Bismillah!

Bismillah!

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Actions are According to Intentions

Qisas.com

A person once got angry when he saw people worshipping a tree. He grabbed hold of an axe and intended to cut it down. On the way, he met Shaytaan. He told Shaytaan that he intended to cut the tree down. The Shaytaan told him to leave it and let the tree worshippers face the consequences. Due to this disagreement, the pair wrestled twice. Shaytaan being beaten each time.

As Shaytaan soon realized this person is strong in his belief, he began to change his approach by saying that if you leave this tree, you will find 4 dirhams under your pillow. The person hesitated for a while and thereafter agreed.

The person returned home and found 4 dirhams daily under his pillow every morning. Once, for two consecutive days, he never found the dirhams that were meant to be under his pillow. He proceeded again to the tree in a fit of anger. On the way, he met Shaytaan. Shaytaan asked, “Where are you going?” He replied, “To cut the tree down.”

Iblees (Shaytaan) then told him to return back as he was not going to allow him to proceed. Iblees said, “On the first occasion, you wanted to cut down the tree for Allah, I couldn’t have stopped you but this time you are going due to the 4 dirhams i.e for yourself, I will stop you.”

The moral to this story is that the actions which are done for Allah are difficult for Shaytaan to obstruct. When actions are done for yourself i.e. worldly things, then Shaytaan can win easily.

The Prophet said:

‘..Actions are according to intentions’

May Allah grant us the ability to maintain good intentions. Ameen

Can the Pope be Reformed?

By Khalid Baig
Posted: 29 Shaban 1427, 23 September 2006

When Pope Benedict XVI was installed last year, Jerusalem Post predicted a radical change in Vatican's relations with Islam: "The era of subtle, discreet, yet firm confrontation has begun." It noted with joy that in his greeting the new pope welcomed fellow Catholics, other Christians, and Jews --- but not Muslims.

There was nothing subtle or discreet in the Pope's calculated diatribes against Islam in his University address this month, but there were indications that these may have been opening salvos in the Pope's predicted crusade. He was fulfilling the expectations of Islamophobes of all persuasions. This includes Oriana Fallaci, an author with a venomous pen, who dedicated her life to slandering and vilifying Muslims. The Pope --- considered to be occupied with the issues of faith --- had no problem granting a secret audience to this self declared atheist. This was in August, a month before her death. It is difficult to imagine what brought her and the Pope together except their common hatred of Islam. The racist author, who said "Muslims multiplied like rats," was all praise for the new pope, who in her words was urging Europe to value their Christian (read: medieval) roots. Interesting that an atheist should be jubilant over Christian roots. Hatred, it seems, can produce hypocrisy.

We can gain further insight into the mindset of the new pope by listening to Father Joseph Fessio, a student and friend of Pope Benedict XVI, who gave an hour long interview on the Hugh Hewitt Show (January 2006) on the problems Christianity, especially in Europe, faced with the spread of Islam. Read this:


Hugh Hewitt: Great to have you. I wanted to talk to you today, because Mark Steyn, a tremendous writer, wrote a piece yesterday on the loss of the West, because of depopulation, and because of a lack of seriousness. And I believe that this has been a theme in your teacher, Benedict XVI's first nine months as Pope. Am I right about that?

Joseph Fessio: Absolutely right, Hugh.

The problems mentioned above are diminishing Western populations and their decreasing faith in Christianity. In contrast Muslims are both increasing in numbers as well as in their faith in Islam. Later in the interview Joseph Fessio makes it explicit: "[in] 2005, there were more Muslims born in France than people of traditional French background. Within four years, the top four cities in Holland will be...most populous cities, will have a Muslim majority. I mean, if we look at the demographics, which can change, but they change slowly, I don't see any other issue for Europe, or any result, than looking like North Africa, you know? Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Egypt."

So Muslims are a problem. But the bigger problem is their faith. Benedict XVI himself sees that as a major challenge. In his interview based book, Salt of the Earth: The Church at the End of the Millennium (1997), written when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he notes that in the post colonial world (since 1960 in his words) Muslims have been coming back to Islam:


So the Muslims now have the consciousness that in reality Islam has remained in the end as the more vigorous religion and that they have something to say to the world, indeed, are the essential religious force of the future. Before, the shariah and all those things had already left the scene, in a sense; now there is a new pride. Thus a new zest, a new intensity about wanting to live Islam has awakened. This is its great power: We have a moral message that has existed without interruption since the prophets, and we will tell the world how to live it, whereas the Christians certainly can't. We must naturally come to terms with this inner power of Islam. [emphasis added]

Unfortunately, this inner strength of Islam leads to rage rather than reflection in the Islamophobic quarters. Hence the campaign to vilify Islam.

Apparently, the Pope's address was his way of coming to terms with the inner power of Islam.

It is interesting that Benedict XVI chose the issue of faith and reason for his attack on Islam. For unlike Christianity, Islamic faith contains no mysteries or perplexing constructs like Trinity or the dual nature of Jesus, peace be upon him (at once human and divine). Ask those who are coming back to Islam in the Western world and on the top of their list you will find the simplicity and reasonableness of Islamic teachings and doctrines. They find here a belief system that immediately resonates with their own intellect. That is why the Qur'an repeatedly urges its readers to think and reflect, and says that those who will face eternal doom in the Hereafter will be the ones who failed to use their intellect.


They will further say: 'Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we should not (now) be among the Companions of the Blazing Fire!' [Al-Mulk 67:10]

The Pope managed to use the issue of faith versus reason to attack Islam not by reading the Qur'an or listening to the Prophet, Sall-Allahu Alayhi wa sallam, but by invoking a medieval emperor's polemics against Islam. (The emperor had been defeated by the Ottomans and it stands to reason that he was bitter.)

The propaganda machine that immediately rushed to his aid stated that the Pope had not approved the statement. He was clumsy, but he committed no offence. As if quoting a diatribe without clearly rejecting it can have some purpose other than propagating it. But here the Pope had done more. He called Manuel II erudite --- a clear word of praise --- and approvingly reported the conclusion he drew, implying the validity of the emperor's reasoning.

Then came the explanations. First there was the Pope's disingenuous regret over the "reaction" of Muslims. Not over his words or actions but their reactions. A few days later the Pope justified his slander by asserting that it was a necessary rhetorical device. He said the offending quote was necessary "to introduce the audience to the drama and relevance" of his talk, reported Stacy Meichtry, of Religion News Service on 21 September 2006. Interestingly the media machine kept on berating Muslims for not accepting an apology that had never been offered.

In the midst of all this the Vatican condemned those who were misinterpreting the Papal quote. We need to ask them, in how many different ways can one interpret a quote like the following: "Show me just what Christianity brought, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, like inquisitions, forced conversions of millions of aborigines in America and Australia, and a brutal slave trade that decimated Africa."

Although the media machine cleverly missed it completely, the real issue is Islamophobia. This is not an issue that can be swept under the rug. The currents of Islamophobia are strong in the West today; especially so in Europe. And with the Pope putting the weight of his office behind this, it can only get uglier.

This ominous development threatens not only Muslims. Muslims have been natural allies of Catholics on moral issues like abortion. But by pointing its guns at them, the Vatican is going to weaken its own position. For those who value that alliance as well as tolerance and peace in the world, the big question remains: Can this Pope be reformed? Can he be made to see reason?

Qur'an Ad.."In Just 27 Days!"

An interesting 'ad' I received...try it out?

In this Ramadaan, the month of Qur'an and fasting…Would you like to start learning the Qur'an … the Easy Way

SPEND JUST 15 MINUTES EVERY DAY TILL 27TH Ramadaan and Learn almost 100 words which occur 40,000 times in the Qur'an!

A short course developed by Dr. Abdulazeez Abdulraheem (for more info, go to www.understandquran.com) over decades of practical experience and presented in India, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai in more than a dozen cities to thousands of participants including adults and young students from secular schools as well as madrasas.

Just go to google groups and subscribe: http://groups.google.com/group/understandquran Or just send an email to understandquran-subscribe@googlegroups.com

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Zakat Calculator!

Don't neglect this important Fardh and pillar of our faith!

Defining Zakat

Zakat is a levy on the property of the wealthy for distribution to society's poor. The Arabic word "zakat" has connotations of purity, increase and blessing, and paying it purifies, increases and blesses the remainder of one's wealth.

Zakat purifies your wealth, this money is entrusted to you by Allah to be passed on to the needy.

"Of their goods, take zakat, so that you might purify and sanctify them." (Qur'an 9:103)

Zakat is 2.5% of all zakatable wealth that has been in your possession for a lunar year. If your wealth amounts to less than a MINIMUM figure, termed the nisab, then no zakat is payable. This threshold limit is 87.48g (3oz) of gold, or its equivalent in cash (about $1700).

To find out how much this is, open the Online Zakat Calculator which is regularily updated with the latest gold prices.

If you do not know where to give your zakat, you can give to Islamic relief by going here: https://www.irw.org/donate/ -- on the drop down menu, select zakah, its as easy as a click of a mouse.

The Crow

An 80 year old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45 year's old highly educated son. Suddenly a crow perched on their window.
The Father asked his Son, "What is this?"

The Son replied "It is a crow".

After a few minutes, the Father asked his Son the 2nd time, "What is this?"

The Son said "Father, I have just now told you "It's a crow."

After a little while, the old Father again asked his Son the 3rd time, "What is this?"

At this time some expression of irritation was felt in the Son's tone when he said to his Father with a rebuff.

"It's a crow, a crow".

A little after, the Father again asked his Son the 4th time, "What is this?"

This time the Son shouted at his Father, "Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again, although I have told you so many times 'IT IS A CROW'. Are you not able to understand this?"

A little later the Father went to his room and came back with an old tattered diary, which he had maintained since his Son was born. On opening a page, he asked his Son to read that page. When the son read it, the following words were written in the diary:

"Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa,when a crow was sitting on the window. My Son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a Crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for 23 times. I did not at all feel irritated. I rather felt affection for my innocent child."

While the little child asked him 23 times "What is this", the Father had felt no irritation in replying to the same question all 23 times and when today the Father asked his Son the same question just 4 times, the Son felt irritated and annoyed.

So...

If your parents attain old age, do not repulse them or look at them as a burden, but speak to them a gracious word; be cool, obedient,humble and kind to them. Be considerate to your parents.

From today say this aloud,
"I want to see my parents happy forever. They have cared for me ever since I was a little child. They have always showered their selfless love on me. They crossed all mountains and valleys without seeing the storm and heat to make me a person presentable in the Society today".

Say a prayer to God,
"I will serve my old parents in the BEST way.
I will say all good and kind words to my dear parents, no matter how they behave. When I am old, I do not want my child to repeat the words when the crow perches on my window."


Dialogue between a traveler and the Prophet (saw)

Salam to All

A friend sent this to me without a reference--so at least we can read it and take a moral from it, insha'Allah.

Dialogue between a traveler and the prophet (saw)

A traveller once came to the mosque to see the prophet. After
greeting the prophet he was asked where he was from. The traveller
replied that he came from very far just to get a few questions
answered. Following is the dialogue between the traveller and the
prophet.


Traveler: I want to always be honored.
Prophet: never humiliate or put down anyone.

Traveler: I don't want to be squeezed by fishare qabr. ( squeezing
in the grave)
Prophet: recite surah Al-Mulk often.

Traveler: I want my wealth to increase.
Prophet: recite sura Al Waqia every night.


Traveler: I do not want adhaab to be written in my account.
Prophet: behave well with your parents

Traveler: I want to be known amongst people as an intelligent
person.
Prophet: fear Allah always.

Traveler: I want to be counted amongst Allah's favorites.
Prophet: recite quran every morning and evening.

Traveler: I want my heart to always be enlightened [roshan and
munawer]
Prophet: never forget death

Traveler: I never want to be away from Allah's blessing.
Prophet: always treat fellow creatures well.

Traveler: I never want to be harmed by my enemies.
Prophet: always have faith in only Allah.

Traveler: I never want to be humiliated.
Prophet: be careful of your actions.

Traveler: I wish to live long.
Prophet: always do sulah rahm. ( goodness towards blood relations)

Traveler: I want my sustenance to increase.
Prophet: always be in the staet of wudhu.

Traveler: I wish to stay free of adhaab (punishment) in the grave.
Prophet: always wear pure (taahir/paak) clothes.

Traveler: I never want to burn in hell.
Prophet: control your eyes and tongue.

Traveler: how do I get my sins forgiven.
Prophet: always ask forgiveness from Allah with a lot of humility.

Traveler: I want people to respect me always.
Prophet: never extend your hands of need to people.

Traveler: I want to be safe and at peace on day of judgement.
Prophet: do zikr of Allah from dusk to night.

Traveler: I want to have full attention and concentration during salaah (prayers).
Prophet: always do wudhu with concentration and attention

Tips to Help Wake You for Fajr/Tahajjud!

A helpful email I received:

Tips to help you wake up for Fajr, InshaAllah:

1. Keep Away from Ma'aasi (acts of disobedience).
2. Avoid eating too much food.
3. Drink one or two glasses of water before going to bed.
4. Perform Wudhu (ablution) before going to bed.
5. Go to bed early.
6. Make an intention in your heart to get up for Fajr.
7. Set your alarm.
8. Establish Fajr wake up calling system with family and friends e.g. friends/family members calling, texting etc each other to help one another wake up for fajr.
9. Say prescribed supplications (dua) before sleeping
10. Once awake, do not linger lazily in bed.
11. Go to your local masjid to pray

Also... one thing that helps that I do when I study late and stuff is put my alarm clock (which is very loud) in the bathroom... thus forcing you to get up and go to the bathroom to shut it off. While you're there in the bathroom, just splash yourself with water and walaa! You are awake and ready for Fajr.

Okay... so you dont have to do the splashing part, but try it.. it works Inshallah.

And the 2 advices above about staying away from sins and sleeping early is very important. It is from the Rizk (provision/bounty) of Allah that He allows you to get up for Fajr, and when you start sinning and things, He may keep you away from Fajr because of your sins.

Do NOT sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep after Fajr.

Memorize the Qur'an or Recite It...(the angels gather to witness your recitation in the early morning)

Monday, September 25, 2006

How to get the BEST out of Ramadan!!

Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatuh,
TIPS:
1. Clean up the time:
a) Telephone: Try to minimize your chat on the telephone. If you are used to chat with your friends on a regular basis, try to make it short. Share with her the importance of this month & tell her that you want to devote yourself for Ibaadah in order to get the maximum reward in this month. Try to share with her these tips.
b) Cooking: Try to cook something simple during Ramadan as this is a month of Ibaadah & Quraan, not a month of food. There are some husbands who push their wifes to cook different varieties of food & sisters have to spend their time in the kitchen. If its very necessary, keep a tape of Quraan in the kitchen & listen to it while you are busy in Kitchen, or keep your toungue moist with the Zikr. [Try to find out some short cut & tips to prepare the food quickly]
C) Shopping: Try to get all your shopping done before Ramadan. Make a list of the things/grocery/ items, that is enough for one month & buy it all together.
Important: Try to do the Eid shopping NOW. The last ten days of Ramadan when we have to be doing more Ibaadah & spend our time in doing good deeds, most of the muslims are busy in doing shopping for Eid & their kids.
Sisters! These ten days, we has to exaggerate ourself in doing more ibaadah & to catch Laila-ul_qadr. Try to make this Ramadan a very different from all the previous ramadaans.
D) Dinner Party/Iftaar: Iftaar parties during ramadan are getting very common now. This is the Month for you sisters. we have the rest of the full year to do parties & to get socialize. Indeed its a great reward to break someone's fast but try to give food to people who are needy & poor. The prophet Sallalahu alaihi wasallam said,
�Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, will have a reward equal to his, without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person.� (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 3/171; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/451).
E) Sleeping: Cut less the time of sleep during this month. Its a month of Ibaadha, doing good deeds. Who knows this could be our last ramadan. try to reduce your sleeping hours. Its only one month & then you can get back to your normal routine.
F) Computer & Internet: this is my personal request.I am spending lot of time on the internet, though visiting Islamic sites & checking & sending emails. Try to spend less time on the internet.
Now when we have cleaned up a big amount of time, lets schedule it for Ibaadhah.
1) Fard: Pray the Obligatory salah on time with Khushoo. Get yourself ready as soon as the salah comes in. Make duaa to Allah to give you Khushoo. & try to get rid of all the thoughts & waswaas that comes in the mind. Think of that you are standing infront of your LORD the Almighty.
2) Sunnah: If you are already praying the 12 sunnah, continue them & add the 2 rak'ah of sunnah after Zuhr. [making them 14 altogether].
The prophet Sallalahu alaihi wasallam said,
�Whoever maintain 4 rak'ah before Zuhr & 4 rak'ah after zuhr, Allah will make the fire Haram on that person" [Ibn-Majah]
4 rak'ah before Asr: The prophet Sallalahu alaihi wasallam said,
�may Allah have mercy on him who prays 4 rak'ah before Asr". [Tirmidi]
Salah Al-Duha: Increase the no. of Rak'ah if you are already in a habit of praying salah al-Duha.
3) Qur'aan: Ramadaan is the month of Quraan. Try to schedule it all the moments you have. If you are working, try to keep a pocket size Quraan with you & read it whenever you get the time,like, coffee break, lunch break, etc
Try to read with reflection. Read slowly in a beautiful voice & reflect on its meaning. Try to read this time, with translation & tafseer.
3) Traweeh & Qiyaam-ul-lail: Try to read the traweeh in the mosque where the Imaam is doing long Qiyaam.
4) Tahajjud: Try to get up little earlier to pray 2 rak'ah & make duaa. Its the best time for making duaa & accepntance of duaa.
5) Du'aa: Write all the duaa you want to make for yourself, your children, family or any duaa that you want to make. Each day try to focus on duaa, & keep on repeating it throughout the day & at times when the duaa is accepted. Make duaa to Allah to give you Ikhlaas, khushoo, make duaa that you catch lailat-ul-Qadr. make duaa for the whole Ummah.
[repeat the duaa that are important to you,during the last ten days of Ramadan]
6) Zikr: Select one zikr for a day & focus on it daily, reflecting on its meaning & thinking about its reward. [ get the Duaa book "Hisn-ul-muslim or hisn-ul haseen from any store]
7) Charity: Try to give as much charity as you can, as the reward gets more during the month of ramadan. Give food to the poor & needy people & help those in need.
8) Last 10 days: Double & triple the amount of Ibaadah you are doing during the last ten days of Ramadan. Sleep less & worship more.. pray as much as you can & make a lot of duaa.
sisters and brothers! let us get ready to make this ramadaan a very different than all the previous ramadan. do as much as you can & inshaAllah Allah will help you. ameen
Do remember us in your Duaas.


--
May Allah accept our fasting, accept our tears, forgive our sins, and extend our years. May this blessed month be a source of mercy, guidance, unity, and peace that permeates throughout the world. Ameen.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

To Pope Benedict XVI

A Message from His Beatitude Ignatius IV
(Father Hazim of Lebanon)

Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East

To His Holiness Pope Benedict XV

No. 3/663

17th September, 2006-09-18

To Your Most Venerable Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

Salutations and best wishes for your health:

We have followed with extreme anxiety your statements
and the angry reactions that accompanied them over the
course of the last days. In this regard, we would
like to clarify to Your Holiness some essential points
that Eastern Christians live by and believe in. More
than any others, they have knowledge, experience and
understanding of Christianity and Islam together, for
they have been in a state of coexistence, cooperation
and harmony fromthe beginning of the Islamic mission
until now.

Click here for the rest of the letter

Imam Zaid Shakir's Ramadan Mubarak!

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Mercy Giving

Ramadan Mubarak!

A Brief Message From Imam Zaid Shakir

The Month of Ramadan is upon us. During this special time, we should all reflect on the many blessings God has bestowed upon us. Those of us who live here in the West have been blessed with many material bounties that are unimaginable to many of our coreligionists in the East. The amount of food we enjoy and unfortunately the amount that many of us waste, the expansiveness of most of our homes, our ready ability to own cars, trucks, and vans, our easy access to higher education, our ability to marry at a young age, all of these blessings and many others are incomprehensible to many Muslims in faraway lands struggling to live from day to day.

Perhaps the greatest blessing we enjoy is the blessing of security. This is a great blessing that many people take for granted. The ability to be safe in ones home, to walk the streets without fear of assault, to travel freely down the highways and byways without fear of brigandage or harm to our person or loved ones, the ability to rest comfortably at night without fearing a sudden deadly intrusion, or a violent explosion as a projectile tears through the roof or walls of our dwelling visiting us with hell on earth. This is a great, expansive blessing.

God mentions that security is one of the great blessings He bestowed upon the Quraysh, the people of our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of God upon him. He mentions in the Qur'an:

    Therefore, let them worship the Lord of this [Sacred] House; he who has fed them, warding off from them hunger; the one who has made them secure from fear. (106:3-4)

This latter blessing, the great blessing of security, the blessing that allows us to enjoy all other blessings, should never be taken for granted, for it can be taken away at any moment, and we could be cast into the throes of terrible tribulation with sudden swiftness. One of the ways to perpetuate the blessing of security and the many other blessings we enjoy is to express our deep thanks for them. That expression of thanks lies in our being good productive citizens, it lies in our faithful devotion to our Lord, and it lies in our demonstrating to people the good of our religion through our actions before we endeavor to do so with our words. It lies in our endeavoring to share our blessings with those who are less fortunate that ourselves.

The details relating to how we do these things are known to all of us and are as numerous as each and every one of our individual lives. Those details are revealed to us by God when we endeavor to be sincere in our service, true in our devotion, honest in our conviction to assist our fellow human beings. Ramadan is an excellent time to start for those of us who have been limping down the road of life oblivious to the blessings we enjoy; lacking any consciousness of the obligations those blessings impose on us. Ramadan focuses our appreciation of the food and other material blessing we enjoy by allowing us to experience at a personal level the reality of deprivation. Ramadan focuses our devotion to God by facilitating heightened levels of devotional acts by couching them in a communal manifestation. Ramadan focuses our sincerity to God, for it is centered around fasting, the one act of worship it is impossible to "show off" with before other human beings, for at the end of the day, God alone knows if we are truly fasting. Ramadan, if we allow it to do so, focuses our spiritual energies by reintroducing the great blessing of the Qur'an into our lives. Finally, Ramadan focuses our attention on the centrality of charity in our lives, by encouraging us to greater levels and acts of charity during this time, a time when our beloved Prophet, peace and blessings of God upon him, the most generous of all people ordinarily, was excessively generous.

Let us translate that heightened focus on God, and our appreciation for His blessings into heightened levels of servitude to Him and to our fellow human beings. If we can do that as an entire community, with ample conviction, God will continue to shower His blessings down upon us and to He will bless us to be secure in our lives and property, just as He has blessed us to be secure from material want. Such blessings are commensurate with "the best community raised up to serve humanity (3:110)." However, for the manifestation of those blessings to be real, our service to God and to our fellow humans has to be real. So let us proceed through this blessed month with consciousness, willing devotion, and sincerity. By doing so we will express our appreciation to our Lord, and work to perpetuate the many blessings He has bestowed upon us.

Ramadan Mubarak!

Your Brother in Islam

Imam Zaid Shakir

Oh Blessed Month! (poem)

Poem: A Blessed Month is Casting its Shadow upon Us!

By Noor Syed
Posted: 30 Sha'ban 1424, 4 October 2005

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind
A blessed month is casting its shadow upon us
A night of this month is better than a thousand months

Bear with patience for the sake of Ar-Rahman
It's a continuous training to strengthen our Imaan.

Glory be to Allah who sent Ramadan as a mercy to mankind
It's a purification of our soul, our heart, and our mind
With the most sincere devotion and love we fast
To be cleansed and free from sins of the past


Glorified is He, who choseth this holy month,
To test our sabr and fill our hearts with warmth

Of His Divine Light, His blessings shall glow,
The Seer of the unseen, all He does know

Ya Allah! For thee, let my breath be more pleasant than musk
Ya Allah! For thee, let me be thankful when day turns to dusk
My thoughts and heart are purified, my eyes truly see...
This blessed month, the month of spiritual rhapsody!


Ya Allah! For thee, my life I shall live!
Ya Allah! For thee, my soul I shall give!
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind,
Praise be to Allah, Who sent Ramadan as a gift to mankind

Marhaban Oh Month of Ramadan!

Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Raheem

As'Salamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

Marhaban, marhaban oh month of Ramadan,

Marhaban, marhaban oh month of siyam,

Marhaban, marhaban oh beautiful nights,

Marhaban, marhaban month of light,

Marhaban, marhaban days of Barakaat

Marhaban, marhaban nights of Rahmaat

By the grace and mercy of Allah we have lived long enough to see yet another Ramadan, how fortunate it is that we have been given the opportunity to be exposed to Allahs Rahmah.

Sha'har Mubarak! Below is a beautiful and blessed message by one of my teachers, Ustadah Nagheba (May Allah SWT perserve her). I thought I share it with all of you. May you find benefit in it.
Keep us in your prayers,

Umm Muhammad
*************************************************************************************************
Tonight the heavens have been flung open, the gates of Hell
firmly shut tight, the rains of Rahmah have begun pouring down upon our
cities, our towns, our homes, our hearts and our souls. By the grace and
mercy of Allah we have been given the opportunity again to free
ourselves from the shackles of the temporal world, from the chains of stress
and torment of the madness we find our selves in, to the peace and
tranquillity of eternal bliss. Ahhhh how the soul takes flight in this
blessed month to lands of serenity and joy, only a fool who’s self has been
consumed by this lower earth misses this opportunity to ascend the
ladder of proximity. Ya Allah let us not be fools but rather wise men (and
women) who expose ourselves to the lights of your promised kingdom.


It has also been related that in Ramadan there is nobody that prays except that for each prostration Allah writes for him a thousand five hundred good deeds and builds for him a house in Paradise made from bricks of emeralds and rubies. In another tradition it has been narrated that for each prostration in Ramadan Allah plants for one a tree that would take a traveller a thousand years to cross. Paradise from Ramadan to Ramadan renews and beautifies herself, and on it’s first night a breeze named matheera is released from under the throne of Allah, it blows upon the leaves of paradise and knocks upon paradises doors. A sweet hum is heard, all those who hear it have never heard such a beautiful sound. The Hur al-Ayn (women of Paradise) call out to Ridwan, the gatekeeper of heavens doors, what is this night, he answers this is the first night of Ramadan and the gates of Paradise have been opened for those fasting from the followers of Muhammed.

This is a month that both the body and soul are cured of worldly ailments, the body being purified by fasting from food and drink whilst the
soul is purified from that which distances one from the Divine -a bad thought, a negative comment, missing a prayer here and there, backbiting, slander, swearing- one may have fasted by staying away from food and drink but is stripped from the reward and spirit of the fast by involving oneself with such lowly endeavours

Tonight a caller has begun to call out, Oh you wanting good come forth, Oh you wanting evil stay away. Let us run forth and respond to the call before it ceases and the nights of Ramadan pass. Our hearts are but vessels that have for so long been filled with the troubles of this world let us free ourselves this month by diving into its sea of graces. Rajib cleansed our hearts through istigfar (repentance) whilst Shaban filled it with love of our beloved Prophet and longing to follow his sunnah, it is now time to fill these containers with love and longing for the Divine. Let us run out onto the fields of Ramadan and catch its intense rains of Rahmah, let us expose our hearts to pure intentions, righteous works and good actions. The ocean that prophets, great men and women once swam in lies wide open in front of us, let us swim as we have never swam before.

May you all have a blessed Ramadan.
Nagheba


When light engages the heart, it causes an illumation of the path,a purification of the consciousness, an enlightenment of the intellect and an establishment of the foundations of dhikr and shukr and of beautiful worship... Habib Umar Bin Hafiz

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Ramadan Mubarak!!

Assalamualaykum wa Rahmatullah Everyone!

The blessed month of Ramadan has arrived! RAMADAN MUBARAK!

Zaytuna has confirmed the reliability of new crescent moon sightings in the San Diego area by several trustworthy witnesses [Saturday, Sept. 23rd after sunset]. We have also received other unconfirmed reports from San Diego, Dallas, and other parts of Texas. We will begin the Tarawih prayer tonight and the first day of the fast tomorrow [Sunday] insha'Allah.

Ramadan Mubarak and Ramadan Kareem to all of my brothers and sisters in the world! May Allah Ta'ala grant each and every one of us the purest intentions and the greatest tawfiq and taysir in doing such actions which will please Him the most in this blessed month.

---

As we all know, there have been some controversies in regards to moon sighting versus the new 'fatwa' on calculations.

To sight or not to sight, that is the question
. What's YOUR opinion on moonsighting? take the poll (on the right side of the link's web page)

Yet, despite all of these new trials our ummah is being faced with...we must realize the real purpose and intent of blessed Ramadan and connect our hearts to the Qur'an and our Lord, most High. Here are some beautiful du'aas from some friends and family for the blessed month of Ramadan:

Ramadan Kariem

I wish you, your family and your loved ones a Ramadan Mubarak.
May Allah (SWT) bless you and accept all your righteous deeds during Ramadan and after.
May Allah (SWT) unite the Muslim Ummah, and help us and guide us to stand firm for what is right and keep us away from what is evil. Amin.

Ramadaan mubarak to all.

May Allah grant us all the strength to complete this month and may the blessings of Allah be with us all during this holy month and throughout the year

May all your good deeds and duas be accepted

And may our sins be forgiven – Aameen

I take this as time to ask for forgiveness for any thing I have said and/or done to offend anyone intentionally or not, so I ask for your forgiveness. May Allah Ta'ala show mercy upon you and your family during this blessed month and every month to come.

May Allah Subbhanahu Wa Taa'Laa accept our fasting, accep our do'aas, bless us with patience and have mercy on us all. Ameen

May Allah accept it from all of us and make our Ramadan a source of benefit, enrichment, and closenes to Allah, Most High.

May Allah accept our fasting, accept our tears, forgive our sins, and extend our years. May this blessed month be a source of mercy, guidance, unity, and peace that permeates throughout the world. Ameen.


Tawfiq, insha'Allah..
Please remember us in your du'aas during this amazing month of Ramadan!

Was'salaam
Shamira

ps Also, in preparation for the month of Ramadan, I would recommend listening to the lessons on the fiqh of Ramadan from Mufti Abdurrahman ibn Yusuf

pps Since using the siwaak or toothbrush (minus the paste!) is mustahab while fasting, please check the following link out for the benefits (and scientific proofs) for using the siwaak (aka: the "Arabic toothbrush" ;))


Friday, September 22, 2006

Ever Wonder Why?

<> It is a fact!.
EVER WONDER WHY?
Jew
Why a Jew can grow his beard in order to practice his faith
But when Muslim does the same, he is an extremist and terrorist!
Muslim
Nun
Why a nun can be covered from head to toe in order to devote herself to God
But when Muslimah does the same she oppressed
Hijab
Western Women
When a western women stays at home to look after her house and kids she is respected because of sacrificing herself and doing good for the household?
But when a Muslim woman does so by her will, they say, "she needs to be liberated"!
Muslim Women
Anything
Any girl can go to university wearing what she wills and have her rights and freedom?
But when Muslimah wears a Hijab they prevent her from entering her university!
Hijab
Subject
When a child dedicates himself to a subject he has potential.
But when he dedicates himself to Islam he is hopeless!
Islam
Question
When a Christian or a Jew kills someone religion is not mentioned, but when Muslim is charged with a crime, it is Islam that goes to trial!
Question
Hero
When someone sacrfices himself to keep others alive, he is noble and all respect him.
But when a Palestinian does that to save his son from being killed, his brother's arm being broken, his mother being raped, his home being destroyed, and his mosque being violated -- He gets the title of a terrorist! Why? Because he is a Muslim!
Terrorist
Question
When there is a trouble we accept any solution? If the solution lies in Islam, we refuse to take a look at it.
Question
Car
When someone drives a perfect car in a bad way no one blames the car.
But when any Muslim makes a mistake or treats people in a bad manner - people say "Islam is the reason"!
Islam
Newspapers
Without looking to the tradition of Islam, people believe what the newspapers say.
But question what the Quran says!
Quran




--
God gives and forgives. Man gets and forgets.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Discussion: Muslim Guy Shortage?!

I've noticed in our Muslim communities that there are plenty of single, religious, educated, Muslim sisters, yet there is a great lack of like-minded brothers available for marriage. Thus, we have sisters in their late 20s and 30s who desire to get married but cannot find suitable prospectives.

Why do you think this is the case? Is it due to the Muslim brothers not bothering about the Deen so they are not at par with our active, religious sisters? Or do you think it's a demographical problem? What do you think?

Please share your views, comments and observations.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Discussion: Book Recommendations?

A sister posted to the group:

I have a favor to ask everyone. There is a sister here who is interested in Islam and sent me the following email about wanting some books. If any of you know of any good books on these topics please let me know inshAllah. The interested sister writes:

"I'm still interested about the woman/male roles in Islam. I also want to know more about the nature of God. How Islam came to be the only one that considers Jesus a prophet not a son of God. And finally, the a better understanding of Muhammed. So basically, everything and anything. I'm also looking for a good book that helps one understand the Qur'an. It's difficult to read and understand what certain surahs are truly saying."

I am trying to get a nice list of books that fit the above topics and then go from there. some topics may not have books, however if you know of articles, lectures, chapters of books please let me know inshAllah.

Topics:

Gender Roles

Jesus
Understanding the Quran
Understanding the Prophet
Sincerity


May Allah reward you!

HIJAB

<>What do u see when u look at me
Do you see someone limited, or someone free?
All some people can do is just look and stare
Simply because they can't see my hair.
Others think I am controlled and uneducated
They think that I am limited and un-liberated.
They are so thankful they are not me
Because they would like to remain 'free'
Well 'free' isn't exactly the word I would've used
Describing women who are cheated on and abused.
They thing that I do not have opinions or voice
They think that being hooded isn't my choice.
They think that the hood makes me look caged
That my husband or dad are totally outraged.
All they can do is look at me in fear
And in my eye these is a tear.
Not because I hate been stared at or made fun of
But because they were too ashamed to play by their own rules.
Maybe the guys won't think I'm a cutie
But at least I'm filled with more inner beauty
See I have declined from being a guy's toy
Because I won't let myself be controlled by a boy.
Real men are able to appreciate my mind
And aren't busy looking at my behind.
Hooded girls are the ones really helping the Muslim cause
The role we play definitely deserves applause.
I will be recognized because I am smart and bright
And because some people are inspired by my sight.
The smart ones are attracted to my tranquility
In the back of their minds they wish they were me.
We have the strength to do what we think is right
Even if it means putting up a life-long fight.
You see we are not controlled by a miniskirt and tight shirt
We are given only respect, and never treated like dirt.
So you see we are the ones that are free and liberated
We are not the ones that are sexually terrorized and violated.
We are the ones that are free and pure
We're free of STD's that have no cure.
So when people ask you how you feel about the hood
Just sum it up by saying 'Dude, its all good!'

-Hijabi Sister

SunniPath Lecture Circuit

Masha'Allah--Sunnipath is bringing it home with their Ramadan North American Study Tour...

Real, traditional knowledge...in person OR online...Tawfiq, insha'Allah

Who wants to attend?

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Reflect: Which Level Are You?

"And mankind, with regard to their performance of prayer are in five levels:

The First: The level of the one who is negligent and wrongs his soul: He is the one who falls short in performing wudhu properly, performing the prayer upon its time and within its specified limits, and in fulfilling its essential pillars.

The Second: The one who guards his prayers upon their proper times and within their specified limits, fulfils their essential pillars and performs his wudhu with care. However, his striving (in achieving the above) is wasted due whisperings in his prayer so he is taken away by thoughts and ideas.

The Third: The one who guards his prayers within the specified limits, fulfils their essential pillars and strives with himself to repel the whisperings, thoughts and ideas. He is busy struggling against his enemy (Shaytaan) so that he does not steal from the prayer. On account of this he is engaged in (both) prayer and jihaad.

The Fourth: The one who stands for the prayer , completes and perfects its due rights, its essential pillars, performs it within its specified limits and his heart becomes engrossed in safeguarding its rights and specified limits, so that nothing is wasted from it. His whole concern is directed towards its establishment, its completion and its perfection, as it should be. His heart is immersed in the prayer and in enslavement to his Lord the Exalted.

The Fifth: The one who stands for the prayer like the one mentioned above. However, on top of this, he has taken and placed his heart in front of his Lord Azzawajall, looking towards Him with his heart with anticipation, (his heart) filled with His love and His might, as if he sees and witnesses Allaah. The whisperings, thoughts and ideas have vanished and the coverings which are between him and his Lord are raised. What is between this person and others with respect to the prayer, is superior and greater than what is between the heavens and the earth. This person is busy with his Lord Azzawajall, delighted with Him.

The First type will be punished, the second type will be held to account, the third will have his sins and shortcomings expiated, the fourth will be rewarded and the fifth will be close to his Lord, because he will receive the portion of the one who makes his prayer the delight and pleasure of his eye. Whoever makes his prayer the delight and pleasure of his eye will have the nearness to his Lord Azzawajall made the delight and pleasure of his eye in the hereafter. He will also be made a pleasure to the eye in this world since whoever makes Allaah the pleasure of his eye in this world, every other eye will become delighted and pleased with him."

-
Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullaah)



May Allah Ta'ala make us all of the fifth type, and grant us a husnil khaatima
(A good ending) Ameen.