I'd love to hear what the small people in your life, i.e the little uns, have said or do say to you, which makes you smile or laugh. This could include your younger brothers and sisters, neices and nephews, cousins and maybe even children. Do share them here!

🙂

Anyone here on twitter?

Islam, the Family, and HIV/AIDS

by International HIV Fund

Written by Amina Wasi and Iftekhar Ahmed, International HIV Fund

The family in Islam

The family is considered to be the building block of society. In particular, the family plays a significant role in the Islamic system of life. This is because the family serves important objectives and functions that contribute towards the maintenance of a stable society. Not only does the family preserve and continue the human race; it maintains protection of morals, provides emotional stability, love, kindness as well as social and economic security. This is why the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him,) encouraged Muslims in a prophetic tradition:

“The best Muslim is the one who is best to his family.” (Tirmidi)

Although pre-marital relations are forbidden in Islam, Allah enjoined the bond of marriage to fulfill the man and woman’s needs and desires. The relationship between the husband and wife as father and mother in particular is a significant pillar upon which the entire construction of the family lays. It is because of this reason that their relationship should be one that is congenial, responsible and honest.  Allah outlines how the relationship between the spouses should be in the Qur’an:

“Among His signs is that He has created spouses for you among yourselves so that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has planted love and mercy between you; in that are signs for people who reflect.” Qur'an [30:21]

Obligations and Responsibilities

Given the lifelong commitment of marriage, individuals seeking marriage should also know their obligations and responsibilities in regards to being a husband and wife. Honesty, faithfulness, intimacy and love are required by both persons. From amongst their responsibility is informing their potential spouse about any long-term illnesses, infections or hereditary conditions which may run in their family. It is also highly encouraged to get tested for any diseases that are prevalent within society before the onset of marriage.

HIV/AIDS & Muslims

Something which is on the rise within many Muslim countries and amongst Muslims is HIV.  HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a life-threatening condition in which the body’s immune system fails to function properly; this virus is the cause of AIDS. The United Nations Joint Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that as of 2009, around 33.4 million people were living with HIV/AIDS globally. Furthermore, according to UNAIDS there are an estimated 380,000 people (adult and children) living with HIV in North Africa and the Middle East. These are places where the majority of the populace is Muslim. Prevalence is also high in many Asian countries with large Muslim populations. In India there is an estimated 2.4 million people living with HIV with a prevalence rate of 0.3%. However, India is third with the largest number of people in the world living with HIV, and even an increase of just 0.1% would increase the HIV prevalence to over half a million. The seriousness of the statistics illustrate the importance of being tested before marriage because the spouse has the right to know about their potential husband or wife’s health status and anyone who hides it is neglecting their responsibility and could create future obstacles and health problems for their marriage and family. Not only that but it is important for the individual themselves as it reduces the risk of long term problems on their health.

For Muslims living with HIV, the social stigma attached to it discourages the involvement of their respective communities in addressing the existence of the virus. However, slowly but surely Muslim countries are addressing this issue. In recent years, Muslim countries and leaders in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Kenya are some of the countries that have begun to openly face the HIV/AIDS problem in their nations. Some have made pre-marriage HIV testing mandatory on potential couples after realizing the dangers of ignoring the global pandemic. Many test centres and places have been set up in these countries to provide tests to couples for HIV. In Kenya for example, government officials are advising couples to be honest with each other about test results, but also to be compassionate, and to treat those who have been affected with love and respect.

“Health is a Hidden Kingdom”

A simple test can save much suffering and lives. Islam in fact encourages one to value their bodies and lives and take precaution and measures that cause harm. In one of the Islamic traditions, it is stated that Dawud (David) (peace be upon him) said, “Health is a hidden kingdom”. A healthy body is a gift from Allah and we are not to abuse it but take care of it as it is a trust from Allah. We should avoid any act which will cause harm to our bodies both physically and spiritually.

What is a HIV Test?

It is a test which reveals whether HIV is present in the body. Most common HIV tests detect the antibodies produced by the immune system in response to HIV. These antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to an infection. If HIV happens to be present in your system then you can take precautions and get treatment sooner rather than later, as you can also prevent the spread of HIV to others. HIV testing can be done easily at your local health clinic, with your Doctor or at STI clinics specifically for this kind of testing.

To find out more about HIV/AIDS in Muslim communities and what we are doing to tackle it, visit our website: www.internationalhivfund.org

10 Hugely Rewarding Good Deeds to do in Ramadan







During this blessed month the reward of good deeds are increased significantly:



The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:“Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times.” (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887)





So let us look at some of the heaviest good deeds we can all do in Ramadan to maximize this blessed month:





1. Billions of Good deeds in seconds.





The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever seeks forgiveness for believing men and believing woman, Allah will write for him a good deed for each believing man and believing woman.” [Tabarani]



So each time we pray for every believer from the first until the last we will gain a reward for each believer, which is billions of rewards in just a few seconds! So lwet us make this a habit in EVERY DUA!





2. Hugely rewarding Dhikr to do each day:





2.1 Millions of Good deeds in seconds:



“Whoever enters a market and says:



‘Laa ilaha illallah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyi wa yumeetu wa huwa hayyun laa yamoot, bi yadihil khair, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shayin qadeer’



There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, alone without partner, to Him belongs dominion and praise, He causes life and feath and He is the Living and does not die. In His Hand is all the good, and He is over all things competent



… Allah will write for him/her a million good deeds and erase a million bad deeds and raise him a million levels.” [Tirmidhi]





2.2 That Which Shall Have no Equal on the Day of Resurrection:



Abu Huraira (Ra) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: ”Whoever says one hundred times in a day:



“La ilaha illal-lah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahu-l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in qadir,”



None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Alone Who has no partners, to Him belongs Dominion and to Him belong all the Praises, and He has power over all things (i.e. Omnipotent)



he will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he.” [Bukhari, Book #75, Hadith #412]



2.3 Huge rewards for reciting dhikr after prayers:



Abu Hurayrah (Ra) narrated that a group of destitute people came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and said, “O Messenger of Allah, the wealthy people will have higher grades and will have permanent enjoyment in high levels in Paradise. They pray like us and fast as we do, but they have more money by which they perform the Hajj, ‘Umrah, participate in Jihaad and give in charity.”



The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), replied: “Shall I not tell you something upon which if you acted you would catch up with those who have surpassed you? Nobody would surpass you and you would be better than the people amongst whom you live except those who would do the same.



Say: ‘Subhaan Allaah’, ‘Alhamdulillaah’ and ‘Allaahu Akbar’thirty-three times each after every (compulsory) prayer.’" [Al-Bukhari]





2.4 Guaranteed place in Paradise:



The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Whoever recites Aayatul Kursi after every Fard (Fard Salah). Only death is keeping him/her from entering Jannah. (As soon as he/she dies, will enter Jannah) [Nisa'i, Ibne Habban]





2.5 Reciting 3 heavy phrases:



Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith (Ra) reported: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) came out from my apartment in the morning as I was busy in performing the dawn prayer. He came back in the forenoon and found me sitting there and said, “Are you still in the same position as I left you.” I replied in the affirmative. Thereupon the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “I recited four phrases three times after I had left you. If these are to be weighed against all you have recited since morning, these will be heavier. These are:



Subhan-Allah wa bihamdihi, ‘adada khalqihi, wa rida-a nafsihi, wa zinatah ‘arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi



Allah is free from imperfection and I begin with His praise, as many times as the number of His creatures, in accordance with His Good Pleasure, equal to the ink that may be used in recording the words (for His Praise).” [Muslim]





2.6 The Virtues of reciting "Subhanallah":



The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Is anyone of you incapable of earning one thousand Hasanah (rewards) a day?" Someone from the gathering asked, "How can anyone of us earn a thousand Hasanah?"



Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Glorify Allah a hundred times by just saying “Subhanallah” and a Good deeds will be written for you, or a thousand sins will be wiped away.” [Muslim 4:2073]



Another version says:



...a thousand good deeds are recorded for him and a thousand bad deeds are wiped away. [Muslim]





When you go to bed, glorify Him and praise Him and magnify Him One hundred times:



The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Who among you does 2,500 bad deeds in one day?’ They said: ‘How could we not count (our sins)?’ He said: ‘The Shaytaan comes to any one of you whilst he is praying and says, Remember this, remember that, until he finishes his prayer and does not do (this dhikr), or he comes to him when he is lying down and makes him sleepy, until he falls asleep (without doing this dhikr).’” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 3332).







2.7 A tree in Paradise for each word:



The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever recites the folllowing words, a tree in Paradise is planted for him for each word he says.”



Subhāna-llāhi, wa-l-hamdu li-llāhi, Wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa-llāhu akbar. Wa lā hawla Wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāhi-l-‘aliyyi-l-‘azīm



(Glory be to Allah. And praise be to Allah. And there is no god except Allah. And Allah is the Greatest. And there is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, And Most Great) [Tirmidhi]





2.8 Forgiveness like foam of the Sea:



Abu Hurayrah (Ra) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: ‘Whoever says: Subhanallah wa bi hamdih (Praise and glory be to Allah) 100 times, morning and evening, his sins will be erased even if they are like the foam on the sea.” [Bukhari]





2.9 Most pleased on the day of Judgement:



Allah has promised that anyone who says this three times every morning or evening will be pleased on the Day of Resurrection:



Radheetu billaahi Rabban, wa bil-’Islaami deenan, wa bi-Muhammadin (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) Nabiyyan.



I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my religion and with Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as my Prophet. [Fortress of the Muslim]



Another version says:



Jannah becomes obligatory for him (to enter). [Abu-Dawud]







3. Reward for Obligatory & Voluntary prayers increased significantly







The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “...And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times.” [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887]



3.1 Pray 12 Raka'ahs of Sunnah daily: - 2 Sunnah of Fajr, 4 Sunnah & 2 Sunnah of Dhuhr and 2 Sunnah of Maghrib



Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan (RA) narrated she heard the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying: “A house will be built in Paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve units of Prayers other than the obligatory ones in day and night, to seek pleasure of Allah.” [Muslim]





3.2. Salaatul Duhaa (Can be prayed from 20 mins after sunrise up until 20 minutes before Dhuhr begins)



So we should remain seated after Fajr prayer & recite the Qur'an or do Dhikr up until 20 minutes after Sunrise and pray Salaatul Duhaa. If not then we can pray it anytime before midday.



'Salat al-Dhuhaa consists of 2 - 12 Rakaats and it is preferable to perform 8 Rakaats.' [Raddul Mukhtaar vol.1 pg.505]



The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said: Whoever prayed twelve rakaats (before midday), then Allah will, as a reward, prepare a palace of gold for him in Paradise. [Mishkat, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]



3.3. 4 Sunnah, 2 Sunnah & 2 Nafil of Dhuhr



Umm Habibah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever sticks to the habit of offering four rak`ahs before Noon Prayer and four rak`ahs after it, Allah will shield him against the Hell-Fire.” [Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhi]



3.4. Raka'ahs Sunnah of Asr



The Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi wa sallam) said: "May Allaah have Mercy on the one who offers four (Raka'ahs) before 'Asr prayer." [Abu Dawud]



3.5. Two Raka'ahs Sunnah after entering Masjid



Abu Qatadah (RA) narrated the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as saying: “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two rak`ahs before sitting.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]



3.6. Tahiyyatul Wudu - 2 Raka'ahs Voluntary prayer after doing Wudu (Ablution)



Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying to Bilal (RA): “Tell me about the best of your deeds (i.e. one which you deem the most rewarding) since your embracing Islam because I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise.” Bilal (RA) replied: “I do not consider any act of mine more rewarding than that whenever I make ablution at any time of night or day, I perform Prayer for as much as was destined for me to do.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]



3.7 Tahajjud - The Night Vigil Prayer





The MOST REWARDING Voluntary prayer after the Obligatory prayers is Tahajjud:



Abu Hurairah (Ra) reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The best fast after the fast of Ramadan is the fast of Muharram and the best Salaah after the obligatory prayers is the prayer performed at night.”[Muslim]



Allah listens to the prayers at night:



Jaabir (RA) says that he heard the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying,“Certainly in the night, there is a moment in which, if coincided by a

submissive person asking Allah of the good of this world and the hereafter, Allah gives him whatever he asks for, and that is the entire night. [Muslim]



Those who had the habit of praying Tahajjud will enter Paradise:



Asmaa binte Yazeed (Ra) narrates that The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “On the day of resurrection, the people will be gathered upon one plain field

and an announcer will proclaim saying, “Where are those who separated their sides from their beds? A little amount of people will stand up. They will enter

paradise without reckoning, and then it will be ordered that the remaining people be taken to reckoning”. [Baihaqi]



The Tahajjud prayer can be prayed After Isha but is best to pray it after sleeping and then awakening in the third part of the night before Fajr begins. It is between 2 - 12 Raka'hs.



Then let us pray all of our Obligatory prayers on time (congregation for men) and increase in doing volntary prayers especially during this blessed month for every voluntary prayer is rewarded like that of an Obligatory prayer!







4. Charity & Feeding a fasting person:





4.1 The best charity is given in Ramadan:



The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said, “The best charity is that given in Ramadan.” (At-Tirmithi).





4.2 Charity extinguishes sins, and expiates evil deeds



The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), said:“Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.” [At-Tirmithi]





4.3 Charity increases wealth:



The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), said: “Allah The Almighty Says, ‘O son of Adam, spend and I will spend on you.” [Muslim]





Therefore let us give as much as we can in the way of Allah and know that it is an expiation of sin and will cause a long term increase in our wealth in this world and immense good deeds in the next world!





4.4 Gaining the reward of a fasting person:



“Whoever provides food for breaking of the fast for a fasting person receives the reward of the fasting person, without the reward of the fasting person being reduced in any way.” [Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah]



Then let us feed as many people as we can, whether it is our family, relatives and friends, people at the local Masjid and especially the poor and destitute.





5. Rewards of Hajj & Umrah





5.1 Remaining seated, worshipping from Fajr until after Sunrise:



From `Abdullah bin `Aamir (Ra) that Abu Umaamah and `Utbah Bin `Abd (Ra) who related that the Prophet, (Sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever prays as-Subh. (I.e. fajr prayer) in congregation then sits until he prays for Allah the prayer of Dhuha (2x2 Raka'ah 20 mins after sunrise) has the reward like that of a Hajj (pilgrim performing Hajj) and a mu`tamir (pilgrim peforming `Umrah), complete reward of his Hajj and his `Umrah” [Tirmidhi, Tabarani].



5.2 Praying Fajr & Isha in congregation:



Abu Tharr (Ra) narrated that a group of the Companions came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and said, “O Messenger of Allah, the wealthy people will have higher grades and will have permanent enjoyment and they pray like us and fast as we do. They have more money, which they give in charity. “The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), replied: “Has Allah not rendered for you the ‘Isha’ prayer in congregation equal to Hajj, and the Fajr prayer in congregation equal to ‘Umrah?” [Muslim]



5.3 Walking to the Masjid:



The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever walks to [perform] an obligatory prayer in congregation, it is like Hajj [in terms of rewards], and whoever walks to [perform] a voluntary prayer, it is like a voluntary ‘Umrah [in terms of rewards].” [Hasan]



5.4 Attending lectures in the Masjid:



“Whoever goes to the mosque not desiring except to learn or teach what is good has the reward of a pilgrim who completed his Hajj” [Tabarani]



5.5 Observing the 10 days of I'tikaf:



Ali Ibn Hussain (RA) narrates from his father that Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “He who observes the ten days I’tikaf during Ramadhan will obtain the reward of two Hajj & two Umrah.” (Bayhaqi)



Attending the ‘Eed prayers (both ‘Eed Al-Adh-ha and ‘Eed Al-Fitr):



Ibn Rajab (Ra) narrated that the Companion Mikhnaf ibn Sulaym (Ra) said, “The reward for attending ‘Eed Al-Fitr prayer is equal to the reward of performing ‘Umrah and the reward for attending ‘Eed Al-Adh-ha Prayer is equal to that of performing Hajj.”





6. Treating Parents the best





Almighty Allah says in the Qur'an: "And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents." (46:15),



Kindness to parents best deed:



It is narrated on the authority of Abdullah bin Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him), who observed:”I asked Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) which deed was the best.” He (the Holy Prophet) replied: ‘The Prayer at it’s appointed hour.’ I (again) asked: “Then what?” He (the Holy Prophet) replied: ‘Kindness to the parents.’ I (again) asked: “Then what?” He replied: ‘Earnest struggle in the cause of Allah (Jihad).’ I refrained from asking any more questions for fear of annoying him.(Sahih Muslim: 120)



Smiling at one's parents:



Ibne Abbas (Ra) narrates that the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Allah will record an accepted Hajj in favor of a pious child that casts an affectionate glance upon his parents, for every glance he casts upon them." The companions asked: "Even if he casts a hundred glances every day?" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Yes. Allah is much greater (than you imagine) and pure (Of all defects such as miserliness)." [Muslim]





Therefore let us make this Ramadan the best opportunity for us to be the best towards our parents and treat them with kindness, love, compassion and affection

regardless of how they are towards us or whether they do the same in return or not, as our reward is with Allah alone!





7. Standing in prayer on Laylatul Qadr.





Better than 1000 months:



Almighty Allah tells us in the Qur'an: “Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months.”[Quran 97:3]





Forgiveness of all sins on this special night:





Prophet (Sallallahu `Alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whosoever worshipped on Laylatul-Qadr, with faith and with a sincere intention, all of his previous sins are forgiven.” [al-Bukhârî and Muslim]



Repenting & asking for forgiveness on the night of power:



Aisha (RA) said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?’ He said Say:



“Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee



‘Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.’ ” [Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi].





We cannot afford to miss out on this auspicious night. It is a truly blessed night worth the equivalent to 83 years of worship. Subhaanallah! Most of us do not even live for that long! The best way to find this blessed night is to search for it in any of the last 10 nights. If we cannot then the odd numbered nights. If we still cannot then at least the 27th night.





8. Huge rewards for reciting each letter of Holy Qur’an.





It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (Ra) said: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever reads a letter of the Book of Allah will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a tenfold reward. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is a letter, rather alif is a letter, laam is a letter and meem is a letter.” [al-Tirmidhi, 2910]



The company of angels for the recitors and double reward for those who struggle:



Aa’ishah (Ra), relates that the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Verily the one who recites the Qur’an beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have TWICE that reward.” [Al-Bukhari, Muslim]



During Ramadan the reward for reciting each letter of the Qur'an is increased significantly from upto 700 rewards for each letter and double to 1400 rewards for those who struggle to recite the Qur'an!



Surah’s worth an entire Qur’an:Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas & Anas Ibn Malik (Ra) reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, ‘Whoever recited Surah Zilzilah (99) would get the reward of reciting half the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Kaafirun (109) would get a reward as if reading a quarter of the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Ikhlas (112) would get a reward as if reading one third of the Qur’an’. [At-Tirmidhi 2818/A]



As Ramadan is the month of the Qur'an we should devote as much time as possible in reciting the Qur'an and know that for each letter we recite we ill gain 700 rewards or more for each letter and tose who struggle to recite the Qur'an will receive double the rewards of 1400 good deeds or more.





9. Good manners amongst the Heaviest on the scales





Good character heaviest on the scales:



The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “There is none heavier in the scales of the Hereafter than good character" [Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud]



The one with best manners will be nearest to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) on the day of judgement:



Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also said: “The best loved by me and the nearest to me on the seats on the Day of Resurrection are those who have the best manners and conduct amongst you, who are intimate, are on good terms with others and are humble, and the most hated by me and who will be on the furthest seats from me are those who are talkative and arrogant.” [Tirmidhi]



So by having good manners and being polite and the best towards others regardless of how they are towards us, we will gain unimaginable rewards on the day of judgement which will tip the scales in our favour inshallah!





10. Magnifying intentions to gain unimaginable rewards!





The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Deeds (their correctness and rewards) depend upon intentions, and every person gets but what he has intended." [Agreed upon]



Ibn Al-Mubarak (Ra) said: "May a small deed is magnified by the sincere intention; and may a great deed be diminished by the insincere intention"



So by taking our a few seconds to make even small changes to our intentions we can gain even bigger rewards this Ramadan for even the smallest acts. Even daily routines like eating, sleeping & going to the toilet can all become acts of worship by having the right good intentions.







Conclusion:





Therefore we must try our utmost to maximise the amount of good deeds we do during this blessed month so that we may take advantage of this amazing opportunity to have our good deeds rewarded significantly more than usual.



We should also realise that it may well be our last Ramadan just as previous Ramadan was the last for many others who thought they would make it to this Ramadan. So must act now otherwise we will be in eternal regret in the Hereafter for missing such an opportunity!



Almighty Allah says in the Qur'an: “Surely Allah does not do injustice so much as an atom’s weight, and in case it is a fair deed, He will double it and bring from very close to Him a magnificent reward.” (4:40)





May Allah increase us in good and give us the ability to do everything to please him and make him the happiest & to achieve the highest ranks of Paradise. Ameen     

Online islamic inheritance calculator:



http://www.kurandersleri.net/miras/e..._Erkek_en.html











>>

Everyone knows the female version is, but I thought the male one generally had a lot of health benefits. I'm reading now that it doesn't actually though, it apparently is not nec recommended by docs and obviously when its done on children its not consensual. So unless there's an already there medical issue, is it necessary?

Thoughts? Evidence?

bit frighten right now..

ive been doing suhoor at 3.15ish going on 3.20ish..but today saw a calendar that did it at 1.30 or something and the computer azaan thingy is doing fajr at 2.55 or something.

Yes, you read that right! Egypt has launched their first Islamic veil TV Channel. All staff must wear a Niqaab, both infront and behind the camera, and if your not wearing a Niqaab, then you can't appear on the screen. Some say that it gives a chance for those wearing a veil to attain a job in media and journalism whilst others argue that there are communication barriers. I'd like to know what you think of this new idea. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18932212

The title says it all, if you've listened to any talks which have touched your heart, helped lift your imaan and have in general been uplifting, then please post them here so others can inshAllah benefit from them.

I'll start off with a few [video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoP-cxaYbuc]

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gVe43O8Tbg]

edit: i think the one on the life of Umar RA is a must if someone wants to just touch upon the surface of his life. I literally mean 'touch' obv you can never do the life of Umar RA justice in just one hour, but mashAllah the talk will be enough to soften anyones heart. If anyone wants to listen to an indepth study of the life of either Abu Bakr RA, Umar RA or indeed the pre and post Makkan period seerah. Then i think the latter three were covered in quite a bit of detail by Iman Anwar. All politics aside, his talks are very informative and he's very easy to listen to mashAllah. I've only listened to the series on Abu Bakr RA, but i think anyone after listening to that will walk away with 1) a softer heart/increased imaan 2) greater love for both Muhammad ﷺ and Abu Bakr RA. As you'll find most of the time when discussing Abu Bakr, 9/10 times  Prophet Muhammad ﷺ will also be part of the talk/series, so it would complement anyones efforts when studying the seerah.

Once every 44 years, Ramadhan and the Olympic Games coincide- and this year, they have! So, will the Muslim athletes decide to abide by their religious obligations or will they represent their nation and make up the missed fasts later on? Here is what some have decided:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18875658