Ramadhan Q & A

Assalamo Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatahu

Inshallah you are all in the best state of health and Imaan. Jumma Mubarak to you all and as always try and spend as much time as possible sending darood and salaam upon Nabi SAW. As mentioned last week recite Allahuma Sallay Ala Muhammadin Abdika Wa Nabiyika Wa Rasoolikan Nabiyyil Ummiyi. Reciting this darood and salaam upon Nabi SAW 80 times on Friday takes away 80 years of sin.


Inshallah you found the khutbah on the importance of Ramadhan informative. It is important to go through some of the questions that we normally ask but have no-one to answer them for us. It is unfortunate of the times we live in, is that there is a masjid on every corner but no one there to answer our call, except of course Allah SWT.

Q: Is taking a meal before commencing a fast (suhur) necessary in order for a fast to be valid?
A: No, Suhur is not necessary. However, it is a virtuous act of Sunnah that should not be missed unnecessarily.



Q: What time does Suhur begin?
A: One can take Suhur any time after midnight, but it is more advisable to take it in the latter hours of the night, preferably just before the break of true dawn (al-Fajr al-Sadiq).



Q: Is an intention for fasting necessary and when should one make the intention (niyyah) for the fast of Ramadhan?
A: The intention for fasting is necessary but very simple: It is to know in your heart that you will fast that day. It is valid to have this intention any time from Maghrib the night before up to the Islamic midday of the actual day of fasting, for current Ramadhan fasts and voluntary fasts. The Islamic midday is half way between the beginning of Fajr and Maghrib times. (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya). This means that you can go to sleep not intending to fast the next day. But when you wake up in the morning you can make your niyyat then even though sunrise has come in and your fast will still be valid as long as you have not eaten, drunk or done anything else that would normally invalidate your fast.


Q: Can a man have sexual intercourse with his wife during the nights of Ramadhan?
A: Yes, it is permitted to have sexual intercourse with one’s spouse during the nights of Ramadhan. However, one must stop before the break of dawn (al-Fajr al-Sadiq). It will also be permitted to take the obligatory ritual bath of purification after one has started one’s fast.



Q: Is it permissible to kiss and caress one’s wife whilst fasting?
A: Non-sexual affectionate kissing, from which there is no fear of leading to intercourse or ejaculation, will be allowed and not disliked. However, if one fears that kissing will lead to ejaculation or sexual intercourse, then it will be disliked (makruh) to kiss, but one’s fast will remain valid as long as kissing does not lead to actual sexual intercourse or does not result in ejaculation. If kissing resulted in ejaculation, one’s fast would become invalid and hence will have to be made up (qadha), without having to expiate for it (kaffara). Passionate kissing when saliva is exchanged will invalidate one’s fast, with both Qadha and Kaffara necessary. (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, 1/200 & 1/204)



Q: Does a fast break when one swallows the saliva of one’s spouse?
A: Yes, if one is certain of swallowing one’s spouse’s saliva, then this would invalidate one’s fast and necessitate both a Qadha and Kaffara.



Q: If one kisses or caresses one’s spouse and consequently ejaculates, is one’s fast broken?
A: Yes, the fast is invalidated. However one will only have to make up for the fast (Qadha), and there will be no expiation (Kaffara) in this situation.



Q: What is the difference between a Qadha and Kaffara?
A: Qadha (makeup) means to keep another fast in order to make up for the fast which was invalidated, whilst Kaffara (expiation) means to perform an act to expatiate the sin of having broken a fast.



Q: In what way is a Kaffara fulfilled?
A: A Kaffara may be given in the following two ways: 1) Fasting for two months consecutively without missing a single fast, 2) Feeding sixty poor people. It should be remembered that if one has the ability to fast then one cannot adopt the second method; rather, one will have to fast for sixty days continuously.



Q: Does an injection invalidate one’s fast?
A: No, it does not invalidate one’s fast, although it is better to avoid taking injections whilst fasting unnecessarily.



Q: Does taking out blood or a blood test invalidate one’s fast?
A: No, a blood test does not invalidate the fast, as it is merely the taking out of blood. However, it will be disliked if it could weaken one from being able to maintain the fast.



Q: Does smoking invalidate one’s fast?
A: Yes, it does invalidate one’s fast. (Ramadhan is a good time to quit smoking forever!). Both makeup and kaffara will have to be done.


Q: Is it allowed to use an Asthma Pump during the Fast?
A: If one has a genuine medical need for an asthma pump that cannot be otherwise fulfilled, then it would be permitted to use it. However, it would break the fast and require that the fast be made up later (Qadha). This is because anything that has a perceptible body breaks the fast if it enters the body through a normal channel.



Q: When does vomiting break one’s fast?
A: Vomiting only breaks one’s fast if: a) one returns and swallows the vomit down the throat, or b) one vomits a mouthful intentionally. It is not broken by non-deliberate vomiting or (deliberately) vomiting less than a mouthful. If one’s fast is broken by vomiting, then one will only have to make up (qadha) for the fast, a Kaffara will not be necessary.



Q: How does one decide when vomiting is a mouthful?
A: The definition of “mouthful vomiting” is that which one cannot hold back in one’s mouth without difficulty.


Q: Can one fast whilst travelling?
A: Yes, one may fast while travelling. However one should not burden oneself if the journey is long and difficult, for in such situations it is advisable not to fast.



Q: Can a woman on menstruation (haydh) or post-natal bleeding (nifas) fast?
A: No, she cannot fast. It will be unlawful (haram) for her to do so.



Q: Does a woman on menstruation (Haydh) or post-natal bleeding (Nifas) have to make up for the fasts missed?
A: Yes, she will have to make Qadha for the missed fasts.



Q: Does one have to perform the Qadha fasts immediately after Ramadhan?
A: No, it is not necessary. However, it is recommended to complete the missed fasts of Ramadhan as soon as possible. It is not permissible to fast on the day of Eid.


Q: When can a sick person break his/her fast on the opinion of a doctor?
A: When a competent Muslim doctor says that if he/she continues fasting, it will bring danger to his/her life or severely effect the health, then in such a situation it will be permitted to break one’s fast. One will not be liable for a Kaffara but will only have to make up for the fast (Qadha).



Q: Is it permissible to insert medicine through a female’s private part during a fast?
A: Any form of medicine inserted into the internal part of a woman’s private part will invalidate her fast.



Q: Does tasting food by the one cooking invalidate the fast?
A: This is disliked but will not break the fast, especially if the woman has a harsh husband or if they are cooking for a large group of people.


Q: Can one use miswaak during fasting?
A: It is permissible to use miswaak during fasting and this does not invalidate the fast.


Q: Can one use toothpaste during fasting?
A: It is disliked to use toothpaste during fasting, but this would not invalidate the fast.


Q: Does bleeding invalidate the fast?
A: No bleeding does not invalidate the fast but depending on the nature of the bleed will invalidate the wudhu.


Q: Does gargling or snuffing the nose break the fast?
A: If water goes down the throat or up the nose and the person in conscious of the fast then the fast will break. Only makeup fast will be required. This is why the scholars recommend that you do not over gargle/snuff the nose when fasting.


Q: Does putting oil in the ear invalidate the fast?
A: If it goes past the ear drum then it breaks the fast if it doesn’t then it is ok. Only makeup fast will be required.


Q: Does swallowing blood invalidate the fast?
A: Yes, if the colour of the blood is more than the saliva with which it is mixed with. It is important that if you have weak gums that are prone to bleeding especially using the miswaak then you should be extra careful. Only makeup fast will be required.


Q: If one accidently eats after suhur or before iftaar because they can not deteremine the time. Will this invalidate the fast?
A: Yes, it is very important to close and open your fast on time. Many of us continue to eat even after the Fajr salah start time has come in. This is wrong and the fast has already been invalidated. This is a lesson to us all that we should get into a habit of closing our fast 5-10 mins before Fajr comes in. If one made this mistake of eating during the core time of the fast then only makeup fast will be required.


Q: Will chewing on the pen break my fast?
A: It is disliked to chew on anything that does not reach the stomach. But this will not invalidate the fast.



Q: Will drinking medicine invalidate my fast?
A: Yes, drinking any kind of medicine will break the fast. If done intentionally and one was not seriously sick then both makeup and kaffara will be required.


Q: Will rubbing hair/oil in the hair or body invalidate the fast?
A: No.


Q: Will my fast be invalidated if a fly, mosquito, dust or any object unintentionally goes down my throat?
A: No


Q: Will applying surma/kuhl invalidate my fast?
A: No.


Q: Will applying itr or perfume invalidate the fast?
A: No. But it is not permitted to inhale the smoke of Loban or agarbatti or the smoke of cigarettes.


Q: Will water entering the ears break my fast?
A: No.


The list of questions and answers above in not exhaustive but Inshallah they are a good basis of some of the dilemmas that we face. May Allah SWT grant acceptance to all our efforts in this Blessed month, Ameen.


Assalamo Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatahu
Rahil

A scholar once asked his student …

You have accompanied me for a long period of time, so what have you learnt?

He replied : "Eight things"

The first:

I looked at the creation and found that every person has something that is beloved to him, but when that person reaches his grave, his beloved would be separated from him. So I made the most beloved thing to me my righteous deeds, so that they may be with me in my grave.

The second:

I looked at the saying of Allah the Elevated:

…But as for him who feared standing before his Lord,and restrained himself from impure evil desires and lusts.Verily, Paradise will be his abode. Quran79:40-41

So I strove against my self, repelling desires and lusts from it until it settled upon obedience to Allah.

The Third:

I saw that whoever possessed something valuable would keep it in a safe and secure place, I then looked at the saying of Allah the Glorified:

Whatever is with you will come to an end, and whatever is with Allah will remain. Quran16:96

So whenever something of value came into my possession, I directed it to Him, so that it may remain for me with Him.

The Fourth:

I saw that people return to wealth, lineage and nobility, and they are all worthless, so I looked at the saying of Allah the Glorified:

the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Quran49:13

So I worked on attaining Taqwaa or righteousness so that I may be honorable with Allah.

The Fifth:

I saw that people envy each other, so I looked at the saying of the Elevated:

It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in the life of this world Quran 43:32

So I left envy and jealousy.

The Sixth:

I saw them taking each other as enemies, so I looked at the saying of the Glorified:

Surely, Shaytaan (Satan) is an enemy to you, so take (treat) him as an enemy Quran35:6

So I left their enmity and took Satan as my only enemy.

The Seventh:

I saw that they humiliate themselves in pursuing provision, so I looked at the saying of Allah the Glorified:

And no moving (living) creature is there on earth except that its provision is due from Allah. Quran 11:6

So I concentrated on what was due to Him from me, and left what was due to me to Him.

The Eighth:

I saw them dependent upon their trades, professions and health, so I depended upon Allah the Glorified.

And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him Quran 65:3


With Regards

A Big Thanks for the Person who composed this.

A Tearful Dua

Source - Ramazan Magazine

O Allah, O Karim,
Please have Mercy on me.
O Allah, O Karim,
Please forgive me
for the sins I committed in the past
and those I will commit in the future.


O Allah,
have Mercy on all the Muslimeen,
and guide them.
Guide me O Allah,
and guide my parents,
my siblings, my cousins,
my aunts and uncles,
my nephews and nieces and so forth.


O Allah,
I ask You
to strengthen my iman and those around me.
I ask You to soften my heart
and to soften the hearts of the Believers.
O Allah,
forgive me for my shortcomings,
for only You are Perfect.


O Allah,
Please Forgive me
if I ever got too wrapped in a matter
that I didn't have the time to utter Your Name.
O Allah,
Please Forgive me for all the salat I missed
because of ignorance or laziness,
Please Forgive me for all the fasts I didn't make up,
thinking it was "alright, since I fasted most of the days anyway."


O Allah,
Please Forgive me
for the quarter I never dropped
into the metal cup for the homeless man begging on the street.


O Allah,
Please spark the love of Islam in my heart
and in the hearts of every single Muslim
until it gets implanted in their children
and their childern's children and so on.


O Allah,
I ask that You help me for I am weak ´´
and will only grow stronger by Your Strength,
so Allah Please Strengthen me
to fight Shaitan and his whispers.
And if I ever fell into his trap
and followed my desire,
then sincerely forgive me,
for that displays not only my weakness,
but Your Greatness as well.


O Allah, Please lighten the punishment in the grave
for those before us and those after us.
Please Allah, lighten the punishment
and please shed light into every Muslim's grave.


O Allah, if I ever was too afraid
to stand up for Your Deen
because of what others would think,
then Forgive me, for I was a fool for doing so.


O Allah, Please Protect me and each Musilman,
and Protect especially the orphans and the widows.
O Allah, Please Strengthen the faith
of the destitute Muslims around the world,
so they have hope to live.


O Allah, if I ever forgot to do du'a
for even one suffering Muslim,
then Forgive me
for then it is as if I haven't done du'a
for the entire ummah.


O Allah,
Please be the Light of my eyes, ears and heart.
O Allah,
Please be the Light on the sides of me
and the Light behind me
and the light in front of me.


O Allah, Please Forgive me
for all the foul words I spoke
either out of ignorance or
because I was trying to be "cool."
O Allah, please forgive me
if I never stopped to think about You,
due to "other important things."


O Allah, Please Forgive me
for not having enough time
or creating time for reading the Qur'an.
O Allah, Please Forgive me
for listening to music
and watching movies and t.v.
O Allah, please forgive me
for all the yelling I've done
and the arguments I've been in.
For the only time
the voice should be raised
is for Your Praises!


O Allah, Please Forgive me
for my disrespect towards my family,
elders, siblings and so on.
O Allah, Please Forgive me
for any backbiting I have been accused of,
whether I did it consciously or unconsciously.


O Allah, Rab al-Alamin,
Forgive me,
Forgive me for everything.
So for everyone,
every single Muslim,
dead or alive,
I do du'a that you forgive them
for all their sins.


O Allah,
Please Please Please
help the suffering Muslims
of Kashmir, Palestine, Chechnya,
Bosnia, Gujarat, Nigeria,
Iraq, Afghanistan and everywhere around the world.
Please O Allah, make the Mujahideen victorious,
and let the beauty of Islam reign!


O Allah, Give victory to the Muslims!
O Allah, Please let True Islam reign!
O Allah, Please increase our knowledge
of Your Deen and this world.
Oh Allah, Please Help us all and guide us,
for You are Everything to us.


O Allah,
I cannot stress how much I ask
for Your Forgiveness and Your Guidance.
O Allah,
I fear You,
I fear You soooo much words cannot describe.
I fear the day when I will meet You,
and I WILL meet You.
When we are one on one,
and I have no one's help or support.
No-one can take the blame for me
nor I for them.
The only thing I will have
is a little book given to me by You
that has my deeds.


O Allah,
Please Forgive me for my thoughts,
for even though I get sinned only for my actions,
I cannot help but feel guilty for my thoughts
and I ask You to Forgive me for them
and to clear my mind of any impurities
until You become the Only thing on my mind.


O Allah,
Please Forgive me
if I ever did anything out of gain
for this life and not for Your pleasure.
If I ever did anything to "show off"
then Please Forgive me for that.


O Allah,
I do du'a
that You grant us all God-Fearing spouses
and grant us righteous children.
Oh Allah,
I do du'a
that You continue to strengthen this ummah
until the Day of Resurrection.
O Allah,
Forgive me
for whatever I have not mentioned,
for I am bound to forget
.but You,
through Your Greatness...
You Never Forget.


O Allah,
Please Grant
all the Muslims
Jannah-tul-Firdaus.
O Allah,
I ask that You shed Your Mercy
on all the Prophets (peace be upon them)
and on all the Angels (peace be upon them).


Lastly, I do du'a
You shed Your Mercy
on the Prophet Muhammad ,
his family and companions.
I do du'a
that you grant Muhammad(PBUH)
the Highest Station in Paradise.


Rabinna Aataina
Fiduniya Hasinathow
Wa Fil Akhirati Hasinathow,
Waqina Adhab innaar

Ameen.

Ramadhan Mubarak to everyone !

May Allah swt guide us on the straight path and make us stronger believers! Please remember me in your precious duas !

I’m sharing this awesome poem, which I received through mail. Hope everyone enjoys it and ponders over its message as we welcome the month of ramadhan. Only Allah swt knows whether we will be alive to see another ramadhan, I fervently pray to Allah swt to show me and all of us the straight path and make us grateful servants.Ameen.

One night I heard a knock on my door;
Who can it be,I wasn't quite sure.
I open the door and am filled with glee;
The visitor ahead is no stranger to me.

I welcome the guest with utmost delight;
For I know it has come to give me respite.
An air of happiness fills the space;
My home now seems, a better place!

Have you any clue who this visitor could be?
Yes! its Ramadhan,the month of mercy.
The pious and righteous can't await its arrival;
Others seem to greet it, with waves of denial.

For Allah(SWT) we fast from dawn to dusk;
For Him our breath is the fragrance of musk.
The muslims who pray and fast with zest;
Are aware of the rewards of this month manifest.

Throughout this month we weep and repent;
Now is the time to strongly lament.
And those who shun this sacred month;
on the Day of Reckoning will face the brunt.

In the last ten nights,hides the Night of Decree;
Allah(SWT) then awaits for his slaves to plea.
The angels descend with Gabriel(AS) in the lead;
To check on the steadfast and record every deed.

A feeling of grief now fills my heart;
As the month of Ramadhan will soon depart.
So lets make a start and worship Him alone;
Now that the worth of this month is known

Persevere

I feel like a little boat lost in the midst of an ocean, not knowing where to turn for solace and relief.This is when I close my eyes and think deeply, so deep and remember my Allah. At times I feel that I have made wrong decisions, but I know that cannot be the case, as I always sought for guidance from my lord before each decision. It’s a test, a trial, something I should see through with my faith.

At times it’s a test where immorality dominates the day. Being encircled by those who are licentious to the deepest sense of the word is at times so disgusting. At times I wish to withdraw, may be use an invisible cloak to hide myself from these displays of promiscuity. It’s not possible, or rather it should not be the kind of resolution I should posses, as a believer should be strong. His true colours are portrayed by the way he represents himself amidst all constraints.

Patience and prayers are the 2 most powerful weapons in my arsenal. I will persevere with hope. A hope that will strengthen me with each step I take. I will fight back; I will preserve my values in the best sense, although I know it’s a tedious task. It will take a lot of courage, but I know that as long as I place my trust in my Allah, nothing is impossible, inshallah.

Less than perfect!!!

Life’s experiences had taught me many lessons; the ability to anticipate and accept what’s less than perfect, has been one it taught me very recently. Although I lived through many experiences which were less than perfect, it wasn’t a choice I made myself, but rather what Allah swt had destined for me. This time it’s a bit different, I myself have chosen to live in, to accept something that isn’t the most ideal.

It’s an emotional decision I have made, I know it’s a tough one, but I’m focused on the reward, the reward Allah swt would endow upon me for accommodating despite the inconveniences to myself. I feel elated in a sense, it’s a sign that I’m growing up, not only growing older. A sign of a mind which is driving towards unselfishness, a mission I could only achieve with the guidance of my lord. I pray to him sincerely that he will assist me in my noble cause, to be someone better, a human being who lives for others but himself.

Lie regarding Marriage

The whole world cannot contain my happiness, which I do not hide, and a shy smile appears on my face, as I hear my best friend tell me about her brother, “He wants to marry you.” I said to myself, ‘Now I will have a best friend and her brother will be my husband.” She praised his mannerism and good behavior and said while smiling, “You will live like the princesses of the Middle Ages. He will strive to provide you comfort and shower you with his affection.” Things happened fast since then and my happiness did not give space to careful thinking. I did not ask for anything, not even a specified Mahr (dowry) or where will I live. We did not verify that he even works or where he works, he was the brother of my best friend. I started making plans for the wedding dress,1 and I took her advice in the type of fabric to use, the gold I should by, kitchenware, what he likes and dislikes and the best gift to give him.

My father was amazed to my dedication to marry this man, but invoked Allah to bless my efforts, especially since I am his only daughter.

My future husband chose the most expensive hotel for the wedding and was confused as to the gift he should give to me. Meanwhile, I overcome by my dreams and passion and during wedding day, I was especially happy. However, the dream ended when I realized that his face showed no concern and he spent a large part of the night out of the house. Whenever I wanted to address these concerns, my friend would tell me that I should forego these minor things because he is a husband! Then I realized that I was married to him not to my friend, and I finally picked up the phone and called my father, who was elated to hear my voice. But my voice was tired and I said, “I do not want him, he is a drug addict.” My father asked with his strong voice, “How, where are you now?” The days of happiness ended quickly and elation turned into sadness, “How can you my best friend, lie to me like this? If someone like him wanted to marry you, would you agree? How could you have cheated me?

Some women ask other Muslim women for marriage for their relatives, praise them in front of them and mention their good qualities. However, much of what is being said are lies or at least exaggerations. To these women we say: “If someone lies to you, you would be bothered by being lied to. Why do you lie to people then, especially with regard to marriage? Would you agree that the same happens to your daughter?

Rasool Allah (Sallalahu ali huwa sallam) said : A man should not lie with another man under one covering, and a woman should not lie with another woman under one covering. (Sahih Muslim 667)

Tales from the Salaf

An eye opener

As Salaamu Alaikum

By SALEH ALI

Life is unpredictable. But I always thought I could predict what was going to happen next. It was only six days ago. I was driving home with my friends, Malik and Omar. It was Halloween night. We had just watched the movie Saw 3 at the recently refurbished theater at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santo Monica, CA. It was 11:46pm when I glanced at the clock on the dashboard and realized I hadn't made Isha But I didn't say anything, as not to upset the mood. Just three hours earlier I put off the Isha until after the movie. Now I was running out of time.

I only lived 26 years. My 27th birthday was exactly two weeks away. I always imagined I would live long. At least until age 60. It just wasn't imaginable that I would have such a sudden, unexpected death. I had graduated from the University of Southern California three years earlier with a degree that means absolutely nothing right now. Shortly after, I landed a job as the marketing director of a major clothing company. Aside from the usual life problems, I was living a normal life. My girlfriend of 4 years was starting to pressure me into us getting a place together. I knew I wasn't supposed to have a girlfriend in the first place but I enjoyed her company and friendship. I wasn't ready to give that up. I used to always tell myself that eventually I would marry her. Plus, what would these few years of living a sinful life mean by the time I got older?

My job, girlfriend and life-long friends took up the majority of my time. It seemed I never had time to offer salah. I hardly even had time to sit down and eat. Offering salah was always something that continuously bugged me. The more I postponed my salahs, the more it irritated me. I did give an effort to keep up on my salahs. But for the last two years of my life I gave up. I pretty much stopped making salah altogether. I never made it home in time to make salah that
day. Saw 3 was a walk through the rose garden compared to what I was about to experience. I was doing 85 on the 10 freeway. At 12 midnight, 85 mph is not considered speeding. Omar flipped through FM radio stations searching for a song he liked. Malik had fallen asleep in the back seat. I began to doze off too.

I used to hate when that happened. I shook out of what seemed like a 10 second snooze. I tried to keep my eyes open. But again I dozed off. Omar screamed, 'HEY! It was too late. The car struck the center divider and spun back into the flow of traffic. An oncoming car hit my door. That car was also hit by another vehicle. We finally came to a halt somewhere in the middle of the freeway, a hundred yards from the spot of the collision. I didn't feel any pain. I was just dizzy, I heard Omar and Malik moaning as good civilians tried pulling us from the wreck.

I wasn't rescued until the fire fighters arrived. It was quite a task recovering my battered body from my totaled car. Breathing became difficult. The fire fighters huddled around me and frantically applied device after device. 'He's not gonna make it,' I heard one of them say. I 'm not gonna make it? How? I didn't feel like I was dying. I felt nothing. My heart started pounding. I was soaked in sweat and blood. I saw Malik standing over the top of me with tears in his eyes. 'Don't quit on me', he told me. At that time I knew it was over. I started to cry. The fire fighters moved him away as they made last attempts to revive me. I died. An angel came to me and removed my soul. I watched him fly away with it in disbelief. 'How could you? I'm not even 27,' I pleaded. 'It's time,' he told me and left. Two minutes later they pulled a white sheet over me. Omar and Malik, apparently doing better than me, pulled the sheet back to look at me one last time. They cried their eyeballs out, I had known then over since I was 13 years old and had never seen either one cry. It was a depressing sight.

The ride to the morgue, until then, was the worst experience I ever had. I was alone. It was dark and cold. I missed my mom. I missed my brother. I missed my sister. I wished I had spent that last night with my family instead of with Omar and Malik. I worried what my mother was going to do when she saw me in this state. I was ugly. When we finally arrived, I was placed in another cold room with dozens of other dead people. I missed my family so much. Every so often a family came in to view their dead. I always thought it was my family but it wasn't. Hour after hour passed. No mom. No dad. I started to cry again. Then one odd hour I recognised voices. My father walked in with my mother in his arms. His face worn from stress. Hers wet with tears. They just stared into my eyes and cried. I stared back. I wanted to tell them I loved them. I couldn't. I wanted to hug them. I couldn't. Mom stroked my bloodied hair and left.

I was to be buried the next day. When my parents left, it hit me. I never made Isha! My heart jumped out of my chest. I owed Allah a salah and failed to deliver it to him. I had hundreds of missed salahs over the past two years. Now I was about to face him. I felt powerless. For those of you who have never experienced guilt at death, there is not a worldly feeling that amounts to it. It is guilt and sorrow at another level. I tried getting up to make Isha but I couldn't move. It was over. I had no second chance.

Then I began to think back. I never knew my memory was so good. I had more than enough time to ponder as I was awaiting my burial. I literally remembered every single salah I missed and the reasons why I missed them. Most were laziness, procrastination and neglectfulness. I knew I was in trouble. I wished they would take longer to bury me. I failed! I failed! I failed!

My girlfriend paid me a visit. She was a devil. When I was alive I saw her as a pretty angel. My pretty angel who loved me and would do anything to make me happy. If I had the ability, I would have cursed her and demanded her to leave the morgue. She put her hand on my forehead. I allowed her to do that for that past four years. Now that I opposed to it, I could do nothing about it. The devil cried for hours at my side. She just would not leave. I felt cheated. I felt like she pulled a prank on me for the past couple years of my life. I hated this devil! She was ugly! She smelled horrible! She finally left. As she walked out the door my heart was filled with fear and anxiety.

The funeral was simple. My body was washed. I didn't seem to care that my naked body was exposed. My worries far surpassed my desire to be modest. I was wrapped in three white sheets. About 300 people attended my funeral. I was saddened not to see my mom at the funeral. I wished she came to see me one last time before they put me in the ground. I never knew so many people cared about me. Many just stared at the tightly wrapped figure in disbelief. Others cried and cried some more.

The mass prayed for me. Thousands of individual prayers were made. They asked Allah to have mercy on me. They asked him to forgive me. I wanted to pray for myself but I couldn't speak. I was helpless. I was carried to the hole in the middle of the barren desert. The people followed. It seemed like slow motion. I didn't want to go. If I had 24 bonus hours I would pray non-stop. They lowered me into the ground. The anticipation was eating away at me. I had surely failed life. I thought back on everything I had worked so hard to accomplish. I earned a college degree. I had a well paying job. I spent hours and hours in the weight room ever since I was 16 years old
developing my body. I had a pretty girlfriend who loved me. In that life, that was a badge of honor. But as they were lowering me into this grave, which seemed like it took forever, I realized that I couldn't use any of those 'accomplishments'. If only I had been that dedicated to making salah five times daily, I would have been at peace right now. Instead I am a nervous wreck beyond anything you all can comprehend.

Dirt fell in the hole. Darkness overcame my new home. The last shovels of sand filled the grave. Everyone sadly walked away. The graveyard started to empty. Family by family. Mine was the last to leave. The attendant left. By nightfall it was just me. All alone. My wrapping was soaked in sweat. I nervously awaited the angels to come and question me. They finally did. My final judgement has not been reached yet. I am now waiting for judgement day. Still lying here, alone, as day comes and night falls. Soon I will meet Allah himself and He will decide weather He will forgive me or not. I can only lay here, wait and hope The All Forgiving, The Most Merciful forgives me and does not punish me. I hope. That is all I have right now. Hope.

Courtesy: Al Jumuah Magazine.

Friends Forever

Feeling lonely!

I still remember the day we met, it was in May 2007, ever since we have been very good friends, alhamdulih. She was indeed a wonderful friend. Each time I had an important decision to make I would always consult her, she was my close confederate my best friend in all walks of life. I appreciated her and hounoured her for everything she was, we have had a few disagreements but alahmdulih we did mange to see them through without much difficulty by Allahs grace and rahma. The love the mercy allah swt placed between our hearts is something I can’t forget. I know she has to leave me now, it hurts but I know she will be happier with her new life, something she always dreamt of. May Allah swt always keep her happy and strong in this world, and give her the very best in both worlds, ameen !!!

If you are reading this, I’m sure you will :) sooner or later, Jazakkalh khira for being a wonderful friend. I sincerely love you a lot for Allah’s sake, inshallah I hope that we will be resurrected as 2 who sincerely loved each other for Allah’s sake only. I wish you the very best in your new life, May Allah swt make all your dreams come true! Ameen

All your prayers be answered

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island. The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agree that they had no other recourse but to pray to God. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.

The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man's parcel of land remained barren.

After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, there was a woman who swam to his side of the land.On the other side of the island, there was nothing.

Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island. He considered the other man unworthy to receive God's blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.

As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming, "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?"

"My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them," the first man answered. "His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything."

"You are mistaken!" the voice rebuked him. "He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings."

"Tell me," the first man asked the voice, "what did he pray for that I should owe him anything?"

"He prayed that all your prayers be answered."

For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us.

My prayer for you today is that all your prayers be answered. Be blessed.

"What you do for others is more important than what you do for yourself."

Encouraging words from a pious slave of Allah swt

This was in response to an email from another sister; I won’t mention any names here as I consider it inappropriate I just pondered over her words of advice. How strong are they, may Allah swt make all of us among such pious people. May Allah swt always bless this sister for her patience and firm conviction.Ameen



assalamualaikum warahmatullahi taala wabarakatuh

sis, i pray to Allah to give you strength to face any difficulty in life...
sis, whenever you think that Allah had already take something precious from you, just think million other things that Allah gave you...don't think about the guy, just think about your eyes, your mouth, your face and others.. Allah create it perfectly...

sis, 2 months ago, i just undergo operation for my disease...i have hemorrhagic ovarian cyst and i also have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)...i am just 20...i am not married yet..the disease will cause me to face infertility in future life...but i am not regretting for what had happen..i believe in Allah...i believe what Allah has plan for me is the best...Allah is with me all the time...no matter if there is nobody with me, but Allah is there for me...

sis, i am a medical student.. i know the fact of my disease...it is not easy for me to accept it at first...i am crying all the time...i also felt like what you felt right now..i felt that i want to die...
but sis, Allah give me a lesson,,,during the operation, i face difficulty in breathing... i forgot everything.. .it is just something that i can't explain to you..i already face death...it is just something that is so scary....starting from that moment, i tried my best to become a better Muslim...

sis, if you felt your problem is big, just think about others...think about Palestinian. .our sisters and mothers in Palestine is being raped, being killed...just think about them and you will felt that your problem is just so small...

sis, there is so many things to do..Ummah is waiting for us...when you think about the Ummah, you will not have time to think about yourself...

i am sorry if my words hurt you...i don't mean it...all the goodness is from Allah...may Allah protect you and give you strength...

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi taala wabarakatuh

My Allah

by Zohra Moosa

The noor of Allah surrounds us.
The love of Allah enfolds us.
The power of Allah protects us.
The presence of Allah watches over us.
Wherever we are Allah is and all is well.
Take this day to be thankful for the people you have in life . . .
Life isn’t measured by the mountains of gold you have . . .
But by the mountain of people that you hold close to your heart.

My heart is filled with pain

My heart is filled with pain
Did I lose the game again?
I try my best to be at my best
But Ya Allah deep down I feel the pain!

I sincerely want to love you all my life
Is it ok to feel the pain once in a while?
I never mean to be ungrateful to you
But at times I just can’t hold my self through

You have blessed my life with your divine love
Peace and contentment is paramount
But at times I feel I’m breaking apart
Please do forgive me if I sound far apart

In your remembrance my lonely heart finds its peace
At times I do not know why I feel so lonely and weak
I try my best to be focused and alive
But at times tears break me apart

I know that you watch over me from heavens above
Each tear, sadness, sorrow is part of my life
Only to you do I turn in my pain
Please help me see through these rainy days

They say after rain there will be sunshine
Each difficulty will be followed by ease
Why do some matters sound so difficult?
Forgive me my lord if I sound so weak

I pen my feelings down as a poem
Becoz I don’t want to hurt the ones who feel
So much love and compassion
Towards my soul that’s at unease

Although my heart feels bewildered
My soul so lost and forgone
It sincerely believes in your wisdom
Your plans and foresight so strong

Each difficulty will make me stronger
Stronger than what I was before
Each trial will be a term test
With reports from heavens above

Please forgive me when I whine out of pain
Please forgive me when tears flow down my cheeks
I never mean to complain against your divine decree
Its only because I’m a human so weak

As each night brings a new day
I know that you will alleviate my pain
Everything will have its end
My Allah is enough for me; my Allah is enough for me!

Dear Allah !

By Zainab Bint Abdur Rahman

Dear Allah, Here I am my Lord,
Standing before You, Praising You,
For the wonders and beauties of nature,
With its scenic charms and marvels;
The almost endless horizons in the sky,
And their far reaching expansions;
The ceaseless succession of day and night
The course of the sun,
The moon, and the great stars;
The world of animate and inanimate,
The continues process of evolution
Of man generation after generation.
And to all of these things,
With which I live,
And with which I immensely enjoy,
You are the Maker and You are the Maintainer.

Dear Allah, in this world,
You are the greatest force in action,
To keep everything in order.
In the beautiful nature,
You are the great artist,
Who creates the most charming
And most marvel pieces of art,
And produce everything
For a special purpose in life
The strongest force belongs to you
The greatest artist of all
And I myself believe in You
And deeply enlightened,
To recognize You,
As the Greatest, Oh Allah!

Dear Allah, it is You my Lord,
Who has made the night for me,
That I may rest therein,
And for the day to see.
Verily You are full of Grace,
And Bounty to your slaves,
You are Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim.
Yet most of us give no thanks,
Such its You my Lord,
The Khaliq of all things,
Lailahailaallah!!!
But I am so weak,
I am so sinful,
Dear Allah forgive me please,
Verily You are Ar-Rahim…

It is You who has made for me
The earth as the resting place
And the sky as my shelter,
And has given me shape,
And made my shape beautiful,
And has provided for me sustenance
Of things, good and pure.
Such it's You, Oh Allah,
The Loving, The Enricher.

Glory be to You, Oh Allah,
The Lord of the worlds!
The Sovereign Lord,
The Source of Peace,
The Guardian of Faith,
There is no God but You!
And I call upon you,
And I give you my sincere devotion,
All Praises be to You, Oh Allah,
The worthy to be worship.

Dear Allah, Here I am my Lord,
Prostrating before you, and fearing You.
Hoping for You to forgive my sins;
All of the wrong doings that I have done,
All of the transgressions that I have done,
All that is wrong because of my weakness

Dear Allah, my Lord,
You gave me enough sensibility,
To recognize my sins and shortcomings.
You gave me enough sensibility,
To know where to turn,
And to Whom should I turn to Guidance
And it is You!
Who is ever prepared to respond
To my sincere calls, and I seek aid.
You are so Gracious and Compassionate
That Your forgiveness, is In-compassing
And Your mercy, All-inclusive.

Dear Allah, my Lord,
When at times that I am down
And you send me trials
And I found myself sobbing,
You were still here to Guide me,
You never left me alone,
You are always with As-Sabirin
You are my rescuer
You are all for me
For you created me!

You gave me life with its purpose
You created me to serve that purpose
Then I can not escape the responsibility
I cannot deny my existence
Or ignore the vital role
That I have to play.
And when you charge me (with any responsibility)
You provide for me,
With all the required assistance
You endow unto me,
With intelligence and power
To choose my course of conduct
And I am strongly commanded by You
To exert my utmost to fully serve
The purpose of my existence.

To You, Oh Allah,
I pray, that I may fulfill
The purpose of life
And realize the goal of existence
Help me to learn,
The creative art of living.
And enjoy the good taste of life
According to Your Divine Guidance
The Divine Guidance that is from You
My life is a trust from You,
And I am Your trustee
Who should handle my trust
With honesty and skill
With mindfulness of You, Oh Allah!
And with consciousness..
Of responsibility to You, Dear Allah!

And in this life, my Dear Allah,
Is likened to a journey.
And I am a traveler,
Passing by the world.
And in this life journey
I am concerned
With only what is of use
For me in the Future Life
I should do all the good that I can
And make myself fully prepared
To move any minute to Eternity.
This is a chance provided for me
To make the best of it while I can
And its time to leave comes

And If You will, my Dear Allah!
I will live, according to your teachings
And I will make it a safe passage
To the Future Life of Eternity.
My life belongs to You
And there is no doubt,
I shall return unto You!, Oh Dear Allah!

You are High and Supreme,
And You are so near to Your slaves
Slaves who are pious and thoughtful.
You answer our prayers and You help us
You love people who love You,
You give me peace and happiness
You give me knowledge and success
You give me life and protection.
You welcome me,
When I want to be at peace
And you never reject me.
You thought me to be good
To do the right
And to keep away from wrong
Because you are good and loving
You recommend and accept
Only the good and right things.
The door of your mercy
Is always open wide to any
Those who sincerely seek,
We seek for Your support and protection.

Dear Allah, Here I am my Lord!
With my sob and with my tears
With my intimate love
And with my solemn prayers
Verily, all praise is due to You, Oh Allah!
We praise You, and we seek aid
We seek Your forgiveness
We seek refuge in You
From the evil in our souls
And sins in our deeds.
Glory be to You, Oh Allah!

And all praise.
I bear witness that
There is no God except You
We seek Your forgiveness
And we repent to You, sincerely
May Your blessings and peace
Be upon us, your slaves
And to the Noble Prophet Muhammad
And upon his family
His companion and all his followers
Until the Day of Judgement.

To My Sisters in God

Jhangeer Hanif

Superstitious! Coward! Old fashioned! are the words that still echoed in her head. Her face was soaked with warm drops that she had shed during the past couple of hours while she had prostrated herself before the Almighty time and again in this interval. She did not know how long she had been up collecting and presenting before Allah the broken pieces of her soft heart which was brutally hurt by the ruthless comments her friends made at the college this morning. She had always been kind to them but they would always pass low comments about her attire and for her fear and concern about the Hereafter. Her only crime was that she could not leave her head and chest uncovered like them and that she could not put on skin tight almost transparent garments. She had always found it hard to show interest in the topics they would discuss. She knew that modesty was her real asset and that inner-purification was the real objective of her life in this world. How could she go against the values that the Almighty had inculcated within herself? How could she undertake to do something that her conscience would vehemently disapprove of? Now at this moment of the dark night when she saw that she could not cope with the situation anymore, she resolved that she's had enough. She must quit going to the college and shut herself up from the rest of the world!

Such an event may take place in the life of many people with little change in the details of the scenario. But they are often led to arrive at the same decision because of the morbidly obnoxious treatment they have to receive for opting to live their lives according to the injunctions put forth by the Almighty. This is awfully ironic, that the world plays so insensitive a role to the sincere feelings of those people who wish to take all of them to the road that directly leads to eternal bliss. It is sad that those who must be respected and given an ear to hear soft words of good advice are mistreated and branded as inferior.

This writer does not have an iota of doubt in his mind that these circumstances are fair and just but his understanding of religion compels him to humbly present the complete picture before all his sisters in God so that they could know that 'quitting' is not what their Lord as well as this Ummah expects from them.

What they must realize is that the unbecoming behavior that their fellow human beings adopt towards their sincere feelings is nothing new and has been so since ages. When we peruse the Holy Qur'an or even study history we find that good souls always had to face hatred for showing unconditional love, hurling stones for offering the Garden of Paradise, and harsh comments for advancing words of wisdom and admonition. This however was their marvelous attribute that they never gave up and remained steadfast unless they either changed the world or sacrificed their lives for the sake of this holy mission. This quality is no doubt hard to imbibe and retain but very desirable for those who undertake to swim in the direction explored by their conscience instead of drifting along in the immoral current with other people. Further deliberation here reveals that while avoiding the circumstances resolves the crisis a person is currently facing for the time being, it allows a minor problem to eventually become a major one. To put it in other words, this attitude would surely permit the evil to entangle each and every person on the face of this earth till no one is left to proclaim the greatness of Allah. It is precisely for this reason that the Qur'an has urged us to assume the status of the exhorter as well as of the exhorted so that the good can flourish and the evil be put in check. The Qur'an thus reads:

Believing men and believing women are friends to each other. They enjoin what is good and forbid what is wrong. (9:71)

Another point that must be understood very clearly is about the nature of the test we are put through in this world. This life is not supposed to be a path adorned with roses that someone would have to tread until death overtakes them. The truth of the matter is that we have no choice but to prick our feet with thorns that have been scattered by the Almighty Himself on our way in the form of financial problems, natural calamities and humans themselves. We, therefore, must not suffer from the illusion that we will win entitlement to Paradise without being tested in this world. This idea has been expounded upon by the Qur'an in the following words:

Did you think that you would enter Paradise without Allah testing those of you who fought hard [in His cause] and remained steadfast? (3:142)

The implication being that when a believer undertakes to combat evil for the sake of Allah, he is not showered with rose petals. On the contrary, he has to face great difficulties and full-blown problems. But if he remains stoical and steadfast, he stands eligible to be blessed with everlasting life in the Garden of Paradise.

As far as the expectations of this Ummah are concerned, they must know that it wants them to become a role model for all women across the world. Everyone knows that there has been much hullabaloo over women's rights in the last couple of centuries and much of the blame was placed on the religion of Islam for violation thereof. Feminists clamorously put forward that Islam hampers the achievements that women can otherwise accomplish in every sphere of life. Although, it is a baseless allegation that the fanatics have placed on Islam in their struggle to renounce every religion that would endorse moral limits, many people have gone astray because what they see in practice also substantiates the veracity of the allegation. Innumerable articles have been written to refute the claims of the feminists. But this alone won't work. We must let the world see that a Muslim woman while observing all the injunctions of Islam can achieve astronomical targets that others would dare not to commence at all.

Obviously, this business necessitates that Muslim women be as daring as to challenge evil in its makeshift safe-haven and as bold as to overthrow all the absurdly fabricated claims of the feminists. They must be creative enough to introduce new chapters in the field of fine arts and as much intelligent as to make revolutionary discoveries in the field of science while keeping the Islamic attributes that make them unmatchable ornament.

Marriage – Is it an Illusion?

Sabirah was a well-mannered young lady. Her parents chose to name her as ‘Sabirah’ – the patient one, because they felt in this world of cause and effect there was much to endure. Although her family didn’t nurture her to be purely Islamic in all walks of her life the amount of intelligence Allah swt had bestowed upon her helped her to reach greater heights as a pious muslimah.

Sabirah was always diligent in her duties as any pious muslimah would be. She was very punctual in her prayers, offered non-obligatory prayers and fasts as well. Was kind towards both young and old; in other wards she depicted the portrait of an ideal young muslim lady.

As intelligent as she was, sabirah was successful in all walks of life. She excelled in her academics was very successful in her career, what more could anyone expect in their lives? Allah had gifted her with a lot of blessings; she thanked him day and night. As she reached adulthood despite all that she had achieved in her life she felt a deep sense of loneliness within. She felt the need of someone to share her life, to guide her on the right path, to love and cherish her for what she was.

By this time her parents had already felt the need and begun their pursuit in search of a suitable alliance for their pious, young and talented daughter. Sabirah was very keen to marry someone who was deeply religious and somewhat educated. But as days passed by things got harder, in a society such as the one Sabirah lived in wealth and pride took precedence over true piety and bashfulness. Many only sought behind big dowries, outer appearance and the like, some even demanded houses and lands in exchange of their well groomed sons, Sabirah remained steadfast, she wouldn’t marry such a crook who wasn’t even strong enough to stand on his own. Proposals came and they went nothing really worked out, Sabirah raised her hands in dua “Ya Allah, Marriage looks like an illusion for the truly pious, please make it easy upon me and my sisters in Islam who truly follow your path” she implored fervently.

Allah swt might or might answer the duas of many like Sabirah in this world, but surely if they remain patient and steadfast as Sabirah he will reward them for their patience and reward them with something better in this life or the hereafter. It is Allah my lord who has said “And certainly, we shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.).”

Stress and Anxiety

25 Ways to Deal with Stress and Anxiety

by Abdul Malik Mujahid

Stress is life. Stress is anything that causes mental, physical, or spiritual tension. There is no running away from it. All that matters is how you deal with it. This article does not deal with the factors of stress, anxiety, and depression, nor is it a clinical advice. If you feel depressed, you are not alone. It has been estimated that 75 to 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians in America are for stress-related problems. This is why it is wise to consult a doctor if you are having physical symptoms of stress. However, here are some tips that can help from a spiritual perspective. Please send us your feedback so that we can improve this article Insha Allah.
Torture. Beatings. Loss of property. The death of loved ones. These were just some of the enormous challenges the Muslims of Makkah faced in the seventh century following their acceptance of Islam in fiercely tribal and polytheistic Makkah.

Detention. Harassment. Beatings. Discrimination. Loss of Job. Profiling. Hate Crimes. Constant media attention. Surveillance. These are just some of the challenges Muslims in America today face, post-9/11. Like our predecessors in Makkah, we have begun to face great stress, anxiety, and pressure, more than ever in our recent history on this continent, although Muslims who were brought here as slaves faced worse than what we can even imagine.

1. Ask Him. He Listens: Dua

Turn each anxiety, each fear and each concern into a Dua (supplication) . Look at it as another reason to submit to God and be in Sajdah (prostration) , during which you are closest to Allah. God listens and already knows what is in your heart, but He wants you to ask Him for what you want. The Prophet said: Allah is angry with those who do not ask Him for anything (Tirmidhi).
The Prophet once said that in prayer, he would find rest and relief (Nasai). He would also regularly ask for God’s forgiveness and remain in prostration during prayer praising God (Tasbeeh) and asking for His forgiveness (Bukhari).

Allah wants you to be specific. The Prophet advised us to ask Allah for exactly what we want instead of making vague Duas. Dua is the essence of worship (the Prophet as quoted in Tirmidhi).

"Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for Allah loveth not those who trespass beyond bounds. Do not make mischief on the earth, after it hath been set in order, but call on Him with fear. And longing (in your hearts): for the mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do good" (Quran 7:55-56).

2. Tie your Camel: Do your Part

One day Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the Bedouin, "Why don't you tie down your camel?" The Bedouin answered, "I put my trust in Allah." The Prophet then said, "Tie your camel first, then put your trust in Allah" (Tirmidhi).

Muslims must never become fatalistic. Although we know only Allah is in control and that He has decreed all things, we are each responsible for making the right choices and doing the right thing in all situations of our lives. We must take action (link to planning articles on SV). We must work to alleviate the hardships we, our families and our communities face.

Ask yourself the following questions if you are worried about the state of the world: are you part of the peace movement? Is your Masjid part of the peace movement? Are you part of an interfaith group with an agenda of peace and justice? Are you working with a group fighting discrimination? If your answer is no, it is time that you sat down to plan your share of time and money in finding solutions to the problems you face. "Verily Allah does not change men’s condition unless they change their inner selves" (Quran 13: 11).

Turn each worry into a Dua and each Dua into an action plan. That will show your commitment to your request and will focus your energy in the right direction.

3. Remember that human responsibility is limited

While we need to carry out our duty to the best of our abilities, always remember that you don't control the outcome of events. Even the Prophets did not control the outcome of their efforts. Some were successful, others were not. Once you have done your duty, leave the results to Allah. Regardless of the results of your efforts, you will be rewarded for the part you have played.

However, never underestimate your abilities. Understand the concept of Barakah (blessings from Allah) and remember that Allah can and Insha Allah will expand them if you are sincerely exerting your energies for the right path.

4. Leave the world behind you five times a day

Use the five daily prayers as a means to become more Hereafter-oriented and less attached to this temporary world. Start distancing yourself as soon as you hear Adhan, the call to prayer. When you perform Wudu, keep repeating Shahada, the declaration of faith, as water drops slip down your face, hands, arms, and hair. When you stand ready to pray, mentally prepare yourself to leave this world and all of its worries and stresses behind you.

Of course, Shaytan will try to distract you during prayer. But whenever this happens, go back and remember Allah. The more you return, the more Allah will reward you for it. Also, make sure your Sajdas (prostrations) are talking Sajdas, in which you are really connecting to God and seeking His Mercy, praising Him, and asking His forgiveness. (link to Sajda article…ramadan page)

5. Seek help through Sabr

Seek help through Sabr and Salat (Quran 2:45). This instruction from Allah provides us with two critical tools that can ease our worries and pain. Patience and prayer are two oft-neglected stressbusters. Sabr is often translated as patience but it is not just that. It includes self-control, perseverance, endurance, and a focussed struggle to achieve one’s goal. Unlike patience, which implies resignation, the concept of Sabr includes a duty to remain steadfast to achieve your goals despite all odds.

Being patient gives us control in situations where we feel we have little or no control. ‘We cannot control what happens to us but we can control our reaction to our circumstances’ is the mantra of many modern-day self-help books. Patience helps us keep our mind and attitude towards our difficulties in check.

6. Excuse Me! You are Not Running the World, He is.

It is important to remind ourselves that we don’t control all the variables in the world. God does. He is the Wise, the All-Knowing. Sometimes our limited human faculties are not able to comprehend His wisdom behind what happens to us and to others, but knowing that He is in control and that as human beings we submit to His Will, enriches our humanity and enhances our obedience (Uboodiah in Arabic) towards him. Read the story of the encounter of Moses with the mysteries behind God’s decision (Quran: 18:60-82). Familiarize yourself with God's 99 Names, which are also known as His Attributes. It is a powerful way of knowing Him.
"God-there is no deity save Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsistent Fount of All being. Neither slumber overtakes Him, nor sleep. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Who is there that could intercede with Him, unless it be by His leave? He knows all that lies open before men and all that is hidden from them, whereas they cannot attain to aught of His knowledge save that which He wills them to attain. His eternal power overspreads the heavens and the earth, and their upholding wearies Him not. And He alone is truly exalted, tremendous." (Quran 2:255).

The Prophet recommended reading this verse, known as Ayat al kursi, after each prayer, Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. Once Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, approached the Prophet during a difficult time and he found the Prophet in Sajda, where he kept repeating "Ya Hayy Ya Qayyum", words which are part of this verse.

7. Birds Don’t Carry their Food

Allah is al Razzaq (the Provider). "How many are the creatures that carry not their own sustenance? It is Allah Who feeds them and you, for He hears and knows all things (Quran 29:60)." By reminding yourself that He is the Provider, you will remember that getting a job or providing for your family in these economically and politically challenging times, when Muslims are often the last to be hired and the first to be fired, is in God’s Hands, not yours. As Allah says in the Quran: "And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose. Verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion (Quran 65:3).

8. God controls Life and Death

If you fear for your physical safety and security, remember that only Allah gives life and takes it back and, that He has appointed the time for it. No one can harm you except if Allah wills. As He says in the Quran: "Wherever you are, death will find you out, even if you are in towers built up strong and high!" (Quran 4:78).

9. Remember that life is short

It's easy to get caught up in our own stress and anxiety. However, if we remember that our life is short and temporary, and that the everlasting life is in the Hereafter, this will put our worries in perspective.

This belief in the transitory nature of the life of this world reminds us that whatever difficulties, trials, anxieties, and grief we suffer in this world are, Insha Allah, something we will only experience for a short period of time. And more importantly, if we handle these tests with patience, Allah will reward us for it.

10. Do Zikr !

"… without doubt in the remembrance (Zikr) of Allah do hearts find tranquility" (Quran 13:28).
If you commute, use your time in Zikr. Pick any Tasbeeh and do that instead of listening to the radio or reading the newspaper. Maybe you can divide it up between Zikr and planning. Personally, I recite the Tasbeeh of "Subhana Allahe wa be hamdihi, subhan Allahil Azeem" 100 times as I drive. The Prophet taught us these two short phrases which are easy to say but will weigh heavy on our scale of good deeds in the Hereafter.

When your heart feels heavy with stress or grief, remember Allah and surround yourself with His Zikr. Zikr refers to all forms of the remembrance of Allah, including Salat, Tasbeeh, Tahmeed, Tahleel, making supplication (Dua), and reading Quran.

"And your Lord says: ‘Call on Me; I will answer your (prayer)…" (Quran 40:60)
By remembering Allah in the way He has taught us to, we are more likely to gain acceptance of our prayers and His Mercy in times of difficulty. We are communicating with the only One Who not only Hears and Knows all, but Who can change our situation and give us the patience to deal with our difficulties.

"Remember Me, and I shall remember you; be grateful to Me, and deny Me not" (Quran 2:152).
11. Relying on Allah: Tawakkul

When you awaken in the morning, thank Allah for giving you life after that short death called sleep. When you step out of your home, say 'in Your Name Allah, I put my trust in Allah, and there is no power or force except with Allah' (Bismillahi Tawakal to al Allah wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah). At night, remember Allah, with His praises on your lips.
Once you have established a plan you intend to follow through on to deal with a specific issue or problem in your life, put your trust in the most Wise and the All-Knowing. "When you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah" (Quran 3: 159).

Rely on Allah by constantly remembering Him throughout your day. When you lay down to sleep, remember that sleep is death. That is why one of the recommended supplications before going to sleep is "with Your (Allah's) Name I die and become alive".

12. Connect with other human beings

You are not alone. Muslims are not alone. We are not suffering in silence. There are millions of good people who are not Muslim with beautiful hearts and minds. These are people who have supported us, individually and collectively, post-9/11, by checking up on us and making sure we are safe. These are individuals and organizations who have spoken up in defense of Muslims as we endured harassment and discrimination.

We must think of them, talk to them, connect with them, and pray for them. Through our connections, we will break the chain of isolation that leads to depression and anxiety.

13. Compare your dining table with that of those who don't have as much as you do

The Prophet said: Whenever you see someone better than you in wealth, face or figure, you should look at someone who is inferior to you in these respects (so that you may thank Allah for His blessings) (Bukhari, Muslim).

Next time you sit down to eat, eye the table carefully. Check out the selection of food, the quality, the taste, the quantity, and then think of the millions of others who don't have even half as much. The Prophet's Hadith reminds us of this so that we can appreciate and thank God for all that we have.

Also remember that the Prophet only encouraged us to compare ourselves to others in two respects: in our Islamic knowledge and level of belief in God (Deen). In these two areas, we should compare ourselves with those who have more than what we do.

14. Say it Loud: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar: Takbirat & Adhan

Find a corner of a lake, go out in the wilderness, or even stand on your lawn at your home and call the Adhan with your heart. While driving, instead of listening to the same news over and over again, say Allahu Akbar as loudly as you can or as softly as you want, based on your mood. Year ago, I remember calling Adhan on a Lake Michigan shore in Chicago after sunset as the water gushed against my knees. I was calling it for myself. There was no one else accept the waves after waves of water with their symphony. It was relaxing and meaningful. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.

15. Pray in congregation (Jamat)

Pray with other people instead of alone. If you can't pray all five prayers in congregation, at least find one or two prayers you can pray with others. If you are away, establish Jamat in your own family. During the Prophet's time, even though the Muslims endured great persecution, including physical beatings, they would sometimes meet on the side of a mountain or valley and tried to pray together. This is a great morale booster.

16. How is your Imam's Dua?

Does the Imam at your local mosque make Dua silently or out loud? Ask him to supplicate with the whole congregation. Suggest Duas for him to make. Ask him to make Dua for other people.

17. Work for the Unity of Muslims

Bringing Muslims together will not only help the Muslims, but it will also encourage you to focus your energies on something constructive versus zeroing in on and consistently fretting about difficulties you are going through.

Invite Muslims from other ethnic groups to your functions. Visit Masjids other than yours in your city. When you meet a Muslim leader, after thanking him for his efforts, ask him what he is doing for Muslim unity. Ask Imams to make Dua for this. These are just small ways you can help yourself and the Muslim community.

18. Sleep the way the Prophet slept

End your day on a positive note. Make Wudu, then think of your day. Thank Allah for all the good things you accomplished, like Zikr and Salat. Ask yourself what you did today to bring humanity together and what you did to help Muslims become servants of humanity. For everything positive, say Alhamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah). For everything negative say Astaghfirullah wa atoobo ilayk (I seek Allah's forgiveness and I turn to You [Allah]). Recite the last two chapters of the Quran, thinking and praying as you turn on your right side with your hand below your right cheek, the way the Prophet used to sleep. Then close your day with the name of Allah on your tongue. Insha Allah, you will have a good, restful night.

19. Begin the Day on a Positive Note

Get up early. Get up thanking God that He has given you another day. Alhamdu lillahil lazi ahyana bada ma amatana, wa ilaihin Nushoor (Praise be to Allah Who gave us life after death and unto Him will be the return). Invest in an audio tape driven alarm clock so you can get up to the melody of the Quran. Develop your to do list for the day if you didn't do it the night before. Begin with the name of Allah, with Whose name nothing in the heavens or the earth can hurt you. He is the Highest and the Greatest. (Bismillahillazi la yazurru maa ismihi shaiun fil arze wa la fis samae, wahuwal Alee ul Azeem). The Prophet used to say this after every Fajr and Maghrib prayers.

20. Avoid Media Overexposure: Switch from News to Books

Don't spend too much time checking out the news on the radio, television or internet. Spend more time reading good books and journals. When you listen to the persistent barrage of bad news, especially relating to Muslims nowadays, you feel not only depressed, but powerless. Cut down media time to reduce your stress and anxiety. It's important to know what's going on but not to an extent that it ruins your day or your mood.

21. Pray for Others to Heal Yourself.

The Prophet was always concerned about other people, Muslims and non-Muslims, and would regularly pray for them. Praying for others connects you with them and helps you understand their suffering. This in itself has a healing component to it. The Prophet has said that praying for someone who is not present increases love.

22. Make the Quran your Partner

Reading and listening to the Quran will help refresh our hearts and our minds. Recite it out loud or in a low voice. Listen to it in the car. When you are praying Nafl or extra prayers, pick it up and use it to recite portions of the Quran you are not as familiar with. Connecting to the Quran means connecting to God. Let it be a means to heal your heart of stress and worries. Invest in different recordings of the Quran and their translations.

"O humanity! There has come to you a direction from your Lord and a cure for all [the ills] in men’s hearts - and for those who believe, a Guidance and a Mercy" (Quran 10:57).

23. Be thankful to Allah

"If you are grateful, I will give you more" (Quran 14:7).
Counting our blessings helps us not only be grateful for what we have, but it also reminds us that we are so much better off than millions of others, whether that is in terms of our health, family, financial situation, or other aspects of our life. And being grateful for all we have helps us maintain a positive attitude in the face of worries and challenges we are facing almost daily.

24. Ideals: One step at a time

Ideals are wonderful things to pursue. But do that gradually. Think, prioritize, plan, and move forward. One step at a time.

25. Efforts not Results Count in the Eyes of Allah

Our success depends on our sincere efforts to the best of our abilities. It is the mercy of Allah that He does not demand results, Alhamdu lillah. He is happy if He finds us making our best sincere effort. Thank you Allah!

Khadija RA

I Implore !!!

I implore to you my lord, with a heart filled with sadness and sorrow, but I also do understand and comprehend the wisdom behind your decisions at least to a level which enables me to be thankful and grateful to you. You are my Allah, you alone do I worship to you alone do I turn for help and guidance. Please help every soul striving in your path, and help them not to be misled by the fitnahs of this world. I am a weak person, very weak indeed, with no strength at all, except by your permission and decree. Being close and obedient to you is always my heart’s desire, please Allah keep me always close to you forever!!! Make that day I meet you the happiest and the most awaited day in my life, and grant me such patience to traverse through this life as a stranger and not to burden any soul by my existence.