 |
| The First Ramadan
by Ibrahim Naseem
|
| |
We celebrate Ramadan and fast each of its days. But what happened in Ramadan that makes it a special month? Here's a narrative about the FIRST RAMADAN and God's revelation of the Quran to His final Messenger.
In the far western part of the Arabian Peninsula, there is Mecca, the most visited city on earth. Tens of millions of people travel each year to the ancient city to carry out rites of worship that date back to Abraham.
Less than fifty miles from the Red Sea, Mecca sits in an extremely hot and barren valley surrounded by rows of brown rocky mountain ranges that are harsh and terribly rugged. Nestled among the ranges, there is a plain mountain that the Arabs have come to call Mount Nur, on top of which is a small shallow cave called Hira.
Fourteen centuries ago, a slender forty-year-old man with dark hair and a black beard climbed the crags of this mountain to take refuge in the cave. There, he had elevation; he was alone; and he had plenty of time to reflect on matters that concerned him most, especially the condition of his people below and the awful chaos in which they lived.
Mecca's folk were called the Quraysh, a large Arab clan that descended from the prophet Ishmael, the son of Abraham. Both Abraham and Ishmael (peace be upon them) once made Mecca their home thousands of years before. In the seventh century however, the Quraysh were the official caretakers of Mecca and had been for some time. The clan was composed of several families that often fought bitterly with one another, raiding and running off with goods, herds of camels, and captives.
By all calculations, Mecca was a tough town to live in at the time. It was not unusual to hear, for example, the terrible cries of a newborn baby instantly muffled by a pile of gravel thrown upon her face and body--buried alive for nothing more than being a female infant. Drunkenness and gambling were popular sports. The men and women of Quraysh adored stones and lumber, calling them gods. There were more than 360 idols strewn throughout Mecca, the once noble town of Abraham and Ishmael. How this sacred land was transformed into a parlor of idolatry and lawlessness was a question the man in the cave asked himself.
One night in Ramadan, the ninth month of the Arabian calendar in the year 610, this man's life changed. Out from the dark, in the cave, he heard a voice, an angel that spoke to him and demanded that he "read!" The voice startled the man and confused him, since he did not know how to read. In fact, he told the angel exactly this. But it didn't matter. The command came again, demanding that he "read" in the "name of his Lord" who created him and all people, a Lord who was neither of stone or wood, but the unseen God of Abraham and the one Lord of the heavens and the earth.
The man descended quickly down the rocky slope of the mountain. Nearly overwhelmed by fright, he thought that he had gone mad. He rushed home to his wife of fifteen years, his dear Khadija bint Khuwaylid. Visibly shaken by the awesome experience, he asked her to comfort him, to cover him, to soothe him, which she did immediately. She placed over his body a mantle and then waited for him to calm down, until he was able to tell her what had frightened him so much. She listened closely as he eventually recounted the event. She reassured him, saying that nothing evil had come to him, that he was not possessed at all. She later told him more: that God, the very one this voice spoke about, would never cause him harm. It was a special call that others before him had once received, the elect of humanity, like Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. The man tried to rest and understand what had happened to him that night.
Though he didn't realize it at the time, this call would not go away. More words would come, words of amazing power and eloquence. They would alter the way he and his people lived. In fact, soon the entire Arabian peninsula and the region of the world known as the "cradle of civilization" would change. A new dawn would break, a religious movement would shortly sweep the region. The whole world eventually would hear of this man's message about one God, the purpose of life, and the nearing of Ultimate Judgment.
The final chapter of religion started with this man and his wife. But there would come a day in which more than a billion people of all languages and colors all over the globe would love and revere him more than any human being. They would strive to do as he did, live the way he lived, worship the way he worshipped, and speak the words he spoke.
Muhammad ibn Abdullah, the Prophet of Islam, the Messenger of God, or Abu'l-Qasim: This is how he is known. God's peace and blessings be upon him. The time between his call and his triumph however, would be one of struggle that would test him and his band of followers. He would be ridiculed, betrayed, accused, injured, and nearly assassinated. He would be slandered, called a soothsayer, sorcerer, and madman. He would be boycotted and stalked. He would be driven away. His food would be poisoned. And he would bleed from stones thrown at him. Some of his followers would be tortured in public. Some killed. Others would flee. But the Prophet persevered and God's Will would not be frustrated. God's religion was established during those special 23 years so that Truth would endure on earth so long as day and night endure.
|
| The Act of Admiration
by Ibrahim Naseem
|
| |
The Quran tells the story of Korah (Qârûn), who was a well-known man among the Children of Israel. He was blessed with enormous wealth, such that it took several men to merely carry the keys to his treasure chests. 
Many among his people admired Korah for his wealth and hoped with all their hearts that they too would be given Korah's kind of wealth. But there was a problem. We're told in the Quran that Korah was an ungrateful man who flaunted his wealth and status, attributing the amassing of his fortune to his sheer intelligence and talent.
The knowledgeable among the Israelites, however, warned Korah's admirers that God's reward is far better than what now captured their fancies and imbibed their hearts. The warning was especially sharp since the problem with Korah was not his wealth per se, but his arrogance and the lost opportunity to have done good with his provision. In due time, God caused the earth to sink beneath Korah's feet, taking down with him his wealth and home-everything that drew the attention of his admirers and bewitched their eyes. The next morning, after having seen what had happened to Korah, the spell broke and his admirers saw the folly of their obsession with Korah's wealth. They were now grateful that they were not taken down with Korah, and they affirmed the fact that all wealth is from God and our thanks are due to Him.
The lesson to take from this archetypical treatment of Korah is simple but important: People must be aware of where they direct their admiration. We live in a time in which there is great pressure to love something simple for some commercial gain. It has become natural to admire the wealthy and read their books so that we may learn their "secrets" and do as they do. But the admirers do so with absolutely no idea how the wealth was attained, who was cheated, what idea was stolen, what unprincipled decisions helped secure it, and how little of it actually makes it into the hands of the needy or provokes gratitude.
To "admire" something is as much of a "deed" as anything that we do with our bodies. What goes on in our minds has conditioning power. The story of Korah is told in the Quranic verses 28:76-82. It is always edifying to turn to it when the material world and its miserly wielders start to catch our fancy. It is good to also remember one of the supplications of the Prophet Muhammad: "O God, bless us with love toward the needy." And this "love" may be translated into spending on their behalf, which is profoundly part of the Ramadan ethos.
|
|
Mosque Foundation, in partnership with CAIR-Illinois and Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) is proud to be an active leader in mobilizing the Muslim vote this year.
Purpose of Voting:
We want to make our community visible to our elected officials.
We want to demand change in our broken immigration system.
Make our voice heard to our elected officials and demand change.
CAMPAIGN GOALS:
1,000 New Registered Voters
3,000 People at Poll Site
100 Volunteers Election Day
It is crucial for the Muslim Community to get each and every qualified person registered to vote, and go on to vote in this year's election NOVEMBER 4, 2008!!!
YOUR VOTE IS POWER!!!
YOUR VOICE IS POWER!!!
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!!!
You too can help make the Muslim Vote 2008 Campaign a success. We are looking for dedicated volunteers and organizers who are willing to help register people to vote, make phone calls, knock on doors, organize events and become a community leader.
If you are interested in joining the effort and making a difference in the Muslim Community please contact Nadia Abusumayah at (708) 743-2012 or email at e_nadiamail@yahoo.com
|
|
Pay Your Zakat Online Today!
|
|
Ramadan Prayer Schedule
Isha & Taraweeh Prayer-9 PM
Qiyam al Lail in the last 10 nights of Ramadan starts on Ramadan 21st, 1 1/2 hours before Fajr.
Iqama for Fajr Prayer during the last 10 nights of Ramadan will be 10 minutes after athan.
|
|
|
|
 Message From the Imam: Ramadan, The Believer's Fortress
I pray that Allah blesses each of you with the best of the blessed month of Ramadan. It is a month of remembrance and reflection, a time for renewed faith and spiritual elevation. We are fortunate to witness the coming of the month, and I pray that our worship and charitable deeds are accepted and multiplied.
There are not enough words to cover all the blessings associated with this month. So in this article I would like to remind you, as I remind myself, of the wisdom of increasing our supplication (prayer or du'a) in Ramadan, that is, calling upon Allah for guidance, help, protection for ourselves and for others, healing, and all that we need to be successful in this life and the next. I would like to focus on a few supplications that the Prophet recommended that we make often. They are especially appropriate for our times.
No one goes through life without experiencing worry and fear. Sometimes these feelings are severe and appear to be overwhelming. But never should a believer despair of God's mercy, for He promises that with difficulty there is ease. The following prayers or supplications of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) are fortresses for the soul. We take recourse to them to keep the difficulties and trials of life from driving us to despair or a weakened faith (imân). When these prayers are said with full heart, sincerity, and confidence that God will answer them, they become very powerful words in our lives.
Among the greatest of supplications is one that is very well known for the removal of worry and the lifting of grief and anxiety. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that whoever says the following supplication, God will remove for him his worry and grief and replace them with relief: "O God, I am Your servant, son of Your  servant, son of Your maidservant. My forelock is in Your Hand. Your decree for me is done, and Your judgment upon me is ever just. I ask You by every one of Your names-which You have named Yourself or have taught to anyone among Your creation or revealed in Your Book or have kept concealed with Yourself in the realm of the unseen-to make the Quran the springtime of my heart, the light within my chest, the departure of my sadness, and the vanishing of my worries." What is meant by "son of Your servant, son of Your maidservant" is "son of my father and mother, who are Your servants."
To live and die with sound belief in God as One, without peer or partner, is the greatest blessing a person can achieve. And to affirm this in one's life is a source of relief from worry. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that one should repeat often the following words (here translated), especially when one is stricken with difficulty and grief, "O God! O God is my Lord! I do not associate anything with Him." What "associate" implies here is associating beings with God as part of His Lordship and power, which is idolatry.
Whenever confronted by worry or difficulty, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would say, "There is no God but Allah, the Great, the Gentle. There is no God but Allah, Lord of the magnificent Throne. There is no God but Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth. There is no God but Allah, the All-Generous, Lord of the Throne."
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "O God, Your mercy I beseech. Do not leave me for a moment in my soul's charge. And set aright for me all of my affairs. There is no God but You."
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that whoever says the following supplication will find relief for his debts: "O God, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief. And I seek refuge in You from infirmity and laziness. And I seek refuge in You from miserliness and cowardice, and I seek refuge in You from the dominance of debt and the tyranny of men."
Praying that God blesses His Messenger and that He sends peace upon him invites relief from worries and concerns. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would often say to his Companions, "O people, remember God. Remember God. The [Day of Judgment] has come with its convulsions, followed by others. Death will arrive and all that comes with it. Death will arrive and all that comes with it." One of the Companions asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), "I have increased my prayers [that Allah] bless you. How much of my [remembrance] should be such prayers for you?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him, "As much as you wish. If you make it much, it will be good for you." The Companion then asked, "What if I make it two-thirds of my remembrance." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him, "As much as you wish. If you make it more, it will be good for you." The Companion said, "What if I make all of my remembrance as prayers for you?" The Prophet then said, "In this case, your worries will be removed and your sins forgiven." The Prophet Muhammad, we must remember, was aware of his role as God's final Messenger. His counsel to this Companion was not about ego, but a profound understanding of what it means to love God's beloved, to pray for the one whom God has chosen as His last apostle, and to be generous with one whom God has generously endowed with great wisdom and insight.
There are countless beautiful supplications to make during this month and all the months of our lives. Let us revive these and keep them throughout the year. May Allah accept our good deeds and forgive us and grant us mercy.
Sh. Jamal Said
.
|
 Message From the President: What Not to Do This Ramadan
It is common knowledge for Muslims that Ramadan is the month of fasting for all capable adults who have no valid exemptions. Simply stated, fasting in Ramadan means abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and intimate marital relations from dawn to sunset everyday for the whole month.
However, what many of us forget is that the stated definition is only the basic act of fasting; and beneath the simplicity lies a much bigger and more  important set of do's and don'ts if we truly wish to derive the full benefit of our fasting.
Over the ages, innovations and cultural norms and customs crept in and mixed with the pristine worship, thereby tarnishing its true meaning. Instead of focusing on the aspects of worship, purification of the soul, and reflecting on the mercy of this blessed month in our behaviors, we tend to spoil our fasting by indulging in certain acts that contradict the very essence of the month.
So what should we not do in Ramadan? Here is my short list:
- Ramadan is not for arguing or debating over the Hilal or moon sighting, so don't waste time debating this issue, rather focus on learning something that would benefit yourself and your family.
- Ramadan is not for overeating, overindulging in food, drinks, or obsessive cooking, so eat in moderation that which is halal, organic and wholesome, and try to shed a few pounds. Fasting should teach us self control and discipline over our bodies and over what we consume. With so much in the news these days about the "fattening of America," reporting that 66% of adult Americans are overweight or obese, there is a compelling argument to be made that we should eat less, lose weight, and be more conscious of our health. It is our annual chance to shed those extra pounds, but unfortunately most of us do the opposite! Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) taught us moderation and self control in all aspects of life, and forbade us to harm ourselves, directly or indirectly.
- Ramadan is not for Haram, so avoid Haram in selling, buying, eating, drinking, smoking, and in your relationships. If we can abstain from what is permissible and even our necessities during our fasting, then why can't we abstain from what is prohibited?
- Ramadan is not for cheating, lying, backbiting, gossiping, slandering, or spreading rumors. If the tongue is able to avoid the pleasure of tasting the food and quenching its thirst, then why not keep it clean from what can ruin our fast?
- Ramadan is not for overspending on food and parties. Feed the poor, invite the relatives and friends, but do not show off or compete in overspending. As it turns out, we Americans waste an astounding amount of food - an estimated 27% of food available for consumption, according to a government study - and it happens at the supermarket, in restaurants and cafeterias, and in our very own kitchens. That breaks down to about a pound of food for every American, wasted every single day.
- Ramadan is not for oversleeping. Pray more in the night, read Quran, work during the day. That is the Sunnah of our Prophet (PBUH). Laziness has no place in Ramadan.
- Ramadan is not for wasting time by watching more TV. Television channels compete in showing their best programs during this time, and many of us spend hours each day and night watching them. Time is precious, we will regret every minute wasted by not spending it in an act of worship or goodness. So this Ramadan why not pledge to yourself and ask your family to cut down on the tube time? Read a book instead, it is much more rewarding. Let us benefit from the rewards Allah has promised us during this blessed month, and try to forge better lifelong habits in the process.
- Ramadan is not for inviting the wealthy while ignoring the poor, so when we plan our Iftars, let us remember to invite those who are usually forgotten.
- Ramadan is not for losing control over our nerves or emotions, frowning, showing anger, or making excuses for letting ourselves vent or explode because "I am fasting and hungry." It should be the opposite. In fact, fasting should teach us how to control our emotions, to be more patient, balance the mind, body and soul, and smile.
Many of us will read this article and say: "Easier said than done." That may very well be true, but who said that the road to Paradise is easy? Unless we struggle with every step on this journey we may lose the way, and that will be the biggest tragedy of all.
Dr. M. Zaher Sahloul
|
The Endless Moon Sighting Debate
An American Muslim Tradition
by Dr. Zaher Sahloul
Debates and persons in this article are purely fictional; any resemblance with reality is mere coincidence.
This is an imaginary debate occurring in the first day of Ramadan among three American Muslims: Debater One (DO), Debater Two (DT), and Commonsensical (CS)
CS: Mabrook, congratulations brothers, May Allah bless us to complete this month of fasting and worship.
DO: You are too late brother, I started fasting two days ago!
CS: Based on what? Our Imam declared last night that Ramadan starts today based on the opinion of the scholars in the city!
DO: Well, they saw the hilal two nights ago in Mali and Mauritania and I believe that we should follow the first moon sighting. Besides, they have a big desert and blue skies without clouds and if somebody saw a Hilal, then it is for sure the right Hilal.
DT: So you believe Mali and Mauritania but do not believe Egypt, Saudia and Jordan? They fasted yesterday. Are they lying then? If they agreed on this issue, don't you think it is a miracle?
DO: I think the decision in the countries you mentioned is more political than scientific. I trust Mali and Mauritania, and although they saw the hilal in Comoro Islands one night earlier, according to my calculations, it was impossible for them to see it in Comoro Islands.
DT: Well, Saudia is the place of Kaaba and whatever they say, it should be right in the hilal thing.
DO: Well, remember a few years ago, they fasted only 28 days and it looks like their decision that year was incorrect.
DT: It is impossible for them to make an error in the hilal thing. This is their specialty!
CS: Brothers let us concentrate on the essence of Ramadan and forget this trivial issue. It is time to recharge our spiritual batteries and focus on purification of our souls. Let us agree that we should be more generous in this month, mend the broken relationships in our families, read and understand the Quran, feed the hungry and donate to the poor as our prophet asked us to do.
DT: What do you mean by trivial? This is the most important issue in Ramadan. Furthermore, I do not believe our local scholars you have mentioned. What I forgot in Fiqh is more than what they all know. I have read, not only one or two, but three full articles about the hilal issues, each one is more than one page in Hilaldebate.online. It is a very comprehensive Hilal debate encyclopedia dedicated completely to this very important issue. Check it out brothers; I spend more than two hours every day in Ramadan reading it so I can use it in such debates.
DO: I also read the latest version of Hilal Debates for Dummies. In addition, I am planning to take a three month course in Hilaldebatiology. This is a very prestigious course, after which I will receive a certificate from the Hilal Debate Council of North America.
CS: Brothers let us leave this issue to the scholars. They have spent their lives studying Islamic jurisprudence, fiqh and scientific methods in calculating Moon sighting. They know our communities, the current realities and common good (Maslaha). We should treat them with respect and follow their guidance, as our Quran asked us to do (And Follow the Scholars, if you do not know)
DO: That is, if we don't know, but in the Hilal issue, all of us know more than the scholars you have mentioned.
CS: That is enough for me, this is an endless and meaningless debate, see you tonight at Taraweeh.
DT: I will be praying at home, I cannot pray behind your Imam. He prays only 8 rakaas and I pray 16.
DO: I am sorry but I tend to sleep right after breaking my fast, but let us plan to continue this discussion at the time of Eid. I will convince you that my views are the right one.
This fictional debate is a "tongue in cheek" satire, but let us not fall into this dangerous and revolving trap this Ramadan. May Allah accept our fasting, our prayers and our deeds, and give us all the benefits of this blessed month. Ameen.
|
|
Zakat - Frequently Asked Questions
Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. This graceful charitable giving represents the unbreakable bond between members of our community. The Mosque Foundation has been helping Muslims to fulfill the obligations of this vital pillar of Islam, and their Zakat contributions have helped many needy families. Below you will find brief answers to frequently asked questions about Zakat.
Q1. When is Zakat due?
A1. Zakat is due after one lunar (hijri) year starting from either the first day you acquired the amount of Nisab or the day you paid your Zakat last year. Zakat becomes obliged upon a Muslim after a time span of one lunar year passes while he or she owns the Nisab. And if you always possess the minimum Nisab value, then Zakat is due once every year at a date of your choosing.
Q2. What is Nisab?
A2. Nisab is a minimum amount of wealth you must own in order to be liable to pay Zakat. It is estimated at 3 oz of pure gold, valued at $2,600 (as of July 2008).
Q3. I really don't keep track of whether or not I have owned the Nisab for the complete year or when I did precisely. The value of what I own varies throughout the year. What should I do?
A3. Since most Muslims in the USA own at least the value of Nisab, you don't have to keep track of when you acquired this amount. Also, since you are encouraged to give in charity more than the minimum obligatory Zakat, you should then assume that you always were in possession of the Nisab value. Therefore, to simplify matters, chose a specific date of the lunar calendar of every year, calculate the total value of your Zakatable wealth on that date, and give 2.5% of it (or the rate that applies to the type of wealth you own).
 Q4. What is Zakatable wealth?
A4. Zakatable wealth is what you own, whether in your possession or with others, except for the properties and belongings that you use, such as your house, car, clothes, and business equipment. Also, Zakatable wealth is what remains with you after meeting the needs and expenses of yourself and your family. It is not based on the income you make during the year. Rather, it is based on what remains after you take care of your family expenses. This wealth can be in the form of cash, gold, stocks, business commodities or other wealth.
Q5. Don't I have to possess the amount of Zakatable wealth for a complete lunar year before I have to pay Zakat on it?
A5. No. You must only possess the value of Nisab for the whole year. Therefore, as long as you have a minimum amount of Nisab for the year, you evaluate your Zakatable wealth on your Zakat due date, regardless of when you acquired this wealth or part of it.
Q6. How do I calculate the Zakat I owe?
A6. The Mosque Foundation provides you with a Zakat worksheet covering most common Zakatable assets for people living in America. This worksheet is based on respected Fiqh references and reviewed by Muslim scholars. However, it does not cover every Zakatable item; so please consult Muslim scholars for other items not mentioned here. We encourage you to calculate your Zakat using our calculator and paying it online at www.mosquefoundation.org so that we may disperse it to qualified recipients.
Q7. I loaned a friend $3,000, and it is due in six months, do I have to pay Zakat on this amount?
A7. Although the amount of the loan is not yet in your possession, you still own it. So you still have to pay Zakat on it if you expect it back (good loan). However, if the loan is due and you asked for it and the borrower can't pay you back (bad loan), you are not required to pay Zakat on it until it is in your possession. Once you receive it, you pay Zakat on it for one year only.
Q8. I have a grocery store, what Zakat do I have to pay?
A8. You do not have to pay Zakat on your equipment, such as refrigerators, cashier machines, and other useable equipment and tools. Even if you own the store property, you don't have to pay Zakat on it. However, you must pay Zakat on the wholesale price of all inventories and on other Zakatable assets mentioned in the worksheet.
Q9. I have a service provider company and all I have there are computers and other equipment that I use. How do I pay my Zakat?
A9. There is no Zakat due on the value of the equipment you mentioned, since they are used for business. But because you own this company, you should combine your Zakatable wealth with that of the company. The Zakat would be payable on what you own in Zakatable wealth after a full year of meeting your expenses and those of the company's.
|
Youth Corner - Back to School
by Lena Tleib
After an exciting summer, it's time for another school year to begin. While students are anxious to start, teachers are just as eager to welcome them back. Regardless of the grade level the student is entering, the remembrance of Allah (swt) and all He has intended for us should remain a priority. In Islam, Allah (swt) judges us by our intentions and actions. Whether you're going to elementary school or entering college, remember that every second, every step, every class, and every moment should be  intended for Allah and the betterment of Islam. Whether you are a student going to a public or private school, you will face many pressures and challenges which may distract you from this purpose, but you must persist and persevere to do the right thing and choose the right path.
I am not going to lie; this is NOT an easy task. It's not easy to earn a great GPA, find righteous companions, stay away from the opposite gender, or fulfill the needs and obligations of your family and religion. Through my own experience as a college graduate, working with youth and young adults for 8 years, and speaking about Islam in MSA's, I recognize the difficulties students have practicing Islam the correct way even in Muslim schools, organizations, clubs or with Muslim friends and families.
During the Prophet Muhammad's time (peace be upon Him) and the early stages of Islam, Muslims committed sins from the ignorance of not knowing the right from the wrong. Today, in our society we have knowledge of Islam; what is right and what is wrong yet we still do not implement it. As Muslims, we need to understand the importance of remembering Allah (swt) in everything we do, wherever we are and to always implement what Allah (swt) and his Messenger (pbuh) asked and advised us to do.
Here are some tips that, inshallah, will assist you on your journey to seek knowledge:
(1) Make sure to intend everything you do for Allah (swt), so He may reward you for every little and big action you do.
On the authority of Omar bin Al-Khattab, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah salla Allah u alihi wa sallam say: "Actions are but by intention and every man shall have but that which he intended." Related by Bukhari and Muslim
(2) You are who your friends are, so encircle yourself with righteous companions that will benefit you, protect you, and lead you to the right path and you for them.
(3) Remember that Allah (swt) did not create us perfect. We may commit actions we do not intend to do, so the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: "Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good one and it will wipe it out, and behave well towards people." Narrated By Tirmithi
(4) Have limitations for yourself according to the guidelines of Islam, verbally or physically with the opposite gender and stick to them. Do NOT allow Shaytan to distract you or make you feel it is okay and innocent.
(5) Finally, LOVE ALLAH, FEAR ALLAH, and TURN TO ALLAH and know that whatever is meant for you, you will receive.
On the authority of Abdullah bin Abbas, who said: One day I was behind the prophet and he said to me: "Young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice]: Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if the Nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried." Narrated by Tirmithi
Brothers and sisters, this is a reminder for us all that no small pleasure in this world is worth the pleasures of the next. I pray that Allah (swt) makes it easy for you to succeed in your journey of education. May Allah (swt) ease your struggles and allow you to overcome your challenges. May Allah (swt) guide you to knowledge that is beneficial to you, your family, your community, and Islam.
|
|
| |
|