Concealing ones sins

Taken from:

http://sisters.islamway.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=501

It is from the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa salam) that we take the light of guidance regarding this crucial issue, which is one that requires urgent attention due to it being one of the most important matters that will assist in preserving the Muslim community with regards to its religion and chastity. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu `alayhi wa salam) said: “Every member of my nation will be forgiven, except those who expose their wrongdoings. An example of this is that of a man who commits a sin at night which Allaah then conceals, but, the next morning, he goes and says (to people): ‘I committed such and such a sin last night’ - while Allaah had kept it secret. During the night Allaah had concealed it, but in the morning he tore up the cover provided by Allaah Himself.” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim] Those who openly expose their sins to others will be deprived from the forgiveness of Allaah. Imaam An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “It is permissible to speak openly about those who openly expose the sins that they commit, or innovations they propagate.” Such a person would sit in a gathering and say: “I committed such and such a sin last night” and then give details, whilst the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu `alayhi wa salam) said: “Refrain from these filthy matters (i.e. sins) that Allaah has forbidden, and if one of you is tried by committing any of them, then let him conceal them as Allaah has concealed them for him.” [Al-Haakim] Why is this? It is because openly exposing one's sins is a way of slighting the rank of Allaah; it is Allaah who forbade such sins to be committed and who informed us of this through His Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa salam). Thus, the one who openly exposes his disobedience is expressing indifference regarding the legislation of Allaah, the rank of His Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa salam) and the feelings of the righteous within the Muslim community. To do this is therefore nothing except dogged arrogance. Openly exposing sins and bragging about them is a common practice amongst people nowadays, and has replaced repenting from them and concealing them from others. If one sins, he should not even inform a single person, and must repent and resolve never to commit the same sin again. One may, however, inform a scholar or a wise friend in order to seek his help and receive advice on how to refrain from and resist such sins, as well as to receive guidance on matters that would protect him from being tempted again and to inform him of deterrents that would prevent him from falling into the same mistake again. Another specific permissible reason for one exposing his sin is to do so in order to seek the Islamic ruling regarding what he has committed; the proof for this is the story of the man who had sexual intercourse with his wife during the daytime one Ramadhaan during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu `alayhi wa salam). The man then went and informed the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa salam) of what he had done so that he would know what the ruling was and what he should therefore do regarding this sin. The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa salam) did not condemn him for telling him what he had done and instructed him as to what to do for expiation. Exposing sins and bragging about them encourages others to commit them and imitate the sinners. The prohibition of openly committing sins is a great wisdom, because Allaah knows that such acts move others and motivate them to indulge in the same evil; it also makes sinning more attractive to people, decorating it in their eyes. This is why openly exposing one's sins is so perilous. The Islamic scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) mentioned many rulings related to those who openly expose their sins to others, such as the prayer behind such people to be disliked (i.e., such people may not lead congregational prayers). Some scholars even went as far as to state that one must repeat his prayer if he prays behind such a person. Ibn Abu Zayd (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked whether or not a sinner can lead people during congregational prayers, to which he answered: “If he is one who openly and persistently exposes his sins to others, then he may not.” This means that he should not be given the opportunity to lead to begin with, and if he is already leading, then people must strive to remove and replace him, because this person is unfit for leadership. On the other hand, if one openly exposes a sin of his unintentionally then he is pardoned due to it occurring accidentally. Imaam Maalik (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about this and answered: “This is something that anyone could (accidentally) do … (but) nothing is similar to the evil of he who persistently and openly exposes his sins.” An issue related to this is that of visiting such a person when he is sick; visiting a sick Muslim is highly rewardable by Allaah, and it is a right that a Muslim has over other Muslims, but the Islamic scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) said regarding the one who openly exposes his sins: “He is not to be visited, so that this (shunning) acts as a means of making him repent from such evil, and in order for others to refrain from such an act when they see how badly he is treated; but, (one may visit him) if the intention is to admonish and advise him.” Another ruling regarding such a person is concerning praying the funeral prayer over him; the Islamic scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) stated that he is not to be prayed over as a deterrent for others, so that they will not follow in his footsteps. In this regard, Imaam Ibn Taymiyyah (May Allah have mercy on him) said: “People should refrain from praying over the dead person who was known to openly expose his sins to others as a means to prevent others from acting like him.” Only the common people should pray over such a person, because he was still a Muslim, but people of piety and knowledge should be absent. What is the ruling of backbiting such people and revealing their sins? Generally, it is recommended to conceal the sins of others because the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa salam) said: “Whoever covers up the fault of a Muslim, Allaah will cover up his fault(s) on the Day of Resurrection.” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim] The exception to this narration applies only for the one who openly exposes his sins, as the scholars stated; this is because it becomes recommended for others to expose him to people so that they can avoid dealing with him. Concealing the faults of such a person could encourage him to commit more evil. As for backbiting such people, Imaam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “He who openly exposes his sins to others has no protection against backbiting (i.e. it is not prohibited to backbite him).” On the other hand, Imaam An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) stated that it is permitted, but only regarding the sins he exposed to others and nothing else, so that people can be warned against him. Additionally, if he is likely to take heed as a result of people boycotting him, then people should boycott him by not talking to him, not visiting him, not responding to him when he salutes with Salaam and so on. This is because exposition of sins is a matter taken very seriously in Islam. One is obliged Islamically to respond to invitations to wedding feasts because the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa salam) said: “He who does not respond to and honour the dinner invitation of a wedding has disobeyed Allaah and His Messenger.” Nonetheless, this obligation does not apply to the invitations of those who openly expose their sins.

www.islamweb.net

Shirk in Love

Taken from:
http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=403

Shirk in Love

[Major shirk can be divided into four categories: - The first category of major shirk is “associating in supplication”, which involves directing one’s supplications to other than Allah as a means of gaining provisions or being cured from a sickness or obtaining help during a crisis or for any other purpose. - The second category of major shirk is “association in the intention”, that is, performing deeds that may be good in themselves but which are done for the sake of this worldly life and not for the sake of Allah. The third category of major shirk is “association in loving Allah”. That is to love someone or something else more than or as much as one loves Allah. The fourth category of major shirk is “association in obedience” which is to obey people when they make unlawful things lawful, and to believe that it is permissible to follow those who make such legislations. Here we discuss the third category.]
The third category of major shirk is “association in loving Allah”. That is to love someone or something else more than or as much as one loves Allah. Allah says: “There are men who take others besides Allah as equal with Him. They love them as much as they should love Allah. But the believers have more love for Allah.” (Qur’an 2:165)
There are people who recognize Allah as the Creator, the Owner and the Sustainer of the universe, and yet love others more than Him. Some people love money more than they love Allah and for this reason, they do not pay zakat or they gain their money from unlawful sources. They are the slaves of Dirhams and Dinars, or in today’s terminology, the slaves of Dollars. The Prophet, sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam, said: “He who became the slave of the Dinar or the Dirham will perish and be destroyed.” (This is part of a hadith related by Al-Bukhari). Some people love their desires more than they love Allah. Consequently, they would follow their desires even when they lead to disobeying Allah: “Do you see the one who is taking as his lord his own desires?” (Qur’an 25:43). Therefore, loving Allah and His Messenger more than anything is a precondition for tasting the sweetness of faith. It has been narrated in an authentic hadith that the Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam, said: “There are three qualities whosoever has them will taste the sweetness of Iman: loving Allah and His Messenger above all else, loving someone solely for the sake of Allah, and hating to return to disbelief after Allah has rescued him from it, as much as he would hate being thrown into Hellfire.” (Related by Al-Bukhari). Allah has put two criteria to test whether one’s love for Him is more than the love of anything else. The first is the following of the Sunnah of the Prophet, sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam. Allah says: “Say (Muhammad), if you do love Allah, follow me, Allah will love you (in return) and forgive your sins” (Qur’an 3:31). Thus, following the Sunnah in all aspects of our lives is absolutely essential. The second criterion to know if one’s love of Allah is more than anything else is through jihad for the sake of Allah: “Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives or your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline or the houses in which you delight, are dearer to you than Allah or His Messenger, or the jihad for Allah’s sake; then wait until Allah brings about his decision; and Allah does not guide the rebellious,” (Qur’an 9:24).

Did Muslims Discover America?

Did Muslims Discover America?

The increadible Merci and Kindness of Allah!

The prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

إن الله تعلى كتب الحسنات والسيأت. ثم بين ذلك: فمن هم بحسنة فلم يعملها, كتبها الله تعلى عنده حسنة كاملة; فإن هم بها فعملها, كتبها الله تعلى عنده عشر حسنات إلى سبعمائة ضعف إلى أضعاف كثيرة. وإن هم بسيئة فلم يعملها, كتبها الله عنده حسنة كاملة; فإن هم بها فعملها, كتبها الله تعلى سيئة واحدة.

“Allaah has recorded the good deeds and the evil deeds. Then He made them clear: He who has intended a good deed and does not do it, Allaah writes it down with Him as a performed good deed; but if He intends it and does perform it, Allaah records for him from ten good deeds to seven hundred times that or more than that. If he intends to do an evil deed and does not do it, then Allaah writes it down as a good deed; but if he intends an evil deed and performs it, Allaah records it as one evil deed.”(Sahih al-Jami #792)

Niqab, the face as number 1 temptation

I just found this answer pretty intriguing for me, especially knowing the weakness of the hadith of being allowed to show face and hands... Anyways, this is the answer to a question of what islamic hijab is on the website www.islamswomen.com. I am reposting the answer only. To read the full article go to http://www.islamswomen.com/qa/question.php?qid=1173

The Islamic hijab is for the women to cover everything that is forbidden for her to expose. That is, she covers everything that she must cover. The first of those bodily parts that she must cover is her face. It is the source of temptation and the source of people desiring her. Therefore, the woman must cover her face in front of those men that are not mahram. As for those of who claim that the Islamic hijab is to cover the head, shoulders, back, feet, shin and forearms while allowing her to uncover her face and hands, this is a very amazing claim. This is because it is well-known that the source of temptation and looking is the face. How can one say that the Shariah does not allow the exposure of the foot of the woman while it allows her to uncover her face? It is not possible that there could be in the Esteemed, Wise and Noble Shariah a contradiction. Yet everyone knows that the temptation from uncovering the face is much greater than the temptation that results from the uncovering of the feet. Everyone also knows that the most sought after aspect of the woman for men is the face. If you told a prospective groom that a woman's face is ugly but her feet are beautiful, he would not propose to such a woman. However, if you told him that her face was beautiful but her hands, palms, or shins were less than beautiful, he would still propose to her. From this one can conclude that the face is the first thing that must be covered. There are also evidences from the Book of Allah and the sunnah of our Prophet (peace be upon him). There are also statements from the Companions, the leading Imams and the great scholars of Islam that indicate that it is obligatory for the woman to cover all of her body in the presence of non-mahram men. This obviously indicates that it is obligatory upon the woman to cover her face in front of such men. However, this is not the place to quote all those authorities. And Allah knows best.

Shaikh ibn Uthaimin

My airport experience

Let me tell u what happened to me at the airport when i was going to norway
it was 1 hour before my flight
i had fixed my tickets and everything
and was going to pray fajr in the prayer room
when i came to the door
there was a jewish man (i knew it because he was dressed like the jews do) with (i think) his daughter standing outside the door
the man was talking on the phone while his daughter was standing by the door looking after the bags which they had put right in front of the door
the first thing i thought hm maybe the prayer room is closed and they cant get inside
so i came close enough to the door and gave it a little push
it was open
i just thought hmmm so strange, why would they put the bags right in front of the door, like blocking the door almost
never mind that,
i said to the girl "excuse me" in a manner that gave a hint please move the bags so i can get inside
she just looked at me
i asked again
and then her father turned to her and gave the sign that she should remove the bags
only after i got inside i realized the girl probably didnt speak english
she couldnt have been more than about 12 years old
either way, i got ready to do my prayer, put down the prayer matt and started praying
sometime when i was still praying they put the bags inside the room
right after i was finished, they came inside and the man said with a heavy and controlling voice: u finished??
i said yes in a moment i will
and i fixed my things, put on my shoes, put the prayer matt back to its place
i guess he was also getting ready to pray
i felt a little offended by the way he said, u finished, but i decided to do everything slowly and answer with calmness and just be normal and relaxed
while i was in the prayer room i also noticed a strange thing... the sign which showed which way the qibla was, was gone!!!!!and i knew it because i have been praying there before, so i still knew which way it was, but i knew it was GONE!! it was not on the side, not on the table, not on the floor, it was GONE
my instinct suggested.... some1 must have taken it away.... Allah knows best
so while i was getting ready to leave, i understood that the girl asked her father wut religion i was, because i heared him explaining and mentioning ramadan
she had been in the room and watched me pray for half of the time i was there
when i was finally ready to leave,i took my bag and while going out the door i smiled to the girl
after i got outside i felt.....wow what an experience
and i was hoping i gave an experience to the girl to remember maybe sometime when she is older
a pleasant meeting with a muslim
u know wut i was thinking too
because i dont wear hijab
and i look european
but when i came inside i started praying to Allah
i was left with a thought....
do you think they might be there thinking wow.....there is more of them then what we see and sometimes u dont even know who is muslim!!!!!

A slightly delayed Ramadan Mubarak

But beter late then never :)

I had such a wonderful experience this year, wow I feel Allah has truly blessed me. Let me share it with you...

I was on a journey back to my home country for some days.
So I was there. I knew Ramadan will start in a day or two. It was around 2 or 3 am, and I was in my bed reflecting upon some things. And suddenly...
All my feelings changed completely! All feelings became so easy, like water running through the fingers, such pure feelings, and my body felt so light and elevated! Subhan Allah, in that second I knew Ramadan had started!

I couldnt believe this was possible, to feel such a thing, but I did not even need to see the moon, my heart new for certain. The next day, I was confirmed at the mosque that Ramadan did start. And I was trying to find out info online on when Ramadan started in my country, whithout succeeding.

Allah has all ways to inform the person.

Wonderful feelings.

May you all get close to Allah and be blessed in this month insha Allah

I TAKE CARE OF MY HAIR!!

Salam Cafe citation:
"Why is uncle Sam so handsome?
Answer: Because God made him that way!"

lol just for jokes :P

And now.....

How I take care fo my hair :DDDD

I have had soooooo much trouble with my hair: the hair shaft is super fine, it gets frizzy by the second if Id ever use any head treatment, non of the shampoos or conds or masks have ever handled my hair! AAAhhhh ive been going through years and Yeeeeeeears of experiments of various products and methods until...

I discovered the simplest thing!!!!

How and What I do:

1. brush your hair with bristle brush (comb before- hand to detangle)
2. apply coconut oil throughout the whole length of your hair, covering each hair strand
3. wrap a thin scarf or towel around your hair, so none of the hair is exposed
4. warm up your hair (which is fully covered) with a hair drier.
5. then leave it over night or for at least 1 hour
6. was with the most gentle shampoo possible, and condition it slightly
7. then rinse your hair well, get out all the the remains, dont be afraid to give it an extra long rinse
8. at the end of the rinsing, you can use some home- made rinses such as cool water with a dash of lemon juice, some rose water, or a ginger and rosemary rinse which helps you to prevent hair loss and strengthens your hair. You can make this rinse by boiling fresh ginger and rosemary for about 10 minutes.
9. Wrap a towel around your hair, and let it on dependent on the length of your hair.
10.Before combing your wet hair (never ever brush wet hair!!!), dab a dash of oil onto your palm and gently let your finger slide through the lengths of your hair. Be careful of the amount of the oil, as this is only meant to be as a seamless coating which would keep conditioning your hair till the next wash.
11. Let your hair air dry, or put it up in a bun til it dries (this might give you fab waves or bangs ;))

Hijab, perfect definition

I love Yusuf Estees's speeches so much, because he hits the point of the true value of a woman. His speeches are not the type u dont do this you go to hell of the type, but they really make you realize the beauty and the true purpose of things, and also the value of a woman is so uplifted as it should be. Alhamdulillah for his speeches, as they really draw you near to the true beauty of Allah's commandments! So Alhamdulillah that Allah does this for us and always reaches us in one way or another, the one way being through knowledgable and inspired people. Alhamdulillah, enjoy the video. All praise to Allah. I would also like to remind of a certain issue, that the people who hold the speeches, whatever good they say it comes from Allah, and whatever bad they say it comes from shaytan or from their own ignorance. So we do not hail the speakers, we praise Allah, and it is His Glory and Might that does all this. Allahu Akbar!