Driving and traffic in India........ Hillarious article but though provoking

Road accidents have earned India a dubious distinction. With over 130,000 deaths annually, the country has overtaken China and now has the worst road traffic accident rate worldwide. This hilarious article was written by an Expat from Baan, Netherlands, who spent two years in Hyderabad. For the benefit of every Tom, Dick and Harry visiting India and daring to drive on Indian roads, I am offering a few hints for survival. They are applicable to every place in India except Bihar, where life outside a vehicle is only marginally safer. Indian road rules broadly operate within the domain of karma where you do your best, and leave the results to your insurance company. The hints are as follows: Do we drive on the left or right of the road? The answer is "both". Basically you start on the left of the road, unless it is occupied. In that case, go to the right, unless that is also occupied. Then proceed by occupying the next available gap, as in chess. Just trust your instincts, ascertain the direction, and proceed. Adherence to road rules leads to much misery and occasional fatality. Most drivers don't drive, but just aim their vehicles in the intended direction. Don't you get discouraged or underestimate yourself except for a belief in re-incarnation, the other drivers are not in any better position. Don't stop at pedestrian crossings just because some fool wants to cross the road. You may do so only if you enjoy being bumped in the back. Pedestrians have been strictly instructed to cross only when traffic is moving slowly or has come to a dead stop because some minister is in town. Still some idiot may try to wade across, but then, let us not talk ill of the dead. Blowing your horn is not a sign of protest as in some countries. We horn to express joy, resentment, frustration, romance and bare lust (two brisk blasts), or, just mobilize a dozing cow in the middle of the bazaar. Keep informative books in the glove compartment. You may read them during traffic jams, while awaiting the chief minister's motorcade, or waiting for the rainwaters to recede when over ground traffic meets underground drainage. Occasionally you might see what looks like a UFO with blinking colored lights and weird sounds emanating from within. This is an illuminated bus, full of happy pilgrims singing bhajans. These pilgrims go at breakneck speed, seeking contact with the Almighty, often meeting with success. Auto Rickshaw (Baby Taxi): The result of a collision between a rickshaw and an automobile, this three-wheeled vehicle works on an external combustion engine that runs on a mixture of kerosene oil and creosote. This triangular vehicle carries iron rods, gas cylinders or passengers three times its weight and dimension, at an unspecified fare. After careful geometric calculations, children are folded and packed into these auto rickshaws until some children in the periphery are not in contact with the vehicle at all. Then their school bags are pushed into the microscopic gaps all round so those minor collisions with other vehicles on the road cause no permanent damage. Of course, the peripheral children are charged half the fare and also learn Newton's laws of motion en route to school. Auto-rickshaw drivers follow the road rules depicted in the film Ben Hur, and are licensed to irritate. Mopeds: The moped looks like an oil tin on wheels and makes noise like an electric shaver. It runs 30 miles on a teaspoon of petrol and travels at break-bottom speed. As the sides of the road are too rough for a ride, the moped drivers tend to drive in the middle of the road; they would rather drive under heavier vehicles instead of around them and are often "mopped" off the tarmac. Leaning Towers of Passes: Most bus passengers are given free passes and during rush hours, there is absolute mayhem. There are passengers hanging off other passengers, who in turn hang off the railings and the overloaded bus leans dangerously, defying laws of gravity but obeying laws of surface tension. As drivers get paid for overload (so many Rupees per kg of passenger), no questions are ever asked. Steer clear of these buses by a width of three passengers. One-way Street: These boards are put up by traffic people to add jest in their otherwise drab lives. Don't stick to the literal meaning and proceed in one direction. In metaphysical terms, it means that you cannot proceed in two directions at once. So drive, as you like, in reverse throughout, if you are the fussy type. Least I sound hypercritical; I must add a positive point also. Rash and fast driving in residential areas has been prevented by providing a "speed breaker"; two for each house. This mound, incidentally, covers the water and drainage pipes for that residence and is left untarred for easy identification by the corporation authorities, should they want to recover the pipe for year-end accounting. Night driving on Indian roads can be an exhilarating experience (for those with the mental makeup of Genghis Khan). In a way, it is like playing Russian roulette, because you do not know who amongst the drivers is loaded. What looks like premature dawn on the horizon turns out to be a truck attempting a speed record. On encountering it, just pull partly into the field adjoining the road until the phenomenon passes. Our roads do not have shoulders, but occasional boulders. Do not blink your lights expecting reciprocation. The only dim thing in the truck is the driver, and with the peg of illicit arrack (alcohol) he has had at the last stop, his total cerebral functions add up to little more than a naught. Truck drivers are the James Bonds of India, and are licensed to kill. Often you may encounter a single powerful beam of light about six feet above the ground. This is not a super motorbike, but a truck approaching you with a single light on, usually the left one. It could be the right one, but never get too close to investigate. You may prove your point posthumously. Of course, all this occurs at night, on the trunk roads. During the daytime, trucks are more visible, except that the drivers will never show any Signal. (And you must watch for the absent signals; they are the greater threat). Only, you will often observe that the cleaner who sits next to the driver, will project his hand and wave hysterically. This is definitely not to be construed as a signal for a left turn. The waving is just a statement of physical relief on a hot day. If, after all this, you still want to drive in India, have your lessons between 8 pm and 11 am-when the police have gone home and The citizen is then free to enjoy the 'FREEDOM OF SPEED' enshrined in our constitution. Having said all this, isn't it true that the accident rate and related deaths are less in India compared to the US or other countries?

Exposing the sins of your fellow muslims....

We all know very well that we are all sinners. No matter how good we think we are, how 'religious' we look, or how good people think we are, we are ALL sinners – without exception. Sometime or the other, be it in public, in private, in the darkness of night or in the brightness of daylight, we all commit sins. It's an inherent part of human nature.

As far as our own sins are concerned, we should always try to hide them and not make them public. Of course, if we have done something which has hurt someone else or denied them their rights, then we should definitely fess up and ask them for forgiveness (such as stealing something or damaging someone's property). But if we do something which we know we shouldn't be doing (such as making out with a member of the opposite sex or looking at stuff we shouldn't be seeing), we should keep quiet about it and sincerely ask Allah for forgiveness. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly (for forgiveness) and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean. (Quran, 2:222)

If we see or hear about someone else committing a sin, we should always try to ignore it. Instead of spreading it, we should hide it and keep it a secret. It is reported that the Prophet :SAW: has said:

Whosoever covers (the sins of) a Muslim, Allah covers (his sins) on the Day of Judgment. (Reported by Bukhari)

If we find it too difficult to keep it secret, the most we are allowed to do is discuss the issue with the person, in private, and try to encourage them to stop committing the sin(s). Allah has said:

The believers, men and women, are Auliyâ' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and they forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden). (Quran, 71:9)

The only exception to this is if we find out that someone has committed a crime that has left someone injured or killed, or in which something was stolen or someone was denied something to which they were entitled to. In these cases, we MUST make the information public so that the person is brought to justice.

One thing we must not do when we find out about someone else's sins is discuss them and gossip about them. Why? Because doing so will considered backbiting, which has been compared to eating the flesh (meat) of our own dead brother. Allah Subhanahu wa T'ala has said:

O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful. (Quran, 49:12)

But what if what we're saying is really true?

Allah's Apostle :SAW: said:

Do you know what is backbiting? They (the Companions) said: Allah and His Apostle (peace be upon him) know best. Thereupon he (the Prophet) said: Backbiting implies your talking about your brother in a manner which he does not like. It was said to him: What is your opinion about this that if I actually find (that weakness) in my brother which I made a mention of? He said: If (that weakness) is actually found (in him) what you assert, you in fact backbited him, and if that is not in him it is a slander. (Reported by Muslim)

If we enjoy spreading stuff about people, we must think about what we are doing. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

Those who love (to see) scandal published (and) broadcast among the Believers will have a grievous Penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: Allah knows and ye know not. (Quran, 19-24)

In the above verse, Allah is warning all those who like to spread scandals and gossip about other believing Muslims to be careful, because they "will have a grievous Penalty in this life and in the Hereafter".

May Allah protect us all, and may He forgive all our sins.

Ameen.

Update

'Abd Allah reported that the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, said, "A believer is not a fault-finder and is not abusive, obscene, or course."
(Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners 313, Ahmad, Ibn Hibban, and Hakim)

... Ibn 'Abbas said, "If you wish to mention the faults of your friend, mention your own faults first."
(Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners 329)

... Ibn 'Abbas said on the following verse of the Qur'an, "Nor defame one another" (49:11), "Do not spend your time finding fault with one another."
(Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #330)

Jubayr ibn Nufayr reported that Mu'adh ibn Jabal said, "If you love someone, do not quarrel with him and do not annoy him. Do not ask others about him, for the one you ask might be his enemy and thus tell you things about him that are not true and thus break you apart."
(Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners 545)

'Amr ibn al 'As said, "...I am amazed at one who spots an impurity in the eye of another but is unable to detect it in his/her own eye, or who attempts to remove a grudge from another's heart while making no attempt to remove grduges from his/her own heart. I have never blamed anyone for the confidences of mine that they have betrayed. How could I, when already they have given me reason for pause?"
(Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #889 and Ibn Hibban)

Bilal ibn Sa'd al Ash'ari reported that Mu'awiyah wrote to Abu Darda' "Write to the wrongdoers of Damascus." So he asked, "What do I have to do with the wrongdoers of Damascus? How will I know them?" Abu Darda's son, Bilal said, "I will write to them," which he did. Then Abu Darda' said [to Bilal], "How did you know to whom to write? You could not have known they were wrongdoers unless you were one of them. Begin with yourself!" So he did not address the letter in anyone's name.*
(Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners 1295)

·i.e. he didn't single out a specific person as a wrongdoer, but spoke about wrongdoings in general, to come as a reminder (of Quran and Sunnah) to the people.

Visiting Graveyards on 15th Sha'ban

Question:In the light of the teaching of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, is it a correct Islamic practice to visit graveyards on the night of Shab-e-baraat? please narrate the Hadith related to this night.

Answer:

Giving significance to the night of 15th Sha'ban, visiting graveyards, doing extra Ibaadah (worship) and offering extra Nawaafil Salaah with the intention of specifically doing so on the occasion of 15th Sha'ban, having illuminations, considering it to be the Eid of the dead and keeping awake for the whole night of 15th Sha'ban and encouraging others to do the same -- all these are Bid'ah (innovation) . The prophet and the Sahaabah never did so nor commanded the muslims to do so.

We don't find any evidence of such things in the entire authentic Seerah of the Prophet and his companions. According to Allamah Ibn Rajab Abu Bakr Turtoshi, Ibn Wazzah Qurtubi, Suyuti, Shokani etc. all the Ahadith pertaining to the subject are weak and unacceptable.

The Hadith that is generally quoted to support the practices done on the night of 15th Sha'ban is Zaif (weak) according to Muhaddiseen (the scholars of Ahadith) and is not to be put into practice.

Narrated Aisha (R.A.),

I missed Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) during the night and found him in al-Baqi'. He said: Were you afraid that Allah and His Messenger would deal unjustly with you? I said: Allah's Messenger , I thought that you had gone to some of your other wives. He (the prophet) said: Verily Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, comes down to the heaven of the world in the middle night of Sha'ban and forgives sins even more abundant than the hair of the goats of Kalb. (Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 739; Sunan Ibn-I-Majah, Hadith No. 1389; Ahmad Vol. 6, 238)

According to Imam Bukhari and Tirmidhi, the above mentioned Hadith has a broken chain of narrators in two places, and therefore it is weak. Allamah Ibnul Arabi (543H), in his commentary of Sunan -At-Tirmidhi, titled 'Arizatul-Ahwazi', Vol 3, Pg No. 216 adds: '....further, in it Hajjaj Ibn Artaat is not reliable.'

However, it is established that the Prophet (pbuh) did visit the Baqi graveyard once, as Allah had commanded him and he prayed for Ahle-Baqi (the people of Baqi), but the exact night of this event is not known, as there is no clear proof in this regard. The prophet had done this by the commandment of Allah (swt), therefore the Prophet was an exception to this act.

Aisha (R.A.) says that the Prophet (pbuh) said: "Gabriel came to me and said; Your Rabb commands you to go to the graveyard of Baqi and seek forgiveness for them". (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2256)

It is permissible for men to visit graveyard whenever they wish and pray for the dead, however it is not permissible to fix a specific day or night for the purpose and consider it to be of a special virtue unless we find any proof for doing so from the Qur'an or the authentic Ahadith.

Allamah Ibnul Arabi writes: "There is no reliable Hadith regarding the 15th of Sha'ban. Although certain commentators insist that the verse from Surah Dukhan, chapter 44, verse 4: 'In that (night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom', refer to 15th of Sha'ban, but this is not true, as Allah did not reveal the Qur'an in Sha'ban. The Qur'an was revealed in Ramadan, as mentioned in Surah Baqarah, chapter 2, verse 185, and this can only be statement of a person who transgresses the book of Allah (swt) and is careless of his word". (Arizatul Ahwazi, Vol. 3, Page No. 217)

According to Hadith of Sahih Muslim, Vol. 2, Hadith No. 1885: ".. Most evil affairs are their innovations, and every innovation is an error..."

So Muslims should beware of and steer clear of all innovation and bid'ah.

By : Dr. Zakid Naik

Islam is Religion of Peace for Mankind

Whoever kills an innocent unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land -

it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.

(The Holy Qur'an 5:32)

Islam And Universal Brotherhood

By Dr. Zakir Naik

There are various types of brotherhoods - brotherhood based on blood relations, brotherhood based on regional affiliations, or brotherhood on the basis of race, caste, creeds, ideology, etc. But all these types of brotherhood are limited in their scope, coverage and benefits.

Islam, on the other hand, prescribes Universal Brotherhood. It rejects the thought that human beings have been created in castes or in different levels. In the Glorious Qur'an, in Surah Hujurat, Chapter No. 49, Verse No. 13, Allah (SWT) describes the Islamic concept of Universal Brotherhood:

'O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most Righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

This Verse of the Glorious Qur'an indicates that the whole human race originated from a single pair of male and female. All humans have common great-grandparents and ancestors.

Further, Allah (swt) says that he has made nations and tribes, so that humans can recognize each other, and not so that they may despise each other and fight amongst themselves.

This verse also clarifies that the criteria for judgment in the sight of Allah (swt) does not depend on caste, colour, creed, gender or wealth, but on Taqwa - God consciousness, piety and righteousness. Anyone who is righteous, pious and God-conscious, is honoured in the sight of Allah (swt).

Further it is stated in the Glorious Qur'an in Surah Ar-Rum verse. 22, that:

'And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages, and your colours: Verily in that are signs for those who know.'

These variations in colour and language are not for the purpose of creating animosity or differences between groups of humans. Every language on earth has its own beauty and significance.

A foreign language may sound strange and funny to you, but it sounds sweet to those for whom it is the mother tongue.

Allah says in the Glorious Qur'an, in Surah Israa, Ch. 17, Verse 70:

'We have honoured the sons of Adam'

Allah does not say that He has honoured only the Arabs or the Americans or a particular race. He states that He has honoured all the children of Adam, irrespective of race, caste, colour, creed or gender.

While there are many religions that believe that humankind originated from a single pair - Adam and Eve (peace be upon them), there some faiths that say, that it is because of the sin of the woman (Eve - may Allah be pleased with her) that the humans are born in sin. They blame only on the woman, which is Eve, for the downfall of human beings.

The Qur'an speaks about the story of Adam and Eve (peace be upon them) in several chapters, but in all the places, the blame is placed equally on both -Adam and Eve (peace be upon them).

According to Surah Araf, Ch. 7 : Verses 19 to 27 Both of them disobeyed Allah (swt), both of them repented, and both were forgiven.

Both are equally blamed for the mistake. There is not a single verse in the Glorious Qur'an, which puts the blame only on Eve (may Allah be pleased with her).

In Surah Taha, Ch. No. 20, V. No. 121, it is stated that Adam (pbuh) disobeyed Allah (swt).

Certain faith, on the other hand state that because Eve disobeyed God, it is she who is responsible for the sin of humankind'. Hence God cursed the woman, and said that she will bear labour pains. This means that pregnancy is a curse.

Islam of course does not agree with this unjust view.

In Surah Nisa, Ch. No. 4, V. No. 1, Allah states: 'And (reverence) the wombs (that bore you).'

In Islam, pregnancy does not degrade a woman - it uplifts a woman. In Surah Luqman, Ch. 31, V. No. 14, it is stated that:

'And we have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents. In travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning.'

The Qur'an says in Surah, Ahqaf, Ch. 46, V. No. 15...'We have enjoined on man to be kind to his parents. In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth.'

Islam states that men and women are created equal.

According to a Hadith mentioned in Sahih Bukhari, Vol.No. 8, in the Book of Adab, Chapter 2, Hasith No. 2:

'A person came to Prophet Mohammed (saw), and asked him, 'Who is the person who deserves the maximum love and companionship in this world ?'

The Prophet replied, 'Your mother.'
The man asked, Who next?'
The Prophet said, 'Your mother.'
The man asked, 'After that who?'
The Prophet repeated for the third time, 'Your mother.'
The man asked, 'After that who?'
Then the Prophet said, 'Your father.'

So, 75% or 3/4 of the love and companionship of the children are due to the mother and only 25% or 1/4 of the love and companionship goes to the father. In other words, the mother gets the gold medal, she gets the silver medal, as well as the bronze medal. The father has to be satisfied with a mere consolation prize.

These are amongst the teachings of Islam.

In Islam, men and women are equal - but equality does not mean identicality. There are many misconceptions about the status of women in Islam. These can be removed if one studies the authentic sources of knowledge of Islam and its teachings - the Glorious Qur'an and the Sahih Hadith.

While men and women are overall equal, equality does not mean identicality. Let's take an example. In a class, two students - student 'A' and 'B' get the highest marks in a subject - 80 out of 100.

The question paper consisted of 10 questions, each of 10 marks.

In the first answer student 'A' gets 9 out of 10, student 'B' gets 7 out of 10. So in question 1 student 'A' has a degree of advantage than student 'B'.

In question 2, student 'B' gets 9 out of 10, and student 'A' gets 7 out of 10. So in question 2, student 'B' has a degree of advantage, than student 'A'.

In the remaining 8 questions, both get 8 out of 10, and if you total the marks of both the students, both get 80 out of 100.

So if you analyze, both student 'A' and 'B' have got over all equal marks.

But in answers to some questions, student 'A' has a degree of advantage and in answers to some other questions, student 'B' has a degree of advantage - but in terms of overall marks, both are equal.

Similarly in Islam, men and women are equal.

Brotherhood in Islam does not only mean that the same sexes are equal. 'Universal Brotherhood' in Islam means, that besides race, caste, and creed, even the sexes are overall equal. Men and women are equal in Islam, but in some aspects, men have a degree of advantage while in some other aspects, women have a degree of advantage - but overall both are equal.

For example, if a robber enters my house, I will not say, 'I believe in women's rights, and I believe in women's liberation and therefore my sister, my wife, my mother, should go and fight the robber.'

Allah says in Surah Nisa, Ch. 4, V 34, 'God has given the one (man) more strength than the other''. Men have more strength than the women.'

So where strength is concerned, men have a degree of advantage. Since they have been given more strength, it is their duty to protect women. Here the men have a degree of advantage.

Where love and companionship from children is concerned, the mother gets three times more love and companionship than the father. Here women have a degree of advantage.

For more details, you can refer to the video-cassettes of my talk on 'Women's Rights in Islam - Modernizing or Outdated? Part I has the lecture and Part II has the Question-Answer session.

--
Aish - The Fairy Princess

Visit my Blog - 

http://cutheartprincessash.blogspot.com/

The blessings of Tawhid descend in Makkah, and the blessings of Prophethood descend in Madinah

One never tires of gazing at the sight of the House of Allah, the Kaa'ba. The site upon which the mercy and blessings of Allah are constantly descending. There is truly nothing comparable to the House of Allah on this Earth. People wish time would stand still so they could keep gazing at the Kaa'ba; their thirst is never quenched, rather it increases.

Once, while on a visit to Washington, people told me that a woman had accepted Islam and had some questions for me. They told me that many non-practicing Muslim women had started practicing again due to her. At prayer time she would dress in her best clothes as if readying herself for someone special, and would become oblivious to everything around her as soon she started praying.

After a brief question and answer session, I asked her what prompted her to accept Islam. She sighed and started explaining; "I was a Jew and my husband was a Christian who was posted in Saudi Arabia for some technical work. Everyday I used to see Muslim men and women dressed in white on their way somewhere. I asked my husband where they were going and he told me that they go to perform pilgrimage at the Muslim shrine of Kaa'ba. I expressed a desire to go but he told me that non-Muslims were not allowed. However, I was determined and so we both bought white clothes and set out. Fortunately no one stopped us and we reached Makkah, from where we found directions to the Kaa'ba. Upon seeing the Kaa'ba our eyes froze and time seemed to stand still. When we turned to look at each other after some time, we were both crying. With our eyes we told each other that this was the Truth and we should accept Islam. No one ever told me about Islam, but there were so many blessings descending on that House that they changed my life forever."

The blessings of Tawhid descend in Makkah, and the blessings of Prophethood descend in Madinah. One has seen nothing in life if he has not seen these two holy sites. May Allah give all Muslims the opportunity to visit to His House.

Source: Excerpt from a speech of Shaikh Zulfiqar

Holding Patience for Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'alaa)

"Oh my ALLAH!"
What a test u've put me into!
My life-wave is now at the trough


I'm confined, living like a dead
every moment, every second...

Sometimes losing my strength,
Sometimes shedding tears!
Falling on the ground,
Sweating in the fear

"I can't tolerate Oh ALLAH, I can't bear!"
(says my heart shedding tear!)

I confess, I never acted good
But now I really want to...
Please Allah give me chance
Give the chance for hedayaah

I wanna get relief & forever before you
I wanna bow my head
I want some peace to rest on "bed"
I don't wanna live like a dead!

Let my past just be faded
I REGRET...
please give me the chance for Hedayaah!

I know ALLAH, You're so merciful
You don't have ending grace
Your heavens is what I wanna embrace
Relieve me out of such painful race..

Ameen....

My Fav Faraz Qoute

Ab maayos q ho us ki bewafai pe Faraz?
tm khud hi to kehty thy k wo sab se juda hai

_____________________________

Usne mujh chor dia to kia hua Faraz
Mane bhi to chora tha sara jahan us k liye

_____________________________

Tujhy fursat hi na milli parhny ki faraz
hum tery sheher main bikty rahy kitabon ki tarha

______________________________

Iss Dafa Barshein Rukti He Nahi Faraz,
Hum Ne Ansu Kia Piye Sare Mosam Ro Pare !!!!

_______________________________

Ab Nend Se Kaho Hum Se Sulah Kar Le Faraz,
Wo Dour Chala Gaya Hai Jis K Lie Hum Jaga Karty Thy.

______________________________

Ab Usai Roz Na Sochun TOu Badan Tutta Hai Faraz.
Aik Umer Ho Gai Hai Uski Yaad Ka NAsha KArte KArte…

______________________________

Ansoo Hansi Hansi Mein Nikal Aaye Q Faraz??
Bethe Bethe Ye Kaunse Ghum Yaad Agaye…

______________________________

Maine jis shahkas ko phoolon se sajaya tha "Faraz"!!
Meray seene main usee shahkas ka kanta utra

______________________________

Humaray baad nahin ay ga tumhain chahat ka asa maza "Faraz"!
Tum logon se kehtay phiroo gay mujhe chahao us ki tarah!

_______________________________

Ungliyan aaj bhi is soch me ghum hai faraz
Usnay kaisay naye haath ko thaama hoga

_______________________________

Mili saza jo mujhe wo kisi khata pe na thi faraz
Mujh pe jurm jo saabit howa wo wafaa ka tha

______________________________

Haseen yadoon k kuch mousam usey arsal karnay hain "FARAZ"!!
Suna hai shab ko "tanhai" usey sonay nahin deti……..

______________________________

Apne siwa bataao! kuch mila hai tumhein? Faraz ?
Hazaar baar lein hain tum ne mere dil ki talashiyaan

____________________________

Kon Kehta Hy k Nafrato'n Main Dard Hy 'Faraz'
Kuch Mohabbate'n Bhi Bari Aziyat-nak Hoti Hyn !!

____________________________

What is Islam ??

Islam is not just a RELIGION. Islam is a complete and a total way of Life! I ♥ Islam

Islam is from Allah, The Creator and Sustainer of all that exists. Everything in the life of the creations of Allah, especially for those who have choices to make (us), must be dictated and clarified by the One who Created everything in the fist place. We understand from this that Islam must be a complete and total way of living, explaining everything in the life from beginning to end and from birth until death.

Islam is careful to remind us that it not a religion to be paid mere lip service; rather it is an all-encompassing way of life that must be practiced continuously for it to be Islam.

There are other injunctions and commandments which concern virtually all facets of one's personal, family and civic life. These include such matters as diet, clothing, personal hygiene, interpersonal relations, business ethics, responsibilities towards parents, spouse and children, marriage, divorce and inheritance, civil and criminal law, fighting in defense of Islam, relations with non-Muslims, and so much more.

In conclusion, we trully realize that ISLAM is a complete way of life for the human being. Everything is covered in Islam from birth to death to live in the complete submission to the Will of the One Who Created man in the first place.

Bewafa Shayri ( Urdu )

✦ REVIVE A SUNNAH ⇨ "REWARD OF PLANTING ANY PLANT" ✦

 

It is narrated on the authority of Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said:

► "If any Muslim plants any plant and a human being or an animal eats of it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity." [Sahih Al Bukhari, Vol. 8, Book of Good Manners, Hadith No. 6012]

A Quick preparation tips for RAMADAN

Assalaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatu,

Brothers and Sisters Ramadan is only 25 days away.  Are we prepared?  We know from Sunnah that the Sahbah would prepare 6 months before Ramadan. InshaAllah lets remind each other about this blessed month of Ramadan.

A lot of us yearn to prepare for Ramadan, but we have no idea how to start. Below are a few tips to insha'Allah help prepare our minds and hearts for this upcoming Month of Mercy.

1. Making the Intention

Simple to do and has a powerful impact. Maybe you want to prepare for Ramadan, but between school, work, family, and any other activities, you just have no idea how to fit in 'Preparing for Ramadan' time. Instead of making 'preparing for Ramadan' something separate from your daily activities, MAKE your daily activities a means of preparation for Ramadan.

For example, perhaps your mom asked you to pick up your brother from school on the day you finally had time to read a few extra pages of Qur'an. Instead of feeling upset and feeling like you have lost a great preparation for Ramadan opportunity, make the intention that you are picking up your brother to please Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and prepare for Ramadan by obeying your mother, helping your family members, building ties of kinship… and the list continues.

The point is that preparing for Ramadan does not have to be some magnificent, enormous, extra-special thing that needs to be done at a certain time of the day. Many of your daily actions can be turned into Ramadan preparation actions with a sincere intention, insha'Allah.

2. Do these easy-to-reap-reward actions:

Asking Allah to forgive your brothers and sisters. "Whoever seeks forgiveness for believing men and believing woman, Allah will write for him a good deed for each believing man and believing woman." [at-Tabarani, classed as hasan by al-Albani]

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (r.a) said "The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: 'Whoever says subhanAllah wa bi hamdih (praise and glory be to Allah) 100 times, morning and evening, his sins will be erased even if they are like the foam on the sea." Narrated by al-Bukhari, 6042; Muslim 2691

If a person says "SubhanAllah" (glory be to Allah) 100 times, a thousand good deeds are recorded for him and a thousand bad deeds are wiped away. Narrated by Muslim 2073

Remember Allah when you go shopping : "Whoever enters a market and says: 'Laa ilaha illallah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyi wa yumeetu wa huwa hayyun laa yamoot, bi yadihil khair, wa huwa 'ala kulli shayin qadeer'[there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, alone without partner, to Him belongs dominion and praise, He causes life and death and He is the Living and does not die. In His Hand is all the good, and He is over all things competent]Allah will write for him/her a million good deeds and erase a million bad deeds and raise him a million levels." [at-Tirmidhi, classed as hasan by al-Albani]

3. Up your worship

To help condition your heart for this blessed month, intensify your worship before Ramadan begins. Just a small, consistent amount is enough. The Prophet, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam told us:
"The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small."

For example, if I always pray 2 rakats of sunnah after ishaa, from this day until Ramadan begins- and even through Ramadan, let me make the intention that I will now pray 2 extra rakats of sunnah after ishaa. And every time I pray these extra 2 rakats, which are more than what I normally pray, let me remember that I am doing these with the intention of asking Allah to help me be prepared to strive and exert my utmost effort during Ramadan.

4. Make a duaa list today

This is THE MONTH to ask for EVERYTHING, both related to this life and the Next. Let us not wait until the last 10 nights to make special duaas, and then once Eid passes realize that we had completely forgotten about fifty other things we needed to make duaa for. Let us start making our lists now, and add to it as more things come our way. Insha'Allah this should help us remember to make constant duaa in this month where duaa is accepted, and help our hearts pour out to the One Who can make those duaas happen, subhanahu wa ta'ala.

5. Write out your objectives for Ramadan

Praying all of your fard prayers? Praying all of your sunnahs? Reading the entire Qur'an? Giving $1 charity a day? Making itikaaf in the masjid? Leaving one serious sin that you've been trying to get away from for some time now? Sincerely turning completely back to Allah?

Write out a list, put them somewhere you will see them, and make duaa for your success in fulfilling these objectives.

6. Make a plan!

Look at your objectives, and try to make a plan on how to actualize those objectives in this month.
For example, perhaps you are really struggling to pray your sunnah prayers. In this month, realize the enormity of the ajr of praying the sunnah prayers… think that perhaps these sunnahs will be the deeds that will be so heavy on your scale of good deeds when you are intense need of them- on yowm al qiyamah (day of judgement). Therefore, fight to keep doing them all throughout Ramadan. If you can't pray your 2 rakats after dhur right away, make sure to do them as soon as you get a chance.

Thus, your plan might look something like this:

Objective: Pray all of my fard prayers.
Method: Envision myself on the day of judgment seeing the insha'Allah weight of praying my sunnah consistently during this month. Make sure to pray sunnah salah immediately after salah. If I cannot, do it as soon as the opportunity arises… don't let myself put it off!

Another example is that of finishing the Qur'an [with Understanding]:

Objective: Finishing the entire Qur'an in this month.
Method: Read 4 pages of the Qur'an after every salah. Make sure you understand it. 5 prayers X 4 pages = 20 pages. 20 pages= about 1 juz. 1 juz X 30= the entire Qur'an.

——-
So many Muslims have passed away since last month. So many people have not made it to Ramadan this year. Last year was their very last Ramadan. Will you make it to this Ramadan? Will this be your last Ramadan?

Aim to strive in this Ramadan. With a very small amount of effort, such as just making a small intention, or adding a few extra acts of worship, we pray that Allah will help our hearts soften and honor us with making it easy to turn to Him and open up to Him.

May Allah make us of the successful in Ramadan, and make it easy for us to turn to Him completely and perpetually. Ameen.

 

Compiled by Shadman Saquib

ye dil bura sahi 'sar-e-bazaar to na keh,

aakhir tu is makaan me kuchh din raha bhi hai...

wo be-wafa hi sahi aao us ka ziqr kare'n,

abhi to umr padi hai use bhulane ko...

WHY MUSLIMS CANNOT MARRY NON-MUSLIMS ?

 Question:

Why are Muslims not allowed to marry Non-Muslims?

        

Answer:

1. Qur'an Prohibits Muslims to marry unbelievers.

                   Qur'an mentions in Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verse 221

    "Do not marry unbelieving women until they believe: a slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman even though she allure you. Nor Marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: a man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever even though he allure you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire. But Allah beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of Bliss) and forgiveness, and makes His signs clear to mankind: that they may receive admonition".

[Al-Qur'an 2:221]

        2.           This life is a test for Here-after:

    According to the Qur'an in Surah Mulk chapter 67 verse 2

     "He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed,

    and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving".

    [Al-Qur'an 67:2]

        3.     Concept of Salvation cannot differ amongst Life-Partners:

    The ultimate goal and salvation for every muslim is to attain paradise in the Hereafter. A true husband or a wife will also want his/her spouse to attain paradise in the here-after. How can two life-partners live together if their ultimate goal i.e. Salvation differs? Or if the ways that they have chosen to lead to this goal are different? Such a marriage would be like a vehicle whose one tyre is that of a cycle while the other tyre is that of a truck. How will the vehicle run smoothly? Similarly if the beliefs or concepts  of salvation of the spouses differ then how can they live in congruence and achieve marital harmony?

Give each other space.....

A number of couples think being married means always being together and serving each other hand and foot.

Wives may initially take over all household chores, not letting the husband help or even do his own things (i.e. ironing his own clothes). They later regret this as household responsibilities increase and their husbands become dependent on them for the smallest things.

Husbands may think getting married means being with their wives all the time. This later may lead them to becoming irritable and cranky.

The key is to focus on being caring, fond of and accepting each other and giving each other sufficient space. Doing this provides a necessary balance in a relationship which is so close physically and emotionally.