“And who is better in speech than he who invites men to Allaah’s (religion) and does righteous deeds and says I am one of the Muslims.” (Fussilat: 33).
"Let there rise from
amongst you group(s) who invite others to the khair (Islam), command the good,
and forbid the evil, and they are the ones who are successful." [3:104]
INTO THE DUSTBIN
The Importance of Zakat
This is a very important matter. It relates to one of the pillars of Islam. Allah describes the taking of zakat in the following manner.
"Take alms from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it." [Soorah at-Tauba 103]
[Zakat] is one of the foundations of Islam. If the foundation is weak, then this weak foundation will have ramifications for other aspects of our lives.
Today, how many Muslims in the world honestly, sincerely and properly pay zakat to purify their wealth and to help their Muslim brethren. Since we are missing lacking or very weak in that foundation, is it any surprise that:
So many Muslims are starving and in need today.
So much Muslim wealth is wasted on luxury.
So much Muslim wealth is spent on forbidden items.
So little Muslim wealth is spent on jihad and sacrificing for the sake of Allah.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was ordered to fight the people until they made the shahada, established prayer and paid zakat. Abu Bakr continued that teaching after him. What does that mean for us today? Does that mean that if they were alive today, we would be from those who would be fighting alongside them or would we be from those whom they would be fighting?
Let us make sure that we pay the zakat and fulfill all of the other pillars of Islam correctly and sincerely for Allah's sake, so that our Islam as a whole will be strong and Allah will be pleased with us
islaam.com - Jamaal al-Din Zarabozo
A Reminder
O People, fear Allah with what He is worthy of and seek His pleasure from what is narrated from the advice of the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam). He said: “O People be certain that this life is vanishing and the hereafter is everlasting and work for what is after death when the life will feel like it never existed and the hereafter will feel as though it has always been there”.
Whoever is in this life is a guest and whatever he has possessed in his hands is a loan, and a guest is always expected to leave and a loan is always expected to be paid back. May Allah have mercy on the one is introspective and prepares for his burial while he is alive and takes this opportunity before his time is up and his deeds are finished.
Your life rapidly goes away, frequently changing, beware, and be careful of this weakness of possessing it because shortly you will feel the bitterness of loosing it.
Stay away from the sweetness of life that finishes very fast and favor the bitterness in this life for the sweetness of the hereafter that is everlasting. Do not go around seeking to build homes. Allah has decreed that they will be destroyed. Do not keep strong connection with material things as Allah wants from you to stay away from this. Rather seek developing your hereafter and work hard to perfect it and beautify it before you move to it. For the mansions and castles of paradise and it’s gardens are being prepared according to how you practice and from righteous deeds you do and from what righteous words you say.
read more http://wp.me/p1ItTS-fiIt’s an icy cold winter’s morning sitting in the comforts of my home and enjoying a hot cuppa coffee. Suddenly feelings of inner contentment and serenity engulf me. It dawns on me - far too many women feel unimportant, unrecognised and apologetic for being full-time housewives. I prefer the term‘homemaker‘ - an infinitely better description of a tremendously important role. And so, as an occasion arises with its heavy demands on women, let us reflect upon the vital art of homemaking.
How special you feel in a home that is always open with a warm welcome. The kind of old-fashioned home with enough love to spare for outsiders, which beckons you to sit down and relax. In it you’ll find a wise blend of order and flexibility.
read more
In this verse, Allah (S.W.T) says He has made this Muslim Ummah, an Ummah of Wasat. And No one has the right or authority to change the Ummah’s status of Wasatiyyah.
In the same verse, Allah (S.W.T) indicates to us what the objectives of Wasatiyyah are. They are “That you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger Muhammad be a witness over you.” And no one has the authority to change the objectives of Wasatiyyah.
We will go over three points. First we will go over the meaning of Wasat, second what it means for us to be witnesses over mankind, and third what it means for the Messenger to be a witness over us.
read more:
The Excellence Of Adhan
Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anh) reported: The Messenger of Allah (salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Were people to know the blessing of pronouncing Adhan and the standing in the first row, they would even draw lots to secure these privileges. And were they to realize the reward of performing Salat early, they would race for it; and were they to know the merits of Salat after nightfall (`Isha’) and the dawn (Fajr) Salat, they would come to them even if they had to crawl.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
http://wp.me/p1ItTS-hB
Islam and Drugs
The young Muslims of today are facing an ever-increasing number of dilemmas. One of these is drugs. What does Islam have to say about it? How should Muslims regard drugs? To understand this we have to see what the Qur’aan and Ahaadith say regarding intoxicants i.e. narcotics.Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qur’aan: –
O You who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones and (divination by) arrows are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. Avoid (such abominations) that you may prosper. (5:90)
Allah Ta’ala has described intoxicants amongst other things as being appalling, despicable and hateful acts of Satan and he has commanded us to abstain from them, Allah thereafter states in the next verse: –
Satan’s plan is to sow hatred and enmity amongst you with intoxicants and gambling, and to hamper you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you not give up? (5:91)
This Aayah tells us how it is a detestable act of Satan, because intoxicants apart from sowing the seeds of enmity also stop you from the sole purpose of having been sent to the world, namely the remembrance of Allah.
Bear in mind that when the term intoxicant is used it also encompasses narcotics, because they to among other things result in the loss of self-control.
There are also many Ahaadith stated by the Holy Prophet (saw) in regards to intoxicants.
A MANIFEST VICTORY - Reflections on the Hudaibiyah Treaty
A MANIFEST VICTORY
Compiled by Shawana
A Aziz
As-Sunnah Islamic Newsletter Issue no 16
"Verily, We
have given you a manifest victory."
In this Article...
Why did Allah call the unjust peace treaty of al-Hudaibiyah, 'A
Manifest Victory'?
What was the Wisdom of Allah behind establishing a peace treaty
between the Muslims and the disbelievers?
What were the consequences of this unjust peace treaty?
It was about the sixth year after Hijrah, in the month of
Shawwal, Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) was shown in a dream
that while the Muslims were still living in al-Medina, they had entered the
Holy city of Makkah and were performing the rites of Umrah (lesser pilgrimage).
Their heads were being shaved and hairs were cut. Allah's Messenger (sallallahu
alaihe wa-sallam) immediately informed his Companions about the dream. The
Sahabah were overwhelmed with happiness because they had been away from the
House of Allah for six year and greatly wished to make pilgrimage. Dreams of
the Prophets are true visions and revelation from Allah. The Sahabah knew that
Allah, the Exalted, had fulfilled their desire to perform Hajj.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) along with his 1,400 -
1,500 Sahabah left for Makkah in Dhul-Qidah, wearing ihram and taking with them
seventy camels for sacrifice. They carried no weapons, except a sheathed sword
for protection.
Even though, the Arab Pagans did not possess any Divine Book,
neither did they follow any Messenger and were surrounded by polytheist
practices; they had immense respect for the House of Allah (Ka'bah). It was
part of their culture and tradition to regularly perform Hajj and for the same
purpose, people from distant places visited Makkah in the month of Dhul-Hijjah
and were greatly welcomed by the Quraysh. However, when the Quraysh heard about
the Prophet's approaching to Makkah, they gathered a large number of people to
stop the Muslims, even though they had no right to do, especially since the
Muslims showed no desire to harm them...... read more http://wp.me/p1ItTS-cG
The Importance of the Islamic Aqeedah
The word for belief in Islam is ‘Aqeedah, which itself is derived from the Arabic root word aqada. This root literally means ‘he ties a knot firmly’. This root defines the sense of the word ‘Aqeedah, in that it too is firmly tied. Hence belief in Islam is built on firm conviction in all of its elements. So a Muslim cannot believe in Allah (swt), yet deny His Messenger, Muhammad (saw). Nor can a Muslim believe in the Qur’an, yet deny the Day of Judgement. Hence there is no question that the ‘Aqeedah of a Muslim is complete, for if the ‘Aqeedah of a Muslim became incomplete he would cease being a Muslim.
However, this Aqeedah does not only explain the origin and the end of this life. It also defines with surety the purpose of life. Allah (swt) has revealed,
”And I have created jinn and man for no purpose but to worship Me” [ 51:56]
In this way, the Islamic Aqeedah defines the purpose of life as being to worship Allah (swt), by following His (swt) commandments in each and every action. Just as in any journey, no-one can ignore the eventual destination, in life no-one can ignore his inevitable return to Allah (swt). Hence the Islamic ‘Aqeedah must be understood with great care and precision, as failure to do so will have the gravest consequences. read more http://wp.me/p1ItTS-e8
We live in an era in which the world is mired in great challenges. It is no longer possible to ignore the turmoil that surrounds us, be it the instability in many countries or the problems associated with the millions struggling to make a living. Whatever be the reasons that led the world to this stage, it’s clear that a change is essential to get out from this chaos.
Our personal lives are not immune from this turmoil. Many times we all seek to correct the course of our lives to maximize our share of worldly and spiritual fulfillment. Whether its to inculcate better Islamic habits or others related to secular aspects of our lives, the process of personal change provides us with an opportunity to improve ourselves.
The ability to come out of this state – to change – also gives us hope for a better future. Fortunately, we live during times where good advice surrounds us. The Internet and its support structure have provided us with a way to gain instant access to stores of knowledge and words of wisdom. The problem, however, has been that our pace of change hasn’t kept up with what we learn from this knowledge. You see, there comes a point in our lives where we need to go beyond learning and to eventually change and start living that wisdom.
Bringing lasting personal change however, isn’t that easy and many of us give up trying. But since change is important to get us out of our current states, we simply can’t quit. So, the struggle must go on until we find a way to overcome barriers to personal change.
We may wonder about why we fail to change? For those of us who have attempted to change with not much to show for, the process can be frustrating. Understanding reasons that lead to this failure can help us overcome these obstacles. Let’s review those ... http://wp.me/p1ItTS-gx
The Family In Islaam
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and all his companions.
Fellow Muslims, I advise you and myself to fear Allah. Allah says, “O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not but in a state of Islam.”
The God-fearing Muslim family is the heart of a healthy community. The piety of a family is dependant on the piety of individual members of the family, and the piety of a community is likewise dependant on the piety of the families who make up the community.
Islam attaches great importance to the family, how it is established and how to keep it together. For the Muslim family to keep up it’s high position it maintains a state of love and harmony, and you find in it feelings of amicability and kindness. Allah says, “And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy.” (Ar-Ruum: 21).
He also says, “They are Libaas [i.e. body cover, or screen, or Sakan, (i.e. you enjoy the pleasure of living with her)] for you and you are the same for them.” (Al-Baqarah: 187).
The Qur’an made it clear to married couples that each of them is essential to the other. Allah says, “It is He Who has created you from a single person (Adam), and (then) He has created from him his wife [Hawwa’ (Eve)], in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her.” (Al-A’araaf: 189).
It cannot be imagined that one could lead a normal, steadfast human life if there was a complete destruction of the normal family structure. Those people who call for the abolishment of the family structure do not do so for the good of humankind. Their call was – and still is – a discordant sound in the passing of history..... http://wp.me/p1ItTS-hm
The Lost Boys (and Girls): Bringing Back Young Muslim Teens
It can be understood, perhaps, in that these are formative years in which children and adolescents are struggling with a huge input of information from the world around them that they can’t quite figure out what to do with. These years are recognized as the most difficult years for parents, and for the children too; but for Muslim parents struggling to raise their children upon Islam here in the West, the problems are compounded.
Many concerned parents complain about how their children prefer to remain with unIslamic influences and ignore the parents’ attempts to sway them towards coming to the Masjid and being involved with other Muslims. Time and time again I hear the same advice being reiterated, but unfortunately the problems persist. After a while, I wondered if another approach was needed – something a bit deeper and more long-term than one-off youth programs or conferences. Perhaps we need to re-analyse the causes of youthful misguidance, and come up with a more detailed method of reaching out to them......
