Television by Roald Dahl

The most important thing we've learned, so far as children are concerned,

Is never, NEVER, NEVER let them near your television set -

Or better still, just don't install the idiotic thing at all.

In almost every house we've been, we've watched them gaping at the screen.

They loll and slop and lounge about, and stare until their eyes pop out.

(Last week in someone's place we saw a dozen eyeballs on the floor.)

They sit and stare and stare and sit until they're hypnotised by it,

Until they're absolutely drunk with all that shocking ghastly junk.

Oh yes, we know it keeps them still, they don't climb out the window sill,

They never fight or kick or punch, they leave you free to cook the lunch

And wash the dishes in the sink -but did you ever stop to think,

To wonder just exactly what this does to your beloved tot?

IT ROTS THE SENSE IN THE HEAD! IT KILLS IMAGINATION DEAD!

IT CLOGS AND CLUTTERS UP THE MIND! IT MAKES A CHILD SO DULL AND BLIND

HE CAN NO LONGER UNDERSTAND A FANTASY, A FAIRYLAND!

HIS BRAIN BECOMES AS SOFT AS CHEESE! HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE!

HE CANNOT THINK - HE ONLY SEES!'

All right!' you'll cry. 'All right!' you'll say, 'But if we take the set away,

What shall we do to entertain our darling children? Please explain!'

We'll answer this by asking you, 'What used the darling ones to do?'

How used they keep themselves contented before this monster was invented?

'Have you forgotten? Don't you know? We'll say it very loud and slow: THEY ... USED ... TO ... READ!

They'd READ and READ, AND READ and READ, and then proceed To READ some more.

Great Scott! Gadzooks! One half their lives was reading books!

The nursery shelves held books galore! Books cluttered up the nursery floor!

And in the bedroom, by the bed, more books were waiting to be read!

Such wondrous, fine, fantastic tales of dragons, gypsies, queens, and whales

And treasure isles, and distant shores where smugglers rowed with muffled oars,

And pirates wearing purple pants, and sailing ships and elephants,

And cannibals crouching 'round the pot, stirring away at something hot.

(It smells so good, what can it be? Good gracious, it's Penelope.)

The younger ones had Beatrix Potter with Mr. Tod, the dirty rotter,

And Squirrel Nutkin, Pigling Bland, and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and-

Just How The Camel Got His Hump, and How the Monkey Lost His Rump,

And Mr. Toad, and bless my soul, there's Mr. Rate and Mr. Mole-

Oh, books, what books they used to know, those children living long ago!

So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away,

And in its place you can install a lovely bookshelf on the wall.

Then fill the shelves with lots of books, ignoring all the dirty looks,

The screams and yells, the bites and kicks, and children hitting you with sticks-

Fear not, because we promise you that, in about a week or two of having nothing else to do,

They'll now begin to feel the need of having something to read.

And once they start -- oh boy, oh boy! You watch the slowly growing joy that fills their hearts.

They'll grow so keen they'll wonder what they'd ever seen in that ridiculous machine,

That nauseating, foul, unclean, repulsive television screen!

And later, each and every kid will love you more for what you did.

Roald Dahl

Health and nutrition in Ramadan

During Ramadan people tend to focus on the 'abstaining from food' part. When it comes to breaking the fast they are so relieved they can eat and grab either whatever is easiest or the yummiest!

We must remember that taking care of our bodies is a form of worship. If we were to drive the most expensive car in the world we wouldn't put the cheapest oil into it, as we know it will make the car sluggish and will cause problems with the engine. We must look at our bodies in the same way. If we are to make the most of Ramadan we have to make sure that the body with which we use to perform acts of worship be strong enough so we are able to do our best.

Fasting is the single greatest natural healing therapy. It is nature’s ancient, universal "remedy" for many problems. For many philosophers, scientists, and physicians, fasting was an essential part of life, health, and the healing process needed to recreate health where there was sickness. Animals instinctively fast when ill. Fasting (cleansing, detoxification) is one part of the triology of nutrition; balancing and building (toning) are the others.

Fasting is the "missing link" in the Western diet. Most people overeat, eat too often, and eat a high-protein, high-fat, rich-food, building and congesting diet more consistently than they need. In a sense, detoxification is an important corrective and rejuvenatory process in our cycle of nutrition. It is a time when we allow our cells and organs to breathe out, become current, and restore themselves.

While fasting allows the organs, tissues, and cells to rest, clean house, and handle excesses, the body needs the nourishment provided by food to function after it has used its stores. We should start our day with slow digesting foods including fibre containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours. Some may argue that this defeats the object of going hungry, that you will not feel the hunger of those who are needy, but believe me you will still feel hunger. It is just a simple case of being sensible in taking care of yourself in order to worship Allah more perfectly.

Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, whole meal flour, unpolished rice, etc. (called complex carbohydrates).
Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc. (called refined carbohydrates).
Fibre-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry), marrow, mealies, spinach, and other herbs like methie, the leaves of beetroot (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs and prunes, almonds, etc.

Breaking a fast must be planned carefully. Our digestion has been at rest, so we need to go slowly and chew our foods very well. Do not overeat. The foods eaten should be well-balanced, from each food group, i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products.

Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause indigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems. Fried food and over eating also cause lethargy, so how can we spend the night worshipping Allah if we are too tired to do so?

AVOID

-Fried and fatty foods.
-Foods containing too much sugar.
-Over-eating especially at Suhoor (sehri). All this does is stretch the stomach so that you will feel hunger more and more sooner.
-Too much tea at Suhoor (sehri). Tea makes you pass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that your body would need during the day.

EAT

-Complex carbohydrates at Suhoor (sehri).
-Dates are excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium.
-Almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat.
-Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.
-DRINK as much water or fruit juices as possible between iftar and bedtime so that your body may adjust fluid levels in time.
-Omega 3
-Antioxidants such as red peppers, carrots, green leafy vegetables, mangoes and tomatoes and wholegrain cereals.
-Eggs are another good source of protein.
-Iron rich foods such as lean red meat, oil-rich fish, fortified breakfast cereals, green vegetables and dried fruit, particularly apricots.

Here are some suggestions of good foods to eat during Ramadan that fall into the above categories (they are from my personal choice list ;-) ):

Curly Kale
Pasta
Quorn
Raisins
Spinach
Yoghurt
Fish
Chicken
Wholegrain bread
Rice
New Potatoes
Beans
Pulses
Grapes
Honey
Jelly beans (halal ones of course!)
Kiwi
Oranges
Vermicelli
Guacamole
Hummus
Lentils
Special K/Branflakes/Wheatabix

Reaping the benefits of Ramadan

TIPS

Think ahead - What are your goals and what should you do to prepare yourself? - If you don't prepare, before you know it Ramadan will be over and sometimes you may find that you did not do as much as you had liked.

The following are just examples and they should be modified according to the person’s abilities and circumstances.

Here are some examples:
1) Finishing the Qur’an at least once.
2) Start Riyaad us-Saaliheen with your family, or start teaching your family from Kitaab at-Tawheed or other beneficial books.
3) Fix that which is between you and your sister.
4) Start praying Tahajjud regularly in Ramadhaan and continue after Ramadhaan.
5) Memorize some dua’s from the Sunnah which you can continue saying even after Ramadhaan.
6) Memorize some surahs and revise the ones you have already learn't (also reading the tafseer so you may have better understanding).
7) Give as much charity as possible.
8) Learn a Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) and practice it.

It is useful for each person to make a daily planner for Ramadhaan.
- When you are going to read Qur’an
- When you are going to learn something with the family
- The person who is at work can tell his co-workers that this is the month of Ramadhaan, so please do not curse around me. Do not make too many jokes around me. Do not listen to music at your desks when I am around, etc.
- Then when he/she is coming back home, similarly, he/she listens to the Qur’aan or listens to some beneficial lectures to use that time wisely in Ramadhaan. (Note: Even though, this should be done outside of Ramadhaan as well because free time is a blessing from Allah. It should be used for the worship of Allah or in doing actions which will increase us in knowledge of the religion and help us to do righteous actions.)
- At iftaar time, the parents can ask their kids to bring over their friends for iftaar. This will achieve several things.
1) You will gain the reward of providing food for the ones who are fasting
2) The parents will be able to know who your kids keep company with (i.e. who are their friends)
3) It can be said to the kids, “Let’s sit together since this is the month of Ramadhaan and read a book on fasting or any other beneficial book, or some ahaadiths”
This will motivate the kids to take this idea to their parents so they can implement it in their households as well. This will earn the parents the reward of helping others onto something good and earn a copy of their good deeds without their deeds being diminished in any way.
- One day, the wife can bring over the sisters for iftaar and encourage them to read from a book instead of talking about whatever the sisters talk about normally.
- Then comes time for taraweeh. If the family is accustomed to praying taraweeh at home, then they take the initiative to go and pray in the masjid. And its important to take the whole family to the masjid so everyone realizes that this is the month of Ramadhaan where we have to do extra worship to get closer to Allah and one of those extra acts of worship is praying Taraweeh.
It is important to note here that many Muslims don’t understand that worship falls into different categories. For example, there are those acts of worship which are obligatory, such as praying 5 times a day and then those which are recommended (i.e. Sunnah in the fiqh sense of the word) such as Taraweeh.
Its particularly sad to see that many of the Muslims neglect the obligatory duties such as praying in congregation for the men but they feel like they have fallen short if they don’t pray taraweeh in the month of Ramadhaan. Even though its good to see that the Muslims have zeal in the month of Ramadhaan to pray taraweeh, we need to understand that praying in congregation for the men inside and outside the month of Ramadhaan is more important and has a greater reward than praying Taraweeh. And Allah Knows Best.
- Then after Taraweeh, you come home and this is the time now when you need to work on our personal connection with Allah.
Think, o Slave of Allah, of the many blessings that Allah has bestowed upon you.
Has He not guided you to the Sunnah and has made your feet firm upon it?
Has He not chosen for you Islaam, out of so many people who are still wandering in the darkness of disbelief?
Why did Allah choose you? When in fact, He is in no need of your worship. So remind yourself that this guidance is a blessing from Allah and its a gift that He bestows upon whomever He wills.
Remind yourself that Allah has chosen for you the path of knowledge, such that He has placed the love of following the Qur’aan and the Sunnah according to the way of the Sahabah in your heart. Is this not a blessing from your Lord upon you?
Remind yourself that it could be that He wishes for the path of Jannah to become easy for you so He has made the path of knowledge open for you.
Remind yourself of all the blessings that He has given you in terms of good health.
- Then you should get some rest so that it becomes easy for you to wake up for Tahajjud inshaAllah later on in the night.
- Make lots of dua'a . Allah gives without any measures. Keep in mind the hadith of the Messenger of Allah sallalahu ‘alayhe wasallam:
It was relayed on the authority of Abu Dhar al-Ghifari, radiyallahu ‘anhu, that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wasallam, said, of what he related from his Lord, magnified and exhalted be He, Who said:
O My servants, even if the first amongst you and the last amongst you and the whole human race of yours and that of Jinns gather together on a sector of land and all ask of Me and if I were to give everyone of them what they asked, that will not in any way decrease what I have anymore than a needle decreases what is in the ocean when it is put into it. (Taken from Nawawi Hadith 24)
- Make sure your Day in Ramadhaan is not Like the Day when you are Not Fasting.

Aside from that, there are many small and easy things which all of us can do to get more rewards in the month of Ramadhaan. Here are a few:

- Buy a few pack of water bottles and put them in the masjid so the people can have water to drink during Taraweeh
- Sponsor an iftaar at the masjid for the people
- Help out in setting up the iftaar in the masjid
- Come early and clean the masjid so the people come to a masjid which looks very clean
- Buy some air freshners or incense to be used in the masjid during Taraweeh
- Give rides to those who don’t have a means of transportation to the masjid for Taraweeh

There are many easy things that each one of us can do which we have the capability of doing in the month of Ramadhaan to achieve more good deeds for the sake of Allah alone.

Ramadan is coming

“Ramadaan has come to you - a blessed month. Allaah has made obligatory upon you its fasting. In it, the gates of heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the evil devils are chained.” Reported by Ahmad and An-Nasaa'ee

Allaah -The Most High - said: "The month of Ramadaan in which the Qur’aan was revealed, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance of the Criterion between right and wrong. So whosoever of you sights the crescent for the month of Ramadhaan, he must fast that month." [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:185].

Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Islaam is built upon five: Testifying that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah and the Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, establishing the Prayer, giving the Zakaah performing Hajj to the House, and fasting in Ramadhaan." (Saheeh: Related by al-Bukhaaree)

Know, that in the fast (Sawm) is a special quality that is not found in anything else. And that is its close connection to Allaah, such that He says:

‘‘The Fast (Sawm) is for Me and I will reward it.’’ [Related by al-Bukhaaree ]

Indeed, the fast is only virtuous due to two significant concepts:THE FIRST: It is a secret and hidden action, thus, no one from the creation is able to see it Therefore riyaa‘ (showing off) cannot enter into it. A person can sneak some food into ones mouth but people would still think he is fasting. So fasting is purely for Allah alone.THE SECOND: It is a means of subjugating the enemies of Allaah. This is because the road that the enemies (of Allaah) embark upon (in order to misguide the Son of Aadam) is that of desires. And eating and drinking strengthens the desires. So when a person fasts he is training himself to control his or her nufs (desires).

From the many important lessons to be learnt from fasting are:

[1]: GAINING TAQWAA

Allaah - the Most High - said: "O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed upon those before you in order that you may attain taqwaa." [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:183].

Talq ibn Habeeb (The Taabi'ee (d.100H)) - rahimahullaah - said:
"When fitnah (trial and tribulation) appears then extinguish it with taqwaa." So he was asked as to what taqwaa was, so he replied: "Taqwaa is to act in obedience to Allaah, upon a light (i.e. eemaan, faith) from Allaah, hoping in the Mercy of Allaah. And taqwaa is leaving acts of disobedience to Allaah, upon a light from Allaah, due to the fear of Allaah."[ Related by Ibnul-Mubaarak in Kitaabuz-Zuhd ]

[2]: SEEKING NEARNESS TO ALLAAH

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Allaah said: Whosoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, I shall be at war with him. My servant does not draw near to me with anything more beloved to me than the obligatory duties that I have placed upon him. My servant continues to draw nearer to Me with optional deeds so that I shall love him."[Saheeh: Related by al-Bukhaaree]

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whosoever reaches the month of Ramadaaan and does not have his sins forgiven, and so enters the Fire, then may Allaah distance him."[Saheeh: Related by Ahmad]

So drawing closer to Allaah - the Most Perfect - in this blessed month, can be achieved by fulfilling one's obligatory duties; and also reciting the Qur’aan and reflecting upon its meanings, increasing in kindness and in giving charity, in making du‘aa (supplication) to Allaah, attending the Taraaweeh Prayer, seeking out Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Power and Pre-Decree), a night which is better than a thousand months, attending gatherings of knowledge, and striving in those actions that will cause the heart to draw closer to its Lord and to gain His forgiveness. Our level of striving in this blessed month should be greater than our striving to worship Allaah in any other month, due to the excellence and rewards that Allaah has placed in it. Likewise from the great means of seeking nearness to Allaah in this month is making I‘tikaaf (seclusion in the mosque in order to worship Allaah) - for whoever is able.

[3]: ACQUIRING PATIENCE

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The month of Patience, and the three days of every month, are times for fasting." [Related by Ahmad ]

Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr (d.464H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"What is meant by the month of Patience is the month of Ramadaaan ... So fasting is called patience because it restrains the soul from eating, drinking, conjugal relations and sexual desires." [At-Tamheed (19/61) of al-Haafidh Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr]

So fasting is a means of learning self-restraint and patience. With patience we are able to strengthen our resolve to worship Allaah alone, with sincerity, and also cope with life's ups and downs. So - for example - with patience we are able to perform our Prayers calmly and correctly, without being hasty, and without merely pecking the ground several times! With patience we are able to restrain our souls from greed and stinginess and thus give part of our surplus wealth in Zakaah (obligatory charity). With patience we are able to subdue the soul's ill temperament, and thus endure the ordeal and hardships of Hajj, without losing tempers and behaving badly.

[4]: CULTIVATING GOOD MANNERS

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whosoever does not abandon falsehood in speech and action, then Allaah the Mighty and Majestic has no need that he should leave his food and drink." [Saheeh: Related by al-Bukhaaree ]

He (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said:
"Fasting is not merely abstaining from eating and drinking. Rather, it is also abstaining from ignorant and indecent speech. So if anyone abuses or behaves ignorantly with you, then say: I am fasting, I am fasting." [Saheeh: Related by Ibn Khuzaymah ]

Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) - aspiring for the excellence which he mentioned in his saying: "I am a guarantor for a house on the outskirts of Paradise (or whosoever leaves off arguing, even if he is in the right; and a house in the centre of Paradise (or whosoever abandons falsehood, even when joking; and a house in the upper-most part of Paradise for whosoever makes his character good."[ Saheeh: Related by Aboo Daawood ]

So by shunning oppression, shamelessness, harbouring hatred towards Muslims, back-biting, slandering, tale-carrying, and other types of falsehood, we can be saved from nullifying the rewards of our fasting -

as Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "It may be that a fasting person, receives nothing from his fast, except hunger and thirst." [Saheeh: Related by Ahmad ]

[5]: SENSING MUSLIM UNITY

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Fast when they fast, and break your fast when they break their fast, and sacrifice the day they sacrifice." [Saheeh: Related by at Tirmidthee ]

Imaam at-Tirmidthee (d.275H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"Some of the People of Knowledge explained this hadeeth by saying: Its meaning is to fast and break the fast along with the Jamaa’ah and the majority of people." [Jaami‘ut-Tirmidthee ]

Allaah - the Most High -said: "And hold fast altogether to the rope of Allaah and do not be divided." [Soorah Aal-‘Imraan 3:103].

Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728) - rahimahullaah - said:
"The welfare of people will not be complete - neither in this world, nor in the Hereafter - except with ijtimaa‘ (collectiveness), ta‘aawun (mutual cooperation), and tanaasur (mutual help); mutual cooperation in order to secure benefits, and mutual help in order to ward off harm. It is for this reason that man is said to be social and civil by nature."

Thus, Ramadaan is a time to increase our sense of unity and brotherhood, and our commitment to Allaah and His Religion.

THE RECOMMENDED ACTS OF FASTING:

• The pre-dawn meal (suhoor) and delaying in taking it are preferable, as well as hastening to break the fast and doing so with dates.
• Generosity in giving is also recommended during Ramadhaan, as well as doing good deeds and increasing in charity.
• It is also recommended to study the Qur‘aan and perform I‘tikaaf (seclusion for worship) during Ramadhaan, especially in its last ten days, as well as increasing upon the exertion (towards doing good deeds) in it.

There are three levels of fasting, the general fast, the specific fast and the more specific fast. As for the general fast, then it is the refraining of ones stomach and their private parts from fulfilling their desires. The specific fast is the refraining of ones gaze, tongue, hands, feet, hearing and eyes, as well as the rest of his body parts from committing sinful acts. As for the more specific fast, then it is the heart’s abstention from its yearning after the worldly affairs and the thoughts which distance one away from Allaah, as well as its (the heart’s) abstention. From all the things that Allaah has placed on the same level. From the characteristics of the specific fast is that one lowers his gaze and safeguards his tongue from the repulsive speech that is forbidden, disliked, or which has no benefit, as well as controlling the rest of his body parts. Another characteristic of the specific fast is that one does not overfill himself with food during the night. Instead, he eats in due measure, for indeed, the son of Aadam does not fill a vessel more evil than his stomach. If he were to eat his fill during the first part of the night, he would not make good use of himself for the remainder of the night. In the same way, if he eats to his fill for suhoor, he does make good use of himself until the afternoon. This is because excessive eating breads laziness and lethargy therefore, the objective of fasting disappears due to one's excessiveness in eating, for what is indeed intended by the fast, is that one savours the taste of hunger and becomes an abandoner of desires.

CHARACTERISITCS OF THE MORE SPECIFIC FASTS:

Know that the one who has been given intellect, knows the objective behind fasting. Therefore, he burdens himself to the extent that he will not be unable to do that which is more beneficial than it. Ibn Mas’ood would fast very little and it is reported that he used to say: ‘‘When I fast, I grow weak in my prayer. And I prefer the prayer over the (optional) fast.’’ Some of the Companions would weaken in their recitation of the Qur‘aan when fasting. Thus, they would exceed in breaking their fast (i.e.. by observing less optional fasts), until they were able to balance their recitation. Every individual is knowledgeable of his condition and of what will rectify it.

States Shaykh ‘Abdullaah al-Bukharee, “The Month of Ramadaan is the month of obedience to Allaah, the time the people have to bring themselves to Allaah. Many people think that Ramadaan is the month of being lazy and laid back. That is not the month of Ramadaan, it is the month of working hard, keeping away from sins, keeping away from desires. The month of Ramadaan is the best month. It is the time that Allaah revealed the Qur’aan. It is the time when Jibreel (radiyallaahu anhu) came to Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and taught him the Qur’aan…”

“…The salafus-saalih (righteous predecessors) used to try to finish the Qur’aan every three days, or every seven or every ten. It is very important that one tries to push oneself to read the Qur’aan and to more than one would normally do. We know that Ramadaan is the month that Allaah revealed the Qur’aan. How can a Muslim stay away from the Qur’aan? How can a person go a day or two or three without opening the Qur’aan?

…This was the character of the Salafus-Saalih that they would become awestruck when they heard the Qur’aan. So, brothers and sisters, try to increase in reading the Qur’aan in this blessed month of Ramadaan. If you read Qur’aan in the month of Ramadaan you will receive more reward than the other months.”

“Du’aa was the habit of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Increase in du’aa to Allaah, the one who does this is like the one who is at a door, eventually someone will answer him. Likewise the one who supplicates to Allaah, is like the one who knocks a door, he will soon receive an answer. Keep in mind; the du’aa without actions is nothing. Do not just make du’aa and believe that you will be fine. You should make du’aa and worship Allaah. One of the salaf said, ‘the example one who makes du’aa but doesn’t act upon his du’aa is like the one who has a weapon with ammunition.’ So you must have du’aa and you must have actions and worship Allaah.”

Aboo Hurayrah narrated that Allah's Messenger said: "Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadaan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven." (Saheehul-Bukhaaree, Kitabul-Eemaan, Hadeeth No. 36)

One must have patience in obeying Allaah and patience in staying away from sins. The person who is the loser, is the one who doesn’t become closer to Allaah in this month.

Setting the record straight!

I watched a documentary once which showed a group of angry Muslim women trying to get into Mosques. I really couldn't understand what there problem was. Why couldn't they get in these mosques? I was confused about their bahaviour and the behaviour of the men. I thought, 'what has gone on'?

I've been Muslim for 10 years and thats how long I've been attending mosque. You see I've never had a problem with attending a mosque....until now.

The mosque I've attended since becoming Muslim is about 20 miles from where I live. It's run mainly by Arabs from all over and is attended by almost every nationality going. Theres always something happening such as halaqahs, guest speakers, lessons, BBQs and trips, and this is for women as well as men (of course Islamic ettiqettes are always practised, such as no mixing etc).

I travel this far because the town I live in has never had much going on for women until recently. There is now a good size group of women here wanting to become active in the community and more knowledgable in their deen. So we started doing a halaqah in a Bangladeshi mosque. This lasted several weeks until they kicked us out for no good reason (and it wasn't done in a nice way may I add). Then we were able to hold our halaqahs in the Pakistani Mosque, which lasted 1 week! Actually, it was us who left because we got a telling off for bringing our children.

Issues that were raised from both mosques were mostly to do with children. One remark was "children should not be here, it's a mosque" and there was concern if any of the little ones had an accident on the floor. It's no wonder the non-muslim society think that Muslim women are oppressed, it's because of behaviour such as this.

So I want to set the record straight for the non-muslims to know what Islam says about this and for those ignorant men out there who are stopping women and children attending mosque.

Allah does say that it is better for women to pray at home. If a woman choses to do that then thats fine, it's her choice, but Allah says, 'better' not 'must'. It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “When your womenfolk ask you for permission to go to the mosque, give them permission.”

There's many other narrations to show that women at the time of the Prophet (SAW) attended the mosque. One states that the women found that the men's questions were taking most of the Prophet's (SAW) time so they requested he dedicated a day for the women and he did, he gave them lessons and sermons. (al-Bukhari) Others state the importance of women attending mosque on the day of Eid.

I must mention that women can only attend the mosque so long as they abide by the Islamic etiquettes for this.

Now lets focus on children (this makes my blood boil!). Again, there are many hadith to show that children were in the mosque at the time of the Prophet (SAW), but my favourite example is this:

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) came out to us for one of the evening prayers (Maghrib or ‘Isha’), carrying Hasan or Husayn. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) came forward, put the child down and said Takbeer (“Allaahu akbar”) to start the prayer. Then he prostrated during the prayer and his prostration lasted for a long time. My father said: I raised my head and saw the child on the back of the Messenger of Allah (SAW), so I went back to my prostration. When the Messenger of Allah (SAW) finished praying, the people said to him: ‘O Messenger of Allah, during your prayer you prostrated and it took a long time, until we thought that something had happened, or that you were receiving Revelation.’ He said, ‘Nothing happened, but my son was riding on my back and I did not want to hurry him up until he had had enough'.(Al-Nasa'i)

Now the clarification of women and children attending mosques has been made let's address the brothers concern of children having a little accident. The wonderful thing about Allah's perfect religion is that we have guidance for everything, even how to clean urine from the floor of the mosque! This next hadith not only explains this but also shows the understanding and patience of the Prophet (SAW).

Narrated Anas bin Malik: A Bedouin came and passed urine in one corner of the mosque. The people shouted at him but the Prophet stopped them till he finished urinating. The Prophet ordered them to spill a bucket of water over that place and they did so. The Prophet then said, "You have been sent to make things easy and not to make them difficult." (al-Bukhari)


My goodness! The Prophet (SAW) let the man continue until he finished, these brothers here are complaining about just a possibility of the children urinating. These type of men complain about the youth of today and they dont know how to get young adults into mosque, maybe they should strive to instil the love of the mosque in them at an early age!

Excuses, excuses!

Right, time for a moan. I've just read a girl's comment on a forum. She said, "As I've said to my mum a gazillion times, if you wanted a good little pakistani muslim, you shoulda stayed at home".

Ok, let's get the record straight. No country is going to make a person good. It is up to you if you want to become a good Muslim. You have to want it and work for it by increasing your Iman. To do this you have to seek knowledge, keep good company and most importantly, remember Allah.

So many people talk about how hard it is living in this country and that we should try and move to a Muslim country. Here are some points why this is not the solution:

1. What is a Muslim country and is there such thing, really?
2. There is much corruption and haram practices taking place in predominately Muslim countries making it a no better place to be in.
3. It's everyone's duty to spread Islam. Isn't being in other countries, giving dawah by mouth and actions, fulfilling, rewardful and of course Sunnah, as the Prophet (SAW) sent people far and wide to spread Islam?
4. If your complaining that it's difficult because maybe you feel alienated and you would just rather fit in, know that in the time of the Prophet (SAW) the Muslims were the minority. They were alienated but they stayed strong, worshipping Allah, and obeying their Lord and Messenger.
5. A word I hate so much is INTERGRATION. If you are complaining that Islam does not allow you to intergrate and in this country intergration is very important, I say rubbish. Allah is perfect, His religion is perfect, He has given us guidance for everything in life, including how to intergrate with non Muslims. You only have to read the Seerah of the Prophet (SAW) to see how intergrated he was.

Now, why must the phrase 'good little Pakistani Muslim' be used. Is it asuming that you can only be a good Muslim if your Pakistani? This is where some parents go wrong. They put so much emphasis on their native country, expecting their children to love it for all the reasons they do, but it's not going to happen. If their children are raised here they have to understand that their children don't have the same connection with their country as they do. So saying they have to be like this or that because they are Pakistani, or any other nationality, is not going to have an effect them. What they need to be taught is; to love Allah, to know He is the Creator, to know we were created to only worship Him, the things we are required to do and stay away from and their rewards and punishments.

Moan over!

Half

The Muslim world is lagging behind,
In almost every area you'll find.
From infrastructure to inventions,
With constant political tensions.
This wasn't the case in the past,
But now we're working at half mast.
Half the population staying inside,
Women uneducated, pressured to hide.
How have the Muslims come to that?
It wasn't the case with the Sahabiyat:
They tended livestock and date palm trees;
Worked as doctors and had businesses.
Khadijah was a rich business woman,
Hafsah was entrusted with the Quran.
They're lives were active and full;
Not claustrophobic, never dull.
They kept their dignity and modesty;
Were what they wanted to be.
No wonder we're getting behind,
We're wasting half of our human kind;
Telling them, "Stay at home and cook,"
Rarely studying an academic book.
We'll never get out of second gear
Until we get rid of this foolish fear.
There will be much less corruption
Without homes with satellite television.
Making the women bored, staying in;
Can lead to more influences and sin.
Useless to society and low in iman;
isn't the role of the woman.
Allow jobs apart from wife and mother;
Yes of course wear hijab and cover.
Lets return to the Prophet's way-
Let the women have their say.
Maybe then Muslims will start to prosper,
Please get rid of these fears you foster.
Of course being modest must remain;
That's not too hard to maintain.
This situation causes psychological harm,
It can be hard for women to stay calm.
What if children are grown and move on?
What if a women is single or barren?
Should she stay home feeling useless?
Or go study and work in modest dress?
Stop wasting this vital human resource;
It'll help to change the Muslims course.

By Umm Arif

Faith is Human Nature – What Does This Really Mean?

Belief in Allah's existence is something instinctive to human beings. It is part of our innate natures.

Allah says: "So set your purpose (O Muhammad) towards religion in the pure state - the natural way from Allah, upon which He has created humanity. There is no altering Allah's creation. That is the right religion, but most people know not." [Sûrah al-Rûm: 30]

The Prophet relates to us that Allah says: "Indeed, I created my servants, all of them, on the natural faith." [Sahîh Ibn Hibbân (656)] This means that belief in Allah is embedded in every person's essential makeup.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also informs us: "Every child is born upon the natural way. It is then his parents who turn him into a Jew, a Christian, or a Zoroastrian." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (1296)]

When we believe in Allah, we are responding to our nature, and because it is in harmony with our nature, the existence or absence of faith must have a marked effect on a person's life. Even someone left without any external influences upon his or her faith will come to a recognition of Allah's existence. Admittedly, that person's belief will not be complete with details about Allah's nature and attributes, or with any knowledge of the Law – since those are matters known only through revelation – but the awareness and recognition of a Higher Being will be there.

In the Qur'ân, we read: "Being true in faith to Allah, and never assigning partners to Him: if anyone assigns partners to Allah, is as if he had fallen from heaven and been snatched up by birds, or the wind had swooped (like a bird on its prey) and thrown him into a far-distant place." [Sûrah al-Hajj: 31]

We see how this verse describes the sense of loss and lack of self-definition that afflicts the person in the absence of faith. The human being who lacks faith resembles a heavenly object that has strayed and fallen from its orbit. It is quick to burn up. It is lost and wasted, not knowing where it is headed. Such a person is overpowered by perplexing questions that make his or her mind as if it were about to explode. This person remains in emotional turmoil. The person's heart, likewise, does not come to any sound conclusion, and it takes that person's life right down to Hell.

It is part of our nature to seek out that which is to be venerated, that which is holy. This is why a person who does not acknowledge Allah as the one to be worshipped will find something else to worship. All people, children and adults – and no matter how healthy, prosperous, or successful they might be – need a few moments away from other people, to commune with their Lord, to feel that Allah sees them, hears them, and will answer them. This is true at times of hardship and times of ease, not only when faced with failure, but even when enjoying the greatest success.

It is a grave error to assume that faith is tied in with fear of the unknown, as critics of religion claim. Rather, faith is tied in with a deep love in the heart, which in its outpouring naturally seeks that which is holy and sublime. In the absence of a willingness to recognize Allah, people might even worship idols like the Arabs used to do before the advent of Islam.

Allah says: "Did I not enjoin on you – O children of Adam – that you worship not the devil - Lo! he is your open foe! – but that you worship Me? This is the right path." [Sûrah YâSîn: 60-61]

There is one final important meaning I wish to draw from the fact that faith is a natural dispensation of the humanity, motivated through love and a sense of reverence in the heart for Allah's glorification. In return for giving this devotion sincerely to Allah, the promise for us is Paradise, containing what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no heart has anticipated.

by Sheikh Salman al-Oadah

Naseeha (Sincere Advice)

In this current day and age it is so important to unify ourselves, exhorting each other to the truth and righteousness and forbidding one another from evil and sin. The Noble Quran and Sunnah are replete with many examples of how to undertake this duty with tact whilst achieving the required result.

Teaching people is one of the greatest good deeds whose benefits spread to others. Abu ‘Eesa said, “Allah and the angels, and even the ant in its nest and the whale in the sea will pray for the one who teaches people the ways of good” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi).

Dealing with and correcting mistakes is also a part of sincerity in religion which is a duty on all Muslims.

Understanding the Prophet’s methodology in dealing with the mistakes of the people he met is of great importance, because the Prophet (SAW) was guided by his Lord, and his words and deeds were supported by the wahy, and confirmed or corrected as needed. His methods are wiser and more efficacious, and using his approach is the best way to get people to respond positively. If the one who is in a position to guide and teach others adopts these methods and this approach, his efforts will be successful. Following the method and approach of the Prophet (SAW) also involves following his example, for he is the best example for us, and this will lead us to a great reward from Allah, if our intention is sincere.

We must point out that the practical application of this methodology in real life relies heavily on ijtihaad (studying the situation and attempting to determine the best approach) to a great extent. This involves selecting the best methods for a particular situation. Whoever understands people’s nature will be able to notice similarities between real life situations and situations described in the texts, so he will be able to choose the most appropriate method from among the methods of the Prophet (SAW).

When correcting the mistakes of others, it is essential that one’s intention be to earn the pleasure of Allah, not to demonstrate one's superiority or to vent one’s anger or to impress others.

Be aware that everyone makes mistakes. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Every son of Adam makes mistakes, and the best of those who make mistakes are those who repent.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, by Ibn Maajah,) This will remind the da’iyah and educator who is striving to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil that he too is a human being who could also make the same mistake, so he should deal with him on a footing of compassion rather than harshness, because the basic aim is to reform, not to punish.

Saying that someone is wrong should be based on shar'i evidence and proper understanding, not on ignorance and that fact that one happens not to like it.

In some cases it may be more wise to refer the act of naseeha to someone else. Maybe you know that there could be a chance of the person who has made a mistake will not listen to you but would listen to their father or Imam for example.

Not hastening to deal with mistakes goes against the interests of Islam and misses out on the opportunity to strike while the iron is hot, as it were. Yet contrary to this, being too hasty could not be the right thing to do. May be a person is in an angry state and would not listen properly therefore you should wait until the person is calm. Or sometimes we need to get the full picture of a situation first before we can make judgment.

Also, a person who is seeking knowledge should not be too hasty to condemn any opinion that differs from that with which he is familiar; he should first be sure of what he is saying, because that opinion may turn out to be a valid scholarly opinion.

We should deal with mistakes by explaining the ruling (hukm) and repeatedly remind people to fear Allah. We should show compassion and remain calm when dealing with people’s mistakes.

It is wise to explain the seriousness of the mistake and the harmful effects of the mistake and possibly offer a sound alternative.

It is sometimes necessary to use a more stronger approach in order to have a better impact. The educator may show anger in proportion to the mistake. This is a sign that his heart is alert to wrongdoing and will not keep silent about it, so that the others present will feel afraid of making the same mistake.

The one who has made a mistake may be rebuked or shunned. Speaking bluntly to a person about the mistake can be a useful method that saves times and energy, and gets the point across in the easiest manner, but it should only be done when it is appropriate to the situation and the people involved.

We can also (sometimes) do more than just talk to someone about their mistake, we can help them correct their mistake.

Abu Hurayrah (RA) said: “Whilst we were sitting with the Prophet (SAW), a man came to him and said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, I am doomed!’ He said, ‘What is the matter with you?’ He said, ‘I had intercourse with my wife whilst I was fasting.’ The Messenger of Allaah (SAW) said, ‘Are you able to set a slave free?’ He said, ‘No.’ He asked, ‘Can you fast for two consecutive months?’ He said, ‘No.’ he said, ‘Can you feed sixty poor persons?’ He said, ‘No.’ The Prophet (SAW) said nothing more about the matter for a while, and whilst we were sitting there like that, the Prophet (SAW) was brought a large vessel full of dates. He said, ‘Where is the one who was asking just now?’ The man said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Take this and give it in charity.’ The man said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, is there anyone poorer between al-Harratayn [i.e., in Madeenah] than my family?’ The Prophet (SAW) smiled so broadly that his eyeteeth could be seen, then he said, ‘Feed it to your family.’” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, no. 1936).

Tips for how to wake up for Fajr Prayer

ONE:

To make sure to go to bed early as the Prophet (SAW) used to discourage sleep beforeperforming Ishaa prayer and especially engaging in conversation after it.

TWO:

To be constant in observing the Aadaab [good manners prescribed in Islam] as to what to do before sleep such as making Du'aa [supplication], bringing one's palms together, and reciting the last three surah's of the Qur'an, being physically and religiously pure and performing a two rakah voluntary prayer after wudhoo [ablution]. A muslim has to ask his wife, parents, relatives or neighbours to help waking him up. Once waken up, he should not linger lazily for long in bed, lest he acquires the vices of the hypocrites who come to prayer showing ample signs of laziness and lack of enthusiasm.

THREE:

To fill one's heart with faith and good deeds. Once faith is alive in the heart, it induces the person to do good deeds and strive unremittingly hard. Faith is like a tree which only yields good fruit when irrigated from the streamlets of good deeds, thus bringing about an improvement both in personal conduct and at the interactional level with society at large. The lack of such streamlets or water supplies proportionately causes faith to wither and wilt. The heart is highly sensitive to external hardening stimuli, such as excess food or drink or aberrations in watching or listening (letting your eyes and ears Loose to what is unlawful for them). You should therefore protect your heart from such external allurements.

FOUR:

To keep away from Ma'aasi [acts of disobedience to Allah] by protecting the eyes, the tongue, the hearing and all the senses from indulging in the perception of objects that Allah has made unlawful for us. As an alternative, one should concern himself with matters pertaining to the worship of Allaah, such as devoting one's sight to the reading of Allaah's Book, meditating over the creatures that Allaah has created in this universe, reading books of knowledge etc. Imaam Ibn ul-Qayyim said, sins are wounds and some wounds can be fatal.

FIVE:

To bear in mind the great reward for attending Fajr prayer in congregation on time, and the strong rebuke for him to fails to observe it and to satisfy its conditions.

Uthmaan ibn 'Affaan related: I heard Allah's Messenger (SAW) say: "He who prays Ishaa in Jamaa'ah [congregation] is as if he hasprayed for half the night . As to him who (also) prays Fajr in congregation, it is as if he has prayed all night." [narrated by Maalik and the wording is that of Muslim who also reported it]

Similarly, Bukhaaaree and Muslim and An-Nasaaee related on the authority of Ibn Mas'ud (radiallaahu-anhu) that he said: The case of a man who slept all the night up to sunrise (without waking up for Fajr) was related to the Prophet (SAW) whereupon he said: "That was a man in whose ear Shaytaan has urinated", or he said "in both his ears".

SIX:

To realise the bad effects resulting from one's failure to pray Fajr, such as the melancholic and depressive state of mind and the loss of many religious and worldly benefits, and the good effects resulting from managing to perform it.

In this respect the Prophet (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) said: "Shaytaan ties three knots on the crown of any one of you in your sleep. He says upon each knot that he ties: "You have a long night before you, therefore sleep". But if you wake up and mention Allah, Most Exalted in remembrance one knot will be untied. If you then make ablution another knot will be undone. If you then proceed to pray the last knot will be disentangled. Thus, you will feel in the morning energetic and in good spirits. Otherwise you will feel in a despicable state, lazy".[narrated by Maalik, Bukhaaree, Muslim and Abu Dawood]

SEVEN:

To lose no time to categorically clear yourself from the stigma of hypocrisy. Because of the difficulty of waking for this time, praying Fajr in congregation provides evidence that a person has firm faith and is free from hypocrisy. That is why in a hadeeth narrated by Bukhaaree and Muslim, the Prophet (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) said:

"Indeed, the most difficult of prayers to bear, for the hypocrites, are Ishaa [night] and Fajr prayers. If only they knew what they are missing , they would sooner come, even if crawling on their knees".

The most worthy companion, Abdullaah and Ibn Mas'ood (radiallaahu-anhu) asserts "The only one indeed who misses them [i.e. Ishaa and Fajr prayers] is a confirmed hypocrite". Ibn Umar (radiallaahu-anhu) said "When we find a man missing from the Ishaa and Fajr prayers we nurture. suspicions about him"

If you want a criterion for evaluating a person's degree of faith and truthfulness monitor his observance of Fajr prayer. If he passes the test, that should be taken as a sign indicating the strength of his Eeman [belief, faith]. Let us then testify to his truthfulness since he managed to achieve the greatest victory over himself and to be superior to the pleasure of sleeping in bed. If he fails the test, this is an index to his weakness in faith, a hardness in his heart, an indulgence in self-gratification and a defeat against his own whims.

How is it then that he who indulges in sleep and misses prayer should conceivably feel comfortable while people are delighting in the mosques in the company of the Qur'aan, listening raptuously to Allaah's message, and basking happily in His gardens. He who prefers the pleasures of the bed to the pleasure of the communion with Allaah is the real loser.


Oh, and set your alarm!

The adab of Visiting

Islam has taught us that while visiting others, we should follow prescribed rules of etiquette (Islamic Adab). Without doing this, we could easily lose our beloved friends.

Hadith - At-Tabaraanee collected it, and Albani authenticated it in Silsilatul-AHaadeethis-Saheehah (#432).
The Prophet (saaws) said: "The most beloved of Allah's servants to Allah are those with the best manners."

Sometimes people visit one another without calling ahead to announce that they are coming. However, it is sometimes difficult to receive guests unexpectedly. In that awkward situation, people often feel they have to apologize because they cannot receive guests when, actually, the fault is on the part of the visitor. Instead of understanding, though, many times the visitor becomes upset.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) said, "If you were asked to go back, go back; that makes for greater purity" [Surah Nur; 24:28].

We should do our best to not embarrass others with an unexpected visit. Choosing an appropriate time to request visiting our friends is also important. We should never disturb them at times that are reserved for resting or relaxing.

Imam al-Tabari, in his tafsir (Exegesis), reported that a man of the Muhajirin said, "All my life, I wanted to practice this verse, 'If you were asked to go back, go back; that makes for greater purity,' but I could not. I was hoping I would seek permission to visit a brother and he will tell me, "Go back!' I will gladly go back fulfilling this directive of Allah."

Volume 8, Book 74, Number 262:
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:
While I was present in one of the gatherings of the Ansar, Abu Musa came as if he was scared, and said, "I asked permission to enter upon 'Umar three times, but I was not given the permission, so I returned." (When 'Umar came to know about it) he said to Abu Musa, "Why did you not enter?'. Abu Musa replied, "I asked permission three times, and I was not given it, so I returned, for Allah's Apostle said, "If anyone of you asks the permission to enter thrice, and the permission is not given, then he should return.' " 'Umar said, "By Allah! We will ask Abu Musa to bring witnesses for it." (Abu Musa went to a gathering of the Ansar and said). "Did anyone of you hear this from the Prophet ?" Ubai bin Ka'b said, "By Allah, none will go with you but the youngest of the people (as a witness)." (Abu Said) was the youngest of them, so I went with Abu Musa and informed 'Umar that the Prophet had said so. (See Hadith No. 277, Vol. 3)

Inside the house and also the back of the house are private quarters for the people who live there. Islamic adab teaches us not to look inside someone's home without first getting permission. Sa'd ibn Ubada (radiAllahu anhu) relates that, "A man stood facing the door of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) while asking permission (to enter). The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, 'Turn this way,' turning him away and ordering him to move farther from the door, saying, 'Asking permission is prescribed to prevent intrusion'." [abu dawud and al-Tabarani].

If we follow the way of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) while visiting our friends, we will avoid many problems and we will be able to protect our friendships, Insha'Allah. And if we love our friends for the sake of Allah, we will respect their rights of privacy and our behavior will not cause them to feel offended by us or alienate them from us.

Knowledge

Lately I've been coming across so many Muslims who are quick to comment or say something about Islam but they got no idea where the evidence for it is. Either they just heard the information from someone else or read it in 'some' book.

They are doing exactly what I used to do 10 years ago! Over the years, as I read more, attended halaqahs and listened to lectures, I realised how wrong I had been, to open my mouth so quick without having real knowledge.

It is important to understand the grading of Ahadith and how scholars judge between difference of opinions. When reading books make sure references are given. A sister gave me a book once and as I was reading I soon realised there were a lot of things which were not quite right. I then noticed it had no references whatsoever. It's quite scary to know that a person will take something as truth just because the author or speaker claims to be a scholar or a person of knowledge.

If we study the four madhabs, one thing you will notice is all of them advise us to, 'Turn to where we took', meaning the Qur'an and Sunnah. Maasha Allah, one of the amazing things about Islam is that we still have our scriptures, preserved and unchanged. We don't need to look far when we want to find something out. The Qur'an is our guide, if we want true knowledge, we already have it in our hand.