Crash Course: Prayer

Salam :) :)
This is simply an easy step-by-step process of how to pray
I love finding these cute instructional pictures, they are very helpful for both muslims and non-muslims :) :) :) (http://arabic.speak7.com/prayer.htm)
The importance of praying and the schematics of it all will be explained in another blog. 

Face the Qiblah (toward Mecca), and make sure you’re in a clean area, now you are about to start one of the following prayers: 1stprayer (Subh), 2nd prayer (Dhuhr), 3rd (Asr), 4th (Maghrib), 5th (Ishaa).
Standing, you will start the prayer raising both hands up close to your ears and say "Allahu Akbar" (God is Most Great). (Look at the picture on the side).
Then put one hand on the top of the other hand between your chest and upper stomach, and start reciting surat “al fatiha”, say “ameen” once you finish it, and then start reciting another small surat (check here to find out more about “al fatiha” and the other “surats”).
Once you finish reciting raise your hands up to the ears, saying "Allahu Akbar." Bow (your hands on your knees, back straight, your face toward the ground, saying three times, "Subhana rabbiyal adheem" (Glory be to my Lord Almighty). This position is called (ruku’). See photo.
Rise back to standing while saying "Sami’a Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal hamd" (God hears those who call upon Him; Our Lord, praise be to You).
Raise hands up, saying "Allahu Akbar" then descend to the ground (see photo), while your face on the ground say three times "Subhana Rabbiyal A'ala" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High). This position is called “sujud”
Rise to a sitting position (see picture), saying "Allahu Akbar."
Then prostrate back on the ground (this is the second time you do it), while your face on the ground say three times "Subhana Rabbiyal A'ala"

This will conclude the first “rak’a”. Now to start the second “raka’a” you simply need to repeat steps from 2 to 8. Note that at the end of your second “rak’a” you will have to add step 9, which is:

Rise to a sitting positition (see photo), remain sitting and recite the first part of the Tashahhud in Arabic:  "Atta-hiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu As-salamu 'ala an-Nabiyy wa rahmat-ullahi wa barakatuhu As-salamu 'alaina wa 'alaa 'Ibaadillah-is-salihin. Ash-hadu-al-la-ilaha illAllahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa Rasuluh”. Note that while reciting “Ash-hadu-al-la ilaha illaAllahu …” one should move the index finger of the right hand in a small circle like you’re drawing a circle on the sand beach with your index while the hand is still on the thigh. Only the index should be moving, the rest of the fingers and hand don’t have to move. See photo:
If the prayer is to be longer than 2 “rak'as”, then add the same steps from 2 to 8 depending on how many “rak’as” you have to perfom, for example if you have to make 4 “rak’as” then you will have to add steps 2 to 8 two more times (which means 4 times in total). Then finally add the step number 9 again (basically after each two “rak’as” the step #9 is required).	Main prayers of the day:  1st prayer (Subh) = 2 Rakats  2nd prayer (Dhuhr) = 4 Rakats  3rd prayer (Asr) = 4 Rakats  4th prayer (Maghrib) = 3 Rakats  5th prayer (Ishaa) = 4 Rakats
To end your prayer, while still sitting, turn your face to the right and say "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah" (Peace be upon you and God's blessings), and turn to the left and say the same “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah". And that’s how you finish your prayer, easy!	Example of how to pray the 3rdPrayer (Asr) which consist of 4 Rakats: Follow steps 1-8, then steps 2-9, then steps 2-8, then finally step 2-10.

Note:  There is a second half part of tashahhud which is recited in the final “rak’a” but if it can be learned later, you don’t have to do it if you’re still in your first days, it says “Allahumma salli ala Muhammad wa ala aali Muhammad kama salaita ala Ibraheem, wa barik ala Muhammad wa ala aali Muhammad kama barakta ala Ibraheem wa ala aali Ibraheem fel ‘alameena innaka hameedun majeed”, this will be added to step 9 before reaching step 10.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU:

 You will now know what that girl in the library is doing :) :) and on a greater note, you have increased your knowledge of Islam and steered away from the evils of ignorance. 

------->jazz 

Why is that girl or guy super soaking their body in the bathroom?

Salam:) 


I think every muslim has had this happen to them. It s time to pray and you must make your wudu.......in a public bathroom (dun, dun ,dun). Just kidding, it is not that bad, its just people just don't get it, they usually think you are just being "Muslim" aka a weirdo


Muslims believe full-heatedly in cleanliness, There actually some hadith (sayings/stories of the prophet) that say that cleanliness is half our religion. If you look at the origin of soap which was first made out of olive oil, it was the Mesopotamians aka Muslims, the people who believed in god. But the greatest proof of all are the verses from the Quran, 


"Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves" (2:222)


Now what are these muslims doing in the bathroom? yes, they are cleaning themselves but they are also getting ready for prayer. This process is called- wudu, which is the washing of the body before prayer. Muslims actually cannot pray without making wudu. 


"O you who believe! When you rise up for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads (with wet hands), and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. And if you are in a state of major ritual impurity (janaba), purify yourselves (by taking a bath). And if you are sick or on a journey, or one of you comes from the answering of call of nature, or you have had contact with women, and you find no water, then go to clean earth and wipe your faces and hands with some of it. Allah does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you and to perfect His grace upon you that you may give thanks" (Al-Maidah :6)


CRASH COURSE IN WUDU (http://www.islamawareness.net/Wudu/performing.html): 

1. First make Niyyah (Intention) that you are making Wudu' for Salah and begin saying. "Bismillah.." (In the name of Allah, the most merciful and the most kind). Wash both hands up to the wrist three times, making sure that water has reached between the fingers. 2. Put a handful of  water into your mouth and rinse it thoroughly three times
3, 4 Sniff water into your nostrils three times to clean them and then wash the tip of the nose.
5,6 Wash your face three times from right ear to left ear and from forehead to throat.
7. Wash your right arm and then your left arm thoroughly from wrist up to elbow three times.8 a & b) Move the wet palms over the head from the top of forehead to the back of the head.
9) Pass the wet tips of index fingers into the grooves and holes of both ears and also pass the wet thumbs behind the ears
10. Finally, wash both feet to the ankles starting from the right, making sure that water has reached between the toes and all other parts of the feet.

 At the end of the above steps recite: 
"Ash-hadu an la ilaha  illal lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh." 
Meaning: I testify that there is no god but Allah and He is One and has no partner and I also testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.

What Invalidates Wudu: 
-sleep or unconsciousness of any kind 
-using the restroom or farting 
-flow of blood or any bodily substance


WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU: 


Next time you see that Muslim super soaking in the bathroom, just know that they are trying to cleaned for prayer. We aren't weird but most definitely clean. 
Also for Muslims, this was a great recap of the importance of wudu :) :) 




--------> JAZZ

Surah Al-Imran [3:190-3:200]

Assalamalaik was Rehmatullahi wa Barakatuh, Brothers and Sisters!

This is the first post of our Daily Quran Verses section.

I, personally, love Surah Al-Imran, and here are the last 10 ayas of it. 

I feel like they are the perfect reminder for why we must keep striving for Jannah.

They are full of hope and a reminder of Allah's promise to the righteous.

In times like these, where Islamiphobia is spreading like wild fire, where people are

lashing against our faith, where ignorance has overtaken reasoning and knowledge,

Read these ayahs, and they'll remind you of the reason why you need to keep close to Allah and the reward that's waiting for the Believers in Jannah, InshAllah :) 

(I was unable to get the verses in Arabic to show but you can definitely go to Quran.com if you would like to recite them in Arabic.)

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

3:190. Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.

3:191. Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

3:192.Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire - You have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.

3:193. Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous.

3:194. Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise."

3:195. And their Lord responded to them, "Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another. So those who emigrated or were evicted from their homes or were harmed in My cause or fought or were killed - I will surely remove from them their misdeeds, and I will surely admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow as reward from Allah , and Allah has with Him the best reward."

3:196.Be not deceived by the [uninhibited] movement of the disbelievers throughout the land.

3:197. [It is but] a small enjoyment; then their [final] refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place.

3:198.But those who feared their Lord will have gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein, as accommodation from Allah. And that which is with Allah is best for the righteous.

3:199. And indeed, among the People of the Scripture are those who believe in Allah and what was revealed to you and what was revealed to them, [being] humbly submissive to Allah. They do not exchange the verses of Allah for a small price. Those will have their reward with their Lord. Indeed, Allah is swift in account.

3:200. O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.


SubhanAllah, Absolutely beautiful :)
May Allah help us in constantly reciting and understanding and remembering his blessed Book because"Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest! [13:28]"

Jazakallahkhair for reading!


-Razz

Constantly missing Fajr prayer? Don't even hear your alarm ring? Searching for an infallible way to wake up everyday? Check this out ; )

Assalamalaikum wa Rehmatullahi was Barakatuh, Brothers and Sisters! 

How many of us have missed Fajr prayer? Once? Twice? A whole week of it? Some Muslims may never even have prayed Fajr in their lives! 

And what are the most common excuses or reasons? 

-Going to sleep super late because I was watching a movie

-Sleep 

-Tired

-Sleep 

-My alarm didn't ring

-My alarm rang but I didn't hear it

-My alarm rang but Shaitan got the best of me and I turned it off

-sleeeeeppppp

-It's too hard to wake up 

-It's cold?? 

Yeah, these are some the most common excuses and sleep or failure to wake up is the most dominant excuse. But brothers and sisters, sleep is not a valid reason to miss Fajr. 

>"Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,"And if they only knew what was in the prayers of 'Isha' and Subh [fajr], they would come to them even if they had to crawl.""

>It is narrated on the authority of Abu Zubair that he heard Jabir b. 'Abdullah saying, 'I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) observing this,' "Between man and polytheism and unbelief is the abandonment of salat." [Muslim]

As you can see from the Hadiths above, prayer is not a joke to be taken lightly. Islam is based on five pillars of which the second pillar is Salah or Prayer five times a day but how many of us actually fulfill this commandment? How many of us actually set aside just 30-45 minutes from our whole day to worship Allah? Allah has blessed us with everything from the eyes that we see to the air that we breathe to the ears through which we hear and countless more blessings but what do we as his creation do to thank him and remember him? 

The Fajr prayer and the Isha prayer are the two most difficult prayer for the hypocrites, so let's come together and strive to not be one of the hypocrites and rise in the morning and rise in the night to worship our creator as he has ordained! Personally, I had one of the hardest times waking up for Fajr for the longest time until I came upon a sleep routine on ProductiveMuslim.com and some other Islamic pages but to me, its not just a routine that helps me sleep better, it is one that has helped be wake for Fajr ever since I utilized and why? Because it involves remembrance of Allah.

Before introducing the routine, you must remember that only with the help and aid of Allah can anything be done. You must be sincere in your intentions and you must sincerely pray to Allah to help you in waking up for Fajr. Also watch this short video as an extra mental reminder of the importance of Fajr: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwEfbnNtHuQ

Now, what this routine we're talking about? 

It is a three part breakdown of 90 minutes of your time before you sleep:

1. One third for your lord

2. One third for yourself 

3. One third for sleep 

THE THIRD FOR YOUR LORD

-This is the first 30 minutes of the 90 minute preparation in which you get cleaned up, make Wudu, and mentally prepare to stand before Allah for the Tahajjud, or the night prayer, and Witr. 

"Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” [Muslim]

Tahajjud prayer can consist from a minimum of 2 rak'ahs to the optimal 8 rak'ah, made in 2 rak'ah increments. The Witr prayer is to be an odd number of rak'ahs. "It was related that Ibn Umar said: "Someone asked the Messenger of God about the night prayer. The messenger of God replied: "The night prayer is offered as two rak'ah followed by two Rak'ah and so on, and if you sense the approach of dawn you should pray one rak'ah and this will serve as Witr for all the previous rak'ah you have prayed'."

This is the part of the routine where you recite verses from the Quran and supplicate your lord, asking for forgiveness and making dua. Also, sincerely ask Allah to help wake you up for Fajr. Without Allah's help, nothing can be accomplished! Once you develop into the routine of doing this, this will become an indescribably peaceful experience. 

THE THIRD FOR YOURSELF

-This is the second third of the routine. In this half hour you could maybe finish up some last minute homework or get ready for sleep. I also like to spend this time watching Islamic lectures or reading tafeer of the Quran and such.

Some awesome websites for Islamic lectures include: 

-www.thedeenshow.com 

-www.ummahfilms.com (Baba Ali, enough said!!) 

-www.halaltube.com (Wisam Sharief, Abdul Rahman Murphy, Nouman Ali Khan and tons more)

-http://bayyinah.com/podcast/ (this website is an awesome link that has podcasts of Tafseer of various surahs. Super informative and great use of your time!) 

THE THIRD FOR SLEEP

-This is the last third of the routine. It is more so a preparation for sleep through dhikr and recitation of the Quran according to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. In this half hour, recite Surah Sajdah, the 32nd surah of the Quran and Surah Mulk, the 67th surah of the Quran. Once you get into this habit, you won't want to go to bed without reciting them! A website that has an awesome recitation of both these surahs and the Quran in general is Quran.com. You can access this website and recite the Quran even if you are away from your hard copy of the Quran. Another part of this half hour is to make the dhikr before going to bed. You can find the remembrances made before sleeping at www.makedua.com. 

And there it is! inshAllah you can wake up for Fajr without a problem and we would love to get some feedback on how this is going for everyone.

Additional tips for waking up for fajr are:

-The 1.5 rule of sleep: We complete a cycle of sleep every 1.5 hours so set your alarm to wake up for fajr by calculating that in. For example, you're going to bed at 2:00 and fajr time starts at 6:30, you will have completed 4.5 hours of sleep and it'll be easier for you to wake up since a sleep cycle will be finished. If you're going to bed at 1 and Fajr time is at 5:00, you'll have to set your alarm at 4:30 so that you wake up when a cycle is finishing. 

-Multiple Alarms: If you can't wake up to your alarm, then set a ton of alarms so you're guarenteed to wake up. I personally have I think 5 alarms to wake up for Fajr lol and then another 4 to wake up for class....yeah, I'm pretty sure my roommate wants to kill me at times but hey, whatever it takes to get me up! Setting alarms in different areas of the room will also be beneficial because you'll get annoyed and eventually get up to turn it off. 

Finally, if you're still having trouble, we can arrange some sort of Buddy System. You can inform us through an e-mail at rrazz92@gmail.com and we will arrange a Fajr wake up call or text. 

InshAllah, these tips and routines benefit you and me and all of us! Once again, we would love to get some feedback on how it is going for you guys! May Allah help us all to arise from our beds and supplicate to our Lord as he has commanded us to do so! Ameen! 

Jazakallahkhair! 

-Razz :) 

Why aren't my prayers answered?

This is a question, many people do ask especially when something they have prayed for has not occurred. Honestly, would it make any sense if everything you prayed for just came true in the blink of an eye? Would this bring you closer to Allah if you got everything you ever wanted? Not saying that this is impossible, Allah has the power to do anything: 


2:117- The Initiator of the heavens and the earth: to have anything done, He simply says to it, "Be," and it is.
16:40- To have anything done, we simply say to it, "Be," and it is.
36:82- All He needs to do to carry out any command is say to it, "Be," and it is.


The question is would it make sense? And just because your prayers are not answered, does it mean they are ignored?


The answer is NO. 




Allah hears and answers the prayers of the believers: 


 If My servants ask you about Me, I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls on Me.
They should therefore respond to Me and believe in Me so that hopefully they will be rightly guided.
(Surat al-Baqara: 186)

Allah answers your prayers in three ways: 

1) He says "yes" and gives you what you want, your prayers are answered automatically

2) He says "no" and gives you better, allah yields you from the bad 

3) He says "wait" and gives you the best in his own time, perhaps Jannah.

You pray to get closer to Allah, to be rightly guided. Allah is not the means to dunya (worldly things), dunya (worldly things) is the means to Allah.  If your prayer is not answered, then that which you have prayed for would not bring you closer to Allah. You don't get what you want but rather what you need. I key concept to remember is that we live today, not for tomorrow, but for the hereafter. 


WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU: 


Allah hears you  and Allah knows what is best for you :) 


As a kid I loved riding my bike esp. in the middle of the street or at night but my dad would always tell "get out of the street" or "get inside its almost sundown". As a kid, I didn't get it, I was only trying to have fun, right? Little did I know, My dad was protecting me from the worse, such as getting hit by a car. Allah is the best of examples. Of course it sucks when you don't get that huge raise, huge house or that pretty boy/girl that you prayed for but Allah knows what is best for you and through him is guidance.


salam :) 


-----> JAZZ

The Wives of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

Assalamalaikum wa Rehmatullahi wa Barakatuh!

The topic of this jummah's khutabah was Alhamdullilah addressed by Dr. Amer Kaissi and is a topic that non-Muslims LOVE to jump on and begin to critique with harsh words and filthy insinuations. Sometimes even we, as Muslims, may fall into Shaitan's traps and began to doubt or question some of these things. However, after attending the khutbah today by Dr. Kaissi, I realized that these doubts and these insinuations are nothing than a result of ignorance and lack of knowledge about the Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who is and always will be the most perfect example of Islam.

So, one of the top misconceptions that people have about Islam is regarding polygamy, which will be discussed in another blog. In Surah Nisa, Ayah 3, Allah says "If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice." 
Why then did Prophet Muhammad have 12 wives throughout his life, then when in the Qur'an Allah gives permission for up to four wives WITH THE CONDITION that a man treats them equally, but monogamy is recommended. 


The first way in understanding this issue is by looking at the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Many people attribute him having many wives due to "hyper-sexuality" or lust. However, when you look at the life of the Prophet and the ages at which the marriages occurred, this ignorant accusation has absolutely no truth behind it. 


-The first wife of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, May Allah be pleased with her,who had proposed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) for his hand in marriage. At this time, she was 40 and twice widowed where as he was 25.  If those that make the claim that he married for sexual reasons, why then would he marry someone that was 15 years his elder, twice widowed, and had children of her own? Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) loved Khadijah and from the time of their marriage to the time of Khadijah's death, May Allah be pleased with her, Prophet Muhammad took no other wives. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was 50 when Khadijah, May Allah be pleased with her, passed away. For the next two years, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) spent in grief and suffered much hardship. It was at this time that Surah Al-Duha was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad:

In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate

By the morning hours, and by the night when it is stillest, Your Lord has not forsake you nor does He hate you, And truly what comes after will be better for you than what has come before, And truly your Lord will give to you so that you will be content. Did he not find you an orphan and protect you? Did he not find you wandering and guide you? Did he not find you destitute and enrich you? So do not oppress the orphan, And do not drive the beggar away, And speak about the blessings of Your Lord. (Quran 93:1-11)

-From the age of 53 to the age of 60 is when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had 11 wives. If Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had the intention of lust, Astagfarullah, or as some insinuate his marriages due to "hyper-sexuality", why then would he not marry multiple wives at a younger age then in his late 50's? It is a clear scientific fact that sexuality decreases the older a man gets. The sexual peak for men is at age 18 and the older a man gets, the less sexual he gets. For one, the Prophet did not even marry Khadijah till he was 25, which at the time was a pretty late age to get married, and did not marry his other 11 wives until well in his 50's. It is a complete insinuation against the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) resulting from ignorance. His 11 marriages between the ages of 53 to 60 were, instead, for various reasons and purposes. One great point that Dr.Kaissi brought up was that Muhammad, the man, had only one wife. He loved her solely and during his marriage to her, he had no other wives. Muhammad, the Prophet, peace be upon him, had 11 wives, each one had a purpose or reason which was part of his Prophethood.

-Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) marriages each had a different reason. Some of his wives like Umm Salama Hind bint Abi Umayya, Zaynab bint Khuzayma, and Hafsa bint 'Umar were widowed after their husbands had died in battles that were going on at the time. By marrying widows, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) set an example to his society to encourage them to take care of widows and support them. Each one of his marriages also had some political reason or reason for social reform, except for his marriage to Aisha, May Allah be pleased with her, which will be briefly discussed later in this blog and then inshAllah, we will dedicate an entire blog to this marriage, because it one that non-Muslims LOVE to wave red flags. Anyways, back to the reasons behind the Prophet's marriages....

-Some of the marriages of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) were for social reform. For example, Juwayriya bint al-Harith, May Allah be pleased with her, was from the Banu Mustaliq tribe who was defeated by the Muslims. By marrying 

Juwayriya bint al-Harith, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) created peace between the Muslim and the Banu Mustaliq tribes, all prisoners were released, and the Banu Mustaliq tribe entered Islam with honor. 

-Some of the marriages of Prophet Muhammad for political reasons. For example, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) married Umm Habiba Ramla bint Abi Sufyan, who was the daughter of the chief of Mecca, and this marriage played a very important role in the Congress of Mecca. 

-Prophet Muhammad married Aisha, May Allah be pleased with her, at a very young age. His marriage to Aisha was a normal marriage like that with Khadijah, May Allah be pleased with her. Where as Khadijah was much older than him and he was younger, Khadijah, May Allah be pleased with her was not able to live long enough to take note of the Prophet's actions through out his life. By marrying Aisha, who was very young when the Prophet was in his 50's, Aisha, May Allah be pleased with her, was able to live until Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) died and long after and was able to narrate many of his private actions and because of her, there are over 2,000 hadiths that have been passed regarding the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). She is seen as one of the most important sources of information regarding the Prophet's life because she was young and was able to remember better and was able live long enough to witness the life and death of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). By witnessing so much of his life, she was able to narrate a vast amount of information about the man who is the most perfect example of Islam, our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. 

After learning all this from one the most enlightening khutbahs that I have heard, my knowledge and my iman has strengthened that much more and may Allah give us all the ability to seek knowledge about the matters that we are unclear about, especially matters that non-Muslims like to bring up to critique Islam. InshAllah after reading this, some of the questions or doubts created by Shaitan are cleared and inshAllah you can fight off these tools that Shaitan uses. InshAllah, after reading this, you have realized that the insinuations made by many are the results of ignorance, not reality.

Dr. Amer Kaissi ended this khutbah with a very important take home message: Everytime a doubt of question arises in your mind, do not let it manifest and sit there in the back of your mind. Allah gave us all the ability to seek knowledge and implement it, so instead of sitting there get up and seek the answers from the right sources and scholars so that you are not of those that are ignorant. Allah says in the Quran,  "

This day I have perfected your deen for you and have completed My blessing on you, and have chosen Islam for you as your deen. (Quran 5:3)", so rush to seek knowledge, rush to understand matters that you do not understand or are unclear about because Islam is perfect, it is we that are imperfect. 

I end this blog  by thanking Allah (SWT) for giving me the opportunity to go to Jummah today and learn so much from Dr. Amer Kaissi, May Allah bless him and his family with Jannah for his efforts. Through Allah's mercy and help, I sit here sharing this knowledge with you and inshAllah you will benefit from it. Alhmadullilah, all praise is to the one, the supreme only. 

Jazakallakhair!

-Razz :) 

ps. if you want more information about this topic, there is an excellent article I found that goes into this matter with much detail: http://www.islamawareness.net/Muhammed/ibn_kathir_wives.html. 

Salam :) 

Friends

Assalamalaikum wa Rehmatullahi wa barakatuh! 

So, I'm a little late on writing about the khutbah that I attended last Jummah, but I feel like the topic discussed by Sheik Aziz is something very important. The topic of the khutbah last Jummah was over friends, who your befriend, the effect of friendship, and then finally the three characteristics that one should search in a friend. 

Sheikh Aziz started off by talking about the impact that friends have on you. The people that you are surrounded can influence you so much that sometimes you don't even realize yourself becoming a different person. I never really understood this until I actually came to college. In high school, I mostly had friends that were Muslims and so there was this mutual understanding, rooted core beliefs, and it was easy and comfortable being around them. College...a whole other story. The amount of Muslim friends went to almost nothing and the people that I was surrounded by were filled with different morals, different beliefs, vulgarity, foul language, cursing like no one's business, and saying disgusting things that no ears should hear. I began to notice myself adapt to the same negativity that some of them showed and I began to be less thankful of everything I had and began to complain all the time until I realized how wrong this was. I am blessed with a full stomach, with family, with Islam, with the air I breathe, I could never even come close to counting the amount of blessings that Allah has bestowed upon me so why am I complaining about little things? The more I distanced myself from those people, the more I changed. The more I hung out with those people, the more their language, their behaviors, their attitudes rubbed off on me.


Aside from this case, there are many other examples. Countless stories about some people of faith living with Atheists and they eventually become atheists. When you're surrounded by bad language, you find yourself cursing more. Little habits you may just find yourself adapting to. When you're surrounded by Muslims, you may feel your faith strengthen, you may feel that bond of brotherhood or sisterhood, stronger than anything else. When you're surrounded by people who share the same love for Allah, there is an inner peace because of course only with the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest. So when you are surrounded with people that remind you of Allah, their friendship will be much stronger than those who see your beliefs as "weird" or "stupid". Their is nothing wrong with having acquaintances or friends that are non-Muslims, in our society and schools, its almost inevitable. However, the people that are the closest to you, or are your best friends should be wisely chosen. You should carefully consider the people that you spend the majority of your time with. "The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes his friend." [Abu Dawud 41:4815]


Sheikh Aziz in his khutbah gave three qualities that we should search for when making a close friend:
1) Do they believe in Allah?
2) Do they invite you to halal and help keep you away from haram and sin? 
3) Do they have good Akhlaq, which is an arabic term that means virtues or manners. Some things you may want to consider is do they gossip alot? Do they curse alot? Do they pray five times a day...etc. 


Basically, this khutabah was a very good reflection on whom we keep as close friends. Keep your close friends those that love Allah and through your friendship you can become closer to your creator, inshAllah. This is a reminder to myself as well as to everyone else. May Allah help surround us all with good company. Ameen!


Jazkallahkhair! 


-Razz :) 

The FAT FIVE, the Fattiest Five Fibs about Islam

1) Muslims believe in some guy named ALLAH. 

This is completely false. The word ALLAH is the name for God rather than some alternate God. 
Evidence: Many Arab Christians use the word ALLAH.  

“And your God is One God: there is no god but He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.”  (Qur’an 2:163)

“Allah, there is no god but He, ¾ the Living the Self- subsisting Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permits? He knows what (appears   to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He wills.  His Throne does extend over the heavens and on earth, and He feels   no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).”  (Qur’an 2:255)

2) Islam is a new fake religion, stuck in the dark ages!

This comment is used very frequently in the media. First thing is first, we need to know the definition of Islam. Islam is derived from the Arabic word, "Salema" meaning: purity, submission, obedience. Islam simply means the submission and obedience to God, Allah. Muslims are the believers and followers of Allah. The believes in Moses's time ("Jews") were Muslim and in the time of Jesus, the true followers of him were Muslims. So being a Muslim, a believe in one God is not new at all! If you look at history....Islam is simply, the next key to the puzzle. 

 (Quran 5:68) "Say: 'People of the Scripture Book! You have no ground to stand upon unless you observe the Taurat [Torah], the Injeel [Gospel], and all the Revelation that has come to you from your Lord....."

3) Muslims believe Jesus was fake 


NO. Muslims believe that Jesus (may peace be upon him) was a very important prophet of Islam. Many of the important figures of Christianity and Judaism are also important in Islam such as Moses, Noah, and Joseph.  


"Then she brought the child to her folk, carrying him, and they said, "Mary, you have surely committed a monstrous thing. Sister of Aaron, your father was not a wicked man, nor your mother a woman unchaste. Mary pointed to the child; but they said, 'Hoe shall we speak to one who still in the cradle, a little child. And he said, 'Lo, I am God's servant, God has given me the Book and made me a Prophet Blessed He has made me ,wherever/may be; and hi has enjoined me to prayer, and to give the alms so long as I live, and likewise to cherish my mother; He has not made me arrogant and wicked. Peace be upon me, the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I am raised up a live. "Maryam 19:29-33)
"That is Jesus, son of Mary, in word of truth, concerning which they are doubting. It is not for God to take a son unto Him. Glory be to Him, He nut says to it, 'Be, and it is." (Maryam 19:34-35)


4) Not All Muslims are terrorists but all terrorists are Muslims...i.e. Islam supports terrorism 


Islam in no way endorses violence. Please, give me one verse in Quran that you believe supports violence towards the innocent. I am sorry but you can't, every verse that is brought up by opponents of Islam, is followed or preceded by a verse explaining the content of the verse. For example:


This is a verse on many "hate sites":  2.190. "Fight in the cause of Allah"
This is the whole verse: 2.190. "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors" 


This one is always used to showcast the "evil of islam": 008.012  Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instill terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them."


This was written about the battle of Al-Badr, in which pagans were coming in Medina to demolish the Muslims after already torturing and persecuting the Muslims in Makkah for thirteen years. Allah gave orders for the muslims to defend thier life and defened their faith. 
but here are some verses after this verse in a different chapter speaking of war:

060.008  God forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith
nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God
loves those who are just.
060.009  God only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith,
and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out, from
turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these
circumstances), that do wrong.


This topic is vast in its content but I will end with this:


 “ … If anyone slew a person it would be as if he slew the whole humanity: and if anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of the whole humanity.” (Al-Qur'an 5:32)




5) Every Muslim is an Arab 


Although the t.v. portrays this misconception very well, it is completely false. Arabs make up less than 20% of the muslim population and not to mention that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. 


WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU: 


As stated before, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world and probably the most criticized and the least explained. People tell you things everyday but how much of it is true? 






 " I thought that people were generally the same, like the whole “everyone is a human” mumbo jumbo people talk about at peace rallies. But trying to group everyone together as one is not the answer, it is recognizing and appreciating our differences that will solve everything." - me 


salam! 


----->jazz :)