As Salam Alykom

I received this very touching story on an email, found it useful to share.

After 21 years of marriage, I discovered a new way of

keeping alive the spark of love. A little while ago I

had started to go out with another woman. It was

really my wife's idea.

"I know that you love her," she said one day, taking

me by surprise. "But I love YOU," I protested.

"I know, but you also love her."

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was

my mother, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the

demands of my work and my three children had made it

possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I

called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.

"What's wrong, are you well?" she asked. My mother is

the type of woman who suspects that a late night call

or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

"I thought that it would be pleasant to pass some

time with you," I responded. " Just the two of us."

She thought about it for a moment then said "I would

like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her

up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I

noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our

date. She waited in the door with her coat on.

She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress

that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding

anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as

radiant as an angel's.

"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my

son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got

into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our

meeting". We went to a restaurant that, although not

elegant, was very nice and cozy. my mother took my arm

as if she were the First Lady.

After we sat down, I had to read the menu to her. Her

eyes could only read large print. Half way through the

entree, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there

staring at me.

A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used

to have to read the menu when you were small," she

said.

"Then it's time for you to relax and let me return

the favor," I responded.

During the dinner we had an agreeable conversation,

nothing extraordinary - but catching up on recent

events of each others lives. We talked so much that we

missed the movie.

As we arrived at her house later, she said "I'll go

out with you again, but only if you let me invite

you". I agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got

home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have

imagined," I answered.

A few days later my mother died of a massive heart

attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a

chance to do anything for her.

Some time later I received an envelope with a copy of

a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I

had dined.

An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance.

I was almost sure that I couldn't be there but,

nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and

the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant to

me. I love you."

At that moment I understood the importance of saying,

in time: "I LOVE YOU" and giving our loved ones the

time that they deserve.

Nothing in life is more important than Allah, your

family and friends.

Give them the time they deserve, because these things

cannot be put off 'til "some other time".

Someone once said "I've learned that, regardless of

your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them

when they're gone from your life.

Please pass this along to your friends and family.

Touch their hearts. It has touched mine. I am glad

that you are my friend.

This story reminded me of one who came asking Abdullah Ibn Omar, that his mother grew so old that he has to carry her on his back when she needs to respond to the call of nature. In some times, he added, she can not hold herself and she releases it on his back. He asked was I able to give her back what she deserves. Ibn Omar replied, not in return for just one contraction during labor. You are doing what you r doing hoping that she would die so that u gain comfort, while u did the same to her and she was wishing nothing for u but to continue living.

Sobhan Allah

Another very nice flash of Yusuf Islam

http://www.b4death.com/web/never.htm

Hope u'll find it as wonderful as I thought of it, when I first saw&heard it.

As-salaamu alaikum wa rahmantu'llah,

There was a Black-out, over there, in alot of major states, in northeast of usa.

No tv's, computers, water, light for about 24 hrs. what a ,

every drop of water was appreciated, so was the natural light from fire, and everyone was humbled.

as-salaamu alaikum wa rahamntu'llah

as salam alykom

I got this article from another board, worth reading by us women.

Pep talk to sistas faced with polygyny

As salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. This was reposted on another group I belong to and I feel like it is a good pep talk when one is down and out in this polygyny thing.

==========================================

InshaAllah this reaches everyone in high Imaan and in good health.

I have a bone to pick with myself and with the Muslimahs of this

Ummah. I may be so completely wrong about all of this but I must say it and get it off my shoulders. Bear with me.

I am beginning to feel as if we as Muslim women discount our own

selves in this issue. That we do a lot to help put ourselves down. Why is it that we are so darned concerned with what they do and what they say and what rights they take and on and on and on. When are we as Muslim women say enough is enough.

I won't be a welcome mat for emotional baggage anymore. I won't stand around and wait and wait for him to do what he wants to do then cry scream and yell when he does. When do we say ya know what I am me, I am a separate individual and I don't have to cry scream and yell. When do we stand our ground on our rights and at the same time give them theirs.

When do we stop all of the nit picking and yelling about something he wants to do. Where's our strength? Where is our individuality? Where is our ability to continue happily?

Don't we control our emotions or are sooooo caught up that we can't even see that anymore? Don't we have a choice in how we choose think about things? Where our strength? Well I am sick of it. I love and adore my husband I want a fruitful marriage with him always, but when do I say ENOUGH. I won't be depressed anymore. I won't act like a banshee anymore. ENOUGH.

I have my free will and I opt to you use it become a whole person

within myself. I don't need my husband to validate my worth.

I am a Muslim, Allah has already done that. When is Allah's love more than enough for me? Why don't I cry when I commit a sin, but I cry when he says he wants another wife? Isn't that backwards? When do I put my foot down and go with the flow of Islam? When do I stop all of this humming and hawing over something Halal? Goodness, am I that weak? Yes,I want him to love me, yes I want him to say nice things to me, yes I want his children, yes I want his attention, yes I want his compassion, his

understanding, yes yes yes. But sheesh, where is my strength to stand up and say, " I make my marriage, between you and I and not you and I and a Her and Her and Her". Where is it? Is he sooooo perfect that I sacrifice my dignity, my ticket to Jannah, my individuality?

I can do this, Insh'Allah. And I can do it well. Allahu Alim. You know

why because I am going to trust in my Rabb that he would not allow something that is harmful to me, that there is benefit the likes of that which I do not know. And when, do I think that Allah might be angry and upset with me because I have spent so much time and energy crying over this and I haven't even expended half as many tears over my sins? Shouldn't it hurt more to realize that my husband would sell me for a way into Jannah if he could? At least now he still shows he loves me, he cares, and takes care of me?

When do I get out of the dark of Dunya, and this Kufar nonsense and dump it in the garbage. I looooooove my religion. Part of this religion is Polygyny. POLYGYNY POLYGYNY POLYGYNY. So I have three choices, stay and be miserable, leave, or stay and haul myself up, get a grip on reality, the way things really are and

practice this Deen as was practiced in the past. No exceptions. I am not better than the wives of the Prophet (S). I need to get off of my high horse. My husband doesn't do this to me, because of me, or because of something I said. It simply because it the way Allah made them. What more do I need. Allah made them this way. Should I be taking this argument up with Allah, which I would neeeeever be so presumptuous to do or think, then why argue with my husband over the way he was created? Why? Isn't that a waste of my precious time? Isn't it? It's all up to me to change how I personally view this and all that it entails. So that what I am going to do Insh'Allah. I don't want the only example of polygyny in people minds to be bad and something to avoid with a ten foot pole. I don't want to end up a sad, depressed, old woman before my time. But I have to realize that if I really don't want that then I have to put that into effect myself. 90 percent of my emotional problems are because of what I choose to continue thinking and feeling, well I am done with all of that.

Enough is Enough.

I've got it in an email, and thought about sharing it with my brothers and sisters.

http://www.biznaseducation.com/koko2003/37.htm

Alsalam Alaykom wa Ra7mat Allah wa Barakatuh .

I am at his moment listening to a kuwaity sheikh reciting quran , and I am really floating in the sky and I really wanted you all brothers and sisters to share this with me . I dont know if any of you heard him before , he is so good , he has a site for him and here it is :

http://www.alafasy.com

there is in arabic and english as well for our non arabic brothers and sisters .

I hope u enjoy it and I assure you,that you will live in a different atmosphere .

I pray to God Allmighty to accept from me and all moslims , and I hope that we all listen and understand and learn the

Quran as we should, and do what God Allmighty has asked us to do .

Wasalam 3alaykom wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuh

Radiyah

Assalamu alaykum

Yusuf Estes website:

http://www.islamalways.com/

Salam Alaikum ackhee's and uckhtee's. Maybe I come never back, when Allah azza wa jalla jalaluuhu dont will...I have some feelings inshaAllah it is good for me...Please ever1 who have right on me forgive your rights on me..Wassalamu Alaikum Sincerly Your ghareeb brother Abdurrahman....

Nine Great Benefits of Reading and Reflecting Over the Qur'ân

by Abul-'Abbâs

With the Name of Allâh, the Most Merciful, may His Salâh and Salâm be upon His last Messenger Muhammad, to proceed:

Indeed the Book of Allâh is not a book like any other, it is the timeless Speech of Allâh, not a created thing, a study guide for life and death and what comes after. Therefore it deserves a more careful study than anyone else's speech. It necessitates that its reader return to the early narrations of those who witnessed its revelation and heard its explanation by the one deputed by Allâh to rehearse and explain His Words to humanity (sallallâhu 'alayhe wa sallam). For if one would try to ponder over the meanings of the verses without having done this study, then surely the filth of the time that he lives in and his ignorance of the correct application and understanding that the early Muslims had would cause him to understand some things not intended by Allâh Most High, and therefore he would go astray, thinking to be worshipping Allâh.

So every sincere Muslim who hopes to earn Allâh's Love by reciting and reflecting over Allâh's Book, then let him hold tight to the meanings explained by the Prophet (sallallâhu 'alayhe wa sallam), and those taught by the Companions and their immediate followers, and the early scholars of Islâm.

Know that reciting and pondering over the Book of Allâh, devoting your time regularly to its study and implementation has tremendous benefits in this life and the Next, so let us now look to just a few of them to attach ourselves more firmly to Allâh's Majestic Words. Each benefit stands as enough of an encouragement on its own for us to shun any laziness we have and dedicate ourselves to the Qur'ân properly.

1 - Reading and reflecting over the Qur'ân fulfills an Islâmic duty

Indeed the Prophet (sallallâhu 'alayhe wa sallam) summarized this Religion with his statement:

"The Religion is nasîhah (sincerity)!"

So then Tamîm ibn Aws (may Allâh be pleased with him) then said, "We asked, 'To whom?'"He (sallallâhu 'alayhe wa sallam) replied:

"To Allâh, HIS BOOK, His Messenger, the leaders of the people, and their common folk." [2]

The sincerity that is due to the Book of Allâh, as Ibn Rajab Al-Hambalî said, includes having a strong love for it, honoring it and extolling its great status, affirming that it is the Speech of Allâh, seeking to understand its meanings, acting by it, following the orders found in it, spreading its correct understanding, continually studying it, and taking on the good manners that are encouraged in it. [3]

So by reading and reflecting over the Qur'ân, one fulfills an obligation and is rewarded for that. Upon fulfilling this obligation, the Qur'ân then becomes a proof for him on the Day of Judgement! And that is our second benefit we will take by embracing this Noble Book...

2 - The Qur'ân will be a proof for us on the Day of Judgement[/color:0564d7beda]This is due to the statement of the Messenger:

"...and the Qur'ân is a proof for you or against you..." [4]

So one of two things will occur with this proof, the Book of Allâh. It will either be in your favor, a proof for you on the Day when you will need every single good deed, or it will be something standing against you, the very Speech of your Creator, a proof against you! Who could be saved from the terrors of that Day if Allâh's own Speech is against him?!?!

Think carefully, dear Muslim brother or sister, about your position with the Qur'ân! Are you neglecting it, contradicting it, being heedless of its orders and prohibitions, are you thinking deeply over it?! Will it be on your side on the Day of Judgement?!

O Allâh! We ask you, by Your Glorious Speech and the rest of Your beautiful Names and Attributes, to make the Qur'ân a proof for us! O Allâh! Don't make the Qur'ân a proof against us on that Day, and save us from the hellfire!

For if Allâh makes the Qur'ân a proof in our favor on that Day, then it would also be an intercessor for us, when NO intercession will take place except by His Permission.

<span>3 - The Qur'ân will intercede for us on the Day of Judgement[/color:0564d7beda]</span>

<span>The proof: Abû Umâmah relates that the Prophet (sallallâhu 'alayhe wa sallam) said: </span>

<span> "Read the Qur'ân, for verily it will come on the Day of Standing as an intercessor for its companions." [5] </span>

<span><span>4 - Your status in this life will be raised[/color:0564d7beda]In Sahîh Muslim, we find a lovely story, about how a man from the promised people of Jannah, 'Umar ibn Al-Khattâb, understood this principle. </span></span>

<span><span>Some men came to question him during his khilâfah about the leadership of Makkah, they asked, "Who do you use to govern Makkah?"</span></span>

<span><span>He said, "Ibn Abzâ."</span></span>

<span><span>They asked, "And who is Ibn Abzâ?"</span></span>

<span><span>'Umar replied, "A freed slave from those we freed."</span></span>

<span><span>They remarked, "You left a freed slave in charge of the people of the Valley (the noble tribes of the Quraysh)!?!?"</span></span>

<span><span>So he answered them, "Verily he is a reader of the Book of Allâh and is knowledgeable about the obligations of the Muslims. Haven't you heard the statement of your Messenger: </span></span>

<span><span> "Verily Allâh raises some people by this Book and lowers others by it." [6] </span></span>

<span><span><span>5 - You will be from the best of the people[/color:0564d7beda]'Uthmân (may Allâh be pleased with him), the third khalîfah and fourth most virtuous person on earth after the Prophet (sallallâhu 'alayhe wa sallam), Abû Bakr, and 'Umar, said that the Prophet (sallallâhu 'alayhe wa sallam) said: </span></span></span>

<span><span><span> "The best of you are the ones who learn the Qur'ân and teach it to others" [7] </span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span>6 - There are ten rewards for each letter you recite from the Qur'ân[/color:0564d7beda]</span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span>As an authentic hadîth in Sunan At-Tirmithî proves: </span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span> "Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allâh, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that "Alif, Lâm, Mîm" is a letter, rather I am saying that "Alif" is a letter, "lâm" is a letter, and "mîm" is a letter." [8] </span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span>So increase your recitation of the Qur'ân to gain these merits, and to gain the following merit as well... </span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span>7 - The recitors of the Qur'ân will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels [/color:0564d7beda]'آ'ishah (may Allâh be pleased with her), the Prophet's beloved wife who held his head in her lap as he took his last blessed breaths, relates that the Prophet (sallallâhu 'alayhe wa sallam) said: </span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span> "Verily the one who recites the Qur'ân beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have TWICE that reward." [9] </span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span>So do not let the Shaytân give you false excuses, such as "I am not an 'Arab," or "Its not my language." This hadîth is a firm proof against these whisperings. Dedicate yourself to the Book of Allâh, whether you are an 'Arab or not! The excuses have been eliminated and the pathway has been cleared for you to embrace the Book of Allâh without holding back or offering excuses! </span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span>And surely you will not hesitate to seek a teacher or a study circle for the Qur'ân once you hear the last and perhaps greatest benefits of reading and contemplating over the Qur'ân... </span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>8 - The Qur'ân will lead you to Paradise[/color:0564d7beda]</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>The Prophet (sallallâhu 'alayhe wa sallam) said: </span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span> "The Qur'ân is an intercessor, something given permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise; Whoever puts it behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire." [10] </span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>9 - Your position in Paradise is determined by the amount of Qur'ân you memorize in this life[/color:0564d7beda]'Abdullâh ibn 'Amr ibn Al-'آs heard the Prophet (sallallâhu 'alayhe wa sallam) saying: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span> "It will be said to the companion of the Qur'ân: Read and elevate (up through the levels of the Paradise) and beautify your voice as you used to do when you were in the dunyâ! For verily, your position in the Paradise will be at the last verse you recite!" [11] </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Know that these nine benefits, from the many benefits available, can only be attained by a sincere commitment to the Book of Allâh, not by a person's mere statement, "I love the Qur'ân, it's beautiful." Rather the heart must be sincerely attached to Allâh's Book and the limbs and tongue will follow in this attachment. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>You must know that only a few of the numerous benefits of reading and reflecting over the Qur'ân have been mentioned here. There are many benefits that await your reading in the Qur'ân and books of hadîth, like the chapter of the Qur'ân that will argue on your behalf in the grave, and that it is a physical healing, a source of rest and relaxation for your heart, among many other things. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>And Allâh knows best. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>[1] written by Abul-'Abbâs</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>[2] Sahîh Muslim #194 (1/220 of Sharh An-Nawawî)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>[3] refer to Jâmi'ul-Ulûm wal-Hikam, p.221 (Ar-Risâlah, 1417)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>[4] part of a hadîth in Sahîh Muslim #533 (2/97 of Sharh An-Nawawî)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>[5] Sahîh Muslim #1871 (3/330 of Sharh An-Nawawî)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>[6] Sahîh Muslim #1894 (3/339 of Sharh An-Nawawî)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>[7] Sahîh Al-Bukhârî #5027 (9/89-90 of Fat-hul-Bârî)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>[8] Sunan At-Tirmithî #2910; Al-Albânî authenticated it in Sahîh Sunan At-Tirmithî (3/164)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>[9] Sahîh Muslim #1859 (3/325 of Sharh An-Nawawî); another version of this hadîth with a slighty different wording can be found in Sahîh Al-Bukhârî #4937 (8/852 of Fat-hul-Bârî)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>[10] an authentic hadîth found in Sahîh Ibn Hibbân #124 (1/330-331 of Tartîb Ibn Balbân, printed by Ar-Risâlah), on the authority of 'Abdullâh ibn Mas'ûd; Al-Albânî authenticated it in Silsilatul-Ahâdîthis-Sahîhah #2019</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>[11] Sunan At-Tirmithî #2914; Al-Albânî authenticated it in Sahîh Sunan At-Tirmithî (3/164-165) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

as salaam alaikum

If one wants to start learning from Authentic Hadith where should one start......as there are so many volumes..etc.

something me and my niece want to know.

we would be gratefull for anyones help on this.

walaikum aslaam.