to spot the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and Abu Bakr Radhi Allahu Anhu during the Hijrah, but his horse sank into the ground as he came closer?
Post your answers and I'll post the correct one's!
In Light of Sha'be Bara'at - The Night of Power
Is there anyone who seeks providence (rizq)? So that I may provide for him
Is there anyone who seeks good health? So that I may give him good health
This proclamation continues until dawn.
It is on this night of 15th Shaba'an when the Angels of Death (Malikal Maut) is being presented with the list of names whose souls shall be removed in this coming this year. Yet humanity tends to be unmindful...HOW UNFORTUNATE IS MAN KIND??!
Woe! Unto these people who will not receive the forgiveness of Allah (swt) on this auspicious night:
Mushrik – person who ascribes partners to the Almighty Allah (swt)
A person who has cut off family ties.
One that is disobedient to their Parents
Before the night of Bara'at (15th Shabaan) dawns upon us, I wish to take this opportunity to ask you for Maaf if ever I have said anything wrong or hurtful to hurt your feelings in any way (be it intentionally or unintentionally) or never kept a promise or fulfilled a task for you as a friend or family member!! I know I am guilty of this, please make me Maaf.
Remember my family & I, in your Dua'as, as I will remember you & yours in mine and may all our Dua'as be accepted INSHALLAH!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Sites worth visiting
They have some very valuable information...Go ahead and check them out -
http://yunuspatel.co.za/audio.php
http://www.islamibayanaat.com/MaulanaSulemanMulla.htm
Al Qura'an
If you have some free time do go to this website http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran/
It is quite awesome. You can choose the Surah you would like to read, the meaning is there, and you can also play it, by listening to the person who is reading the verse and the translation is given as well. Quite beautiful, I must say.
This is absolutely brilliant. May the Almighty shower you with His richest of Blessings, Inshallah.
Say (O Muhammad to mankind). "If the sea were ink for (writing) the Words of my Lord, surely, the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my Lord would be finished, even if we brought (another sea) like it for its aid." Al-Quran (Sura18:V 109)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Laylat-ul-Bara'at - 16th August 2008 / 15th Sha'baan 1429
Wa-Rahmatullahi-Wabarakatuh
To all my Brothers & Sisters in Islam, I ask for Maaf if I have hurt you intentionally or unintentionally
This is the night where Allah (swt) requests the Angels to close our record books for the past year and for the coming year this is what's written:-
Our Rizq for the Year
The names of those to leave this world
The names of those who will be born
The difficulties and the good to come upon us in the world
THINGS TO DO ON THIS NIGHT:-
READ A LOT OF ISTIGFAAR
READ THE QURA'AN
VISIT THE CEMETERY
FORGIVE YOUR PARENTS, FRIENDS & FAMILIES
Before the night of Bara'at (15th Shabaan 1429) dawns upon us, I wish to take this opportunity to ask you for Maaf if ever I have said anything wrong or hurtful to your feelings in any way (be it intentionally or unintentionally) or never kept a promise or fulfilled a task for you as a friend or family member.
May the Almighty Allah accept all your Duaa's and shower His mercy & blessings upon you and your families. May Allah (swt) forgive us all for our past sins which we have committed and strengthen our hearts with Imaan and Love.
May Allah accept all our Dua'as and all our good deeds for the past year and keep our Muslim Ummah stronger than before while we strive everyday to perfect it and stay united - INSHALLAH!!!
Please make Dua'a for all the deceased family and friends both mine and yours, the hungry & destitute who are suffering all over the world whom we have forgotten, let us make Dua'a for all our Muslim Brothers and Sisters that are facing hardship and difficulties wherever they may be situated around the WORLD.
Kindly remember my family & I in your Dua'as, as we will remember you & yours in our Dua'as
Shukran
Wassalaam
Ramadaan 1429
As we all know we are fast approaching the Holy month of Ramadaan and we need to start preparing...
By preparing I do not mean the samoosas, pies and other likes...what I mean have we preapred ourselves spritually and physically?
Have we started reading our Qura'an every day, being punctual in all of our daily Salaah and giving Zaka'ah timeously? Although doing all of this is supposed to be an on-going effort, we do lack the will power to do so everyday...
May this Ramadaan be somewhat different, Inshallah
Friday, August 08, 2008
Friday - The day of Jummah
Friday - The day of Jummah
Asalaamu-Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatu
Allah says in the Holy Quraan, in Surah Jum'a, verse 9 to 10:
"Oh you who believe!" "When the call is proclaimed for prayer on Friday, come to remembrance of Allah and leave off business and trading."
"That is best for you, if you but knew."
"Then when the prayer is ended you may disperse through the land, and seek the bounty of Allah and remember Allah quite frequently that you may prosper."
The Angels know Friday by the name "Jum'a."
Jummah is the noblest of days for Muslims
The Road to Success is not straight:
There is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, caution lights called family, and you will have flats called jobs.
But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith, and a driver called God, you will make it to a place called success!
On this day of Jummah, may Allah (swt) grant you peace and happiness. May He increase your rizq and put barakah in everything you do.
Take care & remember the Ummah of Nabi (saw) in your Dua'as today, Inshallah
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
A Sisters only Program
By International Guest of Honour - Female Muslim scholar, lecturer, author and researcher - Dr. Rasha ‘Umar al Disuqi (PhD)
* PhD - Islamic Studies
* MA - English Language & Literature
* Assoc. Prof - Faculty of Islamic Studies, Qatar Foundation
* Prof & Vice-Head - English Dept, American Open University
* Adjunct Prof. - Dept of Islamic Studies, Al Azhar
* ISNA Rep at World Conference on Women, China
Topics to be discussed:
1) The Resurgent Voice of Muslim Women
2) Striking a Balance - Being a Holistic Muslimah
3) Q & A Session
DATE: Friday 15 August 2008
TIME: 18h15 to 21h30
VENUE: Karachi Restaurant Conference Hall
47 Bree Street, Fordsburg (Opp. Oriental Plaza)
PRICE: R150pp (incl 3 course meal and drinks)
Limited Seats! Book Now!
Tel: 073 073 8349 or 083 291 9395
Email: info@pureislam.co.za
Banking Details:
Account ino: P.I. Publications
FNB Northcliff Branch
Branch Code: 253705
Account No:62170334983
Ref: YOUR NAME
NB:Free gift for first 150 attendees
The Story of our Lives
In the morning when they reached their homes, they saw that the rocks turned into diamonds...Now, those people who didn't pick up the rocks started regretting saying "If only we had picked up some rocks..."
Those people who did pick some rocks also started regretting saying "Why didn't we pick up more rocks..???"
Both sides ended up regretting...
Dear Muslims, this same incident will take place with us on the Day of Judgment...Those people who spent their time in useless things will start regretting by looking at those who achieved a great position in Paradise by spending their time in the way of Allah...Now, those who did achieve a position in Paradise will start regretting by looking at those who did more than them and are higher in status..." Alas! If we had only done more to please Allah....!!!"
"Whoever guides or directs to good, then he gets the same amount of blessing (reward) as the one who does it" [Saheeh Muslim]
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Jummah Mubarak
Abdullah ibn Haarith (RA) said, "I have never seen any one who smiled more then Allah's Messenger (SAW)."
Be that person
Be one
As people weep your twinkling eyes will reveal a smile
Be one
A perfume seller leaving behind their sweet scent
Be one
To whom every person feels that they are foremost
Be one
Even if people judged the cover they wouldn't get the first letter
Be one
Whose actions always speak louder than their words
Be one
Who in utter exhaustion never tires
Be one
Who changes the world whilst it sleeps
Be one
Whose hands are in every hearty pie, left unfinished for novices
Be one
Whose obedient head has graced the soils of the world, leaving behind its fervent reciprocation
Be one
Whose wealth reaps the rewards of the hands it has grazed
Be one
Who makes utter devotion be questioned for its innocence
Be one
Who makes everyone feel like the precious creation of God that they are
Be one
Whom everyone is enriched by and empty without
Be one
Who creates endless ripples in a sea that does end...
The Prophet (SAW) is the best example of this. Look to his life, learn from it and live it. And, choose your companionship according to this lofty character, indeed, it will shape you too.
Jummah Mubarak
May the Almighty bestow His choicest blessings on you today and always. May His Angels guide You every step you may take, taking away all burdens, only leaving goodness and lasting kindness in your path, Aameen
Kindly remember the Ummah of Nabi (SAW), the weak, oppressed, the sick, our Marhoomeen, as well as my family and I in your Dua’as, likewise we will do the same, Jazakallah.
Is there anything more perfect than this??
No example as beautiful as Rasulallah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam)
No lesson as beautiful as Islam nor any song as melodious as the 5 daily Adhaan
No charity as meaningful as Zakaah, no encyclopedia as perfect as Al Qura'an
No exercise as perfect as Namaaz
No diet as perfect as fasting and none compares to a journey as perfect as Hajj.
Let’s realize that Islam is ever beautiful & perfect.
We are Nabi (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam)’s Ummah, born into a religion that has an answer to every life’s problem, how blessed are we that Allah (swt) has Blessed us in this manner…
'I was not a practising Muslim, I had bad friends. I enjoyed going out with them. I was almost never home, but always at gatherings with friends. In these gatherings we backbited, gossiped and made fun of people. I was especially known among my friends to make jokes and ppl were impressed by the way I was so good at it.
One night (at the time I was 30 and married and my wife was pregnant with our 1st child). I was as usual gathered with my friends and talking useless talk. I was telling them how I was at the market one day and I saw a blind man and I put my leg out in front of this man and the blind man tripped and fell on his face.. My friends laughed.
When I returned back home that night, my wife asked me 'where have u been? 'I am so tired, really sick and I think I am in labor.' A tear dropped down her cheek. I felt guilty, for I hadn't cared about my wife properly since learning of her pregnancy.
I quickly took her to the hospital. She was in pain for a long time and could not give birth, I waited patiently, but eventually I left and told the hospital to call me when she gave birth. An hour later, they called telling me my wife had given birth to baby boy named Salem.
I quickly went to the hospital. I asked which room my wife was in. They told me I 1st had to see the doctor. I got mad at them and said 'What doctor? I want to see my son!?!' they insisted that I see the doctor first. So I went to the doctor, she first talked to me about calamities and that one must accept the will of Allah (swt).
Then she told me, 'your son is blind!' I lowered my head and remembered the blind man I tripped and made fun of. I didn't know what to say, I thanked the doctor for her kindness and went to see my wife. My wife was not sad, rather she accepted the will of Allah (swt). She had always advised me not to make fun of people and not to gossip nor backbite. We left the hospital but I did not care about Salem, I did not like him, I pretended that he wasn't even in the house. But, my wife loved Salem very much and cared for him. Salem grew and he began to crawl, he wasn't crawling properly. When he began to walk, we discovered that he was handicapped.
This was too much for me. Later, my wife gave birth to 2 boys, Omar and Khalid. Years passed, Salem and his brothers grew. I continued to hang out with my bad friends and did not like to be at home. However, my wife was patient with me and she always made Dua’a that Allah (swt) guide me.
One Friday, I woke up at 11 am (which was early for me) and was getting ready to go to a Walimah but my intentions were not to go for Jummah Salaah. I got showered, got dressed putting on a sweater and was about to head out the door when I saw Salem (who was 10 yrs old) crying very loudly in the living room.
So, for the first time in 10 years I cared and went to ask him why he was crying. When Salem felt me coming near, he stopped crying and pushed me away as if to say, 'Now you care, where were you for the past 10 yrs!' Salem was calling his mother and brothers, but no one was answering him, so he went to his room. I followed him At first, he would not tell me why he was crying.
Hmm Do you know why he was crying? His brother Omar, who normally took him to the masjid, was late. Salem was afraid that since it was a Friday, he would not be able to get a spot in the front row at the mosque. I said, 'is that why you cried Salem?'
Salem answered positively. I, out of disbelief from what I heard, forgot about my friends and the walimah. I then told Salem that I would take him to the mosque. Salem could not believe what he had heard. He thought his father was mocking him. He then began to cry. I wiped Salem's tears and took him by his hand to take him to the car. Salem refused. He said the mosque is near, and he wants to walk there by foot. I could not remember the last time I went to the mosque. The mosque was full, but I was able to find a spot for Salem in the first row.
After prayer was over, Salem asked me to get him a copy of the Qura’an. I thought, 'how can he want a Quran if he is blind!!!!' so I gave him one anyway so that his feelings would not be hurt. Salem then asked me to open to Surah Al-Kahf. When I opened it for him, Salem began to recite. He had memorized the entire Surah. I felt embarrassed and ashamed of myself. I took a Qura’an and began to read. I asked Allah (swt) for forgiveness and guidance. I then began to sob like a child. There were still people in the mosque, so I tried to hide my tears..I couldn't. I began to sob loudly.
I felt a small hand wiping my tears away. It was Salem. He hugged me and I thought, 'you aren't the blind one, for I am, because I ran after the evil people who would drag me into hell-fire. 'From that day on I never missed a prayer at the mosque. My wife was really happy and I left all my bad friends and tasted the sweetness of Imaan. I became closer to Allah (swt) and to my family. I thanked Allah (swt) for this great blessing.
One day my pious friends decided to go to a far away place to make dawah. I hesitated about going, I made istikharah and asked my wife, to my surprise she encouraged me to go. She was so happy, for before I used to travel without asking her. I told Salem that I would be traveling, he hugged me with his tiny arms, bidding me farewell. I was away for 3 weeks and I would call my family and I missed them greatly, especially Salem. Whenever, I called I would ask for him but he was either at school or the mosque. Everytime I told my wife how much I missed him, she would laugh cheerfully.
Except for the last call, she did not laugh but her voice had changed. I told her to pass my Salams to Salem and she said 'Inshallah' and was quiet. I finally came back home and hoped Salem would open the door for me, but instead Khaled did. Then I saw my wife, her face had changed. I asked her 'what's wrong?' she replied 'nothing.' Then I remembered Salem, and asked 'where is he?'
My wife lowered her head and did not answer. A tear dropped down her cheek. I gently asked her, 'where's Salem, where is he?'' My son Khaled (4 yrs old), said 'Daddy, Salem went to Jannah, he is with Allah.'
My wife could not handle it and she broke down in tears and left the room..I found out later that Salem had got sick with a fever and went to hospital 2 weeks before I arrived. The fever worsened and his mother stayed by his side and until his soul departed his body.'
NEVER TAKE ANYONE FOR GRANTED; YOU MAY NOT REALISE HOW LITTLE TIME WE HAVE LEFT.
EVEN THE SMALLEST/WEAKEST PERSON IN THIS WORLD CAN MAKE AN IMPACT;
AFTER ALL WE ALL SHARE THE SAME CREATOR MAY THE ALMIGHTY MAKE US HUMBLE
INSHALLAH
Monday, August 04, 2008
Friends are...
Sometimes in life, you find a special friend;
Someone who changes your life just by being part of it
Someone who makes you laugh Until you can't stop
Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world
Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door
Just waiting for you to open it
Here's to great friendships and wonderful memories...
Encouragement....
Encouragement
There comes a time in every woman's life when she has to take a closer look at herself. Not at her circumstances, not at what she did nor at how unfair her life is!! She has to just look at herself in all her glory and imperfection.
For many women this is a scary and daunting thing because often at times we don't want to know the truth about ourselves. Virtuous women know what I mean. As women, we have a tendency to water one another down. Maybe it makes us feel good to look better than the next woman...or maybe we just don't know how to tell that woman how we admire her. In reality we really need to look at ourselves, and the pain we project towards other women.
Have you ever admired a woman who has been through so many changes in her life? Or have you made up in your mind that she is just messed up? Before you make this mistake, take a closer look. A woman who has endured the most unusual life is someone of wisdom and courage, someone who has been chosen by Allah (swt) to go through these things that have made her stronger and never made her waiver in her faith.
Think of all the great women in Islam...Sayyadatina Khadijah (Radhiallaahu Anha), is just to name one from the extensive list...she was not only our Nabi (saw)
Women are so quick to beat the next one down instead of trying to hold her up. Before you wonder, "What's up with her?" ask yourself, "What is the matter with me?" Why do I beat down another woman to build myself up? That woman could be my mother, sister, aunt, in-law, stepmother, niece, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbour, friend, or co-worker...That woman could be me!
Women are the carriers of life, not the channels of death. Let us build and encourage each other by Encouraging Love, Forgiveness and above all to Trust in each other.
Remember: Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but FAITH always looks up...
Regardless of any professional or academic achievement, young women from different cultural and social backgrounds worldwide share one almost indispensable dream: that of having families of their own through marriage.
Are you a manager in a multinational company or a famous figure in your society who still craves for the feeling of being a wife and a mother? As time goes by, several single women start to lose hope that they might some day get married.
Dreary Feelings
Plenty of questions arouse in the minds of many single women: Why am I not married yet? Will I stay single for the rest of my life? These questions can sometimes be accompanied with feelings of sadness and depression. Further, some single women can experience a feeling of low self-esteem.
Birthdays can sometimes add fuel to the fire as they serve to remind some single women that they are growing older without marriage, which turns this supposedly happy day to a sad one.
Attending a wedding or an engagement party can even make things worse when a single woman starts to read words of pity in the eyes of some of those who know she is single. In fact, those people do not understand that these looks of sympathy can seriously aggravate the feelings of grieve in a single woman's soul.
Test of Faith
But, have you ever thought of the reason why you are single? Actually, it can be a test from Almighty Allah (swt) for your patience. Will you be grateful to Him? Will you be capable of enduring hardships? Such a test serves to measure the strength of your faith. It might also be the wisdom of Almighty Allah (swt) that you are currently single because you have been "chosen" by Him for a specific role that does not suit the responsibilities of a wife and a mother.
You have to remember that life is a series of ups and downs; it is simply a sunset followed by a sunrise. If we do not experience the darkness, we will not be able to enjoy the beauty of the sunlight. Similarly, if we do not experience hardships, we will not be able to realize the blessings that Almighty Allah (swt) has bestowed upon us.
When you feel gloomy to the extent that you might sometimes burst into tears, be sure that Almighty Allah (swt) knows your pain. Be sure that your rank as a believer increases before Him when you say Alhamdulillah along with a feeling of utmost satisfaction. Remember also that passing through this test means that Almighty Allah (swt) loves you. Be patient and always remember that every single feeling of pain increases your reward in the Hereafter.
The point that should always be remembered is that every one has his or her share of misfortunes. Those who are mistakenly thought to be leading a perfect life have their own problems, even if they are smart enough to show the converse. Almighty Allah (swt) says in the Qura'an: [And surely We shall try you with something of fear and hunger and loss of wealth and lives and crops, but give glad tidings to the patient.] (Al-Baqarah 2:155)
Patience and Hope
Do not lose hope of getting married; Almighty Allah(swt) will not leave you with your sadness and depression. Marriage is one of the gifts that Almighty Allah (swt) bestow upon us according to His will.
What you can do is trying to build the strongest spiritual bonds with the Creator Who has the keys of the heavens and earth through supplication and recitation of His book. Having an ultimate faith of every single word you read can make a great difference.
In addition, try to fill your life with different activities, such as practicing your favorite sport and attending Qura'an sessions. Practicing hobbies and other activities can help eliminate any negative thoughts.
Another helpful aspect is participating in charity work. Lending a helping hand to others - especially the needy, the handicapped, the orphans, and the elderly - greatly helps to recognize Almighty Allah (swt)'s blessings and to comprehend the true meaning of the word Alhamdulillah.
No one has a crystal ball to predict the future. So you should believe that everything will take place in its appropriate timing (Taqdeer) for the Almighty Allah (swt) surely knows best.