Glorifying Allah while cooking

True story

Translated By: IslamWay Team

I will not keep it a secret that I am not the one of cooking fans, as I used to consider it as a waste of time and effort.

When I got engaged, I discovered that my mother in law is one of those who spend most of their life time at the kitchen, moreover she loves to give variety to new kinds of food from time to time using different kinds of Arabic and western cooking books.

This matter – of course – used to make me worry because

I thought that my fiancé, after marriage, would compare between my cooking and his mother’s. So when we have finished with all marriage arrangements and the marriage date was determined, my fiancé noticed that I was delaying the wedding and every time I used to invent a different excuse so finally he came and asked me “you are delaying the marriage for a reason I do not know, what is it?” then I felt the matter is being discovered and I do not have anything to do but saying the truth, so I said “ frankly, I hate kitchen!” then he laughed in astonishment and told me “anyway I like simple kinds of food and also I do not mind if I eat the same kind of each two days ” these words calmed me down and I did not delay the marriage any more, on the contrary after I got married I started feeling responsible for the house and all its matters which include the kitchen! So I told myself “you have to do your best in the kitchen even if your husband likes simple kinds of food”.

At the first day I entered my kitchen for cooking I asked God for help and trust on Him then I pleaded Him that my food would not come to be much less that of my mother in law. Then I started to cook and during that time I remembered--with God’s help-- some words of one of our sisters who was giving us lessons at the mosque during Ramadan and she said – God Rewards her—“the Arabian woman spends most of her life time at the kitchen, especially in Ramadan, which wastes much of this great month. Ramadan is like a scent flying away easily! So do not miss it in the kitchen and such kind of works, and if though why do not you mention God while at the kitchen? Has anyone of you tried to cook while she is glorifying Allah?!”

I felt I need to do that, not to take the opportunity of Ramadan—because we were in other month which I do not remember now—but for the hope that God Will Make my food tastes good!!

And I decided to start with saying God’s name before each step; starting with turning the fire on , passing through putting butter, then onion and garlic , then tomato and ending with turning the fire off.

The second time I asked myself why do not I say Surat Al-Ikhlas (the loyalty), after mentioning God’s name, during each step? I love this Surat very much, it is short and there are a lot of rewards with saying it too!!

So I have started doing that with God’s help and then, subsequently, God led me to glorify Him while the food is being cooked and during washing the dishes or cleaning the kitchen.

My husband’s reaction was to praise my food to the extent that he said my food has been better than his mother’s! —And of course I did not believe him then—because I am not the one who would pay much attention for the taste of food as long as it is fitting for eating and the salt is not too much, and I thought him saying that as a compliment, after all I was still new bride and such compliments are very normal. But I have noticed that he is repeating such words very often and this made me so happy but I never believed him and thought it is just encouraging from him especially when I discovered that he is one of the greatest fans when it comes to well cooked food , moreover he pays much attention to the way each kind of food is cooked, and thus he told me before marriage turned out to be encouragement , nothing more!!!

When I used to invite my mother in law to spend few days with us she used also to praise my food and I thought she was making a compliment as well. I have noticed that she used to spend her time with me at the kitchen while I was pleading her to have rest at the living room however she used to refuse. Because we were chatting with each other—I did not notice that she was watching my cooking till she asked me once about the method of cooking a certain kind of food and when I mentioned it she was surprised but I did not understand why till she called me once, after months from my marriage, to tell me “I adjure you to tell me the secret of your food taste” so I asked her if she is joking but she swore that she was not!!!

This was a surprise for me and I started thinking deeply to find out the reason but I could not find any but mentioning God’s name and surat Al-Ikhlas and sometimes glorifying God so I told her: “do you want the truth?” she said “sure” then I told her the aforementioned , she was surprised but she seemed as if she did not believe me, I noticed the next time she visited us that she was watching me while cooking to make sure of what I had told her!! And when she believed she told me that she “is doing the same thing now” and that she started noticing a progress in her food taste too!!!.

The funny thing about this matter is that I do not hate cooking or spending time at the kitchen anymore, especially when I play a cassette there; in the kitchen, to listen to Quran and different kinds of religious lessons. Subsequently the time I am spending at the kitchen has become amusement and I do not feel the pass of time except after finishing with everything.

Not only that but also—with God’s help—I am not confined to cook just the ordinary dishes but also baking foods like cake, pizza, and sometimes making jars and pickles to the extent that my friends and relatives did not believe that when they knew!!!

Glory to Allah that mentioning Him has secrets we do not know, but such ignorance dose not prevent us the amazement of such secrets. So Glory to you God how great you are!!!!

Source: Saaid.net

For beautiful hair

Source : I got it covered.org

To most sisters, hair is a big deal. Whether it’s feeling unglamorous in the morning because your hair is mashed and tussled, or feeling elegant and ladylike on the rare occasions you get your hair all done up; whether it’s the meltdown at the site of split ends, or the happiness at a new style or haircut – whatever it is, women worry and care about their hair. That’s why when I noticed a change in the state of my hair a few months after beginning to wear the hijab, it really depressed me. My hairs weren’t as shiny, silky, or smooth as before (perhaps from being tied in a bun and covered every single day), and it was finally when I saw them getting weaker and more brittle that I complained to my mom in a state of total despair.

I was so upset that day, and as I held a few strands of hair in front of my eyes and pouted, I said to my mom, “My hair has gotten so bad; it used to be so much healthier before! Sometimes… sometimes… sometimes I wish I didn’t have to wear the hijab!”

I had done it. I had let Shaitaan win against me in this internal battle I had been having for the past few days. I had succumbed to weakness and had expressed anger at something that was supposed to be a blessing from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala for all believing women.

My mother looked at me, and I could see that she was disappointed in my words. Then she said something that would be etched into my mind forever; something that I remember to this day, four years later, as clearly as I might have heard her say it yesterday.

After a moment of silence where guilt slowly overcame me, my mother said, “Wouldn’t you rather have beautiful hair in jannah?”

Those few words held so much weight, and hearing them was like a shockwave of realization that spread across me. Of course I wanted beautiful hair in jannah! Of course I would give up everything in this world simply to be in jannah! Of course the temporary lackluster state of my hair did not matter if I would get an eternal lifetime of gorgeous, lustrous, (and I mean this quite literally) heavenly hair in jannah!

Surprisingly, I never complained about my hair ever again. Her words stuck with me and continue to remind me that tests from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala come in many forms, some big and some small, and the best thing to do is to remain steadfast in faith and seek everlasting reward for the life that comes after this one. Will yourself to do anything for the sake of Allah, ‘azza wa jal.

So instead of wasting my time moping and complaining about something that was just a minor consequence of a greater deed, I decided to invest my time in finding tips that would make my hair better. Through the years, I have collected a few, some that are spiritual and some that are homemade and through products, and am going to share them here so that they can benefit anyone seeking them!

– First and foremost, dispel any negative thoughts that you may have about the hijab, regardless of whether you wear it or not. Allah ta’ala says in the Quran, “O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy” (2:208). Those negative thoughts are brewing simply because of the whisperings of Shaitaan, and so to love wearing hijab for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, you must love it in its entirety.

– I have recently started a habit of making a regular, personal du’aa to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala about my hair. I say, “Ya Rabb, give me beautiful hair,” among other things. You will notice a miraculous difference in your hair after a few days, insha’Allah.

– If you take vitamins (which you should!). Fish Oil pills are good at strengthening the hair.

– When you are at home, or are not in the company of non-mahrams, leave your hair open! Do not tie it back or even clip it, simply so that your hair can “breathe” as it is covered most of the time.

– Change the part of your hair often (if you part it), or brush it opposite to the side you usually do. If that means having to tilt your head forwards and brush your hair upside down, do it! Hair flattens since it is kept right-side-up all the time, so changing it up a bit allows the hairs to move around into positions they are normally not in. (On another note, do not brush your hair too much! This strips it of its natural oils and makes the hairs more dry and brittle. Try brushing your hair just once, lightly through the ends, after showering).

– Hair care experts say that you should technically shampoo your hair only once a week, since shampoo is too harsh to be used every day! If your hair can’t handle that (mine certainly can’t!), shampoo every other day (or every two days) and only use a quarter-sized amount of shampoo and a dime-sized amount of conditioner.

– Make a paste of egg yolk (not egg whites) and pure yogurt. Massage it into your hair, focusing more on the dry ends. Leave it in for half an hour and then shower. Your hair will be noticeably softer after just one use! Do this once a week or every two weeks. (If you don’t want to waste the extracted egg whites from this, whip the egg whites in a small bowl and apply a layer onto your face for fifteen minutes. You will feel your skin tighten, which helps prevent wrinkles and makes pores appear smaller).

– Apply about 1 cup of organic mayonnaise to your dry hair and massage it into your scalp. Leave it in for twenty minutes before shampooing. This will make your hair super soft!

– Apply Extra Virgin Olive Oil into your hair and thoroughly massage it into the roots. Leave it in all night and wash it out in the morning. To prevent oil stains, cover your pillowcase with a towel. Doing this keeps the hair shiny and prevents dandruff.

(On an interesting note, Saied al-Ansari narrated that the Prophet Muhammad salla Allahu alayhi wasallam would say: “Eat olive oil and massage it over your bodies since it is from a blessed tree.” [at-Tirmidhi and ibn Majah; al-Albani classed it as Sahih]. )

– And finally, I don’t use any hair products except one, which is the only one to make a noticeable difference in my hair. John Freida’s Frizz Ease is really good at minimizing frizz and making your hair silky, and you can find it at any retailer (like Wal-Mart, Target, or Shoppers Drug Mart) for under $10. Apply a dime-sized amount into towel-dried hair after every shower, and brush your hair with your fingers from roots to ends.

All this tips are tried, tested, and true! Alhumdulillah, I have not had a split-end in my hair for two years and counting, so they are definitely good ones to test.

Lastly, remember that when we do something for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, He will reward us in ways that we cannot imagine (insha’Allah). So if you are contemplating wearing the hijab, or are already wearing it, do not let Shaitaan get to you and only keep what should be your main goal in mind: jannah – with beautiful hair and all!

How shud a women in Islam conduct herself

Respected scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. Please enlighten us – according to Islam – on how we, Muslim women, should conduct ourselves especially when getting out. Can we go out to fulfill our needs? If so, how should our behavior and dress be? Jazakum Allah khayran

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Dear sister in Islam, we commend your keenness on getting your self well-acquainted with Islam and its teachings, which is the way Allah has chosen for the welfare of His servants.

Islam does not prohibit women from going out to fulfill their needs but it lays down a proper code of behavior, which is primarily intended to safeguard the modesty, dignity and honor of men and women. Allah, the Creator of humans, knows our nature better than ourselves, and thus He has prescribed appropriate rules of behavior and appearance to be observed when men and women interact with one another in a social milieu. These rules of interaction also include a prescription for modesty in dress, talk and walk, etc.

In his well-known book, The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam, Sheik Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, states:


The correct Islamic behavior required of Muslim women which keeps them from wantonly displaying their attractions is characterized by the following:

1- Lowering the gaze: Indeed, the most precious ornament of a woman is modesty, and the best expression of modesty is in the lowering of the gaze, as Almighty Allah says, [...And tell the believing women that they should lower their gazes...] (An-Nur 24: 31)

2- Not intermingling with men in such a way that their bodies come in contact or that men touch women, as happens so often today in the movies, theaters, university classrooms, auditoriums, buses, streetcars, and the like. Ma`qal ibn Yasar narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “It is better for one of you to be pricked in the head with an iron pick than to touch a woman whom it is unlawful to touch.” (Reported by at-Tabarani and al-Bayhaqi)

3- Her clothing must conform to the standards laid down by the Islamic Shari`ah, which are as follows:

a) Her dress must cover her entire body with the exception of [that which is apparent] (An-Nur 24: 31) which, according to the most preferable interpretation, refers to the face and hands.

b) It must not be transparent, revealing what is underneath it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has informed us that, “Among the dwellers of hell are such women as are clothed yet naked, seducing and being seduced. These shall not enter the Garden, nor shall (even) its fragrance reach them.” Here, the meaning of “clothed yet naked” is that their light, thin, transparent garments do not conceal what is underneath. Once some women of Bani Tamim, who were clad in transparent clothes, came to see `A’ishah, and she remarked, “If you are Believers, these are not the clothes which befit believing women.” On another occasion, when a bride wearing a sheer and transparent head-covering was brought into her presence, she commented, “A woman who dresses like this does not believe in surat an-Nur.” (This is surah 24, which together with surah 33 (al-Ahzab) contains many injunctions concerning purity and propriety, man-woman relations, and dress.)

c) Her dress must not be too tight so as to define the parts of her body, especially its curves, even though it may not be transparent. This describes many of the styles of clothing current in the sensuous, materialistic civilization of the Western world, whose fashion designers compete with one another in devising clothing for women which tantalizingly emphasizes the bustline, waist, and hips, etc., in order to elicit the lustful admiration of men. Women who wear such clothes likewise fall under the definition of “clothed yet naked”, since such a dress is often more provocative than one which is transparent.

d) She must not wear clothes which are specifically for men, such as trousers in our time. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed women who try to resemble men and men who resemble women, and prohibited women from wearing men’s clothing and vice-versa.

e) In her choice of clothing she should not imitate non-Muslims, whether they are Jews, Christians, or pagans, for Islam disapproves of conformity to non-Islamic modes and desires its followers to develop their own distinctive characteristics in appearance, as well as in beliefs and attitudes. This is why Muslims have been asked to be different from non-Muslims in many aspects, and why the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has said, “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

4- The Muslim woman walks and talks in a dignified and business-like manner, avoiding flirtatiousness in her facial expressions and movements. Flirting and seductive behavior are characteristics of wrong-minded women, not of Muslims. Allah Almighty says: [Then do not be too pleasant of speech, lest one in whose heart there is a disease should feel desire (for you)...] (Al-Ahzab 33: 32)

5- She does not draw men’s attention to her concealed adornment by the use of perfume or by jingling or toying with her ornaments or other such things. Allah says: [They should not strike their feet in order to make known what they hide of their adornment...] (An-Nur 24: 31)

The women of the time of jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic period) used to stamp their feet when they passed by men so that the jingling of their ankle-bracelets might be heard. The Qur’an forbade this, both because it might tempt a lecherous man to pursue her and also because it demonstrates the evil intention of the woman in attempting to draw the attention of men to herself. Similar is the Islamic ruling concerning the use of fragrant perfumes, since here again the intention is to attract men by exciting their desire. A hadith states, “The woman who perfumes herself and passes through a gathering is an adulteress.” (Reported by Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi) This hadith has also been reported by an-Nasa’i, Ibn Khuzaymah, and Ibn Hibban in the following words: “Any woman who perfumes herself and passes by a group of people so that her scent reaches them is an adulteress.” Al-Hakim also reported this hadith and said that it has sound transmitters.

From all this we know that Islam does not require, as some people claim, that a woman should remain confined to her house until death takes her out to her grave. On the contrary, she may go out for prayer, for her studies, and for her other lawful needs, both religious and secular, as was customary among the women of the families of the Companions and the women of later generations. Moreover, this early period of Islam is considered by all Muslims to be the best and most exemplary period in the history of Islam. Among the women of this time were those who took part in battles in the company of the Prophet himself (peace and blessings be upon him), and after that under the caliphs and their commanders. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) told his wife Sawdah, “Allah has permitted you to go out for your needs.” (Reported by al-Bukhari) He also said, “If someone’s wife asks his permission to go to the mosque, he should not deny it to her.” (Reported by al-Bukhari) On another occasion he said, “Do not prevent the bond-maids of Allah from (going to) Allah’s mosques.” (Reported by Muslim.)

Some very strict scholars are of the opinion that a woman is not allowed to see any part of a man who is not her mahram (unmarriageable relative). They base their ruling on a hadith reported by at-Tirmidhi on the authority of Nabhan, the slave of Umm Salmah, that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told Umm Salmah and Maymunah, his wives, to veil themselves when Ibn Umm Maktum entered. “But he is blind,” they said. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, “Are you blind, too? Do you not see him?”

However, researchers say that the manner in which this hadith has been transmitted renders it unsound. While the narrator here is Umm Salmah, the transmitter is her slave Nabhan, who had no concern with the incident nor any need to report it. Even if the hadith is sound, it simply shows that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was very strict in respect to his wives because their exceptional status required greater modesty on their part; Abu Dawud and other great scholars have commented on this exceptional position of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In any case, the significance of the following well-established and sound hadith remains uncontested: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed Fatimah bint Qays to spend the required period of confinement (`iddah or waiting period) following the death of her husband at the house of Umm Sharik. But he later changed his mind, saying, “My Companions gather in her house. Go and stay with Ibn Umm Maktum, since he is a blind man. If you uncover yourself he will not see you.” (Tafsir al-Qurtabi, vol. 11, p. 228.)

Source : Islamonline

A letter to a daughter

As Salamu Alaikum wa rahmatullah

I wish every sister-in-Islam {esp youth} do read this letter.

In the name of Allah. All praise to Allah. Peace and blessings on the Messenger of Allah.

As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

My dearest daughter,

I choose to send you this letter rather than speak to you because I know you love to receive and reread my e-mails. I am concerned about what I see developing in you and in many of the youth of your generation. This is why I am asking Allah to guide me as I offer you my advice in the following matters.

You should refrain from spending so much of your time on the computer playing silly games and listening to un-Islamic music. They corrupt the heart and soul. They occupy precious space in the mind that should be used for deep thought and contemplation on life and the real issues that affect you as a Muslim.

"Allah says: Son of Adam: Fill your time with My worship and I will fill your heart with richness, and end your poverty. But if you do not, I would make your hands completely busy (in worldly affairs) and I would not end your poverty."(At-Tirmidhi; confirmed to be a strong hadith)

Sheikh Ibn Al-Qayyim once wrote:

Our purpose of existence on earth is more meaningful than being slaves to worldly gains. There can be no meaningful life better than that prescribed by our Creator Allah. Every act done according to Allah's way is an act of worship.

You should also spend time browsing the fatwa databases. The databases contain Islamic rulings and advice from authentic Islamic scholars on issues that come up in the everyday life of Muslims. It is useful because we need to learn the Islamic perspective on these issues according to the Shari`ah. As Muslims, we can seek the advice of scholars on these matters, and this is the only way we can know how to best handle them. In doing so and by acting upon these rulings, we make sincere efforts to guard ourselves from sins and innovations that lead to the Fire.

But always remember that extremism in deen is not the way of Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). The believer who takes Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as an example for living life takes the middle path. As you study and learn new things, you must also beware of arrogance. What you gain in knowledge is not for show. It is not to be used for making a person look or feel less religious or pious than someone else.

Knowledge gained should bring us closer to Allah Most High, for all knowledge has its beginning with Him. Any knowledge that takes you away from the remembrance of Allah Most High is useless knowledge. It is like a ball and chain that you drag along behind you. It's "dead weight" that has no real benefit other than to slow you down and keep you distracted. It's like eating a candy bar. Surely it has some tasty significance, but it weighs you down with calories and has no nutrition. Worse yet, it takes up resources that could be put to better use learning useful knowledge.

I worry about you because you are in the stage of your development where you sometimes neglect doing what you know is right out of fear of how your peers may respond towards you. Never allow the fear of what others may say or think about you sway you from either acquiring knowledge or putting into action what you have previously learned. Fear Allah alone and He will make things right for you in the long run.

[And whoever is careful of (his duty to) Allah, He will make for him an outlet, and give him sustenance from whence he thinks not; and whoever trusts in Allah, He is sufficient for him; surely Allah attains His purpose; Allah indeed has appointed a measure for everything] (At-Talaq 65:2-3)

[If Allah assists you, then there is none that can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there then that can assist you after Him? And on Allah should the believers rely.] (Aal `Imran 3:160)

Remember what I was saying earlier regarding your inability to concentrate, focus, and think through your science homework problem to its logical conclusion? Your brain is like a hard drive in a computer. The computer can get so overrun with useless files that when it's called on to handle a complex command, it gets bogged down. In its greediness for collecting useless information and storing it, the computer has misplaced bits of the most essential files in different spaces on the hard drive. These bits need to come together to handle the complex command and allow the computer to function efficiently. The solution is to first get rid of the useless files and then to clean up the hard drive that contains these bits of useful information that are so scattered that they have become fragmented. This is what happens to our minds and hearts. They become overrun with so much useless information (like silly games, un-Islamic songs, ghaybah (backbiting), idle talk, television, and video games) that they need to be purified and de-fragmented.

I've watched how quickly you pick up on things. That's why I'm confident that if you truly understood the motivation of those who promote and distribute the songs that your generation listens to, the television and movies that they watch, the clothes that they wear, the fads and trends that they follow, and the games that they play, you would easily be able to discern that the motivation is not just to make lots of money. The intentions of these corporations and the people who run them are far more sinister.

Back in the year 1897, a secret document was uncovered. This document was like a blueprint for physically and mentally enslaving masses of people. The author of this document is without a doubt a treacherous enemy of Allah Most High, as well as an enemy to the entire human family. In one section of the document, which is still on display today in the British Museum, it states:

We further distract them with amusements, games, pastimes, passions, people's palaces. … Soon we shall begin through the press to propose competitions in art, in sport in all kinds: these interests will finally distract their minds from questions in which we should find ourselves compelled to oppose them. Growing more and more unaccustomed to reflect and form any opinions of their own, people will begin to talk in the same tone as we because we alone shall be offering them new directions for thought ... of course through such persons as will not be suspected of solidarity with us.

In sha' Allah, in just a few more days we will be in the year 2006. Let's take apart the above quote and examine it with today's context in mind. We will discover just how much Allah's enemy has progressed in hoodwinking and enslaving so many of us since this document first surfaced over 100 years ago!

"We further distract them with amusements, games, pastimes, passions, people's palaces."


The amusement industry today, which includes the entertainment industry, is so huge that it could easily purchase half of the countries in the world. The misogynists'self-gratifying anthems of the day have become "you only live once ... live life to the fullest," without any regard for the hereafter and the consequences of unchecked passions.

Haven't we come a long way with this fixation with royalty, Life Styles of the Rich & Famous, and MTV Cribs? Gullible youth are foolish to marvel at rappers and hip-hoppers making videos in palaces that they don't even live in and cars that they don't drive. It's all a fake, a facade of smoke screens and mirrors-one big lie.

In fact, nearly everything about this pop, hip-hop, and rock culture is fake-fake hair, fake nails, fake body implants, fake teeth, fake eye colors, and fake symbols of wealth-like designer labels on clothes, shoes, and accessories that were made for pennies on the dollar in nameless sweat shops, with child labor or in slave "welfare" camps scattered across scores of poor, underdeveloped nations. The desperate people of these nations are being blackmailed and pimped by the International Money Fund-forced to work under unbearable conditions to produce the kinds of material goods that are ultimately transformed into icons of status here in the West simply by merit of having a designer label sewn on and a hefty price tag affixed.

All of these fakes serve to fulfill the insatiable desires and passions of the heedless consumers. These are the kind of people who neglect the remembrance of Allah and the grave, while at the same time they crave instant gratification as offered by a world that is only temporary-a mere second of gratification compared to what potentially awaits them in the hereafter. Like the swine pushing for its place at the hog trough. The hail and rain pelt its back. The thunderstorm clouds loom above. It takes no notice of this; it heeds not the signs and warnings of the approaching danger. It is consumed by its passion for the trinkets of this life.

The gaming industry spends millions of dollars on just one aspect of gaming-how to employ technology to blur the line between games and reality. The realism in video games, especially the titles that are most popular among the youth, is so close to reality that it has produced a generation that is now numb to the blood, gore, and dismembered bodies of war. Is there any wonder why there is such little uproar from the youth at the news of bodies being blown to bits by laser-guided "smart" bombs? We have a generation of couch potatoes who spend hours pushing buttons and blowing people away in these make-believe video game worlds, but who won't lift a finger to fight in jihad or even raise a voice in protest when their own people are being massacred and disgraced in the real world. But then, isn't that the whole purpose? The document's author reveals the purpose as he declares

"These interests will finally distract their minds from questions ... growing more and more unaccustomed to reflect and form any opinions of their own."

No probing questions, no serious concerns, no opinions on anything-just give him his Xbox; his Play-station; his iPod; his gas-guzzling sports utility vehicle; his 22-inch rims; his season tickets; his lottery tickets; his second and third mortgage; his purple pill; his blue pill; his drugs; his beer, wine, and liquor; his Starbucks latte; his flat screen TV; his dish with 150 channels; and his remote control-and then he'll have no inclination for deep contemplation or reflection on the prevailing issues of the day and what his role is as a Muslim and member of society. Finally, with his subjects spiritually defeated and deeply indebted to his master plan, the enemy of Allah boasts

"People will begin to talk in the same tone as we because we alone shall be offering them new directions for thought."

We have those who call themselves "free Muslims" who regularly appear alongside neo-fascist talking heads on the neoconservative networks like Fox News, speaking with Muslim names but in the same tone as those who set themselves up as rivals against Allah. Are these folk "free Muslims" because the rest of us are not? Or are they free because they don't get arrested based on secret evidence, and detained for years without ever being charged? Or is it simply because they're careful to say nothing more than exactly what the rulers want them to say?

"Of course through such persons as will not be suspected of solidarity with us."

The certain unnamed "free Muslims," orientalists, and neoconservative fascists take their lead from the edicts of certain dubious scholars in full Islamic garb, who issue fatwas that weaken the resolve of the Muslim Ummah and pave the way for more imperialist aggression against the believers.

As I conclude, I again caution you against wasting so much of your time. You should get as much benefit from me as you can now because I may not be with you much longer. No, I am not feeling ill, but it's that kind of time that we live in today. Allah's enemy hates to see a strong Muslim father guiding his children with Islamic teachings, training them to think critically, and developing in them a millah (religion) that is conscientious of the cause and effect of what they see happening around them. Seek knowledge, my child, and you will find that it opens many doors-doors that you never even realized were there before.

Fi amani-llah.

With love,

Your father

amaaluddin al-Haidar is an American Muslim from Detroit, Michigan, who, along with his parents and siblings, reverted to Islam over 30 years ago. He is a published author of more than 100 articles and commentary on social, economic, and political issues from an Islamic perspective. He has worked with Muslim youth for the past 20 years, teaching middle and high school science in Islamic schools in Houston, Texas and in Detroit. Al-Haidar resides in Houston, where he teaches science, coaches an Islamic community-based AAU basketball team, and serves as commissioner of the Muslim Youth Basketball Association. {Source islamonline}

A call to sisters in Islam

My Muslim Sister, you will never be able to reach the perfection that you desire, you wont be able to regain your lost glory of the past, or achieve your highest rank and position unless you follow the teachings of Islam and unless you stop at the limits and boundaries of the Shariah. This will make your heart love and appreciate the good qualities and will keep you away from bad and evil qualities.

So stay at your home. By Allah you will be praised; you will please your household and make your home happy; you will perfect your hijab; you will perfect your chastity, relieve others and you will make yourself happy and comfortable.
Allah says (which means):

O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Al-Ahzaab 33:59)

So with Islam you are a protected jewel but without it you are a doll in the hands of the wrongdoers; a mere object of amusement and a merchandise of trade in the hands of human wolves who will destroy your chastity, your honour and your dignity, and then throw you and disregard you as one does with a date fruit and its seed.

So whenever the woman abandons the teachings of Islam and neglects the proper Islamic dress and takes easy the matter of hijab, exposing herself to men (by) walking among them and wearing perfume, her dignity and honour vanishes and her brightness disappears, and her modesty dwindles, and she becomes a source of fitnah (temptation and trial) for others and the evils embrace her. Therefore, O Muslim woman, who cherishes and holds on to the honour of Islam (and is proud of the honour of Islam), and O free, honourable, chaste and protected woman, you are the best successor of the best past generation of Muslims. Hold fast to the Book of Allah and to the Sunnah (way and teachings) of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.)

Beware of the hands of the wicked plotters and the jealous eyes, and people with bad character, and evil souls, who want to lower you from the highness of your esteemed position and dignity, and lower you from your glory of higher rank, and take you out from the circle of your happiness. And beware of the deception and defeat before the open war between hijab and sufoor (revealing beauty), and between chastity and liberalism.
The enemies of Islam are upset and sleepless over the fact that the Muslim woman is honourable, dignified and protected, so they put her under the spotlight, trap her in (fishermen-like) nets and shoot her with their arrows. Moreover, it is strange that some of our people who speak our language follow them and spread their ideas and fulfil their aims, and wage an intellectual and cultural war against our Muslim sisters, who are the moisture of our faces, through the alluring and deceiving slogans and the charming articles here and there.

Thus, they spread rumours about Muslim women saying ... the conservative Muslim society (the real one indeed, the Muslim society can only be conservative) is that which half of it does nothing and breathes only from one lung..., and how can the Muslim woman stay prisoner at home between four walls ..., and other misleading slogans.

They want freedom for the woman, but in reality they want to free her from her character and etiquette, and to strip her from her principles, dignity and honour, and lead her into evil and corruption. They want her to be a fashion model and an item for sale to the naive and simpleminded (assuthajj wal busataa)
Who is then left to the well-being of homes; to the happiness of the family; to raise and educate children?

How many young women get trapped and how much tragedy happens when the hijab is destroyed and the jilbaab (outer garment) is taken off and the wolves (wicked men) devour the woman. Such is as a result of sufoor and mingling with men in jobs, schools, and marketplaces.

Isnt it enough zajr (reminder) what the societies, who did not practise the teachings of Islam, fell into in terms of indecency, evils, and disappearance of values when they neglected and ignored the matter of the woman? As a result of that, there are now repeated calls in these societies asking for the return of the woman to her protected fort: her home.

Would any man with the slightest bit of ghairah (honour) and rujoolah (manhood) be content to see his wife become a pasturage of the eyes of the wicked men, and to become a serving on the dining table. The current condition of some societies is a sign of destruction, loss, corruption and spread of indecency and mischief in society.

Virtues of Hijaab

1. An act of obedience.

The hijab is an act of obedience to Allah and to his prophet (SAW), Allah says in the Qur'an:

`It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, has indeed strayed in a plain error.' (Surah Ahzab: Ayah 36).
Allah also said:

'And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc) and not to show off their adornment except what must (ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw their veils over their Juyubihinna.' (Surah Nur: Ayah 31).

2.The Hijab is IFFAH (Modesty).

Allah (SWT) made the adherence to the hijab a manifestation for chastity and modesty. Allah says:

'O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they should be known and not molested.' (Surah Ahzab: Ayah 59).

In the above Ayah there is an evidence that the recognition of the apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her. When the cause of attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This is illustrated in the case of elderly women who may have lost every aspect of attraction. Allah (SWT) made it permissible for them to lay aside their outer garments and expose their faces and hands reminding, however, that is still better for them to keep their modesty.

3.The hijab is Tahara (Purity)

Allah (SWT) had shown us the hikma (wisdom) behind the legislation of the hijab:

`And when you ask them (the Prophet's wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and their hearts.' (Surah Ahzab: Ayah 53).

The hijab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and women because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the hijab, the heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more pure when the sight is blocked (by hijab) and thus the prevention of fitna (evil actions is very much manifested. The hijab cuts off the ill thoughts and the greed of the sick hearts:

`Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy or evil desire for adultery, etc) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner.' (Surah Ahzab: Ayah 32)

4. The hijab is a Shield

The prophet (SAW) said: "Allah, Most High, is Heaven, is Ha'yeii (Bashful), Sit'teer (Shielder). He loves Haya' (Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering)."

The Prophet (SAW) also said: "Any woman who takes off her clothes in other than her husband's house (to show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's shield upon her. "

The hadith demonstrates that depending upon the kind of action committed there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).

5. The hijab is Taqwah (Righteousness)


Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an:

`O children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc) and as an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness, that is better.' (S7:26).

The widespread forms of dresses in the world today are mostly for show off and hardly taken as a cover and shield of the woman's body. To the believing women, however the purpose is to safeguard their bodies and cover their private parts as a manifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of Taqwah (righteousness).

6.The hijab is Eemaan (Belief or Faith)


Allah (SWT) did not address His words about the hijab except to the believing women, Al-Mo'minat. In many cases in the Qur'an Allah refers to the "the believing women". Aisha (RA), the wife of the prophet (SAW), addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to visit her and had light clothes on them, they were improperly dressed: "If indeed you are believing women, then truly this is not the dress of the believing women, and if you are not believing women, then enjoy it."

7. The hijab is Haya' (Bashfulness)

There are two authentic hadith which state: "Each religion has a morality and the morality of Islam is haya'" AND "Bashfulness is from belief, and belief is in Al-Jannah (paradise)". The hijab fits the natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature of women.

8.The hijab is Gheerah (Justifiable jealousy)

The hijab fits the natural feeling of Gheerah, which is intrinsic in the straight man who does not like people to look at his wife or daughters. Gheerah is a driving emotion that drives the straight man to safeguard women who are related to him from strangers. The straight MUSLIM man has Gheerah for ALL MUSLIM women In response to lust and desire, men look (with desire) at other women while they do not mind that other men do the same to their wives or daughters. The mixing of sexes and absence of hijab destroys the Gheera in men. Islam considers Gheerah an integral part of faith. The dignity of the wife or daughter or any other Muslim woman must be highly respected and defended.

The purpose of wearing hijab must be achieved. In order for the hijab to be a cover, it must not be made of transparent material making the woman covered only by name, while in reality she is naked.

The prophet (SAW) is quoted as saying: "In the latest part of my Ummah (nation of Muslims) there shall be women who would be naked in spite of being dressed, they have their hair high like the humps of the Bukht camel, curse them, for they are cursed. They will not enter Al-Jannah and would not even perceive its odour, although it's fragrance can be perceived from a distance of 500 years travelling by camel"

This indicates that a woman could cause herself a grave and destructive sin if she puts on a garment that is thin and transparent and which clearly shapes her body's features.