Asalamu Alaykum I would like to share this article would you all. Watch out for the Arrow! Oh, what a beautiful day: Twenty-two degrees Celsius; a clear sky; the sun passionately declaring its warmth to the land below. I put on my cap and decide to go out for a walk. Moments later, I come across two scantily dressed girls, “enjoying” the wonderful weather. Nervously, I look down towards the cement sidewalk and walk past them. I look up, only to encounter a couple, rollerblading towards me in the most fashionable, spandex exercise gear. I fidget with my cap using it to shield myself from obscenity and continue walking. With my head down and cap covering my view, it was bound to happen some time: I walk into a lamppost and hit my head! As I lay on the sidewalk recovering from the accident, I hear a male voice asking me, “Are you alright?” As I open my eyes to figure out what is going on, I see a bare-chested man, jogging in position, offering his hand to help me get up. Subhan-Allah, what a day! I get up, run home, go to my room, and close my door. How am I expected to survive in such a filthy environment? Am I supposed to isolate myself from the society to escape such temptations? No. Obviously, with every trial and difficulty Allah always provides us practical defensive tools. Keep in mind, though, that the command to control our eyes is not just a ‘fatwa’ of some ‘conservative’ scholar ‘from the East’. It is explicitly expressed in the words of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). What’s Wrong With A Lustful Gaze? Many of us who are used to watching Sinbad or Temptation Island, or are addicted to Bollywood movies, or enjoy the company of people of opposite gender, may wonder what’s wrong with lustfully staring at the attractive features of the opposite gender? Perhaps one saying of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sums it all: “ The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Shaytan, on him be God's curse. Whoever forsakes it for the fear of Allah, will receive from Him (Great and Gracious is He) a faith, the sweetness of which he will find within his heart.” (al-Haakim.) Therefore, a secret lustful look at a person of opposite gender has been compared by the Prophet (pbuh) to an arrow from Shaytan that: 1.poisons our hearts 2.ruins our intentions 3.gives rise to false hopes and desires 4.distorts our perception of 'reality' 5.deprives us from enjoying and concentrating in Prayers 6.gives rise to constant feeling of guilt and depression 7.sometimes leads to sleepless nights 8.renders our heart weak for continuous Shaytanic attacks 9.promotes hypocrisy 10.weakens our memory 11.eventually leads to Zina (adultery) 12.above all, diminishes our love for and fear of Allah Allah commands us: "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their private parts; that will make for greater purity for them..." [24:30.] In the verse following this one, Allah commands “the believing women” in the similar manner. 5 Secret Benefits Of Jihad Against Temptation 1.Perhaps the greatest secret reward of resisting the temptation is the increase in your Faith (Iman), the sweetness of which could only be sensed by you! This empowering force of renewed Iman will help you suppress the desires in unimaginable ways. 2.Right when you are urged, if you remember Allah’s mercy, commandments, and displeasure, He will make it easy for you to get out of the situation without regrets, stress, or pain. Allah reassures us: “And the one who fears Allah (has Taqwa), He will make a way out.” [65: 2.] 3.It will also have a remarkable impact on your character, since the heart is like a mirror and the base desires are like rust upon it. When the mirror is polished and cleansed of the rust, it reflects the realities as they actually are. Your family and friends will see the difference! 4.Frequent gazing at unlawful scenes of sexuality tire and wear down both the heart and the eyes. The heart becomes ‘bored’ and depressed after a while. However, when your eyes are prevented from looking around, the heart finds relief from the arduous task of vainly desiring something it does not possess. 5.As the Prophet (pbuh) once said to his Companion: “By Allah! Whosoever gives up something for the sake of Allah, Allah will replace it with something better than it!" If you remain patient in this world, Allah will bless you with joys in ways you could never imagine! 18 Ways To Survive In Temptation Island! Yes, it’s hard, especially when you’re constantly bombarded with obscene images: that hot, scantily clad guy or gal in the magazine luring you; or the persistent emphasis on sex in the movies (even Toy Story or Spider Man!); or the pervasive links to pornography while you may simply be checking your e-mail. How can you protect yourself from all of this? 1. Don't forget the power of Allah’s Remembrance (Dhikr)! It is the most powerful of all the defenses. Regular reading of prescribed Du'as will develop your Taqwa (consciousness) and keep you mindful of what thoughts you entertain. 2. Remember your Accountability to Allah. In Islam, you're fully accountable as soon as you understand and feel such temptations. Your eyes will testify about what you looked at on the Day of Judgment. 3. Always walk with your gaze lowered. But make sure not to bump into a hydro post! Lowering the gaze does not mean that you cannot have any ‘eye contact’ as you walk or during a conversation. It means that you keep your eyes under control. 4. Take the Right Seat! In a public place (e.g. café), choose a seat that minimizes your view-frame and avoid mixed-crowds. It is precisely about such comfortable gazing at the attractive features of the passers-by that the Prophet (pbuh) advised 'Ali ibn Abi Talib: "Ali, do not let a second look follow the first. The first look is allowed to you but not the second.''(Ahmad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi.) 5. Hangout with those known for noble character and modesty. When you are around good people, they can remind you to abstain from that which Allah dislikes. As the Prophet (pbuh) said, “A person is likely to follow the faith of his friends, so be careful about who you make your friend.” (Ahmad.) 6. Avoid friends that are into immoral movies, music, dirty jokes etc. Such activities are the tools of Shaytan that promote the idea of ‘love based on looks’ or ‘love at first sight’. Such friends would take you into an artificial world of fantasies and false hopes, away from reality, before it’s too late! Therefore, either you help your friends change through gentle advice, or abandon frequent contact with them. As Allah warns us: "If anyone withdraws himself from Allah's remembrance, Most Gracious, We appoint for him an evil one to be his intimate companion." [43: 36.] 7. Avoid visiting malls and parks alone. Always try to go out with a family member or a good friend, whose company may help you avert your eyes from the objectionable billboards and inappropriately clothed people. In summer, step out only when you have to. 8. Surf or Watch TV when others are around. The temptation to sneak a look at dirty pictures is heightened when you're alone in your room watching TV or surfing the internet. Shaytan's primary target is always a lonely person! Try to avoid late night TV and internet surfing. 9. Never have 'nothing to do'! Shaytan loves 'bored and idle' people. If you are feeling bored, do the dishes, or take out the garbage, or read some book. Allah says, "Do not throw yourself into destruction with your own hands." [2: 195.] 10. Volunteer for Islamic Organizations. Your Jihad against immorality in the society is one reason for you to join Muslim youth groups in your community. Your involvement with such activities, along with the love of helpful brothers or sisters struggling for a good cause, will keep your mind, energies, and thoughts focused away from the Haram. 11. Read, Read, and Read! Yes, read as many Islamic books and articles as possible. Reading keeps your mind and eyes busy! It keeps you motivated to live your Islam and strengthens your relationship with Allah. 12. Always remember that the beauty of this world is temporary and the life hereafter is everlasting. Observe voluntary fast to strengthen your willpower and to cool your passions. The Prophet (pbuh) strongly recommended the youth to make it a habit. 13. Observe voluntary fast to strengthen your willpower and to cool your passions. The Prophet (pbuh) strongly recommended the youth to make it a habit. 14. If you are able and responsible then get married for the sake of Allah. It may be one of the most effective, yet challenging, defense mechanisms against such temptations. 15. For Brothers, remember your Mom and Sister. Disgusting right? Exactly! No sane person would look at his mom or sister the way many of us examine the girls on TV shows or stare at our Muslim sisters in social gatherings. This thought should sicken you enough to stop, In-sha-Allah. 16. Remind yourself of the Death and Hereafter often. "Remember often the terminator (or destroyer) of all the pleasures [i.e. death]," the Prophet (pbuh) once reminded us. (at-Tirmidhi.) 17. Increase your Good Actions. Try following the advice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Remain conscious of Allah and fear Him wherever you are. And follow a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out, and behave well towards people.” (at-Tirmidhi.) 18. Repent and Return to Allah. Allah is All-forgiving and loves those who return to Him, promising not to repeat their sins. “Ask forgiveness from your Lord, then turn towards Him in repentance; He will loosen the sky over you in abundance, and He will add strength unto your strength.” [11: 52].

Salaam. Juxa I total agree and buubto I agree too. reputation is everything and a bad one sticks for life. That is very true indeed. But do many of theses girls care nope.... Maybe not until it’s too late. I have heard and seen some Somali sisters who have changed from dressing half naked etc to dressing more modest and basically trying to get on the right path mash Allah, and I have also sadly heard and seen Somali girls who have sadly changed from good to bad (may Allah guide us all to the right path).... The problem is the parents blind them selves from what there daughter’s are actually up to, I am sure they hear from there Somali neighbours they have seen there daughter/s wearing this n that in public but I think these parents don’t want to believe it (of course any parent wouldn’t), And then as time goes by the girl may decided to have body piercing in unusual places, tattoos etc and the parent/s maybe still blinding them selves from what there little girl is doing until is to late and the girl may want to leave her parents home now, that’s when it most probably it hits them And this point here it goes one of the first things that come out of the mothers mouth is, that’s it I got to ship her back to Somalia!!!!.... (blinding your self from the actual truth must be very painful) I personally do agree with the what buubto said about parents building a close relationship with there kids to avoid these problems from happening. I mean it isn’t easy living and bringing up children in a western county but if there is a good relationship between you and your daughters as well as sons I think there is a chance some of these gals wouldn’t be where they are today or doing what they doing today. I think also some of these young Somali girls who dress half naked etc feel that they need to fit in n be expected in this society and please certain people but infact what the need to be doing is fearing Allah (swt) and pleasing Allah (swt) only. I have to also add that some of our Somali brothers aren’t helping much either like Continental Batchelor said some brothers do influence these sisters too but I am sure you wouldn’t like your own sister walking around half naked etc, many these girls feel the less they wear, the more body piercing they have and the more of these tattoos some guys would call sexy the more they would get attention, and these girls with low confidents go away that day with a boost of confidence, I guess self-respect doesn’t even come to there mind. I met this somali girl about 2 years ago who just then came from somali she was a daugther of a close family friend, When i did go to there house or see this girl would always be so quiet and innocent wasnt the talktive type. As months went by and then a year and by then she was going to college and was mixing with people, I was at there house at one time and she was there still quiet as a mouse her parents would say to me oh she just shy dont worry its normal. So one day the news came that there quiet daughter had mixed with the wrong crowd who was misleading and she left home, and said she didnt wana be with them anymore, that girl who once wore the hijab left her family home with bright blondish, redish hair the shock her parents got they still recovering . If only there was that communcaition between her and her parents that realtionship since she just came into a very misleading, brainwashing soceity I am sure that could of prevent such thing from happening. damn how shocked I was too becuase it doesnt actually cross your mind. From then on a teenage cousin of mine who sometimes use to seem to me that lost, quiet girl I started to speak to her alot more bout life, bout our beautiful deen etc and now she does open up to me and i kinda know what is going on inside that head so alxamdulilah all is good with her and inshallah it will only get better. Damn I have wrote alot more than I planed hope it all make sense to you all. P.s. Hope I am posting this messege to the write topic, Im half asleep.

Asalamu Alaykum Hope you are all in the best state of health and Imaan.... I was just reading this article and thought to share with you all, specially for thoses brothers and sisters who may be starting university now. There is a lot of advice that high school students can receive from their teachers and guidance or academic counsellors regarding how they should prepare for a university education. Application instructions can be obtained from the university website or at the registrar's or the student affairs office. In addition, attending the orientation sessions of the Muslim Students Association or other appropriate organizations of the particular university that a student has planned to attend is beneficial. The specifics of how to prepare for a university education depend on where one wants to study and in what field (although some things are common like maintaining good grades in high school and submitting complete applications by the university application deadlines). However, there is one step of preparation that all of us, as Muslim students, should take and that is common for all Muslim students regardless of where we may be in the world. Unfortunately, teachers and guidance counselors frequently ignore this step when giving advice to their students, even in Muslim majority countries. That step is to have the proper intention for pursuing a university education. Actually, we should have the proper intention for pursuing any form of education, whether it be high school, undergraduate, postgraduate or any other type of education, just as we should have the proper intention for pursuing any activity in our lives. However, most students make a decision regarding their career choices around the time they start university (perhaps a few years before or a few years after) so it is best for us to purify our intentions at this stage if we have not done so already. We might be tempted to neglect our intentions when preparing for university. After all, there is more important and pressing work to be done, right? We have to study hard for our high school examinations, fill in all of the (sometimes complicated) application forms and prepare application packages and so on. In reality, however, having the proper intention is the most important step. This is one of the reasons that the first hadith that is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari is about the intentions. Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for." Our intention for pursuing anything should not be to gain worldly benefits such as living a luxurious life or attaining fame. It should be to gain the pleasure of Allah(swt) and hence, to become of those who are successful in both this life and the Hereafter. Allah(swt) has said in the Holy Quran: "Say: 'Truly my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are (all) for Allah the Cherisher of the Worlds: No partner has He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His will.'" (6:162-163) We must remember that both religious and secular knowledge are important but that secular knowledge should be pursued with the intention of benefiting humanity. Whatever program we are pursuing in university, we should be doing so with the intention of using the skills and the knowledge that we acquire to help the Muslim ummah and to help humanity and our ultimate purpose for doing so should be to attain the pleasure of Allah(swt). Some of us might find it a little difficult to relate our program of study to benefiting humanity. There are some fields of study that are directly related to service to humanity such as Medicine and Law. There are others that are not so directly related such as Mathematics, perhaps. We should remember, however, that most fields of study will give us the ability to help humanity and the Muslim ummah in some way. (For example, it took some applied Mathematics to determine the direction of the Qiblah from a North American city like Toronto!) Also, we should remember all of the great Muslim scholars who were not only well-versed in the Islamic Sciences but who were also well-versed in other fields such as Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics, Geography, Sociology, History, Medicine and so on and they were able to contribute a lot to humanity through their knowledge. There is another aspect of helping humanity and the Muslim Ummah that all of us can relate our program of study to, no matter what field we are pursuing and that is to support just causes and to help our Muslim brothers and sisters around the world with whatever wealth Allah(swt) provides us with after we have finished studying and go on to apply the skills we have learnt in the 'real' world. Narrated by Abu Khudri(RA): The Prophet(SA) said: "How excellent the wealth of the Muslim is, if it is collected through legal means and is spent in the way of Allah's cause and on orphans, poor people and travelers. But he who does not take it legally is like an eater who is never satisfied and his wealth will be a witness against him on the Day of Resurrection." In summary, we should purify our intentions and keep checking them throughout our academic careers (and, indeed, throughout our life) no matter what field of study we choose. InshaAllah, there will spring up from amongst us Lawyers, Computer Scientists, Economists, Engineers, Scientists, Mathematicians, Doctors and so on but we should not aim to be all these things for the sake of fame, wealth or some other worldly benefit; rather we should aim to be all these things for the sake of pleasing Allah(swt). If this is our intention, then since deeds depend upon intentions, InshaAllah we will be rewarded for every minute we spend studying and pursuing our education and for every minute we spend burning the midnight oil to study for exams and to complete assignments.

Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahamtullahi wa Baraktuhu Inshaallah this reaches you all in the best of health and Imaan. Ameen I have not checked out SOL 4 a while now, I have just been readin all the great posts I have missed Mashallah it was wonderful! jazakallah khayr to you all, may Allah reward you all for your time n effort in posting such great articles.Amiin. I hope many of you who specially live in London will be interested in this Summer Islamic Course.If you would like to find out more there website address is http://www.utrujj.org Organiser Utrujj Venue Muslim World League 46 Goodge Street- London London W1T 4LX United Kingdom Date & Time Monday, 14 July 2003 Start time: 10.30am End time: 8.30pm Description UTRUJJ SUMMER BEEHIVE 2003 (14th July - 8th August) Summer time is here! What will you do? Where will you go? Its boring? Hold it! Iqra' (Read) ... Are you confused or just discovered Islam? Are you a revert or have you recently started practising Islam? Fed up of all this & that and just want to learn the basics of Islam! Can't afford to go abroad to learn Arabic and Islam but want the same syllabus HERE in the UK? Weekend intensive courses would be a dream? Work schedule too busy so you need something modular and flexible yet comprehensive, which deals with not only spirituality but also day to day living Islam? Why are most summer Islamic courses outside London? Want something centrally located IN London? Bored of being taught irrelevant & unpractical topics in parrot fashion? Want to learn with an authentic traditional scholar but with a modern outlook who's in touch with the current context? Worry no more! Utrujj Foundation in conjunction with Muslim World League presents: The Summer Beehive 2003. Dates: Between 14th July - 8th August 2003 Times: Weekdays & weekends, courses run throughout the day * Morning Sessions: 10.30 am - 12.30 pm * Afternoon Sessions: 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm * Evening Sessions: 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm A comprehensive summer intensive course bringing the curriculum traditionally taught in the Middle East, right to the heart of London. This course will provide a sound base for anyone embarking on the quest for sacred knowledge. A unique chance for those who cannot travel out of London, to take part in a summer course. With flexible timings so that even working people can attend. Teachers: Sidi Abdal-Hakim Murad: Born Timothy J. Winter in 1960, Abdal Hakim studied at the prestigious Westminster School in London, UK and later at the University of Cambridge, where he graduated with first class honours in Arabic in 1983. He then lived in Cairo for three years, studying Islam under traditional teachers at Al-Azhar, one of the oldest universities in the world. He went on to reside for three years in Jeddah, where he administered a commercial translation office and maintained close contact with Habib Ahmad Mashhur al-Haddad and other ulama from Hadramaut, Yemen. In 1989, Sheikh Abdal Hakim returned to England and spent two years at the University of London learning Turkish and Farsi. Since 1992 he has been a doctoral student at Oxford University, specializing in the religious life of the early Ottoman Empire. In 1996, he was appointed University Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge. Sheikh Abdal Hakim is the translator of a number of works, including two volumes from Imam al-Ghazali Ihya Ulum al-Din. He gives durus and halaqas from time to time and taught the works of Imam al-Ghazali at the Winter 1995 Deen Intensive Program in New Haven, CT. He appears frequently on BBC Radio and writes occasionally for a number of publications including The Independent and Q-News International, Britain's premier Muslim Magazine. He lives with his wife and children in Cambridge, UK. Shaykh Haytham Tamim: Shaykh Haytham Tamim, has studied Shariah for over 16 years and has accreditation (ijaazas) in recitation, interpretation and Sciences of the Qur'an, Hadith & Fiqh from scholars in Sham, Madinah and the Indian subcontinent. As well as verifying (tahqeeq) over 20 books, his specialities include comparative Fiqh, Usool and Hadith. Accommodation can be provided for those coming from outside London. Many subjects will be available in a variety of packages: * Seerah - The biography of the Prophet (saw) from birth till death. * Shamaa'il of the Noble Prophet (saw) - An excellent discourse on the character of Muhammad (saw). * Introduction to Prophetic Ahadith - How, what & why: All you need to know about the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (saw). * Exegesis of the 40 Nawawiyyah - A famous authentic collection of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (saw) - used in Middle Eastern syllabuses. * Introduction to Tafseer - Uloom ul-Qur'an * Introduction to Fiqh - Have you always wanted to know what, why and how Islamic law (Shari'ah) is derived and works? * Fiqh of Halaal and Haraam - The things you need to know about what is allowed or not in Islam. * Fiqh of worship - All you need to know about prayer. * Aqeedah - The basic tenets & articles of faith that make us Muslims. * Tazkiyah - A course on purification of the soul and spiritual upliftment. * Etiquettes of learning - The manners, attitude and methodology of the student of Islamic knowledge. * Practice of Medicine - You've heard about Chinese medicine, Indian Medicine, but what about Islamic Medicine? * Family Life - Most of us will get married and have families one day insha'Allah but how do you bring them up Islamically in the West, realistically and practically? Like what you read? Interested in any of this? Want to register? Better do it quickly before places go! Limited spaces on the hottest set of Islamic courses this summer! Contact - Tel1: 07960 324 325 Fax: 07960 324 325 Website: http://www.utrujj.org Email: info@utrujj.com Further infomation: Nearest Tube station: Goodge Street (Northern Line) . All welcome . Full notes provided . Places are limited so please book early! Do not miss this unique opportunity to gain this essential knowledge to improve your spirituality. I pray you all have a peaceful and relaxing summer Holiday!!!

SHOWING ANGER Anger is from the shatan Anger will only bring you harm Being angry makes you weak You fill up with hatred and deceit Being angry clouds your view Take a step back And think things through Before your anger comes a boil Take a deep breath So things don’t spoil No one will benefit From words unkind It will only bring heartache And eyes that cry Instead of anger Try something new Try some Qur’an To pull you through Take the time away To sit and just pray Afterwards you will see How foolish you could be Allah will guide all of us to see Anger only brings Meanness and hearts to bleed Patients brings love, understanding And self esteem Choose the right path When anger sets in Pray to Allah And kindness will win.

ANGER Allaah says: ".who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allaah loves Al-Muhsinoon (the good-doers)." [Aal 'Imraan 3:134] "And those who avoid the greater sins, and Al-Fawaahish (illegal sexual intercourse), and when they are angry, they forgive." [al-Shooraa 42:37] This is because when a person does not restrain his anger, he insults, curses, swears and hits. Anger may be a door to all kinds of evil. The Prophet (saws) often advised people not to get angry. Al-Bukhaari narrated in al-Saheeh (6116) from Abu Hurayrah (raa) that a man said to the Prophet (saws), "Advise me." He said: "Do not get angry." The man repeated his request several times, and he said, "Do not get angry." The Prophet (saws) regarded the one who controls himself when he is angry as being the strongest of men. Al-Bukhaari narrated in al-Saheeh (6114) that the Messenger of Allaah (saws) said: "The strong man is not the one who can wrestle (fight); the strong man is the one who controls himself at the time of anger." Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) made some important points in Fath al-Baari (10/520) in his commentary on the hadeeth "Do not get angry". He said: Al-Khattaabi said: The meaning of the phrase 'Do not get angry' is, Avoid the things that cause anger and do not expose yourself to that which provokes it. Anger itself could not have been forbidden, because it is something natural which cannot be removed from human nature. Ibn Battaal said: the hadeeth indicates. that striving to control oneself is more difficult than striving against the enemy, because the Prophet (saws) described the one who controls himself at times of anger as being the strongest of people. Ibn al-Teen said: in the words 'Do not get angry', the Prophet (saws) brought together the good of this world and of the Hereafter, because anger results in cutting off ties and withholding kindness, and it may lead to one doing harm to the person with whom one is angry, which diminishes one's religious commitment. One of the scholars said: Allaah created anger from fire, and made it an instinct in man. When there is a dispute, the flames of anger are fanned until a person's face and eyes become red, because the skin reflects what is underneath it. Anger produces external and internal changes, such as a change in colour, trembling, uncontrolled actions and a change in appearance, such that if the angry person could see himself when he is angry, he would feel ashamed of his ugly appearance and they way his appearance has changed. All of that is what happens on the outside. The internal effects are even worse, because it generates hatred in the heart, envy (hasad) and all kinds of bad feelings. The most ugly effects of anger are the internal effects, and the external changes are the results of the internal changes. All of this has an effect on the body. The effect on the tongue is that it speaks words of slander and foul language which the wise person would feel ashamed of, and the angry person regrets them when he calms down. The effects of anger can also be seen in people's actions, when they beat and kill. If the angry person does not have the chance to do that, he turns his anger against himself, tearing his garments and slapping his cheeks; sometimes he may have a seizure, or fall unconscious, or break vessels, or hit someone who has not done anything wrong. Whoever thinks about these evil actions will realize just how much wisdom there is in these gentle words of the Prophet (saws), 'Do not get angry,' and to how great an extent they protect people's interests by warding off this great evil which may otherwise lead who knows where. All of this has to do with anger for the sake of worldly things, not anger for the sake of religious matters. (Anger for the sake of Allaah is praiseworthy and recommended, such as anger when seeing evil actions). It helps a person not to get angry when he bears in mind what has been narrated concerning the virtues of restraining anger, and the warnings concerning the results of anger; he should also seek refuge with Allaah from the Shaytaan. and do wudoo'. And Allaah knows best." The Prophet (saws) was not a person who insulted or cursed others. It was reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaari (6031) that Anas ibn Maalik (raa) said: The Prophet (saws) was not a person who insulted people or used obscene language, and he did not curse people. If he wanted to rebuke anyone, he would say, "What is wrong with him? - may his forehead be rubbed with dust." With regard to the people whom you have prayed against, pray for good things for them, especially if you have been unfair to them in your prayers against them when they did not deserve such a thing. Ask Allaah to be kind to you, for a person's du'aa's may come back on him if he prays against someone who does not deserve that. You must keep your tongue busy with du'aa' and dhikr (remembrance of Allaah), because that brings peace to the heart. ". verily, in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest" [al-Ra'd 13:28 - interpretation of the meaning]. Keep away from using your tongue to hurt other people. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.

BACKBITING It's one of the greatest sins and yet it's something we do day after day. Sometimes we don't even realise it. You're just chatting away with your friends and you begin to talk about somebody else. Our whole lives are based around 'Home and Away' and 'Neighbours', soaps based on lying, backbiting etc. But look at what the Prophet (saw) said about it: The Prophet (saw) was sitting with his companions one day and one of them was speaking badly about someone who wasn't there. As the man got up to leave the Prophet (saw) said to him: "Pick Your Teeth!" "But I haven't eaten anything." The man protested. "No" the Prophet (saw) said "YOU HAVE EATEN THE FLESH OF YOUR DEAD BROTHER". As Allah tells us in the Quran: "Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? No, you would hate it." (49:12) But What If It's True?! The Prophet (saw) told us "Backbiting is to say something about someone they wouldn't like said about them....If what bad you said about them is true, then you have backbited and if it is false then you have slandered them." If you're still not convinced of how big a sin backbiting really is, then look at the punishment Allah has in store for the backbiters. The Prophet (saw) described: "On the night of Mirage I passed by some people who had metal hooks in their hands and were clawing at their faces and their necks with them. I asked Gabriel 'Who were these people?' He said 'These are the people who eat the flesh of human beings and disgrace them'. This is how big of a sin backbiting is looked upon and yet we continue to backbite without a second thought, next time you lie, talk about somebody, remember Allah (swt) and the Prophet (saw) and put them in front of you before you speak. Just having a Laugh! Maybe we think it's all right to take the mock out of someone so long as we say it to their face. 'We'll make fun of the way someone talks, walks, or how they look. Allah warns us against such behaviour: "O you who believe. Let not some men laugh at others, it may be the that they are better than you. Nor let some women laugh at others it may be that they are better than you. Nor abuse each other, nor be sarcastic to each other by using offensive nicknames..." (49:11) Don't forget that Allah made us the way we are, so how can you even think of making fun of his creation? Cool to Swear? Listen to yourself and to your friends speaking one day - nearly every sentence will have a swear word in it, thinking it's cool and macho to swear, copying the idols of TV and the cinema. Is it really 'cool' to swear? The Hellfire is far from being cool. People will wish they were cool then rather than being cool in this world. Remember! That every time you speak, an angel writes down what you say, and that one day you will have to answer for every single word you ever uttered. So if you swear at someone then it's written down as a sin against you. You're only harming yourself. The Prophet (saw) said that "Abusing a Muslim is a sin and fighting with him is disbelief." (MUSLIM). 'But sometimes you just have to swear'! We've all been there - you're just so angry with somebody and the only way you can express yourself, is to swear at them. The solution? ... Don't get angry in the first place. A man came to the Prophet (saw) one day and said "Advise me". The prophet (saw) said "Don't become angry. Don't become angry. Don't become angry".... "When one of you gets angry while he is standing up, he should sit down. Then anger will leave him, and if not then he should lie down" (Ahmad). So let us follow this beautiful advice of the Prophet (saw) and remember that anger is from shaitan. If someone angers you or swears at you then don't harm yourself by doing the same but respond in a better way as Allah says in the Quran: "Repel evil with what is better. Then he who was your worst enemy will become your best friend." (Ch41v33) "It wasn't me. Honest." How often do we say such a phrase or say that "I was only joking". We treat lies as being trivial. However we are told that "Allah's messenger did not hate anything more than lying"(Ahmed). The Prophet (saw) was once asked "Can a Muslim be a coward?" He (saw) replied "Yes." and then asked "Can a Muslim be a miser?" and the reply was "Yes." The Prophet (saw) was then asked "Can a Muslim be a liar?" The Prophet (saw) replied "NO! A Muslim can never be a liar". Furthermore, he said "Truth leads to virtue and virtue leads to paradise...Lying leads to wickedness and wickedness leads to the hellfire." (Bukhari). As we know that one lie leads to another ten lies which lead to bad actions. Remember you can lie and think that you have got away with it but on the day of Judgement your hands, tongue and feet will bear testimony against you and tell the truth. But it's only words! One day one of the companions asked the Prophet (saw) "O Messenger of Allah. Will we be called to account for what we say?" He replied "May you be lost to your mother - people will be thrown, faces down into the hellfire, only on account to what their tongues said." (Tirmidhi). Indeed the tongue controls the rest of your body. A well controlled tongue will keep us within Islam but a loose tongue will destroy us. The Prophet (saw) said "When a person gets up in the morning, all the parts of his body make a plea to his tongue saying; 'Fear Allah regarding us, because we follow you. If you are right then we shall also be right , and if you are wrong then we shall also be wrong." (Tirmidhi) Instead of swearing, lying and engaging in useless talk we can use our tongues in better ways and what better than telling people about Islam. Allah says "Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah and works righteousness and says I am one of those who bow down in Islam" (41:33) Your tongue can save you as well! Indeed if you control your tongue and speak good then paradise can be yours. The Prophet (saw) said "Whoever can guarantee me two things I can guarantee them Paradise." The companions asked "What O Messenger of Allah?" He replied "What is between his jaws (his tongue) and his legs (private parts)." (Bukhari) I've lied and backbited, sworn and made fun of others. I must be doomed I must be going to hell!" NO! Allah (swt) tells us in the Quran: "O my servants who have wronged themselves. never despair of the mercy of Allah for truly he forgives all sins. He is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (39:53) So if you really repent and turn back to Allah and promise not to commit the sin again then truly Allah's promise is true and He will forgive you. If you've backbitten someone - go and tell the person whom you backbited and apologise sincerely and ask them to forgive you. But if you think that the situation will get worse then turn back to Allah sincerely begging for his forgiveness then to make up for what you said, go around and talk good of him. The Best Example As we know that the best person to have ever lived is the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and he is the best of example for mankind. If we follow him we can never go wrong. Ayesha (RA) the Prophet's wife described the Prophets conduct as follows: "He was neither a obscene talker nor a user of bad words. He did not shout nor did he repay evil with evil. He used to forgive people and overlook their sins." (Tirmidhi) Final Advice: A beautiful saying of the Prophet (saw) that will ensure the protection of our tongue. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last day, LET HIM EITHER SPEAK GOOD OR KEEP SILENT" (Agreed upon) ~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~ SOME CASES WHERE IT IS PERMISSIBLE TO BACKBITE F. Ahmad Backbiting is permissible only for valid reasons approved by Shari`ah. These reasons are as follows: 1. It is permissible for an oppressed person to speak before the judge or someone in a similar position of authority to help him or her establish his or her rights by telling him `so-and-so wronged me and has done such and such to me' etc. 2. It is permissible to seek somebody's assistance in forbidding evil and helping someone change his or her immoral conduct. One can say to the person who can offer such assistance, `so-and-so does such and such evil deeds. Can you exhort him?' etc. This is permissible as long as one intends to forbid evil. If, however, one intends something else apart from this, then this act becomes unlawful. 3. One who seeks legal verdict on a certain matter may point out the defaults of another person or relate something else. One in this case can say to the Mufti (religious scholar who issues verdicts): "My father or brother (for example) treated me unjustly. Can I get my right established?'' etc. This is permissible to say only if need be, but it is better to say `What do you think of someone who did such and such?' This does not mean, however, that naming the person in question is not permissible, Hadith No. 1536 makes this point clear. 4. One who criticizes those who openly commit acts of disobedience, such as drinking wine, gambling, engaging in immoral habits, fornication, hypocrisy, and making mischief. 5. It is permissible to call into question the narrators of Hadith, and witnesses in the court when the need arises. It is also permissible to mention the bad qualities of somebody for marriage purposes in case an advice is sought. Also, if one has noticed that a "seeker of knowledge'' frequently goes to the gatherings of an innovator in religion and one fears that this "seeker of knowledge'' may be affected by this so-called scholar, then he must in this case give counsel to the "seeker of knowledge'' by telling him about the "innovator,'' etc. 6. It is permissible to use names such as "Al-a`mash'' which means `the blear-eyed' to talk about people who are known by such names for the sake of identification and not for disparaging people and underestimating them. To identify them without resorting to such names is however better. 1531. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: A man sought permission for audience with the Prophet (PBUH). He said, "Give him permission but he is a bad member of his tribe.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: Imam Al-Bukhari has obviously justified the backbiting of wicked people to save people from being deceived from their appearance. If people are not informed of the real conduct of such persons, their religious as well as worldly life will be exposed to a grave danger. For this reason, the backbiting of wicked persons for the purpose of warning others is permissible. 1532. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "I do not think that so-and-so understands anything of our Faith.'' [Al-Bukhari] Al-Bukhari said: Al-Laith bin Sa`d, who is one of the narrators of this Hadith, said: The two men mentioned by the Prophet (PBUH) in this Hadith were hypocrites (i.e., they revealed Faith and concealed disbelief). Commentary: Hypocrites are also people of mischievous and doubtful conduct. It is, therefore, not only permissible but necessary to make people aware of their real position so that people become cautious about them and their religious and worldly life may remain safe from their machinations. 1533. Fatimah bint Qais (May Allah be pleased with her) said: I came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said to him: "Muawiyah and Abul-Jahm sent me a proposal of marriage.'' The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Muawiyah is destitute and he has no property, and Abul-Jahm is very hard on women.'' [bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: We learn from this Hadith that it is permissible to mention the true facts, virtues and vices without equivocation, about the parties who intend to enter into wedlock provided one does it for their welfare. 1534. Zaid bin Al-Arqam (May Allah be pleased with him) said: We set out on a journey along with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and we faced many hardships. `Abdullah bin Ubaiy (the chief of the hypocrites at Al-Madinah) said to his friends: "Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) until they desert him.'' He also said: "If we return to Al-Madinah, the more honourable (meaning himself, i.e., Abdullah bin Ubaiy) will drive out therefrom the meaner (meaning Messenger of Allah (PBUH)).'' I went to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and informed him about that and he sent someone to `Abdullah bin Ubaiy. He asked him whether he had said that or not. Abdullah took an oath that he had not done anything of that sort and said that it was Zaid who carried a false tale to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). Zaid said: I was so much perturbed because of this until this Verse was revealed verifying my statement: "When the hypocrites come to you (O Muhammad (PBUH)), they say: `We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.' Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars indeed.'' (63:1) Then the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) called the hypocrites in order to seek forgiveness for them from Allah, but they turned away their heads. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: `Abdullah bin Ubaiy was the chief of the hypocrites at Al-Madinah. In the journey mentioned in this Hadith, which was undertaken in connection with the war with Banu Al-Mustaliq, he had used improper words against the Prophet (PBUH) and Muslims, which were overheard by Zaid bin Al-Arqam (May Allah be pleased with him). The latter informed the Prophet (PBUH) about this occurrence. This incident goes to prove that exposing the designs and conspiracies of hypocrites does not form backbiting. In fact, it is essential to keep people informed about them in the interest of Islam and Muslims. 1535. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyan, said to the Prophet (PBUH): Abu Sufyan is a niggardly man and does not give me and my children adequate provisions for maintenance unless I take something from his possession without his knowledge. The Prophet (PBUH) said to her, "Take from his possessions on a reasonable basis that much which may suffice for you and your children.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: Hind was the mother of Mu`awiyah (May Allah be pleased with him). Along with her husband, Abu Sufyan, she embraced Islam in the year of conquest of Makkah. We learn from this Hadith that: 1. In order to know religious injunctions, husband and wife can mention each other's shortcomings before a Mufti (a religious scholar who is in a position to issue verdicts on religious matters). 2. If a husband does not give his wife enough money to cover the domestic expenses, then it is permissible for his wife to take some of his money without his permission, provided the amount thus taken is for essential expenses not for superfluous matters. ~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

O you who is in love with Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and your brothers in Islam, here are the arrows; be careful with them, try hard to be a clever shooter… And pray to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) to help you. Smile : It is the first arrow and the fastest of them all. It is like the salt for food. It is also regarded as a kind of worship and alms-giving as is mentioned in a hadith “Smiling at your brother’s face is as charity (Sadaqa)”. Abdullah ibn al Harith tells us about the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying that he had never seen someone smile at the other’s face as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to do. Be always the one who initiates greetings: This arrow is the one that lets you to be in the innermost depths of the others hearts. This arrow needs a skillful shooter. The needed skills are the hearty smile, the warm shaking of hands and the friendly welcoming to the other. Being successfully achieved, such kinds of skills are going to be rewarded, referring to the hadith: “In greetings, the better is he who initiates greeting the other”. Umar al Nadi tells us that he went out once with Umar ibn al Khattab’s son. While walking, he found him saluting all whom he met, whether being old or young. Al Hasan al-Basri also said “Shaking hands strengthens brotherhood feelings”. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said “Do not ever waste your good deeds, even by meeting your brother with a frowning face.” He said also “Shaking hands removes hatred and exchanging presents enhances love and ends enmity”. The Presents: It has a strange charming affection that captivates all senses. Hence, exchanging presents and gifts in different occasions is a pleasant habit however gifts should be within one’s tolerable expenses. Ibrahim al Zahri tells us about his father saying “ My father got a sum of money as a reward , in due , he asked me to send donations to his family members and friends . As we were about to finish , he asked me “ Have we missed any one?” I answered “No!” He said “I think that we did.” He continued ”We have missed someone whose welcome to me was really warm. Would you please send him this sum of money?” Look how he loved the man and wished to reward him for his warm welcome. Be silent….speak in what benefits. Loud voice and chattering are bad merits. You have to be sweet-worded, tender in expressing yourself. Concerning this merit, The Prophet (peace be upon him) said “The good word is a charity (is a sadaqa).” If the good word has its own magic in winning the hearts of your enemies how powerfully it would work then with your brothers’ hearts!! Here the Prophet’s wife addresses the enemies saying “Damn you” and the Prophet (peace be upon him) prevents her saying “Calm down. Allah likes for the matters to be dealt with gently”. He also said: “Nobility of manners and taciturnity are the best of manners that people are ever characterized by”. The poet says also: The pious Allah-fearing may keep silent, in spite of being eloquent. Be a good listener: It is to listen patiently and never interrupt the speaker, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) never interrupted a speaker till he ended his speech. And he who fights for this merit gains others love and admiration, whilst on the contrary is the one who chatters and interrupts the other. Atta` tells us about how he behaves concerning this merit and says “When someone speaks to me , I listen to him as if it is the first time I have heard this subject, though I have heard it thousands of times before. Appearance and dressing well: You have to be careful with your appearance so as to be neat, well –dressed and sweet smelling as well. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says that Allah loves beauty to be in every thing. Umar Ibn Al Khattab said also “I like the young man who is sweetly perfumed and cleanly dressed.” Abdullah Ibn Ahmad Ibn Hanbal tells us about his father saying “ I’ve never seen some one who is as caring to the cleanliness of his dress , his hair , his moustache and other undesirable body hair as Ahmad Ibn Hanbal used to do” Being in others favor and helping them: Concerning this, the poet says: Good treatment of the other is the only way of captivating his heart. Good treatment you classifies you as an obedient, beloved slave of Allah as the Prophet (peace be upon him) Muhammad says “The more you are in favor of others, the more you are beloved by Allah” as Allah says in the Quran “And spend of your substance in the cause of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for Allah loveth those who do good” (Al-Baqarah:195) The poet says also: Be a dear friend to all, whom you know, For all, you should be as freshening as iced pure water I really wonder for that man who pays money to buy slaves, while he can buy those who are free by being good to them, for those (who treat other well) find many to be in their help. Being Generous : Offering money is the key for most of the closed doors that hinder you from reaching others hearts, especially in these days. Now I will tell you a story about the magic of the merit of generosity. In the conquest of Makkah, there was a man called “Safwan Ibn Umia”. That man ran away after making all possible means in keeping the people of Islam and after making conspiracies to kill the Prophet (peace be upon him). Later on, the Prophet (peace be upon him) forgave him and he came back asking the Prophet (peace be upon him) to give him the time of two months to think about Islam and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said “You can take four months, not just two”. In spite of being an atheist, he accompanied the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the Hunain and Al Ta’if conquests. In Al Ta`if, while the Prophet (peace be upon him) was dividing the booties of the war, he noticed that man looking longingly to a vast land in which a large number of cattle were flocking. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked him “Do you like it?” The man eagerly answered “Yes.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said “It is for you then.” Safwan said “Only a prophet could behave as generously as you have to me. I believe that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His prophet.” Notice how the Prophet (peace be upon him) found the missing key and succeeded in moving his heart. Some people behave stingily as if they see the ghost of poverty waiting to attack them once they think about being generous in offering money. To have a good opinion of others and to give them an excuse : Keeping an eye on others behavior is a bad merit that blocks your way to their hearts. On the contrary is to have a good opinion of them. So, try hard to give your brothers the excuse as much as you can. Concerning this merit, Ibn Al Mubarak says also “The believer is he who gives his brothers the excuse , and the hypocrite is he who seeks their slips.” Express your feelings… instantly: If you loved someone, or felt good feelings about him, don’t wait, just tell him at once. Regarding this, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said “ If you felt the brotherly love of Islam towards any ,you should immediately go and tell him about your feelings.” He added “It is the way relations are to be strongly indicated”. Such love is to be blessed by Allah if it is for Allah’s sake, not for any other personal affairs such as seeking high position, money, fame etc…. Unless this love is for Allah’s sake, it is a fruitless kind of brotherhood then. When they meet each other on the Day of Judgement, they are not brothers any more but enemies, as Allah says in the Quran “ Friends on that Day will be foes, one to another; except the Righteous.” (Az-Zukhruf: 67) The Prophet (peace be upon him) says “A man is in the company of whom he loved.” By this he means that on the Day of Judgment, a person will be with whom he loved. So, we have to choose then between two kinds of societies, one is in enmity and the other is a kind brotherly one. Hence, we find that the Prophet (peace be upon him) associated the Makkan immigrants and the Medinan followers as brothers. It was a rare kind of brotherhood that even two brothers were to be buried together in one grave after being martyred in the conquests. Means of brotherhood was always being indicated by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as he says “You are not allowed to enter heaven till you believe in Allah and you will not be true believers unless you love each other. Shall I tell you something to do that indicates love between you? It is to spread salutation of Peace among you.” The pity is that people are always either cruelly and harshly treating each other or extremely tender that they adore each other. Actually, it is a matter of striking a balance between heart and mind, something that differs according to the difference of characters and circumstances. It is absolutely a blessing given by Allah. Sociability : It is the art of being social. Here, a kind of misconception could exist between sociability and hypocrisy. Could you differentiate between the two meanings? The Prophet (peace be upon him)’s wife, Aisha said “A man came to visit us, but to my surprise, once the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw him, he said “O…that ill- mannered man”, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) changed completely once he sat with him. He welcomed the man warmly, smiling in his face. When the man left, I asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about what had surprised me; how he considered this man as being bad, and how he talked to him in such warmth? The Prophet (peace be upon him) answered “Have you ever seen me behaving as a hypocrite?” He added “In the Day of Judgement, the worst degrees are for those whom people deserted for being mistreated by them.” Al Qurtubi differentiates between hypocrisy and sociability, regarding sociability as a desirable legal behavior, saying that sociability means sacrificing the worldly affairs for the sake of improving either life on earth or religion, or so as to improve both, while hypocrisy aims at sacrificing religion for the sake of the worldly affairs. Hence, being sociable for ill-mannered people is aiming to achieve two purposes: Firstly, to avoid being mistreated by them. Secondly, being good to them could be guidance for them to step the right way. Compliments should be within worldly affairs only, never in religious affairs, otherwise, it will be a matter of hypocrisy. To be sociable, means to be tender, smiling, praising to the other, intending in the meantime a legal benefit. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says “Being sociable, is as alms-giving.” Ibn Battal says also “Sociability is an ethic of the believers; it is to show open-mindedness in treating others and to delicately speak to them. Both are important elements in seeking reasons for intimacy”

I may be your neighbor, behind you in the checkout lane, passing you on the highway or sitting next to you at the Movie Theater. You might see me and think of me as being an Arab, an Indian, or something you have not imagined before. That is ok for we are all one in the same, not one greater then the other. Who am I you may ask, I am a Muslim Woman. You do not know me to recognize me when you see me. You only see my veil, which blinds you as to who I am. It is time to look pass the veil and see that we are not the aliens you think we are. We are healers, educators, leaders, care givers as well as wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and aunts. We suffer, bleed, cry, have remorse, mourn, complain, celebrate, rejoice, love, laugh, have dreams of hope and peace. Do you know me? I may be in the next aisle, in the seat next to you on the plane, in line at the DMV or waiting in the doctor’s office. You might see me and think of me as being a terrorist, extremist, or non-believer of God. That is ok, for it is my duty as a Muslim to spread the truth about what is being misconstrued. You are given incorrect information, which misguides you as to who I am. It is time to recognize the truth. We submit ourselves to One Creator and One alone, and that Muhammad is the Prophet Peace and blessing be upon him, We pray five times a day as to keep our hearts, minds and souls full of God’s grace and remembrance. We fast during the month of Ramadhan as to cleanse ourselves. We journey to Makkah, to fulfill our need to return to our roots. We give zakat, as to help the less fortunate. We pray for hope and peace. Do you know who I am? I hope that when you see a Muslim woman you will remember this story and know who I am. Peace and blessing be upon you.

Guidance for the Muslim Wife -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SAYINGS OF RASULULLAH (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WA AALIHI WA SALLAM) Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi was extremely merciful upon the ummah. He said "You all are about to fall into the fire and I am holding your backs and preventing you from falling into it". Rasulullah's Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi favour upon the ummat was that he showed men and women the way to lead their lives. Here are a few Ahaadith advising women: HADEETH 1. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi said that the woman who performed her five daily prayers and kept the fast of Ramadan and protected herself from evil acts i.e. adultery and obeyed her husband, has a choice to enter heaven from whichever door she pleases. (HULYA) HADEETH 2. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wa sallam said: " A woman has two veils: the first is the husband and the second is the grave. The one that conceals more is the grave." (TABRANI) HADEETH 3. Nabi Kareem Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wa sallam said: "A religious widow is addressed as a martyr in the heavens" i.e. she is remembered with the honourable title of a martyr in heaven for any act she performs. HADEETH 4. Ibn Abbas Radhiallahu anhu narrates that a woman came to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wa sallam and said: "I have come as a representative of all women. We want to present a petition to you. Jihaad is fardh (compulsory) on men and only they obtain the reward of martyrdom. We women are deprived of it although we take responsibility for all their domestic affairs". Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "Convey this message on my behalf to all the women that they can achieve the reward of jihaad by obeying their husbands, but very few women consider this to be a reward." HADEETH 5. It is reported from Hazrat Ibn Umar Radhiallahu Anhu that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said that when a woman leaves her home without her husband's consent then all the angels of the skies and the entire universe curse her for this act until she returns home. (TABRANI). HADEETH 6. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aailihi Wasallam said that the fragrance of heaven will be forbidden for a woman who asks her husband for divorce without any valid reason. (TIRMIZI) HADEETH 7. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said that if a woman died and her husband was pleased with her during her life, undoubtedly she has entered heaven. HADEETH 8. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "O woman, your heaven and hell is your husband" (i.e. a woman will enter heaven if the husband is pleased, and hell if he is displeased with her). (TARGEEB) HADEETH 9. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said that the best woman is the one that pleases her husband. When he looks at her, she pleases him. When he commands her, she obeys him. When he absents himself (goes away on a journey etc.) she protects his wealth and his honour. (BAIHAQI) HADEETH 10. The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said that Shaytaan (the devil) sits on his throne daily and dispatches his agents to work among human beings. One of the agents returns and says that I made a certain person commit a sin, another says I got so and so involved in this offence. Upon listening to all this Shaytaan says that you have done nothing great. Eventually one representative comes and says that I saw a husband and wife extremely devoted to each other. I sowed the seeds of enmity between them. On hearing this Shaytaan becomes happy and embracing his agent says that you have achieved something great. (MISHKAT) The love between husband and wife is the biggest blow to Shaytaan. From this it is apparent how meritorious this love is. HADEETH 11. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: The woman who applies perfume and passes by men is an adulteress. (TIRMIZI). Today the woman who applies perfume and goes to the shopping centres, alleys and cinemas should ponder how grave a sin she is committing. HADEETH 12. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "Once I saw a ghair mahram (strange) man and a young woman together in a place. Consequently I had a strong fear that Shaytaan will make use of this opportunity i.e. he will besmirch their character and destroy the honour of the woman. HADEETH 13. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: Keep yourselves away from strange women. One companion asked: "O Rasul of Allah, tell me, can the husband's brother mix freely with his sister- in-law. "Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam replied : "He is like death for a woman." (Bukhari and Muslim) i.e. just as partaking of poison leads to death in this world, similarly the brother-in-law's mixing with a woman is poison for their character and a cause of destruction of the life of the hereafter. HADEETH 14. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "It is haram for the women of my Ummah to take a bath in the public baths". (HAKIM) i.e. women should keep away from places which are frequented by ghair mahram (strange) males. What purpose do they have in a place frequented by males? HADEETH 15. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam) said: Whichever woman applies scent should not join us for the Esha prayers. (ABU DAWOOD) During the early Islamic era, women used to perform salaat behind Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam in congregation. On that occasion Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "Those women who apply perfume should not come to the musjid for salaat," because there is a fear of instilling desire in the hearts of men due to the sweet fragrance of the perfume and this will be a cause of corruption. If Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam prevented women who applied perfume from attending the musjid during his noble era, there will be a greater need for precaution in this age of corruption. HADEETH 16. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "The woman who boastfully parades in front of males after adorning herself is like the darkness of Qiyamat." HADEETH 17. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "A woman whose 3 children die in infancy or before reaching the age of puberty and who bears the loss with patience, hoping for reward will most certainly enter heaven. (MISHKAT) Therefore if we are confronted with such a calamity, we should have patience and forbearance. To wail and mourn is not the habit of a Muslim wife. It (the child) was the property of Allah which He took back. However, it is not sinful to shed tears. HADEETH 18. Nabi Kareem Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "The best women of my ummah are those that are beautiful and whose dowry is less". (Dailami) What wisdom is there in unnecessarily burdening the husband with an extravagant dowry especially if he cannot afford it? The success of the marriage is the mutual love of the partners which cannot be purchased by wealth. HADEETH 19. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: Whoever consoled a woman that lost her child will be given the clothes of Paradise to wear. (MISHKAT) i.e. when you go to offer your condolences to a woman who lost her child, do not join her in wailing and crying. On the contrary, speak to her in such a manner so as to induce patience in her. Allah has promised a person who does this the garments of Jannah. HADEETH 20. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said that Allah Subhanahu Taala says "Sight is a poisonous arrow of the devil. Whosoever, whether male or female protects himself or herself from evil glances will be granted a sweet Iman (faith) which will please his/her heart."(TABRANI) The disease of glancing at men without regarding it as sinful is common among women. This can occur even though they (the woman) may be fully concealed. The arrow of Shaytaan works discreetly. HADEETH 21. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "The worst person on the day of Qiyamah will be the one who reveals the private life of his wife to others." (Muslim) Similarly some women have the habit of revealing their private matters to their friends. This is a major sin which should be abstained from. HADEETH 22. Nabi Kareem Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "When a husband calls his wife at night to have relations with her and she refuses without a valid Shari reason, she is cursed throughout the night by the angels." (BUKHARI) HADEETH 23. Nabi Kareem Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: There are 3 persons whose salaah is not accepted nor does any good act of theirs reach the sky. Firstly, a runaway slave until he returns to his master. Secondly, a woman whose husband is displeased with her and thirdly an intoxicated person as long as he does not repent from using intoxicants. (BAIHAQI) Imagine how serious it is to displease the husband that the wife's salaah is not accepted nor any other good deed of hers. HADEETH 24. Hadhrat Aisha Radhiallahu Anha says that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam was sitting amongst the Muhajireen and Ansaar when a camel came and prostrated before him. Upon this the Sahaaba Radhiallahu Anhum said "O Prophet of Allah, if the animals and trees prostrate to you, then we have more rights to prostrate to you." On hearing this Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said "Worship your Sustainer and honour me. Had I given the command to anyone to prostrate, I would have commanded the wife to prostrate to her husband. The husband's right is so great that if he commands her to carry a stone from the yellow mountain to the black mountain and then from the black mountain to the white one, she has to fulfil this duty." HADEETH 25. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said "No woman should ask her husband to divorce his second wife in order to achieve her rights because she will only receive what has been preordained for her." (BUKHARI and MUSLIM) For example, a person who is married intends to marry a second woman. This woman tells him to divorce the first wife before she will marry him , or there are two women in one person's nikah and one says that she will only live with the husband on condition that he divorces the other. This has been prohibited by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam because each one has her own destiny and should be thankful for that. HADEETH 26. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "The rights of the husband on the wife are so great that if pus flows on the husband's body and the woman licks it clean, then too his rights will not be fully fulfilled." (TARGHEEB) HADEETH 27. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "The world is a commodity and its best commodity is a pious woman who assists her husband in matters concerning the hereafter." (RAZEEN) By being patient and enduring a life of poverty, women can grant their husbands more spare time for religious duties. However this is not prevalent today. If the husband intends to do religious work, the wife presents a whole list of requirements to him which forces him to become engrossed in secular matters. HADEETH 28. Whenever a strange man and woman meet in seclusion Shaytaan definitely is the third one by joining them. (TIRMIZI) i.e. Shaytaan arouses their passions and incites them to commit evil. HADEETH 29. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: Make purdah (i.e. conceal yourselves) from a blind man. Ummul Mumineen Hadhrat Aisha Radhhiallahu Anha said "O Prophet of Allah, he is blind. How can he see us?" Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam replied: "He may be blind, but you are not blind". (AHMAD,TIRMIZI) Some women do not make purdah from blind people because of their inability to see. From this hadeeth we can deduce that just as it is forbidden for a man to look at a woman, similarly it is forbidden for a woman to gaze at a strange man. HADEETH 30. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "A woman should be kept concealed. When she emerges from the home without necessity, Shaytaan makes her appealing in the sight of men." (TIRMIZI) Evil persons are attracted to her and begin following her or mention her in the gathering of men. This implies that she should leave the house only out of dire necessity. Today it has become a fashion to adorn the burqa and to embroider the trousers so as to attract men. The burqa was originally made for the purpose of purdah, but we have made it an object of adornment. HADEETH 31. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "The most blessed nikah is the one with the least expenses." (BAIHAQI- IN SHUABUL IMAN) Today, many of the destitute destroy the youth of their daughters because of not being able to uphold petty customs. They do not possess anything to give nor do they want to have the nikah without an extravagant dowry in fear of being criticized by the other family members. In order to make our nikahs more blessed we should abandon these futile customs and on such occasions take a lesson from the simple nikah of Hadhrat Fatima al- Zahra Alaiha As-Salaam whose dowry was one water-bag and one bed. HADEETH 32. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "O women, after sitting in a gathering of women do not go home and explicitly describe any woman to your husbands." (MUSLIM) This may incline your husband towards her and his affection for you may diminish. What noble advice has been given to us by our Rasul Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam. HADEETH 33. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "May Allah curse those women who imitate men in appearance and those men who imitate women." (MISHKAT) Women should not appear like men in their attire and physical appearance. HADEETH 34. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said : "When heaven and hell were shown to me I saw that the majority of the inmates of hell were women." (MISHKAT) The reason for this is that women are ungrateful and disobedient to their husbands. Although they will be leading a comfortable life but as soon as there is a minor problem, they will, on the slightest pretext show ingratitude. HADEETH 35. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "Shall I inform you which woman will enter heaven?" The Sahaba replied: "Yes most certainly". Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said "The woman who has children, is lovable, when she becomes angry the husband consoles her and when the husband becomes angry she says that as long as you do not become pleased with me, I will not even apply surmah (antimony) to my eyes." (TABRANI) HADEETH 36. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "It is not permissible for any woman to fast optionally without her husband's permission, and it is not permissible for her to allow anyone into his house without his consent." (BUKHARI) HADEETH 37. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "When any woman troubles her husband, the celestial bride (hur) of heaven calls out "Woe to you. Do not trouble him. He is temporarily with you. He is going to leave you and be our guest. Why do you trouble our beloved?" (IBN MAJAH) HADEETH 38. The Messenger of Allah said that women are married for their lineage, wealth, beauty and piety. You should marry one who is pious (BUKHARI). HADEETH 39. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said: "It is extremely abominable for a woman's shoulder to touch a man. It is better to touch a pig that is all messed up than for a woman to touch the body of a strange man." (TABRANI) HADEETH 40. Nabi Kareem Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Aalihi Wasallam said "A woman cannot fulfill the rights of Allah without fulfilling the rights of her husband. Even if a woman is busy at the stove and the husband calls her, in that busy period also she must leave all her work and answer his request." (TABRANI) If Muslim wives mould their lives in the light of the above-mentioned 40 ahaadeeth, every Muslim house can become a model of Jannat. All kinds of quarrels will cease and the misfortune of divorce will not prevail. Children brought up in such an environment will be an example of piety, discipline, love and sympathy. May Allah make every Muslim house practice upon this. Amiin

Sometimes life seems hard to bear, Full of sorrow, trouble and woe It's then I have to remember That it's in the valleys I grow. If I always stayed on the mountain top And never experienced pain, I would never appreciate Allah's love And would be living in vain. I have so much to learn And my growth is very slow, Sometimes I need the mountain tops, But it's in the valleys I grow. I do not always understand Why things happen as they do, But I am very sure of one thing. Allah will see me through. My little valleys are nothing When I picture My bros' & Sis The valleys of death Which they go through In Countries such Palestine etc... Forgive me Allah, for complaining When I'm feeling so very low. Just give me a gentle reminder That it's in the valleys I grow. Continue to strengthen me, Allah And use my life each day To share your love with others And help them find their way. Thank you for valleys, Allah For this one thing I know The mountain tops are glorious But it's in the valleys I grow! REMEMBER... The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Allah, can stand up to anything. Insha'Allah Happy moments - Praise ALLAH... Difficult moments - Seek ALLAH... Painful moments - Trust ALLAH... Quiet moments - Worship ALLAH... Moment By Moment - THANK ALLAH

Stay sharp Once upon a time a very strong woodcutter asked for a job in a timber merchant, and he got it. The pay was really good and so were the work conditions. For that reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best. His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to work. The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees. "Congratulations," the boss said. "Go on that way!" Very motivated for the boss' words, the woodcutter try harder the next day,but he only could bring 15 trees. The third day he try even harder, but he only could bring 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing less and less trees. "I must be losing my strength", the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on. "When was the last time you sharpened your axe?" the boss asked. "Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees." Our lives are like that. We sometimes get so busy that we don't take time to sharpen the axe." In today's world, it seems that everyone is busier than ever, but less happy than ever. Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay sharp? There's nothing wrong with activity and hard work. But God doesn't want us to get so busy that we neglect the truly important things in life, like taking time to pray, to read. We all need time to relax, to think and meditate, to learn and grow. If we don't take time to sharpen the axe, we will become dull and lose our effectiveness. So start today. Think about the ways by which you could do your job more effectively and add a lot of value to it

1. Allah won't ask what kind of car you drove, But will ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation. 2. Allah won't ask what your highest salary was, But will ask if you compromised your character or morals to obtain that salary. 3. Allah won't ask the square footage of your house, But will ask how many people you welcomed into your home. 4. Allah won't ask about the fancy clothes you had in your closet, But will ask how many of those clothes helped the needy. 5 Allah won't ask about your social status, But will ask what kind of class you displayed. 6. Allah won't ask how many material possessions you had, But will ask if they dictated your life. 7. Allah won't ask how much overtime you worked, But will ask if you worked overtime for your family and loved ones. 8. Allah won't ask how many promotions you received, But will ask how you promoted others. 9. Allah won't ask what your job title was, But will ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability. 10. Allah won't ask what you did to help yourself, But will ask what you did to help others. 11. Allah won't ask how many friends you had, But will ask how many people to whom you were a true friend. 12. Allah won't ask what you did to protect your rights, But will ask what you did to protect the rights of others. 13. Allah won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, But will ask how you treated your neighbors. 14. Allah won't ask about the color of your skin, But will ask about the content of your character. 15. Allah won't ask how many times your deeds matched your words, But will ask how many times they didn't.

Today, upon a bus I saw a girl with golden hair, and wished I were as fair. When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle. She had one leg and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile. Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine. I have 2 legs, the world is mine. I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who sold it had such charm. I talked with him, he seemed so glad, if I were late, it'd do no harm. And as I left, he said to me, "I thank you, you've been so kind. It's nice to talk with folks like you. You see," he said, "I'm blind." Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine. I have 2 eyes, the world is mine. Later while walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue. He stood and watched the others play. He did not know what to do. I stopped a moment and then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?" He looked ahead without a word. And then I knew, he couldn't hear. Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine. I have 2 ears, the world is mine. With feet to take me where I'd go. With eyes to see the sunsets glow. With ears to hear what I'd know. Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine. I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.

Have you ever received an email about someone who had a dream about “Hazrat” Zaynab or Aisha, the Holy Prophet (saaw) or some old man with a white beard – asking you to forward it on to x number of people in order to receive good fortune??? And those that don’t pass it on may face some curse or hardship from Allaah (swt)?? If you have, and have been unsure what to do with such an email then please read the following article... To put it simply my brothers and sisters, such emails should NOT be forwarded and instead the delete button should be hit without hesitation. Such emails create doubt in one’s heart and fall into the category of shirk (associating partners with Allaah). This is the only sin which if we were to die upon; Allaah (swt) has informed us He will never forgive!! Thinking that forwarding the email may in some way change our fate, either by benefiting us or warding off some bad luck, is in fact to put faith in other than the Mighty Will of Allaah (swt). Dear brothers and sisters, we should know that not a single event occurs without the knowledge of our Creator, al Alim. Know that EVERY matter that exists was ordained 50,000 years before the creation of the heavens and the earth. And know that every last breath, movement, and occurrence was written down by Allaah (swt) in al-Lauh ul-Mahfudh, the 'Preserved Tablet'. Allaah, Ta’ala tells us in the Qur`aan: “Do you not know that Allaah knows all that is in heaven and on earth? Verily, it is all in the Book. Verily! That is easy for Allaah.”(Surah al-Hajj 22: 70) With regards to receiving the email, we should know that sending it or even not sending it, will not change our fate one bit, except for what Allaah has already ordained. In the wise words given to Ibn Abbas, the Prophet (saaw) said, “Remember that if all the people come together to bring you benefit they cannot benefit you except for what Allaah has written. On the other hand if they come together to cause you any harm they will not be able to do it except for what Allaah has written. The pens have been laid aside, and the scrolls have dried.” (recorded by al Tirmidhi) You may now ask that what if it was in your fate to receive the email and so your Qadr was decided accordingly. The answer to this lies in the Qur`aan and sunnah of the holy Prophet (saaw) and the simple rule is not to have faith in anything except the will of Allaah. No man or woman can inform you of your future, as we are told, “Say! None in the heavens nor the earth knows the unseen except Allaah” (Surah an-Nahl 27:65). Similar situations existed at the time of our noble Prophet and so the evidences are bountiful. One such example as narrated by Imraan ibn Husayn, that the Prophet (saaw) once saw a brass bangle on a man’s upper arm, and he said to him, “Woe be on you! What is this?” The man replied that it was to protect him from a sickness called al-Waahinah. The Prophet (saaw) then said, “Cast it off, for verily it would only increase your weakness. And, if you died with it on, you would never succeed.” (collected by Ahmad, Ibn Maajah and Ibn Hibbaan) Also, it has been reported by Abu Hurayrah and al-Hasan that the Prophet (saaw) said, “Whosoever approaches a fortuneteller and believes what he says, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.” (Collected by Ahmad, Abu Dawud) From this, I ask dear brothers and sisters, how can it be that an electrically typed message, no matter how religious the people described were, or how many people sent or received it, can make the slightest of difference when compared to what Allaah Ta’ala has willed? From this I would sincerely advise that you spread this message to anyone who may have originally sent a chain message to you – not because it will bring you good fortune or that it may keep away some harm, but in order to inform others of what is correct. Finally, although we may be saddened at how easily and quickly doubt can be put in the hearts of the believers, we should always remember the words of Muhammad (saaw) in his final sermon, “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.”