remember ALLAH wherever you are....

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25 RULES OF BEING CLOSE TO ALLAH…….Insya-ALLAH..

Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?” [Surah ar-Rahman; 55:13]


1. Start off each day with ‘adhkaar al-istiyqaadh’ (waking up Supplications), thanking Allah for waking up in good shape.

2. Put Allah first in your life.

3. Broaden your horizons - learn 5 new verses from the Quran every day, travel to pray far in the mosque to brighten your day,take up a booklet having supplications and read them.

4. Pray Salaat Al-dhuhaa (after sunrise).

5. If someone says something mean; to you, just shrug it off and dismiss it in a friendly, laidback manner, and pray that Allah shall forgive them.

6. When you get angry, remember Allah, and how short and worthless life is to waste in being Angry.

7. Remember that you can never have too many friends, but you can have few quality friends that help you fulfill the purpose of your creation (i.e. live for Allah).

8. When you’re happy, try to share your happiness with others. Thank Allah for that, and pray its continuation.

9. When something bad or embarrassing happens to you, just think that it could always be worse, remember the reward of patience, and thank Allah that it’s not worse than it is.

10. Do something extra of goodness once in a while, like feeding a poor person, or caressing an orphan’s head.

11. Never stop believing that you can win Allah’s love and thus work For it. Then you can win the love of Allah’s slaves.

12. Spend some time thinking of Allah’s amazing creation.

13. Always love those who love Allah unconditionally. This way you will ensure that you live for Him, love for Him, and hate for Him(those who are enemies of Him).

14. Find the righteous ways to express yourself, and if you think that what you are about to say shall cause no benefit, maintain silence (this is tough!!).

15. Every now and then, give yourself a break. Play sports, give time to your family, friends, but always remember Allah and watch that He is watching you.

16. Pray for blessing to come to those being lost, and pray to Allah to guide them to the right path.

17. Hug your parents, kiss their hands and heads and always obey but stop at Allah’s orders.

18. Smile to everyone, for your smile makes a big difference to him or her and you are rewarded.

19. Forgive, forget and smile.

20. Tears are not for women only… tears are for all human beings with feelings remaining in them. Don’t restrain your tears when remembering Allah.

21. When people criticize your actions and effort, revise your actions and see if they please Allah or no. If they do; then ignore and remember how the Prophet (SAW) and the Sahabah were criticized, made fun of and even physically harmed, so have patience.

22. Read the Qur’an daily and try to have a schedule for completing it as much as you could. As you open the Qur’an daily, read with observing not just passing your eyes through the words.

23. Don’t let popularity go to your head, for it never lasts and you may lose from it more than gain.

24. Never look down on anybody, for, to Allah, they may be better than you.

25. Spreading this message to the Ummahs with the intention of having a healthy society living for Allah and pray.

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LOVE OF ALLAH

People naturally like to express their happiness towards those who show them a little courtesy or kindness. For example, he would be very happy if a person welcomes him to his home and offers him whatever he likes, especially if the host is a sensitive person who offers whatever is needed before being asked to do so.

Similarly, a person who is suffering from a serious illness and who regains his health due to a doctor’s treatment will not know how to thank him appropriately. The same is true for a pedestrian who is rescued by a stranger from an oncoming car, for he will do whatever he can to show his gratitude.

Someone who is sick and dependent upon others will constantly thank his care-taker, who ensures that his needs are being met. In recognition of this service, he will show his love and appreciation by treating him in a very respectful manner. Every person loves those who are good to them, and will try to treat them in the same manner.

However, some people forget that only Allah can make people happy, treat them with respect, offer them good sustenance and blessings, create pleasing views for them, grant them a new lease on life every morning, protect them from all dangers, cure them when they are ill, ease their pain and suffering through medicine, and that He owns everything that exists. Therefore, as all of the blessings and goodness that people experience come only from Allah, they should direct all of their love, respect, sense of obligation, loyalty, and thanks to Him. While thanking others for their help, we should never forget that our Lord has inspired them to show us mercy and help us. Allah informs us that:

To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and Earth. He gives life and causes to die. You have no protector or helper besides Allah. (Surat at-Tawba, 116)
The Qur’an also relates Prophet Ibrahim’s (as) supplication to Allah, which highlights His mercy upon humanity:

“He Who created me and guides me, Who gives me food and drink. When I am ill, He heals me. He will cause my death and then give me life.” (Surat ash-Shu‘ara’, 78-82)

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THE PLEASURES OF HEALTH

From an Islamic perspective health is viewed as one of the greatest blessings that God has bestowed on mankind. It should be noted that the greatest blessing after belief is health, as narrated in the following Hadith:

The final messenger of God, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) mounted the pulpit, then wept and said, "Ask Allah (swt) for forgiveness and health, for after being granted certainty, one is given nothing better than health."
Related in Tirmidhi

Health is indeed a favour that we take for granted. We should express gratitude to God for bestowing us with health, and we should try are up most to look after it. God has entrusted us with our bodies for a predestined period of time. He will hold us to account on how we looked after and utilised our bodies and good health.

It has been narrated that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

"No one will be allowed to move from his position on the Day of Judgement until he has been asked how he spent his life, how he used his knowledge, how he earnt and spent his money and in what pursuits he used his health"
Related in Tirmidhi

The preservation of this blessing can only be achieved through taking good care of one’s health and taking every measure to maintain and enhance it. With this in mind every Muslim should make sure they undertake all necessary actions which are conducive to the preservation of good health. Healthy living is part and parcel of Islam, introduced with the inception of Islam more than 14 centuries ago. Furthermore, the Quran and the Sunnah outline the teachings that show every Muslim how to protect his health and live life in a state of purity. Numerous examples in Islam instruct its followers to live a healthy life, a selection are summarised below.

Daily prayer

Any health benefits derived from prayer or any other worship (fasting) are secondary in importance. The Salah or Islamic prayer comprises both physical movement and mental concentration. Performed five times a day at specific times of the day, the obligatory prayers provide a good means for the circulation of blood, breathing and general suppleness of joints. Though it is not physically over demanding, we know that anything done moderately and consistently is far better than sudden over-exertion at infrequent periods.

Ablution before Prayer & Ghusl

Before a Muslim performs their prayers, they must perform the ablution which comprises thorough washing of the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms (up to the elbow) and the feet (up to the ankle). This ritual of self-purification when carried out five-times a day, leaves the worshiper clean, refreshed and ready to face his creator. Muslims are also required to clean themselves with water after urinating or defecating. Another act of worship which also helps to maintain good health is taking a shower, or ghusl. This is compulsory when one is in the state of ritual impurity, and is compulsory at least once a week before attending the weekly Friday prayer.

Diet & Nutrition

Various verses and texts within Islam promote the eating of healthy wholesome food and eating in moderation. God clearly states in the Quran:

Eat of the good things which We have provided for you. (2:173) Eat of what is lawful and wholesome on the earth.(2:168)

A healthy nutritious diet must also be balanced, in order to maintain the balance that God has established in all things, this is addressed in the Quran when God says:

And He enforced the balance. That you exceed not the bounds; but observe the balance strictly; and fall not short thereof. (55:7–9)

As we know, eating excessively causes harm to our systems. Many aliments are related to uncontrolled eating habits such as, diabetes, vascular diseases, stroke, heart attack etc. It has been said that the ‘stomach is the home of ill health’ and is usually responsible in some way to ill health. Islam teaches us to eat moderately:

Eat and drink, but avoid excess. (20:81)

Over indulgence and wasting of food are further dissuaded in the Hadith of the of the Messenger of God:

‘ No human being has ever filled a container worse than his own stomach. The son of Adam needs no more than a few morsels of food to keep up his strength, doing so he should consider that a third of his stomach is for food, a third for drink and a third for breathing’
Ibn Maja

Fasting

Fasting during the month of Ramadan from dawn till dusk, is undertaken to seek the pleasure of God and to practise self control and restraint in all aspects of living, with the idea being to continue this state of God consciousness and piety after Ramadan is over. It is an ideal time to remove the impurities and shortcomings in ones life.

‘ O you who believe fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you can learn
Taqwa (God consciousness)’

Fasting in Islam is not like crash dieting, it is adequate in calorie intake and involves no malnutrition. All foods are permissible to eat in moderation, once the fast is over. Many processed foods we eat contain chemicals which over-time can be stored by our bodies as toxins within cells. Fasting can assist our body to purge these toxins while also allowing our body and digestive system to rest. Research has indicated that fasting can lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol, suggesting it may be advisable for moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity and essential hypertension.

Prohibition of Intoxicants

Islam strictly forbids indulgence in intoxicants such as alcohol and drugs for good reason. The limited pleasure of such vices causes immense long-term damage to both mind, body and the social fabric of society. Particular schools of thought include smoking within the list of prohibitions because of its harmful affects on the body. It seems that if Muslims adhere to the teachings of Islam, they would automatically lead a healthier lifestyle. God says in the Quran:

Satan's plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer, will ye not then abstain? (5:90)

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THE DISEASE OF PRIDE

The disease of pride and arrogance deletes all traces of goodness and piety. This is the worst vice in causing havoc to Deen and a regrettable disease to have for the followers of this perfect and exalted religion. It launches a direct attack on beliefs and principles. If ignored and overlooked for sometime it becomes fatal and incurable, and gives rise to other spiritual maladies and vices, which are no less than four in number, as, mentioned below:


1. Being deprived of truth and truthfulness. The heart becomes blind to the verse dealing with knowledge about Allah. It is a very grievous vice in which the mind of a man becomes dull and impervious to the understanding of Deen. Allah has said in the Holy Quran:


“I shall turn away from My revelations those who show pride in the world wrongfully.” (7.146)

Allah has said in another place in the Quran:

“And in this way Allah does put a seal on every arrogant disdainful heart.” (40.35)


2. The wrath and punishment of Allah fall on the jealous person. Allah has said:

“Certainly He does not love the proud ones.” (16:23)

It is narrated that Hazrat Moosa Peace and blessings be upon him asked exalted Allah: “Oh my Lord! Who is the most deserving of your wrath and displeasure?” Allah Ta’aala told him:
“ It is he whose heart is filled with pride and his tongue is filthy (i.e. Abusive), his eyes are devoid of shame, his hands are miserly and he is of bad conduct and character.


3. Allah will put the proud to disgrace and ill-repute (dishonour) in the Hereafter.

Hazrat Hatim Asam (rahmatullahi alaihi) has said: “Do not die in a state of pride, greed and arrogance.”

Allah does not cause the proud fellow to meet his death unless he is disgraced and dishonoured by his own family, relatives and servants.

Similarly the greedy does not meet his death unless he becomes destitute for a morsel of food and a drop of water.

In the same way the arrogant person does not meet his own death unless being polluted with his own excrement and urine.


4. The proud renders himself liable to Hell in the Hereafter. It occurs in a Hadith Qudsi:


“Pride is My cloak and grandeur is my trousers. If anyone disputes with Me in any one of these (two) I shall admit him into the Hell-fire.”

In the other words, pride and grandeur are two exclusive attributes of Allah, which none is allowed to apply and ascribe towards himself.

It is imperative to refrain from such a dangerous and deadly calamity which leads to loss of knowledge of Allah, inability to understand the commands of Allah, His displeasure, disgrace in this world and the Hereafter and painful torment therein. No wise person can be neglectful in the matter of such a harmful and destructive calamity.


We should, therefore, try to save ourselves from this and seek refuge from Allah.

Pride as a sin is incorrectly considered to be insignificant and minute in comparison to other major sins, by a vast majority of the people. It may be that compared to the major sins like murder and associating partner with Allah, it is slightly inferior. But that is only because of the magnitude of those particular sins that pride is considered a lesser sin.


In a Hadith of the Holy Prophet Peace and blessings be upon him it is narrated that,

“Whosoever has in his heart, even a atom of pride he will not enter paradise.”

In observing the above Hadith, it is of utmost importance that we get rid of this spiritual malady, if we hold any illusion or hope of entering paradise.


Remember that we do claim to be the followers and believes of Islam and we claim to be Muslims, so how then can we still have pride in ourselves? For the very meaning of Islam is to submit totally and conditionally to the worship of the Supreme Being, Allah Ta’ala and as Muslims it is incumbent upon us to get rid of every drop of pride, superiority and haughtiness within us, as we are small and inferior in comparison to the Supreme Being, if such comparison can be made. So let's try and act upon the very essence of our religion and our adjective as Muslims and submit and surrender ourselves to the worship and pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.

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educating " A SPECIAL CHILD"

Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah. If only the People of the Book had faith, it were best for them: among them are some who have faith, but most of them are perverted transgressors (Surah 3, Verse 110)

Every parent and every teacher knows how important a positive self-image is to success in studies. A student who thinks he is retarded will find it hard to succeed. That is why it is so important to express admiration at achievements and to make children feel that everything depends on their own will and determination. A child needs to see a spark of admiration in the eyes of a parent or teacher when he succeeds because such a response allows him to believe in himself and his abilities.


As a parent, you may wish for an intelligent child bordering on the verge of pure genius. You may wish for a child who can do sums in seconds, make a poem in minutes, or compose a sonata at the young age of seven bring pride to your gentle motherly or fatherly heart.

But what if you have a slow learning child? Can you face the challenges that come with having to teach such a child? Are you prepared to devote time, money, and energy inteaching your child and allowing him or her to learn at his or her own pace?

It is not necessarily difficult to raise slow learner kids - and they are certainly not that hard to deal with. In fact, many adults are slow learner kids themselves: as we age, we find it harder to amass new learning and set old, unnecessary, often erroneous information aside. What techniques have you tried out to make yourself remember facts? The same principles come into play when dealing with slow learner kids.

Here are a few tips on how to deal with slow learner kids.

- A child is a child is a child: discipline your child as you would any other, and affirm his or her good traits.

A slow learner will often be aware of his or her inability to learn as fast as other kids by the time he or she enters preschool or kindergarten. Do your best to encourage your child to do better.

- Compliment, but don't overdo it.

Some parents have the tendency to be fawning, and to overemphasize their children's abilities. This can be embarrassing for your child, and without your knowing it, it can be embarrassing for you as a parent. You will appear to be trying too hard to please and impress everyone.

- Help out, don't dominate.

You may find yourself assisting in your slow learner kid's homework. Allow him or her to work problems out independently, and avoid the temptation to do the homework yourself. How would you feel if someone took control of your life, and, without saying it, emphasized how you could not do anything on your own? Think how this philosophy would affect a child, and how it could hamper his or her mental development.

Every child is unique, even in learning ability.A slow learner can amass learning much slower, so be patient. We all learn at our own pace, and it so happens that a slow learner will take much more time to do so. If possible, hire a private tutor or a special teacher who specializes in educating slow learners. He or she will have special modules especially constructed to deal with the needs of slow learners.

- If you cannot hire a special tutor, then do the tutoring yourself, but make your teaching fun.

Remember how all the fun teachers made your student life more memorable? Remember how that exciting chemistry professor made you want to learn more about the elements, or how that fun history teacher made you want to hit the books instead of catching the latest big budget, period film?

Putting the fun into learning can encourage your slow learning child to love studying. If you can make your private lessons exciting, say by turning math problems into missions to save the world, or science problems into real world problems that your child can easily grasp, then you can give your slow learner a chance to actually learn.

- Congratulate your child on a job well done.

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TAQWA: Fearing Of Allah

Linguistically Taqwa means forbearance, fear and abstinence, but in the Islamic terminology, Taqwa has a distinct meaning. Taqwa is a high state of heart, which keeps one conscious of Allah's presence and His Knowledge, and it motivates him to perform righteous deeds and avoid those, which are forbidden.

The essence of Taqwa is to make a shield (which guards) against Allah's anger and punishment. That shield is to obey His commandments and abstain from His punishment. [as explained by Ibn Rajab (rahimahullah) in Jami al-Uloom wal-Hikam (190/191)]
Allah says: "O you who believe! Have Taqwa of Allah, as you should have of Him and do not die except as Muslims." [Soorah aal-Imraan (3): 102]

Ibn Mas'oud (radhiallahu anhu) said speaking about this verse, Allah is meant to be obeyed, and not disobeyed; remembered at all times, and not forgotten; and to be thanked; and we are not to be ungrateful to Him."

Talq Ibn Habeed (a tabi'e) said: "Taqwa (piety) is that you act in obedience to Allah, and hope in His Mercy, upon a light from Him; and Taqwa is leaving acts of disobedience to Allah out of fear of Him, upon a light from Him." [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee. Related by Ibn Abee Shaybah in Kitaabul-Emaan (no: 99)]

Taqwa alone is the criterion of greatness in the Sight of Allah
Allah says: "O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has Taqwa (God-consciousness, fearing Allah). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware." [Soorah al-Hujurat (49): 13]

Allah has erased all distinctions of racism, cast and color and made all human beings equal. He has established a unique criterion for greatness and that is Taqwa. Taqwa is the essence of the teachings of Allah's Messenger (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam).

Whenever Allah's Messenger (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) sent his Sahabah on a military expedition, he would advice them to have deep-rooted Taqwa of Allah and he would also advise the rest of his military party likewise.

The Pious Predecessors (salaf as-Saalih) continued this practice of giving mutual advice of Taqwa after Allah's Messenger r passed away. Umar Ibn Khattab (radhiallahu anhu) wrote to his son, Abdullah: "To proceed: 'Verily I advise you to have taqwa (fear) of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, for whoever fears Him, Allah will protect him, and whoever gives a loan to Him, Allah will reward him, and whoever thanks Him, Allah will increase Him."

Some benefits of Taqwa

1. Taqwa is a means by which a believer performs righteous deeds and Taqwa causes the righteous deed to be accepted by Allah.

Allah says: "O you who believe! Have Taqwa (fear) of Allah and always speak the truth. He will direct you to do righteous and correct actions and will forgive you your sins and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed attained a great achievement." [Soorah al-Ahzaab (33): 70] and: "Verily Allah accepts only from those who are the muttaqoon (those who posses Taqwa)." [Soorah al-Maaidah (19): 71-72]

2. Taqwa makes one deserving of Allah's Pleasure and Love. Allah says: "Verily, the most honorable of you in the Sight of Allah is that (believer) who has Taqwa." [Soorah al-Hujurat (49): 13] and: "Whoever fulfills his pledge and has Taqwa of Allah much, then indeed, Allah loves those who are muttaqoon (those who posses Taqwa)." [Soorah Aal-Imraan (3): 76]

3. Taqwa causes sins to be forgiven and increases rewards. Allah says: "And whoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him. He will remit his sins from him, and will enlarge his rewards." [Soorah at-Talaaq (65): 5]

4. Taqwa keeps one steadfast on the Straight Path and protects him from deviation.
Allah says: "O you who believe! Have Taqwa of Allah. He will give you a Furqaan (criterion to judge between right and wrong)." [Soorah al-Anfaal (8): 29]

How to achieve Taqwa?

Allah says: "O mankind! Worship your Lord, Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become al-Muttaqoon." [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 21]

Thus, Taqwa is the fruit of Eebadah (worship) and and can only be achieved by performing acts of Eebadah. Therefore we often find Allah mentioning Taqwa with Eebadah, he said regarding the fasts of Ramadaan: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become muttaqoon (those who posses Taqwa)." [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 183]

Who is the most righteous?

Allah says: "And whosoever honors the symbols of Allah, then it is truly from the piety of the heart." [Soorah al-Hajj (22): 32]

Thus, Taqwa inhabits the heart and it is only within the capability of Allah to know what the hearts conceal. Therefore, judging people's righteousness and spirituality is beyond the ability of the slave, Allah pointed out to this fact when he said: "There is among people, he whose speech will dazzle you in this life and he will claim that Allah is witness (to the sincerity of) what is in his heart, yet he will be among the most vicious enemies (of mankind)." [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 204]

It is mentioned in the Qur'aan that Allah chooses His Awliya (singular 'wali' ling. meaning Friend) from His slaves based upon their righteousness.
Allah mentioned the characteristics of His Walee saying: "Verily, Awliya of Allah are those who are not overcome by fear of grief; they are those who believe and have Taqwa." [Soorah Yoonus (10): 62-63] and: "Verily, His close friends (Awliya) are only those with Taqwa but most of them do not realize it." [Soorah al-Anfaal (8): 34] Thus, a Walee of Allah is he, who has Eeman, Taqwa and fear of Allah.

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