Tazkiyyah

In many countries (mostly Western countries–America, Canada, Europe, etc.) our communities fight over the actual start date of Ramadan. This, itself, is not so bad–because, alhamdulillah, everyone backs up their opinion with a legitimate fiqh source (more on that in a second). However, the problem is that people in the same region fast on different days–sometimes, even two people in the same house fast on different days! So how do we go about picking an appropriate date to start fasting?

For those who live in Western societies, fitnah abounds. From the moment you leave your house (or even before that), it bombards you from all sides, whether you’re a man or a woman. How can we lower our gaze under these distressing conditions? The following tactics will benefit you inshallah if you apply them consistently. Peripheral Vision: Fix your gaze on the ground a meter or two in front of you and see with your peripheral vision.

Another important gem we learn from the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) and the early generations is that power comes with conciseness. During the time of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), he received a letter from a man named Musaylimah, who claimed prophethood as well, and wished to divide up the area. In response, the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) wrote: “From Muhammad the Messenger of Allah to Musaylimah the liar.

During the battle of Yarmuk, Az-Zubayr (رضي الله عنه) tried to incite the mujahideen to fight against the Romans. (You can read the entire incident here.) From this incident, we learn some important leadership lessons: When nobody steps up to the task, the leader must take the initiative to get the job done. Because, one way or another, the task must be completed. Leaders also work in the trenches, when circumstances require it of them.

We praise someone under two circumstances: for the excellent attributes they possess, or for the deeds they perform towards us, such that we feel gratitude towards them. [1] The only one who deserves praise in all these levels is the Creator of excellence, the Perfect Being who showers us with abundant favors again and again! الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ Translation: All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds. [Surah Al-Fatiha, verse 2]

Last month before summer ends, we let the days go by or wrap up summer courses before it all starts over again! To get that degree, we consistently keep up with projects, homework, study for tests, etc. And sure enough, most of us accomplish this ‘goal’ within the time we aimed for. But do we have similar goals for learning the deen? It might be something we admired–and perhaps desired–but never really worked for.

On the authority of Abu al-‘Abbas Sahl bin Sa’d al-Sa’idi (رضي الله عنه) who said: A man came to the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, direct me to an act which if I do it, [will cause] Allah to love me and people to love me.” He (صلي الله عليه وسلم) answered: “Be indifferent to the world and Allah will love you; be indifferent to what people possess and they will love you.

Learning Arabic? Trying to memorize the Qur’an? Then inshaAllah you’ll find this Yahoo Groups beneficial: Qur’anic Word of the Day. Every day, the administrator sends out a word–Arabic and english–as well as references to two ayat in the Qur’an that contain the word (transliteration and translation). Very beneficial mashaAllah. Also, for those new to Yahoo! Groups, they’re like public mailing lists. You can configure your settings so you receive an email daily, or a digest weekly, or no email (and you browse from the site).

The following is a beautiful little speech by Shaykh Abdullah Adhami, entitled “A Wife”. Read it inshallah ta’ala and benefit from it. Props to Beautiful Islam for the original. By getting married you are not just getting a wife, you are getting your whole world. From now until the rest of your days your wife will be your partner, your companion, and your best friend.She will share your moments, your days, and your years.

While FIFA World Cup blares over TV, reports on the radio, articles in the paper, we see our friends, our family, our co-workers, all of them glued to this new world. Here are eleven reasons to unglue them (and yourself!) inshallah ta’ala: I will be questioned on the Day of Judgement about how I squandered and wasted my time. Who are those guys running around like headless chickens kicking that ball?