Taraweeh Salaah – Night 25

By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia – Canada

In the Name of Almighty Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Tonight’s Tarawee consists of Tabarakalladhi (JUZ 29). The Surahs that will be covered are: Surah Al Mulk [The Dominion]; Surah Al Qalam [The Pen] or Nun; Surah Al Haqqah [The Sure Reality]; Surah Al Ma’arij [The Ways of Ascent]; Surah Nuh [Noah}; Surah Al Jinn [The Spirits]; Surah Al Muzammil {The Enfolded One]; Surah Al Muddaththir [The One Wrapped Up]; Surah Al Qiyamah [The Resurrection]; Surah Al Insa [Man] or Al Dahr [The Time]; and Surah Al Mursalat [Those Sent Forth].

SURAH AL MULK:
This Surah of 30 verses belongs to the Middle Makkan period. Allah is mentioned here by the name of Al Rahman [Most Gracious], as He is mentioned by the names of Al Rabb [Lord and Cherisher] and Al Rahman [Most Gracious] in Surah 19. Lordship is right and in fact belongs to Allah Most Gracious, Whose Goodness and Glory and Power are writ large on all His Creation. The beauty and order of the heavens above us proclaim Him. Then who can reject His Call but those in pitiful delusion? And who can fail to accept, that truly knows himself and the mighty Reality behind him? The earth and the good things thereof are prepared for man by his Gracious and Exalted Lord, Who guards him from hourly dangers. Who sustains the wonderful flight of the birds in midair? Above, and below, and in midair can we see His boundless Signs. We know that His Promise of the Hereafter is true. The spring and source of the goodness of things is in Him, and will appear triumphant when the Hour is established.

SURAH AL QALAM: [The Pen], or Nun
Our Nabee S.A.W. was the sanest and wisest of men. Those who could not understand him called him mad or possessed. So, in every age, it is the habit of the world to call Truth Falsehood and Wisdom Madness, and, on the other hand, to exalt Selfishness as Planning, and Arrogance as Power. The contrast is shown up between the two kinds of men and their real inner worth. True Judgement comes from Allah, and not from the false standards of men. The Pen is the symbol of the permanent Record, the written Decree, the perfect Order in the government of the world. And by that token, the man of Allah comes with a Plan and Guidance that must win against all detraction. Truth is high above Slander. But men must be tried against selfishness and overweening confidence in themselves such as would lead them to forget Allah and His Providence – like the brothers who built castles in the air above their garden and found it desolate in one night’s storm. But repentance brought them forgiveness: Thus work the Wrath and the Mercy of Allah.

SURAH AL HAQQAH: [The Sure Reality].
In this fleeting world few things are what they seem. What then is sure Reality? Nations and men in the past assumed arrogance and perished because they were unjust, but that destruction was but a foretaste of the Doom to come in the Hereafter, when all creation will be on a new plane, and true values will be fully established. To the Righteous will be Bliss, and to Evil, Punishment. The word of Revelation is not a Poet’s imagination or a Soothsayer’s groping into the future. It is Allah’s Own Message, of Mercy to the Righteous, and warning to those who reject the Truth. Praise and Glory to the name of Allah Most High.

SURAH AL MA’ARIJ: [The Ways of Ascent].

Patience and the mystery of Time will show the ways that climb to Heaven. Sin and Goodness must each eventually come to its own. Man can ascend to the Presence of Allah, but by gradual Ways and in process of Time. But what is Time? A Day is as fifty Thousand years, on two different planes. What seems near is far, and what seems far is near. So will Judgement be, when things as we know them will be transformed completely in a world all new. Evil will come to its own, whatever its masks in this transitory world. And Good will surely reach its goal. The good life is patient, in prayer and well-doing, Faith and the earnest search for the Good Pleasure of Allah, purity and probity. These are the Paths to the Heights and the Gardens of Bliss. No Evil can enter there: For the evil are other ways, leading by steep descent to dark Ignominy!

SURAH NUH: [Noah].
The theme is that while Good must uphold the standard of Truth and Righteousness, a stage is reached when it must definitely part company with Evil, lest Evil should spread its corruption. The story of Hazrat Nuh Alayhis Salaam’s agony is almost a Parable for the prosecution of our Beloved Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam in the Makkan period by the Pagans.

SURAH AL JINN: [The Spirits].
Two years before the Hijrah, when the Nabee S.A.W; despised and rejected in his native city of Makkah went to the lordly men of Ta’if, they maltreated him and nearly killed him. What caused him greater pain was the maltreatment of the humble and lowly men who went with him. On his return journey to Makkah, a glorious vision was revealed to him – hidden spiritual forces working for him – people not known to him accepting his mission while his own people were still rejecting him. Within two months some strangers from Madinah had privately met him and laid the foundations of that Hijrah which was to change the fate of Arabia and the course of world history.

SURAH AL MUZAMMIL: [The Enfolded One].
The subject matter is the significance of Prayer and Humility in spiritual life and the terrible fate of those who reject Faith and Revelation. Devote yourself to the service of Allah in the stillness of the night, but not all night. In the world’s persecution rely on Allah, Who will deal with His enemies fittingly. Let not Allah’s service be a matter of difficulty to you: do all your duties in whole-hearted remembrance of Allah, and ever seek His bountiful Grace.

SURAH AL MUDDATHTIR: [The One Wrapped Up].
The subject matter of this Surah is similar to the one before it. Prayer and Praise, and the need of patience in a period of great spiritual stress: the unjust who cause sorrow and suffering now will themselves experience agony in the Hereafter. The Seer, by devotion and contemplation, prepares himself for the duties of Guide and Leader to mankind. When there comes the clear Call, he must stand forth and Proclaim the Message – in purity, unselfish devotion, and patience long-suffering – to save mankind from the Distress of the Final Day.

SURAH AL QIYAMAH: [The Resurrection].
The subject matter of the Surah is the Resurrection, viewed from the point of view of Man, especially unregenerate Man, as he is now, and as he will be then, his inner and psychological history. Eschew all Evil: for man was not created without purpose or without responsibility. The Day of Account will come, and his own conscience bears witness that he must walk straight; for he must face the Realities of That Day. With patience await the unfolding of Allah’s view. Woe unto man that he thinks not now of Allah’s Purpose and the noble Destiny for which Allah gave him Life and all its Gifts.

SURAH AL INSAN: [Man]. or Al DAHR: [The Time].
Its theme is the contrast between the two classes of men, those who choose good and those who choose evil, with special reference to the former. The title of the Surah recalls a Pagan Arab idea, which personified Time as existing spontaneously from eternity to eternity and responsible for the misery or the happiness of mankind. In Verse 45 of Surah Al Jathiyah we read: “They say…..nothing but Time can destroy us.” This attitude is of course wrong. Time is a created thing: it has its mysteries, but it is no more eternal than matter. It is also relative to our conceptions and not absolute. It is only Allah Who is Self Subsisting, Eternal from the beginning and Eternal to the end, the absolute Existence and Reality; We must not transfer His Attributes to any figment of our imagination. This deification of Time [Dahr] as against a living personal God has given rise to the term dariyah, as applied to an atheist or a materialist. The Righteous are patient in Constant Devotion: Allah’s Way is open to all. Whosoever has the Will, may attain to the Perfect Goal.

SURAH AL MURSALAT: [Those Sent Forth].
The theme of this Surah is similar to that of Surah Al Qiyamah. It denounces the horrors of the Hereafter, for those who rejected Truth. The refrain, “Ah woe, that Day, to the Rejecters of Truth!” which occurs ten times in its fifty verses, or, on an average, once in every five verses, indicates the leitmotif. Will man not learn from his own little story, or from nature around him? The Blazing Fire will be indeed an enveloping Punishment. How dreadful the contrast with the Bliss of the Righteous! Learn, you, therefore, Humility, and approach Allah’s Throne in Repentance and Earnest Endevour.

Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net

Related posts:

1. Taraweeh Salaah – Night 11
2. Taraweeh Salaah – Night 18
3. Taraweeh Salaah – Night 15
4. Taraweeh Salaah – Night 20
5. Taraweeh Salaah – Night 19

Germany: 63% don’t think immigration making country dumber

Via The Local:

Nearly two-thirds of Germans disagree with controversial central banker Thilo Sarrazin’s claim that rampant immigration is making Germany “dumber,” a poll released Friday has found.

A poll published by the news magazine Focus reported that 63 percent of respondents disagreed and 31 percent agreed with the proposition – a key claim in Sarrazin’s anti-immigration arguments that have sparked furious debate this week.

Chancellor Angela Merkel, meanwhile, told the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet in an interview published Friday that Sarrazin’s claims were “absurd.”

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Germany/Netherlands: Immigrants more sexually active

Two recent studies in Germany and the Netherlands examined the sexual behavior of young people. Both found differences between the ethnic population and immigrants.

Another point: Almost 30% of the population sample in the German study were immigrants. Is that representative?

Via The Local:

Teens today may not be growing up too quickly after all. A new study on German youth sexuality revealed on Thursday that boys and girls are waiting longer to have sex and then having less of it than they were just five years ago.

Overall German teens are less sexually active than they were in 2005, according to the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) study.

(…)

Some 3,500 young people took part in the survey in 2009, among them about 1,000 teenagers with an immigrant background.

More boys from immigrant families were sexually active than their German counterparts (72 percent compared to 65 percent), though the numbers were still significantly lower than in 2005.

However, girls from immigrant families were more likely to wait for sex, with 53 percent of the 17-year-olds saying they were still too young. The number was down two percentage points from the 2005 survey and 13 points lower compared to their German counterparts.

Many teens named their own shyness and the lack of a proper partner as reasons for holding back.

(…)

A high proportion of German girls and boys (69 and 58 percent, respectively) said they had open conversations with their family about birth control. For children of immigrants this was less common, with half of girls and 41 percent of boys reporting such a conversation.

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In the Netherlands (NL), a doctoral thesis by psychologist Hanneke de Graaf found that while most youth follow a certain path in their sexual ‘career’ (first kissing, caressing, then slowly advancing to actual sex), 25% skip one or more steps on the way. For example, they might have sex before their first kiss.

Highly educated and ethnic Dutch youth are more likely to advance step-by-step than non-Western immigrants and less educated youth.

Q: What does this group lack?

Hanneke de Graaf says that these youth probably know less what they want sexually and where their limits lie, and they’re less capable of expressing that to their partner. Therefore they run the risk of doing things they don’t want or need.

Hanneke de Graaf hadn’t researched why relatively many less-educated and non-Western youth belong to this group, but she supposes that less-educated youth have less skills in general, and also in this field. De Graaf says that the background of immigrant youth probably plays a role, if sex is not spoken about at home, it’s more difficult for the youth to know what they want and how to express it.

Paris mosque: Burger chain not fully halal

Via AP:

Note to big companies hoping to tap into France’s lucrative but long-neglected Muslim consumer market: Pitfalls may await, and not only in the form of complaints from the far-right.

As of this week, 22 outlets of popular French fast food chain Quick are serving burgers it says respect Islamic dietary law. And while many Muslims are delighted, the powerful main Paris Mosque complained Thursday that Quick’s criteria aren’t all-encompassing enough, and that the operation is meaningless.

Quick’s meat is certified as halal, but Cheikh Al Sid Cheikh, assistant to the rector of the Paris Mosque, said the burger chain should have had the other ingredients checked as well, from its mustard to buns to fries.

“The rest must be validated too, or else there’s no point,” he told The Associated Press. Quick responded that it has no intention of making any of its restaurants halal through-and-through — beer is still served there, for example, said spokeswoman Valerie Raynal.

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Spain: Muslims upset at Mecca disco

Via Al-Arabiya (h/t Bivouac-ID):

The inauguration of a discotheque called Mecca in Spain infuriated Muslims in the country and raised questions about the position of Muslim workers offered jobs in the controversial place.

After 10 years of renovations, an old discotheque in the city of Aguilas in the southwestern province of Murcia opened its doors on June 18 under the name La Meca amid protests from Muslim individuals and organizations, the Arab Spanish newspaper Andalus Press reported Wednesday.

” Muslims pray towards Mecca and it is there that the prophet received the holy Quran. Calling a place for dancing and drinking by that name shows disregard to the feelings of Muslims “
Head of Spanish Federation of Islamic Religious Entities Mohamed Ali

A poll conducted after the inauguration of the discotheque revealed the indignation of Spanish Muslims who viewed the action as disrespectful and prejudiced.

Mohamed Ali, head of the Spanish Federation of Islamic Religious Entities (Federación Española de Entidades Religosas Islámicas- FEERI), said Mecca is the most venerated place for Muslims all over the world.

“Muslims pray towards Mecca and it is there that the prophet received the holy Quran,” he said in a statement. “Calling a place for dancing and drinking by that name shows disregard to the feelings of Muslims.”

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Link to all Ramadan 2010 posts

This year, I am enjoying the benefits of praying Tarawih behind Mufti Ismail Menk and listening to his powerful Tafseer afterwards. On the opening night, Mufti Menk brought up an issue which always amazes me, the unique method in which the Qur’an begins. This made me reflect on the opening pages of the Qur’an.

Surah Al-Fatiha and the first three pages of Surah Baqarah are an amazing and unique method of starting a book. Perhaps, it is because we recite Surah Fatiha everyday, multiple times, that many of us do not take these verses seriously. Yet, the reason this Surah is emphasized so much is because it is the most important chapter of the Qur’an. It is Faatihatul Kitaab (The opening chapter of the book), Sab’a Mathaani (the seven oft-repeated verses 15:87) and Ummul Kitaab (the essence of the book 13:39). It is the Surah that when recited, Allah replies to each verse. It is the most important du’a that we can make.

The first half of Surah Fatiha is a declaration of Tawheed in all of its forms, Rububiyyah (Lordship) ”All praise to Allah, the Rabb (Lord) of the universe,” (1:1), Asma Wa Sifaat (names and attributes) “Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgement,” (1:2-3) and Ibaadah (worship), “You alone we worship and you alone we ask for help.” (1:4)

The second half of Surah Fatiha is the most important du’a a person could ever make, “Guide us to the straight path!” (1:5) The Surah then explains what is the staight path and what is not. The straight path is that which was shown to us and followed by those whom Allah has favoured, which Allah explains in another verse, “whoever obeys Allah and His messenger, then they will be with those whom Allah has favoured from the prophets, truthful, matyrs and righteous.” (4:69) This verse refutes the claim by some people that you can find your own way towards Paradise without following the people of the past. True salvation lies in following the Salaf As-Saliheen (The righteous predecessors) and their understanding and practice of the Qur’an.

Allah then shows us two types of misguidance. The first form of misguidance is to earn Allah’s wrath by knowingly rejecting the truth and the other form is to go astray by choosing to remain ignorant. So we need to realize that choosing to remain ignorant can not excuse us for our sins and deviations, and if we knowingly reject the truth, we will be cursed by Allah. The only option left is to seek the truth and ask Allah to guide us to the straight path.

Amazingly, the very next Surah begins by answering this du’a for guidance. “This is the book in which there is no doubt! It is a guidance for those who are God-conscious.” (2:2) Three things are interesting about this verse. Firstly, show me one other book which begins by declaring its own perfection. No human author would dare readers from the beginning by making the claim that there is nothing doubtful in his book, this immidiately makes skeptics look for mistakes. The Qur’an, being the perfect word of Allah, begins with this challenge, a unique and powerful starting point.

Allah then explains to us that this Qur’an is the answer to our du’a for guidance but the condition is that we approach this Qur’an with Taqwa (God-consciousness). This is why not everyone benefits from reciting the Qur’an. Allah warns us on the next page to not be from those who only recite ritually or with an evil intention as “it is the same whether you warn them or not, they will never believe.” (2:6) This verse is aimed primarily to those who choose to reject Islam, but like all verses we need to apply it to ourselves and make sure we do not possess any of the qualities that Allah dislikes.

The first three pages of Surah Baqarah describe three types of people in terms of belief and relationship with Allah. Allah goes into detail describing those who have Taqwa and attain success, then briefly mentions those who choose to disbelieve, and finally  He mentions in even more detail, the hypocrites. It is for us to study these verses and put into the practice the qualities of the successful while being careful to guard ourselves from possessing the qualities of the disbelievers or hypocrites.

After all of this, Allah mentions the first commandment in the Qur’an, the most important commandment and the benefit of obeying it. Allah says, “O mankind, worship your Lord who created you and those before you so that you may attain Taqwa.” (2:21) The first and most important commandment is to uphold Tawheed by worshipping Allah alone as it is through this that we can attain Taqwa and through Taqwa that we can attain guidance from the Qur’an.

I ask Allah to grant all of us Imaan, Taqwa and a deeper understanding of the Qur’an. Ameen.

Taraweeh Salaah – Night 24

By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia – Canada

In the Name of Almighty Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Tonight’s Tarawee consists of Qad Sami-Allahu (JUZ 28) and the Surahs that will be covered are the following: Surah Al Mujadilah [The Woman Who Pleads]; Surah Al Hashr [The Mustering]; Surah Al Mumtahinah [ That Which Examines]; Surah Al Saff [The Battle Array]; Surah Al Juma’ah [Frida]; Surah Al Munafiqun [The Hypocrites]; Surah Al Taghabun [The Mutual Loss And Gain]; Surah Al Talaq [Divorce]; and Surah Al Tahrim [Prohibition].

SURAH AL MUJADILAH: [The Woman Who Pleads].
The subject matter of this Surah is the importance of a woman’s Plea on behalf of herself and her children and a condemnation of all secret counsels and intrigues in the Muslim Brotherhood.

Summary: – All false pretences, especially those that degrade a woman’s position, are condemned – as well as secret consultations between men and intrigues with falsehood, mischief, and sedition. Observe order and decorum in public assemblies, and seek not in selfish pride to engage your leader’s private attention. It is wrong to turn to the enemies of Allah for friendship. They make their oaths a cloak for wrongdoing, and keep back men from the Right. But none can resist the Power or the Judgement of Allah. The Righteous seek only His Good Pleasure, and rejoice therein as their highest Achievement.

SURAH AL HASHR: [The Mustering].
The special theme of this Surah is how treachery to the Ummah on the part of its enemies recoils on the enemies themselves, while it strengthens the bond between the different sections of the Ummah itself, and this is illustrated by the story of the expulsion of the Jewish tribe of Banu al Nadr in Rabi’ al Awwal, 4 A.H. This fixes the date of the Surah.

Summary: – The expulsion of the treacherous Jews from the neighbourhood of Madinah was smoothly accomplished. Their reliance on their fortified positions and on the faith of their allies in treachery proved futile.
But the internal bonds in the Ummah were strengthened. Such is the Wisdom of Allah, Lord of the Most Beautiful Names. There is no god but He! the Good, the Glorious, the Irresistible! All Creation sings His Praise – the Exalted in Might, the Wise!

SURAH AL MUMTAHINAH: [That Which Examines].
The point here is: What social relations are possible with the Unbelievers? A distinction is made between those who persecute you for your Faith and want to destroy you and your Faith, and those who have shown no such rancour. For the latter there is hope of mercy and forgiveness. The question of women and cross-marriages is equitably dealt with. The date is after the Pagans had broken the Treaty of Hudaybiyah about A.H. 8, not long after the conquest of Makkah.

Summary: – The enemies of your Faith, who would exterminate you and your Faith, are not fit objects of your love. Follow Nabee Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam’s example. But with those Unbelievers who show no rancour, you should deal with kindness and justice: marriage between Believers and Unbelievers. Let not Believing women be handed over to Unbelievers. No marriage tie is lawful between them. When women wish to join your society, take their assurance that they yield not to sin or unbeseeming conduct. Take every care to keep your society free and pure, and self-contained.

SURAH AL SAFF: [The Battle Array].
The subject matter here is the need of discipline, practical work, and self-sacrifice in the cause of the Ummah. Its date is uncertain, but it was probably shortly after the Battle of Uhud, which was fought in Shawwal, A.H. 3.

Summary: – Allah’s Glory shines through all Creation: but what discipline can you show to back your words with action? What story can you learn from the stories of Nabee Moosa and Nabee Esa Alayhim Salaam? Help the Cause, and Allah’s Help will come with glorious results. Do you only mock and insult the messengers as they did of old? Nay, trust in Allah and strive your utmost in His Cause, little have you to give, but glorious is the reward that Allah will give you – now and in the Eternal Life to come!

SURAH AL JUMU’AH: [Friday].
The special theme of this Surah is the need for mutual contact in the Community for worship and understanding. The spirit of the Message is for all, ignorant and learned, in order that they may be purified and may learn wisdom.

Summary: – The Revelation has come among unlearned men, to teach purity and wisdom not only to them but to others, including those who may have an older Message but do not understand it: meet solemnly for the Assembly [Friday] Prayer, and let not worldly interests deflect you therefrom. Allah’s care for His creatures is universal. His Revelation is for all – ignorant and lowly as well as learned and high placed – now and forever. None can arrogantly claim exclusive possession of Allah’s Gifts; If they do, search their hearts within, and you will find them afraid of Death and Judgement. Men of Faith! On the Day of Assembly, when you hear the call, hasten earnestly to answer it: leave off business, and join in common worship and devotion. Then you may disperse about your ordinary business, but remember the Praises of Allah always. It is He alone that can provide for your every need, and His Gifts are the best.

SURAH AL MUNAFIQUN: [The Hypocrites].
The special feature here dealt with is the wiles and mischief of the Hypocrite element in any community, and the need of guarding against it and against the temptation it throws in the way of the Believers. The Battle of Uhud [Shawwal A.H. 3] unmasked the Hypocrites in Madinah. This Surah may be referred to some time after that event, say about 4 A.H. or possibly 5 A.H.

Summary: – False are the Oaths of the Hypocrites for they only seek selfish ends. Believers should beware of their wiles and strive devotedly always for the Cause. The Oaths of the Hypocrites are a screen for their misdeeds. They think they deceive with their fair exteriors and plausible talk, but their minds are impervious to the real Truth. They may plot to withhold from men of Allah such things of this world as they may command. They may plot to expel and persecute the righteous; they may call them ill names and slight them. But to Allah belongs the treasures of the heavens and the earth, and He will bestow according to His Wise and universal Plan. Let not the world’s foolish craze divert the Believers from the service of Allah – from good deeds and Charity. Now is the time: all vain will be your pleas and your regrets when the shadow of Death cuts off your last chance of Repentance!

SURAH AL TAGHABUN: [The Mutual Loss and Gain].
The special aspect spoken of here is the mutual gain and loss of Good and Evil, contrasted in this life and in the Hereafter. It is an early Madinah Surah, of the year 1 of the Hijrah or possibly even of the Makkan period just before the Hijrah.

Summary: – Both the Unbelievers and the Believers were created but the One True Creator, Who created all and knows all. Why should Unbelief and Evil exult in worldly gain when their loss will be as manifest in the Hereafter as will the gains of the Believers? The Gainers here will be the losers there, and the Losers Gainers. Some of this exchange you will see even here, in this life, for Unbelievers who deny the Hereafter; but in the Hereafter, full account and true adjustment of good and ill will follow before the Judgement Seat: Nay, Good will get more than its full reward: for Allah is Bounteous, Merciful, Mighty, Wise.

SURAH AL TALAQ: [Divorce].
The aspect dealt with here is Divorce, and the necessity of precautions to guard against its abuse. The relations of the sexes are an important factor in the social life of the Community, and this Surah as well as the following Surah deal with certain aspects of it. “Of all things permitted by Law”, said our Beloved Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam, “divorce is the most hateful in the sight of Allah”. [Abu Dawud, Sunan, 13.3] While the sanctity of marriage is the essential basis of family life, the incompatibility of individuals and the weaknesses of human nature require certain outlets and safeguards if that sanctity is not to be made into a fetish at the expense of human life. That is why the question of Divorce is in this Surah linked with the question of insolent impiety and its punishment.

Summary: – Provision to be made for women in case of Divorce, insolent impiety always leads to punishment.. Use all the precautions to protect the interests of unborn or newborn lives as well as social decency; and close not to the last door of reconciliation. Allah’s Laws must be obeyed: It is man’s own loss if he is deaf to the voice which teaches him, or blind to the Light which guides him. Allah’s universe of beauty and wonder stands strong in wisdom; Let man but tune himself thereto.

SURAH AL TAHRIM: [Prohibition].
The point dealt with here is: how far the turning away from sex or the opposition of one sex against another or a want of harmony between the sexes may injure the higher interests of society. The date may be taken to be somewhere about A.H. 7.

Summary: – The failings of the weaker sex should not turn away men from normal social life: harmony and mutual confidence should be taught and enforced, and Allah’s blessing will descend on the virtuous even if their lot is cast with the wicked. Respect each other’s confidence, and if you fail, repent and make amends. The good man seeks virtue for himself and his family. If Evil is yoked to Good, it must take the fruit of its own deeds; the worldly tie will profit naught; but good should firmly make a stand and will be saved, for Allah does care for All His true devoted Servants.

Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net

Related posts:

1. Taraweeh Salaah – Night 8
2. Taraweeh Salaah – Night 4
3. Taraweeh Salaah – Night 3
4. Taraweeh Salaah – Night 21
5. Taraweeh Salaah – Night 22

Sweden: Immigrants Now Paid To Learn Swedish

Via SR:

On Wednesday, a new law takes effect in Sweden that will pay immigrants taking state-funded Swedish language classes up to almost 2,000 U.S. dollars, tax-free, for completing the program within a year.

Running this incentive program is expected to cost over 10 million U.S. dollars and has come under strong criticism from teachers and researchers for patronizing students.

But Sweden’s integration minister, Nyamko Sabuni, defends the new law. According to her, there is a culture of staying in the classes for a long time, but the new law will encourage students to move through quickly.

If you’re looking for some last-minute Eid outfit inspiration, take a look at the September 2010 issue of emel magazine. This is the third time Hijab Style has been featured in emel, and for this issue I was asked to write about my experiences of Eid, and put together a couple of outfits. Check out the full feature here.

Germany: Public split on fate of race row banker

Via Reuters:

German public opinion is deeply split over the fate of a central banker whose disparaging comments about Muslim immigrants have triggered a heated debate on race and integration, surveys showed on Wednesday.

Over the past week and a half, Thilo Sarrazin has dominated headlines with criticism of Germany’s large Muslim community, and contentious remarks asserting that Jews have a particular genetic makeup.

(…)

A survey by pollster Emnid for N24 television showed 51 percent of respondents saw no need for the Bundesbank to fire board member Sarrazin, with 32 percent taking the opposite view.

But another poll by YouGov for Bild newspaper said 42 percent considered Sarrazin no longer acceptable for the job, with 34 percent seeing him as still acceptable and 25 percent undecided. Both surveys polled around 1,000 Germans.

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