My path in life...

1st purchase from Melaleuca Singapore!!

2012-02-08T00:00:00.000+08:00

I am so excited with the toxic free chemicals household products recommended by one of my brothers in Islam. I didnt know there is such a company that provides HALAL household products. . :) I bought the recommended EcoSense Melamagic, EcoSense Lemon Brite and Melaleuca highest grade Melaleuca oil for my 1st purchase as a preferred customer.

I used 2 drops on the wet sponge and was able to wash all the dishes. For oily stained frying pots and pans, you may need one drop for each utensil.

Melaleuca oil rocks!! I used this on my kids' cuts and tears. hehe. It works wonderfully on eczema as well.

This cleaner is super!! Its like every household's treasure. It kills 99.9% viruses and bacteria, removes oil, stains and also anything that is eye sore to a clean freak. hehe You only need a 5 ml cup into a 5litres pail of water to mop the entire 4 rooms flat!! Best part, there is no harmful chemicals or fumes that poison your family.

You can be a preferred customer to have 30-40% discounts on their products for lifetime. You can view their website at melaleuca.com or email me at melaleuca2411@gmail.com to become a preferred customer like me.

$1 membership with Melaleuca Singapore (limited time!!)

2012-02-07T08:03:00.001+08:00


$1 instead of $29. Really worth it to join membership now!

Please email me at melaleuca2411@gmail.com if you are interested.

Tuffaha Readers Niche ( Singapore)

2012-02-06T19:01:00.000+08:00

Salam all!

I have recieved quite a number of enquiries about Tuffaha Readers Niche for their kids. Alhamduillah!

In Tuffaha Readers, we develop our own way of teaching the kids English and Arabic phonics. We used our self-developed Arabic program "TILAWATI" which is well recieved by parents and madrasahs educators. We also emphasize on 1 student to 1 teacher "reading time" for the kids to pace their learning. The teachers are trained to be able to teach the right sounding (Makhraj and Tajweed) of the Arabic Alphabets.

Please forward all your enquiries to tuffahareadersniche@gmail.com

Daily playgroups (Mon-Thurs) – 9am, 1030am and 3pm
Weekends playgroups (Sat-Sun) – 830am, 10am, 1130am and 1pm

Registeration fee : $20.
Monthly fee : $75-$130 depends on the available timeslots.

The name of this program itself - ‘Tuffaha’ means ‘apple’ in Arabic. Tuffaha Readers’ Niche has strong language and phonics lessons, both in English and Arabic.

How to Register
... ==========
Send an email to tuffahareadersniche@gmail.com :

1. Subject: "tuffaha”
2. Full name :
3. Time slot:
4. Child's age:
5. Contact number :

Looking forward to have your child with us. :)

Even the whole world is against you, You know you have ALLAH SWT watching over u...

2012-02-04T11:24:00.000+08:00

In moments of life, we may feel distressed, helpless and lonely but if you think hard enough, Allah swt is always there for you. He brought you from a world of darkness into the light. He gave us the body that we can see, hear, touch, taste and love...while a long long time ago, we are just nothing but a soul which doesnt have any organs.

BE THANKFUL...BE GLAD WE ARE GUIDED...BE LOVED AND LET HIS LOVE FLOWS FROM YOUR BODY TO THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU...YOU WILL FIND THAT LOVE..<3

NO PORK NO LARD = HALAL??

2011-12-29T07:58:00.000+08:00

I noticed there are food stalls pasting "no pork no lard" on their stalls in the hope to tell our muslim brothers and sisters "its ok to consume". That is definitely a misconception on the meaning of halal.

According to the MUIS,

'No Pork, No Lard' Claims

‘No Pork, No Lard’ - Does this claim mean that the food is Halal?

Food claims such as 'No Pork, No Lard' do not necessarily imply that the food is truly Halal. Halal food must not contain and/or come into direct contact with non-Halal items. Examples of these include alcohol, pork and meat deriving from sheep which are not slaughtered in accordance with the Islamic Law.

As Halal food goes beyond 'No Pork, No Lard', Muis advises Muslim consumers to exercise caution and discretion when patronising eating establishments which display/make such claims.

Is it against the law to display ‘No Pork, No Lard’ signage?

Display of such signage is not an offence in Singapore. However, 'No Pork, No Lard' claims can be misleading and should not be treated as an alternative to Halal.
Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful. It refers to things or actions permitted by Shariah law without punishment imposed on the doer. It is usually used to describe something that a Muslim is permitted to engage in, e.g. eat, drink or use.

As for halal food, there are few categories on how the food is halal, im not going to dwell into the details but to summarize as follow.

3 CRITERIA FOR USE OF THE TERM “HALAL”

3.1 LAWFUL FOOD

The term halal may be used for foods which are considered lawful. Under the Islamic Law, all sources of food are lawful except the following sources, including their products and derivatives which are considered unlawful:

3.1.1 Food of Animal Origin

(a) Pigs and boars.

(b) Dogs, snakes and monkeys.

(d) Birds of prey with claws such as eagles, vultures, and other similar birds.

(e) Pests such as rats, centipedes, scorpions and other similar animals.

(f) Animals forbidden to be killed in Islam i.e., ants, bees and woodpecker birds.

(g) Animals which are considered repulsive generally like lice, flies, maggots and other similar animals.

(h) Animals that live both on land and in water such as frogs, crocodiles and other similar animals.

(i) Mules and domestic donkeys.

(j) All poisonous and hazardous aquatic animals.

(k) Any other animals not slaughtered according to Islamic Law.

(l) Blood.

In conclusion,HALAL doesnt mean no pork no lard. If there is meat being used in the food preparation like chicken, beef or mutton, the meat may not be halal.

May Allah swt forgives me if I have made any mistakes in clarifying any doubts on halal foods.

The Tenth of Muharram

2011-12-02T07:57:00.000+08:00

The Day of `Ashura: The Tenth of Muharram

It is mentioned in Bukhari and Muslim from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him and his father) that he was asked about fasting the Day of `Ashura [10th of Muharram]. He said, I did not see the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) fast a day while more avid to seek its virtue than this day, meaning the Day of `Ashura. [Bukhari (2006), and Muslim (1132)].

The Day of `Ashura has great virtue, and tremendous sanctity (hurma). The virtue of fasting it was known among the Prophets (peace be upon them all). Both Prophet Nuh and Prophet Musa (peace be upon them both) fasted it.

The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) used to fast this day even in Mecca, though he had not yet ordered others to do so, as mentioned in both Bukhari and Muslim. [Bukhari (2002), Muslim (1125)]

When he migrated to Medina, and found the People of the Book fasting this day and venerating it, he ordered the Muslims to fast it, and encouraged it so much that even the children would fast it.

It has been reported in both Bukhari and Muslim from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him), that, When the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) reached Medina, he found the Jews fasting the Day of `Ashura, so he asked them, What is this day you are fasting? They said, This is a tremendous day. Allah saved Musa and his people on this day and drowned Pharaoh and his people. Musa fasted it out of thanks, so we fast it too. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said, And we are more deserving of Musa than you are. So he fasted this day, and ordered that it be fasted.� [Bukhari (2004) and Muslim (1130)]

At the end of his life, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) made the determination not to fast this day alone, but with another day [f: either before or after it], in order to be different from the People of the Book.

It has been reported in the Sahih of Imam Muslim (Allah have mercy on him), also from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that, �When the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) fasted the Day of `Ashura� and ordered his companions to fast it, they said, �O Messenger of Allah! This is a day that the Jews and Christians venerate.� So the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said, �When next year comes � if Allah wills � we will fast the Ninth [of Muharram with it].� But the next year did not come before the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) passed away.� [Muslim (1134), Abu Dawud (2445)]

And it is reported in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad (Allah have mercy on him), from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, Fast the Day of `Ashura and be different from the Jews by fasting a day before it or a day after it. [Ahmad]

Giving in Charity on the Day of `Ashura

It has been reported from Abd Allah ibn `Amr ibn al-`As (Allah be pleased with him), that �Whoever fasts `Ashura� it is as if he has fasted the entire year. And whoever gives charity this day it is like the charity of an entire year.�

Mourning on the 10th of Muharram is an Innovation

As for the mourning and grieving of the Shiah on this day because of the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Husayn ibn Ali (Allah be pleased with him and his father), this is of the actions of those whose actions in this life are misguided while they think that they are doing well. Neither Allah Most High nor His Messenger (Allah bless him & give him peace) commanded us to mourn on the days of the tribulations of the Prophets, or their deaths, let alone anyone else.

[F: The fuqaha have mentioned that it is an innovation to consider Muharram a month of mourning. It is not disliked to marry in this month. It is a highly reprehensible innovation to participate in the rituals of the Shiah in mourning the death of Husayn (Allah be pleased with him).]

Some of the Virtues of the Day of `Ashura

It is a day in which Allah forgave an entire people. Tirmidhi relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to a man, �If you want to fast a month after Ramadan, then fast Muharram, for it has a day in which Allah forgave an entire people, and He turns to others in repentance in. [Tirmidhi (841)]

And Allah alone gives success.

I am glad I have ALLAH SWT now. :)

2011-11-25T08:25:00.001+08:00

Ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah

2011-10-26T20:52:00.000+08:00

Narrated Ibn Abbas:

The Prophet said, "No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul Hijja)." Then some companions of the Prophet said, "Not even Jihad?" He replied, "Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah's sake) and does not return with any of those things."

Allah (swt) swears an oath by them, and swearing an oath by something is indicative of its importance and great benefit.

The Prophet (pbuh) testified that these are the best days of this world, and encouraged people to do righteous deeds on these days.

Among the good deeds which the Muslim should strive to do during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah are:

Fasting. It is Sunnah to fast on the ninth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) urged us to do good deeds during this time, and fasting is one of the best of deeds.

Takbeer. It is Sunnah to say Takbeer ("Allahu akbar"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah"), Tahleel ("La ilaha ill-Allah") and Tasbeeh ("Subhaan Allah") during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, and to say it loudly in the mosque, the home, the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allah and mention His name out loud, as an act of worship and as a proclamation of the greatness of Allah, may He be exalted. Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should recite them quietly.

Doing more good deeds in general, because good deeds are beloved by Allah and will bring a great reward from Him. Whoever is not able to go to Hajj should occupy himself at this blessed time by worshipping Allah, praying (salaat), reading Qur’an, remembering Allah, making supplication (du’aa’), giving charity, honoring his parents, upholding the ties of kinship, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, and other good deeds and acts of worship.

Sacrifice. One of the good deeds that will bring a person closer to Allah during these ten days is offering a sacrifice, by choosing a high-quality animal and fattening it, spending money for the sake of Allah.

Sincere repentance. One of the most important things to do during these ten days is to repent sincerely to Allah and to give up all kinds of disobedience and sin.

Repentance means coming back to Allah and foregoing all the deeds, open and secret, that He dislikes, out of regret for what has passed, giving it up immediately and being determined never to return to it, but to adhere firmly to the Truth by doing what Allah loves.

There is much to be gained, so make the most of the opportunity afforded by these invaluable and irreplaceable ten days. Hasten to do good works, before death strikes, before one can regret one’s negligence and failure to act, before one is asked to return to a place where no prayers will be answered, before death intervenes between the hopeful one and the things he hopes for, before you are trapped with your deeds in the grave.

2011-09-14T07:34:00.002+08:00

2011-08-02T10:39:00.000+08:00

Ramadan Dua: DAY 1

ALLAH, on this day make my fasts the fasts of those

who fast (sincerely),

and my standing up in prayer of those who stand up in

prayer (obediently) , awaken me in it from the sleep

of the heedless, and forgive me my sins , OGod of the

worlds, and forgive me, O one who forgives the

sinners.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 2

ALLAH, on this day, take me closer towards Your

pleasure, keep me away from

Your anger and punishment, grant me the opportunity to

recite Your verses(of the Qur'an), by Your mercy, O

the most Merciful.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 3

ALLAH, on this day, grant me wisdom and awareness,

keep me away from

foolishness and pretension, grant me a share in every

blessing You send

down, by You generosity, O the most Generous.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 4

ALLAH, on this day, strengthen me in carrying out Your

commands, let me

taste the sweetness of Your remembrance, grant me,

through Your

graciousness, that I give thanks to You. Protect me,

with Your protection

and cover, O the most discerning of those who see.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 5

ALLAH, on this day, place me among those who seek

forgiveness. Place me

among Your righteous and obedient servants, and place

me among Your close

friends, by Your kindness, O the most Merciful.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 6

ALLAH, on this day, do not let me abase myself by

incurring Your

disobedience, and do not strike me with the whip of

Your punishment, keep

me away from the causes of Your anger, by and Your

power, O the ultimate

wish of those who desire.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 7

ALLAH, on this day, help me with its fasts and

prayers, and keep me away

from mistakes and sins of the day, grant me that I

remember You continuously through the day, by Your assistance,

the Guide of those who stray.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 8

ALLAH, on this day, let me have mercy on the orphans,

and feed [the

hungry], and spread peace, and keep company with the

noble-minded, O the

shelter of the hopeful.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 9

ALLAH, on this day, grant me a share from Your mercy

which is wide, guide

me towards Your shining proofs, lead me to Your all

encompassing pleasure,

by Your love, O the hope of the desirous.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 10

ALLAH, on this day, make me, among those who rely on

You, from those who

You consider successful, and place me among those who

are near to you, by

Your favor, O goal of the seekers.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 11

ALLAH, on this day, make me love goodness, and dislike

corruption and

disobedience, bar me from anger and the fire [of

Hell], by Your help, O the

helper of those who seek help

Ramadan Dua: DAY 12

ALLAH, on this day, beautify me with covering and

chastity, cover me with

the clothes of contentment and chastity, let me adhere

to justice and

fairness, and keep me safe from all that I fear, by

Your protection, O the

protector of the frightened.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 13

ALLAH, on this day, purify me from un-cleanliness and

dirt, make me patient

over events that are decreed, grant me the ability to

be pious, and keep

company with the good, by Your help, O the beloved of

the destitute.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 14

ALLAH, on this day, do not condemn me for slips, make

me decrease mistakes

and errors, do not make me a target for afflictions

and troubles, by Your

honor, O the honor of the Muslims.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 15

Ramadan Dua: DAY 16

ALLAH, on this day, grant me compatibility with the

good, keep me away from

patching up with the evil, lead me in it, by Your

mercy, to the permanent

abode, by Your God ship, O the God of the worlds.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 17

ALLAH, on this day, guide me towards righteous

actions, fulfill my needs

and hopes, O One who does not need explanations nor

questions, O One who

knows what is in the chests of the (people of the)

world. Bless Muhammad

and his family, the Pure.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 18

ALLAH, on this day, make me love goodness, and dislike

corruption and

disobedience, bar me from anger and the fire [of

Hell], by Your help, O the

helper of those who seek help.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 19

ALLAH, on this day, multiply for me its blessings, and

ease my path towards

its bounties, do not deprive me of the acceptance of

its good deeds, O the

Guide towards the clear truth.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 20

ALLAH, on this day, open for me the doors of the

heavens, and lock the

doors of Hell from me, help me to recite the Qur'an, O

the One who sends

down tranquility into the hearts of believers.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 21

ALLAH, on this day, show me the way to win Your

pleasure, do not let

Shaytan have a means over me, make Paradise an abode

and a resting place

for me, O the One who fulfills the requests of the

needy.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 22

ALLAH, on this day, open for me the doors of Your

Grace, send down on me

its blessings, help me towards the causes of Your

mercy, and give me a

place in the comforts of Paradise, O the one who

answers the call of the

distressed.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 23

ALLAH, on this day, wash away my sins, purify me from

all flaws, examine my

heart with (for) the piety of the hearts, O One who

overlooks the

shortcomings of the sinners.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 24

ALLAH, on this day, I ask You for what pleases You,

and I seek refuge in

You from what displeases You, I ask You to grant me

the opportunity to obey

You and not disobey You, O One who is generous with

those who ask

Ramadan Dua: DAY 25

ALLAH, on this day, make me among those who love Your

friends, and hate

Your enemies, following the way of Your last Prophet,

O the Guardian of the

hearts of the Prophets.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 26

ALLAH, on this day, make my efforts worthy of

appreciation, and my sins

forgiven, my deeds accepted, my flaws concealed, O the

best of those who

hear.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 27

ALLAH, on this day, bestow on me the blessings of

Laylatul Qadr, change my

affairs from (being) difficult to (being) easy, accept

my apologies, and

decrease for me [my] sins and burdens, O the

Compassionate with His

righteous servants.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 28

ALLAH, on this day, grant me a share in its nawafil

(recommended prayers),

honor me by attending to my problems, make closer the

means to approach

You, from all the means, O One who is not preoccupied

by the requests of

the beseechers.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 29

O ALLAH, on this day, cover me with Your mercy, grant

me in it success and

protection, purify my heart from the darkness of false

accusations, O the

Merciful to His believing servants.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 30

O ALLAH, on this day, make my fasts worthy of

appreciation and acceptance,

according to what pleases You, and pleases the

Messenger, the branches

being strengthened by the roots, for the sake of our

leader, Muhammad, and

his purified family. Praise be to ALLAH, the Lord of

the worlds.

Part of Iman

2011-06-30T08:16:00.000+08:00

Got this article from a blog. :)

Branches of Iman

RasoolALLAH (sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has said, "Iman has more than seventy (according to some, seventy seven) branches, of which the most important is the recitation of , and the least one is to remove some obstacle (stone, wood, thorn, etc) from the way; and modesty also is a special requisite of Iman."

Note:

modesty has been specially mentioned, because it serves as a safeguard against many sins like adultery, theft, fear of bad reputation leads to virtuous acts: in fact, fear of getting a bad name in this as well as in the next life actuates a man towards all good deeds, including of course Salat, hajj, Zakat, etc, and obedience in all respects to "be shameless and do whatever you like." there is also one Hadith to this effect

"if you do not feel ashamed, you will do whatever you like." the fact is that we abstain from misdeeds for fear of one think, "if i do not offer Salat, i will face disgrace in the hereafter." but if one has lost all sense of shame, he will say "what does it matter if others call me low?"

according to the above-mentioned Hadith, there are more than seventy branches of Iman. In many Ahadith, this number is given as seventy-seven. Scholars have written detailed commentaries on these seventy seven branches. Imam abu Hatim bin Hibban (rahmatullah alaih) wrote, "i contemplated on the meaning of this Hadith for a long time. When i counted the forms of prayers, the number far exceeded seventy-seven. If i counted the things which are specially mentioned in the Ahadith as branches of Iman, their number was less. The things counted as part of Iman in the holy Quran as well as the Hadith, agreed with this number. I therefore concluded that the above-mentioned Hadith implied all these things."

Qazi Iyaz (rahmatullah alaih) writes, some people have made special efforts to give details of these branches of Iman by means of Ijtihad, but failure to know all these details does not mean any defect in one's Iman, as its basic principles (with their details) are so well known. Khattaabi (rahmatullah alaih) says that full details of the exact number is known only to Allah and his apostle, but they are there in the Islamic code (Shariyat), and therefore it does not matter if their details are not known.

Imam Nauwi (rahmatullah alaih) has written that the prophet (sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has said that Kalma Tauheed i.e. Is the most important branch of Iman. This proves that it is the highest thing in Iman, and that no other branch of Iman is superior to it. Thus, belief in Tauheed is the most important essential of Iman and is incumbent on every believer. The least thing (in the order of merit) is the removal of anything that is likely to cause obstruction or inconvenience to any Muslim. The degree of importance of all the remaining essentials of Iman lies in between the two; it is enough to believe in them in a general way just as it is necessary to believe in the angels in a general way without knowing their names and details. Some Muhaddith have however written books about their details. Abu Abdullah Haleemi (rahmatullah alaih) wrote a book, Fawaaidul Minhaaj on this topic, Jaleel (rahmatullah alaih) wrote books which they called Shu-abul Iman. Ishaq Qurtubi (rahmatullah alaih) wrote Kitabun nasaa-'ih and imam abu Hatim wrote "Wasful Iman wa shu-abihi."

the commentators of Bukhari, the most famous collection of Ahadith, have summarized the contents of these books at one place. The gist of this summary is that complete Iman in reality consists of three components: firstly, confirmation by heart of all the essentials of Iman, secondly, confirmation by word of mouth; and thirdly, confirmation by our physical actions. Thus, the branches of Iman are divided into three categories, the first of which concern the intention, belief and action of the heart, the second concern the use of the tongue, and the third concern all the remaining parts of the body. All the things of Iman are included in these three categories. The first category includes thirty articles of faith, as follows:

1. To believe in Allah-in his being and his attributes, and that he is one, has no partner, and that there is no one like him.

2. To believe that all things excepts him, were created afterwards by him, and that only he has been afterwards by him, and that only he has been there forever.

3. To believe in the angels.

4. To believe in the revealed books.

5. To believe in the apostles of Allah.

6. To believe in destiny, i.e. Whether good or bad, it is ordained by Allah.

7. To believe in the life after death, including interrogation in the life after death, including interrogation in the grave, punishment in the grave, resurrection, the day of Judgment, rendering account of ones deeds, and passing over the bridge of Sirat.

8. To believe in the existence of paradise, and that (by the grace of almighty Allah) the believers will live in it forever.

9. To believe in the existence of hell, with its severest punishments, and that it will last for ever.

10. To love almighty Allah.

11. To love or hate other people for the pleasure of Allah (i.e. To love the pious and hate the disobedient ones). It includes, of course, loving the Sahabah, specially Muhajirs, Ansars, and descendants of RasoolALLAH (sallallaho alaihe wasallam).

12. To love RasoolALLAH (sallallaho alaihe wasallam), which include cherishing the highest esteem for him, offering Durood on him, and following the Sunnah i.e. His way of life.

13. To practice Ikhlaas, which includes avoiding show and hypocrisy.

14. To make Taubah i.e. To repent over one's sins from the core of the heart, and to be determined not to repeat them.

15. To fear almighty Allah.

16. To hope and pray for the mercy of Allah.

17. Not to despair of almighty Allah's mercy.

18. To remain thankful to Allah.

19. To be faithful in one's promise.

20. To exercise patience.

21. To show humility, which includes respect for the elders.

22. To show kindness and pity, which includes kindness to children.

23. To be resigned to one's fate.

24. To practice tawakkul i.e. To depend on almighty Allah.

25. To refrain from self-praise and self-aggrandizement. This includes self reformation also.

26. Not to harbor rancour and jealousy against others.

27. To cultivate modesty.

28. To restrain one's rage.

29. Not to deceive, cheat or suspect others.

30. To expel from one's heart the love of the worldly things, including that for wealth and status.

according to Allama Ayene, (rahmatullah alaih) this list covers all the functions of the heart. If anything is found apparently missing, a little thought will show that is covered by one item or the other of this list.

the second category includes the functions of the tongue, and there are seven essentials in this respect, as follows:

1. Recitation of Kalma Tayyibah.

2. Recitation of the holy Quran.

3. Acquisition of ilm (religious knowledge).

4. Propagation of religious knowledge to others.

5. Duua, i.e. Supplication.

6. Zikr of Allah, including Astaghfaar.

7. To abstain from loose and useless talk.

the third category includes bodily actions. In this respect, there are forty essentials which are divided into three parts. The first part which includes actions that relate to the self or person of an individual. These are sixteen, as follows:

1. Observing cleanliness of body, clothes and place. The cleanliness of body includes Wudu and obligatory bath, purification from menstruation and post-birth blood.

2. Offering Salat, including Fard, Nafil and Qaza Salat. This would mean offering and fulfilling its pre-requisites.

3. Giving Sadqah (charity), which includes Zakat, Sadqatul-fitr, voluntary alms, feeding people, entertaining guests, and liberating slaves.

4. Fasting, obligatory as well non-obligatory.

5. Performing Hajj, obligatory or non-obligatory. It includes making Umrah and Tawaf.

6. Aitekaf (remaining in a mosque in full devotion), which includes search for Lailat-ul-Qadr qadr.

7. Leaving one's home for the defense of the Deen. This includes Hijrat (migration for the sake of Allah).

8. Fulfilling one's offerings.

9. Stead fastness in one's oaths.

10. Payment of atonement money, if due.

11. Covering the essential parts of the body, as required by Islam, during Salat and outside Salat.

12. Offering of sacrifice and taking care of animals to be offered.

13. Making arrangements for the funeral.

14. Payment of debt.

15. Rectitude in dealings, and abstaining from usury.

16. Giving correct evidence, and not concealing the truth.

the second part, which includes action involving treatment with one's relatives and others, has six essentials:

1. Getting discharge as a safeguard against adultery.

2. To discharge obligation towards one's family members, servants and subordinates.

3. Good treatment towards one's parents, and being kind and obedient to them.

4. Bringing up one's children in a proper way.

5. Remaining on good terms with one's relatives.

6. Obeying one's elders, and following their advice.

the third part includes eighteen essentials, which relates to our social obligations to society in general:

1. To rule one's domain with justice.

2. To support the right party.

3. To obey the rulers, provided their orders are not against religion.

4. To work for the betterment of mutual relations, including punishing the wrong-doers and making Jihad against the rebels.

5. To help others in their noble deeds.

6. To enjoin the good and forbid the evil; it includes work and speech for propagation of religion.

7. To carry out the punishments enjoined by religion (for specific offences).

8. To take part in Jihad i.e. To fight in the path of Allah. It includes guarding the defense lines.

9. To pay off our dues and return amaanat; this includes payment of Khums (payment of tax equal to one fifth of the booty).

10. To lend (to the needy) and to pay back the debt.

11. To discharge our obligations to our neighbors, and to be kind and helpful to them.

12. To be fair in one's business dealings; it includes savings and earning in a lawful manner.

13. To be careful in expenditure; one should guard against extravagance as well as miserliness.

14. To make salaam and respond to the salaam.

15. To say (may Allah have mercy on you) when somebody happens to sneeze.

16. Not to be the cause of trouble and loss to others.

17. To avoid idle and useless pursuits.

18. To clear troublesome obstructions from the way.

the seventy-seven branches of Iman have been counted above. Some of these can be merged together, as for example earning and spending can be put together, under fair dealings. Careful consideration can enable one to cut down the total to seventy or sixty-seven, the numbers given in some Ahadith.

the above list has been prepared mainly from the commentary of Allama Ayene (rahmatullah alaih) on Bukhari Shareef, wherein these things are mentioned in their order of merit. Selection has been made also from other books, i.e. Fathul-Baari of ibn Hijr and Mirqaat of Allama Qari.

scholars have written that the implied essentials of Iman are as given above. One should ponder over these, and be thankful to almighty Allah for the good qualities acquired already, because all goodness is possible only through his grace and mercy. In case of deficiency in respect of any quality, one should strive for it and keep on praying that almighty Allah may grace him with his blessings.

DEFINITION OF AL-HIDAYAH (GUIDANCE)

2011-02-11T08:52:00.000+08:00

Etymologically:

- The word hidayah is derived from the Arabic verb hada هدى which means to guide, to direct, to show the way and so on.

- Hidayah, which is verbal noun form, means a direction, a path, a way and so on.

- Hidayah linguistically refers to any guidance, direction, way and method, as long as it ensures person to reach his destination or attain his objective, though this destination or objective is against the syari`ah of Allah (s.w.t). refer : (surah Al-Ghafir 40:29)

Conceptually:

-Hidayah conceptually refers to the following meanings :

i) The only way that ensures a person to achieve the pleasure and closure to Allah (s.w.t). ( mardatullah wa al-taqaarub ilaihi)

ii) A way that ensures a person to achieve tranquility, satisfaction, good feeling, success and meaningful life in this world and hereafter. (al-hayah al-tayyibah)

iii) The only system by which human kind is able to function and to carry out the duties of khilafah (vicegerent) and ibadah.

Refer :

a) Surah Al-sajadah 32:24

-Hidayah refers to systematic and organized group of principle, instruction and teachings which brought by the messenger on Allah (s.w.t) instruction directly.

b) Surah Al-A`raf 7:43

- Hidayah is the only system of life whose outcome and objective is not only for the life in this world but what is more important is for the life in hereafter.

c) Surah Al-Qasas 28:56

- Hidayah is the something that only Allah has the power of giving and preventing from receiving it. It is not something within the capacity of human being to do so. It is a gift (tawfiq) from Allah s.w.t.

d) Surah Taha 20:50

- According to al-mufassirin, the guidance referring to natural ability of every creation (living or non-living) of Allah (s.w.t) to behave to act in accordance to the way necessary and important for their well being.

Stages of creation :

Takhliq : Allah brings from non-existence into existence.

Taswiyah : Allah give form ideally to its creation.

Taqdir : Allah assigned a role to created things (role & function)

Hidayah : Allah shows the way (guidance) to its existence.

LEVELS OF HIDAYAH

A) Guidance of Natural Inspiration (Hidayah Al-Ilham al-Fitri)

- Most of the human activities and deeds in this life are motivated, inspired directed and guided by the needs of human nature (al-Fitrah), and it appears in two form as follow :

i) Primary needs of human nature ( basic necessity such as food, cloth, shelter etc.)

ii) Secondary need of human nature (His desire to fulfill the requirements of his self-esteem, such as appreciation, recognition acknowledgement, wealth etc)

The prophet said: The best one in the eyes of Allah among human being is the most useful one among them. So human effort and struggle are also motivated and directed by his wish to fulfill the needs and requirement of his self-esteem.

Therefore in Islam, the fulfillment of the needs of fitrah, is necessity because the urge of fitrah is one form of guidance and direction (al-hidayah) provided by Allah (s.w.t) for human being. (refer : Surah Al-Imran 3:14)

B) Guidance of Feeling and Sense (Hidayah Al-Hawwas)

-Human being needs this level of guidance because :

i) To help us in controlling ourselves when we are responding to the urge and the pleasure of human nature which is embodied and contained in hidayah of natural inspiration.

ii) Hidayah al-hawwas plays the role as the manifestion, indication and the sign of the needs of human nature (al-fitrah).

C) Guidance of Intellect ( Hidayah al-`Aql)

The level of hidayah al-`aql is needed to control ourselves when we are responding to Hidayah al-Hawwas. The mind here refers to the faculty of intellectual and the power of reason. The use of reason only limited to the cases that are not clearly stated in the al-Qu`ran of its hukum. Howewer, if there is provision of its hukum in the aq-Qu`ran, the muslim must refer to directly, without the use of reason.

D) The Guidance of Religion ( Hidayah Al-Din)

The highest level of Guidance because it is coming in the form of direct and specific injunction and provision of Al-Qu`ran and al-Sunnah. Hidayah al-Din is needed to control our wisdom and intellect in examining the status of our activities whether it is right or wrong. This is due to human intellect is still limited. Therefore, in cases and matters which is beyond the capabilities of human being, Allah (s.w.t) sends a revelation explaining and providing solution for these matters in detail and specific (hidayah).(6:71,76:2-3,90:8-10,16:78)

AL-QURAN : the book of guidance

The subject of Basic Themes of Al-Quran meant to inculcate within us the belief and conviction in the al-Quran as the only book of Guidance for mankind. In order to ensure our actual confidence in al-Quran as the book revealed by Allah (s.w.t), it is necessary for us to understand and appreciate the miracles of al-Quran.

Al-Quran is the book guidance to our prophet Muhamad s.a.w. Al-Quran revealed down to messenger by Allah through gabriel. It sent in step to prophet Muhamad s.a.w. It is a main source of reference for Islam. Prophet said "I inherited to you two matter you will not abstracted in your life, it is Al-Quran and his Sunnah". Allah also stated in Al-Quran ( Surah Al-Baqarah 1:2) " This is the Book (Al-Quran). in it is guidance sure, without doubt to those who fear Allah ".

Prerequisite for divine guidance (Al-Hidayah)

A) Al-Iman (belief)

To have actual conviction (haq al-yaqin) in the teaching of Allah and islam as the only effective way and system of life for humankind.

Haq al-yaqin=conviction which is not requiring either observation (‘ain al-yaqin) @ rationalization (‘Ilm al-yaqin).

(refer : Surah Al-`Araf 7:158)

- In the ayah, Allah (s.w.t) mentions that is order to obtain hidayah, a person should believe in Allah (s.w.t) and His messenger (s.a.w) which implies belief (iman or haqq al-yaqin) in Allah (s.w.t) teachings as the only effective way and system of life ensures the actual well-being, goodness and safety to humankind.

B) Islam ( Total Submission)

-Islam is total submission to Allah`s Will #. It (Islam) is the manifestation and indication of iman. (refer : Surah Al-Imran 3:20). In this Ayah states that the condition and the prerequisite for being on the right path of Allah (s.w.t) is a submission to His Will.

The total submission to Allah’s will contained in:

1. Allah’s injuctions refer to instruction and prohibition of the syari’ah.

2. Allah’s decision refers to his qada’ and qadar.

3. His creation refers to the law of nature created by Allah.

C) Al-Ihsan

-is higher level of Islam and can be categorized into 2 levels

I. Al-‘adalah (justice)-level which we must have to attain at least in our submission to Allah.

II. Ihsan is a level higher that what we must attain (required to attain)

(Refer : Surah Al-Nahl 16:90) ( Refer : Surah Al-Luqman 31: 1-3)

D) `Amal Salih

- `Amal salih is an activity and deed which in general recognized as ibadah that is resulted in receiving ajr (reward) from Allah (s.w.t), and done for achieving pleasure and closure of Allah s.w.t . There are preconditions to be fulfilled:

i)Permisible deeds-not against specific & direct injunction of Al-Quran & sunnah.

ii)Beneficial deeds-useful & important for developing 1 or > of the 5 aspects of human being (objectives of syari’ah); (faith,emotion,intellect,physique & means(money))

iii) Sincerity of Intention. ( refer Surah Al-Nahl 16 : 90) -> doing something for the sake of Allah (s.w.t).

iv) The Performance of Ibadah al-Khassah. -> What ever activities and deeds we are doing are not considered as amal salih unless they are done along with Ibadah al-Khassah as the pillars of Islam as comprehensive way of life.

v) Fulfilling the ethical values and Islamic virtues. E.g punctuality, hardworking, politeness,friendliness,helpfulness,patience. (10:9)

E) Inabah

-The act of returning to the way of Allah (s.w.t) repeatedly and it is an evitable process for a Muslim in his effort to be remaining on the right path of Allah (s.w.t) in order to achieve the pleasure of Him (s.w.t). In fact, both inabah and tawbah are referring to the same thing.

Tawbah comprises three stages:

I. The realisationof the seriousness of the sin.

II. The feeling of regret of the sin done.

III. The resolution to leave/abstain from the sin.

Inabah+another 2 stages;

IV. A process of abstaining from sin committed.

V. Replacing it with good deed opposite to it.

( refer Surah Al-Furqan 25:70) (Surah Ra`d 13:27)

F) Al-Jihad

- A Muslim is required as a preconditioned of the right path of Allah (s.w.t) to exert his utmost effort and to work all out in whatever activities he is undertaking. With regards to the relationship between jihad and receiving hidayah from Allah (s.w.t) refer to Surah Al-Ankabut 29:69)

MANIFESTION OF MISGUIDANCE

A) Al-Kufr (Disbelief)

- The total and absolute distrust in Allah (s.w.t) and His teachings as the only effective way of life. It is the most obvious deviating way which taking a person very far from the right path of Allah (s.w.t). ( refer : Surah Al-Nisa`)

B) Al-Zulm ( Injustice)

- Al-Zulm comprises all practice where a person fails to give something or someone its or his due or right (that supposed to give). The right refers to anything necessary and needed by someone/something to enable him to function well and effectively based on the nature of his work.(refer Surah Al-Saff 61:7)

C) Al-Fisq (Disobedience)

-refers to a person who is straying from the right path and keeps on disobeying Allah (s.w.t)

- A fasiq person is the one who used to commit sin and doing mistake to the extent that it becomes for him a habit a culture and enjoyable activities, where he feels nothing wrong at all with what he is involving in ( refer Surah 9:80)

D) Israf (Excessiveness)

- The act of doing something lawful or fulfilling a responsibility beyond its appropriate limit in one aspect which is resulted in negative effect or deficiency in another, without necessity ( Refer Surah Al-Ghafir 40:28)

A person who used to be excessive especially in his expenditure and in his life style in general usually it is for the purpose of showing off as been mentioned by the prophet (s.a.w)

“Eat, donate and be dressed (as like as you wish) provided it is not done excessively and not for showing off.”

-Those who are doing things for the purpose of showing off and not because of necessity usually need to spend more than their actual ability which requires them to be untruthful ones who keep on trying to deceive the others in order to ensure the enough means to enable them to lead that excessive life.

E) Al-Nifaq ( Hypocrisy)

- Al-Nifaq originally refers to a quality of non Muslims who were pretending as Muslims and living together with them in Madinah

-worse than non-muslim (al-kuffār)

-lack of a strong principle & clear stance due to strong concern of getting benefit and profit as much as possible from both sides.

( Refer Surah Al-Baqarah 2:14-16)

INDICATION OF RECEIVING GUIDANCE (HIDAYAH)

A) Experiencing satisfaction and excitement.

- Experiencing a state of enjoyment, pleasure, satisfaction, and enthusiasm, in observing and implementing the teaching of Islam (refer Surah Al-An`am 6:125)

B) Experiencing Calmness and Serenity

- Experiencing a state of actual tranquility and serenity ( refer Surah Al-Baqarah 2:38). from this ayah, we can see that those who have acquired hidayah from Allah (s.w.t) will be free from al-khauf and al-huzn.

-Al-khauf is a feeling of fear or worry, uncertainly, and anxiety about what is going to happen to him.

-Al-huzn is the feeling of sadness, regret, disappointment, frustration, and dissatisfaction on something which has happened already. The both states of feeling create a person a feeling of depression, low spirit, will be removed from the heart of those who have been bestowed hidayah (guidance) by Allah (s.w.t)

C) Feeling of hatred towards sinful acts.

- Perceiving ma`siah as something shameful and hateful ( refer Surah Al-Naml 27:24)

shared by a brother in Islam.

..:: AS I PRAY BEFORE YOU ::..

2011-01-21T10:13:00.000+08:00

I raise my hands and submit to You.

I bow like I recover from a race.

...I prostrate humbling my soul so blue.

I witness Your mercy and Your grace.

And when the sky is closing down and the soil beneath me dries.

You my Lord will know what's best and shower mercy from the skies.

I am but Your slave and I live only to please You always.

And when I'm weak, forgive me as You do in Your kind ways.

And when I stand up from my knees and my breath is light and easy.

I know that there's a place for me that's warm and mildly breezy.

Here I stand with Your words in my mouth and skipping off my tongue.

and no matter where I am in life ....before You I am young.

The sense of ease and comfort Your book brings into my life...

In the times I needed it most, like when I was failing as a wife.

when my family struggled with sickness and my heart it seemed too broken.

It was all I needed in my hand, The words of God forever spoken.

I only wish that others could relate to what I boast about.

A prayer and Book, if they'd only take a look,

and all doubts would soon blow out.

WHY ISLAM SAYS NO TO GAMBLING. PART 2

2011-01-04T10:22:00.002+08:00

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear sister in Islam, first of all, we’d like to commend you for showing much keenness on getting acquainted with the teachings of Islam. We implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake.

In his response to the question in point, Dr. Salah Sultan, President of Islamic American University and professor of Islamic Jurisprudence, Cairo University, issues the following Fatwa:

"The best way to earn money in Islam is to work hard and employ thought. Islam prohibits a Muslim from earning vast amounts of money without making any effort. Allah Almighty says: "O you who believe! Strong drink and games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan's handiwork. Leave it aside in order that you may succeed." (Al-Ma'idah: 90)

Islam wants people to give their money for good and charitable causes out of the goodness of their hearts, love of God and humanity, and not through devious and dubious ways and means. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) says, "Allah does not accept except that which is good and pure." (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

In Islam, money is not an aim in itself, in the sense that it is a means of earning one's livelihood. It is worth noting in this respect that the moment the prize winner's names are being announced, the limelight floods the winner while leaving hundreds of thousands of losers in hospitals suffering various psychological disturbances. Another question imposes itself: To what extent can lottery and gambling benefit production and the world economy in general?

Conclusion:

In the light of the above Fatwa, it becomes clear that lottery is a form of the prohibited games of chance, which are strictly condemned in the following Qur'anic verse: "O ye who believe! Strong drink and games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan's handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed. Satan seeketh only to cast among you enmity and hatred by means of strong drink and games of chance, and to turn you from remembrance of Allah and from (His) worship. Will ye then have done?" (Al-Ma'idah: 90-91)

WHY ISLAM SAYS NO TO GAMBLING. (PART 1)

2011-01-04T10:21:00.002+08:00

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Brother, first of all, we’d like to say that we are impressed by your question, which emanates from a thoughtful heart. May Allah Almighty help us all adhere to the principles of this true religion, Islam, and enable us to be among the dwellers of Paradise in the Hereafter, Ameen.

In his well-known book, The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam, the prominent Muslim scholar, Sheik Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, states:

"While permitting a variety of games and sports, Islam prohibits any game which involves betting, that is, which has an element of gambling in it. We have already quoted the saying of the Prophet, 'He who says to his friend: 'Come, let us gamble,' must give charity.' It is not lawful for the Muslim to seek relaxation and recreation in gambling, nor is it lawful for him to acquire money through it.

There are sound and noble objectives behind this strict prohibition of gambling:

1. The Islamic teachings urge the Muslim to follow Allah's directives for earning a living, to use natural laws and direct means for the attainment of his objectives, and to employ such causes to produce the desired effects. Gambling, which includes raffling or the lottery, on the other hand, makes a person dependent on chance, 'luck' and empty wishes, taking him away from honest labor, serious work and productive effort. The person who depends on gambling loses respect for the laws of causation which Allah has established and commanded people to use.

2. In Islam, an individual's property is sacred; it may not be taken from him except through lawful exchange or unless he gives it freely as a gift or in charity. Accordingly, taking it from him by gambling is unlawful.

3. It is therefore not surprising that gamblers develop hatred and enmity towards one another, although they may claim that losing does not trouble them. There is always a winner and a loser. The loser may seem composed but behind his composure is frustration, anger, and regret: frustration due to disappointment, anger at the loss of money, and regret for not having played a winning game.

4. Gambling has its own compulsion. The loser plays again in hope of winning the next game in order to regain his earlier losses, while the winner plays again to enjoy the pleasure of winning, impelled by greed for more. Naturally, luck changes hands, the loser becomes the winner and the winner the loser, and the joy of winning changes into the bitterness of loss. Thus the gamblers may persist at playing the game, unable to bring themselves to leave it; this is the secret of the addiction to gambling.

5. Because of this addiction, gambling is a danger to the society as well as to the individual. This habit consumes gamblers' time and energy, making them non-productive idlers and parasites on society, who take but do not give, who consume but do not produce. Moreover, due to his absorption with gambling, the gambler neglects his obligations towards his Creator and his duties towards his community. It often happens that a gambling addict sells his honor, religion, and country for the sake of the gaming table, since his devotion to this table dulls his sense of values and kills all other devotions.

How correct the Qur'an is in mentioning drinking and gambling together in its verses, since their harmful effects on the individual, the family, and society are very similar. What is more like alcoholism than addiction to gambling? This is why one usually is not found without the other. Again, how correct the Qur'an is when it teaches us that both of these, drinking and gambling, are inspired by Satan, that they are akin to idolatry and divining by arrows, and that they are filthy and abominable habits which must be shunned: 'O you who believe, truly intoxicants and gambling and divination by arrows are an abomination of Satan's doing; avoid them in order that you may be successful. Assuredly Satan desires to sow enmity and hatred among you by means of intoxicants and gambling, and to hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you not then desist?' (Al-Ma'idah: 93-94)"

2010-12-26T09:47:00.000+08:00

In an attempt to understand how those who lived before us treated the gift of time, I began reading ‘The Value of Time’. We live in an era where time has little value and the accumulation of wealth overshadows our desire to attain beneficial knowledge. As you go through this treasure trove you soon come to realise how we are regretfully not of those people who know the true value of time. Instead we fritter it away, giving other irrelevant tasks weight compared to attaining and spreading beneficial knowledge, and we have lost a zeal for investing in good deeds – the one thing which will outlast us when we leave this world.

What passes through the pages in this book will leave you awe-struck, that the scholars of the past sacrificed everything from eating even when their body was calling in hunger, to minimal social relations in order to preserve time for the most important matters. If you were to take any lesson from this review, it is that we are given a microscopic view into the lives of wise giants in Islam. Wise because their profit was in the wealth of knowledge they produced for the masses. A profound use of their time shows that ensuring every moment was used for something beneficial and pleasing to Allah (Subahanahu Wa Ta’ala).

What particularly struck me about the way the book was beautifully compiled – was the reality of time worthy actions being achieved; sadly the accomplishment of goals in our lifetime is rare in our world of ‘uber-busyness’. I want to highlight some of the points mentioned in the book, though it will not suffice as an introduction so I hope that by the end of the review you will feel compelled to buy your own copy of the book or order a copy from IslamicBookStore.com and take practical lessons from it that can be applied in your own life.

Time is defined in the book as ‘the loftiest and most precious of all primary blessings’ and ‘is the substance of life, the sphere in which man exists, the citadel of his spirit, and his subsistence – him benefiting himself and others’. As many of us know, Allah swears by time in the Qur’aan in Surah Al Asr, so we should ask ourselves that if we are at a loss with time then wouldn’t the intelligent and wise people invest their time in the actions that will outlast his existence in this world? One highlight of this short yet comprehensive treatise is that it can change your perspective of time, so you come to realise the invaluable deed of attaining knowledge as being your goal in life.

One of my favourite scholarly works to read from are by the eminent Shaykul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, about whom the author says in ‘The Value of Time’: “Even more remarkable is the example of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, born 661, died 728, may Allah have mercy on him, at the age of 57 leaving around five-hundred written volumes. He could not have written hundreds of books, such that neither his companions, nor even his shaykh himself could count them, without complete use of his time in learning writing and worship”.

So you may be asking yourself: what are the secret ingredients of these prominent scholars we can only marvel at? I’d say they truly understood the statement that ‘time passes naturally, ends automatically, so whoever is not aware of his soul, his time will be lost, his loss will be great, and his regrets will be severe’. And it is indeed true to say that: ‘The pious predecessors and those successors who followed their way were the keenest of people to gain time and to fill it with good deeds, whether they were scholars or worshippers, for they raced against the hours, and used every instant, being very careful with their time, so that they may not lose any part of it’.

Of those mentioned, Ibn Jarir, Ibn Aqil, Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Al-Jawzi and many others all reflect that protecting what time is spent on and striving for only the important knowledge leads to success for ‘the wise man must devote (his) keen mind and precious time to better actions and the higher aspirations, in order to attain what is most excellent and useful’.

In summary, we, the readers in an age where time is used and abused, can take these inspiring snippets of the great legacies that have come to pass and learn to utilise every moment Allah has blessed us with through:

Reflection: For Allah has warned us of those who are wasteful with time and says:“Did we not grant you a life long enough for him who reflected to reflect therein?” [Quran Chapter 35 Verse 37]

Eating less: They were careful to lose even a second of their time in pursuit of knowledge because of eating. Such that in some of the stories written they ate only bread as their soul was satisfied with the food of knowledge.

Walking faster: In order to travel in pursuit of the knowledge they were seeking in abundance, so they would not be lazy in going from one end of the earth to the other to obtain it.

Mixing with the people less: They would reduce their social time which is prevalent in our daily activities today. Leaving the people and not coming out of their homes unless for prayer in the masjid or necessary matters.

Constantly Writing and Reading: This is paramount to the first point, their reflection on the knowledge they gained led to the numerous works presented before us. This is testimony of their vigilance in worshiping Allah and being cautious not to waste a single moment by reading, writing or remembering; and spreading this beneficial knowledge.

And I could go on, but I want to leave you with a passage from the book to think about in respect to your own life and use of time: ‘Is your life in this universe anything other than the time which passes between birth and death? Gold can vanish, but you may acquire many times what you lose. But you cannot return lost time that has passed! Therefore time is more precious than gold, and dearer than diamonds or any precious stone or any profit, for it is life itself.’

BEING A LEADER

2010-12-26T09:32:00.002+08:00

Being a leader is about being brave...

When weakness hits it's about the Iman* you save...

...Serve others and value them it's about getting out the cave...

Wish for others what you wish for yourself it's about giving your brother water in the heart wave...

Take risks and have the courage to stand out it's about making the most of your time...

Keeping trust in Allah and making dua* it's about turning to the All-Mightly the sublime...

Watch your faith grow from a seed to a tree it's about transforming sand into a dime...

Bismillah and strive until death overtakes you it's about removing your fears...

Only fear Allah and shower people with peace it's about weeping to Allah in repentance with tears...

Be Sincere and love others with your character it's about breathing each heart beat till the glass is full...

WHAT IS PRIDE?

2010-12-14T10:19:00.002+08:00

From 'Abdullaah Ibn Mas'ood radi-Allaahu 'anhu who related that Allaah's Messenger sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam said:

"Whoever has an atoms worth of kibr (pride) in his heart will not enter Paradise." So a man said: What about a person who loves (i.e. takes pride in) wearing beautiful clothes and beautiful shoes? So he replied: "Indeed Allaah is beautiful and loves beauty. Kibr (pride) is to reject the truth, and to despise the people."

So Allaah - the Most High - informs us that the Hellfire is the abode of those who have kibr (pride and arrogance). And we learn from the (above) hadeeth that: "Whoever has on atoms worth of kibr (pride) in his heart will not enter Paradise." So this is a proof that kibr (pride) necessitates entry into the Hellfire and prevents entry into Paradise. And this comprehensive explanation that the Prophet sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam mentioned has clarified the meaning of kibr (pride) in the dearest possible manner. So he divided kibr into two types:-

[1] Pride against the truth: This is to reject the truth and not to accept it. So anyone who reject the truth is proud and arrogant - in accordance with what he reject of the truth. So it is obligatory upon everyone to humble themselves to the truth which Allaah sent His Messenger with, and which He sent down in His Book. As for those whose pride and arrogance prevents them from totally complying with the Messengers (i.e. having eemaan or faith in them and their message) - then they are kuffaar (unbelievers) who will dwell in the Hellfire for eternity. Since when the truth comes to them via the Messengers, who explain to them the signs and clear proofs, they reject it and are prevented from accepting it, due to the kibr that they harbour in their hearts. Allaah the Most High - said:

"Indeed those who argue about the Signs of Allaah without any authority having come to them, there is nothing in their hearts except kibr (pride). They will never accept the Prophet Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam as a Prophet." [Soorah Ghaafir (40):56]

As for those whose arrogance and pride prevent them from complying with parts of the truth - because it opposes their personal opinions or their whims and desires - then such people are not kuffaar (unbelievers), but such an action necessitates them being punished in accordance with what they have of kibr. This is why the Scholars are agreed that whenever the Sunnah (guidance and way) of Allaah's Messenger sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam has been explained to anyone, then it is not lawful for him to turn away from it to the saying of someone else, whoever and whatever status he may have. So it is obligatory upon the seeker of knowledge to give complete and absolute precedence to the saying of Allaah and the saying of His Messenger sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam over and above the saying of anyone else, and that he should make that the basis to which he returns, and the foundation upon which he builds; following the guidance of the Prophet sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam, striving hard to understand what is intended from it, and following this, both inwardly and outwardly. When a person conforms to this great principle, then he has indeed reached goodness and excellence, and all his errors will be forgiven to him; since his overall objective is to follow that which has been prescribed upon him. So his errors are excused due to his striving his best to recognise and comply with the truth - and this is humbling oneself to the truth.

[2] Pride towards people: This type is to despise the people, and to look down upon them. This attitude arises when a person is amazed with his own self, thinks highly of himself, and thinks he is better than others. So this causes him to have kibr towards the creation, despise them, mock them, and to degrade them through both speech and action. Allaah's Messenger sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam said:

"It is enough evil for a person to despise his brother Muslim." 2

This is why the man asked: "What about a person who loves (i.e. takes pride in) wearing beautiful clothes and shoes?" Because he feared that this was the kibr which would be under the threat of punishment. So the Prophet sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam explained to him that this was not from kibr; since this person was one who complied with the truth, and was humble towards people, and that this was from the beauty that Allaah loves, for indeed Allaah - the Most High is beautiful in His Dhaat (Self), Sifaat (Attributes) and Af'aal (Actions), and He loves both outer and inner beauty.

As regards outer beauty, then it includes cleanliness of the body, clothes and place. As regards to inner beauty, then it is beautifying the character. This is why the Prophet sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam used to supplicate:

"O Allaah! Guide me to having beautiful manners and characteristics, no one can guide me to beautifying them except You. And turn away from me all evil actions and characteristics, no one can turn them away from me except You."3

And Allaah knows best.

1. Related by Muslim in his Sahih (1/65).

2. Related by Muslim (no.2564).

3. Related by an-Nasa'i (no.861). It was authenticated by al-Albani in his Sifatus-Salah (p.93).

Dua when U need help from the Creator

2010-12-06T14:17:00.000+08:00

There are certain times dua (supplication) is more likely to be accepted by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) as mentioned by Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam). These times are as follows:

1. The Last Third Of The Night

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; “Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?.”‘ [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]

Amr ibn Absah narrated that the Prophet said: ‘The closest any worshipper can be to His Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.’ [at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, al-Hakim - Sahih]

2. Late at night

When people are sleeping and busy with worldly pleasures Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer hour if they can fight sleep and invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) for whatever they need.

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘There is at night an hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or the Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs) every night.’ [Muslim #757]

3. Between Adhan and Iqamah

Anas (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected.’ [Ahmad, abu Dawud #521, at-Tirmidhi #212, Sahih al-Jami #3408, an-Nasai and Ibn Hibban graded it sahih (sound)]

4. An Hour on Friday

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) talked about Friday and said: ‘There is an hour o n Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), then Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) will definitely meet his demand.’ And he (the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer’s leader) enters the mosque o n Friday’s prayer until the prayer is over (ie between the two khutbahs), whereas others have said that it is the last hour of the day (ie after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib prayer).

(Note: when we say an hour here we do not mean the hour everyone knows (60 minutes) but an unspecified period of time because the time counters which we use today came after the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) had died.

5. While Drinking Zamzam Water

Jaber (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for.’ [Ahmad 3: 357 and Ibn Majah #3062]

This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) for anything you like to gain or benefit from this water such as healing from illness…. etc.

6. While Prostrating

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), said: ‘The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) much in it. [Muslim, abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i and others, Sahih al-Jami #1175]

When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and when he prostrates he is the nearest he can be to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) so it is best to invoke Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) at this time. It is said that while in prostration, o ne should not ask for worldy needs (ie a nice car, a new job, etc), but for the Hereafter.

7. When Waking Up at Night

Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shrika lahu lahulmulku, wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli shai’in qadir. Alhamdu lillahi, wa subhanallahi wa la ilaha illallahu, wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata illa billah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) He is the o nly o ne who has no partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises are for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) All the glories are for Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is the most Great and there is neither might nor power except with Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and then says, Allahumma ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me) or invokes Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), he will be responded to and if he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer), his Salat (prayer) will be accepted. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

8. At The End Of The Obligatory Salat:

Narrated Abu Omamah (radiAllahu anhu): that Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was asked, O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is heard (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), he said the end of the night and at the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer) [at-Tirmidhi]

This time is after saying ‘At-tahyat’ , and before making Tasleem (finishing prayer)

9. The Night Of ‘Qadr’ (Decree)

This night is the greatest night of the year. This is the night which the almighty Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) said about it, “The night of Al-Qadar (Decree) is better than a thousand months.” [Surah al-Qadr, 97: 3]

The Night of Decree is o ne of the odd nights of the last ten nights of the blessed month of Ramadan. The angels descend down to the earth, and the earth is overwhelmed with peace and serenity until the break of dawn and when he doors of Paradise are opened, the worshipper is encouraged to turn to Allah to ask for his needs for this world and the Hereafter.

10. During The Rain

Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa’ad (radiAllahu anhu): that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the rain’. [Al-Hakim 2: 114, and Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah]

‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’ [reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]

The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) so, o ne should take advantage of this time when Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is having mercy o n His slaves.

11. At the Adhan

‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’ [reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]

In another hadith; ‘When the prayer is called, the doors of the skies are opened, and the du’a is answered’ [al-Tayalisi in his Musnad #2106, al-Sahihah #1413]

12. The One Who Is Suffering Injustice and Oppression

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said to Mua’ad Ibn Jabal (radiAllahu anhu), ‘Beware of the supplication of the unjustly treated, because there is no shelter or veil between it (the supplication of the o ne who is suffering injustice) and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)’ [Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared, ‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the o ne who is oppressed.’

[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

In another hadith; The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared: ‘Three du’as are surely answered: The du’a of the oppressed, the du’a of the traveler, and the du’a of the father/mother (upon their child)’

The o ne who is suffering injustice is heard by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) when he invokes Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) to retain his rights from the unjust o ne or oppressor. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) has sworn to help the o ne who is suffering from injustice sooner or later as the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said.

13. The Traveler

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the o ne who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

During travel supplication is heard by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) if the trip is for a good reason, but if the trip is for a bad intention or to perform illegal things (making sins) this will not apply to it.

14. The Parent’s Supplication for their Child

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the o ne who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

15. Dua after praising Allah and giving salat o n the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) in the tashahhud at the end of salat.

Narrated Faddalah ibn Ubayd (radiAllahu anhu): that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘When anyone of you makes du’a, let him start by glorifying his Lord and praising Him, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), then let him pray for whatever he wants’ [abu Dawud #1481, at-Tirmidhi #3477]

In another hadith; Baqiy ibn Mukhallid (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Every du’a is not responded to until o ne sends blessings upon the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)’ [al-Bayhaqi]

In another hadith; Umar (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Du’a is detained between the heavens and the earth and no part of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)’

[at-Tirmidhi #486]

After a person has finished his tashahhud and before saying the ’salam’, supplication at this time is o ne likely to be responded to. Ibn Mas’ud narrates: I was o nce praying, and the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), Abu Bakr and Umar (were all present). When I sat down (in the final tashahhud), I praised Allah, then sent salams o n the Prophet, then started praying for myself. At this, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:‘Ask, and you shall be given it! Ask, and you shall be given it!’ [at-Tirmidhi #593 - hasan, Mishkat al-Misbah #931]

16. The dua of a Muslim for his absent brother or sister Muslim stemming from the heart.

The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

‘There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother in his absence where the angels do not say, ‘the same be for you” [Muslim]

17. Dua o n the Day of Arafat

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘The best supplication is the supplication o n the day of Arafat’.[at-Tirmidhi and Malik]

The day of Arafat is the essence and pinnacle of Hajj. o n this great and momentous day, millions of worshippers gather together o n o ne plain, from every corner of the world, with o nly o ne purpose in mind – to respone to the call of their Creator. During this auspicious day, Allah does not refuse the requests of His worshippers.

18. Dua during the month of Ramadan

Ramadan is month full of many blessings, thus the du’a of Ramadan is a blessed o ne. This can be inferred from the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) saying: ‘When Ramadan comes, the Doors of Mercy (another narration says Paradise) are opened, and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Sahitans are locked up’ Thus, it is clear that du’a during Ramadan has a greater chance of being accepted, as the Gates of Paradise and Mercy are opened.

[Sahih al-Bukhari #1899, Muslim #1079 and others]

19. Dua when the Armies meet

When the Muslim is facing the enemy in battle, at this critical period, the du’a of a worshipper is accepted.

Sahl ibn Sa’d (radiAllahu anhu) narrtaed the the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

‘Two duas are never rejected, or rarely rejected: the du’a during the call for prayer, and the du’a during the clamity when the two armies attack each other’ [abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah, al-Hakim]

In another narration: ‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’[reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]

20. When Muslims gather for the purpose of invoking and remembering Allah (Dhikrullah) .

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

If a group of people sit together remembering Allah, the angels will circle them, mercy will shroud them, peace will descend o nto them and Allah will remember them among those with Him. [Muslim]

21. First Ten days of Dhul-Hijjah

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

‘There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than during these ten days’ [Sahih al-Bukhai #969 and others]

22. Dua when the heart reaches out to Allah and is ready to be totally sincere

23. At Midnight

Abu Umamah (radiAllahu anhu) said, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was questioned; ‘Which du’a is heard (by Allah)?’ He answered, ‘At midnight and at the end of every obligatory prayer.’[at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

25. Dua of people after the death of a person

In a long hadith, Umm Salamah (radiAllahu anha) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, when Abu Salamah had just passed away, and had closed his eyes,

‘Do not ask for yourselves anything but good, for the angels will say ‘Ameen’ to all that you ask for. O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, and raise his ranks among those who are guided.’

[Muslim, abu Dawud, Ahmad]

26. Dua of the o ne fasting until he breaks his fast.

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the o ne who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

27. Dua of the o ne fasting at the time of breaking fast

The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared,

‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: when a fasting person breaks fast (in another narration, the fasting person until he breaks his fast), the just ruler and the o ne who is oppressed.’ [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

29. Dua of a just Ruler

The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared,

‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the o ne who is oppressed.’

[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

30. Dua of a son or daughter obedient to his or her parents

It is well known in the story narrated in hadith os three men who were trapped by a huge stone in a cave. o ne of them who was kind to kis parents asked Allah to remove the stone, and his du’a was answered. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3:36 #472]

31. Dua immediately after wudu

Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

‘There is not o ne of you that makes wudu, and does it perfectly, then says: I testify that there is no diety worthy of worship except Allah. he is Alone, having no partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger’, except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him, and he can enter into it through whichever o ne he pleases’

[Muslim #234, abu Dawud #162, Ahmad, an-Nasa'i]

Saying what has been mentioned in the hadith that is directly related to it (ablution)

32. Dua after stoning the Jamarat at Hajj

The stoning of the small Shaitan (jamrat sugra), or the middle Shaitan (jamrat wusta) pillars during Hajj.

It is narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) would stone the small Jamarah (one of the three pillars that is stoned in the last days of Hajj), then face the qiblah, raise his hands, and make du’a for a long time. He would then stone the middle Jamarah and do the same. When he stoned the large Jamarah, he would depart without making any du’a. [Sahih al-Bukhari #1753 and others]

33. At the Crowing of a Rooster

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

‘When you hear a rooster crowing, then ask Allah for His bounties, for it has seen an angel, and when you hear a donkey braying, then seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan, for it has seen a Shaitan’ [Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, Sahih al-Jami #611]

34. Du’a made inside the Ka’bah

The Ka’bah is a sanctuary that has no comparison in the entire world. The du’a of o ne who prays inside the hijr is considered as being made inside the ka’bah, as it is part of the house (Baitullah). [This is the semicircle to the right of the Ka'bah if you face the door, opposite to the Yemeni corner and the Black stone wall.]

Usamah ibn Zayd narrated, ‘When the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) entered the House (Ka’bah), he made du’a in all of its corners [Muslim 2: 968 and others]

35. Du’a o n the mount of Safa or Marwah during Umrah or Hajj

It is narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) would make long du’as at Safa and Marwah. [Muslim #1218 and others]

36. Dua at any of the holy sites.

37. While reciting Surah al-Fatihah

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said that Allah the Exalted had said:

‘ I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has lauded Me. When he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of Judgment, He remarks: My servant has glorified Me, and sometimes He will say: My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. When he (the worshipper) says: Thee do we worship and of Thee do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshipper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious — not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.

[Muslim 4: 395]

38. Saying ‘Ameen’ during prayer

After finishing the recitation of al-Fatihah, the saying of‘Ameen’ in congregation.

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘When the Imam says ‘Ameen’, then recite it behind him (as well), because whoever’s Ameen coincides with the Ameen of the angels will have all of his sins forgiven.’ [Sahih al-Bukhari #780, Muslim #410 and others]

39. While visiting the sick, and dua made by the sick

Umm Salamah narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

‘When you visit the sick, or the dead then say good, because the angels say ‘Ameen’ to whatever you say [Muslim #2126]

Ali (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

‘When a Muslim visits his sick Muslim brother in the morning, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the evening. And when he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the morning, and he will be granted a garden for it in Jannah.’ [at-Tirmidhi, abu Dawud]

Do we follow our hearts blindly?

2010-11-26T10:02:00.000+08:00

Those who enjoy what's good/right and who stay away from evil/wrong.

So this means a believer is someone who truly understood the meaning of Islam and the meaning of a Muslim in details. One who is able to think and understand the Quran and Sunnah(Islam).One who then after using wisdom and logic, loves and practices Islam as it should be practiced with a great pure heart. Who is able to know logically what's right and wrong.Than the good deeds are counted according to the pure intentions.Allah swt than rewards the Muslim with whatever he/she wishes for and even much more .Islam is not something that you follow things blindly. Islam is a pure way of life and teachings that are followed with logical wisdom and pure heart. And once this is understood then the unity and brotherhood in Islam will be understood too.

BROTHERHOOD AND UNITY

Allah swt says in the Quran about brotherhood and commands us to act as brothers and sisters

"The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islâmic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allâh, that you may receive mercy. "(Surah 49:10)

That's it, act as true brothers and sisters with each other and you won't be astray.Love and respect each other as brothers and sisters :)

Muhammad saws said the real Muslims must love each other as real brothers and sisters to.

"You will not enter Paradise until you have faith, and you will not have faith until you love each other..."(hadith)

Brotherhood is to live in peace and understanding with one another. If one disagrees with another than they should follow the best meaning of what is discussed. We can argue but we can still love. We can forgive and have mercy always for one another. Brother/Sister love should grow constantly. For this reason we must not fight nor hate each other(especially not kill),even if that happens to some(since we are weak humans)than hate should not be more than 3 days, .A real Muslim will wish for his bro/sis in Islam what he wishes for himself and help him/her to live in peace.One must not take advantage of another and should respect his/her rights.

Do help each other and do be happy together. Learn from one another, do admit your mistakes when you do them accidently and than fix them. Purify yourselves with love and understanding for each other.

Do understand that if you don't act like this then there'll be a total mess(which you can see clearly in our time that's exactly what's happening among the Ummah).Wish for each other good as you wish for yourself. Be open with each other but also know when to put a limit cos Allah swt doesn't love those who are extremists. Try as much as you can to be a humble/modest Muslim/Muslimahs.

Allah wants us to live together in peace, love and tranquility, not backbiting and hating one another for no reasons. Even with non Muslims we should live in peace and respect. A Muslim doesn't hate nor judge injustly.A Muslims helps any innocent person and loves his bro/sis for the sake of Allah swt.Let us be the wonderful Ummah that Allah swt wishes for us to be.

Muhammad saws said:

“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.”

A muslim is like a real brother to another and this is why he(saws) also said ""None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself." (Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 12) .

"You will not enter Paradise until you have faith, and you will not have faith until you love each other."

Shall I direct you to something which if you fulfill you will love one another? Spread peace among yourselves."(It was reported by Muslim)

"A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not oppress him, nor does he leave him at the mercy of others." (Sahih Muslim Book 032, Number 6219)

"Your smile in the face of your brothers is an act of charity."(hadith)

Even a smile is a charity and charity is worship and Allah swt is pleased with one when he does things for the sake of Allah swt.Allah swt says and His messenger saws that we should greet each other with "salaam aleykum"(peace of Allah be with you),even the greeting should be with peace so we should not violate peace.

So let us change and start uniting for the sake of Allah swt.Let us live in peace and love.Let us start practicing real Islam with pure heart and wisdom/logic.Let us really be Muslims !!

Allah says :

“The Mu’minoon are but a single Brotherhood.” (The Holy Qur’an, 49:10)

For this We sent a Messenger to you from among you to recite Our Signs to you and purify you and teach you the Book and Wisdom and teach you things you did not know before. (Surat 02:151)

Say: "Will you inform Allâh of your religion While Allâh knows all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and Allâh is All-Aware of everything.They regard as favour to you (O Muhammad SAW) that they have embraced Islâm. Say: "Count not your Islâm as a favour to me. Nay, but Allâh has conferred a favour upon you, that He has guided you to the Faith, if you indeed are true. Verily, Allâh knows the unseen of the heavens and the earth. And Allâh is the All-Seer of what you do.(Surah 49:16-18)

And follow what is revealed to you and be patient till Allah should give judgment, and He is the best of the judges. (Surah 10.109)

And follow what is revealed to you from your Lord; surely Allah is Aware of what you do

(Surah 33.002)

In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Merciful.

Praise be to God, Lord of all the worlds.

The Compassionate, the Merciful. Ruler on the Day of Reckoning.

You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help.

Guide us on the straight path,

the path of those who have received your grace;

not the path of those who have brought down wrath, nor of those who wander astray.

Amen.(Surah Al Fatiha)

Assalaamun Aleykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu

(May the peace,mercy and blessings of Allah swt be with you)

dua for EATING.

2010-11-16T08:02:00.000+08:00

BEFORE EATING

Allhuma baa rik lanaa feemaa razaqtanaa wa qinaa azaaba al-naar
Translation: O Allah! Bless us on everything You give us, and avoid us from Hellfire. And with the name of Allah.

AFTER EATING

Alhamdulillahillazee at 'amanaa wa saqaanaa wa kafaa naa wa awaa naa
Translation: All Praises be to Allah, who provides us food, drink, satisfaction and protection

WAYS TO PROTECT FROM THE CURSED SHAYTAN

2010-11-11T08:44:00.000+08:00

1.وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ نَزۡغٌ۬ فَٱسۡتَعِذۡ بِٱللَّهِ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ “And if there comes to you from Satan an evil suggestion, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” [41:36]
2. Recitation of the two soorahs al-Falaq,
قُلۡ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلۡفَلَقِ (١) مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ (٢) وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ (٣) وَمِن شَرِّ ٱلنَّفَّـٰثَـٰتِ فِى ٱلۡعُقَدِ (٤) وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ (٥

Say: "I seek refuge with (Allâh) the Lord of the daybreak, (1) "From the evil of what He has created; (2) "And from the evil of the darkening (night) as it comes with its darkness; (or the moon as it sets or goes away) (3) "And from the evil of those who practise witchcrafts when they blow in the knots, (4) "And from the evil of the envier when he envies." (5)
and an-Nas,
قُلۡ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ (١) مَلِكِ ٱلنَّاسِ (٢) إِلَـٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ (٣) مِن شَرِّ ٱلۡوَسۡوَاسِ ٱلۡخَنَّاسِ (٤) ٱلَّذِى يُوَسۡوِسُ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ (٥) مِنَ ٱلۡجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ (٦

Say: "I seek refuge with (Allâh) the Lord of mankind, (1) "The King of mankind — [] (2) "The Ilâh (God) of mankind, (3) "From the evil of the whisperer (devil who whispers evil in the hearts of men) who withdraws (from his whispering in one's heart after one remembers Allâh)[] , (4) "Who whispers in the breasts of mankind, (5) "Of jinn and men." (6)
as they have wondrous effect in seeking refuge with Allah from his evil, weakening Shaytan and protection from him. This is why the Messenger, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said: “No person seeks refuge with anything like the Mu`awwidhatayn (soorahs al-Falaq and an-Nas)”. [an-Nasaa’i, 5337]3. Recitation of Ayat al-Kursi (2:255).
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡحَىُّ ٱلۡقَيُّومُ‌ۚ لَا تَأۡخُذُهُ ۥ سِنَةٌ۬ وَلَا نَوۡمٌ۬‌ۚ لَّهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشۡفَعُ عِندَهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِهِۦ‌ۚ يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡ‌ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىۡءٍ۬ مِّنۡ عِلۡمِهِۦۤ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ‌ۚ وَسِعَ كُرۡسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ‌ۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُ ۥ حِفۡظُهُمَا‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَلِىُّ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ (٢٥٥

Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter . And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursî[] extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.

4. Recitation of soorah al-Baqarah. The Messenger, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said, “The house in which al-Baqarah is recited is not approached by Shaytan.” [Muslim]

5. The final part of al-Baqarah. The Messenger, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said, “Whoever recites the two last verses of al-Baqarah at night they will suffice him.” [Muslim]

6. Recitation of the beginning of soorah Mu’min (Ghafir), until His saying, “wa ilayhi-l-maseer” (to Him is the destination). (i.e.حمٓ (١) تَنزِيلُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡعَلِيمِ (٢ “Ha. Meem. The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Knowing, the forgiver of sin, acceptor of repentance, severe in punishment, owner of abundance. There is no deity except Him; to Him is the destination.” [40:1-2])

7. Saying “la ilaha ill Allah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa `ala kulli shay’in qadir” (there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, He has no partner, His is the Dominion and Praise, and He is able to do all things) a hundred times.

8. The most beneficial form of protection from Shaytan: abundance of remembrance of Allah, the Exalted.

9. Ablution and prayer, and they are from among the greatest means of protection, especially at the time of emergence of anger and desire.

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

By Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah
Summarized from Bida’i` al-Fawa’id (304-308)

FATWA ON CPF NOMINATION (SINGAPORE)

2010-11-08T11:12:00.002+08:00

This is a great concern from me personally as I feel that we as parents are able to make sound decisions based on how our children's characters are like. Sometimes, our children do not deserve to inherit our CPF monies, therefore..with this fatwa, we are clearer that we can give our money to more deserving people.

FATWA ON CPF MONIES

Increase Your Good Deeds in the 1st ten days of Dhul Hijjah

2010-11-08T10:37:00.000+08:00

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah have arrived. Ibn 'Abbas reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in reference to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah:

"No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these days."

Here are some other ways you can increase your good deeds in these blessed ten days:

Fasting

Increased ibaadah (worship)

Reading Quran

Increased kindness to neighbors

Giving charity, even if just one day.

Good read for singapore parents and singaporeans...............

2010-10-31T16:04:00.000+08:00

Self made millionaire commented in his blog in regard to the learning spirit of foreigners and singaporeans.

I believe instilling the right islamic spirit in our children will ensure this will not happen to our muslim children. Unfortunately due to the metropolitan lifestyle desired by many singapore muslims, this virtue of seeking knowledge and to excel in all aspects in their lives have diminished. We need to look into this issue and address this issue within our family unit to ensure the problem to be resolved.

http://sg.theasianparent.com/articles/expats-will-rule-singapore-says-adam-khoo

THE HUMP ON THE CAMEL??

2010-10-20T17:48:00.000+08:00

THE HUMPY STYLE IS IN SINGAPORE FINALLY. EVEN WOMEN IS THEIR LATE 40s ARE CATCHING UP IN STYLE.

Rasulallah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) has mentioned, “There are two groups of people who are from amongst the inmates of the fire, I have not seen them. a) Such a nation who possesses whips like the tails of cattle, they beat the people with it. b) Women who are dressed, yet they are naked, they inclining towards others and others inclining towards them, their heads are like the leaning humps of female camels, they will not enter Jannah, nor will they get its fragrance. Verily, its fragrance can be smelt from such and such distance”. (Sahih Muslim vol.2 pg 205/383, Rashidiyyah)Was it right or wrong? You decide.

Written by Rachelle Kliger
Published Sunday, May 30, 2010

Latest style in Islamic headscarves, the ‘puffed’ Hijab, riles conservatives.

It’s called the Abu-Nafkha-style Hijab. It’s popular, especially among teenagers and women with a flare for the flamboyant, and it has clerics and fashion aficionados fuming.

Abu-Nafkha is a relatively new style of Hijab, the religious headscarf worn by Muslim women, and is slowly gaining popularity throughout the Arab world.

The style is called Abu-Nafkha, or “puffed” because it involves creating a bulge under the scarf, usually by placing a large floral hair clip at the back of the head to add volume. This makes women look as if they have very thick hair.

Has your heart broken?

2010-10-05T11:17:00.000+08:00

Allah Resides in Broken Hearts

Divine narrative: (hadith qudsi)“I am with those whose hearts are broken for My sake.” (At haf 6/290)The heart of a man receives shocks in many ways, e.g. anxieties, troubles, accidents, casualties, thus the heart is broken, but why? Just to make it a target for Allah’s mercy and bounty.

The heart is like a mirror. Do not prevent it from being broken. It’s breakage is more dearer in the sight of its maker (i.e Allah), than its safety. Almighty Allah being indeed the Maker.Dr Abdul Hayi Sahab used to say, when Allah breaks the heart of any of His servants, He desires to lift them to greater heights. These shocks, anxieties and sorrows which come to men are forced exertions in deen (faith) by which the servants progress in leaps and bounds to higher degrees and this is not possible in normal circumstances. He used to recite a couplet:“The potter threw down the pot to break it, saying that after breaking it, he would reshape it (in a better form).”“The moon like beloved ones take up their residence in deserted houses. They reside in the hearts of those who they ruin.”The divine light penetrates into the broken hearts, so do not be afraid of occasions of sorrow and shocks. If you truly and firmly believe in Allah, then this broken heart, these rising sighs and these tears will take you to greater heights of spiritual achievement.“The Valley of love is too far off, but some time a hundred years long journey is covered with one sigh, in the twinkling of an eye. Man should not therefore, get dejected and disappointed with these shocks and anxieties.”

If you can just get through this day,

Drag one foot after the other,

Your broken heart will fade away.

Again you’ll learn the words to say,

Teach yourself how not to suffer,

If you can just get through this day.

Battle through the workplace affray ,

Do one task after the other,

Your broken heart will fade away.

The world will cease to seem so grey,

Eyes and smiles will soon recover,

If you can just get through this day.

Clear piles of paper from your tray,

Draw one breath after the other,

Your broken heart will fade away.

I promise you will be okay,And perhaps forgive that lover;

If you can just get through this day,Your broken heart will fade away.

Through Education, we build tolerance

2010-09-12T18:27:00.000+08:00

America and Muslims have an opportunity to repair frayed relations and build bridges for the future, writes Aijaz Zaka Syed

As if there were not enough issues already to drive America and Muslims apart, we had to invent this one. Look at the case of the proposed mosque in New York. The entire US media and rightwing brigade are acting as if Muslims have invaded America and are building a monument to Osama Bin Laden at the site where the World Trade Center once stood.

Reality is a little different. If anyone cares to know, the United States, and New York in particular, are home to a large Muslim population and this isn't the first mosque to be built in the Big Apple. There are numerous mosques and prayer halls all over the city.

More important, it's wrong to call it the "Ground Zero mosque". For one, it's not being built at the site of the Twin Towers but a few blocks away from it. Besides, it's not just a mosque in the strictest conventional sense that is coming up in Manhattan. Cordoba House, a $100 million project mooted by a Kuwaiti immigrant, Imam Feisal Abdul-Raouf and his Indian wife Daisy Khan, is a cultural centre, which will include a prayer area, sports facilities, theatre and a restaurant.

The aim, according to the promoters, is to foster "integration, tolerance of difference and community cohesion ... a place where individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, will find a centre of learning, art and culture." Imam Abdul Rauf calls himself a follower of "moderate Islam" in the tradition of South Asia's Sufis. Frankly, I do not care much for this nonsense about "moderate Islam". For there is no such thing as moderate or extremist Islam. Islam is Islam is Islam: take it or leave it. You accept it the way it is. You cannot distort or mould it or water down its teachings to suit your own convenience or requirements. This is one faith that brooks no half measures. And it needs no testimonials from either its followers or foes.

No matter what anyone says or thinks, Islam is moderate by nature and preaches moderation, reason and restraint in all respects -- even in your devotion and faith. It doesn't want you to spend all your time in the mosque or cloister yourself from the world to do nothing but pray all the time. If it stands for submitting oneself to the will of God, it also means peace, literally. This is why all this fuss over an Islamic centre near Ground Zero is rather unfortunate.

It's all the more absurd considering Imam Abdul-Raouf has long been a champion of building bridges and better Islam-West relations. He never tires of sermonising to his flock on the need for the faithful to live peacefully with other religions and communities, going out of his way to emphasise all that is common in all religions, especially between Islam and Christianity, and Judaism. In fact, in his recent book, What's Right With Islam is What's Right with America, he argues that unlike many Muslim countries, America is "the ideal Islamic society" because it encourages tolerance, human rights and promotes freedom of practising faith. As Fareed Zakaria puts it, the cleric's vision of Islam is Bin Laden's worst nightmare.

With the Cordoba House, Imam Abdul Rauf hopes to carry forward this mission of building healthier Islam-West relations. That such a noble initiative should face such bitter opposition and hostility from the US right, and even ordinary Americans, the majority of them genuinely tolerant and generous of spirit, is tragically ironic.

Having failed to block the project, the neocons are venting their ire on Muslims. Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (remember her?) has gone on Twitter to ask "peaceful Muslims" to "repudiate the mosque", because it "stabs hearts". Conservative pundit and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says no mosque can be built near Ground Zero as long there are no churches and synagogues in Saudi Arabia.

A former New York mayor and another frustrated presidential hopeful terms Cordoba House a "desecration" and an insult to the victims of 9/11 attacks. A Florida church has given the call for "burn a Quran day" to protest the "Ground Zero mosque".

As these instances of Islamophobia grow across America, fuelled by preachers of sweetness and light such as Pat Robertson and Ann Coulter, and TV networks like Fox News, some wonder if Cordoba House is such a good idea. Given the rancour and acidic bitterness the issue has already generated, which is being exploited by Muslim bashers, some think the promoters should just call off the whole thing. It now seems to defeat the very object of the project.

They're probably right. Islam believes that the whole earth is a mosque for believers. You do not need walls and a roof to pray. Wherever you stand to pray or prostrate before God, that piece of land is the mosque. This is what early Muslims did, praying wherever and whenever they could, even when they were fighting for their lives. So Islam and Muslims in America do not need that piece of land near Ground Zero for their survival or identity. Their faith is beyond all this.

However, the Manhattan mosque initiative has subjected both America and Muslims to an unprecedented test. It not just tests America's claim to be the "land of the free" but also the much-celebrated ideals of its founding fathers. It tests its fabled democracy and freedom and its claim to be a land where everyone is welcome and has the right to do his or her own thing.

By giving the go-ahead for the mosque project in Manhattan, close to the site of the 11 September terror attacks, New York and its mayor Michael Bloomberg have already earned the admiration of many Muslims around the world. However, the ongoing campaign against the mosque and indirectly against Muslims is sure to get fiercer and nastier in the days and months to come. The response of the US leadership will be watched closely around the world, especially by Muslims.

On the other hand, Muslims face a situation that refreshes the memories of the 9/11 aftermath. Right now, they need all the survival skills they've got. Already, there's an alarming upsurge in hostility and paranoia in the land that they chose to make their home.

But I see an opportunity in this brewing crisis. Muslims must use this opportunity to clear the cobwebs clouding the image of their faith in the minds of Americans. They have an opportunity to remind and explain to Americans, and the world, that the destruction that struck the Twin Towers does not represent Islam, but peace, compassion and equality do.

In the Manhattan mosque initiative, America and Muslims have an opportunity to repair their long-frayed relations and build bridges for a shared future. The wounds inflicted by the US wars and policies in the Muslim world are deep, but gestures like these could make them less painful.
The Cordoba House project should be a monument to healthier and better Islam-West relations, and for a better world. There's too much at stake in this struggle for America and Islam's soul.

* The writer is opinion editor of Khaleej Times .

STOP GOSSIPS AND DONT TALK BEHIND PEOPLE'S BACK

2010-09-03T11:07:00.000+08:00

As muslims, we need to be aware of our tongues and our speech while we are in a group. We can be strayed easily. May Allah protect us from the evil of our tongues

SAYS SALAM TO PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH)

2010-08-27T10:29:00.000+08:00

‎"Cause no harm to yourselves nor cause it to others." The Prophet (peace be upon him)

2010-08-26T07:14:00.000+08:00

1. The piety and humility of the Salat

When Ramadan came to a close, the rightly guided predecessors (As-Salaf As-Saalih) used to frequently seek forgiveness, repent to Allaah – The Mighty and Majestic – and fear that their (deeds) would not be accepted. They used to exert themselves (in worship) in Ramadan and outside of Ramadan, afterwards they would be fearful that none of this will be accepted.

2. How the Salat behaved when Ramadan was approaching and when it left

They used to seek the forgiveness of Allah and repent. So much so that it was reported that they would supplicate to Allah for six months that He would allow them to reach Ramadan. If He allowed them to reach Ramadan, they would fast, pray at night and supplicate for the next six months that He accepts the month of Ramadan from them.

3. Signs that Ramadan has been accepted

Following good deeds with good is a sign that (an act) has been accepted, whether it is pertaining to Ramadan or other than it. If the Muslim is in a good state after Ramadan, performing many good deeds and righteous actions, then this is a proof of acceptance.

4. Signs that Ramadan hasn’t been accepted

If the opposite is true, and he follows good with evil, and as soon as Ramadan is over he follows on from this with sins, heedlessness and turning away from the obedience of Allah, then this is a proof that it hasn’t been accepted.

Every person knows their true situation after Ramadan. So let them look, if they are in a better state, then let them thank Allah, as this shows (that it has been) accepted.

If their state is worse, then let them repent to Allah and seek the forgiveness of Allah, as this is a proof that it hasn’t been accepted and it is a proof of negligence and carelessness.

5. Do not despair of the Mercy of Allah

But the slave should not lose hope of the mercy of Allah. He should not close the door that is between him and Allah and despair of the mercy of Allah.

“Say: O my slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins). Do not despair of the Mercy of Allah: verily Allah forgives all sins. He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Az-Zumar: 53)

It is upon him to repent, seek the forgiveness of Allah and return to Allah – The Mighty and Majestic.

Allah – The Mighty and Majestic – accepts repentance from those that repent.

“And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do.” (Ash-Shura:25)

And the peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad.

By the Shaykh, ‘Allaamah Saalih Al-Fawzaan

Ithaaf Ahlil Eemaan bi Duroos Shahr Ar-Ramadaan pg. 119-120

Translated by Hassan As-Somali

GROW YOUR WEALTH - MAKE YOUR DUA IN RAMANDAN

2010-08-20T11:41:00.002+08:00

7 Ways to Increase Your Wealth Whilst Coming Closer to Allah

Ask Allah for Forgiveness (Nuh: Ask your Lord for forgiveness...He will increase you in wealth)

Fulfill ties of Kinship (Silat ArRahim) Anas : 'Whoever likes to have increase in his Rizq and to live long, should honor ties with his blood relatives' [ Bukhari and Muslim ]

Halal Business: (And Allah made business transactions halal and Riba Haram)

Interest Free Loans, Qardh Hasan (Who is it that will loan to Allah a goodly loan, so that Allah may compound it many times) The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "And whoever fulfills the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs." [ Bukhari and Muslim ]

Zakah (700x return, promise from Allah) ~ Allaah has said ‘O bani Adam, spend! I will spend on you. ~ “...Money will never decrease because of charity” [al-Tirmidi]

Taqwa – (And whoever has Taqwa of Allah, Allah makes a way out for them, and provides for them from where they would not imagine) provide from where they would never imagine

Dua: rabbana aatina fid dunya hasanah... (O Allah, give us goodness in this life, and goodness in the next, and protect us from Hellfire)

2010-08-12T12:42:00.000+08:00

Ramadan is the most important month of our calendar. It is a tremendous gift from Allah in so many ways. In our current state of being down and out, it can uplift us, empower us, and turn around our situation individually and collectively. It is the spring season for the garden of Islam when dry grass can come back to life and flowers bloom. But these benefits are not promised for lifeless and thoughtless rituals alone. They will be ours if our actions are informed by the message of Ramadan.

Today the message of Ramadan tends to get drowned out by much louder voices of the pop culture that have an opposite message. We have become so accustomed to them that many of us remain enslaved to them even during Ramadan.

The most important message of Ramadan is that we are not just body. We are body and soul. And that what makes us human beings and that determines our value as human beings is the soul and not the body. During Ramadan we deprive the body to uplift the soul. This is all simple and familiar. But we can understand its significance if we remember that the message of the materialistic hedonistic global pop culture that has engulfed every Muslim land today --- just like the rest of the world--- is exactly the opposite. It says that body is everything. That the materialistic world is all that counts. That the greatest happiness -- if not virtue-- is in filling the appetites of the body. This message produces endless appetites and consequently endless wars to fill those endless appetites through endless exploitation. It produces endless frustrations since the gap between desires and achievements can never be filled. It produces endless chaos and endless oppression. Yet this trash comes in such beautiful and enticing packages that we can hardly resist it. We equate this slavery with freedom. We consider this march to disaster as progress. And with every movement, we get further and deeper into the mire.

Ramadan is here to liberate us from all this. Here is a powerful message that it is soul over body. Take a break from the pop culture. Turn off the music and TV. Say goodbye to the endless and futile pursuit of happiness in sensory pleasures. Rediscover your inner self that has been buried deep under it. Reorient yourself. Devote your time to the reading of the Qur'an, to voluntary worship, to prayers and conversations with Allah. Reflect on the direction of your life and your priorities. Reflect on and strengthen your relationship with your Creator.

On the last day of one Sha'ban, Prophet MuhammadSall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, gave a Khutbah about the upcoming month of Ramadan. It is a very important Khutbah that we should carefully read before every Ramadan to prepare ourselves mentally for the sacred month. It begins: "Oh people! A great month is coming to you. A blessed month. A month in which there is one night that is better than a thousand months. A month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer to Allah by performing any of the voluntary good deeds in this month shall receive the same reward as is there for performing an obligatory deed at any other time. And whoever discharges an obligatory deed in this month shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of Sabr (patience), and the reward for sabr is Heaven. It is the month of kindness and charity. It is a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without the latter's reward being diminished at all."

The hadith continues and contains many other very important messages. However let us take the time to highlight two of the statements contained above. First, that Ramadan is the month of sabr. The English translation is patience but that word has a very narrow meaning compared to sabr. Sabr means not only patience and perseverance in the face of difficulties, it also means being steadfast in avoiding sin in the face of temptations and being persistent in performing virtues when that is not easy. Overcoming hunger and thirst during fasting is part of it. But protecting our eyes, ears, minds, tongues, and hands, etc. from all sins is also part of it. So is being persistent in doing good deeds as much as possible despite external or internal obstacles. Ramadan requires sabr in its fullest sense and provides a training ground for that very important quality to be developed and nurtured. Here is a recipe for the complete overhaul of our life, not just a small adjustment in meal times.

The highest point of Ramadan is itikaf, an act of worship in which a person secludes himself in a masjid to devote his time entirely to worshipping and remembering Allah. Some in every Muslim community must take a break and go to the masjid for the entire last ten days of Ramadan. Others should imbibe the spirit and do whatever they can.

But we must differentiate between worldly pleasures and worldly responsibilities. We take a break from the former and not the latter. Syedna Abdullah ibn Abbas, Radi-Allahu unhu, was performing itikaf, when a person came and sat down silently. Sensing his distressed condition Ibn Abbas enquired about his situation, learnt that he needed help, and proceeded to leave the masjid to go out and help him. Now this action does nullify the itikaf, making a makeup obligatory. So the person, though grateful, was curious. Explaining his action, Ibn Abbas related a hadith that when a person makes efforts to help his brother, he earns the reward for performing itikaf for ten years.

This brings us to the second statement to consider: that Ramadan is the month of kindness and charity. With those in distress in the millions in the world today, the need for remembering this message of Ramadan cannot be overstated.

Unfortunately, today another scene seems to be dominant in some parts of the Muslim world. Here Ramadan is the month of celebrations, shopping, fancy iftars at posh restaurants, entertainment and gossip. People stay up at night but not for worship; they while away that time watching TV or wandering in the bazaar. Ramadan here is more a month of feasting than fasting.

No one can take away our Ramadan from us; we just give it away ourselves. And if we realize the utter blunder we have made, we can take it back.

VERY INSPIRING

2010-07-14T08:49:00.000+08:00

When I woke up this morning I asked myself: What are some of the secrets of success in life?

I found the answer right there in my very room.

The Fan said - Be cool.

The Roof said - Aim high.

The Window said - See the world.

The Clock said - Every minute is precious.

The Mirror said - Reflect before you act.

The Door said - Push hard for your goals.

And don't forget, the Carpet said - Kneel down & pray

Reminder about Allah's Sovereignty

2010-06-17T08:44:00.001+08:00

We do not trangress against ALLAH(swt)'S DECREE. This shows there is all power of God's creations of Nature. Rain brings us fresher air. oh yeah!

A non muslim's experience with covered up

2010-06-08T11:36:00.000+08:00

I walked down the street in my long white dress and inch-long, black hair one afternoon, and truck drivers whistled and shouted obscenities at me. I felt defeated. I had just stepped out of a hair salon. I had cut my hair short, telling the hairdresser to trim it as she would a cut a man’s hair.I sat numbly as my hairdresser skillfully sheared into my shoulder-length hair with her scissors, asking me with every inch she cut off if; I was freaking out yet. I wasn’t freaking out, but I felt self-mutilated.

I believe that men who see women as only bad word is not allowed beings often commit violence against them, such as rape and battery. bad word is not allowed abuse and assault are not only my fears, but my reality.

I was molested and raped. My experiences with men who violated me have made me angry and frustrated.

How do I stop the violence? How do I prevent men from seeing me as an object rather than a female? How do I stop them from equating the two? How do I proceed with life after experiencing what others only dread? The experiences have left me with questions about my identity. Am I just another Chinese-American female? I used to think that I have to arrive at a conclusion about who I am, but now I realize that my identity is constantly evolving in .

MY EXPERIENCE OF BEING "HIJABED"

One experience that was particularly educational was when I ?dressed up? as a Muslim woman for a drive along Crenshaw Boulevard with three Muslim men as part of a newsmagazine project. I wore a white, long-sleeved cotton shirt, and a flowery silk scarf that covered my head, which I borrowed from a Muslim woman. Not only did I look the part, I believed I felt the part. Of course, I wouldn’t really know what it feels like to be Hijabed-I coined this word for the lack of a better term-everyday, because I was not raised with Islamic teachings.

However, people perceived me as a Muslim woman and did not treat me as a bad word is not allowed being by making cruel remarks. I noticed that men’s eyes did not glide over my body as has happened when I wasn’t Hijabed. I was fully clothed, exposing only my face. I remembered walking into an Islamic center and an African-American gentleman inside addressed me as ?sister?, and asked where I came from. I told him I was originally from China. That didn’t seem to matter. He respected me and assumed I was Muslim. I didn’t know how to break the news to him because I wasn’t sure if I was or not.

I walked into the store that sold African jewelry and furniture and another gentleman asked me as I was walking out if I was Muslim. I looked at him and smiled, not knowing how to respond. I chose not to answer.

BEING HIJABED CHANGED OTHERS’ PERCEPTION OF ME

Outside the store, I asked one of the Muslim men I was with, Am I Muslim?? He explained that everything that breathes and submits is. I have concluded that I may be and just don’t know it. I haven’t labeled myself as such yet. I don’t know enough about Islam to assert that I am Muslim.

HIJAB AS OPPRESSION: A SUPERFICIAL AND MISGUIDED VIEW

I consciously chose to be Hijabed because I was searching for respect from men. Initially, as both a Women’s Studies major and a thinking female, I bought into the Western view that the wearing of a scarf is oppressive. After this experience and much reflection, I have arrived at the conclusion that such a view is superficial and misguided.

THE MOST LIBERATING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE

I covered up that day out of choice, and it was the most liberating experience of my life. I now see alternatives to being a woman. I discovered that the way I dress dictated others’ reaction towards me. It saddens me that this is a reality. It is a reality that I have accepted, and chose to conquer rather than be conquered by it. It was my sexuality that I covered, not my femininity. The covering of the former allowed the liberation of the latter.

by Kathy Chin

This article was originally published in Al-Talib, the newsmagazine of the Muslim Students’ Association of the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) in October 1994. At the time of its publication, Kathy Chin was a senior at UCLA majoring in Psychobiology and Women’s Studies.

ISLAM VS TERRORISM BY YUSUF ESTES

2010-05-26T20:07:00.000+08:00

NUTURING ENGLISH AND ARABIC LITERACY

2010-05-24T13:56:00.000+08:00

Tuffaha Readers' Niche is organising a training program for preschool teachers and parents who are interested in giving their students or children the right method of learning English and Arabic.

Course Outline

Delivery knowledge to your cildren
The sound of your voice (voice -vitality, resonance, modal and varying pitch, acent, inflection, word choice that influences emotions in your voice).
English Literacy - Accuracy of pronunciation

                                  - Kinds of Vowels
                                  - Stresses in words of 2 or more syllables
                                  - Joining words
                                  - Intonation
                                  - The Rhythm of spoken English

How to teach Reading (Approach and Some peculiarities of Blending Letters.
How to teach English to Young Non native speakers.
How to teaching writing, comprehension, composition to Preschoolers.
Aarbic literacy

                      - Tilawati
                      - 100 activation arabic words program
                      -1000 level 1 arabic words program

Writing in Arabic

Course Duration : 2hrs per session, 24 sessions for S$499. Each session only S$20.67!

Interested, please call Anisah Chan @ 62479004.

COUNT UR BLESSINGS

2010-05-14T21:10:00.003+08:00

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more Blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can pray in a Mosque without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death ... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married ... you are very rare.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are Truly Thankful... you are Blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can read this message, you just received a double Blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more Blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read this message at all.

Have a good day, count your Blessings to Thank ALLAH Azzawajal, and pass this along to remind everyone else how Blessed we all are. Alhumdulillah!

Indeed, His Creations are The Best, as He Is The Best of all Creators.

IS DANCING ALLOWED IN ISLAM?

2010-05-14T20:56:00.000+08:00

Wa `alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

I got this question from someone who do malay dance, whether dancing is allowed. Got this answer from islamonline.net.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear questioner, we would like to thank you for showing keenness on learning the teachings of Islam, and we appreciate the great confidence you have in us. We hope our efforts meet your expectations.

Islam is a religion of moderation and does not approve of either extremism or negligence. It does not prevent people from having entertainment; however, it provides the rules that regulate this entertainment. At the same time, Islam does not tolerate any kind of entertainment that contains haram (unlawful) or even leads to haram behavior.

Dancing can be either between women, between men, or mixed between both sexes. It is allowed for women to dance together unless it involves revealing any of the woman’s `awrah – that is, the parts of the body between the navel and the knee – in front of other women. It is also allowed unless the dancing means that mandatory obligations will not be carried out or if it coincides with unlawful acts.

In this regard, Dr. Su’ad Salih, professor of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) at Al-Azhar University , states:

Islam is a religion of moderation; it does not prevent singing and dancing, but it forbids anything that stimulates people’s desires, whether it be among men or women. Women are supposed to observe good manners if they dance in front of other women. They should not exceed the limits by doing anything that stimulates desires and incites evil. There are many cases where women are tempted by other women.

However, if a woman dances in front of her husband, then there is no restriction, as it is a way of cementing relations between spouses – and this a key pillar of establishing the Muslim family.

Moreover, Dr. Salim Ahmad Salamah, Dean of the Faculty of Usul Ad-Deen at the Islamic University, Gaza , adds:

It is permissible for women to dance and sing as long as there are no males around. In addition, the words of the song should be free from any foul words or vulgarity. Thus, as long as the words of the song are pure and clean and there are no males, there is nothing wrong in dancing.

By analogy, men are allowed to dance together as long as they cover their `awrah (the parts of the body between the navel and the knee) and there is no fear of temptation.

Men and women dancing together is absolutely haram in all cases, except when a wife dances in front of her husband. The reason behind this prohibition is that with mixed dancing bodily contact is close and improper sexual desires are aroused. This has been strictly forbidden by Islam in an attempt to block the way against evil. If men and women were permitted to dance together, a lot of haram acts could occur. That is why mixed dancing is not allowed.

The Islamic Greeting and it’s Etiquette

2010-05-13T10:20:00.000+08:00

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

The Islamic Greeting and it’s Etiquette

(Friday speech delivered by Imam Mohamed Baianonie at the Islamic Center of Raleigh, NC on February 22, 1988.)

Islam has professed the use of the Islamic greeting when encountering another Muslim or leaving the company of another Muslim because it unifies the hearts and strengthens bonds between Muslims.

Imam Muslim reported that the prophet (S.A.W.) said, "I swear by the one whose hand my soul is in that you will not enter paradise until you believe. And you won’t be believed until you love one another. May I tell you something, that if you practice it you will love another, spread the (salam) Islamic greeting among you." This makes it clear to us, that spreading salam among Muslims is the first step towards paradise. This is because spreading salam leads to increasing the love between our hearts. And the increase of love between our hearts will increase the Iman, (faith).

An authentic hadith reported by Imams At-Termithi and Ibn Majah that the prophet (S.A.W.) said: "Oh you people, spread salam among you, serve the food, behave kindly with your blood relations, and offer prayer at night when others are asleep, and you will enter paradise safely." And Imams Bukhari and Muslim reported that a man asked the prophet (S.A.W.), "what in Islam is the best?" He (S.A.W.) answered, "To feed people and to say salam to everyone whether you know them or not."

What is the history of the Islamic greeting, when did it start, and who was the one who chose it?

Imams Bukhari and Muslim reported that the prophet (S.A.W.) said, "When Allah created Adam he told him to go and say Assalamu Alikum to a group of Angels and listen to their reply. It is your greeting and the greeting of your descendants. Adam went and said: Assalamu Alikum they said Assalamu Alikum Wa Rahmatulah."

The complete form for the Islamic greeting is Assalamu Alilkum Wa Rahmatulah Wa Barakatuh meaning peace, mercy, and blessings be upon from Allah (S.W.T.). This is because Imams Abu-Dawood and At-Termithi reported in a good hadith that a man came to the prophet (S.A.W.) and said, "Assalamu Alikum." The prophet responded and the man sat down. The prophet said, "Ten rewards." Another man came and said, "Assalamu Alikum Wa Rahmatullh." The prophet responded and the man sat down. The prophet said, "twenty rewards."

Then another man came and said: Assalamu Alakum Wa Rahmatulah Wa Barakatuh. The prophet responded and the man sat down. The prophet said, "thirty rewards."

The Scholars have agreed that starting with salam is highly recommended. And responding is obligatory because Allah (S.W.T.) said in surat An-Nesa’, (verse 86), what can be translated as, "When a courteous greeting is offered to you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or at least of equal courtesy."

It is enough for one to say the Islamic greeting to a group and it is enough for one of the group to return it. This is the meaning of the two ahadith that were reported by Imams Abu Dawood and Malik.

From the Etiquette of Salam:

The one who comes greets the Muslims that are present.

The one who is riding greets the one who is walking.

The one who is walking greets the one who is sitting.

The smaller group greets the bigger group.

The young greet the elder.

Imams Bukhari and Muslim reported that the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said, "A rider should greet a pedestrian, a pedestrian should greet one who is sitting, and a small party should greet a large party, a younger should greet an elder one."

Salams are recommended when leaving as well as when you meet. Imams Abu-Dawoud, and At-Tirmith reported in a good hadith that the prophet Muhammed (S.A.W.) said, "When one of you joins a gathering he should greet those present; and when he leave them he should greet them because the first salutation is not better than the last one."

What does Islam say about saying salams to the people of the book?

The majority of scholars reported that starting with Assalamu Alikum is not permitted. They refer to the hadith of the prophet that was reported by Imam Muslim in which the prophet (S.A.W.) said, "Don’t start with the (salam) Islamic greeting when encountering Jews or Christians."

Some scholars see no problem in starting with the Islamic greeting. Some of the Shafies agree with this. This is the opinion of Ibn-Abbas one of the companions of the prophet. He said that this hadith was special for the Jewish of Quraizah, not for all of the people of the book.

What if the people of the book start with the salams with the Muslims. Some of the scholars, like Ahnaf say that it is allowed to return salam and others say it’s obligatory.

Ibn Abbass said, "Whoever says Assalamu Alakum to you, you have to return his greeting even if he was a Majos (fire-worshipper). He was referring to a verse from surat An-Nesa’ (verse 86), what can be translated as, "When a courteous greeting is offered to you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or at least of equal courtesy."

The scholar had agreed upon starting the greeting with the non-Muslims is allowed with any word but Assalamu Alikum, like good morning, how are you? etc..

When meeting another Muslim shaking hands is highly recommended, along with a great smile, because it increases the love and respect among Muslims.

It was reported by Imam Bukhari that Qatadah asked Anass (R.A.) if shaking hands was practiced by the companion at the time of the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.). He said, "Yes."

Shaking hands with another Muslim will result in forgiveness from Allah (S.W.T.).Imams Abu Dawood and At-Termithi reported that the prophet (S.A.W.) said, "If Muslims meet and shake hands with each other, they will be forgiven before they leave."

Imam At-Termithi reported a good hadith that a man said: "O messenger of Allah if one of us meets his brother or friend, should he bend down to him? The prophet said, " No." He asked should he hug him and kiss him? The prophet answered, "No." He asked should he take his hand and shake it. The prophet answered, "Yes."

Imam At-Termithi reported that Anass (R.A.) said, "When the prophet use to meet a man, he shook hands with him and the prophet (S.A.W.) would not pull away his hand until the man would pull his hand away first."

NEVERENDING SURPRISES FROM AL MIGHTY

2010-04-24T19:06:00.000+08:00

THE MOON HAS BEEN SPILT

2010-04-24T18:45:00.000+08:00

WHY WOMEN LIKE TO CRY?

2010-04-16T12:37:00.000+08:00

A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?"

"Because I need to" she said.

"I don't understand," he said.

His mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will."

Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?"

"Women cry for no reason," his dad answered carelessly.

The little boy, still wondering why women cry, finally asked the old wise shaikh. "He surely knows the answer", he thought. "Ya Shaikh! Why do women cry so easily?"

The Shaikh answered: "When Allah made the woman she had to be made so special. He made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. He gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that comes from her children. He gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining. He gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child hurts her very badly. He gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart. He gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly. And lastly, He gave her a tear. This is hers and only hers exclusively to use whenever she needs it. She needs no reason, no explanation, its hers."

"You see my son, the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the beauty of her face, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."

WHO IS GOD? IS JESUS (PBUH) ONE?

2010-04-10T16:08:00.000+08:00

ABUSING PATIENCE

2010-04-01T07:43:00.001+08:00

Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

4 February 2005 / 24 Zulhijjah 1425

Abusing Patience

My brothers in Islam,

I would like to remind myself and my dear brothers to always have taqwa to Allah. We do this by abiding all that He has commands us, and avoiding everything that he has prohibited.

My brothers, may Allah’s blessing be upon us always,

Last Friday’s sermon touched upon the virtues of patience, the importance of being patient and how to instill patience in us when facing life’s crisis. Today’s sermon will talk about the misuse and abuse of patience. Patience, although it is a commendable characteristic, and a virtue by itself, if it is used in the wrong manner, it will turn from a positive characteristic, into a negative one. It will change from a characteristic commended by Islam, into a characteristic that is forbidden in Islam.

But how can this virtuous characteristic, this patience, be abused? How can it change into something that is forbidden in Islam?

Actually, there are two situations when patience can be abuse, and forbidden in Islam. First: When we see sinful acts and bad deeds committed by our family members, our wives and children. When we have the power to stop them from committing those sinful acts, we do not use that power. Instead, we just keep quiet be patient with those acts. We do not advise them. We do not forbid them. We just keep quiet on the pretext of being patient.

This is abusing patience. This is when being patient is unwarranted. Even forbidden. It is our duty as the head of the family, to exercise our power, to be firm when we see sinful acts committed by our family members, by our wives and our children. We cannot keep quiet. For keeping quiet on the pretext of being patient means we indirectly encourage them to continue being sinful to Allah. Do remember, that we will be accountable to Allah, in the Hereafter. We will be judged not just by our deeds on this Earth, but together with what our family members did, if we do nothing to stop them from being sinful to Allah. For our children, our wives, can claim in front of Allah that they committed all that sinful acts because we, as the head of the family, did nothing to stop them. Don’t forget the following verse in surah At-Tahrim, ayat 6:

" O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families from Hell fire, whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allâh, but do that which they are commanded."

In our eagerness to protect ourselves and our families from Hell fire, in our eagerness to stop our wives and children from committing sinful acts to that they will not pull us with them to Hell, let us remember one thing. And that is, we should be tactful and clever in advising our family members. We should not be rash, harsh or even rude when inviting others to the way of Islam, especially to our family members. Allah has reminded us of the need to be clever and tactful. In surah An-Nahl, ayat 125, Allah says:

"Invite to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided."

From that Quranic ayat, we can conclude that we need to strategise when we want our family members to leave sinful acts, and to embrace the teaching of Islam whole-heartedly. We need to use psychology. We need to know how to argue with them without being too emotional or being angry when they answer us back. We need to be rational.

But above all that, we need to start from ourselves. Don’t be like the crab, as the Malay proverb said. The crab teaches its offspring to walk straight, but itself walk sideways. So if we want our children to perform their solat, we should set the good example first of performing our solat on time. And do it in their presence. We can then invite them to perform the solat together with them. If we have a special time for family gathering or family dinner, or we have a special time to watch television together as a family, why not have a special time when the family gathers to perform solat together. We can be the imam for the solat.

We can enforce our young children to perform solat with us, or alone. But we for sure cannot enforce our grownup teenage children to perform solat. They may do it out of the fear from their parents, but they will resentfully do it. Alone, they may not do it. For how long can the parents watch and police him?

Thus, it is better for the parents to instill in their grownup children the need to perform solat. We can ask them to sit down and have a rational discussion on the virtues of solat, and why they find it so difficult to perform solat. We should treat then as adults. Let them voice their opinions and respect their mind. Respect begets respect. If we respect the adulthood, the will reciprocate and respect us as their parents.

Hopefully, with this tactful approach in doing dakwah to our family members, Allah will grant us success, insya Allah.

My brothers in Islam,

The second situation where being patient is not a virtue, when patience is abused, is when we calamities and disasters struck us. Please do not misunderstand me. By all means be patient. By all means, have perseverance. But know this, being patience does not mean that we just sigh, sit down and cry, and let whatever will be will be.

This is not the characteristic of Muslims when facing calamities and disasters. This is not what patience entailed. In fact, this abuse of patience will not bring us much benefit in this world. Instead, we should do the following three things:

First: We learn from our mistakes. We try to discover what our mistakes were until this calamity, this disaster, fell upon us. Is it because we are too sinful? Is it because of our mismanagement? Is it because of our failures to take proactive actions?

Allah says in surah Asy-Syura, ayat 30:

"And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much"

So it is due to our past deed that misfortunes befalls on us.

Second: We should strive our best to avoid such disaster from happening again in the future. Of course, we cannot be 100% certain that such disaster will not happen again. But at least through our efforts, we try to minimize the possibility that the disaster may happen. And we let Allah s.w.t decides.

Third: If the disaster and misfortune still struck us, we should not feel down and respondent. Instead, we take it as a challenge to rise again, learn from our mistakes and ensure such calamity will not befall us again. There might be mistakes that we overlooked. We try to learn from them, and correct what we thought were errors and mistakes.

If we follow up our patience with that 3 things, we will excel as an individual and as a community. Allow me to bring an example. The Japanese people endure so many calamities, from earthquake, to tsunami, to typhoons. And every time it happens, they patiently build up from the ruins. They learn from the mistakes they did in their design and process. And in the end, they become a much-respected people. The can endure disasters better, because they have learnt from their mistakes.

And that my brothers, is one way we can become a community of excellence. Being patient, and follow up on that patience with those 3 actions that I have mentioned just before.

DUA WHEN U R IN DISTRESS

2010-03-22T20:16:00.003+08:00

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim

Alhamdulillah, here are some beauitful dua’a to make when under stress and anxiety – as a means of dispelling fear, of seeking forgiveness of Allah, seeking His aid, protection and guidance. May it be of benefit to us all. for there is not a time in the life of a Mu’min when he does not need the protection and guidance of Allah. And those that turn to Allah sincerely imploring His aid, know that in reality it is Allah that is turning to His slave and servant. Ameen. And know that “When Allah wants to be good to someone, He tries him with some hardship.” (Abu Hurairah)

General advice from Prophet Muhammad (s) when you are in distress or suffering from anxiety:

In hadith #599 narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas in Sunan Abu Dawood, The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If anyone continually asks pardon, Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress, and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide for him from where he did not reckon.

When in distress or difficulty or sorrow:

Source for this dua subsection: Fiqh-us-Sunnah, volume 4, no 128

1. Ibn ‘Abbas reported, “The Prophet, peace be upon him, at times of sorrow and grief used to supplicate, La ilaha illa Allah Al-’Azim, Al-’Alim, la ilaha illa Allah, Rabbul ‘arshil ‘Azim, la ilaha illa Allahu, Rabbus-Samawati wa rabbul ardi wa rabbul ‘arshi karim (There is no god but Allah, the Mighty, the Forbearing, there is no god but Allah, the Lord of the mighty throne, there is no god but Allah, the Lord of the heavens and the earth, and the Lord of the throne of honor)’.”
Source: Bukhari and Muslim.

2. Anas said that when the Prophet, peace be upon him, was faced with a serious difficulty, he would always supplicate, “Ya Hayyu, ya Qayyumu, bi-rahmatika astaghithu (O the Living, O the Eternal, I seek help in Your grace).
Source: Tirmidhi

3. Abu Hurairah reported that whenever the Prophet, peace be upon him, was faced with a serious difficulty, he would raise his head to the sky and supplicate, “Subhan-Allah al-’Azim (glory be to Allah, the Mighty).” And when he implored seriously and strongly, he would say “Ya Hayyu, Ya Qayyum (O the Living, the Eternal One).”
Source: Tirmidhi

4. Abu Bakrah reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “The supplications of distress are, ‘Allahumma rahmataka arju, fala takilni ila nafsi tarfata ‘ain, wa aslah li sha’ni kullahu, la ilaha illa anta (O Allah, I hope for Your mercy, so give me not over to my self even for as little as wink of an eye, and set right all my affairs, there is no god but You).”
Source: Abu Daw’ud

5. Asma, daughter of ‘Amais, reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, asked her, “Shall I tell you words that you may say in times of pain or distress. These are, ‘Allah, Allah, Rabbi la ushriku bihi shai’an (Allah, Allah, my Lord, I associate none with Him).” Another narration says that these words should be said seven times.
Source: Abu Daw’ud

6. Sa’d ibn Waqas reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “The supplication made by the Companion of the Fish (Prophet Yunus) in the belly of the fish was, ‘La ilaha illa anta, subhanaka, inni kuntu minaz-zalimin (there is no god but You, You are far exalted and above all weaknesses, and I was indeed the wrongdoer)’. If any Muslim supplicates in these words, his supplication will be accepted.” In another report we read, “I know words that will cause Allah to remove one’s distress. These are the words (of supplication) of my brother Yunus, peace be upon him,”
Source: Tirmidhi

7. Ibn Mas’ud reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “If any servant of Allah afflicted with distress or grief makes this supplication, his supplication will be accepted: ‘O Allah, I am Your servant, son of Your servant, son of your maidservant. My forehead is in Your hand. Your command conceming me prevails, and Your decision concerning me is just. I call upon You by every one of the beautiful names by which You have described Yourself, or which You have revealed in Your book, or have taught anyone of Your creatures, or which You have chosen to keep in the knowledge of the unseen with You, to make the Qur’an the delight of my heart, the light of my breast, and remover of my griefs, sorrows, and afflictions‘.” A supplication in these words will be answered. Allah will remove one’s affliction and replace it with joy and happiness.
Source: Reported by Ahmad and Ibn Hibban

8. Anas reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, used to supplicate, “O Allah, there is no ease except what You make easy, and you alone can turn a difficulty into ease.” (Ibn As-sinni)

Source: Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 4, #131

9. Allah’s Apostle used to say at the time of difficulty, “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Majestic, the Most Forbearing. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Lord of the Heavens and the Lord of the Honourable Throne.”

Source: narrated by Ibn Abbas in Sahih Bukhari, volume 9, #526.

Remember that sickness expiates evil deeds and wipes out sins.

Abu Hurairah narrates that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “When Allah wants to be good to someone, He tries him with some hardship.”

Abu Hurairah also reports that Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, said:
“For every misfortune, illness, anxiety, grief, or hurt that afflicts a Muslim -even the hurt caused by the pricking of a thorn – Allah removes some of his sins.”

Ibn Mas’ud said: “I visited the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him,
while he had a fever. I exclaimed: ‘O Messenger of Allah! You have a high
fever! ‘ He said: ‘My fever is as much as two among you [might have]. ‘ I
asked: ‘Is it because you have a double reward?’ He replied: ‘Yes, that is right. “No Muslim is afflicted with any hurt, even if it is no more than the pricking of a thorn, but Allah wipes off his sins because of it and his sins fall away from him as leaves fall from a tree‘.”

Abu Hurairah (r) said: “The Prophet, peace be upon him, remarked: ‘The example of a believer is like a fresh tender plant; from whichever direction the wind blows, it bends the plant. But when the wind dies down, it straightens up again. (Similarly a believer is tested by afflictions to strengthen his faith and heart, and he remains patient and firm). And an evil person is like a pine tree which remains hard and stiff until Allah breaks it whenever He wills.”

ANOTHER TIGER WOOD IN ASIA?

2010-03-12T12:38:00.002+08:00

SINGAPORE – Columnists and bloggers are calling him Singapore's Tiger Woods _ not for his golfing skills but for an extramarital affair that has tarnished the image of the city-state's most beloved film director.

On Thursday, in a news conference reminiscent of Wood's confession on live television last month, director Jack Neo, admitted to cheating on his wife, culminating a week of revelations about a two-year relationship Neo had with a 22-year-old model.

Other aspiring actresses and models, including a 16-year-old, have told local tabloids this week that Neo aggressively tried seducing them, including promising to make them stars in his movies.

"It's all my fault," Neo, 50, said before covering his face with his hands and crying. "Please give us a chance."

Neo's wife of 27 years, Irene, was by his side. She said she forgave her husband and would stay with him. She broke down after speaking and collapsed while walking away. She had to be carried from the stage amid a blaze of photographer's flash lights.

"I've already been hurt," she said through tears. "I really need your blessings."

Neo gained fame as a comedian on Singapore television in the 1990s and later directed popular Chinese and English-language movies _ such as "Money No Enough" and "I Not Stupid" _ that celebrated the importance of family among other topics.

His latest, "Being Human," opened in Singapore last week.

The government has recognized Neo with public service and cultural awards and he shares a blog with Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo, who wrote on Sunday that Singaporeans should "rally around Jack, his wife and his children."

Others have been quick to distance themselves from Neo. Mitsubishi Electric Asia on Wednesday dropped Neo as a spokesman for the company's StarMex air conditioners.

"It amounts to Singapore's very own version of the Tiger Woods sex scandal," said Chia Han Keong, a columnist at newspaper My Paper. "Just like Woods, his act of unfaithfulness to his wife has elicited far more reprehension than perhaps he would have expected."

Woods ended three months of silence last month and confirmed he had extramaritial affairs, at a televised public statement not attended by his wife, Elin. The golf superstar lost a number of advertising sponsors and says he is taking leave from the sport while working to save his marriage.

Neo's saga began Saturday when Wendy Chong, a model who had small roles in two Neo movies, told a Chinese-language tabloid she has been his girlfriend for two years and confronted Neo's wife last week.

"Aw come on, that girl is young enough to be your daughter," wrote blogger Victor Koo. "Jack seems to be playing Tiger Woods."

Newspapers have published allegations of more affairs and quoted actresses who say they spurned his advances.

Maelle Meurzec, 21, said that after a small role in Neo's 2004 movie I Do I Do, he bombarded her with text messages and told her to meet him at hotels.

She turned him down.

"This guy is supposedly promoting family values but he can't even hold himself back from sending text messages to a 16-year-old," Meurzec told the New Paper.

___

Associated Press writer Chun Han Wong contributed to this report.

Islam has taken a firm and decisive stance against Zina(fornication or adultery). Allah, the Almighty, commands in explicit and unequivocal words:(And come not near unto adultery. Lo!itis an abomination and an evil way)(Al-Isra’ 17: 32).

Thus, Islam not only prohibitsZina, but also closes all the avenues and means leading to it. This is achieved by prohibiting every step and means leading to stimulating desires, opening ways for illicit sexual relations between men and women, and promoting indecency and obscenity.

In his response to your question,Sheikh AhmadKutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:

Adultery in Islam is one of the most heinous and deadliest of sins. Its enormity can be gauged from the fact that it has often been conjoined in the Qur’an with the gravest of all sins:shirkor associating partners with Allah.

The enormity of this sin is no small measure due to its dire consequences affecting individuals, families, and societies. Among these are that it entails infidelity and erodes the trust and tranquility that are the foundations of a fulfilling family life; it dissipates one’s energies; it undermines peace at home; it corrodes the purity of one’s soul and hence destroys one’s faith; finally, it exposes the person to the wrath of Allah, thus resulting in eternal damnation.

It is no wonder then that Allah and His Messenger have sounded dire warnings against adultery in so many ways. To list only a few instances:

Allah says in the Qur’an,(And come not near unto adultery. Lo!itis an abomination and an evil way)(Al-Isra’ 17: 32).
(And the servants of the Beneficent) are those who do not invoke another god with Allah, and who do not…commit fornication/adultery, for whoever does that shall receive the penalty; for him shall the torment be doubled on the day of resurrection, and therein he shall abide forever, disgraced, save him who repents and believes and does good works; those, Allah shall change their misdeeds into good works. And Allah is Forgiving, Compassionate)(Al-Furqan: 68-70).

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,“Whoever guarantees me that he will guard his chastity, I will guarantee him Paradise”(Al-Bukhari).

AbuHurayrahreports that the Messenger of Allah said,“No one commits adultery while still remaining a believer, for faith is more precious unto Allah than such an evil act!”In another version, it is stated,“When a person commits adultery he casts away from his neck the bond that ties him to Islam; if, however, he repents, Allah will accept his repentance”(Al-Bukhari, Muslim, AbuDawud, An-Nisa’iand others).

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) further said:“[Under Islamic laws in an Islamic state] It is not lawful to shed the blood of a Muslim except for one of three sins: a married person committing fornication, and in just retribution for premeditated murder, and [for sin of treason involving] a person renouncing Islam, and thus leaving the community [to join the enemy camp in order to wage war against the faithful].”(Al-Bukhari, Muslim, AbuDawud,Tirmidhi, and An-Nasa’i)

During his ascension, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was escorted by Jibreel and shown different types of punishments meted out to those guilty of various major offenses. While recounting the various scenes shown to him, he said,“Then Jibreel took me and we passed by a group of people with terribly inflated bodies emitting worst foul smells just like that of open sewers; when I enquired who they were, he replied, ‘These are those who commit adultery!’”(IbnKhuzaymah)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:“Faith is like a shirt that Allah places on those He chooses; but whoever commits adultery his shirt will be taken off from him; if he were to repent sincerely, Allah will place it back on him.”(Al-Bayhaqi)

“There are three types of sinners that Allah will not speak to on the Day of Resurrection; neither He will purify them nor will He even look at them; rather they will suffer severe punishment: an older person who commits adultery, a king or ruler who lies to his subjects, and a poor person who acts arrogantly!”(Muslim and An-Nasa’i)

“When adultery becomes rampant in a nation Allah will expose them to His chastisement.”(AbuYa`la)

“When promiscuous behavior becomes rampant in a nation, Allah will send upon them such (strange) diseases that their own ancestors never heard of.”(At-Tabarani)

“There are seven categories of people who will be granted protection under the shade of Allah on the Day when there is no other shade;… among them is a young person who is seduced by a woman of great beauty and wealth and yet he rejected her advances saying ‘I fear Allah!’”(Al-Bukhariand Muslim)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,“O mankind! Beware of fornication/adultery for it entails six dire consequences: three of them relating to this world and three to the next world. As for the three that are related to this world, they are the following: it removes the glow of one’s face, brings poverty, and reduces the life-span. As for its dire consequences in the next world they are: it brings down the wrath of Allah upon the person, subjects him to terrible reckoning, and finally casts him in hell-fire”(Al-Bayhaqi).

Thought its funny!

2010-03-11T19:29:00.002+08:00

The Black Bra (as told by a woman)

I had lunch with 2 of my unmarried friends.
One is engaged, one is a mistress, and I have been married for 20+ years.

We were chatting about our relationships and decided to amaze our men by greeting them at the door
wearing a black bra, stiletto heels and a mask over our eyes.
We agreed to meet in a few days to exchange notes.

Here's how it all went.

My engaged friend:
The other night when my boyfriend came over he found me with a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask.
He saw me and said, 'You are the woman of my dreams. I love you..'
Then we made passionate love all night long.

The mistress:
Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and I was wearing a raincoat, under it only the black bra,
heels and mask over my eyes..
When I opened the raincoat he didn't say a word, but he started to tremble and we had wild sex all night.

Then I had to share my story:
When my husband came home I was wearing the black bra, black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes.
When he came in the door and saw me he said,
"What's for dinner, Batman?"

Dont think u r safe even you are muslim...............

2010-02-25T11:23:00.000+08:00

Do u want to know the conversations in hell and heavens? :P

2010-02-07T20:06:00.000+08:00

Whats wrong with playing farmville?

2010-01-29T19:00:00.000+08:00

I dont see any problems being addicted to farmville. It is a good game to enhance our organisation and planning skills..the timing of harvests, the amount of coins to earn and to make new friends.

I rather play farmville than to join the gossip clubs. :P

DELAYED FARMVILLE NEW YEAR PHOTO

2010-01-29T18:56:00.001+08:00

MY BABY HAS DIAPER RASH (FOUND THIS REMEDY)

2010-01-19T14:07:00.000+08:00

Using natural remedies for diaper rash, instead of using store-bought balms and ointments, can often lead to greater results and faster healing. Sometimes store-bought remedies don’t even work on your baby’s tender skin.

There are plenty of natural remedies out there to help ease your baby’s pain and discomfort.

First Things First:

First thing to do is bathe your baby in either plain warm water, or add some oatmeal to it. Once your baby is out of the bath, use a hair-dryer on its lowest heat setting and gently dry baby’s bottom. If you don’t have a hair-dryer, gently pat the bottom with a soft towel.

Then, let your baby have some diaper-free air time. Getting some air to the area is one of the most natural healing aids you can do. If your baby is not mobile, use a waterproof mat on the floor and place her there with some toys, or lay her on your chest with a towel. If mobile, you might have a harder time keeping your little one in one place, but still try to give them some air time.

If you are just changing a dirty diaper, avoid using commercial baby-wipes as they contain harsh amounts of alcohol, which can irritate baby’s skin even more. Make sure you dry the area thoroughly after cleaning, and then try to give some air time again.

Tried & Tested Natural Remedies for Diaper Rash:

Oliver Oil & Water:

Natural and healthy, olive oil has been used for centuries for all different kinds of ailments. Try whisking a tablespoon of olive oil with 5 drops of water until it forms a creamy smooth texture, then apply to baby’s clean, dry bottom.

Cod Liver Oil Capsules:

Another great natural remedy is to use cod liver oil capsules. Open the capsules and pour the oil over the affected area.

My farm photo before revamp. :D

2009-12-22T05:43:00.000+08:00

Im addicted....

2009-12-17T11:19:00.000+08:00

I seem like sitting for hours playing Farmville and Cafeworld in Facebook. haha. Crazy..I am addicted to these games!! I love them! YAHOO!!

I just wish I have more stoves and counters...

Position of Islam Regarding Lies And Liars

2009-12-11T18:21:00.002+08:00

According to Quran & Sunnah

Allah Almighty tells about the source of lying inside the brain of humans, fourteen hundred years ago. Allah tells us how He will deal with the liars, the lying sinful liars, in surah Al Alaq. (chpater 96).

"Allah will grab him by the (naseyah) [frontal lobe of the brain], the lying sinful (naseyah).

How could anyone have imagined 1,400 years ago, the frontal lobe of the brain was the source of lying, agression and transgression? Yet, this is decribed in Quran as the exact location inside of the human mind for these horrible characteristics.

We can say, without doubt that, lying is one of the most evil characteristics, of which all religions and systems of ethics warn against and which man's innate common sense (Fitrah) agrees that it is wrong. Any who possess normal chivalry and sound reason would be obliged to same the same.

Truthfulness is one of the pillars on which the moral survival of the world depends. It is the foundation of praiseworthy characteristics, the foundation of prophethood, the result of taqwah. Were it not for truthfulness, the rulings of all divinely-revealed laws would collapse. Acquiring the characteristic of lying is akin to shedding one's humanity, because speaking is an exclusively human trait.

(Bareeqah Mahmoodiyyah, Muhammad al-Khaadimi, 3/183)

Our purely monotheistic Shari'ah warns against lying in the Quran and Sunnah, and there is consensus that it is haram. The liar will have bad consequences in this world and in the next.

According to Shari'ah, lying is not permitted except in specific cases which do not lead to loss of rights, bloodshed or slander of people’s honor, etc., but which concern saving lives, reconciling between people, or creating love between husband and wife.

There is a never a day or a moment when Shari'ah permits a person to tell lies or to say whatever he wants based on lies. One of the things that have become widespread among the common people is the so called “April Fool’s Day”, where they claim that the first day of the fourth solar month is a day when lying is permitted without being subject to any shari'ah guidelines.

Many bad things may result from this, some of which we will mention below.

The prohibition of lying.

1. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“It is only those who believe not in the Ayah (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, who fabricate falsehood, and it is they who are liars."

[al-Nahl 16:105]

Ibn Kathir said:

“Then Allah tells us that His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is not a fabricator or a liar, because only the most evil of people who do not believe in the signs of Allah, the kafirs and heretics who are known amongst the people for telling lies, tell lies about Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was the most truthful of people, the most righteous, the most perfect in knowledge, action, faith and certain belief. He was known amongst his people for his truthfulness; none of them doubted that, to such an extent that he was known amongst them as ‘al-Ameen (the trustworthy) Muhammad.’

So, when Heraclius, the ruler of Rome, asked Abu Sufyan about the characteristics of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), one of the things he asked was, ‘Did you ever accuse him of lying before he said what he said?’ He said, ‘No.’ Heraclius said: ‘If he refrained from telling lies about people he would not go and tell lies about Allah’

(Tafseer Ibn Kathir, 2/588)

2. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 33; Muslim, 59)

al-Nawawi said:

“What the commentators and most of the scholars said – which is correct – is that this means that these characteristics are the characteristics of hypocrisy, and the one who has these characteristics resembles the hypocrites in this sense."

The words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), ‘He is a pure hypocrite’ mean that he strongly resembles the hypocrites because of these characteristics.

Some of the scholars said: this is concerning one in whom these characteristics predominate; one in whom these characteristics rarely appear is not included in this. This is the favored view concerning the meaning of this hadeeth. Imam Abu ‘Eesa al-Tirmidhi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated this meaning from the scholars and said: ‘The meaning of this according to the scholars is hypocrisy in one's actions.’”

(Sharh Muslim, 2/46-47)

The most evil kinds of lies are:

1. Lies told about Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

This is the most serious kind of lie, and the one who does this is subject to a severe warning. Some of the scholars said that the one who does this is to be denounced as a kafir.

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say: ‘Verily, those who invent a lie against Allah will never be successful’”

[Yunus 10:69]

It was narrated that ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Do not tell lies about me. Whoever tells lies about me, let him enter the Fire.’”

(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 106).

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever tells lies about me, let him take his place in Hell.”

(narrated by al-Bukhari, 110; Muslim, 3).

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“… ‘Whoever tells lies about me, let him take his place in Hell’, i.e., let him take his place in Hell where he will abide and settle; it is not like a manzil or camp where he stays for a while and then moves on.”

(Tareeq al-Hijratayn, p. 169)

Lying also includes lies told about or to other people, such as

2. Lying in buying and selling.

It was narrated from Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There are three to whom Allah will not speak on the Day of Resurrection and He will not look at them or praise them, and they will have a painful torment.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) repeated this three times. Abu Dharr said: “May they be doomed and lost, who are they, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “The one who lets his garment hang below his ankles, the one who reminds others of his favors, and the one who disposes of his goods by swearing a false oath.”

(Narrated by Muslim, 106)

It was narrated that Hakim ibn Hizaam (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘The two parties involved in a transaction have the option [of canceling it] until they part. If they are honest and truthful, their transaction will be blessed for them and if they conceal something and tell lies, the blessing of their transaction will be wiped out.’”

(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 1973; Muslim, 532)

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymeeyah said:

“Allah has enjoined truthfulness and honesty, and He has forbidden lies and concealment with regard to matters which should be known and revealed to people, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said in a hadeeth whose authenticity is agreed upon: ‘The two parties involved in a transaction have the option [of canceling it] until they part. If they are honest and truthful, their transaction will be blessed for them and if they conceal something and tell lies, the blessing of their transaction will be wiped out.’ And Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

‘O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah as just witnesses; and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety’

[al-Ma'idah 5:8].”

(Minhaj al-Sunnah, 1/16)

3. The prohibition on lying about visions and dreams

This refers to when some of them claim to have seen such and such in a dream, but they are not telling the truth, then in the morning he starts to tell the people something that he did not see.

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever tells of a dream that he did not see will be commanded [on the Day of Resurrection] to tie two grains of barley together, but he will never be able to do it. Whoever eavesdrops on people’s conversation when they dislike that – or they try to get away from him - will have molten copper poured in his ears in the Day of Resurrection. And whoever makes an image will be punished and will be told to breathe life into it, and he will not be able to do so.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 6635)

Al-Manawi said:

“ ‘to tie two grains of barley together, but he will never be able to do it’ – because tying one to the other is not possible ordinarily. He will be punished until he does that, and he will never be able to do it. It is as if he is saying that he will be enjoined to do something that he can never do, and is being punished for it. This is a metaphor for continuous punishment… The reason why barley (sha’eer) is mentioned specifically is because dreams are connected to feelings (shu’oor); the words sha’eer (barley) and shu’oor (feelings) come from the same root in Arabic.

The punishment for that is so severe – even though lies when awake may cause more damage, because they may involve testimony that may lead to execution or a hadd punishment – because lying about a dream is a lie about Allah, may He be exalted, for dreams are a part of Prophethood, so they come from Him, and lying about the Creator is worse than lying about created beings.

(Fayd al-Qadeer, 6/99)

4. The prohibition of speaking about everything that one hears

It was narrated that Hafsa ibn ‘Aasim said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘It is sufficient lying for a man to speak of everything that he hears.’”

(Narrated by Muslim, 5)

With regard to the meanings of the hadeeth and reports on this topic, they discourage speaking about everything that one hears. For usually a person will hear both true things and lies, so if he were to speak of everything that he hears, he would be lying, by telling of something that did not happen. We have stated above the view of the people of truth: that lying means telling of something in a manner other than the way it happened. It is not conditional upon it being done deliberately, but its being done deliberately is a condition of it being a sin. And Allah knows best.”

(Sharh Muslim, 1/75)

5. Lying in jest

Some people think that it is permissible to tell lies if it is in jest. This is the excuse that they use for telling lies on April 1st or on other days. This is wrong. There is no basis for this in the pure Shari'ah. Lying is haram. whether the one who does it is joking or is serious.

Lying in jest is haram. just like other kinds of lies.

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘I joke, but I speak nothing but the truth.’”

(narrated by al-Tabarani in al-Mu’jam al-Kabeer, 12/391)

This hadeeth was classed as hasan by al-Haythami in Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 8/89, and classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allah have mercy on him) in Saheeh al-Jami, 2494)

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: “They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, you joke with us.’ He said, ‘But I only speak the truth.’”

(narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1990)

Abu ‘Eesa said: this is a saheeh hasan hadeeth.

A similar hadeeth was narrated by al-Tabarani in al-Awsat (8/305) and classed as hasan by al-Haythami in Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 9/17

‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Laylaa said: the companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) told us that they were traveling with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). A man among them fell asleep and some of them went and took his arrows. When the man woke up, he got alarmed (because his arrows were missing) and the people laughed. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “What are you laughing at?” They said, “Nothing, except that we took the arrows and he got alarmed.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “It is not permissible for a Muslim to frighten another Muslim.”

(Narrated by Abu Dawood, 5004; Ahmad, 22555 – this version narrated by Ahmad).

This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jami’, 7658)

It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn al-Sa'ib ibn Yazeed from his father from his grandfather that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be

This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jami’, 7658)

It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn al-Sa'ib ibn Yazeed from his father from his grandfather that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “None of you should take the belongings of his brother, whether in jest or otherwise. Whoever has taken the stick of his brother, let him return it.”

(Narrated by Abu Dawood, 5003; al-Tirmidhi, 2160 in brief)

The hadeeth was classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jami’, 7578

6. Lying when playing with children

We must beware of lying when playing with children, because that will be written down (in the record of deeds of) the one who that. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) warned against doing that. It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “My mother called me one day when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was sitting in our house. She said, ‘Come here, and I will give you (something).’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘What do you want to give him?’ She said, ‘I will give him a date.’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘If you had not given him something, you would have been lying.’”

And it was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever says to a child, ‘Come here and take this,’ then does not give him something, this is counted as a lie.’”

(Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4991)

This hadeeth was classed as hasan by Shaykh al-‘Albaani in Saheeh al-Jami’, 1319.

7. Lying to make people laugh

It was narrated that Mu’aawiyah ibn Haydah said: “I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: ‘Woe to the one who talks to make the people laugh and tells lies, woe to him, woe to him.’”

(narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 235. He said: this is a hasan hadeeth. Also narrated by Abu Dawood, 4990).

The punishment for lying:

The liar is warned of destructive punishment in this world, and humiliating punishment in the Hereafter. These include:

1. Hypocrisy in the heart.

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“So He punished them by putting hypocrisy into their hearts till the Day whereon they shall meet Him, because they broke that (covenant with Allah) which they had promised to Him and because they used to tell lies

[al-Tawbah 9:77]

‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: “You may know the hypocrite by three things: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something he betrays that trust.”. He said: “Recite this ayah (interpretation of the meaning):

‘And of them are some who made a covenant with Allah (saying): “If He bestowed on us of His Bounty, we will verily, give Sadaqah (Zakaah and voluntary charity in Allah's Cause) and will be certainly among those who are righteous.”

Then when He gave them of His Bounty, they became niggardly [refused to pay the Sadaqah (Zakaah or voluntary charity)], and turned away, averse.

So He punished them by putting hypocrisy into their hearts till the Day whereon they shall meet Him, because they broke that (covenant with Allah) which they had promised to Him and because they used to tell lies

[al-Tawbah 9:75-77].”

(Musanaaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 6/125)

2. Guidance to evildoing and to the Fire

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said:

“The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Truthfulness is righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A person will continue to tell the truth until he is written with Allah as one who tells the truth. Lying is evildoing, and evildoing leads to Hell. A person will keep on telling lies until he is written as a liar.’”

(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 5743; Muslim, 2607)

al-San’aani said:

This hadeeth indicates that whoever continues to speak the truth, it will become a feature of his, and whoever deliberately tells lies and persists in it, it will become a feature of his. This is the same as any other good or evil characteristic, if a person persists in it, it becomes a feature of his.

This hadeeth indicates how serious the matter of telling the truth is, and that it may lead a person to Paradise, and it indicates how ugly lying is and how it may lead a person to Hell. This is in addition to the consequences in this world, for the one who tells the truth will have his words accepted by people, and his testimony will be accepted by judges and he will be liked for what he says, whereas for the liar the opposite will be the case.

Subul al-Salaam, 2/687

3. His testimony will be rejected

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

[The reason why the testimony of the liar is rejected]

The strongest reason why testimonies, Fatwas and reports may be rejected is lying, because it corrupts the very essence of the testimony, Fatwa or report. It is like the testimony of a blind man concerning sighting the new moon, or the testimony of a deaf man concerning having heard the admission of someone. The lying tongue is like some faculty that is no longer working, indeed it is even worse than that, for the most evil thing a man may possess is a lying tongue.

A’laam al-Muwaqqi’een, 1/95

4. Blackening of the face in this world and in the Hereafter

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And on the Day of Resurrection you will see those who lied against Allah (i.e. attributed to Him sons, partners) their faces will be black" [al-Zumar 39:60]

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

Hence on the Day of Resurrection Allah will make blackened faces the sign of the one who told lies about Him and His Messenger. Lying has a great effect in blackening the face and covering it with a mask of shame which every truthful person will be able to see. The feature of the liar is clearly visible in the face, and everyone who has the eyes to see can see it. But Allah will bless the truthful person with dignity and respect, so whoever sees him will respect him and love him, and He will give the liar humiliation and shame, so whoever sees him will loathe him and despise him. And Allah is the Source of strength.

A’laam al-Muwaqqi’een, 1/95

5. The liar will have the flesh of his cheeks torn to the back of his head

It was narrated that Samurah ibn Jundub (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) often used to say to his companions, ‘Has anyone among you seen a dream?’ Then whoever Allah willed would tell of his dream. One day he said to us, ‘Two (angels) came to me last night and woke me up, then they said to me, ‘Let’s go!’… so we set out and came to a man who was lying flat on his back and another man standing over his head with an

iron hook, and behold, he would put the hook in one side of the man's mouth and tear off that side of his face to the back (of the neck) and similarly tear his nose from front to back and his eye from front to back. Then he turned to the other side of the man's face and did just as he had done with the other side. Hardly had he completed this side when the first side was restored to its normal state. Then he went back and did that all over again. I said to my two companions, 'Subhaan Allah! Who are these two persons?' They said to me, ‘Move on, move on!' (Then he said, describing how the two angels explained the things that he had seen): ‘As for the man you came across, the sides of whose mouth, nostrils and eyes were being torn off from front to back, he is the symbol of the man who goes out of his house in the morning and tells so many lies that it spreads all over the world.’”

(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 5745)

The comments of the Salaf on lying:

1. ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: “A man may speak the truth and persist in doing so until there is in his heart not even room for evil the size of a needle. Or a man may tell lies and persist in doing so until there is in his heart not even room for truth the size of a needle.

2. And it was narrated that he said: “It is not correct to tell lies whether in jest or in seriousness,” then ‘Abd-Allaah recited the ayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Fear Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)”

[al-Tawbah 9:119]

3. Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq said: “Beware of lying, for it has nothing to do with faith.”

4. It was narrated that Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas said: “The believer may acquire all sorts of characteristics except treachery and lying.”

5. It was narrated that ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “True faith is not achieved until one gives up lying in jest.”

(Musanaaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 5/235, 236)

Permissible kinds of lies

Lying is permissible in three cases: war; reconciling between two disputing parties; and a husband lying to his wife or vice versa for the sake of love and harmony.

It was narrated from Umm Kalthum Bint ‘Uqbah that she heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “He is not a liar who reconciles between people and narrates something good or says something good.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 2546; Muslim, 2605)

It was narrated that Asma’ Bint Yazeed said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘It is not permissible to tell lies except in three (cases): when a man speaks to his wife in a way to please her; lying in war; and lying in order to reconcile between people.’”

(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1939)

This hadeeth was classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jami’, 7723

OUTCRY OVER Swiss Minaret Ban

2009-12-11T18:15:00.000+08:00

GENEVA – A Swiss ban on building new minarets is prompting dismay and anger across the world, amid warnings the ban reflects the deep-seated anti-Muslim feelings in the West.

"My first reaction is one of surprise and disappointment," Babacar Ba, the Geneva ambassador of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), told Swissinfo on Monday, November 30.

"It is a bad answer to a bad question. I fear that this kind of thing is simply a gift to extremism and intolerance."

Swiss voters approved Sunday by 57.5 percent a far-right initiative to ban the construction of new minarets in the country.

"It's very regrettable,” Maskuri Abdillah, the head of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s biggest Muslim group, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

“Obviously this is a narrow-minded way of thinking about Muslims."

The Swiss People's Party (SVP) -- Switzerland's biggest party -- had forced a referendum under Swiss regulations to ban the minarets after collecting 100,000 signatures within 18 months from eligible voters.

The SVP claims minarets are a symbol of Shari`ah and are thus incompatible with the Swiss legal system.

Abdillah, whose group has 40 million members in the world's biggest Muslim country, said the ban reflects the anti-Muslim feelings in Switzerland.

“They don't want to see a Muslim presence in their country and this intense dislike has made them intolerant."

Islam is the second religion in Switzerland after Christianity, with Muslims estimated at nearly 400,000.

There are nearly 160 mosques and prayer rooms in Switzerland, mainly in disused factories and warehouses.

Only four of them have minarets, none of them used to raise the Azan, the call to prayer, which is banned.

Islamophobes

World Muslims said that the ban signals the deep-seated Islamophobia in the West.

"This result should draw our attention to the reality of the hidden fears which have been underestimated by decision makers," said the Egyptian Mufti.

"We think that priority should be given to meeting the challenge of building societies capable of integrating diversity and difference... and we are ready to give every support to such an effort."

The OIC called for vigilance against the growing Islamophobia in the West.

"I think we must be very vigilant in the face of the upsurge of Islamophobia," said Ba.

"This vote is an open door to the dangerous process of calling fundamental freedoms into question."

Jaber al-Alawani, a Muslim thinker and director of the Cordoba Institute in the United States, agrees.

"Islamophobia is widespread in Europe, all the more so because rightwing extremists see it as a kind of defence of European identity, which they haven't so far quite been able to define."

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called for intervention to protect Muslim right to worship.

"I also urge you to use the opportunity presented by your prime-time address to repudiate the decision of Swiss voters to deny Muslims in that nation the same religious rights granted to citizens of other faiths,” CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad said in an open letter to US President Barack Obama.

“Our nation's silence on this flagrant denial of religious freedom would send a very negative message throughout the Muslim world, which must improve its own record on religious rights."

Calm Urged

Muslim leaders, however, called for calm and measured reaction to the Swiss minaret ban.

"The main thing is to keep calm and to realise how much work still needs to be done to defend basic freedoms,” Ba said.

“I think we must do this by ... taking a constructive part in the debate on all issues which cause fear and concern, and to try to bring people together in order to confront extremism wherever it comes from."

Egypt’s Mufti also called for calm.

"It is really important not to exploit this result wrongly for political ends, but to regard it as a call to build cooperation and harmony between our different religions and societies, in a new spirit."

Misfer al-Kahtani, a Muslim Saudi thinker, urged Muslim minorities in the West to work to view the bright image of their faith.

"The real challenge is for the Muslim community to accept the decision by Swiss society ... and work to change the clichés adopted by those who called for the ban on minarets, by showing a good example and applying the ideas and values of Muslim civilisation."

This touchs my heart deeply....

2009-12-02T18:08:00.000+08:00

You came to me in that hour of need

When I was so lost, so lonely

You came to me took my breath away

Showed me the right way, the way to lead

You filled my heart with love

Showed me the light above

Now all I want Is to be with you

You are my One True love

Taught me to never judge

Now all I want Is to be with you

CHORUS (x2)

You came to me in a time of despair

I called on you, you were there

Without You what would my life mean?

To not know the unseen, the worlds between

For you I’d sacrifice

For you I’d give my life

Anything, just to be with you

I feel so lost at times

By all the hurt and lies

Now all I want Is to be with you

Showed me right from wrong

Taught me to be strong

Need you more than ever

Ya Rasul ALLAH

You came to me

In that hour of need

Need you more than ever

Ya Rasul ALLAH

You filled my heart with love

Showed me the light above

Now all I want is to be with you

You are my One True love

Taught me to never judge

Now all I want Is to be with you

CHORUS (currently X2)

FINALE

Showed right from wrong

showed me right from wrong

What considerations to take when buying a car in Singapore

2009-11-29T12:52:00.000+08:00

We've all heard about how buying a car is not one of the smartest financial moves to make. A car is after all, a depreciating asset. But we can't deny that having a car brings other intangible benefits - convenience, accessibility, freedom etc.

Damien Fong, from Singcapital Pte Ltd., tells potential car buyers what they need to know before signing on the dotted line for a new car purchase, and offers tips on how to source for a suitable car loan.

iFAST: What are the main factors to take into consideration when deciding whether to purchase a car?

DF: Many car owners around in the world, and especially in Singapore, do not have a full understanding of the financial implications of one's car purchase. In Singapore, it is important for a potential car buyer to note that there are some very specific factors that affect the value of a car and the overall cost of ownership. As Singapore is still one of the most expensive places in the world to buy and maintain a car, it is well worth one's time to understand the basic elements that make up the costs of owning a vehicle here.

OWNING A VEHICLE IN SINGAPORE

The 2 main factors that impact the cost of car ownership in Singapore are:

•The vehicle tax regime including import duties, additional registration fees (ARF) and road tax.

•The Vehicle Quota System which limits the vehicle population growth in Singapore to approximately 3% per annum. The tool which is used to limit the number of cars registered in Singapore is the Certificate of Entitlement or COE. Each vehicle registered in Singapore must have an accompanying COE which is "attached" to the vehicle throughout the vehicle's lifespan. For more information on the Vehicle Quota System and COEs, please visit www.lta.gov.sg (The Land Transport Authority) and www.onemotoring.com.sg.

RECURRING MAINTENANCE COSTS

In addition to incurring the cost of acquiring a vehicle, there are other costs associated with keeping the vehicle on the road. Here are some of those costs:

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

One of the most common misconceptions on the affordability of a car is the "low monthly installment" syndrome. This happens when prospective buyers are enticed into buying a car on the premise that the monthly installment is low. However, many consumers do not factor in other "costs" and can end up in a horrendous situation from a financial perspective.

Many car buyers also do not take enough time to consider their length of ownership and therefore do not make the best purchase decisions from a financial perspective. Unlike a property, a car is usually a liability as its value depreciates the moment you purchase the car. Therefore, when buying a car, it is important to take time to consider how much it will cost you overall, your intended ownership period and of course, your motoring needs.

iFAST: If an individual were to purchase a car, what would be the maximum percentage of the individual's salary that should be allocated for the monthly installments and other related expenses?

DF: To work out your Income and Expenses when deciding on a car purchase, one will need to work out his/her Debt Servicing Ratio (DSR) which is often used by banks to assess whether a loan application can be approved. DSR is the percentage of the borrower's total monthly financial commitment (including car loan, home loan repayment, and other financial commitments such as unsecured borrowing, etc) against his monthly income and it will determine the loan quantum to be granted. The acceptable DSR varies from bank to bank, but is usually between the region of 40% to 50%.

SOURCING FOR A SUITABLE CAR LOAN

There are three basic factors to think about when sourcing for a new car loan: interest rate, loan principal and loan period. Knowing these three items will enable you to understand how much loan you are able to obtain. Using these to make your loan calculation will help you establish your budget for making the monthly payments.

It will be good to bear in mind that most lenders will want you to take out as much loan as you can possibly afford, since they will make more money, the larger the loan amount is. Therefore, always check the terms and conditions for the car loan before you commit to a loan. Below are the key items one needs to take note of, when it comes to car loans.

The Loan Principal

Loan principal is a term used in finance that refers to the original amount of the debt or the original amount of money borrowed. Your total interest charges at the end of the loan period depend on the amount of the loan principal and the loan period. The higher the principal amount you borrow, the more money you will ultimately be paying back over the course of the loan.

Interest Rate

The interest rate is usually expressed in percentage terms and is referred to as the amount of money charged outside the loan principal amount.

There are two common car loan interest schemes, i.e. the flat interest rate and the monthly rest schemes. Flat inter¬est charges are also known as "flat add-on rate". The interest rate is fixed throughout the loan period and it uses simple interest calculation. This means the total interest payable for the whole loan period is already added into the principal loan amount at the beginning. Borrowers pay equal monthly installments over the period of the loan. Currently, most car loans in Singapore are based on this scheme.

Monthly rest schemes are repayment schemes with floating interest rates. These rates are usually pegged at a certain percentage below or above a benchmark rate, such as the lender's prime lending rate or board rates. The interest is calculated on a monthly rest basis, meaning that the principal amount is reduced every month as the monthly installment is paid. The monthly instalments are a fixed amount, but the reduction in the principal and the interest payment vary according to changes in the interest rate.

Loan Period

The loan period refers to the life cycle of the loan. The longer the loan, the more expensive the loan will be.

Car loan calculation is an important part of sourcing for the right car loan. You can determine how much your loan is going to cost, by utilising good car loan calculation.

By regulation, car loans have a maximum repayment period of 10 years and a financing limit of 100% of the car purchase price or market value, including COE, whichever is lower. The loan period added to the age of the car cannot exceed 10 years.

Terms and Conditions - Default

For hire purchase loans, if you default on the monthly installments, the lender has the right to repossess the vehicle. Upon the sale of the vehicle, you have to pay for the shortfall between the sales proceeds and the loan outstanding, including the costs arising from the repossession.

Late Fees and Penalties

Different lenders charge different fees for late payment of installments. Make sure you check out all these fees before you commit to the loan.

iFAST Central provides services to more than 50 financial advisory companies, exempt financial advisers and financial institutions, and over 2,500 financial adviser representatives. Damien Fong is Financial Advisor Director at Singcapital Pte Ltd, a financial advisory company.

The creation of mankind

2009-11-25T16:55:00.000+08:00

"O Mankind, We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is he who is the most righteous of you" (Quran 49:13).

There are several principles, which this verse presents:

1. This message is not just for Muslims only because God is addressing all of humanity. While Muslims are one brotherhood, this is part of a larger brotherhood of humanity.

2. God is telling us that He has created us. Therefore He knows the best about us.

3. He says that He created us from one man and one woman meaning then that we are all the same.

4. It also means that all human beings are created through the same process, not in a manner in which some are created with a better mechanism than others.

5. God is the One who made human beings into different groups and people.

6. These differences are not wrong, rather a sign from God ("And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colors. Verily, in that are indeed signs for those who know" [Quran 30:22]).

7. Note that no word equivalent to race is used in this ayah or any other verse of the Quran.

8. Islam, however, limits the purpose of these distinctions to differentiation and knowing each other. This is not meant to be a source of beating each other down with an attitude of ‘my group is better than your group' or false pride as is the case with tribalism, nationalism, colonialism, and racism.

9. The only source of preference or greatness among human beings is not on a national or group level, but it is at the individual level.

10. One individual who is (higher in Taqwa), more conscious of his Creator and is staying away from the bad and doing the good is better, no matter what nation, country or caste he is part of. Individual piety is the only thing that makes a person better and greater than the other one.

11. However, the only criterion of preference, Taqwa, is not measurable by human beings. Indeed God is the One Who knows and is aware of everything so we should leave even this criterion to God to decide instead of human beings judging each other.

These are the deeply embedded ideals of Islam which still bring people to this way of life even though Muslims are not on the best level of Iman today. This is what changed the heart of a racist Malcolm X when he performed Hajj in Makkah. This is the power that brought Muhammad Ali to Islam. This is what still attracts the Untouchables of India towards Islam. This is the theory which convinced noted historian Professor A.J. Toynbee in 1948 to say that: "The extinction of race consciousness as between Muslims is one of the outstanding achievements of Islam, and in the contemporary world there is, as it happens, a crying need for the propagation of this Islamic virtue."

Let's ask ourselves if the Muslim Ummah today, in its individual and collective behavior is striving to adopt and promote these Islamic ideals?

--

"Whoever guides [another] to a good deed will get a reward similar to the one who performs it." Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)[Sahih Muslim]

Prophet Mohammad PBUH & Racism

2009-11-08T19:56:00.000+08:00

1. Prophet's response to racist comments:

A man once visited the Prophet's mosque in Madinah. There he saw a group of people sitting and discussing their faith together. Among them were Salman (who came from Persia), Suhayb who grew up in the Eastern Roman empire and was regarded as a Greek, and Bilal who was an African. The man then said:

"If the (Madinan) tribes of Aws and Khazraj support Muhammad, they are his people (that is, Arabs like him). But what are these people doing here?"

The Prophet became very angry when this was reported to him. Straightaway, he went to the mosque and summoned people to a Salat. He then addressed them saying:

"O people, know that the Lord and Sustainer is One. Your ancestor is one, your faith is one. The Arabism of anyone of you is not from your mother or father. It is no more than a tongue (language). Whoever speaks Arabic is an Arab." (As quoted in Islam The Natural Way by Abdul Wahid Hamid p. 125)

2. Statement of the universal brotherhood in the last Sermon:

O people, Remember that your Lord is One. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a black has no superiority over white, nor a white has any superiority over black, except by piety and good action (Taqwa). Indeed the best among you is the one with the best character (Taqwa). Listen to me. Did I convey this to you properly? People responded, Yes. O messenger of God, The Prophet then said, then each one of you who is there must convey this to everyone not present. (Excerpt from the Prophet's Last Sermon as in Baihiqi)

3. Don't take pride in ancestry:

The Prophet said: Let people stop boasting about their ancestors. One is only a pious believer or a miserable sinner. All men are sons of Adam, and Adam came from dust (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).

4. Looking down upon other people will stop you from entering the Jannah:

The Prophet said: Whoever has pride in his heart equal to the weight of an atom shall not enter Paradise. A man inquired about a person who likes to wear beautiful clothes and fine shoes, and he answered: God is beautiful and likes beauty. Then he explained pride means rejecting the truth because of self-esteem and looking down on other people (Muslim).

5. The Prophet condemnation of Arab racial pride:

There are many hadiths, which repeatedly strike on the Arab pride of jahiliyyah. Arabs before Islam used to look down upon others specially blacks. The Prophet repeatedly contrasted the believing Africans versus non-believing Arab nobles.

The Prophet said: You should listen to and obey your ruler even if he was an Ethiopian slave whose head looked like a raisin (Bukhari).

SEEKING KNOWLEDGE IS EVERY MUSLIM'S DUTY TO ALLAH (SWT)

2009-11-08T19:45:00.000+08:00

The rise of Muslims to the zenith of civilization in a period of four decades was based on lslam's emphasis on learning. This is obvious when one takes a look at the Qur'an and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad which are filled with references to learning, education, observation, and the use of reason. The very first verse of the Qur'an revealed to the Prophet of Islam on the night of 27th of Ramadan in 611 AD reads:

"Recite: In the name of thy Lord who created man from a clot. Recite: And thy Lord is the Most Generous Who taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not." (Quran, 96:1-5)

"And they shall say had we but listened or used reason, we would not be among the inmates of the burning fire." (Quran, 67:10)

"Are those who have knowledge and those who have no knowledge alike? Only the men of understanding are mindful. " (Quran, 39:9)

The Qur'an encourages people towards scientific research:.

"And whoso brings the truth and believes therein such are the dutiful." (Quran, 39:33)

Every Muslim man's and every Muslim woman's prayer should be:

"My Lord! Enrich me with knowledge.." (Quran, 20:114)

The pursuit of knowledge and the use of reason, based on sense and observation is made obligatory on all believers.

The following traditions of the Prophet supplement the foregoing teachings of the Qur'an in the following way:

Seek knowledge "even though it be in China."

"The acquisition of knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim, whether male or female."

"The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr."

"Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave."

"God has revealed to me, 'Whoever walks in the pursuit of knowledge I facilitate for him the way to heaven.'

"The best form of worship is the pursuit of knowledge."

"Scholars should endeavor to spread knowledge and provide education to people who have been deprived of it. For, where knowledge is hidden it disappears."

Some one asked the Prophet : "Who is the biggest scholar?" He replied: "He who is constantly trying to learn from others, for a scholar is ever hungry for more knowledge."

"Seek knowledge and wisdom, or whatever the vessel from which it flows, you will never be the loser."

"Contemplating deeply for one hour (with sincerity) is better than 70 years of (mechanical) worship."

"To listen to the words of the learned and to instill unto others the lessons of science is better than religious exercises."

"Acquire knowledge: it enables its possessor to distinguish right from the wrong, it lights the way to heaven; it is our friend in the desert, our society in solitude, our companion when friendless - it guides us to happiness; it sustains us in misery; it is an ornament among friends and an armor against enemies."

The Islamic Empire for more than 1,000 years remained the most advanced civilization in the world. The main reasons for this was that Islam stressed the importance and respect of learning, forbade destruction, cultivated a respect for authority, discipline, and tolerance for other religions. The teachings of Qur'an and Sunnah inspired many Muslims to their accomplishments in science and medicine.

By the tenth century their zeal and enthusiasms for learning resulted in all essential Greek medical and scientific writings being translated into Arabic in Damascus, Cairo, and Baghdad. Arabic became the international language of learning and diplomacy. The center of scientific knowledge and activity shifted eastward, and Baghdad emerged as the capitol of the scientific world. The Muslims became scientific innovators with originality and productivity.

For example Islamic medicine is one of the most famous and best known facets of Islamic civilization in which the Muslims excelled. The Muslims were the great torchbearers of international scientific research. Some of the best and most eloquent praises of science came from the pens of Muslim scientists who considered their work to be acts of worship. The same motives led to the establishment of Al-Azhar (800 AD) the first university in the world. They hit the "source ball of knowledge" over the fence to Europe. In the words of Campbell, "The European medical system is Arabian not only in origin but also in its structure. The Arabs are the intellectual forbearers of the Europeans."

Learning is a natural pleasure. This pleasure is inborn and instinctive. The pleasure of learning is one of the essential pleasures of the human race. Without learning, survival itself is threatened.

The process of learning starts right after birth. It is true that babies who can barely talk investigate problems with all the zeal and excitement of explorers, make discoveries with the passion and absorption of dedicated scientists. At the end of each successful investigation, one can see on the tiny face an expression of innocent and pure heartfelt pleasure. The process of physical growth stops when a boy or girl reaches puberty, that is with the on set of menarche in the girls and with the change in the voice and growth of moustache and beard in boys. After puberty it is impossible to increase the height both in boys and girls.

On the other hand the mental faculties grow from birth until death. At some point in our lifetime, the physical body becomes sick or ill and gradually dies; even the emotions become duller. But the mind continues to live, and even grows more lively and active, enjoys itself more, works and plays with more expansion and delight. I have seen grandparents obtaining Bachelors, Masters and Ph. D. degrees at the ages of 70, 80 or 90.

There are many examples in the history of Art, Music and Science, of both men and women who significantly contributed and lead mentally productive lives at their ripe old ages. Learning extends our lives into new dimensions. It is cumulative. Instead of diminishing in time, like health and strength, its dividends go on increasing, provided one continues to learn throughout life and integrate the thoughts and make learning harmonious. One should make it a point to learn at least one piece of new information each day.

The pleasure of learning is not confined to learning from textbooks, which are too often tedious. But it does include learning from book magazines (periodicals), newspapers, movies, television, radio and traveling.

When you stand in a big library in front of thousands of books do not think they are lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves. Each has its own voice, which is as inaudible as the radiobroadcast waves falling directly on ears. Just as one switches on the radio to listen, similarly a person needs to open a book to hear the voice far distant in time and space. One can hear the voice speaking, mind to mind, and heart to heart. Reading of books gives you two different delights. One is the pleasure of understanding the unknown and the unexpected. The other pleasure is of deepening one's knowledge of a specified field.

Apart from books, learning means keeping the mind open and active to receive all kinds of experience. As pointed out earlier there is great emphasis on learning and seeking knowledge in Islam. The Prophet Mohammed ordered Muslims to be active in their search for learning, crossing oceans and continents if necessary. " Seek knowledge even in China" he said. Learning also means learning to practice one' s own professional skills - that of a physician, engineer, musician or craftsman.

Crafts and hobbies lead you into fresh fields of enjoyment and give you relaxation and activity without tension. One should know that tension is the prime cause of heart attacks, ulcers, hypertension, and most of the human diseases.

Traveling is an important activity in the pleasures of learning. There are many examples of exceptionally informed people who never read books and newspapers, but acquire knowledge through traveling. One should travel with an open mind, an alert eye and a wish to understand other people and other places.

A saying of Prophet Muhammad is ... With knowledge man rises to the heights of goodness and to a noble position, associated with sovereigns in this world, and attains the perfection of happiness in the next.

It is fitting here to mention the story of Diogenes, the great Greek philosopher who lived during the time of Alexander the Great. Diogenes was a very learned man who shunned both power and wealth. He was known to have wandered around searching for an honest man carrying a lantern during day and night. He gave up everything he possessed, except a coconut shell for drinking water. One day he saw a man drinking water forming a cup with his hand. After seeing this Diogenes threw away his last possession, the coconut shell.

The name of Diogenes spread throughout Greece. Alexander the Great heard about Diogenes and one day decided to see him. Mounted on horseback, Alexander the Great went to Diogenes who was sitting on the ground. Alexander said ' Oh Diogenes, I have heard a great deal about you and your life. I am very much impressed by your life and it is my earnest desire to help you in whatever way I can. Please let me know your desires so that I can fulfill them". To which Diogenes replied "Your Excellency my only request is that you get aside and allow the sun's rays to fall on my body." Alexander the Great was deeply moved by Diogenes's reply and said "If I were not Alexander the Great. I would be Diogenes." Now the point I want to make here is that Diogenes never went to Alexander the Great, but that Alexander the Great came to Diogenes for he was such a learned philosopher.

There are many people in this world who have played themselves to death, or eaten and drunk themselves to death. Nobody ever died because of thinking or learning. People who avoid learning, or abandon it, find no joy in life, find that life is dry. No learner has ever run short of subjects to explore. The pleasures of learning lead to happiness. One can live a long, healthy and rewarding life by attaining and preserving the happiness of learning. Learning is everyone's birthright. Everyone - young or old, rich or poor, male or female, has access to learning. Exercise your birthright. Remember what you have learned cannot be taken away by others.

Article by : Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph. D. is President of Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc.

KNOWLEDGE REFERS TO ALL KINDS OF AREAS NOT JUST ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE. CROSS LEARNING OF ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE AND OUR DAILY LEARNING OR EVEN ACADEMIC LEARNING ARE ESSENTIAL TO MUSLIMS TO BE A SUCCESSFUL, FULFILLED INDIVIDUAL. -Ahxuan.

Is exposing yourself in public is sexy?

2009-10-29T12:12:00.001+08:00

This question has been following me most of time whenever im on the streets.

Having men looking at you, lewdly is called : sexy??

OH YEAH! MEN'S BRAIN WORKS...UNDRESSING.

I dont think it makes any sense to me.

Did they give me the Wrong top size?

I NEED MORE SMOKE.

To know I am sexy or not. :p

I took the test.

Here the results:

Your Score Summary

For Self-Image:

31% scored higher,

11% scored the same, and

58% scored lower.

For Confidence:

30% scored higher,

10% scored the same, and

60% scored lower.

For Attitude:

31% scored higher,

6% scored the same, and

63% scored lower.

Overall:

30% scored higher,

0% scored the same, and

70% scored lower.

Your Analysis

Here is a quick summary of your sexiness:

Image: You scored very high on the self-image attribute. Congratulations, you seem to take good care of yourself, and others can see this. Keep this up, it only makes you sexy!

Confidence: You are a highly confident person. This is great! People want to be around you, they want to know your opinion, and they have much respect you. Your confidence is sexy!

Attitude: Wow! Your attitude is great! You probably have many friends because you are very understanding and patient of most everyone. This makes you sexy to many.

Overall: You're Very Sexy .

I AM SEXY COS IM COVERED! HEEHEE.

GETTING A NEW BEDFRAME

2009-10-27T13:32:00.003+08:00

I am getting a new queen size bedframe! yahoo!! Sleeping on the mattresses on the floor for the past few months is kinda of torturing especially when I am getting fatter. Getting up to pee in the middle of the night is such a chore now.
Also after the surgery, i cant be sleeping on the floor again and it will be so painful for me to get up.

Isnt it sturdy? haha.

TWILIGHT SERIES BOOKS FOR SALE.

2009-10-27T12:49:00.001+08:00

CHECK THEM OUT AT MY BLOGSHOP. http://knickzknackzshop.blogspot.com/

I THANK GOD FOR KEEPING ME SAFE!

2009-10-23T20:01:00.004+08:00

I feel extremely tired and burn out with my pregnancy. Pregnancy has caused too much weight on my body and makes me walk like a penguin! I can hardly breathe sometimes on hot sunny days. No matter what, I thank ALLAH(SWT) for giving me a lot of mental strength to carry out with most of my life and in hope giving a safe and sound delivery.

I wonder what to take after C-section delivery to promote wound healing! I want to be back on my feet asap.

OPENING OF knickzknackzshop

2009-10-23T19:45:00.003+08:00

I have been busy sorting out stuff at home AND busy with my new blog shop selling used items that can be of better use to others and to reuse and recycle. Throwing things is a waste to me! Setting up a blog shop takes hours until my back is screaming in pain. The shop still need some touching up here and there. Please bear with me. Feel free to browse and feedback ya!

SORRY THAT MY BLOG IS DEAD!

2009-09-25T10:19:00.003+08:00

Sorry for not updating for a few months..i have been busy with my work and with my children. Having a new member joining the family makes me happy and tired at the same time. I have been preparing myself with more reading up on parenting skills as I need to rejuvenate on my parenting skills as my kids are getting "WILDER". I dont really bother how my kids behave in public as they are full of energy and curiosity. I feel so old in keeping up with them. haha!

Eid mubarak is kinda of dead for our small family since my parents are not muslims. hehe. We brought the kids to eat ice cream and swensens, it was nice to bring them out for a family outing once in a while. My habibi has been cranky due to work stress. I told him its ALLAH(SWT), we have been together going through difficult times with HIS help. We should know our blessings.

THIS MAKES ME TREMBLE IN FEAR.....

2009-05-29T18:47:00.001+08:00

Going through pregnancy

2009-05-28T11:39:00.001+08:00

DAYS OF PREGNANCY

During this time, great care and precautions should be adopted. During this stage, any physical weaknesses affect the growth of the child. In the early days of pregnancy, constipation should be avoided as there is a fear of miscarriage. Constipation is a fairly common complaint during pregnancy. Stimulant laxatives should be avoided in pregnancy and while breast-feeding. Similarly diarrhoea should be avoided as this can make her weak and at times can result in a miscarriage.

During this period nausea, vomiting and discomposure is experienced. This induces a desire for sour and salty foods. Some women have a sudden craving for black soil and soap etc. Caution should be taken that no such items are consumed which are detrimental to the health. Also extremely bitter and spicy foods should be avoided. During pregnancy simple foods should be eaten that assist in digestion.

If during the days of pregnancy any sickness befalls you, then immediate treatment should be given and the doctor should be told of your pregnancy. One should not feel ashamed of being pregnant. Those women who have their first pregnancy are ashamed to tell their in-laws and relatives and as a result they suffer.

The pregnant woman should remember that giving birth to a normal child does not lead to so much of weakness as in the case of a miscarriage. Therefore if one has a miscarriage, full precautions should be taken or else this weakness will affect her for the rest of her life.

During the early days of pregnancy, very heavy things should not be carried or lifted. Likewise jumping from a high place, hopping, running or any form of physical (pain) strain should be prevented as this may cause excessive bleeding or even a miscarriage.

The Islamic education of the child starts when the child is still in the womb of the mother. This is through the thoughts that she carries in those days, by the feelings that she has, by the kind of books that she reads, by the kind of company that she keeps and by the kind of things that she hears.

During pregnancy frightening pictures of deformed children or animals should not be seen. One should look at beautiful children, flowers and should smell beautiful fragrances.

Also during pregnancy reading evil books, having evil thoughts, bad intentions, practising of bad habits and doing sinful works should be avoided or else there is a fear that these evils may effect the unborn child later on. All these have an effect on the unborn child because the mother's nervous system is affecting all the systems of the baby. Although the baby has its own independent systems, remember it is the mother's womb that is carrying the baby and that the baby is being affected by whatever she is thinking, feeling, reading and listening to. It is better and advisable for the mother to keep good company, to read good books (the Quraan Shareef should be read in abundance) and to be at such places where she hears the words of Allah and about our DEEN. It is important to have good feelings, good thoughts and not to carry grudges, have fear of something or be unduly worried about something. One should always remain calm and happy and should not be allowed to be over concerned and allow oneself to be overtaken by grief. The thoughts that you generate within yourself will influence the kind of disposition the child will have. If you are sad and miserable the child will be equally affected. So remember the environment prior to the child's birth is as important as the environment he is born into.

WHAT TO READ DURING PREGNANCY

During the days of pregnancy, duas for the protection from calamities should be read in abundance. Also the performance of Salaat regularly is a protection from calamities. The following duas and surahs should be read in abundance during pregnancy:

A'oodhu bikalimmatillaahit taammmaati min sharri maa khalaqa
I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of that which He has created.
Hasbunallaahu wa ni'imal wakeel
Allah suffices us and He is the best guardian

Inniy u'eedhuhaa bika wa dhurriyyatahaa minas shaytaanir rajeem
And I command her and her offspring to Thy protection, from the evil one, the rejected.

Aayatul Kursi, surah Yaseen, surah Maryam, surah Yusuf and surah Muhammad

Also it is mentioned that Hazrat Fatima (radiyallahu anha) reports that when it was time for her to deliver her child, "Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) sent Umme Salma (radiyallahu anha) and Hazrat Zainab (radiyallahu anha) to me with the instruction that they read Aayatul Kursi, surah Al-Falaq and An-naas and the following verse for easy delivery:

Inna rabbakumullaahul ladhiy khalaqas samaawaati wal ardha fiy sittati ayyaamin thumma-stawaa alal arsh, yughshiyl llaylan nahaara wa yatlubuhoo hatheethan was shamsa wal qamara wan nujooma musakh-kharaatim bi amrihi. Alaa lahul khalqu wal amru, tabaaraka llaahu rabbul aalameen. Ud'oo rabbakum tadharru'an wa khufyatan, innahoo laa yuhibbul mu'tadeen." Surah Al-A'raf (7:54,55)
If a woman has difficulty during childbirth, the following should be written on paper, wrapped in a piece of white cloth and tied around her left thigh. Insha-Allah it will ease the birth.

Also Aayatul Kursi and the two Ayats from surah Al-A'raf (7: 54,55) are to be recited near the woman in throes of birth. Surah Al-Falaq and An-Naas are also to be read and thereafter blown on her.

CERTAIN BEAUTIFUL NAMES OF ALLAH TO BE READ BEFORE AND DURING PREGNANCY

Yaa waahidul ahad, The ONE Un-Equalled
Anyone desiring good and pious children should inscribe this ism on paper, or cloth and keep it with him at all times.

Yaa awwalu, The First.
Anyone desirous of male children should say this ism 40 times daily for 40 days. His needs will soon be fulfilled. (Insha-Allah)

Yaa mubdi-u, The Originator
Anyone who, while placing his hand on the stomach of his pregnant wife, repeats this ism 99 times at the time of sehri, neither will she have a miscarriage nor will she give birth prematurely. (Insha-Allah)

Yaa barru, The Good.
Anyone who reads this ism 7 times and blows on his child soon after birth, Allah will grant the child protection from calamities until puberty. (Insha-Allah)

Yaa baari-u, One Who Gives Life.
If a barren woman fasts for 7days and each day, after making Iftaar with water, reads this ism 21 times Allah will grant her male children. (Insha-Allah)

Yaa musawwiru, Fashioner of Shapes.
If a barren woman fasts and each day, after making Iftaar with water read this ism 21 times Allah will grant her male children. (Insha-Allah

Yaa naafi-u, One Who Confers Benefits.
If this ism is said prior to having intercourse, Allah will grant him good and pious children. (Insha-Allah)

FASTING DURING PREGNANCY

If the pregnant woman is certain or almost certain that if she fasts the foetus will be harmed or she herself will be harmed, she is then permitted not to observe the fasts.

If a woman comes to know after having had the intention of the fast that she is pregnant and she is almost certain that fasting would be harmful for her, she is then permitted to break the fast and observe it on another day without explanation.

WHAT TO EAT DURING PREGNANCY

During the days of pregnancy good and pure foods are essential for the health of the child. But excess of healthy foods and fruits and too much of resting causes the weight of the child to increase due to which delivery becomes difficult. Therefore excess of healthy foods should not be consumed, nor should there be too much of resting. A little bit of work should be done.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "If a woman eats sweet melon, she will give birth to a handsome and pretty child."

It is interesting to note that an intelligent child is born when a pregnant woman eats beans. Also it increases the mother's milk.

During the days of pregnancy by eating coconut and sugar candy, it lessens the amount of vomiting. There is easiness at the time of the birth of the child. Also on the body of the child there would be no heat rashes and the child will be fair and pure (skin) and the child will be born healthy. (Insha-Allah)

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has emphasised the importance of dates and their effectiveness in the growth of the foetus. He (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) recommended that they be given to women. Sayyidah Maryam (alayhas salaam) had dates as her food during her confinement and labour. Experiments have shown that dates contain stimulants which strengthen the muscles of the uterus in the last months of pregnancy. This helps the dilation of the uterus at the time of delivery on one hand and reduces the bleeding after delivery on the other. Dates enrich the breast milk with all the elements needed to make the child healthy and resistant to disease. Modern Science has proved that dates are a part of a healthy diet. They contain sugar, fat and proteins as well as important vitamins. They are also rich in natural fibres. Medical research has proven that they are effective in preventing stomach cancer. Dates also surpass other fruit in sheer variety of their constituents. They contain oil, Calcium, Sulphur, Iron, Potassium, Phosphorous, Manganese, Copper and Megnesium. In other words, one date is a mini-mine of a balanced and healthy diet.

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said that bitter orange (grapefruit) is a cure for all illnesses. Also, it increases the milk in the mother's breast.

The virtues of pregnancy

2009-05-28T11:30:00.001+08:00

When a woman is pregnant with a child, all the angels will make Istighfar (repentance) on her behalf. Allah SWT will, for each day of her pregnancy, write for her 1000 good deeds and erase from her 1000 bad deeds.

When a pregnant woman starts to feel the pain from contractions, Allah SWT will write in her records as someone who is doing jihad (spiritual or physical struggle) in His path.

When a woman becomes pregnant by her husband and he is pleased with her, she obtains the reward of a person engaging in fasting for Allah SWT and a person spending the night in ibaadah (worship).

A woman from the time of pregnancy until childbirth and weaning the baby, is like the Mujahid (someone fighting in the path of Allah, swa) who is stationed on the frontiers of the Islamic land. If she dies during this period, she dies the death of a shahid (martyr).

Two raka'at salaat performed by a pregnant woman is better than 80 raka'at salaat performed by a non-pregnant woman.

A woman who is pregnant gets the reward of fasting during the day and of doing ibaadah (worship) during the nights.

A woman who gives birth gets the reward of 70 years of salaat (prayer) and fasting. For each vein that feels pain, Allah SWT gives her the reward of one accepted hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah).

If the woman dies within 40 days of giving birth, she will die as a shahid (matyr).

(Hadith)......."A woman that dies in her virginity or during her pregnancy or at the time of birth or thereafter (in nifaas) will attain the rank of a martyr"

Nabi(salalaallahu alayhi wassallam) is reported to have also said ".......When her labour pains commence, the inhabitants of the earth and the sky are unaware of the stores of comfort that are prepared for her. When she delivers and breast feeds her child, then she will be granted a reward for every gulp of milk, if she had to remain awake during the night for the sake of the child, she will receive the reward of emancipating seventy slaves in the path of Allah Ta'ala. O Salaamat! Do you know who these women are? They are pious, upright, with a delicate nature yet obedient to their husbands and not ungrateful to them"

[Source: Madrasa In'aamiyyah]

Singapore raises swine flu pandemic alert from yellow to orange

2009-04-30T18:20:00.000+08:00

SINGAPORE: Singapore raises its pandemic alert from yellow to orange on Thursday even though there are no human cases of Mexican swine flu in Singapore.

The Health Ministry (MOH) said it is upgrading its Disease Outbreak Response System Alert as there is a real possibility that such cases may surface in Singapore and the country must be prepared at all fronts to delay its spread here for as long as possible.

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said Singapore is preparing for the need to move the alert level to red. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has moved to raise the pandemic alert phase for the Mexican swine flu outbreaks from Phase 4 to Phase 5.

The change indicates that there is human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one region.

In Singapore, its hospitals have already enhanced their infection control measures. For example, healthcare workers are already donning full personal protective equipment, especially in high-risk areas such as the emergency department and intensive care unit.

To reduce risk of exposure, triaging of patients has also been introduced at emergency departments, polyclinics and outpatient clinics. Elective admissions have also been reduced to increase hospital capacity.

Under the orange alert state, infection control measures will be further stepped up. Temperature screening and screening for flu-like symptoms for visitors to clinical care areas would be implemented, while hospital staff are required to don personal protection equipment in all areas with patient contact.

The number of visitors would also be restricted to one visitor per patient. This will help facilitate contact tracing and reduce unnecessary risk exposure in the hospitals.

MOH statement said those with a travel history to Mexico over the past seven days will be quarantined for seven days on their return to Singapore and undergo phone surveillance for symptoms for Mexican swine flu.

Those who develop symptoms will be referred to the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) for a thorough assessment. A dedicated ambulance service (993) has been activated to convey such patients to CDC.

Should evidence arise that other countries besides Mexico are exporting cases, the MOH will also consider imposing similar conditions for travellers returning from those areas.

The statement added that members of the public who are returning from other affected areas like New York, California, Kansas and Texas in the United States and the state of Nova Scotia in Canada are advised to stay at home for seven days upon return and check themselves for symptoms for Mexican swine flu.

They should practise social distancing and refrain from joining mass gatherings such as going to the cinemas, shopping malls or supermarkets.

Those who develop respiratory illness with fever of more than 38 degrees Celsius within seven days after their return should put on a surgical mask, call 993 for an ambulance. They should also disclose their travel histories to their doctors.

MOH is encouraging schools, workplaces and places of mass gathering to conduct temperature checks routinely. Those with a higher-than-normal temperature should be advised to seek treatment immediately.

Recording of all information of all visitors, including the date and time of visit, personal particulars and contact number of visitors, is recommended. This will facilitate contact tracing when the need arises.

Although there are no human cases of Mexican swine flu in Singapore, there have been 22 cases in total referred for further medical assessment. Of these, 19 cases have been tested negative for Influenza A.

Two tested positive for usual circulating seasonal strains of Influenza A and one is pending laboratory investigations.

As for travelling to Mexico, MOH said members of the public are strongly advised to postpone or avoid non-essential travel to Mexico and affected areas.

In the event that travel is unavoidable, the public is advised to take precautionary measures such as avoiding crowded areas and maintaining high standards of personal hygiene at all times – washing hands frequently with soap and water, especially after contact with respiratory secretions.

Those who are unwell with respiratory illness should stay at home and wear a surgical mask if possible. The ministry added that it is monitoring the situation closely and will update the public should there be any new developments.

For more information on Mexican swine flu, members of the public can access MOH's website at www.moh.gov.sg or call its hotline at 1800-333 9999.

- CNA/so