Eid Mubarak & Happy Teachers' Day!

En-Naeem Youths would like to wish Eid Mubaarak / Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all our Muslim sisters and brothers around the world!

Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum a'maalus shaalih wa kullu 'aam wa antum bikhair!
(May Allah accept our good deeds and may you be blessed with goodness throughout the year!)

We seek forgiveness from all of you for all our shortcomings and mistakes that we may have committed unknowingly. We pray that we are amongst those who have attained taqwa as stated by Allah swt in the Qur'an, which is His Gift to us who have fasted in the manner that we ought to.

May Allah swt Increase us in Iman and Taqwa, and aid us in being vigilant in continuing the acts of ibadah and good deeds that we have habitually performed in Ramadhan for the next one year till the next Ramadhan :) Wanna get a headstart on the Sunnah fasts? Let's start with the Sunnah fast of the six days of Syawal!

Ayyub (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days from Shawwal it is as if they fasted the entire year.” [Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah; Ahmad transmitted it from Jabir, Muntaqa]

*these six days exclude the first day of Syawal

We would also like to wish all teachers, educators, tutors, lecturers, asatizah, shaykhs and 'ulama a Happy Teachers' Day! Let us all give the due respect that they ought to receive from us, for that alone will please them. We would not know what we know now because of them, so we must always always respect them. Always keep in mind that Allah swt will ask You why you choose to disrespect or misbehave in front of your teachers.

Allahumma minal 'aaidin wal faa'izin :)

Have a blessed 'Eidulfitri everyone! :)

Seeking Power

Originally posted at http://fridaynasiha.com Laylat ul-Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. If a believing person is zealous to obey his Lord and increase the good deeds in his record, he should strive to encounter this night and to pass it in worship and obedience. If this is facilitated for him, all of his previous sins will be forgiven. There is no consensus of the Ummah over when the night of Qadr occurs. Imam Razi has a few novel points to offer on why that is the case: Allah concealed its knowledge from His slaves since His rida (approval and pleasure) is concealed in devotions to Him, and in concealment of the night is the cause of increase in devotions. This is following His general method: He concealed His friend (waliyy) among the people in order that all people might be respected; He concealed His response to supplications in order that they might resort to it oftener; He concealed His Great Name (Al-Ism al-A'zam [some scholars believe that Allah is the Ism al-A'zam. YMFN ED]) in order that all of His Names might be revered; He concealed the accepted prayer in order the people pay special attention to every Prayer; He concealed the time of death in order that the people never be oblivious of it. Again if the night of Qadr been known, the sins of the sinners in that night would have weighed heavily upon them, since, to commit sins on a known blessed occasion is greater in enormity than when committed on the same blessed occasion but without the sinner knowing that it is a blessed occasion. Three Ways to Seek Laylat ul-Qadr 1. Performing Night Prayer (Qiyam) It is recommended to make a long night prayer during the nights on which Laylat ul-Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many hadiths, such as the following: Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever stands (in qiyam) in Laylat ul-Qadr [and it is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven." [Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad] 2. Making Supplications It is also recommended to make extensive supplication on this night. Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that she asked Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him), "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylat ul-Qadr, what should I say during it?" And he instructed her to say: 'Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fafu annee - O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love to forgive. So forgive me.'" [Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi. Verified to be authentic by Al-Albani] 3. Abandoning Worldly Pleasures for the Sake of Worship It is further recommended to spend more time in worship during the nights on which Laylat ul-Qadr is likely to be. This calls for abandoning many worldly pleasures in order to secure the time and thoughts solely for worshipping Allah. Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: "When the (last) ten started, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed away from his wives in order to have more time for worship), spend the whole night awake (in prayer), and wake up his family." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Compiled From: "Tafsir Ishraq al-Ma'ani" - Syed Iqbal Zaheer “How to Seek Laylat ul-Qadr” – Muhammad Nasir-ud-Deen al-Albani

A Woman's Guide to Spirituality in Ramadhan

Original article: http://muslimmatters.org/2011/08/03/a-womens-guide-to-spirituality-in-ramadan-during-menstruation-and-postnatal-bleeding/

While others will be busy in acts of worship such as fasting, praying, reading Qur’an, etc., most women will spend a portion of Ramadan in the state of menstruation (or postnatal bleeding), leaving them unable to participate in the aforementioned activities.


It is not easy to stay positive at times like these, especially when we see those around us rushing to masaajid for taraweeh prayers, spending time in ‘itikaaf and reciting the Qur’an. This can lead us to feeling deprived of the reward of this blessed month, and often this feeling ends up decreasing our spirituality rather than increasing it.

Our menstrual cycles (or postnatal bleeding) are a part of Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa‘s creation and something that is ordained by Him. Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa tells us in the Qur’an that “He has created us in the best of molds” [At-Teen:4]. We are also told that Allah has “appointed a due proportion” [At-Talaq:2-3] for everything and that “for every matter there is an appointed time given” [Ar-Rad:38]. Thus, to complain about it would be to question the Wisdom of Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa. This is not anything to feel sad or inconvenienced about, but rather it should be accepted as part of the Divine Wisdom.

This same message was conveyed to us by Ayesha radi Allahu ‘anha via the hadith of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

Ayesha narrates that, “We set out with the sole intention of performing Hajj and when we reached Sarif, my menses began. The Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam came to me while I was crying and asked, ‘What is the matter with you? Has your menses started?’ I replied, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘This is something which Allah has destined for the daughter of Adam.’” (Al-Hakim)

Islam is the straight path that leads to the pleasure of Allah subhanaa wa ta’ala and ultimate success in the aakhirah. However, praise be to Allah, the path of Islam is broad, i.e. there is a huge variety of good deeds one can do to come closer to Allah subhaana wa ta’aala. Likewise, there are many other ways of achieving spirituality while we are on our menses (or going through postnatal bleeding) besides salaah, siyaam and ‘itikaaf. This was exemplified for us through the practice of the wife of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

Narrated Maimuna, the wife of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, “During my menses, I never prayed, but used to sit on the mat beside the mosque of Allah’s Apostle…” (Bukhari)

Here are a few practical suggestions of good deeds that a Muslimah can do while she is menstruating or has postnatal bleeding.

At the time of the adhaan:

Repeat after the adhaan

• Make du’a for the intercession of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam after the adhaan
• Allaahumma Rabba haadzihid-da‘watit-taammah, wassalaatil-qaa’imah, ‘aati Muhammadanil-wasiilata walfadhiilah, wab ‘ath-hu maqaamam-mahmoodanil-ladzii wa’adtah, ['innaka laa tukhliful-mii'aad] (O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and established prayer. Grant Muhammad the intercession and favor, and raise him to the honored station You have promised him, [verily You do not neglect promises]). [Reference: Bukhari & Bayhaqi]
• Make du’a between the adhaan and iqaama. Invocation during this time is not rejected.

When you wake up:

• “Alhamdu lillaahil-ladzii ‘ahyaanaa ba’da maa ‘amaatanaa wa’ilayhin-nushuur.” (Praise is to Allah Who gives us life after He has caused us to die and to Him is the return.) [Reference: Bukhari]
• “Laa ‘illaha ‘illallahu wahdahu la shariika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa ‘alaa kulli shay’in Qadeer Subhaanallahi, walhamdu lillaahi, wa laa ‘ilaha ‘illallahu, wallaahu ‘akbar, wa laa hawla wa laa Quwwata ‘illaa billaahil-’Aliyyil-’Azhiim, Rabbighfir lee.” (There is none worth of worship but Allah alone, Who has no partner, His is the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He is able to do all things. Glory is to Allah. Praise is to Allah. There is none worth of worship but Allah. Allah is the Most Great. There is no might and no power except by Allah’s leave, the Exalted, the Mighty. My Lord, forgive me.) [Reference: Bukhari]

In the Morning (after fajr) / Evening (before maghrib):

• “A ‘uudzu billaahi minash-Shaytaanir-rajiim. Allaahu laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyuum, laa ta’khudzuhu sinatun wa laa nawm, lahu maa fis-samaawaati wa maa fil-’ardh, man dzal-ladzii yashfa’u ‘indahu ‘illaa bi’idznih, ya’lamu maa bayna ‘aydiihim wa maa khalfahum, wa laa yuhiituuna bishay’im-min ‘ilmihi ‘illaa bimaa shaa’a, wasi’a kursiyyuhus samaawaati wal’ardh, wa laa ya’uuduhu hifdzuhumaa, wa Huwal- ‘Aliyyul- ‘Azheem.” (I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast. – Allah! There is none worthy of worship but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never encompass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.) [Reference: Al Hakim] Ayat Kursi, Surah al-Baqarah, Ayat 255
• Recite Surat’l-Ikhlaas, Surat’l-Falaq, Surat’l-Nas – 3 times each in morning and evening [Reference: Abu Dawud & Tirmidhi]

More morning and evening adhkaar can be found here: http://www.islamawareness.net/Dua/Fortress/027.html
Suggested Task: Read an English translation of half a juz of the Qur’an after fajr and before maghrib to complete 1 juz a day insha’Allah

During afternoon time:

• Listen to an Islamic lecture or read an Islamic book

At maghrib time:

• Help people break their fast by offering them dates and water
• Host an iftaar for family and guests

At 'Ishak time:

• Have family circle time at home and have a member of the house recite the Qur’an to the rest of the family followed by tafseer of those ayaat

Before sleeping:

• Cup your palms together, blow gently into them and recite Surat’l-Ikhlaas, Surat’l-Falaq, and Surat’l-Nas. Then pass your hands over as much of your body as you can reach, beginning with the head and then face, then the entire front of your body. Do this three times. [Reference: Bukhari]
• Recite Ayat’l-Kursi. [Reference: Bukhari]
• Recite last 2 verses of Surat’l-Baqarah. [Reference: Bukhari]
• Recite Surah Mulk. [Reference: An Nasai]

More on “what to say before sleeping” can be found here: http://www.islamawareness.net/Dua/Fortress/028.html

Other acts that you can do:


At the masjid:

• Shake hands with sisters and spread salaam at the masjid, especially engaging with newcomers.
• Sponsor iftaars at various masaajid if possible
• Volunteer for masjid clean up afterwards
• Babysit during taraweeh so that the mothers (and everyone else!) can pray with khushu’ and concentration
• Make a CD of beautiful Qur’an recitation and du’as and distribute it at the masjid

At home:

• Have a qiyaam program for other sisters at your house – prepare iftaar and suhoor for them
• Look for new converts, those who are newly practicing or people who have lost touch with the community and invite them over for iftaar and ‘Eid
• Think of Eid party ideas/gifts for family, spouse, children, neighbors and begin your preparations.

In your own time:

• Memorize ayaat of the Qur’an.
• Donate – clothes, food, toys, money etc.
• Make tawbah (repentance) and shukr (gratitude)
• Memorize Allah’s names and their meanings. Use them in making personal du’a.
• Visit the sick in your area or at the hospital.
• Always keep your tongue moist with the dhikr of Allah subhaana wa ta’aala. Say SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaaha illallah, Allahu Akbar and send salaams and salawaat on the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam while cooking, cleaning, driving, etc.

I sincerely pray that this Ramadan all of us witness an increase in our spirituality and a betterment in the relationship we have with Allah subhaana wa ta’aala. May Allah allow us to witness the blessed month of Ramadan and give us the opportunity to perform acts of ibaadah that weigh heavy on the scales on the Day of Judgment, ameen.

*Please note that some of the transliterations of the du'aas quoted in this article was modified in order to adhere to the transliteration style that is more common for Muslims in our region, in order to avoid confusion :)

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

by Mehreen Khan (via Suhaibwebb.com)

Almost one year has gone by and Ramadan is about to knock on our doors one more time, insha’Allah. Being able to fast the month of Ramadan is truly a gift – how many have gone back to Allah? – and it is also a trust that needs to kept with care and concern. Just like all other great things, Ramadan requires some sacrifice and determination, if you wish to truly benefit from this gift and protect this trust.

Ramadan requires preparation, which in turn, requires time and reflection. The companions of the Prophet ﷺ used to start preparing for Ramadan six months prior to it, and they would increase their worship especially during the month in which we are now, Sha’ban.

It’s kind of hard to go into Ramadan without any specific goals in the hope to 'wing it’, because to be able to improve one’s self, one needs to… well, obviously set some goals! Specific and personal goals will naturally vary from person to person, but here are some achievable ones that can be set insha’Allah:

1. Make all five salawat (prayers) on time: If one of your struggles is to perform your prayers on time, make it a goal to make each obligatory salat during Ramadan on time. Once this becomes a habit, insha’Allah, it will be easier to continue praying on time during the remainder of the year.
2. Recite the Qur’an: At least once a day, with reflection on its meaning. I know a lot of people like reading the entire Qur’an during Ramadan, which is great if you can do it, but do not forget to actually reflect upon what Allah is saying. Obtain a Qur’an with the English translation and read the tafsir of ten verses minimum each day. This is an achievable goal for anyone!
3. Avoid backbiting: Sometimes we tend to forget that backbiting is a major sin. “There’s nothing wrong in some gossiping, right?” Wrong! Try to catch yourself when you realize you’re backbiting and stop immediately.
4. Pray Qiyam ul Layl: I know it gets hard with school and/or work, but try to wake up at least 15 minutes before suhooreach morning and pray. This is one of the times when du`a’ is readily answered, so make sincere du`a’, ask for forgiveness, and reconnect with Allah. From my personal experience, I know that it makes a world of difference.
5. Recognize your sins: Admitting that you are imperfect and depending on Allah is the first step – reflect on the causes of your sins and the harms they have done in your life. Think about the greatness of the One whom you have sinned against, and ask for forgiveness. Pick a sin that you commit and make it a point to avoid committing it during Ramadan. Then pick another sin and avoid that until you behave at your best, at all times, as though Allah (swt) is watching you. Which He is.
6. Share Ramadan with your neighbors: Our neighbors have a right to know about Ramadan, and it is our duty to inform them. Think of fun ways of sharing Ramadan with your neighbors. My siblings and I usually make Ramadan goodie bags and cards and put them in our neighbors’ mailboxes. Be creative.
7. Try the 1/3 food rule: I know this one super hard and may sound like a broken record, but really…try not to over eat this Ramadan! The moment you feel nearly full – stop eating. Drink more, eat less. This is a goal that benefits others too as you can make two meals out of your one.

At the end of the day, whatever goals you choose to set for yourself, be sure to make them realistic and precise. Make a list of 5-10 goals you can reach to make this the most wonderful time of the year. Challenge yourself, but remember, you are going to have your limits so don’t be overly ambitious and expect a spiritual conversion overnight. Perhaps the most important advice to keep in mind is the saying of the Prophet ﷺ , “The best deed before Allah is the most persistent one, albeit small.” (Muslim).

Brothers and sisters, this could be our last Ramadan ever. This month may just be our last month of mercy, forgiveness, and freedom from the Fire, and we might never be able to see another one again. Let’s not let it go to waste, insha’Allah.

Keep us in your du`a’ – Ramadhan Mubarak!

Just My Thoughts

Original post: http://www.suhaibwebb.com/personaldvlpt/just-my-thoughts/

There’s a strange sadness today. It’s not the kind that leaves you empty or lonely, or even wanting. It’s the still kind. The kind that comes from a certain level of understanding, even acceptance.

I looked at this photo today, and every time I did, I found tears fill my eyes. It was a sunset on the beach. Stunning. And above it the ayah: Rabanna ma khalaqta hatha batilan subhanak (our Lord you have not created all of this for nothing, subhanak.)

And that’s just it. All of this. The sadness, the accidents, the smiles, the peace, the pain, the love, the loss, and the sacrifice: it’s not for nothing. It is not without purpose. It’s not a mistake, some sort of oversight or a random course of events.

I looked at the image and suddenly I was filled with such a deep sense of nostalgia. For a time, I have no memory of.

“And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam – from their loins – their descendants and made them testify of themselves, [saying to them], “Am I not your Lord?” They said, “Yes, we have testified.” [This] – lest you should say on the day of Resurrection, “Indeed, we were of this unaware.”" (Qur’an, 7:172)

I was overcome with the feeling of missing someone. Missing Him. Missing being with Him. Missing a time that was or will be. A time so certain, it is as if it already happened. That’s why when Allah talks about the hereafter in the Quran, He uses the past tense.

When you fall in love with a work of art, you’d die to meet the artist. I am a student of the galleries of Pacific sunsets, full moon rises on the ocean, the clouds from an airplane, autumn forests in Raleigh, first fallen snows.

And I’m dying to meet the artist.

“Some faces, that Day, will be radiant, looking at their Lord.” (Qur’an, 75:22-23)

That Best Boy [space] Friend

Original article written by MuslimahSource, re-posted as "He's Like A Brother" at Suhaibwebb.com

“You’re just like a brother to me!” she’d often tell her Muslim college friend whom she’s grown close to over the years. She feels comfortable with confiding in him, trusting him, opening up to him – but she’s never thought of him as a husband. They hang out together during their breaks, she calls him whenever she needs to vent, and she loves how he’s never judgmental towards her. To him, she was a friend at first — but he soon discovered that he’d often feel a tinge of jealousy whenever she spoke nonchalantly and joked with other male classmates. It burned him inside, and he’d always try to pull her away casually without making his irritation apparent. Many times, he’d look at her with admiration, smiling and melting away with his dreams of what could be for them. He would never dare bring up marriage to her, though. How could he when she only viewed him as her brother?

So, would you call these two good friends? Brother and sister maybe? Boyfriend and girlfriend? As with many cases in the Muslim community, this is a confused pseudo-marriage framed under the guise of friendship or an innocent brotherly bond. As the two become lax in their interaction, their hearts naturally – albeit unintentionally – gravitate towards each other, their minds become occupied with each other, and one or both parties eventually develop feelings that either remain trapped or expressed and acted upon unlawfully. With their increasing closeness and intimacy, the special reserves of loyalty, emotional sentiments and halaal physical attraction may be exhausted before their rightful outlet in marriage. If they end up not getting married and search elsewhere for a partner, they may never be content because they can’t resist comparing potential spouses with their former “friend”. Even if they eventually marry someone else, they will always have a history, and sometimes Shaytan can push them to reconnect and rekindle that past relationship during marriage.

It is no wonder why our wise Creator `azza wa jall, who is well aware of our natures and inclinations, says in the Qur’an “…Nor of those who take (boy)friends…(4:25). With many commands and prohibitions in Islam, Allah has mercifully forbade the prerequisite acts that would lead to major sins. He is protecting us from Shaytan and from falling prey to our desires, which saves us the emotional distress and painful regret that often come as a consequence to disobedience.

It’s also no wonder why it is purer and more chaste for both men and women to lower their gaze when speaking to those of the opposite gender (24:30-31), and to focus only on the tasks necessitating their communication. Remember Musa (`alayhissalam ) with the two daughters of Shu`ayb? Their interaction and communicating was exuding hayaa’ and self-respect; Musa (as) never struck personal, unwarranted conversation with them and when one of the daughters informed Musa (as) that her father is inviting him to reward him for his assistance, she walked (and spoke) with utmost modesty and dignity.

One of the greatest manifestations of modesty and also a safeguard to indecent conduct is the Muslimah’s Islamic dress. Besides obeying Allah and the Messenger’s commands in wearing loose, non-transparent, non-perfumed clothing, the attire brings with it an entire set of behavioral traits that the Muslim woman finds befitting to uphold. She is no longer comfortable mingling with men, joking and laughing loudly with them – or behaving in any way that may ignite their desires. Her taqwa (God-consciousness) and hayaa’ with Allah become embodied in all her mannerisms – her body language, how she speaks and carries herself – and reminds her of amicably maintaining the boundaries that Allah and the Messenger (peace be upon him) would be pleased with.

There is a profound hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him), which if practiced and truly believed in, can adorn our lives with blessings and many successes. It states: “There is nothing that you leave out of God-consciousness except that Allah will compensate you with something better” (Ahmad). We all long for acceptance and relationships that quell our loneliness and make us feel needed and loved. Perhaps if we devote our lives to increasing our love for Allah and gaining His love in return, He will bless us with halaal relationships that will be the greatest source of happiness, love, loyalty and compassion in this life and the better one to come.

Alhamdulillah

Assalamualaikum everyone!

Alhamdulillah, two of our recent events, Ziarah Maqam Kekasih and Aku & Dia III have been successfully conducted over the last month. Insya Allah, we will post photos of Aku & Dia III as soon as they are published, but in the meantime, we'd like to share with you some videos and hadiths that was shared during the camp. And ALHAMDULILLAH, we managed to collectively memorise 40 hadiths together! This is an improvement from our first attempt during Y.O.U.R. Night which we memorised only 39! Allahu Akbar! :D

We apologise if some of the videos shown and hadiths shared are not featured in this post as the author of this post was not present throughout the whole camp, except for the latter part of the second day.

Enjoy!

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Islam initiated as something strange, and it would revert to its (old position) of being strange. So good tidings for the stranger. [Muslim] === When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about the verse, "O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. If you follow right guidance, no harm can come to you from those who err" (al-Maidah 105), he said, "Nay indeed, order good and forbid evil until you see stinginess being obeyed, and desires being followed, and this world preferred [over the next], and each person being deluded by his own opinions. Then take care of yourself and leave the common people. For indeed, after you there will be days of patience, where patience will be like holding on to glowing embers (or hot coals). Whoever is able to do this will have the reward of fifty people that do like him." They asked, "O Messenger of Allah, the reward of fifty of them?" He replied, "The reward of fifty of you" [Recorded by al-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud with a weak chain but it has supporting evidence. Al-Albani calls it sahih. See al-Sahiha, #957]. === Dunia Masih Menanti by Demi Band Lyrics by Ust Noor Deros Sekian lama jiwa terpenjara Cukup sampai sini mindaku terjajah Akanku berlari kembali padaNya Tewaskan nafsuku takkanku menyerah! Dunia masih menanti wira yang sejati Iman dan amalnya sehidup semati Menunduk hanya didalam sujudnya Dialah hamba dialah sang raja! Jaluran cahyamu bila ku susur Rantaian hina ini pasti kan terlebur Warisan berkembarmu akan ku semat Agar dinobat umat Rahmat Sejagat! Menusuk dijiwa sinaran hidayah Membangkitkan hati yang terlena lama === The 40 Hadiths we memorised!