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Danish blasphemer burns to death

By Hassan Sinan on March 7, 2010 | From uwillreadnews.blogspot.com

In an investigative report, an Arabic newspaper, published from Saudi Arabia, has claimed that Kurt Westergaard, Danish cartoonist, has died in a fire incident.

*Update: International press has not confirmed this report.

KURT WESTERGAARD From Wikipedia.org
Kurt Westergaard is a Danish cartoonist who created the controversial cartoon of the Islamic prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb in his turban. This cartoon was the most contentious of the 12 Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons, which met with strong and sometimes violent reactions from Muslims worldwide. Since the drawing of the cartoon, Westergaard has received several death threats and murder attempts.

There have been several rumors of his death, but none have been confirmed by international press. The Danish authorities are trying their best to hide his death, who have found no clue about how the fire broke out and why only the room in which blasphemer Kurt was staying had been damaged. The initial investigation shows that the cartoonist, who committed blasphemy by drawing objectionable caricatures of Prophet (Peace be Upon Him), was provided complete security, as he had received many threats from across the globe after the Muslims had been enraged due to the repeated publication of the caricatures in the European press.

 Kurt Westergaard created a controversial cartoon depicting the prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb in his turbanIn February 2008, three Arab nationals were arrested for their alleged involvement in plotting the death of Kurt. A Somali man had also tried to stab him to death but the policemen deputed at his house saved him miraculously.

It is worth recalling that the blasphemous cartoons first appeared in Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten.

The investigative report says the incident took place some days back in which Westergaard was burnt seriously and died on the spot, but the international media is completely silent about it. The report further claims that some eyewitnesses are also available to testify the happenings. The Danish authorities have so far been unable to find any hint about the cause of fire, as they had started investigations while keeping in mind some external conspiracy to kill the blasphemer.

According to the BBC, a total of twelve persons were involved in the blasphemous act, but all of them, except Kurt, had opted to go underground to escape the public wrath after the Muslims around the world had participated in protest rallies which were attended by millions of people. People in Pakistan had also joined their brethren like those in Indonesia, Bangladesh, India and many Arab countries to register protest against the conspiracy to malign Muslims and their religion. In Lahore and Peshawar, the demonstrators had turned violent and around six persons were killed during the course, while property worth million of rupees was reduced to ashes.

But instead of expressing any remorse, Westergaard went public on many occasions saying he had no regret for committing such a shameful act.

The Saudi newspaper says the death of Kurt shows how powerful Allah Almighty is, as despite the foolproof security arrangements, none was able to save him from his tragic end.

Mengenali kedai yang pakai ilmu pelaris hitam

Cara Mengenali Perniagaan Yang Menggunakan Pelaris-

Cara mudahnya nak tahu kedai itu ada pelaris (Khadam jin), baca Ayat Qursi 3kali di luar dari kedai. Sebaiknya semasa dalam kereta. Kemudian buka tingkap dan tiup 7x ke arah kedai. Tak perlulah tiup macam bomoh pooh kiri pooh kanan.he..he.. Tiup perlahan-lahan sampai habis nafas(mcm ustaz Ismail Kamus ajar)

Sekiranya ada pelaris di kedai tersebut, “khadam” tu akan marah dan kita akan rasa seperti satu angin menerpa ke muka kita. Kalau dah macam tu, eloklah kita jangan makan dikedai tersebut.

Beberapa cara di bawah bolehlah diamalkan untuk mengelak sihir :-

1) Al-Fatihah.

2) Membaca tiga surah terakhir atau 3 Qul setiap hari.

Ia berdasarkan hadith :

قال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إقراء قل هو الله أحد , والمعوذتين , حين تمسي و حين تصبح , ثلاث مرات تكفيك من كل شيء ( رواه أبو داود والترمذي )

Ertinya : Baginda S.A.W telah berkata kepadaku : “Bacalah Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad” (al-ikhlas) dan (surah an-Nas) dan (surah al-falaq) sebanyak 3 kali ketika pagi dan petang, ia mampu mencukupkan kamu dari segala sesuatu.( At-Tirmidzi, Bab Doa yang disebut Ketika Ingin Tidur, no 3570 ; Sunan Abu Daud, Bab Apa Yang Dibaca Ketika Subuh, no 5072 ( Nuzhatul Muttaqin, no 1457 , 2/229 ) At-Tirmidzi : Hasan Sohih, An-Nawawi : Sohih.

-M.N

— with Sharifah

My friend post this..

Ludfie Jeftha

Status Update

1.6: Narrated `Abdullah bin `Abbas (ra): Abu Sufyan bin Harb (ra) informed me that Heraclius had sent a messenger to him while he had been accompanying a caravan from Quraish. They were merchants doing business in Sham (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan), at the time when Allah's Apostle had truce with Abu Sufyan and Quraish infidels. So Abu Sufyan and his companions went to Heraclius at Ilya (Jerusalem). Heraclius called them in the court and he had all the senior Roman dignitaries around him. He called for his translator who, translating Heraclius' question said to them, "Who amongst you is closely related to that man who claims to be a Prophet?" Abu Sufyan replied, "I am the nearest relative to him (amongst the group). Heraclius said, "Bring him (Abu Sufyan) close to me and make his companions stand behind him." Abu Sufyan added, Heraclius told his translator to tell my companions that he wanted to put some questions to me regarding that man (The Prophet) and that if I told a lie they (my companions) should contradict me." Abu Sufyan added, "By Allah! Had I not been afraid of my companions labeling me a liar, I would not have spoken the truth about the Prophet. The first question he asked me about him was: 'What is his family status amongst you?' I replied, 'He belongs to a good (noble) family amongst us.' Heraclius further asked, 'Has anybody amongst you ever claimed the same (i.e. to be a Prophet) before him?' I replied, 'No.' He said, 'Was anybody amongst his ancestors a king?' I replied, 'No.' Heraclius asked, 'Do the nobles or the poor follow him?' I replied, 'It is the poor who follow him.' He said, 'Are his followers increasing decreasing (day by day)?' I replied, 'They are increasing.' He then asked, 'Does anybody amongst those who embrace his religion become displeased and renounce the religion afterwards?' I replied, 'No.' Heraclius said, 'Have you ever accused him of telling lies before his claim (to be a Prophet)?' I replied, 'No. ' Heraclius said, 'Does he break his promises?' I replied, 'No. We are at truce with him but we do not know what he will do in it.' I could not find opportunity to say anything against him except that. Heraclius asked, 'Have you ever had a war with him?' I replied, 'Yes.' Then he said, 'What was the outcome of the battles?' I replied, 'Sometimes he was victorious and sometimes we.' Heraclius said, 'What does he order you to do?' I said, 'He tells us to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship anything along with Him, and to renounce all that our ancestors had said. He orders us to pray, to speak the truth, to be chaste and to keep good relations with our Kith and kin.' Heraclius asked the translator to convey to me the following, I asked you about his family and your reply was that he belonged to a very noble family. In fact all the Apostles come from noble families amongst their respective peoples. I questioned you whether anybody else amongst you claimed such a thing, your reply was in the negative. If the answer had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man was following the previous man's statement. Then I asked you whether anyone of his ancestors was a king. Your reply was in the negative, and if it had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man wanted to take back his ancestral kingdom. I further asked whether he was ever accused of telling lies before he said what he said, and your reply was in the negative. So I wondered how a person who does not tell a lie about others could ever tell a lie about Allah. I, then asked you whether the rich people followed him or the poor. You replied that it was the poor who followed him. And in fact all the Apostle have been followed by this very class of people. Then I asked you whether his followers were increasing or decreasing. You replied that they were increasing, and in fact this is the way of true faith, till it is complete in all respects. I further asked you whether there was anybody, who, after embracing his religion, became displeased and discarded his religion. Your reply was in the negative, and in fact this is (the sign of) true faith, when its delight enters the hearts and mixes with them completely. I asked you whether he had ever betrayed. You replied in the negative and likewise the Apostles never betray. Then I asked you what he ordered you to do. You replied that he ordered you to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship any thing along with Him and forbade you to worship idols and ordered you to pray, to speak the truth and to be chaste. If what you have said is true, he will very soon occupy this place underneath my feet and I knew it (from the scriptures) that he was going to appear but I did not know that he would be from you, and if I could reach him definitely, I would go immediately to meet him and if I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet.' Heraclius then asked for the letter addressed by Allah's Apostle which was delivered by Dihya to the Governor of Busra, who forwarded it to Heraclius to read. The contents of the letter were as follows: "In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful (This letter is) from Muhammad the slave of Allah and His Apostle to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path. Furthermore I invite you to Islam, and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and Allah will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your Arisiyin (peasants). (And I recite to you Allah's Statement:) 'O people of the scripture! Come to a word common to you and us that we worship none but Allah and that we associate nothing in worship with Him, and that none of us shall take others as Lords beside Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims (those who have surrendered to Allah).' (3:64). Abu Sufyan then added, "When Heraclius had finished his speech and had read the letter, there was a great hue and cry in the Royal Court. So we were turned out of the court. I told my companions that the question of Ibn-Abi-Kabsha (the Prophet Muhammad) has become so prominent that even the King of Bani Al-Asfar (Byzantine) is afraid of him. Then I started to become sure that he (the Prophet) would be the conqueror in the near future till I embraced Islam (i.e. Allah guided me to it). The sub narrator adds, "Ibn An-Natur was the Governor of Ilya' (Jerusalem) and Heraclius was the head of the Christians of Sham. Ibn An-Natur narrates that once while Heraclius was visiting Ilya' (Jerusalem), he got up in the morning with a sad mood. Some of his priests asked him why he was in that mood? Heraclius was a foreteller and an astrologer. He replied, 'At night when I looked at the stars, I saw that the leader of those who practice circumcision had appeared (become the conqueror). Who are they who practice circumcision?' The people replied, 'Except the Jews nobody practices circumcision, so you should not be afraid of them (Jews). 'Just Issue orders to kill every Jew present in the country.' While they were discussing it, a messenger sent by the king of Ghassan to convey the news of Allah's Apostle to Heraclius was brought in. Having heard the news, he (Heraclius) ordered the people to go and see whether the messenger of Ghassan was circumcised. The people, after seeing him, told Heraclius that he was circumcised. Heraclius then asked him about the Arabs. The messenger replied, 'Arabs also practice circumcision.' (After hearing that) Heraclius remarked that sovereignty of the Arabs had appeared. Heraclius then wrote a letter to his friend in Rome who was as good as Heraclius in knowledge. Heraclius then left for Homs. (a town in Syrian and stayed there till he received the reply of his letter from his friend who agreed with him in his opinion about the emergence of the Prophet and the fact that he was a Prophet. On that Heraclius invited all the heads of the Byzantines to assemble in his palace at Homs. When they assembled, he ordered that all the doors of his palace be closed. Then he came out and said, 'O Byzantines! If success is your desire and if you seek right guidance and want your empire to remain then give a pledge of allegiance to this Prophet (i.e. embrace Islam).' (On hearing the views of Heraclius) the people ran towards the gates of the palace like onagers [??] but found the doors closed. Heraclius realized their hatred towards Islam and when he lost the hope of their embracing Islam, he ordered that they should be brought back in audience. (When they returned) he said, 'What already said was just to test the strength of your conviction and I have seen it.' The people prostrated before him and became pleased with him, and this was the end of Heraclius' story (in connection with his faith).

[Hadith Al-Bukhari

How To Get An Extra 108,160 Hits A Year

Today's feature article is:

How To Get An Extra 108,160 Hits A Year

Read it below!

How To Get An Extra 108,160 Hits A Year
Copyright © Stone Evans, The Home Biz Guy
http://www.PlugInProfitSite.com/main-34306

Most of you have seen those little award graphics on
web sites. They are given to the web site by another
web site or award association to reward the web site
for a specific reason. They usually link right to the
site that has given the award.

These award sites are drawing tons of traffic to their
own web site. The reason is because all the web sites
who get the awards are linking right back to them by
posting the award on their web site.

What is stopping you from offering other awards to
other web sites? You could design a graphic for the
award. The graphic could include something that will
draw them to your web site. Have an online form at
your web site so other people can enter to qualify
for the award. You then judge all the entrees and
pick a winner. You give them the award graphic with
a link included. They post it on their web site and
now they're linking your web site.

You could offer web site awards for many reasons.
The web site might offer outstanding and original
content. The design of the web site could be very
professional. It could have a fast load time. It could
include original web features that aren't found on
most web sites. The site may be easy to navigate
through.

Let's say you give out 20 web site awards a week.
In a year that would be 1040 people linking to your
web site. If you received 2 hits a week from each
link, that would be 104 hits a year from each award
you have given. That equals an extra 108,160 hits to
your web site a year!

Quote of the Day:

"Friends are treasures." -- Horace Burns

And the answer ..Al Hakeem

3

1

Allah calls Himself Al-Hakeem— The All-Wise, The Judicious— on 33 occasions in the Quran. Al-Hakeem is the One with ultimate wisdom, who did not create and legislate anything in vain. Al-Hakeem carries out His divine will with His perfect wisdom: He judges, decrees, inflicts, and relieves in the most rightful way, place, and time. He is  all-wise in His creating and perfecting, in His commanding, His sayings and actions!

The All-Wise, The Ultimate Ruler and Designer

Hakeem and Haakim come from the root haa-kaaf-meem, which carries three main meanings. The first meaning is to restrict or prevent something or someone. The second main meaning of this root is that of being wise and of knowing the true nature of things. The third is to pass judgement, to decide and put matters in correct places.
This root appears 210 times in the Quran in 13 derived forms. Examples of these forms are yahkumu (will judge), hukman (wisdom, judgement), and al hikmah (the wisdom).
This attribute of Allah shows that He legislates rules to turn mankind from wrongdoing, all His rules are for our own benefit. Al-Hakeem does His work most accurately and perfectly, as He knows how to calculate, measure and design in perfection.
Al-Hakeem Himself says: O Musa! Verily, it is I, Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. [Quran, 27:9] … Alif Lam Ra: A Book, the Verses thereof are perfected and then elaborated from the Him, Who is All Wise, Well-Acquainted (with all things) [Quran, 11: 1] Falsehood cannot come to it (the Quran) from before it or behind it; (it is) sent down by the All Wise One, the One Worthy of all Praise. [Quran, 41:42]
Knowledge, Power and Wisdom

‘Ilm (knowledge) and hikmah (wisdom) are two separate attributes which have to be linked together for success. Of what benefit is knowledge if you do not use it with wisdom? And how far do you get if you are wise in your ways, but you do not have knowledge? Allah’s name Al-Hakeem is often paired with Al-‘Aleem (The All-Knowing). The other most often repeated couple is Al-Hakeem with Al-‘Azeez (The Most-Powerful). This shows us that Allah ‘azza wajal uses both His knowledge and power in the wisest way to guide us through the life of this world, testing us with tailor-made trials, challenges and opportunities for us to proof our faith in Al-Hakeem.
How Can We Live By This Name?
1.      Trust in Al-Hakeem. If Al-Hakeem decides you should lose or gain something, there is a wisdom behind it. If something happens that displeases you it would be unwise to be unhappy with Al-Hakeem. You lost money, or even a person, or didn’t get what you so badly wanted? How many times in life have you looked back and seen the wisdom behind things that happened to you, things which may have greatly saddened you at the time? Wisdom is to trust the wisdom of Al-Hakeem at all times, no matter how hard it may seem! And Allah is All-Knowing, All Wise. [Quran, 60:10]
2.      Stick to the laws of Al-Hakeem. All the rules of Al-Hakeem (the sharee’ah) are set to reform the creation and not to cause hardship in life. In other words; His rules are best for you. Al-Hakeem made you and thus knows exactly what you need to succeed. If we don’t understand His rulings, we should not blame the rules, but our own understanding. So focus and reflect and know that the ruling only belongs to Al-Hakeem and ask Him to make you of those who value His laws above man-made laws in your daily life.
3. Reflect on the perfection of Al-Hakeem’s work. Remind yourself of Al-Hakeem seeing His wisdom reflected in His creation. The oxygen, the salt levels in your blood are all perfectly measured, if they would be slightly different you would die instantly. Take the time to look around you (and at yourself) and realize the beautiful and perfect wisdom of Al-Hakeem. It is He Who made everything that He has created perfect, and began the creation of man from clay. [Quran, 32:7]
4.      Make the Book of Al-Hakeem your companion. The attribute of hikmah is one you should strive for too. Derive your wisdom from your knowledge of Allah. Where can we find this knowledge? In the Quran and the Sunnah. So make the Quran your close companion, by reciting it, understanding it and acting upon it. Ya Seen. By the Quran, “Al-Hakeem” (i.e. full of wisdom) [Quran, 36: 1] The more you follow the commands of the All-Wise, the wiser you will become!
5 . Have hikmah in your dealings.
Use your blessings with wisdom by using them to gain the pleasure of Al-Hakeem. How many of have wealth but waste it? How many of us have health, but we misuse it? Being wise is using your intelligence, wealth, time, and skills to please Al-Hakeem. The same goes for calling other people to Al-Hakeem— do so with hikmah!

6. Ask Al-Hakeem for understanding.
Of all things you daily ask of Allah, make sure you keep asking Him for understanding of the deen of Islam.
Al-Hakeem says: And whosoever is granted wisdom is indeed granted abundant good. [Quran, 2:269]

Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.

O Allah, Al-Hakeem, we know that You are the One who possesses ultimate wisdom. Make us of those who are content with Your decisions. Adorn us with wisdom in dealing with ourselves and others and with spreading Your message. Make us reflect on Your wisdom by looking at creation. Grant us understanding of Your book and guidelines and actions which reflect this understanding. Ameen!
The Understand Quran Academy Team

PS: Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up now and receive the free welcome gift to the series The Names of Allah.

How to get valuable feedbak frm yr custumers

How To Get Valuable Feedback From Your Customers

Today's feature article is:

How To Get Valuable Feedback From Your Customers

Read it below!



You can learn many things you didn't know about your
business by getting valuable feedback from your customers.
Your customers may buy your main product just to get the
free gifts. Your visitors may think it's to hard to navigate
through your web site.

By knowing this type of important information you can
improve your web site, products/services, advertising, and
marketing. Below are nine techniques you can use to get
valuable feedback from your customers.

-Use surveys and questionnaires regularly to improve your
business. Publish them on your web site, e-zine, print
newsletter, direct mail material, include them with product
shipments or inside product packages. Post them on
appropriate online message boards, e-mail discussion lists
and newsgroups on the internet.

-Create an online community for your customers. Include a
chat room, message board, e-mail discussion list on your
site for customers to participate in. You can regularly
moderator these communities to see what your customers
are saying about your business.

-Give away your products to a group of your customers.
Ask them to use and review the product. Ask them to fill
out an evaluation form and send it back. Some customers
may fill them out, some may not, but the feedback you do
get will be valuable.

-Offer your web site visitors an online product or service
from your web site at no cost. It could be an ebook, search
engine submission, consulting via e-mail, web design, etc.
In return, ask them to fill out a short survey about your web
site, products or services you're selling, customer service,
or your web site.

-Create a customer focus group. Invite ten to twenty of
your most loyal customers to meet regularly. They will give
you ideas and input on how to improve your customer
service. You could pay them, take them out to dinner or
give them free products.

-Stay in contact with customers on a regular basis. Offer
them a free e-zine subscription. Ask customers if they
want to be updated by e-mail when you make changes to
your Web site. After every sale, follow-up with the
customer to see if they are satisfied with their purchase.

-Make it easy for your customers to contact you. Offer as
many contact methods as possible. Allow customers to
contact you by e-mail. Hyperlink your e-mail address so
customers won't have to type it. Offer toll free numbers
for phone and fax contacts. This will make it easy for your
customers to voice their opinions.

-You could regularly contact customers on birthdays or
holidays. Send thank you gifts to lifetime customers. E-mail
them online greeting cards on holidays or birthdays. Call
them personally to wish them a happy holiday. You could
them follow-up with a survey or ask them if they're happy
with your business.

-Invite your customers to company meetings, luncheons,
workshops or seminars. Create special events for your
customers like parties, barbecue's, dances etc. Make a
point for yourself and your employees to interact with them
at these event to get valuable feedback for your business.

You could use a couple or all of the techniques listed above
to get valuable customer feedback. These aren't the only
ways, be creative and come up with some of your own.
-

Quote of the Day:

"Enjoying the joys of others and suffering with them--these
are the best guides for man." -- Albert Einstein

9 Practical Tips on Giving Da’wah

[Da'wah Series] 9 Practical Tips on Giving Da’wah

September 20, 2013Abu Umar

Source: AlKauthar.org

We understand that as Muslims, da’wah is an obligation upon us all. In my previous article, I discussed the benefits of giving da’wah. In this article, I will discuss how we can fulfil this important duty. I have listed some points below about how we as productive Muslims can bring this blessed act into our lives.

1. Take a Short Da’wah Course

You can contact a da’wah organisation that can guide you on how to give da’wah to individuals from various backgrounds in a variety of situations. These courses are not particularly time consuming and most organisations will provide it for free as well, so cost is not a problem.
For those based in the UK, I highly recommend IERA, which specialises in offering free and focused training for Muslims in different parts of the UK. It offers sharp techniques that involve using logic, common sense, reasoning and evidence from the Qur’an and authentic hadith.
For my brothers and sisters outside the UK, it is worth spending a few minutes on the Internet researching for organisations in your area or country that offer a similar service. If there really is nothing available, then you can always look for online courses where there is plenty of material accessible.

2. Pass on a CD or Book

This is an easy and effective solution to those who feel they do not have sufficient knowledge or even know where to start when having a conversation about Islam. Giving a CD of an experienced Da’ee (caller to Islam) who is able to break down the fundamentals of Islam in a logical manner may be better for you. Without the necessary skills and application of giving da’wah, we may actually hinder the effort of bringing someone towards Islam and trip ourselves up and more importantly, say something we may regret. If you are worried about this, direct them to someone more knowledgeable. Nevertheless, do not let this put you off from speaking to someone by giving da’wah and telling others about the greatness of Allah (glorified and exalted be He).
Offering a translated copy of the Qur’an is probably the most effective device you can give to someone. You will not find a better read in the world than the Qur’an (and you can tell them that too!).
There may be times when you engage in da’wah using excellent logic and examples, but the other person is just not interested. The Qur’an is very powerful and it will have an effect on a person’s heart and therefore it is something we should not underestimate. Consequently, it is a good idea to let people have a copy of the Qur’an and read at their leisure.

3. Inform Others About an Upcoming Class or Conference

This can be achieved through various means, for example word of mouth. You can tell people, Muslims or non-Muslims, about a local event that is taking place or the upcoming visit of a famous sheikh. This is something that can be done through modern means i.e. reminders sent by text messages, posting information on your Facebook/Twitter account, and any other means which you feel is effective in reaching people.
More traditional methods can be used if you prefer those. For example, you can distribute leaflets to different Islamic centres where they can hand them out to big crowds of people, such as at Jumu’ah prayers. Most large conferences will also have special invites for non-Muslims. Try to encourage a non-Muslim to go along with you by promoting it as a pleasant evening out with plenty of free food available!

4. Look at Improving Your Character

Improving your character would be one of the most effective ways of indirectly giving da’wah. By showing high excellence, manners and conduct at all times, those around you are likely to be drawn to you as a person, and therefore, towards Islam. A person with poor character is not likely to have any credibility, despite you telling them how beautiful and wonderful Islam is. Many rewards of a good character can be acquired not only in this life but more importantly, the next. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said:
“Nothing is heavier on the Scale of Deeds than one’s good manners.” [Tirmidhi]
A tip to help you improve your character is to study the seerah of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him), where you will find the best of examples. We can also study the behaviour and mannerisms of the companions (may Allāh have mercy upon them) of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him), as well as the pious people of the previous generations. It is also worth looking online for lectures regarding improving your character and how significant and pleasing to Allah (glorified and exalted be He) having a good character is. Additionally, we should supplicate to Allah (glorified and exalted be He) to help us work on our weaknesses and to positively develop our character.

5. Arrange to Post Lectures Online/Live Stream from Your Local Islamic Centre

This largely applies to centres that do not already have this facility. You would be able to create a stronger link between the local Islamic centre and the local community by providing materials to those who may not be able to regularly attend gatherings. This is also an effective tool to help prevent you from being of those that withhold knowledge, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said:
“Whoever hides knowledge, Allah will brand him with the branding iron from the hellfire.” [Tirmidhi]
This may take a bit of your time initially, but if there is anything you can think of starting that will benefit the people then, In sha Allah, this will be a sound investment of your time.

6. Engage Yourself in Charity Work

A great benefit of this is that it will count as sadaqah for you In sha Allah. I am sure there are many forms of charity work you can get involved in your local area e.g. the old and disadvantaged, or working with causes supporting the environment, animals, individuals with physical and mental disabilities etc. Taking part in noble causes is also an effective way of helping to remove misconceptions about Islam.
Moreover, this is something that was part of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) life, as he fought for people’s rights before becoming a prophet. This made the acceptance of his message easier among his people as they were well aware of his true nobility, exalted character and mannerisms prior to his message.
People are likely to respond positively to your da’wah and have an open mind about your message. Those witnessing your upright character may become curious about Islam and then research about the teachings of Islam themselves. Finally, getting involved in charity work should provide you with great opportunities within your career and thus providing you with success in this life and the hereafter.

7. Try to Integrate Islam into Your Life as Much as You Can

This means that you live and breathe Islam. So whether you are at the park, in the masjid or workplace, you have a consciousness of Allah (glorified and exalted be He) and what you should and should not be doing. This can be achieved by making sure you maintain the physical appearance of a believer e.g. maintaining a beard, wearing a hijab etc. This is important because how you dress and look will impact greatly on how you feel. Consequently, how you feel will affect your speech and conduct.
Studies have shown that clothing affects how we think about ourselves as well as how others perceive us. If you are in clothing that indicates modesty, the chances are your thoughts and actions will be modest, which can help improve your character.
Having Islam in your life continuously will make it easy for you to do that which is pleasing to Allah (glorified and exalted be He) and consequently, this will impact positively on your character. As a result, you can indirectly give da’wah and help to leave a positive impression of Islam and also remain alert to potential da’wah opportunities.
To practically help you integrate Islam into your daily life at the workplace, for example, is by keeping Islamic material with you at all times such as books or an Islamic calendar that you can keep at your desk and are visible to others. This makes your job of giving da’wah easier, as this allows others to initiate a conversation and ask about Islam. A great advantage of allowing somebody else to start a conversation is you do not have to start the conversation, which can be difficult to do with some people and therefore seen to be simply ‘preaching’. Little things such as these allow opportunities to be created and therefore making the da’wah easier.
Another idea is to bring food into the workplace/class on a special Islamic occasion e.g. Eid. People will naturally ask what the occasion is and therefore create an opportunity to give da’wah. This is a very useful tool as people always respond positively to food!
Furthermore, ensure you are praying in the workplace/class when the time for salah arrives. Try to speak to a manager/senior staff member to arrange for a room where you can pray if there is not already one there and let them know salah is very important to you. By highlighting this, those around you are likely to respect you more In sha Allah and hopefully it will open their hearts to Islam.
Lastly, if you are using public transport, be sure to have reading material with you. You will be using your time productively by seeking knowledge as well as potentially creating a da’wah situation where other passengers may be curious about what you are reading.

8. Obtain a Small Booklet About Common Questions About Islam

If it is not practical for you to attend a da’wah course, then having a booklet is a quick and easy way to know the types of questions running through the minds of non-Muslims about Islam. In sha Allah, this will provide you with confidence and the start-up knowledge in the field of da’wah. You can usually find them from local Islamic centres and also, for those in the UK, IDCI can provide cheap and effective da’wah material to help get you started.

9. Keep it Simple!

If you are speaking to a non-Muslim, try to mention the simplicity of the religion and what it requires to be a Muslim e.g. believing in one God, acknowledging the Qur’an as a direct revelation from God, and recognising Muhammad (glorified and exalted be He) as the Messenger of God.
People may try to ask you lots of questions regarding Islam. For example, “Why does Islam allow such and such?” An effective response is to say, “I can answer that, but you need to understand Islam as a package. So if you have a few minutes I can answer that for you.” This is when you can start giving da’wah about the Creator and the greatness of Allah (glorified and exalted be He) and create the beautiful picture of Islam.
Additionally, this approach applies to Muslims. When giving da’wah, it may suffice to remind others about the greatness of Allah (glorified and exalted be He), His names and attributes and to remind others of His favours and blessings. Keeping a simple approach makes your job easier and helps to avoid conflicts and philosophical debates.
What other effective ways do you know of to give da’wah? What da’wah organisations do you know of that can support our brothers and sisters in giving da’wah? What concerns do you have about giving da’wah? Please share your knowledge in the comments section below so we may inspire each other to take part in this blessed act.

About the Author:

Abu Umar is a student of knowledge trying his hand at writing blogs, looking to spread the message of Islam and its beauty.

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Dua for Calamities

 Umm Salama reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: If any Muslim who suffers some calamity says, what Allah has commanded him," We belong to Allah and to Him shall we return; O Allah, reward me for my affliction and give me something better than it in exchange for it," Allah will give him something better than it in exchange.

(Muslim)

 

9 Ways to Stay in Touch with Long-Distance Friends

September 6, 2013Naima Asma Cherfaoui

Living in the age of globalisation, I am sure that most of us have at least one friend who lives in a different country, on a different continent or even on the other side of the world. Real friends are rare. The kind that you can talk to about anything, know you can trust, who makes you a better person and brings you closer to Allah (glorified and exalted be He). Therefore, it is really important to keep these friendships alive and genuinely make an effort to do so. The following tips might be just what you need.

Religious Behaviour

1. Be a Good Friend

First, before thinking about how to stay in touch with your friends, work on being a good friend. Be somebody memorable, someone whom others actually want to be around. As a good friend, you should strive towards being trustworthy, honest, supportive, reliable, helpful, kind and understanding. Eventually, that is what you will be remembered for. Work on perfecting each one of these noble qualities In sha Allah.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “The example of a good companion in comparison with a bad one is like that of one who sells musk and the blacksmith. From the first, you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell, while from the blacksmith you would either get burned or smell a bad scent.” [Bukhari]

2. Make Dua For Each Other

Never underestimate the power of dua. If you know your friends are going through a hard time or has a difficult exam to pass, make dua for them. This way, even though you cannot be with them, at least they are with you in your prayers. Also remember them in your sujood, ask Allah (glorified and exalted be He) to make them righteous Muslims and to make it easy for you to stay in touch with each other.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “The Muslim’s prayer for his absent brother will be answered. There is an angel at his head who, whenever he prays for his brother, says, ‘Amin, and you shall have likewise.” [Ibn Majah]

3. Guide to Righteous Deeds

Inspire your friends to be the best version of themselves that they can be. Be a source of good in your circle of friends and someone that encourages the others to do righteous deeds. Talk to them about how to be productive, how to make the most of their time or suggest to them beneficial Islamic articles, books, websites, lectures and videos. Not only will you get immense reward for doing so, but you are also helping your friends to become better Muslims, which is something they will appreciate you for In sha Allah.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Whoever guides others to do good will have a reward like that of the person who does the good deed.” [Muslim]

Electronic Communication

4. Call & Text

Call your friends from time to time, or send them a short text message showing them that you think about them even though you are far away from each other. I am not suggesting that you should have two-hour conversations every single day. A simple five-minute call to ask about their day will do In sha Allah.

5. Social Media

Use the Internet to your advantage. Facebook is a really convenient tool to chat with your friends using one-on-one chats or even group chats. You do not have to spend five hours talking to them, just catch up for half an hour. Send them a nice message telling them that you miss them, ask about what is going on in their life or update them on what is going on in yours. Also, if your friends happen to not be on Facebook, there is still the good old e-mail, so no excuses. Try to send them pictures/videos to make them a part of your life and get them involved as much as possible.

6. Skype

Tools like Skype are great because you can actually see the person you are talking to. It is a lot more personal than just writing to them online. Obviously it cannot replace the actual person, but it is as close to talking to them in real life as possible. You can have so-called Skype dates and agree on a fixed time every week/month, depending on how much time you have. Also, when you have many friends you want to keep in touch with, you can talk to multiple friends at the same time. It is more efficient to do it that way instead of doing so separately with every single friend that you have.

Personal Interaction

7. Letters & Cards

There is something very special about a handwritten letter or card and I think everyone that has received either can attest to it. It demonstrates to the person that you sat down and really thought about what to write to him or her. It is beautiful because he or she can reread the letter or card over and over again, and it is something very valuable that your friend will probably keep forever. Also, if there is a special occasion like Eid or a wedding, and you cannot be with them, it is great to say a few nice words in a card. Getting postcards from various places can be exciting as well.

8. Care Packages & Gifts

How about you surprise your friends from time to time by sending them a care package or a simple gift? It does not even have to be for a special occasion; just do it because you are friends and you care about that person. If there is a good Islamic book that you would like them to read, for example, that might not be available in their country, this could be a great gift for them.

9. Visit Each Other

Plan annual get-togethers. Make it a priority to see each other at least once a year. Saving up some money will be necessary for that, so be sure to put aside a certain amount every month. Remember to spend the precious time you have together productively and plan some activities ahead of time if you can.
An important point to remember is that it should not always only be you who is making the extra effort. A friendship is a two-way relationship that consists of giving and receiving. So share this article with your friends who live far away and In sha Allah they will apply some of these tips as well. Distance should not matter if you are true friend. If you genuinely care about a person you can always make time for them

In life, I have made a lot of mistakes and felt a lot of pain. My pain made me stronger and my mistakes made me wiser.
Sometimes, people never get what they deserve because they're too busy holding on to things they're supposed to let go of.

THE PROVIDER AND PROVIDENCE: SETTING THE RIGHT FOCUS

By Sumbal Tariq
Every human heart is in need of perfection, and this life is a struggle to attain that perfection. Sooner or later every heart realizes that perfection lies only with Allah (swt). His perfection and His completeness are reflected in His attributes. By pondering the nature of everything provided by Allah (swt), we come to know about His unique attributes. One such blessing provided to us is Al-Quran, which holds many verses reflecting His attributes. I’ve chosen one of the verses of the Holy Quran to help us understand the ultimate perfection— Allah (swt):
Or who is it that could provide for you if He withheld His provision? But they have persisted in insolence and aversion? [Quran, 67:21].
This verse is so deep and profound in its meaning because it holds many attributes of Allah Almighty. Reflecting on this verse helps us understand the following realities:
All power belongs to Allah (swt): This verse reflects that all power is in the hand of Allah (swt). No human being has the power to satisfy your needs or to give you providence like food, shelter, a job, wealth, strength, love, etc. Allah (swt) is the provider of all created things. Understanding this attribute makes our hearts fear Him (swt) alone because it helps us know that Allah (swt) controls all things and that no human being provides us with any good or any harm except by Allah’s will.
If God touches you with affliction, there is none who can remove it but He; and if He wills any good for you, then there is none who can hold back His bounty. He causes it to reach whomever He wills of His servants. He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Compassionate. [Quran, 10:107]
The King of kings has power over all things— when you have a need, ask Him, and fear Him alone.
All blessings belong to Allah: This verse shows that your blessings aren’t your belongings. They’re given you by Allah (swt) alone. This means that the money in your bank accounts, your loved ones, your social status, and your job are all given you by Allah (swt).
This verse grants us the insight that we don’t gain a single material thing on our own or with the help of any human being but it’s Allah who has blessed us with it, and far more than we deserve. You don’t own or get anything except what Allah Almighty provides to you. Understanding this concept eradicates arrogance and pride from the heart and removes the love for material things.
We belong to Allah and to Him we will return. [Quran, 2:156]
Human beings are weak: The third deep concept we get from this verse is that humans are weak and fallible.
You’re trying hard to get it by utilizing all resources and powers at your disposal, but you still don’t get the job. Then you come to know about this attribute of Allah (swt)— that only He provides for you. Even if you get the job, understand that it’s not because of you or your boss or any other resource but rather Allah Almighty who is blessing you.
Similarly, if he withholds a blessing, no human has the power to work against His will. Think for a moment— what if He withholds the air you breathe for few seconds? Is there anyone else who can replace this air for you? Do you have the strength to create air for yourself? You came to know your own weakness and His greatness from the answers of these questions.
And you do not will except that Allah wills. [Quran, 76:30]
Understanding of this verse leads us to set the right focus on the Provider and providence. Don’t starve your heart and soul by running for providence by disobeying the Provider. Instead ask and seek the Provider, and you’ll get the providence.
Sumbal Tariq lives in Islamabad, Pakistan. She did her MBA at International Islamic University Islamabad.

And the Answer is . . . Al-Mujeeb!

The One Who Responds, The Answerer of Prayers

Mujeeb comes from the root jeem-waw-baa, which points to three main meanings. The first meaning is to answer, reply, respond, and accept. The second main meaning is to cut, pierce, or penetrate and the third is to have a dialogue or conference. Al-Mujeeb is the One who answers prayers, responds to needs, and accepts praise. He is the One who penetrates each obstacle in order to respond.

This root appears 43 times in the Quran in five derived forms. Examples of these forms are ujeebu (“I respond”), jaboo (“carved out”), istajaaboo (“respond”) and jawaabaa (“(the) answer”). Al-Mujeeb Himself says: … Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive [Quran, 11:61] and … [We are] the best of responders.[Quran, 37:75]

Responding to Each Request with Ease

The name Al-Mujeeb is related in meaning to Al-Hakeem (The All-Wise), Al-‘Aleem (The All-Knowing), As-Samee’ (The All-Hearing), Al-Baseer (The All-Seeing), Al-Wahhaab (The Giver of Gifts) and Al-Kareem. He responds to our requests in a way that displays His ultimate wisdom and knowledge. While we call out to Him He is All-Hearing and All-Seeing and He often gives us more than we deserve or even ask. He is the Most Generous.

His amazing power and wisdom in responding to our requests is demonstrated in this part of a beautiful hadith qudsi:
. . . O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to rise up in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have, any more that a needle decreases the sea if put into it.. [Muslim, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]

How Can You Live By This Name?

1.      Respond to the call of Al-Mujeeb.
Al-Mujeeb says: When my servants ask thee concerning Me I am indeed close (to them); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me; let them also with a will listen to My call and believe in Me; that they may walk in the right way. (Quran 2:186) Your share in this Name is that you are responsive to the commandments of Al-Mujeeb!
2.      Know the art of asking.
Ask for His forgiveness before you ask for anything, as was the formula of the Prophet Yunus ‘alayhi sallam when he desperately needed his supplication to be answered to be saved from the belly of the whale. Ask Al-Mujeeb for everything (halal) you wish in the Hereafter but also in this world. He loves it that you ask Him for everything you need in your deen and dunya (worldy matters). Ask him for clothing, a house to live in, food, drink, guidance, success etc.
3.      Think good of Al-Mujeeb.
Al-Mujeeb does not disappoint a believer who calls upon Him, however don’t be hasty as His delay is not His denial. The answer to your dua’ might come in a different form or time you wanted or expected. Made under the right circumstances – such as not earning haram income when asking Him or asking Him for something haram, like cutting of family ties – Al-Mujeeb responds to your dua, postpones it or prevents something bad from happening.
4.      Practise four powerful Quranic supplications for four powerful responses.
Al-Mujeeb relates to you the responses He gave after being supplicated to in different types of hardship. So whenever you are in a similar situation, apply the same dua’ and have faith in the response of Al-Mujeeb!
When you feel sad, say: There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers. [Quran, 21:87] The response: So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers. [Quran, 21:88]
When you feel scared say: Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs. [Quran, 3:173] The response: So they returned with favor from Allah and bounty, no harm having touched them. [Quran, 3:174]
When you are ill say: Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful [Quran, 21:83] The response: So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers [of Allah]. [Quran, 21:84]
When you feel hurt by other people say: I entrust my affair to Allah. Indeed, Allah is Seeing of [His] servants (Quran 40:44) The response: So Allah protected him from the evils they plotted, and the people of Pharaoh were enveloped by the worst of punishment. [Quran, 40:45]
5. Do good to strive for your prayers being answered.
Do as many good deeds as you can, check yourself in having a balance of hope as well as fear and be humble and not arrogant in your relationship with Allah and in your dealings with others. Al-Mujeeb says about responding to the request of Zakariyyah: Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive. (Quran 21:89-90)

6. Respond to the servants of Al-Mujeeb.
Be of those who don’t just respond to the plight of those in need but of those who also actively look themselves for those who are in need of support. Have an active attitude in relation to the requests of the environment you live in and of the Ummah as a whole!
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.

O Allah, Al-Mujeeb, we know that You are the answerer and fulfiller of prayers. Guide us to respond to Your call and be responsive to those in need and make us call upon and supplicate to you in the best manner. Don’t let our prayers be unanswered and adorn us with certainty in Your response, ameen!

Work & Afterlife Balance

Assalamu'alaikum ..

More than ever, everyone is looking for a work-life balance in today's busy world. However as Muslims, it is important we strive for a work & afterlife balance. 

This balance is based on the premise of responsibility as described in the following hadith:

Narrated 'Abdullah: Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said, "Everyone of you is a guardian and is responsible for his charges. The ruler who has authority over people, is a guardian and is responsible for them, a man is a guardian of his family and is responsible for them; a woman is a guardian of her husband's house and children and is responsible for them; a slave ('Abd) is a guardian of his master's property and is responsible for it; so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your charges." (Sahih Bukhari Book #46, Hadith #730)

So you're responsible at work as an employee and need to fulfill the responsibilities upon you, and you're responsible for your spouse and children (and parents) and need to be home to fulfill your responsibilities towards them. This sense of responsibility will allow you to better build a work & afterlife balance. However this will not be easy and will require continuous review and adjustment.

Sincerely,

nao

A Very inspirational ..

Keeping Productive in the Last Age

September 11, 2013Faisal Amjad

Arghhh!!! Save yourself, the end of the world is nigh – the apocalypse is here, doomsday is approaching, HEEEEELLLLLLPPPPPPP!!!
Okay, well, that’s certainly ONE approach to tackling the concept of Islamic eschatology and the End Times, which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) spoke so regularly about. Perhaps not the most productive, however!
In sha Allah this article will address the view that many seem to be discussing nowadays – that we are in the end times – and find themselves dragged in the mire of doom and gloom as we continue to witness the Ummah struggle around us.
Are we REALLY in the End Times?!

The End is Nigh!

Recently, there seems to be increased awareness and fascination with the end of the world. People of many faiths are starting to think the signs of the last day are all around them, with Christians pointing to some biblical prophecies coming to light, or Jews now ‘back’ in Jerusalem, anticipating the return of their ‘Messiah’.
It is also widely thought amongst many erudite Islamic scholars that we are in the final throes of the last days before the Hour. After all, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) did once say, whilst gesturing with his index and middle fingers, “The time of my advent and the Hour are like these two fingers”. [Al-Bukhari]
And, looking at some of the prophecies to be fair, who can blame people for thinking this way?
News headlines bombard us with devastating natural disasters, endless warfare, ongoing suffering, and repeated violence and oppression. It perhaps comes as very little surprise that many people feel the end is near.
After all, just looking amongst some of the signs – particularly those dubbed ‘the minor signs’ – many, if not all, seem to have come to pass.

Are We Seeing The Minor Signs of Qiyamah?

Let’s take a look at a few examples from the culture within which we live in today.
Here’s a list of ‘minor signs’ compiled 1,400 years ago (which I took from ibn Kathir’s ‘The Signs of the Day of Judgement’). Now, ask yourself, which of these have yet to surface?

1. Widespread fornication and adultery - Marriage rates are at their lowest ever.
2. Widespread acceptance of usury and interest - Just look at world debt and the monetary system today.
3. The Bedouin Arabs competing in building tall structures - Easy to see. Just look to the Middle East and Dubai.
4. Alcohol consumption being widespread - I don’t think any of us would deny this!
5. The children will be filled with rage - We’re reading so much about gang crime and high school killings and the like, and even children who are aggressive towards their own parents.
6. Loss of Islamic knowledge / the mosques will be grand structures but devoid of knowledge.
7. An increase in earthquakes - This again is another quite clear sign that has come to pass and is gaining frequency.
8. Widespread killing and bloodshed - Whether we look at the global situation or closer to home, it’s definitely happening on a huge scale.
9. Women who are clothed yet naked / Men will look women and women will look like men / Men will lay with men and women will lay with women - The advent of gay marriage would seem to suggest this is definitely here to stay and grow.
10. Time will move quickly - Time is definitely passing us by far quicker than it used to.
11. Singing and dancing will become popular / people will dance into the night - Look at MTV and the nightclubbing phenomenon.
12. Immoral deeds will be committed openly.

This only scratches the surface. Seriously. We just need to look at some of the facades around us that have pervaded every aspect of our lives – agriculture, the monetary system, health, education, relationships, family ties, etc.
Everywhere we look, with consumerism, secularism and atheism as prevalent as they’ve ever been, it is clear to see that our world has never been as chaotic and confusing as it is right now.

Eeek! So What Now? When Do I Start to Panic?

Now, now, hold your horses.
What’s easy to do in these times is get bogged down in the negativity, or feel helpless, or have a ready-made excuse with the notion that there’s nothing really that we can do – after all, everything is predestined.
Let’s not do that. Have a look at the following hadith, which is incidentally one of my favourites.
Anas ibn Malik (may Allāh be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said, “If the Final Hour comes while you have a palm-cutting in your hands and it is possible to plant it before the Hour comes, you should plant it.” [Al-Abani]
This hadith is one that has always inspired and motivated me, and one that drives action, action, action.
Let’s look at this in a little more detail.
If the world is coming to an end, why should I plant a palm shoot?
Good question. Why should I go to so much trouble for a tree that will not bear fruit?
Surely, if the Hour is on our doorstep, one would think we should concentrate on prayer, more worship or something, right? But no. What is the underlying lesson here?

Take Action, Action, Action

1. Contribute no matter the circumstances
   One of the lessons we can learn from this powerful hadith is that Muslims should learn to contribute under ALL circumstances. No matter how tough the situation, we must pull our fingers out, so to speak.After all, what more difficult circumstances could there be than the end of the world, eh? In the hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said even if the Day of Judgement is happening before our very eyes (even if there’s one second to go!), we should still finish the job at hand and stay productive until the very, very end. Therefore, not even the grave repercussions of the Hour are an excuse for us not to contribute to society and to benefit humanity at large, subhan Allah. The timing is never ‘just’ right – shaytan will always inspire a million and one excuses. If you are waiting for the perfect condition to start working for Islam, it may never materialise. But hang on a second, isn’t this in fact the perfect condition? It’s in the time of crisis that you can contribute most, that you are most needed, that you can influence and cause impact and affect change.Just because conditions have changed and are not as pleasant as they used to be, it’s not time to get all negative. On the contrary, now is the time to recapture and revive the spirit of our Muslim ancestors who operated under much harder conditions, but with a very resilient and positive attitude, until the last moment of their lives.
2. Do not take action conditional on its outcome
   We live in an increasingly impatient society, which is more and more focused on the tangible and material, the immediately satiable and instant gratification.The analogy of a plant given here is also interesting. One reason is there is not an immediate result or success to be had after planting the seed. You must be patient to see the fruits of your labour. From this we can see that we as believers should not calculate the worth of our actions according to their outcomes in the material world. Hence, we should certainly not see action without immediately quantifiable results as futile. Rather, we should value the effort of the pursuit towards the ends, as the ends itself. Rather than taking action with the expectation of yielding results or taking an opportunistic approach, or getting disheartened should something not go to plan, we should instead be satisfied in the success that comes merely from taking action. This tiny palm shoot is a symbol of the value of activity per se.Not only will the action serve as a steep development opportunity for us, which will enrich and add to our wealth of experience, we will also, In sha Allah, earn the reward of the full action according to what our intention was. As demonstrated in the hadith narrated on the authority of Amir al-Mu’minin, Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allāh be pleased with him), who said: “I heard Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) saying, ‘The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.’” [Al-Bukhari]
   At the end of the day, the ‘fruits’, so to speak – even if they can’t be enjoyed in this life – will be there in abundance in the Hereafter. This is the mindset we should deploy, In sha Allah.
3. Always act with ihsan
   The effort required to harmoniously place the seed into its rightful place into the earth so that it may fulfil its purpose and grow and benefit others is an act of goodness. Because of this, we must strive to do it with the utmost excellence (ihsan). The fruits of planting a seed are not only the fruit yielded when it branches out and eventually blossoms. The effort to place every stone in its rightful place is in itself a fruit – an end result – a job well done. Let us recognise each milestone and celebrate the successful completion of each stage. Reaching the final destination is not the actual aim, but to walk on the path toward the destination with the grace and dignity that destination deserves, knowing you have done your absolute best. Allah (glorified and exalted be He) knows everything.This positive orientation is evident in elevating the mastery of one’s work to the level of obligation and worship. Remember, the outcome is not the objective, but to tread the steps leading to the objective with delicacy, diligence and care. After all, how can those who cannot give their all whilst travelling to the destination ever deserve to reap the full rewards upon their arrival?
4. Be positive
   The attitude of constructive positivity and active endeavour is one of the core principles stressed by the sunnah. This productive spirit should control the Muslim’s mind, senses, nature, thought, and, through it all, his conduct. It symbolises interest in one’s deeds rather than verbal eloquence and rhetoric. It lays great importance on construction rather than destruction, and in lighting candles rather than cursing darkness. We have to remember, even in these tough times, we are blessed to be Muslims and the blessings of Allah (glorified and exalted be He) are infinite. We have also been given all the answers to life’s quandaries in the Qur’an and sunnah, Alhamdulillah. What more do we need?

Moving Forward in the Last Age with Vigilance

“Okay, great. I’ll do that. But what if I’m still worried about the times we live in?”
All this is not to say we shouldn’t worry about the end times or at the very least be aware of the reality. We can take the following steps, In sha Allah, so that we are aware and vigilant going forward:

1. Prepare
   “A man asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) about the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment) saying, ‘When will the Hour be?’ The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said, ‘What have you prepared for it?’” [Al-Bukhari]
2. Love Allah (glorified and exalted be He) and his Messenger (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him)
   The hadith above then continues to say:”The man said, ‘Nothing, except that I love Allah and His Apostle.’ The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said, ‘You will be with those whom you love.’” [Al-Bukhari]The Muslims had never rejoiced as much they did when they heard this hadith.
3. Study
   If you are able to do so, you can study the science of Islamic Eschatology (the study of the end of times). Amid all of this worldwide confusion, being able to recognise the signs and get some clarity about the reality of the world you inhabit can certainly be no bad thing.
4. Do good deeds
   Abu Hurairah said, “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said, ‘Hasten to do good deeds before six things happen: the rising of the sun from the west, the smoke, the Dajjal, the beast and (the death) of one of you or the general turmoil. [Muslim]
5. Seek refuge
   This essentially means to not engage and invite fitnah. It is better to stay away from situations wherein even the temptation or the threat of fitnah exists, if we are able to do so. Abu Hurairah said, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said, “There will be soon a period of turmoil in which the one who sits will be better than one who stands and the one who stands will be better than one who walks and the one who walks will be better than one who runs. He who would watch them will be drawn by them. So he who finds a refuge or shelter against it should make it as his resort.” [Muslim]
6. Accept your ‘strangeness!’
   Yes, agreed – it is becoming more and more difficult for us nowadays. But know that this is prophesied and is one of Allah (glorified and exalted be He)‘s tests for us!’Abdullah bin Mas’ud narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Indeed Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange as it began. So Tuba [good tidings] is for the strangers.” [At-Timirdhi] Someone asked, “Who are the strangers?” He said, “The ones who break away from their people (literally, ‘tribes’) for the sake of Islam.”
7. Learn Surah Al-Kahf [Qur'an: Chapter 18], study it and recite it every Friday.
   Abu Darda’ reported Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) as saying: “If anyone learns by heart the first ten verses of the Surah Al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal.” [Muslim] Study the tafsir and you’ll soon see the link between the two – it really is the surah to help us understand the modern age!

Now, For Some Final Thoughts…

Do not calibrate your courtesy according to the world’s finite nature. Do not construct your morality upon momentariness. Do not let your hesitation be a hindrance to your doing a good deed.
Yes, we may just be in the end times (Allah (glorified and exalted be He) knows best), and the chaotic world may be going to pot around us…
But as Muslims, if you remember to plant your seedling, then you can always, always, always be productive and contribute to making the world a better place, In sha Allah.
The rest is up to Allah (glorified and exalted be He).

About the Author:

Faisal Amjad is Director and Co-Founder of KN-OW, an independent, innovative, international movement committed to encouraging inquisitive thought, promoting critical thinking and providing insight, expertise and support to those that seek REAL knowledge and empowering solutions in the modern age.
Productive Muslim readers can enjoy a 15% discount for KN-OW’s first International Summit of Essential Expert Knowledge (ISEEK) conference, that tackles contemporary issues facing us today across four key categories. The summit, which features speakers such as Abdur Raheem Green, Abu Jaf’ar Al-Hanbali, Alex Carberry, Imran Nazar Hosein, Daud Pidcock, Mohammad Arshad and more, is being held in London on September 21st, 2013.

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8:53pm Sep 21

TRUE STORY of Jinn Possession-

A man brought his wife for treatment and said that his wife hated him very much and felt relaxed at home, during his absence. When I asked a few questions, it appeared to me, from the symptoms that she suffered from Sihr of separation. After reciting the Ruqya, a Jinn spoke in her person. Here is the summary of the conversation:

Me: What is your name?
Jinn: I will not tell you my name.
Me: What i s your religion?
Jinn: Islam.
Me: Do you think it is lawful for a Muslim to torture another Muslim?
Jinn: I love her, and I am not torturing her. All I want is that her husband should keep away from her.
Me: You want to separate them, don’t you?
Jinn: Yes.
Me: You cannot do that. Get out of her, for the sake of Allaah’s obedience.
Jinn: No, I love her.
Me: But she hates you.
Jinn: No, she loves me.
Me: You are a liar. She hates you and that is why she has come here to get you out of her body.
Jinn: I will not get out.
Me: Then, I will burn you with the Quran (reciting the verses).

I recited some verses over her and he screamed.

Me: Will you get out now?
Jinn: Yes, but conditionally.
Me: What is your condition?
Jinn: To get out of her and to enter your body.
Me: All right, get out of her and enter into my body.
The Jinn waited for a moment then cried.
Me: Why are you crying?
Jinn: No Jinn can enter into your body today.
Me: Why?
Jinn: Because this morning, you said:
“La ilaha illallaah wahdahu laa sharika lahu lahulmulko wa lahulhamd wa huwa alaa kulli shay’in Qadeer.”
100 times.

And the Prophet (sallal lahu alaihi wasallam) was truthful when he said:

”Whoever says one hundred times in a day:

“Laa ilaaha illallaah wahdahuu laa shareeka lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahu-l-hamd wa huwa ‘alaa kulli shai’in qadeer,”

(“None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Alone Who has no partners, to Him belongs Dominion and to Him belong all the Praises, and He has power over all things (i.e. Omnipotent)”,}

He will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a SHIELD for him from SATAN on that DAY TILL NIGHT, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he.” (Bukhari, Book #75, Hadith #412)

Refer: Al-Bukhari in Fath Al-Baari, 6/338, and Muslim in An-Nawawi 17/17.