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@Bint e Aisha @ummtaalib Interview with my Teacher, Ustadh Samir Ismail The Revert Experience: Real Challenges, Real Advice (Part 1) New Muslim Essentials: Qur’an, Salah, and First Steps (Part 2) Why Tablighi Jamaat Changed in America? (Part 3)

Allahu Akbar, Walillahil-Hamd First Taraweeh in 88 years will be led by (Maulana) Professor Ali Erbas (HA), himself tonight

As-Salaam alaikum, Have you ever considered the acquisition of the sweetness of faith (Imaan) and that immense enjoyment in the worship (Ibaadah) we do? The pleasure a person finds in his Sallaah impels him to delay his Sajdas. His Zikr of Allah Ta'ala emanates from the deep recesses of his heart... intoxicating him. The requirement for this intoxication and ecstasy is not wine or worldly love; the requirement for this 'high' is neither heroine nor cocaine, it is the Remembrance of his Beloved Lord (Allahu). When he recites the Holy Qur'an, it is as if he is conversing with his Rabb. The Speech of Allah Ta'ala, which he recites, deeply impresses upon his heart and establishes a profound and strong Imaan within him. With a deep hearted enjoyment, he believes that his Lord, Allah, is listening to His Own Kalaam (Speech) from the tongue of His sinful servant. Allahu Akbar! Wa Lillahil-Hamd!!

Read here: https://www-independent-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.independent.co.uk/voices/september-11-guantanamo-bay-war-on-terror-afghanistan-b1917879.html?amp

From Afghan women regarding Afghan women VID_150010127_044805_681.mp4 VID_150010715_052943_075.mp4 VID_150010827_104245_366.mp4

Thank you very much respected Admin for publishing my post. I shall abide by the rules and regulations of this site by the grace of God. Mohammad Rafique Etesam ( shaikhrafiquee)

wa'alaykumus salam warahmatullah I asked and recieved following reply so it can be done but I dont think people with websites would take the risk

This is the stance of Islamic political parties: https://www.dawn.com/news/amp/1641051 I don't know of any Deobandi madrasah in Pakistan that does not hail and support Afghan Taliban. Ghair muqallideen / ahle hadith Ulama also support them. I've heard them showing approval and praising them in their speeches but I don't know if they support them in any other way.

we should ask a scholar knowledegable in these matters

Amount of water used by Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) for wudhu and ghusl Q: How many litres of water would Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) use for wudhu and for ghusl? A: Hazrat ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu anha) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used one mudd of water for wudhu and one saa’ for ghusl. One mudd amounts to approximately 1.03 litres and one saa’ is approximately 4.1 litres. And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best. عن أنس رضي الله عنه قال: كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يغسل، أو كان يغتسل، بالصاع إلى خمسة أمداد، ويتوضأ بالمد (صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 201) عن عائشة رضي الله عنهاأن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يغتسل بالصاع ويتوضأ بالمد (سنن أبي داود، الرقم: 92) فتاوى محموديه 8/122 أحسن الفتاوى 4/386 تأليفات رشيديه صـ 245 Answered by: Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

At the moment I'm celebrating as well as being wary. Just because they are the Taliban, we shouldn't give them a free pass. In fact they should be held to a stricter standard. It's very early days so let's wait and see how things pan out. I don't know what their justification is in forming a relationship with China, but I'm hoping and praying that it is all in Allah's plan and inshallah we shall see the benefit. My mind keeps thinking back to the treaty of hudaibiya and how it ultimately lead to our benefit. The first time Taliban took over, they allowed the losing side to join Taliban and gave them the same positions they held when they were in opposition to the Taliban. They also allowed the opposition to hold official positions in some areas such as Kabul. I can understand their hikmat behind this, but it backfired. The ex opposition holding positions in the Taliban gained numbers and strength and caused problems for the main leadership, including ameerul mumineen mullah umar (rh). I hope this doesn't happen again. I think this is a very critical time and the Taliban need help and support from our scholars, world leaders, and general awaam.

Nothing ELSE needs to be said about the matter. KHALAS!

No he is not a scholar, just a student of knowledge But I think he can make a lot of contribution in Maliki fiqh discussion

Mufti Muhammad Shafi Explaning following incident with Shaykh al-Hind Moulānā Mahmūd al-Hasan Someone once asked Shaykh al-Hind about the hadith: “The Prophet ﷺ has said that Satan does not pass the road which is used by 'Umar." Because the same or similar was not said in relation to the Prophet ﷺ or Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه), the question naturally arises as to why Satan should have feared Umar (رضي الله عنه) alone, even though both the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) enjoyed a higher status than him. Mufti Muhammad Shafi' said that in responding to any kind of critical question, Shaykh al-Hind would usually commence with a pointed, but humourous kind of remark, before providing a more comprehensive reply. Hence, it came as no surprise that in answer to this question, he opened with a quick-witted observation: "It is Satan's own stupidity. I think you had best ask him why he feared Umar (رضي الله عنه ) more than the Prophet ﷺ or Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه)!" He then cogently proceeded to offer the following explanation: "Superiority and awe are two different things. A superior person may not necessarily be the most dreaded person. In the case of Umar (رضي الله عنه) the quality of awe was a predominant characteristic, and its presence was what the hearts of the people felt most immediately. On the other hand, in the case of the Prophet ﷺ and Abū Bakr (رضي الله عنه), the quality of beauty was what predominated in their characters. Given this contrast, the immediate sense of awe when confronted with 'Umar (رضي الله عنه) is not surprising." [The Great Scholars of the Deoband Islamic Seminary by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani]

I am not an Arab I am not from the Middle-East I don't speak Arabic But why does Palestine matter to me as a Muslim and as a human? How did we get here through the lens of history? https://youtu.be/RbLEiTbzCqI

Assalaamu ‘alaykum warahmatullah I will try to answer your question to the best of my ability according to what I have learnt in these “billion courses and gazillion articles”. On a side note, these courses and articles are mostly very basic, outlining the maxims for awareness. The only in-depth courses in the UK that I know of were conducted by Ustadhah Hidaya Hartford and Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera sahib. I know there is one in Pakistan which is in Urdu and which many UK sisters have joined. Regarding: Absolutely agree with you. They probably did not even have calendars and definitely no apps and probably did not even need to record their cycles (due to the points I’ll mention below) so no dispute with you or the Mufti sahib you consulted. In order to answer your question regarding, “why this issue is so complex that it needs tables and Apps to track” I will insha-allah first have to explain some important points which have bearing on the answer. I’ll try to be as brief as possible 1 Knowledge of Sahaabiyaat RA compared to women today: The Sahaabiyaat RA lived with none other than the source of all knowledge (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) whom they consulted through his Azwaaji Mutahharaat RA regarding these issues and would therefore be knowledgeable in this regard. Generally, among women today, ignorance of fiqhi issues prevails to the extent that many women are not aware of the faraaidh of ghusl and wudhu – not saying all women are ignorant as Alhamdulillah Allah ta’ala has blessed women great uloom throughout the ages till today 2 Things which Impact menstrual cycles: Allah ta’ala ordained for women to go through the menstrual cycles and post-natal bleeding from day one yes, however women through the ages lived in different environments which impacted their cycles differently. Many things which affect women’s cycles today were unknown in the time of the Sahaabiyaat RA. Various illnesses exist today which were unknown even a few generations ago let alone in the time of the Sahaabiyaat RA. The illnesses themselves or their treatments, medication, etc. affect women’s cycles. Added to that, there are various forms of contraception Muslim women use in our age, almost all of which cause problems with women’s cycles. The food and drink consumed today also affects women’s cycles Stress, anxiety, depression, etc. was most probably unknown in their time and this also affects women’s cycles. All this information can be verified online. 3 For non-Muslim women all of the above does not create any issue whereas the very core of the Deen is affected for Muslim women where their obligatory worship which requires the state of purity is affected (5 daily prayers, fasting of Ramadhaan, the main Tawaf of Hajj). Therefore, Muslim women need to know the basic rules of when they are allowed to continue these obligations and when to refrain and that is why there are so many books, articles and courses. 4 Misconceptions One of the greatest misconceptions that exists among many cultures is LEAVING OUT the obligatory acts of worship which require the state of purity once any type of bleeding begins. This is sinful as there are situations where a woman may be bleeding however it is termed “Istihadha” (Irregular bleeding, invalid bleeding) during which she must continue carrying out those acts of worship. 5 Few facts regarding women’s bleedings Now towards why women need to keep a record of their cycles. The Shari’ah has set out maxims regarding menstruation and post-natal bleeding. A woman’s blood can by one of three types – menstruation (haydh), post-natal (nifaas) or invalid Istihadaha). These maxims help determine which type of bleeding a woman is experiencing and as mentioned before, this impacts her obligatory acts of worship. Women develop “habits” in menstruation and purity and in the bleeding after childbirth. Please remember this point. Everything is simple as long as women’s cycles remain within the limits set out by the Shari’ah. (Note that differences of opinion exist between the Madhaahib and even within the Hanafi Madhab as these are ijtihaadi Masaail) Problems only arise when bleedings are abnormal/invalid. Many women do not experience many problems however problems do usually arise at the following stages of a woman’s life; At adolescence – Girls s begin menstruating at a much younger age than before and some start off with no regular habits and actually experience continuous or intermittent bleeding or spotting without having a complete purity of 15+ days in between bleedings (which separates two bleedings). This is generally a straight forward issue where they are “given” habits in both menstruation (10 days) and purity (20 days) which is used to determine when they can carry on their acts of obligatory worship and when they are required to refrain After child-birth – many women continue bleeding after the maximum 40 days creating confusion regarding acts of worship During menopause – most women experience a total change in their cycles from ages as early as 45 nowadays where bleeding occurs frequently without the required 15+ day purity occurring between bleedings. Use of contraception – is the most common cause of irregular bleeding for women whatever their age Keeping all the above in mind, now the answer to the question: Answer: Any ‘Aalim/Mufti will tell you that previous habits are necessary when blood exceeds the maximum or when it is continuous – by continuous I mean there is no occurrence of a complete purity of 15+ days and this situation can last for months. Experience shows that most women simply stop praying when they experience any type of bleeding or spotting no matter how long it carries on. They only consult Apas when they are made aware by someone with more knowledge. The Mudhillah is a woman who has forgotten her habits (not recorded them). For the Mudhillah the situation can get extremely serious when she suddenly experiences problematic cycles (Hardly any women remember their exact days of previous bleedings and purity as they generally fluctuate) because it is impossible to determine the bleedings without previous habits. In some extreme cases, some women may have to perform ghusl (obligatory ritual bath for full body purification) BEFORE EVERY PRAYER and thereafter repeat it in the next prayer time. However, at these times (in some cases) they may be allowed to take dispensations from other Madahaahib which is an extreme mercy of our Most Gracious Lord! And this is why there are these “billion courses and gazillion articles” so as to educate and empower women in their Deen. And this is the reason why great Fuqahaa of the past have written hundreds of treaties on the subject and as ʿAllaamah Ibn ‘Aabideen Al-Shaami (Rahimahullah) says in ““Manhalil Waarideen min Bihaaril Faydh ‘alaa “Dhukrul Muta-aahileen fee Masaailil Haydh” (The kitab taught by Mufti Abdur Rahmaan Mangera sahib) [the fuqaha have agreed on the mandatory nature of the obligation of knowing the necessary states of a person] This is to have knowledge of that ruling, which a person is in need of, at the time he is in need of it. By learning these rules in these “billion courses and gazillion articles” and following them, women are in fact worshipping their Lord. Isn’t our Deen the most beautiful?! Apologies as I could not answer in just a few sentences and also for saying you were being “Rather selfish” but this is exactly how it appears from your own words however it my not be so.

Aameen to lovely Du'a and its so good to see this topic continued, Jazaakillah Can you please double check the spelling in thsi word ? - ثَوَابَلهُ

Website: http://www.spirituallight.co.za/

There are various learning resources available online. Please refer to this section and see if they are offering Arabic course inshaAllah. http://www.islamicteachings.org/forum/category/169-online-learning-resources/

Rectified motives and reformed children The Honourable Hadith expert of our times, Al-Muhaddith, Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah (may Allah protect him) often states that the residents of Madinah Munawwarah regularly make the following du’a: اللّٰهُمَّ أَصْلِحِ النِّيَّةَ والذُّرِّيَّةَ Allahumma aslihin niyyah wadh dhurriyyah Translation O Allah, rectify my intentions and reform my progeny. This brief yet profound du’a is much needed in the world today. Ponder: One who is bereft of the above two bounties will suffer in both Worlds! Intentions and the Selfie Age Unfortunately we live in an era where almost nothing is done without an ulterior motive. It’s an era wherein everything is ’selfied’, be it with a picture or even in text. Without the correct motive, no deed is accepted by Allah Ta’ala, even if that deed be as noble as it gets. We should still be focused on our intentions, instead of broadcasting our achievements! A Rare Breed The need for ‘reformed’ offspring is understood by one and all. Especially in an age where such a blessing is of a rare kind. Fortunate are those who have already achieved this. While many of us still only yearn for that blessing. Let’s include this du’a in our daily supplications, in addition to the physical effort that is needed to achieve the above. Keeping the company of the pious is very effective in achieving these two bounties. Insha Allah we will see great results. May Allah Ta’ala‬‎ accept all our efforts and du’as. Amin al-miftah

Aoudhubillahi minahs shaitan nirrajeem Bismillahirrahmanirraheem Two Characteristics of Nafs or Ego Why do the man like prohibited acts? It can be observed that the man normally develops yearning towards the forbidden acts. There is an online game because of which many youth are committing suicide. Effective measures are being taken to stop this game but people watch with more vigor. The zeal towards the forbidden acts is in proportion to the strength to prevent these acts. Adam (AS) was prohibited from eating the fruit of a certain tree. There were many trees that he (AS) could eat from but he chose to eat from the forbidden tree. When a man is prevented from an act, he becomes greedier of that act. Careful observation show two reasons behind this human behavior: 1) The nafs or ego does not tolerate imprisonment. The nafs is already imprisoned by the physical body and when it is further constrained spiritually, it becomes furious. Voluntarily a man will stay in a house for a month but the moment he was ordered to not come out of the house, he would find it difficult to oblige even for a day as his nafs would become enraged feeling imprisoned and will pressurize him to move out of the house. 2) It is not the tendency of the nafs to obey others and it finds submission and obedience very difficult. Physically it can do the most strenuous acts but mentally it finds it very difficult to submit to any simple command. This is why the biggest religion in this world is worshiping nafs whereby people obey the nafs. In fact the people of this world can be broadly divided into two groups: One group who live by the command of the Lord and the other group who live by the command of their nafs. It is because of these two characteristics of the nafs, the man finds pleasure in forbidden acts but not in permitted acts. Growing beard is very easy and it does not utilize man’s time, energy or money and it does not even hurt his skin but he finds it difficult to grow whereas he will take much effort and spend time, money and go through the pain to cut off the beard which is forbidden. Shariah has freed man from following unnecessary customs in getting married making it easy for him but he finds it difficult to oblige. On the other hand, the man will spend time, energy and waste his hard earned money which he laboriously saved for years in following the customs to please the people suiting the desires of his nafs. Do people really get pleased? Nay! He only earns up jealous people who will harm him. He finds it easy to do the most strenuous acts which will make one wonder because it pleases nafs but the simple easy acts become difficult for him as it goes against his nafs. This is the tendency of the nafs. Go Against the Nafs and Enjoy the Jannah Right in this World Irrespective of the difficulty endured by the nafs, the struggle we put to go against the nafs to please Allah SWT is what will make us attain Jannah. When we struggle against our nafs, Allah SWT will ease our path. If we go after the desires of nafs, there is hell behind its veil and if we abide by Allah’s SWT commands, definitely it is difficult for the nafs but there is Jannah behind its veil. I am not just talking about the Jannah awaiting in the akhirah but we will be able to taste the Jannah right in this world after a period of time if we go against our nafs. When we apply medicine to the wound, initially there will be stinging pain but later we will enjoy the health. Similarly, tolerate the displeasure of nafs in the beginning and later you will enjoy the Jannah of this world. If you do not apply medicine for the wound fearing the momentary pain, the wound will start rotting from inside leading to intolerable pain. Know that if you tolerate the difficulty and displeasures of nafs for Allah SWT, it will bring in the taste of Jannah like how the medicine brings health. Sins will make the Life Hell If you want to see the life of hell, look at the lives of sinners. Depending on the depth of the sin committed, deep is the hell life of the sinner. There are countries which are called paradise of this world but their inhabitants are committing suicide. Why do they commit suicide? Their anxiety, worries and difficulties are so severe like those of inmates of hell who will cry, “Alas! We wish we are dead and become dust and extinct”. Just like these inmates of hell, the sinners of this world become exasperated desiring for death and commit suicide. Can you imagine the level of desolateness, anxiety, insecurity and worries they are experiencing in their lives? In spite of having beautiful weather, house and comforts, why do they commit suicide? Depending on the severity of sins in one’s life, he will feel the heat of the hell in his life. The heat will be less when sin is small and will be more if the sin is big but for certain sins make the life that of the hell. This is as clear as a day brought out by the sun. One cannot be deceived by huge houses, factories or cars as for sure the sins committed by a person would make his life hell. Forbear the Stinging Pain of the Nafs The Quran commands one to save himself, his women and children from the fire. This command was descended on the most intellectual people that ever came on the earth, i.e. the companions of the Prophet SAW. They were commanded to save themselves from the fire of the sins. This fire is not good for your women or children and you cannot overlook their sins. Children are unaware and ignorant of the consequences of sins meted out by their environment but they are heading towards the fire. Believing in Allah SWT and following His SWT commands will definitely be difficult for the nafs but there is health behind this stinging pain and the taste of worldly Jannah behind this difficulty. Those people who are blessed with tahajjud salah or solitude worship in the late nights and in the mornings find them more pleasurable than the tastiest food. The coolness, the tranquility and the pleasure that one feels from these ibaadat (worship) are incomparable. When Hazrat ibn Taymiyyah (RA) was imprisoned and taken towards the prison, he exclaimed, “How wonderful it would be to spend my time in prison in solitude! Now I will enjoy my time of Jannah here.” When the prison guard wondered at his words, he said, “My Jannah is in my heart and it is with me wherever I go.” Who can snatch away Jannah from the hearts granted by Allah SWT? When Allah SWT bestows one deen and purity outwardly and inwardly, he has attained the Jannah of this world. Allah SWT says that such people will have tranquility in their hearts and tranquility is experienced in Jannah too. In the Jannah of this world, the man remains peaceful all the time and in every single state. This is pleasure. So have patience over the difficulty of the nafs when obeying Allah SWT for this pain is only temporary like applying medicine on the wound which will be followed by the enjoyment of eemaan (faith). The heart might desire to backbite and see forbidden things but stop the tongue from maligning others honor through backbiting and stop the eyes from seeing forbidden things. Definitely the nafs would find it tormenting but soon you will feel the coolness. How to control the Nafs? Deal with the nafs just like how a smart patient would deal with the medicine. He aims for good health and eats the bitter medicine and if it is too bitter, he still convinces himself to consume it by adding little sweetness to it or eats something sweet immediately after the medicine so his body accepts it. Do not obey the nafs but deal with it like a smart patient. It also happens that the nafs itself would not like eating certain delicious food because it knows well that it will prevent him from enjoying all other delicious foods. So teach the nafs about the severe loss it would incur if it commits a sin and losing the blessings it is enjoying. This is how a smart believer will hold his nafs. He will fully have the control of the bridle and will not lose the rope from his hand. Sometimes he loosens the rope but will have control over it. As long as the nafs is on the straight path, he will be lenient with it and when it tries to deviate from the path, he tries to bring back with a soft approach and if it doesn’t respond well, he will bring back sternly. He will deal with the nafs like how he would deal with an ignorant wife. When she shows her weakness intellectually, he entertains her by being very considerate. When a wife becomes disobedient, the husband first advices her gently and if the advice fails, he keeps her away from him on the bed and if she still persists in her behavior, he becomes little stern on her. There is no whip greater than firm determination to control the nafs. Be determined that you will not disobey Allah SWT and there is no better whip than determination for the nafs. Let Allah SWT grant His divine help to lead a life pleasing to Him SWT. Ameen -Sheikh Maulana Abdus Sattar (DB): Morning Tarbiati Majlis-29th September 2017.

As you shed Those warm tears, Crying for the past Sinful years, You just can’t utter A comprehensible sentence Yet; truthful is your repentance. Strange Is that vibration You feel As you fall On bended knees, Before He who spread darkness Into the depth of the seas. Sublime Is the sensation You get After a prostration You make In true contrition For the sake Of forgiveness, From He Who Inspired the bees. Subhaaan Al Ghafour! Rochdi Bouille March 15, 2012

DU’AA FOR GOOD EXPECTATIONS FROM AND SINCERE RELIANCE ON ALLAH TA’AALA اَللّٰهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ شُكْرًا وَّلَكَ الْمَنُّ فَضْلًاـ اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ اتَّوْفِيْقَ لِمَحَابِّكَ مِنَ الْأَعْهَالِ، وَصِدْقَ التَّوَكُّلِ عَلَيْكَ، وَ حُسْنَ الظَّنِّ بِكَ ـ Allaahumma lakal-hamdu shukran wa lakal-mannu fadla(n). Allaahumma innii as’alukat-tawfiiqa limahaabbika minal-‘a’maal(i), wa sidqat-tawakkuli ‘alayk(a), wa husnaz-zanni bik. (Composite: Ka’b ibn ‘Ujrah and Abu Hurayrah. Kanz al-‘Ummal #3653, 3654) O Allah, to You is due all praise with thanks; it is only Your domain to do favors with grace. O Allah, I beseech You to enable me to perform the deeds loved by You, develop sincere reliance on You, and hold good expectations from You. ~~~Ameen~~~ It is important to hold good expectations from Allah Ta’aala, for Allah Ta’aala deals with a person according to his expectations. When a servant of Allah sincerely puts his trust and hopes in Him, Allah Ta’aala does not disappoint him. (Source: Khalid Baig’s transliteration, translation and commentary of du’aa #122 from the Accepted Whispers: Munajat-e-Maqbul)

(An Essential Hospital Guide) Being admitted to hospital, particularly for those undergoing surgical procedures, can be a challenging experience. Muslim patients may erroneously assume that being in hospital absolves them from performing Salaah. This may be due to ignorance of the Islamic aspects of Purity and Salaah as well as the various relaxations that Islam affords to the patient. The attached booklet seeks to explain the most convenient manner in which the obligation of Salaah can be fulfilled and is written with the hospitalised patient in the mind. It is meant to be simple to understand yet comprehensive in its reach. The book covers the central concepts of Fiqh, pre-admission advice as well as specific health conditions and common surgical procedures. It provides general guidelines that are applicable to most patients on aspects that would enable them to be not only regular in their Salaah but comfortable in its practice. We make Du’aa that Allah Ta'ala accepts this contribution solely for His pleasure and uses it as a means to enable Muslim patients to uphold and fulfil the cardinal pillar of Salaah, Ameen. The e-book can be downloaded here. Shukran Was Salaam Mufti Moosa Salie Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) - Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians Purity-and-Salaah-for-Muslim-Patients-E-Book-FINAL.pdf

Bismillah Words of Praise Serving mankind is an excellent worship. “Khairunnas Anfa’uhum Linnas” – “The best person is the who benefits all human beings”. A person is best when he becomes a means for serving mankind, and it is an excellent worship. It is not necessary that you give money or funding in charity, but charity is also to give comfort to the distressed person, to give courage to the troubled person and to conduct with love and kindness. This makes the heart big. Sometimes a person gives a lot of charity, but his behavior ruins them all. On the flip side, a person might not have anything to give, but if he gives a distressed person the gift of comforting words, he has then given him the best gift that he can ever get. You present a diamond ring to your wife, but you also say rudely to her, “Have it. Are you happy now?”, then you have ruined it. On the contrary, you may not afford getting your wife a diamond ring, but you are saying to her, “You are a diamond by yourself and why do you need a diamond??”, you then have highlighted her goodness, praised, and appreciated her. It is the greatest gift for her if you appreciate her by bringing out all her goodness with words of admiration. You give everything to your wife that you can afford, and you provide her for years but in the end, you speak so rudely to her then everything becomes null. So, it is not necessary that you give only money when you can also speak good words and behave well as these can also increase courage in a person and make him happy. The easiest formula to enter a person’s heart is to bring out his goodness with words of praise. He will have many good traits in him. Find them out and speak good about him. You will create for yourself a place of love in his heart. What do you think is the source of illegal love between couples that you see around? They have built a bridge of sweet words of praise between them. A person gives up his religion, parents, family, and he never agrees to give up his love by any means. You don’t praise where Allah SWT wants you to praise, and you show your stinginess in praising. Be Well-Wishers of Each Other Serving mankind is the best worship. People get benefited from the one who has means of benefit. As said, it is not necessary to have money to benefit people. Charity encompasses everything as it comes in a Hadith that showing path to someone is charity, smiling is charity and to help someone unburden his burden is charity. Charity is to do good. Just do good as charity can be through your tongue, physique, money, or any resource. It comes in a hadith, when a new Muslim gives his pledge of allegiance to the Prophet SAW, he SAW used to take three oaths from him: 1) Praying Salah 2) Giving Zakah and 3) Being a well-wisher of every single Muslim. Demonstrate well wishing to all Muslims. Let your connection with Muslims be sincere. What an emphasis! And this should be with every single Muslim. The Prophet SAW has emphasized its importance by mentioning it along with the importance given to salah and zakah. Now tell me how it would be if this develops in Muslims! If it occurs just in a house, it will become Jannat where all the members of the house are well-wishers of each other. Now imagine what will happen if this life of house sets outside the house? The selfish person has ruined this spirit. Every person is indulged in his own selfishness that only he wants to get benefited. Where there is selfishness, it is not the human that clashes with another human but their desires and motives that clash with each other. When there is a clash between the father and son, the husband and wife, it is their desires and aims that clash with each other. Say there are thousands of vehicles moving correctly on their lane, there won’t be any collision, and this is how it will be if everyone becomes a well-wisher of each other. Now what will happen if two or three vehicles leave their lane and cross others’ lane? There will be traffic jam. Today every individual’s state is like this. He has come across others lane as his desires are not fulfilled. Even though there are only two people, they clash each other. Aforetime there used to be thousands of people but there was no clash. Find Peace in Good Company It is a great worship if Allah SWT makes us the means of benefiting people. It is not incumbent on you to give money or charity when you don’t have but you can come across with good attitude. It is enough if you do this. You can give money or charity or any material to a person but if you consider him to be worthless, you ruined and wasted everything. Finding peace in the company and visitation of Murabbi (A pious, wise, and knowledgeable person) is a sign of compatibility and the key to prosperity. If a person goes to a gathering for his reformation and to learn deen (religion) and finds peace in doing so, then this is the sign of compatibility. Sometimes it so occurs that what is being said seems exclusive to him as he needed it. He feels that the sheikh knows all about him. One companion told me that his family asks him if he tells me everything about them as they could hear me saying related to that in my discourse. Be Worry Proof SubhanAllah! It is said that the one who is blessed with the wealth of complete trust and conviction in Allah SWT never gets worried. What a great saying! Waman Yatawakkal Alallah Fahuwa Hasbuhu-And whoever puts all his trust in Allah, He will be enough for him (Qur’an 65:3). The attachment with Allah SWT, contemplation, and the trust in Him SWT weakens due to the evil effects of sins. The more you have attachment with Allah SWT and trust in Him SWT, the more you will be relieved from worries. It is not that a believer will never get troubles because this is dunya (world) and not Jannah, but he will remain worry proof. This is like a waterproof watch that is thrown in a pot full of water. Though the water surrounds the watch, it cannot enter the watch. He might be surrounded by troubles from all sides, but his heart remains worry proof. He will fall sick, he will lose people, he will find unpleasant moments, but when he gets the recognition of Allah, trust, and conviction in Him SWT, he won’t become worried. Even after having complete trust and conviction in Allah SWT, if you still feel disturbed, then turn to Allah SWT in repentance and seek His forgiveness for your sins with much regret so you annul the evil effect of the sin. Our beloved Prophet SAW gave a remedy saying that Allah SWT makes a way out for the one who abundantly seeks forgiveness. Allah SWT relieves him from every single worry and He SWT fulfills his needs by means he could never imagine. We are people who make mistakes, keep making mistakes and commit sins through tongue, eyes, heart and what not. Certainly, we will get worried but the solution for this is to seek forgiveness from Allah with much regret and attention. Allah SWT will show us the way and ease the way. Above all, Allah SWT will grant us the tranquil heart and peace. Be Mindful of Creations’ Rights Whoever comes for their reformation, I tell them to pray salaah attentively, fast, repent more, be watchful of your eyes, be mindful of your death, ponder over death, take good care of others’ rights, don’t increase contacts unless necessary, manage to pray four units, 8 units or 12 units of Tahajjud salah (qayam-al-lyl) as much as you can and InshaaAllah, you will be well reformed, and you will receive much goodness. The creations are a family of Allah SWT. His SWT slaves are His SWT family. Misconduct with them leads to the anger of the Creator. When a creation has already right as a family of Allah SWT, his rights can further increase because of his family relationship, blood relationship, neighborhood or by any association with you. Now, when you deprive his rights and misconduct with him, tell me how angry would be the Creator? How angry would be the Magnificent Creator? Sometimes when a person doesn’t get good company, the company of pious people and doesn’t learn deen in such a company, he thinks that deen is to do with few rites and rituals. His contemplation about deen becomes very limited. He fulfills few rituals and thinks that to be piety, religiousness, and Islam in its entirety. And when he doesn’t receive the blessings of deen, he whines that he is facing such a state despite being pious when there is no sign of piety. He molded Islam by his own mold, he descended in that mold and is very complacent! Educating oneself in a pious company will at least make him realize what is piety. When there is realization, there is a hope in Allah SWT that his mistakes get rectified, he gets divine help and to the least, he will have the regret before Allah SWT and seek His SWT forgiveness. He will have the realization that he is not right. So, misconduct and misbehavior with the creation of Allah SWT leads to anger of the Creator. We emphasize more on worrying about the rights of creations to all those who come for islaah (reformation). Be mindful of rights of creations. Aim Only for Allah’s Pleasure If the only one concern in a person is to please Allah SWT and if seeking pleasure of Allah is his only greatest wish and desire, then it is a sign that Allah SWT has granted him the knowledge of distinguishing right from wrong. He has indeed reached the truth. The fact is when Allah SWT becomes pleased, good-natured people automatically starts loving him. There is a kind of respect that stems from money, position, profession or holding any worldly possessions. Such a respect is temporary. You lose respect when you lose a position, and you lose contacts when you lose money. There is another kind of love and respect that comes from the heavens. When Allah SWT loves you, the angels, and the beloved people of Allah SWT on the earth love you. Even when he dies, they keep loving him. This kind of love and respect is permanent, and this is the true respect. We hear people exclaim, “What a fame and respect this man has!” and this is not really respect. The real respect is that which comes from the heavens. We see a man has fame while he was playing and once, he retires, he gets into depression and commits suicide because no one enquires him. A government officer known to me went into depression and when enquired, he said that he used to get so many invitations for banquets every week while he was working and today no one calls him. The person for whom he got a job doesn’t even greet him while passing by him. The respect that he had was for his position and rank and not for him. The love and respect that comes from Allah SWT is permanent that continues even after death. Even today when we address such people, we say, “RadhiAllahu anhum”- “May Allah be pleased with them”, “Rahmatullaahi Alaih”- “May Allah SWT shower His mercy on him”. We make duaa till this day whenever we remember them. We never saw them or met them in our lives, but still we respect them because that respect came from the heavens. So, desiring only the pleasure of Allah SWT is conscientiousness. If one gets the divine help to be heedful of committing sins because of sins, then do not worry about any condition. You received sainthood. Just save yourself from sins. Today our society has greatly constricted the list of sins. Some have remained as sins and the rest have become part of the life. As everyone is doing, we also do. Murder, prostitution, consuming alcohol, theft are few acts that are seen as sins while the rest have become normal. So, you don’t have to worry about any condition if you get the divine help to save from sins defined by Shariah. This is a great grace from Allah SWT. May Allah SWT grant us all His grace, understanding of deen, progress in deen and steadfastness in deen. Aameen -Maulana Abdus Sattar (hafizahullah) Tarbiati Majlis 13/03/2022 https://theheartopener.wordpress.com/2022/04/26/serve-the-mankind-and-please-allah-swt/

As-Salaam alaikum, Imam al-Qushayri recounted the following story in his book, 'Epistle On Sufism' , where he said that Ibn al-Maliki related that Abu Hamza al-Khurasani said:-- "One year I went on the pilgrimage (to Makka on Hajj). As I was walking along the road, I fell into a well. My soul prompted me to cry for help. However, I said to myself: 'No, by Allah I will never cry for help! Before I could finish with this thought, 2 men passed by the mouth of the well. One of them said to the other: 'Come on let us cover the mouth of this well lest someone falls into it.' They brought some reed and mats and blocked off the mouth of the well. I wanted to cry out, then said to myself: 'I will cry to the One who is nearer to me than they! So I did not say a word. After a while, something came by, opened the mouth of the well, and lowered its leg into the pit, as if it wanted to tell me in a growl: 'Hold on to me'! When I realized that this [invitation] came from Him, I grabbed hold of it and it pulled me out. And lo! It turned out to be a lion. Then it went away. Suddenly [I heard] a voice, saying: 'Abu Hamza, isn't this better!? I have saved you from one peril with another one.!"

One should recite the following dua when fearing the enemy اَللّٰهُمَّ اكْفِنَاهُ بِمَا شِئْتَ O Allah, suffice us of his evil in the manner You wish عن البراء رضي الله عنه قال...فقال أبو بكر لعازب... فارتحلنا والقوم يطلبوننا، فلم يدركنا أحد منهم غير سراقة بن مالك بن جعشم على فرس له...فلما دنا منا، وكان بيننا وبينه قيد رمحين أو ثلاث، قلت: هذا الطلب يا رسول الله قد لحقنا... فدعا عليه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقال: اللهم اكفناه بما شئت... (صحيح ابن حبان، الرقم: 6281) Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “When Suraaqa bin Maalik bin Ju’shum came close to us (during the journey of hijrat and he had not yet embraced Islam), and there was only a distance of two or three spears between us, I said (to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)), ‘The pursuers have caught us, O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!’…Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made dua against him saying, اَللّٰهُمَّ اكْفِنَاهُ بِمَا شِئْتَ ihyaauddeen..co.za

I don't know if it's reliable, weak, or completely fabricated. The gist of it is as follows... A muslim army and a christian army will unite together to fight a muslim army. The muslim/christian coalition will win. Then an argument will ensue regarding why they won. The muslim army will declare the victory was due to Islam and the christians will declare it was due to Christianity. This will culminate into a fight and the Muslims will win.

The content in this topic has been taken from Menstrual Matters Whitethread Institute. Menstruation is a part of every woman’s life. For a young girl, it will mark her entrance into womanhood and the point at which she is responsible for her worship in accordance with Islamic laws (Shari’ah). For a woman, it will be a constant part of her life, through monthly cycles, pregnancies and even menopause. Given the way hayd (menstruation) and nifas (post-natal bleeding) are so intimately connected to a woman, it is imperative that she understands the rules that govern them. She must know when she is obligated to pray and fast and when she must abstain from certain acts of worship. The tutorials aim to help women gain clarity and understanding of how to differentiate between the differnt types of bloods they experience. Index 1. Key Terms - it is very important to know the different types of blood women experience 2. Minimum & Maximum Frames - Shari'ah has stipulated the minimum and maximum limit to the bloods 3. Colours of blood - Women experience different colours of blood. This tutorial shows which colours can be considered 4. Habits - Habits are formed in the number of days a woman bleeds (in menstruation and post-natal bleeding) 5. Recording Cycles - This tutorial shows how imporatnt it is for women to record their cycles 6. Number & Place - It is not just about the number of days a woman bleeds. It is also at which place of the month she bleeds 7. Early Blood - Women's habits fluctuate and some months she may beging bleeding earlier than expeceted. What does she do? 8. Post-natal Bleeding (Nifas) - Definition and rulings 9. Miscarriage - Rulings on how to determine the bleeding after a miscarriage 10. Menopause - Rulings 11. Attaining Ritual Purity - How and when to attain purity aftre bleeding

I have never understood as to why there are a billion courses, gazillion articles and trillion apps to keep track of a Mas'ala which has affected mankind from day one. There is absolutely no way that Sahabiyyat kept track of calendars or took extensive notes and a large number of Muslim women cannot read or write. I spoke to Mufti Asadullah Shehbaz (HA) at Jamiatur-Rasheed (Karachi) and before I share his answer, I would like to hear from a Sister as to why this issue is so complex that it needs tables and Apps to track?

Roles & Responsibilites towards each other Both the husband and wife have duties and responsibilities towards each other. Duties of the husband A man asked the Prophet, “What are the right of the woman over her husband?” He said, “That he should feed her as he feeds himself and clothe her as he clothes himself; he should not strike her on the face nor disfigure her, and he should not abandon her except in the house (as a form of discipline).” (Ibn Majah) "The best of you is the best to his wives, and I am the best of you to my wives” (Tirmidhi) It is the husband’s responsibility to provide for his wife – food, clothes and shelter- according to his means even if the wife is rich and has her own money. He must also provide household items and her personal items. It is also his duty to treat her well with justice. Regarding living quarters, he must provide something where she has privacy if the couple are living with others i.e. a room within the house where no one enters Women are made from the Rib The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhiw asallam said, "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not hurt (trouble) his neighbor. And I advise you to take care of the women, for they are created from a rib and the most crooked portion of the rib is its upper part; if you try to straighten it, it will break, and if you leave it, it will remain crooked, so I urge you to take care of the women." (Bukhari) The ribs play a very important part in our body protecting the vital organs of the body. They are made from bone and cartilage which helps in expanding and detracting during respiration. The characteristics of women are very similar to how the rib is. As women we change roles as we go along i.e. mother, wife, sister, daughter, teacher, etc. We are resilient, flexible and accommodating. We are shock absorbers who help our spouses and children in times of anxiety. Many women are above their heads in stress yet still carry on. Allah ta’ala gives this strength and has made us so we are conducive to who we are in life so this should make us confident however we should seek His help and make Du’a for ease. Men ar Caretakers of women Allah says in Surah NIsaa', verse 34, "Men are overseers over women because Allah has given the one more strength than other, and because men are required to spend their wealth for the maintenance of women" قَوَّام is an intensive form of verb and قائِم is one who is responsible / caretaker of everything. The form قَوَّام is more comprehensive than قائِم. It combines the physical protection and financial maintenance as well as moral responsibility a man has over his family. Therefore, it means men shall take full care of women, mentally, physically and financially regardless of whether he likes it or not. It does not have anything to do with men treating women like they are masters and women are slaves. The standard role of a man regarding women has been mentioned in this verse however we all know women can become queens of their homes too but because Allah ta’ala has given men this responsibility as a primary caretaker of the household, then we need to give respect to that rule. There will be discord when women step into this role as some women (especially as a first born who was given responsibilities) step into this role after marriage. In any organisation or system, big or small, there can be only one Imam. There cannot be two Imams making decisions at the same time. Allah ta’ala, in His infinite wisdom selected men for this responsibility because it is in their natural capability. Women who understand this will be confident of the roles given to men and women by Allah ta’ala as our Deen is designed to make every aspect of our lives successful. Having no rules or boundaries and following the Nafs leads to broken homes. Men also often get frustrated with some of the habits of women especially those related to the monthly cycle of women. Though we are made that way by Allah ta’ala, it does not give us the right to be disrespectful. We should take an account of ourselves and try to be less emotional. Having said that it is not fair of husbands to demand their wives to be less emotional or for their wives to be any particular way because just as a rib cannot bend any further than what Allah ta’ala has designated, women too are created a certain way and cannot be changed further than what Allah ta’ala has designated. Duties of the wife It is Waajib for the wife to be obedient to her husband except when he orders you to disobey Allah as there is no obedience to anyone in the disobedience to Allah. She must guard her chastity and his possessions when he is away She should look after the household duties and children while the husband works. This does not mean she is his slave. She should do it with love to please Allah. Rule regarding housework If the wife comes from a home where they employed someone to cook, clean, etc. then it is Waajib on the husband to employ someone for her to do the housework. If she comes from a home where the women of the house did the housework then he does not have to employ someone for her to do the housework. Respect for the Husband Nabi sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “It is not appropriate for anyone to prostrate to anyone else. If it were appropriate for anyone to prostrate to anyone else, I would have instructed the wife to prostrate to her husband, because of the great rights that Allah has given him over her.” Pleasing Husband leads to Jannah “Any woman who passes away and her husband is pleased with her will enter Jannah” (Tirmidhi) “If a woman prays her five prayers, fasts her month of Ramadan, guards her chastity, and obeys her husband, she will enter Paradise from any gate she wishes.” Someone asked, which of women is best? Nabi sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “The one who makes (her husband) happy when he looks at her, obeys him when he tells her to do something, and does not disobey him with regard to herself or her wealth in a way that he dislikes.” (Nasai) Allah designated the Roles & Responsibilities Allah ta’ala gives roles to those who are best at them. We as women need to be very content that our role is designed by Allah ta’ala because He is all-Wise and All-Knowing. We should be confident that this is what we need to perfect our Imaan. We are the future of the Ummah and we can change our Ummah with our character. We need to play the roles given to us by Allah ta’ala and Nabi sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam and stop being what other people want us to be. Advises for the wife Be loyal Do not be disobedient Dress up/perfume yourself for husband Do not demand clothes, jewellery, etc. especially of he cannot afford it Do not use foul language, anger or remind the husband about favours you may have done or mistakes he may have made Be polite and serve his parents and family – treat them as your own Polygamy It is permissible for a man to have up to four wives however he must treat then with justice and equality in everything. All his wives will have the same rights over him

The scalp has to be wet...not all the hair. So you pour water over the head making sure the whole scalp is wet I posted this Q/A because many women think the "roots" of the hair is the end part of the hair

PROTECTION FROM HYPOCRISY, OSTENTATION AND PRETENSION اَللّٰهُمَّ طَهِّرْقَلْبِيْ مِنَ النِّفَاقِ، وَعَمَلِيْ مِنَ الرِّيَاءِ، وَلِسَانِيْ مِنَ الْكَذِبِ، وَعَيْنِيْ مِنَ الْخِيَانَةِ، فَأِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ خَاىِنَةَ الْأَعْيُنِ وَ مَاتُخْفِي الصُّدُوْرُـ ِAllaahumma tahhir qalbii minan-nifaaq(i), wa ‘amalii minar-riyaa(i), wa lisaanii minal-kadhib(i), wa ‘aynii minal-khiyaana(ti), fa innaka ta’lamu khaa’inatal-‘a’yuni wa maa tukhfis-suduعr. (Um Ma’bad al=Khuzaa’iyyah. Kanz al-‘Ummal #3660) O Allah, purify my heart from hypocrisy, my deeds from ostentation and pretension, my tongue from lies, and my eyes from wrongful glances. For, indeed, You know what the eyes deceptively glance at and what the hearts conceal. ~~~Ameen~~~ (Source: Khalid Baig’s transliteration and translation of du’aa #126 from the Accepted Whispers: Munajat-e-Maqbul)

Repentance The Ulama have stated: “It is necessary to repent from every sin. If the offense involves the Rights of Allah, not a human, then there are three conditions to be met in order that the repentance be accepted by Allah: 1. To desist from committing it. 2. To feel sorry for committing it. 3. To make firm intention not to recommit the sin Any repentance failing to meet any of these three conditions would not be sincere. However, if the sin involves a human's right, it requires a fourth condition, i.e., to absolve oneself from such right. If it is a property, it should be returned it to its rightful owner. If it is slandering or backbiting, one should ask the pardon of the offended.” Allah, the, Exalted says: § “And beg Allah to forgive you, O believers, that you may be successful.” (24:31) § “Seek the forgiveness of your Rabb, and turn to Him in repentance.” (11:3) § “O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance!” (66:8) Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam has stated: “Turn in repentance to Allah and beg pardon of Him. I turn to Him in repentance a hundred times a day!” (Muslim) Compiled from: Riyaadus-Saaliheen (Source: Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) newsletter)

How do you live in the UK without participating in interest? Q: My question pertains to interest which I know is forbidden in Islam and is seen as a great sin. But in the UK, through mortgages, insurances, etc., it seems virtually impossible to avoid riba/interest. I have looked into Islamic banking in the UK but I see it to be an awful alternative as it still essentially charges riba but with some clever play on words and has been dismissed by the consensus of scholars. So, my question is: how do you live in the UK without participating in interest as I am struggling to see alternatives? A: The prohibition of interest is clearly and explicitly mentioned in the Noble Qur’aan. Allah Ta`ala states: “And Allah has permitted sale and prohibited riba – interest.”[1] On the Day of Qiyaamah, the one who consumed interest will wake up in such a state of bewilderment and shock that it will seem as if he has been affected by the evil touch of Shaitaan. Allah Ta`ala speaks of this in another aayah: “Those who consumed interest will rise [on the Day of Qiyaamah] like the one who has been afflicted by the evil touch of Shaitaan.”[2] In yet another aayah, Allah Ta`ala sounds an extremely severe warning to those who deal in interest despite understanding its evil and prohibition. Allah Ta`ala says: “If you do not do so [desist from dealing in interest] then be prepared to wage war against Allah and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).”[3] In Surah Aal-e-Imraan, Allah Ta`ala has sounded another warning. Allah Ta`ala says: “O you who believe, do not consume interest multiplied manifold and fear Allah so that you be successful. And fear the fire (of Jahannum) which has been prepared for the disbelievers.”[4] Commenting on this aayah, Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) said: “This is the most fearsome aayah in the entire Qur’aan Shareef, for Allah has warned the believers of the fire of Jahannum, which has been prepared for the disbelievers, if they do not refrain from the haraam of interest.”[5] Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has also sounded stern warnings against those who consume riba. Hazrat Abdullah bin Hanzalah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “Consuming one dirham of riba knowingly is worse than committing zina thirty-six times.”[6] In another Hadith, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is reported to have mentioned: “The fire of Jahannum is more deserving for the one who nourished his body with haraam (riba).”[7] Hazrat Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) cursed the one who consumes interest, pays interest, the scribe of the interest-bearing deal and the witness to such a deal.”[8] Interest outwardly seems to be a means of increase in wealth, yet in reality is a means of decrease. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “No matter how much the interest may be, it will result in decrease (of wealth).”[9] The prohibition and severity of interest understood from the above-mentioned Aayaat and Ahaadith will undoubtedly appeal and strike sense into any understanding and intelligent individual. When the prohibition of riba (interest) was revealed, the general Muslim public were undergoing constraints far worse than those which the present-day Muslims face. For months on end, not even a fire could be lit in the houses of many. Stones had to be tied on their bellies to fight the pangs of starvation and hunger. They did not have sufficient clothing to cover their entire bodies. Nights would be spent in darkness, for a lamp could not be lit to provide light. Their infant children would constantly cry out of hunger. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) himself had to give his armour which he used in jihaad as collateral for the grains that he purchased from a Jew in order to provide for the needs of his blessed wives, and in this very condition did he leave this world. The greatest solution to the present economic crisis is to inculcate contentment in our lives. Despite the severe constraints that the Muslims were facing during the era of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Allah Ta`ala commanded Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) not to cast his gaze at the worldly riches of the kuffaar. Involving oneself in interest will bring no benefit to an individual. In fact, it will be a means of loss and detriment, as is understood from the aforementioned Hadith wherein Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “No matter how much the interest may be, it will eventually decrease (and result in loss).” In another Aayah of the Qur’aan, Allah Ta`ala speaks of the evil worldly consequence of interest, saying: “Allah Ta`ala obliterates riba.”[10] Hence, a Muslim should totally refrain from dealing in interest. Muslims can never progress by means of something which Allah Ta`ala has explicitly prohibited, nor can it ever be a solution to their problems and constraints. Adopting the ways of the kuffaar will in no way bring a person anywhere close to success. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) never worried about his ummah having to face poverty and financial constraints, for their purpose of life is something much greater and nobler than merely amassing worldly riches and enjoying a luxurious life. Their purpose is pleasing Allah Ta`ala and earning maximum rewards for the hereafter. In one Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned: “I do not fear faqr (poverty) befalling you, but I fear that the world will be spread out before you, as it was spread out before those who preceded you. Then you will compete with one another in amassing its riches, as they had competed, eventually leading to your destruction and ruin, as it had destroyed them.” [11] Hazrat Ibnu Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever suffers from hunger or want and he conceals his need, Allah Ta`ala takes the responsibility of sustaining him with halaal sustenance for a whole year.”[12] In such times of constraints and hardship, a mu’min should turn his focus and attention to Allah Ta`ala, for it is only Allah Ta`ala’s assistance that can rope a person out of the predicament that he is facing. Further, one should live within his means and budget his spending. If one is really in debts, then he should request his creditors to grant him some leniency and respite. (Extracted from Fatawaa Mahmoodiyyah, 24/349-365) We make dua that Allah Ta`ala guides the ummah towards earning halaal, emulating the Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and refraining from any involvement in riba (interest). [1] وَأَحَلَّ اللّٰهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَوٰا (سورة البقرة: ٢٧٥) [2] اَلَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبٰوا لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِى يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطٰنُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ (سورة البقرة: ٢٧٥) [3] فَاِنْ لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَاْذَنُوْا بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَرَسُولِهِ (سورة البقرة: 279) [4] یٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ اٰمَنُوْا لَا تَأْكُلُوا الرِّبٰوا اَضْعَافًا مُّضٰعَفَةً ، وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ (سورة آل عمران: ١٣٠) [5] فتاوى محموديه 24/350 ، مدارك التنزيل 1/282 [6] عن عبد الله بن حنظلة غسيل الملائكة رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم درهم ربا يأكله الرجل وهو يعلم أشد من ستة وثلاثين زنية ( مسند أحمد # 21957) [7] عن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال لكعب بن عجرة ... يا كعب بن عجرة إنه لا يدخل الجنة لحم نبت من سحت النار أولى به ( مسند أحمد # 14441) [8] عن جابر رضي الله عنه قال لعن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم آكل الربا وموكله وكاتبه وشاهديه وقال هم سواء ( صحيح مسلم # 1598) [9] عن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال الربا وإن كثر فإن عاقبته تصير إلى قل (مسند أحمد # 3754) [10] يَمْحَقُ اللّٰهُ الرِّبٰوا (سورة البقرة: ٢٧٦) [11] عن المسور بن مخرمة رضي الله عنه أنه أخبره أن عمرو بن عوف الأنصاري وهو حليف لبني عامر بن لؤي وكان شهد بدرا أخبره أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ... قال فأبشروا وأملوا ما يسركم فوالله لا الفقر أخشى عليكم ولكن أخشى عليكم أن تبسط عليكم الدنيا كما بسطت على من كان قبلكم فتنافسوها كما تنافسوها وتهلككم كما أهلكتهم (صحيح البخاري # 3158) [12] عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : من جاع أو احتاج فكتمه الناس كان حقا على الله عز و جل أن يرزقه رزق سنة من حلال ( شعب الإيمان # 10054) Answered by: Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

Think of Beginning & End Hazrat Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Daamat Barakaatuhu) mentioned: Most people were destroyed when they became proud and arrogant. When a person shows off and becomes boastful over the bounties he is blessed with, this becomes a means of those bounties being snatched away. The solution to rid oneself of pride is to ponder over one’s beginning and end; initially a drop of impure fluid and eventually decomposed bones beneath the earth. When one thinks over this correctly, the reality strikes him that I am definitely not worthy of any respect, title or position.

Covering Feet Hanafi Fiqh > Tafseer Raheemi Question: Salam mufti Saab, When women pray salah do they have to cover their feet. I.e. with socks Kind regards Jazakhalah Answer: No, they don’t have to wear socks. However, if the feet can be covered by wearing a long cloak, it would be better. This is due to showing respect to the opinion of the other madhaahib. The Madhahib (on this mas’alah) go as follows: 1) Imam Shafiee, Imam Malik and Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal (Rahimahumullah) class the feet (of women) as satr and according to their research, they have to be covered in Salah. 2) Imam Abu Hanifa’s Mufta bihi Qawl (the opinion upon which the ruling has been given) is that they don’t have to be covered. Al-Fiqh Alal Mazahib al-Arba’ah lil Jaziry p.167/1 It is also stated in Nurul-Idah (The Light of Clarification) p.159: ’Her feet are not awrah, according to the most correct of two narrations, whether the surface or the sole, because of the general nature of the necessity.’ Source

Ruling on end of menstruation is once bleeding has ceased, the woman should perform ghusl and commence prayers. So in the case mentioned at the end of 7 days when bleeding stops she would perform ghusl and pray however if bleeding was to reoccur after a day or she would stop salaah and see what happens as it is still within the maximum 10 days. Now if it ends within the maximum 10 days end she will perform ghusl once again and if it exceeds 10 days then she would perform ghusl after the 10 days end and commence salaah as it cannot be menstruation after 10 days. If this is still unclear please post again

The stages of the nafs: Nafs al ammara part 1 From Ashrafiya . Shaikh Abdul Ghani at Tarablusi al Khalwati (Allah have mercy on him) said, ‘It is your lower self (nafs) that veils you from Allah. The scholars of Reality (al haqiqa) have mentioned seven stages of the nafs according to its changing states, the ammara, lawamah, mulhema, mutmainah, radhiya, mardhiya and kamilah.’ Following is a summary of Shaikh’s discussion. 1. The inciting nafs (nafs-i-ammara) إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلاَّ مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّيَ‎ Surely, man’s inner self often incites to evil, unless my Lord shows mercy.”[12:53] In its primitive stage the nafs incites us to commit evil: this is the corrupt nafs as the lower self, the base instincts. Its characteristics include; stinginess, greed, envy, ignorance, arrogance, lust, anger, heedlessness, coveting, mad manners, involvement in useless, making others’ fun, having malice for them and harming them with speech or hand. It becomes the instrument of Satan’s seduction (to sin). It the most lethal enemy. Therefore extreme caution is needed in not listening to its insolent commands. In Prophetic saying the struggle against it has been mentioned as highest level of righteous effort (jihad al akbar). Being steadfast on the commandments of Shariah is essential. Keeping constant vigilance (muhasba) is required. It is imperative to have extreme humility and engagement in supererogatory deeds. This is facilitated by giving up (after consultation with Shaikh) the excessive permissible pleasures and all useless activities. By routinely crying in front of Allah asking for help and making remembrance of Allah as instructed by the Shaikh. ‘Never leave supplication because of being depressed and frustrated (by frequent slips) or lose hope by considering the goal to be unrealistic. This will severe the determination altogether.’ If one persists then Allah will spiritually enlighten the heart of the seeker that will make it possible to see the diseases that inflicts the nafs. Then comes the second stage. The stages of the nafs: Nafs al Lawwamah / part 2 The Self-reproaching nafs لا أقسم بيوم القيامة ولا أقسم بالنفس اللوامة [75:1] I swear by the Day of Resurrection, [75:2] and I swear by the self-reproaching conscience, (that Resurrection is a reality.) This is the stage where the conscience is awakened and the self reproaches one for listening to one’s ego. That is, in committing the evil acts or omitting the virtuous or doing them in a sloppy manner. Its characteristics include; reproaching, greed, coveting, self praise, show-off, cruelty, back-bitting, lying and heedlessness, love of fame and status. In sharing many characteristics of nafs al ammarah it maintains the ability to differentiate between the good and evil. However, it is not proficient, as yet, to fully follow the good commands and abstain from sinful. Moreover, if it does do some good acts it develops desires of self-praise (ujub) or showing-off or expecting praise from others. In this stage it is imperative that he acknowledges and exposes these blame worthy desires to his fellow-brethren (as per the instruction of his Shaikh). Otherwise these blame-worthy morals will cut-off his journey on this path. It is essential that in this phase he makes excessive remembrance of Allah and exerts in the struggle (to do good and abstain from evil). Here he is inflicted will excessive abstract, useless ideas, and random, bizarre thoughts. He has to fight them off with assistance of excessive remembrance of Allah and supplications, asking Allah for assistance in doing so effectively. If he does so, he passes to the third stage. The stages of nafs: Nafs e mulhimah / part 3 The Inspired Nafs Allah Almighty says, (9)ونفس وما سواها ( 7 ) فألهمها فجورها وتقواها ( 8 ) قد أفلح من زكاها [91:7] and by the soul, and the One who made it well, [91:8] then inspired it with its (instincts of) evil and piety, [91:9] success is really attained by him who purifies it, In this stage of development the nafs is gifted with the ability to distinguish between good and evil. Moreover,the performance of good actions and abstinence from evil is facilitated for him by the Grace of Allah. This Grace is manifested as immense desire to please Allah. And at this stage nafs remains drowned in intense love of Allah (‘ishq illahi). This is possible by following the recommendations of the Shaikh and excessive remembrance of Allah as instructed by him. In fact it is mandatory (wajib) to follow the recommendations of the Shaikh at this stage to be successful. This is both a phenomenal and a challenging stage. Any heedlessness here will pull the nafs to its initial stage. (May Allah protect us all from this disaster. Amin!) Its characteristics include; self restraint (hilm), philanthropy, contentment, humility, repentance, patience, forbearance, forgiveness, maintaining a good opinion about others, acceptance of others’ excuses, etc. In addition to the excessive remembrance of Allah and following the instructions of Shaikh meticulously one has to repeatedly remind himself of meeting Allah and His perfections. He has to be vigilant in following the Shariah and be compliant to his daily wird. He must efface his ego by purposefully doing permissible humble actions. Here the individual observes that everything is from Allah (tawhid e afa’li). He abandons all criticism. He cries often and is deeply effected by the crying of others. He withdraws from all the creation and finds solace with Allah. He is attracted to beautiful audition. In short this stage is marked by intense love, lofty desires and high aspirations to please Allah.

Beneficial article on understanding the nafs: and this will answer your question insha-allah: Du'a: اَللّٰهُمَّ اَلْهِمْنِىْ رُشْدِىْ وَاَعِذْنِىْ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِىْ Oh Allah, inspire me with guidance and protect me from the evil of myself ——– اللهم ات نفسي تقواها وزكها انت خير من زكاها انت وليها ومولاها Allahumma Aati Nafsi Taqwaahaa Wa-Zakkihaa, Anta Khayru Man Zakkaahaa, Anta Waliyyuhaa Wa-Mawlaahaa O Allah! Give my soul piety and my conscience purity. You are the Master of my soul and the Guardian of my conscience

Seeking fame: Bishr ibn al-Haarith said: لا يَجِدُ حَلاوَةَ الآخِرَةِ رَجُلٌ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَعْرِفَهَ النَّاسُ "A man who loves to be known by the people will not taste the sweetness of the hereafter" Source: Siyar A`lam al-Nubala' May Allah سبحانه وتعالى grant us sincerity in our sayings and actions.

Life is about choices! Life is about choices…Some we are proud of while others we may regret. We are human and not perfect and how often we make decisions we desperately wis h could be undone? To overcome, learn and move forward requires Allah Ta’alas help and lots of courage. There was a husband who woke up early in the morning and found his wife praying for him. He stared at her. For the past few months, they have been arguing. During the past days, she hasn't been cooking for him. But this morning he got a shock. He found breakfast already set at the table. He ate. He went back to the bedroom, to prepare for a shower. "Assalamualaykum. Have a blessed day" she said as she entered the bedroom and he left for the bathroom. After his shower, all dressed up for work; he found his wife at the kitchen, eating breakfast in peace. She was looking at some funny messages on her phone and giggling. He looked at her then walked out the door. The last look he had of her before he left was of her at peace. That last look disturbed him. This is not how she should be. This is not how she has been. He has been hurting her, she has recently found out that he has been flirting with other women; he has cheated once and used money meant for their family on other women. She should be angry. Her peaceful demeanor disturbed him. Evening came. He went home and met his peaceful wife again. She was cooking and laughing with their children. She had come from work two hours ago. The dinner was enjoyable. Good food, she having warm conversations with the children. He as the father felt left out. His wife and children seemed to be having fun despite him hurting them. After dinner, she cleared the table, then played and prayed with the children and put them to bed. He approached her. "Are you OK?" he asked her. "I am more than OK. I am blessed "She answered. "Are you not mad at me? After all that I am doing and have done wrong?" he asked. She placed the washed plate in the rack then looked at him and said, "I asked myself, what is the most important relationship in my life? The one I have with you or the one with Allah Ta’ala? And I realized it is the one with Allah Ta’ala. I live for Allah Ta’ala, not for you. Marrying you was a blessing but it is not all there is in life. Allah Ta’ala has blessed me with life an d I will not waste it crying because of the hurt you cause me to feel" She picked up a dirty glass and began washing it. "I realized I had given you too much power... Yes, you are my husband, the closest human being in my life and the human being I love the most; but you are not my Creator. You have failed me but Allah Ta’ala never fails me. I will not let you ruin my joy, my peace and my progress. You may break our marriage if you want to, but I will hold on to Alla h Ta’ala. and as I hold on to Allah Ta’ala, I will be full of joy despite what you do" She said rinsing the glass. She looked at him and continued, "When you hurt me and disrespected me, I realized I was acting out like a woman who has no connection with her Creator. I got mad and hurled insults, I wanted to revenge and I allowed you to ruin me day after day. My performance at work went down, I talked less to our children, I became bitter to the children, I felt sorry for myself, I developed ulcers and then I realiz ed, I have Allah Ta’ala, I shouldn't act like someone with no relationship with his Creator. Why should I be hopeless yet Allah Ta’ala is with me? I had focused so much on you that I forgot about Allah Ta’ala. When you found me, I had Allah Ta’ala. We got married and I let everything be about you because I wanted to make our marriage work. Our marriage became the idol I worship instead of the blessing I have in Allah Ta’ala. Our marriage is falling apart because of you but my relationship with Allah Ta’ala is still intact" She scrubbed the pot. "You have chosen to abandon our marriage but that doesn't mean my whole world has collapsed. I will still continue being a good mother to our children. They will never say the problems between mom and dad, made mom a monster. You do as you please with other women, I will raise our children." She looked at him and told him, "Do I hate you? No, it will be a lie to say I hate you. You are the man I married, the one I vowed to, the one I love" Tears fell down her cheeks. She wiped them. "I can't just cancel all the years we have been together. The Quran and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) asks us to love our enemies. If I am able to love my enemies, surely I can still love you despite all you have done. I am angry and disappointed, but I have taken my power back. I live for Allah Ta’ala, who has exceedingly blessed me, and do not live for you and the pain you cause" She wiped her wet hands, took the apron from her body and told him, "In my peace, I am planning on where the children and I will move to. Since you have chosen to have an affair, you have shown clearly that you don't need us. So we will not make your life uncomfortable by forcing you to live with us. You need to be able to bring the woman you are cheating with to your own house and establish a clean rel ationship. I am working on something. I came into this house in peace and I will leave in peace. You will not kill my smile and destroy my dreams" She walked to the bedroom and minutes later he followed her to the bedroom. He found her peacefully asleep. He nudged her. He woke her up and said, "Please don't go, don't move out. I will hurt you no more, I will cheat no more. I am not OK. I want the peace you have. I want to be the kind of partner and husband you are as a wife." In good faith she believed his regret and accepted his apology. Since that day, he has been a reformed man. No more affairs, no more hurting her, no flirting with other women, or endless fights. She didn't move out. She and the children stayed. He regretted, repented and submitted to Allah Ta’ala and learned how to be a good husband. Love is powerful enough to humble the proudest. Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret and depression. At the same time make a concerted effort never to repeat them in the future. Make a habit of forgiving, repenting and regretting. The more you let go the higher you will rise. Happiness eludes those who do not appreciate what they already have! And finally…. “Put Allah Ta’ala first and you will never be last” www.eislam.co.za

Erasing the Bad with Good Allah Ta’ala states in the noble Quran: “Indeed good actions eradicate bad actions. This is a reminder for people who pay heed.” (Surah 11, Verse 114) Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam has mentioned: ”Be conscious of Allah wherever you are. Follow the bad deed with a good one to erase it, and engage others with beautiful character.” (Tirmizi) “Follow the bad deed with a good one to erase it” This part of the Hadith is proactive, an aspect that many Muslims fail at. Our understanding of sin should be mobilizing, not debilitating. Too often, we respond to a sin by putting ourselves in a figurative corner and abusing ourselves psychologically until we get over that sin. This is not what Allah wants from us. Yes, we should feel guilty and have a level of regret, but it should not stop us from moving forward in good deeds. People use their sins as an excuse to stay behind. Do not allow sin to stop yourself from all the other good that you could be involved in. The response to a sin should not be to wait, but rather to race to do something good so the sin can be erased. Our attitude should be proactive and positive. We should always have hope that Allah can, and will, have mercy on us as long as we keep struggling and pushing forward. Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

True story told by Shaykh “Abdul Mohsen al Ahmad”, it happened in... Abha (the capital of Asir province in Saudi Arabia) “After performing Salãt Al Maghrib, she put her make-up, wore her beautiful white dress preparing herself for her wedding party, Then she heard the Azan of ‘Ishã and she realized that she broke her Wudhu she told her mother: “Mother, I have to go to make wudhu and pray ‘Ishã” Her mother was shocked : “Are you crazy?!! Guests are waiting for you, to see you! what about your make -up? It will be all washed away by water!!” then she added: ”I am your mother and I order you not to perform Salãh now! wallahi if you make wudhu now, I will be angry at you” Her daughter replied: ”Wallahi I won’t go out from here till I perform my Salãh! Mother you must know that “There is no obedience to any creature in disobedience to the Creator.”!! Her mother said: “What would our guests say about you when you’ll show up in your wedding party without make-up?! You won’t be beautiful in their eyes! They will make fun of you!” The daughter asked with a smile: “Are you worried because I won’t be beautiful in the eyes of creations? What about my Creator?! I am worried because, if I miss my Salãh, I won’t be beautiful in His eyes” She started to make wudhu, and all her make-up was washed away, but she didn’t care. Then she began her Salãh and at the moment she bowed down to make sujud, she didn’t realize that it will be her last one! Yes! She died while in sujud! What a great ending for a Muslimah who insisted on obeying her Lord! Many people who heard her story were so touched!! She put Him and His obedience first in her priorities, so He granted her the best ending that any Muslim would have! She wanted to be closer to Him, so He took her soul in the place where Muslim are the closest to Him! Subhana Allah! She didn’t care if she would be beautiful in the eyes of creatures so she was beautiful in the eyes of Her Creator! O Muslim sister, imagine if you are in her place! What will you do? What will you choose : pleasing creations or your Creator? O dear sister! Do you guarantee that you will live for the next minutes? Hours? Months?!! No one knows when their hour will come? Or when will they meet angels of death? So are you ready for that moment? O non hijab sister! What do you choose: Pleasing yourself by not wearing Hijãb or pleasing your Lord by wearing hijãb? Are you ready to meet Him without Hijãb? May Allah guide us all to what pleases Him and grant everyone who is reading these lines good ending. Source: ATTARBIYAH (Islamic Tarbiyah Academy)