I am a Muslimah and I’m not oppressed

As a Muslimah I need to wear my hijab, to feel protected. As a Muslimah who wears her hijab, not as a sign of oppression but as a sign of liberation. As a Muslimah who wears a hijab not as  sign of oppression but as a sign of obedience to Allah subhana wa talah I am just stricken with so much anger, to read and see what hijab, Islam and women have become in the eyes of men. Rape is not about dress, legs, cleavage or sex is about control, humiliation. If I need to wear my hijab and not be rape I will do so as a sign of obedience to Allah talah,  even if I have to wear a paper bag over my head is ok.

Islam liberated me of all oppression, gave me the right to inherit, gave me the right to vote, gave me the right to work and keep my money and gave me the right to divorce. And all these wonderful things were given to me before American and European women knew what was to work,vote and inheritance. IN YOUR FACE!

Islam has done more for women than all the politicians in the world.  I’m liberated and as a  Muslimah I choose to wear hijab for honor and obedience to my Lord. 

مسلمون

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

Jumuah khutbah was right at point.  The Imam of Masjid Daru ul Islam, Ali Jabber deliver an exceptional message.

One point is  clear, as Muslims we need to take care of each other. Why we need  to wait for the non-Muslim to defend us, to give us any social-economical help. We are in the need  to be self-sufficient and able to give  money to our Masjid.

Where are the food, and clothing banks for our families in need?  Where is the Janaza found, for the families who have no money to bury their love ones?  Where are the programs for our Youth, to help them learn about Islam, and keep them away from the streets? Our Youth is not exempt from the streets, or drugs or any kind of problems. We are not angels, we are just humans trying to strive for Paradise. May Allah protect all of our Youth.

And many will tell me, they have no time, no money, the children are to busy playing sports for their school (non-Muslim school) or the girls want to go the mall with their non-Muslim friends unsupervised. You have no time to volunteer an hour  to teach something, anything to either the new shahada or our youth.  Yes we have food banks, some are too far from the Newark area, the ones which are in the area are not use or available for the families.

We have brothers and sisters who are professionals and are able to give some monetary compensation to the Masjid, at least once a month.  How easy it is for Masajids with members from other countries to get together and build a new Masjid, a new addition to the madrassa or an Islāmic burial found?  Because they come together to aid the community and they spend in the way of Allah, for Allah. they don’t worry about the money, they worry about the community as a whole.

Khadijah bint Khuwalyd, Abu Bakar al-Siddiq  with the wealth he had, also had a major role in freeing some of the Muslim slaves, and many more companions that I can remember and write in this humble blog, helped Islam to grow and be propagated trough out.  And they never complain, they knew their reward was with Allah subhana wa talah. Now tell me why are you are hoarding your money and throw in the sadaqa box two dollars?

I will leave you with some reminders  from our Prophet Muhammad .صلى الله عليه وسلم

Volume 2, Book 24, Number 486 :

Narrated by Abu Huraira

Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, ‘I am your wealth, I am your treasure.’ ” Then the Prophet recited the holy verses:– ‘Let not those who withhold . . .’ (to the end of the verse). (3.180).

Volume 2, Book 24, Number 493 :

Narrated by Abu Huraira

The Prophet said, “The Hour (Day of Judgment) will not be established till your wealth increases so much so that one will be worried, for no one will accept his Zakat and the person to whom he will give it will reply, ‘I am not in need of it.’

Volume 3, Book 41, Number 585

Narrated by Al-Mughira bin Shu’ba

The Prophet said, “Allah has forbidden for you, (1) to be undutiful to your mothers, (2) to bury your daughters alive, (3) to not to pay the rights of the others (e.g. charity, etc.) and (4) to beg of men (begging). And Allah has hated for you (1) vain, useless talk, or that you talk too much about others, (2) to ask too many questions, (in disputed religious matters) and (3) to waste the wealth (by extravagance).

TIPS FOR MUSLIM YOUTH

Tips for Muslim Youth
Why should you, a young Muslim, be helping to bring your friends closer to Allah?

After all, you’ve got your own struggles to deal with: trying to explain why you pray to hostile teachers, Hijab discrimination, standing up in class when the professor attacks Islam, dealing with parents who think you’ve gone nuts because you’re growing a beard, or all the other difficulties faced by a number of practicing Muslim youth?

Islam was never meant to be an individualistic faith, reserved for the “chosen few”. Muslims have a duty to spread the Deen, and practicing Muslim youth, whether beginners, activists or leaders have a crucial role to play.

“Allah has put them in a place that perhaps no one else is in,” notes Sheema Khan, former Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA) advisor for eastern Canada. “They have the means to communicate with their peers, they have an understanding of what they’re going through plus they have the guidance of Islam.”

Who is your childhood friend, who would rather spend Fridays at MacDonald’s than the Masjid, or your classmate who is Muslim in name and only knows that “Muslims don’t eat pork” going to listen to: the nice Imam of the Masjid who would freak out if he saw the way they were dress and talked or you who may have grown up with them, joked with them, or see them everyday in school?

The answer is obvious: you.

Don’t panic. Here are some tips and advice which can help from other Muslims, many of whom have been there and done that:

Tip #1: Make your intention sincere

All work we do should ideally be for the sake of Allah. That includes the task of bringing someone closer to Allah. That of course means this should not be connected to arrogance, thinking you’re the teacher and everyone else should be lucky you’ve embarked on a crusade to save them. Guidance is from Allah. Make Dua and make sincere efforts and remember Allah can also misguide you if He wills (we seek refuge in Allah from that).

Tip #2: Practice what you preach

Not practicing what you preach is wrong and you will lose the confidence of anyone, young or old, once they figure you out. Don’t do it.

Tip #3: Use the Qur’an and Seerah (biography of the Prophet) as Dawa guides

Read and understand those chapters of the Qur’an which talk about how the Prophets presented the message of Islam to their people. Read the Seerah (for some good Seerah books) to see especially how the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) brought Islam to so many people, including young people.

As well, talk to Dawa workers, and check out books that have been written on introducing dawa to non-Muslims

Tip #4: Talk to people as if you really don’t know them

Don’t assume you know someone just by looking at them. You don’t know that the Muslim girl in your home room who walks through the school’s hallways as if they were fashion show catwalk is not someone you can talk to about Allah because she looks like a snob. Or that the Muslim guy who you’ve never seen at Jumah at your university is a “bad Muslim”. Maybe he was never really taught Islam and has no idea what importance Friday prayers have in Islam, especially for Muslim men.

Tip #5: Smile

Did you know the Prophet was big on smiling? But many “practicing” Muslims seem to have “their faces on upside down” as one speaker once said-frowning and serious.

Smiling, being polite and kind are all part of the manners of the Prophet, which we must exercise in our daily lives. If we want to approach others with Islam, we have to make ourselves approachable. Smiling is key to this.

But note that being approachable does not mean being flirtations with the other gender. There are Islāmic rules for how men and women should deal with each other which have to be respected. Dawa is no excuse to have long and private conversations and meetings with the other sex, such as. Set up a system where someone expressing an interest in Islam is referred to someone of the same-sex.

Tip #6: Take the initiative and hang out with them

Take the first step and invite someone you may have spoken to a couple of times to sit at lunch together, to check out a hockey game or invite them over for Iftar in Ramadan. Also, share difficulties, sorrows and frustrations. Help with homework, be a shoulder to cry on when depression hits, or just plain listen when your friend is upset, discuss common problems and KEEP THEIR SECRETS. There are few things as annoying as a snitch and backstabber. But an important note: if the problem is of a serious nature, (i.e. your friend is thinking of committing suicide or is taking drugs), let know and consult an adult immediately.

Tip #7: Show them Islam is relevant today, right here, now

Young people may think Islam is too “old-fashioned” and not in tune with the modern age. Prove this wrong. Show how Islam is really about relating to Allah, which any human being can do, anywhere, anytime. Allah is always closer to you than your jugular vein and He hears and knows everything. Encourage friends to ask Allah’s help during tests, exams, and in dealing with problems at home with parents and siblings. Also point out how Islam relates to teenagers: Islam gives you focus and an understanding of who you are and where you are going, which most of “teen culture” does not.

Tip #8: Get them involved in volunteer work with you

If you are already involved in the community, get your friend to help out. Ask them to make a flyer for one of your youth group’s events or brainstorm for ideas about activities to hold this school year. This involvement makes them feel part of the Muslim community and deepens your friendship, since you are now working together on something beneficial for both of you. Make sure you thank them for their contribution.

Tip #9: Ask them 4 fundamental questions

As your friendship develops, you will notice the topics you discuss may become more serious. You may be discussing, for instance, future goals and plans. Khan recommends four questions to ask that can steer the topic to Allah and Islam:

a. Where am I going in life and what would make me really happy deep down inside?
b. What do I believe?
c. Who should I be grateful to?
d. Did I get to where I am today without the help of anyone?

Tip #10: Emphasize praying five times a day before any other aspect of Islam

A person’s main connection with Allah, on a daily basis, is through the prayer five times a day. Don’t emphasize any other aspect of Islam until your friend starts making a real effort to pray five times a day. Emphasize the direct connection one has with Allah in prayer. If they are facing a problem, tell them to pray, and to ask Allah for help in Salah and outside this time. When possible, make it a point to pray together during your “hang out time”. If your friend begins to pray, that is the first step to other aspects of Islam like giving up swearing, treating parents with respect or dressing as a muslim.

Tip# 11: Help instil confidence in adults

Adults, like Bart Simpson’s dad Homer, are considered bumbling idiots in the eyes of “teen culture”. Your job as a young Muslim is to help turn the tables on this false and non Islamic belief. All you have to do is this: when a Muslim adult does something good (i.e. saving someone’s life, donating money to a worthy cause, the Imam gives a good speech, taking good care of his/her family) bring it up in the course of your conversations with your friend and praise the adult in question. Doing this regularly may not only change your friend’s perspective, but could lead to them seeing their own parents in a more respectful way.

Tip #12: Support them even when they become more practicing

Remember, just because a person starts practicing Islam more regularly, this does not mean everything will be okay from this point onwards. There will still be hard times, difficulties. There may be times when your friend may have doubts about his or her new-found practice of Islam. Be there to reassure them.

What does it takes for Muslim to unite

It is incredible how separated we are from each other.  How hard is to salam the brother or the sister walking down the street?  How hard is for a sister to stop, just for a minute, shake the hand of another and tell her; “Love you for the sake of Allah subhana wa tallah?”  It shows when we pray in congregation, we don’t want to touch each other. We have to be reminded to make the lines straight, shoulder to shoulder and feet to feet. We know this, so why we need to be reminded all the time.

What are we doing to our Umah? What are we teaching our future generations? How would you face your Lord when He questions you about, your wealth, children and good deeds?  We need to unite, and show the world Islam is about unity, love and tolerance. But we have to start with our brothers and sisters. We need to embrace our differences and come together because we are Muslims, if nothing else. Stop acting like non-believers, stop living in this world like you are here to stay for ever. If Allah subhana wa talah bless you with a couple of pennies, alhamdulillah, stop acting like you are Donald Trump, humble yourself and be a Muslim obedient to your Lord. Pay Zakat, help the poor, help your community and your Masjid.  Stop, balling couple of dollars and throwing them in the saddaqa box.

Stop being a hypocrite, don’t ask me for my telephone number or any other information when you know very well you will not make an attempt to call me or communicate with me. Stop smiling at my face, and behind my back peel me like a banana.  Stop criticizing, your sister, your brother and look at all your character defects. Unite because we are Muslims, not because I am white, you are Arab or black.  Stop looking down at me when I dress, in a Shalwar and Kameez, and you dress all in black with a niqab. Who created us?  All of us for that matter.

Read our Prophet Muhammad salalahu alahi wa salam last sermon.  Ponder on his wise words which define who we are, and what is the religion of Islam.  Do you think our Prophet will be please with what the religion of Islam has become?

Prophet Muhammad  delivered his last sermon (Khutbah) on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah (12^th and last month of the Islamic year), 10 years after Hijrah (migration from Makkah to Madinah) in the Uranah Valley of mount Arafat. His words were quite clear and concise and were directed to the entire humanity.

After praising, and thanking Allah he said:

“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and TAKE THESE WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn ‘Abd’al Muttalib (Prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived…

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship ALLAH, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before ALLAH and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, NO PROPHET OR APOSTLE WILL COME AFTER ME AND NO NEW FAITH WILL BE BORN. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QURAN and my example, the SUNNAH and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O ALLAH, that I have conveyed your message to your people”.

(Reference: See Al-Bukhari, Hadith 1623, 1626, 6361) Sahih of Imam Muslim also refers to this sermon in Hadith number 98. Imam al-Tirmidhi has mentioned this sermon in Hadith nos. 1628, 2046, 2085. Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal has given us the longest and perhaps the most complete version of this sermon in his Masnud, Hadith no. 19774.)

…

One can heed words of wisdom and guidelines from the last sermon (khutbah) of the prophet (SAWS). His sermons emphasized on the following:

• Sacredness of a Muslim’s life and property
• The importance of propagating this message to all others (A Muslim’s responsibility thus does not end by following the religion)
• A reminder that everyone is fully accountable for their deeds and Allah (God) will take every person into account. If everyone heeded to this fact alone, the world would be a much better place today.
• “Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you.” These words of the prophet are self explanatory.
• The prohibition of dealing with interest (Numerous accounts in Quran and Hadith prohibit taking, giving or being a part of any transaction dealing with interest).
• “You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity.” These words of the prophet are self explanatory.
• The awareness of satan and how satan can work to deviate us from the right path and doing evil things.
• Rights of women over men and rights of men over women.
• Treatment of women with kindness.
• Modesty and chastity in women.
• The importance of worshiping Allah (saying your five daily prayers (Salah), fasting during the month of Ramadan, giving charity (Zakat) and performing pilgrimage (Hajj).
• Equality amongst all (blacks, white, Arabs, non-Arabs, etc.)
• The need to establish justice.
• Islam is the final divine religion (Last prophet and Last Book)

Re post. ISLAM EN ESPANOL

• Islam en Espanol

• LOOKING FOR HISPANIC MUSLIMAHS WHO REVERTED TO ISLAM AFTER 9/11.

• SISTERS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THIS SHORT DOCUMENTARY.

• WILL NEED TO SUBMIT A  SIGNED AND NOTARIZE CONSENT FOR THE INTERVIEW.

• NO MONETARY COMPENSATION.

• SISTERS SHOULD BE  BUT NOT NECESSARY, FROM NYC, NJ OR PENNSYLVANIA.

• CONTACT ME VIA e-mail. queenc29@hotmail.com, subject (so your e-mail is not deleted) LOOKING FOR HISPANIC MUSLIMAHS, Email should consist of: A short bio  and picture.

• Insha Allah this film will show the reality of Islam among the Hispanic community looking forward to hear from all my sisters Jazak allahu khayran,

• sister Khadijah bint Costello

• DW4S PRODUCTION COMPANY

Why marry? Why ask questions?

As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
I needed to share this post, with my sisters and brothers in Islam.  I understand how frustrating  it has become when looking for a suitable spouse.

We don’t have enough information about them.  All of the sudden mom and dad moved in, because in his culture is the way it should be done.  Or we don’t know about the child, who lives across the country and all of a sudden he/she is knocking at the door.  All of sudden our spouse gets sick and baam, he has diabetes, cancer, or AIDS. You get the picture.  And the best one yet to come, you are Muslim and on a Friday night you are getting dress to go and hang out with your boys or girls.   And at the end we don’t consult with our Lord, Allah subhana wa talah, we take on ourselves to say this is the one.  Think, and think hard, a temporary marriage, for the wrong reasons or a long healthy one with the blessings of Allah talah?

I am just saying, what you saying?

Questions to ask a prospective husband

When choosing a partner, there are many issues which may lead to friction and conflict. Following the principle that prevention is better than cure, it seems wise to air these issues before a match is finalized. Some of the issues may seem trivial or mundane, but the stuff of everyday life is also the stuff of arguments! Other issues are more serious, and may be indicative of the potential for a stormy and abusive marriage. Each marriage will have its ups and downs, but settling some of these matters may avoid the emergence of major, insoluble problems and consequent heartbreak.

These are all questions that may be asked directly or else “researched” by observation, asking his relatives, members of the community, etc. The prospective bride may ask some of these questions when the couple meet, but many women may feel too shy to ask outright. Family or friends can also help with the research – in many Muslim countries, relatives of prospective partners often visit to check the person out!

Asking/answering such questions is not gheebah or backbiting, and people should not hesitate to tell the truth when it concerns a possible marriage; the intent is to establish whether these two people are compatible. Avoiding a poor match will save all concerned from much heartache. At the same time, whether the marriage proceeds or not, any information thus gathered should be kept confidential – any “faults” uncovered should not be generally broadcast in the community!

These suggested questions are derived from two sources: an article entitled “Spousal Abuse and its Prevention” by Br. Abdul Rehman in Islamic Sisters International, and the feedback I received during a workshop I led on “Choosing a Marriage Partner” at the ISSRA Conference on Health and Social Issues, Toronto, May 25, 1996.

The Big Issues:

(1) What makes him angry and how does he deal with his anger?

Does he blame everybody but himself?

Does he stop talking to the person involved?

Does he bear grudges (“I’ll get him back one day!”)

Has he ever physically or mentally abused anyone with whom he was angry?

Does he get angry when those who may be wiser disagree or suggest an alternative point of view?

Does he ever forgive those with whom he was angry?

(2) How does he behave during a crisis?

Does he blame everyone except himself?

Does he become hostile towards an uninvolved member of an ethnic group which is known to abuse followers of Islam?

What steps does he take to face and deal with pressure?

Does he remain optimistic that things will get better, and that after every difficulty comes ease?

(3) How does he feel about women’s rights in a Muslim home?

Did he ever observe abuse from his father towards his mother?

Did he ever act to prevent abuse at home? How?

Did he believe that his father was always right?

Does he believe that all women deserve abuse?

How does he make decisions? Does he rely on his own wisdom? Does he consult with close friends?

Will he be willing to consult with his spouse on any decision?

Does he stick firmly to his decisions?

(4) How does he deal with money matters?

Does he save his money for the future?

Does he give money to charities?

When he decides to buy something, will he consult his spouse in making the decision?

How does he describe his own spending and attitude towards money?

(5) What does he expect from his wife and children?

How would he react if his expectations are not met?

What is his vision of family life?

Would he pitch in and co-operate in family chores and the upbringing of children?

Would he be willing to change to accommodate your views?

ARROGANCE.

Ridding oneself of arrogance How should a person come over arrogance?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

Arrogance is a blameworthy characteristic which is the feature of Iblees and his cohorts in this world, those on whose hearts Allaah has placed a seal.

The first one who showed arrogance towards Allaah and His creation was the accursed Iblees, when Allaah commanded him to prostrate to Adam and he refused and was arrogant, and said, “I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay.”

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And surely, We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being); then We told the angels, ‘Prostrate yourselves to Adam’, and they prostrated themselves, except Iblees (Satan), he refused to be of those who prostrated themselves.

(Allaah) said: ‘What prevented you (O Iblees) that you did not prostrate yourself, when I commanded you?’ Iblees said: ‘I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay’”

[al-A’raaf 7:11-12]

Arrogance is one of the characteristics of Iblees, so whoever wants to be arrogant should realize that he is acquiring a characteristic of the devils, and that he is not acquiring a characteristic of the noble angels who obeyed their Lord and fell down prostrate.

Moreover, arrogance may be the cause of a person being deprived of Paradise and may mean that the Lord of Glory will not even look at him, as it says in the following two ahaadeeth:

1 – It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No one who has an atom’s-weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.” A man said, “O Messenger of Allaah, what if a man likes his clothes and his shoes to look good?” He said, “Allaah is Beautiful and loves beauty. Arrogance means rejecting the truth and looking down on people.”

Narrated by Muslim, 91.

2 – It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever lets his garment drag along the ground out of pride, Allaah will not look at him on the Day of Resurrection.” Abu Bakr said: “Sometimes my garment slips down on one side, unless I pay attention to it.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “You are not doing that out of pride.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3465

Secondly:

Pride is an attribute that is not befitting for anyone except Allaah. Whoever seeks to compete with Allaah in that, Allaah will destroy him, wreak vengeance on him and make things difficult for him.

It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri and Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah (S) said: “Might is His garment and pride is His cloak; whoever seeks to compete with Me concerning them, I will punish him.”

Narrated by Muslim, 2620.

Al-Nawawi said: This is how it is narrated in all texts. The pronoun in the words ‘His garment’ and ‘His cloak’ refers to Allaah, and there is something omitted; what is meant is ‘Allaah says, ‘whoever seeks to compete with Me concerning them, I will punish him’.

What is meant by ‘seeks to compete with Me’ is seeking to acquire that characteristic in the sense of sharing in it.

This is a stern warning against arrogance which clearly demonstrates that it is haraam.

Sharh Muslim, 16/173.

Everyone who tries to be arrogant and put himself above others, Allaah will bring him down among the lowest of the low, and will humiliate him, because he is going against reality, so Allaah will punish him by thwarting his aims; the punishment is to fit the crime.

The one who is arrogant towards the people will be trampled beneath the feet of the people on the Day of Resurrection, as a punishment for his arrogance.

It was narrated from ‘Amr ibn Shu’ayb via his father and grandfather that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “On the Day of Resurrection, the arrogant will be gathered like ants in the form of men. Humiliation will overwhelm them from all sides. They will be driven to a prison in Hell called Bawlas, with the hottest fire rising over them, and they will be given to drink of the juice of the inhabitants of Hell, which is teenat al-khabaal.”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2492; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 2025.

Thirdly:

Arrogance is of several types, including the following:

1 – When a person does not accept the truth and produces false arguments against it, as we have mentioned in the hadeeth of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood, “Arrogance means rejecting the truth and looking down on people.”

2 – When a person admires himself for his beauty or handsomeness, or the fineness of his food or clothing, so he feels proud and arrogant and feels superior to people.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said (or Abu’l-Qaasim (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said): “Whilst a man was walking, dragging his garment with pride, with his hair nicely combed, Allaah caused the earth to swallow him and he will go on sinking in it until the Day of Resurrection.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3297; Muslim, 2088

A similar case is the story of the friend of the man whose companion spoke to him arrogantly. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And he had property (or fruit) and he said to his companion, in the course of mutual talk: ‘I am more than you in wealth and stronger in respect of men’”
[al-Kahf 18:34]

It may be that he was boasting about his tribe and linage.

Fourthly:

One of the remedies for arrogance is to think of yourself as being just like other people and realize that they are like you, they were born from a mother and a father just as you were, and that taqwa (piety, fear of Allaah) is the true criterion of superiority.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, the most honourable of you with Allaah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. he is one of the Muttaqoon (the pious)”

[al-Hujuraat 49:13]

The arrogant Muslim should realize that no matter what he achieves, he is still too weak to attain a stature like the mountains in height or rend nor penetrate the earth (cf. al-Isra’ 17:37), as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allaah likes not any arrogant boaster.

And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the braying of the asses”

[Luqmaan 31:18-19]

Al-Qurtubi said:

The phrase “nor walk in insolence through the earth” is a prohibition of arrogance and is enjoining humility. Marah (translated here as insolence) is excessive joy, or it was said that it means being arrogant in walking, or thinking too highly of oneself.

Qutaadah said: it means showing off in walking; or it was said that it means vanity.

All of these suggestions are close in meaning, but they may be divided into two categories: those which are blameworthy and those which are praiseworthy.

Arrogance, vanity, showing off and thinking too highly of oneself are blameworthy; joy and energy are praiseworthy.

Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 10/260.

Another remedy for arrogance is for a person to realize that on the Day of Resurrection he will be gathered in a small form like an ant which will be trampled underfoot. Arrogant people are hated by other people just as they are hated by Allaah; people love humble, tolerant and gentle people, and they hate those who are harsh and cruel to people.

Another remedy is to remember that he and urine came out of the same place; that he began as a despised drop of sperm and he will end up as a rotten corpse, and that in between he is a vessel for faeces.  So what does he have to feel so proud and arrogant about?!

We ask Allaah to rid us all of arrogance and make us humble.

And Allaah knows best.

Chain letters are shirk.

By:Yusuf Atiff Bin Abdel-Lateef Diab

Bismillah, Alhumdulillah wa Salatu wassalaam’alaa RasulAllaah wa ba’ad,

There occurs today a very detestable practice among our muslim sisters in
particular but not specific to them. It is the indulgence and participation in
email chain letters. For those of us not familiar with this activity, it is
where someone sends an email letter with some sort of story pertaining, in most
cases but not always, to something Islamic, and then they put a condition at the
end of this story to distribute this email to a certain number of people. The
condition usually is a severe warning against not forwarding the email to the
certain number of people in which case some calamity or mishap will occur if it
is not done. In other cases the condition proposes a special benefit for
forwarding the email to the certain number of people. Ordinarily this is a form
of shirk that I think most people would be aware of or at least should
recognize. Believing that some act not from the Qur’aan or Sunnah, if done, can
cause some harm and/or benefit is indeed shirk. In doing
so we set up a rival to Allaah, for truly it is only Allaah who can benefit us
or harm us, and only Allaah can remove such harm. As Allaah says in Surah
Al-An’am ayah 17:

“And if Allaah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He, and if He
touches you with good, then He is Able to do all things.” One of the things we
learn from this ayat is that any harm that afflicts us can only be removed by
Allaah, so to specifically believe in bad omens, which includes bad luck and the
belief that certain practices, not endorsed by Allaah or The Prophet  , can affect the outcome of future events, is in essence the
meaning of an omen. So to believe in these omens would be belief that other than
Allaah can remove such harm from us, which is setting a rival with Allaah in
this removal of harm, which is shirk! And Allaah says in Surah al-Ma’aidah ayah
72 : “Verily, whosoever sets up rivals in worship with Allaah, then Allaah has
forbidden Al-Jannah for him, and the Fire will be his abode.”

Imam Ahmad reports, on the authority of Ibn `Amr radhi Allahu anhumma, that the
Prophet said:

“Whoever is turned back from his objective by a bad omen has committed Shirk.”
They asked: “And what is the expiation for that?” He
replied: “It is to say: “Oh, Allah! There is no good except that which You
bestow and there is no evil except that which You bestow and there is none has
the right to be worshipped but You.”

In many circumstances these chain emails threatens the reader that “if” the
email is not sent to the certain number of people then “such and such” will
occur. As reported in the above hadith this is Shirk! As is reported on the
authority of Ibn Mas’ood radhi Allahu ’anhu in a marfoo’ form, that he said:
“At-tiyarah (belief in omens) is Shirk, at-tiyrah (belief in omens) is Shirk.
There is none among us who is not afflicted by it, but Allah, by true dependence
on Him removes it from the heart.” [1] So this hadeeth / athar is a
rejection of belief in omens because such beliefs necessitates negation of
belief in Allah’s Qadr and because it causes the heart to become attached to
other than Allah, which is Shirk.

Also it is reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah radhi Allaahu anhu that the
Messenger of Allah said:

“There is no `adwaa [2], no tiyarah (belief in omens) and no
haamah[3] and no Safar [4]” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

Muslim, in his Saheeh, adds: “…and no naw and no ghoul [6].”

Now what is even more disturbing is that these omens are presented and
beautified in the form of “harmless” conditions and mere fun. No doubt a trick
for shaytaan ar rajeem, wa iyaadhu billah.

The most recent one of these shirk chain emails that I came across, put the
condition that “if you love Allaah, then forward this letter to..”!!! This
should indeed be a higher degree of disturbing for Ahl Sunnah as it entails
speaking about an attribute of Allaah without knowledge, namely Allaah’s love.
How is it that one can put a condition to Allaah’s love based on doing an act
that has no precedence in The Book of Allaah or The Sunnah of His Messenger
 ?!?! This is indeed a form of ilhad (deviation)
regarding the attribute of Allaah, and a form of shirk in this category of
Tawheed (Asmaa wa Sifaat). The love of Allaah is attainable through many acts of
ibaadah mentioned to us in the Quran and Sunnah, and thus to innovate in this
noble venture is a disgusting type of bidah, pursued in most part by those of
ahl kalam (The people of false rhetoric), the philosophers, and the sufis. Those
people who chose not to be content with the established
texts of Al-Islaam, but rather engage in exercising their intellect with regard
to the deen. As we should know the Beautiful, Perfect and Lofty Names and
Attributes of Allaah are tawqeefiyyah, meaning they are derived from the text of
The Qur’aan and The Sunnah. Speaking about Allaah’s Names and/or Attributes
without knowledge that which was not mentioned by Allaah or His Messenger
 or the righteous predecessors of this Ummah
constitutes a great offense against Allaah and His Deen. Allaah Subhana wa
Ta’ala says in Surah Al Ar’af ayah 33: “Say: My Lord has forbidden.. and that
you say about Allaah that of which you have no knowledge”. And Allaah says in
Surah al-Isra’a ayah 36: “Do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge.” So
we must be extremely careful not to attribute to Allaah or place a condition on
His Ta’ala attributes that was not mentioned in any text of The Qur’aan and
Sunnah, even if it appears to agree with our intellect. This
is the methodology of the Sahabah concerning the Names and Attributes of
Allaah, and it is the methodology that we in turn should adopt.

In conclusion I offer this sincere advise, and straightforward warning, if you
or anyone you know is in the practice of writing these emails, or forwarding
them, please revere Allaah and set not up rivals with him by spreading this
fitnah of belief and indulgence in omens and superstious practices. Like so many
other types of hidden shirk, it is beautified and marginalized until it enters
our home as something that we take to be so minute and insignificant.

May Allah Al-Wakeel rectify the affairs of the Ummah. May He, Al-Walee protect
us from all forms of Shirk, major and minor, hidden and apparent. Ya Allaah
Al-Mawlaa support us against the plots of shaytaan ar rajeem and our nafs and
desires. Wa SallAllahu wasallem wa Barrik ’alaa RasulAllaah wa ‘alaa ’Alyhi wa
Sahbihi ajma’een.

———— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— -

[1] Narrated by Abu Dawood and At-Tirmidhi, who said it is authentic, but considered
the last part of it to be Ibn Mas’ood’s own statement       [2] Infectious or contagious disease.

[3] Interpreting omens based on the flight of a nocturnal bird.

[4] Some scholars said that it refers to parasites which infest the stomach and
intestines of mankind and cattle, while others said that it refers to the pagan belief that the
arrival of the month of Safar in the Muslim calendar bodes ill, while the dictionary defines safar as jaundice – and Allah knows best.

[5] belief that the positions of the stars affect the climate

[6] ghosts and ghouls

From the book: Advice to the Youth of Ahlus Sunnah.

By Sheikh Ibrahim Ar Ruhaylee

Firstly:  From the established principles in the religion of Islam is that the Muslim should greatly emphasize the reformation and emendation of his own self, work diligently towards securing the success of his own soul and distance himself from those things which would bring about his destruction, before he concerns himself with others as Allah says in the Qur’an:

            “By al Asr, Verily man is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous actions and exhort one another to the truth and exhort one another to patience.” 

Second point:  It is imperative to know that Ahlus Sunnah is the first one to thoroughly exemplify the religion of Islam, whether in the issues of Aqeedah or Sulook.  It is from a restricted understanding and outlook to believe that the Sunni or the Salafi is one who only exemplifies the creed of Islam without emphasizing the appropriate Islamic manners and etiquettes, and discharging the rights that are due to every Muslim from amongst them.  Sheikh Islam Ibn Taymiyah said towards the end of his book Al Aqeedah wasiteeyah after mentioning the principles of Ahlus Sunnah in relation to Aqeedah:

            “… and they along with these principals; enjoin the good and forbid evil, based upon the legislative guidelines.  They see the obligation of performing Hajj, jihad, Jumu’ah and the E’id prayers alongside the Muslim ruler, whether they are righteous or rebellious and disobedient.  They work diligently to preserve the Muslim community, they deem it part of the religion to give Naseehah to the Ummah and believe wholeheartedly in the statement of the Messenger of Allah:

            “The believer to another believer is like one solid structure, one part strengthening the other then he interlocked his fingers to demonstrate.”

Third point:  From the most important objectives, which Islam encourages the Muslim to emphasize and be diligent in, is the guidance of humanity to the religion of Islam, as the Prophet Muhammad sallahu alaihi wa salam said when he sent Ali Ibn Abi Talib to Khaybar:

            “If Allah was to guide one person by your hands, it is better for you than red camels.”

            It is binding upon the one whom Allah has favored and guided to the Sunnah to be diligent and exert every effort possible in calling those who have deviated from the Sunnah or have shortcomings regarding it, back to its implementation.  It should be done with gentleness and leniency in order to bring their hearts closer to accepting the Haqq.

Fourth point:  It is very important, especially for those students of knowledge who are involved in giving da’wah, distinguishing between Mudaarat and Mudaahanah.  As for Mudaarat, is pertaining to leniency and gentleness in your dealings with people, then it is highly recommend. 

Fifth point:  The Da’ee who is involved in calling people to this deen has two legislated paths that he can follow in doing such, which are supported by evidences ( from the Qur’an and the Sunnah):

1. Maslak ut Ta’leef wal Targheeb:  The path of leniency and encouragement.  Certainly, this is encouraged.
2. Maslak ul hajar wat Tariheeb:  The path of boycotting and chasing people away.

The truth of the matter is that he is mistaken if he treads either path absolutely with everybody, rather it is appropriate for him to take the path, with everyone who opposes the Haqq, which is more likely to bring about his acceptance of the truth and his return to what is correct.  So if Ta’leef is more beneficial for the one who is disobedient, and more likely to bring about his rectification and reformation then this what is legislated.  But if boycotting is better and more effective then this is what is legislated.

SINCERE ADVICE FROM SHEIKHAH AL-WAADI’EEYAH….

This is the response to what the Sheikhah Umm Abdillah Al-Waad’eeyah, may Allah preserve her, had when a flyer was shown and translated to her, for a sisters beauty and spa gathering in the west. The request was made to the sister Umm Abdillah Al-Britaaniyah, may Allah preserve her, to ask the Sheikhah about this issue.

The response from the Sheikhah:

All praises are due to Allah. And may the prayer and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is his slave and messenger. To proceed:

Firstly, it is upon every Muslim woman to know that Allah has made it obligatory upon her to remain at home. As He has said:

وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ ٣٣:٣٣

“And stay in your homes (Oh you women) and do not display your adornments or beauty like the days of Ignorance”

So this is the foundation, however if it becomes necessary for her to leave her home then there is no objection. Provided that she leaves for a reason permitted by the legislation of Al-Islaam. This is because of the speech of the Prophet:

قد أنِنَ الله لكُنَّ أنْ تُخْرُجْنَ لِحَوائِجِكُنَّ

“Indeed it has been permitted for you (women) to leave your homes”

Collected in the Saheeh of Imaam Muhammad bin Ismaa’eel Al-Bukhaari #5237