Question:


When I do Salah or intend to do good deeds I often get very evil


thoughts in my mind. When I concentrate in Salah, and try to focus


on the meaning of the words, evil thoughts enter my mind, which make


evil suggestions about everything including Allah. I feel very


frustrated and angry about this. I know that none forgives sins


except Allah alone, but because of my thoughts I feel that there is


nothing worse than to have evil thoughts about Allah. After Salah I


ask Allah's forgiveness, but feel very bad because I want to stop


these evil thoughts, but I can't stop them. These thoughts spoil my


enjoyment of Salah, and also make me feel as though I am doomed.


Please advise me.


Answer:


Praise be to Allaah.


Evil whispers during prayer and at other times come from the


Shaytaan, who is keen to misguide the Muslim and deprive him of good


and keep it far away from him. One of the Sahaabah complained to the


Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)


about waswaas during prayer, and he said: "The Shaytaan comes


between me and my prayers and my recitation, confusing me therein."


The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)


said: "That is a devil called Khanzab. If he affects you seek refuge


in Allah from him and spit drily to your left three times." He [the


Sahaabi] said, I did that and Allaah took him away from me.


(Narrated by Muslim, 2203)


Proper focus (khushoo') is the essence of prayer. Prayer without


proper focus is like a body without a soul. The following are two of


the things that help one to develop the proper focus:


1 _ Striving to think about what you are saying and doing, pondering


the meanings of the Qur'aan, dhikr and du'aa's that you are


reciting; bearing in mind that you are conversing with Allaah as if


you can see Him. For when the worshipper stands to pray, he is


speaking to his Lord, and ihsaan means worshipping Allaah as if you


are seeing Him, and knowing that even though you cannot see Him, He


sees you. Every time a person experiences the sweetness of prayer,


he will be more inclined to do it. [?]. This depends of the strength


of one's faith _ and there are many means of strengthening one's


faith. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)


said, "Of the things of your world, women and perfume have been made


dear to me, and my joy is in prayer." According to another hadeeth


he said, "Let us relax, O Bilal, with prayer," and he did not say,


Give us a break from it.


2 _ Striving to ward off the things that may distract you during


prayer, namely thinking about things that are irrelevant or


distracting. Waswaas affects each person differently, because


waswaas has to do with a person's level of doubts and desires and


the degree to which a person is attached to other things or is


fearing other things.


(From Majmoo' Fataawa Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, 22/605)


With regard to what you say about the waswaas reaching such a great


level that you have begun to experience waswaas that makes you think


about Allaah in ways that are not appropriate, these are evil


whispers from the Shaytaan. Allaah says (interpretation of the


meaning):


"And if an evil whisper from Shaytaan (Satan) tries to turn you away


(O Muhammad) (from doing good), then seek refuge in Allaah. Verily,


He is the AllHearer, the AllKnower"


[Fussilat 41:36]


Some of the Sahaabah complained about the waswaas that was bothering


[?] them. Some of the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace


and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to the Prophet (peace and


blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said to him, `We find in


ourselves thoughts that are too terrible to speak of.' He said, `Are


you really having such thoughts?' They said, `Yes.' He said, `That


is a clear sign of faith.'" (Narrated by Muslim). (Narrated by


Muslim, 132 from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah).


Al-Nawawi said in his commentary on this hadeeth: "The Prophet's


words, `That is a clear sign of faith' means, the fact that think of


this waswaas as something terrible is a clear sign of faith, for if


you dare not utter it and you are so afraid of it and of speaking of


it, let alone believing it, this is the sign of one who has achieved


perfect faith and who is free of doubt."


And it was said that what it means is that the Shaytaan only


whispers to those whom he despairs of tempting, because he is unable


to tempt them. As for the kaafir, he can approach him in any manner


he wants and is not restricted to waswaas, rather he can play with


him however he wants. Based on this, what the hadeeth means is that


the cause of waswaas is pure faith, or that waswaas is a sign of


pure faith. See also question no. 12315


The fact that you hate that and your heart recoils from it is a


clear sign of faith. Waswaas happens to everyone who turns to Allaah


by reciting dhikr etc. It is inevitable, but you have to be


steadfast and patient, and persevere with your dhikr and prayer, and


not give up, because in this way you will ward off the plot of the


Shaytaan. "Ever feeble indeed is the plot of Shaytaan" [al-Nisa'


4:76 _ interpretation of the meaning]. Every time a person wants to


turn to Allaah, waswaas brings other matters to mind. The Shaytaan


is like a bandit: every time a person wants to move towards Allaah,


he wants to block the way. Hence when it was said to one of the


salaf that the Jews and Christians say, "We do not experience


waswaas," he said, "They are speaking the truth, for what would the


Shaytaan do with a house in ruins?"


(From Fataawa Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, 22/608).


The remedy:


1 _ If you feel that you are being affected by this waswaas,


say, "Aamantu Billaahi wa Rasoolihi (I believe in Allaah and His


Messenger)." It was narrated from `Aa'ishah that the Messenger of


Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The


Shaytaan comes to one of you and says, `Who created you?' And he


says `Allaah.' Then the Shaytaan says, `Who created Allaah?' If that


happens to any one of you, let him say, Aamantu Billaahi wa Rusulihi


(I believe in Allaah and His Messenger). Then that will go away from


him."


(Narrated by Ahmad, 25671; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in al-


Saheehah, 116).


2 _ Try to stop thinking about that as much as possible, and keep


busy with things that will distract you from it.


Finally we advise you to keep on turning to Allaah in all


situations, and to ask Him for help, and to beseech Him, and to ask


Him to make you steadfast until death, and to cause you to die doing


righteous deeds… And Allaah knows best.


The above question and answer were taken from: Islam Questions and


Answers: Volume 1, Basic Tenets of Faith: Belief - Part 1 (eBook


format: Pages = 580 Dimensions: 9.00 x 6.00 358k; Paperback


format: Pages = 584 Dimensions: 9.22x6.20x1.40 in. 1.91 lbs.)


This series of books is distributed worldwide, online and offline.


They are available as paperbacks, pdf ebooks, microsoft ebooks and


palm ebooks. You can obtain (and download) these books at:


www.Powells.com


http://www.msapubli.com/powells_usa.html


www.amazon.com


http://www.msapubli.com/amazon_usa.html


www.amazon.co.uk


http://www.msapubli.com/amazon_uk.html


www.barnesandnoble.com


http://www.msapubli.com/barnesandnoble_usa.html


and many other online and offline booksellers


Islamic booksellers, online and offline, can obtain these books from


ingram wholesaler (USA)


http://www.ingrambook.com/home.htm


Lightning Source Inc (USA)


http://www.lightningsource.com/


Lightning Source Inc (UK)


http://www.lightningsource.com/


Bertrams (UK)


http://www.bertrams.com/


Gardners (UK)


http://www.gardners.com/


* Source: Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

Salam Alaikum..Stop to ban me...wassalam

A-Z Of Islam (For Beginners)


Muslims Contribution To Science


Astronomy


Muslims have always had a special interest in astronomy. The moon and the sun are of vital importance in the daily life of every Muslim. By the moon, Muslims determine the beginning and the end of the months in their lunar calendar. By the sun the Muslims calculate the times for prayer and fasting. It is also by means of astronomy that Muslims can determine the precise direction of the Qiblah, to face the Ka'bah in Makkah, during prayer. The most precise solar calendar, superior to the Julian, is the Jilali, devised under the supervision of Umar Khayyam.


The Qur'an contains many references to astronomy.


"The heavens and the earth were ordered rightly, and were made subservient to man, including the sun, the moon, the stars, and day and night. Every heavenly body moves in an orbit assigned to it by God and never digresses, making the universe an orderly cosmos whose life and existence, diminution and expansion, are totally determined by the Creator." [Qur'an 30:22]


These references, and the injunctions to learn, inspired the early Muslim scholars to study the heavens. They integrated the earlier works of the Indians, Persians and Greeks into a new synthesis. Ptolemy's Almagest (the title as we know it is Arabic) was translated, studied and criticized. Many new stars were discovered, as we see in their Arabic names - Algol, Deneb, Betelgeuse, Rigel, Aldebaran. Astronomical tables were compiled, among them the Toledan tables, which were used by Copernicus, Tycho Brahe and Kepler. Also compiled were almanacs - another Arabic term. Other terms from Arabic are zenith, nadir, albedo, azimuth.


Muslim astronomers were the first to establish observatories, like the one built at Mugharah by Hulagu, the son of Genghis Khan, in Persia, and they invented instruments such as the quadrant and astrolabe, which led to advances not only in astronomy but in oceanic navigation, contributing to the European age of exploration.


Geography


Muslim scholars paid great attention to geography. In fact, the Muslims' great concern for geography originated with their religion. The Qur'an encourages people to travel throughout the earth to see God's signs and patterns everywhere. Islam also requires each Muslim to have at least enough knowledge of geography to know the direction of the Qiblah (the position of the Ka'bah in Makkah) in order to pray five times a day. Muslims were also used to taking long journeys to conduct trade as well as to make the Hajj and spread their religion. The far-flung Islamic empire enabled scholar-explorers to compile large amounts of geographical and climatic information from the Atlantic to the Pacific.


Among the most famous names in the field of geography, even in the West, are Ibn Khaldun and Ibn Batuta, renowned for their written accounts of their extensive explorations.


In 1166, Al-Idrisi, the well-known Muslim scholar who served the Sicilian court, produced very accurate maps, including a world map with all the continents and their mountains, rivers and famous cities. Al-Muqdishi was the first geographer to produce accurate maps in color.


It was, moreover, with the help of Muslim navigators and their inventions that Magellan was able to traverse the Cape of Good Hope, and Da Gama and Columbus had Muslim navigators on board their ships.


Humanity


Seeking knowledge is obligatory in Islam for every Muslim, man and woman. The main sources of Islam, the Qur'an and the Sunnah (Prophet Muhammad's traditions), encourage Muslims to seek knowledge and be scholars, since this is the best way for people to know Allah (God), to appreciate His wondrous creations and be thankful for them. Muslims were therefore eager to seek knowledge, both religious and secular, and within a few years of Muhammad's mission, a great civilization sprang up and flourished. The outcome is shown in the spread of Islamic universities; Al-Zaytunah in Tunis, and Al-Azhar in Cairo go back more than 1,000 years and are the oldest existing universities in the world. Indeed, they were the models for the first European universities, such as Bologna, Heidelberg, and the Sorbonne. Even the familiar academic cap and gown originated at Al-Azhar University.


Muslims made great advances in many different fields, such as geography, physics, chemistry, mathematics, medicine, pharmacology, architecture, linguistics and astronomy. Algebra and the Arabic numerals were introduced to the world by Muslim scholars. The astrolabe, the quadrant, and other navigational devices and maps were developed by Muslim scholars and played an important role in world progress, most notably in Europe's age of exploration.


Muslim scholars studied the ancient civilations from Greece and Rome to China and India. The works of Aristotle, Ptolemy, Euclid and others were translated into Arabic. Muslim scholars and scientists then added their own creative ideas, discoveries and inventions, and finally transmitted this new knowledge to Europe, leading directly to the Renaissance. Many scientific and medical treatises, having been translated into Latin, were standard text and reference books as late as the 17th and 18th centuries.


Mathematics


It is interesting to note that Islam so strongly urges mankind to study and explore the universe. For example, the Holy Qur'an states:


"We (Allah) will show you (mankind) Our signs/patterns in the horizons/universe and in yourselves until you are convinced that the revelation is the truth." [Qur'an, 14:53]


This invitation to explore and search made Muslims interested in astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, and the other sciences, and they had a very clear and firm understanding of the correspondences among geometry, mathematics, and astronomy.


The Muslims invented the symbol for zero (The word "cipher" comes from Arabic sifr), and they organized the numbers into the decimal system - base 10. Additionally, they invented the symbol to express an unknown quantity, i.e. variables like x.


The first great Muslim mathematician, Al-Khawarizmi, invented the subject of algebra (al-Jabr), which was further developed by others, most notably Umar Khayyam. Al-Khawarizmi's work, in Latin translation, brought the Arabic numerals along with the mathematics to Europe, through Spain. The word "algorithm" is derived from his name.


Muslim mathematicians excelled also in geometry, as can be seen in their graphic arts, and it was the great Al-Biruni (who excelled also in the fields of natural history, even geology and mineralogy) who established trigonometry as a distinct branch of mathematics. Other Muslim mathematicians made significant progress in number theory.


Medicine


In Islam, the human body is a source of appreciation, as it is created by Almighty Allah (God). How it functions, how to keep it clean and safe, how to prevent diseases from attacking it or cure those diseases, have been important issues for Muslims.


Prophet Muhammad himself urged people to "take medicines for your diseases", as people at that time were reluctant to do so. He also said,


"God created no illness, but established for it a cure, except for old age. When the antidote is applied, the patient will recover with the permission of God."


This was strong motivation to encourage Muslim scientists to explore, develop, and apply empirical laws. Much attention was given to medicine and public health care. The first hospital was built in Baghdad in 706 AC. The Muslims also used camel caravans as mobile hospitals, which moved from place to place.


Since the religion did not forbid it, Muslim scholars used human cadavers to study anatomy and physiology and to help their students understand how the body functions. This empirical study enabled surgery to develop very quickly.


Al-Razi, known in the West as Rhazes, the famous physician and scientist, (d. 932) was one of the greatest physicians in the world in the Middle Ages. He stressed empirical observation and clinical medicine and was unrivaled as a diagnostician. He also wrote a treatise on hygiene in hospitals. Khalaf Abul-Qasim Al-Zahrawi was a very famous surgeon in the eleventh century, known in Europe for his work, Concessio (Kitab al-Tasrif).


Ibn Sina (d. 1037), better known to the West as Avicenna, was perhaps the greatest physician until the modern era. His famous book, Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb, remained a standard textbook even in Europe, for over 700 years. Ibn Sina's work is still studied and built upon in the East.


Other significant contributions were made in pharmacology, such as Ibn Sina's Kitab al-Shifa' (Book of Healing), and in public health. Every major city in the Islamic world had a number of excellent hospitals, some of them teaching hospitals, and many of them were specialized for particular diseases, including mental and emotional. The Ottomans were particularly noted for their building of hospitals and for the high level of hygiene practiced in them.


Definition


The word ISLAM has a two-fold meaning: peace, and submission to God. This submission requires a fully conscious and willing effort to submit to the one Almighty God. One must consciously and conscientiously give oneself to the service of Allah. This means to act on what Allah enjoins all of us to do (in the Qur'an) and what His beloved Prophet, Muhammad (pbuh) encouraged us to do in his Sunnah (his lifestyle and sayings personifying the Qur'an).


Once we humble ourselves, rid ourselves of our egoism and submit totally to Allah, and to Him exclusively, in faith and in action, we will surely feel peace in our hearts. Establishing peace in our hearts will bring about peace in our external conduct as well.


Islam is careful to remind us that it not a religion to be paid mere lip service; rather it is an all-encompassing way of life that must be practiced continuously for it to be Islam. The Muslim must practice the five pillars of the religion: the declaration of faith in the oneness of Allah and the prophet hood of Muhammad (pbuh), prayer, fasting the month of Ramadan, alms-tax, and the pilgrimage to Makkah; and believe in the six articles of faith: belief in God, the Holy Books, the prophets, the angels, the Day of Judgment and God's decree, whether for good or ill.


There are other injunctions and commandments which concern virtually all facets of one's personal, family and civic life. These include such matters as diet, clothing, personal hygiene, interpersonal relations, business ethics, responsibilities towards parents, spouse and children, marriage, divorce and inheritance, civil and criminal law, fighting in defense of Islam, relations with non-Muslims, and so much more.


Compiled from the books and tapes of Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips

Thursday, September 23, 2004 Posted: 9:40 AM EDT (1340


GMT)


http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/09/23...igil/index.html


LIVERPOOL, England (CNN) -- Muslim and Christian


religious leaders in the hometown of a British hostage


facing death in Iraq have appealed for his captors to


free him.


"In the name of God, the merciful one, we as Muslim


and Christian leaders in Liverpool appeal to you as


believers to have mercy on Kenneth Bigley," said Akbar


Ali, the chairman of Liverpool Mosque and Islamic


Institute.


Joining Ali at the news conference on Thursday was


James Jones, Liverpool's Anglican Bishop.


"We're appealing to them on the grounds of their own


faith and their own faith in the God of mercy to be


merciful, to have compassion in this situation and to


release Mr. Bigley," Jones said.


Bigley's wife, who lives in Thailand, also begged the


captors to release her husband.


"My husband, Ken, is an ordinary, hardworking family


man who wanted to help the people of Iraq amongst whom


he has made many friends," Sombat Bigley said,


according to a translation from The Associated Press.


"As a loving wife, I beg you once more for mercy."


Bigley, 62, was abducted last Thursday along with two


Americans from their Baghdad residence. The three men


were in Iraq working on reconstruction projects for


the Middle Eastern company, Gulf Supplies and


Commercial Services.


The two Americans were beheaded Monday and Tuesday.


Bigley's captors said he would face the same fate


unless the British government met their demand to


release Muslim women from Iraqi prisons. U.S.


officials said the only women currently held in Iraq


are the two "high value detainees" -- both held at


Camp Cropper near the Baghdad airport, according to


Iraqi sources.


The interim Iraqi government Thursday reiterated it


had no imminent plans to release any detainees -- as


have Washington officials.


Bigley's brother on Thursday criticized the U.S.


government. He said the initial report that the


prisoners would be released was "a shadow of light in


a big, long, dark, damp, filthy, cold tunnel."


"Now this has been sabotaged." Mr Bigley told BBC


radio on Thursday. (Full story)


Alberto Fernandez, spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in


Baghdad, said the release of the two female HVDs is


not pending, despite earlier reports that Dr. Rihab


Rashid Taha al-Azawi, known as "Dr. Germ," may be


conditionally released. The other HVD is Dr. Huda


Salih Mahdi Ammash, known as "Mrs. Anthrax," number 53


of the 55 most wanted Iraqis. (Full story)


Wednesday, Bigley pleaded for his life in a video


posted on an Islamic Web site. Later, his family


begged his Iraqi captors to "be merciful."


"We have seen and heard Ken's pleas. Thank you for


letting Ken make his appeal. All of the family are


very grateful to you for his message. They wish you to


say to Ken that they love him dearly and are waiting


for him to come home soon," said Craig Bigley, the


hostage's son.


He was joined by his uncles, Stan and Phil, who said


their 86-year-old mother also was appealing for his


safe release.


"We have heard what you say and want to continue to


listen to you. You have proved to the world that you


are committed and determined. Be merciful as we know


you can be," Craig Bigley said. "Release Ken back to


his wife and family. We ask you, as a family, to be


all merciful."


In the Web site video, Kenneth Bigley tearfully


pleaded for British Prime Minister Tony Blair to help


spare his life, saying, "Please, please help me."


"I think this is possibly my last chance to speak to


somebody who will listen," Bigley said in the


11-minute video. "I don't want to die here."


He added: "I need you to help me, Mr. Blair, because


you are the only person now on God's earth that I can


speak to."


Speaking at the United Nations, British Foreign


Secretary Jack Straw said: "I wish that the prime


minister were in that position and so does he. The


only people who can release Mr. Bigley are the


terrorists who have captured Mr. Bigley."


Bigley's plea appeared on an Islamic Web site often


used by Iraqi militants to get their message out. His


captors have said they want Muslim women freed from


Iraqi prisons or Bigley will be killed like his two


American colleagues.


'Amused' Cat Stevens back home


http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/09/23/stevens.b...tain/index.html


LONDON, England (CNN) -- The British recording artist


Yusuf Islam returned to London Thursday saying he was


"shocked and slightly amused" after U.S. officials


determined he was on a terrorist watch list and was


not allowed to enter the United States.


Islam, the peace activist and singer once known as Cat


Stevens, said he was traveling to Nashville,


Tennessee, with his daughter for a recording session


when he was approached aboard the flight into


Washington, D.C.


"Suddenly we were forced to land and suddenly I was


being interrogated by all these FBI officers," Islam


said at an impromptu press conference at London's


Heathrow Airport.


"The whole thing is totally ridiculous. Everybody


knows who I am, you know, I'm no secret figure.


Everybody knows my campaigning for charity, for peace.


And there's got to be a whole lot of explanations.


Hopefully there will be that."


When asked if he was being victimized, he said


"absolutely," then added, "but you know people make


mistakes."


"I just hope they've made a big mistake."


Islam was taken off a United Air Lines flight from


London to Washington on Tuesday and officially denied


entry to the United States when U.S. authorities


ordered the aircraft to land in Bangor, Maine.


He was taken to Boston and Washington before being


sent back to London on another United flight from


Dulles International Airport.


U.S. Muslim leaders say they want the government to


explain why he was on a "watch list" meant to keep


terrorists out of the country.


Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge accused Islam of


having some unspecified relationship with terrorist


activity.


"Celebrity or unknown, our job is to act on


information that others have given us," Ridge said.


"And in this instance, there was some relationship


between the name and the terrorists' activity with


this individual's name being on that no-fly list, and


appropriate action was taken."


Other officials said he was on the watch list because


of reported associations and financial support for


Muslim charities with terrorist connections. But they


would not disclose the names of those charities, and


Homeland Security spokesman Garrison Courtney told CNN


only that "the intelligence community has come into


possession of additional information that further


heightens our concerns of Yusuf Islam."


The 56-year-old Islam changed his name after becoming


a Muslim in the 1970s. Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for


the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said his


organization wanted a better explanation for why the


singer was denied entry into the country.


"We are getting a little tired of this kind of


Kafkaesque treatment of people, where vague


allegations are made and actions are taken against


individuals and organizations," Hooper said.


He said American Muslim leaders "need to know where


the allegations are coming from."


"I don't think we want to be in a situation where


people are denounced by anonymous government officials


and labeled as terrorists and that's it -- everybody


says 'Okay, we don't need any more information.' We


need more information," he said.


According to Islam's Web site, he is associated with


three charities: Small Kindness for humanitarian


relief; Islamia Schools' Trust for education; and Waqf


al Birr Educational Trust for educational research and


development and scientific and medical research.


As Cat Stevens, Islam had a string of hits in the


1960s and 1970s such as "Moon Shadow," "Peace Train,"


"Wild World" and "Morning Has Broken" before


converting to Islam in the 1970s and changing his


name.


He dropped out of the music business for more than a


decade after converting to Islam, but returned to the


studio periodically since the late 1990s. He condemned


the September 11, 2001, al Qaeda attacks on New York


and Washington, performing at a benefit concert to


raise money for victims and donating a portion of the


royalties from a career retrospective to a relief


fund.


He also condemned the recent attack on a school in the


southern Russian town of Beslan that killed more than


300 people, many of them children.

What does everyone here think of the new Iraqi Prime Minister? He seems like just another puppet leader controlled by the U.S. to me. What do you think?

It’s hard, especially when you’re a teenager and bombarded with images of sexuality: that hot-looking scantily clad guy or gal in the magazine, grinning at you and luring you; or the persistent emphasis on sex in the movies (even Toy Story!); or the pervasive links to pornography and ad banners that pop up while you may simply be checking your e-mail or researching something for school. How does a young Muslim protect him or herself from all of this? Below are some tips that can help:


Tip 1. Know what is Halal (lawful) and what’s not


We may think only hard core pornography is Islamically unacceptable. This is not true. Improperly dressed men and women, sexual situations, foreplay, kissing, touching, dirty jokes: none of these are Islamically acceptable. Talk to a trusted Muslim friend, family member of the same gender or an Imam about this. Bring it up and ask them to give you the Islamic perspective.


Tip 2. Remember your accountability to Allah


In America and some other countries, you’re fully responsible for your actions when you turn 18. In Islam, you’re fully accountable as soon as you understand these things. So that means that from that point onwards, you cannot assume looking at this stuff is no big deal. Your eyes will testify about what you looked at on the Day of Judgment. Remember that Allah is always watching. He is Most Just and Merciful, and He rewards us for the good and punishes us for the bad we do.


Tip 3. Become conscious of the Haram (unlawful)


Too often, it’s easy to dismiss that billboard with the spandex-and-bikini-top-clad blonde girl advertising gum, or the guy in tight leather pants and no shirt advertising perfume. When you see it, remember the Islamic perspective, your accountability to Allah, and lower your gaze. Do the same for television and the internet. If you keep doing this, insha-Allah, it’ll become a habit, and eventually an automatic reaction.


Tip 4. If feeling overwhelmed, remember Allah


In situations where you feel overwhelmed and can’t get yourself to switch the channel, close the browser window or turn your eyes away from the billboard, ask Allah’s help. You don’t necessarily need any heavy duty, long Dua's. "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" (there is no power or ability except with Allah) is short, simple, and reminds you who is really in control and can help you out of this.


Tip 5. Seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan


Shaitan lured you into this mess. Seeking refuge in Allah (saying awthu/awoozoo billahi minash Shaitan ir rajeem), will help you resist him and his whisperings to continue looking at the material.


Tip 6. Get up and leave


If you feel unable to control looking at the screen or the magazine, leave the situation. Get out of the living room, your bedroom where the internet is, or where you’ve been reading the magazine. Take a walk. Just do something to physically get out of the situation.


Tip 7. Avoid those involved in pornography


If one of your friends is into pornographic magazines, websites, dirty jokes etc. either help him or her change through gentle and sincere advice, or abandon frequent contact with them. Their compulsion will affect you, so it’s best to stay as far away as possible, by remembering the danger to yourself, your Deen, and your relationship with Allah.


Tip 8. Stay away from places where it’s found


Sometimes it’s on a billboard on a highway and you can’t miss it. But often times, you’ll notice certain parts of your city (the seedier ones) tend to be filled with this kind of material (where there are usually strip joints, for example). Avoid these places as much as you can. If it’s on your way to school, try to change your route. Also, in summer, stay away from the beach.


Tip 9. Surf or watch TV when others are around


The temptation to sneak a look at dirty pictures or that bikini-clad babe is heightened when you’re alone in your room watching television or surfing the internet. Try to avoid late night TV and internet surfing. Instead, watch or surf when others are around so you can resist the urge to sneak a peek, thinking no one’s watching (and remember Allah is always watching). It is a good idea not to have TV or computer in the bedroom anyway. Living room or study room is a better place for this stuff.


Tip 10. Remember your example


If you have younger brothers and sisters, think of the bad example you’re setting for them. What message will they get if they barge into your room and catch you watching Baywatch or flipping through Playboy.


Tip 11. For brothers, remember your mom and sister


Disgusting right? Exactly. No one in his right mind would look at his mom or sister the way many of us look at the Baywatch babes or the girls on the internet or in magazines. Remember mom and your sister, and that should sicken you enough to stop, insha-Allah.


Tip 12. Have someone watch over you


If you really feel you’re becoming addicted to this kind of material, try to watch TV, surf the internet with someone else. You don’t have to tell them why you’re doing this, but this method can perhaps keep you in check and help you avoid looking at pornography or other similar material. After all, Shaitan tempts us most easily when we’re alone. Sitting in the company of a family member or good Muslim friend will insha Allah, help.


Tip 13. Fast


The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) advised us to fast to cool passions. This should be a method we use to handle the desire aroused by pornography and similar material.


Tip 14. Do Tawba and return to Allah


If you do end up watching the bad stuff, repent to Allah. Seek His forgiveness, reaffirm your faith in Him, and do good deed to compensate for that sin. He is All-Forgiven as long as you are sincere.


Tip 15. Repent again and fine yourself


If you lapse, do tawba again. Allah is All-Forgiving as long as we mean it. But then you need to discipline yourself by promising to yourself that if I did it again, I will pay this much in charity or fast for a day.


The message is that don’t give up on yourself. Keep trying. Struggle is life. Shaitan could be creative. And with the help of Allah, you will be the winner insha Allah.


Source: www.uwt.org

Islam condemns all unlawful killings. Referring to the first murder of Abel by his brother Cain Quran says, “For this We enjoined upon the Children of Israel (and this includes Jews, Christians and Muslims) that whosoever kills one person (unlawfully, or without his causing disruption in the land) it is like killing the whole of mankind, and whosoever protects life to one person it is like giving life to whole mankind“.(5:39). As regards value of Life Islam even prohibits unnecessary killing of animals much less humans. Islam places highest value on human Life, allowing even eating of Pork when inevitable for survival. Even during war Islam prohibits killing of women, children, old persons, non-militants and even destroying crops and property.



Suicide for any purpose is prohibited in Islam. Quran says, “Do not put yourself to destruction with your own hands” (2:195). A Tradition of the Prophet Muhammad says, “And if somebody commits suicide with anything in this world, he will be tortured with that very thing on the Day of Resurrection.” Suicide bombing involves killing oneself as well as others. So it is doubly condemned.

The Signs are listed in roughly chronological order, although the order is not necessarily precise, especially for those in the future.


This is a brief summary of the signs; there are many books, articles, and cassettes etc., which discuss these in greater detail. May Allah enable us to recognize and heed the Signs, and strengthen us in the times of tribulation.


"Are they waiting for anything except the Hour, to come to them suddenly? But its Signs have already come!" (Al-Quran, Surah Muhammad)


Past


1. Splitting of the Moon.


2. Death of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.


3. A form of death, which will kill thousands of Muslims. (Understood to refer to the plague of Amwas during the caliphate of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab.)


4. A major fighting in Madinah (understood to refer to the battle of al-Harrah during the caliphate of Yazid, 63 AH).


5. The Muslim conquest of Jerusalem.


6. The Muslim conquest of Constantinople.


7. Two large groups of Muslims will fight in war.


8. A war between the Muslims and a reddish people with small eyes, wearing sandals made of hair (understood to refer to the Mongol Tatar invasion of the Islamic lands.)


9. A peace agreement between the Muslims and non-Muslims from the yellow race (Chinese, Mongols, etc.)


10. Thirty impostors (Dajjaal) will appear, each thinking he is a prophet.


Present


11. Naked, destitute, barefoot shepherds will compete in building tall buildings.


12. The slave-woman will give birth to her master or mistress.


13. A trial (fitnah), which will enter every Arab household.


14. Knowledge will be taken away (by the death of people of knowledge), and ignorance will prevail.


15. Wine (intoxicants, alcohol) will be drunk in great quantities.


16. Illegal sexual intercourse will become widespread.


17. Earthquakes will increase.


18. Time will pass more quickly.


19. Tribulations (fitan) will prevail.


20. Bloodshed will increase.


21. A man will pass by the grave of another and wish he was in the latter’s place.


22. Trustworthiness will be lost, i.e. when authority is given to those who do not deserve it.


23. People will gather for prayer, but will be unable to find an imam to lead them.


Future


24. The number of men will decrease, whilst the number of women will increase, until for every man there are 50 women.


25. The Euphrates will reveal a treasure of gold, and many will die fighting over it, each one hoping to be the one who gains the treasure.


26. The Romans (Europeans) will come to a place called A’maq or Wabiq, and an army of the best people will go forth from Madinah to face them.


27. The Muslim conquest of Rome.


28. The Mahdi (guided one) will appear, and be the Imam of the Muslims.


29. Jesus Christ will descend in Damascus, and pray behind the Mahdi.


30. Jesus will break the cross and kill the swine, i.e. destroy the false Christianity.


31. The Antichrist (al-masih al-dajjal, the false Christ) will appear, with all his tools of deception, and be an immense trial. He will be followed by 70,000 Jews from Isfahan (present-day Iran).


32. The appearance of Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog), and the associated tribulations.


33. The emergence of the Beast from the Earth, carrying the Staff of Moses and the Seal of Solomon, who will speak to the people, telling them they did not believe with certainty in the Divine Signs.


34. A major war between the Muslims (including Jews and Christians who truly believe in Jesus after his return) led by the Imam Mahdi, and the Jews plus other non-Muslims led by the Antichrist.


35. Jesus will kill the Antichrist at the gate of Ludd (Lod in present-day Israel, site of an airport and a major Israeli military base).


36. A time of great peace and serenity during and after the remaining lifetime of Jesus.


37. Wealth will come so abundant that it will become difficult to find someone to accept charity.


38. Arabia will become a land of gardens and rivers.


39. Society will then decay.


40. The buttocks of the women of the tribe of Daws will again sway in circumambulation (tawaf) around the idol Dhul-Khulsah.


41. A great fire in the Hijaz, seen by the inhabitants of Busra.


42. Three major armies will sink into the earth: one in the east, one in the west, and one in Arabia.


43. An Abyssinian leader with thin shins will destroy the Ka’bah.


44. The huge cloud of smoke.


45. The sun will rise from the west (its place of setting).


46. A gentle wind, which will take the souls of the believers.


47. There is no-one left on the earth saying, "Allah, Allah" or "There is no god except Allah."


48. Eventually the Day of Judgment is established upon the worst of the people, who copulate like donkeys in public.


49. The blowing in the Trumpet by the Angel Israfil, upon which everyone will faint except as Allah wills.


50. The second blowing in the Trumpet, upon which everyone will be resurrected.


By: Dr. Suhaib Hasan


Source: ahlussunnah.net

Of the many beings created by God, the angels are of special importance. They have been invested by God with the supernatural power to keep order in the functioning of the universe. They do not, however, deviate in the slightest from the path of God, for all their functioning is in complete obedience to His will.


Diverse and numerous events are taking place at every moment in the universe, for instance, the movement of the stars, the shining of the sun and moon, the falling of the rain, the alternation of the seasons, and so on. All of these, and many other continually recurring events are attended to by the angels. Working in the universe as extremely faithful and obedient servants of God, they ensure the continued existence of the human and animal species on earth.


As well as running the world’s systems, these angels, a numerous band, take charge of all matters in heaven and hell.


The role of the angels can be understood by the example of a large factory. In any such factory, there are many big and complex machines which produce the goods for which the factory has been established. But these machines do not run on their own. To facilitate their smooth running many human hands are required. Therefore, in every factory there are always a number of people whose duty it is to attend constantly to their proper and efficient functioning. Similarly, countless angels are appointed to ensure the proper functioning of the great factory of the universe.


The difference between the two factories is only that in the material one, the human hands are visible, while in the metaphorical one—the great mechanism of the universe—the angels remain invisible to the naked eye.


Man may not be able to see the angels, but the angels can certainly see man, and keep a watch on him on behalf of God. It is these very angels who take man’s soul away after death.


By: Maulana Wahiduddin Khan


Source: alrisala.org

From Nawfal Ibn Mu`aawiyah, radhiallahu anhu, that the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said: "Whoever missed the prayer, then it is as if he had lost his family and his wealth." (Ibn Hibban in his Sahih and it occurs in Saheehut-Targheeb 576)


How would you feel, O Muslim brother, if you were to lose your precious son? How would you feel if you lost your wife? What pain would you feel if you lost your family? What would your grief be like if you lost both your family and your wealth? Indeed it would be an agonizing blow and terrible grief that a person should lose his family and wealth. Losing his family with whom he lived with and experienced such joy. The spacious earth would seem constricted for one who lost his family. He would experience distress, grief and agony. Then how about one who in addition lost his wealth? Fresh and sweet wealth which Allah made a support for us, how would you feel if that occurred, too? Then know that one who misses the prayer has indeed suffered a huge loss. (End of the chapter)


Summarized notes from the chapter on "The excellence of the prayer and its wiping away of sins and evil deeds":


1. Allah wipes away sins through the five daily prayers.


2. Prayer is an expiation of what is committed between them, as long as major sins are avoided.


3. Sins destroy a person and ignite a fire for him which he must extinguish with prayers.


4. The Muslim may reach the station of the sincere, the truthful and the martyrs through prayer, Zakat and fasting.


5. Prayer's excellence over other actions.


6. Allah the Most High blessed the companion by entering him into Paradise before his brother, the martyr, and that was because he performed more prayers than him.


7. Prayer is a light which will make the way clear for the servant in this life and the Hereafter.


8. The way to achieve companionship of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) in Paradise is to increase in performance of prostration and prayer.


9. Performance of two Rak'ahs (units) would be more beloved to a deceased person than the world and all that it contains.


10.Turning with one's heart to Allah in the prayer fully and sincerely, causes the Muslim to be as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him (i.e. free from sin).


By: Shaikh Husayn al Awaaishah


Source: islaam.com