BENEFITS OF LISTENING TO HOLY QURAN

Listening to Qur'an recitation is the perfume of the souls, the calmer of hearts, and the food of the spirit. Is is one of the most important psychological medicines. It is a source of pleasure, even to some animals – and pleasure in moderation purifies inner energy, enhances the functioning of the faculties, slows down senile decay by driving out its diseases, improves the complexion, and refreshes the entire body. Pleasure in excess, on the other hand, makes the illnesses of the body grow worse.

Abu Nu’aim states, in his Tib an-Nabbi, that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said that the benefits of listening to recitation are increased when it is understood – that is, when its meaning is understood. Allah Himself says:

…so give good news to My slaves, those who listen to the word and then follow the best of it…(Qur’an: 39.17-18)

Source: As-Suyuti’s Medicine of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).

ISLAM AND THE AIM OF LIFE

What is your purpose in life? What is the rationale behind our life? Why do we live in this life? These questions frequently intrigue people who try to find accurate answers.

People provide different answers to these questions. Some people believe the purpose of life is to accumulate wealth. But one may wonder: What is the purpose of life after one has collected colossal amounts of money? What then? What will the purpose be once money is gathered? If the purpose of life is to gain money, there will be no purpose after becoming wealthy. And in fact, here lies the problem of some disbelievers or misbelievers at some stage of their life, when collecting money is the target of their life. When they have collected the money they dreamt of, their life loses its purpose. They suffer from the panic of nothingness and they live in tension and restlessness.

Can Wealth Be an Aim?

We often hear of a millionaire committing suicide, sometimes, not the millionaire himself but his wife, son, or daughter. The question that poses itself is: Can wealth bring happiness to one’s life? In most cases the answer is NO. Is the purpose of collecting wealth a standing purpose? As we know, the five-year old child does not look for wealth: a toy for him is equal to a million dollars. The eighteen-year old adolescent does not dream of wealth because he is busy with more important things. The ninety-year old man does not care about money; he is worried more about his health. This proves that wealth cannot be a standing purpose in all the stages of the individual's life.

Wealth can do little to bring happiness to a disbeliever, because he/she is not sure about his fate. A disbeliever does not know the purpose of life. And if he has a purpose, this purpose is doomed to be temporary or self destructive.

What is the use of wealth to a disbeliever if he feels scared of the end and skeptical of everything. A disbeliever may gain a lot of money, but will surely lose himself.

Worshipping Allah as an Aim

On the contrary, faith in Allah gives the believer the purpose of life that he needs. In Islam, the purpose of life is to worship Allah. The term "Worship" covers all acts of obedience to Allah.

The Islamic purpose of life is a standing purpose. The true Muslim sticks to this purpose throughout all the stages of his life, whether he is a child, adolescent, adult, or an old man.

Worshipping Allah makes life purposeful and meaningful, especially within the framework of Islam. According to Islam this worldly life is just a short stage of our life. Then there is the other life. The boundary between the first and second life is the death stage, which is a transitory stage to the second life. The type of life in the second stage a person deserves depends on his deeds in the first life. At the end of the death stage comes the day of judgment. On this day, Allah rewards or punishes people according to their deeds in the first life.

The First Life as an Examination

So, Islam looks at the first life as an examination of man. The death stage is similar to a rest period after the test, i. e. after the first life. The Day of Judgment is similar to the day of announcing the results of the examinees. The second life is the time when each examinee enjoys or suffers from the outcome of his behavior during the test period.

In Islam, the line of life is clear, simple, and logical: the first life, death, the Day of Judgment, and then the second life. With this clear line of life, the Muslim has a clear purpose in life. The Muslim knows he is created by Allah. Muslims know they are going to spend some years in this first life, during which they have to obey God, because God will question them and hold them responsible for their public or private deeds, because Allah knows about all the deeds of all people. The Muslim knows that his deeds in the first life will determine the type of second life they will live in. The Muslim knows that this first life is a very short one, one hundred years, more or less, whereas the second life is an eternal one.

The Eternity of the Second Life

The concept of the eternity of the second life has a tremendous effect on a Muslims during their first life, because Muslims believe that their first life determines the shape of their second life. In addition, this determines the shape of their second life and this determination will be through the Judgment of Allah, the All just and Almighty.

With this belief in the second life and the Day of Judgment, the Muslim's life becomes purposeful and meaningful. Moreover, the Muslim's standing purpose is to go to Paradise in the second life.

In other words, the Muslim's permanent purpose is to obey Allah, to submit to Allah, to carry out His orders, and to keep in continues contact with Him through prayers (five times a day), through fasting (one month a year), through charity (as often as possible), and through pilgrimage (once in one's life).

The Need for a Permanent Purpose

Disbelievers have purposes in their lives such as collecting money and property, indulging in sex, eating, and dancing. But all these purposes are transient and passing ones. All these purposes come and go, go up and down. Money comes and goes. Health comes and goes. Sexual activities cannot continue forever. All these lusts for money, food and sex cannot answer the individual's questions: so what? Then What?

However, Islam saves Muslims from the trouble of asking the question, because Islam makes it clear, from the very beginning, that the permanent purpose of the Muslim in this life is to obey Allah in order to go to Paradise in the second life.

We should know that the only way for our salvation in this life and in the hereafter is to know our Lord who created us, believe in Him, and worship Him alone.

We should also know our Prophet whom Allah had sent to all mankind, believe in Him and follow Him. We should, know the religion of truth which our Lord has commanded us to believe in, and practice it …

UNABLE TO PRAY AT WORK: WHAT TO DO?

We ask Allah the Almighty to render our service for His Sake alone and to accept our humble efforts in helping Muslims get a better understanding of Islam.

Do not worry, brother, you are not alone in the problem you are facing. Many new Muslims are going through the same difficulty and even much more complicated issues in their transition period.

We highly appreciate your keenness to offer the prayer, the cornerstone of Islam and the first act of worship you will be asked about in the Hereafter. You have the right to worry about offering the prayer at its due time because it is what connects us with your Creator five times a day amid our busy schedules

We also appreciate helping those who depend on you. For every penny you spend, you will get multiple rewards from Allah.

You should note that prayer can be offered in any clean place. The whole earth is a place of worship as the Prophet (peace be upon him) told us. The prayer can be performed in any corner in an office, in any meeting room, in the car park, even in stock rooms, etc. You can take a prayer mat with you and keep it in your work place. It is clear now that the place is not a problem for you.

With regard to delaying the prayer, it is not permissible for a Muslim to delay his prayers beyond the time when they are due without a legitimate excuse such as sleeping and forgetting. Work is not an excuse for not praying or for delaying a prayer until its time is over. We read in the Quran what gives the meaning of:

{…keep up regular prayer, for prayer is obligatory for the believers at prescribed times.} (An-Nisaa’ 3:103)

A sincere believer does not let business or trade distract him from remembering Allah and establishing regular prayer. We read in the Quran what means:

{Men whom neither trade nor sale (business) diverts from the remembrance of Allah (with heart and tongue) nor from performing the prayer nor from giving the Zakah. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (out of the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection).} (An-Nur 24:37)

To find a time for offering the prayer, it is not possible for anyone to work for long hours without a break. You can cut short your lunch break and take five minutes for each prayer. If the break time does not coincide with prayer times, you ask for different break timings.

You have to try all possible means even if that will cause you some difficulty such as working extra hours. You know why? Because the spirituality and peace of mind you will gain from offering the prayer at its time will make you forget the difficulty you encounter.

If all means fail, you can delay the Zhuhr prayer until five minutes before the Asr time and offer the two prayers at one time. If the Maghrib prayer comes while you are still at work, you can also delay it until five minutes before the Isha prayer.  Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that:

“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has often combined Zhuhr and Asr, andMaghrib and Isha, for no fear or travel.” (Muslim)

If it happened that you missed a prayer or delayed it until its time was over, you have to repent to Allah, ask for His forgiveness, pray an increased number of supererogatory prayers, and do good deeds. We read in the Quran what means:

{But there came after them generations who neglected prayer and were driven by their own desires. These will come face to face with their evil,but those who repent, who believe, who do righteous deeds, will enter Paradise.} (Maryam 19:59-60)

{Those who remember God and implore forgiveness for their sins if they do something shameful or wrong themselves– who forgives sins but God?– and who never knowingly persist in doing wrong. } (Aal `Imran 3:135)

We highly advise you to keep striving to offer the prayer at its prescribed time. Be sure that when you make a firm intention to do so, Allah will make a way out for you and He will make it easy for you.

I hope this answers your question.

THE QURAN HAS ALL THE ANSWERS

Why am I always being tested? Why is life so hard? Why don't I ever get this or that? Why? Why?

I am always asking: Why was I tested?
Quran answers: “Do men think that they will be left alone saying, ’We believe’, and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false.” [29:2-3]

I am always asking: Why could I never get what I want?
Quran answers: ”It is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing, which is bad for you. But Allah knows, while you know not.”
Surah Al-Baqarah [2:216]

I am always asking:Why was I burdened this way?
Quran answers: “Allah does not place a burden to a soul greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns.” Surah Al- Baqarah [2:286] & “So verily, with every difficulty there is relief: (repeated) Verily, with every difficulty there is relief.” Surah Al-Insyirah [94:5-6]

I am always asking: Why do I lose hope?
Quran answers: “So lose not heart, nor fall into despair…” Surah Al-Imran [3:139]

i am always asking: How can I face it?
Quran answers: ” O you who believe! Persevere in patience and
constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other; and fear Allah that you may prosper.” Surah Al- Imran [3:200] & “And seek (Allah’s) help with patience, perseverance and prayer: It is indeed hard, except to those who bring a humbly submissive (to Allah).” Surah Al-Baqarah [2:45]

i am always asking: What do I get for all these?
Quran answers: “Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and properties (in exchange) for that they will have the garden (of Paradise) …” Surah At-Taubah [9:111]

I am always asking:To whom can I depend?
Quran answers: “(Allah) suffices me: there is no god but He: On Him is my trust- He the Lord of the Throne (of Glory) Supreme.” Surah At- Taaubah [9:129]

i always say:But I can’t take it anymore!
Quran answers: “…and never give up hope of Allah’s Soothing Mercy; truly No one despairs of Allah’s Soothing Mercy. except Those who have no faith.” Surah Yusuf [9:87] & “Despairs not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives All sins for He is Often- For
giving, Most Merciful.” Surah Az-Zumar [39:53]

WHAT'S THE RIGHT WAY TO PERFORM TAHAJJUD?

Tahajjud Prayer is part of the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), which Muslims are preferred to follow all the time.

In his famous work, Fiqh As-Sunnah, Sheikh Sayyid Sabiq elaborates on the subject as follows:

Ordering His Messenger to perform Tahajjud, Allah Almighty says what means:

{And during a part of the night, pray Tahajjudbeyond what is incumbent on you; maybe your Lord will raise you to a position of great glory.} (Al-Israa’ 17:79)

This order, although it was specifically directed to the Prophet, also refers to all Muslims, since the Prophet is a perfect example and guide for us in all matters.

Moreover, performing Tahajjud Prayers regularly qualifies one as one of the righteous and makes one earn Allah’s bounty and mercy. In praising those who perform the late night Prayers, Allah says what means:

{And they who pass the night prostrating themselves before their Lord and standing.}(Al-Furqan 25:64)

Next to these Quranic verses, there also exist a number of hadiths that reinforce the importance of Tahajjud.

`Abdullah ibn Salam reported:

“When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to Madinah, the people gathered around him and I was one of them. I looked at his face and understood that it was not the face of a liar. The first words I heard him say were: ‘O people, spread the salutations, feed the people, keep the ties of kinship, and pray during the night while the others sleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace.’” (At-Tirmidhi.)

Salman Al-Farsi quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying:

“Observe the night Prayer; it was the practice of the righteous before you and it brings you closer to your Lord and it is penance for evil deeds and erases the sins and repels disease from the body.” (At-Tabarani)

Etiquette of Prayer

The following acts are recommended for one who wishes to perform the Tahajjud Prayer:

Upon going to sleep, one should make the intention to perform the Prayers. Abu Ad-Darda’ quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying:“Whoever goes to his bed with the intention of getting up and praying during the night, but, being overcome by sleep, fails to do that, he will have recorded for him what he has intended, and his sleep will be reckoned as a charity (an act of mercy) for him from his Lord.” (An-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah)

On waking up, it is recommended that one wipes the face, use a toothbrush, and look to the sky and make the supplication which has been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

Abu Hudhaifa reported:

“Whenever the Prophet intended to go to bed, he would recite: (With Your name, O Allah, I die and I live).” And when he woke up from his sleep, he would say: (All the Praises are for Allah Who has made us alive after He made us die (sleep) and unto Him is the Resurrection.)” (Al-Bukhari)

One should begin with two quick rak`ahs and then one may pray whatever one wishes after that. `A’ishah said:“When the Prophet prayed during the late-night, he would begin his Prayers with two quick rak`ahs.”(Muslim)It is recommended that one wakes up one’s family, for Abu Hurairah quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying:“May Allah bless the man who gets up during the night to pray and wakes up his wife and who, if she refuses to get up, sprinkles water on her face. And may Allah bless the woman who gets up during the night to pray and wakes up her husband and who, if he refuses, sprinkles water on his face.” (Ahmad)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said:“If a man wakes his wife and prays during the night or they pray two rak`ahs together, they will be recorded among those (men and women) who (constantly) make remembrance of Allah.” (Abu Dawud.)

If one gets sleepy while performing Tahajjud, one should sleep. This is based on the hadith narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), who quoted Allah’s Messenger as saying:“When one of you gets up during the night for Prayer and his Quranic recital gets mixed up to the extent that he does not know what he says, he should lie down.” (Muslim.)

Recommended Time for Tahajjud

Tahajjud may be performed in the early part of the night, the middle part of the night, or the latter part of the night, but after the obligatory `Isha’ Prayer (night Prayer).

While describing the Prophet’s way of performing Prayer, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“If we wanted to see him praying during the night, we could see him praying. If we wanted to see him sleeping during the night, we could see him sleeping. And sometimes he would fast for so many days that we thought he would not leave fasting throughout that month. And sometimes he would not fast (for so many days) that we thought he would not fast during that month.” (Al-Bukhari, Ahmad and An-Nasa’i.)

Commenting on this subject, Ibn Hajar says:

“There was no specific time in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would perform his late night Prayer; but he used to do whatever was easiest for him.”

Best Time for Tahajjud

It is best to delay this Prayer to the last third portion of the night. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) quoted the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying:

“Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, inquiring: ‘Who will call on Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking something of Me so I may give it to him? Who is asking for My forgiveness so I may forgive him?’” (Al-Bukhari)

Amr ibn Absah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saying:

“The closest that a slave comes to his Lord is during the middle of the latter portion of the night. If you can be among those who remember Allah the Exalted One at that time, then do so.” (At-Tirmidhi)

The Number of Rak`ahs in Tahajjud

Tahajjud Prayer does not entail a specific number of rak`ahs that must be performed, nor is there any maximum limit that may be performed. It would be fulfilled even if one prayed just one rak`ah of Witrafter `Isha’.

Samurah ibn Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“The Messenger of Allah ordered us to pray during the night, a little or a lot, and to make the last of the Prayer the Witr Prayer.” (At-Tabarani and Al-Bazzar)

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE FIVE DAILY PRAYERS?

Praying five times a day is considered so important to Muslims that we call it one of the Five Pillars of Islam. In other words, along with the declaration of faith, fasting in Ramadan, paying of Zakat and going on pilgrimage once in one’s life to Makkah, prayer is considered essential if we are to call ourselves Muslims.

As with everything in Islam, there is a reason behind all the things we do. Sometimes, if we don’t understand these underlying reasons, many things can just appear as external rules and regulations. Modern men and women are not looking for extra burdens to put on their backs, so there is much more to praying than observing a regulation.

Contrary to what many people think, there is much more to prayer than just asking for things! Of course, we ask things of Almighty God, but we can also spend time thanking Him and praising Him. Indeed, the angels in heaven exist just to do this.

In the holy Quran we read: 
{Most surely, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find solace.}(13:28)

In the Call to Prayer (the Adhan), which is called from the mosque five times a day, the caller says these words: “Come to prayer. Come to Success.” In the Call for the Morning Prayer, he even adds the phrase, “Prayer is better than sleep.”

There is really nothing more beautiful in a Muslim country to wake up in the morning to hear Allah’s name being mentioned from every part of the city. Even for those who are the only Muslims in their town, though, the morning Call to Prayer reminds them just how beautiful a gift prayer really is.

Imagine an air-raid siren being sounded in time of war. People hear the siren and run as fast as they can to take cover from the bombs that would soon be falling on them.

The Adhan is like this air-raid siren, but instead of calling people to take shelter from bombs it is asking them to come to God Almighty and take shelter from the cares of this life. You see, prayer is not an escape from reality. It is an escape to reality. In prayer we can put all things in perspective and see what is really important in life.

When our foreheads are touching the ground in prayer we can’t fool anyone. Maybe in life we manage to fool others by the way we dress or by the words we use. Sometimes we even manage to fool ourselves. But Allah is not to be fooled. He not only created the heavens and the earth and everything in between, but He also knows every leaf that falls from every tree. This is why we can truly be ourselves in His presence when we pray.

For Muslims, praying is not a regulation. It is a gift.

So why five prayers, and why at certain set times during the day? You know, of all the Pillars of Islam, praying five times a day was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in heaven. At first, he was told that Muslims should pray fifty times, but Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) urged Muhammad to go back and say that this was too much.

Allah Almighty then said ten times, and again Moses (peace be upon him) persuaded Muhammad (peace be upon him) to plead that this was too much. Finally, Muhammad (peace be upon him) was told that Muslims must pray five times a day, and Allah added, “I have enforced My obligation and made it light for my servants. He who prays these five prayers will be rewarded as if he had prayed fifty. What I decree cannot be changed.” (Al-Bukhari)

The regulation of praying at certain set times is not just a random idea. The whole idea is to permeate the whole of one’s day with the remembrance of Allah. Some new Muslims say that they lead very busy lives and ask if it is OK to say all the five prayers together in the evening when they have more time.

It is precisely because we live busy lives that we must pray at certain times. The times are simple: when we get up, at noon, in the middle of the afternoon, in the early evening and at night. By praying at these set times we give a routine of prayer to our day. We wake up thinking of Allah and we spend the day interrupting all of our busyness to think of Him again.

So, if you are new to Islam is it easy to adjust to the routine of praying at five fixed times a day? Well, in my own case it certainly wasn’t easy and it took me some time to get used to it. So if at first you are not feeling all that uplifted by getting up to pray at four in the morning, stick with it. The routine itself will help you. By doing good things we become good people. The routine of prayer will make you a better Muslim.

A few simple tips might help. If you find it difficult to get up for the Dawn Prayer, then buy yourself a loud alarm clock, or even two or three, and have them so far out of your reach that you have to get up to turn them off! You might at first even get your telephone company to give you a wake-up call.

As well as an alarm clock, you can also get an alarm clock that will sound the call to Prayer five times a day. There are many Muslim bookshops that sell these and you could probably even get one online. This kind of clock is especially helpful if you live in a country where the Adhan is not called publicly. If that is not possible, set your mobile phone to vibrate and be reminded of the prayer times even while you are in the office!

A problem people sometimes have in prayer is that they are distracted and cannot concentrate. Well, it all depends on how well prepared we are. If we are going to our prayers straight from watching a football match or a sitcom on the TV, then our thoughts will not be on Allah alone. So we need to take time in preparing for prayer.

This, in fact, is what the Ablution gives us time to do. As we wash away the dirt that clings to our bodies, we prepare for the prayer to wash away the dirt that clings to our hearts and our lives.

So, for those new to Islam, setting off on a journey of prayer will bring great benefits. The greatest one of all is that it will help us to put our lives into perspective, seeing that all things come from Allah and that it is to Allah that all will return.

FAJR - THE FIRST WAR AGAINST SHAITAN (DEVIL) ,

A scholar was once asked "why is the air pure at the time of Fajr" ??...the scholar answered...." because No Hypocrites get up to pray Fajr".

Fajr is the most precious time you'll have a quiet and intimate relationship with Allah (Subhanahu wata'ala).

Shaitan tries to limit your praying because he knows your praying will limit him.

The two rakat of sunnah of Fajr are better than the world and all it contains.

Praying Fajr is the first war against shaitan, we live in the world where loosing the mobile signal is worse than loosing the Fajr Prayer.

Fajr Tips......

● Make Intention

● Make Dua

● sleep Early

● Set Multiple Alarms

● Place Alarm at a Distance

● Ask Someone to Wake you up.

Let's do a promise to ourself In sha Allah we will never miss Fajr . This message for all...please don't miss the Fajr prayer.
Fajr prayer is better than sleep.
Ya Allah only you know the secrets of our heart...please accept our prayers, Duas and good deeds. Ameen.

NEVER JUDGE ANYONE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH

HEART TOUCHING STORY OF A SON

A doctor entered the hospital in hurry after being called in for an urgent surgery. He answered the call asap, changed his clothes & went directly to the surgery block. He found the boy’s father pacing in the hall waiting for the doctor. On seeing him, the dad yelled:

“Why did you take all this time to come? Don’t you know that my son’s life is in danger? Don’t you have any sense of responsibility?”

The doctor smiled & said:

“I am sorry, I wasn’t in the hospital & I came as fast as I could after receiving the call…… And now, I wish you’d calm down so that I can do my work”

“Calm down?! What if your son was in this room right now, would U calm down? If your own son dies now what will U do??” said the father angrily

The doctor smiled again & replied: “I will say what Job said in the Holy Book “From dust we came & to dust we return, blessed be the name of God”. Doctors cannot prolong lives. Go & intercede for your son, we will do our best by God’s grace”.

“Giving advises when we’re not concerned is so easy” Murmured the father.

The surgery took some hours after which the doctor went out happy,

“Thank God !, your son is saved!” And without waiting for the father’s reply he carried on his way running. “If U have any question, ask the nurse!!”

“Why is he so arrogant? He couldn’t wait some minutes so that I ask about my son’s state” Commented the father when seeing the nurse minutes after the doctor left.

The nurse answered, tears coming down her face: “His son died yesterday in a road accident, he was in the burial when we called him for your son’s surgery. And now that he saved your son’s life, he left running to finish his son’s burial.”

Moral-Never judge anyone….. because U never know how their life is & what they’re going through”

DON'T DISGRACE YOURSELF IN FRONT OF THE ENTIRE CREATION ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

Young man came to a Maulana and said, “I am a young man with strong desires. I cannot help looking at people when I am in the bazaar (market). What do I do?” The Maulana handed him a cup of milk that was full to the brim, and told him to deliver it to an address that would take the young man directly through the bazaar (market). He then instructed the young man that the milk should not spill, and the man said that it would not. The Maulana then summoned one of his students and told him to accompany the man through the bazaar to the destination, and to severely beat him if any milk were to spill. This man successfully took the milk to the destination and returned to give the good news to the Maulana. The Maulana asked, “Tell me, how many sights and faces did you see in the bazaar?” The man replied

incredulously, “Maulana, I didn’t even realize what was going on around me. I was only fearful of the beating and disgrace that I would have to endure in public if a drop of milk were to spill.”

The Maulana smiled and said,

“It is the same with a believer. The believer fears that Allah may disgrace him in front of the entire creation on the Day of Judgment if his faith were to spill over from his heart.”

Such people save themselves from sin because they constantly remain focused on the Day of Judgment.

FIRST APRIL - A DISHONEST TRADITION!

1st April - a day when people lie, play jokes and mock in the name of entertainment. This ugly practice of lying and deceiving,which is considered to be merely a
humor, is known to have caused great harm to many...! Still this dishonest tradition is not only practiced among the common masses,but also newspapers and magazines
participate in it by publishing false news 
and untrue stories! Much is said about the origin of this
practice, however what concerns the most to the Muslims is that it is a
tradition which directly CONTRADICTS the teachings and morals of Islam. True belief in Allah and the Day of
Judgment implies that the person is truthful in his speech - if he truly believes
that Allah Hears and Sees everything he does, and a Day will come when he will 
be held accountable for his actions, then he will not lie... 

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said,"Let he, who truly 
believes in Allah and the Last Day speak good or be silent."[Saheeh al-Bukhari]

 

'APRIL FOOL IS PROHIBITED IN ISLAM'

Your best friend comes up to you and tells you news that makes you jump for joy. No sooner have you expressed your happiness than he quickly tells you it is untrue. You stare at him blankly an asked him why he lied. He says to you: “It’s April Fool’s Day.

Does Islam sanction such behavior? Can it regard such behavior as a harmless custom? Can we concoct lies containing happy or sad news, as long as we quickly inform the other person that it is a lie or cry out “April Fools!”?

To start with, we must know that a lie is defined as giving information about something, where that information is at variance with the truth. A lie is forbidden in Islam.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Be truthful, for indeed truth guides us to righteousness, and righteousness leads us to Paradise. A man remains honest and steadfast in ascertaining the truth until he is recorded with Allah as a truthful person. A lie guides us to wickedness, and wickedness leads us to Hell. A man keeps lying and seeking out lies until he is recorded with Allah as a liar.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (6134) and Sahîh Muslim (2607)]

 —

ISLAM - A MESSAGE OF PEACE

From Noble Quran:

And whenever you give your word, say the truth [al-An'aam 6:152]

And seek help in patience and prayer [al-Baqarah 2:45]

And fulfil the Covenant of Allaah when you have covenanted [al-Nahl 16:91]

Verily! Allaah commands that you should render back the trusts to those to whom they are due [al-Nisa' 4:58]

And let not your hand be tied (like a miser) to your neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach (like a spendthrift) [al-Isra' 17:29]

Eat and drink, but waste not by extravagance [al-A'raaf 7:31]

And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is al-taqwa (piety, righteousness) [al-Baqarah 2:197]

And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty) [al-Talaaq 65:2]

And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him [al-Talaaq 65:3]

He who obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allaah [al-Nisa' 4:80]

SEVEN QUALITIES THAT ALLAH LOVES

1. Tawbah (Repentance)... "For Allah loves
those who turn to Him constantly (in
repentance)"[Surah Al Baqarah 2:222]

2. Taharah (Purification). .."Allah loves those
who keep themselves pure and clean."[Surah
Al Baqarah 2:222]

3. Taqwa (Piety)..."For Allah loves the
righteous (the pious)."[Surah Al Tawbah 9:4]

4. Ihsan (Goodness & Perfection)..."For Allah
loves those who do good"[Surah Ali'Imran
3:134]

5. Tawakkul (Trust in Allah)..."For Allah loves
those who put their trust (in Him)."[Surah
Ali'Imran 3:159]

6. Adl (Justice)..."For Allah loves those who
judge in equity."[Surah Al Ma'idah 5:42]"For
Allah loves those who are fair (and just).
"[Surah Al Hujurat 49:9]

7. Sabr (Patience)..."And Allah Loves those
who are firm and steadfast (As-Sabirin (the
patient))."[Surah Ali'Imran 3:146]

★ SEVEN QUALITIES THAT ALLAH DOES NOT LOVE...

1. Israaf (Extravagance). .."But waste not by
excess: for Allah loves not the wasters (Al-
Musrifun (those who waste by extravagance)).
"[Surah Al An'am 6:141]

2. Istikbaar (Pride)..."Verily He loves not the
arrogant (proud)."[Surah Al Nahl 16:23]

3. Mukhtal Fakhoor (Arrogant boaster)..."For
Allah loves not any arrogant boaster."[Surah
Luqman 31:18]

4. Udwaan (Transgression) ..."For Allah loves
not transgressors." [Surah Al Ma'idah 5:87]

5. Zulm (Evil, Wrongdoing)..."But Allah loves
not those who do wrong (Zalimun (oppressors,
polytheists and wrong doers))."[Surah
Ali'Imran 3:57]

6. Khiyaanah (Treachery)..."For
Allah loves not the treacherous."[Surah Al
Anfal 8:58]

7. Mufsideen (Mischief-makers)...

WHAT THE HIJAB IS..

An act of Obedience to The Creator

An act of Honor & Dignity

An act of Belief & Faith

An act of Modesty

An act of Purity

An act of Bashfulness

An act of Righteousness

A Shield

What the Hijab is NOT..

It is NOT something new. Muslim women follow the example of righteous women in the past such as Mary, the mother of Jesus (a.s)

It is NOT a symbol of oppression

It is NOT a means to restrict a woman's freedom to express her views and opinion, or to have an education and a career

It is NOT an act of defiance, confrontation or protest to non-Muslims

It is NOT a portable prison.

The hijab is a Muslimah's shield from the evil world.

ALHUMDULILLAH

FATHER, I WANTED A CAR NOT A QURAN

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealers showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his
father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his
graduation, his father called him into his private study, told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and how much he loved him. He handed him a beautifully wrapped gift box.
Curious but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and
found a lovely, leather-bound Quran, with his name embossed in gold.
Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Quran?" He stormed out of the house, leaving the Qur'an behind. Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old. He thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.
But before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away and willed all of his possessions to him. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father's house, sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important documents and saw the Qur'an, new just as he had left it years ago.
With tears, he opened the Qur'an and began to turn the pages. As he opened the Qur'an a car key dropped from the back of the Qur'an. It had a tag with the dealers name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired.
On the tag was the date of his graduation and the words...
PAID IN FULL.
How many times do we miss Allah's Blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?
If this touched your heart, please pass it on!

[PATIENCE] SABR IS KEY TO JANNAH

Sabr is usually translated as patience. We are all familiar with this word and we are quick to advise others to have sabr when they face any difficulties in life. But if we are faced with a similar situation, then we realize how difficult it is to have sabr. From Quran and sunnah we know that if a person fulfills the conditions of sabr, then his or her reward is far-reaching: Allah is with those who have sabr (2:153); with sabr one can attain to a happy state (3:200); Allah provides succor to those with sabr (6:34); understanding the Signs of Allah depends upon sabr (31:31); Allah loves those with sabr (3:146); leadership is conditional upon having sabr (32:24); those who practice sabr will receive a reward without measure (39:10); and finally, the ultimate reward for sabr is Jannah (13:24). Sabr is not only to be patient in hardship, but it is also to restrain ourselves from any haram, disobedient, or harmful action, and to persevere with unwavering resoluteness to fulfill all of our obligations.

As Muslims, our lives should pivot on sabr and shukr. According to a hadith related by Abu Yaha Suhaib bin Siman (RA), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “How excellent is the case of a faithful servant — there is good for him in everything and this not the case with anyone except him. If prosperity attends him, he expresses shukr (gratitude) to Allah (SWT) and that is good for him. If adversity falls on him, he endures it patiently (with sabr) and that is good for him” (Muslim). Our lives are the combination of prosperities and adversities. If we practice shukr and sabr, then our daily living becomes an ibadah, and our accounts from this dunya will be full of rewards with which we can gain Jannah on the Day of Judgment, insha’Allah.

Allah (SWT) has blessed us with this life, and further blessed us with knowledge of the various rules and regulations which lead to a life of goodness. These guidelines are conveyed to us by the Prophets (peace be upon them). Allah is watching all His creations as He tests us to measure our faith and its characteristics that must be expressed in word and deed, including that of patience. In Surah Baqarah, Allah (SWT) says, “And surely, We shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth, lives and crops; but give glad tidings to the patient” (2:155). As we ponder this verse, we take note of all the calamities around us and should think deeply about the kind of behavior Allah (SWT) wants from us — to be patient and steadfast. If we do that then Allah (SWT) promises us that through our patient endurance, relief, ease, and success will be yielded; insha’Allah, if not in this dunya then in the akhira.

Even when we experience the death of a loved one, we are instructed to fulfill the conditions of sabr. On the occasion of the death of the grandson of the Prophet (peace be upon him), when the child was brought to him taking his last few breaths, the eyes of the Prophet (pbuh) overflowed with tears. Sa’d bin Ubaida asked, “O Messenger of Allah! What is this?” The Prophet (pbuh) replied, “It is the mercy which Allah (SWT) has bestowed in the hearts of his servants, and Allah (SWT) is merciful to only those of His servants who are merciful to others” (agreed upon; this is part of the hadith narrated by Usama bin Zaid). In fact, tears of grief are natural, expected, and permissible; but excessive overreactions such as loud, complaining grief, pulling of hair, or tearing at one’s clothing are not permissible.

Whenever anyone faces an adversity, as time passes he or she comes to accept it. But genuine sabr is not the gradual and passive resignation about a loss that comes with the healing of time. True sabr is active and intentional in the moment of loss. The following hadith narrated by Anas (RA) explains this well. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) was passing by a woman who was weeping near a grave and said, “Fear Allah and be patient.” She replied, “Go away from me! My calamity has not befallen you and you are unaware of it.” The woman was later told that this was the Holy Prophet (pbuh). Therefore, she came to the house of the Prophet (pbuh) where she found no doorkeeper. She said, “O Prophet of Allah, I was unaware [that it was] you [passing by her at the grave].” The Prophet (pbuh) then said, “Patience is only at the first [stroke] of grief” (agreed upon).

Brothers and sisters, that quality of sabr is a challenge for us, but we believe in Quran and sunnah through which we are continuously given glad tidings of sabr’s reward in Jannah. In Surah Hud, Allah (SWT) says, “And be patient, verily Allah (SWT) loses not the reward of good doers” (11:115). And we are provided with the best models of this trait, as sabr is a prophetic tradition. Quran is full of examples of the patience of Ibrahim, Ismaeel, Yaqoob, Yusuf, Ayyub, Younus, Nuh, Lut, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). We must observe how they were struck by various adversities and how they remained patient. We can learn profound lessons from how they dealt with their challenges. And in our own lives, faith and patience can mitigate or even cure psychological disturbances like anxiety and depression.

If we take time to really reflect on the Islamic teachings about sabr, it will be easier for us to practice it. Abu Sa’id (RA) narrates that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Never a believer is stricken with discomfort, hardship or illness, grief or even with mental worry, that his sins are not expiated from him” (agreed upon). And the following hadith demonstrates how beautifully the Prophet (pbuh) puts in proper, positive perspective the issue of suffering so that we are motivated to face hardship with sabr. Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Anyone for whom Allah (SWT) intends good, is made to suffer from some affliction.”

If we believe that Quran is shifa (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual healing) then we must also be willing to utilize whatever is prescribed and implement the treatment protocol. Thus, in the following verse, we are given the prescription and the action plan for those times we are tested with difficulty or adversity: “Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer: It is indeed hard, except for those who are humble in spirit, who know with certainty that they shall meet their Sustainer and that unto Him they shall return” (Quran 2:45-46).

Let us pray sincerely to Allah (SWT) at all times, make du’a of yearning for His help when we need it, and patiently wait for His succor. Allah (SWT) promises in Surah Ash-Sharh, “So verily with hardship, there is relief. Verily with hardship, there is relief” (94:5-6). May Allah (SWT) guide us, grant us wisdom, and facilitate us in our striving to practice shukr and sabr no matter our circumstance. Ameen.

WOMEN IN HER CHILDHOOD

A girl is very dear to her parents. Before her attaining the age of puberty, she is free from any religious obligation. She is supposed to enjoy her life at her father's house with the single motto;  eat, drink and be merry. She enjoys the love and affection of her parents, her sisters, brothers and other relatives. When she starts speaking, the parents should teach her the basics of the religion and faith. The childhood is an age of learning. A child attains considerable amount of knowledge till the age of five that she would never get throughout her life. This is the period when the first schooling of the child starts with her first teacher, The mother.

When the girl is five-year-old, she should be taught lessons of personal hygiene. She should also be given training in human behaviour with special emphasis on adopting good things and discarding bad habits. This is also the time to start her education. The education should start with the learning of the Holy Quraan. She should memorize at least the last few Suras of the 30th Part of the Holy Quraan especially Sura Fateha, Sura An-Naas, Sura Al-Falaq, Sura Ikhlaas, Sura Al-Kafiroon. She should know the Islamic way of purification, Wudu (ablution) and Ghusl (bath).

At the age of seven the girl should be taught the fundamentals of Islam such as Salaah. This is the age when the girl should cultivate the habit of Pardah. She should also be taught washing of utensils, minor stitching jobs and other domestic chores of common nature. She should be suitably admonished for her idling, laziness, carelessness and mischief. She should not be allowed to mingle with the girls and women of low character. She should be kept away from evils of reading romantic literature, seeing movies and listening to music, etc. These evils adversely affect the morale of the child and encourage her to adopt bigger evils.

TWO BLESSINGS - GOOD HEALTH AND FREE-TIME

All praises to the Lord of the Worlds who has out of his infinite mercy blessed us with endless blessings. Glad-tidings to the servant of the Almighty who is showered with countless bounties day in and day out. Most unfortunate is he who does not recognise these blessings and bounties and is not thankful for them.

The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) states in a Hadith:

"There are two blessings in which most people are in great loss: 1) Good health and 2) Free time."

How true the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) is. Many of us have had or have good health and free-time. However how many of us can answer with a true heart that we used these two blessings the way that they are meant to be used or have showed appreciation towards the Almighty the way we should have?

The Almighty has not given us this good health to waste, He has given health and time to us for a purpose; that we worship him the way He is meant to be worshipped, to spread His religion and to call people towards Islam; and to help Humanity who are in dire need of help.

Then again, how many of us have put this good health to use?

How many of us have worshipped Allah the way he is meant to be worshipped?

How many of us have helped the religion of Islam? 

How many of us have thanked Almighty Allah for the good health that he has blessed us with?

These are all questions that we should ponder upon. As the saying goes, "The only time you realise the value of a gift is when you lose it."

By the time we realise the value of these special gifts bestowed upon us, we would probably have lost them by then. Then no matter how much regret we have, they will never come back.

Think about our free time.

How many hours are spent sitting in front of the television?

How many hours are wasted merely listening or watching a game of football?

Imagine how much we could have worshipped the Creator and attained his pleasure and high status in the hereafter. Have we no value for this time?

A saying of Imam Shafi'ee Rahmatullahi Alayhi: "Time is like a sword, cut it before it cuts you."

He is trying to say that don't waste your time. Every second that passes by will never come back. We have to put all this time into good use. The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) has said in a Hadith: 

Take advantage of five conditions before five others:

1) Youth before old age.

2) Good health before sickness.

3) Free time before you become occupied. 

4) Wealth before poverty.

5) Life before death.

This free time of ours should be spent in the remembrance of the Almighty. On the Day of Judgement, the people of heaven will only have one regret; they will regret all the free time they wasted in the world. The reason for this regret will be that they could have achieved a higher status in Paradise if they didn't waste their free time.

May Allah Taa'la give us the ability to spend our free time worshipping the Almighty Allah. Ameen.