Must Watch Video

A truly inspirational video of a blind boy who grew up memorising the Quraan. He is not aware of all the cameras around him, and opens up to the Sheikh Fahad al Kandari from the bottom of his heart as if he is alone with just him. What the Sheikh did not expect was that the boy would end up teaching Him and over a Million others a valuable lesson in how we should treat this invaluable book, The Quran.
Implement the Sincerity of this young boy, as a viewer posted in the comments: He is not the one that is Blind, It is Us.

It is impossible to watch this video without feeling some emotion of guilt, remorse and ungratefulness for all Allah has blessed us with.
 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-CrbFJqkPM

Islamic Pick-up Lines: A Disgrace and Ridicule to Islam

Flirting is an art. It is a rather cheesy way of getting a guy/girl to fall for you. Many cliché pick-up lines are made up everyday that could make "the gorgeous chick from around the block" or "the hot hunk from across the street" fall for you.

Unfortunately this lame and cheap way of expressing love has corrupted Muslims also. I recently stumbled upon "Islamic Pick-up Lines" which were said to be "Halaal advice for Muslims to score a Muslim chick", but, in simple fact, they are just ridiculous phrases which incorporate Islamic terms and ideologies by people who are clearly clueless about the laws of Islam and find humour in using these on the opposite gender.

The following a re just a few examples of the many appalling Islamic pick-up lines which are roaming the Internet and are being used by Muslims today:
*Marry me so that I don't have to lower my gaze every time you walk into the room.
*Girl, you so fine, I see praying five times a day has really paid off.
*Are your feet tired? 'Cos you've been performing Tawaaf in my mind all day long.
*I'm not staring. I'm just enjoying my first and only allowed look.
*Girl I know it's Haraam.. 'paying' so much 'interest' in you.. but I just can't help myself.

Due to Westernisation and modernisation of the Muslim communities, many argue that these pick-up lines are funny and creative and that they bring out the lighter and humorous side of Islam. They say that they is no harm in using them, or just enjoying their humourous state as they are "Islamic" and "Halaal". They refer to those who condemn these as 'lame' or 'party-poopers'.

What they don't understand is the argument presented by the other side of the Muslim community, the morally upright. The point that they raise is that these pick-up lines ridicule Islam and it's not right to make jokes about Islam. There is a verse in the Quraan that confirms this:

Surah Taubah
64) If you ask them about this they declare: "We are only talking idly and joking." Say: "Was it at Allah and His Ayats (lessons, proofs, evidence, verses, signs, revelations) and His Messengers that you were mocking?"

65) Make no excuse, you disbelieved after you had believed. If we pardon some of you we will punish others amongst you because they were Mujrimun ( disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, criminals).

Like I said before, Islamic pick-up lines are silly phrases consisting of Islamic terminologies; and that is why we should avoid using them. We learn in the above Ayats that we should not joke or talk idly about matters of Deen. Using a line such as "It must Laylatul Qadr 'cos that's the night that angels come down from heaven"  on the opposite gender is actually making a mockery of Allah, His Lessons, His Signs, His Revelations and the blessed and miraculous night in which the Quraan was revealed. This is Haraam and by doing this we are committing a grave sin for which Allah has set a strict punishment for.

I am by no means a Mu'allimah, nor am I very learned in Deen. I am just a regular Muslim teenage girl. And to be honest I was one of those who found humour in these pick-up lines, but after doing research and enquiring about it from the learned, I realised how immoral it is and immediately changed my ways. After having read this, I plead of you: Do your own research, enquire from those more learned than you and start changing your ways, today, Insha Allah.

*Shira Sudi*

The Excellence and Benefits of Dua

How many times a day do we make Dua? How many times have we been so eager to complete our Salaah that we didn't bother to make Dua afterwards? How long do we spend making Dua? What do we say when we make Dua? Do we understand our Dua? When we make Dua, what do we ask for? Do we only make Dua for ourselves? Do we know the value of Dua?

These are questions we need to ask ourselves before undergoing the most noble of all acts… making Dua. There’s never a time when Allah (SWT) does not answer our Dua’s. There are 3 possible answers to any Dua we make:

1. Yes

2. Not yet

3. I have something better in mind

But there’s never a time when Allah says no. How merciful is our Creator. All we have to do is take advantage of that endless mercy and blessing and start making Dua.

 

Make Dua for anything and everything.

Make Dua to do well at school, to have patience, to be a good person, to have many good friends, to excel in all your endeavours, to pass that Maths test you are writing tomorrow, to not be lazy…

Make Dua for your mother to cook your favourite meal, for your sister to stop trespassing into your room, for your brother to stop bullying you…

Make Dua to stop listening to music, to stop sleeping late, to stop being obsessed with yourself, to stop being addicted to your phone…

Make Dua for a pious spouse and children that will be the coolness of your eyes…

Make Dua you receive that special award you’ve wanted to receive at school for so long...

Make Dua for the old man next door or the kid with cancer down the street…

Make Dua for your parents, your friends…

Make Dua for world peace, for brotherhood and make Dua for a better tomorrow…

To help us understand the value and importance of Dua, here are 25 points on the excellence and benefits of Dua:

1) Dua is the most noble of all acts in the sight of Allah

2) Dua is the best act of worship

3) Dua is the essence of worship

4) Dua is the sign of one’s Imaan

5) To make Dua is to obey Allah

6) Allah is close to the one making Dua

7) Dua is the only cause of Allah’s concern for us

8) Dua is an indication of Allah’s generosity

9) Dua is a sign of humility

10) Dua repels Allah’s anger

 

11) Dua is a cause of being saved by the fire

12) Leaving Dua is a sign of laziness

13) Dua is the only act that repels predestination (Taqdeer)

 

14) Dua is the only act that changes predestination

15) Dua is a sign of wisdom

16) Dua is beloved by Allah

17) Dua is a characteristic of a believer

18) The reward of Dua is guaranteed

19) Dua is a cause of victory

20) Dua is a sign of brotherhood

21) Dua is the weapon of the weak, wronged and oppressed

22) Dua is a cure for all diseases

23) Dua makes a person more optimistic

24) Dua opens up a dialogue with the Creator

25) Dua is one of the easiest acts of worship.

 

*Shira Sudi*

Is it Really true محبة and مودة ?

As Muslims, we are forbidden to have relations with the opposite gender. It is haraam for us to talk to, phone, or even text our Ghair-Marhams. But, however, this law has been neglected for many years now as dating has become a common trend amongst muslims, young and old.

The trend that is currently at play, especially amongst teens, is that of dating a pious girl or guy. Girls now think that pious guys with a beard and a kurta are attractive. And guys feel the same way about pious girls in cloak and scarf.

And so it starts.. The corruption of the pious youth in our community as the opposite gender drool all over them. Eventually, all is lost when shaytaan whispers in the ear of that youth. Sometimes, its a pious teen dating a totally rebellious teen, or sometimes, its two pious youth dating each other.

What's worse about this 'pious dating' is that the two involved sometimes believe that their relationship is permissible because of their piety. They feel that what they have is true love as they bring each other closer to Allah, and therefore think that they are exempted from the islamic 'no-dating' rule.

Basically, they are investing in each other for the future when they can finally make their relationship halaal by means of Nikah.

SCENARIO: a 16year old Hafez, reads all his Salaah on time, good Muslim at heart, forbids evil and enjoins good, respect his parents and follows all commandments of Allah.

PROBLEM: he starts chatting to a pious girl from school and eventually, they become good friends. She's the only girl he talks to, and he's the only guy she talks to. Their conversations are of utmost respect, and most of their conversations are about matters of Deen.

QUESTION: is this type of relationship/friendship permissible?

Although this type of relationship may seem rather healthy and beneficial to both parties concerned, it is still very much unpermissable.

In a hadeeth, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) states something to this effect:

"Whenever a man is alone with a woman, Satan is the third among them."

We learn from this that regardless of the connection or relationship situation a guy and a girl may have, as long as they are not married, shaytaan is always with them and Allah is very much displeased. And how can you be in a relationship that grew under Allah's wrath.

Allah says in the Qur'aan:

"Do not come near fornication, for it is indeed lewdness and an evil life-style” (17- 32).

Dating without marriage falls under the definition of fornication. And from the above ayat, we see that Allah warns us to not even come near fornication, which means that we should avoid doing anything that might lead to such an act which is disliked by Allah.

Islam does not prohibit women and men from talking to one another, but asks that they practice modesty and remain within the limits that Shari'ah has assembled.

I recently got a picture from the internet and I found it so true and beautiful. It said:

"The best love is when you love someone who makes your Imaan rise, who makes you more pious and who helps you here in the Dunya because that person wants to meet you again in Jannah"

Do you think that the girl/guy you are head over heels for cares about your hereafter?

Do they even care about your Imaan?

How can they increase your piety when they are helping you commit a sin that could cause you your Jannah?

Do they love you enough to wish Jannah for you... For both of you?

Is the feeling of butterflies in your tummy, or the feeling of your heartbeat racing when they talk to you more important then your yearning for Jannah?

These are questions that should go through your head every time you think about 'him' or 'her'.

These are the questions you should ask yourself when you are reading your Salaah and your phone rings and you know its that one 'special' person.

In fact, these are the questions you should ask that person when they tell you how much they love you and how they would do anything for you.

We should understand that this world is but a journey, a journey to our final abode. And therefore, everything we do in the Dunya should be a means of helping us reach our final destination. There is nothing wrong with falling in love, but when we do, it should be carried out in the proper manner for the pleasure of Allah and it should be love that will bring us closer to our Jannah.

Because true love is when a husband and wife enter paradise together... That is the true love you should work for.

*Shira Sudi*

Funny things about Muslims: Is it really?

Funny how a $100 "looks" so big when taken to mosque,

but so small when taken to the mall.

Funny how long it takes to pray "TARAWEEH" for anhour,

but how quickly a team plays 90 minutes of soccer.

Funny how long a couple of hours spent at the mosque seem,

but how short they are when watching a movie.

Funny how people can't think of a "DUA" to say when they pray,

but don't have difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend.

Funny how people get thrilled when a football game goes into extra time,

but complain when a "KHUTBAH" is longer than the regular time.
 

Funny how hard it is to read a "verse" in the Holy Quran,

but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a bestselling novel.

 

Funny how people want to get a front seat at any game or concert,

but scramble to sit in the back of a mosque.

Funny how hard it is for people to learn the simple shariah,

well enough to tell others, but how simple it is for the same people to understand and repeat gossip.

Funny how people believe what the newspaper says,

but question what is written in the Quran.

Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, think, say or do anything.

Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding Allah, people think twice about sharing.

--

Siddeeqah Ahmed

Poem: My Allah, My Everything

Where were You, O Allah, when I was sick in bed?

When I had such high fever, I thought I would be dead.

"Gently wiping your forehead, child, while you lay there,

Making you well again, stroking your wet hair"

 

Why didn't You help me, Allah, when I was in such pain?

When I had an accident, I thought, I'd never walk again.

"I was right beside you, child, holding out My hand,

To keep you steady on your feet, so you could walk on land"

Why weren't You there, Allah, when my heart was crying so?

When my best friend died, I too wanted to die, You know.

"I held you in My arms, My child; I knew how sad you were,

She's happy in a lovely place, someday you'll be with her"

Where were You, Allah, when I was so upset?

Depressed, with so much anger, at whoever I met.

"You couldn't walk, My child, with so much anguish in your heart,

I carried your burdens; I carried you- so we were never apart"

Why aren't You here with me, Allah, I need You in my life?

There's so much hurt and sadness, there's so much pain and strife.

"I'm around you all the time, My child, to see to your every need,

Pray to Me and love Me, child, you'll see Me then, indeed"

(Pathways To Light by Fathima Mall)

The Paradox Of Our Time In History

Here is an email, extracted from "Muslim Teens" by Dr Ekram & Mohamed R. Beshir, which stresses the negative condition of this society. It is very well written, and extremely true.

A Columbine High School student wrote:

"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;

 

wider free ways, but narrower viewpoints;

We spend more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families;

more conveniences, but less time;

We have more degrees, but less sense;

more knowledge, but less judgement;

more experts, but less solutions;

more medicine, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

 

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life;

we've added years to life, not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour;
 

We've conquered outer space, but not inner space;

we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul;

we've split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We have higher incomes, but lower morals;

we've become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men, short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stock room;

a time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to forward this message and make a difference... Or just hit delete."

You strike a woman, you strike a rock

"When God made the woman, she had to be special. He made her strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. He gave her the inner strength to endure both child birth and the rejection that many times comes from the children.

He gave her a toughness that allows her to keep going when everyone else has given 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 badly.

He gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his ribs to protect his heart. He gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strength to her resolve to stand beside him unfaltering.

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."

Written by an unknown author, the words I've just quoted do not even come close to describe how important and unique a woman is.

Since the beginning of time, we have seen many woman, young and old, succeed beyond our expectations in the economical, political, religious and social society around them. There are many great stories in which women, just like you and I, have discovered the world, changed the world, and conquered the world.

Women such as: Miriam Makeba, Rosa Parks, Aafia Siddique, Helen Kella, Ayesha Bint Abu bakr, Fathima Meer.. And many more. These were ordinary women who, by striving for what they believed in, became extraordinary.

But of course, women stronger than them are the women we incur with everyday. The ones we take for granted because they are always there for us, teaching us right from wrong, and teaching us to be better people, whilst all along having to deal with the world observing and waiting for them to fail.

Our mothers, teachers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, doctors, cleaners, young and old. Every woman is unique and special, exclusively designed.

In Islam, the status of a woman is so high that an entire surah is dedicated to the woman. Surah an-nisa. And there are many great women who have helped spread Islam and made it what it is today.

A sheikh once described the status of a woman by saying:

"When she is born, she opens the gates of Paradise. When she is married, she has completed half her religion. When she is a mother, Paradise lies under her feet. If everyone knew the true status of a woman in Islam, even the men would want to be women."

Therefore,

"Be careful if you make a woman cry because Allah The Most High counts her tears. A woman came out of the rib of a man, not his feet to be walked on, nor his head to be superior over, she came from his side to be his companion, under his arm to be protected, and next to his heart to be loved."

Although no words can come close to describing the power and quality of a woman, an IsiZulu proverbial expression manages to convert a thousand adjectives into four words: "wathinta umfazi wathinta imbokodo"- you strike a woman, you strike a rock.

Remember:

Strong women wear their pain like stilettos.

No matter how much it hurts,

All you see is the beauty of it.

*Shira Sudi* 

Current Affairs

"A mother who beat her seven-year-old son to death for failing to learn the Qur'aan by heart and then burned his body in an attempt to hide her crime has been jailed for life."

(The Guardian, UK)

The current affair that has been on everyones'( Muslims and non-muslims) lips recently is the news of a UK mother, Sara Ege, who beat her seven-year old son, Yaseen Ege, to death in 2010 for failing to memorise the Holy Qur'aan. Sara wanted her son to be as successful in his Hifz as she was when she was young. She claimed that evil spirits (shaytaan) led her to beating up her son every time he made mistakes.

When I heard of this story, I felt what I'm sure most Muslims felt after hearing this. My heart felt saddened, confused, disappointed and also infuriated by this merciless act.

And being a person who is currently doing Hifz, I couldn't help ask myself questions like:

●"Why would a mother kill her own son just because he was struggling with hifz at the early age of seven?"

●"Doesn't she know that everything happens according to Allah's will?"

●"or was the mothers yearning for the child's success greater than her love for him and her trust in Allah?"

●"Couldn't she just be grateful that her son is at least attempting to do Hifz at such an early age?"

I'm sure the above are questions that went through many peoples minds also. And although it is not right to judge the actions of this woman, I'm sure this is a story that got many parents thinking. Parents whose kids are doing hifz, parents who have slow learning children, parents who started teaching their kids Qur'aan at an early age, and also parents who did Hifz themselves.

I personally believe that every child deserves to be honoured with the gift and opportunity of memorising the Qur’aan. But every child also deserves the patience, understanding, love & mercy from both their Hifz teacher and their parents. Every child deserves to learn in an enjoyable environment with a caring atmosphere.

No child deserves to be pressurised in anyway to achieve beyond their capabilities. This applies for children memorising the Qur'aan, as well as children who are schooling.

Although this story was quite devastating and heartbreaking to read, there was one part that made me smile with tears in my eyes. The Guardian newspaper wrote:

"On the day her son died she told police he collapsed on the floor of his bedroom after she had beaten him and, half-conscious, continued to recite from the Qur'an."

Allahu Akbar! Regardless of the torture and pain this child was going through, he continued reciting the glorious words of Allah until his death.

May Allah(swt) grant Yaseen Ege the blessing and gift of completing Hifdhul Qur'aan with the angels in the heavens. May Allah(swt) grant him the highest rank in Jannatul Firdaus. And may this small boy's struggle be a motivation for all of us to memorise the Holy scripture.

*Shira Sudi*

Lift up your hands

This is a poem about Aafia Siddique

If you don't know, then let me tell ye

Why is there a story to tell, you ask me

Because she is my Muslim sister

And an injustice to her is and injustice to me.

This is a poem about Aafia Siddique

If you don't know, then let me tell ye

What to say about being let down by your own nation

Falsely accused, evidence unsubstantiated.

This is a poem about Aafia Siddique

If you don't know, the let me tell ye

There are many intricate details,

Many stories, many lies, many fabrications.

The bottom line

Is that its not fine.

This is a poem about Aafia Siddique

If you don't know, then let me tell ye

The truth be told

And I will be so bold

Is that she is as her name implies

Truthful and innocent

This is a poem about Aafia Siddique

If you don't know, then let me tell ye

Languishing in jail,

When will there be an end to this tale,

Let's lift up our hands

And plead from our hearts

For the release of our sister Aafia Siddique

(Zahraa Moosa)

With you always

While others sit on the couch

Eyes glued to the TV screen

Or closed to the sound of music,

You sit on the concrete floor

in a cold empty room,

Shivering and naked you silently fight,

Allah in your mind,

Dua on your lips,

A finger tasbeeh

And the sound of a struggling breath

Fills the silence of your solitude.

Tortured, raped and forced against your religion,

You stand brave and bold with trust in Allah

Amidst a silent protest.

But do not fear, my dear muslim,

Your prayers will be answered because Allah

Has a plan for all of us

And he accepts the duas of the oppressed first.

Your Lord has made it such

That we all know of the injustice done

Towards our fellow muslims.

Never forget who you are,your religion

And that Allah has a plan for you

So don't give up hope in the Almighty.

Even though these are just words on a page

Written by a child who understands only half

Of the excruciating pain and suffering you are experiencing,

Your duas are worth gold because Allah accepts

The duas of the oppressed.

(Zahraa Suleman)

Prisoner 650

That woman

The Grey Lady of Baghram

Prisoner 650,

Aafia Siddiqui.

Although we are strangers to eachother,

I ache

At her sorrow,

At her punishment

Unconditionally,

My sister in faith

My sister in heart.

My fellow Muslimah raises her begging bowl for freedom.

All sense of womanhood, pride and self-respect

Snatched.

Will this be her predicament,

Is this her destiny...

As one Ummah

We have fought

We have defeated

Let us do this

Again.

Just for you

Prisoner 650

Our Grey Lady of Baghram

Sister Aafia Siddiqui

 

*Shira Sudi*

Do not let your sins silence your heart from calling out to its Lord

We are all humans. And there isn't one perfect human being that exists on our planet earth. We all make mistakes, and it’s only natural that we all commit sins, whether they be minor or major, and whether you are Muslim or non-Muslim.

But the problem that faces us Muslims today is simply moving on and getting closer to Allah after having wronged yourself, committed a sin/sins and seeking forgiveness from the Almighty.

Many a times, after a person has committed numerous minor, or even one major sin, they start to feel regretful, ashamed, worthless, grieved and empty.

These are the correct feelings to have after having committed a sin as they are segments which lead to the completion of one's Taubah.

But, however, sometimes a person tends to feel so worthless that they start questioning Allah's forgiveness. They conclude that their sin is too sinful to be forgiven and that they don't deserve forgiveness from Allah.

So, instead of seeking forgiveness, making Taubah and Istighfaar, and getting closer to Allah and away from sin, some people do the total opposite. They give up hope and believe that Jahannam has been written down for them anyways and that nothing can change their destiny as they have sinned too much.

---------------------------------------------------------

"dø nøt ℓƐt Ŷøυг sins siℓƐn¢Ɛ Ŷøυг hƐAгt ƒгøm ¢Aℓℓing øυt tø its ℓøгd"

---------------------------------------------------------

No matter what our sin, no matter how much we've sinned, no matter how long we've been committing sin... We should always remember that Allah is Al-Ghaffur, the Most Forgiving and Allah loves to forgive those who turn to Him in repentance. The following Ayats from the Qur'aan prove this:

 *"and whoever acts evil or wrongs himself, then seek forgiveness from Allah, shall find Allah Most-Forgiving, Very Merciful."

(Surah-an-nisaa)

*"And verily, I am indeed Forgiving to him who repents, believes and does righteous good deeds, then remains constant in doing them".

(Surah Ta-ha)

*"...but verily your Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind for their wrongdoing. And verily your Lord is (also) strict in punishment."

(Surah Ra'd)

*"...Verily Allah loves those who repent..."

(Surah Baqarah)

From the above ayats we come to see Allah's mercy and how forgiving He is.

Even if our sins are more than the waves of the ocean, even if our sins are more than the grains of sand on earth, even if our sins are more than the leaves of the tree of the earth, even of our sins are more than the entire creation put together, then too Allah's Forgiveness is much, much, more than this.

 After having sinned, we need to:

1) Be ashamed and grievous over our sins

2) Leave off the sin, immediately

3) Intend not to commit that sin again

We need these 3 things, along with Istighfaar, Dua, good deeds and being steadfast thereon...

In sha allah, all our sins will be forgiven and we'll find ourselves getting closer to Allah and further away from sin.

I'll conclude with a short story by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb :

 

'IMMEDIATE WILAYAT'

A young person, after listening to a talk, experienced a revolution in his heart. He asked me: "With my past, with the sins in my life, how is it possible for me to become a Wali?"

I said : "It is extremely simple. It takes just one minute to become a Wali. Raise your hands and with deep regret and remorse in your heart, shed a few tears and pray to Allah :

'O Allah, I have wasted my life, but I want to become Your Wali, and I want to become Your friend. So forgive all the sins which I have committed since maturity, and grant me the Taufeeq to do that which pleases You in my future life.'

You have immediately become a Wali. Now make an effort towards fulfilling those rights which had been violated. The effort made indicates to the sincerity of your Taubah."

Companion Of The Qur'aan

Abdullah ibn Masood (ra) is reported to have said:
"The companion the Qur'aan should be known by his prayer at night whilst others are asleep, by his self-control in the day whilst others are over-indulging, by his seriousness when others are over-rejoicing, by his crying when others are laughing and jeering, by his silence when others are engrossed in unnecessary discussion and by his humility when others boasting."