WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE DIES?

Assalamualaikum Waramatullahi Wabarakaatuhu

Many children, women and men are dying everyday. They are not only dying, they are been killed. Our hearts sympathise and ache from the loss of beautiful kids that were killed by the terrorists in the latest attack in Peshawak. All the deaths that were caused this year made me realise how close we all are to the Day of Judgment.
Nonetheless, it hurt me when Pakistani children were brutally killed by terrorists. It also hurt me when Syrian children terribly suffered from the chemical attacks and it also hurt me severely to see Gazan children dying everyday under bombed houses, hospitals and schools. Moreover, it hurts me when anybody is killed unjustly.
Not a single innocent murdered person has died a less painful death. Their deaths are equally sad for me. Allah is ever Watchful of their oppression and mass murdering of innocent lives. He remembers while we forget. Let us not forget what's our mission. Turn to Allah. Be Muslims, not Pakistanis or Indians. We are Muslims, we support one another. We pray for eachother. We help one another. Let us all stand firm in the deen of Allah. Allah will honor us greatly and Allah will give us victory. Just turn back to His religion... Be just with a Muslim and a non-Muslim. We are humans at the end of the day. So be humans...
Moving on to the next discussion is when a person dies or when a group of children die or anybody die as a matter of fact what should be our amal?
1. Be patient
2. Accept the qadar of Allah. Remember that death is only from the permission of Allah and if He wills for anything to happen, it happens. We can't blame Allah and be angry with Him
3. Pray for that dead person's maghfirat
4. Console and sympathise with the deceased's family. Say encouraging words to them. Let them cry and express their pain and ask them to be patient and trust Allah
5. You can perform umrah and hajj with their names or complete their missed fasts. But only the blood relative can do these to actually benefit the deceased.
6. Take heed from these deaths. Remember even you will die one day so now it's time to prepare for the aakhirat and start changing.
7. Revenge with blood to blood with equality is allowed but with no injustice. But forgiving is more close to Allah and the reward is due on Allah in aakhirat.


But What should one not do??

1. To Start a biddah in groups and read Qur'an for the deceased. Reading the Qur'an is for the living and what you read won't reach the dead. It will increase your good deeds but not theirs. What will reach to the dead are three things, “If a human dies, then his good deeds stop except for three: a Sadaqa Jariah (continuous charity like digging a well, building a masjid etc), a beneficial knowledge (like teaching Qur'an to others so when you die and others learn from what you taught you get the reward too) , or a righteous child who prays for him.” – (Sahih Muslim).
2. To Read tasbeeh or durood for forty days. These are all biddah and rituals which our beloved Rasool sallalahu alaihi wa sallam never did even when his own beloved companions passed away or were killed terribly by the kuffar.
3. To not Feast around and bring lots of food in the house like as if it's a party going on.
4. Do not curse the dead or expose their sins rather recollect all their good deeds.
5. Do not try to seize the wealth of the deceased's inheritors in an unjust manner by not giving the inheritance to the respected rightful people.
6. Do not slap yourselves, hit yourselves or cry loudly by hitting your chest or cursing Allah.
7. To wear white or black clothing by imitating the Christians and Hindus.
8. To start a trend in the same of the dead like the black day which began recently, the two minute silence and the candle lightnings in groups. This is not from our religion.
Please protect yourself from all these biddahs in the name of good intentions. If our good intention is not according to the sunnah then that deed is nullified. Our religion is so easy yet we love to put ourselves into hardships by making matters fard on ourselves which were not ordained on us.
JazakumuaAllah hu khairan for reading please share this information ahead.


Ask me anything regarding this topic here 
Thank you for reading. Please feel free to send me the link of your blogs and comment below if you have similar views. 
- Manal Mirza

WHAT DO YOU CHOOSE FOR YOURSELF?

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi wabarakaatuhu!
I want to start this post by posing a question to my readers. What do you like or prefer for yourself the most?
Something that is good for you or of your best interest or something that is not best for you or your best interest?

We all would obviously answer, given the choice between something that is good or bad, we'd choose something best for us! We want every good possible thing for us starting from best education, the best clothes to the best shoes. We want to have the best people around us, the best family, the best parents, the best husband, the best wife, the best children and the best of friends; something that suits us and something that is best for us and not necessarily best in the eyes of others.

But what  happens when it comes to choosing best things for others? Why can't we open our hearts wide enough to give those exact best things for others?? 
Why do we always have to compete to have the best education, the best career, the best spouses, the best house, the best children and the best friends? We compete, especially, in order to be the best among others. Don't get me wrong, Yes, we are allowed to have best things as Allah made certain halal ways for us to acquire and seek advantage from and yes we are eligible to have all the best things. But the place where we start reducing is the HAQQ of others by not giving them the exact same thing that you would want for yourself. This is where jealousy and envy begins and the evolution of hatred and Indian drama serial begins. 
If majority of us started giving others what we would expect others to give us, so many relationship problems would be diminished. 

Let me give you an example. If you wish to buy yourself a good and decent dress then give that exact thing to the poor. Don't give torn off and bad clothes. If you wish others to speak good behind your backs then you should refrain from speaking bad behind their backs. If you wish your own brother to help you at times of need, then even you should help your brother at times of need. If you wish your daughter to have a good husband and good in-laws, then even you should treat your daughter in-law like how you would want your daughter to be treated by her in-laws. And if you wish your husband to treat your parents right then even you should treat his parents right and vice versa. And if you wish your parents to provide you with every goodness in this world then provide the same thing for them and for your own children. Do you get the point? Love for your brother what you love for yourself? 

On the authority of Abu Hamzah Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) - the servant of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) - that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said : "None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself." Related by Bukhari & Muslim

Living in this world, we always want others to be the best to us but we don't want to be the best with others. We want others to treat us well while we don't want to put least efforts into treating others right. We always want others to help us but we don't want to help them. We always want to be dealt with respect but we don't give the exact respect in return to others. We are deeply and insanely selfish if we really think about it. And then we ask Allah why are we mistreated by people!! AstagfirAllah!! Allah has also forbidden us to demand of something what we do not deserve. So if we don't give others respect how could we ask others to respect us? It sounds a little arrogant don't you think? 

Narrated Al-Mughira: The Prophet said, "Allah has forbidden you ( 1 ) to be undutiful to your mothers (2) to withhold (what you should give) or (3) demand (what you do not deserve), and (4) to bury your daughters alive. And Allah has disliked that (A) you talk too much about others ( B), ask too many questions (in religion), or (C) waste your property." Volume 8, Book 73, Number 6

We all need to be the first ones to GIVE people their right, give them more than they deserve, even if you hate it. Others aren't going to understand you or your situation. You will only keep increasing aversion in your heart and it will kill you inside. Let it go. They will keep treating you horribly even if you do them good because in the end it is Allah who is seeing you and your actions and it is Allah whom you have to please and not the people. And most of all HE is watching over our Hearts. Innallaha A'leemum bizaatis sudoor! Indeed Allah is Always All Knowing of what is in your chests. So let us all clean our hearts from the hatred, jealousy, suppositions, arrogance that we have against others and have Haya from Allah before thinking negatively about others. 

Jazakumullahu khairan for reading. Do share, rate, comment and follow my blog for more posts. 

Ask me anything regarding this topic here. Thank you for reading. 
Please feel free to send me the link of your blogs and comment below if you have similar views. 
- Manal Mirza

A VERSE THAT TOUCHED MY HEART- A SIGN OF LOVE

Assalamulaiakum WarahmatuAllahi Wabarakatuh!

This is one of the ayaat that filled my eyes with tears. This makes me recognise Allah even more. subhanaAllah! Surah Ar Rum is considered as the Surah of Signs. Where Allah shows us His signs (His created signs) and asks to us reflect, understand, listen and know. 
One of the signs of Allah is this beautiful ayat in Surah Ar-Rum:

Translation: "And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought."
Allah made our spouses from our own nafs, and from our own kind, and made us into spouses, so that we seek comfort within each other. This is human nature. Any kind of weakness that we have like fear, love, affection, Allah gave us our spouses so that we obtain repose in them. Isn't this a mercy from Allah?  

 Allah said that he planted love in the hearts of spouses. Here he said مودة not محبه. because مودة has selfless love and it is exaggerated where you learn to sacrifice for your loved one and care for each other, whereas  محبه is selfish love in which you love that person only for your sake, to please yourself.  مودة is when you not only take but also give. Allah instills this love in the hearts of the spouses as a type of need. Everybody has that special kind of love for their spouses which is innate, created and instilled by Allah. 
We, human beings are weak. We have affections, feelings, mental and physical needs that we seek in from our spouses. The real purpose of marriage is to seek peace within one another, understand each other, be there for eachother in times of need. Love one another and have mercy towards each other. 
If a person doesn't find these three things (Comfort, love and mercy) in their marriage, then that marriage is lacking completeness, and it might not be considered as a happy or successful marriage. 
It is obvious that no two genders in a marriage are going to be similar or not have differences. Of course they're going to have differences amongnst eachother. What's required is to understand those differences and still love and respect eachother and love one another selflessly and unconditionally for the sake of Allah. Afterall, we do crave for attention and love from our partners. It's like a necessity within us that's just like eating and drinking. How would our lives be if there was no one to share this love with just like if there was no food to eat?
This comfort, love and mercy is not only related to spouses but also related to friends, parents and siblings. This bond can only be increased  and strengthened if these three qualities are found within us and if we are ready to give it to them. You won't find this in animals because they don't express these qualities to their own kind. They just have that physical desire that they crave. They just don't have that emotional need like us, or even if they do, they possess that selfish love and not the selfless love. If a marriage only worked on the basis of physical needs and lust, what kind of relationship is this other than the the relationship of an animal? 
Love is a feeling that makes us better people and makes us sacrifice for one another. We need to value, care, understand, respect and be merciful to our spouses and loved ones. Spread the greeting of peace (سلام) more often and reply to their greeting as well. Smile at eachother. If Allah commanded us to smile and say peace to strangers then isn't it obvious that we need to increase our greetings of salam and smiles even more amongst our loved ones? Smiling and spreading Salam only makes us a muslim and not a weirdo. Salam will be so common that the believers and angels will spread the greeting of Salaam profusely. So, to be one of the inhabitants of Jannah, we need to spread peace abundantly.

But what has marriage and relationships become these days other than hatred, lust, anger, grudges against one another? Always pointing at each other's mistakes and always expecting something in return. These kinds of marriages usually end up in divorce or result in a cold war forever. 

Du'aa:

Aren't you glad that you love someone? Isn't this love and mercy in our hearts, a sign from Allah? This love and creation of spouses from our own nafs is in itself a sign from Allah. We wouldn't have found our better half if it wasn't for Allah. We wouldn't have felt peace and expressed our love that flows inside us if we didn't have our better half. How lonely and incomplete our lives would be if we had no partner? How would our lives be if there was no love and affection? What better relationship is there other than the relationship of a husband and wife? Who put that love in your heart? Not only spouses, but who put that love, mercy and peace within our families, siblings, relatives and friends? Allah subhanahu wa taála! So wouldn't you then ponder? Wouldn't you then be grateful?

Cutest picture!

I am not married yet but the idea of love and affection is what intrigues me to get married soon. In sha Allah!
And remember whoever you are in love with, may it be your husband or family, it should only be for the sake of ALLAH! If we don't love someone for the sake of Allah then it would be a great fitna for us. It will be just like how Bani Israel loved the calf that they desired to worship other than Allah. If you love someone other than His sake, it will only turn us away from Allah and His remembrance. If that person whom you love is constantly distracting you in your Salat, forces you to disobey Allah (makes you do haram), removes you from the worship of Allah and His remembrance, then this is called worshiping a person. This love has gone way overboard and is not at all acceptable in Islam. Islam is moderate and loves moderation. We should not love anyone more than Allah or our Rasool صلى الله عليه وسلم. True love is only when your love for someone brings you closer to Allah and when you care for the wellbeing of that person's dunya and aakhirah. 
This is a great sign from Allah! But little do we ponder upon the greatest blessings we possess; love, mercy and loved ones. 

JazakumuAllahu khairaa for reading. Don't forget to rate, share and comment below if you have similar views. 

Ask me anything regarding this topic here. Thank you for reading. Please feel free to send me the link of your blogs and comment below if you have similar views. 
- Manal Mirza

What is Black Magic and How It Works? --(Black Magic Series)

Assalamualaikum WarahatuAllahi Wabakaatuhu!

Primarily, black magic is real and it exists.

The Prophet (Sal-allahu-aleihi-wasallam) said, "Avoid the seven great destructive sins." The people enquire, "O Allah's Apostle! What are they? " He said:
"To join others in worship along with Allah, to practice sorcery, to kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause (according to Islamic law), to eat up riba (usury),
to eat up an orphan's wealth, to give back to the enemy and fleeing from the battlefield at the time of fighting,
and to accuse chaste women, who never even think of anything touching chastity and are good believers."
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radi Allah Ta'lah Anhu); Sahih Bukhari transmitted it. Vol 4:#28 of Sahih Bukhari.

What I am about to write are exactly not my words but I am re-posting this from www.ruqyasupport.com
This post will aware you and I about what Black magic is, who are the black magicians and how to cure black magic in sha Allah but with different posts. (As this topic could be really long)
I am no way near to an expert. This is just a re-posted blog post which has been copied from a reliable source. And Allah knows best! If you are willing to check your sources into the authenticity of this post, please go ahead and do so. And comment below if there seems to be an authenticity error.

What is Sihr (Black Magic)?
Black magic is done by a magician. It can effect anybody, a Prophet, a mo'min, a liar, a kuffar. It is verrry rampant in the Muslim community as well, like in the Middle East, Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and basically all over the world. 

When somebody is afflicted with black magic they start seeing things which are not really there and they constantly go into delusion. Sihir is also set of knots which is tied with Shirk. The magician is the one who ties it with Shirk. And he utters words of shirk in his mummers and not the Qurán then he ties them into a Taa'weez. (we will talk about this more in the coming posts in sha Allah) Black Magic effects the hearts and the minds. Sihr comes from the word "hidden" & 'not seen'. So when you are afflicted with magic it's actually hidden and you won't realize it happening to you. The goal is to do black magic behind the back. Black magic causes many problems like it turns good health into sickness and in some severe cases it could also cause death. It can cause division between husband and wife, husband and mother, brother and sister or the downfall between the business partners or cause someone to attract towards someone without any reason. (a.k.a love poison)

The most common type of Sihr out there is called Sihr-e-Tafreeq. It is the most nasty kind of Sihr where it separates a man from his wife. And the number one OBJECTIVE of shaitaan is to separate a Man from his wife and this is mentioned in Surah Al Baqarah 102
"They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut, but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their ownselves, if they but knew."

Why does the shaitaan wants to do this? Because he wants to break the halal contract between the husband and wife.

Also, Imam Muslim reported on the authority of Jabir ibn `Abdullah, who stated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Iblis (Satan) places his throne upon water, then sends his groups. The closest to him are those who (tempt people to) commit the most grievous of sins (fitnah). One of them would approach him and say: I did such-and-such. Iblis would reply: You have done nothing. Another would approach and say: I did not leave him (a man) until I caused him to leave his wife and for them to be separated. Iblis would bring him close to his throne and would say: How good you are!”
There are many types of Sihr. You would be shocked to see the damage Black magic causes on a person's life and have catastrophic issues like cause madness, epilepsy, cause to have bad dreams, not have children and remove the copulation between husband and wife, bring lust in oneself and many other severe dangers.

Why do people do Sihr? It is because of jealousy. A person who is jealous of someone's happy marriage, just can't take it and wants to cause separation between them or break the successful relation of two business partners and cause the business to a downfall. This is why our Prophet Sallalahu alaihi wasallam warned us of jealousy. He said, “Beware of jealousy, for verily it destroys good deeds the way fire destroys wood.” [Abu Dawood]

When Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was asked who are the best of people? He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) replied: “the one with a clean heart and truthful tongue.” They asked: ‘We understand a truthful tongue, but what does a clean heart mean?’ he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) answered: “It is the heart of one that is pious, pure, and is free of sin, transgressions, hatred and Hasad.” [Ibn Majah]

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) as saying: “Don’t bear aversion against one another and don’t be jealous of one another and be servants of Allah.” [Muslim :: Book 32 : Hadith 6218]

How does Sihr work?
It needs an instigator who is the 'jealous' one, it could be an aunt or uncle or an enemy who sees what you're doing from a distance and hates someone's marriage or someone, then they plot and plan to destroy the marriage. Then there's the victim who is afflicted with this black magic. Then there's the motive: whether to separate them, to make them argue or make them from stop having children, or kill them, not let them get married, cause them to fall severely ill, not let them have a job, remove their income etc.
The instigator with the motive will go to the magician. He will do the magic by using the DNA of the victim, like his old clothes, or clothes that has his sweat, blood, hair or nails etc. He would also ask the victim's name and the victim's mother's name. And then he will call upon the Jinn to order him to cause all of this problems. The jinn enters the body of the victim and directly goes to the brain and controls the whole body. He would cause the Waswasa (severe whispering). For e.g: if the motive is divorce from the wife then it will cause severe waswasa towards his wife to hate her and be angry on her and so on. subhaAllah! This is a horrible crime for which they have sold their aakhirah only for a miserly worldly gain. 
These details are only mentioned for us to awaken and beware of these magicians and to protect ourselves from Magic. Keep yourselves clean, dispose your humanely dirt, remains properly and always read the morning and evening azkar to keep yourself protected and to keep a distance from suspicious people or fake aalims who pretend to cure us but are actually causing harm. 

If these problems normally occur between a husband and a wife, it doesn't necessarily mean that they have black magic on them however chances are there. Not every problem in our lives are related to magic so beware of your problems and try to solve them first before claiming every problem in your life as black magic or evil eye. It could also be a trial from Allah subhaAllah wa taála. 

Stayed tuned for the next part of BMS.
 
Part two: How to recognize a magician or a fake Aalim 

JazakumuAllah hu khairan for reading. 

References of this topic is from www.ruqyasupport.com and Speaker Abu Mouneesah. 


The Prophet (Sal-allahu-aleihi-wasallam) said, "There are three who will not enter paradise: one who is addicted to wine, one who breaks ties of relationship, and one who believes in magic (means using it)." Narrated by Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (Radi Allah Ta'lah Anhu); Ahmad transmitted it. 3656 of Mishkat al-Masabih.

The Prophet (Sal-allahu-aleihi-wasallam) said, "Avoid the Mubiqat, i.e., shirk and witchcraft." Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radi Allah Ta'lah Anhu); Sahih Bukhari transmitted it. Vol 7:#659 of Sahih Bukhari.

Ask me anything regarding this topic at http://ask.fm/manalmirza23 I will try to answer what I know and what I don't know I will leave it to that. Thank you for reading. Please feel free to send me the link of your blogs and comment below if you have similar views. 
- Manal Mirza

NEW DISRUPTIVE GENERATION

 "Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds (five compulsory prayers, deeds of Allah's obedience, good and nice talk, remembrance of Allah with glorification, praises and thanks, etc.), that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope" [18:46]

Muslim Married women (or couples) shouldn't give birth to a child if they can't bring them up through the teachings of Islam. Because it is better to not give birth than to raise a child that is close to becoming a kaafir. Parents are to be blamed because some muslim parents are raising up their children to become great doctors or a multimillionaire dollar scientists and those are the same parents who in the end are placed in old age foster care homes by their occupied busy children. If you raised them to be great muslims and home caretakers then you would see your child treating you in the best way and not as maids or sponsors. The reason why I am writing this is because a friend of my sister told her why she doesn't wanna cover her head is because "TEENS SHOULD LIVE AND ENJOY LIKE TEENS" :S I wish I showed her how teens should be smacked like teens. I know as kids we weren't perfect or even close to it but my only regret is that only if I was lead in the right direction. 

What I meant by not giving birth was to not conceive in the first place or plan to have kids to have a good status in society or as a means of show off and competition of whose kids are better in worldly success and knowledge in society or relatives. Regardless to that, people consider marriage contract as a way of living their lives to the fullest according to their desires when actually it is the hardest and most responsible job ever. It's not a joke to start a family and on top of that to take care of it. Before marrying, every single muslim woman should be trained or given courses on how to raise children according to the sharia of Islam because a mother is the one who nurtures the home and from her is the entire ummah. Obviously, fathers aren't exempted from this responsibility because the children also need the fatherly dose as well and the wife needs his support too. He shouldn't sit by watching his wife struggle with kids and house chores while he is busy watching T.V and ordering her to get him some food and snacks 24/7. This is how children learn. Through you, through parents by imitating.  

Learning how to raise children after marriage is also great but it doesn't suffice your actual benefit and most of the time those lessons are through hard learned lessons from experiences. Majority of the times the parents are the one in the compromising state and the children start controlling them. Do not let them control you. You are the bigger authority. Be a good example. Not good but be a GREAT example.
I am not married or a mother hence I can't say this but I am a daughter and I understand this fact that if someone makes a mistake, we owe it to ourselves to learn from it & not repeat the same mistakes again. I learned a lot from my parent's mistakes and that's how we all become wiser as to-be parents.

Nowadays the best way for a mother to shut their children from crying is by shoving them with iPads, tablets or making them listen to nursery rhymes or watch Disney movies. They are bought everything and anything the kids demand from toys to accessories to gadgets. Every parent should teach their children to ponder over all those poor unfortunate children over the world. With more exposure to television all they see is rich kids who have everything and anything so they are bound to become like them and demand such things. They should be made to go to the oldage foster homes to help the elderly. 
Moreover, there are many kids who now have open and unsupervised internet. These kids easily know how to use these gadgets and slowly slowly they aren't interested in what their moms want them to listen or watch. They are getting exposed to many explicit and unwanted content which is not even for us Muslim Adults to watch let alone kids! All they have are idols like Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and 1D. It's really scary because gradually these are how mothers these days are raising their kids. *BLINDFOLD*

This obviously doesn't apply to all mothers. There are some amazing mothers out there who know great parenting techniques on how to handle their kids from peer pressure and they do the right upbringing. They raise their children with the teachings of our Rasool, Sahabas and their grandparents. masha'Allah! They are friends to their children and parents too. They have that mutual trust between one another and the children share everything with their parents. 

These parents are not super strict or super lenient. They are balanced. MashaAllah! I have seen such parents. They indulge their children into so many educational activities (worldly and deeni) so that the child doesn't have time to involve in haram activities and or become fat! If parents really want to invest money into something, they should invest it in the best education of deen and dunya, activities and best food for their kids. Do not be scared of poverty and do not withhold your hands from spending in the right way, in the way of Allah. Many parents spend lots and lots of money on worldly education which is not bad but when the child wants to do some religious study, they ask a lot of questions and expect it to be the cheapest studies ever which makes them not want to spend in the way of Allah. 

My only concern is the new disruptive generation. I don't care about the kaafirs much because our own Muslim generations is getting destructed and my first priority is them. As a teacher I try my best to take the opportunity to advice my students to be good people because teachers in schools aren't teaching this also. :S 
Please mothers or to be mothers or wives who are planning to conceive, or to be wives, please do remember this is a big responsibility. I am not scaring you from having a child, but not to forget, with greater achievements comes greater responsibilities. Please teach them akhlaq, cleanliness, politeness, humbleness and gratefulness. These are basics things for a child to know to be a good human and eventually with time, teach them who their creator is, what their religion is & who their last messenger is. Teach them how to pray, read Qu'ran, learn Qurán and eventually they'll become good muslims who will be ready to strive in this Dunya without hurdles in sha Allah (All of this is to be done and done till the age of 13)
Don't underestimate the capabilities of your child because they are capable of sooooo much. The parents just can't see it. 

May Allah make us all good parents and make our children one of those who pray and obeys Allah and Rasool SallahuAlaihi waSallam. Ameen! :D

JazakiAllah hu khairan for reading. Please Rate, Comment and follow my blog for more posts. Share this posts with your family and friends. 

Ask me anything here Thank you for reading. Please feel free to send me the link of your blogs and comment below if you have similar views.
- Manal Mirza

HOW TO MAINTAIN GOOD IMPRESSION OVER NON-MUSLIMS WHILE PREACHING?

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to ‘Ali (RA):

“If Allah guides a person through you, it is better for you than all that is on the earth.” 

Bukhari No. 2783 & Muslim No. 2406)

Assalamualaikum WarahmatuaAllah hi wabara kaatuhu!

We all need to understand that first impressions matter a lot. It may not be who we really are but it's something that we will be in the eyes of someone who doesn't really know us and perceive our impression as someone who we're not. Which is why it is very important for us as muslims to maintain a very good impression over non- muslims while giving Dawah. We may not get a second chance to give a good impression so be ready to present your first TRUE impression. (no body wants to be fake here :P)

This is the banner of the Dawah team in U.K

We muslims do not follow Islam correctly and fight among our muslim brothers and sisters, this is what our impression has fallen over the non-muslim community. Which is why we need to check our akhlaaq (manners) because that's the biggest attracting factor to any person irrespective of religion.
Some of the things which I personally would do to keep a non-muslim intact are:
1. Dress well and greet them well. Use a catchy Title or banner to attract the audience to come towards you. 

2. Make sure you actually are practicing Islam so that the Latter doesn't consider you as a hypocrite when it comes to Dawah.
3. Make sure you have great energy and enthusiasm while preaching them to Islam. Dull and boring conversations are a big turn off to anybody.        
4. Speak about the concepts of Islam according to the level and maturity of the Non-Muslim. There are somethings which we understand perfectly while the latter may not. So speak in consideration of the latter so he may not feel stupid or let down.5. Do not start judging the non-muslim in regards to his/her outward appearance, beliefs or lifestyle and start becoming the HARAM police. Rather start preaching from the basic principles of Islam i.e AQEEDA which is the most important and needs to be corrected. 

6. Make sure you speak to them with proof and evidence. If you know something but do not have proof or evidence, then remain silent. Because you wouldn't want to be wrong later and be considered as a liar.
7. Return their misbehavior with the best of manners whether you like it or not. (MUHSIN)
8. Sincerity and the truth of Islam should be shown all over us, so that they respect how strong our belief is, which will intrigue them to find out how this religion has such a great affect on us..
I hope this helps all of us to maintain a good impression on the non-muslims while preaching. This is simply my personal opinions. There may be some great tactics by the Daaees out there which I do not know. So If anybody would also like to share their tactics, Please do comment below. JazakiaAllahu khairan for reading.

This was a task given to me by Bint Shaikh Mujeed. I love doing tasks! If somebody has a post request, Please comment down below. in sha Allah I will get to it. :D

 Ask me anything related to this blog post here Thank you for reading. Please feel free to send me the link of your blogs and comment below if you have similar views.
- Manal Mirza

IS THERE STILL HOPE FROM HUMANITY?

"And never give up hope of Allah's truly soothing mercy, no-one despairs of Allah's soothing mercy except those who have no faith." [Surah Yusuf: 87]

Reading, watching or listening to any kind of news makes me nauseous, brokenhearted, disappointed, angry and extremely sad! What is happening to this world? What happened to every single human being? Where is our morality and our respect for another fellow human being? Where is the dignity and respect for our own soul? Haven't we already sinned enough that we keep on increasing immensely? 

The Conditions in Gaza, Syria and Egypt are beyond imagination. Men, women and children are dying every day and most of them are fearing for their lives. The turmoil occurred in Egypt was by the oppression from their own country. Then what is left for the security of the citizens of Egypt? No security, no rights, no privilege. Only some kinds of agenda to ruin the Muslims for the benefit of their own income and luxury. The neighboring Muslim countries ought to help ALWAYS but little is the help that is received to any one of the victims of the murdered families.  It only reminds me of how the Ansars of Madinah stood up with courage to help the Muhajireen of Makkah only on the basis of Muslim brotherhood and unity. But this makes me feel ashamed of myself and life in general. Has Saudi Arabia done sufficient to decrease the sufferings of the Muslim brothers and sisters in Egypt, Syria and Palestine? Man, even this country is corrupted.  Many people are still striving to get their rights reserved. And I have nothing more to say in defense of any country or anybody but as humans we all know what is right and wrong despite the religion differences. For one second I wanna speak to my Muslim brothers and sisters in general. Do you think affliction is just simply occurring upon our lives because we are innocent? No we aren't. Are we all praying five times a day on time without laziness? Are we all Reading the Qur'an with understanding and acting upon it? Are we engaged in Halal lifestyle with no alcohol, no haram business, no usury, no illegal relationships, returning of amaanats, Hijab of men and women, no music or movies? Are we obeying our parents and elders and maintaining our blood relationships? Are we truthful at all times? Are we all Just to every human being around us despite our differences and enmity? Have we held firm the rope of Allah and have had full trust in Him? If the answer is No, then we all have nothing more to say just to be ashamed of ourselves. If the answer is Yes, then there is still hope for the world to be in peace.

As Muslims and most of all humans, we need to restore our humanity and CHANGE. Stop living for the world. Fear Allah and live for the Day of Judgement. Do jihad against ourselves.  

This is a total disaster and the more we speak or shout who do you think is listening except Allah? No leader or authority cares for you then why do you turn to them? The month of Ramadan is over but it reminds me that most of us weren't in masjids during the Qiyam ul Layl. Who do you think is to be blamed but yourselves? We all are in loss with time that we didn't take advantage of and the blessings we cared less for. We all know very well who were the true worshipers in Ramadan and even outside of Ramadan. The least we could do is Repent sincerely so Allah subhanawaTa'la has mercy on us. Then why don't we call upon Allah even when we had no Affliction or calamity? Isn't Allah subhanaAllah All Seeing, All Aware, All Listening? Don't you know that He is All Aware of your petty little tricks of pleasing yourself by calling Him suddenly out of nowhere at the difficult times and then fleeing from Him when things seem good for you? 

My heart only sinks in deep sorrow and grief for the loss of innocent lives of children, men and women all over the world because of the propaganda against the Muslims by the mind control of the Zionists and most importantly, our own nafs and mistakes.

"Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allah, but whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself." 4:79

The Prophet (sallallahu aleihi wa sallam) said: "Allah does not punish the individuals for the sins of the community until they see the evil spreading among themselves, and while they have the power to stop it, do not do so." (Ahmad). Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said: "This is why those who are in authority are of two groups: the scholars and the rulers. If they are upright, the people will be upright; if they are corrupt, the people will be corrupt."

But there is still hope for us in the aakhirah and as well in this dunya because one day we will be brought to justice.

Narrated Abu Huraira radiaAllah anhu: The Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "The Israelis used to be ruled and guided by prophets: Whenever a prophet died, another would take over his place. There will be no prophet after me, but there will be Caliphs who will increase in number." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What do you order us (to do)?" He said, "Obey the one who will be given the pledge of allegiance first. Fulfill their (i.e. the Caliphs) rights, for Allah will ask them about (any shortcoming) in ruling those Allah has put under their guardianship." [Al-Bukhari 4.661]
Allah's Messenger SAW said, "If any ruler having the authority to rule Muslim subjects dies while he is deceiving them, Allah will forbid Paradise for him." [Sahih Al-Bukhari 9:265]

Narrated Ma'qil: I heard the Prophet sallalahu alaihi wasallam saying, "Any man whom Allah has given the authority of ruling some people and he does not look after them in an honest manner, will never feel even the smell of Paradise." [Sahih Muslim - Volume 9, Book 89, Number 264]

Our only weapon is duwa and supplications, so let us all humble ourselves and seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaitaan and seek forgiveness from Allah subhanaWa ta'aAla and pray for the oppressed in Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc.


JazakiAllah hu khairan for reading. Please Rate, share and Follow my blog for more posts.

Ask me anything here.

Thank you for reading. Please feel free to send me the link of your blogs and comment below if you have similar views. 

- Manal Mirza

ARE WE BENEFITING OUR MUSLIM UMMAH OR HUMANITY IN GENERAL?

This topic came to me while I was learning the ayats of Surah Ra'ad. It's an amazing Surah. One must definitely give it a tilawat along with its translation.

Basically, all I want to do here is set up some examples from few people's lives to give us all ideas that could inspire us to help others through experiences.
A person becomes wise by learning through their own experiences but becomes wiser by learning through others' experiences. This is how I always try to do best for myself by learning more about other people's experiences and learn from their mistakes.
Here are some personal testimonies of amazing people who'd like to share how they try to help our Muslim Ummah and humanity in general.

These testimonies are in no way trying to brag or show off their abilities and how they are trying to help people, these are just to help others be a better person. If they can do it, so can we.

Amani, 21 years old says, "First of all Assalamualaikum to all. Well since you asked me this question, I asked myself that, have I really done anything worthwhile for anyone in this world at all? Well I may not have done much, but one thing I know about myself is that I really have a very good listening ear. I listen to anyone and everyone suffering from any kind of problem. I don't know if this really does help anyone out but I know it would really help me out If there was someone always around me to hear out my woes so that I could enlighten my soul and come out of my blue moment. Also, ever since I started studying in my college, I have interacted with different kinds of people, some very nice and some just the opposite. The worst kind of people that I have run into and wish don't exist on the face of this earth are the 'Unjust and Unfair' kinds of people. Justice is utterly and solely a definite right of an individual from the day they are born. Just think for a moment how would it feel if some one did something so mean and selfish that would make you feel indignant and helpless?? So, I reckon that everyone start being more kind and just in making their decisions so that this world becomes a better place for you and me!"
Sumayya, 19 year old says, "I don't think I've done my best in regards to helping the Ummah through my talent/ability - which is writing. I love to write when I get time. But with regard to writing for the benefit of others; mostly I share my thoughts on issues that I feel concern with everyone, giving the situation an Islamic front. I think the last post I wrote was about Friendships in Islam. Some people read my articles, and I hope it helps them. There are a lot of things that we can do. InshaAllah, in the future, I'm planning to write on a weekly basis."
Ambreen, 24 years old says, "In everyday life, Allah blesses us with the opportunity to serve people and earn reward. As a teacher,a tutor, a daughter,a sister and a friend Alhumdulillah I have always looked for such opportunities regardless of it being small or big like when someone shares a problem, I try to connect him/her with Allah Ta'ala and give solution accordingly as indeed in it a heart finds peace. eg: when someone is planning for applying for a job and asks whether she should, I ask her to do istikhara and eventually when she gets or not she is satisfied. Alhumdulillah, being blessed with an ability to study well, I am currently studying Qur'an to serve self and humanity in a better way. My Golden Rule: Whatever good I do to others in duniya, I am actually benefiting myself with it in duniya and Aakhirah.
May Allah accept from us. Aameen."
Naveen, 31 years old says, "As salam alaikum. InshAllah I plan to start teaching how to read the Quran in proper tajweed after I'm done with the 1st tajweed book because I see many people reading awfully bad. Besides this, good posts on the net also help a lot of people these days due to the trend of being on the social networking sites. :)"
Leena, 20 years old says,"My contribution towards spreading the message of Islam among the ummah and humanity in general is mostly done by harnessing the power and influence of cyber space. Where I lack in speaking spontaneously on a public platform. I make up by posting and forwarding the Islamic knowledge. I do strive to better myself and inshAllah I hope  I would be successful."
Saadia, 20 years old says, "I haven't done much for my Ummah, but I do plan to.  Insha'Allah I am aiming to empower women around the world (India & Pakistan mainly) by improving their knowledge of Deen. Making them aware of their Islamic rights and duties. I hope to do alot. And if Allah wills, I will.''
 
Dr. Zainab says, "Alhamdulillah wassalaatu wassalaamu alaa rasoolillah. Allah subhaanahu wa ta'ala has given me the opportunity to reach out to the muslims in particular and to people in general by making me a practicing doctor. I must say that having the conscience that everything occurs by the permission of Allah,and He sets us in situations that we can and must avail to give advise and remind others of the one and only God. I started doing dawah at my workplace. I started by giving naseehah to the muslims who come to me as patients. I have also reached out to the non-muslim folks, though I am still a student of knowledge in Deen. I understand that it is the responsibility of every muslim to convey the message of tawheed in a very skillful manner. There's no better time to do it than when one is in need of His Mercy, as a patient, who needs health. So let us all reach out to the masses and familiarize them with our religion of Islam which is such a perfect, peace-loving and complete way of life"
Basma, 22 years old says, "Well, I usually post and share various articles and quotes about Islam on facebook that help people ponder and reflect on the reality of their lives and relate with it each day with their personal experiences. This also helps them extract lessons that in return helps to make resolutions and reform their lives accordingly."
Muzna, 21 years old says, "Well, according to my knowledge I've tried to explain people over issues like how people these days are very much influenced by the western world and are almost adopting every possible thing, for eg:junk food brands (mcd, kfc, starbucks which are a part of Israel's income). Secondly, their way of life like openness and mixing between opposite gender's, dressing, celebrating disbelievers day's and NOT accepting it to be wrong. Also when people think abaya is not important and some say our intensions matter more than covering of body. Ive explained people how important of lowering gaze, guarding modesty, being humble and having a clean heart helps us in becoming better muslims. Some people think Salah and doing Zikr and turning towards Allah is all what old people should do. I've helped young generation understand the importance of Salah and its benefits including the sawab we gain. I helped many of my friends understand the importance of parents more than friends or any other person. And I've spoken to people about the hereafter and the jannah and the journey after death till day of judgement."

 

We need to at least try our best to help others in some way or the other. Here are some tips: 

• Advice people to become better persons in actions as well as in intentions
• Do not support others in their evil acts
• Try to reconcile two people who are fighting or having misunderstandings
• Try to change yourself to set an example for the youths
• Try to help the younger generations who lack knowledge and target them to become better persons Islamically and generally.
• Advice others according to their level of intellect. Do not expect them to do things they don't understand. 
• Encourage everyone to make better use of their abilities, like brain, limbs and speech. 
• Give charity every now and then. 
• Teach someone something new everyday, be it Islamically or not.
• Help someone even if it was to pick up a stone from the path way. Little things are the most precious ones!
• Do not wait others to do the better things first. You nee to step up first. If you don't do it, then who will?

I can go on and on, but you know better than me what you are capable of. 
Please try to help the community and the Muslim ummah to be better people in terms of heart and actions. Be kind, polite and merciful to one another. Do not hate each other nor envy or be jealous. Most of all do not be arrogant of your goodness or your accomplishments or abilities.

May Allah help us in our mission and try to make us all helpers and well-wishers of one another. 
 

"DEALING WITH PEOPLE" SERIES- Part 2

Assalamualaikum! Ramadan Kareem to All the Muslims around the world! So Sorry for wishing late. 

How is Ramadan going on with you all? I hope its going great and I pray that Allah's blessings and mercy be on us this Ramadan and the months after it! Ameen.

Today the topic is Dealing with people. Last time I mentioned about "Dealing with people with patience and smiling." If you haven't read that please check it out.  

ACCORDING TO PEOPLE

Allah created all the human beings differently. No one is the same and you can't expect everyone to be the same. We all want to be friends with those who we have something in common with. That is very usual. But What about those people with whom we have nothing in common with or maybe somethings are common but majority is clashing with differences? How Do we deal with such people? 

We all know we have to be kind and polite with everyone. But the question is, are we? If we are not kind or polite with them, What is the reason behind it? Why do we behave the way we behave? InshaAllah we'll try to discuss it with some hadiths and Quranic verses.

The Main people we are not good to is our parents. Basically, because there is a generation gap and our thinking don't match with each other. We need to understand the fact that they are our parents. They have gone according to us their entire lives. Whatever we wanted they have given us not thinking about themselves much. They have sacrificed so much for us we can't even repay! We seriously need to understand that if we want to be good to them. Remember all the favors they have done for us so we always look at them with respect and obey them.

One of the things I learned is that once a person hits the age 50 or above, you can't change ANYONE! Not even your parents. And why should we? All of a sudden we have become righteous and now we want everyone to become perfect all of a sudden? Things don't work this way. We know how much patience improves life and all our matters. 

To deal with our parents, we need to go according to them. Not everything, but the things you know your parents might get angry or upset about. At least try to go according to their wish and their happiness even if it pierces you in the heart! Every child has to put some effort to make their parents be proud of them. Those kids are the one who always compromise their needs over their parents'. If you know your dad would be angry by serving him a cold tea, why do you take the risk? Make sure its hot. If you know your mom gets pissed by your dirty room, then don't! Why take the risk? 

Also do something from time to time to make them happy by doing something they like. Something charitable. Every good thing with a good intention is accepted by Allah. This is mainly for the daughters, because we have very limited time to fully obey them and make them happy. (By limited I don't mean you are gonna die but you'll be married soon and have your own family to look after)

There are some parents who constantly criticize their children. It could be on how you have always failed them, on how you dress or look, what you do ETC. All you got to do at that situation is to zip your mouth, don't back answer and just say what you think is right in a polite manner. I am not an expert in giving dialogues, you can figure that out. I know how much worse the situation would get if you back answered. Do not even roll eyes, act fearless, or stand unaffected by anything. This is misbehavior!!!

Abdullah RadiAllah anhu narrated: Allah's Messenger Sallalahu Alai hi wasallam said, "A momin is not the one who taunts, curses, speaks indecently or abuses others." [Ibn Jabaan, Kitaab Al Imaan: 192]

Some of us are very talented and have a great convincing power. That is a really blessed gift from Allah. One who has it must wisely use it! :)

Allah the Exalted says in Surah Al Zumur-Ayaat 10: "Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning". 

Imagine, the reward will be given completely without even any questioning! What a great privilege that is!  SubhanaAllah!

These things are definitely very hard to do because some of us were not brought up like that. It is hard for me too to be good to everyone sometimes. Allah The Exalted says in Surah Al Baqarah: 83 "And Speak good to people".

We have friends who don't like certain things which we like and there is an individual opinion in it. Appreciate them for who they are and what they like. Same thing goes for siblings. You can't bombard all the things you like on them and force them to like it. Do not expect others to do things according to your mood or your life. You do it according to others. Don't worry about others constantly. Forget about what people are doing wrong. Think of what you are doing wrong. You can always advice politely. Its just human nature when some people have different opinions and views than you, they start contradicting with you. But Islam doesn't teach that. All Muslims have to accept the differences of their friends, relatives and siblings, get over it and treat them with justice because Allah made every soul differently.Not everyone is naturally similar to us. Just accept the facts and move on. 

Sometimes, making a big deal out of small things makes a big fuss. That is why majority of the divorces are on small silly issues like "she is not pretty", "He didn't buy me my favorite pair of shoes", "he watches t.v all the time and doesn't give me attention" ETC! Some couples are together even after all the biggest hardships ever faced. The best examples are our grandparents and our parents who are still together after all these years. mashaAllah! These are the real people who are patient and trust in Allah subhanAllah wa Ta'Allah to make their future better. 

Never argue unnecessarily (only if its important and you are 100% intellect about your argument) and be harsh to others. Aisha RadiAllah anha narrated: The Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alai hi wasallam said, "The most hated person near Allah is the most quarrelsome." [Bukhari, Kitaab Al Muzaalim: 2457]

Abdullah RadiAllah anhu narrated: The Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu alai hi wasallam said, "Abusing a Muslim is sinful and killing him is disbelief."[Bukhari, Kitaab Al Imaan:48]

One of the things I have learned most is what you say can never be taken back and it will be either a regret  or a joy for you. Most of the Arguments I've had were verbal and they were worse than physical. They are the most hurtful and irreversible. 

Sahl bin Saad RadiAllah anhu narrated: Allah's Messenger Sallalahu Alai hi wasallam said, "Whoever can guarantee what is between his two jaws (the tongue) and what is between his two legs (private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him". [Bukhari, Kitaab Al Riqaaq: 6474]

Let us try to become a better person and a better Muslim. Forgive, be kind, compromise, appreciate and smile. Intend to do it for the sake of Allah. If you do it sincerely keeping in mind that you are doing for Allah, most of our bad habits and manners will reduce inshaAllah! :)

JazakumuAllah hu khairan for reading. I hope this helps us all. 

Take care. 

Leave comments about a situation from your life where you think would benefit us. Please share this Article and rate. 

Thank you for reading. Please feel free to send me the link of your blogs and comment below if you have similar views. 
- Invisible Identity