The Burka- A Security Threat?

I was watching a weekend morning talk show and they were discussing if Australia might follow suit in banning the Burka. The main reasons were that the women were being opressed and that the burka posed a significant security threat.

There was a lady on the panel who seriously believed that burkas were a threat to national security because "you don't know what they could be hiding in there!" She went on to say that she has never seen a woman being truly happy while wearing the garment, since they have been forced by men to cover their faces. Young girls were also brainwashed into thinking that they have to cover up their faces and body.

1) So, that's why they scan my hijab at the airport! They're afraid that the round object at the back of my head could be something else (B-O-M-B) besides my hair tied up in a bun! But then again, I've seen girls with bun-less hijab heads also get scanned so maybe we have wires running under our hijab?

2) You've never seen a woman wearing burka happy because you can't see her smiling duh!

3) What about girls being brainwashed into thinking that showing off their bodies was the only way to be popular or socially accepted? There are not only half naked girls on TV anymore, they're COMPLETELY naked.

And Pauline Hanson doesn't want to sell her house to a muslim. *shocker!! lol, why would any muslim want to enrich her with a few million dollars anyways? I say, rich muslims everywhere, don't waste your money.

Women

Women are women's harshest critics and why is that??!!
Ever walked into a room during a family gathering and got told that you looked like you had put on weight? Or have you over heard someone gossiping about the possible reasons as to why your sister broke off her engagement? Guess who said that? Your aunt, of course! Or your mother's cousin's wife's daughter.

I'm not saying all women are nasty, I'm saying that women need to give a little space to each other and how about a little support? A simple praise, compliment or words of encouragement can go a long way in maintaining rapport and strengthening a relationship.

So, next time you see your friend after a long time, take your focus away from her expanded waistline, and instead, compliment her on her gorgeous navy blue hijab (because really, in your head, you were already thinking how much nicer it would look on you).

waiting for Fajr

I pray like clockwork and IslamicFinder's Athan keeps me on schedule. The mind remembers surahs, the eyes focus on the prayer mat- at times though, they wander as if looking for an answer to a question that has already been answered, the lips silently read the surahs, hands are folded- right over left and the feet are planted firmly on the ground.

But, going through the motions doesn't mean anything if the intention is not right.

Why do YOU pray?

ps.I was asked this question recently and I found it a little hard to summarize effectively. Well, I guess I only had one point, which was praying is obeying the commands of Allah swt, and then I got distracted and went slightly off topic.

Reverse Dawah

Brothers telling sisters who have just started wearing hijab, and doing their best at covering up; wearing summer dresses with a cardigan and jeans - "You looked better without hijab"

Good one, boys!

Walking to Uni was like walking through a jungle. The underpass was flooded so I took a risk and ran across the highway. I held my abaya up by about an inch so that the branches won't tear a hole in my abaya, oblivious to the fact that anyone would even care that I was wearing jeans inside.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, someone jumped next to me and said, "Does Nadia wear jeans?!"

lol, there are a lot of misconceptions about hijab, abayas and what muslim women can and cannot wear. For example, I'm pretty sure she thinks I wear the hijab to sleep & shower. It must totally blow her mind that I actually don't wear the hijab 24/7.

Anyways, everyone in tutorial was complaining about cars and windows and leaks when my tutor piped up with "Perth is not prepared for any disaster. We will not survive a terrorist attack", causing some people to look my way. Great, just wonderful.

You know what though? Sometimes I feel like I've been stereotyped so many times that I actually victimize myself? Like maybe those people weren't looking at me in an accusatory way but I just felt it because it is what I have come to expect. I feel discriminated, even when in actuality, it may not have been the case.


Have you ever felt that way?

Another Chance

Assalam Alaykum.

I passed my exams and I will be entering my third year of university in 2010, in sha Allah if my financial situation works out. Thing is, I made du'a to pass, and I did but now I am learning that passing may not be the best thing for me. Being alone without a mahram wasn't working out very well for myself and now I will talk to my parents about not wanting to go back. But knowing my parents, I know I will be back there next year...

I know I sound terribly confused. At the start I sounded happy that I'm moving into third year but then now, I'm not so sure.

What I do know is that I have to prepare myself for another much tougher year. I don't have much support but I know that I can count on the support that I already have.

On another note, I decided to delete all males on MSN except the ones that I need to discuss school matters with.
I also deleted my facebook account because I got tired of reading status updates and people bitching about each other on that social network.

I'm having a go at memorizing all the short surahs in the Quran. I have little trouble remembering them but when I'm actually praying, I get stuck. But Alhamd lellah, I've found out that saying them out loud helps me remember initially but then I just got to repeat them again and again quietly to myself, until I can say it without counting off on the number of ayats to make sure that I didn't miss any.

Saturday's Sun

It's 37 degrees celsius right now. Thank You Allah swt for the sun.

I need to keep saying that and/or cool down with another shower. Sun is good. Hot is good. I don't want to start complaining because even if I did, there's not much that I can do about it.

Thank You Allah. Thank You Allah.

Why is it that I say thank you so easily to others but I often take for granted what Allah has given me?

Alhamd lellah for what I have and for what I do not have for surely, Allah knows best.

About loving and being loved

Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) said: “A person cannot be a perfect Muslim unless he desires for his brother (in Faith) that which he desires for himself.”

(Bukhari & Muslim)

Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him), relates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) said: “The bonds (of brotherhood) between Muslims are like parts of a house; one part strengthens and holds another”. He crossed the fingers of one hand between those of the other (to illustrate the point).

(Bukhari & Muslim)

Nu‘man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him), relates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him), said: “The Muslims, in their mutual love, kindness and compassion are like the human body: when one of its parts is in agony, the entire body feels the pain, both in sleeplessness and fever”.

(Bukhari & Muslim)

Ramadan: Fact/Fiction

Now, with everything else, people have managed to come up with things just to confuse and mislead everyone else. These are some of the things that I have heard/been told about Ramadan.

1) Showering (excessively) is makruh, especially close to the time at which one can break his fast.

I read up and this is what I found: Abu Dawood (2365) narrated that one of the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: I saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) pouring water over his head when he was fasting, because of thirst or heat. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

2) Stop eating 10 minutes before Fajr.

One of the reprehensible innovations that have appeared in our times is giving the second adhaan approximately twenty minutes before Fajr in Ramadaan, and extinguishing the lamps which indicate that it is haraam to eat and drink for those who want to fast. Those who introduced this innovation claim that they are erring on the side of caution with regard to an act of worship.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen was asked about some timetables which give the time of imsaak as being approximately one-quarter of an hour before Fajr. He said:

This is a kind of bid’ah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite, because Allaah says in His Holy Book (interpretation of the meaning):

“and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)”

[al-Baqarah 2:187]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Bilaal gives the adhaan at night, so eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes.” This imsaak which some of the people do is an addition to that which Allaah has enjoined, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed.”

Narrated by Muslim, 2670

And Allaah knows best.

3) Saying "I'm hungry" or counting down the minutes to iftar invalidates the fast.

Praise be to Allaah.

The time of iftaar is the time when the fast ends, which is the time of Maghrib prayer. There is no sin on the one who asks about the time of iftaar so that he may enjoy the things that Allaah has permitted to him of food, drink and intercourse, and to feel the joy of having completed his worship. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The fasting person has two moments of joy: when he breaks his fast he rejoices at breaking his fast, and when he meets his Lord he will rejoice at his fasting.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1805; Muslim, 1151.

Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Al-Qurtubi said: What this means is that he rejoices at the disappearance of his hunger and thirst when it becomes permissible for him to break his fast. This joy is something natural and this is the first meaning that comes to mind. And it was said that his joy when breaking the fast is because he has completed his fast and finished his act of worship, and his Lord is allowing him now to eat and drink, which will help him to fast more.

Taken from Islam QA: Issues of Fasting

Re: Hadith 3.

If a person travels in Ramadaan and he is fasting, is it better for him not to fast, or should he continue fasting?

Praise be to Allaah.

The four Imams and the majority of the Sahaabah and Taabi’een were of the view that fasting whilst traveling is permissible and is correct and valid. If the traveler fasts, it counts and he does not have to make it up. See al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah, vol. 28, p. 73

As to what is better, that depends:

1 – If fasting and not fasting are the same, in the sense that fasting does not affect him, then in this case fasting is better, because of the following evidence:

(a) It was narrated that Abu’l-Darda’ (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “We went out with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) [on a journey] during the month of Ramadaan when it was intensely hot, until one of us would put his hand on his head because of the intense heat, and no one among us was fasting apart from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Rawaahah.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1945; Muslim, no. 1122).

(b) Fasting whilst traveling means that one fulfils one's duty more quickly, because making it up later means delaying it, but fasting in Ramadaan means doing it sooner.

(c) It is usually easier for the one who has this duty, because fasting and breaking the fast with the people is easier than starting to fast all over again.

(d) It makes the most of a blessed time, namely Ramadaan, for Ramadaan is better than other times, because it is the time when fasting is obligatory. Based on this evidence the view of al-Shafaa’i, which is that fasting is better in the case of one for whom fasting and not fasting are the same, is most likely to be correct.

2 – If not fasting is easier for him, then in this case we say that not fasting (when traveling) is better. If something will give him hardship, then in his case fasting becomes makrooh, because doing something that causes hardship when there is a concession indicates that one is spurning a concession granted by Allaah.

3 – If it will case unbearable difficulty, then in this case it becomes haraam for him to fast. The evidence for that is the report narrated by Muslim from Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with them), that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out to Makkah in the year of the Conquest in Ramadaan, and fasted until he reached Kuraa’ al-Ghameem. The people were fasting, but he called for a cup of water and lifted it up so that the people could see it, then he drank it. After that, he was told that some of the people had continued to fast. He said, “Those are the disobedient, those are the disobedient.” According to another report, he was told, “The people are finding it hard to fast, and they are waiting to see what you will do.” So he called for a cup of water after ‘Asr. (1114) So he described those who fasted even though it was very difficult as being disobedient. See al-Sharh al-Mumti’ by Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), vol. 6, p. 355).

taken from Islam Question and Answer

Boasting about Lineage

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “There are indeed people who boast of their dead ancestors, but in the sight of Allah they are more contemptible than the black beetle that rolls a piece of dung with its nose. Behold, Allah has removed from you the arrogance of the time of jahiliyya (ignorance) with its boast of ancestral glories. Man is but an Allah-fearing believer or an unfortunate sinner. All people are the children of Adam, and Adam was created out of dust.” [Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud]

Nobody has any control over which family they are born into. Therefore, a person has no right to boast about that which they had no role in. Nor do the good or bad deeds of our ancestors have any bearing on our status with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). Muslims are therefore told to shun these wrong criteria of status. What gives a person status with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) is righteousness.


[Just a response to what I know about a person who likes to boast about being Arab and being from the same tribe as the Prophet. This person tells my brother these things with an air of arrogance but we all know he's just jealous because he can't speak a word of arabic and my brother can hold entire conversations in arabic.
Come on, if you drink and go clubbing then really, why are you boasting about such things? ]

Ramadhan

Innovations in Religion

15th of Shaaban

In the Sunan of Ibn Majah, it is narrated with a weak chain, on the authority of ‘Ali that the Prophet, may blessings and peace of God be upon him, said the following:

If it is the night of the middle of Sha’baan, then enliven its night and fast its day, for in it, God descends to the heaven once the sun sets and says, “Is there anyone seeking forgiveness so that I can forgive him? Is there anyone seeking provision so that I can give him? Is there anyone tribulated that I can relieve his tribulation? Is there? Is there?” until the entrance of dawn.

It is narrated that the tabi’in (the generation that directly followed the time of the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him) of Shaam used to glorify this night. Amongst them are Khalid b. Ma’dan, Makhul, Luqmaan b. ‘Aamir, and others. They used to exert themselves in worship during this night. It was from them that people learned the benefit and the glorification of this night.

On the other hand, the scholars of Hijaaz differed with them and refused to acknowledge acts of glorification and worship that were performed specifically in observation of mid-Sha’baan. From among them are ‘Ata’ and Ibn Abi Mulayah. Abdu al-Rahman b. Zaid b. Aslam narrated the same from the jurists of the people of Medina, and it is also the opinion of the companions of Imam Malik and others. They all said glorifying this night was an innovation.

While the scholars of Shaam acknowledged enlivening mid-Sha’baan, they differed on the method of doing so. One opinion is that it is preferred to enliven it in the masjid in a congregation. Khalid b. Ma’dan, Luqmaan b. ‘Aamir, and others used to put on their best clothes, perfume themselves with incense, put on kuhl, and spend the night in the masjid. Ishaaq b. Rahwayh concurred with them and said “Establishing it in the masjid in congregation is not an innovation.” This was narrated by Harb al-Karmaani in his Masaai’l. According to another opinion, however, it is disliked to congregate on that night in the masjid to pray, tell stories, and to supplicate, while it is not disliked for one to enliven that night with prayers by himself. This is the opinion of al-Awza’i, the imam of the people of Shaam, their jurist and scholar.

Based on the fact that there are valid differences of opinion between the scholars, no one should condemn another for enlivening this night or for not doing so. Those who choose to seek the benefit of mid-Sha’baan by enlivening its night and fasting its day are following the opinion of Imam al-Awzaa’i and others. As for those who choose not to do so, they are abiding by the opinion of Imam Malik and others. Hence, there is no blame on choosing to follow either opinion.

Actions recommended by some scholars to perform during this night:

As mentioned previously, it is recommended to bring this night to life with prayers, seeking forgiveness, supplication, and remembrance of God, and to fast the day of the fifteenth of Sha’baan. Many scholars have said it is good to read the Qur’anic chapter Yasin three times during this night (which begins after sunset). The first reading should be done with the intention of asking for a long life; the second with the intention of protection from tribulation; and the third with the intention of being in need only of God and leaving reliance on people. After each time this chapter is read, it is recommended to read the following supplication:

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. O God, O Bestower upon Whom none can bestow, O Possessor of Sublimity and Honor, O Possessor of Might and Favor, there is no deity but You, Who subdues disputers, Who grants protection to those seeking it, Who is the Safe Harbor for the fearful. O God, if You have inscribed me in Your Source Book as someone destined to be miserable and deprived of blessing or straitened in provision, then I beseech You to erase such from the Book, and rather to establish me with Yourself as one destined to be fortunate and to have adequate sustenance and access to wealth; for You have said, and Your word is the Truth, in Your own Book, revealed to Your Messenger and Prophet, “God erases whatever He wishes, or establishes it, and with Him is the Source Book” (Qur’an 13:39). My God! By Your most Sublime Manifestation on this most honored night of mid-Sha’baan, in which every important matter is differentiated and then bound together, remove from my destiny any tribulation, whether I be conscious of it or not, and forgive me that which You are most cognizant of. O God, make me one of Your servants with the greatest good fortune and portion of that which You distribute on this night, of guiding light, or apportioned mercy, or sustenance, or bounty given Your believers. O God! O God! There is no deity but You! O God, give me a devout, pure heart that is free of associating partners with You, neither ungrateful nor miserable—a sound heart that is humble and beseeching. O God, fill my heart with Your Light and the Lights of Your Manifestations, Your Beauty, Perfection and Love, Your Infallibility, Power, and Knowledge. O Most Merciful of the Merciful! And may God, the Exalted, bless our Master Muhammad and his family and companions and grant them peace.

Taken from :Zaytuna Institute & Academy

VS

Firstly:

What is narrated concerning the virtue of praying, fasting and worshipping on the fifteenth of Sha’baan (al-nusf min Sha’baan) does not come under the heading of da’eef (weak), rather it comes under the heading of mawdoo’ (fabricated) and baatil (false). So it is not permissible to follow it or to act upon it, whether that is in doing righteous deeds or otherwise.

A number of scholars ruled that the reports concerning that were false, such as Ibn al-Jawzi in his book al-Mawdoo’aat, 2/440-445; Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah in al-Manaar al-Muneef, no. 174- 177; Abu Shaamah al-Shaafa’i in al-Baa’ith ‘ala Inkaar al-Bida’ wa’l-Hawaadith, 124-137; al-‘Iraaqi in Takhreej Ihyaa’ ‘Uloom il-Deen, no. 582. Shaykh al-Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] narrated that there was consensus on the fact that they are false, in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 28/138.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Hukm al-Ihtifaal bi Laylat al-Nusf min Sha’baan (Ruling on celebrating the fifteenth of Sha’baan):

Celebrating the night of the fifteenth of Sha’baan (Laylat al-Nusf min Sha’baan) by praying etc, or singling out this day for fasting, is a reprehensible bid’ah (innovation) according to the majority of scholars, and there is no basis for this in sharee’ah.

And he (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

There is no saheeh hadeeth concerning the night of the fifteenth of Sha’baan (Laylat al-Nusf min Sha’baan). All the ahaadeeth that have been narrated concerning that are mawdoo’ (fabricated) and da’eef (weak), and have no basis. There is nothing special about this night, and no recitation of Qur’aan or prayer, whether alone or in congregation, is specified for this night. What some of the scholars have said about it being special is a weak opinion. It is not permissible to single it out for any special actions. This is the correct view. And Allah is the Source of strength.

Fataawa Islamiyyah, 4/511.

Secondly:

Even if we assume that the hadeeth is da’eef (weak) and not mawdoo’ (fabricated), the correct scholarly view is that weak ahaadeeth should not be followed at all, even if they speak of righteous deeds or of targheeb and tarheeb (promises and warnings). The saheeh reports are sufficient and the Muslim has no need to follow the da’eef reports. Nothing is known in Islam to suggest that this night or day is special, either from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or from his companions.

The scholar Ahmad Shaakir said: There is no difference between rulings or righteous deeds; we do not take any of them from da’eef reports, rather no one hast he right to use any report as evidence unless it is proven to be soundly narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in a saheeh or hasan hadeeth.

Al-Baa’ith al-Hatheeth, 1/278.

For more information, see: al-Qawl al-Muneef fi Hukm al-‘Aml bi’l-Hadeeth al-Da’eef.

And Allah knows best.

Taken from: Islam Question and Answer

Did you do anything out of the ordinary today because it is the 15th of Shaaban?

Redefined.

So today I stepped out of the house without eyeliner or lipgloss. No perfume either.

You see, I thought wearing abaya would make me stronger in my faith but then there were all these little things that were holding me back (well, I didn't really figure this out on my own. a little bird educated me).

Some of you might think that light makeup is OK, which is what I used to think/still think (?). But if I was being honest to myself, I will admit that I put on eyeliner to look nice. I don't stink either but I just like how my perfume smells.

A girl friend (note the space) used to comment on how lovely I smelled and imagine what the boys with their raging hormones might think. This very same girl friend is the one who goes and blabs my secrets out loud and how I regret trusting her with these details. She might point out a good looking male to me and I might agree. After that, she starts referring to him as if he is my crush which is obviously a lie. Embarrassing. i am keeping my mouth shut around that girl.

I'm working on the little things, InshaAllah...like oh SOCKS :D


OH, maghrib. bye i need to break my fast.

Sick Sundays

Fever, Cough, Headache, Nauseous --> Ultimate combo

I feel sick..the lady who took my temperature at the masjid almost didn't let me in because of the H1N1 flu going around. However, she changed her mind because my temperature dropped by 0.6degree Celsius when she took it a second time.

I almost wished she had refused me entry because I had to sit through 3 hours of activities that shouldn't be held in a masjid.

Also, when I walked into the masjid, all the ladies looked me up, down and around (lol). Checking out my dress (brandless), my jeans (Target, yo), toe socks, hijab and absence of bling.


Oh, and another weird thing. They had the ladies sitting infront. I mean, forget about all that equality/feminist thing... I actually prefer sitting behind the men.

Ok, here's a brain teaser...

In a crowded room, where can everyone else sit that you can't?

Love and such.

In fact, Islam encourages us to marry persons for whom we have special feelings and affinity. Thus, Islam recommends that potential marriage partners see one another before proposing marriage. Explaining the reason for such a recommendation, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “That would enhance/foster the bonding.”

This permission notwithstanding, we are advised against getting carried away by merely the outward appearances of a person; these may be quite misleading. Marriage is a life-long partnership and a person’s real worth is determined not by his or her physical looks, but more so by the inner person or character. Hence, after having mentioned that people ordinarily look for beauty, wealth and family in a marriage partner, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised us to consider primarily “the religious or character factor” over and above all other considerations."

Taken from: IslamOnline.Net

Laila & Majnun: Aussie style (a true story, not involving me *heh)

Laila was a pretty girl who just graduated from Uni. Shy as she was, she left it to her mother to find her a husband. Her mother had a few good friends with sons who were looking for wives. One of them was Aziz (ie. majnun because you'll see how crazy he is). Aziz was drop dead gorgeous and a true gentleman. He had finally outlived his wild teenage ways and was ready to settle down and start a family. Over the years, he grew a beard, started going to the mosque regularly and was earning a good income with his master's degree in engineering. Laila's mother and Aziz's mother met several times to discuss their potential match.

Aziz's mother told him about Laila and Aziz asked for a photo of her. This request was then related to Laila's mother who found a picture of Laila and passed it to Aziz's mother.
When Aziz saw the photo of Laila, he was amazed to see how beautiful she was. He then requested for another photo of Laila and this time, without a headscarf on.

You would assume that Aziz's mother would have told him that this request was impossible to fulfil but NO, she passed the request to Laila's mother.

You would then assume that Laila's mother would have told Aziz's mother that this request was impossible to fulfil but NO, she passed the request to Laila.

Laila baulked upon hearing the request. She was shocked and upset. She immediately told her mother that all bets were off and that she would not marry Aziz at ANY rate. Her mother kept trying to persuade her but Laila stood her ground and Aziz...well he missed out on marrying a great girl.

Aziz didn't understand WHY Laila was so upset because he was ready to marry her, all he wanted was to see her without hijab. Laila was so upset because she felt that all Aziz cared about was how her hair looked. Aziz said that in Islam, it was allowed for him to see his future bride. But what -I- learnt is that a man is only allowed to see a girl's face and her palms before wedding (correct me if I'm wrong!)

Seriously, hair is just hair. If Aziz found out that Laila had straight hair on their wedding night and he preferred curly hair instead, she could go to the salon the very next day to get her hair permed. If he liked it straight, she could get her hair to be straight in about 2 hours.

And, what about Love?
Is falling in love wrong? I have read up on this and it seems that love is just a feeling. A feeling of affinity or attraction towards someone. A feeling cannot be wrong and thus, it's not wrong to fall in love. It's how you handle the love that matters.
I also read that some people have a view that marriage should occur between 2 people who have very little affection for each other, so that the love can grow while they are married, strengthening the bond between 2 individuals.
But, I have also seen with my very own eyes, marriages that were arranged and started out loveless also ending in a loveless bitter divorce.
I don't know about you but I want to marry a man whom I know I love and can continue to love for the rest of my life.

What about you? If you are already married, was it an arranged marriage or were you in love before you got married?
If you aren't married, would you choose an arranged marriage or marry someone you've fallen in love with?

Hadeeth

Abu Hurayah (RA) said: "I heard the Prophet (SAW) say: The first person to be judged on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who was martyred. He will be brought forth and Allah will remind him of His blessings and he will recognize them.
Then he will be asked, 'What did you do with them?'.
He will say 'I fought for Your sake until I was martyred.'
Allah will say 'You have lied. You only fought so that people would say ,'He is courageous and brave,' and they did say it.'
Then He will order that he be dragged on his face and thrown into the Fire.

Then there will be a man who studied much and taught others and recited the Quran. He will be brought forth and Allah will remind of His blessings and he will recognize them.
Then he will be asked, 'What did you do with them?'
He will say 'I studied much and taught others and recited the Quran for Your sake.'
Allah will say 'You have lied. You studied so that people would say 'He is a great scholar,' and you recited the Quran so that they would say 'He is a qaari,' and they did say it.'
Then He will order that he be dragged on his face and thrown into the Fire.

Then there will be a man to whom Allah gave all types of wealth in abundance. He will be brought forth and Allah will remind him of His blessings and he will recognize them.
Then he will be asked, 'What did you do with them?'
He will say 'I have never seen any way in which You would like money to be spent for Your sake without spending it.'
Allah will say 'You have lied. You did that so people would say 'He is generous' and they did say it.'
Then He will order that he be dragged on his face and thrown into the Fire. "


'O you who believe! Cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury- like those who spend their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in Allah nor the Last Day. They are in parable like a hard barren rock on which is a little soil, on it falls heavy rain which leave it a bare rock. They will able to do nothing with aught they have earned. And Allah guides not those who reject faith.' Quran 2: 264

To remind someone of the charity you have given him cancels out the reward of the charity just like pouring water washes away any trace of soil on the rock. A reminder to avoid boasting and to always serve Allah alone, and not do things for the sake of others or to be seen by others

Foto Friday

I shall expand Foto Friday. It will no longer be limited to photographs but also situational snapshots of my Fridays.

Today, I talked to a friend about Khutbah during Jummah. He insists that it should be done in Arabic, as this was the way it was done during the Prophet's (SAW) time. He sent me this link: http://books.themajlis.net/node/45

I asked several others about their opinions and basically, there are more people who believe that it is not a MUST to do it in Arabic because it would be pointless if noone in the masjid understood a word that was being said.

What language is your Jummah Khutbah delivered in?

Do you feel that having the khutbah in Arabic is a must/ provide both Arabic & native language/ any language is OKAY?

Moderate Mainstream Muslims

Are you an MMM?

Here's a checklist to help you decide if you're an MMM:

1) You don't pray 5 times a day.

2) You eat anywhere, as long as it's not pork.

3) You have an 'English' name.

4) You are a social drinker.

5) You enjoy clubbing on the weekends.

6) Girls: The school uniform is a blouse and skirt. You make sure your skirt is at least 5 inches above your knee. Guys: Tight shirts, shorts and a bottle of cologne.

7) You don't fast during Ramadan. You're not ready for it yet. But you celebrate Eid like everyone else.

8) Every Friday, you leave office early. As the others head to masjids for Jummah, you go for lunch.

9) You believe in Darwin's Theory of Evolution.

10) You skip Tarawih to head to the nightly Ramadan Bazaar.

11) You skip Eid prayers to get ready and look nice in your Eid clothes.

12) Before you are married, you take wedding pictures with your spouse. You think it's ok to take hijab off and pose with your cheek touching his.

13) You think anyone mentioning 'Free Palestine' is a radical Muslim.

14) The only time you ever entered a Masjid was during a school trip.

15) You like being called a Moderate Muslim.


BULL I TELL YA.
Is there such a thing as being a 'moderate muslim'? I'm sick of that term being used. Ya, compromise your religion so you can be MAINSTREAM. The government wants to reduce religious tension and coins up this derogatory term, encouraging muslims to take their religiousness down a notch so that it won't scare the non muslims. Give me a break. What a shame when I hear Muslims with political power spouting the same phrase. Ah, the things you do for power and cold hard cash.

A muslim who practices his Deen faithfully is NOT a radical Muslim. He is a GOOD muslim. A moderate mainstream muslim is just someone who wants to fit in among the non muslims.

This is My Hijab

(@ Saafir's suggestion. A good reminder for me and everyone else. It says "Let's embrace hijab"....yeah, boys, you too :D navel to knee okay?)