Friday Nasihah

Kindness All Around
Al-Nisa (Women) - Chapter 4: Verse 36

"Worship God alone and do not associate with Him any partners. Be kind to your parents and near of kin, to orphans, the needy, the neighbour who is related to you and the neighbour who is a stranger, the friend by your side, the wayfarer, and those whom your right hands possess. God does not love those who are arrogant and boastful."
The first commandment is to worship God, which is followed by a prohibition of worshipping anyone other than Him. This is a total and absolute prohibition of all sorts of worship which man has practised in all ages and communities.
This is followed by a commandment to extend kindness to parents in particular and relatives in general. We also note in this verse, as in many others, that Divine directives begin by emphasizing the need to be kind to one's relatives before widening their concern to include all those who need to be looked after in society or in humanity at large. Compassion towards others begins at home, in one's own immediate family. A person who has not shown compassion towards his family, hardly ever shows compassion towards others.
This commandment to extend our kindness to all these groups is followed by a comment which denounces conceit and arrogance, miserliness, suppression of God's favours, boastfulness and showing off. All these are attributes to one basic cause, namely, lack of faith in God and the Day of Judgement.
Compiled From:
"In the Shade of The Quran" - Sayyid Qutb, Vol 3, pp. 144-147

Understanding The Prophet's Life

Two Types of Charity

Other than the charity of giving part of one's wealth to others, charity, in its broadest Islamic concept, can be divided into two main categories. The first category consists of the acts of goodness and kindness that are done toward other human beings. Acts of goodness that are done directly toward oneself constitutes the second category.
The first category includes acts as mentioned by the Prophet,
"Your smiling at your brother is a charitable act for you. Your ordering good and eradicating evil is a charitable act. Your guiding a man in a land wherein he is lost is a charitable act. Your helping a man with bad eyesight to see is a charitable act. Your removing a stone, thorn or bone from the road is a charitable act. Your emptying your cup into the cup of your brother is a charitable act." [Tirmidhi]
An important act of charity of the second category that is available to everyone, no matter how poor or rich, is the act of refraining from harming others. Abu Dharr once asked the Prophet, peace upon him, what he should do if he does not have the ability to perform some of the good deeds. The Prophet told him,
"Keep your evil away from the people and that will be a charitable act from yourself upon yourself." [Muslim, Bukhari]

Compiled From:
"Commentary on the Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi" - Jamaal al-Din Zarabozo, pp. 976, 977

Blindspot!

Female, Male

No human society has ever succeeded in promoting complete equality between women and men. We still have a long way to go. Even though the old representations that associated women with the body, seduction and impurity have been done away with - albeit not entirely in certain traditional societies or in some fundamentalist or literalist circles - the fact remains that we have yet to achieve the objectives of justice, the absence of social discrimination and the right to autonomy and equal pay. We find in all societies - without exception - social and cultural behaviours that encourage the ill treatment of women, domestic violence and the stigmatization and marginalization of girls.
And yet neither women nor men can make it on their own. They must walk together along the road of the quest for meaning as they assert the existence of a shared universal and as they demand freedom, dignity, autonomy and justice. They are equal but not the same, and both men and women must allow the other to bring their distinctive outlook towards the resolution of common problems. Within this partnership, both men and women will be able to take a new look at the basic questions of meaning, freedom, masculinity, paternity and authority by coming to terms with what they are. Their beings and their paths may well be distinct, but their destinations and their hopes are surely the same.
Compiled From:
"The Quest for Meaning" - Tariq Ramadan, pp. 92-95

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Friday Nasihah (sorry its late)

Living The Quran Challenging Intellect Al-Rum (The Romans) - Chapter 30: Verses 23-24 "And among His signs is your sleep at night and in the daytime, and your seeking of His bounty; surely in that are signs for people who listen. And among His signs is that He shows you the lightning that bears fear and hope, and that He sends down water from the sky, giving life thereby to the earth after it had been lifeless; surely in that are signs for people who use their minds." The succession of sleep and wakefulness followed by activity in earning one's living shows a biological and intellectual ability for the human being to live in harmony with the cosmic design of day and night in general, with the exception of those whose work is at night and thus they must sleep during the day, but such people are substantially fewer in their numbers. The same natural features, such as the lightning that accompanies thunder, can have benefit and/or harmful effects on different people, and thus can raise hope, with its ensuing rain as well as fear of possible damage to homes or lives, in the human being, who is challenged to find protection from the harm through the human intellect. As a result of the challenge to the human intellect to find protection from lightning, the lightning rod was invented in the eighteenth century. Through such contrasting messages, the human being ought to think deeply about the creation and the Creator, about this life with all its pleasures and insecurities as well as the eternal pleasures of the life to come. Nature in its various phenomena represents an open and comprehensive exposition of knowledge throughout the world for all those who may perceive and contemplate. Compiled From: "Concepts of The Quran" - Fathi Osman, pp. 40, 41

Understanding the Prophet's Life Intention Causes are not made victorious through the efforts of fame seekers, but through the efforts of those who were described in a hadith to be "righteous, pious and quiet ... those who if they are present are not known and if absent, not missed, and those whose hearts are the lamps of guidance." [Al-Hakim] Allah the Almighty does not accept a deed with shared objective, nor a heart with shared beliefs. We might say that we seek to establish an Islamic community, and Islamic State or an Islamic ruling system or that we work for restoring the integrated Islamic way of life, or any other short or long term objective, but our goal in all this should be to gain the Pleasure of Allah so that He may count us among His righteous servants. Compiled From: "Priorities of The Islamic Movement in The Coming Phase" - Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, p. 103

Blindspot! Past Pain The suffering we have experienced in our own life can also help us to appreciate the depths of other people's unhappiness. That is why it is important to revisit your own past pain. The dynamic of this Golden Rule is beautifully expressed in an early sura of the Quran (Ad-Duha) in which God asks Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, to remember the sorrows of his childhood - he had been orphaned as small child, parceled out to relatives, and for years was a marginalized member of his family and tribe - and make sure that nobody else in his community would endure this deprivation. Our pain, therefore, can become an education in compassion. Some people deliberately steel their hearts against involvement with other people's suffering: the businessperson has no option but to sack an inefficient employee, and the doctor cannot afford to become emotionally distraught each time a patient dies. It is natural to try to avoid unnecessary grief. We don't want to listen to the sad story that a colleague is telling us. We feel that we have enough to deal with and push her troubles from our mind. We hurry past the homeless man outside the supermarket, refusing to allow his plight to disturb our equanimity. But when this happens, it is time to recall our own past distress. Remember the things that help you when you are having a bad day - a kind word, a smile, a joke - and try to give that gift to a testy colleague. Remember what it is like to feel alone with sadness and take the trouble to listen to your friend's tale of woe: "And one who asks for help - do not turn him away." Compiled From: "Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life" - Karen Armstrong, pp. 99-102

Homeschooling and books I'm reading.

Well my son started homeschooling this week and I think the book I mentioned before is not quite challenging enough for him and he completes the work quite quickly. The book is in English and not offered in French so I am worried about him losing his French skills as he has always gone to French school except for the time he homeschooled before. I'm thinking of supplementing his work with French material from the library.

Remember when I had a book club? Seems so long ago. So what have you been reading? Right now I am reading Lost History which I had to get through interlibrary loan. It was recommended to me by one of my blog readers. I've also been reading various books by Malcolm Gladwell; an author who has such interesting book topics. Also The Sealed Nectar was gifted to me and it goes quite well with reading Lost History.

Friday Nasihah

Living The Quran Persuasion Al-Fussilat (Clearly Expounded) - Chapter 41: Verse 34 "Nor are the good deed and the evil deed equal. Repel evil with what is better; then will he between whom and thee was hatred, become, as it were, thy friend and intimate." The message in this verse is that wickedness must not be allowed to perpetuate itself: if evil is reciprocated with evil, then this will be the necessary outcome. To avoid this, the Quran enjoins the Prophet, peace be upon him, to repel evil with what is better and, by doing so, to turn potential hatred into friendship. Another point to be noted here is that God Most High has granted no one, not even the Prophet, absolute freedom of speech. For the Prophet is given specific guidance as to the way he must propagate his call and communicate with people through good advice and courteous methods of persuasion. Compiled From: "Freedom of Expression in Islam" - Mohammad Hashim Kamali, p. 129

Understanding the Prophet's Life Knowledge Seeking and getting knowledge is both an act of worship in itself as well as a means to further purify one's soul. The act of seeking knowledge itself is a potential means of receiving forgiveness and mercy from Allah while it, in turn, has an effect upon the person that leads to even more benefits. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said, "Whoever follows a path in order to seek knowledge thereby, Allah will make easy for him, due to it, a path to Paradise. No people gather together in a house of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that tranquility is descended upon them, mercy covers them, the angels surround them and Allah makes mention of them to those in His presence." [Muslim] Compiled From: "Purification of the Soul" - Jamal al-Din M. Zarabozo, pp. 292, 293

Blindspot! Education Education means 'drawing' or 'guiding' individuals out of themselves so that they can establish a conscious relationship with themselves and their physical and social environment. When we are born, we are all physically dependent on our parents or carers. We need to be welcomed into the world, fed, protected and looked after if we are to survive, live and reach the first stages of learning. This dependency in itself requires education, and it is only then that the individual begins to revolve naturally. Being a human being means, first of all, 'becoming a human being' ... and it is only through education that we become human beings. That is why education is a basic, inalienable right that must be guaranteed in all human societies. Education has as much to do with the transmission of a value-system, behavioural norms and elements of culture as with the transmission of pure knowledge and the skills pertaining to what is usually called training. If there is one universal principle common to all spiritualities, religions, philosophies, civilizations and cultures, it is education. Education is a precondition for man's humanity, and it is an immutable and inalienable right. Compiled From: "The Quest for Meaning" - Tariq Ramadan, p. 127

Trip to Malaysia part 11 -Twin Towers

After going to Shah Alam it was time to go back to Kuala Lumpur or KL for short. We made our way by taxi to The Twin Towers or properly Petronas Twin Towers. Although I had been to KL briefly before in 2000 I never had the chance to go there. I made sure it was a must see this time. After seeing places for years in pictures its always surreal to see them in real life. The twin towers are basically a huge mall and we did spend time there shopping and eating with relatives that live there.  Its beautiful but I couldn't not notice the huge Chinese influence there; Chinese people are everywhere and the majority are not Muslim so you feel like you are not really in a Muslim country when you are there. I was not impressed when the Chinese girl in the mini-skirt tried to ply her Playboy perfume samples on me. I really felt like screaming. I couldn't blame her because the other Muslims seemed to have no problem with the whole scenario. I still remember the first time I saw this brand at the pasar malam in Kota Bharu and was so shocked. Now that brand is all over Canada and it makes me sick. But in a Muslim majority country I just felt intense anger. If Muslims are really controlling the gov't I would say they are just a bunch of paper tigers. Money talks and it really seems like the Malays are living under the thumbs of the Chinese aside from the so-called Bumiputra rights. Another thing that really stood out to me was how all the menial jobs were being done by Malays and Indians. The Chinese are all fit and trim and the Malays have become overweight and depressed. Back in 2000 I never saw so many happy people in my life. I told my kids you are going to see how smiley and happy Malays are when you get there but I was soon to be proved wrong. I don't know what has happened in the last 12 yrs but everything is a big mess in Malaysia now. Since leaving all I hear about is the high crime rate over there, the lack of jobs and gov't corruption. So the towers are beautiful but underneath there is a lurking ugliness. I also noticed a lot of Arabs this time who I am told have driven up the prices of everything

and white foreigners who were not speaking English. Of course Malaysia is closer to Europe than North America but it was so weird for me. After our visit to the twin towers we went to Aquaria which was suggested to me by someone on this blog if I'm not mistaken. It was also very beautiful and amazing and the kids loved it but I kept thinking about how the world is a paradise for the animals since they will never go to Jannah and keeping them behind glass on display is not my idea of a paradise for them. I would suggest scuba diving or snorkeling instead but I'm too chicken myself. There is a lot of walking around to be done on such a trip and I did become exhausted due to my leg problem and had to demand a break. Its hard to have an invisible disease because you look just fine on the outside and people think you are just slacking.

Spaghetti sqash and homeschooling soon.

So I made spaghetti sqash for the first time yesterday. Nadoona advised it last year instead of real spaghetti but I never got around to making it. I'd never tried it in my life before either. Only one of my kids liked it and I liked it a little so instead of it going to waste I decided to see if there was such thing as spaghetti squash bread and there is, so I morphed my meal into that! While it was baking its smelt amazing and then when I got to try it finally I thought; sweet and savoury. This time my kids actually liked it! Phew!

Homeschooling is something however that I've tried before. I didn't really want to go down that road again after way too many bumps but my son has decided he would like to be homeschooled again. Wasn't he the one who begged to go back? He is in grade 7 and not impressed with the curriculum which forces you to dance, listen to music and have co-ed gym. So insha Allah I will be homeschooling again. Already picked up his curriculum book Complete Canadian Curriculum for grade 7 from Indigo where I also got myself a blanket (its warm and cuddly, I couldn't resist). So maybe I'll start blogging about homeschooling again..hmm...

I wonder...does anyone read my blog anymore? Does anyone miss the book club? Is anybody out there? My daughter has accused me of abandoning my blog due to facebook but really its just that I'm not sure if anyone is interested in what I have to say anymore.

Friday Nasihah

Living The Quran Sacred Months Al-Tawba (Repentance) - Chapter 9: Verse 36 (partial) "The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year) - so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred: that is the straight usage. So wrong not yourselves therein." Ever since Allah created the sun, the moon and the earth, the new moon takes place only once in a month; thus the year has always been of twelve months. Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months. These four months, according to the authentic traditions, are Dhul-Qida, Dhul-Hijja, Muharram and Rajab. The specific mention of these four months does not mean that any other month has no sanctity, because the month of Ramadan is admittedly the most sanctified month in the year. In fact, every month, out of the twelve, is originally equal to the other, and there is no inherent sanctity that may be attributed to one of them in comparison to the other months. When Allah Almighty chooses a particular time for His special blessings, the same acquires sanctity out of His grace. The meaning of the names of the months in Hijrah calendar: Muharram ["Forbidden" - it is one of the four months during which time it is forbidden to wage war or fight] Safar ["Empty" or "Yellow"] Rabi al-Awwal ["First spring"] Rabi al-Thani ["Second spring"] Jumada al-Awwal ["First freezing"] Jumada al-Thani ["Second freezing"] Rajab ["To respect" - this is another holy month when fighting is prohibited] Shaban ["To spread and distribute"] Ramadan ["Parched thirst" - this is the month of Islamic daytime fasting] Shawwal ["To be light and vigorous"] Dhul-Qida ["The month of rest" - another month when no warfare or fighting is allowed] Dhul-Hijja ["The month of Hajj" - this is the month of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, again when no warfare or fighting is allowed] Compiled From: "Muharram" - Taqi Usmani "Towards Understanding the Quran" - Sayyid Abul Ala Mawdudi "Making Resolutions That Matter" - Young Muslims Canada

Understanding the Prophet's Life Skills Due to misconceptions, most people define religion as blind faith, meaningless acts of worship, a consolation for life's problems. Some Muslims have compounded this mistake by reducing Islam to an ideology, a social, economic, and political system. They ignore one fact stated in the Quran, the Traditions, and throughout Islamic history: Islam, the middle way between all extremes, addresses itself to all human faculties and senses, as well as to each individual's mind, heart, and feelings, and encompasses every aspect of human life. That is why Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, stressed learning, trading, agriculture, action, and thought. Moreover, he encouraged his people to do perfectly whatever they did, and condemned inaction and begging. For example, he said: "God loves a believing, skilful servant." [Fayd al-Qadir] As all of our actions will be displayed on the Day of Judgment, we cannot be careless and do something half-heartedly just to get rid of it. Moreover, the Messenger declares: "When you do something, God likes you to do it perfectly." [Kanz al-Ummal] Compiled From: "The Messenger of God: Muhammad" - Fethullah Gulen, p. 193

Blindspot! Family It is true, as the old adage says, that charity begins at home. The family is a school of compassion because it is here that we learn to live with other people. Family life involves self-sacrifice, because daily we have to put ourselves to one side in order to accommodate the needs of other family members; nearly every day there is something to forgive. Instead of seeing this as an irritant, we should see these tensions as opportunities for growth and transformation. Ask yourself what you really feel about your family. What makes you proud and happy about them? Make a list of the ways in which your family nourishes you. Perhaps you could write a letter to them outlining your history as a family, and your hopes and fears for each person in it. Does your family have a black sheep, and how has this situation come about? Can it be rectified? How do you conduct arguments and disagreements? What are your particular strengths in family life? Is there anything more you could do? What would make each member of the family feel supremely valued? How can you make your family a school for compassion, where children learn the value of treating all others with respect? What would life be like if all family members made a serious attempt to treat one another "all day and every day" as they would wish to be treated themselves? How would life be improved, for example, if everybody made a consistent effort to avoid speaking too hastily? We know that people brought up in dysfunctional families find it difficult to make good relationships in later life; they can have psychological problems that cause them to increase the sum of pain in the world. Creating a compassionate family life is one of the ways in which we can all make a constructive contribution to a more empathetic society in the future. Compiled From: "Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life" - Karen Armstrong, pp. 69-71

Friday Nasihah

Living The Quran Place of Sleep Ya-Sin (Ya-Sin) - Chapter 36: Verse 52 "They will cry: 'Woe to us! Who has raised us from our place of sleep?' This is what the All-Merciful promised, and the Messengers spoke the truth!" This statement reveals two facts concerning life in the grave. One is that compared with the dread of the Resurrection and the Place of Supreme Gathering, and the punishment in Hell, the suffering in the grave will be like a sleep tormented by nightmares. The other is: Ali, the Fourth Caliph, may God be pleased with him, says that the life of the world is sleep, and people wake up when they die. So, from the perspective of the truths of faith and the truths concerning creation and life, the worldly life is like a dream. When people die, their seeing and perception will be much keener. Compared with the eternal life in the other world, life in the grave is like a dream during sleep. All truths will be manifested in all their clarity in the Hereafter. Compiled From: "The Quran: Annotated Interpretation in Modern English" - Ali Unal, pp. 912, 913

Understanding the Prophet's Life Tenderness A text is narrated by Ahmad ibn Hanbal in his Musnad from Anas, he said: "There was a slave woman from among the slave women of Madinah and God's Messenger took her by the hand and he did not take his hand from her hand while she went with him wherever she wished to go." Al-Bukhari narrated it with the wording: "There was a slave woman from among the slave women in Madinah, and she took the Messenger of God by hand; then she walked off with him wherever she wished." The hadith demonstrates the extent of the Prophet's, peace be upon him, humility, courtesy and tenderness: though she was a slave woman she clasped him by the hand and she consulted with him through the city streets of Madinah, so that he decided for her certain needs. He was of extreme modesty and great in character, he did not want to hurt her feelings by withdrawing his hand from her hand. Rather, he shaded her, moving along with her in this situation until she was finished with the judgment of her need. Compiled From: "Approaching the Sunnah: Comprehension & Controversy" - Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, p. 165

Blindspot! Collectivity It is impossible to live, to bear witness, to pray, to fast, to make the pilgrimage alone, apart from other people and thinking only of oneself. To be with God is to be with other people: to bear the faith is to bear responsibility for social commitment at every moment. The teaching that must be understood from zakat could not be more explicit: to possess is to have the duty to share. It is impossible shamelessly to accumulate possessions in the name of personal freedom when it leads to exploitation and social injustices; it is impossible, too, to forget the interests of society as a whole and consider only one's own. Of course, people are free, but they are responsible for this freedom before God and other people. This responsibility is undeniably moral: according to this morality, to be free means to protect the freedom and dignity of others. The four practical pillars of Islam have this double dimension - individual and communal. The essence of Islamic teaching lies along this path between these two extremes: either to put first individuals and their own interests and so create a a social space that may turn into a jungle, no matter how lofty the speeches that may be made, or to give priority to the group and to the society and to deny the specificity, the hopes, and desires of each individual by creating a structure that binds and alienates, no matter how many plans there may be for development. A difficult balance, but it is the only way to respond to the demand of the Creator, who expects each person alone to bear responsibility for his or her community life. Compiled From: "Western Muslims and The Future of Islam" - Tariq Ramadan, pp. 181, 182

Friday Nasihah

Living The Quran Door of Hope Al-Imran (The House of Imran) - Chapter 3: Verse 135 "Those who, when they commit a gross indecency or wrong themselves, remember God and pray for the forgiveness of their sins - for who but God can forgive sins? - and do not knowingly persist in doing the wrong they may have done." Never does Islam slam the door in the face of a weak sinner leaving him lost in the wilderness. Never does it let him feel permanently rejected, afraid to turn back. On the contrary, it holds for him the prospect of forgiveness. It shows him the way and holds his trembling hand, steadying him and giving him the light he needs to return to his secure refuge. It only requires one thing of him, namely, that his heart and soul are not so hardened so as to make him forget God. As long as he remembers God and keeps alive in his conscience the voice of guidance and maintains in his heart the yearning for God's grace, the light will shine again in his soul and the seed of faith will burst forth with a new plant. Islam knows that side by side with man's weaknesses and carnal desires there exist strength and sublime aspirations. For this reason, Islam is sympathetic to man in his moment of weakness, places him back on his way to a higher horizon, as long as he remembers God and does not knowingly persist with his wrongdoing. Thus, Islam combines its call to man to aspire to a higher horizon with its mercy and compassion, knowing man's weakness and capability. It ensures that the door of hope is always open in front of man as it motivates him to exert his utmost in his aspiration towards the sublime. Compiled From: "In The Shade of The Quran" - Sayyid Qutb, Vol 2, pp. 215-217

Understanding the Prophet's Life Creator of Marvels Imam al-Bayhaqi relates a statement of the Prophet, peace be upon him, in which he said, "God makes every maker and what he makes." In reality, God is the creator of the marvels that people admire and attribute to the glory of humankind, forgetting that it is God who created the ones who produced these marvels. Realizing that God is the source of all blessings prevents vanity from entering the heart. There is foolishness in being vein about what one has accomplished, given its ephemeral nature. But when one is thankful to God and acknowledges and praises Him as the source of this goodness, then the accomplishment outlasts our earthly lives and the memories of people, for God preserves it. Vanity originates from one's ignorance of two matters: God alone is the Fashioner and the Giver of Blessings and we human beings are incapable of accomplishing anything without God's will and blessings. If one accomplishes something, let him or her remember God and be grateful, and not swagger with haughtiness. When the Prophet, peace be upon him, saw a reflection of himself - and he was a beautiful man - he would make the following supplication: "O God, as You have made my countenance most excellent, make my character most excellent." Imam Mawlud said that to rid oneself of vanity (or prevent it from entering one's heart), reflect long and hard on the fact that all blessings are entirely from God and that we cannot produce any benefit or harm without His permission. Compiled From: "Purification of The Heart" - Hamza Yusuf, pp. 98, 99

Blindspot! Summons to Action The fundamental message of the Quran was not a doctrine but an ethical summons to practically expressed compassion: it is wrong to build a private fortune and good to share your wealth fairly and create a just society where poor and vulnerable people are treated with respect. There was no question of a literal, simplistic reading of scripture. Every single image, statement, and verse in the Quran is called an ayah ("sign," "symbol," "parable"), because we can speak of God only analogically. The great ayat of the creation and the last judgment are not introduced to enforce "belief," but they are a summons to action. Muslims must translate these doctrines into practical behaviour. The ayah of the last day, when people will find that their wealth cannot save them, should make Muslims examine their conduct here and now: Are they behaving kindly and fairly to the needy? They must imitate the generosity of Allah, who created the wonders of this world so munificently and sustains it so benevolently. By looking after the poor compassionately, freeing their slaves, and performing small acts of kindness on a daily, hourly basis, Muslims would acquire a responsible, caring spirit, purging themselves of pride and selfishness. By modeling their behaviour on that of the Creator, they would achieve spiritual refinement. Compiled From: "The Case for God" - Karen Armstrong, pp. 99, 100

Friday Nasihah

Living The Quran Hajj Experience Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage) - Chapter 22: Verses 27-28 (partial) "And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men; they will come to you on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways; That they may witness the benefits for them." Allah had commanded Abraham to make a general proclamation of Hajj, the first reason given for this commandment is that they may undertake the journey and assemble here and witness with their own eyes that it is intended for their benefit only and its advantages can be noticed only when a man personally experiences it by performing the task himself. It is narrated about Imam Abu Hanifa that until he had performed the Hajj he was doubtful as to which act of worship was superior among the worships of Islam. But when on performing the Hajj he witnessed the numerous benefits hidden in it, he unhesitatingly declared that Hajj is superior to all. The word "benefits" is in the indefinite, implying all types and numerous forms of benefits. Most notable among these benefits are the purification of the soul, refinement of character, refreshing of one's spirit and the spiritual training that takes place in the most honourable land on this earth. Compiled From: "Let Us Be Muslims" - Sayyid Abul Ala Mawdudi, Chapter 6 "Purification of the Soul" - By Jamal al-Din M. Zarabozo, pp. 251-263

Understanding the Prophet's Life Wiping Away Sins "Whoever performs the Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not commit any lewdness or evil returns like the day in which his mother gave him birth." [Bukhari, Muslim] "Whoever Observes fast on the Day of Arafah, I expect Allah to forgive his (her) sins that were committed during the preceding year, and the sins that will be committed in the year after."[Muslim] Sins can be forgiven at any place, no matter where the person is: it is not essential to be at Arafah or Kaba, but because many benefits, blessings, and heartfelt feelings which these Symbols, places and the rites of Hajj produce - which are not found anywhere else - they provide a better environment for asking for forgiveness with sincerity of heart. These are the places where the blessings and mercies of Allah descended on the prophets, where the prophets were showered with Allah's light of guidance, where the Signs of Allah and His prophets are found everywhere, where in the past Allah's devotees have conversed with Him, and where all the pilgrims assemble, pray, cry and lament together for forgiveness. The environment and atmosphere of these places surely help the pilgrims to pray from the bottom of their hearts with the result that the prayers are accepted. But making amends is bound to certain conditions and depends on the removal of certain obstacles both within and without the action itself. If the servant could be certain that he had met every condition and eliminated every obstacle, then [certainly] such an act would atone for the sin. But what about an action which is [itself] entirely or mostly enveloped in negligence, lacking in the sincerity which is its core and spirit, and performed without respect for its requirements or value? What can this action amend? In fact, there are countless things which invalidate or spoil devotional practice. It is not so much the action itself as the effort to keep it pure of the things that spoil and annul it. One could hope for atonement if in undertaking a devotional act the servant was sure of its outward and inward requirements had been fulfilled; that there were no obstacles to the act's atoning quality; and that he himself did not annul it with feelings of self-importance, ostentation, or the expectation of something in return [from people]. Compiled From: "Worship In Islam " - Sulaiman Nadwi, pp. 275-276 "The Invocation of God" - Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, p. 8

Blindspot! Common Compassion We must get to know about our neighbours in the global village and realize that our own tradition is not alone in its pursuit of the compassionate ideal. The comparative study of other religion is not designed to dilute your appreciation of your own or to make you convert to another tradition. Ideally it should help you to see the faith that you are most familiar with in a different, richer light. Each of the world religions has its own particular genius, its own special insight in the nature and requirements of compassion, and has something unique to teach us. By making room in your mind for other traditions, you are beginning to appreciate what many human beings, whatever their culture and beliefs, hold in common. So while you are investigating the teachings of your own tradition, take time to find out more about the way other faiths have expressed the compassionate ethos. You will find that this in itself will enable you to expand your sympathies and begin to challenge some of the preconceptions that separate us from "the other." The sages, prophets, and mystics of religious traditions did not regard compassion as an impractical dream. They worked as hard to implement it in the difficult circumstances of their time as we work today to find a cure for cancer. They were innovative thinkers, ready to use whatever tool lay to hand in order to reorient the human mind, assuage suffering, and pull their societies back from the brink. They did not cynically throw up their hands in despair, but insisted that every person had the ability to reform himself or herself and become an icon of kindness and selfless empathy in a world that seemed ruthlessly self-destructive. We need that energy and conviction today. Compiled From: "Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life" - Karen Armstrong, pp. 63, 64

Maintainer's Message EID MUBARAK! We wish you a happy and joyous Eid. May Allah accept our worship and sacrifices during the blessed days of Dhul-Hijja. May Allah accept the Hajj of the pilgrims and return them home safely. Eid Mubarak. ------------------------ Spread the word. Follow the links below to invite more friends and families to join Friday Nasiha.

Friday Nasihah

Living The Quran Pilgrimage Al-Imran (The House of Imran) - Chapter 3: Verse 97 (partial) "Pilgrimage to this house is a duty owed to God by all people who are able to undertake it. As for those who disbelieve, God does not stand in need of anything in all the worlds." Pilgrimage is a personal obligation on every individual once in a lifetime, and it becomes due when the conditions of ability are fulfilled, including physical health, ability to travel and safe passage. Pilgrimage is the Muslims' annual general assembly which is held at the House from which their message was given to them for the first time, and which witnessed the birth of the pure faith of Abraham and which was the first House God has set up on earth for His own worship. Pilgrimage is, therefore, an assembly of great significance. Its historical associations centre round the noble concept of faith, which highlights the link between man and his Creator. Faith means man's spiritual response to God, a fact of great significance considering that only by the breathing of God's spirit has man acquired his humanity. It is a worthy concept to form the basis of human unity. Hence, it is appropriate that people should assemble every year at the Sacred Place which witnessed the birth of this call to mankind to unite on pure faith. Compiled From: "In The Shade of The Quran" - Sayyid Qutb, Vol 2, pp. 152, 153

Understanding the Prophet's Life The Witness On the ninth day of Dhul Hijja in the tenth year of hijrah, the Prophet, peace be upon him, addressed 144,000 pilgrims on the Mount of Mercy. He spoke in small portions, and men around him repeated his words so that everyone throughout the valley could hear his speech. The content of the message was powerful and intense, and the Prophet began by stating that he did not know whether he would again meet the pilgrims "in this place after this year." Then he reminded them of the sacred character of the place and month, as well as of that of their lives, their honour, and their belongings. He explained that the period of ignorance had come to an end, and so had its practices, its rivalries, and its conflicts based on power and profit. Henceforth, all Muslims were united by faith, fraternity, and love, which were to transform them into witnesses of Islam's message. They must under no circumstances accept being "either oppressors or oppressed." They were to learn of the equality of all poeple in front of God and the necessary humility becasue "you all descend from Adam and Adam was created from dirt. The most noble in the sight of God is the most pious. No Arab is superior to a non-Arab, except by their intimate consciousness of God [piety]." The Prophet reminded all the Muslims to treat their wives gently and added: "Be intimately conscious of God with regards to women, and strive to be good to them." Then he added, as if to show the Way and its conditions to all the faithful present and all those who were to follow his teachings through the ages: "I have left among you what will, if you keep to it firmly, preserve you from error: clear guidance, the Book of God and His Prophet's tradition." After each teaching the Prophet added: "Have I conveyed the Message? O God, be my witness!" At the end of the sermon, the pilgrims answered: "We bear witness that you have faithfully conveyed the message, that you have fulfilled your mission, and that you have given your community good advice." Then the Prophet concluded: "O God, be my wintess! ... And let whoever is present convey this message to whoever is absent." [Ibn Hisham] The Prophet was indeed a witness in front of the spiritual community of Muslims. In communion with them, at the heart of the pilgrimage - which itself requires simplicity and the unity of human beings before their Creator - the Messenger recalled the essential point in the One's message: the absolute equality of human beings before God, regardless of race, social class, or gender, for the only thing that distinguishes them lies in what they do with themselves, with their intelligence, their qualities, and most of all their heart. Compiled From: "In The Footsteps of The Prophet" - Tariq Ramadan, pp. 196, 197

Cool Concepts! Beginning and End The knowledge of where a verse begins and ends is essential for a number of reasons, including: 1. The acceptability of the prayer. Some scholars state that, if a person has not memorized the Fatiha, he must recite seven other verses of the Quran instead of it, and this cannot be done unless one knows the beginning and end of a verse. 2. The proper recitation of the Quran. It is preferrable - not mandatory - to pause at the end of every verse, and many scholars have stated that this is the Prophet's Sunnah. 3. The acceptability of the Friday sermon. Some scholars have stated that it is obligatory for the Friday sermon to include at least one full verse in it. 4. The ease in finding particular passages in the Quran. The finding of a particular passage is simplified by the knowledge and numbering of the verses of the Quran. Compiled From: "An Introduction to the Sciences of the Quran" - Yasir Qadhi, p. 152

My trip to Malaysia Part 10

Its been almost a year since I went to Malaysia, better wrap this up soon.

 We left early to take a flight from Kota Bharu to Kuala Lumpur which is a very quick trip; about half an hour.When we left the airport we took a bus and my seat had no seatbelt but others did. I guess even here buses don't have seatbelts. So many taxis also had no seatbelts at the back for my kids and I and was PO'd about that. Shame on Malaysia for still not updating this. We went to Midvalley Mega Mall but for the life of me I don't remember anything about it but my daughter wrote it in her diary so it must be true. We stayed at the Prescott Inn which was conveniently located close to everything and affordable. It was very clean and modern. Not a five star hotel but very acceptable. We walked a lot to local eateries which were cheap and delicious.Do not, I repeat do not,order western food at this hotel's restaurant. It was horrible. But as my husband said why are you ordering western food here in Malaysia anyway. He had a point. On this day I got to go to a place I've been dying to go to for so many years. You will see this picture on so many calendars, cookbooks etc and will probably not even know its in Malaysia. I'm talking about the Shah Alam mosque. Its a beautiful, large, blue domed mosque. I saw many quran classes going

how we got there.

on in the mosque and sat in the masjid area for a long time just soaking up the nur. There were lots of women who came to pray sunnah prayers wearing their lovely telekung (prayer garments). Around the mosque were people selling islamic clothing. When it was time to pray the imam began reciting my favourite surah;al-inshirah. It meant so much to me, to hear him recite fa inna illah yusri yusrah; verily after every difficulty comes relief, since my second time in Malaysia, was so much more pleasant than my first time, alhumdullilah.