Causes and Effects of Diseases of the Heart

Indeed, all sins poison the heart and lead to its illness and
destruction. They sicken it and define its will as other than what
Allaah The Almighty wants [of Hisservant], in effect being as harmful
to the heart as actual poisons are to the body. Imaam Ibn Al-Mubaarak
said, "I haveseen that sins cause the death of the heart and addiction
to them breeds humiliation. On the other hand, quitting sins gives
life to the heart and it is better for one to disobey his own self
[than to disobey Allaah The Almighty]."
The extent of harm that sins cause to the heart and body in this life
and in the Hereafter, are known to Allaah The Almighty alone. However,
every evil and every single disease in this life and the Hereafter,
can be attributed to sins and acts of disobedience. Ibn Al-Qayyim
said:
"Then why [else] were our parents (Aadam and Eve, may Allaah exalt
their mention) expelled from Paradise – the abode of joy, pleasure,
bliss and happiness – to the dwelling of suffering, sorrows and
disasters? Why was Satan cast out from the kingdom of Heaven? Why was
he cursed and deformed externally and internally, until he had the
most heinous appearance, with his insides even uglier and more
abominable than his exterior? Why was he under a curse instead of
mercy, and given ugliness in place of beauty, and Hell instead of
Paradise? He became worthless in the sight of Allaah The Almighty,
deprived of His compassion and inflicted withHis anger. Allaah The
Almighty deluded and detested him so much that He led him to
destruction, until he became a leader for every immoral and criminal
person; and Satan accepted this position although he had [earlier]
worshipped [Allaah]. We seek refuge with You, O Allaah from breaching
Your command or doing what You prohibited!"
He continued:
"Why did all the people on earth drown [at the time of Noah ]and the
water submerge the peaks of mountains? Why were the people of 'Aad
afflicted with an intense wind that left their lifeless bodies on
earth like they were hollow trunks of palm trees? Why was the tribe of
Thamood afflicted with a loud shriek that literally tore their hearts
on the inside and all of them died [as a result]? Why were the
villages of the people ofLoote lifted so high up to thesky that the
angels heard the barking of their dogs, and then were turned upside
down, leading to their deaths; and why were they cast with stones of
layered, hard clay? In this way, they were punished twice, which was
something that did not happen to any other nation. Theircounterparts
today may also havethe same punishment, and this isnever far from the
wrongdoers. As for the people of Shu'ayb why were they afflicted with
clouds of torment that appeared as canopies, but when they approached
over their heads, they rained flames of blazing fire over them? Why
were Pharaoh and his soldiers drowned in the sea and transported by
soul to Hell? Why was Qaaroon, along with his house, property and
family, swallowed by the earth? Why were the generations after Nooh
(Noah) destroyed by different kinds of punishment? What about the
Children of Israel;why were they tried by militarily superior people,
who ransacked their homes, killing men and taking children and women
captive, in the process? Why did those enemies later again come to
them and destroy everything they could to the point of annihilation?
Why were they afflicted with different types of torturous punishments:
death, imprisonment, destruction of their houses, subjugation to the
tyranny of kings and transformation into apes and pigs? The last of
these hardships is mentioned in the verse where Allaah The Almighty
Says (what means): {He Would surely [continue to] send upon them until
the Day of Resurrection those who would afflict them with the worst
torment.} [Quran 7:167]"
Some of the effects of acts of disobedience and sins:
• They are ammunition that a sinner provides his enemy with,
supporting his rival with an army against his very own self.
• They embolden others to defy the sinner, in ways they would never
have previously dared.
• They gradually seal one's heart; if sins accumulate, their doer
becomes heedless. Some of the righteous predecessors said that the
verse where Allaah The Almighty Said (what means): {Nay! But on their
hearts is the Raan which they used to earn.} [Quran 83:14], refers to
the sins that pile up until the heart is blinded. That is because the
heartrusts from sins, an increase of which steps up corrosion until it
constitutes Raan (rust). This, then, in turn, develops until it
becomes a seal and bolt which enlarges, until it completely wraps
around the heart.
• The enormity of sins is removedfrom the heart to the extent that it
then considers them as mere habits.
• Sins breed sins and help sustainthe [habit of committing] evil.
• Ill actions render darkness in one's heart, which is as tangible as
the shadows of the night. It was narrated on the authority of Ibn
'Abbaas that he said, "A good deed brings about light in [its doer's]
face and heart, blessing in provisions and love in the hearts of
people. Conversely, a sin brings about darkness in the face and the
heart, lack in sustenance and hatred in the hearts of people."
• Sins weaken the heart and body. As for the former, it is evident in
its continuous pattern which ends only when its life does. The body,
too, becomes weakened because a believer's power lies in his heart,
and the stronger that is, the stronger his body is.
• They render man's affairs difficult; whenever he wants to do
something, he finds it tough or unattainable. One of the righteous
predecessors said, "When I disobey Allaah The Almighty, I find that
reflected in the behavior of my wife and [even my] domesticated
animal."
• Sins create alienation between its doer and others, especially
thegood among them. Abu Ad-Dardaa' advised, "Beware of being cursed by
the hearts of the believers while you do not know! You secretly commit
sins and that is why Allaah The Almighty casts hatred of you in their
hearts."
• Sins dismiss a man's honor and dignity in the sight of Allaah The
Almighty and His creatures, as He Says (what means): {And whomsoever
Allaah abases, thereis none who can make him honorable} [Quran 22:18].
• Evil deeds not only extinguish the fire of zeal in one's heart, but
also removes bashfulness from it,which is the source of life to the
heart.
• Sins diminish the heart's zeal toplease Allaah The Almighty and win
in the Hereafter.
• A person continues to commit vices until he or she belittles them
and considers them as trivial. Ibn Mas'ood said: "The believing man
sees his sin as if it were a mountain that he fears will fall down on
him; whereas the immoral person thinks of his sin as a fly that sat on
his nose and he easily waved it off." [At-Tirmithi] Also, Anas once
remarked: "Indeed, you commit actions that you consider as trivial,
but we used to consider them at the time of the Prophet to be major
sins." [Al-Bukhaari]
Bilaal ibn Sa'd advised, "Do not look at the smallness of a sin but
look at the magnificence of the One Whom you disobeyed."
As for the foremost five evil acts that afflict the heart and are most
widespread, they are an excess of: talking, prying gaze, socializing,
eating and sleeping.

Safety tips for Muslim women

As Muslims and their institutions become targets of harassment in the
wake of the September 11 terrorist attack, Muslim women, especially
those who dress Islamically, have become major targets.
Reports of Muslim women being yelled at, threatened, having
theirHijabs pulled off and having guns pointed at them have surfaced.
Itis necessary that the whole community rallies to defend Muslim
women. But sisters also have to take personal precautions when they go
outside. Like it or not, they will be targets.
Here are some safety tips for sisters:
1. Always be aware of your surroundings
This applies whether you are traveling alone or in groups. Don't just
focus inwardly on your thoughts if you are alone, or yourfriends if
you are together. Keep one eye out for your environment, looking out
for suspicious characters, possible danger, etc.
Also, don't assume that because your area has been "safe" thus far,
that it will continue to be so.
2. Travel in groups
"There is safety in numbers" is not just a cliche. It's true. Make a
point of traveling together with other sisters, whether it's on public
transportation, on campus, in cars, etc.
3. Change the route you normally travel by
If you've taken the same bus, train or highway to get to work or
school, change your route. Even if it takes you a little longer, your
safety is more important. Bychanging your route, you can avert
possible attacks or harassment from those who know your schedule,
method androute of travel well. Please note though that you should
avoid short cuts that take you through unfamiliar or unsafe areas.
4. Look confident
Walk with a straight posture and your arms swinging by your sides.
Avoid slouching or walking like a victim. This makes you an easy
target for attackers.
5. When riding by public transportation choose the right seat
If you are riding by bus or train, do not sit on the window seat as
you may be "blocked in" by a potential assailant. Always select the
seat next to the aisle so that you can quickly leave if necessary.
If you are taking public transportation alone after peak hours, sit as
close to the driver aspossible and/or choose the section of the
bus/train that is most crowded. Try to get a seat near the exit as
well.
6. If you are driving alone
Don't think that if you are in a car, you're safe. Windows should be
up and doors locked even when driving to avoid unwanted passengers at
intersections. When you are walking to your car, always have your keys
ready, so that you can quickly get into your car.
But don't just get in right away. Always check your car before
entering, especially the back, for any intruders.
7. Never leave your car door unlocked
Even if it means for one minute to drop something off in the mailbox
that's a few feet away. Attackers have been known to lie in wait for
such an opportunity.
8. Be careful in parking lots
Always be alert in parking lots, especially when it's dark. Ask
someone to escort you to your car. Between cars and inside cars,it's
easy for someone to hide and wait until an unalert person comes along.
9. If you are traveling by taxi
Always check the identification ofthe driver (usually located near the
visor) and ensure that it matches the driver. Once inside, don't sit
behind the driver as it may be easy for the driver to lock the rear
passenger door. Always choose the adjacent seat .
In addition, avoid flagging taxis. Always order taxis so the driver
can be traced if something happens.
10. Don't use the walkman
If you're used to listening to yourwalkman while outside, drop
thishabit, especially in isolated areas.With your walkman on, you
cannot hear the approach of a possible attacker.
11. Note "safe houses" along yourroute
Mentally note houses at intervals on each route you take that can be
used as "safe houses" if you are attacked, such as shops or houses
that you know to be occupied by a friend or acquaintance.
12. When you make a call from a phone booth
After dialing the number you wish to call always turn around so that
you have your back to thephone and may see who or what is coming your
way. You will thenbe able to tell the person to whom you are speaking
that you may be in trouble and you may be able to use the weight of
the phone as a weapon. The door of a telephone box could be used
towedge in the limbs of the attacker.
13. Do not open the door of your home without checking
DO NOT open the door to your home without first checking from a
window, peephole or by asking and verifying who it is. Instruct
children to do the same.
14. Report any suspicious activity around your home
If you see people loitering on the streets near your house, call the
police on a non emergency number and report it.
15. Invest in a cell phone
This is an invaluable safety device.Keep it with you at all times and
keep emergency numbers on it. Also, keep it next to your bed before
you go to bed at night. Cell phones were first popularized by women as
a security device, business people came later.
16. Parking tips
Avoid parking in areas that are not well lit. Where possible, park
close to a school or work entrance or in a parking garage that has an
attendant.
If you see a suspicious person approaching or hanging around near your
parked car, turn around and go back to an area where there are other
people. Tryto get an escort to your car through the campus or job
security or local police.
17. Tell others about your whereabouts
Parents, spouses and friends should know where you are going and when
you will be back,so that your absence will be noticed. Arrange a call
in system with a friend if you live alone, whereby you call when you
arrivehome.
18. Trust your instincts
If you are walking somewhere and feel strange or scared, don't ignore
this feeling. Take extra precautions by walking a little faster to get
to a more populatedor well-lit area or change the route you've been
driving on.
19. If you think you are being followed, change your route and activity.
You can cross the street, change directions, or enter a populated
building or store. Do whatever is necessary to avoid being alone with
the person who is followingyou. Inform a police officer or security
official about the
follower.
20. Attract attention if you are in a dangerous situation.
Get others' to pay attention to what's happening to you if you are
under attack or being harassed. You can alert others by honking a car
horn or loudly describing what is happening.
21. NEVER admit that you are alone
If someone calls your home and asks if you are alone, NEVER admit it.
Ask who the caller is. If they refuse to identify themselves, calmly
hangup. Keep the radio on in the house so that callers will get the
impression that others are in the home too. Instruct children to do
the same when they pick up the phone.
22. Obscene phone calls
If you receive an obscene call or acrank call, do not talk to the
caller. Hang up if the caller doesn't say anything, or as soon as s/he
shouts obscenities. Hang up the phone calmly and do not slam it down.
Note down the date and time of the calls. If they are persistent,
inform local police.
23. If you are a student
Avoid studying in isolated classrooms in parts of the collegecampus
that are not regularly patrolled by the school's security officers.
24. In large buildings take the elevator, not the stairwell
Stairwells are usually quiet and dark. Most people take the elevator.
But if someone creepy gets on, don't hesitate to get off at the same
time. Or, if someone is already on the elevator who you feel strange
about, do not get on and wait for the next elevator.

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Greeting Christians on the occasion of their festivals.Dought clear - ,

What is the ruling on greeting Christians on the occasion of their
festivals by saying Kul sanah wa antum tayyibeen (roughly equivalent
to "many happy returns"), wishingthem well and hoping that they will
be good, i.e., that they will not annoy us with regard to our
religion, and not with the aim of congratulating them on their shirk,
as some shaykhs think?.
Praise be to Allaah.
What is forbidden with regard to congratulatingthe Christians on the
occasion of their festivals is expressing joyto them, being overly
polite and showing approval of their actions, even if that is only
expressed outwardly without feeling it inwardly.
The prohibition concerns those who show any kind of participation or
approval, such as giving gifts, verbal greetings, taking time off
work, making food, going to places of leisure, and other customs of
celebration. Having any intention other than what is said (when
congratulating them) does not make it permissible. The outward
appearance of these actions is sufficientto say that it is prohibited.
It is well known that most of those who take a lenient attitude
towards such matters donot intend to join the Christians in their
shirk; rather what motivates them in some cases is showing politeness,
and in other cases it is shyness, but politeness with regard to
falsehoodis not permissible; ratherwhat is required is to denounce the
evil and strive to change it.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said in
Majmoo' al-Fataawa (2/488):
It is not permissible for the Muslims to imitate them in any way that
is unique to their festivals, whether it be food, clothes, bathing,
lightingfires or refraining from usual work or worship, and so on. And
it is not permissible to give a feast or to exchange gifts or to sell
things thathelp them to celebrate their festivals, or to let children
and others play the games that are played on their festivals, or to
adorn oneself or put up decorations.
In general, (Muslims) are not allowed to single outthe festivals of
the kuffaar for any of these rituals or customs. Rather the day of
their festivals is just an ordinary day for the Muslims, and they
shouldnot single it out for any activity that is part of what the
kuffaar do on these days.
As for what the Muslims do deliberately, that wasregarded as makrooh
bya number of the earlier and later generations. Asfor singling out
(such days) for the things mentioned above, there is no dispute
concerningthat among the scholars;in fact some of the scholars are of
the view that the one who does these things is a kaafir, because it
involves venerating the symbols of kufr. And some of them said that
the one who slaughters a sheep on the day of their festival, it is as
if he slaughtered a pig.
'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'Aas said: The one who follows the tradition
of non-Muslimsand observes their Nawrooz and Mahrajaan(festivals), and
imitates them until he dies like that, will be gathered with them on
the Day of Resurrection.
Ameer al-Mu'mineen 'Umar ibn al-Khattaab, the Sahaabah and all
theimams of the Muslims stipulated that they should not celebrate
their festivals openly in the lands of the Muslims; rather they should
do that privately in their houses.
One of the early generations said concerning the verse in which Allah,
may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "And those
who do not witness falsehood" [al-Furqaan 25:72]: (This refers to) the
festivals of the kuffaar; if that has to do with witnessing them, and
not actually doing anything, then how about doing things that are
unique to those festivals? It was narratedfrom the Prophet (blessings
and peace of Allah be upon him) in al-Musnad and as-Sunan that he
said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." According to another
version he said: "He is not one of us who imitates others." This is
ajayyid isnaad. If this is the case with regard to imitating them, and
if this has to do with customs, then how about imitating them in
matters that are more serious than that? The majority of imams regard
it as makrooh, either in the sense of it being prohibited or in the
sense of it being discouraged, to eat meatthat they slaughter at the
time of their festivalsand sacrifices, and they include that under the
heading of that which is sacrificed for something other than Allah and
thatwhich has been sacrificed on stone altars(for idols). Similarly
they also forbade helping them in their festivals bygiving gifts or
selling to them, and they said: It is not permissible for the Muslims
to sell to the Christians anything for the purpose of their festivals,
whether that be meat, blood or garments; they should not hire out any
mounts to them or help them with any of their religious affairs,
becausethat comes under the heading of venerating their shirk and
helping them in their kufr. Thosein positions of authority should
forbid the Muslims to do that, because Allah, may He beexalted, says
(interpretation of the meaning): "Help you oneanother in Al-Birr and
At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one
another in sin and transgression"[al-Maa'idah 5:2]. Moreover, it is
not permissible for the Muslim to help them in drinking alcohol by
pressing the juice and soon, so how about helping in that which is one
of the symbols of kufr?! If it is not permissible for him to help them
himself, then how about if he is the one who is actually doing that?!
End quote.
In several answers on our website we have discussed this matter and
explained the reason for the prohibition.

Ruling on celebrating successes or the return of one who has been away, if that is at the same time as Christmas,Dought clear - ,

Is it permissible to hold celebrations during the Christmas season,
but the intention behind thecelebration does not have anything to do
with Christmas at all; rather it just happens to be around the same
time?.
Praise be to Allaah.
There is nothing wrong with celebrating happy occasions such as
marriage, the birth of a child, the return of one who was away,
passing exams, getting a job andother regular matters, on condition
that that is done at the time it happens and is not repeated, because
if it is repeated it becomes an eid or festival, and it is not
prescribed for us Muslims to celebrate any festival other than Eid
al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and Jumu'ah. It is not prescribed to celebrate
every year one's birthday or wedding anniversary or graduation from
university and the like.
It does not matter if the permissible celebrations happen at the time
of Christmas, because they have to do with the event which is the
reason for the celebration, and should be done when that event occurs.
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about
having parties when completing the Qur'aan or on happy occasions such
as passing exams or returning from a trip. Is this regarded as
extravagance? I hope you can give a detailed answer concerning this.
May Allah reward you with good.
He replied:
There is nothing wrong with having parties when one who has beenaway
returns or when a student passes exams or when someone gets married
and the like, because people do that, not with the intention
ofworship, and it never occurs to them that they are doing this in
order to draw close to Allah. Rather they do that to express joy and
happiness for the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon them of
achieving what they wanted. There is nothing wrong with these parties;
rather what there is concern about is that people maybe extravagant in
these parties, either by preparing too much food which is often more
than is necessary; or by inviting too many people, so they invite
hundreds of people to that celebration. Otherwise the basic principle
is that there is nothing wrong with celebrating happy occasions, but
that is notdone as an act of worship or seeking to draw close to
Allah, rather they are done to express joy and happiness. And Allah
knows best.
End quote from Fataawa Noor 'ala al-Darb.
It says in his Majmoo' Fataawa (9/376): The ruling on celebrating
children's birthdays:
It should be noted that everything that is taken as an "eid" and
repeatedevery week or every year, and is not prescribed in Islam, is
aninnovation (bid'ah). The evidence for that is that the Lawgiver
prescribed the 'aqeeqah for the newborn, and did not prescribe
anything after that. Taking these "eids" that are repeated every week
or every year means that they are likening them to Islamic festivals.
This is haraam and it is not permissible. There are no festivals in
Islam apart from the three prescribed festivals: Eid al-Fitr, Eid
al-Adha and the weekly "eid", which is Friday (Jumu'ah).
This does not come under the heading of customs and traditions,
because it is repeated. Hence when the Prophet(blessings and peace of
Allah be upon him) cameto Madeenah and found that the Ansaar had two
festivals which they usedto celebrate, he said: "Allah has given you
something better than them instead of them: Eid al-Adha and Eid
al-Fitr", even though these were part of their customs.

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