Making An Impact Where It Matters

Assalam Alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu.
I know I have not been here for a while. Well, it's because I took up a teaching job last month. I turned down that banking job sometime ago and a few weeks later I got this offer. I have not really stopped to think about it until now. Allah really does work in mysterious ways. Masha Allah. Alhamdulillah. I know the pay is a lot less than what I expect to get from the bank, but I am content and I know that Allah will make it up for me.

It is an elementary school teaching job

Celebrating the Mauludun Nabiyy

The subject of celebrating the Maulud has been a subject of debate among scholars for a very long time and no consensus has been reached till today. Maulud is a term used to describe the date of birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which falls on the 12th day of the month of Rabi'ul Auwal i.e the 3rd Month of the Islamic Calendar. In the Gregorian Calendar, the date varies according to the sighting of the moon.
Maulud is recent to Islam, starting after the death of the Prophet (SAW), his companions, and their companions. There is no evidence anywhere that the Prophet (SAW) celebrated his birthday or commanded that it be celebrated. No one claims that!
Proponents of the celebration argue that the day (and night) is revived with history of the Prophet, Qur'anic recitations, Salawat on the Prophet, and all good things, all of which no one can say are haraam. They also argue that the sunnah fasting of Monday is observed because the Prophet (SAW) was born on Monday citing the following hadith as a proof:
Abu Qatadah reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) was asked about fasting on Mondays and he said, "That is the day on which I was born and the day when I was sent - or when revelation descended on me." (Muslim, Al-Nasaa'i, Abu Dawood).

Why Wait For Valentines Day

In trying to trace the origin of Valentines Day, I have stumbled on so many different stories, which makes it extremely difficult to figure out its real origin. But the bottom line is that it is certainly a pagan tradition. Linking with it to St. Valentine is also another debate. While some people try to link it to him (probably to make it acceptable in Christianity) others reject any connection. Whatever the case is, we are NOT allowed to imitate the kuffar in any way. Thereby making the celebration of Valentines Day impermissible in Islam.

Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) says in the Qur'an that, "And if any among you takes them (as Awliyaa' [friends and helpers]), then surely, he is one of them." (Q5:51)

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?