Reading others letters..

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 49 Surah Hujuraat verses 12-13:
12 O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: and spy not on each other nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay ye would abhor it...but fear Allah: for Allah is Oft-Returning Most Merciful.
13 O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 1480 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas
The Prophet (saws) said: 'He who sees the letter of his brother without his permission, sees Hell-fire!'

In light of the above absolutely clear guidance of Allah and His Messenger (saws), it is not permissible and an abhorred and detestable act in the Sight of Allah for one to read the private letters of another without their precise permission and will.

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him), one can be assured of being led astray

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah's Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

A Prayer

Amina Moosa, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face,

walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food. Akbar Aboo, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave His store at once.Visualizing the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can." Akbar told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store. Standing beside the counter was a customer! who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?" Amina replied, "Yes sir." "O. K." he said, "put your grocery list on The scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries." Amina, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed. The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down.The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it." The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on Thet other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said:",Oh Allah you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands." The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Amina thanked him and left the store.

The other customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said; "It was worth every penny of it. Only Allah Knows how much a prayer weighs."

THE POWER OF PRAYER: When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all You have to do. Just stop right now, and say a prayer of thanks for your own good fortune.

dear heart, trust in Allah to heal the sick, provide food for the hungry, clothes and shelter for those that don't have as we do. Ameen & Ameen Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. May you always walk with Angels.

Verily, with hardship, there is relief

“Verily, with hardship, there is relief” (Quran 94:6)

Eating follows hunger, drinking follows thirst, sleep comes after restlessness, and health takes the place of sickness. The lost will find their way, the one in difficulty will find relief, and the day will follow the night.

Allah says:

“Perhaps Allah may bring a victory or a decision according to His Will” (Quran 5:52)

Inform the night of coming morning, the light of which will permeate the mountains and valleys. Give to the afflicted tidings of a sudden relief that will reach them with the speed of light or with the blinking of an eye.

If you see that the desert extends for miles and miles, then know that beyond that distance are green meadows with plentiful shade. If you see the rope tighten and tighten, know that it will snap.

Tears are followed by a smile, fear is replaced by comfort, and anxiety is over thrown by serenity. When the fire was set for him, Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (pbuh) did not feel its heat because of the help he received from his Lord.

Allah says:

“We (Allah) said: ‘O’ fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrahim” (Quran 21:69)

The sea would not drown Prophet Moses (pbuh), because he uttered in confident, strong, and truthful manner:

“Nay, verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me” (Quran 26:62)

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) told Abu Baker (ra) in the cave that Allah was with them – then peace and tranquility descended upon them.

Those that are slaves of the moment see only misery and wretchedness. This is because they look only ar the wall and door of the room, whereas they should look beyond such barriers as are set before them.

Therefore do not despair: it is impossible for things to remain the same. The days and years rotate, the future is unseen, and everyday Allah has matters to bring forth. You know it not, but it may be that Allah will afterwards bring some new thing to pass. And verily, with Hardship there is a Relief.

So don’t be sad :)

Pre-ordainment

Allah says:

“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees – before We bring it into existence” (Quran 57:22)

The pen has dried, the pages have been lifted: all events that shall come to pass have already been written.

Allah says:

“Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us” (Quran 9:51)

Whatever has befallen you was not meant to escape you, and whatever has escaped you was not meant to befall you: if this belief were to be firmly ingrained in you heart then all hardship and difficulty would become ease and comfort.

The Prophet (pbuh) said:

“Whoever Allah wishes good for, He inflicts him (with hardship)”.

For this reason, do not feel overly troubled if you are afflicted with sickness, the death of a son or a loss in wealth. Allah has decreed these matters to occur and the decisions are His, and His alone. When we truly have faith, we shall be rewarded well and our sins shall be atoned for.

For those that are afflicted with disasters, glad tidings await them: so remain patient and happy with you Lord.

Allah says:

“He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned” (Quran 21:23)

You will never completely feel at ease until you firmly believe that Allah has already pre-ordained all matters. The pen has dried and with it has been written everything that will happen to you. Therefore do not feel remorse over that which is not in your hands. Do not think that you could have prevented these things, whether you wanted to or not.

All that has been pre-ordained shall come to pass.

Allah says:

“Then whosoever wills let him believe, and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve.” (Quran 18:29)

Surrender yourself: believe in preordainment, before pangs of anger and regret overwhelm you. If you have done all that was in your power, and afterwards what you had been striving against still takes place, have firm faith that it was meant to be. Do not say,’ had I done such and such, such and such would have happened,’ rather say “This is a decree of Allah, and what He wishes, He does,”

Don’t Be Sad :)

Do not be a mimicker

Do not transform yourself in to someone who you are not: do not mimic others. Many are those that feign to forget their own voices, movements, idiosyncrasies, and habits, in order to imitate others in their ways. Among the consequences of such behavior are artificiality, unhappiness, and a destruction of one’s entity.

From Adam to the last born baby, no two people are exactly the same in appearance. Why then should they be the same in mannerisms and tastes?

You are unique – none had been like you in the past and none shall be like you in the future. You are totally different from X or Y, so do not force upon yourself the blind following and imitation of others.

Go forth according to your own nature and disposition,

Allah says:

“Each (group of) people knew its own place for water.” Quran 2: 60

“For every nation there is a direction to which they face, so hasten towards all that is good.” Quran 2:148

Be as you were created and do not change your voice or modify your walk. Cultivate your personality by following what is found in revelation, but do not render your existence void by imitating others and depriving yourself of your individuality.

Your tastes and preferences are specific to you and we want you to stay as you are, especially because that is the way you were created and that is how we know you to be.

The Prophet (PBUH) said:

“And let no one among you be an imitator of others”

In terms of characteristics, people are like the world of trees and plants: sweet and sour, tall and short, and so on. Your beauty and value is in preserving your natural state. Our varied colors, languages, talents, and abilities are signs from our Creator, the Almighty, All Glorious, so do not disbelieve in them.

A Friend Asked

A friend asked:

Hi! I'm curious again to know a couple of things. 1.) How come in our religion it says to attendPeople’s funerals, it's very important? Why? 2.) Sunni's do not allow the woman to attend theBurial site, why? Shiites permit woman to attend, butI was informed several months ago that Sunnis do notPermit a woman to ever attend. Why is that? Are womenSeen as too evil and dirty to attend or they're tooFragile and sensitive to attend???

I would like to answer these questions in the simplest of answers because if you get in details it may lead to confusion. May Allah help me give the right answer.. Ameen

Firstly, in our religion it is important to attend funeral prayers as the Prophet (Pbuh) said:
“The rights of one Muslim over another Muslim are six… When you meet him, you greet him with the salaam (i.e. to say: “As-Salamu alaykum”), when he invites you, you accept his invitation, when he consults you in a matter, you give him sincere advice, when he sneezes and praises God, you ask God to have mercy on him, when he is sick, you visit him, and when he passes away you accompany him (through his funeral).” Related by Abu Hurayra in Saheeh Bukhari

In this Prophetic narration; we find that the Muslim is encouraged with concern for his brother in Islam during the three phases of his worldly existence: his health, sickness and his death.
Whilst in good health, the Muslim is obliged to greet his brother in faith with the greetings of peace and protection, to accept his invitations and to give him sincere advice.

Then, when the Muslim is suffering from a cold, an allergy or whatever else is causing him to sneeze, his brother in Islam is obliged to ask God to have mercy on him. Likewise, when the Muslim’s sickness is such that he is incapacitated, his brother in Islam is obliged to visit him.
Finally, when the Muslim passes away from this life, his brother in faith is obliged to accompany his funeral procession, prayer and burial.

Islam is a very logical religion in itself, if you see the logical and moral reasons for attending a funeral you would notice that if a person attends a funeral, there are all benefits and no harm at all:

Few Reasons:

You give respect to the dead and pray for his soul to rest in peace
You show brotherhood with a person even if he rest in peace
You bond with the family of the deceased and give them strength.
You remember your own death which has to come, so you can prepare for it.

So Allah, who is the most Merciful and The most Beneficent, rewards you in return for doing a good deed. Family of the deceased or the dead himself may not be able to thank your for attending the Funeral but Allah does that for them. Quiet logical I guess!

Secondly, the friend asked what Sunnis think about women visiting graves, are women evil or dirty to attend a funeral or they are weak, fragile and sensitive?

If women were evil or dirty they wouldn’t be our mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) wouldn’t have married them or would have killed his daughters like people of Makkah who used to bury their daughters alive. One of the evil pre-Islamic traditions was the practice of burying baby girls alive. This practice was stopped when the Prophet Muhammad came with the message of Islam. This pre-Islamic time is commonly known as the era of ignorance because the people lived without the knowledge of the values and principles of Islam. For this reason, the birth of a baby girl was something for a man to be ashamed of. Men thought that sons would bring more honor on them, their families, and their tribes while girls could potentially bring them and their tribes dishonor; therefore, many men buried their daughters alive.

If you study Islam carefully you would see great importance and respect given to women, whoever says otherwise is telling a lie and fabricating according to their own needs. Women should be treated with respect and in return women should also understand the importance of certain things which are prohibited for them, like not wearing a veil, or body hugging clothes etc. There is always a logical reason behind every prohibition be it for men or women…….

Likewise there is a reason for prohibiting women from visiting graves:

The correct view is that it is not allowed for women to visit graves, because of the hadeeth mentioned. It was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed women who visit graves. Women should stop visiting graves.

The woman who visited a grave out of ignorance (of this ruling) is not to blame, but she should not do it again. If she does so, she has to repent and seek forgiveness, and repentance cancels out whatever came before. Visiting graves is only for men.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Visit graves, for they will remind you of the Hereafter.” At the beginning of Islam, visiting graves was not allowed for men and women alike, because the Muslims were new in Islam and came from a background where grave-worship and attachment to the dead were widespread. So they were forbidden to visit graves as a preventative measure, to avoid evil and prevent shirk.

But once Islam was well-established and they understood Islam, Allah prescribed visiting the graves because of the lessons and reminders of death and the Hereafter involved in that, and so that they could make Dua’ for the deceased and pray for mercy for them.

Then Allah forbade woman to do that – according to the most correct of the two scholarly opinions – because they may present a temptation to men and even to themselves, and because they have little patience, Muslim scholars agree that weeping for the dead is permissible, whereas crying out loud and wailing are not.

The Prophet (s.a.w) said: "The one who is wailed for is tortured on account of it." Abu Musa is reported to have said: "I declare my disavowal of all that Allah's Messenger disavowed. The Messenger of Allah disavowed publicly a woman who mourns loudly, one who shaves her head, and the one who tears her clothes in mourning." they get too upset. So by His mercy and kindness towards them, Allah forbade them to visit graves. This is also a form of kindness towards the men, because if they were all to gather at the grave, this might cause fitnah (trial for men). So by His mercy, Allah forbade women to visit graves.

But with regard to the prayer (women praying the funeral prayer), there is nothing wrong with that. Women may join the funeral prayer. The prohibition applies only to visiting the graves.

Thirdly, Why Shiites Allow women to visit graves? Hmm this issue is a never ending story between Shia’s and Sunni’s, all I can say is if you have faith in Allah and The Prophet Muhammad( pbuh) then you don’t have to follow or listen to anyone else. When Allah said that He would protect Quran Himself, then we should have faith that no one can change it and we have to believe in it and if we believe in Prophet Muhammad’s character then we also have to believe that he wouldn’t make a mistake in choosing his wives and his companions. If we don’t believe in Prophet’s wives and his companions then we don’t believe in him. So, people have to make a choice Do you believe in Allah’s word, the Judgment of Prophet in choosing his wives and companions who preserved Islamic teachings. If yes then we should respect Aisha, Umar, Uthman, Abu Baker who Allah chose for the Prophet and these are the People who Prophet chose for himself.

The reason for mentioning the last part is that if your believe in all of them then there wont be any issues and conflicts regarding the Sayings of the Prophet, which make Islam very clear and if you just disrespect one of the Person from the companions for example Aisha (R.A) who was the most beloved wife of the Prophet after his wife Khadija then most of the laws will change cause Aisha has narrated most of his sayings. She was a great scholar of Prophets time.

Rest I leave you to decide…..

May Allah Guide us all to the straight path.. Ameen.

Repel boredom with work

Those who have nothing to do with their lives are the same people who spend most of their time spreading rumors and falsehood, mainly because their minds are devoid of beneficial thoughts:

Allah says:

“They are content to be with those (the women) who sit behind (at home). Their hearts are sealed up (from right guidance) to they understand not.” (Quran 9:87)

When you find yourself to be idle, prepare for depression and despair, because idleness allows your mind to wander in the past, the present, and the future, with all of their difficulties. Therefore, my sincere advice to you is to perform fruitful acts instead of being idle, for idleness is a slow and veiled form of suicide.

Idleness is like the show torture that is inflicted upon prisoners in China: they are placed under a tap, from which a drop of water falls only after every hour. During the period of waiting between drops, many of them lose their minds and are driven to insanity.

Being inactive means being negligent of one’s duties, Idleness is an expert thief and your mind is its victim.

Therefore get up now and say a prayer or read a book; praise your Lord, study, write, organize your library, fix something in your house, or benefit others so that you can put an end to you inactivity. I say this only because I sincerely wish for your betterment.
Destroy boredom by working. When you apply this simple precept alone, you will have traveled at least fifty percent of the way towards happiness. Look at farmers, carpenters, and the bread – maker, and observe how, when they are working, they recite words as melodious as the singing of birds, because they are content. Afterwards observe yourself and how you toss and turn on your bed while wiping away your tears, always miserable, always torturing yourself.

Doing good to others gives comfort to the heart

The first person who benefits from the act of charity is the benefactor himself, by seeing changes in himself and in his manners, by finding peace, by watching a smile form on the lips of another person.

If you find yourself to be difficulty or distress, show kindness to others, and you will be the first to find solace and comfort, give to the needy, defend the oppressed, help those in distress, and visit the sick: you will find that happiness surrounds you from all directions.

An act of charity is like perfume-it benefits the user, the seller, and the buyer. Furthermore, the psychological benefits that one receives from helping others are indeed great. If you suffer from depression, an act of charity will have a more potent effect on your sickness than will the best available medicine.

Even when you smile upon meeting others, you are giving charity.

The prophet (pbuh) said:

“Do not dismiss certain acts of kindness by deeming them to be significant, even if (such a act) is to meet your brother with a smiling face (for that is a deed which might weigh heavily in you scale of deeds).”

On the other hand, when you frown upon meeting others, you are displaying a sign of enmity, an act that is so detrimental to brotherhood that only Allah knows the full extent of its evil effects.

The Prophet (pbuh) informed us that the prostitute who once gave a handful of water to a dog was rewarded for that deed with Paradise, which is as wide as the heavens and the earth. This is because the Giver of rewards is Forgiving, Rich, and Worthy of Praise.

O’ you, who are threatened by misery, fear and grief, occupy yourself in the betterment of others. Help others in different ways through charity, hospitality, sympathy, and support. And in doing so, you will find all of the happiness that you desire.

Allah says:

“He who spends his wealth for increase in self-purification, and has in his mind no favor from anyone for which a reward is expected in return; except only the desire to seek the Countenance of his Lord, the Most High.He surely will be pleased (When he enters Paradise) ( Quran 92:18-21)

Do not expect gratitude from anyone

Allah, the Almighty, created His slaves so that they may worship and remember Him, and He provided sustenance for them so that they may be grateful to Him. Nevertheless, many have worshipped other than Him and the masses are thankful not to Him, but to others, because the characteristic of ingratitude is widespread among human beings. So do not be dismayed when you find that others forget you favors or disregard your kind acts. Some people might even despise you and make you an enemy for no other reason than that you have shown them kindness.

Allah says:

“And they could not find any cause to bear a grudge, except that Allah and His Messenger had enriched them of His bounty” (Quran 9:74)

From among the ever repeating pages of history is a story of a father and his son; the former raised him, fed him, clothed him and taught him; he would stay up nights so that his son could sleep, stay hungry so that his son could eat, and he would toil so that his son could feel comfort. And when the son became older and stronger, he rewarded his father with disobedience, disrespect, and contempt.

So be at peace if you are requited with ungratefulness for the good you have done, Rejoice in your knowledge that you will be rewarded from the One Who has unlimited treasures at His disposal,

This is not to say that you should refrain from performing acts of kindness towards others: the point is that you should be mentally prepared for ingratitude.

Perform acts of charity seeking Allah’s pleasure, because with this attitude you will assuredly be successful. The ungrateful person cannot really harm you: Praise Allah that that person is the transgressor and that you are the obedient servant. Also, remember that the hand that gives is better than the hand that receives.

Allah says:

“We feed you seeking Allah’s countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you” (Quran 76:9)

Many people are shocked at the nature of ingratitude in others, as though they had never come across this verse and others like it:

Allah says:

“And when harm touches man, he invokes Us, lying down on his side, or sitting or standing. But then We have removed his harm from him, he passes on his way as if he had never invoked Us for a harm that touched him!”(Quran 10:12)

Hence do not be in a state of agitation if you give someone a pen as a gift and he uses it to satirize you, or if you give someone a walking stick to lean upon and he strikes you with it. As I pointed out earlier, most human beings are ungrateful to their Lord, so what treatment should you and I expect?

How to deal with bitter criticism

Those who are ignorant have uttered curses at Allah, the Exalted, the Creator of all that exists, so what treatment should we, who are full of faults, expect from people. You will always have to face criticism, which in its onslaught is like an interminable war; it shows no sign of ending. As long as you shine, give, produce, and have an effect on others, then disapproval and condemnation will be your lot in life. Until you escape from people by finding a tunnel in the ground or a ladder leading to the sky, they will not desist from censuring you, from finding fault in your character. For that reason, as long as you are from the denizens of earth, expect to be hurt, to be insulted, and to be criticized.

And here is something you should contemplate; a person who is sitting on the ground does not fall, and people do not kick a dead dog. Therefore their anger toward you can be attributed to you surpassing them in righteousness, knowledge, manners, or wealth. In their eyes you are a transgressor whose wrongs cannot be atoned for-unless you abandon your talents and strip yourself of all praiseworthy qualities, so that you become stupid, worthless, and to them, innocuous. This result is exactly what they want for you.

So remain firm and patient when facing their insults and criticism. If you are wounded by their words and let them have an influence over you, you will have realized their hopes for them.

Instead, forgive them by showing then the most beautiful of manners. Turn away from them and do not feel distressed by their schemes. Their disapproval of you only increases you in worth and merit.

Verily, you will not be able to silence them, but you will be able to bury their criticisms by turning away from them and dismissing what they have to say.

Allah says:

“Say: “Perish in our rage” (Quran 3:119)

In fact, you will be able to increase them in their rage by increasing your merits and developing your talents.

If you desire to be accepted by all and loved by all, you desire the unattainable.