An Orphans Eid

It was the day of celebration and a day of rejoicing. There was an air of festivity in the streets of Medina. All the people, both young and old were dressed in their best clothes, especially for this special day of Ramadhan Eid.

As it was time for early morning Ramadan Eid prayers everyone made their way to an open piece of land on the outskirts of the city of Medina.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) arrived and led the prayers. After they had finished they all greeted each other and everyone was walking back home. The children running and playing in excitement, smiling and laughing, without a care in the world.

As Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) walked back home, he suddenly became aware of a little boy sitting by himself on the side of the path.

The little boy was crying and looked very sad.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) bent down and patted him on the shoulders and asked "why are you crying?"
"Please leave me alone" sobbed the little boy.

The boy didnt even see who was talking to him.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ran his fingers through the boys hair and very gently and kindly asked him again why he was crying.

This time the boy said, "My father was martyred fighting, and now my mother has married again and my stepfather does not want me to live at home any more. Today is Ramadan Eid and everyone is happy. All the children have new clothes and nice things to eat, but I don't have any clothes except what I am wearing. I have no food and I dont even have a place to live"

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said to him, "I know how you feel, I lost both my mother and father when I was a little boy."

The boy was surprised to hear that it was an orphan who was comforting him, and when he looked up to his great surprise it was the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and he immediately jumped up to his feet out of love and respect.

Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) was the benefactor of mankind. He felt sorrowful on listening to the pitiable tale of the boy.

He patted him affectionately and asked, “Would you like to have me as your father, Aisha (R) as your mother, Ali (R) as your uncle and Hasan (R) and Husain (R) as your brothers?”

The boy was dumb-founded for a moment.

Then he said, “Why not, Oh Rasoolullah?”

After that, Rasoolullah (Pbuh) took the boy to his house. Hazrat Aisha (R) felt happy to see the boy. She gave him a cold water bath, dressed him up in new clothes and fed him to his heart’ content.

The boys happiness knew no bounds. He ran out of the house to join and play with other children. The boys quizzed him, “You were so dirty a short while ago. How come you are so well-dressed and happy now.”

The boy replied! “I was hungry and thirsty. Rasulullah (Pbuh) fed me. I was an orphan, but now, Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) is my father and Hazrat Aisha is my mother. I am no longer an orphan.” When the boys listened to his detailed account, they gasped and exclaimed with one voice, “Oh lord! Had our parents got killed in the Jihad, we would have also got such humane parents.”

Really, Eid seemed to be much more pleasant to the boy, who had got new parents.

Moral: We should think of others that are less fortunate than ourselves on this beautiful day of Ramadan Eid.
Not everyone has such a wonderful day.
It is a day of celebration, but take a moment to stop and think of those who are less fortunate than ourselves by following the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Attention People! Somalia

Use this time to donate as much as possible, InshAllah.. Ajr will be multifold InshAllah..

http://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/East_Africa_Crisis_Appeal.aspx

Somalia and other African lands need the help of the international community. It is the need of every country to consider them as their brothers and sisters in humanity. It is possible to share food. All that they want is food; not the cars and bungalows. People are dying, while people around the globe are having fun. Every drop makes an ocean. It's WE the people who need to make a difference!!!

We..., the Rich nations: Saudi Govt, the lands of Dubai, Bahrain, Malaysia etc must join hands and take up the issue of helping those stricken by drought in Africa, as their top priority in the month of Ramadan. If the leaders of countries realize the importance of helping them, then there would be a great difference. REACH THE LEADERS with the message. You can reach them inshaallaah! My Gmail Friends I have sent out a mail, Share this message

A Girl in your Life - Your Better Half!

Tomorrow you may get a working woman, but you should marry her with these facts as well.

Here is a girl, who is as much educated as you are;
Who is earning almost as much as you do;

One, who has dreams and aspirations just as
you have because she is as human as you are;

One, who has never entered the kitchen in her life just like you or your
Sister haven't, as she was busy in studies and competing in a system
that gives no special concession to girls for their culinary achievements

One, who has lived and loved her parents & brothers & sisters, almost as
much as you do for 20-25 years of her life;

One, who has bravely agreed to leave behind all that, her home, people who love her, to adopt your home, your family, your ways and even your family name

One, who is somehow expected to be a master-chef from day #1, while you sleep oblivious to her predicament in her new circumstances, environment and that kitchen

One, who is expected to make the tea, first thing in the morning and cook
food at the end of the day even if she is as tired as you are maybe more
and yet never ever expected to complain; to be a servant, a cook, a mother,
a wife, even if she doesn't want to; and is learning just like you are as
to what you want from her; and is clumsy and sloppy at times and knows that you won't like it if she is too demanding, or if she learns faster than you;

One, who has her own set of friends, and that includes boys and even men at her workplace too those who she knows from school days and yet is willing to put all that on the back-burners to avoid your irrational jealousy, unnecessary competition and your inherent insecurities;

One, who can be late from work once in a while when deadlines, just like yours are to be met;

One, who is doing her level best and wants to make this most important,
relationship in her entire life a grand success, if you just help her some and trust her;

One, who just wants one thing from you, as you are the only one she knows in your entire house - your unstinted support, your sensitivities and most importantly - your understanding or love if you may call it.

But not many guys understand this......

Please appreciate "HER" Allah's Delicate and Beautiful Creation she is!!!

Ramadan Kareem - The Quran and Hadith on Ramadan

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know." (2:183-84)

"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast must be made up) from other days.

Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him" (2: 185)

THE HADITH ON FASTING

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it (Bukhari).

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: "Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord" (Muslim).

When to start fasting

Ibn Umar related that the Prophet said: Do not start fasting unless you see the new moon, and do not end fasting until you see it. If the weather is cloudy then calculate when it should appear (Bukhari, Muslim).

The Suhoor meal (which is eaten before dawn)

Anas related that Rasulullah said: Take the Suhoor meal, for there is blessing in it (Bukhari, Muslim).

Breaking your fast

Salman ibn Amir Dhabi related that the Prophet said: Break your fast with dates, or else with water, for it is pure (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).

Fasting during a journey

Aisha related that Rasulullah was asked whether one should fast when on a journey, and he replied: Fast if you like, or postpone it if you like (Bukhari, Muslim).

Behavior while fasting

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: If a person does not avoid false talk and false conduct during Siyam, then Allah does not care if he abstains from food and drink (Bukhari, Muslim).

Forgetfully eating or drinking while fasting

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks he should complete his Siyam, for it is Allah who has fed him and given him drink (Bukhari, Muslim).

Providing for those who are breaking the fast

Zaid ibn Khalid Juhni related that the Prophet said: He who provides for the breaking of the Siyam of another person earns the same merit as the one who was observing Siyam diminishing in any way the reward of the latter (Tirmidhi).

Lailat al-Qadr

Aisha related that the Prophet said: Look for Lailat al-Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last ten nights of Ramadan (Bukhari).

Anas ibn Malik related that Rasulullah said: When Lailat al-Qadr comes Gabriel descends with a company of angels who ask for blessings on everyone who is remembering Allah, whether they are sitting or standing (Baihaqi)

“O Allah! Guide me to have beautiful manners and characteristics, no one can guide me to beautify them except You. And turn me away from all evil actions and characteristics, no one can turn them away from me except You.”

Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For you are the All-Hearing, the All-knowing. (Al Qur'an 2:127)

O people just see this opreesed kids when they shout in pain:
"I am the orphan of Gaza. I am the deformed of Iraq. I am the violated of Afghanistan. I am the bombarded of Pakistan. I am the martyr of Uzbekistan. I am the catalyst of Tunisia. I am the hope of Egypt. I am the courage of Syria. I am the determination of Yemen. I am the martyr of Libya. I am the freedom of Palestine. I am the hunger striken child of Somaila!

Does anyone pray for me while celebrating Ramadan?? Let's remember them in our Duah..

JazakAllahu Khairahn Khateerahn! Ramadan Kareem to all friends/brothers/sisters/mothers/fathers and the entire Muslim Ummah :)

Daughters: A matter of pride

Bringing up children with proper care is the primary duty of Muslim parents. Parents should not distinguish in a discriminatory manner between their male and female children when bringing them up. However, the fact remains that girls in many Muslim communities are the victims of their parents’ bias against them.

If parents have any right to be biased, it should be in favor of girls. Almighty Allah mentioned girls first before mentioning boys while referring to His sovereign control over the universe and creation of human beings in the chapter Al-Shura (Poets).

“To God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills (and plans). He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills. Or He bestows both males and females, and He leaves barren whom He wills: for He is full of Knowledge and Power.” (Verses 49 & 50)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), has clearly demonstrated that a girl is not a matter of humiliation to a family. On the other hand, she is a matter of pride. A man who brings up his daughters in a proper way will be among those who have the honor of standing close to the Prophet (pbuh) on the Day of Judgment.

“Anas bin Malik reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying, ‘He, who brought up two girls properly till they grew up, he and I would come (together) (very closely) on the Day of Resurrection, and he interlaced his fingers (for explaining the point of nearness between him and that person).’” (Al-Bukhari)

In spite of such clear texts, a considerable section of Muslims in many parts of the world believe that spending money on the proper upbringing of girls, including educating them, is a waste of money.

It is also unfortunate to note that mothers in many Muslim societies, apart from aborting a female fetus, are reluctant to feed their girls properly. On the contrary, the parents struggle hard to feed their boys. Parents are also not keen to take sick girls to hospitals as they do with their sons. But this kind of discrimination between boys and girls is a gross injustice and a violation of the teachings of Islam.

In an incident narrated by Mother of Believers Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) the spiritual benefits of feeding and taking care of girl children are unequivocally clear.

“Ayesha reported: A poor woman came to me along with her two daughters. I gave her three dates. She gave a date to each of them and then she took up one date and brought that to her mouth in order to eat that, but her daughters expressed a desire to eat it. She then divided the date that she intended to eat between them. This action of the woman impressed me and I mentioned what she did to Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him). Thereupon he said: Verily Allah has assured Paradise for her, because of (this act) of her, or He has rescued her from hellfire.” (Al-Bukhari)

This Hadith shows how important girls are to parents, particularly as a means to escape the hellfire.

The sayings of the Prophet should be the only guideline for any Muslim community in any part of the world. There is no justification for any Muslim community to be influenced by any other cultural sentiments that drive people to neglect and abuse girls.

In fact the model for the relationship between a father and daughter should be the sayings of the Prophet (pbuh).

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Fathima is a part of me, so whoever angers her angers me.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

O people Fear Allah, Life on thie earth is just an amusement and an exam to pass! To Him is your finale return.. Ever and Ever and Ever...

Because Khadijah asked: Alternative path to meeting Mr. Right

Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) sent someone to speak with the Prophet (peace be upon him) about marriage. She took the initiative. This also shows that a woman is strong and willing to take charge when needed. The sister has to be a real, genuine person, down to earth (for it to work).

“In general, the idea of you sending someone, respectably speaking, to inquire with tactfulness, and in a good manner – not a “I-have-a-friend-who-likes-you” mentality – with maturity and modesty, is something a mature man, ready for marriage, will appreciate.”

So why not pursue Mr. Right like Khadijah? Sadly, we have ignored this example (and others) from Islam of women sending a “messenger” to inquire on their behalf about marriage and that they were proactively involved in the marriage process.

Sisters accuse others of being desperate when they let others know they are looking to get married. Families believe that a daughter must be sought after and it is shameful for a daughter and her family to approach a man for marriage.

And so, many beautiful, smart, educated, and talented women are waiting and waiting for Mr. Right to knock on their father’s door. It’s time to re-examine our value system, and not forbid or look down upon something approved of and practiced by the best man on the face of the earth and one of the best women in human history, mother of the believers, Khadijah.

If you are ready to consider an alternative option for seeking out Mr. Right, then first, I want to mention that there are rules to this pro-active approach. Here are some guidelines to follow:

1) Never initiate something without your Wali or Mahram having complete knowledge of what is going on. This protects you and the potential Mr. Right from ending up in a situation not pleasing to Allah. You want to go through this process in a Halaal and dignified manner.

2) Send someone you trust to ask on your behalf, without initially revealing your identity. This way, you know if the brother is even available before revealing your personal information. Ask the brother how you and your Wali can contact him. But communication should always go back to your Wali or Mahram.

3) Pray Istikharah. We ask Allah to guide us multiple times everyday in our Salah. But we are blessed to have a special Du’a for decisions.
The reality is that many brothers out there do want to get married, but feel there are so many hurdles to overcome to get there. The first hurdle is fearing rejection.
Women tend to think men always have their act all put together, but they have their own batch of insecurities and fears. It may make things easier for a man to consider you when he already knows you are interested. And if he isn’t, he will be more confident in pursuing the right person for him in the future.

But what about you? Doesn’t this put you on the line to face rejection? Of course it does. You have two choices: Do nothing, and wait, and handle the challenges of just waiting, which is fine if this is the path you want to take. Or be pro-active in searching your Mr. Right and handle the challenges of asking.
We don’t sit and wait for things to come to us in any other aspect of life or worship. Marriage doesn’t have to be an exception. Because Khadijah asked, so can you.

Judging Others

As Muslims, the default assumption we should have about other people in any matter is that they are free of blame. Islam demands fairness and impartiality when it comes to judging others.

Allah says:
"And when you speak, then be just, though it be (against) a relative."
[Noble Quran 6:152]

He also says:
"O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of any people make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do." [Noble Quran 5:8]

It is wrong for a person to accuse anyone else of something wrong except with full knowledge and tangible proof.

It is forbidden to base a judgment against someone on hearsay, conjecture or suspicion.
Allah says:
"O you who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest you harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what you have done." [Noble Quran 49:5]

He also warns us:
"O you who believe! Shun much suspicion; for lo! Some suspicion is a sin."
[Noble Quran 49:12]

In those cases where one is compelled to mention another persons faults, it is best to mention that persons good points as well. It is wrong to exaggerate the importance of the persons error or stress the fault too much, especially if it is possible that the error was an honest mistake or in a matter where the truth is not 100% clear.

If a persons error is clearly manifest and established by solid evidence, then it is not wrong to warn people against the error and clarify the truth. However, that correction must be carried out appropriately, in a gentle manner that does not drive people away. The mistake itself should be corrected without delving into anything beyond that. For example, the person who made the mistake should not be accused of having bad intentions or an evil motive.

Adth-Dthahabi, speaking about the mistakes of the scholars, said the following: [Siyar al-Alam al-Nubala' (14/374)]:

If we were to discredit every person who made mistake in judgment or declare those people as innovators - people who are essentially of good faith and sincerely seek the truth - then scarcely would any of our scholars be spared.