The Blind Following The Blind?

Bismillah (In The Name of Allaah)

Dear Reader,

Why would someone say that the seeker in knowledge must stay away from fatwa and stick with only the Quran and hadith? And to not read books of the scholars as one may misunderstand them without this person teaching it to them?

Is this not only promoting blind following but also getting in between the seeker of knowledge and the scholars? It is through our righteous scholars (ra) we are able to get closer to our Lord.

How many times I have seen those who misunderstand the hadith and the Quran due to them not knowing the proper context of the hadith and Quran! Sub'han Allah. May Allah guide us all, forgive us and bless us with proper understanding of the religion.

And this leads me to the issue of taqlid: "Taqlid or taqleed (Arabic تَقْليد taqlīd) is an Arabic term meaning "to follow (someone)" or "to imitate". In Islamic legal terminology it refers to the practice of following the decisions of a religious authority without necessarily examining the scriptural basis or reasoning of that decision. In Islamic theology taqlid of someone regarded as a higher religious authority (e.g. an 'ālim) is acceptable in the details of the laws of the religion (shariah), such as matters of worship and personal affairs. "

Taqleed of the one who is not able to research the evidences and derive rulings from it, to a scholar who has been endowed the skill of ijtihaad in the evidences of the sharee’ah. This is permissible, due to His saying, the Most High, "Allah does not burden a soul more than it can bear," and His saying, the Exalted, "Then ask the people of remembrance [scholars] if you do not know," and other texts similar to these, which point to the removing of difficulty and the protection of the one responsible, from straying about in the rulings and speaking about Allah without knowledge.

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts
Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz
Shaykh `Abdullah bin Ghudayaan
Shaykh `Abdur-Razzaaq al-`Afeefee
The Fataawaa of The Standing Committee for Islamic Research and Ifta, No. 11296

What do you think of this situation?

Sisters, Don't be Afraid To Step Up

Bismillaah (In The Name of Allaah)

Dear Reader,

Allaah Almighty Says what means: “What comes to you of good is from Allaah, but what comes to you of evil, is from yourself.” [Quran 4: 79]

For some reason, women’s health is a topic rarely talked about in our communities. Sure, we talk about menstruation and pregnancy...

However, we do not bear a lot of discussions concerning general health issues, nutrition and specifically exercise; because of this, we are spanning this article over two issues in order to have the opportunity to talk in depth about this important issue.

The message

I started thinking about this issue more than two years ago and through a personal health crisis, I have come to truly appreciate the gift of good health.

I was reminded by someone, during my most trying time, of an old Arabic saying, “Health is an invisible crown and that no one sees it but those that are ill." That is so completely true.

Many of us do not appreciate our health until we are faced with losing it as we know it Forever.

So, what message do we get as Muslim women about our daily living?

Generally we are told to stay inside our homes and while our homes are the best and safest place to be without a doubt - many sisters who live in apartment buildings, and even those who live in duplexes or houses simply do not have a place to exercise.

If you think in terms of our society - what are these messages teaching our young girls? If we do not talk plainly and openly about healthy living, and practice what we preach on the subject we are leaving many young girls to fall victim to eating disorders, such as over-eating, anorexia and bulimia. If you think no one you know has an eating disorder, look again... it’s more common than you think.

We need to send the right message about women’s health to our daughters, that eating right and exercising is also a part of a Muslim woman's lifestyle.

We need to also lead by example and start stepping up to the plate. There are many forms of exercise that will fit into our Islamic lifestyle.

Taking 10,000 a day

There is solid medical evidence to prove that walking 10,000 steps a day can lead to significant health benefits. If done each day, it can not only make you feel better and more energized in everything you do, but it can also reduce the risk of developing serious illnesses such as heart disease, some cancers, diabetes and depression.

The best way to measure your steps is by getting a pedometer. Pedometers are easy to use, easy to find and inexpensive. Consumer Reports citied the most reliable pedometer was the Freestyle.

If you do not have a pedometer available, you can follow this guide to measure your steps until you can get your hands on one:

• 30 minutes moderately paced walking = approximately 4,000 steps
• 45 minutes moderately paced walking = approximately 7,500 steps
• 60 minutes *briskly paced walking = approximately 10,000 steps

(*Note: briskly, means fast – not casual walking)

You will find that the average person walks about 900-3,000 steps per day during daily activities, so you will really have to find ways to get those extra steps.

However, there are many ways you can make your goal.

You can walk on a treadmill or park far away from the entrance of the grocery store – listening to lectures on a CD or cassette helps pass the time.

Better yet, to help encourage you and your fellow sisters, start a daily walking group – if daily is too hard; make it three times per week.

Go to the malls or even super stores if you have to (walk up and down each and every aisle) – doing this will get you about 4,000 steps or so. Just remember you are there to walk, not to buy! I know the marketplace is not the best place to be, but it is safer than walking on busy roads and will protect you from the weather.

Not only will walking get you into shape and energized, if you are ever planning on going to Hajj or 'Umrah, it is the best training to prepare ahead of time.

The Prophet was well-known for his habit of brisk walking as shown in the following Hadeeths.

Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with, said: "I did not see anyone more handsome as the Prophet . It was as if the brightness of the sun had shone from his auspicious face. I did not see anyone walk faster than him, as if the earth folded for him. A few moments ago he would be here, and then there. We found it difficult to keep pace when we walked with him, and he walked at his normal pace." [Al-Bukhaari]

Ready, set, run!

On the authority of 'Aa'ishah who reported that she was once on a trip with the Prophet while she was still a young girl. "I had not acquired excess body flesh, nor had my body become large. The Prophet said to his companions, "Move on ahead." When they had gone on ahead of us, he said, "Come, and I will race you." Then, I beat him in a foot race. Later on, I again was on a trip with him and he said again to his companions, "Go on ahead". And then he said to me, "Come, and I will race you." I had completely forgotten the previous incident. Moreover, I had become heavier. I said to him: "How can I race you when I am in this condition?" He said, "You will race me!" So I raced him, and he won the race. Then he began laughing and said, "This is for that victory." [Abu Daawood)

Make a splash

Swimming helps you lose weight and keep in shape, burning more calories than almost any other exercise. Get a group together and rent a private pool a few times a month for a change of pace and bring the kids, believe me, it will be a hit!

Cooling down

In the second portion of this article, we will discuss nutrition, emotional eating, exercising with modesty and your right, as a Muslim woman, to exercise.

*Note: it is always important to consult your physician before starting any diet or exercise program to find out what programs are best for you.

Islamweb.net

Start With Yourself Before Others

Bismillaah (In The Name of Allaah)

Dear Reader,

Do you know who to start with when giving dawa?

Who to start with?

In Da'wah (call to Islam), start with yourself before the members of your family and other people and look at what is lacking in you in order that you may start treating it.

So if there is a common deficiency between you and one of your companions or family members, then join him with you in resolving this problem because the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: "Whoever from amongst you sees an evil he should change it with his hand and if he is not able to, then with his tongue and if he is not able to, then he should hate it in his heart, and that is the weakest level of faith." [Muslim and Ahmed]

How is your relationship with Allaah?

How is your humbleness in prayer?

Read about that which will better your condition and that of your prayer, increase your humbleness in it and soften your heart.

Are you one whose supplications are answered or do you notice most of your supplications not being answered?
Look into your Aqeedah (Faith) and the level of your certainty and reliance upon Allaah, and observe closely your food and drink - are they from that which is Halaal (lawful) or Haraam (unlawful), or is there some doubt about their source?

If the situation was one that requires enjoining good and forbidding evil, what would you do? Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: "By Him in Who's Hand is my soul, you will enjoin good and prohibit evil or (else) Allaah will soon send upon you a punishment from Him, then you will call upon Him and He will not answer you." [Ahmed and At-Tirmithi]

Maybe you would benefit from reading Hadeeths (Prophetic narrations) pertaining to the punishment of the grave and that of its bliss, about the terror of the Resurrection, and the torment of the Hell Fire. You could well continue reading for days, weeks or months, accompanying that with good actions and self-struggle.

It is imperative that a person takes his soul to account and treats his deficiencies. Match yourself against the Quran and the Sunnah (Prophet's, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, tradition) to know who you are, and look what you have set aside for Allaah to know what Allaah, the Almighty and Majestic, has prepared for you because of the saying of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam: "Whoever wants to know what Allaah has prepared for him then he should look to what he has prepared for Allaah." [As-Silsilah As-Saheehah]

Are you prepared for the meeting with Allaah?

Have you fulfilled the rights of the creation, one to another? Or are you in a constant state of postponing and deferring?

Have you converted your knowledge of repentance into crying and penitence?

Have you turned whatever you have read about loving Allaah into real love for your Muslim brothers?

Do you often visit them, and overlook their faults? Do you aid the needy from amongst them, feel delight for their happiness and grieve for their sorrow?

Do you taste the sweetness and delight of Faith?

Are Allaah and his Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, more beloved to you than anybody else?

Do you give precedence to the love of Allaah over wealth, business, whims and desires?

Test yourself when you hear the call to prayer, if you notice a desire to delay answering it in order to pursue your interests in trade (for example) then know that Satan has succeeded in gradually leading you astray and that your love for Allaah is deficient. In this way it is upon you to consolidate yourself, giving precedence to the orders of Allaah over any other worldly matter.

How is your abhorrence of entering into disbelief? Do you abhor it as you would abhor being thrown into the Hell Fire?
Do you live this abhorrence and this feeling in you, so that your sincerity to Allaah is cultivated and that you may hasten to purify your soul?

Contemplate the Hadeeth of Umm Salamah who said: '"Most of the invocations of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, used to be: "O Changer of the Hearts make my heart firm upon your religion." [Ahmed and At-Tirmithi]

Reflect upon how Ibraaheem (Abraham) feared associating partners with Allaah, so he used to supplicate (what means): "And keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols." [Quran 14:35]

This is what Abu Ad-Dardaa' used to fear hence his saying: 'Verily what I fear from my Lord on the Day of Resurrection is that He calls me in front of all creation and says to me "O 'Uwaymir (i.e., Abu Ad-Dardaa' himself)," so I say, "Here I am My Lord at Your service," so He says, "What did you act upon from the knowledge that you acquired?"

Don't forget the supplication of Yousuf (Joseph) (which means): "Cause me to die as a Muslim and join me with the righteous." [Quran 12:101]

You should aid yourself through fear: living with the fear of eternal abode in the Hell Fire. Don't rest and sit around while the sweetness of Faith is missing or is weakened. How many people set out on journeys for the purpose of treating their illnesses and how many of them spend out of their wealth to treat these illnesses? Do not the souls and the hearts have more priority in being treated, as their matter is one of total eternity? Bring to mind the Hadeeth, "Every slave will be resurrected upon that which he died." [Muslim], then expect death at any moment.

It is better for you if you were to meet death whilst trying to improve your own condition than to die whilst striving to improve others', being held accountable at the same time for leaving off obligatory actions just like the lantern that burns itself out and gives light to others, as in the Hadeeth: "The example of the scholar who teaches the people good things but forgets himself is that of a lantern, it gives light to the people but burns itself out." [At-Tabaraani]

By: Sheikh Husayn al-Awaaishah