| Living \r\n the Quran |
Al-Araf \r\n (The Heights)
Asceticism often means the negation of art and beauty, it has no necessary \r\n sanctity attached to it. The beautiful and good things of life are really \r\n meant for, and should be the privilage of those with faith in Allah. If \r\n they do not always have them in this life....let us remember that this \r\n is a test from Allah. In the life to come they will be purely for the \r\n faithful. \r\nIslam recognizes the importance of celebrations in people's lives. While \r\n expecting the ultimate reward in the Hereafter, a believer is not required \r\n to deny himself/herself the opportunity of enjoying in this life. Islam \r\n does not expect people to deprive themselves of the lawful pleasures of \r\n life. A Muslim should know how to strike a balance between devotional \r\n acts of worship and worldly pleasures. \r\nCompiled From: |
| \r\n Understanding the Prophet's Life |
| \r\n \r\n Rejoice: Do Not Crush the Joy of Eid \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n Another manifestation of joy in Eid during the Prophet’s time \r\n was the Abyssinians’ show: they gathered at the mosque and played \r\n with shields and spears. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon \r\n him) heard them, he looked at them then asked Aishah whether she would \r\n like to watch. She replied in the affirmative, and the Prophet (peace \r\n and blessings be upon him) made her stand behind him and her cheek was \r\n touching his cheek. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged \r\n them saying, “Carry on, Banu Arfadah! Let Jews know that we \r\n have a space of relaxation in our religion.” Here \r\n we see the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approving and even \r\n encouraging such shows of happiness and joy. \r\nWhat makes one wonder is the act of those who overlook this Prophetic \r\n guidance and try to destroy this joy and spoil Eid’s cheerful \r\n spirit. In fact, some ascetics and worshipers did so in the past out \r\n of good intention. This gloomy spirit is echoed today by some sincere \r\n people who are used to turning Eids into occasions of lamenting the \r\n Ummah’s shortcomings and tragedies, and mourning over the lost \r\n glories. Sadness and gloominess will never \r\n be the remedy for our tragedies. The remedy needs more \r\n than that. It needs reflection and wise \r\n thinking, as well as courageous self-criticism and assessment. \r\n Rejecting the manifestations of joy, extinguishing every smile and succumbing \r\n to sadness and grief have nothing to do with liberating even hand-span \r\n of land, satisfying a hungry person, or answering any call for help. \r\nThe best guidance is that of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon \r\n him), who used to seek refuge in Allah \r\n from worry and sorrow. He was always an optimistic, \r\n smiling man. We need to infuse the Ummah with this hopeful spirit. Eid \r\n is a ray that dispels the darks engulfing our souls and the despair \r\n strangling our hearts. \r\nSo let hope find its way into our souls. The life-span of Islam is \r\n far longer than ours; its horizons are far wider than our countries; \r\n the calamities afflicting us are not unchangeable fate. We should not \r\n be hasty and impatient. Allah’s laws in running the universe cannot \r\n be altered according to the humans’ whims or wishes. Let’s \r\n look at the bright side and appreciate the favours Allah has bestowed \r\n on us. A desperate soul overwhelmed by fears and blinded by a gloomy \r\n view can never be helpful in rectifying our situation. After all, we \r\n should remember that Allah is always there and that He Almighty is the \r\n Greatest. \r\nCompiled From: |
| Blindspot |
\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Eid-ul-Fitr Checklist! \r\nOn the day of Eid, there are some Sunnah acts that we \r\n should do, here is what the Prophet used to do on the day of Eid, \r\n May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him: \r\n1. Rise early in the morning. \r\n Engage in takbir (saying “Allahu Akbar”) \r\n from fajr until the imam comes out for salah. Takbir is recommended \r\n for males, females, young and old. \r\n2. Take \r\n a full bath. Clean the teeth. \r\n3. Wear the best clothes you have. \r\n Appear in the best clean clothes dress that you can afford to, that \r\n are reasonable and modest. Wear perfume. \r\n4. Eat something \r\n sweet like dates before leaving home. \r\n5. Go to the Eid prayer location \r\n very early. (The Prophet used to offer Eid prayer \r\n in the central location, that is not to offer it in a mosque of \r\n a locality without any legitimate excuse.) \r\n6. The Prophet used to go to the \r\n Eid Prayer location by one route and return through another route. \r\n He used to go for Eid on foot. He used to chant \r\n slowly on the way to the Eid prayer location the following words: \r\n “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallahu Wallahu \r\n Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa lillahil Hamd.\" (Translation: \r\n Allah is the greatest, He is the greatest. There is no god except \r\n Allah. He is the greatest. All praises and thanks are for Him.) \r\n7. The Prophet used to give zakatul \r\n fitr before the Eid day. But if you have not \r\n done so please give now before the Eid. Giving just before Eid is \r\n ok but against the spirit and the purpose of it. Ideally, it should \r\n be given in advance so that the poor can enjoy their Eid. (This \r\n year in America and Canada it is $10 per person.) \r\n8. Meet and greet. Wish \r\n every one the joy of Eid and show true signs of Islamic brotherhood \r\n by shaking hands and embracing and supplicating: “Taqabal \r\n Allahu Minna wa Minkum” (May Allah accept it from us \r\n and you). \r\n9. Exchange gifts. \r\n It is also considered a good Islamic practice to visit one another \r\n and exchange gifts. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) \r\n said: \"Exchange gifts in order to foster love.\" \r\n10. Show generosity. \r\n Remember the true spirit of Eid is reflected in our extreme generosity \r\n to the poor and the needy. So, be charitable as best as you can. \r\n11. Seek pardon and acceptance. Make \r\n lots of istighfar (asking Allah for forgiveness) and pray \r\n that Allah accept our fast, prayers and devotion, and may He grant \r\n the Muslim community glory and success. \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Compiled From: |
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