Why Does Allah Not Cleanse our Hearts As He Did with Prophet Muhammad?

 

The Prophetic Incidents

There are two sound, agreed-upon incidents for the opening of the chest of the Messenger (saw). The first incident when he was a child. Angel Gabriel extracted the Messenger’s heart and washed it in a way that left no portion for Satan in it. Thus, the Messenger was brought up free from any satanic corruption or deviation. This is to equip the Messenger’s heart for the massive, critical responsibility of carrying the last and final Divine message for all humanity. Also, to prepare him for the insurmountable challenges and resistance he was meant to face upon delivering this message. And to Allah belongs all Wisdom.

The second incident was before the ascension journey to heaven. Angel Gabriel descended, opened the Messenger’s chest, extracted his heart and poured Wisdom and Belief in it. This was to equip the Messenger’s heart for the mighty, miraculous journey that no human has been honored to witness before. This is also to prepare him for experiencing what’s beyond the realm of human being’s observed reality in this journey. If you were to witness a magnificent scene in this world, you’d describe it as ‘breathtaking’, imagine everything the Messenger has seen in the heavens “For truly did he see of the Signs of his Lord the Greatest!” (53: 18) And not only did he see the greatest signs, but he was meant to deliver the message and obligations he received afterward to doubtful people with firm heart.

As you can see, we were not obligated to carry the same heavy responsibility as the Messenger. And Allah Almighty equips His slaves with what’s needed to carry their designated responsibilities.

Why did Allah not rinse our hearts?

To Allah belong All-Knowledge, Wisdom, and Compassion. Allah gives all of us what we need to fulfill the purpose He created us for.

Allah did not create us to be angels. 

If Allah rinsed all our hearts completely, we will be angels. We will not have any inclinations to do wrong. There will be no challenge for us in believing in Him, committing to Him and following Him.  In this case, where is our test? What proves our true faith if we have no desire to do wrong or the ability to experience difficulty?

Allah wanted us to be humans who have both good and evil inclinations.

Our test is to strive to be good and sincerely faithful despite the temptations. THIS is what puts us in a high position with Allah. It’s not our sinless-ness and flawlessness that make us truthful believers in Allah’s sight, but our sincere efforts, struggle and desire to choose Him and commit to Him despite all temptations.

Allah Almighty says:

“Righteousness is not in turning your faces towards the east or the west. Rather, the righteous are those who believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Books, and the prophets; who give charity out of their cherished wealth to relatives, orphans, the poor, ˹needy˺ travelers, beggars, and for freeing captives; who establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and keep the pledges they make; and who are patient in times of suffering, adversity, and in ˹the heat of˺ battle. It is they who are true ˹in faith˺, and it is they who are mindful ˹of Allah˺.” (Quran 2: 177)

A Reminder of Our Purpose in Life

We learn from the Qur’an that Allah Almighty created us for a noble purpose. He honored us with the ability to learn, be taught by Him and grow closer and closer to Him in knowledge, love, and connection. He also gave us the ability to make choices. That’s how we can be tested.

Human beings have the ability to be indulged in their worldly life, desires, greed, temptations to follow Satan, to cause corruption, to be ungrateful to their Creator and go further and further away from Him. But they also have the ability to choose Him, commit to Him, love Him and seek Him strongly and passionately despite the struggles and temptations.

This is the way to prove honest, sincere and pure faith and love to Allah. It is when you have the ability and inclination to turn away, yet you choose to turn to Him.

Allah appreciates & rewards the efforts and difficulties

Having said that, don’t think that your struggles have no weight in the sight of Allah. Rather, your struggles are what proves your faith and bring you closer to Him.

Every difficulty you go through is rewarded by Allah and is a means to expiate your sins.

‘A’isha (may Allah be pleases with her) reported: I heard Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying:

“There is nothing (in the form of trouble) that comes to a believer even if it is the pricking of a thorn that there is decreed for him by Allah good or his sins are obliterated.” [Sahih Muslim]

 In another narration, the Messenger of Allah said:

“Never a believer is stricken with a discomfort, an illness, anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn but Allah will expiate his sins on account of his patience.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 If you struggle because you commit mistakes, then remember that Allah says in a Hadith Qudsi:

“O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds in the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it.” [At-Tirmidhi]

Finally, remember that Allah is rewarding us for our sincere efforts.

“And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives. And that his effort is going to be seen. Then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense” (53: 39-41)

How do we rinse/purify our hearts?

The important issue is to desire purifying ourselves and to live and die on the path of purification.

Allah will not purify people who don’t want to purify themselves. He will not force it upon them. So we have to choose it.

Once we choose and take steps, Allah will facilitate the matter for us. As He said:

“Surely the ends you strive for are diverse. As for the one who is charitable, mindful ˹of Allah˺ and ˹firmly˺ believes in the finest reward, We will facilitate for them the Way of Ease.” (Quran 92: 4-7)

So, in short: out of His Mercy and Wisdom, Allah purified the heart of His Messenger to carry the weight of the critical responsibility He gave him. And out of Mercy and Wisdom, Allah did not hold us up to an angelic standard of sinless-ness. Rather, Allah knows our limitations, and appreciates our efforts and struggles and will help us and reward us for them beyond our imagination and beyond what we could ever deserve.

 And Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net

About Dina Mohamed Basiony

Dina Mohamed Basiony is a writer based in Cairo, Egypt. She specializes in Islam and spirituality. Dina holds an MA and BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the American University in Cairo.

Are Sex Toys Haram?

 

The  Qur’anic verse states that “Whoever seeks satisfaction beyond marriage is among the transgressors.” (Al-Mu’minum 23:7)

We should earnestly try to stay within the boundaries of marriage. If the husband cannot satisfy his wife, then both of them should seek medical treatment because there might be a certain reason that can be treated.

After doing this, if the problem persists, and there is a necessity to resort to these sex toys to seek sexual gratification, then the husband can use those tools to satisfy his wife. The reason for doing this is to keep sexual gratification within the boundaries of the husband-wife relation.

Almighty Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net

About Sheikh Muhammad Al-Mukhtar Ash-Shinqiti

Professor of Political Ethics and Religions History at Qatar University

Islam Is Religion of Ease (Hadith Explained)

 

Although most of us have good intentions when we ‘advise’ others, oftentimes our words have the opposite desired effect.

We need to pause before advising and ask ourselves, “are my words gentle and kind”?

What the Prophet said about ease

Abu Hurairah narrated:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said; “The religion (of Islam) is easy, and whoever makes the religion a rigor, it will overpower him. ” (Al-Bukhari)

As you can see above, our religion is the definition of ease. Out of the 24 hours in the day, Allah only requires us to devote around 20 minutes a day to praying. The rest of the time belongs to us. Allah could have required us to pray every 20 minutes throughout the day but to make it easy, He only requires us to pray 5 times a day.

He could have required us to pay thirty percent zakah every year (kinda like Uncle Sam does) but instead requires us to pay 2.5% of our SAVINGS. Surplus money. Islam is ease.

Advising others kindly

When we advise harshly or in a way that could push a person further away from Islam, we are going against what we’ve been advised by our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him).

Offering advice should always be done with ease. To learn how to properly advise someone, check these 15 helpful tips. 

This short khutbah by Sheikh Yasir Qadhi further explains the hadith above including why we should set a high bar for ourselves but a low bar for others. 

---

Source: Yasir Qadhi Youtube Channel

- aboutislam.net

Intimacy as a Spiritual Boost

 

Those moments of intimacy and sexuality with your spouse, those special moments when no matter how much noise might be outside of the window, you are only aware of each other.

That deep connection that is connected to your trust, vulnerability, emotions, your faith. 

Sex, when done in an ethical and halal manner, can not only be connected to your spirituality, but, it can also be a spiritual boost.

For far too long, people have associated religion and spirituality with caged sexuality and something shameful.

As if religious followers are not allowed to enjoy intimacy, and are limited only to missionary with the lights off.

Sexuality does not diminish one’s modesty, nor is it inappropriate for a woman to be highly sexual. One can still maintain modesty while being completely opposite in the bedroom.

Some take the stance that sex is meant for creating children and nothing more, but I do not know of any religion that truly condemns sexuality as some shameful act.

Sure, many religions have conditions surrounding sexuality, such as stating it cannot occur until after marriage or placing restrictions on engaging in sex during a woman’s menses, but this does not mean sexuality is shameful or discouraged.

It simply means it has a correct place and time, it is not a free for all.

“…in man’s sexual Intercourse (with his wife, ) there is a Sadaqa. They (the Companions) said: Messenger of Allah, is there reward for him who satisfies his sexual passion among us? He said: Tell me, if he were to devote it to something forbidden, would it not be a sin on his part? Similarly, if he were to devote it to something lawful, he should have a reward.”

[Muslim]

Sex as a Spiritual Boost 

When we frame sexuality as a blessing and are grateful for it, we are more likely to treat it with care.

If you abide by the rules of your faith and see sexuality as a pleasurable blessing meant to be shared between you and your loved one, you will benefit more spiritually from that connection.

Think of it this way: within religion and spirituality, striving to do acts that are permitted and finding joy and gratitude in those acts is showing gratitude and enjoying the blessings bestowed upon us.

When someone with faith appreciates their blessings and enjoys them, it is an act of worship.

Sexuality is also a way to give to your spouse and be generous. Sexuality should not be approached with the selfish attitude of “get what I want and leave.”

Taking the time to make it pleasurable for your spouse and keeping their needs in mind is serving your spouse, which is a form of worship when you are enjoining good with them.

Mental Health Benefits of Sexuality

When you orgasm, you release prolactin. This hormone is associated with feelings of relaxation and can help you sleep better.

Additionally, studies show women who get more  sleep often have higher libidos.

Healthy sleep impacts our ability to focus, our mood, and even our appetite.

A healthy sexual life can help you reduce anxiety and depression. Oxytocin is released during foreplay and sex. This lovely hormone helps reduce anxiety and is linked to empathy and generosity.

That natural high people achieve when they do an intense workout at the gym is the same natural high you can get from making love to your spouse.

Sex can boost your self-esteem if your partner makes you feel desirable and seductive.

Beautifully, your self-esteem is also lifted when you realize you are providing intense pleasure for them.

Imagine making your wife or husband scream; it makes you feel good about yourself, doesn’t it?

Marital Benefits of Sexuality

During foreplay, oxytocin is released, which impacts bonding.

That closeness you feel with your partner during sex can extend beyond the bedroom and improve your overall bond.

It is not a surprise that many people joke about “make-up sex,” as it is a way to reconnect and heal, even if you were yelling 30 minutes prior.

Unhealthy and unfulfilling sexual lives are linked to a higher chance of divorce.

A healthy sexual life that is full of exploration, depth, and openness can provide a happier marriage.

That is not to say that sex can cure all marital issues, but it certainly can help.

Communication is often improved in couples that are more willing to explore their sexuality together.

Trust is a component of any healthy relationship. Often, intimacy requires feeling vulnerable and open.

When we are that exposed to someone else and we invite them into it, we are building trust.

Final Thoughts

You know those transcendental moments of love, ecstasy, and bliss. What a blessing from Allah (the most revered, most glorified) sexuality is.

In those special moments, you are connecting with the love of your life in an emotional, spiritual, and loving way.

It is a blessing we should be grateful for. Sexuality is not against religion and spirituality; it aligns with a deeper spiritual connection, gratitude for this special act, and a way to serve your spouse.

***

This article is from our archive.

- aboutislam.net

About Monique Hassan

Monique Hassan graduated with honors in 2012 with her BSc in Psychology and a minor in Biology and is certified in Crisis Prevention and Intervention. She has years of professional as well as personal experience with trauma, relationship struggles, substance abuse, identifying coping skills, conflict resolution, community outreach, and overall mental health concerns. She is a professional writer specialized in Islamic Psychology and Behavioral Health. She is also a revert who took her shahada in 2015, Alhamdulillah. You can contact Sister Monique Hassan via her website "MoniqueHassan.com"

What Happens After We Repent? 6 Things

 

Republished with kind permission from Understand Quran.

Our faith sometimes weakens and we become overwhelmed by our desires. Satan makes sin attractive to us, so we fall into things that Allah has forbidden. Now the question is not whether or not you will sin, because mistakes are in fact part of human nature.

The question is: what will you do after you’ve sinned?

The Prophet said:

“By the One in Whose hand is my soul, if you did not commit sin Allaah would do away with you and bring people who would commit sin then pray for forgiveness.” (Muslim)

It’s time to learn the secrets of an effective repentance!

Repentance— An Opportunity!

The concept of tawbah is amazingly beautiful and unique in Islam. We don’t confess to any intermediary; we turn to our Creator directly.

Allah al-Ghaffar opened the gate of repentance to Himself and commanded us to turn to Him. This is an amazing combination! The fact that we can repent at any time and the fact that Allah gave us the knowledge of how to repent is a great mercy.  Tawbah is an opportunity!

The Wisdom Behind Repentance

Do you recognize this pattern? You commit a sin and then you feel bad afterwards, so bad that your guilt makes you feel down and so low that you feel you can’t be forgiven— so why repent?

If you’ve done something so wrong, you must be a terrible person, right? Wrong! There’s a major difference between being a bad person and doing something bad. Allah gave you the chance to repent and insha’Allah your sin will even be transformed into a good deed! Isn’t that amazing?

Recognizing your mistakes and sins, feeling ashamed of violating Allah’s trust, and making the promise to Allah never to do it again are the three conditions of your repentance being accepted. The most important thing about tawbah is that it doesn’t mean you sit down feeling sad and guilty, dwelling on your sin. It means that whenever you sin, you grab the chance to get back up and do better!

What Repentance Brings to you

Let’s look at some rewards sincere tawbah brings to you.

Repentance Brings Success

If you go on a path forbidden by Allah, you choose to miss out on Allah’s mercy, rewards, help, and protection. But at the moment that you sincerely repent, you can be assured of His help in your life.

Allah tells us:

{… And beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.} (24: 31)

Examples of success are: wealth, children, and increased productivity and blessings:

{And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimoon (criminals, evil doers, etc).} (11:52)

Repentance Keeps you away from Hardship

The more we sin, the more we can be deprived of Allah’s blessings and the more trials we might have to endure. Tawbah can give us a way out of our troubles in life, as Allah says:  

{See they not that they are put in trial once or twice every year (with different kinds of calamities, disease, famine)? Yet, they turn not in repentance, nor do they learn a lesson (from it).} (9:126)

Repentance Earns you Allah’s Love

Do you know that repentance is one of the most beloved acts of worship to Him? Allah says:

{… Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves.} (2:222)

Repentance Makes you Feel Happy

Repentance cleans your heart. It makes you feel lighter, just as the burden of sin makes you feel heavy. Just say to yourself: who is there to stop me from turning back to Allah?

Repentance Leads to Forgiveness!

Isn’t this what you wanted? Can you imagine Allah forgiving all your sins? Do you think this is an unreachable goal? The rewards of repentance are: purity of heart, erasing of sins, and increasing of good deeds.

Both the Quran and the Hadith are clear that those who repent sincerely to Allah, acknowledging their sins, and commit to not return again to those sins will have their sins forgiven. The Prophet said: 

“If the servant acknowledges his sin and repents, then Allah accepts his repentance.”

Homework: Practical Steps to Take When You’ve Sinned 

1. Meet the conditions: 1, 2, and 3.

Repentance is returning to Allah, giving up sin and hating it, regretting falling short in obedience to Allah, and being determined not to do that sin again. If one of these three is missing, then your repentance is not sincere. If the sin has to do with the rights of another person, then there are four conditions: the three mentioned above plus restoring the rights of that person, like returning money and property.

2. Don’t worry about waswaas.

Based on the above, if these conditions are met by the person who is repenting, then there is the hope that his repentance will be accepted, by Allah’s leave. After that he should not worry about waswaas (whispers) suggesting that his repentance is not accepted, because that is from the shaytan and is contrary to what Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) have told us— repentance is accepted if it is sincere.

3. Follow up repentance with good deeds.

I once listened to a lecture and it really changed my life. The shaykh said that whenever we do a bad deed we should make sure to follow it up with as many good deeds as possible. You committed a sin, so give charity, help someone else, focus on reading the Quran— anything good. If this is your formula in life, insha’Allah you will succeed.

Allah says:

{Except those who repent and do righteous deeds, and openly declare (the truth which they concealed). These, I will accept their repentance. And I am the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.} (2:160)

So whatever bad you do, don’t stay down— get up and throw yourself on good deeds!

4. Pray the repentance prayer.

If following up a bad deed with a good one can change your sins into good deeds, what deed is better than prayer? Ali said that Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with them, told him that he heard the Prophet say:

“There is no servant who commits a sin and then he purifies himself (wudu’) and then prays two rakahs and then seeks forgiveness of Allah except that  Allah forgives him.”

- aboutislam.net

About Tabassum

Tabassum is a freelance writer and online Alimiyyah student at Al-Salam Institute, UK.  ihsan.life

Does Watching Porn Break Wudu?

 

There is no doubt that seeing porn stuff is a kind of zina (fornication or adultery) as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “…Eyes commit zina and the zina of the eyes is by gazing…” (Muslim and Ahmad)

However, a person who sees those films is not obliged to perform ghusl (ritual bath) if he did not discharge any sperm.

Similarly, one is not obliged to perform wudu (ablution) if his ablution is not invalidated by discharging pre-seminal fluid. Even though seeing forbidden films is forbidden, but this, by itself, is not one of the things that necessitate ghusl or something that invalidates wudu unless this is accompanied by discharging maniyy or madhi, because if there is a discharge of maniyy, it is an obligation to perform ghusl, and if there is a discharge of madhi, it is an obligation to completely wash the penis [and then perform ablution].

However, one is obliged to repent to Allah because looking at forbidden things spoils one’s heart and subjects the person to the wrath and punishment of Allah.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Source: www.islamweb.net

Who Was John the Baptist, According to Islam?

 

Both the Quranic narrative of Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him) and the Biblical narrative of John the Baptist clearly point to the son of Prophet Zakariyya (peace be upon him), who lived during the time of Prophet Isa (or Jesus Christ), peace be upon him.

His Miraculous Birth

As Yahya was born of a barren mother and an aged father (i.e Zakariyya), his birth is considered a 

Zakariyya, in his old age, prayed to Allah to bless him with a son to preach the Religion of God:

Now, behold, I am afraid of [what] my kinsfolk [will do] after I am gone, for my wife has always been barren. Bestow, then, upon me, out of Thy grace, the gift of a successor; who will be my heir as well as an heir [to the dignity] of the House of Jacob; and make him, O my Sustainer, well-pleasing to Thee! (Qur’an 19:5-6)

Allah Almighty accepted his prayer by granting him a son in the form of Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him):

Thereupon the angels called out unto him: “O Zachariah! We bring thee the glad tiding of [the birth of] a son whose name shall be John. [And God says,] ‘Never have We given this name to anyone before him.’ (Quran 19:7)

He Lived a Simple, Ascetic Life

Thus from the Quranic story of Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him), we understand that he was one of the noble prophets devoted to the work of leading people to the Way of Allah.

Among the prophets themselves he was noted for living the simplest of lives, thriving on wild fruits and honey and wearing a garment of camel hair.

He led a life of pure devotion in the wilderness, shunning worldly comforts.

Allah in His Qur’an says:

… [And when the son was born and grew up, he was told,] “O John! Hold fast unto the divine writ with [all thy] strength!” – for We granted him wisdom “while he was yet a little boy, as well as, by Our grace, [the gift of] compassion and purity; and he vv as [always] conscious of Us and full of piety towards his parents; and never was he haughty or rebellious. Hence, [God’s] peace was upon him on the day when he was born, and on the day of his death, and. will be [upon him] on the day when he shall be raised to life [again]. (Quran 19: 12-15)

John the “Baptist”?

Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him) is called John the Baptist in the gospels.

The Bible tells us how he exhorted the people to repent and return to God, calling them to the River Jordan to be immersed in water as a way of washing away their sins.

This is called baptism.  The Qur’an does not speak of Yahya as a Baptist who called people to be baptized in River Jordan.

But baptism was related to ritual washing called wudu, which Islam has made mandatory before the obligatory prayer called Salah, done five times a day.

For Yahya and Jesus (peace and blessings be upon them) and their immediate followers Baptism was just a bath or ablution to purify themselves physically as well as spiritually.

But Paul gave it a new meaning, interpreting it to be a symbol of being washed in Jesus’ blood by way of redemption from the Original Sin inherited from the first man, Adam.

The Church holds this ritual as central to the Christian faith in Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

The gospel mentions Jesus as accepting baptism at the hands of John the Baptist. He is viewed chiefly as a fore-teller of Jesus’ mission as the Lamb of God.   

Obviously Islam has nothing to do with these beliefs and rejects them as doctrinal aberrations.

For Muslims, Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him) was a holy prophet of Allah. He was like all other prophets including Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon them all.

And Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net

About Professor Shahul Hameed

Professor Shahul Hameed is an Islamic consultant. He also held the position of the President of the Kerala Islamic Mission, Calicut, India. He is the author of three books on Islam published in the Malayalam language. His books are on comparative religion, the status of women, and science and human values.

Importance of Studying Qur’an

In this video, Mufti Menk urges us to always study the Qur’an more than we study other books, as this increases our understanding of the book of Allah. And when we have questions, we shouldn’t relent in asking. - aboutislam.net

Is Boxing Haram in Islam?

 

Islam’s position on sports and games is determined by weighing and comparing all relevant benefits and disadvantages. If there are tangible benefits in a sport or game, then it is deemed to be permissible, or even recommended. If, however, there is more harm than benefit to be accrued from a sport, then such as sport may very well be considered forbidden.

Also, while comparing benefits and disadvantages, the Shari`ah lays greater emphasis on the removal of any perceived harm over any presumable benefits.

Wrestling, during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), involved using physical fitness and skill to overcome an opponent; such skills were, and are, quite desirable, or even essential, for the purpose of self-defense. Also, training to fine tune or build muscles is encouraged. Wrestling falls under this category.

Professional boxing, as practiced today, is altogether different. First of all, it is rooted in a tradition completely repugnant to Islamic norms and, therefore, repulsive and unacceptable.

Its analogy is not with wrestling, which is permitted because of its physical benefits; but it is rather more analogous with abhorrent games and pastimes such as bull fighting and cockfighting, which are condemned by Islam.

Professional boxing dates back to the American slave trade. At that time, slave masters would pit their largest slaves against one another in bare-knuckled fights to near-death and place wagers on the outcomes.

Clearly, the only “benefit” that was derived from slave fighting was the perverse satiation of the slave masters’ carnal pleasures.

Ultimately, boxing is based on the sadistic notion of deriving pleasure in viewing the suffering of fellow creatures.

Further, as practiced today, boxing involves administering punches to an opponent’s head and torso, which, as widely documented, exposes fighters to all kinds of potentially disabling and fatal injuries from which there is no recovery.

Proof of this can be seen in the health conditions of most of yesterday’s boxing champions, not to mention the losers. When we take into account such sound evidences, there should be little doubt in the minds of Muslims that this “sport” falls under the category of causing and inflicting injury on oneself as well as others.

The Prophet’s dictum: “There shall be no toleration of either receiving or inflicting of harm” should be kept in mind in this context. Furthermore, Allah says in the Qur’an, “Do not lead yourselves to self-destruction.” (Al-Baqarah 2:195)

Ultimately, the above considerations provide us with significant reasons to consider professional boxing either totally forbidden (haram), or, at the very least, strongly undesirable (makruh) to such an extent that a Muslim should neither practice nor condone this “sport” in any sense.

Source: AsktheScholar.com

About Sheikh Ahmad Kutty

Sheikh Ahmad Kutty is a Senior Lecturer and an Islamic Scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

How to Attend Muslim Friday Prayer Service

Are you a new Muslim? Or perhaps you are already Muslim but need some tips on how to attend Friday prayer. This is a fantastic to-do-list for what you should do when it is time for Friday prayer. Share with new Muslims, people thinking about Islam, and born Muslims to help spread the message of Friday prayer. - aboutislam.net

How to Think?

By: Dr. Tarek Alghannam

Thinking is a complex intellectual process that is too difficult to be defined, as difficult as its hidden content, even though it can be said: "It is an invisible and intangible automatic brain activity that characterizes one person from another."

It can also be said that there are ways of thinking that we might find ourselves, whether intentionally or unintentionally, adopting one of them.

There are some people whose thinking is mainly innovative; they move from an idea to another and finally reach an innovative one, like the one who tries to cross a small stream by throwing a big stone into the water and places his foot on it to get him to the other side.

An innovator is a person who uses an interesting idea to come up with another one, he is the one who tells you where to go. The innovator goes beyond the judgments of mind that might hinder him, and also, he proves that the existing solutions are not the only available ones, rather there are other solutions.

He is in contrast to the rational person who tells you what you should or shouldn't do according to logic.

The innovator is the one looking for alternatives.

While there are some people whose thinking is mainly critical and highlighting the negatives. He is not always a bad person as long as his intention is good. The critical thinking that is based on facts highlights things in all their aspects.

However, some people abuse critical thinking when their intention is not good; they seek rapid superiority, or personal interests to the detriment of the public interest, or to the detriment of others; so, he expresses criticism in order to draw attention without being honest, or respecting the rules of criticism dictated by law, morality or decency.

However, in our time, many thinkers favor critical thinking as it is the easiest way to gain the attention of others without hardship or effort, unlike constructive thinking that takes effort and time.

Contrary to the above, some consider that the impartial absolute facts, which are separate from adding any meaning, are the most correct method of thinking since facts and information will inevitably reach objective and abstract results. They don’t adopt critical or innovative thinking unless it comes automatically from facts. They consider that consistent information or facts are sufficient to reach the desired results. There is no doubt that this approach is distinguished compared to others.

And some other people believe that thinking can only be associated with emotion and feelings, since emotion is a common denominator of human holistic thinking, and cannot be ignored, but it is noted that people who adopt this approach tend to assume when they deal with others, as emotion when associated by thought is a powerful reason for the birth of an event or assumption.

Finally, some people tend to abstract positive ideas from negative events, it is a tendency that reflects the intelligence of those who adopt such a tendency. As they see the unclear aspects that others don't pay attention to.

However, each of us has his own way of thinking; but the fact is that we can think in all the ways mentioned before, but we often tend to one of them and take it as an approach of thinking. The things in which we have choices constitute a force, though, this force can be harnessed according to our thoughts.

If we determine to change this approach that we accepted for ourselves in our way of thinking, it will not be easy, but it is often preceded by confusion and doubt. It is said: Crises make achievements. - islamweb.net

Cheerfulness Brings About Amicability

 

When you meet a person and you feel that he is pleased to meet you by smiling at you, dealing with you in courtesy, and seeming to be delighted, surely you rejoice and feel comfortable. However, if he meets you with a frowning face, you turn away from him and you do not like meeting him, even if you are getting some benefits from this meeting.

Ibn Hibban said: (Cheerfulness is the food of scholars and the disposition of wise people because cheerfulness extinguishes the fire of stubbornness and burns the agitation of hatred. It is also a protection from the aggressors, and a way out from provokers).

Hisham ibn `Urwah reported on the authority of his father that he said: (A piece of wisdom says: let your face be cheerful and say good words, then you will be more beloved to people than the one who fulfills their needs).

A cheerful person is so close to the hearts, the most beloved to people, and always is commended and praised by people. Abu Ja`far Al-Mansoor said: (If you love to be praised by people without paying money or the like, just meet them with a cheerful face).

For this reason, the Sharee`ah made cheerfulness a desirable matter; cheerfulness is the pleasure that can be shown on the face, indicating the love and enjoyment of meeting.

The Prophet  counted turning a cheerful face to friends as one of the good deeds: "Every good deed is Sadaq (charity) and good deeds include meeting your brother with a cheerful face." [At-Tirmidhi: Hasan]

The Prophet  also said: " Do not belittle any good deed, even your meeting with your brother (Muslim) with a cheerful face." [Abu Dawood, Al-Albaani: Saheeh]

The Messenger of Allah  was always cheerful and smiley. Jareer (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Prophet  had never screened himself from me (had never prevented me from entering upon him) since I embraced Islam, and whenever he saw me, he would receive me with a smile.

He  treated the tough and churlish people with cheerfulness. "A Bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah  he took hold of the side of his cloak and drew it violently. The violence of jerk had bruised the neck of Messenger of Allah, then he said harshly: “O Muhammad, give me out of Allah's wealth that you possess.” Thereupon, the Prophet  encountered this roughness and cold-heartedness with cheerfulness and leniency then directed that he should be given something.

Indeed, this cheerfulness, which a Muslim should meet his Muslim brothers with, incites love and amicability in their hearts, making them desire to meet and accompany him.

Verily, the one who had said the following statement was right:

I visit my best friend as long as he shows amicability to me … and meets me with cheerfulness.

If he does not show amicability and kindness, I leave him … even if meeting with him would bring me support and good news.

It is the right of the one who visits me at home … to serve him food and kindness preceded by cheerfulness.

No doubt, we cannot satisfy people with our money, but we can captivate their hearts with cheerfulness, joy, and good manners. It was reported in the Hadeeth: "You (people) cannot satisfy people with your wealth, but you can satisfy them with your cheerful faces and good morals."

The need is increasing for cheerfulness when people are in need of something. Some wise people said: "Meet people of need with cheerfulness, so, if they did not thank you for fulfilling their needs, at least they will excuse you for inability to meet their needs.”

The Messenger of Allah  did not hesitate to serve Muslims and meet their needs cheerfully and leniently. He is the most deserving of the poet's statement:

He was accustomed to outstretching hands with generosity, even though if he wanted to grab it, … his fingers would not obey him

When you come to him, you find him cheerful … as if you are giving him what you are asking for

He is like the sea from wherever you come to it, … you will find kindness in its water and generosity is its beach.

Even if he had nothing in hand but his life, he would have given it cheerfully, so let the one who asks him fear Allah.

Scholars and righteous people (may Allah show mercy to them all) paid much attention to such a good manner, exhorted and advised Muslims to adopt such manner.

Ibn Uyaynah (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: (Cheerfulness brings about amicability, and kindness is an easy thing; a smiley face, and nice words. It is a good response to the scholar who turns his face away from people as if he is avoiding them. It is also a good response to the worshipper who turns a frown face to people as if he is above them, looks down at them, or is angry at them).

Al-Ghazali () said: (The unfortunate worshipper does not know that devoutness is not in a frowning forehead, nor in a dusty face (in prostrations), nor in turning the cheek away, nor in bending one’s back (bowing), nor in gathering the long garment up, but devoutness is in the heart).

Once, a Bedouin was asked about generosity, he said: Generosity in the meeting is cheerfulness. Generosity in socializing is leniency. Generosity in manners is tolerance. Generosity in actions is counseling. Generosity in richness is participation. Generosity in poverty is condolence.

The Shari`ah exhorted to meeting people with cheerfulness and smiling to the extent that the Prophet  said: "Smiling in the face of your Muslim brother is an act of charity.”

Ibn Battaal said: The Hadeeth implies that encountering people with smiling and cheerfulness are from the ethics of prophethood, which are contrary to arrogance and bring about amicability).

So, dear brother be cheerful, lenient, smiley, and do not frown.

May peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Prophet Muhammad, the bearer of glad tidings, the warner (of punishment), and the master of Adam's children. The last of our supplications is praise be to Allah the Lord of all the Worlds. - islamweb.net