Why Do I Wear Hijab?

By Sultana Yusufali I probably do not fit into the preconceived notion of a “rebel”.  I have no visible tattoos and minimal piercing.  I do not possess a leather jacket.  In fact, when most people look at me, their first thought usually is something along the lines of “oppressed female.”  The brave individuals who have mustered the courage to ask me about the way I dress usually have questions like: “Do your parents make you wear that?” or “ Don't you find that really unfair?” A while back, a couple of girls in Montreal were kicked out of school for dressing like I do.  It seems strange that a little...

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Hadith Info: Humble before Tongue

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When the son of Adam wakes up in the morning, all of his body parts humble themselves in front of the tongue and say, ‘Fear Allah with regards to our rights! Our wellbeing depends on you. If you remain upright, so shall we. If you become crooked, so shall we.’” [Ahmad] We have been warned against uttering something callously without contemplating its consequences. How many women have been divorced by their husbands merely due to the tongue! A man falls into an argument with his wife and she begins to repeatedly challenge him, “Divorce me! I challenge you to divorce me! Divorce...

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The Meaning of EID (Festival)

Sunan of 'Eid-ul-Adha The word ‘Eid according to the Arabic language refers to a day which returns and in which the people gather. Actions on the day of ‘Eid: 1. The Takbeeraat. This is done from the night before the ‘Eid prayer (from Sunset). It must be known that there is nothing authentic from the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) concerning the manner in which it is done. However, it is narrated that both Ibn Mas’uud and Ibn ‘Abbas (radhiAllahu ‘anhu) did the Takbeerat in a certain manner. However, the manner in which it is said is wide. Also it is Mustahabb (recommended) to raise the voice for the Takbeeraat. As for the...

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Poem: What do you see nurses?

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, They found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Melbourne. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas editions of magazines around the country and appearing in mags for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem. And this old man,...

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Ask Allah Alone!

It is related that when Prophet Dawud (AS) supplicated, he would say, “Oh Allah, the One who provides sustenance for baby crow in it's nest….” When the crow chick first hatches from it's egg, it appears white (and featherless). Hence, the (parent) crow does not recognize the chick and due to the difference between their colors, he abandons it. Out of His Generosity, Allah then sends to it a type of worm that is attracted to the smell of it's beak and crawls over it. The chick devours it and is sustained by this type of worm until it grows and it's black feathers grow out. At this, the parent crows recognize him and return to him. No...

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Health Benefits of Avocado

" And from the dates and grapes, you extract wine as well as healthy nourishment. Surely, there is a sign in it for any nation that thinks " [Quran 16:67] Avocados are distinct fruits with high fat content and calories. Subtly flavorful yet buttery, they are amongst the most popular fruits having nutrition profile similar to that of some edible nuts and seeds. Some of the common names for this staple fruit are alligator pear, aguacate, butter pear etc. Prostate Cancer Prevention Avocados have been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer. Oral Cancer Defense Research has shown that certain compounds in avocados are...

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Hadith Info: Be like a Bee

Anas (radi Allahu anhu) said, “I served the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) at Madeena for ten years. I was a boy. Not everything I did was according to the liking of my master, but he never even said ‘Uff’ to me, nor did he say to me ‘Why did you do this?’ or ‘Why did you not do this?’” [Abu Dawood] This is how the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) was and this is how we should be. There are some people who cannot see anything on a white page but a black dot. They expect everyone and everything to be exemplary - their spouse, their children, the condition of their house, their meals, the service...

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Take care of your life - You only live once

 Do not undermine your worth by Comparing yourself with others. It is because we all are different, That's why each of us is special.  Do not set your goals by what Other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you. Do not take for granted the people Closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.  Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past & future. By living your life one day at a time, You live all the days of your life. Do not give up when you Still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the Moment...

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Poem: When the time comes

When that time comes, it is too late, To take back all those words of hate. To reflect on all the things you did wrong, To wish you hadn't listened to that last song. Death can catch us all by surprise, Remember that the next time you tell your lies. Remember that the next time you're at the club, Or when you eat meat from Mr.Sub. Is this how you want to be resurrected on Judgement Day? Being brought up to your Lord in such a shameful way? No one is garunteed to live until tomorrow, When we pass away it brings our family great sorrow. Why not leave your family with great respect and dignity, Instead of mother...

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A perfect example for Tolerance

We, as his followers of prophet Muhammad (pbuh), have the easy part which is to seek and adopt his gentle qualities and high moral standards into daily practice - The Prophet's Mosque in Madinah  God has always chosen prophets with the best of characters, morals and spirits. Since God is All-Knowing, All-Wise, and has ordained man’s destiny before their birth, it is feasible to think that He has already chosen His Prophets before even their entrance to the world. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was not an exception. God bestowed on him the best of characters, one of which was his exceptional tolerance which is manifested...

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Hajj: Eternal Lessons

Allah says, "That they may witness things that are of benefit to them" [Quran 22:28]. The benefits of Hajj are both worldly and religious (spiritual). With regards to the religious benefits, the one who goes for Hajj earns the pleasure of his Lord and comes back with all his sins forgiven. He also earns immense reward that he cannot earn in any other place; one prayer in the Sacred Mosque in Makkah, for instance, is equal to a hundred thousand prayers elsewhere, and Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka`bah) and Sa`i (pacing between As-Safa and Al-Marwah) cannot be done anywhere else. Other benefits include meeting other Muslims and discussing...

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Hadith Info: Inquire About Relatives

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Inquire after your relatives so that you can perform Silah Rehmi. Without doubt Silah Rehmi creates love among relatives, abundance in wealth, and increase in lifespan.” [Musnad Ahmed] To fulfill the rights of Silah Rehmi, when dealing with relatives keep the following five points in mind: 1. Inquire about them, 2. Help and cooperate in their time of need, 3. Try to remove the hardships they are encountering, 4. Meet them with a cheerful face, 5. Pray for their well-being in both worlds. What is not Silah Rehmi? Suppose your relatives need help in kidnapping...

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Poem: Failure doesn’t mean you’re a failure

Failure doesn't mean you're a failure, it does mean you haven't succeeded yet. Failure doesn't mean you haven't accomplished something, it does mean you have learned something. Failure doesn't mean you’ve been a fool, it does mean you have a lot of faith. Failure doesn't mean you’ve been disgraced, it does mean you were willing to try. Failure doesn't mean you don't have it, it does mean you have to do something in a different way. Failure doesn't mean you're inferior, it does mean you're not perfect. Failure doesn't mean you've wasted...

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Brief description of the Islamic months (Meanings)

Islamic Months Allah tells us in the Quran that as far as He is concerned the count of months is twelve (9:36) and that it has been that way since He created the Earth. He tells us that four of the twelve months are sacred and that we shall not wrong our souls by fighting during these Sacred Months. The Sacred Months have been tampered with and alternated by those who do not truly follow the word of God, the Quran (9:37), the four Sacred Months are Zhul-Hijja, Muharram, Safar, and Rabi I (12th, 1st, 2nd, 3rd months of the lunar calendar). Muharram ~ is the first month of the lunar calendar. It means ‘forbidden’. It is the second...

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Muslims are like one body

Why is it that when the Muslims of the 21st century hear that there has been an earthquake in Indonesia, Pakistan or a Tsunami along the borders of Asia but do not feel pained? When they hear of such atrocities or sufferings happening to their beloved Muslim brothers and sisters across the world there is no shared grief or significant compassion? Why is it that today when we hear that our Muslim brothers and sisters around the world are being tortured mercilessly, their land and possessions destroyed/occupied; their children are being killed/enslaved in poverty and human rights are being annihilated, that we feel no pain? While...

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Hadith Info: Value of Bismillah

Companion was riding behind the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) when his mount stumbled, so he said: “May Allah destroy Shaitaan.” The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Do not say this, for it makes Shaitaan grow in stature so much that he becomes as great as a house. Say, ‘In the name of Allah,’ for this makes him as insignificant as a fly.” [Abu Dawud] Shaitaan’s shrinking happens as a result of the blessing of saying “In the name of Allah.” A scholar was expounding the virtues of Bismillah when a man in his audience, himself well known, wondered aloud how such benefits were possible with only the taking of Allah’s...

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Non-Muslims Quotes: Philip K. Hitti

Philip Khuri Hitti (1886 - 1978) Each and every aspects, not only what he said but also what was his posture when he said that is also available to us today, even after 14 centuries. No one till to date is able to point a better person than him to follow. He was the best of the human being who said "Follow Me". Even his worst enemies never called him a liar, they said "O Muhammad, we do not call you liar, But we deny "Him" who has given you a "Book" (Quran) and inspired you with a "Message" - Philip K. Hitti - Ref:  The History of Arabs Read who is Philip K. Hitt...

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Diseases are a part of our test

Allah (God) Almighty, is most merciful and compassionate, without any doubt. Yet his actions can not be fully comprehended by our incompetent minds. What simplifies this issue is that we all agree that Allah is fair, just, wise and knowing. That means whatever he-Almighty- does, is with a legitimate purpose although we may not be able to understand, just why.  For example, a caring and loving doctor and father may be forced to amputate the leg of his only son. There is no doubt that this father loves his son. Yet his action was for the sake of this beloved son, although it may seem cruel to those who do not understand the circumstances....

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