Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Words of Wisdom from Prophet Mohammad
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Hospital Window
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.
His bed was next to the room's only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Sand Fountain in Saudi Arabia
http://tv.muxlim.com/video/M6LzaklypNT
Sunday, March 9, 2008
15 Tips to Earning Rewards from Allah
The prophet peace be upon him said: "Allah has recorded the good deeds and the evil deeds. Then he made them clear: He who has intended a good deed and does not do it, Allah writes it down with Him as a performed good deed; but if he intends it and does perform it; Allah records for him from ten good deeds to seven hundred times that or more than that. If he intends to do an evil deed and does not do it, then Allah writes it down as a good deed; but if he intends an evil deed and performs it, Allah records it as one evil deed" (Sahih Al-Jami)
2- Reciting the Quran and pondering over it's meanings:
The Prophet peace be upon him said, "Whoever recites one word from the Book of Allah will be rewarded for a good deed and ten more like it; and I don't say that Alif Lam Mim is a word but Alif is a word and Lam is a word and Mim is a word" (Alif Lam Mim is 3 Arabic Characters.)
3- Guiding people to righteous deeds:
The prophet peace be upon him said, "Whoever guides one to a good thing will get the same reward as the person who performs the deed" (Sahih Al-Jami)
4- Enjoining good and eradicating evil:
Allah revealed in the Quran, {Those of the children of Israel who went astray were cursed by the tongue of David, and of Jesus, son of Mary. That was because they rebelled and used to transgress. They restrained not one another from the wickedness they did. Verily, evil was that they used to do} (Al-Maida:78)
This is one of the obligatory duties that many people fail to perform today. Due to this reason, sins are being committed openly and without shame and no one is saying anything about them. The prophet peace be upon him said, "If the people see an evil deed and they do not change it, then Allah may inflict them all with a punishment".
Allah says in the Quran: "And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends of one another, they enjoin the right and forbid the wrong .. "
5- Supplications to Allah:
It's the best act of worship as the Prophet peace be upon him said, "The most virtuous act of worship is supplication" (Sahih Al-Jami). It's very important to be certain that Allah will answer your supplication, the Prophet peace be upon him said: "There is no Muslim on this earth who supplicates to Allah except that Allah will give him what he asked or He will remove some evil from him, as long as he does not supplicate for something evil or as long as he does not supplicate for cutting of the ties of kinship and as long as he does not become impatient and say, 'I supplicated and supplicated and I was not responded to'"
6- Marrying religious women:
The prophet peace be upon him said, "A woman is married for her religion, wealth or beauty; marry the religious women and you will prosper". He also said, "A thankful heart, a tongue that remembers Allah and a pious wife that helps you in your worldly and religious matters, is better than what the people are amassing" (Sahih Al-Jami)
7- Bringing up pious children and training them to have good Islamic character:
The prophet peace be upon him said, "A man will be raised some degrees in Paradise and he will say, 'For what reason am I receiving this ?' He will be told, 'Because of your son asking forgiveness for you'"
8- Having good manners and character:
The prophet peace be upon him said, "The most beloved of you to me and the closest of you to me in the Hereafter are those of you who have the best manners; the most hated of you to me and farthest from me in the Hereafter are those of you who have the worst manners, those who speak and do not even care about what they are saying" (Sahih Al-Jami), and he also said, "The person of good manners will get the same reward as the person who prays during the night and fasts during the day" (Sahih Al-Jami).
9- Performing many voluntary prayers:
This is particularly beneficial during the last third of the night in which the gates of the heavens are opened and the supplications are responded to. The prophet peace be upon him said, "Allah waits until one half or two-thirds of the night has passed and He says, 'My slaves, shall ask from no one except Me. Whoever asks from Me, I shall respond to him. Whoever asks Me for something, I will give it to him. Whoever asks for my forgiveness, I shall forgive him. And this continues until the dawn" (Sahih Al-Jami).
Similarly, performing the Sunnan prayers, is also a way of gaining Allah's pleasure and reward. These Sunnan prayers are two rakats before the dawn obligatory prayer, four before the noon obligatory prayer and four after it, two after the sunset prayer and two after the night prayer and the witr prayer.
10- Being obedient and respectful to one's parents:
This is one of the greatest ways to attain Allah's pleasure and reward. Allah mentions worshipping Him together with obeying one's parents. Allah says in the Quran, "Your Lord has decreed that you worship none save Him, and that you show kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain to old age with you, say not 'File' unto them nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word. And lower unto them the wing of submission through mercy and say, 'My Lord, have mercy on them both as they did care for me when I was little'" (Al-Isra)
11- Jihad in the way of Allah:
A hadith of the Prophet peace be upon him says, "Being on guard in the way of Allah for one month is better than perpetual fasting for a year. Whoever dies while guarding in the way of Allah will be safe from the great frightening. And he will be provided his provisions, and smell the scent from paradise, and receive the reward of the one who guards until Allah resurrects him" (Sahih Al-Jami)
12- Remembering Allah at all times:
The prophet peace be upon him stated that Allah said, "I am as My slave thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself. I make mention of him to Myself and if me makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it." (Al-Bukhari) .
13- Speaking the truth and not fearing punishment of anyone:
The prophet peace be upon him, "The leader of the martyrs is Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib and a person who faces an unjust ruler and advises him to do good and he is killed because of his speech" (Sahih Al-Jami)
14- Giving charity and spending in the way of Allah:
Allah says in the Quran, "Those who spend their wealth by night and day, privately and publicity, verily their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve" (Al-Baqara 274).
And Allah also says, "And spend of that which We have provided you before death comes to one of you and he says, 'My Lord if only You would reprieve me for a little while, then I would give alms and be among the righteous.' But Allah reprieves no soul when its term comes, and Allah is aware of what you do" (Al-Munafiqoon) .
15- Learning the beneficial knowledge:
One should learn that knowledge that will benefit him in the Hereafter and act by it in order to be a good example for others. The authentic knowledge is the one that is based on Quran and Sunnah.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Do good in what remains, then...
Monday, February 11, 2008
Five types of fear
The believer has five types of fear.
The first is that Allah may take his faith away from him
The second is that the recording angels may write down something that may expose him on the Day of Resurrection
The third is that the shaytan may cause his deeds to become invalid
The fourth is that the Angel of Death may come to him without warning
The fifth is that this world may tempt him and distract him from the Hereafter.
Take care of.....
“If you’re in prayer, take care of your heart;
If you’re eating, take care of your throat;
If you’re in another man’s house, take care of your eyes;
If you are among people, take care of your tongue.
Remember two matters and forget two matters:
Remember Allah (SWT) and death;
Forget any good that you have done to another and any evil that was done to you by another.”
Sunday, January 27, 2008
The Story of Moses and Al-Khidr
Moses is Informed of a Wise Man
One day, Moses delivered such an impressive sermon that all who heard it were deeply moved. Someone in the congregation asked: "0 Messenger of Allah, is there another man on earth more learned than you?" Moses replied: "No!", believing so, as Allah had given him the power of miracles and honored him with the Torah.
However, Allah revealed to Moses that no man could know all there is to know, nor would one messenger alone be the custodian of all knowledge. There would always be another who knew what others did not. Moses asked Allah: "0 Allah, where is this man? I would like to meet him and learn from him." He also asked for a sign to this person's identity.
Allah instructed him to take a live fish in a water-filled vessel. Where the fish disappeared, he would find the man he sought. Moses set out on his journey, accompanied by a young man who carried the vessel with the fish. They reached a place where two rivers met and decided to rest there. Instantly, Moses fell asleep.
Moses Finds Al-Khidr
While he was asleep, his companion saw the fish wriggle out of the vessel into the river and swim away. However, he forgot to relate this incident to Moses. When he awoke, they continued their journey until they were exhausted and hungry. Moses asked for his morning meal. Only then did his companion recall that the fish they had brought with them had gotten away. Hearing this, Moses exclaimed: 'This is exactly what we are seeking!" They hurriedly retraced their steps to the place where the rivers met and where the fish had jumped out. There they found a man, his face partly covered with a hood. His bearing showed he was a saintly man. He was Al-Khidr, the guide.
Moses Finds Al-Khidr - Qur'anic
Allah the Almighty narrated: And (remember) when Moses said to his boy-servant: "I will not give up (traveling) until I reach the junction of the two seas or (until) I spend years and years in traveling."
But when they reached the junction of the two seas, they forgot their fish, and it took its way throught the sea as in a tunnel. So when they had passed further on (beyond that fixed place), Moses said to his boy-servant: "Bring us our morning meal; truly, we have suffered much fatigue in this, our journey."
He said: "Do you remember when we betook ourselves to the ock? I indeed forgot the fish, none but Satan made me forget to remember it. It took its course into the sea in a strange (way)!"
(Moses) said: "That is what we have been seeking." So they went back retracing their footsteps.
Then they found one of Our slaves, unto whom We had bestowed mercy from Us, and whom We had taught knowledge from Us. Surah 18: 60-65
Moses Speaks to Al-Khidr
Moses said to him (Khidr) "May I follow you so that you teach me something of that knowledge (guidance and true path) which you have been taught (by Allah)?"
He (Khidr) said: "Verily! You will not be able to have patience with me! And how can you have patience about a thing which you know not?"
Moses said: "If Allah will, you will find me patient, and I will not disobey you in aught."
He (Khidr) said: "Then, if you follow me, ask me not about anything till I myself mention it to you.
So they both proceeded, till, when they were in the ship, he (Khidr) scuttled it. Moses said: "Have you scuttled it in order to drown its people? Verily, you have done Imra - a Munkar (evil, bad, dreadful) thing."
He (Khidr) said: "Did I not tell you, that you would not be able to have patience with me?"
(Moses) said: "Call me not to account for what I forgot, and be not hard upon me for my affair (with you)."
Then they both proceeded, till they met a boy, he (Khidr) killed him. Moses said: "Have you killed an innocent person who had killed none? Verily, you have done Nukra a great Munkar (prohibited, evil, dreadful) thing!"
(Khidr) said: "Did I not tell you that you can have no patience with me?"
(Moses) said: "If I ask you anything after this, keep me not in your company, you have received an excuse from me."
Then they both proceeded, till, when they came to the people of a town, they asked them for food, but they refused to entertain them. Then they found therein a wall about to collapse and he (Khidr) set it up straight. (Moses) said: "If you had wished, surely you could have taken wages for it!"
(Khidr) said: "This is the parting between me and you. I will tell you the interpretation of (those) things over which you were unable to hold patience.
'As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working in the sea. So I wished to make a defective damage in it, as there was a king after them who seized every ship by force.
"And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief. So we intended that their Lord should change him for them for one better in righteousness and near to mercy.
"And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the town; and there was under it a treasure belonging to them; and their father was a righteous man, and your Lord intended that they should attain their age of full strength and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of those (things) over which you could not hold patience. Surah 18: 60-82
Moses Seeks Al-Khidr - Hadith
The story of Moses and Al-Khidr is also told in a hadith. Said Ibn Jubair said: "I said to Ibn Abbas, 'Nauf Al-Bukah claims that Moses, the companion of Al-Khidr, was not Moses (the prophet) of the children of Israel, but some other Moses.' Ibn Abbas said: 'Allah's enemy (i.e. Nauf) has told a lie. Ubai Ibn Kab told us that the Prophet said: Once Moses stood up and addressed Bani Israel. He was asked who was the most learned man amongst the people. He said: "I." Allah admonished him as he did not attribute absolute knowledge to Him (Allah). So, Allah said to him: 'Yes, at the junction of the two seas there is a slave of Mine who is more learned than you." Moses said: "0 my Lord! How can I meet him?" Allah said: "Take a fish and put it in a large basket and you will find him at the place where you will lose the fish."
Moses took a fish and put it in a basket and proceeded along with his (servant) boy, Joshua (Yusha Ibn Nun), till they reached the rock where they laid their heads (i.e. lay down). Moses slept, and the fish, moving out of the basket, fell into the sea. It took its way into the sea (straight) as in a tunnel. Allah stopped the flow of water over the fish and it became like an arch (the Prophet pointed out this arch with his hands). They traveled the rest of the night, and the next day Moses said to his boy (servant): "Give us our food, for indeed, we have suffered much fatigue in this journey of ours." Moses did not feel tired till he crossed that place which Allah had ordered him to seek after. His boy (servant) said to him: "Do you know that when we were sitting near that rock, I forgot the fish, and none but Satan caused me to forget to tell (you) about it, and it took its course into the sea in an amazing way?" So there was a path for the fish and that astonished them. Moses said: 'That was what we were seeking after."
So both of them retraced their footsteps till they reached the rock. There they saw a man lying covered with a garment.
Moses Talks to Al-Khidr
Moses greeted him, and he replied saying: "How do people greet each other in your land?" Moses said: "I am Moses."
The man asked: "Moses of Bani Israel?" Moses said: 'Yes, I have come to you so that you may teach me from those things which Allah has taught you." He said: "0 Moses! I have some of the knowledge of Allah which Allah has taught me and which you do not know, while you have some of the knowledge of Allah which Allah has taught you and which I do not know." Moses asked: "May I follow you?" He said: "But you will not be able to remain patient with me, for how can you be patient about things which you will not be able to understand?" Moses said: 'You will find me, if Allah so will, truly patient, and I will not disobey you in aught."
So both of them set out walking along the sea-shore. A boat passed by them, and they asked the crew of the boat to take them on board. The crew recognized Al-Khidr, so they took them on board without fare. When they were on board the boat, a sparrow came and stood on the edge of the boat and dipped its beak once or twice into the sea. Al-Khidr said to Moses: "0 Moses! My knowledge and your knowledge have not decreased Allah's knowledge except as much as this sparrow has decreased the water of the sea with its beak." Then suddenly Al-Khidr took an adze and pulled up a plank, and Moses did not notice it till he had pulled up a plank with the adze. Moses said to him: "What have you done? They took us on board charging us nothing; yet you have intentionally made a hole in their boat so as to drown its passengers. Verily, you have done a dreadful thing." AlKhidr replied: "Did I not tell you that you would not be able to remain patient with me?" Moses replied: "Do not blame me for what I have forgotten, and do not be hard upon me for my fault." So the first excuse of Moses was that he had forgotten.
When they had left the sea, they passed by a boy playing with other boys. Al-Khidr took hold of the boy's head and plucked it with his hand like this. (Sufyan, the sub-narrator gestured with his fingertips as if he were plucking some fruit.) Moses said to him: "Have you killed an innocent person who has not killed any person? You have really done a horrible thing." Al-Khidr said: "Did I not tell you that you could not remain patient with me?" Moses said: "If I ask you about anything after this, don't accompany me. You have received an excuse from me."
Then both of them went on till they came to some people of a village, and they asked its inhabitants for food but they refused to entertain them as guests. Then they saw therein a wall which was just going to collapse and Al Khidr repaired it just by touching it with his hands. (Sufyan, the subnarrator, gestured with his hands, illustrating how Al-Khidr passed his hands over the wall upwards.) Moses said: "These are the people whom we have called on, but they neither gave us food, nor entertained us as guests, yet you have repaired their wall. If you had wished, you could have taken wages for it."
Al-Khidr said: "This is the parting between you and me, and I shall tell you the explanation of those things on which you could not remain patient."
The Prophet added: "We wish that Moses could have remained patient by virtue of which Allah might have told us more about their story." (Sufyan, the sub-narrator, said that the Prophet said: "May Allah bestow His Mercy on Moses! If he had remained patient, we would have been told further about their case.")'
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Dua Qunoot - Mishari Rashid al-Afasy
الحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ، وَلَكَ الحَمْدُ
أَنْتَ رَبُّ
السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ
O Allah! For You is all Praise - You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in them; and for You is all Praise – You are the Guardian of the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in them; and for You is all Praise – you are the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in them.
أَنْتَ الحَقُّ وَوَعْدُكَ الحَقُّ وَقَوْلُكَ الحَقُّ وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ وَالجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ
وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ والسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ والنَّبِيّونَ حَقٌّ وَمُحَمَّدٌ حَقٌّ.
Antal-Haqqu wa wa'dukal-haqqu wa qawlukal-haqqu wa liqa’uka haqqun, wal-jannahtu haqqun wan-naru haqqun, was-sa'atu haqqun, wan-nabiyyoona haqqun wa Muhammadun haqq.
O Allah! You are the Truth, Your Promise is True, Your Speech is True, Your Meeting is True, Paradise is True, the Hellfire is True, the Hour is True, the Prophets are True and Muhammad is True.
اللهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْنَا وَبِكَ آمَنَّا وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْنَا وَبِكَ خَاصَمْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ حاَكَمْنا
فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا مَا قَدَّمْنَا وَمَا أَخَّرْنَا وَمَا أَسْرَرْنَا وَما أَعْلَنَّا أَنْتَ المُقَدِّمُ
وَأَنْتَ المُؤَخِّرُ لا إِلهَ إِلا أَنْ
Allahumma laka aslamnaa, wa bika aamannaa, wa alayka tawakkalnaa, wa bika khaasamnaa, wa ilayka haakamnaa, faghfir lanaa maa qaddamnaa wa maa akhkharnaa, wa maa asrarnaa wa maa a3lannaa, antal-muqaddimu wa antal-mu’akhkhiru laa ilaaha illaa ant.
O Allah! To You have we submitted our souls, in You have we believed, upon You have we relied, for You have we argued, to You have we taken our judgement, so forgive us all that we have done and what we have not done, what we have hidden and what we have disclosed. You are the Promoter, and You are the Delayer, there is no God but You.
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آل مُحَمُّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ
وَعَلى آل إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيد، وَبَارِكْ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آل
مُحَمُّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلى آل إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيد
Allahumma salli ala Muhammadin wa ala Muhammad, kamaa sallayta ala Ibraheema wa alaa aali Ibrahim, Innaka hameedun Majeed. Wa barik ala Muhammadin wa ala aali Muhammad, kama barakta ala Ibrahima wa ala aali Ibrahim, Innaka hameedun majeed.
O Allah! Send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the followers Muhammad, just as you sent prayers upon Ibrahim and upon the followers of Ibrahim. Verily, you are Praiseworthy, Glorious. And O Allah! Send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the followers Muhammad, just as you sent blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the followers of Ibrahim. Verily, you are are Praiseworthy, Glorious.
اللهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الإِسْلامَ وَالمُسْلِمِينَ، اللهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الإِسْلامَ وَالمُسْلِمِينَ، وَأَذِلَّ
الشِّرْكَ وَالمُشْرِكِينَ وَدَمِّرْ أَعْدآءَ الدِّينِ وَاحْمِ حَوْزَةَ الإسْلامِ يَا رَبَّ
العَالَمِينَ
Allahumma a'izzal-Islama wal-Muslimeen, Allahumma a'izzal-Islama wal-Muslimeen, wa adhillash-shirka wal-Mushrikeen, wa dammir a'daa’ad-deen, wahmi hawzatal-Islami ya rabbal-3alameen.
O Allah! Raise the standing of Islam and the Muslims. O Allah! Raise the standing and the Muslims, and degrade the standing of Kufr and the Kaafireen, and Shirk and the Mushrikeen. Destroy the enemies of the Deen, and protect the lands of Islam, O Lord of the Worlds.
اللهُمَّ انْصُرْ دِينَكَ وَكِتَابَكَ وَسُنَّةَ نَبِيِّكَ وَعِبادَكَ المُوَحِّدين
Allahummansur deenaka wa kitabaka wa sunnahta nabiyyika wa ibaadakal-Muwahhideen.
O Allah! Grant Victory to Your religion, Your book, and the Sunnah of Your prophet, and Your monotheist slaves.
اللهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ بِأَنَّ لَكَ الحَمْدُ لا إِلهَ إِلا أَنْتَ، وَحْدَكَ لا شَرِيكَ لَكَ،
المَنَّانُ، يَا بَدِيعَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، يَا ذَا الجَلالِ وَالإِكْرِام،ِ يَا حَيُّ
يَا قَيُّومُ
Allahumma inna nas’aluka bi anna lakal-hamd, laa ilaha illa ant, wahdaka la shareeka laka, al-mannan, ya badias-samawaati wal-ardi, ya dhal-jalali wal-ikraam, ya hayyu ya qayoom.
O Allah! We ask of You, by virtue of all praise being to You, there is no God worthy of worship but You alone, there is no partner for You, the Beneficient, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, O Lord of Majesty and Bounty, O Alive Self-Subsisting One.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Hijab & Niqab
Hijab helps develop taqwa → Niqab helps develop more taqwa
Hijab is a jihad that purifies the soul → Niqab is a greater jihad
Hijab is a protection for sisters → Niqab is a better protection
Hijab is an assertion of Islamic identity → Niqab is a stronger assertion
Hijab is fard → Niqab is mustahabb
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Hijaab is not a piece of cloth on your head. It's a Way of Life.
Allaah says:
'And say to the believing women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty (zeenah) except what is apparent of it, and to extend their head coverings (khimars) to cover their bosoms (jaybs), and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent, and not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments. And turn in repentance to Allah together, O you believers, in order that you are successful.' (Surat-un-Nur: 31).
Here are some of the more common issues in light of this verse about the Hijaab.
Well, my head is covered. What more do you want?
If you look carefully at the ayah, it clearly states that the head covers (khumur) should be drawn over the neck slits (juyoob). Khumur is the plural of the Arabic word 'khimar' which means a headcover. Juyoob is the plural of the Arabic word 'jaiyb', which refers to the neck slit (of the dress). Yet, some sisters just cover their head with something, and think they are fulfilling the rights of Hijaab, although part of their hair or body is showing, or their whole neck and chest area are exposed. Actually, that was the way of the women of Jahilliyah.
Al-Qurtubi said:
'Women in those days used to cover their heads with the khimar, throwing its ends upon their backs. This left the neck and the upper part of the chest bare, along with the ears. Then, Allah commanded them to cover those parts with the khimar.' So secure the scarf well around your face, covering your neck/chest area, and keep those half sleeves and Capri pants for your Mahrams.
Sorry.…tight jeans and short shirt just don't cut it.
You can't wear tight jeans and a short shirt with a piece of cloth on your head and think this is Hijaab. Nor can you wear anything else that is tight, describing the shape of the body in any way, even if it is long. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
'In later (generations) of my ummah there will be women who will be dressed but naked. On top of their heads (what looks) like camel humps. They will not enter into paradise or (even) get a smell of it.' (Muslim)
If it is see-through, its NOT Hijaab
You CANNOT use chiffon or other see through material to cover your hair and body. Everything should be covered and the colour of the skin underneath should not be visible. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) once received a thick garment as a gift.
He gave it to Osamah b. Zayd, who in turn gave it to his wife. When asked by the Prophet why he did not wear it, Osamah indicated that he gave it to his wife.
The Prophet then said to Osamah 'ask her to use a 'gholalah' under it (the garment) for I fear that it (the garment) may describe the size of her bones.' (Ahmad, Abi-Dawood)
(The word gholalah in Arabic means a thick fabric worn under the dress to prevent it from describing the shape of the body).
The Hijaab shouldn't attract attention.
The dress should not be such that it attracts men's attention to the woman's beauty.
Allaah clearly states, 'not to display their beauty (zeenah).' Yet, Subhaan Allaah, some Hijaabi sisters are dressed in such a way that they attract more attention to themselves than they would if they didn't wear Hijaab!!
How could such zeenah be concealed if the dress is designed in a way that it attracts men's eyes to the woman?
It beats the purpose of Hijaab.
Allaah tells us:
'And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance…' [al-Ahzaab:32]
What about make-up and perfume???
Wearing make up is also part of the zeenah that Allaah orders us NOT to display. So, if your head and body are appropriately covered yet you are wearing bright red lipstick or dark eyeliner such that people confuse between you and a raccoon….uh sorry, that's not Hijaab.
And keep those nice fragrances for the home, between you and your husband. That's part of Hijaab too, even if you are going to the Masjid.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
'Any woman who puts on perfume and passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress.' (al-Nasaa'i, Tirmidhi: hasan by Albaani)
Tinkling Jewelry and Jingling bracelets.
'Loud' and tinkling anything, be it jewelry, bracelets, clip-clopping shoes, little bells on clothes, you name it, if it jingles or makes noise, it is against the principles of Hijaab, because it attracts attention to the one wearing it.
That is what is meant when Allaah orders us in the above verse…'not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments.'
No laughing, joking, or hanging out with non-Mahrams .
Some sisters assume that since they are properly covered, its okay for them to sit around and talk, laugh, joke, etc. with the men, but that's not right, even if he is 'the Shaikh'.
Allaah says:
'. . . then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner.' [al-Ahzaab:32]
So talk to them when there is a specific need, and in a manner that is not necessarily rude, yet it is polite but firm.
Staring at the brothers or 'checking them out' is NOT Hijaab.
Allaah orders us to 'lower your gaze' in the above verse. Why?
Because a single 'look' can say more than a thousand words. So, even if you are properly covered, keep those eyes down, conduct yourself with 'Hayaa', and avoid 'fitnah'.
'Chatting' on the internet/phone is not part of Hijaab, either.
There is no such thing as 'we're just friends'.
Talking to non-Mahrams is wrong even if it is through the internet or telephone.
There are too many stories of illegal relationships, fornications, broken homes, extra-marital affairs and runaway brides to even mention.
That is why in Islam anything that leads to haraam is also haraam. Allaah says:
'Do not (even) come close to fornication, for it is an indecency, and its way is evil.' (Surah Israa:32)
Be careful, even in the way you walk.
Remember, you are not a runway model displaying the latest fashion. Walk with modesty and hayaa and you will be respected.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
'There are two types of the people of Hell that I have not seen yet….women who are clothed yet naked, walking with an enticing gait…..' (Muslim).
Don't shake hands with non-Mahrams. Its part of Hijaab.
It is not permissible to shake hands with a non-Mahram, because the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
'For one of you to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle is better for him than to touch a woman who is not permissible for him.' (at-Tabaraani saheeh by al-Albaani).
And no, it is not rude to refuse to shake hands with non-Muslims. Simply politely explain that its part of your religion and they are very understanding.
Stay away from the men's areas.
I see many sisters entering the Masjid from the men's entrance, or standing idle in the hallways or where there is a chance of unnecessary mixing with the brothers. What for?
Don't we have a separate entrance for ourselves?
Why do you think Allaah ordained the Hijaab in the first place? To avoid fitnah, by reducing temptation and separating the genders.
' The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said to the women on his way out of the mosque when he saw men and women mixing together on their way home:
'Give way (i.e., walk to the sides) as it is not appropriate for you to walk in the middle the road.'
Thereafter, women would walk so close to the wall that their dresses would get caught on it.' (Abu Dawood)
Hijaab is also to conceal your sister.
Although some sisters wear the Hijaab themselves, they forget that they cannot talk about another sister and her beauty in front of their own husbands, brothers, etc. Remember, part of your Hijaab is to cover your sisters 'awrah' as well.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 'No woman should mix with a woman and describe her to her husband so that it is as if he can see her.' (Muslim)
by Asma Bint Shameem
Friday, December 14, 2007
Last Breath
A muffled sob, a Hopeless sigh,
I hear their footsteps leaving slow,
And then I know my soul must Fly!
A chilly wind begins to blow,
Within my soul, from Head to Toe,
And then, Last Breath escapes my lips,
It's Time to leave. And I must Go!
So, it is True (But it's too Late)
They said: Each soul has its Given Date,
When it must leave its body's core,
And meet with its Eternal Fate.
Oh mark the words that I do say,
Who knows? Tomorrow could be your Day,
At last, it comes to Heaven or Hell
Decide which now, Do NOT delay!
Come on my brothers let us pray
Decide which now, Do NOT delay!
Oh God! Oh God! I cannot see!
My eyes are Blind! Am I still Me
Or has my soul been led astray,
And forced to pay a Priceless Fee
Alas to Dust we all return,
Some shall rejoice, while others burn,
If only I knew that before
The line grew short, and came my Turn!
And now, as beneath the sod
They lay me (with my record flawed),
They cry, not knowing I cry worse,
For, they go home, I face my God!
Oh mark the words that I do say,
Who knows, Tomorrow could be your Day,
At last, it comes to Heaven or Hell
Decide which now, Do NOT delay !
Come on my brothers let's pray
Decide which now, do not delay ....
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Ya Ummi - My Mother
Divulging My Longing To You And Sipping Your Right Hand's Essence
Nuzzling My Cheek In Your Feet's Soil
Watering The Ground With My Joyful Tears
How Many Nights You Were Sleepless Working To Get Me Sleeping Like A Kid
And How Many Times You Were Thirsty But You Worked To Water Me With All Tenderness
And I Will Never Forget Your Rainy Eyes When I Was Sick
And Your Restless Eye Scared Of Any Danger May Happen To Me
And What About Our Farewell In That Dawn ,, What A Hard Dawn It Was
No Heart Can Ever Describe The Abandonment That You Faced By Me
Then You Said Something I Couldn't Forget Up Until Now :
It's Impossible That You Will Find Warmer Arms Than Mine
Oh My (( Life's Joy )) The Creator Of The Universe Commanded Me To Be Loyal To You
Your Content Is The Secret Of My Good Fortune And Your Love Is My Faith's Sparkle
Don't Be Sad Mother, Here Am I, I Came To You With Teary Eyes
Don't Be Sad Mother, There Will Be No Separation From Now On mm Until The Separation Of Death
Monday, November 26, 2007
Zawjaty - My Wife
I love you the way you were,
No matter what did or will happen,
You are and will be my darling.
You're my rightful wife, I care not about
Those who like to reproach and irritate me.
It is our destiny to be
Together eternally.
In my heart you instilled love
With grace and good deeds.
Happiness vanishes when you disappear,
Life brightens when you're there.
Hard is my day
Until you return home.
Sadness disappears
When you smile.
Life turns black
When you're upset,
So I work hard
To make your wish come true.
You're my happiness.
May you be happy forever.
Our souls are united
Like soil and plants.
You're my hope, my peace
My good company and inspiration.
Life is good, no matter how hard it is,
When you're fine.

