FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

..: Muslim American Society :..

PRESS RELEASE

Founding Meeting for the National Council of Imams and Islamic Centers

(NCIIC)

Over 100 Islamic Centers Confirmed

http://www.masnet.org/pressroom_release.asp?id=1225

On June 4-6, 2004, in Washington, DC, imams and directors of Islamic Centers

from across the nation will meet to ratify the constitution for the

establishment of a National Council for Imams and Islamic Centers in the

United States.

After meetings and discussions with local leaders, regional shura councils

and the national leadership from the Islamic Society of North America

(ISNA), the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), the Muslim American

Society (MAS), the Muslim Alliance of North America (MANA) and others, all

agree the effort is critically needed. Over one hundred Islamic centers from

across the nation have confirmed their participation.

People in America are familiar with the Council of Churches or Council of

Bishops. Thus far, no such structure exists for the American Muslim

community.

The council will serve as a national body coordinating and directing

operations of the nationwide Muslim community, while respecting the

integrity and autonomy of each individual mosque or center. This is an

opportunity for our community to come together across ethnic and

organizational lines both at the local and national level.

MAS has spearheaded the effort after a number of meetings organized by the

Society and ICNA during their joint conventions.

MAS President Souheil Ghannouchi states, "We have driven this process with

the hope that at this meeting, the community will take up this work and make

it their own.

"MAS will do all it can to see this national council become a success."

At this meeting, the new Council will elect officers from the Muslim

community independent of their affiliations to any national organizations or

groups.

For more information contact:

The Steering Committee

National Council of Imams and Islamic Centers

steeringnciic@masnet.org

masit@masnet.org

703-998-6525 Tel

703-998-6526 Fax

To download NCIIC invitation and registration materials, please click on the

link:

http://www.masnet.org/pressroom_release.asp?id=1225

(Assalam)

hey everyone here is my proposal for the children:

<b>First of all here are the objectives:</b>


Help the children to gain knowledge of islam.
Introduce them to the wide world of islam on the internet
teach them how to navigate around sites in general
MOST OF ALL..... ALLOW THEM TO HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!

<b>Note:</b>We need to fulfil these objectives the question is <i>HOW???</i> we need something FUN, CAPTIVATING, COOL TO LOOK AT and most of all FULL OF KNOWLEDGE....

well i think i have an idea:

<b>here is the plan:</b>

A treasure hunt:

<b>1] HOW THE KIDS WILL SEE IT:</b>

they will be introduced to an interface where they are going on a ship(similar to a pirate ship) to different parts of the internet: the interface would take them to a whole new site where they will be greeted by a person who would come aboard their ship... this person would ask them an islamic question... To answer this question they will be pointed to a section of the site that they will have to go through(something small children have small attention spans)..when they get the answer then they will be given the secret location to another point on the map(which is really another site)they will go through the same thing here....

when they have finished about 10 questions and 10 different sites then they would be given a prize and added to a winner's list for everyone to see...

there will be three different levels of questions.. easy.. meduim and TOUGH...

<b>2] THE TECHNICAL BEHIND THE SCENES OPERATIONS:</b>

INTERFACE:

this would be done in flash... it would have a cartoonish appearance and the questions would be read off a text file on the server...

ASP(Active Sever Pages):

this server/side language will be used to write the text file.. this way there can be an administration area set up where the moderators can change the questions periodically... since www.islamsms.com doesnt support this, it would have to be hosted off my site www.naseeha.com.




... but here is what i was thinking...we could have one page with two frames.. one above and one on the bottom.. the top one will have the interface with the pirate ship and the quesitons and the bottom one will be where they will see other sites load up so that they can browse through it and find the answers then they would put that answer in the interface...

when they have answered all the questions then they will put their name in a little box and will be given the prize

THE PRIZE:

well i talked to muslimah about this and we were thinking to let them download a story book with islamic stories for children... but we will have to put this up.. somehow we could use help with this...

THE GRAPHICS:


we would need some graphics of a treasure map,
the decking of a ship with a person standing by the ship's steering wheel (this is the child himself)
a few pics of people from different sites... (in islamic garb)
a treasure chest

<b>3] PROGRESS THUS FAR</b>

well i only had the idea yesterday.. so i havent actually done anything yet... i asked one of my freinds to do the graphics but i dont know when i will get it.. he is a very busy person

as for the rest i will do it by myself but i need help with the stories... i want someone to help me with some prizes

and when everything is ready then we will have to prepare the questions and maybe email some sites to go on an advertising campaign of some sort... in order to get the word out there...

as for everything else i will be handling that.. but everyone gotta understand one thing i am studying to become a professional accountant... I HAVE NEVER in my life had any lessons in web programming... everything that i am doing will be totall y amateur and i will have to do it by trial and error... not only that but i have exams in early june so things will be slow before that... i can use any help...

i heard joshua is into graphics.. maybe he would be interested in helping...

this is my proposal....

now lemme get some feedback

(Walikum)

Asalamalaykum

I've been fiddling with the "edit avatar" section in my User CP, And guess what? Now my avatar is gone + I can't upload any avatar...... :computera

Maybe there is something I am not understanding,

Can someone help me out? :embarrase

Jezekelah khayr in advance

Salam

This is to all who are going to post anything on the kids forum. The following things must be taken into consideratiogn when posting a topic.

1. The age group here is 5-14 yr olds.

2. Posts should not be too long.

3. They should be colourful.

4. Simple language must be used for the kids to understand.

5. In appropriate places images should be used.

The above are only a few things which need to be taken into account. Our aim here is to attract the attention of kids who use the internet and are willing to learn more about Islam. So far the topics which have been posted are fine content wise. However looking at them think to yourself if you were between that age bracket of 5-14 would you be reading them. I dont think so.

Therefore to make this room succesful please take into account all the above we need to catch the attention of the kids not scare them away.

Jazakallah.

Asalamalaykum Everyone, Yes I know, I tend to post alot concerning Marriage, its a subject I like learning about, My favortie Subject. :smilingfl...Marriage is half of Deen.

Anyway, I posted on the private sisters forum ~How to Make your Husband Happy~ So I thought Maybe the Brothers should have their bit too, just to be fair InshaAllah.

May it Benefit you all ameen.

<b>How to Make your Wife Happy </b>


<span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%;">The following is part ONE of a summary of the book \"How to make your wife happy\" by Sheikh Mohammed Abdelhaleem Hamed.
</span>

<b>1. Beautiful Reception</b>


After returning from work, school, travel, or whatever has separated you:

* begin with a good greeting.

* Start with Assalamau 'Aliaykum and a smile. Salam is a sunnah and a

du'aa for her as well.

* Shake her hand and leave bad news for later!

<b>2. Sweet Speech and Enchanting Invitations</b>

* Choose words that are positive and avoid negative ones.

* Give her your attention when you speak of she speaks.

* Speak with clarity and repeat words if necessary until she understands.

* Call her with the nice names that she likes, e.g. my sweet-heart,

honey, saaliha, etc.

<b> 3. Friendliness and Recreation</b>

*Spend time talking together.

* Spread to her goods news.

* Remember your good memories together.

<b> 4. Games and Distractions</b>

* Joking around & having a sense of humor.

* Playing and competing with each other in sports or whatever.

* Taking her to watch permissible (halal) types of entertainment.

* Avoiding prohibited (haram) things in your choices of entertainment.

<b> 5. Assistance in the Household</b>

* Doing what you as an individual can/like to do that helps out,

especially if she is sick or tired.

* The most important thing is making it obvious that he appreciates her

hard work.

<b> 6. Consultation (Shurah)</b>

* Specifically in family matters.

* Giving her the feeling that her opinion is important to you.

* Studying her opinion carefully.

* Be willing to change an opinion for hers if it is better.

* Thanking her for helping him with her opinions.

<b> 7. Visiting Others</b>

* Choosing well raised people to build relations with. There is a great

reward in visiting relatives and pious people. (Not in wasting time

while visiting!)

* Pay attention to ensure Islamic manners during visits.

* Not forcing her to visit whom she does not feel comfortable with.

<b> 8. Conduct During Travel</b>

* Offer a warm farewell and good advice.

* Ask her to pray for him.

* Ask pious relatives and friends to take care of the family in your

absence.

* Give her enough money for what she might need.

* Try to stay in touch with her whether by phone, e-mail, letters, etc..

* Return as soon as possible.

* Bring her a gift!

* Avoid returning at an unexpected time or at night.

* Take her with you if possible.

<b> 9. Financial Support</b>

* The husband needs to be generous within his financial capabilities. He

should not be a miser with his money (nor wasteful).

* He gets rewards for all what he spends on her sustenance even for a

small piece of bread that he feeds her by his hand (hadeith).

* He is strongly encouraged to give to her before she asks him.

<b> 10. Smelling Good and Physical Beautification</b>

* Following the Sunnah in removing hair from the groin and underarms.

* Always being clean and neat.

* Put on perfume for her.

<b> 11. Intercourse</b>

* It is obligatory to do it habitually if you have no excuse (sickness,etc.)

* Start with "Bismillah" and the authentic du'a.

* Enter into her in the proper place only (not the anus).

* Begin with foreplay including words of love.

* Continue until you have satisfied her desire.

* Relax and joke around afterwards.

* Avoid intercourse during the monthly period because it haram

* Do what you can to avoid damaging her level of Hiyaa (shyness and

modesty) such as taking your clothes together instead of asking her

to do it first while he is looking on.

* Avoid positions during intercourse that may harm her such as putting

pressure on her chest and blocking her breath, especially if you are

heavy.

* Choose suitable times for intercourse and be considerate as

sometimes she maybe sick or exhausted.

<b>12. Guarding Privacy</b>

* Avoid disclosing private information such as bedroom secrets, her

personal problems and other private matters.

<b> 13. Aiding in the Obedience to Allah</b>

* Wake her up in the last third of the night to pray "Qiam-ul-Layl"

(extra prayer done at night with long sujood and ruku'ua).

* Teach her what you know of the Qur'an and its tafseer.

* Teach her "Dhikr" (ways to remember Allah by the example of the

prophet) in the morning and evening.

* Encourage her to spend money for the sake of Allah such as in a charity

sale.

* Take her to Hajj and Umrah when you can afford to do so.

<b> 14. Showing Respect for her Family and Friends</b>

* Take her to visit her family and relatives, especially her parents.

* Invite them to visit her and welcome them.

* Give them presents on special occasions.

* Help them when needed with money, effort, etc..

* Keep good relations with her family after her death if she dies first.

Also in this case the husband is encouraged to follow the sunnah

and keep giving what she used to give in her life to her friends and

family.

<b> 15. (Islamic) Training & Admonition</b>

This includes:

* The basics of Islam

* Her duties and rights

* Reading and writing

* Encouraging her to attend lessons and halaqahs

* Islamic rules (ahkam) related to women

* Buying Islamic books and tapes for the home library

<b> 16. Admirable Jealousy</b>

* Ensure she is wearing proper hijab before leaving house.

* Restrict free mixing with non-mahram men.

* Avoiding excess jealousy. Examples of this are:

1- Analyzing every word and sentence she says and overloading

her speech by meanings that she did not mean

2- Preventing her from going out of the house when the reasons are

just.

3- Preventing her from answering the phone.

4- etc.

<b>17. Patience and Mildness</b>

* Problems are expected in every marriage so this is normal. What is

wrong is excessive responses and magnifying problems until a marital

breakdown.

* Anger should be shown when she exceeds the boundaries of Allah SW by delaying prayers, backbiting, watching prohibited scenes on TV, etc..

* Forgive the mistakes she does to you (See item 18).

* How can you best correct her mistakes?

1- First, implicit and explicit advice several times.

2- Then by turning your back to her in bed (displaying your feelings).

Note that this does not include leaving the bedroom to another room,

leaving the house to another place, or not talking with her.

3- The last solution is lightly hitting (when allowable) her. In this

case, the hsuband should consider the following:

- He should know that sunnah is to avoid beating as the Prophet

PBUH never beat a woman or a servant.

- He should do it only in extreme cases of disobedience, e.g.

refusing intercourse without cause frequently, constantly not

praying on time, leaving the house for long periods of time

without permission nor refusing to tell him where she had been,

etc..

- It should not be done except after having turned from her bed and

discussing the matter with her as mentioned in Qur'an .

- He should not hit her hard injuring her, or hit her on her face or

on sensitive parts of her body.

- He should avoid shaming her such as by hitting her with a shoe,

etc.

<b>18. Pardoning and Appropriate Censure</b>

* Accounting her only for larger mistakes.

* Forgive mistakes done to him but account her for mistakes done in

Allah's rights, e.g. delaying prayers, etc..

* Remember all the good she does whenever she makes a mistake.

* Remember that all humans err so try to find excuses for her such as

maybe she is tired, sad, having her monthly cycle or that her

commitment to Islam is growing.

* Avoid attacking her for the bad cooking of the food as the Prophet PBUH

never blamed any of his wives for this. If he likes the food, he eats

and if he doesn't then he does not eat and does not comment.

* Before declaring her to be in error, try other indirect approaches that

are more subtle than direct accusations

* Escape from using insults and words that may hurt her feelings.

* When it becomes necessary to discuss a problem wait until you have

privacy from others.

* Waiting until the anger has subsided a bit can help to keep a control

on your words.

<b>Eating, Drinking and Entertaining </b> HOW TO START EATING?

عن عُمَرَ ابْنَ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ يَقُولُ كُنْتُ غُلَامًا فِي حَجْرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَكَانَتْ يَدِي تَطِيشُ فِي الصَّحْفَةِ فَقَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَا غُلَامُ سَمِّ اللَّهَ وَكُلْ بِيَمِينِكَ وَكُلْ مِمَّا يَلِيكَ فَمَا زَالَتْ تِلْكَ طِعْمَتِي بَعْدُ

Umar bin Abu Salmah (may Allah be pleased with him) states that I was a boy under the care of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be on him) my hand was moving fastly in the bowl, taking from every side. So the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said to me: "<b>Say Bismillah (i.e. I start with the name of Allah), eat with your right hand and eat from the side nearest to you." -Agreed upon</b>


عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِي اللَّه عَنْهَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِذَا أَكَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَذْكُرِ اسْمَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى فَإِنْ فنَسِيَ أَنْ يَذْكُرَ اسْمَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى فِي أَوَّلِهِ فَلْيَقُلْ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ

It is reported by Ayesha that the Messenger of Allah (peace and (may Allah be pleased with her) blessings of Allah be on him but forgets to remember Allah over his ) said: <b>"When any one of you eats food, let him sayend.'" : 'In the name of Allah from the beginning to the end' -Tirmizi and Abu Daud</b>


عَنْ ابْنِ عُمَرَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِذَا أَكَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِيَمِينِهِ وَإِذَا شَرِبَ فَلْيَشْرَبْ بِيَمِينِهِ

Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah on him) said: <b>"When any one of you eats, let him eat with his right hand and when he drinks, let him drink with his right hand." - Muslim</b>


عَنْ بْنُ عُمَرُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ لَا يَأْكُلَنَّ أَحَدٌكُمْ بِشِمَالِهِ وَلَا يَشْرَبَنَّ بِهَا فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَأْكُلُ بِشِمَالِهِ وَيَشْرَبُ بِهَا

It is stated by Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah on him) said:, <b>"None of you shall ever take food with his left hand, nor drink with it, because the devil eats and drinks with his left hand." - Muslim</b>
عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيَرْضَى عَنِ الْعَبْدِ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ الْأَكْلَةَ فَيَحْمَدَهُ عَلَيْهَا أَوْ يَشْرَبَ الشَّرْبَةَ فَيَحْمَدَهُ عَلَيْهَا

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Apostle of Allah (peace and blessings be on him) said: <b>"Verily Allah is certainly pleased with a man who takes food and then praise Allah for it or takes drink and praises Allah for the same." - Muslim</b>


أَبَا جُحَيْفَةَ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَا آكُلُ مُتَّكِئًا

It is stated by Abu Huzaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: <b>"I don't eat reclining." - Bukhari </b>


<b>ON FINSHING THE MEALS</b>

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَة قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الطَّاعِمُ الشَّاكِرُ كَالصَّائِمِ الصَّابِرِ

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: <b>"The thankful eater is like the person fasting patiently." - Tirmizi, Ibn Majah and Darimi</b>


عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ إِذَا فَرَغَ مِنْ طَعَامِهِ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا وَجَعَلَنَا مُسْلِمِينَ

It is reported by Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be on him) finished his meals, he used to say: <b>"All praise is for the Lord Who have us to eat and to drink and made us Muslims." - Tirmizi, Abu Daud and Ibn Majah</b>


عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ مُعَاذِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ أَكَلَ طَعَامًا فَقَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلَا قُوَّةٍ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ

Sahl bin Muaz bin Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: <b>"Whoever eats food and then says, 'all praise be to Allah who gave me the food to eat and made it accessible to me without any maneuvering or skill from my side-all his preceding sins are pardoned." - Tirmizi</b>


THE DRINKING MANNERS

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَا تَشْرَبُوا وَاحِدًا كَشُرْبِ الْبَعِيرِ وَلَكِنِ اشْرَبُوا مَثْنَى وَثُلَاثَ وَسَمُّوا إِذَا أَنْتُمْ شَرِبْتُمْ وَاحْمَدُوا إِذَا أَنْتُمْ رَفَعْتُمْ

It is reported by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: <b>"Don't drink in one breath like the camel's drinking, but drink with two or three (pauses). Utter 'Bismillah' (in the name of Allah), when you start drinking and 'Alhamdolillah'(all praise for Allah) when you finish." -Tirmizi</b>


عَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَتَنَفَّسُ فِي الشَّرَابِ ثَلَاثًا

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the <b>Apostle of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), used to take three breaths for one drink. -Agreed upon</b>


عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نَهَى عَنِ النَّفْخِ فِي الشُّرْبِ

Abu Saeed al-Khu(may Allah be pleased with him) stated that <b>the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prohibited giving breath in the drink. -Tirmizi and Darimi</b>


<b>HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT</b>

عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كُلُوا جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا فَإِنَّ الْبَرَكَةَ مَعَ الْجَمَاعَةِ

Umar Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: <b>"Ear together and not separately, because blessing is with the company." -Ibn Majah</b>


عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ من كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ

Abu Hurairah reported that the Holy Prophet, (peace and blessings of Allah on him), said: <b>"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guests." -Agreed upon</b>


عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ الرَّجُلُ مَعَ ضَيْفِهِ إِلَى بَابِ الدَّارِ

Abu Hurairah stated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: <b>"It is the Sunnah (Prophet's way of life) that a man should accompany his guest up to the door of his house." -Ibn Majah and Baihaqi</b>

I have a question regarding sexuality in Islam. I was raised Catholic (I have since defected to, I guess, an agnostic state) and taught that catholics believe that any form of contraception was a sin because sex was not to be enjoyed, but was to be used as a tool simply to create people. My question, is this also true in Islam? From what I gather, Catholicism and Islam both share a common ideology that sexuality is not to be expressed openly, but I was curious as to the extent to which Islam regulates human sexuality (eg., pre-marital sex, homosexual sex, incest, etc.) Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

12 Tips for Muslim Youth

Courtesy of Islamzine

Why should you, a young Muslim, be helping to bring your friends closer to Allah?

After all, you've got your own struggles to deal with: trying to explain why you pray to hostile teachers, Hijab discrimination, standing up in class when the professor attacks Islam, dealing with parents who think you've gone nuts because you're growing a beard, or all the other difficulties faced by a number of practicing Muslim youth?

Islam was never meant to be an individualistic faith, reserved for the "chosen few". Muslims have a duty to spread the Deen, and practicing Muslim youth, whether beginners, activists or leaders have a crucial role to play.

"Allah has put them in a position that perhaps no one else is in," notes Sheema Khan, former Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA) advisor for eastern Canada. "They have the means to communicate with their peers, they have an understanding of what they're going through plus they have the guidance of Islam."

Who is your childhood friend, who would rather spend Fridays at MacDonald's than the Masjid, or your classmate who is Muslim in name and only knows that "Muslims don't eat pork" going to listen to: the nice Imam of the Masjid who would freak out if he saw the way they were dressed and talked or you who may have grown up with them, joked with them, or see them everyday in school?

The answer is obvious: you.

Don't panic. Here are some tips and advice which can help from other Muslims, many of whom have been there and done that:

Tip # 1 : Make Your Intention Sincere

All work we do should ideally be for the sake of Allah. That includes the task of bringing someone closer to Allah. That of course means this should not be connected to arrogance, thinking you're the teacher and everyone else should be lucky you've embarked on a crusade to save them. Guidance is from Allah. Make Dua and make sincere efforts and remember Allah can also misguide you if He wills (we seek refuge in Allah from that).

Tip # 2 : Practice What YOu Preach

Not practicing what you preach is wrong and you will lose the confidence of anyone, young or old, once they figure you out. Don't do it.

Tip # 3 : Use The Quran & Seerah (biography of the Prophet peace be upon him) As Dawa Guides

Read and understand those chapters of the Quran which talk about how the Prophets presented the message of Islam to their people. Read the Seerah (for some good Seerah books)to see especially how the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) brought Islam to so many different people, including young people.

As well, talk to Dawa workers, and check out manuals they may have written, like Yahiya Emerick's How to Tell Others About Islam.

Tip # 4 : Talk To People As If You Really Dont Know Them

Don't assume you know someone just by looking at them. You don't know that the Muslim girl in your homeroom who walks through the school's hallways as if they were fashion show catwalks (see Ambe Rehman's perspective on this) is not someone you can talk to about Allah because she looks like a snob. Or that the Muslim guy who you've never seen at Juma at your university is a "bad Muslim". Maybe he was never really taught Islam and has no idea what importance Friday prayers have in Islam, especially for Muslim men.

Tip # 5 : Smile

Did you know the Prophet was big on smiling? But many "practicing" Muslims seem to have "their faces on upside down" as one speaker once said-frowning and serious.

Smiling, being polite and kind are all part of the manners of the Prophet, which we must exercise in our daily lives. If we want to approach others with Islam, we have to make ourselves approachable. Smiling is key to this.

But note that being approachable does not mean being flirtations with the other gender. There are Islamic rules for how men and women should deal with each other which have to be respected. Dawa is no excuse to have long and private conversations and meetings with the other sex, for example. Set up a system where someone expressing an interest in Islam is referred to someone of the same sex.

Tip # 6 : Take The Initiative & Hang Out With Them

Take the first step and invite someone you may have spoken to a couple of times to sit at lunch together, to check out a hockey game or invite them over for Iftar in Ramadan. Also, share difficulties, sorrows and frustrations. Help with homework, be a shoulder to cry on when depression hits, or just plain listen when your friend is upset, discuss common problems and KEEP THEIR SECRETS. There are few things as annoying as a snitch and backstabber. But an important note: if the problem is of a serious nature,(i.e. your friend is thinking of committing suicide or is taking drugs), notify and consult an adult immediately.

Tip # 7 : Show Them Islam Is Relevent Today, Right Here, Right Now

Young people may think Islam is too "old fashioned" and not in tune with the modern age. Prove this wrong. Show how Islam is really about relating to Allah, which any human being can do, anywhere, anytime. Allah is always closer to you than your jugular vein and He hears and knows everything. Encourage friends to ask Allah's help during tests, exams, and in dealing with problems at home with parents and siblings. Also point out how Islam relates to teenagers: Islam gives you focus and an understanding of who you are and where you are going, which most of "teen culture" does not.

Tip # 8 : Get Them Involved In Volunteer Work With You

If you are already involved in the community, get your friend to help out. Ask them to make a flyer for one of your youth group's events or brainstorm for ideas about activities to hold this school year. This involvement makes them feel part of the Muslim community and deepens your friendship, since you are now working together on something beneficial for both of you. Make sure you thank them for their contribution.

Tip # 9 : Ask Them 4 Fundamental Questions

As your friendship develops, you will notice the topics you discuss may become more serious. You may be discussing, for instance, future goals and plans. Khan recommends four questions to ask that can steer the topic to Allah and Islam:

a. Where am I going in life and what would make me really happy deep down inside?

b. What do I believe?

c. Who should I be grateful to?

d. Did I get to where I am today without the help of anyone?

Tip # 10 : Emphasize Praying 5 Times A Day Before Any Other Aspect Of Islam

A person's main connection with Allah, on a daily basis, is through the prayer five times a day. Don't emphasize any other aspect of Islam until your friend starts making a real effort to pray five times a day. Emphasize the direct connection one has with Allah in prayer. If they are facing a problem, tell them to pray, and to ask Allah for help in Salah and outside this time. When possible, make it a point to pray together during your "hang out time". If your friend begins to pray, that is the first step to other aspects of Islam like giving up swearing, treating parents with respect or dressing Islamically.

Tip # 11 : Help Instill Confidence In Adults

Adults, like Bart Simpson's dad Homer, are considered bumbling idiots in the eyes of "teen culture". Your job as a young Muslim is to help turn the tables on this false and unIslamic belief. All you have to do is this: when a Muslim adult does something good (i.e. saving someone's life, donating money to a worthy cause, the Imam gives a good speech, taking good care of his/her family) bring it up in the course of your conversations with your friend and praise the adult in question. Doing this regularly may not only change your friend's perspective, but could lead to them seeing their own parents in a more respectful way.

Tip # 12 : Support Them Even When They Become More Practicing

Remember, just because a person starts practicing Islam more regularly, this does not mean everything will be okay from this point onwards. There will still be hard times, difficulties. There may be times when your friend may have doubts about his or her newfound practice of Islam. Be there to reassure them.

Let's Go Fruit Picking

By: Zulkifli Khair

Despite the end of strawberry season, there are apple, grapes and many more to come – fruits harvesting season during summertime in the north hemisphere. Don’t miss out. Plucking and eating the sweet juicy plum under its tree is really a remarkable experience, especially if it is your first time. So, let’s go fruit picking, as well as fruit eating!

By the way, there are plenty signs of the Creator on fruits. For instance, fruits of diverse colours, tastes, fragrances and sizes produced from the same soil and climate. In the mean time, I used to pick reddish apple, greenly pear and yellowish plum in the same farm. Once at the tropical farm, I used to eat yellowish banana, reddish and hairy rambutan and blackish mangosteen in the same farm.

On the other hand, God creates varieties of single fruit. For example, subhanAllah, the varieties of apple are in the following table, which in the seasonal order:

Picking time Variety

Early August George Cave

Early August Grenadier

End August Merton Knave

Mid to end August Discovery

Early September James Grieve

Early September Worcester Pearmain

Mid-September Laxton’s Fortune

Mid-September Ellison’s Orange

Mid- September St. Edmund Russet

Late September Lord Lambourne

Late September Egremont Russet

Late September Golden Noble

End September Sunset

Early October Kidd’s Orange Red

Early October Cox’s Orange Pippin

Early October Bramley’s Seedling

Early October Howgate Wonder

Early October Lane’s Prince Albert

Early October Spartan

Mid-October Golden Delicious

Mid to end October Idared

Late October Orlean’s Reinette

The wide range of various fruits is explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an:

"It is He Who sends down water (rain) from the sky, and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds, and out of it We bring forth green stalks, from which We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date palm and its spathe come forth clusters of dates hanging low and near, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and the ripeness thereof. Verily! In these things there are signs for people who believe." (Al-An’am, 6: 99)

So many verses about fruits in the Qur’an with several terms like thamar, thamarat, fakihah, fawakih and jana (fruits), nakhl and nakhil (dates), ‘inab and a’nab (grapes), rumman (pomegranates), teen (figs) and zaitun (olives). There is also thalh (banana tree) as in Ar-Rahman. However, it never limits the vast variety of fruits in the world, the great favour from God.

It is also very amazing by thinking of fruits juicy flesh that originally comes from the tasteless and without Vitamin C fresh water of rain. Definitely, through photosynthesis, fruits determined by the rain, by the nature, which is governed by God:

"And We sent down from the sky water (rain) in (due) measure, and We gave it lodging in the earth, and verily, We are Able to take it away. Then We brought forth for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you, and whereof you eat. And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that grows oil, and (it is a) relish for the eaters." (Al-Mu’minun, 23: 18-20)

Thence, God Himself makes a challenge, asking human to send down water from sky as in al-Waqi’ah, 56: 68-69 and al-Mulk, 67: 30. The story of Saba in the Qur’an (Saba, 34: 15-17), lays a great lesson. Since the civilised Sabaean people turned away from Allah, the flood of Arim finally destroyed their great civilization including their gardens and fruits farms. Allah replaced their sweet juicy fruits with the bitter fruits. The utmost conclusion here is fruits are from God. Man sows, plants, sprays, prunes etc, but God gives life for it to grow, develop and ripe.

While you are picking and eating the ready-to-eat food made by God, try to visualize that you are able to do it in your kitchen, dining room and bedroom. What such of paradise life! Says Allah: "Reclining upon the couches lined with silk brocade, and the fruits of the two Gardens will be near at hand." (Ar-Rahman, 55: 54)

In another passage, Allah states:

"And the shade thereof is close upon them, and the bunches of fruits thereof will hang low within their reach (to be picked)." (Al-Insan, 76: 14)

Now, imagine you are now inside the fruit farm, eating juicy oranges or plum or whatever juicy or thirst quenching fruits you are most like. The juicy flesh mixes with the saliva, stimulating the microvilli on your tongue, which then start making nerve signals. After that, accelerating the signals towards brain.

The brain interprets the signals and identifies the taste. Later they are translated into expression such as “aaah, it’s lovely juicy” or “so delicious, so tangy!” Nevertheless, this is only a tiny speck of provision compared to the universe of provisions in the truly paradise. Paradise life is beyond the dimension of space and time, beyond our imagination.

There is Greatness of God behind fruit picking. There are beauties of paradise in hereafter behind fruit picking too. Thus, to reflect ourselves about this impermanent life. Either in the backyard or fruit farm, enjoy fruit picking with our heart and mind!

References:

Harun Yahya. (1999). Perished Nations. London: Ta-Ha Publishers. Pg. 118-121.

Harun Yahya. (2000). Deep Thinking. London: Ta-Ha Publishers. Pg. 58-61.

Reader’s Digest. (1977). Food from your Garden. London: Reader’s Digest. Pg. 70-71.

The Noble Quran in the English, a summarized version of At-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir with comments from Sahih Al-Bukhari by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan. Available at: http://www.ibnkathir.com/noblequran.htm