Husain Abdullah is approaching his most challenging month of the football season.

That’s when the Minnesota Vikings backup safety observes Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting and prayer. As a practicing Muslim, Abdullah will not eat or drink at all during daylight hours for the 30-day period that begins Wednesday.

Even while sprinting in the heat and humidity during drills, sometimes in full pads, Abdullah is adamant about his faith. He will not allow himself so much as a cup of water until the sun sets and before it rises.

“I’m putting nothing before God, nothing before my religion,” Abdullah said. “This is something I choose to do, not something I have to do. So I’m always going to fast.”

Read more here: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5itX3GrXmH9LY-XCGF79lNSEe9HWwD9HFGSM00

DEARBORN, Mich. — A Michigan high school football team is holding preseason practices in the middle of the night to help its Muslim players practice both faith and football.

The predominantly Muslim squad from Dearborn says the nocturnal regimen is a way for players to eat and drink while observing the holy month of daytime fasting known as Ramadan that started last week.

Read more here: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/highschool/news/story?id=5467167

When we, Muslims, live halal, people will notice it and respect it. And when enough of us do that, stories like this will pop up in the media!

If you’re a smoker and want to quit take some advice from Mohammed Ameen. He gave up smoking and went on Hajj with the money he saved!

He is now urging other people to make the most of the month of Ramadhan and quit the deadly habit for good.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/bBzxsK

The Personal Relationship Between a Scholar and His Student

Imam Ahmad used to mention the virtues of his sheikh, Imam Ash Shafi’ee to his wife. He would mention to her the extensive and superb knowledge of Imam Ash Shafi’ee as well as his taqwah (i.e. piety). Imam Ahmad invited Imam Ash Shafi’ee to come visit him at his home. When the time for dinner arrived, Imam Ash Shafi’ee ate until he was full and went to the guest room for some sleep.

The wife of Imam Ahmad said to him: “O Ahmad! Is this the same Shafi’ee that you used to tell me so much about?“

Imam Ahmad said: “Indeed he is!“

So she said: “I noticed three things about him worthy of criticism! Firstly, when we served him the food, he ate plenty of it! Secondly, when he went into the guest room, he went to sleep without standing up to perform the night prayer (i.e. tahujjud)! Lastly, when he prayed Salat ul Fajr with us, he did not perform ablution (i.e. wudhu)?!”

So Imam Ahmad went to Imam Ash Shafi’ee to ask him about these three matters his wife noticed. Imam Ash Shafi’ee said to him, (the way a father would explain to his son): “O Ahmad! I ate plenty because I know for certain that your food is halal (i.e. permissible islamically) and you are a generous man! And the food that comes from a generous man is a cure, while the food that comes from a stingy man is a disease!

However, I didn’t eat plenty of food in order to achieve my fill; rather I ate plenty of your food in order to derive the cure from it! As for the reason I didn’t stand up at night to perform the night prayer, when I laid my head down to get some sleep, I looked and all I could see was the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (Sallahu alaihi wa salam) right in front of my face! So I deducted 72 fiqh related benefits from them for the Muslims to benefit from. Thus there was no opportunity for me to stand and perform the night prayer!

As for the reason why I prayed Salat ul Fajr without performing ablution, by Allah! My eyes never tasted the sweetness of sleep in order for me to renew my wudhu!! I was awake the whole night, so I prayed Salat ul Fajr with the same wudhu I had for Salat ul Isha!!!“

[Collected by Al Hafidh Ibn Hajr in Fath ul Bari concisely and by Abu Nu’aim in Hilya tul Awliyaa’. Translated by Abu Azzubayr Shadeed Muhammad on 3/30/2010 in the City of Riyadh Saudi Arabia]

Assalam Aleikum wa Rahmatula wa Barakatu

Ramadan is around the corner. Are you ready for the month? Are you
ready to get the most of the fasting, or simply to get by with the
fasting?

I am forming a 7-day cleansing program starting from the first week of
July. You are cordially invited to join me. Click on the link below to
learn about this Pre-Ramadan Cleansing Program.

Pre-Ramadan Cleansing Program:

http://islamicholisticliving.wordpress.com/2010/06/18/pre-ramadan-cleasning-its-free-sign-up-now/

It’s amazing. It’s rewarding. It’s FREE!

Please spread the words and share this information with your friends
and family members.

Wendy

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Asalaamu Alaiakum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu

4 Signs of Those who are  Studying the Qur’aan Properly

By Cilia Ndiaye

Administrator of Ad-Duha Institute

Website: http://ad-duha.org/

There are four signs that we can look for, in ourselves, that indicate how successfully we are listening to, reciting, and/or studying the Qur’an, and Allah knows best. These four signs are as follows…

1. Comprehension:

We should understand the meaning of what we are listening to or reciting (for example we are able to tell others what the ayaat are about). As Allah tells us, “(Here is) a Book which we have sent down unto thee, full of blessings, that they may meditate on its signs, and that men of understanding may receive admonition.” (Qur’aan 38:29)

This means that if you do not understand Arabic, you should make sincere efforts to learn it.

In the meantime, using a translation to assist in comprehending the message can be very helpful. However, using a translation should be a tool that you use to get to the goal (i.e. learning Arabic) rather than a goal in and of itself.

2. Emotion:

Once we understand what we are reading or listening to, we naturally will feel the weight (importance) of the message so much so that our hearts are moved by strong emotion (i.e. fear, hope, happiness, love, wonder, gratitude, etc.). As Allah tells us in the Qur’aan, “For believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put (all) their trust In their Lord.” (Qur’aan 8:2).

3. Weeping:

This strong emotion (mentioned above) does not just stop in our thoughts. The emotions that are most strongly felt are those that inspire in us a physical response. In the case of the Qur’aan, this immediate physical response is to weep (tears without loud wailing, flailing, or exaggeration). We should weep when we recite or listen to the Qur’aan (i.e. tears of joy at Allah’s mercy, tears due to fear of Allah’s punishment, or tears of gratitude due to Allah’s generous blessings, etc.). As Allah tells us in the Qur’aan, “…and when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, you will see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth: They pray: “Our Lord! We believe; write us down among the witnesses.” (Qur’aan 5:83) …“Do you then wonder at this recital (the Qur’aan)? And will ye laugh and not weep, wasting your time in vanities? But fall you down in prostration to Allah, and Adore (him)!” (Quran 53:59-62)

4. Responding:

As the ayah above indicates about the believers, tears are not the only response to the Qur’aan. Although necessary for our own benefit, tears are passive, and the Qur’aan requires and active response through a change in behavior to meet the goals that Allah has set out for us. Thus, we should respond to what is said in the Qur’aan with affirmations and praise (just as Rasulullah did). Allah has recorded in the Qur’aan how a believer should respond (with their speech and actions) to the Qur’aan  “…and when it is recited to them, They say: “We believe therein, for it is the truth from Our Lord: indeed we have been Muslims (bowing to Allah’s will) from before this.” (Qur’aan 28:53)  “…only those believe in Our Signs, who, when they are recited to them, fall down in adoration, and celebrate the praises of their Lord, nor are they (ever) puffed up with pride.” (Qur’aan 32:15)

In conclusion, the Qur’aan is a message to us that we must seek to understand and implement in our lives. By looking at what Allah has told us in the Qur’aan itself, and the behavior of Rasulullah, we can learn valuable lessons about how to study the Qur’aan properly and get the most benefit from it insha-Allah, and Allah knows best.

~~~

Disclaimer: Our sister site http://Halalbuzz.com is promoting Ad-Duha, because one of the parents that bought the books loved Ad-Duha so much that she paid to send out an email about them. Of course, we figured an article is more beneficial than a simple email, inshaAllah.

Wasalaamu Alaiakum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu

How to gain Khushu in Salat

By Dr. Mamdouh N. Mohamed Associate Professor at the American Open University

What is Khushuu’?

Khushuu‟ during Salaat is misunderstood by some people as crying and weeping. Rather, it is the presence of the heart during an act of „ibadah. When a person‟s heart is fully occupied of what he says or hears, he is in a true state of khushuu‟. The concept of Khushuu‟ in Salaat is very essential.

1- It is a vital factor in making a person successful in this life and in later life. “Indeed, the believers, who have khushuu‟ in their Salaat, are the winners.”

2-It is a contributing factor for the acceptance of Salaat.

3- It is a way to gain more rewards from the Almighty Allah; the more the khushuu‟ a person has, the more rewards he gets.

4- Without Khushuu‟ the heart cannot easily be purified.

Ways to Gain Khushuu

A. Pre-Salaat

1- A Muslim should know his Lord very well. Knowing whom one worships makes a person a better worshipper. Having clear and authentic knowledge about Allah increases His love in our hearts. Consequently, faith also increases.

2- Avoiding major and minor sins is very helpful in gaining Khushuu‟, as the heart becomes more receptive to the words of Allah during and after Salaat.

3- Reciting the Qur‟an frequently and consistently softens the hearts and prepares it for Khushuu‟. Hard hearts do not gain Khushuu‟.

4- Minimize attachment to worldly matters. Gearing one‟s intentions towards the Afterlife helps against the temptations of life.

5- Avoid excessive laughter and useless arguments as they harden the heart and lead to heedlessness.

6- Stop working as soon as you hear the Azaan. When you listen attentively to the call of Salaat repeat after the muˆz-zin then offer the relevant supplication. This prepares you for a smooth transition from the business with worldly matters to the business with Salaat.

7- Performing wuduuˆ immediately after hearing the Azaan prepares you for the pending Salsat. Wuduuˆ also works as a buffer zone before engaging in Salaat.

8- Going to the mosque early for praying and continuing mention of Allah drives Satan away and help gain concentration.

9- The waiting time for the congregational Salaat helps create a buffer zone between the state of mind before Salaat and the state of during Salaat.

B. During Salaat

1- The Iqaamah itself is a final signal to the mind to be well prepared for

performing the actual Salaat. Remember what the messenger of Allah said to Bilal (ra) “Let us enjoy the comfort of the Salaat.”

2- When you stand facing the Qiblah remember the following:

a. It might be the last Salaat in your life. There is no guarantee to live longer to catch the next Salaat.

b. You are standing between the hands of Allah, the Lord of the worlds. How can you be busy with something else?

c. The angel of death is chasing you.

3- Do not forget to make isti‟azah. It wards off Satan‟s whispers.

4- Keep your eyes focused on the place of sujuud. This helps you gain more concentration.

5- When reciting the Fatiha, try to recall the response of Allah to you after every ayah you say. (When you say: ”al-hamdu lillahi rab-bil „alamin) Allah responds: “My servant praised me.” etc. This feeling of speaking to Allah puts you in the right mood of khushuu‟.

6- Beautifying the recitation of the Qur‟an has a positive impact on the heart.

7- Recite the Qur‟an slowly and reflect upon its meaning deeply.

8- It is recommended to change the suras that your recite from time to

time to avoid the mechanic-like state of repetition.

9- Alternate between the various authentic sunan such as proclaiming a different opening supplication in every Salaat.

10- Undoubtedly, understanding Arabic helps you focus on the intended meaning.

11- Interact with the recited aayahs;

a. if you hear an ayah about Allah, glorify Him by saying “Subhaana Allah”;

b. If you hear an ayah about Hellfire, say “a‟uuthu billaahi mina-n-naar”.

c. If you hear a command to make istighfaar, do it.

d. If you hear an ayah that requests tasbiih, make tasbiih.

12- These forms of interactions are very helpful in keeping you focused.

13- When you prostrate, remember that this position brings you closer to Allah. Seize the opportunity to make sincere du‟aaˆ. Invest these moments in making sincere supplications.

C- Post-Salaat

e. When you make tasliim, make istighfaar to Allah as you might have made during Salaat.

f. When you praise Allah, thank Him from the bottom of your heart that you have experienced the beauty of Salaat in your heart. Getting used to this habit prepares your for the next Salaat, as you will always be eager to focus in your prayer.

g. One perfection leads to another perfection. If some one perfects his Salaat once, he would be self-motivated to continue on the same level.

May Allah fill our hearts with khushuu‟ – Aameen.

Ibrahim was very happy to see sheik Nabeel open the door to his room. We can only see his happiness from his expression as he is unable to speak

Notice the breathing instrument around Ibrahim’s neck.. he is unable to even breath normally.

Thus sheik Nabeel and Ibrahim started talking about da’wa on the internet and the striving it requires.
They also exchanged some stories

According to Makkah, 10th of Muharram for 1431 is on December 27th, 2009.

So please remember to fast on Sunday the 27th and the following day Monday the 28th (instead of fasting Saturday the day before, because there is an opinion based on a narration that fasting on Saturday is not allowed except for obligatory fasts, and Allah knows best).

YouTube Link

Post your questions to sister Wendy our speaker for the upcoming session (it’s a recorded event based on your posted questions).

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