as salam alykom


I received this message on an email from Radiyah, although Lifutushi already posted something similar. I still feel it was good to post it.


May Allah accept


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<b>How to Receive and Invest Ramadan
</b>


Praise be to Allah and peace and prayer be upon the most honorable Prophet Mohamed, his household and companions:


This message addresses every Muslim who enjoys good health and is about to receive Ramadan aiming to remind all of u to use the blessed month for the obedience of Allah.


<b>How do we receive Ramadan?</b>


A Muslim must seize golden opportunities of special seasons in order to be among those who compete and attain progressed positions as Allah Described "and for this let (all) those strive who want to strive (i.e. hasten earnestly to the obedience of Allah)."(Quran 83:26)


Brothers and sisters try to receive Ramadan in the following proper manner:


1. Make dua that Allah Allows you to attend Ramadan in a perfect health, which would help you be active enough in worshiping Allah including fasting, qiyamul lail (night prayer) and making dhikr (remembrance of Allah). Narrated under the authority of Anas Ibn Malik may Allah be pleased with him that he said when Rajab came in, the Prophet (SAW) said: Allahum bless for us Rajab and Sha`ban and allow us to attend Ramadan" ( <b>Reported by Ahmed and Tabarani).
</b>


The righteous predecessors used to supplicate to Allah that they would be available when Ramadan comes in. Then they also invoked upon Allah that Allah Accepts from them their deeds during the month.


As soon as the crescent is proved to be seen make dua and say:" Allah u Akbar, Allahum ahelhuh a`lyna belamn waleman wasalama walislam wattawfeek lema tuheb wa tarda Rubia wa Rubuka Allah) reported by Termidhi.


It translates as: COLOR]2. Praise and gratefulness for being available during Ramadan: Naway may Allah bestow mercy on him stated in the supplication book (It is recommended for one who is advantaged to experience the recurrence of a blessing or the deterrence of an evil to prostrate to Allah in gratitude or Praise Allah in the manner He deserves).


One of the major blessings of Allah on the devotee is to be guided for obedience, good deeds and worship. Just being in good health when Ramadan comes in is a major blessing that deserves gratitude and Praise of Allah Who Granted it. Praise be to Allah, abundant praise that is adequate to His Graciousness.


3. Joy and happiness. It was proved after the Messenger Salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam that he used to inform his companions with the advent of Ramadan in the manner of bringing good news. He used to say:” Here came to you the month of Ramadan, the month of Ramadan is a blessed month. Allah enjoined on you the fasting of this month. During Ramadan the gates of Jannah (heaves) are opened while the gates of Hell are closed” (reported by Ahmed). Companions of the Messenger sallah Allah a`lyhee wa sallam and their successors used to pay much attention to Ramadan and feel happy upon its inception. A season of abundant good and mercy how can one not be happy for it.


4. Determination and pre planning to make the utmost benefit of Ramadan. Many people even those who are committed Muslims plan for the worldly matters while only few plan for the Day After related matters. Actually, this attitude is the fruit of unawareness of the real task of a believer in this life. Also Muslims fail to observe several opportunities given to them by Allah of which they may benefit to improve. After seizing a given chance one may be able to maintain what he/she attained of development during these special occasions Allah Gives us. For example to plan how to invest the time of Ramadan in doing good deeds and worship. A Muslim must actually prepare a program on how to spend the days and nights of Ramadan. In this message we will try Insh a Allah to help u achieve this.


5. Make a sincere determination to use the time of Ramadan and spend it in making good deeds. Actually one who is honest with Allah in return Allah Shall Support him/her making obedience and good deeds easy. Allah Shall also open gates of good before him/her. Allah Say<b>:” then if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them" (Quran 47:21).</b>


6. Gaining knowledge about the rulings of Ramadan. A Muslim must obtain a base of knowledge sufficient to help in the worshiping rituals. One is not excused for being ignorant about Allah’s obligations enjoined on servants. Being an obligation, one must learn about its rulings before hand in order to ensure performing a sound and Insh a Allah accepted fasting to Allah<b>:” so ask the people of the Reminder [scriptures - the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel)] if you do not know"</b> (Quran 21:7)


7. We must receive Ramadan with a strong determination to refrain from sins and bad deeds, make a sincere repentance of all sins. Remember, it is the month of repentance, if u don’t repent when will you repent then?


<b>"And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful"</b> (Quran 24:31)


8. Mental and spiritual preparation through readings, listening to Islamic lectures or lessons talking about the virtues and rulings of fasting.


The Messenger Salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam used to prepare his companions in order to benefit of this month saying on the last day of Sha`ban <b>:” Here came to you the month of Ramadan, the month of Ramadan is a blessed month. Allah enjoined on you the fasting of this month. During Ramadan the gates of Jannah (heaves) are opened while the gates of Hell are closed”
</b> (reported by Ahmed).



9. Prepare a good plan for making d`awa during Ramadan using the following ideas:



a. Prepare a number of speeches to be delivered in the local masjed.



b. Distribute Ramadan related booklets and messages in the masjed and the local community.



c. Prepare envelopes containing tapes and booklets and labeling them as Ramadan gift.



d. Reminder people about the poor in order to give out alms and charity money.



10. Upon the advent of Ramadan, open a new blank clear page with:



Allah through making a sincere repentance.



With the Messenger Salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam through striving to observe his instructions.



With the parents, relatives and next of kin, spouse and children through Bir (righteous relations and communication).



With the local community in order to be a righteous and useful servant. The Messenger Salla Allah a`lyee wa sallam said:” The best among people one who is most useful to them”



The above mentioned were ideas on how to receive the blessed month of Ramadan.



How can you motivate yourself to benefit of Ramadan?



1. Develop sincerity to Allah with your fasting:



In fact, developing sincerity to Allah is the core of good deeds, key for the acceptance of the sustainable good deeds, a catalyst to gain the Support and Guidance of Allah. As much as one develops with Allah a sincere and honest intention in pursuing righteous deeds, as much as Allah Supports and Helps this person. Ibn Qayem may Allah bestow mercy on him said: According to the person’s intention, effort, aim and desire to perform righteous deeds, Allah Supports and Guides.



Allah may He be Glorified Commanded us to dedicate our deeds sincerely to Him as in
<b>:” And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him),
</b>" (Quran 98:5).



Being aware of the importance of sincerity to gain Allah’s Support, the person shall be motivated to try hard and dedicate Ramadan for the acts of obedience to Allah SWT (fasting + sincerity to Allah = motivation and enthusiasm.).



2. Being aware that the Prophet Salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam used to bring good news to his companion upon the advent of this blessed month:



By just pondering upon the above mentioned hadeeth in item 8 of the previous section in which the Messenger explained the major benefits inherit in this month for them to prepare and seize, one must be motivated to work hard during this month.



3. Realize the major reward Allah Prepared for the fasting people including:



The reward of the fasting person is immense and is not known except to Allah Almighty:” All the act of the son of Adam is to him except fasting it is for Me and I Reward for it”.



One who fasts one day in the name of Allah (fee sabeel Allah) Allah Pushes away from him Hell fire a distance equal to 70 years, so how about one who fasts the whole month.



Fasting intercedes for the servant on the



Day of Judgment till he/she enters Jannah (heaven).



Jannah has several gates one of them is named Alrrayan. Only those who fast are allowed through this gate.



Fasting Ramadan expiates the preceding sins.



Gates of Jannah are opened and those of Hell are closed during Ramadan.



Supplications of the fasting person are granted during Ramadan.



Don’t you feel that you want to strive hard in order to win such major prizes.



4. Being aware that Sunnah of the Messenger Salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam includes increasing the types of worship during Ramadan:



He used to treat Ramadan special in terms of worship compared to other months. Knowing this is enough for us to take him as a role model and follow. Allah SWT Say:” Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) you have a good example to follow" (Quran 33;21). Isnt this a motivation factor to increase the types of worship in this month?



5. Realize the blessing inherit in this month which is also another encouraging factor:



Blessing of faith: Usually the believer develops a strong level of faith, attentive heart, a reflective status, reminded soul. No doubt we all recognize such points during Ramadan which is Allah’s gift for the fasting person.



Blessing of physical strength: Although the fasting person refrains from food and drink, yet experiences an increased level of strength that enables him/her to endure hardships. On the other hand, Allah Blesses this strength to the extend that you are easily capable of performing obligatory prayer, Sunnah’s as well as the rest of the worships.



Blessing of time: Just ponder on how you are able to perform during the day and night what you can not assume in a week outside of Ramadan.



We encourage you to seize the blessing of Ramadan coupled with the blessing of Quran in order to gain the necessary support enabling you to be obedient to Allah.



6. Realize the special traits of Ramadan:



Allah blessed this month with a number of virtues such as:



Smell of the fasting person’s mouth is better to Allah than the odor of musk.



Angles supplicate to Allah to forgive the fasting people till they break their fast.



Allah on every day, decorates His Jannah and Say: “ My righteous devotees are about to get rid of harm and tiresome then come to you."



It includes the night of Qadr, which is better than a thousand months. One who looses its chance has endured a major loss.



On the last night of Ramadan, Allah forgives the fasting people.



On the last night of Ramadan Allah grants a number of people full freedom of Hell.



7. Recognize the fact that Allah allowed fasting a special position by making it for Him:



This advantage makes the person very keen not to waste the time of Ramadan in any way.



8. Being aware of the attitude of the companions and righteous predecessors during this month. They strove hard on the path of good deeds:



They realized the virtue of Ramadan to Allah. Thus they spent its nights praying and reciting Quran, gave out charity money for the poor, provided food for the fasting people. They also strove hard in the face of Allah's enemies in order to maintain Allah's word to be superior and for the Deen to be for Allah.



9. Realizing that fasting intercedes for the person on the Day of Resurrection:



Enough of a motivation to know that fasting shall be a reason to push away our sins on the Day of Resurrection. The best companion is one that intercedes for you during the hard times. The Messenger Salla Allah a`lyhee wa Sallam said:" Fasting and reciting Quran intercedes for the servant on the Day of Resurrection when fasting would say O Allah I forbade him food and desires during the day so Allow me to intercede for him/her. While the Quran would say O Allah I forbade him/her sleep during night, so Allow me to intercede for him/her. And they are allowed to intercede" (Reported by Ahmed).



10. Awareness that Ramadan is the month of Quran and patience:



Fasting the month expiates sins. On the other hand, fasting actually is a remedy for many social, psychological, sexual and health problems. Being aware of such characteristics encourages one to invest the month as much as possible.



The above mentioned were a number of incentives to help the believe invest the season of obedience, the month of mercy and blessings.



Brothers and sisters, try hard not to waste this special occasion so that you would not regret when there is no other chance.



Allah may He be Glorified Say



Sources: Booklet and messages related to Ramadan.



Translated after brother: Khalid AbduRahaman Al Darweesh.

CONGRATULATING AN ATHEIST


Normally, when I meet an atheist, the first thing I like to do is to congratulate him and say, " My special congratulations to you", because most of the people who believe in God are doing blind belief - he is a Christian, because his father is a Christian; he is a Hindu, because his father is a Hindu; the majority of the people in the world are blindly following the religion of their fathers. An atheist, on the other hand, even though he may belong to a religious family, uses his intellect to deny the existence of God; what ever concept or qualities of God he may have learnt in his religion may not seem to be logical to him.


My Muslim brothers may question me, "Zakir, why are you congratulating an atheist?" The reason that I am congratulating an atheist is because he agrees with the first part of the Shahada i.e. the Islamic Creed, ‘La ilaaha’ - meaning ‘there is no God’. So half my job is already done; now the only part left is ‘il lallah’ i.e. ‘BUT ALLAH’ which I shall do Insha Allah. With others (who are not atheists) I have to first remove from their minds the wrong concept of God they may have and then put the correct concept of one true God.


LOGICAL CONCEPT OF GOD


My first question to the atheist will be: "What is the definition of God?" For a person to say there is no God, he should know what is the meaning of God. If I hold a book and say that ‘this is a pen’, for the opposite person to say, ‘it is not a pen’, he should know what is the definition of a pen, even if he does not know nor is able to recognise or identify the object I am holding in my hand. For him to say this is not a pen, he should at least know what a pen means. Similarly for an atheist to say ‘there is no God’, he should at least know the concept of God. His concept of God would be derived from the surroundings in which he lives. The god that a large number of people worship has got human qualities - therefore he does not believe in such a god. Similarly a Muslim too does not and should not believe in such false gods.


If a non-Muslim believes that Islam is a merciless religion with something to do with terrorism; a religion which does not give rights to women; a religion which contradicts science; in his limited sense that non-Muslim is correct to reject such Islam. The problem is he has a wrong picture of Islam. Even I reject such a false picture of Islam, but at the same time, it becomes my duty as a Muslim to present the correct picture of Islam to that non-Muslim i.e. Islam is a merciful religion, it gives equal rights to the women, it is not incompatible with logic, reason and science; if I present the correct facts about Islam, that non-Muslim may Inshallah accept Islam.


Similarly the atheist rejects the false gods and the duty of every Muslim is to present the correct concept of God which he shall Insha Allah not refuse.


(You may refer to my article, ‘Concept of God in Islam’, for more details)


QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE


The methods of proving the existence of God with usage of the material provided in the ‘Concept of God in Islam’ to an atheist may satisfy some but not all.


Many atheists demand a scientific proof for the existence of God. I agree that today is the age of science and technology. Let us use scientific knowledge to kill two birds with one stone, i.e. to prove the existence of God and simultaneously prove that the Qur’an is a revelation of God.


If a new object or a machine, which no one in the world has ever seen or heard of before, is shown to an atheist or any person and then a question is asked, " Who is the first person who will be able to provide details of the mechanism of this unknown object? After little bit of thinking, he will reply, ‘the creator of that object.’ Some may say ‘the producer’ while others may say ‘the manufacturer.’ What ever answer the person gives, keep it in your mind, the answer will always be either the creator, the producer, the manufacturer or some what of the same meaning, i.e. the person who has made it or created it. Don’t grapple with words, whatever answer he gives, the meaning will be same, therefore accept it.


SCIENTIFIC FACTS MENTIONED IN THE QUR’AN: for details on this subject please refer to my book, ‘THE QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE – COMPATIBLE OR INCOMPATIBLE?


this book can be seen from the link below:


http://www.irf.net/irf/drzakirnaik/dznindex.htm


THEORY OF PROBABILITY


In mathematics there is a theory known as ‘Theory of Probability’. If you have two options, out of which one is right, and one is wrong, the chances that you will chose the right one is half, i.e. one out of the two will be correct. You have 50% chances of being correct. Similarly if you toss a coin the chances that your guess will be correct is 50% (1 out of 2) i.e. 1/2. If you toss a coin the second time, the chances that you will be correct in the second toss is again 50% i.e. half. But the chances that you will be correct in both the tosses is half multiplied by half (1/2 x 1/2) which is equal to 1/4 i.e. 50% of 50% which is equal to 25%. If you toss a coin the third time, chances that you will be correct all three times is (1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2) that is 1/8 or 50% of 50% of 50% that is 12½%.


A dice has got six sides. If you throw a dice and guess any number between 1 to 6, the chances that your guess will be correct is 1/6. If you throw the dice the second time, the chances that your guess will be correct in both the throws is (1/6 x 1/6) which is equal to 1/36. If you throw the dice the third time, the chances that all your three guesses are correct is (1/6 x 1/6 x 1/6) is equal to 1/216 that is less than 0.5 %.


Let us apply this theory of probability to the Qur’an, and assume that a person has guessed all the information that is mentioned in the Qur’an which was unknown at that time. Let us discuss the probability of all the guesses being simultaneously correct.


At the time when the Qur’an was revealed, people thought the world was flat, there are several other options for the shape of the earth. It could be triangular, it could be quadrangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, spherical, etc. Lets assume there are about 30 different options for the shape of the earth. The Qur’an rightly says it is spherical, if it was a guess the chances of the guess being correct is 1/30.


The light of the moon can be its own light or a reflected light. The Qur’an rightly says it is a reflected light. If it is a guess, the chances that it will be correct is 1/2 and the probability that both the guesses i.e the earth is spherical and the light of the moon is reflected light is 1/30 x 1/2 = 1/60.


Further, the Qur’an also mentions every living thing is made of water. Every living thing can be made up of either wood, stone, copper, aluminum, steel, silver, gold, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, oil, water, cement, concrete, etc. The options are say about 10,000. The Qur’an rightly says that everything is made up of water. If it is a guess, the chances that it will be correct is 1/10,000 and the probability of all the three guesses i.e. the earth is spherical, light of moon is reflected light and everything is created from water being correct is 1/30 x 1/2 x 1/10,000 = 1/60,000 which is equal to about .0017%.


The Qur’an speaks about hundreds of things that were not known to men at the time of its revelation. Only in three options the result is .0017%. I leave it upto you, to work out the probability if all the hundreds of the unknown facts were guesses, the chances of all of them being correct guesses simultaneously and there being not a single wrong guess. It is beyond human capacity to make all correct guesses without a single mistake, which itself is sufficient to prove to a logical person that the origin of the Qur’an is Divine.


CREATOR IS THE AUTHOR OF THE QUR’AN


The only logical answer to the question as to who could have mentioned all these scientific facts 1400 years ago before they were discovered, is exactly the same answer initially given by the atheist or any person, to the question who will be the first person who will be able to tell the mechanism of the unknown object. It is the ‘CREATOR’, the producer, the Manufacturer of the whole universe and its contents. In the English language He is ‘God’, or more appropriate in the Arabic language, ‘ALLAH’.


QUR’AN IS A BOOK OF SIGNS AND NOT SCIENCE


Let me remind you that the Qur’an is not a book of Science, ‘S-C-I-E-N-C-E’ but a book of Signs ‘S-I-G-N-S’ i.e. a book of ayaats. The Qur’an contains more than 6,000 ayaats, i.e. ‘signs’, out of which more than a thousand speak about Science. I am not trying to prove that the Qur’an is the word of God using scientific knowledge as a yard stick because any yardstick is supposed to be more superior than what is being checked or verified. For us Muslims the Qur’an is the Furqan i.e. criteria to judge right from wrong and the ultimate yardstick which is more superior to scientific knowledge.


But for an educated man who is an atheist, scientific knowledge is the ultimate test which he believes in. We do know that science many a times takes ‘U’ turns, therefore I have restricted the examples only to scientific facts which have sufficient proof and evidence and not scientific theories based on assumptions. Using the ultimate yardstick of the atheist, I am trying to prove to him that the Qur’an is the word of God and it contains the scientific knowledge which is his yardstick which was discovered recently, while the Qur’an was revealed 1400 year ago. At the end of the discussion, we both come to the same conclusion that God though superior to science, is not incompatible with it.


SCIENCE IS ELIMINATING MODELS OF GOD BUT NOT GOD


Francis Bacon, the famous philosopher, has rightly said that a little knowledge of science makes man an atheist, but an in-depth study of science makes him a believer in God. Scientists today are eliminating models of God, but they are not eliminating God. If you translate this into Arabic, it is La illaha illal la, There is no god, (god with a small ‘g’ that is fake god) but God (with a capital ‘G’).


Surah Fussilat:


"Soon We will show them our signs in the (farthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?"


[Al-Quran 41:53]


source:


www.irf.net


MODERATOR


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islam4all/

assalaam wa 'alaikum,


a true believer must never be forgetful of the closeness of allaah to manand he must guide himself with the qur'anic commandds which are as follows:


"be not like those who forget allaah and he made them forget their nafs. such are the rebellious transgressors." 59:19.


a true believer also remains god-conscious and engages in allaah's remebrance as much as posssible. he understands that engaging himself in remembering allaah is not a favour to him, but is a requirementon his part if he is to be able to successfully resist the temptations of shaitaan.


METHODS OF REMEMBERING ALLAAH:


there are generally three methods for remembering allaah, those that i know of.


(1) salaat,(worship)


(2) recitation of the glorious qur'aan


(3) recitation of the attributes of allaah(zikrullah)


SALAAT


"lo, i, even i am allaah. there is no go save me.so serve me and establish worship for my remebrance" 20:14


"and those servants who spend the night in adoration of their lord, prostrating and standing" 25:64


the dedicated followers of the prophet (saw) tried to remember allaah as much as possible by not only the obligatory salaat but also by spending much time in the optional ones.


RECITATION OF THE GLORIOUS QUR'AAN


"read ye, of the qur'aan, as much as maybe easy for you" 73:20


"we sent down the qur'aan in truth, and in truth has it descended and we sent thee but to give glad tidings and to warn sinners.it is a qur'aan which we have divided into parts in order that you may recite it to mankind at intervals." 17:105-6


RECITATION OF ALLAAH'S ATTRIBUTES


"those will prosper who purify themselves and glorify the name of their lord and lift their hearts in prayer." 87:14-15


"the most beautiful names belong to allaah, so call on him by them." 7:180


a person can remember allaah while standing ,sitting and reclining.this can be done in any place and at any or all times.


wassalaam,


khadeeja.

Ok so here's the situation, i'm from the U.K. i've never ever been outside of my own country, i've never been abroad ever. Never been overseas, and i've decided along with this new fresh point in my life ISLAM, that it's time to take the brave step and go on holiday for the first time. This will be alone as i also need the time to think by myself about where i'm taking my life. The plan is for this to be the first of many trips overseas over the next few years. Too much western living...i want to see the other side and speak to the people, i need to escape!!!!


This will be sometime in March. Now preferably it would be somewhere i can flex my Arabic, because by then i would have completed three courses and be able to speak basic Arabic. Also i would prefer to go somewhere if not a fully Islamic society, then at least a society with a rich Islamic culture i can learn from and interact with.


The thought of going alone is obviously nerve racking but i think i need to do this. I need time to be away from my life if you will, away from the society i'm used to. Speak to new people, and eventually come back with a clear head and decide where i want to take my life next regarding my Girlfriend etc. I really need this and the funds will be there because of my new job. I would appreciate some suggestions.


Right now i'm looking at some where in Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia maybe Yemen. Not decided yet but suggestions and website Links would be appreciated. I'm gonna want rich culture and to see the history of the place, so areas like that. Away from British tourist spots or just away from common tourist spots in General. I'm prepared to walk you know what i mean? Do a bit of trekkin and that, so that's cool. Like i said i have no clue where to go, the above places i've read up on on the internet and they have all interested me but any suggestions would be appreciated. Im working straight for three months just for this, so price isn't really an issue as i will be saving.


I know it's all subjective, but suggestions please. Then i can look into this further. Before i found Islam it would have been a country with those i would consider my brothers (African Origin) but now i don't look at things like that. Anywhere there is Muslims, that's where i'll wanna be. Even if they don't look at it like that. So suggestions pleeease. When i do go i'll buy a webcam and post up pics...but i am gonna go, i need to. So help!

Asalaamu Alikum Brothers and Sisters,


I received this as an E-mail and I thought I would share with all of you. It is kind of long but it is a good remeinder for us all. Please read, take care and may Allah(SWT) keep us on the straight path and make our hearts Thabit(firm) in our Deen, Ameen.


Ahmed


Praise be to Allah.


Ibn Abbas ® narrated that the Messenger (s) said,


"Take the benefit of five before five:


1. Your youth before your old age,


2. Your health before your sickness,


3. Your wealth before your poverty,


4. Your free-time before you are preoccupied, and


5. Your life before your death."


(al-Haakim 4/306, al-Baihaqee 2/2/240)


This is an excellent advice, (like all advice from the Prophet (s) are), as sooner or later these provisions from Allah (swt) will run out for each of us.


May you use your time, wealth and provisions wisely before they finish, Ameen.


Wasting Wealth


Wealth is a provision from Allah (SWT). It has been written for each person when he was in his mother's womb. Therefore, whether a person will be poor or rich is predetermined. However, it is not the state of being rich or poor that is important but it is what the person does with it. Wealth, or lack of it, is a trial. As Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an:


Your wealth and your offspring are only a trial, whereas with Allah is a great reward.


(At-Taghabun 64:15)


What should a person do when he finds himself poor? The best course to take is to be patient: Narrated Abu Sa'id ® that some people from Ansar asked Allah's Messenger (s) to give them something and he (s) gave everyone of them who asked him until all that he had was finished. When everything was finished and he (s) had spent all that was in his hand, he (s) said to them, "Know that if I have any wealth, I will not withhold it from you. And know that he who refrains from begging others (or doing prohibited deeds), Allah will make him contented and not in need of others; and he who remains patient, Allah will bestow patience upon him, and he who is satisfied with what he has, Allah will make him self-sufficient. There is no gift be! tter and vast that you may be given than patience." (Bukhari) Indeed, it has also been narrated that the majority of dwellers in Jannah (Paradise) are the poor people. (Bukhari)


However, what should a person do when he finds himself wealthy? He should spend it for the Cause of Allah (swt), such as giving to charities:


Verily those who give sadaqah (zakaat and charity), men and women, and lend Allah a goodly loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit), and theirs shall be an honourable good reward (Paradise) (Qur'an, al-Hadid 57:18),


and paying his debts: The Prophet (s) said, "If I had gold equal to the mountain of Uhud, it would not please me that anything of it should remain with me after three nights (that is, I would spend all of it in Allah's Cause) except what I would keep for repaying debts." (Bukhari)


The wealthy person should be generous and not miserly. For a miser hates to part with his wealth and finds it difficult to do so. Abu Hurairah ® narrated that the Prophet (s) described "...a miser and a charitable person by comparing them to two men wearing two iron cloaks and their hands are raised to their chests and necks. Whenever the charitable man tries to give a charitable gift, his iron cloak expands till it becomes so wide that it will cover his fingertips and obliterate his tracks. And, whenever the miser wants to give a charitable gift, his cloak becomes very tight over him and every ring gets stuck to its place..." (Bukhari)


The person with wealth should not be greedy as that thing which he greeds for does not benefit him. The Prophet (s) said, "This wealth is like a green and sweet fruit. Whoever takes it without greed, Allah will bless it for him, but whoever takes it with greed, Allah will not bless it for him, and he will be like the one who eats but is never satisified. The upper (giving) hand is better than the lower (taking) hand." (Bukhari)


The wealthy person also does not waste it on useless worldly things. Wasting wealth is one of the things that Allah (swt) hates: The Prophet (s) said, "Truly Allah hates three things in you: quarreling, wasting one's wealth and frequent, useless questions." (Bukhari, Muslim)


To be miserly and greedy is to also be wasting the provision that Allah (swt) bestowed on the person. Wealth is one of the worldly blessings from Allah (swt), but it can be a curse for those who do not manage it wisely.


The Prophet (s) said in a narration by 'Amr bin 'Auf, "By Allah, I am not afraid that you will become poor, but I am afraid that worldly wealth will be given to you in abundance as it was given to those nations before you, and you will start competing for it, and then it will divert you from good as it diverted them." (Bukhari) We have been warned about the dangers of competing for worldly wealth in surah at-Takathur (102) and we have been warned about man's thirst for wealth: The Prophet (s) said, "If the son of Adam had two valleys of money, he would wish for a third, for nothing can fill the belly of Adam's son except dust (that is, man continues to love wealth till he dies, for then he will ! no longer think about collecting wealth) and Allah forgives him who repents to Him." (Bukhari) Also, "the heart of an old man remains young in two respects - his love for the world (its wealth, amusements and luxuries) and his incessant hope (for a long life)." (Bukhari)


It is time that we realised the truth to these words of Prophet Muhammad (s), "Riches does not mean having a great amount of property, but riches is self-contentment." (Bukhari) Self-contentment is achieved through worshipping Allah (swt). Spending the wealth according to how Allah (swt) wants the person to spend it is an act of worship. This spending should be done moderately - it should not be extravagant, wasteful nor miserly. Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an:


(The faithful slaves of Allah are) those who, when they spend, are not extravagant nor stingy, but hold a medium (balance) between those (extremes). (Al-Farqan 25:67)


Wasting Food


Now and then we hear of stories coming out of the oil rich countries which would make us shake our heads. One example of this is the story of a wedding feast where lots of food were served but not many of these dishes find itself entering the guests' stomach. Instead, it gets dumped into the rubbish bin. At the same time across the Red Sea, thousands of Muslims are dying from hunger.


However, we do not have to look far for these shameful stories. If we look at the community here, we will see the same extravagance of wastage that can rival any of these oil rich countries.


For instance, a few weeks ago, a mother and her children were attending a gathering. The food was sufficient to feed everyone. There was a particular dish that her children only wanted to eat. Since there was only a bit of it to go around, she took a small portion that would at least give her children a taste of it.


When the meal finished and it was time to clean up, she noticed that someone had taken a hefty portion of that dish, took a few bites and discarded the rest. One can imagine how she felt at that moment.


That was only a small gathering, can you imagine what happens at a big Islamic function or gathering? When it is time to eat, the Muslims push and shove each other like some hungry stricken people to get at the food. Once there, they heap onto their plates as much food as it would feed them till the next day. For their children, they take as much food as they would eat themselves and not according to how much their children could eat. They forget that children do not eat as much as the adults. As they and their children are half way through their meal, they could not finish it and throw the rest into the bin without any reservations. Meanwhile, those who were at the end of the queue miss out on some of the dishes that are being offered.


Why is there a compulsion on the Muslims to waste food? Is there a psychological need to feel that 'I'm not poor since I can afford to waste food?' Is it a status symbol to waste food? Or is it out of sheer mindless habit to waste food (and water for that matter). Do the Muslims not realised that food is a blessing from Allah (swt) and that we will be questioned about what we waste?


Allah ta'ala said,


"...eat and drink, but waste not by excess. For Allah loves not the wasters." (Qur'an, al-Araf 7:31)


The Prophet (s) said, "If one eats from the dish and lickes it, the dish will express to him to wish that Allah may free him from Hell as he frees it from the devil." (Razin)


Abdullah ibn Zubayr ® said that his father said when the verse Takathur was revealed the companions said to the Prophet (s), "Which provision will we be asked about? We don't have anything except dates and water." The Prophet (s) said, "That's what you will be asked about." (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ahmad, Hasan)


As we can see, it is not only food but water that we are not allowed to waste. Unfortunately, most Muslims do not realise this. They think that since water is in abandance, how can one waste it? Thus, when they brush their teeth, they let the water run. When they wash the dishes, they turn the tap on full blast and let it run continuously while they gather the dishes to the sink or adjust the plates on the wires. When they take wudu, they turn the tap on full blast and let it run.


Ibn 'Umar ® narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s) passed by Sa'd while he was performing ablution and said, "What is this extravagance, Sa'd?" He said, "Is there extravagance in the use of water?" The Messenger of Allah (s) said, "Yes, even if you are at a flowing river." (Ahmed)


Here is a self test to try: You give a luncheon or dinner party for a group of friends. When it is time to wash the dishes, you see food scraps on the plates such as half eaten drumsticks, half eaten bread, half eaten salads, half eaten slices of cake and half drunk glasses of orange juice. While you scrape the food off the plates, do you


1) Feel upset and grumble about all these wastage? Or,


2) Automatically scrape it off without a second thought while at the same time you ponder how successful it all went?


If your answer is the first response then, alhamdulillah, you still are sensitive towards throwing food away. This is the feeling that we should try to remember when we eat at a friend's house or at a gathering.


If your answer is the second response then you have no conscience or qualm about wasting food (or drink). You seriously need to regain your conscience. If wasting was a trivial matter then why did Allah (swt) and the Prophet (s) bothered to mention about it?


The next time we start to put food onto our plates, we should ask ourselves, "How much of this food can I eat without throwing it away?", and "Will I like this dish? I should only take a bit to taste it first and if I like it I will take more later." Furthermore, mothers with children should ask themselves before they start to pile food onto their children's plates, "Will my children like this food?", "How much can they eat?", "Will they be able to finish the amount that I have given them?", and "Can I finish it off for them?"


If we examine and reflect on the three examples given, we will realise the sorry state of the ummah where there is no love for fellow Muslims. Everyone is out to get the best for themselves and their children. It does not matter if other Muslims are left with crumbs or even nothing. Let us reflect on this saying of the Prophet (s): "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he wishes for himself." (Bukhari)

Sayyid Abul-A'la Al-Mawdudi


A Purpose For Every Work


There are essentially two component factors in any work which a man has to perform. The first thing is the purpose for which a work is done and the second thing is the particular shape of that work which is chosen to achieve that purpose. For instance, take the case of food your object in taking food is to remain alive and maintain your strength. The method of achieving this object is that you take a morsel, put it in your mouth, masticate it and push it below the throat. This method is adopted by you since it is the most effective and proper one to achieve this object. But everyone of you knows that the main thing is the purpose for which food is taken and not he form and procedure of this action. What will you say if anybody were to make a morsel of saw-dust or cinder or mud, put it in his mouth, chew and gulp it? You will say only this that his brain is out of order. Why? Because this idiot did not understand the real purpose of eating and is suffering form the misunderstanding that only the aforesaid four component acts constitute eating. Likewise, you will call that person also mad who soon after taking the food vomits it by thrusting his fingers into his throat them complains that the benefits said to accrue from taking food have not been availed of by him and that, contrarily, he is daily getting lean and is on the verge of death. This fool blames the food for his growing weakness little realizing that it is due to his own stupidity. He imagined, due to his intellectual deficiency, that life vitality could be got by fulfilling those requirements which constitute the act of eating. As such, he thought why should he sustain the load of food in his stomach? “Why not throw it out so that the stomach may become light? I have already fulfilling the requirements of eating”, he surmises, Naturally he has himself to suffer the penalty of harboring such a foolish idea and then implementing it also. He ought to have known that until the bread gets digested after entering the stomach and having transformed into blood, is diffused into the whole body the vitality of life cannot be obtained. Although outward actions are also necessary, because without them the bread cannot reach the stomach, yet the object cannot be achieved by merely fulfilling the outward actions. There is no magic in these actions that by merely fulfilling them, blood starts running in a wizardly manner in the veins of a man. Blood will be obviously produced according to the law prescribed by Allah. If you break it, you will kill yourself by your own hands.


Consequences of Considering The Outward As Real


If you ponder over the example I have just placed before you in detail, you can understand why your ‘Ibadat’ have become inefficacious today. As I have already pointed out repeatedly, the greatest mistake of all is to regard the acts of Salah and fasting and their outward shape as real ‘Ibadat’ and you suffer from the delusion that whoever fulfilled these requirements performed the ‘Ibadat’ of Allah. You are just like that person who thinks that performance of four acts, i.e. making the morsel, putting it in the mouth, masticating it and pushing it below the throat makes up the process of eating, and that whoever did these four things has eaten the food and so should receive the benefits of eating irrespective of whether he pushed down in his stomach mud and stone, or vomited the bread soon after eating it. If you have a little sense then tell me how a man who is fasting and is thus engaged in the ‘Ibadat’ of Allah from morning till evening, can in the midst of that ‘Ibadat’ utter a lie and indulge in backbiting? Why does he quarrel at the slightest pretext and utter abuses from his mouth? How dare he encroach on other people’s rights? How does he indulge in acquiring illicit money and giving money to others illicitly? And having done all these thing, he still thinks that he has performed ‘Ibadat’ of Allah? Does this not resemble the work of that person who eats cinder and mud and thinks that by merely completing the four requirements of eating he has actually done the job of eating.


Again Freedom From Restrictions After Ramadan


Then tell me how is it that when you are relieved after doing Allah’s ‘Ibadat’ for about 360 hours throughout Ramadan all the effect of this whole exercise in piety disappears on the 1st of Shawal? You do during the ‘Eid’ days all that Hindus do in their festivals, so much so that in the cities even adultery, wine-drinking and gambling are resorted to on ‘Eid’ day. And I have seen some wretched people who keep fast during the day and drink wine and commit adultery in the night. The general Muslims, by the grace of Allah, are not degenerated to that extent but after the end of Ramadan how many of you are there who retain some effects of piety and virtuousness on the second day of ‘Eid’ also? Which law of Allah is left unviolated? What part of your time is devoted to good deeds, and how much is selfishness reduced?


Result Wrong Conception of ‘Ibadat’


Think and ponder as to what after all can be the reason for this? I assure you that its only reason is that the very meaning and purport of ‘Ibadat’ has become twisted in your mind. You think that mere abstention from eating and drinking throughout the day is called fasting and that this alone is ‘Ibadat’. Therefore you observe it meticulously. You fee the fear of Allah to that extent that you avoid every transgression which even slightly endangers the break-up of the fast so much so that even if the life is at stake, you are not prepared to break the fast. But you do not know that being merely hungry and thirsty is not real ‘Ibadat’ but only a form of it. And the purpose of prescribing this form is to create in you the fear of Allah and love of Allah, and thereby develop in you so much strength that by repressing yourself, you are enabled to avoid the seemingly profitable things but which actually displease Allah, while, on the other hand, by controlling yourself you make yourself agreeable to those things which possibly entail risks and losses but definitely please Allah. This strength can be developed only when you understand the purpose of fasting and make use of the practice you have gone through for curbing the corporeal urges, under fear of Allah and love for Allah, and them making these urges work according to the pleasure of Allah. But soon after Ramada you throw to the winds this practice as well as the virtues acquired from if just as a man after taking food vomits it by thrusting his fingers into his throat. In fact, some of your spew the virtuousness of the whole day soon after breaking the fast. Now you yourself decide, is there in Ramadan and fasting a magic that by mere completing their outward shape you can acquire that strength which in reality should emanate from genuine fasting? Just as physical strength cannot be obtained from the bread until it is digested after entering the stomach and until it is transformed into blood and penetrates every vein in the same way spiritual power cannot be obtained from fasting until the person who keeps fast does not fully comprehend the purpose of fasting and allows if to permeate his heart and mind and dominate his thought, motive intention and deed.


Source of Becoming Pious


This is why Allah said after ordaining fasting : “La’allakum tattaqoon” i.e. fasting is made obligatory on you, may be you become pious and virtuous. It is not said that you will certainly become pious and virtuous because this outcome of fasting depends on the perception and intention of the man concerned. Whoever will understand its purpose and will try through it to achieve its objective, will become pious to the desired extent, but one who will not comprehend its purpose and will not even try to get at if, cannot hope to gain any thing out of it.


REAL AIMS OF FASTING


Abstention From Lying


Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has drawn attention in various ways towards the real aim of fasting and has explained that to be hungry and thirsty without keeping in view the objective is in no way useful. He said :


“Whoever did not give up lying and practicing falsehood, Allah is in no need of his giving up food and water”.


In another Hadith he said :


“Many are the fasters whose fasting does not bring them anything except hunger and thirst and many are those who keep standing in the night but their standing does not bring anything except being awake in the night”.


The purport of both these Ahadith is quite plain. It means that being merely hungry and thirsty is not by itself ‘Ibadat’ but an instrument of performing real ‘Ibadat’. And real ‘Ibadat’ consists in not violating the law of Allah for fear of Allah, and for the love of Allah an eager pursuit of every such work as would please Him, and lastly avoidance of satisfying corporeal urges as far as possible. Whoever remained heedless of this real ‘Ibadat’, unnecessarily caused inconvenience to his stomach with hunger and thirst. Why should Allah need to make him merely give up food and water for twelve to fourteen hours?


Faith And Self-Scrutiny


The Prophet has drawn attention to the real aim of fasting thus :


“Whoever observed fast imbued with faith and with the expectation of reward from Allah, all his past sins are forgiven”.


The reference to faith implies that the belief in Allah with a Muslim should remain fully fresh in the mind of a Muslim, Ihtisab denotes that man should be desirous of only Allah’s pleasure constantly keeping an eye on his thoughts and actions to check if he is doing anything against the pleasure of Alllah. If, in accordance with these two principles, a person where to observe all the fasts of Ramadan, he will have all his past sins forgiven because even if he was once an unruly and disobedient slave he has now turned fully repentant to his master-and. “A penitent is like one who has, as it were, never committed a sin at all” this the Prophet said.


Shield For Protection From Sins


In another Hadith it is said :


“Fasts are like a shield (just as a shield is meant for protection from the enemy’s assault, so is fasting for protection from Satan’s attack)”.


Therefore when a man observes fast he should (utilize this shield and) abstain from disorderly behavior. If anybody abused him or quarreled with him, the person who keeps fast should tell him : “Brother, I am fasting (do not expect from me that I shall take part in such activities of yours)”.


Temptation of Goodness


The Prophet (pbuh) has directed in other Ahadith that man while fasting ought to do more and more good works and should be eager to perform benevolent acts. Particularly during fasting, he must develop with full intensity a sympathetic sentiment for his other brothers because being himself in the throes of hunger and thirst he can all the more realize what is befalling other slaves of Allah in their plight of destitution and misery. It is related by Hadrat Ibn ‘Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (pbuh) used to become especially kind and benevolent during Ramadan. No beggar in that period went empty-handed from his door, and the slaves secured emancipation.


Reward for Providing ‘Iftar’


According to a Hadith the Prophet (pbuh) said :


“Whoever in Ramadan provide a person who is keeping fast with Iftar, this act will become a source of forgiveness for his sins and safety from Hell Fire and he will get as much reward as will the keeper of fast get without any reduction in the recompense of the latter”.


Source: http://www.witness-pioneer.org/


Please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/muslim_youth_connection/

as-Salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh


al-Hamdulillah, was-Salatu was-salamu `ala Rasoolillah


"Whoever recites soorah al-Kahf on the Day of Jumu'ah, light


will be made to shine for him between the two Jumu'ahs (that


Jumu'ah and the one following it)." [saheeh al-Jaami`]


Since that is the case, I thought I should not delay posting this


tafsir of a famous story from soorah al-Kahf. This tafsir could well


be used, I believe, in a khutbah or a study circle. But I strongly


encourage you to study it carefully. May Allah increase us in


knowledge. Allahumma ameen.


SIXTY-ONE LESSON FROM THE STORY OF THE OWNER OF THE TWO GARDENS


(22 Sha'ban 1425/7 October 2004)


http://islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=637

He remembered his grandmother's warning about praying on time: "My


son, you shouldn't leave prayer to this late time". His


grandmother's age was 70 but whenever she heard the Adhan, she got


up like an arrow and performed Salah. He, however could never win


over his ego to get up and pray. Whatever he did, his Salah was


always the last to be offered and he prayed it quickly to get it in


on time.


Thinking of this, he got up and realized that there were only 15


minutes left before Salat-ul Isha. He quickly made Wudhu and


performed Salat-ul Maghrib. While making Tasbih, he


again remembered his grandmother and was embarrassed by how he had


prayed. His grandmother prayed with such tranquility and peace.


He began making Dua and went down to make Sajdah and stayed like


that for a while. He had been at school all day and was tired, so


tired.


He awoke abruptly to the sound of noise and shouting. He was


sweating profusely. He looked around. It was very crowded. Every


direction he looked in was filled with people. Some stood frozen


looking around, some were running left and right and


some were on their knees with their heads in their hands just


waiting.


Pure fear and apprehension filled him as he realized where he was.


His heart was about to burst. It was the Day of Judgement. When he


was alive, he had heard many things about the questioning on the Day


of Judgement, but that seemed so long ago. Could this be something


his mind made up? No, the wait and the fear were so great that he


could not have imagined this.


The interrogation was still going on. He began moving frantically


from people to people to ask if his name had been called. No one


could answer him. All of a sudden his name was called and the crowd


split into two and made a passageway for him.


Two angels grabbed his arms and led him forward. He walked with


unknowing eyes through the crowd. The angels brought him to the


center and left him there. His head was bent down and


his whole life was passing in front of his eyes like a movie. He


opened


his eyes but saw only another world.


The people were all helping others. He saw his father running from


one lecture to the other, spending his wealth in the way of Islam.


His mother invited guests to their house and one table was being set


while the other was being cleared. He pleaded his case, "I too was


always on this path. I helped others. I spread the word of Allah. I


performed my Salah. I fasted in the month of Ramadan. Whatever Allah


ordered us to do, I did. Whatever he ordered us not to do, I did


not." He began to cry and think about how much he loved Allah.


He knew


that whatever he had done in life would be less than what Allah


deserved and his only protector was Allah.


He was sweating like never before and


was shaking all over. His eyes were fixed on the scale, waiting for


the


final decision. At last, the decision was made. The two angels with


sheets of paper in their hands, turned to the crowd. His legs felt


like they were going to collapse. He closed his eyes as they began


to read the names of those people who were to enter Jahannam.


His name was read first.


He fell on his knees and yelled that this couldn't be, "How could I


go to Jahannam? I served others all my life, I spread the word of


Allah to


others". His eyes had become blurry and he was shaking with sweat.


The two angels took him by the arms. As his feet dragged, they went


through the crowd and advanced toward the blazing flames of


Jahannam.


He was yelling and wondered if there was any person who was going to


help him. He was yelling of all the good deeds he had done, how he


had helped his father, his fasts, prayers, the Qur'an that he read,


he was asking if none of them would help him. The Jahannam angels


continued to drag him.


They had gotten closer to the Hellfire. He looked back and these


were his last pleas. Had not Rasulullah [saw] said, "How clean would


a person be who bathes in a river five times a day, so too does the


Salah performed five times cleanse someone of their sins"?


He began yelling, "My prayers? my prayers? my prayers." The two


angels did not stop, and they came to the edge of the abyss of


Jahannam. The flames of the fire were burning his


face. He looked back one last time, but his eyes were dry of hope


and he had nothing left in him.


One of the angels pushed him in. He found


himself in the air and falling towards the flames. He had just


fallen five or six feet when a hand grabbed him by the arm and


pulled him back.


He lifted his head and saw an old man with a long white beard. He


wiped some dust off himself and asked him, "Who are you?" The old


man replied, "I am your prayers". "Why are you so late! I was almost


in the Fire! You rescued


me at the last minute before I fell in".


The old man smiled and shook his


head, "You always performed me at the last minute, did you forget?"


At that instant, he blinked and lifted his head from Sajdah. He was


in a


sweat. He listened to the voices coming from outside. He heard the


adhan for Salat-ul Isha. He got up quickly and went to perform


Wudhu.


Pass this on to ur friends and family, and maybe u can help someone


open their eyes........ and who knows?? maybe this is a good deed


that can help you during the day of judgement....right???

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai


Posted: 27 Rajab 1424, 12 September 2004


Q.) I pray that Allah gives you much reward Insha'Allah for taking time for this response as it's deeply needed. Ameen. Jazak Allahu Khair


My husband and I have read much about how attending and hosting mixed gatherings are not permissible. We hold separate gatherings in our home and observe purdah as much as possible so it isn't that we're looking for any way possible to go against the commandments of Allah.


The problem is that when we don't attend gatherings we hurt others' feelings and put bitterness in the relations. It's not that we value their feelings over Allah's commands, but if we keep trying to give them dawah or to positively impact them to bring them to deen, then doesn't it seem counterproductive to NOT go to the gatherings....mainly because they threaten to not associate with us anymore or even if not threatening, a broken heart etc.


It's an extremely difficult and delicate situation that keeps coming in our life and it's very stressful. We dread to get the phone call for an invitation, and then when we do go to the gathering we feel very upset at what goes on there, although we had an idea beforehand.


I just need to know if this is not allowed to attend a mixed gathering, even if the intention is to go there to give dawah or with intentions of giving dawah to encourage deen. Is this something that should strictly be done before their functions get planned? Or should we go say Salaam then leave immediately? Is it possible that something good could come out of holding a haram type of function and attending it which is haram and expecting that good could come from that? [The Munir Family]


A.) Jazakumullah for the email. We understand your concerns to encourage following deen in a productive way. This issue is discussed by the fuqaha (jurists) and they have issued clear guidelines on it. On one side, the express law of Allah regarding Hijab is broken. It is our religious obligation to avoid that. On the other side, there may be some benefits while turning a blind eye to the violations of Allah.


It is important to point out that Shari'ah does not consider every benefit. Drinking wine and gambling also have their benefits, but Shari'ah declares that the harms are greater. Based on this, the rule in Shari'ah is avoiding a harm gets preference over gaining benefits. If one knows ahead of time, that the laws of the Shari'ah will be violated, then it is not permissible to attend such a gathering. Shari'ah is clear on this. If one does not know ahead of time that the laws of the Shari'ah will be violated and one suddenly witnesses violation of Shari'ah in the gathering, one is duty bound to correct the wrong openly. If the person is an alim or an influential person, he must immediately leave the gathering as his presence will be mudahanat (complacency) in deen. In essence, your query is about express and open violation of Shari'ah versus possible benefits. One cannot apply his/her own rules of diplomacy in such a situation.


Following the guidelines of the fuqaha who are imbued with wisdom and diplomacy is the ideal situation and solution to the problem. You will be more respected by turning down the invitation and clearly expressing your reason for doing so. We have observed in South Africa that people who were ultra modern have now changed their attitude and are sensitive to deen. All their happy occasions are celebrated within the confines of deen. This is the outcome of a few being steadfast.


And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best


Link: http://www.albalagh.net/qa/0072.shtml

http://www.examine-the-truth.com/missing.htm