'Hope you'll get a good husband' - 7 Eleven Cashier

I was fasting on Monday and headed to 7 Eleven after working hours to buy drinks, in case it's the break time and I can just sip a bit of apple juice on the bus.

When I handed my drinks over to the Indian cashier, she told me ' Fasting coming soon right? Now you should eat a lot. Once ramadhan comes, you cant get to eat already'

I replied ' Yup, Coming soon! Im fasting today btw'.

She commented 'Oh why are you fasting today, isnt too early?'

I replied again ' Im paying back my fasting days for the previous Ramadhan' 

She added ' Wow. Not many people will care to pay back. Some will just ignore y'know. I hope you get a good husband. Keep on praying'

Cute lah this Indian cashier. She still can selit about future husband all. And yes, early in the morning I'd always buy chicken pao from 7 Eleven mrt , and that's why the Indian cashier will know whether Im still single or available by having short conversations. Hahaha.

You olls dah bayar balik puasa belum? Cecepat if not kene bayar fidyah tau!

Riyadhus Salihat - 40 Hadith By Imam Nawawi

Alhamdulillah

Riyadhus Salihat new workshop for the year 2015.

This time round, we will be touching on hadith topic. My favourite subject lor. I can marry hadith cause I love it soo much I tell you.

Anyway, do register to confirm your attendance & a confirmation msg will be sent to you! This class will be held fornightly.

As much as we humans need to eat food for survival, we need to seek Islamic knowledge for survival of our deen & iman.

Im going. Are you?

Regarding Those Who Say Bad Things About You

Reblogged from; dawatussalafiyyah

Ash-Shaykh Al-’Allaamah ‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin Naasir As-Sa’dee (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“And from the beneficial matters is that you know that the harm people may cause you – especially in their saying bad things about you – it does not harm you, but rather it harms them.That is unless you busy yourself with giving concern to what they say, and you allow it to control your feelings. In that case their evil speech will harm you, just as it harms them. So if you do not pay any attention to what they say, it cannot harm you at all.”

Source: “Risaalat ul-Wasaa’il il-Mufeedah lil-Hayaat is-Sa’eedah”

Be Someone Who is Followed, Not a Follower.

Reblogged from http://ibnuthaymeen.wordpress.com/;

Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

“It is incumbent upon the Muslim not to be a person without character, a person following every other individual; instead, he should form his character based upon what is required by the Law of Allaah, the Most High, so that he be one who is followed, not a follower, and so that he may be an example for others, not one who follows others’ examples.”

[Fataawaa Arkaan Al-Islaam, 1/265]

Pre-Ramadhan Talk. You coming?

Oh Ya Allah!

Ramadhan is just like 21 more days away! Have the ladies paid back their fasting days? And as for the guys, have you guys too paid back your fasting days (not fasting due to soccer or health reasons)? Now now now. Please pay back your fasting days soon. Although we don't have a fasting police to check on us, be responsible guys. The Almighty is watching you....

Well, if you are someone who has difficulty in fasting in normal days, you can actually fast in alternate days yknow? There are 2 days in a week, which is beneficial and rewarding if you were to fast ; Monday & Thursday.

Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Deeds are shown (to Allah) on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like my deeds to be shown when I am fasting.” (Tirmidhi)

Well, that's just one of the important lessons you can read up for this entry. Because I am presenting to you....

Riyadhus Salihat's first seminar! 

There are actually 2 sessions for this seminar. 1st session was about Seeking knowledge. And the 2nd session details can be found in the poster above. 

Insya'Allah if there's time, I shall blog about the 1st Session's valuable key pointers here. 

So, keep yourself free on 13th June! Come and bring stationeries, fresh mind and healthy body to anticipate in this event!

For more information on;

Booking of seats: Please click here

Knowing more about the event & organisation: Please click here.

Fret not, there'll be refreshments provided and we accept walk-ins too!

Insya'allah, shall see you there!

12 Rakaat Sunat

So today, I’m going to blog about the Sunnah prayers which is done before or after fardhu (obligatory) prayers.

The Sunnah prayers are also called “Solat Sunat Rawatib”. It consists of 2 types. One is “Qabliyyah” which is done before fardhu prayers and “Ba’diyyah” which is done after fardhu prayers.

And why is that we need to do these Sunnah prayers? Aren’t performing 5 fardhu prayers sufficient?

Some claimed to love Rasulullah s.a.w and do the things that weren’t from his sunnahs and teachings. Alas, doing it exaggerately. But when it comes from his sahih/authentic teachings and Sunnah, they avoid it. They even dispute and go on and on in discriminating us of our real authentic dalils/evidences. 

But hey, do you know what these Sunnah prayers have got for you?

Dari Aisyah r.a., Rasulullah SAW bersabda, “Sesiapa yang sentiasa (berterusan) mengerjakan  solat (sunat) 12 rakaat, Allah SWT akan membina rumah baginya di syurga, iaitu; 4 rakaat sebelum solat Zuhur dan 2 rakaat selepas Zuhur, serta 2 rakaat sesudahMaghrib, 2 rakaat  selepas Isyak dan 2 rakaat lagi sebelum solat Subuh.” (Hadis riwayat Turmizi r.a.)

Insya’allah, a beautiful house in afterlife! 

But, it’s not that easy to be consistently performing the Sunnah prayers. Our job timing and tight working schedule might be some of the reasons we could not have performed it. But if one performs it every day without fail, Subhana’Allah, what a great reward would be for him! Performing Sunnah prayers is also one of the deeds that we can earn rewards for our afterlife. Wouldn’t one want extra rewards or more barakah while doing sincere ibadah?

All in all, fardhu prayers are more important than Sunnah prayers. If you think, you can’t perform sunnah prayers, then 5 daily fardhu prayers is more the sufficient.Insya'allah.

Every Haram Love is A Pain

After a forbidden love story, a Muslim girl gets her heart broken; she feels an unbearable hurt … 

let’s face it, that pain is nothing but a fair result for disobeying her Creator.That is nothing but a reminder for her that every Haram love is a pain, only obedience of Allah is a healing It’s a warning to her to repent to her Lord and protect her heart from Allah’s disobedience

"Marry a Religious Woman"

Ibn 'Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah):

"Marry a religious woman. She will neither abuse your right nor reveal your secret and she will take care of your property and your child in the best way." 

[Sharh al-Bukhari, Nikah, 2]

Have you paid Zakat?

Let us revise again. What are the 5 pillars of Islam?

1) Testimony of Faith
2) Performing 5 daily prayers
3) Giving Zakat
4) Fasting
5) The Pilgrimage to Makkah. 

During Ramadan, those who are well to do or are more likely to have savings in their bank account are required to give Zakat. It does not matter if you earn a 4-5 figure salary monthly, own a BMW car and have different collections of Louis Vuitton bags. It all fails when you have all those opulent things and to be an ignorant of not giving a small percentage of your wealth to those in need.

Remember that all the sophisticated gadgets that you possess, are not yours. It does not authentically belong to you. They belong to Allah. Having said that, the word "zakat" means purification and growth. By dispensating a certain amount of money to the less fortunate, our possessions could be purified. 

Narrated Abu Huraira Radi Allahu Anhu : The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said,

 "Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald- headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, 'I am your wealth, I am your treasure.

[Sahih Bukhari,Book 24, Number 486]

A Fabricated Narration

During Ramadan, I always come across all sorts of hadiths said by either Imam after terawih prayers, deejays and by tweets too. Just the other day, I found out that this particular hadith is weak or fabricated. 

"The sleep of the fasting person is worship, his silence is tasbeeh, his du’aa’ is answered and his good deeds will be multiplied."

The elaboration for this hadith is as follow;

This hadeeth is not saheeh, and it is not proven from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). 

Al-Bayhaqi narrated in Shu’ab al-Eeman (3/1437) from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Abi Awfa (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

 “The sleep of the fasting person is worship, his silence is tasbeeh, his du’aa’ is answered and his good deeds will be multiplied.”

 Its isnaad was classed as weak by al-Bayhaqi who said: Ma’roof ibn Hassaan (one of the men in the isnaad) is da’eef (weak) and Sulaymaan ibn ‘Amr al-Nakha’i is weaker than him. Al-‘Iraqi said in Takhreej Ihya’ ‘Uloom al-Deen (1/310): Sulaymaan al-Nakha’i is one of the liars. It was classed as da’eef by al-Manaawi in Fayd al-Qadeer (9293) and it was mentioned by al-Albaani in Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Da’eefah (4696) who said: It is da’eef. 

What the Muslims should do in general – and this applies even more so to khateebs and daa’iyahs – is to verify reports before attributing a hadeeth to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It is not permissible to attribute to him anything that he did not say. He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 

“Telling a lie about me is not like telling a lie about anyone else. Whoever tells a lie about me deliberately, let him take his place in Hell.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1391) and by Muslim in the introduction to his Saheeh (4). 

And Allah knows best.

How to benefit in Ramadan even during Menses - Asma bint Shameem

Yup. I'm back again with another post related to ABC. Heh.

I came across beneficial information on FB by someone who crafted useful ways on what a woman could probably do when she's having menstruation.

And here it goes....

I see many sisters, who are ma sha' Allaah, very enthusiastic about their prayers, duas and Ibaadah during the month of Ramadhaan. But, come their time for menses, it's like someone turned their switch 'off'. They completely stop all forms of worship and think that their menses is a reason to take a 'vacation' from remembering Allaah....totally. They start spending their time shopping, watching TV or just doing other stuff, just because they are 'on it', although previously they were very eager to spend their time remembering Allaah.

And then, there are some of my sisters, who are genuinely very distraught and feel kind of deprived and sad and so helpless that they cannot pray or fast during these days.

Naturally, they stop praying and fasting, as per the orders of Allaah, but then, they also stop all other forms of worship and means of coming close to their Rabb.

This is so much so that even during the last ten nights of Ramadhaan, instead of searching for Laylatul Qadr, the night in which worship is better than a thousand months, although they feel bad about missing out, they sleep through it, just because they are having their menses, thinking there is nothing they can do.

And thus, they lose out on the countless blessings, tremendous goodness and precious moments of this beautiful month.

So what's a woman to do during this time? 

1. Submit to the decree of Allaah:
2. Reciting the Qur'aan:
3. Read the meanings and tafseer of the Qur'aan:
4. Listening to the Qur'aan:
5. Do a lot of Dhikr:
6. Make lots and lots of dua:
7. Do plenty of Istighfaar:
8. Send blessings upon the Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam):
9. Thank Allaah:
10. Seek knowledge:
11. Give charity:
12. Do all kinds of good deeds

Conclusion: The bottom line, my dear sister, is that there is absolutely nothing preventing you from worshipping your Rabb and gaining tremendous rewards during the month of Ramadhaan or even at other times. Your menses is NOT a hindrance in your path to Jannah. All that is needed is your effort, the right good intentions and sincerity on your part. Just leave the rest to Allaah

5 Powerful Ways of a Strong Iman

My friend sent me this resource which I thought it was quite beneficial to be shared.

Adapted from: Maestrouzy


Iman (faith) is a priceless gift from Almighty Allah. He has given it to each and every person who acknowledged him as the only one worthy of being worshiped. And it is up to us to safeguard that gift and keep it strong until we return to Allah.

Qur’an says: “Say not that you have iman, rather say that you are Muslim, for iman has not yet entered your hearts.” (49:14)

The objective of this article is to discuss some basic steps to keep your Iman strong. If you follow these instructions from top to bottom, Insha Allah you will notice a remarkable growth in your Iman.

1. Remember that Allah is always available.

There are times that you don’t feel the presence of Allah, and you think you are lonely and you have no one to let know about your struggles, but never forget that Allah is always with you; even when you feel sad or glad, He is there for you. True Iman is developed when you realize that Allah is always available.

“We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein”. (Sura 50:16)

2. Daily relationship with Allah.

Having a relationship with Allah on a daily basis is a great privilege. It’s a vital part of your spiritual life. Hence, to maintain a strong Iman you have to be in a continuous relationship with Him by spending more time in prayer and reading the Quran. Remember! Allah wants a real relationship with you, so try to spend more time with him and always be thankful for His blessings.

3. Keep in touch with a Spiritual guide.

We can understand this from our daily experiences. For example; if you want to become proficient at a particular skill, you naturally seek an experienced person to guide you. If relying upon an experienced person is necessary for these simple achievements in this world, how much more crucial it is for a strong and a firm Iman which will help us to attain success in the both worlds.

4. Get involved yourself in Islamic gatherings.

Try to attend Islamic gatherings on a daily basis. This great way to preserve a strong Iman, because if you feel like your Iman is becoming weak and it hasn’t been as strong as it used to be, there will always be someone who will offer his support to work through your struggle.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said this regarding Islamic  gatherings: “Whenever a group of people gather and remember Allah and talk about him, then they separate, It will be said to them “ Allah has forgiven your sins and replaced your bad deeds with good ones.”

5. Calling people towards Allah.

One of the most efficient ways for a strong Iman is to call people towards Allah (Da’wah). It is said that the Iman of the prophets were always on the rise because they dedicated their whole life towards Da’wah. Da’wah is an essential part of Islam, and you don’t have to wait for your Iman to be strong enough to call people towards Allah, because Da’wah itself will make your Iman Strong.

 Prayer for a strong Iman: 

“Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate now after you have guided us, but grant us mercy: for you are the grantor of bounties without measure” (Ala Imran, verse-8)

Do you know any other ways that would help to keep your Iman strong? Share your comments below; so that it might encourage some other Muslim, and feel free to share this article with your friends.

Beauty is Skin Deep

Question:
I am going to be getting married shortly.The girl that I am proposed to, is pious and Deen-conscious. However I'm not too sure of getting married to her because she is not as good looking as my friends wife and others.What should i do?

Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu `alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

You compare the beauty of your friend’s wife to your “wife’’.
What would you do if your wife was more beautiful than your friend’s wife and you came across another woman more beautiful than your wife? When will this comparison stop?

Beauty is relative and competitive. No amount of beauty will fulfil you.
Furthermore, what if you your wife is extremely beautiful but she has bad conduct. She backchats you, screams at you and makes life miserable. Will you still enjoy her beauty?

Beauty is skin deep and temporary. If you chase a woman because of her beauty, what if her form and figure changed upon birth or due to unforeseen circumstances, will you change her?
If you found a woman who is reasonably good looking but has good values and sound character, you should be content with that.

The beauty of a woman is admired for a few days in the beginning of the marriage, thereafter one lives with the conduct of the person. Don’t be deceived by beauty. Don’t compare your wife to other women. Be happy with her as a person. Say to yourself you are happy with her.

And Allah knows best.

By. Mufti Ebrahim Desai

2 things prevent you from Happiness

Your eyes will definitely be glued to those “tai tai” that carries branded bags, wears MAC makeups and applies Salvatore Ferragamo perfume.

For guys, they will envy those who have sophisticated cars, sleek laptop bags and branded blazers for work.

Deep down, how you wished you could obtain all these costly materials, branded assets without having to work real hard so that when you wake up, millions of dollars are waiting for you to spend occasionally.

Like they say, Money doesn’t go on trees. If it grew, everyone would already be millionaires. There’ll be abundant of lazy people, many technologies exist in lightening up our tasks and all we did is to order around. By then, we won’t know what the meaning of hardship is.

Having to compare what others have- The high job position she attains and how many Louis Vuitton bags in her possessions, one definitely feels the pinch of not achieving those assets personally. What’s worst, these dishearten people will go to resort in taking up loans deals in purchasing cars, houses and bags. What’s the thing that they’ll gain lose? Unhappiness.

Unhappiness in not living the same standard with those “tai tai” and failure in mimicking their sophisticated wealthy character.

And what Shakyh Assim Alhakeem said is true,

"Two things prevent you from happiness; Living in the past and Observing others."

So many spouses have a miserable marital life because they are unable to forget. The past haunts them while they are themselves negligent of their own shortcomings and faults. 

Many Muslims lead a miserable life because they can’t bear the idea of others enjoying things they don’t have. Envy is like wildfire; burning itself. It leaves the person restless and living in pain and agony. Learn to move away from the past and to appreciate what you have without envying others."

What to do when someone sneeze?

When we sneeze, we should say "Alhamdulillah" (All Praise belongs to Allah). And, if there's Muslim nearby, he/she might reply by saying

"Yarhamukallah" ("May Allah have mercy on you").

What many of us don't know is that there's a third Dua'a which is made as a reply by the "sneezer" (the person who sneezed):

يَهْدِيكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيُصْلِحُ بَالَكُمْ

Yahdee Kumullahu wa Yaslihu Ba Lakum

"May Allah keep you on hidayat (guidance) and make proper your condition."

Let us attempt to memorize this third dua in'sha'Allah!

(a reminder to myself first and foremost, in'sha'Allah)

Allahu Akbar..

Ya Allah

Ya ALLAH dont take my soul away until you are happy with me, Aameen

Ya ALLAH give me death while i m in sajdah. Aameen

Ya ALLAH let the last words of my life be the kalma Shahadat. Aameen

Ya Allah If i die in Sleep let My heart beat the zikr of ALLAH. Aameen

Oh ALLAH, the GUIDER of the lost souls, Forgive The Entire Ummat!! Aameen 

Ya ALLAH Forgive My Parents, My Teachers, My Family,My Friends.

Suicide

The Prophet (sallallähu alaihi wasallam) said, "Whoever purposely throws himself from a mountain and kills himself, will be in the (Hell) Fire falling down into it and abiding therein perpetually forever; and whoever drinks poison and kills himself with it, he will be carrying his poison in his hand and drinking it in the (Hell) Fire wherein he will abide eternally forever; and whoever kills himself with an iron weapon, will be carrying that weapon in his hand and stabbing his abdomen with it in the (Hell) Fire wherein he will abide eternally forever."

[Bukhari Book:71 No:670]

Insya'Allah

Ibn Mas’ood said:

“A memorizer of the Qur’aan should be known for his long night prayers when people are asleep, his fasting when people are eating, his sadness when people are happy, his silence when people are talking nonsense, and his humbleness when people are not. He should be wise, gentle and not talk to much: he should not be rude, negligent, clamorous, nor hot tempered.”

[Ibn Al Jawzee (rahimahullaah), Sifaat As-Safwa: 1/41

Can Parents Determine My Marriage Partner for Me without My Consent?

Question:
My parents don’t want me to get married to a person I like. How can I convince them? Isn’t it my right to get married to whomever I wish? Do the parents have the right to determine their children’s choices even when the children are following Islam?

Answer:
Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

Thank you for your question.

Communication is very important in matters such as determining a suitable marriage partner. In most cases, parents are looking out for the best, regarding their children. Parents are duty bound to provide encouragement and sincere guidance. However, parents are not to force their children into a marriage. You should respectfully communicate to your parents, your choice of a good spouse. Your consent is mandatory for the marriage to be valid.

“A previously married woman has more right regarding herself than her guardian, and the permission of a virgin must be sought (for marriage).” (Sahih Muslim)

A young woman came to the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) and told him that her father had married her off against her will. The Prophet (peace and blessings of upon him) gave her the choice (to nullify the marriage or stay in the marriage)” (Sunan Abi Dawud)

“It is not permissible for the guardian to force a sane mature virgin woman to marry... if she refuses (to marry someone), she cannot be made to marry.” (Mukhtasar al Quduri)

And Allah knows best.

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Badat
Hadith of the Day Imam
Imam of the Islamic Foundation of Toronto and Director of Mathabah Institute

It's better to give they say...

“ Nabilah. Come follow Papa to NTUC.”

Mad fatigued and lazy as a bee, I was at the point of time. Knowing that I haven’t been going out with Papa ever since I’ve started my internship, I agreed in tagging along with him. Attending religious classes every Monday and doing housework chores with Papa were some of the things I did during the semester break. I didn’t continue my job as a Part Timer in my previous retail job as I thought I would love to spend my 2 months of holidays bonding with my lovely parents. I know that I put good use as now, for internship, I don’t have time to catch up with my friends, what more my family. 

NTUC is the best place for shopping of groceries, every day basic necessities and electrical appliances. Mainly, whatever items you need, will they provide the fresh items, new packaging and worth-it. I prefer shopping to NTUC then Shop & Save, Sheng Siong though.

Looking at Papa who was busy choosing vegetables, I could see that he is a very meticulous, proper and well-kept individual. He always provides me tips on how to choose good fruits, well-maintained can drinks and fresh chickens. He also teaches me on how to be thrifty. Whenever there’re any sales promotions, he would rather purchase the items than buying non-sale items. Of course, the sales items one buys, caters to your needs and not wants. You don’t just buy items that are cheap, affordable and on sale but to keep it at home for display purposes, right?

Cutting the story short, we took bus home. I could see that Papa talks, listens and communicates well. He knew when to cheer me up when I’m bored during the journey. Discussing about what were my plans after poly life, Papa always supports and gives me the green light to do whatever I want, as long as it is not something absurd.

As we were the only commuters left in bus 265, Papa being a very amiable person, communicated with the bus driver. Something about him is, everywhere he goes, there’ll always be his friends approaching him, shouting for his name and chatting with him. He’s someone that is not arrogant or chooses to talk with someone that he doesn’t like. He hangs out with everybody and even my sayang Wardah, likes my Papa. Maybe you want to become my Papa’s daughter in law? *Giving hints*

When it’s time to reach my bus stop, Papa was still seeing chit chatting with the Malay bus driver. I couldn’t care less than to tap out my ez link card, leave the bus and wait for him at the nearest traffic light. For someone that loves building rapport, how random could my Papa get in still talking with the bus driver. I wondered what were they discussing about as they took quite a long time talking and they had just known each other for goodness sake.

“I gave the bus driver the chickens that we just bought. He has to return home to Malaysia and come to  work early tomorrow. Don’t worry, we still have chickens at home. Later Papa will cook for you, okay? ”

I didn’t know what to react. To weep or to pat my Papa’s shoulders. Weeping as my Papa really did show some act of kindness in giving the favourite food of mine, to the bus driver and patting my Papa’s shoulders as he was really very thoughtful in giving others food. He simply doesn’t care whether the recipient has known him for long, his good friends or cousins. He just gives to whomever.