Five Wisdoms
1) If you are right then there is no need to get angry, and if you are wrong then you don’t have any right to get angry.
2) Patience with family is love Patience with others is respect Patience with self is confidence.
3) Never think hard about the past. It may bring sorrow. Don’t think more about the future. It may bring fears. Live this moment with a smile. Trust in Allah.

4) Every test in our lives makes us bitter or better. Every problem comes to make us or break us However, the choice is ours, whether we become victims or victorious.
5) Search for a beautiful heart and not a beautiful face. Beautiful things are not always good, but good things are always beautiful. Love each other for the sake of Allah.
May Allah grant us the ability to be the best Muslims we can possibly be. In sha’Allah.”

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Five Wisdoms

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Ten Things We Waste.
1. Knowledge: Wasted when not taking action with it.
2. Actions: Wasted when we do anything without sincerity. Intentions count.
3. Wealth: Wasted when used on things that will not bring us Ãjr (reward). We waste our money, our status, our authority, on things that have no benefit in this life or in Ãkhirah (The Hereafter).
4. Hearts: Wasted when empty from the love of Allah, and the longing for Him, and devoid of peace & contentment.
5. Bodies: Wasted when we don’t use them in ibÃdah (worship)

and service of Allah in serving humankind.
6. Love: Wasted when our emotional love is misdirected, not towards Allah, but towards something/someone else.
7. Time : Wasted when not used properly, by not doing what is righteous.
8. Intellect : Wasted on things that are detrimental to society and the individual, not in contemplation or reflection.
9. Service: Wasted when in service of someone who will not bring us closer to Allah.
10. Dhikr: Wasted when it does not have an effect on our hearts.”

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When you wish to pray Salat al-Istikharah, you first pray two Rak’ats. These must be optional or sunnah prayers, so not the 5 daily obligatory prayers.

After praying these two optional Rak’ats, you perform the following Du’a:

(Sorry I could not copy paste the Arabic, Tumblr mixed everything up somehow)
Allaahumma ‘innee ‘astakheeruka bi’ilmika, wa ‘astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa ‘as’aluka min fadhlikal-‘Adheemi, fa’innaka taqdiru wa laa ‘aqdiru, wa ta’lamu, wa laa ‘a’lamu, wa ‘Anta ‘Allaamul-Ghuyoobi, Allaahumma ‘in kunta ta’lamu ‘anna haathal-‘amra-[then mention the thing to be decided] Khayrun lee fee deenee wa ma’aashee wa ‘aaqibati ‘amree - [or say] ‘Aajilihi wa ‘aajilihi - Faqdurhu lee wa yassirhu lee thumma baarik lee feehi, wa ‘in kunta ta’lamu ‘anna haathal-‘amra sharrun lee fee deenee wa ma’aashee wa ‘aaqibati ‘amree - [or say] ‘Aajilihi wa ‘aajilihi - Fasrifhu ‘annee wasrifnee ‘anhu waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kaana thumma ‘ardhinee bihi
O Allah, I seek the counsel of Your Knowledge, and I seek the help of Your Omnipotence, and I beseech You for Your Magnificent Grace. Surely, You are Capable and I am not. You know and I know not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [then mention the thing to be decided] is good for me in my religion and in my life and for my welfare in the life to come, - [or say: in this life and the afterlife] - then ordain it for me and make it easy for me, then bless me in it. And if You know that this matter is bad for me in my religion and in my life and for my welfare in the life to come, - [or say: in this life and the afterlife] - then distance it from me, and distance me from it, and ordain for me what is good wherever it may be, and help me to be content with it.

Also, after or before performing this prayer, there is nothing wrong with asking for advice from your fellow believers. For Allah says:

"And consult them in the affair. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah." [3:159]

Furthermore, Salat al-Istikhara can be performed multiple times and to the best of my knowledge there is no limit for performing Salat al-Istikhara. Sometimes a person receives an immediate answer, other times it may take some time.

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Following are some tips that we can use when we are depress,

1. Try to do dhikr, it will help to reduce.
2. Think that after every hardship, there will be ease and this time will also pass.
3. We have to be patient in every trial and we will get rewarded.
4. By being patient we are pleasing our creator.
5. Trials are blessing in disguise and it will remove our

sins.
6. Try to divert you mind, listen to Islamic lectures, read books or talk to your siblings.
7. The hardship will go on its appointed time and if we not remain patient, we will lose the reward as well.
8. Thank to Allah in every situation may be HE is saving us from greater affliction.
9. Pray to Allah, ask for HIS help.
10. Allah loves us more than our mother and HE will take care of everything so don’t stress.
11. This life is a test and we will not get everything we want and we have to be happy in Allah decree.
12.We have to please our creator and strive for akhirah, this life is temporary and it will end.

I hope it will be helpful. May Allah guide us all to the straight path.
Ameen

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How to stay positive ?

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 Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said:

Verily Allah created the universe and when He had finished that, ties of relationship came forward and said This is the place for him who seeks refuge from severing (of blood-relationship). He said: Yes. Are you not satisfied that I should keep relationship with one who joins your ties of relationship and sever it with one who severs your (ties of relationship)? They (the ties of blood) said: Certainly so. Thereupon He said: Well, that is how things are for you. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) then said: Recite if you like:” But if you turn away you are sure to make mischief in the land and cut off the ties of kinship. Those it is whom Allah has cursed, so He has made them deaf and blinded their eyes. Do they not reflect on the Qur’an? Or, are there locks on their hearts?”.‏ Sahih Muslim

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، عن الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:” إن اللهَ خلق الخلقَ . حتى إذا فرغ منهم قامت الرحمُ فقالت : هذا مقامُ العائذِ من القطيعةِ . قال : نعم . أما ترضين أن أصل من وصلك وأقطعَ من قطعك ؟ قالت : بلى . قال : فذاك لك . ثم قال رسولُ اللهِ صلى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ : اقرؤا إن شئتم “ فَهَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ إِنْ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ أَنْ تُفْسِدُوا فِي الأَرْضِ وَتُقَطِّعُوا أَرْحَامَكُمْ ٢٢ أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ فَأَصَمَّهُمْ وَأَعْمَى أَبْصَارَهُمْ ٢٣ أَفَلاَ يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَى قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا‏٢٤‏ ‏”‏ ‏.صحيح مسلم والبخاري واللفظ لمسلم

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What should one recite before a exam?

wa alaykumusalaam you can recite these du’aas
اللَّهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْتَنِي، وَعَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي، وَارْزُقْنِي عِلْمًا تَنْفَعُنِي بِهِ
Transliteration: Allahumma infa’ni bimaa ‘allamtani wa’allimni maa yanfa’uuni warzuqni ‘ilman tanfa’uni bihi.
Translation: Oh Allah! Make useful for me what you have taught me, (and) teach me knowledge that will be useful to me and grant me such knowledge that will benefit me.

اللَّهُمَّ لا سَهْلَ إِلاَّ ما جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلاً، وأنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الحَزْنَ إذَا شئت سهلا
Transliteration: Allahumma la sahla illaa maa ja-‘altahu sahlan wa anta taj’alu al hazna idha shi’ta sahlan.
Translation: Oh Allah! Nothing is easy except what you have made easy. If you wish, you can make the difficult easy.
May Allah grant all those taking exams success in both this world and in the Akhirah

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Du’aas before exams

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Du`aa’ Before Studying

.اللَّهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْـتَنِي وَ عَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي

Allâhumma infa‘nî bimâ ‘allamtanî wa ‘allimnî ma yanfa‘unî.

{Oh Allah! Make useful for me what You taught me and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me.}

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.اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فَهْمَ النَّ بِيِّينَ وَ حِفْظَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ

Allâhumma innî as’aluka fahm an-nabiyyîna wa hifdh al-mursalîn al-muqarrabîn.

{Oh Allah! I ask You for the understanding of the prophets and the memory of the messengers, and those nearest to You.}

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 .اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ لِسَانِي عَامِرًا بِذِكْرِكَ وَ قَلْبِي بِخَشْيَتِكَ

Allâhumma ij‘al lisânî ‘âmiram bi-dhikrika wa qalbî bi-khashyatika. 

{Oh Allah! Make my tongue full of Your remembrance, and my heart with consciousness of You.}

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 َ.إِنَّكَ عَلَى مَا تَشَاءُ قَدِيرٌ وَ أَنْتَ حَسْـبُنَا اللَّهُ وَ نِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ

Innaka ‘alâ mâ tashâ’u qadîr wa anta hasbuna Llâhu wa ni‘m al-wakîl

{Oh Allah! You do whatever You wish, and You are my Availer and Protector and the best of aid. }

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Du`aa’ After Studying         

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَوْدِعُكَ مَا قَرَأْتُ وَ مَا حَفِظْتُ فَرُدَّهُ عَلَىَّ عِنْدَ حَاجَتِي إِلَيْهِ

إِنَّكَ عَلَى مَا تَشَاءُ قَدِيرٌ وَ أَنْتَ حَسْبِىَ و نِعْمَ الْوَكِيل

Allâhumma innî astawdi‘uka mâ qara’tu wa mâ hafidhtu. Faruddahu ‘alayya ‘inda hâjati ilayhi.

Innaka ‘alâ mâ tashâ’u qadîr wa anta hasbiya wa ni‘m al-wakîl.

{ Oh Allah! I entrust You with what I have read and I have studied. (Oh Allah!) Bring it back to me when I am in need of it. (Oh Allah!) You do whatever You wish, and You are my Availer and Protector and the best of aid. }

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Du`aa’ While Studying Something Difficult

 . َاللَّهُمَّ لاَ سَهْلَ إِلاَّ مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلاً وَ أَنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الْحَزَنَ إِذَا شِئْتَ سَهْلاً

Allâhumma lâ sahla illâ mâ ja‘altahu sahlâ wa anta taj‘alu al-hazana idhâ shi’ta sahlâ.

{Oh Allah! Nothing is easy except what You have made easy. If You wish, You can make the difficult easy.}

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Du`aa’ for Anxiety

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَ الْحَزَنِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ العَجْزِ وَ الْكَسَلِ

وَ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَ الْبُخْلِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ و قَهْرِ الرجال

Allâhumma innî a‘ûdhu bika min al-hammi wa al-hazan. Wa a‘ûdhu bika min al-‘ajzi wa al-kasal.

Wa a‘ûdhu bika min al-jubni wa al-bukhl. Wa a‘ûdhu bika min ghalabat id-dayni wa qahr ir-rijal.

{Oh Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from helplessness and laziness, from cowardice and stinginess, and from overpowering of debt and from oppression of men.}

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Studying Du`aa’

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How bad is it to masturbate in Islam? Masturbation in Islam (fatwa)

Assalaamu alaykum. Well, to my knowledge, it’s quite bad. However, I am in no position to give you any information in regards to this subject as I am not a scholar or person of excessive knowledge. I don’t want to lead you in the wrong direction so I found a ruling (fatwa) on masturbation that I feel is very well answered. 

1. The fiqh regarding masturbation may be found below.
2. The very meaning of Islam is submission: we submit our bodies, hearts, minds, and souls to Allah Most High, out of thankfulness for the blessing and life-giving light of His religion.
Allah tests our slave hood. Many people have ‘natural’ tendencies and urges towards that which Allah has declared unlawful. This is our test with Allah Most High.
Allah Most High said in the Qur’an,
"And the soul and He who perfected it
And inspired it (with conscience of) what is wrong and right for it.
He is indeed successful who purifies it,
And he is indeed a failure who stunts it.” [Qur’an, 91:9-10] 
The Ruling on Masturbation: Prohibitively Disliked and Sinful
Masturbation is sinful, being prohibitively disliked, because of its many personal and societal ill-effects that are known and recognized in sane traditional societies and by balanced people the world over.
As for modern ‘expert’ opinions that there is ‘nothing wrong with it,’ these are the opinions of the same people who see nothing wrong with fornication, nudity, and most other personal and social depravity.
The early Muslims used to say, “The one who weds his hand is accursed.” (Fath al-Qadir)
Its prohibition was established by Allah Most High’s words, “Those who guard their private parts, except from their spouses…” [Qur’an, 23: 5]
Thus, the general ruling regarding sexual activity is that it is impermissible, except through the particular channel that Allah permitted, out of His tremendous wisdom and mercy for His creation.
The rulings of the Shariah are for the worldly and eternal benefit of humanity, as a manifestation of the tremendous mercy of Allah, for Allah Himself is absolutely free of any need. Rather, it is we who need guidance, to give true joy and illumination to our lives in this world and the next.
So, When Could Masturbation Possibly Be Allowed?
Masturbation is only allowed in the very rare situation where: 

•  if the person did not do this, they genuinely fear that they would fall into actual zina (i.e. unlawful sexual intercourse), because of their uncontrollable desire, and
• they are unable to marry, and
• have taken all reasonable means to lessen their passion (such as fasting, lowering their gaze, avoiding meat and dairy products, avoiding those things that stir their desires, such as bad company, spending unnecessary time outdoors, especially in public places such as shopping malls where there is fitna, avoiding watching tv and surfing the internet, etc).

In such cases, it is not haram because of the principle that, “If there are only two options, but harmful, then one takes the lesser of the two harms to avoid the greater one.”
However, when there are third options, it remains impermissible to take the lesser harm, such as masturbation.
Even when the conditions outlined above are met, it would only not be impermissible to the extent necessary to quieten one’s sexual desire, not for sexual gratification. Otherwise, it would remain sinful. These conditions are extremely rare.
[derived from: Ibn Abidin’s Hashiya, al-Lakhnawi’s Naf` al-Mufti wa’l Sa’il, and al-Nahlawi’s Durar al-Mubaha, Kamal ibn al-Humam’s Fath al-Qadir]
As for fasting: masturbation that leads to ejaculation invalidates the fast.
And Allah knows best.
Sidi Faraz Rabbani

Insh’Allah, I hope the above given answer was able to clear your doubt.

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About Haidh (Menstruation or Period) in Islam for muslim women 

Assalamu Alaikum. I have my Haidh (period) & Im REALLY stressful & nervous about making Ghusl when my period is over cause last time I had OCD/Waswasah so I made Ghusl 3-5 times a day cause I was unsure about the validity of my Ghusl & I questioned my intentions. It drove me crazy & I committed many major sins because of it. What should I do? I don't wanna go through that again..

Walaikum As’salaam sister,
Please kindly note: I’m not a scholar or one with extensive Islamic knowledge so I can only advise you based on the research I’ve found and personal experience. I highly encourage you to further research the matter and seek advice from others  with more reliable Islamic knowledge (i.e. a scholar or imam, etc) than myself. c:
Here are some Hadiths of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam) in regards to your question:

It is related that ‘A’isha (RadiAllahu anha) said, “When one of us had menstruated, she would, when she was clean again, gather up any place on her garment with blood on it, rub it, wash it and sprinkle water on the rest of it. Then she would pray in it.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, #302

It is related that Asma’ bint Abi Bakr (RadiAllahu anha) said, “A woman asked the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam):
'Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam), what do you think a woman should do if menstrual blood gets on her clothes?'
the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam) said:
'If menstrual blood gets onto your clothes, she should gather up the place in her fingers, rub it, and wash it with water and then she can pray in it.'”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, #301

It is related that ‘A’isha (RadiAllahu anha) said, “None of us had more than a single garment and we menstruated while wearing it. When a drop blood fell on it, we would spit on it and scratch it off with our nails.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, #306

It is related that ‘A’isha (RadiAllahu anha) said, “A woman of the Ansar said to the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam):
'How should I do ghusl after menstruation?’
He (SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam) said, ‘Take a piece of perfumed cloth and clean yourself three times.’
Then the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam), became embarrassed and turned his face away.
(Or he said, 'Clean yourself with it.')
I took her and pulled her to one side and explained to her what the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam), meant.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, #309

It is related that ‘A’isha (RadiAllahu anha) said, “the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam), used to recline on my lap while I was menstruating and recite the Qur’an.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, #293

It is related that ‘A’isha (RadiAllahu anha) said, “I used to comb the head of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam), while I was menstruating.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, #291

As per the Hadiths above, if you’ve made ghusul (bath), insha’Allah you are clean and in a state of purity again, as the bleeding will have already stopped when your period is done. :)
I hope I was able to help at least a bit, insha’Allah! :) May Allah (SWT) bless you and your family, Ameen.

Haidh (Menstruation or Period) in Islam for muslim women ?

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Some good deeds that a person can do every day:

1 – Praying in congregation in the mosque

2 – Attending funerals and offering the funeral prayer 

3 – Saying “Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer (There is no god but Allaah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the Dominion, to Him be all praise, and He is able to do all things)” one hundred times each day. 

4 – Upholding the ties of kinship 

5 – Observing voluntary fasts, visiting the sick and giving charity. 

6 – Saying Subhaan Allaah wa bi hamdih (Praise and glory be to Allaah) one hundred times. 

7 – Tasbeeh, tahmeed and takbeer, and enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, and praying Duha. 

8 – Reading Qur’an.

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What is Islam

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

1) “Islam” means “Peace through the submission to God”.  

2) “Muslim” means “anyone or anything that submits itself to the will of God”.

3) Islam is not a cult. Its followers number over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Along with Judaism and Christianity, it is considered to be one of the three Abrahamic traditions.  

4) There are five pillars of practice in Islam. These practices must be undertaken with the best of effort in order to be considered a true Muslim: A) Shahadah - declaration of faith in the oneness of God and that Muhammad is the last prophet of God. B) Formal prayer five times a day. C) Fasting during the daylight hours in the month of Ramadan. D) Poor-due “tax” - 2.5% of one’s savings given to the needy at the end of each year. E) Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once, if physically and financially able.

5) There are six articles of faith in Islam. These are the basic beliefs that one must have in order to be considered a true Muslim. They are belief in: A) the One God. B) all the prophets of God. C) the original scriptures revealed to Prophets Moses, David, Jesus, and Muhammad. D) the angels. E) the Day of Judgment and the Hereafter. F) the divine decree (or destiny).

6) Islam is a complete way of life that governs all facets of life: moral, spiritual, social, political, economical, intellectual, etc.

7) Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. To become Muslim, a person of any race or culture must say a simple statement, the shahadah, that bears witness to the belief in the One God and that Prophet Muhammad was the last prophet of God.

8) “Allah” is an Arabic word that means “God”. Muslims also believe that “Allah” is the personal name of God.

9) Allah is not the God of Muslims only. He is the God of all people and all creation. Just because people refer to God using different terms does not mean that they are different gods. Spanish people refer to God as “Dios” and French people refer to God as “Dieu”, yet they are all the same God. Interestingly, most Arab Jews and Arab Christians refer to God as “Allah”. And the word Allah in Arabic appears on the walls of many Arab churches. 

10) The Islamic concept of God is that He is loving, merciful, and compassionate. But Islam also teaches that He is just and swift in punishment. Nevertheless, Allah once said to Prophet Muhammad, “My mercy prevails over my wrath.” Islam teaches a balance between fear and hope, protecting one from both complacency and despair.

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What is Islam ( 8 points )

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Lowering your Gaze-Practical steps

Bismillah, Sometimes, as a Muslim youth in America, going through high school and college while keeping your emaan can be really difficult. I want you to recall back to the last time you were in one of the following situations: 

You were walking on campus (or in the hallway) on a hot summer day and as you looked ahead to see where you were going, your eyes fell upon a half-naked beautiful woman (or man).
Or when you were reading an Islamic article or just browsing the Internet at night and a nasty popup appeared right in front of your eyes.

At that very moment, did you immediately lower your gaze and say “astagfirullah” / “audhobillahi minnash shaytaanir rajeem”? If you did, then alhumdulillah! But if at that very moment you struggled to lower your gaze and/or didn’t feel anything in your heart telling you that you shouldn’t be looking at what you’re looking at, then you should continue reading this article…

Wallahi, lowering your gaze as a young Muslim is very difficult, especially since you have immodesty, pornography, and such lewdness running rampant in this society. We have cable television (channels such as MTV, E!, and even the Disney channel!) openly promoting this type of behavior. Even the most popular video game out right now (GTA 4) is all about money, girls, cussing, and boosting (stealing) cars! (Ya Allah…) When our hearts aren’t affected by this type of behavior, and we wonder why it’s so hard to lower our gaze, we should realize that the root of the problem isn’t our gaze, that’s just a symptom, but the root of our problem is that our hearts aren’t lowered in front of Allah (swt). And the way to lower your heart in front of Allah (swt) is by developing a strong connection with him through some of the suggestions that will be discussed below. When we develop a connection with Allah (swt), we will find that our limbs (including eyes) will automatically reject anything that displeases Allah (swt).

Let us now take a look at some of the things we can do to get closer to Allah (swt). Here is a list of some practical suggestions, which will later be expounded upon individually:

Work on performing (and perfecting) all of the obligatory acts of worship (praying 5 times a day, etc.).

Develop a relationship with the Qur’an.
Increase in the voluntary acts of worship.
Hang out and spend time with good brothers/sisters!

Obligatory acts

Aboo Hurayrah (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anho) narrated that the Prophet (sw), said, “Allaah said: My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties [obligatory acts] I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask (something) of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it.” (Bukhari; hadith qudsi)

Subhannallah! Allah is telling us, straight up, that the best way to get close to Him is by doing what He has ordered us to do. Let’s set some practical goals for ourselves with regards to our salah (prayer). Working towards praying five times a day is the best thing we can do for ourselves (if we don’t already do it). Allah (swt) has told us that he is with us if we pray!
Relationship with the Qur’an
I want us to ask ourselves this question: When was the last time we actually sat down with the Qur’an, read it in a language we understand, and pondered over the meaning? For many of us, we feel that the Qur’an is too good for us to read and that we won’t be able to understand it, so we keep it off on top of our bookshelves and let it catch dust. Or, when we do decide to read it, we only recite the Arabic and have no clue about the meaning. The Qur’an was sent down for people to think about and follow (the orders in it). How can we do that if we have no idea what it’s actually telling us to do (since we don’t understand the language)?

I can safely say that the Qur’an has had the biggest impact on my life in going back to Allah. If we don’t already read the Qur’an daily, we would be doing ourselves the biggest favor by buying an English translation of the Qur’an and getting in the habit of reading it daily. One of the best (easiest to read) translations I’ve found is the Saheeh International translation of the Qur’an. For less than $10, you can have it shipped to your house.

After you get your copy of the Qur’an, you can simply read it cover-to-cover, fifteen minutes a day. However, something that really helped me get in the habit of reading the Qur’an was that the first time around when you read the translation of the Qur’an, start from Surah 49 (second half of the Qur’an) and read it till the end. The reason is that the first half of the Qur’an (Medinan Surahs) is heavy in verses relating to law and sometimes it gets hard to read. When you start from Surah 49, the surahs are relatively short (2-3 pages long), and they are an amazing emaan booster, so you can set a goal to read one surah a day.

Increasing in voluntary acts of worship
The most important goal that we need to set for ourselves right now is to start praying (and yes, fajr is part of the five daily prayers too!). But after we are consistently praying five times a day, we should increase the voluntary acts. If you recall back to the aforementioned hadith, after Allah (swt) mentions that the most important step in going back to Allah is by performing the obligatory acts, He says: “…and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory (extra) works so that I shall love him.”
We can start off by performing the sunnah prayers before/after each of the five daily prayers. (See Sunnah (Optional) Prayers). We should also make an effort to remember Allah (swt) throughout the day, by making the du’as that the Prophet (sw) would make daily. A must-have pocket-sized book, which has the English translations of the du’as, along with the Arabic, is Fortification of the Muslim. You can order it online or buy it at your local Islamic bookstore (it’s only $3.00!).

Spending time with good brothers/sisters
If you feel like you’re having a really hard time trying to strengthen your emaan, look at the three closest people that you hang out with. I read an interesting article a while ago, which said that your habits are the same as the culmination of 3 or 5 of your closest friends’ habits. Seriously though, how do you plan on getting close to Allah (swt) when you’re hanging out with Mo(hammed) or Fatty(Fatima) who has a boyfriend/girlfriend and is constantly influencing you towards things that displease Allah? Find a good group of friends who will keep you in check when you start slipping.

Some ahadith (sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him)) relating to the company one keeps:
“You will be with those you love.” (Bukhari)
“A man’s religion is that of his friends, so let each of you consider whom you befriend.” (Abu Dawud)
And one of my favorite ahadith: “A virtuous companion is like the merchant of musk (perfume). Either he will offer you some, you will buy it from him, or you will find him pleasant to smell. But an evil companion is like the bellows-blower, either he will scorch your clothes or you will receive a rotten smell from him.” (Bukari and Muslim)

Action items:
Start praying five times a day!
Read one page (or one short surah) a day of Qur’an in the language that you understand. If you don’t have an English translation, order it online.

Stop hanging out with friends who are a bad influence on you (and don’t lie to yourself and pretend like they’re not!). Wallahi, I know it’s very hard to stop hanging out with people you have become close friends with, but remember, “All friends will be enemies of one another on that Day (Day of Judgment) except those of the virtuous.” (al-Qur’an 43:67)
Finally, beg Allah, make dua, and ask him to allow you to get close to Him and to guide you to the straight path.
Ya Allah, please forgive us of our sins, guide us to the straight path, and allow us to lower our heart (and our gaze) in modesty. O Allah, please save us from the punishment of the grave and the Hell-Fire. Ameen.

Muslims behavior relationships Women In Islam

How to low your Gaze - Practical steps

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7 TIPS HOW TO STAY UP AFTER FAJR

Nothing kills productivity like waking up at 10am to start your day, or waking up with just enough time to sloppily get dressed and race to work, arriving frantically and foggy-brained. You try to get through your To-Do List but before you know it, it is time for dinner, and then Isha prayer, and you are feeling quite unaccomplished. The problem is that you had a good 2-5 hours during which you could have achieved maximized productivity, but you slept through it! okay, I admit I  did this during looooong hols

What time am I talking about? The time right after Fajr prayers. It is a blessed time that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) made dua for, He said: “O Allah, bless my Ummah in its early hours”. *terharu, sobs*

Here are 7 ways to help you stay up after Fajr to become a beneficiary of blessings and success insha’Allah:

1. Go to bed early and rest

After the Isha prayer, the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) would not like to engage in unnecessary talk and would take to his house to go to sleep. This is the similar life-style for many communities where electricity has not created a false sense of daylight. Societies that maintain going down with the sun inevitably rise with the sun, making the most of their morning to do ‘ibaadah or secure their livelihood. If you need to fit in more sleep, try taking a nap before or after Zhuhr. Enough with late night movies & all, people! 

2. Untie your three knots ”During your sleep, Satan knots three knots at the back of the head of each of you, and he breathes the following words at each knot, ‘The night is, long, so keep on sleeping,’ If that person wakes up and celebrates the praises of Allah, then one knot is undone, and when he performs ablution the second knot is undone, and when he prays, all the knots are undone, and he gets up in the morning lively and in a good mood, otherwise he gets up dull and gloomy. ” (Bukhari) 

It is not a surprise that Shaitan is trying to prevent us from the worship of Allah and prevent us from a productive morning. However, Alhamdulillah, we were given the prescription to combat his whispering:  

a. Celebrate the praises of Allah by saying:

Alhamdulillahi allathee ahyaanaa ba’da maa amaatanaa wa ilayhin nushoor.
‘All praise and thanks is for Allaah who gave us life after having taken it from us and unto Him is the Resurrection.‘ 

b. Perform ablution

c. Pray Then after you have prayed, do not allow yourself to get back into bed. Perhaps splashing your face with cold water, having a bite to eat, or drinking some water or fruit juice will help brush off any drowsiness.

3. Perform the prescribed dhikr after Fajr

If you still have the urge to jump back into your warm comfy bed after Fajr, remember that the best extension of the prayer is the dhikr that you perform afterwards.

”The angels keep on asking Allah’s forgiveness for anyone of you, as long as he is at his Musalla (praying place) and he does not pass wind (Hadath). They say, ‘O Allah! Forgive him, O Allah! be Merciful to him.” (Bukhari)

Plus, the longer you stay up, the less likely you will go back to sleep (and the less likely you will be able to fall asleep). Can’t agree more right! So, let’s read Ma’thuurat together so that your sleepy head gets refreshed :D

4. Aim to pray Duha

Duha prayer is an extra voluntary prayer you can pray approximately 20 minutes after sunrise until 45 minutes before Zhuhr prayer.

In the morning charity is due from every bone in the body of every one of you. Every utterance of Allah’s glorification is an act of charity (Subhan Allah). Every utterance of praise of Him is an act of charity (Alhamdulillah), every utterance of profession of His Oneness is an act of charity (Laa ilaha ill Allah), every utterance of profession of His Greatness is an act of charity (Allahu Akbar), enjoining good is an act of charity, forbidding what is distreputable is an act of charity, and two rak’ahs which one prays in the forenoon will suffice. [Muslim]

Who wouldn’t want that reward?

By the time it is allowed to pray Salat-ul-Duha, you will be more awake and will have already completed your morning dhikr

5. Recite/reflect/memorize Quran

After Fajr prayer is an amazing time to be alone with the Quran. Before the day’s distractions set you off course, use this time to recite, reflect and memorize The Quran. If you are like me, if I do not read my daily dose of the Quran in the morning, I find it incredibly difficult to sit after work or at the end of the day to try to get some quality time with the Quran. Believe me, you will feel the benefit when you start your day remembering Allah.

Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur’an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.(17:78)

6. Exercise

An early morning walk or stretches will get your blood moving and you will find that you have the energy to stay up and make the most of your day insha’Allah.

7. Have a list of tasks ready

Has this ever happened to you? You are awake, bright and early, feeling particularly productive. You look around…and you begin to ask yourself what to do. If you do not have a plan for your morning, then you will inevitably waste time wandering and half-completing tasks. Use the morning wisely by writing your To-Do List first thing after Salat-ul-Duha, or even better, the night before. Aim to complete 3-5 tasks before you set off to work or school.

You will energized and fantastic having recited Quran, remembered Allah (dhikr), performed an extra prayer, and knocked off items from your To-Do List…all before you go to school or work! And you will still have the whole day ahead of you insha’Allah.

O Allah, help us benefit from the beautiful morning hours. Ameen.

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7 TIPS HOW TO STAY UP AFTER FAJR

Mohamed 0

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