Pyramids in Egypt

The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made building constructed some 4,000 years ago. Visitors can enter the Great Pyramid through a passage in the masonry. The pyramids are notable for their incredible construction, which features a high degree of mathematical accuracy. They are constructed from limestone and granite. Many theories about how the pyramids were constructed without the assistance of modern machines have been postulated.

The Great Pyramid is also called the Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), after the pharaoh who probably had the pyramids built. The other pyramids are called the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure.

The Great Pyramid stands 137 meters (449 feet) high. Each side is oriented with one of the cardinal directions of the compass (north, south, east, and west). The Great Pyramid of Khufu is made up of two million blocks of stone, and is estimated to weigh 5.9 million tonnes.

The Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren) is situated to the southwest of the Pyramid of Khufu. Although it appears to be taller than the Great Pyramid, as it stands on higher ground, this pyramid is actually smaller than that of Khufu. This pyramid was built by Khufu’s son Khafre.

The third pyramid, the Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus), which stands some 67m (220ft) high, was started by Khafre’s son Menkaure.

In front of the Great Pyramid stands the Sphinx, a statue of a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man. The Sphinx, which stands 20 meters (66 feet) high, and measures about 73.5 meters long, was probably carved over 4,500 years ago out of sandstone.

The sights at Giza are among the most famous in the world and continue to fascinate hordes of visitors every year.

Don't get Loan

Debt is a very serious matter indeed!

By Asma Binte Shameem

In this materialistic world where the focus has become running after the whims and fulfilling whatsoever the heart desires, we tend to lose focus on our real goals and begin taking certain matters that are forbidden or discouraged in Islaam, too lightly.

And the matter of taking loans and being in debt is definitely one of them.
And I am NOT talking about taking an “interest based” loan. That is HARAAM for sure. The kind of loan I am talking about is one without interest……one that does NOT involve riba….. The kind that is allowed, yet discouraged in Islaam.
Many people have a very casual approach to being in debt and take out loans, not for some urgent need but, because they want to expand their businesses or keep up with others in buying new cars or furniture or other temporary luxuries of this life.
Taking loans and being in debt is a GRAVE…..GRAVE matter. Islam takes the matter of debt very seriously and warns against it and urges the Muslim to avoid it as much as possible. And yet, we don’t see it as such.

1) The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to seek protection from it
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to say in his prayer:

“Allaahumma inni a’oodhi bika min al-ma’tham wa’l-maghram (O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from sin and heavy debt).” Someone said to him: “How often you seek refuge from heavy debt!” He said: “When a man gets into debt, he speak and tells lies, and he makes a promise and breaks it.” (Bukhaari and Muslim).

2) The person in debt will not enter Paradise until the debt is paid off!
Muhammad ibn Jahsh said: ‘We were sitting with the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) when he raised his head towards the sky, then he put his palm on his forehead and said: “Subhaan-Allaah! What a strict issue has been revealed to me!” We remained silent and were afraid. The following morning I asked him,

“O Messenger of Allaah, what is this strict issue that has been revealed?” He said, “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, if a man were killed in battle for the sake of Allaah, then brought back to life, then killed and brought back to life again, then killed, and he owed a debt, he would not enter Paradise until his debt was paid off.” (Hasan -al-Nasaa’i).

3) Unnecessary loans is a cause of PUNISHMENT and the WRATH OF ALLAAH!
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Whoever asks people for money when he has what is sufficient for him is only asking for more of the embers of Hell.” They asked him, “O Messenger of Allaah, what is sufficient so that he does not have to ask for more?” He said: “Having enough to eat lunch and dinner.” (Abu Dawud- Saheeh).

And he said:

“Whoever asks the people for money when he has what is sufficient for him will come on the Day of Judgment with scratches and lacerations on his face.” (Ahmad).

4) The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) didn’t pray his Janazah
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) refrained from offering the funeral prayer for someone who had died owing two dinars, until Abu Qataadah (a Sahaabi) promised to pay it off for him. When he saw him the following day he said,

“I have paid it off.” The Prophet said: “Now his skin has become cool for him.” (Hasan-Ahmad)

5) The soul of the one in debt is suspended
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“The soul of the believer is held hostage by his debt in his grave until it is paid off.” Tirmidhi,

Explaining this hadeeth al-Suyooti said: “It (soul) is detained and kept from reaching its noble destination. Al-’Iraaqi said: “No judgment is passed as to whether it will be saved or doomed until it is determined whether his debt will be paid off or not.”

5) The one in debt is a prisoner
The debtor is a prisoner, as the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Your companion is being detained by his debt.” (hasan-Abu Dawood).

Statements of Sahaabah regarding debt
Umar ibn al-Khattaab said: Beware of debt, for it starts with worry and it ends with war. (Maalik in al-Muwatta).
And Ibn ‘Umar said: “O Humraan, fear Allaah and do not die in debt, lest it be taken from your good deeds when there will be no dinars and no dirhams.”

When is taking a loan permissible?
The Ulama warn us about how difficult the issue of debt is, and that it should not be undertaken except in cases of necessity.
Based on this, there are three conditions for debt to be permissible:
1- The borrower should be determined to repay it.
2- It should be known or thought most likely that he is able to repay it,
3- It should be for something that is permissible according to Sharee’ah.
Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said:
“The debt for which a person will be kept out of Paradise – and Allaah knows best – is that for which he left behind enough to pay it off but he did not leave instructions to that effect, or he was able to pay it off but did not do so, or he took the loan for some unlawful or extravagant matter and died without having paid it off.
As for the one who took a loan for something lawful because he was poor, and he died without leaving behind anything to pay it off, Allaah will not keep him from Paradise because of it, in sha Allaah.”

So take a loan only when absolutely necessary and if you are in a situation of debt right now, try your utmost best to pay off your debts as soon as possible. Strive hard to pay it off, put your trust in Allaah, and pray to Him to make it easy for you to pay off your debt.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“The one who takes people’s wealth intending to pay it back, Allaah will pay it back for him, and the one who takes it intending to destroy it, Allaah will destroy him.” (Bukhaari).

There are a number of duas in the Sunnah that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to make to stay away from and pay off debts. I will give them to you next Friday insha Allaah.

Don't blame others

Don’t be so quick to blame others perhaps the fault lies with you….

By Asma bint Shameem

I remember the first time I went for Umrah was when I was about 16 or 17 years old. That was the time when my family was not really a ‘practicing’ Muslim family. Yeah sure, we prayed and fasted, but that was about the only thing I knew about Islaam…nothing much more than that.
Included in that was my ignorance of the rules of Hijaab. I didn’t cover myself except when I prayed and that also, not too well.
I didn’t know that Allaah required of me to cover myself, not just when I prayed; rather, all the time, in front of all non-mahram men, and I didn’t know exactly how I should cover myself, either.
You see, I had grown up with the erroneous understanding that it is ‘backward’ and ‘uneducated’ to cover yourself, and indeed, those who observed hijaab were looked down upon.

So there I was, in front of the Haram, the House of my Lord, with my tight shalwar kameez and a small scarf (or dupatta, as you call it in Urdu) just barely covering my head and shoulders, the rest of me exposed.

As I stood by the main entrance of the Masjid, I looked at the throngs of Saudi women who passed by me, fully covered from top to toe, in their ‘abaayas and niqaabs with nothing but their eyes showing. And as I looked at them, several emotions were going through my young and ignorant mind……emotions of amazement, pity and scorn, all mixed together.
These poor Saudi women…I thought to myself. Aren’t they hot? Poor things, they are so illiterate and suppressed. They are living in a world of their own. They have no idea where the rest of us are going.

But as I took pity on them and shook my head with hopelessness and disdain, I also noticed something else.
I noticed that they were glaring at me as they passed me by….each and every one of them!
Wow! I thought to myself. What’s the matter with them?!!

And just when I thought I had had enough of their awful looks and glares, one of them stopped abruptly and sharply tugged at my hair that was showing from underneath my short scarf.
“OUCH! Stop that!” I snapped at her. “Why in the world did you do that to me?!!”

The lady angrily muttered something to me in Arabic and left and I just stood there, hurt, angry, bewildered and disgusted. These Arabs are SO RUDE!! I hatefully and bitterly thought to myself. I didn’t understand the hostility, the angry looks, the resentment.
When I told someone about what happened, they said, “Oh, you don’t know. These Arabs are so racists! They don’t like Pakistanis!”

And that’s what I believed. That these Arabs are not only illiterate, suppressed, and uncivilized, but they are also racist, rude and mean….

And then, after some years, Allaah gave me another chance to go for Umrah. Only this time, it was different.

To my amazement, everyone was so kind to me!
The sisters smiled at me and treated me with respect. When they spoke to me, their voice was soft and their manners were the best. They said salaam to me, and hugged me and kissed me. They shared their food with me. They made space for me in the saff for prayer, when there was no space to be seen. In other words, they treated me like their sister.
Wow! Amazing!
“Surely, these Arabs have changed!” I thought, so pleasantly surprized and thankful. “They are no longer rude and mean. They have actually become civilized, polite and courteous!”

“What made them change….??” I wondered. “Why was it so different last time?”

And then, an awful and bitter reality dawned upon me. The painful and distressing realization crept upon me and made me shudder. The disturbing awareness that it was not them who had changed. Rather, it was me.

It was not they who were different after all these years. I was different.

Alhamdulillaah, Allaah had guided me. Now, I was now covered, from head to toe…..just like these Arab women, just like the way Allaah has told us Muslim women to cover.
And that was the difference.

It became clear to me, as bright as day, that, it was never me that these Arab sisters were angry at, when I had first come for Umrah many years ago. It was the laws of Allaah that I was defying that they were upset about.
All those years back, the fault was with me, not them.
When Allaah made me realize that it is an order from Him to cover myself and wear proper hijaab….. that was the difference.

I had realized that it is NOT backward or uncivilized to dress modestly and it is NOT a sign that I am oppressed. I recognized the fact that it was not them who were suppressed or illiterate. Rather, it was me that was so, when I disobeyed Allaah and didn’t do what I was supposed to do. They didn’t need to be pitied. I did.

When I believed that it is a sign of me obeying my Lord and an honor and a dignity that He bestows on whomever He wishes, that was the difference.

I also realized that these Arabs are NOT racist and it is not about us being ‘Pakistani’ or non-Arab.
Rather, it is our own actions that make people like us or honor us…or dislike us.

It also made me aware of the fact that so many times, we are so quick to blame others. We rush to see the faults that lie with others that we forget, that perhaps the fault, in fact, lies with us and not with them.
Just like I was so quick in condemning and blaming my Arab brothers and sisters for being mean and rude and racist. And I didn’t realize that it was my actions, my deeds, my way of dressing, that was the reason for their dislike and nothing more.

Remember, when you pick up your hand to point a finger at somebody, do realize that there are four (fingers of your own hand) pointing at you too.

May Allaah forgive our previous mistakes and guide us always to the straight path and enable us to see the Truth as the Truth and falsehood as falsehood. May He allow us to see our own mistakes and enable us to make taubah and rectify our shortcomings. Ameen.

Guava Tree and our life

A Guava Tree And Life

by Asma bint Shameem

Mmmm…..guavas. I love them.
Living in the US, guavas are a rare commodity, a special treat, not just something you can buy every day from the store down the street.
And for many years, since moving to the United States, I was unable to enjoy this sweet blessing of Allaah….until a few years back, when seeing my love for them, my mother found some guava seeds and planted them for me in my backyard.
And since then Alhamdulillaah, we’ve enjoyed ripe, juicy, sweet guavas season after season.
Through storms and hurricanes, cold spells and freezes, this guava tree amazingly withstood the forces of nature against all odds, alhamdulillaah, and produced ripe, delicious fruit…..until last winter.

This last winter was particularly long and cold, and I watched in dismay, as the leaves on my guava tree first turned red, then yellow to brown and then gray.
One by one, all of them fell off until there was nothing left but dry, withered, empty branches.
Not a single leaf left on them.
I thought I had lost my guava tree.

And ever since winter was over, I would look out my window every single day, hoping to see some life, some greenery ….. may be just a leaf or two, but….nothing.

No more guavas, I thought.

My guava tree was dead.

But this morning, as I casually glanced outside my window, my eyes took a double take.

What was that I think saw?! Could it be?!! Do I dare hope?!!
I quickly went outside to reconfirm what I was hoping for all this while.
And yes, sure enough, there it was. A few small green leaves, sprouting from bare, seemingly dead, totally empty branches.
Allaahu Akbar! My guava tree was living again!
After I had given up, after I had thought it was gone, Allaah, the One who created this tree in the first place, had brought it back to life!
And as I rejoiced over the ‘rebirth’ of my guava tree, an ayah from the Qur’aan echoed in the back of my head.

وَآيَةٌ لَّهُمُ الْأَرْضُ الْمَيْتَةُ أَحْيَيْنَاهَا وَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهَا حَبًّا فَمِنْهُ يَأْكُلُونَ

“And a sign for them is the dead land. We gave it life, and We brought forth from it, grains, so that they eat thereof.” (Surah Yaseen: 33)

A sign, Allaah says. What is this sign…I thought to my self? And then it hit me.

The guava tree is a sign from one of the numerous signs of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala.

It is a sign that just as Allaah is able to bring back a dead tree after it was all withered and dried up, back to life, this is exactly how we will be brought back to life after we are all dead.

يُخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَ الْحَيِّ وَيُحْيِي الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَكَذَلِكَ تُخْرَجُون

It is He Who brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the living, and Who revives the earth after it is dead. Likewise you shall be brought forth.” (Surah Rum:19)

And not it’s not just the guava tree. There are multitudes and multitudes of signs like these all around us…signs that show us the fragility and brevity of our lives, signs that show us our ultimate end and destination when we will be resurrected once again after we are dead and we will be have to stand in front of our Creator and give an account of our lives.
All we have to do is look around.
Didn’t the grass turn yellow after it was green and then after that become brown? And then didn’t it become green once again?
Didn’t someone you know die this year and didn’t someone you know have a baby?
Didn’t the sun rise yesterday and then, didn’t it set? And then didn’t you see it rise again this morning?

Allaah didn’t create us to eat, drink, have fun. Nor did He create us to grow up and get married, have kids and then eventually just die with no purpose, goal or reason. Allaah tells us that the only and only purpose of our creation is to worship Him, our Creator, Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala.

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

“And I (Allaah) have not created mankind and jinn except to worship Me.” (Surah az-Zaariyaat: 56)

That is the reason you and I are here. That is reason you and I are living. And Allaah is telling us that.
Yet we forget.
We get busy and distracted by the beauty of this life, its attractions, its lure. We forget we are here only for a very, very short while and then we will have to return to Him. Each and every single one of us. There’s no escaping it, no matter who you are. Allaah warns us ahead of time:

“Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. (It is) like a rain (Ghayth), thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment, and (there is) forgiveness from Allah and (His) pleasure. And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment.” [57:20]

Allaah is telling you and me that this world is nothing but a delusion. It is fake…no good. It won’t come in handy. The only thing that will come in handy is our Imaan and good deeds.

“Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. For, the worldly life is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion.” (Surah al-’Imraan: 185)

This is when our deeds will come to an end. After that, it is just our reckoning. Reckoning of our life…..
Every single deed….every single word….every single heartbeat.
What will we say and what will we do?
How will we answer Him?
Will we even be able to answer?
Are we even prepared?

We don’t know when the angel of death will come knock at our door.
We hear about death almost every day, in the newspapers, in our communities, in our own families. Therefore, the question that we must ask ourselves before it is too late is….. What have we prepared for that moment when this life comes to an end for us?
Did we really fulfill the purpose of our creation or are we just living in a delusion, fooling ourselves and immersing ourselves in some ‘fake’ happiness trying to shy away from the fact that one day death will eventually meet up with us and then it will be time to face theREALITY?

Subhaan Allaah! We must use this life to prepare for the Aakhirah……when this life will no longer be of any avail to us.
All the ‘fun’ we had, all the ‘degrees’ we earned, all the ‘friends’ or ‘connections’ we had, our money, our bank balance, our position will be nothing.

If we do not use this life to prepare for the Hereafter, and act accordingly before it is too late, then, in fact, we have simply wasted this life – no matter how much it seems that we have achieved. It is all a waste if we did not stop, think and prepare for our meeting with Allaah, the Day when everyone’s deeds will be exposed and each will be recompensed according to what he has done in the Dunya.

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلِنَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ أَسَاء فَعَلَيْهَا وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ

“Whosoever does righteous good deed it is for (the benefit of) his ownself, and whosoever does evil, it is against his own self, and your Lord is not in the least unjust to His slaves.” (Surah Fussilat:46)

Its like what Umar RA said:

” Every day we say: ‘So and so has died, and so and so has died,’ and a day will come when people will say: ‘Umar has died’.”

And then he wept.

That’s exactly how one day you will be and I will be. Don’t we hear every day about so and so dying?
Well, one day….people will hear about you dying and me dying.

Read the next ayah and realize that Allaah is talking to you… yes, YOU when He says….

فَانظُرْ إِلَى آثَارِ رَحْمَتِ اللَّهِ كَيْفَ يُحْيِي الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا إِنَّ ذَلِكَ لَمُحْيِي الْمَوْتَى وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

“Then contemplate (O man!) at the effects of Allaah’s Mercy! How He gives life to the earth after its death. Verily! The same (Allaah) will give life (to the men) who are dead; and He has power over all things.” (Surah Rum:50)

Now it is up to you. Either contemplate on these signs of Allaah, as Allaah is telling you to, and prepare yourself and correct yourself before that ultimate and inevitable meeting with your Creator or ignore it as if it will never happen to you. Then you have no one to blame but your own self.
The choice is yours.

Be careful what you say

And When Any News Comes To You

By Asma bint Shameem

Surely, we live in difficult times, full of trials and tribulations. And one of the ways that we are tried by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala is by testing us with rumors and how we react to them. We are bombarded with all sorts of information every day, be it directly from a person, on television, or via email. And many good-hearted people may just accept them, assuming this piece of news as indisputable facts coming from trustworthy sources. However, as a Muslim, what is our role towards such sayings and claims?
What does the Sharee’ah say about such information?

Allaah says:

“Behold, you received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouths things which you had no knowledge of; and you thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of Allaah” (Surah Nur: 15)

So before we accept what anyone and everyone says, there are certain points to keep in mind, as we all have to stand in front of Allaah one day.

1) VERIFY the news
We have to verify the information and ascertain, to the best of our ability, the truthfulness and authenticity of the news that reaches us. WHY? ……
Because Allaah orders you and me to be JUST

“Verily! Allâh commands that you should render back the trusts to those, to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men, you judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teaching which He gives you! Truly, Allâh is Ever All­Hearer, All­Seer.” (Surah Nisaa’:58)

2) Deliberate on the information
Think about what is being said, who is saying it and about whom is he saying it, before believing it.

“O you who believe! If a Faasiq (evil person) comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done” [al-Hujuraat 49:6]

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Deliberation is from Allaah and haste is from the Shaytaan.” (al-Silsilah al-Saheehah)

3) Examine the circumstances
Sometimes something may appear or sound true on the surface but, you may not know the full circumstances behind the statement or the report may be taken out of context.
Al-Hasan al-Basri said: “The believer reserves judgment until the matter is proven.”

4) Look for PROOF
Anyone who claims a statement or levels an accusation against another person must provide proof:

“Say (O Muhammad), Produce your proof if you are truthful” [al-Baqarah:111]

And if they fail to produce any solid proof for what they claim……

“Since they produce not witnesses, they are the liars in the sight of Allaah” [al-Noor 24:13]

5)Ask the people in charge
The people in charge can explain the facts of the matter and remove any confusion or doubts a person may have,

“When there comes to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they make it known (among the people); if only they had referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly). Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allaah upon you, you would have followed Shaytaan (Satan), save a few of you” [al-Nisaa' :83]

6) Stand up for the Truth
Search for and stand up for the Truth, and do not accept any false statements from anyone, even if it is from someone you love or hold close to your heart.

“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allâh, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allâh is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allâh is Ever Well­Acquainted with what you do.”(Surah Nisaa’:135)

7) Beware that it may be a LIE
The Sharee’ah issues a stern warning against passing on all that one hears.

The Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“It is enough lying for a man to speak of everything that he hears.” (Muslim)

Al-Nawawi said: “Usually a person hears truth and lies, so if he speaks of everything that he hears, he is lying by telling of things that did not happen, and lying by speaking of something other than the way it happened….”

(8) Beware that it may be SLANDER
Many people just believe any news they hear and pass it on without even stopping to think that it may not be true. In that case it is a slander against the person that the news is about. And slander is a major sin.

“Woe to every backbiter, slanderer.” (Surah Humazah: 1)

And the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
‘No man accuses another of an immoral deed or kufr, but it will come back on him, if the person he accuses is not as he says he is.’” (Bukhari).

“No (Muslim) man will desert a man who is a Muslim in a place where his respect may be violated and his honor aspersed without Allah deserting him in a place where he wishes help.” (Abu Dawood -authenticated by Sheikh al-Albani)

9) Be careful of what you say

“Not a word is said except that there is a watcher by him ready to record it.” – [Surah Qaf :18]

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said,

” Indeed a servant may say a word from which Allah’s displeasure is gained and he does not realize it. Allah will put him in Jahannam due to it.” (Bukhaari)

“O you who believe! Be afraid of Allaah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)” [al-Tawbah 9:119]

And why did you not, when you heard it, say?

“It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to Allaah, this is a most serious slander” (Surah Nur:16)

May Allaah guide us and enable us to stand up for the Truth, wherever it may be. Ameen.

Harmful Thing

The Most Harmful Thing

By: Shaheen Ahmad

These days I have been listening to a series of lectures based on the topic of how to become an excellent teacher of Quran. Surprisingly I have learned things which I had not even expected. For example, the concept that external problems or hurdles are not the real obstacle in the way of success… Rather it is our sins which have the most damaging effect on our lives. This reminded me of the countless times I have told others that I could not do such and such thing or could not complete the target I had in mind because of this problem or that hurdle… sometimes blaming people, other times crying over health problems… always a string of excuses which are nothing more than that… excuses! Because If I had truly wanted to do something and sincerely asked Allah, then why would he not let me do things which I want to do only for his sake? Surely there must be something wrong inside my own self?

I remember a few years ago I had gone to visit my parents. The next morning there was no water in the taps… very strange!!! Because the night before they had got the water tank refilled… so where did those gallons of water disappear? Plumbers were called and they began digging to find the leakage… the whole house was in an uproar, with people coming in and out… nothing else could be done because everything depends on water. Finally the broken pipe was discovered and repaired, the tank was filled again and life restored back to normal.

But when the same story happens with our tank of faith and knowledge; it never becomes an issue of concern. We fill our hearts and minds with the knowledge of Quran and Hadith… but the next day when we face any situation and open the tap, nothing comes out… no patience, no gratitude, no kindness with others… where did all the knowledge go? No body is worried… no one tries to find the leakage of the heart…

But we must realize that just as life stops if there is no water, similarly the soul dies if there is no faith… our very survival depends on it… so if the knowledge is not coming out in deeds then it means that there is some serious leakage problem. For me it remained a mystery for many years but Alhamdulillah I just found out that every sin for which we do not feel guilty nor do taubah nor correct it… then it creates a crack in our heart from where faith keeps dripping out and we don’t even realize it. So whenever we feel lack of motivation, lack of energy, then immediately we should pray to Allah to show us where we went wrong and then honestly and sincerely ask Allah for forgiveness. So as to mend the crack and ensure that our tank of faith remains full.

May Allah protect us from our self conceit and give us insight with which we might realize our mistakes and correct our ways. Because no one else can do it for us. Each one of us has to be responsible for his own life.

Hijab is necessary for women

Hijab is not a piece of cloth on your head

by Asma Bint Shameem

Hijab is not a piece of cloth on your head. It’s a way of life.

Just because some of the sisters have their head covered, they think that the requirement of Hijaab is fulfilled. They don’t realize that wearing a Hijaab requires much more than just covering your head.

Actually, if you think about it, Hijaab is the way you talk…..the way you walk….the very way you carry yourself. In fact, Hijaab is an attitude in itself. Its a whole way of life.
Allaah says:

“And say to the believing women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty (zeenah) except what is apparent of it, and to extend their headcoverings (khimars) to cover their bosoms (jaybs), and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent, and not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments. And turn in repentance to Allah together, O you believers, in order that you are successful.” (Surat-un-Nur: 31).

Here are some of the more common issues in light of this verse about the Hijaab.

Well, my head is covered. What more do you want?

If you look carefully at the ayah, it clearly states that the head covers (khumur) should be drawn over the neck slits (juyoob). Khumur is the plural of the Arabic word “khimar” which means a headcover. Juyoob is the plural of the Arabic word “jaiyb”, which refers to the neck slit (of the dress).
Yet, some sisters just cover their head with something, and think they are fulfilling the rights of Hijaab, although part of their hair or body is showing, or their whole neck and chest area are exposed. Actually, that was the way of the women of Jahilliyah.
Al-Qurtubi said: “Women in those days used to cover their heads with the khimar, throwing its ends upon their backs. This left the neck and the upper part of the chest bare, along with the ears. Then Allah commanded them to cover those parts with the khimar.”
So secure the scarf well around your face, covering your neck/chest area, and keep those half sleeves and capri pants for your Mahrams

Sorry.…tight jeans and short shirt just don’t cut it

You can’t wear tight jeans and a short shirt with a piece of cloth on your head and think this is Hijaab. Nor can you wear anything else that is tight, describing the shape of the body in any way, even if it is long. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“In later (generations) of my ummah there will be women who will be dressed but naked. On top of their heads (what looks) like camel humps. They will not enter into paradise or (even) get a smell of it.” (Muslim)

If it is see-through, its NOT Hijaab

You CANNOT use chiffon or other see through material to cover your hair and body. Everything should be covered and the color of the skin underneath should not be visible.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) once received a thick garment as a gift. He gave it to Osamah b. Zayd, who in turn gave it to his wife. When asked by the Prophet why he did not wear it, Osamah indicated that he gave it to his wife.

The Prophet then said to Osamah “ask her to use a “gholalah” under it (the garment) for I fear that it (the garment) may describe the size of her bones.” (Ahmad, Abi-Dawood)

(The word gholalah in Arabic means a thick fabric worn under the dress to prevent it from describing the shape of the body).

The Hijaab shouldn’t attract attention

The dress should not be such that it attracts men’s attention to the woman’s beauty. Allaah clearly states “not to display their beauty (zeenah).” Yet, Subhaan Allaah, some Hijaabi sisters are dressed in such a way that they attract more attention to themselves than they would if they didn’t wear Hijaab!! How could such zeenah be concealed if the dress is designed in a way that it attracts men’s eyes to the woman? It beats the purpose of Hijaab.
Allaah tells us:

“And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance…” [al-Ahzaab:32]

What about make-up and perfume???

Wearing make up is also part of the zeenah that Allaah orders us NOT to display. So if your head and body are appropriately covered yet you are wearing bright red lipstick or dark eyeliner such that people confuse between you and a raccoon….uh sorry, that’s not Hijaab. And keep those nice fragrances for the home, between you and your husband. That’s part of Hijaab too, even if you are going to the Masjid. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Any woman who puts on perfume and passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress.” (al-Nasaa’i, Tirmidhi: hasan by Albaani)

Tinkling Jewelry and Jingling bracelets

‘Loud’ and tinkling anything, be it jewelry, bracelets, clip-clopping shoes, little bells on clothes, you name it, if it jingles or makes noise, it is against the principles of Hijaab, because it attracts attention to the one wearing it. That is what is meant when Allaah orders us in the above verse…“not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments.”

No laughing, joking, or hanging out with non-Mahrams

Some sisters assume that since they are properly covered, its okay for them to sit around and talk, laugh, joke, etc. with the men, but that’s not right, even if he is ‘the Shaikh’.

Allaah says:”. . . then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner.” [al-Ahzaab:32]

So talk to them when there is a specific need, and in a manner that is not necessarily rude, yet it is polite but firm.

Staring at the brothers or ‘checking them out’ is NOT Hijaab

Allaah orders us to “lower your gaze” in the above verse. Why? Because a single ‘look’ can say more than a thousand words. So, even if you are properly covered, keep those eyes down, conduct yourself with ‘Hayaa’, and avoid ‘fitnah’.

‘Chatting’ on the internet/phone is not part of Hijaab, either

There is no such thing as “we’re just friends”. Talking to non-Mahrams is wrong even if it is through the internet or telephone. There are too many stories of illegal relationships, fornications, broken homes, extra-marital affairs and runaway brides to even mention. That is why in Islam anything that leads to haraam is also haraam. Allaah says:

“Do not (even) come close to fornication, for it is an indecency, and its way is evil.” (Surah Israa:32)

Be careful, even in the way you walk

Remember, you are not a runway model displaying the latest fashion. Walk with modesty and hayaa and you will be respected. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“There are two types of the people of Hell that I have not seen yet….women who are clothed yet naked, walking with an enticing gait…..” (Muslim).

Don’t shake hands with non-Mahrams. Its part of Hijaab

It is not permissible to shake hands with a non-Mahram, because the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“For one of you to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle is better for him than to touch a woman who is not permissible for him.” (at-Tabaraani saheeh by al-Albaani).

And no, it is not rude to refuse to shake hands with non-Muslims. Simply politely explain that its part of your religion and they are very understanding.

Stay away from the men’s areas

I see many sisters entering the Masjid from the men’s entrance, or standing idle in the hallways or where there is a chance of unnecessary mixing with the brothers. What for?
Don’t we have a separate entrance for ourselves? Why do you think Allaah ordained the Hijaab in the first place? To avoid fitnah, by reducing temptation and separating the genders.

“The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said to the women on his way out of the mosque when he saw men and women mixing together on their way home: ‘Give way (i.e., walk to the sides) as it is not appropriate for you to walk in the middle the road.’ Thereafter, women would walk so close to the wall that their dresses would get caught on it.” (Abu Dawood)

Hijaab is also to conceal your sister

Although some sisters wear the Hijaab themselves, they forget that they cannot talk about another sister and her beauty in front of their own husbands, brothers, etc. Remember, part of your Hijaab is to cover your sisters ‘awrah’ as well.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“No woman should mix with a woman and describe her to her husband so that it is as if he can see her.” (Muslim)

May Allah guide us and bless us with the TRUE understanding of His Deen. Ameen.