These are some of the versions of the Tashahhud which are narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

1 – Ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught me the Tashahhud, holding my hand between his hands, just as he would teach me a Soorah from the Qur’aan:

‘At-tahiyyaatu Lillaahi wa’s-salawaatu wa’t-tayyibaat, as-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuha’n-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allaahi wa barakaatuhu. As-salaamu ‘alayna wa ‘alaa ‘ibaad-Illaah is-saaliheen. Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhu'

(All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allaah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings. Peace be upon us, and on the righteous slaves of Allaah. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger).’

This was whilst he was among us, but after he was taken, we would say[b] ‘as-salaam ‘ala’n-Nabi [/b] (peace be upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)).’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, al-Isti’dhaan, 6265)

This is the soundest version of the wording of the Tashahhud according to the scholars. This should be said in the first Tashahhud, and in the second Tashahhud there should be added to it al-Salaah ‘ala’n-Nabi (sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)). Ibn al-Qayyim said: “It is prescribed for his ummah to send blessings upon him in the last Tashahhud.” (al-Salaah wa Hukm Taarikihaa, 1/284)

2 – The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Say: ‘Allaahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin kamaa salayta ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, wa baarik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin kamaa baarakta ‘ala aali Ibraaheem fi’l-‘aalameen innaka Hameedun Majeed

Meaning: (O Allaah, send prayer upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon the family of Ibraaheem. And send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibraaheem among the nations; You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory)’ – and the salaam is as you know.” (Narrated by Muslim, al-Salaah, 405)

According to Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid the Sunnah is to make du’aa’ (supplication) after the Tashahhud and before the tasleem (salaams).

Future of the Ummah

According to a report issued by The International Center for Population Studies, an affiliate of Al-Azhar University of Cairo, Egypt: Muslims are 23 per cent of the earth's population. Contrary to popular belief, there are over 170 million Muslims in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country. There are over 70 million Muslims in China and over 54 million in the former Soviet States. The majority of Muslims, the study said are youth and children. Children below five years old represent 43 per cent of the Muslim world! By the year 2020 CE, our population will be expected to reach 2.5 billion, Insha Allah. In Canada, startling statistical data has been released. One in three children born in Canadian hospitals today is from a Muslim family! What does this mean to us?

The future is bright for Muslims if we make the right choices today. We are blessed with amazing riches in the Muslim world. Over 40 per cent of the mineral wealth of the planet lies under Muslim countries. We have thousands of doctors, engineers, scientists and intellectuals. We spend billions in technology, especially for the military. But we still are humiliated and destroyed. We cannot wake up in the morning and forget Kashmir, Palestine, Bosnia, Chechnya, Algeria, Sudan, Kurdistan, Somalia and other parts of our Ummah. Almighty Allah has revealed at the end of Surah al-Hashr: O you who believe, have the consciousness of Allah and let every soul look to what it has put forward for tomorrow and fear Allah. Surely Allah is well aware of all that you do. And be not as those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves. Surely they are wrongdoers.

Nisayn (forgetfulness) is a state of mind. When the person forgets Allah, they are in a dangerous position. The path of Islam is clear, but who will take hold of Islam? Who will stand up and be true, sincere Muslims? Allah has also revealed in Surah Al-Balad: Did I not make for Man two eyes, a tongue and two lips? And did I not guide him to two Paths?

Tribalism will lead us to destruction. Divisions based on color, organization, schools of Islamic jurisprudence, will decimate our ranks. We need a new Islamic World order. People who put the Qur'an and the Sunnah above all things. We need people who do not see color or focus on language, do not scandalize other believers and struggle with each other for power, who are part of our society, but not controlled by un-Islamic culture, who do not resort to Unbelievers to judge between them in their courts, people who are not afraid to speak openly but do not attack individuals without just cause.

If we do not change our ways and return to the path of Islam, Allah has made a promise: In Surah al-Ma`idah, verse 54, He says: O you who believe. If any from among you turn back from his religion, soon Allah will produce a people whom He will love and they will love Him. They will be humble with the Believers and mighty against the Unbelievers. They will struggle in the path of Allah and not be afraid of the blame of those who find fault. That is grace of Allah which He gives to whom He pleases and Allah encompasses all and has knowledge of all things.

We ask Allah to forgive us all from every sin. Lets turn to Allah in repentance for surely He is the Oft Forgiving and the Most Merciful.

Islam in-sha-Allah dominate the wholly world as it was promised by Allah s.w.t,even if the unbelievers likes it or not.

10 Steps to Increasing our Iman(Faith)

The Prophet Muhammad (S) said: "Faith wears out in the heart of any one of you just as clothes wear out, so ask Allah to renew the faith in your hearts” (Mustadrak al-Haakim).

Our Iman is not always as sound and strong as we want it to be as it often fluctuates according to life circumstances. There are several causes for weakening Iman such as deficiencies in our prayers or the insinuating whispers from the Shaytan. Regardless of the cause, it is crucial for all of us to keep a check on our Iman and if we feel it is faltering in any way then we should take measures to restore it. It is our responsibility to know which things decrease our Iman and how to avoid them and those that increase our Iman and how to embrace them.

What are signs of a weak imaan?

Signs of weak imaan:


• Committing sins and not feeling any guilt.
• Having a hard heart and no desire to read the Quran.
• Feeling too lazy to do good deeds, e.g. being late for salat
• Neglecting the Sunnah.
• Having mood swings, for instance being upset about petty things and bothered and irritated most of the time.
• Not feeling anything when hearing verses from the Quran, for example when Allah warns us of punishments and His promise of glad tidings.
• Finding difficulty in remembering Allah and making dhikr.
• Not feeling bad when things are done against the Shariah.
• Desiring status and wealth.
• Being mean and miserly, i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.
• Ordering others to do good deeds when not practising them ourselves.
• Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others.
• Being concerned with whether something is haram or halal only; and not avoiding makroo (not recommended) things.
• Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the mosque.
• Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims.
• Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote Islam.
• Being unable to deal with calamities, for instance crying and yelling in funerals.
• Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.
• Becoming engrossed and very involved with dunya, worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.
• Becoming engrossed and obsessive about ourselves.

Here are 10 ways that we can brighten up our Iman starting from today!

1. Recognise and Repent

As humans we all commit sins no matter how hard we try to avoid them because were created to be imperfect. Engaging in evil deeds decreases our Iman. Actions like lying, cheating and stealing, to name only a few, take a toll on the human heart and soul which makes us more susceptible to being lead astray from the Path of Allah. It is important for us to reflect upon our deeds and weed out the ones that are contrary to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (S). Allah has gifted us with an innate sense of justice and the ability to reason and make sound judgements. Our fitrah (natural disposition) necessitates that we all know when we are committing a sin. And if we don't know, we certainly have a bevy of resources to find out from!

• Conditions for the acceptance of repentance

The word tauba which is rendered as repentance in English, is not a simple term as most people believe. It is very rich in meaning and implication, and is not simply a word of mouth after which the sinner continues in his sins. Says Allah, Glorified be He: "Seek forgiveness of your Lord and then turn to Him in repentance." (Hud: 3). Do you notice how turning to the Lord in repentance has been added to the search for His forgiveness?

It is quite in keeping with its importance, therefore, that repentance should have, as the scholars have stated, conditions attached to it for its acceptance.

They are as follows:

• First: Giving up of the sin itself.
• Second: Remorse over what has been committed.
• Third: A resolve not to repeat it, and, Fourth: Compensating those who have been wronged or obtaining their forgiveness.

2. Perform Salah Regularly

Completing the five daily prayers, on time and according to the Sunnah, is an excellent way to increase our Iman. Not only are we performing an obligatory deed when praying, but by doing so we have a standing audience with the Creator of this world where we can ask for help and mercy. The effect of the salah on the human soul is cooling as Muhammad (S) once said that it cooled his eyes. The salah connects us with our Creator and, along with obedience to Allah, helps us to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an:

"The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses -this Qur’an- are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone); Who perform salah and spend out of that We have provided them. It is they who are the believers in truth. For them are grades of dignity with their Lord, and Forgiveness and a generous provision (Paradise)” (Al-Anfal: 2-4).

Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah (RAA) Rasulullah (SAW) said: The similitude of five prayers is like an overflowing river passing by the gate of one of you in which he washes five times daily. Hasan said: No filthiness can remain on him. (Sahih Muslim Book 4, Hadith # 1411)

Narrated Abu Hurairah (RAA) Rasualullah (SAW) said, "Martyrs are those who die because of drowning, plague, an abdominal disease, or of being buried alive by a falling building." And then he added, "If the people knew the Reward for the Zuhr prayer in its early time, they would race for it. If they knew the reward for the 'Isha' and the Fajr prayers in congregation, they would join them even if they had to crawl. If they knew the reward for the first row, they would draw lots for it." (Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 11, Hadith # 688)

For the people who don’t pray:

Informing us about the inhabitants of Hell, Allaah (SWT) says "(The people in Hell will be asked What has caused you to enter Hell? They will say: "We were not of those who used to offer their Salât (prayers). Nor did we feed the poor. And we used to talk falsehood (all that which Allaah hated) with vain-talkers. And we used to belie thc Day of Recompense. Until there came to us that which is certain (i.e., death). So no Intercession of intercessors will benefit them. (Sura Al-Muddaththir, ayah 42-48)

Rasulullah (SAW) said "The covenant between us and them is prayer, so if anyone abandons it he has become a disbeliever." (Agreed upon by Ahmad, Tirmidhee and Nasaa'ee to be authentic)

In an other Hadith of Rasulullah (SAW) said "What lies between a man and disbelief is the abandonment of prayer."( Agreed upon by Muslim, Abu Dawood and Nasaa'ee as sahih authentic)

The Lessons from Death

Life slips away second by second. Are you aware that every day brings you closer to death or that death is as close to you as it is to other people?

Think of a baby who has just opened its eyes to the world and a man who is about to take in his last breath. Neither had influence on their birth or death whatsoever. Only God possesses the power to inspire the breath of life or to take it away.

All human beings will live until a certain day and then die. In the Qur'an, God gives an account of the attitude commonly shown towards death in the following verse.

Say “The Death from which ye flee will truly overtake you: then ye will be sent back to the knower of things secret and open: and He will tell you (the truth of) the things ye did” (Al-Jumu`ah 62:

The majority of people avoid thinking about death. In the rapid flow of daily events, people usually occupy themselves with totally different subjects: what institution to enroll in, which company to work for, what color of clothing to wear next morning, what to cook for supper, etc. These are the kinds of major issues that we usually consider. Life is perceived as a routine process of such minor matters. Attempts to talk about death are always interrupted by those who do not feel comfortable hearing about it. Assuming death will come only when people grow older, they do not want to concern themselves with such an unpleasant subject. Yet it should be kept in mind that living for even one further hour is never guaranteed. Everyday, people witness the deaths of other people around them but think little about the day when others will witness their own death. People never suppose that such an end is awaiting them!

Nevertheless, when death comes to man, all the "realities" of life suddenly vanish. No reminder of the "good old days" endures in this world. Think of everything that you are able to do right now: You can blink your eyes, move your body, speak, laugh; all these are functions of your body. Now think about the state and shape your body will assume after your death.

From the moment you breathe for the last time, you will become nothing but a "heap of flesh". Your body, silent and motionless, will be carried to the morgue. There, it will be washed for the last time. Wrapped in a shroud, your corpse will be carried in a coffin to the graveyard. Once your remains are in the grave, soil will cover you. This is the end of your story. From now on, you are simply one of the names represented in the graveyard by a marble stone.

During the first months or years, your grave will be visited frequently. As time passes, fewer people will come. Decades later, there will be no one.

Meanwhile, your immediate family members will experience a different aspect of your death. At home, your room and bed will be empty. After the funeral, little of what belongs to you will be kept at home: Most of your clothes, shoes, etc, will be given to those who need them. Your file at the public registration office will be deleted or archived. During the first years, some will mourn you. Yet, time will work against the memories you left behind. Four or five decades later, there will remain only a few who remember you. Before long, new generations will come and none of your generation will exist any longer on earth. Whether you are remembered or not will be worthless to you.

While all this is taking place in the world, the corpse under the soil will go through a rapid process of decay. Soon after you are placed in the grave, the bacteria and insects proliferating in the corpse due to the absence of oxygen will start to function. The gasses released from these organisms will inflate the body, starting from the abdomen, altering its shape and appearance. Bloody froth will pop out the mouth and nose due to the pressure of gasses on the diaphragm. As corruption proceeds, body hair, nails, soles, and palms will fall off. Accompanying this outer alteration in the body, internal organs such as the lungs, heart, and liver will also decay. In the meantime, the most horrible scene takes place in the abdomen, where the skin can no longer bear the pressure of gasses and suddenly bursts, spreading an unendurably disgusting smell. Starting from the skull, muscles will detach from their particular places. Skin and soft tissues will completely disintegrate. The brain will decay and start looking like clay. This process will go on until the whole body is reduced to a skeleton.

There is no chance of going back to the old life again. Gathering around the supper table with family members, socializing, or having an honorable job will never again be possible.

In short, the "heap of flesh and bones" to which we assign an identity faces a quite nasty end. On the other hand, you — or rather, your soul — will leave this body as soon as you breathe your last. The remainder of you — your body — will become part of the soil.

Yes, but what is the reason for all these things happening?

If God willed, the body would never have decayed in such a way. That it does so actually carries a very important inner message in itself.

The tremendous end awaiting man should make him acknowledge that he is not a body himself, but a soul "encased" within a body. In other words, man has to acknowledge that he has an existence beyond his body. Furthermore, man should understand the death of his body which he tries to possess as if he is to remain eternally in this temporal world. However, this body, which he deems so important, will decay and become worm-eaten one day and finally be reduced to a skeleton. That day might be very soon.

Despite all these facts, people's mental process is inclined to disregard what they do not like or want. They are even inclined to deny the existence of things they avoid confronting. This tendency seems to be most apparent when death is the issue. Only a funeral or the sudden death of an immediate family member brings this reality to mind. Almost all of us see death far from ourselves. The assumption is that those who die while sleeping or in an accident are different people and what they face will never befall us! Everybody thinks it is too early to die and that there are always years ahead to live.

Yet most probably, people who die on the way to school or hurrying to attend a business meeting shared the same thought. They probably never thought that the next day's newspapers would publish news of their deaths. It is entirely possible that, as you read these lines, you still do not expect to die soon after you have finished them or even entertain the possibility that it might happen. Probably you feel that it is too early to die because there are many things to accomplish. However, this is just an avoidance of death and these are only vain endeavors to escape it:

[Say: "Running away will not profit you if you are running away from death or slaughter; and even if (you do escape), no more than a brief (respite) will you be allowed to enjoy!] (Al-Ahzab 33:16)

Man who is created alone should be aware that he will also die alone. Yet during his life, he lives almost addicted to possessions. His sole purpose in life becomes to possess more. Yet, people cannot take their goods with them to the grave. The body is buried, wrapped in a shroud made from the cheapest of fabrics. The body comes into this world alone and departs from it in the same way. The only asset people can take with them when they die is their belief or disbelief.

My brothers and sisters in the deen, lets ponder on this and think of what we sent forth for our tomorrow. May Allah in His infinite mercies let us live and die as Muslims

@Chacular,Thanks brother, may Allah(swt)reward you

Sister 2days

Sister 2days hope you fine.

Sister 2days hope you are fine.

An Excellent Hadith

Khalid ibn al Wald (Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu) narrated the following hadith:

A Bedouin came one day to the Holy Prophet (sallallahu 'alahi wasallam) and said to him,

'O, Messenger of Allah! I've come to ask you a few questions about the affairs of this Life and the Hereafter.'

- 'Ask what you wish' said Rasulullah (sallallahu 'alahi wasallam).

Q: I'd like to be the most learned of men.

A: Fear Allah, and you will be the most learned of men.

Q: I wish to be the richest man in the world.

A: Be contented, and you will be the richest man in the world.

Q: I'd like to be the most just man.

A: Desire for others what you desire for yourself, and you will be the most just of men.

Q: I want to be the best of men.

A: Do good to others and you will be the best of men.

Q: I wish to be the most favored by Allah.

A: Engage much in Allah's praise, and you will be most favored by Him.

Q: I'd like to complete my faith.

A: If you have good manners you will complete your faith

Q: I wish to be among those who do good.

A: Adore Allah as if you see Him. If you don 't see Him, He seeth you. In this way you will be among those who do good.

Q: I wish to be obedient to Allah.

A: If you observe Allah's commands you will be obedient.

Q: I'd like to be free from all sins.

A: Bathe yourself from impurities and you will be free from all sins.

Q: I'd like to be raised on the Day of Judgement in the light.

A: Don't wrong yourself or any other creature, and you will be raised on the Day of Judgement in the light.

Q: I'd like Allah to bestow His mercy on me.

A: If you have mercy on yourself and others, Allah will grant you mercy on the Day of Judgement.

Q: I'd like my sins to be very few.

A: If you seek the forgiveness Allah as much as you can, your sins will be very few.

Q: I'd like to be the most honorable man.

A: If you do not complain to any fellow creature, you will be the most honorable of men.

Q: I'd like to be the strongest of men.

A: If you put your trust in Allah, you will be the strongest of men.

Q: I'd like to enlarge my provision.

A: If you keep yourself pure, Allah will enlarge your provision.

Q: I'd like to be loved by Allah and His messenger.

A: If you love what Allah and His messenger love, you will be among their beloved ones.

Q: I wish to be safe from Allah's wrath on the Day of Judgement.

A: If you do not loose your temper with any of your fellow creatures, you will be safe from the wrath of Allah on the Day of Judgement.

Q: I'd like my prayers to be responded.

A: If you avoid forbidden actions, your prayers will he responded.

Q: I'd like Allah not to disgrace me on the Day of Judgement.

A: If you guard your chastity, Allah will not disgrace you on the Day of Judgement.

Q: I'd like Allah to provide me with a protective covering on the Day of Judgement.

A: Do not uncover your fellow creatures faults, and Allah will provide you with a covering protection on the Day of Judgement.

Q: What will save me from sins?

A: Tears, humility and illness.

Q: What are the best deeds in the eyes of Allah?

A: Gentle manners, modesty and patience.

Q: What are the worst evils in the eyes of Allah?

A: Hot temper and miserliness.

Q: What assuages the wrath of Allah in this life and in the Hereafter?

A: Concealed charity and kindness to relatives.

Q: What extinguishes hell's fires on the Day of Judgement?
A: Patience in adversity and misfortunes.

Related by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (Rahmatullah Ta'ala 'alaih)

Increasing One's Faith

Faith is indeed a blessing from Allah and should not be taken for granted. Just as it may increase and become fuller and stronger, it may also weaken and become less and less until it is minimal or non-existent. Hence it becomes very important for a Muslim to take steps not only to preserve his faith but also to increase it.

The uppermost branch of faith is the true, sincere, committed belief in Laa ilaaha illalaah Muhammad Rasoolulaah. Iman has over seventy branches. The lowest or most basic branch is to remove something harmful from the path. Abu Hurairah related that the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “Faith has over seventy branches or over sixty branches, the most excellent of which is the declaration that there is no God but Allah and the humblest of which is the removal of what is injurious from the path; and modesty is a branch of faith” Muslim

Basically, to do everything that Allah (swt) has ordered us to do is a part of faith and to avoid all that He has asked us to avoid is a part of faith. A Muslim level and strength of faith are based upon his attitude and approach when he fulfils this. Then we have given The Book for inheritance to such of our servants as We have chosen. But there are among them some who wrong their own souls, some who follow a middle course, and some who are, by Allah’s leave, foremost in good deeds, that is the highest grace.(Quran 35:32)

Thus, man falls into one of the three following categories:

1 Dhaalim li Nafsihi: This person is self oppressed. He is constantly falling into sin and may be committing various acts of shirk.

2 Al- Muqtasid: he does only the basic obligations and is satisfied with this. He may also indulge in those things that are Makrooh (that which has been discouraged by Allah and His Prophet (saws) but not prohibited.

3 Saabiq bil Khaaraat: This person lives as if he were in a race with others in doing that which is liked by Allah. He does all of the obligatory deeds and not being satisfied with this, he will strive to do more of the nawafil (the optional acts in the sunnah). He will make every attempt to avoid the Makrooh acts in fear of what they may lead them to.

One may ask, is it within the capacity of man to avoid all haram and makrooh and live his life doing only halal, fard and naafil deeds? Yes, it is very possible. Allah, (swt), tells us in the Quran: On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. (Quran 2:286)

O you who believe! Bow down, prostrate yourselves and adore your Lord and do good so that you may prosper. And strive in His cause as you ought to strive; He has chosen you and has placed no difficulties on you in religion. (Quran 22:77-78)

All actions fall into two categories:

1. The obligatory acts which we are asked to avoid or do for the benefit of the individual and society

2. Those other than the obligatory deeds, which guide us to good in this life and which raise our level in the hereafter, placing us among the Saabiq bil Khayraat. Therefore of the first steps to increase is to work harder to do this second category of optional good deeds.

We must look for the doors that lead to good. These doors are many and we often have the opportunity to enter them but don’t realise it.

Kindness to parents and the poor, for example, are entrances to good deeds that are available to most everyone.

And the benefits are two fold:

1. The personal benefit you gain through your deeds; and

2. The benefit that is gained by society when you perform them.

Any door to good that you enter will place you closer to the Saabiq bil Khayraat level of faith. It will help you to attain righteousness and guidance and increase your Iman. Even paradise has doors for the faithful, those who were of the Saabiq bil Khayraat in their life on earth.

Abu Hurairah related that the Messenger (saws) of Allah said: “Those who engage in prayer will be invited to enter by the Gate of Prayer; those who take part in jihad will be invited to enter by the gate of Sadaqah; and those who fast will be invited to enter by the Gate of Ar Rayaan. Abu Bakr said; No distress will rest on him who is invited to enter by those gates, but will any one be invited to enter by those gates, He replied: Yes, and I hope that you may be one. Bukhari and Muslim

Abu Bakr, (ra) was of the Saabiq bil Khayraat. He was never satisfied in doing a little or just one thing. He constantly opened and entered the doors to good and eagerly sought out others.

On one occasion, the Prophet (saws) asked his companions: Who among them had fasted the day before, Abu Bakr replied that he had. He then asked who had visited the sick the previous day; Abu Bakr replied that he did. Then he asked them who had given Sadaqah, and Abu Bakr said that he had. Umar, who always tried to compete with Abu Bakr in doing good deeds, admitted in respect, admiration and humble acknowledgement that he was much less than Abu Bakr.
(Not the exact wording of the hadith)

How does one enter these Iman strengthening doors and thereby step up in levels of faith?

It occurs by possessing those qualities and performing those deeds that constitute the different parts of faith called Shuab Al Eman (shuab meaning parts of faith). In stepping forth, certain approaches must be followed so that ones effort is sincere and upon the path.

Du’a

The first of all deeds is dua - supplication. Due to our absorption in today’s worldly life it is very important that before we perform any deed for Allah we clear our minds of such preoccupations and direct our attention to Him. There are two kinds of dua. - Dua of request for help in this life and the hereafter and dua of worship in which you are actually praising Allah. We should, before setting forth to do any deed, ask Allah to allow us to perform the deed and allow us to perform it well.

A man asked the Prophet, (saws) to teach him a supplication that would embody all supplications. He told him to make the following du’a:

Allahuma aanee alaa dhikrika wa shukrikah wa husn ibaadatik. Abu Dawood and An Nasai

O Allah, help me to remember You often, and to thank You often, and to perfect my worship of You.

Shahadah

The highest branch of faith - Laa ilaaha illallah - must be fully developed within ones life. The understanding of its deep implications will have a tremendous effect in ones level of faith. As well, the one who says it sincerely in his heart will be admitted into paradise.

Muadth bin Jabal asked the Prophet (saws): O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an act which will take me into paradise and will keep me away from Hellfire. He said: You have asked me about a major matter, yet it is easy for him whom Allah Almighty makes it easy for. You should worship Allah, associating nothing with Him; you should perform the prayers; you should pay the Zakah; you should fast Ramadan; and you should make the pilgrimage to the House. Then he said: Shall I not show you the gates of goodness? Fasting (which) is a shield; charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire; and the praying of a man in the depths of the night. Then he recited:

Who forsake their beds to cry unto their Lord in fear and hope and spend out of what We have bestowed on them. No soul Knoweth what is kept hid for them of joy, as a reward for what they used to do. (Quran 16:32)

Then he said: Shall I not tell you of the peak of the matter, its pillar and its topmost part? I said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. The peak is Islam; the pillar is prayer; and its top most part is jihad.
Al Tirmidhi in An Nawawi 40 Hadeeth

Salah

The quality of the faithful is that they perform Salah with regularity, humility, and submissiveness (khushoo). Allah tells us in the first verses of surat Al Muminoon:

Successful indeed are the believers; those who humble themselves in their prayers. (Quran 23:1-2)

The Prophet, (saws) said: There are five prayers which Allah has prescribed for His servants. For those who perform them properly without disrespectful omissions, there is a guarantee that Allah will admit them into paradise. To those who do not observe them (properly), Allah offers no such guarantee. He may punish them or he may admit them to paradise as He wills. Abu Dawud, An Nasai and Ibn Majaah

Two members of my community may perform the prayer in such a way that their bowing and their prostration are as one, yet their prayers may be as far apart as heaven and earth. Al Haarith

Though a man performs the entire prayer, he may get no credit but for a half of it, or a third of it, or a quarter, a fifth, a sixth, or a tenth. A man gets credit only for that part of his prayer of which he is conscious. Ahmad

If you were to prepare to visit a dignitary, a king or even your supervisor, you prepare yourself for such a meeting with great concern for every detail, being completely absorbed in this encounter. So what of your encounter with Allah during prayer? Shaytan will try as hard as he can to distract you. He will take away from you as much as he is able to and as much as you allow him to.

A Muslim should always approach Salah with the realization that he is preparing to face His Lord. The Prophet, (saws) said: “Verily Allah faces his servant in prayer as long as he does not turn away.” Tirmidhi

It is not possible that a Muslim who observes prayer correctly could stand before his Lord without asking forgiveness for the sins he has committed.

If you develop khushoo in your prayer, you cannot consist in committing sins, because the effort of your prayer makes you aware and ashamed of your misdeeds.

For Example: If you are backbiting, your prayer will make you conscious of your deed. Your level of consciousness will be elevated and your faith will increase. This will make you less likely to fall into major sin.

Fasting

When Muslim fasts he does so not only, through abstaining from food and drink, but also shuns bad deeds, false words, etc.

The Prophet (saws) said: “Whoever does not give up false words and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink.” Bukhari

Fasting also presents many benefits other than simply fulfilling the commandments of Allah, and being rewarded for it. If you are prone to, incline, or fall into sin fasting will lessen your evil inclination. For Example: A man who is unable to marry is recommended to fast, this will lessen his desires. We also know from the hadith, The devils are chained during Ramadan that during fasting, man is not as easily influenced by them. This you can see in your own personal change of religious consciousness when you fast during Ramadan.

For the one who fasts properly, gaining the full benefit, it is an exercise and training for the whole year. You gain a kind of power and change which you carry through the whole year. But you should not stop once Ramadan ends. Make fasting a habit, at least occasionally.

The Prophet (saws) consistently fasted at least three days a month. By fasting periodically, you retrieve some of the spiritual uplifting that Ramadan brings throughout the year. This is a very strong faith strengthening tool that all can apply.

Sadaqah

Here we are referring to the charity you give voluntarily, not the obligatory Zakat. It is the voluntary sadaqah that strengthens faith, the more you do, the more you erase your bad deeds. Sadaqah is not only monetary. There are many deeds that are considered sadaqah. If someone wishes to give sadaqah, and you assist in its delivery, for example, you are rewarded for giving sadaqah yourself.

Ayesha (ra) related that the Prophet (saws) informed them as to who would follow him in death saying:

The one who has the longest hands amongst you would meet me most immediately. (Muslim)

She further said:

The Prophets wives used to measure their hands as to who was the biggest. It was the hand of Zainab that was the longest amongst them, as she used to work with her hands and spend that income in charity. (Muslim)

It was Zainab bin Jahsh whose long hand reached out to the poor so often, not with money but food and other things that she had to give, she was the first of his wives to die after him.

The Prophet (saws) said: “Every Muslim has to give sadaqah.” He was asked If someone has nothing to give, what should he do? He said He should work with his hands and benefit himself, and also give in charity (from what he earns).

The people then asked: If he cannot find even that? He replied. Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds and this will be regarded as charitable deeds. (Bukhari and Muslim)

He also said: “None of you women should consider even a sheep’s trotter to insignificant a gift to give to her neighbor.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Muaadh bin Jabal related from the Prophet (saws): Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire. (Ahmad, Al-Tirmidi and Ibn Maajah)

The Prophet (saws) said: “The believers shade on the day of resurrection will be his sadaqah.” (Ahmad)

O Allah! let me love You as You deserved to be loved, and let me fear You as You deserve to be feared, and let me leave this world serving Your creation for Your sake! "O Allah! let my heart have light, and my sight have light, and my hearing (senses) have light, and let me have light on my right, and let me have light on my left, and let me have light above me, and have light under me, and have light in front of me, and have light behind me; and let me have light." (Bukhari, vol. 8. pp. 221, #329)

Easy Good Deeds

Taking the Revolution into Everyday

1. Think of Allah before you take any action. Make duah before everything- sleeping, eating, studying, driving,

2. Read the Qur'an in Arabic and the meaning every day- take the time out of your busy schedule to listen to the words Allah.

3. Become a serious student of this Deen. Try to make it to the next Islamic class, dawah college or meeting.

4. Evaluate yourself daily before going bed. Thank Allah for good deeds, repent to Him for your mistakes and sins.

5. Avoid looking at unlawful pictures, whether they be from television, magazines, or otherwise.

6. Study the history of Islam. Learn of the great scholars and warriors who died with Allah on their lips and Islam in their hearts. Strive to emulate them.

7. Spend some time listening to recitation of the Quran. Find reciters that you like, try Abu Bakr ash-Shaatri, al-Ghamdi, as-Sudais, al-Minshawi, As-shuraim, Abdul Basit etc.

8. Encourage your non-practicing friends to come to Islamic events.

9. Hang out with other Muslims.

10. Talk to your non-Muslim friends about Islam. Have you taken the time to explain the basics to them?

11. Go to at least one convention/conference/camp a year.

12. Perform the sunnah and nawafil salahs as much as possible. Find time to pray extras, such as Salatud-Duhaa, Qiyaamul-layl, and Tahajjud.

13. Subscribe to a Muslim magazine.

14. Buy Islamic gear instead of the latest Tommy Hil, CK, Nike, or Adidas,

15. Take the time to understand what's going on in the Muslim world today. Do your part to get involved and help relief organizations.

16. Try to fast Mondays and Thursdays as of today.

17. Lower your gaze.

18. Start reading Qur'an after Salat-ul Fajr.

19. Go to bed early so that you can wake up far Salat-ul Fajr.

20. Keep yourself in a state of wudu' most of the time.

21. Really listen to speakers. Take their advice to heart, commit yourself to change.

22. Give yourself time alone, so that you can think about your life, your deeds, and make dhikr.

23. Start giving sadaqah daily, no matter how little. Make it a habit like eating and drinking.

24. Spend more time reading Islamic books, especially the Seerah, Hadeeth, and Fiqh.

25. Associate with knowledgeable people, hafidh, qari', and other ulama. You might learn something.

26. Try to learn how to make dawah to non-muslims. It is an art requiring knowledge and diplomacy.

27. Watch as little television as possible. Seriously.

28. Go to the masjid.

29. Don't criticize if you dislike something- do your part to change it.

30. Stand up for right, forbid evil. Just say no to gheebah.

31. Avoid eating too much. Do not eat unless you are hungry and try not to fill your stomach

32. If you like to listen to music, replace them with nasheed, music with Islamic lyrics or with Quranic recitation. (Some examples: Whisper of Peace, Prayers of the Last Prophet etc)

33. Buy Islamic videos, tapes, posters, books, clothes, support your Muslims brothers and sisters and make Islam a part of every aspect of your life.

34. If you meet any new Muslims, buddy up with them and make them feel like a part of your community.

35. Break out of your clique.

36. Keep three extra Qur'an translations and some literature in your home at all times. You never know when you'll find someone interested who wants to know more.

BE BRAVE

PREPARE FOR STRUGGLE

PERSEVERE

HAVE CERTAINTY THAT ISLAM WILL BE VICTORIOUS

Fear Allah wherever you are in all times and all places. Stand up for Islam no matter who likes it or dislikes it. Dedicate yourself to changing this world. Go against the grain. The world needs you. You are the best community raised up for mankind.

DEEDS WITH RECURRING BENEFITS

The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said,

"When a man dies, his deeds come to an end, except for three: A continuous charity, knowledge by which people derive benefit, pious son[child] who prays for him.''

[Hadith –Muslim]

Commentary: The three things are indeed man's own good deeds which somehow continue to exist even after his death. For example, places like a hospital, a mosque, a religious school and a water-well etc built by a person continue to provide recurring benefits and rewards even after a person leaves this world. So long as they exist and people benefit from them, the deceased person will keep receiving his due reward. Also the deceased will obtain reward for whatever good he thought people and knowledge that he imparted and people continue to practise on it. A pious child is a tremendous asset. Whatever good the child does will weigh in the scales of the parents good deeds when the parents meet Allah.

Jazakallah Khairan

FIVE RIGHTS OF A MUSLIM

The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said,

"Every Muslim has five rights over another Muslim (i.e., he has to perform five duties for another Muslim): to return the greetings, to visit the sick, to accompany funeral processions, to accept an invitation, to respond to the sneezer [i.e., to say: `Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah bestow His Mercy on you),' when the sneezer praises Allah].'' [Hadith:Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

SINCERITY

Sincerity is the freeing of one's intentions from all impurities in order to come nearer to Allah. It is to ensure that the intentions behind all acts of worship and obedience to Allah are exclusively for His pleasure. It is the perpetual contemplation of the Creator, to the extent that one forgets the creation.

Sincerity is a condition for Allah's acceptance of good deeds performed in accordance with the sunnah of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Allah has commanded this in the Qur'an:

"And they have been commanded to worship only Allah, being sincere towards Him in their deen and true. (98:5)"

Abu Umama has related that a man once came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, "What of a man who joined us in the fighting, his intention being for fame and booty?" The Prophet said, "He receives nothing." The man repeated the question three times and each time the Prophet said, "He receives nothing". Then he said, "Allah only accepts actions that are intended purely for His pleasure."

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri related that the Prophet (saw) said in his khutba during the farewell pilgrimage, "Allah will bless whoever hears these words and whoever understands them, for it may be that those who pass on this knowledge are not those who will understand it the best. There are three things concerning which the heart of a believer should feel no enmity or malice: devoting one's actions to Allah, giving counsel to the Imams of the Muslims, and being loyal to the majority."

What is meant here is that these three things strengthen the heart, and whoever distinguishes himself in them will have a heart purified from all manner of deceit, corruption and evil.

A servant can only free himself from shaytan through sincere devotion, for Allah tells us in the Quran that Iblis said to Him:

"Except those of Your servants who are sincere. (38:83)"

It has been related that a rigtheous man used to say, "O self, be devout and you will be pure." When any wordly fortune, in which the self finds comfort and towards which the heart inclines, intrudes upon our worship, then it impairs the purity of our efforts and ruins our sincerity. Man is preoccupied with his good fortune and immersed in his desires and appetites; rarely are his actions or acts of worship free of temporary objectives and desires of this kind. For this reason it has been said that whoever secures a single moment of pure devotion to Allah in his life will survive, for devotion is rare and precious, and cleansing the heart of its impurities is an exacting undertaking.

In fact, devotion is the purifying of the heart from all impurities, whether few or many, so that the intention of drawing nearer to Allah is freed from all other motives, except that of seeking His pleasure. This can only come from a lover of Allah, who is so absorbed in contemplation of the next world that there remains in his heart no place for the love of this world. Such a person must be devote and pure in all his actions, even in eating, drinking and answering the calls of nature. With rare exceptions, anyone who is not like this will find the door of devotion closed in his face.

The everyday actions of a person who is overwhelmed by his or her love for Allah and the akhira are characterised by his love and they are, in fact, pure devotion.

In the same way, anyone whose soul is overwhelmed by love for and preoccupation with this world, or status and authority, will be so overwhelmed by these things that no act of worship, be it prayer or fasting, will be acceptable, except in very rare cases.

The remedy for love of this world is to break the worldly desires of the self, ending its greed for this world and purifying it in preparation for the next world. This will then become the state of the heart and sincere devotion will become easier to attain. There are a great many actions where a man acts, thinking they are purely intended for Allah's pleasure, but he is deluded, for he fails to see the defects in them.

It has been related that a man was used to praying in the first row in the mosque. One day he was late for the prayer, so he prayed in the second row. Feeling embarrassment when people saw him in the second row, he realised that the pleasure and satisfaction of the heart that he used to gain from praying in the first row were due to his seeing people seeing him there and admiring him for it. This is a subtle and intangible condition and actions are rarely safe from it. Apart from those whom Allah has assisted, few are aware of such delicate matters. Those who do not realise it only come to see their good deeds appearing as bad ones on the Day of Resurrection; they are the ones referred to in Allah's words:

"And something will come to them from Allah which they had never anticipated, for the evil of their deeds will become apparent to them. (39:47-48)"

And also: "Say: Shall We tell you who will lose most in respect of their deeds? Those whose efforts were astray in the life of this world, while they thought that they were doing good works. (18:103-104)"

Yaqub said: "A devout person is someone who conceals things that are good, in the same way that he conceals things that are bad."

As-Sousi said: "True devotion is to lose the faculty of being conscious of your devotion; for someone who identifies devotion in his devotion is a person whose devotion is in need of devotion." To contemplate devotion is to admire it, and admiration is an afflication; and that which is pure is whatever is free of all afflictions. This means that one's deeds should be purified from any self-admiration concerning the actions they entail.

Ayyub said: "It is much harder for the people of action to purify their intentions than it is to execute any of their actions."

Some people have said: "To be devout for a short while is to survive for ever, but devotion is rare." Suhail was asked: "What is the most difficult thing for the self? He said: "Devotion, when the self does not have the good fortunre of being endowed with it."

Al-Fudayl said: "Forsaking action for the sake of other people is to seek their admiration. To act for the sake of their admiration is to associate others with Allah. Devotion is when Allah frees you from both of these states.

Your Shields

How to protect yourself from the whispers of Satan? How to repel his continuous attempts to ensnare you? How to guard your faith against his malicious tricks? Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim recommends the following ten shields in your ceaseless war with Satan:

1. Seeking refuge with Allah from Satan. Allah the Most High says, [And if a whisper from the devil reach thee (O Muhammad) then seek refuge in Allah. Lo! He is the Hearer, the Knower.] (Fussilat 41:36)

2. Reciting the two surahs of Al-Falaq and An-Nas, as they have a wondrous effect in weakening Satan and protecting one from his evils. This is why the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) described them to be of incomparable effect when seeking refuge (An-Nasa’i, 5337).

3. Reciting Ayat Al-Kursi (Al-Baqarah 2:255).

4. Reciting Surat Al-Baqarah. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The house in which Al-Baqarah is recited is not approached by Satan” (Muslim).

5. Reciting the final part of Al-Baqarah. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The last two verses of Surat Al-Baqarah will suffice whoever recites them at night” (Muslim).

6. Reciting the first three verses of Surat Ghafir.

7. Saying “la ilaha illa Allah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa `ala kulli shay’in qadir” (There is no god worthy of worship except Allah, He has no partner, His is the dominion and praise, and He is able to do all things) a hundred times.

8. Among the most beneficial forms of protection from Satan is the abundant remembrance of Allah the Exalted.

9. Ablution and prayer, which are among the greatest means of protection, especially at the time of anger or desire.

10. Abstinence from excess speech, food, and mixing with people.

Finally it is important to note that the above supplications need to be uttered with full reflection and comprehension. The point here is that they are kinds of remembrance (dhikr), and to remember Allah is not a matter of lip-service. Rather it is a process that involves one’s tongue, heart, and mind. How could one truly remember Allah while the mind is engaged with alien things?

Conscience: God's Inspiration to Every Man

Conscience is a spiritual quality that encourages good attitude and thought, and helps us think straight and tell right from wrong.

One of the important aspects of conscience is that it is common to all people. In other words, what feels right to the conscience of a man or a woman also feels right to the conscience of all others provided that the same conditions prevail.

The conscience of one person never falls out with that of another. The reason lies in the source of conscience: It is the inspiration of God. Through the conscience, God lets us know the best and the most beautiful behavior and manners which it will please Him for us to adopt.

Conscience is an inspiration from God as mentioned in the Qur'an:

[And a soul and Him Who perfected it and inspired it with (with conscience of) depravity or (what is) taqwa, he who purifies it has succeeded; he who covers it up has failed.] (Ash-Shams 91:7-10)

In the above verses, God declares that He has inspired the self with knowledge of what is depravity (to act in a sinful manner, to disobey, to deviate, to lie, to turn away from righteousness, to stir up trouble, to decline in good manners). The opposite is the self's conscience of taqwa (awe or fear of God which inspires a person to be on guard against wrong action and eager for actions which please Him). It is this very conscience that guides mankind to the right way.

One of the most important aspects of conscience is that it helps people to find what is right of their own accord. Conscience will surely show people what is right, even if nobody else will. So what matters for someone is to take recourse to their own conscience, listen to what it says, and act upon it. For this reason, we can say that conscience is the main component of religion.

Above all, there is one point that must be borne in mind: Every person, from the moment of gaining consciousness, is responsible for what their conscience tells them.

From the moment people start to conceive the events around them and become able to judge for themselves, they are expected to possess and be able to exercise the ability to hear and distinguish the voice of their conscience, and to have the will to follow it.

From this point forward, they will be questioned about the actions they take in the course of their life. If they follow their conscience, they will be rewarded with an eternal life in God's Heaven, but if they follow their self, they will meet an eternal sealed vault of fire.

Death is not distant from any one of us. It is perhaps even closer than we think. God did not create the life of this world for a vain purpose; it is an undeniable fact that death is not an end.

We all have to organize our life according to this great truth because, after death, we will be judged according to the life we lived, and we will either be welcomed in Paradise or thrown into Hell. Even if someone is not convinced by the truth of this, can they really afford to risk so much and not work for their life in the hereafter? The only solution is to obey the commands of God by listening to the conscience.

If someone does not follow their conscience or use it fully, when they meet the angels of death, they will be plunged into an agony of remorse and hopelessness, which they will suffer for eternity.

Whatever we do, our conscience will not leave us until we die. Conscience is a power that works totally out of our will. It can be seen in a way as God's voice. We will all continue to hear this voice until we die, but those who do not follow this voice will taste the intense regret of it after they die.

Accordingly, in the Qur'an, many examples are given from the conversations in the hereafter in which those in Hell confess what they failed to do in life. Therefore, in truth, everyone knows what they must and must not do, and evading the conscience does no good.

People must never turn their back on the truth once it has been shown to them and try to turn off the voice of righteousness within them.

Conscience: God's Inspiration to Every Man

Conscience is a spiritual quality that encourages good attitude and thought, and helps us think straight and tell right from wrong.

One of the important aspects of conscience is that it is common to all people. In other words, what feels right to the conscience of a man or a woman also feels right to the conscience of all others provided that the same conditions prevail.

The conscience of one person never falls out with that of another. The reason lies in the source of conscience: It is the inspiration of God. Through the conscience, God lets us know the best and the most beautiful behavior and manners which it will please Him for us to adopt.

Conscience is an inspiration from God as mentioned in the Qur'an:

[And a soul and Him Who perfected it and inspired it with (with conscience of) depravity or (what is) taqwa, he who purifies it has succeeded; he who covers it up has failed.] (Ash-Shams 91:7-10)

In the above verses, God declares that He has inspired the self with knowledge of what is depravity (to act in a sinful manner, to disobey, to deviate, to lie, to turn away from righteousness, to stir up trouble, to decline in good manners). The opposite is the self's conscience of taqwa (awe or fear of God which inspires a person to be on guard against wrong action and eager for actions which please Him). It is this very conscience that guides mankind to the right way.

One of the most important aspects of conscience is that it helps people to find what is right of their own accord. Conscience will surely show people what is right, even if nobody else will. So what matters for someone is to take recourse to their own conscience, listen to what it says, and act upon it. For this reason, we can say that conscience is the main component of religion.

Above all, there is one point that must be borne in mind: Every person, from the moment of gaining consciousness, is responsible for what their conscience tells them.

From the moment people start to conceive the events around them and become able to judge for themselves, they are expected to possess and be able to exercise the ability to hear and distinguish the voice of their conscience, and to have the will to follow it.

From this point forward, they will be questioned about the actions they take in the course of their life. If they follow their conscience, they will be rewarded with an eternal life in God's Heaven, but if they follow their self, they will meet an eternal sealed vault of fire.

Death is not distant from any one of us. It is perhaps even closer than we think. God did not create the life of this world for a vain purpose; it is an undeniable fact that death is not an end.

We all have to organize our life according to this great truth because, after death, we will be judged according to the life we lived, and we will either be welcomed in Paradise or thrown into Hell. Even if someone is not convinced by the truth of this, can they really afford to risk so much and not work for their life in the hereafter? The only solution is to obey the commands of God by listening to the conscience.

If someone does not follow their conscience or use it fully, when they meet the angels of death, they will be plunged into an agony of remorse and hopelessness, which they will suffer for eternity.

Whatever we do, our conscience will not leave us until we die. Conscience is a power that works totally out of our will. It can be seen in a way as God's voice. We will all continue to hear this voice until we die, but those who do not follow this voice will taste the intense regret of it after they die.

Accordingly, in the Qur'an, many examples are given from the conversations in the hereafter in which those in Hell confess what they failed to do in life. Therefore, in truth, everyone knows what they must and must not do, and evading the conscience does no good.

People must never turn their back on the truth once it has been shown to them and try to turn off the voice of righteousness within them.

Marhaban Ya Ramadan!!

Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation. [2:185]

The Month of Ramadan that Allah made a month of mercy and forgiveness… The month that Allah wanted the Muslims to practice their Islam and feel it with all their hearts. He wanted them to read the Quran to learn the truth of Islam and to follow it in all their religious duties and social relations especially the notions of piety and love that draws them nearer to Allah.

Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings.

During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.

Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of God.

Thus, each of us has to examine ourselves at the end of this month… Did we make any moral or spiritual progress? Did we feel more brotherly towards other people? Did we love fellow human beings more and did we feel more responsible in all that relates to public issues? Did we care more about Islam?

We should also cling to the chord of Allah and confront all the challenges the arrogant powers and their infidel allies are posing, including the new equating between Islam and terrorism. We have to strive to make Islam the religion of the whole world but by wisdom and good words.

I wish you a baraka filled Ramadan and pray that Allah (SWT) grant us the strength and iman to observe this Ramadan in total submission to His will (Amin)

May you all have a full blessing of month of Ramadan!

Ramadan Kareem, Ramadan Mubarak

The Essence of Ramadan

Like other Islamic injunctions, the benefits of Ramadan are not limited to either "spiritual" or "temporal" elements of life. In Islam, the spiritual, social, economic, political and psychological intermingle in a consistent and cohesive whole. For convenience of presentation, the significance of fasting is discussed under four subheadings; spiritual and moral, psychological, social, and physical and medical.

Spiritual and Moral Elements

1- Above all, fasting is an act of obedience and submission to Allah the Almighty. Submission and commitment is based upon love for Almighty Allah and earnest effort to gain His pleasure and avoid His displeasure. If this is the only reason for fasting, it surely suffices.

2- Fasting is an act acknowledging Allah the Almighty as the Only Master and Sustainer of the universe. It is only through His bounties that we have our existence and sustenance.

3- Fasting is an act of atonement for our errors and mistakes, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"Whoever fasts (the month of) Ramadan on the basis of faith and seeking (the pleasure of Allah), his past errors are forgiven." (Ahmad)

4- Fasting trains the believer in taqwa (piety and fear of Allah). If one volunteers to refrain from lawful food and sex, he or she will be in a better position to avoid unlawful things and acts.

5- Fasting trains the believer in sincerity. Unlike other acts of worship, it is entirely based on self-restraint. Others can never know for sure if the person is fasting or if he broke the fast in secret. Self-restraint requires a high degree of sincerity and faithfulness.

6- Fasting teaches other virtues. Fasting does not exclusively mean refraining from food and drink. Essentially it means refraining from all vice and evils. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If one does not abandon falsehood in words and deeds, Allah has no need for his abandoning his food and drink." (Al-Bukhari)

7- The spirit of Ramadan with its nightly voluntary prayer (called Salat Al-Qiyam or Tarawih Prayer) and frequent recitations and study of the Glorious Qur'an provides a chance for spiritual revival (a kind of annual spiritual overhaul).

8- Fasting is a form of jihad (striving for Allah). It teaches self-discipline and enhances one's ability to master his needs and desires rather than be enslaved by them.

Psychological Elements:

1- It enhances the feelings of inner peace, contentment and optimism. These feelings result from the realization of Allah's pleasure.

2- It teaches patience and perseverance and enhances the feeling of moral accomplishment.

3- Voluntary abstinence of lawful appetites leads one to appreciate the bounties of Almighty Allah which are usually taken for granted.

4- For a whole month every year, Muslims go through a different and exciting experience that breaks the normal routine of life. Not only can this be refreshing, it also teaches the person to adapt to varying conditions and circumstances in his life.

Social Elements:

1- Fasting promotes the spirit of unity and belonging within the Muslim Ummah. Millions of Muslims all over the world fast during the same month; following the same rules and observances.

2- Fasting promotes the spirit of human equality before Allah the Almighty. Muslims, males and females, rich and poor from all ethnic backgrounds go through the same experience of deprivation with no special privileges for any group or class.

3- Fasting promotes the spirit of charity and sympathy toward the poor and needy. A rich person may be able to "imagine" the suffering of the poor or "think" about hunger. Yet, one can not fully appreciate suffering or hunger until he actually "experiences" or "feels" them. This may explain, in part, why Ramadan is also known as the month of charity and generosity.

4- Fasting promotes Islamic sociability. Muslims are urged to invite others to break the fast with them at sunset and to gather for Qur'anic study, prayer and visits. This provides a better chance for socialization in a brotherly and spiritual atmosphere. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) indicated on more than one occasion that inviting a fasting person to break his fast (after sunset) is an act which is highly rewarded by Allah the Almighty.

Physical and Medical Elements:

A great deal has been written about the medical and health benefits of fasting; both by Muslim and non-Muslim scientists. These benefits include the elimination of harmful fatty substances from the blood stream, helping the cure of certain types of intestinal and stomach ailments and the renewal of body tissues. Needless to say that some ailments may be aggravated by fasting in which case the person is exempted from fasting. For those who may be engaged in Islamically (and medically) undesirable habits such as over-eating or smoking, the self-control and discipline exercised in Ramadan provide an excellent way to "kick" these bad habits. In a sense, fasting is an annual physical overhaul of the body.

The Fasting of Ramadan: A Time for Thought, Action, and Change!

"Fasting in Ramadan develops in a person the real spirit of social belonging, of unity and brotherhood, and of equality before God. This spirit is the natural product of the fact that when people fast they feel that they are joining the whole Muslim society (which makes up more than one fifth of world's population) in observing the same duty, in the same manner, at the same time, for the same motives, and for the same end. No sociologist or historian can say that there has been at any period of history anything comparable to this powerful institution of Islam: Fasting in the month of Ramadan. People have been crying throughout the ages for acceptable 'belonging', for unity, for brotherhood, for equality, but how echoless their voices have been, and how very little success they have met, " says Hammudah Abdalati, in Islam in Focus.

"What is fasting?" "How does the fasting of Muslims in Ramadan differ from the fasting of other faiths?" "Why should one 'torture' one's body in the first place?" "What do you really gain from fasting in the end?", These are a few questions that a number of non-Muslim friends and colleagues often ask us, usually out of fascination with this spiritually-uplifting practice of Islamic faith, and at times out of pity and sympathy for us, thinking, why should anyone suffer from hunger and thirst like Muslims? I wouldn't be surprised if many of us shared the same negative perception of Fasting.

It is important to note that Fasting in Arabic is called, "Sawm", which literally means 'to be at rest'. Fasting in the month of Ramadan (the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar) is one of the Five Pillars upon which the "house" of Islam is built. During this month, every able-bodied Muslim, is required to fast, everyday from dawn until dusk

12 Reasons to Fast!

1. Fasting is an institution for the improvement of moral and spiritual character of human being. The purpose of the fast is to help develop self-restraint, self-purification, God-consciousness, compassion, the spirit of caring and sharing, the love of humanity and the love of God. Fasting is a universal custom and is advocated by all the religions of the world, with more restrictions in some than in others. The Islamic Fast, as opposed to mere starvation or self-denial, is an act of worship and obedience to God, thanksgiving, forgiveness, spiritual training, and self-examination.

2.Ramadan gives us a break and provides us with a rare opportunity to think about our own selves, our future, and our families. It is a time to give our selves a mental break and to temporarily forget about the hundreds of worries and stresses we are constantly bombarded with. In hectic times, such as ours, and in places like the West, this valuable time to think about our lives, on individual basis, is a luxury and is desperately needed! It is a unique month of self-analysis, and of taking stock of one's moral and spiritual 'assets and liabilities'.

3. Fasting indoctrinates us in patience, unselfishness, and gratitude. When we fast we feel the pains of deprivation and hunger, and learn how to endure it patiently. The meaning of this powerful experience in a social and humanitarian context is that we are much quicker than anybody else in sympathizing with the oppressed and needy around the world, and responding to their needs. "It is the month to visit the poor, the sick, and the needy to share their sorrows. It is the month where the food, sustenance and the earnings of a believing Muslim increases and they are blessed," says the Final Prophet of God, Muhammad (peace be upon him), a man who was known for his noble humanitarian causes, for social justice, and for being the first to respond to other's needs, despite the fact that he himself lived a very simple and humble life. It is only during such a trying time as Ramadan that we can reflect on the condition of those in this world who may not be as fortunate as us.

4.Fasting in Ramadan enables us to master the art of mature adaptability and Time-Management. We can easily understand this point when we realize that fasting makes people change the entire course of their daily life. When they make the change, they naturally adapt themselves to a new system and schedule, and move along to satisfy the rules. This, in the long run, develops in them a wise sense of adaptability and self-created power to overcome the unpredictable hardships of life! A person who values constructive adaptability, time-management, and courage will appreciate the effects of Fasting in this respect as well.

5.It cultivates in us the principle of sincere Love, because when we observe Fasting, we do it out of deep love for God. And a person, who loves God, truly is a person who knows what love is and why everyone on this Earth should be loved and treated justly, for the sake of God.

6. Fasting elevates the human spirit and increases our awareness of God. It strengthens our will-power as we learn to rise above our lower desires. The institution of fasting is both unique and a shared experience in human history. From the very beginning of time, humans have struggled to master their physical and psychological selves: their bodies and their emotions. Hunger is one the most powerful urges that we experience. Many, through over- or under-eating or consumption of unhealthy foods, abuse this urge. Thus, when a person purposefully denies something to their own self that it craves, they are elevating their mind above their body, and their reason and will above their carnal passions. "A fasting person empties his stomach of all the material things: to fill his soul with peace and blessings, to fill his heart with love and sympathy, to fill his spirit with piety and Faith, to fill his mind with wisdom and resolution," says H. Abdalati in Islam in Focus. The person who can rule their desires and make them work, as they like, has attained true moral excellence.

7. With the clarity of mind and absence of distractions, also comes a greater focus. As students, the period of fasting, especially early during the day, serves as a tool to focus our minds on our academics. In the month of Ramadan, many Muslims try to avoid watching TV, listening to music, and some other leisure activities, which spares them more time and energy to be spent on more productive activities such as academics, intense study of Islam, voluntary prayers, social and humanitarian causes, and a quality time with the family, to name a few. It is a reminder of our duty to God, our purpose and higher values in life, as God Himself describes the purpose of fasting as follows, "O you who Believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may develop consciousness of God" (Quran 2:183).

8.Fasting has numerous, scientifically proven, benefits for our physical health and mental well-being. The time, length and nature of the Islamic Fast all contribute to its overall positive effect. One of the medical benefits is a much-needed rest to the digestive system. The reduced food intake during the day allows the body to concentrate on getting rid of harmful dietary toxins accumulated as natural by-products of food digestion throughout the year. The length of the Islamic Fast itself (around 12-14 hours) is in sync with the 'transit time' of food from the mouth to the colon of the large intestine, ensuring that no stimulus reaches the stomach or digestive system while it remains in homeostasis. Therefore, for the vast majority of healthy individuals fasting poses no medical risks but in fact provides many health benefits, such as: an increase in serum Magnesium, essential for cardio-vascular health and prevention of heart complications; improvement in the quality and depth of sleep; improvement in memory and slower skin aging over time; increased production of growth hormone, etc. Also, as a general note, it has been observed that underfed animals live longer than their heavily fed counterparts and suffer fewer illnesses during their lives.

9. The month of Ramadan provides us with a sort of "Boot camp." It is a month of intense moral training. Since we know that Fasting is a special duty prescribed by God, we learn that any sins may spoil our record of fasting with God, so we go through great lengths making sure we are on our best behavior. Many people who experience fasting in this month, feel the impact that this intense training has on their habits, and realize the power of this transformative tool designed to make us better human beings- the ultimate goal of any spiritual exercise. The entire Ramadan atmosphere provides the driving force for this positive change.

10.It makes us realize the reality of life and death. Fasting makes us realize how dependant our lives are on things that we often take for granted, such as food and water. It makes us think about our dependence on God and God's mercy and justice. Moreover, it reminds us of the life after death, which itself has a great impact on our character and our world-view.

11.Ramadan is a blessed month for a special reason: It is actually the month in which God first revealed His final message and guidance for mankind to our beloved Prophet Muhammad. This message has been perfectly preserved both orally and textually in the form of a Book, called the Qur'an (The Reading/Recital). Therefore, Muslims try to do an intense study of the Quran in this month especially, and evaluate their lives according to the standards and guidance contained in it.

12.After the month of Ramadan is over, Muslims celebrate one of the two most important holidays in the Islamic year: EID-UL-FITR, or the Festival of the Fast Breaking. It is a day to thank God for the blessing and training that He provides us with throughout the month of Ramadan. EID-UL-FITR is marked by praying in a huge congregation at an Islamic center or mosque, and by giving a small donation to the poor in the community. The adults give the donation on behalf of their children as well. Dinner parties, family outings, fairs, carnivals, and great joyous celebrations follow the prayer and charity.

In a nutshell, even though the real purpose of the dynamic institution of Fasting is to discipline our soul and moral behavior, and to develop sympathy for the less fortunate, it is a multi-functional and a comprehensive tool of change in various spheres of our lives, including: social and economic, intellectual and humanitarian, spiritual and physical, private and public, personal and common, inner and outer ---all in one!

restored.

Farewell to Ramadan

We will soon bid farewell to Ramadan, in whose shade we have been living, and whose blessings we have been tasting, and so we ask Allah to accept our fasting, to grant us freedom from the Fire, and to give us the chance to meet this blessed month again and again. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: “If my nation knew the secrets that Allah has put in Ramadan, they would wish that it were Ramadan for the whole year.” Allah has chosen this month over all other months, and we cannot possibly count the blessings it contains. Before Ramadan began, we asked ourselves how we could prepare ourselves for it, and now as it draws to an end we must know how to leave it in the best way. Here are some of the things that we have been recommended to do in order to preserve its gifts and blessings intact.

1. Taking account of our actions

The first step is to take an account of what we have done during Ramadan, remembering the wise saying: “Take yourself to account before you are taken to account, and weigh your own actions before Allah puts them in the balance for you.” This refers to our good and our bad deeds because we should thank Allah for our good actions and ask His Forgiveness for our bad actions. This is the way of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and all the messengers and prophets and the righteous predecessors. We have mentioned how the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, took account of himself and how he urged his companions to do the same. The one who wishes to be firmly established in the way of Islam should make this his constant practice. When we take account of the actions we made during Ramadan, we will inevitably find that they are not sufficient, and regret that we were not able to do more. If we find a good action we must thank Allah for guiding us to do it, and if we find anything bad we must ask Allah to forgive us for it. The hadith Qudsi in which Allah addresses jinn and men about the insignificance of their actions[b] “I will count them and show them to you. If you find any good then thank Me and if you find any bad do not blame anyone except yourself.”[/b] (Muslim). Taking account of our actions during Ramadan will lead us to the next step.

2. Repentance and Asking for Forgiveness

We should complete every prescribed act of worship and every good deed by asking Allah to forgive us for our mistakes in performing it, because only Allah is capable of perfection. The fifth rightly-guided Khalif, Umar ibn Abd Al-Azziz, may Allah be pleased with them, commanded his governors to seek the forgiveness of Allah, saying: “ Say as your father Adam said: ‘O Lord we have wronged ourselves. If you do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will be among the lost.’ 7.23. Say as Noah said: ‘O My Lord, I seek refuge with You for asking You for anything of which I have no knowledge. If You do not forgive me and have mercy on me, I will be among the lost.’ 11.47. Say as Abraham said: ‘He Who I sincerely hope will forgive my mistakes on the Day of Reckoning.’ 7.82. Say as Moses said: ‘My Lord, I have wronged myself, so forgive me.’ 28.16. Say as Jonah said: ‘There is no god but You. Glory be to You. Truly I have been one of the wrongdoers.’ 21.87.”

The best of the Muslims from previous times considered the way they had performed their devotions so imperfect that they would ask Allah’s forgiveness as intensely as if they had committed a sin. A well-known scholar, Ibn Rajab[i] said: “Our noble predecessors would strive with all their ability to complete each good action with sincerity, and yet afterwards they would be afraid that Allah would not accept it.” Allah mentions them in the Holy Quran: “And those who give what they give with their hearts full of fear because they are not sure to return to their Lord.” 23.60. Urway ibn Zubair asked his aunt Aisha, may Allah be pleased with them, about the meaning of this verse: “Are those the people the who committed major sins like adultery or murder?” He asked her. “No! O son of my sister!” She replied: “Those are the ones who performed good deeds but did not think they were good enough, so they were afraid that Allah would not accept them.” Allah says in the Quran: “Allah only accepts from the people who have Taqwa.” 5.27. We should follow the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, his companions and the righteous by asking Allah to forgive us for our inability to worship Him as He deserves to be worshipped in this blessed month. On the Eid al-Fitr, one of the Saliheen, Salih ibn Abd Al-Jaleel, was found weeping. When the people told him not to weep on this day of great celebration he replied: “You are right, but My Lord has commanded me to do something and I have done my best but I don’t know whether He has accepted it from me or not.” If these righteous men were about whether Allah would accept their good deeds, what about us?

Ibn Rajab said: “Our predecessors would be praying for six months before Ramadan that Allah would allow them to reach the next Ramadan and praying for six months after Ramadan that Allah would accept their last Ramadan. Unlike them, Muslims these days do not appreciate the value of this month, nor do they repent or ask forgiveness for the insufficiency their good actions. Repentance and asking for forgiveness will lead us to the third step.

3. Continuing the good actions that we started in Ramadan

The sign that Allah has accepted our fasting is that He grants us the ability to continue to perform the extra devotions that we began during Ramadan. Ibn Rajab said; “Whoever performs an act of obedience to Allah and completes it, then the sign of its acceptance is he is granted the ability to make another act of obedience, and the sign of its rejection is that he follows it by a sin. How great to follow a sin by a good action, and how much better to follow a good action by another good action!”

In Ramadan some of the Muslims make a special effort to perform extra acts of devotion such as supererogatory prostrations, standing in prayer during the night, reading the Quran, controlling their tongues, their eyes, their ears and all their limbs, giving to the needy and so on. It is better for these people to continue these actions after Ramadan has passed. Allah has made it easier for us to worship Him during Ramadan, so it is the best time to try to increase our acts of devotion.

We practiced fasting in Ramadan and so after Ramadan we should continue to fast. It was the custom of the Messenger of Allah to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, on the three days of the full moon, and six days of Shawwal. Abu Ayub al-Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: “Whoever completes the fast of Ramadan and fasts six days in Shawal, will be rewarded as if he had fasted the whole year.” (Muslim) It is recommended to begin this fast on the second day of the Eid Al-Fitr, and to complete it as we are able. Usama ibn Zaid, may Allah be pleased with him said: “The Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, was asked why he fasted on Mondays and Thursdays and he answered: “A man’s actions are offered up to Allah on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like my actions to be offered up while I am fasting.” (Imam Ahmad and An-Nasai)

Some of us complete the Holy Quran once or several times during Ramadan. After Ramadan we must continue reading the Quran. It is better if we can continue to control our tongue, our eyes, our ears and all our limbs as well. We should continue doing a good action even if we think it is too small, because Aisha related that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him said: “The actions best loved by Allah are the ones which are repeated continuously, even if they are only small.”

Al Hasan Al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “O my people! Continue and continue, because Allah does not put any limit on the actions of the Believer until his death.” I advise you to read what Allah has said in the Holy Quran: ‘Worship your Lord until what is Certain (death) comes to you.’” 15.99.

We must be the slaves of our Lord, not just slaves of Ramadan, because Allah is also the Lord of Shawwal and all the other months too! When a believer does not lessen in his worship after Ramadan, it is a clear sign that Allah has accepted the worship that he did during Ramadan.

4. Zakat Al-Fitr.

Ibn Umar, May Allah be please with both of them relates that the Messenger of Allah, Peace be upon him, made the giving of the tax on the Eid al-Fitr obligatory on every Muslim male, female, freeman and slave; old and young alike. (Bukhari and Muslim) It should be given before the prayer of the Eid, and it is praiseworthy to give it directly to someone in need. Allah has made it obligatory on us in order to open our hearts to the poor and needy amongst us, to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between us, and to make up for our shortcomings in Ramadan.

Abdallah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with both of them, related that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, made zakat al-fitr obligatory to purify the fasting Muslims from the sins of their tongues and to feed the poor and needy. If it is given before the prayer it is written as zakat al-fitr, but if it is given after the prayer it is sadaqa. (Abu Daud and Ibn Majah) Zakat al-fitr is due on everyone in the household, even on the baby who was born after the last sunset of the last night of Ramadan.

Zakat al-fitr, and Zakat are establish cooperation in our society, nurture bonds of love between all the Muslims and purify our hearts of greed and envy. If we return once more to the time of Umar ibn Abdal Azziz, we find that when the Zakat from all the Muslim lands under his control was collected, though he searched everywhere, he could not find a single person who was in need. Under his just rule all the Muslims were generous to each other and the needy were taken care of by the people around them.

This highlights a serious situation amongst the Muslims of today. Many of our Muslim brothers are hungry and homeless while others live in wealth and comfort. Zakat, the obligatory annual tax on wealth, is one of the Pillars of Islam. If all the Muslims in the world paid Zakat and it was redistributed to the needy Muslims, be sure that there would not be a single Muslim on this earth living in poverty, because this is by the command of Allah and He is Al-Aleem, Al-Khabeer! We can give our Zakat individually to various charitable causes, but there is no unified system among the Muslims today for the collection of this tax, by force if necessary from the wealthy, and its redistribution among the needy. We have no unified system of government, we are no longer economically one community, and one of the pillars of Islam has fallen. The consequences of this tragedy can be read in the newspaper everyday. It is our collective duty to Allah to work and pray for strong leadership and the rebuilding of this fallen pillar.

The time has come to say farewell to Ramadan once more and we ask Allah to accept our fasting and grant us His mercy, forgive our sins and liberate us from hell fire.

Jazakumllah khayran.

Modesty and Dignity in Islam


Humbleness can be divided into two basic categories. The first kind is humbleness before God, which implies faith in Him and total submission to His will and commands without feeling haughty.

The second category is humbleness with people, usually defined in dictionaries as the quality of being humble or modest and lacking pride, boastfulness or excessive self-assertiveness. These definitions also reflect Islam's view of humbleness.

Degrees of Honor

According to the Qur'an, the only basis for varying degrees of honor among people is their piety:

(O humankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and we have made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct) (Al-Hujurat 49:13)

Since piety and God consciousness are internal and only God is able to know whether a person is pious or just pretending, it follows that believers should observe modesty and humbleness as one of their basic traits.

Modesty is mentioned in the Qur'an as one of the characteristics of the people who are loved most by God and who themselves love God:

(O you who believe! If any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him,— lowly with the believers, mighty against the rejecters) (Al-Ma'idah 5:54)

Humbleness

A verse in the Qur'an instructs Prophet Muhammad to show humbleness towards the believers, where it makes a similitude between the modesty of Prophet Muhammad and his message towards all believers, and a bird that lowers its wings in kindness and humbleness to protect its offspring:

(And lower your wing (in kindness) unto those believers who follow you) (Ash-Shu`araa' 26:215)

The Qur'an also extends its instruction to all Muslims and advises them not to over-praise themselves, where it says what means:

(Therefore justify not yourselves: He knows best who it is that guards against evil) (An-Najm 53:32)

This attitude of over-praising one's self is the cause of many of the malaise in today's civilization. People make a lot of effort to appear different from what they really are, while they could spend much less effort just being themselves. In order to solve this problem, people must try to be humble and have a sense of simplicity in their attitudes and their relationships with others.

Concerning humbleness, Prophet Muhammad said, "Allah revealed to me that we should be humble among ourselves and none should show pride upon the others" (Muslim).

Also Prophet Muhammad indicated that being humble is a way of gaining God's pleasure; he said, "And the one who shows humility, God elevates him in the estimation (of the people) and elevates his degrees in the hereafter" (Muslim).

Prophet Muhammad's personal life and attitude were an example of humbleness. When `A'ishah (Prophet Muhammad's wife) was asked what he was like at home, she said that he used to help his family with the household chores but as soon as he heard the call for prayer, he would go out to the mosque to pray (Al-Bukhari).

It is reported that whenever Prophet Muhammad came to a place where the people were sitting, he didn't rush himself to put himself in the forefront, he just sat wherever there was an available place.

Also, when Prophet Muhammad was entering Makkah after its conquest — a victorious event for Islam — he lowered his forehead on his camel, prostrating himself in humility and thanking God that He had finally given victory to the believers.

This is a beuty of Islam, may Allah s.w.t. makes us to die as a true believers Ameen.

VERY VERY FRUITFUL INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE KNOWN BY ALL MUSLIMS.

Do You know what will be the first thing that will be asked from this Ummah
Five Prayers

Do you know what was the first prayer offered By Mohammad S.A.W It Was Duhr Prayer

Do you know ! who will be the first one entering Jannah
He will be Prophet Mohammad S.A.W

?Do you know who will be the first Ummah Entering Jannah
It will be Ummah of Prophet Mohammad S.A.W

?Do you know who is the first one who say Azan in heaven
He was Jibrail A.S

Do you know who first predicted the hours to be twelve
It was Nooh A.S, who did this when he was on boat to find out the times for prayers

Do you know who was the first person who said SUBHANA RABBI AL AALA, he was Israfeel A.S.

Do you know what was the first ayah revealed from Al-Quran
It was Surah Al-Alaq Ayah 1


Do you know who ! first wrote with pen
He was Hazrat Idrees A.S

Do you know what was the last ayah revelaed from Al-Quran
It was Al-Baqara Ayah 281

?Do you know what was the fist verse revealed from Torah
It was Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem

Do you know what is the MO St Supreme Ayah in Quran
Its Ayat Al-Kursi -------Al-Baqara Ayah 255

Whoever said SUBHAN ALLAHi WA BIHAMDIHI hundred 100 times,
All his sins will be forgiven even if they are as much as foam of the sea.

WHoever will say LAILLAHA ILLA ANTA SUBHANAKA INNI KUNTU MINAZ ZALIMEEN,
Whenever ! he is in sorrow, Allah will take away all his sorrows Just like He saved YUNUS A.S, when he was inside the fish.

The Prophet (saw)said, "(There are) two words which are dear to the Beneficent (Allah) and very light (easy) for the tongue (to say), but very heavy in weight in the balance.
They are:Subhan Allah WA-bi hamdihi' and 'Subhan Allah Al-'Azim."

Ibn-al Qayyaum R.A said: the things that make the body sick are:
Too much! talking,
Too much sleeping,
Too much Eating

Jabir reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, 'Whoever says Subhan-Allah- al-Azim WA bihamdihi (Glorified is Allah, the Great, with all praise due to Him), will have a palm tree planted for him in paradise.''
Reported by Tirmidhi

Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with her) reported, the Mother of the Believers: The Prophet (PBUH) came out from my apartment in the Morning as I was busy in performing the dawn prayer. He came back in the forenoon and found me sitting there. The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Are you still in the same position as I left you." I replied in the affirmative.
Thereupon the Prophet said,"I recited four words three times after I had left you. If these are to be weighed against all you have recited since morning, these will be heavier. These are:
Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, `adada khalqihi, wa rida nafsihi, wa zinatah `arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi

This is most common among us, most of us talk during Azaan,

The Holy Prophet (SAW) said, Stop doing everything during the Azaan, even reading the Quran, the person who talks during the Azaan will not be able to say the Kalima Shahadat on his/her death bed,
Please pass this message to Muslims,


READ THIS DUAA FOR BETTER LIFE
Allahumma- inni- ala-Zik-rika- wa Shuk-rika wa husni-ibadatika.

A very powerful Dua'a has been sent to you. Send this to as many as you can.

Prophet Mohammad said this 1400 yrs ago!




Assala-mu-Alaikum

Take a look, Now this is told 1400yrs ago!!!!

* Camels will no longer be used as a means of transport;
* People will ride on saddles that aren't saddles (cars?)
* The distance on earth will become short;
* Horses will not be used in wars;
* Muslims will defeat the Byzantines which will end with the conquest of Constantinople Istanbul);
* The Jews will gather again to live in Bilad Canaan;
* Very tall buildings will be built;
* The disappearance of knowledge and the appearance of ignorance, with much killing;
* Adultery will become widespread, and the drinking of wine will become common;
* The number of men will decrease and the number of women will increase until there are 50 women to be looked after by one man.
* Islam will become worn out like clothes are, until no one will know what fasting, prayer, charity and rituals are;
* Allah will send a disease to fornicators that will have no cure (Aids?);
* People will begin to believe in the stars and reject AL QADAR (THE DIVINE DECREE OF DESTINY);
* Men will pass by people's graves and say: 'Would that I were in his place'; (large amount of suicidal deaths?)
* The Euphrates will uncover a mountain of gold for which people will fight over (the river of Alfurat that lies near Syria );
* Two large groups of people will fight one another, and there will be many casualties; they will both be following the same rel igion World War II?);
* Approximately 30 DAJJALS will appear, each one claiming to be the messenger of ALLAH;
* Earthquakes will increase; * Time will pass quickly;
* Afflictions will appear;
* Killing will increase;
* Wealth will increase;
Women will be wearing clothes but not wearing clothes * THE PROPHET (saw) SAID: 'IF MY UMMAH BEARS 15 TRAITS (QUALITIES), TRIBULATION WILL FOLLOW IT.' (DAY OF JUDGMENT) SOMEONE ASKED,'WHAT ARE THEY O MESSENGER OF ALLAH?' HE (saw) SAID: * When any gain is shared out only among the rich, with no benefit to the poor;
* When a trust becomes a means of making profit;
*When paying ZAKKAT becomes a burden;
* When voices are raised in the mosque;
* When the leader of a people is the worst of them; when people treat a man with respect because what he may do;
* When much wine is drunk; red wind or the earth swallow them, or to be transformed into animals.'
* 'IMRAN IBN HUSA YN SAID: 'THE PROPHET (AS) SAID, 'SOME PEOPLE OF THIS UMMAH WILL BE SWALLOWED BY THE EARTH, TRANSFORMED INTO ANIMALS, AND SOME WILL BE BOMBARDED WITH STONES'. ONE OF THE MUSLIMS ASKED, WHEN WILL THAT BE O MESSENGER Of ALLAH?' HE SAID, 'WHEN SINGERS AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WILL BECOME POPULAR, AND MUCH
WINE IS DRUNK.'' THE GREATER SIGNS OF THE HOUR The Quran will disappear in one night, even from the people's hearts, and no Ayah will be left on earth. (Some groups of old people will be left who will say: 'We heard of fathers' saying 'LAILLAHA ILLA ALLAH' so we repeat it);

* The appearance of the MAHDI;
* The appearance of the DAJJAL (Anti Christ); * The appearance of Ya'juj an d Ma'juj (biblical Gog and Magog);
* Isa (Jesus) will come during the time of Dajjal;
* The rising of the sun from the west;
* The destruction of the Ka'ba and the recovery of its treasures;
* The smoke. Just remember- Allah is watching you. Prayer Wheel, Let's see the devil stop this one! Here's what the wheel is all about. When you receive this, say a prayer for the person that sent it to you, There are no costs, but wonderful rewards, Let's continue praying for one another.
As we look at this article we realize how true the Messenger (P.B.U.H) was these signs were prophesied 1400 years ago!!!
We have sent many Jokes and Non-sensible stuff, My sincere request is to let this mail go around the world to all Mumeen and others to know more about Islam.
1- Don't let this message sit here.
2- Forward this message to all you know and by the grace of Allah swt you will be blessed for each & every Dua by millions of people around the globe you forward this e-mail to.


THIS WILL BE AN ETERNAL REWARD EVEN AFTER YOU DIE THE MAIL WILL SOMEHOW BE CIRCULATED AND YOU WILL KEEP GETTING THE HASANAH FROM IT.