Saturday, May 23, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
How to get ready for ramadan insallah.
1) Become timely with all five of our daily prayers, and focus our hearts in our prayers.
2) Read more of the Quran each day.
3) Listen attentively to the recitation of the Quran.
4) Learn more about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his way, his life, etc. and send more greetings to him, sallalLaahu 'alayhi wa salam.
5) Participate in wholesome community activities.
6) Listen to lectures (these are easily available online) or attend classes regarding Islamic matters as a way to inspire us to improve.
7) Find ways to express compassion to loved ones, colleagues, and those who we surround ourselves with.
8) Attempt voluntary fasts, perhaps three times a month (on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month) or on each Monday and Thursday - both of which were practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). As a shaykh once said, "sawm nurtures taqwa" (fasting nurtures God consciousness).
9) Work on improving our character, rectifying our errors, and repenting for our sins.
10) Work on developing a relationship with Allah, a relationship that we are all responsible for developing ourselves. Whatever you consider beautiful and necessary in a relationship, even complaining, take it to Allah.
11) Make a sincere effort to reflect on the bounties, blessings, and signs of Allah in all aspects of our existence.
12) And if we cannot do any of that, then perhaps we can at least try to grasp the essence of our deen again.
2) Read more of the Quran each day.
3) Listen attentively to the recitation of the Quran.
4) Learn more about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his way, his life, etc. and send more greetings to him, sallalLaahu 'alayhi wa salam.
5) Participate in wholesome community activities.
6) Listen to lectures (these are easily available online) or attend classes regarding Islamic matters as a way to inspire us to improve.
7) Find ways to express compassion to loved ones, colleagues, and those who we surround ourselves with.
8) Attempt voluntary fasts, perhaps three times a month (on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month) or on each Monday and Thursday - both of which were practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). As a shaykh once said, "sawm nurtures taqwa" (fasting nurtures God consciousness).
9) Work on improving our character, rectifying our errors, and repenting for our sins.
10) Work on developing a relationship with Allah, a relationship that we are all responsible for developing ourselves. Whatever you consider beautiful and necessary in a relationship, even complaining, take it to Allah.
11) Make a sincere effort to reflect on the bounties, blessings, and signs of Allah in all aspects of our existence.
12) And if we cannot do any of that, then perhaps we can at least try to grasp the essence of our deen again.
a very wise Poet once said
لاَ تَعْمَلْ للِنَّاسِ شَيْئاً
وَ لاَ تَتْرُكْ لَهُمْ شَيْئاً
“Don’t do anything for the sake of people!
And don’t leave anything because of them!”
وَ لاَ تَتْرُكْ لَهُمْ شَيْئاً
“Don’t do anything for the sake of people!
And don’t leave anything because of them!”
Hijab in the heart
In response to people who say that Islam is in my heart so I don't need to show it by wearing hijab, Shaykh Saed Rageah responded:
"If Islam was in here (pointing to heart) then it would show up here (pointing to head symbolizing the hijab)
"If Islam was in here (pointing to heart) then it would show up here (pointing to head symbolizing the hijab)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Muslim woman sues college
A Stockholm woman has reported an adult education college in Spånga to the Equality Ombudsman (DO) after being told that she could not wear an Islamic headscarf in class.
The woman was told on January 15th that she was no longer welcome at Västerort Vuxengymnasium, an adult education college in Spånga, if she persisted in wearing her niqab. The niqab is part of a hijab headdress and covers the entire face except for the eyes.
The woman has now reported the matter to the Equality Ombudsman (DO) alleging discrimination.
In her report to DO dated January 20th, the woman alleges that she was told that she could not wear her niqab in class or in contact with the school's staff.
The woman explains that the school justified its decision by referring to a recent decision by the National Agency for Education (Skolverket) which banned the wearing of some Muslim headscarves in class.
"But this is just a ruling, it is not a law and the ruling concerns those who wear a burqa, covering the whole face. I have a niqab which shows the area around the eyes," the woman argued.
The woman writes that she finds it "offensive" to be expelled for her "personal style" and argues that the ruling is confusing as some schools permit the niqab.
But the college's rector, Britt-Marie Johansson, has defended the school's right to exclude the student from classes, referring to the education agency's ruling.
"At Västerorts vux it is not allowed in the classroom to cover one's face, with a veil or similar. This rule also applies in contact with staff. This means that neither a niqab nor a burqa can be worn."
According to Johansson, the choice facing students is thus clear.
"Accept the rules stated above or discontinue your studies."
But the student is keen to continue her studies and claims that she has offered the school a compromise.
"I have said that I can sit at the front of the class, and remove the niqab during classes and to identify myself."
"I have even spoken to the men in the class...and they have said that it doesn't bother them."
The student argues that freedom of religion is enshrined in law in Sweden and this should take precedence over the education agency ruling.
The woman was told on January 15th that she was no longer welcome at Västerort Vuxengymnasium, an adult education college in Spånga, if she persisted in wearing her niqab. The niqab is part of a hijab headdress and covers the entire face except for the eyes.
The woman has now reported the matter to the Equality Ombudsman (DO) alleging discrimination.
In her report to DO dated January 20th, the woman alleges that she was told that she could not wear her niqab in class or in contact with the school's staff.
The woman explains that the school justified its decision by referring to a recent decision by the National Agency for Education (Skolverket) which banned the wearing of some Muslim headscarves in class.
"But this is just a ruling, it is not a law and the ruling concerns those who wear a burqa, covering the whole face. I have a niqab which shows the area around the eyes," the woman argued.
The woman writes that she finds it "offensive" to be expelled for her "personal style" and argues that the ruling is confusing as some schools permit the niqab.
But the college's rector, Britt-Marie Johansson, has defended the school's right to exclude the student from classes, referring to the education agency's ruling.
"At Västerorts vux it is not allowed in the classroom to cover one's face, with a veil or similar. This rule also applies in contact with staff. This means that neither a niqab nor a burqa can be worn."
According to Johansson, the choice facing students is thus clear.
"Accept the rules stated above or discontinue your studies."
But the student is keen to continue her studies and claims that she has offered the school a compromise.
"I have said that I can sit at the front of the class, and remove the niqab during classes and to identify myself."
"I have even spoken to the men in the class...and they have said that it doesn't bother them."
The student argues that freedom of religion is enshrined in law in Sweden and this should take precedence over the education agency ruling.
Pink dress
If you vear this with something white under it will look great for a party. You could have a pink hijab a white sweater and white pants under and pink shoes.
