Assalamu Alaikum, There is no point in giving them any proofs honestly..the Noble Qur'an is enough of a proof! A person who does not believe in Allah (SWT) should ponder over the creation of mankind, the universe, the passing away of life of the world and with an open mind ask themselves "what's really the purpose of life?" Allah, the Exalted, says "I exhort you to one (thing) only: that you stand up for Allah's sake in pairs and singly,-and reflect (within yourselves the life history of Prophet (saw)'" (34:46) "Verily! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understandings. Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on thier sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Rubb! You have not created (all) this without a purpose, glory to You! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners)" (3:190, 191) "Do they not look at the camels, how they are created? And at the mountains, how they are rooted (and fixed firm)? And at the earth, how it is spread out? So remind them (O Muhammad (saw), you are only a one who reminds." (88:17-21) May Allah (SWT) guide us all to the right path (Ameen) Salam BTW-good post brother/sister Shams-u-deen (sorry if I got the spelling of your nick wrong)

Love or Desire: Respected Brother/Sister in Islam Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakatuhu Where in the world, are the Muslim youth getting their ideals about love, marriage and family from? In Bahrain, a teenage Muslim princess ran away from her family, her home and country forever, putting her life in jeopardy in order to marry an American marine she hardly knew. She made a decision, that she can never take back, to Iive a life of exile and sin. If asked why, she did this, she would naturally say she did it for "love." Where in the world, are the Muslim youth getting their ideals about love, marriage and family from? Are we turninq to the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam? Unfortunately, we do not. In the Indian subcontinent, we're turning to Indian films; In America and possibly the rest of the world, we're turning to Hollywood. Bombay, a famous mainstream Indian film, features a Muslim girl who falls in love and ultimately marries Hindu boy. At the beginning of the film, she is shown in niqab. By the end, she is dressing like a Hindu. After her family refuses to allow their marriage, the girl runs away and does not speak to them for six years. At the end her parents come to her and all are happy. Hollywood, one of the largest influences in the world, plays a huge role in the formation of concepts about love, marriage, and family. These films portray men and women who are "in love." And yet, often times the individual they "love" will be someone they just saw or spoke to briefly. Suddenly, however they are willing to lose their spouse, their family, their job, their life, and even their Lord. It is, therefore, more correct to say that they make these sacrifices because their desires have become their God. Allah speaks of these people when He says: "Then seest thou such a one as takes as his god his own vain desire? Allah has knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart (and understanding), and put a cover on his sight. Who, then, will guide him after Allah (has withdrawn guidance)? Will ye not then receive admonition?" [45:23] But yet these very same people that Allah has described in His book as most astray have become our example and ideal. In 1998, Titanic, grossing more than 1 billion dollars in sales worldwide, became the most popular movie across the globe. The story features a young girl of age 17 who is engaged to be married. After meeting and ultimately falling in love with another man, the young girl cheats on her fiance and disobeys her mother. Both the mother and the fiance are shown as superficial in order to make her disloyalty more acceptable. The messages of these films are very penetrating. The most powerful message is: if you sacrifice for "love", all will be well in the end. In other words, if you disregard your religion, your farmily, your God, following only your desires, you will be rewarded in the end. If we look to America, we can see the clear effects of these misshapen concepts. 'Why has divorce reached the unprecedented rate of 40-60%? I believe the answer lies in the misconstrued definition of what true love and marriage actually is. These movies feature the wedding as the end of the movie, and thus marriage is seen as the end of a love story, rather than the beginning. What effect does this have on our society, on our youth in particular? Who are the victims of these misconstrued ideals? What is the basis of the "love" portrayed in these movies? What criterion will young Muslims affected by these images use when choosing a spouse? Will they follow the Sunnah of the Prophet, sallallalhu alayhi wa sallam, who says the one who marries for deen is blessed? Or, will they base their choice on an empty, fleeting attraction disguised as "love"? If the youth begin to choose their spouses based on this ephemeral emotion rather than on deen, what effect will that have on the Ummah as a whole? Will not more families be broken due to divorce and strife? Will not more youth be forced to cut ties with their families (assuming they do not agree)? Will not more children be raised far from Islam? Thus, we should be aware and guard ourselves and our children from this deceptive tool of Satan. Allah describes those people who only follow their desires numerous times throughout the Qur'an. Let us not be among those who Allah describes as most astray and let those not become our ideals. "Who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, devoid of guidance from Allah? For Allah guides not people given to wrongdoing" [28: 50] Yasmin Mogahed Al Jumuah - Vol 13 Issue 8/9 Insh'Allah I hope we all benefit from this

Assalamu Alaikum Castro, Although music and the use of musical instruments is a controversial subject...there are some hadiths as well as Qur'anic verses which clearly proof that music/singing as well as the use of musical instruments to be haram. The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said: "There will be people of my Ummah who will seek to make lawful; fornication, wine-drinking and the use of ma'aazif (musical instruments)." This implies that ma'aazif was unlawful in the first place. Another Hadith: ‘Imraan narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “In this nation there will be humiliation, corruption and slander. The companions asked, “When will that happen O Messenger of Allah?†He said, “When songstresses and stringed instruments appear and when alcohol is consumed.†(At-Tirmidhee). And Allah knows best PS: Ramadan Kareem to you too

Assalamu Alaikum Ducaqabe, I thought the use of musical instruments is haram ?

Assalamu Alaikum, Do I think Muslimahs are being used by the Media as a way of degrading Islam? DEFINITELY! There is no aspect of Islam more widely misunderstood than the role and status of its women. The popular view combines the fantasy of a Hollywood version of the Arabian Nights, with a picture of deprived and repressed victims of a man's world. Neither approaches the truth, but ignorance and prejudice have supplied facts to fit the case. " . . . but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled disgraces her head - it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved. For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have hair cut off or be shaved, she should wear a veil. For man ought not to have his head veiled, since he is the image and reflection of God; but woman is the reflection of man. Indeed, man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man." (I Corinthians 11:5-9) The above quotation is not from any Islamic source, but from (St.) Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians - which is part of the Christian New Testament. So who really "oppresses" women? Islam gives women a high/dignified status rather than oppressing them! Previously, women had very few legal rights and most societies placed women in an inferior position compared to that of men. Women were seen as the property of a patriarchal figure. Single women were bound to the wishes of their fathers and, sometimes, their brothers. Marriage changed this slightly in that the women became the property of the husband and upon marriage, she would have to give up most of her rights and possessions to her husband, as married women were not allowed to own property...even upon betrothal or engagement, the "future" husband could control the property of or any gifts made to his future wife. How sad is that! Upon the death of her spouse, a wife could lose all of the property to a male heir or relative unless the husband had willed it to her prior to his death. Generally, there were no legal obligation for a husband to provide for the maintenance and support of his wife. These were only recently changed and were given full legal rights as to that of men while Islam gave women these rights thousands of years ago! Alhamdulillah for Islam!!!!! What I find really interesting is that when a pregnant women goes to hospital she is usually asked whether her husband verbally or physically abuses her, Subhan'Allah...this clearly proofs the status of women in western societies!

Assalamu Alaikum, Who is Exempt from Fasting? - Non-Muslims, For fasting to be accepted a person must firmly believe that Allah is the ONLY God worthy of worship, and that Muhammad (pbuh) is His final Messenger. Furthermore, they must believe in the 6 articles of faith, and act upon the five pillars of Islam. - The Sick, Those who are sick but are able to fast must do so! However, if fasting is detrimental to a person's health, due to illness, then this person is not required to fast. Those who have no hope of recovery are to compensate by paying Fidyah-The feeding of a needy person for every day missed. Those who are temporarily ill are to make up the missed days after they recover before the next Ramadan. - Travelers, A traveler who will face no difficulty in fasting may choose not to fast, but fasting in this case is preferable. If however, fasting will cause the traveler hardships, then it is advised to take up the favor and concession of Allah granted to him and break the fast. The missed days must be made up before the next Ramadan. - Children, Fasting is not required of children until they reach the age of puberty. If a person turns the age of 15 and none of the signs of puberty have appeared, then they are considered to have reached the age of puberty. Although children are not obligated to fast prior to puberty, they should be encouraged to fast if there is no fear of it harming them, as this will train them to fast. Controversial Issues: Unintentionally eating or drinking after the break of Dawn or before Sunset- The correct opinion concerning a person who eats or drinks believing that the break od Dawn has not commenced, or that the sun has set when it actually hasn't taken place, is that this person does not need to make up for that day. During the leadership of Umar (May Allah be pleased with him)some people broke their fast and some moments later the sun appeared. They asked whether they should make up for this day to which Umar responded by saying "No, by Allah, we did not have any inclination towards wrongful action." In addition we the incident whereby Asnaa' (May Allah be pleased with her)said: "We broke our fast on a cloudy day during Ramadan at the time of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), then the sun apeared." (Bukhari) Ibn Taymiyyah said: "This suggests it is not obligatory to make up for the day, for if the Prophet (pbuh) had ordered them to make up for that day, this would have been widely known, just as the news of breaking of their fast was widely circulated." Use of Nose Drops, Eye Drops, Intravenous Injections and Perfume- The Scholars of Islam differed about the use of these things during fasting. The correct opinion-and Allah knows best-is that these things do not nullify the fasting, and that no compensation is required if used, even if the nose or eye drops pass through the throat. This is the opinion of Ibn 'Umar, Anas Ibn Malik, Abu Hanifah, ash-Shaafi, and Ibn Taymiyyah. There is nothing authenically mentioned by the Prophet (pbuh) prohibiting their use. Water entering the stomach accidentally -Water that enters into the stomach as a result of sniffing or rinsing out of the mouth has also caused controversy amongst Scholars. The correct opinion is that the fast is not broken, as this has occurred unintentionally. Although sniffing water up the nostrils during wudu is desirable, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) advised that it should be avoided during fasting. Bathing and showering are permissible actions when fasting. Swimming is also permissible as long as care is taken not to swallow water. If however a person knows from past experience that they may swallow water whilst swimming, then it is not permitted to swim whilst fasting. The use of Puffers- According to a number of Scholars, the use of puffers for Asthma does not break the fast. This is because the puffer is considered as compressed gas that goes to the lungs, and does in no way nourish or quench the thirst. To be continued Insh'Allah

Wa'laykum Salam Pacifist, Jazakum'Allahu Kairan...Insh'Allah will check them out. Here is a good article to read Insh'Allah! Nine reasons why we must plan for Ramadan: Reason #1: To be in "Ramadan mode" By planning for Ramadan before it arrives, you put your mind in "Ramadan mode". If you plan, you will mentally prepare for it, and it will force you to see it as the special month it is outside of your regular routine the rest of the year. Reason #2: To adjust your schedule By planning in advance, you can adjust your work, sleep and meal schedules in such a way as to make time for Suhoor, Iftar, etc. That means, for instance, that if you normally go to bed at midnight, in Ramadan you would sleep earlier in order to get up early for Suhoor. Or if you usually study late, you can instead sleep earlier and start studying after Suhoor in the early morning hours. Planning in advance allows you the luxury to make time for the change in schedule that Ramadan brings. Reason #3: You can plan Ramadan family time Is dinnertime usually an individual affair in your home, as opposed to a time the whole family eats together? Are Friday evenings the time every family member goes off to his/her own social activities? Planning in advance can change this at least in Ramadan. Calling a family meeting about a month in advance, explaining the importance of Ramadan, its implications for the family and the need to eat Iftar together when possible as well as to attend Tarawih prayers, for example, will allow all family members to adjust their work and school schedules accordingly. That will, Insha Allah, make Ramadan a blessing not just to every person in the family, but to the family as a whole. Reason #4: To make the menu While Ramadan may mean extra Ibadah to some of the brothers, it usually means extra cooking for most of the sisters. Ramadan’s blessings are for men and women. Making a Ramadan menu for Iftar and meals, and working out when you want to invite relatives, neighbors and friends for Iftar will give sisters the opportunity to catch Tarawih and various other advantageous Ibadat instead of spending Ramadan’s 29 or 30 days stuck in the kitchen. (And by the way, brothers, helping out with cooking or cleaning was a practice of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him-maybe this is a way you can increase your Sawab [rewards] this month). Reason #5 : You can plan a Iftar at your home You may have eaten fantastic Iftars at friends’ homes last year. This year, open your doors. There is blessing in feeding a fasting person other than yourself and your family. Planning in advance gives you the luxury of calling friends over the month before and setting a date, so you can "grab" them before others get an opportunity to. Muchos Sawab, Insha Allah! Reason #6: To make a travel schedule Do you know a fellow Muslim in your neighborhood who wants to get to the mosque for Tarawih every night but doesn’t have a car? Or do you look at your work schedule and realize you have to work overtime near the end of Ramdan, so your family will miss out on Tarawih at the mosque the last ten nights of Ramadan? Planning in advance helps you work out your daily or weekly travel schedule to attend Tarawih prayers at the mosque, or even a trip for Iftar at a friend’s place who may life farther away. It also helps ease the burden of transportation in winter. Maybe you can start a car pool? Since you have the time before Ramadan begins, you can work this out with neighbors and friends. Reason #7: To do good at high Sawab times Being generous is definitely an Islamic merit, but being generous in Ramadan is even more highly rewarded. Match Ibadat with specific times that carry more reward. Prepare to do Itifkaf, increase asking Allah for forgiveness in the last ten nights of Ramadan. Plan to give increased Sadaqa this month. Plan to visit that relative you may have not seen for months, if not years. Thinking about and arranging to do these things and finding other ways of gaining the pleasure of Allah in Ramadan will Insha Allah help you benefit more from it. Reason #8: You can squeeze in Eid shopping Planning in advance helps you think about all of those things you wanted to do in time for the end of Ramadan or Eid last year but couldn’t. Maybe you wanted to go Eid shopping for gifts for family and friends in the last week of Ramadan but were too busy with the last ten nights of Ramadan. No problem. This year, you decide to go in the third week of Ramadan instead. Reason #9: You can plan Dawa activities during Ramadan Some Muslims have gone to soup kitchens and made meals during Ramadan, while they were fasting. Not only will, Insha Allah, they be rewarded, but this is a great Dawa opportunity to explain what Ramadan and Islam are about. Planning in advance for such an activity gives you the time to call up a soup kitchen in your area, explain what you want to do, and get your act together. You can also plan school Dawa activities in Ramadan by planning in advance, by meeting with the principal or teacher beforehand, preparing a presentation, etc. Read the rest here --> http://muminuun.boardsxp.com/viewtopic.php?t=17 Salam

Assalamu Alaikum, Striving for Paradise and Avoiding the Hellfire by Imâm al-Madîna al-Munawarrah 'Alî Abd-ur-Rahmân al-Hudhaifî All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger, his household and companions. Fellow Muslims! Allaah created the creation so that His commandments and rules may be implemented. “And He is the Irresistible, (Supreme) above His slaves, and He is the All-Wise, Well-Acquainted with all things.†(Al-An‘aam 6:18) He created the universe so that He might be obeyed therein and that it might be inhabited with righteousness. He gave His legally obligated servants a freewill by which they can carry out the obligations; though this freewill is subject to Allaah’s Will and Might. If one performs things that agree with the Will of Allaah, acts in accordance with the truth for which this universe was created and obeys his Lord, Allaah will reward him with the best reward in this world and the Hereafter. Allaah says, “Whoever works righteousness - whether male or female - while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).†(An-Nahl 16:97) But if one goes against what Allaah wills for him, contradicts the law of Islaam and disobeys his Lord, Allaah will punish him in this world and the Hereafter. Allaah says, “Whoever follows My Guidance he shall neither go astray, nor shall be distressed. But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur'ân nor acts on its teachings.) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.†(Taa Haa 22:123-124) Men’s actions, be they great or small, are accurately recorded against them. And they shall be recompensed for those deeds. Allaah says, “And to Allâh belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, that He may requite those who do evil with that which they have done (i.e. punish them in Hell), and reward those who do good, with what is best (i.e. Paradise).†(An-Najm 53:31) The real and permanent recompense is in the Hereafter. As for this world, if there is any recompense there for good or evil deed, that recompense is very little and finite. On the Day of Resurrection, even the sinners will see the life of this world as just like an hour of the day. Allaah says, “And on the Day that the Hour will be established, the Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) will swear that they stayed not but an hour- thus were they ever deluded (away from the truth (i.e. they used to tell lies and take false oaths, and turn away from the truth) in this life of the world)).†(Ar-Room 30:55) And He says, “And on the Day when He shall gather (resurrect) them together, (it will be) as if they had not stayed (in the life of this world and graves) but an hour of a day. They will recognize each other.†(Yoonus 10:45) But the eternal and infinite recompense is that of the Hereafter. It might be the abode of bliss or the abode of hell. The reward of Paradise is for good deeds and the punishment of Hell is for evil deeds; a suitable recompense. Since righteous deeds are of various kinds in terms of their realities and benefits, the bliss of Paradise is also different in terms of its realities and benefits. Since the dwellers of Paradise had worshipped their Lord in this world, though they did not see Him, Allaah will, as a appropriate reward, honour them by showing His Gracious Face to them and letting them hear His Glorious Word on the Day of Judgment. Since Allaah saw it in them that they were resolute and decisive in their continuous worshipping of Him and obeying Him, He will then recompense them on that Day with a permanent bliss. Allaah says, “Verily those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds, shall have the Gardens of Al-Firdaus (the Paradise) for their entertainment. Wherein they shall dwell (forever). No desire will they have for removal therefrom.†(Al-Kahf 18:107-108) Likewise, since evil deeds are different in terms of their bitter realities and hazards, it follows then that their recompense which is Hell-Fire should also be of different kinds in terms of its severity, pain and bitterness. And since the sinners blocked their own hearts from guidance and eemaan while they were in this world, Allaah will recompense them for that by screening Himself from them and disallowing them from seeing Him on the Day of Resurrection. Allaah says, “Nay! Surely, they (evil-doers) will be veiled from seeing their Lord that Day.†(Al-Muttafiffeen 83:15) Since Allaah knows that the dwellers of Hell were always resolute on being perpetual disbelievers and sinners, and that if they were returned to this world they would go back to their disbelief, He then imposes on them a perpetual, everlasting and painful punishment on the Day of Resurrection. Allaah says, “If you could but see when they will be held over the (Hell) Fire! They will say: "Would that we were but sent back (to the world)! Then we would not deny the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.) of our Lord, and we would be of the believers!" Nay, it has become manifest to them what they had been concealing before. But if they were returned (to the world), they would certainly revert to that which they were forbidden. And indeed they are liars.†(Al-An‘aam 6:27-28) Dear brethren! The purest and the best hour for the Muslim in which his degree can be elevated the most, is to make the craving for Paradise and fear of Hell prevalent in his heart. The righteous predecessors always had their hearts filled with fear of Hell and yearning for Paradise, so their deeds were righteous. An example of this is ‘Abdullaah ibn Rawaahah who, while bidding farewell to his companions during the battle of Mu’tah, was seen crying. And when he was asked for the reason for his crying he said, “By Allaah! I am not crying because I’m going to miss you or because of this world. But what made me cry is the saying of Allaah, ‘There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell): this is with your Lord; a Decree which must be accomplished.’ (Maryam 19:71) How am I going to come out safely after passing over it?†Another example is ‘Umayr ibn al-Humaam. When the Messenger of Allaah, announced, during the battle of Badr, “Rise unto a Paradise whose width is as expansive as the heavens and the earth.†‘Umayr threw away few dates that he was holding and said, “If I have to wait until I finished eating these dates, that will indeed be a long life.†He then rushed unto the battlefield and fought gallantly until he was martyred. Fellow Muslims! We need to remember Paradise and Hell in our hearts and our assemblies and during our days and nights so that our conditions can become upright and our deeds can be righteous, especially in this time in which materialism and trials are prevalent, sincere advisers are few, eemaan has weakened and the life of this world is falsely adorned so much so that people burden themselves with it, make friends and foes upon it and maintain and sever relationships because of it. It then became the biggest impediment that obstructs people from the way of Allaah. Allaah says, “Verily, those who hope not for their meeting with Us, but are pleased and satisfied with the life of the present world, and those who are heedless of Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). Those, their abode will be the Fire, because of what they used to earn.†(Yoonus 10:7-8) Yearning for Paradise leads to righteous deeds as fear of Hell deters from sins. Paradise is the greatest thing that a Muslim should assiduously seek for, for it contains what no eye had seen, what no ear had heard and what no human mind had conceived! The Almighty Allaah describes Paradise and its eternal bliss in His Book in a manner that was never described in other divine ures. His Messenger also described it in a manner that no Prophet before him had done. “Allâh has promised to the believers - men and women, - Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of 'Adn (Eden Paradise). But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allâh. That is the supreme success.†(At-Tawbah 9:72) As for the Fire, and who will make you know what the Fire is? It is the abode of evil creatures, the place of filth, disgrace and ignominy. It is so deep that if a rock is thrown into it from its brink it will not be able to reach its bottom in seventy years. Its heat is very scorching. The Prophet said, “The fire of this world is a seventieth part of the fire of Hell.†(Al-Bukhaaree) “As for those who disbelieved, garments of fire will be cut out for them, boiling water will be poured down over their heads. With it will melt (or vanish away) what is within their bellies, as well as (their) skins. And for them are hooked rods of iron (to punish them). Every time they seek to get away therefrom, from anguish, they will be driven back therein, and (it will be) said to them: "Taste the torment of burning!’ (Al-Hajj 22:19-22) Fellow Muslims! Fear Allaah in private and in public. No one can succeed except by fearing his Lord; and no one can lose except by following his desires and neglecting acts of worship. Brethren in faith! Your Lord calls you unto the Gardens of Bliss through performing righteous deeds and shunning of evil ones. He says, “And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the pious. Those who spend (in Allâh's Cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn (the good-doers).†(Aal ‘Imraan 3:133-134) In the hadeeth, the Messenger of Allaah said, “All of you shall enter Paradise except those who refuse to.†The companions said, “Who will refuse to, O Messenger of Allaah?†He answered, “He who obeys me shall enter Paradise and he who disobeys me has refused [to enter Paradise].†Let no one incline to the enjoyment of this world, for it is only a mixture of false dreams, a shadow of a tree and a deceiving enjoyment. May Allah (SWT) forgive us all and Insh'Allah grant us all Paradise (Ameen) Salam

Assalamu Alaikum, An Excerpt from the Conclusion of the Book “The Ideal Muslimah: The True Islâmic Personality of the Muslim as Defined in the Qur’ân and Sunnahâ€) By Dr. Muhammad ‘Ali Al-Hashimi The Muslim woman’s role is not merely to stay at home, nursing children and taking care of the home. In addition to all that, the Muslim woman is in fact raising a heroic new generation, playing an important role in Da’wah and making an important, constructive contribution in all areas of life, working side-by-side with men to populate and cultivate the earth, enrich life and make people happy. It is abundantly clear that the Muslim woman who is guided by Islâm is pure, constructive, productive, alert, aware, educated and refined. She fully understands her duties towards Allâh Subhanawa Ta'Allah, and towards herself, her parents, her husband and children, her relatives, her neighbours, her friends and sisters in Islâm, and her society as a whole, with all the different types of people, events and transactions it includes. She believes in Allâh Subhanawa Ta'Allah and the Last Day; she is alert to the trials of this life and the traps of the Shaytan; she worships Allâh Subhanawa Ta'Allah , obeys His commands, heeds His prohibitions, accepts His will and decree, returns to His protection and seeks His forgiveness when she stumbles or becomes negligent; she is aware of her responsibility before Allâh Subhanawa Ta'Allah towards the members of her family; she is keen to please Him by whatever she does; she understands the true meaning of being a slave of Allâh Subhanawa Ta'Allah and supports His true religion; she enjoins what is good and forbids what is evil as much as she is able. She is aware of her obligations towards herself, understanding that she is a human being composed of a body, mind and soul, each of which has its own needs and requirements. Hence she is careful to strike the right balance between her body, mind and spirit; she does not devote attention to one at the expense of the others, rather, she devotes to each of them the attention that is needed to form a balanced personality, always guided by the wise teachings of Islâm as seen in the Qur’ân , Sunnah and examples of the righteous salaf who followed in the footsteps of the Prophet( Sallallahu alyhi Wa Sallam) with all sincerity. She takes care of her outward appearance without going to extremes of excess or showing off, and she takes care of her inner nature in a manner that befits the human being whom Allâh Subhanawa Ta'Allah has honoured by making the angels prostrate to him and subjugating all that is in heaven and earth for his benefit. In this way, she develops a balanced, likeable character, one that is attractive both in appearance and in her thinking, reasoning, behaviour and reactions.

Assalamu Alaikum, Insh'Allah I hope we are all in the best state of health and Imaan! Virtues of the Month of Ramadan: Fasting the month of Ramadan is the third pillar of Islam, which Allah made obligatory on Muslims in the second year of the Prophet's migration (Hijrah) to Madinah with the statement: "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may gain Taqwa (piety" (2: 183) The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: "He who fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven." (Bukhari) Ramadan is a unique opportunity for Muslims to seek forgiveness and repentance from Allah. It is also a month of opportunity for enormous reward. Allah says: "Fasting is Mine and I shall reward for it (as I wish). A Muslim gives his (sexual) pleasure, food and drink for My sake. Fasting is a shield. He who fasts has two joys: a joy when he breaks his fast and a joy when he meets his Lord. The change in the breath of the mouth of he who fasts is sweeter to Allah than the smell of musk." (Bukhari and Muslim) Definition and Pillars of Fasting: Fasting in the context of Islam refers to abstaining from all the things that invalidate it from the break of dawn (fajr) till sunset (Magrib), coupled with the intention of doing so as an act of worship. Fasting the month of Ramadan is obligatory (Fard) on every Muslim who has reached the age of puberty, who is sane, and is able to fast without it being hazardous to his health and due to illness. The first pillar of fasting is the intention, and the place of the intention is the heart, hence uttering the intention verbally is something which is not legislated. It is mandatory to have the intention at night, that is, before the break of dawan (Fajr). Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Whoever does not intend fasting prior of Fajr, then there is no fasting for him." (Abu Dawud) The second pillar of fasting is to abstain from the things that break a person's fast from the break of dawn till sunset, along with a continued intention between these two periods. If a person makes an intention to break their fast, but does not come across anything to break their fast with from food or drink until sunset, then they must make up that day after Ramadan. This is because maintaining the intention between Fajr and Magrib is from amongst the pillars of fasting. The third pillar of fasting is that a person must fast during the days of Ramadan and not during the nights. Fasting the nights instead of the days is not acceptable because Allah says: "...and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (of night), then complete your fast till the night-fall..." (2:187) Nullifiers of Fasting: 1. Eating and drinking deliberately! Any Muslim who eats or drinks intentionally has broken their fast. Whoever does this must repent to Allah, asking Him for forgiveness. Many Muslim scholars are of the opinion that this day should be made up for before the next Ramadan. Imam Abu Hanifah holds the opinion that in addition to repenting and making up for the day, he/she must also feed a poor or needy person. This view is also held by Imam Malik. 2. Induced vomiting! The soundest view amongst the scholars of Islam is that as long as vomiting is unintentional then the fasting remains valid. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: "If someone had a sudden attack of vomiting, no atonement is required of him, but if he vomits intentionally he must make atonement." (Abu Dawud) If any vomit is accidentally swallowed, the fast is not affected. 3. Supplements and nutritional injections or drips! These dietary intakes also break the fast as they defeat one of the main objectives of fasting, namely, to undergo thirst and hunger, and hence break the fast. The days in which the fast was broken must be made up before the next Ramadan. 4. Apostasy! If a fasting person becomes a disbeliever (Allah forbid), then their fasting becomes void, as Allah (Most High) says: "If you commit shirk (associate other in worship with Allah), then surely (all) your deeds will be in vain..." (39:65) More to come Insh'Allah.