The Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) has said:
1. Spread the salaam amongst yourselves. (Muslims)
2. Before speaking the salaam should be said. (Tirmizi)
3. Those who are nearest to God are they who are first to give a salutation (Salaam). (Tirmidhi)
4. Fasting is a shield (from sins). (Tirmizi)
5. Cleanliness is a part of the Faith. (Tirmizi)
6. Actions depend on their intention. (Bukhari)
7. A Muslim is a brother of a Muslim. (Bukhari)
8. The one who recites the Quran and the one who listens to it have an equal
share in the reward. (Bukhari)
9. The best of you is the one who learned and taught the Quran. (Bukhari)
10. Feed the hungry, visit the sick and free the captive. (Bukhari)
11. Salaat is a pillar of the Deen. (Tabrani)
12. A man follows the religion of his close friend,
so each of you should be very careful about whom he takes as a close friend. (Abu Dawud)
13. When any of you eats, he should eat with his right hand and
when he drinks he should drink with his right hand. (Muslim)
14. Mention God's name, eat with your right hand and eat from what is next to you. (Bukhari)
15. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade that a man should drink standing. (Muslim)
16. The strong man is not the good wrestler; the strong man is only the one
who controls himself when he is angry. (Bukhari)
17. When one of you becomes angry while standing, he should sit down. If the anger leaves him, well and good; otherwise he should lie down. (Ahmad)
18. God will not show mercy to him who does not show mercy to others. (Bukhari).
19. Sadqa given to a poor man is just Sadqa, but when given to a relative it serves a double purpose, being both Sadqa and a connecting link. (Tirmidhi).
20. If you spend (to help others), O son of Adam! I (God) shall spend on you. (Bukhari)
21. It is better for a man to give a dirham as Sadqa during his
lifetime than to give a hundred at the time of his death. (Abu Dawud)
22. When a man dies no further reward is recorded for his actions,
with three exceptions: Sadqa which continues to be supplied, or knowledge from which benefit continues to be reaped, or the prayers of a good son to his dead father. (Muslim)
23. The best house among the Muslims is the one which contains an orphan who is well treated, and the worst house among the Muslims is the one which contains an orphan who is badly treated. (Ibn Majah)
24. The best sadqa is that a muslim man learns knowlege (of the Deen)
and then teaches it to his Muslim brothers. (Ibn-e-Majah)
25. The Lord's good pleasure results from a father's good pleasure,
and the Lord's displeasure results from the father's displeasure. (Tirmidhi)
26. One who cuts ties of (blood) relationship will not enter paradise. (Muslim).
27. Do not wear silk, for those who wear it in this life shall not wear it in the Hereafter. (Muslim)
28. Whoever eats or drinks from gold or silver utensils, is indeed filling his stomach with the fire of hell. (Muslim)
29. Assuredly the angels do not enter a house in which there are statues
or figures. (Bukhari)
30. Announce your Nikkah (marriage). (Tirmizi)
31. Nikkah (marriage) is my Sunnat. (Ibn-e-Majah)
32. Whoever turns from my sunnah is not from me. (Bukhari)
33. When one of you is invited to a marriage feast, he should go to it. (Bukhari)
34. Among lawful things divorce is most hated by Allah. (Abu Dawud)
35. If any woman asks her husband for divorce without some strong reason, the odour of paradise will be forbidden for her. (Tirmidhi)
36. He who goes out in search of knowledge is in God's path till he returns. (Tirmidhi)
37. To learn the Knowledge of the Deen is fard upon every Muslim man and woman. (Ibn-e-Majah)
38. Anyone who shows the way to something good has the same reward as the person who does it. (Muslim)
39. The man who is most hateful to God is the one who quarrels and disputes most. (Bukhari)
40. None of you can truly be said to believe until he wants for his brother what he wants for himself. (Agreed upon)
41. God does not look at your forms and possessions, but He looks at your hearts
and your deeds. (Muslim)
42. When one of you looks at someone who is superior to him in property
and appearance, he should look at someone who is inferior to him. (Bukhari)
43. This world is the prison of the believer and the paradise of the unbeliever. (Muslim)
44. Whoever remains quiet attains salvation. (Tirmizi)
45. Anyone who safeguards for My sake what is between his jaws and what
is between his legs, I will safeguard Jannah (Paradise) for him. (Agreed upon)
46. It is not allowable for a man to come in between two people without their
permission. (Tirmidhi)
47. The distinguishing factor between kufr and Imaan is the deliberate neglect of Salaat (Prayer). (Muslim)
48. A Muslim has five duties towards another Muslim; to return a salutation (Salaam),
visit the sick, follow funerals, accept an invitation and say 'God have mercy on you'
when one sneezes. (Muslim)
49. He who believes in God and the Last Day should honour his guest; he who believes
in God and the Last Day should not annoy his neighbours; and he who believes in God and the Last Day should say what is good or keep silent. (Bukhari)
50. There are three signs of a hypocrite: when he speaks he speaks lies, when he makes
a promise he breaks it, and when he is trusted he betrays his trust. (Bukhari)
51. Seventy thousand of my people will enter paradise without being taken to account.
They are those who do not use spells or take omens, but put their trust in their Lord.
(Bukhari)
52. I and the one who takes responsibility for an orphan, whether his own kin or of others, will be in paradise thus," and he pointed his forefinger and the middle finger with a slight space between them. (Bukhari)
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Hijab Check
Hijab check
Hijaab is not a piece of cloth on your head. Just because some of the sisters have their head covered, they think that the requirement of Hijaab is fulfilled. They don’t realize that wearing a Hijaab requires much more than just covering your head. Actually, if you think about it, Hijaab is the way you talk…the way you walk…the very way you carry yourself.
In fact, Hijaab is an attitude in itself. It’s a whole way of life. Allah says:
“And say to the believing women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty (zeenah) except what is apparent of it, and to extend their head coverings (khimars) to cover their bosoms (jaybs), and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent, and not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments. And turn in repentance to Allah together, O you believers, in order that you are successful.” (Surat-un-Nur: 31).
Here are some of the more common issues in light of this verse about the Hijaab.
Well, my head is covered. What more do you want?
If you look carefully at the ayah, it clearly states that the head covers (khumur) should be drawn over the neck slits (juyoob). Khumur is the plural of the Arabic word “khimar” which means a head cover. Juyoob is the plural of the Arabic word “jaiyb,” which refers to the neck slit (of the dress).
Yet, some sisters just cover their head with something, and think they are fulfilling the rights of Hijaab, although part of their hair or body is showing, or their whole neck and chest area are exposed. Actually, that was the way of the women of Jahilliyah.
Al-Qurtubi said: “Women in those days used to cover their heads with the khimar, throwing its ends upon their backs. This left the neck and the upper part of the chest bare, along with the ears. Then Allah commanded them to cover those parts with the khimar.”
So secure the scarf well around your face, covering your neck/chest area, and keep those half sleeves and capri pants for your Mahrams.
Sorry.…tight jeans and short shirt just don’t cut it
You can’t wear tight jeans and a short shirt with a piece of cloth on your head and think this is Hijaab. Nor can you wear anything else that is tight, describing the shape of the body in any way, even if it is long.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “In later (generations) of my ummah there will be women who will be dressed but naked. On top of their heads (what looks) like camel humps. They will not enter into paradise or (even) get a smell of it.” (Muslim)
If it is see-through, its NOT Hijaab
You CANNOT use chiffon or other see through material to cover your hair and body. Everything should be covered and the color of the skin [and hair] underneath should not be visible.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) once received a thick garment as a gift. He gave it to Osamah ibn Zayd, who in turn gave it to his wife. When asked by the Prophet why he did not wear it, Osamah indicated that he gave it to his wife. The Prophet then said to Osamah “Ask her to use a ‘gholalah’ under it (the garment) for I fear that it (the garment) may describe the size of her bones.” (Ahmad, Abi-Dawood)
(The word gholalah in Arabic means a thick fabric worn under the dress to prevent it from describing the shape of the body).
The Hijaab shouldn’t attract attention
The dress should not be such that it attracts men’s attention to the woman’s beauty. Allaah clearly states “not to display their beauty (zeenah).” Yet, Subhaan Allaah, some Hijaabi sisters are dressed in such a way that they attract more attention to themselves than they would if they didn’t wear Hijaab!!
How could such zeenah be concealed if the dress is designed in a way that it attracts men’s eyes to the woman? It beats the purpose of Hijaab.
Allaah tells us: “And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like those of the times of ignorance…” [al-Ahzaab:32]
What about make-up and perfume???
Wearing make up is also part of the zeenah that Allaah orders us NOT to display. So if your head and body are appropriately covered yet you are wearing bright red lipstick or dark eyeliner such that people confuse between you and a raccoon… uh sorry, that’s not Hijaab.
And keep those nice fragrances for the home, between you and your husband. That’s part of Hijaab too, even if you are going to the Masjid.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Any woman who puts on perfume and passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress.” (al-Nasaa’i, Tirmidhi: hasan by Albaani)
Tinkling Jewelry and Jingling Bracelets – ‘Loud’ and tinkling anything, be it jewelry, bracelets, clip-clopping shoes, little bells on clothes, you name it – if it jingles or makes noise, it is against the principles of Hijaab, because it attracts attention to the one wearing it.
That is what is meant when Allaah orders us in the above verse… “not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments.”
No laughing, joking, or hanging out with non-Mahrams
Some sisters assume that since they are properly covered, its okay for them to sit around and talk, laugh, joke, etc. with the men, but that’s not right, even if he is ‘the Shaikh’.
Allaah says: “… then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner.” [al-Ahzaab:32]
So talk to them when there is a specific need, and in a manner that is not necessarily rude, yet it is polite but firm.
Staring at the brothers or ‘checking them out’ is NOT Hijaab
Allaah orders us to “lower your gaze” in the above verse. Why? Because a single ‘look’ can say more than a thousand words. So, even if you are properly covered, keep those eyes down, conduct yourself with ‘Hayaa,’ and avoid ‘fitnah.’
‘Chatting’ on the internet/phone is not part of Hijaab, either
There is no such thing as “we’re just friends.” Talking to non-Mahrams is wrong even if it is through the internet or telephone. There are too many stories of illegal relationships, fornication, broken homes, extra-marital affairs and runaway brides to even mention. That is why in Islam anything that leads to haraam is also haraam.
Allaah says: “Do not (even) come close to fornication, for it is an indecency, and its way is evil.” (Surah Israa:32)
Be careful, even in the way you walk
Remember, you are not a runway model displaying the latest fashion. Walk with modesty and hayaa and you will be respected.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “There are two types of the people of Hell that I have not seen yet… women who are clothed yet naked, walking with an enticing gait…” (Muslim).
Don’t shake hands with non-Mahrams.
Its part of Hijaab. It is not permissible to shake hands with a non-Mahram, because the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “For one of you to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle is better for him than to touch a woman who is not permissible for him.” (at-Tabaraani saheeh by al-Albaani).
And no, it is not rude to refuse to shake hands with non-Muslims. Simply politely explain that its part of your religion and they are very understanding.
Stay away from the men’s areas
I see many sisters entering the Masjid from the men’s entrance, or standing idle in the hallways or where there is a chance of unnecessary mixing with the brothers.
What for? Don’t we have a separate entrance for ourselves? Why do you think Allaah ordained the Hijaab in the first place? To avoid fitnah, by reducing temptation and separating the genders.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said to the women on his way out of the mosque when he saw men and women mixing together on their way home: “Give way (i.e., walk to the sides) as it is not appropriate for you to walk in the middle the road.” Thereafter, women would walk so close to the wall that their dresses would get caught on it.” (Abu Dawood)
Hijaab is also to conceal your sister
Although some sisters wear the Hijaab themselves, they forget that they cannot talk about another sister and her beauty in front of their own husbands, brothers, etc. Remember, part of your Hijaab is to cover your sister’s ‘awrah’ as well.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “No woman should mix with a woman and describe her to her husband so that it is as if he can see her.” (Muslim)
May Allah guide us and bless us with the TRUE understanding of His Deen. Ameen.
Author unknown
Friday, 21 May 2010
The Ideal Muslimah
The Ideal Muslimah
By Dr. Muhammad ‘Ali Al-Hashimi
Translated by Nasiruddin Al-Khattab and Revised by Ibrahim
M. Kunna and Abu Aya Sulaiman Abdus-Sabur
Copyright and published by the International Islâmic Publishing House (IIPH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1999.
Contents
Abbreviations, Symbols and NotesExpectations
Chapter 1: The Muslim Woman and Her Rabb
The Believing Woman is Alert
She Worships Allah
She Regularly Prays Five Times a Day
She May Attend the Jama‘ah (Congregational) Prayer
She Attends ‘Eid Prayers
She Prays Sunnah and Nafil Prayers
She Performs Her Prayers Properly
She Pays Zakah on Her Wealth
She Fasts During the Day and Prays at Night in Ramadhan
She Observes Nafil Fasts
She Goes on Hajj to the Sacred House of Allah
She Goes for ‘Umrah
She is Obedient to the Commands of Allah
She Does Not Sit Alone With a “Stranger”
She Wears Correct Hijab (Also read: “The Requirements of Women’s Hijab in Accordance with the Qur‘an, the Authentic Sunnah and the Practice of the Pious Predecessors".)
She Avoids Mixing Freely With Men
She Does Not Shake Hands With a Non-Mahram Man
She Does Not Travel Except With a Mahram
She Accepts the Will and Decree of Allah
She Turns to Allah in Repentance
She Feels a Sense of Responsibility for the Members of Her Family
Her Main Concern is the Pleasure of Allah
She Understands the True Meaning of Being a Servant of Allah
She Works to Support the Religion of Allah
She is Distinguished by Her Islamic Character and True Religion
Her Loyalty is to Allah Alone
She Enjoins What is Good and Forbids What is Evil
She Often Reads the Qur’an
Chapter 2: The Muslim Woman and Her Own Self
Introduction
1 – Her Body
Moderation in Food and Drink
She Exercises Regularly
Her Body and Clothes are Clean
She Takes Care of her Mouth and Teeth
She Takes Care of Her Hair
Good Appearance
She Does Not Go to Extremes of Beautification or Make a Wanton Display of Herself
2 – Her Mind
She Takes Care of Her Mind by Pursuing Knowledge
What a Muslim Woman Needs to Know
Muslim Women’s Achievements in the Field of Knowledge
She is not Superstitious
She Never Stops Reading and Studying
3 – Her Soul
She Performs Acts of Worship Regularly and Purifies Her Soul
She Keeps Company with Righteous People and Joins Religious Gatherings
She Frequently Repeats Du‘as and Supplications Described in Ahadith
Chapter 3: The Muslim Woman and Her Parents
She Treats Them with Kindness and Respect (Birr)
She Recognizes Their Status and Knows Her Duties Towards Them
She is Kind and Respectful Towards Her Parents Even If They are not Muslims
She is Extremely Reluctant to Disobey Them
Her Mother Comes First, Then Her Father
She Treats Parents Kindly
Chapter 4: The Muslim Woman and Her Husband
Marriage in Islam
She Chooses a Good Husband
She is Obedient to Her Husband and Shows Him Respect
She Treats His Mother and Family with Kindness and Respect
She Endears Herself to her Husband and is Keen to Please Him
She Does not Disclose His Secrets
She Stands by Him and Offers Her Advice
She Encourages Him to Spend and Give Charity for the Sake of Allah
She Helps Him to Obey Allah (S.W.T.)
She Fills His Heart with Joy
She Makes Herself Beautiful for Him
She is Cheerful and Grateful when She Meets Him
She Shares His Joys and Sorrows
She Does not Look at Other Men
She Does not Describe Other Women to Him
She Tries to Create an Atmosphere of Peace and Tranquility for Him
She is Tolerant and Forgiving
She is Strong in Character and Wise
She is One of the Most Successful Wives
Chapter 5: The Muslim Woman and Her Children
Introduction
She Understands the Great Responsibility that She Has Towards Her Children
She Uses the Best Methods in Bringing Them up
She Demonstrates Her Love and Affection for Them
She treats her sons and daughters equally
She Does not Discriminate Between Sons and Daughters in Her Affection and Care
She Does not Pray Against her Children
She is Alert to Everything that May Have an Influence on Them
She Instils Good behavior and Attitudes in Them
Chapter 6: The Muslim Woman and Her Sons and Daughters-in-Law
A – Her Daughter-in-Law and Her Attitude Towards her Daughter-in-Law
She Knows how to Make a Good Choice in Selecting a Daughter-in-Law
She Knows Her Place
She Gives Advice but Does not Interfere in Their Private Life
She Respects Her and Treats Her Well
She is Wise and Fair in her Judgement of her Daughter- in-Law
B – Her Son-in-Law
Her Attitude Towards her Son-in-Law
She Knows How to Make a Good Choice in Selecting a Son-in-Law
She Respects and Honours Him
She Helps her Daughter to be a Good Wife to her Husband
She is Fair, and is Never Biased in Favor of Her Daughter
She Deals with Problems Wisely
Chapter 7: The Muslim Woman and Her Relatives
Islamic View of Kinship Ties
The Muslim Woman Upholds the Ties of Kinship According to the Teachings of Islam
She Maintains the Ties of Kinship Even if Her Relatives are not Muslims
She Fully Understands the Meaning of Upholding the Ties of Kinship
She Maintains the Ties of Kinship Even if Her Relatives Fail to Do So
Chapter 8: The Muslim Woman and Her neighbors
The Muslim Woman is Kind and Friendly Towards Her neighbors
She Adheres to the Islamic Teachings Regarding Good Treatment of neighbors
She Likes for Her neighbors What She Likes for Herself
She Treats Her neighbor in the Best Way that She Can
She Treats Her neighbor Well Even if They are Not Muslims
She Starts with the neighbor Whose Home is Closer to Her Own
The True Muslim Woman is the Best neighbor
Bad neighbors
The Bad neighbor is a Person Who is Deprived of the Blessing of Faith
The Bad neighbor is a Person Whose Good Deeds are Not Accepted
Her Good Treatment of Her neighbor is Enough
She Puts up with Her neighbor’s Mistakes and Bad Treatment
Chapter 9: The Muslim Woman and Her Friends and Sisters in Islam
She Loves Her Friends and Sisters for the Sake of Allah
The Status of Two Who Love One Another for the Sake of Allah
The Effect of Love for the Sake of Allah
She Does Not Forsake or Abandon Her Sister
She is Tolerant and Forgiving
She Meets Them with a Smiling Face
She is Sincere Towards Them
She is Faithful and Kind
She is Kind to Them
She Does not Gossip About Them
She Avoids Arguing with Them, Making Hurtful Jokes and Breaking Promises
She is Generous and Honours Her Sisters
She Prays for Her Sisters in Their Absence
Chapter 10: The Muslim Woman and Her Community/ Society
She Has a Good Attitude Towards Others and Treats Them Well
She is Truthful
She Avoids Giving False Statements
She Gives Sincere Advice
She Guides Others to Righteous Deeds
She Does Not Cheat, Deceive, or Stab in the Back
She Keeps Her Promises
She is Not a Hypocrite
She is Characterized by Shyness [Haya’]
She is Proud and Does Not Beg
She Does not Interfere in that which Does not Concern Her
She Refrains from Slandering the Honour of Others and Seeking Out Their Faults
She Does not Show Off or Boast
She is Fair in Her Judgements
She Does not Oppress or Mistreat Others
She is Fair Even to Those Whom She Does Not Like
She Does not Rejoice in the Misfortunes of Others
She Avoids Suspicion
She Refrains from Backbiting and Spreading and Spreading Malicious Gossip
She Avoids Cursing and Foul Language
She Does Not Make Fun of Anybody
She is Gentle and Kind Towards People
She is Compassionate and Merciful
She Strives for People’s Benefit and Seeks to Protect Them from Harm
She Helps to Alleviate the Burden of the Debtor
She is Generous
She Does Not Remind the Beneficiaries of Her Charity
She is Patient
She is Easy-Going and Does Not Bear Grudges
She is Easy on People, Not Hard
She is Not Envious
She Avoids Boasting and Seeking Fame
Her Speech is Not Exaggerated or Affected
She Has a Likeable Personality
She is Friendly and Likeable
She Keeps Secrets
She is of Cheerful Countenance
She is Lighthearted and Has a Sense of Humour
She Tries to Make People Happy
She is Not Over-Strict
She is Not Arrogant or Proud
She is Humble and Modest
She is Moderate with Regard to Her Clothing and Appearance
She Loves Noble Things and Always Aims High
She is Concerned About the Affairs of the Muslims
She Honours Her Guest
She Prefers Others Over Herself
She Checks Her Customs and Habits Against Islamic Standards
She Follows Islamic Manners in the Way She Eats and Drinks
Spreading the Greeting of Islam
She Does Not Enter a House Other Than Her Own without Permission
She Sits Wherever She Finds Room in a Gathering
She Does Not Converse Privately with Another Woman When a Third is Present
She Respects Elders and Distinguished People
She Does Not Look into Other People’s Houses
She Avoids Yawning in a Gathering as Much as She Can
She Follows Islamic Etiquette When She Sneezes
She Does Not Seek the Divorce of Another Woman so that She May Taker Her Place
She Chooses the Work that Suits Her Feminine Nature
She Does Not Imitate Men
She Calls People to the Truth
She Enjoins What is Good and Forbids What is Evil
She is Wise and Eloquent in Her Da‘wah
She Mixes with Righteous Women
She Strives to Reconcile Between Muslim Women
She Mixes with Other Women and Puts up with Their Insults
She Repays Favours and is Grateful for Them
She Visits the Sick
She Does Not Wail Over the Dead
She Does Not Attend Funerals
Conclusion
“Do not marry Unbelieving woman until they believe: A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman even though she allures you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe. A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever. Even Though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire. But Allah beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of Bliss) and forgiveness. And makes His Signs Clear to mankind: that they may receive admonition.”
(Qur’an, 2:221)
“O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away pare of the dower you have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity if you take a dislike to them it may be that you dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good.” (Qur‘an, 4:19)
Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah ’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “Treat women nicely, for a women is created from a rib. And the most curved portion of the rib is its upper portion. So, if you should try to straighten it, it will break, but if you leave it as it is, it will remain crooked. So treat women nicely.”
(Bukhari Vol. 4, Hadith 548)
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