"You can never change a person by always looking at their faults, you can only influence them by looking at the positive."

-my dad <3

Definition of Iman

Faith is not just in the heart [definition of Iman]



Imâm Al-Awzâ’î – Allâh have mercy on him – said:


Faith (îmân) is not sound except with [correct] words. Faith and words are not sound except with [good] works. And faith, words and deeds are not sound except with [the correct] intentions in conformance to the Sunnah. Those who went before us of our Salaf did not separate faith from deeds: deeds are a part of faith, and faith is from [ones deeds]. îmân is a word that brings together these aspects of the religions [of Allâh] and is confirmed through [a person's] works.




So whoever believes in word, knows in his heart and confirms [his belief] through his works, then this is the strongest handhold that will never break. And whoever says [words of faith] but does not know [faith] in his heart nor confirms it with his works, it will never be accepted of him and he will be in the hereafter from those who suffer in loss.




Ibn Ba tt ah, Al-Ibânah Al-Kubrâ article 1097.
 
Source: http://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/index.php/tag/al-awzai/#ixzz1JIX7MTUl

Surroundings ..

Distractions surround us

Sin just seems to hound us

Is it just me or do you also feel a sense of weakness?

A constant need to remind myself it's all a trick

The ploy of the devil luring us into his grip

Maybe we're already there?

I don't know, but I definitely don't feel safe or secure
Merely refraining from 'major sin' doesn't guarantee us a win
In fact we ourselves become deluded in our own "piety"
The devils whispers come from every direction
The harder we pull away it seems the stronger his determination
He stays patient in his persuasion
Man inclined to feel productive
Really when accomplishing nothing of value or substance
Activity after activity
Indeed wasteful and at times foolish productivity
Yet no power does he have over a TRUE believer
How far are we?
Are we harboring hypocrisy?

Disillusioned by the modern day concept of moderation

No longer a bar of standards - we're sinking; it's a fragile state of our nation

May Allah Shower His Mercy and Blessings upon us all
May He Protect us from the plots of evil that surround us all
May He Guide us on the Path to His Pleasure
May our end be Jannah...Ameen

Solar Eclipse... Supplication / Dua?

There's a solar eclipse hitting our area pretty soon...

Here's some "offical" links on the subject, provided by Hadith Check Blogspot [http://hadithcheck.blogspot.ca/]. Also I put the basic nasiha from same site and below are the links for more information. May Allah reward those with the highest level of Jannah that pass on authentic Islamic knowledge.. Ameen

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Regarding the solar eclipse, there is no specific du'a for it, so when there is a solar eclipse one should make du'a in general and ask Allah to have mercy on them and grant them jannah, and to seek forgiveness from Allah, and to seek refuge with Allah from the punishment of the grave, and the punishment of the Hell fire... so one should make du'a in general and doing dhikr and remembering Him, in addition to the kusuf (eclipse) prayer which is from the sunnah of the Prophet peace be upon him, when an eclipse happens to pray 2 rak'ahs, in each rak'ah there are two recitations, two ruku', and two prostrations. So it is slightly different than the regular prayer in that it has 2 recitations and 2 ruku' in each rak'a. So first there is recitation of Quran, then going into ruku (bowing down) then going back into the upright position and reciting more Quran, then going into ruku' again, then after that there are the two prostrations just like in any regular prayer.



It has no adhan and no iqamah (like the Eid prayers), and the prayer is usually long, the recitation is long, the ruku' is long, the sujud is long.. and after the prayer the imam gives a sermon/khutbah. This prayer is usually performed in congregation with the rest of the community, so if the masjid in your area is holding this prayer during the time when there is an eclipse you can go perform it with them in congregation if you want (this prayer is voluntary, so although it is recommended but it is not an obligation on everyone).


One thing to note though is that some people hear about an eclipse that is going to happen in another part of the world, but even though it is not visible from the part of the world where they live, they still perform the kusuf prayer, and this is not correct because this prayer is for the one who sees the eclipse or who lives in the part of the world where it is happening. But as for the one who just hears that an eclipse is going to happen in another part of the world, then he should not perform that prayer if the eclipse is not going to occur in the region where he lives.


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http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/downloads/pdf/IBD040004.pdf

http://abdurrahman.org/sunnah/sahihBukhari/018.sbt.html

http://www.alifta.net/Search/ResultDetails.aspx?lang=en&view=result&fatwaNum=&FatwaNumID=&ID=2880&searchScope=7&SearchScopeLevels1=&SearchScopeLevels2=&highLight=1&SearchType=exact&SearchMoesar=false&bookID=&LeftVal=0&RightVal=0&simple=&SearchCriteria=allwords&PagePath=&siteSection=1&searchkeyword=075104117115117102

http://www.alifta.net/fatawa/fatawaDetails.aspx?View=Tree&NodeID=1997&PageNo=1&BookID=14

Dust..

I've got a tornado of stories rolling around in my mind

I've got clouds and dust covering into blind

Blessed is me in the truest form of reality

Happiness isn't any less
But this feeling of unsettled remains a test
It's a decade of training I've grown to love
Left in a limbo of what appears to be a chosen glove
I'm wearing it, for fear that if I didn't slip it on, I'd be left with a fist
Fighting for the mere values and core of my own beliefs

The unrest is unsettling

But every soul must remain battling

I have flaws I need to continue to acknowledge

Grow towards aiming for greatness knowing full well that I'd not come close to even make it

That's alright I say, for Allah Knows my intent

Though I know I'm weak, and lazy despite needing to "improve"

The hypocrisy of my own ideology seems to make me lose [May Allah Protect us all..Ameen]

Fools merely preach a heavy load

But morons continue on an empty road

May our days be filled in some sort of productivity

May our steps be consistent though small striving towards eternity

May our character be the core of our correction

For our worship is worthless when accompanied by arrogance and ego
Ever in need of His Mercy.......
Ya Raabi only you hear and answer the cries of Your servants calling on thee!!
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As I Googled an image for "dust" I bumped into this... quite interesting for those that like X-Men, I always seemed to like X-Men though haven't quite got into it as in the "message" behind it. And y'all know there's always a meaning behind "entertainment" .. *sigh*..
Anyway... http://marvel.com/universe/Dust   ... here's what this Marvel character is about... Her name is "Dust" (hence the reason it came up when searching)..

This is where it all starts.... one world mind ... May Allah Protect us ALL..AMEEN

The Quran is Truly a GUIDE.. Subhan'Allah

Allah subhanhu'watala has answered our questions we often ask ourselves!!

* Why do we get tested?

The answer: Al Ankabuut 2-3

Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried?

But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.


* Why do not we get what we want?

The answer: Al Baqarah 216

Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.

*Why are the tests we face heavy?

The answer: Al Baqarah 286

Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned. "Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people."



* I am so sad, what should I do?

The answer: Ali Imran 139

So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers.


* But sometimes I could not stand it anymore!

The Answer :Yusuf 87 and Azzumar 53

O my sons, go and find out about Joseph and his brother and despair not of relief from Allah . Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people."

Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah . Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."


* So, how do we live?

The Answer: Ali Imran 200 and Al Baqarah 45-46

O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah ]

Who are certain that they will meet their Lord and that they will return to Him.



*So, from whom should we expect?

The answer: At-Tawbah 129

But if they turn away, [O Muhammad], say, "Sufficient for me is Allah ; there is no deity except Him. On Him I have relied, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne."



Allah SWT has answered it. Therefore let's think and learn.

[Taken from "Madina" Facebook Group - http://www.facebook.com/#!/madina.Light]

Say, "Not equal are the evil and the good, although the abundance of evil might impress you." So fear Allah , O you of understanding, that you may be successful.

[Al-Maidah, v. 100]

Knoweldge

Trusting Allah

Zambia Orphanage: Book Drive reaction, Update +Bonus - make your heart smile ...