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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Salaamaleykum.

      Last year, when one of my acquaintance declared that he will be marrying a lass from his classroom, I was taken aback. He was 18years and the girl, whom according to my sources, was 22years at the time. Leave alone the age gap, or even the age to begin with, but the fact that both were students who were under their parents' financial dependence and especially the fact that they were studying at a country so far away from their families, made me ridicule the idea.
    I assumed that this was yet another example of Zeitgeist (spirit of time). He was probably mad with love. However, I was wrong. Apparently their families arranged them to be married even before they left their country. It was an arranged marriage.
   Today, one year on, they are happy, and expecting a bundle of joy. (Though I wonder how will they study and raise a child at one time, in a foreign land away from their family)

  Few weeks ago, at my high school reunion, I was told that someone from my batch, has just recently got divorced. I was surprised he, being a cityboy, even married at such young age. I was not expecting the next surprise. It seems it was his 2nd divorce in 4 years. His first marriage was when he was merely 18yrs old. Then, he had a child, divorced, and then married again, end eventually divorced again.

   The two events above, and the statistics of the staggering divorce rates, accelerating by the month, made me question the rationale of the situation.

I've come to conclusion that, arrange marriage tends to have a higher success rate compared to love marriage. For those of us that has been in love before, will know that love does not last. Love is like a spark that can die out any time. When love dies out, a relationship is doomed to failure, except with perseverance and effort by both parties.

Let me stress again, a successful love story can only happen, with efforts from BOTH sides!

So, if you're in love , in cloud nine, and wanna get married as soon as possible, hit the brakes and review the situation. Take some time off to be truly sure that that 'love' you feel is not just a momentary spark.

posted by The Burmastani in Cultural, Reflections, Self-improvement @ 4:48 AM

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Salaamaleykum,


    Of atisakhi and ati, what do I have to say about them?  Atisakhi and Ati are Sanskrit words for 'great friend' and 'acquaintance', respectively.

    Atisakhi (great friend), as I've personally defined, is someone who is such a great friend that his presence in my life is as necessary as food and air itself. Someone who I wish to share joy and pain with. Someone I know, will get my back whenever I fall.... so on and so forth.

     For most of my mature life, I remember hunting for that 'perfect friend'. I had a Atisakhi in high school, later on however, we grew apart to a point he just remained as a ati to me.
    Then, at college, I met a new friend, who eventually became my new atisakhi. Few weeks after he went back to him homeland, I realised he was no more that 'atisakhi', no...he was merely another ati.
    Well, this happened again, and again and again.
Indeed, its hard everytime a person you assume as a best friend gets further from you. From having spent so much time and having fun together, to a point where you the hardly see each other and the best you can say when you meet is 'Hi.How are you?'.
    Memories can be the worst enemy in such times. Remembering the sweet memories, somewhat leaves me paralysed from creating new memories for weeks.
    I keep blaming myself for choosing wrong people to 'invest emotions' in.
    Yes, I know, it sounds like a love story...but no, its friendship.Let me make it clear.

    I'm a child (teorically), learning the ways of life. How to live and why things happen against our wants and expectations.
   It was only on my 5th atisakhi, that I realised that, 'great friends' is a very relative definition.
   At each stage of your life, you have different moods, different preference and definately different expectations from life. And at each stage, the people you befriend differ based on that stage.
   Take it like a lock-and-key teory. Different stage is a different lock. And your 'Atisakhi' is the key. As the lock changes slowly, the key also have to change.
   As horrible as it may be, but it is a fact I discovered.
   However, i also know of this little fact. Sometimes, if you look hard and smart enough, you'ill find the 'masterkey'. A key that can open no matter how the lock change. Alas, a true ATISAKHI!
   I'm gonna keep on finding, and hoping the great friends I come across will stay as such forever.
May we all find our atisakhi.
 Allah Madad!

posted by The Burmastani in Personal, Self-improvement @ 8:57 PM

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Salaamaleykum,
 While I was in Burma, I opened a song for my grandma.

Ek Pyaar ka Nagma hain (Its a love's story).
Maujoon ki ravaani hain (its a flow of ecstasy),
Zindagi aur kuch bhi nahin (Its life and nothing else),
Tere mere kahani hain (A story of you and me)....
Listen

The song has been sentimental in my family for generations. It started with my great grandfather started singing this song as a lulaby for his grandchildren.

When I first listened to this song, i assumed that the song was talking about 'their' love being immortalised in a story like that of Romeo and Juliet.
However, my grandmother had a different interpretation. For her, the song translates to something like -  love's just a story like any other. Eventually, like any other story, it will end, and the book will be closed.

Of course, my grandmother's interpretation was miserable and less idealistic. However, I can't help, but to accept her view as better then mine.

My interpretation was like that of any other youth, with such high idealistic views when it come to the issue of love. But, as you grow older, you start to see the other side of love, and realise that love is not as mystical as we assume it is.
Most will agree with me when I say, love does not last. The spark and affection does dies out over certain amount of time,except perhaps in few exceptional cases.

I guess, the song is right, love is just a story , which will eventually be closed at the end of the day.

Allah Madad!

P.S.: Please do bear in mind that there are more to love than that of between two lovers.

posted by The Burmastani in Personal, Self-improvement @ 9:26 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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posted by The Burmastani in Self-improvement @ 9:59 PM

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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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Salaamaleykum,
I came across this song, and found the lyrics quite inspirational. So, why not share?
Here's the link to the video of the song




Toota Toota Ek Parinda Aise Toota
An angel was so badly broken
Ke Phir Jud Naa Paaya
That he could not be healed

Loota Loota Kisne Usko Aise Loota
Somebody stole (the wings) from the angel
Ke Phir Ud Naa Paaya
Till he was unable to fly

(repeat)

Girta Hua Woh Asma Se
He fell from the sky
Aakar Gira Zameen Par
Onto the earth

Khwabon Mein Phir Bhi Badal Hi The
Yet in his dreams there were still only clouds
Woh Kehta Raha Magar
And he kept saying

*Ke Allah Ke Bande Hasde
That the people of Allah will always be laughing (happy)
Allah Ke Bande
People of God...
Allah Ke Bande Hasde Jo Bhi Ho Kal Phir Aayega
The people of Allah will always be laughing... whatever happens, tomorrow will still come

(repeat *)

Kho Ke Aapne Par Hi To Usne Tha Ud Naa Sikha
Only after losing his wings did he learn to fly
Kho Ke Aapne Par Hi To
Only after losing his wings...

Kho Ke Aapne Par Hi To Usne Tha Ud Naa Sikha
Only after losing his wings did he learn to fly

Gham Ko Aapne Saath Mein Lele Dard Bhi Tere Kaam Aayega
Take your sorrow with you, for the pain will be of use to you

*Ke Allah Ke Bande Hasde
That the people of Allah will always be laughing (happy)
Allah Ke Bande
People of God...
Allah Ke Bande Hasde Jo Bhi Ho Kal Phir Aayega
The people of Allah will always be laughing... whatever happens, tomorrow will still come

(repeat *)

Tukde Tuke Ho Gaya Tha Har Sapna Jab Woh Toota
He broke into pieces when every dream of his broke

Tukde Tuke Ho Gaya Tha
He broke into peices

Tukde Tuke Ho Gaya Tha Har Sapna Jab Woh Toota
He broke into pieces when every dream of his broke

Bhikre Tukdon Mein Allah Ki Marzi Ka Manzar Paayega
It is only in the scattered pieces of your dreams that you will find the meaning of Allah's Will.

*Ke Allah Ke Bande Hasde
That the people of Allah will always be laughing (happy)
Allah Ke Bande
People of God...
Allah Ke Bande Hasde Jo Bhi Ho Kal Phir Aayega
The people of Allah will always be laughing... whatever happens, tomorrow will still come

(repeat *)
(repeat *)
(repeat *)

posted by The Burmastani in Desi, Self-improvement @ 2:19 AM

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- Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks.
Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.

posted by The Burmastani in Random, Self-improvement @ 6:29 AM

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Salaamaleykum,

    A few weeks ago, on a children's Hindi Song singing competition (Zee's SaReGaMaPa Lil' Champs), one of the kids sang a song that mesmerised the hearts of everyone that heard it...and not to mention the tears it brought.Here's the song on YouTube :
Tujhsa Naraaz Nahin Zindegi from Masoom(1983)


    And so that you get the feel of what I'm talking about, here's the translation of the song:



    This song perfectly narrates the thoughts that's going in my mind and heart right now. I'm sure I'm not alone in this.After all, this is one of the Evergreen of  Bollywood.
    Before I go far, let me recommend you to watch Masoom (Innocent). This wonderful movie made me almost weep like a baby.Naseeruddin, Shabna and little Jugal Hansraj acted splendidly...extra applause to Jugal  for his extraordinary act as an child actor. Watch here.

    Ok back to the issue...
    Life is beautiful, but it sometimes ask us questions to which,we have no answer. When this happen, we get stressed out and become walking zombies, due to excessive worry and thoughts. But we never hate life for that, as I said, Life's beautiful.
    Sometimes, we say life's not fair...note down every time you say that,and you WILL realise that, sooner or later, you'll be saying life's beautiful again. Every misery that touches us,every headache/heartache/worry we receive, there's a good side behind it.
   If the great fire of London never happened, London would have remained filthy and plague-infested...and never rose to be a major city in the world.
    Well, of course, this is life, its not heaven. Having our heart crushed, painful incidents, emotionally tormenting scenarios are inevitable. At such times, people we love comes in handy..be they friends or family.
    Bottom line, things happen for a reason...we just need to open our eyes and minds and search for the silver line.
    Life is a voyage, fantastic, exciting unique voyage. Bon Voyage.

    Allah Madad! 

posted by The Burmastani in Compliments, Desi, Movies, Self-improvement @ 10:35 AM

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