Live In Deen

Have you ever been uncomfortable trying to pray in the Masjid (mosque)? It could have been during Ramadan, for the Friday prayer or for any of the 5 daily prayers. We sometimes face annoying situations that is putting us off coming back to the Mosque and praying in congregation. It goes from brothers and sisters looking down at us because we dress differently, to harsh words. As a result it gives us the feeling that we don’t belong here. In this animated video mufti Menk is explaining the signification of a hadith regarding the Salah (prayer). The Prophet (pbuh) said: “The best of you are those whose shoulders are soft in prayer.” [Sunan Abi Dawud 672] So what does it mean exactly to have “soft shoulders”? First of all praying in congregation brings you a great reward. Secondly there are rules for the Salah (prayer) about how to position yourself and fit in lines. Regarding the term “soft shoulders”, as per Mufti Menk, it refers to more than the physical aspect of letting peopl...

This is a calming recitation of Surah Al-Ahzab (The Allies – from 33:35 to 33:42) by Abdulaziz Az-Zahrani . There is a lot to say about these 8 Ayat, so let us focus on the verse 35: “For men and women who are devoted to God- believing men and women, obedient men and women, truthful men and women, steadfast men and women, humble men and women, charitable men and women, fasting men and women, chaste men and women, men and women who remember God often- God has prepared forgiveness and a rich reward.” [35:35] When we see the translation: “devoted’ in the Quran it has a deeper meaning. Indeed Allah talks about the ones who submit, surrender themselves. It is a very strong message about how we should live our lives: by following Islam as a way of life . Which encompasses a whole set of rules and code of conduct. In these Ayat, it is clear as well that the instructions given by Allah are not exclusively meant for men but for the whole Muslim society; hence it includes women. For an expl...

What are the benefits of Ayatul Kursi? Allah has revealed this verse and it mentions the greatness of Allah. We are taught that if we repeat this verse we will be protected from Shaytan. Why is Ayatul Kursi so blessed? Because it is the greatest Aya in the Quran. It should be recited every night. We should make this a habit to recite it after the 5 prayers. Why? Because it will give us Paradise. This verse is the greatest verse out of all of the verses in the Quran because it deals with Allah’s attributes and it praises Allah. The post The Benefits of Ayatul Kursi appeared first on About Islam . source https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/ayatul-kursi-gift-allah/

As a Christian boy growing up in the suburbs of New York City, I used to plaster pictures of my favorite sports and pop stars all over my bedroom walls. For years, I woke up every day to the smiling faces of Michael Jordan, Van Halen, Andre Agassi and many others. At that stage in my life, these superstars were special to me. For through their God-given talents , I was drawn to my personal notion of human excellence. Though the excellence they represented was in specific physical, and some might say trivial endeavors, their stardom magnified in me a burgeoning desire to explore and unlock my own human potential. As fond as I was of my heroes , looking back, I now realize that my admiration of them was my way — reflective of cultural influences perhaps — of meeting the need for models on the path to self-actualization. For whether we realize it or not, we all seek examples of greatness as a means to unlocking our own. In contemporary times, icons of pop culture are increasingly m...

Thanking the community for the huge support after Christchurch shootings , a local imam at the New Zealand southern city of Invercargill is inviting his neighbors to learn more about Islam to clear misconceptions about the faith, Stuff reported. “We owe it to them to put on something like this,” Dr. Reza-Abdul Jabbar said. Jabbar said he has felt tremendous support from the community since the terrorist attack but wants to create more of an understanding of the Islam religion. The next Saturday, November 2, event is hosted alongside the Murihiku Islamic Trust . Dubbed, Media Islam Vs True Islam, it will be an informative Islamic display along with a Qur’an listening. “I really believe once you spend a bit of time as a community we can live and co-exist in harmony,” Jabbar said. “Why do we need to wait for such a big event to take place before we do something like this. “Maybe if we had done more we could have prevented this [the terror attacks].” Invercargill mosque Islam in...

The Muslim American Leadership Alliance ( MALA ) will be hosting its annual gala on November 7, reaching out to the community and working for more inclusion. Speaking to ABC7 Chicago , the group co-founder Ahmed “Flex” Omar said the event had a goal to talk more about Muslim American identity in the 21st century. MALA’s annual gala brings together philanthropists, thought leaders, and community leaders to celebrate another year of progress for the Muslim American heritage. The gala is a celebration of steps made toward uniting Americans of all backgrounds for social cohesion, recognizing diversity and inclusion. The event will be held at the iconic Chicago History Museum. The Muslim-American Leadership Alliance (MALA) is a non-profit civic organization aims to promote individual freedom and celebrate Muslim-American heritage. It is focused on “Civil Rights, Advocacy for Specific Groups,” specifically Americans of Muslim heritage. MALA embraces free expression, gender e...

Amsterdam has rejected a plan by a prominent mosque to become the first in the city to broadcast adhan or call to prayer over loudspeakers, saying it is unnecessary in the time of mobile apps, Irish Times reported. The mayor of the Dutch capital, Femke Halsema, said that given advances in technology, from alarms to apps, it was not necessary to use loudspeakers to remind the faithful when to pray. The plan to broadcast the adhan has been championed by Yassin Elforkani, the imam at the blue mosque “The azan can contribute to Islam finally being seen as normal in the Netherlands,” Elforkani said earlier this month. Adhan in the West The adhan is the call to announce that it is time for a particular obligatory Salah (ritual prayer). Muslims in the West often face hassles in making Adhan for prayer. Local authorities argue that the call would cause noise disturbance to residents. In April 2013, worshippers at the Fittja mosque in southern Stockholm heard Sweden’s first-ever call...

Toronto Imam Shaykh Imran Ally, the first Muslim chaplain of the Peel Regional Police (PRP), is the first PRP chaplain to achieve certification from the Canadian Police Chaplains Association and the first Imam and Muslim chaplain in Canada to receive this certification. “I am extremely grateful to PRP for giving me this great opportunity to achieve this unique certification. It will definitely enhance my professionalism as an Imam to serve the Muslim community along with my continued chaplaincy expertise to first responders, in shaa Allah,” said Imam Ally. In 1983, the Ontario Police Chaplain Association (OPCA) was formed however in 1992, the OPCA became a national organization and was renamed the Canadian Police Chaplains Association (CPCA). On October 26, Imam Ally also received the chaplain of the year award from Badge of Life Canada (BOLC). This was in recognition for his continued service to first responders. BOLC is a peer-led, charitable volunteer organization. Also, I...

The other day, a young woman in the mosque asked me whether I can help her and I answered: “InshaAllah”. So, she asked me: “Please tell me, how can I be kind?” I was surprised about her question and told her that I was still struggling myself to become a kind person. So, how can I advise her? But then I paused for a while. I could feel that she really searched for an answer. All I could think about telling her at the moment was to do abundant istighfar , seeking Allah’s forgiveness. Her question made me ponder. This article is first and foremost a reminder for myself of the things I have learned from my spiritual teachers, especially Shaykh Kamaluddin Ahmed, of how we can be a kind person. Seek Forgiveness To do istighfar is a major element if one aims to become a kind person. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recite istighfar at least a hundred times a day despite the fact that he was ma’sum , unable to commit any sin . In another Hadith, the Prophet stated that he se...

Recently I was at a ladies-only event, but since it was held in a public venue, many of the women remained covered just in case a random man walked in. At some point, I ended up sitting near a couple of older sisters whom I had never met.  For several minutes they sat silently and seemed disinclined to chat.  Then, out of the blue, one of them gestured to my twelve year old daughter and asked, “Does she wear hijab all the time ?” Slightly confused by her question, I answered, “Well, yes, when she’s outside.  Not at home with family, of course.” “But not just here, today?” she persisted.  “Even at school? Even at the mall?” “Yes…” “How do you get her to do that? How do you get her to wear hijab?” the older lady asked, abruptly.  “We can’t even get our daughters and granddaughters to do it.” I can’t be sure of her mindset, but I suspect she was thinking that it was ironic that while some “born-Muslims” struggle with submitting to hijab, here I was, an Americ...

Understanding hadith correctly and verifying its authenticity are very important. That’s because a lot of  controversial issues that Muslims encounter come from Hadith tradition. It is controversial because it is an important source of Islamic law and belief that, if we don’t study it properly it can be very misleading. So, How to Approach Hadith? How to avoid misquoting it or using it out of context? And any tips for understanding hadith properly? Dr. Brown discusses important pointers to keep in mind when coming across hadith. He also gives examples of unauthentic hadiths that some people use to discredit Islam. Moreover, he also sheds light on some controversial hadiths and shows how to find their correct meaning. For example: – Are women bad omens? – Should Muslims fight the whole world? – And should the houses of  people not attending congregational prayers be set on fire? Join Dr. Jonathan Brown in this eyeopening lecture. Did the Prophet (PBUH) D...

Climate Change is a huge problem, but we don’t need to feel overwhelmed by it. Actually, our climate has always been changing , though it is true that the Industrial Age up until now has had seriously adverse effects on the natural process. Many organizations are working to correct some of the damage humankind has done.   Knowing it is their position as stewards of Allah’s creation on Earth, these Muslim organizations have committed themselves to tackling climate change. So what are these organizations? And can you join and assist them?   Below are 6 organizations worth not just following, but working hard to assist them: 1 – Green Muslims – US Over ten years in the business of being eco warriors, Green Muslims are the original organizers of Green Iftars. The also hold loads of regular activities to “connect Muslims everywhere to nature and environmental activism.” Current events include plastic free challenges and local bird walks in Northern Virginia. They...

In Islam we know that Allah has sent us many prophets and messengers. “And for every nation is a messenger. So when their messenger comes, it will be judged between them in justice, and they will not be wronged.” [Surah Yunus 10:47] “Indeed, We have sent you with the truth as a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And there was no nation but that there had passed within it a warner.” [Surah Fatir (Originator) 35:24] What about  Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama) ? This is the queston asked to Abdur-Raheem Green who himself followed the Buddhist values. Since Buddha has had teaching close to the Islamic values (refrain from anger, have patience, respect all lives, everything happens for a reason etc) one could wonder if he might have been a prophet sent by Allah. Indeed this could be a possibility, but then his  teachings aren’t involving the submission to Allah , the one and only God. As well it could mean that his teachings were altered and highly corrupted. But the main opi...

This very emotional story of our courageous brother  Basit Bahram  is brought to us by  Mohamed Hoblos. Imagine living with an incurable genetic disease leading to disability and often a reduced life expectancy. Since his birth brother Basit is suffering from a rare skin condition known as  Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) . EB is caused by a faulty gene that makes skin extremely fragile. Hence causes uncontrollable outbursts of wounds and blisters on the body. “It’s hard […] I’m immobile for the most part. So my day entails me being on my bed for the most part. I can’t really walk. You just look at the way people walk and run and you can’t help but think: I wish I could do that…” Two years ago, Basit’s older brother Milad, sadly passed away from the same disease. How this 25 years old brother is still hanging on to life while his condition while is so painful and incapacitating? His first answer is: Faith and Allah’s promise. “if I’m brutally honest […] what is my...

Have you notice how great leaders and figures have the capability to  endure hardship? What is  Sabr  in Islam? It is one of the main virtues that help us staying in the right path. Sabr doesn’t only mean patience; rather it is a larger concept . It includes self-control, self-discipline, endurance, persistence and determination as well as acceptance of Allah’s plans. “O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” [surah Al-Baqara 2:153]   Through Muslim figures of the 20th century,  Imam Omar Suleiman  details how  Sabr is the tool to get you through difficult times in your life .   Indeed someone like Muhammad Ali kept progressing in his fight for justice and his faith. Despite the numerous attempts to intimidate him, he persisted and resisted even his own government.   Just like someone as Malcolm X had to endure poverty in his youth, repeated assault while marching peacefully,...

Islam is the religion of forgiveness. No matter how many sins a person may have committed, he or she never becomes unforgivable. God is the Oft Forgiving , Most Merciful and Quran stresses these attributes more than 70 times. And to God belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth.  He forgives whom He wills, and punishes whom He wills.  And God is oft Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Quran 3:129 ) There is however, one sin that God will not forgive and that is the sin of ascribing partners or associates to God. A Muslim believes that God is one , without partners, offspring, or associates. He is the only one worthy of worship. Say (O Muhammad), He is Allah, (the) One.  Allah-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks).  He begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him. (Quran 112 ) Verily, God forgives not that partners should be set up with Hi...

Modern Psychologists say that wisdom “involves an integration of knowledge, experience, and deep understanding that incorporates tolerance for the uncertainties of life as well as its ups and downs. There’s an awareness of how things play out over time, and it confers a sense of balance.” One must demonstrate knowledge, understanding, patience , and moderation in all things when trying to attain wisdom. In our times, when we react with minimal knowledge and no understanding, often going to extremes, wisdom is valued little and found far less. I must confess that I find myself falling into the category of those who are in desperate need of wisdom. I thought by this point in my life, I would have this wisdom thing mastered. But I fail. It can be defeating, but if we look at the one who faced every situation with wisdom, we can try to model ourselves not on those who participate in Facebook flame wars, or knee jerk reactions to headlines, or even bickering: but we can model ourselves ...

British Muslim Member of Parliament Naz Shah, representing the area of Bradford West, hosted a program with the Muslim Council of Britain at the House of Lords on October 29th. The evening’s discussion addressed the important often under-reported subject of racism within the Muslim community under the title, ‘ Being Black, British and Muslim Today ,’ with four Black Muslim panelists sharing their personal accounts and insights during #BlackHistoryMonth . Chaired by Bilkis Savage, there were four panelists: Rakin Niass (a teacher), Habeeb Akande (an author), Zamzam Ibrahim (president of the National Union of Students) and Hafsah Dabiri (a researcher). They were supported by an opening by Naz Shah MP and contributions from Afzal Khan MP and Yasmin Qureshi MP. Bilkis Savage and Naz Shah MP Introducing the program Naz Shah MP spoke about discrimination, “If I get it (racism) as a Pakistani, then if you add (the variable) of being Black, then it is has a (greater) impact. If you’re fe...

Farm fires raging in neighboring states have sent clouds of smoke floating over the Indian city, posing a health risk to its 20 million residents. (Reuters pictures) The post Delhi trapped in a toxic smog appeared first on About Islam . source https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/world-in-picture/delhi-trapped-toxic-smog/

It was reported by Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Allah never inflicts a disease unless He makes a cure for it. …” Then surely, if this were true, Allah would have also provided a way for these cures to be known. According to the Doctrine of Signatures He (SWT) has. “And in the earth there are tracts side by side and gardens of grapes and corn and palm trees having one root and (others) having distinct roots– they are watered with one water, and We make some of them excel others in fruit; most surely there are signs in this for a people who understand’  (Surat Ar-Ra’d 13:4) . In scientific terms, these signs are referred to collectively as The Doctrine of Signatures. The Doctrine of Signatures is a system that states that God has provided visual cues to each plant’s usage because plants were placed on earth for the good of mankind. People using this healing tool believe that the key to the human use of plants was hidden in the form (signature) of the plant itself. ...

The Chicago History Museum has opened a new exhibition called “ American Medina: Stories of Muslim Chicago ,” which aims to educate people on the Muslim history in the city nicknamed “American Madinah,” Oakland Press reported. The exhibit highlights the experiences of Muslim Chicagoans through audio interviews of more than 40 Muslim voices who share stories of faith, identity, and personal journeys “I think people are not as familiar with the deep historic roots that Muslim communities have in the city and suburbs,” Chicago History Museum Chief Historian Peter Alter said. Chicago History Museum Chief Historian Peter Alter. RNS photo by Emily McFarlan Miller Visitors can listen to more than 40 personal narratives that are enhanced by prayer rugs, maps, photographs, videos, artwork and other everyday items that detail their journeys. “American Medina” is the last of three exhibits at the museum that explored the impact of Abrahamic religion on the city. The first, “Catholic Chi...