Ajwa Khajoor

 

Only after the last tree has been cut down, Only after the last river has been poisoned, Only after the last fish has been caught, Only then will you find money cannot be eaten. ~ Cree Prophecy ~ sohni_paki@yahoo.com

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HADEES - Ramadan - 7

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Hope u all are well with the grace of ALLAH ALMIGHTY, that's my last email for Sub : Ramadan [1 - 8] Total Slides 43 
[My Next Email will be all in one 43 Slides] 

IN SHA ALLAH will continue this Ramadan Ahadees..!


Need your precious Dua's for me, my family
and my father who is not with us !

Kind Thoughts

 

May this be the day when it all comes together: *Happiness in your heart *Serenity in your soul *Success in all the things you do *Time enough to reach for your dreams *Patience to see you through *Inner beauty * An open mind * Days that you find you're feeling wonderful * Confidence, strong and lasting * Strength to do what needs to be done * Believing in tomorrow *Living in today * Knowing the right way is the only way *Clearing out the confusion * Facing the facts * Not being afraid * Never giving up * Finding hope in hard-to-find places *Putting smiles on other people's faces * Knowing when to talk * And knowing when to listen * Standing by the truth * Being firm in your commitments * Using your insight to set you right * Going from rock bottom to mountain top *Learning from mistakes * Understanding the greatness within * Looking for the good that is always there * Sharing the things that need to be shared * Remembering that it can all be a puzzle *But solving problems is one of the sweetest joys of life * You can always pick up the pieces * And you can always make things right. Only after the last tree has been cut down, Only after the last river has been poisoned, Only after the last fish has been caught, Only then will you find money cannot be eaten.~ Cree Prophecy ~ sohni_paki@yahoo.com

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Golden Words of advice for Ramadan from Shaykh Ibn Baaz

 

Words of advice for Ramadhaan

Question:

What words of guidance do you have for the Muslim ummah, on the occasion of the month of Ramadhaan?

Response:

In the name of Allaah, all praise is to Allaah alone, and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions and whoever is guided (aright) by his guidance.

HADEES- Ramadan - 6

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Attitude leads to Altitude!!!

Attitude leads to Altitude!!!

Ayoob was the kind of person who would always amaze you. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"

He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Ayoob was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day Ayoob was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Ayoob and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"

Ayoob replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, ' Ayoob, Allah has given you two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.' I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.

"Yes, it is," Ayoob said. "Life is all about choices Allah has given us. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: Allah has given you an option how you live your life!"

I reflected on what Ayoob said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life before reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that Ayoob did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Alhamdulillah , Ayoob was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local hospital's trauma centre.

After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Ayoob was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body.

I saw Ayoob about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "Alhamdulillah , Allah is so Great and so Merciful" and then he added "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?"

I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Ayoob replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that Allah had given me two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live. By the Will and Acceptence of Allah I choose to live and Allah accepted my dua"

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.

Ayoob continued, "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, 'He's a dead man.'

"I knew I needed to take action."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"Well, there was a big, burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Ayoob. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Bullets!' Over their laughter, I told them. 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."

Ayoob lived thanks to Allah who made available skilled doctors at this critical moment and also because of his amazing attitude that Allah had given him. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

Attitude, after all, is so important! We may not be feeling happy or at ease at the moment, however we can still show a smile on our face or share a few friendly words and kind gestures. Often times, it is simply our attitudes that can influence someone or inspire someone to seek Islam(peace acquired by submitting to the will of Allaah). It is so paramount to live in obedience to Allah, but it is not just the service to others and the code we follow that we must keep in check, it is also the attitude we carry along with all of our actions. It only takes a second to affect a person in a bad or good way, and this may very well depend not on your actions or deeds, but simply upon the attitude you have at that second. If you carry a frown walking into a house where there are guests, they may feel un-welcomed. The frown may only last a few moments, but that will be long enough to leave a bad impression on some hearts.

*

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has said: "Almighty Allah says, 'I treat my slave (man) according to his expectations from Me, and I am with him when he remembers me" [Hadith-qudsi]  

A good positive Attitude in this world will raise you to a high Altitude in Jannah( Paradise)!!! InshaAllah

What must be done

 

   

Is it really so difficult to do what must be done? It's not

Difficult at all, when you stop fighting against it.

One little step will get you started, and once you're

Started, you become interested and invested. Once you're

Started, momentum begins to give you a push that becomes

Stronger with each effort.

Instead of putting off what you know must be done, what if

You could somehow get yourself to be positively enthusiastic

About it? You absolutely can, because you can choose how you

Wish to feel about anything.

It is indeed a privilege to be able to make good and useful

Things happen. It is a blessing to be in the position to

Undertake effective effort.

The genuine satisfaction in your life comes when you know

You're making a difference. And whatever it is in your world

That must be done, is your opportunity to make that

Difference.

Go beyond intending, go beyond planning, go beyond wishing,

And go beyond saying you need to get it done. Dive in, go to

Work, make something happen and be the positive, dynamic

Difference that makes you feel so wonderfully alive.

~Ralph Marston~

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An Introduction to Polygamy in Islam

 

   

Description: A glimpse of the concept of polygamy in Islam.

Islam Did Not Initiate PolygamyIslam did not introduce polygamy.
Among all Eastern nations of antiquity, polygamy was a recognized institution.
Among the Hindus, polygamy prevailed from the earliest times.
There was, as among the ancient Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians, no restriction
as to the number of wives a man might have.
Although Greece and Rome were not polygamous societies, concubinage was a norm[1].

Islam regulated polygamy by limiting the number of wives and bringing
responsibility to its practice.
In fact, according to David Murray, an anthropologist, historically polygamy is
more common than monogamy.[2]

Polygamy Practiced by God's Prophets The great Hebrew patriarchs equally revered by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - Abraham, Moses,
Jacob, David, and Solomon, to name a few – were polygamous. According to the Bible:

Abraham had three wives (Genesis 16:1, 16:3, 25:1)

Moses had two wives (Exodus 2:21, 18:1-6; Numbers 12:1)

Jacob had four wives (Genesis 29:23, 29:28, 30:4, 30:9)

David had at least 18 wives (1 Samuel 18:27, 25:39-44; 2 Samuel 3:3, 3:4-5, 5:13, 12:7-8, 12:24, 16:21-23)

Solomon had 700 wives (1 Kings 11:3). [3]

The example of Jesus, who otherwise overlooked polygamy, is irrelevant as he did not

marry during his earthly ministry.

Marriage in IslamMarriage is a legal arrangement in Islam, not a sacrament in the Christian sense, and is secured with a contract.
Islamic marriage lays rights and corresponding responsibilities on each spouse.
Children born in wedlock are given legitimacy and share in inheritance from their parents.

The primary purpose of marriage in Islam is regulating sexuality within marriage as well as creating
an atmosphere for the continuity and extension of the family. This is in sharp contrast to growing trends
on marriage in the West. In recent decades, there are more alternatives to marriage than ever before.
Cohabitation - living together outside of marriage - has greatly increased among young, never-married adults,
as well as the divorced. More American women are having children outside of marriage, ignoring the traditionally
sanctioned sequence of marriage followed by childbearing.

Polygamy in the QuranThe Muslim scripture, the Quran, is the only known world scripture to explicitly limit polygamy
and place strict restrictions upon its practice:

"… marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that
you shall not be able to deal justly with them, then only one." (Quran 4:3)

The Quran limited the maximum number of wives to four. In the early days of Islam,
those who had more than four wives at the time of embracing Islam were required to divorce the extra wives.
Islam further reformed the institution of polygamy by requiring equal treatment to all wives.
The Muslim is not permitted to differentiate between his wives in regards to sustenance and expenditures, time,
and other obligations of husbands. Islam does not allow a man to marry another woman
if he will not be fair in his treatment.

Prophet Muhammad forbade discrimination between the wives or between their children.

Also, marriage and polygamy in Islam is a matter of mutual consent.
No one can force a woman to marry a married man. Islam simply permits polygamy;
it neither forces nor requires it. Besides, a woman may stipulate that her husband must not
marry any other woman as a second wife in her prenuptial contract.

The point that is often misunderstood in the West is that women in other cultures - especially
African and Islamic - do not necessarily look at polygamy as a sign of women's degradation.
Consequently, to equate polygamy with degrading women is an ethnocentric judgment of other societies.

Even though we see the clear permissibility of polygamy in Islam, its actual practice is quite rare in

many Muslim societies.
Some researchers estimate no more than 2% of the married males practice polygamy.[4]

Footnotes: [1] "About the only important peoples of ancient times that showed little or no traces of it [(polygamy)]
were the Greeks and the Romans. Nevertheless, concubinage, which may be regarded as a higher form of polygamy,
or at least as nearer to pure monogamy, was for many centuries recognized by the customs and even by the legislation
of these two nations." The Catholic Encyclopedia: (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09693a.htm)

[2] Cheryl Wetzstein, "Traditionalists Fear Same-Sex Unions Legitimize Polygamy,"
The Washington Times 13 Dec. 2000.

[3] For a detailed list of biblical figures who practiced polygamy, you may visit:
(http://www.biblicalpolygamy.com/).

[4] Dr. Jumah al-Kholy, 'Ta'addud al-Zawjaat wa Hikmatuhu fil Islam,' (Multiple Marriages In Islam & It's Wisdom),
Journal of the Islamic University of Medina, vol. 46, 222-231.

[5] The most recent definitive survey on sexual behavior shows that 20 percent of women and up to 35 percent of men
have been at one time or another unfaithful to their spouses (Sex in Marriage, Little, Brown and Co., 1994, page 105).
Another survey shows that adultery is as common among Christians as non-Christians.
Christianity Today magazine surveyed its subscribers and found that 23 percent admitted to having had
extramarital intercourse.
The Lutheran Church: Missouri Synod (http://old.dcs.lcms.org/family/Content%5Cdoc_articles%5C409.doc) 

Most Muslim men feel they cannot afford the expense of maintaining more than one family.
Even those who are financially capable of looking after additional families are often reluctant
due to the psychological burdens of handling more than one wife.
One can safely say that the number of polygamous marriages in the Muslim world is much less
than the number of extramarital affairs in the West[5].

In other words, contrary to prevalent notion, men in the Muslim world today
are more strictly monogamous than men in the Western world.

Islam is criticized for allowing polygamy, for popular culture in the West views polygamy as
relatively backward and impoverished. For many Christians, it is a license to promiscuity,
and feminists consider it a violation of women's rights and demeaning to women.
A crucial point that needs to be understood is that for Muslims, standards of morality are not
set by prevalent Western thought, but by divine revelation.
A few simple facts should be borne in mind before any talk of polygamy in Islam.

The Recitation of the Holy Qur'an and its Excellence !!!

I. Hadrat 'Uthman reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, "The best among you is he who learns and teaches the Qur'an." [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 2, Page752]

II. Hadrat Mu'adh al-Juhani reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, "Whoever recited the Qur'an and acts according to its contents, on the Day of Resurrection his parents will be given to wear a crown whose light is better than the light of the sun in the dwellings of this world if it were among you. So what do you think of him who acts according to this?!" [Musnad aHmad, Vol 4, Page 446]

III. Hadrat ibn Mas'ud reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, "Whoever recites a letter of the Book of Allah (the Qur'an) he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a tenfold reward. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem are one letter; but Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter and Meem is a letter." [Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol 2, Page 119 - Sunan Daarimi, Vol 2, Page 320] 

There are 361, 267 letters in total in the Holy Qur'an. Thus, upon the recitation of the whole Qur'an one shall receive 3,212,670 rewards (good deeds).

IV. Hadrat Bara' reported that when a man was reciting Surah al-Kahf, with a horse tied up with two ropes at his side, a cloud overshadowed him, and as it began to come nearer and nearer his horse began to jump. He went and mentioned that to the Holy Prophet in the morning who said, "That was the sakinah which came down because of the recitation of the Holy Qur'an." [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 2, Page 749 - Sahih Muslim, Vol 1, Page 268]

V. Hadrat Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that Hadrat Usaid ibn Huzair said that one night, when he was reciting Surah al-Baqarah with his horse tied beside him, it started jumping. But when he stopped reciting it also kept quiet. When he again resumed recitation it again started jumping. So he again stopped reciting and it also kept quiet. Then he again recited and the horse again started jumping. So he finished reciting, for his son Yahya was near it and he was afraid it might injure him. When he had moved him back, he raised his head to the sky and saw something like a canopy with what seemed to be lamps in it; and when he told the Holy Prophet of it in the morning he said, "you should have kept on reciting, O Ibn-e-Huzair, you should have kept on reciting." He said, "I was afraid, O Messenger of Allah that it might trample on Yahya who was near it, so I went to him, and when I raised my head to the sky and saw something like a canopy with what seemed to be lamps in it, I went out but could not see them." He asked, "Do you know what it was?" He said, "I do not." He said, "Those were the angels who had drawn near to listen to your voice. If you had continued reciting, the people would have looked at them in the morning and the angles would not have concealed themselves from the people." [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 2, Page 750 - Sahih Muslim, Vol 1, Page 269]

Power Foods During Ramadan

 

Power Foods During Ramadan

Do you find it difficult to have a balanced food intake during Ramadan? Try out some of Sumaiya Latif's healthy recipes

for Sahur (pre-dawn meal).

RAMADAN AWAITS OUR encounter. Muslims all over the world will unite to sight the new moon. There is excitement as the families come together to rejoice in this beautiful month, whilst mums still contemplate on what to prepare for the dawn meal and Iftar the next day. Rising before the sun and preparing a meal before dawn can be a challenge for many, and our graceful mothers are worthy of thanks and abundant rewards for this task. Let us explore ways to boost your vitality as well as keep

your energy levels soaring to ensure you and your families are happy and healthy throughout the days during this beautiful awaited month of Ramadan.

The Prophet's Advice on Sahur

Anas (pbuh) quoted the Prophet (Pbuh) as saying, "(Make sure to) have your sahur meal, for sahur is blessed." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Amr ibn Al-`Aas quoted the Prophet (Pbuh) saying, "The difference between our fasting and that of the People of the Book is the sahur meal." (Muslim)

Can't stomach the Pre-Dawn Meal?

Many people find it challenging to have a meal immediately upon rising. This is often due to sluggish liver function and lack of bile secretion and digestive juices. To alleviate this, add a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice in a little warm water and drink just before the meal.

Here are some healthy options for theSahur meal:

Smoothie Power Sahur

This would be ideal for people who find it hard to eat in the mornings. This will provide a filling, nutritious drink that will provide energy throughout the day.

Option 1:

• 2 scoops protein powder with full amino acid profile (available at health food stores)

• 1 banana

• 2 tbsp of nuts and seeds of choice (linseeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, sesame & pumpkin seeds)

• ¼ cup rolled oats (cooked)

• 1 tbsp plain unsweetened yogurt

• 1 cup milk (cow's milk, soy milk, almond milk or coconut milk)

• Add honey or blackstrap molasses to sweeten

• Blend together in a food processor

The Low Glycaemic Index (GI)  Sahur

This may be beneficial for people who have a tendency to feel tired, dizzy or thirsty during the days, even when not fasting. Foods with a low GI help stabilize blood glucose levels by regulating insulin production and release. Insulin is responsible for uptake of glucose into the cells for energy. When we eat foods that are high in sugars, the body produces excess insulin to transport the glucose molecules into the cells for energy production. This causes a sharp rise and decline in insulin levels, which also causes a rapid rise and fall in blood glucose levels shortly after, resulting in less energy/fatigue. Visit the website: www.glycemicindex.com for more information.

Option 2: Low GI

• Oats (Raw, cooked with water) or muesli with fresh berries (raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries) and plain yogurt, sprinkled with cinnamon.

• One serve of fresh fruit (apple, mango, pear, kiwi, pawpaw).

• Herbal Tea (Rooibos/ Redbush or Chamomile Tea) with honey to taste.

Protein Power Sahur ~

Wholesome & Hearty

The best option to satisfy hungry tummies in the morning, protein provides a stable source of energy and promotes satiety which keeps you feeling full for longer. Eggs are a great source of protein and are suitable for most.

The myth around eggs and cholesterol has been nullified since research has shown it beneficial to include both, even in the diet of people with elevated cholesterol levels (provided they are not fried).

Option 3:

• 2 egg Omelette or Frittata – add fresh chopped tomato, mushroom, capsicum, onion and chopped fresh herbs (basil & parsley) and enjoy with a warm wholemeal tortilla wrap or serve cut into wedges

• Poached – with toasted wholegrain bread and smoked salmon with cream cheese

• Soft boiled eggs with soldiers (toasted multigrain bread cut into fingers)

• Hard boiled eggs with toast (Rye bread/Burgen Soy&Linseed/ Vogel Honey& Oat)

• Avoid processed spreads, jam and margarine, which contain trans fats.

• Healthy Spreads include: butter, mashed avocado, hummus (chickpea spread), tahini (sesame seed spread) or cottage cheese.

So take your pick and start your day with sahur the healthy way!