My Sister

This serves as a reminder to all our fellow Muslimahs, weigh you words carefully before you speak. Remember that we are all sisters and should treat each other with kindness and respect. At the end of the day we should love each other for the sake of Allah(swt).

Isn't the woman there my sister?
in Islam, I mean to say
For I just took my shahaadah
at the Masjid here today

Isn't the woman there my sister?
I openly ask without any qualms
The one who just walked past me
Without offering me her salaams

Isn't the woman there my sister?
Though she stands alone to pray
Each time I move to touch her shoulder
She takes a step and pulls away

Isn't the woman there my sister?
the lady that is not of my race,
for both of us are Muslim women
with varied hues making up our face

Isn't the woman there my sister?
Who laughed and made fun of me
And those other sisters of mine who listened
Doesn't their silence make them also guilty

Isn't the woman there my sister?
Who didn't call me when I was sick
For she seems to only show concern
for those special sisters, in her own click

Isn't the woman there my sister?
Who I invited for iftar in my home
But unfortunately she did not make it
How I wish she had bothered to phone

Isn't the woman there my sister?
Don't we both love our religion - this Deen?
Then why am I sharing my lament
About her being uncaring, indifferent and mean?

Isn't the woman there my sister?
Won't she open up and try to treasure
The love I want and need to share with her
As we both seek Allah's Merciful Pleasure

-unknown


poem was found by Iman Aisha Morrison


Insha' Allah comment and share your thoughts!!!


Asalaamu Alaikum

Nadira & Najwa

Can a Dog Be a Muslimah's Best Friend???

Okay, ladies... so we've all seen at some point or another this trend of having a little "teacup" chihuahua, yorkie, pomeranian, etcetera... You can dress them up in little cute outfits and put them in your purse and take them for walks around the park or even take them to the mall with you, right? They are so cute and cuddly and a great companion to keep you company, right???
WRONG!!! As cute as these little doggies are, we must remember that we, as Muslims are cautioned not to keep dogs as pets.

This does not mean that we should love the dog. It is perhaps the indoctrination of the Western culture that 'The dog is Man's best Friend'. The theory that 'dogs are very dependent on Human affection' is a myth - culture and custom has helped to develop this unnatural behavior.

If Allah (swt) said that the dog requires human affection and love to exist in this world, surely Prophet Muhammad (saw) would have advised us to keep dogs as pets. On the contrary, we are instructed not to keep dogs as pets and 'love' them as exemplified by the non-Muslims. Remember, our life should be structured and bound by the Qur'an and the beautiful example of Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Here are some hadith on this matter:

Sayyidna Abu Talha (Radhiyallaahu Ánhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "Angels do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or an animate picture. (Sahih Bukhari Hadith no. 2986)

Sayyidna Ibn Abbas (rah) reports from Sayyidna Maimoona (ra) that once Rasulullah (saw) became sad; and said that Jibra'eel (Álayhis Salaam) promised to meet him at night but did not turn up. "By Allah what has kept him back," said the Prophet (saw). Then he realised a puppy was under his bed. He ordered that the puppy be removed and the area be sprinkled with water. In the afternoon when Jibra'eel (Álayhi Salaam) came, Rasulullah (saw) enquired as to the delay. Jibra'eel (Álayhi Salaam) said that we, the group of Angels do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or pictures. (Sahih Muslim Hadith no.3928)

In conclusion of these hadith and other narrations, it is not permissible to keep dogs as pets. If so, the home is deprived of the mercy of Allah (swt).

However, Jurists have stated that it is permissible to keep a dog for security purposes, farming and hunting.

The saliva of a dog is Najis (impure). If it touches the clothes or body, that portion also becomes impure and must be washed. Prayers are also said to be unanswered if a person (knowingly) has saliva of a dog on his or her person.

So, ladies... instead of opting for that cute little dog to get as a pet, get a cute little furry kitten! They are just as cute and cuddly and you will still be able to gain the rewards of your salah and get all of the blessings from the malaikah (angels), insha'Allah!

...And remember... We should all strive to make Allah our best friend. We should go to Him with our problems and questions first and foremost.



As Salaamu alaikum

Najwa & Nadira

Ask M2M: Can a Muslimah wear heels?

This weeks question is from two sisters

Shadonna asks:
Q: I've been told we as muslimahs are not to wear our feet out is this true? Are we allowed to wear heels(pumps,wedges)?

&

Sabeera asks:
Q: I and some sisters have a question about women wearing our feet out without covering your feet? Do you have to cover your feet?

A: We do our best to answer all questions. If there is a question we don't know the answer to we will do our best to provide daleel(Quran & Hadith) to answer the question. We have found the following information.

Scholars have differed regarding the feet of the woman: are they awrah in salah, or outside salah, or both or neither?


The Prophet (saw) was asked, when he mentioned the prohibition of dragging the lower garment, about what women should do with the ends of their garments. He said, ' They should extend them a span.' Umm Salamah said, 'Then, their feet will be uncovered!' He said, ' Then, they should extend them a cubit, not exceeding that.'
[ Tirmidhi ]

As far as wearing heels for the second part of Shadonna's questions;

And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their adornments (charms, or beauty and ornaments) except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their khimar (veils) over their bosoms and not display their adornments except to their husbands, their fathers .... and that they should not strike their feet so as to draw attention to their hidden (ornaments). (24:31-32)

Part of the reasoning behind heels being haram is that they make noise, flats can also make noise depending upon how one is walking in them/what the sole is made of.
It has also been said that wearing heels is dangerous for women because we may fall, they change the way we walk (making it more enticing to men )and they can also be a form of deceit making yourself look taller.
Narrated by Abu Sa’eed Al Khudri, Allah’s Apostle said :"A Jewish woman used to put two wooden legs to lengthen her shoes, so that no one could recognise her, for she was very short.”

As for M2M, we are very tall so we don't really wear heels, but when we have, we never fell or found ourselves to be in great danger because of them. It is possible that wearing heels can make your walk more enticing but if you don't know how to walk in them it can also make you look crazy. And as far as it being a form of deceit, where do you draw the line? A sneaker will usually give you a inch of height, so is that haram as well?

What it boils down to is your intentions when and/if you wear heels or shoes with height. Are you trying to put yourself in harms way, entice men or be deceitful? If you're wearing lime green six inch heels than you are most likely doing it to seek attention. There are plenty of super cute flats that are available that can be worn in place of heels. It's best to avoid anything that is a doubtful manner. Also, remember that intentions count for a lot when it comes to certain issues.

Allahu alum(Allah knows best)




Asalaamu alaikum

Nadira & Najwa

The Islamic Journey to Motherhood... Part 1

For those of you who know, my husband and I recently had our first child. Throughout my pregnancy and even before my pregnancy, I started to learn more and more about the Islamic traditions regarding childbirth. There are so many beautiful traditions and sunnah regarding this sacred time. I decided to share a few things that I learned to other Muslimahs out there. This series will be broken down into 4 parts: Conception, During Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery and Early Infancy.

Part 1: Conception

There are many things you can do to help to conceive a child. First and most importantly, it is necessary that you and your husband are good, practicing Muslims, because this is the foundation of the family and will help you to be in the right physical and emotional state for conceiving. You should both be observing the five daily prayers, fasting, and giving zakah according to your ability. Your income and that of your husband's should be from what is permissible, and not from the haraam, such as interest, or the sale of alcohol or pork.

As far as specific du'as for conceiving, there is no "magic bullet" du'a, of course, but here are some beneficial supplications from the Holy Qur'an:

"Rabbi la tadharni faradan wa anta khayru al-warithin."

Translation: "My Lord! Leave me not solitary (childless) You are the best of inheritors." (Al-Anbiya 89)

"Rabbi hab li min ladunka dhurriyyatan tayyibah innaka sami`ud du`a'

Translation: "My Lord! Grant me from You upright offspring, for You hear all prayers" (Al `Imran 38)

Recite these du'as frequently, and also make a habit of remembering Allah throughout your day with "subhanAllah" "alhamdulillah", and "Allahu akbar" and other authentic du'as.

There are also some "worldy" things you can do to increase the chance of conception. The first is to enjoy marital intimacy frequently. A woman is only fertile for a few days out of the month, so if you are intimate often, you have a better chance to conceive. You can purchase ovulation prediction kits (which use your body's temperature to determine when you might be most fertile) and you can keep track of your menstrual cycle to determine your fertile times. Also, RELAX! Marital intimacy should be enjoyable for its own sake, and if you are enjoying one another and not stressing over "having" to get pregnant, you will actually increase your chances, as stress hormones can interfere with pregnancy. There are many stories about women who finally got pregnant after they "gave up" trying and just resigned themselves to not having children.

Make sure also that you are not doing anything that will harm your health. If either of you smokes, stop now. The toxins from tobacco products can badly affect the man's sperm, damaging it and leading to infertility and potential defects in the fetus. Eat good healthy food, avoid processed foods, and maintain a healthy body weight. Exercise moderately. You should take a good woman's multivitamin or prenatal vitamin and extra folic acid to avoid a specific birth defect. Be sure to check the ingredients for gelatin prior to purchase.

As you see, there is a lot you can do to give yourself the best chance of conceiving. One thing to caution you about: you might receive superstitious advice from family members or acquaintances. Avoid any non-Islamic advice and hold to the Qur'an and Sunnah. InshaAllah, you will be blessed with a child who will be well-mannered, beautiful, intelligent, healthy and pious.

Before intercourse, it is sunnah to recite a du'a (prayer) to protect any offspring from Shaitan (the devil) such as the following:

"Bismillāh Allāhumma jannibnash-shaytān wa jannibish-shaytāna mā razaqtanā"

Translation: In the Name of Allāh! O Allāh! Protect me from satan and protect what You bestow upon us from satan.

If this is recited prior to intercourse and a child is conceived, it is destined that Shaitan will never be able to harm it.

Once a woman has confirmed her pregnancy, she should express her gratitude before Allah Ta'ala as this is indeed a great bounty of Allah Ta'ala. Gratitude may be expressed in the following dua:

"Allahummâ Lakal Hamdû Wa Lakash-Shukru"


Translation: O Allah! All praises are due to You alone and I express my gratitude unto You alone (for granting me the honour of motherhood)

www.islamicanswers.com


Asalaamu alaikum

Najwa