Have You Thought About Hell Lately?

By Jean Cooksey

Bismillah 

If you are like me, you don’t think about Hell much. You focus on Heaven and imagine yourself heralded into it on the Day of Judgment through the mercy of Allah SWT (despite your transgressions and negligence). Why do I think this way? Simply put, I don’t want to imagine the alternative. Am I doing myself any favors by thinking this way? Probably not. Hell is a real place and it is created for a reason. Reminders of what it entails are found throughout the Quran and ahadeeth. Therefore it must serve a purpose to know about Hell and its qualities. For this reason I attempt to remind myself and the reader of the embodiment of what it means to displease Allah SWT. I ask the reader to engage their imagination to create lasting images that in turn serve to evoke obedience to Allah in matters great and small while we are still capable of doing so. There is no ransom to release oneself from Hell. Only our deeds and intentions direct us toward our final destination. The following is only a portion of what Allah SWT promises for those who disregard His warnings.

In its most basic description Hell, known as Jahannam in Arabic, is an eternal place of crushing heat and vast depth from which there is no hope of relief or escape except through the decree of Allah SWT. These attributes are a well-known thing.

But [I have for you] only notification from Allah ,and His messages." And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger - then indeed, for him is the fire of Hell; they will abide therein forever. 
( Al-Jinn 72:23 ) 

In this abode of fire are guardians appointed by Allah. These angel guardians do not yield from the command of Allah. There will be no helpers for the inhabitants of the fire. Allah is most just in his decisions.

O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded. 
( At-Tahrim 66:6 ) 

And if each soul that wronged had everything on earth, it would offer it in ransom. And they will confide regret when they see the punishment; and they will be judged in justice, and they will not be wronged.

( Yunus 10:54 ) 

Indeed, the criminals will be in the punishment of Hell, abiding eternally. It will not be allowed to subside for them, and they, therein, are in despair. And We did not wrong them, but it was they who were the wrongdoers. And they will call, "O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!" He will say, "Indeed, you will remain." We had certainly brought you the truth, but most of you, to the truth, were averse.

(Az-Zukhruf 43:74-78)

Just as there are different degrees and type of sin there are as many punishments fitting them in Hell. The lower the level of Hell, the more intense the punishment will be.

“The person who will receive the least punishment among the people of Hell on the Day Resurrection will be a man, a smoldering ember will be placed under the arch of his foot. His brains will boil because of it.”
(Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

Just as with Heaven, Hell has multiple gates from which one enters.

And indeed, Hell is the promised place for them all. It has seven gates; for every gate is of them a portion designated. 

(Al-Hijr 15:43-44) 

These gates will be locked for those who enter. It is a prison of the worst kind yet the justice of it is perfect. Once inside the inhabitants of Hell are fuel for its fire. The fire is so hot that even stones are consumed. Few have had chance to visit a lava flow such as that in Hawaii. To be even in the proximity of an active lava flow is unbearable due to the heat. Melted earth flows as viscous liquid destroying everything in its path. If Allah can create such a thing on earth, surely the torment of Hell is unimaginably unbearable.

“Fire as we know it is one seventieth part of the Fire of Hell. Someone said, ‘O Messenger of God, it is enough as it is!’ He said, ‘It is as if sixty-nine equal portions were added to fire as we know it.’”
(Saheeh Al-Bukhari) 

As if that were not enough added to the heat of Hell are multitudes of other punishments.

…But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water 
( Al-Haj 22:19 )

And you will see the criminals that Day bound together in shackles, their garments of liquid pitch and their faces covered by the Fire. 
( Ibrahim14:49-50 ) 

The mercy of things that relieve our discomfort in this life are not present in Hell. The water is boiling, the shade is only from that of smoke and no coolness shall reach its inhabitants. Imagine the thirst you feel while fasting on a hot day. Allah provides comfort in the form of water, milk, and fruit juices by His mercy. Would you trade that temporary thirst for an unyielding thirst that finds nothing to relieve it?

…like [that of] those who abide eternally in the Fire and are given to drink scalding water that will sever their intestines 

( Muhammad 47:15) 

“Anyone who drinks intoxicants will be made to drink the mud of khabal. They asked, ‘O Messenger of God, what is the mud of khabal?’ He said, ‘The sweat of the people of Hell’ or the ‘juice of the people of Hell.’”

(Saheeh Muslim) 

Surely fasting is a reminder of many things. Hunger in this life is temporary yet for the offenders in Hell there is no end.

For them there will be no food except from a poisonous, thorny plant which neither nourishes nor avails against hunger. 

( Al-Ghashiya 88:6-7 ) 

Indeed, the tree of zaqqum is food for the sinful. Like murky oil, it boils within bellies like the boiling of scalding water. 
( Ad-Dukhan 44:43-46 ) 

There will be no pleasure in consuming this food and it will not end the feeling of hunger. Yet in the desperation of hunger the inhabitants of Hell will take from the only source of food they can find. Descriptions of the consumption of the puss of their own wounds are yet another thing that the desperate resort to in Hell. May we be grateful for even the most humble of food we have in this life.

Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses - We will drive them into a Fire. Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted in Might and Wise. 
( An-Nisa 4:56 ) 

The punishment of Allah for disbelief is without limits. And when they cry out for relief and mercy their cries go unacknowledged, just as they used to deny Allah in their lifetime. If by being Muslim we think we are safe from Hell we must be reminded of our role toward Allah, ourselves, and fellow mankind.

“A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and thrown into the Fire. Then his entrails will be spilled out into the Fire and he will be forced to walk around and around like a donkey in a treadmill. The people of Hell will gather around him and say, ‘O so-and-so, what is wrong with you? Did you not enjoin us to do good and forbid us to do wrong?’ He will say, ‘I used to order you to do good, but I did not do it and I used to forbid you to do evil, but I used to do it myself.’ Then he will walk around and around like a donkey in a treadmill.”
 (Saheeh Al-Bukhari and Muslim) 

For all the mercies of Allah available to us in this lifetime we should strive to appreciate them and recognize them where they can be found. Surely there are more mercies from Allah SWT that we are unaware of in this life than from what we acknowledge. Let us be mindful of His mercy so that we may avoid an existence where no such mercy can be found. Even in a perceived displeasure on earth, there is hidden mercy within it. Not so in Hell. Punishment in Hell is for its own sake. You do not garner blessings by enduring its pain with patience as with this life.

[Enter to] burn therein; then be patient or impatient - it is all the same for you. You are only being recompensed [for] what you used to do. 
(At-Tur 52:16) 

What a deeply desperate end when nothing but the mercy of Allah can save you from the torment that is Hell. That mercy is available now. Take advantage of it. Seek out knowledge and deeds to protect yourself from this fate. Ask Allah SWT for forgiveness, guidance, and mercy when you still have an audience with Him.

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please post in the comments section below! :)

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Muslimah And Her Health

By Yasmin Ahmed

Bismillah 

Wellness of the Body
Weakness, lethargy and constant tiredness is to be expected amongst the poverty stricken. However, when these symptoms are amongst the more affluent, we need to question what is going on.

In an article, I once read that ladies of South Asian origin thought tiredness was a part of normal, everyday life. They never questioned their lack of energy or visit the doctor for help, it was only when ladies became pregnant and went to the ante-natal clinics, anaemia was picked up, and tiredness was confessed.

Feeling tired after a hard day’s work is normal, but when feeling constant tiredness one has to question what is wrong. Our body is always speaking to us and thus we need to stop and listen to learn what our body is saying. The saying ‘prevention is better than cure’, rings more true than ever when it comes to our health. Tiredness could be the indication of a deep underlying problem such as anaemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME) etc. and therefore should not be taken lightly.

If you experience constant fatigue then book an appointment with the doctor, and at the same do a review on your health. Do you have healthy well balanced meals? There was a time it was recommended that we had three meals a day, but recently I have heard that six small meals might be more beneficial. Are you eating the meals you are cooking? I know of sisters who complain that once they have cooked a meal they do not feel like eating it and therefore eat something else, so their family might be getting a healthy meal whilst they themselves do not. If you are unsure of whether you have a balanced diet, then keep a diary of what you eat over two weeks, and analyse it by comparing it with a Healthy Food Pyramid [i] or The eat well plate [ii].

Taking proper care of ones health is considered by the Prophet Muhammad pbuh to be the right of the body. (Bukhari as-Sawm 55, an-Nikah 89, Muslim as-siyyam 183, 193, Nisai) [iii]

If you feel you are usually energetic and full of vitality, but tend to slow down more closer to the time of your monthly cycle, then it might be a good idea to take iron supplements or vitamins specially designed for this time, especially if your periods are heavy [iv] (please refer to a doctor before taking any vitamin supplements).

Water Intake
We are constantly being told to drink at least 2 litres of water per day. Water accounts for approximately 60% of our body weight, even a slight drop in our body’s water level can affect us. Fatigue is one of the first signs of dehydration, and therefore drinking plenty of water/fluids is another fatigue buster. Some people argue you can include beverages within your water intake (but do limit your intake), whilst the popular opinion is to drink 7-8 glasses of pure water. If you cannot drink plain water then why not add a squeeze of lemon juice or watered down fruit juice instead of sugary cordials, but you should try to get pure water in your body it will only benefit you.

(Make sure your children are drinking plenty of water as well. Schools in the UK encourage children to bring water bottles to school, so that when their concentration flags and sluggishness sets in they can drink their water to re-energise themselves).

If you have not been drinking the recommended water quota, and do decide to increase your water intake, you will notice that at first you need to go to the bathroom more often. However, you will very quickly learn the benefits of drinking water – having more energy and alertness, sparkly eyes, clear, plump and radiant skin, and within a few weeks your body will get used to the new water level and you will not need to go to the bathroom as often. Continuous hydration will also help to eliminate sunken eyes and dark circles under the eyes (another sign of dehydration!). Therefore drinking water is all good, good, good!

Exercise
Another tiredness zapper is exercise. You may not feel like putting on your ‘tracky bottoms’ and jogging round the block when you are tired, but you could don on your jubbah and go for a half hour brisk walk. It may feel like you really have to drag yourself to do this, but do it anyway. Very quickly you will find that you perk up and are actually glad you came out. After your stint of exercise you will definitely feel more energised and alert, and find that your mood improves with the release of endorphins and you can after all do that task that you have been putting off.

Wellbeing of the Mind
A healthy balanced meal, exercise, staying hydrated should all help to keep a cap on mood swings. However there are days when we feel more blue than normal and this again is your body asking for attention.

There may be many reasons for feeling blue, such as the time of the month, tiredness, lack of sleep, worry, anxiety, change of season etc. For these symptoms there are cures.

Abu Hurayrah narrates that The Prophet sal Allahu aleyhi wasallam said: 
“There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its remedy.” Bukhari 7.582 [v]

If up to, during or after the time of the month you feel blue, you may need vitamins and/or minerals. Magnesium [vi] and Potassium [vii] mineral supplements are beneficial [viii] (once again please seek advice of your GP before taking supplements). We hear about vitamins all the time, and do not seem to give as much attention to minerals, yet these are just as essential to our diets.

Sleep
Sleep is essential to our wellbeing, experts recommend 6 – 8 hours of sleep and the best way of achieving this is by developing a habit of going to bed at a fixed time and waking up at the same time every day. By getting sufficient sleep, our mood is actually better and we tend not to snap at others as much. So as well as ensuring our children are in bed on time, do this for yourself. It is well worth it.

Worry and Anxiety
Whilst on this planet we will always have problems, and as Muslims we know that, that as long as we are alive we will never be problem free, so the best way to deal with a problem is to assess the situation. A friend of mine has a rule – if she can change a situation she will, and if she cannot she leaves it in the hands of Allah subhaana wa ta'aala, and does not worry over it, which is an excellent attitude to take.

When feeling down try and analyse what is going on, has anything happened recently that has rocked your life? What is going on in your head? What are you saying to yourself? Are you making a mountain out of a mole hill? If something major has happened then it might be a good idea to see a counsellor.

If nothing major has happened or you cannot actually put a finger on what is going on start a journal (or diary) and write everything down, do not be afraid of keeping it neat and tidy and filling every page. Write what comes to your mind, you may want to write one day in big capital letters and other days in your normal handwriting, these will all be clues on how you are feeling. You may even want to write a letter to yourself. If you do not feel like writing then scribble, doodle, draw, paint, collage do whatever moves you, do not be afraid of that blank page just get stuck in.

You may learn that there are certain times in the day when you feel worse, and find out what is triggering off these emotions, it could be something as simple as hunger or thirst. You may also learn there are certain things that are going round in your head? For example every time you pass the mirror you may call yourself ‘ugly’, ‘fat’ etc. which is a real morale beater. If you do not value yourself, then why should others value you? Why should anybody be your best friend if you are not your own best friend? You need to argue with these thoughts and really bring them out into the open, is it really true that you are ugly? Has nobody ever complimented you? Or are you only taking in criticism and blanking out the compliments. An NLP technique is to turn the negative into a positive such as ‘you are ugly’ to ‘you are radiant’ and to repeat this often, this is called affirming. You will soon begin to believe it and the magical part is so will others and very soon you will be getting compliments on this. Tried and tested technique!

Sometimes we have things going round in our head like a record player, where no matter what, we do we cannot stop it, the more we try, the more it repeats itself and the more we spiral towards doom and gloom. Find something you enjoy listening to, or reciting and whenever you find this doom gloom record starts to play, start this reciting especially if you are doing nothing, or something mind numbingly boring. A favourite of mine is to recite a short Durood Sharif, which soon transports me back to the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam’s mosque in Madina. You will very quickly find that the record breaks, and those feelings no longer affect you.

References:
[i] http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/foodpyramid.htm
[ii] http://www.igd.com/index.asp?id=1&fid=1&sid=4&tid=46&cid=109
[iii] http://www.fiqh.org/2009/04/every-illness-has-a-cure-the-islamic-perspective/
[iv] A favourite of mine is Nelsons Spatone 100% Natural Iron Supplement for everyone over the age of 2
[v] http://www.fiqh.org/2009/04/every-illness-has-a-cure-the-islamic-perspective/
[vi] http://www.newtreatments.org/depression
[vii] http://www.karinya.com/minexcess.htm
[viii] A favourite is Magnesium OK by Wassen

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please post in the comments section below! :)

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The Story of Shaytaan, Aadam and Hawwa

By Hiba Khan

Bismillah 

Our beginning

“And surely, We created you (your father Aadam) and then gave you [human] shape. Then We told the angels, ‘Prostrate to Aadam’; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused to be of those who prostrate.

[Allaah] said, ‘What prevented you that you did not prostrate, when I commanded you?’ [Iblees] said: ‘I am better than him. You created me from fire, and You created him from clay.’

[Allaah] said: ‘Get down from this (Paradise); it is not for you to be arrogant here. So get out, for you are of those humiliated and disgraced.’

[Iblees] said: ‘Allow me respite till the Day they will be resurrected.’

[Allaah] said: ‘Indeed, you are of those allowed respite.’

[Iblees] said: ‘Because You have led me astray, I will surely sit in wait against them on Your straight path.

Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You].’

[Allaah] said, ‘Get out from this (Paradise), disgraced and expelled. Whoever follows you among them - I will surely fill Hell with you, all together.’

And ‘O Aadam! Dwell you and your wife in Paradise, and eat from wherever you wish, but do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers.’

Then Shaytaan whispered suggestions to them both in order to uncover that which was hidden from them of their private parts [before]; he said: ‘Your Lord did not forbid you this tree, except that you become angels or become of the immortals.’

And he swore [by Allaah] to them [saying]: ‘Indeed, I am one of the sincere well-wishers for you both.’

So he misled them with deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame (i.e. private parts) became manifest to them and they began to stick together the leaves of Paradise over themselves (in order to cover their shame). And their Lord called out to them [saying]: ‘Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you [that] indeed Shaytaan is to you an open enemy?’

They said: ‘O our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. And if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we shall certainly be among the losers.’

[Allaah] said: ‘Get down, some of you being enemies to others. On earth will be a dwelling-place for you and an enjoyment – for a time.’

He said: ‘Therein you shall live, and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be brought forth (i.e. resurrected).’”

[Soorat-ul-A’raaf 7: 11-25]

When a saint becomes a sinner…

First of all, it is said that Iblees used to be one of the most pious jinns – he would strive hard in worship, and since he was so upright, he moved around in the company of the noble angels who never disobeyed their Lord.

It is well-known that pride comes before a fall, and such was the case of Iblees.

Lessons learnt from this story

Allah has narrated this story in such a simple manner, and yet there are many profound lessons to be found when reflecting upon the characters’ actions and choices of words.

1. Arrogance – The cause of Iblees’s downfall

“‘I am better than him.’”

How many times have we said this, or thought this way when comparing ourselves to someone? This is the attitude of Iblees, the very words of Shaytaan!

On the surface, Iblees was justified in saying this. How? First of all, he had made a position for himself – he was very pious, did a lot of ’ibaadaat (worship), and hence he deserved to be treated accordingly. Also, the stuff he was made of – fire - was of far superior quality than clay (according to him, at least). So why in the world would he bow down to something that was just newly made, had no experience, no virtues to its credit, and was made of such lowly raw material?

The self-deception here is obvious, as Iblees was simply jealous - and that is because he was arrogant. And Allah wanted to expose this. The command to prostrate to Aadam was not that of worship, but it was more so of veneration, and to test who would obey.

Iblees’s problem was that he was solely depending on his intellect. Instead of focusing on the fact that it was Allah’s command, he chose to focus on Aadam (a.s.) – where he was coming from, what he was made of...

We need to ask ourselves – do we sometimes exhibit this trait of Shaytaan in our lives? Do we refuse to humbly accept the decree of Allaah when he gives someone who is apparently inferior, a superior position to us? Do we refuse to obey a command of Allaah, just because it refuses to gel with our intellect?

2. Blaming it all on Allaah – The attitude of ingratitude

“‘Because YOU have led me astray...’”

The truth is - Allah leads noone astray. But he who wants to go astray, Allah lets him. There’s no compulsion in Deen. Here Shaytaan is blaming none other than his own Creator for misguiding him! It was he who chose to disobey, and yet he is acting as if Allah compelled him to! This is the highest form of ingratitude, because he knew that Allah had guided him – until he chose to disobey.

We need to take a look at our behaviour – do we blame Allah for the sins that we do, claiming that it’s His will, and that if He wanted, we would be better guided?

3. Shaytaan is lying in ambush for us, ready to attack from all directions

“‘I will surely sit in wait against them on Your straight path.
Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You].’"

So, being a Muslim on the Straight Path does not mean Shaytaan won’t be able to reach us. No, he’s going to try even harder. A thief’s eyes are always most focused on where the treasure is.

Shaytaan has declared that he will most definitely attack us from:
- The front – by beautifying the dunyaa (worldly life) for us
- The back – by making us forget the aakhirah (hereafter)
- The right – by ruining our intentions when we do good deeds
- The left – by giving evil deeds beautiful names, making them seem fair and insignificant.

On a personal level, we need to identify which direction Shaytaan is attacking us the most from, and try to reform it.

But with the devil hounding us from all sides, we cannot help but feel defeated already. Fear not! Because Shaytaan forgot to mention two places – above and below!

How do we make use of this?

Allah’s Mercy descends on us from above, and so we must make du’aa; and below us is the ground we make sajdah (prostration) on, upon which we are closest to Him; the ideal opportunity to return to Allaah with a humble heart.

Still, Shaytaan doesn’t let it stop there. He works on our attitude. Remember the last part of what he said?“And You will not find most of them grateful [to You]."

We need to check ourselves. How often do we complain? And when we do, do we realize that we are letting Shaytaan succeed in his mission? Being ungrateful is a trait of Shaytaan, and in doing so we are only following his footsteps.

4. Shaytaan promises us nothing but lies

“And he swore [by Allah] to them [saying]: ‘Indeed, I am one of the sincere well-wishers for you both.’
So he misled them with deception...”

Whenever we choose Dunyaa over Deen, or sin over righteousness, it’s because Shaytaan has convinced us that we’re doing the right thing. He promises us that there will be no loss if we obey him - only gain. He tells us that it’s necessary to earn a haraam income if we want to earn a respectable living. He tells us we don’t need to wear the hijaab, or else we’ll look like losers and may not even get marriage proposals. He tells us to lie and cheat, because that’s the only way anyone can get anywhere in the world. How sincere and well-wishing he is - always thinking for our benefit!

But it’s nothing but lies; this so-called success in this world, will only lead to failure in the hereafter.

We need to look inside ourselves - do we inadvertently take Shaytaan as an advisor rather than an enemy?

5. To err is human – forgiveness is possible

“They said: ‘O our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. And if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we shall certainly be among the losers.’”

And Allah forgave them.

Everyone slips. No human is free of sin, free of falling into Shaytaan’s traps. But to realize and accept one’s mistake humbly, and to repent to Allah, is what earns Allah’s Mercy.

This beautiful du’aa of Aadam and Hawwa (a.s.) is the eptiome of humility, fear (of Allaah’s punishment) and hope (of Allaah’s Mercy and Forgiveness). This is the balance we must strive to strike.

In a nutshell:

Shaytaan is “humiliated and disgraced” till the Day of Resurrection. Why? Because 1) he was arrogant, 2) he didn’t accept his fault, and 3) he didn't seek forgiveness.

What do we do when we sin? Do we defiantly persist in disobedience? Or do we humble ourselves soon thereafter and turn to Allaah for forgiveness?

What character are you?

While reflecting on these lessons, which attitude do you find resembling your own the most - that of Shaytaan, or that of Aadam and Hawwa (a.s.)?

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please post in the comments section below! :)

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The Educated Muslimah

By Sabeen Mansoori 

Bismillah 

A Muslimah is not an ordinary woman. Her status cannot be understood in this world but will become apparent in the Hereafter. When she is returned to her Lord, she finds that He is pleased with her and to her is granted the honor of drinking from the fountain of Kauthar. When others are turned away for their innovations and disobedience, the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam smiles and welcomes her. The hellfire dare not scorch her with its threatening glare and the scent of Paradise still exudes from the grave that she has risen from. For her the Day of Judgment will not feel long and strenuous nor will the journey over the Siraat be filled with terror. While those that dazzled others in this life will be in darkness, she will have light and safety across the Sirat. She must have had an extraordinary journey in the previous life. What skills did she learn? What kind of an education did she receive that equipped her to succeed through all the challenges so that she is granted the fast pass to Jannah?

Education is a very subjective concept. How do you measure if someone is educated? Imagine for a moment that ‘Education’ could be placed in a carton or a can and you could turn it over and read the ingredients. What do you think you would find? Would the list of ingredients look like a copy of your transcript from school? Is the dry, incomplete knowledge of the mechanics of the Universe really education? In the true Islamic sense the ingredients of ‘education’ include the following:

· Ta'līm, from the root 'alima (to know, to be aware, to perceive, to learn)
· Tarbiyah, from the root raba (to increase, to grow, to rear) and
· Ta'dīb, from the root aduba (to be cultured, refined, well-mannered)

Today if you receive ta’alim (acquiring knowledge) alone it is considered education. The Quran invites the believers to study the universe and the signs within their own selves. We are invited to study the fabric of society and the history of past nations. We are commanded to seek the bounty of Allah subhaana wa ta'aala by engaging in business. If we analyze these exhortations, hardly any field of study is left out from the list. Other people also study the same curriculums, what then is the difference when a Muslim woman studies them?

Like a flower rooted in the soil of faith and the love of Allah, she has as her role models Ayesha and Asiya and when she sets out on the path to acquire knowledge she does it with the intention to please Allah and serve His creation. About Hazrat Ayesha it is said by the faqih of the Muslims, `Urwah ibn al-Zubayr, who was quoted by his son Hisham as saying: "I have never seen anybody more knowledgeable in fiqh or medicine or poetry than `A'ishah."

The promise of Allah is:

“And their Lord responded to them, "Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another…” ('Āli`Imrān 3:195)

And Allah (swt) never fails in His promises. Knowledge acquired with this intention is one of the petals in this flower from Paradise.

But did the Muslimah make it to Jannah because of her degree or her GPA? Were the people sorted on the Day of Judgment by their education levels or were they sorted by their levels of piety? She got graded as acceptable for entry to Paradise because of the tarbiyyat (training) she received and the adab (etiquette/manners) she learned.

From her elders and from the guidance of her deen she developed a likeable, pleasant personality. She was respectful to her elders and loving to those younger than her. Because the path to Paradise is beset with difficulties she learned with experience to develop sabr (patience) and perseverance. She knew when to bite her tongue and stay silent. Sabr is one of the petals in this flower of Paradise. Another petal is ‘haya’ (shyness from displeasing Allah). The Muslimah had ‘haya’ and she maintained dignity in her demeanor and speech. She was also faithful to the rituals of the deen and regular in her salah, charity and fasting. She understood the importance of establishing and maintaining relations with family and friends and aspired to forgive others hoping for the forgiveness of the Most Merciful.

A Muslim woman can be very ‘educated’ but have no etiquette or empathy in her heart. In a simpler age if someone behaved in an impolite manner or used profanity they would be labeled ‘Jahil’ (illiterate or ignorant.) In present times the corridors of the institutions of higher learning echo with the curse words that it has become fashionable to use.

The Sahabiyaat fulfilled the rights of their families: cooking, cleaning while guiding and nurturing those under their care. They were productive members of the community that they lived in: teaching, working, and giving in charity. They actively participated in the mosque life of the Prophet "sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam" from the very inception. When the prayer direction was changed from Jerusalem to Mecca the men and women had to change places. (Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih Bukhari) They were on the battle field tending to the wounded, bringing water and in dire circumstances actually participating in combat.

Another petal in the flower is that of hikmah (wisdom). Hikmah is simply to put things where they belong. The opposite is zulm (oppression) which is to put things where they do not belong. This is the key to a successfully educated Muslimah.

“He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.” (Sura Al Baqarah 2:269)

She put her talents to use as and when the situation demands. Balancing and prioritizing her role as a slave of Allah, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a wife, a student, an activist and a friend. The entire weight of her talents and time should not be solely devoted to building a career.

Last, but not least of course is ‘husn’ (beauty) but in Islam even beauty is not just skin deep. The word ‘husn’ is from the same root as the word ‘ihsaan’ (excellence) which was explained by our beloved Prophet "sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam" in the famous hadith, 'That you worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him then He sees you.' (Sahih Bukhari) The characteristic of ‘ihsaan’ is the fragrance of this flower of Paradise. Every effort of the Muslimah to acquire knowledge and implement it in her life is characterized by perfection or at least an aspiration for it.

Where, you might ask, can one find a Muslimah like the one described? Most have their petals bruised by the trials of this life and are wilted by the tests of time. So this flower is then returned to its rightful home because that is where it truly belongs. The world was not worthy of her anyway.

References:
1. http://quran.com/
2. The Concept of Education in Islam http://mef-ca.org/files/attas-text-final.pdf
3. The Ideal Muslimah http://www.kalamullah.com/Books/The%20Ideal%20Muslimah.pdf
4. The Jibril Hadith Explained-Essentials of Islam, Eman and Ihsaan http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=7&ID=879&CATE=1
5. Islam - History of Islamic Education, Aims and Objectives of Islamic Education
Islam - History of Islamic Education, Aims and Objectives of Islamic Education - Religious, Knowledge, Koran, and Spiritual - StateUniversity.com http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2133/Islam.html#ixzz1lcKJpGdt

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please post in the comments section below! :)

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Poem: Interested In A Loan?

By Sabeen Mansoori

Loan Allah a Loan. 

He asked for it. 

He promised to give it back, 

Multiplied many times over. 

Give a date stone, 

And get a mountain. 

But it must be pure. 

Pure intention, 

Pure wealth 

Pure of arrogance, 

Given solely for His sake. 

Given and forgotten. 

Not followed up by grievous reminders. 

But we are stingy, 

With our wealth, 

Tight-fisted. 

We are impatient. 

We want our stuff now. 

We are boring. 

Too weary to be creative. 

Disorganized… 

Never having enough time. 

Neither time, nor wealth, nor talent can we spare. 

Even a smile is charity. 

Sometimes we sink so low in our selfishness. 

That we cannot even loan Allah a smile.

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Islam - Well Of Knowledge

By Makgotso Hlabana

Bismillah 

My parents and their generation are the biggest inspiration to me. Both my parents lived in an era in which being black meant that you could not get a proper education. They were not deterred. Both my parents got their degrees in their respective fields and excelled in it. With this type of legacy I was urged to further my education. And as I studied the history of my people I realised that this was something that had been passed on - knowledge. Africa was the hub of knowledge. Timbuktu was the centre of education where everyone from everywhere came to learn and be educated.

“There are many judges, doctors and clerics here, all receiving good salaries from King Askia Mohammed of the State of Songhay. He pays great respect to men of learning. There is a great demand for books, and more profit is made from the trade in books than from any other line of business.” – Dr Molefi Asante

Timbuktu, a town in Mali, became the learning hub of Islamic knowledge. It had 3 universities and 180 Quranic schools. Imparting knowledge in an era where the institution such as a university was not known. Islam had made its way to Africa through some of the sahabas of Prophet Muhammed sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam arrived in Ethiopia. Fast forward to the 13th century and Mali was the leader in Islamic knowledge.

"Whoever follows a path to seek knowledge, Allah will make easy for him the path to Paradise. The angels beat their wings in approval of the seeker of knowledge, and those who are in the heavens scholar over the worshipper is like the superiority of the moon over all other heavenly bodies. The scholars are the heirs of the Prophets, for the Prophets did not leave behind dinars or dirhams, rather they left behind knowledge, so whoever gains knowledge has gained great good fortune.'" Narrated by al-Tirmidhi 

This hadith shows the status of education in Islam. Islam is a religion where seeking knowledge is encouraged regardless of gender, class and even race. Islam does not discriminate. In the media it has been said that women are not allowed to study but in fact Islam encourages and makes it obligatory amongst all believers whether male or female to go out and seek knowledge. And in the times before women scholars were many and many hadith were narrated by women. Women such as Aisha radhi Allahu anha who was the greatest narrator of the sayings and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam are proof that we, as women, are responsible to find, learn and benefit mankind through education. A mother is the first madrasah for the child and therefore should be educated enough to instil ethics and morals that represent Islam.

They call our age that of information yet we have actually lost most of our knowledge. The growth of technology has led to a form of laziness where we expect everything to be handed to us. We expect the media to inform us with truth and we expect our education system to impart knowledge on our children. But this has led to a society of children who are not guided properly. Children today are told that if you “blow up” like Justin Bieber, you are set for life and don’t need to be educated. You have rappers also advocating that the school system is not good. So when a child is left to watch the television and be influenced by such people, it is no wonder there are fewer scholars today and the numbers keep going down.

The Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: "The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim." - Al-Tirmidhi

Knowledge is the fundamental of any society and it is no different in Islam. Islam has placed high emphasis on education because only through the education and seeking knowledge will one actually seek truth and discover Allah. Who would have thought that a man from Arabia - a simple man - could change the world? The first word that was uttered to Muhammed sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was “iqra!” meaning “read”. This shows us that Islam is not just a religion of following and no direction. In fact, it is important for every Muslim to understand what Islam is about. This means that man is urged to go out and seek knowledge through the sciences and in that the person will find Allah.

As Muslims we need to remember the benefits of seeking knowledge in this life and in the akhira. May Allah make it easy on all of us. May Allah increase us in knowledge and understanding and may we have generations of Muslims that are a benefit to fellow men. Amin.

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please post in the comments section below! :)

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Al Ubudiyyah - Being A True Slave of Allah

By Farheen Naaz

Bismillah 

Being a true slave of Allah should be the ultimate goal of each Muslim individual on this planet. What we see in today’s world is people being enslaved knowingly or unknowingly to different aspects of the duniya. We become so engrossed in following our dreams, whims and fancies that we forget the purpose of our being, the very reason of our existence and the role we serve as to our Lord.

Let us question and ask ourselves if we are really enslaved by Allah or merely by the creation of Allah. If your answer is that you’re not entirely sure about enslavement to other things but you do love Allah, then read on. Here is a short know-how on the types of love a heart can possess in itself.

According to Shaykh Ibn Taymiyah, the lowest degree of love which one can experience is ‘alaqah or attachment. An individual experiences ‘alaqah when it feels attached to someone or something. One might feel like they can’t live without that person or thing. The next type of love one feels is called the sabahah or infatuation, during which one pours out the heart and starts crossing boundaries. After that comes gharama or passion, during which the love stations itself in the heart and refuses to part. And after that comes the ardent love known as ashaq. Finally,comes the stage of experiencing the highest degree of love, tatayyum or total enthrallment. Enthrallment by someone or something implies enslavement to that love in all aspects and terms.

Now judge yourself and ask which stage of love are you in and for whom/what? Is it for Allah the Almighty or is it for one of His creations?

We can rightly say that love of the highest degree for anything except Allah is nothing but corrupt, false and fake love. In the following verse from Surah Al Tawbah, Allâh says:

Say, [O Muhammad], “If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.” [Sûrah Al Tawbah 9: 24] 

The love which we have for our brethren shouldn't surpass the love and obedience we have for Allah azzawajal. Whatever love we have towards someone or something, it should be for the sake of Allah and whatever hatred we have towards someone or something, it should be for the sake of Allah.

It is more important for us to gain Allah’s pleasure rather than the pleasure of His creation. It is evident from the following verse from Surah Al Tawbah:

But Allah and His Messengers are more worthy for them to satisfy, of they should be believers … [Sûrah Al Tawbah 9: 62] 

The highest form of love, total enthrallment is associated with complete obedience, faith and trust which can befit the one and only Lord, the Lord of the universe, Allah azzawajal.

With such a kind of love comes sufficiency and inner peace. And Allah says to us in Surah Al Anfal :

O Prophet! Allâh is sufficient for you and for the believers who follow you. [Sûrah Al Anfal 8: 64] 

Being a true slave of Allah isn’t an easy task with shaitaan constantly trying to lure us into disobeying Him. But, if the love we have for Allah surpasses the love we have for anything else in this world, then it’s not difficult to crush shaitaan’s will and dominate them with our own halal ones.

Let us all take up the project of clearing our hearts from the fake love and instilling Allah’s rightful love in our hearts. Let us all start working for our own progress and relieve ourselves from the burden of fake love.

Shaykh Ibn Taymiyah has rightly said that the heart cannot be sound, or succeed, or find joy, or be happy, or feel pleasure, or be good, or be at peace, or find tranquility, except by worshiping its lord, loving Him and returning to Him. After all,

"Indeed we belong to Allah and indeed to Him we will return." [Sûrah Al Baqarah: Ayah 156] 

References:
· http://www.sunnahonline.com/
· www.quran.com.

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please post in the comments section below! :)

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Lessons In Patience From Verses Of The Quran

By Abeer S

Bismillah 

If I ask you to define patience, what answer will come to your mind?

"To bear", "to endure" is the dictionary’s definition of patience. And perhaps this is the only form of patience that we are familiar with. However, this is not the Quranic definition of patience. The Quran does not suggest that in order to observe patience we must withstand any difficulty whilst holding our heads up high. This is the non-Quranic definition of patience; this idea sees patience as utterly futile in places where no benefit can be derived from simply bearing and enduring. The Quranic understanding of patience is quite different and quite deep.

As Muslims, it is part of our creed to believe that whatever happens – good or bad – has been decreed by Allah, whether we understand the wisdom behind it or not. And so, before anything else, patience in Islam is a command of Allah that must be observed in face of whatever befalls us, thus we can neither exhaust it nor lose it.

And for this reason, patience is not simply a moral characteristic that burdens a faithful believer but rather it is an act of worship that the believer accepts whole heartedly and with joy – all the while praising Allah the most exalted: “Alhamdulillah ‘ala kulli hal” (Praise be to Allah for everything).

Patience is an obligation upon Muslims, and in Islam we’ve never been instructed to do something without receiving a description of how it is done. And thus, even if patience is difficult; it is not impossible.

(Through out the following piece, when I refer to patience I am referring to the Quranic version: Sabr)

Patience is of two types:

1. Patience in remaining firm upon our faith, continuing to perform acts of worship dutifully and refraining from haram – in times of difficulty and ease.

2. Patience in face of hardships and tests.

The first type of patience is perhaps what we face every day;

· Getting up in the cold to perform fajr
· Fasting in the intense heat
· Continuing to wear Hijab even if our society opposes it
· Persisting in Dawah even we are mocked and shunned
· Staying away from Music
· Lowering our gaze from looking at that which is forbidden

“And those who are patient, seeking the countenance of their Lord, and establish prayer and spend from what We have provided for them secretly and publicly and prevent evil with good - those will have the good consequence of [this] home”  (Ar-Rad 13:22)

Human beings are creatures motivated by reward, and the Creator with Whom all knowledge resides, acknowledges that. And thus we are comforted with the true promise of an eternal abode in the heaven, if we are to observe patience, continue our acts of worship and refrain from Haram

In the Quran, Allah also comforts us when it becomes hard to remain steadfast, when societal pressure reaches boiling point, He says: And be patient over what they say and avoid them with gracious avoidance. (Al-Muzzammil 73:10) 

And what better comfort does a Muslim have than the comfort of Allah and His promise of rewards that are to come?

The second type of patience is to observe patience with the trials and tests - limited to this life.

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. (Al-Baqarah 2:155)

Patience has been given a great deal of importance in the Quran and it has been highlighted again and again, thus indicating that it is a huge aspect in Islam. Ibn Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) says in his book (Addat Assabireen wa Dhakirat Ashakireen): “Faith is two halves; patience and gratitude”.

And Allah tests our faith, as He has tested the faith of many before us; and these tests are only so that He may reward us justly in the hereafter.

Perhaps a little reminder is due at this point: patience is not simply bearing and remembering Allah during calamities. It is also remembering Allah and remaining persistent during times of ease. Allah subhaana wa ta'aala says in the Quran that He answered the call of Yunus (as) when he was stuck in the stomach of the whale because Yunus remembered Allah during times of ease. However, Allah is the All Hearer and He will accept our supplication whether we are practising Muslims our not, but these verses in the Quran are a reminder – and we should be wise enough to take heed of them.

And similarly, the story of Ayyub (as); the story of Ayyub is special, it is not of his message and of his people and how they transgressed – like the story of other messengers, but his story which is mentioned twice in the Quran is the story of his patience. And his patience was so beautiful that it alone deserved a mention in the Quran. To outline the story: he was dutiful, patient and gracious to his Lord during times of ease and he was dutiful, patient and gracious during his period of difficulty – and his Lord was true to His promise, and after his difficulty prophet Ayyub found ease.

That is beautiful patience.

But for us, as laymen, how do we attain this patience?

Imam Ibn Qayyim outlines two elements to observing patience:

1. Knowledge
2. Action

And these two elements initiate the physical and spiritual uplifting that a believer sees upon remaining patient.

Knowledge; a key to understanding ‘why’ we need to observe patience and comprehend our reward in this life and in the next for observing patience and all of this strengthens our resilience in remaining steadfast and not giving in. Knowledge creates a greater awareness of Allah and it was narrated in a Hadith that it is the people of knowledge who truly fear Allah like He should be feared, and thus they are more steadfast.

The second element of patience is action. Patience in some instances is a constant battle between motives of reason and religion to overcome whims and desires.

If you want reason and religion to overcome whims and desires then you have to strengthen the former to weaken the latter.

Thus we need to act in accordance to Islam

And the precautionary remedies for this are the age old ones mentioned time and again – because of their effectiveness:

- Reciting the Quran, whilst pondering over its meanings, and applying what we take away from it.
- Dhikr; remembrance of Allah.
- Learning religion, whether you take a fundamentals of Islam class, a tafseer class or simply attend a Halaqah: all of these give one knowledge which in turn leads to spiritual upliftment.
- Sincere supplication to the King of the universe.
- Surrounding yourselves with righteous people.

Most people who complain that the above remedies have been ineffective are simply not doing them dedicatedly or are insincere when asking Allah – Ask alone with assurance that He will reply, because He will.

And finally, remember, you may be asking Allah for something for two years, but there might be someone who has been asking Allah for four. I recall reading a comment by scholar who said that he has been making the same dua for more than twenty years, yet he has not given up hope and neither has he stopped (because he knows very well that Allah will answer, whether it is by giving him what he wants OR by giving him something better).

The difficulty you may be in or the barrier we may be facing is going to last as long as He wants. And He does not want to hurt us but rather He has created us to show us mercy and always remember that He loves His slaves who turn to Him and ask Him. Even if it seems that the world has closed in on you, He will still be there, always, when you turn to Him, subhaana wa ta'aala.

And this is what the idea of patience is about, acknowledging this and implementing it.

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please post in the comments section below! :)

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Islam and the Purpose of Travel

By Nida Rashid

Bismillah 

The religion of Islam is a complete religion. It is a way of life. No aspect of life has been ignored. Some things may seem trivial, but our religion covers everything big and small.

For some, travelling may be a major part of their lives, while for others; it could be very uncommon, done only for Hajj. Whatever the case, it is important to know what our Lord says about travelling. Of course, there are rules and guidelines when it comes to travelling, but this article is not about those rules. We want to know what Allah says about travelling and for what purposes we can travel.

If one analyzes the passages of the Quran that talk about the traveler, one will realize that it is not something done just for fun. Usually there is an important purpose for the journey. It is not likely that a person will get on a plane, and not know where their destination is, or why they are going. Travelling is regarded as tiresome and inconvenient, and that is why Allah has made a few mandatory acts in Islam such as the prayer or fasting, easier for us when we are on a journey.

For example, the main act of worship in Islam is the Salaah. Allah says in Surah Nisa, And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer… (Surah An-Nisa 4:101) 

Of course, in the time of the prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, one journey could take several months. Travelling in the dessert, on camels, carrying one’s own luggage, was not an easy task. Although today travelling has become much easier, Allah has given us this timeless ease that we can implement today.

The Purpose of Travelling:
The Quran and sunnah mention 5 noble reasons a Muslim should travel for.

1. To perform acts of worship: Hajj and Umrah.

And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah. (Surah Al-Baqara 2:96)

2. To seek knowledge. It has been an Islamic tradition for scholars to go out and seek knowledge. Some early scholars travelled miles just to attain one hadith of the prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

3. To learn lessons and be reminded of Allah.

“Say (O Muhammad): Travel in the land and see what was the end of those who rejected truth” (Surah Al- An'am 6:11)

There are people who study ruins of nations that Allah has punished to be reminded and reflect upon their own lives. Allah says many times that people before us were physically stronger, rich, and apparently had happy lives, but were destroyed by Allah for their disobedience. It is Allah’s mercy on us that we are punished for every single time we do a sin, but rather we have a chance to repent. We should not forget that indeed Allah is able to do all things.

4. To spread the message of Islam. During the prophet’s sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam time, he sent out messengers to different countries to invite others to Islam. The seerah of the prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam tells us that he sent invitations to the emperor of Rome, and the king of Abyssinia. Delivering these messages meant a person had to travel many miles. Today, Muslims exist in almost all parts of the world. From the center of the earth, the ripples of Islam have touched the entire earth, due to the efforts of travelers. Such a beautiful religion, that gives a person purpose and contentment should definitely be spread, and travelling for this reason is definitely encouraged in Islam.

5. To appreciate the beauty of Allah’s creation. Subhan Allah, when one looks and observes the world around, one realizes the perfection it has all been created with. Ever ponder on the flowing river, a falling leaf, or a simple ant that can carry ten times its own weight. There are thousands of living organisms that are part of the ecosystem, each playing an important role. How can one reject the existence of a God when the world around us is proof of a Perfect Lord? To take a step back, and reflect on the creation of Allah definitely increases one’s eemaan, and benefits them to be stronger in their acts of worship.

“Say: Travel in the land and see how (Allah) originated the creation, and then Allah will bring forth the creation of the Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death). Verily, Allah is Able to do all things” (Surah Ankaboot 29:30)

Every action in a Muslim’s life should have a purpose. Ask yourself before any action if Allah is pleased with it. When it comes to travelling, there are many trips people taken that waste money, time, and effort. Keep in mind that if the travelling is done for the sake of Allah, then it is never a waste. Even visiting family can be turned into an act of worship. Let Allah’s religion, be the main intention behind all your actions.

Sources: 

http://quran.com/
Travel and tourism (siyaahah) in Islam – rulings and types – Shaikh Saleh al Munnajid

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please post in the comments section below! :)

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Advicing Haraam Police: The Etiquette of Advising Others

By Yasmin Raja

Bismillah

One thing that really gets to me is Muslims, mentally bashing, other Muslims. This is, in particular, directed to those Muslims, especially Muslimahs who, all guns loaded, are ready to shoot at another Muslimahs, if they are to do something that is 'contrary' to Islamic beliefs and values. 

I don't understand why people automatically assume they will not get judged for written words, surely a written word is like a word said.

I have experienced many Muslims adopting a 'holier than thou' attitude, when another muslim man or woman decides to make a decision, in regards to faith, or how they practice their Deen. There always seems to be that 'group' of individuals, who believe they are the 'chosen ones' and live in a false pretense that their Daw'ah methods will guarantee them heaven and everyone else who puts a foot wrong is destined for hell. Otherwise known as the 'haram police'. Many Muslims, are subjected to written abuse, which can be extremely hurtful and also lead a person away from Islam.

Its so important to go back to the basics, the basics which have been set out in the Holy Qur'an that, no person, can be compelled to accept Islam;

“Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things.” (Al-Baqarah 2:256)

Keeping this in mind, Allah swt also says;

“If it had been your Lord’s will, all of the people on Earth would have believed. Would you then compel the people so to have them believe?” (Yunus 10:99)

So, therefore I just wanted to quickly say, that logically thinking and a message to those Muslims that accept that we cannot argue with Allahs words, this is in the Holy Quran, so as to say 'set in stone' and just think for a moment that if Allah swt wanted us to be all perfectly practising muslims he would say 'Be' and it would be.

We cannot question Allah's knowledge. And let this not be an excuse to purposely wander off the right path and call it 'fate' as intentions cannot be hidden from Allah swt. But as an intelligent person, we Muslims should strive to better ourselves everyday and continue to make Dua and Tauba (ask for forgiveness)

The Prophet sal Allahu aleyhi wasallam said: "Whoever guides someone towards good, will receive the reward of the one who acts upon it." [Muslim]

If an individual decides to wear hijab or not wear hijab or decides to pray a certain way or not pray, words of advice should be given, those that kindly mention that to what is correct (not necessarily their opinions but what is says in the Quran and relevant Hadith). No additional footnotes or commentary that mentally bullies them and tells them they are a 'bad example for the whole of Muslims' or an 'insult to Islam'. And yes there are some worse than that I have read. That, of course is clearly unacceptable and such advice enters the spectrum of HATE and belittling people with cowardly intimidating attempts, are not a good reflection of what Islam preaches. Remember, Allah knows you're intention and if it is not to give Daw'ah - to help an individual stay on the right path - think again, for you cannot hide you're true intention from Allah swt.

Islam preaches positivity, as positivity breeds logic and awareness, which helps an individual find sense and morality and ultimately the Truth. Which these haram police, quite clearly know, is Islam. So being a brassy hypocrite and driving people away from the truth is not the right way and I hope their excuse isn't Daw'ah.

This does not mean however, out of fear of being merely discourteous to a person, one should not give Daw'ah at all. They should adapt a proper way. Here are some guidelines I have read from Islamweb.net that offer tips on how Daw'ah should be offered.

General tips for Da'wah

• The best Da'wah is to be a good example because people can see this without you having to talk to them. You should be a good example all the time, not just when doing Da'wah.
• Don't be a hypocrite and not follow what you preach. For example:  how would it look if you tell people that Muslims can't drink alcohol and then they see you drinking.
• Smell good
• Don't act like you're better than the person or people you are giving Da'wah to.
• Don't insult the person or their religion.
• Don't tell them that they are wrong and you are right and that they are going to hell. But you have to be clear that the religion of the truth is the religion of Islam, and Allah doesn’t accept any other religions. And if a person dies in a state other than being a Muslim, he will be in the Hell Fire. This can be done in a wise way.
• Don't get too deep in a subject you don't know much about, because if they have questions, you won't have answers.
• Use common sense to explain Islam because much of Islamic ethics and rules are based on common sense and most people can relate to common sense.
• Dress according to the Sunnah, since the Sunnah of the Prophet sal Allahu aleyhi wasallam has so much blessings in it, and do not imitate the disbeliever.

Remember I am not stating I am perfect in giving Daw'ah, but it hurts to see some individuals take it to the next level of hate and what appears to be jealousy and forget the real purpose of what conveying a proper message is meant to be.

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please post in the comments section below! :)

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Budgeting 101 - Learn How To Save Your Money

By Umm Husam

Bismillah 

Budgeting 101 is now in session. A budget is a plan of operation in relation to your money. Here are a few steps that can help you with your budgeting endeavors.

1. With the next few years in mind, write a list of needs and want. It is good to know what you HAVE to do, like paying your mortgage/rent, paying credit card debt or any debt, saving, etc. You should also have an idea of things you want like your next new phone or furniture. Once prioritized, you can move on to the next step.

2. Make paying off debt your number 1 priority. If you are one of the lucky ones who are debt free, you can skip step 2. Sadly many of us are in debt for various reasons such as school, life, health, etc.

3. Figure out how much of your income goes towards each of your responsibilities. Most financial experts say you should spend no more than 33% of your household income on you home/rent. There are plenty of cool free sites that help you organize yourself. My favorite is mint.com which shows you exactly how much of your income goes towards each of your bills. It also helps you make a plan for saving and getting out of debt. Mint has applications for your phone and apple products, making it possible to access your money situation no matter where you are.

4. You need to save. Period. If you plan ahead for things, like buying a house, car, and/or children going to college, it won’t hit you as hard when it is time to pay. Financial experts tell you that you should have enough money to live comfortably for 6 months if you were to lose your job today. Also, when you have money in case of emergencies, it will prevent you from falling in debt if something were to happen in the future. Just as a friendly reminder, any untouched money for a year will require that zakat be paid on it. This brings us to step 5.

5. Whenever possible, pay cash. The biggest problem with credit cards and even checks is that you don’t feel that you are really spending money. When you have cash in hand, you think twice before giving it up.

Inshallah if you implement these 5 steps in your life, you will be well on your way to tame your budgeting woes. Wishing you success in managing your money.

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please post in the comments section below! :)

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Reflecting On Assimilation And Islam

by Jenn Fawzy

The act of women covering their hair is nothing new for Muslims, but for others it seems very unusual. Head covering is not just limited to Muslims; in fact, Catholic Nuns wear a garment called the Habit which includes a veil like headpiece. Nuns are respected for keeping their modesty and chastity as it coincides with the Catholic faith. Images of the Virgin Mary adorn church walls with her wearing a long veil on her head and she is often depicted wearing a long flowing dress. These images are accepted in society as part of being pious, feminine, and respectable. Why is it then, that when a Muslim woman wears the hijab, she is called oppressed? Why does head covering seem to create a stir when worn by Muslim women, but appreciated when worn by Catholic women?

Cultural unfamiliarity plays a part when it comes to the negative images that have been used against Islam and Muslims. As Muslims, our faith is a huge part of our lifestyle. Generally, we do not partake in actions that are considered sinful. Many Westerners accuse Muslims of not assimilating in the countries that they live in. First, what do we consider assimilation? How does assimilation affect our faith?

I watched a video online recently, and there was a gentleman who starred in the film. He began to talk about why he thought Muslims and Islam were a ‘threat’ to the American people. “If Muslims are good and everything, why don’t I see them out in regular places?” He said. “I never see them at discos, baseball games, or night clubs. Something bad must be going on with them.” This statement stuck with me. You see, part of the reason that we are not at discos, or nightclubs is because it goes against our religion. These places usually have or sell alcohol-which is against Islam-so why would you find Muslims there? Why would you find us blatantly disobeying our Lord? We adhere to our religion; it does not adhere to us.

Assimilation should not mean that you lose your identity just because you move to another city or country. Sure, you should learn the language of that place as well as the laws there, but you should not have to surrender your religion and your cultural identity for the sake of relocating. Most Muslims continue to hold steadfast to Islam, especially when living in a society that is comprised of mostly non-Muslims. Islam gives us strength and hope; it fosters a deep connection to God within us. Does fitting in with society mean more to us than obeying God?

Non-Muslims do not see any “fun” in abstaining from alcohol, pork, premarital sex and immodesty. Many of them simply don’t want to be restricted. Making 5 daily prayers is just too much for their busy lifestyle, after all, they have to be successful at work and make all the money that they can. They cannot understand that our boundaries serve a great purpose. Muslims are supposed to stand out. We are supposed to be different. There is nothing oppressive or archaic about our faith. Islam has withstood the test of time because we live by the Truth, and in the society that we live in, the truth has been distorted and made to seem like it is oppression. Personally, anything that separates me from God is oppression. Islam made me free.

As always, it is my prayer that you gain something from this piece. I pray that you have encouragement to be steadfast in your worship to God, despite what anyone else thinks. May Peace be upon you.

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please comment below and let me know :)

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