In This Issue:
Yep, I just mentioned the 'S' word. Aren't I naughty! Sex is not a topic that we should be afraid to talk about or brush under the carpet. There is no taboo in Islam.
We live in a society where Britain has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe and an extremely high abortion rate amongst teenage girls. And believe it or not that includes Muslim girls as well.
'Really?' I hear you say. I present a talk show in a local radio station in Ramadan, and in one show last year a studio guest mentioned that the local priest who visits the abortion clinic stated that the majority of girls who attend to have an abortion at the clinic are Muslim girls who became pregnant by their Muslim boyfriends.
Khalid bin Waleed (radhi'allahu anhu) was one of the greatest generals EVER! Before he converted to Islam he fought against Muslims. However, after becoming Muslim he fought courageously and spread Islam to Iraq and Syria. Unbeaten general
Khalid (r.a.) commanded Muslim armies in wars against two massive superpowers – the Persians and the Byzantines.
Whilst taking Iraq from the Persians, Khalid (r.a) killed a Persian general in a one-on-one fight. He also fought and killed a man who the Persians thought had the strength of ‘a thousand men’.
Khalid (r.a.) told his representatives in Iraq to be good and kind to the Iraqis. The Iraqis became fond of the Muslims because they weren’t used to justice and kindness from the Persians. They welcomed Muslims as liberators.
It is like a bad dream which won’t go away. How do you contemplate losing a brother? How do you get on with your life when you’ve lost a piece of it? How?
Every day I miss my little, baby brother. Just looking at the doors in the house remind me of him, thinking he’s going to walk through them any moment or just take a peek inside (he used to do that a lot, he used to stick his head in a room just to see who was in there and whether to enter or not). Or when I’m standing outside my house I think I’ll see him walking up from the park with his friends. How do I even try to describe the pain of losing the youngest member of my family? The only thing that gives me comfort is knowing that he’s in a better place, that he’s with our Prophet Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa aalihii wasallam, that’s what gives me comfort.
Question:
My question relates to marrying first cousins. Although it's permissible in Islam, I was wondering as regards to arguments against this as many people cite health issues and high rates of disabilities among children. I’m struggling to get my head around a ruling in Islam that potentially puts people or children at risk. I am in no way saying the Islamic ruling is wrong as I would never oppose anything in Islam but rather I would like clarification so as to have a better understanding as non-Muslims often ask why we would have this ruling and always cite particular studies.
Answer:
Thank you for your question and your concern for supporting the religion.
Cousin Marriage is a massive issue especially amongst Asian Muslims in the UK. It divides the Muslim community like nothing else. You're either dead against it because of cultural and medical reasons or its 'cousin marriage or no marriage' in your parents eyes. Mainly it's parents who favour it and the youth who oppose it. The Revival spoke to the Muslim Youth across the UK to get their views on cousin marriages:
Farzana Patel, 25, Bury
I am all for cousin marriages and I don’t see anything wrong with it. The scientific point that people who marry their cousins have defective children is a load of rubbish, because if it was true all or majority of disabled children would have parents who are cousins.
I checked myself in the mirror for the last time... "First impression is last impression" my mothers familiar saying rang in my ears and I smiled at myself sure that my reflection was sure to attract the right crowd on my first day. I had carefully matched my hijab with my dress and handbag and was sure my jeans were baggy enough.
"Wow, you'll have no trouble making friends," gushed my younger sister. Nervous as I was I shrugged as though I couldn't care less but as soon as she was gone I began reciting the du'a I had been taught to bless me with good company.
A few of my mates have confessed to me that they masturbate as its the only way they can stay away from entering in to haram relationships; they're too young or not financially stable to get married and some of them are even married- what does Islam say about masturbation and what advice can you offer?
A.
In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent and Merciful
Masturbation by one’s own hand or self is not permissible in Islam.
Allah (The Exalted) says: “Those who guard their sexual organs except with their spouses or those whom their right hands possess, for (with regard to them) they are without blame. But those who crave something beyond that are transgressors.†(23:5-7)
How do I know my meat I eat or buy is halal? And who are HFA/HMC? As one says stunning animals is allowed and other says it isn’t so what is the correct process of slaughtering animals in Islam?
Answer
In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent and Merciful.
Eating meat which has been slaughtered in a Halal way is obligatory upon every Muslim. The slaughtering of an animal (which is permissible to eat) has to be done in a prescribed method.
Allah Almighty says:
Islamophobia, or anti-Muslim prejudice, is increasingly becoming a dominant feature of public discourse and the Muslim collective experience in the UK and the rest of Europe. In Europe Islamophobia is channelled through draconian policies which have resulted in restrictions on the public display of Islam; as in the case of France with the hijab and veil ban and the banning of building of minarets in Switzerland. There have also been a number of populist far-right groups such as Geert Wilders Party of Freedom in the Netherlands. This party has called for the banning of the Quran. In the UK, demonisation of Islam and Muslims has led to the emergence of the English Defence League.
So it’s the last period of the day – English – and you’re waiting for everyone else to come into the room. You’ve looked forward to it the whole day, not because you’ve got some crazy obsession with Shakespeare or anything but because he sits in front of you.
You wonder if he thinks you’re pretty, it would be nice if he did. Maybe he talks about you to his friends like you constantly talk about him to yours. It’s weird every time you see him your heart becomes an acrobat and jumps. Ah, there’s a tingling feeling now that you’re thinking about him. Where is he? You look expectantly at the door as everyone spills into the room, and then busy yourself to make sure it’s not obvious that you’re waiting for someone.
My friends were due to pick me up from my house at 11am. I'd packed everything the night before (mainly jubbahs and suntan lotion). My passport was in the top draw of my bedside table along with my plane tickets, tucked safely away in a brown envelope. About an hour before my friends were scheduled to arrive, they called me to let me know they were running on time. I calmly went over to open my bedside table draw and... confusion. There were phone bills, bank statements, some old photos and a passport-sized empty space. Where could my documents be? I had been very careful with them and vividly remembered checking and double-checking the night before. I opened the drawer below: nothing but receipts and warrantee cards. All of a sudden this wasn't looking so good.
One of the greatest feelings on earth is the realisation that we are not alone. That there is someone equally as weird as you out there... and then you meet them, again and again and again. What are the chances of that?
I could tell by the way she lay across the pillow that she hadn’t slept in quite sometime. It bothered me more than it should. The way her mouth fell slightly open made me laugh; it was hard to believe that she had almost been killed. I could hear her breathing slowly. I didn’t know if I should consider this a blessing or a test; to be able to see her again. Of course I knew how this would end so why should it be anything less than the latter.
Islam is a complete way of life. It is based on five basic duties which are known as the five pillars of Islam. Salah is the second pillar of Islam and the most important of all acts of worship. The other three pillars are: Zakat, Sawm and Hajj.
Salah is prayer offered to Allah using specific words and actions as taught by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Allah says in the Quran: “Indeed I created Jinn and human beings for no other purpose but to worship me.†[51:56]
Comments
The man's ring it totally messed up! And that's clearly visible on the front page of the magazine!
Otherwise I enjoyed reading parts of the magazine.
A lot of junk food adverts though...
Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel.
I can't read any of these articles? :S
They should be up soon.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
cant wait!!!
Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
Half the articles have been uploaded... the rest will be up probably by tomorrow...
All the articles are available to read now!
Enjoy and please provide your feedback and comments.
pdf versions should be uploaded by weekend inshallah
Dis really good...The Revival is nuffin without "Ali & Jamal" where is it
Rocky
It looks messed up there but i think it looks fine on the actual mag :S
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
Today i decided that i would hand out the mags, so i took one box and off i went to the Masjid - waited until some guy came (the office lot) to ask if i could hand them out inside the Masjid (i was hoping for a table and a chair so i could hand them out and have some on the table beside a lovely box for donations - which i bought from the stall beside The Revival stall at the GPU).
ANYWAY, while explaining why i was there and handing him the magazine, he looks at the cover and says 'this is not good'.
He continued and said that the man and woman were holding hands and it was encouraging something - or something - not sure about the last bit. So yeh i replied (politely) saying that they were married (well that's what the picture represented). Then he goes that he would have to talk to the other 9 - i think - members so they could come to a decision and to come back next friday.
So i told him (just so he knew) that i'd hand them out, outside the Masjid then and he goes no blah blah, i told him (politely again) that i'm allowed to hand them out outside yada yada (you know because you don't need their permission if it's not on their 'ground').
Interestingly, i found this other woman also felt that it's not allowed in Islam to show affection in public - including hand holding - is that true because that just sounds like it's straight off the weird-cultural-issue wagon. (As always: i could be wrong)..
In the end, after standing there (in the cold - sob sob) i had handed out the whole box - 80 mags i think? (and explained to those who wanted to hear what it was all about)
Got a box left though,
Still, Successss
Jihad of the Nafs (The Struggle of the Soul)
Why do you need their permission? it's everyone's mosque :/
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
I think they have to check that what you're giving out is appropriate - which is totally understandable but i was a little O...K.. about the whole 'this is not good' thing - don't knock it man.
Anyway this community officer was there so i was like hey, i'm allowed to blah blah right? and she was like yeh as long as blah blah (it's not promoting terrorism i guess - she didn't say that in so many words though) and i was like, so yeh do you want one, she said later - got chummy with her lol
Jihad of the Nafs (The Struggle of the Soul)
well.... firstly a massive congratulations for your effort an dsticking to your guns. I love your commitmnet and enthusiasm mashallah....
to distribute outside in the cold afetr being refused permission for 'committee' is fantastic! many ppl would have just walked away or gone home!
if you stand outside the mosque you dont need to ask permission. I never do an dnever had any probs in all my time...
if ppl have issues with married couple holding hands on the cover then god help us.
These blah blah conversations sound interesting.
Alhumdullillah
Lol they were!
Jihad of the Nafs (The Struggle of the Soul)
Truth? was this in your local area? or...down the East End?
Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
That which the right hand poseth; surely that is an inference to holding hands ?, and why would it be 'not allowed'. Was this a 'Barelvi' mosque per chance ?.
I am quite sure that is about charity, unless you are talking about something else.
This may be a good question for the shaykh...
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
@ Lil - yup local area
@ Anon - not sure what B.. means =S
@ You - if you're talking to me explain please
[*Not with it today*]
Jihad of the Nafs (The Struggle of the Soul)
Having in a future issue on the website something like "Ya Shaykh, can a husband and wife hold hands in public? what are the Islamic ettiquettes between married people?"
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Ohhh.
Yup that would be a good idea - we all should really write these Q's down somewhere then pick them each issue.
Jihad of the Nafs (The Struggle of the Soul)
There is a thread to write them in...
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
Ok that's it, i am seriously going to bed - my brain isn't functioning today.
Jihad of the Nafs (The Struggle of the Soul)
great! enjoy!
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
ZzZzZ
Jihad of the Nafs (The Struggle of the Soul)
I'm happy because you're getting some beauty sleep! and you're gna be nice and fresh later and sleeping = health
Grinno grinning?
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
What's wrong with that :?
Like there are certain times me and Abasse get told not to hold hands or be arm in arm when we are with family or something. But I've always assumed it's alright when your out and about or around people you don't know.
Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel.
I have no idea. Just it would be good to hear if there is a reason for why some people say so.
On the other hand, on the grand scale of things, its not the biggest of issues, so space could be better utilised.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
I think it IS a big issue - the concept of showing affection i mean. We need to learn to love one another and if people have issues with affection within marriage - it should be discussed - plus i want to know the answer (yes i could just research it online but that would only benefit me and not the other lot wondering about the answer too)
Jihad of the Nafs (The Struggle of the Soul)
I think if people do have issues of affection within marriage they wouldn't exactly mention it...
I'm not sure if its as big an issue as it should be because , well if you love someone sometimes you would naturally show affection especially within a marriage. But I also know some people who Do love each other but find it difficult to show affection just because they didn't received it themselves in childhood.
Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel.
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