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Children Needs Kind Treatment

Children were always certain of kind treatment by the Prophet (peace be upon him). Whenever he saw a child, he received him/her with a smile and said some pleasant words, even when the Prophet was preoccupied with something very serious. Anas ibn Malik, who served the Prophet throughout his 10-year stay in Madinah, said: “I never saw anyone who was more kind to children than God’s Messenger.” (Related by Muslim.) He did not differentiate between boys and girls; he was very kind to all, teaching his companions that kindness to children must be an essential characteristic of every Muslim. We should put this in its proper perspective; his was a society characterized by its rough attitude in all situations, and particularly harsh in its treatment of girls and women. Some Bedouins visiting Madinah saw him kissing one of his grandchildren. One of them asked: “Do you kiss your young ones; by God we never do that.” The Prophet said: “What can I do for you if God has removed compassion from your heart?” This was a pointed answer, telling those rough people that their attitude was wrong and it should better be changed. Compassion is a virtue that we should nurture, and its primary aspect is to be kind to young children.

Whenever the Prophet returned to Madinah after being away on an expedition or travel, he was met by children who went out to give him a welcome. Abdullah ibn Jaafar, whose father was a cousin of the Prophet, said that on one such occasion, he was the first taken to the Prophet: “He took me up and placed me in front of him as he was on his mount. Then one of Fatimah’s two sons was brought to him and he placed him behind him. Thus all three of us entered Madinah on one mount.” (Related by Muslim.)

The Prophet was leading the Muslim army on its way to Khaybar when he passed by the living quarters of the Ghifar tribe. He noticed a girl who was walking fast alongside the army. Realizing that she wanted to give any help to the soldiers, the Prophet took her behind him on his mount. When they stopped for rest and he dismounted, he noticed that she looked very shy. He realized that she has just had her period. It was her first time, so he taught her how to clean herself and her clothes. She stayed with the army until after the battle. The Prophet gave her a necklace from the booty. She wore that necklace without ever taking it off. She grew up to achieve fame and was to be known as Layla Al-Ghifariyyah.

Whenever a child was with the Prophet, he would teach that child something simple, short and very effective. Abdullah ibn Abbas was a young boy when he once rode behind the Prophet on his mount. The Prophet said that he wanted to teach him some very useful words. These were: “Be careful with what God has given you, and He will take care of you. Remain within the limits God has set and you will always find Him before you. Get to know God in times of ease, and He will know you in times of hardship. Learn that what you have missed would have never been yours, and what you have got you would have never missed. Learn also that victory is assured with perseverance, a way out is certain to come after a time of stress, and that hardship is followed by ease.” (Related by Al-Bukahri.)

When we consider these words we realize that they were simple enough to be understood by a 10-year old, yet they can be fundamental in shaping a young man’s attitude to life in general. A young child can easily learn the Prophet’s words by heart, yet they will be of benefit to him throughout his life. Not only so, but the child in this case reported these words so that we can all learn them and bring our attitude to life events in line with them. Yet the Prophet’s teaching of children could be much simpler. Abdullah ibn Busr Al-Mazini reported that when he was a young child, his mother sent him with a bunch of grapes to give to the Prophet. On the way, he ate some grapes. “When I gave it to the Prophet, he held my ear and said: ‘You little cheat!'” Thus the lesson of delivering something intact was given to the young child in a very gentle way.

His companions realized that whatever prayer the Prophet said, God would answer in the broadest and fullest way. Therefore, when children were born, they were often brought to the Prophet to bless them. He would welcome them and do more than their parents hoped for. The whole Muslim community were delighted when Asma’ bint Abu Bakr gave birth to her son, Abdullah, the first child to be born to the Muslim community in Madinah after the Prophet and the Makkan Muslims migrated there. “She took her newborn to the Prophet. He took the child, put him on his lap, took a date and rubbed the child’s jaws with it before praying for him and blessing him.” (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

In some societies, particularly the Arabian society at the time, when adults met, children were told to keep away. The Prophet’s attitude was different; he welcomed children and attended to them. His companions in Madinah were farmers. They often brought him the early ripe fruit, hoping for a prayer of blessing. “Whenever he was brought such fruit, he would pray: ‘Our Lord, bless our city, our fruit and measures, and make each blessing goes with another.’ He would then give the fruit to the youngest child present.” (Related by Muslim and Al-Tirmidhi). On one occasion he was talking to a group of adults and dates were served to them, when some children came in. He took a bunch of dates and gave it to the children. This was in total contrast to what any Arab host would have done. Had his children come in when he was entertaining guests, an Arab would have told them off and ordered them out.

In all this the Prophet set an example, not only for people in his generation, but for all future generations. Hence, you find that Muslim parents are always likely to take good care of their children, and to be compassionate to all young people. This ensures that family relations remain strong and families remain closely knit. This is a great blessing that has yielded great benefits to Muslim families in all societies, across countless generations.

Salah Mentioned In Quran

1) Establishing Salah Develops Taqwa (Fear and Awareness of Allah)
“This is the Book in which there is no doubt, a guidance for those who have Taqwa; who believe in the unseen, and who establish Salah, and spend out of what we have provided for them”
(Surah Baqarah 2: 2-3)

2) Salah Is the Sign of a Believer
“The believers, men and women, are protecting friends of one another; they enjoin good and forbid evil, and they establish Salah, and give Zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them, and surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.”
(Surah Tawba 9: 71)

3) Establishing Salah Leads to Allah’s Eternal Blessings
“So whatever you have been given is but (a passing) enjoyment for this worldly life, but that which is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. And those who avoid the great sins and lewdness, and when they are angry, they forgive. And those who answer the Call of their Lord, and perform the Salah, and who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation, and who spend of what We have bestowed on them.” (Surah Ash-Shura 42:36-38)

4) Those Who Pray Shall Have Nothing to Fear on the Day of Judgment

“Truly, those who believe and do righteous deeds, and perform Salah, and give Zakah, they will have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.”
(Surah Baqarah 2:277)

5) Remain in Allah’s remembrance after prayer
“When have finished performing the Salah, remember Allah standing, sitting, and reclining, but when you are free from danger, perform the Salah. Surely, Salah is enjoined on the believers at fixed times.”
(Surah Nisaa 4:103)

6) Command to Pray with Congregation
“And establish Salah and give Zakah, and bow down (in worship) along with those who bow down (in worship)”
(Surah Baqarah 2:43)

7. Special Command Regarding Punctuality of Prayer
“Guard strictly the Salah, especially the middle Salah. And stand before Allah with obedience.”
(Surah Baqarah 2:238)

Were They Created By Nothing?

‘Were they created by nothing’ Or were they themselves the creators’
Or did they create the heavens and the earth’ Nay, but they have no firm Belief.
[al-Toor 52:35]

Or are with them the treasures of your Lord? Or are they the tyrants with the authority to do as they like”
[al-Toor 52:35-37]

‘Surely, His is the creation and commandment’
[al-A’raaf 7:54]

‘Say (O Muhammad): ‘Who provides for you from the sky and the earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living? And who disposes the affairs” They will say: ‘Allah.’ Say: ‘Will you not then be afraid of Allah’s punishment (for setting up rivals in worship with Allah)”’
[Yoonus 10:31]

‘He manages and regulates (every) affair from the heavens to the earth; then it (affair) will go up to Him’
[al-Sajdah 32:5]

‘Such is Allah, your Lord; His is the kingdom. And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmeer (the thin membrane over the date stone)’
[Faatir 35:13]

‘The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) [Maaliki Yaawm il-deen]’
[al-Faatihah 1:4]

‘And your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (God ‘ Allah), Laa Ilaaha illa Huwa (there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful’
[al-Baqarah 2:163]

May Allah love us and let us be among those who are guided and repent to Him often.
Ameen Yaa Rabiil Alameen

Simple Formula To Be The Best

BEING humans, we all crave to have the best in life, to get the best in life, and to be the best in life. Don’t we? How many times have these thoughts crawled in our brains?

“I want to be the best employee or the best student!” “I want to own the best mobile, the best car and be married to the best wife.”

Dear brothers and sisters, as Muslims has the thought ever come to us that “I want to be the best Muslim?” Leave alone working for it, have we ever just thought about it?

Well, now that this topic has come up, give it a second thought. If you believed that to be the best of Muslims you need to spend your full day in the Masjid or fast everyday of your life, you were wrong!

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave us a simple formula to be the best: “The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.” (Al-Bukhari)

Subhan Allah, as simple as that! It doesn’t require you to be on your prayer mat 24/7. No, the key is Allah’s speech – the Qur’an.

Hold on to it even if it’s by starting to read a page everyday (make sure you understand it). This is something that Allah has ordered in the Qur’an.

“And hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah (i.e. the Quran), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favors on you…” (Qur’an, 3:103)

“And We have indeed made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember, then is there any that will remember (or receive admonition)?” (Qur’an, 54:17)

Thanksgiving Is The Whole Life

Then do ye remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and reject not Faith. (Al-Baqarah 2:152)

And remember! Your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): “If ye are grateful, I will add more (favors) unto you; but if ye show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed.” (Ibrahim 14:7)

We bestowed Wisdom on Luqman: “Show (thy) gratitude to Allah.” Any who is (so) grateful does so to the profit of his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, verily Allah is free of all wants, worthy of all praise. (Luqman 31:12)

The Qur’anic word for thanks is “shukr.” It is mentioned in the Qur’an many times. It is the quality of human beings and it is also the quality of Allah. According to scholars Shukr means:

“It is the consideration of the favor and its acknowledgment. Shukr from the human means the recognition of the favor. Shukr from Allah means the reward and appreciation.”

Shukr is a very important principle in Islam. It is a quality of the believers and it is a source of all goodness. Shukr is used in the Qur’an sometimes as equivalent to faith. The faithful are thankful people and the unfaithful are ungrateful people. Allah has described His Prophets and Messengers among those who were thankful people. Prophet Noah was a grateful servant of Allah (Al-Isra’ 17:3). Prophet Abraham used to thank Allah for His many blessings (Al-Nahl 16:121). Prophet David and his family were told to be grateful to Allah (Saba’ 34:13). Allah told His Prophet Muhammad:

Nay, but worship Allah, and be of those who give thanks. (Al-Zumar 39:66)

Allah also promised:
Nor can a soul die except by Allah’s leave, the term being fixed as by writing. If any do desire a reward in this life, We shall give it to him; and if any do desire a reward in the Hereafter, We shall give it to him. And swiftly shall We reward those that who are thankful. (Al ‘Imran 3:145)

In Islam thanksgiving is not only a particular religious act or service; it is the whole life. The whole life should be lived in obedience to our Ultimate Benefactor, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. God has been good to us and so in our thankfulness we should worship Him, obey His commands and orders. Our daily prayers, our fasting during Ramadan, our Zakat and Hajj are all our acts of thanksgiving. We should do them not only as duties that must be performed but as our gratitude to our Lord and Creator.

Tips To Memorize The Qur’an

Realize that memorizing the Qur’an is a spiritual and physical project. It’s a miracle and blessing from Allah that we are able to memorize the Qur’an. If we want to take advantage of this blessing, we should be in a position to receive it. Therefore, let’s strive physically to achieve it and spiritually to get the maximum benefit. Here are 13 tips for memorizing the Qur’an

1. Sincerity
The first matter we must pay attention to is our intention. If we intend good we will get good. Make sure that the intention is for the sake of Allah alone. With this memorization, hope for Allah’s reward in the hereafter. It is not to show off in front of others that you have memorized a lot of the Qur’an. Sincerity is not a one time thing. It’s a continual battle that we always have to renew.

2. Consistency
The more frequently you memorize, the easier it becomes. It is very essential to be consistent, and not to skip even one day. There is no week-end in worship. The minimum that one should memorize is three lines – five is ideal. If we are consistent, In sha Allah, we will be able to be memorize the whole Qur’an within 5-6 years.

3. Timing
The first thing we should do in the day is memorize. Do this even before breakfast because this is our spiritual breakfast. The best time to memorize is right after Fajr.

4. Atmosphere
Go to a secluded place. Memorize in a place that is quiet. We can’t memorize properly with distractions, so turn off all your devices (like cell phones).

5. Familiarity
Start at the same time, at the same place and use the same mushaf (copy of the Qur’an) every day. We need to have our own mushaf, it will later become very dear to you.

6. No magic trick
Repeat, repeat, and repeat over and over again. It is only repetitive recitation and/or listening that will help us memorize with perfection.

7. Memorize with the meaning
Read the translation of the meaning before you start and try to match the Arabic words with their meanings.

Raising Children In Islam

Islam believes that the family is the cornerstone of the Muslin society and the cause of its continuity. This is why Islam has shown so much concern to preserve the solidarity of the family unit. Raising children properly is one of the reasons that help to create a sound society based on ethics and decorum. This task has become very hard in the last three or four decades after children became addicted to watching T.V, video games and finally the internet that swallows children’s time and captures their attention. Parent’s role is to attract their children’s attention to teach them good manners.

One of the mistakes that some parents commit is that they deal with their children as stupid beings that should be spoon-fed or filled with information. They are intelligent beings and parents have to appreciated and respect this fact in order to be able to approach them correctly.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stresses in more than one Hadith the importance of the role of parents in bringing up their children properly. He asks parents to pay attention to the age of their children when deciding to choose the best way to deal with them: at a certain age it is important to be strict with them, but when they become teenagers, it is of prime importance to befriend them to be able to approach their world.

Some parents believe that toughness is the best way to raise their children which is totally wrong. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to share the fun and light moments with his grandchildren making them enjoy their time with him.

The final advice that can be given in this respect is a Qur’anic one,” Let those (disposing of an estate) have the same fear in their minds as they would have for their own if they had left a helpless family behind: Let them fear Allah, and speak words of appropriate (comfort).” (Qur’an, 4:9)

One important fact that has to be stressed in this respect is that the father’s role is as important as that of the mother because some parents believe that their role consists of earning money and providing the basic necessities of life to their family.

They believe that it is the mother’s business to raise children, but this is not true at all. Islam addresses both parents as being responsible for bringing up their children and teaching them the noble values of Islam.

Subtle Secrets In Our Prayers

Not many of us realize the subtle and hidden secrets that lie behind our movements in Salah (prayer). Some of us may even rush through it without giving much thought to the hidden intricacies and the hidden beauty. How many people stand in Salah but their mind does not stand focused? How many people bow down but their inner soul refuses to bow? How many people prostrate but their heart fails to do so? And how many people pray but a prayer has not been written for them? Ibn Al-Qayyim gives a beautiful description of prayer in his book Asrar Al-Salat. An excerpt of which follows:

It has been prescribed for the servant to extol and praise his Lord as he is rising up from Rukoo’ (i.e. bowing in prayer). So he exalts and praises his Lord because Allah has guided him to attain this humbleness which others have been prevented from attaining. He is returned to a state of uprightness, standing up to be in his Lord’s service. He stands in front of Him just as he stood in front of Him during recitation (when reciting Al-Fatihah), and for that reason it is prescribed that he praises and exalts Him just like he praised and exalted Him during the recitation.

There is a special meaning to this rising: It is a state that reaches and penetrates the heart. It is for this reason that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to prolong this standing (after the Rukoo’) just as he prolonged the Rukoo’ and Sajdah (prostration). He would praise and exalt Allah much therein.

In the night prayer, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to repeatedly say during this standing after the Rukoo’, “For my Lord is all Praise, for my Lord is all Praise.” (Abu Dawood and Nasa’i)

Repetition
It has been prescribed for the servant to repeat these actions and words (i.e. repeat recitation of Al-Fatihah, Tasbeeh in Rukoo’, Sajdah etc), as it is a source of nourishment for the heart and soul. There is no strength in them (the heart and soul) except by this. Repeating it is just like repeatedly eating food – mouthful after mouthful until a person eats his fill, and drinking again and again until his thirst is quenched. If a hungry person only took one mouthful of food and then pushed his food away, what will that mouthful do for him? In fact, it may even cause him to become hungrier!

For this reason, one of the Salaf said: “A person who prays but does not find tranquility in his prayer is like a person who is hungry, then food is brought to him but he only takes one or two handfuls. What will it then do for him?”