Youth Matters

Beautiful poem on repentance written by Jamal al-Deen al-Sarsi and recited by shaykh Mishaari al-’Afasy

Away From Home: Sr. Aisha

Disclaimer:

Not written by a person of knowledge; just your ordinary Muslimah striving for the sake of Allah (swt). If I say anything that is wrong or displeases someone, I am truly sorry and it is strictly from my own shortcomings. Any good stated is certainly from the blessings of Allah (swt).

Away From Home

As I flipped the page of my text book, a library staff member came around to remind me that the library was closing in five minutes. A feeling of worry rushed in: how did I let it get this late and how in the world was I going to walk across campus at 2 am to get to my dorm. A brother walked past my cubicle, said ‘salaam,’ smiled politely, and left. As I finished packing up, a non-Muslim guy came up, made small talk and offered to walk me home. I kindly declined. I broke into a huge grin outside the library when I recognized someone from my dorm building walking a good ten feet in front of me. I decided to follow him home. Alhumdulillah! Allah (swt) has a way out for everything.

Would it have been different if I had gone to medical school close to home? Read the rest of this entry »

“…I really enjoyed Ramadaan. I just wish I had someway to build on it..”

Try this. It’s called the HeartWheel Journal. Some took advantage of it during Ramadan. It’s an ingenious tool that educates, motivates and inspires you towards Ihsan (excellence).

The purpose is simple: “That which is measured, improves.” Try it out for yourself.

How do I get a copy?
Download your FREE copy here: HeartWheel Journal.

How do I use it?
Read this.
If you want the full audio click here. Scroll down to “HeartWheel Journal.”

How do I experience it’s massive benefits?
Don’t procrastinate. Print and bind (Kinkos) ASAP. It doesn’t work as an unopened PDF file in My Docs.

Questions?
Reflections? Share your thoughts on the HeartWheel Journal at the almaghrib forums.

**Check the YouTube Channel for the UK Islam Channel accompanying videos that were shown throughout Ramadaan.

The HeartWheel concept has been used even for Hajj.

HeartWheel Journal Ramadaan Videos
These videos deliver powerful bite-size gems to help you implement the concepts.
(This series has been uploaded with permission by Islam Channel)
Go to the brother’s YouTube Channel (May Allah Reward him!) who recorded the videos for ‘take away gems’

Continue For More Videos and Knowledge.
Read the rest of this entry »

I enjoy insightful reflections that bring a vibrant energy to conventional knowledge.

The following passage has summarized the importance of Ramadan, perhaps even more so than many lectures I’ve heard.

The Likeness of Ramadan and Prophet Yusuf

by Ibn al-Jawzi

“The month of Ramadan to the other months is like Yusuf to his brothers. So, just like Yusuf was the most beloved son to Ya’qub, Ramadan is the most beloved month to Allah.

A nice point for the nation of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) to ponder over is that if Yusuf had the mercy and compassion to say {“Said he: “No reproach shall be uttered today against you. May God forgive you your sins: for He is the most merciful of the merciful! …”} [Yusuf; 92], ₁ Ramadan is the month of mercy, blessing, goodness, salvation from the Fire, and Forgiveness from the King that exceeds that of all the other months and what can be gained from their days and nights.

Another nice point to think about is that Yusuf’s brothers came to rely on him to fix their mistakes after all those they had made. So, he met them with kindness and helped them out, and he fed them while they were hungry and allowed them to return, and he told his servants: “Carry their belongings with you so that they don’t lose them.” So, one person filled the gaps of eleven others, and the month of Ramadan is likewise one month that fills the gaps of our actions over the other eleven months. Imagine the gaps and shortcoming and deficiency we have in obeying Allah!

We hope that in Ramadan, we are able to make up for our shortcomings in the other months, to rectify our mistakes, and to cap it off with happiness and firmness on the Rope of the Forgiving King.

Another point is that Ya’qub had eleven sons who were living with him and whose actions he would see at all times, and his eyesight did not return because of any of their clothing. Instead, it returned due to Yusuf’s shirt. His eyesight came back strong, and he himself became strong after he was weak, and seeing after he was blind. Likewise, if the sinner smells the scents of Ramadan, sits with those who remind him of Allah, recites the Qur’an, befriends on the condition of Islam and faith, and avoids backbiting and vain talk, he will (by Allah’s Will) become forgiven after he was a sinner, he will become close after he was far, he will be able to see with his heart after it was blind, his presence will be met with happiness after it was met with repulsion, he will be met with mercy after he was met with disdain, he will be provided for without limit or effort on his part, he will be guided for his entire life, he will have his soul dragged out with ease and smoothness when he dies, he will be blessed with Forgiveness when he meets Allah, and he will be granted the best levels in the Gardens of Paradise.

So, by Allah, take advantage of this greatness during these few days and you will soon see abundant blessing, high levels of reward, and a very long period of rest and relaxation by the Will of Allah.

By Allah, this is the true relaxation…”

['Bustan al-Wa'idhin wa Riyad as-Sami'in'; p. 213-214]

[1] Footnote: I added the full translation to the original article. The verse is:

قَالَ لاَ تَثْرَيبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ يَغْفِرُ اللّهُ لَكُمْ وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

source

Ramadan is like the play-offs. The Finals.

Performance will only be achieved if our focus is razor sharp.

For some, that focus occurs during the last ten days of Ramadan.

Imagine if you had it from Day 1.

Advanced levels of game play requires perfecting the fundamentals.

Let’s start practicing.

Even a few runs will significantly help, insha’Allah.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3: Voluntary Fasts

Volume 3, Page 128: Fasting Mondays and Thursdays

Abu Hurairah reported that the most the Prophet would fast would be Monday and Thursday. He was asked about that and he said: “The actions are presented on every Monday and Thursday. Allah forgives every Muslim or every believer, except for those who are boycotting each other. He says [about them]: ‘Leave them.’ ” This is related by Ahmad with a sahih chain.

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet, when asked about fasting on Monday, said: “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I received revelations.”

O Allah! Make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings)
[Narrated by at-Tabarani and Ahmad]

Quote: (Reporter): What do you want people to know about why you converted?
 ”I was seeking truth, and I found it.”

Quote: “I saw a very dark persona of Muslims in general to Americans and I realized it was so far removed from my actual experience abroad…”

Quote: ..”I picked up a Quran and I started reading of course thinking here’s a book that discriminates against women, that does not give them their equal rights, is not fair and divided, but I found exactly the opposite after reading the direct source and the direct word of God.”

Quote: “…it was so clear for me those words were from God.“

Thought-provoking YouTube videos done in an ‘episode’ format. Quite an impressive effort, especially for a non English speaking production. See more here

YouTube Ratings:

#10 – Most Discussed (This Week) – Nonprofits & Activism
#93 – Most Discussed (This Month) – Nonprofits & Activism
#3 – Top Favorites (This Week) – Nonprofits & Activism
#37 – Top Favorites (This Month) – Nonprofits & Activism
—–
#86 – Most Discussed (This Month) – Nonprofits & Activism
#55 – Most Linked (This Month) – Nonprofits & Activism
#34 – Top Favorites (This Month) – Nonprofits & Activism
#82 – Top Rated (This Month) – Nonprofits & Activism

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُواْ مِمَّا فِي الأَرْضِ حَلاَلاً طَيِّباً وَلاَ

تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

O MANKIND! Partake of what is lawful and good on earth, and follow not satan’s footsteps: for, verily, he is your open foe!

Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:168

Episode 1: Hijab:.. Ugly?

Episode 2: Just Lie

Episode 3: Have fun, have a drink!

Episode 4: Prayer or Sleep?

Episode 5: Girls! Girls! Girls!

Episode 6: if Satan had a Vlog

Episode 7: Dinner guest: Satan

Episode 8: Smoking is cool

Episode 9: Forget your Mother

Episode 10: Show people whose Boss

Episode 11: Just Divorce Her

Powerful message reminding us of an issue we often take lightly

“Shall I inform you of the greatest sins and in another variation he repeated this three times. We the companions said, “Certainly, O messenger of Allah! He (saw) said: “Associating anyone with Allah, disobedience to parents”.

The prophet sat up straight after he had reclined and added, “And I warn you against false utterance and false witness, “And I warn you against false utterance and false witness”.

The messenger of Allah (saw) kept saying that warning until we thought that he would not stop“.

Bukhari&Muslim

Mashallah,

These sisters are seriously producing some awesome content

In their own words: “SISTERS is the fresh new magazine for Muslim women that encourages you to be the best Muslimah you can be, providing inspiration for an Islamic life from deen and tarbiyah to food and fashion – and everything in between!”

About SISTERS

SISTERS was founded in March 2007 by Na’ima B. Robert, author of ‘From My Sisters’ Lips’ and is dedicated to inspiring you to be the best Muslimah you can be, from the inside out, in every area of your life.
Each glossy issue is packed with inspiration for an Islamic life: from you and your deen, to your family, community and the world around you. With over 100 pages of content, SISTERS contains touching true stories, interesting articles, exciting features and practical and stylish ideas for fashion, food, decor and practically everything in between!

Spring Issue

from ilmcast.com: A Grade Soul Sessions

Powerful. Inspiring. Awesome.

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