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The Path of Goodness

Allah (سبحانه وتعال) says in the Qur’an:

فَأَمَّا مَن أَعْطَى وَاتَّقَى
وَصَدَّقَ بِالْحُسْنَى
فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْيُسْرَى
وَأَمَّا مَن بَخِلَ وَاسْتَغْنَى
وَكَذَّبَ بِالْحُسْنَى
فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْعُسْرَى
وَمَا يُغْنِي عَنْهُ مَالُهُ إِذَا تَرَدَّى
إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا لَلْهُدَى
وَإِنَّ لَنَا لَلْآخِرَةَ وَالْأُولَى

Translation: “So for him who gives in charity, fears Allah, and testifies to goodness, We shall facilitate for him the Path of good. As for him who is stingy and considers himself independent of Allah and rejects the goodness, We shall facilitate for him the Path to evil. What benefit will he get from his wealth, if he himself is doomed. Surely, it is for Us to give guidance, and surely, to Us belong the end and the beginning.” [92: 5-13]

The Calling Ya

Arabic has something called the “calling ya” in it. The closest thing we have in English is the “calling o”–as in “o my teacher” or “Oh God!” (As you can tell from the examples, we don’t use it much anymore these days–though, in Arabic, it’s quite common.)

The rules are quite simple–just like English, it’s “O so-and-so”. So for example, you could say “ya ummiy” (o my mother) or “ya taajiru” (o merchant). And, in fact, if you read the Qur’an at all, you’ll find these everywhere. The most common are:

The Perfect Investment

We go through our entire lives looking for that perfect investment; whether it be our education, our jobs or our wealth. We put in so much time to gather information and to make sure that our investment will yield a satisfying return. In the end though, there is no certainty of the return on investment that we will gain, it could be 5%, 10%, or even -10%. We never know whether we will gain or lose from the investment that we make.

60 Ways to Keep Your Husband’s Love

60 Ways to Keep Your Husband’s Love
  1. Behave like a female, i.e. all the tenderness of a female–a man doesn’t want a man for his wife!
  2. Dress pleasantly/attractively. If you are a home-maker, don’t stay in your sleeping suit all day.
  3. Smell good!
  4. Don’t lay out all your problems on your husband as soon as he walks in. Give him a little mental break.
  5. Don’t keep asking him, “what are you thinking?”
  6. Stop nagging non-stop before Allah ta’ala gives you something really to complain about.
  7. Absolutely no talking about your spousal problems to anyone you meet, not even under the pretense of seeking help! If you think you want to solve legitimate marital issues, then go seek counseling with the right person who can give advice in either:
  8. Mediate any injustice done so any wrong can be corrected and the couple can reunite in harmony, or
    • Amicable divorce
  • Be kind to your mother-in-law the same way you would like your husband to be kind to your own mother.
  • Learn all the rights and obligations of each other in Islam. Focus on fulfilling your obligations, not demanding your rights
  • Race to the door when he comes home, as if you were waiting for him. Smile and hug him.
  • Keep your house clean, at least to the level that he wants it.
  • Compliment him on the things you know he’s not so confident about (looks, intelligence, etc.) This will build his self-esteem.
  • Tell him he’s the best husband ever.
  • Call his family often.
  • Give him a simple task to do at home and then thank him when he does it. This will encourage him to do more.
  • When he’s talking about something boring, listen and nod your head. Even ask questions to make it seem like you’re interested.
  • Encourage him to do good deeds.
  • If he’s in a bad mood, give him some space. He’ll get over it, inshaAllah.
  • Thank him sincerely for providing you with food and shelter. It’s a big deal.
  • If he’s angry with you and starts yelling, let him yell it out while you’re quiet. You will see your fight will end a lot faster. Then when he’s calm, you can tell him your side of the story and how you want him to change something.
  • When you’re mad at him, don’t say “YOU make me furious”, rather, “This action makes me upset”. Direct your anger to the action and circumstance rather than at him.
  • Remember that your husband has feelings, so take them into consideration.
  • Let him chill with his friends without guilt, especially if they’re good guys. Encourage him to go out, so he doesn’t feel “cooped up” at home.
  • If your husband is annoyed over a little thing you do (and you can control it), then stop doing it. Really.
  • Learn how to tell him what you expect without him having to guess all the time. Learn to communicate your feelings.
  • Don’t get mad over small things. It’s not worth it.
  • Make jokes. If you’re not naturally funny, go on the internet and read some jokes, and then tell them to him.
  • Tell him you’re the best wife ever and compliment yourself on certain things you know you’re good at.
  • Learn to make his favorite dish.
  • Don’t ever, EVER talk bad about him with friends or family unnecessarily. If they end up agreeing with you, you will see that it hits you back in the face because you get more depressed that you have a bad husband–and other people also think you have a bad husband.
  • Use your time wisely and get things accomplished. If you’re a home-maker, take online classes and get active in your community. This will make you happy and a secondary bonus is that it impresses your husband.
  • Do all of the above fee sabeelillah and you will see Allah put barakah in everything you do.
  • Husband and wife should discuss and communicate with wisdom with each other to convey what they like and dislike of each other to do or not to do. Do NOT give commands or instructions like he’s your servant. “They are garment to each other” [Surah Baqarah, 2:187]
  • Tell your husband you love him, many, many times. Aisha (رضالله عنها) narrated that the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) used to ask her how strong her love for him, she said like “a knot.” And the next time he would ask her, “How is that knot?” He also used to reply to her saying, “Jazzakillah, O Aishah, wallahi, you have not rejoiced in me as I have rejoiced in you.”
  • Have a race with your husband and let him win, even if you are much fitter and stronger than him.
  • Keep fit and take care of your health so you will remain a strong mother, wife, cook and housekeeper, inshaAllah you will not get FAT and frumpy.
  • Refine and cultivate good mannerisms i.e do not whine, don’t laugh or talk too loud or walk like an elephant.
  • Do not leave the house without his permission and certainly not without his knowledge.
  • Make sure all his clothes are clean and pressed so he is always looking fresh and crisp.
  • Don’t discuss important/controversial matters with him when he is tired or sleepy. Find right time for right discussion.
  • The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.
  • Always let him know that you appreciate him working and bringing home the “dough”. It makes it easier for him to go to work.
  • Make sure you ALWAYS have something for dinner.
  • Brush your hair, everyday.
  • Don’t forget to do laundry.
  • Surprise him with gifts. Even necessities, such as new shoes, can be gifts.
  • Listen to him. (Even when he talks about extremely boring things like basketball or computers.)
  • Try (hard as it might be) to take interest in his hobbies.
  • Try not to go shopping too much … and spend all his money.
  • Look attractive and be seductive towards him. Flirt with him.
  • Learn tricks and “techniques” to please your husband in intimacy. (Of course goes both ways.)
  • Prepare for special evenings with him with special dinner and exclusive time (no children permitted).
  • Take care of your skin, especially your face. The face is center of attraction.
  • If you not satisfied intimately, talk to him and tell him. Help him or provide resources, don’t wait until matters become worse.
  • Ask Allah to strengthen and preserve the bonds of compassion and love between the two of you, every day, every prayer. Ask him to protect that bond from Shaytaan. When a lesser devil destroys the love between spouses, he is the most beloved of Shaytaan. Nothing works like du’ah, and love only exists between spouses where Allah instills it.
  • Don’t EVER compare your husbands to other husbands! For example don’t say, “well her husband doesn’t do that, why do you …” (thats a killer!)
  • Be happy with what you have because no one is perfect. If you want perfection, wait until you enter Jannah together inshaAllah–and of course, vice versa!
  • Strive for Allah’s love first and foremost! if all wives try to seek Allah’s love and pleasure, surely, they can keep their husbands love too. And remember–if Allah loves you, the angels will love you, and the entire creation will love you.
  • If you pack a lunch for your husband to take to work, from time to time sneak in a little love note or sweet poem. If he doesn’t take a lunch, leave the note somewhere else for him to find, like in his briefcase, or wallet or on the car steering-wheel
  • Wake him up for Qiyam ul-Layl (in the last third of the night) and ask him to pray with you.May Allah preserve all of our marriages and help us understand and implement them in and with the best of manners, ameen! InshaAllah if you know more ways, post them in the comments and share the benefit.
  • (For brothers, check out [60 Ways To Keep Your Wife’s Love, and the romance alive!][1] by shaykh Ahmed Shehab)
    
    <p class="metaInformation">
      Source (and <em>more</em> tips): <a href="http://forums.almaghrib.org/showthread.php?t=19999">Ways to Keep Your Husband&#8217;s Love &#8211; AlMaghrib Forums</a>
    </p>
    

    The Evils of Interest

    The Evils of Interest, with Practical Examples

    Why is interest evil?

    Allah Forbade Interest

    Allah says in the Qur’an:

    الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبَا لاَ يَقُومُونَ إِلاَّ كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُواْ إِنَّمَا الْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ الرِّبَا وَأَحَلَّ اللّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَ

    Translation: Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Evil one by his touch Hath driven to madness. That is because they say: “Trade is like usury,” but Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. [Surah Baqarah, 2:275]

    Ten Tips Towards Being a Successful Husband

    Prophet Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, “the best amongst you are the ones who are best to their wives.” So dear Muslim brother! Your obligations towards your wife are not limited to earning money and supporting her financially. A wife needs love from her husband, and emotional support too!

    10 Tips on How to Be a Successful Husband

    Note: Additions in brackets are notes from a sister.

    Prepared by Muhammad Alshareef, reprinted from Islamway.com.

    A Necklace of Fire

    In Surah Lahab, Allah says:

    وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ
    فِي جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌ مِّن مَّسَدٍ

    Translation: And his wife, the wood-carrier. Upon her neck is a twisted rope of Masad (palm fibre).

    Abu Lahab and his wife were some of the most severe opponents to the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم). They fully understood his message and recognized him as a Prophet, and still they opposed him, until the end of their days.

    Touched by an Angel

    Touched by an Angel

    Touched by an Angel: Tafseer Juz ‘Amma is an AlMaghrib Institute course taught by Muhammad Alshareef.

    Most Muslims learn the Qur’an starting with Juz ‘Amma–the shortest chapters of the Qur’an. But, most of us also have no idea what these verses we recite–day after day, and prayer after prayer, for many of us–actually mean, and what lessons they impart.

    Touched by an Angel: Tafeer Juz ‘Amma cures that, by giving Muslims what each and every one of us desires: understanding of the Qur’an. With themes such as the Apocalypse and the End of Time, the Day of Judgment, and Paradise and Hellfire, you will now finally be able to understand and appreciate all of these beautiful surahs of the Qur’an with your heart.

    The Shepherd’s Path

    The Shepherd’s Path

    The Shepherd’s Path is an AlMaghrib Institute course taught by Muhammad Alshareef.

    While many of us claim to love the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم), few of us follow his path, and fewer still know more then snatches of information about him. How did he live, and how did he die? What key lesson did the angel Jibreel send by squeezing him three times before the first revelation? What deep and profound lessons can we learn and apply from his life, to our current situation? What would he do if he were in our position today?

    The Love of Your Life

    One of the best things about Islam is that it’s a deen–a total, comprehensive, complete, and perfect way of life, and it governs every aspect of life from large-scale social phenomena (such as marriage) to the way you eat and sleep.

    For people who are dating, subhanallah, they say they’re looking for that “special someone” or “the right person.” But they continue dating for 6 months, a year, two years, five years, TEN years, they have kids–they’re still just dating–and they STILL don’t know! And when someone “better” comes along, they jump ship!