Do You Pray?

This may come as a shock and most people will answer with "duh! of course I do!" But do you really pray? Looking critically at how Muslims really live their lives and observe their Ibadah, you will agree with me that most things are observed merely as rituals - because they are required! Why and How to actual do things are out of the question. When you ask a person why he or she performs a particular Ibadah, most people will simply answer, "because this is how I saw it done." 
Salaah (Islamic Prayer) is the foremost and most important aspect of a Muslim's life - it distinguishes between the Muslim and the Kafir and will be the first act to be checked on the day in which you have no chance to make corrections.

Bank Jobs and Riba

My topic today is inspired by a juicy bank job offer I had to reject. I was asleep in the morning when my phone rang. So I was reluctant in picking it up but when I checked, it was a name that hardly calls or not at all. So, I just had to answer. I answered and the caller asked me to take my C.V to her office and go for an aptitude test with her bank. As a senior official, she is entitled to "spots" for her candidates. With my degree in Accounting and an MBA and searching desperately for a job, I was her first choice. I was to get a management position and receive a huge salary and benefits. Juuuuiiiicy, right? Well, I declined.
I know I can only afford basics, most times going for the cheapest commodities to be able to do so but I still rejected. Why?

It Only Takes a Click to Make That Difference

Assalam Alaikum.


I know I haven't written in a while but I was a bit down. Today,I have decided to share with you something really amazing. . .well, I'm sure some are aware but I still think it can serve as reminder to us all. It is the amazing click to donate websites available online. They cost nothing except the little time you spend clicking but make a huge difference in another person's life. They serve different causes - hunger, education, healthcare, and everything else you can think about; and help you earn rewards from your creator, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala). All you need to do is to make one simple click and a needy is helped. How about that?

                                    

Dhul Hijjah: The Virtues of the First Ten Days

Dhul Hijjah is the last of the twelve months of the Islamic Calendar and the month in which the glorious rite of Hajj is performed by the Muslims.

The first ten days of the month are considered highly virtuos and full of Rahma and as such, we are encouraged to inrease our acts of Ibadah during these blessed days. There are qur'anic verses and ahadith that make direct reference to these days, indicating their virtue.

Allah (SWT) says, in His Glorious Qur'an,

"By the dawn; By the 10 nights” [al-Fajr 89:1-2].
Most scholars agree that these ten nights refer to the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah. Ibn Katheer also had validated that opinion by stating: “This is the correct opinion.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413]
All scholars agree that if Allah swears by something, it shows the importance of that thing.

And in Q2:203, Allah says, "And remember Allah during the appointed Days"

Cursing Your Child: What To Know

Each time I lie down to sleep what haunts me is my father's words - his curse on me.

I have been sleepless for the past two and a half years and now he has added to my misery. He probably thought that cursing me will strenghten the relationship between us. It has worsen it entirely. I cannot stand his sight although I force myself to look at him, smile at him, and talk to him. He has made my life a lot more miserable.

The question that keeps popping into my mind is why would a father curse his child so passionately?

Parents: What To Know About Your Child

I have decided to write about things I think will help parents to understand their kids better as well as help them to make better judgements concerning the child. I am not a parent yet (but hope to be soon, insha Allah) and have no idea what parents are thinking when they act the way they do. So, I'm writing to you as a daughter with lots of experience.

My experience has taught me that most parents do not consider what their wards are thinking when they take decisions. Growing up in a typical African-Islamic family (Islamic is italised because praying five times a day and fasting in Ramadan is all the Islam that is practised.),

My Psychological State

If I die today, I know I died because of my father. I have seen how other parents act with their kids and how things happen and I wonder why my life goes the way it does. Is life truly fair? I can't but think.
I'm not a kid. I'm 26 years old and yet my life is as terrible as it can ever be.

Eid Mabruk and Siyaam Mabrour

Alhamdulillah! Allah has seen us through this month of bliss, happiness, and a lot of Ibadah. May Allah (SWT) accept all our Ibadah, our devotion, and prayers.

But now that the month is over, what next?

Certainly not what we are into! The main aim of fasting is to achieve taqwa (piety) as stated by Allah (SWT) in His glorious Qur'an, “O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” [al-Baqarah 2:183]

In defining taqwa, Umar ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) asked Ubbay ibn Ka’ab (may Allah be pleased with him), “What is the meaning of Taqwa?”

Ubbay ibn Ka’ab said, “O Amir ul Mu’minin, have you walked on a field that had a lot of thorny plants?”

Umar said, “Yes” Ubbay ibn Ka’ab said, “So what did you do?”

Umar replied, “I lifted up my clothes and I was very careful,”

Ubbay ibn Ka’ab said, “That is Taqwa.”