My Reflections on International Women's Day

When you look at me, 

All that you can see, 

is the scarf that covers my hair. 

My words you can't hear, 

because you're too full of fear, 

mouth gaping, 

all you do is stare.
You think it's not my choice, 

in your own "liberation" rejoice.

You think I'm uneducated, 

trapped, 

oppressed and subjugated, 

You're so thankful that you're free.
But you've got it wrong.... 

You're the weak and 

I'm the strong.

For I've rejected the trap of man. 

Fancy clothes - 

low neck, 

short skirt   

are devices for pain and hurt. 

I'm not falling for that little plan.
I'm a person with ideas and thought. 

I'm not for sale, 

I can't be bought. 

I'm me - not a fancy toy, 

I won't decorate anyone's arm, 

nor be promoted for my charm. 

There is more to me than playing coy.
Living life as a balancing game - 

mother,daughter, wife, nurse, cleaner, cook, lover and 

 still bring home a wage?

Who thought up this modern "freedom"? 

Where man can love 'em 

and man can leave 'em. 

This is not free, 

but life in a cage. 

Always jumping to a male agenda, 

competing on his terms. 

No job share, no creche facilities, 

no feeding and 

nappy changing amenities. 

No time off for menstrual pain,"hormones" 

they laugh "what a shame. 

"No equal pay equal skill, 

your job they can always fill. 

No promotion unless you're sterilised. 

No promotion unless you're sexually terrorised.

And this is liberation?
You can have your life. 

Mine - 

it has less strife. 

I cover and I get respected, 

surely that's to be expected, 

for I won't demean the feminine, 

I won't live to male criterion, 

I surrender to Allah’s standards, 

Quran my tune

I hope you see this very soon. 

For your own sake - 

wake up and use your sight. 

Are you so sure that you are right?

Talking about women is an arduous task because we can never really do justice to the topic of women. Women are beautiful, creative, intuitive. We add brilliance to life. Our smiles are the harbinger of joy. We are skilled. sauve, delightful, mysterious and hardworking. We can be simple yet unpredictable. We can be outgoing, sometimes outrageous but at the end of the day, we are kindhearted and resolute. We make the house, a home. We are the reason behind and source of men's success. We have the power to give life and raise nations. We are inseparably intertwined with the universe for its and our existence. History has been a testament to the fact that women are great. We are funny, smart, charming and accomplished. We give away so much of ourselves to others and to the world daily but receive very little acknowledgement in turn. I am very pleased and proud of the Ryerson Muslim Student Association to allow women to come together in solitude and self-reflection to celebrate women.

Especially Muslim women, who I think are a minority in this society, and increasingly discriminated against because of ... lets face it ... because of the way we dress. Our dress distinguishes us because of which we have become an easy target for growing prejudices and stereotypes. But what is unique about Muslim women, and something that most people do not know ... is that we do not accept but challenge the mandates and labels of society. We do not allow ourselves to be overly awed and manipulated by the pressures that surround us. We are gentle and polite but make no mistake, we are also electric enkindled. We are spiritual but also able minded and strong in every way. Muslim women revere themselves. We respect our bodies, our intelligence and our purpose in life. You have the examples of some really amazing Muslim women like Sandra Noe and Tina Aseffa, who live very active and vibrant lives behind the veil. Truth be told, underneath hijab and niqab, there is a Muslim woman who is wise, colourful and warm. We have so much to offer to this society...so many ideas and talents to share. I think its a shame that Muslim women and our dress are constantly misunderstood, harassed and persecuted at all levels of society, now including the government. 

Muslim women, all over the world, primarily draw their inspiration and guidance from the Qur'an. We dress the way we do because the Qur'an teaches us to do so. We are motivated by God to be modest and cover our body. Therefore, a discussion and a narrative about Muslim women necessitates touching base with the Qur'an. 

Tonight, we'll discuss some of God's teachings about women in the Qur'an. We will view the complements, the honour and the love God extends to the women throughout the Qur'an. You will see how beautifully early Muslim women were treated by men, because of the rights and freedoms God gave us. In the end, I hope leave you with a positive image and understanding of Muslim women. And a renewed commitment to appreciating Muslim women, in fact women everywhere.

What is crucial to a Muslim woman's life and her identity is her relationship with her Creator. A Muslim woman is an embodiment of her faith. Her body is a vessel of God's love and respect. The meaning of her life is worship.

I will be using the Arabic Name of God, the Name which is used in the Qur'an, which is Allah. The Arabic Name, Allah is a contraction of “Al' and “Ilah” which means The God and the Only Deity – Allah means the Only Divine, Supreme, Creator and True Owner of everything. In Hebrew and Aramaic – the languages of Moses, David and Jesus, the Name of God is Eloh or Elah. We don't see that in the Bible as much as more because of mistranslations and Greek and Latin influences but the Name of God, said by all Prophets of Judaism, Christianity and Islam is Allah.

The Muslims believe that when Allah created our impeccable universe, He sent us Messengers – men who with His message to humanity till the last Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent to humanity with God's Words. The Final Speech of God to humankind is called the Qur'an. 

The women should be especially happy and excited about the Qur'an because a huge chunk of this Book, that Allah revealed is dedicated towards honouring women and preaching kindness towards us. Our gender as a draw-back, being a woman is not a demerit point in Islam. We matter to Allah and He is so concerned about our well-being and our safety that chapter after chapter in the Qur'an speaks of women, so much so that Yunne Ridley, a UK journalist convert to Islam said, The Qur'an is a Magna Carta for Women.

So finally, what is the value of women in the Qur'an?

Allah says, وَلَيْسَ الذَّكَرُ كَالأُنثَى – and the man is not like the female. Our society compare women to a men. Our worth is always juxtaposed with men. We need to walk like them, talk like them, dress like them, do their work in order for society to think of us as equal and as good as men. But according to the Qur'an, men cannot measure up to women. Men can never achieve the esteem and standard that the women hold. As a daughter, a woman is the door of Paradise for her father. As a wife, a woman completes her husand's Deen. As a mother, Paradise is under a woman's feet. So for any man to be successful in the religion of Islam and receive Paradise...he must honour and treat the women in his life with dignity.

• E.A Allen, wrote an amazing treatise on the History of Civilizations. He writes in Vol. 3 pages 444, 443 and 450 that in 1600 BC, Athens Greece – women are treated as minor, deficient in intellect, incapable of making her own decisions. The property of their male kin.
• In 44 BC, the Rome Empire - women are still the property of her male kin, bartered from one man to another for benefit. She was totally dependent. She could not own any property or wealth. She had no freedom, choice or influence even with respect to her own life. France, I believe was the first European country to give women the status of human beings in 586. Prior to this, it was assumed that a woman was without a soul.
• The Encyclopedia Britannica 1986, vol. 23 pg 64 testifies to the English Common Law, the legal system of England and Wales that legislated male authority over women well into the 18^th century.
• In their book, Marriage East and Wet, David and Vera Mace wrote in pages 80 and 81, “It would be hard to find anywhere a collection of more regarding references to the female sex than the early Church Fathers provide...Woman was represented as the door of hell, as the mother of all human ills. She should be ashamed at the very thought that she is a woman. She should live in continual penance on account of the curses she has brought upon the world. She should be ashamed of her dress, for it is the memorial of her fall. She should be especially ashamed of her beauty, for it is the most potent instrument of the devil...you are the devil's gateway: you are the unsealer of that forbidden tree; you are the first deserters of the divine law; you are she who persuades him whom the devil was not valiant enough to attack. You destroyed so easily God's image, man. On account of your desert – that i death – even the son of god had to die. Not only did the church affirm the church affirm the inferior status of woman, it deprived her of legal rights.”

One can argue, well things have changed now for women...

We can vote, we have access to education and work. We can get an abortion. We are independent.But let me ask you, is this really true?

If we can vote then how many women are there in our government today that represent us? Really stand up for women's rights....Not only is our government, composed predominately of men but men who are persistent in sexualizing and dehumanizing women. Take president Sarkozy for example. He first campaigned for the niqab ban in France. This injustice was then adopted by other European countries and now it has become a controversy in Canada. Well, many of you may not know that Sarkozy's wife was an ex nudist – a pron artist. And he is not the only one who endorses this lifestyle for women: to wear literally, nothing for the sake of man's pleasure.

And if women have access to education and work then why is that that in 2006, female graduates on average earned 15% less than men for the same work when they were 25 years old. At the age of 41-45 the pay gap between women and men increases to 45%.

There is an estimate of 80,000 women who are involved with prostitution. 74% of these women cite poverty as their reason to prostitute their body. They cannot support their children and pay their bills.

If women are really liberated then why does the NHS report said in 2009 that one in five adult women experience depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts?

I will tell you what women really need and what is truly missing in their lives .. it is Emaan! Emaan in Allah is not only a religious concept but a worldview and blueprint to a successful  lifestyle. A true woman is a woman made of unsheathed and unwavering Emaan. Her Emaan makes her noble and distinguished. It gives her rights and purpose in life. Allah created women to be a dynamic force! When a woman accepts Islam, Allah blesses her with liberating rights and inspiring strength to deal with her relationships, finances and spiritual life.  A Muslim woman is a beautiful but fierce creation of Allah. No one can mess with her. Every woman was once a little girl. And every little girl holds in her heart her most precious dreams. She longs to look beautiful, to be appreciated, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, to be swept up into a romance, to belong. These desires are far more than child's play. They are the secret to every feminine heart. Many women seek out these goals in ways which unnecessarily hurt their feminity……But Muslim women achieve their full feminine appeal with three virtues: Hijab, Abaya, Niqab. 

Why do I wear the Abaya?
It relates to my basic faith in Allah and that there is no One worthy to worship except Him. As a Muslim woman, I want to submit to Allah and obey all His commands. Since  Hijab is a clear command from Allah, I choose to wear it to please Him. 

Aisha (r.a), the beloved wife of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, "May Allah have mercy on the immigrant women - when Allah revealed that they should wear Hijab, they tore different pieces of clothes to wrap their hand and face face with them" - Bukhari. These women did not even have sufficient clothing with which they could cover themselves modestly, yet they were the first to obey Allah. They also gave up the tradition and norm of their society, where it was fashionable for women to hang a dupatta around their neck, showing their neck, cleavage and the curves of their breast to covering not only their entire bodies but hair and face. 

Abaya does not apply only to clothes. It is a state of mind, behaviour and lifestyle. Hijab celebrates a desirable quality called Haya (modesty). It deeply concerns with preserving one's dignity. Haya is a natural feeling that brings us pain at the very idea of committing something wrong. The Prophet (s.a.w) said, "Every religion has a distinct feature. Islam's distinct feature is haya (modesty)" - Ibn Majah. To me the Hijab proclaims my modesty thereby protects me. It identifies me as a Muslim woman of high moral standards and it reduces my chances of being harassed. 

The point to covering is not that sexual attraction is bad, only that it should be expressed between a husband and wife inside the privacy of the home. A public space free of sexual tensions is seen as a more peaceful place for human beings, men and women, to interact, do business, and build a healthy civilization - Dr. Katherine Bullock 

Hijab unites me to other Muslim sisters -€“ Hijab identifies us as Muslims and encourages other Muslim sisters to greet us with the salutation of peace, Assalamu Alaikum€. Hijab draws others to us and immerses us in good company.
Abaya liberates me from slavery to physical perfection:€“ Society makes women desire to become €˜perfect objects€™. The multitudes of alluring fashion magazines and cosmetic surgeries show women’s enslavement to beauty. The entertainment industry pressures teens to believe that for clothes, less is better. When I wear Hijab, I vow to liberate ourselves from such desires and serve only Allah. 
Hijab and Abaya do not let others judge me by my hair and curves!“ In schools and professional environments, women are often judged by their physical appearance or physical €”characteristics they neither chose nor created. Hijab forces society to judge women for their value as human beings, with intellect, principles, and feelings. A woman in Hijab sends a message, €œDeal with my brain, not my body!
Niqab gives me power and confidence: In contrast to today'€™s teenage culture, where anorexia and suicide are on the rise, as women attempt to reach an unattainable ideal of beauty, Hijab frees a woman from the pressure to €˜fit in€™. I don't not have to worry about wearing the right kind of jeans or the right shade of eye shadow. I feel secure about my appearance because I only care to please only Allah. 

Islamic Government

This is a really awesome e-book,

Principles of Governance, 

Freedom and Responsibility in Islam.

 I can't wait to read it after my exams. Its author, Hasan Turabi is a Muslim political scientist, who actually worked to help create an Islamic government in Sudan. How cool is that? Regretfully, I always thought there were no Salafi Muslim Social Scientists and International thinkers. I can't believe I doubted my own kind. Shame on me. 

a question about Palestine

In 1901, the founder of the Zionist Movement, Theodor Herzl, himself visited Istanbul and requested to meet with the Sultan Abdulhamid II. The Sultan refused to meet with him and returned him with the following words through his Head of Ministers Council,

“Advise Dr. Herzl not to take any further steps in his project. I cannot give away a handful of the soil of this land for it is not my own, it is for all the Islamic Nation that fought for the sake of this land and watered it with their blood. The Jews may keep their millions. If the Islamic Caliphate is one day destroyed then they will be able to take Palestine without a price. But while I am alive, I would rather push a sword into my body than see the land of Palestine cut and given away from the Islamic State. This will not be. I will not start cutting our bodies while we are alive” - Sultan Abdullhamid II

 I fully applaud Sultan Abdullhamid for his courage and powerful word - who wouldn't? We root and cheer our heart out with everything related to Palestine. Viva la Palestina! I can't think of a single Masjid in Canada which does not hold a fundraiser for Palestine. I can't think of a single Muslim teenager who does not own a Palestinian flag which they either hang in their room or wear it to school with pride. Now even Google, Facebook, Youtube are roaring with heartwarming images, speeches and prayers for Palestine. We ask Allah to give the Palestinians strength to persevere in resistance against oppression. We ask Allah bring their perpetrators to Justice. 

In the midst of all the angry chants, circular debates and meek protests, I wonder if anyone really contemplates over the history of Palestine. Doesn't it intrigue you that despite all the money, love and support, the genocide and holocaust continues Palestine. Yes, I know the Zionists are the new (hidden) superpower of the world backed by US military arsenal. I really laugh when people tell me its the politics that failed Palestine, the UN is too timid to dish out defense or its the fault of the Arab League for abandoning the Palestinian cause. 
Can any force on earth, whether it be nuclear or neurological countervail Allah's Power? Is Allah in need of help from phony assemblies and sham organizations? Indeed to Allah Alone belongs the Unlimited Control and Complete Authority of everything that exists in the heavens and the earth .... and nothing, absolutely nothing can happen in this universe, including Palestine without the precise Will and Permission of Allah, the Majestic in Might, the Most Supreme, the Exalted. Not even a mere leaf, let alone a bomb can fall without Allah's Decree. 

Say, "Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector." And upon Allah let the believers rely - Qur'an, 9:51

Whatever Allah grants to people of mercy - none can withhold it; and whatever He withholds - none can release it thereafter. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. O mankind, remember the favor of Allah upon you. Is there any creator other than Allah who provides for you from the heaven and earth? There is no deity except Him, so how are you deluded? - Qur'an, 35:2-3

And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him. And if He touches you with good - then He is over all things competent. And He is the subjugator over His servants. And He is the Wise, the Acquainted [with all].  - Qur'an, 6:17-18 

Allah says 'why are you deluded?' Its really hysterical that we have limited our understanding of Allah as our Rabb to Some One to Whom we owe ritualistic veneration and worship. Allah is our Rabb in fact means that He is the Ultimate Master of our destiny. He is the Ruler and Manager over us. He oversees, determines, commands and governs everything that happens to us in any given moment of our lives. Every person, and piece of technology is subdued to His will. He is the Creator and everything, good or bad is from Him. So my question is that, what is the underlying reason, in the great scheme of things -  in the sight of Allah, which caused oppression to rain down on Palestine in the first place. If we believe in Allah then we must surely trustthat Allah has the Greatest Power to end the massacre and bring peace. Then why has nothing changed in Palestine? 

The last time I asked this question, I was met with onslaught of ridicule and negative criticism. I was told that only someone insensitive to the Palestinian cause would say such a thing and that I was passing a moral judgement of sorts. This is what you get for thinking outside the box? Oh well ... at least I wasn't called an Israeli collaborator lol. I don't have an answer to my question either but it is good to keep your mind open for knowledge. I believe that after exhausting all political paths to liberating Palestine, perhaps freedom lies on a religious road. 
The history of Bani Israel always impresses me because one can draw many parallels from their behaviour to the present day Muslims. Surah Baqarah speaks of Pharaoh's oppression of the Bani Israel when he slit the throats of their sons (murdered their strength) and enslaved their daughters (humiliated their honour). The Pharaoh was of course a tyrant but Allah explains in verse 49 that wafee tha likum balaaon min rabbikum aatheem - Pharaoh brutality was actually Allah's chastisement upon the Bani Israel because (we learn this later on in the same Surah) they denied, tormented and eventually killed Allah's Prophets; treated His guidance with insolence and knowingly persisted in sin.

Not that I am drawing any conclusions but there is a reason why the Allah speaks of the political conditions of Bani Israel. Surah Israa' highlights the cruel foreign invasion and occupation this race endured twice for its audacious disobediences to Allah. Just speculating but maybe Allah intends to warn us through their example: don't repeat what they did or the same will happen to you? Only Allah Knows Best. 

So we were talking about reviewing the history of Palestine. If we go as far back as 1516, Palestine in the Uthmani Khilafaah, we will come to know that Palestinians were the first group of Arab who revolted and deserted the Khilafaah. They first tired to overthrow the Khilafaah in 1834. After much turmoil when the Ottomans regained control of Palestine, they spent nearly three decades (1876-1908) trying to modernize the Khilafaah to imitate the British monarch system. They were successful in establishing a Parliament and writing a constitution. Of course they claimed most of the representatives in the Parliament, in fact the President of the Council of the House of Representatives was a Palestinians deputy. They snatched control of the administration of Arab territories from the Khilafaah. They usurped the fiances, education and development of Muslims to feed their nationalistic and patriotic cravings for independence from the Turks. Thanks to their delving, the Khilafaah was unstable. The final death blow to the Uthmani Khilafaah also came from Palestine during World War 1. They supported the T.E Lawrence beat the Turks, who took over Palestine in 1917.  

It can be argued that the Egyptians played a bigger role renouncing the Khilafah and disowning Muslim unity for independence. This is true, the Egyptians played a tremendous part only second to the Palestinians. When the British Egyptian Expeditionary Force commanded by Field Marshall Edmund Allenby first attacked the Khilaafah, they made little progress. But with the help of Palestinians, they not only defeated the Turks but raised the Khilaafah to the ground forever.  Yes, Sharif Husyan also revolted in Hejaz against the Khilafaah in 1915 but it was already too late then, the dissension was irreversible. Actually Husyan's family with the guidance of Shaykh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab did what they could to protect Makkah and Madina from falling into British hands. Alhamdulillah, they protected and purified the Holy Cities. 

 Alas, the Palestinians never got independence. The Balfour Declaration came to the Palestinians as a shock but what did they expect? Allah would help them after they recklessly abdicate the Islamic Khilafaah and jilt the Muslim unity in favour of a disbeliving nation? It is indeed a sad turn of events. Palestine then and now, holds the Muslim world at bay. So maybe we are not asking the right question: its not about what we can do for Palestine's lost independence but what can we do about every Muslim person who lost the Khilaafah.  We shouldn't be chanting Viva la Palestina but Viva la Khilaafah. Our fundraisers, flags, formal prayers should not just be about Palestine but an Islamic Khilaafah for every Muslim. An Islamic Khilaafah just maybe the right answer to the Palestine question. 

Source: Palestine under the Ottomans http://histclo.com/essay/war/ip/ott/ott-pal.html

Being Perfect for Allah

Have you ever dressed up for someone you like? Its fun to be stylish, to try out new makeup shades and jewelry ideas. But to dress up for someone you like is an experience and an occasion by itself. We all have done that a few times and we know we love it. But what would it be like to dress up for Allah? Like really look pretty and be perfect for our Creator so when He looks at us, He loves us in first glance? Surah Furqan has some really attractive make over ideas :) Enjoy :)

1. Wear the Foundation of Humility and Forbearance ^_^

وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا

And the slaves of the Most Gracious (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility - 25:63

Being humble is being unassuming of one’s own greatness, precedence and importance in front of Allah and people. Humility is by knowing the Greatness of Allah and being thankful for the fact that everything comes by His blessing, constant repentance and seeking forgiveness of the Most Merciful. Remembering Allah and doing things in the name of Allah. Humility with people is remembering our weaknesses and shortcomings and that we are just creatures made from dust who will return to dust. 

Humility is also in walking without pride, serving all kinds of people. The companions’ love and respect for the Prophet (s.a.w) was undoubtedly more exemplary than the followers of any other king or emperor in history. They were always ready to serve him. Yet when A’ishah (r.a) was asked about how he was at home she replied, “He was in the service of his family…” (Bukhari) The Prophet ﷺ used to milk the sheep, sew and patch his own garments, go to the market and buy his own things, sit and eat with his servants, initiate greetings with others, and act as though he was like any other one of the companions, joining them in whatever they were doing. Prophet (s.a.w) said, “Allah only increases a person in status if he forgives, and no one ever humbles himself before Allah but He will raise him in status.” (Muslim)
Arrogance is the opposite of humility and the basic root cause of all evil. Arrogance drove Iblees to disobey Allah and be expelled from Paradise. Arrogance is belittling the commands of Allah/the truth revealed from Allah and looking down on people. Prophet (s.a.w) said, “Whoever has an atom’s weight of arrogance in their heart will not enter heaven.”

وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا  

and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness - 25:63

Allah loves forbearance. It means to have a calm and mild composure. calm, peaceful and do not react to challenging people or situations with anger or impatience. We all get angry and annoyed; but the issue is how do we react to a stressful situation. The servants of the Most Merciful react to any form of verbal abuse with something that is better, whether it be good words like "assalamu alaikum" or a peaceful silence. Psychological research suggests that one’s self confidence plays a major role in his or her temperament. Those with low self-confidence tend to have a much shorter fuse and hotter temper then those who feel they have nothing to prove. It takes a person of great precedence and spiritual discipline to overlook people’s shortcomings, make excuses for others and keep composure with forbearance. Prophet (s.a.w) said, “Indeed knowledge comes through studying and learning, and forbearance comes by disciplining oneself.” (Albani’s Authentic Compilation, 2328). Our Prophet (s.a.w) said, “The strong man is not the one who can win a physical fight. The strong person is the one who controls himself when angered.”(Bukhari 6114) Prophet (s.a.w) also said, “There was not something swallowed more great to Allah than swallowing one’s anger for the sake of Allah.” (Al-Targheeb, 3/386). 

Forbearance is a characteristic which is perfectly personified by The Merciful Himself. His existence and bounties upon us. To top all of that off, He sent us prophets with a message and proof. After all of that, we are ungrateful and persistently disobedient; yet Allah does not immediately destroy us. Instead He continues to surround us with His bounties and favors and leaves the door wide open for those who would repent.

2. The Perfect eyeshadow and liquid eyeliner for eyes, the Night Prayer!

Allah loves those who pray the night prayer. Praying in the night reflects a special relationship with AllahThe Prophet (s.a.w) said, “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” (Muslim). The Prophet (s.a.w) also said, “Allah descends (in a way that suits His Sublimity) in the last third of the night. He then says, ‘Who will supplicate me so I can answer him? Who will ask Me so I can give him? Who will seek my forgiveness so I can forgive him?’” (Bukhari)

The concept of night prayer is simple. Allah created us and provided us with everything we have, and potentially can have and be. He in return asks us to show our love, obedience and loyalty as an act of gratitude through the night prayer, to be worthy of Paradise.... This life is a test where we must discipline ourselves to go against our ego and desires in order to fulfill the divine purpose – pleasing Allah. “Muslim” is an Arabic word that refers to a specific lifestyle – to submitting to the will of Allah. To claim the noble title of a Muslim, one must, at least, be dedicated to trying to fulfill that by means of praying the night prayer. 

3. Real Blush.... from the Fear of Hellfire 

وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا

And those who say: "Our Lord! Avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily its torment is ever an inseparable, permanent punishment." - 25:65

إِنَّهَا سَاءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا

Evil indeed it (Hell) is as an abode and as a place to rest in. - 25:66

Allah loves those who are afraid of Hellfire. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “When Allah created heaven and hell, He sent Jibreel to heaven and then said, “Look at what I have prepared for its inhabitants.” So he went and saw what Allah had prepared for its inhabitants. He then returned to Allah and said, “I swear by Your Honor and Might that anyone who hears of it (heaven) will enter it.” Then Allah commanded heaven to be surrounded by undesirable things and hardship. Jibreel said, “I fear that no one will enter it.” Allah then commanded Jibreel to go to hell and see what he has prepared for its inhabitants. He returned and said, “I swear by Your Honor and Might that anyone who heard about it would not go there.” Then Allah ordered hell to be surrounded by desirable things. After Jibreel saw this he then sa...id, “I swear by Your Honor and Might, I fear that no one would be saved from it.” (Tirmidhi) 

4. Money Management Gloss

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ قَوَامًا

And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor stingy, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes). - 25:67

-Spend on yourself, your family, relatives and friends without extravagance and without incurring interest. Only when the Prophet (s.a.w) could afford it, he sacrificed a 100 camels on the behalf of himself, his family and his followers. He ate from a small portioned from the sacrifical meat and donated the entire amount in charity. The Prophet's gifts (s.a.w) always increased love and benefit among its recipients. 

-If in debt then pay off your loan as a first priority concern.

-Hasan al Basri was a famous Tabai'ee (student of the Prophet's companion r.a). He used to wear a new suit (thobe and ghutra) every week and donate his old suit immediately. - Who said Muslims cannot solve global hunger and poverty?

-Eat in moderation – the worst thing a believer can fill is her belly

5. Avoid Al Zoor - False hair and Fake eyelashes

People stand by en masse and watch the blatant spread of debauchery, lewdness, and other forms of widespread societal corruption without apprehension. We promote and entertain ourselves with corruption in  movies, television, music and video games. It has gotten so bad that social iniquity is accepted as normal in our mainstream society. A trait of the servants of the Most Merciful is that they flee from Al Zoor.

وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا

And those who do not bear witness to falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity - 25:72

... Al-Zoor is specifically referring to falsehood which has been made to look good or desirable.

It refers to shirk, which means that a Muslim would not go to, take part in or watch on TV a shirk ritual like Christmas, Halloween, Valentines, Easter, Dewali, Holi etc. Because doing so will demonstrate acceptance to shirki ideology.

Another explanation for the word Al-Zoor is lying. A true servant of Allah would not be in the company of people who often lie and they definitely would not lie themselves in any matter.

Al-Zoor also means “the party scene” – the bar or dance club. They say that the gatherings where music and alcohol are found fall under Al-Zoor. So according to this interpretation it is definitely not appropriate for a true servant of Allah to be at a place where alcohol, drugs or music is prevalent.

When the West Respected Muslims: No Freedom to Trash Talk

Henri de Bornier, a French loony poet and dramatist wrote an anti-Islamic play called Mohomet in 1889. The French Prime Minister, Charles de Frevcinet himself banned the nasty little thing in 1890 after a single letter of complaint from the Muslim Khaleef.

“Bornier himself was the victim of blind and unreasoning Muslim prejudice in regard to his Mahomet. The play was being rehearsed in 1889 when a Turkish newspaper reproduced from a French journal the news of its forthcoming production. The French Foreign Ministry assured the Turkish ambassador in Paris, Es’at Pasha, that the play did not constitute an attack on the Prophet and on the cherished beliefs of the Muslims. Bornier pointed out that the Persian ta’ziyas or passion plays regularly depicted the death of Muhammad as well as those of the Shi’ite martyrs, and he offered to accept prohibition of his work’s being played in Algeria and Tunisia. 

These arguments still failed to satisfy the Turkish authorities, and in 1890 the head of the government, Freycinet, banned the production of Mahomet in France, a prohibition which, it was reported, gave much pleasure to the Sultan Abd al-Hamid II. It must be admitted that Muslims would undeniably find offensive a play in which their Prophet killed himself because of a woman and because of inferiority feelings vis-a-vis Christianity, but there is no evidence that either the Turkish ambassador or the Sultan had seen the play, much less read it, when they first objected to it. 

The French government’s surrender to this Turkish pressure was plausibly attributed by Martino to the contemporary political situation, for in 1889 the German Emperor William II was beginning his journey to Istanbul and the Near East, and France feared to do anything which might drive Turkey further into Germany’s arms; the susceptibilities of France’s numerous Muslim subjects in North Africa must also have been a consideration. Not till 1896 were excerpts from Mahomet presented to the public in a special arrangement for theatrical declamation. Since Bornier’s time, no major European dramatist seems to have essayed a play on the life of the Prophet.” 

- (Source: C. E. Bosworth, ‘A Dramatisation of the Prophet Muhammad’s Life:  Henri de Bornier’s “Mahomet”,’  Numen, Vol. 17, Fasc. 2 (Aug., 1970), p. 116) The West believes in freedom on of speech for views it likes. Goebbels was in favour of freedom of speech for views he liked. So was Stalin. If you are in favour of freedom of speech, that means you are in favour of speech precisely for the views you like. The Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten would never print cartoons denying the holocaust in the name of free speech. Geert Wilders would never proudce a film likening Israel's treatment of Palestinians to the Nazi treatment of Jews. So what is Freedom of Speech in the West except having the Freedom to trash talk against Muslims? It is a license to negatively stereotype Islam and defame its Prophets, Books and symbols.  Just this year, UK and French courts banned compromising pictures of Princess Kate Middleton. Not that I am complaining, I think those pictures should never have been taken in the first place but where is the Freedom of the Paparazzi to do their job? What about banning anti-gay protests at military funerals? Why restrict the ant-gay sentiments of hundreds of protesters? Don't they have the right to assembly and expression? So its true isn't it, freedom of speech is only a myth. The West protests the powerful [royalty and military] from incrimination but oppresses the weak [Muslims] with hate slurs and slander. Islam gives us a unique understanding of speech: its a gift for which Allah will call us to account.  Allah says in Surah ar-Rahman عَلَّمَهُ الْبَيَانَ it is He Who taught us how to speak and gave us intelligence. Not just speaking, but the ability to think rationally, informed decisions and express oneself comprehensively and eloquently is a blessing from Allah [38:20]  وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ. The most beloved speech to Allah is one which وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِّمَّن دَعَا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ proclaims submission to Him and invites humanity to to righteous actions [41:33].   So the gift of speech should be received with reverence because it not only gives us the ability to conveys our opinions but it also demonstrates our religiosity and commitment to God. I have had laryngitis this past week. The inside of my throat is swollen and inflamed. I can't speak. I have a coarse cough. I really miss talking to people. A day without speaking incapacitates a person so much, I had no idea. Imagine being mute for life or communicating like animals through groans and grunts?  Alhamdulillah, that Allah allowed us to speak. But speaking is not without consequence, it mirrors our intentions, beliefs and goals in life. You know how you can tell a lot about a person from their handwriting: (i) small handwriting means the author is shy but she has good eye for detail (ii) handwriting that slopes to the left means the author is very good at keeping her feelings to herself (iii) handwriting that slopes to the right means the author is very open and honest (iv) writing that is joined up means the author is very artistic, she likes to draw and is creative (v) rounded writing means the author is logical, has a mathematical mind (vi) skippy letters indicate the author is a quick-thinker and a strategist (vii) sloppy handwriting means the author is secretive and neat handwriting means the author is a good communicator.  Anyway, one can decipher a lot about a person from what they say and how they say it. Abu Hurayrah (r.a) narrated, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, then let him speak good or remain silent" - Bukhari and Muslim.  In other words, belief in Allah and the Day of Judgment encourages caution in speech while the lack thereof leaves room for absurd and vulgar talk. Atheism lacks the integrity necessary to respect the gift of speech. Atheists have no reason to have sound moral speech because God is required for morality. Since atheists don't believe in God, they don't believe in maintaining any measure of morality in speech. Then no matter how much you beg the Westerner to forgo their Trash Talk, they will not because the very idea of honour and obeisance to a God and His Prophet (s.a.w) is incomprehensible to them. In the contrary, they understand threats and ultimatums very well (as it is apparent from their reaction to the Muslim Khaleef's letter above).  This is the part of the article where I should be telling each and every one of you to pull up your sleeves  and invite the West to Tawheed; this is the only peaceful protest against their hate speech. Then how should one start? What does one address There are so many fallacies, inconsistencies, and holes, its overwhelming to write about everything at once. I can make it simplistic, start with the people around you - what if they bring science as analogous to religion? What if they are cold and unfeeling towards my views? What if I feel really pessimistic about the whole idea? Our lives are already so perplexed: we barely manage to get a seat in class let alone find someone to talk to. If the assignments' and tests' deadlines are not chaotic enough, there is always stress from the family - the harassment to show up to  every dawat, shadi and aqeeqah.  Not to mention the never ending household chores. There is literally no downtime or social time for any other activity. Hain na? Bechari mein akeli kiya karoon? The truth is that the dunya is our greatest worry and concern. Deep down, we don't want to do anything else besides four years in school enjoy with the family - not because we genuinely don't have time but because we really don't believe in our religious cause. Just look at how we rush through Salah - we don't even take half a minute to pray and that half a minute we spend looking here and there, wondering about the past and the future. It would be funny if Salah was not such an important religious duty. If we cannot take just Salah in our lives seriously then how are we going to earnestly convince another soul to obey Allah? Its hypocritical!  Yes, there was a time when the West respected Muslims; today they just trash talk about us maybe because we no longer have substance, just a lot shallow convictions.

The Arrogance of Knowledge: Caution in Contending for Teaching Position

Do you as a student of knowledge act in arrogance or act in humility? Does your knowledge cause harm or does it edify? 

“The only people who used to seek this knowledge were those who combined two characteristics: intelligence and devout worship. If a person was intelligent but not devout, it would be said that only the worshippers can attain this [knowledge], and so he would not try to seek it. And if a person was devout, but not intelligent, it would be said that only the intelligent can attain this [knowledge], and so he would not try to seek it.” Al-Sha’bî continued, “And I fear that today, people who are neither intelligent nor devout try to seek it.” - al-Sha'bi

A popular maxim for a worship—and an essential canon for excellence for a teacher—is that the student of knowledge should never allow her intelligence and her understanding to transform into arrogance. This oft-repeated truism attempts to protect the callow student of knowledge from thinking that she is a seasoned teacher without first perfecting her ibadaah and before embracing humility. When this habit of worship and humility correlation is not practiced consistently, and the emphasis of the student of knowledge is on teaching then false doctrines begin to emerge in the community.
Its hard to decipher but “knowledge puffs up." This is not a rebuke against a believe who is seemingly falling in love with learning. It is not argued here that since learning bring forth knowledge and knowledge brings forth arrogance, we should not make a learning a habit worthy of our love. Learning is necessary but the sole objective of learning is practice: ibadaah not showoff. Our goal as Muslims is to know Allah so that we can obey Him - not so that we can advertise our impersonal academic expertise on Aqeedah and Tawheed. We know far more about Allah than we can possibly follow, and so our focus must shift from the pride-feeding knowledge to application. My purpose for this article: let's get spiritual (not just academic!). 

I don't mean that arrogance is intrinsic to knowledge. This in no way berates the Muslims who love learning and who demonstrate considerable knowledge of Islam. On the contrary, Islam lends itself to the high value of learning and knowledge, and yes to academics. Knowledge is desirous commodity to be sought in conjunction with Taqwa. However, if unabated, knowledge can quickly develop into arrogance and self-aggrandizing oneself.

So a serious and careful student of knowledge will refrain from becoming proud over her learning. Alongside more emaan, she will seek (inspiration for) amal saleh (good deeds), earnestness (sincerity) and humility from her knowledge. What I want to say is that knowledge teaches integrity, it does not buildup selfishness and insensitivity. A student of knowledge should not become so blinded by her learning to assume that she is always correct and she alone possess the right to speak in all gatherings. You will not find them ambitious for the spotlight. 
There are three levels of knowledge: First, the student becomes familiar with halal and haram - right from wrong. Second, the student realizes the value of intention, ikhlaas and steadfastness in religion (it is not sufficient to have knowledge but to commit oneself to practicing it purely for the sake of Allah). Third and finally comes humility and adab. Knowledge should help the student adopt a bashful, courteous, docile, gentle and modest character. Out of their high reverence for knowledge, the student of knowledge should be subservient to Allah and soft-spoken with people. Timid and fearful in their ibadaah; and unpretentious, self-effacing and unobtrusive when dealing with others.  

I love learning. I am a bit hesitant to publicly profess that in a subculture that has overtly become so insolent and egotistical upon such love in recent years. My love for learning doesn't mean that I want to be a teacher. I am happy being the quiet, shy, ordinary person that I am, with a book in front of me.  The rallying cry that I endorse, "Let's get studious," must not preclude ibadaah and humility. If Allah wills, He will give us the permission, place and the acquisition of skill and audience to teach one day. We should not sacrifice the adab of knowledge to become teachers (popular) in haste.