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Author's Request: Please turn off your television set as you read this article.)

Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh Brothers and sisters in Islam

Televison has become a menace , a curse for the society. A drop of honey can be found very diligently but it is raining heavily with a lot of vulgarity , nudity immorality . No body is so brave to justify watching TV as regard to Islamic injunctions about morality and modesty.

The whole population of some of the most easternised and modest socities in the world have fallen prey to the the very " wise and well devised" onslaught in our homes through television. The whole generation is becoming limp, morally dead and empty handed.

Every and each home is ailing with the Televison menace. Since I live in India i have seen the drastic adverse effects on the younger generation of our time. One cannot imagine how badly this idiot box has polluted the minds of our generation. Through T V what we should never

>know we know so early , What we should know we never know.

Sad...........sad .........Our values have been buried, modesty has been unclothed..... Sharm o Haya is a weird and old song.....nobody listens to it......... What has happeneed is imaginable but what is going to happen is most unimaginable....... Please wake up for Allah's sake..........Please ..........

Offer Tahajjud and watch Televison for one hour.......... everything is washed away ........ Neki Barbad Gunah Lazim.............. Its not important only to do good deeds..........but important is to protect and keep it safe till the day of Qayamah.............. Doing good deeds a while and then doing misdeeds willl not help anymore............ Eating salubrious food is not enough............. we have to avoid poisons also which neutralize the effects of Vitamins...............

Television has spread like a wild fire in the world, including the Muslim world. It seems to have overcome the limitations of space and time.

Consider place. In Saudi Arabia, one can find the imprints of Hollywood only a few yards away from the Haram, the most sacred of all sanctuaries of Islam. Videocassettes are easily available at stores. A hotel attendant, at a walking distance from the Haram al-Sharif in Makkah can be found busy watching English movies on the television in his office even as the prayers are going on. At the Jeddah airport, the Umrah pilgrims can watch a European beauty contest courtesy of an Egyptian TV channel being broadcast to the airport television sets.

Consider time. Ramadan is the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar, a period of time that is to be devoted to direct acts of worship of Allah.

Yet, during Ramadan, believers around the world can be found glued to their television sets when they should be busy making dua, doing dhikr and tilawa or offering nafl prayers.

Or consider the time of suffering. Hardly a day goes by when we do not get the news of pain and suffering from Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq, Chechnya, Afghanistan, or a dozen other hot spots around the globe.

Yet, between all the suffering and grieving that accompanies the tragedy, the dish antennas on the rooftops have been flourishing. In the past at times of catastrophes people would turn to Allah, would stop going to the cinema houses, and would repent from sins, even though temporarily. Today, there is an ever-increasing appetite for the television fun. This is also true in the lands closest to the areas of suffering.

Consider Pakistan : The Whole society has fallen head to top to the Indian Films and TV serials.Indian Films and TV serials have devstated and shattered the whole moral system of the young generation in Pakistan.On days when a strike is called to protest Indian atrocities in Kashmir, the video stores in Karachi run out of videos of Indian movies. Indian Films have , in recent past, crossed the limits of the modesty and Haya and gone far away for a BA HAYA momi'n to watch these rubbish alognwith his whole family. I am surprised to learn how people have allowed these vulgar movies to be watch in home while even in India. one avoids to watch these movies with his family................

Throughout the world religious, moral and social values have been drastically undermined by this great "technological gift" of the century.

And entire nations seem to be helplessly "enjoying" the invasion. When people are doing nothing, they watch television. When they are doing something else, they still have television in the background. The device has contributed to the addition of a new space in the architecture of the private home: the TV lounge. It is a space where perfect strangers come to pedal nudity, immorality, and hedonism. This is the space, which increasingly controls the entire house.

It is fashionable to complain about "excessive" sex and violence on television. Even those who make money from this enterprise willingly do that. CNN tycoon Ted Turner said in July 93 before a U.S Congressional subcommittee: "I don't need experts to tell me that the amount of violence on television today and its increasingly graphic portrayal can be harmful to children. Television violence is the single most significant factor contributing to violence in America." And a poll released in February 95 in the U.S. by Children Now, whose directors include TV producers and Warner Brothers Chairman, reported that most children believe that what they see on television encourages fornication, disrespect for parents, telling lies, and aggressive behavior.

The most significant thing here is that what the TV industry wants us to discuss (and we willingly follow) is what is ON television, not television itself. Everyone will wholeheartedly agree with the problems with TV programs and offer all kinds of advice. (Watch the programs with your children. Tell them what is wrong. Be critical. Be creative.)

Irrational and meaningless as it is, this exercise will nonetheless soothe your irritation. In the meantime, keep on watching. It is fun. It is also unavoidable.

In about two decades, this "wonderful" technical development has played havoc with societies around the globe. But what is even more unprecedented is the ambivalence with which these societies face this greatest of all invasions. Underlying this is a strongly held belief that television is a neutral tool that can be used with equal facility for good or evil.

Unfortunately, this position has been taken without any critical examination of the facts. It is about time that we approached the subject with an open mind.

Neutral Tool?

Is technology ever neutral? "[Every technology] has within its physical form a predisposition toward being used in certain ways and not others,"writes Niel Postman, chair of the department of Communication Arts at New York University. "Only those who know nothing of the history of technology believe that a technology is entirely neutral." (Amusing Ourselves to Death, 1985).

What about television? It reflects the idea that serious discourse can be carried out through pictures instead of words. As Postman explains:

"The single most important fact about television is that people watch it, which is why it is called ‘television.' And what they watch, and like to watch, are moving pictures__ millions of them, of short duration and dynamic variety. It is in the nature of the medium that it must suppress the content of ideas in order to accommodate the requirements of visual interest."

Words and pictures do not occupy the same universe of discourse. A piece of writing requires one to go beyond the shape of the letters to read them. It requires thought to understand what is being said. Television does not require reflection, in fact it does not even permit it. That is why little children can spend hours in front of the mini screen. Television can titillate, it cannot teach. It can bring images into our heart, not ideas into our mind. It appeals to the emotions, not the intellect.

But isn't a picture worth a thousand words? Is it? It is important to note that this claim itself is made in words. A picture cannot make any claims.

For reason, arguments, claims, and judgment belong in the universe of words not pictures. That is why advertisers love pictures. Consider an ad for, say, Coca-Cola, that just shows young people singing, dancing, having fun, and enjoying the drink. The audiences make the connection between happiness and Coke. This ad cannot be refuted. It makes no claim, so there is nothing to refute.

Medium Is The Message

The above explains Marshal McLuhan's famous aphorism. The inherent, built in biases of a medium allow certain types of messages and not others. The communication is conditioned by the medium. It is enhanced or distorted by it. The medium is the message. And when the medium is TV, the message is Entertainment. As Postman notes: "Entertainment is the supra ideology of all discourse on television." Whether it is news, science, religion, or education, if it is happening on TV, it must follow the dictates of entertainment.

In fact, a new term has been coined indicating a blend of education and entertainment: Edutainment. It smells like the language problem of a TV baby. But remember that it is already being used by the serious press. Which suggests that edutainment will produce even more edutainment!

Like A Drug Actually, TV is not just another kind of entertainment either. As a project by the National Institute of Mental Health in the U.S. involving 1200 subjects in nine studies over a 13 year period found in 1990, television is like a drug. The researchers asked the subjects, ages 10 to 82, to note down their activities and moods every time a beeper was activated, which was done randomly. The researchers found that when people sit down to watch TV, particularly for long periods, they tend to be in low moods. The longer they watch, the less able they are to concentrate. As time goes on, they grow sadder, lonelier, more irritable, and more hostile. Although people are relaxed when the television set is on, when they turn it off, they are less relaxed than before they began, "much like a drug that makes people feel better while they are doing it but worse afterward." And just like a drug the weaker segments of the society are its greatest target. Thus in the U.S. blacks tend to watch more TV than whites. And now thanks to satellite TV transmissions over which the poor countries have no control, the rest of the world is being turned into the U.S. black under class.

Islamic Work And Television

Can this dangerous drug be somehow converted into a medicine? Not too long ago, a young professional in the U.S. approached prominent Muslim scholar and Deputy Cairman of the Jeddah based Islamic Fiqh Council of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Justice Taqi Usmani to inquire about his profession. He produced computer graphics for the television and motion picture industry. This is the age of the media, and the only effective way to spread Islam today is through television and movies, he argued. If we do not learn the trade how shall we be able to produce such programs and if we don't who will, he inquired. Yet, some people had told him that it was not a good profession.

"I have given a lot of anxious thought to this issue," replied Justice Usmani in his characteristic measured tone, weighing every word. "And I have reached the conclusion that the cause of Islam cannot be served through television, especially under the current circumstances. You should seek another line of work."

Frankly, there are lot of enthusiasts who may be totally bewildered by this answer for it challenges both conventional wisdom as well as some dearly held dreams. They may even consider anyone making this suggestion as belonging to the Flat Earth Society: backward, anti-progress, ignorant of today's realities. Let us grant them their day in court and look at their case objectively.

The enthusiasts have shown interest in three primary areas. The first deals with propagation of Islam. There are lots of sincere Muslims putting lot of hope in a yet-to-be-released video that will attract the people of the world to Islam by the thousands. They are simply confusing Dawah with propaganda! Dawah means inviting people to the

Straight Path by relaying the True Message to them without any distortion. It is a very serious message and requires a serious medium to deliver it. The message is for their own benefit and what they do with it is their own business. Our job is done once we have communicated the message correctly. Our job is not to manipulate people into submission to Allah any more than it is to coerce them into it. A Dawah worker is a teacher, a propagandist is a manipulator.

Television is a good tool for manipulating, not for teaching.

The simple fact is that no one buys a TV and VCR because they desperately wanted to learn about Islam and it was the best way of doing it. The TV lounge is not a study room and all the Islamic videos in the world are not going to make it one. It is a peace of Hollywood.

The rest is camouflage or self-deception. The earlier we get out of it, the better.

What Can Be Done?

Television is powerful. It is everywhere. Is there anything that us mortals can do about it? The answer is yes. Things can be done at individual, as well as collective levels. At the individual level, try using the ON/OFF switch. It takes some effort and will power, but the device can be turned off. The key is to involve the entire family.

Those nervous about the idea may rest assured that there is no known disease linked to lack of exposure to TV! Also those who have tried it know that it becomes easier with time.

Community Organizations and Islamic Schools can help by educating the people about the perils of watching TV, countering the social pressures, and providing healthy alternatives.

Muslim organizations and communities will do a great service by launching a campaign to declare Ramadan as the TV free month. Urge all the Muslims in your community to turn it off for at least one month.

And who knows, after one month many may decide to stay away from it because of the personal insights they got through the experience.

Of course, if you are convinced, do not wait until the next Ramadan.

Start today.

Kindly forward your views with remedies to protect our generation from becoming a morally dead, limp, lame, and sucked up generation without

any hope ..................... ALAS

What should be coen

SInce I am calling all of you to this...... I must inform you that I left watching Televison while i was in my schools.I left watching

Television in 1992 and since then i dont see even news on television......... I hate hate hate this.......idiot box.

MAY ALLAH PROTECT THE WHOLE UMMAH FROM THE ATTACK OF VULAGIRTY AND NUDITY THROUGH TV.

DUA CANNOT PROTECT US UNLESS AND UNTIL WE TAKE ACTION AND THROW TV OUT OF OUR HOUSES.

"I always knew that I would look back on my tears with laughter, but I never thought I would look back on my laughter with tears."

Asima

BRON: [KNOWISLAM]

Usman · Status: Offline

The First Major Reform

Although Islamic values of modesty, purity of character, shyness (hayaa) from nakedness, segregation in the masjid, avoidance of indecency and refraining from extra-marital relations were inculcated in believers’ minds from the very beginning, the first set of major commands about social segregation and dress code were given in the fifth year after Hijrah with the revelation of soorah Al-Ahzaab. In this soorah, women were encouraged to stay at home and were instructed about how to communicate with men and how to dress when they needed to leave home.
Segregation by Hijaab

Hijaab means curtain. As generally misunderstood, hijaab in itself does not define how a woman should dress herself. No part of a Muslim woman’s dress has ever been termed hijaab in the Qur-aan. The Holy Qur-aan has used the term hijaab in its common meaning, i.e. curtain, whether real or proverbial [1]. However, because a curtain covers and conceals, it was commonly used as a verb for a woman covering herself to avoid being seen by unauthorized males.

For the purposes of defining rules of segregation and interaction between the women of a household and outsider men, the Holy Qur-aan commanded Muslims that if they needed to ask wives of the Prophet anything, they should do so from behind a hijaab – a curtain:

“O believers … and when you ask (his wives) for something, ask them from behind a hijaab. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.” Al-Ahzaab 33:53

On revelation of this verse, curtains were put on the doors of the apartments of the wives of the Prophet. Following this model, Muslims also put curtains on their doors. The curtain provided a means of privacy so that when there was a need for an outsider male to communicate with a female of the house they could communicate without having to see, or be seen directly by each other. This was the first step to ensure purity of hearts.

Accordingly, the general rule is that when there is a need to talk, non-related males and females should ensure that something is blocking their view from each other.
Watching one’s Speaking Style and Tone

About the tone and manner of speech, the wives of the Prophet, and by their example, all women, were told:

“If you have Taqwa, do not be soft of speech lest a person with a diseased heart is moved with desire, and speak in a straightforward manner.” Al-Ahzaab 33:32

Accordingly, women should not speak in a deliberately softened, mellowed voice or flirting tone so that a listener may not be tempted to harbour sexual desires or develop hopes and courage to contemplate making advances. This applies to telephone calls or any other means of communication also. Adopting such a careful attitude in speaking is a sign of Taqwa, and carelessness in this regard indicates absence of an appropriate level of Taqwa in a woman.

This command about tone of voice and those related to khimaar and jilbaab detailed in subsequent sections are for women only; and are prescribed for their own purity, safety, mental comfort and protection from sin and harassment. However, the rest of the Islamic teachings that apply to all Muslim males and females prohibit any communication (chat, correspondence, emails etc.) where the text or tone carries any sexual overtones or which is conducted with any motive of sexual nature. They should not even fantasize or lustfully think about a person. Any activity carrying sexual motive is Zinaa of one sort or the other, and must be avoided. The Messenger SAAW said:

"Eyes fornicate and their fornication is the look, ears' fornication is listening, tongue's fornication is talking, hands' fornication is touching and feet's fornication is walking. The heart lusts and desires and the private parts either confirm it or deny it." (Muslim)

In addition, Muslims have been forbidden from engaging in secret friendships. [2]

Dressing for Outdoors

To avoid victimization from harassment and mischief of unscrupulous men, women were encouraged to stay inside as much as possible:

“And stay in your houses and do not display your finery (tabarruj) like the displaying of the former time of ignorance (pre-Islamic lifestyle); and establish Salaah, and pay Zakaah, and obey Allaah and His Messenger. Allaah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a (thorough) purifying.” Al-Ahzaab 33:33

Tabarruj is derived from baraja. It means being conspicuous, prominent or elevated. Tabarruj in case of women will, then, be a coquettish display of her figure and fineries, which is a culture of ignorance (whether pre-Islamic or Western), not behoving or becoming of Muslim women. Instead, Muslim women should prefer to stay at home and avoid undue attention from outsiders.

However, there are always some legitimate reasons for women to go out. In that case, they were told [3]:

“O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers that they bring down upon them a part of their jalabeeb (outer garments); this is more suitable so that they will be known, and thus not be given trouble; and ever is Allaah Forgiving, Merciful.” Al-Ahzaab 33:59

The context of the verse is that: Immediately before this verse, there was condemnation of the behaviour of the hypocrites and troublemakers who were abusing Muslim women by their sexual harassment practices, false rumours and undue accusations. They were warned of the severe punishment in the Hereafter for their depraved behaviour. Then, in this verse, the Muslim women were told that, in order to avoid harassment, they should give a clear signal by their Islamic attire that they are chaste, Allaah-fearing Muslim women. Immediately after this verse, the perpetrators of harassment were warned of dire consequences at the hands of the Prophet and his companions. In other words, the culprits were condemned and warned both from the punishment in this world and in the Hereafter to ensure that they dare not harass Muslim women; while at the same time, Muslim women were commanded to take their own precautions. In this way, it is an example of Islam’s solving a problem by attacking its causes from every perspective, instead of superficially addressing some of the symptoms of the issue.

But what does the command imply?

Jalaabeeb is plural of jilbaab, which used to be a big sheet of cloth (chaader) that was wrapped around the body as an outer garment. Arab ladies of noble families used to wear jilbaab when leaving their homes. It was defined as “the big sheet over khimaar” (huwar-ridaa fowqal-khimaar) [4].

What should women do with this jilbaab or wrapping sheet? Some people translate the verse as if it just means that they should “wrap their jilbaab around themselves” or “draw their cloaks close around them”, but that is not correct for two reasons.

If the intent was to advise the women that they should just wrap the jilbaab around their bodies, the wording for that purpose would have been yudneena ilayhinna jalaabeebihinna; but instead, the Qur-aan has used yudneena ‘Alayhinna min jalaabeebihinna. The verse is talking about only a part of the jilbaab, not the whole jilbaab; and it uses the preposition ‘alaa which gives the meaning of “over”, instead of preposition ilaa to indicate wrapping around. Thus, the correct meaning of the verse is that they should take a part of their wrapping sheet (jilbaab) and hang it over themselves or bring down a part of it over themselves.

The function of the sheet to be wrapped around the body was already known and understood, but now, in addition to wrapping around the body, they should bring down or hang a part of it over them. Thus, in addition to covering their whole body with her wrapping sheet (jilbaab), a Muslim woman should pull a part over her face to cover it in such a way that she still can see the path for safe walking or driving. This meaning has been reported by early Mufassireen [5] and scholars like Ibn ‘Abbaas, Qataadah and Suddee. [6] When asked by Ibn Sireen about the intent of this verse, ‘Ubaidah As-Salmaani demonstrated it by wrapping a sheet and covering most of his face by a part of that sheet – just like Ghonghat that women in villages of Pakistan do with their chaader. At the time of the Prophet, after the revelation of this verse, that was how jilbaab (wrapping sheet or chaader) was used by women companions to cover their body from head to ankles as well as the substantial part of the face only keeping enough opening to see the way.

The purpose mentioned for this covering up is that they would be recognized and not harassed. This is to give a clear indication to the public at large that this woman is a Muslim woman who is serious about her modesty and purity and who is not comfortable with allowing anyone to glance/see her face, figure and finery, much less anything else. Considering the stated purpose, it is obvious that this extent of covering up is from the general public, not from one’s close social circle – relatives and very close family friends.

Accordingly, when an Allaah-fearing Muslim woman steps out of her house for outdoor needs, she must cover all her body with a big sheet of cloth and substantially cover her face so that only a small opening remains through which she can see her way. Or, they should use some sort of loose outer garments that fulfill the same purpose of covering her whole body and a substantial part of the face.

Uzzie · Status: Offline

Moeten we trots zijn of juist niet?

http://www.groene.nl/1996/46/ab_abbas.html

Uzzie · Status: Offline

18 Ways To Survive In Temptation Island!

Yes, it’s hard, especially when you’re constantly bombarded with obscene images: that hot, scantily clad guy or gal in the magazine luring you; or the persistent emphasis on sex in the movies (even Toy Story or Spider Man!); or the pervasive links to pornography while you may simply be checking your e-mail. How can you protect yourself from all of this?

Don't forget the power of Allah’s Remembrance (Dhikr)! It is the most powerful of all the defenses. Regular reading of prescribed Du'as will develop your Taqwa (consciousness) and keep you mindful of what thoughts you entertain.
Remember your Accountability to Allah. In Islam, you're fully accountable as soon as you understand and feel such temptations. Your eyes will testify about what you looked at on the Day of Judgment.
Always walk with your gaze lowered. But make sure not to bump into a hydro post! Lowering the gaze does not mean that you cannot have any ‘eye contact’ as you walk or during a conversation. It means that you keep your eyes under control.
Take the Right Seat! In a public place (e.g. café), choose a seat that minimizes your view-frame and avoid mixed-crowds. It is precisely about such comfortable gazing at the attractive features of the passers-by that the Prophet (pbuh) advised 'Ali ibn Abi Talib: "Ali, do not let a second look follow the first. The first look is allowed to you but not the second.''(Ahmad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi.)
Hangout with those known for noble character and modesty. When you are around good people, they can remind you to abstain from that which Allah dislikes. As the Prophet (pbuh) said, “A person is likely to follow the faith of his friends, so be careful about who you make your friend.” (Ahmad.)
Avoid friends that are into immoral movies, music, dirty jokes etc. Such activities are the tools of Shaytan that promote the idea of ‘love based on looks’ or ‘love at first sight’. Such friends would take you into an artificial world of fantasies and false hopes, away from reality, before it’s too late! Therefore, either you help your friends change through gentle advice, or abandon frequent contact with them. As Allah warns us: "If anyone withdraws himself from Allah's remembrance, Most Gracious, We appoint for him an evil one to be his intimate companion." [43: 36.]
Avoid visiting malls and parks alone. Always try to go out with a family member or a good friend, whose company may help you avert your eyes from the objectionable billboards and inappropriately clothed people. In summer, step out only when you have to.
Surf or Watch TV when others are around. The temptation to sneak a look at dirty pictures is heightened when you're alone in your room watching TV or surfing the internet. Shaytan's primary target is always a lonely person! Try to avoid late night TV and internet surfing.
Never have 'nothing to do'! Shaytan loves 'bored and idle' people. If you are feeling bored, do the dishes, or take out the garbage, or read some book. Allah says, "Do not throw yourself into destruction with your own hands." [2: 195.]
Volunteer for Islamic Organizations. Your Jihad against immorality in the society is one reason for you to join Muslim youth groups in your community. Your involvement with such activities, along with the love of helpful brothers or sisters struggling for a good cause, will keep your mind, energies, and thoughts focused away from the Haram.
Read, Read, and Read! Yes, read as many Islamic books and articles as possible. Reading keeps your mind and eyes busy! It keeps you motivated to live your Islam and strengthens your relationship with Allah.
Always remember that the beauty of this world is temporary and the life hereafter is everlasting.
Observe voluntary fast to strengthen your willpower and to cool your passions. The Prophet (pbuh) strongly recommended the youth to make it a habit.
If you are able and responsible then get married for the sake of Allah. It may be one of the most effective, yet challenging, defense mechanisms against such temptations.
For Brothers, remember your Mom and Sister. Disgusting right? Exactly! No sane person would look at his mom or sister the way many of us examine the girls on TV shows or stare at our Muslim sisters in social gatherings. This thought should sicken you enough to stop, In-sha-Allah.
Remind yourself of the Death and Hereafter often. "Remember often the terminator (or destroyer) of all the pleasures [i.e. death]," the Prophet (pbuh) once reminded us. (at-Tirmidhi.)
Increase your Good Actions. Try following the advice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Remain conscious of Allah and fear Him wherever you are. And follow a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out, and behave well towards people.” (at-Tirmidhi.)
Repent and Return to Allah. Allah is All-forgiving and loves those who return to Him, promising not to repeat their sins. “Ask forgiveness from your Lord, then turn towards Him in repentance; He will loosen the sky over you in abundance, and He will add strength unto your strength.” [11: 52].

5 Secret Benefits Of Jihad Against Temptation

Perhaps the greatest secret reward of resisting the temptation is the increase in your Faith (Iman), the sweetness of which could only be sensed by you! This empowering force of renewed Iman will help you suppress the desires in unimaginable ways.
Right when you are urged, if you remember Allah’s mercy, commandments, and displeasure, He will make it easy for you to get out of the situation without regrets, stress, or pain. Allah reassures us: “And the one who fears Allah (has Taqwa), He will make a way out.” [65: 2.]
It will also have a remarkable impact on your character, since the heart is like a mirror and the base desires are like rust upon it. When the mirror is polished and cleansed of the rust, it reflects the realities as they actually are. Your family and friends will see the difference!
Frequent gazing at unlawful scenes of sexuality tire and wear down both the heart and the eyes. The heart becomes ‘bored’ and depressed after a while. However, when your eyes are prevented from looking around, the heart finds relief from the arduous task of vainly desiring something it does not possess.
As the Prophet (pbuh) once said to his Companion: “By Allah! Whosoever gives up something for the sake of Allah, Allah will replace it with something better than it!" If you remain patient in this world, Allah will bless you with joys in ways you could never imagine!

http://www.youngmuslims.ca/publications/arrow.asp

Uzzie · Status: Offline

At Sleeping Time
http://www.thepureislam.com/at_sleeping_time.htm

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was used to sleep immediately after ‘Isha Salat, after having some Zikr. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) never liked to remain awake after ‘Isha, with out any sound reason, for falling asleep lately reduces the chances to wake up at Tahajud and even at Fajr. Following are the steps and Zikr, which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was used to perform prior to falling asleep, after ‘Isha.

Making use of Siwaak and then performing Wudu with the content of the heart. Performing Wudu before sleeping gives pleasure effects to health and make it ease to enter in sleep.

Reciting Surah As-Sajda (32th Chapter) and Surah Al-Mulk (67th Chapter). He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) informed that these Surahs will keep its reciter safe from the fire of Ka’bahr (grave). (Mishqat)

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was used to recite the last three Surahs of the Qur'aan, every morning and every evening. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was used to recite each Surah three times and then blow out from mouth to his hands and then wipe his hands on face and body, as possible. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) informed that by doing so, one remains safe from magic, evil eye and bad effects of health from Allah. Hence, this Zikr is very important and provides many benefits (safety from magic, evil eye and bad effects of health) and we should perform this Zikr once every morning and every evening. (Mishqat)

Surah Al-Ikhlas (112th Chapter)

Surah Al-Falaq (113th Chapter)

Surah An-Nas (114th Chapter)

He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was used to offer Tasbhe i.e. to say 33 times "Subhan-Allah" (i.e. Allah is pure), 33 times "Alhamdulilah" (Praise or Thanks to Allah) and 34 Times "Allah-u-Akbar" (i.e. Allah is greatest). It becomes total 100 Times and it has heavy reward . (Mishqat)

Now, be careful, this Zikr is only performed after Farz Salat and before sleeping and for this Zikr it's preferable to use segments of fingers instead of using Zikr Bead.

He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was used to recite Ayaat-ul-Kursee (i.e. 255th verse of 2nd Sura). By doing so, Allah appoint an angel to protect him or her from Shaytaan (during sleep) till Fajr . (Mishqat)

Finally, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was used to offer the following Zikr to enter in sleep and was used to lay towards right side by keeping right hand under his face. Turing towards right side to sleep and keeping the right hand under face avoids pressure on heart and provides easy sleep and in this form, it's very easy to get up early in the morning. (Mishqat)

Allah hu'ma bis'mika amu'tu wa ah'ya."

"O Allah! In the name of Allah, I die (fall asleep) and wake up."

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) commanded that if any one of us saw a bad dream and if they get up from sleep, he or she should read Aouzbillah(...) three times and should blow out from mouth to their hearts and should change the side of sleeping and ask Allah to safe them. And if some one saw good dream, he or she should make Du’a to Allah that same may happened. Moreover, remember, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade to tell every one about one’s dreams either that dream was good or bad.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was used to offer the following Zikr, while awaking from sleep, in order to have good start, after coming out of sleep. (Mishqat)

Uzzie · Status: Offline

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The Philosophy of "Salaah"

The importance of Salaah (obligatory 5 times prayers) in a Muslims life is undeniable, unquestionable, and undisputable. Every Muslim would agree that acts such as recitation of the Quran (qirat), giving charity to the poor (zakaat), pilgrimage (Hajj), fasting during Ramadan (fasting), respecting elders, loving the younger ones, abstaining from watching hearing and doing the haraam, and practices such as taqwa, kindness, prostrations (sajda), and supplications (dua) hold extreme importance in a Muslims life.

Our Beloved Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallum commanded the Muslims to practice and teach all of the above mentioned devotions to themselves, others, and especially the children. But never has the Prophet stressed so much on any other element, as He has stressed on Salaat. The Prophet has emphasized Salaat so much that a child is to be disciplined from an early tender age and be put into the practice of offering his prayers. If the child does not recite the Quran, thats ok. If he does not fast, thats ok. But it is not ok for the child to not offer his prayers. The Prophet commanded the believers to condition their children in such a way that Salaat becomes part of his daily activity from as early of an age as 7 and 10 years.

Salaat is to be offered 5 times a day irrespective of any excuses, whether in a standing position, in a sitting posture, or even while lying down (if a person is sick), but it can not be ignored. The question arises to mind that what is it about Salaat that makes it so different from other pious activities? Why has the Salaat been emphasized so much that it
is one of the only few things that are actually commanded for even a child.Why???

Allah says in the Quran, Seek help from Salaat. Whenever the Prophet happened to face any difficulty, he would immediately resort to Salaat. When a Muslim offers his Salaat to please Allah, his sins are shed away from him just as leaves drop from trees in Autumn. Just as dirt can not remain on a persons body who bathes five times, exactly similar is the effect of Salaat offered five times a day with the Grace of Allah it washes away all the dirt of the mind and spirit. Accountability of Salaat will be one of the only three questions asked in the grave, and will be the first and the foremost thing to be accounted for on the Day of Judgement. Salaat is the key to Paradise, the pillar of Islam, the light and mairaaj of a Momin, and disgraces the Devil. The Mercy of Allah descends upon a person so long as he is engaged in Salaat. Of all the practices, Salaat made at fixed hours is most loved by Allah.

The place of Salaat in Islam is like the head in a body. Fire of Hell is forbidden and Paradise becomes due to a person who performs his 'Wudhu' properly and says his Salaat keenly and according to its regulations. Salaat encourages promptness in a persons life and allows him to appreciate the value of time when he promptly offers his prayers 5 times everyday at their respective times.

Salaat strengthens faith and Eemaan because it makes a believer feel close to his Creator and makes him realize that even if he can not see Allah, Allah can surely see him. Salaat promotes unity and discipline for, in the mosque, when the call for prayer is sounded and worshippers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and king kneel side by side, and it is this subconscious indivisible unity of Islam that makes a man instinctively into a brother.

With these points in mind, one begins to understand the importance of Salaat on an individuals life, and only now can we begin to understand why Allah and His Messenger emphasized so much on Salaat and wished to embed Salaat as part of every believers life, children and adults alike.

LaLa · Status: Offline

Dit is geen artikel, maar een mooie brief dat mij ontroerde.

Brief van een niet moslim(man)

Geachte moslima’s,

Met veel interesse heb ik jullie verhalen op moslima.nl gelezen. Wat is het internet toch een prima communicatiemiddel want als ik uitsluitend van een medium zoals de televisie afhankelijk zou moeten zijn dan zou mijn beeld van de Islam en speciaal dat van jullie behoorlijk vertekend zijn.
Laat ik mijzelf even wat nader introduceren. Ik ben 52 jaar geleden hier in Nederland geboren uit Nederlandse ouders. Beiden (inmiddels overleden) waren katholiek. Het waren de laatste jaren van de verzuiling dus kreeg in een door en door katholieke opvoeding gekenmerkt door het bezoek aan een katholieke school en een katholie kerk, ik was lid van een katholieke verenigingen enz.
Het geloof liep als een rode draad door die periode maar toen kwamen de roerige jaren zestig waarin al die vaste waarden verdwenen en waarin het geloof als ouderwets werd ervaren. Die periode viel samen met mijn pubertijd dus dreef ik met die stroom mee.

Mijn periode zonder geloof duurde een aantal decennia maar de mens mag God opzij zetten, Hij zal dit nooit met de mens doen en de laatste jaren is het katholieke geloof langzaam maar zeker weer teruggekeerd.
De kerk die ik jarenlang de rug had toegekeerd wordt weer wekelijks bezocht en het is verassend te lezen hoe de ervaringen van sommigen van jullie in de moskee overeenkomen met de mijne in de kerk. Die schijnbare kloof tussen Islam en Christendom is lang niet zo groot als vaak wordt verondersteld en met waardering voor de overeenkomsten en respect voor de verschillen ook goed te overbruggen.

Nu vragen jullie je wellicht af wat een niet-moslim als ik ertoe brengt om op jullie verhalen te reageren. Welnu, de reden daarvan is een simpele: ik vind de manier waarop jullie voor je geloof kiezen, dit beleven en uitdragen in één woord fantastisch! Eerlijk gezegd benijd ik jullie er weleens om.
Laat mij dit met een voorbeeld verduidelijken. Zoals jullie wellicht weten is het in veel (helaas te weinig) katholieke kerken de gewoonte bij bepaalde gedeelten van de viering te knielen.
Ooit omschreef iemand knielen als ‘jezelf even klein maken voor God’. Echter, de moslim(a) in gebedshouding maakt zich nog kleiner en terecht, want voor God kun je je als gewone sterveling nooit klein genoeg maken.

De politici die de laatste jaren zo dapper praten over het herstel van normen en waarden zouden er beter aan doen jullie als voorbeeld te nemen in plaats van zich druk te maken over een non-probleem als de hoofddoekjes. Tien jaar geleden sprak niemand in Nederland erover maar nu is het een bedreiging voor van alles en nog wat en vooral een symbool van onderdrukking zo wordt vaak beweerd.
Julie verhalen gelezen hebbende kom ik tot de conclusie dat het hoofdoekje absoluut geen symbool van onderdrukking van de vrouw is maar juist een bevestiging van haar waardigheid. Jullie hebben daarom niet alleen het volste recht deze te dragen maar (meer nog) alle redenen dit met trots te doen.
Twijfelaars onder jullie zou ik daarom willen aanmoedigen: laat je twijfels varen en tooi je met het mooiste kledingstuk dat er bestaat want je draagt het uit eerbied voor God en respect voor jezelf. Jullie verdienen dan ook alle respect van moslim en niet-moslim, van gelovige en niet-gelovige.

Tot slot hoop en bid ik dat God jullie allen zal zegenen, begeleiden, voorspoed en vrede zal schenken en de dames en heren politici wijsheid en inzicht zal verschaffen.
Ze zullen het nodig hebben.

Hartelijke groeten van een niet-moslim.

Laten wij hopen dat anderen hiervan leren. Ameen.