Press

Volume 1 | Issue 7 February 2010 | Rabi Al Awwal 1431

Hayaa
BUILDING YOUR HOME
Entering the Home

Reviving our Sense of Gheerah

REVIVING THE SUNNAH

Shyness

STAY BEAUTIFUL
Richness of the Soul

INSPIRATIONAL STORY
The Flame is Nothing

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Al Muminaat Press
Volume 1 | Issue 7

February 2010 | Rabi Al Awwal 1431

Al-Muminaat Update Main Theme Reviving Our Sense of Gheerah Building Your Home Entering the Home Reviving the Sunnah Being truthful Stay Beautiful Richness of the Soul Building Your Fortress Remembrance before sleeping The Golden Age of Teens: Poem Western Teenage Girl Inspirational Story The Flame is Nothing Little Muslims Story - Hibas Gift

Update

Hayaa

Whilst Acquiring Knowledge

The word Hayaa itself is derived from the word hayaat which means life. This term covers a large number of concepts. Linguistically, it may be translated as modesty, shyness, self-respect, bashfulness, shame, honour, etc. The original meaning of Hayaa according to the believers nature, refers to a bad and painful feeling accompanied by embarrassment, caused by ones fear of being exposed. In Islaam, hayaa is a very significant branch of faith and thus plays a huge role in the lives of Muslims. Abu Hurairah (radhiAllaahu anhu) narrated: The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) said, Faith (Belief) consists of more than sixty branches (i.e. parts). And Hayaa is a part of faith. [Bukhaaree]

If we do not have any form of hayaa, then it is one of the signs of a weak emaan. We also learn from the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) about the importance of having hayaa and how it is not something to be ashamed of. Narrated Abdullah Ibn Umar (radhiyaAllaahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) passed by a man who was admonishing his brother regarding Hayaa and was saying, You are very shy, and I am afraid that might harm you. On that, Allaahs Apostle said, Leave him, for Hayaa is (a part) of Faith. [Bukhaaree] The above hadeeth is also a form of proof that shyness is not just something relating to women but also an attribute that believing men should have. Hayaa is a natural characteristic that we are born with. People naturally feel accountable for any wrong actions they commit. People also naturally have Hayaa in front of others, especially in front of the opposite gender. So Hayaa is part of the natural disposition of Man and is something that is encouraged in Islaam. So, how many types of hayaa are there? Hayaa is of two types: good and bad. The good Hayaa is to be ashamed to commit a sin or to do that which Allaah and His Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) has forbidden or dislikes. Bad Hayaa is to feel ashamed to carry out an act which Allaah and His Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) has ordered us to do. O Sisters in Islaam, Allaah has blessed us with this characteristic of hayaa in order so that we are able to practise our Deen, no matter what circumstance Allaah puts us in. As a result, this quality should not be compromised, even whilst seeking knowledge. Now, although the path of seeking knowledge is a lifetime project, we must ensure that we remain within the boundaries of Islaam at all times. Seeking knowledge is an obligation however the means in fulfilling that obligation must be correct. Allah does not command us to fulfil an obligation whilst

indulging in that which is displeasing to Him. Alhamdulillaah, in these modern times, Allaah has given us many ways in which we are able to seek knowledge with ease and in some cases, without even having to leave our homes. Tayyibun Institute and Al Muminaat recognise the great responsibility of seeking knowledge as well as maintaining segregation between genders. Therefore they have exerted themselves to keep 100% segregated learning environment (biithnillaah). We encourage all sisters, to take the opportunity to study the Deen of Allaah with the various subjects taught by the qualified teachers at the Tayyibun Institute where all classes are fully segregated. Classes for sisters run on weekdays, weekends and evenings to meet the needs of different sisters. As for the sisters who may be busy with their responsibilities in life; whether youre a mother, a daughter, daughter-in-law, (you name it!), and have difficulty to leave the home, do not despair! Sisters can join A FREE Live Online Weekly Halaqah, taking place every Thursday from 7pm-9pm (GMT), covering Ibn Al Qayyims text on the description of paradise called Haadi Al Arwaah Ilaa Bilaad Al Afraah (Exhorting the Soul to the Abode of Happiness). This is an opportunity for you to learn from anywhere in the world (biithnillaah)! For further information, please visit www.tayyibunonline.com. We ask Allaah to bless us all with beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds and to make us amongst those who have hayaa, Aameen. Al-Muminaat PRESS

Reviving our sense of Gheerah

By Sister Fatima Barakatullah

We live in societies in which most men and women have lost their sense of modesty, women are obsessed with their appearances and wear clothes to be seen by others and to attract the attention of other men even if they are married! They have lost their sense of shame. Marriage is often looked upon as old-fashioned and short term affairs and frivolous relationships are the norm, everyone waiting to attract a better partner and feeling totally justified to dump one partner for another at the drop of a hat. Feminism too has reached its peak and men and women are told to suppress their natural emotions. Men are not even embarrassed when their wives are dressed up and attract the attention of other men, they dont mind if another man sees, chats, laughs and even dances with their womenfolk and if they do mind, they are told not to be so possessive! In Islaam we have a concept of Gheerah. Gheerah is an Arabic word which means protectiveness or jealousy. It is a good type of jealousy, like when a man feels jealous or protective over his wife or sisters and otherwomenfolk and doesnt like other men to look at them. It is a natural inbuilt feeling Allaah has given men and women. The Prophet (SAW) had the most Gheerah for his wives and all of the companions were known for their Gheerah. All Muslim men should have a collective sense of protectiveness for Muslim women as Allaah says in the Quran, the meaning of which is: The Men are the protectors and maintainers of women (Surah An-Nisaa, Ayah 34). Men who do not care about how their women behave and appear in front of other men and dont enforce hijaab upon their wives or womenfolk are called Dayyooth. Being a Dayyooth is a major sin and a detailed description of this evil characteristic can be found in adh-Dhahabees book of Major Sins (Kitaab ul-Kabaair).

(sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) had endowed him and it was a distance of two miles from Madeenah. One day, as I was carrying the date-stones upon my head, I happened to meet Allaahs Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam), along with a group of his Companions. He called me and told the camel to sit down so that he could make me ride behind him. I felt shy to go with men and I remembered az-Zubair and his Gheerah and he was a man having the most Gheerah . The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) understood my shyness and left. I came to az-Zubair and said: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) met me as I was carrying date-stones upon my head and there was with him a group of his Companions. He told the camel to kneel so that I could mount it, but I felt shy and I remembered your Gheerah. So Asmaa declined the offer made by the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam). Upon this az-Zubair said: By Allaah, the thought of you carrying date-stones upon your head is more severe a burden on me than you riding with him. (Saheeh Bukhari) Look at the sense of dignity and modesty of Asmaa (radhiyaAllaahu anha)! See how she felt shy in front of men? See how careful she was about her husbands feelings? She knew that her husband had a lot of Gheerah so she didnt want to upset him by accepting the Prophets (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) help even though the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) was the purest of men and even though it meant bringing hardship on herself! And look at az-Zubair (radhiyaAllaahu anhu), even though he had a lot of Gheerah, he didnt want to inconvenience his wife. What a beautiful relationship they had!

attention to their valid opinions. We expect certain behaviour from them and they expect it of us. And besides, if our husband asks us to do something that it not Haraam, we must do it. And Brothers! How can you allow your wife or sister to walk around attracting the attentions and evil-thoughts of other men? How can you not mind if she smiles as she talks to other men. Nobody has the right to enjoy her and her company but you and her Maharim men. You are not being overbearing if you first encourage and then enforce the hijaab on your womenfolk because YOU will be asked about it on the Day of Judgement and it is also a major sin upon YOU! It is upon the men to enforce these things in their homes and you cannot use the excuse that your wife didnt want to. Women need a firm, balanced, guiding hand from their men, so with wisdom you must enforce hijaab in your home. You are a shepherd and are responsible for your flock! Allaah reminds us all in the Quran, the meaning of which is: Oh you who believe, Protect yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones. (At-Tahreem, Aayah 6) There is a big difference between how Islaam values and protects women and how cheaply women are treated outside of Islaam! As Muslims we have to be careful that our Hayaa (sense of modesty and shame) and Gheerah dont wear out in a society in which people have lost it.

Nurturing our sense of Gheerah

Sometimes Muslim women dont understand if their men folk want them to cover their faces or if they ask them to change something about the way they dress or speak in public, thinking that the men are being over-protective. But my dear sisters! If your husband asks you not to wear a certain colour of khimaar because it brings out the beauty of your eyes, or if he wants you to cover your face by Allaah, be thankful! Be proud of the fact that your husband has a sense of Gheerah for you and that he values you and cares for your hereafter. He knows what men can be like more than you do and so never try and suppress his Gheerah in these types of matters. And his concern for you should incite your own sense of honour! Why should any man be able to see your beauty and think indecent thoughts about you? We must nurture our own and our men folks sense of Gheerah by behaving and dressing modestly ourselves and paying

A story of Gheerah
To further understand the quality of Gheerah, we can look at an incident that Asmaa (radhiyaAllaahu anha) the daughter of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (radhiyaAllaahu anhu) and sister of Aaishah (radhiyaAllaahu anha), relates about herself. Abu Bakr was a wealthy merchant and he married his daughter Asmaa to the great companion Az-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam (radhiyaAllaahu anhu) who was a very poor man but a man of great piety and one of the companions who were promised Paradise. Asmaa relates: When az-Zubayr married me, he had neither land nor wealth nor slave, so Asmaa had to work very hard kneading dough, going far off to get water. And I used to carry on my head, she continues, the date stones from the land of az-Zubair which Allaahs Messenger

building your home

In this issue, we are starting a new section called Building the Home
We have included both points 6 and 7 as they are very much related.

(6) Paying attention to adhkaar and Sunnah duaas that have to do with the home
Adkhaar for entering the home:
Muslim reported in his Saheeh that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) said: When any one of you enters his home and mentions the Name of Allaah when he enters and when he eats, the Shaytaan says: You have no place to stay and nothing to eat here. If he enters and does not mention the name of Allaah when he enters, [the Shaytaan] says, You have a place to stay. If he does not mention the name of Allaah when he eats, [the Shaytaan says], You have a place to stay and something to eat. (Reported by Imaam Ahmad, alMusnad, 3/346; Muslim, 3/1599). Abu Dawood reported in his Sunan that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) said: If a man goes out of his house and says, Bismillaah, tawakkaltu ala Allaah, laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa Billaah (In the name of Allaah, I put my trust in Allaah, there is no help and no strength except in Allaah), it will be said to him, This will take care of you, you are guided, you have what you need and you are protected. The Shaytaan will stay away from him, and another shaytaan will say to him, What can you do with a man who is guided, provided for and protected? (Reported by Abu Dawood and al-Tirmidhi. Saheeh al-Jaami, no. 499)

(7) Continuously reciting Soorat al-Baqarah in the house to ward off the Shaytaan
There are a number of ahaadeeth concerning this, such as: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) said: Do not make your houses into graves. The Shaytaan flees from a house in which Soorat al-Baqarah is recited. (Reported by Muslim, 1/539) The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) said: Recite Soorat al-Baqarah in your houses, for the Shaytaan does not enter a house in which Soorat al-Baqarah is recited. (Reported by al-Haakim in alMustadrak. 1/561; Saheeh al-Jaami, 1170). Concerning the virtues of the last two aayaat of this soorah, and the effect of reciting them in ones house, he (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) said: Allaah wrote a document two thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, which is kept near the Throne, and He revealed two aayaat of it with which He concluded Soorat al-Baqarah. If they are recited in a house for three consecutive nights, the Shaytaan will not approach it. (Reported by Imaam Ahmad in al-Musnad, 4/274, and others. Saheeh alJaami, 1799). [Islamqa.com]

Siwaak
Imaam Muslim reported in his Saheeh that Aaishah (radhiyaAllaahu anha) said: When the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) entered his house, the first thing he would do was use siwaak. (Reported by Muslim, Kitaab al-Tahaarah, chapter 15, no. 44).

Next Issue: Islamic knowledge in the Home: Teaching the family.

shyness

reviving the sunnah

Imran bin Husain (radhiyaAllaahu anhu) reported: Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) said, Shyness does not bring anything except good.[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. In a narration of Muslim: Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) said, All of shyness is good. Commentary: (Imam An-Nawawi rahimahullaah) This Hadeeth enlightens us on the excellence of modesty, which serves the good purpose of preventing man from the disobedience of Allaah and from immoral and evil pursuits. Evidently, it has a salutary (beneficial) impact on society. Besides, it keeps man free from sins, and, consequently, he will stand blameless with Allaah. From this standpoint, modesty is certainly a thorough good.

stay beautiful

Richness of the Soul

Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) said: Richness does not lie in the abundance of (worldly) goods, but richness is the richness of the soul (heart, self). [Muslim]

There are millionaires who are obsessed with making more money, always worried that their wealth is not going to be enough for them. Their insecurity does not let them enjoy what they are blessed with. Such a person despite having riches cannot be called a rich person. For what good is wealth that does not allow its possessor to feel rich, secure or happy? True wealth is the wealth of contentment. This is a gift from Allaah (subhaanahu wa taala) and it lives as contentment in the heart of a person.

Building Your Fortress

O you who believe, remember Allaah with much remembrance.
[Al-Ahzab 33:41]

Remembrance before sleeping:

Bismika Allaahumma amootu wa ahyaa; In Your Name, O Allaah , I die and I live.
Reference: Here, dying and living are metaphors for sleep and wakefulness. This explains why the normal order of these words has been reversed in this Hadeeth. In other contexts the living is mentioned before dying. See Quran Al-Baqarah 2:258, Aal-Imrdn 3:156, Al-Araf 7:158 among many other examples, (trans.). See also Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 11/113, Muslim 4/ 2083.

Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem. Qul aoothu birabbilfalaq. Min sharri maa khalaq. Wa min sharri ghaasiqin ithaa waqab. Wa min sharrin-naffaathaati fil-uqad. Wa min sharri haasidin ithaa hasad; With the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Say: I seek refuge with (Allaah) the Lord of the daybreak, from the evil of what He has created, and from the evil of the darkening (night) as it comes with its darkness, and from the evil of those who practice witchcraft when they blow in the knots, and from the evil of the envier when he envies. .......................................................................................... Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem. Qul aoothu birabbinnaas . Malikin-naas . Ilaahin-naas . Min sharril-waswaasilkhannaas . Allathee yuwaswisu fee sudoorin-naas. Minaljinnati wannaas; With the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Say: I seek refuge with (Allaah) the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind , the God of mankind , from the evil of the whisperer who withdraws , who whispers in the breasts of mankind, of jinns and men . (Then pass your hands over as much of your body as you can reach, beginning with the head and the face, then the entire front of your body. Do this three times.)
Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 9/62, and Muslim 4/ 1723.

Also:
Cup your palms together, blow gently into them and then recite: Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem. Qul Huwallaahu Ahad. Allaahus-Samad. Lam yalid wa lam. yoolad. Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad; With the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Say : He is Allaah (the) One. The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He begets not nor was He begotten, and none is equal to Him. ..........................................................................................

the golden age of teens

This world is the place of having difficulties, tests, hardships and the Hereafter is the place of reward or punishment, where the believers (who obey Allaah) will be rewarded with Paradise and the disbelievers will be punished with Hell. Sometimes in life, we go through times which we enjoy, and at other times go through things which we find difficult. This is something that Allaah has ordained upon mankind, and more so upon the Muslims. This is in order to test us and see which of US are best in our deeds. So we could have all the things we want, for example; money, beauty, latest mobile etc... But have you ever thought, Why do I have good things and others dont? or Why do bad things keep happening to me?! Allaah says in the Quraan: and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good. And to Us you will be returned [al-Anbiya 21:35] In the face of every trial, the Muslims attitude should be that of someone who is certain that Allaah does not decree for him anything EXCEPT that which is good for his worldly affairs and more importantly then next life to come! Trials and hardships can come in all different forms such as failing exams, death of a friend/family member, financial difficulties etc. On some occasions, the test itself can be due to just the timing of the occurrence of various events in your life. So how is it that we pass this test? Where do we hand in the test paper? Well theres no test paper but what we need is sincere belief in our hearts that Allaah is The Most Wise and The Most Just and that He Decrees only that which is best for His Believing slaves. We should know in our hearts and in our minds that Allaah is not humiliating us, nor degrading us. Allaah NEVER

Why Meee?
EVER is disgraces His true slaves (those whom obey Allaah). Rather He is purifying us (of our sins) through these difficulties. Know that Allaah tests those whom He LOVES!!!! How can that be??... Well, Allaah wants us to remember Him constantly; this is an obligation upon us and a right of Allaah. So if we are always given ease and luxury, we easily forget Allaah as we dont feel the need to turn to Him. Thus, Allaah tests us with hardship to help us to remember Him more often. Similarly, if you are blessed with good things then again its only a test to see if you will be thankful to Allaah. He is giving YOU a chance to be grateful for what He (subhaana wa taala) has blessed you with. So to keep it simple, its all about sabr and shukr... or in more common terms patience and gratitude. Patience in times of hardship and always be grateful in the good times and the bad. Something to remember is that theres always someone worse off than you. We seek Allaahs help in everything, we ask Allaah to help us to be grateful servants of His and to be patient when hardship befalls us. [Sister; Contributor to PRESS]

(Tests from Allaah)

Inspirational Story

This flame is nothin

Qari Muhammad Qayyam (rahimahullaah) related that a great deal of fighting and bloodshed had started prior to the Indo-Pakistan partition of 1947. He said that a very beautiful daughter of a very rich man in a certain community stepped out of her house to visit her aunt, who lived no more than a few streets away. Suddenly a riot erupted as she had gone halfway and she found herself trapped with apparently nowhere to go. She saw a mosque nearby and quickly went inside, sitting in the womens section. The rioting continued late into the night and this girl did not know what to do. The custodian of the masjid was a very young student there and late at night when he walked through the masjid before locking up he noticed this beautiful young lady. He was a respectful young man who feared Allaah and so politely asked her to leave, saying that if she was found there then both would be dishonoured and thrown out. She pleaded with him because of the extreme danger outside and so he agreed that she could spend the night, and sat down to study at the opposite end of the masjid. The girl was unable to sleep with the events of the day in her mind and so watched the young man sitting studying by candle light at the opposite end of the masjid. She kept watching him and was very surprised at something she saw. From time to time this young man would extend his hand and keep it over the open flame, only withdrawing it when the flame obviously became unbearable. He then would resume his studies and continued this throughout the night until the dawn broke. The young man called the adhan and asked the girl to leave before the congregation started coming to pray since now everything was calm outside. She agreed on the condition that he tells her why he was placing his hand on the candle flame throughout the night. The young man said that that was his own business and so the girl refused to leave until he told her what she wanted to know. The young man gave in and said, I am at the age of youth and strong desire. We were alone and my desire was increasing, and although I was studying the shaytaan would occasionally put temptation in my heart. Hence whenever I would feel any temptation I would put my hand on the flame and my fingers would burn. I would say to myself that this flame is nothing compared to the fire of Hell. The girl left the masjid and reached home, calming her parents fears as to what had happened to her. She also confided in her mother that she wanted to marry the custodian of the mosque near their house. She related the nights events to her parents and said that only such a man with true fear of Allaah in his heart can be true to his wife. Only such a man who truly fears Allaah can fulfil a wifes rights properly. Hence the poor custodian of the mosque earned the daughter of a rich household in marriage. He received this honour not because of his looks but because of his character. Everything disintegrates and turns to dust but character remains strong. Honour is not bestowed because of handsome clothes or beautiful jewellery but because of what is in the heart. Knowledge is only beneficial when it is captured within the heart, and not merely written in books. [Unknown]

ng...

Little Muslims
Hibas Gift
There was once a girl named Hiba. She had a brother named Ahmed. She always wanted a new painting set. So she asked her parents and they said, If you behave well enough you may earn it. Now Hiba knew Ahmed was always teasing her, which started a fight. Hiba felt she would never earn her painting set. Meanwhile, Ahmed came along and told Hiba, Mama and Papa would never let you get it. He was teasing her again. Hiba knew she wouldnt get it. More than that, she thought she wouldnt get anything. She went in her room and decided to read her favorite books. When she finished with her books, Hiba decided to draw a picture for grandma and grandpa. They were happy with her picture. Hiba went to her room and walked around. Ahmed decided to take a few of Hibas books to read.

The next day Hiba went out for a walk. She visited her friend Sara. They played a lot of games then Hiba left. Then at dinner time, everyone sat to eat. Mama told Hiba that Ramadan begins tomorrow. Hiba was kind of feeling better. Bedtime Kids! called mama. A few weeks later Eid was coming. Later Hiba and Ahmed were so excited that all they did was to write a list of all the things they wanted. But all Hiba wrote was Painting Set over and over. Ahmed looked at Hibas List. He said, Mama and Papa are so angry, they wont get you a painting set. One more day to Eid, said Ahmed excitedly. Hiba somehow got so excited that she jumped on her bed and touched the ceiling! Eid, Eid, Eid shouted Ahmed. He saw all his gifts and opened them all. Hiba was very surprised. All she got was many painting sets, just like her list! By Fatima Mahmood