The Accident

Eid ul Adha Mubarak Friday 27th November 2009

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Zakat in Islam

Source: http://www.ukim.org/webpages/Zakah.aspx

"Take from their wealth a portion for charity, in order to clean them thereby, and sanctify them." Literal Meaning: Zakat or Zakah means grow (in goodness) or 'increase', 'purifying' or 'making pure'. So the act of giving zakat means purifying one's wealth to gain Allah's blessing to make it grow in goodness. One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat or Zakah means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. Zakat or Zakah not only purifies the property of the contributor but also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed. It also purifies the heart of the recipient from envy and jealousy, from hatred and uneasiness and it fosters instead good-will and warm wishes for the contributors. A certain fixed proportion of the wealth and of the each and every kind of the property liable to Zakat of a Muslim to be paid yearly for the benefit of the poor in the Muslim community.The Zakat is a form of giving to those who are less fortunate. Zakat is a 2.5% levy on most valuables and savings held for a full year if their total value is more than a basic minimum known as nisab. Cash money in your bank and building society accounts, and the release value of bonds, securities and shares in any form are zakatable if they are purchased as an investment. There is no Zakat on family home or household furniture, carpets, car, etc. This is done before the beginning of the month of Muharram, the first of new year. Giving the Zakat is considered an act of worship because it is a form of offering thanks to God for the means of material well-being one has acquired. The payment of Zakat is obligatory (Fard) as it is one of the five pillars of Islam. Zakat is the major economic means for establishing social justice and leading the Muslim society to prosperity and security. [See Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 2, Book ofZakat (24)]. The Qur'an says that only those who pay zakat are in the "brotherhood of faith". The Holy Qur'an also says that Zakat purifies assets and creates virtue ( Surah 9: 103 ). Distribution of Zakat: Zakat is distributed among 8 categories of people, namely: Fakir - One who has neither material possessions nor means of livelihood. Miskin - One with insufficient means of livelihood to meet basic needs. Amil - One who is appointed to collect zakat. Muallaf - One who converts to Islam. Riqab - One who wants to free himself from bondage or the shackles of slavery. (In Singapore, zakat due to this category of recipients is spent on those who need help to pursue education or to improve their standard of living). Gharmin - One who is in debt (money borrowed to meet basic, halal expenditure). Fisabillillah - One who struggles for the cause of Allah. Ibnus Sabil - One who is stranded in journey. The Holy Qur'an (Sura Al-Tauba: 60) classifies the due recipients of zakat under the following eight categories. "Zakat is for the poor, and for the needy and those who are employed to administer and collect it, and the new converts, and for those who are in bondage, and in debt and service of the cause of Allah, and for the wayfarers, a duty ordained by Allah, and Allah is the All-Knowing, the Wise". Calculate Zakat: Click here to calculate your zakat (Islamicity.com)

Ramadhan in Two Different Countries

This Ramadhan has been unique for me because I spent the first half in Pakistan, living in a village in Azad Kashmir and the second half back here in the UK. As one would expect, the challenges of fasting vary from one country to another.

I found it much more challenging to fast in Pakistan because conditions were very humid as you can imagine it being August in Pakistan! The first few days were a bit of a struggle as I went from drinking lots of water to having no water all day. After a few days, I guess the body learns to adjust and things got much easier. I didn’t feel hungry at any time during the day, but started to get thirsty even six hours before Iftaari time! I’ve never experienced that kind of thirst whilst fasting in England, I think it really made me feel mega-fortunate to have easy access to water on a day to day basis. I remember thinking that we people are so stupid (me included) that we want so many materialistic things in life e.g. money, bigger house, etc. But we already have what we really need, I mean what we really really need i.e. water and food.

In Pakistan, I noticed that the prices of food went up significantly as Ramadhan started, the food retailers knowing well that the rich will be able to pay higher prices for having good food at Iftaar. But this kind of situation makes it very hard for the poor because the cheapest tub of Kajoor (dates) was 70 rupees and bearing in mind that an average daily wage (for those fortunate enough to be working) is between 150 and 300 rupees. As a result of such pricing activity in the market, the poor can’t even think about buying Kajoor for themselves. Fruit prices went sky high with grapes at 300 rupees per kilo, almost the same price as in the UK (despite the two economies being so far apart). Fruit and Kajoor are merely two examples; food in general is more expensive in the month of Ramadhan. Consequently, the poor are left with very few options and even after a day of fasting, they can only eat a very modest meal.

Back in the UK, second half of Ramadhan, the menu (as at almost every Muslim house) contains pakoras, samosas, kebabs, rice, all sorts of curries and sweet dishes i.e. lots of luxury food. Often there is too much to eat, and people tend not to eat yesterday’s food because they feel that they deserve better when fasting, so the left over food – typically plates full can be found in the bin. Of course, having a good Iftaar meal is not a bad thing but I just couldn’t help thinking about the poor people who would come home to their families with bags containing very little food and to the disappointment of their kids, no fruit or sweets to enjoy. It must be difficult to explain to your family that you cannot afford to buy Kajoor for Iftaari time.

From a personal point of view, I’m glad I experienced fasting in Pakistan, standing up in Taraweeh with sweat pouring down my back and conditions that sometimes made me feel as if there is no air to breathe in! The harder the conditions, the greater the test becomes and thanks to Allah, more reward is on offer. Alhumdolillah fasting in Pakistan has made me feel more upbeat about the next few years of fasting in the UK i.e. when the days will be longer. There are of course many challenges in fasting in the UK too, waking up for Sehri and then waking up for work/school and feeling tired throughout the day, etc. Fortunately, in Pakistan I was on holiday so could get plenty of sleep and had a flexible schedule. Here in the UK, lack of sleep makes it harder to fast for many people because the body is hungry, thirsty and also tired! Though the challenges and conditions vary, the utmost intention of fasting is the same i.e. striving to fulfil religious duty.

12 Foods of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

(Arranged Alphabetically)

Barley:
Good in fever, while use in a soup form.

Dates:
The Prophet (SAW) said that a house without dates has no food. It should also be eaten at the time of childbirth.

Figs:
It is a fruit from paradise and a cure for piles.

Grapes:
The Prophet (SAW) was very fond of grapes - it purifies the blood, provides vigour and health, strengthens the kidneys and clears the bowels.

Honey:
Considered the best remedy for diarrhoea when mixed in hot water. It is the food of foods, drink of drinks and drug of drugs. It is used for creating appetite, strengthening the stomach, eliminating phlegm; as a meat preservative, hair conditioner, eye soother and mouthwash. It is extremely beneficial in the morning in warm water.

Melon:
The Prophet (SAW) said: 'None of your women who are pregnant and eat of water melon will fail to produce off spring that is good in countenance and good in character.'

Milk:
The Prophet (SAW) said that milk wipes away heat from the heart just as the finger wipes away sweat from the brow. It strengthens the back, improved the brain, renews vision and drives away forgetfulness.

Mushroom:
The Prophet (SAW) said that mushroom is a good cure for the eyes; it also serves as a form of birth control and arrests paralysis.

Olive Oil:
Excellent treatment for skin and hair, delays old age, and treats inflammation of the stomach.

Pomegranate:
The Prophet (SAW) said it cleanses you of Satan and evil aspirations for 40 days.

Vinegar:
A food Prophet Muhammad (SAW) used to eat with olive oil. [That's now a fashion in elite Italian Restaurants]

Water:
The Prophet (SAW) said the best drink in this world is water, when you are thirsty drink it by sips and not gulps, gulping produces sickness of the liver.

So 'darood' and praise be upon our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) who related us with marvelous knowledge, which dazzles the wisest minds. May this information be beneficial to all of us. Insha'Allah.

Michael Jackson Dead

The news of the death of an extremely popular celebrity, Michael Jackson, has shocked the world and millions of people are sad to hear of his death. Last year, there were reports in the media that Michael, whose brother is a Muslim, had accepted Islam as his religion. Whether or not this is true, is of little importance to you and me and Allah knows best the intentions and actions of each and every one of His creation. I don't know too much about Michael and how he spent his life but I get the impression that he was in search of happiness which he didn't fully achieve despite all the fame, money and the change in physical appearance!

We must remember that no amount of fame or wealth (or other type of success) can protect anybody from the certainty of death. In fact many of us will have ambitions that we plan to achieve and these are close to our hearts, yet achieving them is not a certainty. In fact, there is no certainty that a new born baby will speak when he grows up, there is no certainty that he will go to school, there is no certainty that he will get married and have kids. However, death is something which is guaranteed. Allah tells us in the Q'uran that "Every soul shall taste death; In the end to us shall ye be brought back" (Surah 29 Verse 57).

Yet we avoid thinking about the reality of death, and to avoid something is rarely a solution. Think about it, even the most popular man in the world has died in a state of stress. In that case, what can the life of this world offer to us? Allah has told us time and time again that the life of this world is limited and temporary so we must not be attached to what it offers. Instead we must remember the Guidance of Allah and strive to prepare ourselves for life after death. Our life on this earth must be spent with understanding of the life that follows, otherwise our lives will be empty and pointless. If you were living in a temporary house and you knew you wouldn't be there for long, would you not prepare yourself for leaving? Our condition is like the person who spends all his time decorating the temporary house, forgetting that he is there only for a short while.

Shahrukh Khan Controversy

Please read the article below and make your own judgement on this controversy, remember always check the source of information before taking it for the truth. Initially, I was very angry when I heard this on the radio but later found out that the media is corrupt and unreliable.....especially certain Indian news channels....their stories are full of hype and sensation.....

A typing error, i.e. using a comma instead of a full stop has caused so much controversy. Article follows.......

Rumours have been circulating that in a recent magazine interview, Shahrukh Khan compared the Prophet Mohammad to negative figures in history, such as Hitler. Obviously, these comments have offended many people in the Muslim community.

According to the rumors, the Mumbai Aman Committee has issued a complaint against Shahrukh Khan to the Bandra Police Station. They claim that SRK has offended the attitudes of their community and a clarification from the actor is in order.

According to reports, the interview, which was printed in “Time’n Style Luxury” magazine, reads as follows:

“According to you who is the most impressive figure in history?

‘There are lots of them, some negative ones like Hitler, then Napoleon, Winston Churchill and if I can call it history, then Prophet Mohammed and from recent time - Nelson Mandela. And there are the nice ones like Gandhiji and Mother Teresa.’”

However, in an attempt to cover their tracks, the magazine published a clarification of the interview in a tabloid. The Magazine claims that the answer to the question should have appeared in the following way:

”There are lots of them, some negative ones like Hitler. Then Napoleon, Winston Churchill were impressive. If I can call it history, then most impressive positive figure is Prophet Mohammed. And from recent time - there are nice ones like Nelson Mandela, Gandhiji and Mother Teresa”.

In a message, the Bollywood actor who is currently abroad shooting for Karan Johar’s “My Name is Khan”, said that there is no more important figure in history than Prophet Mohammad. “Being a Muslim and standing up for the tenets of Islam is my most important agenda,” he said.

Benefits of Reciting Ayat Al-Kursi

Obama reaches out to Muslim world

I can't claim to have read any newspapers today, but on the radio and on TV, there is much talk about Obama and his speech to emotionally engage Muslims all over the world. At times, it seems that we almost expect Obama to change the world with his inspirational speeches. One thing is for sure, Obama is an intelligent man because he understands that by improving the image of the US amongst the Muslim world, he can significantly reduce the public support that Al-Qaeda cherishes. If Muslims no longer regard America as the enemy, Al-Qaeda will suffer because their recruitment campaign will be left without vigour.

Had Obama been a fool like Bush, he’d continue to be unpopular amongst Muslims and play the game with a traditional approach i.e. openly hating the enemy. Obama is miles ahead though, which is why he realises that the key to his success lies in keeping the masses happy, at least he is learning from the mistakes of the Bush administration. Mr. Nice guy has his own style, his own image, his wonderful words and Will Smith looks. But the bottom line is that words alone are worth very little, Obama can impress as many people as he likes but if American foreign policy doesn’t change, little can be achieved.

Obama wants the Muslim world to forget the past and make a new start. I want him to go to Iraq/Afghanistan/Palestine/Lebanon and tell an orphan to forget his parents and how they were killed by American bombs. The number of people that have died because of America is not even measurable. Can sweet words and quotes from the Q’uran and love for Islam, all expressed in a memorable speech by the President himself, be enough to compensate?

Obama seems like a great guy but I sometimes have my doubts. Is he the same old product (just like good old Bush) being marketed in a new packet (i.e. the sweet words)? For the sake of world peace, I just hope that these thoughts in my head are false and Obama proves me wrong with time!

The 90/10 Principle

Source: Qisas.com

10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react. What does this mean?



We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.


How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light, but you can control your reaction. Don’t let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.


Let’s use an example.

You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just what happened. What happens when the next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over.


She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticise her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work.


You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing £60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home, When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.


Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?

A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?

The answer is ” D”.


You had no control over what happened with the coffee.
How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened.


Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, “It’s ok honey, you just need, to be more careful next time”. Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.


Notice the difference?
Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.


Why? Because of how you REACTED.

You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.
If someone says something negative about you, don’t be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don’t have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? (a friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off).
Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive?
Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.


You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job. The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger.


Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it.


The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle.

The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache.

We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle.

It CAN change your life!!!

Quran Explorer

http://quranexplorer.com/quran/

Shaytaan Influences You To Miss Fajr Prayer

Dinner with Shaytaan

Shaytaan Whispers About Hijab

Remembering Allah is Success

Our Creator, Allah has given us the precious gift of life and with it comes the freedom to live it as we desire. We are able to make our own decisions and choices in life and this freedom in itself is a gift from Allah. Our Creator knows us very well and is aware of our weaknesses and so has given us guidance on how to spend our lives so that we can be successful.

We accept that Allah is the Greatest and we hear these words every so often. However, our hearts and minds do not truly appreciate the significance of this statement. Surely, if we believe that Allah is the Greatest, we must regard the path that he has prescribed for us as the Greatest path. Therefore, the way we choose to live our lives should be based around the guidance that Allah Has given us because He is the Greatest and those who follow His divine guidance will be truly successful.

Despite knowledge and awareness of the above, we are drawn into alternative ways of life which conflict with that which Islam has recommended for us. A lifestyle which distances us from the beauty of Islam and the guidance of Allah, unfortunately becomes attractive and desirable. When I refer to adopting a lifestyle which takes you away from Islam, I am not referring to embracing a culture or integrating within a society. In fact, understanding the culture of different societies across the world is beneficial because one is able to understand the diversity which Allah has blessed mankind with. However, as a Muslim, one must be aware that the guidance of Islam is not neglected in the process of embracing any culture – be it your own culture or any other culture.

There are Muslims across many different nations of the world, they all have their own cultures and backgrounds, e.g. they have their own unique dress, cuisine, language, etc. Despite all their cultural differences, what brings them together is their belief in Allah. Problems will only arise when we forget the guidance that Allah has given us and embrace a culture to such an extent that we neglect Islam. For example, we make it culturally acceptable to drink alcohol; discrimination based on caste becomes a norm, having relationships outside marriage is nothing to be concerned about. These examples seem quite severe, but they will no doubt become prevalent in any society which gradually moves away from the guidance of Allah.

Remember, there is no compulsion in Islam and nobody can force you to accept it as a way of life. In fact, I don’t believe that Islam can ever be forced upon anyone. You might be able to force an individual to pray or carry out any other action of Islam but you can never force him/her to have inner belief. Islam can only be complete with inner belief in the Oneness and Greatness of Allah and belief in His Final Prophet, Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Actions themselves are something that support belief, so when there is no belief, what good are actions? For example, if someone doesn’t believe in the existence of God yet spends most of their time in activities which are deemed Islamic, there is little value in their actions because the foundation of faith i.e. belief is missing. Allah knows best what lies in our hearts and minds.

Allah has described an approach to life; the choice is ours whether or not we choose to accept it. However, we cannot avoid the consequences of whatever decision we make. Let us consider the example of a crying toddler who wants to grab a hot cup of tea and his mother doesn’t allow him to do so. The child is limited in his knowledge, so from his perspective, he only sees a cup full of something nice. When the mother stops him, the child cannot comprehend the actions of the mother and feels anger and disappointment. The mother acts in the interest of her child and out of love for him. In the same way, our Creator, the One who has given us everything we have, is advising us on how to live our lives, His advice demonstrates the love that He has for His creation. The issue is that we fail to see this great love and continue to follow our own desires against the will of Allah, in the hope that they will lead us towards contentment. When the child doesn’t listen to his mother, the result is that he will burn himself. When we neglect the advice of Allah, it also has negative consequences for us.

Today, mankind feels a sense of pride and achievement and believes his own reasoning and knowledge to be powerful enough to question the law of the Creator. By following our own desires, we are only fooling ourselves and moving towards self-destruction. Islam is all about breaking this arrogance in oneself and realising that we as humans are limited and weak and must submit to the will of our Creator. Allah knows what we know not and He understands what we can never understand, that is why we repeat in our prayers, that Allah is The Greatest. The human mind and heart are weak, they need to be reminded of this fact - time and time again.

Remember brothers and sisters in Islam and in humanity, it is Allah who helps us to open our eyes in the morning and Allah who gives us sleep at night. We must keep reminding ourselves that Allah is the Greatest and without His blessings we would cease to exist. Many of us are going astray from the path of Islam, and out of love, we must help one another to return to success. The life of this world presents success in various guises - wealth, fame, luxury are only a few of these. Each person lives in pursuit of success yet many realise not that it lies in obeying Allah, following His commands and living life according to them. I believe that life is a great gift from Allah and Imaan (belief in Allah) is an even greater gift which must be cherished and protected. Your life will eventually come to an end but the benefits of Imaan will continue to support you for eternity. 

Native Deen - Not Afraid to Stand Alone

Maulana Tariq Jameel Sahab's bayan on Be Hayai (Urdu)

We Will Not Go Down - Song for Gaza

Daddy, can you give me £10?

Source: Qisas.com

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5 year old son waiting for him at the door.



“Daddy, may I ask you a question?”



“Yeah, sure, what is it?” replied the man.



“Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?”



“That’s none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?” the man said angrily.



“I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?” pleaded the little boy.



“If you must know, I make £20.00 an hour.”



“Oh, ” the little boy replied, head bowed. Looking up, he said, “Daddy, may I borrow £10.00 please?”



The father was furious. “If the only reason you want to know how much money I make is just so you can borrow some to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you’re being so selfish. I work long, hard hours everyday and don’t have time for such childish games.”



The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even madder about the little boy’s questioning. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money? After an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think he may have been a little hard on his son. May be there was something he really needed to buy with that £10.00 and he really didn’t ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy’s room and opened the door. “Are you asleep son?” he asked.



“No daddy, I’m awake, ” replied the boy.



“I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier, ” said the man. “It’s been a long day and I took my aggravation out on you. Here’s that £10.00 you asked for.”



The little boy sat straight up, beaming. “Oh, thank you daddy!” he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some more crumpled up bills. The man, seeing that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at the man.



“Why did you want more money if you already had some?” the father grumbled.



“Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do, ” the little boy replied. “Daddy, I have £20.00 now… Can I buy an hour of your time?”

Heroes of Gaza

Log on to www.heroesofgaza.com

A Humble Reminder

One day of the many days
There was a man traveling on a trip with his Wife and Kids
And on the way he met someone standing in the roadway
So he asked him: Who are you?
He said:
I am the money

So the man asked his wife and kids :
Should we ask him to ride with us?

They said together: Yes of course because with the money it can help us if we wanted to do anything, and if we wanted to get anything we desired,
So they took the Money to ride with them.

And the vehicle continued its way until the man
met someone else on the road

So the Father asked: Who are you?

He said:

I am the high position and power

So the father asked his wife and kids :
Should we ask him to ride with us?

So they all answered together in one voice:

Yes of course because with the high position and power we have the ability to do anything we want and own anything we desired.

So they took the high position and power with them
And the vehicle continued to finish its trip .

And likewise he met in the same manner many people which give the pleasures and desires of this life, UNTIL ..
They met one person on the way..

The Father asks him Who are you?

He said:

I am the Deen (Islam)


So the father, wife, and kids said all together in one voice: No no this isn't the time, we desire the pleasures of this life and dunyah, and the Deen will prevent us and ban us from these things and it will take control over us, and we will be worn-out from being loyal to it and its learning. And the halal and the Haram, and this thing prayer and that thing hijab, and this fasting , and and and and and etc, It will be a burden upon us!!!
But what is certain is that we will definitely return for you to pick you up but only after we enjoy this life and everything in it.

So sadly they left him behind and the vehicle continued its trip.


And out of no where something appeared in the middle of the road

It was a check point in the road and it had a sign saying

STOP!!!

And they found a man gesturing for the father to get out of the vehicle.

So the man said to the father:
The trip has ended as far as you are concerned!!!!
And it is upon you to get out and come with me.


The father was shocked with fear and didn't say a word.


So the man said to him: I am searching for the DEEN.e Islam Is he with you?

He answered: No I left him not too far back. So if you can let me go back, I can get him for you :

You do not have the ability to go back, your trip has ended and there is no going back now.. returning is impossible said the man.

But I have

The Money,
The high position and power,
My Wife,
My Kids,
and and and and and and on.

The man said to him:
They will not benefit you nor will they
protect you in front of Allah. Not one bit!

And you will leave all of this, and not one of them will help you except for The Deen e Islam you know? The one which YOU left back in the road.
So the father asked: And who are you exactly?


I AM DEATH


The one which you were needless
of and didn't take into account in your trip!!


The father looked at his vehicle and found his wife taking control of it and continuing the trip with all of its passengers but him
And none of them stayed with him, and none of them helped him in any way.



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Abu Hurairah (r.a.) reported: Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,

" Be prompt in doing good deeds (before you are overtaken) by turbulence which would be like a part of the dark night. A man would be a believer in the morning and turn to disbelief in the evening, or he would be a believer in the evening and turn disbeliever in the morning, and would sell his Faith for worldly goods" Riyadh-us Saliheen Muslim Haidth number 87 Chapter 106



Allah says in The Holy Quran Chapter 102 Surah Takhathur verses 1-2:

1 The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things; ie. salvation in the life Hereafter)

2 Until ye visit the graves (ie. until one is buried in one's grave!)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Salma Yaqoob Protests Against BBC Refusing Gaza Appeal Broadcast

Ten Things We Waste

1. Our Knowledge

Wasted by not taking action with it.

2. Our Actions

Wasted by committing them without sincerity.

3. Our Wealth

Wasted by using on things that will not bring us ajr (reward from Allah). We waste our money, our status, our authority, on things which have no benefit in this life or in the akhirah (hereafter).

4. Our Hearts

Wasted because they are empty from the love of Allah (swt) and his Messenger (sallallahu 'alahi wasallam), and a feeling of peace and contentment. In it's place, our hearts are filled with something or someone else.

5. Our Bodies

Wasted because we don't use them in ibadah (worship) and service of Allah.

6. Our Love

Our emotional love is misdirected, not towards Allah, but towards something/someone else.

7. Our Time

Wasted, not used properly, to compensate for that which has passed, by doing what is righteous to make up for past deeds.

8. Our Intellect

Wasted on things that are not beneficial, that are detremental to society and the individual, not in contemplation or reflection.

9. Our Service

Wasted in service of someone who will not bring us closer to Allah, moreover something that will benefit us in dunya.

10. Our Dhikr (Remembrence of Allah)

Wasted, because it does not effect us or our hearts.

Boycott List Card

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The Plight of the Three Bulls

By Shaykh Tawfique Chowdhury, Al-Kauthar Institute.

If you were to travel through the barren dunes of Arabia, you could be forgiven into thinking that the average Bedouin is a very simple person. After all, the harsh Arabian Desert, the difficult camels of Arabia, the tough unforgiving desert - where could the Bedouin find poetry and inspiration? Rather, for inspiration, one would need to go to the most beautiful of sceneries, just like the English poets used to do when they used to go to the Lake District in northern UK.

Yet in my travels through Arabia, I have found the Arabian Desert to have parables and examples that bewilder the mind. One such parable was from a wise old man who used to sell the miswak in the gates of the Prophet's mosque. At a time when America was bombing Afghanistan, I and a couple of friends came up to the man and wanted to buy some miswak. Whilst we were looking over the miswak, one of us mentioned the indiscriminate bombing and the human cost of the war. At that point, the old man looked at us and said: "Let me tell you the story of the three bulls." What he was to tell us, was a parable I have not forgotten till today.

"There was once three bulls - a red bull, a white and a black one. When they were all together, they were very strong and the lions could not eat them. So one day, a lion came and told the black and red bull - if you help me eat the white bull, I will let you go. After a lot of deliberation, the red and black bulls agreed. So the red and black bulls looked on whilst the lion killed and ate the white bull. Many months later, the lion came to the black bull and said - if you help me eat the red bull, I will let you go. Without daring to hesitate, the black bull agreed to the proposition. So the lion came and ate the red bull whilst the black bull looked on. Many months later, the lion was hungry again. Now there was nothing but the black bull left. As the black bull looked on whilst the lion pounced on him and as he was choking and dying - with his last breath, the black bull said: Truly, I was killed the day the white bull was killed." With that, we gazed into the man's eyes lost in thought from the wisdom of his speech.

If we Muslims continue to deny our brotherhood, continue overlooking the plight of our brothers and sisters around the world, continue with our own life being oblivious to the problems facing them, continue to spy and cheat and harm - then know that our fate will have been sealed already.

If you were to ask me, which of the three bulls do I most sympathize with? I would have to reply: the black one. Truly the one, who Allah had mercy on, was the first bull who died a death free of guilt. However, the black bull lived a life of guilt and sorrow that was worse than death itself.

I pity our brothers and sisters who harm the Muslims and are not moved at their plight. How miserable their lives must be! A life that is devoid of tasting the sweetness of emaan and devoid of love that is in the Islamic brotherhood is truly a miserable life. If only they knew how rewarding it was to help the Muslims, how good it felt to hear a person thank you and make dua for you, how great it felt to see a smile on your brother and sister. What a wonderful feeling and how pitiful are those who deny themselves this blessing.

"And those who before them, had homes (in al-Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their hearts for that which they have been given, and prefer (their brothers) over themselves, even though they were in severe need. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, then such are the successful." [59:9]

Boycott Israel

It is a great shame for all of mankind that hundreds of innocent people have lost their lives in Palestine yet nobody in the world is able to stop Israel from carrying out such evil. The silence of our leaders (or words that are equivalent to silence) who are supposed to represent us is the most depressing aspect of the situation. The least we can do as human beings is to boycott the companies that are funding Israel by stopping ourselves from buying from them. If people all over the world were to think like this and even if they decided to boycott 4 or 5 companies...it would definitely have a negative impact on Israel. Please forward this poster to everyone that you know so that it spreads this message across nations and touches the hearts of those who have a heart....