Waste land or 'brownfield' sites are vital for wildlife

Wasteland or"brownfield" areas are vital but overlooked habitats for
UK wildlife, according to the charity Butterfly Conservation.
These sites are home to unusual, hardy plants and their patches of
bare ground become warm"microclimates".
Experts say these features allow many rare insects to thrive.
One moth, the small ranunculus, which disappeared from the UK before
World War II, has now recolonised brownfield habitats throughout
England and Wales.
Winged wasteland residents
While most moths fly during the night, there are about 500 species of
day-flying moths in the UK. Early summer is the best time to spot them
Butterflies are actually a type of moth. The insects both belong to
the Lepidoptera family
Many moths thrive on brownfield sites, including the rare small
ranunculus (pictured) and more common, (and colourfully named) bright
wave, chalk carpet, wormwood and six-belted clearwing, which looks
like a wasp
In pictures: Day-flying moths
Springwatch: see how anoil refinery became a wildlife haven
BBC Nature's wildlife-finding field trip to the Chernobyl exclusion zone
The conservation group and and the wildlife magazine the insect
journal Atropos are encouraging people, wheresafe and legal access is
possible, to explore their local quarries, disused railway lines,
gravel pits and spoil tips in search of unusual moths this weekend.
This call for public participation is part of the charity's annual "moth night".
Richard Fox from Butterfly Conservation said that many of the sites
were under threat from by redevelopment and "bland landscaping
schemes".
He explained to BBC Naturewhy these areas - of disturbed or even
contaminated land - were such unique habitats.
"An old spoil tip [for example] would be terribleif you wanted to
create a garden, but it's great for wildlife, because the poor soil
leads to slow development of diverse plants."
The diversity arises because only hardy plants can grow in such poor
soil. These "tough" wild flowers- such as rosebay willowherb, prickly
lettuce and dandelions - thrive precisely because they are not pushed
out by swathesof more common weeds that need a more nutrient-rich
landscape.
The variety of wild flowers provides some favoured food for the
caterpillars of unusual moth species, suchas the small ranunculus.
This species disappeared from Britain completely in the mid-20th
Century, but has now recolonised large areas of south-east England,
become established in south Wales and been sighted as far north as
Lancashire.
Wild cities
Patches of bare ground that heat up in the sun alsoproduce "little
microclimates" on brownfield sites.
Mr Fox explained: "These are great for insects, especially in a cool,
damp place like Britain."
Elephant hawkmoths are commonly found on brownfield sites
He added that he hoped"moth night" would encourage formal wildlife
surveys of brownfield areas, so that their true environmental value
could be calculated and taken into consideration in any decision about
whether and how to develop them.
Philip James, professor of ecology at the University ofSalford, agreed
that such sites could be ecologically important, telling BBC Nature
that they often became home to rare species "normally associated with
other habitats that are regularly disturbed, such as river banks,
sandy heaths or chalk grassland".
But rather than avoid developing brownfield sites all together, he
pointed out that it was important to understand their changing nature,
and perhaps to leave areas derelict when they harboured "the greatest
species richness".
"Over a few years," Prof James explained, "soil begins to build up and
the vegetation changes.
"Before the soil builds up and burrowing animals come in is when there
are opportunistic plants and the insects that feed on them.
"That is the time when... one might find nationally rare species."
Prof James suggests that these "transient" habitats could become part
of planning an ever-changing,rich urban landscape.
Disused quarries can be home to many wildflower species

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HEALTH

Daily in the morning, on anempty stomach, drink honey and cinnamon
powder boiled in one cup of water,and then do not eat breakfast till
90 minutes.
Repeat the same cup of this drink at night before sleeping.
If taken regularly, this magical prasad will reduce the weight of even
the most obese person, and will not allow the fat to accumulate in the
body even if the person is on a high calorie diet :)

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New Day

People often wish for a return to the good old days. First of all,
when we look at them objectively, they weren't really so good. Sure, I
have funny and pleasant memories from my youth, but I also remember
the confusion and loneliness.
I personally would not trade my life at this moment for my life at any
time in the past. Among other things, I now have a beautiful daughter
who I love more than life itself; my writing, which has evolved to
allow me to express my deepest convictions; and many small blessings
that add upto a pot of gold.
Secondly, the old days are called "old" for a reason. That's the past.
We can't goback.
What we can do is focus onthe journey forward.
"Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord,and for a Garden
whose width is that (of the whole)of the heavens and of the earth,
prepared for the righteous; – Those who spend (freely), whether in
prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon people;-
for Allah loves those who do good; – And those who, having done
something to be ashamed of, or wronged their own souls, earnestly
bring Allah to mind, and ask for forgiveness for theirsins,- and who
can forgive sins except Allah…." – Quran, Surat Aal Imran, 3:133-135
This is how we make a better future for ourselves and our families,
Insha'Allah. Letting go of anger, forgiving, asking forgiveness,
giving to the poor and needy, and racingto Allah. The Almighty has
given us the formula. This is how, instead of yearning for the good
old days, we create good new days! Our future can be as good as the
past ever was; it can bebetter, brighter and happier.
Let's build the good new days.

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Be someone’s silver lining

They say every cloud has a silver lining. Goodness knows, a lot of
people these days are laboring under heavy clouds. I am, sometimes.
Maybe you are too.
Today, how about being someone else's silver lining? Relieve someone's
distress, bring ease to someone's heart, and help someone, as the
Messengerof Allah (pbuh) said,
"Whoever relieves a believer from a distress of this life, Allah will
relieve from him a distress on the Day of Judgment. Whosoever brings
ease to a believer who is in difficulty, Allah will bring ease to him
in both this lifeand the next. Whosoever conceals the shortcomings of
a Muslim, Allah will conceal his shortcomings inthis world and the
next. Allah will always help a servant as long as that servant helps
his brother."
Many of us are familiar with Allah's words in the Quran, in Surat
al-Balad. It'sa Juz Amma surah, frequently memorized:
"And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult
pass? It is the freeing of aslave, or feeding on a dayof severe hunger
an orphan of near relationship, or a needy person in misery; and then
being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and
advised one another to compassion. Those are the companions of the
right."
What if you don't have the capability at this moment of feeding an
orphan, or a needy person? The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has given us
examples of extremely simple things each of us can do that still count
in Allah's eyes as sadaqah (charity). He (peace be upon him) said:
"Charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun
rises." Hewas then asked: "From what do we give charity every day?"
The Prophet answered: "The doors of goodness are many… enjoining good,
forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf,
leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying
with the strength of one's legs to one in sorrow who is asking for
help, and supporting the feeble with the strength of one's arms — all
of these are charity prescribed for you." He alsosaid: "Your smile for
your brother is charity." – Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 98
All of these are only examples. Look around youat your community. What
needs are not being met? What distress are people in? What simple
things can you do to help the people around you?
*. Muslims in communities from California to New York, and in other
nationsas well, have started soupkitchens to feed the poor and
homeless.
*. Muslims in Baltimore USA and other cities have opened shelters for
victims of domestic abuse.
*. There are many organizations that allow you to support an
orphananywhere in the world. For a monthly donation that's probably
less than you would spend on a movie or a restaurant dinner, you can
make sure that one child is fed, clothed, and educated.
*. Volunteer jobs are plentiful. The Prophet (pbuh) mentioned leading
the blind. Even today many blind people need assistance from
volunteers. You can help with grocery shopping, reading the newspaper,
or sending and reading email.
*. Many public libraries haveadult literacy programs, and always need
tutors to help teach people to read and write.
*. Campaign online, throughFacebook and forums, to raise money for
victims ofdisasters like the recent typhoon in Indonesia, or the
floods in Pakistan. Or work with your local masjid to collect
clothing,blankets and food supplies from your local community to be
sent to disaster areas.
*. Volunteers in some inner cities have turned abandoned lots into
organic food gardens. Theinner city residents all pitch in to help,
and the result is healthy food for people who otherwise would not have
access to fresh produce, and a new sense of community brotherhood and
sisterhood.
There are countless other examples I could give. Evenclearing some
broken glassout of the road or smiling at someone are counted as
sadaqah; they may seem like small things, but the stakes are greater
than youor I can imagine.
It's not about being a goody-two-shoes, impressing your friends,
having a story to tell, or earning a merit badge. It's not about
recognition. It's about changing the world one small step at a time,
earning Allah's pleasure, saving your own soul, and becoming one of
the people of Paradise. What could be more important?

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Bellies and Souls

Most of us are concerned with our bellies and the souls of others;
when we should be concerned with our own souls, and the bellies of
others. The first thing the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said when he
arrived in Madinah was, "Spread peace, and feed the people."
Instead of judging others, care for them. Feed them, help them, and
spread peace. That is your representation as a Muslim,your da'wah, and
your salvation of the world. In the process, you save your own soul.

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A yellow watermelon is a fruit that is nearly identical to a traditional watermelon

A yellow watermelon is a fruit that is nearly identical to a
traditional watermelon, but the flesh inside is a bright yellow color
instead of red or pink.The taste is also very similar, though some say
it has a sweeter or more honey-like taste.

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Syptoms of DENGUE FEVER..

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Try the rainbow diet

A "Rainbow Diet" is one that includes foods of different colours by
addingdifferent kinds of fruits andvegetables into your diet. Most of
us know that including generous servings of fruits and vegetables in
the diet is the cornerstone of good health, but we lack the motivation
to do so.
Besides, the effort that goes into the processing and preparation of
vegetables and the ever spiralling cost are huge deterrents towards
ensuring a salad, one or two vegetables and an after meal fruit. But
everyone must include more fruits and vegetables in their diet because
they have special ingredients that not only prevent but also delay the
onset of many diseases.
Essential nutrients
Vitamins like vitamin C, compounds called carotenoids (some of which
can be converted to vitamin A in the body), vitamin K, riboflavin, and
folic acid are found in many vegetables and fruits. In fact, guava and
gooseberry are some of the inexpensive sources of vitamin C.
Vegetables like capsicum are rich in thiamin, a member of the Bcomplex
family of vitamins.
Some vegetables like potato, sweet potato, tapioca and yam and fruits
like mango, banana and sapota make a fair contribution towards energy
intake. Most vegetables and fruits are high in water and fibre
contents and low in calorific value.
Many of the greens — Amaranth (mulai keerai and araikeerai),
manathakkali, mint and cowpea leaves — are packed with iron. Green
leafy vegetables like agathi, amaranth, drumstick and fenugreek leaves
also have generous amounts of calcium. Green leafy vegetables are also
high in potassium and magnesium, low in fat and sodium, all of which
are cardio-protective.
Phytochemicals
More recently it has been reported that vegetables and fruits contain
compounds called phytochemicals, which have antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and immune-boosting properties and
promote good health and a high quality of life. There are thousands of
phytochemicals packed into fruits and vegetables.
Flavonols are found in lemons, oranges, plums, peaches, apricots,
apples, green leafy vegetables, yellow capsicum, onions and broccoli.
Naringenin — found in all citrus fruits, especially grape fruit —
known to reduce blood cholesterol and glucose concentrations.
Anthocyanidins are found in red grapes, pomegranates, strawberries,
cherries and plums and are cardio and neuro-protective.
Yellow fruits like mangoes and green leafy vegetablesand carrots are
rich in beta carotene which is converted to vitamin A in the body and
also helps fight cancer.
Red fruits like tomatoes and watermelon contain lycopene, which is
important for fighting prostate cancer and heart disease.
Fisetin — found in strawberries, blueberries, apples, grapes and
onions — is being studied for its anti-ageing effects
The most natural way to overcome constipation is to increase intake of
green leafy and other high fibre vegetables and fruits.
Their high water and fibre content and low energy values promote
satiety anddecrease energy intake andcould be important in weight
management. Nutritionists recommend regular moderate exercise and many
servings of soups and salads for those who need to shed a few pounds.
Substituting fruits and vegetables for a calorie dense evening snack
helps weight loss.
Benefits
Other health benefits include prevention of or delaying type 2
diabetes mellitus, protection againstesophageal, stomach and perhaps
colorectal, lung and mouth and pharyngealcancers; reduced risk of
cardiovascular events and stroke. A diet packed with raw fruits and
salads can help prevent Amyloid plaque formation in the brain, which
leads to Alzheimers disease.
Emerging evidence also shows a beneficial role in reducing risk of
cataract, diverticulosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and
even hypertension. In fact, the Dietary Approaches to StopHypertension
(DASH) plan recommends generous intake of fruits and vegetables.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommends
that adults eat at least five kinds of vegetable and twokinds of fruit
every day. Most experts do not consider potatoes as a partof these
seven servings.
The key to good health is therefore to include plenty of fruits and
vegetables. Ensure that your shopping bag is filled with colour. Both
variety and quantity is the key. Lastly, go seasonal. This is the best
way to ensure quality and an affordable price.
Begin early
Train children to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Add pureed
or smooth vegetables and fruits to cereals as first foods and
introduced to infants at about six monthsof age.
The quantity, consistency and variety can be increased as the child
grows. This way, resistanceto vegetables and fruits at a later age is
likely to be minimal.
How much?
Start with five servings of fruits or vegetables.
Slowly increase to at least seven servings through theday.
One serving = 75 gm.

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Keep faith in yourself and don’t let anyone else define your reality. You arestrong and unique. You have a particular mission inthis life that only you can fulfill. You can wake up in the morning and change the world, one small step at a time, just b

Keep faith in yourself and don't let anyone else define your reality.
You arestrong and unique. You have a particular mission inthis life
that only you can fulfill. You can wake up in the morning and change
the world, one small step at a time, just by fulfilling your unique
mission.
Maybe you think, "Hey, I don't want to change the world. I just want
to stay sane, take care of myself and my family, perform theIslamic
rituals and hope forJannah."
The thing is, life is always acontest between the worldchanging you,
or you changing the world. The world pushes, and if you don't push
back then it willinevitably corrupt you in one way or another.
Today's world tries to change you through the pressures of:
*. blind materialism
*. consumerism
*. sexual imagery in the media
*. constant advertising
*. negative portrayals of Islam
*. alcohol and drug use
*. peer pressure
to name a few.
Sometimes the pressures are more brutal and blunt: emotional or sexual
abuse, pornography, violence, racism, bigotry, misogyny, hatred and
war.
Iman (faith) is not static. It rises or it falls, but it never freezes
in place. If the world is not changing you then you must be
changingthe world.
You change the world by spreading light, teaching truth, being
honorable and kind, behaving with sincerity in all things, showing
compassion to all people, and always being just. You exert an outward
pressure of truth that has atransformational effect on those around
you, beginning with your family, and then rippling out to all those
you come in contact with, and then everyone they come in contact with,
flowing outward in concentric circles.
The ultimate world-changer – and our eternal example – was the
ProphetMuhammad (peace be upon him). Allah describes Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) in the Quran as an illuminating lamp: "O Prophet, indeed We
have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner.
And one who invites to Allah, by His permission, and an illuminating
lamp." (Quran, Al Ahzab 45-46).
The Prophet's light radiatesthroughout humanity and the ages. Any
objective observer must admit the power and influence of the Prophet's
tremendous struggle. A non-Muslim writer named Michael Hart, in his
book, "The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History",
ranked the Prophet Muhammad as thesingle most influential human being
in history.
The Prophet grew up in a society of idol worship, moral corruption and
constant blood feuds, but he never allowed that society to taint his
innocent nature. Not knowing how he should worship Allah, he kept
himself distant from the evil around him and sought Allah in his own
way, until Prophethood came to him. When it did, he accepted the
burden and fulfilled the trust, exerting an outward pressure so
powerful that it changed the entire worldforever.
The same is true for you and I, on a smaller scale. We've been given a
trust and a mission. We are to be callers to Tawheed , witnesses for
truth, a civilizing force, champions of human equality, and restorers
of human values (the fact that many modern Muslims have failed
abominably on everypoint does not change the truth of this).
"O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not
die except as Muslims[in submission to Him].
And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become
divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were
enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His
favor,brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He
saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that
you may be guided.
And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is]
good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and
thosewill be the successful." (Quran, Aal-Imran: 102-104)
That is our mission and trust. If we fulfill it – even ifwe only try –
we will change the world, maybe incrementally, maybe profoundly.
If we fail, then the world will change us, and not for the better.
There is one key to success in fulfilling our mission to change the
world. It's not purity, because in a post-Prophethood age, no one is
truly pure. Purification of the soul is indeed a lifelong goal to
strive for, but it is not the key.
It's not wisdom, or power, or finance. It's not even knowledge.
Knowledge is the most powerful tool there is, but like any other tool
it can be used or misused. That's why a littleknowledge can be a
powerful thing, while greatknowledge can sometimes be crippling.
Purity, wisdom and knowledge are goals for usto pursue. But none of
those is the single most important key to changing the world.
The key is sincerity in all things: sincerity with Allah,with your
family, your friends, your colleagues, and – this is the greatest
challenge of all – sincerity with yourself. Sincerity enc0mpasses
purity, because actions done sincerely are done with purity of
intention, and with obedience to Allah.

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Everything is possible for those who believe

Nourish your dreams. To achieve anything requires faith in Allah,
belief in yourself, imagination, vision, persistence, hard work, and
sometimes blood and tears.
The will of Allah and the power of your heart and mind make an
unbeatable combination. Everything is possible for those who believe –
anything you can envision, and many things you can't.
I'm thinking of a ragtag group of desert Arabs, who,in the course of a
single generation, transformed the world forever. I am speaking of
course of the Prophet Muhammad (peacebe upon him) and his companions.
What they didwas impossible – there's noother word for it. But through
the power of Allah, and the tremendous determination of one man, and
the faith of those who followed him, the impossible became possible.
Because of their faith and sacrifices, you andI can utter the words, "
Laa ilaha-il-Allah " and put them into practice in our lives.
Your dreams don't have to be that grand. Whether you dream of building
a new masjid for your community, writing a novel, competing in sports,
becoming a doctor, doing charity work overseas, memorizing the Quran,
or any other good and meaningful goal – it can beachieved by the will
of Allah. But you can't just sit back and wait for it to happen. Feed
your dream as you would feed a newly planted seed. Care for it, devote
time to it, don't give up, and watch it grow before your eyes.

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Your “Stuff” is Not a Part of You

In fact what truly defines our character is how we react to loss. If
we were stripped of all the possessions we love, who would we be in
that moment? Would we still be grateful to Allah, patient, trusting?
Hopefully it never comes tothat. But seriously, those times of
greatest sadness and joy are when our thoughts must turn to Allah, The
Eternal, The Merciful, The Wise.
Allah says, "Never will you attain the good until you spend from that
which you love. And whatever you spend – indeed, Allahis Knowing of
it." [Quran 3: 92]
Think about that. Allah is telling us to give away the things that we
love the most! SubhanAllah! Why does Allah ask this of us? Is it to
liberate us from slavery to material possessions? To f0cus our minds
on Allah and the aakhirah (hereafter)? To prevent the evil that
results from the love of money? To benefit the poor?
Yes, for all of those reasons. Excessive attachment to any
materialthing is misguidance. The love of possessions is a spiritual
trap.
I have at times given away things that were precious to me, thinking
they wouldmean as much to the otherperson as they do to me. Sometimes
they do, and sometimes they don't, and yes it hurts my feelings when
the other person doesn't value my gift; but eventually I get over it,
because the point is the actof giving. And maybe – Insha-Allah – I'll
have something to show Allah on Yawm Al-Qiyamah (the Day of
Resurrection), maybe I'll be able to say, "O Allah, I gave away
thesethings that I loved," and maybe that will earn me some
forgiveness, Allah knows.

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Diligence is the Mother ofGood Luck

"Diligence is the mother of good luck." – Arabic proverb
If you want something, work for it and do not stop. That's how you
create your own luck. Whether you were born into a rich family or a
poor one, whether you are innately talented or not, whether you have
charisma and charm or you are a tongue-tied nerd, it doesn't matter.
I'm not saying it wouldn't be nice to be rich, talented, and
charismatic, but you can succeed without them, and you'll appreciate
it all the more. All you have to do is hang on even after others have
let go.
Don't bemoan your fate. No one is born into a perfect family. Don't
complain about lack of resources. Allah created this world and
everything in it, and laid it at your feet. If you're facing the right
direction, you can reach anywhere in the world if you keep on walking.
Find a Way
In 1997 I started a small web development consulting service. I really
wanted to work with Muslims and help to create Islamic websites. As a
small adjunct to my service, I started a Muslim matrimonialservice. I
thought of it as a hobby. That was the first incarnation of Zawaj.com
Muslim Matrimonials . It was one of the first three such services on
the internet. The problem was that I was not really a programmer (I
was more of a graphic designer), and in the beginning I was
hand-creating every page for every ad. The traffic climbed, until I
was getting many new ads every day. It quickly became impossible.
I contacted some large web development firms to get a price quote for
building a proper, automated matchmaking service. Their quotes were
too high for me. I contacted some firms in India, and found one that
would build the website first, and let me pay in monthly installments
of $500. The bill was many thousands of dollars, and that was at a
timewhen I could barely pay the bills. I agreed to the deal, not
knowing where the money would come from. Every month I had to come up
with$500 somehow. I eliminated all unnecessary expenses, I borrowed
from my parents and my wife, and somehow I made it, and paid it all
off.
More than ten years later, Zawaj.comis still my bread and butter. I
don't know whatI would have done without it. I feel that Allah guided
me to make that choice, and I was smart enough and determined enough
to seize the opportunity. For once in my life, ha ha!
Make your own luck. Make something happen. Find a way.
Diligence, diligence. Focus on your goal, work hard, don't give up… be
as persistent as the sun. Sometimes the sun is hidden behind clouds,
but it's there every day. It's okay to have days when you're tired,
when it seems hopeless, when you wish life would give you a break, but
just keep showing up every day and doing the work, and your break will
come.
Whoever said that opportunity knocks once mustnot have been paying
attention, because opportunities come along all the time. It's just
that you have to listen for them, and you must lay the groundwork so
that you are ready when the knock comes.
Faith and Diligence
I'll finish with a story from thelife of the Prophet Muhammad (sws):
Narrated Khabbab bin Al-Arat:
We complained to Allah's Apostle (of the persecution inflicted on us
by the disbelievers) while he was sitting in the shade of the Ka'ba,
leaning over his Burd (i.e. covering sheet). We said to him, "Would
you seek help for us? Would you pray to Allah for us?" He said, "Among
the nations before you a (believing) man would be put in a ditch that
was dug for him, and a saw would be put over his head and he would be
cut into two pieces;yet that (torture) would not make him give up his
religion.His body would be combed with iron combs that would remove
his flesh from the bones and nerves, yet that would not make him
abandonhis religion. By Allah, this religion (i.e. Islam) will prevail
till a traveler from Sana (in Yemen) to Hadrarmaut will fear none
butAllah, or a wolf as regards his sheep, but you (people) are hasty."
What type of persecution wasKhabbab referring to? Was it simple name
calling, or Muslim businesses being boycotted? No, it was torture and
murder. Bilal was laid in the desert with a huge stone on his chest.
Others were place in chains, burned, stabbed by spears… all because
they had adopted the religion of Allah. So it wasno small thing they
were complaining of. And yet all the Prophet had to say to them was
that they were hasty, and that a time would come when all of Arabia
would be united and safe. Someone standing beside himat the moment,
looking around at the weak circumstances in which the Muslims found
themselves, might have found such a statement hard to believe. But the
Messenger of Allah (sws) had faith, and he had diligence, and those
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Bring it In

Let's bring it together.
Everything moves in circles,
everything whirls, but sometimes
you cut across the tide
and find yourself in the light
of a strange sun. Bring it in.
Smaller circles, far from thedin
of the city, we meet:
your breath and mine,
warm and sweet,
tighter, closer, moving in time
to the galaxy, earth, air,
until we are the center, paired,
and all turns in harmony.
Let's bring it in, become
lion and lioness, oak and stone,
shelter and home.
Mother and father,
husband and wife,
lover and loved,
passion and fire,
dunya and deen ,
family, hearth, laughter
and one true dream.

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Your Life

When seeking a marriage partner, remember, a husband or wife is not
just some pretty face that you get to admire or possess, or show off
to your friends.This person is not a checkbook, a status symbol, a
servant, or a household maid. This is notsomeone that you'll see fora
few minutes each day after work, and take to dinner parties.
You could marry someone only for looks or status then find yourself
miserable, harped on, arguing every day, lonely within your marriage,
or abused. All you rich and attractive people don't take offense – you
might be perfectly lovely and sweet – I'm just saying thatappearance,
wealth and lineage are no guarantee of happiness, and if you focus on
those factors to the exclusion of the soul, then you will likely find
yourself mismatched, brokenhearted and forlorn.
A spouse is someone you abide with for the rest of your life, even
when you are wrinkled and bent. Someone to hold you when you're sad,
to support you when you're tired, to cool your foreheadwhen you're
sick, to share in your joys, tell jokes and play frisbee with;
someoneto pray with in the still morning hours, and struggle with to
achieve Paradise.
This is someone to be a witness to your life, to know you intimately
and recognize your worth as a human being (not that we need someone
else to affirm our value – but it's always nice to be recognized and
seen). Someone to love you unceasingly, like a great river, even when
you disagree. Someone to see your faults, and keep on loving you.
Make sure your priorities are in order. Look past the surface. Connect
with the person's soul. Find someone who will make you smile, and with
whom you will be happy to share this strange journey we calllife.

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Should the wife obey the husband if the husband is extreme irrligious?

The wife could play an integral role in reforming her husband. If the
husband has the bad habitsas stated in the email and if the wife
honestly feels that if she refuses his sexual needs, that will
pressurise him into mending his ways and reforming, then she may do
so.
However, she should be careful that this approach should not cause her
husband to deteriorate further. The wife should also advise and get
others to advise him. Allah states,?? and continue offering advise for
offering advice isbeneficial to the believers.?
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

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Believe in Allah, Because He Believes inYou

I believe in Allah because He believes in me… and He believes in you
too. Believein His plan for you, have faith in Him, trust His guidance
to you, because He has faith in you, and trusts you.
Some people might challenge this assertion that Allah believes in us
and trusts us. To me, that's surprising. Allah created nothing in
vain. Everything He does has a purpose. His creation of humanity was
done with intent.
Why were we created? Many Muslims will automatically respond, "To
worship Allah." That's true, but why does Allah want to be worshiped?
Furthermore, why did He create everything else – the stars, planets,
forests, seas, mountains, animals?…
Without presuming to know Allah's intentions, and returning to the
realm of the human for a moment, I will make a simple observation. As
a writer, one of the reasons I write is because the act of putting my
thoughts and feelings on paper satisfies something deep within me.I've
been writing creativelysince I was a child, and to me it's not a hobby
but a calling. I'm a writer, therefore I write; and I am a writer
because I write.
The same is true for a painter or any other artist. I imagine if you
asked a painter why he paints, you might get many different answers:
*. "It makes me happy"
*. "It's my passion."
*. "To express my ideas."
*. "To make money."
*. "I don't know, I just do."
The bottom line is that it's the painter's nature to paint; it's her
calling, her function. She is a painter, therefore she paints; or
shepaints, therefore she is a painter. Same difference.
Allah is Al-Khaaliq, The Creator. That is one of His names, one of His
attributes. He expresses this attribute by creating. You are a part of
that expression, and so am I. So is a blue whale, Mount Kilimanjaro,
the Grand Canyon, a dolphin, a mouseand an amoebum. Everything that
Allah created is amazing in its function and awesomely complex in its
design. Everything that He created is beautiful and
purposeful.Including you and me.
To create is an act of love. It is an act of faith. The Creator loves
you and believes in you. Believe in Him, believe in yourself, believe
in humanity, and believe in the unique path that Allah has chosen for
you.

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"HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY"

Frenship is never an accident... its somthng 1 has 2 nurture over da
yrs.I hope evry yr our frenship bcoms stronger
=
Friendship is a place where dreams are nurtured, shared, celebrated, a
place where happiness begins
=
There are no strings attached to a friendship, no bonds to hold or
ties tobind. Friendship stand on its own
=
With u bside my fren I havcn my world becoming a beautiful place....My
dreams turning into reality
=
God gvs us 2 Gifts... 1 is chance n other is choice, Chance 2 hav
frens n choice 2 select best 1s like U. "HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY"

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The Heart of the Matter

Sometimes we have a problem with a Muslim or Muslims, and we get
frustrated and we think, "I don't want to be around those people
anymore." Or something happens at the Masjid (the mosque) that we
don't like, maybe the Imam says something we don't agree with, or we
don't like the Masjid policies, and we feel offended and we stop
going. Maybe we pray at home, and stop associatingwith Muslims, then
maybe over time we become slackin our prayers, but we tell ourselves
it's okay because we're still Muslim "in our hearts".
That's one kind of trap.
On top of that it's hard to represent this deen among non-Muslims.
It's hard to carry yourself as a Muslim at work when you're the only
one there and you're aware that some of your co-workers are bigots or
are operating on negative stereotypes. It's hard to wear the hijab
when some people look at you as if you're a terrorist.
So maybe we give up the outer trappings of Islam, telling ourselves
that we have to survive in this society.
That's another trap.
And if you're a convert and your family is opposed to your conversion
to Islam, that's another weight to carry. If they are openly hostile,
and if you still live with them as they mock your deen (maybe in front
of your children) and try to undercut your childrens' practice of
Islam by feedingthem pork or letting them have "a little taste" of
wine… or something comeson the news about a conflict in the Muslim
world and your family says,"Look, those Muslims are atit again…" And
you don't know how to respond, or you don't want to start another
fight so you keep your mouth shut, but inside you feel humiliated and
confused…
And if you are isolated from the Muslim community for racial reasons
(this is not supposed to happen but it does) or for simple cultural
reasons, because you can't speak Arabic or Urdu and you don't fit in,
and you haven't been able to make any Muslim friends, or you feel that
the Masjid crowd don't regard you in the same way as so-called "born
Muslims"… instead they look at you as an oddity, or a child, or a
trophy of some kind, as if your conversion somehow validates their
faith…
Well, then, you might start to say to yourself, "What's the point? Is
it really worthit? Is it even really true?"
That's obviously a huge, deadly trap.
Okay, if you're a "born Muslim" you might not reach the point of that
last statement ("Is it even true?") because for most ofus who were
raised Muslim, Islam is bred into us from childhood, and it's a part
of us even when we don't understand it or appreciate it. But you still
might feel that identifying as a Muslim is too much trouble… it's
easier to associate with non-Muslims, abandon your prayers, drink wine
at the company dinner, have relationships with non-Muslims, and not
have to battle against society every day, not to mention battling
against your own nafs (desires). This is an easy trap to fall into if
you are a professional living alone.
We fall into these traps because we forget what this deen is. Shaytan
(Satan) isolates us just as a wolf isolates a sheep, driving it away
from the herd; then he plays games with our minds so that we become
reactive, responding emotionally to circumstances in our environments.
("That Muslim cheated me, so I don't trust Muslims anymore.") Shaytan
gives us pathetic rationalizationsthat we latch onto as if they really
mean something.

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“I Know Who I Am”

It can be very hard to resistthe negative labels that parents put on
us. Their words have a way of worming into our brains even when we
know better. We must be patient with them and love them, without
buying into their negativity.
Write some positive affirmations about yourself. Affirmations are true
statements that express your best qualities,and also express what
kindof person you strive to be. They represent the ideal you.
I personally have a list of 29 affirmations, and here's number 12 on my list:
"12. I am a good son to myparents. I am patient and loving with them.
When speaking to them I maintain a positive, independent and calm
spirit, knowing who I am and confident in my choices."
Read your affirmations every day. Even if you don'tquite believe your
own affirmations at times, even if you feel inwardly skeptical, keep
reading them. When you speak to your parents, breathe deeply and
slowly. Don't let anything they say makeyou anxious or excited.
Tellyourself silently, "I know who I am."
Allah loves you and has a plan for you. Believe this and move forward,
and when you have children, shut down the cycle of negativity and do
better than your parents did. It's okay to be better than your
parents. Any good parent wants their childrento surpass them.
Show your own children patience, gentleness and endless love.
May Allah bless you and fill your heart with self-knowledge,
self-dignity, and hope for the future.

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ALLAH bless u

Straight roads never makeGood drivers!
Smooth sea never makes Good sailors!
Clear sky never makes Good pilots!
Problem free life never makes a strong & Good person
Be strong enough to accept the challenges of life
Don't ask Life "Why me?
Instead say "Try me!
Have a WinINg Attitude!
ALLAH bless u n ur family.
Ameen.

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Give Me Something Better

The Messenger of Allah (sws) said: "There is no calamity that befalls
one ofthe Muslims and he responds 'Inna Lillahi wa inna ilahi
raaji'oun, Allahumma ujurni fi museebati w'ukhluf li khayran minha,'
(Truly to Allah we belong & truly to Him we shall return, O Allah
reward me in this calamity & compensate mewith something better than
it), but Allah will compensate him with something better than it."
(Muslim 918)
In other words, if you've lost something precious, orif disaster has
hit you, and you respond with faith in Allah, asking Him to
replaceyour loss with something better, then Allah will surely respond
and give you something better.
SubhanAllah! What more could we ask? Allah is the only one who does
this. If your house is destroyed, the insurance company willtry to
find a way to deny your claim, and if they finally pay then they will
pay less than it's worth.
The crucial thing is that thedua' must be said in that moment of pain
and loss, when you are really hurting. You can't respond at first by
saying, "Why did you do this to me Allah, I didn't deserve this!" then
months later when you've recovered somewhat, thinkyou can say this
dua' and itwill work for you.
The whole point is that in those moments when life is most difficult
and you are totally thrown for a loop, you respond by turning to
Allah. That's the test. Those moments are the proving ground of
yoursoul. If you can face Allah inthose moments of agony and say – I
trust You, all things return to You, I know you will give me something
better – then indeed Allah will give you more than you can imagine.
May Allah give us the strength to remember Him and turn to Him
instinctively in times of calamity and times of joy as well.

I Asked Allah for Strength

"I asked Allah for strength and Allah gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked Allah for wisdom and Allah gave me problems to solve.
I asked Allah for courage and Allah gave me obstacles to overcome.
I asked Allah for love and Allah gave me troubled people to help.
I asked Allah for favors andAllah gave me opportunities.
Maybe I received nothing I wanted, but I received everything I needed
– Alhamdulillah."

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Lead the Way

Do you want to see something different in the world? Show it. Do you
want to see things moving in a better direction? Then get stepping and
walk it, and I guarantee that otherswill follow, because they have
seen the problems as well, and they are waiting for someone to lead
the way.
Do you want to be a betterMuslim, father, mother, son, daughter,
sibling, or friend? Then be it. Now is the moment. The past is
prologue leading to this moment.
Are you waiting for someone else to show loveand kindness first? Are
you waiting for someone else to be vulnerable or brave, to put himself
out there, totake the first step, to show the way? There is no someone
else. You are the someone else. You… are… someone.
Le'ts open ourselves to faith, love and kindness. Let's change the way
we move in the world, the way we behave with Allah, the way we treat
people, the way we interact with every person. Let us become
testaments to the power of these transformative behaviors, not through
our words but through our actions. Let's express a new sincerity from
our hearts and walk through the world like believers. Let's become
people of Allah, people of Jannah (Paradise), people of imaan (faith),
love and mercy.

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What is the Islamic Ruling on Water Liposuction?

<QUESTION>
What is the Islamic ruling on water liposuction?
<ANSWER>
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
As explained in previous answers that although Islam allows, and even
encourages to some extent, non-surgical meansof beautification, it
prohibits having one's body altered through surgical means due to the
explicit texts of the Qur'an and Sunna prohibiting mutilation (muthla)
and changing the nature created by Allah Most High (taghyir khalq
Allah). All surgical procedures carried out on the body for the
purpose of adornment have been prohibited by classical jurists
(fuqaha).
As such, the surgical removal of excess body fat which lies just under
the skin by way of liposuction is not permitted for
beatification/cosmetic reasons. You have inquiredabout the
permissibility of the innovative liposuction technique called AQUALIPO
as opposed to traditional liposuction. Although harms are minimized in
this method given that fat is removed gently with water-jet and there
is no need for general anesthetic, hence less risk of complications,
no major blood loss, less bruising and swelling, etc, it is
nevertheless a surgical means of removing fatty tissue through the
process of suction. It would still require a large bore cannula to be
inserted to suck fat out, and thus the skin will be cut surgically,
and the incision may even require stitching.
Liposuction will be permitted due to a genuine medical need. If a
reliable physician advices that you should have the fat removed for
health reasons, you may do so. Likewise, if the body fat is such that
it is considered an abnormality to the point that it leads to a great
deal of hardship and psychological pain, and there is no alternative
besides resorting to liposuction, it will be permitted, for Islam
permits bringing back to normality areas of the body that are deformed
or damaged.
Imam Abu Dawud, Imam Nasa'i and Imam Tirmidhi (Allah have mercy on
them) have recorded in their respective Sunan collections, that a
Companion Arfaja ibn Aswad (Allah be pleased with him) had his nose
damaged in the battle of kulab. He replaced it first with silver and
then with anose made of gold, with the consent of the Messenger of
Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace). This permission was granted
despite gold being unlawful for men.
As such, it is best that each individual case is discussed with a
reliable scholar, Insha Allah.
And Allah knows best

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Is it Necessary to declare all Defects/Faults when Selling an Item?

<QUESTION>
Is it necessary for the sellerto declare all defects and faults when
selling an item, or is it the buyer's responsibility to discover them?
<ANSWER>
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
A basic principle of Islamic commercial law is that when selling any
item or product, it must be sound and free from defects and faults.
[See: Al-Majalla al-Ahkam al-Adaliyya , Article: 336] As such, it is
the seller's responsibility tobe truthful and point out the specific
defect if he has knowledge of it; otherwisehe will be guilty of
committing the grave sins of cheating and deception.
Imam Bukhari (Allah have mercy on him), in the chapter titled "Buyer
and seller making things clear and not concealing anything and showing
good faith" of his Sahih , relates from al-Adda' ibn Khalid who said,
"The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) wrote for
me [whenpurchasing from me]: 'This is what Muhammad, Messenger of
Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace), has purchased fromal-Adda'
ibn Khalid. A sale from one Muslim to another, with no [hidden]
defect, no taint and no deception.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 2/731)
Imam Bukhari then quotes the Companion Uqba ibn Amir (Allah be pleased
withhim) as saying, "It is not lawful for one to sell goodsknowing
that there is a defect in them without mentioning it." (ibid)
Sayyiduna Hakim ibn Hizam (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that
theMessenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, "The
seller andthe buyer have the option [to conclude the sale] as long as
they have not separated. If they both speak the truth and makethings
clear , they will be blessed in their sale. But if they both conceal
and lie, the blessing of their sale will be wiped out." (Sahih
al-Bukhari no 1974 and Sahih Muslim 1532)
Imam Nawawi (Allah have mercy on him), in explanation of this hadith,
states, "This (i.e. speaking the truth and making things clear) means
that both parties clearly mention to each other what needs to be
mentioned such as declaring a defect in the item and the like…"
(Al-Mihhaj sharh Sahih Muslim, p 1170)
Wathila ibn al-Asqa' (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the
Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, "Whoever
sellsdefective goods without declaring it remains in the wrath of
Allah or [he said)] the angles keep cursing him." (Sunan Ibn Majah
2873)
Imam Haskafi, the renowned classical Hanafi jurist, states, "It is
unlawfulto conceal a fault in the item being sold or in the price,
since deception is haram." (Al-Durr al-Mukhtar 5/47)
It is stated in Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya :
"If a person wishes to sell faulty goods, and he knows [that they are
faulty], it is necessary (wajib) for him to reveal it. If he does not,
then some of our scholars state that he will become an open sinner
(fasiq) whose testimony is to be rejected [in a court of law]."
(Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya 3/210)
All of the above clearly demonstrates that the seller is under
obligation topoint out any faults or defects in the item being sold.
Failure to do so, despite having knowledge of it, constitutes a grave
sin.
However, there are a few points to keep in mind here:
1) A defect (ayb) is that which, in the opinion of traders and
experts, reduces the market value of an item. (See the Ottoman Courts'
Hanafi Fiqh Manual on commercialtransactions, Al-Majallah al-ahkam
al-adaliyya , Article: 338). As such, the seller is not obliged to
mention the normal wear and tear of the item being sold.
2) The defect or fault must have existed while the item being sold was
in the possession of the seller, and not after. This includes any
defect which occurs before sale or after the salebut before the seller
delivers it to the purchaser.(Al-Majallah al-ahkam al-adaliyya,
Articles: 339 and 340)
3) If a seller sells a defective or faulty item without declaring it,
the purchaser has a right to cancel the transaction. He may accept the
item as it isfor the fixed price, or return it and get his moneyback.
This is called the 'Option on account of Defect (khiyar al-ayb).'
(Al-Majallah al-ahkam al-adaliyya, Article: 337)
4) If the seller delegates the responsibility of inspecting the item
to the purchaser and says that he is not responsible for any defects
or faults, and the purchaser accepts, then theseller will not be
sinful of concealing the truth and cheating. Moreover, the purchaser
will not have a right to cancel should he discover a fault in the item
sold. (Imdad al-Ahkam 3/404 & Al-Majallah al-ahkam al-adaliyya,
Article 342)
And Allah knows best

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HOLD BACK YOUR TONGUE…

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah in whose hand my soul lies in, the One who created
the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them.
Oh slaves of Allah, take heed of what your tongue says, for that may
determine your fate between Jahannam and Jannah. One of the grave
problems which is taken very lightly by the Ummahat this present time,
are the words that we utter. Never do we think twice before we talk.
We indulge ourselves into dirty, flithy and forbidden acts. Among
these forbidden things which people take often lightly are gheebah
(backbiting), buhtaan (slander) and nameemah (malicious gossip).
Worst of all, we backbite about our very own brothers and sisters in
Islam. And I swear by Allahthis is such a dirty and deadly sin that we
are falling into without even realizing it.
For Allaah subhana wa t'ala says (interpretation of the meaning):
"neither backbite one another. Would one of youlike to eat the flesh
of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear
Allaah. Verily, Allaah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance,
Most Merciful"[al-Hujuraat 49:12]
Gheebah or backbiting means speaking about a Muslim in his absence and
saying things that he would not like to have spread around or
mentioned. Buhtaan or slander means saying things about a Muslim
thatare not true, or in other words telling lies about him. Nameemah
or malicious gossip means telling one person what another said in
order to cause trouble between them.
I do not understand how we even dare to talk about the sins of other
people, and indulge ourselves in the discussionof the lives of people,
when our life itself is so crooked. People hardly pray, or even if
they do, then they pray Fajr at the time of Dhuhr, Dhuhr at the time
of 'Asr, and so forth, and one of their excuse for missing or delaying
their Salah is, "I cannot find the time to pray", but yet we find a
lotof time for chit chatting about people.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him)
that theMessenger of Allaah SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "Do you know what gheebah (backbiting) is?" They said,
"Allaah and His Messenger know best." He said, "Saying something about
your brother that he dislikes." It was said, "What if what I say about
my brother is true?" He said, "If what you say is true then you have
backbitten about him, andif it is not true, then you have slandered
him." Narrated by Muslim, 2589
It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah
(peaceand blessings of Allaah be upon him) passed by two graves and
said, "They are being punished, but they are not being punished
foranything that was difficultto avoid. One of them used to walk about
spreading malicious gossip(nameemah), and the other used not to take
precautions to avoid getting urine on himself when he urinated." Then
he called for a green branch, which he split in two and planted a
piece on each grave, and said, "May their torment be reduced so long
as these do not dry out." Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 213; Muslim, 292
Know Oh muslims that ourtongue will be a witness against us on the day
of Judgement. It's the day where is there no refuge, but except in
Allah Subhana wa T'ala. And if Allah Subhana wa T'ala does not look at
you, then there is nothing that can save you. And it is a day where if
Allah gives your records in your left hand, then everything that will
come after that will be bad. Do you want to lose your hard earned good
deeds within a few seconds? Do you really want to exchange your salah,
saum (fasting) and charity for a big pile of bad deeds? If you do
wantto, then go ahead and insult people, go ahead and slander against
people, for on the Day of Judgement all the people who suffered by
your tongue will be rewarded with your good deeds.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)reported:
Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa salam) said, "Do you knowwho
is the bankrupt?'' They said:"The bankrupt among us is the one who has
neither money with him nor any property".
He said, "The real bankrupt of my Ummah would be he who would come on
the Day of Resurrection with Salat, Saum and Sadaqah (charity), (but
he will find himself bankrupt on that day as he will have exhausted
the good deeds) because he insultedothers, slandered against others,
unlawfully devoured the wealth of others, shed the blood of others and
beat others; so his good deeds would be credited to the account of
those (who suffered at his hand). If his good deeds fall short to
clear the account, their sins would be entered in his account and he
would be thrown in the (Hell) Fire".

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'How To Behave LikeA Real Princess'

After pondering day after day after day about what Ishall make my next
post about I came to no success, for everything I thought of just did
not feel right.
Amongst other posts, the message of exams alreadyput across as well as
moving on to a new chapter of our lives and soforth. So alas with no
ideas I thought I would clean out my room. After all it really needed
sorting out, as me any my sister had really had enough tripping over
my philosophy folder and stumping our feet on my psychology books. So
I thought that is what I'll dofor now.
Upon bringing all my workfrom my room, downstairsto the spare room, it
cameto my attention that even the spare room was in such a state! So I
thought Ihave to clear this up as well otherwise I have no where to
put my work. And that is when Alhumdulilah inspiration struck.
I came across a book my beloved father had gifted to me as a child,
and upon finding it memories came flooding back of my childhood, and
how a huge portion of it was spent…wanting to be a PRINCESS !
The book was part of the collection of Anastasia books, titled: ' How
to behave like a princess '. Stupid as I felt and thinking 'I have no
idea why I'm flicking through this' it came to my attention that
subhan'Allah, how our culture in the west is filledwith fooling and
corrupting the young children of our Ummah, giving young girls false
hope, and the wrong ideasof life, romance and yep… PRINCE CHARMING .
As I read on "…a real princess never plays with the same toys
twice…she has new ones delivered everyday "…" a real princess should
ALWAYS dress like a princess…she must have dozens of wardrobes filled
with elegant gowns and glittering tiaras "…" a proper princess will
host wonderful parties . " …" a real princess does not wear the same
clothes twice ." She lives in her castle, waiting for Prince Charming
or her Knight in shinning armour to rescue her pretty self.
The more I read, the more this book began to sound like something out
of Brother Baba Ali's marriage video from Ummah Films. Many sisters,
acting just like this princess, just like this damsel in distress,
waitingfor her knight in shinning armour to battle the fire breathing
dragon, climb the tall tower and whisk her away into an happily ever
after. If any of you have seen Shrek 2, it is exactly how the film
startswith Prince Charming's adventurous journey for his bride to be.
Subhan'Allah wa bi Hamdi!But if one looks at the REAL GEMS , the REAL
PRINCES and PRINCESSES of the dunya and the hereafter, the Sahabah,
the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam and the Umm
ul'Mu'mineen, this absurd notion the west portray was not their
conduct at all!!!
This question is for the sisters, be honest how many fairy tales have
you seen as a child, how many times did you fink ' Where's my prince
charming ?'
Brothers, how many cartoons of superheroes did you watch and think '
that's gonna be me in the future, and I will be savinga pretty woman
too who will be my wife ' ???
As insignificant as it may seem, what's the harm, there only cartoons
right? No! Many a times I myself have spoken to sisters looking for a
spouse in marriage, and they have such deluded ideas of what marriage
is like. They really are waiting for Mr Perfect to come falling into
their laps!!
How many narrations are there of A'ishah radi AllahuAnha, playing with
her dolls with her friends, and the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu
'Alayhi Wa Sallam would join in on young A'ishah's play and games. Yet
she did not complain and throw a tantrum for more dolls. One famous
parable is when the Prophet Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam went to
A'ishah's room on the day of Id-Ul-Adha, to find A'ishah playing a
game that the prophet had not seen before, when he asked herwhat she
was playing, A'ishah replied 'this is Solomon's horses' upon which the
prophet Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam smiled.
Subhan'Allah, even when the children of the Ummahin the past played
with their toys and gave performances, it was in relation to Islam and
Allah's Prophets and Messengers. A'ishah's play, that same day the
Abysinnians performance of the Battle of Badr, and Allahu'Alim how
many other such plays.
Yes, plays related to Islam,not Barbie being looked away in her big
Barbie house by her step-mother,and Ken climbing up to Barbie's room
to save her. ( Or is it Blaine now, 'cos apparently Barbie dumpedKen!
More absurdity !!!)
As for the dress of our beloved Prophet Sallallahu'Alayhi Wa Sallam,
the Sahabah, the Sahabiyaat, and the Tabi'een. Subhan'Allah so humble
were they, that they only had enough cloth to shroud themselves and
their families.

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Felicity

Felicity.
When your heart feels so free it soars in the sky.
So light and weightless, as if carried by Angels of Mercy and Glad-tidings.
Mind of purity and clarity.
Vision that's clear of clouds.
No mist. No chains.
No burdens or pains.
Hands are freed up, speech flows again.
You can breathe.
Time is blessed, lands are blessed.
Days are a beauty and nights pass in serenity.
God's creatures smile as if to acknowledge the bliss.
Even the trees rustle; I can hear their tasbih.
Gratitude only increases the goodness, as if the Promise is more than just that.
It's a certainty.
It's freedom. Freedom fromthe world.
But the world's inexperienced want to define it.
They are baffled. The more the tests, the happier we become.
Freedom.
Allah gives it to some so they enter the Paradise of this world before the Next.
And some are deprived so they remain imprisoned;
Either to be released in the Hereafter and or to be sentenced.
He is the King of Kings; A Most Generous King.
And it's a felicity.
A serenity.
I found it in the places of prayer.
It's there again whenever I open the Book.
Like a magnificent robe, it gently wraps and protects.
Freedom and felicity,
They take root in the heart when the heart is watered with faith and
sustained with Islam.

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husband who works hardproviding for his family

A husband who works hardproviding for his family reaches home where he
hopes to find comfort, tranquillity, and a peace of mind with his
wife. Many husbands arrive home to a tidy house and a wife who greets
him with a ♥ Salaam♥ and a smile, asks about his day, offers to make
him something to drink and allows him time to unwind.
However some husbands reach home to a wife who frowns as soon as she
sees him, then complains about everything.
All wives would like a husband who will show them affection and
appreciation, likewise all husbands would like the same in return.
Mutual respect and appreciation goes both ways ♥

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Punishment for a Muslim woman

Question:-
How is a woman to be punished if she marries a Christian? How often is
it carried out and in what countries is it most common?
Answer:-
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible for a Muslim woman to marry a kaafir
(non-Muslim), whether he is Jewish, Christian or an idol-worshipper ,
because the man has authority overhis wife, and it is not permissible
for a kaafir to have authority over a Muslim woman. For Islam is the
true religion and all other religions are false. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikoon till they
believe (in Allaah Alone)" [al-Baqarah 2:221]
"And never will Allaah grant to the disbelievers a way (to triumph)
over the believers" [al-Nisaa' 4:141]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"Islam should prevail and should not be prevailed over."
If a Muslim woman marriesa kaafir when she knows the ruling, then she
is a zaaniyah (adulteress), and her punishment is the punishment for
adultery. If she was ignorant of the ruling then she is excused, but
they must be separated, and there is no need for a divorce because the
marriage is null and void. On this basis, the Muslim woman whom Allaah
has honoured with Islam and her guardian must beware of that and must
adhere to the limits set by Allaah, and they must feel proud of Islam.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Those who take disbelievers for Awliyaa' (protectors or helpers or
friends) instead of believers, do they seek honour, power and glory
with them? Verily, then to Allaah belongs all honour, power and glory"
[al-Nisaa'4:139]

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New Delhi, June 18, 2012 ''A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (former President of India - opts out of Presidential race''

In a rebuff to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and BJP,
former President A P J Abdul Kalam on Monday announced that he would
not contest the Presidential poll against UPA nominee Pranab
Mukherjee.
Issuing a formal announcement, he said he had taken the decision after
considering "the totality of this matter and the present political
situation".
Mr. Kalam, who was propped up by Trinamool as a nominee for the
Presidential poll to be held on July 19, said, "though I have never
aspired to serve another term or shown interest in contesting the
elections", Mamata Banerjee and other political parties "wanted me" to
be the candidate.
"Many, many citizens have also expressed the same wish. It only
reflects their love and affection for me and the aspiration of the
people. I am really overwhelmed by this support," his statement said.
"This being their wish, I respect it. I want to thank them for the
trust they have in me," he said, adding, "I have considered the
totality of this matter and the present political situation, and
decided not to contest the Presidential election 2012."
After Ms. Banerjee pushed his candidature, breaking ranks with UPA
over the issue, the BJP also tried hard to persuade him to contest as
Opposition's common candidate againstMr. Mukherjee.
BJP leader L K Advani calledhim thrice and sent his close aide
Sudheendra Kulkarni twice to convince him. However, he made clear to
Mr. Advani that his "conscience" is not permitting him to contest,
sources said.
The former President has been insisting that he could consider
entering thefray only if there was surety about his victory.
Several opposition leaders talked to Mr. Kalam over phone yesterday to
know about his plans.
BJP was more in favour of fielding Kalam than former Lok Sabha Speaker
P A Sangma, who is AIADMK Chief J Jayalalithaa and BJD head Naveen
Patnaik's choice.
Even JD(U), which wants a consensus for Mr. Mukherjee, may support Mr.
Kalam as he shares a good equation with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish
Kumar.

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My spouse wants a seperation after 14 years

Q- We have been married for 14 yrs. My spouse is a convert. Recently
he left for a trip and came back a changed person. We have four
children and he says that there are no feeling of love, compassion or
attraction left for me.
He is a very kind and gentle person but has changed into a moody,
negative person who has given up on our relationship. I have prayedand
prayed and asked Allah to forgive me for my sins. Does anyone know
anything about nazar or black magic. Does this sound like it?
Thanks
-ruby
One answered :Salamu'alaikum sister,
I am sorry for what you are facing. I'd like to mention that there are
different possibilities:
1. He has seen something, heard something, or somebody has told him
something that made him behave so.
2. He was frustrated with something that happened with him, and
couldn't control his anger. Shaitaanmade use of this and made him
speak ill to you.
3. Someone who is jealousof your relationship looked at you with an
evil eye (what you call Nazar)
4. Someone who is jealousof you did magic on your husband.
I mentioned magic last, because it is always considered last. And
before you make any conclusion, beware, it need not necessarily be
magic. As of now, considerthat it is either of the first two. This is
so that the Shaitaan does not lead you astray. You may not know and do
wrong, if you do not do this.
Now, what has to be done?
First, speak to him politelyand ask him the reason and look at his
behavior. Does he give any valid reason or just ignores it and goes
away/shouts andmoves away? If he gives a reason, you'll have your
answer, insha Allah. Otherwise, it could be an evil eye. Allah's
Messenger Sallallahu 'Alaihi wasallam said (in one of the Saheeh
Ahadeeth) that the evil eye is true . It is possible. Hence, recite
the followingDu'a to him:
اعيذك بكلمات الله التامات من كل شيطانٍ و هآمة ومن كل عينٍ لآمَة
"'U'eezuka bi Kalimaatillahit Taammaati min Kulli Shaitaanin wa
Haammah. Wa min Kulli 'Aynin Laammah"
(I seek refuge for you with Allaah's perfect words from every Shaytaan
(devil) and poisonous creature and every evil eye)
(From Bukhari)
And ask min to read the same du'a, with a little change: instead of
U'eezuka (اعيذك) he should say A'oozu (اعوذ).
And there are other ways in the Qur'aan and the Sunnah (I'll mention
aboutthis below insha Allah).
If it is none of this, then there is a "possibility" thatit be
"magic". But know that magic and black magic are different. If it is
magic, then possibly it is something like that mentioned in Surah al
Baqarah, Aayah 102:
They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the
magic)in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not
disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic
and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and
Marut, but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things)
till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by
learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people learn
that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they
could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn
that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that
the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how
bad indeed was that for which they sold their ownselves, if they but
knew.
Keep reciting Surah al Baqarah, because according to Saheeh Ahadeeth,
Shaitaan runs from a home where Surah al Baqarah is recited.
If you are not able to conclude on this, then make sure that you do
notdirectly conclude it to be magic. Instead, have it confirmed from a
Scholar from the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah, who specializes in this or
has knowledge about this.

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I never liked him butwas forced to marry him; is it OK if I divorce him?

Q : Problem is that I have been married for one year.My husband is my
mother's cousin from father side; meaning my uncle but still they got
me married to him. I was engaged to him in childhood against my
parent's will but then my mother agree later on.
I was little when I moved to Europe and then little by little I
started understanding life. I kept telling my parents that I don't
want to get married to my fiance for 4 years; asI didn't like him from
the start.
My father was on my side but my mother wasn't as she wanted me to get
married to my fiance. After4 years, I came to UK where my uncle was
already present. I told my uncle and my parents as well that if I
don't want toget married then why they are forcing me to marry him.
But, no one listened to me even I shouted and cried but to no avail.
Even I told my fiance as well that I don't want to get married to him;
he was in Pakistan and I was in UK. I told him that several years ago.
Everyone was forcing me so much that I had to say"yes". We got married
but after marriage, we used tofight a lot. I spent 1 monthin Pakistan
then I returnedto UK.
After spending 3 months in UK, I realized that I can'tspend my whole
life with him. In future when we have kids, they will suffer too.
That's why I went to Pakistan after 3 months sothat I can get him to
cometo UK asap so that I can break this marriage once he is here
(U.K). But, they refused him visa:(.
After returning to Pakistan, and I didn't wantto have any intimate
relations with him. When he used to touch me, I wanted to push him but
I fear Allah a lot. What do I do? I am tired of fights and have
decided to leave him as he is irresponsible. He loves me but he is two
faced person.
I have grown to hate him a lot after just 3 months ofmarriage. Not
that, I liked him before marriage either but I thought to fulfill my
mother's wish. I wanted to make this marriage work from my heart but
he is very negative, self-centered and thinks lowly of others.
Please help me; is it OK if I divorce and leave him. I can't live with
him under any circumstances otherwise I will die. Pleaseanswer me in
detail as it isvery important issue in mylife.
wasalam and allah hafiz,
shabnam.
A: You should divorce him. Forced marriage is prohibited in Islam. A
forced marriage is considered to be void. Although you consented inthe
end, you were clearly pressured into it. You are not a commodity or a
slave, and no one has the right to make these important life choices
for you without your consent.
Since you have no childrenand you have only been married a short time,
it should be easy to separateyourself from him and obtain a divorce.
By the way, he is not your"uncle" Islamically. You might call him
uncle as a matter of tradition, but in fact he is not a true uncle by
lineage and is not a mahrem. So your marriagewas not illegal on that
count. However, if your marriage was forced then it is invalid. And
Allah knows best.