Bismillah


Really useful and beneficial:


http://www.islamawareness.net/Dua/

salam


Signs of weak Iman and how to increase it


A very nice article contributed by brother AbuBanan.


Signs of weak Faith:


*


Committing sins and not feeling any guilt.


*


Having a hard heart and no desire to read the Quran.


*


Feeling too lazy to do good deeds, e.g. being late for salat


*


Neglecting the Sunnah.


*


Having mood swings, for instance being upset about petty things and bothered and irritated most of the time.


*


Not feeling anything when hearing verses from the Quran, for example when Allah warns us of punishments and His promise of glad tidings.


*


Finding difficulty in remembering Allah and making dhikr.


*


Not feeling bad when things are done against the Shariah.


*


Desiring status and wealth.


*


Being mean and miserly, i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.


*


Ordering others to do good deeds when not practising them ourselves.


*


Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others.


*


Being concerned with whether something is haram or halal only; and not avoiding makroo (not recommended) things.


*


Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the mosque.


*


Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims.


*


Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote Islam.


*


Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.


*


Becoming engrossed and very involved with dunya, worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.


*


Becoming engrossed and obsessive about ourselves.


Okay, how to increase our faith then ?


* Recite and ponder on the meanings of the Quran. Tranquility then descends and our hearts become soft. To get optimum benefit, remind yourself that Allah is speaking to you. People are described in different categories in the Quran; think of which one you find yourself in.


* Realize the greatness of Allah. Everything is under His control. There are signs in everything we see that points us to His greatness. Everything happens according to His permission. Allah keeps track and looks after everything, even a black ant on a black rock on a black moonless night.


* Make an effort to gain knowledge, for at least the basic things in daily life e.g. how to make wudu properly. Know the meanings behind Allah's names and attributes. People who have taqwa are those who have knowledge.


* Attend gatherings where Allah is remembered. In such gatherings we are surrounded by angels.


* We have to increase our good deeds. One good deed leads to another good deed. Allah will make the way easy for someone who gives charity and also make it easy for him or her to do good deeds. Good deeds must be done continuously, not in spurts.


* We must fear the miserable end to our lives; the remembrance of death is the destroyer of pleasures.


* Remember the different levels of akhirah, for instance when we are put in our graves, when we are judged, whether we will be in paradise or hell.


* Make dua, realize that we need Allah. Be humble. Don't covet material things in this life.


* Our love for Subhana Wa Ta'Ala must be shown in actions. We must hope Allah will accept our prayers, and be in constant fear that we do wrong. At night before going to sleep, we must think about what good we did during that day.


* Realize the effects of sins and disobedience- one's faith is increased with good deeds and our faith is decreased by bad deeds. Everything that happens is because Allah wanted it. When calamity befalls us- it is also from Allah. It is a direct result of our disobedience to Allah.

Bismillalh


as salam alaykom


Reading on this borad and other sites, I observed how strongly non Muslims are occupied with waging fierce criticism campaigns against Muslim women, in some cases, they even go to the extend that they accuse us of not being able to realise how oppressed, not respected, put in a low level we are. I wonder, and I will take this on good will, they must be of course concerend for us. However, I never see, or may be I m short sighted, those media campagins, organised platforms, or other forms of communication channels introduce the status of widows for instance in many religions/cultures/ethnic groups. Sobhan Allah, just one example; i.e the Sati practice in India:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suttee#Law_books


I m not sure no one expresses an exagerated alarm just as they do when talking about how much the Muslim woman is degraded for having to cover, be obedient to husband, recieve half the the inheritance compared to a male, two women are required for testimony in cases of debt, might be subjected to polygany, and and. What you are about to read is really disturbing and alarming. Alhamdulelah I m a Muslimah whose rights were well protected and preserved by Allah the Creator.


http://www.deathreference.com/Vi-Z/Widows-...ld-Nations.html


Laws, Customs, Tradition, and Religion


Across cultures, religions, regions, class, and caste, the treatment of widows in many developing countries, but especially in the South Asian subcontinent and in Africa, is harshly discriminatory.


Patriarchal kinship systems, patrilocal marriage (where the bride goes to the husband's location), and patrilineal inheritance (where succession devolves through the male line) shore up the concept that women are "chattels" who cannot inherit and may even be regarded as part of the husband's estate to be inherited themselves (widow inheritance). Where matrilineal kinship systems pertain, inheritance still devolves onto the males, through the widow's brother and his sons.


Disputes over inheritance and access to land for food security are common across the continents of South Asia and Africa. Widows across the spectrum of ethnic groups, faiths, regions, and educational and income position share the traumatic experience of eviction from the family home and the seizing not merely of household property but even intellectual assets such as pension and share certificates, wills, and accident insurance.


"Chasing-off" and "property-grabbing" from widows is the rule rather than the exception in many developing countries. These descriptive terms have been incorporated into the vernacular languages in many countries, and even (e.g., Malawi) used in the official language in new laws making such actions a crime.


The CEDAW or "Women's Convention" and the Beijing Global Platform for Action require governments to enact and enforce new equality inheritance laws. Some governments have indeed legislated to give widows their inheritance rights. But even where new laws exist, little has changed for the majority of widows living in the South Asian subcontinent and in Africa. A raft of cultural, fiscal, and geographical factors obstructs any real access to the justice system. Widows from many different regions are beginning to recount their experiences of beatings, burnings, rape, and torture by members of their husbands' families, but governments have been slow to respond, their silence and indifference, in a sense, condoning this abuse.


In India, many laws to protect women have been passed since independence. But it is the personal laws of each religious community that govern property rights and widowhood practices. The world knows of the practice of widow-burning (sati), but little of the horrors widows suffer within the confines of their relatives' homes, how they are treated by their communities, or their fate when abandoned to the temple towns to survive by begging and chanting prayers. There are approximately 20,000 widows in Vrindavan, the holy city; Varanasi; Mathura; and Haridwar.


Common to both regions are interpretations of religious laws, customs, and traditions at the local level that take precedence over any modern state or international law. Widows in any case, especially the millions of illiterate widows living in rural areas, are mostly ignorant of the legal rights they have.

AssalamuAlaikum,i am back after along time.i wonder any one remember me.may Allah bless u,ll aameen


Has your home also become a ' Hotel ' ?


The home of today has become very much like a hotel. Strangers stumble in and out at odd hours, each one doing his own little thing. "The family" has now almost become just a fond memory. "The family" having meals together is a rare occasion. Just sitting together and chatting is even more rare. Part of the blame can be apportioned to the fast, demanding pace of life in the modern and "advanced" world we are living in. The other part can be attributed to the lack of will and the apathy on the part of members of the family to get together more often. Every one seems quite happy with leading his/her "own life".


Parents have a responsibility to bind the family. Upbringing plays an important part on how close off-spring will be with their parents and among themselves in later life. If they have grown up comfortably in a cold, detached home environment, the "hotel-type" home, they can hardly be expected to take much interest in family affairs later on.


Parents need to spend time with their children daily - Quality Time. Quality time means a time of day or night when neither of them or their children are tired or occupied with other things. Try to fix a time daily so that a regular pattern can be set. Sit down as a family. Talk. Discuss. Ask children about school. How did the day go. What did they learn. What was exciting, etc. Tell them about your own work, your day. Children are good talkers. They get excited. They need to express themselves; their feelings and emotions. Give them this opportunity to talk. They need it. You will be surprised how much you do not know about your child's life.


Parents should never regard this daily get-together as a small or unimportant part of their lives. It is VITAL. This togetherness will convince your children that you are interested in them. This will motivate and encourage them to perform better in all what they do.


This daily get-together will also lead to the BONDING OF THE FAMILY, which is so important for the family and the children, especially. Today the family unit is slowly disintegrating all over the world. What is more sad is that it is even happening to Muslim homes and families.


A strongly-bonded family will produce a stable and strong child. Otherwise the child will suffer psychological disorders that become progressively worse. Such a child eventually becomes a lost cause; a liability to his/her family and to society at large. The implications for society in a neglected child are enormous. This is very sad and unfortunate for the neglected child. It is also dangerous for the future of the child. Such a child will easily be influenced by outsiders and alien influences, as s/he will not find fulfilment in the home. Such a child could end-up becoming a drug-addict or even a criminal. Parents may be in for a rude shock and could possibly realise the harm only after it is too late to really reverse the damage. May Allah save our children from such a day.


A good way to get going with the family-evening is to assist children with their school work. Get them to bring their school bag and books along. Look at their work, even if you do not understand much! Ask them a few questions about the work they have learnt; from their books. Help them along with their Islamic Studies as well. Listen keenly to their Qur'an recitation lesson. Ensure they have learnt all Islamic Studies lessons for the next day. Get them to complete other school work.


Finally, talk to them for a few minutes about good manners, good behaviour, the importance of discipline and hardwork. Narrate to them some interesting anecdote from which they could learn a lesson or moral. If possible read to them for a few minutes from a good Islamic book or Kitaab. All of this will go a very long way to developing your child into a highly successful adult.


Mufti Zubair Bayat

Bismillah: Assalamo Alikum...


This is how they work to convert Muslims in Pakistan and Bangladesh, <b>by fooling them</b>, they know that Pakistanis and Bangladeshis could read Arabic very well, but can’t understand even a word, and so <b>they’ve come up with a forged ‘qur’an’ </b>named “The True Furqan” and giving it away to Muslims for free, they’ve produced some Biblical materials in a Qur’anic form to allow the Muslims in those countries to read their Bible hoping that one day “<i>the holy ghost</i>” will come upon them and convert them to Christianity!!!!!


But Alhamdulelah, they could not meet the challenge of Allah: “<b>If you are in doubt about it, bring a book like it</b>”


Since they could not bring a book like the <b>TRUE REVEALED QUR’AN</b>, <b>and will never be able to do so</b>, then <b>they’ve stolen the titles of the Qur’anic chapters, and the formula in which every chapter of the Qur’an begin with “Bismillahi-Rahmani-Rahim” </b>and added that into their ‘Rubbish’ book called “the true Furqan”.


I was honored to meet the son of late Sheikh Ahmed Deedat who brought with him those books when he visited Hong Kong last week to show me how Christian missionaries are trying to fool the Muslims.


<b>But they plan, and Allah too plan, but Allah is the best of planners</b>… Please, have a look at their chapter named <b>AL FATIHA</b>, you will just laugh to death.


Images attached…





<i>My wife was shocked as to why Christians should propagate their faith by lying to people????? </i>


Salam


Wael.

Asalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakathuhu,


I advise you O seeker of knowledge to have a sincere and pure intention in your search for knowledge. And that you exert yourself in acting upon what it necessitates (from action). For indeed knowledge is a tree and action is its fruit. And one can never be considered knowledgeable so long as he does not act upon what he has knowledge of. It has also been stated:


“Knowledge is a parent and action is its offspring.”


And “Knowledge comes with action, while narrating comes with investigating.”


So do not feel satisfied with actions so long as you are lacking in knowledge. Nor feel satisfied with knowledge so long as you fall short of producing actions. Rather, combine them both, even if your share of the two is small.


And there is nothing worse than a scholar, whose knowledge the people abandon because of the corruption of his ways, nor an ignorant person whose ignorance the people accept because of what they see from his worship.


So a little of this (knowledge) along with a little of that (action) is what is most likely to save you in the end, when Allah bestows His mercy upon His servant and completes his favour upon him. But as for laziness and negligence, love for ease and comfort, preferring the easy life and showing indifference, inclining towards leisure and relaxation, then the results of these characteristics are blameworthy, detestable and disastrous.


Knowledge leads to action, just as action leads to salvation. So if the action falls short of the knowledge, then the knowledge becomes a burden upon the one who possesses that knowledge. And we seek Allah’s refuge from knowledge that turns into a burden, is the cause of humiliation and which becomes a shackle on the neck of the one who possesses it.


Sahl bin Muzahim (rahimahullah) said: “The matter is more tighter upon a scholar than when one clenches his fist tightly, even though the ignorant person is not excused because of his ignorance (i.e. he will be held to account also). However, the scholar will receive a greater punishment if he abandons what he has knowledge of and doesn’t act upon it.”


So did those of our Salaf (predecessors) from the past reach the high levels that they reached except through sincerity in Creed (Beliefs), righteous actions and overwhelming abstinence of the attractive features of this worldly life? And did the wise people reach the greatest level of success (that they did) except by working hard in their efforts and being pleased with their easy accomplishments, while sacrificing the excess amount from their needs by giving it away to the poor and those who asked?


Is not the one who gathers books of knowledge just like the one who gathers gold and silver? Is not the one who has an intense greed for them just like the one who is eager and desirous of gold and silver? Is not the one who is deeply in love with them just like the one who treasures gold and silver?


So just as wealth does not benefit except by it being spent, then likewise, knowledge does not benefit except for one who acts upon it and carries out its obligations.


So let each individual examine himself and take advantage of his time, for indeed the resting place (i.e. this world) is short, the (time for) departure is near, the road is hazardous and deviating from it is common. The danger is great, the one who takes note has wisdom, Allah, the Most High, is watching over, and to Him is the (final) recourse and return.


{“And whosoever does an atom’s weight of good, he shall see it. And whosoever does an atom’s weight of evil, he shall see it.” } [Qur'an 99: 7-8]


From al-Khatib al-Baghdadi’s ‘Iqtida’ al-’Ilm al-’Amal’


Wasalam

Family ties


The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever would like his rizq (provision) to be increased and his life to be extended, should uphold the ties of kinship.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5986 and Muslim, 2557)


Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Allaah created the universe, and when He had finished, kinship (al-rahm) stood up and said, “This is the standing up of one who seeks Your protection from being cut off.” Allaah said, “Yes, would it please you if I were to take care of those who take care of you and cut off those who cut you off?” It said, “Of course.” Allaah said, “Then your prayer in granted.”’” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Recite, if you wish (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allaah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.’ [Muhammad 47:22-23].” (Saheeh Muslim bi Sharh al-Nawawi, 16/112).


“The one who maintains a relationship with his relatives only because they maintain a relationship with him is not truly upholding the ties of kinship. The one who truly upholds those ties is the one who does so even if they break off the relationship.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5645).


A man said to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “I have relatives with whom I try to keep in touch, but they cut me off. I treat them well, but they abuse me. I am patient and kind towards them, but they insult me.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “If you are as you say, then it is as if you are putting hot dust in their mouths. Allaah will continue to support you as long as you continue to do that.” (Reported by Muslim with commentary by al-Nawawi, 16/115)


“… fear Allaah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (and do not cut of the relations of) the wombs (kinship)…” [al-Nisa’ 4:1]


“Allaah created His creation, and when He had finished, al-rahm (the tie of kinship) got up. He said, ‘What is it?’ Al-rahm said: “This is the position of one who is seeking refuge with You from being cut off.’ He said, ‘Will you not be pleased if I should take care of the one who takes care of you, and cut off the one who cuts you off?’ Al-rahm said, ‘Of course, O Lord.’ He said, ‘Then it will be so.’” Abu Hurayrah quoted (interpretation of the meaning): “Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship?” [Muhammad 47:22]. (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 6948)

The happiness of that guy was tremendous when a well-known company accepted him to work for it. He was over the moon as he was the only accepted candidate.


He signed the contract that implies that he should agree on respecting the company working hours, delivering weekly reports about his work and activities, and accepting to be punished for any delinquency ..... read more


Soon later, the guy met his manager and said to him, "From tomorrow onwards, I will not come in time. And I will not deliver my weekly reports in time either; instead they will be delayed for a while. In spite of all that, I will not allow you to punish me, and you don't have the right to kick me out from work."


If we imagine such a situation, we will laugh at the behaviour of that guy. No-one will see him but an insane and a fool person. How come can someone want to take his rights whereas he is not committed to his own obligations?!


So, why most of us do the same strange action or even worse?


(As we commit a worse sin against the Law of Allah the Almighty.) How can a sane person allow himself to enjoy all Allah's graces: such as food, drink, clothes and life pleasures; whereas he doesn't offer Allah the simplest obligatory He obligates him to do, viz. Praying?!


And even if he prays, then he doesn't pray in time or he prays like a rooster (i.e. he prays too hastily and carelessly). He neither complies with his praying nor apprehends what he says.


According to our web site visitors survey in the arabic section of IslamWay.com that included more than 4000 persons:


14% of them never pray Fajr in its time


16% of them rarely pray Fajr in its time


33% of them often pray Fajr in its time


35% of them always pray Fajr in its time


Subhan Allah!! (*) We are not talking about jurisprudence about which scholars disagreed or even a Sunnah that one has a choice to do or not. We are talking about ABC Islam. We are talking about praying that Allah Almighty obligates on all Muslims - whatever their conditions are.


When Allah the Almighty ordered Muslims to pray He warned those who delay the prayer after its designated time, saying:


"So woe to the worshippers Who are neglectful Of their prayers" [surat Al-ma'oon 107:4-5]


The interpreters said that what is meant by this verse is delaying prayer after its designated time.They also said : "woe" is a very deep sheer black valley in Hell. Don't we believe in Allah's Words?


A lot of Muslims nowadays neglect Fajr prayer as if they it was not there. That's why they pray it much later than its time. In addition, some of them pray it immediately before the Noon prayer. Others may never pray it even for compensation (Qaddaa). So why all this laziness against what Allah the Almighty deserves? Don't we proclaim that we love Allah the Almighty more than any thing else? Once one of us loves someone a true love, he will be willing to meet him. He may keep thinking of him most of the time. Once he has a date with him, he canNOT sleep until he meets the one he loves. So, do those lazy prayers who do not pray Fajr prayer really love Allah? Do they really respect His Orders? Are they willing to meet Him?.


Let's imagine that a multi-millionaire offered one of his employees $1000 every day, just on one condition, viz. the employee must call daily at his employer's house in the morning as to wake him up then leave. Such a simple task may take the employee 10 minutes only. This marvellously generous offer will be valid as long as the employee keeps awaking his employer regularly. On the other hand, this offer will be cancelled permanently, and the employee will be asked to return all the money he received, if he neglects to awake his employer once without an excuse.


So, if you, my Muslim brother, were that employee , will you neglect to call at your employer's house? Won't you carefully intend to wake up daily to get the one thousand dollar? Won't you - once you failed one morning - try with all means to prove that you were truly unable to wake up?.


Allah has the higher example, so what about you my dear brother towards your Lord, Allah the Almighty? He is the ONLY ONE who gives you your means of living and who bestowed you with every thing, whose blessings on you are utterly much more than millions of dollars daily. It is Him Who says:


"...if you try to count the blessings of Allah , you will fail...." [surat Ibrahim: 14 : 34]


Doesn't this Lord, the The Most Merciful, the Most Generous deserve that you wake up for Him every morning at about 5.30 a.m. so as to thank Him just in 5 or 10 minutes for His great blessings and his generous favours?


The judgement against those who neglect praying Fajr Prayer in time:


Allah the Almighty says:


"...for such prayers are enjoined on Believers at stated times." [surat Annesaa: 4 : 103]


* Islam is a comprehensive way of life… It is like an agreement between The Great Lord and His humble servant. According to this agreement, the servant commits to certain obligations before Allah. With respect to these obligations, Allah would grant the servant rights and privileges. It is insensible that you agree to this contract, then, soon afterwards, you do whatever you like and neglect whatever you do not like. Allah Almighty says in the Quran:


" O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the Evil One; for he is to you an avowed enemy." [surat Al-baqara: 2 : 208]


The interpreters said: this means to accept Islam with all its legislation and rules. Allah got exasperated with the people of Israel when they performed what they liked from His religion and neglected the rest. That's why He addresses them saying:


"…Then is it only a part of the Book that ye believe in, and do ye reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? And on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous penalty. For Allah is not unmindful of what ye do." [surat Al-baqara: 2 : 85]


As far as one's punctuality on attending prayers is considered, The Prophet (peace be upon him) sees those who do not punctually attend Fajr (dawn) and Ishaa (night) Salat in congregation as being sheer hypocrites "Munafeqeen". So what do you think of those who do not pray Fajr at all, neither in congregation nor alone (at home)?


* The Prophet (pbuh) said: "There is no prayer more difficult to attend for hypocrites than Fajr and Ishaa. And if they knew what's in them (i.e. the good reward - thawab) they would attend them even if they had to come crawling." (Narrated by Bukhari)


* Allah Almighty mentions that He disavows whosoever neglects the obligatory Salat. Besides, The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Do not ever leave Salat on purpose because whoever does so then he is disavowed by Allah and His Messenger." (Narrated by Imam Ahmad)


So do you like, Oh Muslim brother and sister, for the closest one to you to disavow you? So how do you neglect the Salat and cause Allah to be disavow you?


Well....now what have I to do?


* Every one us should set an alarm clock to wake him for Fajr Salat daily.


* We should give Salat its status in our lives, and we should discipline our jobs according to the Salat regular times. (Unfortunately, we simply do the opposite!)


* We should sleep early and wake up for Fajr and then leave for work. Soon after Fajr, Allah distributes people's sustenance (Arzaq).


* Each one of us should seek a good companionship that would call to wake him at Fajr Salat. Moreover, they would help one another to adhere to such a good deed.


* We should keep on saying our nightly Duaa (that we say just after before going to sleep) asking Allah to help us do our Salat.


* To feel guilty if we missed a single obligatory Salat. Furthermore, we should vow never to repeat this big sin.


May Allah make us all be among those who truly love Him. May He give us sincerity in both words and deeds. (Amen) Finally, whatever is right in this article then it is a gift from Allah. And whatever mistakes or shortcomings then they are due to myself or Shytan (Satan).


from islamway.com

Asalaamu alikum,


Somebody asked me this question recently and I was not sure how to answer so I thought I would run it by a few of you and see your idea.


We know that it is not permissible for the women to pluck their eyebrows. And the hadith specifically says plucking. However there is a commercial product now called a personal trimmer or something that removes hair especially for eyebrows and removes hair from the surface, There is no plucking involved.


And what she was asking is that since she heard it is not permitted to use a moist towel like a baby wipe to clean up after using the bathroom because the hadith talks about running water. She was saying isnt this similar because the hadith involves plucking.


I never had any obsession with my eyebrows so I have never put any thought into it. The point is to not change the shape, right? Its not about the method of removal but the removal itself???


Jazak Allah khairn

Bismillah


All praise is to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, a big fuss and attacks were made in the media these days against scholar Sheikh Al-Munjid for his fatwa, and making fun of it, while not understanding the essence of his message and what he means of it, just as he said" as if mickey mouse is a real person", here is his response and in english, as he speaks English fluently





<div><iframe width="459" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tkAepzH8NE0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>

Salam