Victory! Birmingham Metropolitan College reverses decision to ban Muslim students from wearing veils

SubhanAllah – just received the following email from NUS Black Students’ Campaign:

Good news! We are delighted to announce that Birmingham Metropolitan College has decided to reverse its decision to ban Muslim students from wearing the veil!

This is a massive victory for all those who believe in religious and cultural freedoms and a woman’s right to choose.

Thanks to you, this campaign has received widespread media coverage, across national newspapers, television, radio and has become a national talking point.

This victory would not be possible without the leadership of all the Muslim women who launched it in Birmingham, the near 10,000 people who signed the petition, and all those who took the time to speak out against this injustice.

We can’t be complacent though as Prime Minister David Cameron signalled that he supported the College’s decision to ban students from wearing veils.

That is why we must always be ready to unite together to defend our fundamental human rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and cultural expression.

In unity, 
Aaron Kiely 
NUS Black Students’ Officer

“Tabligh” by Shaykh Ali Umar Yaqoub Abbasi (Imam of Al Aqsa)

Shaykh Ali Umar Yaqoub Abbasi, the head Imam and Khateeb of Bait ul-Muqaddas [Masjid al-Aqsa, Palestine] is recently reported to have said,

“Deen has spread throughout the world through Dawah and Tabligh. Because of it, we are Muslims today. Deen will prevail till Tabligh prevails and will go away if Tabligh is stopped. That is why we have to participate in the effort of Tabligh.”

He said these in front of a huge audience at the Naya Sharak Masjid of the city (Sylhet) after Fajr salah.

The Shaykh further said,

“The Prophet (Peace be upon him) turned the Sahabah (May Allah be pleased with them) into golden people through Dawah and Tabligh. Compared to Arab, more Aulia, Abdals and Scholars emerged outside Arabia because of the effort of Dawah and Tabligh by the Sahabah (May Allah be pleased with them). Imam Bukhari (May Allah have mercy on him) was not from the Arab, rather from Russia. Imam Abu Hanifa (May Allah have mercy on him) was not from Saudi Arabia, rather from Iraq. There are many such examples.”

He mentioned that he himself came to Nizamuddin, New Delhi, India in 1998 and spent 4 months in the effort of Dawah.

“I have come to Tongi Ijtema (Bangladesh) and have spent time in Pakistan”, he added. “You may ask what have I got (in this) being the Imam of Masjid al Aqsa. I have obtained the highest degree in Arabic, yet, I would say that my knowledge has increased, my Amal [Actually practicing upon the commands of Allah] has increased, my character has improved through chilla.”

He said to the audience, “I am not telling you to go for 4 months at this very moment, rather I would advise you to join the effort of Dawah that goes on at every Masjid: The Gusht, Mashwara and Ta’lim.  Your heart will soften, the light of Iman will enter (into your heart), your fate will change (inshaAllah).”

Eid Mubarak

#Ramadhan Dua

26 Days Left #Ramadhan

Adh Dhaakiraat: The Characteristics of the Women who remember their Lord in Abundance

Notes from lecture by Shaykh Kamaluddin (http://www.islamicspirituality.org)

1. Wudhu is her shield

Wudhu is our shield against Shaytaan and is so vital to our spiritual well-being that Allah SWT commanded us to be in Wudhu for Salaah, whilst reciting the Qur’aan and during Tawaaf of the Ka’aba.

When in wudhu, the ability to do Dhikr is increased. Without wudhu, this ability decreases.

Since Dhikr increases the weight of each act of worship (Giving Sadaqah with Dhikr, doing Khidmah with Dhikr, etc) Wudhu is indispensable as it shields us from Shaytaan and increases the likelihood that we will be in the remembrance  of Allah, thus increasing the amount and weight of our Aamaal e saalih (Good deeds).

We must realize the Barakah (Blessings) of Wudhu, it may be a source of peace in the home, noor in the food that we prepare, ease in the relationships that we have.

Being in wudhu enables us to offer our Salaah on time, increasing the time that we receive the barakah of that Salaah. For instance, if you offer Dhuhr at its fixed time, and Asr is six hours later, you become a recipient of the Barakah of Dhuhr Salaah for six hours, up to the time that you offer Asr at its fixed time; as opposed to offering Dhuhr an hour before you are due to offer Asr.The Dhaakira is always in a state of Wudhu, as soon as her Wudhu becomes nullified, she renews it. She is protected from Shaytaan, shielded by Wudhu and is always in a state of physical purity, which leads to purification of her Qalb, her thoughts, her actions, her speech and her sight.

2. She recites the Masnoon (Sunnah) Duaas

If you don’t know the Masnoon Duaas off by heart, read them out of a book, but don’t miss out on practising the Sunnah ! Allah loves when we call out to Him with the same words as His Nabi SAW! So these Duaas are a means of becoming a friend of Allah!

Recitation of these Duaas increases the Barakah of our time.

3. Shukr – She Acknowledges the bounties of Allah and is grateful for them  

Gives thanks to Allah in every situation.

A dhaakira Is always conscious of the reasons that she should thank Allah SWT, His bounties are innumerable. She is conscious of them and gives thanks for them.

Allah SWT will grant you more if you show thanks for what He Has already given you.

The best way of showing thanks to Allah SWT is to use His Ni’mah (blessings) in His Obedience. Look at what makes Allah happy – read the Qur’aan, listen to what makes Allah happy – listen to the Ahadith etc. When we use the Ni’mah of Allah against Him, this is a grave show of ingratitude for the bounties that Allah Has Blessed us with and Allah becomes displeased with us.

4. She is Patient

She turns to Allah in every difficulty.

The more Shukr you do, the more Sabr you will have.

Be-shukr –> be-sabr. Ingratitude leads to impatienceThe dhaakira knows that Allah will make everything better. She trusts Him, she has a connection with Him, she Turns to Him and she cries to Him.

5. She’s Calm and doesn’t react when provoked

When provoked/tried, don’t react, don’t say anything in retaliation, don’t become frustrated, angry or anxious

Practice the Sunnah of Hilm, Zarf and tolerance

Despite being constantly abused, the Prophet SAW did not react to the woman who was responsible for his discomfort, to the extent that He SAW did not even react by using another route to avoid her path. In fact Prophet SAW asked regarding the woman when she didn’t harm him one day.

When put in this position, perform Wudhu, offer two rakaat Nafl Salaah, make Dua, and ask Allah to inspire you with the right course of action. Ask Allah what to do, then do it.

Only fix something in the state of Dhikr, with Allah’s help, after having waited, after having sought Allah’s help.

More Dhikr, more barakah. How much barakah do you want?

Everything in the Deen (Religion) must be learnt. Just as tafseer, tajweed and Hadith need to be learnt, so we should learn Dhikr from the Mashaaikh.

Learn Dhikr from the Mashaaikh to become of the Dhaakiraat. Become of the Dhaakiraat and feel the Barakah of that Dhikr

 

The Five Aamaal of our Mashaa’ikh

1 Recite Qur’aan

Dhikr of Qur’aan is tilaawah, recited in Arabic. This is separate from ilm of Qur’aan which is tafseer and tarjuma.

Read the letters of your Beloved untiringly, every single day. Not a single day should be empty of tilawah

 2. Istighfaar

We make many mistakes and the lover always asks forgiveness from her Beloved so make up with Allah everyday.

Whilst you beg for forgiveness, feel feelings of shame and guilt but with hope of Mercy

Ask for forgiveness of all your sins due to which you cannot worship Allah as He Should be worshipped

3. Durood

Feel that you are an ummatiyyah (an Ummati of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW). Feel that Nabi SAW is your Messenger and you are his ummati.

Say that you are from the family of Nabi SAW, do not invite me to sin, I cannot go towards any sin because i am the spiritual daughter of Maryam AS, Aasiya RA, Aa’isha RA, Faatima RA…

Because of this, the Dhaakira interacts, behaves in a certain way, a way which shows that she is from the Ummah of Imaam ul Ambiya (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him)

4. Wuqoof e Qalbi

Remind your heart to remember Allah. Every few minutes through the day, check your heart to see if you are remembering Allah.

Feel that Allah is near you, feel love for Him, feel fear for Him, feel Awe for Him, always be connected to Allah in some way.

5. Muraaqaba

“And remember of the Name of your Lord”

Isolate yourself mentally and physically from the world, make niyyah (intention) to forget the whole world including your own thoughts, worries and fears.
Remember Allah humbly, silently, secretly in the heart of your rooh (inner being).
Feel your Qalb (Heart) calling ALLAH ALLAH ALLAH.
This will help you in all your ibaadah (worship) outside muraqaba.

29 Days Left #Ramadhan

Channel 4 to air daily Muslim call to prayer during Ramadan

Channel 4 is to air the Muslim call to prayer live every morning during the month of Ramadan.

The broadcaster said it was an act of “deliberate provocation” aimed at viewers who might associate Islam with extremism.

The headline-grabbing move will see Channel 4 broadcast the three-minute call to prayer at about 3am for 30 days from the start of Ramadan on 9 July.

In addition, on the first day of Ramadan Channel 4 will interrupt programming four times during the day – to mark subsequent calls to prayer – with a 20-second film to remind viewers of the approaching prayer time.

After that date, the channel will air the 3am call to prayer on live TV, with the other four prayer times will be broadcast on its website.

Ralph Lee, Channel 4’s head of factual programming, said: “The calls to prayer prompt Muslims to carry out quiet moments of worship, but hopefully they’ll also make other viewers sit up and notice that this event is taking place.

“Observing the adhan on Channel 4 will act as a nationwide tannoy system, a deliberate ‘provocation’ to all our viewers in the very real sense of the word.”

Lee added in an article in the Radio Times: “No doubt Channel 4 will be criticised for focusing attention on a ‘minority’ religion but that’s what we’re here to do – provide space for the alternative and a voice to the under-represented.

“Following the horrific events in Woolwich and subsequent reprisals against British Muslims, there has surely never been a more pressing need to give a voice to the moderate mainstream majority. And let’s not forget that Islam is one of the few religions that’s flourishing, actually increasing in the UK. Like Channel 4’s target audience, its followers are young. It’s recently been reported that half of British Muslims are under 25.”

The Muslim Council of Britain supported Channel 4’s move.

“This is a very special month for Muslims and its recognition on a mainstream channel is not only symbolic for belonging and solidarity but will hopefully help to portray a more realistic account of Islam and Muslims,” said a spokesman.

He added that he believed that nearly 5% of the UK will be actively involved in Ramadan and questioned whether the same could be said of other national events that gain significant TV coverage, such as the anniversary of the Queen’s coronation.

A short film of two to three minutes, Ramadan Reflections, will run ahead of each morning’s call to prayer.

The film, made by production company Watershed, will “feature a range of voices, from imams to architects, feminists to a former rock chick, each providing some serious Ramadan food for thought”.

Channel 4 is also launching a season of programmes around the period of prayer, called 4Ramadan, starting on 8 July.

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/jul/02/channel-4-muslim-call-to-prayer-ramadan

Adoption/Fostering

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “I and the one who sponsors an orphan are like this in Paradise.” Then he joined between his index and middle fingers.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (5304)]

Action required from YOU and gain reward by :

1) signing petition
2) forwarding this message
3) asking imams to promote this action at Jumm’uah in Masjids:

Prevent MUSLIM CHILDREN being LOST FROM the UMMAH by SIGNING PETITION at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/adoption-losing-my-religion/

Sadly, there are always several Muslim children in the care system in England who are waiting to be adopted. See http://www.bemyparent.org.uk/public-profiles.html (make sure you view ‘all’ profiles of children rather than short list).

Adoption agencies would ideally like Muslims to adopt these children. But a new BILL from the government is calling for adoption agencies to IGNORE the CHILD’s RELIGION when finding adopters. This means anyone can adopt irrespective of religion, age, sexuality. 

Sheikh Haitham Al Haddad says that if we knew about a Muslim child who might lose his or her deen and his or her akira by being adopted by non-Muslims, and we did nothing about it, we will be accountable to Allah on Yaumil Qiyamah.

Seeking Ilm( Knowledge) and Ramadhan – (Al Nisaa emails)

Discussion of hadeeth:

“Whosoever relieves from a believer some grief pertaining to this world, Allah will relieve from him some grief pertaining to the Hereafter. Whosoever alleviates the difficulties of a needy person who cannot pay his debt, Allah will alleviate his difficulties in both this world and the Hereafter. Whosoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and the Hereafter. Allah will aid a servant (of His) so long as the servant aids his brother. Whosoever follows a path to seek knowledge therein, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. No people gather together in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that tranquillity descends upon them, mercy covers them, the angels surround them, and Allah makes mention of them amongst those who are in His presence. Whosoever is slowed down by his deeds will not be hastened forward by his lineage.“ 

(Saheeh Muslim)

Ibn Rajab classifies ilm (knowledge) into two types:

•The outcome of knowledge is placed in the heart. That is the knowledge about Allah and His attributes that implies fearing Allah, glorifying Him, and loving Him.

•The knowledge that we merely memorise or speak about without our hearts being influenced or affected. This means that if the person does not abide by the knowledge that he has already obtained, then he is in a very critical situation where the he may be subject to the punishment of Allah.

Ramadhaan

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.’’

 (Surah AlBaqarah, Aayah 185)

 “Whoever fasts in Ramadhaan with Imaan and seeking reward (from Allah) his past sins will be forgiven”

(alBukhaari and Muslim) 

““In Paradise there is a gate called al‐Rayyaan, through which those who used to fast will enter on the Day of Resurrection, and no one but they will enter it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who fasted?’ They will get up, and none will enter it but them. When they have entered, it will be locked, and no one else will enter.”

(alBukhaari and Muslim)

 

 -The meaning of fasting today has seemed to disappear out of our lives, one must remember that there are numerous blessings and benefits to one fasting in the month of Ramdhan, therefore we must take these opportunity to revive our imaan, and train our nafs in Taqwah. Fasting is also a spiritual way clearing out the souls evil, as it has been narrated by Abu Ubaidah (May Allah be pleased with him) ‘’ I have heard Rasulullah Sallahhu Alayhi Wa’salam saying: ‘ Fasting is a protective covering for a man as long as e does not tear that protection’’. (Nasa-iy,Ibn Majah and ibn Khuzaymah)

• -‘Protective Covering’ here means such a covering whereby a man protects himself from his infamous enemy, shaytaan. This is what fasting does, in another Hadith we are told that Fasting ‘saves one from the punishment of the hereafter’’.
• A man once asked the Prophet SAW, ‘What causes the fast to break?’, He replied ‘Telling lies and backbiting’. Such sinful deeds causes our fasting to be wasted, today many are fond of indulging in un necessary conversation to pass the time of fast, therefore in order to make sure our fast does not become void we must refrain from this act, not only whilst fasting, but throughout our lives.

Seeking knowledge of Islam is one of the main aspects in becoming a better Muslim, when one begins to learn the Deen, Allah himself will make his entry into Jannah easier for that person. That knowledge which takes a man closer to Allah and enables him to observe his commandments is only appreciated by Allah. Seeking knowledge of the religion of Islam helps us to purify and strengthen our faith, understanding the meaning, what is Haraam and Halal, only then will we begin to understand our purpose in this life, and become more conscious of Allah. This is also an obligatory act on all Muslim men and women.

-Rasulullah SallAllahu Alayhi Wasallam has said: Whoever left his home for the sake of knowledge( of the Quran and Islam) , will be honoured as one who has entirely devoted himself to Allah’’. SubhanAllah.

As we have approached the month of Ramadhan Allhamdullillah, for the sake of Allah and purely only for the sake of Allah, take advantage of your spare time and go out to learn about Our Allah and our beloved Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi Wasallam, read the Quran and most importantly understand the Quran, Allhamdullilah we now have available in all bookstores, the internet and on our mobiles, and other tools which provide the Quran in English so we are able to understand, ponder and reflect over the words of Allah ,take thi opportunity so that InshaAllah we able to implement what we learn into our lives and teach it to others, take heed of the reminders you are given, even if it is a little, for whatever good action you bring into your life Allah will bless you, your life and the Akhirah, InshaAllah.

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu Alayhi Wassallam said: Allah has some angels who roam about the streets in search of people mentioning Allah’s names. When they find such a gathering, they call one another saying: Come to the object of your pursuit. 

 The Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi Wassallam added: The angels surround them with their wings up to the lowest heaven (sky of the world). 

Their Lord, who knows best about the people, asks them: What do my slaves say? 

The angels reply: They were glorifying You (by repeating the words “Allah is the All-Glorified), exalting You (by repeating the words “Allah is All-Great”), praising You (by repeating the words All praise be to Allah), and dignifying You. 

 He asks them: Have they seen Me? 

The angels reply: No, By Allah. O Lord! They haven’t seen You (at all). 

He asks: How would it be if they saw Me? 

The angels reply: If they saw You, they would worship You more devotedly, dignify You more fervently and exalt You more sincerely.

 Then Allah asks them: What do they ask Me? 

The angels reply: They ask You Paradise. 

He asks them: Have they seen it? 

The angels reply: No, By Allah, They have not seen it. 

He asks: How would it be, if they saw it? 

The angels reply: If they saw it, they would crave for it eagerly, seek after it vigorously and desire for it ardently. 

 He asks: From what do they seek My protection? 

The angels reply: (They seek your protection) from the Hell-fire. 

He asks: Have they seen it? The angels reply: No, By Allah, O Lord! They haven’t see it (at all). 

He asks: How would it be, if they saw it. 

The angels reply: If they saw it, they would fear it extremely and flee from it hastily. 

Then Allah says (to the angels): I make you witness that I have forgiven them. 

 Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu Alayhi Wassallam added: 

One of the angels would say: O Lord! among them was so and so (a much sinning slave) who was not actually included in the gathering but he happened to came there for some need (and sat down with them.) 

Allah would remark: Anyhow, they were all sitting together, so their companion will not be reduced to misery (i.e. they were sitting together and glorifying Allah, so he who sits with them will not suffer but get forgiveness as a reward for his (association with the people remembering Allah). 

(Bukhaari and Muslim)
May Allah help us and you to do that which our Lord loves and is pleased with him, InshaAllah!

-Salaam!