ISLAMIC ARTICLE :- ~ Hypocrites say that family ties are what matter, but Allah reveals in the Qur'an that it is the ties of faith that matter/

Allah reveals in the Qur'an that believers should be respectful,
affectionate and loving toward their parents, and commands them to be
protective toward and watch over their relatives. A pure believer is
kind, affectionate and full of love in respect of his family and
everyone, expecting no reward for being so. However, in the event that
any one of his family or his relatives triesto prevent him having
faith in Allah, following the Prophet (saas) or living by religious
moral values, then of course he will obey Allah's commandand turn his
back on the person seeking to divert him from Allah's path. It is
revealed in one verse that:
Say: "If your fathers or your sons or your brothers or your wives or
your tribe, or any wealth you have acquired, or any business you fear
may slump, or any house which pleases you, are dearer to you than
Allah and His Messenger and striving in His Way, then wait until Allah
brings about His command. Allah does not guide people who are
deviators." (Surat at-Tawba, 24)
As revealed in the verse, nothing is finer and more valuable for a
pure believer than Allah, His Messenger (saas) and striving on Allah's
path.
But hypocrites' criteria andvalues are based on self-interest, rather
than the Qur'an. This comes outin their familial relations, as in
their relations with everyone else. The family is not a holy and
sacred concept for the hypocrite, but somewhere that will help him
survive, provide him with opportunities and make material means
available. To put it another way, it is a gateway to income.
Therefore, the reason why hypocrites regard family ties as important,
in their own eyes, is self-interest. They imagine that their brothers,
spouses, parents or other relatives among believers will regard this
bond as important. The fact is, however, that Allahhas revealed that
the important bond for believers and His approval is that of faith.
In concentrating on familyties, hypocrites do this notbecause they
really love their families, would be prepared to make sacrifices for
them or would watch over and protect them, but out of self-interest.
When there isno hope of personal gain, they never think of their
familial ties, brothers or parents. Indeed, it is revealed in the
Qur'an thatwhen faced with the torment of the Hereafter they will
willingly give up their children, parents and all they love in order
to save themselves.
The bonds between believers and their families are honestly based on
love of Allah andHis approval. The believer is warm, full of love,
protective, loyal and altruistic toward his family, as he is toward
all those who have faith. A devout believer will never even say "ugh"
to his parents. In addition, as required by Allah's command, if one of
the members of his family tries to turn him from Allah's path or
pressurizes him to engage in idolatry, he will never heed that person,
even if it is his mother or father.
Indeed, by citing examplesfrom the lives of the prophets, it is
revealed in the Qur'an that throughout the course of history true
believers havealways left their spouses, children or parents for not
believing in Allah, for not living by the moral values of the deen,
for engaging in denial or for being hypocrites. For example;
The Prophet Abraham (as) Who Fell out with His Father:
Abraham would not have asked forgiveness for his father but for a
promise he made to him, and WHEN IT BECAME CLEAR TO HIM THAT HE WAS AN
ENEMY OF ALLAH, HE RENOUNCED HIM . Abraham was tender-hearted and
forbearing. (Surat at-Tawba, 114)
He said, "Do you forsake my gods, Abraham? If you do not stop, I will
stone you. Keep away from me for a good long time." He said, "Peace be
upon you. Iwill ask my Lord to forgiveyou. He has always honored me. I
WILL SEPARATE MYSELF FROM YOU AND ALL YOU CALL UPON BEDISES ALLAH and
I will call upon my Lord. It may well be that, in calling on my Lord,
I will not be disappointed.' (Surah Maryam, 46-48)
The Prophet Noah (as) Falls out With His Son:
Noah called out to his Lordand said, "My Lord, my sonis one of my
family and Your promise is surely the truth and You are the Justest of
Judges." (Surah Hud, 45)
He said, " NOAH, HE IS DEFINITELY NOT OF YOUR FAMILY. He is someone
whose action was not righteous. Do not, therefore, ask Me for
something about which you have no knowledge. I admonish you lest you
should be among the ignorant." (Surah Hud, 46)
The Prophets Noah (as) and Lot (as) Fall out withTheir Wives:
ALLAH HAS MADE AN EXAMPLE FOR THOSE WHOARE UNBELIEVERS: THE WIFE OF
NOAH AND THE WIFE OF LOT./

IN THE SHADE OF THE MESSAGE AND PROPHETHOOD - IN THE CAVE HIRA:

5] The verses have been prefaced, in the voice of the Most High, by
aheavenly call mandating the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to undertake
this daunting responsibility (calling people unto Allâh). The verses
meant to extract him forcibly out of his sleep, divest him of his
mantle and detach him from the warmthand quiet of life, and then drive
him down a new course attended with countless hardships, and requiring
a great deal of strife in the way of Allâh:
*.
*. "O you [Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ] enveloped (in garments)!
Arise and warn." [74:1-2]
Suggesting that to live to oneself is quite easy, but it has been
decided that you have to shoulder this heavy burden; consequently
sleep, comfort, or warm bed are items decreed to be alien in your
lexicon of life. O Muhammad, arise quickly for the strife and toil
awaiting you; no time is there for sleep and such amenities; grave
responsibilities have been Divinely determined tofall to your lot, and
drive you into the turmoil of life to develop a new sort of precarious
affinity with the conscience of people and the reality of life.
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) managed quite successfully to rise to
his feet and measure up to the new task, he went ahead in a spirit of
complete selflessness, relentlessly striving and never abating in
carrying theburden of the great Trust, the burden of enlightening
mankind,and the heavy weight of the newfaith and strife for over
twenty years, nothing distracting his attention from the awcommission.
May Allâh rewardhim, for us and all humanity, the best ending. The
following research at hand gives an account in miniature of his long
strive and uninterrupted strugglehe made after receiving the ministry
of Messengership./

IN THE SHADE OF THE MESSAGE AND PROPHETHOOD - IN THE CAVE HIRA:

4] PROCLAIMING ALLAH, THE ALL-HIGH; AND THE IMMEDIATE CONSTITUENTS
The first Revelation sent to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) implied
several injunctions, simple in form but highly effective and of
serious far-reaching ramifications. The angel communicated to him a
manifest Message saying:
*.
*. "O you [Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ] enveloped (in garments)!
Arise and warn! And your Lord (Allâh) magnify! And your garments
purify! And keep away from Ar-Rujz (the idols). And give not a thing
in order to have more (or consider not your deeds of Allâh's obedience
as a favour toAllâh). And be patient for the sake of your Lord (i.e.
perform your duty to Allâh)!" [74:1-7]
For convenience and ease of understanding, we are going to segment the
Message into its immediate constituents:
1. The ultimate objective of warning is to make sure that no one
breaching the pleasuresof Allâh in the whole universe isignorant of
the serious consequences that his behaviour entails, and to createa
sort of unprecedented shock within his mind and heart.
2. 'Magnifying the Lord' dictates explicitly that the only pride
allowed to nourish on the earthis exclusively Allâh's to the exclusion
of all the others'.
3. 'Cleansing the garments and shunning all aspects of abomination'
point directly to the indispensable need to render both the exterior
and interior exceptionally chaste and pure, in addition to the
prerequisite of sanctifying the soul and establishing it highly immune
against the different sorts of impurities and the various kinds of
pollutants. Onlythrough this avenue can the soul of the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) reach an ideal statusand become eligible to enjoy
the shady mercy of Allâh and His protection, security, guidance and
ever-shining light; and will consequently set the highest example to
the human community, attract the sound hearts and inspire awe and
reverence in the stray onesin such a manner that all the world, in
agreement or disagreement, will head for it and take it as the
rock-bed in all facets of their welfare.
4. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) must not regard his strife in the
way of Allâh as a deed of grace that entitles him to a great reward.
On the contrary, he has to exert himself to the utmost, dedicate his
whole efforts and be ready to offer all sacrifices in a spirit of
self-fogetfulness enveloped by an ever-present awareness of Allâh,
without the least sense ofpride in his deeds or sacrifices.
5. The last verse of the Qur'ân revealed to the Prophet (Peace be
upon him) alludes to the hostile attitude of the obduratedisbelievers,
who will jeer at him and his followers. They are expected to disparage
him and step up their malice to the point of scheming against his life
and lives of all the believers around him. In this case he hasgot to
be patient and is supposed to persevere and display the highest degree
of stamina for the sole purpose ofattaining the pleasure of Allâh.
These were the basic preliminaries that the Prophet (Peace be upon
him) had to observe, very simple injunctions in appearance, greatly
fascinating in their calm rhythm, but highly effective in practice.
They constituted the trigger that aroused a far-ranging tempest inall
the corners of the world.
The verses comprise the constituents of the new call and propagation
of the new faith. A warning logically implies that there are
malpractices with painful consequences to be sustained by the
perpetrators, and since the present life is not necessarily the only
room to bring people to account for their misdeeds or some of them,
then the warning would necessarily imply calling people to account on
another day, i.e. the Day of Resurrection, and this per se suggests
the existence of a life other than this one we are living.All the
verses of the Noble Qur'ân call people to testify explicitly to the
Oneness of Allâh, to delegate all their affairs to Allâh, the
All-High, and to subordinate the desires of the self and the desires
of Allâh's servants to the attainment of His Pleasures.
The constituents of the call to Islam could, briefly speaking, go as follows:
1. Testimony to the Oneness of Allâh.
2. Belief in the Hereafter.
3. Sanctifying one's soul and elevating it high above evils and
abominations that conduce to terrible consequences, besides this,
there is the dire need for virtues and perfect manners coupled with
habituating oneself to righteous deeds.
4. Committing one's all affairs to Allâh, the All-High.
5. All the foregoing should run as a natural corollary to unwavering
belief in Muhammad's Message, and abidance by his noble leadership and
righteous guidance.

IN THE SHADE OF THE MESSAGE AND PROPHETHOOD - IN THE CAVE HIRA:

3] ONCE, GABRIEL BRINGS ALLAH'S REVELATION:
Ibn Hajar said: 'That (the pause of Allâh's revelation for a few days)
was to relieve the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) of the fear
he experienced and to make him long for the Revelation. When theshades
of puzzle receded, the flags of truth were raised, the Messenger of
Allâh (Peace be upon him) knew for sure that he had become the
Messenger of the Great Lord. He was also certain that what had come to
him was no more than the ambassador of inspiration. His waiting and
longing for the coming of the revelation constituted a good reason for
hissteadfastness and self-possession on the arrival of Allâh's
inspiration, Al-Bukhari reported on the authority of Jabirbin
'Abdullah that he had heard the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him)
speak about the period of pause as follows:
"While I was walking, I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up, and
surely enough, it was the same angel who had visited me in the cave of
Hira'. He was sittingon a chair between the earth andthe sky. I was
very afraid of him and knelt on the ground. I went home saying: 'Cover
me …, Cover me …'. Allâh revealed to me the verses:
*.
*. 'O you [Muhammad (Peace be upon him)] enveloped (in garments)!
Arise and warn! And your Lord (Allâh) magnify! And your garments
purify! And keep away from Ar-Rujz (the idols)!'" [74:1-5]
After that the revelation started coming strongly, frequently and regularly.
SOME DETAILS PERTINENTTO THE SUCCESSIVE STAGES OF REVELATION:
Before we go into the details of the period of communicating
theMessage and Prophethood, we would like to get acquainted with the
stages of the Revelation which constituted the main source of the
Message and the subject-matter of the Call. Ibn Al-Qayyim, mentioning
the stagesof the Revelation, said:
*. The First: The period of true vision. It was the starting point of
the Revelation to the Men of Allâh (Peace be upon him).
The Second: What the angel invisibly cast in the Prophet's mind and
heart. The Messengerof Allâh (Peace be upon him) said: "The Noble
Spirit revealed to me 'No soul will perish until it exhausts its due
course, so fear Allâh and gently request Him. Never get so impatient
to the verge of disobedience of Allâh. What Allâh has can never be
acquired but through obedience to Him.'"
The Third: The angel used to visit the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be
upon him) in the form of a human being and would speak to him
directly. This would enable him to fully understand what the angel
said. The angel was sometimes seen in this form by the Prophet's
Companions.
The Fourth: The angel came to him like the toll of a bell and this was
the most difficult form because the angel used to seizehim tightly and
sweat would stream from his forehead even on the coldest day. If the
Prophet (Peace be upon him) was on his camel, the camel would not
withstand the weight, so it would immediatelykneel down on the ground.
Once the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) had such a revelation
when he was sitting and his thigh was on Zaid's, Zaid felt the
pressure had almost injured his thigh.
The Fifth: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) saw the angel in his
actual form. The angel would reveal to him what Allâh had ordered him
to reveal. This,as mentioned in (Qur'ân), in Sûrah An-Najm (Chapter 53
- The Star), happened twice.
The Sixth: What Allâh Himself revealed to him in heaven i.e. when he
ascended to heaven and received Allâh's behest of Salât (prayer).
The Seventh: Allâh's Words to His Messenger (Peace be upon him) at
first hand without the mediation of an angel. It was a privilege
granted to Moses (Peace be upon him) and clearlyattested in the
Qur'ân, as it is attested to our Prophet (Peace be upon him) in the
Sûrah Al-Isrâ' (Chapter 17 - The Journey by Night) of the Noble
Qur'ân.
Some religious scholars added a controversial eighth stage in which
they state that Allâh spoke to the Prophet (Peace be upon him)
directly without a curtain inbetween. This issue remains however
unconfirmed.

IN THE SHADE OF THE MESSAGE AND PROPHETHOOD - IN THE CAVE HIRA:

2] She set out with the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to her cousin
Waraqa bin Nawfal bin Asad bin 'Abd Al-'Uzza, who had embraced
Christianity in the pre-Islamic period, and used to write the Bible in
Hebrew. He was a blind old man. Khadijah said: "My cousin! Listen to
your nephew!" Waraqa said: "O my nephew! What did you see?"
TheMessenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) told him what had happened
to him. Waraqa replied: "This is ' Namus' i.e. (the angel who is
entrusted with Divine Secrets) that Allâh sent to Moses. I wish I were
younger. I wish I could live up to the time when your people would
turn you out." Muhammad (Peace be upon him) asked: "Will they drive me
out?" Waraqa answered in the affirmative and said: "Anyonewho came
with something similar to what you have broughtwas treated with
hostility; and if I should be alive till that day, thenI would support
you strongly." A few days later Waraqa died and the revelation also
subsided.
At-Tabari and Ibn Hisham reported that the Messenger of Allâh (Peace
be upon him) left thecave of Hira' after being surprised by the
Revelation, but later on, returned to the cave andcontinued his
solitude. Afterwards, he came back to Makkah. At-Tabari reported on
this incident, saying:
After mentioning the coming of the Revelation, the Messenger of Allâh
(Peace be upon him) said: "Ihave never abhorred anyone more than a
poet or a mad man. I can not stand looking at either of them. I will
never tell anyone of Quraish of my Revelation. I willclimb a mountain
and throw myself down and die. That will relieve me. I went to do that
but halfway up the mountain, I hearda voice from the sky saying 'O
Muhammad! You are the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) and I am
Gabriel.' I looked upwards and saw Gabriel in the form of a man
putting his legs on the horizon. He said: 'O Muhammad You are the
Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) and I am Gabriel.' I stopped
and looked at him. His sight distracted my attention from what I had
intended to do. Istood in my place transfixed. I tried to shift my
eyes away from him. He was in every direction I looked at. I stopped
in my place without any movement until Khadijah sent someone to look
for me. He went down to Makkahand came back while I was standing in
the same place. Gabriel then left, and I went back home. I found
Khadijah at home, so I sat very close to her. She asked: 'Father of
Al-Qasim! Wherehave you been? I sent someone to look for you. He went
to Makkah and returned to me.' I told her of what I had seen. She
replied: 'It is a propitious sign, O my husband. Pull yourself
together, I swear by Allâh that you are a Messenger for this nation.'
Then she stood up and went to Waraqa and informed him. Waraqa said: 'I
swear by Allâh that he has received the same Namus , i.e. angel that
was sent to Moses. He is the Prophet of this nation. Tell him to be
patient.' She came back to him and told him of Waraqa's words. When
the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) finished his solitary stay
and went down to Makkah, he went to Waraqa, whotold him: 'You are the
Prophet of this nation. I swear by Allâh that you have received the
same angel that was sent to Moses.'"
INTERRUPION OF REVELATION:
Ibn Sa'd reported on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that the Revelation
paused for a few days.After careful study, this seems to be the most
possible. To say that it lasted for three anda half years, as some
scholars allege, is not correct, but here there is no room to go into
moredetails.
Meanwhile, the Prophet (Peace be upon him), was caught in a sort of
depression coupled with astonishment and perplexity. Al-Bukhari
reported:
The Divine inspiration paused fora while and the Prophet (Peace be
upon him) became so sad, as we have heard, that he intended several
times to throw himself from the tops of high mountains,and every time
he went up the top of a mountain in order to throw himself down,
Gabriel would appear before him and say: "O Muhammad! You are indeed
Allâh's Messenger in truth," whereupon his heart would become quiet
and he would calm down and return home. Whenever the period of the
coming of the Revelation used to become long, he would do as before,
but Gabriel would appear again before him and sayto him what he had
said before.

IN THE SHADE OF THE MESSAGE AND PROPHETHOOD - IN THE CAVE HIRA:

1] When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was nearly forty, he had
been wont to pass long hours in retirement meditating and speculating
over all aspects of creation around him. This meditative temperament
helped to widen the mental gap between him andhis compatriots. He used
to provide himself with Sawiq (barley porridge) and water and then
directly head for the hills and ravines in the neighbourhood of
Makkah. One of these in particular was his favourite resort — a cave
named Hira', in the Mount An-Nour. It was only two miles from Makkah,a
small cave 4 yards long and 1.75 yard wide. He would always go there
and invite wayfarers to share him his modest provision. He used to
devote most of his time, and Ramadan in particular, to worship and
meditation on the universe around him. His heart was restless about
the moral evils and idolatry that wererampant among his people; he was
as yet helpless because no definite course, or specific approach had
been available for him to follow and rectify the ill practices around
him. This solitude attended with this sort of contemplative approach
must be understood in its Divine perspective. It was a preliminary
stage to the period of grave responsibilities that he was to shoulder
very soon.
Privacy and detachment from theimpurities of life were two
indispensable prerequisites for the Prophet's soul to come into close
communion with the Unseen Power that lies behind allaspects of
existence in this infinite universe. It was a rich period of privacy
which lasted for three years and ushered in a new era, of indissoluble
contact with that Power.
GAGRIEL BRINGS DOWN THE REVELATION:
When he was forty, the age of complete perfection at which Prophets
were always ordered todisclose their Message, signs of his Prophethood
started to appear and twinkle on the horizons of life; they were the
true visions he used to experience for six months. The period of
Prophethood was 23 years; so the period of these six months of true
visions constituted an integral part of the forty-six parts of
Prophethood. In Ramadan, in his third year of solitude in the cave of
Hira', Allâh's Will desired His mercy to flow on earth and Muhammad
(Peace be upon him) was honoured with Prophethood, and the light of
Revelation burst upon him with some verses of the Noble Qur'ân.
As for the exact date, careful investigation into circumstantial
evidence and relevant clues pointdirectly to Monday, 21st. Ramadan at
night, i.e. Au, 10, 610A.D. with Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
exactly 40 years, 6 months and 12 days of age, i.e. 39 Gregorian
years, 3 months and 22 days.
'Aishah, the veracious, gave the following narration of that most
significant event that brought the Divine light which would dispel the
darkness of disbelief and ignorance. It led life down a new course and
brought about the most serious amendment to the line of the history of
mankind:
Forerunners of the Revelation assumed the form of true visionsthat
would strikingly come true all the time. After that, solitude became
dear to him and he would go to the cave, Hira', to engage in Tahannuth
(devotion) there for a certain number of nights before returning to
his family, and then he would return for provisions for a similar
stay. At length, unexpectedly, the Truth(the angel) came to him and
said,"Recite." "I cannot recite," he [Muhammad (Peace be upon him)]
said. The Prophet (Peace beupon him) described: "Then he took me and
squeezed me vehemently and then let me go and repeated the order
'Recite.' 'Icannot recite' said I, and once again he squeezed me and
let metill I was exhausted. Then he said: 'Recite.' I said 'I cannot
recite.' He squeezed me for a third time and then let me go and said:
*.
*. "Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists),
has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulatedblood). Read!
and your Lord is the Most Generous.'" [96:1-3]
The Prophet (Peace be upon him)repeated these verses. He was trembling
with fear. At this stage,he came back to his wife Khadijah, and said,
"Cover me, ... cover me." They covered him until he restored security.
He apprised Khadijah of the incidentof the cave and added that he was
horrified. His wife tried to soothe him and reassured him saying,
"Allâh will never disgrace you. You unite uterine relations; you bear
the burden of the weak; you help the poor and the needy, you entertain
the guests and endure hardships in the path of truthfulness."
She set out with the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to her cousin Waraqa
bin Nawfal bin Asad bin 'Abd Al-'Uzza, who had embraced Christianity
in the pre-Islamic period, and

MUHAMMAD'S BIRTH AND FORTY YEARS PRIOR TO PROPHETHOOD

2] you must understand that you have been able to get a blessed
child." And I replied: "By the grace of Allâh, I hope so."
The tradition is explicit on the point that Haleemah's return journey
and her subsequent life, as long as the Prophet (Peace be upon
him)stayed with her, was encircled with a halo of good fortune. The
donkey that she rode when she came to Makkah was lean and almost
foundered; it recovered speed much to the amazement of Haleemah's
fellow travellers. By the time they reached the encampments in the
country of the clan of Sa'd, they found the scales of fortune turned
in their favour. The barren land sprouted forth luxuriant grass and
beasts came back to them satisfied and full of milk. Muhammad (Peace
be upon him) stayed with Haleemah for two years until he was weaned as
Haleemah said:
We then took him back to his mother requesting her earnestly to have
him stay with us and benefit by the good fortune and blessings he had
brought us. We persisted in our request which we substantiated by our
anxiety over the child catching a certain infection peculiar to
Makkah. At last, we were granted our wish and the Prophet (Peace be
upon him) stayed with us until he was four or five years of age.
When, as related by Anas in SahihMuslim , Gabriel came down and ripped
his chest open and took out the heart. He then extracted ablood-clot
out of it and said: "That was the part of Satan in thee." And then he
washed it with the water of Zamzam in a gold basin. After that the
heart was joined together and restored to its place. The boys and
playmates came running to his mother, i.e. his nurse, and said:
"Verily, Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has been murdered." They all
rushed towards him and found him all right only his face was white.
BACK TO HIS COMPASSIONATE MOTHER:
After this event, Haleemah was worried about the boy and returned him
to his mother with whom he stayed until he was six.
In respect of the memory of her late husband, Amina decided to visit
his grave in Yathrib (Madinah). She set out to cover a journey of 500
kilometers with her orphan boy, woman servant Umm Ayman and her
father-in-law 'Abdul-Muttalib. She spent a month there and then took
her way back to Makkah. On the way,she had a severe illness and died
in Abwa on the road between Makkah and Madinah.
BACK TO HIS COMPASSIONATE GRANDFATHER:
'Abdul-Muttalib brought the boy to Makkah. He had warm passions
towards the boy, his orphan grandson, whose recent disaster (his
mother's death) added more to the pains of the past. 'Abdul-Muttalib
was more passionate with his grandson than with his own children. He
never left the boy a prey to loneliness, but always preferred him to
his own kids. Ibn Hisham reported: A mattress was put in the shade of
Al-Ka'bah for 'Abdul-Muttalib. His children used to sit around that
mattress in honour to their father, but Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
used to sit on it. His uncles would take him back, but if
'Abdul-Muttalib was present, he would say: "Leave mygrandson. I swear
by Allâh that this boy will hold a significant position." He used to
seat the boy on his mattress, pat his back and was always pleased with
what the boy did.
When Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was eight years, two months and ten
days old, his grandfather 'Abdul-Muttalib passed away in Makkah. The
charge of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was now passed on to his
uncle Abu Talib, who was the brother of the Prophet's father.
Abu Talib tookthe charge of his nephew in the best way. He put him
with his children and preferred him to them. He singled the boy out
with great respect and high esteem. Abu Talib remained for forty years
cherishing his nephew and extending all possible protection and
support to him. His relations with the others were determinedin the
light of the treatment they showed to the Prophet (Peace beupon him).
Ibn 'Asakir reported on the authority of Jalhamah bin 'Arfuta who
said: "I came to Makkah when it was a rainless year, so Quraish said
'O Abu Talib, the valley has become leafless and the children hungry,
let us go and pray for rain-fall.' Abu Talib went to Al-Ka'bah with a
young boy who was as beautiful as the sun, and a black cloud was over
his head. Abu Talib and the boy stood by the wall of Al-Ka'bah and
prayed for rain. Immediately clouds from all directions gathered and
rain fell heavily andcaused the flow of springs and growth of plants
in the town andthe country.

HISTORY - ~ MUHAMMAD'S BIRTH AND FORTY YEARS PRIOR TO PROPHETHOOD

1] Muhammad (Peace be upon him),the Master of Prophets, was bornin
Bani Hashim lane in Makkah onMonday morning, the ninth of Rabi'
Al-Awwal, the same year of the Elephant Event, and forty years of the
reign of Kisra (Khosru Nushirwan), i.e. the twentieth or twenty-second
of April, 571 A.D., according to the scholar Muhammad Sulaimân
Al-Mansourpuri, and the astrologer Mahmûd Pasha.
Ibn Sa'd reported that Muhammad's mother said: "When he was born,
there was a light that issued out of my pudendum and lit the palaces
of Syria." Ahmad reported on the authority of 'Arbadh bin Sariya
something similar to this.
It was but controversially reported that significant precursors
accompanied his birth: fourteen galleries of Kisra'spalace cracked and
rolled down, the Magians' sacred fire died down and some churches on
Lake Sawa sank down and collapsed.
His mother immediately sent someone to inform his grandfather
'Abdul-Muttalib of the happy event. Happily he cameto her, carried him
to Al-Ka'bah, prayed to Allâh and thanked Him. 'Abdul-Muttalib called
the baby Muhammad, a name not then common among the Arabs. He
circumcised him on his seventh day as was the custom of the Arabs.
The first woman who suckled him after his mother was Thuyebah, the
concubine of Abu Lahab, with her son, Masrouh. She had suckled Hamzah
bin 'Abdul-Muttalib before and later Abu Salamah bin 'Abd Al-Asad
Al-Makhzumi.
BABYHOOD:
It was the general custom of the Arabs living in towns to send their
children away to bedouin wet nurses so that they might grow up in the
free and healthy surroundings of the desert whereby they would develop
a robust frame and acquire the pure speech and manners of the
bedouins, who were noted both for chastity of their language andfor
being free from those vices which usually develop in sedentary
societies.
The Prophet (Peace be upon him)was later entrusted to Haleemah bint
Abi Dhuaib from Bani Sa'd bin Bakr. Her husband was Al-Harith bin
'Abdul 'Uzza called Abi Kabshah, from the same tribe.
Muhammad(Peace be upon him) had several foster brothers and sisters,
'Abdullah bin Al-Harith, Aneesah bint Al-Harith, Hudhafah or Judhamah
bint Al-Harith (known as Ash-Shayma'), and sheused to nurse the
Prophet (Peacebe upon him) and Abu Sufyan binAl-Harith bin
'Abdul-Muttalib, the Prophet's cousin. Hamzah bin 'Abdul-Muttalib, the
Prophet's uncle, was suckled by the same two wet nurses, Thuyeba and
Haleemah As-Sa'diyah, who suckled the Prophet (Peace be upon him).
Traditions delightfully relate how Haleemah and the whole of her
household were favoured by successive strokes of good fortune while
the baby Muhammad (Peace be upon him) lived under her care. Ibn Ishaq
states that Haleemah narrated that she along with her husband and a
suckling babe, set out fromher village in the company of some women of
her clan in questof children to suckle. She said:
It was a year of drought and famine and we had nothing to eat. I rode
on a brown she-ass. We also had with us an old she-camel. By Allâh we
could not get even a drop of milk. We couldnot have a wink of sleep
during the night for the child kept cryingon account of hunger. There
wasnot enough milk in my breast and even the she-camel had nothing to
feed him. We used to constantly pray for rain and immediate relief. At
length we reached Makkah looking for children to suckle. Not even a
single woman amongst us accepted the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon
him) offered to her. As soon as they were told that he was an orphan,
they refused him. We had fixed our eyes on the reward that we would
get from the child's father.An orphan! What are his grandfather and
mother likely to do? So we spurned him because of that. Every woman
who came with me got a suckling and whenwe were about to depart, I
said to my husband: "By Allâh, I do not like to go back along with the
other women without any baby. I should go to that orphan and I must
take him." He said, "There is no harm in doing so and perhaps Allâh
might bless us through him." So I went and took him because there was
simply no other alternative left for me but to take him. When I lifted
him in my arms and returned to my place I put him on my breast and to
my great surprise, I found enough milk in it. He drank to his heart's
content,and so did his foster brother andthen both of them went to
sleep although my baby had not been able to sleep the previous night.
My husband then went to the she-camel to milk it and, to his
astonishment, he found plenty ofmilk in it. He milked it and we drank
to our fill, and enjoyed a sound sleep during the night. The next
morning, my husband said: "By Allâh Haleemah,

* Istikhara: The Guidance Prayer Question Answer : - ~ Question Two: Should I rely on someone else's Istikhara for me?

There is a pious lady in ourcommunity who has offered to pray
istikhara for me to help me make a decision for marriage. My question
to you is if you know if this idea of relyingon someone else's
istikhara is a good idea and compatible with the teachings of Islam on
howto make dua and decisions? Should I follow her advice (according to
her dreams and feelings) to me on this issue or not?
Answer:
This is one means you can take: to seek the istikhara of a pious
person. The permissibility of this was mentioned explicitly by the
Malikis and Shafi`is. The Hanafis do not appear to have discussed this
issue [al-Mawsu`a al-Fiqhhiyya, Kuwait], but there is nothing in it
that would indicate its impermissibility. Rather, it is merely the
taking of a means, which is permittedas long as one knows that the one
who gives and takes, benefits and harms is Allah alone.
In such cases, though, one should not leave doing theistikhara oneself!
Salat al-Istikhara Information
CONCERNING THE RITUAL PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE IN CHOOSING THE BEST OPTION
[SALAT AL-ISTIKHARA], AND THE PRAYER OF SUPPLICATION [DU'A']
APPROPRIATE TO IT.
According to a traditional report transmitted on the authority of
Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir, it was Jabir ibn 'Abdillah (may Allah be
well pleased with him and with his father) who said:
"Allah's Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to teach
us how to seek guidance in choosing the best option available in a
practical enterprise [al-istikhara fi 'l-amr], just as he would
sometimes teach us a Chapter [Sura] from the Quran.:
"If one of you is concernedabout some practical undertaking, or about
making plans for a journey, he should perform two cycles of ritual
prayer [rak'atain], not as an obligatory observance [farida], but
voluntarily. Then he should say:
"O Allah, I ask You to showme what is best, through Your knowledge,
and I askYou to empower me, through Your power, and Ibeg You to grant
me Your tremendous favor, for You have power, while I am without
power, and You have knowledge, while I am without knowledge, and You
are the One who knows all things invisible.
(Allahumma inni astakhiru-ka bi-'ilmi-ka waastaqdiru-ka
bi-qudrati-kawa as'alu-ka min fadli-ka al-'azim fa-inna-ka taqdiruwa
la aqdiru wa ta'lamu wa la a'lamu wa Anta aAllamu al-ghuyub):
O Allah, if You know that this undertaking is in the best interests of
my religion, my life in this world, and my life in the Hereafter, and
can yield successful results in both the short term and the long term,
then make it possible for me and make it easy for me, and then bless
me in it.
(Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadha al-amra khairun li fi dini wa
dunyaya wa akhirati wa aaqibati amri wa aajili-hi wa ajili-h
:fa-'qdir-hu li wa yassir-hu li thumma barik li fi-h):
If not, then turn it away from me, and make it easyfor me to do well,
wherever I may happen tobe, and make me content with Your verdict, O
Most Merciful of the merciful.'"
(wa illa fa-'srif-hu aan-ni wa yassir liya al-khaira haithu kana ma
kuntu wa raddi-ni bi-qada'i-ka ya Arhama ar-rahimin).
The South African JamiatulUlama Transvaal collected this:
The Etiquette of Duaa
These etiquettes are narrated in the Hadith. Forreasons of brevity,
only the following summary and reference of each Hadith is mentioned
instead of the entire Hadith.
*. To abstain from haraam food, clothing and earnings. (Muslim : Tirmidhi)
*. To make Duaa with sincerity. In other words,one should firmly
believe that nobody but Allah Ta'aala will fulfill his objectives.
(Haakim)
*. One should perform a good deed prior to making the Duaa & he should
mention this during the course of the Duaa. For e.g. He should say, O
Allah! I had performed so & so deed solely for Your pleasure. O Allah!
accept my Duaa due to the barkat of thatdeed. (Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu
Dawud).
*. To make Duaa whilst one is paak & clean. (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn
Majah, Nasai, Ibn Hibbaan, Mustadrak).
*. To make wudhu before the Duaa (All six major hadith collections)
*. To face the Qiblah (All sixmajor hadith collections)
*. To sit as in the Tashahhud position (AbuAwanah)
*. To praise Allah Ta'aala atthe beginning as well as at the end of
Duaa (All six major hadith collections)
*. To convey Durood upon Rasulullah (pbuh) at the beginning as well as
the end. (Abu Dawud, Musnade-Ahmad)
*. To spread out both the hands. (Tirmidhi, Mustadrak)
*. To raise both the hands up to the shoulders (Abu Dawud,
Musnade-Ahmad)*. To sit with humility and respect. (Muslim, Abu Dawud,
Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud)
*. To mention ones helplessness and dependence.

Istikhara: The Guidance Prayer Question Answer @ @ @ - Question One: Should Istikhara be prayed once or multiple times?

Question One: Should Istikhara be prayed once or multiple times?
-
Several people I know are confused on the topic of salat ul-
Istikhara. Is it meant to be prayed several days in a row until a
decision is made, or onlyonce? Is it meant to be prayed after one has
pretty much made up their mind, or when someone hasn't really figured
out what to do? Are their various valid opinions?
Answer:
Assalamu alaikum. When one is not clear about the result of the
istikhara , the fuqaha mention that it is recommended to repeat it, up
to seven times if necessary (usually done on separate occasions). [cf:
Radd al-Muhtar]
( Editor's note : Sheikh Faraz Rabbani elaborated on this in a
lecture, saying,"But if it's not clear for youthen you can repeat
it... upto seven times, but one shouldn't get excessive because the
believer has determination as well and just putting things off for no
purpose is not from theway of the believer... But ifit's an important
decision or you're not quite sure what is best, then you repeat it
several times.")
Getting a Dream After Istikhara?
It is not necessary that you get a dream or even a "feeling". Rather,
the istikhara is a prayer that Allah guide you towards that which is
best (khayr) for you. If you do the prayer of guidance (istikhara)
with the propermanners, the most important of which is to truly
consign the matter to Allah and suspend your own inclinations, then
Allah will make events unfold in the direction that is the best for
your worldly and next-worldly affairs.
In general, when it is not possible to perform the istikhara prayer
itself (suchas when one is out on the road, or in one's
menstrualperiod), it is recommendedto simply read the dua itself.
[Radd al-Muhtar]
The istikhara prayer may be made for a specific matter or be made for
a general seeking of all that is best. Some scholars, including Imam
Abd al-Wahhab al-Sha`rani andIbn `Arafah before him saw this kind of
(specific) istikhara prayer as being superior.
Others, including Shaykh Ibn al-Arabi, recommended performinga general
istikhara prayer for all that is good every day, ideally at the time
of the Duha prayer (after sunrise).
Before Istikhara Prayer
Imam al-Nawawi mentioned that before theistikhara prayer, one should
seek advice (istishara) from those whose knowledge, wisdom, and
concern one is confident.
Ibn Hajar al-Haytami and others mentioned that one of the benefits of
this is to further distance oneself from the desires ofone's own
egotistical inclinations.
Opening the Prayer
It is recommended to open the dua of istikhara [below], with praise of
Allah and sending blessings on the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him
peace), and to close it in this manner, too.
Like other duas, it is recommended that one face the qibla. It is
dislikedto hasten in seeking the answer to one's istikhara, just like
other duas, because the Prophet (Allahbless him & give him peace)
said, "Your prayers are answered, unless you hasten, saying, 'I
prayed, but no answer came.'"
One should be pleased with what Allah chooses for one, and not seek to
follow one's whims after the answer to one's supplication becomes
clear.

Turning Back to Allah

Turning Back to Allah

You've Recognised your sin/mistake,
So now Turn Back to Him(swt),
Ready to Sacrifice and Leave that which,
Distanced you from your Lord(swt),
Trusting that He(swt) Knows Better.
Allah Promises and Loves to Forgive ,
He(swt) says: " Don't Despair ",
He(swt) is At-Tawaab:
"The Acceptor of Repentance, The Oft Returning",
And His(swt) Mercy overcomes His(swt) Anger
***
So Turn Back Now, don't wait for later,
Before the Death Rattle reaches the Throat,
Before the Sun Rises from the West.
***
Turn Back to your Lord,
By Repenting (Tawbah/Istigfaar) ,
With Willingness ,
With Sincerity (Ikhlaas) ,
Feeling Remorse ,
and Regret ,
Intending Never again toReturn to that sin,
With Belief (Emaan) in your Heart .
***
Keep it Flowing ,
Staying Steadfast (Istikhaamah) ,
By Purifying and Cleansing ,
And keeping Good Company ,
Harbouring Good Thoughts ,
Speaking Good Words ,
by Doing Good Deeds (Al-Birr) ,
and Allah will make your Journey Easier .
***
Make your Heart your Forte ,
And Allah will Change the rest.
Delete Old Memories, Painful ones too,
Retaining Lessons Learned.
Your Pleas have not gone unheard,
And your Tears are Not Lost ,
Becoming Peals of Wisdom ,
So Move Forward Wisely Oh Muslim,
With Confidence, Humility and Dignity ;
And Be the Best you can,
Your Slate is Clean ,
Its Simple and Clear ,
Just Turn Back to Allah, Right Now and Right Here.

ISLAMIC ARTICLE :- ~ Tawbah in Islam

Tawbah is an Arabic words derived fromthe origin " Taaba" i.e.
returned back. Tawbah thus means turning back in repentance. It means
showing regret for the error and the sin one has got himself involved
in.
To have a clear view of theconcept of Tawbah and what it does mean,
read the following:
Repentance ( Tawbah ) means that one feels regret and filled with
remorse for his or her sins,turns to Allah with the intention to obey
Him. According to truth-seekingscholars, repentance signifies a
sincere effort to no longer oppose the Divine Essence in one's
feelings, thoughts, intentions, and acts, and to comply sincerely with
His commands and prohibitions. Repentance does not mean being
disgusted with what is bad or prohibited and thusno longer engaging in
it; rather, it means remainingaloof from whatever Allah hates and
prohibits, even if it seems agreeable to sense and reason.
Repentance is usually usedwith Nasuh , literally meaning pure,
sincere, reforming, improving, and repairing. Tawbah Nasuh (genuine
repentance) means a pure, sincere repentance that perfectly reforms
and improves the one who feels it. One who feels such a sincere,
heartfelt, and true remorse for the sin committed seeks to abandon it,
thereby setting a good example for others. The Quran points to this
when it mentions true repentance:" O you who believe! Turn to God in
true, sincere repentance." (At-Tahrim: 8).
There are three categories of repentance:
1-The repentance of those who cannot discern Divinetruths. Such people
are uneasy about their disobedience to Allah and, conscious of the
sinfulnessclouding their hearts, turn toward Allah in repentance
saying, for example: "I have fallen or committed a sin. Forgive me, or
I ask for Allah's forgiveness."
2-Those half-awakened to Divine truths beyond veils of material
existence, whofeel an inward pang of sinfulness and remorse right
after thinking or doing anything incompatible with the consciousness
of always being in Allah's presence, or after every instance of
heedlessness enveloping their hearts, and who immediately take refuge
in the mercy and favor of Allah. Such people are described in the
following Hadith:. "One who sincerely repents of his sin is as if he
had never committed it. When Allah loves one of His servants, his sins
do not harm him. Then he recited the verse: aAssuredly, Allah loves
the oft-repentant and those who always seek to purify themselves.'"
3-Those who live such a careful life that, their eyes sleep but their
hearts do not, their hearts are awake. Such people immediately discard
what-ever intervenes between Allah and their hearts and other
innermost faculties, and regain the consciousness of their relation to
the Light of Lights. They always manifest the meaning of:. "How
excellent a servant! Trulyhe was ever turning in contrition (to his
Lord)" (Sad:44).
Repentance means regaining one's essential purity after every
spiritual defilement, and engaging in frequent self-renewal.
The Stages of Repentance:
1-Feeling sincere remorse and regret.
2-Being frightened whenever one rememberspast sins.
3-Trying to eradicate injustice and support justice and right.
4-Reviewing one's responsibilities and performing obligations
previously neglected.
5-Reforming oneself by removing spiritual defects caused by deviation and error
6-Regretting and lamenting the times whenone did not mention or
remember Allah, or thank Him and reflect on His works. Such people are
always apprehensive and alert so that their thoughts and feelings are
not tainted by things that intervene between themselves and Allah.
(This last quality is particular to people distinguished by their
nearness to Allah.)
If one does not feel remorse, regret, and disgust for errors
committed, whether greator small; if one is not fearful or
apprehensive of falling back into sin at any time; and if one does not
take shelter in sincere servanthood to Allah in order to be freed from
deviation and error into which one has fallen by moving away from God,
any resulting repentance will be no more than a lie.
A Muslim should cry:
I'm sorry for the mistakes Imake.
And, I know of none that can be retrieved.
They're like the water overa dam.
To flow back, it cannot be achieved.
There are things I wish I had never said.
Now, I wish that I had bit my tongue instead.
To make another feel that pain,
For those thoughtless words, I am disdain.
Repentance is an oath of virtue, and holding steadfastly to it
requires strong willpower.

The most urgent question is the establishment of true faith (tahqiq ul-iman)

The problem underlying present-day thinking and the troubles
afflicting everyone, no matter what their social status, nation, race
or country, is the lack of a sincere faith in and genuine devotion and
complete submission to Allah. The fact that, with the support of the
theory of evolution, people have gradually turned their backs on faith
in Allah and religious moral values since the 1800s has caused
terrible disasters totake place, one after the other.
Imperialism, which attached no value to people of other nations and
races, regarded them as literally a species of animal and enslaved
themand exploited all their resources, communism that maintained that
war, conflict and bloody revolutions were the only solution that would
supposedly lead mankind to happiness, fascism that evaluated people
according to their skull measurements and regarded other races and
societies as enemies needing to be eliminated, and all such irrational
ideologies that violate good conscience and science have all drawn
strength from Darwinism and literally turned the world into a sea of
blood.
Similarly, it is Darwinism that lies at the root of the erroneous
world view thatindoctrinates people with the idea that nobody should
trust anyone else, that everyone should be suspicious of everyone
else, that allows no one the right to love anyone else and with the
lie that might is right, rather than truth, that human beings are the
result of blind chance and will therefore never have to account for
their actions to anyone.
In essence, the movement of the antichrist is spreading Darwinism and
materialism and keeping them alive by using all thetechnical and
technological means available today. The movement of the antichrist is
inculcating irreligion by the use of newspapers, magazines,
television, radio, movies and the Internet, is using Darwinism as a
supposed scientific foundation to keep irreligion propped up, and has
taken the Islamic world captive and is inflicting huge suffering on
it.
The most important thing to be done in an environment in which the
system of the antichrist is so active is to be instrumental in people
sincerely believing in the existence and oneness of Allah. The
prevalence of true faith, espoused with one's entire conscience, is
the most important way of immediately eliminating all these pains and
troubles. When people genuinely believe, when they genuinely love and
are devoted to Allah, it is obvious that the world will attain the
beauty of Paradise. Because sincere faith means people enjoying
complete love, joy, peace, beauty, quality and nobility. Where there
is certain faith, there will also be art, science, progress, peace and
everything.
That is why the first priority is the intellectual elimination of the
error of Darwinism, which people shelter behind as a superstitious
faith, and to tell people of the countless proofs of the evident
existence of Allah in the finest and most effective manner. In doing
this, however, it is of the greatest importance to adopt a scientific
and rational approach.
Irrational and illogical talk that is unrealistic and insincere will
just have a negative impact on peopleand may turn them even further
away from the religion of Allah. For that reason, it is very important
that in preaching the religion Muslims should make the best use of
their time and opportunities, be instrumental in people coming to love
and fear Allah rather than talking about matters they can easily learn
from catechisms, Islamic law books and other religious texts, and
telling them things that will enable them to realize the joy that
comes from living for.A Muslim must possess theculture and knowledge
with which to smash the idol of denial, Darwinism, by making the most
rational use of the opportunities offered by science. He must possess
a knowledge of all branches of science and know how to make the most
productive use of them forthe religion of Allah. He must be able to
describe the proofs of the existenceof Allah in the wisest, most
memorable, most impressive and finest manner, by using all the
technological means at hisdisposal.
At a time when lack of faith is inflicting terrible disasters on
mankind, it is irrational to spend time and opportunities on matters
that are not urgent instead of first being instrumental in people
either coming to faith or strengthening the faith that they already
have.

ISLAMIC ARTICLE :- ~ Hypocrites try to make religion difficult, the religion of Allah is easy

Struggle for Allah with thestruggle due to Him. He has selected you
and notplaced any constraint upon you in the religion – the religion
of your forefather Ibrahim. He named you Muslims before and also in
this, so that the Messenger could be witness against you and you could
be witnesses against all mankind. So establish prayer and pay alms and
hold fast to Allah. He is your Protector – the Best Protector, the
Best Helper. (Surat al-Hajj, 78)
... They invented monasticism – We did not prescribe it for them –
purely out of desire to gain the pleasure of Allah,but even so they
did not observe it as it should have been observed. To those of them
who had faith We gave their reward but many of them are deviators.
(Surat al-Hadid, 27)
We have made the Qur'an easy to remember. But is there any rememberer
there? (Surat al-Kamar, 17)
We will ease you to the Easy Way.
Remind, then, if the reminder benefits. (Surat al-A'la, 8-9)
As for him who gives out and has taqwa and confirms the good,
We will pave his way to Ease . (Surat al-Layl, 5-7)
The month of Ramadan ... the Qur'an was sent down as guidance for
mankind, with Clear Signs containing guidance and discrimination. Any
of you who are resident for the month should fast it. But any of you
who are ill or on a journey should fast a number of other days. Allah
desires ease for you; He does not desire difficulty for you. You
should complete the number of days and proclaim Allah's greatness for
the guidance He has given you so that hopefully you will be thankful.
(Surat al-Baqara, 185)
Perform the hajj and 'umra for Allah. If you are forcibly prevented,
make whatever sacrifice is feasible. ... (Surat al-Baqara, 196)
But as for him who believes and acts rightly, he will receive the best
of rewards and we will issuea command, making things easy for him. '
(Surat Al-Kahf, 88)
We have made it easy in your own tongue so that hopefully they will
pay heed. (Surat Ad-Dukhan, 58)
Your Lord knows that you stay up nearly two-thirds of the night – or
half of it, or a third of it – and a group of those with you. Allah
determines the nightand day. He knows you will not keep count of it,
so He has turned towards you. Recite as much of the Qur'an as is easy
for you. He knows that some of you are ill and that others are
travelling in theland seeking Allah's bounty, and that others are
fighting in the Way of Allah. So recite as much of it as is easy for
you. And establish prayer and pay alms and lend a generous loan to
Allah. Whatever good you send ahead for yourselves you will find it
with Allah as something better and as a greater reward. And seek
forgiveness from Allah. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat
al-Muzzammil, 20)
You who believe! do not ask about matters which, if they were made
known to you, would make things difficult for you. If you do ask about
them when the Qur'an is being sent down,they will be made known to
you. Allah has ignored them. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, All-Forbearing.
People before you asked about them and then later came to reject them.
(Surat al-Ma'ida, 101-102)
Hypocrites lie and try to distort and complicate Allah's easy religion
withtheir tongues
You who believe! do not make unlawful the good things Allah has made
lawful for you, and do not overstep the limits. Allah does not love
peoplewho overstep the limits. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 87)
Do not say about what your lying tongues describe: 'This is lawful and
this is unlawful,' inventing lies against Allah. Those who invent lies
against Allah are not successful. (Surat an-Nahl, 116)
Say: 'What do you think about the things Allah has sent down to you as
provision which you have then designated as lawful and unlawful? '
Say: 'Has Allah given you authority to do this or are you inventing
lies against Allah?' (Surah Yunus, 59)
What is the matter with you that you do not eat that over which the
name of Allah has been mentioned, when He has made clear to you what
He has made unlawful for you except when youare forced to eat it?
Manypeople lead others astray through their whims and desires without
having any knowledge. Your Lord knows best those who overstep the
limits. (Surat al-An'am, 119)
Indeed is the sincere religion not Allah's alone? If people take
protectors besides Him –'We only worship them so that they may bring
us nearerto Allah' – Allah will judge between them regarding the
things about which they differed. Allah does not guide anyone who is
an ungrateful liar. (Surat az-Zumar, 3)

Smile plz

Smile is a language of love, a source to win hearts... So keep smiling
@
Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella, And Youll End Up With A Face Full Of Rain
@
Entr D name Who U wan 2kilWat me SORRY Im not Bcz Im already Kild By Ur SMILE
@
Life may bring failure, hardships... but theres alwaz a reason 2 smile dats U
@
Girls misuse it! models sell it! photograhers cage it!tats SMILE! KEEP SMILING!!
@
Smile in pleasure & in pain, Alwaz smile bcoz some1 still wants 2 c u SMILING!!
@
Smile is complete wn begins wt lips reflects in eyz n ends on face KEEP SMILING

ISLAMIC ARTICLE :- ~ Salat ut-Tasbeeh

Salat ut-Tasbeeh
-
Did you know there is a special salat, aside from the regular five and
their nawaafil, that brings greatforgiveness from Allah? It is called
Salat-ut-Tasbeeh.
It is recorded in Sunan Abi Dawud and other books ofhadith that
Rasulullah (sallallahu `alayhi wasallam once said to his uncle Hadrat
`Abbas (r.a.) :
O Abbas! O my uncle! Shall I not give you a gift? Shall I not show you
something by means of which Allah Ta`ala will forgive your sins, the
first and the lastof them, the past and recent, the unintentionaland
the intentional, the small and huge, the secret and open?
Rasulullah (sallallahu `alayhi wasallam) then taught him the Salah
al-Tasbih. Furthermore he advised him that it be offered daily, if
possible. If not then every Friday or once a month or once a year or
at least once in one's life time.
Salah al-Tasbih consists of 4 raka`at. It can be performed any time of
theday or night except at the makruh times.
The following tasbih is recited seventy-five times in each rak`ah
totalling 300 in the 4 raka`at.
Subhaanallaahi walhamdulillaahi walaa ilaaha illallaahu wallaahu akbar
The method of this salah isas follows:
*. After beginning the salahby saying Allah-u-Akbar recite the thana
', then Sura al-Fatiha and any Sura followed by the above tasbih 15
times.
*. Then go into Ruku and after reciting the usual tasbih for ruku`
recite the above tasbih 10 times.
*. After standing up from ruku` recite the usual Rabbana Lakal Hamd
andthereafter recite the tasbih 10 times.
*. Then go into Sajda and after reciting the usual tasbih for sajda
recite the above tasbih 10 times.
*. Then sit up from sajda and recite the tasbih 10 times between the two sajdas.
*. Thereafter go into sajda again and after reciting the usual tasbih
for sajdarecite the above tasbih 10 times.
*. Then sit after the 2nd sajda (i.e. before standing up for the
second rak`ah) and recitethe tasbih 10 times.
This adds up to 75 times in one rak`ah. Do the samefor the remaining 4 raka`at.
Special notes for Salat-Ul-Tasbih (according to IslamicAcademy.org):
1) Do not count loudly. It will break Salah.
2) Do not count on fingers or by holding a Bead Tasbih in hand. It is Makruh.
3) You may count by pressing the fingers as a reminder. For example if
you are in Ruku. You may press pinky of your right hand first for the
first count, then the finger nextto it for second count, then the
middle finger for third count, following this method untill you reach
the pinky of left hand will give you an exact count often. Use the
same method in Qayam, Sajdah and Jalsa.
4) If missed a count then make it up in the next posture. For example
if forgot to recite Tasbih after Surah in Qayam. Then you may recite
Tasbish 20 times instead of 10 in Rukuh after"Subhaana Rabbiyal
Azeem". Missed Tasbih cannot be recited in Qayam after ruku and Jalsa
between Sajdah. If you missed the Tasbih in Ruku then recite 20 in the
first Sajdah instead of the Qayam after rukuh. Similarly if missed the
Tasbih in first Sajdah then do not make it up in Jalsa. Instead recite
missed tasbih in the second Sajdah. If Tasbih has been missed in last
sajdah of second or fourth Rakah then you can recite the missed ones
before Attahiyat in Qaidah.
5) If you miss a wajib in Salah and have to do Sajdah Sahaw. You dont
have to recite Tasbih in Sajdah sahoo, since the 300 count has been
estalished. But if you had missed Tasbih in any of the postures and
remeber it now. Then you may recite the missed Tasbih inSajdah Sahaw
now.
6) It is preferable to recite after Surah Fatiha Sura Takathuur in the
first raka', Surah Wal A'sr in thesecond raka', Surah Kaferoon (qul ya
aiyuhal Kafiroon) in the third and Surah Akhlas (Qul hu Allah-hu ahd)
in the fourth raka'.If one does not remember these surah they can
recitethe ones they prefer.
Is it Authentic?
According to Moulana Muhammad ibn Moulana Haroon Abassommar, the
ruling regarding Salat-ut-Tasbeeh is that it is permissible and, in
fact, very meritorious.
The Hadith in question hasbeen accepted as Sahih (authentic) or Hasan
(sound) by various eminent Masters of Hadith.Those that claimed that
it was weak did so on the basis of a few chains of the narration.
However, if all the various chains be gathered, there will remain no
doubt as to its authenticity.
Hafiz ibn Hajar (RA) mentions the Hadith of Salat-ut-Tasbeeh and he
accepts it to be in fact either Sahih (authentic) or Hasan (sound) and
not Dha'eef (weak). (Ibid)
Imaam Tirmidhi (RA) says that many Ulama, among them Imaam Abdullah
ibn al-Mubaarak (RA), have accepted the virtue of Salat-ut-Tasbeeh.
(Tirmidhi vol.2 pg.348; Hadith 481)

ISLAMIC ARTICLE :- ~ We must follow the solution shown by Allah in the Qur'an for the salvation of the Islamic world

In the Qur'an, Allah tells Muslims of paths indicating how they should
behave at every moment of their lives and in all situations. If a
Muslim follows his own logic and way of thinking rather than following
the path given by the Qur'an in any given situation, then Allah will
bestow no success on that road and he will not obtain the results he
desires.
As with individuals, He hasalso shown Islamic societies the path to
follow in order to achieve success, to possess an auspicious power
serving excellent material and psychological means, to attain
well-being, and to make progress and avoid defeat and oppression. This
road shown by Allah is to strive on His path, using knowledge,
culture, science, philosophy, art and ideas, until corruption is
eliminated from the world, until bloodshed, oppression, persecution
and injustice come to an end, until religion is Allah's, until the
moral values of the Qur'an rule the world and, until people live by
the faith as it was in the time of our Prophet (saas):
Strive against them untilthere is no more corruption and the religion
is Allah's alone...(Surat al-Anfal, 39)
One of the paths that Allahshows in order for Muslimsto be victorious
in this intellectual struggle, is for the Muslims to be united. In
other words, it is for thewhole Islamic world to be united, without
regard to sect, culture, practice, race,ethnic origins, community or
group, to collect aroundone spiritual leader and towage the
intellectual struggle like buildings welded together by lead.
Allah loves those who fight in His Way in ranks like well-built walls.
(Surat as-Saff, 4)
It is unacceptable, in the face of these explicit pronouncements by
Allah, to suggest methods that have no place in the Qur'an in the face
of Muslims' pains and sufferings. It is incompatible with good
conscience to direct to paths that will cause Muslims to follow
techniques that lead to defeat and that will encourage passivity,
instead of strengthening their enthusiasm for the intellectual
struggle, developing their fervor, and increasing their determination.
Muslims must not sit back apathetically when corruption rules the
world.Irreligion is inflicting so many scourges on mankind and the
voices ofinnocent women, children and old people across the world are
crying out, "O Lord, save us with help from Your Presence." What
Muslims must do is eliminate the source of this corruption,
philosophically and intellectually, using all their might and means,
science, reason and technology.
The source of this corruption is irreligion andmaterialism, and
Darwinism that prepares the ground for them. As the Master Bediuzzaman
says, "... science and philosophy are now dominant and THE PLAGUEOF
MATERIALISM AND NATURALISM [Darwinism and the theory of evolution] has
spread AMONG MANKIND." what needs to be done is, "BEFORE EVERYTHING
BELIEF SHOULD BE SAVED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT SILENCES PHILOSOPHY AND
MATERIALISM [materialism and Darwinism]."
By Allah's leave, Hazrat Mahdi (as) will completely perform this task
in the End Times in which we areliving, as imparted by the Master
Bediuzzaman. All believers fervently awaiting Hazrat Mahdi (as)and
wanting to be this holy individual's supporters, followers and
fore-runners must also support this great work bystriving and
mobilizing with all their resources"until corruption vanishes from the
earth."

ISLAMIC ARTICLE :- ~ A profound respect for Allah is a sign of genuine faith

A profound respect for Allah, the religion, the Qur'an, our Prophet
(saas), the angels and all our spiritual values is an important sign
of genuine faith. Allah described in the Qur'an how the prophets and
true believers stood in respectful awe of Him and remembered him with
awe, how their hearts were softened by fear of Him, and how they came
with a sound and pure faith through their profound fear. Therefore,
all Muslims must be scrupulous and punctiliouswhen it comes to
remembering Allah, in speaking of our Prophet (saas) and all the other
prophets, and in discussing religious matters.
Language that is disrespectful of Allah will impose a heavy
responsibility in the Hereafter and also have a negative impact on
peopleof weak or no faith who hear it. Every Muslim must carefully
avoid talking in any such way.
BELIEVERS' PROFOUND RESPECT FOR ALLAH
(Believers are) those WHO ARE FILLED WITH THE FEAR of their Lord.
(Surat al-Muminun, 57)
(People of intelligence are)those who join what Allah has commanded to
be joined and are AFRAID OF THEIR LORD and fear an evil Reckoning.
(Surat ar-Rad, 21)
Those who fear their Lord in their most secret thoughts, and WHO HOLD
THE HOUR (OF JUDGMENT)IN AWE. (Surat al-Anbiya', 49)
We responded to him and gave him John, restoring for him his wife's
fertility. They outdid one another in good actions, calling outto Us
in yearning and in awe, and HUMBLING THEMSELVES TO US. (Surat
al-Anbiya', 90)
If We Had sent down this Qur'an onto a mountain, YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN
ITHUMBLED, CRUSHED TO PIECES OUT OF FEAR OF ALLAH. We make such
examples for people so that hopefully they will reflect. (Surat
al-Hashr, 21)
HAS THE TIME NOT ARRIVED FOR THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE TO YIELD
to the remembrance of Allah andto the truth He has sent down, so they
are not like those who were given the Book before for whom thetime
seemed over long so that their hearts became hard? Many of them are
deviators. (Surat al-Hadid, 16)
(It is) so that you might allbelieve in Allah and His Messenger and
honor Him and RESPECT HIM and glorify Him in the morningand the
evening. (Surat al-Fath, 9)
Men and women who are Muslims, men and women who are believers, men
and women who are obedient, men and women who are truthful, men and
women who are steadfast, MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE HUMBLE, men and
womenwho give charity, men andwomen who fast, men andwomen who guard
their chastity, men and women who remember Allah much: Allah has
prepared forgiveness for them and an immense reward. (Surat al-Ahzab,
35)
Among the people of the Book there are some who believe in Allah and
in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down to them, and
WHO ARE HUMBLE BEFORE ALLAH. They do not sell Allah's Signs for a
paltry price. Such people will have their reward with their Lord. And
Allah is swift at reckoning. Surah Al 'Imran, 199)
Those who speak in a manner that is inappropriate towards Allah and
Islam, who foolishly adopt a mocking tone or who behave in such a way
as to weaken people's love and respect for Allah in this world will be
able to do none of these things when they are brought into His
Presence and will seriouslyregret their actions.
DENIERS' AND HYPOCRITES' FACIAL EXPRESSIONS AND SPEECHIN THE PRESENCE OF ALLAH
On that day they will follow the Summoner whohas no crookedness in
himat all. VOICES WILL BE HUMBLED BEFORE THE ALL-MERCIFUL AND NOTHING
BUT A WHISPER WILL BE HEARD. On that Day intercession will not be of
any use except for him whom the All-Mercifulhas authorized and with
whose speech He is well pleased. (Surah Ta Ha, 108-109)
You will see them as they are exposed to it, ABJECT IN THEIR
ABASEMENT, glancing around them furtively. Those who believe will say,
'Truly the losers are those who lose themselves and their families on
the Day of Resurrection.' The wrongdoers are in an everlasting
punishment. (Surat ash-Shura, 45)
'Be moderate in your tread and LOWER YOUR VOICE. THE MOST HATEFUL OF
VOICES IS THEDONKEY'S BRAY.' (Surah Luqman, 19)
Therefore, (O Prophet,) turn away from them. The Day that THE CALLER
WILL CALL (THEM) TO A TERRIBLE AFFAIR. They will emerge from their
graves with DOWNCAST EYES , like swarming locusts, necks outstretched,
EYES TRANSFIXED, RUSHING HEADLONG TO THE ONE WHO SUMMONS. The
unbelievers will say, 'This is a pitiless day!' (Surat al-Qamar, 6-8)
THEIR EYES WILL BE DOWNCAST, darkened by debasement; for they were
called on to prostrate when they were in full possession of their
faculties. (Surat al-Qalam, 43)

HEALTH - ~ Top 10 Anti-Aging Foods

The general guidelines for the anti-aging diet are: keep your calorie
consumption and saturatedfat intake down; eat plentyof wholegrain,
fresh fruits and vegetables; and cut down on salt and sugar. In
addition to these general guidelines, there are specific foods that
have a roll in anti-aging and that you should regularly include in
your diet.

1. Avocado:
This fruit, which is usually eaten as a vegetable, is a good source of
healthy monounsaturated fat that may help to reduce level ofa bad type
of cholesterol inbody. Avocado is a good source of vitamin E and
canhelp to maintain healthy skin and prevent skin aging(vitamin E may
also help alleviate menopausal hot flushes). It is rich in potassium
which helps prevent fluid retention andhigh blood pressure.
2. Ginger:
This spicy root can boost the digestive and circulatory systems, which
can be useful for older people. Ginger may also help to alleviate
rheumatic aches and pains.
3. Cruciferous vegetables:
The family of Cruciferous vegetables includes cabbage, cauliflower,
broccoli, kale, turnip, brussels sprouts, radish andwatercress.
Cruciferous vegetables assist the body in its fight against toxins and
cancer. You should try to consume at least 115g/40z(of any one or a
combination) of these vegetables on a daily basis.If possible, eat
them row orvery lightly cooked so that the important enzymes remain
intact.
4. Whole meal pasta and rice:
Complex carbohydrates provide a consistent supplyof energy throughout
the day and should make up the bulk of your diet. Wholemeal pasta is
an excellent complex carbohydrate. It is high in fibre and contains
twice the amount of iron as normal pasta. Brown rice isanother
recommended complex carbohydrate, which is high in fibre and
Bvitamins.
5. Soya:
Menopausal women might find that soya helps to maintain oestrogen
levels. Soya may alleviate menopausal hot flush and protect against
Alzheimer'sdisease, osteoporosis and heart disease. Look out for
fermented soya products, which are more easily digested, therefore
more nutritional, and do not generally cause food intolerances. You
may want to check that soya products have not been genetically
modified. Soya should not be confused with soya sauce, which is full
of salt and should be used sparingly, if at all.
6. Garlic:
Eating a clove of garlic a day (row or cooked) helps to protect the
body againstcancer and heart disease. The cardioprotectiv e effectsof
garlic are well recorded. One 1994 study in Iowa, USA, of 41,837 women
between the age of 55 and69 suggested that women who ate a clove of
garlic at least once a week were 50 percent less likely to develop
colon cancer. Another study at Tasgore Medical college in India
suggested that garlic reduced cholesterol levels and assisted blood
thinning more effectively than aspirin, thus helping to reduce the
risk of heart disease.
7. Nuts:
Most varieties of nuts are good sources of minerals, particularly
walnuts and brazi nuts. Walnuts, although high in calories, are rich
in potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and selenium. Adding nuts
to your diet (sprinkle them on salads and desserts) can enhance the
functioning of your digestive and immune systems, improve your
skinhelp control prevent cancer. Nuts may also help control
cholesterol levels. Never eat rancid nuts, however, as they have been
linked to a high incidence of free radicals.
8. Berries:
All black and blue berries such as blackberries, blueberries,
blackcurrants and black grapes contain phytochemicals known as
flavonoids-powe rful antioxidants which help to protect the body
against damage caused by free radicals and aging.
9. Water:
Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day in order toremain healthy.
Water helps us to get rid of the toxins and unwanted waste materials
from your body.
Don't rely on thirst; this sensation diminishes with age. Drink often
and choose from nutritious liquids, including 100% fruit and vegetable
juices, skim or low fat milk, broths, sparkling water, and teas. You
can also get fluids from foods, especially those that are liquid at
room temperature. Try gelatin, frozen yogurt, soups, watermelon,
pickles, oranges, lettuce, tomatoes, etc.
10. Watermelon:
Both the flesh and seeds of the watermelon are nutritious so try
blending them together in a food processor and drinking as ajuice. The
flesh contain vitamin A, B and C ; the seeds contain selenium,
essential fats, zinc and vitamin E, all of which help against free
radical damage and aging.

ISLAMIC ARTICLE :- ~ The Prayer of Need (Salat al-Hajah) or Istikhara?- - - Salat al-Hajah is a prayerfor need, to bring your needs to Allah

Salat al-Hajah is a prayerfor need, to bring your needs to Allah
~
There is a difference between Salat al-Istikhara,which is the Guidance
Prayer, and Salat al-Hajah, the Prayer of Need. So how do you know
which one you should pray in your situation?
You should pray Salat al-Istikahara when you aretrying to determine
the best course of action in any situation. Maybe you are trying to
decide between two different important life paths, or you have been
offered an opportunity and you don'tknow if you should take it.Salat
al-Istikhara is a prayer to ask Allah to bring you the best outcome,
and keep evil faraway from you.
On the other hand, Salat al-Hajah is simply to ask Allah to help you
with some pressing need. It's not about making choices or decisions.
Here is some information about Salat al-Hajah, written by Faraz
Rabbani for SunniPath:
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, and all blessings
and peace upon our master Muhammad, his Folk, Companions and those who
follow their noble way,
Abullah ibn Abi Awfa (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the
Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, "Whoever
has a need with Allah, or with any human being, then letthem perform
ritual ablutions well and then pray two rakats. After that,let them
praise Allah and send blessings on the Prophet (Allah bless him and
give him peace). After this, let them say,
لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ الْحَلِيمُ الْكَرِيمُ
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِين
أَسْأَلُكَ مُوجِبَاتِ رَحْمَتِكَ وَعَزَائِمَ مَغْفِرَتِكَ
وَالْغَنِيمَةَ مِنْ كُلِّ بِرٍّ وَالسَّلامَةَ مِنْ كُلّإِثْمٍ
لا تَدَعْ لِي ذَنْبًا إِلا غَفَرْتَهُ وَلا هَمًّا إِلا فَرَّجْتَهُ
وَلا حَاجَةً هِيَ لَكَ رِضًا إِلا قَضَيْتَهَا يَا أَرْحَمَ
الرَّاحِمِينَ
There there no god but Allah the Clement and Wise.
There is no god but Allahthe High and Mighty.
Glory be to Allah, Lord of the Tremendous Throne.
All praise is to Allah, Lordof the worlds.
I ask you (O Allah) everything that leads to your mercy, and your
tremendous forgiveness,enrichment in all good, and freedom from all
sin.
Do not leave a sin of mine (O Allah), except that you forgive it, nor
any concern except that you create for it an opening, nor any need in
which there is your good pleasure except that you fulfill it, O Most
Merciful!"
[Related by Tirmidhi and Ibn Maja. The hadith has some weakness, but
such hadiths are acted upon forvirtuous deeds (fada'il al-a`mal) by
general agreement of Sunni scholarship]
The prayer of need is very simple: It is essentially to raise one's
need to Allah Most High, by performing ritual ablution (wudu), praying
2 rakats (or four), and then making whole-hearted dua to Allah. If one
uses the abovementioned Prophetic supplication, or other similar
supplicationstransmitted from the Beloved Messenger of Allah (Allah
bless him and give him peace), it is best. [Ibrahim al-Halabi, Sharh
Munyat al-Musalli; al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
The inward manners of supplication is exhibiting our neediness and
absolute slavehood to Allah, consigning one's matters to Allah, and
knowing that the only onewho gives or benefits is Allah Most High.
With this, one should be certain that Allah Most High answers our
duas, but in the way He knows is best for us.
When circumstances do not permit us to pray 2 rakats, one should still
turn to Allah in supplication, raising one's needs to Him, for He
answers our supplications and loves being asked.
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,

Medical - ~ - Hay fever

Causes of hay fever
Hay fever is caused by breathing in pollen particles and by pollen
getting into the eyes. You can get hay fever at any time from early
spring to late summer, depending on which pollen or pollensyou're
allergic to.
The pollens most likely to cause problems in early spring are those
from trees such as the silver birch, ash, oak and Londonplane.
Grasses pollinate during mid-summer from May to August. The most
profusely pollinating grasses are timothy, rye, cocksfoot, meadow and
fescue.
Occasionally, in late summer and autumn, weeds such as nettles and
dock as well as mugwort and plantain can trigger hay fever.
The condition tends to occur in atopic allergy-prone families and
usually starts in the early teens, with symptoms peaking inthe 20s.
Top
Symptoms of hay fever
The main symptoms of hay fever are:
*. Repeated sneezing attacks
*. Runny or itchy nose
*. Itchy or watery eyes
*. Itchy throat, palate and ears
*. Loss of concentration
*. General feeling of being unwell (hence 'fever')
If the pollen count is very high, many will also wheeze (so-called hay asthma).
Top
Hay fever treatments
The most useful treatments for hay fever are:
*. Antihistamine tablets and nasal sprays, which if taken regularly
help torelieve a runny nose, sneezing, an itchy throat and itchy,
watery eyes
*. Anti-inflammatory nasal sprays and nose drops (usually containing
steroids), which reduce inflammation in the delicate lining of the
nose. These should be taken daily for the best results
*. Anti-allergy nasal sprays and eye drops, such as cromoglycate,
which act on the linings of the nose and eyes to stop the allergen
triggering a reaction
*. Decongestant tablets and sprays can help if the nose is blocked and
stuffy, but can lead to rebound blocking
Most of these medicines are available over the counter, but some are
onlyavailable on prescription. You may need to try different
treatments or find a combination that works best for you.
Steroid injections, although effective for symptom control, are
discouraged owing to unwanted side effects such as osteoporosis ,
cataracts and skin thinning.
Homeopathic and herbal treatments are less effective than conventional
therapies. Some experts advocate taking local honey every day for a
few months before the pollen season starts to improve symptoms, but no
studies have been performed to prove this.
If symptoms remain severe despite medication,you may benefit from
desensitisation immunotherapy to grass pollen. This involves
beinggiven tablets or injections containing minute amounts of pollen,
with the dose being increased gradually over a three-year period to
induce immune tolerance and cure the allergy.
Sublingual grass pollen immunotherapy for timothy grass allergy is
available in the UK for people with positive skin prick tests or
specific immunoglobin E (IgE) blood tests to grass pollen.However, it
is expensive and needs to be used oversuccessive hayfever seasons to
become effective, so use may be limited by your local primary care
trust - ask your GP for details. The injection form of immunotherapy
is now only available through specialist clinics as there is a risk of
anaphylactic reaction. No silver birch or tree pollen immunotherapy is
currently available.
Top
Preventing hay fever
If you have hay fever, there are steps you can take to avoid exposing
yourself to pollen:
*. Keep an eye on the pollen count (often included in weather reports)
and stay inside as much as possible when it's high.
*. Wear wrap-around sunglasses to stop pollengetting in your eyes
*. Saline douches or a little Vaseline applied inside the nose will
reduce symptoms
*. Keep car windows closedand switch on the air conditioning to
prevent pollen entering the car
*. Keep bedroom doors andwindows closed in mid-morning and early
evening when pollen levels peak
*. Avoid areas such as parks or fields, particularly in the early
evening when there's a lot of pollen floating at nose level
*. Get someone else to mow the lawn and don'tlie on freshly cut grass
*. Change into clean clothes when you come home and wash the clothes
you wore outside
You may be able to find out what you're allergic toby having allergy
tests. You can then take practical steps to avoid that particular
pollen.
Top
Oral allergy syndrome
Some people with hay fever develop oral allergies to certain fruits,
vegetables and nuts. This is also called pollen-food or oral allergy
syndrome (OAS).
People with OAS typically develop hay fever in early spring and notice
itching and swelling of the mouthand throat when they eat fresh fruit
and vegetables. This is due to the food containing a protein similar
to the allergy-provoking protein in the pollen.