The Artist-motivational

The Artist

 

 

Once upon a time, a well-known painter was finishing his painting. It's an incredibly beautiful painting to be shown at the Airport during the upcoming Hajj Season.

 

The painter wanted this painting to be a master piece. He worked on it for weeks on the top of a 24 storey building. He was consumed by and excited with his own painting that he unconsciously took a few step backward while admiring the 2 x 8 m painting. He didn't look back when he walked backward. He kept on walking backward until it was a step away from the edge of the 24storey building. Just one more step backward and he could have fallen to his death.

 

A man saw what the painter was doing and was about to shout at him to warn him when he realized that his shout might surprise the painter and thus make him take that fatal one step backward and fall down. So the man took a brush and some paint and began to paint on the beautiful painting until it was completely damaged.

 

Upon realizing what happened to his painting, the painter got very angry and moved forward to hit the man. However, some other people who were also present at the vicinity held him and showed him his last position which almost made him fall.

 

MORAL: Sometimes we have painted our future with such beauty and dreamed of beautiful days we will spend with our loved one, but then Allah seemed to destroy our beautiful painting when Allah sees what danger lies ahead of us. Sometimes we are angry and annoyed by what Allah has done to us, but one thing we have to keep in our mind is that our Creator Allah is Most Wise an always keeps our best of interest in mind!

So when Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala , in His Infinite Wisdom, tests us with a situation that we think is  difficult or takes away something that in our mind was good for us, we need to remember that perhaps it may not be so. Perhaps if we had continued in our way, it might have been harmful for us and whatever Allah decreed for us is actually better for us, for He is All-Wise and All-Knowing.

Allah says:"…and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know." (Surah Baqarah: 216)

A calamity that makes you turn to Allah is better for you than a blessing which makes you forget the remembrance of Allah.

Bon Voyage!!!-A Guide to travels

  Bon Voyage!!!

 

Make your Journey [travels] Easy & Spiritually Rewarding

 

NIYYAH(INTENTION):

 

Always ensure that your travels attain the pleasure of Allah and are within the confinements of sharia. The Messenger of Allah Muhammad [peace be upon him] said: "Surely every deed is judged by its intention" [Hadith-Bukhari] .

 

DUAS  

 

There are duas for every occasion. There are sunnah duas when undertaking a journey. These duas will ensure protection and safety from difficulties that may be encountered. The Parent should read these duas aloud and the kids should repeat it after them so that they could memorise it.

 

The duas for traveling can be found on the internet at :

 

http://www.searchtruth.com/dua/index.php?dua=44

 

Please print these duas and take along with you on journey.

Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Whoever says (upon leaving his house): `Bismillah, tawakkaltu `alallah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah [I begin with the Name of Allah; I trust in Allah; there is no altering of conditions but by the Power of Allah],' it will be said to him: 'You are guided, defended and protected.' The devil will go far away from him".[Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i].   Abu Dawud reported it with this addition: "One devil will say to another: 'How can you deal with a man who has been guided, defended and protected?".

ITERNARY

 

Ensure that your program includes activities and places that are Islamically acceptable. Exclude all haraam and immoral activities/places. Include places that will bring you closer to Allah. Don't let shaytaan beguile you into being neglectful of the commandments of Allah. Enjoy the great outdoors and see the signs of Allah in nature. A journey without an iternary is like a archer shooting aimlessly!

 

PREPARATIONS:

 

Now make a list of essentials:

 

AIR TRAVEL:

ü      Airline ticket

ü      Passport and copies ( leave copy at home)

ü      Visas

ü      Extra passport photos

ü      Check arrival/departure times

ü      Pack extra clothing in hand luggage in case bags are delayed/misplaced.

ü      Order Halaal diet[most airlines require advance notice]

ü      Currency

ü      Label ALL items

ü      Arrive early as many flights are overbooked

ü      Avoid carrying prohibited items. Be aware of the latest list of prohibited items and do not carry anything (even something innocent) if it possibly could be construed as a weapon

ü      Listen carefully to in-flight instructions

ü      Be aware of your rights to privacy. If officials want to verify pictures than insist for a female to check females and a male to check males.

ü      Book early so that you can choose your seats.

ü      Check if all baggage is received. Report damaged/ missing bags before you leave airport.

 

LAND TRAVEL:

 

ü      Check vehicle roadworthiness[spare wheel, etc]

ü      Drivers license

ü      Maps-en route info booklets

ü      Navigational System-GPS(Remember to update)

ü      Islamic CD's

ü      Activities to keep kids occupied

 

 GENERAL

 

Ø      Mussallah[prayer mats]

Ø      Compass[to determine direction of Qiblah]

Ø      Water[ for ablution (wudhu and istinja)]

Ø      Food for journey

Ø      Toiletries

Ø      Mobile[Cell] Charger

Ø      Quran

Ø      Tasbeeh[prayer beads]

Ø      Islamic Books

Ø      Islamic CD's

Ø      Disposable Diapers if you have babies

Ø      Water for drinking and cooler bag

Ø      Extra keys for car

Ø      Extra spectacles in case of emergency

Ø      Flashlight

Ø      Disposable towels

Ø      Medication

Ø      Appropriate clothing

Ø      Sun Block lotions for sunny areas

Ø      Islamic games to keep kids entertained.

 

Check Internet for:

 

Ø      Salaah times[ various places ]

Ø      Masjids

Ø      Halaal food outlets- For car travel and day trips, it's advisable to pack your own food from home. It's less expensive, and you know what you're eating. But if you desire or need to eat out, check to make sure you're eating halaal!

 

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

 

v     Be punctual with prayers even when on journey [salaah on journey is half but not maaf!]- this applies to both male and female.

 

v     Always be engage in good and stay away from haraam , immoral places and activities- for you will die how you lived and be raised the way you die!

 

v     Be careful of setting double standards before your kids. Kids are very observant. Allah is All Seeing and All Knowing. There is NO pleasure in the displeasure of Allah.

 

v     Be sure to leave clear instructions in case of death. Draw up a will.

 

v     Take safety precautions. Avoid traveling at night on quiet roads. Keep to speed limits.

 

v     Pack carefully and lightly. Avoid unnecessary items. Keep sufficient edibles and drinks nearby to keep kids hydrated.

 

v     EMERGENCIES: Have contact details easily available. First Aid travel kit essential.

 

v     Make your stops at prayer times. Allow kids time to refresh,run and play.

 

v     Spend time making Zikr- The Messenger of Allah [pbuh] informed us that we will not regret about anything in this life accept the time spent without zikr. Verily, in the Zikr of Allah do hearts find peace." (Surah Ra'd) ... "Verily, the remembrance of Allah is the greatest." (Surah Ahzaab) [Qurán]

 

v     Take out sadaqah[charity] before the journey.

 

v     Preparing for a journey can be stressful. So accommodate each other and overlook each others shortcomings. Be cheerful and polite. Always try and be helpful to others.

 

v     Smile and be pleasant -- airport personnel and border control officers are doing their job to make travel safe for everyone. If you have an attitude it will only give people a bad impression of Muslims.

 

v     Appropriate Dress-Dress Islamically. Be sure that kids dress appropriately in light, loose clothing (For young sisters wearing hijab, keep the scarves light colour and light weight). Ensure that children dress modestly. Not only will this make it easier for them to adhere to modest styles of dress as they get older, but it will also protect them from harmful UV rays. (Contrary to popular belief, light colored, loose fitting clothing which reflects heat is far more conducive to keeping cool then bare legs and bare arms which take in direct heat from the sun on a warm day.) Sun block for faces, hands and arms is very important to prevent health problems in the future. Avoid chemical sun-blocks if possible. Keep it natural. There are a wide variety of herbal sun-blocks available derived from organic sources which work well and smell better than commercial brands. Check into specialty shops that carry herbal products.

 

                                       VALUABLE ADVISE FROM SUNNAH:

 

v     Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Three supplications are answered without doubt. The supplication of the oppressed, the supplication of the traveller, and the supplication of the parent for his son.''[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

 

v     Khaulah bint Hakim (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "Whosoever alights somewhere and says: `A`udhu bikalimat-illahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaqa (I seek refuge with the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created),' nothing will harm him until he leaves that place.''

 

v     Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We returned with the Prophet (PBUH) from a journey; and when we entered the suburbs of Al-Madinah, he (PBUH) said: "Ayibuna, ta'ibuna, `abiduna, li-Rabbina hamidun (We are returning in safety, turning to our Rubb, worshipping Him and praising Him).'' He (PBUH) continued repeating these words till we entered Al-Madinah.

 

v     Ka`b bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) returned from a journey, he would proceed straight to the mosque and perform two Rak`ah of (optional) prayer.[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

We have left our homes behind and NOT our Imaan. So be a Muslim at home, on journey or wherever you may be!…Be patient, and have a pleasant trip!....

 

Astodikumullah(I bid you farewell in the name of Allah)

 

The Musalli (Mosque go-er)

The Musalli (Mosque go-er)

 

 

 

 

 

Allah, the Exalted, says:

 

"The attendants of Allah's Masjid(mosque) are those who believe in Allah and the last day" [Quran-At-Taubah 18].

A Mosque go-er wrote a letter to the editor of An Islamic Journal and complained that it made no sense to go to Mosque. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 Bayaans (Lectures). But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time(going to the Mosque) and the Imams are wasting theirs by giving Bayaans(Lectures) at all ."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wise person wrote this clincher.

"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to Mosque for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

The Excellence in Going to The Masjid(Mosque)

 

The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) is reported to have said:

 

·         "Whoever attends the mosque, Allah prepares a special hospitality for him" (Muslim).

·         "If anyone goes back and forth to the mosque, Allah will prepare for him a feast in paradise as often as he goes back and forth."

·         "If anyone purifies himself in his house, and then walks to one of the houses of Allah to fulfill one of the obligations laid down by Allah, then [each one] of his steps will erase one of his sins and the next will raise his degrees."

·         "The mosque is a house for every pious person, and Allah provides everyone whose house is the mosque with comfort, leisure, and a path to Allah's pleasure, to paradise."

"Allah makes the way to Jannah(Paradise) easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge.''[Hadith-Muslim].

The Month of Muharram.

The Month of Muharram.

 

Introduction

 

With the sighting of the new moon the Islamic New Year is ushered in.  The first month Muharram, is a month of great reward and virtue.  Muharram itself means `sacred' and is from those months which have been mentioned as sacred in the Holy Quraan.  Almighty Allah states in the Holy Quraan:  

 

"Four of them ( Zil-Qadah, Zil-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab) are sacred."

(Surah At-Tawbah:36)

 

From out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues:-  The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:

 

"The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhan is the fasting of Allah's month of Muharram."(Hadith-Muslim)

 

"The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month)."(Hadith:Tabraani)

 

Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and choice is entitled to a great reward by Almighty Allah.

 

The Day of Aashora (10th Muharram)

 

Although the month of Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, the 10^th of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named 'Ashurah'.  It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah in the Islamic calendar. 

 

FASTING

 

The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) has exhorted and encouraged his Ummah to fast on this day. He said:

 

"This fast[Aahura] is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year." (Hadith:Muslim)

"Observe the fast of Aashora and oppose the Jews.  Fast a day before it or a day after."(Hadith:Baihaqi)

Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and the tenth or the tenth and the eleventh of Muharram.  To fast only on the day of Aashora is Makrooh(undesirable).

 

BEING GENEROUS

 

One should be generous on one's family and dependants and spend more on them than what is normally spent.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:

 

"One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashora, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year." (Hadith:Baihaqi)

*

 

These are the actions supported by Ahadeeth. Let us observe this great day according to the ways of Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu-Anhum), and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Almighty Allah.

 

May Allah guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His displeasure.

The Full Cup…(motivational)

The Full Cup…

 

 

 

A wise old Sheikh once lived near a Musjid in Medina. One day the Sheikh heard an impatient pounding on his door. He opened it and greeted a young student, who said, "I have studied with great and wise masters. I consider myself quite accomplished in Islamic teachings and philosophy. However, just in case there is anything more I need to know, I have come to see if you can add to my knowledge."

 

"Very well," said the wise old master. "Come and have tea with me, and we will discuss your studies." The two seated themselves opposite each other, and the old Sheikh prepared tea. When it was ready, the old Sheikh began to pour the tea carefully into the visitor's cup. When the cup was full, the old man continued pouring until the tea spilled over the side of the cup and onto the young man's lap. The startled visitor jumped back and indignantly shouted, "Some wise master you are! You are a fool who does not even know when a cup is full!"

 

The old man calmly replied, "Just like this cup, your mind is so full of ideas that there is no room for any more. Come to me with an empty-cup mind, and then you will learn something."

“Haya is part of Faith”

"Haya is part of Faith"

 

Holiday Season???...Let our Jolly not lead to a Folly!!!

 
What is Haya? This term covers a wide number of concepts. In English, it may be translated as modesty, shyness, self-respect, bashfulness, shame, honour, humility, etc. Islamically Haya is an attribute which pushes the believer to avoid anything distasteful or offensive.

Haya plays a huge role in the lives of Muslims because it is a very important part of our Iman (faith/belief). If we do not have any form of haya within us then it is most likely that our Iman is very weak. For as it states in the following hadith:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:, "Faith (Belief) consists of more than sixty branches (i.e. parts). And Haya is a part of faith." (Bukhari)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Every faith has an innate character. The character of Islam is modesty." (Hadith)

The Prophet(pbuh) also said: "Haya does not bring anything except good." (Bukhari)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Indeed haya (modesty) and Iman are Companions. When one of them is lifted, the other leaves as well." (Hadith-Baihaqi)

 

The Prophet(pbuh) also said: "Haya comes from Iman; Iman leads to Paradise. Obscenity comes from antipathy; and antipathy leads to the fire." (Bukhari)

 

Allah say in the Quran:

 

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty……." (Qur'an Nur, 30-31)

 

"Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware…."(Qur'an 49:13)

THE POST EXAM PERIOD

THE POST EXAM PERIOD

 By Abu Muhammad Yusuf

 

 

Our children are a trust given to us by Allah. Depending on the upbringing we give them, we may make them morally good and upright persons or if they are just left uncared and untrained they may become victims of environment and morally bereft. There is a great responsibility that has to be borne by both parents and guardians.

 

Allah Ta'ala says:

 

"O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from the fire.."

(Quran-Surah 66 -6)

 

The Noble Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

 

 "Lo! All of you are leaders and shall be questioned on the day of Judgement in respect of your trust. So, the king is head unto his subjects and shall be question in respect of them, the husband is a head unto his wife and shall be questioned in respect of her, the wife is a head unto her husband's house and the children, and shall be questioned in respect of them all; the slave is-a watchman unto his master's effects and shall be questioned in respect of those. So you all shepherds and you shall be questioned in respect of that entrusted to you."

 (Hadith:Bhukhari - Muslim)

 

An Earnest Appeal to Parents

 

The post exam is a period of care-free relaxation and indulgence. It is the common practice of students during this interim to indulge in frivolous pursuits not to mention haraam(forbidden) and abominable actions. It is extreme foolishness and utter dimwittedness to indulge in things which Allah has, explicitly through the Qur'aan Majeed and Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam, forbade us from.

 

It is the objective of shaytaan(satan), the accursed, to deviate the ummah from the by means of false promises and the notion that such - and - such an activity is wide-spread and therefore acceptable and a norm. Parents and students alike should take heed of the warning given by Allah Ta'ala not to indulge in activities that cause harm spiritually and socially.

 

 As a parent, are you prepared to see your Beloved Child Burning? If a child is set alight, flailing his arms and screaming in agony, will any respected human being, forget a parent, be able to witness such horror without it affecting the heart and forcing the body into action, to extinguish such fire and saving the child? It is not possible for any person to be a passive spectator in such an event. Therefore, how is it possible for parents to allow our children to engage in activities which only paves the way to ultimate destruction, i.e. Jahannam (Hell), not to mention, the misery we light in our hearts right here in this earthly life when we suddenly realize that our dear children have become involved in some destructive addiction or haraam relationship. By then it is too late. Let us act now and secure our youths future.

 

What are we doing to save our dear and beloved ones? 

 

Despicable Activities commonly engaged in by the Youth:

 

1.  Parties

2.  Time being spent at evil places (night clubs etc)

3.  Associating with friends who have evil habits

4.  Alcohol and drugs

5.  Gang fights

6.  Pornography

7.  Unsupervised Internet chatrooms [such as Mix it etc]

8.  Returning home in the early parts of the morning [especially during christmas and new years eve]

9.  Free intermingling of sexes

10.  Zina (adultery, fornication) 

 

The Solution

 

• Do not send them to school after exams unless proper control and supervsion is present.
• To keep them busy. Explore constructive Islamic ways to keep them occupied.
• Encourage reading of good Islamic Books.
• To send the males in the path of Allah under adult supervision.
• Females to participate in taleemi (educational) programmes in the neighbourhood.
• To assist widows,elderly,orphans and visiting patients in hospital.
• Males to participate in volunteer work e.g. any Islamic activities supported and supervised by Ulema or responsible adults.
• If your children wish to go on any outings then accompany them to such places, only if such places are Islamically acceptable, otherwise prohibit them from going.
• Try and engage in ISLAMIC ACTIVITIES like memorization of Qur'an and the Zikr of Allah,learning duas etc.
• Make available some good Islamic cd's such as lectures, asheeds,quran,zikr etc
• Ensure punctuality in Prayers at its FIXED times.

 

*SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE WITH YOUR KIDS!!!!!...There is NO substitute to Parental Guidance & Supervision!!!!

 

Kids are like a garden, the more time and efforts you spent nurturing it the better fruit and flowers it will indeed produce! Likewise inculcating good habits and morals in our kids will definitely be a means of your happiness in this world and salvation in the hereafter.

 

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to ask Allah for Protection & Help as Indeed Nothing can be achieved without the help of Allah Ta'ala!

 

Exams are over....

 

 

We tumbled out of the exam hall with great haste trying to get as far away from that agonising place. Grateful that it was all over we ran around slapping one another on the back and wishing ourselves good-luck. I saw Paul running to me with great excitement.

"It's over, man!!" he exclaimed, his large frame towering over me, "What a week, but damn it, it's over."

"Yup, it's been a rough week, but all over," I answered, "Never want to see another exam in my life!"

"So what you going to do now," I asked, half knowing the answer after spending six years with Paul at medical school.

"I, my good friend, am going to have a great party tonight. And I am going to drink till I pass out. Then I'll deal with tomorrow...," he shouted as he rushed off to greet another classmate.

I felt a little jealous that he could go out and have a great party, do the things he wanted without restrictions. I felt cheated that after having gone through the same agonising week I could not "Just do it!" For me I knew it would be a night of supper with my parents, and then sit with the guys and talk rubbish until the late hours of the morning. Our greatest crime of the night being a couple of cigarettes and some serious junk food.

 

I didn't hear about Paul until our class reunion 15 years later. It was a noisy affair with everyone struggling to get their best medical school story remembered. We recounted the strange doings of medical students and some very embarrassing moments like when Jakes fainted onto the patient while examining her and when Jonathan in his nervousness ask male patient how many times he had been pregnant. Each story brought rounds of raucous laughter until I asked: "Guys, whatever happened to Paul...Paulie....tall guy..er..Sterling"

A hush fell over the table like a damp blanket silencing even the clinking of the cutlery; I shifted awkwardly in my chair. Nervous as an accused in the dock I looked at the silent faces around me not knowing what to say next until Jonathan explain in almost hushed tones... Paul went out drinking that night and got involved in a drunken brawl in which he stabbed a man, he was sentenced to two years in prison and when he got out he was hooked on drugs and committed suicide three years later.

 

I left the function early that night, my head still quivering with the news of Paul and went straight to my mother's house. I hugged her a little tighter than usual and she looked at me quizzically but didn't say a word. Somehow mothers know what lives in their children's hearts. I then went home and sat at my little daughter's bedside for a long time. Her sleeping face radiated innocence and I prayed that Allah would give her parents the ability to raise her as my parents had raised us. Despite the pressures of modernisation to change their attitudes they always taught me what was Islamically correct and guided me to the path of Deen.

 

Sitting in the dim light of her room imagining the pure thoughts and dreams floating in her head and I thanked Allah Ta'ala that He guided us to a path that was filled with benefits in this world and the next. A path that may seem restrictive or narrow, seemingly devoid of the 'pleasures' of this world, but one which gave a person dignity and honour in this world, safety and protection at the time of leaving this world, and eternal happiness in the Hereafter. I shivered, not so much from the coolness of the evening, but with the thought of what could have happened to me if I had I joined Paul that night. Would I also have seen my life destroyed in the pursuit of a few moments of pleasure?

 

Rather the restriction of a few moments and pleasure for eternity; than a brief sojourn in luxury and the displeasure of Allah Ta'ala. I kissed my daughter on her tiny forehead and filled with gratitude of being Muslim and recollected a Hadith that explained this better I could ever do:

Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me are like abundant rain which fell on a land. A fertile part of it absorbed the water and brought forth profuse herbage and pasture; and solid ground patches which retained the water by which Allah has benefited people, who drank from it, irrigated their crops and sowed their seeds; and another sandy plane which could neither retain the water nor produce herbage.

 

Such is the similitude of the person who becomes well-versed in the religion of Allah and receives benefit from the Message entrusted to me by Allah, so he himself has learned and taught it to others; such is also the similitude of the person who has stubbornly and ignorantly rejected Allah's Guidance with which I have been sent.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]