Muslim Guy Shortage!?

A SISTER WRITES: "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 20's and 30's who desire to get married but cannot find a suitable prospective." 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 active, religious sisters? Or do you think it's a demographical problem? What do you think? JOIN MECCAONE THIS THURSDAY WITH IMAM ZAID SHAKIR, UM HASSAN, AND YOU, THE LISTENERS FOR AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION, DEBATE, & DIALOGUE! Thursday, March 8th, 2007 5-6pm on 90.5 FM KSJS San Jose, CA Live World-Wide CALL IN LIVE! 408.924.5757

ALIM Summer Program

Upcoming Deen Intensive!!

No Time!

I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Muslim duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of Allah to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.

For in his hands God held a book;
It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said
Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time"

-Poet Unknown

Haagen-Dazs

I spoke with a Haagen Daaz representative (1800 767 0120) who mentioned the following (may) contain remnants of alcohol and should be avoided:

natural vanilla
vanilla extract
natural flavors

She mentioned we would be safer if we stick with flavors such as chocolate, coffee, etc (except the flavors that mention rum or any other clear, alcoholic ingredient on their packaging)

Choc. chips are fine to have (ex: choc choc chip) since they do not contain alcohol.
.
May Allah swt make it easy for us and increase us in taqwa. Ameen

Was'salaam

The New World Order vs. Islam?

Islamic Extremism May Save Western Civilization
by Mark Glenn

It would shock and probably offend most Americans to learn the truth that
the reason they are here, their power, their affluence and position in the
world is directly because of the Islamic religion and the Arab culture.
That’s right, the very "ragheads" and "Hajis" (as Limbaugh, Liddy, and some
of the others often call them) that the US is now fighting are directly
responsible for the preeminence and power of not just the United States, but
of the entire Western world in general...

...What will gall Americans even more, especially those who call themselves
Christian, is the idea that it may be the Arab and Muslim culture that will
be not only the birthplace of Western Civilization, but the savior of it as
well...

For the full article click here:

Mark Glenn is an American and former high school teacher turned writer /
commentator. He contributed above article to Media Monitors Network (MMN).

Source:
by courtesy & © 2003
Mark Glenn

Beautiful Intention & Reminder for Mothers

...When she has her first baby, she must manage for another
life even more dependent on her personal sacrifices. By the
second, third, or fourth child, her days and nights belong
almost entirely to others. Whether she has a spiritual path or
not, such a mother can seldom resist a glance at the past, when
there were more prayers, more meanings, more spiritual company,
and more serenity. When Allah opens her understanding, she will
see that she is engaged in one of the highest forms of worship,
that of producing new believers who love and worship Allah.
She is effectively worshipping Allah for as many lifetimes she
has children, for the reward of every spiritual work her children
do will be hers, without this diminishing anything of their own
rewards: every ablution, every prayer, every Ramadan, every
hajj, and even the works her children will in turn pass on to
their offspring, and, so on till the end of time. Even if her
children do not turn out as she wishes, she shall be requited in
paradise forever according to her intention in raising them,
which was that they should be godly.
Aside from the tremendous reward, within the path itself it is
noticeable that many of those who benefit most from khalwa or
"solitary retreat of dhikr" are women who have raised children.
With only a little daily dhikr and worship over the years, but
much toil and sacrifice for others, they surpass many a younger
person who has had more free time, effort, and "spiritual
works." What they find is greater because their state with Allah
is greater; namely, the awe, hope, and love of the Divine they
have realized by years of sincerity to Him. May Allah(swt)
grant us all patience with out children and raise them as good,
pious, godly people, Ameen.

-Nuh Ha Mim

High school students bored, risk dropping out: survey

Wed Feb 28, 8:17 AM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - High school students in the United States say they are bored in class and many have considered dropping out, according to a new survey.

In the report conducted by Indiana University, 75 percent of the 81,000 students who participated said they were bored in class because the material wasn't interesting and 31 percent said they had no interaction with their teacher.

"I think what is happening is students are not being involved in interactive ways in the teaching and learning," Ethan Yazzie-Mintz, project director of the university's Center for Evaluation Policy, said in an interview.

Instead of providing lectures, Yazzie-Mintz said teachers should consider other methods of teaching such as discussion and debate and group projects.

Yazzie-Mintz said teaching style, rather than class size, is largely responsible for this problem.

"I think great teachers, and there are many of them across the country, have big classes and do a great job of interacting," he said.

The questionnaire, which included results from 110 public and private schools, also found that 22 percent of students said they have considered dropping out and half of the respondents said they have skipped school.

Students who miss school are far more likely to consider dropping out, said Yazzie-Mintz, adding the findings may suggest a reason for schools to reconsider how they handle discipline for students who skip.

"Given there is such a dropout problem across the country this data can help principals look at ways to address this problem," he said.

Yazzie-Mintz recommended school leaders take the opportunity to talk to students and find out why they're skipping as opposed to punishing them with suspensions or detentions.

Among the other findings, while 80 percent of students said doing homework was important, less than half reported doing an hour or less of it each week.

*****************************************************************************

What can we as teachers, parents and members of society do about this?

Pure Eloquence

A Remarkable Story!
by Anonymous

The undermentioned incident is narrated by Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak
(RA). He was a man of great learning and he lived in the era of the
Abbasids. This incident reflects the love and attachment with the Noble
Quran. It also Manifestates the comprehensiveness of the Noble Quran.

An elderly Arab lady was sitting at the trunk of a tree, on the way to
Haj. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) happened to pass that way. He was
also heading for Baitullah, for Hajj, and to the Sacred tomb of the Holy
Prophet (Sallallaahu ?layhi Wasallam). Seeing this lady very disturbed
and in a state of despair, (distressed) he spoke to her. The discussion
is recorded as follows:

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah

The lady: "The word from a merciful Lord is Peace" (Surah 36 Aayat 58).
She meant that the reply of salaam is from Allah, Most High, Himself.
She said further: "Those whom Allah sendeth astray, there is no guide
for them." (Surah 7 Aayat 186). She meant that she has lost her way.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Where are you coming from?

The lady: "Glorified be He who carried His servant by night from the
Musjid-e-Aqsa (invioble place of worship) to the Musjid-e-Haraam" (Far
distant place of worship) (Surah17 Aayat1). She meant that she had come
from Musjid-e-Aqsa.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): How long are you in this place?

The lady: "For three nights" (Surah 19 Aayat10).

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): What arrangements are made for your
food?

The lady: "And who (Allah) feedeth me and watereth me" (Surah 26 Aayat
79). She meant that somehow or the other, her food is provided to her by
Allah.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Is there any water for Wudhu?

The lady: "And ye find not water, then go to high clean soil and (make
tayammum) rub your faces and hands." (therewith) (Surah 4 Aayat 43). She
meant that she makes tayammum, due to not finding water.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Here is some food. Partake of it.

The lady: "Strictly observe the fast till nightfall" (Surah 2 Aayat
187). She indicated that she is fasting.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): This is not the month of Ramadaan.

The lady: "And he who does good of his own accord (for him) lo! Allah is
responsive, aware". (Surah 2 Aayat158) meaning that I have observed an
optional (nafl) fast.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): It is permitted to break the fast
when in a journey.

The lady: "And that ye fast is better for you, if you did but know."
(Surah 2 Aayat 184)

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Speak like how I speak.

The lady: "He (man) uttereth no word but there is with him an observer
ready" (Surah 50 Aayat 18). She meant that since every word of a person
is observed and recorded, she is taking precaution by speaking only in
the words of the Holy Quran.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Which clan do you belong to?

The lady: "Follow not that whereof thou hast no knowledge, lo! The
hearing and the sight and heart of each of these it will be asked"
(Surah 17 Aayat36). She meant those things that you have no knowledge
of, nor do they concern you, you are wasting your strength (senses) by
enquiring about them.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Forgive me. I have certainly made a
mistake.

The lady: "Have no fear this day. May Allah forgive you" (Surah 12 Aayat
92)

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Would you like to travel on my camel
and meet your caravan?

The lady: "And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it" (Surah 2 Aayat
197). Meaning that if you will do this good deeds towards me, Allah will
recompense you for it.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Well, then you may mount it.
Saying this he made the camel to sit down.

The lady: "Tell the believing men (when confronted by women) to lower
their gaze". (Surah 24 Aayat 30). Hadhrat Abdullah understood and
(turned) looked away. While she was mounting, the camel jerked and her
clothes got estrangled in the saddle (dorsers) and she proclaimed:
"whatever of misfortune striketh you, it is what your hands have
earned." (Surah 42 Aayat 30). In other words she was drawing Hadhrat
Abdullah bin Mubarak's (RA) attention towards this mishap.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) understood and he tied the legs of the
camel and he straightened the straps of the saddle (or dorser). She
applauded him for his proficiency and capability by saying "And we made
Sulaiman to understand" (Surah 21 Aayat 79). When the journey was about
to begin, the lady recited the Aayats which are read when undertaking a
journey "Glorified be he who hath subdued these unto us, and we were not
capable (of subduing them). And lo, unto our Lord we are returning."
(Surah 43 Aayat 13).
Hadhrat Abdullh bin Mubarak (RA) held the bridle (or nose string) of the
camel. He began to hum the (Huddi) famous Arabic song for travelling,
and he started walking very fast.

The lady: "Be modest in thy bearing and subdue thy voice" (Surah 31
Aayat 19). Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) understood. He began
walking slower and he lowered his voice.
The lady: "Recite of the Quran that which is easy for you." She meant
that instead of humming the Huddi, he should rather recite the Holy
Quran.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) began reciting the Holy Quran.

The lady became very pleased and said "but none remember (accept advice)
except men of understanding" (Surah 2 Aayat 269).

After reciting the Holy Quran for a while, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak
(RA) asked (the lady if she had a husband) (if he was alive) "O Aunt,
have have you a husband? (meaning is he living)

The lady: "O you who believe, ask not of things which if they were made
known unto you, would trouble you" (Surah 5 Aayat 101). She meant that
no questions should be asked regarding this matter which indicated that
her husband has most probably passed away. Finally they (caught up) met
the caravan.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Do you have any son or relative
(friend) in this caravan who has connection (contact) with you?

The lady: "Wealth and children are an ornament of life of the world"
(Surah 18 Aayat 46). She meant that her sons were with this caravan and
he has provisions with him.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): What work are your sons doing for the
caravan? (Hadhrat Abdullah's object for asking was to make it easy for
him to recognise her son).

The lady: "And landmarks, and by the star they find a way" (Surah 16
Aayat 16). She meant that he is a guide for the caravan.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Can you tell me their name?

The lady: "Allah chose Ibrahim as (for) a friend" (Surah 4 Aayat 125).
And Allah spoke directly unto Moosa" (Surah 19 Aayat 12). By reciting
these Aayats the lady informed him that her sons names were Yahya,
Ibrahim and Moosa.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) called out these names in the caravan
and immediately three young people came forward.

The lady: (addressing her children) "Now send one of you with this your
silver coin unto the city. And let him see what food is purest there and
bring you a supply thereof" (Sura 18 Aayat 19) In other words she
instructed them to feed Hadhrat Abdullah (RA).

When the food was brought, she told Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA):
"Eat and drink at ease for that which ye sent on before you in the past
days." (Surah 69 Aayat 24), and with this Aayat she recited another
Aayat, the object of which was to convey (show) her gratefulness to him
for his good conduct and courtesy. The Aayat was: "Is the reward of
goodness aught save goodness?" (Surah 55 Aayat 60).

Their conversation terminated on this Aayat. The lady's son informed
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) that his mother has been speaking in
this manner, i.e. using only the Aayats of the Holy Quran in her speech,
for the last forty years.

Absolutely sickening

Subhan'Allah. What next?

BBC News:

US soldier admits murdering girl

The house in Mahmudiya where the rape and killings took place

A second US soldier's plea of guilty to the gang rape of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and the killing of her and her family has been accepted by a judge.

Sgt Paul Cortez admitted four murders, rape and conspiracy to rape. His plea means he will avoid the death penalty.