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By Sister S

Haziq is my best friend, he will be leaving back to Malaysia in Aug 2008, ….subhanAllah. I have known him since he was born, and will miss him dearly! I pray the best for him, his mom and dad — may Allah give them good in this life and the best in the hereafter,,Ameen

InshAllah this blog post section will include all his pics, videos, audio etc. Like an online Multimedia Album!

Videos

Haziq in the car!

Haziq leaving me a voice msg!

Haziq praying salaat!

Haziq running about in a Gold Jewellers Shop!

Haziq sat on my car saying 1-2-3!

Haziq counting 1-10 and reading the Alphabet!

Waiyyakum literally means “and to you”. It is a form of dua`a though I haven’t come across it as being sunnah. In any case, when someone pray for another with ““, there’s nothing wrong in praying for the same for that person, in return. That can be done in a number of ways:

- to you as well
- and to you as well
- same to you
- May Allah reward you with good
- waiyyakum
- etc.

Or one can make any other dua`a if one wishes to do so. However, it might be good not to use waiyyakum all the time, since it could give the impression that it is something that is explicitly sanctioned as sunnah and it can end up being misleading (as I’m finding out now).

Allah knows best.

Wassalam,
Ziad

I recieved the following email, please forward on to those you know who have kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc.

One of my sons lost his watch, and was very upset..

We dug and dug in those balls, trying to find his watch. Instead, we found vomit, food, feces, and other stuff I do not want to discuss.

I went to the manager and raised hell. Come to find out, the ball pit is only cleaned out once a month. I have doubts that it is even done that often. My kids will never play in another ball pit.

Some of you might not be parents, but you may have nieces, nephews, grandchildren, or friends with children. This will pertain to you too. As I read the following, my heart sank. I urge each and every one of you to pass this on to as many people as you can. I cannot stress how import ant this is!

Hi. My name is Lauren Archer, my son Kevin and I lived in Midland, TN.

On October 2nd, 1999 I took my only son to McDonald’s for his 3rd birthday.

After he finished lunch, I allowed him to play in the ball pit. When he started whining later on, I asked him what was wrong, he pointed to the back of his pull-up and simply said ‘Mommy, it hurts.’ I couldn’t find anything wrong with him at that time. I bathed him when we got home, and it was at that point when I found a welt on his left buttock.

Upon investigating, it seemed as if there was something like a splinter under the welt. I made an appointment to see the doctor the next day, but soon he started vomiting and shaking, then his eyes rolled back into his head. From there, we went to the emergency room. He died later that night. It turned out that the welt on his buttock was the tip of a hypodermic needle t hat had broken off inside.

The autopsy revealed that Kevin had died from a heroine overdose. The next week, the police removed the balls from the ball pit. There was rotten food, several hypodermic needles: some full, some used; knives, half-eaten candy, diapers, feces, and and the stench of urine.

(You can find the article on Kevin Archer in the October 10, 1999 issue of the Midland Chronicle.)

Please forward on to those you know who have kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc and beware of children play areas.

Asalaamualaykum

Sick of 0870 numbers? Paying so much! Can’t afford it no more…Well check this out…

http://saynoto0870.com/search.php

BMI is a number that is calculated based on an individual’s height and weight. A BMI between 18 and 25 is considered normal. A BMI over 25 suggests that the individual is overweight, while 30-39 indicates obesity. A BMI of 40+ suggests severe obesity.

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/magazine/interactive/bmi/index.aspx

Asalaamu’alaykum waRahmatullahi waBarakaatuhu

This is really cool. Please read all the way though.  
 
ALZHEIMERS’ EYE TEST    

Count every “ F ” in the following text:

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE
SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTI
FIC STUDY COMBINED WITH
THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS…

(SEE BELOW)

HOW MANY ?

WRONG, THERE ARE 6 – no joke.
READ IT AGAIN !

Really, go Back and Try to find the 6 F’s before you scroll down.

The reasoning behind is further down.

The brain cannot process “OF”.

Incredible or what? Go back and look again!!
Anyone who counts all 6 “F’s” on the first go is a genius.  
 
Three is normal, four is quite rare.

It’s a.…Baby girl…. AGAIN!

Nothing can give more joy to a woman than the birth of a child. All the pain and strain disappear at the first sight of the baby. Tiny yawns and sleepy sighs, a brand new life, a bundle of joy for all the family! You would think that this is true whether the newborn is a baby girl or boy. Unfortunately, in every family this is not always the case.

Although most of us are fortunate enough to have never been discriminated against for being girls, whose parents have loved us unconditionally, whose husbands respect us, and children value us, there are people out there who still perceive the girl no more than a burden and often shame is expected and felt by those women who do not successfully give birth to a boy.

Though discrimination against women is considered a universal phenomenon, this is more marked in the Asian region. In countries where boy children are still valued economically and socially above girls, such as India and China, female infanticide and sex selective abortion has been practiced as a brutal method of family planning. In these Third World countries male children are preferred over female because boys provide more labour, whereas girls require a dowry. Outright, boys bring the dowry in, while girls take one out, putting an economic burden on the family.

Some surveys in the United States revealed a clear preference for masculine babies as the first child. According to a famous anecdote, when Mohammed Ali, the ex-world boxing champion was asked how many children he had, he answered, “one boy and seven errors.” For centuries, sayings and habits worldwide have spread these prejudices. In China the implementation of the “one child per couple” policy in 1978 left many Chinese parents unwilling to invest their one opportunity for parenthood on a daughter. Female babies have been described as “worms in the rice” and some experts contend that within a few years 90 million Chinese men will be unable to find wives. In one hospital an investigation of 700 individuals sought prenatal sex determination. Of these foetuses, 250 were determined to be male and 450 female. While all of the male foetuses were kept to term, 430 of the 450 female foetuses were aborted. Subhanallah!

Typical also is India, where despite the government outlawing prenatal sex determination tests in 1994, evidence suggests that female infanticide is rife. A study carried out in 1995 illustrates that the 1994 law is widely flouted. In a sample of 700 pregnant women, only 4% of those expecting a girl decided to bring the pregnancy to term. The small number of foetuses kept to term would also be subject to discrimination on the basis of their sex at the early stages of their life and through adulthood. This skewed sex ratio may have enormous implications for the future of these countries. This is a huge cause for concern especially when these countries are home to a large population of Muslims.

But what is the stance in Britain. Under the UK’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) rules, abortions also cannot be granted on the grounds that the foetus is the wrong gender. Although medically assisted sex selection is illegal in this country, there is nothing to prevent women flying overseas, to countries where the practice is not illegal to have a procedure undertaken which will tell them the sex of their baby. A recent article in a British newspaper, shows how some British couples have visited the clinic of a US based Scientist where the sex of embryos can be screened to ensure couples have a child of the desired sex. The article also mentions “that it is privately acknowledged by abortion specialists in Britain that women unhappy with the sex of their unborn child are being granted terminations for “social reasons”.

The evidence for women going overseas was provided by another British newspaper recently, which found that pregnant British Asian women barred by the NHS after numerous abortions, were going to India for gender defining ultrasounds, to ensure they have a male child. With many clinics refusing to declare the sex of unborn babies in the UK, particularly in Asian communities, Asian women flying abroad, where it costs little and the procedure is over in an hour is on the increase. A gender rights expert from New Delhi, reported that “aborting healthy baby girls was well documented among British Asians, and multiple abortions in Britain had become increasingly common. The desire for boys transcends caste, social, educational and economic status. One in seven girls in Delhi is killed in the womb and the situation goes on in Britain, where the belief systems are identical.”

The question is, is this happening amongst the muslim population and if yes, Why? Why is this, when gender equality is an intrinsic part of Islamic belief and when time and time again the importance of the woman and her equal if not high status to man is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. Practices such as female infanticide and forced marriages show how Islamic teachings can be superseded by local culture, tradition and customs.

Certainly the status of the woman in the pre-Islamic era began as inferior at the time of birth when unwanted baby girls were buried alive. The history of human civilisation testifies that the woman was treated harshly, degraded and was denied basic human dignity.

The 7^th century dawn of Islam ushered in a new era of morality and divine law, improving the status of the woman and elevating their position in both family and society. Through the teachings of Islam, beloved Prophet Muhammad may Allah bless him and grant him peace, put a swift and resounding end to this evil practice. Not only did he (PBUH) severely discourage and condemn this act but he also used to teach them to respect and cherish their daughters and mothers as partners and sources of salvation for the men of their family:

Islam gave women equal rights, rights that the West fails to give even today. According to Islam, men and women have the same religious and moral duties and responsibilities. Each human being shall face the consequences of his or her deeds. In the interpretation Allah (swt) says in the meaning of the Quran: “And their Lord responded to them (saying): Never will I allow to be lost the work of (any) worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another…” [Quran, 3:195.]

Women’s full and equal humanity is attested to on the final judgement day. The Qur’an makes it clear that both men and women are called upon by God to uphold God’s commandments, and that both men and women are accountable to God for their righteousness (Surah 3:Al-Imran: 195: Surah 4:An-Nisa’:124: Surah 9:At-Taubah:71-72).

Despite the social acceptance of female infanticide among some Arabian tribes, the Qur’an forbade this custom, and considered it a crime like any other murder. “And when the girl (who was) buried alive is asked, for what sin she was killed” [Quran,81:8-9.]

The Quran went further to rebuke the unwelcoming attitude of some parents upon hearing the news of the birth of a baby girl, instead of a baby boy. Allah SWT has said in the interpretation of the meaning of the Quran: “And when one of them is informed of (the birth of) a female, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief. He hides himself from the people because of the ill of which he has been informed. Should he keep it in humiliation or bury it in the ground? Certainly, evil is what they decide.” [Quran 16:58-59.]

Far from saving the girl’s life so that she may later suffer injustice and inequality, Islam requires kind and just treatment for her. Among the sayings of the Prophet PBUH in this regard are the following hadith: “Whosoever supports three daughters until they mature, he and I will come on the Day of Judgment as this (and he pointed with his fingers held together).” [Ahmad.]

The Prophet (PBUH) further said: “Whosoever has a daughter and does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, Allah will enter him into Paradise.” [Ahmad]

Islam considered kindness to parents next to the worship of God. Mothers in Islam are highly honoured. Islam recommends treating them in the best way. A man came to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and said, “O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship?” The Prophet (PBUH) said: {Your mother.} The man said, “Then who?” The Prophet (PBUH) said: {Then your mother.} The man further asked, “Then who?” The Prophet (PBUH) said: {Then your mother.} The man asked again, “Then who?” The Prophet (PBUH) said: {Then your father.}” [Al-Bukhari.]

Furthermore, marriage in Islam is based on mutual peace, love, and compassion, and not just the mere satisfying of human sexual desire. Among the most impressive verses in the interpretation of the meaning of the Quran about marriage is the following: “And of His signs is: that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” [Quran, 30:21.]

Islam encourages the husband to treat his wife well, as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The best among you are those who are best to their wives.” [Tirmidhi, Sahih.]

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The best of you is the best to his family and I am the best among you to my family.” [Tirmidhi, Sahih.]

He (PBUH) also told the Muslims: “Fear Allah in respect of women.” And: “The best of you are they who behave best to their wives.” [Tirmidhi, Sahih.]

Indeed the Qur’an goes beyond insisting that individual women and men are to be treated identically. Instead it insists that men and women recognize their interconnectedness and interdependence. The Qur’an affirms that men and women in the umma are members and protectors of each other (Surah 3:Al- Imran:195; Surah 9:At-Tawbah: 71). The Qur’an’s vision of the relationship between men and women within society is therefore neither hierarchical nor adversarial but one of equality and mutuality.

By Sister S

For students, going to University often means FREEDOM. Freedom to live life independently, to go out, to sleep and wake when they want, to experiment and to enjoy to the full without being questioned by anyone. It is a much awaited time and the beginnings of adult life for many young sprout; saying goodbye to all that is familiar and stepping out into the great and beyond.

Unfortunately for many Muslims it is a time when they come across countless dilemmas, obstacles and challenges. The very first week, known as Freshers week, is supposedly a week full of events designed to allow those beginning their university career to acquaint themselves with their new surroundings as well as with their fellow students. However, in reality Fresher’s Week is a hedonistic 7 days, which the pubs and nightclubs utilise to attract their prospective clientele for the following year. Muslim students are put to the test instantly when they are faced with parties and nights out, invites to go out and get drunk, to dance and intermingle with the opposite sex and to engage in much makrooh and haram activity. And all these activities are practiced by those who the rest of society deems as being ‘the leaders of tomorrow’! Subhanallah!!

Unfortunately many Muslims go out to University with the exact intention of living this life, embracing the ‘you only live once’ concept with Islam being sidelined and ignored until of course student life will come to an end. Rather than being classed as ‘anti social’ many go with the flow and focus on everything but the deen.

Some Muslims choose to take the middle ground and class themselves as the ‘Moderate Muslim,’. They enjoy the pubs and clubs and indulge in drugs but still pray the Friday prayer. They allow their deen to be compromised and pick and choose what and when to conform to Islamic teachings.

We all know applying Islam selectively in our lives is tantamount to burning the pages of the Qur’an. Although the haram path can be tempting because it is easy, we should remember that wherever Muslims live and whatever we do in life we should live according to the Shariah.

Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala) says:

“The good and the evil are not alike even if the evil looks like the good and is followed by the majority. So fear Allah, O you that understand; that (so) you may prosper” [Al-Ma'idah: 100].

Life is not about living ‘comfortably’ or ‘fitting in’ so as to not be stared at or labelled with offensive terms, it is about pleasing Almighty Allah. One must ask her/himself:

Did Musa (alai hisalaam), ‘Isa (alai hisalaam), or even Muhammad (peace be upon him) compromise this Deen for the kuffar?

Did they shave their beards because they were afraid of what the kuffar would say?

Did they stop doing da’wah because they were afraid of what so and so will say?

No they had taqwa of Allah and fulfilled their Islamic duty. If one wants to play with the religion of Allah, let him or her play with the harsh Malaaika (Angels) who guard the gates of Hellfire on the Day of Judgment!

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala has warned us in the Quran of the consequences of compromising our deen.

“So do you believe in some part of the Book and disbelieve in some. The penalty awaiting those who do this is nothing but humiliation in this life and the severest of punishment on the Day of Judgment” [Al-Baqarah: 85].

It is agreed upon that any activity that leads to, suggests or encourages behaviour contrary to the teachings of Islam or diverts one from Allah’s path is considered to be in itself haraam.

Consumption of Alcohol

Although peer pressure can be overpowering and temporary enjoyment is tempting we must remember that everything in Islaam has a practical and healthy reason behind it. For example, there is wisdom in the strait enforcement of severe punishment for drinking alcohol. The Prophet (peace be upon him) referred to alcohol as the mother of sins because after consuming it, man can indulge in other major sins.

The sayings of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) about wine and other intoxicants.

“Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is haram (unlawful)” (Muslim.)

“Of that which intoxicates in a large amount, a small amount is haram” (Ahmad, Abu-Daud and Al-Tirrnizi,).

“Khamar (intoxicants) is the mother of all evils” (Bukhari)

Also It is stated in the Qur’aan:

“They ask you regarding wine and gambling. Say, in both of them is major sin, and there is some benefit for men, but the sin of them is far greater than benefit” [Surah Baqarah]

A man was once asked why he did not drink, and he replied, ‘By God, I am not happy with my mind when it is sound, so why should I corrupt it even further?’ [The Seventy-seven Branches of Faith - Imam Al-Bayhaqi, The Quillian Press - (1996, ISBN 1 872038 03 4) - Page 31]

Further in The Holy Quran it is stated in 5.91:

“Satan’s plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain?”

We should always remember and be aware that the alcohol and drug scene is closely connected to the high crime rate. An intoxicated person ceases to be a human being as consumption of alcohol clouds the mind, impairs reasoning and perception often leading to financial ruin and loss of innocent lives. Is it any wonder then, why alcohol is forbidden in Islam?

Whilst some people may not consume alcohol at university,smoking is seen as a pleasurable act which many people wrongly consider to be permissible but makrooh (extremely disliked) because it hasn’t categorically been forbidden by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). However, In Islam it is forbidden for a Muslim to do anything which causes his or her own death or inflict any personal damage on oneself. It is universally accepted that smoking has many serious health and life hazards amongst which is lung cancer, so smoking falls within the realms of causing damage to oneself or ones body which is absolutely forbidden in Islam.

The Qur’an says:

” And make not your own hands contribute to your destruction.”
[Surah, Al-Baqara, 2:195]

” Nor kill or destroy yourselves for verily God hath been to you most Merciful.” [Surah, An-Nisa, 4:29]

” And slay not the life which God hath forbidden…” [Surah, Al-Isra, 17:33]

Furthermore, Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) has said:

“Nor be hurt or injure others.”

It is scientifically proven that the exhaled smoke of the smoker is hazardous to non-smokers around him.

Furthermore, in Islam cleanliness and hygiene are emphasized to the extent that it has been considered a part of Iman (faith). It is very well known that a smoker’s mouth is unclean and foul smelling “like a cigarette ash-tray .”

In the Quran, Allah says:

“And forbid them what is bad.” [Surah Al-'Araf, 7:157].

When the Quran states:

“And cast not yourselves into ruin with your own hands and do good.” [Surah Baqarah, 2. 196]

it indicates that smoking, being injurious to health, has been condemned in Islam even if it hasn’t been categorically forbidden by Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him).

Music

As Muslims we should always be aware that nothing has been prohibited by Allah except that which is harmful to the welfare of a Muslim individual and the society as a whole. Today when we speak about music, it cannot be denied that the messages of today`s music follow a general theme of love, fornication, drugs and freedom. Many argue that music is not forbidden in Islaam but evidence and close analysis of Hadith suggests absolute prohibition of it.

Hadith from the Bukhari Shareef, the most authentic Book of Hadith, further confirms unlawfulness of music and singing:

“There will be people of my Ummah who will seek to make lawful; fornication, wine-drinking and the use of ma`aazif (musical instruments).”

Quite simply, if music was not prohibited, then it would not have been brought within the same context as fornication and wine-drinking.

Free mixing between men and Women

This leads to the last issue of pre marital relationships. A Muslim must take care to stay away from environments that are dominated by boyfriend-girlfriend relationships and pre-marital sex. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has encouraged us to control our lust and our speech and Islam lays a strong emphasis on modesty and chastity. Modesty in dress and behavior between women and men figures prominently as a means of exhibiting self-control. Unmarried couples are admonished against spending time alone in isolated places where they would be more likely to act on their feelings and thus be less inhibited. If prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) told us shaking hands with a strange woman is a form of zina we should understand the seriousness of anything which goes further than this.

“If any of you were to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle, is better than that for him than to touch the hand of a strange woman.”

The body of evidence showing that women and men should not mix freely with one another is quite large. Some points are noted below, Allah says:

“And when you ask the ladies for anything, ask them from before a screen. That makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs.” [Surah al-Ahzab: 53]

For women to go about uncovered in the company of men is inarguably a gross violation of the command given in this verse.

“Beware that you do not call on women who are alone,” said the Messenger of Allah. One of the Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what about the younger or elder brother of the husband?” The Prophet replied, “He is death”. (Tirmidhi, Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet peace be upon him said:

“Never is a man alone with a woman except that Satan is the third party with them.”

The Qur’ân clearly forbids women from being soft of speech while talking to men. Allah says:

“Be not too complaisant of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak with a speech (that is) proper.” [Sûrah al-Ahzâb: 32].

Sexual relations outside of marriage can be avoided if evil gatherings such as nightclubs, parties, bhangra do’s and raves are avoided where the consumption of excessive alcohol and suggestive dancing can lead to such acts.

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:

“No fornicator commits fornication in the state of being a believer so long as he is busy in committing it.”

Moreover, Allah says:

“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them.” and says: “And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty.” [Sûrah al-Nûr: 30-31]

This shows us how men and women are to conduct themselves.

So in conclusion we should always remember that although there are many good things in this life which we should utilise, Allaah, being Perfect, in His Wisdom and Knowledge, has set His limitations and rules, all of which are beneficial to mankind, and therefore, do not need changing. We should always remember that this life is a journey and will inevitably come to an end and the true end is indeed with Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala in the next life when we will be held accountable for all our deeds. Thus we should strive to do good and to seek Allahs pleasure in order to gain eternal benefit no matter how many trials, tribulations and temptations we face in the Western culture.

May Allah grant us fear of Him, and grant us obedience to Him. May He forgive us our sins and our indulgences and make the halaal sufficient for us and accept our repentance and purify our souls. May Allah’s peace and blessing be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) and upon his family and companions and all those that follow him, and all praise is due to Allah. AMEEN.

By Sister S

Sources Used

• University Life for Muslims
• Haqislam.org
• http://muslim-canada.org/livingislam3.html#younger
• Fisabilillah.org
• inshallahshaheed.wordpress.com