Importance of a balanced diet in Islam

As Salaamu Alaikum!

Apart from adhering to the numerous other injunctions regarding nutrition (such as moderation, eating according to Sunnah etiquette, eating only Halaal, etc.), Islam also enjoins the importance of a good, balanced diet. " The Qur'an orders us to eat good food and perform virtuous deeds. A wholesome, balanced diet is an integral part of Islamic life. Analysis of various verses from the holy Qur’an clearly shows that the foods spoken in it will fulfill one's daily protein, carbohydrate, fat and vitamin requirements.

Qur'anic verses speak about the importance of, among other things:

• meat (6;118)
• dates 6;141)
• milk (16;66)
• olives (wat-Teen)
• pomegranates (6;141)
• figs (wat-Teen)
• fish (16;14)
• honey, etc.

Other than Qur'anic verses, we have the authentic Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu-alaihi-wasallam) which also testifies to the importance of a balanced diet. The fact that Prophet Muhammad  (sallallahu-alaihi-wasallam) would at times eat cucumber together with dates in order to balance the opposing hot and cold effects in these foods is a proof of this. Many other examples can be cited here as well. For greater information, the detailed works of Hadith such as Shama'il-Tirmidhi can be consulted.

24 Tips on Planning Eid-ul-Adha

As Salaamu Alaikum!

Eid-ul-Adha is a week away and preparations have started, so today we will send an email which will help you plan this day, In sha Allah. This day should not be considered as an ordinary holiday and an excuse to rest and sleep, as Muslim families we have this day as an opportunity to perform good deeds, sacrifice and educate other people including our families, our children about the importance of sacrifice and teachings of Islam.

               I.        Make an Eid plan this weekend. Let the whole family sit down and plan together.

             II.        In most Muslim countries Eid is a time for buying new clothing. It's spring time anyway.

           III.        Eid is a time to go on farm for udhia/qurbani and talk about Prophet Ibrahim's (peace be on Him) sacrifice. 

            IV.        Talk about Hajj in your story night. Recount the memories of your experience or you may want to discuss when you want to go for Hajj or Umrah

              V.        On Hajj day talk about why millions of Muslims run between Safa and Marwa.

            VI.        Have an open book competition in your home about Hajj and Prophet Ibrahim (peace be on Him) with prizes for all participants.

          VII.        Take your children to see off an Hajji from your community or receive him or her when S/he comes back.

         VIII.        Involve them in loud takbirat while going and returning from the Eid Prayer.

            IX.        For children ages 2-8 "Take Me to the Kaba" is an excellent video choice on or before Eid.

              X.        For ages 8 and up, software like "Hajj & Umrah" CD-Rom might provide some new information. Such CD’s may include games.

            XI.        Give out a gift of any of the above items if you don't already own them.

          XII.        For THE collective family study verses from the Quran.

         XIII.        For story telling or reading a book for them, tell them the story of Ibrahim, Allah's peace and blessings be upon him.

Restrictions for the one who intends to offer Sacrifice

As Salaamu Alaikum!

The Sunnah indicates that the one who wants to offer a sacrifice must stop cutting his hair and nails and removing anything from his skin, from the beginning of the ten days until after he has offered his sacrifice, because the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said: "When you see the new moon of Dhu’l-Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, then he should stop cutting his hair and nails until he has offered his sacrifice." According to another report he said: "He should not remove (literally, touch) anything from his hair or skin." (reported by Muslim with four isnaads, 13/146)

There is nothing wrong with men or women washing their heads during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet(Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) only forbade cutting the hair, not washing it.

The wisdom behind this prohibition, probably, is that  the one who wants to offer a sacrifice from cutting his hair etc., is so that he may resemble those in ihraam in some aspects of the rituals performed, and so that he may draw closer to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala by offering the sacrifice. So he leaves his hair and nails alone until the time when he has offered his sacrifice, in the hope that Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will save him in his entirety from the Fire. And Allah knows best.

If a person has cut his hair or nails during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah because he was not planning to offer a sacrifice, then he decides later, during the ten days, to offer a sacrifice, then he must refrain from cutting his hair and nails from the moment he makes this decision. And Allah knows best.

The first 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah: Virtues and things to do

As Salaamu Alaikum!

The Blessed Month of Dhul Hijjah is here and we have got an opportunity by the grace of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala to perfect our worship, to do more good deeds and be a good Mulsim.

The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are the most important days; these are the days which are also beloved to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala. And it is these 10 days which must be utilised fully. One should not be derived out of the blessings of these ten days, because of ignorance. Each and every person must be aware of these ten days and make full use of it.

All Praise be to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, Who has created Time and has made some times better than others, some months and days and nights better than others, when rewards are multiplied many times, as a mercy towards His slaves. This encourages them to do more righteous deeds and makes them more eager to worship Him, so that the Muslim renews his efforts to gain a greater share of reward, prepare himself for death and supply himself in readiness for the Day of Judgement.

This season of worship brings many benefits, such as the opportunity to correct one’s faults and make up for any shortcomings or anything that one might have missed. Every one of these special occasions involves some kind of worship through which the slaves may draw closer to Allah, and some kind of blessing though which Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala bestows His favour and mercy upon whomsoever He will. The happy person is the one who makes the most of these special months, days and hours and draws nearer to his Lord during these times through acts of worship; he will most likely be touched by the blessing of Allah and will feel the joy of knowing that he is safe from the flames of Hell. (Ibn Rajab, al-Lataa’if, p.

The Muslim must understand the value of his life, increase his worship of Allah and persist in doing good deeds until the moment of death. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty." [al-Hijr 15:99] The mufassireen (commentators) said: "‘The certainty’ means death."

Among the special seasons of worship are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, which Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala has preferred over all the other days of the year. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days."...

Some beneficial things which we can do in these 10 days (and always) are:

1.Salaah:

a.Offer Salaah at the earliest time.

b. Offer prayerswith humility and submissiveness.

c. Perform voluntariya prayers such as the Duha prayers.

2. Fasting:

a. Keep more voluntary fasts.

b. Fast on Mondays and Thursdays.

c. Make up missed fasts.

d. Fast on the 9^th day of Dhul Hijjah. “It is hoped that the fasting the day of Arafah  (9^th Dhul Hijjah) will be an expiation for (sins of) the previous year and coming year.”.. Sahih Muslim

3. Qura’n:

a. Frequently recite the Qur’an.

b. Memorise some Surahs.

c. Revise the past memorised.

d. Reflect on the meaning of the Qur’an.

e. Convey the message of the Qur’an to others.

4. Dhikr and Dua:

a. Recite more and more Tahlil (Laa Ilaaha Illallah) , Takbir (Allahu Akbar) and Tahmid (Alhumdulillah)

b. Read the morning and evening Adhkar.

c. Excessively seek the forgiveness of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala.

d. Send peace and blessings upon the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam).

e. Supplicate too many times, especially on the Day of Arafat.

f. Learn more and more Duas and teach it to others.

5. Charity:

a. Spend on wives, family, relatives and friends, for the Sake of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala.

b. Give in chaity whatever is excess..Do not waste or throw.

c. Give lot of charity, as much as possible.

6.Social Welfare:

a. Join and maintain close ties with relatives.

b. Look after the well being of neighbours.

c. Reach out to the needy.

d.Put your share in the teaching and conveying the deen.

7. Eid and Sacrifice:

a. Do not trim hair and nail until animal sacrifice.

b. Follow the Sunnah of the Eid day.

c. Go to Eid prayers for enthusiasm.

d. Visit and greet relatives and friends.

e. Offer sacrifice with a sincere intention.

8.Miscellaneous:

a. Do not neglect any opportunity to do good.

b. Avoid all useless actions and words.

c. Avoid sins.

d. Read good books and distribute good books or useful information such as Islamic emails to your contacts.

With Best Wishes

 www.waytoquran.tk

Why the Tawaf around the Ka’aba is “Anticlockwise”?

As Salaamu Alaikum!

The time of Hajj has come and several Muslims across the globe are making preparations to go to the Sacred House and many have already reached and doing the Tawaaf of the Holy Kaabah in large numbers. Masha Allah!

We are seeing it on Television and reading about it in the papers or watching the recordings of people doing their Tawaaf in anticlockwise direction, but do you know why it is done Anti clockwise? Have you wondered why not clockwise? Suppose, a non muslim or your child suddenly asks you this question - do you know what answer to give? Hmm, we must be prepared !  Well, we will give you this answer today - 

Modern Science has proved many things that confirms the importance of Tawaaf around the Ka’aba “Anticlockwise.”

1) The Blood inside the human body begins its circulation “Anticlockwise”

2) The electrons of an atom revolve around its nucleus in the same manner as making Tawaf, in an anti-clockwise direction. Considering the globe as a whole, you will notice that:

3) That the moon revolves around the earth anti- clockwise.

4) The earth rotates around its own axis in an anti- clockwise direction.

5) The earth revolves around the sun in an anti- clockwise direction.

6) The planets of the Solar system revolve around the sun in an anti-clockwise direction. 

Doing a lot of Righteous Deeds and Filling one’s time with them

As Salaamu Alaikum!

This is one of the best ways of dealing with weak faith, and is clearly very effective in strengthening faith and make us getting closer to Allaah Subhanahu Wa Ta'alaa.

Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq (may Allaah be pleased with him) set the best example of this, when the Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) asked his Sahaabah: “Who among you got up fasting this morning?” Abu Bakr said, “I did.” He asked, “Who among you has attended a funeral today?” Abu Bakr said, “I have.” He asked, “Who among you has fed a needy person today?” Abu Bakr said, “I have.” He asked, “Who among you has visited a sick person today?” Abu Bakr said, “I have.” The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said, “No man does all of that but he will enter Paradise.” (Reported by Muslim, Kitaab Fadaa’il al-Sahaabah, Baab 1, Hadeeth 12).

This story demonstrates that Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq (may Allaah be pleased with him) was keen to make the most of every opportunity and to do a variety of acts of worship. Because this was an unexpected question on the part of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam), this indicates that Abu Bakr’s days were filled with acts of obedience and worship. The salaf (may Allaah have mercy on them) reached the highest levels in their efforts to do righteous deeds and fill their time in this manner. An example of this is what was said about a group of the salaf among whom was Hammaad ibn Salamah. Imaam ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Mahdi said: “If it were said to Hammaad ibn Salamah, ‘You will die tomorrow,’ he would not be able to do more good deeds (than he was already doing).” (Siyar A’laam al-Nubala’, 7/447).

10 Things Muslim Men Find Attractive In Muslim Women

As Salaamu Alaikum!

Today's e-mail will be a very special one. It is for all our brothers and sisters who are married. While an ordinary man likes several things in an ordinary woman, it is only a Muslim man who can like halaal and acceptable traits in a Muslim woman (his wife).

So presenting below are 10 traits or qualities in a Muslim woman, which makes her special and different from Ordinary woman and hence, are so much appreciated and liked by Muslim men.

●⇨1. Her Obedience to the Creator: A practicing Muslim man loves to have a practicing Muslim wife; who knows that the life of this world is nothing but a test from her Lord; giving her an opportunity to come closer and closer to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), doing more and more good deeds to please Him, restricting herself from the desires of her inner self that go against the will of her Creator. 

But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts. Verily, Paradise will be his abode. (Surah An- Naaziyaat: 40-41)

●⇨2. Her Haya (Modesty/Shyness): Haya is one of the most significant factors of a woman’s personality. Haya according to a believer's nature refers to a bad and uneasy feeling accompanied by embarrassment, caused by one's fear of being exposed or censured for some unworthy or indecent conduct.

Prophet SallAllahu alaihiwasallam said: "Haya comes from Eman; Eman leads to Paradise. Obscenity comes from antipathy; and antipathy leads to the fire." (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

A Muslim woman feels shy to do anything that would displease her Lord in any aspect. She has haya in her talk, she has haya in her gaze, she has haya in her clothing, she has haya in her walk. Her haya in her talk is that she is not soft in her speech but speaks honorably.

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allah then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner” (Surah Al-Ahzaab:32)

Taqwa

As Salaamu Alaikum!

Verily, His (Allah’s) close friends are only those with Taqwa…" (Quran 8:34)

Imagine having your sins forgiven. Imagine you were able to distinguish between right and wrong. Imagine being one of those who deserve Allah’s Love and Pleasure. Imagine being a close friend of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala).

In the Quran it states, "Verily, His (Allah’s) close friends are only those with Taqwa…" (Quran 8:34)

Taqwa is an elevated position of one’s heart, which keeps the believer conscious of Allah's presence and His Knowledge. To have Taqwa is to make a shield to guard ourselves against Allah's anger and punishment. This shield is to obey His commandments and abstain from what He has Forbidden.

Taqwa is the fruit of Ibadah (Worship) and can only be achieved by performing acts of Ibadah, as Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) says: "O mankind! Worship your Lord, Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqoon." (Quran 2:21)

Here are 4 Benefits of Taqwa:

Seven Beautiful Pearls Which Make A Wife Special

 As Salaamu Alaikum!

Today's email is very special. It is for our sisters. The pearls mentioned below will make every wife special, In sha Allah. 

1) The Patient:

The woman who remains patient in all circumstances, and never whines, moans, nags or complains. When some trouble or affliction hits her, she turns to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala for help.

2) The Protector:

The woman who protects her husband's wealth & her chastity when he is away from home. She doesn't gossip or mingle with other men, nor does she allow anyone in his house without his approval. She knows, respects and stays within the boundaries of his gheerah.

When he returns, she runs to his arms, as if she was anticipating for his return. She allows him time to relax before anything and does not burden him with the day's problems, but listens attentively to his needs and does her best to take his tiredness away.

The Quran and Hadith on Mothers

As Salaamu Alaikum!

Let us read what the Qur'an and Hadiths say about our mothers. 

The Quran

1. "We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents; in pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth" (46:15).

2. "Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: ‘My Lord! bestow on them Thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood' "(17:23-24).

3. "We have enjoined on man and woman kindness to parents; but if they (either of them) strive (to force) thee to join with Me anything of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not'" (29:8).

4. "We have enjoined on man and woman (to be good) to his/her parents; show gratitude to Me and to thy parents; to Me is (thy final) Goal. If they (parents) strive to make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration) and follow the way of those who turn to Me (in love)" (31:14-15).

Six attacks by Shaytaan and 10 defences

As Salaamu Alaikum!

ALL PRAISES AND THANKS TO ALLAH, LORD OF THE WORLDS!!

How does Shaytaan misguide us? The following are the six ways through which the Shaytaan, the accursed, 

leads us astray. He will continue to assault mankind until he succeeds in one or more of them. And also 

mentioned below are 10 different ways of keeping ourselves safe from his enticements. 

Shaytaan attacks us by:

1)  The evil of polytheism and disbelief;

2)  Then innovations;

3)  Next are the major sins;

4)  Then the minor sins;

5)  Subsequently, busying people with practicing Mubahaat (meaning Actions that one is neither ordered 

to or prohibited from performing

Specifically , such as eating or sleeping) instead of practicing good deeds [that one is rewarded for]; 

6)  Next is busying them with practicing deeds which are good instead of deeds which are better.

The reasons that safeguard a servant from the Shaytaan are ten:

1)  Seeking refuge with Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala from him;

2)  Reading al Mu'awathatain [Surat an Nas and Surat al Falaq];

3)  Reading Ayatul Kursi;

4)  Reading Surat al Baqarah;