Modesty May Allah Guide Us All 2 the right path...Amiin I feel that being young female and specially living in a western country it should make us better and stronger Muslims. Since we are faced with many things living in the West. The more I grew up and faced many experiences the more I felt stronger and stronger for me to practice my religion, As a young child I was taught and aware as a Muslim I had to cover up and did so, but praying was one of the harder ones for me to stick too, I prayed one month n the other didnt, although I felt extremely guilty I did so but then alxamdulilah I woke up one morning and changed my ways I got hooked on learning more about our beautiful religion and as I learned each day felt more safe and happy, I stopped hanging with friends since we got caught up in chatting I would eventually miss prayers, I avoided TV as much as I could and made myself busy by e.g. reading the quran, going on the internet and checking out Islamic sites and of course reading SOL Islamic section. Alxamdulilah those where the only things I had to stop since I didn’t use to do other stuff I should be doing. I learnt that there is no such thing us bored since there is so much to learn bout our diin. Modesty, I do truly believe know1 is prefect and in time and having trust in Allah we all will be better Muslims so it can benefit us and our children inshallah for the hereafter. Modesty you can only change you, changing friends does play apart but its you who has to do it. We just have to continue making dac’a that Allah guides us all to the right path. We got to remember it is not easy living in the west and being a Muslim but we just got to have faith in Allah, since what ever bad we come across in life its a test we just have to deal with it the Islamic way and remember shaytaan is everywhere and will call us all to do bad things but we just got to turn the other way and fear and remember Allah is watching. Mash Allah there is a lot of intelligent knowledge brothers and sisters who are members in this forum and them also we learn from, mash Allah just reading this Islamic section sometimes brings tears to my eyes realising just by worshiping Allah (swt) and doing what we meant to be doing in Islam and avoiding all that we shouldn’t be doing brings us each day a step closer to paradise. I know as a Muslim we should treat every day as if it is out last and do good, but us we all different it is not easy for some people, but insahllah we just got to not stop praying. And learn from one another’s mistakes and help each other to do well.I still till today sometimes see myself maybe watching a bit of TV but then bite my tongue and walk away from it to do something that will benefit me. Alxamdulilah I have just met great practicing sisters and everyday we learn something from each other. So one of the main changes we all should try to do specially if you are studying or working is to try and hang with practicing Muslims who will inshallah keep reminding you e.g. its time to pray etc. because if you do hang with kafirs eventually they will have a affect on you and you will forget to pray, and instead go partying. And not to forget not only kafirs will turn you away from your duties as a Muslim but also people who are Muslims by name. I am very sorry if I seem to have repeated myself I have a habit of that (you should read my assignments). And Inshallah if we keep posting in the Islamic section and reading them inshallah it will keep us all away from wrong doings and also continue to encourage and support each other. And most of all try to remember each other in our prayers. I hope I was some help too you.

Allah has given us another opportunity to share with each other some advice which will remind us about the purpose of our lives inshallah. Our belief in Allah needs to be strong and solid. Right now if I were to ask you "Is there a ground under you?" You would without a doubt say yes. Then if I asked "Is there a sky above you?" You would reply yes again without a doubt. Our belief in Allah should be so strong that if I was to ask "Is Allah watching you right now?" Without a doubt you should say yes. This type of belief doesn't come by sitting at home and doing nothing. We must work for it. Allah the Almighty has said in the Holy Quran: As for those who strive hard ``in Us`` (Our Cause), We will surely, guide them to Our Paths. (Surah Ankabut: 69). Here is a story about two friends. Two friends were travelling together. One was blind and the other could see. Now, when the night fell, they decided to take some rest and continue the journey in the morning. This area was such that in the day time the temperature increases pretty high but in the night the temperature decreases significantly. Much like the areas near the oceans. In the morning, the person who could see left to find some food. The blind man stayed behind and was just touching here and there around him. Now, what had happened at night is that one snake was passing by this place. But due to the extreme coldness, the snake became inactive, frozen, and straight. This blind man's hand fell on this snake and he thought that it's a very nice stick. He picked it up and became very happy. To a blind man, a good stick is a very valuable thing. Later, the person who could see came back with some food and saw his friend touching a snake. So he shouted and said to throw it away. But the blind man insisted, you want this stick don't you? I am not going to throw it away. After trying hard, he couldn't convince the blind man to throw it away. Anyway, they continued their journey. Then the temperature began to rise and the snake started regaining its energy. When it received enough heat, it flexed its muscles and bit the blind man. We can compare ourselves to this situation also. We are like this blind man and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is like the person who could see. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) went to Miraj and saw the horrors of Hell and the blissfulness of Paradise. Now, the Prophet told us about many things to give up and stay away but because we can't see the dangers that's why we don't pay any attention to them. But when the time comes, we will get into serious problems. That is why, we should follow the rules and regulations of Islam. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INAA LILAH WA INAA ILAYHI RAJICUUN I pray that Allah (SWT) will grant him paradise Amiin.

Asalamu Alaykum to you all brothers and sisters. As you can read form the title this post is mainly for the brothers but is open for the sisters too. As we all Muslims know - Whoever has married has completed half of his religion. And we also know not all marriages work out, for many reasons and one of them being brothers/sisters not choosing there other half to be very carefully. Here is a Article for the brothers to read..in choosing there desired wifes..If it has already been posted before sorry just take it as a reminder!!! All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, the Merciful, the Hearer of supplications, and peace and blessings upon our beloved and humble prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions. When marriage is spoken of during these "modern" times, Muslims become horrified, conjuring images of an arranged marriage, trying to find that "perfect" companion, how much of a financial burden it will become, and so on. The reality is that Islam came to solve these problems, not exacerbate them, yet unfortunately we have integrated our local traditions and customs with Islam so that marriage has become a major concern for a man rather than a delightful experience. When living in a free, perverted and corrupt Western society, the Muslim male youth finds many temptations and tests, as a result of mixing with females, which he must face and overcome. He must constantly resist these temptations, which are thrown at him in the streets, on the media, and at work. And so the wisdom of the Prophet (s.a.w) echoes on, when he said: "O young men, those among you who can support a wife should marry, for it restrains the eyes from casting (evil glances), and preserves one from immorality..." When seriously considering marriage, you must pose the question to yourself as to just what kind of wife you want, what her qualities should be in order to establish an Islamic and peaceful household, and how you will know who she is. As Muslims, we believe that Allah wants the best for us, and that His Prophet (s.a.w) illustrated this through his own life. So note that by following the advise of our own Creator, and that of His beloved servant, we can only be successful. WHO TO MARRY Islam is clear on the kind of wife you should be seeking. The Prophet (s.a.w) said: "A woman may be married for four reasons: for her property, her status, her beauty, and her religion; so try to get one who is religious, may you be blessed." This specifically defines just what kind of a companion we are seeking, for if we marry her for anything other than her religious piety, our marriage is bound to fall into misery. True, beauty and charm is hard to resist, yet beauty does not last forever and does not guarantee you her obedience and religiousness. Financial status is dynamic, and so is worldly status, yet religion strongly establishes a household, and it may be that through your intention of marrying her for her religion, the rest is given to you anyway. In another hadith, the Prophet (s.a.w) said: "The whole world is a provision, and the best object of benefit of the world is the pious woman." Imagine! Nothing in this world is as valuable as a pious woman! This point has been stressed many times by Rasulallah (s.a.w), who himself, when asked what three things he loved the most, mentioned a pious woman. Once the following ayah was revealed: "They who hoard up gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah, unto them give tidings of a painful doom. On that day when it will (all) be heated in the fire of Jahannam, and their foreheads and flanks and their backs will be branded therewith (and it will be said to them): 'Here is what you hoarded for yourselves, now taste of what you used to hoard' "[al-Taubah: 34-35]. Umar (r.a.a) has been quoted to say that, when this ayah was revealed, he approached the Prophet (s.a.w), submitting that the ayah weighed heavily on the minds of the Sahaba. Rasulallah (s.a.w) replied that the best thing to be treasured is the devoted wife who causes pleasure when seen, obeys orders instantly and takes full care of herself and her husbands property when he is away. Abu Bakr once asked Rasulallah (s.a.w) what was the best thing to be treasured, and he (s.a.w) replied: "the tongue in remembrance of Allah, the heart filled with thanks to Allah, and a pious wife who helps in virtuous deeds". Look at how valuable such a woman is in the sight of Allah! How can a man live unhappily with such a person. QUALITIES OF THE PIOUS WOMAN Alright, you say, you've convinced me, but what actually makes her a pious woman? The answer is simple: Allah himself has described those qualities most loved by Him in the Quran, and in the ahadith there are numerous accounts of the virtuous attributes of a pious woman. The following are some ayahs on the attributes of the wife you should be seeking, so note those fine and appreciative qualities. "And women of purity are for men of purity, and men of purity are for women of purity"[s.24;v.26] "Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husbands) absence what Allah would have them guard"[s.4;v.34] "It may be, if he divorced you (all), that Allah will give him in exchange consorts better than you, who submit (Muslims), who believe, who are devout, who turn to Allah in repentance, who worship (in humility), who travel (for faith) and fast..."[s.66;v.5]. And then, in surah Ahzab, is a full list of those qualities loved by Allah, qualities which by the way should be evident in both males and females. So, my dear brother, choose her for the following attributes: a Muslim woman a believing woman a devout woman a true woman a woman who is patient and constant a woman who humbles herself a woman who gives charity a woman who fasts and denies herself a woman who guards her chastity a woman who engages much in Allah's praise. Among the four known perfect women was Maryam. She was loved by Allah because of her religious qualities: "O Maryam! Worship your Lord: prostrate yourself, and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down"[s.3;v.43]. Another was the wife of Pharaoh: "And Allah sets forth, as an example to those who believe, the wife of Pharaoh: behold she said: 'O my Lord, build for me, in nearness to Thee, a mansion in the Garden' "[s.66;v.11]. The Prophet (s.a.w) loved his wives because of their religious qualities. Aisha once related the fine qualities of Zainab: "(Zainab) was the one who was somewhat equal in rank with me in the eyes of Allah's Messenger (s.a.w), and I have never seen a woman more advanced in religious piety than Zainab, more God-conscious, more truthful, more alive to the ties of blood, more generous and having more sense of self-sacrifice in practical life and having more charitable disposition and thus more closer to Allah, the Exalted, than her." Ahh, you think, but you'll never find such a woman! Well, if that was true, Allah would not have described her in the first place, and furthermore those qualities were emanating from the women described above. Islam deals with reality, not fiction. Sure, the perfect woman doesn't exist, yet "if you take a dislike to them, it may be that you dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good"[s.4;v.19]. Remember also that you are not perfect either. KNOWING WHO SHE IS To find that pious woman, there are two steps to be taken, and that first one relies on your personal observation. In surah Nisaa, Allah asks the believing women that they should "lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments," and also that they "should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments"[s.24;v.31]. If you notice a woman acting modestly, being not too obvious through her actions (by lowering her voice when around men), one who attempts to hide her attractions (which includes her external beauty as well as her internal charms), then you know she has some of those precious qualities. When you see a woman unashamedly flirting, unconcerned about her revealing clothes, and freely converses with males- keep far, far away. I'm sure when you get married you want your wife to devote her love to you, not to twenty other "just good friends". Through simple observation, you can get a glimpse of her nature; for example, the way she stands when conversing, how she maintains eye-contact, her clothes, where she spends her time etc. Look for her strong points, and don't stress on her weak ones. Yet, after all this, we still have to come to the most important topic. You can look all you want at her, set a private investigator to track her movements, read her diaries (all of which I consider extreme and unIslamic), yet, my dear brother, no-one knows her heart and intentions, no-one knows whether she will turn sour or more religious, or whether you are suitable for each other, except for Allah. TRUST IN ALLAH We are choosing our wife for her permanent values; namely her religious devotions, moral integrity, character etc. But believe me, if we try ourselves to combine a marriage, we are almost sure to fail, because we have no knowledge. Allah loves a servant when he puts his trust in Him. When we do so, it is illustrating how we rely upon Him for help, and proving our sincerity to Him, establishing that we recognise His infinite knowledge and wisdom. Islam is likened to being as a house, and in my estimation nothing cements that house together as well as putting our trust in Allah. It is related on the authority of Jabir ibn 'Abdullah that the Prophet (s.a.w) used to teach his companions to seek, through a special du'a (known as an istikharah), the guidance of Allah in all matters which affected them. Rasulallah (s.a.w) said: "When you are confused about what you should do in a certain situation, then pray two rak'at of nafl salaat and read the following du'a (du'a of istikharah)." I am surprised at the criticisms thrown at this du'a, and of its negligence. We are humans, powerless in this sphere of life, knowledgeable only enough to survive. So why shouldn't we turn to Allah and seek His perfect help whenever we require it? Allah responds to the call of His servant when he asks for guidance, and we are after all seeking to do something in order to please Him. Many wrong notions exist concerning istikharah. Many Muslims will pray, read the du'a, and run to bed expecting to see a dream showing them their future wife, what her favourite colour is, and some other weird fantasy. That is not the purpose of this salaat. The results of an istikharah can take many forms. Basically, you go by your feelings, whether you now feel more favourable or not. Also, you may notice events have changed, either for or against you. Finally, as a wonderful gift from Allah, you may be blessed with a dream. Note that you must follow the results of an istikharah, because not doing so is tantamount to rejecting Allah's guidance once you've asked for it. Also, you should firstly clear your mind, not have your mind already decided, and then afterwards follow the results willingly. The Prophet (s.a.w) once sent Zainab a proposal of marriage. She refused to accept the proposal straight away, expressing her intention to refer the matter to Allah: "I do not do anything until I solicit the will of my Lord." Allah, the Responsive, answered her plea for help and revealed an ayah approving of the marriage. We may seem shocked at her refusal to accept a proposal from what is the best husband any woman can have, yet she was just recognising that it is Allah who knows how successful such a marriage will be, and as a sign of appreciation, that reply is now preserved in our Holy Book: al Quran. The Prophet (s.a.w) once said to Aisha: "I saw you in a dream for three nights when an angel brought you to me in a silk cloth and he said: 'Here is your wife', and when I removed (the cloth) from your face, lo, it was yourself, so I said: 'if this is from Allah, let Him carry it out' ". Marriage is a serious step, and requires the right attitude. If marriage completes half our faith, shouldn't that half be the best half? A woman married for the wrong reasons can only weaken the Muslim household. Consider that she will be your life-long companion, the carer of your children. Don't marry her for her worldly wealthwisdom and knowledge. Her status in this life is but illusionary, so choose her for her status in the sight of Allah. Beauty is but superficial, but the beauty of Iman is transcendent. When asking Allah for a wife, call upon Him by His beautiful names, as He has commanded us: "For Allah are certain and dignified names: therefore call upon Him by them"[s.7;v.189]. Ask for a companion who is devout, pious, patient and so on. Be among those who say: "Our Lord, may our spouses and our offspring be a joy to our eyes and make us leaders of the righteous"[al-Furqan,74]. I cannot provide a better conclusion than saying that you must put your trust in Allah. You must have trust in His concern for us, and His ability to help us. Allah says: "Put your trust in Allah, for Allah loves those who put their trust in Him"[s.3;v.159]. May Allah help us in our sincere efforts in following His commandments and the way of His beloved servant, and provide us with wives whom He loves. "When my servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I respond to the prayer of every supplicant when he calls on Me: let them also, with a will, listen to my call, and believe in Me: that they may walk in the right way"[al-Baqarah,v.186]. WRITTEN BY BROTHER IBRAHIM ABU KHALID, www.ummah.com

"Wake up before it's too late" A man once saw in his dream that a lion was chasing him. The man ran to a tree, climbed on to it and sat on a branch. He looked down and saw that the lion was still there waiting for him. The man then looked to his side where the branch he was sitting on was attached to the tree and saw that two rats were circling around and eating the branch. One rat was black and the other one was white. The branch would fall on the ground very soon. The man then looked below again with fear and discovered that a big black snake had come and settled directly under him. The snake opened its mouth right under the man so that he will fall into it. The man then looked up to see if there was anything that he could hold on to. He saw another branch with a honeycomb. Drops of honey were falling from it. The man wanted to taste one of the drops. So, he put his tongue out and tasted one of the fallen drops of honey. The honey was amazing in taste, so he wanted to taste another drop! As he did, he got lost into the sweetness of the honey. Meanwhile, he forgot about the two rats eating his branch away, the lion on the ground and the snake that is sitting right under him. After a while, he woke up from his sleep. To get the meaning behind this dream, the man went to a pious scholar of Islam. The scholar said, "The lion you saw is your death; it always chases you and goes where ever you go. The two rats, one black and one white, are the night and the day, Black one is the night and the white one is the day. They circle around, coming one after another, to eat your time as they take you closer to death. The big black snake with a dark mouth is your grave; it’s there, just waiting for you to fall into it. The honeycomb is this world and the sweet honey is the luxuries of this world. We like to taste a drop of the luxuries of this world but it's very sweet. Then we taste another drop and yet another. Meanwhile, we get lost into it and we forget about our time, we forget about our death and we forget about our graves." May Allah (SWT) wake us up from the sleep and save us before it's too late.

Thank you both mire and Tamina for the welcome!!! Yep hopefully many brothers and sisters from the UK will come inshallah, and we will all benefit alot from going inshallah.

Jazakallah Khayr brother Mujahid I was quite surprised to c my name mentioned too since I only posted once, but then again once is betta than never. Well I also benefited alot from some brothers and sisters in this forum who posted in the islamic section. And knowledge we all know is the key. And mashallah Just by readin some of the posts u gain alot, and know more about our beautiful diin then you did yesterday. May Allah bless your souls...Amiin May Allah reward you all for the time you gave to remind us all of islam...cos we all do need a little reminder once in awhile.

Asalamu Alaykum to all my brothers and sisters, hoping all of you are in best of health. Well as u may already have noticed by my name I am a new member in this forum. (I will b waiting for my warm welcomes) lol I have been readin this disscussion forum specially the islamic topics for a while now, but was to lazy to register, I assumed I had to fill in pages and pages to register but infact it only took me 2 minutes. Well let me get to what I was going to tell you sisters and brothers who are not already informed of the Annual conference in the university of Nottingham. It wold be great for thoses that are able to come to fill in the appicaltion form Available in the link below to be able to attend. It will be great way of learning more of Islam, and also getting the opportunity to meet and share experiences with fellow Muslim students from around the UK.I am not sure if it is mainly for muslim students but I will get back to you on that. Here is the link to the poster and Application form. http://www.fosis.org.uk/activities/camp/camp03.htm Hope many of you will come inshallah!!!