21st Ramdhan..Martyrdom of 4th Caliph, Ali (r.a)

Amongst  the descendants of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s), Ali (radyAllahu`anhu) belonged to the line of Quraish. He was the son of Abu Talib , son of Abdul Muttalib of the distinguished tribe of Bani Hashim.  Only one step above his lineage coincided with that of the Prophet of Islam (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).The latter being Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib. and the former Ali bin Abi Talib bin Abdul Muttalib.. It was his father Abu Talib who had nourished and brought up the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). His mother Fatima binte Asad was also a noble lady belonging to the tribe of Bani Hashim whom the Prophet (saw) regarded as his own mother. When the Prophet of God (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was 30 years old, Ali (radyAllahu`anhu) was born on 13th of Rajab in the 30 th year of Aamul eel (The Elephant Era) inside the sacred Kaba.

The responsibility for bringing him up devolved directly on Muhammad Mustafa (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) who devoted all his time and attention towards nurturing him with utmost love and affection, instilling in him both knowledge and noble morals. Ali (radyAllahu`anhu) was 10 years old when Muhammad Mustafa (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was formally called upon to convey the divine message. The Prophet had embarked upon a mission which was against the trend of the times, the prevailing environment, the practice of  the entire city and of his own people and tribe. No one was prepared to extend a helping hand and cooperate with him. It was Ali (radyAllahu`anhu) alone who was foremost in testifying the claim  of the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and in reposing full faith in his mission.The other personality was that of Khadijatul Kubra (radyAllahu`anha) who acquired the honor of precedence in embracing Islam among the women.

The moment the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) proclaimed his prophet hood every particle under the sun turned against him. Those very people who used to acclaim his truthfulness and trustworthiness began calling him a lunatic, a sorcerer and what not ? Thorns were laid in his path, stones were pelted at him , and garbage was thrown on his head. In these hard times only a child was there to share his misery. This child was the same Ali (radyAllahu`anhu) who never lost his courage in collaborating with his cousin and in professing his love and loyalty towards  him. On every occasion he acted as a shield to the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) against all odds.

The demise of Prophet's (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) loving uncle Abu Talib broke the Prophet's (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) heart. He made up his mind to migrate to Madinah because the enemies unanimously decided to surround the house of the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) at night and finally kill him. At night the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) left Makkah for Madinah and Ali ibne Abi Talib (radyAllahu`anhu)  slept on his bed. Ali (radyAllahu`anhu) stayed at Makkah for 3 days. During this period he returned to their owners all the articles that were left in trust with the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)

The first thing that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did on his arrival to Madinah was to solemnize the marriage of his only daughter, Fatima Zahra (radyAllahu`anha) with Ali (radyAllahu`anhu). The Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) deeply loved his daughter and had so much respect for her that whenever she came to him he used to stand up in reverence. The life of Fatima and Ali presented an unparalleled ideal for domestic life. It was an example of how a man and woman can prove to be the real life partners, what should be the distribution of duties between them and how they can be helpful to each other.
Besides participating in Jihad Ali (radyAllahu`anhu) was never averse to do anything for the sake of Islam.The tasks that he had to perform were of diverse nature. He was responsible for writing down treaties and letters.  He was also the custodian of the recorded portions of the Quran.  Besides, he was deputed to Yemen by the Prophet (saw) for the propagation of Islam.As a result of his successful preaching,the entire Yemen embraced Islam.

When the Prophet's (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) soul left his body Ali's (radyAllahu`anhu) hand was still on his chest.After the Prophet's (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) demise how could the man who had been with him for the whole of his life, leave his body unattended ?So, the duty of washing of the body, wrapping it in shroud and other funeral rites were performed by Ali (radyAllahu`anhu) It was he who laid the Prophet's (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) body in the grave. After the Prophet's (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) burial.

In addition to this he was, on his own, ever busy in the service of Islam in the spiritual sphere as well as in the dissemination of knowledge.  He compiled the Quran in order of revelation of the verses, specifying the verses which were later canceled and those which canceled them; the verses which are clear and those which are obscure. He generated in the educated class of the Muslims an interest in writing and compilation of  books land also a longing for research in various branches of knowledge.  He himself produced a body of learned works comprising Quranic exegesis, philosophical reasoning, Islamic jurisprudence and commandments. He trained a large number of disciples who helped build in future a society of learned scholars amongst the Muslims. In order to preserve the Arabic language, Ali (radyAllahu`anhu) laid the foundation of Arabic grammar and elucidated the principles of etymology and literature.  In this way Ali (radyAllahu`anhu) set an example that one must not forget one's duties even when facing adverse conditions, deprived of authority and compelled to lead a life of neglect and seclusion. The interest of the society is not to be harmed for the sake of personal aggrandizement or to gain official position. One should in all circumstances continue to serve the society. the community and the religion as far as possible.

For 25 years after the Prophet's (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) demise Ali (radyAllahu`anhu) led a life of seclusion. In 35 A.H. the Muslims offered the office of Islamic Caliph to Ali (radyAllahu`anhu) At first he refused. But when the insistence on part of the Muslims increased , he accepted it on the condition that he would rule strictly in accordance with the precepts laid down in the Quran and the Sunnah (practice) of the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) without favour and partiality towards any body. The people agreed to this condition and thereupon he accepted the office of the Caliph. But the people could not tolerate his purely religious rule. and rebelled against him on one or the other excuse.

He wore patched clothes, sat in the company of poor people on ground and partook food with them. The p;proceeds of the Baitul Mal (public treasury) were distributed equally amongst the deserving .

Alas! this protagonist of peace, equality and Islamic values could not escape the malicious designs of the worldly people. In the morning of 19th of the month of Ramdhan 40 A.H. while offering prayer in the mosque he was fatally wounded by a  sword dipped in poison . His mercifulness, kindness and regard for equality of all human beings was such that when his assassin was brought before him with a pale face and tears rolling down his eyes, he was touched with compassion even for him and and addressing his two sons, Imam Hasan and Imam Husain (radyAllahu`anhu) , said : " He is your prisoner. Do not treat him harshly. Give him the food that you yourself eat. If I recover, it will be upto me to punish him or to forgive him. But if I do not survive and you decide to avenge his crime, then strike him with sword only once as he had struck me once and in no case his hands or legs or any other part of his body should be cut off as it is against the teachings of Islam." Ali (radyAllahu`anhu) spent  two  restless days on his sick bed in extreme  pain and distress. Eventually the poison spread all over the body and he breathed his last on 21st of Ramdhan at the time of morning prayer.  Hasan and Husain (radyAllahu`anhu) performed the funeral rites and that prince of humanity was buried at Najaf at the back of the city of Kufa (Iraq).

This is ...?

Prof: So you believe in God?

Student: Absolutely, sir.

Prof : Is God good?

Student: Sure.

Prof: Is God all-powerful?

Student : Yes..

Prof:
My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him.
Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm?
(Student is silent.)

Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?

Student: Yes.

Prof: Is Satan good?

Student : No.

Prof: Where does Satan come from?

Student: From....God. ..

Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student: Yes.

Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?

Student: Yes.

Prof: So who created evil? (Student does not answer.)

Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?

Student: Yes, sir.

Prof: So, who created them? (Student has no answer.)

Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you.
Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?

Student: No, sir.

Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?

Student: No, sir.

Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?

Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.

Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student: Yes.

Prof:
According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist.
What do you say to that, son?

Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Prof: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?

Prof: Yes.

Student: No sir. There isn't. (The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat..
But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't
go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it .
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?

Student :
You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light.....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?

Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student:
Sir, you are working on the premise of duality.. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought.. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it.
Now tell me, Professor.Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student:
Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)

Student:
Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher? (The class is in uproar.)

Student:
Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)

Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain,sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable. )

Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.

Student: That is it sir... The link between man & God is FAITH . That is all that keeps things moving & alive.


this is a true story, and the student was none other than ......... APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India.

Why I shed 'bikini' for Niqab ... By Sara Bokker

" I am an American woman who was born in the midst of America's "Heartland". I grew up, just like any other girl, being fixated with the glamor of life in "the big city". Eventually, I moved to Florida and on to South of Miami, a hot spot for those seeking the "glamorous life". Naturally, I did what most average Western girls do. I focused on my appearance and appeal, basing my self-worth on how much attention I got from others. I worked out religiously and became a personal trainer, acquired an upscale waterfront residence, became a regular "exhibiting" beach-goer and was able to attain a "living-in-style" kind of life.
Years went by, only to realize that my scale of self-fulfillment and happiness slid down the more I progressed in my "feminine appeal". I was a slave to fashion. I was a hostage to my looks.
As the gap continued to progressively widen between my self-fulfillment and lifestyle, I sought refuge in escapes from alcohol and parties to meditation, activism, and alternative religions, only to have the little gap widen to what seemed like a valley. I eventually realized it all was merely a pain killer rather than an effective remedy.
By now it was Sept. 11, 2001. As i witnessed the ensuing barrage on Islam, Islamic values and culture, and the infamous declaration of the "new crusade", I started to notice something called Islam. Up until that point, all I had associated with Islam was women covered in "tents", wife beaters, harems, and a world of terrorism. As a feminist libertarian, and an activist, I was pursuing a better world for all.
One day I came across a book that is negatively stereotyped in the West, "The Noble Quran". I was first attracted by the style and approach of the Quran, and then intrigued by its outlook on existence, life, creation, and the relationship between Creator and creation. I found the Quran to be a very insightful address to heart and soul without the need for an interpreter or pastor.
Eventually I hit a moment of truth: my new-found self-fulfilling activism was nothing more than merely embracing a faith called Islam where I could live in peace as a "functional" Muslim.
I bought a beautiful long gown and head cover resembling the Muslim woman's dress ode and I walked down the same streets and neighborhoods where only days earlier I had walked in my shorts, bikini, or "elegant" Western business attire.
Although the people, the faces, and the shops were all the same, one thing was remarkably distinct... I was at the peace at being a 'woman' I experienced for the very first time. I felt as if the chains had been broken and I was finally free. I was delighted with the new looks on wonder on people's faces in place of the looks of a hunter watching his prey I had once sought. Suddenly a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Finally, I was free.
Of all places, I found my Islam at the heart of what some call " the most scandalous place on earth", which makes it all the more dear and special.
While content with Hijab I became curious about Niqab, seeing an increasing number of Muslim women in it. I asked my Muslim husband, whom I married after I reverted to Islam, whether I should wear Niqab or just settle for the Hijab I was already wearing. My husband simply advised me that he believes in Hijab is mandatory in Islam while Niqab is not. At the time, my Hijab consisted of head scarf that covered all my hair except for my face, and a loose long black gown called "Abaya" that covered all my body from neck to toe.
A year-and-a-half passed, and I told my husband I wanted to war Niqab. My reason, this time, was that I felt it would be more pleasing to Allah, the Creator,increasing my feeling of peace at being more modest. He supported my decision and took me to buy an "Isdaal", a loose black gown that covers from head to toe, and Niqab, which covers all my head and face except for my eyes. Soon enough, news started breaking about politicians, Vatican clergymen, libertarians, and so-called human rights and freedom activists condemning Hijab at times, and Niqab at others as being oppressive to women, a obstacle to social integration, and more recently, as an Egyptian official called it "a sign of bckwardness".
I find it to be a blatant hypocrisy when Western governments and so-called human rights groups rush to defend woman's rights when some governments impose a certain dress code on women, yet such "freedom fiighters" look the other way when women are being deprived of their rights, work , and education just because they choose to exercise their right to wear Niqab or Hijab.
Today I am still a feminist, but a Muslim feminist, who calls on Muslim women to assume their responsibilities in providing all the support they can for their husbands to be good Muslims. To raise their children as upright Muslims so they may be beacons of light for ll humanity once again. To enjoin good and any good and to forbid evil and any evil. To speak righteousness and to speak up against all ills. To fight for our right to wear Niqab or Hijab and to please our Creator whichever way we hose. But just as importantly to carry our experience with Niqab or Hijab to fellow women who may never have had such a chance.
Most of the women I know wearing Niqab are Western reverts, some of whom are not even married. Others wear Niqab without full support of either family or surroundings. What we all have in common is that it is the personal choice of each and every one of us, which none of us is willing to surrender.
Willingly or unwillingly, women are bombarded with styles of "dressing-in-little-to-nothing" virtually in every means of communication everywhere in the world.
As an ex non-Muslim, I insist on w omen's right to equally know about Hijab, its virtues, and the peace and happiness it brings to a woman's life as it did to mine. Yesterday, the bikini was the symbol of my liberty, when in actuality it only liberated me from my spirituality and true value as a respectable human being.
Today, Niqab is the new symbol of woman's liberation.
To women who surrender to the ugly stereotype against the Islamic modesty of Hijab, I say : "You don't know what you are missing".
Wearing Hijab does not mean you will never face challenges. It is like all the other things we are expected to do; they all require an element of determination and a lot of faith. "
------
Some quotations
"Everything God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to.".

"The flower is the unveiled woman(who shows her charms) and the pearl is the veiled woman(who conceals her beauties)."
Think about ... ! our sisters, daughters and mothers

If a drop of water falls in lake there is no identity. But if it falls on a leaf of lotus it shines like a pearl. So choose the best place where you would shine.

Lets fear Allah(SWT) and protect our MODESTY !!!!!!

Let us :
Learn Islam with ambition,
Observe Islam with sincerity.
Pratice Islam with discipline(Sunnah of Prophet and Ahlul- Bayt)
Spread Islam with truth and kindness.

May Allah give all of lus Hidayat and taufeeq ( Ameen)

Never blame any DAY in your LIFE.
Good days gives you "HAPPINESS".
Bad Days give you "EXPERIENCE'.
Worst Days gives you 'A LESSON".
----

A letter from shaytaan

Shaitan means devil

I saw you yesterday as you began your daily chores. You awoke without stopping to pray. As a matter of fact, you didn't even bless your meals, or pray before going to bed last night. You are so unthankful, I like that about you. I cannot tell you how glad I am that you have not changed your way of living, Fool, you are mine.
 ...
Remember, you and I have been going steady for years, and I still don't love you yet. As a matter of fact, I hate you, because I hate God. I am only using you to get even with God. He kicked me out of heaven, and I'm going to use you as long as possible to pay him back. You see, Fool,ALLAH LOVES YOU and HE has great plans in store for you. But you have yielded your life to me and I'm going to make your life a living hell. That way we'll be together twice. This will really hurt God. Thanks to you.

I'm really showing Him who's boss in your life. With all of the good times we've had..... We have been watching dirty movies, cursing people, out partying, stealing, lying, being hypocritical, indulging in fornication, overeating, telling dirty jokes, gossiping, back stabbing people, disrespecting adults and those in leadership position, NO respect for the mosque, bad attitudes: SURELY you don't want to give all this up.

Come on, Fool, let's burn together forever. I've got some hot plans for us. This is just a letter of appreciation from me to you. I'd like to say "Thanks!" for letting me use you for most of your foolish life. You are so gullible, I laugh at you. When you are tempted to sin, you give in HA HA HA, you make me sick. Sin is beginning to take its toll on your life. You look 20 years older, I need new blood. So go ahead and teach some children how to sin.

All you have to do is smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, cheat, gamble, gossip, fornicate, and listen to and dance to the top 10 jams. Do all of this in the presence of children and they will do it too. Kids are like that. Well, Fool, I have to let you go for now. I'll be back in a couple of seconds to tempt you again. If you were smart, you would run somewhere, confess your sins, ask forgiveness from Him, live for God with what little bit of life that you have left. It's not my nature to warn anyone, but to be your age and still sinning, it's becoming a bit ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, I still hate you...... IT'S JUST THAT YOU'D MAKE A BETTER FOOL FOR ALLAH.

The day of judgement 1

how marital discord pleases shaytan

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said that Shaytaan sits on his throne daily and dispatches his agents to work among human beings. One of the agents returns and says that I made a certain person commit a sin, another says I got so and so involved in this offence. Upon listening to all this, Shaytaan says that you have done nothing great. Eventually, one representative comes and says that I saw a husband and wife extremely devoted to each other. I sowed the seeds of enmity between them. On hearing this, Shaytaan becomes happy and embracing his agent says that you have indeed achieved something great. [Mishkat]

The love between a husband and wife is the biggest blow to Shaytaan. From this it is apparent how meritorious this love is. The Islamic prescription for success in married life is based on taqwa, fear, love, and consciousness of Allah. Taqwa -- the basis for all aspects of Islamic life -- is especially relevant to the household. That is why Sura Nisa, which contains many commands regarding the rights and responsibilities of spouses, begins with repeated reminders of taqwa.

To fight Shaytaan, one needs Allah's help and it comes with taqwa, i.e. living with the awareness that Allah is watching us and will hold us accountable for our actions. A direct and far reaching consequence of this awareness is that a fight for rights is replaced by a concern for responsibilities. One's responsibilities are other's rights. A Muslim husband and wife will be concerned with discharging their duties toward each other. This provides for a home that is a model of peace, love and harmony.

Isn't Allah the Best of Judges?

Indeed, We have created the human being upon the best of forms. Then we reduced him to the lowest of the low, except those who believe and do good, for they shall have an unending reward. So who henceforth will give the lie to you about the judgment? Is not Allah the Best of Judges? [Sūrah al-Tīn: 4-8]

    - Indeed, We have created the human being pon the best of forms. Then we reduced him to the lowest of the low, except those who believe and do good, for they shall have an unending reward. So who henceforth will give the lie to you about the judgment? Is not Allah the Best of Judges? [Sūrah al-Tīn: 4-8]

These verses bring together various aspects of Allah’s wisdom: His wisdom in creating us, His wisdom in guiding us, and His wisdom in judging our deeds.

In doing so, these verses inspire in the believer’s heart a desire for righteousness and a feeling of hope.
First, Allah addresses His creating us in “the best of forms”. Whether we look at the human being’s physical construction, or consider the human potential, or the human soul and mind, we get a profound glimpse of Allah’s wisdom.
Consider how these two verses come together: “Indeed, We have created the human being upon the best of forms. Then we reduced him to the lowest of the low…”
One understanding of these two verses is that they describe the normal lifespan of the human being, how a person, after growing up to attain maturity and full strength, then ages and returns to a state of weakness.
Then the next verse reads: “except those who believe and do good, for they shall have an unending reward.”
Here Allah promises that after this life which must inevitably come to an end, there is an immense reward in the Hereafter for the righteous. Though all human beings are subject in this world to the laws of nature – everyone will age and die – the righteous will enjoy an eternal, blissful life in the Hereafter.

Then Allah says: “So who henceforth will give the lie to you about the faith?”
This is a rhetorical question. Can you not see that Allah has created the human being in such an excellent form?

Aren’t there sufficient signs in this, and in everything else found in creation, to attest to Allah’s wisdom? Does this not compel us to believe in Him and worship Him?
Then Allah concludes by asking: “Is not Allah the Best of Judges?”
Here is further encouragement and reassurance to the righteous. It is an aspect of our faith is the belief that we will return to Allah in the next life and be judged for our deeds in the life of the world. This will also be a manifestation of Allah’s wisdom.

So when the Qur’an describes Allah as the “Best of Judges”, it is an affirmation of His perfect justice and immense mercy. Allah never wrongs anyone and is never oppressive. What He legislates for His servants is never burdensome and never unfair.

Rather, the genuine teachings of Islam uphold the rights of all people without bias: the ruler and the ruled, the strong and the weak, the male and the female, the righteous and the sinner, the believer and the unbeliever. It upholds their rights in times of peace and times of war, and under all circumstances without exception.
This is why Muslims should refer to the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) for guidance in all aspects of their lives. They should do so as individuals to guide them in their personal lives, and they should do so as communities, societies, and nations for guidance in their political, social, and economic affairs.
Allah says: “As to those who believe and work righteousness, verily We shall not suffer to perish the reward of any who do a (single) righteous deed.” [Sūrah al-Kahf: 30]
Allah is Wise and He is the Best of Judges. In Islamic beliefs, no one is ever understood to bear the sin of another. No one is ever wronged by Allah. No sinner is ever punished for more than the magnitude of the sin committed and no good deed ever goes without a reward.

Islamic Biography- Biography of female companions- Mothers of Belivers- Safya

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of Creations, and Peace and blessings be upon our prophet Muhammad, the faithful and the honest.
 Oh, Allah, we know nothing but what You teach us. You are the All- Knower, the Wise. Oh Allah, teach us what is good for us, and benefit us from what You taught us, and increase our knowledge. Show us the righteous things as righteous and help us to do them, and show us the bad things as bad and help us to keep away from them.
  O Allah our Lord, lead us out from the depths of darkness and illusion, unto the lights of erudition and knowledge, and from the muddy shallows of lusts unto the heavens of Your Vicinity.

  She is Safiyah bint Huyiy, a descendant of the prophet Aaron, peace be upon him. She, May Allah be pleased with her, was honest, intelligent and beautiful. She had religion and piety, and had patience and dignity. Because the Prophet (SAW) says:

((Allah chose me, and chose my friends for me))

  Allah chose the prophet`s wives as it is more important to choose his wives than his friends, and the wives of the Prophet peace be upon him were part of the call of Allah Almighty. When a wife is prudent of rights, and intelligent, and reports accurately, that's part of the call, so Allah Himself purified the household of the Prophet. He says:

﴾Allâh wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs (evil deeds and sins) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet), and to purify you with a thorough purification. (33)﴿

(Al-Ahzab 33)

 Safiyah, (may Allah be pleased with her), was honest, intelligent and beautiful. And, she had religion and dignity, patience and beauty. She married the Prophet, peace be upon him, in the seventh year of migration, when she was seventeen years old. She (may Allah be pleased with her) was born three years after the mission with her folks the Jews of Khaybar. And do not forget that the marriage of the Prophet, peace be upon him, is a marriage of wisdom and benefit, a marriage of hearts, and a marriage of a call to Allah Almighty. She had converted to Islam after her marriage to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, as she was among the captives of Khayber. The Prophet, peace be upon him, married her according to her will and choice and he gave her dowry of expiation. She married him, blessings and peace be upon him, with her willingness and her choice, and there is no compulsion in Islam, because Allah Almighty says:

﴾There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path.﴿

(Al-Baqarah 256)

 She chose to marry the Prophet, peace be up on him. She entered into the religion of Allah voluntarily, so she became one of the mothers of the believers, may Allah bless them all. She was established in her religion for a while and then she converted to Islam, and that made the Prophet, peace be upon him, very happy. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that when the Prophet (PBUH), took Safiyah bint Huyay, he asked her: “Do you like me?” She replied,

((O Messenger of Allah I used to wish for that in the age of ignorance, so how about if Allah makes it possible in Islam))

 It is in Sahih Al-Bukhari narrated by Anas ibn Maalik

((that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, freed Safiyah and made her release as her dowry))

 This narration shows that she converted to Islam before her marriage to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. She narrated many hadiths from the Prophet, peace be upon him, and some were narrated from her by her nephew Kenana, and Yazeed, Ali, Muslim bin Safwan, and Isaac bin Abdullah bin al-Harith.  Why should the wife of the prophet of Allah be reasonable, prudent, chaste and pure? Because she would tell others about him. The Prophet divorced one woman with a weak mind; in a narration from Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her:

((When Al-Goun`s daughter had been entered to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and as he come close to her she said I seek refugee with Allah from you. So the prophet said to her, “You asked refuge from the great, go back to your family”))

(Bukhari)

 An important source of happiness in this world is the pious and wise wife, because the righteous wife would make her husband happy, and the woman, as you know, has a serious role in aiding her husband in controlling his life.
 After the sixth year of the migration ended ,which was filled with goodness and blessings, the seventh year showed up that carried grave trials, and the Month Muharram`s crescent emerged from the beginning of the year. So the Prophet, peace be upon him, prepared for the decisive battle to cut the cunning of Jews from the land of Hijaz, which was exposed in the battle of the trench, in El-Khandak battle. The shifty Jews turned out to be traitors; they were scheming against the Prophet (PBUH). The battle of the Trench is not long ago from you, when the Jews set their covenant to the Prophet, peace be upon him, aside. The polytheists came to the island surrounding Al-Madinah to eradicate Islam`s pity. The Battle of the Trench was a battle of life or death, a battle of ‘to be’ or ‘not to be’. Allah Almighty triumphed the Prophet, peace be upon him, and the Jews’ evil intention was revealed, their cunning and their deceit was revealed, and this is their way since ancient times.
 In the second half of the Month of Muharram, the Prophet, peace be upon him, went to the Khyber which is a big city with forts, farms and castles. It is located about a hundred miles north Al- Medina (160 km approximately), one of the largest cities in the Hijaz, and one with the most immunity and strength. There were Fourteen hundred combatants with the Prophet (PBUH), When the Prophet (PBUH) came closer to Khyber, he said to his companions stop here. And if the prophet (PBUH) if invaded some people, he did not invade them till morning. So, in the morning, the workers of Khaybar saw him while he was coming towards their farms; they left the axes, and when they saw him they shouted: “Mohammad and Al Khamis (Al Khamis is the army that has front, rear, center, starboard, and accessible - five teams). And then he said (PBUH): “Allah Akbar Khyber is devastated, and whenever we fight the disbelievers for the sake of Allah, their morning will turn bad.
 Then the Prophet peace be upon him opened fortifications of Khyber one by one, even the Fort of Ibn Abi Elhaqiq - he also opened it, and brought the fort`s captives, including Safiyah bint Huyi. So Safiyah is one of Khyber fort`s captives, came along with her cousin , Bilal, may Allah be pleased with him lead them and he passed by the dead Jews of the fort; when the woman who was with our mother Safiyah, may Allah be pleased with her, saw their faces, she shouted and threw dirt on her face, so the merciful prophet (PBUH) said to Bilal:

((Is there no mercy in your heart to let the two women pass through their dead folks?))

 Can you see the mercy of the Prophet, peace be upon him, even with captives, captives of his enemies - it was too much for him to see a woman with her weak heart by nature not able to see the dead of her people...
 Safiya bint Huyiy, the daughter of the leader of the Jews saw in her dream that the moon fell into her lap, and in another narration she felt the sun fall on her chest. She recalled it to her mother, so she slapped her face and said: "You are looking forward to be with the king of the Arabs, and that vision that she had seen is the good news for her bright future, as the wife of the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him.  She saw the moon fall in her lap, or felt the sun descend onto her chest. When she told her mother, she slapped her face, and the marks from her mother`s hand stayed obviously a long time, until she came to the Prophet (PBUH), when he asked her about these marks, and she told him about her dream, She became more dear to the heart of the Prophet (PBUH) when he heard about that good news that Allah let her know about.
 I mean, sometimes a human`s vision is very clear from Almighty Allah, and the dreams are for a good man, or the good vision is a way of Almighty God to inform this man of something. So our lord Almighty showed this good woman a prophesy, who was a descendant of Jews, that her husband will be the Messenger of Allah. And through this vision her mother realized the meaning of this vision, she slapped her daughter`s face, yelled at her and said: “It seems as if you are looking forward to being with the king of the Arabs, and the effect of her mother’s slaps stayed on her face.
 When the Prophet (PBUH) saw her, and heard about that good dream from Allah Subhanuh wa Taala, to relief her sadness and pain, and to reduce her grief, the Prophet (PBUH) told her that Allah made her vision true.
 After the Prophet (PBUH) walked around six miles from Khyber, Muslims camped at a place called Sadd al-Rauha. He wanted to consummate his marriage but she refused, he found something in himself when he was at Sahbaa city, which is far from Khyber. There he consummated his marriage and Um Sulaim is the one who combed the hair of Safiyah and perfumed her, and Safiyah was very happy to the degree that she forgot the misfortune of her family. Then the banquet was made, and her dowry was a servant called Razina. The Prophet, peace be upon him, went to his family, and in the morning when Um Sulaim asked Safiyah what he said to her. She said: “He asked me, ‘What made you refrain from going first?’ She said: I was afraid for you because you are still near the Jews”. That increased her rank and stature in his heart.
 It meant she wanted to be far from the homes of the Jews, because she cares a lot about our Prophet, peace be upon him, that's what all biography books mentioned.
 On the way back to Al-Madinah, Everyone prepared to meet their parents and brothers, and they welcomed the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and his friends with rejoice and generosity, and the news of the Prophet’s victories spread.
 It was reported by Ibn Sa'd from Attaa Ibn Yaseer that when Safyiah bint Huyay came from Khayber, the Ansar`s women came to see her beauty after they heard about it. Then Aisha, May Allah be pleased with her, came worried and he asked her: “How did you find her?” She replied: “I saw a Jew”. So the Prophet (PBUH) said “Don`t say that - she converted to Islam, and her Islam is sincere”.
 I derived from that the human being has a particular affiliation, with a particular problem, and after he repents to Allah, recognizes, and after he prays for forgiveness, it`s over. The closer you are to Allah, the more you forgot the past, and whenever you make an incorrect movement, your past comes up a lot to you. If a person is lost or astray, and repents to Allah with sincere repentance, people will separate into two groups: a section that wants to focus on the past, and a section focusing on the present. Whenever you get closer to Allah Almighty, you will focus on the present and the farther away you are from the way of Allah, you will focus on the past, and this sends pain through the soul. IF a person was astray and wrong, and then he repented, turned to Islam and became a good Muslim, and became closer to the Almighty God, why would you remind him of what was in the past. You're bound to hold him back, you are weaken him by remind him of the sins he committed.
 Therefore, our prophet Joseph, peace be upon him, taught us through the Qur'an as he met his brothers, and he said:

﴾He was indeed good to me, when He took me out of the prison,﴿

(Surah Yusuf- 100)

 Prison is not dangerous to human survival. The real risk was in the well. I mean, if you want to remember, whichever is the most dangerous, to place him in the well...or …to put him in prison?? To place him in the well was a sign of loss, but his position in prison was a sign of safety; this is to remember the virtue of God, because he released him from prison. He did not say ‘when he took me out of the pit’, because he was talking to his brothers. He said that Allah was indeed good to him to get him out of the well, he would address his brothers and mention their crime, because he, peace be upon him, was the pinnacle of perfection.
 If human acted a certain way, and repented, and left it, then the perfection is not to mention it to him at all. But the Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, did what is more generous. When Ikremah came as a Muslim, the Prophet told his companions and said: “There comes Akrama as a Muslim, do not insult his father, insulting the dead harms the living, and does not inform the dead”.
 The believer is not far to some; do not blush faces, do not embarrass people, there are people who desire to embarrass people, to always remind them of their previous mistakes. A man came to Umar Ibn Al-Khtab and said: "O prince of the believers, my sister committed a sin, and she got her punishment according to Islam legislation, and now, someone proposes to marry her, do I mention that to him?” Umar, May Allah be pleased with him, said to him: “By Allah, if you told him I will kill you, if a person repents of something you should fold the page.”
 Whenever you become closer to Allah, and you meet a man with an embarrassing past, you should forget his past, and focus on the good present; and whenever a person is closer to the fortunes of himself, and away from Allah`s rules, the past approaches, reminding him of God. And there is a person speaking the words of the devil, it is always disheartening, frustrating work, and if someone shines and it was said to him: “How did you used to be?” He was and repented, and thus he wants to make him fail. The prophet, peace be upon him, said to Aisha: “Do not say that, she (he means Safyiah R) converted to Islam, and become a good Muslim”.
 Hafiz Abu Naeem said in his book Ornament of the Guardians after mentioning Safyiah: “The pious memory of her, who has the weeping eye, the pure Safyiah the wife of the Prophet, peace be upon him.
By the way, There is no constant enmity in Islam. Allah Almighty originally never hates his slaves, but hates their actions: if they repent I am their beloved, if they did not repent, I am their physician. Allah does not hate the slave, but hates the act of slave, and the proof is that as soon as the human repent to Allah, it is over.
 When Omayer bin Wahab came to kill the Prophet, peace be upon him, and the caliph Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was a great believer of Islam realized with his intuitively this was an enemy of Allah – he came wanting evil, and his sword on his shoulder. Umar ran to the Prophet (PBUH) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, here comes Umayer, he wants this evil”. The Messenger of Allah said to him: “Keep away from him”. He released him, and the Prophet (PBUH) said with a kind heart and great compassion, “O Umayer, come closer to me”, and he knew that Umayer came to kill him. He said: "Salute us. So he replied: Good morning O Muhammad. He said: “Salute us with the salute of Islam,” the Prophet peace be up on him replied. ” Good morning Muhammad” Umayer repeated With all the harshness of ignorance reign;” What brings you, Umayer?”the Prophet PBUH asked “I came to release my son” he answered. “ And why you hold this sword on your shoulder?” The Prophet (PBUH)asked: “God say those swords - did it help us on the day of Badr?” So he said to him: “Did you not tell Safwan: “If not for young children that fear hardship, and debt repayment cannot stand to go, I would kill Muhammad, and rid you of him. Omaier stood up and said: “I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah, that which I said to Safwan, no one knows but Allah, and you are no doubt his Messenger”.
 Witness that our Master Umar Ibn Al-Khatab said that, “When Umayer came to the Messenger of Allah, The pork was much better to me than him, and when he left him, he was dearer to me than some of my children”. This is the greatness of Islam. There is no permanent enmity, the Muslim does not hate non-Muslims, but hates the actions only, he hates his deviation, he hates his defaults, and he hates his aggression.  He does not hate the non-Muslim himself, because he is a strayed slave of Allah.
 The Muslim with non-Muslims will end up like a doctor with a patient. If there is a skin disease, a disgusting disease, Is the doctor will hate a patient with a skin disease? Of course not, He even feels sorry for him. There is mercy in the heart of every believer that reached a high rank close to Allah - when he sees a stray man, he feels sorry for him, and bears no malice. And that religion is not built on hatred, but built on love, built on the love of all creatures.
 The biographers said to describe Safiyah bint Huyay; She is the intelligent pious, with a weeping eye, the pure Safiyah, wife of the Prophet, peace be upon him.
He said:” Safiyah, may Allah be pleased with her, noticed that she became another partner of the Prophet (PBUH) between the mothers of the believers. Her new partnership raised their feeling, and this is Allah’s fate in women; jealousy is an advantage in women, If she is not jealous for you, you won`t love her. Do not reject the jealousy of women. Without this jealousy; how will you know she really loves you? You love her because she is jealous for you, and because she is keen for you, but there are also others that are sick and these are few cases. Every woman - any woman on earth - likes to be with her husband alone, and there re women who have a sick jealousy, who suspect things that did not occur, and will not occur. This woman needs to be addressed: women are women.
 Safyiah noted this effect in the hearts of some co-wives gave them some of the ornaments of gold as a symbol of their cordiality, and presented to Fatima bint Muhammad, gifts. This method is very intelligent – sometimes, for a man to achieve some of his objectives, he needs a good word or sincerity in order for the boat to move forward.
 This smart wife discovered that this danger came only from two co-wives, which are closer to her in age and beauty: Ms. Aisha and Hafsa may Allah be pleased with both. Once the words of Hafsa and Aisha were reported, which were stated to the Prophet peace be upon him. These words of Hafsa and Aisha saddened the Prophet, peace be upon him, and he told Safyiah: why did you tell them: How can you be better than me and my husband is Mohammed, and my father is Haroon, and my uncle is Moses - three prophets, These words of the Prophet (PBUH) brought coolness and peace for her heart.
 The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him gave special care to Safyiah, he knew that she felt like a stranger, which means the rest of his wives are from Quraysh, but she is a foreign, and because she is a foreign, she had special treatment. She had special favor, with special care, this is also a good policy, and wisdom - sometimes a person is a resident in the city of his relatives, his brothers, his uncles and maternal uncles, but the stranger is alone and has no relatives around him, and this needs to be treated extremely well, and requires special care to forget that he is away from his home.
 Abu Naim narrated that Anas said: Hafsa told Safyiah that you are a Jew`s daughter. She wept, and the Prophet (PBUH) entered, and he said: “What is wrong with you?” She said: “Hafsa said to me, ‘You are a Jewish girl’. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “You are a Prophet's daughter, and your uncle is a Prophet, and you are under a Prophet, so by what she is more proud than you – you are surrounded by prophets. Then he said: "O Hafsa, fear Allah”. Safiyah was restrained, patient, and moral and did not care about all the harassment.
 Here's a question: Allah has the great wisdom. It is possible that a righteous woman may come from the offspring of a mean person. A guardian may come from the offspring of a criminal. Allah Almighty mixes, He may bring out the living from the dead, and the dead from the living. You might find the descendants of scholars wandering astray; you may find the descendants of those who were astray close to God Almighty. These are the qualities to be one of the women Messenger of Allah (PBUH): mind, intelligence, wisdom, literature, shame, and humility.
 Safiyah found that the moon fell into her lap, and when she told her mother she slapped her face. This lady had great positions and actions that prove she had a great and noble mind, and great dedication. And in fact the most fascinating thing in a woman is her mind. Usually a woman boasts her beauty, but when a wise mind is added to her beauty that is something very rare, so how wonderful is the fine mind of women. Once a man said to his wife: “that there is some bad in my manners. She said to him: “Who told you that, His manners are worse than yours?”
The Prophet, peace be upon him, was making Itikaf (i.e. secluding himself in the mosque for the worship of Allah). Safiyah – may Allah be pleased with her – said: “I went at night to visit the Prophet and speak with him. After that, I went to my home – in the house of Osama bin Zaid – and the Prophet (PBUH) accompanied me. On the way, we passed by two men from Al-Ansar (i.e. the people of Al-Medina) who walked quickly when they saw us. The Prophet (PBUH) told them: “Wait, she is Safiyah bint Huyai (i.e. don’t think I'm walking at night with a strange woman, I am walking with my wife). The two men replied: “O Prophet of Allah, you are the prophet of Allah, how can we doubt you!” The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The devil is all the time accompanying the man, just like his blood, and all the time whispering evil to him; therefore, I feared that the devil whispered any evil thoughts to you”.
 Zaid ibn Aslam narrated that: The wives of the Prophet (PBUH) assembled together during the illness of his death. Then Safiyah bint Huyai – may Allah be pleased with her – said: “O Prophet of Allah, I swear by Allah that I wish to bear your illness and relieve you if I can.” Hearing that, the wives of the Prophet (PBUH) winked at that (i.e. looking at each other) as if she only say it to pleases him. Then the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Rinse out your mouths.” They said: “For what?” He said: “For winking at her. I swear by Allah that she is truthful”. It has been stated in the biography: this is the greatest testimony from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.
 Abu Naim also narrated from Abdullah bin Obaydah, some of the companions gathered in the room of Safiyah bint Huyiy, the wife of Messenger of Allah (PBUH). They remembered Allah, and read the Quran, and prostrate. So Safyiah called them: “This is prostrating, and reciting the Koran, where is your submission? Where is your humility?” Allah does not to allow a woman to be the wife of the Prophet except when she is at the pinnacle of perfection, and the summit of understanding and closeness.
 Ibn Hajar narrated from Abu Umar, and said: Safyia, May Allah be pleased with her, was rational and virtuous. It was said that her maid came to Umar Ibn Al-Khatab when he was the Caliph and said: “Safyiah likes Saturday, and she visited the Jews. Umar sent for Safyiah asked about that. She said: As for Saturday, I did not like it since Allah gave us Friday instead, but the Jews, they are my kinship and I should keep ties of my kinship as Allah ordered us. Safyiah, May Allah be pleased with her, asked her maid: “What made you do that?” Her maid said: “The devil”. Safyiah said: “Then go, you are free”. The maid wanted Umar to be angry from Safyiah. Her maid said that she liked Saturday, not Friday. Safyiah may Allah be pleased with her said: "No, after I had the honor of Islam, I like Friday, I do not like Saturday, but regarding the Jews, they are family.” She said: “No, I will always contact my people and I will keep ties of kinship as the Prophet ordered us”. And thus with his modest character, the Prophet, peace be upon him, pardoned those who had wronged him, and be good to those who abused him.
 Dear brothers... Indeed, the story of these virtuous wives of the Prophet (PBUH) teaches us much. It teaches us that women are like men – they can be heroines, and can reach the top ranks closer to Allah Almighty. Any view of women that shows her as no one comparing to man, and that her job is at home, cooking and doing things that women do usually- this is the ignorant view of women. So, I wish the father of all girls to cast in their soul that they can be heroines. A woman caring for her husband and her children is as the fighter in the army for the sake of Allah,

((You should know and tell other women, that any woman who acts as the best wife for her husband has the equal reward of men fighting for the sake of Allah))

 If a person had two girls and he raised them up well, the Prophet guaranteed paradise. They said: “And only one girl?” He said: “Yes and one girl.” It is rare that a house has no girls, and the house that has a girl is blessed. For any man who has a girl and raises her well, this girl could be the reason he enters paradise. The Prophet (PBUH) said:

((Honor the women. By Allah, he is generous who is generous to them, and He is mean who insults them. They defeated every generous man, and the mean man defeated them, and I prefer to be the defeated generous man than to be the mean triumphant man))

20 Exam Tips for Students

Praise be to Allah and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger and upon his family and companions.

The Muslim student puts his trust in Allah when facing the tests of this world, and he seeks His help whilst following the prescribed means, in accordance with the words of the Prophet(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): “The strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive to attain that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless.” (Saheeh Muslim, hadeeth no. 2664)

Among those means are the following:

- Turning to Allah by making du’aa’ in any way that is prescribed in Islam, such as saying, “Rabbiy ishrah li sadri wa yassir li amri (O my Lord, expand my chest and make things easy for me).”

- Getting used to sleeping early and going to exams on time.

- Preparing all required or permitted equipment such as pens, rulers and setsquares, calculators and watches, because being well prepared helps one to answer questions.

- Reciting the du’aa’ for leaving the house: “Bismillaah, tawakkaltu ‘ala Allah, wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah. Allahumma inni a’oodhu bika an adilla aw udalla, aw azilla aw uzalla, aw azlima aw uzlama, aw ajhala aw yujhala ‘alayya (In the name of Allah, I put my trust in Allah, and there is no strength and no power except with Allah. O Allah, I seek refuge with You lest I should stray or be led astray, lest I slip (commit a sin unintentionally) or be tripped, lest I oppress or be oppressed, lest I behave foolishly or be treated foolishly).” Do not forget to seek your parents’ approval, for their du’aa’ for you will be answered.

- Mention the name of Allah before you start, for mentioning the name of Allah is prescribed when beginning any permissible action; this brings blessing, and seeking the help of Allah is one of the means of strength.

- Fear Allah with regard to your classmates, and do not be affected by their anxiety or fear just before the exam, for anxiety is a contagious disease. Instead, make them feel optimistic by saying good words as prescribed in Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was optimistic when he heard the name of Suhayl (which means “easy”) and he said: “Things have been made easy for you.” He used to like to hear the words ‘Yaa Raashid,when he went out for any purpose. So be optimistic that you and your brothers will pass this exam.

- Remembering Allah (dhikr) dispels anxiety and tension. If something is too difficult for you, then pray to Allah to make it easy for you. Whenever Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) found something too difficult to understand, he would say, “O You Who taught Ibraaheem, teach me; O You Who caused Sulaymaan to understand, cause me to understand.”

- Choose a good place to sit during the exam, if you can. Keep your back straight, and sit on the chair in a healthy manner.

- Look over the exam first. Studies advise spending 10% of the exam time in reading the questions carefully, noting the important words and dividing one’s time between the questions.

- Plan to answer the easy questions first, then the difficult ones. Whilst reading the questions, write notes and ideas which you can use in your answers later.

- Answer questions according to importance.

- Start by answering the easy questions which you know. Then move on to the questions which carry high marks, and leave till the end the questions to which you do not know the answers, or which you think will take a long time to produce an answer or which do not carry such high marks.

- Take your time to answer, for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Deliberation is from Allah and haste is from the Shaytaan.” (A hasan hadeeth.Saheeh al-Jaami, 3011).

- Think carefully about the answer and choose the right answer when answering multiple-choice questions. Deal with them in the following manner. If you are sure that you have chosen the right answer, then beware of waswasah (insinuating whispers from the Shaytaan). If you are not sure, then start by eliminating the wrong or unlikely answers, then choose the correct answer based on what you think is most likely to be correct. If you guessed at a correct answer then do not change it unless you are sure that it is wrong – especially if you will lose marks for a wrong answer. Research indicates that the correct answer is usually that which the student thinks of first.

- In written exams, collect your thoughts before you start to answer. Write an outline for your answer with some words which will indicate the ideas which you want to discuss. Then number the ideas in the sequence in which you want to present them.

- Write the main points of your answer at the beginning of the line, because this is what the examiner is looking for, and he may not see what he is looking for if it is in the middle of the page and he is in a hurry.

- Devote 10% of the time for reviewing your answers. Take your time in reviewing, especially in mathematical problems and writing numbers. Resist the desire to hand in the exam papers quickly, and do not let the fact that some people are leaving early bother you. They may be among the people who have handed in their papers too early.

- If you discover after the exam that you answered some questions incorrectly, then take that as a lesson in the importance of being well prepared in the future, and not rushing to answer questions. Accept the will and decree of Allah and do not fall prey to frustration and despair. Remember the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), “If anything befalls you, do not say, ‘If only I had done such and such.’ Rather say, ‘Qadar Allah wa maa sha’a kaan (the decree of Allah and what He wills happened),’ for saying ‘if only’ opens the door for the Shaytaan.” (Saheeh Muslim, and the first part of this hadeeth was mentioned above).

- Note that cheating is haraam whether it is in foreign language tests or any other tests. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Whoever cheats is not one of us.” It is wrongdoing and it is a haraam means of attaining a degree or certificate, etc., that you have no right to. The consensus is that cheating is a kind of cooperation in sin and transgression. So do without that which is haraam, and Allah will suffice you from His bounty. Reject all offers of haraam things that come to you from others. Whoever gives up a thing for the sake of Allah, Allah will compensate him with something better. You have to denounce and resist evil, and tell the authorities about any such thing that you see during the exam, or before or after it. This is not the forbidden kind of slander rather it is denouncing evil which is obligatory.

Advise those who buy or sell questions or post them on the Internet etc., or who prepare cheat notes. Tell them to fear Allah, and tell them of the ruling on what they are doing and on the money they earn from that. Tell them that the time they are spending in preparing these haraam things, if they spent it in studying, or answering previous exams, or helping one another to understand the subject before the exam, that would be better for them than doing these haraam things.

- Remember what you have prepared for the Hereafter, and the questions of the examination in the grave, and how to be saved on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever is saved from the Fire and admitted to Paradise will indeed have succeeded.

We ask Allah to make us succeed in this world and cause us to be among those who are victorious and saved in the Hereafter, for He is the All-Hearing Who answers prayer.

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

The righteous conduct on a regular basis !

Chapter 15 The Righteous conduct on Regular base

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allah's Reminder (this Qur'an), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e., Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened?'' (57:16)

"And We sent `Isa (Jesus) - son of Maryam (Mary), and gave him the Injeel (Gospel). And We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him, compassion and mercy. But the monasticism which they invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for them, but (they sought it) only to please Allah therewith, but that they did not observe it with the right observance.'' (57:27)

"And be not like her who undoes the thread which she has spun, after it has become strong...'' (16:92)

"And worship your Rubb until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e., death).'' (15:99)

And there are Ahadith, one of them is narrated by `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her): Messenger of Allah (PBUH) liked that act of worship most in the performance of which a person was regular and constant. [Muslim].

153. `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Should anyone fall asleep at night and fail to recite his portion of the Qur'an, or a part of it, if he recites it between the Fajr prayer and the Zuhr prayer, it will be recorded for him as though he had recited it during the night''. [Muslim].

Commentary: The word `Hizb' originally means to take one's turn for getting water from a well. Subsequently, people started using it for daily round of recitation which one adopts on his own voluntarily. For instance, fixing a number of Nawafil (voluntary prayers), recital of a certain portion of the Noble Qur'an or performance of some other noble deed as one's daily routine. This Hadith stresses that one must adhere to such routine. It also tells that if for some reason one is unable to do it at the time fixed by him, he can do it later at the time closest to the one he has fixed for it. If one does so, he will be eligible to its full reward.

154. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to me, "O Abdullah! Do not be like so-and-so. He used to get up at night for optional prayer but abandoned it later.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: The excellence of manners demands that if someone has something reprehensible in his character, the person concerned should not be mentioned but the shortcoming must be indicated so that people refrain from it. The second point that we learn from this Hadith is that if one starts a good deed, he should try his best to do it perpetually because its perpetuation is liked by Allah.

155. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: When Messenger of Allah (PBUH) missed the optional night Salat (Tahajjud) due to pain or any other reason, he would perform twelve Rak`ah during the day time. [Muslim].

Commentary: The Qada' of Nawafil (offering prayer to make up for having failed to offer it at their due time) is not binding. But it is Mustahab (desirable). The Prophet (PBUH) did it.

Jazakum Allahu Khairan :))

A BEAUTIFUL SHORT STORY ABOUT THE RIGHT ATTITUDE AGAINST BAD LANGUAGE:

A very pious muslim who wasn't very attractive looking. One day, he was walking along the road, minding his own business, when a lady came up to him, and started calling him names and abusing him. This lady kept saying all kinds of nasty things, and the man just listened to her patiently. Finally, when she was finished calling him names and abusing him, The man just greeted her, smiled, and said"

and a nice day to you," and continued on his way.

Why did he, the pious muslim, behave this way?

It is because he knew that everything she said was just a reflection of her own inner self.

If you use bad language, you are just making obvious to everybody how far away you really are from Allah, since your words are in reality a reflection of your own inner self.

Covering the Face

The khimar (pl. khumur) actually refers to the head covering, so that a better translation of 24:31 would be: "and to draw their headcovers (khumurihinna) over their bosoms..." (24:31)

It is essential to understand the two interpretations of the command to "draw their headcovers over" among the women of the Companions and the generation that immediately succeeded them, on which are based the two views of the Four Schools, namely, cover everything or expose only the face and hands:

Some women drew from the top down, some from the sides and over. The result for the first category was to cover the face, while the second category left the face uncovered according to one's own discretion.

Following are two hadiths that illustrate the use of the khimar (face-veil) applied by women Companions of the verse quoted above.

Abu Hurayra gave the following account of his mother's conversion: I came to the Prophet Muhammad Allah bless and greet him -- weeping one day and said: "O Messenger of Allah, I have been inviting my mother to Islam and she has been refusing. Today I asked her again, and she said something about you which I hated to hear. Ask Allah to guide Abu Hurayra's mother!" Whereupon the Prophet Muhammad Allah bless and greet him - said: "O Allah! Guide Abu Hurayra's mother." Then I returned home cheered up by the Prophet's Muhammad Allah bless and greet him - supplication. When I arrived at the door of the house I found it closed. Hearing my footsteps, my mother said: "Abu Hurayra, do not come in yet." I could hear the sound of water. She washed herself and wore her robe (dir') and headcover (khimâr) then she opened the door and said: "Abu Hurayra! I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's servant and messenger!" I returned at once to the Prophet Muhammad Allah bless and greet him --, weeping for joy, and said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, good news! Allah has answered your request and guided my mother!" He glorified and praised Allah, thanking Him and saying good things. I said: "O Messenger of Allah! Ask Allah that He make me and my mother beloved to his believing servants and that He make them beloved to us." The Prophet Muhammad Allah bless and greet him - said: "O Allah! Make Your little servant (here meaning Abu Hurayra) and his mother beloved to Your believing servants, and make the believers beloved to the two of them." Not one believer is brought into existence who hears about me without seeing me except he loves me.

Ayesha (rad.i-Allahu `anha) said: "By Allah, I never saw any women better than the women of the Ansar (i.e. the women of Madina) or stronger in their confirmation of Allah's Book! When Sura al-Nur was revealed -- "and to draw their 'khumur' over their bosoms" (24:31) -- their men went back to them reciting to them what Allah had revealed to them, each man reciting it to his wife, daughter, sister, and relative. Not one woman among them remained except she got up on the spot, tore up her waist-wrap and covered herself from head-to-toe (i`jtajarat) with it. They prayed the very next dawn prayer covered from head to toe (mu`tajirat)."

And Allah knows best.

Narrated Abu Dhar Razi ALLAH Ta'ala Anhu:

Allah's Apostle Muhammad SALLAL LAHU ALAI WASALLAM (PBUH) said, "While I was at Mecca the roof of my house was opened and Gabriel descended, opened my chest, and washed it with Zam-zam water. Then he brought a golden tray full of wisdom and faith and having poured its contents into my chest, he closed it. Then he took my hand and ascended with me to the nearest heaven, when I reached the nearest heaven, Gabriel said to the gatekeeper of the heaven, 'Open (the gate).' The gatekeeper asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel answered: 'Gabriel.' He asked, 'Is there anyone with you?' Gabriel replied, 'Yes, Muhammad I is with me.' He asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel said, 'Yes.' So the gate was opened and we went over the nearest heaven and there we saw a man sitting with some people on his right and some on his left. When he looked towards his right, he laughed and when he looked toward his left he wept. Then he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet Muhammad SALLAL LAHU ALAI WASALLAM (PBUH) and pious son.' I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?' He replied, 'He is Adam and the people on his right and left are the souls of his offspring. Those on his right are the people of Paradise and those on his left are the people of Hell and when he looks towards his right he laughs and when he looks towards his left he weeps.'

Then he ascended with me till he reached the second heaven and he (Gabriel) said to its gatekeeper, 'Open (the gate).' The gatekeeper said to him the same as the gatekeeper of the first heaven had said and he opened the gate. Anas said: "Abu Dhar added that the Prophet met Adam, Idris, Moses, Jesus and Abraham, he (Abu Dhar) did not mention on which heaven they were but he mentioned that he (the Prophet ) met Adarn on the nearest heaven and Abraham on the sixth heaven. Anas said, "When Gabriel along with the Prophet passed by Idris, the latter said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious brother.' The Prophet asked, 'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is Idris." The Prophet added, "I passed by Moses and he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet Muhammad SALLAL LAHU ALAI WASALLAM (PBUH) and pious brother.' I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is Moses.' Then I passed by Jesus and he said, 'Welcome! O pious brother and pious Prophet.' I asked, 'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is Jesus.

Then I passed by Abraham and he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet Muhammad SALLAL LAHU ALAI WASALLAM (PBUH) and pious son.' I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is Abraham. The Prophet Muhammad SALLAL LAHU ALAI WASALLAM (PBUH) added, 'Then Gabriel ascended with me to a place where I heard the creaking of the pens." Ibn Hazm and Anas bin Malik said: The Prophet Muhammad SALLAL LAHU ALAI WASALLAM (PBUH) said, "Then Allah enjoined fifty prayers on my followers when I returned with this order of Allah, I passed by Moses who asked me, 'What has Allah enjoined on your followers?' I replied, 'He has enjoined fifty prayers on them.' Moses said, 'Go back to your Lord (and appeal for reduction) for your followers will not be able to bear it.' (So I went back to Allah and requested for reduction) and He reduced it to half. When I passed by Moses again and informed him about it, he said, 'Go back to your Lord as your followers will not be able to bear it.' So I returned to Allah and requested for further reduction and half of it was reduced. I again passed by Moses and he said to me: 'Return to your Lord, for your followers will not be able to bear it. So I returned to Allah and He said, 'These are five prayers and they are all (equal to) fifty (in reward) for My Word does not change.' I returned to Moses and he told me to go back once again. I replied, 'Now I feel shy of asking my Lord again.' Then Gabriel took me till we '' reached Sidrat-il-Muntaha (Lote tree of; the utmost boundry) which was shrouded in colors, indescribable. Then I was admitted into Paradise where I found small (tents or) walls (made) of pearls and its earth was of musk."Allah's Apostle Muhammad SALLAL LAHU ALAI WASALLAM (PBUH) said, "While I was at Mecca the roof of my house was opened and Gabriel descended, opened my chest, and washed it with Zam-zam water. Then he brought a golden tray full of wisdom and faith and having poured its contents into my chest, he closed it. Then he took my hand and ascended with me to the nearest heaven, when I reached the nearest heaven, Gabriel said to the gatekeeper of the heaven, 'Open (the gate).' The gatekeeper asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel answered: 'Gabriel.' He asked, 'Is there anyone with you?' Gabriel replied, 'Yes, Muhammad I is with me.' He asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel said, 'Yes.' So the gate was opened and we went over the nearest heaven and there we saw a man sitting with some people on his right and some on his left. When he looked towards his right, he laughed and when he looked toward his left he wept. Then he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet Muhammad SALLAL LAHU ALAI WASALLAM (PBUH) and pious son.' I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?' He replied, 'He is Adam and the people on his right and left are the souls of his offspring. Those on his right are the people of Paradise and those on his left are the people of Hell and when he looks towards his right he laughs and when he looks towards his left he weeps.'

Then he ascended with me till he reached the second heaven and he (Gabriel) said to its gatekeeper, 'Open (the gate).' The gatekeeper said to him the same as the gatekeeper of the first heaven had said and he opened the gate. Anas said: "Abu Dhar added that the Prophet met Adam, Idris, Moses, Jesus and Abraham, he (Abu Dhar) did not mention on which heaven they were but he mentioned that he (the Prophet ) met Adarn on the nearest heaven and Abraham on the sixth heaven. Anas said, "When Gabriel along with the Prophet passed by Idris, the latter said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious brother.' The Prophet asked, 'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is Idris." The Prophet added, "I passed by Moses and he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet Muhammad SALLAL LAHU ALAI WASALLAM (PBUH) and pious brother.' I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is Moses.' Then I passed by Jesus and he said, 'Welcome! O pious brother and pious Prophet.' I asked, 'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is Jesus.

Then I passed by Abraham and he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet Muhammad SALLAL LAHU ALAI WASALLAM (PBUH) and pious son.' I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is Abraham. The Prophet Muhammad SALLAL LAHU ALAI WASALLAM (PBUH) added, 'Then Gabriel ascended with me to a place where I heard the creaking of the pens." Ibn Hazm and Anas bin Malik said: The Prophet Muhammad SALLAL LAHU ALAI WASALLAM (PBUH) said, "Then Allah enjoined fifty prayers on my followers when I returned with this order of Allah, I passed by Moses who asked me, 'What has Allah enjoined on your followers?' I replied, 'He has enjoined fifty prayers on them.' Moses said, 'Go back to your Lord (and appeal for reduction) for your followers will not be able to bear it.' (So I went back to Allah and requested for reduction) and He reduced it to half. When I passed by Moses again and informed him about it, he said, 'Go back to your Lord as your followers will not be able to bear it.' So I returned to Allah and requested for further reduction and half of it was reduced. I again passed by Moses and he said to me: 'Return to your Lord, for your followers will not be able to bear it. So I returned to Allah and He said, 'These are five prayers and they are all (equal to) fifty (in reward) for My Word does not change.' I returned to Moses and he told me to go back once again. I replied, 'Now I feel shy of asking my Lord again.' Then Gabriel took me till we '' reached Sidrat-il-Muntaha (Lote tree of; the utmost boundry) which was shrouded in colors, indescribable. Then I was admitted into Paradise where I found small (tents or) walls (made) of pearls and its earth was of musk."

Question: Are Boyfriend and Girlfriends relation Halal or Haraam in Islam?

Answer: Islam does not allow any illicit relationship between a man and a woman. Allah has established marriage as the legitimate means for satisfying sexual desire, and through marriage a man and woman form a family based on the laws of Allah, and their children are legitimate. In Islam, there is no such thing as a girlfriend-boyfriend relationship. You are either married or you are not. To have a boyfriend or girlfriend, no matter the level of interaction and involvement, is completely haraam!

BEWARE: Shaytan makes this sin seem attractive and beautiful to you, but in fact it's a great sin that is the doorway to Zina (fornication) and the anger and punishment of Allah. Allah SWTsays:

“O you who believe! Follow not the footsteps of Shaytaan (Satan). And whosoever follows the footsteps of Shaytaan (Satan), then, verily, he commands Al-Fahsha’ [i.e. to commit indecency (illegal sexual intercourse)], and Al-Munkar [disbelief and polytheism (i.e. to do evil and wicked deeds; and to speak or to do what is forbidden in Islam)]. And had it not been for the Grace of Allaah and His Mercy on you, not one of you would ever have been pure from sins. But Allaah purifies (guides to Islam) whom He wills, and Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower” [Quran Surah An-Nur 24:21]

Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.

And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.[Quran Surah An-Nur V. 30-31]

A boy/man should not look/gaze at a woman/girl who has reached puberty, touch (handshake or by any means) or flirt with them and vice versa i.e. this applies to a woman/girl. IT’S A GREAT SIN BUT MANY DONT KNOW WHILE OTHERS DENY.

May ALLAH SWT guide us to Siratul-Mustaqeem and guide those who are astray and give us the strenght to control our desires and makes like those who lower their gazes...Ameen Summa Ameen

In general, seek refuge in Allah. It has also been suggested to say "La hawla wa la Quwwata illa billah" (there is no power except with Allah). If we sincerely make Dua, Insha Allah, we can succeed in turning our eyes away and desires.

Allah addresses Children of Israel in the Holy Quran

(In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, all praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger)
Jews descend from a nation that was called Bani Israel in the old days, so today they have a place for themselves where they practice their belief. Children of Israel were referred in the Holy Quran as the nation that Allah Almighty appointed different messengers upon. Daud or David (A.S), then Moses (A.S) and then the son of Mary Jesus or Issa (A.S). The point that we have to note her is that all these three messesengers were gifted a covenant or the commandments of Allah Almighty that were to be passed on to the Children of Israel.
"O children of Israel! call to mind the (special) favour which I bestowed upon you, and fulfil your covenant with Me and I shall fulfil My covenant with you and fear none but Me." (Surah Al-Baqara)
Also in the Quran, there is another verse:
"O Children of Israel! call to mind the special favour which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you to all others (for My Message)."(Surah Al- Baqara)
This verse defines that this nation was the favorite of Allah Almighty and that it has blessings and bestowments upon them that was never given to any other nation.
"We settled the Children of Israel in a beautiful dwelling-place, and provided for them sustenance of the best: it was after knowledge had been granted to them, that they fell into schisms. Verily Allah will judge between them as to the schisms amongst them on the Day of Judgment."(Surah Yunus)
The insolence of this nation is clearly mentioned in the Quran for Allah Almighty had commanded them to be sincere in their worship.
"Allah did aforetime take a Covenant from the Children of Israel, and We appointed twelve chieftains among them and Allah said: "I am with you: if ye (but) establish regular prayers, practise regular charity, believe in My Messengers honour and assist them, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, verily I will wipe out from you your evils and admit you to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath; but if any of you after this resisteth faith, he hath truly wandered from the path of rectitude."(Surah Al-Maeda)
The narrative of events indicate that these people felt themselves to be gifted since they were in hardships before and later they were delivered by Moses and Jesus Christ tried to improve their faith but they turned out resistant and made attempts to hurt the messengers that Allah sent towards them.
"We took the Covenant of the Children of Israel and sent them Messengers. Every time there came to them a Messenger with what they themselves desired not,― some (of these) they called impostors, and some they (go so far as to) slay."(Surah Al-Maeda)
The next verse has given out a very frightening signal to the people who do not believe.
"Curses were pronounced on those among the Children of Israel who rejected Faith by the tongue of David and of Jesus the son of Mary: because they disobeyed and persisted in Excesses."(Surah Al- Maeda)
This is the nation that Allah Almighty held dear and sent them different messengers to guide them on to the right path, as mentioned in the Holy Quran, but they resisted and turned in to a blaspheming group of people every time. What we need to learn is that we are supposed to be sincere with Allah Almighty to earn His mercy and to make Him pleased with us.