460. Making Crafts

By Asma Bint Shameem

Making crafts is in and of itself is permissible, as long as there’s nothing that’s against the Sharee’ah. 

However to specifically make crafts for birthdays, or anniversaries or for an occasion that’s against the teachings of Islaam, or for any religious festival of the non Muslims, would not be allowed. 

Allaah says to cooperate in goodness and not in sin 

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. 

And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment.”

 (Surah al-Ma’edah:2)

And Allaah says:

مَّن يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُن لَّهُ نَصِيبٌ مِّنْهَا وَمَن يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً سَيِّئَةً يَكُن لَّهُ كِفْلٌ مِّنْهَا وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُّقِيتًا

“Whosoever intercedes for a good cause will have the reward thereof, and whosoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a share in its burden. And Allah is Ever All-Able to do (and also an All-Witness to) everything.“

(Surah an-Nisaa:85)

Ibn Taymiyyah said,

“It is unlawful for Muslims to imitate (non-Muslims) in anything which is peculiar to their holidays, be it food, clothing, or bathing … (and it is also prohibited) to sell them anything which is used to assist them in that for that reason.” [Al-Fataawa Al-Kubra]

And Allaah knows best

459. What To do If Don’t Have ‘Time’ Or A ‘Place’ To Pray At My Job?

By Asma bint Shameem  

Salaah is *“THE absolute, most important”* part of a Muslim’s life.

It’s the very first thing we’ll be asked about when we stand in front of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. 

If the Salaah is good, everything else will be good. 

If the Salaah is lacking, then everything else is of no use. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

"The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. 

And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." 

(al-Tabarani; saheeh by al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jami, vol.1, p. 503)

After all, what distinguishes us from the non Muslims?

*It’s the Salaah*, of course. 

So we MUST do our BEST to pray on time. 

And *exert every effort* that we can to make it possible. 

I’m sure it’s busy at work. 

But I’m *also* sure you would have a break, even if it’s for just ‘five’ minutes. 

It could be a bathroom break. 

Or a lunch break. 

Or any thing else.

So ask them for a coffee break but don’t drink coffee. 

Use that time to pray instead. 

Or tell them you want a lunch break. 

But before eating, go pray. 

*You MUST strive hard* to find a way, somehow, to offer your prayers and take the few minutes they give you and pray. 

Some suggestions for you 

1. Pray JUST the fardh. 

This way it would take less than five minutes for you to pray the four rak’aat of Dhuhr. 

Or four rak’aat of Asr.

2. Make wudhu before you leave home then put on socks.

This way you wouldn’t have to wash your feet when making wudhu. 

All you would do is simply wipe over the socks. 

And you can also wipe over your hijaab. 

So it will save you time. 

3. If there’s absolutely nothing you can do, and your taking a break would jeopardize the safety of others or is harmful to you or others in some way, you ‘may’ combine the Dhuhr and Asr prayers. 

So for example, if you’re a surgeon or someone who works in the operating room and you can’t leave your patient in the middle of surgery, or you’re a soldier that guards the borders, or you’re a security officer, or you’re in the some other serious situations, you may combine the prayers. 

But that’s a last resort. 

4. If none of these things will

work, and you don’t have even five minutes for coffee, lunch, bathroom etc, and there’s no way for you to even combine your prayers, then you must *leave this job*. 

Start ACTIVELY looking for another job ASAP that allows you a few minutes to pray. 

*Remember there’s no good in a job that keeps you away from your Rabb and your obligatory duties.*

*There will NEVER be any Khair in it.*

*There will be NO Barakah.*

Shaikh Salah as-Sawy said to a man who couldn’t go for Jumu’ah prayers because of his job:

“It is not befitting for you to take a job that consistently distracts you from performing Friday Prayer. 

So, either you manage the situation with the administration so that you are allowed to perform it, or you consider this job a temporary one and exert great effort in searching for a lawful alternative that enables you to perform this obligation. 

When you find that alternative, you should go for it at the first opportunity.”

*Another point to keep in mind*.

A Muslim should NEVER by “shy” or “embarrassed” to offer prayers in front of the non Muslims. 

Alhamdulillaah *everyone* knows about our Deen, our Salaah and what islaam is. 

So instead of being ‘embarrassed’ or ‘shy’, we should be PROUD to be Muslim. 

Show them with your good work ethics, honesty and hard work what Islaam is all about. 

Talk to them about our five daily prayers and how important they are in a Muslim’s life. 

Tell them THAT’S what keeps you connected to your Rabb. 

And THAT’S the source of your inspiration. 

If we’re proud of our Deen, that reflects in our attitude and dealings. 

It gives us *confidence* and that comes off as something very *positive* for our selves, our relationships, our jobs and careers and *fortifies*  us as a person of *integrity*. 

So hold you head up high and pray when it’s time. 

It’s the least we can do, if we are Muslim. 

As they say in English:

“When there’s a will, there’s a way.”

And Allaah knows best

458. Istihaadhah

By Asma Bint Shameem

There’s a difference of opinion among the scholars about the bleeding after a miscarriage. 

But the stronger scholarly opinion is that if the fetus had no clear human features, then the bleeding that follows a miscarriage is NOT considered as Nifaas. 

Rather, it’s considered as Istihaadhah and the woman is considered PURE. 

She can pray and fast and do Tawaaf and have intimacy with her husband. 

And everything else a PURE woman does. 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“Nifaas is not established unless the embryo expelled has human features. If she expels a small embryo that has no human features then her bleeding is not nifaas, rather it is bleeding from a vein, so it comes under the same ruling as istihaadah. The earliest at which human features may appear is eighty days from the beginning of pregnancy, but it usually happens at ninety days. “

(al-Dima’ al-Tabee’iyyah li’l-Nisa’- page 40)

And someone asked Shaikh Assim al-Hakeem about bleeding after miscarriage of a month old fetus. 

He said:

“The blood that comes after miscarriage when the fetus is one month old is not post natal bleeding and it doesn’t prevent you from praying. You shouldn’t have stopped praying for 10 days.

You can pray and do everything providing you perform wudhu for every prayer until you see your normal menstruation which is identified by its normal characteristic such as the cramps, back pain, the color and the smell.“

So this is not her menses. 

Rather it’s Istihaadhah 

So she must pray. 

But make fresh wudhu for every fardh prayer. 

And no ghusl is needed. 

And Allaah knows best

457. Can You Read Surah Al-Kahf During My Monthly Cycle?

By Asma bint Shameem 

Many of the scholars, including Ibn Abbaas, Imaam Bukhaari, Ibn Taymiyah, Ibn Baaz, Shaikh al-Albaani, etc are of the opinion that it is *allowed* for a woman on her menses to read the Qur'aan, but without touching it directly. 

And although there are some ulama who say it’s not allowed for a woman to read the Qur’aan during her period, the *stronger scholarly opinion* is that it’s perfectly ok to read it in this time. 

When we look at the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah, we find that 

there’s *no specific* Saheeh hadeeth of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or any statement of the Sahaabah that would tell us that it is forbidden for women to read Qur’aan in their monthly cycle. 

Ibn Taymiyah said:

“Basically, there is no Sunnah to prevent her from reciting the Qur’aan. 

The “hadeeth” that: “A menstruating woman and the one who is in state of Janaabah should not recite anything of the Qur’aan”, is a *weak* hadeeth as agreed upon by the knowledgeable scholars of Hadeeth.

In fact women at the time of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam used to have their monthly cycles of menses.

Had the recitation of Qur’aan been prohibited for them (as it is the case with Salaah) then the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam would have made it clear to his Ummah  and his wives would have known about it and they would have dissipated this knowledge to the people. 

Because no one had related a prohibition by the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam about this issue, then it cannot be made unlawful especially when it is known that he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did not prohibit it at the time when menses was very much present.

Accordingly, recitation by the tongue is not Haraam.” (Al-Fatawa V. 26, P. 191)

And Shaikh Ibn Baaz said: 

"It is *permissible* for the woman who is menstruating or bleeding following childbirth to recite Qur'aan according to the *more correct* of the two scholarly opinions." (Majmoo' Fataawa Ibn Baaz, 10/209)

*Think about it*

The Qur’aan was an inherent part of the female companions of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

They regularly read the Qur’aan and LIVED by it. 

That’s *ALL* they *did*. 

That’s *ALL* they *had*. 

They didn’t have TV, phones, shopping, gardening etc to distract them. 

It was just their daily chores and the Qur’aan. 

If they were not supposed to read the Qur’aan during those period days, then we would have had SOME indication, SOME narration, SOME evidence that told us that. 

But we *don’t*.

although we do have specific ahaadeeth about them *not praying* during the period and *not fasting* during the period. 

We even have narrations about the minutest details of the most private issues in a woman’s life. 

But there’s nothing about not reading Qur’aan during menses. 

Also think about it logically. 

This Qur’aan is a book of guidance and healing. 

It’s supposed to be a part of our DAILY lives, something we NEED, EVERY SINGLE DAY. 

Yet most women have their period for a whole week or more or less. 

And some women’s period lasts as long as 10 days!

That’s 1/3rd of someone’s life!

How can it be that Allaah is telling us to stay away from such a great source of guidance and knowledge for such a long time?

How can it be that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala would deprive us of His Book, learning from it, memorizing it, benefitting from it?

That can’t be.

The Qur’aan is a whole way of life. 

A Prescription for this life and the next. 

It’s a Code of Conduct. 

A Book of Manners. 

We need it Every Single Day of our lives. 

How can it be that we would not be able to access this treasure for over a whole week in a month?!

For reasons such as these and more, the ulama say that it is *allowed* for women to read the Qur’aan while on their period. 

 QUESTION?

 *Can I read it complete sentences or I have to break up the aayaat*?

There are “some” who say that it’s not allowed  to read the whole aayah at a time. 

Rather they say to “break up the aayah and say each word with a pause in between”.

BUT there’s NO proof for saying that.

 

If you can read the Qur’aan as a few words at a time, what’s wrong with reading all of them put together in a complete aayah?

So go ahead and read Surah al-Kahf today even if you have your period. 

Just try not to touch the Mus-haf directly; rather just use gloves, a pencil, etc to turn the pages of the Mus-haf, to be on the safe side. 

Or you can simply use your iPad or tablet or any electronic device to read, not just Surah al-Kahf, but the whole of the Qur’aan. 

And Allaah knows best

456. Whatever Allah Does Is For Our Own Good

By Asma Bint Shameem

Part of our belief as a Muslim is to believe that our Rabb, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala is Most Loving, and Most Fair. 

Most Wise and Most Merciful. 

It’s not enough to just believe that Allaah exists; rather it is EQUALLY important to KNOW and TRULY BELIEVE that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala would NEVER be unfair or punish a person UNJUSTLY. 

Rather, ALL His actions are FULL of ULTIMATE and PERFECT WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, MERCY and JUSTICE. 

He is Arhamur-Raahimeen, the MOST MERCIFUL of ALL that show mercy. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam also said:

"Allaah has one HUNDRED mercies, out of which He has sent down only ONE for jinn, mankind, animals and insects, through which they love one another and have compassion for one another; and through it, wild animals care for their young. 

Allaah has retained NINETY-NINE mercies to DEAL KINDLY with His slaves on the DAY of RESURRECTION." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

Subhaan Allaah!

A hundred mercies!

And, out of His Wisdom, Allaah has also promised us that He will TEST us in different ways to see who is steadfast and patient and who is not.

And He will reward us accordingly. 

And thus He will place us in situations that may seem hard.

But in reality they’re not. 

They’re actually a form of MERCY from Allaah because if we’re patient, these calamities and tests are a means of EXPIATION of our SINS. 

Or they may be a reason to RAISE our ranks. 

Or they might be a REMINDER from our Rabb to humble ourselves and turn to Him. 

Perhaps if we had it any different, maybe we would have gone astray or it would have been more harmful for us. 

And so what may SEEM hard is not hard at all. 

What may SEEM impossible is NOT impossible at all. 

Allaah says:

 وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

“And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” 

(Surah al-Baqarah:216)

Just because that lady rejected you doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with you. 

It just wasn’t meant to be. 

The Prophet sal lallahu alaiyhi wa sallam said:

"Know that what has passed you by was not going to befall you, and that what has befallen you was not going to pass you by. 

And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship." (Tirmidhi-Saheeh)  

 

As a final note....reflect on the following hadeeth:

"The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allaah loves a people He tests them. 

Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure but whoever is discontent with that earns His wrath." (Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)

So be strong and be patient. 

And have faith in Allaah. 

Build a good relationship with Allaah and place your affairs in His Hands. 

He will take care of it for you. 

Read a lot of Qur’aan, along with its meanings. 

Pray Tahajjud and ask make lots of duaa. 

Do good deeds and keep your tongue busy with dhikr. 

Also try and be busy in a healthy productive way, like taking a class online or learning how to cook. 

Or start gardening or take up some hobby. 

Exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. 

May Allaah make it easy for you and do the best for you. 

And Allaah knows best

455. A Man Does Not Need Wife Permission To Marry Another Woman

By Asma Bint Shameem

A man does not need his wife’s permission to marry another woman. 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“The wife’s approval is not a condition for plural marriage, and it is not obligatory for the husband to have the approval of his first wife if he wants to marry a second wife. 

But it is good manners and kind treatment to approach the issue in such a way as to reduce the pain which women naturally feel in such cases, by smiling at her, greeting her warmly, speaking nicely to her and spending money on her according to his means, in order to gain her approval.”

(Fataawa Islamiyyah, 3/204)

And Allaah knows best

454. Say No To Jumma Mubarak

By Asma Bint Shameem 

When we look at the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam or his Sahaabah, there’s NO EVIDENCE that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam  or his Sahaabah ever said “Jumu’ah Mubarak” to each other. 

Neither the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam NOR his Sahaabah EVER congratulated each other on Friday or said "Jumu'ah Mubarak", although they knew the virtues of Friday very well, and they also knew that Friday is a day of Eid for the Muslims. 

They implemented this Deen in EVERY aspect of their lives and that included the day of Jumu'ah. 

Yet there is NO REPORT to suggest that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or the Sahaabah ever used to congratulate one another on Fridays. 

They didn’t say “Jumu’ah Mubaarak” to each other when they woke up in the mornings.

Nor did they say “Jumu’ah Mubaarak” 

when they met in the masjid. 

And they didn’t say “Jumu’ah Mubaarak” when they were in the markets. 

They saw each other. 

They talked with each other. 

They spent time together. 

And they were aware of the great virtue of this day. 

But they never said “Jumu’ah Mubaarak”. 

So if they didn’t do it, then why should we?

If it was good, then surely they would have said it. 

But they didn’t. 

Remember, all goodness and success lies in following the ways of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam 

and his Sahaabah, the people *closest* to his Sunnah. 

Let's see what some of the Ulama say about the issue:

Sheikh Abdul Azeez said:

“There is no origin for sending out the greeting Ju’muaah Mubaarak on the cell phones. 

It is a bless day, no doubt. 

Allaah  the Exalted has singled us out with this day, but as for giving a greeting every Friday then we don’t know of any origin for this.”

Someone asked Shaykh Saalih ibn Fawzaan:

“Every Friday one of my colleagues sends me a text saying "Ju'muah Mubaarak" and he continues saying that he hopes that I will add that to my cell phone greeting or to my greeting on the internet forums; what is your view of this?

The Shaykh said:

“This is an *innovation*.

Allaah has not sent down any authority for this action. 

This is an action that is not known or narrated in the Sunnah; it has not been narrated that the Muslims should congratulate each other on Friday; rather it has only been reported that they would congratulate each other on Eid Al Adha and Eid Al Fitr not on Friday. 

Therefore putting this as a text and encouraging others to do it, is an *innovation* and from *spreading innovation*.”

"The early generation did not congratulate one another on Fridays, so we should not introduce anything that they did not do" 

(Ajwabat As’ilah Majallat al-Da‘wah al-Islamiyyah)

Shaykh Sulaymaan al-Maajid said:

"We do not think it is prescribed to exchange congratulations on Fridays, such as saying to one another, "Jumu'ah mubaarak" and so on, because it comes under the heading of du'aa's and dhikrs, which must be based on a text (of the Qur'aan or Sunnah) because this is purely the matter of worship and if it were good, the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions Radhi Allaahu anhum would have done it before us." 

So it’s best to avoid saying “Jumu’ah Mubarak” every Friday.

And there’s no need to send a text message regarding this either. 

If you really want to wish goodness for your Muslim brother or sister, then just make a little duaa for them on your own, instead. 

And Allaah knows best.

453. Amulets, Talisman, T'aweedh', Imam Zaamin, And Black Threads

By Asma bint Shameem 

-We tie little “black threads” around our babies wrists to protect them from the evil eye

 

-We hang Aayatul Kursi in our car to prevent accidents 

Or in our homes to protect us from the Jinn 

-We wear the “blue beads, the “hamsa” (palm shaped hand), and the little “eye” thinking it will protect us 

-We even hang the Name of Allaah around our necks thinking we’re under the “care of Allaah” or that, somehow, wearing it gives us “Barakah”. 

-And if someone is sick a lot, we hang a ta’weedh around their neck hoping for healing and protection against all harm. 

- And now we’re even tying ta’weedh around our necks to protect ourselves from the coronavirus!

Do you realize, dear brothers and sisters, that  this is SHIRK?!

Yes SHIRK. 

Astaghfirullaah and Aa’oodhu Billaah. 

Why is that?

That’s because the ONLY ONE Who could bring benefit to me or prefer harm from me is Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. 

NOT a created object that can’t even protect itself.

 A group came to the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam (to swear their allegiance (bay’ah) to him). 

He accepted the bay’ah of nine of them but not of one of them. 

They said, 

“O Messenger of Allaah, you accepted the bay’ah of nine but not of this one.” 

He said, 

“He is wearing an amulet.” 

The man put his hand (in his shirt) and took it off, THEN he (the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  accepted his bay’ah. 

He said, 

‘Whoever wears an amulet  has committed SHIRK.” 

(Ahmad, saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah)

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“No necklace of a bowstring should be left on the neck of a camel, or any type of necklace except that it be cut off.” (al-Bukhaari and Muslim) 

Here the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam is commanding that the amulets should be removed.

 Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“I heard the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam say:

“Spells, amulets and love-charms are shirk.” 

I said, “Why do you say this? 

By Allaah, my eye was weeping with a discharge and I kept going to “so and so”, the Jew, who did a spell for me. When he did the spell, it calmed down.” 

Abd-Allaah radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“That was just the work of the Shaytaan who was picking it with his hand, and when (the Jew) uttered the spell, he stopped. 

All you needed to do was to say as the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam used to say: 

أذهب البأس رب الناس اشف أنت الشافي لا شفاء إلا شفاؤك شفاء لا يغادر سقماً .

‘Adhhib il-ba’s Rabb al-naas ishfi anta al-Shaafi laa shifaa’a illa shifaa’uka shifaa’an laa yughaadiru saqamaa'.

(Remove the harm, O Lord of mankind, and heal, You are the Healer. There is no healing but Your healing, a healing which leaves no disease behind.’” 

(Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah-- saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilat al-Saheehah)

Wearing an amulet or ta’weedh or a black thread around your wrist or neck WILL NOT and CAN NOT bring you ANY good OR harm. 

It’s nothing but a piece of cloth or thread and nothing more. 

 Shaykh al-Albaani said:

“This misguidance is still widespread among the Bedouin, fellahin (peasants) and some of the city-dwellers. Examples include the pearls which some drivers put in their cars, hanging them from the rear-view mirror. 

Some of them hang an old shoe on the front or back of the car; some hang a horse-shoe on the front of their house or shop. 

All of that is to ward off the evil eye, or so they claim. 

And there are other things which are widespread because of ignorance of Tawheed and the things which nullify it such as actions of shirk and idolatry which the Messengers were only sent and the Books were only revealed to put an end to. 

It is to Allaah that we complain of the ignorance of Muslims nowadays, and their being far away from their religion.”

(Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Saheehah, 1/890, 492) 

*So rely on NOTHING but Allaah*. 

*Relying on any thing, and I mean ANY THING other than Allaah is SHIRK.*

*Break the cycle of 'culture'

*STOP the shirk.*

 *Abandon shirki practices* 

- STOP wearing ta'weedh for 'protection'. 

-STOP tying black threads around your babies necks and wrists to 'protect' them from the evil eye.

-STOP hanging blue beads and 'hands' and 'eyes' to protect yourself 

-STOP wearing 'Imam zaamin' while traveling 

-STOP hanging “Lawhe-Qur’aanI”,  Aayatul Kursi or other parts of the Qur’aan on walls as “protection” from harm. 

-STOP carrying a copy of the Mus-haf or certain Aayaat or duaas for “protection” from illness, evil eye, etc. 

-the list goes on 

What not to do or say

“touch wood"

Burn chilies

Black marks 

Charcoal 

Manzil

Hypnotherapy

Besides, THINK about it. 

Hanging a few verses of the Qur’aan around your neck is like hanging Tylenol around your neck when you get a headache!

All these are a form of 'amulets' that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam strictly prohibited and did not even want to take allegiance from the one who was wearing it! 

Subhaan Allaah!

SHUN all kinds of shirk.

RELY on Allaah Alone.

452. I Can Never...

By Asma bit Shameem

I was just a helpless baby...... I didn't know how to talk.

You taught me EVERYTHING....You gave me strength to walk.

You gave me life, protected and cherished me...

Brothers, sisters, and parents who loved me.

Good times, fond memories, friends to  play with...

A brain to think, ears to hear, two eyes to see with.

A healthy body, intellect, and a sound mind, 

The ability to judge between wrong and right.

And during sickness, it's only *You* that heals me.

And when I am hungry it's surely *You* that feeds me.

You've given me everything, Your blessings are innumerable.

Even if I tried, Your countless favors are immeasurable.

I continue making mistakes and yet You keep on blessing me. 

But the biggest blessing of all, ya Rabbi, is the *Imaan* You gave me.

 

And even IF......from the day I was born......until Eternity...

I keep on thanking You, Ya Allaah, I will fail miserably.

For, I can never THANK you enough for all the blessings You keep giving me.

I can never thank you with the Thanks of which YOU are WORTHY!

How Perfect You are O Allaah, and I venerate You. 

You are Almighty, Most High...all Praise belongs to You. 

Exalted is Your Name, so Glorified is Your Mention,

The Heavens and the Earth, ALL declare Your Perfection. 

Blessed be Your Name, so Lofty is Your Position,

It's *YOU* that I worship and to *YOU* is my submission.

O Allaah, You are As-Salaam and from You is all peace.

To You bows all Creation, the mountains, the seven seas.

Not a leaf does fall, except by Your Consent.

Not a soul dare breathe but only if You assent.

How Sublime You are....Possessor of Total Power, 

Sovereignty, Magnificence, Grandeur and Honor!

If all the trees were pens, all the oceans were ink, too,

They would all be depleted...before they could praise You!

And even IF.....from the day I was born.....until Eternity,

I keep on praising You, Ya Allaah, I will fail miserably.

For, I can never PRAISE you enough for Your Might, Your Majesty.

I can never praise you with the Praise of which YOU are WORTHY!

There is no God but *You*

....to that I bear witness.

Other deities are all *false*, I swear by Your Greatness.

None has the right to be worshipped except *You*.

I seek Your forgiveness and I repent unto You.

Indeed my prayer, my sacrifice, my death and my life...

Are all for Your Pleasure...and that's for what I strive.

You are my Magnificent Master and I am your miserable slave.

Your Mercy is what I hope for, Your Forgiveness is what I crave.

I admit to you my sins Ya Rabb, for all that I am repentant.

I am here to obey You Allaah, and abide by Your Covenant.

Unto You I have bowed, and in You I have believed.

I believe in the Prophet and the Qur'aan You revealed.

You 're Sufficient for me, I entrust my affairs to You.  

With love, hope and fear..... *who else can I turn to?* 

To You I make Dua, and its upon You that I rely.

In Your name I live Ya Rabb, and in Your name I will die.

O Owner of everything....You're the Only One.

To You we all belong and to You we all return.

And even IF.... from the day I was born.....until Eternity,

I keep on worshipping You, Ya Allaah, I will fail miserably!

For, I can never WORSHIP you enough 'cos You're The Almighty.

I can never worship you with the Worship of which YOU are WORTHY!

                      X———X

اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنَّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ، وَشُكْرِكَ، وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ

Allaahumma 'a'innee 'alaa thikrika, wa shukrika, wahusni 'ibaadatika. 

O Allah, help me to remember You, to give You thanks , and to perform Your worship in the best manner.

451. Surah Al Kahf: Ayah 49

By Asma bint Shameem 

Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 49

وَوُضِعَ الْكِتَابُ فَتَرَى الْمُجْرِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا فِيهِ وَيَقُولُونَ يَا وَيْلَتَنَا مَالِ هَٰذَا الْكِتَابِ لَا يُغَادِرُ صَغِيرَةً وَلَا كَبِيرَةً إِلَّا أَحْصَاهَا وَوَجَدُوا مَا عَمِلُوا حَاضِرًا وَلَا يَظْلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدًا

“And the Book of Records will be placed (in everyone’s hands), and you will see the criminals, fearful of that which is (recorded) therein. 

They will say: ‘Woe to us! What sort of Book is this! It has left nothing unrecorded of our doings, small or great!’ They will see before them everything, whatsoever they had done, and your Lord will not be unjust to anyone in the least.” (Surah al-Kahf: 49)

On that Great Day, when we stand in front of our Rabb, each one of us will be given our Book of Records...our ‘Saved History’...and no one would escape it. 

Do you know what that Book will contain? 

It will contain EVERY SINGLE THING that we EVER DID. 

And EVERY SINGLE WORD that we EVER SAID. 

It will contain the doings and dealings of our ENTIRE LIFE!

There will be no denying it...no hiding from it, no running away....

It will all be there. 

PLAIN and SIMPLE and CLEAR for us to see.....

every single forbidden gaze we enjoyed....

every single letter we murmured and thought no one heard....

Every single deed we did and thought no one saw....

Even the very BREATHS that we ever took.....

That’s why when Imaam Ahmad was on his death bed, groaning with pain because of the agonies of death, someone said to him:

“Don’t you know that even the groaning and moaning will be written in our Book of Deeds?” 

After that, no one heard, even a SINGLE SOUND from Imaam Ahmad until he passed away. 

Subhaan Allaah!

Dear brothers and sisters,

Our words, our actions, our sounds,  our breaths are being written and we don’t care. 

We read Surah al-Kahf every Friday. 

We pass by this Aayah every week and yet we don’t even pay attention. 

HOW WILL WE BE when OUR Book of Records will be given to each of us?

What will we say?

What will we SEE written for us there?

THINK about this Aayah the next time you come to it. 

REFLECT on the meanings. 

CONTEMPLATE on what it implies. 

Then BRING A *CHANGE* in your *words*, 

in your *actions*, 

in your *thoughts*, 

in your *life*...

Don't just “READ” Surah al -Kahf every Friday....

UNDERSTAND. 

REFLECT. 

IMPLEMENT. 

CHANGE.

450. Calling Black Friday

By Asma bint Shameem 

*“Black Friday”.* 

But call it whatever....

Black Friday, White Friday, Good Friday....

Names don’t matter.

Calling Friday “black” or red or blue or purple does not take away from its *sacredness* or *reverence* in any way. 

The fact remains unchanged that *ALL Fridays* are the *BEST*, most *blessed* days, no matter what anyone calls them. 

The Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

 "The *best* day on which the sun rises is Friday. 

On it Adam was created, on it he was admitted to Paradise and on it he was expelled therefrom."(Muslim)

 

And he (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) also said: 

"Friday is the *master* of days, and *the greatest* of them before Allaah. 

It is *greater* before Allaah than the *day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr."*

(Ibn Maajah; hasan by al-Albaani) 

In any case, the term “Black Friday” is not necessarily “derogatory”. 

Describing something with the word “*black*” does not inevitably mean that it’s something “bad”. 

*Bilal* radhi Allaahu anhu was *black*. 

But he was the *best of the best. *

The *Stone* “al Hajr al-Aswad” in the Kaa’bah wall is *black*. 

But it’s from *Jannah*.

The *eyes* of the Hoor al-Een in Jannah are *black*. 

But they’re the *most beautiful*. 

The *cure for all diseases except death*, meaning the black seed ( الْحَبَّةِ السَّوْدَاءِ) is “*Black*”. 

(al-Bukhaari 5688 and Muslim 2215) 

In fact, even our Mother Aaishah radhi Allaahu anhaa 

used the term “*Black*” to describe two of the biggest blessings of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. *Dates and Water. *

She said:

“We used to look at the new moon, then the new moon, then the new moon, three new moons in two months, and no fire would be lit in the houses of the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam.

She was asked: 

What did you live on? 

She said: 

*The two BLACK ones, dates and water...”*

[al-Bukhaari (2567) and Muslim (2972)]

So we don’t need to take the word *“Black Friday”* in a negative or derogatory way.

Black Friday is just a *shopping day* and nothing more.

It’s just a “*term*” used to describe a “day of sales that happens to fall on a Friday.”

The word 'black' was not meant to insult or degrade the holy day of the Muslims.

If the sales and discounts had happened on a Wednesday, we  would’ve had a 'black Wednesday' instead. 

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the reason why it’s called “Black Friday” is the following:

“It is believed by many that the term Black Friday derives from the concept that businesses operate at a financial loss, or are “in the red,” until the day after Thanksgiving, when massive sales finally allow them to turn a profit, or put them “in the black.” However, this is untrue.A more accurate explanation of the term dates back to the early 1960s, when police officers in Philadelphia began using the phrase “Black Friday” to describe the chaos that resulted when large numbers of suburban tourists came into the city to begin their holiday shopping and, in some years, attend Saturday’s annual Army-Navy football game. The huge crowds created a headache for the police, who worked longer shifts than usual as they dealt with traffic jams, accidents, shoplifting, and other issues.”

QUESTION?

*”Can I take advantage of the tremendous sales on Black Friday and buy what I need?”*

Yes it is permissible to take advantage of the sales offered on this day (and on any other occasion) and it is allowed to buy or sell *permissible* things, that have nothing to do with the non Muslim festivals. 

The scholars said:

“There is nothing wrong with buying clothing, furniture and so on during the seasons of non Muslim festivals such as Christmas, on condition that one does not buy things that are used to celebrate the festival or to imitate the disbelievers during their festivals.”

(Islamqa Fatwa # 145676)

However do keep in mind to buy only what you need because *extravagance* and *unnecessary buying* is *not from Islaam.* 

The scholars said:

“We do not have a black Friday, nor a white Friday, and the Muslim should avoid imitating the non Muslims  and following them; and be ware of extravagance and indulgence, and that offers and discounts should not lead him to waste money on what he does not need.”

(Islamqa Fatwa # 326165)

And Allaah knows best

449. Got Debts

By Asmâ bint Shameem   

Debts are a serious issue. 

They are an Amaanah that we have to pay back as soon as we possibly can. 

Here are some Duaas that we can read to get rid of them. 

1. Ali radhi Allaahu anhu said that a mukaatib (slave who had entered into a contract of manumission) came to him and said: 

“I am unable to pay off my manumission; help me.” 

He said: “Shall I not tell you some words which the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  taught me? 

And if you have debt like the mountain of Seer, Allaah will pay it off for you. 

He said: ‘Say: 

اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلالِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ

“Allaahumma akfini bi halaalika ‘an haraamika wa aghnini bi fadlika ‘amman siwaak”

“O Allaah, suffice me with what You have permitted so that that I have no need of that which You have forbidden, and make me independent of means by Your bounty so that I have no need of anyone besides You.’” 

(at-Tirmidhi-hasan by al-Albaani)

2. The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said to Mu’aadh radhi Allaahu anhu:

“Shall I not teach you a duaa’ which you may say even if you have debt like Mount Uhud, so that Allaah might pay it off for you? 

Say, O Mu’aadh: 

اللهم مالك الملك ، تؤتي الملك من تشاء ، وتنزع الملك ممن تشاء ، وتعز من تشاء ، وتذل من تشاء ، بيدك الخير ، إنك على كل شيء قدير ، رحمن الدنيا والآخرة ورحيمهما ، تعطيهما من تشاء ، وتمنع منهما من تشاء ، ارحمني رحمة تغنيني بها عن رحمة من سواك 

“Allaahumma Maalik al-mulk, tu’ti al-mulk man tasha’ wa tanzi’ al-mulk mimman tasha’, wa tu’izzu man tasha’ wa tudhilul man tasha’, bi yadika al-khayr, innaka ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer, 

Rahmaan al-dunya wa’l-aakhirah wa raheemahuma, tu’teeyahuma man tasha’ wa tamna’ minhuma man tasha’, arhamni rahmatan taghnini biha ‘an rahmati man siwaak”

 “O Allaah, Sovereign of all, You give dominion to whomsoever You will and You take dominion away from whomsoever You will, You exalt whomsoever You will and You bring low whomsoever You will. In Your hand is all goodness and You are able to do all things. Most Merciful and Most compassionate in this world and in the Hereafter, You give them to whomsoever You will and withhold them from whomsoever You will. Bestow mercy upon Me in such a manner that I have no need of the mercy of anyone but You.’” 

(at-Tabaraani- hasan by al-Albaani)

3. The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“If a person who is afflicted by anxiety or sorrow says: 

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ ، وَابْنُ عَبْدِكَ ، وَابْنُ أَمَتِكَ ، نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ ، مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ ، عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤُكَ ، أَسْأَلُكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ ، سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ أَوْ عَلَّمْتَهُ أَحَدًا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ ، أَوْ أَنْزَلْتَهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ ، أَوْ اسْتَأْثَرْتَ بِهِ فِي عِلْمِ الْغَيْبِ عِنْدَكَ ، أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي ، وَنُورَ صَدْرِي ، وَجِلَاءَ حُزْنِي ، وَذَهَابَ هَمِّي

‘Allaahumma inni ‘abduka wa ibnu ‘abdika wa ibn ammatika naasiyati bi yadika maadin fiyya hukmuka ‘adlun fiyya qadaa’uka as’aluka bi kulli ismin huwa laka sammayta bihi nafsaka aw ‘allamtahu ahadan min khalqika aw anzaltahu fi kitaabika aw asta’tharta bihi fi ‘ilm il-ghaybi ‘indaka an taj’al al-Qur’aana rabee’a qalbi wa noora sadri wa jalaa’a huzni wa dhahaaba hammi.”

“O Allaah, I am Your slave, son of Your slave, son of Your female slave, my forelock is in Your Hand, Your command over me is forever executed and Your decree over me is just. I ask You by every name belonging to You with which You have named Yourself, or, or You have taught to any of Your creation, or You have revealed in Your Book, or You have preserved in the knowledge of the Unseen with You, that You make the Qur’aan the life of my heart and the light of my breast, and a departure for my sorrow and a release for my anxiety)’, then Allaah will take away his anxiety and sorrow, and will replace it with joy.”  

It was said: 

“O Messenger of Allaah, should we not learn it?” 

He said: “Yes, whoever hears it should learn it.”  (Ahmad- saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb (1822)

May Allaah enable us all to pay off our debts and be debt-free. 

And Allaah knows best

448. True Thankfulness

By Asma bint Shameem 

Ibnul Qayyim says:

“To attain TRUE thankfulness to Allaah, there are 5 things a person must do. 

1. That a person *surrenders* and *submits* himself to Allaah. 

2. That the person *loves* the One who has blessed him. i.e Allaah. 

3. That a person *acknowledges* the blessings of Allaah upon him 

4. That a person *praises* Allaah for blessing him with this bounty 

5. That a person *abstains* from using that blessing to do anything that *displeases* Allaah.”

Amazing words of wisdom from Ibn al-Qayyim....

5 beautiful pieces of advice...

5 beautiful traits that will transform your life. 

Submit to Allaah 

Love Him. 

Acknowledge His blessings 

Praise Him 

Abstain from sin. 

How many of us are *truly grateful* to the One who created us, sustains us and provides unlimited and innumerable blessings for us? 

Don’t be thankful just ONE day...

Be thankful *EVERY DAY*.

447. Signs Of Magic And Jinn Possession, Protection And Cure

By  Asma Bint Shameem

Magic is real. 

That’s part of a Muslim’s belief. 

But we shouldn’t just “assume” that we’re a victim of magic, just because some things are not going our way or we’re facing sickness or other challenges. 

It’s part of a Muslim’s life that we will face tests and tribulations. 

That’s Allaah’s Promise. 

He says:

“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested?!

And We indeed tested those who were before them.” 

[al-‘Ankaboot:2]

And He says:

 “Or think you that you will enter Jannah without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? 

They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, ‘When (will come) the Help of Allaah?’ Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allaah is near!” 

[al-Baqarah:214]

So through tribulations like calamities, sicknesses, hardships, etc Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala TESTS us to see if we’re patient, REWARDS us if are, RAISES our ranks and FORGIVES our sins. 

And it’s *not necessarily true* when I’m  going through these hardships that someone has *done magic* on me. 

We should ALSO be VERY CAREFUL before we blame or accuse this person or that person, for doing magic on us. 

Practicing witchcraft is one of the most heinous sins in Islaam. 

Anyone who performs magic is a either a disbeliever or an extreme evildoer, depending on the way he practices witchcraft. 

And so accusing someone of performing magic means we’re accusing them of Kufr or a very major sin. 

And that’s a very serious allegation for which we will have to answer to Allaah. 

And if it’s not true, then we’re in big trouble. 

So before we blame our “mother-in-law” or the “husband’s family”, or “my jealous cousin/friend/neighbor” etc, we MUST make sure what we’re saying is actually TRUE. 

If ALL medical tests and psychological issues have been eliminated, *then only* do the scholars consider the possibility of magic or possession etc. 

*Signs of Magic:*

Shaikh Salih al-Munajjid said:

“People who have had experience with such situations have related that the following are among the signs of a person who is possessed by jinn (or Satan):

1. Strong repulsion when hearing Qur’aan or adhaan. 

2. Episodes of losing consciousness and/or epileptic attacks, especially when Qur’aan is recited for the possessed person.

3. Frequent nightmares during sleep.

4. Tendency to avoid people accompanied by out-of-the-norm behavior.

5. The jinn who possesses him might speak when Qur’aan is recited for the possessed person.

Madness, as stated in the Qur’aan: 

"Those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom Satan by his touch hath driven to [epileptic] madness"2:275

As for a person struck by magic he might experience the following:

1. Dislike of ones spouse, as indicated in the Qur’aan by the following verse : 

"And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife..." (Al-Baqarah, 2:102).

2. Different attitude in the house from that which is outside the house. 

For example, a person will feel that he is missing his family when is outside the house but when he goes home, love changes quickly to extreme hatred.

3. Inability to have sexual intercourse with ones spouse.

4. Frequent miscarriage for pregnant women.

5. Sudden change in behavior without obvious reason.

6. Complete loss of appetite for food.

7.Thinking or imagining one has done something when in reality one has not.

8. Sudden obedience and/or love for a particular person.

It should be noted that if a person experiences some of the above symptoms this *does not necessarily mean that he is either possessed by a jinn or struck by black magic*. 

It might be due to *physiological or psychological reasons*.

(Islamqa Fatwa # 240)

*HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MAGIC*

The way to protect yourself  from ALL evil and harm is:

1. Have Taqwa of Allaah in ALL that you do and OBEY Him. 

2. Be vigilant of the five daily prayers. Guard them with your LIFE. 

3. Wear hijaab 

4. Stay away from all sins especially MUSIC.

5. Read Qur’aan daily with meanings. 

6. Read the morning and evening adhkaar REGULARLY 

7. Say Bismillaah when you eat or drink, and eat with your right hand. 

8. Read other adhkaar such as when entering or leaving the home, entering the bathroom, taking off your clothes, bedtime adhkaar, dhikr before marital intimacy, etc. 

9. Make wudhu before you sleep.

10.Most important:

Have Tawakkul in Allaah and stop paying attention to waswaas of the Shaytaan. 

*The TREATMENT*

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“As for curing this condition the following steps are recommended

1. Putting ones trust in Allaah with sincere belief that He is the only cure for everything.

2. Reading Qur’aan and known supplications expressing seeking refuge, the most important and effective of which is sura 113 and 114, Al-Falaq and Al-Naas, which were used to cure the Prophet himself. 

Surah 112, Al-Ikhlaas, is recommended along with them, as well as the opening chapter of the Quraan, Al-Fatihah. 

3. To cure black magic some have successfully used seven lote-tree leaves. 

The leaves should be crushed, then mixed them with water enough for taking a bath. 

The following verses from the Quraan are then recited: verse Al-Kursi (2:255), surah Al-Kafiroon (109), surah 112, 113, 114; the verses which mention magic, which are: in surah Al-Baqarah (2:102), Al-Araaf (7:117-119), Yunus (10:79-82), and Taha (20:65-69). 

The possessed person drinks some of the water, and the rest is used to give him a bath.

4. Removing the elements of magic as was done by the Prophet when he was struck by black magic by a Jewish man called Lubaid Ben Al-Aasim.

5. Eating seven Aaliya Al-Barniy dates (among the dates of Al-Madinah) first thing in the morning; if not possible, any dates will suffice, by the will of Allaah.

6. Cupping--removing excess blood.

7. Supplications.”

(Islamqa Fatwa # 240)

Also see the following link:

http://www.ruqya-qa.co.uk/

The Official Ruqyah Website Of Abu Ibraheem Hussnayn. 

This above bwebsite teaches you how to deal with magic, signs of a magician, how to do ruqyah on yourself, etc.