Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 30, Hadith 13)
My Islamic studies prof told us “It is a sin in Islam to think you are superior to anyone, and it is a sin in Islam to think you are inferior to anyone”. And I’ve always heard the first part, but the second has honestly changed my life.
Senad Hadzic walked all the way from Bosnia to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, passing through Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria and Jordan. He took with him just a torch, some clothes, maps and flags of the countries he walked through but no food or water. He had €200 ($230) and slept mostly in mosques and parks. It was in Serbia he faced a lot of trouble, where he was beaten up twice and had stones thrown at him. However, he came through Syria - a war zone - unhurt, as soldiers of all allegiances showed him a lot of respect when they saw the Qur'an in his backpack and found out his mission. He described the Syrian people as “wonderful” as they treated him with kindness and gave him oranges and apples in the streets.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
Mufti Ismail Menk (via fajrarmy)
"I was born and raised a mormon boy in Tennessee. I have never ever heard of the beautiful religion Islam while I was growing up. When I was 14 years old, I’m moved to Kansas City and got a job at the local fast food restaurant. At this point, all I knew about Islam was what my parents and the media have been saying. I didn’t know what to think, but I always put it aside. Throughout my years, I’ve always wanted something to believe in. Yes, I was mormon, but I never practiced or honestly believed in it. I slowly started becoming agnostic, I knew there was a higher power, but I just didn’t understand.
I started looking into something to believe in around the age of 14 because I had just moved, I lost all my friends, I didn’t know anyone in Kansas City, so there wasn’t anything else to do. My family was never religious, and we didn’t talk about God every day. Around that time of getting my job, there was another 14 year old girl who just so happened to be covered from head to toe. The first thing I noticed was not her hijab. It was her personality. The way her religion shined through her and defined her. She was who she was because of her beliefs. The more modest she dressed, the more beautiful she was. At this point I haven’t talked to her because I didn’t want to offend her. I started looking into the religion, I started studying and I found my self believing in Islam. I found myself happier than what I was before. I found that I had life to look forward too. I continued my journey with Islam. I converted and wouldn’t have it any other way. My mother wouldn’t allow me to bring the Quran in the house, and made a big deal about my converting. It was hard trying to be a good muslim while surrounded my so much negativity.
Eventually I told the Muslim girl about my peace with Islam, and we started talking more. I worked up the courage and asked her dad for her hand in marriage. It definitely was a lot of hard work, but her parents accepted me as one of their sons and supported the both of us. I married Su’Su on June 25th, 2014. I no longer have contact with my family because they have taken it upon themselves to not support my life style. I gained another family though. I pray everyday, 5 times a day that everything will soon be together and peaceful. If everyone could make dua to soften my families hearts and show acceptance it would be greatly appreciated. It’s kind of funny though, because if you make a mental image of me, I’m a country boy, with a thick southern accent who is Muslim and currently learning Arabic. You don’t really see that anywhere, anyway Alhamdullah for everything though, I’ve never been the happiest person in my life, with the most beautiful muslimah wife in the world.” - Chris Burtrum
(via Muslims of America)
10 ways to prepare for Ramadan 2014
Ramadan is coming up soon inshaAllah and it’s often the case that we rarely prep ourselves for its arrival and expect to go into it, full of vigor and enthusiasm and with that alone, we expect that we’ll just get right into it. But just like any other event, you really have to get ready before hand. Because it runs far more smoothly if you do, and you can tell.
- Fast on Mondays and Thursdays. It was a sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to fast on these days. You’ll be physically prepping your body whilst gaining some immense rewards too.
- Start reading the Quran. Try to read at least one page a day, or one page after every salat (prayer). Start re-familiarizing yourself with the words of Allah.
- Reduce the amount of time you spend online. Try limiting the amount of time you spend on facebook, twitter, *cough* tumblr *cough*. The more time you spend being idle, the less you’ll have to be productive. And this is important especially in a month where you want to reap as much rewards as possible by actively doing those things which will benefit you both in this life and the next. It starts small.
- Go to the masjid. Try going to the masjid at least once a week. Somehow, someway. Bring your heart back there and let it soak in that kind of serene atmosphere to prep it for taraweh.
- Watch your diet. Start staying away from fast foods and processed foods. As silly as it sounds, you’ll want to be top notch once Ramadan rolls around. Keeping your body in a healthy and mint condition will make fasting much easier. Drink more water, eat more fruits…ease up on the coffee.
- Start making a Dua-list. Make a list of your hopes and aspirations, things you want, people you’d like to pray for, anything and everything. Start making a list on paper and use it during Ramadan. Read it often to remind yourself what you want to pray for, because remember that the duas of someone fasting are not rejected.
- Pick your top 3 Ramadan goals. Choose three things you want to accomplish during this Ramadan. Keep reminding yourself of these three things.
- Purify your intentions. Start today. Simplest of all. Make an intention to really want to work hard towards getting closer to Allah, to improve, to reap the blessings of this blessed month for His sake.
- Pray for the Muslim reverts/converts. Keep making dua for your new brothers and sisters. Ramadan is often a very difficult and testing time for new Muslims, especially those who have yet to tell their families of their conversion. May He make it easy for them.
- Say "Oh Allah, let us reach Ramadan" || اللهمَّ بلِّغْنا رَمَضَان
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A day in which neither wealth nor children shall be of any benefit, except one who comes to God with a sound heart (Sūrat’l-Shu’arā’: 88-89).
It is from the excellence of (a believer's) Islam that he should shun that which is of no concern to him.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Reported by Abu Hurairah (RA) [Tirmidhi]
Let not one of you wish for death because of a misfortune which befalls him. If he cannot help doing so, he should say: 'O Allah, keep me alive as long as You know that life is better for me, and make me die when death is better for me.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Reported by Anas (RA) [Bukhari & Muslim]
The closest people to Allah are those who continue to try and be the first to say Assalamu alaykum.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ [Abu Dawud]
"My dad hated Muslims so much & It forced me to find more about Islam. I ended up converting"
Trying hard to control how upset I am. In the middle of writing my bar exam, the proctor interrupts me to give me this note. I spent Monday getting authorization to wear a head scarf. I was already bothered Massachusetts even required such a formal process for wearing it. Still I did. And made three phone calls to make sure I was all set. Still, they decide to take up the matter WHILE I'm taking the exam instead of waiting until the break. I then had to spend part of my lunch hour calling the Bar office to convince the proctors I was all set. Fun times living in the stone age.
Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.
Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) [Tirmidhi]
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to make dua saying, "O Allah, I ask You for good actions and for leaving what is disapproved of and for love of the poor. And if You wish to try people, then bring me to You without being tried."
A Palestinian boy sprays woman with a water pistol at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, Palestine. (AP)