Saturday 20 September 2008

10 great goals to set for this Ramadan

Still got a festering wound from the fight with your friend last year? Still upset about something your spouse said during a heated argument? Or are you still bitter about the way your parents sometimes treated you as a kid? Let go of the anger and pain this Ramadan and forgive those who have hurt you.

Eat, drink and be moderate

Almost all of us do it - once Iftar time hits, we just keep plowing food and drink into our mouths till it's hard to move afterwards. And those of us who do it know this is totally contrary to the spirit of Ramadan, through which we're supposed to learn self-control not self-indulgence. Let's try to stick to the Prophetic rule on eating: fill our stomachs with one-third food, one-third water and one-third breathing space, even in Ramadan.

Give a dollar a day in charity...or five or ten

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was always generous but even more so in Ramadan. Let's open our hearts and dig a little deeper in our wallets this year. Even less than a dollar a day adds up. Whatever you can give, it's the intention that counts.

Memorize 4 new Surahs

Memorizing the Quran often seems like a daunting task. But the key is doing it in small bites. Since there are four weeks in Ramadan, try to memorize one new Surah a week. Start off with a short, easy one. Once you've started, you'll build momentum and may even want to memorize a longer one the following week.

Go to Tarawih prayers

Post-Iftar, the first urge is to sleep after an exhausting day. But try your best to head out to the mosque for Tarawih prayers. Praying alone is wonderful, but doing it in congregation is fantastic. The community spirit is part of Ramadan's blessings. Don't miss it this year. If going every day is not possible, try going at least once week.

Attend the Tarawih prayer in which the recitation of the Quran will be finished

Call the local mosque and find out which day the Imam will be finishing the recitation of the Quran in prayer. Attend to not only hear part of the Quran's recitation in prayer, but also participate in the heart-rending Duas that follow it.

Stop swearing and/or backbiting Ð with a special box

It's hard not to shoot our mouths off when someone's upset us. Whether we utter those four-letter words or backbite about someone to our family and friends, we know this isn't the God-approved way of letting off steam. In Ramadan, when we want to build our spirituality, we've got to wage Jihad against our bad habits.

Try this: get a box and every time you catch yourself swearing or backbiting put some money in it. It could be a buck or less. The point is to choose an amount that makes it feel like punishment.

At the end of the month send the money to a charity or buy a gift for the person whom you've backbitten the most against.

Call/email your relatives

You'd think that given the easy access to email, competitive long-distance calling rates, phone cards, etc. these days, we'd keep in touch with family and friends more often. But the opposite seems to be the case, as we get caught up in life's "busyness."

Strengthening ties with family members and keeping in touch with friends is part of our way of life and an act Allah is very pleased with. This Ramadan, call family and friends or at least email them a Ramadan card and ask them how their fasting is going.

Go on a technology diet

Even if you work in the IT industry, you can do this. Avoid checking personal email and surfing the web during your fast. After Iftar, instead of plopping yourself in front of the screen, go to Tarawih. The same goes for the television. The point is to try to give our full attention to spiritual elevation this month.

Read 5 minutes of Quran a day...just five, more, not less

Even if you feel you've got absolutely no time, set a timer or the alarm on your cell phone and find a relatively quiet place. You can read the first page of the Quran you open or follow a sequence. The choice is yours. The point is simply to connect with God through His revelation in the month of the Quran.

Forgive everyone who has hurt you

Still got a festering wound from the fight with your friend last year? Still upset about something your spouse said during a heated argument? Or are you still bitter about the way your parents sometimes treated you as a kid? Let go of the anger and pain this Ramadan and forgive those who have hurt you. Forgiving someone is not only good for the body, but it's also great for the soul. And in Ramadan, ten days of which are devoted to Allah's forgiveness, shouldn't we lesser beings forgive too?

If you find it very difficult to forgive everyone, forgive at least three people.

Happy Ramadan !!!

Monday 8 September 2008

10 ways to do Da’wah from the comfort of your home!

By Fatima Barkatulla
SISTERS MAGAZINE 2008

If you’ve always wanted to be a Da’iyah; to invite people to the Truth, but felt you don’t have time, then you better take a fresh look at Da’wah! Check out these 10 ideas and make your home a Da’wah hub!

1. Bake a cake for your neighbours
It’s amazing what effect reaching out to our neighbours can have. A simple gesture such as baking a cake for them can really change their perception of Islam and Muslims. It is those little day-to-day interactions that make people think twice about how Islam is often portrayed in the media.
The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “O Muslim Women, do not think that any gift is too insignificant to give to a neighbour, even if it is only a sheep’s foot”. (1)

2. Start a Blog
Even if it’s to write about an aayah of the Qur’an that has affected you, having a web presence is an effective Da’wah tool. Every time someone Googles: ‘Islam’, they are met with a plethora of links many of which misrepresent Islam. So your web presence means that people are more likely to come across correct information about Islam.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Convey (my message) from me, even if it is one aayah”. (2)

3. Phone or write to a friend
Supporting our sisters in Islam is also Da’wah because while you chat you can help renew a sisters Eaman, give her some timely advice regarding something she’s worried about, and remind her to have Sabr, which all come under ‘enjoining the good.’
Remember that Allah says in the Qur’an: “By Time, Indeed Man is in loss, except for those who Believe, and work righteous deeds, and advise one another with Truth and advise one another with Sabr (Patient perseverance).” (Suratul ‘Asr)

4. Send a cheque to a Da’wah organisation
There are plenty of organisations that print booklets or translations of the Qur’an and hold exhibitions to spread the word of Islam. By sending them a donation you will not only be participating in Da’wah, you’ll be rewarded for Sadaqah Jariyyah (ongoing charity) as your donation may cause a ripple effect, touching future generations, or it may mean someone accepting Islam and practising it.
“By Allah, if Allah were to guide just one man through you it would be better for you than red camels.” (3)

5. Call up a Radio Phone-in show
The society we live in has many social problems: poverty due to debt, absent fathers, criminal youth, abortion, sexual depravity of all kinds. By presenting the Islamic solution to society’s problems you could leave a lasting impression on millions! Islam is being discussed regularly nowadays on all major radio stations. Call up and correct a misconception someone has about Islam and be a guardian of our Deen!
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand, and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue, and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith.” (4)

6. Invite someone round for tea.
Whether it is the Jehovah’s Witness lady, who knocks on your door, or someone else you have met, you can invite them round for an informal chat. Let them learn a little something about Islam. You could just tell them what we believe about the Prophet ‘Isa (as) and you will have conveyed an important part of our message.

7. Write an article for a magazine or website.
There must be something you feel passionately about or an experience you’ve had, that others could benefit from. Put pen to paper and let your ideas flow. Base what you write upon the Qur’an and Sunnah and have it checked by a person of knowledge. It’ll be a chance for you to do a bit of research, increase your knowledge and it may be a valuable resource for other sisters.

8. Start a study circle
Host a small gathering of sisters for an hour every week. Present a short talk about one aspect of Islam you have looked into, or study the tafsir of a particular surah together. Invite sisters who don’t normally go to a circle. Allah will put so much Barakah in your home insha Allah!
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said in a Hadeeth Qudsi, that Allah says:
“I am as My servant expects Me to be. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it.”

9. Be your husband’s Rock
When we support our husbands’ efforts in Da’wah, we will be rewarded too. Allow him time to spend in this cause and help him in any way you can. Remember the Hadeeth, in which Asmâ bint Yazîd ibn as Sakan (RA) came to the Prophet (sallallâhu alaihi wa sallam) and said: “Oh Messenger of Allâh, may my father and mother be sacrificed for you. I have come to you on behalf of the women. We have believed in you. We do not go out and we remain in your homes. We are your source of physical pleasure. We carry your children. A man goes out to pray jumu’ah and jamâ’ah and follows the janazah. And if you go out fo Hajj, or ‘Umrah, or Jihâd, we look after your wealth. We wash your clothing. We raise your children. Shall we not share in the reward?”
The Prophet (sallallâhu alaihi wa sallam) turned to his companions and said: “Have you ever heard anything a woman has said better than what she has said?”
Then he said to her: “Understand O Woman, and inform the other women. Indeed a woman’s perfection of her relationship with her husband, her seeking his pleasure, and doing that which he approves of is equivalent to all of that.” Asmâ left exclaiming “La ilâha illa Allâh!” (5)

10. Teach your children
Bringing our children up to understand and love the message of Islam is our most important Da’wah project! Remember that everything you do to increase their knowledge and make them strong, righteous people is priceless and will be rewarded.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “All of you are shepherds and are responsible for their flocks. A leader is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. A man is a shepherd over his family and is responsible for his flock. A woman is the shepherd in the house of her husband and is responsible for her flock…” (6)

1. Bukhari & Muslim.
2. Fathul Bari (Explanation of Sahih al-Bukhari), 6/496
3. Fathul Bari (Explanation of Sahih al-Bukhari), 7/476
4. Sahih Muslim 2/22, Kitabul Iman.
5. Adh-Dhahabi related it in Siyar A'lâm An-Nubalâ (it is not 'saheeh' but Sheikh Haitham gave me ijaazah to quote it as its meaning is correct.)
6. Bukhari & Muslim

Monday 1 September 2008

15 Reasons Not to Waste Your Life!

by Sound Vision Staffwriter

We all feel bad "wasting" time. We realize time spent on trivial things makes us lazy and unproductive. However, many of us fail to visualize the long-term consequences of killing time on futile matters, both in this world and the world that awaits us.

The following words of wisdom will help us appreciate how the most productive and influential leaders and scholars of Islam valued time.

*Time can't return. Whatever time passes by will not return and cannot be replaced.
Imam Ibn al-Jawzi used to say, "The breaths of man are his steps to death!". Moreover, Imam Ash-Shafiee would say, "Time is like a Sword. Cut it (wisely), before it cuts you!" Therefore, kill your time productively, before it kills you!

*Boxes are sealed. A teacher used the following analogy of boxes: Each hour is like a box that is sealed and placed in a shelf. On the Day of Judgement, these boxes (24 boxes/per day) will be opened and their contents will be displayed to us.

If we filled each hour of our day in life with good deeds, we will rejoice. If we filled these hours with useless amusements and sins, we will regret to see the contents of the boxes on that Day. How we fill them these 24 boxes every day is our choice. Only we have control over it. Once they are sealed as the day ends, only Allah has the keys to unlock them on the Day of Judgment.

*The most priceless possession of man: life itself. An Imam used to remind his students, "Time is not just money. It is more expensive than gold, diamonds and pearls. Time is life itself!"

Hassan al Basri: "O son of Adam! You are but a bundle of days. As each day passes away, a portion of you vanishes away." Can we afford to lose a portion of our body or soul everyday to hellfire through wastage of time on useless and un-Islamic things?

*Accountability of youth and life. We will be asked about our youth and life on the Day of Judgment, both of which are related to time.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, warned us, "Man shall not be let go or discharged on the Day of Judgement until he has been questioned about FOUR things:

1- with regard to his Life: how did he spend it?
2- with regard to his Youth: in what ways did he expend it?
3- with regard to his Wealth: where did he earn it from and what did he spend it on?
4- with regard to his Knowledge: what use did he put it to?"

(Al-Bazzar and At-Tabarani)

*Better to be stingy with wasting time. Hassan al Basri, a renowned follower of the Companions, once said, "I have lived with a people who were more stingy with their time than you people are with your money."

*Idle Person: A sign of Allah's dislike. Imam Ibn Qayyim stated, "One of the many signs that one is disliked by Allah is the wasting of his or her time." Allah allows a person who is neglectful of His message to be involved in activities that are worthless.

*Disrespect to Time. Productive Muslims of the past would consider it disrespect to time, if they spent a day without doing any thing beneficial to their community or to themselves. One of them would say, "I do not regret anything as much as I regret a day in which my good actions have not increased."

*Procrastination and Laziness are dangerous! We are not sure whether we will live until tomorrow to be able to do something good. Even if we live till tomorrow, are we certain that there won't be any obstacles in carrying out that action. Why putt off something good to an abyss of uncertainty? If we procrastinate and waste time today, what will motivate us to spend time productively tomorrow?

*Ungratefulness to Allah's gift. Leisure and spare time are blessings from Allah which we grossly undervalue today. As the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, reminded us, "Good health and spare time are two of the blessings of Allah with respect to which many people are deceived." (Al-Bukhari)

*Lose time, Lose peace. Some pious scholars used to say that those people who kill their time in unproductive ways would lose peace and serenity from their hearts. They would be so overwhelmed with work deadlines and harmful amusements of this life that they would rarely have time to spend with their family, in remembering Allah, and on causes that matter- the real source of tranquility or sakina in life.

*Ready for tomorrow? Let's remember the old Muslim adage, "Work for your world as if you are going to live forever and work for your hereafter as if you are going to die tomorrow."

*Productivity shouldn't die with our death. We should not miss any opportunity to do a good deed even if the world is ending. We are asked to be productive and optimistic even in times of crisis and chaos.

Prophet Muhammad said, "If the day of judgement is about to happen and one of you has a seedling in his hands, he should go ahead and plant that before he is overwhelmed by the day." (Hadith)

*Return Allah's Trust. Time is a trust from Allah, it is our responsibility to use it in the most effective way pleasing to Allah. We all know how difficult and embarrassing it is to face someone, for instance our parent or teacher, after we break their trust by disobeying their instructions. How would we face Allah if we break His trust?

*Being Productive is Sunnah (Prophetic tradition). As the Prophet advised us, "Every day, for every joint in the body a person should perform a charity; reconciling between two brothers is charity; helping somebody lift his baggage is charity; every step you take towards Salaah is charity; and every time you remove something harmful from the way is charity. (Bukhari and Muslim). This is how the Prophet, peace be upon him, encouraged us to fill our time with such productive acts.

*Prophet's Time Management: This is how Prophet Muammad, peace and blessings buwould plan his day:
- He would divide his day into three parts: (1) for his family, (2) for spirituality and Ibadah (worship), usually a time in seclusion at night, and (3) for personal and social affairs (majority of this time would be spent dealing with people's problems, overseeing, educating, and mobilizing his community).

Tips on How to be Ultra Productive

Write down what needs to be accomplished – Use paper, not mind to store this info. Leave your brain for ideas and thinking. Reduces stress.
Break tasks down into the smallest unit possible – Determine the next action step. Start Now!
Set Milestones & Reward yourself – Let others know about your deadlines to hold yourself accountable
Prepare your environment for productivity
Use your most productive hours for your most important tasks.
Start with the quickest/easiest tasks first – If something takes 2-5 minutes to complete, do it right away.
Only work on one task a time - no emailing, MSN messenger, or calling.
Organize life on a daily and weekly basis - Treat each day as unique.Plan similar activities around the same time/on same days
Carve out time for non-urgent activities- Check your emails/voice messages 3 times a day. Fix time for regular chores.
Be flexible- Be willing to accommodate unexpected things for others and for Allah. Learn to negotiate with yourself.