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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.

All my life, I thought Muslims and particularly Ulama are not supposed to lie, not once, not sometimes but ever!

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/

Bursting the Bubble As exhausted as she was, she put in the extra effort. “Never mind if I’m tired, I’ll do it for my hubby,” she thought to herself. She wore attractive clothing and jewellery, applied perfume, prepared his favourite meal and dessert and even lit candles, hoping to please her husband by making it a ‘special evening’. Sadly, as soon as he entered, let alone appreciate and admire, and let alone a simple smile and a hug – he didn’t even spare her a second glance! He walked in, glued to his phone, absolutely oblivious to the loving wife who had eagerly awaited him all day. At that moment, her bubble burst and her heart was broken… After reading the above, most people would be quick to condemn the husband’s behaviour and classify him as insensitive, callous and uncaring. Now, consider the following: “Mummy! You know what aapa told us today?” Faatimah excitedly exclaimed as she ran in from madrasah. “Not now Faatimah! I’m busy!”her mother snapped while frantically typing on her phone. “Daddy! See what I made for you with my blocks!” Muhammad said, hopping with happiness. “Can’t you see that I’m on the phone?” his father scolded in irritation. In all the cases above, a person turned to someone that they love, hoping and expecting to receive warmth, love, attention and acceptance, and were instead brushed off abruptly and painfully ignored. Just as a wife feels hurt when her husband treats her indifferently, children similarly feel hurt when their parents treat them in this way. If the husband is guilty, the parents are also guilty and deserving of condemnation. In such a child’s eyes, his parents love their phones more than him as they cannot even put it down for a few minutes to give him attention and love. When the child sees that his parents have bonded with their phones more than with him, it is unsurprising that he develops a fascination with the phone and also wishes to acquire one to bond with. If it is not the phone occupying the parents, then regardless of what it is, it causes hurt and pain to the child – especially when it happens on a continuous basis. As fathers and mothers, we need to understand that parenting is not an eight-to-five occupation where we can knock off for the day,thereafter ignoring all responsibilities of the work place until the next morning. As parents, we can never feel, “I gave my children enough attention today, now it’s my turn to relax and I do not want them to disturb me or bother me.” We are on duty 24/7, and whenever our children come to us, we must show them warmth, love and attention. Failing to do so creates a serious complex in the child, affecting their emotional wellbeing and causing them to develop a dangerous craving for attention. When the wife is displeased with her husband for ignoring her, then due to her intelligence and age, she will be able to express herself with words or even tears. In the case of the child, he does not know how to communicate his need via words. Instead, when he desperately craves the attention and love of his parents, he looks for other ways to gain it – or he will seek the love from outsiders. Children are simple souls and do not understand diplomacy and tact. If a child wants a toy from another child, he will often snatch it without thinking twice. Likewise, when the parents do not give the child the attention that he wants, he tries to ‘snatch’ it from them. This often manifests in the form of naughty behaviour such as breaking things, tantrums, etc., as the child knows no other way to draw his parents’ attention. How sad that the child has to resort to this behaviour simply to make his parents look at him! Unfortunately, this plan backfires. The child is given attention – but in the form of scolding, punishment, etc. and this further entrenches the complex and craving within the child. The parents then lament and complain about the behaviour of their children, failing to realise that it is actually a shout for help from a child who is starving for love and knows no other way to express himself. The next time our child comes to us, even if it may be to show us a flower they picked in the garden, or a ‘picture’ that they scribbled with crayons, or to tell us something silly that their friend told them, or to show us their toy, let us not burst their bubble and break their hearts. Let us take out a few moments to give them our undivided love and attention. uswatulmuslimah

Great Reward for Offering Nawafil (Voluntary prayers) By Mohammad Rafique Etesame It was narrated from Tamim Dari that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer. If it is complete, then the voluntary (prayers) will also be recorded for him (as an increase). If it is not complete then Allah will say to His angels: ‘Look and see whether you find any voluntary prayers for My slave, and take them to make up what is lacking from his obligatory prayers.’ Then all his deeds will be reckoned in like manner.” (Al-Mishka-tul-Masabeeh) This hadith reveals that at the Day of Judgment, the first thing about which a faithful believer will be taken into account will be his five times obligatory prayers. If he offered them regularly according to the right manners of the sunnah, then that man will be the successful one. And if there any fault was found in them or they were incomplete, then Allah the most high will ask to His angels,” look! Whether you find optional prayers (nafal slah) for my slave, then these will be taken to make up what will be lacking from the obligatory prayers. This hadith throws light on to establish optional prayers also. Because the obligatory prayers are the absolute command of Allah Almighty that, if a believer does not act upon them, then he will be punished. But offering optional prayers shows believer’s more love, affection, obedience deep concern and humility to the King of the universe. That is why a hadith qudsi reveals that: Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah the Exalted has said: 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshiper of Mine. And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (prayer or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him. When I love him I become his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks (something) from Me, I give him, and if he asks My Protection (refuge), I protect him" (Sahihul Bukhari). May Allah Almighty give us ‘taufeeq’ to offer nafal prayers along with obligatory prayers, Amin.

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

Advice on Teaching Daughters About Menses – Ustadh Abdus Shakur Brooks Question: How does a mother bring up the topic of menses to her daughter? Does she prepare her for what is going to happen and introduce the fiqh, or does she wait till she has her menses and then indirectly teach? Answer: Girls should generally be taught about menses before it occurs -without introducing technical matters of fiqh. A mother can introduce the subject to her by informing her that a day will come when she will see something called “menses”. She should explain to her what it is and why it happens a sign of her “growing up” and that when it occurs both angels on her right and left will begin to record her actions, thus Allah will have higher expectations of her; that she should pray, fast and wear hijab just like her mother. The mother must also inform her that she will have to stay away from boys and that Allah does not like her mixing with them. In general the mother needs to implant in her daughter’s mind and heart that seeing menses means a “great change in her life” that will make her a much more important in regards to her relationship with Allah and her religion. This will cause her to think about the coming of “the important day” which she will see as an interesting step in her life. The mother can also tell her a little bit about it before bed. This should be done randomly and not all at one time. A mother should also inform her that there are instructions that she will need to learn and that she will teach her in the near future. When she sees menses for the first time she will most likely come running to her mother overwhelmed and excited. At that point the mother should buy her (or already have bought) a little “special” calendar book and tell her to record the days of her menses. This type of teaching allows the girl to have her first responsibility for this “new beginning” she is experiencing. The point of giving her a calendar book and having her record her days of menses is to implant in her mind the importance of being responsible about this issue. The mother should inform her that when she is done bleeding that she should report back to her. When she tells her mother menses is done, the mother should teach her about the signs of indicate that menses is complete, and also teach her that her menses is now a fixed number of days based on the number of days she bled the first time. The mother should not forget to tell her to keep recording her menses every month and also to report back to her in any case when her blood stops before her fixed number of days or if it passes her fixed number of days. When the girl informs her mother about any of these cases then she should teacher her daughter the rules that apply to each situation such as the basics of what is covered in the Maliki fiqh text al-Akhdari. (You can listen to the course here and also listen to the course Menses & Postnatal According To The Maliki School). The mother should tell her to keep record these notes in her little book and she should also help her to do so. Following this type of education (tarbiyyah) will give the mother the ability to teach her daughter how to apply, and understand the general rules of menses without being “technical” until she gets a little older when she can learn from books. During the whole process the mother becomes like a practical guide for her. It is preferable that menstruation be taught by the mother before the father although if the father is a single parent then there is no doubt that he will have to teach her himself. Lastly just as the mother teaches her the rules of menses, she must also teach her about how to perform a proper ritual washing (ghusl). This is my advice. Allah knows best. Ustadh Abdus Shakur Brooks Reviewed and finalized 6/14/2011

Emotional WellbeingPhysical WellbeingSelf Improvement The Beast In The Mirror: Overcoming Body Dysmorphic Disorder “Mirrors are perpetually deceitful. They lie and steal your true self. They reveal only what your mind believes it sees.” – Dee Remy Are you finding yourself in front of your mirror on a regular basis and noting all of your imperfections? Are you embarrassed to leave the home because of a minor flaw or blemish on your face? Is plastic surgery on the horizon for you in the near future? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may be dealing with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). The DSM-IV defines BDD as “a preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance. If a slight physical anomaly is present, the person’s concern is markedly excessive. This preoccupation often causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. This preoccupation is not better accounted for by another mental disorder (eg, dissatisfaction with body shape and size in anorexia nervosa).” BDD is distinguished from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa , to the extent that patients w anorexia or bulimia disorders are preoccupied with their overall weight and body shape. BDD however focuses on a specific area and is not related to weight or dieting. An example might be an adolescent who thinks that her breasts are too large and wants to have plastic surgery to reduce their size but is otherwise unconcerned about her weight and is eating normally. Recent statistics indicate a many as 50% of patients diagnosed with BDD undergo plastic surgery to correct their perceived physical defects. Individuals with BDD often focus so much on the defect, they often lose sight of the whole self. A person with a pimple on their nose might feel it is considerably larger than it actually is and their reactions fit their perception rather than reality. This may be caused by an error in the visual processing region of your brain. This visual processing error can lead to low self-esteem, high suicide risk, and repeated cosmetic surgery. Although the symptoms appear psychological in nature, new research by UCLA psychiatrist Jamie D. Feusner appears to indicate it might actually be linked to problems with seeing the big picture in the brain. In the study, subjects were shown blurred pictures of their own faces while inside the fMRI machine. Dr. Feusner observed, compared to healthy control subjects, those subjects identified with BDD showed much less activity in the brain region responsible for forming visual details into composite forms. This inability to see the whole picture generalized to other activities as well, including looking at pictures of houses. People with BDD tend to have difficulty seeing the whole picture and cannot process the context of what they are looking at. This perceptual error seems to be the underlying reason individuals suffer from a distorted self image, which defines BDD. Causes of BDD Although recent research points to an error in the visual processing region of the brain, other research indicates the cause might be related to low seratonin levels in the brain. Seratonin, a neurotransmitter produced by the brain, is often associated with depression and mood disorders when levels are below normal in the brain. Another significant factor in the development of BDD is the influence of the mass media, particularly the role of advertising in spreading images of physically “perfect” men and women. Impressionable young children and adolescents absorb the message that anything short of physical perfection is unacceptable. This may lead to developing distorted perceptions of their own faces and bodies. Family of origin plays an important role in our self perceptions, which can increase our vulnerability to BDD. Children whose parents are obsessed with appearance, dieting, and/or bodybuilding; or who are highly critical of their children’s looks, are at greater risk of developing BDD. A history of trauma and abuse can also be an additional factor. When an individual with a history of trauma or abuse buries their feelings about the abuse or traumatic incident, the oppressed feelings can emerge in the form of obsessions about physical features. This “reassignment” of feelings is called displacement. An example that best describes this displacement is an adolescent with a history of physical abuse as a young child becoming obsessed with body building and strength. Individuals with BDD can have symptoms similar to OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) since anxiety is at the root of both disorders. Symptoms of BDD include: Ritualistic Behavior: Ritualistic behavior refers to actions that the individual performs to manage anxiety and that take up excessive amounts of his/her time. Individuals are frequently upset if someone or something interferes with or interrupts their ritual. For individuals diagnosed with BDD, these ritualistic behaviors may include exercise or makeup routines, assuming specific poses or postures in front of a mirror, etc. Camouflaging: Individuals with BDD usually spend a great amount of time camouflaging “problem” feature or body part with makeup, hats, or clothing. 94% of individuals with BDD have reported camouflaging. Mirror Obsession: Abnormal behavior around mirrors, large storefront windows, or similar reflecting surfaces is common with individuals with BDD. A majority of individuals diagnosed with BDD frequently check their appearance in mirrors or spend long periods of time doing so. A few react in the opposite direction and avoid mirrors when possible. Fishing for Compliments: Individual with BDD frequently ask for reassurance from others about their appearance. Self Comparisons: Individuals with BDD frequently compare their own appearance to others. Social Avoidance: Due to their insecurities, individual with BDD often avoid activities outside the home, including school and social events*. *The loss of functioning resulting from BDD can have serious consequences for the individuals future. Adolescents with BDD often cut school and may be reluctant to participate in sports, youth groups, or hold part-time or summer jobs. Many individuals are unable to remain in school, form healthy relationships, or keep steady jobs. Adults with muscle dysmorphia have been known to turn down job promotions in order to have more time to focus on their imperfections by working out more at the gym or fitness centers. The economic consequences of BDD can include overspending on cosmetics, clothing, or plastic surgery. Treatment Individuals with BDD often respond well to medications such as antidepressants as well as individual therapy using Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). CBT has been found useful in reducing BDD symptoms. With CBT, individuals learn to see themselves in the mirror without the need for negative self talk or tendency to focus on the negative defects. CBT also challenges inaccurate self-perceptions the individual might have about themselves. Relaxation techniques paired with CBT work well for individuals with BDD. In more severe cases, hospitalization may be warranted for individuals with BDD. Since BDD patients have a high rate of self-destructive behavior, including performing surgery on themselves at home (e.g. liposuction followed by skin stapling, removing facial scars with sand paper, or even sawing down their teeth), hospitalization might be the best place for them to get the help they need. Individuals with severe cases of BDD have a high rate of attempted and completed suicide. Out of 100 individuals diagnosed with BDD, 48% have been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons and 30% had made at least one suicide attempt. Prevention The best preventive strategy appears to be simply challenging the perception of those afflicted with unrealistic images of themselves. Despite the pervasive influence of the mass media in our lives, we must educate ourselves and our children about the realities of those supposed “perfect” images we are exposed to. Point out the airbrushing and photo-shopping involved in getting models to look a certain way. Most importantly, talk to young children about the pitfalls of trying to look “perfect”. Teach them the importance of being well rounded, mentally and physically. Stop complimenting girls and boys on just their physical appearance and attributes. Compliment them on being smart, kind, compassionate, and generous rather than on being beautiful and cute. By doing so, you are teaching them to value themselves as a whole rather than a physical part or feature. Lastly, educate yourself on the symptoms of BDD and pay attention to changes in your children’s dress and behavior. Early intervention is key. Dr. Nafisa Sekandari mentalhealth4muslims

Jazakallaahu khayran for taking time to make these videos

Q. If someone reads full salaah instead of short salaah on travel, should they make qadha of those salaah? (Question published as received) A. If a person performs the complete 4 Rakaats Fardh Salaah instead of 2 Rakaats on a journey, mistakenly or due to miscalculation of the distance of travel etc., the Salaah performed will be valid. However, if the Salaah time remains and a person is made aware of his/her mistake, it will be necessary to repeat the Salaah during the Salaah time. If the Salaah time expires, it will not be necessary to repeat it. On the other hand, if a person performs the complete 4 Rakaats Fardh Salaah instead of the 2 Rakaats Fardh Salaah on a journey knowingly and intentionally, it will be necessary to repeat all such Salaah performed in this way. (Al Bahrur-Raaiq 2/141 – Khairul Fataawa 2/681-682) And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Mufti Ismaeel Bassa Confirmation: Mufti Ebrahim Desai (The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

As-Salaam alaikum, Says Allah Ta'ala in ayat 28 of Surat Ra'ad of the Holy Qur'an:-- "Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest/satisfaction." (13:28) And in Hadith, we have learnt it that the Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said:- "There is a piece of flesh in the body, if it becomes good (reformed), the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoiled, the whole body gets spoiled and that is the heart." Sheikh Abu Abdullah at-Tirmidhi Hakeem, may Allah be Merciful to him, said:-- "The Zikr [Remembrance ] of Allah moistens the heart and cultivates tenderness in it. When the heart is bereft of Zikrullah, the heat of the nafs overtakes it; the fire of lust reaches it; and it becomes barren and hard." Indeed, the life of the heart (qalb) is related to Allah's Remembrance. Man has only to implant Allah's Name firmly in his heart, what follows is amazing. So, be engaged in Zikr always... or most of the time. With that, you find out that even though our hands cannot feel Allah Ta'ala, the mind cannot grasp Him but the heart would vividly recognize Him... Tabaraka Wa Ta'ala. With regular, constant Zikr, the heart can discern Allah, Jallah-Jalalahu, hear Him, entreat, Obey and act according to His Will.

Benefits of Smiling! The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “To smile in the company of your brother is charity.” (Bukhari) It seems that nothing has more power to elevate a mood than the impact of a genuine smile. The benefits of a smile extend not only to the recipient of the warm gesture but also to the smile’s originator. “A smile is a little curve that sets a lot of things straight.” 1. Smiling Makes Us Attractive – People are spending millions on cosmetic products and procedures to make them look better. If you want to look better, try adding a genuine smile. It’s cheaper and much more attractive. The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don’t go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day — you’ll look younger and feel better. 2. Smiling Changes Our Mood - Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There’s a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood. 3. Smiling Is Contagious - When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. 4. Smiling Relieves Stress - Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps prevents us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you’ll be better able to take action. Smiling helps to promote release of a “feel good” group of hormones called endorphins. These are the same group of hormones responsible for the runners high you hear so much about. If you don’t have time to get to the gym for a hard run, try adding a smile to boost these natural, stress relieving hormones. 5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System - Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling. 6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure - When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference? 7. Smiling is medication - Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug and leads to a healthier immune system. Various studies conducted over the years have shown that smiling can boost the functioning of the immune system. This may help to reduce your risk of developing everything from the common cold to chronic diseases such as cancer. Could there be a less expensive medicine than this? 8. A smile inspires others - When you smile you also send a positive message that can potentially change someone else’s mood for the better. The person you graced with your smile may go on to pass the kindness to someone else. Who knows how far your original smile will travel? 9. Smiling promotes Success - Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.When you smile, you appear confident and capable. Given the choice between two equally qualified job candidates, the smiling candidate is going to be perceived as being more of a team player and easier to work with. Who do you think is more likely to get the job offer? 10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive -Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that “Life is Good!” Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling. Smile!!! It does not cost a cent and can make a person’s day! “It takes seventeen muscles to smile and forty-three to frown”. The greatest reason for smiling is because it is a sunnah [practice] of our Beloved Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. The Messenger of Allah had a smiling face and advised us to entertain our guest with a smiling face and good conduct. Posted by E ISLAM Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

I like how you use smiley after every sentence mashaAllah. Keep smiling sis :) Pleased to meet you too dear :)

The Indiscriminate Nature of Death Hazrat Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Daamat Barakaatuhu) mentioned: Death is not fixed for any class or age of people. It comes indiscriminately; whether to the young or old, ailing or healthy, rich or poor. Man needs to prepare for this moment. This is a sign of his intelligence as is indicated to in the hadeeth of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Life in this world is short and we have to make the most of it and achieve the most during this short stay. In this day and age when we want to expedite all our affairs, we should also want the same for increasing our rewards in the Hereafter. One of the ways as explained in the hadeeth to achieve this is to recite the Quraan Majeed and ponder over death. Ihyaauddeen.co.za

Part Nineteen Hazrat Sa‘eed bin Musayyib (rahimahullah) narrates: A certain person was once speaking ill of Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Hazrat Talhah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Hazrat Zubair (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Seeing that this person was speaking ill of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) immediately tried to stop him saying, “Do not speak ill of my brothers!” However, the person refused to desist. Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thus stood, performed two rakaats of salaah, and made du‘aa against this person who was speaking ill of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum). Shortly thereafter, a camel arrived, pushing its way through the people. The camel seized this person and trapped him between its chest and the ground, crushing him to death. Hazrat Sa‘eed (rahimahullah) concludes saying, “I then saw the people walking behind Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saying, ‘Congratulations, O Abu Ishaaq! Your du‘aa was accepted (in defense of the Sahaabah)!’” (Siyar min A’laam min Nubalaa 3/73) Source: Whatisislam.co.za

Sublime “Holiday Spots” A man was on his way to a neighboring village when an angel suddenly appeared before him. ‘What takes you to this village?’ Enquired the angel. ‘To visit a brother whom I love for the sake of Allah,’ was the sincere reply. The angel questioned further, ‘do you have any other motive?’ The man replied ‘No’, upon which the angel exclaimed, ‘I am the messenger of Allah and I assure you that Allah loves you as you love your brother.’ (Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 6495) At the same time, another angel is deputed to proclaim the following message to him: “You have done well, your foot steps have been profitable, and you have prepared an abode for yourself in Paradise.” (Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2008) Allah Ta’ala Himself announces: “My love is incumbent for the one who loves, visits, or spends on others purely for my sake.” (Musnad Ahmad, vol.5 pg.233) Value and Demand The reason for such abundant rewards could be understood in light of the business principle: Commodities are valued according to demand and availability. The scarcer a product, the higher the demand and therefore the greater the returns. The same concept is found in certain aspects of Shari’ah. Those deeds that are seemingly insignificant and seldom practiced generally yield a higher reward. People meet daily in the world for various motives, but the practice of loving/meeting someone purely for the sake of Allah is totally foreign to us. Of the many disastrous ill effects of the present day society is the concept of self-centeredness, where each person cares for himself whilst remaining totally oblivious of the presence and needs of those around him. Presently, there are many such un-noticed Muslim brothers and sisters that are secluded in old aged homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and orphanages etc, who await some kindhearted soul to lift their spirits by paying them a visit. Occasional visits to such places would do us more benefits than harm. Visiting Allah One who visits the sick is, so to say , visiting Allah Ta’ala. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Allah Ta’ala will say to man (on the day of Qiyamah), O my slave, I was sick and you refused to visit me. ’Man will exclaim, O Allah, how could that be possible whereas You are the Lord of the Worlds? ‘Allah will reply, A certain slave of mine was sick, had you visited him, you would have found Me by him” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 6501) If the merit for visiting an ordinary Muslim is such, can one imagine the rewards for visiting those with whom one shares a special bond? Imagine the honor of joining ties with Allah! One who maintains family ties is promised the privilege of Almighty Allah joining ties with him, i.e. by means of showing His special mercy, etc. On the contrary, Allah Ta’ala severs ties with those who break family ties. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 7502) The Wrong Alternative Nowadays, people choose to spend their spare time frequenting places that are totally immoral and filled with vice and sin, like: the cinemas, casinos, shows, entertainment halls, beaches, parties etc. The mere presence of a Muslim at such places in the company of immodest people is extremely detrimental to his Iman. On the contrary, ask yourself the question: when last did you visits your relatives, your local ‘Alim, an elder of the community, or any fellow Muslim brother purely for the pleasure of Allah? Visiting the sick, the elderly, the needy, one’s relatives, neighbours or any other Muslim for the sake of Allah was a salient feature in the life of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam). He would even visit such non-muslims, like the jewish lad who was ill. This had assisted in bonding the Ummah as well as its expansion. Today too, especially during the present holiday season, we can achieve all that and more by implementing this important and neglected Sunnah of our beloved Master (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) Instead of emulating the rest of the world who celebrate the year-end with as much sin as possible, thereby drawing the wrath of our Creator upon mankind. May Allah Ta’ala protect the Ummah from all fitnah. al-miftah

The Path of Protecting One’s Deen and Honour – the Path of Abstaining from Doubtful Areas الحلال بين والحرام بين وبينهما مشبهات لا يعلمها كثير من الناس فمن اتقى المشبهات استبرأ لدينه وعرضه إلخ Halaal is clear and haraam is clear, and between halaal and haraam are such things which are doubtful and many people do not know it. The one who abstains from these doubtful things will protect his Deen and his honour. Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once quoted the above Hadith and thereafter explained: The essence of this Hadith is for one to obtain the quality of Taqwa. If anything is unclear and doubtful, and some Ulama regard it to be permissible while other Ulama rule it to be impermissible, then it is best for one to refrain from it and leave it out without becoming involved in an argument with any person. This is also understood from another Hadith in which Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Leave out those things regarding which you are doubtful, and choose those things regarding which you have no doubt.” (Suhbat Baa Awliyaa pg. 97)

Shaking hands with one’s son in law Question: What is the Islamic opinion on the permissibility of a mother in law shaking hands with / hugging / kissing her son in law and vice versa. Similarly, what is the Islamic opinion on the permissibility of a father in law shaking hands with / hugging / kissing his daughter in law and vice versa? Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. A son in law is a mahram to his mother in law. A mahram is he with whom marriage is permanently prohibited. A mother in law does not have to observe the laws of hijab with her son in law. Likewise, a father in law is a mahram to his daughter. The daughter in law does not have to observe the laws of hijab in front of her father in law. A son in law becomes a mahram to his mother in law through marriage. Likewise, the father in law becomes a mahram to his daughter in law through marriage. This type of mahram is not like a blood mahram. Like a mother to the son, or brother to the sister. In general, and according to people with sound nature, there is no carnal attraction between mahrams by blood. That is not so in the case of mahrams created through marriage. In principle, a son in law could marry his mother in law before marrying his wife. Likewise, a father in law could marry his daughter in law before his sons marriage to his wife. The possibility of a son in law having a carnal attraction to a young mother in law cannot be ruled out. Likewise, the possibility of a father in law having a carnal attraction to his daughter in law cannot be ruled out. It is therefore incorrect to assume that once there is a relationship of mahram between two persons, then all the laws of hijab fall off and all mahrams are governed by the same set of rules. The feeling of a father embracing his daughter can never be the same as embracing his daughter in law. A mother embracing her son can never be the same as embracing her son in law. The natural and hidden component of passion and desire between such two mahrams cannot be ignored. Shariah emphasises on shame and modesty. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa alam said, "Modesty is from Iman, and Iman leads you to Paradise. Obscenity is from antipathy, and antipathy leads you to the fire of Hell.” (Tirmidhi) Furthermore, if the two mahrams by marriage touch each other with lust, that constitutes Hurmat-e-Musaharah which terminates the marriage bond between the son in law and his wife or son and daughter in law. If a father in law wants to display respect and compassion for his daughter in law or if the mother in law wishes to show respect and honour to her son in law, it does not have to be done in the same way as one does with ones mahrams by birth. The father in law embracing and kissing his daughter in law or the mother in law to her son in law is incorrect. The reason for highlighting the above distinction between the two types of mahrams is we are living in an era of immoralities. We come across many incidents of immoral behaviour between mahrams of marriage. In many instances, marriages were broken. It is therefore imperative that mahrams created by marriage should exercise precaution in their relationship with each other. And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Huzaifah Deedat Student Darul Iftaa Lusaka, Zambia Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai. Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Dealing with Teenage Crushes Q. Being a girl, is it Haram to have crushes on boys or to like them? (Question received from a teenage girl) A. You have posed a very important question which affects the lives of every one of us when we are young. At this age you sometimes feel that you are in control of your feelings and desires and at times it feels like your hormones are running amok and you need to do something fast to deal with them. Sometimes you start feeling attracted to boys and think it’s the greatest thing that could happen to you. You may even think that its ok to talk to them, that it’s not like you are doing anything wrong or being bad. You think its ok, you are only friends. You may even tweet or Facebook or WhatsApp them. At other times, you treasure yourself as you remember that since you are a Muslim girl, you should be lowering your gaze and obeying Allah’s commands. That you should be saving yourself up for the man who will treasure, care, honour, respect and love you as Allah Ta’ala has commanded. That you don’t want to be treated like “just another woman in a skirt”. You want to be special. You remember that Allah Ta’ala loves you very much and that you are destined for Jannah if you remain His obedient servant who submits willingly and fully to His commandments. So my dear sister, I respond to you by suggesting that you love Allah Ta’ala the most. That no matter what challenges and temptations you are faced with, first and foremost, you ask yourself, “Will Allah Ta’ala be pleased with me if I do this?” Ponder over every action and deed of yours before you step forward and act upon your thoughts. Be clear in your mind that whatever decision you make, it will be one that will please your Creator and that if you had to take your last breath at that moment, you can rest assured that Allah Ta’ala was pleased with you and that you will enter Jannah. Treat this world as your prison, knowing full well that whatever displeases Allah Ta’ala will be harmful to you and whatever pleases Allah Ta’ala will be good for you. Allow me to suggest that you learn all about your duties, responsibilities and rights as a Muslimah. What contribution you can make to your family, your community and to yourself also. Learn about how you have been blessed as a creation of Allah Ta’ala. Ask and plead to Allah Ta’ala that He should grant you only that what is good for you in this world and the hereafter and to protect you from what is harmful for you in this world and the hereafter. So, the need of the moment is to avoid the opposite sex until you are truly ready for marriage, to improve your knowledge and practice of Islam and to save yourself for that man who will honour, treasure and shield you from preying eyes and indecency. Lower your gaze my sister, cover yourself as Allah Ta’ala has commanded you to and keep yourself occupied with the Quran, salaah, zikr and give charity for it wipes out sins. Love comes after marriage. Before marriage, it is infatuation which results in pain, disappointment, disaster, and regret. The person who knows that you could be tempted to fall for him before marriage, will not trust you to be faithful to him. If you could disobey Allah Ta’ala, he will figure that you are likely to disobey him also. However, if he knows that you are loyal and faithful to your Creator, he will undoubtedly have full conviction that you will be loyal to him and won’t ever betray him. Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) - Social Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Social media identity is worthless. An identity in the gatherings of Angels & in the court of Allah is priceless. Faraz ‏@FarazAdm Jun 28

A woman’s heart is the same everywhere. We love. That’s what we do best. We nurture our families and give comfort and strength to the men we love. But we American women have been fooled into believing that we are happiest having careers, our own homes in which to live alone, and freedom to give our love away to whomever we choose. That is not freedom. And that is not love. Only in the safe haven of marriage can a woman’s body and heart be safe to love. Joanna Francis Writer, Journalist – USA

It was said to Hasan Al-Basri: "Shouldn't one of us feel too shy to ask his Lord to forgive his sin, then do it again, then ask for forgiveness, then do it again?" He said: "The Shaytaan wishes that you would have this attitude, so do not tire of asking for forgiveness". ["Jaami al-Ulum wal-Hukam", 1/165].