The Kids would have Known the Difference!

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon. My friend was taking his two little
boys to play miniature golf. He walked up to the fellow at the ticket
counter and said, "How much is the ticket to get in?"
The young man replied, "$3.00 for adults and $3.00 for any kid who is
older than six years. We let them in free if they are six years or
younger. How old are they?"
My friend replied, "One is three years and the other is seven, so
Iguess I owe you $6.00."
The man at the ticket counter said, "Hey, Mister, did you just win the
lottery or something? You could have saved yourself three bucks. You
could have toldme that the older one was six; I wouldn't have known
the difference."
My friend replied, "Yes, that may be true, but the kids would have
known the difference ."
In challenging times when ethics are more important than ever before,
make sure we set a good example for everyone we work and live with,
especially our young eyes and ears.
The Prophet ( Sallallaahu Alahi Wasalaam ) said: "Four traits whoever
possesses them is a hypocrite and whoever possesses some of them has
an element of hypocrisy until he leaves it:
1) The one who when he speaks he lies,
2) When he promises he breaks his promise,
3) When he disputes he transgresses and
4) When he makes an agreementhe violates it.
The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu Alahi Wasalaam) alsosaid: 'Whoever
says to a child, 'Come here and take this,' then does not give him
something, this is counted as a lie.' (Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4991)

Kindness to the Wife brings Joy to Life

In Islam a husband is required to treat his wife with affection,
respect her feelings, and show her kindness and consideration. The
husband should not show the wife any aversion or subject her to
suspense or uncertainty. These guiding principles are established from
the Quran and Sunnah and when implemented,bring about a great deal of
peace and harmony in marriage.
Wife as a Source of Peace
Allah says in the Noble Quran "And among His signs is that He created
for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find contentment in
them, and He has instilled between you affection and mercy. Verily, in
that are indeed signs for people who reflect" . (Quran 30:21)
For a wife to become a source ofpeace and contentment she has to be in
a peaceful relationship. Therefore the treatment of the husband to the
wife is of great significance in realizing this purpose.
A husband's treatment towards his wife should reflect a Muslim's good
character, which in turn is a reflection of the man's faith. In this
regard the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said "The best among
you are those who are best to their family and I am the best to my
family. "
(Tirmizi, ibn Majah)
Kind treatment generates true and deep seated love for the husband in
the wife's heart. The wife in turn becomes eager and enthusiastic to
serve her husband and accords him the honour and respect he deserves.
The Wife – A Treasure without Equal
For a Muslim, a good wife is the best treasure a man can possess,
after belief in Allah and following His commands, she is considered
the key to happiness.According to a Hadith, the Prophet (Sallallaahu
Alaihi Wasalaam) said to `Umar ( Radhiyallahu Anhu) , "Shall I tell
you the best a man can treasure? It is a good wife. If he looks at
her, she gives him pleasure; if he orders her, she obeys; and if he is
away from her, she remains faithful to him". (Abu Dawood)
The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) also said, "Whoever is
granted a good wife, he is helped to practice half his faith, let him
obey Allah in the second half". (Mishkaat)
The potential to become a source of true pleasure is vested in every
wife. It is the responsibility of the husband to unlock this potential
and utilize it for the benefit of his own life and that of his family.
Like any treasure or wealth that one possesses it must be lookedafter,
kept safely and constantly nurtured for it to maintain its value. This
principle shall to a greater extent apply to the wife who is regarded
as the treasure of all treasures. Any form of misuse, abuse and
maltreatment of this treasure will lead to diminishing the good that
this treasure delivers and shall become a source of sinand
accountability to Allah Ta'ala.
Kindness and More Kindness…
Allah Ta'ala says "…And live with them (your wives) in kindness…" (Quran 4:19)
A Muslim wife occupies a special position in society, and Islam
considers her fulfillment of matrimonial duties as a form of jihad
(striving for the sake of Allah). Without physically engaging in the
battlefield, a wife is given the opportunity to earn the reward of
striving for the cause of Allah Ta'ala.
By living with her in kindness, fulfilling her needs and giving her
support, the husband becomes instrumental in her achieving this noble
reward. Thehusband by virtue of his kindness earns the happiness of
his family and in turn draws closer to Allah Ta'ala. By adopting the
correct approach surely the husband can earn the status of being the
best among people for his kindness towards his wife.
The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said, "Verily Allah is Most
Kind, and He loves kindnessin all affairs" . (Bukhari & Muslim)
The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) also said, "Kindness is not
found in anything, but it adds beauty to it and if it is withdrawn
(from it) it defects it" . (Muslim)
Garments Unto Each other
Allah says: "They are garments for you and you are garments unto them"
(Quran 2:187)
The husband and wife are likened to garments unto each other. They
guard each other's respect, honour and dignity. They do not divulge
their shortcomings and imperfectionsto others. The husband should be
cautious and particular in thisregard and not do or say things that
would hurt the wife's feelings. There is much reward in the
concealment of a person'sshortcomings, more so with regards to the
wife.
Overall Good Treatment
Our Creator knows well that human beings have certain weaknesses and
deficiencies andare prone to err. Therefore Allah Ta'ala implores the
husband by saying, "…communicate with them (wives) in kindness, for if
you dislike them (for some deficiency) then perhaps you may dislike (a
trait) wherein Allah has placed in it much good." (Quran 4:19)
It is the collective right of the wife to be treated well in all
aspects of daily life. The husbandshould interact with her in a
well-mannered way with a flexible attitude, sweet words and a smiling
face.
The Seerah (life) of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) is
filled with his noble character of gentleness towards his people, his
excellent conduct towards his wives, to the extent that he used to
help them with their household chores and engaged in lighthearted
activities.
The true strength of man is not measured by his physical firmness;
rather he is gauged by his strength to show character in adverse
situations.
May Allah Ta'ala grant every husband the ability to treat his wife
with kindness and compassion. Aame en

Muhammad Al-Faatih: about whom the Prophetgave glad tidings

For eight centuries, the conquest of Constantinople, now Istanbul
Turkey was a dream for the Muslim commanders. Ever since the era of
the revered companion, Mu`aawiyah Ibn Abu Sufyaan, there had been many
attempts to conquer it, but none had succeeded.
Every Muslim commander wantedto be the conqueror praised in the
narration in which the Prophet said: "You will conquer Constantinople
. Its commander is the best and its army (that will conquer it) is the
best."
Who was then the person about whom the Prophet gave glad tidings? It
was Muhammad Al-Faatih son of the OttomanSultan Murad II.
Muhammad Al-Faatih as a child and his excellent preparation:
Muhammad Al-Fatih was born on 27 th Rajab, 835 A.H., 30 th
March,1432. He was brought up under the supervision of his father,
Sultan Murad II, the seventh Ottoman Sultan. His father prepared and
trained him to shoulder the responsibilities of the position of a
Sultan. Muhammad Al-Fatih memorized all the Quran, learnt the
Propheticnarrations, Islamic jurisprudence,mathematics, astronomy and
theskills required for war.
He also learnt Arabic, Persian, Latin and Greek languages. He joined
his father in his battles and conquests.
His father appointed him as a ruler of a small emirate so that he
could receive practical trainingon administering state affairs under
the supervision of some of the top scholars of that time. This matter
influenced the character of the young prince andtinted his personality
with Islamic morals and manners.
Shaykh Aaq Shamsd-Deen, one of the scholars who supervised the
upbringing and education of Muhammad Al-Faatih, managed to inculcate
in his heart the spirit of Jihaad and the desire to be a person with
high ambition.
The Shaykh also told Muhammad Al-Faatih that he may be the one
referred to in the Prophetic narration mentioned above. All this
shaped the character of Muhammad Al-Faatih. He was devoted to Jihaad,
highly ambitious, widely cultured, and had deep knowledge of the
skills of war and combat.
Taking power and his efforts to achieve the glad tiding:
After the death of his father, Sultan Murad II on 5 th Muharram,852
A.H., 7 th February, 1451 A.C., Muhammad Al-Faatih took over and
became the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire . He was a strong young man,
only twenty years old, very enthusiastic and ambitious. He was
thinking of theconquest of Constantinople, the capital of the
Byzantine Empire . This dream overwhelmed him to the extent that he
would not talkabout any subject except for the conquest of
Constantinople . He would not even allow anyone who was sitting with
him to talk,except about the expected conquest.
The first step in achieving his dream was to take control of the
Strait of Bosporus so that he could prevent any support or supplies
that might come to Constantinople from Europe . So he built a huge
castle on the European seashore of the Strait of Bosporus . Along with
top senior officials, he personally participated in building the
castle. It took three months to build this castle that came to be
known as the Roman Castle. On the other bank of the Strait of Bosporus
there was the Castle of Anatolia . It then became impossible for any
ship to cross unless it obtained permission from the Ottoman forces.
At that time, a talented engineer managed to make a number of cannons
for the Sultan, Muhammad Al-Faatih . One ofthese cannons, never known
before that time, was 700 tons and its projectile weighed 1,500
kilograms.
The sound of its shell could be heard from a long distance away.It was
pulled by one hundred oxen aided by one hundred strong men. This giant
cannon was called the Sultanic Cannon.
The conquest of Constantinople and the realization of the glad tidings:
After completing his preparations, Sultan Muhammad Al-Faatih marched
to Constantinople with an army of two hundred and sixty-five thousand
fighters. This army had infantry forces as well as horsemen. Huge
cannons supported this army. The army besieged Constantinople and the
Ottoman cannons started to fire their missiles at the fortified walls
of the city day and night. From time to time, the Sultan surprised the
enemy with a new war plan until the city defenders lost control and
their forces gave up.
At dawn of Tuesday, 20 th Jumaadaa Al-Awwal, 827 A.H., 29 th May,
1453 A.C., the Ottoman forces managed to penetrate the walls and drive
away the defenders who fled. The people of Constantinople were taken
by surprise when they saw the Ottoman flags waving on their walls and
the soldiers flooding into the city.
After the Ottoman forces conquered the city, Sultan Muhammad arrived
on his horse in a great procession that included his ministers and
army commanders. Ever since that time, the Sultan was known as
Muhammad Al-Faatih (the Conqueror). The soldiers were shouting:
Mash-Allaah! Mash-Allaah! Long live our Sultan! Long live our Sultan!
The Sultan's procession marched until it reached Hagia Sophia church
where the people of the city had gathered. When they knew that the
Sultan had arrived,they bowed and prostrated and they were all weeping
and crying because they did not know their fate; what Sultan Muhammad
Al-Faatih would do to them.
When the Sultan arrived, he dismounted from his horse and prayed two
Rak`ahs thanking Allaah Who had blessed him withthis conquest. Then
the Sultan addressed the people of the city who were still bowing and
prostrating in tears:
Stand up! I am Sultan Muhammadand I would like to tell you, your
brothers, and all the people present that your lives and freedoms are
protected.
The Sultan ordered that the church be turned into a mosque and for the
first time, the call for prayer was heard from this place.Until now,
this mosque is still known as the Mosque of Hagia Sophia. He also
decided to take Constantinople as a capital of his country. It was
called Islambul, meaning the House of Islam. Later on the word was
viciously twisted to become Istanbul .
The Sultan was very tolerant and merciful with the people of the city,
and acted according to the teachings of Islam. He commanded his
soldiers to treat their prisoners of war in a good manner. The Sultan
himself paid the ransoms for a large number of prisoners of war from
his own money. He also allowed those who left the city when it was
under siege to return home.
The aftermath of the conquest of Constantinople :
Muhammad Al-Fatih attainedthis victory when he was twenty three years
old. This indicated hisearly military genius. He also deserved the
glad tidings of the Prophet who foretold that a good person would
conquer that city.
Later on, Muhammad Al-Faatih headed to complete his conquests in the
Balkan. He managed to conquer Serbia Greece Romania Albania and Bosnia
Herzegovina. He also looked forward to conquering Rome so that he
would have another source of pride in addition to the conquest of
Constantinople .
In order to achieve this great hope, he needed to conquer Italy . He
prepared a tremendous fleetfor this mission. He managed to land his
forces and a large number of cannons near the Italian city Otarant.
Consequently he managed to capture its castle in Jumaadaa Al-Awwal 885
A.H., July 1480 A.C.
Muhammad Al-Fatih decided to take Otarant as a base for his northern
military operations untilhe could reach Rome . The European world was
terrified because of this attempt and they expected the fall of the
historical city, Rome into the hands of Muhammad Al-Fatih . However,
he died suddenly (on 4 th Rabee' Al-Awwal, 886 A.H., 3 rd May, 1481
A.C.) while he was preparing to realize this dream. All Europe was
very happy when they knew about his death. The Pope of Rome ordered
that thankfulness prayer be held in churches as a means of expressing
joy and happiness over the news.
Muhammad Al-Fatih as a statesman and a sponsor of civilization
During the reign of Muhammad Al-Faatih and because of his wise
leadership and well-planned policy, the Ottoman State
reachedboundaries that it had never done before.
All these conquests were not the only achievements of
MuhammadAl-Faatih may Allaah have mercy on him. Through the help of
some of his loyal men, he managed to establish a constitution based on
the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet and the Ottoman state
adhered to this constitutionfor about four centuries.
Although he was very busy, he managed to establish more than 300
mosques, 192 of which were in Istanbul alone. He also built 57
schools. Among his most famous architectural monuments are the Mosque
of Sultan Muhammad, the Mosque of Abu Ayyoob Al-Ansaari, and Sarai
Tub-Qabu Palace .
Muhammad Al-Faatih was known for his love for literature. He was a
good poet and a regularreader. He liked the company of scholars and
poets and made some of them ministers. Whenever he heard about a
greatscholar in any field, he would help and support him or ask him to
come to Istanbul in order to benefit of his knowledge.
The character of Muhammad Al-Faatih :
Muhammad Al-Faatih was a committed Muslim who abode bythe rulings of
Islamic jurisprudence. Because of the way he was brought up, he was
apious man. As for his military conduct, it was very civilized and it
was unfamiliar to Europe in its Medieval Ages.
Owing to his ambition fostered by his teachers who always encouraged
him to be the conqueror of Constantinople he managed to make the
greatest ofhis achievements by conquering this city.
Muhammad Al-Faatih managed to realize his dreams through hard,
continuous work, and well-organized planning. For example, before
besieging Constantinople he prepared for the war by making cannons,
preparing his fleet, and making use of all the factors that might
render him victorious.
Through high ambition, determination, and the effort to achieve his
goals, he managed to materialize his dream, make his hope an existing
reality which made him one of the great Muslim heroes and conquerors.

Celebrating the Mother's Day

What is known among many people as Mother's Day and whichis claimed to
be the 21st of Marchis nothing but an innovation and a non-Islamic
ritual which has entered the Muslim's homes because of their
inadvertence andignorance of the Islamic values and rites. In fact
this so called"Mother's Day" is an imitation of the non-Muslims,
namely the western people and their followers.
It is proven that the Prophet Muhammad said: "If somebody tries to
introduce into this faith of ours (Islam) something which is not a
part of it, is to be rejected and that person is condemned". [Imaam
Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
No innovation has come except ithas caused a Sunnah to be neglected or
even rejected. This isclear and evident. You can for instance see a
man who disobeyshis mother and causes her much harm and who does not
visit her except on rare occasion, and when this "Day" comes he brings
her a gift or a flower and thinks that by this act he has fulfilled
hisduties towards her.
The People who innovated this practice did so first as compensation to
their society's neglect as far as the rights of mothers are concerned
and, second, due to the break in kinship ties and lack of the sincere
affection that should exist between parents and their children. For
the above reasons, these people innovated this Day to return to
mothers "some of their rights" and to make familiescelebrate it and
"honor" mothers.
By doing so, they are like the one who kept silent for a long time and
the first word he uttered was nonsense. What is the importance of
"honoring" a person one day in a whole year and leaving that person
the rest of the year in a "nursing home for the elderly or alone with
her dog or cat? Are these animals more faithful to this woman thanher
own children whom she has breast-fed and raised as best she could?
The Prophet said: "No people have innovated something that isnot from
the religion but a Sunnah of the same extent is eliminated. So
sticking to a Sunnah is better than creating aninnovation". [Imaam
Ahmad]
The scholars are agreed that it is forbidden to appoint a feast day
for Muslims other than the two feasts: Al-Fitr and Al-Adhaa because
feasts are part of what Allaah has ordained on us. Allaah says (what
means): {For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which
they must follow.} [Quran 22: 67].
Moreover, celebrating this Day does not give the mother the smallest
fraction of what Allaah has prescribed for her. Allaah has ordained on
us to obey our mothers and do all the good to them as long as they are
alive and after they die. No other religion has given the mother
therights Islam prescribed to her.
Allaah commanded us in many verses of the Quran to obey parents and do
good to them. He even linked their obedience to Hisworship. He linked
thanking Him to thanking them. Allaah mentioned the mother alone in
some places to show us that her rights are greater than those of the
father. Allaah says (what means): {Worship Allaah and join none with
Him in worship, and do good to parents.} (Quran 4:36) Allaah also says
(what means): {And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but
Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents.} (Quran 17:23)
Ibn Abbaas said: "The obedience of the parents increases by being kind
and gentle to them. One should reply gently to everything that they
tellhim. One should not look at themin their eyes. One should not
shout at them. Rather, when with one's parents one should belike the
slave before his master".
Ibn al-Musayyib said: "When interpreting the verse (which means): "And
out of kindness lower to them the wing of humility and say: 'My Lord!
bestow on them Your Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.'" he
said: "like what a sinful slave says to a harsh master."
On the other hand, the obedienceto parents is an obligation on
thechildren even if the parents are non-Muslims or Muslims who are
known to be dissolute. Allaah says (what means): {But if they strive
to make you join in worship with Me things of which you have no
knowledge obey them not; Yet bear them company in this life with
justice (and consideration).} [Quran 31:15] So, Allaah ordered that
they be given good company even if they are atheists.
Imaam Bukhaari and Muslim narrated from Asmaa' that she said: "My
mother came to me, hoping (for my favor) during the life time of the
Prophet . I asked the Prophet : "May I treat her kindly?" He replied,
"Yes".
Abdullah Ibn Mas'ood reported: I asked the Prophet : "Which of the
deeds is loved most by Allaah?'' The Messenger of Allaah said,
"Performing prayer at its proper time.'' I asked, "What next?'' He
replied, "Kindness to parents." I asked, "What next?" He replied,
"Jihaad in the way of Allaah.'' [Bukhaari and Muslim]
Abu Hurayrah reported: "A person came to the Messenger of Allaah and
asked, "Who among people is most deserving of my fine treatment?'' He
said, "Your mother" . He again asked, "Who next?'' "Your mother" , the
Prophet replied again. He asked, "Who next?'' He (the Prophet ) said
again, "Your mother.'' He again asked,"Then who?'' Thereupon he said,
"Then your father.'' So, the mother's right is greater than that of
the father. It is three times the right of the father.
Al-Mugheerah Ibn Shu'bah reported: The Prophet said, "Allaah has
forbidden you from disobedience to your mothers, towithhold (what you
should give), or demand (what you do not deserve), and to bury your
daughters alive. And Allaah dislikes idle talk, to ask too many
questions (for things which will be of no benefit to one), and to
waste your wealth". [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Al-Bukhaari narrated in his book "Al-Adab Al-Mufrad" that Ibn Abbaas
said: "I do not know any good act that brings the person closer to
Allaah The Almighty than the obedience of one's mother".
Moreover, the obedience of parents is not restricted to their
lifetime, it is also done after theirdeath. Abu Dawood reportedthat a
man once came to the Prophet and said: "Is there any form of obedience
that I could do to my parents after their death?" The Prophet said:
"Yes. Ask blessings for them.Ask Allaah to forgive them. Carry out
their will. Treat kindly anybody with whom they have blood
relationships and treat their friends kindly."
Indeed, this is the recognition that parents deserve, and the mother
in particular. So, anybody who obeys Allaah as ordered by the Shariah
should not celebrate this day because it is an innovation and because
Islam gave the mother complete and comprehensive rights all the time.
So, anyone who does not give due respect to his mother allthe time,
cannot make it up to her just by celebrating this day. In fact, by
doing so, he will be both disobedient to Allaah and an innovator.
Likewise the practice in the west of setting aside certain days for
expressing good deeds, such as Thanksgiving Day or Christmas, should
not be observed by Muslims for the reasons already given. Thanking and
praising Allaah, and doing acts of charity are forms of worship that
should be a way of life for the Muslim.