“ 'When will the Help of Allah arrive?' Unquestionably, the Help of Allah is near! ” – Part 1‏

As the world stands by witnessing yet another episode in the ongoing war of terror on Muslim occupied land, the true believer stands watching in a state of awe, between grief, rage, and hope. With more than three hundred killed and over a thousand injured, Ghazza moves into its sixth day of Israeli bombardment.

Although the Palestinian issue is not a new one, in the last few decades the world has seen an escalation of aggression against the Muslim world as a whole. Bosnia, Chechnya, Kosova, Afghanistan, and Iraq are just to name a few. As this aggression increases over time the believers wonder when the aid from Allah will arrive. In the Qur'an, Allah (SWT) teaches us a lesson. That lesson is that as hardship and affliction escalates, ease and alleviation draws nearer and nearer. Allah says:

“For indeed, with hardship will be ease. Indeed, with hardship will be ease.” [Ash-Sharh 94:5,6]

And He says:

“They continued until, when the messengers gave up hope and were certain that they had been denied, there came to them Our victory, and whoever We willed was saved. And Our punishment cannot be repelled from the people who are criminals.” [Yusuf 12:110]

It is also in times like these that Allah wishes to bring out the true colours of individuals. This serves to purify the ranks of the true believers so that when the victory comes it is handed to the few who remained firm and did not back out. Allah says:

“Allah would not leave the believers in the state you are in presently until He separates the evil from the good.” [Aali 'Imran 3:179]

And we see this happening before our eyes. The traitors and hypocrites who were embedded within the ranks of the believers are now becoming exposed. They have turned their backs on our brothers and sisters in Ghazza. Those who are familiar with the Seerah of the Prophet (SAW) will find that this same incident took place in the time of the Prophet (SAW). It was at the battle of Uhud when the Muslims marched out to the battlefield that the hypocrites led by their leader Ubay bin Sulul decided to turn back with nearly a third of the army.

To conclude, although the Ummah is feeling severe pain over the events unraveling in Ghazza, let us not forget that Allah has not abandoned us. Allah says:

“And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare in horror.” [Ibrahim 14:42]

It may seem that the enemy is far stronger and mightier than us at the moment, but as they plan their plots Allah too plans. Allah (SWT) revealed to the Prophet (SAW) when the disbelievers of Makkah plotted to get rid of him:

“And remember, when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.” [Al-Anfal 8:30]

And let us not consider the events in Ghazza as being negative for the Ummah, Allah says:

“Do not think it bad for you, rather it is good for you.” [An-Nur 24:11]

So do not despair Ya Ummat-ul-Islam, for there is light at the end of the tunnel signaling that victory is near.


“And it does not grieve me that a man or a woman or a child from Chechnya dies, because Insha Allah they are martyrs. However, by Allah, what grieves me greatly is the silence of the Muslim countries regarding this. Otherwise, it should have been mandatory to sever relations with Russia from every angle, and if they had done that Russia would have halted at its limit, and they would not have harmed them at all. However, unfortunately the Muslim countries – and by that I mean the leaders of the Muslim countries, forget the general public, the general public may have fervor and enthusiasm however they do not have the capability – they are silent and have said nothing. This is, by Allah, what grieves me. A Muslim republic, young and fresh, has these types of acts committed against it and we remain silent?”
(Shaikh Muhammad bin Salih Al-'Uthaimeen)

http://m-kamil-ahmad.blogspot.com/

Can there be any doubt who the real terrorists are?

fwd msg of fatwa-online.com

Can there be any doubt who the real terrorists are?
ref: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=29422By Stuart Littlewood

The long drawn-out siege and blockade of Gaza, and the numerous military assaults on its people and their legitimate government, are only the latest (Israeli) crimes in a catalogue of torment and terror, notes Stuart Littlewood.

US definition fits perfectly

The patience of all decent men must surely be exhausted.

Today's slaughter of innocents in Gaza, with at least 230 reported killed in raids on "Hamas terror operatives" (as the Israeli military put it), amounted to "a mass execution", said Hamas.

Can there now be any doubt who the real terrorists are?

The killing spree couldn't have happened without the tacit approval of America, Britain and the EU. The political pea-brains that direct the pro-Israel western alliance were partying, gorging themselves on Christmas fare or binge-shopping while this massacre of hungry women and children and their despairing menfolk in Gaza was being planned and executed.

According to the US's own definition of terrorism Israel is squarely in the frame. Under Section 3 of Executive Order 13224 "Blocking Property and prohibiting Transactions with Persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support Terrorism", the term "terrorism" means an activity that…

(i) involves a violent act or an act dangerous to human life, property, or infrastructure; and

(ii) appears to be intended

• to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;

• to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or

• to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, kidnapping, or hostage-taking.

The order and its definition of terrorism, signed 23 September 2001 by George W Bush, is used to outlaw and crush any organization, individual or country the US doesn't like. The Israeli regime's "amoral thugs", as a British MP branded them, have plainly been terrorizing the Palestinians for the last 60 years.

The long drawn-out siege and blockade of Gaza, and the numerous military assaults on its people and their legitimate government, are only the latest crimes in a catalogue of torment and terror. They are clearly attempts to "intimidate and coerce", while the mass destruction of Gaza's infrastructure, the withholding of humanitarian aid, the assassinations, the abductions, the bulldozing of Palestinian homes, and the many violent and dangerous acts including indiscriminate bombing and shelling (and the use of cluster bombs in Lebanon), ensure Israel's ugly head is a perfect fit for America's terrorist hat.

How does the world feel about Obama pledging to "forge an unshakeable bond" with the "miracle" of Terrorist Israel?

How do we feel about the EU rewarding Israel for its terrorist acts with enhanced benefits under the EU-Israel Association Agreement?

How do we Brits feel about our Intelligence and Security Committee being chaired by a Friend of Terrorist Israel and 5 out of its 9 members also being the Zionist regime's devoted Friends? How do we feel about our Foreign Affairs Committee being chaired by a Friend of Terrorist Israel...and our Defence Committee too?

Britain's prime minister Brown and his predecessor, now peace envoy Blair, both self-confessed Zionists, have given their undying support to a terrorist state and steered Britain's foreign policy on a course that has earned the opprobrium of civilised people.

The best Brown could do today was urge "restraint". He called on Gazan "militants" to "cease all rocket attacks on Israel immediately", but didn't urge his bosom pals to end the siege and their illegal occupation which, as every sane person knows, are the cause of the strife. Our Foreign Office went so far as to say they were "deeply concerned" then spouted the mantra: "The only way to achieve a lasting peace is through peaceful means".

The only peaceful means of achieving a lasting peace is for Western leaders to pull the plug on Israel until the regime conforms to international law and the will of the United Nations (without whose misguided generosity there would never have been a state of Israel), pulls back behind the 1967 border and strictly observes the principles of universal human rights.

If they don't shoulder their responsibility, they risk a mighty moral backlash from ordinary people, who are beginning to learn the awful truth.

Stuart Littlewood is author of the book Radio Free Palestine, which tells the plight of the Palestinians under occupation.



..........
Don't forget your muslim brothers and sisters around the world suffering at the hands of their oppressors; remember them all in your supplications, especially in the night prayer - in the last third of the night - when you stand before your Lord.

Abu Hurayrah reported Allaah's Messenger (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) as saying:

((Our Lord, the Blessed and the Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the latter part of the night is left, and says: Who supplicates Me so that I may answer him? Who asks Me so that I may give to him? Who asks Me forgiveness so that I may forgive him?)), [Saheeh Muslim, No.1656]


...

http://www.fatwa-online.com/news/0020221.htm
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh:
"Indeed waging war against the weak Muslims in Palestine is (Israeli) terrorism and oppression.

...today the Muslim Ummah was passing through a severe phase which requires it to take a close look (at itself) so that it can become a single Ummah defending and protecting it's 'aqeedah".

...

http://www.fatwa-online.com/news/0020414.htm
Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan:
"It is obligatory upon the Muslims to make supplication for their Muslim brothers and to assist them with wealth. To assist them with wealth and supplication, this is what is obligatory, and this is what will benefit them."

Call this justifiable??!!

I write this while tears stream from my eyes, I have become more aware now of the situation in palestine and the current situation there, this is so sad, I feel so helpless and angry. Palestinians are labelled as the terrorists when they are the ones having their land stolen from under their noses,kicked out from their own homes, left without electricity/water etc, innocent people killed, including women and children! subhanAllaah, why do people think this is justifiable???!!!! Wake up!!! open your eyes and look at the reality. Insha Allaah we need to make lots of du'a for our brothers and sisters in Palestine, May Allaah help them and grant them peace in the land which is rightfully theirs.
I came across this on'a learning muslimah'


Look into my eyes
And tell me what you see.
You don't see a damn thing,
'cause you can't possibly relate to me.

You're blinded by our differences.
My life makes no sense to you.
I'm the persecuted Palestinian.
You're the American red, white and blue.

Each day you wake in tranquility,
No fears to cross your eyes.
Each day I wake in gratitude,
Thanking God He let me rise.

You worry about your education
And the bills you have to pay.
I worry about my vulnerable life
And if I'll survive another day.

Your biggest fear is getting ticketed
As you cruise your Cadillac.
My fear is that the tank that just left
Will turn around and come back.

American, do you realize,
That the taxes that you pay
Feed the forces that traumatize
My every living day?

The bulldozers and the tanks,
The gases and the guns,
The bombs that fall outside my door,
All due to American funds.

Yet do you know the truth
Of where your money goes?
Do you let your media deceive your mind?
Is this a truth that no one knows?

You blame me for defending myself
Against the ways of Zionists.
I'm terrorized in my own land
And I'm the terrorist?

You think you know all about terrorism
But you don't know it the way I do,
So let me define the term for you,
And teach you what you thought you knew.

I've known terrorism for quite some time,
Fifty-five years and more.
It's the fruitless garden uprooted in my yard.
It's the bulldozer in front of my door.

Terrorism breathes the air I breathe.
It's the checkpoint on my way to school.
It's the curfew that jails me in my own home,
And the penalties of breaking that curfew rule.

Terrorism is the robbery of my land,
And the torture of my mother,
The imprisonment of my innocent father,
The bullet in my baby brother.

So American, don't tell me you know about
The things I feel and see.
I'm terrorized in my own land
And the blame is put on me.

But I will not rest, I shall never settle
For the injustice my people endure.
Palestine is our land and there we'll remain
Until the day our homeland is secure.

And if that time shall never come,
Then we will never see a day of peace.
I will not be thrown from my own home,
Nor will my fight for justice cease.

And if I am killed, it will be in Filasteen
It's written on my every breath.
So in your own patriotic words,
Give me liberty or give me death.

And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)?- Men, women, and children, whose cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help!" (4:74)

Just ranting

Today while walking to the shops with the kids, a bus went past and there was a middle aged couple sat on there, I glimpsed briefly, but I could see they were having a good stare and a giggle, like they really wanted me to notice them doing it, the kids noticed and told me what they were doing. I responded to them by saying, there's alot of narrow minded people about, who laugh at people who look/dress different to them, and obviously haven't got any manners, I said let them laugh, we don't want to be like them. My son who is 6 said he laughed back at them, lol.
Just thinking about it now, makes me think how pathetic and childish these kind of people are, they don't even take into consideration the kids, I would feel ashamed if my mum or any family member were the type to do this to people, alhamdulillaah they are not. And I myself am not the type to act like this towards people.

Just wanted to have a little rant about this, I know it's nothing big, but these little things do your head in sometimes, especially when your kids see it, and you have to explain to them the ignorance and stupidness of some.

Ruling on celebrating non-Muslim holidays and congratulating them

Question:
Can a muslim celebrate a non muslim holiday?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.
Greeting the kuffaar on Christmas and other religious holidays of theirs is haraam, by consensus, as Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy on him, said in Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah: "Congratulating the kuffaar on the rituals that belong only to them is haraam by consensus, as is congratulating them on their festivals and fasts by saying ‘A happy festival to you’ or ‘May you enjoy your festival,’ and so on. If the one who says this has been saved from kufr, it is still forbidden. It is like congratulating someone for prostrating to the cross, or even worse than that. It is as great a sin as congratulating someone for drinking wine, or murdering someone, or having illicit sexual relations, and so on. Many of those who have no respect for their religion fall into this error; they do not realize the offensiveness of their actions. Whoever congratulates a person for his disobedience or bid’ah or kufr exposes himself to the wrath and anger of Allaah."

Congratulating the kuffaar on their religious festivals is haraam to the extent described by Ibn al-Qayyim because it implies that one accepts or approves of their rituals of kufr, even if one would not accept those things for oneself. But the Muslim should not aceept the rituals of kufr or congratulate anyone else for them, because Allaah does not accept any of that at all, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"If you disbelieve, then verily, Allaah is not in need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by being believers), He is pleased therewith for you. . ." [al-Zumar 39:7]

". . . This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion . . ." [al-Maa’idah 5:3]

So congratulating them is forbidden, whether they are one’s colleagues at work or otherwise.


If they greet us on the occasion of their festivals, we should not respond, because these are not our festivals, and because they are not festivals which are acceptable to Allaah. These festivals are innovations in their religions, and even those which may have been prescribed formerly have been abrogated by the religion of Islaam, with which Allaah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to the whole of mankind. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]

It is haraam for a Muslim to accept invitations on such occasions, because this is worse than congratulating them as it implies taking part in their celebrations.

Similarly, Muslims are forbidden to imitate the kuffaar by having parties on such occasions, or exchanging gifts, or giving out sweets or food, or taking time off work, etc., because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyah said in his book Iqtidaa’ al-siraat al-mustaqeem mukhaalifat ashaab al-jaheem: "Imitating them in some of their festivals implies that one is pleased with their false beliefs and practices, and gives them the hope that they may have the opportunity to humiliate and mislead the weak."

Whoever does anything of this sort is a sinner, whether he does it out of politeness or to be friendly, or because he is too shy to refuse, or for whatever other reason, because this is hypocrisy in Islaam, and because it makes the kuffaar feel proud of their religion.

Allaah is the One Whom we ask to make the Muslims feel proud of their religion, to help them adhere steadfastly to it, and to make them victorious over their enemies, for He is the Strong and Omnipotent.


Majmoo’ah Fataawa wa Rasaa’il al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 3/369)

Three Laughs and Three Tears

It is reported from Abû Al-Dardâ – Allâh be pleased with him – that he said, “Three make me laugh, and three make me cry.

Those that make me laugh are a person who puts his hopes in this worldly life while death pursues him, a person who is heedless [of his Lord] while [his Lord] is not heedless of him, and a person who always laughs while he does not know whether he has pleased Allâh or angered Him.

What makes me cry is being separated from my beloved: Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his party (the Companions), the horrors of the time of death, and standing in front of Allâh ‘azza wa jall on the Day when the secrets will be revealed and I do not know will I then go to Paradise or Hell?”

Ibn Al-Mubârak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqâ`iq article 250.

www.sayingsofthesalaf.net

I've finally wrote something new!.. instead of copying and pasting, lol

I feel since setting this blog up that I haven't contributed much from my personal daily experiences, but rather have found it easier to just post an article now and again when I see a beneficial one in my email, I know this post may come across as a bit repetitive, as nothing much has really changed, (sigh). It's no ones fault but my own, nowadays I find myself not really spending any time on my deen, except for when I pray, we do the morning adkhaar daily, and when I occasionally read an article sent from one of the yahoo groups I'm a member of.

When I started on this blog, I set up a little routine where I would sit down in the evening and read at least 2 sides of a page of the Qur'an, and then the same for an islamic book, well, that's gone out the window, I'm not that great when it comes to routines, some I can keep up, but not all, if I miss a night/day, then I find myself slipping back, and it then becomes hard to get back into that routine, unless I really push myself. So I guess, I need to give myself a big push, as time is flying, subhanAllaah.

I don't really know where I'm going with this post, I just felt the need to type something, let whoever's reading know that there is still a REAL person behind this blog, lol.

So what's happening with me at this moment in life? well, I'm busy homeschooling my 2 daughters, and son right now, as he's off school for holidays, busy with the baby who will be 1 in February insha Allaah, can't believe a years almost gone already! subhanAllaah.

Trying not to let myself worry too much about us one day going to Yemen, this has been planned for a long time now, so don't actually know when it will happen, Allaahu alam, I feel alot of it is to do with lack of eemaan, as I know if I was stronger right now, alot of these worries would seem so insignificant, subhanAllaah, I worry whether I can educate my kids there, have access to resources etc.. getting sick, seeing my family, will I like it, etc, etc.... but I know I need to put my trust in Allaah more, and maybe just take it one day at a time, and not think too far ahead, that's my problem, always worrying!

So for now that's about it, just a lil update on me and my life.

The benefit of being good to one's daughter

I request from his eminence to present some advice for the one who is being tested by way of one’s daughters and the benefit in raising them and in dealing with them in a good manner.

Response: It is necessary that those who provide for their daughters that they be good to them and raise them while observing good manners. The Prophet, the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

{Whoever is tested with something due to one’s daughters and remains good to them (during this trial) then he will have a cover that will protect him from the hellfire (on the Day of Judgment).}*

The Sunnah is to raise them while observing good manners, and to invite them to righteousness. As well as being gentle with them as there is glad tidings in being good to one’s daughters or sisters. And they should invite them to Allah by finding them righteous husbands who will excel in protecting them and enjoin them to fulfill the commands of Allah.

ash-Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullah)
Arabic Source: http://www.ibnbaz.org.sa/mat/1649
Translated by: Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee-may Allah guide him

* Related by at-Tirmidhee in Kitaab-ul-Birr was-Silah (the Book of Piety and Relations with the Relatives) under the chapter “What has been revealed regarding one’s spending on the daughters and sisters” with the wording: {Whoever is tested with something due to one’s daughters and he is patient with it then he will have a cover that will protect him from the hellfire (on the Day of Judgment).} And he also said in a narration graded as Hasan that was related by Ibn Maajah in Kitaab-ul-Adab (the Book of Manners) in the chapter “Serving the parents and being good to one’s daughters” with the wording: {Whoever has three daughters and is patient with them and feeds them, gives them drink, and clothes them from his provisioning, he will have a cover that will protect him from the hellfire on the Day of Judgment.}

Birmingham UK conference programme

Friday 26th, Saturday 27th, Sunday 28th December 2008
Masjid As-Salafi Birmingham 0121 773 0033
www.SalafiTalk.net

FRIDAY

12pm-12.30pm “Jumu’ah Khutbah”Abu Khadeejah Abdul-Waahid

7pm LIVE Tele-link: “Importance of Knowledge & Its People”Shaikh Ubaid al-Jaabiree
SPECIAL: Arabic and English Books and Audio Sale 15% OFF EVERYTHINGHuge selection available!The Salafi Bookstore, 472 Coventry Rd
1pm - 9pm ONLY

SATURDAY 1pm “Abstaining from that which does not concern the Believer”Abu Iyaad Amjad Rafiq

4pm “Benefits from the great work of Ibnul-Qayyim: Al-Fawaai’d”Abu Hakeem Bilaal Davis

6pm LIVE Tele-Link: “Steadfastness Upon The Sunnah”Shaikh Zaid al-Madkhali

7pm “Beware, in Particular of the People in your Times”Imaam Al-Barbahaaree, Explanation by Shaikh Al-FawzaanAbu Khadeejah Abdul-Waahid

9.30pm “Those Whom Allaah Loves”Hasan as-Somaalee

SUNDAY 11am “Importance of Correct Belief (Somaali Language)”Abu Suhaib as-Somaalee

1pm “The Five Intended Necessities Of The Religion”Uwais at-Taweel

3pm “Patience in the Face of Afflictions”Abu Idrees Muhammad

5pm LIVE Tele-link: “The Status Of The Scholars Of Hadeeth”Shaikh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee

6pm “Brief Final Words of Advice from the Organizers”
Miscellaneous

Tagged!

Ok, well I've just been tagged by Umm Travis , and had this little task to do below, I actually found it alot easier than I thought it would be, and alot of fun.


Rules: IT'S HARDER THAN IT LOOKS!

USE THE 1ST LETTER OF YOUR NAME TO ANSWER EACH OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
THEY HAVE TO BE REAL PLACES, NAMES,THINGS. NOTHING MADE UP!
TRY TO USE DIFFERENT ANSWERS IF THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU HAD THE SAME 1ST INITIAL.
YOU CAN'T USE YOUR NAME FOR THE BOY/GIRL NAME QUESTION.

1. What is your name: Na'imah

2. A 4 Letter word: Noun

3. A Boys Name: Nabil

4. A Girls Name: Nusaybah

5. An Occupation: Neurologist

6. A Color: Neon Green (lol)

7. Something you wear: necklace

8. A Beverage: Nutrament

9. A Food: Noodles

10. Something found in the bathroom: New shower gel

11. A place: Neath (birth place)

12. A Reason for being late: Not heard alarm

13. Something you shout: No! (alot actually, lol)

The best of men

AL TIRMIDHI NARRATED IN HIS BOOK THE MUHAMMEDAN CHARACTERISTICS ON AUTHORITY OF AL HASSAN IBN ALI THAT AL HUSSEIN HAD SAID THAT HIS FATHER WAS ASKED ABOUT THE WAY THE MESSENGAR OF ALLAH CONDUCTED HIMSELF WITH HIS COMPANIONS AND THOSE WHO SAT WITH HIM,SO HE SAID,
"THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH SALLAHU ALAYHI WA SALAM HAD ALWAYS BEEN CHEERFUL,EASY GOING AND DOCILE. HE WAS NEVER ROUGH,HARSH OR BLATANT AND NEVER USED FOUL LANGUAGE.HE NEVER WAS A FAULTFINDER AND NEVER ARGUED (FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUING).HE NEVER PAID ATTENTION TO ANYTHING THAT WAS NOT HIS CONCERN.HE NEVER DISAPPOINTED ANYONE THAT SOUGHT HIS HELP AND NEVER DISMISSED ANYONE THAT WANTED ANYTHING FROM HIM EMPTY HANDED. HE ABSTAINED FROM THREE THINGS ARGUING,BEING EXTRAVAGANT AND ANYTHING THAT DID NOT CONCERN HIM.HE FURTHER REFRAINED FROM DOING THREE THINGS TOWARDS PPL;HE NEVER BELITTLED ANYONE NEVER CRITISED ANYONE AND NEVER SEARCHED FOR ANYONES FAULTS.HE WOULD NEVER SPEAK UNLESS WHEN HE ANTICIPATED A BENEFIT FROM SPEAKING.WHEN HE SPOKE HIS COMPANIONS WOULD LISTEN ATTENTIVELY.THEY TALKED ONLY WHEN HE FINISHED TALKING AND WOULD NOT TALK OVER HIM.
HE WOULD LAUGH ABOUT WHAT THEY LAUGHED ABOUT AND WOULD WONDER WHAT THEY WONDERED JE WAS ALWAYS PATIENT WITH THE STRANGERSTHAT APPROACHED WITH ROUGHNESS,THEREFORE HIS COMPANIONS WOULD BRING STRANGERS TO HIM SO THEY COULD BENEFIT FROM HIS ANSWERS TO THEIR QUESTIONS.HE WOULD NEVER ACCEPT A COMPLIMENT EXCEPT FROM SOMEONE WHO WAS RETURNING A FAVOUR DONE BY THE PROPHET BY SAYING JAZAK ALLAHU KHAYRUN.

FURTHERMORE THE PROPHET WAS THE MOST KNOWLEDGABLE THE MOST PIOUS THE MOST ABSITENENT FROM THE LUXURIES OF THIS WORLD THE MOST JUST THE MOST TOLERANT.

HE HAD APPROACHED HIS COMPANIONS SO DEARLY THAT EVERYONE OF THEM THOUGHT THAT THE PROPHET LIKED HIM THE MOST.
HE WAS THE MODEST OF ALL PPL AND NEVER STARED ANYONE HE ANSWERED THE INVITATION OF ANYONE WHETHER IT BE A FREE MAN OR A SLAVE AND ACCEPTED ANY GIFT THAT WAS OFFERED TO HIM WHETHER IT BE A SIP OF MILK OR A RABBITS THIGH MOREOVER HE WOULD PRAY FOR THE ONE WHO HAD GIVEN THE GIFT AND WOULD EAT FROM IT.HOWEVER HE NEVER ACCEPTED CHARITY HE WOULD ALWAYS VISITE DTHE SICK ESPECIALLY THE SICK AMONG THE POOR PPL WHOM NOBADY WOULD LOOK AFTER OR PAY ATTENTION TO.
HE WAS ALWAYS POLITE WITH HIS COMPANIONS AND ALWAYS MISSED THE ONE WHO WAS ABSENT FOR A WHILE.
HE ALWAYS LOOKED AFTER HIS RELATIVES AND KINFOLK AND NEVER GAVE ANY OF THE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT HE NEVER SHUNNED ANYONE REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY MIGHT HAVE DONE HE HAD SLAVES AND MAIDS YET NEVER GAVE HIMSELF PREFERENCE OVER THEM IN TERMS OF FOOD AND CLOTHES.

HE WAS THE LAST PERSON TO GET ANGRY AND THE QUICKEST TO BE PLEASANT AND FORGIVING HE WAS THE KINDEST GENTLEST AND THE MOST BENEFICAL OF THE PPL FOR THE PPL.
THIS SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TAKE THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH SALLAHU ALAYHI WA SALAAM AS HIS EXAMPLE OR ROLE MODEL HIS MORALS ARE MORE THAN WHAT ONE CAN MENTION IN ONE SPPECH ONLY ALLAH CAN LIST HIS HONORABLE PROPHETS VIRTUOUS CHARACTERISTICS.

ALLAH SAYS "AND VERILY,YOU O MUHAMMED ARE ON AN EXALTED(STANDARD OF)CHARACTER."

MAY ALLAH GIVE US JUST SOME OF THESE BEAUTIFUL CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR BELOVED PROPHET IF NOT ALL OF THEM AND LET US BE A GOOD EXAMPLE TO MANKIND AND OF OUR WONDERFUL AND PERFECT RELIGION ISLAM SO WE CAN CALL PEOPLE TO THE TRUTH AND BE GUIDED UPON THE STRAIGHT PATH AMEEN.

(Taken from the book - Selected Friday Sermons)

Sayings of the Salaf

Two Requirements for Knowledge

It is reported that Al-Sha’bî said, “The only people who used to seek this knowledge were those who combined two characteristics: intelligence and devout worship. If a person was intelligent but not devout, it would be said that only the worshippers can attain this [knowledge], and so he would not try to seek it. And if a person was devout, but not intelligent, it would be said that only the intelligent can attain this [knowledge], and so he would not try to seek it.” Al-Sha’bî continued, “And I fear that today, people who are neither intelligent nor devout try to seek it.”

Ibn Hibbân Al-Bustî, Rawdatu Al-‘Uqalâ` wa Nuzhatu Al-Fudalâ` Vol.1 p9.

Knowledge transforms the student

Al-Hasan Al-Basrî – Allah have mercy on him – said: When a man sought knowledge, it would not be long before it could be seen in his humbleness, his sight, upon his tongue and his hands, in his prayer, in his speech and in his disinterest (zuhd) in worldly allurements. And a man would acquire a portion of knowledge and put it into practice, and it would be better for him than the world and all it contains – if he owned it he would give it in exchange for the hereafter.

Ibn Al-Mubârak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqâ`iq Vol.1 p.156.

http://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net

Being grateful

While browsing through some random homeschooling blogs this evening, I was directed to another blog which belongs to a lady in the U.S, who in August lost her son. He was 3 yrs old, and had gone missing and had later been found in the pond. I have been reading through the mother's blog and have cried so much, I think being a mother myself, I can imagine the heartache that this woman must be feeling. It has just made me reflect and be more grateful to Allaah for the children he has bestowed upon me, alhamdulillaah. I feel so guilty for getting angry with them when they squabble and play up, and shouting and not spending as much time as I should be with them, while they're young. It should serve as a reminder to us that this life does not last forever, and Allaah can take us at any time, no matter what our age may be, let's make the most of the time we have with our children insha Allaah, have fun with them, thank Allaah for them and be grateful.

Found karate class

Masha'Allaah I found a karate class for my son, it's not too far from where we live, and I think it's a brother who actually teaches the class. I asked about the issue of bowing, I doubted this would be something that was done there, but I have recently seen brothers bowing in a karate class we visited so I wanted to check before getting U's hopes up, masha'Allaah the brother said they don't bow there, so finally we found something alhamdulillaah.
Also one sister I know who's husband is a black belt, said that the instructor who told me that they have to do the bowing was lying, he said it's not required. I think maybe the guy either was being awkward and didn't agree it should be changed/left out or was just ignorant of it, Allaahu a'lam.

Taking children to the masjid

Excerpt: "You carry a child that does not understand how to pray, and you place him in the front row with you behind the Imaam? The people are only being silent out of courtesy, because this child is not in prayer, he may not even be upon purity, maybe not even in his physical body. This is because you just took him from your home without teaching him how to purify himself and how to pray to begin with. This is erroneous, what you should be doing is teach him how to purify himself and how to pray in your home firstly, then you teach him where and how to stand in the row [in the Masjid]."

Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al Jaami' (rahimahullaah)

Full Article: http://subulassalaam.com/articles/article.cfm?article_id=82

Lying to seek knowledge

Author: Shaykh Yahyaa al Haajooree
Topic: Knowledge and its Virtues
Reference: Responses to Questions from a Variety of Countries - more about reference here...

Question:
Is it permissible to lie in order to seek knowledge, for example; obtaining a fake certificate/degree, `lying about your age to the interviewer, or having a an id card with false information and so on, because this issue is widespread and may Allaah reward you with good.

Response:
Lying is from amongst the worst of sins, so how can it permissible to lie in an affair such as this, or in other than it. The scholars only considered three situations to be exceptions; when rectifying between the Muslims, lying during war as war is deception, and that a man lies to his wife according to some scholars [i.e. that he says the food is delicious when he doesn’t really believe so and so on, not unrestrictedly.] They base it on the Hadeeth of Umm Kalthoom, which is a ‘Shaadh’ narration. So how about lying in order to seek knowledge!? I fear that this person would not be granted success, Allaah the Elevated says:
Is it then he who laid the foundation of his building on piety to Allaah and His Good Pleasure better, or he who laid the foundation of his building on the brink of an undetermined precipice ready to crumble down, so that it crumbled to pieces with him into the fire of Hell. [At Tawbah: 109]

This is the basing of the building of seeking knowledge, the basis of seeking knowledge must be upon Taqwaa, truthfulness, preserving the boundaries of Allaah, trustworthiness, fear of Allaah, supplication to Allaah… It is not based upon lies from the first step. I fear that this may be a cause for a transformation to the worse, for indeed sins are a cause for humiliation and evil, Allaah the Elevated said:

And those who have earned evil deeds, the recompense of an evil deed is the like thereof, and humiliating disgrace will cover them... [Yunus: 27]

This question was from Indonesia.

Taken From: http://subulassalaam.com/articles/article.cfm?article_id=83

The Disease of Desires

By Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah
"Extracted from “Diseases of the Hearts & their Cures”

Miserliness and jealousy are sicknesses that lead to the soul hating that which would benefit it, and its loving that which would haram it. This is why jealousy was mention alongside hatred and resentment in the proceeding ahaadeeth. As for the sickness of desire and passionate love then this is the soul loving that which would haram it and coupled with this is its hatred of that which would benefit it.

Passionate love is a psychological sickness, and when its effects become noticeable on the body, it becomes a sickness that afflicts the mind also. Either by afflicting the mind by the likes of melancholy, or afflicting the body throughout weakness and emaciation. But the purpose here is to discuss its affect on the heart, for passionate love is the fundamental that makes the soul covet that which would harm it, similar to the one weak of body who covets that which harms it, and if he is not satiated by that then he is grieved, and if he is satiated then his sickness increases. The same applies to the heart afflicted with this love, for it is harmed by its connection to the loved, either by seeing, touching, hearing, or even thinking about it. And if he were to curb the love then the heart is hurt and grieved by this, and if he gives it to the desire then the sickness becomes stronger and becomes a means through which the grievance is increased.

In the Hadeeth there occurs, " Indeed Allah shelters His believing servant from the world just as one of you shelter your sick ones from food and drink [ that would harm them]"

In the hadeeth concerning the saving of Moosa reported by Wahbibn Munabbih [ is a noble taabi ee, this hadeeth is reported from him but is not authentic.] which is recorded by Imaam Ahmad in Zuhd " Allah says indeed I drive away my friends from the delights of this world and its opulence and comfort just ask the compassionate Shepherd drives away his camel from the dangerous crazing lands. And Indeed I make them avoid its tranquility and livelihood, just ask the compassionate shepherd makes his camel to avoid the resting places wherein it would be easy pray. This not because I consider them to be insignificant, but so that they may complete their portion of my kindness in Safety and abundance, the delights of the world will not attract him and neither would desires overcome him."

Therefore the only cure for the sick lies in his removing the sickness by removing the blameworthy love from his heart.People are divided into two opinions concerning passionate love: one group says that it falls into the category of intentions and wishes, this being the famous opinion. Another group says that it falls into the category of imagination and fantasies and that it is corruption of the imagination since it cause one to depict the one who is loved in other than his true reality. This group went on to say: "And this is why Allah has not been described with passionate love [shik] and neither that he passionately love [ya shik] because He is far removed from this, and one cannot be praised who has there corrupt thoughts.."

As for the first group, then from them are those who said: He is described with passionate love [ishk] because it is a complete and perfect love and Allah Loves [yuhib]." And it is reported in the narration of Abdul Wahid bin Zayd that He said, "The servant will always continue to draw close to me, loving Me and I loving him {a shiquhoo]." This is the saying of some of the Soofis but majority do not apply this word to Allah, because passionate love is a love exceeding the proper bounds, as for the Love of Allah then it has no end and cannot exceed the proper bounds.

Passionate love is to be considered blameworthy without any exceptions, it is not to be praised when it is directed toward the Creator or created because it is a love that exceeds the proper bounds.This is also true because the word 'passionate love' is only employed with regards to a man loving a woman or child [ or vice versa]. it is not employed in things such as the love of one's family, property or status, just as it not emplayed with regards to the love of the Prophets and the righteous. Commonly, you will find this word being mentioned alongside a forbidden action, such as loving the woman who is not lawful for him, or loving a child joined with the unlawful glance and touch and other such unlawful actions.

And for the love of a man for his wife or slave girl which leads him out of the folds of justice such that he does unlawful things for her and leave what is obligatory- as commonly happens- even to the extent tht he may oppress his son born of his old wife due to this love of his new wife, or to the extent that he will do things to keep her happy that would haram his religion and worldy life. For example his singling her out for inheritance that she does not deserve, or that he gives her family authorit and property that exceeds the limits set by Allah, or he goes to exceees in spending o*n her, or he makes unlawful things possible for her which is harm his religion and worldly life. This passionate love is forbidden with regards for one who has passionate love for someone who is unlawful or with regards to two men. For this contains a corruption that extent of which none can assess except the lord of the servants; it is a sickness that corrupts the religion and objectives of the o*ne who possesses it, then it corrupts his intelligence and then his body. Allah the most High, says,

" Then do not be soft in speech, lest he is whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire, but speak in a honourable manner." Soorah al ahzaab :32

There are some whose hearts contain the disease of desire and whose perceptions are only skin deep. When the object of the desire submits, the sickness is satiated, and this satiation strengthens the desire and pursuit of the object and hence strengthens the sickness. This is a contrast to the one whose objective is not met, for this failure results is removing the satiation that would strengthen the sickness and there by the desire is weakended as is the love. This is because the person definitely inteds tht there be action accompanying his desire, for otherwise all his desire would be is just whispering of the soul, unless there is some speech or looking accompany this.

As for the one who is afflicted with this passionate love but holds back and is patient, then indeed Allah will reward him for his taqwaa as occurs in the hadeeth, " that the one who passionately love someone yets hold back, conceals this and is patient, then dies upon this, will be a martry." [ A da eef hadeeth, ] This hadeeth is known to be the report of Yahya al Qataat from Mujaahid from Ibn Abbass from the Prophet sallahu wa alyhe wa sallam but it is problematic and such a hadeeth is not to be depended upon.

But it is known from the evideces of the Shareeah that if one were to hold back from performing that which is unlawful, be it looking, speaking or acting, and conceals this and does not articulate it so as not to fall into that which is prohibited and he is patient in his obedience to Allah and keep away form disobedience to Allah, despite the pain that his hearts feels due to this passionate love, [similar to the case of the one who is patient throught a calaminty, then indeed this person would gain the same rewards as those who have feared Allah and been Patient.

A Great 'Eid

Alhamdulillaah had a great few days of 'eid, I wanted to make sure the kids enjoyed themselves, as the last 'eid we were just stuck in the house. Was not able to go to the 'eid salaah for certain reasons, we do normally, but it was a bit awkward this time. We were invited to a sisters house for the day on Monday, there were just a few of us but masha'Allaah it's sometimes nicer when it's not so many people. The kids did their presentation, K wrote a little about the examples of a good companion and a bad companion, we just about heard her speak as she was so shy, love her. U recited a small surah, and so did T. The rest of the kids did some presentations on the hajj, dhul hijja etc... They all recieved a gift each, which they loved and made their day alhamdulillaah.

Us sisters decided to have a little makeup competion, I was quite impressed with my finished look (I was the one applying) especially the eyeliner which I managed to get quite neat, it turned out to be a draw. The funniest part was when I had my makeover done, lol, just thinking about it now makes me laugh, the makeup was verry heavy, which I am not used to, and I was told I looked like a teenager! I didn't want to make the sister feel bad, but I had to wash it off, I couldn't stay loyal for very long, lol.

Food was lush masha'Allaah, rice,curry, chicken, samosas, pizza(but not at same time as rice) I was so full at the end of the day, alhamdulillaah. Got back just before midnight, so as you can imagine we were all shattered, but had a great day, Jazakillaahu khairan sisters, May Allaah reward you for all your efforts, ameen.

Tuesday, we went over to Small Heath, there was an 'eid gathering going on, bouncy castles, ball pit, food, kids enjoyed themselves alhamdulillaah, but spent most of the time coming back and forth asking for money for sweets, that's kids for you ey! masha'Allaah. We stayed a couple of hours and then made our way back home. Today we just stayed home most of the day, masha'Allaah it was nice to stay in, getting bit cold outside, brrrr! the girls played with their new prams they had off my mum, it was quite funny, we all went out to the shop today, so there's three prams, my big one, and their mini ones, I told them this was the last time I let them take them to the shop, T just loves to run with hers, and the aisles in the shop are not the widest, so I think we were blocking up the place a bit.
Well, I'm really happy with how 'eid turned out this year, I think it's important that kids can have fun and enjoy themselves, and look forward to the next one insha Allaah.

Ten Examples of the Haya' of the Salaf

1 - Abu Musa al-Ash'ari:Anas bin Malik said:
"When Abu Musa would sleep, he would wear a small over garment, fearing that his 'awrah would be exposed."['Siyar A'lam an-Nubala''; 2/399]

2 - Ibn 'Abbas:
"He would not enter the bathroom except that he was alone, and would be wearing a thick outer garment, saying: "I am shy from Allah Seeing me in the bathroom without any clothing.""['Siyar A'lam an-Nubala''; 3/355]3 -

3 - 'A'ishah:
"I used to enter the building in which the Messenger of Allah and my father were buried while I was dressed lightly, saying: 'These are just my husband and father.' However, when 'Umar was buried, by Allah, I never entered this building except that my clothing was wrapped tightly around my body, out of shyness from 'Umar."[al-Hakim's 'Mustadrak' (4/7), and he declared it authentic]4 -

4 - Hisham bin 'Ammar:Mu'awiyah bin Aws narrated:
"I saw Hisham bin 'Ammar, and when he would walk in the street, he would look down to the ground, and he would never raise his head to the sky, out of shyness from Allah - the Mighty and Majestic."['Siyar A'lam an-Nubala''; 11/430]

5 - al-Humaydi:
"Abu Bakr bin Maymun came and knocked on the door of al-Humaydi, and assumed that he was given permission to enter. So, he entered, finding al-Humaydi with his thigh exposed. al-Humaydi began to cry, saying: "By Allah, you have just laid your eyes on something that nobody has seen since I have reached adulthood!""['Siyar A'lam an-Nubala''; 19/122]6 -

6 - Muhammad bin Yahya adh-Dhuhli:
Abu al-'Abbas al-Azhari said:"I heard the servant of Muhammad bin Yahya adh-Dhuhli saying, while he was being washed: "I served him for thirty years, and I would give him his water, and I never even saw his leg, and I was his property.""['Siyar A'lam an-Nubala''; 12/279]7 -

7 - Al-Imam al-Bukhari:Muhammad bin Abi Hatim narrated:
"Some of my companions said to me: "We were at the house of Muhammad bin Salam, and Muhammad bin Isma'il al-Bukhari entered upon his upon his return from Iraq. So, he began to inform us of the tribulation that the people were being put through, as well as what had happened to Ahmad bin Hambal, etc. When al-Imam al-Bukhari exited the house, Muhammad bin Salam said to those present: "Have you ever seen a virgin with as much shyness as this man?""['Siyar A'lam an-Nubala''; 12/418]8 -

8 - Ibn al-Qayyim narrated that some of the Salaf said:"
If one does something in secret that he is shy from doing in public, this means that he means nothing to himself."['Madarij as-Salikin'; 2/353]9 -

9 - Shams ad-Din al-Maqdisi:
"If my leg becomes exposed while I am alone, I rush to cover it up while making istighfar."['al-Mukhtar al-Masun min A'lam al-Qurun'; 1/540]10 -

10 - Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Ghumari:
He would refuse to fall asleep in the presence of anyone, saying: "I fear that some bad smell would emanate from me while I am sleeping."

['al-Mukhtar al-Masun min A'lam al-Qurun'; 2/758]

plans for 'Eid

Taqaballallaahu minna wa minkum!

(May Allaah accept from us and from you (good deeds)ameen)

Alhamdulillaah 'eid is now upon us, and I'm feeling all excited. Insha Allaah will be going to a sister's house tomorrow for the day, the kids will do maybe a quiz, be a mini shaykh or shaykha for a few minutes while they read a little something they've put together (more so for the older ones) do some activities and will recieve a gift insha Allaah, so should be fun.

Managed to buy my outfit at last minute online, alhamdulillaah it came the next day. Bought a stunning dress for T off Ebay, white and princess like, she loves it of course! very girly masha'Allaah. Hoping K's will come tomorrow morning, but if not she has another dress she can wear. The baby's outfit I doubt will come on time, and not sure about my son's things, but alhamdulillaah they've got other things. That will teach me to order at last minute.

Insha Allaah Tuesday hope to go over to Small Heath, sister's are having an 'eid event with ball pit, bungee run, bouncy castle, food etc... sounds like alot of fun for the kids, so will try my best to get over there.

Hope everyone has a great 'eid insha Allaah, would love to know what your all up to.

x

Hi-yaa!!

Today I took the kids to the local education centre which runs a karate class. They're quite eager to learn, and I personally feel it is important for them to be able to defend themselves if they were ever in an awkward situation, we seek refuge with Allaah from that happening. Also masha'Allaah it instills confidence in them, and self discipline insha Allaah. Even myself I would love to learn insha Allaah, as a self defense and a way to keep fit.

I was going there to speak with the instructor and ask about the issue of the bowing, as I know this is common tradition in martial arts, as a form of mutual respect. But as muslims we don't bow to anyone or anything other than Allaah. I managed to speak with the instructor and he basically told me, in a nice way, that bowing is something which they have to do, they use it as respect, and it's not up to them to change it, it is the ones in Japan who have the authority. I mentioned that there is a friend of mine in Cardiff who takes her boys to Karate classes, and the instructors there allow them to replace the bow with some kind of arm gesture, I think they kind of put it to their chest or something like that, and that's 2 places now that they've been allowed to leave out the bowing. So I was really dissapointed, and so were the kids, but Qadr Allaah.

I have emailed a few other places, and asked the same question, so will wait to hear back from them.

But as I was doing my search earlier, I came across this website , masha'Allaah I was so excited when I started reading about a kung fu class for women and girls not far from me, with a female black belt instructor. I'm not sure if it's still running, but will try and get more info tomorrow insha Allaah. The website is run by a sister and her husband, and they set it up with the aim of providing sports activities just for women, whilst maintaining our islamic values. So insha Allaah the issue of not bowing I would think would not be a problem. Will update when i have more info.

Giving up things for the sake of Allaah

Bismillaah ir Rahmaan ir Raheem

There are many of us who may be reverts or those that were born to muslim parents but were not always practicing, that have had to give up certain things in life with the desire to obey Allaah and follow Islam completely. Changing our lifestyle and ways may have been hard on some, or thought that they would be hard, when in fact Allaah made it easy for us to give up these things for his sake.

I remember back to just before I embraced Islam, I had met two lovely sisters masha'Allaah, who helped me learn the prayer, how to make wudhu etc.. One day when one of the sisters was showing me how to make wudhu, she mentioned that in Islam the woman is not allowed to alter the shape of her eyebrows, alarm bells rung, I really couldn't believe what I was hearing, a multitude of thoughts run through my mind, 'what would I look like?' 'can I really do this?'..... this was a big thing for me, and I'm sure it was for others who were accustomed to regular plucking. I had plucked my eyebrows most of my teenage years, so was really worried I'd end up with big bushy eyebrows, anyway, the thought finally sunk in and I prepared myself, alhamdulillaah I didn't touch my eyebrows after what the sister had told me, and I just waited, and waited for these big things to grow, but subhanAllaah I was suprised that the regrowth wasn't as bad as I expected, and didn't make me look majorly different alhamdulillaah.

The same with music, even though I loved listening to it each day, it was not that big a problem to give it up for Allaah's sake, I sold my cd's (Allaahu a'lam if it was a good idea to sell/give them away, but I know I needed them gone) stopped watching mtv. My family were very surprised I had done this, but I think it showed them how serious I was.

So what things have been made easy for you to give up when you embraced/started to practice Islam? things which you may have first found hard, or perceived to be hard to give up?

Tag! When in the masjid

I was recently tagged by two lovely sisters masha'Allaah, Umm Travis and hijabee, sorry for taking so long to respond, I haven't had much time to write on my blog in the last week. I feel very touched that I've been tagged, it's the first time! yey

The Rules:
Link back to the person who tagged you.
List 3 ahadith you’d like to pin up in your masjid and why.
Tag some of your fellow bloggers by linking to them in your post and don’t forget to post a comment on their blog to let them know they’ve been tagged.

Narrated by Anas bin Malik
Allah's Messenger (Sal-allahu-aleihi-wassallam) said "Do not be angry with each other and do not envy each other and do not turn away from each other, and be slaves of Allah, brothers. It is not halal for a Muslim to shun his brother for more than three nights." [47.14]
Transmitted by Muwatta)

Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah
Allah's Messenger (Sal-allahu-aleihi-wassallam) said, "Every act of kindness is "sadaqah" and kindness includes meeting your brother with a cheerful face and pouring water from bucket into your brother's vessel." [1910]

Narrated by AbuHurayrah
Allah's Messenger (Sal-allahu-aleihi-wassallam) said "A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He neither oppresses him nor humiliates him nor looks down upon him. The piety is here, (and while saying so) he pointed towards his chest thrice. It is a serious evil for a Muslim that he should look down upon his brother Muslim. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother in faith; his blood, his wealth and his honour".
Transmitted by Muslim.

Narrated by AbuHurayrah
Allah's Messenger (Sal-allahu-aleihi-wassallam) said "Beware of suspicion. Suspicion is the most untrue speech. Do not spy and do not eavesdrop. Do not compete with each other and do not envy each other and do not hate each other and do not shun each other. Be slaves of Allah, brothers." [47.15]
Transmitted by Muwatta

(The word "Brother" in Islam is not restricted to the relationship between real brothers only, it applies to all muslims regardless of age, men or women and location. )

I decided to choose these ahadith as I would hope they would be a reminder to those attending the masjid to have more love and tolerance for one another, and to highlight the seriousness of breaking the ties with our brothers and sisters in Islam who are clearly striving to be upon the straight path.

I will tag the following sisters insha Allaah :

Ohsomuslim

Umm Ismail

Independant learners

The Homeschoolin Ummi

Tammy's Islamic life

Feeling so distant

I've been in two minds whether to post this or not, some might think how boring, but a blog is supposed to be a place where you publish your thoughts, so why not. I would have posted it on my other blog mum of four, but as some already know it got deleted accidentally and waiting for it to be restored insha Allaah, so it'll be on this blog for now.
Well, today I started to feel a little emotional when I came off the phone to my younger brother Marc, he's now 20 or 21, oops, he'll go mad if he sees this! can't even remember my brothers exact age! anyway when we speak on the phone, which is not often, in some ways it feels like we're so distant, it may be him as a person I don't know, when we're face to face, he can chat for Wales! lol, but on the phone it's kind of the opposite.

I really feel like I've missed out so much on seeing him grow up, it's strange seeing him, this muscly young man masha'Allaah, with a child, driving before me! lol,nice car, and a good job, masha'Allaah. He's grown up so quick, and I haven't been there to see that.

Back in 1997 I think it was, I decided to move out from my parents house, and I moved in with a friend, I was about 17/18 then, I was in a different area, so didn't see my family every day, I was too busy living my life, a typical teenager. Then about a year after I moved out, my stepdad decided he wanted to move back to where we had lived before, about an hour away. My mum gave me the choice of going with them, but I had my life set up where I was, had my friends, my job, it was a definite no no to go back. In the beginning I would go down maybe every couple of weeks but my memories of that are not clear, so I know I didn't go that often.
Time passed, I lived my life - week-work, weekend-going out, and then sometimes go to see my family, now looking back I wish I had made more effort, but Qadr Allaah.

I became muslim in 2001 and got married shortly afterwards, moved away to London and so the visiting got alot less, hence the reason I feel so distant to my brother. I would see my mum often, she would visit, especially then as we moved back to Wales, but not same city. There is 8yrs between me and my brother, and it brings tears to my eyes to think back to when he was younger, he would wind me up definitely, but that's what little brothers do, sometimes I would be sitting in my room with my friends, and my door had a little window at the top of it, all of a sudden you would see this mop of hair appearing in the window, and then his little eyes, lol, or he would get a big brush, and move it about in the window, lol.
Masha'Allaah he was a good little d.i.y er, he would come fix my door if it was broke, as it was normally hanging off the hinge, or the slide cupboard on my cabin bed, he'd sellotape it back on.

He had this quirky way of dressing, he would insist on tucking in his shirt into his jeans, me being your typical teenager, I would feel so embarrased going out with him like that, my mum would insist I take him to town with me sometimes, and I would be literally begging him to take his shirt out, and look a bit 'cooler' lol, he was only about 6/7, now when I look back at that, it makes me laugh. He got me back years later, we were going to town together, and I had this bright yellow bag which I really liked, but he didn't, and he threw a tantrum near the bus stop because of it, getting me back, me thinks! lol.

Well, I know I'm rambling on now, but I had to get this written, or should I say 'typed' down. My sadness is there for missing out on his life so much, and I would love to have a more closer relationship with him, as I mentioned before I feel very distant from him, the little boy I once used to argue so much with, but we had good moments also while living together. Also he has a little girl, she hardly knows me, and this I find extremely sad, It's bringing tears to my eyes while I type. Things have to change, improve insha Allaah. In Islam kinship is very important, and keeping the ties. I think I need to try harder to keep in touch more and to visit as often as I can.

Oh well , will stop there now. Enough emotion for one night.

Anyway love ya bro!

Which one are you?

A friend of mine e-mailed this to me, I thought it was really nice, and wanted to share it insha Allaah. I know, strange title, but read on and it'll soon make sense.


Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee

This one will take a minute or two to read, but please make the time. It will bless your heart and make you think. You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.


A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, 'Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique,however, after they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?


Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat?

Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The

brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

You might want to let others read this message, those people who mean something to you (I Just Did.); to those who have touched your life in one way or another; to those who make you smile when you really need it; to those who make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down; to those whose friendship you appreciate; to those who are so meaningful in your life.

If you don't share these kind and meaningful words, you will just miss out on the opportunity to Brighten someone's day with this touching thought for the day!


May we all be blessed enough to be COFFEE.

Keep Striving!

While doing the cleaning earlier on, many thoughts started to fill my head. Thoughts about how as muslim women we haveto be strong, and we are strong Masha'Allaah. I started to think about my own personal experiences as a revert to Islam, in the beginning when I first covered my hair with the hijab I was so scared, I worried what people's reaction would be towards me, negative? postive? regardless I had to get out there by myself and face the world. What made me strong at that time and still does, was the constant awareness of Allaah and reminding myself that I was obeying my creator and insha Allaah I wouldn't be alone in this journey.

SubhanAllaah having this awareness immediately made me feel stronger and braver and proud to be a muslim woman. I came into Islam in 2001, when my daughter was just 5mths old, and throughout these years I have gone from wearing a scarf/skirt/loose top to the somali style hijab and then the overhead abayah with niqaab, as I have covered more I have experienced more negative reactions from people, there have been days when I've been out wearing the niqaab, have some narrow minded person throw a stupid comment and it would fill me with so much sadness and anger as to how some people have no respect whatsoever for others who may look different to them.

I have had people criticize me in front of my children, when all I am doing is going about my business, these kind of people cannot hold their hatred in, and so much want you to feel like a pile of rubbish.

I don't want to come across as complaining now, but I wanted to make the point that as muslim women we face hatred almost every day, I am not alone in this, and many sisters have been treated far worse than I have, but it's this inner strength, our belief that keeps us going, so that each day before we leave the house insha Allaah we make sure we're observing correct hijab, even though we may have been verbally attacked the day before, we brush that aside, and keep on striving, trying to please our Lord and hoping for the reward of Jannah.

We do this because we know Islam is the truth, and this certainty gives us strength and the courage to go out there and face whatever we may face that particular day.

For my sisters in Islam who are struggling and feel alone I say keep striving, you will have your reward insha Allaah.

So basically what I think I wanted to say, is that I admire my sisters (and brothers )in Islam for staying firm upon our belief and not letting the hatred of others break us down. And especially for my sisters I love you all for the sake of Allaah, continue to be strong insha Allaah.

Abu al-‘Abbas ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas, radiyallahu anhuma, reported: One day I was behind the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, and he said to me:

"O young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice] : Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you (have need to) ask, ask of Allah; and if you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that even if the Nation (or the whole community) were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you with anything except that which Allah has already recorded for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with something, they would not be able to harm you with anything except that which Allah has already recorded against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried."

Abu Hurairah, radiyallahu 'anhu, reported that a man said to the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam:

"Advise me! "The Prophet said, "Do not become angry and furious." The man asked (the same) again and again, and the Prophet said in each case, "Do not become angry and furious."


On the authority of Ibn 'Umar, radiyallahu 'anhuma, who said: The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, took me by the shoulder and said:

"Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler/wayfarer."
Ibn 'Umar used to say:

"When evening comes, do not expect (to live till) morning, and when morning comes, do not expect (to live till) evening. Take from your health (a preparation) for your illness, and from your life for your death."

[Al-Bukhari]

[Al-Tirmidhi relates this and says: It is a good, genuine Hadith]

deleted my blog!!!

I can't believe it, I just went and accidentally deleted my blog 'Mum of Four', but hopefully I should be able to get it restored asap, I just sent a request to blogger, and so I think they should be able to do it insha Allaah.
I would be gutted if I lost everything I had on there, like our schooling Journal, let's hope it don't take too long to come back on.

A magazine for fabulous Muslim Women

SISTERS covers a range of subjects in the areas of Inspiration, Self, Family, Community, World, Homes, Looks, Tastes and a range of reader offers and competitions. Sisters magazine's ethos is rooted in the Qur'an and Sunnah, according to the understanding of the Pious Predecessors, and our inspiration is Islam as a beautiful and richly rewarding way of life.

The destroyer of desires

I know I haven't posted for a while now, when I set up this extra blog I had so many ideas of what I would write about, now all of a sudden, my mind is blank, I have no idea. Earlier I was thinking about this blog of mine, and wondering why I don't feel I've got anything to contribute right now, one of the reasons that seemed to stick out in my mind was that my eemaan is still not at the level I would like it to be, and I am not spending as much time on my deen as I should be. If my eemaan was high, I would be studying more, gaining beneficial knowledge, and therefore would have alot to share and discuss.

I just seem to climb and then fall back, I know this is my own fault, I'm not pushing myself hard enough. Each night after I put the kids to bed, I'll clean up, pray and then have a bite to eat, I do try to stick to my routine of reading surah al-Mulk at least and then a couple of pages of 'Great women of Islam' but some nights when I've been a bit behind in putting the kids to bed, I tend to leave it out, and come straight online, check my other blog 'mum of four' and then plan the girls work for the next day. It really saddens me that I have let myself become like this, I have been weak for a while now, probably since my pregnancy, I did used to attend Dr Saleh's (May Allaah have mercy upon him, ameen) lessons on paltalk each night, but then my legs started to play up, I think it was 'restless leg syndrome' I just couldn't sit at the computer for long, and so I would just end up coming away from it, and doing something else.

After having the baby I'm still the same. We did move to Birmingham, as we felt the move would be good for us, and I know that when I lived in Birmingham before I was alot stronger, masha'Allaah. I do feel a bit more motivated since coming back, due to the company I keep, without praising anyone above Allaah, the sisters who I am close to here, and I have known for quite a while now, are beautiful sisters masha'Allaah, genuine and sincere, and all striving for Allaah's sake, insha Allaah. Alhamdulillaah I feel blessed to have these sisters as close companions.

Many times recently I have been reminded of death, subhanAllaah, I feel scared because none of us know when it's going to be our turn, people are dying every single day, how can I expect that I'll be here till my 70's, 80's etc... I'm scared that I may die the way I am now, with my eemaan the same, not any higher, and not having enough good deeds on my side, It's time to wake up subhanAllaah, but how many times do I get like this, and feel the fear, but then it seems to shift back to the back of my mind, it's always there lurking, y'know that reminder of death, but the dunya just distracts, and we laugh and we joke, but don't make serious effort to change and improve (I'm referring to myself specifically now). I just feel like I'm constantly going round in circles, motivation is a big thing for me, I have to push myself hard in order to build it up, and right now I'm not trying hard enough to discipline myself, how long have I got left? only Allaah knows, but I ask him to forgive me for my neglect, and aid me and strengthen me, so that I may become the servant he is pleased with, insha Allaah.

I really had to get that all off my chest, it feels good to type it all down, and just let my thoughts flow, which I don't let myself always do. I think I hold back too much, in a way that can be good, but not always. Well this is the reality, my situation right now, not really moving anywhere, but insha Allaah I know I have to work hard, and remind myself contantly of death, the destroyer of desires, subhanAllaah, as this is a major boost for one's eemaan, insha Allaah. Once this chance is taken away from us, there's no going back, no second chance, insha Allaah for anyone else the same as me right now, let's work hard, and make the most of what little time we have, before it's too late.

"Every soul shall taste death" (Surah Al-Imran 3:185)

Thanks for reading!

A dangerous trick, a new Quran is being distributed in Kuwait titled 'The True Furqan'. It is being described as the Ayats of the Shaytan and Al-Furqan weekly magazine has found out that the two American printing companies;' Omega 2001' and 'Wine Press' are involved in the publishing of 'The True Furqan', a book which has also been titled 'The 21st Century Quran'! It is over 366 pages and is in both the Arabic and English languages...it is being distributed to our children in Kuwait in the private English schools! The book contains 77 Surats, which include Al-Fatiha, Al-Jana and Al-Injil. Instead of Bismillah, each Surat begins with a longer vision of this incorporating the Christian belief of the three spirits.

And this so-called Quran opposes many Islamic beliefs.
This book even goes as far as attacking Allah, Subhanahu wa Tahala! All this is poisoning our children at approx. $3.

Brothers and Sisters please make sure you forward this email to as many people as possible so that we can stop this dangerous trick.

Please tell everyone you know and may Allah reward you.

Your Shields against Satan

By Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim (SG)

How to protect yourself from the whispers of Satan? How to repel his continuous attempts to ensnare you? How to guard your faith against his malicious tricks? Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim recommends the following 10 shields in your ceaseless war with Satan:

1. Seeking refuge with Allah from Satan. Allah the Most High says: And if an evil whisper from Shaitan (Satan) tries to turn you away (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) (from doing good), then seek refuge in Allah. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. (Fussilat 41:36)

2. Reciting the two surahs of Al-Falaq and An-Nas, as they have a wondrous effect in weakening Satan and protecting one from his evils. This is why the Messenger (peace be upon him) described them to be of incomparable effect when seeking refuge. (An-Nasa i, 5337).

3. Reciting Ayah Al-Kursi (Al-Baqarah 2:255).

4. Reciting Surah Al-Baqarah. The Messenger (peace be upon him) said: The house in which Al-Baqarah is recited is not approached by Satan (Muslim).

5. Reciting the final part of Al-Baqarah. The Messenger (peace be upon him) said: The last two verses of Surat Al-Baqarah will suffice whoever recites them at night (Muslim).

6. Reciting the first three verses of Surah Ghafir.

7. Saying la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa ala kulli shay in qadir (There is no god worthy of worship except Allah, He has no partner, His is the dominion and praise, and He is able to do all things).

8. Among the most beneficial forms of protection from Satan is the abundant remembrance of Allah the Exalted.

9. Ablution and prayer, which are among the greatest means of protection, especially at the time of anger or desire.

10. Abstinence from excess speech, food, and mixing with people.

Finally it is important to note that the above supplications need to be uttered with full reflection and comprehension. The point here is that they are kinds of remembrance (dhikr), and to remember Allah is not a matter of lip-service. Rather it is a process that involves one's tongue, heart, and mind. How could one truly remember Allah while the mind is engaged with alien things?

Abridged from Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim's Bda i Al-Fawa id, here excerpted, in some modifications from islaam.co

"AND BE AFRAID OF THE DAY WHEN YOU SHALL BE BROUGHT BACK TO ALLAH.THEN EVERY PERSON SHALL BEPAID WHAT HE EARNED,AND THEY SHALL NOT BE DEALT WITH UNJUSTLY "
SURAH AL-BAQARAH AYAT 281

Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree (radiallaahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: " A muslim is not afflicted by hardship, sickness, sadness, worry, harm, or depression - even if pricked by a thorn, but Allah expiates his sins because of that. " [ Bukharee and Muslim ]

Abu Hurayrah (radiallaahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: " Whenever a Muslim is afflicted by harm from sickness or other matters, Allah will drop his sins because of that, like a tree drops its leaves." [ Bukharee and Muslim ]

Reciting Surat-Al-Mulk every night

'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood said: "Whoever reads 'al-Mulk' every night, Allaah will protect him from the torment of the grave. At the time of the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihiwasallam), we used to call it al-mani'ah (that which protects). In the Book of Allah, there is a chapter [and] whoever recites it every night has done very well." [Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib, no. 1475]


Imam Ahmad recorded from Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihiwasallam) said, "Verily, there is a chapter in the Qur'an which contains thirty Ayat that will intercede on behalf of its reciter until he is forgiven. (It is): 'Blessed be He in Whose Hand is the dominion.'"

[This Hadith was collected by At-Tirmidhi and the four Sunan Compilers. At-Tirmidhi said concerning it, "This is a Hasan Hadith."]

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (salallaahu 'alaihiwasallam) saying, "There is a Surah in the Qur'an which contains thirty Ayat which kept interceding for a man until his sins are forgiven. This Surah is 'Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion.' (Surat Al-Mulk 67)." [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

Commentary from Riyad-us-Saliheen: This Hadith means that on the Day of Resurrection this Surah will intercede with Allaah for the forgiveness of its reciter. This Hadith has been narrated (in Arabic) in the past tense because, like the past indefinite, its occurrence is definite and not open to inquiry. At some places, however, it has also been narrated in the present tense.

He (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to recite Surah As-Sajdah and Surah Al-Mulk(in Arabic) before sleeping.

Reference: At-Tirmithi, An-Nasa'i. See also Al-Albani, Sahihul-Jami ' As-Saghir 4/255

And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad,salallahu alaihi wa sallam) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way. We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination. (An-Nisa 4:115)
Myriam
- Every issue of aqeedah (creed), ibaadah (worship) or manhaj (methodology) which the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah has not provided a text for and upon which the Companions never agreed upon is falsehood, vain and innovated.
"Adhere to the narrations of the Salaf (the Prophet and sahaaba; tabi'een; and tabi' tabi'een), even if the people were to abandon you. And beware of the opinions of people, no matter how much they beautify it with speech." - Imaam al-Awzaa'ee [d. 157H]

Couple of busy days

Assalamu 'alaykum,

Afwan, I haven't updated for a few days, been very busy alhamdulillaah. Had a gathering in my house yesterday with a few sisters and lots of kids! Masha'Allaah, and then today was invited to a sister's house for a little gathering there. Insha Allaah I intend to get back into routine from tomorrow, so I hope to start posting again Insha Allaah, and get this blog rolling!!

Great achievers

Ok, haven't posted much in the last couple of days, been very tired after many late nights! I have to quit this habit, it's really not good for me subhanAllaah.
Alhamdulillaah have continued to read a couple of pages from the Qur'an after kids have gone to bed, and some from the 'The great women of Islam who were given the good news of paradise', although did miss one night.

Masha'Allaah the things the sahaabiyaat accomplished is amazing, they were very proficient in many fields. Below are some of the main points/facts I read about in the last couple of days.

*The sahaabiyat (women companions) played a prominent role in politics.

*Caliph 'Umar(Radhiallaahu anhu)so valued Shifa' bint 'Abdullaah (Radhiallaahu anhaa)for her political intelligence and insight that he very often consulted with her.

*He often gave her the responsibility of running the affairs of state relating to trade and commerce.

*There are various subjects, an understanding of which are essential for a thorough knowledge of Islam and it tenets: Qira at (the correct way of reading the Qur'an)interpretation and commentary, Shari'ah, Fiqh, study of Hadith, these are all important aspects of Islam.

*'Aishah memorized the Qur'an, as did Hafsah, Umm Salamah, Umm Waraqah (Radhiallaahu 'anhunna)

*'Aishah was an expert on interpretation and commentary due to her close associaton with the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam). Much of the tafsir in Sahih Muslim contains narrations from her.

*In islamic jurisprudence or fiqh 'Aishah's (Radhiallaahu anhu)verdicts could fill several volumes. The same could be said of Umm Salamah's verdicts.

*'Aishah was well versed in in the laws of inheritance and many renowned and respected companions consulted her on the finer points of law.

*Asma' bint Yazid bin Sakan (May Allaah have mercy on them) was an expert in making speech.

*Asma' bint 'Umais (Radhiallaahu anhaa)was famous for her interpretation of dreams.

*Several companions noted for their skill in medicine and surgery: Aslamiah Umm Matta'a, Umm Kabshah, Hamnah Bint Jahash, Mu'aathah, Ammaimah, Umm Ziad, Rabi'a bitn Mu'awath, Umm 'Atiyah, Umm Salim (Radhiallaahu 'anhunna).

*Rufaida Aslamiah's (Radhiallaahu 'anhaa)tent, set up as a surgery with all the necessary instruments, was situated close to the Prophet's Mosque at Madinah.

*Some of the most noted poetesses were : Sa'adi, Safiyah, 'Atikah, bint Zaid, Hind bint Athathah, Umm Aiman, Kabashah bint Rafi'a, Ummamah Maridiah, hind bint Harith, Zainab bint 'Awam Azdi, Maimoonah and Ruqayyyah (Radhiallaahu 'anhunna).

*A book of verses by Khansa (Radhiallaahu anhaa),the best known among them has been published.

Insha Allaah will add more tomorrow, getting very late here, and I've already gone over my midnight limit! Oops!

Great women of Islam

I recently started reading the Great Women Of Islam, masha'Allaah this book is really inspiring, and focuses on all the women who were given the good news of paradise. I'm only at the beginning of the book, but have read about the exploits and achievements of the Sahabiyat (women companions), such as Umm Ammarah (May Allaah have mercy upon her,ameen), whom in the battle of Uhud shielded the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallaam) with her sword and bow and arrows. SubhanAllaah she suffered many injuries, and even lost one of her arms.

The book also mentions 'Aishah, Umm Salim and Umm Salit(May Allaah have mercy upon them ameen.) and how they were among those who were proficient at nursing the wounded. Masha'Allaah these women were very courageous, and intellectual, may Allaah help us to strive to be more like them, ameen.

Insha Allaah as I read through the book, I will post certain parts which are of benefit insha Allaah.

You can find the book here,for those in the UK click here

Naimah's Intro....

Assalamu 'alaykum,

Well, I decided to set up this blog to share my thoughts and experiences as a muslim woman in the west. I made the decision to enter into Islam back in 2001. I am the only muslim in my family, however I feel I have always had their support, even though they don't fully agree and understand the way of life I am now living. I am married and have 4 children alhamdulillaah. I homeschool two of my children, along with another sister's daughter. You can visit my other blog at Mum Of Four,here I regularly update things to do with parenting/Islam and homeschooling.

I felt the need to have another blog, dedicated solely to my deen (way of life) Islam. Where I can express myself more clearly insha Allaah.

At this moment in time, I feel that my eemaan is not at the level I would like it to be. I know I need to strive harder insha Allaah, and build a continuous daily routine to help strengthen my eemaan, and gain knowledge which insha Allaah, I will act upon.

The support of my sisters will be much appreciated, your reminders, advice and encouragement to help stay focused on the main goal which is attaining Jannah insha Allaah.