Muharram

✨The month of Muharram is coming upon us in about a week, insha’Allah. Here are some interesting facts about this month:

**1. The month of Muharram is one of the four sacred months singled out by Allah (SWT).

“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him].” (Surah Tawbah, Ayah 36; http://quran.com/9/36) 

The four sacred months being referred to here are Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. Allah’s command “do not wrong yourselves” applies in all months, but by singling out the sanctity of these four, He (SWT) made sins during these months more grave, and He made righteous deeds during them and their reward greater. 

In fact, the sanctity of these months was recognized from the days of Ibrahim (AS). Even the pagans at the time of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) observed their sanctity; despite their frequent tribal battles, they regarded fighting during these months as unlawful. 

Allah (SWT) continued to hold these months as sacred in the law He gave to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

**2. The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of Muharram (optional fasts). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “The most virtuous fasting after the month of Ramadan is Allah's month Al-Muharram.“ [At-Tirmidhi, http://www.sunnah.com/tirmidhi/8/59]

Mentioning the month with the name of Allah (SWT) is a sign of its great status. Do note though that the Prophet (ﷺ) did not fast any other month in full apart from the month of Ramadan. So the hadith is understood to be encouraging to fast a lot in the month of Muharram, but not the whole month. [Islamqa.info, http://islamqa.info/en/21311] 

**3. The day of ‘Ashura occurs in the month of Muharram. What is the day of ‘Ashura? It is the 10th of Muharram – the day on which Prophet Musa (AS) and his people miraculously crossed the Red Sea while the Pharoah was drowned in it.

Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 

The Prophet (ﷺ) came to Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’. He said, “What is this?” They said, “This is a good day, this is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy and Musa fasted on this day.” He said, “We are closer to Musa than you.” So he fasted on this day and told the people to fast. [Bukhari, 1865]

Musa (AS) fasted that day out of gratitude to Allah (SWT) for saving him and his people. 

Here’s the great reward for those who fast on the day of ‘Ashura:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about observing As-Saum (the fast) on the tenth day of Muharram, and he replied, "It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year.“ [Muslim,http://www.sunnah.com/riyadussaliheen/9/262] 

All minor sins one committed in the past year are said to be forgiven by fasting the day of ‘Ashura! What better way to start the new Islamic year. 

However, in order to differentiate the Islamic way of fasting Ashura from the way of the Jews, the Prophet (ﷺ) advised to fast an additional day with the 10th of Muharram, i.e., either the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th of Muharram. 

**4. Lastly, the month of Muharram is the start of the new year in the Hijri calendar. Now’s a good time to repent for past mistakes.
Also try to settle all issues with your family members or relatives or friends to whom you might have hurt.
Because Allah will not forgive the injustice and hurting humans until they forgives.
Revisit your intentions, set your goals for the year as productive Muslims, and renew your ambition toward becoming better Muslims.

��Share with others and earn precious rewards��

āfiyah

Al-'Abbās, the uncle of the Prophet , came to the Prophet and said,

“Ya Rasūlullāh, teach me a du'ā'.” .

The Prophet said, “O my uncle, say: Allāhumma inni asaluka al-'āfiyah
(O Allāh, I ask you for 'āfiyah).”

What is 'āfiyah? 'Āfiyah means “to save me from any afflictions.

To be healthy, you are in 'āfiyah.

To have enough money to live, you are in 'āfiyah.

To have your children protected, you are in 'āfiyah.

And if you are forgiven and not punished, you are in 'āfiyah.

'Āfiyah means

“O Allāh, protect me from any pain and suffering.”

This includes dunya and ākhirah.

Al-'Abbās thought about this for a while, and then he came back after a few days and said (paraphrased):

“Ya Rasūlullāh, this du'ā' seems a little short. I want something big.”

The Prophet said,

“My dear uncle, ask Allāh for 'āfiyah for wallāhi, you cannot be given anything better than 'āfiyah.”

It is a simple du'ā'. Sincerely mean what you say. “O Allāh, I ask You to be saved from any distress, grief, hardship, harm. Don't test me.” All of this is included in “Allāhumma inni asaluka al-'āfiyah”

Riyadh As Saliheen, Sunan At-Tirmidhi

never sent me a bill!

Beloved Brothers and sisters in Islam, go through this story and then I pray that you will see the REASON TO BE GRATEFUL!!!

A man reached 70 years of age and was affected by a disease which made him unable to urinate.

The doctors told him that he needs an operation to cure the disease.

He agreed to do the operation as the problem was giving him severe pain for days.

When the operation was completed the doctor gave him a bill which covered all the costs.

After looking at the bill, the man started crying. Upon seeing this, the doctor said "If the cost is too high then we could make some other arrangements for you.

"The old man replied, "I am not crying because of the money but I am crying because Allah let me urinate for 70 years and He never sent me a bill!"

Beloved, have you thanked Allah for His countless blessings today?

Have you thought about the cost of oxygen in the hospital? Yet, God has given us free oxygen (air) since we were born.

Is all that Allah does for us not worth thanking Him for?
Can we not see that Allah is so gracious, merciful and full of compassion?

If you are truly grateful to Allah for your life, share this message with others, not because you expect a blessing but because you are grateful.

ALHAMDULILLAH,
I'm grateful!!!

AMAZING FROZEN LEMONS

Place the washed lemon in the freezer.
Once frozen, get your grater, & shred the whole lemon (no need to peel it) and sprinkle it on top of your foods!
On vegetables, salad, ice cream, soup, cereals, noodles, spaghetti sauce,
rice, sushi, fish dishes, ... the list is endless.

All the foods will get an unexpected wonderful taste!

Most likely, you only think of lemon juice as vitamin C ??
Not anymore!

What's the major advantage of using the whole lemon other than preventing waste & adding new taste to your dishes?

Lemon peels contain as much as 5 to 10 times more vitamins than the lemon juice itself & that's what you've been wasting!

Lemon peels are health rejuvenators in eradicating toxic
elements in the body.

The surprising benefits of lemon is the miraculous ability to kill cancer cells! It is 10,000 times stronger
than chemotherapy!!

Why do we not know about that?
Because there are laboratories interested in making a synthetic version that will bring them huge profits.

You can now help a friend in need by letting him/her know that lemon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease.
Its taste is pleasant and it does not produce the horrific
effects of chemotherapy.

How many people will die while this closely guarded secret is kept, so as not to jeopardize the multimillionaires large corporations?

This plant is a proven remedy against cancers of all types.

It is considered also as an anti microbial spectrum against bacterial infections and fungi, effective against internal parasites and worms,
it regulates blood pressure
& an antidepressant, combats stress & nervous disorders.

The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of the largest drug
manufacturers in the world, says that after more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970,the extracts revealed that It destroys the malignant cells in 12 cancers, including colon, breast, prostate, lung & pancreas...

The compounds of this tree showed 10,000 times better effect than the product Adriamycin, a drug normally used chemotherapeutic in the world, slowing the growth of cancer cells.
And what is even more astonishing: this type of therapy with lemon extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and it does not affect healthy cells. .

So, give those lemons a good wash, freeze them and grate them. Your whole body will love you for it!!

Request: forward to lots of friends
Must read

Dear sister who is unmarried I recommend the following 10 tips for you

1. Never fail to pray before saying yes to a man. Don’t be in
a hurry to get married. (Istikhara will do).
If you rush in, you may rush out with a lot of injuries!
2. Discover Your Purpose before marriage.
Go To School Or Learn a trade. If possible and worry not if
none.
Don’t wait for a man before you start living.
Add value to yourself and leave a good life.
3. Don’t run after a man because of his money, cars
connection,
position, talent, or family background.
Marry a man on the basis of his taqwa or righteousness not
leaving out his Love for u.
4. Develop a healthy eating habit.
You can reduce your fatness through exercise.
It takes discipline to do that.
5. Dress well: First Impression counts.
Don’t expose any of your private part for men to see
otherwise you
might only attract a player not a responsible man.
6. Don’t beg or force a man to marry you.
You are too precious to do that.
And don’t try to hook and keep a guy with sex or unwanted
pregnancy.
Many ladies who do that end up in shame and regrets.
7. Your character is your marriage.
It makes a man want to spend the rest of his life with you.
So Work on your character.
Beauty is not everything.
If it is all you have, you’ll lose your place to someone more
beautiful and more matured than you.
8. Never fail to learn how to cook good food.
Men usually love a woman who feed them with good food
because
one of the easiest way to a man’s heart is through his
stomach.
9. Never fail to read books about marriage and
family before your Nikaah.
The marriage you don’t prepare for will confuse you when
you get
there.
Attend marriage seminar and premarital counseling before
marriage.
10. Never fail To rely on Allah before Marriage.
A Marriage Without Allah Is Bound To Experience Marital
Crisis.

What is the ruling on the crime of rape in Islam?

Praise be to Allaah.
The Arabic word ightisaab refers to taking something wrongfully by force. It is now used exclusively to refer to transgression against the honour of women by force (rape).
This is an abhorrent crime that is forbidden in all religions and in the minds of all wise people and those who are possessed of sound human nature. All earthly systems and laws regard this action as abhorrent and impose the strictest penalties on it, except a few states which waive the punishment if the rapist marries his victim! This is indicative of a distorted mind let alone a lack of religious commitment on the part of those who challenge Allaah in making laws. We do not know of any love or compassion that could exist between the aggressor and his victim,especially since the pain of rape cannot be erased with the passage of time – as it is said. Hence many victims of rape have attempted to commit suicide and many of them have succeeded, The failure of these marriages is proven and they are accompanied by nothing but humiliation and suffering for the woman.
Islam has a clear stance which states that this repugnant action is haraam and imposes a deterrent punishment on the one who commits it.
Islam closes the door to the criminal who wants to commit this crime. Western studies have shown that most rapists are already criminalswho commit their crimes under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and they take advantage of the fact that their victims are walking alone in isolated places, or staying in the house alone. These studies also show that what the criminals watch on the media and the semi-naked styles of dress in which women go out, also lead to the commission of this reprehensible crime.
The laws of Islam came to protect women's honour and modesty. Islam forbids women to wear clothes that are not modest and to travel without a mahram; it forbids a woman to shake hands with a non-mahram man. Islam encourages young men and women to marry early, and many other rulings which close the door to rape. Hence it comes as no surprise when we hear or read that most of these crimes occur in permissive societies which are looked up to by some Muslims as examples of civilization and refinement! In America – for example – International Amnesty stated in a 2004 report entitled “Stop Violence Against Women” that every 90 seconds a woman was raped during that year. What kind of life are these people living? What refinement and civilization do they want the Muslim women to take part in?
The punishment for rape in Islam is same as the punishment for zina, which is stoning if the perpetrator is married, and one hundred lashes and banishment for one year if he is not married.
Some scholars also say that he is required to pay a mahr to the woman.
Imam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
In our view the man who rapes a woman, whether she is a virgin or not, if she is a free woman he must pay a “dowry” like that of her peers, and if she is a slave he must pay whatever has been detracted from her value. The punishment is to be carried out on the rapist and there is no punishment for the woman who has been raped, whatever the case. End quote.
Al-Muwatta’, 2/734
Shaykh Salmaan al-Baaji (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
In the case of a woman who is forced (raped): if she is a free woman, the one who forced her must pay her a “dowry” like that of her peers, and the hadd punishment is to be carried out on him. This is the view of al-Shaafa’i, and it is the view of al-Layth, and it was also narrated from ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him).
Abu Haneefah and al-Thawri said: the hadd punishment is to be carried out on him but he is not obliged to pay the “dowry”.
The evidence for what we say is that the hadd punishment and the “dowry” are two rights, one of which is the right of Allaah and the other is the right of the other person. So they may be combined, as in the case of a thief whose hand is cut off and he is required to return the stolen goods. End quote.
Al-Muntaha Sharh al-Muwatta’, 5/268, 269
Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
The scholars are unanimously agreed that the rapist is to be subjected to the hadd punishment if there is clear evidence against him that he deserves the hadd punishment, or if he admits to that. Otherwise, he is to be punished (i.e., if there is no proof that the hadd punishment for zina may be carried out against him because he does not confess, and there are not four witnesses, then the judge may punish him and stipulate a punishment that will deter him and others like him). There is no punishment for the woman if it is true that he forced her and overpowered her, which may be proven by her screaming and shouting for help. End quote.
Al-Istidhkaar, 7/146
Secondly:
The rapist is subject to the hadd punishment for zina, even if the rape was not carried out at knife-point or gun-point. If the use of a weapon was threatened, then he is a muhaarib, and is to be subjected to the hadd punishment described in the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The recompense of those who wage war against Allaah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off from opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and a great torment is theirs in the Hereafter”
[al-Maaidah 5:33]
So the judge has the choice of the four punishments mentioned in this verse, and may choose whichever he thinks is most suitable to attain the objective, which is to spread peace and security in society, and ward off evildoers and aggressors.

A Touching Story

A boy was born to a couple after eleven years
of marriage. They were a loving couple and the
boy was the apple of their eyes. When the boy
was around two years old, one morning the
husband saw a medicine bottle open. He was
late for work so he asked the wife to cap the
bottle and keep it in the cupboard. The
mother, preoccupied in the kitchen, totally
forgot the matter.
The boy saw the bottle and playfully went to
the bottle and, fascinated with its color, drank
it all. It happened to be a poisonous medicine
meant for adults in small dosages. When the
child collapsed, the mother hurried him to the
hospital, where he died. The mother was
stunned. She was terrified how to face her
husband.
When the distraught father came to the
hospital and saw the dead child, he looked at
his wife and uttered just four words.
What do you think were the four words?
The husband just said "I Love You Darling"
The husband's totally unexpected reaction is
proactive behavior. The child is dead. He can
never be brought back to life. There is no
point in finding fault with the mother. Besides,
if only he have taken time to keep the bottle
away, this will not have happened. No
point in attaching blame. She had also lost her
only child. What she needed at that moment
was consolation and sympathy from the
husband. That is what he gave her.
Sometimes we spend time asking who is
responsible or who to blame, whether in a
relationship, in a job or with the people we
know. We miss out some warmth in human
relationship in giving each other support. After
all, shouldn't forgiving someone we love be the
easiest thing in the world to do? Treasure what
you have. Don't multiply pain, anguish and
suffering by holding on to forgiveness.
If everyone can look at life with this kind of
perspective, there would be much fewer
problems in the world.
Take off all your envies, jealousies,
unwillingness to forgive, selfishness, and fears
and you will find things are actually not as
difficult as you think...!!!
Alhamdulillah