FEAR ,HOPE & TURNING TO ALLAH

FEAR ,HOPE & TURNING TO ALLAH

Almighty Allah says, "No one despairs of solace from Allah except for those who are unbelievers." (Quran-12:87)

Anas said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'Allah Almighty says, "O son of Adam! I will forgive you as long as you call on Me and have hope in Me, no matter what you do. Son of Adam, I do not care if your wrong actions reach to the clouds of heaven and then you ask Me for forgiveness, I will forgive you. Son of Adam, if you were to come with sins equivalent in weight to the whole earth and then meet Me having not associated anything with Me, I would come to you with the same amount of forgiveness.'" [Hadith-Tirmidhi]

Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "None of you should wish for death because of a calamity befalling him; but if he has to wish for death, he should say: 'O Allah! Keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die if death is better for me.'"

Jabir ibn 'Abdullah reported that he heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say three days before his death, "None of you should die without having a good opinion of Allah, the Mighty and Exalted."  [Haith-Muslim]

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, said, 'I treat my slave according to his expectations of Me and I am with My slave when he remembers  Anyone who approaches Me by a hand-span, I approach him by an arm-span. Anyone who approaches Me by an arm-span, I approach him by two armspans. If he comes to me walking, I come to him running." [Hadith]

 

Barren but Blessed

 

Barren but Blessed

 

Really a Heart touching Story of a Sister. J Samia Mair  finds motherhood in an unexpected place at the end of her battle to conceive. 

The kingdom of the heavens and earth belongs to Allah.He creates whatever He wills .He gives daughters to whoever He wishes, or He gives sons to whoever He wishes; or He gives them both sons and daughters; And He makes whoever He wishes barren. Truly He is All-Knowing, All-Powerful. (Quran, 42: 46-47) 

 "I don't see the heartbeat.  I don't see the heartbeat!" 

Neither my husband nor the emergency room doctor responded to me. My husband stared straight ahead at the monitor searching the gray and white lines for any signs of life. The doctor pressed the cold wet probe down firmer, moving it haphazardly across my abdomen. My heart sank. I thought we had a chance this time.

This would not be my first miscarriage. I had suffered several already. But this was the first time that we had actually seen a heartbeat. What an amazing sight.  If I had been told that my child was going to have five heads and six arms, it would not have mattered. 

It was my second in vitro fertilization procedure. None of my eggs were fertilized in the first one. We spent over a year trying to increase our chances of pregnancy by testing for ovulation and other less scientific methods — all to no avail. I braced myself for the inevitable disappointment that would interrupt the uncomfortable silence. 

"I'm sorry. The fetus did not make it." 

Although the doctor merely confirmed what I already knew in my heart, hearing it affected me more than I had expected. It's hard to describe now but it was more than emotional trauma. I felt actual physical pain from his words. It was as if I had been hit with a forceful blow. 

I looked to my husband who was already staring at me. I could tell he was holding back his emotions. I felt so defective. I had all these specialized organs that just did not work, that were virtually useless. I could not fulfil one of my main purposes for being. I had completely failed in something I was born to do.

On an intellectual level I knew that I was not defective nor a failure as a woman.  I knew that my worth transcended my ability to procreate. But shame and inadequacy hit me on a level where reason does not tread.

My husband could not have been more supportive. He was always far more worried about my welfare than his own whenever the bad news struck. He made it perfectly clear to me that he did not need a biological child. Yet, I still felt guilty. He was a young man that would not have an heir because of me.

 

I looked at the monitor one more time. At that moment, I knew that I would never be in this position again. Although my work would pay for one more in vitro procedure, I had had enough. No more painful shots in the belly, no more ultrasounds counting egg follicles, no more anxious phone calls to the infertility doctor learning my HCG levels, and no more emergency trips to the hospital. I had learned far more about my reproductive system than I had ever hoped to know.

My husband and I had always wanted to care for an orphan. We decided it was time to move in that direction. We investigated our options, completed mounds and mounds of paperwork, and then waited. We requested twins hoping to keep two children from the same family together. We were told that a referral of twins was very rare and not to expect it. Still, we hoped for twins as we waited and waited.

Allah (Subahanahu wa Taala) knew just how to help me accept that I was barren: desensitization therapy! While I was trying to keep a pregnancy or waiting for the referral, there were nearly twenty babies born to female co-workers or to the wives of male co-workers on my office floor. So many women became pregnant those years that jokes started circulating around the office that if you drink the water on the fifth floor you will get pregnant. The first six or seven invitations to baby showers were very difficult. The expectant parents' joy only reminded me of my sorrow.

 I would remind myself that most of the Mothers of the Believers (Radhi Allahi Anhuma) were barren. I had no reason to complain. By the tenth invitation to a baby shower, though, I was blessedly desensitized. I no longer wondered why I could not have children. I no longer felt pangs of jealousy. I no longer experienced sorrow at others' joy. SubhanAllah, Allah (Subahanahu wa Taala) knows what is best for His creation. 

Although I had accepted that I could not give birth, I still could not bring myself to fix up the baby's room. I thought a room full of baby things would be too painful to pass everyday in case something went wrong. I decided not to buy anything until the referral came. We continued to wait. Then the phone rang. 

"Twin girls!" 

When we heard the news, my husband and I blurted out simultaneously: "I have to quit my job" and "I have to make more money!" We looked at each other and laughed and cried – there is nothing as telling as unedited visceral utterances.

I remember so vividly the moment they handed us the girls—it was the happiest moment of my life.  I couldn't believe that we had been entrusted with such an awesome responsibility, that we had been blessed with so much love.

The other day one of our three-year-olds came into the room where I was praying, sat down and made dhikr, saying "Subhan'Allah" a hundred times. After she finished she asked me: "Is Allah proud of me?" I replied: "I think very proud." She gave me a big hug and ran off to play. Later that day, her sister ran into my room with a big smile on her face. She had put on her pink hijab by herself. Part of it was upside down and the other part hung sideways on her little head. She announced proudly: "I'm a beautiful Muslim girl!"  I smiled back:  "Yes, you are my darling—a beautiful Muslim girl, both inside and out."

I try to thank Allah (Subahanahu wa Taala) each day for the two beautiful blessings that He has entrusted to us. I pray that we raise them to be good Muslims and that they come to Him surrendering and with a sound heart. I never thought I would be able to say this, but I am so grateful now that I was unable to conceive. If I had been able to give birth, these precious wonders would have never entered our lives. I thank Allah (Subahanahu wa Taala) for helping me to be patient and content with His Decree. And I remind myself often that hardships are ultimately not hardships at all with trust in Allah (Subahanahu wa Taala).

  "We will test you with a certain amount of fear and hunger and loss of wealth and life and fruits. But give good news to the steadfast. Those who, when disaster strikes them, say, "We belong to Allah and to Him we will return." Those are the people who will have blessings and mercy from their Lord; they are the ones who are guided. (Quran, 2: 154 -156)

Qurbâni/Udhiyya

The Virtues and Laws of Qurbani/Udhiyya

"It is neither their flesh nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is your Taqwa that reaches Him…" (Surah Hajj) Ibraheem (Alayhis Salaam) had two alternatives: either to follow the cry of his heart or to submit to the call of his Creator. He chose to submit. Qurbani therefore is not a monetary Ibaadah or a duty that is discharged in distant poor countries. Qurbani is a personal experience, an intimate and emotional encounter, an intimate occurrence made real by the oozing of blood.  Qurbani is about:  Love for Allah in contrast to love of self obedience.  Loyalty to Allah in preference to loyalty to the family.  Faith versus emotion.  Struggle as opposed to pleasure. Where is this spirit of Qurbani in our idle and aimless nights and days? Who is able to place the knife on his heart in order to slaughter the beasts of rebellion, hatred, jealousy, pride, and greed etc.? Qurbani is an annual reaffirmation of our pledge to Allah, a pledge that:       "Verily my prayer, my sacrifices, my life and my death are surrendered to Allah; the Rabb of the worlds." Eid-ul-Adha reverberates with the cries of surrender, submission, and sacrifice. It is a grim reminder that life is about action, struggle, and endurance.   Virtues of Qurbani Qurbani is a practice directly instructed by Allah Ta'ala:  "So turn in prayer towards your Lord and sacrifice (animals)." (108.2) Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has extolled its virtue in many Ahadith. There is nothing dearer to Allah Ta'ala during the days of Qurbani than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgment with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood falls on the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart. (Tirmizi, Ibn Majah) Zayd lbn Arqam Radhiyallaahu Anhu relates that the Companions Radhiyallaahu Anhum queried, "O Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, What is Qurbani?" He replied, "It is the Sunnah of your father lbraheem Alayhis Salaam." They again asked, "What benefit do we derive from it?" He answered, "A reward for every hair (of the sacrificed animal)." "And (what reward is there for animals with) wool, O' Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)?" they asked. "A reward", he said, "for every fibre of the wool." (Ibne Majah) When a person slaughters a Qurbani animal, he is forgiven at the fall of the first drop of blood, and verily, the animal shall be brought forward on the Day of Judgment with its blood, meat, limbs, etc. and shall be increased in weight seventy times, and then placed on the scale of deeds. (Kanzul Ummal) On whom is Qurbani Wajib (obligatory)?   Qurbani is Wajib (obligatory) on every Muslim who is:  of sound mind - mature (has reached the age of puberty),   Muqeem (i.e. he is not a Shari traveller)  Possesses the amount of 612,36 grams of silver or wealth equivalent to that value which is in excess of one's basic needs and debts, on any of the three days of Qurbani. It is not necessary that this amount be in one's possession for a complete lunar year. (Fatawa Hindiyyah)  Note: 1. Qurbani is not incumbent on a child or an insane person whether they own wealth equivalent to the amount above or not, nor is it Wajib upon their guardians to perform it on their behalf. (Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah) 2. Similarly, it is not Wajib on a Musaafir (one considered a traveller in Shariah). A Shar'i traveller is he who proceeds on a journey with an intention of travelling 77 kms. He will be treated as a traveller as soon as soon as he leaves his town. However if he intends residing at any place for 15 days or more then he will cease to be a traveller when he arrives at that location. (Fatawa Hindiyyah) 3. A person upon whom Qurbani is not necessary should not incur debts beyond one's capacity to offer the Qurbani. 4. If Qurbani is not compulsory on a person, for example a Musaafir, then it is virtuous to do so if it is within the person's means.   The Physical Qurbani       During the days of Qurbani, Sadaqah and charity will not compensate for the physical observance of Qurbani. Just as Zakaah cannot compensate for Hajj, nor fasting compensate for Salaah, similarly charity cannot compensate for Qurbani. However, if the days of Qurbani have passed, and the Qurbani was not offered due to ignorance, negligence or for some other valid reason, then it becomes Wajib to give in Sadaqah the price of Qurbani animal or the animal itself (alive, not slaughtered) to the poor. (Fatawa Shamiya)   Time for Qurbani       The time for Qurbani begins after the Eid Salaah on the 10th of Zul Hijjah and ends at the setting of the sun on the 12th of Zul Hijjah. It is better to make Qurbani on the first day, then the second, and thereafter the third. (Fatawa Shamiya) If the Qurbani has been offered before the Eid Salaah, it will have to be repeated. (Fatawa Hindiyyah) In rural and village areas where Jumu'ah and Eid Salaah are not performed, Qurbani may be performed as soon as Fajr (Subhus Saadiq) sets in on the 10th of Zul Hijjah. (Fatawa Hindiyyah) If a person residing in a town (where Eid salaah is performed) arranges for his animal to be slaughtered in a village (where Eid Salaah is not performed), then it is permissible for his animal to be slaughtered before he performs his Eid Salaah. (Fataawa Shaamiyyah) It is preferable to slaughter during the day. (Fatawa Hindiyyah)   The Qurbani Animal It is permissible to slaughter a goat, sheep, cow, bull, buffalo or camel, male or female for Qurbani.  The minimum age of: (a) A goat, sheep, or ram is one full year, (b) A cow, bull or buffalo is two years old, and  (c) A camel five years.  Animals that are younger than the prescribed age are not suitable for Qurbani. (Fataawa Hindiyyah)  If a sheep is more than six months old but less than a year, and physically appears to be one year old it will suffice for Qurbani. (Fatawa Hindiyyah)  A cow, bull, buffalo or camel will suffice for seven persons provided no one's share is less than one seventh and the niyyah (intention) of all partners is to attain reward and not merely to obtain meat. (Fatawa Shaamiyah)  A goat, sheep or ram will suffice for the Qurbani of one person only. (Fatawa Hindiyyah)  It is permissible and preferable to slaughter a castrated animal. (Fatawa Mahmoodiyah)  It is advisable to purchase the Qurbani animal a few days prior to slaughtering in order to build up some form of attachment with the animal by taking care of it. (Fatawa Hindiyyah)  Animals chosen for Qurbani should be healthy, free from faults and defects. (Fatawa Shaamiyah)   Animals with Defects The following animals are not suitable for Qurbani: 1) An animal that is blind, one-eyed or has lost more than one-third of its eyesight. (Fatawa Hindiyyah) 2) Animals that have lost more than a third of the ear. Similarly, animals which have no ears from birth. Animals with small ears are suitable. (Fatawa Hindiyyah) 3) Animals whose horn/s has been broken off from the root. However, an animal born without horns or if the horns are broken off but not from the root is suitable for Qurbani. (Fatawa Shaamiyah) 4) Animals which have one lame leg to the extent that it walks on three legs only and is unable to use the fourth leg. However if the animal can walk to the place of slaughter on the fourth leg with a limp it will be allowed. (Fatawa Shamiyah)  5) Animals so lean and thin that their bones have no marrow. (Fatawa Shamiyah) 6) If an animal gets injured whilst being slaughtered, e.g. it's leg breaks, ear gets cut etc., the Qurbani will be valid. (Fatawa Shamiyah) 7) If an animal was bought in a healthy and perfect state and thereafter became unfit for Qurbani then,  a. If the owner is not wealthy (does not possess of nisaab) it will be permissible to offer this animal for Qurbani.  b. If the owner is wealthy (possesses the Nisaab), then it is compulsory for him to obtain another animal. (Fatawa Shamiyah)   Miscellaneous Masaail  If there are various venues for Eid Salaah, slaughtering is permitted after any one venue has terminated with the Eid Salaah. (Fataawa Shamiyyah)  A man may purchase his wife's animal from his wealth with her consent. (Fatawa Hindiyyah)  It is Mustahab (preferable) for a person intending Qurbani not to cut/trim his hair and nails from the first of Zul Hijjah till after his animal is slaughtered. (Ahsanul Fatawa)  Qurbani will be discharged if one appoints a proxy for this task and the proxy fulfils the task. The proxy may be an organisation or an individual. (Fatawa Hindiyyah)  If an animal purchased for Qurbani gives birth before its slaughter, it is best to give the live new born in charity. Alternately, the new born animal should be slaughtered and the meat given in charity. (Fatawa Shamiyah)  If a traveller returned home or a person acquired the required wealth on the 12th of Zul Hijjah before sunset, it will be Wajib upon him to perform Qurbani. (Fatawa Hindiyyah)  The Qurbani (slaughter) of a woman in haidh (menstruation) or nifaas (afterbirth period) is valid and permissible. (Fatawa Mahmoodiyah)   Method of Slaughtering an Animal A Muslim should take every care to slaughter an animal without subjecting it to unnecessary pain and torture. This was the instruction of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. The following are pertinent points to be kept in mind.  The knife to be used for slaughter should be well sharpened so that it slits the throat immediately, without causing undue pain to the animal.  The knife should not be sharpened in front of the animals.  The animal to be slaughtered should be given food and water; it should not be slaughtered when it is hungry and thirsty  It should not be brutally dragged along to the place of slaughter.  The animal should be slaughtered at an isolated place so that other animals cannot witness the slaughter.  It should be laid on the ground with ease, as it is abominable to use undue force.  As soon as the animal has been placed on the ground, one should hasten in slaughtering it. Undue delay must be avoided.  The animal should not be slaughtered with such a force that its head is severed, or the knife reaches the spinal cord.  It is incorrect to slaughter the animal above the neck because it causes the animal too much pain and agony.  The animal should be left after slaughtering in such a way as to freely kick in its death throes.  After slaughtering, the head should not be cut off nor should the animal be skinned until all movements has completely stopped.   While slaughtering, a Muslim should say: 'Bismillah Allahu Akbar' (In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest).  It is more virtuous to slaughter the animal with one's own hands. If one is unable to slaughter, it is advisable that one witnesses the sacrifice. It is not necessary to make the niyyah (intention) of Qurbani verbally, however it is necessary to say Bismillah Allahu Akbar when slaughtering.    The Qurbani animal should be placed on it's left side facing the Qiblah and the following dua should be recited before slaughtering the animal: إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنْ الْمُشْرِكِينَ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا مِنْ الْمُسْلِمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ مِنْكَ وَلَكَ بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ   "I have set my direction firmly and truly towards Him Who created the heavens end the earth. And never shall I give partners to Allah. Verily, my worship and my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah Sustainer of the worlds. O Allah this sacrifice is from you and is for you." When slaughtering the animal recite: بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ  "In the name of Allah. Allah is the Greatest."     Du'aa to be read after Zabah (sacrifice): اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّي كَمَا تَقَبَّلْت مِنْ حَبِيْبِكَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ خَلِيلِك إبْرَاهِيمَ عَلَيْهِمَا الصَّلَوةُ وَالسَّلآم     "O Allah accept from me this sacrifice like you have accepted from your beloved Muhammad and your friend Ibrahim. Peace be upon them."   The Meat of the Sacrificed Animal  The meat of the animal which has more than one share should be distributed by weighing it and not by estimation unless the head and feet and skin form part or the distributed shares. (Fatawa Shamiyah)  It is preferable to divide the meat into three parts. One part for one's family, another should be distributed among friends and relatives and the third amongst the poor and needy. If a person has a very large family he may keep all the meat. (Fatawa Shamiyah)  It is unlawful to sell the Qurbani meat. (Fatawa Hindiyyah)  It is not permissible to tender the skin or meat as payment to the slaughterer (or skinner). Their fees should be paid separately. (Fatawa Shamiyah)  It is not permissible to give meat, fat, etc. of the sacrificed animal to the butcher as compensation for services rendered. (Fatawa Shamiyah)  The meat of the voluntary (Nafl) Qurbani, which has made for a deceased person, may be eaten by all, just like one's own Qurbani.  Qurbani meat may be consumed by oneself and may be served to others, for example, at a Walima.  Qurbani meat may be given out cooked or uncooked.  It is not permissible for one to eat the meat of the following sacrificed animals:  Sacrifice that is made as a Kaffaarah (penalty) for a Jinaayat (error/mistake) committed during Hajj/ Umrah.  Sacrifice made for a deceased person on his Wasiyyat i.e. his instruction before his death. The meat of these two types of sacrifices has to be distributed to the poor and needy only.   The Skin of the Qurbani Animal It is permissible to utilize the skin for one's personal use, e.g. he may use it as a Musalla or a leather bucket etc. However, if the skin is sold, it is not permissible to use the income thereof. It is Wajib to give it in charity. Sale of the skin without the intention of disbursing the money in charity is not permitted. (Fatawa Hindiyyah) It is not permissible to give the skin in lieu of any services rendered. (Fatawa Hindiyyah) Warning for those who Ignore Qurbani Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radhiyallaahu Anhu reports that Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said, "He who has the means of performing Qurbani but does not do so should not come close to our Eidgah (Place of Eid Salaah). ` Qurbani on behalf of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam or any Deceased Muslim If one has been favoured by Allah with wealth, then he should preferably perform Qurbani on behalf of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam as well. One may also include the Prophets Alayhimus Salaam, the Sahabah Radhiyallaahu Anhum, the entire Ummah, and all those living or deceased relatives, friends and teachers who have conveyed Deeni knowledge or been a cause of benefit to one. Hazrat Ali Radhiyallaahu Anhu reports, "Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam instructed me to perform Qurbani on his behalf. Thus, I will continue to make Qurbani (on behalf of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. (I'laa us Sunan) Abu Talha Radhiyallaahu Anhu has related that the Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam sacrificed a ram and while sacrificing the next animal said, "This is on behalf of every one of my Ummah who believed in me and testified (to my prophethood)" (Tabrani)   The Takbeeraat of Tashreeq     It is Wajib (incumbent) for every adult Muslim male to recite the Takbeeraat of Tashreeq after every Fardh Salaat-performed with Jamaat or individually from the Fajr of the 9th of Zul-Hijjah to the Asr of the 13th of Zul Hijjah. The Takbeeraat should be recited once only. The words are as follows:   اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لآ إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ   Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar laa ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar. Allahu Akbar walillaahil hamd. Translation: "Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no deity besides Allah and Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest and all praises belong to Him Alone." NB. Men should recite this Takbeer audibly whilst females should do so silently. May Allah Ta'aala grant us ability to practice. Aameen. Prepared by: Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Darul Ifta (Dept. of Jurisprudence)

POOL SAFETY TIPS

Splash…Splash

Pools are awesome! What could be better than a dip in the pool and fun in the sun?

Keeping ourselves and our kids fit and healthy within the laws of Sharia is an important part of Deen(Islam).

 

The Messenger of Allah-Muhammad[peace be upon him)is reported to have said, "Teach your children swimming, archery and horse riding".[Hadith]

 

A child has a right to sustenance, education, and proper care. The parents or guardians are not permitted to neglect the child's needs nor to abuse it.The Prophet (peace be on him) said: "Each one of you is a caretaker (ra'iy) and is responsible for those under his care." (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

 

Drowning is the second most common cause of death from injuries among kids under the age of 14. Parents/guardians should not be fooled into thinking that their child is safe just because he/she knows how to swim. In a lot of cases accidents happened even though the child knew swimming. Accidents in the swimming pool can happen very suddenly without warning. It is very important that all parents follow these basic safety precautions especially if there is a swimming pool at home.

Drowning can happen so fast — sometimes in less than a minute after a person's head goes under the water. That leaves very little time for someone to help.

Many drownings and near-drownings occur when a kid accidentally falls into a swimming pool. But accidents can happen anywhere — at someone's home or even at your own house, and that's why you need to know how to be safe around water.

Some Handy Tips!

• Always make dua and ask Allah's help and protection before swimming. At least say : "Bismillah" (I begin in the name of Allah) and say " Oh Allah Grant me safety and protection from any harm and keep me always safe and healthy"
• Always ensure that the swim outfits appropriate within the expectable limits of sharia.
• Never - not even for a second, leave children alone around open standing water of any kind - Swimming Pool, Spa, Pond, River etc…
• Always know where your children are.
• Never rely entirely on a safety device or product - nothing can replace constant adult supervision.
• Never allow your children to swim alone or without an adult present.
• Check the pool first when your child is missing.
• Never think or assume that someone is watching your child unless you have designated an adult to watch the water.
• When entertaining or using the pool always designate an adult, who can swim, to watch the water at all times. If there are many kids going to swim than it is better to hire a lifeguard.
• Maintain your pool. Keep the water clear and clean so visibility is kept at a maximum.
• Do not swim in thunderstorms or any bad weather.
• Position all swimming pool jets in such a way that any floating objects will end up in the shallow end of the pool close to the steps or ladder.
• Remove all toys and floating objects from the pool when it is not in use.
• Never allow bikes and 'rideable' toys in the pool area.
• Have a telephone/mobile phone available. Have a list of emergency numbers easily accessible.
• Never go to answer a door or telephone bell while your children are swimming or your pool is unprotected. Take them out first!
• Buy and have on hand safety equipment - life preservers, life jackets, etc...
• If you have a pool safety fence - do not leave chairs, ladders or other objects near the pool that would allow a child to climb up and over. Make sure all fence gates have self-closing latches.

• Make sure your child understands how jumping or diving into water can result in injury. Know the depth of the water and the location of underwater hazards before permitting children to jump or dive.
• Teach your children to swim and cope with all conditions of all types of water - e.g. depth, water temperature, tides, currents, and weather.
• Use approved personal flotation devices whenever on a boat or fishing, and while playing near a river, lake, or ocean.
• Teach your child to never attempt to rescue a pet without adult supervision
• Inform your child of the methods to obtain help.
• Learn CPR and support the inclusion of CPR training in school.
• Counsel children especially teenagers about the dangers of alcohol and drug consumption. Teenage pool parties are prone to these activities and can have fatal consequences.
• Remove all water from containers, such as drums , baths etc immediately after use and put containers away.
• Do not leave children unattended in the bathroom. Never leave a child unattended in the bath. Keep toilet lids closed and locked and bath plugs out of reach.
• Make sure children's caregivers and supervisors know all the safety precautions and are fully trained in CPR.
• Swim at a depth that is safe for you. If you're just learning to swim, stay in the shallow end.
• Don't push or jump on others. You could accidentally hurt someone or yourself.
• Toys to help you float come in many shapes and sizes (an inner tube, air mattress, or beach ball, for example). Although they are fun and can help you while you learn to swim, what they can't do is save a life. They're toys that can lose air or float away.
• Remember a pool's sides and bottom are usually made of concrete, a rock-hard material. A slip or fall could be painful and dangerous.
• Don't chew gum or eat while you swim — you could choke.
•   Surround your pool all round with a sturdy fence.
• Make sure the gates self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach.
• Always thank Allah after every swimming session. Say: "Allhamdulillah" (All Praise belongs to Allah) and say: "Oh Allah we thank you for allowing us to have swam safely and always keeps us in Your protection"  Ameen!

Wherever you're swimming, do have a waterfall of fun!

 

OUR ALLAH IS SO GREAT!!!-Motivational story

OUR ALLAH IS SO GREAT!!!

 

 

 

This story was written by a Muslim doctor who worked in Africa.

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the maternity ward; but in spite of all we could do she died

leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter.

We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator.

(We had no electricity to run an incubator.) We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on

the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts.

One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool the baby would be wrapped

in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle.

She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in

tropical climates.

And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed.

It is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst

water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no medicine stores down forest pathways.

"All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to

keep it free from drafts."Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose

to gather with me.

I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I

explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle. The baby could

so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.

During the prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African

children. "Please, Allah," she prayed, "Send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, Allah, as the baby

will be dead, so please send it this afternoon."

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of a corollary, "And while You are

about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?"

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Ameen?" I just did not believe

that Allah could do this.

Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything. The Holy Quraan says so.

But there are limits, aren't there? The only way Allah could answer would be for a package to arrive from the

homeland.

I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home.

Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that

there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was

a large twenty-two pound

parcel.

I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together

we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly.

Excitement was mounting

.

Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly

colored, knitted cotton jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the

leprosy patients, and the children

looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanasthat

would make a batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the...could it really

be? I grasped it and pulled it out -- yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle, I cried. I had not asked Allah to

send it; I had not truly believed

that He could.

The ten year old was in the front row of the children. She rushed

forward, crying out, If Allah has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!"

Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small,

beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted.

Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you, Mummy, and

give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Allah really loves her?"

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former school class, whose leader

had heard and obeyed Allah's prompting to send a hot water

bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an

African child- five months before -- in answer to the believing prayer of

a ten- year-old to bring it "that afternoon."

"Before they call for prayer, I will answer all prayers!"

Allah wants us to ask of Him…and he will surely answer.

Please share this amazing story with as many others as you can.

Our Allah really is………AWESOME !!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gem of Generosity!

The Gem of Generosity!

The Messenger of Allah Muhammad [Peace be upon him]  never said `no' to anyone who asked him for anything.
[Hadith : Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

A wise woman who was travelling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveller who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveller saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveller left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

"I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."

The Messenger of Allah Muhammad [Peace be upon him]  is reported to have said: "Do not hoard; otherwise, Allah will withhold from you.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Importance of Time

 

Importance of Time

 

 

 

"The Qur'an and the Sunnah make it clear that time is very valuable. Almighty Allah says: "By the time! Verily man is in loss."     (Al-`Asr:1-2)

 

Take benefit of five before five

"Take benefit of five before five:

your youth before your old age,

your health before your sickness,

your wealth before your poverty,

your free-time before your preoccupation,

and your life before your death."[Hadith- al-Haakim, al-Bayhaqee, Saheeh]

 

The importance of time!

 

 MANY people forget or neglect the importance of time although man's life on earth is a span of time. Islam gives due attention to the issue of time because if people waste their time, they are actually wasting their life.

The Holy Qur'an gives due attention to the idea of time and this is clear in many verses of the Qur'an when Allah swears using the different places of times of the day to reveal the importance of time, "By the break of Day," (Qur'an, 1:89) "By (the Token of) Time (through the ages),' (Qur'an, 1:103) .etc.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) says in one Hadith: "There are two things that people are not aware of how important they are: health and time." This Hadith stresses two facts: People are not aware of the importance of being in good health till they fall ill and people are not aware of the importance of time and therefore waste their time doing trivial things.

There was research published in one of the magazines about how man spends his time. The research revealed that if man lives for 60 years, he spends one third of his life sleeping because man usually sleeps eight hours a day. Remaining years are spent in public transportation, watching TV, eating, in the bathroom.etc. This means that the larger part of man's life is spent in worldly matters. If a person

Karen Armstrong, refers to this aspect of time in Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) life. She indicated that what the Prophet (peace be upon him) did in 23 years was miraculous and what he accomplished required thousands of philosophers, reformers, intellectuals and mentors to do in hundreds of years.

 

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who has failed a grade.
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who has given birth to a pre-mature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE DAY, ask a daily wage labourer who has kids to feed.
To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the bride who is waiting to meet her groom
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who has missed the train.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who has avoided an accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLI-SECOND, ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

 

The Characteristics of Time

 

We are to bear in mind that time has certain characteristics, among of which are the following:

1.  Time passes quickly.

2.  Time that passes can never return, nor can it be compensated for, for time is irretrievable.

3.  Time is the most precious thing that man possesses.

 

The following are some of the most important duties demanded of Muslims:

1.  Ensuring benefitting from time

2.  Utilizing leisure time

3.  Racing for good deeds

4.  Learning from the passage of time

5.  Seeking the superior times

6.  Planning and organizing time

7.  Fulfillment of time commitments

8.  Necessary awareness of time wasters

 

One of the methods of managing his time properly is for a Muslim to get up early and sleep early, for early hours always yield great blessings. Starting his day with prayer and the supplication of the morning brings the Muslim Allah's grace. A Muslim should always bear in mind that every time has its own task that suits it. Doing tasks in their due times brings about peace of mind and comfort. The most important aspect being gaining such knowledge of Islam that will enable and empower one to do such actions at a given time that pleases Allah abundantly! A Muslim is disciplined and uses every second constructively and productively!

 

Mu`adh ibn Jabal quotes the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as saying: "A servant of Allah will remain standing on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about four things: his life and how he spent it, his youth and how he used it up, his property and how he acquired and managed it and his knowledge and how he utilized it." [HADITH]

 

May Allah guide us to use our time correctly and beneficially!!!...Ameen

 

“Fiqh of Love”

 

 "Fiqh of Love"

 

1-Great relationships don't just happen; they are created. You have to work at it.
2-If your job takes all of your best energy, your marriage will suffer.
3-One of the greatest gifts you can give your spouse is your own happiness.
4-It is possible to love and hate someone at the same time.
5-When you complain about your spouse to your friends, remember that their feedback can be distorted.
6-The only rules in your marriage are those you both choose to agree with.
7-It is not conflict that destroys marriage; it is the cold, smoldering resentment that you hold for a long time.
8-It's not what you've got, it's what you do with what you have.
9-If you think you are too good for your spouse, think again.
10-Growing up in a happy household doesn't ensure a happy marriage, or vice versa.
11-It's never too late to repair damaged trust.
12-The real issue is usually not the one you are arguing about.
13-Love isn't just a feeling; it is expressed through our actions.
14-Expectations set us up for disappointment and resentment.
15-Arguments cannot be avoided, but destructive arguments can be avoided.
16-One of the greatest gifts you can give your spouse is focused attention.
17-Even people with happy marriages sometimes worry that they married the wrong person.
18-Your spouse cannot rescue you from unhappiness, but they can help you rescue yourself.
19-The cost of a lie is far greater than any advantage you gain from speaking it.
20-Your opinion is not necessarily the truth.
21-Trust takes years to establish and moments to destroy.
22-Guilt-tripping won't get you what you really want.
23-Don't neglect your friends.
24-If you think, "You are not the person I married," you are probably right.
25-Resisting the temptation to prove your point will win you a lot of points.
26-Generosity of spirit is the foundation of a good marriage.
27-If your spouse is being defensive, you might be giving them reasons to be like that.
28-Marriage isn't 50/50; it's 100/100.
29-You can pay now or pay later, but the later you pay, the more interest and penalties you acquire.
30-Marriage requires sacrifice, but your benefits outweigh your costs.
31-Forgiveness isn't a one-time event; it's a continuous process.
32-Accepting the challenges of marriage will shape you into a better person.
33-Creating a marriage is like launching a rocket: once it clears the pull of gravity, it takes much less energy to sustain the flight.
34-A successful marriage has more to do with how you deal with your current reality than with what you've experienced in the past.
35-Don't keep feelings of gratitude to yourself.
36-There is no greater eloquence than the silence of real listening.
37-One of the greatest questions to ask your spouse is "How best can I love you?"
38-Marriage can stay fresh over time.
39-Assumptions are fine as long as you check them before acting upon them.
40-Intention may not be the only thing, but it is the most important thing.
41-Good sex won't make your marriage, but it'll help.
42-Privacy won't hurt your marriage, but secrecy will.
43-Possessiveness and jealousy are born out of fear, not love.
44-Authenticity is contagious and habit-forming.
45-If your spouse thinks something is important, then it is.
46-Marriage never outgrows the need for romance.
47-The sparkle of a new relationship is always temporary.
48-There is violence in silence when it's used as a weapon.
49-It's better to focus on what you can do to make things right, then what your partner did to make things wrong.
50-If you think marriage counseling is too expensive, try divorce.