Al Majlis

[Abyss]

Originally Posted by asiya-sparkles

Asalam alaikom wa rahman tullah wa burraktohu,

That video series is excellent Abyss,

Shukran !

Jazak alak khairun wa barak Allah feekom

Dont wear the Hijab it looks ugly, people will laugh at you.

[asiya-sparkles]

Originally Posted by Abyss

Dont wear the Hijab it looks ugly, people will laugh at you.

its funny you should say that... But Alhamdulillah I'm past caring about that stage (the black bag comment especially made me grin!...)

How are you anyway brother?

[asiya-sparkles]

Twenty Tips for Lowering the Gaze

Especially good reminder with summer on its way!

Question of Fatwa My problem is that I cannot stop looking at women. Please give me some advice because I want to overcome this problem.



Name of Mufti: Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjid



Content of Reply 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! Thank you for your question and the confidence you place in our service and we pray to Allah to enable us render this service purely for His Sake.



Lowering one?s gaze is one of the most important things that a Muslim should do to protect himself from the punishment of Allah. Every sincere Muslim should spare no pains in this regard and should take practical steps to guard his gaze and overcome his weakness.



Focusing on the question at hand, the prominent Muslim scholar Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjid, a prominent Saudi Muslim scholar and lecturer, states:

Shari`ah came to forbid the ways that lead to immorality, one of which is looking at non-mahram (a mahram is a non-marriageable relative) women. Almighty Allah says: ?Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts)? (An-Nur:30) In his commentary on this verse, Imam Ibn Kathir wrote: "This is a command from Allah to His believing slaves to lower their gaze and refrain from looking at that which is forbidden to them. So they should not look at anything except that which they are permitted to look at, and they should lower their gaze and refrain from looking at forbidden things. If it so happens that a person?s gaze accidentally falls upon something forbidden, he should quickly avert his gaze."



It was narrated that Jarir ibn `Abdullah said: ?I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) about an accidental glance, and he commanded me to avert my gaze.? (Muslim) Imam An-Nawawi said: "What is meant by an ?accidental glance? is when a person?s glance unintentionally falls upon a non-mahram woman. There is no sin on him for the first glance, but he must avert his gaze immediately. If he averts his gaze immediately there is no sin on him, but if he continues looking, then he will be a sinner, because of this hadith, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded him to avert his gaze, and Allah says: ?Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts)? (An-Nur: 30)



Men must lower their gaze and refrain from looking at forbidden things in all circumstances, unless there is a valid reason, such as giving testimony, medical treatment, proposing marriage, buying a slave woman, engaging in financial transactions such as buying and selling, etc. In all these cases it is permissible to look as much as is required, and no more.



There are means which help a person to lower his gaze, and we ask Allah to help you to do them:



1 ? Bearing in mind the fact that Allah is watching you, that He sees you and is with you (by His knowledge) wherever you go. It may be a secretive glance of which your closest neighbor is unaware, but Allah knows of it: ?Allah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the hearts conceal.? (Ghafir:19)



2 ? Seeking the help of Allah, beseeching Him and calling upon Him. Almighty Allah says: ?And your Lord said: Invoke Me [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation).? (Ghafir: 60)



3 ? You should know that every blessing you enjoy comes from Allah, and requires that you should give thanks for it. Part of being grateful for the blessing of sight means that you should protect it from looking at that which Allah has forbidden. Is there any reward for a good deed, other than good? ?And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah.? (An-Nahl: 53)



4 ? Striving with your self and training yourself to lower your gaze and be patient in doing so, and never giving up. Allah says: ?As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our paths.? (Al-`Ankabut: 69) The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ?Whoever seeks to be chaste, Allah will make him chaste, and whoever seeks to be independent of means, Allah will make him independent of means, and whoever strives to be patient, Allah will make him patient?? (Al-Bukhari)



5 ? Avoiding places where a person feels he will be exposed to the temptation of looking, if he can manage to avoid them, such as going to marketplaces or malls, and sitting idle in the street. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ?Beware of sitting in the street.? They said, ?We have no alternative; that is where we sit and talk.? He said, ?If you insist on sitting there, then give the street its rights.? They said, ?What are the rights of the street?? He said, ?Lowering the gaze and refraining from causing offence?? (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).



6 ? You should realize that you have no choice in this matter, regardless of what the circumstances are and no matter how great is the temptation or motive to do evil, and no matter what emotions and overwhelming desires stir within your heart. You must lower your gaze and refrain from looking at forbidden things in all places and at all times. You cannot use excuses such as the environment being corrupt, or justify your mistakes by saying that you are surrounded by temptation.



7 ? Doing a lot of voluntary acts of worship, because doing a lot of them whilst also regularly doing the obligatory acts of worship is a means of protecting one's physical faculties. According to a hadith qudsi (Divine), Allah said: ?? and My slave continues to draw close to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. And when I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask (something) of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it.? (Al-Bukhari)



8 ? Remembering that the earth on which sin is committed will bear witness for or against us. Allah says: ?That Day it will declare its information (about all that happened over it of good or evil).? (Az-Zalzalah: 4)

9 ? Bearing in mind some of the texts which forbid one from letting the gaze wander freely, such as the verse in which Allah says: ?Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things).? (An-Nur: 30)



10 ? Avoiding unnecessary looks, so that you only look at what is needed to look at, and you do not allow your gaze to wander right and left so that it falls upon something the effects and temptation of which cannot be got rid of quickly.

11 ? Marriage is one of the most effective remedies. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ?Whoever can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and in guarding one?s chastity. And whoever cannot afford it, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him.? (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).



11 ? Remembering al-hur al-`een (maidens in Paradise), which will motivate you to be patient in avoiding that which Allah has forbidden, hoping to obtain this blessing. Allah said: ?Companions of equal age.? (An-Naba': 33) And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If a woman of the people of Paradise were to look out over the people of this earth, it would light up everything in between and fill it with fragrance, and the veil of her head is better than this world and everything in it.? (Al-Bukhari)



12 ? Bearing in mind the shortcomings of the one who takes your attention and tempts you to look at her, and keep in mind the filth and waste material that is carried in the gut.



13 ? Checking yourself from time to time and striving to make yourself lower your gaze whilst being patient, realizing that everyone makes mistakes.



14 ? Thinking of the pain and regret that will result from this looking, and the negative effects of allowing one?s gaze to wander.



15 ? Understanding the benefits of lowering one's gaze, as mentioned above.



16 ? Bringing up this topic during meetings and gatherings, and explaining its dangers to others.



17 ? Advising your relatives, telling them not to wear clothes that attract attention and show their beauty, such as how they dress, wearing bright colors, how they walk, speaking too softly, etc.



18 ? Warding off passing thoughts and the whispers of Satan before they take hold and are acted upon. Whoever lowers his gaze after the first glance will be saved from innumerable problems, but if he continues to look he cannot be certain that seeds that will be difficult to remove, will not be planted in his heart.



19 ? Being afraid of an evil end, and of a feeling of great regret at the point of death.



20 ? Keeping the company of good people, because you are naturally affected by the characteristics of the people you mix with, and a person will follow the way of his close friend, and a friend will pull you to follow his way."

Excerpted, with slight modifications, from: www.islam-qa.com



Allah Almighty knows best.

[Abyss]

Originally Posted by asiya-sparkles

its funny you should say that... But Alhamdulillah I'm past caring about that stage (the black bag comment especially made me grin!...)

How are you anyway brother?

Nice not to care what others think, one day they will think I should have been like that. Anyway I am good, thanks. Yourself? Hows the training getting along and your children?

[asiya-sparkles]

Originally Posted by Abyss

Nice not to care what others think, one day they will think I should have been like that. Anyway I am good, thanks. Yourself? Hows the training getting along and your children?

Alhamdulillah, for everything. At the moment no training - school holidays so instead it is more a mental workout! They are really well though ma'shAllah jazak alak khairun.

It takes the conviction that the reason you cover is the best of reasons and that creates in itself the 'armour' from being harmed by what others think. If that makes sense?

You sound very busy at the moment, both online & offline and in the most beneficial ways too, Alhamdulillah!

[YusufIslam]

Originally Posted by EOY

Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh,

Welcome back bro, it's been a long time.

That's excellent news, wish you all the best!

You might find this helpful: http://practimate.com/blog/

Yup, it's been a looong time. I am planning to leave this forum again soon, but hopefully will come back once in a while. Thanks bro.

Originally Posted by asiya-sparkles

Alhamdulillah, Allah kareem

http://www.islamic-knowledge.com/His...m/Marriage.htm

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.a...=6610&CATE=121

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.a...=2012&CATE=121

http://www.islamic-knowledge.com/His...Gatherings.htm


Good marriages require patience, kindness, humility, sacrifice, empathy, love, understanding, forgiveness, and hard work. Following these principles should help any marriage to improve. The essence of them all can be summed up in one sentence: Always treat your spouse the way you would like to be treated. If you follow this rule, your marriage will have a much greater chance for success. If you discard this rule, failure is just around the corner.

InshAllah that your marriage is blessed with success & never afflicted with fitnah, May you both, and your families find happiness in the dunya & ahquirah. Ameen

oh...and congratulations!!!

Thanks, and thank you also for other informative readings. I hope that Allah keeps us guided and showers us with barokah and rahmah. Ameen.

[asiya-sparkles]

Innalhamdulillah wa salat wa salaamu ala arasoolillah wa 'ala alihe wa ashabihe ajma'een
Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullah

The Nabi Muhammad (saw) said, "Soon a time will come upon you, when the nations will call one another against you, like a group of people sitting around a platter of food."

The Sahaabah asked, "Ya Rasoolullaah, will we be few in number that day?"

He (saw) replied."No, you wont be few in number, rather you will number MANY...BUT you will be like the floating rubbish, upon floods of water.

When such a time shall come, Allaah, The Almighty, will extract your fear from the hearts of your enemies, and He, (swt), will cast Wahn into your hearts."

The Sahaabah asked ke, "Ya Rasoolulllaah, whats Wahn?"

He (saw) replied, "The Love of the dunia and the fear of death."



O Muslim, as you read this hadith of the Nabi (saw), what went through your head? Did you understand its contents? Were you able to relate to it?

Do you know, O Muslim, that in this hadith, our beloved Nabi (saw) is talking about today's situation?



We live in exactly that time, where the kuffaar nations have united, and gathered together against us. Just like people sitting around a meal and are sharing the food to eat, a lamb maybe, one person pulls off a leg, the other another leg, the other another part of the body, with no care in the world, just helping themselves, filling their stomachs, enjoying their meal, at the same time inviting passers by, Come come! Come and join us in our meal... this is how the kuffaar are eating away the Muslim Ummah, be it the Jews massacring in Palestine, the Hindus pillaging in Kashmir, the Russians savvaging in Sheeshaan, the khabeeth raping our sisters in Iraaq or the khinzeer, sons of apes and pigs, mass murdering in Aghaanistaan, and calling all nations to join in the crusade, by Allaah, this hadith has become reality.



The Nabi (saw) continued in the hadith, we will be like the floating rubbish, upon floods of water. What does this mean? When a flood happens, it takes along everything with it, and you will find rubbish floating on the top. What use is this rubbish? Of no use at all, it is meaninless and no one has a care in the world about it. Obviously because it is rubbish, but what did the Nabi (saw) say, MY UMMAH will become like this, no one will have a care in the world for the Muslims, the blood, the honour and the life of the Muslim, will become so cheap. Although there will be billions of Muslims in the world, they will have no power at all, no strength whatsoever, and they will be the most humiliated nation on earth.



The sad fact is that when the Nabi (saw) told the sahaabah this hadith, they were surprised, that will we be so small in number that Muslims will suffer such humiliation?



What was the reply of our beloved Nabi (saw)?



He said no, We will number many, 3.5 billion in fact, but the problem will be what?



The problem will be WAHN, love of this dunia. The love of this dunia will overtake our minds, our souls and our bodies. It will overtake us so much, that we will become deaf, dumb and blind to the cries of the ummah.



When our brothers and sisters in Filisteen have their houses bulldozed over, when our sisters in Kashmir are burnt alive and urinated on, when our sons in Sheeshaan are dragged on their faces by their necks, when our daughters in Iraaq are stripped naked and raped, when our muslims are being mass murdered, indiscrminately, all over the globe, we, the Muslims, will be living our daily lives as though we hear nothing or see nothing, trapped in our small bubbles.



Do you know that the Nabi (saw) said,"The Muslim Ummah is like ONE body, if one part of it hurts, the rest of the body aches and shivers in pain also."
Are we feeling this pain of the Ummah?



Do we hear the cries of our mothers in Palestine when they are kicked to the ground with their khimaars ripped off?



Do we hear the screams of our sisters in Iraq, when they are raped by filthy najas pigs, day after day?



Do we feel the injuries of our fathers and brothers, when they are tortured, beaten, punched, kicked, spat on and treated worse than animals?



Are we feeling that pain? Are we feeling hurt? Do we even raise a finger? Do we even speak a word? DO WE??????????????????



Have we forgotten the words of the Nabi (saw), when he said,"The Muslim Ummah is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind: Their LAND is ONE, their WAR is ONE, their PEACE is ONE, their HONOR is ONE and their TRUST is ONE".

Do we act as though we are one ummah? One family? One brotherhood?

We should be saying, that was my brother in Kashmir, that was my sister in Afghaanistaan, that was my mother in Sheeshan, but subhaan'Allaah what is the mentality of the Muslims today??? They are Afghaani and we are Turkish, they are Chechen and we are Bangladeshi, they are Palestinian and we are Pakistani. The disease of nationalism has spread amongst us, and you see Muslims with the filthy kuffaar's British Flag raised up high on their cars and windows, those same kuffaar who are raping their sisters and massacring their brothers, Muslims of today have the nerve to raise that same flag up high...subhaan'Allaah.



The World Cup and who wins it, is of more importance to us. Our Families, our wives and our children are our priority. Our jobs, our status and our money, have become more important to us. Our mansions, our BMWs and our businesses are more beloved to us. WHY O MUSLIM???



I wonder what will wake us up?



When 250 kuffaar break down our house at 4am in the morning maybe, and terrify and traumatise our family - we will wake up???



Or, I dont know, a handful of kuffaar take away our mother and rape her and rape her and rape her...No...not our mother...


what about our beautiful, sweet and innocent baby sister? a bunch of bloodthirsty pigs of kuffaars rape her until she is bleeding between her legs, then hang her from the ceiling...maybe this will wake us up???


Or perhaps, when we get stripped naked in front of our own wives and children, and are forced to rape each other, this will wake us up?


Or maybe when we have broomsticks forced up our private parts, we will wake up?

Or possibly, when kuffaar imprison our fathers and brothers, strip them naked, make them commit sexual acts to each other and then take pictures of them will wake us up?

Oops am I sounding too harsh? Sorry... I didnt mean to. Im just relating stories that are taking place now.

That is what is happening in the jails of Abu Ghraib to YOUR brothers and sisters. That is what is happening in the villages of Kashmir, and Filisteen and Iraaq and Sudan and Afghaanistaan and Somaal and Sheesha and every Muslim country you know of!


You know, our ancestors were the likes of Mu'tasim, who when he heard of just one muslim woman, being captured in the hands of the kuffaar, sent out a whole Muslim army just to defend her honour and free her from the shackles of the kuffaar... where is the mu'tasim of today? Where are the Khalid Ibn Waleeds and Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqaas's of today, or do we even know who these great Muslims in Islaamic History were???

No we dont, because sadly, we know more about the history of people from Hollywood and Bollywood than we do of the lives of the sahaabah. We know more lyrics to haraam songs, than we know of the Qur'aan and hadith. We are more tuned in to the latest soaps, the latest songs, the latest fashion, the latest gear, but we forget our brothers and sisters. La Haula Wa La Quwwata Illaah Billaah...

Know O muslim, that this dunia is merely a passing station, and the life hereafter is what we aim for. Do not let the dunia and its glamour take you away from your goal, or what should be your goal.

Remember tomorow, you will have to stand before Allaah, The Almighty, and answer for everything that you did.


When he asks you, what did you do to help your brothers and sisters, what will your answer be?

Ya Allaah I was busy getting a degree?

Ya Allaah I was busy earning money?

Ya Allaah i wanted to know who won the World Cup?

Ya Allaah I was more interested in what happens in Eastenders and Home And Away?

You may have read through this article and thought yes this is true, I feel so bad, and then after a few minutes threw the article behind your back and switched the TV back on. No O Muslim, this isnt the way, make a promise to yourself, that from today, you will submit yourself totally to Allaah, as you are a Muslim. Quit simply wearing the title of the Muslim, but act like one. Gain ilm of the deen and implement it, and pass your ilm on. Find out the truth about what is happening to your muslim brothers and sisters around the world, and let others know, who aren't aware about it.

O my dear Muslim brother, O my dear Muslim sister!

Let us wake up from our deep slumber, arise now and use all we have, our knowledge, our skills, our youth, our time, our health, our wealth, let us invest everything in the way of Allaah, lest our Muslim brothers and sisters that are being oppressed, complain to Allaah and account us tomorow for not helping them.

If we cannot do anything, the least we can do is speak out, Allaah has blessed us with a tongue, let us use it, and if we are unable to do this also, then subhaan'Allaah the least of the least of the least that we can do, is raise our hands and weep to Allaah, make dua that Allaah helps us, that Allaah helps and gives sabr to all the Muslims suffering today at the hands of the kuffaar...

Yaa Allaah grant victory to the Muslims wherever they may be ...Allaahumma Aameen!



Dont forget Oh Muslim, the Nabi (saw) said, "Whoever goes to sleep, and wakes up, without to be concerned of the affairs of the Ummah, then he is not one of us"

I'm not the author, but I wish I was, may Allah bless this sister and increase our remembrance of Allah, our beloved Prophet (saw) & live by the sunnah.

[TranceNRG]

What Do Muslims Think of Jews?



Length = ~ 51 Mins.
Language = English

This is a wonderful lecture.
...Highly Recommended...

[TranceNRG]

Originally Posted by TranceNRG

This World And The Hereafter - In light of Wahab Ibn Abdallah Al-Kalbi



Length = ~ 16 Mins.
Language = English

What Is The Nafs? - In light of Borrair Hamadni



Length = ~ 17 Mins.
Language = English

[asiya-sparkles]

Most Muslim men would like to be ideal husbands. And most Muslim women would, no doubt, like to be married to one. But, for some reason, the men are not ideal husbands, and the women will almost surely admit that they didn't marry one. So, why the discrepancy between our sincere aspirations and reality? Is it an inability on the part of the man, an impossible goal; or is it perhaps that we do not even know what an ideal Muslim husband is?

Wrong Concept of an Ideal Husband

A look at the matrimonial section of an Islamic magazine will quickly demonstrate that many Muslim men and women do not know what an ideal Muslim husband is. Muslim men looking for wives advertise themselves as doctors, engineers, and financially secure. Muslim women appear to be on the lookout for an established professional or more likely a handsome MD. Rarely do Muslim men and women even mention character, religious convictions, and attitudes as a priority. At most, they might be mentioned as a sidebar. It seems that many of us believe that a man is an ideal Muslim husband if he is handsome, makes a lot of money, and comes from an influential family. And the divorce rate among Muslims continues to rise.

Standard of Judging an Ideal Husband

As Muslims, we must base our judgment on what makes an ideal Muslim husband on the guidance of Allah () and the example of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), not on the standards of a TV sitcom, the culture in which we were born, or our own materialistic mentality.

Participants on this Video

Using examples from the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), the words of the Holy Quran, and personal experience, a panel of Muslim men and women --- Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick, Dr. Jamal Badawi, Abdallah Idris Ali, Dr. Ingrid Mattison, Khadija Haf***ee, Mariam Bhabha, and Abdul Malik Mujahid --- talk about the qualities of a Muslim husband and the Muslim family.

Main Contents of this Video

They discuss such matters as a husband taking advice from his wife, communication within the family, the husband's helping the wife in the house, consultation (Shura) within the family, being a good example for the children, overlooking bad qualities in one's wife and focusing on her good qualities, and sharing the responsibility of raising the children.

First Characteristic of an
Un-Ideal Husband: Hot Temper

A major problem in some Muslim marriages unfortunately is the husband's hot temper and harsh behavior. Some even go so far as to abuse their wives. Dr. Quick gives a word of warning to these men who often come from cultures that teach them to be tough and macho. He says that there should be no violence between husband and wife and that Muslim men should not be the kind of tyrannical fathers whose children run away and hide when their father comes home. He says that we have to separate our non-Islamic cultures from Islam. The ideal Muslim husband will base his behavior on Islam, not on his Arab, American, or Pakistani culture.

Second Characteristic of an
Un-Ideal Husband: Egoistic

Another major problem in Muslim marriages is the husband's failure to consider his wife's opinions. In fact, Abdallah Idris Ali says that the failure of the Muslim Ummah as a whole has to do with our failure in practicing the concept of Shura (consultation). People think that they are right and others are wrong, he says. We will do much better if we consider the opinions of others and let them feel that they are a part of the decision-making process. Along the same lines, Dr. Quick points out that if a woman makes a true (haqq) point, the husband should submit to it. He should in no way reject a point just because it comes from a woman. Demonstrating the huge difference between the way the Prophet (SAWS) dealt with his wives and the way Muslim men deal with their wives today, Abdallah Idris Ali tells the story of the time when Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) was sleeping under one cover with his wife Ayesha, and he asked her permission to get up to pray.

Third Characteristic of an
Un-Ideal Husband: Unhelpful

The failure to help in the house and to help with the raising of the children are well-known weaknesses of husbands. The video makes it clear that Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) helped in the house, and Abdul Malik Mujahid says that a man cannot be an ideal Muslim husband, or even close to a good husband, if he leaves the responsibility of children completely to the mother. Khadija Haf***ee tells the story of a father who took a three-month-old infant to pray with him and after the prayer did the 'tasbih" on the child's hand. This, she said, was training by the father. Dr. Quick warns that when training our children, we should be careful not to raise sons with a double standard where they have no household responsibilities. If we do, they will likely grow up with the attitude that they don't need to do this kind of work --- that they are above it.

Prophet: An Ideal Father

As a beautiful example of a healthy father-child relationship, Abdul Malik Mujahid tells the story of how the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) used to stand up for his daughter Fatima, kiss her, and give her his seat when she came to him. This was in an age when people preferred sons and looked down on having daughters. With this simple act, the Prophet (SAWS) showed us how to express love and affection for our children --- an essential quality for an ideal Muslim husband.

An Ideal Ex-Husband

Being an ideal Muslim husband, however, goes even farther than the marriage, Dr. Quick points out. Even after a divorce, a Muslim husband must strive to be the best ex-husband. A husband shouldn't be Mr. Kindness in marriage and then treat his wife badly in divorce, Dr. Quick says. He must divorce her in the best manner with good treatment.

Other Valuable Advises

This video goes beyond just talking about an ideal Muslim husband and deals with ways to improve the family. It attempts to prevent many marital problems by advising young people who want to get married. After informing them about what makes an ideal Muslim husband, it cautions them to be concerned about these qualities ---not just the material aspects --- when considering a prospective spouse.

In fact, what emerges from the video is that being an ideal Muslim husband has very little or nothing to do with the amount of money one has, physical beauty, or the prestige of one's job. Rather, it has to do with one's commitment to Allah (), one's knowledge of and willingness to follow the guidance of Allah () and the Prophet's example, and one's commitment to do righteousness even in difficult situations. The ideal Muslim husband should be humble, gentle, kind, considerate, caring, loving, open to good advice, willing to cooperate with others in the family rather than dictate rules, helpful in the house, involved in raising the children, and never abusive either physically or mentally.

No doubt, this is a very tall order. Becoming an ideal Muslim husband will certainly not be easy. It will take a jihad against 'jahiliyyah" thinking, selfishness, ego, vanity, anger, pride, and arrogance.


By Ibrahim Bowers

Assalamu alaikom wa rahmatullah wa burrahktohu,
I didn't see 'the un-ideal wife' but no doubt there must be something of the sort that acts as good advice

[asiya-sparkles]

(27) Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "The first batch (of people) who will enter Paradise will be (glittering) like a full moon; and those who will enter next will be (glittering) like the brightest star. Their hearts will be as if the heart of a single man, for they will have no enmity amongst themselves, and everyone of them shall have two wives, each of whom will be so beautiful, pure and transparent that the marrow of the bones of their legs will be seen through the flesh. They will be glorifying Allah in the morning and evening, and will never fall ill, and they will neither blow their noses, nor spit. Their utensils will be of gold and silver, and their combs will be of gold, and the fuel used in their centers will be the aloes-wood, and their sweat will smell like musk." (Book #54, Hadith #469)



I particularly liked the most recent hadiths you have posted too trance (I didn't want to spoil your flow ) ...70 branches of faith ...

[asiya-sparkles]

Falseness of the hadeeth,
?Were it not for you, I would not have created the universe?

http://abdurrahman.org/seerah/wereItNotForYou.html

[Daruswea52891]

[TranceNRG]

Originally Posted by TranceNRG

What Is The Nafs? - In light of Borrair Hamadni



Length = ~ 17 Mins.
Language = English

The Need For An Ideal - In light of Habib Ibn Mudhahir Al-Asadi



Length = ~ 20 Mins.
Language = English

[asiya-sparkles]

Why I Shed Bikini for Niqab: The New Symbol of Women's Liberation

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

By Sara Bokker

I am an American woman who was born in the midst of America's "Heartland." I grew up, just like any other girl, being fixated with the glamour of life in "the big city." Eventually, I moved to Florida and on to South Beach of Miami, a hotspot for those seeking the "glamorous life." Naturally, I did what most average Western girls do. I focused on my appearance and appeal, basing my self-worth on how much attention I got from others. I worked out religiously and became a personal trainer, acquired an upscale waterfront residence, became a regular "exhibiting" beach-goer and was able to attain a "living-in-style" kind of life.

Years went by, only to realize that my scale of self-fulfillment and happiness slid down the more I progressed in my "feminine appeal." I was a slave to fashion. I was a hostage to my looks.

As the gap continued to progressively widen between my self-fulfillment and lifestyle, I sought refuge in escapes from alcohol and parties to meditation, activism, and alternative religions, only to have the little gap widen to what seemed like a valley. I eventually realized it all was merely a pain killer rather than an effective remedy.

By now it was September 11, 2001. As I witnessed the ensuing barrage on Islam, Islamic values and culture, and the infamous declaration of the "new crusade," I started to notice something called Islam. Up until that point, all I had associated with Islam was women covered in "tents," wife beaters, harems, and a world of terrorism.

As a feminist libertarian, and an activist who was pursuing a better world for all, my path crossed with that of another activist who was already at the lead of indiscriminately furthering causes of reform and justice for all. I joined in the ongoing campaigns of my new mentor which included, at the time, election reform and civil rights, among others. Now my new activism was fundamentally different. Instead of "selectively" advocating justice only to some, I learned that ideals such as justice, freedom, and respect are meant to be and are essentially universal, and that own good and common good are not in conflict. For the first time, I knew what "all people are created equal" really means. But most importantly, I learned that it only takes faith to see the world as one and to see the unity in creation.

One day I came across a book that is negatively stereotyped in the West--The Holy Qur'an. I was first attracted by the style and approach of the Qur'an, and then intrigued by its outlook on existence, life, creation, and the relationship between Creator and creation. I found the Qur'an to be a very insightful address to heart and soul without the need for an interpreter or pastor.

Eventually I hit a moment of truth: my new-found self-fulfilling activism was nothing more than merely embracing a faith called Islam where I could live in peace as a "functional" Muslim.

I bought a beautiful long gown and head cover resembling the Muslim woman's dress code and I walked down the same streets and neighborhoods where only days earlier I had walked in my shorts, bikini, or "elegant" western business attire. Although the people, the faces, and the shops were all the same, one thing was remarkably distinct--I was not--nor was the peace at being a woman I experienced for the very first time. I felt as if the chains had been broken and I was finally free. I was delighted with the new looks of wonder on people's faces in place of the looks of a hunter watching his prey I had once sought. Suddenly a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I no longer spent all my time consumed with shopping, makeup, getting my hair done, and working out. Finally, I was free.

Of all places, I found my Islam at the heart of what some call "the most scandalous place on earth," which makes it all the more dear and special.

While content with Hijab I became curious about Niqab, seeing an increasing number of Muslim women in it. I asked my Muslim husband, whom I married after I reverted to Islam, whether I should wear Niqab or just settle for the Hijab I was already wearing. My husband simply advised me that he believes Hijab is mandatory in Islam while Niqab is not. At the time, my Hijab consisted of head scarf that covered all my hair except for my face, and a loose long black gown called "Abaya" that covered all my body from neck to toe.

A year-and-a-half passed, and I told my husband I wanted to wear Niqab. My reason, this time, was that I felt it would be more pleasing to Allah, the Creator, increasing my feeling of peace at being more modest. He supported my decision and took me to buy an "Isdaal," a loose black gown that covers from head to toe, and Niqab, which covers all my head and face except for my eyes.

Soon enough, news started breaking about politicians, Vatican clergymen, libertarians, and so-called human rights and freedom activists condemning Hijab at times, and Niqab at others as being oppressive to women, an obstacle to social integration, and more recently, as an Egyptian official called it--"a sign of backwardness."

I find it to be a blatant hypocrisy when Western governments and so-called human rights groups rush to defend woman's rights when some governments impose a certain dress code on women, yet such "freedom fighters" look the other way when women are being deprived of their rights, work, and education just because they choose to exercise their right to wear Niqab or Hijab. Today, women in Hijab or Niqab are being increasingly barred from work and education not only under totalitarian regimes such as in Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt, but also in Western democracies such as France, Holland, and Britain.

Today I am still a feminist, but a Muslim feminist, who calls on Muslim women to assume their responsibilities in providing all the support they can for their husbands to be good Muslims. To raise their children as upright Muslims so they may be beacons of light for all humanity once again. To enjoin good--any good--and to forbid evil--any evil. To speak righteousness and to speak up against all ills. To fight for our right to wear Niqab or Hijab and to please our Creator whichever way we chose. But just as importantly to carry our experience with Niqab or Hijab to fellow women who may never have had the chance to understand what wearing Niqab or Hijab means to us and why do we, so dearly, embrace it.


Most of the women I know wearing Niqab are Western reverts, some of whom are not even married. Others wear Niqab without full support of either family or surroundings. What we all have in common is that it is the personal choice of each and every one of us, which none of us is willing to surrender.

Willingly or unwillingly, women are bombarded with styles of "dressing-in-little-to-nothing" virtually in every means of communication everywhere in the world. As an ex non-Muslim, I insist on women's right to equally know about Hijab, its virtues, and the peace and happiness it brings to a woman's life as it did to mine. Yesterday, the bikini was the symbol of my liberty, when in actuality it only liberated me from my spirituality and true value as a respectable human being.

I couldn't be happier to shed my bikini in South Beach and the "glamorous" Western lifestyle to live in peace with my Creator and enjoy living among fellow humans as a worthy person. It is why I choose to wear Niqab, and why I will die defending my inalienable right to wear it. Today, Niqab is the new symbol of woman's liberation.

To women who surrender to the ugly stereotype against the Islamic modesty of Hijab, I say: You don't know what you are missing.

Sara Bokker is a former actress/model/fitness instructor and activist. Currently, Sara is Director of Communications at "The March For Justice," a co-founder of "The Global Sisters Network," and producer of the infamous "Shock & Awe Gallery.

Assalam alaikom wa rahma' tullah wa burrahktohu,
Ma'shAllah I think reverts everywhere can identify with this story

Please brothers & sisters, make dua for me and for my husband, inshAllah I would also like to wear niqab but would like for my husband to have a sense of Alhamdulillah for this too inshAllah!

Jazak alak khairun wa barak Allah feekom

[asiya-sparkles]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090420...d-a7ad41d.html

[truthseeker1]

Anyone know where I can download the entire Qur'an recitation by Sudays? Not Sudays and Shuraym. Just Sudays. Any help is appreciated. Muchos Gracias.

[asiya-sparkles]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbqsOFoM98I&NR=1
Mercy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBq_RiXJdkg
You are never alone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAfUMfCtcDA
I am not afraid to stand alone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5Uzc_G542E
Small deeds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dtSRvyfxc4
You can't take it with you

Assalamu alaikom wa rahma' tullah wa burrahktohu,
Just a few nice reminders

[asiya-sparkles]

To women who surrender to the ugly stereotype against the Islamic modesty of Hijab, I say: You don't know what you are missing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua1YRMVJN7A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjJG_eTFaH0

"Allah's religion is perfect and does not need to drift with the seasons"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIFEvuTqbmo

I loved these statements...

I wear hijab for my Creator, I wear Niqab to further my spiritual journey... Ma'shAllah

htthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYQutw5L5swp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7JycC8X9e4&feature=related
Not only muslim women wear niqab!

[EOY]

Latest nasheed to hit the streets, and everyone's wearing hijab:

[EOY]

Originally Posted by truthseeker1

Anyone know where I can download the entire Qur'an recitation by Sudays? Not Sudays and Shuraym. Just Sudays. Any help is appreciated. Muchos Gracias.

Here it is bro:

http://quranicaudio.com/quran.php?reciterId=7

[asiya-sparkles]

Originally Posted by EOY

Here it is bro:

http://quranicaudio.com/quran.php?reciterId=7

excellent!

Assalam alaikom wa rahma tullah wa burrahktohu,

jazak alak khairun wa barak Allah feekom

[truthseeker1]

Originally Posted by EOY

Here it is bro:

http://quranicaudio.com/quran.php?reciterId=7

That's awesome. Thanks bro.

[Abyss]

Originally Posted by truthseeker1

That's awesome. Thanks bro.

Indeed.

[TranceNRG]

Length = ~ 10 Mins.
Language = English

[asiya-sparkles]

Originally Posted by EOY

Latest nasheed to hit the streets, and everyone's wearing hijab:

funny and clever I liked the way they managed eurythmics and michael jackson...or is it Muhammad now???

[asiya-sparkles]

http://www.ahya.org/amm/modules.php?...icle&artid=107

[asiya-sparkles]

The Islamic sharee?ah permits all things that are beneficial to the body and do not harm it, and it forbids all things that may cause damage or harm to the body. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ?Your body has rights over you.? (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-Sawm, 1839)

If sports are free from things which are forbidden in sharee?ah, then practising those sports is beneficial. Boxing is an ancient sport that was practised by the Greeks.

Boxing is the worst kind of sport, and probably it does not even deserve to be called a sport, despite the fact that western nations, in particular ? where boxing is widespread at a professional level ? call it ?the noble sport? and a form of self-defence. They forget, or overlook, the fact that the main aim of boxing is to harm one's opponent and throw him to the ground, preferably with the ?decisive blow? (or ?knock-out?), as they call it, which is the highest level of victory in boxing.

?Many voices have been raised in the parliaments of many countries demanding a ban on professional boxing, in view of the harm that has been caused to many boxers. Sweden has succeeded in imposing such a ban, whilst many other nations have failed to do so, despite the many injuries, and even deaths, caused to many professional boxers as a direct result of this violent sport.

The fact of the matter is that the deaths of so many boxers is the reason for many voices calling for an end to this sport, or at least the imposition of strict rules to limit its violence.? (From Huna London magazine, issue # 413, March 1983).

Dr. Roger Whirty, the spokesman of the British Medical Council in Wales, spoke of the aims of the Council?s campaign against boxing: ?We want to show everyone that boxing is an extremely dangerous sport, not only because of the increasing number of fatalities, but also because of the disabilities which affect many more times that number. In order to achieve that, we are trying to put pressure on various official bodies to condemn this sport, and not to consider it to be a sport at all. I reiterate once again that the danger of this sport lies in the harm caused to hundreds of boxers as a result of the disabilities that they suffer.

The number of boxers who have died as a result of injuries sustained in boxing between 1945 and 1983 is three hundred and fifty.? (From Huna London magazine, issue # 413, March 1983).

The Islamic attitude towards this sport:

The principles of Islam are completely opposed to the idea of the ummah accepting this dangerous deviation as a moral or intellectual trend which would permit such violent fights between members of the ummah or of the human race as a whole.

Among these principles we may list the following:

1. Harm. We have already mentioned the harm and danger to human life involved in this sport, and the testimony of western specialists who are motivated by their humanitarian feelings to fight and strive to eliminate boxing from the international sporting lexicon.

2. Violating the sanctity of the face. Boxing is based on allowing punches to the face of one's opponent using the maximum force that one possesses. Blows to the face earn more points than blows to any other part of the body. This clearly goes against the teaching of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as narrated by Abu Hurayrah: ?When any one of you fights, let him avoid (striking) the face.? (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, 5/215).

Al-Haafiz said: ?This prohibition also includes all those who are struck for the purpose of hadd or ta?zeer punishments or discipline. According to the hadeeth narrated by Abu Bakrah and others, which was recorded by Abu Dawood and others, about the woman who had committed adultery, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded that she should be stoned to death, and said, ?Stone her, but avoid the face.? (Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4/152). If that is the command in the case of one who is being punished and is going to die anyway, then the rule is even more applicable in cases of lesser severity.? See al-Fath, 5/216

Al-Nawawi said: ?The scholars said: it is forbidden to strike the face because it is soft and all of a person's beauty and most of his senses are located there. If the face is hit, there is the fear that all or some of them may be destroyed or disfigured. Any defect in the face is a terrible thing because it is so prominent and obvious, and usually the person who is hit in the face will not be spared some disfigurement.? (al-Fath, 5/216).

In al-Fath, he says concerning the specific prohibition narrated in the hadeeth:

?Al-Nawawi did not discuss the details of this prohibition. It is clear that it is haraam, and this is supported by the hadeeth of Suwayd ibn Maqran al-Sahaabi, that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saw a man slap a slave (or a boy) in the face, and he said, ?Do you not know that the face is inviolate?? (Muslim, 3/1280.


Islam-qa

[asiya-sparkles]

ma'shAllah that clip is very good trance thankyou!
jazak alak khairun

(youtube clip about Jews against zionism)

[asiya-sparkles]

Secrets of the Prophetic Chamber
November 3rd, 2008 by nuruddinzangi
Bism Allah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem, revealer of the Qur?an Kareem that says to His noble Messenger: And We have not sent you except as a Mercy to the aalameen: all the worlds.

And as-Salaatu was-Salaamu upon the most noble of the mursaleen (Messengers), our master Muhammad, and upon his family and descendants until the Yawm al-Deen.

I stood this Sunday morning in London?s V&A Museum before three magnificent pieces of silk in the Islamic Arts section. The most wonderful in design and color was a red band from the Honored Kaaba, dating from the 1800s, because for hundreds of years the Kaaba?s covering was green- not black- in color, with a red band instead of the gold of today.

The two others were green pieces of the silk that once covered the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam). The first from 1517-1600, and the second from 1600 to 1700. For a hundred years each, these pieces of silk were exposed to all the blessings and mercies that were sent down from Allah upon the Noble Messenger, and to the majestic lights that rose up, emanating from the Light of the Worlds himself, Salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

Ever since Abbasid times, the coverings of the Honored Kaaba and the Noble Chamber were made in Egypt; at one point in history the latter was being changed every five years. But after the reign of the Ottomans in the lands, the coverings of the inside of the Kaaba and of the Prophetic Chamber were made in Turkey, while the outer covering of the Kaaba remained the work of Egypt.

But the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Abd al-Aziz bin Abd al-Rahman Aal Saud, ordered that a factory be created in Mecca to manufacture these coverings from his day forward. Journalist Omar al-Midwahy, whose writings focus on the two Holy Sanctuaries and other important Islamic sights, was able to interview in Mecca two of the men who worked on the last covering of the Prophetic Chamber and its installation.

On the occasion of this servant?s viewing of the blessed coverings, and hoping for forgiveness and acceptance from His Lord, he will attempt to translate this interview that reveals some of the secrets of the majestic chamber of Allah?s Beloved, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, hoping to gain the favor of Allah and to one day be counted among the servants (khuddam) of His Messenger, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

Omar al-Midwahy says to Alarabiya.net:

????????????????

The Conversations of Tears and Reverence

I still remember the conversations with the two old men in Mecca, while looking at their weaving. I was in Mecca, so I headed toward the factory of the covering of the Kaaba, and there I learned that the factory has another honor, for it produces also a covering for the Prophetic Chamber.

I met at that time- several years ago- with men who partook in the production and installation, and I didn?t want to waste that opportunity as their youngest was in his sixties and I feared that they would leave this world before I could document this work.

I recorded with them conversations that were mixed with tears and reverence; sometimes words would betray them, and at others, their emotions would choke them, as they spoke of their unique experience. Their limbs shook from just the memory- as if it happened yesterday- and not a quarter of a century ago.

Shaykh Muhammad Ali Madani, head of the automated weaving division of the factory at that time, was generous with me. I learned from him that he was one of those who took part in weaving and installing the covering of the Prophetic Chamber. I said to him, tell me about the covering and the Prophetic Chamber- describe them to me.

His sight wandered far, as if he was bringing those treasured memories before him. Then he answered: On that day, I felt a state of complete amazement take over me. It is a grand spot- of utmost grandeur. I do not know its exact circumference, but it seemed to me that the Prophetic Chamber was 48 meters in circumference.

The awe of the place was so overbearing that nothing attracted my attention. I was so dazzled that I only saw the lamps hanging from the chamber ceiling, which were old gifts that would be given to the Mosque of the Prophet in ancient times. I was told that there were some Prophetic relics that were kept in another place- I don?t know where- but I do know that some historical items were kept in the chamber of sayyida Fatima al-Zahraa- the same place that she lived in.

He added: the chamber covering is a weave made of pure silk, green in color, padded with a strong cotton cloth, and it is crowned by a belt similar to that of the covering of the Honored Kaaba, except that it is red in color. A quarter of its space is taken up by an embroidery of noble Quranic verses from Surat al-Fath, made of lines of cotton and wires of gold and silver?

The covering of the Prophetic Chamber is not changed every year like the covering of the Honored Kaaba, because it is kept inside the chamber and far from the hands of the people and of the elements, and so it is only changed when needed.

Then I met shaykh Ahmad Sahirty, head of the embroidery division of the factory. It was apparent to me - back then- how old he was, and how weak his vision. He took the initiative, saying: How can I speak to you about my feelings at the moment I entered the Prophetic Chamber? I can?t.. That is a speech above my abilities of speech, and I never thought that I would one day be asked about this experience. And I guarantee you that I will not be able to go through it again.

When the Doors Were Opened

He drew nearer to me and added: Look at the lenses of my spectacles- and he pointed at their thickness- and look at my white hair and the weight of the years that I carry. My age I do not count, but I?ve heard them say that I was born in the year 1333 A.H. (1917 C.E.). And in all those years, I did not know a single hobby other than the love of beautiful scents and perfumes. I?ve spent such a long period of time in those years that I?ve lived, trying to satiate that voracious appetite that is still with me; I traveled much and learned much, but I can tell you this with confidence: that I have my own special blends that you will not find with anyone else, and that no one else could ever make.

And I tell you this because I discovered my inability and the meagerness of my knowledge on that blessed night, when the doors were opened to us, and we entered the Prophetic Chamber, and I inhaled perfumes and scents that I have never known before, and have never known since. I still do not know the secret of its composition: it was a scent above scents, an aroma above and beyond aromas- something else that us people of expertise, the people of the trade, have never experienced before.

When I asked him to describe to me the Prophetic Chamber, a slight chill struck him and coursed through his body. And he said in a faint voice: I believe that the chamber is 11 meters in height. Below the green dome is another dome on which is written: ?The tomb of the Prophet, the tomb of Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq, and the tomb of Umar ibn al-Khattab?. And I saw also that there was another tomb that was empty, and next to the four tombs was the chamber of sayyida Fatima al-Zahraa, which is the house in which she lived.

From our awe we didn?t know how to remove the special pieces made for the dome- our fingers would shake and our breaths would race. We stayed 14 full nights working from after the Isha prayer until the first adhaan of the Fajr, in order to finish our task. We kept removing the pieces, untying the knots of the old covering, and cleaning all the dust and pigeon feathers that were stuck in that pure place. This scene goes back to the year 1971 C.E., and the covering that we changed was old: it was 75 years old according to the date that was weaved on it, and had never been changed since.

I was the first to enter, with the Sayyid Habib, one of the notables of al-Madina al-Munawwara, As?ad Sheera the director of religious endowments of Madina at the time, and Habib Moghrabi from the factory management, and Abd al-Karim Flomban, Nasir Qari, Abd al-Rahim Bukhari and others. We were 13 men, I don?t remember most of them, for they have left unto the Mercy of Allah.

We were accompanied by the chief of the Aghas who kept the keys to the Prophetic Chamber, and a number of the servants of the Chamber. Whispering was our speech, and that was if signaling was not sufficient. I was, and still am, suffering from weakness of vision and these spectacles have not left my eyes since those days, but in that chamber I was another person? I felt it, and the difference was clear to me.

Strange Happenings

The shaykh Sahirti swore, saying: I used to put the thread into the hole of the needle without my spectacles, despite the dim light in which we worked. How do you explain that? And how do you explain the fact that I didn?t feel the allergy that I suffered - and still suffer- from? Because I cough severely from the slightest bit of dust. But that day, I was not affected by the dust of the chamber, or the sand flying into the air. As if sand was no longer sand, and as if the dust became a medicine for my ailment. I used to feel all during those nights that I was a young man, and that youthfulness had been given back to me.

Another strange thing happened to me whose secret I haven?t understood until today. We had to take out the old covering, and it was carried by whoever carried it. The embroidered band, 36 meters long, remained. I said to them wrap it and leave it. I went up to it, and despite my weakness, carried it over this shoulder. I went out of the Prophetic Chamber with it, without ever feeling its weight. But after that, they came with five young men to carry it from where I had put it down and they couldn?t.

The shaykh began to weep silently and continued, while sighing: Someone asked who carried it and brought it here. I replied saying: me. They didn?t believe me. I said to them: Ask Abd al-Rahim Bukhari, the famous calligrapher of the covering.