azra Anxiety is an unavoidable part of life. Everyone in this world will have his or her share of worries. However, there are limits to how much worry there should be. Worry should not lead us to despair.
Some people try so hard to avoid anxiety that they are unable to cope with the real world. By fleeing from reality, they merely increase their worries.
We need to cope with our anxiety in a rational, methodical way.
“And they ask you (O Muhammad), concerning theRuh (the spirit); Say: “The Ruh (the Spirit): its knowledge is with my Lord. And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given a little,”
(Al-Isra 17:85)
Most Muslims are familiar with the various reasons that Allah has required women to wear hijab: The hijab reflects modesty, purity and respect; it lessens temptation so that more serious sins will be avoided; it protects women from the harm and molestation of evil men; a woman who wears hijab will be evaluated for her intelligence and skills rather than her appearance.
The following incident took place when Muhammad Ali’s daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters:
When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.
(Continued)..
4. Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah (glorified and exalted be He))
Remembering Allah (glorified and exalted be He) is essential in achieving closeness to Him. You can remember him by engaging in dhikr (remembrance) and tasbeeh (praise).
Say ‘Astaghfirullah’ a lot to erase your sins.
Say ‘Alhamdulillah’ so Allah will give you more.
Look outside your window and say ‘Subhan-Allah’ about His beautiful creations.
“…for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.”
(Surah Al-Rad, 13:28)
To be close to our Creator is a fundamental need of every human being and striving to achieve it can be the healing for our chaotic inner selves which, in turn, leads to:
* Allah’s (glorified and exalted be He) love
* Greater productivity
* Confidence
* Satisfaction and joy
Therefore, it is essential to exert effort in seeking closeness to your Creator. To begin with, the prescription to getting closer to Allah requires a few things from you:
What are we celebrating today? We are celebrating Eidulfitr, we are celebrating the break of the fast, we are celebrating the end of Ramadan, we are celebrating our efforts in worshipping Allah throughout the blessed month, we are celebrating the mercy, the forgiveness, and the protection from Hell fire that had come to cover all of us in Ramadan. Yes, indeed, we are celebrating all this today, but we are also celebrating something much more important. Some of you might ask what can be more important than Ramadan, the fast, the prayers, the forgiveness…?
Recently I’d been feeling very hard-hearted and unemotional; I couldn’t feel anything for anyone close or far, no matter what they were going through. I couldn’t cry. I would ask Allah (swt) to soften my heart but even this asking was emotion-free. I hated this feeling. But one afternoon everything changed, and my “dua” was answered.
Abdullah ibn Umar (RadiyAllahu Anhu), a learned companion of the Prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), reports that “Allah’s messenger (Pbuh) used to stay in the Mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan.”
[Related by Al Bukhari]
How to take full advantage and benefit from the last part of Ramadan ?
Though all parts of Ramadan are full of blessings and rewards, its last ten days hold a special status reflected in the recommendations and practices of the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, and his companions. Let us focus here on three major practices of the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, and his companions during these days.
(1) – Praying in the last ten nights of Ramadan:
Let us also reflect more deeply on the true meaning of Ramadan; that time when we are are reminded that all Muslims are enjoined by our Creator to abstain from all eating and drinking during daylight hours. This month of fasting and spiritual reflection brings us closer to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and more attuned to the needs and suffering of other human beings.
Indeed, we experience the temporary discomfort of hunger and thirst each day, but the magnitude of chronic hunger in our world is truly staggering.
Consider, if you will, the following disturbing statistics:
The Bahujan Samaj Party demanded splitting of Uttar Pradesh into four smaller states Wednesday, a day after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) urged the government to form a separate state of Telangana.
“We have always supported smaller states,” BSP chief Mayawati said here at a press conference.
She said Uttar Pradesh should be divided into four smaller states — Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Awadh Pradesh and Pashchim Pradesh.
“When this population is divided between four states, development will increase,” she said.
A girl who was allegedly raped and brutally thrashed Sunday in Ramgarh district of Jharkhand died of her injuries early Wednesday at a hospital in the state capital, police said.
Police said the teenaged girl, a student of an intermediate college (Class 11 and 12) was allegedly abducted when she was returning home and raped in Ramgarh district.
The girl, a resident of Ramgarh district of Jharkhand, was admitted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) in Ranchi for treatment. She slipped into coma, and died early Wednesday morning.
A Sikh gurdwara in Riverside, California has been vandalised in an apparent hate crime with the word ‘TERRIST!’ in capital letters spray painted around the complex, according to a community organisation.
Citing community members, the Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund (SALDEF), said Tuesday vandalism occurred sometime during the July 29/30 night.
SALDEF said it’s in contact with Riverside County Sheriff Department, the Riverside Police Department, the FBI and Department of Justice urging them to investigate the incident as a hate crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The UN Higher Council for Refugees (UNHCR) has said its offices in Lebanon completed the registration of more than 50,000 Syrian refugees in July, bringing the total number of those receiving aid to over 645,000.
More than 541,000 Syrian refugees have been registered in Lebanon, while over 104,000 are still waiting for the registration process to be completed, reported Xinhua citing the UN refugee agency Tuesday.
Protests began in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions Wednesday, a day after the United Progressive Alliance Coordination Committee agreed to the division of Andhra Pradesh and the formation of a separate Telangana state.
Road transport came to a standstill while shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed in the two regions, usually referred to as Seemandhra.
Book: “Of Occupation and Resistance: Writings from Kashmir”; Author: Fahad Shah; Publisher: Tranquebar; Pages: 256; Price: Rs.395.
“For us, the colour red is not for roses but for blood.” This strong statement from a 23-year-old calls for a patient hearing, especially if he is from the Kashmir Valley. Committed to narrating stories through memoirs and analytical pieces, young and independent journalist Fahad Shah provides a moving account of everyday struggles, emotional turmoil, insecurities and fear of the natives in this anthology.
Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan will be conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Rashtriya Sadbhavna award for 2013.
The award will be presented to Khan on late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s birthday Aug 20.
Khan received the Padma Shri in 1975, the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 1989 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship for 2011. (IANS)
The Bharatiya Janata Party has removed Ram Kishore Singh as its Bihar spokesperson Tuesday, a day after he questioned Narendra Modi’s popularity and his development model.
State BJP president Mangal Pandey removed Ram Kishore Singh following action demanded by some party leaders, including former minister Giriraj Singh, who is a vocal supporter of the Gujarat chief minister.
“Party has also issued a show-cause notice to Singh in this connection,” Pandey said.
The mother of the stunt biker who was shot dead by Delhi Police Monday has demanded a CBI inquiry into her son’s death.
“I want a CBI inquiry to be conducted because I do not believe in the investigation being conducted so far,” Manju Pandey, mother of the deceased Karan Pandey, told IANS Tuesday.
Karan Pandey was cremated Tuesday at the Malviya Nagar crematorium in south Delhi.
“The policeman who fired at my son should be arrested as he took his life without any reason,” she added.
Excessive use of mobile phone can lead to oxidative stress in cells that is linked to cellular and genetic mutations which cause development of tumours, says a study.
Oxidative stress is a process that damages all aspects of a human cell, including DNA, through the development of toxic peroxide and free radicals.
AL-I’TIKAF:
SECLUSION FOR THE REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH
The meaning of I’tikaf is to seclude oneself in the masjid with the express intention (niyyah) of I’tikaf, for the remembrance of Allah, even though for a few seconds only.
Objects and Advantages of I’tikaf:
As the last ten nights of Ramadan are upon us, many of us are still in shock at the speed with which Ramadan has passed. Our goals may not yet be realized, our habits may not yet have changed, and our hearts may not yet have felt the sweetness of this beloved month. Disheartened, many of us may have already given to despair, feeling that our Ramadans have not been as fruitful as we had wished and planned.
As the last ten nights of Ramadan are upon us, many of us are still in shock at the speed with which Ramadan has passed. Our goals may not yet be realized, our habits may not yet have changed, and our hearts may not yet have felt the sweetness of this beloved month. Disheartened, many of us may have already given to despair, feeling that our Ramadans have not been as fruitful as we had wished and planned.
One should not overeat while breaking the fast to the point that he fills his stomach, as there isn’t any container that Allah hates more than a full stomach. How can one benefit from fasting and subdue this enemy and break this desire if he breaks his fast by making up for it through eating everything that he missed out on during the day? In fact, some even eat more than they usually would during the day! This habit has continued to the point that so many types of food are prepared for Ramadhan that more food is eaten in this month than in any other month.