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Narrated Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As(r) : Allah’s Messenger (s) supplicated: “ Allahumma musaarrifal-qulubi,sarrif qulubana ‘ala ta atika ( O Allah! Controller of the hearts, ... view more |
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Umar bin Al Khattab’s Zuhd (Abstemious Lifestyle that is prompted by a desire for what is in the hereafter)
Khalifah Umar(r) used to say, “Had I wished, I could have eaten better (and more) than any one of you, and I could have attire myself in softer clothing than any one of you can, but I am withholding my good things (for the Hereafter).” What leader of a people is not able to have the best of everything? Most leaders do appropriate the best of everything for themselves, but not those who fear Allah. While he was Khalifah (caliph) over an entire nation, Umar(r) gave a sermon to the people, while he was attired in a lower garment that had 12 patches on it.... view more |
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ICNA Joins Coalition to End Islamophobia & Bigotry |
JAMAICA, New York (January 7, 2012) – The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) issued a press release today welcoming the invitation to join the Coalition to End Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Bigotry.
“The negative reaction to TLC’s All American Muslim is a prime example of the rise of bigotry and anti-Muslim sentiment across the nation,” said Dr. Zahid Bukhari, President of ICNA. “ICNA has long recognized this threat to the values of American society and launched the ‘Defending Religious Freedom, Understanding Shariah’ campaign in May 2011 to educate the public on Shariah in specific and Islam in general.” “We are truly honored to join the Coalition to End Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Bigotry as part of our ongoing efforts to fight prejudice against American Muslims. These organizations and individuals are taking a stand by uniting in the face of racism and bigotry towards American Muslims and other minority faith groups in our society. We look forward to working with our brothers and sisters of various faiths, races, orientations and political leanings to battle Islamophobia and hatred in all forms.” KEY MISSION OF THE COALITION TO END ISLAMOPHOBIA & ANTI-MUSLIM BIGOTRY:
Who we are:
We are a united coalition of religious and political leaders, the interfaith community, communities of color, civil rights and LGBT groups, and social justice activists – everyday Americans of all walks of life – standing up for religious freedom and tolerance for all Americans.
Core Idea: There is a rapidly growing groundswell of Americans—including people of faith and moral commitment—standing up for religious freedom, standing against attacks on people simply because they are different, and speaking out against companies and corporations that allow fringe hate groups to affect their hiring, management and advertising practices.** This group of Americans recognizes that the most powerful means to ending to these attacks on religious freedom in America is by banding together and forming a unified front to combat these issues. ** Included in this group of companies is Lowe’s and Kayak’s decision to pull advertisements from TLC’s reality TV series “All American Muslim.” Supporting Idea 1:
The United States of America was founded on the principle of freedom of religion. Today, America is the most religiously diverse country in the world. Our country’s strength comes precisely from its diversity. Fringe groups that promote Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry are undermining the very foundation of America, and they are threatening the values of upon which our country was built. Supporting Idea 2:
By censoring and preventing honest portrayals of everyday American Muslim life from entering the public view via mainstream media, anti-Muslim groups further perpetuate stereotypes that inspire fear, hatred, and violence directed toward Muslims across the nation. The good news and call to action:
Hundreds of thousands of Americans have spoken up in support of TLC for its courageous decision to produce and broadcast the groundbreaking series “All-American Muslim,” at a time when the public perception of Islam and Muslims is at an all-time low, and ignorance about the religion and its followers is widespread. We are rallying our congregations, communities, elected officials, our friends and our families to let American companies know that caving into groups that seek to divide our nation by stigmatizing and harming our fellow Americans is wrong. It is time that put an end to Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry. Our Three Unifying Goals:
1. To denounce the smear campaign launched by what has come to be known as the “Islamophobia industry,” which has most recently waged a boycott campaign against “All-American Muslim” and TLC’s advertisers, and that continues to seek new ways to marginalize Islam and Muslims in the public eye. In this specific instance, the campaign attacking “All-American Muslim” was initiated by the FFA, but has been joined by both well-known members of the Islamophobia industry as well as more marginal members. The primary promoters of this campaign have been Robert Spencer and “Jihad Watch,” Pamela Geller and “Atlas Shrugs,” Geller and Spencer’s AFDI/SIOA, Brigitte Gabriel and ACT! for America, as well as many relatively marginal groups like the FFA and the American Decency Project. These organizations have been condemned by the Anti-Defamation League, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and a slew of other civil rights and human rights organizations for their malicious campaign to instill fear and hatred against Muslims in America.** **The ADL has stated that Brigitte Gabriel’s ACT! for America, Pamela Geller & Robert Spencer’s Stop the Islamization of America (SIOA) are “groups that promote an extreme anti-Muslim agenda,” and The Southern Poverty Law Center has designated AFDI/SIOA as a hate group. 2. We ask corporate America to take a stand against Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry, just as they would against any other form of bigotry or racism. The hate groups mentioned above claim to have convinced a large number of companies to bend to their fear campaigns. Although some of these corporations have publicly repudiated the claims, many have yet to state their position either in support of or against their affiliation with said fringe groups. These companies’ customers, as well as all American consumers, deserve to know where these corporations stand and whether or not they have indeed been swayed by the bullying tactics of fringe hate groups. We want these companies to take an official pledge that: » They will not yield to coercion by fringe and/or hate groups of any kind. » Racism and bigotry will play no part in their advertising decisions. » Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry will be recognized as equal to all other forms of bigotry, including racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, and homophobia. 3. We, as a united coalition of hundreds of thousands of Americans, say Enough is Enough, and we declare that Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry are on par with all other forms of bigotry, including racism, sexism, Anti-Semitism, and homophobia. An assault on any one of us is an assault against all of us, and will be treated as such. List of people who have been supporting this campaign and who have been invited to join the Coalition:
Politicians:
Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance)
Rep. John Conyers (D-MI)
Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT)
Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-MN)
NJ State Majority Leader, Barbara Buono (D)
Mayor Cory Booker (D)
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer
Gary Peters
John Dingell
Hansen Clarke (D MI-13)
Barbara Lee (D CA-9)
Bennie G. Thomson (D MS-2)
Dennis J. Kucinich (D OH-10)
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D NJ-8)
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D- IL-2)
Adam B. Schiff (D CA-29)
Raul M. Grijalva (D AZ-7)
James P. Morgan (D VA-8)
John D. Dingell (D MI-15)
Michael M. Honda (D CA-15)
Donna F. Edwards (D MD-4)
Chellie Pingree (D ME-1)
Gwen Moore (D WI-4)
Loretta Sanchez (D CA-47)
David E. Price (D NC-4)
Jay Inslee (D WA-1)
John C. Carney, Jr. (D DE-AL)
John W. Olver (D MA-1)
Judy Chu (D CA-32)
Zoe Lofgren (D CA-16)
Rosa L. Delauro (D CT-3)
Fortney “Pete” Stark (D CA-13)
Alcee L. Hastings (D FL-23)
John B. Larson (D CT-1)
André Carson (D IN-7)
Gary C. Peters (D MI-9)
James A. Himes (D CT-4)
Janice D. Schakowsky (D IL-9)
Tammy Baldwin (D WI-2)
Celebrities:
Russell Simmons
Kimora Lee Simmons
Aasif Mandvi
Deepak Chopra
Mia Farrow
Kal Penn
Reagan Gomez
Maz Jobrani
Rima Fakih
Ryan Babel
Perez Hilton
Dl Hughley
QuestLove
Iqbal Theba
Loni Love
Morgan Spurlock
Brother Ali
Mo Ryan
Roland S. Martin
DI Hughley
Meghan McCain
Susan Sarandon
Heather Graham
Ashton Kutcher
Baba Ali
Religious Leaders:
Jim Wallis
Rev. Chuck Curie
Rabbi Marc Schneier
Rev. Ed Bacon
Shaykh Suhaib Webb
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi
Rev. Charles E. Williams II
Rev. J. Carl Gregg
Rev. Peter Laarman
Activists:
Amanda Kloer
Sami ElMansoury
Linda Sarsour
Sheila Musaji (The American Muslim)
Robert Greenwald, Brave New Films
Organizations:
MoveOn.org
Change.org
Patheos
Pluralism Project
Foundation for Ethnic Understanding
Russell Simmons Group
PrepareNY Coalition
Groundswell (social action initiative of Auburn Seminary)
Shoulder to Shoulder
Commonweal & Young Progressive Catholics
The Soujourners
The National Councils of Churches
All Saints Episcopal
ADC
MPAC
CAIR National
ICNA
AAI
ASMA
AAF
ING
Involver
Jumpstart
Colorado Muslim Speakers Bureau
African American Ministers Leadership Council
Historic King Solomon Baptist Church of Detroit Michigan
National Council for Community Empowerment
Human Rights Coalition (HRC) The Islamic Circle of North America is a leading American Muslim organization dedicated to the betterment of society through the promotion of Islamic values. Since 1968, ICNA has worked to build relations between communities by devoting itself to education, outreach, social services and relief efforts.
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Domestic Violence Workshop in New Jersey |
Domestic Violence Workshop in New Jersey reported by Sobia Pervez
On December 18, 2011 at WHY-ISLAM dawah center ICNA Sisters NJ in collaboration with Nusrah Sisters NJ conducted a workshop on domestic violence in Muslim communities. It was the first time that ICNA Sisters NJ organized such program addressing this issue. The main purpose of this program was to give our local sisters awareness about domestic violence especially among Muslim community, how to recognize different kind of abuses and what kind of help ICNA and Nusrah can offer to the victims of domestic abuse. There were about forty women who attended this workshop. Ayesha siddiqi of ICNA welcome the guests and gave the introduction of ICNA Relief projects for women and children. She asked the audience to volunteer their time and skills to these projects. Among the speakers was the founder of “Nusrah” Sister Naureen Memom. She taught the audience how to recognize signs of abuse in a person. Women and children are the ones that are abused the most. Every nine seconds a women is abused. There are many types of abuses that take place in people’s home. The first one is physical which consists of hitting, slapping, and sometimes burning. The second one is sexual abuse. The third kind of abuse is emotional, psychological or mental abuse such as constantly taunting, accusing someone, neglect, verbal and etc. The fourth is financial abuse where the spouse takes the money away and gives limited amount of money for necessities. The last one is spiritual abuse where the other spouse says that one has inadequate Islamic knowledge or if it is the man who is abusing the woman than he says that I am “in-charge” of you and uses the Quran incorrectly. Workshop also had panel discussion consisted of three professional sisters who work and help in these situations. The sisters emphasized on how as Muslims we have a responsibility to help the oppressed, stop the hand of the oppressor and make a difference in victim’s life by the mercy of Allah (swt).
Overall, the workshop was very informative. Many sisters signed up to help these desperate people in society. ICNA Relief has their shelters in different states and is trying to open more in different areas. May Allah (swt) help the victims and give them patience.
For more information about Nusrah visit Nusrahnj.com
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ICNA: Take Action Against Bigotry & Hate |
JAMAICA, New York (December 9, 2011) – The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) issued a press release today criticizing Lowe’s for pulling advertising from All-American Muslim, and urging the American Muslim community to contact the company and express its disappointment with this decision.
“We find it incredibly disturbing that Lowe’s has caved to the calls of Islamophobes and pulled advertising from All-American Muslim, an American reality show on TLC that is working to dispel stereotypes and counter hatred against the American Muslim community,” said ICNA Vice President for Public Affairs Naeem Baig.
All-American Muslim provides insight into the struggles of a minority religious community as it works to establish its American identity while adhering to its faith. If Lowe’s claims to be a retailer for all Americans it should support such programs, but by withdrawing its advertising Lowe’s has shown that it is not welcoming of all Americans or of minority faith groups. We urge the American Muslim community and our friends, family, neighbors and all people of conscience to call Lowe’s CEO Robert Niblock at (704) 758-2084 or Executive Support Mr. Andrew Kilby at (866) 900-4650 and respectfully complain about this decision. Here are the talking points: “I am calling to complain regarding Lowe’s decision to pull advertising from TLC’s All-American Muslim. The defamatory remarks made regarding this show are false and hateful towards our community. By caving to Islamophobes, Lowe’s is essentially supporting and disseminating negative stereotypes about American Muslims. This show is neither ‘propaganda’ nor a ‘clear and present danger to the liberties and traditional values’ of Americans. As Americans we value tolerance, understanding and coexistence, all of which are cultivated through All-American Muslim. What portion of Lowe’s advertising guidelines is adverse to these ideals? I will not support a corporation that panders to bigotry and the demands of hate groups. I strongly urge you to reconsider your decision and reinstate advertising for All-American Muslim.” You may also email by clicking here. If Lowe’s stands by its decision, we urge all Americans who stand for justice to boycott Lowe’s by canceling their memberships and taking their business elsewhere. We firmly believe that a corporation that does not care for the support of the American Muslim community should not be given the privilege of receiving it. We also ask that you counter the hateful calls of Islamophobes and show your support for All-American Muslim by tuning in to TLC on Sundays at 10/9 Central. The Islamic Circle of North America is a leading American Muslim organization dedicated to the betterment of society through the promotion of Islamic values. Since 1968, ICNA has worked to build relations between communities by devoting itself to education, outreach, social services and relief efforts. The Islamic Circle of North America is a leading American Muslim organization dedicated to the betterment of society through the promotion of Islamic values. Since 1968, ICNA has worked to build relations between communities by devoting itself to education, outreach, social services and relief efforts. —END— Press Contact: Naeem Baig
Vice President for Public Affairs
Islamic Circle of North America
E-mail:
Office: (718) 658-1199 Extension: 102
Cell: (917) 202-2118
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ICNA Issues Urgent Action Alert Re NDA Senate Bill |
JAMAICA, New York (December 2, 2011) – The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) issued an urgent action alert to the American Muslim community today, urging them to ask President Obama to veto a bill that will allow for indefinite detention of US citizens.
“The US Senate voted Tuesday in favor of a provision in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act that will allow for US citizens accused of terrorist activity to be detained indefinitely and without a lawyer or trial. This bill will give permanent authority to the president to detain US citizens for life without formally charging them with a crime.
This bill is archaic and dangerous, violating basic civil and human rights and completely disregarding the due process of law. We urge you to contact President Obama and local members of Congress to act against this bill and prevent it from becoming law. Our liberties and rights are at stake today, and we must act to protect them. Contact President Obama:
Call the President: (202) 456-1111
Email: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments
Mail: The White House: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500 What to say:
President Obama,
We ask that you fulfill your promise to uphold the U.S. Constitution by vetoing the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. Due process of law is our strength, and not our weakness. We say there can be no detention without a trial, and our freedom is non-negotiable. You must restore and protect the U.S. Constitution and prevent this bill from uprooting the rights of American citizens. Contact your state Senator:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Contact your local Representative:
http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/ What to say:
We ask that you contact President Obama and tell him to veto this bill as he has promised. Restore the due process of law; no one should be detained without charge or benefit of a lawyer and a fair trial.” The Islamic Circle of North America is a leading American Muslim organization dedicated to the betterment of society through the promotion of Islamic values. Since 1968, ICNA has worked to build relations between communities by devoting itself to education, outreach, social services and relief efforts.
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Happy New Islamic Year .... "1433" |
Dear sisters in Islam,
Alhamdulillah, the year 1433 AH has arrived. Happy new Islamic year, may Allah give barakah in your time and give all of us Guidance. Let's make some plans and pray with the start of New Year to have the safe and peaceful year for the whole Ummah and the world.
As we all know during the Khilafah of Umar bin al-Khattab the sahaba agreed to start the Islamic calendar from when the Messenger of Allah SAW made hijra to Medina and established the first Islamic State. As we enter the blessed month of Muharram and the year 1433 we should remind ourselves of the hijra.
Hijrah was a carefully planned migration which marks not only a break in history - the beginning of the Islamic era- but also, for Muhammad SAW and the Muslims, a new way of life. Henceforth, the organizational principle of the community was not to be mere blood kinship, but the greater brotherhood of all Muslims. The men who accompanied Muhammad SAW on the Hijrah were called the Muhajirun - "those that made the Hijrah" or the "Emigrants" - while those in Medina who became Muslims were called the Ansar or "Helpers."
It is critical for us, the Muslims, to realize that this event not only marks the beginning of our calendar, but more importantly it commemorates the establishment of the nucleus of the first Islamic state. For hundreds of years to come this nucleus would engulf neighboring lands, subsequently liberating one oppressed people after another and bringing them the Mercy from Allah SWT called Islam. If we want to talk about the essential nature of the Hijrah, we have to realize that it marks the time when Islam as an Ideology was transformed from idea to practice.
Although the month of Muharram is a sanctified month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named Ashurah. Abdullah Ian Masud reports that the Holy Prophet SAW, preferred the fast of Ashurah to the fast of other days and preferred the fast of Ramadan to the fast of Ashurahh. (Bukhari and Muslim) . According to another Hadith, one should fast two days: the 9th an 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th of it because Holy Prophet SAW wanted to distinguish the Islamic-way of fasting from that of Jews.
However according to Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, there are some legends and misconceptions with regard to Ashurah that have no support of authentic Islamic sources, some very common of them are these:
This is the day in which Adam was created.
This is the day in which Ibrahim was born.
This is the day in which Allah accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Ibrahim.
This is the day on which the Qiyamah (dooms-day) will take place.
Whoever takes bath in the day of Ashurah will never get ill.
All these and other similar whims and fancies are totally baseless.
Some people take it as Sunnah to prepare a particular type of meal in the day of Ashurah. This practice, too, has no basis in the authentic Islamic sources.
Some other people attribute the sanctity of Ashurah to the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain during his battle with the Syrian army. No doubt, the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain is one of the most tragic episodes of our history. Yet, the sanctity of Ashurah cannot be ascribed to this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of 'Ashurah was established during the days of the Holy Prophet SAW much earlier than the birth of Sayyidna Husain.
On the contrary, it is one of the merits of Sayyidna Husain that his martyrdom took place on the day of Ashurah.
Another misconception about the month of Muharram is that it is an evil or unlucky month, for Sayyidna Husain was killed in it. It is for this misconception that people avoid holding marriage ceremonies in the month of Muharram. This is again a baseless concept. The Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet SAW have made us free from such superstitious beliefs, and they should deserve no attention.
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10 Great Days in Dhul-Hijjah... |
Even for those not performing the pilgrimage, Hajj, the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja are considered very sacred and a time for increased reflection, seeking Allah's forgiveness, doing good and various other forms of worship.
Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) has said about the first ten days of Dhul Hijja: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing (Bukhari).
Ahmad and at-Tabarani recorded from Ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah said, "There is no day more honourable in Allah's sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allah than those done in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah: La ilaha illallah), takbir(Allah is the greatest : Allahu Akbar) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allah : alhamdu lillah) a lot [on those days]." [Reported by Ahmad]
Abu Hurairah relates that the Messenger of Allah said, "There are no days more loved to Allah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul-Hijja. Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the night of power. [i.e., Lailatul Qadr]." [This is related by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and al-Baihaqi]
Jabir reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “There is no day better in the sight of Allah than the Day of Arafah (9th of Dhul-Hijja). On this day Allah, the Almighty and the Exalted One, descends to the nearest heaven, and He is proud of His slaves on the earth and says to those in heaven, ‘Look at My servants. They have come from far and near, with hair dishevelled and faces covered with dust, to seek My mercy, even though they have not seen My chastisement.' Far more people are freed from the Hellfire on the Day of Arafah than on any other day.” [Ibn Hibban]
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spent the day at Arafah until almost sunset. Then he said, “O Bilal, ask the people to be quiet and listen to me.” Bilal stood up and asked the people to be quiet and listen to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When the people were quiet, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “O people, a little while ago Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to me. Gave me salutations from Allah and informed me that Allah has forgiven those who spend the Day at Arafah and those who stop at Al-Mashar Al-Haram, and that He has guaranteed them [relief from] debts.” [Ibn Al-Mubarak]
Abu Ad-Darda reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “On no other day does the Satan feel so belittled, humiliated, and angry as he does on the Day of Arafah. The reason for this is the mercy of Allah that descends (this day) and the forgiveness that He grants to people for major sins, except the day of the Battle of Badr, which witnessed a far greater mercy of Allah descending upon people, which caused great sadness to Satan." (Reported by Malik and Al-Hakim).
Generally, all good deeds are rewarded highly at this blessed time. These actions include praying, reading Quran, making Dua (supplication), giving in charity and being good to our families.
The Friday Nasiha… YM Canada.
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ICNA SISTERS - East Region has introduced a multi-dimensional course in which they will focus on different aspects of the Holy Quran. Great oppertunity... so join them and increase your knowledge. For more information refer the attached flyer. http://www.icnasisterswing.com/events.php
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Fundamentals of Tajweed Presented by Online Islamic Institute for Women (OIIW) |
ICNA Sisters of Online Institute of Islamic Studies for Women (OIIW) offers the class on the Fundamentals of Tajweed, now available to all interested sisters.
For Further Details...
http://icnasisterswing.com/events.php
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Each of us has a Bank called “T I M E” |
Surah Al ‘Asr (Time Through The Ages)[103:001] By Al-’Asr (the time).[103:002] Verily, man is in loss, [103:003] Except those who believe (in Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth [i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al-Ma'rûf) which Allâh has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al-Munkar) which Allâh has forbidden], and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allâh’s Cause during preaching His religion of Islâmic Monotheism or Jihâd). There is a Bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400.It carries over no balance from day to day.very evening deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out ALL of it, of course!!!! Each of us has such a Bank.Its name is TIME.Every morning,it credits you with 86,400 seconds.Every night it writes off, as lost,whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose.It carries over no balance.It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you.Each night it burns the remains of the day.If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against the “tomorrow. ”You must live in the present on today’s deposits. Invest it carefully with wisdom and knowledge. Use your Time to pray sincerely and do good and charity;To faithfully practice the Five Pillars and perfect your Deen. To remember to thank Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala for everything;To adhere to the commandments of the Holy Qur’aan and the teachings of the Sunnah of theProphet Sall Allaahu alayhi wa sallam .In order that you may benefit the utmost inblessings and guidance in your life living withstrength of eemaan and taqwaa Seeking only the Pleasure of Allaah Ta’aala for the sake of your Hereafter. The clock is running.Make the most of each day. Start working on your‘Time’ We should not neglect our Time or use it haphazardly; on the contrary we should bring ourselves to account, structure our litanies and other practices during each day and night, and assign to each period a fixed and specific function for self-development in our Deen and maximise its potential. The better route towards self-development is, of course, to integrate all our efforts into a structured daily life. Ibn Abbas narrated that Prophet Mohammad (Sallalaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: “There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.” (Bukhari 8/421)
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Who's Watching You" by Imam Omar Sulaiman |
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Modesty - The Missing Element by Nouman Ali Khan |
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The Heart and The Quran.. |
The more important part of your 'person' is your inner self. This inner self the Quran calls the qalb or the 'heart'. The heart of the Prophet was the first recipient of the Quranic message: Truly it has been sent down by the Lord of all the worlds, the Trustworthy Spirit has alighted with it upon your heart [O Prophet], that you may be one of the Warner ... Quran 26:192-194. You will therefore reap the full joys and blessings of reading the Qur'an when you are able to involve your heart fully in your task. The 'heart', in Quranic vocabulary, is not just a piece of flesh in your body, but it is the centre of all your feelings, emotions, motives, drives, aspirations, remembrance and attention. It is the heart which softens Quran 39:23, or hardens. Quran 2:74 It is the heart that goes blind and refuses to recognize the truth Quran 22:46 and it is the heart that inspires the function to reason and understand. Quran 7:179; 22:46; 50:37 In the heart, lies the root of all outward diseases Quran 5:52; it is the seat of all inner ills Quran 2:10. The heart is the abode of faith Quran 5:41 and hypocrisy. Quran 9:77 It is the heart, which is the centre of all that is good and bad, whether it be contentment and peace Quran 13:28, the strength to face afflictions Quran 64:11, mercy Quran 57:27, brotherly love Quran 8:63, God-Consciousness Quran 49:3; 22:32; or, doubt and hesitation Quran 9:45, regrets Quran3:156, and anger Quran 9:15. Finally it is, in reality, the way of the heart for which we shall be accountable, and only the one who brings before his God a sound and sincere heart will deserve to be saved. God will not take you to task for a slip, but He will take you to task for what your hearts have earned. Quran 2:225 The Day when neither wealth nor children shall profit, [and when] only he [will be saved] who comes before God with a sound heart [free of evil]. Quran 26:88-89 You must therefore ensure that so long as you are with the Quran, your heart remains with you. The heart not being that piece of flesh but what the Quran calls qalb. God has sent down the best discourse as a Book, fully consistent within itself, oft-repeated, whereat shiver the skins of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and hearts soften to the remembrance of God. Quran 39:23 Excerpted and adapted from the book "Way to the Quran" by Khurram Murad
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In the Shade of Laylat al-Qadr: Seven Points |
In the Shade of Laylat al-Qadr: Seven Points In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful 1 – The Meaning of Qadr Ibn Hajar said in ‘Fath al-Bari’ (4/323-324): “There are various explanations of the meaning of the qadr that this night is ascribed to. It was said that it means veneration, as in the verse: {“...and they didn’t venerate (qadar) Allah as He deserved...”} [al-An’am; 91] This refers to it being a night of veneration due to the revelation of the Qur’an taking place in it, or due to the descent of the Angels in it, or due to the blessing and mercy and forgiveness that descend in it, or that those who stay up that night in worship are venerated. It was also said that qadr here means constriction, as in the verse: {“...and who is constricted (qadara) in his provision...”} [at-Talaq; 7] This refers to it being a night of constriction due to the exact night being hidden, or because the Earth is constricted due to the presence of such a large number of Angels. It was also said that it is qadar, derived from the word for judgment. This refers to the fact that all the judgments of that year are made on this night... 2 – Better than a Thousand Months Ibn Kathir mentioned in ‘Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Adhim’ (4/686) that Mujahid said: “There was a man from the Children of Israel who would pray all night and then fight Jihad against the enemy all day, and he did this for a thousand months. Allah then revealed the verse: {“The Night of Qadr is better than a thousand months...”} So, praying on this night is better than the actions of that man. 3 – The 27th Word Ibn Kathir mentioned (4/690): “...And it was reported that some of the Salaf used the Qur’an to conclude that it is on the 27th night because the word هي (it is) is the 27th word in the chapter, and Allah Knows best. 4 – Why the Exact Day Was Hidden Ibn Hajar said (4/328): “...This might have a benefit linked to legislation...or exertion in worship, because if the Night of Qadr was specified to be on an exact night, people would limit themselves to that night and miss out on the worship on other nights. It is as if this is what the Prophet meant when he said: “...this might be better for you.”” 5 – Heavy for the Hypocrite Ibn Kathir mentioned (4/692) that Ka’b al-Ahbar said: “By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, the Night of Qadr is so heavy on the disbeliever and hypocrite that it feels like a mountain on his back.” 6 – What to Supplicate on the Night of Qadr In ‘as-Silsilah as-Sahihah’ (3337), it’s reported that ‘A’ishah asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم): “If I happen to catch the Night of Qadr, how should I supplicate?” He replied: “You should say: O Allah, You Pardon and Love pardoning. So, Pardon me.” 7 – In the Shade of the Night of Qadr Sayyid Qutb said in ‘Fi Dhilal al-Qur’an’ (6/3945): “...This night is better than thousands of months in the lives of human beings. How many thousands of months and years have passed by without leaving in our lives the changes that this single blessed, joyous night leaves us? The might of this night is such that its reality transcends the limits of human comprehension: {“And what will make you understand what the Night of Qadr is?”} ...When we look today after the generations of the past to this noble, joyous night and imagine the amazing festive atmosphere that the Earth witnessed on that night, and we reflect over the reality of what took place that night, and we let its significance in history in the reality of the world, and in the outlook of our hearts and minds sink in, we see something that is truly great. We begin to understand a bit of the purpose of the Qur’anic mention of this night: {“And what will make you understand what the Night of Qadr is?”} On that night, every wise judgment was made. Values, principles, and scales were laid down. Ordainments were made that surpassed that of individuals: ordainments for nations, countries, and peoples. In fact, it is even greater and mightier than this: ordainment of realities and hearts! Humankind has become heedless – due to its ignorance and disconnection – of the value of the Night of Qadr and the reality and significance of this event. Since the time that it became heedless of this, it has been deprived of the most joyous and beautiful gifts from Allah. It lost the true happiness and peace – the peace of mind, and peace in the home and society – that Islam granted it. This cannot be replaced by the material bounty, civilization, and power that it has been given. It is in a bad state despite the outpouring of production and high standards of living it possesses! The beautiful light that shone on it at one time has been put out, as has the illuminating happiness that carried it to the highest levels. The peace that once soaked hearts and souls is absent, and the spiritual joy and heavenly light and ascension to the highest levels can never be replaced. We as believers are commanded to never forget or be heedless of this memory. Our Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) showed us an easy way to bring this memory to life in our souls and remain connected to it forever, as well as to remain connected to the universal event that occurred in it. This is why he encouraged us to pray on this night every year and to seek it out on the last ten nights of Ramadan. In the two ‘Sahih’s, it says: “Seek out the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan,” and: “Whoever prays in the Night of Qadr out of faith and expectation of reward will have all of his past sins Forgiven.” Islam is not simply outer actions meant for show. This is why the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said that this prayer should be out of faith and expectation of reward. Likewise, this night prayer should bring back to life the massive concepts that this night encompasses. It should be done out of faith in order to make it purely for Allah, as well as in expectation of reward. At this point, the heart will have a specific reality ingrained in it because of this night prayer that is tied directly to the purpose for which this Qur’an was revealed. The Islamic method of tarbiyah ties worship to the reality of belief in the conscience. It turns worship into a method of resurrecting these realities, clarifying them, and solidifying them in a living image that transcends mere emotion and isn’t limited to theory. It is confirmed that this method alone can resurrect these realities and turn them into a movement in one’s conscience and character, and that mere realization of these realities without the support of physical worship will not establish these realities or push them into a movement in the life of an individual or the life of a group. This direct connection between the memory of the Night of Qadr and praying at night out of faith and expectation of reward is just one aspect of this sound and successful Islamic method...” Courtesy of Iskandrani Kalamullah.Com
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With Him are the keys of the Unseen. No one knows them but He. He knows what is in the land and the sea. No leaf ever falls but that He knows about it, and there is no grain in the dark layers of the earth, or anything fresh or dry that is not recorded in a manifest book.(6:59) ... view more
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The beginning of Islamic New Year 1433.
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| According to the Holy companion, Ibn Abbas Radhiallaho Anhu, when the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam migrated to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10 th day of Muharram.... view more
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