For children, - Contentment in Islam: Secret of true Happiness,

We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting
something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating
what we do have.
Example of Prophet Muhammed (saws) Life
This is indeed following the example of Prophet Muhammed (saws)and
the early Muslims. The story is told of the time Prophet Muhammed
(saws) saw his beloved daughter Fatima Zahra (sa)wearing a dress made
of camel hair. Although tears welled in his eyes at the sight, he is
reported to have told her, "Fatima, today endure the hardships and
poverty with patience so that you may acquire the comfort of Paradise
tomorrow on the Day of Judgment."
On another occasion, Umar bin Khattab saw the simple life of Prophet
Muhammed (saws) and said: O Messenger of Allah (SWT)! While kings
sleep in soft, feather beds, you are lying on a rough mat. You are the
Messenger of Allah (SWT) and thereby deserve more than any other
people to live an easy life. Prophet Muhammed (saws) was reported to
have replied: Do you not agree that the luxuries of the world should
be theirs but those of the Hereafterours? (Bukhari, Tafsir, 287;
Muslim, Talaq, 31) There can be no doubt that Prophet Muhammed (saws)
and our Imams - some of the greatest heroes of Islam - lived very
simple lives with contentment. Checkout the Food of Sher e Khuda, Imam
Ali ibn Abu Talib (as)
Practical Suggestions in Developing Contentment
The following are some principles that, if remembered, will help us
develop this type of contentment in our own lives.
*.As previously mentioned, we should look at the people who have less
than us, not those who have more.
*.When purchasing something, we should consider what we need, not how
glamorous or prestigious it is.
*.We should feel empathy for the poor and know that they have rights
on our excess money.
*.We should look at what we already have and be thankful to Allah (SWT).
Many people possess the material goods of the world and are not happy.
In fact, they are often the most miserable people. With everything
they have, they still feel they want more. This unfilled desire, along
with the constant nagging in their heart for more, makes them unhappy.
Those who have little but feel no need for more do not experience this
nagging in their heart. They can relax and find peace. Indeed, the
richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who is
content with what he has.
Prophet Muhammed (saws) said, "Riches does not mean having a great
amount of property; real wealth is self-contentment." Sahih Bukhari
(Book 81, Chapter 15)

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Fathwa, - Her co-wife wants her husband to di..

Question
I have quite a long-explanation question to ask you, but in brief: I
am a European woman married to a Palestinian man as a second wife. We
married more than one year ago but we knew each other for two years
already and my husband used to be in a situation of adultery before we
sealed our destinies before Allah. I precise that I converted to Islam
)I was a Catholic( the day I married. My husband didn't tell his first
wife about our wedding because he told me he asked imams and got the
information he could marry a second wife without his first one
knowing. But after one year of wedding, he decided to tell her. And
yet, after having been trying to accept the idea for her husband's
sake and Allah's sake, she definitely refused this union, asking her
husband to divorce me, what we don't want to deep inside us. They
already have four children together and my husband is 18 years older
than me. We are not living in the same country yet and we never lived
together until now, excepted for the summer period which came after
our wedding. I don't want to divorce and I am ready to accept my
husband's first wife's conditions but it seems she is not enough
spiritual to understand Islam as a comprehensive religion. And my
husband and his first wife's families wouldn't be keen accepting
polygamy. I feel disappointed by Arabs who should be at the vanguard
of Islamic doctrina and way of life. What do you suggest me to do?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that
Muhammadis His Slave and Messenger.
What those Imaams told your husband is correct: a man can marry a
second wife without informing his first wife, but it is her right over
him that he be just between her and his other wife. This is the
condition that Allaah has stipulated upon anyone who wants to take a
second wife; Allaah says )what means(: }...then marry those that please
you of ]other[ women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you
will not be just, then ]marry only[ one ...{ ]Quran 4:3[
Hence, we cannot set a condition that Allaah has not set.
It is impermissible for a woman to ask her husband to divorce his
other wife, as we have already clarified in Fataawa86514and86783.
The husband should not accept her demands and divorce his wife just
because his first wife requested this and is putting pressure on him
to do so. We advise him to be wise and solve the problem in a calm and
correct manner. At the same time, he should seek the help of Allaah
and ask for success and guidance.
Using indirectness is one of means of doing so. For example, he may
speak with expressions by which his wife understands that his other
wife is no longer his wife while he intends another meaning. Speaking
with indirectness is better than openly lying. For more benefit about
indirect speech )Tawriyah(, please refer to Fatwa96115. The fact that
he is not living with you now may help him handle this situation in
light of what we have mentioned.
For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa91150and86783.
Finally, we warn Muslims to beware of blaming Islam for the bad
behavior of some Arabs or Muslims, as some Arabs do not believe in
Allaah and they are in fact hostile to Islam and the Muslims. An
example of this isAbu Lahabwho was the uncle of the Prophet. He
disbelieved in Allaah and was hostile and caused harm to the Prophet.
Indeed, a Soorah of the Quran was revealed about him and his wife as
they both used to harm the Prophet. Moreover, some Muslims may be
hypocrites, and this type of people existed at the time of the
Prophetand the Quran exposed them, and a Soorah was named after them
]Al-Munaafiqoon )the Hypocrites([.
To sum up, Islam remains with its glory, beauty, principles and
rulings which achieve happiness in the world and the Hereafter.
Allaah Knows best.

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Fathwa, - Implanted intrauterine device by non-Muslim

Question
Is it Halal to put intrauterine contraceptive device in a woman to
avoid pregnancy by a non-Muslim physician? She has just delivered and
needs to rest for medical reason.
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and
peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and
Companions.
It is Haram to put/use a loop unless there is a dire need, that
necessitates it, since such an action causes exposing Awrah )private
parts( and preventing offspring, which is urged by the Law Maker
)Allah and His Messenger(.
Thus, if there is need and one's goal of using the loop can not be
fulfilled through 'Azl )setting apart one's sperm to go through wife's
womb or with condom( or contraceptive tablets or unharmful chemical
injection and so on, then there is no objection to use or put the
loop. But, it should be put by a Muslim female doctor; if this is not
available then by a non-Muslim female doctor; if it is not available
then by a male Muslim doctor; if not available then by a non-Muslim
doctor.
Allah knows best.

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Fathwa, - Operation to prevent pregnancy

Question
My friend has eight children and she is pregnant. She is suffering
from Dawali in her legs and she found it hard to serve more kids. She
was asking me if she can have an operation to stop becoming pregnant
and because I cannot have children yet. So I told her that kids are
wonderful and Allah )SWT( will reward her for having educated Muslim
kids. Later I felt guilty because she may take my word for it and I
will be responsible about any harm that happens to her. So would you
tell me by evidence from Qur'an or Sunnah can she have this operation?
You should know that she tried every thing not to get pregnant and she
could not. The doctors said this is the only way.
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and
peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and
Companions.
You are not a sinner rather you are a well-doer, al-Hamdu Lillah. In
fact, you will get good reward on your advice and guidance, Insha
Allah.
As for family planning we have issued Fatwa concerning this matter..
Allah knows best.