Are you looking forward to meeting Allah? Whoever is looking forward to meeting Allah they should do these two things!
We should do good deeds and we should protect ourselves from all kinds of shirk. We know the meaning of good deeds, goodness to our fellow human beings and so on. Acts of worship that are taught by Rasulullah (PBUH). Make sure you engage in them properly.
Remember you are going to meet Allah one day so make sure that you do not associate Him with anyone else. Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him.
The Prophet (PBUH) was beyond insults. The only time when the Prophet (PBUH) felt insulted was when someone had words of disbelief or their actions shown disbelief. He felt that these people were headed for Hell fire. They could not see what was best for them.
Allah said to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) “don’t let your heart go after them, should they take themselves to the Hell fire. Maybe you are putting yourself under so much strain because you’re so concerned for themthat they don’t see what is good for them.” This is the only time when the Prophet felt hurt.
This is how we should be. We feel inferior unless people recognize us. A true follower of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is beyond insult. Not because they don’t have dignity but because they know words mean nothing. A Muslim attaches their heart to the truth. That is what matters.
They called Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) insane, mad, a charlatan, a liar. There is nothing new than what is happening now. We shouldn’t expect anything else. Allah has told us “hatred has become apparent in what they say, what their hearts conceal is far greater.”
We should not take offence. We should be like the Prophet (PBUH), beyond insult.
سورة النمل، هي سورة مكية، عدد آياتها 93 آية، وترتيبها في المصحف 27، وهي في الجزء السابع والعشرين، نزلت بعد سورة الشعراء وفيها سجدة تلاوة في الآية 26.
هي السورة الوحيدة التي ذكرت فيها البسملة مرتين، في أول السورة، وفي الآية 30، في قوله –تعالى-: {إِنَّهُ مِنْ سُلَيْمَانَ وَإِنَّهُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ}.
سميت بسورة النمل بسبب ورود قصة النمل مع سيدنا سليمان.
في هذه القصة جمع سيدنا سليمان يومًا جنوده من الإنس والجن والطير والدواب وأمرهم بالسير في صفوف منتظمة، وأثناء سيرهم مروا على وادٍ يسكنه النمل.
كان النمل منهمك في مهامه إلا نملة وقفت تراقب مشهد سير نبي الله سليمان عليه السلام وجنوده، وعندما اقتربوا من بيوت النمل صاحت النملة بأخواتها النمل أن أسرعوا وادخلوا إلى مساكنكم حتى لا يدوس عليكم نبي الله سليمان وجنوده دون أن يشعروا فهم قد اقتربوا منا.
We are in the Islamic month of the birth of the Mercy to Mankind, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). I could think of no better way to truly commemorate our love than to reflect on his teachings as the Quran reminds us to do so often.
Indeed, it is only through the teachings of our beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that we can truly worship God.
The lessons he shared that were so generously gifted from Allah Almighty are transformative to say the least. And so, I challenge you to reflect on what are the top lessons he taught you that transformed your life and how.
Here are a few of mine.
Charity Never Reduces Your Wealth
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying:
“Charity will never diminish wealth; Allah will reward a servant who forgives with nothing but increased honor; and Allah definitely raises the status of a person who humbles himself for Allah.” (Sahih Muslim)
I heard this hadith sometime in middle school. I would hear it many times in my adult life. Unironically, it was typically at fundraising dinners. But, even at such a young age, I knew I didn’t want to allow the fear of losing money to rule my life. I knew I needed to adopt this as a mindset shift.
I also knew that there were always going to be people who could benefit more from the rizq (provision) God has given me.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was generous during times of his life in poverty and in wealth. If someone asked him for something, even quite literally the clothes off his back, he would give it away. (see this hadith for example)
During Ramadan, his generosity was described as being “like the wind.” The best of teachers reminds us that to be generous does not take away from anything. Rather, it increases us in Allah’s favor and, through that, increases us in goodness in this world and the next.
Two Priceless Rak`ahs
Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“The two Rak`ahs [before] the dawn (Fajr) prayer are better than this world and all it contains.” (Muslim)
Fajr was (and still is) notoriously the most difficult Salah for me to perform. Even if performed on time, to have khushu` (focus) during the prayer is a difficult task.
I remember hearing this hadith at a conference when I was 15 years old. It shocked me. Think about this: what are we willing to do for just having part of the world? How many hours do we practice for a sports team we play?
How many years do we put into studying to make it to our dream profession?
Or how much do we save for our dream home or vacation?
We will delay pleasure for these goals, and yet, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is telling us that a simple Sunnah prayer is better than the entire world!
I challenged myself after that day to begin praying those two raka`at. And what I found was that if I pushed myself to do it (even when I so desperately wanted to go back to sleep), my focus at Fajr was better. And I could feel amazing knowing that I now had the world in my hands.
Take Action!
It was narrated that Abu Sa`eed said:
Marwan brought the pulpit out one ‘Eid day and started to deliver the sermon before the prayer. A man stood up and said: ‘O Commander of the Believers, you have gone against the Sunnah. You have brought the pulpit out on the day of ‘Eid and it was not brought out before, and you started with the sermon before the prayer, when this was not done before.’
Abu Sa`eed said: ‘As for this man, he has done his duty. I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say:
“Whoever among you sees an evil action, and he is able to change it with his hand, then change it with his hand (by taking action); if he cannot (do so), then with his tongue then with his tongue (by speaking out); and if he cannot then with his heart (by hating it and feeling that it is wrong), and that is the weakest of faith.” (Sunan ibn Maajih)
A new perspective
I learned this hadith in weekend school at probably 12 years old. I remember a light going off inside of me. Until then, I had learned Islam as almost a set of rules: This is how you make wudu. This is what you say before you sleep. This is what breaks your fast.
But now, I was learning about Islam as a framework to view the world. One that measures in justice and reminds you that you ALWAYS have autonomy and a chance to do something right.
Imagine this new-founded thinking coupled with learning about all the injustice in the world. This one hadith would propel me into several years of community work: locally, nationally and internationally, to address many wrongs in our society.
I would ponder the meaning, especially thinking “why do I skip straight to hating something in my heart instead of working to change it with my hand or tongue.” This hadith would challenge my understanding of courage, initiative and what true Islam looks like in America.
5 Right You Owe Your Fellow Muslim
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“A believer owes another believer five rights: responding to greetings, visiting him in illness, following his funeral, accepting his invitation, and saying ‘Yarhamuk-Allah (May Allah have mercy on you),’ when he says ‘Al-hamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah)’ after sneezing“. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
I’m someone who thoroughly enjoys lists. And a 5 part list (or 6 in another narration which includes giving advice to your brother when asked for it) gives an easy way to keep ourselves in check and to have a pulse on the community.
These are interpersonal interactions at different stages of a Muslim’s life through wellness and sickness. Many times, our laziness makes us complacent in denying these rights. That is not something small. Rights in Islam mean that a case can be made on the Day of Judgement. This hadith forces me to hold myself accountable and not get complacent, no matter how busy I am.
Be Gentle
Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet once told her:
Aishah! show gentleness, for if gentleness is found in anything, it beautifies it and when it is taken out from anything it damages it. (Abu Dawud)
Growing up, I found that people were always advocating for a rough and tough attitude to get ahead in life. I’d hear “nice guys finish last” and “don’t let anyone step on you.” And so, I grew up afraid that my kindness would be taken for weakness and so I feared being kind.
But gentleness is a quality of God and should not be seen as a weakness!
It was through practicing gentleness with my family, friends and others that I was able to become more gentle with myself and even my worship improved.
The list of transformative teachings of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) can continue for pages. So, what are the principles and practices that impact your life?
There are many examples in the Qur’an and Hadith of the virtues of a positive mental attitude, perseverance, and optimism in the face of adversity.
However, did you know that patience and a positive outlook on life are two of the greatest healing tools that you can use?
Surat Al-Baqarah in the holy Qur’an says in its 155th verse:
“Give glad tidings to those who exercise patience when struck with adversity and say, ‘Indeed, we belong to God and to Him is our return.’ Such ones receive [the] blessings and mercy of their Lord, and such are the guided ones.”
According to the findings of modern science, it appears that this mercy may often come in the form of improved health.
Bernard Jensen says, in his book The Science and Practice of Iridology, “The doctor of the new day will recognize that a man’s most important workshop is not the physical body, but the mind that controls it.”
Dr. Ted M. Morter confirms this in his book, Your Health… Your Choice, when he says that “negative thoughts are the number one acid producer in the body (and high body acidity levels are a major cause of disease)… because your body reacts to negative mental and emotional stress brought about by thought the same way it reacts to ‘real’ threats of physical harm.”
In fact, hospital studies show that, of all the patients who consult outpatient clinical facilities in the United States, an astounding seventy percent are found to have no organic basis for their complaint.
That figure is amazingly high. However, although medically these patients are not found to have an obvious organic source for their complaints, there actually is a physical basis for this phenomenon.
Since Freud popularized the idea of psychoanalysis, people have often focused exclusively on the mental realm to solve certain problems, forgetting that we cannot separate the physical and mental realms.
The mind is in the brain, and the brain is an organ. Like all other organs, it feeds from the same pool of nutrients that other body organs feed and is susceptible to all of the same problems.
Ultimately, the brain is just a part of our body like all of the other parts and is completely dependent on the body. It requires sugar to develop energy, unlike other tissues that can develop it from potassium and fats.
Consequently, it is the first organ to suffer from low blood sugar and it reacts most severely. Freud himself said that psychoanalysis was not suitable for treating diseases such as schizophrenia, and he postulated that their causes eventually would be found to be biochemical.
If we keep in mind that the brain is an organ and that it works in harmony with the other organs and feeds from the same bloodstream, we can understand how various mental events can affect us physically.
For example, simply using our brains to think and study burns up nutrients in our system, particularly phosphorus.
Heavily exercising the brain can cause us to suffer from a phosphorus deficiency. And we find that the reverse is also true in this relationship. People who have high intellectual capacity usually have high levels of phosphorus in their system.
Vitamins
Prophet’s Wisdom
There is much wisdom in the Prophet’s (SAW) statement (narrated by Abu Huraira), “The strong [person] is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong [person] is the one who controls himself while in anger.”
In fact, staying patient and calm is key to physical strength.
Phosphorus is not the only nutrient that can be depleted by mental stress and a lack of spiritual calm. If the thyroid gland, the primary organ to handle our emotions, works overtime, we can suffer from a deficiency in iodine.
Stress from a demanding job, a divorce or relocating can cause a loss of potassium and sodium in the body because it affects the adrenal glands creating more of a need for these minerals.
Even hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can be caused by excitement. The prophet (SAW) recommended our taking the more moderate path in life; however, we often engage in or expose ourselves to intense excitement by yelling, excessively watching television, and going to the mall, movies, parties, amusement parks, etc.
When we see something exciting, our adrenal cortex is stimulated and there is an increase in our blood sugar. This, in turn, stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin into the blood to lower the sugar level, causing us to then feel tired or weak.
It produces calm and health to practice saying, “Alhamdulillah” for what we have and for what we are faced with.
We should try to keep our home and work environments peaceful and as free from stress as possible. One way we can counteract the effects of stress are to simply be aware of the stress we are encountering and to consume sufficient nutrients and supplements such as herbs.
For instance, if a person is up late praying or reading Qur’an during Ramadan, they can eat phosphorus-rich foods and those that will help them maintain their phosphorus intake.
If a person is moving, traveling or making Hajj or Umra, they may want to increase their intake of foods high in potassium and sodium as well as vitamin B complex.
If we completely ignore the relationship between mental and physical health, we are missing an important detail in the picture of personal health.
And, as in most health problems, practicing prevention is superior to finding a cure. Therefore, the best manner to avoid having negative attitudes and emotions control our bodies is simply to practice the pearls of wisdom that we have been given throughout the Qur’an and Hadith.
We should say, “Alhamdullilah” for what we have; “Insha’Allah” for what we intend; and, “Subhana’ Allah” when we see something exciting or amazing.
We should remember to say, Astaghfir’Allah” when we lose our tempers or become weak, and most importantly, “Allahu Akbar” when we are faced with the challenges of life.
These five phrases, said regularly, are like taking a multi-vitamin for holistic health.
This article is from our archive, originally published at an earlier date, and now republished for its importance.
This month, I have some especially fun exercise for you. You will need only one piece of equipment – your pillow!
This is why I love functional training so much; it trains your muscles to work together, prepares them for daily tasks, and its exercises can be so creative and fun. You can use equipment such as TRX, kettlebell, rope, bands, fitballs, your body weight, or basically anything your creativity tells you to try out! I sometimes have my clients train with eggs.
So grab your pillow. I have prepared for you 3 exercises of cardio and 4 exercises of core strengthening. You will find it so much fun, inshallah!
My first and foremost principal as a personal and group fitness trainer is prevention and safety. This is why all the exercises you find in the video are safe, inshallah. If you are not sure whether you can do these exercises, or whether you do them in the correct way, please email me any time!
Warm up well before and stretch at the end.
For the cardio exercises, if you do not wish to jump (because you are overweight, your fitness level is still not there, or any other reason), just step and tap.
Jumping is great, it is part of our natural movements as a human, but no joke for modern people who live their life sitting for the most part. If you have neglected your core muscles, then your joints and your back are in danger if you just start jogging, and jumping around.
This is why I help you train your core in the second part. You core includes everything around your pelvis: your abs, lower back, glutes, and even your tight muscles. No crunches, no sit ups (ever, please!) I want to save you from a hernia and injury.
Here are some much better moves that strengthen and train your core muscles.
Enjoy your training and let us know how you liked it!
Alors que le mois d’octobre tire à sa fin, nous voilà entourés de jack-o-lanternes et de jardins remplis de fantômes pour célébrer Halloween. Le défilé connu par «Un Sort, Ou Une Douceur?!», c’est un événement qui attire significativement les jeunes musulmans.
Même marcher simplement vers l’épicerie devient difficile, car ces célébrations sont très importantes et promues dans l’ouest. Ignorant son origine, les gens se laissent tomber dans son culte trompeur.
En rentrant de l’école, les enfants supplient leurs parents de les faire sortir, habillés en sorcières et en monstres. Ils vont de porte en porte pour demander des friandises alléchantes. Pourtant, cette question ne cesse de hanter l’esprit de nombreux parents musulmans: Comment se comporter avec nos enfants qui sont tentés de fêter Halloween?
Faites-Les Participer A Vos Discussions
En tant que parents, nous devrions intégrer Halloween ainsi que tout autre événement non islamique dans nos discussions familiales, puisque cela nous affecte grandement dans la société occidentale. Nous devons sensibiliser nos conjoints et surtout nos enfants à ce qui se passe autour de nous.
Prenez le temps aujourd’hui et asseyez-vous avec vos enfants! Expliquez-leur les préjudices pouvant être causés par la célébration de telles occasions. Exprimez-leur également que les musulmans ne doivent rien suivre par ignorance.
Apprenez-leur cette parole du Prophète Mohammad (Salla Allah Alaihi Wa Sallam): «Quiconque accomplit un acte d’adoration non conforme à notre religion, verra cet acte rejeté.» Aussi le Prophète Mohammad a dit dans un hadith bien célèbre: «Celui qui imite un peuple en fait partie.»
Discutez avec vos familles de ces célébrations. Par exemple, commencez par préciser ce qu’est Halloween et d’où vient-elle? Demandez-leur d’abord leur avis, puis faites-en-leur la description. Par exemple, dites-leur: «Saviez-vous que Halloween est une pratique païenne et satanique?» Puis approfondissez de plus en plus vos explications. (Halloween se réfère à une tradition de plusieurs siècles avant le christianisme.)
Est-Ce Qu’une Fête Religieuse ?
Les Celtes païens de l’ancienne Grande-Bretagne et de l’Irlande, croyaient que, pendant la nuit du 31 octobre, les dieux jouaient des tours à leurs adorateurs mortels, provoquant danger, peur et épisodes surnaturels. Ils croyaient également que les âmes des morts avaient été relâchées et avaient été autorisées à revenir dans leurs maisons et que les mauvais esprits parcouraient la terre.
Ainsi, cette nuit a acquis une signification sinistre et elle est remplie d’esprits, de fantômes, de sorcières, de gobelins, de chats noirs, de fées et de démons. Les Celtes ont fait des sacrifices pour conjurer les périls de la saison et la colère des divinités, et ils ont allumé des grands feux de joie aux sommets des collines pour chasser les mauvais esprits.
Peu à peu au fil des ans, Halloween est devenue une célébration familiale. Rappelez à vos proches les piliers de notre foi et, plus important encore, impliquez les enfants dans la discussion!
Libérez-les de la crise d’identité. Les enfants ont un besoin d’appartenance, faites donc en sorte qu’ils se sentent désirés en Islam. Nos enfants doivent être fiers de leur patrimoine islamique.
Nous sommes obligés d’apprendre à nos jeunes que l’amour de leur Créateur émane d’eux. S’ils ce sentiment est bien établi en eux, ils s’abstiendront d’eux-mêmes de ces célébrations. Par exemple, discutez avec eux de la vie des jeunes compagnons du Prophète Mohammad «Sahabas» et de leur rôle en Islam.
Conseils:
Montrez-leur l’importance que l’Islam leur accorde et appréciez-les aussi pour avoir suivi le droit chemin, car les enfants sont un don d’Allah. Efforcez-vous de leur donner envie d’être musulman.
Créez une liste de contrôle et soyez créatif. Organisez pour eux des activités et des événements sains à l’avance. Contactez vos masjids locaux, demandez-leur d’organiser des activités adaptées à l’âge des enfants à certains jours.
Organisez des jeux amusants, des bricolages et des jeux-concours. Si c’est trop compliqué, faites les choses ensemble en famille. Nous élevons la future génération, alors apportons notre contribution. Enfin, affichez et inculquez à vos proches le respect et l’affection pour leur identité islamique unique.
(Vous pouvez lire la version anglaise originale de cet article ici).
Now that I am approaching 40, I have spent almost half of my life as a Muslim; and looking back on my journey, I wish I would have done a few things differently. I decided to write a list of 7 things I would tell my 20-year-old, new Muslim self:
1- Learn the Quran
If I only had enough time to give myself one piece of advice after I converted to Islam, it would be: Make the Quran your priority.
There are so many narrations about the virtues of learning and reciting the Quran that I did not stumble upon until years into Islam. For example:
It will be said to the companion of the Quran (in Paradise):
Recite and rise in status, recite as you used to recite in the world, for your status will be at the last verse that you recite. (Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi)
And:
Whoever recites one Word from the Book of Allah will be rewarded for a good deed and ten more like it… (At-Tirmidhi)
Learning Arabic goes hand in hand with the study of the Quran. Merely memorizing Allah’s book is not enough, we need to understand the meaning of the words we are uttering.
I spent many a Ramadan night joining sobbing worshipers during the tarawih prayer, not knowing the meaning of what the Imam was reciting. I used to cry because I wanted to understand, but during the early years of being Muslim, I only picked up common Arabic phrases.
Even if your day begins in a way that makes you frustrated and overwhelmed, remember to take a few deep breaths, center yourself, and remember your intentions for the day. You don’t have the power to control every single thing that happens to you, but you can control how you react to it and what type of energy you will bring into each moment.
It was not until I was Muslim for six years that I was finally able to take steps towards learning Arabic. By that time, I was already on the verge of having my first child, so my time was limited. In short, take advantage of your youth and free time to learn the language of the Quran.
3- Your Family is Still Your Family, Even if They Are Not Muslim
Muslim or not, your family is often your greatest support; this is especially the case with parents. We should never abandon or disrespect them. Allah even stresses this in the Quran:
And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.
But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness… (31:14-15)
Sometimes our own family or friends have a completely distorted view of Islam and Muslims, so it is our job to teach them about Islam through our example. We did not learn Islam and practice it overnight, and we cannot expect that from others.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his life to be extended, should uphold the ties of kinship. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Although the Prophet’s own uncle and caretaker, Abu Talib, did not embrace Islam, he supported him and protected him until his last breath.
The masajid are known as the houses of Allah, where the believers gather, and Allah’s name is mentioned. Being in this environment can help us recharge our batteries when we are tired of the chaos of the outside world.
Praying side by side with other worshipers is a reminder of our purpose to worship Allah alone. It keeps us grounded and hopeful for the Hereafter.
Make a habit of attending the masjid as much as possible to renew your faith continuously.
5- Do Not Expect Anything From People, Expect Everything From Allah
I have often heard other converts say: “Had I known Muslims before I knew Islam, I would have never converted!”
People will disappoint us whether Muslim or not. We cannot blame Islam for their shortcomings. We should do good unto others and hope others will do the same, but never expect anything from other than Allah. Whenever we feel lost, we can always turn to Him for help. He said:
So remember Me; I will remember you… (Quran, 2:152)
6- Do Not Worry About Marriage, it Will Happen When it Happens
Too often, converts think that marrying a Muslim will solve all their problems, but it could make things worse. There are so many intricacies surrounding marriage in Islam that are blurred by cultural traditions.
A new Muslim is still learning the basics about worship and Islamic manners. Entering a marriage at this stage may complicate everything. If marriage is one of our goals, then it will come in due time. Our two biggest tools in seeking a successful marriage are prayer and sound knowledge, and that includes knowledge of self, as well as knowledge of Islam. Find yourself first, then find a spouse.
7- Take Everything One Step at a Time
I would advise my younger self, and anyone looking into Islam, to study it deeply; I’d advise it to pray to God for guidance, and to embrace it wholeheartedly, but to take things one step at a time.
Just as the Quran was revealed in sections over a period of 23 years, so should we try our best to learn things slowly. Islam is a lifelong journey, and we are all constantly learning.
Last, but not least, as a reminder to myself, then and now, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) left us with a great advice:
Take advantage of five before five: Your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your riches before your poverty, your free time before your work, and your life before your death. (Al Hakim)
We have this mental image that hijab makes us angels. This is not correct. Hijab doesn’t make you perfect.
When people see an hijabi do something wrong, they are shocked and say “ah she is an hijabi!” It is like when an hijabi does something wrong it is so much worse than a non-hijabi.
We see that an hijabi is an example. However, it is not that when you put on the hijab you announce that you are perfect. You are still a human being and it is part of your struggle.
Don’t let Shaytaan tell you when you mess up, that you are not worthy of this path. You are not worthy of going back to Allah. Don’t let Shaytaan win.
Here is a beautiful poem called If Only They Knew Muhammad (PBUH). It was written in response to the degrading cartoons that were published in France.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is one of the most misunderstood people in the world. He is often vilified and slandered by those who do not know the truth.
As Muslims we have a responsibility to teach people who Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was, how he lived and how he loved people.
We can live our life as he taught us and embody the Sunnah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent for all mankind. He shown great compassion, empathy and kindness as well as love.
Like most Americans, US Muslims struggle with the conflict of deciding to hit the polls.
Over two-hundred million of the country’s three-hundred million population can vote, but less than 60 percent did in the past three presidential elections.
Voting remains a point of tension among American Muslims. While some may see the immediate urgency in exercising their rights and effecting change through election participation, others avoid engaging in the electoral process for a variety of reasons, including religious objection.
SUNY Rockland professor, Dr. Shamika Mitchell joined Layla Abdullah-Poulos to discuss why Muslims choose to vote or stay home and the impact of filling out or ditching the ballot.
For more information about registering to vote, visit https://vote.gov/.
As October comes to an end, we are surrounded with jack-o-lanterns and ghost filled yards. From Trick or Treat to a parade, it is an event, which attracts young Muslims significantly.
Even as simple as walking into the grocery shop becomes difficult, for these celebrations are very prominent and promoted in the west. Being unaware of its origin, people fall into its deceptive cult.
When kids come home from school they beg their parents to take them out, dressed as witches and monsters they go from door to door asking for mouthwatering treats. The question lingers in the minds of many Muslim parents; How to deal with our kids who are tempted to celebrate Halloween?
Involve Them in Your Discussions
As parents, we should incorporate Halloween and every other un-Islamic events in our family discussions since it affects us greatly in western society. We need to make our spouses and more importantly our kids aware of what is going on around us.
Take the time out today and sit down with your kids! Explain to them the harm that generates out of these occasions. Also express to them that Muslims should not follow anything out of ignorance.
Make them aware of the saying of the Prophet (May Allah’s Prayers and Blessings upon him): “Whoever does a deed that does not conform with our affair (Deen) then it is rejected from him”[1].Also the Prophet (PBUH) said in a famous hadeeth: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them”[2].
Discuss with your families these celebrations. For instance, start with what is Halloween and where does it come from? Ask them for their opinions first and then offer to them the description. For instance, tell them, “Did you know Halloween is a pagan and satanic practice?” Then delve deeper in explanation. (Halloween originated many centuries before Christianity.
A Religious Holiday?
The pagan Celts in ancient Britain and Ireland believed that, during the night of October 31st, gods played tricks on their mortal worshippers, bringing about danger, fear, and supernatural episodes. They also believed that the souls of the dead were let loose and were allowed to revisit their homes and that hosts of evil spirit roamed the earth.
Thus, this night acquired a sinister significance filled with spirits, ghosts, witches, goblins, black cats, fairies, and demons. The Celts made sacrifices to ward off the perils of the season and the anger of the deities, and they set huge bonfires on hilltops to frighten away evil spirits.
Gradually over the years, Halloween turned into a family observance[3]. Remind your nearest and dearest about the pillars of our faith and most importantly involve the kids in the discussion!
Liberate them from identity crisis. Kids have an urge of belonging, make them feel wanted in Islam. Our children must be proud of their Islamic heritage.
We are obliged to construct our youngsters in a way that the love of their Creator emanates from them. If they have this character well established within them, then they will abstain from these celebrations on their own. For instance, chat with them about young Sahabas and their role in Islam.
Display to them the importance Islam gives to them and also appreciate them for following the right path, for children are a gift from Allah (swt). Strive to make them feel elated about being a Muslim.
Design a checklist and be creative. Organize healthy activities and events for them ahead of time. Contact your local Masjids, ask them to have age appropriate activities for the kids on the specific days.
Organize fun filled games, crafts and quiz competitions. If that is too much of a hassle then do things together as a family. We are raising the next generation so let’s do our part. Display and instill within your loved ones respect and affection for their unique, Islamic identity.
[1] Recorded by Muslim and Ahmad (sahih al jami no. 6398)
[2] Recorded by Abu Dawud, Ahmad, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (Irwa ul ghalil no. 1296)
[3] Festivals and Celebrations in Islam, Muhammad al Jibaly. (Al-kitaab and as Sunnah publishing, pg.132)
This article is from our archive, originally published at an earlier date, and now republished for its importance.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is strongly connected to all Prophets who were sent before him. He carried over the same message and led the same path of the Prophets from Adam till Jesus.
He was the last sealing link in that blessed chain of Prophets. This connection is heavily stressed in both the Qur’an and the biography of the Prophet as a bond of common mission, love and respect.
The Qur’an makes it clear that the Prophet’s message is not new to mankind:
{Say: “I am not the first of [God’s] apostles; and I do not know what will be done with me or with you; I only follow what is revealed to me; I am nothing but a plain warner.} (Al-Ahqaf 46:9)
Here, according to Imam Ar-Razi, the Prophet says, “I am but a human being like all of God’s message-bearers who preceded me”.
One Message
This means that the core message of all Prophets from Adam till Muhammad (peace be upon them) is the utter submission to the Oneness of God.
This message is effectively encapsulated by the Arabic word “Islam”, which literally means submission. The Holy Qur’an states that the only path of life that Allah accepts and is pleased with is ‘submitting to Him’:
{Behold, the only [true] religion in the sight of God is [man’s] self-surrender unto Him…}. (Aal-`Imran 3:19)
This verse clearly states that Islam is the core mission that Allah accepts from His people. In other verses, the Qura’n affirms that Islam has been the message with which every Prophet was sent.
Allah the Almighty tells Prophet Muhammad in Surat al-Anbiya’:
{And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, “There is no deity except Me, so worship Me.”} (Al-Anbiya’ 21:25)
Noah, for example, said:
{O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other God save Him. Lo! I fear for you the -retribution of an Awful Day…} (Noah 7:59)
Muslim Prophets
Noah straightforwardly stated that he is a Muslim:
{If you have turned away from my message, then I did not ask any reward from you: my reward is only with Allah, I have been commanded to become a Muslim.} (Yunus 10:72)
The father of the Prophets, Abraham (peace be upon him), carried the mission of being a Muslim:
{Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian but he was a Muslim, true in faith. He was not one of the mushrikin (who set up partners with Allah).} (Aal-`Imran 3:67)
Similarly, the children of Israel (Jacob) assured their father that they will keep submitting and worshiping the One God of Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac:
{Or were ye present when death came to Jacob, when he said unto his sons: What will ye worship after me? They said: We shall worship thy God, the God of thy fathers, Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac, One God, and unto Him we have surrendered}. (Al-Baqarah 2:133)
Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them)
Along the same line, Moses asked his people to worship the One God:
{Moses said: “O my people! If you sincerely believe in Allah, then put your trust in Him, if you are really Muslims.} (Yunus 10:84)
Jesus was not different from Moses:
{When Jesus found out that they (most of the children of Israel) had no faith, he asked: “Who will help me in the cause of Allah?” The Disciples replied: “We will help you in the cause of Allah. We believe in Allah. Be our witness that we are Muslims.} (Aal `Imran 3:52)
This undoubtedly explains that the bond between Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and previous Prophets is one of a common mission: no deity is worthy of worship but Allah.
Dr. Islahi, in his book Tadabbur-e-Quran, comes up with many pearls of wisdom that attest to the benefit of reflecting on the Quran. Let’s look at the first eight verses of chapter Al-Kahf based on some of the things he said about them.
1. The Quran Should Evoke Our Gratitude
The chapter starts with praising Allah, the One who sent down the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). We must show gratitude to Allah for sending it to us – it’s the Quran’s right on us. Why? Because it has a unique quality that no other book in the world possesses – it is perfect, flawless.
Suppose your friend gave you a really good book. How do you show him gratitude for that gift? By keeping it on top of your shelf? What will he feel when he sees it there, untouched, covered in dust? Will he feel that you liked his gift, or that you thought it useless?
The Quran should evoke our gratitude. And we show this gratitude by reading and understanding it and following its injunctions.
2. The Quran is ‘Straight’ in Expression, Meaning and Guidance
The Quran is perfect – it doesn’t have any crookedness in its language, expression, meaning or clarity. And the path it guides towards doesn’t have any crookedness either, leading straight to Paradise.
Any person who uses his intellect can’t help but understand the Quran. So if someone reads the Quran and is still misguided, it means they aren’t using their intellect in the right way.
Approach the Quran unbiased, spend time with it, reflect on it, and you can’t help but be directed towards Paradise. It will never mislead you, if you don’t mislead yourself.
3. An Example of the Quran’s Profundity
[All] praise is [due] to Allah, who has sent down upon His servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance, straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him… (18:1-2)
This example will illustrate just one aspect of the Quran’s miraculous powers of expression.
Look at the verb ‘warn’ in the verse quoted above. What is the subject of this verb? There could be two different interpretations. It could be either Allah who is doing the warning, or the ‘servant’ i.e. the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Each of these two interpretations necessitates a different subject for the subsequent phrase ‘from Him’. What is from Him?
If the subject is ‘Allah’: The Book is from Him. The Book is especially from Him and sent under His direct supervision and care.
If the subject is ‘His servant’: The punishment is from Him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is warning on behalf of God of a punishment that is going to come down especially from Him. As this punishment is attributed directly to God, it’s going to be extremely severe.
The Quran is an ocean – the more you plunge into its depths, the more pearls of wisdom you will gather. But again, you need to spend time with it and use your intellect unbiased to understand its depths.
4. “No More Need For God”
Suppose you need something from a powerful king. You mean to coax the king in your favor, but he seems too formidable an entity. So you approach the crown prince and charm him into liking you. You ask him to mediate for you to the king.
The king loves his boy and will do anything he wants. So you don’t even need the king anymore to get what you want from him. The crown prince is all you need, and so he gets all your devotion.
Why do you need God if His son or daughter is in your pocket? You can commit any amount of sins and get away with it as long as the son of God is on your side, can’t you? You don’t need to be afraid of God’s punishment any more because His daughters will save you.
Attributing a son to God is such an atrocity that the heavens and earth almost destroy themselves every time someone says it. (Quran, 19:90) It is a disgusting crime against the perfect, self-sufficient God. No wonder that the warning of a severe punishment mentioned earlier is especially given for those who do this particular crime.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had a huge responsibility on his shoulders, greater than any man, even a prophet, had ever had before him – the guidance of all people since his time till the Day of Judgment. No wonder he grew so anxious about people’s obstinate disbelief that he was almost destroying himself.
Allah in 18:6 gave him a loving rebuke for doing so, assuring him that it was not his fault that they were so obstinate. Their disbelief was not because they were finding it hard to understand the Quran, or because the Prophet was coming short in his dawah. The reason was something completely different. (Read on for more on this.)
An over-exaggerated sense of responsibility makes us anxious. When this happens, remember that it happened to Prophet Muhammad too. And do what he did – just put your best effort and leave the consequences to Allah. Tawakkul (trust in Allah) is the best remedy for anxiety.
6. The Real Reason For Disbelief
Allah has painted on this world’s face beauty and the dazzle of luxury, wealth, children, crops, gardens, mansions, and many other exotic things. Allah has made these things so powerfully attractive that they can easily draw people away from more important things in life. They stop using their intellects and can no longer differentiate between what’s good for them and what isn’t.
Allah tests us with these material things, to sift out the true seekers of the Hereafter. The real reason why people disbelieve in Allah, His prophets and His Books is because they have stopped using their intellect and become seekers of material things.
The latter are so deluded that they even forget that one day, these things will all be crumbled to dust. The only things that will matter on that day will be their deeds, good and bad.
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