10 Tips on How to be a Successful Wife

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Written by Muhammad al-Shareef

10. Use your 'Fitnah' to win the heart of your husband

All women have the ornaments that Allah blessed them with. Use the beauty Allah - Azza wa Jal - has bestowed you with to win the heart of your husband.

9. When your husband comes home, greet him with a wonderful greeting

Imagine your husband coming home to a clean house, an exquisitely dressed wife, a dinner prepared with care, children clean and sweet smelling, a clean bedroom - what would this do to his love for you? Now imagine what the opposite does to him.

8. Review the characteristics of the Hoor Al-Ayn and try to imitate them

The Qur'an and Sunnah describe the women in Jannah with certain characteristics. Such as the silk they wear, their large dark eyes, their singing to their husband, etc. Try it, wear silk for your husband, put Kohl in your eyes to 'enlarge' them, and sing to your husband.

7. Always wear jewelry and dress up in the house.

From the early years, little girls have adorned themselves with earrings and bracelets and worn pretty dresses - as described in the Qur'an. As a wife, continue to use the jewelry that you have and the pretty dresses for your husband.

6. Joke and play games with your husband.

A mans secret: they seek women who are light-hearted and have a sense of humor. As Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - told Jabir to marry someone who would make him laugh and he would make her laugh.

5. Thank your husband constantly for the nice things he does.

Then thank him again. This is one of the most important techniques, as the opposite is a characteristic of the women of hellfire.

4. An argument is a fire in the house.

Extinguish it with a simple 'I'm sorry' even if it is not your fault.

When you fight back, you are only adding wood to the fire. Watch how sweetly an argument will end when you just say sincerely, "Look, I'm sorry. Let's be friends."

3. Always seek to please your husband, for he is your key to Jannah.

Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - taught us that any women who dies in a state where her husband is pleased with her, shall enter Jannah. So .. please him.

2. Listen and Obey!

Obeying your husband is Fard [a must]! Your husband is the Ameer [head] of the household. Give him that right and respect.

1. Make Dua to Allah to make your marriage and relationship successful.

All good things are from Allah. Never forget to ask Allah ta'ala for the blessing of having a successful marriage that begins in this Dunya and continues on - by the Mercy of Allah ta'ala - into Jannah.

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The Worry Is One

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Written by Shaykh 'Aa'id Abdullah al-Qarnee



Al-Hakim reports in al-Mustadrak that the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, "God will suffice he, who makes his worry in life one; and he, who is branched by worries, God will not care in whichever valley of life he perishes."

The meaning of this is that one should concentrate one's worries from beginning to end on obeying Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala) and preparing oneself for his meeting, for this is the greatest of all worries, and the greatest of all matters.

For this very reason messengers were sent, and books were revealed, and the trade of Paradise and Hell was set, and the Siraat (the bridge over Hellfire) was laid down, and for which the Scale was put forth.
He who Allah made to see and awakened his heart, gathers his concerns and directs his thought towards the meeting with his creator and master. For this matter is enough to engage one and exhaust all the rest.

Furthermore, the more life enters the heart the more the worry and the preparation. You will not find a man knowledgeable in his religion, sound in his mind but had gathered his soul in this very worry. He would not work, stand nor sit down but in awe of God, unique in his highness and the greatest of all duties ordained. His senses would be directed to serving his master and his tongue would only speak of his praise, and his heart would beat with gratitude, and his eyes would show his deep love with truthful tears.

As for he who channels his worries in all matters of life, don't ask about his well-being, for he is anxious, disturbed, perplexed, sorrowful and lost without any sort of benefit. He is forever in continuous sadness because whoever falls in love with life is killed and who lusts for it will fall sick and who serves it will end up disappointed.

We ask Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala) to channel all our worries in pleasing him, and dedicate our lives for his obedience, and his worship.

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O Muslim Women of Knowledge!

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Written by Bintussabeel

O Muslim Women of legacy
O Women of knowledge, honour and dignity
The books on the shelves lay
Pleading to their Lord out of disarray
The term ‘liberation’ lies in decay
For you the shelves cry out each day
The world awaits your way
To pick up the heritage lost, forgotten and withered away… 

They define Islaam’s Scholars as Misogynist
Yet they have not enjoyed our history nor lived within its midst
So come with me and explore the lists
Hearts throbbing, their presence is truly to be missed…

When will you come forth to brighten the gloom? 
Amidst the so-called ‘progressive’ doom, 
Where are you O Women who carried knowledge within your hearts? 
And did not play with it like darts… 
Come again! Rise again! And once again rule the hearts. 

O Women of Knowledge 
O beautiful lakes from which only good flowed 
Your examples are alive and within the dark glow 
Causing Muslims to love your way 
And search for your example today 
Many sought knowledge within your presence, zealous 
Within Masjids that truly needed to be spacious… 

For you many stood from around the globe in a line 
To gain knowledge which you did refine and define 
Sahih Al Bukhari, Muslim and others full of light 
Are waiting for the female scholars once again to come and hold them tight 
Where is the knowledge that made men come 
Even if they possessed knowledge of great Height? 
Sincerely seeking knowledge for Allah alone, 
To whom belongs all might, 
- Humbly, meekly and standing in front of their Muslim Sister out of sight… 

The Niqaab was your shield 
And did not cause you to yield 
You spread the Words of the deen 
So they flocked from all corners so keen 

Your voices you did not decorate and manipulate 
Today, scarcely to be found 
Are characters so sound 
And such sincere knowledge spreading wide and far, 
Without tape recorders, internet or even the microphone! 
For the pursuit of knowledge you did not travel alone 
But with your mahrams or within the paradise of your homes 

We ask Allah to forgive us 
Since we are truly witnessing times which are tough 
The enemies of Islaam are becoming even more rough 
Making excuses to target Muslim Women and to have a laugh 
Because we have forgotten our legacies 
We have fallen into jeopardy 
Becoming targets for this kind of monopoly 

Let’s seek knowledge and defend our stance 
Using knowledge as our lance 
So as they watch and dance 
The legacies of our female scholars we bring back, 
Imitate… and enhance. 

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Muslim Action Hero ?

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MERANTAU 2009 MOVIE TRAILER

What do you think ?

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SOME ADVICE TO THE MUSLIM WOMEN

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By Khalid Yasin. This lecture is a vital one to watch, for both sisters and brothers. Shaykh Khalid Yasin goes through many important topics, such as the rights and responsibilities of the wife to husband and vice-versa, the controversial issue of polygamy (multiple marriage) - the wisdom and legitimacy behind it and much more. The Shaykh also gives lots of advice for a successful and happy marriage.

Download (big file, takes a while to download)

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A BED OF ROSES COLLECTION

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A Bed of Roses is a 5 series set of unique lectures in Arabic and English by Shaikh Adnan Abdul Qadir (Kuwait) on the guidelines that Islam provides in developing a loving and harmonious environment in the home. Shaikh Adnan expounds upon each topic using his unique style of delivery; quoting examples from the Quran, authentic sunnah and from his profound experience. A must buy for anyone wishing to strengthen their relationship with their spouse and/or children.

The Ettiquette of Conversation Part 1

The Ettiquette of Conversation Part 2

How to change the angry Spouse to a Beloved One Part 1

How to change the angry Spouse to a Beloved One Part 2

How to win the Heart of your Spouse Part 1

How to win the Heart of your Spouse Part 2

Bringing up Children Part 1

Bringing up Children Part 2

Bringing up Teenagers

Love of Allaah

Recitation

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How a Pearl Develops

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by Muhammad Alshareef

When news of the Christian army that had prepared on the horizons to wipe out Islam reached him, Abu Qudaamah Ash-Shaamee moved quickly to the Mimbar of the Masjid.  In a powerful and emotional speech, Abu Qudaamah ignited the desire of the community to defend their land, Jihad for the sake of Allah.  As he left the Masjid, walking down a dark and secluded alley, a women stopped him and said, "As salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullaah!"  Abu Qudaamah stopped and did not answer. She repeated her salam again, adding "this is not how pious people should act." She stepped forward from the shadows.  "I heard you in the Masjid encouraging the believers to go for Jihad and all I have is this…" She handed him two long braids. "It can be used for a horse rein.  Perhaps Allah may write me as one of those who went for Jihaad."

The next day as that Muslim village set out to confront the crusader army, a young boy ran through the gathering and stood at the hooves of Abu Qudaamah's horse.  "I ask you by Allah to allow me to join the army." Some of the elder fighters laughed at the boy.  "The horses will trample you," they said.  But Abu Qudaamah looked down into his eyes as he asked again, "I ask you by Allah, let me join."  Abu Qudaamah then said, "On one condition, if you are killed you will take me with you to Jannah amongst those you will be allowed to intercede for."  That young boy smiled.  "It's a promise."

When the two armies met and the fighting intensified, the young boy on the back of Abu Qudaamah's horse asked, "I ask you by Allah to give me 3 arrows."  "You'll lose them!"  The boy repeated, "I ask you by Allah to give me them."  Abu Qudaamah gave him the arrows and the boy took aim. "Bismillaah!" The arrow flew and killed a Roman. "Bismillaah!" The second arrow flew, killing a second Roman. "Bismillaah!" The third arrow flew, killing a third Roman. An arrow then struck the boy in the chest - knocking him off the horse.  Abu Qudaamah jumped down to his side, reminding the boy in his final breaths, "Don't forget the promise!" The boy reached into his pocket, extracted a pouch and said, "Please return this to my mother."  "Who's your mother?" asked Abu Qudaamah. "The women that gave you the braids yesterday."

Think about this Muslimah.  How did she reach this level of Taqwa where she would sacrifice her hair when today other women do the same to imitate Kafir icons, and her son when other women would die so long as their son stayed home.  Indeed, she spent her life in the obedience of Allah, and when exam time came, she passed. Not only did she pass herself, but her children shone with that same beauty of Iman, children that she herself raised.

Very often - and perhaps in our times when we have forgotten much of the Sunnah - the lectures, khutbahs, and talks are all directed to the Muslim men.  We forget that from the Hady – guidance and way – of Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - was that he would allocate a specific day of the week to teach the women. Women would come up to him in Hajj, in the street, even in his home and ask him questions about the Deen.  At the Eid Salah, after addressing the men, he would take Bilal and go to the women section and address the women.  Allah revealed an entire Surah by the name of Surah An-Nisa – the Women.  And another by the name of – Maryam.  And a third by the name of al Mujaadalah – the women who pleads.  It is in enlivening this Sunnah that today this speech shall be addressed to the believing women, al-Mu'minaat.

Dear Sister, Dear Mother, Dear Daughter.  Everyone is looking for happiness and fun, and I am sure you are not excluded.  Where is that happiness and fun though?  And where and when do you want that happiness?  Do you want happiness, do you want to have `fun' in this life at the expense of the hereafter?  Or is it in the hereafter, when you meet Allah that you want to be happy?

Every where you go you shall find a swarm of people and media and culture swearing to you that happiness is the happiness of the Dunya. Is it really happiness though?  On the day of Repayment, Allah shall take the most `happiest' kafir of the Dunya and dip him in Jahannam – Hellfire.  Then he shall ask him, "Have you ever seen any happiness?" The Kafir will say, "Never!"

Nay, the happiness is only the happiness of the hereafter no matter what happens in this Dunya.  Allah shall bring on the Day of Repayment the most tested human and dip him in Jannah – Paradise.  He shall then ask him, "Have you ever seen sadness?"  And that person shall say, "Never!"

And don't think that this happiness and fun is exclusive to the hereafter.  It is very much tied to this life as well.  Listen and understand the words of Allah:

Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer verily to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter). – Surah AnNahl (16/97)

Dear Sister, you have to understand that you or anyone may enter Hellfire!  By Allah, we are not better than Fatimah, the daughter of Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.  And he said to her, "O Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad, Ask me whatever you wish from my wealth, for I shall avail you nothing to Allah."  Meaning that it doesn't matter if you're my daughter, if you don't work for Jannah, saying to Allah that my father is so and so will not help you in anyway.

Islam is filled with many Mu'minahs that completed their Taqwa of Allah.  When the other girls put up posters of kafir singers and kafir athletes and kafir actresses, you should put up posters in your heart of Fatimah and many other Mu'minahs.

Aasiyah, the wife of Fir'own. Her Eeman in Allah thrived under the shadow of someone that said, "I am your Lord, Most High!" When news reached Fir'own of his wife's Eeman he beat her and commanded his guards to beat her. They took her out in the scalding noon heat, tied her hands and feet and beat her perpetually. Who did she turn to? She turned to Allah! She prayed, "My lord, build for me a home with you in Paradise and save me from Fir'own and his deeds and save me from the transgressive people."

It was narrated that when she said this, the sky opened for her and she saw her home in Paradise. She smiled. The guards watched astonished - she's being tortured and she smiles? Frustrated, Fir'own commanded a boulder to be brought and dropped on Aasiyah, to crush her to death. But Allah took her soul before the boulder was brought and she became an example for all the believing men and women till the end of time:

[And Allah has set forth an example for those who believe: the wife of Fir'own (Pharaoh) – when she said, "My Lord, Build for me a home with You in Paradise, and save me from Fir'own and his deeds, and save me from the transgressive-disbelieving people.] -Tahreem 66/11

When we talk about Jihad and Shuhadaa' - martyrs, do you know who the first Muslim in Islam to be killed in the path of Allah was?  It was Summayah, the mother of Ammar.  When Abu Jahl heard of her Islam and her husband Yaasir and her son Ammar, he whipped them all and beat them. So much so, that Rasul Allah would pass by them as they went through this test of their Iman and would say to them, "Be patient O family of Yaasir, for you have a date set (when you shall enter) Jannah!"

As Abu Jahl beat Sumayyah one day, she refused to recant her Deen, something that enraged Abu Jahl. He took a spear as she lay on the burning sand, looking up to the sky, and he speared her through her midsection.  She was the first of her family and the entire Ummah to meet Allah as a Martyr.

Dear Sister, our role models come from the Quran.  You may have heard the story of the boy and the  king. When the entire village became Muslim by the death of that young boy, the king ordered that an enormous fire be kindled and that all those who would not recant their religion be burnt alive.  A Mu'minah, stood with her baby over the fire. She looked at her baby, and seeking her child's weakness and innocence, she considered turning her back.  The baby said to her, "What are you waiting for mother.  Go forward for you are on the truth!"  She nodded.  Then with her baby in hand she was pushed to her death.

[And they ill-treated them for no other reason than that they believed in Allah, Exalted in Power, Worthy of all Praise!- * Him to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth! And Allah is Witness to all things.]. - Surah AlBuruj, 8,9

And dear sister, your role models come to you from today.  As her son tells us, a senior women in a Muslim land decided that all the vanity that normally happens in the gatherings of women was not for her.  She turned to Salah and praying at night, and in her old age, she found herself calling to her so  one night from her prayer room.  He son says, "I came in and she was in Sajda saying that she was paralysed!" Her son took her to the doctors and she began a cycle of rehabilitation, but there was little hope. She then commanded her son to take her back home, take her back to her prayer room, take her back to that Sajdah.  As she prayed to Allah in her sajdah, the night came when she called to her son.  "Astawdi'ukallaah alladhee laa yadee'u wa daa'i'uh – I leave you in the trust of Allah, and whenever something is left in Allah's trust it is never lost."  She passed away in her sajdah.  Her muscles froze in that position and so they had to wash her body as she was in Sajdah. The prayed Janazah for her as her body was in sajdah. The carried her to the grave yard as her body was in Sajdah.

The buried her as she was in Sajdah.  And the Prophet said that we shall all be resurrected on what we died on, she shall be resurrected on the day of judgement in Sajdah to Allah – Jalla Jalaaluhu wa taqaddasat asmaa'uhu - because that it how she lived and died.

Part II

There are many other stories that we know about of powerful believing mothers, wives and sisters and many, many that Allah only knows about. Whenever a halaqah is going on, the Muslim women outnumber the men. At the American Open University, (www.open-university.edu) the overwhelming majority of students are Muslim women.  Go to an Islamic teachers/schools conference, attend a lecture and you shall see the mismatch of sisters to brothers.  Sometimes it is sad to see all these brothers lacking the motivation that many Muslimahs have.  But if there is a beautiful sign in all this, it is that – in sha' Allah ta'ala – those sisters are going to raise an army of believing men and women in the coming generation. WAllahu akbar!

When Imam Ahmad was still young, his father died.  He would tell his students of the work his mother went through in raising him, and he would pray for her.  In the cold Baghdad nights, she would wake long before him to warm the water so that her son Ahmad could make wudu for Fajr.  Then she would wrap him in blankets, herself cloaked in her Jilbaab, and guide him through the dark, cold alleys to reach the main Masjid, long before Fajr so that her son could get a good seat in class.  Her son Ahmad - at that age in grade 2 or 3 - would sit all day long studying Quran and Sunnah, and she would wait for him to finish so that she could drop him home safely.  At the age of 16, she prepared money and food for him and told him, "Travel for your search of knowledge."  He left for Makkah and Madinah and many other places and et many great scholars.  She raised Ahmad to become one of the four greatest Imams in Islam.

Dear sister, after all this, ask a non-Muslim what it is that he wants from you?  Does he want you to be liberated?  Liberated from what? From Allah and his Messenger?  From the Quran and the Sunnah?  From Jannah?  From this deen that Allah chose for you?

And what is he going to give you in return?  Happinness?  By Allah, he does not own any happiness to give.  Is he going to give you love and protection from punishment in the grave and from the gateke pers of hellfire and from death?  Why is it that they want to liberate young beautiful women?  Why don't they liberate the seniors?  Why don't they liberate the indigenous?  Why don't they liberate the inmates?  Why is their target audience a young and skinny and tall women (their definition of beauty) between the age of 13 – 28?  And why is their first call for you to take off your Hijab?

Remember that friend – if you consider him so – carefully, for – without any doubt, by Allah - he shall be your bitterest enemy on the day of Repayment:

[Friends on that day will be foes, one to another - except the Righteous] - Surah Zukhruf (43/67)

One Kafirah summed up exactly what they think of women, "It's not who you are, it's what you wear and what you look like!"  And listen to Fabian, a french `model' (of what?), as she spit on the fashion industry. "Fashion houses made me into a mannequin, a wooden idol.  The mission: to manipulate hearts and alter minds.  I learnt how to be worthless, nothing on the inside, cold.  We lived in a world of filth in all that filth means."

When the Prophet - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - stood on the plain of Arafah and gave his farewell speech he said to the Ummah, "Treat the women kindly!"  History records that in Europe in the same year, at the same time that Islam was saying this, the Christian clergy were arguing hether a women was a human or an animal!  Those clergymen are the ancestors of the Kuffar that now want to `liberate' you.

There is much more than can be said.  I shall conclude with the advice of Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - to every Muslim mother, daughter, and wife: "If the women prays her five (Salah), fasts her month (of Ramadan), protects herself (from committing Zina), and listens to her husband, it will be said to her, `from any door you wish, enter Paradise!"  Sister, that is where you want to be.

[O ye who believe! give your response to Allah and His Messenger, when He calls you to that which shall give you life; and know that Allah cometh between a man and his heart, and that it is He to Whom ye shall (all) be gathered.] - Surah Anfal 8/24

Allah and His Messenger are calling you to life.  Dear sister, reply!

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Why are Women Turning to Islâm?

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by Hanîfah Ashawe

AT A TIME WHEN ISLÂM IS FACED WITH HOSTILE MEDIA COVERAGE PARTICULARLY WHERE THE STATUS OF MEN IN ISLÂM IS CONCERNED, IT MAY BE QUITE SURPRISING TO LEARN THAT ISLÂM IS THE FASTEST GROWING RELIGION IN THE WORLD, AND EVEN MORE IRONIC TO IS THAT THE STATISTICS SHOW THE MAJORITY OF CONVERTS TO ISLÂM ARE WOMEN!

The status of women in society is neither a new issue nor is it a fully settled one, and where Islâm is mentioned, for many the term 'Muslim Woman' prompts images of exhausted mothers chained to the stove, 'victims' suppressed in a life of indoctrination, frantic to be westernised and so on. Others will go to great lengths to explain how the hijâb is an obstacle, clouding the mind, and comment that female converts are either brainwashed, stupid or traitors to their sex. I reject such accusations and pose to them the following question: why is it that so many women who have been born and brought up in the so-called "civilised" societies of Europe and America are willing to reject their "liberty" and "independence" to embrace a religion that supposedly oppresses them and is widely assumed to be prejudicial to them?

As a Christian convert to Islâm, I can only present my personal experience and reasons for rejecting the "freedom" that women claim to have in this society in favour of the only Religion that truly liberates women by giving us a status and position which is completely unique when compared with that of our non-Muslim counterparts.

Before coming to Islâm, I had strong feminist tendencies and recognised that where the woman was concerned, a lot of shuffling arwnd had been going on, yet without being able to pin her on the social map. The problem was ongoing new 'women's issues' being raised without the previous ones being satisfactorily resolved. Like the many women who shared my background. I would accuse Islâm of being a sexist religion, discriminating, oppressing and giving men the greater privileges. All this coming from a person who didn't even know Islâm, one who had been blinded due to ignorance and had accepted this deliberately distorted definition of Islâm.

However, despite my critidsms of Islâm, inwardly I wasn't satisfied with my own status as a woman in this society. It seemed to me that society would define the terms such as "liberty" and "freedom" and then these definitions were accepted by women without us even attempting to question or challenge them. There was clearly a great contradiction between what women are told in theory and what actually happens in practice.

The more I pondered, the greater emptiness I fell within. I was slowly beginning to reach a stage where my dissatisfaction with my status as a woman in this society, was really a reflection of my greater dissatisfaction with society itself. Everything seemed to be degenerating backwards, despite all the claims that the 1990's was going to be a decade of success and prosperity. Something vital seemed to be missing from my life and nothing would fill this vacuum. Being a Christian didn't do anything for me, and I began to question the validity of only remembering God one day a week - Sundays! As with many other Christians too, I had become disillusioned by the hypocrisy of the Church and was becoming increasingly unhappy with the concept of the Trinity and the deification of Jesus. Eventually, I began to look in Islâm. At first I was only interested in looking into those issues which specifically dealt with women. I was surprised. What I read and learned taught me a lot about myself as a woman, and also about the real oppression of women lies: in every other system and way of life outside Islâm. Muslim women have been given their rights in every aspect with clear definitions of their role in society - as had men - with no injustices against either of them. As Allâh says: "Whoever does deeds of righteousness, by they male or female, and have faith, they will enter Paradise and not the least injustice will be done to them." [an-Nisâ' (4):124]

So having amended my misconceptions about the true status of women in Islâm, I was now looking further. I wanted to find that thing which was going to fill the vacuum in my life. My attention was drawn towards the beliefs and practices of Islâm. It was only through establishing the fundamentals that I would understand where to turn and what to prioritise. These are often areas which receive little attention or controversy in society, and when studying Islâmic creed, it becomes clear why this is the case: such concise, faultless and widely comprehensive details cannot be found elsewhere.

The fundamental belief of Islâm is Tawhîd which is a simple message 'lâ ilâha illallâh'. It is recognise that Allâh alone is to be worshipped and then to direct all worship towards Him - the root message which strikes at all false worship and it is the place where any person who seriously wants to learn about Islâm should start.

By this time I had begun to meet practising Muslim women and how I felt so secure and welcome in their company! There was a sense of tranquillity and humility about them and I wanted to share in that. These sisters, I regarded not only as friends, but advisors, and supporters too, and the beauty of their companionship was that every person was attracted due to the same reason: to help each other in worshipping Allâh. This is what united their hearts together. Allâh says: "And He has united their [i.e. the believers] hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allâh has united them. Certainly He is All-Mighty, All-Wise." [al-Anfâl (8):63]

Alhamdulillâh, I accepted Islâm willingly.

Through my reading, researching and attending lectures, I have come to know my Rabb(Lord). I have come closer to acquainting myself with some of His Names (Asmâ') and Attributes (Sifât) of Beauty and Perfection. I have found this a great help in understanding the whole Religion. To know, for example, that among Allâh's Names is that He is the Most Wise (al-Hakîm) and the Most Just (al-'Adl), and therefore that He commands only that which is wise and just, would completely relieve a person from seeking to find justifications for Allâh's Laws, or from having having doubts about the fairness of Allâh's Laws. Now,alhamdulillâh, I can appreciate much more why the true Muslim scholars emphasise so strong for Muslims to learn about Allâh - His Asmâ' and Sifât - before trying to reason with Allâh's Laws. Unfortunate I would have been, had I taken the stance that "Islâm gives the best deal to women" and made this my reason for embracing Islâm because then my faith would have been without a firm ground and sooner or later I would have come across some laws ordained by Allâh that I couldn't logically / rationally understand or see the wisdom behind. Had I not studied the foundation of belief, namely Tawhîd and looked at how Allâh describes Himself in His Book, perhaps I would still be in darkness. And all praise and thanks is for Allâh who guided me to the truth - It is as He says: "Wherewith Allâh guides all those who seek His good pleasure, to ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness, by His will, into light and guides them to a Straight Path." [al-Mâ'idah (5):16]

The reason why women are turning to Islâm must certainly have something to do with the honour that Islâm gives them and the equality with which it deals with people, not only in terms of gender, but also in terms of race, nationality, class, etc. However, the overriding reason why I and so many others like me were attracted to Islâm was because Islâm answered the most important question which I had ever asked: "Why am I here on this earth?" So I crossed the divide and managed to see what lies on the other side ... alhamdulillâh, I chose Islâm.

Source: ad-Da'wah illa Allâh
Courtesy Of: SunnahOnline.com

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The Status of Women in Islaam

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by Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Ibn Baaz

The status of the Muslim woman in Islaam is a very noble and lofty one, and her effect is very great in the life of every Muslim. Indeed, the Muslim woman is the initial teacher in the building of a righteous society, providing she follows the guidance from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Since adherence to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah distances every Muslim - male or female - from being misguided in any matter...

The secret of her importance lies in the tremendous burden and responsibility that is placed upon her, and the difficulties that she has to shoulder - responsibilities and difficulties some of which not even a man bears. This is why from the most important obligations upon a person is to show gratitude to the mother, and kindness and good companionship with her. And in this matter, she is to be given precedence over and above the father...

A man came to Allaah’s Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and said: O Messenger of Allaah! Who from amongst mankind warrants the best companionship from me? He replied:"Your mother." The man asked: Then who? So he replied: "Your mother." The man then asked: Then who? So the Prophet replied again: "Your mother." The man then asked: Then who? So he replied: "Then your father." [Related by al-Bukhaaree (no.5971) and Muslim (7/2), from Abu Hurayrah radiallaahu ‘anhu]. So this necessitates that the mother is given three times the like of kindness and good treatment than the father.

As regards the wife, then her status and her effect in making the soul tranquil and serene, has been clearly shown in the noble aayah (verse), in His - the Most High’s - saying:

"And from amongst His Signs is this: That He created for you wives from amongst yourselves, so that you may find serenity and tranquility in them. And He has put between you love and compassion. Indeed, in this are signs for those who reflect."[Soorah Room 30:21].

...And do not forget about ‘Aaishah - radiallaahu ‘anhaa - and her great effect. Since even the great Sahaabah (Companions) used to take knowledge of Hadeeth from her, and many of the Sahaabiyaat (female Companions) learn the various rulings pertaining to women’s issues from her...

And I have no doubt that my mother - may Allaah shower His mercy upon her - had a tremendous effect upon me, in encouraging me to study; and she assisted me in it. May Allaah greatly increase her reward and reward her with the best of rewards for what she did for me.

And there is no doubt also, that the house in which there is kindness, gentleness, love and care, along with the correct Islaamic tarbiyah (education and cultivation) will greatly affect the man. So he will become - if Allaah wills - successful in his affairs and in any matter - whether it be seeking knowledge, trading, earning a living, or other than this. So it is Allaah alone that I ask to grant success and to guide us all to that which He loves and is pleased with. And may the prayers and peace of Allaah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his Family, his Companions and his followers.

Source: Majmoo' Fataawaa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah

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Pomegranate Juice Prevents Early Puberty?

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Submitted by DrGreene on 1.08.2010

Recent headlines have trumpeted an exciting study about how pomegranate juice may prove very useful at preventing and even treating breast cancer. In test tubes, it’s proven quite effective against breast cancer cells. It turns out that pomegranate juice functions as something we call an aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase is an enzyme that takes testosterone and turns it into estrogen; it’s been linked to causing breast cancer. (This is one of the reasons I hate Atrazine, one of the most widely used pesticide weed killers in American agriculture: Atrazine stimulates aromatase. And we spray the stuff on our food!?). Aromatase inhibitor medicines are among the most exciting developments in preventing and treating breast cancer. And pomegranate juice contains clinically significant amounts.

As a pediatrician, my mind races to possible quicker benefits of pomegranate juice for kids:

• Preventing early puberty in girls. Puberty is starting earlier in girls. In 1993, the average age for breast development was just before the 11th birthday, now the average is while they are still 9. It’s no longer unusual to see a girl with breasts in a 2nd grade class. (Early puberty increases risk for breast cancer later, by the way). Aromatase inhibitor medicines have been used successfully to treat precocious puberty. Might pomegranate juice be a gentle way to help prevent it? Someone please do the study!
• Preventing breast buds in teen boys. Today about 60 percent of boys develop breast buds during puberty. These breast buds come from an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone. Brief breast buds then can be normal, but today, for 25 percent they last for 2 years or more. Aromatase inhibitor medicines have been used with some success to reduce their size and decrease their tenderness. Might pomegranate juice be a gentle way to prevent this? Someone please do the study! (And maybe one on adult men, too).
• Preventing short stature in boys and girls. Aromatase inhibitor medications have also have also been used to add modestly to adult height in children with short stature. Might pomegranate juice be a gentle way to help here as well?

(N.B. Most of today’s kids get too many sweet calories in their drinks, and I agree with the Academy of Pediatrics in recommending no more than 4 to 6 ounces a day of fruit juice before age 6, and no more than 8 to 12 ounces for older children.)

Pomegranates are one of 21 types of foods that I recommend in Feeding Baby Green to teach your child to love. Each of these diverse foods have been eaten by humans for thousands of years, and are packed with goodness we have yet to discover – and inhibiting aromatase is just the latest example.

I recently visited the King Tut exhibition at the de Young Museum in San Francisco and alerted my friends on Twitter when I learned that pomegranate seeds had been hidden in his tomb. Among the wealth of treasures there, this fruit is right at home.

Alan Greene, MD

Adams, L.S., Zhang, Y., Seeram, N.P., Heber, D., and Chen, S. “Pomegranate Ellagitannin-Derived Compounds Exhibit Antiproliferative  and Antiaromatase Activity in Breast Cancer Cells In vitro.” Cancer Prevention, Jan 2010, 3(1):108-113.

Aksglaede, L., Skakkebaek, N.E., and Juul, A. “Recent Decline in Age at Breast Development: The Copenhagen Puberty Study.” Pediatrics, May 2009, 123(5):e932-939.

American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Nutrition. "The Use and Misuse of Fruit Juice in Pediatrics." Pediatrics, May 2001, 107(5):1210-1213.

Cernich, J., Jacobsen, J.D., Moore, W.V., and Popovic, J. “Use of Aromatase Inhibitors in Children with Short Stature.” Pediatric Endorcinologic Review, Sep 2004, 2(1):2-7.

Feuillan, P., Merke, D., Leschek, E.W., and Cutler, G.B. “Use of Aromatase Inhibitors in Precocious Puberty.” Endocrine-Related Cancer, 1999, 6:303-306.

Riepe, F.G., Baus, I., Wiest, S., Sippell, W.G., and Partsch, C.J. “Treatment of Pubertal Gynecomastia with the Specific Aromatase Inhibitor Anastrozole.” Hormone Research in Paediatrics, 2004, 62:(3):113-118.

Shulman D.I., Francis, G.L., Palmert, M.R., and Eugster, E.A. , for the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society Drug and Therapeutics Committee. “Use of Aromatase Inhibitors in Children and Adolescent with Disorders of Growth and Adolescent Development.” Pediatrics, Apr 2008, 121(4):e975-983.

Read more: http://www.drgreene.com/blog/2010/01/08/pomegranate-juice-prevents-early-puberty#ixzz0dsF902w8

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Resources related to Tajweed of Surah Fatiha

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On the Day of Resurrection the Qur'an will petition Allah to cloak the one who had recited it with garments of honour and respect. A crown of honor will then be placed on the head of the reciter. The Qur'an will then petition Allah to shower His pleasure on the reciter. Allah will then become pleased with him. The reciter will then be asked to recite the Qur'an, thereby attaining higher ranks of elevation. In reward for each ayat a virtue will accrue to him.  (Tirmidhi, Ibn Khuzaimah).

Here are some resources compiled for you to continue your tajweed of surah fatiha study.

Surah Al Fatiha by Saad Al Ghamdi
Sheikh Sudais Reciting Surah Al-FatihaSurah Fatiha: The Opening of the book of Allah10 Greatest Recitations of Surat Al-FatihaYoutube claims that this is the best surah Fatiha recitation.Surah al Fatiha - different recitation styles by Sh. Mishary Rashid Al 'AfaasySurah Fatihah: 10 Different Recitation Styles (Qiraat) by Shaykh Mishary
Learn more about Tajweed

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On her night of nikkah she said ...

On her Night of Nikkah she said...

Before I say “yes” by Na’ima B. Robert

Here we stand, apart, not touching, not looking.

Tomorrow is our nikah.

But today, it is as if we are standing at the edge of the sea, the tide coming in to meet us.

We are almost ready to plunge into the rolling surf and swim out to the world of tomorrow, with its far-off horizon.

Families, words of praise and recommendation, questions and shy glances are behind us now.

You have seen what pleases you.

And I have seen what pleases me.

But I have not seen your heart.

And you have not seen mine.

And so now, before our fates are inextricably entwined, I will bare my heart to you.

Without reservations, I will show you the core of my being.

I am like a sapling, a tender sapling, whose roots reach eagerly to drink life’s goodness.

Take care when you hold the tender sapling between your fingers.

I was created by Allah, a delicate seed, born of my mother and father’s love.

My mother nurtured me in her womb

where an angel blew a soul into my tiny form.

My mother’s body cradled me and I breathed of her air.

She nourished me from herself and spoke love to me in the darkness.

I was born into the love of my parents and I began to grow.

Seed became seedling under their care and attention.

They showered me with praise, and my self-esteem sprouted.

They guided me with kindness and my character blossomed.

They weeded the world around me so that I could grow strong and pure.

And now that my first buds are about to open, they have entrusted me to you.

How will you tend me?

Will you coax my buds to unfurl with words of love and kind attention?

Or will you pluck them before they’re ready, crushing their new petals and delicate stems?

When I bring forth delicate blossoms of talent and inspiration,

Will you smile at their dreaming petals and share in the blush of hope?

Or will you watch as blossoms wither under your disapproving gaze,

Your criticism, your scorn, and your self-righteous censure?

Will you guide my wilder branches, gently, coaxing them to grow straight and true?

Or will you simply break off the ones that displease you, trampling them carelessly underfoot?

And when, insha Allah, I come to bear your children, will you continue to water me?

Or will you pluck those precious fruits, one by one, and turn away from the empty branches?

And when my trunk grows wide and thick with age, will you marvel at my strength?

Or will you recoil from touching my rough, brown bark?

When the years have become mere memories, will you admire how tall we have grown?

Or will your restless, selfish heart long to reach out for another sapling?

When I am as weak as the waving branches of a weeping willow – will you protect me?

When I am as strong as the trunk of the mighty Redwood tree – will you support me?

When I am as wise as the age rings of the old, old oak tree – will you respect me?

When I am as foolish as the fickle blossoms of early Spring – will you be patient with me?

When I am as fragile as the flowers of a jasmine tree – will you keep me safe?

When I am as bold as the roots that break through concrete – will you believe in me?

How will you tend me?

For now I have shown you my heart, its dreams, its hopes and fears.

Look carefully as we stand at the edge of the water.

Are you willing to bare your soul and show your heart to me?

So that I feel safe as the two of us swim on out to sea.

Remember that I am like a sapling, a creation of Allah.

Take care when you hold me between your fingers.

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"Mama, I'm Waiting for you in Jannah"

Bismillah.

The Problem: Mothers and fathers, when they suffer the loss of a child, the community doesn't have the resources and attention to assist them.

They are confused, alone ... UNTIL NOW!

Here is a lecture by Sh. Muhammad Alshareef that by the permission of Allah, may be a source of comfort for parents all over the world who have experienced the loss of a loved on. These are REAL issues that do not normally get addressed.

Click HERE to listen/download.

Here is a googlegroup email list for parents to support other parents who have been tested with this ...

http://groups.google.ca/group/bridgetojannah

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