THE ZIKR OF THE TEN DAYS OF ZIL HAJJ

GUEST ARTICLE: COURTESY OF: zawjatshuayb (seeking.jannah@yahoo.com)

If your are not at Hajj you still qualify for this:

Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu `Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“There are no days greater in the sight of Allah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of tahlil (Laa Ilaaha ill-Allah), Takbir (Allahu  Akbar) and Tahmid (Alhamdulillah).”

Ahmad

THE TAKBIR IS AS FOLLOWS:

“Allah Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu Akbar, Wa Lillaah il-Hamd”

(Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise).

These are the best Zikr especially in the blessed days of Dual Hijjah…Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told us that each word plants a tree for you in Paradise and weighs like Uhad mountain…Can you imagine this?

The same as Ramadan is an intensive educational & training course in Quran, the 10 of Dual Hijjah is, but in Zikr.

Somebody asks: “When should I say these Zikr?”

Brothers and sisters in Islam, the answer is ” Train yourself to say it frequently…Train yourself…Train yourself”

1- On your way to work, school or back home, meanwhile working, on errands, walking to the market or whatever.

Repeat it “Allah Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu Akbar, Wa Lillaah il-Hamd”

2- Lying in bed before sleeping.

Feel it: “Allah Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu Akbar, Wa Lillaah il-Hamd”

3- Meanwhile chit chatting, or eating…Stop for a second, feel the words and say them.

Enjoy it: “Allah Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu Akbar, Wa Lillaah il-Hamd”

4- On your way to pray five times a day at the mosque, or before parying at time at home for women.

Contemplate about it:“Allah Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu Akbar, Wa Lillaah il-Hamd”

Mathematically speaking, if you managed to do this, you would say it not less than 400 times a day which is equal to 400 trees in the Paradise, let alone if you multiple this for the 10 days of Dual hijjah…Please be honest with yourself who can lose this free treasures?

EVALUATING YOUR PREPARATION FOR HAJJ

courtesy amazon islam pictures

1. EVALUATE WHERE YOU ARE NOW:

• WHAT IS THE STATE OF YOUR IMAAN?
• WHAT IS THE QUALITY OF YOUR SALAH?
• WHAT IS THE ACCURACY OF YOUR WUDU AND SALAH?
• WHAT ARE YOUR INTENTIONS FOR GOING TO HAJJ?
• WHAT IS THE DEGREE OF YOUR DESIRE FOR HAJJ E MABROOR?

II            EVALUATE YOUR DESIRES:

• WHAT DO YOU WORRY ABOUT LEAVING BEHIND?
• WHAT BODILY DISCOMFORTS DO YOUR WORRY ABOUT?
• WHAT OTHER THINGS DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR PLAN WITH HAJJ?
• HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO CHANGE?

III            EVALUATE YOUR SPIRITUAL PREPARATION

• HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RECITING THE QURAN?
• ARE YOU READING THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET?
• HAVE YOU READ YOUR HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY OF MECCA AND MEDINA AND WHAT HAPPENED WHERE?
• HAVE YOU SUBMITTED YOUR SPIRIT TO ALLAH AND ENTREATED HIM TO INVITE YOU FOR HAJJ?
• HAVE YOU READ THE DESCRIPTION OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD’S HAJJ AND LAST SPEECH AT ARAFAH?

IV            EVALUATE YOUR PHYSICAL PREPARATION

• ARE YOU EXERCISING YOUR BODY TO BUILD STAMINA FOR IBADAH?
• ARE YOU EXERCISING YOUR MUJAHIDA TO CONTROL YOUR NAFS (LESS EATING, LESS SLEEPING, LESS TALKING, LESS SOCIALIZING)
• ARE YOU DOING ANY NAFIL FASTS ON MONDAY AND/OR THURSDAYS TO BUILD YOUR INNER SPIRITUALITY AND CONTROL YOUR NAFS
• HAVE YOU PRACTICED TO FOCUS ON PRAYER AND RECITATION WHILE IN A NOISY ATMOSPHERE?

V            EVALUATE YOUR EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION

*            HAVE YOU STUDIED AND IMPROVED ON YOUR NAMAAZ E NABVI?

*            HAVE YOU LEARNED TO PRAY NAMAZ E JANAZAH?

*            DO YOU KNOW HOW TO PRAY NAMAZ E TASBEEH (OPTIONAL)

*            HAVE YOU MEMORIZED EXTRA SURAHS TO RECITE IN PRAYER IN THE HARAMAIN?

*            DO YOU KNOW HOW TO PRAY QAZA E UMARI?

*         HAVE YOU FAMILIARIZED YOURSELF WITH THE MANASAK OF THE HAJJ?

*            DO YOU KNOW WHAT INVALIDATES THE HAJJ?

*            DO YOU KNOW WHAT MANASAK CAN BE MADE UP AND WHICH CANNOT?

*            HAVE YOU MADE A LIST OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ASKED YOU TO PRAY FOR THEM

*            HAVE YOU MADE A LIST OF WHAT YOU WANT TO PRAY FOR?

*      DO YOU KNOW THE THIRD KALIMA, RABBANA ATAIYNA FID DUNYA AND THE DUA FOR SAFA AND MARWAH?

*            ARE YOU MEMORIZING A NEW DUA EACH DAY THAT YOU WANT TO ASK ALLAH FOR (MASNOON OR FROM THE QURAN?)

• ARE YOU PRACTICING PATIENCE NOW?
• ARE YOU PRACTICING WEARING HIJAB AND PROPER CLOTHES FOR PRAYER?
• ARE YOU PRACTICING PRAYING EACH PRAYER ON TIME?
• ARE YOU PRACTICING SPENDING TIME IN RECITATION OF THE QURAN AND/OR HADITH?

VI            EVALUATE YOUR LOGISTICAL PREPARATION

• DO YOU HAVE COMFORTABLE, WASHABLE CLOTHES THAT DO NOT REQUIRE EXTRA CARE AND WHICH COVER THE AWRAH?
• DO YOU HAVE TOILETRIES WITH NO FRAGRANCE?
• DO YOU HAVE A SLEEPING BAG FOR ARAFAH AND MUZDALIFA?
• DO YOU HAVE A SMALL SEPARATE BAG FOR MINA?
• DO YOU HAVE A SMALL BACK BAG FOR SHOES, OR READING MATERIAL AND A WATER BOTTLE, WHILE IN TAWAF OR SAAII?
• HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE MAP OF THE LAYOUT OF THE KAABA AND KNOW THE NAMES OF THE DOORS?
• DO YOU HAVE A LIST (FOR YOURSELF AND GIFTS) OF WHAT YOU WANT TO BUY AT HAJJ?
• DO YOU HAVE A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT AND DOCUMENTS IN A PLASTIC BAG OR COVER TO TAKE WITH YOU?
• DO YOU KNOW THE CONVERSION RATE FROM DOLLARS TO SAUDI RIYAL?
• HAVE YOU DISCUSSED WITH YOUR MAHRAM, YOUR EXPECTATIONS AND HIS?
• HAVE YOU SHARED YOUR PREPARATIONS WITH HIM?
• HAVE YOU MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PEOPLE YOU ARE LEAVING BEHIND?
• DO YOU HAVE A WILL?
• DO YOUR CHILDREN HAVE GUARDIANS IN EVENT OF AN UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCE
• HAVE YOU MADE A LIST OF PEOPLE YOU NEED TO APPROACH TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS OR GIVE FORGIVENESS?
• HAVE YOU PAID YOUR DEBTS THAT ARE DUE?
• WHO IS YOUR BUDDY WHILE IN THE HARAM (IT IS NOT POSSIBLE MOST OF THE TIME FOR YOUR MAHRAM TO BE YOUR BUDDY AS THE MEN AND WOMEN ARE SEPARATED AFTER TAWAF AND SOMETIMES IN TAWAF.

Inshallah you will do well, even if you are not perfectly prepared, but try and be as prepared as possible, then Hajj becomes the true spiritual journey you have imagined it to be!

FROM SOUTH AFRICA: Muslim Sisters give thanks………….

Muslim children of South Africa: courtesy ofhttp://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/photogalleries/south_africa_faces/photo3.html

GUEST ARTICLE

Muslim Sisters give thanks to Brothers who honored their Eid wish…by Quraysha Yousuf

As a result of the awareness campaign initiated by some sisters re the importance of attending the Eid Salaat, many women responded and shared in the joy of the Eid prayers. It was an emotional and empowering experience.

Muslim women felt liberated and honored to participate in the Takbir and as journalist Safiyyah Surtee wrote, ‘…

we had both fasted, we had both stood for the long nightly prayers, we had both increased our adhkaar (remembrance of God), we had both read the Quran, we had both helped each other try to gain nearness to Allah, and so we both deserved to come out on Eid morning, and thank Allah for the day, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his followers, men and women did a century and half ago. I believe this right belongs to every person who observes Ramadan, not just the men. The women in most cases, deserve it more, for not only did they fulfil one of the pillars of Islam, they also prepared the futoor/suhoor (dawn/dusk meals) for their families and communities…’

The women of Mafikeng were especially privileged as they were dignified and honoured by the men in their community. For the first time in the history of the town, women were given the opportunity to attend the Eid Gah. The brothers on the organizing committee were exemplary in arranging the Ladies’ Section and considered all aspects of their needs and hijaab.

Many sisters still felt doubtful and abstained because of the comments of certain Muftis. What they fail to realise is the following:

v     On the day of Eid, the Prophet SAW commanded each and every woman and young girl to come out and attend the Eid prayer. The Eid salaat is not like the 5 daily prayers as some scholars have tried to explain.

v     The Prophet SAW was consistent in action and speech- He said: ‘do not stop your women from going to the mosque, although their houses are better (perhaps more comfortable) for them’ (Abu Dawood). Look at his actions: regarding the 5 daily prayers, he allowed women to attend if they wanted to, and never rebuked them if they did not- hence the choice was theirs and he did not interfere nor limit them in that choice.

v     This same consistency can be found in the actions of his two greatest companions Abu-Bakr and Omar RA, his wife Aisha RA and from the Muffassir of this Ummah, Abdullah ibn Abbas who understood the meanings of the verses of the Quraan profoundly. Yet none of them used the above mentioned verse or hadith to prevent Muslim women from attending the mosques and in particular, the Eid prayer.

v     There is no evidence at all to indicate that any of the companions prevented women from attending the Eid Salaat and there is no evidence at all to indicate that the wives of the Prophet SAW, including Aisha RA did not attend the Eid Salaat. Remember, the Eid Salaat is different and the Prophet SAW commanded the women to attend- he did not use the same tone nor command regarding the 5 daily prayers.

Many Muslim brothers have understood the command of the Prophet SAW and facilitated arrangements for the sisters to attend the Eid Salaat. The responses by the youth and Muslim professionals on the internet and on Facebook were overwhelmingly positive. Individuals agreed that women must attend the Eid prayer. Amazingly, more men supported the initiative, encouraging sisters to ‘wear’ their faith with honour and courage and challenge the childish accusations of some scholars due to lack of confidence in the muslim men and women.

We salute our brothers for their faith in the honour and rights of the Muslim women! A society that honours and educates its women is a society that is protected.

With our veils we put our faith on display, with our honour, we strengthen the Ummah. We are ‘proudly Muslim women.’

For more on the rights and obligations of Muslim women CLICK HERE

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF MUSLIM WOMEN OUTSIDE THE HOME?

Muslim women Nurses of The Red Crescent equivalent to the Red Cross in the West: courtesy of:http://www.flickr.com/photos/27529953@N04/3081335899/

GUEST AUTHOR: Dr. Kaukab Siddique

Hadith Studies demonstrate that:

ALL WOMEN, INCLUDING YOUNG SINGLE WOMEN, ARE URGED BY PROPHET MUHAMMAD (peace be on him) TO TAKE PART IN ALL GOOD WORKS OF THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY

Question: I am studying Islam but can’t find anything in the Koran or the Traditions to support the place of women outside the home. Is it not true that Islam wants to restrict women to having children and cooking food? [U, from London, England]

ANSWER BY Dr. KAUKAB SIDDIQUE:

Asalaam o Alaikum Sister U, I have no idea why you can’t find the relevant texts. There is no need for any argument or interpretation on this issue. Here is a clear text from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). I have put the Prophet’s words in capitals:

“Ismail narrates from Ayyub who narrates from Hafsa: She said: We used to forbid our never married maidens from going out. A woman came and stayed at the mansion of the Bani Khalaf. She narrated that her sister was married to a companion of the messenger of Allah (peace be on him) who was with the messenger of Allah (pbuh) in 12-armed expeditions. Her sister was with him in six of these expeditions. She (the sister) said: We used to bandage the wounded and take care of the sick. She (the sister) asked the messenger of Allah (pbuh): Is there any harm if one of us does not go forth if she does not have an outer covering (jilbab)?

He (the Prophet, pbuh) said: “LET HER FEMALE FRIEND GIVE HER OF HER OUTER COVERINGS and SHE SHOULD TAKE PART IN THE GOOD WORKS and CALLS TO ALLAH (supplications) OF THE BELIEVERS.” When Umm Atiyya (Allah be pleased with her) came, I (Hafsa) questioned her about it. Umm Attiya said: Let my father be sacrificed for him. (Whenever the Prophet’s (pbuh) name was mentioned, she used to say so.) I asked: Have you heard the messenger of Allah (peace be on him) say so? She replied: Yes. By my father, he (the Prophet, pbuh) told us: LET THE UNMARRIED MAIDENS AND THE YOUNG VIRGINS WHO STAY HIDDEN AND THE MENSTRUATING ONES GO FORTH TO TAKE PART IN THE GOOD DEEDS AND CALLS TO ALLAH (supplications) OF THE MUSLIMS. ONLY, THE MENSTRUATING ONES SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ACTUAL PRAYER AREA. I (Hafsa) asked (Umm Attiya): Even the menstruating women? She replied: Don’t they (the menstruating women) go to Arafat and such and such places? [Hadith in Bukhari's Sahih, kitab al-Manasik.]

ANALYSIS by Dr. Kaukab Siddique:

Muslims, by definition, are one nation and one community. However, for this community to become real, Muslims must learn to respect each other and to work together for good causes, starting at the basic level of man and woman.

Decency and modesty are important in Islam but this virtue must not be a cloistered virtue. To achieve real virtue, one must practice virtue within the community.

The hadith (above) begins by mentioning Hafsa’s mistaken notion that single women must not go out into community activities. Then along came a woman who talked about her sister who had participated in six armed expeditions (ghazwaat). Although she was part of the ambulance brigade, she did go forth to the battlefield. Hafsa got this narration confirmed by Umm Attiya (Allah be pleased with her) one of the greatest female companions of the Prophet (pbuh).

Note that the Prophet did not accept the excuse of lack of adequate clothing. Friends can always share dresses. The essential thing is to be part of the struggle. There is no indication whatever that the Prophet (pbuh) would want women to be secluded or separated from the men. Decent dress and modest attitude is all that is needed. TAQWA (God-conscious behavior) is the key.

The biggest surprise for Hafsa was the Prophet’s urging that even menstruating women go forth. No mosque or gathering place is holier than the ground of Arafat, and menstruating women can and do go there. They should stay away from actual formal prayer. (Another aspect often forgotten is that in those days it was difficult to stop the blood flow and the place of prayer would be have blood on it.)

HOW MANY WOMEN ARE NEEDED FOR WITNESSING?

Note also that this hadith in a number of ways contradicts the idea that reporting or witnessing by ONE MUSLIM WOMAN is not valid. Ismail accepted from Ayyub (both males) a narration from ONE WOMAN Hafsa and Imam Bukhari unhesitatingly placed it in his Sahih. The second part of the narration is again from one woman Umm Attiya (Allah be pleased with her).

CRITIQUE of DR. MUSHSIN KHAN’S TRANSLATION: Dr. Khan’s translation of Bukhari in 9 volumes has this hadith in volume 2 on page 418 and it is numbered 714. The translator has made a number of errors.

Firstly he adds the words “On Ids” and “for Id prayer” at the beginning and end of the first sentence narrated by Hafsa. If any expert in Arabic can point out where these additions of Dr. Khan are available in the text, please let me know.

Secondly, he mentions the “menstruating ones” only once, leaving out the first reference as given in my translation. Again see the Arabic.

Thirdly, he DOES NOT KNOW THAT HAFSA HERE IS NOT THE DAUGHTER of Umar Ibn al-Khattab (r.a.) and the wife of the Prophet (pbuh). Dr. Khan mistakenly puts (radi Allahu unha) in front of her name. He should study the Tabqat of Ibn Saad to find out who was this narrator. If she had been the illustrious wife of the Prophet and custodian of the Qur’an, she would not have had to ask Umm Attiya (r.a.).

Fourthly, Dr. Khan blunders by translating jilbab as “veil” and his translation come out, as “She should cover herself with the veil of her companion.” (Is that physically possible?) Most early scholars of Islam agree that jilbab is the outer garment or covering.

Some close Saudi associates of Dr. Khan have issued a summary of Sahih Bukhari from which this hadith has been omitted.

DISEASES OF THE BODY AND DISOBEDIENCE OF GOD: PORK

workers at a Danish pig processing plant:http://www.foodprocessing-technology.com/projects/danish_crown/danish_crown5.html

“This is unprecedented in terms of any kind of illness that has been associated with occupational exposure”

Daniel Lachance MD, Research Faculty, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic.

BACKGROUND

The eating of the flesh and blood of swine is forbidden as a clear commandment in the Quran.

Surah Baqarah: 002.173 He hath only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name hath been invoked besides that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then is he guiltless. For Allah is Oft-forgiving Most Merciful.

Surah Al Anaam :006.145 Say: “I find not in the message received by me by inspiration any (meat) forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be dead meat, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine,- for it is an abomination - or, what is impious, (meat) on which a name has been invoked, other than Allah’s”. But (even so), if a person is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- thy Lord is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

016.115 YUSUFALI: He has only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and any (food) over which the name of other than Allah has been invoked. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

If the creation of Allah would not eat pork it would not imbibe, inhale and ingest the flesh and blood of the pig, thus not only protecting themselves but also those who prepare the meat for consumption.

THE TRUE & SAD STORY OF PAIN

The pivot of this true story comes from the heartland of America where in two pork processing plants a mysterious illness exploded amongst its workers, disabling them with pain.

Masses of workers complained of headaches, pain in the neck, back and burning pain in the feet. Usually workers in meat processing plants are at the lowest rung of the socioeconomic ladder, and many times these are migrant workers with no health care.

However there are some advantages of having an epidemic in Minnesota because the researchers from Mayo clinic came to the assistance of the Minnesota Health department and the Federal Centers for Disease control and unraveled this painful and disabling disease associated with pig processing.

THE MODERATE VIEW

Sometimes Muslims are scoffed at for refusing to eat pork as it is touted as “clean and safe to eat “according to the non Muslim media. Colleagues with a smirk and a patronizing manner have informed me time and again that it was only forbidden because in olden times it carried worms in its flesh, which are bred out in the pig lots of the Heartland of America.

Moderating and changing the commandments of Allah is on the agenda of “Moderate Islamists”. Its proponents want to moderate Islamic principles to adjust and fit the satiety of our Nafs (self, desires). They are pressured by the surrounding media which sells the products for an extravagant and sometimes decadent and hedonistic way of life.

These can appears very seductive to one who is not well heeled in the words of God Almighty and who wishes desperately to fit in. He or she thus works feverishly to intellectually rationalize a reason to bypass the way of life designated by Him (God Almighty) for all His creatures.

SEARCHING FOR REASONS FOR THE PAIN

Almost three years ago when the majority of the Pig Processing Plant workers fell ill, no one paid attention to them, until perhaps they reached a critical mass with an absentee rate which interfered with the smooth running of the Plants involved.

It took three years for the Medical researchers from Mayo Clinic to figure out what was going on…….and here is what they found after three years of agonizing pain in these men and women from the pig processing plant:

THE REASON

“The Mayo doctors who are following the illness of these Pig processing plant workers have identified the condition as an inflammatory neuropathy, which they labeled specifically as an autoimmune sensory-predominant polyradiculoneuropathy”

TRANSLATION

When translated into normal language it means that the nerves of these workers when exposed to the pig products reacted in such a manner that they no longer could discern between what was their own tissue and what was a foreign invader.

Thus the body’s defense forces attacked its own nerves with a vehemence creating destruction (inflammation) in its wake resulting in pain in the owner of the body which became a battlefield with all of its ramifications.

THE SYMPTOMS:

“This illness was giving the workers ongoing neuromuscular symptoms including pain, fatigue, and weakness and tingling in their extremities” Mayo Clinic Researchers

REASON FOR NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS

“The workers illness has been blamed on exposure to aerosolized pig brain tissue in the processing plants. This set off an immune response that attacked their nervous system, particularly the nerve roots exiting the spinal cord and nerve endings in the hands and feet, confirmed by neurophysiologic testing”.**

PROVIDING PROTECTION FROM OUR HARAAM (FORBIDDEN) DESIRES

This article is quoted not to scare people away from eating pork, nor is it to justify the truth of Allah’s word in the Quran.

It is to illustrate the limitation of our intellect, and to understand and admit that the Quran was revealed for all times and to believe that when Allah Subhanawataala says in the Quran, that I only forbid you from those things which are harmful for you, to believe Him by submitting to Him. The word Islam means “Submission, which results in peace”.

SUMMARY

Just as the body of these workers when exposed to a haraam thing, reacted by destroying its own self and becoming unable to discern between what is good and bad for the body, there are things in life that we cannot predict will harm us. Sometimes they are used for a time and may result in irreversible damage.

Thus by obeying the commandments of Allah Subhanawataala, we not only protect ourselves but all those people who are exposed to the processing of those goods and products (pork, alcohol, gambling etc) which are harmful to society at large, whether they participate in it directly or by default.

WHAT DOES ISLAM PROMOTE?

Islam is a religion and a way of life that promotes good health, social responsibility and preventive measures for addictive and harmful lifestyles. Most of all it protects us from the excesses of our own self (Nafs/desires).

Allah knows best.

** These findings were presented by the Mayo Clinic researchers at the American Academy of Neurology Meeting in Seattle in April of 2009.

ISABELLA………..OF SPAIN

A street in old city Cordova

I am cleaning Shireen’s bookcase. There are some books she has set aside as she has outgrown them and now as a married intern will probably not be reading.

I glance upon one……….Isabella, and I turn to the back and it reads:

“Liar”, he screamed as he slapped her across the face. The sudden stinging cold startled her into silence. A moment later tears of pain mixed with anger of betrayal ran down her face.

“You ‘ve been living too long as a foolish young girl” he said a little less loudly, “ I will not have all my years of dedication and hard work in raising you to be righteous simply vanish in the lusts of the flesh.  I ve spoken to my associates and have arranged for you to be taken to the convent tomorrow”

Isabella looked up at him in horror”

I am hooked. I sit down and begin to read Isabella which  Yahyah Emerick wrote  for children. I am pleasantly surprised as I proceed of the many layers of stories in it for adults, romance and travel lovers.

My romance with Spain, does not allow me to put the book down until I see it to its last page.  Set in Cordova seventy years after Tariq bin Ziad landed there.

It explains the origins of the Spanish Inquisition as a small secret “order of Inquisition’ : where “weak” Christians who maybe inclining towards Islam were taken and tortured. Sometimes they were let go to be seen as an example by their relatives as to what happens to people who even think of leaving Christianity. Eventually Christians in Spain became afraid of being seen with a Muslim.

In it are echoes of today where the extreme Right has become the Inquisitioner and the tools of fear are broadcasted on the media. Again and again the fate of muslim men and women are shown as prisoners on TV to put fear in the hearts of “weak Muslims”.

Muslim minorities then fearful of their masters in their adopted country acquiesce to changing the tenets or hiding the tenets of their faith and remaining silent in the face of overt and public oppression.

Woven between the glamorous settings of Cordova is a sweet romance, with all the inspiring aspects of muslim chivalry, truth and courage.

The biggest surprise for me is the debate between the young Muslim hero who is a trader with a penchant for gaining Ilm of Deen and the patriarchs of the Church. This book in all its simplicity tackles one of the most difficult issues in Christianity, which even perplexes thoughtful Christians.

In this debate between Umar the young hero and the patriarchs of the church, the concept of Trinity and Jesus dying for the sins of Man while being a God are addressed with simple logic using the Bible.

This is a must read for every age to understand the contradictions in the Bible regarding good and evil and laws that govern them and the concept of atonement.

For travel buffs like me, it also is a lovely walk through Cordova, with all its beauty and splendor as a backdrop of the unfolding tale.

Last but not least it introduces the fledgling beginnings of the notorious Spanish Inquisition, which were born in secret in Spain when the Muslims had newly arrived and masses of Christians were converting to Islam. It bloomed in later years as an infamous torture center, and many people fled to the Americas to avoid Christianity.

Most of all it is like refreshing yourself with the perfume of Islam in the company of honest, brave and righteous Muslims of those days, in the best and most gracious of places……….SPAIN!

Someone once said, ”History repeats itself and if we don’t learn from it we are foolish” I say “read this book and go to Spain, walk the streets and soak in the history”

Allah knows best!

CHECK IT OUT AT YOUR LOCAL ISLAMIC BOOKSTORE

HOW TO BEAR THE PAIN OF WAR?

photo courtesy of www.globalenvision.org, checkout the cigarette "Pleasure" ad on thebuilding in the background (killing with pleasure)

A LETTER TO MY YOUNGER BROTHER………….

This is a response to a letter from my youngest brother who was distraught at all the lies that is being fed to the Americans about Muslims and Muslim countries via the media. He was also concerned as to how to correct the balance and show Americans what is right and what is wrong………….

Here are my thoughts about it that I wrote to him and would like to share with you to get your response and suggestions:

THE LETTER………..

My dearest brother, Asalaam-o-alaikum,

I read the article with interest, and I wish we had a magic wand to change people’s opinion in the country we live in.

The most potent way of changing peoples opinion is by personal interaction. If someone met one honest Muslim he will usually say, “Muslims are honest people” or vice versa. Isn’t that what happens?

There is a lot of upheaval going on in the Muslim lands, part of it is foreign invasion and part of it is breaking the vice of Dhulm (Oppression) that the local people were caught up in. Which in some countries has been for decades, and there seemed no hope of breaking the stranglehold.

Allah Subhanawataala sends calamities, both natural and in the form of war where one nation that has been majorly disobedient and Dhalim is replaced by another nation.

It is important to observe and draw conclusions that help us individually to learn and change ourselves so that on the Day of Judgment when we are questioned we can honestly say that we did our utmost best to follow the Quran and Sunnah.

It is important for each of us to start the dawah at home, beginning with one self. What does that mean?

One can say: Well I fulfill all the rights of Allah (pray, fast, sadaqa, zakat, Hajj, and I repeat shahada many times a day), and I have “paid my dues”

If we do all that then we have fulfilled the rights of Allah and to me it means that we now need to pay attention to the Haqooq al ebad (or Human rights), which means our ikhlaaq (internal etiquette manifested as outer behavior) with our immediate family, distant family, the neighbors, the surrounding community, Muslim and nonmuslim and then the distant Ummah.

Do we give them their rights with ehsaan if possible?

To me it means, shutting off the TV and computer and spending time with the people who are at home, and in my neighborhood and listening to them and letting them watch me be patient when irritated, be gentle when angry, kind and loving when exhausted and attentive when bored. If we practice the words in the Quran by making them alive in our life, living becomes joyful.

To me this has happened only by studying a little bit of tafseer every day (1-2 ayahs) and trying to implement them in my daily life.

It is hard at first, but if you make dua, Allah Subhanawataala makes it easy.

We have to struggle to adopt the Ikhlaaq of RasoolAllah (PBUH) in every act that we execute daily, so that everyone who observes us sees a manifestation of Rasool Allahs (pbuh) etiquette and will then want to know: Who and what are Muslims?

It is a difficult path, initially sort of like being on stage, but slowly it becomes ingrained in ones personality and then one can advance to the next level of etiquette of RasoolAllah pbuh (sunnah)

Nothing in the world moves fast to change people, other than being influenced by people. Two hours of media opinions by a talking head are wiped clean by one positive, kind, caring and genuine interaction with a Muslim at a personal level. That is my experience.

At a subconscious level Americans know that what is being blasted on TV is lies, but they have no example to gauge it against..

Since most of the American Muslims live in a cocoon and have a semi ghetto mentality in which they seldom invite or venture out socially while manifesting their Muslim identity, the American’s at large don’t find them any more inspirational than anyone else. This ghetto mentality maybe perhaps due to fear of reprisal if overtly muslim which is further fanned by organizations that thrive on sensationalism.

It is time to stop living two lives, one in the home and one outside and merge the two, you will find it brings comfort, peace and progress.

It is also time to accept that one who takes Allah Subhanwataala, as his or her guide will have no fear and no grief:

In Surah Baqarah ayah 38 Allah Subhanawataala says:

We said: “Get ye down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

For more detail on Fear and Faith check out my blog article

In the final analysis it is Allah Subhanawataala who decides if we are protected from harm or not, thus if we become outside who we are inside then what ever happens to us good or ill is our decree, as part of our Aqeedah we have to accept it.

He Subhanawataala knows that at least we tried to be who He Subhanawataala has commanded us to be and obeyed the Prophet (PBUH) as He Subhanawataala commanded us to do.

This a beautiful dua to pray after every salah (masnoon), which will bring you strength:

اللّهُـمَّ لا مانِعَ لِما أَعْطَـيْت، وَلا مُعْطِـيَ لِما مَنَـعْت، وَلا يَنْفَـعُ ذا الجَـدِّ مِنْـكَ الجَـد .

“Allaahumma laa maani‘a limaa a‘tayt, wa laa mu‘tiya limaa mana‘t. Wa laa yanfa‘u dhal-jaddi minkal-jadd.”

“Ô Allaah, none can prevent what You have willed to bestow. And none can bestow what You have willed to prevent. And no wealth or majesty can benefit anyone, as from You is all wealth and majesty.”

May Allah always protect and guide you!

I remain your loving sister with love and duas.

P.S.  Palaces are built one brick at a time, the muslim spirit is nourished and renewed one cell at a time, so keep the regular diet of ilm going:)

Common Mistakes Made During Ramadan

ROOH AFZA IN RAMADAN

GUEST WRITER: Asma Bint Shameem, Courtesy of FC

Most Muslims who fast Ramadan focus on the benefits and rewards of it. But in doing so, we often make mistakes that instead of adding to our experience actually detract from it. Mistakes that can make us commercialize Ramadan as so many other religions have commercialized their sacred days. Insh’Allah the following serves as a reminder to myself first and to all Muslims. May Allah help us to spend our time wisely this Ramadan and help us to avoid these mistakes. ameen

1. Taking Ramadaan as a ritual

For many of us Ramadaan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night like a zombie just because everyone around us is fasting too. We forget that its a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil….we forget to make dua, forget to beseech Allaah to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Fire. Sure we stay away from food and drink but that’s about all.

Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
‘Jibreel said to me, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven,’ and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by not serving them) and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you,’ and I said, ‘Ameen.” (Tirmidhi, Ahmad, others. Saheeh by al-Albaani)

2. Too much stress on food and drink

For some people, the entire month of Ramadaan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about only food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Quraan and other acts of worship. All they can think of is FOOD. So much so that they turn the month of ‘fasting’ into the month of ‘feasting’. Come Iftaar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks.. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. It is also a kind of waste & extravagance.

‘…..and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance) ‘ [al-Araaf :31]

3. Spending all day cooking

Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read Quraan. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan!

4. Eating too much

Some people stuff themselves at Suhoor until they are ready to burst, because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day and some people eat at Iftaar, like there is no tomorrow, trying to ‘make up for the food missed.‘ However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: ‘The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.’ (Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah. saheeh by al-Albaani).

Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless.
It was said to Imam Ahmad: Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so.

5. Sleeping all day

Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) ’sleeping away their fast’. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people also are missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot ‘bear’ to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control. For a fasting person to spend most of the day asleep is nothing but, negligence on his part.

6. Wasting time

The month of Ramadaan is a precious, precious time, so much so that Allaah calls this month ‘Ayyamum Ma’doodaat’ (A fixed number of days). Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allaah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or worse still, watching TV, movies or even listening to music. Subha an Allaah! Trying to obey Allaah by DISOBEYING him!

7. Fasting but not giving up evil

Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam, buying lotto tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allaah.

‘O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)’ [al-Baqarah 2:183]

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: ‘Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink.’ (Bukhaari)

8. Skipping Suhoor (sehri)

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: ‘Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing.’(Bukhaari, Muslim).
And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: ‘The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor.’ (Muslim)

9. Stopping Suhoor at ‘Imsaak’

Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe ‘Imsaak’.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: This is a kind of bidah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite. Allaah allows us to eat until dawn: ‘and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)’ [al-Baqarah 2:187]

And the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘….eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes.’

This ‘imsaak’ which some of the people do is an addition to what Allaah has prescribed, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
‘Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed.’ (Muslim)

10. Not fasting if they missed Suhoor

Some people are too scared to fast if they miss Suhoor. However, this is a kind of cowardice and love of ease. What is the big deal if you missed a few morsels of food? It’s not like you will die. Remember, obedience to Allaah overcomes everything.

Saying the intention to fast ‘out loud’ or saying a specific dua to start fasting

The intention is an action of the heart. We should resolve in our heart that we are going to fast tomorrow. That is all we need. It is not prescribed by the Shari’ah for us to say out loud, ‘I intend to fast’, ‘I will fast tomorrow’ or other phrases that have been innovated by some people. Also, there is no specific dua to be recited at the time of starting the fast in the correct Sunnah. Whatever ‘dua’ you may see on some papers or Ramadaan calendars, etc. is a Bid’ah.

11. Delaying opening fast

Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be ‘on the safe side’. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to open the fast, which me ans opening fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set. Aa’ishah (RA) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to do. (Muslim)

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: ‘The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to open the fast.’ (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul (trust) on Allaah swt and break your fast exactly on time.

12. Eating continuously until the time for Maghrib is up

Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss Maghrib. That is obviously not right. The Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) was that once he broke his fast with some dates, them he would hasten to the prayer. Once you are done with the prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish.

13. Missing the golden chance of having your Dua accepted

The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the ti me of breaking fast.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: ‘Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler.’ (al-Bayhaqi, saheeh by al-Albaani).

Instead of sitting down and making Dua at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc. Think about it….Is food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your Duas.

14. Fasting but not praying

The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: ‘Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer.’ (Muslim)

15. Fasting and not wearing Hijaab

Not wearing the Hijaab is a major sin as it is obligatory for Muslim women. (See Surah Nur, Surah Ahzaab). So fasting and not wearing hijaab certainly takes away enormously from the rewards of fasting, even if does not invalidate it.

16. Not fasting because of exams or work

Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do that during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than ‘good grades’. Besides, if you will fulfil your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make it easy for you and help you in everything you do.
‘Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him.’ (Surah at-Talaaq 2-3)

17. Mixing fasting and dieting

DO NOT make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet. That is one of the biggest mistakes some of us make (esp. sisters). Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah al one. Otherwise, mixing it with the intention of dieting may become a form of (minor) Shirk.

18. Praying ONLY on the night of the 27th

Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: ‘Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan.’ (Bukhaari, Muslim).

19. Wasting the last part of Ramadaan preparing for Eid

Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadaan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. although, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to strive the hardest during the last ten days of Ramadaan in worship (Ahmad, Muslim) and not in shopping. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadaan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadaan to the max.
Aa’ishah (RA) said: ‘When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam)) would tighten his waist-wrapper (i.e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family.’ (Bukhaari and Muslim).

20. Iftaar parties

Although inviting each other for breaking fast is something good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish ‘Iftaar parties’ with all sorts of disobedience to Allaah, from flirting, mixing of the sexes and hijaab-less women, to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salaah, and Taraweeh to even music and dancing.

It’s not too late to rectify ones mistake and do good for the sake of Allah. [15:49] Inform My servants that I am the Forgiver, Most Merciful.

WHAT DRIVES US?

oh_Allah____by_heart_less

what drives us? Time and time again I have to admit it is our genes. Looking around at the attendees at the conference at the mosque given by this young Imam. I saw the faces of parents, who want and will their children to be successful in this world and in Deen. The question is why? What is their true intent?

When I am on a long drive I sometimes think back as to what propelled me to take my children to the mosque so regularly, tolerate the long and boring parties and get togethers of well meaning Muslim families, that I had nothing in common with, and continued to push them towards the Deen and excelling in dunya?
The conclusion is genes………..genes in the garb of religion, in the garb of success, you name it. The bottom line is that I and my compatriots cannot see the product of their genes go bad in any direction, be it academically, socially or religiously.

Driving back from work, I see the long line of SUVs parked alongside the road leading to the elementary school that my children went to. Each parent revved up to make sure their child gets the best teacher, the best spot to sit and the best selection of products………well then who gets the last best?

It is natures way of propagating the species, the better protection the progeny gets from its parents during the tender years the more likely he or she is to be stable in all the three areas mentioned above.
I pass by a truck selling seedless watermelon……..so what happens to their progeny they are lost for ever, after the vine dies and the fruit is eaten or rots on the truck, there is no progeny, and thus no genes …………

Drawing from my lessons on Tazkiyah, I wonder if we should ever consider our children to be an extension of us, and if we do, is that a form of arrogance. Allah Subhanawataala has told us that each person has their own DNA and has come with their own sustenance, lifespan and Qadaa wal Qadar.

It makes me wonder……..  Do we invest in our children because we want to protect our self from pain? for if they went sour we would look bad and we would hurt, or do we invest in them out of the fear of God ? Are we even aware that they are His Amana and that we have to provide them the best that we can and keep them in the ideal pristine condition of emaan while they are in our care. Thus when they return to our Lord from whom we have come, they are not in a sullied condition.

Children………..that is what drives us; at least that is what drives us Muslims. We do things that we would not do other wise. All this in an effort to save us from the pain of a bad egg turned worse. All this under the guise of teaching them our faith and the way to make money, never really considering the most basic of tenet that they do not belong to us, that we neither dictate how long they stay with us and that they were not sent to us for the aggrandizement of our Nafs, but as an amana from Allah Subhanawataala for a period of time.

Children………that is what drives us. May Allah Subhanawataala guide us regarding our children, before we bear them, during their lifetime and on their death, if so be it.

FEAR & FAITH : Part One

Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem, I begin with the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, and Most Merciful

FEAR is one of the most primitive instincts for survival. Fear is recognized in the thinking feeling part of the brain called the limbic system. It is then processed by the frontal lobes and if approved the hypothalamus is triggered to produces the hormones of fright, fight and flight.

Having placed the three checks and balances in our brains Allah Subhanawataala teaches us about Fear and how it will affect us, depending on what choices we make.

The word(s) “fear” appears 295 time(s) in 269 verse(s) in the Quran.

Allah Subhanawataala has taught us how to qualify, avoid and overcome FEAR. He has also taught us how to educate our frontal lobes to stop the reaction of the hormonal trigger of FEAR. In the complexity of the words of the Quran and the practices of our beloved Prophet lies the key to control Fear from Ghair Allah. (This is the topic for another day)

Allah Subhanawataala instructs us about our choices regarding fear:

1.    He says in the second ayah of Surah Al Baqarah: 2:2

ذَلِكَ ٱلتَـبُ لَا رَيبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلمُتَّقِينَ
YusufAli’s translation: This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah.
(Mutaqqeen: people of Taqwa)

Thus guidance will only be given to me in the Book of Allah’s words if I fear Allah.
Fear only Him and His words in His book (the Quran) will become guidance for us.

2. Those who reject His words they have to FEAR the FIRE

فَإِن لَّم تَفعَلُواْ وَلَن تَفعَلُواْ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِى وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلحِجَارَةُ أُعِدَّت لِلكَـفِرِينَ (٢٤)
YUSUFALI: 2:24 But if ye cannot- and of a surety ye cannot- then fear the Fire whose fuel is men and stones, – which is prepared for those who reject Faith.

Those who reject His Subhanawataala’s words have fear the FIRE of Jahannum

3. 002.038
قُلنَا ٱهبِطُواْ مِنہَا جَمِيعًا فَإِمَّا يَأتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّى هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَاىَ فَلَا خَوفٌ عَلَيہِم وَلَا هُم يَحزَنُونَ (٣٨)
In Surah Baqarah ayah 38 Allah Subhanawataala says:
002.038 YUSUFALI: We said: “Get ye down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

4. Who to fear?
002.040YUSUFALI: O Children of Israel! Call to mind the (special) favor, which I bestowed upon you, and fulfill your covenant with Me as I fulfill My Covenant with you, and fear none but Me.

Even though the example given here is of the Children of Israel but it is as applicable to each one of us….the command is succinct that we must Fear NO ONE but Allah Subhanawataala.

In summary Allah Subhanawataala outlines:
1.    That we should fear None but Him (ALLAH).
2.     He warns those who reject His words and commandments that they should fear the FIRE that eats up man and stones
3.    Those who obey Him shall never have fear or grief.

Usually when we read about people who disobey Allah Subhanwataala and the promise of the FIRE for them we have no fear because we never associate or include ourselves in those who disobey Him because we were born Muslims, or have a muslim name and thus we erroneously feel that we are naturally protected no matter what we do.

FEAR comes in many guises. There are small fears and large fears…………………….

To be continued in part two………….