BELIEVER AND HYPOCRITE

Feb 3, '13 2:36 AM for everyone

Bismillah Arrahman Arraheem

Imām Ja'far ibn Muhammad al-Sādiq (a.s.) quoted Allah's (s.w.t.) Prophet (a.s):

“The story of a believer is like that of a branch of a tree which the winds move around. The believer gets pushed around by pains and illnesses. 

The story of a hypocrite is like that of a straight cane which is never bent or harmed until death approaches and it bends down."

[Reference: Mishkat ul-Anwar, Sec 7, Chp 2, Hadees 1640]

السلام على الحسين وعلى علي بن الحسين وعلى أولاد الحسين وعلى أصحاب الحسين

A humble request:

Please pray for restoration of Jannat al-Baqi & early re-appearance of Imam-E-Zamana (atfs).

VISITING THE ILL

Feb 3, '13 2:39 AM for everyone

Bismillah Arrahman Arraheem

As-salamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatoh,

Imām Ja'far ibn Muhammad al-Sādiq (a.s.) said :

“Visit the ill, and ask them to pray for you, since their prayer is equal to the prayers of the angels. Whenever one gets ill at night and accepts it with pleasure, God will record the reward of sixty years of worship for him.”

Imām (a.s.) was asked: “What do you mean by accepting it with pleasure?”

Imām  (a.s.) said: “It means that he does not complain to anyone about his illness.”

[Reference: Mishkat ul-Anwar, Sec 7, Chp 2, Hadees 1641]

السلام على الحسين وعلى علي بن الحسين وعلى أولاد الحسين وعلى أصحاب الحسين

A humble request:

 

Please pray for restoration of Jannat al-Baqi & early re-appearance of Imam-E-Zamana (atfs).

Iltemase dua

The Ritual Ablutions for Women -Taharatu 'N-Nisa'

Feb 3, '13 4:13 AM for everyone

DOWNLOAD LINK:

http://www.shiamultimedia.com/05-books/english/Sayyid%20Muhammad%20Rizvi%20-%20The%20Ritual%20Ablutions%20For%20Women.pdf

The Ritual Ablutions for Women -Taharatu 'N-Nisa'

A Comprehensive book on the shari'ah laws pertaining to the ritual ablutions for women according to the Shi'ite 

(Jafa'ari) school of Jurisprudence (fiqh)

  

by   

Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi  

Published by:  

Vancouver Islamic Educational Foundation  

P.O Box 23095, Vancouver A.M.F 

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7B 1T9  

BOOKS BY SAYYID MUHAMMAD RIZVI

Feb 3, '13 4:16 AM for everyone

SAYYID MUHAMMAD RIZVI

Title	Download
Khums	Download
Marriage & Morals	Download
Shi'ism - Imamate And Wilayat	Download
The Ritual Ablutions For Women	Download

Biography of Lady Fatima (sa) - Sayed Ammar Nakshawani

Feb 3, '13 4:41 AM for everyone Tags: lecture

Islam and Racism - Sayed Ammar Nakshawani

Feb 3, '13 4:43 AM for everyone

The Biography of Ammar ibn Yassir -Sayed Ammar Nakshawani

Feb 3, '13 4:48 AM for everyone

PEOPLE WHO PROCRASTINATE

Feb 3, '13 10:26 AM for everyone

There are two main types of people who procrastinate:

1. The Relaxed Type: People who fall into this category view their responsibilities negatively and avoid them by engaging in other tasks – such as students who abandon schoolwork but not their PS3 or Xbox 360; or those who are overwhelmed at work and leave the office for a round of golf – "hoping" that their work will mysteriously be done when they get back to their desk.
2. Tense-Afraid Type: Those who feel overwhelmed with the pressures on them, are unrealistic about the time they have at their disposal, and are uncertain about goals. These people will procrastinate and later on find themselves in a position in which they fear that they will not be able to complete something, so they keep delaying it.

Coming back to the 'Islamic outlook' on this issue, we see that the Islamic traditions are replete with sayings from the Infallibles in this regard. Consider the following words of wisdom taken from an upcoming publication, Fundamentals of Islamic Management:

1. "Ensure that you perform the tasks of the day on the day which they come to you (and do not delay them until the next day), since every day, you will have a sufficient amount of things to perform for that day." (Nahjul Balagha, letter #53)
2. "Know that if you indulge in the minor responsibilities, then you will be prevented from performing the important tasks; similarly, if you only perform the important tasks, then you will forget about the minor duties and due to this, these (small things) will end up turning into major issues. Therefore, begin with focusing on the important responsibilities; however, do not forget to keep your attention on the smaller issues. Delegate the lesser tasks to people who will be able to execute them for you." (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 17)

Keeping in mind the relationship which exists between the temporal and spiritual, we understand that procrastination can be played out on these two different spheres and are inter-related to one another.

Consider the person who sits at his desk from 9 to 5 and is constantly preoccupied with work. If he or she begins to feel overwhelmed with the amount of work, (s)he might begin to "tune out" and delay the work – putting it off until 'later'. During the delay, even more work would be given, which would then be added to the pile of work already pending, making the person even more stressed out – and this cycle continues. As can be seen, the initial act of procrastination leads to major problems in the temporal realm.

However, procrastination can also take place in the realm of worship and the path of spiritual progression towards Allah. Keeping in mind the above example, imagine if a servant of God was to have that same trait of procrastination permeate his spiritual space. The believer may begin to delay acts of worship due to other "important things" coming up in his life to the point that the specific act of worship is performed out of its time zone, or worse, not performed at all! The person who is a procrastinator in the temporal world may begin to treat his worship in the same way and just as he puts off his daily responsibilities at the office, he may have days, weeks, or months of missed prayers which would weigh heavily upon his heart.

However, since he is so habituated to the act of procrastination in his day-to-day life, rather than start making them up, he would come up with the excuse that, "I have so many missed prayers, how will I ever pay God back for all of them? He is the Oft-Forgiving, All-Merciful and He will forgive me, or I will engage in some recommended acts of worship which will absolve me of the missed prayers!" Or he may and try and justify the delay in their performance by saying, 

Procrastination also has serious ramifications in terms of one's material comfort when it takes place in relation to the Hajj. The scholars of Islam have ruled that when a person develops the financial ability and has the physical strength to make the journey for the Hajj (and the other conditions are in place), that this act becomes obligatory in that actual year. If one procrastinates and makes excuses that he "doesn't want to take time off of work", or "doesn't like to be in large gatherings" or that "he will miss his wife" or other such unjustifiable excuses, then he has committed a sin, but more than that, if he loses either the financial ability or the physical strength to make the journey, he is not absolved of fulfilling this rite and must, by any means necessary, ensure that it is either performed directly or through a proxy. Thus, in such a circumstance, procrastination has far-reaching consequences.

In closing, I relate a bumper sticker I remember seeing some time ago which read, "Why do today that which you put off until tomorrow?!" Imagine if everyone in life lived by such a grossly inaccurate motto! Think about the construction worker building a bridge hundreds of feet over a river and if he decided to put off important work for "tomorrow"; how about if your heart surgeon procrastinated while you were on the operation table, thinking he would stitch you up "later"; what if the elevator repair man who was working on a 100-story building decided to "come back tomorrow" to replace that much-needed part. Now think deeply and seriously about the Adhan – call to prayer – you heard but were too busy to respond to as you had that all-important contract to close or that luncheon to attend with a "high-profile" client and that on the way home from work, you never made it.

"Tell your work that you have Ibaadat to perform; don't tell your Ibaadat that you have work to do!"

Truthfulness leads to righteousness

Feb 3, '13 10:30 AM for everyone

An emperor in the Far East was growing old and knew it was time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or his children, he decided something different. He called young people in the kingdom together one day. He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you."                                              .

The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!"                                         .

One boy named Ling was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the story. She helped him get a pot and planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow                                           ..

Ling kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks went by. Still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants but Ling didn't have a plant, and he felt like a failure. Six months went by-still nothing in Ling's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed.

Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Ling didn't say anything to his friends, however. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling told his mother that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But his mother encouraged him to be honest about what happened. Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he knew his mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace. When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other youths. They were beautiful-in all shapes and sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other kinds laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, "Hey nice try."                               .

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide in the back. "What great plants, trees and flowers you have grown!" said the emperor. "Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor!" All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified. "The emperor knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!"              .                  

When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. "My name is Ling," he replied. All others were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!" Ling couldn't believe it. Ling couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor? Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds which would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!"                           .

Allah has said, "Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise.  Falsehood leads to wickedness, evil-doing), which in turn leads to Hell.

FEW GOOD THOUGHTS...

Feb 3, '13 10:27 AM for everyone

Don't love the Heart that hurts you and don't hurt the Heart that loves you. Don't cry over anyone who won't cry over you. Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget. Most people walk in and out of your life, but only friend's leave footprints in your heart. True friendship "never" ends. Friends are forever. People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges. If we are incapable of finding peace in ourselves, it is pointless to search elsewhere. The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof. A change of heart changes everything. Our greatest glory is not in ever falling, but in rising every time we fall. You only live once - but if you work it right, once is enough. One generation plants trees, and the next enjoys the shade. It is difficult to live in the present, ridiculous to live in the future, and impossible to live in the past. Nothing is as far away as one minute ago.

THE ROAD OF SUCCESS....

Feb 3, '13 10:28 AM for everyone

There is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, caution lights called family, and you will have flats called jobs.
But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith, and a driver called God, you will make it to a place called success!

THE BELIEVERS ARE BUT A SINGLE BROTHERHOOD...

Feb 3, '13 10:31 AM for everyone

• Allah says in The Noble Qur'an: "The Believers are but a single Brotherhood." [Al-Hujurat 49:10]
• The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said, "The Muslims are like a body, if one part of the body hurts, rest of the body will also suffer."
• The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said, "Believers are brethren, their lives are equal to each other and they are as one hand against their enemy."
• The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said, "It is not permissible for two Muslims to be annoyed and angry for more that three days."
• The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said, "When Muslims are angry with each other for three days. If they do not compromise then they go away from the limits of Islam and the one who compromise first will enter Jannah (Paradise) earlier."

WHO IS THE LUCKY MAN?.....

Feb 3, '13 10:32 AM for everyone

If someone of good character and conduct proposes to your daughters, marry them. If you do not, there will be mischief and great corruption on Earth. (Kulayni and Tirmidhi)
Whoever marries a woman for her glory, Allah will not increase his, but will bring him humiliation; whoever marries her for her wealth, Allah will not increase his, but place him in poverty; whoever marries her for ancestral claims, Allah will not increase his, but in meanness; whoever marries a woman for nothing but to cast down his eyes, guard his private parts, and to establish a relationship, Allah will bless him through her and vice versa. (Al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib)
Women were married for four reasons: for their wealth, their status, their beauty and their religion, and that the good Muslims were the ones who married women because of their faith. (Muslim)
Whoever gets married, has safeguarded half of his religion. - The Prophet of Islam (saw)
There is no better structure founded in Islam other than marriage. - The Prophet of Islam (saw)
Whoever chooses to follow my tradition must get married and produce offspring through marriage (and increase the population of Muslims) so that on the day of resurrection I shall confront other Ummah (nations) with the (great) numbers of my Ummah. - The Prophet of Islam (saw)
The most detestable of the lawful things in Allah eyes is divorce. - The Prophet of Islam (saw)
The greatest blessing in the world is a pious wife. - The Prophet of Islam (saw)
Verily, the most perfect amongst believers in faith is he who is the best in manner and the kindest to his wife. - The Prophet of Islam (saw)
Any woman who dies when her husband is pleased with her will enter Paradise. - The Prophet of Islam (saw)
Allah will become angered with a married woman if she fills her eyes with the look of strangers. - The Prophet of Islam (saw)
A woman should not fast (optional fasts) except with her husband's permission if he is at home (staying with her). - The Prophet of Islam (saw)
The words of a husband to his wife, "I truly love you," should never leave her heart. - The Prophet of Islam (saw)
If a man helps his spouse in household work, Allah records for him spiritual reward equal to the hair on his body as if he had fasted during days and offered prayers during nights for one full year. - The Prophet of Islam (saw)
A man said to the Messenger of Allah (saw): I have a wife who welcomes me at the door when I enter the house, and sees me off when I leave. When she sees me grieved, asks me: 'What are you grieved for? If you are anxious about your livelihood, it is guaranteed by other than you: or if you are worried about the hereafter, may Allah increase your worries.' The Messenger of Allah said: "Allah has agents and she is one of them. She will get half a martyr's reward."
The Messenger of Allah was asked, "What rights do our wives have over us?" He replied: "You shall feed her as you feed yourself, clothe her as you clothe yourself; you shall not slap her on the face, nor revile [her], nor leave her [alone] except within the house."
If a woman does not perform her duty as a spouse, she has not done her duty to Allah. - The Prophet of Islam (saw)
A bad woman does not forgive her husband's mistake and does not accept his apology. - The Prophet of Islam (saw)
Engage in marriage; because this is the tradition of the Prophet (saw) of Allah. - Imam Ali (as)
Women are like flowers. They should be treated gently, kindly, and with affection. - Imam Ali (as)
Act moderately with women in every instance. Speak to them nicely in order that their deeds become good. - Imam Ali (as)
Whoever is our friend, expresses kindness to his spouse more often. -Imam Ja'far -as-Sadiq (a.s.)
May Allah bless a man who creates a good relationship with his wife, because Allah has appointed man to be the guardian of his wife. - Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (as)
When you love someone, let the person know. - Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (as)
Whoever marries must respect his wife. - Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (as)
The best women among your women are those who show appreciation when their husbands bring home something and are not discontented if nothing is brought home. - Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (as)
Who is lucky man? "Imam Rida (as) stated: The greatest gain for a man is a faithful woman who, when she sees him, becomes happy and protects his property and her own honor in his absence.
Some women are blessings for their husbands who express their love and affection. - Imam Ridha (as)

Do not marry the idolatresses until they believe

Feb 3, '13 10:33 AM for everyone

And marry those among you who are single and those who are fit among your male slaves and your female slaves; if they are needy, Allah will make them free from want out of His grace; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing. (Holy Qur'an 24:32)
And do not marry the idolatresses until they believe, and certainly a believing maid is better than an idolatress woman, even though she should please you; and do not give (believing women) in marriage to idolaters until they believe, and certainly a believing servant is better than an idolater, even though he should please you; these invite to the fire, and Allah invites to the garden and to forgiveness by His will, and makes clear His communications to men, that they may be mindful. (Holy Qur'an 2:221)
O you men! surely We have created you of a male and a female, and made you tribes and families that you may know each other; surely the most honorable of you with Allah is the one among you most careful (of his duty); surely Allah is Knowing, Aware. (Holy Qur'an 49:13)

WINNING THE HEART OF A MAN..........

Feb 3, '13 10:34 AM for everyone

It is customary with most women that whenever they go to a party or a gathering, they wear their best dresses and adorn themselves with the best. However, upon returning home, they take their dresses off and put on an old and shabby dress. These women are not particular about cleanliness at home and do not beautify themselves. They walk around the house with disheveled hair, stained clothes, and torn socks. 

In fact, the situation must almost be reverse, that is, a woman should adorn herself at home and charm her husband in order to conquer his heart and in order not to leave any gap for other women to fill. Why should she look beautiful for others? Is it proper for a woman to expose her beauty before the eyes of other men and to create problems for the youth?
"The Prophet (SA) of Islam stated: ' Any woman who perfumes herself and leaves the house, is deprived from the blessings of the Almighty Allah until she returns home'."

"The Prophet (SA) also stated: 'The best of your women is one who is obedient towards her husband, adorns herself for her husband but does not reveal her adornment to strangers; and the worst of your women is one who adorns herself in the absence of her husband'." 

Winning the heart of a man, especially for a long time, is not easy. Do not think: "He loves me. I don't need to look beautiful for him or try to win his heart or entice him." You must always maintain his love towards yourself. Be sure that your husband would enjoy having a tidy beautiful, and clean wife, even though he may not express it. If you do not satisfy his inner desires and do not dress attractively at home, he may see beautiful and attractive women out of the house. He may then become disheartened in you and might deviate from the right path.

 When he sees attractive women, he compares you with them. If you are an untidy, careless, and disheveled woman, he would think that other women are angels who have descended from the heavens Look attractive at home and be sure that he will not lose interest in you.

EVILS ARE IN TWO THINGS- REVEALING SECRETS AND KEEPING BAD COMPANY

Feb 3, '13 10:35 AM for everyone

Women usually like to know about their husbands' secrets, their earnings, their decisions about the future, and their work. They expect men not to hide anything from them. On the contrary men are not willing to tell their wives everything. As a result, some husbands and wives constantly argue over this matter . Some women say that their husbands do not trust them; do not let them read their letters; do not tell them the amount of their earnings; are not straight with them; do not answer their questions properly; and sometimes lie.

Incidentally, men do not mind telling their secrets to their wives. But they believe that their wives do not keep secrets; that they relate to others everything they know, and might even cause trouble for their husbands. If one intends to find out the secrets of others, it suffices for one to call on their wives. Some wives, by knowing their husbands' secrets, blackmail them, and thus misuse their husbands' trust in them.

Obviously men, up to a certain extent, have a point. Women, in comparison with men, are more under the influence of their emotions. When women become angry, it would be difficult for them to control themselves, and by knowing their husbands' secrets, they could put their men in trouble. Therefore, if a woman is interested in knowing her husband's secrets, she must be very careful not to speak of them anywhere without his permission. She must not even tell her best friends or relatives. It is not keeping a secret if you tell someone about it, and ask him not to repeat it to anybody, otherwise everyone will find out about it.
Therefore a wise person is one who does not tell his secret to anyone. "Imam Ali (AS) stated: 'The chest of a wise man is the safe for his secrets'."  

"Imam ' Ali (AS) also stated: 'The benevolence of this world and the next is in two things: keeping secrets, and friendship with the good people; and all the evils are in two things: revealing secrets, and keeping bad company'." 

FEW HADEES ON YOUR DAILY LIFE

Feb 3, '13 10:36 AM for everyone

"Imam Sadiq (AS) stated: 'Almighty Allah likes adornment, being beautiful, and finds the pretention of being poor as distasteful. He likes to see the effects of his blessings upon his worshipper, that is to see him clean, tidy and using scent, to decorate his house, to dust off his house environment, to turn the lights on before sunset -because this deed takes away the poverty from home and increases sustenance.'" 

"The Prophet (SA) of Allah stated: ' A dirty person is a bad servant (to Allah)'."

"Imam Ali (AS) stated: 'Keep your house clean of spider's webs, because a spider's web is a cause of poverty'." "The Prophet (SA) of Allah stated: 'Do not leave the rubbish inside the house at night, because Shaytan (Satan), i.e. pollution and uncleanliness takes its abode there'."

"The Prophet (SA) of Allah also stated: 'One's clothes must always be clean'."

"In addition, the Prophet (SA) of Allah stated: 'Do not leave an oily cloth in the house, because Satan takes its abode there',"

"Imam Sadiq (AS) stated: 'Washing dishes and cleaning around the house increases the sustenance',"

"Imam Sadiq (AS) also stated: 'Do not leave the dishes without a cover, otherwise satan spits at them and uses them',"

"In addition, Imam Sadiq (AS) stated: 'Fruits are sprayed with poisonous substances, so wash them before eating',"

"Imam Kazim (AS) stated: 'Taking a bath every other day would fatten one',"

"The Prophet (SA) of Allah stated: 'Do not leave the rubbish behind the front door of the house because Satan takes its abode there',"

"The Prophet (SA) of Allah also stated: 'If it had not been something inconvenient for my followers, I would have ordered them to brush their teeth with every wudu (ablution) for prayer (i.e., five times a day)',"

"Imam Sadiq (AS) stated: 'Cutting one's nails on Fridays would prevent one from being affected by leprosy, insanity, alopeica and blindness',"

"It has been related that: 'Satan takes his sleep underneath the (long) nails',"

"Imam Ali (AS) stated: 'Washing one's hands, before having meals, would prolong life, prevent one's clothes from becoming dirty and would enlighten one's eyes'," 

YOUR WOMEN ARE TILTH FOR YOU- THE HOLY QUR'AN (2:223)

Feb 3, '13 10:39 AM for everyone

Imam Al-Sadiq (a.s.) relates that a woman who came to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) was asked by him whether she was a 'put-off woman?' She asked the meaning of that, and the Prophet replied: "She is the woman who, when her husband calls her for some need, keeps putting it off until he falls asleep. Such a woman will, then, continuously be cursed by the angels until her husband wakes up." The Qur'an briefly states the right of enjoying one's wife, by saying: "Your women are tilth for you (to cultivate) so go to your tilth when you like and do good beforehand for yourselves, and fear Allah, and know that you will (one day) meet Him. Give glad tidings to believers, (O Muhammad)" Holy Qur'an (2:223) According to the above verse, the Qur'an confirms man's right to enjoy his wife in diverse ways, as she, too, has the right to enjoy this relationship. The moral and legislative note of the above verse regarding this lawfulness is evident by the ideal advice of the Qur'an: "...and do good beforehand for yourselves, and fear Allah, and know that you will (one day) meet Him. Give glad tidings to believers." These pieces of advice concerning man, woman and the sexual relations prove the fact how intelligently Islam has devised ways for both husband and wife to enjoy themselves according to their respective rights, so that there can be neither oppression, nor exploitation of the woman as a result of man's extravagance or misuse. Islam, which encourages the woman to pay attention to her beauty, appearance and adornment for her husband and to show affection to him, at the same time prohibits her from doing the same for others except for her husband, because it would create psychological separation between the couple and drive the woman to deviation, shamelessness and faithlessness, besides creating tension, mistrust and hatred in her husband's heart, and finally destroying the noble edifice called family. Hence a Tradition says: "If a woman angers her husband unjustly and sleeps, Allah would not accept her prayers until the husband is content with her, and if a woman uses perfume for other than her husband, Allah would not accept her prayer until she washes it away as she washes pollution from herself."