That's so strange...

When you have a beard and are quite the conversationalist. You get questions.

'What the Islamic view point on X? '

Each time I make it clear that I'm no scholar but will explain the best I can according to my understanding. I also point out that more often then not the view point I'm explaining is line with my understanding of the teachings of Islam fro the sacred texts, and most Muslims have mixed culture into thier lives and label these practices as Islamic.

But I digress from what I originally set out to write about.

When acting upon a certain Sunnah, often the response is.

'that's strange... ' or
'that's weird... ' or
'that's odd... '

And every time I hear one of the above or a similar response in meaning I think of the Hadith mentioning Guraba (Strangers)

Inside I smile. May Allah The Most Merciful unite all the strangers. And give each pious stranger a pious strang wife to be strangers together. May they have blessed children to raise up as strangers also.

On the hunt for The Night of Decree (Laylatul Qadr)

1 night = 1,000 months

My tactics = it's in Ramadan. More likely in the last 10. Also better odds for the odd nights.

21st, 23rd, 25th,27th, 29th

Note: Night comes before day. So if Sunday = 26th day (fast) then Sunday night = 27th night of Ramadan.

That's a lot of return for a little hardship.

Some great advice out there. E. G.

Give just £1 in charity each night in the last ten.

Investment = £10
Potential return = 1,000 months X 30 nights = reward for giving £30,000.00

I'd put an extra quid in the charity tin on the 27th too.

Also

Read Surah Al-Ikhlas (chapter 112) X 3 times each night.

normal rate of return on investment =  completing one third of Qur'an.

So read it three times. That gives you reward for completing one quraan

If you happen to do it on Laylatul Qadr.
Potential rate of return = reward of 30,000 completions of Qur'an.

You getting the idea right. And see the picture for a recommended du'aa.

Bless, now carry on hunting. And drop a little du'aa for me if you remember. Love.

The company of positive people

I have a good friend, nay a good brother. He pulls me up if I swear and discourages me to do so.

So while we both discussed concerns we had in our life, he proposed we poor our efforts into somthing of benefit. And so the Hifz Challenge was conceptualised.

As Br Din smiled and said 'Let's go big'
Me: ' Yaseen!'
Din: 'I was thinking more like Al-Bakhara, but we can start with that'

So stage 1, 1st ruku of surah Yaseen in a week.

For me this is going to be an uphill struggle. My Hafiz is weaker then most.

But as in the pursuits of worldly matters, I must make du'aa, strategies and execute a game plan.

1.Carry my color coded mashuf with me
2. Find mp3 of the Surah in a style that is clear and I enjoy
3. Commit.

Mr Din, it is without a doubt on.

Forget Homeland, Dexter or Eastenders what this

Farouk Omar Series

Our homes are filled with entertainment of all kinds. Some simply there to make us escape or numb our minds from the sadness in our lives. We invest so many hours into these shows. What of we watched something which had a more positive effect.

Take for instance a brilliant series Farouk Omar by MBC1.

Here is episode 1.

Qurbani in UK

So every year I've been sending money for qurbani to a poor country. Via Ummah Welfare Trust.

This year I decided to go with Muslim Communities United Kingdom (MC-UK)  Who will distribute the meat to poor Muslims in the UK with some of the meat also distributed as cooked meals. 

Now as far as I know my Zakaat money should be distributed right were I earned the money. So in UK. I'm not sure about the Qurbani distributions, Any answers??? 

Poem: Why do you ignore me?

1st draft

I wish you would notice me, instead your gaze passes me by.
On occasion your hand brushes past and still you deny.
How I long for your attention, some one to one time.
But you think I'm dated and no longer apply.
You sit in the same room and waste your valuable time,
on brain numbing movies, shows and fake news.
Do you think it's enough to just place me up high.
Is that why you brought me here to bless your abode,
Or was it to impress others when they see me in your home.
I want you to love me, and make the time.
No phones, no TV, no distractions just you and I.
Alone, so I can talk to you, guide you and prepare you for what comes.
But you prefer fiction it doesn't matter what kind.
Romance, crime, even blasphemous lies.
When you will you give me some quality time?
Are you waiting for your youth to fade, your hair to grey?
If only you'd hold me, look at me and pay attention just as much as you do,
to your phones, laptops, and other contraptions.
If the language I speak is not your own,
I can speak to you in a tounge of your choice.
When will you pick me up and give me the respect I deserve?
When will you love me more then the series, the soaps and the shows?
I'm still waiting, exactly where you left me the day you brought me home. 
I want you to discuss, and divulge each line
With your friends like you do about that rappers lines.
Come and lavish me with your attentions, take your time, get to know me.
Let us become companions, allies against the ills and vices of this cold world.
Then I'll protect you in this world and even after you die.

Looking buff for our spouse

The results for our generation is the opposite to the results of the Salaf because our priorities and actions are the opposite to them.

Today we walk around the home like scatty tramps in clothing close to tatters. An old pair of jog pants a vest with holes or in my case paint marks.

Flip side, it's time to go out. Just work, and it's like Gok Wan is there as head of makeup and costume. The clothes are colour coordinated the great smelling fragrance is put on and out we go.

Question: oh married people is looking buff for your spouse more important or less important then looking buff for those at work, at a wedding etc, etc?

Now this is for both genders, because allot brothers take just as long in this day and age to get ready.

Action points: look your best when possible for your spouse.

Still look good (decent, clean and tidy) for work etc

Smell awesome for your spouse.

So much to do so little time

Intentions I've made while being out in Tabilege.

1. To contact Sheikh Saleem Doraat (Leicester - IDA) and see if he'll have me as a mureed

2. Fix regular time with my brother to start learning arabic

3. Fix one 30min slot with Hafiz Arif to work on Tajweed

4. Firm intention to make the weekly ghust at my local masjid.

I don't have the time, but will make the time and du'aa Allah bless my limited time with sufficient barakah to allow me to stay firm on these intentions.

Bhopal - Madina Masjid

2012.07.31

Umar is a 4 months every year brother from Kargiristan. For those who know what that means I've no need to explain. For those who don't put simply Umar gives 4months in each year for voluntary work away from home. During this time he pays for all his expenses. Focusing on self rectification and calling Muzlims to good. Particularly encouraging them to also spend some time in Tabilege.

So me and Umar are in khidmaat (in charge of meal prep). I was thinking it'd be a walk in the park seeing as the day before the local brothers would let us lift a cup. To cut it short me and Umar had to get Sahur (pre dawn meal) ready. So up we got at 02:30 and Umar did the bulk of it and allowed me to have a share in the reward by getting the plates, cups and limited cutlery rinsed and on the sufra (eating mat on floor). The kitchen was in a bit of a mess but immediately after everyone had finished eating Umar send me to wash a few plates. He'd already washed the rest, and when I had returned he had the kitchen sorted, cleaned and organised.
He has set the bar high for me, and shown me an exemplary standard to aim for. All this with his broken Urdu and my just passable Urdi (a blend of my own urdu and hindi)

Meal: 30ish soft boiled eggs, butter, jam, bread, hot milk, tea, dates

I thought we'd not purchased sufficient quantities. But from what could tell all 15 brothers eat well in preparation for 11th siyam (fast) of Ramadan.

Bhopal - Madina Masjid

2012.07.31

Umar is a 4 months every year brother from Kargiristan. For those who know what that means I've no need to explain. For those who don't put simply Umar gives 4months in each year for voluntary work away from home. During this time he pays for all his expenses. Focusing on self rectification and calling Muzlims to good. Particularly encouraging them to also spend some time in Tabilege.

So me and Umar are in khidmaat (in charge of meal prep). I was thinking it'd be a walk in the park seeing as the day before the local brothers would let us lift a cup. To cut it short me and Umar had to get Sahur (pre dawn meal) ready. So up we got at 02:30 and Umar did the bulk of it and allowed me to have a share in the reward by getting the plates, cups and limited cutlery rinsed and on the sufra (eating mat on floor). The kitchen was in a bit of a mess but immediately after everyone had finished eating Umar send me to wash a few plates. He'd already washed the rest, and when I had returned he had the kitchen sorted, cleaned and organised.
He has set the bar high for me, and shown me an exemplary standard to aim for. All this with his broken Urdu and my just passable Urdi (a blend of my own urdu and hindi)

Meal: 30ish soft boiled eggs, butter, jam, bread, hot milk, tea, dates

I thought we'd not purchased sufficient quantities. But from what could tell all 15 brothers eat well in preparation for 11th siyam (fast) of Ramadan.

Bhopal Markaz

Sunday 2012.07.29

On the train in from Delhi (06:45 to 16:05) the last few hours of the journey was filled with a much desired down pour which then remained as a light shower. Bringing the high and humid conditions down to a very pleasant cool temperature.

15 of us in total. Couple of brothers from U.S, one from Suadi (I think), 5 from Kargiristan (will need to check the spelling of that) but it borders Kazakhstan and China. The rest from U.K

The Kargiristan brothers are an intresting bunch. They still love and own horses and kick back in huge yurts during the hotter months.

Tarwee was an easy 2 hours in comparison to Sheikh Saad's (Nizamuddin) 3 hours.

The picture below is a taken from the train about 30min before reaching Bhopal Train Station.

Nizamuddin, Delhi - Tabilege Markaz

Temp = 34 / 28 c

Banglawali Masjid is amazing. Not because of its architecture, ease of access or air conditioned environment (non existent)

It is amazing because of the worry its leadership had made for decades. In essence for all muslims to return to complete Islam. Their methodology is simple. Return to actively making dawa (inviting to good) collectively and individualy because with this is linked divine guidance (hidaya)

0500 - 29 July 2012 I join brothers on a train to Bhopal (12 hour journey) where we will visit various Masjids to carry out Dawa Insha'Allah.

English Tafseer Audio - Bayyinah.com (Numan Ali Khan)

Growing up I always heard the urdu Tafseer of Quraan my father used to listen to in the evenings. Which I'm still searching for by the way.

But my friend and dear brother reccomend a very good English Tafseer of Quraan which was lacking for us English speaking folks.

Enjoy http://bayyinah.com/podcast/category/juz_amma/

Islam and Ecology

Read a lengthy article about how Islam and its doctrines are very much inclusive of the ecological care issues we are facing today.

http://www.crosscurrents.org/islamecology.htm

Mufti Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera

To benefit from Mufti Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera’s knowledge throughout the day, please visit http://www.zamzamacademy.com/ where you will find various talks in audio and video format, questions and answers, course material, sisters page, articles, blogs, events and much more.

 Subjects covered include the Fiqh (Jurisprudence) on a number of issues (i.e. Salat, Fasting, Business et al), Archived Dars on ‘Instruction of the Student’, Aqidah Tahawiyah, and topics ranging from “Domestic Violence” and “Blissful Marriage” to “Salahuddin Ayyubi” and “Jerusalem; its Names and Virtues”.

 Talks also include the complete “Signs of the Last Day” series, exegesis of Surah Yasin and al-Rahman and the famous Shama’il al-Tirmidhi which are updated regularly as they are delivered.

Other examples of talks and videos uploaded include a broad range of topics from “Qasida Burdah (Unravelling a Rose)” and “The Virtues and Etiquette of Traveling” to “Be, and it is: The Power of Allah”, from “The problem of Divorce” to “Following a Madhab”, and many more.

 Other series, talks, lectures, courses, Friday Khutbahs and seminars are uploaded regularly following the Shaykh’s regular classes and tours across the world.

 Please forward this info on to your contacts so others can also benefit from the knowledge Allah has blessed the Shaykh with, and make dua Allah grants him abundant rewards for his efforts and takes him from strength to strength.

You can also like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/zamzamacademy
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Finding a spouse on the deen

Those of who have been married for a while forget how live was when we were single. Also how difficult it was finding someone on the same journey in life. Then there is parents preferences.
I came across a Muslim marriage site which is aimed at those who are regular with salaat. And required to declare this.

Hope is helps http://purematrimony.com/

May Allah make it easy for those in search of a spouse and unite them with the partner who has been written for them with ease.

Note: I have note registered on this site, so can't comment on how effective it is or the numbers using it. Please leave a comment if you do register and use it.

Letter to a new Muzlim

ibnayyub.wordpress.com/2008/01/28/letter-to-a-new-muslim-by-hajj-abdassamad-clarke/

Long read but covers many points all Muzlims will tussle with

Phone on flight mode

I used to put my phone on vibrate when I walked into a masjid. But the vibration in my pocket would occur my mind would wonder who it could be. So now I choose to disconnect from creation by switching on flight mode. The intention is to focus my undivided attention my creator for the very short time I'm in the masjid.

Removing the Safety Net - By Shaykh Yunus Patel - South Africa

I was sent an email from my good friend (Asif T), and in it was a link to an short 100 page advice to tackle the ills of modern living from Shaykh Yunus Patel (rahimullah) - South Africa,

Click here for - Removing the Safety Net - By Shaykh Yunus Patel - South Africa