Tuesday, July 27, 2010

For Candice.

It's Candice! I am changing my information (including email and blog) so I have started a new blog. It is:
http://www.facebook.com/l/d19afj8o67Y4yrHVazb2FTxhKcA;exploringmuslimah.blogspot.com
If anyone was a follower on my other blog, you can find me here. I will be double posting for a while and at some point will close down Exploring Life and Islam for good and will only have this new one open. I really appreciate anyone who reads so please continue to follow me at my new blog!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Hijab is not just a piece of cloth on your head


Hijab is not a piece of cloth on your head




Hijaab is the way you Talk…..the way you Walk…. Hijaab is an attitude in itself..... Its a whole way of life.

Allaah says:

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





If you look carefully at the ayah, it clearly states that the head covers (khumur) should be drawn over the neck slits (juyoob). Khumur is the plural of the Arabic word “khimar” which means a headcover. Juyoob is the plural of the Arabic word “jaiyb” ,which refers to the neck slit (of the dress).



Al-Qurtubi said:


“Women in those days used to cover their heads with the khimar, throwing its ends upon their backs. This left the neck and the upper part of the chest bare, along with the ears. Then Allah commanded them to cover those parts with the khimar.”



8812881388158817
tight jeans and short shirt just don’t cut it

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

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




If it is see-through, its NOT Hijaab
You CANNOT use chiffon or other see through material to cover your hair and body. Everything should be covered and the color of the skin underneath should not be visible.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) once received a thick garment as a gift. He gave it to Osamah b. Zayd, who in turn gave it to his wife. When asked by the Prophet why he did not wear it, Osamah indicated that he gave it to his wife. The Prophet then said to Osamah “ask her to use a “gholalah” under it (the garment) for I fear that it (the garment) may describe the size of her bones.” (Ahmad, Abi-Dawood)

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

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

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

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

Tinkling Jewelry and Jingling bracelets
‘Loud’ and tinkling anything, be it jewelry, bracelets, clip-clopping shoes, little bells on clothes, you name it, if it jingles or makes noise, it is against the principles of Hijaab, because it attracts attention to the one wearing it.
That is what is meant when Allaah orders us in the above verse…

“not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments.”

No laughing, joking, or hanging out with non-Mahrams
Some sisters assume that since they are properly covered, its okay for them to sit around and talk, laugh, joke, etc. with the men, but that’s not right, even if he is ‘the Shaikh’. Allaah says:

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

So talk to them when there is a specific need, and in a manner that is not necessarily rude, yet it is polite but firm.
Staring at the brothers or ‘checking them out’ is NOT Hijaab
Allaah orders us to “lower your gaze” in the above verse. Why? Because a single ‘look’ can say more than a thousand words. So, even if you are properly covered, keep those eyes down, conduct yourself with ‘Hayaa’, and avoid ‘fitnah’
‘Chatting’ on the internet/phone is not part of Hijaab, either
There is no such thing as “we’re just friends”. Talking to non-Mahrams is wrong even if it is through the internet or telephone. There are too many stories of illegal relationships, fornications, broken homes, extra-marital affairs and runaway brides to even mention. That is why in Islam anything that leads to haraam is also haraam. Allaah says:

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

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

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

Don’t shake hands with non-Mahrams. Its part of Hijaab
It is not permissible to shake hands with a non-Mahram, because the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

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

And no, it is not rude to refuse to shake hands with non-Muslims. Simply politely explain that its part of your religion and they are very understanding.
Stay away from the men’s areas
I see many sisters entering the Masjid from the men’s entrance, or standing idle in the hallways or where there is a chance of unnecessary mixing with the brothers. What for?
Don’t we have a separate entrance for ourselves? Why do you think Allaah ordained the Hijaab in the first place? To avoid fitnah, by reducing temptation and separating the genders.

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

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

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





Allah humma salli ala muhammadin wa ala aali muhammadin kama salaita
ala Ibraheema wa ala aali Ibraheema inna ka hameed um majeed.

Allah hummabarik ala muhammadin wa ala aali muhammadin kamabarakta ala
Ibraheema wa alaaali Ibraheema innaq ka hameed um majeed.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Aren’t you hot in that?


Aren’t you hot in that?

Ramadan's message anything but radical


Ramadan's message anything but radical

Friday, April 16, 2010

Nothin much....




Assalaam alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatahu

Hi everyone.. I am sory that I have not writen much..it's for a few reasons... one being that working 4 days a week and coming home to a LOT of housewok has made me exhausted. The othr is..I am jsut in too much pain to talk about it.

Baby girl turned one Masha'Allah and my Children are the light of my life , Al hamdullilah.

Lovin my Job..

Missing my Grammy... a lot...
Missing my freinds... A lot...
Missing swimming a lot...
Missing the forest A lot...
Missing rivers too much....


So ya..just praying and trying to be patient and have Sabr... keep us in ur Duaas plz...
Chokran...

oh and discovered Maher Zain.... good music...

;)
Salams

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Wife Abuse in the Muslim Community



Wife Abuse in the Muslim Community
by Kamran Memon


Wife abuse has hurt many Muslim women, destroyed many Muslim families, and weakened the entire Muslim community. How much longer can Muslims afford to look the other way?


"And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and he has put love and mercy between your (hearts)..." Qu'ran 30:21


"I recommend that you treat women with goodness. The best of you are those who treat their wives the best." Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him)


While North American Muslims loudly protest the widely-documented Serbian abuse of Muslim women in Bosnia, the abuse of many Muslim women at the hands of their own husbands in North America is hidden and ignored by the community.


Domestic violence is the single major cause of injury to women in America. "Nearly one quarter of women in the United States - more than 12 million- will be abused by a current or former partner some time during their lives," according to the American Medical Association; and, despite Islamic teachings of justice and compassion, many Muslim women in the United States and Canada are no exception.


Based on information from Muslim leaders, social workers, and activists in North America, the North American Council for Muslim Women says that approximately 10 percent of Muslim women are abused emotionally, physically, and sexually by their Muslim husbands. (There are no hard numbers, because community leaders haven't taken the well-known problem seriously enough to research.)


Wife-abuse, which stretches across all ethnic, racial, educational, and socio-economic lines in the Muslim community, results in severe emotional and physical pain for many Muslim women, a stacking up of sins for many Muslim men, and many weak, unhappy Muslim families that fail to contribute adequately to the development of the Muslim community and the rest of North American society.


Despite the severity of the problem, the Muslim community has largely closed its eyes and devoted very few resources to helping the victims and stopping the abusers.


This is doubly unfortunate because family violence is one of America's most critical health problems (according to the American Medical Association and the U.S. Surgeon General), and Islamic leadership is needed to deal with this crisis; but Muslims are clearly in no moral position to lead society because they commit and tolerate abuse within their own community.



FORMS OF ABUSE OF MUSLIM WOMEN


"Domestic violence is an ongoing, debilitating experience of physical, psychological, and/or sexual abuse in the home," says the American Medical Association.


Although Islam promises women protection from such problems, the reality in many Muslim homes is different.


The most common form of abuse is emotional and mental abuse. In Muslim homes, this includes verbal threats to divorce the wife, to remarry, or to take the kids away if she does not do exactly as she is told; intimidation and threats of harm; degradation, humiliation, insults, ridicule, name-calling, and criticism; false accusations and blaming her for everything; ignoring, dismissing, or ridiculing her needs; neglect and the silent treatment; spying on her; telling her she is a failure and will go to hell; twisting Islamic teachings to make her feel worthless because she is a woman; restricting her access to transportation, health care, food, clothing, money, friends, or social services; physical and social isolation; extreme jealousy and possessiveness; lying, breaking promises, destroying trust; etc. Emotional abuse can take place in public or at home.


Although it's completely contrary to the example of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, the Muslim community nonetheless tends to dismiss the seriousness of mental abuse, rationalizing it as a petty argument between husband and wife, and saying it's not serious unless he hits her. In reality, mental abuse does severe psychological harm to many Muslim women. It destroys their self-esteem and makes them question their self-worth; some have mental breakdowns and go insane.


Furthermore, psychological abuse can lead to physical abuse.


Physical abuse includes pushing, shoving, choking, slapping, punching, kicking, and beating; assault with a weapon; tying up; refusing to help her when she is sick or injured; physically throwing her out of the house; etc. Physical abuse escalates in frequency and severity.


The third form of abuse is sexual abuse, involving forced, violent sex. For example, a wife may not want to have sex for health reasons, but the husband may force her anyway.


These three forms of abuse are usually related and occur of a long period of time. Muslim men, just like non-Muslims, often start with mental abuse and work their way up. Muslim women need to recognize the signs of escalating abuse.



WHY DO SOME MUSLIM MEN ABUSE THEIR WIVES?


There are a number of factors that make many Muslim men abusive.


Abusers are often part of a cycle, picking up the habit after watching their own fathers abuse their mothers in North America or in Muslim countries. And their own children learn this abusive behavior and abuse their wives. (This is an important point because the longer the Muslim community tolerates abuse, the longer it will be passed on from father to son, from generation to generation.)


For cultural reasons, some Muslim men accept the idea that it's normal for a man to hit his wife and that she is no more than a piece of his property.


Some Muslim husbands abuse their wives as a result of frustration resulting from economic hardship, political oppression experienced outside the U.S., problems with the children, or an inferiority complex.


Some abuse their wives because they want them to be more "modern" and less Islamic by removing their hijab (Islamic dress), while others are abusive because they want the opposite.


Some Muslims with superficial ties to Islam don't know that abuse is unacceptable due to their weak faith, poor Islamic knowledge, and lack of interaction with the Muslim community.


Tragically, some Muslim men actually use Islam to "justify" their abusive behavior. Focusing on rituals, considering themselves to be Islamically knowledgeable, and disregarding the spirit of Islam, they wrongly use the Qur'anic verse that says men are the protectors and maintainers of women to go on power trips, demand total obedience, and order their wives around. They disregard the Islamic requirement for the head of the household to consult with other members of the family when making decisions.


Then, if their wives dare to speak up or question their orders, these men misinterpret a Qur'anic verse that talks about how to treat a disobedient wife and use it as a license for abuse.


In reality, the Qur'an and Sunnah provide clear instructions on what procedures a husband must use in conflict situations where the husband is innocent and the wife is rebellious and at fault. The first step is a peaceful discussion between the two of them about the problem and solutions. This is intended to soften hearts and eliminate misunderstandings. If this doesn't work, the next step is for the husband to tell his wife his expectations in a firm, decisive manner. If the rebelliousness and disobedience continues, the husband is supposed to leave the bed, which is really a punishment for both of them for not being able to resolve their differences. If that fails to solve the problem, representatives of both sides meet to try and arbitrate. As a last resort, if he thinks it will prevent divorce by letting the wife know how serious he is, the husband can use a light slap on the hand or shoulder but not on any other part of the body, and it shouldn't leave a mark or scar. Anything beyond this is Islamically prohibited.


This procedure is to be followed _only_ when the wife is the cause of a serious problem and the husband is innocent, compassionate, and well-behaved. If the husband is the cause of the problem, he has _no right_ to do any of this.


Unfortunately, Muslim wives often accept un-Islamic treatment from their husbands because they don't know their Islamic rights, and they don't realize their husbands are crossing the Islamic line.


Abusive men are completely disregarding the Islamic teachings of kindness, mercy, gentleness, and forgiveness, just as they are disregarding the example of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, who never hit a woman and was extremely gentle and compassionate with his family.



WHY IS HELP SO SCARCE?


One problem is that many Muslims don't want to get involved in the "private" family affairs of other Muslims. Rather than enjoining good and forbidding evil, rather than trying to stop abuse in a friend's or neighbor's family by offering to mediate between the husband and wife or by encouraging them to speak to Muslim counsellors, many irresponsible Muslims close their eyes and pretend they don't know there's a problem. So the abuse goes on.


Another reason why abuse isn't stopped is that many abused Muslim women simply don't seek out help. They're afraid that if their situation becomes public they will lose their privacy because Muslims gossip so much, and they fear the abusers will become more hostile when the negative publicity gets back to them. Furthermore, many abused Muslim women remain silent because they lack confidence in themselves and believe that they somehow deserve the abuse. Abused Muslim women also keep quiet out of a feeling of hopelessness and a belief that no one will help them, out of financial dependence on their husbands, out of a desire to keep homes together for the children's sake, or out of love for the abusive husbands. Other Muslim women accept the abuse as a fact of life and learn to live with it.


Of those who reach a breaking point and seek help, many Muslim women turn to imams but often find them unhelpful. Imams often tell these women to be patient and pray for the abuse to end. Some imams make the abused Muslim women feel guilty, telling them they have brought the abuse upon themselves and instructing them to go home and please their husbands. Other imams, who are sincerely but mistakenly misinterpreting Islam by putting the importance of family privacy above any harm that might come to the individual woman, tell the women it is wrong for them to discuss their problems with anyone other than their husbands. The imams's reactions stem from ignorance, cowardice, or friend-ship or blood relationship with the abusive husbands. Relatively few imams have had the wisdom and courage to tackle the problem head-on. As a result of this, many abused women don't bother turning to imams for help.


Looking for other sources of help, many abused Muslim women have turned to relatives only to be told to accept the abuse because making a big deal out of it could hurt the relatives' family honor and reputation.


Finding many imams and relatives to be more cruel than Islamic, abused Muslim women often turn to Muslim female activists and Muslim women's organizations for help. While these activists are often untrained in crisis intervention, they are getting the abused women out of their houses and hiding them until Muslim men can be sent to try to reason with the husbands. They often collect money from other women to give to the abused women until it's safe for them to go back home. When continued attempts to salvage the marriages have proven futile, these activists counsel the abused women on how to get out of their marriages.


As for national Islamic organizations, most have largely ignored the issue of wife abuse, neglecting to highlight the problem and solutions during national conferences or to devote resources to helping abused Muslim women.


Overall, the services provided by the Muslim community for abused Muslim women take care of one-quarter of the need, according to Muslim activists.


Because the Muslim community often leaves them to suffer, many abused Muslim women turn to shelters run by non-Muslims for help. (Seeing abused Muslim women at shelters leaves non-Muslim social workers with an ugly picture of Islam. As far as many of them are concerned, Islam is no more just and compassionate than Christianity or Judaism because the Muslim community tolerates wife abuse too. Going to a non-Muslim shelter can result social workers taking children away from troubled Muslim homes if they think it is better for them to be in a more stable environment, which often ends up being a non-Muslim home.)


Many women go even further, leaving Islam altogether because the Muslim community fails to live up to the Islamic promise of protection, brotherhood, and sisterhood.



THE COMMUNITY'S ROLE


The Muslim community has clearly failed in its obligations to protect many Muslim women and to bring many cruel Muslim men to justice. The community needs to deal much more effectively with wife abuse in order to stop the immediate suffering of people in abusive situations and to help build healthy Muslim families.


First, the community must accept the fact that there is a problem and that it doesn't know how to deal with it.


Then a core group of trusted, active Muslim men and women in each North American city, who are committed to ending wife abuse in the Muslim community and to strengthening Muslim families, must become knowledgeable about Islamic guidelines on the family and be trained in crisis intervention and counseling. (Unfortunately, some community "leaders" will be too ignorant or arrogant to seek such training; but they must not be allowed to get in the way.)


Since there aren't yet many Muslims qualified to teach crisis intervention and counseling, several Muslim women throughout North America have started learning these techniques from non-Muslim social service agencies (listed in the phone book under wife abuse, domestic violence, or crisis intervention). Other Muslim women and men need to follow suit. Whatever they learn from these agencies should be cast in the light of their Islamic knowledge of properly functioning Muslim families.


Once they know what they're doing, members of core groups across the continent should recruit and train others in their communities in crisis intervention and the Islamic perspective on the family. There should be a network of at least 100 trained counselors in every major North American city.


A list of trained Muslims and their phone numbers (or one Muslim hotline number) should be circulated throughout the community in each city so that abused women know whom they can turn to for meaningful help.


(Most of women approaching the network initially will be physically abused Muslims. Victims of mental abuse will less likely to reach out at first because many have become accustomed to the abuse and accept it as a way of life. But educational programs at community gatherings -- explaining what Islamic family life should be like and explaining that there is help available for abused women -- will let emotionally abused Muslim women know they have a way to stop the pain.)


These trained Muslims should give abused women shelter (at people's homes or at community facilities, such as a rented apartment) for periods ranging from several days to several months depending on the extent of the abuse, while counseling them.


(Beyond this, taking into account the fact that many Muslim women will still turn to non-Muslim shelters because they don't want to deal with the Muslim community or because the community program is not big enough to help them, the Muslim community should sensitize people running non-Muslim shelters to the particular needs of Muslim women; and trained Muslims should visit the shelters regularly and constantly remind shelter operators that they are available to help whenever a Muslim woman comes in.)


While caring for the abused women, the trained Muslims should counsel the abusers separately, making them aware of the reasons they abuse, of the fact that their actions are truly harming their wives, that such behavior is completely un-Islamic, and that God will hold them accountable.


After separate counselling, the next step would be joint counselling for the husband and wife, and then counselling for the entire family. The objective should be to heal the family, but divorce may be necessary.


Another option, that some Muslims in New York have tried, is to punish Muslim men for their abusive actions. A "security force" warns, and then beats up, if necessary, Muslim men who continue beating their wives. Usually the abusers get the message; this is the only language many of them understand. Some men have to be beaten before they wake up and are ready to listen to rational, Islamic arguments.


Police and psychiatrists may have to be involved in severe cases of chronic abuse.


Community education is an indispensable factor on top of all this. Starting today, throughout the process outlined above, community leaders and other concerned Muslims need to educate people -- about the problem and about efforts to help victims and prevent future abuse -- through Friday khutbahs (sermons), educational seminars, and workshops. These educational programs can themselves reduce abuse by letting people know the community isn't going to tolerate it anymore. the community isn't going to tolerate if anymore.


Furthermore, the community needs to establish classes to teach Muslim men, young and old, how to be proper husbands and fathers and to teach Muslim women, young and old, how to be proper wives and mothers. Many Muslims don't know their rights and obligations in these roles.


In addition, in order to prevent future family problems, parents and community leaders must teach children and young adults to be compassionate, to value the family, and to resolve problems in an Islamic, non-violent manner.


It's also important for Muslims to go into field like psychiatry, women's issues law, social work, and counselling.


No Muslim community in any North American city has taken all these steps. Unfortunately, the entire plan could take years to implement. (Of course, that makes it all the more necessary to start immediately.) But when theses steps are taken, abuse should decrease if not stop in the Muslim community, according to Muslim social workers and activists.


If, once all these steps are taken, there are more abused Muslim women in specific communities than these networks can adequately help, then Muslims should establish good quality, properly staffed, and well funded Muslim shelters. Many communities may not need to go this far, but some may.


DO YOU REALLY CARE?


It sounds like a lot of work, but the problem is serious enough to warrant a lot of work. The Muslim community has shamefully tolerated abuse for a long time. How much longer will Muslim families (and therefore the Muslim community) be weakened by abuse? How much longer will abusers be allowed to run free and unpunished in the community? How much more abuse will Muslim women have to endure before the community decides that enough is enough?







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Sunday, March 21, 2010

Just something I wish to share...



Assalaam alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatahu

I will write another blog Incha'Allah, after this one but I wanted to share a blog that I found that is very important one. Incha'Allah it will help those who read this in there hardships.


RSS
Jul 10, 2009
"Verily, After Hardship Comes Ease"
Posted by Mudassir Bashir at 3:24 PM Labels: Fact
At a time in which the Muslims are beset with trials from every periphery, it is a time when Muslims should continue being Muslims, only better Muslims. I would say to my dear brothers and sisters in Islam "don’t be Sad"; if you are on the true religion – believing in One God and all the Messengers sent to mankind, then don’t be sad.

"...Bear with patience whatever befalls you...." (Qur'an 31:17) and "Be not sad, surely Allah is with us." (Qur'an 9:40)

Our Prophet (pbuh) said: "Verily, if Allah loves a people, He makes them go through trials. Whoever is satisfied, for him is contentment, and whoever is angry upon him is wrath." [Tirmidhi]

Being sad is not encouraged in Islam

"So do not become weak, nor be sad..." (Qur'an 3:139)
"And grieve not over them, and be not distressed because of what they plot." (Qur'an 16:127)

Sadness prevents one from action instead of compelling one towards it. The heart does not benefit through grief. The most beloved thing to the devil is to hinder the worshipper in the path of Allah. The Muslim must repel sadness and fight in any way that is permissible in Islam.

Allah is sufficient for us

"Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs. So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the owner of Great Bounty." (Qur'an 3:173-174)

"And put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed..." (Qur'an 5:23)
"O you who believe! Seek help in patience and the prayer..." (Qur'an 2:153)

By leaving your affairs to Allah by depending on Him, by trusting in His promise, by being pleased with His decree, by thinking favourably of Him, and by waiting patiently for His help, you reap some of the greater fruits of faith. When you incorporate these qualities, you will be at peace concerning the future, because you will depend on your Lord for everything. As a result, you will find care, help, protection and victory.

Pre-ordainment

"No calamity befalls on earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees – before We bring it into existence." (Qur'an 57:22)

The pen has dried, and the pages have been lifted: all events shall come to pass have already been written. Whatever has befallen you was not meant to escape you, and whatever has escaped you was not meant to befall you: if this belief were to be firmly ingrained in your heart, then all hardships and difficulty would become ease and comfort.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whoever Allah wishes good for, He inflicts him (with hardship)." [Bukhari]

For those who are afflicted with disaster, glad tidings await them: so remain patient and happy with your Lord. "He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned." (Qur'an 21:23)

Verily, with hardship, there is relief

"Verily, with hardship there is relief" (Qur'an 94:6)
"Perhaps Allah may bring victory or a decision according to His Will." (Qur'an 5:52)

Prophet Ibrahim ('alayhissalam) did not feel its heat because of the help he received from Allah. "We (Allah) said : O' fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrahim." (Qur'an 21:69)

The sea would not drown Prophet Moses ('alayhissalaam) because he uttered in confident, strong and truthful manner: "Nay verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me." (Qur'an 26:62)
And the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said to 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas (radiyallahu 'anhu): "..Be mindful of Allah, you will find Him before you. Get to know Allah in prosperity and He will know you in adversity... And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship." [Tirmidhi]

Accept life as it is

If you read the Qur'an you will see that all the Prophets went through trials and tribulations. Life is a test so let us learn from the best examples of our Prophets. "Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty, ailments and were shaken." (Qur'an 2:214)

We should know that if we are pleased with our Lord, He will be pleased with us. And if you are pleased with your Lord no matter what the situation is, then you will find that you have earned your Lord's pleasure. On the other hand, there are hypocrites whom Allah rejects their deeds. They are displeased with what Allah sends down and they hate seeking His pleasure; thus their deeds are performed in vain.


Your recompense is with Allah

When Allah, the Exalted takes something away from you, He compensates it with something better, but only if you are patient and seek His reward.
Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "Whoever loses a loved one from the people of this world and then seeks recompense with his Lord, will be compensated with Paradise."

Those who are in this world and are close to Allah will be raised in the highest of heaven: "Peace be upon you, because you peresevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!" (Qur'an 13:24)

Truly, the life of this world is short and its treasures are few. O' afflicted ones, if you are patient you lose nothing; and though you may not perceive it, you are profiting.
Extract honey but do not break the hive

"Repel (the evil) with one which is better, then verily! He, between whom and you there was enmity (will become) as though he was a close friend." (Qur'an 41:34)
"….and harm them not. And put your trust in Allah." (Qur'an 33:48)

Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "Verily, Allah ordered me to keep relations with those that cut off, forgive the ones who does an injustice with me, and to give to those who withhold from me."

"Those who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves the good-doers." (Qur'an 3-134)

Remembrance of Allah

"Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (Qur'an 13:28)
"Therefore remember Me and I will remember you…" (Qur'an 2:152)

We should not be surprised when we hear that people who remember Allah are at peace. What is truly surprising is how the negligent and unmindful survive without remembering Him. Allah says in the Qur'an, "They are dead, lifeless and they know not when they will be raised up." (Qur'an 16: 21)

Truly, He is near when supplicated: He hears when he is called and He answers when He is invoked, so humble yourself before Him and ask of Him sincerely. Repeat His beautiful names, and mention Him alone as worthy of worship. Mention His praises, supplicate to Him: you will find then – by the will of Allah – happiness, peace and illumination. “So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter.” (Qur’an 3:148)

Loving Allah, knowing Him, remembering Him, seeking peace in Him, singling Him out for complete love, fear, hope and dependence – these qualities when combined in a person, constitute a sort of heaven on earth.

These are qualities that bring peace to those who love Allah, a sort of peace that has no comparison in this world.It is important that a special relationship exists in the heart between the slave and his Lord, a relationship that allows the slave to feel so close to his Lord that he requires no other.

Thus, he finds company when he is alone, and he tastes the sweetness of remembering Him and supplicating to Him. Allah's slave will continually face hardship and difficulty until he dies, but if he has a special relationship with his Lord, all of the hardships of life will become easy for him.

The prayer….the prayer – we must return to our mosques

"O' you who believe! Seek help in patience and the Prayer." (Qur'an 2:153)

By earnestly performing the five daily prayers, we achieve the greatest of blessings: cleared off our sins and increase in rank with our Lord. Prayer is a potent remedy for our sickness, for it instills our faith in our souls.

As for those that keep away from the mosque and away from prayer, for them is unhappiness, wretchedness and an embittered life.

"For them is destruction and Allah will make their deeds vain." (Qur'an 47:8)

Take a moment to reflect

O whose mind has wandered in grief, O' you whose eyes are loaded with tears; relax and know that your Creator aids, and that His mercy will bring you peace. And know that your reward is secure with He Who doesn’t disappoint the one who seeks to please Him. Be at peace, for after poverty comes joyous meeting, and after sleeplessness comes sound rest. O you who are oppressed in the lands, who suffer from hunger, pain, sickness and poverty, rejoice in the knowledge that you will soon be satisfied with food and that you will be happy and in good health.

Let us make these supplications, their purpose being to eliminate hardship, anxiety and grief:

"There is no worthy of worship except Allah, the Ever Forbearing, the Most Great. There is none worthy of worship except Allah, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne. There is none worthy of worship One Who sustains and protects all that exists, there is none worthy of worship except You, and by Your Mercy do we seek Your aid."
"So be patient, with a good patience..." (Qur'an 70:5)

Read more: http://mudassirsworld.blogspot.com/2009/07/verily-after-hardship-comes-ease.html#ixzz0ioPAdsrZ

Sunday, March 14, 2010

The Countdown is winding down....




Assalaam alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatahu!

Happy Sunday to everyone ! Incha'Allah, you are all well and high in Imaan. :)

So sorry that I have not written in a week! Time flies sisters!

Yeah..So I am writing this with 15 hours left until back to work! Back to booking appointments, listening to patients complaints...being bossed around by a buncha nurses :) Al hamdullilah. I am excited and a bit scared...not of the job..but getting home at 5 something and having to take care of Jennah..and getting supper for the rest... hoping the teenagers will step up and help more...Incha'Allah.

This week was beautiful masha'Allah. Spring is in the air ! everyday was sunny and I got a lot of walks in...and clothes hung out on the line. I love the smell of clothes dried outside ! I did a lot of spring cleaning..which actually was not cleaning but rather finally organizing my important papers and bills from the past 10 years +. I was so overwhelmed, being a single working mom...taking care of my sick brother...waiting for my husband and trying to be a good new convert. I even traveled like almost 2 hours to work and same back most of this time. Sometimes in a car that didn't even have a heater. ( I would start the car..drive slowly another 25 minuted until I reached the Tim Horton;s and got a coffee there, which I held in my hand to defrost the windshield..with mittens on and hood over my head ! ) So opening letters and dealing with bills that I couldn't pay anyway..things just piled up and up and UP. At least I shoved them in one big box..well actually 3 big boxes lol. Anyway it's not quite done..but it's getting there. And yesterday the hubby cleaned out my closet and organized things. Al hamdulillah. I still have those hijabs to take care of but my funds are lacking at the moment, so the baskets I have on the shelf are just gonna have to be re-organized as neat as I can. I have decided on one of two choices. My first one is the cloth hanging shelves with drawers in.. would be super easy to reach and less on the floor.. or option # 2 would be plastic drawers, which would be places on the floor of my closet taking up space, but at least my shelf on top where the baskets are now will be free.. free for I dunno what! lol

The baby has been extra clingy too, not sure if it's cause of teething or that she can sense there is a change coming. She is used to going to daycare now so it will not be a change for her really. She is just so adorable and loving with the right amount of...lets say "spice" . haha the Arab part of her I say...

I've also been in touch with work this week.. getting some things settled. I had been working there over a year and they didn't yet have my name on my office door... so I asked for this... Said well, if u still wanna can me..then let me know instead of having me keep thinking its gonna happen cause I don;t have my name on the door lol In all fairness the person in charge was on mat leave when I started working so.. anyway she said she would get on that ! I don;t think I will be getting my same desk back. but that's ok...I mean the other secretary has been there for like I duno 15 years ! lol She was away on sick leave while I was working too, so I will be getting to work with her.I hear she is super funny and nice...another mommy for me hehe. There is a nurse's aid that works with us and I call her mommy Joanne.
Also I will be wearing a jelaba on my first day back! I wonder how that's gonna go? oh well best they get used to it lol

The worst thing about me going back to work is not being able to "hang" with my friend, Michele...whom I lovingly call Shelli. Masha'Allah..
just read her blog.. masha'allah. It's another reason I have not been writing...I'm sad :( Incha'ALlah we can still keep in touch. I really dunno what I would do without her to set me straight when my stupid brain starts acting up. or cheer me up when I have nothing to be cheerful about..or her Islamic advice and our supporting of each other with our arab husbands :) Most of all sharing our babies life together. I wish that I had the cash to go visit her again. Incha'Allah soon.
Here is the blog.. still no idea how to post a link properly..this blogger thing has changes so ur gonna have to paste and copy in ur browser ;)

http://insanemuslimahlife.blogspot.com/2010/03/to-wonderful-yet-selfish-cause-she-is.html

Anyways..I loves her much !! Allah blessed me to have you in my life sis :)
Aw man..now I am crying again... happy pills are not working !! lol

ok changing subject before I start blubbering so much I can't stop lol

other day..was walking with baby on sidewalk.. now I usually get stares or people "peeking" at me. Or maybe the usual ignore when I smile at someone passing me on the sidewalk. ( my daughter, Sarah, says I should stick my tongue out at them lol) anyhow... lotsa cars go by on this road and one lady was sooooo engrossed with the hijabi on the sidewalk that she did not notice the car in front of her stop at the stop sign! she came very very close to a big fender bender lol ...
( Ammena texted me to remind me to tell her about it ;) so here it is ) Nothing big .. and noone was hurt..but it's so funny the way people react. Typical of a Quebecer town.. I am sure u have all heard the niqaabi issues we are having ! Most people here have never even left their hometown to see other life in this world...it's kinda sad really.. we threaten their safe little existence. If they would only look outside of the box for once !

Anyway... I better get to work.. I have lots to do today... gonna put some chicken in the crock pot..then in fridge.. so all I gotta do is turn it on in the morning and let it cook all day..! yay for crock pots~!laundry.and preparing mentally...
hoping the hubby will make some paella....incha'Allah.

Keep me in ur prayers ya'll.. gonna need it ! Yesterday , I had somewhat of a meltdown.and pannick attack.. has not happened in a while...Just things seems to be coming at me in all directions...Incha'allah today will be better. I know everyne needs Duaas.. so my duaas are always with you all :)

OHHH also.. finally FINALLY got my new dining room table and chairs !! will post pics as soon as I get things set up around here. Incha'Allah.

FI Amenallah

Monday, March 8, 2010

Weekend stuff....




Assalaam alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatahu

Good Morning everyone !

Well, my weekend... it was a strange one. part of it was the worst time I have ever had in my life , but yet the sun was shining and was full of smiles and giggles.

It's hard to know , sometimes, if the choices we make are the right ones. For example, we say...nothing is worth having if it was easy to get. Or...there is the thought that if Allah wills it, then it should be easy and good. Is something bad happening to us because we have to learn more patience and sabr? Or is it to force us to let go ? Things have a way of repeating themselves until we get it right...don't u find? I do believe that everything happens for a reason, whether good or bad..

I do know one thing... when things are tough, it's a blow to our faith. Even though there is this saying that when the world brings you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray. But it's hard cause you had put faith and hopes in God's hands and it brought you pain. So why or how can you trust and submit again when you feel that it's probably just gonna get you hurt again? I have to admit , though, When things have been very difficult in the past, I prayed and asked God to help me and when I did. things immediately got better. It at least get's it off your shoulders and into God's hands.

When things are good... sometimes we put praying and trusting in God in the back of our minds. Course we are not supposed to.

On a sister's ( not my real sister.. sister in Islam ) blog I read today... that she had a hard time and was weak in faith and no one was there for her. I felt horrible. Why you ask? because I had noticed her withdrawal and a few times I had a feeling that she was headed down the wrong path. I didn't reach out to her. I thought that maybe It wasn't my place , us not being super close best friend's.. just pretty much acquaintances and share a few friends together. I pray she accepts my apology and finds it in her hear to forgive me, Incha'Allah. We really have to support each other in our deen. I have been blessed to be surrounded with sisters that help me. Al hamdulilah. but this came over time. It wasn't so in the beginning.
So please.. if you feel a sister is fading into the background or mentions some depressing things..or just needs a little lift.. take the time to reach out. Surround yourselves with good sisters that will do his for you as well. Cause one day you might be the one in need. ;)

Anyway enough of this thinking stuff !!

My baby girl is just such a joy to me and brings sunshine in my life. She is a very special baby for sure. Even when she is bad and has a temper...she is so darn cute !! Al hamdullilah for her :) ( and of course the other two...goes without saying..cause they have been my reason to live :))

My brother came to visit yesterday. It's almost a year since we moved apart. I miss him dearly. So we did some computer stuff and he spent some time with the kids and enjoyed the baby and her extreme naughtiness. hehe. Hated to see him leave though. I love my baby brother ! We had spaghetti and Salad...anyway he seems to enjoy himself too.

Also.. I got my hair cut and styled!! you might say.. why the heck does she even bother.. she wears a scarf over it lol Well those of you that knew me as a non-hijabi know that my best feature is my hair...and I have really let go...don't even brush it most days. it was almost down to my behind and all broken and dry..and tangled. I used to get my hair done every couple months...I had the softest...shiniest hair...and bouncy! but it had become literally a mop. My hair could be found everywhere..so much of it was falling out. I only wore it in a ponytail at home...when I once would even do my hair on weekends... I stopped this. Mostly cause I hated my hair. Maybe part of it was my depression. Well.... I can tell you... I went to a hair salon. A REAL one..not stupid Walmart where I have gone the past few times I got it trimmed like a year ago !! lol
( BTW sisters.. don't worry hubby gave me the ok ;), those who are not Muslim...a woman should not cut her hair without the husbands permission. It's an intimate part of their relationship that most men enjoy. It's not required that man have his wife's permission, however, he is supposed to be a pious man and love his wife and care about what pleases her and a good Muslim man will do whatever it takes and it's understood that he isn't required to do what she says BUT that he is a man that should know better and do so to benefit the marriage )
So ya...I got it washed..not thinking much about it.. I figured it would be just a quick get it over with kinda wash..cause truly the price they charge is a normal one and I did not expect more. But...sisters.. the hairdresser gave a scalp massage..oh MAN did it feel good!! al hamdullilah it was kinda funny cause the towel she used to put on my wet hair to go over to the hairdressing table..to keep me hidden , was not big enough !! my hair was too long for her towel! lol so then she proceeded in brushing and combing my hair in this very very relaxing way..if I was a cat, I would have purred ! I told her how I wanted it cut..and she clipped away...I was pretty impressed with her way of cutting... I haven't seen anything like that since I went to a fancy place in Canterbury , Kent, UK. where I spent a buncha cash to treat myself. so then she dried it with a hair dryer and the warm wind it made over and in my hair felt like heaven ....then VOILA... my bouncy, shiny long beautiful hair was back !! I felt like myself again! Where the heck have I been and why didn't I do this before?!! DUHHHHHH

So that's my lesson...when I am starting to feel down..go out and spend and spend 20, well spent, bucks and get my hair done!

Salams y'all I gotta go hang up some washing on this beautiful +2 Celsius weather then go shopping for my lil baby :)

Friday, March 5, 2010

Just to Share ;)


Thursday, March 4, 2010

Mon Travail...



Assalaam alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatahu

Well.. March 15th is coming soon! I am excited...and not even nervous a bit ! I am a born working girl..not a stay at home mom..being a stay at home mom is the hardest job ever. Morally ,intellectually, physically and especially emotionally. I would prefer to work 3 days a week and have 2 at home.. however, I chose to go back 4 days instead of 5. I should be getting pretty much the same pay as if I was working 5 days. I need the money!! am the sole supporter at the moment and been getting 55% of my salary since July on my mat leave. From February till then I was actually getting more than my salary...cause I was getting 75% from the Quebec parental place..(QPIP, whatever that stands for ! )and the rest up to 97 % was covered by the hospital I work at. We get a year off with pay and Canada allows up to 2 years off ( 1 paid, 1 not) but since I work at the hospital I can actually take up to 3 off... of course the last two will not be paid. Still..I know we are so blessed. I cannot understand how a mother can only get 6 weeks or less off and nurture her new born. It's really sad and for a country like USA. you'd think they would have something better than Canada... nope. ( I pray they get health care soon! ) Oh and did I mention the father can get time off paid too!! its a few weeks at least.I cannot remember..and he gets paid as well. Which is awesome!

I am going off track a little bit..forgive me :) Itto...commented the other day that she was curious as to what I do...and I realized there are some newer people to my blog that do not know.

I really do love my job and I worked very hard over the years to get the position I have. Al hamdullilah it is a blessing. I am a medical secretary at the Montreal Children's Hospital. here is a link... http://www.thechildren.com/en/
and a picture...



I am blessed to be part of such a wonderful team here and work with a bunch of very talented doctors and nurses. Al hamdullilah.

here are a few that I could find on the net and some info about them;

Dr Sam Daniel , is actually the same age as I and we both went to the same high school. His research and his known true care of patients is well-known and has saved many little lives, Al hamdullilah.

http://www.thechildren.com/en/research/mch.aspx?myID=106



There is also..the head of my department, Dr. Hema Patel, who has a deaf child of her own , contributed greatly to the coalition of getting newborns hearing screened, which will be starting very soon in Quebec as a routine exam for newborns.

http://www.thechildren.com/en/research/mch.aspx?myID=43

Anyway there are quit a few.. Dr. Louise Auger.. who is the head of the Multicultural department. here. they welcome new immigrants or refugees who do not yet have health care. it's a very important program which is necessary to update vaccinations...help the children to adapt. some even lose so much weight. Some have psychological problems if they come from a war torn country. We have a lot of children that have AIDS arrive with no care. We also have interpreters that are arranged by the hospital for those families that cannot speak French or English. She goes out of her way to help these people. I even know that she will go see where they are living to make sure they have what they need. She is an extraordinary woman.

there are so many more talented and caring people I work with. You can browse the site and visit all that we do.

I have worked pretty much with everyone there. I started out as a temp. Someone who is there to fill in when people are sick or on leave, or when they need extra work done. They could only promise me 2-3 days a week of work. But I worked full time right from the beginning. It is very difficult to find support staff that have an idea about medical stuff, like I do. I did this for about 5 years before I got a permanent position. I went through about 2 other permanent positions before this one I am in now became available. I did my "time" ;)

Some of you know that I have a daughter with a chronic disease. Sarah, who is now 13 has been followed there since she was 13 mths old for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Because of the Rheumatology team at this hospital, and of course, My hard work and care as a mother, my big baby girl can now walk and she pretty much lives pain free. At the moment she is in remission. Al hamdullilah.

Alos, My son, Nicholas, who is soon to be 16 this July,had also spent some time admitted there. When he was born, it was pretty dramatic. They had to use a ventouse to get him out and it made some trauma on his head. He was admitted to the Montreal Children's neonatal Intensive care unit hours after he was born. This wonderful team...have an ambulance in which they will travel far... where I was .. was almost 1 and a half hour drive.( COwansville) a team will come to the hospital and take ur baby safely to the Children's. They saved his life. Masha'Allah. he has some bleeding between his brain and skull which cleared up after a while.. and he is perfect now :) Al hamdullilah. Almost 6 feet tall and honor student ;) ( Sarah is as well :))

you can Imagine why I am working where I do. Right from the time in 1994 when Nicholas was born, I wanted to be part of a team like this and help families.. I say families because (this is the great part of where I work) the staff not only treats and cares for the child, they take care of all the family. When a child is sick... the whole family suffers and it's essential that these families are supported in order for their children to heal.

So now.. to explain what I DO ;) I work in the Intensive Ambulatory Care Service. lovingly known as the home care department. :)
here is the link: http://www.thechildren.com/en/departments/index.aspx?myDep=I&ID=56
(sorry folks the link thingy on here doesn't seem to work sooo. )

My job is to coordinate appointments...run clinics...triage calls to respective nurses and to greet patients,get results, type letters..and usual stuff. All this for these chronically ill patients. There are even adults. which is fun...Some of these patients need 24 hour nursing care. I try to coordinate all their appointments in one day...in one visit if I can. Sometimes its in different hospitals. Or coordinate and arrange for a bed if they need to be admitted. maybe some follow up care once they have been discharged. I often escort my patients to their tests so they do not have to wait. Can you imagine waiting an hour or two for blood tests with a new born on oxygen? no ehn?( ya I say "ehn" a lot..I am Canadian :P ) I make sure they don't have to. I feel my job is so important, because without me...the nurses and doctors cannot help their patients..and the patients might get worse...
I miss everyone so much too!!
Kinda form a close bond when u do this kinda work ;)

What I am looking forward too , as well, is having some time OF MY OWN. This place is downtown Montreal and can visit cool restaurant...shopping..and neat things.I can LIVE again! yippie !

so I will leave u on that note and get back to work at home.. lots to do today!!

Fi Amenallah

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Happiness is not something we find, it's something we create.



Assalaam alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatahu and Salut a tous :)

yeah.. I'm from Quebec, Canada so I speaka da french. :) (btw...YAY for Canadian hockey team !! you rock! )

I am feeling pretty good today al hamdullilah, despite having a stoopid allergic reaction. my eyeball swelled up! not around the eye..the actual EYEBALL. I am allergic to housecleaning haha.

My insane muslimah sister(she's not really insane, she only thinks she is lol)....insanemuslimahlife.blogspot.com has restarted her blog al hamdullilah and gotten her teenage daughter to start too. I hope that it's gonna be a good way for us to communicate because really I would not have survived this long in my life or marriage without her. Mahsa'Allah. Gonna miss her terribly but I guess it's time for us both to make some changes for ourselves and for our families incha'allah. I am really gonna miss her terribly ! and if you look at her posts..(tear rolling down my cheek) she really gets me. It's really strange how life goes you know. and to think we only actually met in real life this past summer. Seems like I've known her forever and we were just visiting and catching up lol. God really blessed me with her sisterhood. I say sisterhood cause being just friends does not do justice enough to how much she means to me. Masha'Allah.

Anywhow ! I did not sit here to write about this actually it just came out. Sorry for the gushing !! lol ( I am sure there will be more about that subject in the future when I start going through withdrawal of our daily conversations...)
I am truly blessed with a few sisters who I speak to everyday in one way or another. blogs will prob mention them in the future too!.

I wanted to write about my Title for today. I was shuffling for a status on facebook this morning and came across this one. it occurred to me how true this was and how I was just kinda feeling sorry for myself instead of MAKING things better.I used to be this way.. way back when.. dunno what happen to me..but I guess sometimes things happen and bring us to our knees and it's really hard to get back up again. So no more waiting for happiness to find me... gonna go out and get it myself dang it !

So I wanted to share that with y'all. ;)

this , too, I wanna share.. cause I love this song :) I know it's cheesy..but heck... I love it !



Oh and thanks to my new followers...glad to see u :)

Fi Amenallah

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Storing Hijabs...gota be a trick out there someplace!



Assalaam alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatahu

Well folks.. so like... I have been a full time Hijabi ( I say this because I know a lot of part time ones! ) I have tried a few ways of storing my Hiajbs..but always fail to keep them organized and neat.

First was the hangers...plain hangers... that didn't work.. then a friend/sis (Andi) suggested a laundry basket...wrinkled hijabs...so nope...
now, I have them in these 3 baskets in my closet. at first was very neat..but u have to rifle through to chose. Which ends up in a total mess again with hijab hanging out and eventually falling all over the place. (see the last photo...that's my present way to store my scarves)

So made me wonder...what the heck do other Hijabis do? I did a search and came up with all these different ways. ( see the numerous photos below )

So, sisters.. please comment and help me to find the best way for Hijab storing??







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Friday, February 26, 2010

Friday.. Jummah Mubarak



Assalaam alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatahu!

So here I am....Al hamdullilah. Feeling a little bit better today. May Allah grant me more sabr and Patience Incha'Allah.

Baby Jennah is off to the sitters in a while and the hubby is home... we'll see what progresses. Got lots of cuddles from the lil one..she is quite the lil kisser and huggger :) Masha'Allah. Teens are off to school.. But next week..my last week on Mat leave...they will be home. so lots of work!! cooking and trying to organize them is a task in it itself! I really dunno how a friend of mine that has 11 can even get through the day! I know she really relies on her cuppa ;) as do I haha. ( hope she starts blogging soon.. yeah , Karen u know who u are ! )

A sister sent me this site...
I signed up for a trial... see what happens.

Salams for now..gtg get things done !

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Today....



Today is a bad day....just when I think things can't get worse...
please make duaa for me
Jazak'Allah khair

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

My latest order from Shukr.....


Assalaam alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatahu!

Well Al hamdulillah I did something that made me very happy this weekend. I ordered myself some clothes for going back to work. The stuff I have is stuff that I have had for at least 3 years and everything is starting to get faded and worn. ( oh except for a dress and a sweater I ordered Via my sis in Islam Andi last summer ) I've Always counted on Ammena to help get the clothes I need...but now I did it all by my own ;) I'm a big girl now ! hahaha.

I have orders from Shukr before and I love their designs. Clothes I can easily wear to work and feel comfortable and not having things hang and drag all over the place. The stuff is always comfortable and actually FITS!! The clothes are more like western clothing and not full of all kinds of colours and glittering things. Not that I don't like all that stuff..but it just isn't ME for everyday wear.

Anyhow.. I listened to my "Muslimah Stylist", Nermine..and got some colours hahaha. I have always stuck pretty much to black, blue, brown or white hahaha. "safe" colurs! So sis... I might need ur help to match up some hijabs with this stuff. k?

OH... and everything fit..but I made a stupid mistake and ordered the wrong size for one of the prettiest items, the lemon blouse. I tried to pass it off on my other daughter, Sarah who is 13..but no way..not her "thang". So I am going to return it and see if I can get the correct size..

Also.. I made the order on SUNDAY and received it TUESDAY !! I was amazed. Al hamdulillah.

Here they are !










Monday, February 22, 2010

Ruling on celebrating the birthday of the Prophet


Praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and all his family and companions.


The commands mentioned in the Qur’aan and Sunnah to follow the laws of Allah and His Messenger, and the prohibitions on introducing innovations into the religion are quite clear. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’aan and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins’” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:31]

“Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord (the Qur’aan and Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah), and follow not any Awliyaa’ (protectors and helpers who order you to associate partners in worship with Allah), besides Him (Allah). Little do you remember!”

[al-A’raaf 7:3]

“And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path”

[al-A’naam 6:153]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“The most truthful of speech is the Book of Allah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, and the most evil of things are those which are newly-invented.” And he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever innovates anything in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam), that is not part of it will have it rejected.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 2697; Muslim, no. 1718). According to a version narrated by Muslim, “Whoever doe anything that is not in accordance with this matter of ours (i.e., Islam), will have it rejected.”

Among the reprehensible innovations that people have invented is the celebration of the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the month of Rabee’ al-Awwal. They celebrate this occasion in various ways:

# Some of them simply make it an occasion to gather and read the story of the Mawlid, then they present speeches and qaseedahs (odes) for this occasion.


# Some of them make food and sweets etc., and offer them to the people present.


# Some of them hold these celebrations in the mosques, and some of them hold them in their houses.


# Some people do not limit themselves to the actions mentioned above; they include in these gatherings haraam and reprehensible things, such as free mixing of men and women, dancing and singing, or committing actions of shirk such as seeking the help of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), calling upon him, seeking his support against their enemies and so on.



Whatever form it takes and whatever the intentions of those who do this are, there is no doubt whatsoever that it is an invented, haraam innovation which was introduced by the Shi’a Faatimids after the three best centuries, in order to corrupt the religion of the Muslims. The first person to do this after them was the king al-Muzaffar Abu Sa’eed Kawkaboori, the king of Irbil, at the end of the sixth century or the beginning of the seventh century AH, as was mentioned by the historians such as Ibn Khalkaan and others. Abu Shaamah said: the first person to do that in Mosul was Shaykh ‘Umar ibn Muhammad al-Malaa, one of the well-known righteous people. Then the ruler of Irbil and others followed his example.

Al-Haafiz Ibn Katheer said in al-Bidaayah wa’l-Nihaayah (13/137), in his biography of Abu Sa’eed Kazkaboori: “He used to observe the Mawlid in Rabee’ al-Awwal and hold a huge celebration on that occasion… some of those who were present at the feast of al-Muzaffar on some occasions of the Mawlid said that he used to offer in the feast five thousand grilled heads of sheep, ten thousand chickens and one hundred thousand large dishes, and thirty trays of sweets… he would let the Sufis sing from Zuhr until Fajr, and he himself would dance with them.”

Ibn Khalkaan said in Wafiyaat al-A’yaan (3/274): “When it is the first of Safar they decorate those domes with various kinds of fancy adornments, and in every dome there sits a group of singers and a group of puppeteers and players of musical instruments, and they do not leave any one of those domes without setting up a group (of performers) there.

The people give up work during this period, and they do no work except going around and watching the entertainment. When there are two days to go until the Mawlid, they bring out a large number of camels, cows and sheep, more than can be described, and they accompany them with all the drums, songs and musical instruments that they have, until they bring them to the square… On the night of the Mawlid there are performances of nasheed after Maghrib in the citadel.”

This is the origin of this celebration on the occasion of the Prophet’s birthday. More recently idle entertainment, extravagance, and wasting of money and time have become associated with an innovation for which Allah has not sent down any authority.

What Muslims should do is to revive the Sunnah and put an end to bid’ah (innovation); they should not do any action until they know the ruling of Allah concerning it.

Ruling on celebrating the Prophet’s birthday

Celebrating the occasion of the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is forbidden and is to be rejected for a number of reasons:

1 – it is not part of the Sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or of the khaleefahs who succeeded him. Since this is the case, then it is a forbidden innovation, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “I urge you to follow my Sunnah and the way of the rightly-guided khaleefahs after me; adhere to it and cling to it firmly. Beware of newly-invented things, for every newly-invented thing is an innovation (bid’ah) and every innovation is a going-astray.” (Narrated by Ahmad, 4/126; al-Tirmidhi no. 2676).

Celebrating the Mawlid is an innovation introduced by the Shi’a Faatimids after the three best centuries in order to corrupt the religion of the Muslims. If a person does anything in order to draw closer to Allah which was not done by the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or enjoined by him, and was not done by the khaleefahs who succeeded him, this action implies that he is accusing the Messenger of not explaining the religion to the people, and that he disbelieves in the words of Allah (interpretation of the meaning):

“This day, I have perfected your religion for you”
[al-Maa'idah 5:3]

because he is adding something extra and claiming that it is a part of the religion, but the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not bring this.

2 – Celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is an imitation of the Christians, because they celebrate the birth of the Messiah (peace be upon him). Imitating them is extremely haraam. The hadeeth tells us that it is forbidden to imitate the kuffaar, and we are commanded to differ from them. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them” (narrated by Ahmad, 2/50; Abu Dawood, 4/314). And he said, “Be different from the mushrikeen” (narrated by Muslim, 1/222, no. 259) – especially with regard to things that are the symbols or rituals of their religion.

3 – Besides being bid’ah and an imitation of the Christians, both of which are haraam, celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is also a means that leads to exaggeration and excess in venerating him, which even goes as far as calling upon him (making du’aa’ to him) and seeking his help, instead of calling upon Allah, as happens now among many of those who observe the bid’ah of the Mawlid, when they call upon the Messenger instead of Allah, and ask him for support, and sing qaseedahs (odes) of shirk praising him, like Qaseedat al-Burdah etc. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade going to extremes in praising him, as he said: “Do not extol as the Christians extolled the son of Maryam. For I am just His slave, so say, the slave of Allah and His Messenger” (narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4/142, no. 3445; al-Fath, 6/551), i.e., do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the Messiah and venerated him until they worshipped him instead of Allah. Allah forbade them to do that when he said (interpretation of the meaning):

“O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allah aught but the truth. The Messiah ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah and His Word, (“Be!” — and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Rooh) created by Him”
[al-Nisaa’ 4:171]

Our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade us to exaggerate concerning him lest the same thing happen to us as happened to them, so he said: “Beware of exaggeration, for those who came before you were destroyed because of exaggeration” (narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 5/268; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan al-Nasaa’i, no. 2863).

4 – Observing the innovation of the Prophet’s birthday opens the door to other kinds of bid’ah and being distracted by them from the Sunnah. Hence you find that the innovators are very active when it comes to bid’ah and very lazy when it comes to the Sunnah; they hate it and regard those who follow it as enemies, until their entire religion is innovated anniversaries and Mawlids. They have split into various groups, each of which commemorates the anniversary of its imaam’s birth, such as the births of al-Badawi, Ibn ‘Arabi, al-Dasooqi and al-Shaadhili. No sooner do they end the celebration of one birthday but they start the celebration of another. This results in exaggeration concerning these dead people and others, and in calling upon them instead of Allah, believing that they can bring benefit and cause harm, until they deviate from the religion of Allah and go back to the religion of the people of the Jaahiliyyah of whom Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And they worship besides Allah things that harm them not, nor profit them, and they say: ‘These are our intercessors with Allah’”
[Yoonus 10:18]

“And those who take Awliyaa’ (protectors, helpers, lords, gods) besides Him (say): ‘We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah’”
[al-Zumar 39:3]



Discussing the specious arguments of those who celebrate the Mawlid


Those who think that this bid’ah should be continued produce specious arguments which are flimsier than a spider’s web. These specious arguments may be dealt with as follows:

1 – Their claim that this is veneration of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him):

The response to that is that the way to venerate him is to obey him, do as he commanded and avoid that which he forbade, and to love him; he is not to be venerated through innovations, myths and sins. Celebrating his birthday is of this blameworthy type because it is a sin. The people who venerated the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) the most were the Sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with them), as ‘Urwah ibn Mas’ood said to Quraysh: “O people, by Allah I have visited kings. I went to Caesar, Chosroes and the Negus, but by Allah I never saw a king whose companions venerated him as much as the companions of Muhammad venerated Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). By Allah, whenever he spat it never fell on the ground, it fell into into the hand of one his companions, then they wiped their faces and skins with it. If he instructed them to do something, they would hasten to do as he commanded. When he did wudoo’, they would almost fight over his water. When he spoke they would lower their voices in his presence; and they did not stare at him out of respect for him.” (al-Bukhaari, 3/178, no. 2731, 2732; al-Fath, 5/388). Yet despite this level of veneration, they never took the day of his birth as an ‘Eid (festival). If that had been prescribed in Islam they would not have neglected to do that.

2 – Using as evidence the fact that many people in many countries do this.

The response to that is that evidence consists of that which is proven from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and what is proven from the Prophet is that innovations are forbidden in general, and this is an innovation. What people do, if it goes against the evidence (daleel), does not prove anything, even if many of them do it.

“And if you obey most of those on the earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah's path”
[al-An’aam 6:116 – interpretation of the meaning]

Nevertheless, in every age, praise be to Allah, there have always been those who denounce this bid’ah and state clearly that it is false. Those who persist in following it after the truth had been explained to them have no proof.

Among those who denounced the celebration of this occasion was Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, in Iqtidaa’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem; Imaam al-Shaatibi in al-‘I’tisaam; Ibn al-Haaj in al-Madkhil; Shaykh Taaj al-Deen ‘Ali ibn ‘Umar al-Lakhami who wrote an entire book denouncing it; Shaykh Muhammad Basheer al-Sahsawaani al-Hindi in his book Siyaanah al-Insaan; al-Sayyid Muhammad Rasheed Ridaa wrote a separate essay on this topic; Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem Aal al-Shaykh wrote a separate essay on it; Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz; and others who are still writing and denouncing this bid’ah every year in the pages of newspapers and magazines, at the time when this bid’ah is being done.

3 – They say that by celebrating the Mawlid they are keeping the memory of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) alive.

The answer to that is that the memory of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is constantly kept alive by the Muslim, such as when his name (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is mentioned in the adhaan and iqaamah and in khutbahs, and every time the Muslim recites the Shahaadatayn after doing wudoo’ and in the prayers, and every time he sends blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in his prayers and when he is mentioned, and every time the Muslim does a waajib (obligatory) or mustahabb (recommended) action that was prescribed by the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). In all of these ways (the Muslim) remembers him and the reward equivalent to the reward of the one who does that action goes back to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Thus the Muslim constantly keeps the memory of the Messenger alive and has a connection with him night and day throughout his life through that which Allah has prescribed, not only on the day of the Mawlid and things which are bid’ah and go against the Sunnah, for that puts one at a distance from the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and the Messenger will disown him because of that.

The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has no need of this innovated celebration, because Allah has already bestowed veneration and respect upon him, as He says:

“and raised high your fame”
[al-Sharh 94:4]

For Allah is not mentioned in the adhaan, iqaamah or khutbah, but the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is mentioned after Him; this is sufficient veneration, love and renewal of his memory, ad sufficient encouragement to follow him.

Allah did not refer to the birth of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the Qur’aan, rather He referred to his Mission, and says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Indeed, Allah conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves”
[Aal ‘Imraan 3:124]

“He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves”
[al-Jumu’ah 64:2]

4 – They may say that the celebration of the Prophet’s birthday was introduced by a knowledgeable and just king who intended thereby to draw closer to Allah.

Our response to that is that bid’ah is not acceptable, no matter who does it. A good intention does not justify a bad deed and even if a person died as a knowledgeable and righteous person, this does not mean that he was infallible.

5 – They say that celebrating the mawlid comes under the heading of bid’ah hasanah (“good innovation”) because it is based on giving thanks to Allah for the Prophet!

Our response to that is that there is nothing good in innovation. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever innovates anything in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam), that is not part of it will have it rejected.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 2697; al-Fath, 5/355). And he said, “Every innovation is a going astray” (narrated by Ahmad, 4/126; al-Tirmidhi, no. 2676). The ruling on innovations is that they are all misguidance, but this specious argument suggests that not every bid’ah is a going astray, rather there are good innovations.

Al-Haafiz ibn Rajab said in Sharh al-Arba’een: “The words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), ‘every innovation is a going astray’ is a concise but comprehensive comment which includes everything; it is one of the most important principles of religion. It is like his words ‘Whoever innovates anything in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam), that is not part of it will have it rejected.’ (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3/167, no. 2697; al-Fath, 5/355). Whoever innovates anything and attributes it to Islam when it has no basis in the religion, this is a going astray and is nothing to do with Islam, whether that has to do with matters of belief (‘aqeedah) or outward and inward words and deeds.”
(Jaami’ al-‘Uloom wa’l-Hakam, p. 233)

These people have no proof that there is any such thing as a “good innovation” apart from the words of ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) concerning Taraaweeh prayers, “What a good innovation this is.” (Saheeh al-Bukhaari, 2/252, no. 2010 mu’allaqan; al-Fath 4/294).

They also said that things were innovated which were not denounced by the salaf, such as compiling the Qur’aan into one volume and writing and compiling the hadeeth.

The response to that is that these matters had a basis in Islam, so they were not newly-invented.

‘Umar said: “What a good bid’ah” meaning innovation in the linguistic sense, not in the shar’i sense. Whatever has a basis in Islam, if it is described as an innovation, is an innovation in the linguistic sense, not in the shar’i sense, because innovation in the shar’i sense means that which has no basis in Islam.

Compiling the Qur’aan into one book has a basis in Islam, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had commanded that the Qur’aan be written down, but it was scattered, so the Sahaabah compiled it in one volume so as so protect and preserve it.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) led his companions in praying Taraaweeh for a while, then he stopped doing that, lest that become obligatory on them. The Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) continued to pray it separately during the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and after his death, until ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with them) gathered them behind one imaam as they used to pray behind the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). This was not an innovation introduced into the religion.

Writing down the hadeeth also has a basis in Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ordered that some ahaadeeth should be written down for some of his companions when they asked him for that. In general terms writing it down during his lifetime was not allowed, for fear that the Qur’aan might be mixed with things that were not part of it. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) died, this fear was no longer a factor, because the Qur’aan had been completed and arranged in order before he died. The Muslims compiled the Sunnah after that in order to preserve it and keep it from being lost. May Allah reward them with good on behalf of Islam and the Muslims, because they preserved the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of their Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) from being lost or being tampered with.

We may also say to them: why was this act of thanksgiving, as they call it, not done by the best generations, the Sahaabah, Taabi’een and followers of the Taabi’een, who loved the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) most and who were most keen to do good and give thanks? Are those who introduced the innovation of the Mawlid more rightly-guided than them? Do they give more thanks to Allaah? Definitely not!

6 – They may say that celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is indicative of their love for him; this is one way of showing that, and showing love of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is prescribed in Islam!

The answer to that is that undoubtedly loving the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is obligatory for every Muslim; he should love him more than he loves himself, his child, his father and all the people – may my father and mother be sacrificed for him – but that does not mean that we should introduce innovations for doing so that have not been prescribed for us. Loving him dictates that we should obey him and follow him, for that is one of the greatest manifestations of love, as it is said:

“If your love is sincere then obey him; for the lover obeys the one whom he loves.”

Loving the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) implies keeping his Sunnah alive, adhering firmly to it, and avoiding words and deeds that go against it. Undoubtedly everything that goes against his Sunnah is a reprehensible innovation (bid’ah) and a manifest act of disobedience. That includes celebrating his birthday and other kinds of bid’ah. A good intention does not mean that it is permissible to introduce innovations into the religion. Islam is based on two things, purity of intention and following [the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)]. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Yes, but whoever submits his face (himself) to Allaah (i.e. follows Allaah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism) and he is a Muhsin (a doer of good) then his reward is with his Lord (Allaah), on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve”
[al-Baqarah 2:112]

Submitting one’s face to Allaah means being sincere towards Allaah, and doing good means following the Messenger and implementing the Sunnah.

7 – Another of their specious arguments is when they say that by celebrating the Mawlid and reading the biography of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on this occasion, they are encouraging people to follow his example!



We say to them that reading the biography of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and following his example are required of the Muslim all the time, all year long and throughout his life. Singling out a specific day for that with no evidence for doing so is an innovation, and every innovation is a going astray.” (Narrated by Ahmad, 4/164; al-Tirmidhi, 2676). Bid’ah does not bear any fruit but evil and it leads to a person distancing himself from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

In conclusion, celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), whatever form it takes, is a reprehensible innovation. The Muslims should put a stop to this and other kinds of bid’ah, and occupy themselves with reviving and adhering to the Sunnah. They should not be deceived by those who promote and defend this bid’ah, for these types of people are more interested in keeping innovations alive than in reviving the Sunnah; they may not even care about the Sunnah at all. Whoever is like this, it is not permissible to imitate him or follow his example, even if the majority of people are like this. Rather we should follow the example of those who follow the path of the Sunnah, among the righteous salaf and their followers, even if they are few. Truth is not measured by the men who speak it, rather men are measured by the truth.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever among you lives (for a long time) will see many differences. I urge you to follow my Sunnah and the way of the rightly-guided khaleefahs who come after me. Hold on to it firmly. Beware of newly-invented matters, for every innovation is a going astray.” (Narrated by Ahmad, 4/126; al-Tirmidhi no. 2676). So the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) explained to us in this hadeeth what we should do when there are differences of opinion, just as he explained that everything that goes against his Sunnah, be it words or deeds, is a bid’ah, and every bid’ah is a going astray.

If we see that there is no basis for celebrating the birthday of the Prophet, whether in the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or in the way of the rightly-guided khaleefahs, then it is one of the newly-invented matters, one of the bid’ahs which lead people astray. This principle is what is implied by this hadeeth and is what is indicated by the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination”
[al-Nisaa’ 4:59]

Referring to Allaah means referring to His Book, and referring to the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) means referring to his Sunnah after he has passed away. The Qur’aan and Sunnah are the reference point in cases of dispute. Where in the Qur’aan or Sunnah does it indicate that it is prescribed in Islam to celebrate the Prophet’s birthday? Whoever does that or thinks that it is good must repent to Allaah from this and from other kinds of bid’ah. This is the attitude of the Muslim who is seeking the truth. But whoever is too stubborn and arrogant after proof has been established, then his reckoning will be with his Lord.

We ask Allaah to help us adhere to His Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger until the Day when we will meet Him. May Allaah grant blessings and peace to our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

Huqooq al-Nabi (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) bayna al-Ijlaal wa’l-Ikhlaal, p. 139

By: Shaykh Dr. Saalih ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan
Member of the Committee of Senior Scholars, Saudi Arabia