In reality, we do not have any share in those past glories. We are not accumulating reward for the deeds of our predecessors. Though certainly, to the extent that we follow their example, they are accumulating reward from us.

And just as we love to reflect on a past that we did not author, we also like to dream of the eventual revival and resurgence of Islam. Yet, there is no guarantee that we will have much of a share in that either. In fact, we may be remembered as one of the lost generations that failed to fulfill its covenant with Allah.

Allah says:

2:83 And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel (to this effect): Worship none but Allah. treat with kindness your parents, kin, orphans, and those in need; speak good to people; be steadfast in prayer; and practice charity regularly. Then you turned away, except a few among you, and you continue to backslide.

Let us keep in mind the various purposes of such verses. One is to teach us how the people of the past have gone astray. This is the aspect we like to talk about.

But there is another aspect, one that is more frightening. These verses also serve as a warning to us. They serve as a forecast of the way that this ummah will go astray. The Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, said,

“You will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit (i.e., inch by inch) so much so that even if they entered a lizard’s burrow, you would follow them.” We said, “O Allah’s Apostle! (Do you mean) the Jews and Christians?” He said, “Who else?”

So let us hold ourselves to account and consider just two of the virtues mentioned in this verse—providing for orphans and the poor. Providing aid to these two groups is so central to our faith that it spans all ideological and sectarian divides.

Before offering some concrete suggestions, I want to mention two important principles to guide our practice of charity. They are the generosity of giving, and the generosity of our hearts. I only mention these because their opposites are tragically common. First, there are so many opportunities to give; so many projects on a local, national, or global scale that need support. This creates a logistical dilemma. Should we split our giving between as many different causes as possible? Or should we spend more or a few select projects? There is no definitive answer to this question…or rather, the only definitive answer is that we should give generously from our wealth, no matter how it is apportioned.

But the second principle that I want to mention is even more essential—the generosity of our hearts. It is tragic that some Muslims do not truly care about all those in need. Some argue that we should not support local causes, especially those that assist non-Muslims, when so many Muslims are suffering overseas. (more…)

At one point in my childhood, I started rethinking the practice altogether. I thought that while I’m allowed to shorten my prayer, why not just pray them in full, especially since I have the time and energy as a nine-year old on summer break. After all, logically speaking, more is always better, right?

Plus since we were living in a world of air conditioning and refrigeration, there was no real difficulty in traveling, and thus, no need to shorten my Salah. So for a few days, I began to pray my Salah in full, even as a traveler.

Shortly thereafter, I learned I was completely wrong. Not only was my logic of “more is always better” incorrect, I actually would have been rewarded more for doing less. How was that?

One of the beautiful aspects of this religion is in following the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as a complete guide in life. Whatever he commanded, we comply with, and whatever he practiced, we try to emulate.

As a result, if the Prophet (SAW) refrained from doing something, such as praying less prayer while traveling, Muslims subsequently get reward from also refraining from that act. More isn’t necessarily always better; following the actions of the Prophet (SAW) is.

Musa ibn Salamah al-Hadhali said: “I asked Ibn ‘Abbaas, ‘How should I pray if I am in Makkah and I do not pray with the imam?’ He said, ‘Two rak’ahs, and this is the way of Abu’l-Qaasim (SAW).” [Sahih Muslim]

Many people, like me in the traveling story, tend to believe that more is always better. In obeying Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW), this isn’t always the case. Acts of worship in Islam aren’t so primitively ritualistic. Rather, there is a science behind them that falls back on the tradition of the Prophet (SAW), regardless of whether it seems like we’re doing more or less.

It’s important to realize this and teach it to ourselves and our children. This not only gives us the proper understanding of our religion, it prevents us from doing silly things like praying the prayers in full while traveling out of town.

May Allah ‘azza wa jal give us the proper understanding of His religion and guide us to actions that reward us, be they more or less.

For some reason, halfdate.com has really caught my attention. Maybe it’s because their marketing machine is doing such a great job, masha’Allah… or perhaps there is just something different about them. I find their strategy of dedicating one whole month to a new cause, trying to achieve as much as they can within that time, quite refreshing; may Allah grant them success.

This month’s appeal was called “Care for Converts“, and as the name suggests, was aimed at helping out the newest members of our blessed community. The final event of the drive is a ’simulcast’ of a talk presented by a good friend of mine (well, I interviewed her once - *cough* listen to my podcast here *cough*), sister Na’ima B. Robert, author of the UK best selling book, From My Sisters’ Lips, and editor of SISTERS magazine. It takes place this Saturday, April 5th at 9:00pm GMT/UTC (5pm New York, 2 pm Los Angeles 2pm, use time converter for your local time.)

Please check it out, pass the word on, and make dua for our revert brothers and sisters. May Allah continue to guide us all, Ameen.

[Photo by Fairywren]

“Hajj intimidating for secular reporter.” That’s the headline for this article.

When I read that headline I was confused, uncertain why hajj would intimidate anyone, let alone a journalist. Unfortunately, the reference is to the hajj of Associated Press reporter Scheherezade Faramarzi , self-described “secular journalist,” who is actually participating in hajj rites simply in order to report on them. Nowhere in this article does she describe herself as a Muslim, and she acknowledges not even knowing how to pray:

But it’s hard to concentrate — not only because I don’t really know how to pray, but also because of the shoving of other pilgrims trying to get to the front of the line.

The layers of white fabric around my head and neck were suffocating and distracting — I don’t normally wear a head scarf — and I looked with envy at the men praying next to me with their bare arms and necks.

Glancing at other worshippers, I tried to follow the prayer movements: standing straight, bowing with hands on the knees, placing the forehead on the floor as in yoga.

Based on her self-description as a “secular,” I have to assume that she is not Muslim. A secular person by definition does not practice a religion. Faramarzi does not even style herself as a “progressive Muslim.” (more…)

Madinah was a place of firsts for us and provided clues to the trip to come. We got off the plane like tourists, giddy and exhausted. The giddiness dissipated as we stood in line to be processed by a series of clerks who were the first in the long line of alternately aggressive and apathetic bureaucratic employees we would encounter during our hajj journey. The chaos of getting onto a bus and checking in to the hotel was the first of many moments of chaos we would encounter. We got settled in our hotel room and immediately set off with two friends from Houston for the masjid an Nabawi. (more…)

2. Provision

Second on your Hajj check list is Provision.

One of the earliest scenes of Hajj, which reminds you of what is yet to come, is the check-in lines at the airport. You wait for hours and hours depending, of course, on where you’re traveling from.

One basic reason for this entire wait is the luggage. Some people decide to carry with them stuff, and literary ‘stuff’ hoping to save some money while in Makkah and wound up wasting time, energy and probably their Hajj, and on top of that they still spend more money.

Some might carry with them food and pots and all what is needed to survive the desert of Arabia. Little they know the last thing they need to worry about in Makkah is food.

It’s an early reminder of the Akhira. The more load you carry the longer the wait will be. Hajj is a virtual reminder of the events of the Akhira.

Provision is essential during the Hajj. Food as a source of nutrition is required to ensure you have the energy your body needs to fulfill, the optimal way, the obligation of Hajj. Allah even mandates this provision ‘And take a provision (with you) for the journey’ Al-Baqarah 2:197.

For those who don’t know; the eighth day of Dhul Hijjah is called the day of ‘Tarwiyah’ –watering or quenching thirst- because (more…)

The Hajj list usually includes things like: Hajj manual, Ihram, safety belts, slippers or flip flops, enough clothes, water bottles, umbrella, sun screen, cash money and Oh yah, your ticket and passport. And did I mention the Hajj visa?

Unfortunately, people become so busy in the last few days before they travel to Makkah preparing for their journey that they forget about the real Hajj check list. Besides learning the practical rituals of Hajj and the smart tips to ensure our safety and the safety of others while there -which are usually the main focus of any regular Hajj seminar- Have we ever thought of creating a Hajj list that ensures this -probably once in a life time experience- is done correctly with no flaws? After all, a faultless Hajj receives no reward other than Al-Jannah.

If you plan to go to Hajj then you need to prepare a special check list besides the regular one.

These are what I believe are the most essential items on your Hajj check list. (more…)

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) 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)

What is the reason, or the wisdom, behind this prohibition? Well, only Allah knows why exactly He has commanded us to do certain things, but amongst the reasons that we are aware of is that it’s a time for us to abstain from worrying about our appearance, and to worry about our souls instead.

Ramadhaan was a time of self-denial and growing closer to Allah. Each pang of hunger reminded us of His blessings upon us and urged us to strive harder for His Sake. Similarly, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah push us to get over our vanity… to look past the reflection in the mirror, and to reflect upon our souls. (more…)

There is no day on which Allah frees more of His slaves from Fire than the Day of Arafat, and He verily draws near, then boasts of them before the angels, saying: “What do they seek?”

December 29, 2005, ~9:15 p.m. At JFK. (more…)

We started our trip - which lasted almost three weeks - by visiting my family in New Jersey. Our itinerary would take us from New York to Madinah, where we would stay for two days before going on to Mecca.

December 25, 2005, ~11:45 a.m. (eastern time). On the plane from Houston to Newark. I’ve been trying to decide if I’m a pilgrim as of today, in a broad sense, that is. Although I’m not yet headed toward Madinah, today is the first day of a journey that will ultimately make a hajji of me, insha Allah. On the other hand, though, it’s Christmas and we’re on our way to visit my family for a few days. It’s hard to get my head around one or the other or both trips. I feel disoriented. I’m still really nervous about hajj and feel like I’ll be in a fog the whole time in NJ. I do want to stay focused on hajj and preparing myself for it. (more…)