Which Category of Prophet's Ummah Do We Belong To?

In the Name of Allah

'Abd Allah ibn 'Umar said: I heard the Messenger of Allah saying:

"My Ummah will be of three categories in this world:
The first will have no
desire in hoarding wealth and treasuring it. They do not work for owning and
monopolizing it. Their satisfaction of this world is with what allays their
hunger and covers their bodies. Their wealth in this world is what suffices them
to reach the Hereafter. To those there shall come no fear upon them neither
shall they grieve.

The second category loves earning money through the
most lawful means and spending it in the best manner. They help the needy.
Indeed, it is easier for this kind of person to their blood relatives and do
favor to their brethren and support starving than to earn a dirham unlawfully or
to spend it where it should not be spent, or to withhold it from its rightful
owner, or to treasure it until he dies. Those if they are audited will be
punished; however, if they are forgiven they will be safe.

The third
category loves hoarding money lawfully and unlawfully and keeping away from
where lawfully it should be spent. If they spend it, they spend extravagantly
and hastily, and if they hold it, they hold it out of stinginess and monopoly.
Those are the ones on whose hearts the worldly life holds the reins until it
leads them to the Fire through their sins." (Muhammad PBUH)

My Thoughts:

Category # 1 is the fast track to Jannah, and the questioning will be less. It requires to stay below certain wealth level. This person chose not to expand the wealth. They work to pay their bills and obligation, and share the rest of the money with this world. I recommend this to everyone if you can push back on the peer pressure.

Category # 2 is a group of people who does like earning money, as it is Halal to earn money proper way, and they also spent in the Name of Allah. They follow Islam as best they can. They pay Zakat, charity, and help the needy. Although they do everything right, they will not enter Jannah if they face full accounting on day of judgement. See, more you receive from Allah, more you to answer for it. If someone is rich then they have complicated means of income, and complicated ways of expenditures. If some mistakes are made, they have to account for it. Now, Allah has setup many ways to forgive people, and this group will be forgiven if they don't commit major sins. Our Prophet (PBUH) has told us that we should try not to get accounted, becuase no one can withstand the scrutiny of Allah. So, this group enjoys their lives in this world, and MAY enter jannah if forgiven.

Category # 3 are the ones who are Muslims, and they pray Salat, and do some good deeds, but they earn money anyway they can. They spend on things that do not benefit anyone. For example, they will spent a $50,000 on Marraige, where marraige suppose to be without expenditures. Their life moves around money, and they will skip the Salat, if there is an important meeting with a client. They beleive strongly in power of money, and Islam is a ritual for them. As long as Islam doesn't come in their way of earning more money they are happy to follow it.They truly don't beleive in life after death, as if you beleive that, then all the ealth is like "Toy Money". For example, if you go to Disney resort for a week, they use Disney money within the resort. So you start collecting the money but don't spent it. When you return, you try to use the money at the store, and they will start laughing at you. Same way, all the wealth in this world is good for 60+ years, and we can't use it to buy a cup of coffee at the coffee shop before "Sirat" on judgement day. We have to find a money exchange and exchange the currency that we can use. So, earn money, spent on worldly things, then spent more in the path of Allah converting to currency of hereafter, and keep as less as possible. This group will certainly end up in Hell fire, unless they repent.

JazakAllah Khairin
A struggling Muslim
Adnan Jumani

What is more important than Salat (Namaz)?

In the Name of Allah

Most of the Muslims are aware of the status Mothers have in Islam.

But do we know that all our Salat is useless unless, we are obedient to our Mother. This sounds like an easy thing to understand, but lets say it differently.

There is a person, who is very pious, and prays Salat with Jamat in the Masjid 5 times a day. He visits others home and enjoin to come to Masjid. He follows every Sunnah of our Prophet (PBUH) down to its tiny details.

He doesn't do any Haram, and stay with Halal. He does not do his daughter's wedding lavishly with Music and intermixing of Sexes. He doesn't talk bad about someone behind their back. You got the idea what kind of person this is.

If you know this man, you know for sure, he is going to Jannah.

But, he does not obey his mother on one thing. For example, he gives preference to his wife over his mother. He will not go to Jannah, unless the mother forgive him, or repent and change himself.

This should be an Alarm call for many of us who take light of their Mother's requests. We have to keep mother above all, except Allah and his messenger. Respecting Mother is not just lip service or a hug once in a while, or calling her "Amma". It means following what she says, and providing what she needs.

“Alqamah (radi Allahu anhu) was a very pious person. He spent his time in prayer and fasting. At the approach of death he was unable to proclaim the Kalima Shahada, in spite of repeated instruction by those present. Alqamah's wife sent a messenger to Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) to inform him of Alqamah's grave condition.

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) enquired whether the parents of Alqamah were alive. He was informed that Alqamah's mother was alive. Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) asked the aged mother about Alqamah. She replied: ‘Alqamah is a very pious person. He passes his time in Salat and Saum. He performs Tahajjud, but he always disobeys me for the sake of his wife. I am, therefore, displeased with him.’

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘It will be best for him if you forgive him.’ However, she refused. Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered Bilal (radi Allahu anhu) to gather firewood. On hearing this order, Alqamah's mother asked in consternation: ‘Will my child be burnt in the fire?’

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘Yes! Compared to the punishment of Allah, our punishment is light. I take oath by Allah that as long as you remain displeased with him, neither his Salat nor his Sadaqah is accepted.’

The old lady said: ‘I make you and all people present witness that I have forgiven Alqamah.’ Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) addressing the gathering, said: ‘Go and see if the Kalima is on the tongue of Alqamah or not.’

After returning from Alqamah the people informed him that he was reciting the Kalima. Thus, he left this world with the Kalima on his lips. After burying Alqamah, Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘The curse of Allah is on the one who causes difficulty to his mother. The curse of the angels and the curse of mankind be on him. Allah Ta'ala neither accepts his Fardh nor his Nafl Ibadat as long as he does not repent and obey his mother. He has to gain her pleasure as best as he can. Allah's Pleasure depends on the mother's pleasure and His Wrath is concealed in her wrath.’” [Ahmad]

This hadith is a sobre reminder for us to be respectful and obedient to our parents and try to keep them happy with us. It is not a small matter to upset them for the sake of our friends or others who we value more. The only time that we are allowed to give preference to others is in the matter of others’ Allah-given rights, since no obedience can supercede obedience to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and His Messenger (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam).

Therefore, it is important to find out what the rights of our children, spouses, relatives, friends, and other Muslims are, so we know what Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) wants us to do in case there is a clash between what different people want from us. This is the only proper way to balance relationships as it seeks Allah’s pleasure. Otherwise, mothers deserve our utmost attention, respect and obedience.



A Struggling Muslim
Adnan Jumani

Why some Muslims find Islam to be boring?

In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate

"Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allâh, Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest." (Surah Ar-Ra'd 28)

I speak from experience, as I did find Islam to be boring throughout my life. Going to Masjid didn't have any attraction. Reading Quran certainly was the most boring task I was ever asked to do. Taking Allah's name was very heavy, and I felt really uncomfortable about that.

Now, when it came to Amitabh Bachchan's Music (Indian Movie Star), I could listen for hours, literally. I had my favourite cassettes. Watching TV has been my weakness, but it was an adiction in the past. Of course, sports were the most entertaining part of my day.

With my experience in mind, I am very sensitive about other's similar habbits. I am sure everyone who read this (if they ever read anything I forward that is) can relate to this. If I discuss with people on Music or Movies, they are glowing with excitement, and it becomes hard to interrupt them, but if the discussion turn to Allah's name, they become numb.

Last night, I get to know above ayat of Quran, which reveals the reason Muslims are finding following their religion so boring. Lets face it. They are not avoiding Salat, because it is difiicult, they are avoiding salat because it is not fun, or it interrupts their fun. Everything seems to be about entertaining one self.

So, Why do we find Islam boring?

Answer is in the ayat above. Allah says in this verse that no one can find satisfaction and content of heart in anything except in remembrance of Allah. So, if one is not remembring Allah by praying Salat, reading Quran, or just saying ("Allah", "SubhanAllah"...), they will always be bored and depressed.

Narrated Mujahid: 'Abdullah bin 'Umar said, "Allah's Apostle took hold of my shoulder and said, 'Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler."

Wait a second. What about all the fun people are having with Music and such? Well, lets examine that. All musicians, movie stars, and entertainers provide fun to everyone, so they should be the fountain of content, right? Wrong. Most of them have committed suicide, or they are thinking about it. They are using drugs, or alcoholic. All of them are depressed. So, why is that, if they are the leaders of modern entertainment age.

What happens is that when we become a society of fun, fun , and fun, our hearts become hardened, and our soul's stomach gets filled with that food. However, Allah gaurantees that eating that food will only increase in hunger, and until we remember Allah on a regular basis, we can never be content. We CAN NOT have both love of this world, and Allah's name in our heart, as it doesn't mix.

Bayhaqi transmittted the hadith of Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him )that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "There is a polish for everything and that the polish for the heart (to remove rust from it) is remembrance of Allah. And, no deed is more effective than dhikr of Allah in rescuing from Allah's punishment." The Sahabah May Allah be pleased with them asked, "O Messenger of Allah, not even jihad in Allah's path?" He said ,"yes , even if one wields his sword till it is broken."

For example, we will not see a pious person getting depressed, and get on anti-depressants. There is no need for it. Their hearts are fill with Allah's name, and thats the best food for soul. On the contrast, they will not find attraction in the Music and such, as it starts mixing with Allah's name in their heart, and starts the reaction, which is very uncomfortable. So, they chose to avoid those entertainment as much as they can.

‘The heart becomes rusted like iron in water.’ When asked how to banish this corrosion, the Prophet (pbuh) replied, ‘Remember death frequently & recite the Qur’an.’ An-Nasai

If someone claims that they can keep both love of world (love of entertainment), and love of Allah in their heart, either they are a super being, or they are not being truthful to themselves. Allah's name will not rest where filth is resting, which makes sense. If one prefer to fill their heart with filth, it is unfortunate.

One who lives in a village beside a creek (stream of filth), will get used to its bad smell, and if you visit him, and spray some perfume on them, they will get uncomfortable. It is same for praying salat every friday, and praying Quran once a year, it will be very uncomfortable. If someone listen Music in their car, in the house... and you read quran to them, they will not find any attraction in it.

If we want to be content, we need to clean our heart from the love of this world, specifically love for Music, and other entertainment, We can't expect content, when all we feed our soul is Haram food (Music).

Of course, we all have to pay our due while we are in this world, and no one suggests to do otherwise. We just don't have to fall in love with this world. We should only fall in Love with Allah, as we will be staying with him for a very very long time.

"O Allah! It is evident that the desire for pleasure is inherent in us. Its total elimination is not the aim. But, we supplicate that wealth aids us in the attainment of Your Love." (Umar bin Khattab)

So, how do we cleanse our heart?

1. Remember Allah! best remembrance is Salat (Namaz). Then, reading Quran. Then, just saying his name.
2. Remember Death always! always! It will break the magic of this world, and we will be sober to think. Think about the time when we pass away. We will be washed. We will be wrapped in a white cloth. Our loved one will be crying. We will be lowered to your grave, and dirt will be spread on us, and we will be alone.

Hopefully, at least one person will break the grip of this world on their heart after reading this, and I may be able to answer to Allah that I tried to share what I knew :-).

Just a struggling Muslim
Adnan

Prohibition of Free-Mixing Between Men and Women

In the Name Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful

By Shaikh Sami al-Majid

The terms "mixing" and "mingling" are used frequently in discussions on the subject of male-female relations in Islam, but these terms were not used at the time the Qur'an was revealed. For this reason, we cannot find direct references in the Qur'an and Sunnah that say "free mixing between men and women is unlawful". However, this does not mean that such conduct is permissible or that Islam has failed to address the matter. Islam has detailed the relationship between men and women in the most precise and exacting terms. It has set down clear guidelines to show men and women how they must conduct themselves with one another. From all of this, there can be no question that Islam prohibits the free mixing of the sexes.

If we look at every verse of the Qur'an in search of a direct statement prohibiting a child from beating his parents, we will never find it. It is not there. However, the Qur'an says: "Do not even say to them 'uff'." Can any rational person, after hearing this verse, claim that it is permissible for a son to beat up his mother and father?

Likewise, Islam has forbidden a woman from putting on perfume and passing in front of men. It has prohibited her from striking her feet on the ground when she walks to reveal the jingle of her hidden ornaments. Can anyone, after considering these and so many other rulings, assume that women and men are allowed to freely mingle and mix with one another?

The texts of the Qur'an and Sunnah are limited in number. If we were to abstain from forbidding anything that is not directly stipulated by word in the texts, we would be rejecting the validity of analogous reasoning in Islamic Law. This would leave countless matters of life without an Islamic legal ruling. This would strip Islamic Law of one of its greatest qualities, which is its relevance to all times and circumstances.

It is absolutely clear from the texts that Islam does not allow men and women to meet each other whenever and however they like. It has placed clear regulations and restrictions upon such behavior and has defined the limits of interaction between men and women. Moreover, Islam has closed all doors that lead to temptation and promiscuity.

When we consider all of the laws governing the relationship between men and women in Islam, we are forced to come to the conclusion that Islam forbids any mixing between the sexes that might provide even the remotest possibility of temptation. Scholars of Islam throughout history have fully appreciated this fact. We can see it evidenced in the writings of the great jurists:

Al-Sarakhsi writes: "The judge should try women separately from men since people tend to crowd together in the courtroom. It is quite obvious that the mixing together of men and women under such crowded conditions is conducive to temptation and other distasteful consequences." [al-Mabs�t (16/80)]

Al-Nawawi writes: "Ibn al-Mundhir and others maintain that it is a matter of unanimous agreement that women are not obligated to attend the Jumu'ah prayers. However, his argument that this is because it brings about the mixing of women and men is not correct. The attendance of women at the Jumu'ah prayers does not necessarily bring about such mixing since the women stay behind the men." [al-Majm�' (4/350)]

Al-Nawawi also writes: "One of the vilest innovations, that some ignorant people today are involved in, is the habit of lighting candles on Mount 'Arafah on the ninth night. This behavior is gravely misguided and is full of improper goings-on such as the mixing of men and women." [al-Majm�': (8/140)]

In the law book entitled al-Fawakih al-Dawani, there is a discussion of when it is permissible to refuse an invitation to a wedding party. It says: "An invitation may be refused if there is any clear wrongdoing at the party, like the mixing of men and women." [al-Fawakih al-Dawani (2/322)]

When scholars warn against the free mixing of men and women, they are not talking about the mere presence of men and women together in the same place. This is something that is definitely not prohibited by Islamic Law. Men and women gathered in the same place at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the mosque and in the marketplace. They walked down the same roads and public thoroughfares.

The mere presence of men and women in the same area is not a great cause for temptation. It would be wrong to treat this as unlawful mixing, since the reason for prohibiting free mixing does not exist in such circumstances. If someone were to prohibit men and women from frequenting the same public places under the pretext of preventing temptation, this would be taking matters to an extreme and imposing a restriction that is unduly severe. Such a policy is, moreover, unnatural and would impose great hardships on people's lives.

At the same time, some circumstances are indisputably cases of unlawful mixing. This would include situations where women and men are crowded together so that there is a danger of their making physical contact. Equally unlawful would be any occasion where unrelated women and men are seated next to one another. Under these circumstances, desires are kindled and temptations are greater and regrettable things happen, as is seen time and again in co-ed schools and mixed social events.

The same can be said for any repeated acquaintance between men and women. Repeated meetings break down the barriers between men and women and allow a relationship to develop between them.

We cannot compare situations like these to the general presence of men and women at shops and other open public places, especially when women are accompanied by their family. In such cases, there is no intimacy, no crowding, and no reason for suspicion. Preventing women from public places frequented by men in order to prevent temptation would be taking things to an extreme.

A woman is commanded in Islam not to come too close to men. She is not, however, prohibited from going to places where men are present as long as she does not approach them or place herself in a position where she is alone with them.

There can be no doubt that preventative legislation is an important part of Islamic Law. There are numerous rulings in Islam that are preventative in nature. However, this does not mean that we can legislate against every remote possibility of wrongdoing that we can think of. Doing so would be a violation of Islam's tolerance and magnanimity and its ease of application. It would place too great a burden upon the believers.

People might differ as to the degree of mixing that is prohibited. We can, nonetheless, get a good approximation of proper limits by reviewing the laws of Islam that govern the relationship between men and women. The sacred texts provides ample evidence about how and when men and women can meet, how women should dress and conduct themselves when they go outside, and many other pertinent matters. It is impossible for free mixing between men and women to occur if Islamic Law is properly observed.

The body of evidence showing that women and men should not mix freely with one another is quite large. We will briefly mention some of it:

1. Allah says: "And when you ask the ladies for anything, ask them from before a screen. That makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs." [S�rah al-Ahzab: 53] For women to go about uncovered in the company of men is inarguably a gross violation of the command given in this verse.

2. It is prohibited for men to join women in one place in the absence of at least one of the women's close male relatives. The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade men and women from being alone together. He said: "Never is a man alone with a woman except that Satan is the third party with them."

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: "Do not enter into the company of women."

A man then asked him: "What about her male in-laws?"

The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: "The in-law is the most dangerous".

This hadith emphasizes the importance of being wary of in-laws since they are likely to have more opportunities to be alone with the woman and to see her as others do not get the opportunity to see her.

The private meeting between a man and an unchaperoned woman is one of the serious forms of mixing that can take place between the sexes. Temptations are worse when the people know that they are shielded from the sight of others.

Ibn Daqiq al-'id makes the following important observation: "We must take into consideration whether or not the man's arrival at a place brings about a situation where he is alone with the woman. If it does not do so, it is not unlawful for him to go there." (2/181)

This point was made clear by the Prophet (peace be upon him) when he said: "No man should enter into the presence of a woman after this day unless he is accompanied by one or two other men." [Sahih Muslim]

3. There are numerous evidences that the woman may not shake hands with men who are not among her closest relatives.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) never shook hands with an unrelated woman. Umaymah b. Raqiqah said: "I came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) with a group of the women of Madinah to swear fealty for Islam. The women informed Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) that they wished to swear fealty to him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'I do not shake hands with women. The way I accept the pledge from one woman is the same as with one hundred women." [al-Muwatta', Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan al-Nasa'i and Sunan Ibn Majah].

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: "It is better for one of you to be pierced by a steel pin in his head than to touch the hand of a strange woman." [Al-Mundhiri mentions that all the narrators of this hadith are trustworthy. Al-Albani classifies it as a good hadith in Ghayah al-Maram (no. 403).]

4. The Qur'an clearly forbids women from being soft of speech while talking to men. Allah says: "Be not too complaisant of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak with a speech (that is) proper." [S�rah al-Ahzab: 32].

5. There is evidence that women may not sit with strange men while wearing perfume. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Any woman who puts on perfume then goes and passes by some men to let them find her scent is a type of adulteress." [Musnad Ahmad, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abi Daw�d, and Sunan al-Nasa'i with a sound chain of transmission]

6. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The best of rows in prayer for the man is the first row and the worst for him is the last, and the best of rows for the women is the last row and the worst for her is the first." [Sahih Muslim].

If this advice is being given for men and women when they are in their purest frame of mind and engaged in prayer, then how should they be expected to conduct themselves in other situations?

Ibn 'Abbas relates that he prayed one of the 'Id prayers with the Prophet (peace be upon him). He informs us that the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed and offered a sermon, then he went to the women and offered to them a separate sermon, admonishing them and encouraging them to give charity. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

Ibn Hajr offers the following observations about this hadith: "The fact that he went to the women separately shows that the women were assembled separately from the men and were not mixed in with them." [Fath al-Bari (2/466)]

7. Once the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw men and women mixing together on the road upon their departure from the mosque. He said to the women: "Hold back a bit. You do not have to walk in the middle of the road. You may keep to the sides." The narrator of the hadith commented that after that time, women would come so close to the buildings that their dresses would sometime cling to the walls." [Sunan Abi Daw�d with a sound chain of transmission]

Ibn 'Umar related that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said about one of the mosque's doors: "We should leave this door exclusively for women to use." Ibn 'Umar, until he died, never again entered through that door. [Sunan Abi Daw�d with a sound chain of transmission. Al-Albani says: "This hadith is authentic according to the conditions set down by Bukhari and Muslim."]

Umm Salamah said: "When the Prophet (peace be upon him) completed the prayer, the women would get up to leave. He would then wait awhile before standing." Ibn Shahab said: "I believe that he waited for a while to give the women an opportunity to depart before the men." [Sahih al-Bukhari]

Ibn Hajr comments: "In the hadith, we see that it is disliked for men and women to mix on the road. How much more, then, should such mixing be avoided inside of houses." [Fath al-Bari (2/336)]

8. It was related in al-Bukhari that women at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not circumambulate the Ka'bah along with the men. 'a'ishah used to go around the Ka'bah at a good distance from the men and avoided mixing with them. Once another woman bade to her to go forward with her so they could touch the corner of the Ka'bah. 'a'ishah refused to do so. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

One of 'aishah's handmaidens came to her and said: "O Mother of believers, I went around the Ka'bah seven times and touched the corner twice or trice".

'aishah replied: "May Allah not reward you for pushing your way through men. It would have been sufficient for you to you to say "Allah Akbar" as you passed by". [Musnad al-Shafi'i]

There are two things that this shows us. First, 'a'ishah did not hesitate to circumambulate the Ka'bah when there were men around, nor did she forbid other women from doing so. She only refrained from crowding into men and mixing with them and this is what she prohibited others from doing. This shows us in the clearest of terms that the mere presence of men and women in the same place is not prohibited.

Second, the mixing and contact between men and women circumambulating the Ka'bah that unavoidably occurs during Hajj under today's crowded conditions cannot be used as proof that such mixing is generally allowed. Firstly, the practice of the people does not constitute any sort of evidence in Islamic Law. Secondly, what is happening today during Hajj is unavoidable. It is permitted out of necessity and cannot be made into a general rule for all times and circumstances. It would be fruitless for us to try and demand that women avoid contact with men while circumambulating the Ka'bah during Hajj. It would be equally impossible to ask them to delay their circumambulations until the crowds depart, especially since the women on Hajj are always accompanied by the others who came with them who cannot be forced to wait around.

It is pure sophistry for anyone to use these exceptional circumstances to argue that men and women are allowed to mingle under circumstances where no necessity exists. It is just as baseless as taking the other extreme and declaring the mere presence or men and women in the same place to be unlawful mixing.

We will conclude by mentioning a few verses of the Qur'an. Allah says: "Nor come nigh to adultery". In this verse, Allah does not say "Do not commit adultery" but tells us not even to come close to it. This means that everything that may seduce a person to fall into adultery is unlawful.

Moreover, Allah says: "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them." and says: "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty." [S�rah al-N�r: 30-31] This shows us how men and women are to conduct themselves.

Is Baby Shower (Godh Bharai) permissible in Islam?

In the Name Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful.

Assalam-u-alaykum,

Recently, with God's Mercy, some of the women in my family became pregnant. This is one of the happiest occassion for our family, and it usually sparks many celebration and gift exchanges.

Unfortunately, due to lack of understanding of Islam, it brought some misunderstandings among some family members. At the root was the question whether Islam permits Baby Shower (Godh Bharai)? So, lets analyze to find an answer to that question.

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4021

It is narrated on the authority of the Mother of the Believers, Umm 'Abdullah 'Aishah, radiyallahu 'anha, that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said:

"Whosoever introduces into this affair of ours (i.e. into Islam) something that does not belong to it, it is to be rejected." [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

There are alot of details to the rulings, but they can be simply written as follows.

Rules for Halal and Haram:

1) In ibadat and aqeedah, anything that is taught in Quran and Sunnah, is Halal, and everything else is bidah or Haram.

2) In worldly affairs, anything that is forbidden directly or indirectly in Quran and Sunnah is Haram, and everything else is Halal.

So, the only real question is how Baby Shower (Godh Bharai) fits in the 2 above rules? Is it an ibadat?

Answer is not straight forward, and will require a little bit of explaiantion.

It is celebrated by Non-Muslims as a non-religuous celebration, but Hindus do elivate it to a religuous occassion, and add many traditions that go agains "Tawakal-ul-Allah" Dependence on Allah.

It depends on the intention of the organizer, and what actions are performed during that event.

1. - Intention cannot be to protect from "Nazar" (Evil Eye) or removing bad omen. Specifically Hindu traditions and setup need to be avoided, which will make it Ibadat, since one is depending upon the ceremony to bless the baby and not upon Allah,

- Haram activities cannot be allowed.

If the following Haram activities are avoided, Baby Shower (Godh Bharai) is CONDITIONALLY PERMITTED as a cultural event. In Fact, it is recommended.

on the authority of Al-Bayhaqi, through a sound chain of narrators, that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Exchange presents, so that love prevails among you'.

Following acts during the Baby Shower will make it Haram.

• Intention is to follow a non-muslim community in thier ceremonies.
• Believing that this event will protect the baby, and if not done some harm can come.
• Hindu or other ceremonial acts
• Setup hindu or non-muslim environment like 'colth over the head'.
• Putting Tikka on the forehead
• Saying chants like "nazar na lagey"
• Burning chillie
• Waving money on the head in a circle
• Or, any other act that can be identfied as done by Hindus or other non-Muslims.
• Intentionally Missing Salah during that event.
• Mixing of sexes (Men are present, and women not wearing Hijab)
• Music is played.
• Displays of lewdness
• Alcoholic drinks
• Vulgarity
• Any other Haram activity, which is prohibited in general.
  

Following acts can make it a blessing from Allah

• Begin with Allah's Name, or recitation from Quran
• Disallow Men from the ceremony, including the husband
• Disallow all general Haram activities
• Never try to remove bad omen
• Direct all well wishes and duas towards Allah
• Share experiences of pregnancies
• Avoid references to Non-Muslim traditions
• Exchange gifts
• Prepare food
• Have fun
  

Please do gather and celebrate happiness as a group, and May Allah bless each and everyone who participates.

And Allah Knows best!

Adnan

References

http://abulaith.wordpress.com/2008/02/27/the-islamic-ruling-regarding-baby-showers-in-america/

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar&cid=1119503543924

http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?252352-Are-baby-showers-Halal&p=3846688&viewfull=1

Boot Camp: Becoming a practicing Islam

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

I ask this question to myself many times a day, and yet to get a complete answer. Now, I am not talking about becoming a pious person, which I may never become and don't know how to teach anyone. I am talking about just becoming a Muslim enough to answer yes, if someone asks "Are you a practicing Muslim?".

When I meet my family and other Muslims, I am always waiting for someone to discuss this, but no one has asked or wanted to talk about it so far, except my wife.

When Rasool Allah (PBUH) says that make religion easy for yourself, I think he means it. He never asked anyone to stop all haram acts cold turkey, because it is not humanly possible. I follow him, so I can't expect myself and others to do that as well. But, we can't intentionally induldge haram thinking we can never be pious so why quite this.

However, important thing is the intention and acting upon that intention of trying to fulfill the basic duties and become a minimum follower of Mohammad (PBUH), also known as Muslim.

It would not be fair to criticize others without evaluating myself. I am currently working on three things that will help me become a better muslim.

1) Ikhlaq towards others, because I have been avoiding relationships with my family and friends, and am working on it to become a Muslim in that aspect.

2) Improve my understanding in Quran and Sunnah, especially the ability to read Quran with tajweed which is fard upon us.

3) Wasting time in entertainment. Although I have stopped listening to music, which was the only way to repair the attraction towards Allah, I am still addicted to TV, and spend way too much time on sports, dramas, news. Need to bring it down.


Now, if someone is interested, here are some things to do to start the journey in becoming a practicing Muslim, in my humble opinion

1) Stop Listening to Music. Some how find a way to do that. There is no way a person can listen to Music with musical instrument part of the day and remember Allah as he should be remembered. I mean one can convince themsleves that they remmber Allah in the heart, but Allah had Mohammad (PBUH) spent 23 years teaching ways to remember Allah, and they are telling Allah that he wasted his time, and they know exactly how to remember him. It is just wrong.

2) Stop lying and back bitting. Backbitting will suck all the goodness from one's heart. Literlaly. When someone lies, their brain have to imagine something that is not real, and it affects the brain, and slowly their brain becomes disconnected from reality. It will be hard and weired first to tell the truth, but it is so satisfying knowing that one is telling the truth. Always. Even in jokes. Even in casual conversations. There are some exceptions to that. One is allowed to lie to hide their spouse defects, and to prevent a fight between two muslims, and to save their life. Next time someon calls and ask how long before you reach their home, please tell them the truth, instead of saying "5 minutes".

3) Stop eating and drinking haram. It is logical that whatever one eat makes cells in their body, and when Allah prohibits something it is not some random selction. He prohibited only which is not good. Oh but one beer a day may be. Nope. Comman now! Also, Why feed the family with money earned by Haram activities?

4) Pray Salat regulary and on time. Notice I put Salat at #4. I would recommend from the begining, but that takes alot of will power while listening to Music, so its not fair. Shaytan is much more powerful than us and knows exactly how to break our will.

5) Follow Hijab and grow beard (men). Hijab is for man also. Man should lower their eyes when a non-mahram is in sight. This is the tipping point of being a Muslim. If you cross this hurdle, everything is downhill. Now, you may disagree on importance of this, and deny Surah Nur verse 30-31, but the fact is that a person's perspective changes, when they change their physical appearence. If one doesn't come over this hesitation, it is almost impossible to go to next level.

The above 5 things are the boot camp, and it shouldn't take more than 1 year to bring about majority of these changes if you already are not doing them.

Have you not ever think about coming a little closer to Islam?

Is the pleasure in Haram so sweet that you are willing to bet your afterlife on it?

If someone has stopped believing that they will be judged for everything they do, then no one can help that person. Even Allah requires us to change our condition before he can guide us.

May Allah gives me strength to teach good to others, and to ask them to stop haram.

If you make intention, May Allah makes this easier for you then he did for me.

Slave of Allah
Adnan

Why not to celebrate Father's day.

To my family and others,

Celebrating Father's day is not prohibited, and you can do so.

However, keep in mind that you are making a statement that you have set aside a day for your father. I know that you love you father, and probably see them every other day.

Your children may not understand that, and they may consider it the only day to appreciate you. You will not findout until you have grown old, if they understood the concept.

In fact, looking at the history of mankind where Adam's kids started respecting their loved ones by making images, and slowly their kids starting putting flowers on them, and slowly their kids brought images to Masjid.... until Muslims became pagans.

I am not a scholar, but Allah has given me understanding enough to see potential of adapting traditions from Non-Muslim that are not safe. Why not celebrate Father's day, Mother's day, Valentine's day (with your spouse).... on Eid.

What would you do on Eid? Go to work?

Our Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) did not set aside a day for any of this. He was given knowledge of things to come, and he only celebrated Eid. Do you love others more than he did?

I know most of you ignore what I say, or don't even read it, so I don't expect any big change.

Also, if we are following Islam in other aspects like praying Salat daily, abandon Music, and do what is Halal, and stop what is Haram, then may be your Eiman is strong enough to tolerate this.

And Allah knows best.

Adnan