Salaamaleykum...

 
 
1 : Taking Ramadaan as a ritual
 
For many of us Ramadaan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night like a zombie just because everyone around us is fasting too. We forget that its a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil....we forget to make dua, forget to beseech Allaah to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Fire.  Sure we stay away from food and drink but that's about all.
 
 
2 : Too much stress on food and drink
 
For some people, the entire month of Ramadaan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about only food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Quraan and other acts of worship. All they can think of is FOOD. So much so that they turn the month of fasting into the month of feasting. Come Iftaar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. It is also a kind of waste & extravagance.
 
 
3 : Spending all day cooking
 
Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read Quraan. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan!  
 
4 : Eating too much
 
Some people stuff themselves at Suhoor until they are ready to burst, because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day and some people eat at Iftaar, like there is no tomorrow, trying to make up for the food missed. However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything.
 
Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless.
It was said to Imam Ahmad: Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so.
 
5 : Sleeping all day
 
Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) sleeping away their fast. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people also are missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot bear to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control. For a fasting person to spend most of the day asleep is nothing but, negligence on his part.
 
 
6 : Wasting time
 
The month of Ramadaan is a precious, precious time, so much so that Allaah calls this month "Ayyamum Madoodaat" (A fixed number of days). Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allaah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or worse still, watching TV, movies or even listening to music. Subhaan Allaah! Trying to obey Allaah by DISOBEYING him!
 
7 : Fasting but not giving up evil
 
Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam, buying lotto tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allaah.
 
 
 
8 : Smoking
 
Smoking is forbidden in Islam whether during Ramadaan or outside of it, as it is one of al-Khabaaith (evil things). And this includes ALL kinds of smoking material eg.cigars, cigarettes, pipes, sheesha, hookah etc.
 
 It is harmful, not only to the one smoking, but also to the ones around him. It is also a means of wasting ones wealth.
This is especially true during fasting and it invalidates the fast.
(Fatwa -Ibn Uthaymeen)
 
9 : Skipping Suhoor
 
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing."(Bukhaari, Muslim).
 
And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor." (Muslim)
 
10 : Stopping Suhoor at Imsaak
 
Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe Imsaak.
 
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: This is a kind of bidah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite. Allaah allows us to eat until dawn: "and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)" [al-Baqarah 2:187]
 
And the Prophet (pbuh) said: "….eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes."
 
This imsaak which some of the people do is an addition to what Allaah has prescribed, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
 
 
11 : Not fasting if they missed Suhoor
 
Some people are too scared to fast if they miss Suhoor. However, this is a kind of cowardice and love of ease. What is the big deal if you missed a few morsels of food? Its not like you will die. Remember, obedience to Allaah overcomes everything.
 
12 : Saying the intention to fast out loud or saying a specific dua to start fasting
 
The intention is an action of the heart. We should resolve in our heart that we are going to fast tomorrow. That is all we need. It is not prescribed by the Shariah for us to say out loud, "I intend to fast", "I will fast tomorrow" or other phrases that have been innovated by some people. Also, there is no specific dua to be recited at the time of starting the fast in the correct Sunnah. Whatever dua you may see on some papers or Ramadaan calendars, etc. is a Bidah.
 
read more :
Uttering the intention to fast out loud is an innovation (bidah)
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/LoveIslam_ LiveIslam/ message/258
 
Authentic & UnAuthentic Dua for Iftaar !!!
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/LoveIslam_ LiveIslam/ message/263

 
13 : Delaying breaking fast
 
Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be on the safe side. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to break the fast, which means breaking fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set. Aaishah (RA) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to do. (Muslim)
 
 
Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul on Allaah and break your fast exactly on time.
 
14 : Eating continuously until the time for Maghrib is up
 
Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss Maghrib. That is obviously not right. The Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) was that once he broke his fast with some dates, them he would hasten to the prayer. Once you are done with the prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish.
 
15 : Missing the golden chance of having your Dua accepted
 
The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast.
 
 
Instead of sitting down and making Dua at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc. Think about it....Is food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your Duas.
 
 
16 : Fasting but not praying
 
The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer." (Muslim)
 
In fact, NONE of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled.
 
17 : Fasting and not wearing Hijaab
 
Not wearing the Hijaab is a major sin as it is obligatory for Muslim women. (See Surah Nur, Surah Ahzaab). So fasting and not wearing hijaab certainly takes away enormously from the rewards of fasting, even if does not invalidate it.
 
18 : Not fasting because of exams or work
 
Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do that during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than good grades. Besides, if you will fulfil your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah  will make it easy for you and help you in everything you do.
 

 
19 : Mixing fasting and dieting
 
DO NOT make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet. That is one of the biggest mistakes some of us make (esp. sisters). Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah alone.
 
Otherwise, mixing it with the intention of dieting may become a form of (minor) Shirk.
 
20 : Fighting over the number of Rakaah of Taraweeh
 
There is no specific number of rakahs for Taraweeh prayer, rather it is permissible to do a little or a lot. Both 8 and 20 are okay.
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: "No one should be denounced for praying eleven or twenty-three (rakaah), because the matter is broader in scope than that, praise be to Allaah."
 
 
21 : Praying ONLY on the night of the 27th
 
Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan." (Bukhaari, Muslim).
 
22 : Wasting the last part of Ramadaan preparing for Eid
 
Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadaan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. although, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to strive the hardest during the last ten days of Ramadaan in worship (Ahmad, Muslim) and not in shopping. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadaan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadaan to the max.
 
 
23 : Iftaar parties
 
Although inviting each other for breaking fast is something good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish Iftaar parties with all sorts of disobedience to Allaah, from flirting, mixing of the sexes and hijaab-less women, to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salaah, and Taraweeh to even music and dancing.
 
 
 
Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul on Allaah and break your fast exactly on time.
 

posted by The Burmastani in Islam , Self-improvement @ 6:30 AM

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Hmmmm….. YES, I SEE TERRORIST HERE…..

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
If these are terrorist then who is terrorizing them?
 
 
  
 
I see terrorist, do you?
 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

posted by The Burmastani in Islam , Politics @ 11:16 AM

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Salaamaleykum,
I hope everyone still remember the massacre of Lal Masjeed, Islamabad that occurred back in mid-2007. Despite the huge human casualty, the real story behind it remains a mystery. Events are blurred between the 'official politically correct' version and the politically incorrect version, which is based on the accounts of witnesses at the scene.
Heck, even the death tally is disputed between the two versions. Officials put the death toll at just over 100, where as witnesses said around 2000 died, most of them women and children.


The official story, which the international press community decided to agree with, painted a very grim picture over the whole ordeal. Lal masjeed was supposedly a training camp for terrorists and propagated extremist ideologies.
The other version, however, is very different from what the government claimed. It was nothing about terrorism. In fact, it was a internal political drama.

My article based on an account of an acquaintance that has recently been to Islamabad and have a thorough study of the events at Lal Masjeed.


Lal Masjeed (lit. Red Mosque) is actually a mosque cum seminary (madrasah) that catered both male and female students. Of course, the female quaters and male quaters are separated. The seminary has been existing for decades.

 The government accused, a few weeks prior to the massacre, the masjeed was built without approval from the local authority. Even though the accusation is true, anyone with a good knowledge of  South Asia will know that these things are normal. Hardly will you be able to find a mosque or other places of worship built with proper documentations. Aside from the buildings built under government projects, all other such buildings were built by common understand. If the government was to demolish all the mosques built without proper documents, I dare say more then half of  the mosques in Pakistan will have to be destroyed.

The events unfolds due to a massage parlour cum brothel that was getting popular located not far from the mosque. It was run by a woman called Aunty Shemeem.

The Maulana (Principal) of the seminary decided that it was time to tackle the brothel issue, as it was big vice activity happening so near to the mosque. An indignity to the mosque.
 
(Officials claim Aunty Shemeem was kidnapped by the female students of the Madrassa, they never mentioned anything that lead to the 'kidnap'). The Maulana sent a few letters to Aunty Shemeem asking her to move the brothal to a different place far away from the mosque. The letter also aforementioned that the madrassa has no power to force them to evict but the request was as a respect to the place of worship.
After being repeatedly ignored by Aunty Shemeem, a few female students from the Jamia Hafsa decided to confront her. They forcefully dragged her to the  seminary, and started reasoning with her. Of course, it can be labeled as 'kidnap'.
Anyway, having talked to her, advise her, lecture her, they let her go after a few hours. Unfortunately, Aunty Shemeem hasn't reached her senses and is far from repenting. She felt that she need to revenge to the Seminary.

Since many of her customers are high ranking officers and politician, she was more then sure that she can have things her way. Before long, the Lal Masjeed was approached by the authorities for being built without proper documentations. After weeks of tensions and negotiations, an agreement was reached with the Masjeed authorities which will spare the masjeed from demolision. Outside the masjeed compound, however, due to the raised tensions, a battalion comprising of soldiers from the minorities (i.e. non-Muslims) had already been deployed.
Unfortunately, at the last minute before the signing of the agreement, the then Prime Minister, Gen. Pervez Musharaf, had a change of mind. The agreement didnt went through.

As the episode enters its climax,a standoff begun between the security forces and the students of the seminary. Initially, the students were given amnesty to leave the seminary. While this was going on, a commander was shot, by a bullet coming from the direction of the seminary compound. Some speculate, it was from one of the Secret Service agents, in attempt to start firing at the Masjeed. Of course, as planned, the fire exchange begun.

Sadly enough, the children and womenfolk are still trapped inside the dorm of the seminary. Weather, trapped or deliberately decided to stay on, what is certain is none of them stepped out alive.

The fighting continued fiercely between the seminary students and the armed force for days. One of accusations hurled at the seminary, to paint is as a terrorist camp, was that they had an considerable supply of arms and ammunition. I agree, this is suspicious. However, if you know the nature of life in Pakistan, you will understand why its important for big traditional Islamic institutions to keep arms in their compound.

Pakistan is no stranger to internal fighting, sectarian violence and constant threat of war with India. Mainly, its the sectarian violence (between Shi'a and Sunni) that prompt such institutions to arm themselves.

Point to be noted though, NOT all students were 'dangerously armed with AK-47', in fact most of the students and the female students were armed with mere sticks!!!

Back to the fight, it went on for few days and few nights. Apparently, the armed force's policy at this given occasion was 'take no prisoner'.

After a week-long standoff, the sound of gun fire silenced. What remains was the appalling stench of the casualty of the battle. The victors hailed their success, whereas the rest of the nation mourns the violation of the sacredness of the Mosque by the Islamic Republic's own armed force. Perhaps, the President was wise by fielding non-Muslim soldiers for that operation, they will follow orders without any conflict of interest.

Here are some pictures of what remained of Lal Masjeed.

posted by The Burmastani in Islam , Pakistan, Politics @ 9:23 PM

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Salaamaleykum.

Eid Mubarak to y'all.

In this corner of the world, Eid was rainy. Generally, in my culture, its considered good luck, as the rain washes away the blood of the sacrifice.

As usual, day started with prayers, and afterwards its time for gravevisit. It was disappointing how a little drizzle can deter people from visiting the graveyard on such a big day.

posted by The Burmastani in Celebration, Islam @ 7:56 PM

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Taliban is the main target in the Anti-Islam media attack.



All the women (western feminists) who criticized the burqa (veil), were silent when 2 millions afghan citizens were dead due to the Russian bombs, they were silent when 500,000 Afghan citizens were handicapped because of landmines, and they were quiet when thousands of afghan women were raped before the Taliban came to power.

General Hamid who had lived for some years under the Taliban, said:

“There was never a campaign directed at allowing the beating of women and there was no prohibition for women to pursue education. There was only restriction on mixed-gender education.”

There are so many fabrications on “respected” websites in the internet about the “suffering” of Afghan women, while at the same time there isn’t any mention of date, name, location or any other data that could be verified. Hamid Gul said that he always noticed there were more women than men in the streets or in the markets during the Taliban era. The Afghan who protested in the west were those who originated from the Khalq and Parcham factions who were Communists. They were not representatives of the majority of the Afghan society.

The Taliban had to keep an eye on these communist women with an extra tight measure to ensure they would not cause any discord or troubles. Women only have to wear the burqa in the streets, whereas at home they are free to wear any dress they like. Munur, a nurse said: “women in the hospitals seldom wears the burqa and even the jilbab when there are no men in there.”

Based on a survey by the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA), 80% of schools for girls located in villages across Afghanistan and controlled by the Taliban are still operating. Pia Karlsson, Education Advisor of SCA, mentioned 85% of the girls are still going to school. In the Province of Kunduz, which is under the Taliban rule, 122 schools for girls are operating, with 390 registered female teachers!

During the pre-Taliban era, there were only 350 beds for women in the hospitals across Kabul. In August 2001, there were 950 beds in the hospitals which were specific for women only. Some of the hospitals that were exclusive for women were Rabia Balkhi Hospital, The Red Crescent of Kuwait Health Center and The Health Clinic for Infectious Disease! There were also 32 clinics for women and children.

Additionally, the women also received the services provided by the ICRC and the Sanday Gal Orthopaedic Centres. Only female doctors and nurses were working in the hospitals and clinics to give the healthcare services to the female patients.

However the Sun, Daily Express, New York Times, and all the journalists never report this story, the same goes for BBC, CNN, Fox News, etc. This is part of the campaign of lies so that the world populations would be against the Taliban.

They lied that the women could not work, the women could not go out of the house, to go to school, or even to go to hospital, but all the abovementioned facts proved otherwise.

posted by The Burmastani in Afghanistan, Islam @ 10:00 PM

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Salaamaleykum,


A couple of nights ago, I was praying taraweeh at the Musalla (Jama'at khanna) near my house. The Musalla was so over crowded, it spreads out to the children's playground behind it.

I was praying inside the Musalla, however. Being claustrophobic and a bit athsmatic, I tend to choose an airy spot right under the fan, and make sure I dont pray between large sized people.
However, that particular night, my scheme seem to fail when all of the sudden, the one praying beside me left and a 'large sized' man took over his place. As my space get a bit smaller and confined, my claustrophobia kicked in and i felt suffocative.

I made up my mind to leave the musalla and join the back rows in the playground after that set of prayers. (Well, according to the Holy Traditions, the closer you are to the front line, the better your rewards (hasanat/sawab) are.)

Right after the Salaam, the man in front of me left the Musalla, and the man beside me took over that place. Much to my delight, the vacant space beside me was taken over by a young child half my height. A lot of space and oxygen for me up there.

Why am I telling you this?

Well, if you just let it pass your mind, its just a series of incident that, in the end, was benefectory to me. But when you think a bit deeper, that too is a miracle from God. I disliked the situation I was in, and within a short while, the situation was repaired to my satisfaction.

Just pay a little attention, and you will find God's miracles everywhere and in everything. How thankful we must be!

Ya Allah Madad!

posted by The Burmastani in Islam , Self-improvement @ 5:07 AM

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Salaamaleykum,

posted by The Burmastani in Celebration, Islam @ 8:23 AM

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Salaamaleykum

Here are some Mathematical problems that Hazrat Ali (R.A) solved while he was Khalifa. He was known for his mathematical genius.

Enjoy reading them:

One Day a person came to Ali (RATA), thinking that since Ali thinks he is too smart, I'll ask him such a tough question that he won't be able to answer it and I'll have the chance to embarrass him in front
of all the Arabs.

He asked "Ali, tell me a number, that if we divide it by any number from 1-10 the answer will always come in the form of a whole number and not as a fraction." Ali Looked back at him and said, "Take the number of days in a year and multiply it with the number of days in a week and you will have your answer."

The person got astonished but as he was a Mushrik he still didn't believe Ali (RATA). He calculated the answer Ali (AS) gave him. To his amazement he came across the following results:

The number of Days in a Year = 360 (in Arabic Calendar)
The Number of Days in a Week = 7
The product of the two numbers = 2520
Now ...
2520 / 1 = 2520
2520 / 2 = 1260
2520 / 3 = 840
2520 / 4 = 630
2520 / 5 = 504
2520 / 6 = 420
2520 / 7 = 360
2520 / 8 = 315
2520 / 9 = 280
2520 / 10= 252


A person was about to die, and before dying he wrote his Will which went as follows ...

"I have 17 Camels, and I have three sons. Divide my Camels in such a way, that My eldest son gets half of them, the second one gets 1/3rd of the total and my youngest son gets 1/9th of the total number of Camels"
After his death when the relatives read his will they got extremely perplexed and said to each other that how can we divide 17 camels like this.

So after a long hard thought they decided that there was only one man in Arabia who could help them: "Ali Ibne Abi Taalib."

So they all came to the door of Ali (RATA) and put forward their problem.
Ali (RATA) said, "Ok. I will divide the camels as per the man's will."
Ali (RATA) said, "I will lend one of my camels to the total which makes it 18 (17+1=18), now lets divide as per his will"

The Eldest gets 1/2 of 18 = 9
The second one gets 1/3 of 18 = 6
and The Youngest gets 1/9 of 18 = 2
Now the total number of camels = 17

Then Ali (RATA) said, "Now I will take my Camel back"

posted by The Burmastani in Amusement, Islam @ 3:40 AM

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Salaamaleykum,

    Today, i'm gonna recommend you a book of great excellence.


    The book is easy to read and subjects presented are brief and concise, hence saving us from the 'I won't sleep until i finish this chapter' problems. Hundreds of topics are touched by the author to help us overcome our sadness.
    Indeed, sadness can be overcome, if we really want to overcome it.
    Here's a quote from the book.

---

Don't cling to other than Allah

    If Allah, the Exalted, is the One Who brings to life, causes death, and if He alone provides for all creation, why fear people or be distressed by their actions?
    I think that in our society much grief and anxiety is caused by our attachment to people- in seeking to please them, trying to gain their favour, striving to praise the important ones among them, and feeling wounded by their disparaging  treatment. And all of this indicates a weakness in one's belief in Allah.
    An Arab poet said;

posted by The Burmastani in Islam , Self-improvement @ 4:43 PM

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Assalamualeykum....

posted by The Burmastani in Celebration, Islam @ 3:35 AM

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Gaza and Beirut

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