Why do we read the Qur’an when we do not understand Arabic?

An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.

One day the grandson asked, “Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur’an do?”

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water. The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You’ll have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.
The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try in.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, “See Grandpa, it’s useless!”
“So you think it is useless?” The old man said, “Look at the basket.”

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out. Son, that’s what happens when you read the Qur’an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives.”

~why muslim girl wear covers their body and hair?~

A non-Muslim guy asked a Muslim guy:"Why do your girls cover up their body & hair?"Muslim guy smiled & take 2 sweets & then he open one of the sweet. The other one he keep it close.He thrown both of tht sweets on sand & ask:"If I ask u to take one of the sweets which one u will choose then?"...The non-Muslim guy said:"The covered one"Then the Muslim guy said:

"That's why our women cover their aurah"

the most beautiful.. always hard to get and see it.. that is the muslim girl.

"A British man came to a Sheikh and asked: Why is not permissible in Islam for women to shake hands with a man? The Sheikh said: Can you shake hands with Queen Elizabeth? British man replied: Of course not, there are only certain people who can shake hands with Queen Elizabeth. Sheikh then replied: Our women are queens and queens do not shake hands with strange men":)

the clouds are soft and beautiful. but you could only see it from far and could never touch it. like a muslim girl..

History of Ramadhan

History of RAMADHAN

The origin of "Ramadan", the sacred Muslim occassion, can be traced partly to historic accounts as well as the various holy Islamic texts. A great part of the history of Ramadan depends on ancient Islamic folklore.

According to the Islamic texts, Ramadan began with Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam who was born in 570 CE in the Arabian city of Mecca. Orphaned at a young age, Muhammad was reared by his uncle Abu Talib. The boy grew up to be a merchant, as well as a shepherd. He was first married by age 25.

Gradually Muhammad began to be dissatisfied with his life in Mecca. Having an idealistic and religious temperament from his very early days, he retreated to the caves in the surrounding mountains of Mecca for meditation and reflection.

According to Islam, one night during the month of Ramadan in the year 610 A.D. when Muhammad was 40 years of age and was passing the month in meditation in Mount Hira, he had a vision of an angel appearing before him. This angel introduced himself as Jibril and revealed that Muhammad was the messenger of Allah and was born to be a prophet to his people. The angel asked Muhammad to recite what he said:

"Recite in the name of your Lord Who creates.
Creates man from a clot.
Recite: And your Lord is the Most Bountiful
Who teaches by the pen,
He teaches man what he does not know."

With a confounded mind, Muhammad descended from Mount Hira and told everything to his wife Khadijah. He feared that he had had an encounter with an evil spirit. But Khadijah allayed his fears reminding him of his good conduct until then and that it was impossible for him to be visited by a demon. She took him to her old cousin Waraqa ibn Nawfal and told the latter everything about Muhammad's meeting with the angel. Waraqa ibn Nawfal was a much learned man and was well-versed in various sacred texts concerning different religion. The lettered man convinced Muhammad that he was indeed a messenger of God and the angel who visited Muhammad was the same divine messenger Gabriel who had also visited the Hebrew prophet Moses.

In the following twenty-three years, Muhammad was visited many times by Jibril who taught him the holy knowledge in verses. This sacred knowledge consists of the code of conduct that Allah wants his people to maintain on earth. It is inscribed in verses which are compiled in the holy Qur'an, the most sacred book in Islam.

It is said that the sacred knowledge was revealed to Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. "Laylat al-Qadr" - a night of the month is symbolically regarded as the same night on which the holy knowledge was gifted to Muhammad and mankind. The followers of Islam consider "Laylat al-Qadr" as the "Night of the Power", the holiest night of the year.

As a mark of respect to Allah and to show gratitude to him for the true knowledge that he gifted to his sons and daughters, the prophet asked his followers (and therefore the followers of Islam) to pass the month of Ramadan in fasting, prayers and other austerities and end the month-long non-indulgence with festive celebrations.

The Quran instructs us: 
"Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. Allah wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify Allah for guiding you, and to express your appreciation." [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:185]

Thus was born the sacred occassion called Ramadan, a month-long period of austerity that sees devout Muslims across the world keep themselves away during the entire daytime, offering prayers and abstaining from almost every kind of enjoyment including drinking and abstaining from sex. For Muslims all over, it is a very special time - of introspection, meditation, self control, charitable activities, and spirituality and of course, devotion to God.

Aurah Awareness.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011

Aurah Awareness.

HOW MUSLIMS DRESS?


Allah makes a natural covering for all His creatures but not for His best creation: the human being. Instead, Allah tells us why and how we should clothe ourselves. Then Allah leaves us to choose whether to obey.
True Muslims always choose to obey Allah's commands
The Noble Qur'an says:

“O children of Adam! We have sent clothing to you to cover the shameful parts of your body and to serve as a protection and decoration; but the best clothing is the clothing of piety” [7:26]


WHY COVER? 
In Islam, dress has 4 functions.

1. COVERING
Dress conceals the private parts of the body that are called 'aurah in Islam. Muslims do not expose what Allah commands to be kept private. Allah forbids nudity.
2. PROTECTION
"And (Allah) has made garments to protect you from the heat (and cold)... " [16:81]

Dress protects the body from the weather; or heat, cold, wind and rain.

People living in desert region cover their heads and faces to prevent sand carrying living microorganisms entering their ears, noses, eyes and mouths.
3. ADORNMENT
Dress is worn to adorn and beautify the human personality, bestowing on it dignity. 

Allah is Beautiful and He loves beauty.[Sahih Muslim]


4. MORAL FUNCTION
Islamic dress helps safeguard the modesty and decency of a person and the moral ideal of society, where sex is permitted only in marriage.

There is a deep impact which outer modesty makes on inner spiritual well-being. Also, inner spirituality is reflected on one's appearance.

In Islam, both men and women should be custodians of the morality and society.
What Allah says in the Noble Qur'an 
-Modesty of Men

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do."[24:30]
-Modesty of women and their dress in public

"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments (in public) beyond what may decently be apparent. Hence, let them draw their head-coverings over their bosoms. And let them not display (more of) their charms to any but their husbands, or their father,..."[24:31]

-Protection for women

"O Prophet! Tell your wives, daughters and the believing woman that they should draw their outer garments (hijab), over their persons (when in public). That is more proper that they should be recognized (as decent women) and not molested." [33:59]
When should Muslims be dressed best?

"O cildren of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer." [7:31]


ISLAMIC DRESS : An Identity, not a uniform!
Islam, being a universal religion, has not set any particular form or style of dress. All manner of dress is acceptable as long as certain guidelines are followed. These guidelines apply to both men and women.
WHAT TO COVER?

Islamic dress must cover the 'aurah. 'Aurah is the parts of the body which cannot be exposed to others. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) defined 'aurah.
'Aurah is different for men and women.
A man's 'aurah extends from his navel to his knees. Most men choose to cover more than this minimum requirement. A woman's 'aurah outside her home and/or in the presence of non-mahram (not close relatives) men is her whole body except her face, hands and feet. Some scholars also include her feet. The head covering or hijab is a command of Allah. The face-veil or niqab is not a requirement, but some Muslim women choose to wear it for greater modesty, out of conviction that Islam requires it, or because of cultural tradition. 
Muslim women are not permitted to cover their faces during prayer, while performing the pilgrimage rites in Mecca, when giving legal testimony, or when identification is crucial for security purposes. In her home, Muslim women may uncover their heads, arms, feet and legs below the knees. And in privacy with her husband, no part of her needs to be covered.
HOW TO COVER?
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) admonished:

" Do not appear naked while fully clothed."[Bukhari]
Dress should not be transparent, showing the skin or so tight-fitting that it reveals the shape and sexual contours of the body. Loose-fitting clothes make prayer easier to perform.Dress should not be so outlandish or glamorous that it is provocative. However, Muslims may be as provocatively dressed (or undressed) as they like when they are with their spouses in private.


GENDER-APPROPRIATE
Men are not allowed to dress (and behave) like women, or as women. They are forbidden to wear pure silk and gold. Muslim men must be manly!
Likewise, women should not imitate men in dress (and behaviour too). Muslim women are feminine. Islam sets distinct and complementary roles for men and women in harmony with the natural disposition of goodness (fitrah) that Allah created them with.
Gender-appropriate dressing helps men and women fulfill their roles better.


MEN IN WHITE, WOMEN IN BLACK

In Islam, there is no "holy" colours. Islam does not require women to be always dressed in black or blue in public. This is cultural tradition practiced in some Muslim countries, or a rule imposed by certain Muslims authorities so as to enforce greater morality. Darker colours are worn because they conceal better.
Muslim men need not always wear white. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) wore clothes of various colours. However he recommended that white clothes be worn on Fridays and other assemblies. 
"The purity and simple beauty of white befits the honour and dignity of man" [An Nasa'i
The Prophet (pbuh) also grew a beard and often wore a turban on his head. Muslim men, out of their love for the Prophet, emulate him not only in character and conduct but also in dress and grooming

HUMILITY AND THANKFULNESS

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said : “Allah likes to see the signs of His bounties on His servants. “ [Tirmidhi]
He also said: “ Eat, drink, wear clothes, and give charity without extravagance and conceit.” [Bukhari]
Allah has not forbidden fine clothes, unless worn in arrogance and wastefulness. Allah’s bounty should not be flaunted lest it provokes envy and ill-feeling. Humility before The Creator and fellow human beings is a virtue. It’s difficult to be humble when one is decked in thousand dollar suits! However, Allah also dislikes slovenliness as a pretentious show of one’s poverty. Moderation and simplicity is always the preferred way.

THE LIBERATED MUSLIM WOMAN (AND MAN
Islamic dress does not degrade or oppress women. Rather, it gives them dignity because it protects them from exploitation as sexual objects, and enslavement by the fashion, cosmetics, film and advertising industries. Dignity and protection, together with many rights that Islam grants women (which modern world has recognized only in the last 60 years) guarantees the high status of women in Islam. The incorrect practice of Islam in many Muslim countries does not represent TRUE ISLAM. Regrettably, the movie industry has now begun to blatantly exploit male sexuality. Islamic dress also preserves men’s dignity.


THE MUSLIM IDENTITY

Muslim men and women who dress as Allah commands them present an image of dignity, modesty and morality. This is the Muslim identity, unmistakably recognized anywhere in the world. Obey Allah and be loved by Him!

Benefits of Dates Fruit for Women and Men

Benefits of Dates Fruit for Women and Men

Dates are highly nutrient dense foods. They provide large quantities of dietary fiber, dates calcium, iron, sulfur, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, and magnesium. These essential nutrients are needed for optimum health.

• Dates provide instant energy and boost stamina and tolerance levels.  Dates work wonderfully for the GI tract. It combats the most stubborn case of constipation   and bowel irregularity. It reduces the transit time of stool within the colon.                              
• Beta glucan found in dates is very good for diabetes.
• It prevents spiking and excessive oscillation of the blood sugar level.
• Dates check the multiplication of worms and parasites in the bowel, and promote the     growth of the friendly, beneficial bacteria.
• Dates are used to treat anemic conditions.
• It manages anemic headaches, breathlessness and dizziness successfully.
• Dates also promote healthy heart functioning. The fruit checks a range of cardiovascular diseases.
• Research also says that dates contain powerful anti-oxidants that ward off cancers by fighting the free radicals.