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Blog EntryEntry for November 13, 2007Nov 13, '07 12:04 AM
for everyone

Umm Waraqah bint Abdullah bin Harith Ansariah
Taken from the book Great Women of Islam by Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar
A woman companion who was given the news of Paradise :
Umm Waraqah was a learned, scholarly, pious, and modest lady who was well known among the Ansari women. She spent her nights and days in prayer and meditation and used to recite the Noble Quran beautifully. The Prophet(may peace and blessings be upon him) valued her highly and told her to lead the family in congregational prayers. The Mu’ththin that lead the prayers was a very aged man, therefore Umm Waraqah was appointed by the Prophet to be an Imam and lead the prayer for the women!
Besides her thirst for knowledge, she had a burning desire to die a martyr in the cause of Islam. When it was announced that the Battle of Badr was to take place, she went to the Prophet and volunteered her services, but he told her to stay in her home as she would attain martyrdom there. Umm Waraqah had two slaves, a girl and a man working for her. She told them after her death, they would be free. One day they got together and decided to kill her because they got tired of waiting for her to die. Umar bin Khattab ordered they be searched for and when they were found, they admitted to their guilt and was put to death!
Thus the Prophet(may peace and blessings be upon him) was proved right, that Umm Waraqah would die a martyr’s death in her home and attain Paradise !
Verily, the pious will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers. In a seat of truth, near the Omnipotent King. 54:54-55.


Is there any reward for good other than good?. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both deny? 55:60-61


Blog EntryExamples of the Prophet Muhammad's sayings.Nov 1, '07 12:28 AM
for everyone


The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

~~~ Allah has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.

~~~ None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.

~~~ He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is not a
believer.

~~~ Powerful is not he who knocks the other down, indeed powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger.

~~~ Allah does not judge according to your bodies and appearances but
He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds.

~~~ A man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a well he
descended into it, drank his fill and came up. Then he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out, trying to lick up mud to quench its thirst. The man saw that the dog was feeling the same thirst as he had felt so he went down into the well again and filled his shoe with water and gave the dog a drink. Allah forgave his sins for this action.
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was asked: Messenger of Allah, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?
He (pbuh)said, there is a reward for kindness to every living thing.

----------------------------------------------------------
SINCE TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED FOR ANY OF US,
AND SO MANY PEOPLE GO TO THEIR GRAVES UNFORGIVING AND UNFORGIVEN,
LEARN TO SAY I'M SORRY (AND MEAN IT)
BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!
----------------------------------------------------------
sara....................

A believer is never tired of hearing about good deeds until he enters Paradise.
__________________________________________________

أثناء تجولي في بعض المواقع الطبية والعلاج الطبيعي وجدتُ أكثرهم يؤكد على أن أفضل طريقة لعلاج الكثير من الأمراض هو الصوم، ووجدتهم يطلقون الصيحات والنداءات للناس لكي يعتمدوا هذه "التقنية" الرخيصة وذات الفوائد الكثيرة. وتذكرتُ نعمة الله علينا نحن المسلمين عندما أمرنا بالصيام، بل وجعل الصوم عبادة خاصة له سبحانه هو يجزي بها.

وقد أكَّد أهمية هذه العبادة حبيبنا محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم عندما شبَّه الصوم بالترس الذي يحتمي به المقاتل فقال: (والصوم جُنَّة) [رواه مسلم]. والجُنَّة هي الشيء الذي يحتمي الإنسان به من خطر ما أو من عدو ما. والسؤال: ما هي الأخطار ومن هم الأعداء الذين يقف الصيام بيننا وبينهم؟

يقول العلماء إن أخطر شيء يهدد حياة الخلايا في الجسم هي السموم التي تتراكم داخل الخلايا وتعيق عملها وتقلل من نشاطها. هذه السموم تمكث لفترات طويلة في الجسم ولا يمكن إزالتها، وغالباً تكون هذه السموم مسؤولة عن الهرم المبكر لدى الإنسان.

إن أحدنا يستهلك من السموم كل يوم أكثر من 500 سنتمتر مكعب، من خلال الهواء الملوث والغذاء الملوث والماء الملوث، حتى الهواتف الخليوية تؤثر على كمية السموم في الجسم! والجسم له قدرة كبيرة على امتصاص السموم وكذلك على معالجتها، ولكن عندما تزيد كمية السموم عن حد معين يكون الجسم في حالة المرض.

وعلى الرغم من الجهود والأبحاث الكثيرة التي تهدف إلى إزالة هذه السموم، لم يجد العلماء وسيلة أفضل من الصيام للقيام بهذه المهمة. إن السموم المتراكمة في الجسم تعمل على تدمير الجسم باستمرار، والصيام يعمل مثل السلاح الخفي الذي يحارب هذه السموم ويزيلها دون أن يؤثر على بقية أجزاء الجسم.

للصوم تأثيرات مدهشة، فهو يعمل على صيانة خلايا الجسم، ويعتبر الصيام أنجع وسيلة للقضاء على مختلف الأمراض والفيروسات والبكتريا، وهذا الكلام ليس فيه مبالغة، وربما تعجب عزيزي القارئ إذا علمت أن في دول الغرب مراكز متخصصة تعالج بالصيام فقط!! وتجد في هذه المراكز كثير من الحالات التي استعصت على الطب الحديث، ولكن بمجرد أن مارست الصيام تم الشفاء خلال زمن قياسي!

وأقول من جديد سبحان الله! لقد وفَّر الله علينا عناء فتح هذه المراكز وعناء إقناع الناس بهذه الطريقة، فجعل الصيام فريضة نتقرب بها من الله، وثوابها كبير جداً حتى إن الله تعالى خصص باباًَ للجنة لا يدخل منه إلا الصائمون!

من أهم الفوائد التي يقدمها الصيام أنه ينشط نظام المناعة للجسم، ونحن نعلم أن جهاز المناعة هو بمثابة الجنود التي تحرس الجسم وتهاجم الفيروسات والبكتريا الضارة وتدافع عن الجسم ضد أي جسم غريب يدخل إلى الجسم. ولذلك فإن الصيام يقوي هذه "الجنود" ويزيد من نشاطها وكفاءتها، وبالتالي فهو يعمل كسلاح فعال يساعد الجسم على الدفاع عن نفسه.

إن مرض السُّمنة أو البدانة أو الوزن الزائد، هو مرض العصر، فهناك مئات الملايين الذين تزيد أوزانهم عن الوزن الحرج، وهؤلاء مهددون بشكل دائم بالنوبات أو بمختلف الأمراض، ولذلك يمكن اعتبار الوزن الزائد عدواً يفتك بالإنسان دون أن يشعر. والصيام يهاجم هذا العدو ويعالج ظاهرة الوزن الزائد، فهو يعمل كسلاح غير مرئي ينفذ مهامه بدقة وباستمرار.

الاضطرابات النفسية تعتبر من الأمراض الأكثر انتشاراً في العصر الحديث، هذه الاضطرابات تعمل على تدمير البنية النفسية للجسم، وقد أثبت الدراسات أن الصيام يعمل على تخفيف هذه الاضطرابات ويعمل كذلك على تخميد المراكز ذات النشاط الزائد في الدماغ، ولذلك فالصوم هو أفضل سلاح لمقاومة الأمراض النفسية بأنواعها.

هل حاولت عزيزي القارئ أن تطور مداركك وأن تصبح أكثر إبداعاً؟ إنه الصوم! أفضل وسيلة عملية لتنشيط خلايا الدماغ، وإعادة برمجتها وزيادة قدرتها على العمل والإبداع. وهذا يحسّن سيطرتك على نفسك وزيادة قوة إرادتك.

وهكذا لو تتبعنا القائمة الطويلة من الأمراض التي يعالجها الصيام نلاحظ أن هذه القائمة تزداد يوماً بعد يوم، وفي كل يوم يكشف الطب الحديث فائدة جديدة للصيام، وقد قمتُ بإحصاء الأمراض التي يعالجها الصوم فوجدت أن جميع الأمراض تقريباً يعمل الصيام كسلاح فعال على علاجها ومقاومتها والقضاء عليها: سلاح ضد الشيخوخة، سلاح ضد آلام المفاصل وأمراض ضغط الدم.... ومن هنا نستطيع أن نعمق فهمنا للحديث الشريف (والصوم جُنَّة) أي أن الصوم هو وقاية وستر وسلاح يقينا شر الأمراض في الدنيا، ويقينا حرَّ جهنم يوم القيامة.

أخي المؤمن! أختي المؤمنة! أقول لكم وبكل ثقة إذا كان واحد منكم يعاني من أي مرض مزمن، فعليه بالصوم المتكرر، مع الإكثار من تناول حبات من التمر على الفطور، مع قراءة القرآن باستمرار والاستماع إلى القرآن بصوت مقرئ مع الخشوع التام، فإن هذا سيكون علاجاً مثالياً لأي مرض كان!

ــــــــــــــــ

بقلم عبد الدائم الكحيل

www.kaheel7.com


Blog EntryEntry for September 06, 2007Sep 6, '07 12:18 AM
for everyone

Will your Internet Connection Disconnect you from Allaah?

August 17th, 2007 · 4 Comments

The following article by Mufti Zubayr Bayat serves as a great reminder so I thought it would be beneficial to share it, so here it is:

Is it sheer coincidence that the Internet and WWW (World Wide Web) contain the words ‘NET’ and ‘WEB’? Read on and work it out for yourself. Now picture a person trapped in a net, battling to get out. Also try to imagine a fly caught in a web, struggling to escape. Since the crisis is visible and tangible in the above cases, sympathy is felt and help may be rendered if required. But there is another NET, a WEB, much stronger and highly invisible, which traps its hapless ‘victim’ in such an enchanting way, the poor ‘victim’, far from wanting to escape, actually begins to enjoy and relish this ‘captivity’. Yes, this sticky WEB, this unseen NET is none other than what is called the INTERNET, its WWW and its ‘chat-rooms’.

What is the Cure for the ‘Addiction Virus’?

Such is the terrible addiction and attraction to the NET and the WEB, it is difficult to say whether the ‘surfer’ has been bit by a ‘bug’ or is just on some kind of heavy ‘drug’. Many are concerned about ‘viruses’ infecting their beloved PC’s but what cure is there for the user who maybe infected by the ‘addiction virus’? Once ‘on-line’ and ‘into cyber space’ the user seems to have forgotten everything in the real world and enters into a kind of trance that is described as being in a state of ‘virtual reality’ where everything is really unreal but appears to be so real! For many, once they enter this ‘cyber world’ it is as if they are on another planet. Then gone is the concern for Salaah, good deeds, work, studies and other important chores in life. Now it is the sheer thrill of being ‘connected’ and ‘on line’. A Muslim must be concerned that being ‘connected’ to the ‘Net must not ‘disconnect’ him from Allaah and being ‘on-line’ should not take him ‘off-track’ from the ‘Straight Path’.

Sharee’ah Principles Governing the use of the Internet

Unlike medieval Christianity, Islam has never been opposed to technology and modern inventions - in fact it has encouraged the study of ‘natural’ phenomena for the purposes of subjugating the forces of the universe for the benefit of mankind. Such inventions and technology are deemed beneficial so long as they enhance the purpose of man’s creation on earth. If however, they obstruct and distract from this purpose, then Islam does not take a favourable view of such inventions.

The Internet and its use may be evaluated on the basis of the above principle. If it proves to be beneficial to its user, its use is permissible and in some instances, meritorious, especially for Da’wah and educational uses. But if it provides the opposite affect, that of distracting its user from the purpose of his creation, then not only is its use frowned upon but may even be deemed unlawful in certain instances. As with every matter in life, the Internet comes with its collection of plusses and minuses. In the case of some users, the plusses weigh heavily. In the case of others, there are only minuses. For such people, the Internet is a bane and a curse. And unfortunately the majority of users fall in this category.

Parents Blissfully Ignorant of Inherent Dangers

With the quantum leaps the IT industry has recently been witnessing, many parents and guardians of children and youth, the prime users of Internet, are in a total ‘time-warp’. They are groping in the dark with regard to the reality and nature of the Internet and what it is all about. They appear quite pleased and proud that their dear off-spring are such ‘wizards of the web’, little realising the potential dangers that the Internet holds within itself. It is with a view to enlighten parents and elders about this dark aspect of the Internet that this article is being presented.

Which decent Muslim parent would allow his child, especially a pretty, young daughter out in the streets, into dubious dimly-lit smoke-filled billiards’ rooms to meet and chat to complete strangers for hours on end, with a possibility of such unknown entities even being considered as prospective marriage partners by their innocent daughters? Any respectable Muslim parent would recoil in horror and shrink at the very thought. My daughter in such a horrible place? IMPOSSIBLE!

’Cyber-Friends’ Meet Each Other in ‘Chat-rooms’

No, in fact it is very well possible. The decent and respectable Muslim parents of our time may well be in for a pretty rude shock! That innocent little girl (or boy), locked away safely in her bedroom for nights and weekends on end, may ‘virtually’ be ‘MEETING’, ‘TALKING’ to and ‘BEFRIENDING’ all kinds of weird strangers for hours on end, under the very noses of their parents, without them ever suspecting a thing! How is this possible? Well the answer is clear and straight; thanks to the Internet, this is not only possible but a REALITY in thousands of good Muslim homes all over the world! So when you find that teenager, uncannily quiet and seemingly busy don’t be fooled and deceived. They could possibly be in intimate conversation with some stranger in one of thousands of ‘chat-rooms’ available on the ‘Net!

Forget the days of ‘pen-pals’. That was rather innocent stuff. Nowadays boys (and girls) are known to have travelled (physically) around the globe, just to meet their cyber ‘boy/girl-friends’. Many ‘cyber-friends’, known to each other only by their ‘nicks’, arrange to meet each other in shopping malls, cinemas, rave clubs, bhangra bashes and so on. The ‘Net has made possible the meeting of strangers on a scale that was unimaginable in the past. It may surprise people to learn that many prospective Muslim couples have had their first ‘meeting’ and intimate ‘chat’ on the ‘Net. This could have lead to physical meetings in ‘real time’ and after a short romance on (and off) the ‘Net, ‘the knot was tied’. Alas! The possibility of that ‘knot’ being untied before long, is not just a matter of ‘virtual reality’. It is reality itself as proven by real-life cases.

Victims of Shaytaan’s ‘Web’

But the young and innocent are not the only victims as age is of no consequence on the ‘Net. If this is how easy and ‘cool’ it is to hop onto the cyber-highway and ‘disappear’ into ‘virtual reality’, it is not too surprising to hear of many married men who enjoy a very friendly ‘chat’ with some exciting female (supposedly; it is difficult to make out male from female on the ‘Net), without the poor wife suspecting a thing. The reverse of this could also be true. Well, Shaytaan is known to have many NETS and WEBS in his possession, and if this is one, then the final outcome of these ‘chats’ is not difficult to imagine.

Even if the ‘chat’ itself is clean and straight, this kind of ‘chat’ with a strange (ghair-mahram) person is forbidden in Islam, whether it be by phone, mobile, CB, pen or electronic, it is simply not allowed. Then consider the filthy and rude language used by most persons in ‘chat-rooms’ - this cannot be evaded and one is bound to be affected by this rude language sooner or later.

Gross Wastage of Allaah’s Favours

Hours and hours of good, useful and constructive time - the most valuable entity on earth - is squandered uselessly on the ‘Net and in chat-rooms. If only that time - and Almighty Allaah swears an oath on the value of Time - was used to do some virtuous deeds, how beneficial and profitable it would have been! If only the hundreds of wasted money in connection fees and phone bills could have been used to feed a hungry family in Ethiopia or elsewhere; if only it could have been contributed towards a needy and deserving Masjid or Madrasah project, how useful it would have proved? This is yet another serious drawback of the Internet for a good practising Muslim.

Dangers to ‘Aqeedah & Morality

Then there is the deluge of Kufr sites, masquerading as good and informative Muslim sites and a plethora of sites by the myriads of deviated sects, all crouching like hungry lions at the water hole, hoping to pounce upon, savage and devour the unwary ‘prey’ that may come out their way. How can one whose knowledge of Islam is nominal hope to come out unscathed in his Eemaan after such ‘encounters’? Then the uncensored flood of the filthiest pornography and sleaze imaginable, that permeates every area of the ‘Net, is yet another total ‘no-go zone’ for any Muslim. The temptations to just ‘take a peek’ are very compelling and once this slippery path is walked upon, it is very difficult for most people to turn back.

So before you or your innocent little ones connect (or reconnect) to the ‘Net, think, think carefully! Is it for a pious or worthy purpose or is it just for fun and entertainment, to pass time! If this is so, you may have easily ‘connected’ to the ‘Net but you could end up, Allaah forbid, ‘disconnecting’ your Eemaan, your Islam and your morality in the process! Is it worth it?

http://aboouthmaan.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/will-your-internet-connection-dis...


Blog EntryEntry for June 20, 2007Jun 20, '07 12:11 AM
for everyone
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
على خطى الحبيب 1: إستحضار النيه الصالحة
فى كل عمل مباح تقوم به
عن أمير المؤمنين أبي حفص عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه ، قال : سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول : ( إنما الأعمال بالنيّات ، وإنما لكل امرئ ما نوى ، فمن كانت هجرته إلى الله ورسوله ، فهجرته إلى الله ورسوله ، ومن كانت هجرته لدنيا يصيبها ، أو امرأة ينكحها ، فهجرته إلى ما هاجر إليه ) . رواه البخاري و مسلم في صحيحهما .
والنيّة في اللغة : هي القصد والإرادة ، فيتبيّن من ذلك أن النيّة من أعمال القلوب ، فلا يُشرع النطق بها

فالإنسان المكلف لا يمكنه أن يعمل عملاً باختياره، ويكون هذا العمل من غير نيّة
إذا جميع الأعمال المباحة التي نقوم بها مثل النوم والطعام والشراب وطلب الرزق والعمل وغيرها يمكن تحويلها من عادات إلى عبادات نحصل بها على آلاف الحسنات بشرط أن ينوي المسلم عند القيام بها التقرب إلى الله سبحانه وتعالى
مثال
عند الذهاب إلى العمل ماشيا أو بالسيارة :فالذهاب لكسب قوتك فى حد ذاته تؤجر عليه
لكن يمكن أيضا استغلال ذلك في ذكر الله والتسبيح وقراءة بعض آيات من القرن الكريم أو الاستماع إلى شريط إسلامي......
وقيام المرأة بأعمالها المنزلية
جلوسك مع أصدقائك وتعليم أمور الدين
عند النوم مبكرا للاسيقاظ لصلاة الليل أو صلاة الفجر فيصبح النوم عبادة
عند أكل الطعام..للتقوى على طاعة الله
وهكذا
وللنية فائدتان:
أولاً: تمييز العبادات عن بعضها، وذلك كتمييز الصدقة عن قضاء الدين، وصيام النافلة عن صيام الفريضة
ثانياً : تمييز العبادات عن العادات ، فمثلاً : قد يغتسل الرجل ويقصد به غسل الجنابة ، فيكون هذا الغسل عبادةً يُثاب عليها العبد ، أما إذا اغتسل وأراد به التبرد من الحرّ ، فهنا يكون الغسل عادة ، فلا يُثاب عليه

وبذلك يتبين أنه يجب على الإنسان العاقل أن يجعل همّه الآخرةَ في الأمور كلها ، ويتعهّد قلبه ويحذر من الرياء أو الشرك الأصغر
يقول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم مشيراً إلى ذلك : ( من كانت الدنيا همّه ، فرّق الله عليه أمره ، وجعل فقره بين عينيه ، ولم يأته من الدنيا إلا ما كُتب له ، ومن كانت الآخرة نيّته ، جمع الله له أمره ، وجعل غناه في قلبه ، وأتته الدنيا وهي راغمة ) رواه ابن ماجه، وصححه شيخنا الألباني .
وجوب الإخلاص لله تعالى في جميع الأعمال ؛ لأنه أخبر أنه لا يخلُصُ للعبد من عمله إلا ما نوى
فإن نوى في عمله اللهَ والدار الآخرة ، كتب الله له ثواب عمله ، وأجزل له العطاء
وإن أراد به السمعة والرياء ، فقد حبط عمله ، وكتب عليه وزره .

ومن عظيم أمر النيّة أنه قد يبلغ العبد منازل الأبرار ، ويكتب له ثواب أعمال عظيمة لم يعملها ، وذلك بالنيّة ، كما ثبت عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال لما رجع من غزوة تبوك : ( إن بالمدينة أقواما ما سرتم مسيراً ، ولا قطعتم وادياً ، إلا كانوا معكم ، قالوا يا رسول الله : وهم بالمدينة ؟ قال : وهم بالمدينة ، حبسهم العذر )
رواه البخاري .
نسأل الله تعالى أن يرزقنا الإخلاص في القول والعمل
والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
كُن مع الله و لا تُبالي



Blog EntryEntry for June 18, 2007Jun 18, '07 12:32 AM
for everyone

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ ‏وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا، عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: "مَا يُصِيبُ الْمُسْلِمَ مِنْ نَصَبٍ وَلَا وَصَبٍ وَلَا هَمٍّ وَلَا حُزْنٍ وَلَا أَذًى وَلَا غَمٍّ حَتَّى الشَّوْكَةِ يُشَاكُهَا إِلَّا كَفَّرَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِنْ خَطَايَاهُ". أخرجه أحمد (2/303 ، رقم 8014) ، وعبد بن حميد (ص 298 ، رقم 961) ، والبخارى (5/2137 ، رقم 5318) ومسلم (4/1992 ، رقم 2573). قال الحافظ ابن حجر العسقلاني في "فتح الباري شرح صحيح البخاري": قَوْله "مِنْ نَصَب": هُوَ التَّعَب، "وَلَا وَصَب": أَيْ مَرَض وَقِيلَ هُوَ الْمَرَض اللَّازِم، "وَلَا أَذًى": هُوَ أَعَمّ مِمَّا تَقَدَّمَ، وَقِيلَ : هُوَ خَاصّ بِمَا يَلْحَق الشَّخْص مِنْ تَعَدِّي غَيْره عَلَيْهِ ، وَقَالَ الْكَرْمَانِيُّ : الْغَمّ يَشْمَل جَمِيع أَنْوَاع الْمَكْرُوهَات لِأَنَّهُ إِمَّا بِسَبَبِ مَا يَعْرِض لِلْبَدَنِ أَوْ النَّفْس.


Blog EntryEntry for June 18, 2007Jun 18, '07 12:11 AM
for everyone
Humans are social creatures by nature; they're always in need of friends and companions. Most of our lives depend on interaction with others. Strong individuals are the core of a strong community, something that Muslims should always strive for.
We all know that Allah the Most High has brought us to life in order to test us. Thus we are here for a relatively short period of time and that we shall meet Allah one Day, so we need to use our present life for what is best for us in the hereafter. Once we know our purpose and our goal in life, we should seek ways to achieve them so as to benefit our own selves.
In an authentic Hadith, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:
"A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look whom you befriend."
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) who has the most noble character and dealings with fellow humans gave us a very clear and simple message and advice in regard to friendship.
How should we choose our friends?
We should choose the friend that believes and abide by our religion (Islam) and gives great respect to what Allah and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has ordered us. And we should stay away from that who is not well mannered and gives no attention to what Islam is about or what pleases or displeases Allah, for he'll surely affect us negatively. There is no good in the companion drowns us in sins and displeasing Allah.
The bases for the actions of those who follow the evil ways are corrupt; their actions are built upon misguidance and deviation. Their deeds are worthless to them as Allah said:
"And We will proceed to what they have done of deeds, so We shall render them to scattered floating dust." Qur'an (25:23)
Their actions, even if we see them as righteous and noble are of no value to them, so how can they be useful to us?
Good friends are those who share their companions both happiness and sadness. If we share our feelings with the wrong-doers whose actions are worthless and based on corruption, then we are following the same ways and standards as they are, and we'll end up being as corrupted as they are, and then we're in a big trouble, how can we face Allah's dissatisfaction and displeasure? !
Instead of making friends with the misguided ones we should befriend the righteous, yet treat the rest in a gracious and just manner. Staying at sufficient distance is necessary; yet treating everybody in a noble and kind manner is required.
In another Hadith, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:
"The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith's bellows. So as for the seller of musk then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith's bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him."
When choosing our friends we should ask ourselves first:
Are they going to help us achieve the purpose for which we were brought to life? or will they take us away from it?
Will they desire for us Allah's pleasure or is that completely irrelevant to them and not their concern at all?
Are they leading us to Paradise or to the Hell?
Allah says in the Qur'an:
"O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. If you follow the right guidance and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong no hurt can come to you from those who are in error. The return of you all is to Allah, then He will inform you about (all) that which you used to do." Qur'an (5:105)


--
Alahumma infa`ni bima `allamtani wa `allamni ma yanfa`uni!

OH ALLAH! Make useful for me what You taught me and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me!

Please take a moment to forgive me for all mistakes and make du`a' for me if you have received anything of benefit

Blog EntryEntry for June 11, 2007Jun 11, '07 12:29 AM
for everyone

The Bitter Harvest
Prepared by Muhammad Alshareef



I was a teacher in the Qur’anic study circle at our neighborhood Masjid at the time. I would see this young boy after Maghrib prayers, you might say he was about fifteen years old. He held a pocket Qur’an and sat alone reading from it - no, he wasn’t actually reading from it, he was just trying to make it seem as if he was.
Now and again, he would shyly steal a few glances at us, curious to know what we were doing. Once in awhile, you might see him straining to make out what we were talking about.
Every time I caught his eye, he would avert his head and continue with his recitation, as if he had not intended to look this way.
Day after day, he sat in the same reserved manner, revealing the same timid glance. Finally after Isha Salah one day, I resolved to confront him.
“As Salamu ‘Alaykum, my name is Salman, I teach the Qur’ânic study circle in this Masjid.”
‘And my name is Khalid.’
Strange, he replied so fast, as if he had been waiting to share this piece of information for such a long time and expected to be asked.
“Where do you study Khalid?”
‘In the Eighth grade … and I … I love the Qur’an a lot.’
Strange indeed, why did he add that last sentence?
Confidently, I asked him, “Listen Khalid, have you got any free time after Maghrib? We would be honored to have you join us in the class.”
‘What? The Qur’an? The Halaqah? Yes … why, yes of course (happiness overcame him). I’ll be there, Insha’Allah.’
That night, I couldn’t think of anything other than this young boy and the haze that surrounded his behavior. Sleep would just not come.
I attempted to interpret an answer for what I saw and heard, but there was none. A verse of poetry came to mind: ‘the coming days shall unravel the mystery / and the news may appear from where you could never see.’
I turned on my right side and slipped my right hand under my cheek. O Allah, I have surrendered myself to You and to You I turn over my affairs.
***
Subhan Allah, how the calendar was jogging by. Khalid was now a regular in our Qur’anic circle, energetic and successful in memorization. He was friends with everyone and everyone was friends with him. You could never catch him without a Qur’an in his hand, or find him in any other line in Salah other than the first. There was nothing wrong with him except for his occasional long lapses of attention. There were times when his stoned eyes would reflect the fathomless thought going on in his mind. Sometimes we knew his body was with us, but his soul was somewhere else, suffocating in another world.
Occasionally, I would startle him. All he had was a mumble to reply with, he would have been the first to admit its fabrication.
One night, I walked with him after class to the beach shore. Maybe his big secret might meet something equally large, relax somewhat, and release its distress and pain.
We arrived at the beach and traced the waves. The full moon was out.
A strange sight. The darkness of the night found the darkness of the sea, with a lit moon in-between them.
It sat somewhat embarrassed at its intrusion, similar to my shyness towards Khalid right then.
The rays of the silent moon rested on the silent waves of the sea. I stood behind the silent boy. The scene was silence.
Just then!
It all shattered and crushed to the ground as the young boy fell to the bottom, bleeding his heart with tears. I chose not to interrupt Khalid’s emotional release, perhaps the saltiness of his tears might help him relax and cleanse his distress.
After a few moments he said from behind his tears, ‘I love you all … I love the Qur’an … and those who love it. I love pious brothers, moral, pure brothers.
‘But … my father … it’s my father.’
“Your father? What is wrong with your father Khalid?”
‘My father always warned me not to hang around with you people. He’s afraid. He hates you all. And he always tries to convince me that I should hate you too. At any chance he gets, he’ll try to prove his point with stories and tales.
‘But … when I saw you people in the Halaqah reciting Qur’an, I saw something entirely different. I saw the light in your faces, the light in your clothes, the light in your words, even when you were silent I could see the light even then.
‘I doubted my father’s tales and that’s why I would sit after Maghrib, watching you, pretending that I was part of the circle, trying to share in the light.
'I … I remember Ustadh Salman … I remember the time you approached me after ‘Isha prayer. I’d been waiting for that moment for such a long time. When I began the classes, my soul locked itself into a world of purity with your souls. I began the circle and was persistent. I wouldn’t sleep, my days and nights became Qur’an. My father noticed the change in my routine. He found out, one way or another, that I had joined the circle and that I was now hanging out with “terrorists.”
‘Then, on a dark night…
‘We were waiting for father to come home from the coffee shop, his daily ritual, so that we could all have dinner together.
‘He entered the house with his hardened face and slaps of anger.
‘We all sat together at the dinner mat. Silence settled on the gathering as usual, all of us were afraid to speak in his presence.
‘He knifed the silence with his roaring and immediate voice. “I heard you’ re hanging out with the fundamentalists.”
‘I was caught red. My tongue looped and failed. All the words in my mouth attempted to come out at the same time. But, he didn’t wait for the answer…
‘He snatched the teakettle and threw it maliciously at my face.
‘The room spun and the colors united before my eyes. I stopped distinguishing the ceiling from the walls from the floor, and fell.
‘My mother held me.
‘A damp cloth on my forehead reminded me of where I was. The vicious voice turned on my mother, “Leave him alone, or you’ll be in the same lot.”
‘I crawled out of my mother’s lap and whimpered away to my room. He followed me down the corridor with the cruelest curses.
‘There was not a day that he didn’t beat me in some way. Curses, kicks, throwing whatever was nearest to his hand. My body had finally become a shiver of fear, grotesque colors formed all over. I hated him.
‘One day while we were sitting at the dinner mat, he said, “Get up, don’t eat with us.”
‘Before I could get up though, he pounced immediately and kicked me in the back, making me slam into the pots.
‘At that moment, lying there on there on the ground, I pretended to stand taller than him and shout back in his face…
‘One day, I’ll pay you back. I’ll beat you just like you beat me, and curse you just like you cursed me.
‘I’ll grow up and become strong. And you’ll get old and become feeble.
‘And then … I’ll treat you just like you treated me. I’ll pay you back.
‘After that, I left home and ran away. I just ran, anywhere, it didn’t matter anymore.
‘I found my way to this beach. It helped me wash away some of the sadness. I held my pocket Qur’an and began reciting until I could continue no longer because of my excessive crying.’
And here, a few of those innocent tears descended again, tears that sparkled under the moon like pearls under a lamp. I couldn’t say anything, the surprise had arrested my tongue.
Should I be aghast at this beast of a father, whose heart knew nothing about mercy? Or, should I be amazed at this patient young lad, whom Allah had wished guidance for and inspired with faith.
Or, should I be shocked at them both, at the father-son bond that had broken, causing their relationship to transform into that of a lion and a tiger, or a wolf and a fox.
I held his warm hand and wiped away a tear from his cheek. I reassured him, prayed for him, and advised him to remain obedient to his father. I told him to remain patient and that he was not alone. I promised that I would meet his father, speak to him, and try to evoke his mercy.

***
That incident slipped further away with each passing day. I tried thinking of ways to open Khalid’s case with his father. How should I speak to him? How was I going to be convincing? To be frank, how was I even going to knock on his door? Then finally, I collected my courage, rehearsed my plan, and resolved that the confrontation … uh, meeting … would be that day at five o’clock.
When the time arrived, I left for Khalid’s house with all my ideas and questions for his father dangling from my pockets.
I rang the doorbell. My fingers trembled and my knees were melting. The door opened. There it was, standing in the shadow with it’s frowned lips and veins beating with anger.
I tried beginning with a candid smile. Maybe it might smooth out some of the wrinkles before we even started.
He snatched my collar and jerked me towards him. ‘You’re that fundamentalist that teaches Khalid at the Masjid, aren’t you?’
“Well … uh … yes.”
‘God help me, if I ever see you walking with him again, I’ll break your legs. Khalid won’t be coming to your class anymore.’
And then, he mustered all the saliva in his mouth and spit on my face. The door slammed behind it.
Slowly, I unfolded a tissue that was in my pocket, wiped what he had honored me with, and retreated down the stairs consoling myself. Allah’s Messenger – sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - suffered more than this. They called him a liar, cursed him, stoned him with rocks and caused his feet to bleed. They broke his teeth and placed dung on his back and expelled him from his house.
***
Day after day. Month after month. No sign of Khalid. His father forbade him from leaving the house, even for the congregational prayer. He even forbade us from seeing or meeting him. We prayed for Khalid … Until we forgot about him. Years passed away.
One night, after the ‘Ishâ’ prayer, a shadow walked behind me in the Masjid and rested a familiar harsh hand on my shoulder. The same hand that held me years ago. The same face, the same wrinkles and the same mouth that honored me with what I was not deserving of.
But ... something had changed. The savage face had shattered. The angry veins had subsided, belittled and still. The body looked tired of all the pain and conflict, weakened by sadness and grief.
“How are you?” I kissed his forehead and welcomed him. We took a corner of the Masjid. He collapsed on my lap sobbing.
Subhan Allah, I never thought that that lion would one day become a kitten.
Speak up. What’s wrong? How is Khalid?
‘Khalid!’ The name was like a dagger piercing his heart, twisting inside, and breaking off. His head slumped.
‘Khalid is no longer the same boy that you used to know. Khalid is no longer the generous, calm and humble young lad.
‘After he left your circle he befriended a pack of evil boys, ever since he was little he loved to socialize. They caught him at that time of life when a youth wants to leave the house. Vanity, jokes.
‘He began with cigarettes. I cursed him, beat him. But there was no use, his body had grown accustomed to the beatings, his ears were used to the curses.
‘He grew quickly. He started staying up with them all night, not coming home until dawn. His school expelled him.
‘Some nights he would come home to us speaking abnormally, his face loose, his tongue confused, his hands shivering.
‘That body, which used to be strong, full, and tender, passed away. What remained was a feeble worn frame. That pure frosty face of his transformed. It became dark and filthy. The scum of misguidance and sin clung to it.
‘Those shy and simple eyes of his changed. They shot red like fire as if everything he drank or took showed immediately in his eyes like some sort of punishment, in this life before the next.
‘Hostility and disrespect replaced that shyness and cowardice he once knew. Gone was that soft, respectful young heart. In it’s place grew a hardened center, like a rock, if not harder.
‘Seldom a day would pass without incident. He would either curse, kick, or hit me. Imagine it, my own son. I’m his father, yet he still hits me.’
After releasing all that, his eyes returned wet and bitter. But, he added quickly, ‘I beg you Salman, visit Khalid. Take him with you, you have my blessing, the door is open.
‘Pass by him sometime. He loves you. Register him in the Qur’anic study circle. He could go with you on field trips. I have no objection. In fact, I am even willing to allow him to live in your homes and sleep over.
‘The important thing, Salman … the important thing is that Khalid returns to the way he was.
‘I beg you lad, I’ll kiss your hands, warm your feet, I beg you and beg you…’
He collapsed, crying and wheezing, into the memories of the grief and pain. I allowed him to complete everything he had to say.
Then I addressed him…
“Despite what has passed, let me try. Brother, you planted this seed. And this is your harvest.”


Blog EntryEntry for May 15, 2007May 15, '07 12:23 AM
for everyone
Assalamu Alaikum waRahamtuAllahi waBaraktuh All
One of my favorite articles. Hope you all will like it .. Enjoy!
Fethiya
Article by: Shaikh Naser Al-Omar
Translated, slightly abridged and adapted by: Samir Siksek
Arabic original found on: http://www.islamtoday.net/
One often hears these words repeated, and they are a major reason for the state of failure that the Ummah is enduring.
These words are rooted in a state of mental inability, even though this inability is illusory, not real. Indeed, disabled minds only produce failure.
There is no doubt that there are things in life that are impossible. This is why when the Prophet – blessings and peace be upon him – used to take the oath of allegiance from his companions, he would make them repeat, “[I will listen and obey] to the utmost of my ability”. Allah – Glorified is He – says “Allah does not burden any soul with more than it can bear” [2:286]
This shows that there are some things beyond our abilities. We are not talking about this fact here. For otherwise we may enter into a prolonged discussion, and end upholding the illusion “I can’t, it’s impossible”, and moreover giving this illusion an 'Islamic' justification!
These two phrases “I can’t, it’s impossible” – despite their difference in meaning – have become a law that is used to excuse every failure, negligence and backwardness. They are used to justify the current backwardness, to numb the senses, to destroy the resolve of the Ummah, and to kill every success in its infancy.
Many people, generation after generation, took these two phrases as a beacon guiding their lives, as a way of thinking that makes them accept the current bitter state of affairs, and at the same time feel satisfied that there is nothing they can do.
I stand perplexed before the incredible backwardness of the Ummah, despite its enormous potential for success, progress, and leadership. I have thought long and hard about this, and have decided that the most prominent reason for this backwardness – and there are many – is the illusion “I can’t, its impossible”. This illusion has turned into an unshakeable principle. From it we take off, and in its darkness we operate.
How many tribulations befell us, and are still falling, because of this illusion. The most dangerous of these is not realizing that this is just an illusion; that it disappears when we start investigating it. But you will find those who waste a part of their life defending the idol “I can’t, it’s impossible”. They waste a part of their life trying to prove that this idol is a solid fact; an unquestionable axiom.
This illusion did not form overnight. It is the result of an accumulation of many factors, over the course of many years. Instead of producing men who would lead the Ummah forward without surrendering to the difficulties and obstacles, we found those factors producing more hopelessness, failure and despair.
But I am also amazed at that idolatrous nation that took from difficulties a starting point for its progress, until it was able to compete vigorously with its former enemies, without surrendering to psychological defeat, nor emotional despair. Japan rose from the ashes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to become an important economic power, and did not make those defeats a reason to cry and hope for the sympathies of others.
As for Germany, it came out from underneath the ruins of World War II to become a powerful nation, and its economy one of the strongest in the world. This despite the fact that Germany was destroyed not long ago – the period between its destruction and its rise as an economic leader is less than 30 years.
Let me just imagine. Had the revivers of the Ummah surrendered to the illusion “I can’t, it’s impossible”, how would the Ummah have been now?!!
Had Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him – said, “I can’t fight the Arabs after their apostasy, and I will surrender to this bitter state of affairs”, what would the result have been? Simply thinking about that scares me.
Had Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal – may Allah have mercy on him – not took his solid stand in the face of the makers of fitnah, backed by rulers who did not realize the danger of what is being said…Had he surrendered and said, “I can’t, it’s impossible”, do you think that that great victory for Ahl-us-Sunnah (at the hands of one man!) would have taken place?
Had Salahu-ud-Din surrendered to the awful humiliation that the Ummah endured under the occupation of the crusaders, excusing himself that he cannot take on that great power that possesses the most powerful weapons, with the unqualified support of many countries…
Had he accepted what many other rulers of his time had accepted, humiliation and subjugation, together with the guarantee of continued rule…Had he done this, and said the removal of the crusaders is impossible, would Jerusalem have been purified from the crusaders and their hatred? How today is like yesterday.
Had Shaikh-ul-Islam, Ibn Taymiyah – may Allah have mercy on him – not seriously raised the banner of knowledge, action and jihad, at a time of when callers to falsehood and innovation became outspoken, at a time of political and military defeats…Had he surrendered to the belief “I can’t, it’s impossible”, would history have recorded for us that huge heritage of heroism, knowledge and challenging of falsehood?
Had Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab – may Allah have mercy on him – when he found the Arabian Peninsula living in the darkness of ignorance, innovation and blind following, had he accepted for himself what other righteous people did, “I can’t, it’s impossible”, do you think the Peninsula would have awaken from its sleep and got rid of its idolatry and innovations?
Our long history is full of such pioneering leaders and revivers, who recorded for us the most admirable examples the Muslim’s ability to overcome the greatest of physical and mental obstacles, neither surrendering to psychological defeat, nor allowing the compound difficulties to numb their senses.
Many would say, “They were great men, and how few such men are!!”
I say that we did not know they were great until after they recorded those shinning pages of history with their admirable victories in different fields. Before that they were just ordinary men. However, for many reasons, they were able to climb the ladder of success that made them heroes and leaders. Foremost of these reasons is the destructio