Actions Speak Louder Than Words!

On one occasion, Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) came to visit the Muslim ruler, Haaroon Rasheed. Escorting Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) was Siraaj, the attendant of Haaroon Rasheed. (While they waited for Haaroon Rasheed to see them,) Siraaj bade Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) to sit by Abu ‘Abdis Samad, who was the tutor of the children of Haaroon Rasheed.

Siraaj then said to Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah), “O Abu ‘Abdillah! These are the children of Ameerul Mu-mineen and he (Abu ‘Abdis Samad) is their tutor. Why do you not give him some advice in regard to their upbringing?”

Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) turned to Abu ‘Abdis Samad, the royal tutor responsible for the upbringing of the ruler’s children, and among the valuable advices which he gave him was the following:

Three Levels of Evil

 Moosa bin Abi ‘Isa (rahimahullah) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “What will be your condition (O Ummah!), when your youth will sin openly, and your womenfolk will transgress (the limits of the sharee‘ah)?” (Hearing this,) the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) exclaimed, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Will that actually transpire (i.e. will such dire times actually dawn upon the Ummah)?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Yes, and even worse (will occur)!”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “What will be your condition (O Ummah!) when you will not command with righteousness and forbid from evil?” (Hearing this,) the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) exclaimed, “Will that actually transpire (i.e. will this Ummah ever reach such a pitiable state)?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Yes, and even worse (will occur)!”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “What will be your condition (O Ummah!) when you will regard evil to be good, and good to be evil?” (Al-Zuhd libnil Mubaarak #1376)

In the hadeeth above, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) forewarned the Ummah of three levels of evil that will face them close to Qiyaamah.

The first level of evil is where the youth of the Ummah will begin to sin openly, and the womenfolk of the Ummah will transgress all bounds of the sharee‘ah. This is undoubtedly apparent at present, as we see many Muslim youth, on a daily basis, committing sins openly and brazenly, without any qualms, such as driving around while blasting music from their vehicles, dating openly, etc.

Similarly, the condition of the Muslim women of the Ummah has deteriorated drastically with the degradation of hayaa and modesty. Hence, many Muslim women feel no shame in casually interacting and communicating with non-mahram men, and leaving the home while dressed attractively with their faces and hair open.

The second level of evil is where people will neglect commanding with good and forbidding from evil. Unfortunately, this has also become rife and apparent. For example, many parents are aware that their sons and daughters are dating and are involved in zina, yet they turn a blind eye. Similarly, many people will not wish to correct and advise the next person as they will fear that their relationship with that person may be spoiled. Hence, many people will neglect their Deeni obligation in favour of preserving their friendships and relationships with people.

The third level of evil is where people will begin to regard good as evil, and evil as good. Most lamentably, this evil is also clear in today’s times. When those who have love for Deen in their hearts fulfil their Deeni obligation of commanding with righteousness and forbidding from evil, then others criticize them, speak against them and accuse them of being intolerant and unaccommodating. When pious women wish to observe purdah and refrain from attending mixed functions, then they are criticized for ‘breaking family ties’. These are just two examples of the good being viewed as the evil.

However, equally dangerous is where evil is viewed as good. Hence, we find that while people would previously acknowledge that dating and premarital relationships are haraam, and if any person was involved in such a relationship, he would not justify it – yet nowadays people actively encourage it! There are even certain parents who insist that the boy and girl must meet and date before marriage in order to ‘get to know each other’ (innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilaihi raaji‘oon).

Similar to this is the case of LGBTQ+ relationships. While this filthy concept has always been haraam in Islam and was always disgusted by Muslims – it is only now that certain Muslims are claiming that they have the right to indulge in this filth, and they demand that they must be accommodated, accepted and supported for ‘what they are’.

Therefore, the time has come where evil is no longer viewed as evil, and good is no longer viewed as good.

This is one of the most dangerous of evils of all, as regarding halaal to be haraam and haraam to be halaal can cause a person to lose their imaan and leave the fold of Islam. Even in the case where a person does not lose their imaan, they will never engage in taubah and repent on account of them not regarding the wrong to be evil. As a result, they will have to face the severe consequences for their actions in the Hereafter.  

We beg Allah Ta‘ala to safeguard us and our progenies from these evils, aameen.

Do Not Abandon Hijab for Your Future Husband!

 Ladies, you need to understand that a potential spouse who asks you to abandon hijab is not going to make a good Muslim husband or father.

In the past week alone, I have heard of three separate cases in which a practicing Muslim woman, who observes hijab, has been told by a potential suitor that he’d like her to stop covering her hair for him to consider marrying her.

Subhan Allah!

What on earth has happened to these men? How did they end up falling so low?

Common Underlying Issues

There are three problems that are often underlying issues with when it comes to such a man:

1. He is weak in his din, i.e., he is not an observant, practicing Muslim. Either he doesn’t know that hijab is wajib (obligatory); or he does know but he doesn’t care. He does not have the will or strength to obey Allah or respect the limits of Allah.

Your Kids Are Always Listening: A Funny Story

 During a car ride the other day, my husband and I were having a conversation as he drove. He recited some lines from an ancient Arabic poem, one of the معلقات (poems hung on the Ka`ba by ancient Arabs of Quraysh). The author, he told me, was a man named القيس, Al-Qays.

It turned into a tangent about ancient Arab names, because I said, “Qays is such a common ancient Arab name. Reminds me of the very common category of names of that time that are in the diminutive form, like حُسَيْن (Husayn, which is the diminutive form of Hasan) or عُمَيْر (`Umayr, diminutive form of Umar).”

My husband added, “Or عُبَيْد, `Ubayd (diminutive form of `Abd) or even the name of the people of قُرَيْش, Quraysh itself (diminutive form of Qarsh).”

Separating Mothers from Newborn Babies: The Ugliness of the Secular-Liberal System

 

As a mother myself, who also currently has an infant right around the same age⁠ of 6 weeks⁠ old, my heart truly aches for this Western mother.

This is a non-Muslim American mother who only just had a baby several weeks ago. She is miserable and frantic with stress, unable to come to terms with the bleak fate that soon awaits her:

Leaving her helpless beloved tiny new baby in daycare so she can go back to work at a paid job. Mom and baby must part ways mere weeks after birth.

This mother’s words of pain and worry could make anyone feel depressed⁠—her infant daughter has been breastfed for all six weeks of her life and does not drink from a bottle. But now, the baby must learn to either accept drinking milk from a bottle or starve. Since the mom is forced to work, the baby is forced to adapt and learn to use a bottle, no longer able to depend on her mother’s breast for sustenance. The mother is sick with anxiety, because whenever she’s tried to give her baby daughter a bottle, she has “gagged, spit up, cried and flailed” every single time. How will this baby eat without her mother?

Digital Cocaine: 10 Reasons to Keep Your Children Away from Screens

I’m a firm believer in a strong no-screen policy for kids.

No TV. No iPhone. No iPad. No laptop.

No screens of any kind, especially before the age of 2.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents “place a reasonable limit on entertainment media” and not allow any screen time for children under 2. Despite these recommendations, however, according to a 2010 study by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, kids between the ages of 8 and 18 spend around 7½ hours using entertainment media per day:

A national survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that with technology allowing nearly 24-hour media access as children and teens go about their daily lives, the amount of time young people spend with entertainment media has risen dramatically, especially among minority youth. Today, 8-18 year-olds devote an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes (7:38) to using entertainment media across a typical day (more than 53 hours a week). And because they spend so much of that time ‘media multitasking’ (using more than one medium at a time), they actually manage to pack a total of 10 hours and 45 minutes (10:45) worth of media content into those 7.

That is a lot of time being spent in front of a screen. And for this reason, I know that, in the current day and age, my no-screen stance may perhaps seem very odd. But I’m good with that. (Partially because, alhamdulillah, as a kid I myself grew up without TV.)

You may be asking yourself right about now:

Well, what exactly is so bad about screens?

So, let’s explore exactly that.

1. Decreased Attention Span

Screens provide fast-paced flashing images, which is correlated with shorter attention spans. Continuous exposure to such flashing images continuously erodes the attention span of children.

And then we see rising rates of ADHD diagnoses.

2. Less Reading

Screens end up becoming the primary source of entertainment, such that the more sedate forms like reading, drawing, writing, puzzles, etc., become boring in comparison.

TV presents an exciting extravaganza of lights and sounds. Books just remain still.

Why bother reading a book when it requires the child to use their imagination and expend their the mental energy in order to conjure up images in their minds of the story being read? Instead, the child can just sit back and watch as images that have been created for them parade themselves across a screen?

Reading thus becomes arduous and taxing in comparison.

TV is so much easier. Being active is now like a chore.

The Importance of Playing with Your Children

Play with your children.

I know you’re busy, and also tired, and likely grumpy, and often stressed, and probably sleep deprived. Parents usually are all of the above, including me.

But your kids need your attention, your active, loving, concentrated, playful attention, in small but daily doses.

Play translates to love.

Children learn best through play, and they also bond through play. When you play with your children, you show them that their parents are accessible, reachable, receptive. They feel loved, cared for, excited, stimulated. Their eyes sparkle with mischief and their hearts race with exhilaration and their cognitive ability generally improves. Some of the best memories of our childhood include memories of playing with our parents.

Play is not a luxury for children. It’s a necessity.

So play with them! Here are some quick, easy ideas:

Make silly faces.

Chase them around the room/ house.

Say nonsense made-up words. Repeatedly.

Catch them and tickle them.

Create ridiculous fictional characters for you and them to be.

Pretend to be a baby and have your baby be your mama/baba. Be a terribly annoying baby. (Payback time! 

Wrestle with them.

Have a pillow / stuffed-animal fight.

Make up implausible stories.

These are some of the favorites at our house. What kinds of silly games do your kids love?

By:Umm Khalid (MuslimSkeptic)

The Satanic Investment

Sayyiduna Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:

Iblees places his throne upon the water (i.e. on the ocean). Thereafter, he deputes the various units of his armies (throughout the world to misguide people). The Shaitaan who has the closest position to Iblees is the one who causes the most mischief. One Shaitaan comes to Iblees and says, “I did this and this (e.g. I prompted someone to steal, etc.).” However, Iblees replies, “You did not do anything (remarkable).” Thereafter, another shaitaan comes to Iblees and says, “I continued to make effort on a certain man until I managed to separate him from his wife (i.e. causing marital problems).” Hearing this, Iblees (becomes overjoyed,) brings him close to him, hugs him and says, “What an excellent thing you have done. ” (Saheeh Muslim #7106)

From all the different wrongs that a person can become involved in, one of the wrongs that is most pleasing to Iblees is that of marital discord. The reason is that this wrong is not an isolated one – rather it unleashes in its wake a whole host of other wrongs.

9️⃣ Powerful Benefits of Istighfar

Istighfar means to seek the forgiveness of Allah Ta’ala from negligence and disobedience, by the means of both the tongue and the heart.

1️⃣. Compliance to and Fulfillment of Allah’s Command
“ And seek Allah’s forgiveness. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. ”
(Qurʾan: 73:20)

2️⃣. Protection from Punishments
 “ Allah will not punish them while they seek [God’s] forgiveness.” –
(Qurʾan: 8:33)

3️⃣. Allah Ta’ala’s Bounties and Mercy
“ Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Ever-Forgiving. He will send rain to you in abundance, increase you in wealth, children, orchards and rivers. ”
(Qurʾan: 71:10-12)
“ Why do you not seek forgiveness with God, so that you may receive [His] mercy?” 
(Qurʾan: 27:46)

4️⃣. Relief from Worry and Stress
 “If anyone continually asks pardon, God will appoint for them a way out of every distress, a relief from every anxiety, and will provide for them from where they cannot imagine.” 
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Ibn Mājah)

"Super Foods"…for Ramadaan

By Umme Faatimah (B.Dietetics Univ. of Pretoria) 

The modern world has swept us off our feet in so many ways… our dressing, our lifestyles and most noticeably our eating habits. We have so casually adapted the western culture of unhealthy eating, moving further and further away from the Noble teachings of the Quraan and Sunnah of The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him).

Yet, the newest nutritional research continues to discover the benefits of certain foods, labelled as "Super Foods". They have also unravelled the great benefits of certain eating habits, such as washing the hands before and after meals, eating with the hands, drinking in 3 sips…just to mention a few. However, all of this has already been outlined in the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah more than 1400 years ago.

We are certainly the losers if we do not make an effort to practice upon the Sunnah in our homes and kitchens. What better time to bring about these changes than now? Our beautiful Deen offers us the opportunity during the beautiful month of Ramadhaan, to bring about positive changes in our lives- changes that benefit us mentally, physically and spiritually which Insha Allah (Allah Willing) can be sustained for the future.

Physically, fasting gives the digestive system a much needed rest. Energy normally used for digestion is now directed to body detoxification, tissue repair and system healing.

With that in mind I have chosen to highlight just a few of the favourite foods of our Noble Messenger (Peace be upon him). With the special month of Ramadhaan fast approaching, we can all ensure we have these foods on our shopping lists. InshaAllah, by us adopting the lifestyle of The Noble Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) we will be rewarded enormously.