Unity in Isalm

وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّـهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّـهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّـهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

Hold fast, all together, to Allah’s cord, and do not be divided [into sects]. And remember Allah’s blessing upon you when you were enemies, then He brought your hearts together, so you became brothers with His blessing. And you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, whereat He saved you from it. Thus does Allah clarify His signs for you so that you may be guided. (3:103)

Allamah Tabataba’i writes in this regard:

“Holding fast to Allah” is holding fast to the verses of Allah and His Messenger (i.e., the Qur’an and the Sunnah), in which guidance has been guaranteed. Holding fast to the Messenger of Allah is, in reality, holding fast to the Qur’an; they both stem from one source. The reason for this is that Allah, in the Qur’an, orders us to obey the Prophet (s). Fundamentally, obeying Allah cannot be achieved, except through His Messenger.”

وَلَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُوا وَاخْتَلَفُوا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ ۚ وَأُولَـٰئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

Do not be like those who became divided [into sects] and differed after manifest signs had come to them. For such there will be a great punishment. (3:105)

The Prophet stated that Muslim unity causes goodness and mercy while division is the factor behind destruction and punishment. He stated: “Congregating is good (a mercy) while division is torment.”

أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ 

وَمَا تَفَرَّقُوا إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْعِلْمُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ

… Maintain the religion, and do not be divided in it…They did not divide [into sects] except after the knowledge had come to them, out of envy among themselves. (42:13-14)

Allamah Tabataba’i says: “Allah did not condemn division or differences in the Qur’an unless they were accompanied by carnal desires and opposition to rational guidance.”

 The Holy Prophet sawa said “Be with the community and beware of division,” “Do not cause division for those before you who caused division perished,” “Do not cause division or your hearts will become divided,” and “Whoever divided into sects before you perished.”

Again the Holy Prophet sawa  says “Believers are brothers: their blood is mutual. They are like one hand against those who are opposed to them.”

وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

‘This indeed is my straight path, so follow it, and do not follow [other] ways, for they will separate you from His way. This is what He enjoins upon you so that you may be Godwary.’ (6:153)

مِنَ الَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا شِيَعًا ۖ كُلُّ حِزْبٍ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُونَ

Of those who split up their religion and became sects: each faction exulting in what it possessed (30:32)

Qur’an affirms that one will not be punished for his mistakes and for what he committed out of forgetfulness, an enormous amount of attention has been paid to those who cause division intentionally (ta’ammud) and out of rebelliousness (bagha). Such actions are not to be tolerated in this world and have severe consequences in the next. 

وَإِن طَائِفَتَانِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْتَتَلُوا فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ فَإِن بَغَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا عَلَى الْأُخْرَىٰ فَقَاتِلُوا الَّتِي تَبْغِي حَتَّىٰ تَفِيءَ إِلَىٰ أَمْرِ اللَّـهِ ۚ

If two groups of the faithful fight one another, make peace between them. But if one party of them aggresses against the other, fight the one which aggresses until it returns to Allah’s ordinance ... (49:9)

The Prophet (s) considered the following to be one of the signs and traits of a Muslim:

“A Muslim is a person who makes other Muslims feel safe from his speech and hands.”

وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

‘This indeed is my [i.e., the Prophet’s] straight path, so follow it, and do not follow [other] ways, for they will separate you from His way. This is what He enjoins upon you so that you may be Godwary.’ (6:153)

the ‘straight path’ is the path in which there is no division.

For You (Imam Mahdi)

Alone I sit waiting for you.
I remove my veil, it was ment for you.

I'm here waiting trying to stay strong,
The dunya I wish to divorce its wretched face so prolonged.

Where are you oh awaited one,
I wish I could be with you oh our dear Askari's son.

How blessed is the dirt that is the path you walk,
How blessed is the one who gets to hear your talk.

Interced for this poor soul,
Who's wish is to meet you but this hardship has taken its toll.

Alone I sit waiting for you.
I remove my veil, it was ment for you.

Bismillah

Salaam alaykom,
This will be a short blog but it is filled with much to reflect in sha Allah!

When we invoke Allah with the word Bislimllah we are asking only Him to help us and seeking His protection. We also gain a sense of confidence which helps us through the task we are about to perform. Starting off using Bismillah makes our intentions and the essence of the actions pure. The task that we are performing becomes blessed through these words and Allah has said “it is incumbent upon Me that I should complete his works for him”
When we start off by using Bismillah we humble ourselves and show acknowledgment that we are helpless without Him and that we need Him only to complete any task.
Saying Bismillah is not done with just the tongue, it must be done with the heart. We must truly understand the true depth of these words and feel it when we are invoking Allah with Bismillah. Through true remembrance of Allah when using bismillah we can gain virtuous and rid ourselves from vices and reach ultimate happiness which is nearness to our One and Only Beloved.

The Beautiful Life of Bilal

Salaam alaykom respected readers,
As a convert you would have thought I gave the attention to the story of Bilal ibn Rabah, however it really didn't hit me as a story to read or reflect on until recently. I went to go on my search to find his story and found that it was hard to find any shia sources on his life.
I came to realise that Bilal's story was not just a convert story but it was a story of beauty, strength, obedience and a love for Allah we all pray we have one day. Bilal's story has not been realised by many of us, in fact his amazing journey is not just for converts, those of different race but it is a story for us all!
Bilal was tortured by his “master” so bad that he even had heavy bolder put on him, but Bilal refused to say that there was other Gods. He repeated that statement over and over that there is only One God. He was eventually saved by our Holy Prophet when he sent someone to buy him. After this Bilal was given freedom and was only a slave to Allah. How beautiful is this part of his life. He gave up all the religions around him for the true religion and endured so much physical pain but only had his spiritual become stronger through it, SubhanAllah!
Bilal was appointed by our Holy Prophet sawa to do the job of a  muezzim which is the one that calls people to prayer, this was a beautiful spiritual journey to call all to prayer as his nearness to Allah was becoming stronger and stronger by doing what Allah wanted from all of us. He obeyed Allah by obeying the Holy Prophet sawa. The most important part I believe in his life was that after the Holy Prophet sawa passed away.

Bilal did not give bay'ah to Abu Bakr, Umar ibn al-Khattab grabbed Bilal by his clothes and said,

Is this the reward of Abu Bakr; he emancipated you and you are now refusing to pay allegiance to him?

To which Bilal replied,

If Abu Bakr had emancipated me for the pleasure of Allah, then let him leave me alone for Allah; and if he had emancipated me for his service, then I am ready to render him the services required. But I am not going to pay allegiance to a person whom the Messenger of God had not appointed as his caliph.
(Source Riz̤vī, Sayyid Sa'eed Ak̲h̲tar. Slavery: From Islamic & Christian Perspectives. Richmond, British Columbia: Vancouver Islamic Educational Foundation, 1988. Print. ISBN 0-920675-07-7 Pg. 35-36)

Similarly, al-Isti'ab, a Sunni source, states that Bilal told Abu Bakr:

If you have emancipated me for yourself, then make me a captive again; but if you had emancipated me for Allah, then let me go in the way of Allah.

This was said when Bilal wanted to go for Jihad. Abu Bakr then let him go."
(Source: ibd wa Abdullah, Ysuf. al-Isti'ab. Print. Pg.150)

Being exiled from Medina by Umar and Abu Bakr, Bilal migrated to Syria.

I say this might be the most important part in his life because right now we can all relate to this time. A time where we must stand strong like Bilal, stand firm in obedience to Allah, obedience to our holy Prophet sawa, obedience to our imam of our time (Allah hasten his reappearance). We need to really look at ourselves and ask ourselves have we given our life like amazing people like Bilal? Have we been given the boulder of life and refused to submit to the wrong path? Have we been exile from the land to be obedient to Allah?

May Allah swt grant us strong and firm faith to be obedient and to be strong in our faith, to follow the right way and to be granted a nearness to Allah like that of great personalities like Bilal. Ameen.

Tell the Believing Woman to Lower Their Gaze

"Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do." Quran 24:30

"And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed."  Quran 24:31

Salaam alaykom respected readers,

I am sure we have all heard these ayats before. Today I am wanting to emphasize on both men and woman lowering their gaze and guarding themselves against indecent actions. It is easy for us to read Quran but to really read it is to reflect. When we are out in this society where looking is seen as normal behaviour even if some dislikes it no one stops it and not many try to prevent it. Actually it is seen as the lookers fault completly even if one is not dressing right and has prevoked such indecent looks. Many of my readers may even say that they don't have bad intentions when looking at non mahram however it is so emphasized in Islam to lower the gaze and guard our private parts. So the question arises why? Well in a world where desires are handed out for all to lust over we need to really reflect on our own actions. First how to prevent indecent looks at ourselves. We should first see what we are wearing, are we covered properly or has bad thoughts entered our minds on dressing to impress! If we are not doing our part to help others not fall into sin then we should certainly take the first step in covering properly. Hijab has been discussed a lot so you can look into your marjas answers to hijab requirements. Secondly we should see if we are lowering our eyes from non mahram. Even if we don't have bad intentions we should still reduce our eyes as the look can penetrate and cause harm for either side spiritually. 

Imam Ali AS said "the eye is the Spy of the heart and the messenger of the intellect."

Thirdly we should not be in mixed gatherings and should segregate ourselves from non mahram. 

The Holy Prophet sawa said "segregate men from women, provider confronting each other, frequenting with one another, the society will be afflicted with a cureless pain."

We can not be friends with the opposite gender. We use terms in Islam like "my sister" and "my brother" to show a unity in a religious community that we are all one in belief and are to stay united with eachother. It is not a phrase to make you feel like your brother and sister are like real ones... this is a bad culture that started this by having non mahrams call eachother brother and sister and act as though they are your real ones by hugging and mingling. This is a trick from Shaytan and we need to be on guard for such thoughts. 

The Holy Prophet sawa said "a needle striking with full force on your head is better than touching a woman who is not mahram to you."

We should always be on guard for shaytan can whisper to us and this faculty is strong in us to be with opposite gender for obvious reasons (having children and giving marital rights properly) but we need to be careful we dont fall into sins with this desire being so strong. Many people have been destroyed because they did not regulate this power of the soul correctly. May Allah swt protect us all from falling into the traps of shaytan. May He help us to gain a firm virtue in chasity and be strong in our faith in obedience to Him. Ameen!

Halloween shia islam

https://youtu.be/aSezp_d6Z_w

Woman in Islam (Islamic Feminist) part 1

Salaam alaykom,

So this blog I hope to send out to make a global wide movement on empowering Islamic Woman and their rights but right of others too. I have been reading a lot on the femisistic movement for woman which started along time ago in fact many may not realize that we are now in the 3rd wave of this movement which is to make all genders equal... however I beg to differ on this quote so easy said as I think this movement is for woman and not men and with research and thought you can clearly see the woman activist for this movement have an idea of women over men... so "equal" slogans are hard to swallow when it seems to be something else. Anyways that you readers can look into with a unbiased opinion and see for yourself what this means really, I'm sure you will be shocked if you are not bought into this and come with open mind and Islamic education. 

So what makes my movement different from the other Islamic woman movements which are out there and not surprising but sad is that some are using these movements in our holy women's names :(
I am 100% behind any woman's choice when it doesn't cross the lines of an unislamic stance. Shouting "woman equal to men" seems to be used so many times, equal to man in physical, mental, and emotional seems a little to far from the truth. Can woman really be fully "equal"? Does "equal" in the feminist way really exist? My answer no and in some way yes!
Now don't jump at me and hear me out with an open mind.
So does Islam have this idea of equality? Yes, when it come to our abilities to reach perfection.

فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّي لَا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِنْكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَىٰ ۖ بَعْضُكُمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ ۖ فَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا وَأُخْرِجُوا مِنْ دِيَارِهِمْ وَأُوذُوا فِي سَبِيلِي وَقَاتَلُوا وَقُتِلُوا لَأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ وَلَأُدْخِلَنَّهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ثَوَابًا مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ حُسْنُ الثَّوَابِ {195}

[Shakir 3:195] So their Lord accepted their prayer: That I will not waste the work of a worker among you, whether male or female, the one of you being from the other; they, therefore, who fled and were turned out of their homes and persecuted in My way and who fought and were slain, I will most certainly cover their evil deeds, and I will most certainly make them enter gardens beneath which rivers flow; a reward from Allah, and with Allah is yet better reward.

"If any do deeds of righteousness be they male or female and have faith, they will enter Heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them. (The Noble Quran, 4:124)"

"O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other.  Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.  And Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted.  (The Noble Quran, 49:13)"

So you can clearly see Allah says both man and woman are equal when it comes to two things, one religious perfection and two being that both are humans. 

Now what about this so called "equal" in other things such as strength and emotions? Are we created differently? Certainly! Allah created us with different abilities so to say we are equal in all this is just not correct. 

الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ وَبِمَا أَنْفَقُوا مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ ۚ فَالصَّالِحَاتُ قَانِتَاتٌ حَافِظَاتٌ لِلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَاللَّاتِي تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَاهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِي الْمَضَاجِعِ وَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلَا تَبْغُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلًا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيًّا كَبِيرًا {34}

[Shakir 4:34] Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.

This does not mean woman are less than the man, certainly not. If both men and woman did their duties and kept their rights Allah gave them then this would complement each other and would be able to highlight what are abilities are. Different doesn't mean bad. This is the idea many want you to think, but this is not true!

Example: A man can not physically carry a child in his belly and push it out with immense pain, it is obvious to you that it's not how the man is created. This doesn't mean he's less than the woman. "To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female children to whomever He wills and bestows male children to whomever He wills.    (The Noble Quran, 42:49)"

There are many examples but I am sure you can think of these yourself. 

Now what about education? And choosing your spouse? Does Islam say woman have rights to these things? 

﴿قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ‌ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُوْلُواْ ٱلْأَلْبَــــٰـــبِ﴾

Say: ‘Can those who have knowledge and those who do not be alike?’ So only the wise do receive the admonition. [al-Zumar, 39:9.]

﴿إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱلْعُلَمَــــٰۤـــؤُاْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ﴾

So only those of His servants who have knowledge (of these realities with a vision and outlook) fear Him. Surely, Allah is Almighty, Most Forgiving. [Fatir, 35:28.]

Clear as day again for those wanting to read and gain knowledge. Woman are among those to get educated!! I highly emphasis this part and recommend that every muslim women get up and please go get your Islamic knowledge even if it be your wajabat! I am a huge advocate to woman learning Islamic sciences. 

So does woman have right to accept or decline a husband? Yes!! Woman certainly do. A beautiful story of Imam Ali (as) called on Prophet Muhammad (sawa), and said: “O Messenger of God, you have brought me up as your own child. You have overwhelmed me with your gifts, your generosity and your kindness. I owe you everything in my life. Now I seek one more kindness from you.”

The Apostle understood what Ali (AS) was trying to say. His face lighted up in a broad smile, and he bade Ali (AS)to wait for a few moments until he obtained his daughter's answer. He entered the house, told Fatima (SA) that Ali (AS) was asking for her hand in marriage, and asked her what was her response. She kept quiet. He interpreted her silence as her assent, returned to Ali(AS), informed him that his proposal was accepted, and told him to make preparations for the wedding.

It is sunnah to ask the woman if she accepts the proposal or not. 

So with all this you can see that there is a difference in he feministic movement to woman and men rights in Islamic perspective. Please do read the link below to get all rights in Islam. 

https://www.al-islam.org/treatise-rights-risalat-al-huquq-imam-zain-ul-abideen

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Struggle in Todays Society

Salaam alaykom respected readers,

It has been a little while since I had a moment to post. A thought has been occupying my mind these days. I have recently moved to a city and came out of my hole of being a hermit, alone with my family, secluded in a rural area. It is no joke that this was certainly a culture shock when I moved back. I'm sure many of you have experienced this before at some degree or another, however if you haven't, this feeling is quiet hard to overcome. I'm very thankful that in my time of seclusion I studied a lot and still do which helps me be very firm in my faith! But I can't help but wonder how many of us weren't and some aren't educated enough... in fact prior to my seclusion I too use to live in this very city and was not educated, so the society alone was eating up my beliefs and taking my obedience to Allah away.

I haven't come here to call you down in fact I'm coming to you as I have been there before! I have been to my lowest times in my spirtual growth. To be totally open with you when I look back on pictures my heart hurts and I cant help but wonder why I choose that before. It wasn't until recently I realize what it was. I realized I had given into my desires for this world and traded my faith and hereafter for this world. Today after coming back to the area I once had been but as a different person and having a different purpose in life I have seen my dearest sisters and brothers struggling in this society between the world and the hereafter.

So my advise as small as it might be and how crazy it may seem especially to those who think they may already know the basic of Islam is get out and educate yourself! You can take online diploma for Islamic knowledge, I am a huge advocate that the more you learn about Allah, our Prophets, Imams and woman of Islamic history the more you will love them and become nearer to Allah and the more you will understand what Allah wants of you!

So take the steps even if it is 10 minutes a day to learn something, to get you closer to Allah swt. We all need to start somewhere, but if you never start you will lose yourself to this world.

Keeping Our Identity

Today this day we should declare to reclaim our identity!
Muharram has quickly approached and we are faced with the mourning of Hussain, of Abbas, of Sukina, of Zaynab, of all the companions of Hussain. We re-look at ourselves to see the vices that have ripped apart our hearts.
Today this day we should declare to reclaim our identity!
Who are we? We should be able to say we are the lovers and followers of Hussain, but with vices upon our faces these are not easy words said. Today we need to change our ways and rid ourselves from the vices that have chained our hearts. We with the best religion should be standing tall but with such humbleness to sit small. Placing the modesty upon our heads like our beloved Zaynab.
Today this day we should declare to reclaim our identity!
So fight the fight many have and win the battle like Hussain by giving our hearts to Him and let our last words be like Hussain's father Ali "by the Lord of the Kaba I am successful"

Wajib Laws (Khamsa Ahkam) Explained

Wajib Laws (Khamsa Ahkam)

In this short blog I will discuss the five types of

Wajib Laws (Khamsa Ahkam) which I will discuss

below. In sha Allah I will also give examples of each

of the five types.

The five types of wajib laws and examples are as

followed:

1. Wajib- these laws are when something is obligatory on

us in front of Allah such as our daily prayers, fasting

in the month of Ramadan, and eating halal. These

laws are 100 percent good for us.They are divided

into many groups which I will explain. Wajib can be

divided into two types tabudi (intention based) and

tawusuli (does not need intention to get nearer to

Allah for validity, like a marriage contract). Another

way of dividing wajib is wajib ani(something

obligatory on all Muslims) and wajib kafie (something

that is obligatory on all Muslims until one fulfills the

need or performs the action then the whole entire

group is relieved otherwise they are guilty). Another

way in dividing wajib is wajib tahini (this is when a

specific thing must be performed), wajib tahkiri (this

is when a person is duty bound to perform one of two

things), wajib nafsi (this is when it is obligatory for its

own sake, such as prayers and hajj) and wajib

mukadami (this is when something is prerequisite to

a wajib thing, this is something performed before the

wajib such as wudu).

2. Haram- these laws are that which displeases Allah and

are obligatory on us to refrain from. They have 100

percent harm in it weather it is spiritual or bodily or

both. Such as eating pork.

3. Mustahab- these laws are that can gain Allah’s

pleasure but if not performed there is no sin. Such

as brushing teeth before prayers.

4. Makrooh- these laws are ones that may cause Allah’s

displeasure, is is not a sin if performed but may have

some adverse effects on the body or soul. Such as

standing while eating.

5. Mubah- these laws are ones when done have none of

the above indication in hadith or Quran to say they are

of the other 4 types of laws such as sitting or drinking

water with no intentions but to drink it or to sit.

However maybe everything can gain Allah’s pleasure

if intention is proper.

In conclusion we can see that Allah has asked from

us to do somethings that are only beneficial to

ourselves, but has also restricted us for our own selves

as well.

In sha Allah I was able to explain properly is such short

amount of time the five laws of wajib.

Community at a Repair

Salaam alaykom respected readers,

I think many of us can say that our community is in great need! It's like watching someone you care for that has fallen very sick and in order to save this person they must go to a special doctor and follow the doctors prescription exactly even if this means a lot of trials and pains to become better again. 

This is my view and in my most humble way I am shocked and at the same time overwhelmed by a great sadness to see many members that we care for lost. I was once told we had the perfect religion with some of the worst followers, it wasn't until now I kind of get what they meant by this. It's not that I'm saying everyone is horrible, what I'm saying is we need a lot of work on education and pulling together as a team to get the community to become what Allah would be pleased with. It's a lot of work but if each member of the community worked it can certainly happen! 

Imam Ali (a.s.) said, ‘Stay with the greater majority, for verily Allah’s hand is with the [larger] group. Beware of separation for verily the deviant amongst you is the victim of Satan just as the deviant amongst the cattle is the victim of a wolf.’[Nahjul Balaghah, Sermon 127]

4ـ الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : واللّه‏ِ ، لَأظُنُّ أنَّ هؤلاءِ القَومَ سَيُدالونَ مِنكُم باجْتِماعِهِم على 

باطِلِهم وتَفَرُّقِكُم عن حقِّكُم

So you can see in Imam Ali's words keeping together as a strong community and working to better ourselves as a whole and individuals will help us get nearer to Allah. I think sometimes we dont know where our place is in the community, or maybe we have felt we can't help. Everyone must play their role if they are willing to help. Many great things can happen when we accept others help.

Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) said, ‘The Prophet (S) was asked about the congregation of his [religious] community, and he said, ‘The congregation of my community are those who are the people of truth even if they are few in number.’[Ma’ani al-Akhbar, p. 154, no. 1]

Ain't that the truth! Now I'm not the best and I certainly have a long road ahead of me to reach even the shore of the ocean but these few in numbers when pulled together can create a ripple in the ocean and make those few into many! 

Imam Ali (a.s.) said, ‘Verily you are brothers in the religion of Allah, nothing has separated you except ill natures and bad consciences, consequently you do not bear the burdens of each other, nor do you advise each other, nor spend on each other, nor love each other.’[Nahjul Balaghah, Sermon 113]

ـ الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : لَو سَكَتَ الجاهِلُ ما اخْتَلَفَ النّاسُ

 After thousands of years Imam Ali's words still ring true.  The bottom line to us as a community is not being as a one, is that we really don't have the love we should for each other. We should care if one gets sick or when a student isn't doing well in school, we should extend the hand to help if someone is in need. If you think I am wrong I have personally seen people in our community struggle financially and where is the rest of us crying at nights that this person isn't yet helped... it should bother us so much that we cant sleep at nights but it doesn't, we hear about it at the least maybe even help them once or twice but then that's it, their left alone struggling in this society. We can even go as far as seeing someone spiritually regressing but not care to stay up praying for them and trying all you can to help them and their family.

So you aren't left with the bad taste of this medicine I have tasted the bitterness of it and am too working on my share in this community. I say all this to myself first so don't get me wrong I pray for us to see the day we are a beautiful well supported community

In sha Allah we can pull together to become the best of people in the best of religions. Ameen 

My Journey to Pologomy

So the title may catch your attention in thinking I am in a pologomist relationship however as you will soon find out it's my journey to accepting and submitting to Allah.
It all began when I was in my 20s when I was learning about Islam. I was told about islam allowing 4 wives and the necessary right on the woman in these types of marriages. I was shocked and I remember saying "I cant be a muslim because I dont believe in these types of marriages" but was then refuted with my own beliefs at the time which was Christianity that in the religion I had followed all my life believed in not only polygamy but that a man could have as many as he wanted!!
Well you could imagine my thoughts... What do I do now? I put that part behind with out actually accepting it heartily. I became a Muslim and on and off struggled with this idea. I was with someone at that time that really made polygamy look bad in fact it was one of the main reasons for our relationship problems and the fact I had gone from abaya and hijab to nothing much on... the sad reality was this idea was taking me farther and farther away from Islam as I was fed a lie that it was for man to be able to do whatever he wanted when I was to remain faithful.
It ripped my spirituality apart. I then divorced who I was with not just due to that fact there was many factors in the divorce that was absolutely neccessary.
My first encounter with this again was when I was outside waiting for a ride when a man came to talk to me and gave me a proposal to help me and my children out but there was a catch in which he didn't want his wife to find out... ya right! It got me thinking though that this might be what I was going to face if I ever wanted to marry again as I was divorced and have 3 kids. And with all honestly it was something I was accepting of at that point to not be first wife but the second is better (I'm sure you can conclude to why). I rejected the proposal in silence. 

I started getting over a lot of my issues I had faced and met someone real special who I am now married to him. I dont want to say it was all him who helped me on this path to polygamy because it was Allah who knew that all those years I never left wanting to accept it all even when it was the hardest times in my life.
My husband helped me realise that I could face this part of Islam and feel secure that he wasnt wanting it and I was the only one. So I faced it as hard as it was I spent days in silence thinking about it. I knew intellectually the reasons and I could come to terms with them by reason but my heart was not allowing it to be penetrated with the idea of it for myself.
Now I'm still on this journey but I have come so far from not accepting it at all to accepting it.
Men sometimes like to use the idea of this for their own lustful desires but it has been the teachings of all our imams (AS) and prophet Muhammad (sawa) so what was the sunnah? Well they lowered their eyes took woman on who sometimes was widowed, divorced, barren and ones from other tribes to join the relationship between them. They looked after them and treated them with so much care that even when they had not a good wife they still treated them kind and tried to direct them to Allah.
Biggest issue for us woman on this subject is the fact that we dont think that we are beautiful and the husband wants someone better. Why we think that is because part is society has made us feel very insecure about ourselves and another part is the man has not shown polygamy in it correctly and beautiful way of life. We need to work on submitting and if we cant fully accept, then be patient about it, find intellectual reasons and work on loving yourself. Our brothers need to work on lowering their gaze and making his wife feel special. After this when she's secure with you she can think freely of Allah's halal.
May Allah swt help us all on this journey that even if your husband doesn't want this marriage that you can accept it with your full heart. Ameen.

The Child That Beat the Odds

When I met you I didn't know your story
You played and acted like any other, you had no worries

When I got to know you and your family you became like my own
I got to enjoy days of talks and strong caffeine in different tones

When I became close I heard your story so sad but true
How you became who you were was amazingly true

You came here for a better life but why did you run away
You ran from a group that had kidnapped you and you had to keep away

You ran from no help, you ran because no one choose to help
You ran because your family was tortured this was the constant life you felt

We take a lot for granted here in a safe home we have never felt it
We never felt the pain of being hurt like you had felt

Family That Was Not my Own

A mother was left all alone
Her children orphaned in this native land I called home

A family went through its trials no one can know
Beaten by the memories, its memories flow

Rich in belief they struggle through the odds of time
Each step they make fighting the past times

A family that was not my own
They never knew it by my tone

A mother was left all alone
Her children orphaned in this native land I call home

Mimicking the bad Culture: My Islam

Salaam alaykom readers,
This blog I want to write and hopes to combat the mimicking of bad culture. I have recently seen how much the bad culture has impacted our Muslims. I know the these are not the only place that have this bad culture. But for the this blog I will be pointing this type of bad culture out that I have seen impact our Muslims at a large.
So many may question or maybe they may even attack me on this topic because many will have this idea that it's not that bad. In fact maybe some will say they only let their children play with toys that are from these bad culture ideas. But I am hoping to stir up a thought, a reflection or hopefully understanding of its  consequences for a temperal pleasure in sha Allah.
When you allow these types of movies or playing with these types of toys one intentionally or unintentionally allows this types of ideas to be feed to their children. Learning something is like bread or water when we consume the knowledge of anything it has an affect on our souls. Just like if I handed my child a piece of haram meat there would be a spiritual and bodily effect of that child. Or if I gave them a halal piece of meat that child would have a better spiritual and bodily state. I want to focus on the spiritual side of this however I have this idea that what effects the soul may effect the body (we just aren't seeing it).
I want to bring to your attention a greater reflection to help us really understand what I am saying. Let's reflect on a well known character that all of you have heard of, maybe even you yourself have watched him or played with a toy that was this character. Batman.

I want to present to you what you may never have known but be certain in this day and age your child already knows about him but not really. They have seen and heard and even may have watched Batman.

Who is Batman? Have you looked into who he is or what he stands for? I mean you may be buying these very toys for your child. This isn't just restricted to Batman but I am using this as an example. Here is a quick over look to who he is... the character that plays Batman is Bruce Wayne he returned to Gotham City after many years of study and training with his body and mind developed to perfection. What is the Islamic view of perfection? Well to answer this I want to share with you a piece from the book 'The Perfect Man' by Ayatullah Murtadha Mutahhari  "Therefore, we should know what is meant by a perfect man? How he appears spiritually and intellectually, with his peculiarities, in order that we may improve ourselves, and our society based on that model? If we do not know the Islamic definition of a perfect human being, we cannot become a perfect Muslim, or even a relatively perfect human being.

From the viewpoint of Islam, there are two ways of knowing a perfect person: One way is to refer, firstly, to the Holy Qur’an, and secondly, to the traditions (Hadith), for definitions of a perfect man meant to be a best practising Muslim. A perfect Muslim is a person who has attained perfection in Islam; a perfect believer is one who has attained perfection in his faith. Now, we must see how the Holy Qur’an and tradition have portrayed such a person, and with which peculiar attributes. To be considerate, we have many things to quote from both of these sources.

The second way is to regard a real individual who is built up on the model of the Holy Qur’an and Islam, and not an imaginary phantasmal being; but a real and objective personality who exists in various stages of perfection: at its highest level, or, even at slightly lower stages.

The holy Prophet (S) himself is an example of a perfect man in Islam. Imam ‘Ali ibn Abu Talib is another example."

So with that we see by far Batman was not in this definition of perfect as it says he is.

Next about Batman is that the first person inspired by him was Catwoman, a dangerous seductress using her style and methods towards her own ends. Well I don't think I have to say to much on this part as to what it is trying to tell your kids or in fact us adults... I will define seductress in case some don't know. Seductress is a woman who seduces someone, especially one who entices a man into sexual activity.

And again, we see the character Riddler in batman and was another deranged genius who felt a psychological compulsion to demonstrate his intellectual superiority, and constructed elaborate crimes while delivering clues daring law enforcement to catch him.
They call this character and imply that not only is he deranged (mad; insane) but he's a genius (exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability.) I have to say he's far from intellectual as intellectual would overide his criminal attitude however for sake of argument let's say he's intellectual but not using it  correctly. What is this teaching our kids that their is a way to try to sneak around and to misuse our intellect...? have you ever seen kids pretending to be him... Though our main focus is on Batman, their is a whole different ball game of what is being feed to your kids and to you.

There is another criminal in the movie named Carmine "The Roman" Falcone at one point, Batman even invaded the Roman's personal bedroom, assaulted him, stripped him to his underwear, leaveing him hogtied to his bed before dumping his car into the river. Humiliated.

Well again I think that says it all... in Islam we believe that all humans are born in a state of hounor and no one should try to dishonour someone and there are many rules of how to treat a criminal in our beliefs and one is certainly not stripping him and humiliating them like that!!

With multiple romance to women throughout the series and woman who are far from modest, and the idea that fighting is the only option to confront crimes the ideas are feed over and over as the movies, episodes and play become a great interest and captures one by believing this this is Ok.

My last point to this topic is enjoining good and forbidding evil. We know that their are times when one can't enjoining good and forbid evil but even if we can not do anything about these types of things on the outside we must refuse to accept it in our lives, in our children's lives and we should dislike it, we shouldn't give in and allow it to be feed to us or our kids. It isn't a harmless thing. Many kids that have become attracted to these types of characters have gone off doing sinful things.

We must stand for what is right even if we stand alone!

My Experence: Barzakh and Day of Judgement

Salaam alaykom to my readers,
How many of us have gone day by day with little to maybe even no reflection on our state in this world? No I don't mean the material state, if we have a car or house or if we can buy the newest smartphone. I mean our souls state. This is the most important thing we can really do for ourselves. Those things that are material will soon depart us and all we will be left with is how we maintained our souls. Did we do any good for it in this world? Did we collect more good deeds? Have we repented for those things that we did wrong? Our death is like one breath away and we can never be certain to our state for the here after, what will become of us in barzakh? Will we have made ourselves a paradise abode or will we have made ourselves the patch of hell to abide there in.
Can you imagine the intensity of the fire and the torments that will befall us if we don't pay heed.
For myself I have had my share of experiences that I should always reflect upon to always have taqwa (awareness of Allah).  I will share with you some of them.
Many nights I had repeated dreams of hitting the ditch in my vechile. It's was a very long time from the first one until the day me and my family got into an accident. The van hit ice on the way home. I wasn't aware of the road condition when it happen so I was going 100km. We fish tailed just missing some vechile one being a semi. Then at the last one I tried to touch the break as I was in the wrong lane and from a distance I could see another vechile. Not being experienced in the type of weather we where having and riding on only ice wasn't something I was familiar with. I touched the break to see if I could stop or slow down. My van spun out of control, flying backwards and side ways into the opposite side of the road heading for the ditch. I recall looking to my right and my eyes darted past my husband, who I could see was turned around trying to hold my son down (yes he was in a carseat and strapped in but I think out of fear for him he tried to brace him for the impacted we both assumed was about to take place) my vision turned to the ditch full of snow and for a split second all I thought was,  slam the breaks to try to slow the impact down. So I pushed my foot to the floor of the van and I seen the snow fly up beside us and the high weeds from the ditch. (Which was like my dreams before)  Within seconds we came to a gentle stop. I was stunned that we where all Ok, not even an egg was broken in the back of the van. More amazed of Allah's power was that the van came out with no damage!
This experience made me realize that Allah had power over all things, I mean I had already known it intellectually but never really reflected with an experience, which was a whole different thing.

Another thing was one I actually couldn't understand until now. It is another dream in which I saw the day of judgement. I watch a group of people gathered in front of a man on a throne and I knew these people where not good people and some I could tell where hypocrites. One was sentenced to hell and he tried to run away, he hit a door as this image (the angel that takes those souls to hell) flew after him and I heard someone laugh I told that person "it's not funny, he'll never be able to run away"

I tried to understand this dream and think about it but wasn't sure until last night what it maybe meant when something came toward me.

I was in my prayers just starting magrib I went down to do sajood when something came towards me. Now it was not the first time I've seen the black like thing but never where it's come at me like that. It was down and in a crawling, running position it came at me stopping as I almost hit sajood. I was startled but was able to continue and finish prayers. I was scared to be honest but after reflecting on what happen, whatever it was I realized that if I don't please Allah in all I do this fear that struck my chest last night would be the least of the fears that the grave will bring about.

May Allah help us all to go toward Him and run away from that which takes us away from Him.

My lesson on Prophet Ibrahim AS life part 5

https://youtu.be/WHoiqvEXEmQ

Nutrition in Quran and Hadith

In today's world we can see 95% of diets fail
and most will regain their lost weight in 1-5
years. Has this been due to the fact that we
have been given the wrong premisies to

being healthier? Or maybe perhaps it is due
to our wrong understanding to what works
and what really is just out there for money
scams. But we must also ask ourselves

some questions, as Muslims we all know
that Quran has been sent down to us for
all times, as well as that Quran has many
parts to it which help us in our daily lives.
Quran is a miracle from Allah and it is fitting
that even nutrition is mentioned in Quran
many times. Allah repeatedly tells us

to reflect upon His ayats, and nutrition is
of no exception. Many of us go day by day
eating and drinking all day with no

thought about its benefits or its harms.
We have seen a rise in dietary supplements
and a rise in people wanting to become

healthy. Has Quran given us the knowledge of
nutrition and a way of life that helps answer our
many dietary questions?Has Islam answered the
questions of many diet seekers out there on

how to have a healthier life, or how to lose
weight? Islam many years ago came to give
the answer to those seeking to be healthy
or to lose weight, Islam answered all their
wants for a proper and nutritional diet but
many cease to realize and try frantically to
find it with going from one diet to another.  

In these blog series I am going to discuss
nutrition and their etiquette's which have been
mentioned in Quran and hadith. This is a
very important topic to understand

and implement in our lives because everything
we consume has either certain or probable
benefit to us or can actually cause us some
harm, not just bodily but spiritually. In sha Allah
next blog I will start off by a brief explanation to
maslaha (benefit) as this my readers may help
us understand whats does it mean when we
say phrases like “this benefits us” , then I will go
through ayats and hadiths and explanations
to them with using proof from nutrition
guides and scientific findings this will
include discussion on halal consumption
and the benefits to keeping to halal
regulations and after this I will discuss
haram consumption's and the benefits to

refraining from that which Allah has
declared forbidden for us, I will then
discuss etiquette's towards food and drinks
as you will soon find out why this part is
needed in this project, after this I would like
to write briefly on food diets in today's

world and what it all means to our health
and determine if it is healthy for us or not
and then I will conclude in my last blog series
of 'nutrition in Quran and hadith' an overall
view on my writing on this subject.

Please subscribe to me so you may
keep up to date on my next blog.

Fi Aman Allah