Assalam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu

The best 10 days of the year are fast approaching..these are nothing but the first 10 days of the Dhul-Hijjah

These are the most virtuous days of the year and we have to strive hard with more nafl prayers , fasting, zikr , quran recitation and sadaqa and other ibadah.Listen to the excellent lecture The Merits of the 10 Days of Thul Hujjah – by Dr. Saleh as-Saleh (Rahimahullah)

A reminder about the Virtues of the First 10 Days of Dhil-Hijjah

Know that the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah are the best and most virtuous days of the year –for both the pilgrim and those who stay behind. They are days of striving to gain closeness and proximity to Allaah and seeking His Mercy and Forgiveness. They are days of Salaah, and Zakaah, Fasting, du’aa and the remembrance of Allaah, sincere repentance, and all other virtuous deeds.

And Allaah swore by these days in His saying:

وَالْفَجْرِ * وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ

“By the Dawn, and by the Ten Nights.” [Al-Fajr (89):1-2]

And the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:

أَفضَلُ أَيَّامِ الدُّنيَا أَيَّامُ العَشْرِ

“The best days in the dunyaa are the ten days.” 1 [al-Bazzaar. See Saheehul-Jaami' of Shaykh Al-Albaanee (#1133)]

And the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:

مَا مِنْ أَيَامٍ العَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فَيهَا أَحَبُّ إَلَى اللهِ مِن أيامِ العَشرِ
قَالُواْ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ! وَ لاَ الجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ؟
قال: و لاَ الجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ؛ إِلاَّ رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ بِنَفسِهِ وَ مَالِهِ ، فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ مِن ذَلِكَ بِشَيءٍ

” There are no days during which good righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than the ten days (the first ten days of Dhil-Hijjah).” So the Companions asked: “Not even Jihaad in the Path of Allaah?” He said: “Not even Jihaad in the Path of Allaah, except for a man who goes out with his person and his wealth, and comes back with nothing.” 2

[Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim from Ibn 'Umar and others, al-Bukhaaree from Ibn 'Abbaas, Muslim from Abee Sa'eed, At-Tahaawiyyah (#734), Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood (#2438), and As-Saheehah (#1471). ]

During these days it is recommended to increase in making takbeer, tahleel, and tamheed, and to increase in all types of righteous deeds, like prayer, fasting, giving in charity and so on.

Fasting the Day of ‘Arafah

And from these righteous actions is fasting the Day of ‘Arafah. The Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:

يُكَفَّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ ، وَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي بَعْدَهُ

“It expiates (the sins) of the previous year, and the following year.” 3 [Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhee (#749)]

And this fast is for those who remained behind, as fasting the Day of ‘Arafah by those who are at ‘Arafah is not from the guidance of the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) and his Companions. ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Umar (Radiyallaahu ‘anhumaa) was asked about fasting the Day of ‘Arafah by those at ‘Arafah. He said: “I made Hajj with the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) and he did not fast it, and with Aboo Bakr and he did not fast it, and with ‘Umar and he did not fast it, and ‘Uthmaan and he did not fast it. And I do not fast it, nor do I order it, nor do I prohibit it.” 4 [ Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhee (#751) ]

The Sacrifice

Of these 10 blessed days is the Day of an-Nahr, or ‘Eedul-Adhaa. The Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:

إَنَّ أَعْظَمَ الأَيَّامِ عِندَ اللهِ تَبارَكَ وَ تَعالَى يَومُ النَّحْرِ ، ثُمَّ يَومُ القَرَِّ

“Verily the greatest of Days with Allaah- the Blessed and Most High- is the Day of Sacrifice, then the Day of Rest [following it].” 5 [Saheeh Sunan Aboo Daawood (#1552)]

And know that the sacrifice is from those actions that are highly stressed upon for those who have the ability, as the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:

مَنْ كَانَ لَهُ سَعَةٌ وَ لَم يُضَحِّ فَلاَ يَقْرَبَنَّ مُصَلاَّنَا

“Whoever has the means, and does not sacrifice, should not approach our musallaa.”6 [Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah (#2549): Hasan.]

And the one who has the ability and intends to sacrifice an animal, then he is not to cut his hair and nails, from the first day of Dhul-Hijjah up until after he sacrifices.

And Allaah has made the days of An-Nahr (the day of ‘Eed) and at-Tashreeq (the 3 days that follow it) days of eating and drinking.

The Takbeeraat

From the day of ‘Arafah (9th of Dhil-Hijjah) up until the ‘Asr prayer on the 13th day of Dhil-Hijjah, after the Salaah, we make the takbeeraat. Ibn Abee Shaybah reported that ‘Alee used to make the takbeer beginning after the Fajr prayer on the Day of ‘Arafah, up until after the ‘Asr prayer on the last day of Tashreeq (the 13th day of Dhil-Hijjah). As for the wording of the Takbeer, then there is nothing authentically reported from the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). Rather, what we find is the ‘Abdullaah bin Mas’ood (Radiyallaahu ‘anhu) used to say:

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallaah, wallaahu akbar,

Allaahu Akbar, wa lillaahil-Hamd 7 [Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah]

And Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radiyallaahu ‘anhumaa) used to say:

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, wa lillaahil-Hamd.
Allaahu Akbar wa ajalla, Allaahu Akbar ‘alaa ma hadaanaa. 8 [ al-Bayhaqee (3/315)]

So it is upon us to exert ourselves in obedience to Allaah during these 10 blessed days, from their beginning till their end; increasing in our salaah, trying to fast the Day of ‘Arafah, making mention of Allaah in abundance, sadaqah, sacrificing an animal on the Day of An-Nahr or the days that follow it, recitation of the Qur’aan, Repenting to Allaah, seeking His mercy and forgiveness, and so forth. For there is no time like these 10 days:

مَا مِنْ أَيَامٍ العَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فَيهَا أَحَبُّ إَلَى اللهِ مِن أيامِ العَشرِ

” There are no days during which good righteous deeds
are more beloved to Allaah than the ten days.”

________________
1) al-Bazzaar. See Saheehul-Jaami’ of Shaykh Al-Albaanee (#1133)

2) Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim from Ibn ‘Umar and others, al-Bukhaaree from Ibn ‘Abbaas, Muslim from Abee Sa’eed, At-Tahaawiyyah (#734), Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood (#2438), and As-Saheehah (#1471).

3) Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhee (#749)

4) Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhee (#751)

5) Saheeh Sunan Aboo Daawood (#1552)

6) Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah (#2549): Hasan.

7) Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah

al-Bayhaqee (3/315)

We are gathering a multi-part series about the experiece of Hajj.

Getting ready for Hajj? It is an amazing event to be a part of and something that you will never forget. The journey is memorable and Insha-Allah the transformation one goes through will be for a lifetime.

The Spiritual journey – Getting mentally ready

This is probably the most important component of Hajj. The correct mental readiness prepares one to undertake almost anything they may encounter during Hajj.

Where to start? To being, start with reading what Hajj is all about. Learn about the rites of Hajj and the correct Islamic ruling based on the Sunnah of the Prophet SAW. In the months before departing, your intensity level should be rising accordingly and your daily activities should reflect that.

Once an individual is in that state, their mind is usually preoccupied with how best they can fulfill the rites of Hajj.

Mental readiness also includes being prepared for the different types of agents, government officials, vendors, shop-keepers and people you will interact with during Hajj. Just because your mental state is in Hajj-mode does not necessarily mean those who are not in Hajj share your same mental state.

This leads to a conflict – not a physical one – but mental conflict because a regular person is not in the same state of mind as you are. They do not have the responsibility of performing the rites of Hajj, so their behavior is drastically different from yours.

Patience is the key so, begin practicing is at every level and then multiply that by 1,000. That may not be enough but at least you have an idea how much is needed. You cannot underestimate how much patience will be required of you. Applying patience at every corner will be the key to experiencing a memorable Hajj.

From Islam-qa.com

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

You have done well to ask this question, because you have asked how to prepare for the month of Ramadaan. Many people misunderstand the true nature of fasting, and they make it an occasion for eating and drinking, making special sweets and staying up late at night and watching shows on satellite TV. They make preparations for that long before Ramadaan, lest they miss out on some food or prices go up. They prepare by buying food, preparing drinks and looking at the satellite TV guide so they can choose which shows to follow and which to ignore. They are truly unaware of the real nature of fasting in Ramadaan; they take worship and piety out of the month and make it just for their bellies and their eyes.

Secondly:

Others are aware of the real nature of fasting in the month of Ramadaan, so they start to prepare from Sha’baan, and some of them even start before that. Among the best ways of preparing for the month of Ramadaan are:

1 –Sincere repentance

This is obligatory at all times, but because of the approach of a great and blessed month, it is even more important to hasten to repent from sins between you and your Lord, and between you and other people by giving them their rights, so that when the blessed month begins you may busy yourself with acts of worship with a clean heart and peace of mind. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful”

[al-Noor 24:31]

It was narrated from al-Agharr ibn Yasaar (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O people, repent to Allaah for I repent to Him one hundred times each day.” Narrated by Muslim (2702).

2 –Du’aa’ (supplication)

It was narrated from some of the salaf that they used to pray to Allaah for six months that they would live until Ramadaan, then they would pray for five months afterwards that He would accept it from them.

The Muslim should ask his Lord to let him live until Ramadaan with a strong religious commitment and good physical health, and he should ask Him to help him obey Him during the month, and ask Him to accept his good deeds from Him.

3 – Rejoicing at the approach of the blessed month

The arrival of Ramadaan is one of the great blessings that Allaah bestows upon His Muslim slave, because Ramadaan is one of the occasions of good in which the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed. It is the month of the Qur’aan and of decisive battles in the history of our religion.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say: ‘In the Bounty of Allaah, and in His Mercy (i.e. Islam and the Qur’aan); —therein let them rejoice.’ That is better than what (the wealth) they amass”

[Yoonus 10:58]

4 – Discharging the duty of any outstanding obligatory fasts

It was narrated that Abu Salamah said: I heard ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) say: I would owe fasts from the previous Ramadaan and I would not be able to make them up except in Sha’baan.

Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1849) and Muslim (1146).

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

From her keenness to do that in Sha’baan it may be understood that it is not permissible to delay making them up until another Ramadaan begins.

Fath al-Baari (4/191).

5 – Seeking knowledge in order to be able to follow the rulings on fasting and to understand the virtues of Ramadaan.

6 – Hastening to complete any tasks that may distract the Muslim from doing acts of worship.

7 – Sitting with one’s family members – wife and children – to tell them of the rulings on fasting and encourage the young ones to fast.

8 – Preparing some books which can be read at home or given to the imam of the mosque to read to the people during Ramadaan.

9 – Fasting some of the month of Sha’baan in preparation for fasting Ramadaan.

It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast until we said: He will not break his fast, and he used not to fast until we said: He will not fast. And I never saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) complete a month of fasting except Ramadaan, and I never saw him fast more in any month than in Sha’baan.

Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1868) and Muslim (1156).

It was narrated that Usaamah ibn Zayd said: I said: O Messenger of Allaah, I do not see you fasting in any month as you fast in Sha’baan? He said: “That is a month that people neglect between Rajab and Ramadaan, but it is a month in which people’s deeds are taken up to the Lord of the Worlds and I would like my deeds to be taken up when I am fasting.”

Narrated by al-Nasaa’i (2357); classed as hasan.

This hadeeth explains the wisdom behind fasting in Sha’baan, which is that it is a month in which deeds are taken up (to Allaah). Some of the scholars mentioned another reason, which is that this fasting is like Sunnah prayers offered beforehand in relation to the obligatory prayer; they prepare the soul for performing the obligatory action, and the same may be said of fasting Sha’baan before Ramadaan.

10 – Reading Qur’aan

Salamah ibn Kuhayl said: It was said that Sha’baan was the month of the Qur’aan readers.

When Sha’baan began, ‘Amr ibn Qays would close his shop and free his time for reading Qur’aan.

Abu Bakr al-Balkhi said: The month of Rajab is the month for planting, the month of Sha’baan is the month of irrigating the crops, and the month of Ramadaan is the month of harvesting the crops.

He also said: The likeness of the month of Rajab is that of the wind, the likeness of Sha’baan is that of the clouds and the likeness of Ramadaan is that of the rain; whoever does not plant and sow in Rajab, and does not irrigate in Sha’baan, how can he reap in Ramadaan? Now Rajab has passed, so what will you do in Sha’baan if you are seeking Ramadaan? This is how your Prophet and the early generations of the ummah were in this blessed month, so what will you do?

And Allaah is the Source of strength.

Post by J Khan

Recent studies have shown that drinking more coffee can lead to better health by reducing chances of heart disease, and thus, eventually, lead to a longer life. Especially in women, the studies showed up to a 25% lower chance of heart disease. Decaffeinated coffee has also produced similar results, which shows that the ingredient causing the health benefits may not necessarily be caffeine, if at all.

Does this mean we should go out and binge on our coffee drinking? Not really. In order to “live halal” we know that too much of anything could become a bad thing. Too much fat, sugar, or salt in one’s diet can be quite harmful. In fact, even too much water can be deadly. However, we can take advantage of the health benefits of anything we put into our bodies by balancing it with other foods, or control the amounts we take in.

The Prophet Muhammad (saw), advised us:

“There is no worse vessel for the son of Adam to fill than his stomach, but if he must fill it, then let him allow one-third for food, one-third for drink, and one-third for air.” -Authentic hadith in Sahih Al-Jame’

ما ملأ آدمي وعاء شرا من بطنه ، بحسب ابن آدم أكلات يقمن صلبه ، فإن كان لا محالة ، فثلث لطعامه ، و ثلث لشرابه ، و ثلث لنفسه

Allah provided us with several bounties on the earth in the form of a variety of foods which each bring about their own unique benefits. In this same way, coffee will also do our bodies more good than bad (God willing). However, we should make sure to reinstate the advice of our beloved Prophet (saw) by moderating our intakes to make our experience more enjoyable.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/06/16/coffee-habitsstudy.html

]]> http://livinghalal.com/blog/archives/163/feed 1 http://livinghalal.com/blog/archives/162 http://livinghalal.com/blog/archives/162#comments Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:54:48 +0000 livinghalal http://livinghalal.com/blog/?p=162

We’ve received this email today from Sister Saba.

SubhanaAllah, because of one LivingHalal (LH) video she saw on YouTube, she went to LH blog, then from there she found out about HalfDate Web site, then from HalfDate she found about RUSH magazine, and decided to subscribe!

And, by subscribing to the magazine, she helped in a project that prints teachers study guide for children, … and only Allah knows how this chain reaction will end. Hope in Jannah!!!

So, never under estimate your little help.

The moral of the story is that Allah is giving you lots of opportunity to maximize your rewards, such as by:

• Giving us your feedback, so we know what went right and what went wrong
• Subscribing to a Muslim publication
• Being a guest on LivingHalal teleconference series
• Spreading posts and videos
• Linking to LivingHalal.com
• etc. etc.

Goal: To invoke Allah’s mercy with your little contribution

How? You want to raise $1250 to fund the design work of 4 teacher study guides to be published for Muslim schools. (more details click the link at the end)

So, why YOU and why NOW?

1- You are maximizing your rewards by giving NOW, how?

A man came to the Prophet (SAW) asking him which Sadaqa gets the greatest of rewards. The Prophet said, “The one you give and you are healthy, stingy, worrying about poverty, and hoping for richness. And don’t delay until your soul is about to get out (death) when you say, ‘Give such and such to such and such.’” -Collected by Al-Bukhari/Al-Jamia’

2- You are giving for a lasting projects that will bring you continious rewards, in-sha-Allah, every future print of these study guides you get rewards.

3- You are not helping a lazy dude who opt to beg, NO, this sister didn’t ask for help, but the community recommeded HalfDate to help her. She had TWO HEART ATTACKS, yet, ma-sha-Allah still serving our community. http://islamicfictionbooks.wordpress.com/2008/05/30/focus-on-muslim-kids-not-me/

4- You are helping a business business that is “technically” running on a non-profit basis, the owner gives the authors all their royalty rights, and gives school teachers 40% discount

5- You are TESTING your iman by giving to a stranger who you don’t know much and maybe even skeptical

http://halfdate.com/2008/05/08/sisters-drive/

Are you creative and into video authoring?
If so, check out this program.

*You get free registration for the program if you volunteer for LivingHalal

The hijab not a threat to western values? One wonders about the policies of Turkey and France.

Assalam alaikum

Usually, I’m not really excited to rush into relief work of crisis or natural disasters, because I believe in long term sustainable efforts.

But, just want to share two things with you about the earthquake in China.

1- When I visited China, I found many ancient masjids (over a thousand year old) and some graves attributed to Sahaba (RA). So, when this earthquake happened, I asked myself, if the Sahabah didn’t discriminate between Muslims and non-Muslims and they traveled all that distance to save the humanity, why are we holding back today when we can help with an online transaction?

2- Usually we are numbed by media stories, but sometimes they can move us too. I listen to this audio story and saw the pictures, Subhan-Allah, my whole perspective changed. So, listen to it too.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90447603

So now, how can you do like what the Sahaba did in China? Well, in China, you can’t “preach” religion. So, you may think it’s a challenge, but because of the same reason Chinese are so hungry for hiyada/guidance.

So here is the opportunity.

Go through Hidaya Foundation, why? Because it’s a long term project, insha-Allah, they won’t stop with relief, but they will develop the community, build orphanage, provide employment opportunities, and so on.

Now, here is what I ask you,
-Blog about the event
-Talk to your local imams
-Write articles for your local Muslim papers

As you know, Allah doesn’t create pure evil, with every hardship comes double relief.

So may Allah make this crisis a turning point for many hearts to him, including yours.

Here is the link to Hiyada Foundation appeal**
http://www.hidaya.org/social-welfare/disaster-relief/china-sichuan-earthquake-2008.html

**Please verify before donating individually about what Hidaya is planning to do. We not recommending this for everyone but we found their plan to administer the relief quiet good.