Memorisation

I have two surahs that I would like to learn and start to incorportate into my salah before I move back to UK. Ive been really bad this year, learning only 2 so far and I dont know when I will be able to start learning more when I move back to UK because of living situations. So Im intending on learning as much as I can before then to give myself an iman boost insha’allah, for a good few months that I have left here (im moving insha’allah beginning of November) There are 3 surahs Im currently looking at learning, and Ive joined a new group on facebook dedicating to memorisation of the quran masha’allah. Hmm, I thought there might have been away to add a poll here.. alas I cant find a way, so tell me your opinion and any knowledge you have of the benefits of any of these surahs insha’allah. Surah Al-Zalzala, Al-Humaza and At-Takathur. My reasoning behind these options.. well, if I learn al-humaza I will know from 103 to 114, if I learn at-takathur its my first 8 verse surah (not including ayat al-kursi) and is a similar reason to humaza. As for al-zalzala.. I was posting a poll on my other blog and needed another option so I searched the surahs, this is an 8 verse surah and I really like the sounds of the english words masha’allah. So, what dya think?? lemme know insha’allah and feel free to vote on my other blog insha’allah.

Raising your hands in duaa

Now I have recently come across proof that we shouldnt be raising our hands for the duaa said during the witr salah and I recall finding something about raising them after fard salah… I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction for when we are supposed to raise them and when we arent, insha’allah.

Ramadhan

So ramadhan is creeping up on us again insha’allah, every year I remember the hadith about how the sahaba would spend half the year waiting for this blessed month and preparing, but I am never able to do it myself. I always look forward to the time when I can reflect and make more of an effort to styudy my deen but I never actually prepare. It wasnt until I read a recent blog on a sisters page talking about preparation, I told her I hadnt prepared, that I find it difficult on my own that she told me I should still try to prepare. I told her the things I intend to do and before I realised it, there it was… preparation, masha’allah. I have just cancelled my tv subscription which will kick in August 30th insha’allah, so until I move back to uk, no more tv for me alhamdulillah. I have recently come across a new program for learning the quran after joining a memorisation of the quran group on facebook alhamdulillah. Which im really loving and used to nearly finish the memorisation of surah al-fil, at last alhamdulillah. I had intended to learn unto and including surah 102 (Al- Takathur) before I left for UK and seeing as I have no tv and this brand new program I may actually fulfil that intention insha’allah. Thats only 2 more surahs after the surah Im learning so insha’allah I will get them finished.

So what do you have prepared for this year? any intentions for the month? Insha’allah I will also be reading my quran like I do every year, I pray that next year I might even be reading in arabic insha’allah
Fi amenallah, walikum salam
Ammena

Yawning

Last year while using my webcam to speak to someone I was told about the naughtiness of yawning. Its funny, ever since I was a kid I covered my mouth when yawning otherwise I would usually get teased about the size of my mouth (its small ) I would stifle my yawn if I didnt want to make it too obvious so when I was told this I was surprised that I hadnt covered my mouth in the first place. So then I did my research

The Prophet said, “Yawning is from Satan and if anyone of you yawns, he should check his yawning as much as possible, for if anyone of you (during the act of yawning) should say: ‘Ha’, Satan will laugh at him.”  Volume 4, Book 54, Number 509: Narrated Abu Huraira

The Prophet said, “Allah likes sneezing and dislikes yawning, so if someone sneezes and then praises Allah, then it is obligatory on every Muslim who heard him, to say: May Allah be merciful to you (Yar-hamuka-l-lah). But as regards yawning, it is from Satan, so one must try one’s best to stop it, if one says ‘Ha’ when yawning, Satan will laugh at him.” Volume 8, Book 73, Number 242: Narrated Abu Huraira: See also Volume 8, Book 73, Number 245:, Narrated Abu Huraira:

Just thought some of you might be interested in this

Following the imam during salah

I was asked to look into a subject awhile ago and have lost everything that I found. The situation was with a sister who when she followed her husband in salah he didnt always say the takbir (allahu akbar) My answer to this was, ‘when do you know what to do then?’ so I tried to find things out about it, alhamdulillah recently the same situation has come up so I will show you all what I have found. I would appreciate it if anyone could point me in a further direction too insha’allah.

This is all from sahih muslim book 4: the book of prayers

Book 4, Number 0824:

Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was ill and we said prayer behind him and he was sitting. And Abu Bakr was making audible to the people his takbir.As he paid his attention towards us he saw us standing and (directed us to sit down) with a gesture.So we sat down and said our prayer with his prayer in a sitting posture.After uttering salutation he said: You were at this time about to do an act like that of the Persians and the Romans. They stand before their kings while they sit, so don’t do that; follow your Imams. If they say prayer standing, you should also do so, and if they say prayer sitting, you should also say prayer sitting.

Book 4, Number 0826:

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: The Imam is appointed, so that he should be followed, so don’t be at variance with him.Recite takbir when he recites it; bow down when he bows down and when he says: “Allah listens to him who praises Him,” say: “O Allah, our Lord, to Thee be the Praise.” And when he (the Imam) prostrates, you should also prostrate, and when he says prayer sitting, you should all observe prayer sitting

Book 4, Number 0828:

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) while teaching us (the principles of faith), said: Do not try to go ahead of the Imam, recite takbir when he recites it. and when he says: “Nor of those who err,” you should say Amin, bow down when lie bows down, and when he says: “Allah listens to him who praises Him,” say: “O Allah, our Lord, to Thee be the praise

Insha’allah this helps a little

Fasting

So as most of you may know insha’allah by the end of the year I will be married, as I was praying maghrib this evening I decided to try to up my deen a little.. these next few months I will be able to concentrate on bringing things into my life that I can practise while married and maybe pass onto my hubby. Of course, all islamic things, no biddah… like getting up an hour before fajr to pray Tahajjud, or praying more sunnah prayers, or more fasting, or more quran reading/memorisation (yes I still havent gotten into surah al-fil ) anyways you get the idea, and ive added a few little links in there too for your browsing needs.

Anyways, i have decided to look into the more fasting things. Recently I was having some issues with my life and I have always read that if a man cant marry then he should fast to tame his desires (now I wasnt having desires, just things wouldnt let me sleep) so I decided to fast. Granted it was only 1 day, but since then alhamdulillah Ive been able to sleep much easier without the guilt hanging over my head from my own inner whisperings. Thats why Im thinking about this, also I was at a lecture a few months ago, my friends friend was fasting and she mentioned something (which I have heard before) that fasting a certain 3 days a month is like fasting the whole year, or maybe longer… imagine the reward!! masha’allah, he has given us so many things to help our angels fill up our books for the hereafter, we shouldnt waste these opportunities.  So this is where I will start insha’allah

Everyone knows that muslims fast (or should) the month of Ramadhan with a few exceptions like the ill, pregnant, travellers and mentally challenged. Even here there are ways to increase our deeds, the pregnant ladies are still allowed to fast, but if they fear for their lives or the lives of their unborn child they are allowed to make up the days. The same with a traveller too masha’allah. After Ramadhan comes Shawaal which also gives us a great reward for specified days of fasting

(1) Fasting in Shawwal. Muslims are encouraged to fast six days in Shawwal, the month following Ramadan, after enjoying the Feast of Fast-Breaking (Eidul Fitr) during the first three days after Ramadan. According to the Qur’an (6: 160), one good act is equal to ten. Hence, a thirty-day fast during Ramadan plus a six day period in Shawwal makes thirty-six days, equal in merit to fasting 360 days

There is also Muharram where it is encouraged to fast the 10th day of the month (the first month of the Islamic calendar) and then of course during Zul Hijjah.

Fasting in Zul Hijjah. Muslims are also expected to fast the ninth day of Zul Hiijah (the twelfth month) if not on pilgrimage. This day precedes the Feast of Sacrifice. As far as pilgrims are concerned, they are not to fast the day preceding the Feast as it would be an added hardship to fulfill the spiritual rites and rituals during the pilgrimage.

I did fast the first 9 days of zul hijjah last year and insha’allah I intend to fast it for the upcoming future too. I also try to fast the days in shawaal too but extra research is needed for me to be totally confident about whether I need to make up my missed days during Ramadhan, from my menses. Insha’allah I will let you know when I find that out. So for extra fasting, which is what I am looking into, here is what I found. I came across this comment

If we want to discover which is better, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays or fasting three days of each month, we find that fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is better than fasting on three days of each month, because if a person fasts on Mondays and Thursdays each week, that means that he is fasting eight days each month, so he will have done both: fasted on Mondays and Thursdays and fasted three days of the month

Interesting, but as I am starting out slowly then I would rather do the 3 days a month and work from there insha’allah. This is all sunnah.. so there must be rewards for my intentions to change the fasting pattern in the future insha’allah. In relation to the 3 days it was said

The three days of each month may be fasted at the beginning of the month, in the middle or at the end, and may be done separately or consecutively, but it is better to fast on the ayaam al-beed, which are the days on which the moon is full, namely the 13th, 14th and 15th of each lunar month

hmm.. looks like Im going to have to get more intouch with my local moon sightings insha’allah if I want to do this properly. Here are some ahadith involving the 3 days of fasting

1 – It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “My close friend [the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)] advised me to do three things which I will not give up until I die: fasting three days of each month, praying Duha, and sleeping after Witr. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1124; Muslim, 721. 

2 – It was narrated from Mu’aadhah al-‘Adawiyyah that she asked ‘Aa’ishah, the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “Did the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fast three days of every month?” She said, “Yes.” She said to her: “Which days of the month did he fast?” She said, “He did not mind which days of the month he would fast.” Narrated by Muslim, 1160. 

3 – It was narrated from Jareer ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Fasting three days of each month is fasting for a lifetime, and ayaam al-beed are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.” Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2420; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1040. 

4 – It was narrated that Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to me: “If you fast any part of the month, then fast the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.”  Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 761; al-Nasaa’i, 2424; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1038. 

So my friends… I am off to check out my local moonsightings.. insha’allah this has been of benefit to any of you out there and I pray that whatever we decide to do our intentions will be rewarded
Peace and salams, Ammena

Sleeping after Asr

Assalamalikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu,

so it was recently mentioned to me about sleeping after Asr and how it is not allowed, I have heard this before but just decided to do a little research into it. Now for this we should remember that everything is permitted except that which has been expressly forbidden.

Ok, so after looking at several different reputable websites I found that there are a few false hadiths that people usually take the favour of not allowing themselves to sleep after asr. Namely “Whoever sleeps after `Asr and loses his mind as a result has no one to blame but himself,” which are attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), this is a false hadith and there is no proof that these words were uttered by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).”

Islamonline.net note: “As for sleeping after `Asr, this is also permitted; there is no authentic hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to indicate that sleeping at this time is prohibited”
Islam QA 

Its amusing, I find these 2 sites and the rest on google all name these hadiths as proving that you shouldnt sleep after asr.. I think more research is in order.. but from the 2 sites I listed I feel these are good sites so from now on… if i need to sleep after asr, i will. Insha’allah.

Insha’allah this helps someone out there, please let me know if you found anymore information. JAzakAllah khair.

Recitiation & London

Salam, so its been awhile since I added to this blog and as for sakina… well I have no idea where she is (shes busy with a law degree masha’allah) At the moment my computer is trying to be fixed, or so I am told and its been that way for the past 2ish weeks now.. I learning to live without it but it seems to be the lastest excuse in my list of excuses to not start a new surah (surah al-fil) I have everything written in english and the transliteration, I even had a friend give me a break down of every word masha’allah… but I want to make sure Im doing the words as correctly as I possibly can insha’allah. Hence why I havent gotten past alam tara kayfa, but those 3 words wont be coming out of my head anytime soon alhamdulillah. Therefore I dont really have much to report on, so I hear you asking about London.

Well, insha’allah by the end of the year I will have moved back to the UK (London to be specific obviously) and will insha’allah be married at last so Im thinking about all the things I can do while in London to do with my deen. There are many things out there and I have already found schools that deal with arabic and several lectures that I know will still be around when I get down there, maybe not exactly the same but at least something. A good friend of mine in Canada has just moved to London (just as in, shes on a plane over there right now insha’allah) so I know we will be able to frequent things together cause I know the things she is into. My other muslim friends in UK I havent really grown in my deen next to them, so eventhough I know what they like I dont know how they like it to be delivered. Im praying I will be able to get involved in the community and enjoy being a muslim wife down there though. Remember me in your duaas, and if there are any revert sisters, or sisters in london who reads this blog.. point me in some directions insha’allah

Fi amenallah
Peace and salams, Ammena

Another thing

I remember reading ages ago about something along the lines of not doing something because it causes the jinn to laugh at us… can someone kindly tell me why we should be bothered about nasty things laughing at us.. i hear this with a few things ‘oh you shouldnt do that, shaitan laughs at you when you do it’ erm.. and?? please.. i really want to know. Shukran

Im having issues at the moment with my life, I wont go into it here but its on my blogspot blog if you want to know… and my problem is, Im still not able to let go of the control I feel I have on my life. I still cant totally rely on Allah (swt) and as lame as you make think this is.. it really makes me feel like a failure. Especially when my h2b tells me everything is the will of Allah (swt) and I should just let it happen. *sigh* Allahu alim.. I know.

Deliberations

just some things Ive been pondering with lately.

Dont you think when receiting surah al ma’un that you feel the urge to add on a verse at the end?! I dont know why, I think because there are 4 verses with the similar sound at the end, then 3 verses.. just feels uneven but always keeps me awake I do love that verse now alhamdulillah