Saturday, January 26, 2013

Succeeding in College

 Succeeding in College 

Just as in elementary school through high school, your success in college requires high motivation and effort, strong study skills, effective time management, and good test-taking strategies. But college success requires much more. Once you move from high school to college, you will generally find that students are more motivated and competent than in high school; teachers are more demanding; the work is more difficult; and students are expected to be independent. Further, if you are living away from home for the first time, you will have many new experiences.

Here are some ideas that will help you succeed in college:

Have Clear Goals 

College success requires commitment and a lot of hard work. You must be very certain about the importance of a college education. College Success, Building
 
  • Be clear about why you are going to college.
  • Establish specific goals you wish to accomplish.
  • Know what it will take to reach these goals.
  • Be certain your goals are consistent with your interests and abilities.
  • Be flexible - change your goals if needed based on your experience as you progress through college.
Get Financial Aid if Needed 

College is expensive. Even if you attend a public college or university and live at home, you still must pay for tuition, fees, and books. There are many sources of financial aid that can help you meet the high costs of college. Become aware of and pursue these sources.
 
  • Consider all possible sources of financial aid in addition to your colleges financial aid office.
  • Meet all deadlines for submitting applications and documentation.
  • Respond quickly and completely to all requests for additional information.
  • Be persistent in following up your application.
  • If you do receive financial aid, meet all requirements to keep and continue your aid.
Manage Your MoneyCollege Success, Money
  • There are many ways to spend money in the college setting for other than education purposes. Take steps to ensure that you do not waste the money set aside for your college education.
  • Set a budget and keep to it.
  • Be careful about your use of credit cards. Dont overspend. Pay balances promptly to avoid high interest costs.
  • Open a checking account and carefully monitor your balance.
  • Keep your cell phone under control. Those minutes and fees can really add up.
Stay Physically and Emotionally Healthy

You will need to be at your best to succeed in college. This means taking care of your body and maintaining a good frame of mind.
  • Get enough sleep.
  • Dont rely on coffee and drinks that contain high doses of caffeine to provide you with energy. Foods such as pasta, peanut butter, non-sugar cereals, and fresh fruit are healthy alternatives to provide the energy you need.
  • Avoid junk foods. Fast food is convenient but usually not good for you.
  • Use the services of the student health office. These services typically include emergency treatment, low cost examinations, and low cost or free medication.
  • Use the services of the counseling office. The professionals there can help you overcome feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.
Choose a Professor Carefully 

In college you get to select your schedule of classes. Most classes offer more than one section so that you can choose not just the day and time, but the professor who is teaching that section. Often you will find student ratings of professors on the Internet. You can get even more feedback by talking to other students. Try to choose a professor who demonstrates the following characteristics. 
  • Maintains adequate office hours.
  • Provides constructive feedback.
  • Adapts to different styles of learning.
  • Grades fairly.
  • Is highly competent in the subject being taught.
  • Establishes clear and reasonable requirements.
  • Provides a positive learning environment.
Work With Your Advisor

As a student you will be assigned a faculty advisor to help you with both academic and career issues. It is up to you to get the most out of this guidance.
 
  • Know your advisors office location, schedule of office hours, and contact information.
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor at any time you have problems that affect your academic performance.
  • Consider your advisors ideas when selecting your major or at any time you are considering changing your major or career goals.
  • Have specific questions in mind whenever meeting with your advisor.
Make Good Use of the Library

 You are going to spend a lot of your time in college at the library. Take full advantage of this major resource. 
  • Get to know the resources of the library as soon as you get to college.
  • Learn to use its computer resources and card catalogs.
  • Make good use of its equipment such as copy machines, microfiche readers, production facilities, etc.
  • Check out its quiet study areas. Sign up for their use if required.
Get Involved in Campus Life 

There is a lot more to college than just classes. A college campus is an exciting, dynamic environment that can provide you with many opportunities for enhancing your college experience. 
 
  • Join a student organization that is consistent with your interests. You will find many organizations from which to choose.
  • Join a club in your major. This can not only help you in your studies but can provide contacts that may be very useful in your future career.
  • Join an intramural team. This is a great way to keep yourself in good physical shape and make new friends.
  • Attend social events. Your college experience should not be all work and no play.
Yes - success in college takes effort. But this effort will provide benefits to you throughout your life. The ideas presented above can help you to make your college experience a successful one. 

A Kafir cannot be a brother of a Muslim


Fatwas of Ibn Baz
Browse by Volume Number > Volume 6 > A Kafir cannot be a brother of a Muslim


A Kafir cannot be a brother of a Muslim

Q: A Christian man lives with me. He calls me "brother" and claims that we are brothers. We eat and drink together. Is this permissible or not?
A: A Kafir (non-Muslim) cannot be the brother of a Muslim. Allah (Glorified be He) says, The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islâmic religion). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, A Muslim is the brother of a fellow-Muslim. Kafirs, whether they are Jewish, Christians, idol-worshippers,
(Part No. 6Page No. 393)
Magi, communists or others cannot be fellow brothers of the Muslims. It is impermissible to consider them friends. However, there is no harm in eating with them at sometimes, whether in a public feast or an invitation. As for taking them as fellows and eating with them on a regular basis, this is impermissible. Allah prevented Muslims to ally themselves with Kafirs or love them. He (Glorified be He) says in His Glorious Book, Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibrâhîm (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: "Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allâh: we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you hostility and hatred for ever until you believe in Allâh Alone" He (Glorified be He) also says, You (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) will not find any people who believe in Allâh and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people).
A Muslim should sever ties with Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) and hate them for Allah, but should not hurt or attack them unjustly if they are not warriors. However, they should not consider them friends. They can just eat with them causally without sharing any feelings of support or kindness towards them.
A Muslim should treat non-warrior Kafirs according to the Islamic manners, fulfilling the trust to them, and abstaining from cheating, treasury and lying. If a dispute occurs between them, they should argue with them in a mild way and treat them fairly, according to Allah's saying, And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islâmic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong It is also prescribed for a Muslim to invite them to goodness, advise them patiently, act as a good neighbor to them, and speak to them kindly, according to Allah's saying, Invite (mankind, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. He (Glorified be He) also says, and speak good to people [i.e. Enjoin righteousness and forbid evil, and say the truth about Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم] The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer. There are many Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) and Hadiths that stress this meaning.

Friday, January 25, 2013

متن صوتي : منظومة الكبائر للحجاوي


متن صوتي : منظومة الكبائر للحجاوي

 
 
 
 
 
 
1 صوت

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم ،
الحمد لله وحده ، والصلاة والسلام على محمد نبيه وعبده ، وعلى آله وصحبه ، أما بعد ؛
فهذا تسجيل صوتي لـ :

’ منظومة الكبائر ‘

للعلامة
موسى بن أحمد الحجاوي الحنبلي – رحمه الله -

895 – 968 هـ

مدة التسجيل : أربع دقائق .
استماع :

تحميل :
MP3 ( الحجم 2 مب ) .
DOC ( الحجم 83 كب ) .
PDF ( الحجم 74.7 كب ) .

Thursday, January 24, 2013

The best times wherein one's Du`a' is answered


Fatwas of Ibn Baz
Browse by Volume Number > Volume 9 > the times when prayers are answered

The best times wherein one's Du`a' is answered

(Part No. 9Page No. 353)
What are the times when invocations are most likely expected to be answered?
A: There are many times specified as times when invocations are most likely to be answered by Allah. These times have been mentioned in the Sunnah. They include:
1- Du`a' (supplication) made between Adhan (call to Prayer) and Iqamah (call to start the Prayer). The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: The supplication made between the adhan and the iqamah is not rejected.
2- Du`a' made at the last third of the night when people are sound asleep. There is an hour at night during which Allah answers the Du`a' of every supplicant. It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Our Lord descends every night to the lower heaven when the last third of the night begins. He says: Who is calling Me so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that I may grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him. Every believer, man or woman, should not miss making Du`a' at these times and choose a blessed all-encompassing formula of Du`a' in the middle and the last part of the night. Both the middle and the last third of the night are the best times to have one's Du'a` answered by Allah. When asking Allah to accept a Du`a', the supplicant is to invoke Allah with His Most Beautiful Names and Sublime Attributes. He must entreat Him and recite the Du`a' repeatedly. Entreating Allah, holding good thoughts about Him and not surrendering to despair are some of the greatest causes for having one's Du`a' answered by Allah. One should be aware of the fact that it may be Allah's wisdom to delay or grant an instant response to a certain Du`a'. He may give the supplicant something better than what he asked for. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated:
(Part No. 9Page No. 354)
Any Muslim who supplicates Allah in a Du’a which contains no sin or breaking of kinship, Allah will give him one of three things: either his Du’a will be immediately answered, or it will be saved for him in the hereafter, or it will turn away an equivalent amount of evil (from him)”. The companions said “...So we will ask more and more.” He replied, “Allah is more (generous).  He should hope that his Lord will answer his Du`a'. He should also entreat Him with His Most Beautiful Names and Sublime Attributes. He should avoid illegal earnings and strive to earn his livelihood in a lawful way because illegal earnings result in a Du`a' being rejected by Allah. There is no might or power except with Allah.
3- Du`a' made while prostrating. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating himself, so make supplication (in this state). The Prophet (peace be upon him) also says: So far as Ruku` (bowing) is concerned, extol in it the Great and Glorious Lord, and while prostrating yourselves be earnest in supplication, for it is fitting that your supplications should be answered. Narrated by Muslim in his Sahih (Authentic Book of Hadith).
4- Du`a' made when the Imam ascends Minbar (pulpit) to deliver the Friday Khutbah (sermon) and until the Friday Prayer is over.
5- Du`a' made after Tashahhud (a recitation in the sitting position in the second/last unit of Prayer) and before Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer). After the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught his Sahabah (Companions) the formula of Tashahhud, he said: “Then let him choose from supplication what he loves best and let him supplicate (with it)”
(Part No. 9
( Page No: 355)
6- 
Du`a' made in the late afternoon and until sunset provided that a person performs Wudu` (ablution) and waits until the Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer is due. Du`a' should be made from `Asr (Noon) time up to sunset every Friday. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: There is an opportune time on Friday. If a Muslim gets it while praying and asks something from Allah, then Allah will definitely meet his demand. The Prophet (may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) pointed out that it is a short period of time. “On Friday there is an hour which no Muslim servant happens to be standing in prayer at that time, asking Allah, the Most Exalted, for something, but He will certainly give it to him.” Scholars explain that 'standing in prayer' here means that a person is waiting for Salah.
In conclusion, one who sits waiting for the time of the Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer takes the same ruling of someone who is performing Salah. Therefore, he should make frequent Du`a' before the sun sets. There is no difference whether a person makes Du`a' at the Masjid (mosque) or at home if a person is a woman or a sick person. One must perform Wudu' (ablution) and then wait for the Maghrib Prayer. The abovementioned times are considered the best times when Allah answers the Du`a'. Therefore, the Muslim does his best to make repeated Du`a's during these times while showing sincerity, humility, and placing dependence on Allah (Glorified be He). He should celebrate Allah's praises constantly and should start his Du`a' by praising Allah, invoking Him to send His peace and blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) as this serves as a means towards having one's Du`a' answered by Allah. This is based on the authentic Hadith narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in this regard.

English Translation of Matn: Talkeen Al-Aqeeda


English Translation of Matn: Talkeen Al-Aqeeda

This is the Translation of the Matn: Talkeen Al-Aqeedah – I shared its arabic audio a week or so ago with you all in here. Now you have its English translation as a pamphlet, spread it as you like based on the advice of the shaykh. 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

a List of 64 Major Sins from the Poem...

This is a list of major sins taken from the poem: منظومة الكبائر للحجاوي
Explained by Shaykh Abdur Razzaq Al-Badr, son of Shaykh Muhsin Al-Abbad.

Shaykh Stressed a lot in these lessons and also in other lessons of his that we all should take out time to study the major sins because the sins and transgressions have increased a lot. Shaykh said we should learn so we can avoid these sins and be warned of them. Additionally, he said that our scholars and imams have authored books listing major sins so one can learn about them to avoid them.

Why it is important to learn about the major sins?
The Answer is very simple: You always read hadith that tells you, “if you do such and such, all your sins are forgiven (minor sins, NOT major sins).” After reading such hadith, don’t you wonder what are the major sins and what are the minor sins? Don’t you wish that you are free of major sins and that you are of those whose all sins are forgiven? However, if you do not know what are the major sins, then how do you know if you are free of doing major sins or not?

Shaykh Abdur Razzaq says a statement in many of his lessons that is: If you do not know what you should fear, then how would you fear what you are supposed to fear? In order to fear something, you need have good amount of knowledge about the matter.

So here for you i list out the major sins, and i hope you find some benefits in this in shaa Allah.
LINK: http://www.scribd.com/doc/121909934/List-of-64-Major-Sins
You will find some sins that you perhaps never thought they were major sins... in shaa Allah.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

BEST – NEW audio – broken – BEST Br. Au. AlQaidah AnNuraniyah


BEST – NEW audio – broken – BEST Br. Au. AlQaidah AnNuraniyah


Here you go, each lessons cut to make a separate audio file for easy learning and studying.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

My New Blog: Islamic Pamphlets


My New Blog: Islamic Pamphlets

Bismillah Assalamualikum warahma tullahi wabaraka tuhu,
It has been such a long dream of mine to create, publish, and distribute Authentic Islamic Pamphlets for Muslims and Non-Muslims. Perhaps the full dream to be fulfilled is still kind of far but Alhamdulillah I was able to take the step one toward it.
So here for you is our Authentic Islamic Pamphlet Blog: http://islamicpamphlets.wordpress.com
Kindly Please share with the world.
Jazakumul Allahu khayran.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Eng: Pamphlets of Sisters For Sisters Events. Collection (6)


Reads: 222 - Pages: 2
Nov 10, 2012
Reads: 22 - Pages: 2
Jan 16, 2013

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Sutrah height is: Sibra (So, what’s Sibra?)


Sutrah height is: Sibra (So, what’s Sibra?)

esthandspanSutrah height is: Sibra (So, what’s Sibra?)
It has been a long time that i see sisters putting a pillow in front of one praying as a sutrah to pass in front of the one praying. What i learned back in days from Bulough Al-Maram always stood in my back so i knew that was not correct. Today, i learned again what should be the height of the sutrah from the lecture of Shaykh Rslan. (Found here:http://www.rslan.com/vad/items.php?chain_id=75 – second lecture and in first lecture too).
So the height of the sutrah has to be sibra which is: the space between the thumb and the pinky finger in the stressed position. See the Arabic definition to know it exactly. (The image helps exactly as desired).
الشِّبْرُ – شِبْرُ :
الشِّبْرُ ما بين طَرَفي الخِنْصَرِ والإِبهام بالتفريج المُعتاد ( مذكَّر ) . والجمع : أَشْبار .
المعجم: المعجم الوسيط -
Looking up this word in English does not help much unless there is an Arabic to English dictionary that goes in such detail.
The Shaykh said, it cannot be a line as some people do. Also, passing in front of the praying person means passing between the person’s standing position place and the place of prostration, and passing beyond the place of prostration and the sutrah is alright. A woman who reached the age of menstruation if passes between a person and his sutrah nullify the person’s salah likewise a black dog and donkey. Also, one can walk toward the sutrah (place of prostration) to let the passer pass behind the person. Passing between the person and his sutrah is a major sin.
**><** Be careful of the women because in the masajid and open places, women with lack of knowledge and awareness tend to do this. So protect your salah. You can walk in front to let the person pass behind you. InshaaAllah.
Check the details in the lectures found in the linked page.
Wassalamualikum…

Friday, January 11, 2013

Respect Verse Tolerance

Before i say anything, i would like you to open the dictionary and read the definition of these words in detail: Respect andTolerance. In here i share with you the definition of these words directly from Oxford Dictionaries (The world's most trusted dictionaries) 

noun  [mass noun] a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements:
verb [with object] admire (someone or something) deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements:

noun [mass noun] the ability or willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or behaviour that one dislikes or disagrees with: the tolerance of corruption, an advocate of religious tolerance

==================================================

I have been thinking over the use of the word Respect, its meaning, and how we are told to use it in the United States of America. The US obligates us to respect their pledge of allegiance, they call us to the respect of Christianity along with their holidays, they call us to respect all other religions and their disbelief, sins, transgressions, fornications, drinking alcohol, homosexuality, lesbians and list goes on and on. We are suppose to respect these and the people who do these. So this concept of respect has brain washed the Muslims and the revert Muslims grew up with it to the extent that a revert Muslim once told me that her scholars said, musical instruments are permission, thus i should respect their opinion. In my head i was: Maa shaa Allah, what a request she had made!!! (I have not an atom weight of respect for anything that oppose what Allah and His Messenger sallallahu alayhe wa sallam legislated).

It was only other day that i found a solution to my long thoughts while i was visiting a dear sister's profile on facebook. She wrote about Muslims greeting the non-Muslims during their christmas holidays. So someone replied saying something like: why is she commenting on that, everyone should respect each others. Subhan Allah, her reply to the commenter was a powerful reply. She said in the most beautiful words that i could think of. She has solved the problem that i have been thinking of for so long. If only she allowed me to copy her comments, i would have shared with the world but she didn't reply to my request. So she said something like: We do not respect other religions but we Tolerate because respect means to hold something in esteem and in high rank. This we cannot do with regard to the things that Allah and His Messenger has forbidden us. It would be like someone did shirk and we are congratulating them for committing the shirk. While shirk is the greatest of all sins and Allah will never forgive this sin and the one who dies upon shirk is in the HELLFIRE forever, shirk is to set up equals with Allah. 

Her reply was a complete reply leaving no confusion with regard to the matter of respect and tolerance. Indeed, Islam is a religion of tolerance. Islam does not force one to follow its way of life at all. One is completely free to choose this way of life and live by it. We tolerate other religion but we can never respect those other religions in the least. Because Shirk is the greatest sin because it holds creations in high respect over or equal to Allah. Swearing by other than Allah is forbidden because when one swears by anything they hold that thing or person in high esteem, in respect, and admiration that is forbidden in Islam, it is elevating the creation. We cannot celebrate manmade days because it is honoring the man and putting him in charge of the legislation while Allah said it is for Him only. And the list goes on and on like this. 

In Summary, all of these goes against the very basic essence of Islam that is Worshipping Allah alone and following the Legislation that Allah had sent down upon His Last Messenger Muhammad sallallahu alayhe wa sallam to worship Him alone in the way He Loves and Pleased with. 

The other day i was in a school work: when the pledge of allegiance started, i was sitting down while the teacher asked students to stand along with her. When the teacher saw me sitting down, she requested that i stand up in respect for the pledge of allegiance while i do not have to put my hand on the chest nor do i have to say the words of the pledge. I replied to her: I can't do that. And then she was like she thought i could at least stand etc, and i wanted to explain but she stop me from saying anything, saying she respect my stance. However, if she really respected my stance why did her attitude change! And everything changed with me thereafter. I went quiet and didn't say anything further. in my head i was like: she said it why i should stand, and it is still in honor of the pledge of allegiance AND that is the ONLY reason it is forbidden for me to take part in the pledge of allegiance. 

You see they do not tolerate our religion so as to leave us with it alone but they want us to respect what they do to the extent that they make us do what they do in the name of the mis-used term: respect. They play with this one word and make people take part in what they would not want to do due to their own beliefs and cultures. 

However, whoever just spends a couple of months as a pure Muslim trying to practice Islam in its entirety, the person will know these disbelievers show NO RESPECT whatsoever to the religion of Islam and the Muslims except those Allah willed. But these exceptional ones do not respect, they TOLERATE ONLY. They tolerate and let everyone do what they will. Let me tell you, the claim of equal opportunity for jobs regardless of religion and race only works based on the desire of the one hiring, it is based on their will that they hire and fire whoever they wish. But the excuse for firing is done differently so they are not accused of discrimination based on religion or race. It is just that they pick on little things and make up an excuse and fire the person and that's it. So long they can get rid of the person they do not want, they are happy. 

FINALLY: Guard Your religion and protect it from all nullifiers of Islam. Your religion is your main wealth, if you lose it, you lost everything. 
And beware of the falsehood of RESPECT, BUT Tolerate.


لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût and believes in Allâh, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower. (Al-Baqarah 2:256)

إِنَّ شَرَّ الدَّوَابِّ عِندَ اللّهِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَهُمْ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ

Verily, The worst of moving (living) creatures before Allâh are those who disbelieve, - so they shall not believe. (Al-Anfal 8:55)

وَلِلّهِ غَيْبُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُ الأَمْرُ كُلُّهُ فَاعْبُدْهُ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَيْهِ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ


And to Allâh belongs the Ghaib (unseen) of the heavens and the earth, and to Him return all affairs (for decision). So worship Him (O Muhammad SAW) and put your trust in Him. And your Lord is not unaware of what you (people) do." (Hud 11:123)

إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ اللّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِ يُغْشِي اللَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُ حَثِيثًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَاتٍ بِأَمْرِهِ أَلاَ لَهُ الْخَلْقُ وَالأَمْرُ تَبَارَكَ اللّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ

Indeed your Lord is Allâh, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and then He Istawâ (rose over) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty). He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars subjected to His Command. Surely, His is the Creation and Commandment. Blessed be Allâh, the Lord of the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists)! (Al-A'raf 7:54)